20110444 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20110511

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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 18, 201 1
SUBJECT: SRI 422, Unnamed Tributary Brush Creek (C-Trout), Alleghany County
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace a non-inventory pipe on the
referenced roadway. 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
Fishtand 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 NCDOT proposes to increase the existing 50' x 42" pipe with a 60' x 54" pipe with headwall. Our
review did not indicate trout presence; however, the Kanawha darter, Elhostoma kanawhae (NCSR) is
indicated for the basin. The darter prefers clear streams with a hard bottom. The Tonguetied minnow,
Exoglossum !aurae (NCSR) is also known from the basin. This minnow prefers clear, warm gravel
streams.
Based on our review of the submittal and our knowledge of area habitats, we will not object to the project.
Due to the presence of rare fish and if there are reaches of perennial waters above and below the pipe with
graveled or hard streambed habitats, NCDOT should evaluate aquatic life and fish passage options to
determine if it is possible to reconnect fragmented aquatic habitats especially if passage is practicable
with a larger pipe.
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: Amy Euliss, DWQ-WSRO
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT
Becky Fox, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
Marella Buncick, USFWS
Sonia G. Carrillo, DWQ-Raleigh
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]