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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20150216 Ver 1_R-5206 - Nationwide Permit 14 Modification - Jackson County_20160525Corps Submittal Cover Sheet Please provide the following info: 1. Project Name: TIP Proiect No. R-5206 — Cope Creek Road — Modification 2. Name of Property Owner/Applicant: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 3. Name of Consultant/Agent: *Agent authorization needs to be attached. 4. Related/Previous Action ID number(s): Action ID No. SAW -2015-00451 Site Address: 5. Subdivision Name: N/A 6. City: Sylva 7. County: Jackson 8. Lat: 35.38588 N Long: -083.18127 W (Decimal Degrees Please) 9. Quadrangle Name: Sylva North 10. Waterway: UT to Blanton Branch (DWR Class: C) 11. Watershed: Little Tennessee River (HCU: 06010203) 12. Requested Action: X Nationwide Permit # 14 General Permit # Jurisdictional Determination Request Pre -Application Request The following information will be completed by Corps office: AID: Prepare File Folder Assign number in ORM Authorization: Section 10 Section 404 Project Description/ Nature of Activity/ Project Purpose: Site/Waters Name: Keywords: Begin Date Transportation May 25, 2016 Ms. Lori Beckwith, NCDOT Regulatory Project Manager U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208 Asheville, NC 28801-2714 PAT McCRORY Gotrmor NICHOLAS J. TENNYSON Secretary Subject: Nationwide 14 Permit Application - Modification SR 1449 - Cope Creek Road — Paved Road Improvement from SR 1710 (East Cope Creek Road) to US 74/23 Jackson County TIP Project No. R-5206 Action ID No. SAW -2015-00451 DWQ Project No. 2015-0216 State Project No. 42974.1.1 (DWQ Minor Permit Fee $240) Dear Ms. Beckwith: The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is proposing to widen, grade, drain and repave a section of the subject road. This proposal entails widening and resurfacing the northern end of SR 1449 from an existing 18 -foot paved road to a 22 -foot roadway from the intersection of SR 1710 (East Cope Creek Road) to US 74/23, a distance of 1.17 miles. This also will require impacting unnamed tributaries to Cope Creek and unnamed tributaries to Blanton Branch in the Scott Creek watershed. The proposed improvements have been identified as necessary maintenance and safety improvements. The project is currently wider construction. Due to a plan error in the cross-sections and limited right of way, NCDOT is proposing to modify the subject permit at Permit Site 2. The original permit application called for a 23 -foot culvert extension and the relocation of 76 linear feet of stream (spring seep). The original plan was just implemented in the field, which resulted in a 7-8 foot deep ditch along the new roadway alignment (see photos). In order to correct the problem and eliminate ajunction box and 90 degree turn of the stream at the culvert outlet, NCDOT proposes to extend and re -skew the culvert to eliminate the open ditch and better align the stream at the culvert outlet. All work will be conducted within NCDOT right of way. I am enclosing a revised PCN Impact Table, NCSAM Field Assessment Form, NCDWQ Stream ID Form, revised EEP Mitigation Acceptance Letter, revised plan sheet for Permit Site 2 showing the proposed work, photographs and a marked county map and USGS topographic map. There will be "no effect" on threatened and endangered species associated with the modification of Permit Site 2. No trees will be cut, which will eliminate any potential impacts to Indiana and Northern long-eared bat summer roosting habitat. Nothing Compares �_ State ofNoah Carolina DapartmentofTransponation I Ditision14 253 Webster Road I Syha, North Carolina 28779 Phone 828-586-2141 I Fax 828-586-0013 Impacts to Waters of the United States Cope Creek and Blanton Branch are shown as perennial streams on the USGS topographic map. The unnamed tributaries at Sites 3, 4, and 5 are shown on the USGS topographic map, while the unnamed tributaries at Site 1, 2, and 2A are not. All streams except Site 3 have well defined channels composed of gravel and sand/silt; the channel downstream of Site 3 is overgrown with grasses and has a deep silt bottom. The unnamed tributary at Site 1 flows into Cope Creek, which in turn flows approximately 1.7 miles to Scott Creek. Scott Creek then flows 2.7 miles to the Tuckasegee River, which meets the definition of a Traditional Navigable Water (TNW). The unnamed tributaries at Sites 2, 2A, 3, 4, and 5 flow into Blanton Branch, which in turn flows into Scott Creek about 0.15 mile downstream of Site S. Scott Creek flows 5.1 miles to the Tuckasegee River, which meets the definition of a Traditional Navigable Water (TNW). For these reasons, we believe these streams meet the definition of a Relatively Permanent Water (RPW) and are under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers. hr order to construct the project in accordance with current NCDOT road standards, it will be necessary to impact waters of the United States in the Little Tennessee