22-0171_Bridge 790155_NCDOT_NCWRC Comments

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
TO: Lyn Hardison,Environmental Assistance and SEPA Coordinator
NCDEQ,Division of Environmental Assistance&Customer Services
FROM: Dave McHenry,Western NCDOT Coordinator /72.9
Habitat Conservation Program,NCWRC
DATE: February 21,2022
SUBJECT: Scoping Comments on Replacement of NCDOT, Division 9 Bridge No. 790155 on SR
2136(Agner Road)over a UT to High Rock Lake,Rowan County
Project No. 22-0171
The North Carolina Department of Transportation(NCDOT),Division 9 requested input from the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission(NCWRC) on the environmental effects of replacing the subject
bridge. I reviewed the project information and visited the site on February 17, 2022. Comments
requested from the WRC on the proposal are offered in accordance with the provisions of the state and
federal Environmental Policy Acts(G.S. 113A-lthrough 113-10; 1 NCAC 25 and 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c),
respectively),the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act(48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d), as applicable.
Bridge no. 790155 will be replaced on location using an off-site detour as described in the project
narrative(attached to the cover letter). The existing bridge has a concrete deck with timber end-bents.
The replacement structure has already been designed with partial plans included with the request. The
existing bridge spans a backwater arm of High Rock Lake which is bordered at the bridge site by
bottomland wetlands and a mixed timber stand of red maple, green ash,river birch, and bald cypress.
The NCWRC supports the replacement of the existing bridge with another spanning structure, as well as
its replacement in place using an off-site detour. This approach minimizes temporary and permanent
impacts to the wetlands,which likely support several small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh,NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Bridge 155,Project No.22-0171 Page 2 February 21,2022
Rowan County
While supportive of the overall approach,the NCWRC requests that NCDOT incorporate dry wildlife
passage under the new bridge at high water,which appears possible due to the proposed bridge
lengthening and flat stream banks/wetlands immediately adjacent to the existing structure and approach
fills. Specifically recommended are narrow rip rap-free paths, or paths that are created by topping the rip
rap with aggregate,immediately adjacent to the new caps to facilitate small animal movements. NCDOT
should also evaluate leaving the top portions of the existing timber end walls if they plan to use driven
piles for the caps. This may reduce any dewatering that is needed(if work occurs during full pool) as
well as facilitate the"flattening and choking-out"of the rip rap adjacent to the end-bents.
Please contact me at [e-mail] or(828)476-1966 if you have any questions about
these comments. Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. We look forward
to assisting further and as needed as the project develops.
ec Dave Wanucha,NCDEQ, DWR