20130966 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20131010

North CarolinaWildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
TO:Andy Williams,NCDOT Coordinator
RaleighRegulatory Field Office, USACE
FROM:MarlaChambers, Western NCDOTProjects Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC
DATE:October 10, 2013
SUBJECT:Review of NCDOT’s application for Section 404 and 401 permits to improve SR
1387 (Dr. Robinson Rd.),AsheCounty, North Carolina.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has submitted an application to
obtain a Section 404Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and a 401 Water
Quality Certification from the NC Division of Water Resources(NCDWR).Staff biologists with
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the information
provided. These comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat.
401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.).
The NCDOTproposes to pave SR 1387 (Dr. Robinson Road) and will involve replacingand
extendingthreewet pipes carrying different unnamed tributaries(UT’s)to North Fork New
River.The pipes mayremain perchedwith pipe slopes ranging from 6.4to 9.8%.The 0.33mile
longproject will permanently impact 26linear feet(lf)of streamfor pipe extensions and 30lf for
riprap.Temporary impactstotal 120lf for dewatering the work areas.North Fork New River
(Class C, Trout, ORW)is not expected to support significant trout resources in the project area;
therefore, we are not requesting a trout moratorium.
NCWRC can concur with the issuance of Section 404 and 401 permits provided that the
following conditionsare implemented:
1.Stringent sedimentation and erosion control measures must be implemented and
maintained on the project site until project completion to avoid impacts to downstream
aquatic resources.
Mailing Address:
Division of Inland Fisheries•1721 Mail Service Center•Raleigh NC 27699-1721
Telephone:· Fax:
[phone] [phone]

SR 1387(Dr. RobinsonRoad)
UT’s toN. ForkNew R,AsheCo.2October10, 2013
2.Herbaceous vegetation shall be planted on all bare soil as soon as possible following the
completion of permanent or temporary ground disturbing activities to provide appropriate
long-term erosion control.
3.Tall fescue and straw mulch shall not be used in riparian areas. We encourage NCDOT
to utilize onsite vegetation and materials for bank stabilization when practicable. Erosion
control matting shall be used on steep slopes and for establishing permanent vegetation in
riparian areas. The matting shall be well anchored with staples or woodenstakes and,
whenever possible, include live stakes of native trees. Matting in riparian areas should
not contain plastic mesh, which can entangle and trap small animals.
4.Stormwatershould be directed to buffer areas or retention basins and should not be
routed directly into the waterway.
5.The natural dimension, pattern, and profile of the waterwaysabove and below the
crossingsshould not be modified by widening the channel or changing the depth of the
waterway.
6.Removal of vegetation in riparian areas should be minimized. Native trees and shrubs
should be planted along the banks, as appropriate to the setting, to reestablish the riparian
zone and to provide long-term erosion control.
7.Grading and backfilling should be minimized, and tree and shrub growth should be
retained if possible to ensure long term availability of shoreline cover for fish and
wildlife. Backfill materials should be obtained from upland sites.
8.Where practicable, riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to the banks
below the high water mark, and vegetation should be used for stabilization above the high
water elevation.
9.If concrete will be used during construction, work must be accomplished so that wet
(uncured) concrete does not contact surface waters. This will lessen the chance of
altering the water chemistry and causing a fish kill.
10.Discharging hydroseeding mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters isprohibited.
11.Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the channel whenever
possible in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing
other pollutants into the waterway. All mechanized equipment operated near surface
waters should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of surface
waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials.

SR 1387(Dr. RobinsonRoad)
UT’s toN. ForkNew R,AsheCo.3October10, 2013
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any questions
regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone].
cc:Amy Chapman, NCDWQ
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT