20120663 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20120726

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
July 26, 2012
Mrs. Tasha McCormick
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulator- Branch
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801 -5006
SUBJECT: Nationwide Permit Application for Gait' and Judy Bare
Obids Creek Stream Restoration, Ashe County
Dear Mrs. McCormick:
Mr. Gar- and Judy Bare requested comments on an application to restore about 2,600 feet of Obids Creek
in Ashe County. Comments from the WRC on this project are offered for your consideration under
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).
We have records for -,wild brook trout in Obids Creek. It likely supports -,wild brown trout as Nvell near the
Nvork area. We plan to resample this stream in the future to reassess the trout populations. However, based on
current information, in- stream and bank construction Nvork for this project should be avoided during the
October 15 to April 15 trout spawning moratorium because it Nvill cause considerable stream disturbance and
siltation.
The Commission supports the overall project because it will improve aquatic habitat folloNving construction,
particularly the vegetation planting if it includes tall growing trees that provide stream shade and bank
stability. However, Nve do request that the tall fescue specified in the plans not be used Nvith this restoration
project. Attached to this letter are some alternative seeding recommendations that are effective and beneficial
to Nvildlife.
Though we support the project overall, we are concerned about possible adverse effects of the construction on
trout. Therefore, Nve recommend that the follo-,ving conditions be included in the permit to help conserve trout
and their habitat:
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699 -1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Obids Stream Restoration Page 2 July 26, 2012
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1. In- stream and bank construction -,vork for this project should be avoided during the October 15 to
April 15 trout spawning moratorium.
2. Only large angular rock, root wads, logs, or other natural stream design materials and techniques can
be used for bank stabilization. Materials must not be placed in the stream channels in a manner that
overly constricts flow or that impedes aquatic life during low water. Water level drops over
structures should be comparable to natural, stable conditions elsewhere on the creek near the site.
3. Excavation in flowing water should be avoided wherever possible.
4. All bare soil shall be seeded and stabilized as soon as possible after ground disturbance. Disturbed
stream banks must be covered with secured matting, preferably heavy- fiber matting, after seed is
applied. We request that the tall fescue specified in the plans not be used on this restoration project.
Attached are some alternative recommendations that are effective and that benefit wildlife.
5. All heal v equipment operated near streams must be inspected and maintained regularly.
6. Disturbed stream banks and the widest possible zone outward from the channel should be planted
with native trees and shrubs (e.g., silly- dogwood, rhododendron, dog hobble, red maple, silky vvillovv,
tag alder, black vvillovv, sycamore). This will help provide long -term bank stability- and stream
shading. Note, silly- dogwood, silkv willow, and black vvillovv can be planted as live stakes collected
during the dormant season. Cuttings should be randomly planted 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.
Advanced trees in containers should be planted along the outside bends of channels for rapid
establishment of roots in the banks.
7. Fencing should be used to exclude livestock from restored stream banks.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. Please contact me at (828) 452-
0422 extension 24 if you have any questions about these comments.
Sincerely,
1 .
Dave MCHeniv
Mountain Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
Cc: Mr. Derek Goddard, Blue Ridge Environmental Consultants, PA
Ms. Sue Homewood, NCDENR, DWQ

