20210992 Ver 1_Transylvania 63_Corps narrative_GP 50_Final.docx_20210812

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER J.ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
August 12, 2021
Mrs. Crystal Amschler
U. S.Army Corps of Engineers
NCDOT Regulatory Project Manager
151 Patton Avenue,Room 208
Asheville,NC 28801-2714
Subject: General Permit SAW-2019-02350 (RGP 50) Verification Request
NCDOT Project No. 17BP.14.R.183
Bridge Number 63 on SR 1309 over the West Fork French Broad River
Transylvania County,NC
Dear Mrs. Amschler: X
The North Carolina Depai intent of Transportation(NCDOT)is requesting a Regional General
Permit 50 for the replacement of bridge number 45 on SR 1309 over the West Fork French Broad
River in Transylvania County. The existing timber deck and steel beam bridge will be replaced
immediately upstream with a longer 3-span cored slab bridge on concrete piers. The existing
bridge will carry traffic during construction and thereby avoid impacts for a temporary bridge.
lirImpacts to Waters of the United States N,
A SAW-2019-02350 (RGP 50)verification is requested for temporary and permanent impacts to
the river according to the following table. This project would not qualify for non-notification
Nationwide 3 due to the site being within a riparian corridor(Regional Condition 2.8). Also,
RGP 50 is requested since Nationwide 3 has not been renewed to-date.
Site No. Existing Condition Proposed Condition Net
_Station Impacts
West Fork French Impervious dikes and flow diversions
S1 Broad River bed (Temporary Impact) 150'
Along river banks and only were needed
S1 West Fork French Rip Rap protection for drainage outlet 20'
Broad River bank (Permanent Impact)
Permanent impacts to the river are needed for a rip rap protection of a ditch outlet to the river.
Temporary impacts are anticipated, and will be used only as needed, along the immediate edge of
the river for ensuring a dry work area during bridge pier and footer demolition and the new pier
Mailing Address: Telephone:[phone] Location:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax:[phone] NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Division 14 Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 Division 14
253 Webster Road 253 Webster Road
Sylva,North Carolina 28779 Webstte:www.ncdot.gov Sylva,North Carolina 28779

Transylvania 63 Page 2 August 12,2021
drilling. Impacts will likely be comprised of concrete barriers or more likely sand bags that will
simply be pulled with minor recontouring of the streambed following construction to restore
natural river flow. The existing concrete bridge pier footers may remain in place to minimize
river disturbance if it is determined that they do not create an appreciable obstruction.
Section 7
In Transylvania County, Carolina northern flying squirrel(Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus,
CNFS),Appalachian Elktoe mussel(Alasmidonta raveneliana), mountain sweet pitcher plant
(Sarracenia rubra ssp.jonesii), small whorled pogonia(Isotria medeoloides), swamp pink
(Helonias bullata),Virginia spiraea(Spiraea virginiana),rock gnome lichen(Gymnoderma
lineare),northern long-eared bat(Myotis septentrionalis,NLEB), and gray bat(Myotis
grisescens) are listed as either threatened or endangered and are known from current records or
anticipated to occur in the county.
There is a record for Virginia spiraea along the French Broad River,but this record is many miles
downstream of the subject bridge. Rock bars and scoured banks are lacking near the bridge.
This plant has never been observed in the project area based on multiple site visits,the most
recent being May 21,2021 and June 10,2021.
Wetlands suitable for swamp pink or mountain sweet pitcher plants are not present in the project
area.
Appalachian Elktoe mussels occur in French Broad River,but this record is many miles
downstream of the subject bridge. The upper extent of Appalachian Elktoe is downstream of
Rosman, several miles downstream of the bridge. The West Fork French Broad River is too cold
for mussels at the bridge.
High elevation habitats for CNFS or rock gnome lichen do not exist in the project area. The
bridge is at a relatively low elevation with no dam spray cliff or gorge conditions where rock
gnome could be found.
Forested habitat capable of supporting small whorled pogonia will be affected by the project,
though overstory vegetation is relatively dense and limits forest floor lighting. The project area
has been surveyed for this plant on multiple occasions,most recently on May 21,2021 and June
10, 2021, and negative for this plant.
There are no caves or mines evident near the site that could serve as roosts for gray bats. The
bridge was inspected for bat usage on several occasions and no evident of bat usage was
observed. The project area is in an area that USFWS considers in the range of NLEB,but it is not
in a"red HUC"for NLEB and over 0.25 mile from the nearest"red HUC". There will be
moderate tree clearing with about 25 trees near the bridge in need of clearing. Some hammering
(e.g.percussive activity)may be required for demolition work and guardrail installation,but the

Transylvania 63 Page 3 August 12,2021
duration will only be for a few days over the course of the construction project. This project will
otherwise be compliant with the 4(d)rule for NLEB largely due to the distance from"red hucs".
Section 106
The project areas were assessed by NCDOT Human Environment staffs who determined under
the PA Agreement that no surveys were required for this work. The clearance forms are attached
to the PCN.
Compensatory Mitigation
Stream impacts of the project are minor and so compensatory mitigation is not being offered. The
project's permanent impacts only include minor bank stabilization without any loss or appreciable
degradation of waters.
Permits Requested
NCDOT hereby requests authorization as specified above under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act. NCDOT requests authorization for the project under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act
from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality,Division of Water Resources
(DWR).
Please contact me at(828)586-2141 if you have any tions or need additional information to
evaluate this request.
Sin offs iyi�ed by:
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Division 14 Environmental Specialist
Enclosures j
cc: Mrs. Holland Youngman, Biologist,US Fish&Wildlife Service,Asheville
Mrs. Marla Chambers,Western NCDOT Review Coordinator,NCWRC,Albemarle
Mr. Kevin Mitchell,Division of Water Resources—DEQ,Asheville