20080889 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20080625

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North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

MEMORANDUM

TO: Cyndi Karoli, 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit
Division of Water Quality
FROM: Shari L. Bryant, Piedmont Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program

DATE: 25 June 2008

SUBJECT: Pre-construction Notification Application for City of Rockingham, Steele's Mill Dam
Removal, Richmond County, North Carolina. DWQ ID: 08-0889.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the
subject document. Our 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. 661-667d),
and North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113-131 et seq.).
The applicant proposes permanent impacts to 0.002 acres of wetlands and 81 linear feet of
perennial stream channel and temporary impacts to 0.006 acres of wetlands and 247 linear feet of
perennial stream channel. These impacts are associated with the removal of Steele's Mill dam on
Hitchcock Creek.
Hitchcock Creek is located in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin. There are records for the federal
species of concern and state endangered Carolina creekshell (Villosa vaughaniana), and the state
threatened Carolina fatmucket (Lampsilis radiata conspicua) and Eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta)
downstream of Steele's Mill dam. Additionally, there are records for the federal species of concern and
state endangered yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa); the federal species of concern and state
significantly rare robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum) and Carolina redhorse (Moxostoma sp.); and the
state threatened Eastern pondmussel (Ligumia nasuta), Eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata), Roanoke
slabshell (Elliptio roanokensis), and creeper (Strophitus undulatus) in Pee Dee River.
In our comments on the EA (Bryant, 23 August 2006), we recommended a mussel survey be
conducted approximately one month prior to any in-stream activities. If mussels are found, they should
be relocated to appropriate habitat downstream of the bridge. It is not clear from the information
provided in the PCN application whether a mussel survey will be done prior to instream work.
Although the proposed project will result in many benefits to aquatic resources in Hitchcock
Creek and Pee-Dee River, should the permit be issued, we recommend the following conditions be
incorporated into the permit to further minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
TPIPnhnnP- (919) 707-(122(1 • Fax- (91 Q) 7(17-(1(129

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25 June 2008
Steele's Mill Dam Removal
DWQ ID: 08-0889

1. A mussel survey should be conducted approximately one month prior to any in-stream activities.
If mussels are found, they should be relocated to appropriate habitat downstream of the bridge.
2. Instream activities should be performed between 15 October and 15 March. Timing instream
activities to begin as close as possible to 15 October and completing these activities as soon as
possible is preferable.
3. Equipment operating in or near the stream should be inspected daily for leaks (e.g., fuel, oil,
hydraulic fluid, and grease).

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. If we can provide further assistance,
please contact our office at [phone].
cc: Liz Hair, USACE

ec: Ryan Heise, WRC
Lawrence Dorsey, WRC
Todd Ewing, WRC