WebbFlatCreekStabilization_FlatCr_Buncombe_NCWRCComments

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
May 4, 2023
Mr. Mitchell Anderson
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Branch
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
SUBJECT: Webb/Flat Creek Streambank Stabilization
Flat Creek, Buncombe County
Dear Mr. Anderson:
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed an
application to impact 75 ft of Flat Creek by installing a boulder toe and geolifts to stabilize an
eroding slope Buncombe County. I visited the site with the designer on May 1, 2023. 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).
There are wild Rainbow Trout in Flat Creek, and in -stream work should be avoided between
January 1 and April 15 in order to minimize impacts to reproduction. In addition, Flat Creek
supports the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, US Federal Species of Concern,
NC Special Concern). These species are especially sensitive to sedimentation, and effective
erosion and sediment control measures for this project are essential to protect these species.
To stabilize the eroding slope above the stream, a large tree will be removed, and there is
substantial risk of sediment loss from the slope. A coffer dam will be installed to capture debris,
and muddy water will be pumped into a filter bag. Due to site constraints, the work area will be
accessed with equipment through the stream; equipment will work from the stream but be placed
on timber mats.
Because hellbenders may be found on site, flows should not be diverted around the work area. In
addition, heavy equipment access should be flagged out and the footprint minimized. We
strongly recommend that construction oversight be provided by the designer.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Webb/Flat Cr Stabilization Page 2 May 4, 2023
Flat Creek, Buncombe Co
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
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 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. Avoid in -channel work between January I and April 15 to minimize impacts to Rainbow
Trout reproduction.
4. We strongly recommend that construction oversight be provided by the designer.
5. Avoid disturbing large rocks as much as possible, as hellbenders can use them for shelters.
6. During construction, staff should watch for hellbenders. If hellbenders are seen in the impact
area, they should be captured in a bucket with water and placed well upstream of the work
area, preferably at least 1000 ft upstream.
7. If hellbenders are seen, contact Lori Williams (lori.williamsgncwildlife.org) with this
information.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. Please contact me at
[phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Sincerely,
Andrea Leslie
Mountain Region Coordinator, Habitat Conservation Program
ec: Joel Lenk, Quible & Associates
Andrew Moore, NC Division of Water Resources
Lori Williams, NCWRC
Josh Holbrook, Montreat College