River Basin (IIUC 06010203). Listed below is a summary of the proposed impacts. Site No. Existing Condition Proposed Condition Net Impacts Station Site 1 60'x 24" CMP 120' x 30" CMP 60' Perched Perched Site IA Free Flowing Channel Impervious Dike & Flow 150' Diversion Site 2 35' x 24" CMP 58' x 36" RCP 23' "(Delete) w/ Junction Box Site 2A Free Flowing Channel Relocated (Ditch) Stream Channel 76' *(Delete) 76' Site 2 35' x 24" CMP & ;120' x 36" CMP__Re-skerv_e viodilie �6' Free Flowing Stream. Site 2B Free Flowing Channel Impervious Dike & Flow 160' Diversion Site 3 30'x 30" CMP 49' x 30" RCP 19' Site 3A Free Flowing Channel Impervious Dike & Flow 75' Diversion Site 4 30' x 42" CMP 30' x 54" RCP 0' Site 4A Free Flowing Channel Impervious Dike & Flow 50' Diversion Site 5 Free Flowing Channel Relocated Stream Channel 277' 277' Site 5A Free Flowing Channel Impervious Dike & Flow 300' Diversion f Needed Vote: Revised Impacts Highlighted in B'lu�. Total Permanent Stream Impact for Culvert Extensions 102' Total Permanent Stream Impact for Channel Relocations 353' Total Temporary Stream Impact for Impervious Dikes & Flow Diversions 735' Permits Requested NCDOT is hereby requesting authorization under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act to proceed with the construction project outlined above. By copy of this letter, I am asking Mrs. Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Coordinator with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), to comment directly to you concerning the 404 Nationwide Permit request. Also, by copy of this letter, I am requesting authorization under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Division of Water Resources (DWR). In addition, I am asking Ms. Chambers and Mr. Ben DeWit, EI, Roadside Environmental Field Operations Engineer (NCDOT), to comment directly to me concerning this permit request. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me at (828) 586-2141. Your early review and consideration will be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, 11)11 '- v za_z"� Mark S. Davis Division Environmental Supervisor Enclosures cc: Ms. Amy Chapman, Division of Water Resources, DENR, Raleigh Mr. Kevin Barnett, Division of Water Resources, DENR, Asheville Ms. Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Coordinator, NCWRC, Albemarle Mr. Andrew Henderson, Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville Mr. Brian Burch, PE, Division Construction Engineer, NCDOT, Sylva Mr. Steve Williams, Division Design Construct Engineer, NCDOT, Sylva Mr. Ben DeWit, EI, Roadside Environmental Field Operations Engineer, NCDOT 2. Wetland Impacts If there are wetland impacts proposed on the site, then complete this question for each wetland area impacted. 2a. 2b. 2c. 2d. 2e. 2f. Wetland impact Type of jurisdiction number- Type of impact Type of wetland Forested (Corps - 404, 10 Area of impact Permanent (P) or (if known) DWQ - non -404, other) (acres) Temporary W1 ❑ P ❑ T N/A N/A ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Corps ❑ DWQ N/A 2g. Total wetland impacts N/A 2h. Comments: N/A 3. Stream Impacts - If there are perennial or intermittent stream impacts (including temporary impacts) proposed on the site, then complete this question for all stream sites impacted. 3a. 3b. 3c. 3d. 3e. 3f. 3g. Stream impact Type of impact Stream name Perennial Type of jurisdiction Average Impact number - (PER) or (Corps -404, 10 stream length Permanent (P) or intermittent DWQ - non -404, width (linear Temporary (T) (INT)? other) (feet) feet) S1 M P [-IT Culvert Extension UT Cope Creek ® PER ® Corps 1 60 Perched ❑ INT ® DWQ S1A []PMT Impervious Dike & UT Cope Creek ® PER ® Corps 1 150 Flow Diversion ❑ INT ® DWQ S2 ®P ❑ T Culvert Extension UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 1 23 Delete Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ Delete S2A ® P ❑ T Channel UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 1 76 Delete Relocation (Ditch) Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ Delete Oilz„� — IiiiilW S26 ❑ P ®T Impervious Dike & UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 1 160 Flow Diversion Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ S3 ®P ❑ T Culvert Extension UT Blanton Branch ® PER ❑ INT ® Corps ® DWQ 1 19 SM ❑ P ®T Impervious Dike & UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 1 75 Flow Diversion Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ S4 ®P ❑ T Culvert UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 5 0 Replacement Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ S4A ❑ P ® T Impervious Dike & UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 5 50 Flow Diversion Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ S5 ® P ❑ T Channel UT Blanton ® PER ® Corps 5 277 Relocation Branch ❑ INT ® DWQ Impervious Dike & UT Blanton PER ®Corps S5 El ® T Flow Diversion Branch El INT ® DWQ 5 300 (If Required) 3h. Revised Impacts Highlighted in BluA Total Permanent Stream Impact for Culvert Extensions 102' Total Permanent Stream Impacts for Channel Relocations 353' Total Temporary Stream Impacts for Impervious Dikes and Flow Diversions 735' 3i. Comments: We believe the channel relocation at Site 5 can be constructed by leaving the stream in the existing channel during construction. The new channel will be constructed to the north of the old channel. Page 6 of 12 PCN Form - Version 1.3 December 10, 2008 Version ILL I V) :I; d N U W p m n 141..1 + rn 06 0 w C'1 0 6 ep M O rXU2 --a 0 I d N Al 10 Lq 0 � to I + U N � C N n + _ u , W I n 9 ei'M I\ 4 0 M W N I ,I Z "q' s rn Y z p®LLLUI N O C aN © �� ® 1- vim) 'qO K ! 