HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230684 Ver 1_WRC Comments_202306269 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
Via Email
26 June 2023
Ms. Krystynka Stygar
U.S. Amry Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
Charlotte Regulatory Field Office
8430 University Executive Park Dr., Suite 615
Charlote, NC 28262
SUBJECT: Public Notice Comments for the Individual Permit Application for the Boyd Farm Data
Center in Maiden, Catawba County, North Carolina. USACE Action ID: SAW-2023-
00665; DEQ No. 20230684vl.
Dear Ms. Stygar,
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as
amended) and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended;
16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
On behalf of Microsoft Corporation (applicant), Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. has submitted an
Individual Permit (IP) application for the Boyd Farm Data Center located on 294.73 acres northwest of
the intersection of Zeb Haynes Road and W. Maiden Road in Maiden, Catawba County, North Carolina.
The proposed project will permanently impact 686 linear feet (If) of stream channel and temporary
impacts to 2581f of stream channel. Unnamed tributaries of Clark Creek flow through the site. We have
records of the state endangered and proposed federally endangered tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus).
Catawba County manages an open space that lies in the northeast portion of the property.
We offer the following recommendations to minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
resources:
1. We recommend the applicant further reduce impacts. We recommend considering using an
underground stormwater detention system to allow more space for design layout changes to
reduce impacts.
2. a) The culvert must be designed to allow for aquatic life and fish passage. Generally, the culvert
or pipe invert should be buried at least 1 foot below the natural streambed (measured from the
natural thalweg depth), except if slopes of culverts are greater than 2% due to concerns of
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: (919) 707-0220 • Fax: (919) 707-0028
26 June 2023 Page 2
Boyd Farm Data Center IP
USACE Action ID: SAW-2023-0665
NCWRC Comments
headcutting. If multiple barrels are required, barrels other than the base flow barrel(s) should be
placed on or near stream bankfull or floodplain bench elevation (similar to Lyonsfield design).
These should be reconnected to floodplain benches as appropriate. This may be accomplished by
utilizing sills on the upstream and downstream ends to restrict or divert flow to the base flow
barrel(s). Silled barrels should be filled with sediment so as not to entrap wildlife or support
mosquito breeding conditions. Sufficient water depth should be provided in the base flow
barrel(s) during low flows to accommodate fish movement. If culverts are longer than 40-50
linear feet, alternating or notched baffles should be installed in a manner that mimics existing
stream pattern. This should enhance aquatic life passage: 1) by depositing sediments in the barrel,
2) by maintaining channel depth and flow regimes, and 3) by providing resting places for fish and
other aquatic organisms. In essence, base flow barrel(s) should provide a continuum of water
depth and channel width without substantial modifications of velocity.
b) If multiple pipes or cells are used, at least one pipe or box should be designed to remain dry
during normal flows to allow for wildlife passage.
c) Culverts or pipes should be situated along the existing channel alignment whenever possible to
avoid channel realignment. Widening the stream channel must be avoided. Stream channel
widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing
sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
d) Riprap should not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a
manner that precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures should be
professionally designed, sized, and installed.
3. Furthermore, non-native plants should not be used for seeding disturbed areas. Specifically, avoid
using Bermudagrass, redtop, tall fescue, and lespedeza, which are invasive and/or non-native. A
list of alternatives to non-native species has been attached. Alternatively, use a grain, such as
oats, wheat, or rye for temporary cover and native seed mixes for permeant seeding. We
recommend planting native, wildflower seed mixes that will create pollinator habitat within the
project boundary. Avoid using invasive, non-native plants in seed mixtures or landscaping plants
(http://www.ncwildflower.org//plant galleries/invasives_list).
4. Avoid tree clearing activities during the maternity roosting season for bats (May 15 — August 15)
due to the decline of tree roosting bat species, such as the tricolored bat.
5. We recommend not clearing the entire site, but rather maintaining the maximum amount of native
vegetation as possible. Specifically, we recommend minimize clearing of alive, dying, or dead
mature trees, particularly if they are hardwoods.
6. Stringent sediment and erosion control measures should be implemented and installed prior to
any land -disturbing activity. Incorporate the following elements into erosion and sediment control
plans: minimize clearing and grading, protect waterways, phase construction for larger
construction sites (>25 acres), stabilize soils as rapidly as possible (<2 weeks), protect steep
slopes, establish appropriate perimeter controls, employ advanced settling devices, implement a
certified contractors program, and regularly inspect erosion control measures. Ensure all silt
fencing is removed once vegetation has reestablished and soils have stabilized.
7. Erosion control matting made of plastic mesh or twine should not be used within the project area
because it can injury or kill wildlife.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input for this project. If I can provide further assistance, please
call (336) 269-0074 or email olivia.munzer(c-r�,ncwildlife.org.
26 June 2023 Page 3
Boyd Farm Data Center IP
USACE Action ID: SAW-2023-0665
Sincerely,
Olivia Munzer
Western Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
ec: Sue Homewood, NCDWR
Amber Forestier, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
NCWRC Comments
RECOMMENDED NATIVE ALTERNATIVES FOR NON-NATIVE GRASSES IN
NORTH CAROLINA"
(Species are appropriate for all geographic regions unless otherwise indicated)
NON-NATIVE SPECIES
NATIVE SPECIES
Big bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
Crownvetch
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Centipede
Beaked panicgrass
Panicum anceps
Bermuda
Purpletop
Tridens flavus
Roundheaded bushclover
Lespedeza capitata
Deer tongue
Dicanthelium clandestinum
Sensitive partridge pea
Chamaecrista nictitans
Partridge pea
Chamaecrista asciculata
Big bluestem
Andropogon gerardii
Little bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
Indiangrass
Sorghastrum nutans
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Kentucky bluegrass
Beaked panicgrass
Panicum anceps
Tall fescue
Purpletop
Tridens flavus
Sudangrass
Broomsedge
Andropogon virginicus
Deer tongue
Dicanthelium clandestinum
Canadian wildrye
Elymus canadensis
Virginia wildrye
Elymus virginicus
Sensitive partridge pea
Chamaecrista nictitans
Partridge pea
Chamaecrista asciculata
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Splitbeard bluestem
Andropogon ternarius
Sericea lespedeza
Beggarlice
Desmodium spp.
Kobe lespedeza
Deer tongue
Dicanthelium clandestinum
Sensitive partridge pea
Chamaecrista nictitans
Partridge pea
Chamaecrista asciculata
NC Native Plant Recommendations
**A recommended revegetation/stabilization mix would ideally include a combination
of the species listed in this table. In addition, please note that additional consideration
may be needed in areas that are (highly) erodible and/or have sloped terrain. The
following species could be included in all regions for additional stabilization and
wildlife benefit:
Black-eyed susan:
Plains coreopsis:
Lance -leaved coreopsis:
Narrow -leaved sunflower:
Created October 2018
Rudbeckia hirta
Coreopsis tinctoria
Coreopsis lanceolata
Helianthus angustifolius