20201526 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20210212

Strickland, Bev
From: Munzer, Olivia
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 12:43 PM
To: [e-mail]
Cc: Johnson, Alan; Hamstead, Byron A; Roden Reynolds, Bryan K CIV (US)
Subject: NCWRC Comments - SAW-2019-02211 Blue Sky Meadows Development
Attachments: NCWRC Comments -SAW-2019-02211 Blue Sky Meadow.pdf
Mr. Caldwell,
Please see the attached comments. Thank you,
Olivia
Olivia Munzer
Western Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Rogers Depot
1718 NC Hwy 56 W
Creedmoor, NC 27522
Office: 919-707-0364
Cell: 336-269-0074
[e-mail]>;
www.ncwildlife.or>;
0 91 M 102J,
Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
1

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
12 February 2021
Mr. Health Caldwell
Wetlands & Environmental Planning Group, PLLC
10612-D Providence Road, PMB 550
Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
SUBJECT: Pre -Construction Notification for the Blue Sky Meadows Development in Monroe, Union
County, North Carolina. USACE Action ID: SAW-2019-02211; DEQ No. 20201526.
Dear Mr. Caldwell,
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as
amended) and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended;
16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
On behalf of Pace Development Group, Wetlands & Environmental Planning Group, PLLC (WEPG)
submitted a Pre -Construction Notification (PCN) application for the Blue Sky Meadows Development
located west of Concord Avenue and north of Hillsdale Drive in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina.
The applicant requests to permanently impact 273 linear feet (If) of perennial stream and 0.078 acre (ac)
of wetlands for the construction of the project. The project would impact 0.0114 ac of wetland for a BMP,
and temporarily impact 201f of streams and 0.200 ac of wetlands.
We have records of state endangered Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana) and Savannah lilliput
(Toxolasma pullus), and state significantly rare eastern creekshell (V. delumbis) within the watershed, and
federal endangered Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) near the site. WEPG conducted federal
threatened and endangered species survey and no federally listed species were observed at the site. The lack
of records from the project area does not imply or confirm the absence of state listed species. An on -site
survey is the only definitive means to determine if the proposed project would impact state -listed rare,
threatened, or endangered species.
We offer the applicant the preliminary recommendations to minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial
wildlife resources.
1. NCWRC would like to see the applicant further minimize impacts to the stream and wetlands. One
recommendation is to use bridges for the road crossings or using stream simulation design to install a
bottomless culvert where footers are positioned outside the bankfull and storm surge. Also consider
using already existing crossings to minimize disturbance to other sections of the streams.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

12 February 2021 Page 2 NCWRC Comments
Blue Sky Meadows
USACE Action ID: SAW-2019-02211
2. For Stream Crossing #3, do not bury the RCP since the slope of culvert is greater than 2% because of
potential headcutting.
Maintain a minimum 100-foot undisturbed, native, forested buffer along perennial streams, and a
minimum 50-foot buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Maintaining undisturbed, forested
buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources, water
quality, and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the project area. Also, wide riparian
buffers are helpful in maintaining stability of stream banks and for treatment of pollutants associated
with urban stormwater.
4. Consider using native seed mixtures and plants that are beneficial to wildlife for revegetating
disturbed areas and landscaping. Avoid using Bermudagrass, redtop, tall fescue, and lespedeza,
which are invasive and/or non-native and provide little benefit to wildlife. Consider an
alternative mix of red clover, creeping red fescue, and a grain, such as oats, wheat, or rye. Also
avoid using invasive, non-native landscaping plants, such as privet and nandina
(hqp://www.ncwildflower.ora/plant galleries/invasives_list).
5. Use non-invasive native species and Low Impact Development (LID) technology in landscaping.
Using LID technology in landscaping will not only help maintain the predevelopment hydrologic
regime, but also enhance the aesthetic and habitat value of the site. LID techniques include
bioretention areas and rain gardens that can collect stormwater from driveways and roads.
Additional alternatives include narrower roads, swales versus curbs/gutters and permeable surfaces
such as turf stone, brick, and cobblestone. Compared to conventional developments, implementing
appropriate LID techniques can be more cost-effective, increase property values, provide space -
saving advantages, reduce runoff, and protect water quality (Roseen et al. 2011).
Also, additional information on LID can be found at the NC State University LID guide:
http://www.onsiteconsortium.org/npsdeal/NC_LID_Guidebook.pdf. NCWRC's Green Growth
Toolbox provides information on nature -friendly planning
(http://www.ncwildlife.org/Conserving Prop-rams/GreenGrowthToolbox.aspx).
6. Incorporate the following elements into erosion and sediment control plans: minimize clearing
and grading, protect waterways, phase construction for larger construction sites (>25 acres),
stabilize soils as rapidly as possible (<2 weeks), protect steep slopes, establish appropriate
perimeter controls, employ advanced settling devices, implement a certified contractors program,
and regularly inspect erosion control measures. Ensure all silt fencing is removed once
vegetation has reestablished and soils have stabilized.
7. The use of biodegradable and wildlife -friendly sediment and erosion control devices is strongly
recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose -weave netting
that is made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and horizontal
twines. Silt fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh should be avoided as it
impedes the movement of terrestrial wildlife species. These measures should be routinely
inspected and properly maintained. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have numerous
detrimental effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning habitat, suffocation of
eggs, and clogging of gills of aquatic species.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input for this project. If I can provide further assistance or
provide free technical guidance, please call [phone] or email olivia.munzer(c-r�,ncwildlife.org.

12 February 2021 Page 3 NCWRC Comments
Blue Sky Meadows
USACE Action ID: SAW-2019-02211
Literature Cited
Roseen, R. M., T. V. Janeski, J. J. Houle, M. H. Simpson, and J. Gunderson. 2011. Forging the Link:
Linking the Economic Benefits of Low Impact Development and Community Decisions. Available at:
https://owl.cyT.org/mdocs::posts/roseen-et-al-201 1-forging-the-link/.
ec: Alan Johnson, N.C. Division of Water Resources
Bryan Roden -Reynolds, USACE
Byron Hamstead, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service