20210664 Ver 1_Bridge_108_McDowell_cover_letter_signed_20210409

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER J. ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY

Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION THIRTEEN
55 ORANGE STREET
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801-2340
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968

Website: www.ncdot.gov
Location:
55 ORANGE STREET
ASHEVILLE, NC 28801-2340

April 8, 2021

Ms. Lori Beckwith
US Army Corps of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-5006

Subject: Nationwide Permit #13
Bridge 580108, SR 1560 Old Linville Road
State Project No. 17BP.13.R.194
McDowell County, NC

Dear Ms. Beckwith:

I have enclosed a set of plans, a PCN application for NWP #13, and a vicinity map relative to the
proposed bridge replacement project on SR 1560 Old Linville Road, McDowell County, NC.

We propose to replace the existing 4-span concrete bridge with a 3-span 172.25’ long by 36’ wide
cored slab bridge. The project will result in permanent impacts to 57 linear feet (LF) of North
Fork Catawba River due to bank stabilization under the bridge and at a pipe outlet.
Approximately 25 LF may be temporarily impacted during installation of the bank stabilization.
The river is approximately 45’ wide; it averages approximately 2-3’ deep with greater depths up
to 5-6’ deep in the thalweg. It has a predominately sand, cobble, and boulder substrate. North
Fork Catawba river is classified as Class B, Tr.

Existing channel morphology will be maintained upstream and downstream of the culvert.
Riparian vegetation will be reestablished along disturbed areas associated with the project.
Stormwater will be diverted through grass-lined ditches or vegetated buffers prior to entering
streams.

This project should not affect the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) (NLEB).
Following the SLOPES protocol from NWP Regional Condition 3.13, the project is located in a
red HUC. Approximately 15 trees may be removed. A survey of the bridge showed no evidence
of bat presence/usage. Percussive activities will not occur. No effect on the remaining McDowell
County list of federally protected species (threatened or endangered) will occur.

After checking the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources website
(HPOWEB 2.0 (arcgis.com) we determined no Historic Resources will be affected.

We request Marla Chambers, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Western Region
Coordinator, to comment directly to the Corps concerning the permit request.

Lori Beckwith
Page –2 Bridge 580108, McDowell County
April 8, 2021

Kristi Lynn Carpenter, NC Division of Water Resources, Transportation Permitting Unit and
Kevin Mitchell, NC DWR Asheville Regional Office will review the project through the
electronic form (https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/Forms/Pre-Construction_Notification_Form).
Please charge the application fee of $240.00 to WBS element # 17BP.13.R.194. Please forward
comments directly to the Corps with copy to Division 13 Environmental Officer.

Your earliest consideration for this request would be greatly appreciated. If you have any
questions or information needs, please contact me at [phone].

Sincerely,

Yates Allen
Environmental Specialist

Enclosures

cc: Mark T. Gibbs, P.E., Division Engineer
Mike Calloway, Division Bridge Program Manager