20240354 Ver 1_NEW Cover BR-0252 NWP 03 02 28 24_20240229

Roy COOPER
GOVERNOR
fit.= STATE °'�
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
February 28, 2024
Ms. Crystal Amschler - Project Manager
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-2714
Subject: Nationwide Permit 03
Replace Bridges No, 870160 on SRI312 (Richland Creek
Road) over Richland Creek, No. 870161 on SR 1319 (Homer
McCall Road) over North Fork Flat Creek, No. 870189 on SR
1141 (Babb Road) over Shoal Creek, No. 870133 on SR 1557
(Haskell Jones Road) over Walker Creek.
Transylvania County, North Carolina
STIP: BR-0252
Dear Ms. Amschler:
JOEY HOPKINs
SECRETARY
The NCDOT proposes to replace the above referenced single span bridges (Br 870160, Br
870161, Br 870189, Br 870133) over their respective stream channels. The bridges are single
lane timber deck bridges with timber end bents and timber bridge rails. The proposed
construction work is referenced as bridge maintenance as the bridges will be replaced in the
same alignment, same height, and same dimensions with timber decks and timber bridge rails.
Each bridge project is a single and complete project with independent utility. The permanent
impacts to jurisdictional waters will be very minimal resulting from bank stabilization resulting
from the construction of replacement end bents. The general land use community for the bridges
is mountain rural residential and/or deciduous mixed riparian forest. The replacement bridges
will not result in any upgrades that would support or encourage any area additional area
development. The affected roadways do not have outlets. There will not be any off -site detours
during construction. Traffic will be maintained through the use of either a temporary bridge or
phased construction. The project is state funded and is expected to let for construction on June
18th , 2024.
I am enclosing the project MCDC, NRTR, Sec. 106 determination reports, Tribal comment letter,
NCWRC project comment letter, BR-0252 JD data, BR-0252 permit plans, and NCDOT Agent
Authorization to John Thomas/Gannett Fleming for this project.
Sec. 7 documentation is included in the above referenced MCDC and NRTR. Also included in
this cover letter package is correspondence from Eric Alsmeyer (Corps Project Manager)
documenting his review, Biological Conclusions, and informal consultation request to the Ashville
USFWS for the iPAC identified ESA species. Therefore Sec. 7 ESA consultations was begun and
is actively being processed before the submittal of this ePCN for this project.

Division 14 Office
Telephone: [phone] Webster Road, Sylva, North Carolina 28779 Fax: [phone]
This project was reviewed by NCDOT's Human Environment Unit in 2016 for potential effects
to historical architecture and archaeology. It was determined that no surveys were required, or
no historic properties affected for historical architecture and no eligible or listed archaeological
sites present for archaeology as well (see attached forms) for the project sites.
NCDOT best management practices will be used to minimize and control erosion and
sedimentation on this project. The construction foreman will review all erosion control measures
daily to ensure erosion and sedimentation are being controlled effectively. If the devices are not
functioning as intended, they will be replaced immediately with better devices.
Impacts to Waters of the United States
Richland Creek (DWQ Class: C;Tr), North Fork Flat Creek (DWQ Class: C;Tr), Shoal Creek
(DWQ Class: C;Tr), and Walker Creek (DWQ Class: C;Tr) are shown on USGS topographic
maps as perennial streams. Also, DWQ Stream Identification forms were completed (attached
JD data) for the all the referenced streams with all streams scoring a perennial stream score. The
referenced stream channels are well defined with a substrate of gravel, sand, and cobble and are
approximately 8 to 16 feet in widths. The streams have sufficient flow to support fish and other
aquatic life. All the referenced stream channels flow a perennial flow to the French Broad River,
which meets the definition of a Traditional Navigable Water. For these reasons, we believe that
all these stream channels are Relatively Permanent Water and is under the jurisdiction of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In order to construct the maintenance replacement projects, it
will be necessary to impact waters of the United States in the French Broad River Basin (HUC
06010105). Listed below is a summary of the proposed impacts. Project impacts are also
detailed within the permit design plans:
Site No.
Stream Name
Proposed Impacts
Net
Station
Impacts
Site 160
Richland Creek
<0.01 acre dewatering<0.01
<0.01 acre
acre detour bridge
Site 161
North Fork Flat Creek
21ft. bank stabilization
21ft.
<0.01 acre dewatering
<0.01 acre
<0.01 acre detour bridge
Site 189
Shoal Creek
<0.01 acre dewatering
<0.01 acre
<0.01 acre detour bridge
35ft. bank stabilization
35ft.
Site 133
Walker Creek
<0.01 acre dewatering
<0.01 acre detour bridge
<0.01 acre
Total Permanent Stream Impact for bank stabilization
56 ft.
Total Temporary Impact for dewatering <0.04 acre

Total Temporary Impact for detour bridges
Permits Requested
<0.04 acre
NCDOT is hereby requesting authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to proceed
with the construction project outlined above.
Please contact John Thomas at [phone] / jthomasggfnet.com if you have any questions
about this application or need additional information. Your prompt review and consideration of
this request will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
OqoAn Cj. C7'homaa oq�
fit
Patrick J Breedlove
Division 14 -PDEA Engineer
Enclosures