20091031 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20090617

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
MEMORANDUM
TO Vince Rhea
NCDOT, PDEA, Project Development
FROM Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE June 13, 2008
SUBJECT Structure Design Study for Falls of the Neuse Road Widening and Relocation
Project, TIP U-4901
Biologists with the N C Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the
information provided and have the following preliminary comments on the subject project Our
comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act
(42 U S C 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat 401, as amended, 16
U S C 661-667d)
Our standard recommendations for bridge crossings of this scope are as follows
1 We generally prefer spanning structures Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream and do not require stream channel realignment The horizontal
and vertical clearances provided by bridges allows for human and wildlife passage
beneath the structure, does not block fish passage, and does not block navigation by
canoeists and boaters
2 Bridge deck drains should not discharge directly into the stream
3 Live concrete should not be allowed to contact the water in or entering into the stream
4 If possible, bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream
5 If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, they should be removed back to
original ground elevations immediately upon the completion of the project Disturbed
areas should be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and native tree species should
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fishenes - 1721 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone]
U-4901 2 June 13, 2008
be planted with a spacing of not more than 10'x10' If possible, when using temporary
structures the area should be cleared but not grubbed Clearing the area with chain
saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and
root mat intact, allows the area to revegetate naturally and minimizes disturbed soil
6 A clear bank (nprap free) area of at least 10 feet should remain on each side of the
steam underneath the bridge
8 In streams that contain threatened or endangered species, NCDOT biologist Mr
Logan Williams should be notified Special measures to protect these sensitive species
may be required NCDOT should also contact the U S Fish and Wildlife Service for
information on requirements of the Endangered Species Act as it relates to the project
9 In streams that are used by anadromous fish, the NCDOT official policy entitled
"Stream Crossing Guidelines for Anadromous Fish Passage (May 12, 1997)" should
be followed
11 Sedimentation and erosion control measures sufficient to protect aquatic resources
must be implemented prior to any ground disturbing activities Structures should be
maintained regularly, especially following rainfall events
12 Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil
within 15 days of ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control
13 All work in or adjacent to stream waters should be conducted in a dry work area
Sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams, or other diversion structures should be used
where possible to prevent excavation in flowing water
14 Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in
order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other
pollutants into streams
15 Only clean, sediment-free rock should be used as temporary fill (causeways), and
should be removed without excessive disturbance of the natural stream bottom when
construction is completed
16 During subsurface investigations, equipment should be inspected daily and
maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants,
hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials
Project specific comments
At this time we do not have any specific concerns related to the structure design options
presented in the report If you need further assistance or information on NCWRC concerns
regarding bridge replacements, please contact me at [phone] Thank you for the
opportunity to review and comment on these projects
Cc Eric Alsmeyer, USACE
Gary Jordan, USFWS
Rob Ridings, DWQ