20071382 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20070820

~ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~
MEMORANDUM
TO: Amanda Jones, USACOE ;,~~ ~qr
Asheville Regulatory Field Office ~,, y~ C ~ ~ 2 ~ ~
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator f'~ !)Ff4t1 _ ,^,,,arw~ :~„,~~n.l,
Habitat Conservation Program T~~'~"~~ p;~~ `"n`~".~~'~`'.~~'~~" ~~A~CN
DATE: August 17, 2007
SUBJECT: Shikina Falls & Meadows Subdivision, Stream Restoration, North Fork Sawyer Creek,
DWQ No. 20071382, Watauga County
The applicant proposes to restore segments of North Fork Sawyer Creek previously damaged by hurricane
induced flooding as well as provide amenities for site access and aesthetics. Biologists with the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiaz with habitat values in the azea. These comments
are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (G.S. 113A-1 through
113A-10; NCAC 25).
The project is indicated to restore approximately 7001ineaz feet of stream, provide three (3) small off-line
ponds, install two (2) 40' culverts, and relocate approximately 78' of stream channel. These impacts will
occur to North Fork Sawyer Creek and tributaries thereof. Wild Brown and Rainbow trout aze known for
area streams, including Cove Creek. The green floater, Lasmigona subviridis (FSC, NCE) occurs in the
Watauga River from just above the Watauga River gorge to just downstream of Valle Crucis. This is a
very small, low density, and vulnerable population.
Based on our review of the submittal and our knowledge of azea habitats, we will not object to the project
providing the following conditions aze implemented:
1. In stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are prohibited
during the trout spawning season of October 15 through April 15 to protect the egg and fry
stages of trout from off-site sedimentation during construction.
2. To the maximum extent practicable, culverts 48" or lazger should be buried a foot into the
streambed. Culverts less than 48 inches in diameter should be buried to a depth equal to or
greater than 20% their size to allow for aquatic life passage. These measurements must be
based on natural thalweg depths. Aquatic life passage must be assured during low flow or
drought conditions. Any riprap used must not interfere with aquatic life movement during
low flows.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Faz: [phone]

Shikina Falls & Meadows -Page 2 -
August 17, 2007
Stream restorations and relocations should be accomplished using state-of-the-art natural
channel design techniques and methodologies.
4. Remaining jurisdictional waters and wetlands should be buffered, either through protection or
provision of undisturbed forested buffer zones. Buffers should be permanently preserved as
common contiguous forest areas instead of being subdivided into portions of individual lots.
For streams that do not support federally listed threatened or endangered aquatic species, we
recommend 50' intermittent and 100' perennial stream buffers. Maximum available buffers
should be provided; however, at a minimum the twenty-five (25) foot trout buffer should
remain or be restored as undisturbed forested buffers. Although not recommended, a walking
trail may be placed in the buffer zone providing it is kept away from streams to the maximum
extent practicable, it is pervious, and its width does not exceed minimum width requirements
specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
5. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for sensitive
watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0124).
If any concrete will be used, work must be accomplished so that wet concrete does not
contact stream water.
7. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel in order
to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the
stream.
8. Temporary or pernianent native herbaceous vegetation should be established on all bare soil
within five (5) days of ground disturbing activities in the twenty-five (25) foot trout buffer to
provide long-term erosion control. We encourage use of fiber matting. Onsite vegetation and
materials may be used for stream bank stabilization when practicable.
9. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel in order
to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the
stream. Equipment should be low hour, well maintained and clean or new to minimize
petroleum pollutants if equipment must work within waters. Spill containment
equipmentlmaterials should be readily available on the site.
10. Water diversions must be accomplished using natural channel design methodologies that do
not diminish aquatic life passage or reduce stream flows below the 7Q 10. Diverted waters
should be returned to the diversion stream.
11. Stocking of these ponds may require issuance of a permit from the NCWRC (see fishing
news at htt~~ i_~~s_w~~~.ti~~ildlife_state nc.us?is indc.~ 03 tishin~* htm). Non-native species,
including plants, must not be stocked. Consultations with NCWRC biologists (Kevin Hining,
336-838-5676 or Kin Hodges, 336-789-3266) are appropriate prior to any fish stockings.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project during the early planning stages. If
you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336-769-9453.
Cc: Cyndi Karoly, DWQ-Central
E-copy: Daryl lamb, DWQ-WSRO