20051766 Ver 2_Other Agency Comments_20100503

® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
MEMORANDUM
TO: Ian McMillan
NC DENR/DWQ J /?
FROM: Molly Ellwood x4) - ?`
Southeastern Permit Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: . May 3, 2010
RE: Sterling Farms Subdivision, Onslow County; DWQ# 05-1766v.2
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
application for impacts to wildlife and fishery resources. A site visit was conducted on April 29, 2010. Our
comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401,
as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.), and Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (as amended).
Ogden Highway LLC is requesting to renew an expired permit for the remaining four road crossings of a 566
lot subdivision in Hubert, Onslow County. Currently four road crossings of the previously permitted eight
crossings have been installed. 0.211 acres will be permanently impacted as a result of the proposed last 4 road
crossings on site. 0.246 acres of non-riparian wetlands were previously impacted for crossings 5-8. Mitigation
is proposed from through NCEEP in-lieu fee program.
The NCWRC does not object to the renewal of this permit for the proposed road crossings 1-4, provided they
are properly installed in accordance with requirements set forth within the US Army Corps of Engineers'
nationwide permit 14 and the NC Division of Water Quality's general certificate 3707. Culverts are required to
be buried to a depth sufficient to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. General certificate 3707
states that "[p]lacement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams and wetlands, must be placed below
the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts 48 inches in diameter or larger, and 20 percent of the
culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than or equal to 48 inches ..." Culverts should also be
aligned with the natural stream channel to allow for proper stream flow. Previous culverts were observed as
not being properly aligned, causing pooling and restricting the natural flow of water. Previously installed
culverts were not sufficiently buried in accordance to these requirements and the NCWRC recommends that
they be corrected accordingly.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this application. If you have any questions or
require additional information regarding these comments please call me at [phone].
CC: Joanne Steenhuis, NCDWQ
David Bailey, USACE
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]