20141132 All Versions_Other Agency Comments_20090831

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Steve Brown, P.E., Project Planning Engineer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis, NCDOT
FROM: Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: August 31, 2009
SUBJECT: Section 404/NEPA Merger 01 elevation issue brief for R -2501
1. Project Name and brief description: TIP No.: R -2501, US 1, from Sandhill Road to
Marston Road, Richmond County.
Last Concurrence Point: CP 3 Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable
Alternative (LEDPA).
Date of Concurrence: Date of Concurrence Point 3, February 15, 2001. A meeting was
held on August 20, 2009 for concurrence points 2a and 4a.
Explain what is being proposed and your position including what you object to.
NCDOT requests concurrence on CP 2A Bridging Decision and CP 4A Avoidance and
Minimization for 9 major wetland and stream crossings. WRC concurs with the NCDOT
preferred recommendation at all sites with the exception of Structure #8 at the
McDonalds Pond EEP mitigation site where NCDOT is proposing a 120 -foot bridge.
During the 11/12/08, field review meeting, WRC requested a longer bridge spanning the
majority of the mitigation site to retain intactness throughout the conservation area once
the highway project is constructed.
4. Explain the reasons for your potential non - concurrence. Please include any data or
information that would substantiate and support your position. R -2501 is a new
location section of US 1; completion of this facility will bisect a constructed
compensatory mitigation site. The mitigation site, known as the McDonalds Pond
Restoration Site, provides both wetland and stream mitigation credits for EEP. This
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries - 1721 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, NC 27699 -1721
Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone]

R -2501
Page 2 August 31, 2009
system is comprised of restoration, enhancement, and preservation credits and in its
fourth year of monitoring exhibits exceptional quality habitat, hydrology, and water
quality functions at the impact location. Bisecting this area will not only directly impact
jurisdictional resources within a protected conservation easement but will have farther
reaching secondary impacts throughput the system. The majority of habitat at the
crossing is comprised of a broad braided channel wetland /stream system with excellent
micotopography providing a multitude of vegetated hummocks. Outside of the braided
system elevation begins to rise rapidly, and although wetlands are present, upland
characteristics are more dominant. After conducting a site visit as well as reviewing the
surrounding landscape we recommended NCDOT construct a bridge spanning the lower
elevation wetlands associated with the braided stream channels plus a minimal distance
upslope (approximately 25 feet) to provide wildlife connectivity and permeability within
this conservation easement and the Falling Creek watershed. WRC's recommendation of
a 480 foot bridge would be the minimum bridge length to accomplish this.
5. List any relevant laws or regulations that you believe would be violated or
jeopardized if the proposed action were implemented and explain the basis for
violation. The mission of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is to
protect, preserve, and manage the fish and wildlife resources of the state. The selection
of a 480 foot bridge at this location would best conform to our mission.
6. What alternative course of action do you recommend? NCDOT should concur with
the construction of the 480 foot bridge.