20221397 Ver 1_10BP.R018.1_DWR 20221397v1_Bridge 115_Stanley__NCWRC Comments_20221024

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
October 24, 2022
Eric Alsmeyer
Regulatory Division Office
US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Amy Chapman
NCDEQ Division of Water Resources, Transportation Permitting
512 N. Salisbury St., Archdale Building, 12th floor
Raleigh, NC 27604
SUBJECT: Comments on Application for Replacement of Stanley County Bridge No. 115 on SR
1968 over Stony Run, Stanly County
WBS SF-830115, 13P10.R018.1, DWR 20221397 ver.I
Dear Mr. Alsmeyer and Ms. Chapman,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a General 404 Permit and 401
Certification for the subject project. I am familiar with the wildlife resources in the area. Comments on
the application from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) are offered to help
conserve the wildlife resources affected by the project and to promote wildlife -based recreation in
accordance with applicable provisions of the state and federal Environmental Policy Acts (G.S. 113A-
Ithrough 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).
The existing bridge on SR 1968 over Stony Run will be replaced with a new cored slab structure. Most of
the proposed stream impact is for bank stabilization.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

BP10.R018.1
Stanly County
Page 2 October 24, 2022
Eastern creekshell (Villosa delumbus, NC Significantly Rare) and Carolina creekshell (Villosa
vaughaniana, NC Endangered) have been documented in Stony Run and may be found at the bridge site.
This creek is in a designated natural area (Big Bear Creek Watershed - rated moderate) by the NC Natural
Heritage Program due to the diversity of rare and sensitive species it supports. Therefore, the NCWRC
appreciates NCDOT replacing the existing bridge with anew bridge, rather than with a culvert. Design
Standards for Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B .0124) are recommended for construction of this
bridge.
NCWRC biologists would appreciate the opportunity to survey for and relocate any mussels before
stream disturbance occurs. The NCWRC respectfully asks that NCDOT contact me in advance of
construction, preferably two months, so that I can coordinate any animal relocations deemed necessary
with NCWRC biologists. A "green sheet" commitment and corresponding note to contractor in the
contract is recommended for this communication, if amendable to NCDOT.
Although wildlife will often pass over roadways and bridge approaches, some species tend to closely
follow stream corridors and will pass under bridges if suitable conditions are present. Rip rap placed
under bridges can impede or block some wildlife if it spans from streambank to cap. Therefore, the
NCWRC appreciates the unarmored bench that will remain under the east side of bridge 115. There is
forested riparian habitat upstream and downstream of the bridge, so small mammals and other wildlife
likely pass under the bridge currently and may continue to do so unimpeded on the east side.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this project. Please contact meat david.mchenryAncwildlife.org
or [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Cordially,
Dave McHenry, NCWRC Western DOT Coordinator
ec: Joel Howard, NCDOT Division 10 DEO
Brena Jones, NCWRC Central Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Coordinator