4 I �I o, (+'j = 0 W In 0 `V W + o i z0 >1 0 v'n ami Ct GF; o i 040 a- Z LIC uj _ E20U. CL N rte-- N p I I l l N O Z % J n.p I ?I v, Ld `o I I C K v U� LO C O /,,. UO OQ 4 n� c raj W O c� N IN N-- jCO 0 CN I 0'I FI J6 J -LI l LC.,3O O ;i' ®2I ,'-c—� _ _ _ �R + LO Mid CD w l�) m z 4 ) 'E1 NAR ORI L'f ST Z0�61_I iI�p IVA R ( a v 0 ' 1 00 U _...\J I �0 04 I moo• o C)� � M .p Q Q co f®'tn 00 1 NM NI+O CY)M V N ° ro KIM Site 4 r f Site 5 Site 3 1 , �~'4� � . rte✓ �� �; r` ��i \,`�;, ;�`.,,.:__� :�: -. - \ ti \ r � � -+--"� '�} 9� a .,�� •--.�„ g ♦ �t/ /firms Site 2 Site 2A \L:� 14 Al �>titi, ` �•.. ,_yn..ry.�^�,y..y.1+� ��l\ rY • .\~ �r�Kr\\v�i.+_,Yti. yj 1 �•' �4� /moi„—`�,�--t 6Jr .''� I- _ 4'- i,�' ' J iw r7 USGS Quad: Sylva North R-5208 SR 1440 (Cope Creek Road) SR 1710 to US 74123 Jackson County 35083-D2-TF-024 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles TIP Project No. 5206 — Cope Creek Road — Jackson County Permit Site 2 —Modification Inlet End of Culvert — (Don't know where Stream Origin Is) Old Ditch and New Ditch (Ditch is Too Deep with very Little New Shoulder Width) TIP Project No. 5206 — Cope Creek Road — Jackson County Permit Site 2 — Modification i eat,Z' T' ^-Veli;r»,� '$tg� `� �r �✓i�' . t. t. .til, � r � '{•. n. A �V . AL vm A r Looking North Downstream — Existing Ditch TIP Project No. 5206 — Cope Creek Road — Jackson County Permit Site 2 — Modification New Culveit Alignment NC SAM FIELD ASSESSMENT FORM Accompanies User Manual Version 2 caicuiacor version z I USACE AID #: NCDWR #: I INSTRUCTIONS: Attach a sketch of the assessment area and photographs. Attach a copy of the USGS 7.b -minute topograpmc quadrangle, and circle the location of the stream reach under evaluation. If multiple stream reaches will be evaluated on the same property, identify and number all reaches on the attached map, and include a separate form for each reach. See the NC SAM User Manual for detailed descriptions and explanations of requested information. Record in the "Notes/Sketch' section if supplementary measurements were performed. See the NC SAM User Manual for examples of additional measurements that may be relevant. NOTE EVIDENCE OF STRESSORS AFFECTING THE ASSESSMENT AREA (do not need to be within the assessment area). PROJECT/SITE INFORMATION: 1. Project name (if any): R-5206 2. Date of evaluation: 5-24-16 Davis - 3. Applicant/owner name: NCDOT 4. Assessor name/organization: NCDOT 5. County: Jackson 6. Nearest named water body 7 River basin: Tuckaseegee on USGS 7.5 -minute quad: Blanton Branch 8. Site coordinates (decimal degrees, at lower end of assessment reach): 35.38588,-83.18127 STREAM INFORMATION: (depth and width can be approximations) 9. Site number (show on attached map): 2 10. Length of assessment reach evaluated (feet): 76 11. Channel depth from bed (in riffle, if present) to top of bank (feet): 3-5 []Unable to assess channel dep 12. Channel width at lop of bank (feet): 8 13. Is assessment reach a swamp steam? []Yes ❑No 14. Feature type: ®Perennial flow ❑Intermittent flow []Tidal Marsh Stream STREAM CATEGORY INFORMATION: 15. NC SAM Zone: N Mountains (M) ❑ Piedmont (P) ❑ Inner Coastal Plain (1) ❑ Outer Coastal Plain (0) 16. Estimated geomorphic EIA \1 V J ®B� valley shape (skip for Tidal Marsh Stream): (more sinuous stream, flatter valley slope) (less sinuous stream, steeper valley slope) 17. Watershed size: (skip NSize 1 (< 0.1 mi) []Size 2 (0.1 to < 0.5 mit) []Size 3 (0.5 to < 5 mit) []Size 4 (>_ 5 mit) for Tidal Marsh Stream) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 18. Were regulatory considerations evaluated? NYes ❑No If Yes, check all that apply to the assessment area. ❑Section 10 water ❑Classified Trout Waters ❑Water Supply Watershed (❑I ❑II []III ❑IV ❑V) []Essential Fish Habitat ❑Primary Nursery Area ❑ High Quality Waters/Outstanding Resource Waters []Publicly owned property ❑NCDWR Riparian buffer rule in effect ❑Nutrient Sensitive Waters ❑Anadromous fish ❑303(d) List ❑CAMA Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) []Documented presence of a federal and/or state listed protected species within the assessment area. List species: []Designated Critical Habitat (list species) 19. Are additional stream information/supplementary measurements included in'Notes/Sketch' section or attached? ❑Yes ❑No 1. Channel Water— assessment reach metric (skip for Size 1 streams and Tidal Marsh Streams) NA Water throughout assessment reach. ❑B No flow, water in pools only. ❑C No water in assessment reach. 