20090507 Ver 1_Information Letter_20090520

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Monte Matthews, USACOE
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: May 6, 2009
SUBJECT: NC 194 Repaving, Unnamed Tributary Three Mile Creek, Class WS-IV, Trout), Avery County
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to resurface portions of NC 194 in Avery county.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with habitat values in the area.
These comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat.
401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (G.S. 113A-1 through
113A-10; NCAC 25).
The project will include culvert improvements that will impact 45 linear feet of stream. Our review of the project
area determined that no wild trout are indicated for the area although the stream is classified as trout. The Toe River
is Designated Public Mountain Trout Waters that are Hatchery Supported by this agency. The Bog turtle, Glyptemys
muhlenbergii (NCT, FT S/A) is known from this sub-basin. The Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (NCSC,
FSC) is also known from this area, especially the river and larger streams.
Based on our application review, we will not object to the project providing that stringent erosion control measures
are used and maintained. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for sensitive
watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0024). It is important that aquatic life passage be provided during low stream flow
conditions by proper pipe burial. NCDOT should be on the lookout for turtles while working in the area especially
during the spring breeding season. If any are found in the work site, they should be relocated out of harms way by
NCDOT environmental officer coordination. If a Bog turtle is found, the occurrence should be documented with
photographs and maps and the information forwarded to this office electronically.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project during the early planning stages. If you have
any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336-769-9453.
E-copy: Kevin Barnett, Linda Wiggs, DWQ-ARO
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT
Kathy Matthews, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NC W RC
Marella Buncick, USFWS
Sonya Gregory, DWQ-Raleigh
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]