20161109 Ver 1_NCWRC Comments_20161215

Wanucha, Dave
From:Chambers, Marla J
Sent:Thursday, December 15, 2016 1:35 PM
To:Kichefski, Steven L SAW; Wanucha, Dave
Cc:Slaughter, Johnathan H
Subject:Pipe carrying Prathers Creek on NC 113, Alleghany Co.
Attachments:AllpipeNC113PrathersC2016-12.docx
You don’t need to respond about bridge consideration for this one. The water quality is fairly low. I didn’t see any plan sheets, but attached are our comments.

Marla

Marla Chambers // NCDOT Coordinator

Habitat Conservation Program

NC Wildlife Resources Commission
c/o NCDOT

206 Charter Street

Albemarle, North Carolina 28001
office: 704-982-9181
mobile: [phone]
[e-mail]

ncwildlife.org

Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
1

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director

December 15, 2016

M E M O R A N D U M

TO:
Steve Kichefski, Regulatory Project Manager
Asheville Regulatory Field Office, USACE

FROM:
Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC

SUBJECT:
Review of NCDOT’s application for Section 404 and 401 permits to replace Pipe
No. 02-2032 carrying Prathers Creek on NC 113, Alleghany County, North
Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has submitted an application to obtain a
Section 404 Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a 401 Water Quality
Certification from the NC Division of Water Resources. Staff biologists with the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission have reviewed the information provided. These comments are
provided in accordance with the provisions of the state and federal Environmental Policy Acts
(G.S. 113A-1through 113-10; 1 NCAC 25 and 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c), respectively), the Clean
Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et seq.) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat.
401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d), as applicable.

The NCDOT proposes to replace Pipe No. 02-2032 (a CSPA) carrying Prathers Creek on NC
113 with a structural steel plate pipe arch (SSPPA) measuring 18’ x 12’ x 82’ on the existing
alignment with a slope of 0.78%. Permanent stream impacts include 39 linear feet for the pipe,
due to lengthening and an alignment shift, and 56 lf for riprap bank stabilization. Temporary
impacts total 20 lf for dewatering. Prathers Creek is Hatchery Supported Designated Public
Mountain Trout Water, however significant trout reproduction is not expected, therefore we are
not requesting a trout moratorium.

NCWRC does not object to the issuance of the Section 404 and 401 permits provided that the
following conditions are implemented:

Mailing Address:
Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone:Fax:
[phone] • [phone]

PIPE #02-2032, NC 113 PAGE 2 DECEMBER 15, 2016
PRATHERS CREEK., ALLEGHANY CO.

1.Stringent sedimentation and erosion control measures must be implemented and
maintained on the project site until project completion to avoid impacts to downstream
aquatic resources.

2.Herbaceous vegetation shall be planted on all bare soil as soon as possible following the
completion of permanent or temporary ground disturbing activities to provide appropriate
long-term erosion control.

3.Tall fescue and straw mulch shall not be used in riparian areas. We encourage NCDOT
to utilize onsite vegetation and materials for bank stabilization when practicable. Erosion
control matting shall be used on steep slopes and for establishing permanent vegetation in
riparian areas. The matting shall be well anchored with staples or wooden stakes and,
whenever possible, include live stakes of native trees. Matting in riparian areas should
not contain plastic mesh, which can entangle and trap small animals.

4.Storm water should be directed to buffer areas or retention basins and should not be
routed directly into the waterway.

5.The natural dimension, pattern, and profile of the waterway above and below the crossing
should not be modified by widening the channel or changing the depth of the waterway.

6.Removal of vegetation in riparian areas should be minimized. Native trees and shrubs
should be planted along the banks, as appropriate to the setting, to reestablish the riparian
zone and to provide long-term erosion control.

7.Grading and backfilling should be minimized, and tree and shrub growth should be
retained, if possible, to ensure long term availability of shoreline cover for fish and
wildlife.

8.Where practicable, riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to the banks
below the high water mark, and vegetation should be used for stabilization above the high
water elevation.

9.If concrete will be used during construction, work must be accomplished so that wet
(uncured) concrete does not contact surface waters. This will lessen the chance of
altering the water chemistry and causing a fish kill.

10.Discharging hydroseeding mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters is prohibited.

11.Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the channel whenever
possible in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing
other pollutants into the waterway. All mechanized equipment operated near surface

PIPE #02-2032, NC 113 PAGE 3 DECEMBER 15, 2016
PRATHERS CREEK., ALLEGHANY CO.
waters should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of surface
waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials.

Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any questions
regarding these comments, please contact me at [e-mail] or (704) 982-
9181.

cc: Dave Wanucha, NCDWR
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT