20000535 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20000921

NCWRC,HCP,FALLS LAKE TEL:[phone]
Sep 21'00 14:52 No.004 P.02
0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Charles R Fullwood, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Todd Tugwell
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
US Army corps of Engineers p
?o,v .s9 vz - `.p"-'
FROM: Danielle R. Pender, Piedmont Region Coordinator
Ilabitat. Conservation Program
DATF: 21 September 2000
SUBJECT: Public; Notice Eagle Ridge Residential Golf Course Community, Wake County,
North Carolina. COE Action 1D: 199920576
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have
reviewed the subject application for impacts to fish and wildlife. Our comments arc; provided in
accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as amended), the Nish and Wildlife
Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-6674), and North Carolina General
Statutes (O.S. 113-131 et seq.).
The applicant proposes to impact a total of 445 linear feet (if) of stream channel and
obtain authorization for the completion of fill within 0.04 acres of wetlands. Stream impacts
include the placement of culvert and fill into 3151f of an intermittent tributary to Swi R Creck
and the relocation of 130 if of an intermittent tributary to Swift Creek. The stream will be
relocated into u 220-foot long, low flow channel outside the historic floodplain, outside the golf
fairway, and in the vicinity of lots 315-317. The applicant also proposes a modification of the
approved mitigation plan, which involves the removal of a three-foot littoral shelf around the
pond and increasing; the wetland creation area by 0.15 acres. Previous pcrmitled impacts
authorized the discharge of fill material into 0.42 acres of wetlands and 3,761 1 f of unnanied
tributaries to Swift Creek. Additionally, an Enviroumcatal Assessment was reviewed by
NCWR(' nn 22 May 2000 for Arland Community Development, Eagle Ridge Golf Community
Mailing Address: Division of I,iland Fisheries - 1221 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] ext. 281 - rax: [phone]
NCWRC,HCP.FALLS LAKE TEL:[phone] Sep 21'00 14:53 No.004 P-03
Page 2
21 September 2000
Eagle Ridge Residential Golf Course Community
CAction TD No. 199920576
proposed installation of a 300,000-gallon per day wastewater treatment facility, a 45 million-
gallon irrigation and storage pond, and a 1.5 million-gallon side-stream 5-day upset pond.
The applicant is proposing to mitigate for impacts to streams by providing preservation of
:535 if of intermittent streams, preservation of 0.61 acres of riparian area (including the 0.14-acre
bioretenlion area), and creation of 0,08 acres of wet detention basin. Mitigation for wetland
impacts proposed is the addition of 0.04 acres to the wetland creation area.
The waters of Swift Creek below Lake Benson to the confluence of the Neuse River
,provide important habitat for numerous rare species, including the federally and state listed
endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonla heterodon). Swift Creek is classified WS-III-
NSW. We are encouraged by the applicant's proposed use of bio-retention areas. 'Phis will help
,minimize impacts and encourage infiltration of storm water. However, we are concerned about
the impacts to additional wetlands, riparian habitat, streams, and water quality.
We recommend that the following conditions be Incorporated into the permit to reduce
impacts to fish and wildlife resources.
1. Remaining wetlands and streams on the site should be protected from additional impacts
of filling, draining, flooding, and excavation.
2. A minimum 50-foot undisturbed, forested buffer should be maintained along all
intermittent strcarns and wetland areas, while a minimum 100-foot undisturbed, forested
buffer should be maintained along all perennial streams within the project area.
Maintaining undisturbed, forested buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to fish
and wildlife resources, water quality, aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the
project area, and to help prevent the extirpation of endangered and threatened species, In
addition, wide riparian buffers are helpful in maintaining stability of' stream banks and for
treatment ol'pollutants associated with urban stormwater.
3. For the stream that is proposed to be moved, we recommend that it be relocated using
bioengineering methods and placed in an open channel that retains as much of the natural
sinuosity of the stream as possible. Forested buffers should be provided as described
above.
4. If culverts must be used, the culvert should be designed to allow for fish passage.
Generally, this means that the culvert or pipe invert is buried at least one foot below the
natural streambed. If multiple cells are required, the second and/or third cells should be
placed so that their bottoms are at stream bankfull stage (similar to Lyonsfield design).
'Phis will allow sufficient water depth in the culvert or pipe during normal flows to
accommodate fish movements. If culverts are long, baffle systems are required to trap
gravel and provide resting areas for fish and other aquatic organisms. Ii'multiple pipes or
cells are used at ]cast one pipe or box should be doss y 6 normal
gncd to remain dry during flows to allow lbr wildlife passage. In addition, culverts or pipes should be situated so
NCWRC,HCP,FALLS LAKE TEL:[phone] Sep 21'00
Pagc 3
,21 September 2000
Eagle Ridge Residential Golf Course Community
CAction ID No. 199920576
14:54 No.004 P.04
that no channel realignment or widening is required. Widening of the stream channel at
the inlet or outlet of structures usually causes a decrease in water velocity causing
sediment deposition that will require future maintenance. Finally, rlprap should not be
placed on the streambcd.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input during the planning stages for this project.
.If we can be of further assistance, please contact our office at [phone],
cc: Stephen Hall, Zoologist, Natural Heritage Program
(iurland Parduc, Biologist, USFWS
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