20070788 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20070514

~ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Richard B. Hamilton, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Amanda Jones, Permit Coordinator, Asheville Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Cyndi B. Karoly, Supervisor, 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit ~ ~ j{ ~~~ I
I~CDVt~Q Wetlands and Stormwater Branch `,,,, p-1 `t.:. !.~
MAY 1 ~ 2001
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program ~Ew~t _ wAY~~ QvALITY
gNq.S aVD gTQ~AINATF.ft gW~ICH
DATE: May 14, 2007
SUBJECT: Lake James Shoreline Stabilization Application, Harlee Palmer, Lot 9, Phase VI,
Dry Creek Subdivision, DWQ No. 20070788, Burke County
The applicant is requesting letters of concurrence from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC) to obtain a 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The
NCWRC has reviewed information provided by the applicant, and field biologists on our staff
are familiar with habitat values of the project area. These comments are provided in accordance
with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et. seq.) and the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The applicant proposes to install riprap to stabilize 430 feet of eroding shoreline on Lake James.
Mr. Bob Brown visited the site on or about May 1 1, 2007. Mr. Brown indicated that these banks
were two (2) to three (3) feet clay banks with shallow water habitat. Based on the information
provided by the applicant and Mr. Brown's assessment of the site, we will not object to the
project provided that the following non-prioritized conditions are followed:
The stabilization project should be done by barge with minimum class I (class II
preferred) riprap or rock instead of a wall. This size rock improves aquatic
habitat structure. We do not support the use of river rock as mining river rock
causes impacts to aquatic environments and destabilizes riparian zones by causing
unnatural geomorphic regime modifications. Fabric matting may be used beneath
the stone to reduce erosion and turbidity. To the extent practicable, rock or stone
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Faz: (919) ?15-7643

Harlee Palmer, Lake James 2
May 14, 200?
should be placed just above the high water mark and towards the lake five (5) to
six (6) feet to provide continuous aquatic edge habitat.
2. Stabilization work should occur from the water instead of the shore to minimize
buffer impacts. Existing wooded buffers should be preserved. Any Large
Woody Debris (LWD} should be maintained to the maximum extent practicable
to provide aquatic habitat. If relocated, the LWD must be securely anchored so
that it will remain where installed. We recommend that large boulders be placed
for fish habitat every 30 feet to provide enhanced aquatic habitat. Placement
should be accomplished so as not to cause hazardous conditions.
3. Stringent erosion control measures should be installed where soil is disturbed and
maintained until project completion. Temporary or permanent herbaceous
vegetation should be planted on all bare soil within ten (10) days of ground
disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control.
4. Disturbed banks may be revegetated with silky dogwood (Corrrus amorrum), silky
willow (Salix sericea}, tag alder (Aldus serrulata), black willow (Salix nigra), and
sycamore (Platarrus occidentalis} or other native plants to provide long term bank
stability and stream shading. Note that silky dogwood, silky willow and black
willow can be planted as live stakes collected during the dormant growing season.
Cuttings should be randomly planted and done on four (4) foot centers from the
waters edge to the top of the bank. Trees should be planted on ten (10) to twelve
(12) foot centers. Banks in these areas should also be seeded with an approved
riparian/wetland seed mix or temporary crop of wheat or rye.
5. Wide undisturbed shoreline buffers and natural vegetation should be maintained
to the extent practicable.
6. The applicant should contact state and local planning and environmental
authorities to determine if permits are needed for the any buffer infringements or
impacts.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any questions
regarding these comments, please contact me at 336/769-9453.
Cc: Kevin Barnett, DWQ-Asheville