HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230067 Ver 1_WRC Comments_202301274
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
January 27, 2023
Ms. Amanda Fuemmeler
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
SUBJECT: Twin Bridges Project
South Fork New River, Ashe County
Dear Ms. Fuemmeler:
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed an
application to stabilize 72 ft of the South Fork New River in Ashe 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).
Project activities should not impact wild trout and do not need to be avoided during the trout
moratorium. However, the North Fork New River is recognized by the NC Natural Heritage
Program as the South Fork New River and New River Aquatic Habitat, rated Exceptional for the
richness of rare species it contains. Rare and listed species found in the river in the vicinity of
the project include Spike (Eurynia dilatata, US Federal Species of Concern, NC Special
Concern), Seep Mudalia (Leptoxis dilatata, NC SC), Kanawha Minnow (Phenacobius teretulus,
NC SC), and Kanawha Darter [Etheostoma kanawhae, NC Significantly Rare (SR)]. Due to the
sensitivity of these species to fine sediments, it is essential that excellent erosion and sediment
control be maintained during the project.
The application proposes to stabilize an eroding reach of bank on the South Fork New River
through sloping the bank, planting native woody and herbaceous vegetation, and installing one
in -stream rock vane. Most work will be done from the bank, but some instream access may be
necessary for proper installation of the rock vane.
We offer the following recommendations to minimize impacts to the aquatic community:
1. In -channel work should be accomplished as quickly as possible and vigilance used in
sediment and erosion control during site preparation, construction, and clean up. Disturbed
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: (919) 707-0220 • Fax: (919) 707-0028
Twin Bridges Project Page 2 January 27, 2023
S. Fork New R, Ashe County
areas should be seeded, mulched and/or matted as soon as possible, preferably at the end of
each work day.
2. 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.
3. Work should be performed during low flows. For the rock vane installation, we recommend
diverting flows around the work area especially at the bank tie in location to reduce the risk
of fine sediment liberation and loss.
4. Depending on the construction timeframe, NCWRC staff may come out to survey the site
before project construction for rare animals. We ask that the project manager coordinate
with Andrea Leslie (andrea.leslie@ncwildlife.org) and Lori Williams
(lori.williams@ncwildlife.org to ensure access to the site.
5. Shelter rocks potentially used by hellbenders should be left undisturbed during construction
activities. Shelter rocks are typically large flat rocks at least a foot in diameter. If animals
are disturbed during construction, they should be captured in a bucket and moved away from
the area of disturbance. Please notify Lori Williams (lori.williams@ncwildlife.org) if
hellbenders are found.
6. To increase habitat diversity, we recommend incorporating stable woody debris into the
project design.
7. We recommend that a woody buffer as wide as possible (we recommend at least 30 feet) be
planted on the stream as infrastructure allows in order 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
(828) 400-4223 if you have any questions about these comments.
Sincerely,
Andrea Leslie
Mountain Region Coordinator, Habitat Conservation Program
ec: Glen Sullivan, Foggy Mountain Nursery
Sue Homewood, NC Division of Water Resources
Byron Hamstead, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Lori Williams & Luke Etchison, NCWRC