20070089 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20070123

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~
Richazd B. Hamilton, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Amanda Jones, Permit Coordinator ~ ~~ ~~~
Asheville Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers D iy
n Linville Re Tonal Coordinator 1~ JAN 2 U
FROM: Ro g 3 2007
Habitat Conservation Program
pENR - WAt~R (?UA~.rTY
INETiAND$ AND STS`.*.i,~+iA„'ES?_$F,J~JCH
DATE: January 18, 2007
SUBJECT: Kris Wetherall, NC Property Holdings, Lost Trails (Phase I), Brushy Fork and
Tributaries thereof, Watauga County
The applicant is requesting a letter of concurrence from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC) to obtain a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The
NCWRC has reviewed information provided by the applicant, and field biologists on our staff
are familiar with habitat values of the project azea. These comments aze provided in accordance
with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et. seq.) and the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The proposed project is to install three (3) culverts, including one (1) on Brushy Fork and two (2)
on its tributaries. No design specifications were apparent during our application review. Brushy
Fork has limited wild trout, specifically Brown and Rainbow. Other streams in the area support
good populations of trout and other cold water aquatic species.
Based on the information provided by the applicant and our knowledge of the range of trout in
the project azea, we do not believe this project will cause significant effects to waters supporting
trout providing these conditions aze followed:
1. Instream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are prohibited
during the trout spawning seasons of October 15 through April 15 to protect the egg and
fiy stages of trout.
2. Bridges are recommended for all permanent roadway crossings of streams, floodplains
and associated wetlands to eliminate the need to fill and culvert. Bridges should be the
standard practice where significant natural resources like trout, listed species, or site
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Faz: [phone]

Lost Cove Phase I -Page 2 - **January 18, 2007
limitations like bedrock exist. Floodplain capacities and floodplain functions must be
maintained with bridges and culverts. Abridge option should be thoroughly evaluated
for the main stem of Brushy Creek before anv culvertins Hermit is issued.
3. If culverts must be used instead of bridges, culverts should be designed and installed to
allow passage of aquatic organisms. Culverts must be wide enough to provide mimicry
of the natural channel through the base flow barrel. Culverts 48" or larger must be buried
at least a foot (12") below the streambed. Culverts less than 48 inches diameter must be
buried to a depth equal to or greater than twenty (20) percent their size to provide aquatic
life passage. These measurements must be based on natural thalweg depths. Culverts
should be situated so that no channel realignment or widening occurs. Widening of the
stream channel at the inlet or outlet of structures usually causes a decrease in water depth
and velocity resulting in increased sedimentation and diminished aquatic life passage.
Where multiple barrels aze used, the base flow barrel must be installed as indicated above
while additional barrels should be placed so that their bottoms are located on the active
bank full elevation. These bank full barrels must be connected to active floodplain
benches to provide natural dimensions for the base flow channel with sufficient water
depth during low or normal flows to accommodate movement of aquatic species. If
culverts aze long and/or sufficient slopes exist, alternating baffles should be provided in a
manner that conforms to channel bends upstream and downstream, mimics natural
meanders, prevents upstream scour and downstream deposition, moves typical bed load
materials, and provides resting areas and passage for aquatic species.
4. Natural stream channel dimensions must be maintained (restored if disturbed). Flat
concrete aprons between wing-walls must not be used.
5. Riprap must not be placed in the streambed or in a manner to modify the natural thalweg
or impede aquatic life movement during low flow or drought conditions.
6. Concrete work must be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact stream water.
7. Sediment and erosion control measures adhere to the design standazds for sensitive
watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0124).
8. Additional phased development should be planned in conjunction with these impacts to
avoid and minimize secondary and cumulative impacts to area streams and waters of the
US if US Army Corps of Engineer. and/or NC Division of Water Quality subdivision
rules are applicable.
9. If the subdivision will exceed ten (10) percent impervious area, stormwater management
is recommended to maintain current hydrograph conditions. Low Impact Development
(LID) techniques are encouraged. Information on LID practices and measures can be
found at www lowimpactdevelopment.ora.
10. NC Division of Land Resources buffer provisions should be adhered to as applicable for
impacts within the twenty-five (25) foot trout buffer.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any questions
regarding these comments, please contact me at 336/'769-9453.
E-copy: Daryl Lamb, DWQ-WSRO
Matt Gantt, DLR-WSRO
Randy Woodrow, Watauga County