2. Evidence of Flow Restriction — assessment reach metric ❑A At least 10% of assessment reach in -stream habitat or riffle -pool sequence is severely affected by a flow restriction or fill to the point of obstructing flow or a channel choked with aquatic macrophytes or ponded water or impoundment on flood or ebb within the assessment reach (examples: undersized or perched culverts, causeways that constrict the channel, tidal gates, debris jams, beaver dams). NB Not 3. Feature Pattern — assessment reach metric NA A majority of the assessment reach has altered pattern (examples: straightening, modification above or below culvert). ❑B Not 4. Feature Longitudinal Profile — assessment reach metric NA Majority of assessment reach has a substantially altered stream profile (examples: channel down -cutting, existing damming, over widening, active aggradation, dredging, and excavation where appropriate channel profile has not reformed from any of these disturbances). ❑B NotA 5. Signs of Active Instability— assessment reach metric Consider only current instability, not past events from which the stream has currently recovered. Examples of instability include active bank failure, active channel down -cutting (head -cut), active widening, and artificial hardening (such as concrete, gabion, rip -rap). ❑A < 10% of channel unstable ❑B 10 to 25% of channel unstable NC > 25% of channel unstable 6. Streamside Area Interaction — streamside area metric Consider for the Left Bank (LB) and the Right Bank (RB). LB RB ❑A ❑A Little or no evidence of conditions that adversely affect reference interaction ❑B ❑B Moderate evidence of conditions (examples: berms, levees, down -cutting, aggradalion, dredging) that adversely affect reference interaction (examples: limited streamside area access, disruption of flood flows through streamside area, leaky or intermittent bulkheads, causeways with floodplain constriction, minor ditching (including mosquito ditching]) ®C ®C Extensive evidence of conditions that adversely affect reference interaction (little to no floodplain/intertidal zone access [examples: causeways with Floodplain and channel constriction, bulkheads, retaining walls, fill, stream incision, disruption of flood flows through streamside area] or too much floodplain/intedidal zone access [examples: impoundments, intensive mosquito ditching]) or floodplain/intertidal zone unnaturally absent or assessment reach is a man-made feature on an interstream divide 7. Water Quality Stressors — assessment reach/intertidal zone metric Check all that apply. ❑A Discolored water in stream or intertidal zone (milky white, blue, unnatural water discoloration, oil sheen, stream foam) ®B Excessive sedimentation (burying of stream features or intertidal zone) ❑C Noticeable evidence of pollutant discharges entering the assessment reach and causing a water quality problem ❑D Odor (not including natural sulfide odors) ❑E Current published or collected data indicating degraded water quality in the assessment reach. Cite source in 'Notes/Sketch" section. OF Livestock with access to stream or intertidal zone ❑G Excessive algae in stream or intertidal zone ❑H Degraded marsh vegetation in the intertidal zone (removal, burning, regular mowing, destruction, etc) ❑I Other: (explain in'Notes/Sketch' section) ❑J Little to no stressors 8. Recent Weather—watershed metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) For Size 1 or 2 streams, 01 drought or higher is considered a drought; for Size 3 or 4 streams, D2 drought or higher is considered a drought. ®A Drought conditions and no rainfall or rainfall not exceeding 1 inch within the last 48 hours ❑B Drought conditions and rainfall exceeding 1 inch within the last 48 hours ❑C No drought conditions 9. Large or Dangerous Stream — assessment reach metric ❑Yes ®No Is stream is too large or dangerous to assess? If Yes, skip to Metric 13 (Streamside Area Ground Surface Condition). 10. Natural In -stream Habitat Types — assessment reach metric 10a. ®Yes ❑No Degraded in -stream habitat over majority of the assessment reach (examples of stressors include excessive sedimentation, mining, excavation, in -stream hardening [for example, rip -rap], recent dredging, and snagging) (evaluate for Size 4 Coastal Plain streams only, then skip to Metric 12) 10b. Check all that occur (occurs if > 5% coverage of assessment reach) (skip for Size 4 Coastal Plain streams) ❑A Multiple aquatic macrophyles and aquatic mosses 5 „ ❑F 5% oysters or other natural hard bottoms (include liverworts, lichens, and algal mals) F E ❑G Submerged aquatic vegetation ❑B Multiple sticks and/or leaf packs and/or emergent F J ❑H Low -tide refugia (pools) vegetation N ❑I Sand bottom ❑C Multiple snags and logs (including lap trees) t ,o ❑J 5% vertical bank along the marsh ❑D 5% undercut banks and/or root mats and/or roots ❑K Little or no habitat in banks extend to the normal wetted perimeter ®E Little or no habitat "'"""""..