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Home My WebLink About20140762 Ver 2_RE Project Concerns-Follow-up_20170403 Wanucha, Dave From:Wanucha, Dave Sent:Monday, April 03, 2017 9:29 AM To:'River Rat Ron Linville' Subject:RE: Project Concerns-Follow-up Ron, Thanks for your input. I’ll mention your design suggestions for enhancing passage (mirrors and shorter lengths with daylight opening) when the opportunity presents itself as we discuss minimization options relative to other projects. I have not heard about these options during our Merger meetings. Thanks again. Dave W. Dave Wanucha Division of Water Resources Transportation Permitting Unit NC Department of Environmental Quality 336-776-9703 office 336-403-5655 mobile Dave.Wanucha@ncdenr.gov NC DEQ Winston Salem Regional Office 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 Winston Salem, NC 27105 Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. From: River Rat Ron Linville \[mailto:jrlagl@mindspring.com\] Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2017 8:59 PM To: Wanucha, Dave <dave.wanucha@ncdenr.gov> Subject: Re: A Race Against the Clock for Brook Trout Conservation | Wildlife Management Institute Dave, Nothing specific other than that one culvert where we had isolated population of brook trout. Not sure if biologist would want fish passage there if they are native strain. Larger stream is stocked or was, I think. One consideration is that if fish passage is desired; long dark culverts present problems as some fish species won't enter unless they see light at end of tunnel. Actually wonder if mirrors reflecting directed sunlight would entice them... Shorter culverts for each travel direction with daylight openings between lanes ought to help. Too late for any design changes now and I'm sure biologists knew about these concerns. 1 It's sad to see culvert fragmented streams' biological diversity fade away after time passes. Guy that grew up on Abbotts Creek use to catch bream, bass and catfish when he was young. When Hwy 311 from WS to High Point was built, 5-barrel culverts were extraordinarily perched. No more fishing above 311 as all the big fish bump against a concrete wall now. Have a nice day! Ron Sent from my iPhone On Mar 27, 2017, at 11:59 AM, Wanucha, Dave <dave.wanucha@ncdenr.gov> wrote: Hi Ron, I’m planning to visit the project this week. The basin you are referring to may be near a wetland area where we have approved a temporary erosion control measure to help manage soil erosion. The area will be restored to its original grade and profile and reseeded upon project completion. I recall, during Merger meetings with NCDOT, USFWS, NCWRC and USEPA relative to avoidance and minimization on this project, that aquatic life passage was discussed at length at each site where culverts were proposed. A consensus was reached for each culvert. Sites where culverts had to be installed on steep grades, DOT agreed to install baffles to help maintain stream substrates and assist with aquatic life passage. And, it is standard operating procedure to bury culverts below streambed wherever possible to enhance aquatic passage and maintain channel equilibrium/stability upstream and down of each structure. As far as your second comment, I know that DOT strives to improve existing conditions wherever technically practicable (as long as the areas are located within project boundaries/easements). Daylighting streams, culvert vs. bridge decisions and culvert designs are all issues discussed during Merger meetings prior to permitting. Let me know if you have some specific areas on this project where improvements could be made. I would be happy to review the areas and determine if DOT can address them. Thanks. Dave Wanucha Dave Wanucha Division of Water Resources Transportation Permitting Unit NC Department of Environmental Quality 336-776-9703 office 336-403-5655 mobile Dave.Wanucha@ncdenr.gov NC DEQ Winston Salem Regional Office 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 Winston Salem, NC 27105 <image002.png> Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. 2 From: River Rat Ron Linville \[mailto:jrlagl@mindspring.com\] Sent: Monday, March 27, 2017 9:41 AM To: Wanucha, Dave <dave.wanucha@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Homewood, Sue <sue.homewood@ncdenr.gov> Subject: RE: A Race Against the Clock for Brook Trout Conservation | Wildlife Management Institute Dave, I routinely drive by this worksite near 421 end of project. I have a couple of recurring thoughts.  It looks like they are using at least one stream (south end of large subdivision on right before Cranberry Springs Road) for some type of basin. We found brook trout in the stream.  I’m wondering if anyone looked into the plus and minus columns of restoring fish passage to tributaries previously isolated by old DOT culverts in this area and maximizing day-lighted stream segments in project area to help with passage. Long dark tunnels may tend to preclude fish passage. Thanks, Ron From: Wanucha, Dave \[mailto:dave.wanucha@ncdenr.gov\] Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 9:16 AM To: River Rat Ron Linville Cc: Homewood, Sue Subject: RE: A Race Against the Clock for Brook Trout Conservation | Wildlife Management Institute Hi Ron, Permit number is 20140762. Let me know if you need anything further. There is a permit modification coming soon that addresses a few permit sites at the A and B Sections. As Sue mentioned, NCWRC and USFWS have been involved every step of the way. We appreciate your concerns and welcome your input. Thanks. Dave W. Dave Wanucha NCDENR Winston Salem Regional Office 450 West Hanes Mill Rd. Suite 300 Winston Salem, NC 27105 336-403-5655 Smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "Homewood, Sue" Date:10/18/2016 8:44 AM (GMT-05:00) To: River Rat Ron Linville Cc: "Wanucha, Dave" Subject: RE: A Race Against the Clock for Brook Trout Conservation | Wildlife Management Institute Ron, You can find all the 401 files on our new electronic filing system. The info is here. I’m copying Dave Wanucha on this email. He’s the DWR staff person who handles all DOT projects and he can give you the permit number so it’ll be easier to look up. He’s also been doing compliance on that project. Dave wasn’t around when that 3 project was permitted but I was and it went through a ton of review by all the resource agencies. All large DOT projects go through a very detailed multi-year process and both WRC and FWS are members of the team and very involved in the permitting review/process. Thanks, Sue Homewood Division of Water Resources, Winston Salem Regional Office Department of Environmental Quality 336 776 9693 office 336 813 1863 mobile S_u e.:_¢:.� cr_rrr�_ewca.ca.d_.C`��.._n � d e n r.:...g..ca.v 450 W. Hanes Mill Rd, Suite 300 Winston Salem NC 27105 Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. -----Original Message----- From: River Rat Ron Linville [rrr�a.i.ltcr.:.a_rla.�l_(c�_rrr�i_n_d_s.p_r.%n�..�ca.rrr�] Sent: Monday, October 17, 2016 5:37 PM To: COE RRO Jean. B. Gibby <J_ean.._I�.._�.%�k�.y_(�_us.:_a_r_m�.�:_m�.i.l>; John T JR SAW Thomas <Jcrhn.T.Thcrrrr�as.JI�C�_usa�e_:arrrr�.�.:rrr�.%I>; Homewood, Sue <sue.hcrrrr�ewcrcrd(a�_n_cd_e_nr..�crv> ....................................................................................._. _ ...._.... ...........................................................................,,,�. _ .. Subject: A Race Against the Clock for Brook Trout Conservation � Wildlife Management Institute I've been watching widening of Hwy. 221 in Watauga and Ashe Counties. There are brook trout habitats in small tribs all along this area. These small tribs are critical spawning and rearing habitats so its essential not to pipe or dam them. Where passage has been impaired, options to restore upstream access should be pursued. Are there any plans available for this road project online that can be accessed? The website below discusses brook trout's impediments to survival. https://wildlifemanagement.institute/outdoor-news-bulletin/september-2016/race-against-clock-brook-trout- conservation Hope you are all doing well. Ron L. Sent from my iPhone No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www..�v�;..c��m�_ Version: 2016.0.7797 / Virus Database: 4656/13173 - Release Date: 10/08/16 Internal Virus Database is out of date.