20211379 Ver 1_NCWRC Comments_20210928

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North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
September 28, 2021
Mr. David Brown
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
SUBJECT: Meshad Culverts
UTs Norton Prong, Macon County
Dear Mr. Brown,
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed an
application to culvert 20 ft of two unnamed tributaries (UTs) to Norton Prong in Macon County.
Our comments on this application are offered for your consideration under provisions of the
Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et. seq.) and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48
Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
There are Brook Trout in the vicinity of the project, and in -stream activities should be avoided
between October 15 and April 15 to minimize impacts to trout reproduction. Excellent sediment
and erosion control is essential to minimize impacts to this important species.
The project involves installation of two 10-ft culverts, one on each of two spring -fed streams.
These streams were restored to a stable condition last year; the work was part of a corrective
action plan to address unpermitted impacts to these streams. It is important that any disturbance
to the newly restored riparian buffer be repaired; a buffer of native shrubs and trees should be
replanted where there is any vegetation removal around the culverts themselves.
We offer the following recommendations to minimize impacts to fish and wildlife resources:
1. In -stream activities should be avoided between October 15 and April 15 to minimize impacts
to Brook Trout reproduction.
2. Be vigilant with sediment and erosion control during site staging, construction, and cleanup.
Disturbed areas should be stabilized (or `storm -ready') at the end of each day.
3. Any erosion control matting used should be free of nylon or plastic mesh, as this type of
mesh netting frequently entangles wildlife and is slow to degrade, resulting in a hazard that
may last for years.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Meshad Culverts Page 2 September 28, 2021
UTs Norton Prong, Macon Co
4. Disturbance within the stream and riparian corridors should be minimized as much as
possible. Areas that have been disturbed should be replanted with native herbaceous and
woody species.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. Please contact me at
[phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Sincerely,
Andrea Leslie
Mountain Region Coordinator, Habitat Conservation Program
ec: Kaylie Yankura, NC Division of Water Resources
Ronnie Dilbeck, CreekStone