20220312 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20220316

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
March 16, 2022
Ms. Crystal Amschler
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
SUBJECT: Shelley Brown Streambank Stabilization
Cane Creek, Buncombe County
Dear Ms. Amschler:
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed an
application to stabilize 100 ft of Cane Creek in Buncombe 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).
Wild trout reproduction should not be impacted by project activities, and in -stream work does
not need to be avoided during the trout moratorium. However, the Blotched Chub (Erimystax
insignis, NC Significantly Rare) is found in Cane Creek in the vicinity of the project.
The project involves the stabilization of an eroding reach of stream with placement of a riprap
toe, geolifts, and riparian planting.
We offer the following recommendations to minimize impacts to fish and wildlife resources:
1. Be vigilant with sediment and erosion control during site staging, construction, and cleanup.
Disturbed areas should be stabilized as soon as possible, preferably at the end of each day.
2. If work will involve installing the stream's edge in the wetted channel, we recommend
placing a coffer dam to divert flows around the work area.
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]

Shelley Brown Streambank Stabilization Page 2 March 16, 2022
Cane Cr, Buncombe Co
4. We recommend planting a woody buffer as wide as possible of (at least 30 feet in width) to
ensure project success. A wide forested buffer can ensure greater bank stability, filter
overland pollutants, and provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
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: Anthony Dowdle, Buncombe County SWCD
Andrew Moore, NC Division of Water Resources