20160216 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20160601

Burdette, Jennifer a
From: Garrison, Gabriela
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2016 10:15 PM
To: Burdette, Jennifer a
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: WRC Comments for Hope Mills Dam
Attachments: WRC Comments -Cumberland County_20160216 Hope Mills Dam Repair.pdf
Hi Jennifer,
I have attached comments for the Hope Mills Dam repair, project #20160216.
Thanks!
Gabriela
Gabriela Garrison
Eastern iedrConservation abitat 'l oordinator
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Office and CO: 1 7350-
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1

IQ North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jennifer Burdette, Raleigh Regional Office
N.C. Division of Water Resources
FROM: Gabriela Garrison
Eastern Piedmont Coordinator
Habitat Conservation
DATE: June 1, 2016
SUBJECT: Pre -Construction Notification for Hope Mills Dam Repair, Cumberland County, North
Carolina. Corps Action ID 4.: SAW -2010-01336; DWR Project No.: 20160216.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as
amended), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667e), and
North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113 -13 1 et seq.).
The applicant proposes to impact `open waters', to include a portion of the existing spillway that normally
conveys water (0.31 acre), the lower end of the diversion channel above the spillway (0.12 acre) and two
shallow pools on either side of the spillway, contiguous with the main channel during high flows (0.46
acre). The purpose of the project is to repair the Hope Mills Dam on Little Rockfish Creek, specifically
the spillway which failed in 2008. There will be no stream or wetland impacts as a result of construction.
Upon completion, refilling the lake will flood 4.72 acres of semi -impounded channel above the spillway,
8,500 feet of perennial stream, 2,900 feet of tributaries, 16.02 acres of forested wetlands and 7.68 acres of
marsh/shrub wetlands.
Work will include installing a cofferdam to isolate and dewater the right half of the spillway, followed by
demolition and excavation of the right half of the existing spillway. Once this portion of the spillway has
been constructed, a cofferdam will be used to isolate and dewater the left half of the existing spillway,
followed by dewatering and demolition of the left half of the existing spillway. Once the left half of the
spillway has been constructed, a 3' cofferdam will be installed to isolate and dewater the right half of the
new spillway, diverting flow through the drain gate on the left side. After construction on the right half of
the new spillway is complete, the drain gate will be closed to allow refilling to occur.
There are records for the state -significantly rare, Sandhills spiny crayfish (Cambarus hystricosus) in Little
Rockfish Creek, downstream of the proposed site. The Natural Heritage Program Natural Area —
Rockfish Creek Corridor — is located downstream of the site.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Page 2
June 1, 2016
Hope Mills Dain Repair
Corps Action ID No.: SAW -2010-01336
DWR Project No.: 20160216
Should the permit be issued, the NCWRC offers the following recommendations to minimize impacts to
aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources:
1. The minimum release flow should be maintained during repair activities in order to protect
downstream aquatic resources. The applicant should coordinate with the N.C. Division of Water
Resources regarding any required minimum flow releases following completion of the dam repairs.
2. A silt curtain or other means to contain sediment should be used to minimize turbidity in Little
Rockfish Creek.
3. Concrete is toxic to aquatic life and should not be allowed to come in contact with surface waters
until cured.
4. Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land -disturbing activity. The
use of biodegradable and wildlife -friendly sediment and erosion control devices is strongly
recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose -weave netting that is
made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and horizontal twines. Silt
fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh should be avoided as it impedes the
movement of terrestrial wildlife species. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have detrimental
effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning habitat, suffocation of eggs and
clogging of gills.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If I can be of further assistance,
please contact me at [phone] or gabriela.garrison(a�ncwildlife.org.
ec: Emily Greer, USACE