20140929 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20091110

® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
TO: Rachelle Beauregard, Environmental Supervisor, NEU
Project Development and Environmental Analysis, NCDOT
FROM: Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC
DATE: November 6, 2009
SUBJECT: Scoping review of NCDOT's proposed bridge replacement projects in Davidson,
Forsyth, Rowan and Stokes Counties. TIP Nos. B-3159, B-5165, B-4746, B-
5160, and B-5172.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has requested comments from the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) regarding impacts to fish and wildlife
resources resulting from the subject projects. Staff biologists have reviewed the information
provided. The following preliminary comments are provided in accordance with the provisions
of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
Our standard recommendations for bridge replacement projects of this scope are as follows:
We generally prefer spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work
within the stream and do not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and
vertical clearances provided by bridges allows for human and wildlife passage beneath
the structure, does not block fish passage, and does not block navigation by canoeists and
boaters.
2. Bridge deck drains should not discharge directly into the stream.
3. Live concrete should not be allowed to contact the water in or entering into the stream.
4. If possible, bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
B-3159, B-5165, B4746, B-5160, & B-5172
Davidson, Forsyth, Rowan & Stokes Counties -2- November 6, 2009
If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, they should be removed back to
original ground elevations immediately upon the completion of the project. Disturbed
areas should be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and native tree species should be
planted with a spacing of not more than 10'x10'. If possible, when using temporary
structures the area should be cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws,
mowers, bush-hogs, or other mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat
intact, allows the area to revegetate naturally and minimizes disturbed soil.
6. A clear bank (riprap free) area of at least 10 feet should remain on each side of the stream
underneath the bridge.
In trout waters, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission reviews all U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers nationwide and general `404' permits. We have the option of requesting
additional measures to protect trout and trout habitat and we can recommend that the
project require an individual `404' permit.
8. In streams that contain threatened or endangered species, Mr. Logan Williams with the
NCDOT - ONE should be notified. Special measures to protect these sensitive species
may be required. NCDOT should also contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for
information on requirements of the Endangered Species Act as it relates to the project.
9. In streams that are used by anadromous fish, the NCDOT official policy entitled "Stream
Crossing Guidelines for Anadromous Fish Passage (May 12, 1997)" should be followed.
10. In areas with significant fisheries for sunfish, seasonal exclusions may also be
recommended.
11. Sedimentation and erosion control measures sufficient to protect aquatic resources must
be implemented prior to any ground disturbing activities. Structures should be
maintained regularly, especially following rainfall events.
12. Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil within
15 days of ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control.
13. All work in or adjacent to stream waters should be conducted in a dry work area.
Sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams, or other diversion structures should be used where
possible to prevent excavation in flowing water.
14. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in
order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants
into streams.
15. Only clean, sediment-free rock should be used as temporary fill (causeways), and should
be removed without excessive disturbance of the natural stream bottom when
construction is completed.
B-3159, B-5165, B-4746, B-5160, & B-5172
Davidson, Forsyth, Rowan & Stokes Counties -3- November 6, 2009
16. During subsurface investigations, equipment should be inspected daily and maintained to
prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids,
or other toxic materials.
17. If culvert installation is being considered, conduct subsurface investigations prior to
structure design to determine design options and constraints and to ensure that wildlife
passage issues are addressed.
If corrugated metal pipe arches, reinforced concrete pipes, or concrete box culverts are used:
The culvert must be designed to allow for aquatic life and fish passage. Generally, the
culvert or pipe invert should be buried at least I foot below the natural streambed
(measured from the natural thalweg depth). If multiple barrels are required, barrels other
than the base flow barrel(s) should be placed on or near stream bankfull or floodplain
bench elevation (similar to Lyonsfield design). These should be reconnected to
floodplain benches as appropriate. This may be accomplished by utilizing sills on the
upstream end to restrict or divert flow to the base flow barrel(s). Silled barrels should be
filled with sediment so as not to cause noxious or mosquito breeding conditions.
Sufficient water depth should be provided in the base flow barrel during low flows to
accommodate fish movement. If culverts are longer than 40-50 linear feet, alternating or
notched baffles should be installed in a manner that mimics existing stream pattern. This
should enhance aquatic life passage: 1) by depositing sediments in the barrel, 2) by
maintaining channel depth and flow regimes, and 3) by providing resting places for fish
and other aquatic organisms. In essence, the base flow barrel(s) should provide a
continuum of water depth and channel width without substantial modifications of
velocity.
2. If multiple pipes or cells are used, at least one pipe or box should be designed to remain
dry during normal flows to allow for wildlife passage.
3. Culverts or pipes should be situated along the existing channel alignment whenever
possible to avoid channel realignment. Widening the stream channel must be avoided.
Stream channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water
velocity causing sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts
aquatic life passage.
4. Riprap should not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a
manner that precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengineering, boulders or structures should
be professionally designed, sized, and installed.
In most cases, we prefer the replacement of the existing structure at the same location with road
closure. If road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour should be designed and located to
avoid wetland impacts, minimize the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks.
If the structure will be on a new alignment, the old structure should be removed and the approach
fills removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills should be removed down to the
B-3159, B-5165, B-4746, B-5160, & B-5172
Davidson, Forsyth, Rowan & Stokes Counties -4- November 6, 2009
natural ground elevation. The area should be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree
species. Tall fescue should not be used in riparian areas. If the area that is reclaimed was
previously wetlands, NCDOT should restore the area to wetlands. If successful, the site may be
used as wetland mitigation for the subject project or other projects in the watershed.
Project specific comments:
B-3159, Davidson Co., Bridge No. 27 over US 29/64/70/1-85 Business Loop on US 52/NC 8.
Aquatic resources may not occur at the project site, but the site drains to the Michael Branch
and Leonard Creek watersheds, both class C waters. No special concerns are indicated at
this time. Standard recommendations should apply.
2. B-5165, Davidson Co., Bridge No. 42 over Muddy Creek on SR 1485. Muddy Creek is
classified C waters upstream and WS-IV not far downstream. No special concerns are
indicated at this time. Standard recommendations should apply.
3. B-4746, Forsyth Co., Bridge No. 229 over Norfolk and Western Railroad on SR 2264.
Aquatic resources may not occur at the project site, but the site'appears to drain to the Brushy
Fork watershed, class C waters. No special concerns are indicated at this time. Standard
recommendations should apply.
4. B-5160, Rowan Co., Bridge No. 50 over Nails Branch on SR 1986. Nails Branch flows to
Fourth Creek, Class C waters, just downstream. Further downstream, Fourth Creek is on the
303(d) list of impaired waters. No special concerns are indicated at this time. Standard
recommendations should apply.
B-5172, Stokes Co., Bridge No. 11 over East Prong Creek on SR 1166. East Prong Creek (or
East Prong Little Yadkin River) is Class B waters. No special concerns are indicated at this
time. Standard recommendations should apply.
We request that. NCDOT routinely minimize adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources in the
vicinity of bridge replacements. The NCDOT should install and maintain sedimentation control
measures throughout the life of the project and prevent wet concrete from contacting water in or
entering into these streams. Replacement of bridges with spanning structures of some type, as
opposed to pipe or box culverts, is recommended in most cases. Spanning structures allow
wildlife passage along streambanks, reducing habitat fragmentation and vehicle related mortality
at highway crossings.
If you need further assistance or information on NCWRC concerns regarding bridge
replacements, please contact meat [phone]. Thank you for, the opportunity to review and
comment on this project.
cc: Amy Euliss, NCDWQ
Troy Wilson, USFWS