20051477 Ver 5_USFWS Comments_20160725

stir OF
otic ` United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
' r. Asheville Field Office
4,49, y 160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville,North Carolina 28801
July 25, 2016
Mr. Ian Eckardt
Wildlands Engineering
1430 South Mint Street, #104
Charlotte,North Carolina 28203
Dear Mr. Eckardt:
Subject: Linville River Stream Restoration Project; Avery County,North Carolina
Log No. 4-2-16-516
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the information provided in your
correspondence and PCN dated June 7, 2016. Service staff attended site visit on July 21, 2016.
We submit the following comments in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act, as amended(16 U.S.C. 661-667e); the National Environmental Policy Act
(42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.); and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act).
Project Description
According to the information provided, you are applying for a NWP 27 to restore aquatic
habitats along 2,437 linear feet of the Linville River near Linville,North Carolina. Stream
enhancements include, excavation of a new channel alignment, construction of riffle and pool
meso-habitats, installation of instream lithic and woody structures, streambank grading and
bankfull benching, and native riparian plantings. You also propose additional temporary impacts
to excavate 0.22 acre of bottomland hardwood forest, and permanently impact (drain and partial
fill) 3.25 acres of open water pond created from borrow pits used to construct NC 105 adjacent to
the site. In place of impacts to Borrow Pit Ponds A and B, you propose to create approximately
2.6 acres of wetland in the floodplain on the right descending bank of the Linville River. You
propose to drain the ponds slowly(over the course of approximately two weeks) to minimize
potential temperature-mediated impacts to water quality and habitats.
Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species
According to Service records, suitable summer roosting habitat may be present on site for the
federally threatened northern long-eared bat. However, the final 4(d) rule (effective as of
February 16, 2016), exempts incidental take of northern long-eared bat associated with activities
that occur greater than 0.25 miles from a known hibernation site, and greater than 150 feet from

a known, occupied maternity roost during the pup season (June 1 —July 31). Based on the
information provided, the project (which may require tree clearing)would occur at a location
where any incidental take that may result from associated activities is exempt under the 4(d)rule.
Moreover, we believe that the amount of take that may result from this project would be
insignificant and discountable due to the relatively small amount of proposed clearing of suitable
roosting habitat.
The Service has record of no other federally protected species in the project area. Therefore, we
consider the requirements under the Act to be complete and require no further action at this time.
Please be aware that obligations under section 7 of the Act must be reconsidered if: (1) new
information reveals impacts of this identified action that may affect listed species or critical
habitat in a manner not previously considered, (2) this action is subsequently modified in a
manner that was not considered in this review, or(3) a new species is listed or critical habitat is
determined that may be affected by the identified action.
The Grandfather Mountain crayfish(Cambarus eeseeohensis) is federal species of concern
restricted to the Linville River and upper Watauga River system. This species is known to occur
at the project site. Although the Grandfather Mountain crayfish is not currently afforded legal
protection under the Act, taking proactive measures to prevent further impacts to this species
may preclude the need to list it in the future.
Monitoring
The Service supports the restoration and enhancement objectives of this project. Improvements
to habitat quality could be significant, and we strongly encourage you to monitor the project after
it is completed to showcase resiliency of constructed features, improvement to water quality(e.g.
temperature and DO), and any recruitment of significant biotic elements (e.g. Grandfather
Mountain crayfish). Additionally, post-completion monitoring should occur at regular intervals
each season and after high flow events to identify any areas that may require stabilization.
Proactive project monitoring could prevent potential impacts to natural resources and may
preclude the need for costly repairs. Monitoring reports should be sent to this office and other
interested agencies. We believe that habitat and water quality monitoring is an essential
component to ensure success of the project's objectives.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to review this project. Please contact Mr. Byron
Hamstead of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 225, if you have any questions. In any future
correspondence concerning this project,please reference our Log Number 4-2-16-516.
Sincerely,
- - original signed- -
Janet A. Mizzi
Field Supervisor
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Ec: William Elliott, USACE
Andrea Leslie,NCWRC
Andrew Moore,NCDEQ-DWR
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