20060207 Ver 2_Other Agency Comments_20071219

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~ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~
TO: Monte Matthews, NCDOT Coordinator
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office, USACE
FROM: Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator ~`~- ~~.a-m~:~
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC
DATE: December 19, 2007
SUBJECT: Review of NCDOT's request for a Section 404 Permit to replace Bridge No. 7 on
NC 268 over the Yadkin River, Caldwell County, North Carolina. TIP No. B-
4052.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has requested a Section 404 Permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Staff biologists with the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the information provided. These
comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy
Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The NCDOT proposes to replace Bridge No. 7 on NC 268 over the Yadkin River with a new
bridge on existing alignment. Traffic will use an on-site detour. There will be 19 linear feet of
permanent fill and <0.01 acres temporary fill in an unnamed tributary (UT) to the Yadkin River
and 0.07 acres of temporary fill in the Yadkin River. It appears that the footprint of the
causeways will occupy more than 80% of the width of the river, but will be phased so that no
more than half of the river is blocked at any time. Project waters are on the 303(d) list of
impaired waters and assigned a best usage classification by the North Carolina Division of Water
Quality (NCDWQ) as C Trout, however trout reproduction is not expected in the project area.
This portion of the Yadkin River supports a smallmouth bass fishery, an important sport fish to
North Carolina anglers. While we will not pursue the in-water work moratorium that we
recommended in our scoping comments, dated August 27, 2003, as a permit condition, we do
request that NCDOT and their contractors take steps to avoid and minimize in-water work and
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

B-4052, Bridge No. 7
Yadkin River, Caldwell Co. - 2 - December 19, 2007
other activities that could have a negative impact on the sport fishery. We believe that with
proper planning, project delays and added costs are unlikely.
NCWRC can concur with the issuance of Section 404 and 401 permits provided that the
following conditions are implemented:
1. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds and be strictly maintained until project completion.
2. Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil as soon
as possible following the completion of permanent or temporary ground disturbing
activities to provide appropriate long-term erosion control.
3. Tall fescue should not be used in riparian areas. We encourage NCDOT to utilize onsite
native vegetation and materials for bank stabilization when practicable. Erosion control
matting should be used in riparian areas (streambanks) and any disturbed steep slopes,
instead of straw mulch, and well anchored with 12" staples, wooden survey stakes, or live
stakes.
4. Stormwater should be directed to buffer areas or retention basins and should not be
routed directly into the river, when practicable.
5. Only clean, sediment-free rock should be used as temporary fill (causeways), and should
be removed without excessive disturbance of the natural stream bottom when
construction is completed.
6. Discharge of materials into the river from demolition of the old bridge should be avoided
as much as practicable. Any materials that inadvertently reach the river should be
removed.
7. The natural dimension, pattern, and profile of the river above and below the crossing
should not be modified by widening the channel or changing the depth of the river.
8. Removal of vegetation in riparian areas should be minimized. Native trees and shrubs
should be planted along the banks to reestablish the riparian zone and to provide long-
term erosion control.
9. Grading and backfilling should be minimized, and tree and shrub growth should be
retained if possible to ensure long term availability of shoreline cover for fish and
wildlife. Backfill materials should be obtained from upland sites.
10. Riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to the bank below the high water
mark, and vegetation should be used for stabilization above the high water elevation.

B-4052, Bridge No. 7
Yadkin River, Caldwell Co. - 3 - December 19, 2007
11. If concrete will be used during construction, work must be accomplished so that wet
(uncured) concrete does not contact surface waters. This will lessen the chance of
altering the water chemistry and causing a fish kill.
12. Discharging hydroseeding mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters is strictly prohibited.
13. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the channel whenever
possible in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing
other pollutants into the river. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters
should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of surface waters
from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials.
14. Temporary access roads or detours should be removed back to original ground elevations
immediately upon the completion of the project. Disturbed areas should be seeded or
mulched to stabilize the soil and native tree species should be planted with a spacing of
not more than 10'x10'. If possible, when using temporary structures the area should be
cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other
mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact, allows the area to
revegetate naturally and minimizes disturbed soil.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any
questions regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone].
cc: Sue Homewood, NCDWQ
Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ
Elizabeth Lusk, NCDOT
Carla Dagnino, NCDOT