20201595 Ver 1_17BP.12.R.63_DWR 20201595v1_Catawba 59_404 Application__NCWRC Comments_20230207

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
February 7, 2023
Crystal Amschler
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801
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 Bridge No. 59 on SR 1120 (Greedy
Highway) over Jacob Fork, Cleveland County (17BP.12.R 63)
DWR 20201595v2
Dear Ms. Amschler and Ms. Chapman,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a 404 Permit and 401
Certification for the subject project. I visited the project area on February 3, 2022 to better assess
potential impacts of the project on wildlife habitats. Comments from the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission (NCWRC) on the application are offered to conserve 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-1through 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 project will impact Jacob Fork for temporary dewatering and placement of rip rap stabilization. The
bridge will be replaced on its current alignment.
South Mountains Crayfish (Cambarus franklini, NC Threatened) may be in the project area, and they
have been documented approximately a mile and one half downstream. The NCWRC would appreciate
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

1713P.12.R 63 Page 2 February 7, 2023
Cleveland County
the opportunity to relocate, as deemed necessary, rare crayfish (if present) from the project footprint
before dewatering or rip rap placement occurs. If amendable, coordination from NCDOT reasonably in
advance of the construction start, preferably at least two months, would be much appreciated. My contact
information can be used in any contract notes, "green sheet commitments", or other project
documentation that may be used to help alert staffs and contractors about the requested coordination.
The NCWRC has no major concerns with the project and supports the proposed bridge design because it
leaves unarmored benches that should maintain some wildlife passage as is currently possible. Some
wildlife closely follows stream corridors and will pass under bridges if rip rap does not impede or block
them.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and provide recommendations on this project. Please contact me
at david.mchenryAncwildlife.org or [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Cordially,
11-�(� -
Dave McHenry, NCWRC Western DOT Coordinator
cc: Jeff Wyatt, NCDOT Division 12 Environmental Officer