20090822 All Versions_Complete File_20060804

United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
August 1, 2006??tio Fy 9G?' ??
9?l/? ../elf/
Mr. William T. Goodwin, Jr., P.E.,
Bridge Project Development Unit Head
Attention: Mr. Dennis Pipkin, Project Development Engineer
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1551 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1551
Dear Mr. Goodwin:
Subject: Bridge Replacements in North Carolina - Catawba County (TIP No. B-4456),
Cleveland County (TIP No. B-4468), Gaston County (TIP Nos. B-4517 and B-4519),
Iredell County (TIP No. B-4553), and Rutherford County (TIP No. B-4632)
We have reviewed the subject bridge replacement projects and are providing the following
comments in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.
661-667e); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703, et seq.) (MBTA); and section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act).
Fish and Wildlife Resources - The information provided for these six projects does not include
detailed descriptions of the structures that will replace the existing bridges; therefore, our
comments are general. We will provide more substantive comments when the categorical
exclusions are prepared. In all cases we recommend that an existing bridge be replaced with a
new bridge, and we request that National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for these
projects consider replacing existing bridges with new bridges as an alternative. If an alternative
is chosen that does not replace an existing bridge with a new bridge, such as an alternative that
involves the replacement of an existing bridge with a culvert, we request that the NEPA
document include an evaluation as to why an alternative of replacing an existing bridge with a
new bridge was not chosen.
We recommend that each new bridge design include provisions for the roadbed and deck
drainage to flow through a vegetated buffer prior to reaching the affected stream. This buffer
should be large enough to alleviate any potential effects from the runoff of storm water and
pollutants. The bridge designs should not alter the natural stream or the stream-bank
morphology or impede fish passage. Any piers or bents should be placed outside the bank-full

ed to avoid any fill that will
he bridges and approaches should be d ai * f spanning approach es U1
to
or constriction of the channel or floodp
width of the streams. g lain portion of the appr velocities of
result in th lain and reduce high
feasible, culverts should be instalof theofloodp
not drological functions
restore some of the the affected areas- riot to any ground-disturbing
floodwaters with lace p most
and sedimentation should be p a stream. d
never into contact with
n ansting the new bridge through stage
Measures to control erosio be allowed to come
activities. Wet concrete shout laced in place by constru
fer that abridge be rep off-site routes.
cases we pre detouring traffic to existing native plant
construction or by recommend that on
disturbed areas.' we strongly that noninvasive sp
When reseeding ly ecies (such as
revegetating of be found, While many of the exotic
reestablish themselves. proven beneficial to
s ecies be used or, if an adequate lams seed can source cann
p ual rye) be used until in native Plants and reclame on f Wiese paecve species outvi,eighs any
eluding tall
a la typical') used invasive natur species, i:n
plant species typ we now know that themay provide. Exotic redtop (a
some wildlife species, eastern Asia species),
-term erosion-control or wildlife benefits they and ered bluegrass
short Eurasia), Korean and Se a,a p nat ve to Africa), and often result in
fescue (native toSudan grass and Bermuda gretation detrimental to the
Eurasian species), Canada), choke out native veg very
and northern (native to Eurasia an to be of little benefit to wildlife and be
monocultures that prove
stem as a whole. killing; possession,
ecosy prohibits the taking, their eggs parts,
TA (16 U.S•C• 703-712) the bald eagle), To avoid
ratory Birds -The MB TA birds (including
Mpg and importation of migrflee Department of the Interior and any
transportation, specifically authorized by a visual inspection of the bridges
end conducting the migratory bird nesting
except when
during
and nests, story birds, we recomm area the project
impacts to migrhabitat within the project ortation
other migratory bird nesting bet. If migratory birds are discovered nest ent of Transp
ptem the North Carolina Dept (March
season--March through Se bridges, migratory bird nesting season riot to the
including on the existing es during years p
impact area, acting the nests during o the n the bridg easures to
(NCDOT) should avoid imp should develop m e take
tember)• If birds are d1D°OTr consultation with us,
through Sep date, the NC by means t during will not result in th
ction nests on the bridges d demolition actinties ring
proposed constru establishing
discourage birds from should avoid construction and
the birds or eggs, or the NCDOT
pen od. rimarily to the
the nesting
_ Our comments about listed concern. are limited p
Listed Species species of
Federally species and federal e the NCDOT to
known locations of listed We encourage
acts and
occurs in Gaston Coo should avoid those impacts
surveys
(ClemmYs muhlenbergii)acts are anticipated, Y
The bog turtle . If imp Commission, who participates actively
require
assess habitat for the bog turtle
c 'le the omm bog turtle technically
t the North Carolina Wildlifoe Rttirtle
contac
efforts for the g
and conservation
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concern, and the NCDOT is actively managing
section 7 consultation it is a species of
parts of sites for this species.
mitigation sites or p our Log No- 4-2-06-35g. The
e over Interstate 40? It will be replaced in place, an
County TIP N°, 8-4456, Bridg listed
Catawba n an urbanized area).
