20160672 Ver 1_RE Bridge 126 WBS No 17BP 7 R 69_20160712

Wrenn, Brian L
From:Wilson, Travis W.
Sent:Tuesday, July 12, 2016 3:53 PM
To:Thomson, Nicole J; [e-mail]; Wrenn, Brian L;
[e-mail]
Cc:Carpenter,Kristi; Parker, Jerry A; Powers, Tim
Subject:RE: Bridge 126 on SR 1526 (Gray Rd) over Lick Creek, Orange Co. WBS No.
17BP.7.R.69
I took a look at this bridge crossing this afternoon. As I’ve mentioned in my previous emails there are several aspects to
this project that give reason to not support a bridge to culvert replacement. However the crossing upstream and both
downstream crossings are large double barrel pipe culverts. There are noticeable effects from those culverts, but they
do not look like they will be replaced anytime soon. I can’t justify pushing for a bridge to bridge in this case.

Travis W. Wilson
Eastern Region Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program

NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1718 Hwy 56 West
Creedmoor, NC 27522
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

ncwildlife.org

From: Wilson, Travis W.
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2016 3:09 PM
To: Thomson, Nicole J <[e-mail]>; '[e-mail]' <[e-mail]>;
Wrenn, Brian L <[e-mail]>; '[e-mail]' <[e-mail]>
Cc: Carpenter,Kristi <[e-mail]>; Parker, Jerry A <[e-mail]>; Powers, Tim
<[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: Bridge 126 on SR 1526 (Gray Rd) over Lick Creek, Orange Co. WBS No. 17BP.7.R.69

Looking at the justification letter it is not clear if NCDOT evaluated the FEMA effects from a bridge design or just
selected a culvert option that didn’t raise the road grade. Culverts will always be cheaper, have quicker replacement
times, and longer life spans. I do not consider those justifiable reasons on their own, not for a system that has species
records like Lick Creek. The upper Neuse has taken a beating over the years, with only remnant portions of select
drainages still containing good habitat for sensitive species. I think there are a lot of locations where NCDOT can justify
replacing a bridge with a culvert, I’m not seeing that here.

Travis W. Wilson
1

Eastern Region Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program

NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1718 Hwy 56 West
Creedmoor, NC 27522
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

ncwildlife.org

From: Wilson, Travis W.
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2016 9:37 AM
To: Thomson, Nicole J <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; Wrenn, Brian L
<[e-mail]>; [e-mail]
Cc: Carpenter,Kristi <[e-mail]>; Parker, Jerry A <[e-mail]>; Powers, Tim
<[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: Bridge 126 on SR 1526 (Gray Rd) over Lick Creek, Orange Co. WBS No. 17BP.7.R.69

Although Dwarf wedge mussel was not found at this location. We have records of multiple mussel species at this site
including state list species: Creeper (Strophitus undulatus: state T) and Eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata: state
T). Lick Creek in this area is also designated as a significant natural heritage area. We have worked with NCDOT in the
past on several bridge to culvert projects; in areas with degraded habitat this type of project can be accomplished
without further impacting aquatic species populations. This would not be the case for this project. What is the
justification for replacing this bridge with a culvert?

Travis W. Wilson
Eastern Region Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program

NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1718 Hwy 56 West
Creedmoor, NC 27522
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

ncwildlife.org

From: Thomson, Nicole J
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2016 5:55 PM
To: [e-mail]; Wrenn, Brian L <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; Wilson,
2

Travis W. <[e-mail]>
Cc: Carpenter,Kristi <[e-mail]>; Parker, Jerry A <[e-mail]>; Powers, Tim
<[e-mail]>
Subject: Bridge 126 on SR 1526 (Gray Rd) over Lick Creek, Orange Co. WBS No. 17BP.7.R.69

Good afternoon!

Please find the attached permit application for the above proposed bridge-to-culvert replacement with supplemental
information. Dave B. – your hard copy is in the mail.

Due to file sizes, I’ll have to split this up into multiple emails (I’m sorry).

Please don’t hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns!

Thanks!
Nikki

Nicole J. Thomson
Division Environmental Supervisor Assistant
Division Environmental Office

919-754-7806 Mobile

[e-mail]

PO Box 14996
Greensboro, NC 27415-4996

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the

North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
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