20170113 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20170215

0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Schaeffer
United States Army Corps of Engineers
FROM: Olivia Munzer�
Western Piedmont Coordinator "
Habitat Conservation
DATE: 15 February 2017
SUBJECT: Pre -Construction Notification for the Moore Farm Site; Union County; DEQ Project No.
20170113; USACE Action ID: SAW -2016-01541.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as
amended), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667e), 16 U.S.C.
661-667d), North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113-131 et seq.), and North Carolina Administrative
Code 15A NCAC 101.0102.
Wetlands & Environmental Planning Group (WEPG) has submitted a Pre -Construction Notification
(PCN) application for a residential development of an approximately 96.2 -acre site located east of
Waxhaw Indian Trail Road and north of Winding Lane in Indian Trail, Union County, North Carolina.
The project would permanently impact approximately 140 linear feet (If) of a relatively permanent water
(RPW) and 0.041 acres of a headwater wetland, and temporarily impact 55 if of the RPW. The RPW
flows into an impoundment prior to its confluence with Davis Mine Creek. Davis Mine Creek and Price
Mill Creek occur in the Catawba River basin and are classified as a Class C streams by N.C. Division of
Water Resources (NCDWR).
We have records for the Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana), a federal species of concern and state
endangered species, and Carolina darter (Etheostoma collis), a federal species of concern and state species
of special concern, in the David Mine Creek and Price Mill Creek. Additionally, these drainages are
designated as Catawba/Twelvemile Creek Aquatic Habitat Natural Areas. Within the vicinity of the site,
a record occurs for the state species of special concern (vulnerable) Carolina birdfoot-trefoil (Acmispon
helleri).
We offer the following recommendations minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources.
1. Maintain a minimum 100 -foot undisturbed, native, forested buffer along perennial streams, and a
minimum 50 -foot buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Maintaining undisturbed,
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation Division • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

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15 February 2017
Moore Farm Site
DEQ Project No. 20170113
forested buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
resources, water quality, and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the project area.
Also, wide riparian buffers are helpful in maintaining stability of stream banks and for treatment
of pollutants associated with urban stormwater.
Use bridges for all permanent roadway crossings of streams and associated wetlands to eliminate
the need to fill and culvert, where practicable. If culverts must be used, the culvert should be
designed to allow aquatic life passage. Culverts 48 inches in diameter or larger should be buried
one foot into the streambed. Culverts less than 48 inches in diameter should be buried to a depth
equal to or greater than 20% of their size. These measurements should be based on natural
thalweg depths. Aquatic life passage should be assured during low flow or drought conditions.
Any riprap used should not interfere with aquatic life movement during low flow.
Limit impervious surface to less than 10% or use stormwater control measures to mimic the
hydrograph consistent with an impervious coverage of less than 10%. Where feasible, trees and
shrubs should be planted around stormwater ponds. This would provide habitat benefits that
offset those functions lost by development, partially restore aquatic habitats, reduce exposure of
the water surface to sunlight to minimize thermal pollution, and provide essential summer and
winter habitats.
4. Avoid removal of large trees at the edges of the construction corridor. Use non-invasive native
species and Low Impact Development (LID) technology in landscaping. Using native species
instead of ornamentals should reduce the need for water, fertilizers and pesticides. A list of
wildlife -friendly plants is available upon request. Using LID technology in landscaping will not
only help maintain the predevelopment hydrologic regime, but also enhance the aesthetic and
habitat value of the site. LID techniques include permeable pavement and bioretention areas that
can collect stormwater from driveways and parking areas. Additional alternatives include
narrower roads, swales versus curbs/gutters and permeable surfaces such as turf stone, brick and
cobblestone.
Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land clearing or
construction. The use of biodegradable and wildlife -friendly sediment and erosion control
devices is strongly recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have
loose -weave netting that is made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the
vertical and horizontal twines. Silt fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh
should be avoided as it impedes the movement of terrestrial wildlife species. These measures
should be routinely inspected and properly maintained. Excessive silt and sediment loads can
have numerous detrimental effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning
habitat, suffocation of eggs, and clogging of gills of aquatic species.
The NCWRC encourages the applicant to consider additional measures to protect wildlife species in
developing landscapes. The NCWRC's Guidance Memorandum to Address and Mitigate Secondary and
Cumulative Impacts to Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife Resources and Water Quality details measures to
minimize secondary and cumulative impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources:
htlp://www.ncwildlife.org_/portals/0/Conserving/documents/2002_ GuidanceMemorandumforSecondaryan
dCumulativelmpacts.pdf (August 2002). In addition, the Green Growth Toolbox provides information on
nature -friendly planning: hqp://www.ncwildlife.org/Conservin /g Programs/GreenGrowthToolbox.aspx.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If I can be of further assistance,
please contact me at [phone] or olivia.munzer&ncwildlife.org.
ec: Karen Higgens, NCDWR
Alan Johnson, NCDWR
Byron Hamstead, USFWS
W. Thomas Russ, NCWRC