20140802 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20140918

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
September 18, 2014
Mr. David Brown
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801 -5006
SUBJECT: Polk County Soil & Water Conservation District Nationwide Permit Application
Stream bank stabilization and stream restoration, North Pacolet River, Polk County
Dear Mr. Brown:
Ms. Sandra Reid of the Polk County Soil & Water Conservation District has requested a permit to
stabilize 6,100 ft of the North Pacolet River. The project involves stabilizing highly unstable stream
banks using natural stream design techniques and riparian vegetation restoration. Comments from the
Commission are provided under provisions of 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).
This project should not affect trout and the stabilization activities do not need to be avoided during the
trout spawning moratorium.
The Commission supports the planting of riparian vegetation with this project, as proposed. A dense
cover of trees and shrubs is critical to the long -term stability of most streams western North Carolina.
Rapid establishment of root material in streambanks is particularly important to the success of stream
improvement and stabilization projects. Likewise, it is important to maintain existing riparian vegetation
where grading work is not necessary.
In addition, the use of abundant large woody debris (LWD) in the project area is recommended where
structures are needed. LWD is a common and ecologically important component of foothill region
streams. Moreover, logs may prove more stable than rock structures because of the sandy streambed;
rock can gradually "sink" in these situations.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. Pending availability of field staff,
the Commission may inspect the work site during or after construction. Please contact me at (828) 296-
4720 if you have any questions about these comments or need further assistance.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699 -1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Polk Co. SWCD Page 2 September 18, 2014
Sincerely,
Andrea Leslie
Mountain Region Coordinator, Habitat Conservation Program
Ec: Chuck Cranford, NC Division of Water Resources
Zan Price, Altamont Environmental, Inc.