«*""""**""""*""*REMAINING QUESTIONS ARE NOT APPLICABLE FOR TIDAL MARSH STREAMS".... 11. Bedform and Substrate —assessment reach metric (skip for Size 4 Coastal Plain streams and Tidal Marsh Streams) 11a. []Yes ®No Is assessment reach in a natural sand -bed stream? (skip for Coastal Plain streams) t tb. Bedform evaluated. Check the appropriate box(es). ❑A Riffle -run section (evaluate 11c) ❑B Pool -glide section (evaluate 11d) ®C Natural bedform absent (skip to Metric 12, Aquatic Life) 11c. In riffle sections, check all that occur below the normal welted perimeter of the assessment reach — whether or not submerged. Check at least one box in each row (skip for Size 4 Coastal Plain streams and Tidal Marsh Streams). Not Present (NP) _ absent, Rare (R) = present but < 10%, Common (C) _ > 10-40%, Abundant (A) _ > 40-70%, Predominant (P) _ > 70%. Cumulative percentages should not exceed 100% for each assessment reach. NP R C A P ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Bedrock/saprolite ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Boulder (256 — 4096 mm) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Cobble (64 — 256 mm) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Gravel (2 — 64 mm) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Sand (.062 — 2 mm) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Silt/clay (< 0.062 mm) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Detritus ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Artificial (rip -rap, concrete, etc.) 11d. ❑Yes []No Are pools filled with sediment? (skip for Size 4 Coastal Plain streams and Tidal Marsh Streams) 12. Aquatic Life -assessment reach metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) 12a. ®Yes []No Was an in -stream aquatic life assessment performed as described in the User Manual? If No, select one of the following reasons and skip to Metric 13. ❑No Water ❑Other: 12b. ®Yes []No Are aquatic organisms present in the assessment reach (look in riffles, pools, then snags)? If Yes, check all that apply. If No, skip to Metric 13. 1 >1 Numbers over columns refer to "individuals for Size 1 and 2 streams and "taxa' for Size 3 and 4 streams. ❑ []Adult frogs ❑ ❑Aquatic reptiles ❑ ❑Aquatic macrophytes and aquatic mosses (include liverworts, lichens, and algal mats) ❑ El Beetles ❑ ❑Caddisfly larvae (T) ❑ ❑Asian clam (Corbicula) ❑ ❑Crustacean (isopod/amphipod/crayfish/shdmp) ❑ ❑Damselfly and dragonfly larvae ❑ ❑Dipterans ❑ ❑Mayfly larvae (E) ❑ ❑Megaloptera (alderfly, fishily, dobsonfly larvae) ❑ ❑Midges/mosquito larvae ❑ ❑Mosquito fish (Gambusia) or mud minnows (Umbra pygmaea) ❑ ❑Mussels/Ciams (not Corbicula) ❑ ❑Other fish ❑ ❑Salamanders/tadpoles ❑ ®Snails ❑ ❑Slonefly larvae (P) ❑ ❑Tipulid larvae ❑ ❑Worms/leeches 13. Streamside Area Ground Surface Condition -streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams and B valley types) Consider for the Left Bank (LB) and the Right Bank (RB). Consider storage capacity with regard to both overbank flow and upland runoff. LB RB ❑A ❑A Little or no alteration to water storage capacity over a majority of the streamside area ❑B ❑B Moderate alteration to water storage capacity over a majority of the streamside area ❑C ❑C Severe alteration to water storage capacity over a majority of the streamside area (examples: ditches, FII, soil compaction, livestock disturbance, buildings, man-made levees, drainage pipes) 14. Streamside Area Water Storage - streamside area metric (skip for Size 1 streams, Tidal Marsh Streams, and B valley types) Consider for the Left Bank (LB) and the Right Bank (RB) of the streamside area. LB RS ❑A ❑A Majority of streamside area with depressions able to pond water z 6 inches deep ❑B ❑B Majority of streamside area with depressions able to pond water 3 to 6 inches deep ❑C ❑C Majority of streamside area with depressions able to pond water < 3 inches deep 15. Wetland Presence - streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Consider for the Left Bank (LB) and the Right Bank (RB). Do not consider wetlands outside of the streamside area or within the normal wetted perimeter of assessment reach. LB RB ❑Y ❑Y Are wetlands present in the streamside area? ON ON 16. Baseflow Contributors - assessment reach metric (skip for Size 4 streams and Tidal Marsh Streams) Check all contributors within the assessment reach or within view of and draining to the assessment reach. ®A Streams and/or springs ourisdictional discharges) ❑B Ponds (include wet detention basins; do not include sediment basins or dry detention basins) ❑C Obstruction passing flow during low -flow periods within the assessment area (beaver dam, leaky dam, bottom -release dam, weir) ®D Evidence of bank seepage or sweating (iron in water indicates seepage) ❑E Stream bed or bank soil reduced (dig through deposited sediment if present) ❑F None of the above 17. Baseflow Detractors - assessment area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Check all that apply. ❑A Evidence of substantial water withdrawals from the assessment reach (includes