Obids Stream Restoration Page 3 July 26, 2012
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Seed Mixes for Revegetating Disturbed Sites
Basic Mix
Oats (Mar Jun), Wheat Jul -Nov), or Rye Grain Dec -Feb)
1 -2 ba s / ac
$ 5 -10 ba
Red Clover Tri oflwv pratense
10 lbs / acre
$3/lb
Creeping Red Fescue Festnca rnbra
201bs / acre
$ 2 -3 / lb
-The Basic Mix can be sown on disturbed sites in the mountains and upper piedmont year round
but spring or fall seeding will result in a better stand. It is important to use all of the components
of the Basic Mix. The cover crop grain & legume provide rapid green -up while the creeping red
fescue is developing. These components can be obtained locally.
- Grains like oats, wheat, and rye may be sold by weight (pounds) or by volume (bushels).
To simplify things, this mix recommends 1 — 2 BAGS of grain rather than pounds or bushels.
With this mix, 1 bag or about 50 — 601bs per acre should be adequate for most sites, but where
slope or soil conditions warrant, increase grain amounts to 100 — 1201bs (use 2 bags).
-The perennial grass will establish within the first year and is the key to good site stabilization.
Creeping red fescue has a wide range of adaptation when used for erosion control along roads
and highways; cuts, fills, and other disturbed areas; and for stream and channel bank
stabilization. It thrives in sun or shade, and is drought- resistant after establishment.
For permanent seeding of harsh dry sites, Hard Fescue Festnca
10 lbs / acre
$ 3 / lb
brevi ila (svn. trachy hvlla) can be added to the Basic Mix
Application Notes
- Disturbed sites with loose soils can usually be sown without extensive seedbed preparation if
seeded as soon as the other work is completed.
- Where necessary, prepare seedbed with conventional farm equipment (tractor and disk), or the
soil surface can be bladed and then tracked with a bulldozer. Hydro- seeding can be used with the
Basic Mix for slopes where equipment access is difficult.
- Red fescue is adapted to sandy and acid soils so extensive soil amendments are usually not
needed. On poor and subsoil sites, a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5 -10 -10 may be required.
- If required, apply any necessary soil amendments, then drill or broadcast the seed mix.
- The larger cover crop grains can be sown separately first and covered lightly to prevent loss of
seed from wildlife such as turkeys and doves.
-The rest of the seed mix should then be sown, but not covered with soil. It is better to firm the
small seed into the soil than to try to cover it.
- Culti -pack conventional seedbeds to ensure good seed -to -soil contact. Tracked sites will fill in
on their own from rainfall.
- Apply straw mulch at a minimum of 15 bales per acre to help enhance soil moisture as well as
hold the soil in place until the seed germinates. Use higher rates as site conditions warrant.

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- If the site calls for it, biodegradable natural fiber matting is recommended over plastic matting
or matting that contains strands of plastic that can entrap small animals.
- Monitor the site until the perennial grass component is fully established. Mature stands of the
Basic Mix are short - statured and will not require mowing. The seeded mix should persist for
many years, but will eventually yield to developing successional species in the seed bank.
Adding Native Species
- Some projects specify a preference for native plant species or actually require their use. Native
wildflowers and grasses can be added to the Basic Mix to beautify and diversify the site, and
provide food and cover for wildlife such as wild turkey, bobwhite quail, and songbirds.
- The following table contains native species that are easy, proven performers that have been
used successfully on stream restoration areas as well as dryer upland sites. The first four
wildflowers will come on well the first year; the three grasses may take two to three years to
develop good sized clumps.
- These seeds are reasonably priced as natives go and can be ordered from a reputable seed
dealer. Using all seven will provide maximum diversity as well as added site stabilization but
any additions will be beneficial. For sources, refer to Wildlife Seed List at
http: / /www.ncwildlife.or, /Wildlife Species Con /WSC WPM.htm .
- Mixes with native seed can be culti- packed or tracked in with a bulldozer; hydro- seeding is
apparently not recommended. Mixes with mainly wildflowers can be sown in early fall.
Note - when adding native Panicnm grass seed, sow the mix in late fall, winter, or early spring to
subject the seed to cool, moist soil conditions necessary to break seed dormancy. Sowing during
the warmer months may delay Panicnm germination until the following year, and some seed may
be lost in the interim.
- For information on each native species listed here, visit http://plants.usda.gov/; type in the
scientific name in the search box. Note - adding natives will increase the height of the resulting
stands, providing good wildlife habitat. Frequent mowing destroys food & cover and is not
recommended. Mow once every few years, in late winter, only if absolutely necessary to remove
encroaching woody vegetation.
Nativespecies — add to Basic Mix at 1 -2 lbs / acre
Black Eyed Susan Rndbeckia hirta
$ 16 / lb
Showy Partridge Pea Chamaecrista (Cassia) asicnlata
$ 14 / lb
Showy Bidens Bidens aristosa
$ 16 / lb
Lanced - leaved Coreo sis Coreo sis lanceolata
$ 14 / lb
Deertongue Dicanthelinm Panicnm) clandestinnm `Tio a'
$ 12 / lb
Switch grass Panicnm vir atnm Blackwell', `Cave -in- Rock', `Kardow'
$ 8 / lb
Big Bluestem Andro o on gerardii
$ 10/lb