20240534 Ver 1_BP13.R023_Madison 87 Application_DWR 20240526v1_NCWRC Comments_20240418

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
April 10, 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 87 over California Creek. BP13.R023
DWR 20240526 ver.1
Dear Ms. Beckwith,
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a permit to replace the existing
timber bridge 487 in Madison County with a cored slab bridge on approximately the same alignment. A
temporary detour will be used, which will require temporary impacts to California Creek and an unnamed
tributary 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).
California Creek (WS-II HQW) under Madison bridge 87 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. Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) have been documented in the
region 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.
If not already planned, the NCDOT should consider using coir matting along the restored banks and
channels that will be impacted by the waterline relocation and the temporary detour. Live staking or other
woody vegetation reestablishment is recommended as well to help promote stability in the stream
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

BP13.R023 Page 2 April 10, 2024
meander that will remain after construction. 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