20080918 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20080606

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Baker, USACOE
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator ZWW
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: June 5, 2008
SUBJECT: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), US 64, Sanford road, Unnamed
Tributary Catawba River, Burke County
NCDOT proposes to add a turn lane for Catawba Meadows Park. 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 project will impact 20 linear feet of channel when a dual 72" culvert is installed. Aquatic life passage is to be
provided. No listed species are indicated and no trout are known for this area.
Based on our review of the submittal and our knowledge of the area, we will not object to the project as proposed.
Where practicable, we routinely recommend that riprap not be placed in the streambed unless absolutely necessary. If
used in channel, riprap should provide natural channel dimensions. If multiple barrels are needed, base flow barrels
should provided while additional barrels should be placed with floors located at the active floodplain or bank full
elevation. These elevated barrels should be connected to the active floodplain or bank full benches to ensure natural
stream dimensions for the base flow channel with sufficient water depth during low flows and drought conditions to
accommodate normally anticipated aquatic movement. If culverts are long and/or sufficient slopes exist, alternating
baffles should be provided in the base flow barrel in a manner to conform to channel bends upstream and downstream, to
mimic natural meanders, to prevent upstream scour and downstream deposition, to move and contain typical bed load
materials, and to provide resting areas for aquatic species. When multiple barrels are used, at least one barrel should be
designed and constructed with a floor material easily used for terrestrial wildlife passage.
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: Mike Parker, DWQ-ARO
Roger Bryan, DOT
Marella Buncick, USFWS
Kathy Matthews, EPA
Marla Chambers, WRC
Sonia Gregory, DWQ-Central
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]