20240440 Ver 1_BP13.R020_Madison 36 Application_DWR 202404401v1_NCWRC Comments_20240403

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
April 3, 2024
Lori Beckwith
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801
SUBJECT: Comments on Replacement of Madison Bridge 36 over Middle Fork Creek. BP13.R020
DWR 20240440 ver.1
Dear Ms. Beckwith,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a permit to replace the existing
timber bridge 436 in Madison County with a cored slab bridge on the same alignment. The North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's (NCWRC) comments are offered to help conserve the
wildlife resources affected by the project and to promote wildlife -based recreation in accordance with
applicable provisions of 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).
Middle Fork Creek (WS-II HQW) under Madison bridge 36 is not expected to support wild trout.
Therefore, the trout moratorium should not apply to the work.
The bridge was checked for bats and cleared in 2023. Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) have been
documented in this watershed and this species may roost in trees. Northern longeared bats (Myotis
septentrionahs) and some other tree -roosting bats could be in the area as well. Therefore, we
recommend avoiding tree clearing during their active season (April 1 to October 15), and most
importantly in late spring through summer when young bats cannot fly.
The rip -rap free bench that will remain under the west side of the proposed bridge should benefit some
small wildlife that move in riparian areas. If not already planned, the NCDOT should consider using coir
matting along the channel change, or even run a strip down the channel bed, to help stabilize the new
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

BP13.R020 Page 2 April 3, 2024
channel and 2:1 side slopes. And, in accordance with standard GC conditions, we request that matting
used in riparian areas not contain nylon mesh because it entangles and kills wildlife.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and provide recommendations on this project. Please contact me
at david.mchenrykncwildlife.org or [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
Cordially,
Dave McHenry, NCWRC Western DOT Coordinator
cc: NCDEQ, DWR (via Laserfiche)
Yates Allen, NCDOT Division 14