20170353 Ver 1_Bridge 133 Yancey cover letter_20170328

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATTON
ROY COOPER
GOVFRNOR
MflTCiI ig, 2a�%
Ms. Lori Beckwith
US Army Corps of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
Subject: Nationwide Permit #14
Bridge 990133, SR 1146 Cane Branch Road
State Project No. 17BP. ] 3.R.78
Yancey County, NC
Dear Ms. Beckwith:
JAMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
I have enclosed a set of plans, a PCN application for NWP #14, and a vicinity map relative to the
proposed bridge replacement project on SR 1146 Cane Branch Road, Yancey County, NC.
We propose to replace the existing 16'6" long timber bridge with a double barrel box culvert
(2@ 11' wide x 5' high x 50' long) with a low flow barrel and sills/baffles. Stream slope at the
site is 3.8%. Cross vanes will be installed to maintain channel dimension and profile. Culvert
installation will result in permanent impacts to 50 linear feet of Cane Branch with an additional
76 linear feet of floodplain bench/cross vanes. Temporary impacts to 175 linear feet of the
stream are necessary for dewatering/diversion during construction. The stream is approximately
8 feet wide and 6" deep with a predominately sand, gravel, and cobble substrate with scattered
small boulders. Shot rock and concrete slabs line portions of the stream banks. Cane Branch is
classified as Class C, Trout.
Existing channel morphology will be maintained upstream and downstream of the culvert.
Riparian vegetation will be reestablished along disturbed areas associated with the project.
Stormwater will be diverted through grass-lined ditches or vegetated buffers prior to entering
streams.
This project may impact potentially suitable northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)
(NLEB) summer roosting habitat via tree clearing. Following the SLOPES from NWP Regional
Condition 3.13, the project is located outside of a red HiIC. A survey of the bridge for evidence
of bat presence/usage was not possible because the bridge is only 2.75 to 3 feet above the water
level. Approximately eight trees will be cleared for the project. No effect on the remaining
Yancey County list of federally protected species (threatened or endangered) or designated
critical habitat will occur. Marella Buncick of the USFWS is be copied on the application since
MailingAddress: Telephone: (828)251fi171 Locotian:
NC DEPAR'['MENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fa<: (828) 2SIfi394 55 ORANGE STRF.ET
DMSIONTIIlRTEEN CusromerService: 1-877-366�968 ASHEW.LE,NC 288014340
POST OFFICE BOX 3279

Lori Beckwith
Page —2 Bridge 990133, Yancey County
March 28, 2017
Yancey County tributaries drain to Designated Critical Habitat stated in NWP Regional
Condition 21.
As a part of the 401 Certification process, the project was processed through the DOT
Programmatic Ageement for Minor Project as required by Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and GS 121-12(a). No Historic Resources will be affected.
These forms are attached for the Corps file.
By copy of this letter, we request Marla Chambers, North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission Western Region Coordinator, to comment directly to the Corps concerning the
permit request.
By copy of this letter, we are asking the Area Roadside Field Operations Engineer, to comment
on the above project. Cane Branch is classified as Class C, Trout. The project will not require a
hout buffer variance.
By copy of this letter, I am forwarding one electronic copy of the application package to Kristi
Lynn Carpenter, NC Division of Water Resources, Transportation Permitting Unit with cc to
Kevin Barnett, NC DWR Asheville Regional Office for review and comment. Please charge the
application fee of $240.00 to WBS element # 17BP.13.R.78. Please forward comments directly
to the Corps with copy to Division 13 Environmental Officer.
Your earliest consideration for this request would be greatly appreciated. If you have any
questions or information needs, please contact me at [phone].
Sincerely,
� ° a,�'
Roger D. Bryan
Division 13 Environmental Officer
Enclosures
cc: J.J. Swain, Jr., P.E.
Chris Medlin, P.E.
Reid Whitehead, P.E., CPESC
Kevin Barnett
Mazla Chambers
Kristi Lynn Carpenter
Marella Buncick