20080727 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20080428

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North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~
MEMORANDUM
TO: Amanda Jones, USACOE
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
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DATE: April 25, 2008 !,
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SUBJECT: Ron Darbo Streambank Stabilization, South Fork New River,
DWQ No. 20080727, Watauga County
The applicant proposes to stabilize eroding banks on the South Fork New River. Biologists with
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with habitat values in the area.
These comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the North Carolina
Environmental Polley Act (G. S. 113A-1 through 113A-10; NCAC 25).
The project is indicated to stabilize 500 linear feet of river bank to decrease erosion and enhance
wildlife habitat. The South Fork New River is a Significant Natural Heritage Area that supports
wild Brown and Rainbow trout. The Kanawha minnow, Phenacobius teretulus (NCSC, FSC) is
known for this area of the South Fork New River. The project is indicated to use "natural
channel design and bio-engineering" concepts.
Based on our review of the submittal, we will not object to the project as proposed providing the
following conditions are implemented:
In stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are
prohibited during the trout spawning season of October 15 through April 15 to protect
the egg and fry stages of trout from off-site sedimentation during construction.
2. Only state-of--the-art natural channel design techniques should be incorporated into
the project instead of "hard" stabilization.
3. If public funds are involved, conservation easements should be provided for buffer
zones. Restored jurisdictional waters and wetlands should be buffered, either through
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Faz: (919} 707-0028

Ron Darbo Stabilization -Page 2 -
April 25, 2008
protection or provision of undisturbed forested buffer zones. Buffers should be
permanently preserved as common contiguous forest areas. For streams that do not
support federally listed threatened or endangered aquatic species, we recommend 50'
intermittent and 100' perennial stream buffers. Maximum available buffers should be
provided; however, the 25-foot trout buffer should be restored and remain
undisturbed to the maximum extent practicable.
4. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0124).
5. To the extent practicable, heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather
than in the stream channel in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the
likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the stream.
6. Temporary or permanent native herbaceous vegetation should be established on all
bare soil within five (5) days of ground disturbing activities in the 25-foot trout buffer
to provide long-term erosion control. Only autochthonous plants should be used for
project stabilization and buffer zones. We encourage use of natural fiber matting
instead of plastic matting that can entrap small animals.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project during the early planning
stages. If you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 3361769-9453.
E-copy: Sue Homewood, DWQ-ARO