20221508 Ver 1_BP10.C002.1_DWR 20221508v1_Pipe 247_Cabarrus__NCWRC Comments_20221108

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
November 8, 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 Cabarrus Pipe No. 247 on SR 2444 over
Butcher Branch, Cabarrus County
WBS 13P10.0002.1, DWR 20221508 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 and visited the
project site on April 7, 2022 for my review of the scoping request. Comments on the application from the
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) are offered to 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. I I3A-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 paired corrugated metal pipes (CMP) in Butcher Branch are being replaced with a 2� 12'x7'
reinforced concrete box culvert. Based on my recollection from the site visit, the stream channel slope is
relatively low and the channel is generally stable upstream and downstream of the CMPs. The CMPs are
backwatered and retaining bedload. As the NCWRC noted in April 8, 2022 scoping comments, though
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

BP10.0002.1 Page 2 November 8, 2022
Cabarrus County
not preferable to a bridge, a dual barrel culvert replacement like that designed should accommodate fish
passage.
Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana, NC Endangered) have been documented in Little Buffalo
Creek downstream of the crossing. They may be found at the bridge site as well, though Butcher Branch
is relatively small. Little Buffalo Creek is designated by the NC Natural Heritage Program as a natural
area (Dutch Buffalo Creek Watershed - rated moderate) due to the diversity of rare and sensitive species it
supports. Design Standards for Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B .0124) are recommended for
construction of this culvert.
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.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this project. Please contact me at 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