areas excavated for pump installation) ❑B Obstruction not passing flow during low -flow periods affecting the assessment reach (ex: watertight dam, sediment deposit) ❑C Urban stream (>- 24% impervious surface for watershed) ®D Evidence that the streamside area has been modified resulting in accelerated drainage into the assessment reach ❑E Assessment reach relocated to valley edge ❑F None of the above 18. Shading - assessment reach metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Consider aspect. Consider "leaf -on' condition. ❑A Stream shading is appropriate for stream category (may include gaps associated with natural processes) ❑B Degraded (example: scattered frees) ®C Stream shading is gone or largely absent 19. Buffer Width — streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Consider "vegetated buffer" and "wooded buffer" separately for left bank (LB) and right bank (RB) starting at the top of bank out to the first break. Vegetated Wooded LB RB LB RB ❑A ❑A ❑A ❑A z 100 feet wide or extends to the edge of the watershed ❑B ❑B ❑B ❑B From 50 to < 100 feet wide ❑C ❑C ❑C ❑C From 30 to < 50 feet wide ❑D ND ❑D ❑D From 10 to < 30 feel wide NE ❑E NE NE < 10 feet wide or no trees 20. Buffer Structure — streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Consider for left bank (LB) and right bank (RB) for Metric 19 ("Vegetated" Buffer Width). LB RB ❑A ❑A Mature forest ❑B ❑B Non -mature woody vegetation or modified vegetation structure NC NC Herbaceous vegetation with or without a strip of trees < 10 feet wide ❑D ❑D Maintained shrubs ❑E ❑E Little or no vegetation 21. Buffer Stressors — streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Check all appropriate boxes for left bank (LB) and right bank (RB). Indicate if listed stressor abuts stream (Abuts), does not abut but is within 30 feet of stream (< 30 feet), or is between 30 to 50 feet of stream (30-50 feet). If none of the following stressors occurs on either bank, check here and skip to Metric 22: ❑ Abuts < 30 feet 30-50 feet LB RB LB RB LB RB ❑A ❑A ❑A ❑A ❑A ❑A Row crops NB NB ❑B ❑B ❑B ❑B Maintained turf ❑C ❑C ❑C ❑C ❑C ❑C Pasture (no livestock)/commercial horticulture ❑D ❑D ❑D ❑D ❑D ❑D Pasture (active livestock use) 22. Stem Density — streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Consider for left bank (LB) and right bank (RB) for Metric 19 ("Wooded" Buffer Width). LB RB ❑A ❑A Medium to high stem density ❑B ❑B Low stem density NC NC No wooded riparian buffer or predominantly herbaceous species or bare ground 23. Continuity of Vegetated Buffer — streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Consider whether vegetated buffer is continuous along stream (parallel). Breaks are areas lacking vegetation > 10 feet wide. LB RB ❑A ❑A The total length of buffer breaks is < 25 percent. ❑B ❑B The total length of buffer breaks is between 25 and 50 percent. NC NC The total length of buffer breaks is > 50 percent. 24. Vegetative Composition —streamside area metric (skip for Tidal Marsh Streams) Evaluate the dominant vegetation within 100 feel of each bank or to the edge of the watershed (whichever comes first) as it contributes to assessment reach habitat. LB RB ❑A ❑A Vegetation is close to undisturbed in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of native species, with non-native invasive species absent or sparse. ❑B ❑B Vegetation indicates disturbance in terms of species diversity or proportions, but is still largely composed of native species. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clear -cutting or clearing or communities with non-native invasive species present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata or communities missing understory but retaining canopy trees. NC NC Vegetation is severely disturbed in terms of species diversity or proportions. Mature canopy is absent or communities with non-native invasive species dominant over a large portion of expected strata or communities composed of planted stands of non -characteristic species or communities inappropriately composed of a single species or no vegetation. 25. Conductivity — assessment reach metric (skip for all Coastal Plain streams) 25a. ❑Yes NNo Was conductivity measurement recorded? If No, select one of the following reasons. []No Water ❑Other: 25b. Check the box corresponding to the conductivity measurement (units of microsiemens per centimeter). ❑A <46 ❑B 4610<67 ❑C 67 to<79 ❑D 79 to<230 ❑E a230 Notes/Sketch: Stream Site Name R-5206 Stream Category Mbl Draft NC SAM Stream Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 1 Rating Calculator Version 2 Dale of Assessment 5-24-16 Assessor Name/Organization Dave McHenry/Mark Davis - NCDOT Notes of Field Assessment Form (YIN) NO Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) NO Additional stream information/supplementary measurements included (YIN) NC SAM feature type (perennial, intermittent, Tidal Marsh Stream) Perennial USACE/ NCDWR Function Class Rating Summary All Streams Intermittent (1) Hydrology LOW (2) Baseflow MEDIUM (2) Flood Flow LOW (3) Streamside Area Attenuation LOW (4) Floodplain Access LOW (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer LOW (4) Microtopography NA (3) Stream Stability LOW (4) Channel Stability LOW (4) Sediment Transport LOW (4) Stream Geomorphology LOW (2) Stream/Intertidal Zone Interaction NA (2) Longitudinal Tidal Flow NA (2) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability NA (3) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability NA (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology NA (1) Water Quality LOW (2) Baseflow MEDIUM (2) Streamside Area Vegetation LOW (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration LOW (3) Thermoregulation LOW (2) Indicators of Stressors YES (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance OMITTED (2) Intertidal Zone Filtration NA (1) Habitat LOW (2) In -stream Habitat LOW (3) Baseflow MEDIUM (3) Substrate LOW (3) Stream Stability LOW (3) In -stream Habitat LOW (2) Stream -side Habitat LOW (3) Stream -side Habitat LOW (3) Thermoregulation LOW (2) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat NA (3) Flow Restriction NA (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability NA (4) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability NA (4) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology NA (3) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat NA (2) Intertidal Zone NA Overall LOW 083.2000000° W 083.183333= W 083.166 666° W 83.2000000° 83.183 333°VIIi I I I b83.166 666- Name: SYLVA NORTH Location: 035.3838802° N 083.1848777° W NAD 27 Date: 5/24/2016 Caption: R-5206 Scale: 1 inch equals 2000 feet Site 2 NCSAM Jackson Co., UT Blanton Br. i � t�.o 1 � ' •3 .°J �vr - "%q$'p - �. Er "rte:>,v_ ,a � / "' �� - ✓� J J, �l �i ,• �ti i '/ p /� � ,dale ° ti -- oli �'� ��o \ �, + � � D ,e�a��� shoal •'L'c3a �/, o M _ !/) f\✓ � Q -> r 3 101 a � //h.�� ♦ '� -ami f_00 $` o jf u •I' j ter ��� 233 i� NN ♦a yy1 _ _ '. Watershed approx. 0.06 mF) (.- UT Blanton Branch _ M T�,L f � •.� .1�: � j� ��, r � ;< � (��,= �a, � �� tom; I - ,• e l I ( _ LLD 'O, 5", ♦ in Kai y1 Z '`.,�'-. b� •'i�l ,f: 1 z .zroo 1 Ci (� �.: ✓ SCALE 124000 0 1 MILES IA 0 1000 YARDS 0 1 KILOMETER �,) °'0.4 Y a: •�' / 83.2000000° 83.183 333°VIIi I I I b83.166 666- Name: SYLVA NORTH Location: 035.3838802° N 083.1848777° W NAD 27 Date: 5/24/2016 Caption: R-5206 Scale: 1 inch equals 2000 feet Site 2 NCSAM Jackson Co., UT Blanton Br. NC DWO Stream Identifleation Form Version 4.11 Date: ��j i f 6 Project/Site: �- ���p Latitude: 3 3 g�g8 f Evaluator: J M6I�LAh County: JaciCdsn Longitude: $3 �$ y Total Points: Streams at /east intermittent Stream Determination (circle one Other ifxl9or rennialifz30' �i Ephemeral Intermittent erennfa e.g. Quad Name: t Z A. Geomorphology (Subtotal =1_7 ) Absent Weak Moderate Strong 18, Confinuity of channel bed and bank 0 1 193 15. Sediment on plants or debris 2. Sinuosity of channel along thalweg • 0 6 2 3 3. In -channel structure: ex. rife -pool, step -pool, ripple -pool sequence 0 �. 21. Aquatic Mollusks 3 4. Particle size of stream substrate 0 1 3 3 5. Active/relict floodplain 0 1 1 3 6. Depositional bars or benches 0 1 ( 2 40 7. Recent alluvial deposits 0 1 . 2' a 8. Headculs 0 1 3 9, Grade control 1 0.5' 1 1.5 10. Natural valley 0.75. OBL = 1.5 0.5 1 1.5 11. Second or greater order channel No 0' Yes = 3 a artificial ditches are not rated; see discussions in manual B. Hydrology (Subtotal r- ) 12. Presence of Baseflow, 0 1 2 3� 13. Iron oxidizing bacteria 0 . 1 i n 3 14. Leaf litter 1.5 1 0.5 0 15. Sediment on plants or debris 0.5 1.5 16. Organic debris lines or piles 0.5 1 1.5 17. Soil -based evidence of high water table? No = 0 Yes - ir C. Biology Subtotal = ;Z, e N. 18. Fibrous roots in streambed 3 2 19. Rooted upland plants in streambed 3 2 1 0 20. Macrobenthos (note diversity and abundance) 1 2 3 21. Aquatic Mollusks _ (OJCD 2 3 22. Fish 0.5 1 1.5 23. Crayfish 0.5 1 1.5 24. Amphibians 0.5 1 1.5 25. Algae 0.5 1 1.5 26. Wetland plants in streambed Lw<l�Hri FACW 0.75. OBL = 1.5 Other = 0 'perennial streams may also be identified using other methods. See p. 35 of manual. Notes: 5 0.4 r i ! Sketch: SF1' 'dyf. 1k5x Mitigation Services ENVIRONMENTALOUALITY PAT MCCRORY cnn•mo DONALD R. VAN DER VAART May 25, 2016 RECEIVED Mr. Mark Davis MAY 2 5 2016 NCDOT Division 14 Environmental Supervisor North Carolina Department of Transportation 253 Webster Road '�I�I0 V 'V 14 Sylva, North Carolina 28779 Dear Mr. Davis: Subject: Mitigation Acceptance Letter: TIP Number R-5206, Upgrade SR 1449 (Cope Creek Road) from SR 1710 (East Cope Creek Road) to US 74 near Sylva, Jackson County, WBS Element 42974. 