- occurrences of federally
existing bridge is over interstate 40 (withiand there are no known ect will affect any listed
off--site detour will be used, we do not believe this proJ
existing area; therefore,
species near the project No. 4-2-06-359.
species. g? Creek, our Log
TIP No. B-4468, Bridge over Sandy threatened
Cleveland County - County indicate occurrences of the C? ea
dw dll we recommea for this
our records for Cleveland naniflora) near the prof ro ect are
dwarf-flowered heart heartlea f (Handastylis surveying any suitab
conducting habitat as le habitat in the p J
sessments
its flowering period of March through May. NO 4_2.06-360. The
species during Log
4517, Bridge over Crowder's Creek, our Georgia aster
Tip No. B Helianthus schweinitzii)
Gaston County - occur in Gaston CountyW area
endangere d Schweinitz's sunflo aecandidate for federal listing, suitable habitat in the project
orgianum), August through
(Symphyotrichum ge habitat assessment fO ans surveying any suitable
is late recommend conducting mid-November. The
ecies. The best time to survey a aster is October through Open, and
for these sp for Georgi is currently a candidate for
' habitats similar to that of the Schweinitz's sun °`'?'e '
October. The best time to survey south and
G 'a aster
Georems that there are wetland
Georgia aster is found m ot federally listed, thet We recommend
areas. Though n end avoiding these wetlands
often disturbed listing and could be listed in oee study
northwest of the bridge, re• areaapp
federal within the p or turtle.
and surveying any suitable habitat for the bog our Log No 4_2_06-361. The
e over Little Long Creek,
a aster also occur in Gaston County Wproject area
-TIP No. B-4519, Bridge
G i any suitable habitat in the L the
Gaston County ower and Georg
's surd, Of the subject bridge crossing,
endangered Schweinitz ssments and survey of
d conducting habitat asse downstreth Tina Natural Heritage
recommen A roximately 0.5 mile e North Caro Meadow
for these species. Pp Meadow Bog, listed by turtle in Friday
ere are occurrences of the bog l encourage the NCDOT
Long Creek flows into Friday site. Th we strong y
program as a state significant
turtle occur downstream' and
ensure that sediment- erosion-contro
does not
ce the bog and the bog d e oand ccur
Creek. Sm bridge with a bri g ut ur. construction so that sediment
to replace the existing
measures are in place and mac treamobog° p
the site and impact the No. 4-2-06-362.
leave Creek, our LOg species in Iredell
No. B-4553, Bridge over Fourth listed listed
Iredell County - TIP ds there are no known occurrences of this Project will affect any
According to our records , we do not believe this p
or near the project area;
species. owLogNo.4-2-06-363. The
Bridge over Railroad, ° onia (Isotria medeoloides)
TIP No. B-4632,
dwarf-.flowered heartleaf and small whorled p g
Rutherford County -
federally threatened
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P
and the federally endangered white irisette (Sisyrinchium dichotomum) occur in Rutherford
County. We recommend conducting habitat assessments. and surveying any suitable habitat in
the project area for these species during their flowering period of March through May for
dwarf-flowered heartleaf, mid-May through early July for small whorled pogonia, and late May
through July for white irisette. There is winter habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat
(Myotis sodalis) in Rutherford County. A visual survey of the bridge should be conducted to
ensure that bats are not using the bridge for temporary roosting. The NCDOT should check for
caves and mines near the project area and within its right-of-way. If there are no caves or mines
within or near the project area and if no Indiana bats are discovered using the bridge as a
temporary roosting site, the NCDOT can determine that the project will have no effect on the
Indiana bat. However, if there are caves or mines in the area and if the caves or mines will be
directly or indirectly impacted by the project, consultation should be initiated with this office
If we can be of assistance or if you have any questions about these comments, please contact
Ms. Denise Moldenhauer of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 226.
S'ncerely,
? f
Brian P. Cole
Field Supervisor
cc:
Ms. Marla J. Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator, North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission, 4614 Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road, Suite M, Charlotte., NC 28227
Mr. Brian Wrenn, North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Central Office, 2321 Crabtree
Blvd., Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27604
Ms. Polly Lespinasse, Mooresville Regional Office, North Carolina Division of Water Quality,
610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301, Mooresville, NC 28115
Mr. Steve Lund, Asheville Regulatory Field Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 151 Patton
Avenue, Room 208, Asheville, NC 28801-5006
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