BP13.R024_Madison 152 Application_DWR 20240534v1_NCWRC Comments

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director

Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

April 18, 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 152 over Spillcorn Creek. BP13.R024.
DWR 20240534 ver.1

Dear Ms. Beckwith,

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for a permit to replace the existing
timber bridge #152 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).

Spillcorn Creek (C Tr ORW) near Madison bridge 152 is not expected to support trout spawning.
Therefore, as noted in past scoping comments to NCDOT, 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 the Big Laurel Creek watershed and this species may roost in trees. Northern longeared
bats (Myotis septentrionalis) 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 along riparian areas.

BP13.R024 Page 2 April 18, 2024

Thank you for the opportunity to review and provide recommendations on this project. Please contact me
at [e-mail] 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