1.1 Reference: USACE 404 Nationwide Permit No 14 issued April 16, 2015 (USACE Action ID 2015- 00451) NCDWR 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) issued March 11, 2015 (NCDWR ID 2015-0216) The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) will provide the additional stream mitigation for the subject project. Based on the information supplied by you on May 25, 2016, the additional stream impacts are located in CU 06010203 of the Little Tennessee River Basin in the Southern Mountains (SM) Eco -Region, and are as follows: Table 1— Additional Impacts (feet/ acres) Little Tennessee 06010203 Stream Wetlands Buffer (Sq. Ft.) Cold Cool Warr Riparian Non- Coastal Zone 1 Zone 2 SM Riparian Marsh (3:1) 1.5:1 Impacts (feet/acres) 62.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 'NOTE: Some of the stream impacts maybe proposed to be mitigated at a 1:1 mitigation ratio. See permit application for details. These impacts and associated mitigation needs were not projected by the NCDOT in the 2016 impact data. DMS is currently providing stream mitigation for the impacts associated with this project located in cataloging unit 06010202 of the Little Tennessee River basin (Cat Creek) as required by the 404 and 401 permits issued in April 2015 and March 2015, respectively, as shown in the below table (in mitigation credits): Slate of Nona Carolina I EnV1ro0 oWl Qualityi hfitigatioo Senim 1652 Mail Smke Center 1 217 W. loon Street. Suite 3000 1 RalelglL NC 27609-1652 919707 8976 T Mr. Davis TIP R-5206 May 25, 2016 Page Two Table 2 — Current Permitted Impacts and Associated Mitigation Requirements provided by DMS (based on 2015 permits) and Revised Anticipated Imnacts (based on mitivatian remiesR *Some of the additional impacts may be proposed to be mitigated at a 1:1 mitigation ratio. See permit application for details. DMS will provide the amount of mitigation as determined by the regulatory agencies. Currently, DMS does not have sufficient available cold stream mitigation credits in Little Tennessee 06010203 to meet current and projected mitigation needs. Per the Small Impacts Policy (Section IV, paragraph E of the N. C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources' In -Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28, 2010 (ILF Instrument), DMS may request to provide the mitigation in an adjacent hydrologic unit within the same river basin, use of High Quality Preservation or implementation of BMP's as identified in a local watershed plan. DMS proposes to utilize cold stream mitigation credits from Little Tennessee 06010202 (Cat Creek), This mitigation acceptance letter replaces the mitigation acceptance letters issued on February 20, 2015. This impact and associated mitigation need were under projected by the NCDOT in the 2016 impact data. DMS will commit to implement sufficient compensatory mitigation credits to offset the additional impacts associated with this project as determined by the regulatory agencies using the delivery timeline listed in Section F.3.c.iii of the In -Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28, 2010. 8420. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Beth Harmon at 919 -707 - Sincerely, Jamestanf-ill . Credit anagement Supervisor Cc: Ms. Lori Beckwith, USACE — Asheville Regulatory Field Office Mr. Steve Williams, NCDOT — Division 14 Design Construction Engineer Ms, Amy Chapman, NCDWR Ms. Linda Fitzpatrick, NCDOT —NEU File: R-5206 Additional Total Permitted Mitigation Provided by Additional Impact Type Impacts DMS per Issued Impact (for Revised Total (feet /acre / sq ft) Permits (Credits) approval) Impacts* Stream 102.0 1 204.0 62.0 164.0 *Some of the additional impacts may be proposed to be mitigated at a 1:1 mitigation ratio. See permit application for details. DMS will provide the amount of mitigation as determined by the regulatory agencies. Currently, DMS does not have sufficient available cold stream mitigation credits in Little Tennessee 06010203 to meet current and projected mitigation needs. Per the Small Impacts Policy (Section IV, paragraph E of the N. C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources' In -Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28, 2010 (ILF Instrument), DMS may request to provide the mitigation in an adjacent hydrologic unit within the same river basin, use of High Quality Preservation or implementation of BMP's as identified in a local watershed plan. DMS proposes to utilize cold stream mitigation credits from Little Tennessee 06010202 (Cat Creek), This mitigation acceptance letter replaces the mitigation acceptance letters issued on February 20, 2015. This impact and associated mitigation need were under projected by the NCDOT in the 2016 impact data. DMS will commit to implement sufficient compensatory mitigation credits to offset the additional impacts associated with this project as determined by the regulatory agencies using the delivery timeline listed in Section F.3.c.iii of the In -Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28, 2010. 8420. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Beth Harmon at 919 -707 - Sincerely, Jamestanf-ill . Credit anagement Supervisor Cc: Ms. Lori Beckwith, USACE — Asheville Regulatory Field Office Mr. Steve Williams, NCDOT — Division 14 Design Construction Engineer Ms, Amy Chapman, NCDWR Ms. Linda Fitzpatrick, NCDOT —NEU File: R-5206 Additional