20081258 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20080826

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North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~
MEMORANDUM
TO: Amanda Jones, USACOE
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: August 19, 2008
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AU G 2 6 2008
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SUBJECT: Green Rock at Buck Mountain, Unnamed Tributary Beaver Creek, NCDWQ
Class WS-IV, Trout +, Ashe County
The applicant proposes to enhance a headwater area. Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission are familiar with habitat values m the area. These comments are
provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat.
401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (G.S.
ll3A-1 through ll3A-10; NCAC 25).
The project is to enhance approximately 145 feet of intermittent stream channel using rock cross
vanes and re-vegetation of stream banks, including the establishment of the 25 foot trout county
buffer zone. Wild brown trout are known for the Beaver Creek basin and brook trout are known
for the Buffalo Creek basin.
Based on our review of the submittal, we will not object to the project as proposed providing the
following conditions are implemented:
1. In stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide trout buffer zone are
prohibited during the brown and brook trout spawning season of October 15 through
April 15 to protect the egg and fry stages of trout from off-site sedimentation during
construction.
2. Only state-of--the-art natural channel design methodologies and autochthonous plants
should be used for the project. Restored .stream banks should be planted with
autochthonous (native) plants like silky dogwood, rhododendron, dog hobble, red
maple, silky willaw, tag alder, black willow, sycamore, river birch, or other native
woody species.
Remaining jurisdictional waters and wetlands should be buffered, either through
protection or provision of undisturbed forested buffer zones. Buffers should be
permanently preserved as common contiguous forest areas instead of being
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

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Green Rock ~ Buck Mountain Page 2
August 19, 2008
subdivided into portions of individual lots. For streams that do not support federally
listed threatened or endangered aquatic species, we recommend 50' intermittent and
100' perennial stream buffers. Maximum available buffers should be provided;
however, the 25-foot trout buffer should remain undisturbed to the maximum extent
practicable.
4. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0124).
5. If any concrete will be used, work must be accomplished so that wet concrete does
not contact stream water.
6. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel
in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other
pollutants into the stream.
7. Temporary or permanent native herbaceous vegetation should be established on all
bare soil within five (5) days of ground disturbing activities in the twenty-five (25)
foot trout buffer to provide long-term erosion control.
8. Natural fiber matting is recommended over plastic matting that can impinge and
entrap small animals. Onsite vegetation and materials may be used for stream bank
stabilization when practicable.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project during the early planning
stages. If you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 3361769-9453.
E-copy: Sue Homewood, DWQ-WSRO