20010405 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_19971002

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF T11ANSPORTATION
JAMEs B. HUNT JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS GARLAND B. GARRETf JR.
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 SECRETARY
02 October 1997
MEMORANDUM TO: V. Charles Bruton, Ph.D., Unit Head
Natural Resources, Permits, and Mitigation Unit
FROM: Bruce 0. Ellis, CLM, Environmental Biologist
Natural Resources, Permits, and Mitigation Unit
SUBJECT: Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Survey, for US 17 Neuse River
Bridge Relocation, and Trent River Bridge Widening, Federal Aid
Project No. BR-OOOS(33), State Project No. 8.117080 1, Tip No.s
B-2531 and B-2532.
ATTENTION: Alice Gordon, Environmental Specialist
Natural Resources, Permits, and Mitigation Unit
REFERENCE: Memorandum: Results of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Survey,
by NCDOT environmental specialist, Robin Little, 06 October
1994.
The following memorandum provides the results of a submersed aquatic vegetation
survey (SAV) for the subject project. The survey was conducted on 04 and 05 June 1996, by
NCDOT environmental biologist Bruce 0. Ellis, and members of the NCDOT dive team, Bill
Lutz and James Talachek.
The June 1996 SAV survey was conducted to determine impacts to SAV's as the result of
the initiation of project construction. The August 1994 SAV survey was conducted prior to
project construction and provides a baseline of pre-construction conditions.
METHODOLOGY
Survey methodology followed procedures outlined in the above referenced memorandum.
Briefly, transects were run perpendicular to the shoreline at ten meter intervals within the
temporary construction zones and permanent construction limits. A one meter square grid, which
is subdivided into sixteen 25 cm by 25 cm subplots, was then placed on the river bottom at ten
meter intervals along each transect. SAV species present within the one meter square grid were
identified, and per cent cover within the grid was determined for each sample location.