20190622 Ver 2_BP10.R049_DWR 20190622v2_Anson Bridge 217__NCWRC Comments_20231214

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
December 14, 2023
Steve Brumagin
Regulatory Division Office
US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
8430 University Executive Park, Suite 615
Charlotte, NC 28262
Mary Plummer
401 and Buffer Transportation Permitting Branch
Department of Environmental Quality
610 E. Center Ave., Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
SUBJECT: Comments on Application for Replacement of Bridge 217 on SR 1654 (Morton Road)
over Lanes Creek, Anson County. BP10.R049
DWR 20190622 ver. 2
Dear Steve and Mary,
Staff with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed the subject
application. NCWRC's comments on the application are offered in accordance with applicable provisions
of the state and federal Environmental Policy Acts (G.S. 113A-lthrough 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).
Anson bridge 217 over Beaverdam Creek will be replaced on its existing alignment with a new cored -slab
structure. Stream impacts will be needed mostly for new pier drilling and any temporary dewatering.
The bridge will still have two in -water bents, but they will be situated farther from the middle of the creek
channel.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

BP10.R049 Page 2 December 14, 2023
Anson County
Disturbed road shoulders and a foot -trail suggest the public may be accessing the creek at the bridge.
Lanes Creek is likely a floatable waterway and the bridge may currently be used as an access point. The
current bridge plans should allow that to continue due to the limited amount of shoulder fill and guardrail
proposed.
The NCWRC appreciates the NCDOT investigating the potential occurrence of mussels near the bridge.
The survey conducted in July 2023 found, in part, several Eastern Creekshell (Villosa delumbis) and one
Carolina Creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana), which is a state listed mussel. Carolina Creekshell records in
Lanes Creek are from upstream of this bridge. The NCWRC requests that NCDOT notify NCWRC when
this project is set to begin construction, preferably a couple months in advance near the let date, so that
NCWRC staff can, as schedules allow, relocate any Carolina Creekshell in the project footprint.
The NCWRC has no major concerns with the project but does recommend that erosion control matting
with nylon mesh be avoided in riparian areas because it entangles wildlife. The NCWRC
requests that coir matting be specified in erosion control and used where needed in these areas.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this project. Please contact me at david.mchenrYa,ncwildlifLQM
or [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Cordially,
Dave McHenry, NCWRC Western DOT Coordinator
cc: Joel Howard, NCDOT Division 10 Project Development Engineer
William Wescott, NCDOT Division 10 Environmental Supervisor
Caleb Brabblerose, NCDOT Division 10 Environmental Specialist
Brena Jones, NCWRC Central Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Research Coordinator