20080521 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20080324

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0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission K?
MEMORANDUM
TO: Monte Matthews, USACOE
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: March 24, 2008
SUBJECT: SR1350, Big Hill Road, Unnamed Tributary Meat Camp Creek (C, Trout +),
Watauga County
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to resurface approximately 2.1
miles of SR1350. 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 Policy Act (G.S. 113A-1 through 113A-10; NCAC
25).
The NCDOT project will require replacement of several wet pipes and the extension of a 40' x
36" CMP with a new 50' x 36" CMP. An existing junction box will be replaced. Total impacts
will be twenty (20) linear feet, including riprap. Wild Brown and Rainbow trout are known for
Meat Camp Creek and Brook trout are known for area tributaries.
Based on our review of the submittal and our knowledge of area habitats, we will not object to
the project as proposed providing the following recommendations are followed:
1. In stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone should be
prohibited during the trout spawning seasons of October 15 through April 15 to
protect the egg and fry stages of trout.
2. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0024).
3. Junction boxes should be designed and installed to encourage aquatic life passage
where practicable. Again, as practicable, culverts 48" diameter or larger should be
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
SR1350, Big Hill Road -Page 2 -
March 24, 2008
buried at least a foot (12") below the streambed. Culverts less than 48" diameter
should be buried to a depth equal to or greater than twenty (20) percent of their
diameter. Depth of burial must be based on the stream's natural thalweg depth.
Culverts should be aligned and situated so that no channel realignment or widening is
required unless such modification will improve natural conditions. Piping should be
large enough to prevent high velocity erosion (faucet effect) on the downstream end
and erosive swirling on the upstream end. Riprap must not be placed in the
streambed unless absolutely necessary and if used in channel, it should provide
natural channel dimension.
4. Autochthonous plants should be used for permanent vegetation and stabilization.
Natural fiber matting is recommended over plastic matting that can impinge and
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 336-769-9453.
E-copy: Sue Homewood, DWQ-WSRO
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT
Kathy Matthews, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
Marella Buncick, USFWS
Sonya Gregory, DWQ-Raleigh