20081168 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20080912

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
TO David Baker, NCDOT Coordinator
Asheville Regulatory Field Office, USACE
FROM Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC
DATE September 12, 2008
SUBJECT Review of NCDOT's application for a Section 404 permit to replace Bridge No
39 on NC 81 (Biltmore Ave) over Swannanoa River, Buncombe County, North
Carolina TIP No B-2515
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has submitted an application to obtain a
Section 404 Permit from the U S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Staff biologists with the
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the Categorical
Exclusion and information provided These comments are provided in accordance with the
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)
The NCDOT proposes to replace Bridge No 39 on NC 81 (Biltmore Ave) over Swannanoa
River with a single-span steel girder bridge Traffic will be maintained by constructing an on-
site detour dust upstream (east) of the existing bridge There will be 20 linear feet of permanent
impacts to the Swannanoa River from pipe outlet protection and 0 05 acres of temporary impacts
from the use of a causeway to remove the existing bridge and piers
Despite the heavily developed setting of the project area and vicinity, NCWRC surveys from
2002 revealed a highly diverse fishery of approximately 24 species that included the blotched
chub (Erimystax insiginis), Federal Species of Concern and state Significantly Rare, and a
smallmouth bass fishery Smallmouth bass are a popular game fish important to the state of
North Carolina We request that NCDOT use sediment and erosion control methods that exceed
their standard measures in order to protect this diverse and vulnerable fishery The use of coir
logs or straw wattles may be appropriate for this project
NCWRC can concur with the issuance of the Section 404 permit provided that the following
conditions are implemented
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
B-2515, NC 81, Biltmore Ave
Swannanoa River, Buncombe Co -2- September 12, 2008
1 Stringent sedimentation and erosion control measures must be implemented and well
maintained on the project site until project completion to avoid impacts to downstream
aquatic resources
2 Herbaceous vegetation shall be planted on all bare soil as soon as possible following the
completion of permanent or temporary ground disturbing activities to provide appropriate
long-term erosion control
3 Tall fescue should not be used in riparian areas We encourage NCDOT to utilize onsite
vegetation and materials for bank stabilization when practicable Erosion control matting
should be used on banks and steep slopes, instead of straw mulch and well anchored with
12" staples, wooden survey stakes or live stakes
4 Stormwater, including deck drainage, should be directed to buffer areas or retention
basins and should not be routed directly into the waterway
5 Onl,, clean, sedimew-fice rock should be-used as tennporaiy#ill(causeu avs , acid should
be I cnioti ed NN Ithout excevsiN e disturbance of the natui al channel bottoiii wlhcrz
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consttuCtrorl is C0111Dlctcd
6 Discharge of materials into the waterway from demolition of the old bridge should be
avoided as much as practicable Any materials that inadvertently reach the water should
be removed
7 The natural dimension, pattern, and profile of the waterway above and below the crossing
should not be modified by widening the channel or changing the depth of the waterway
8 Removal of vegetation in riparian areas should be minimized Native trees and shrubs
should be planted along the banks, as appropriate to the setting, to reestablish the riparian
zone and to provide long-term erosion control
9 Grading and backfillmg should be minimized, and tree and shrub growth should be
retained if possible to ensure long term availability of shoreline cover for fish and
wildlife Backfill materials should be obtained from upland sites
10 Riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to the banks below the high water
mark, and vegetation should be used for stabilization above the high water elevation
11 If concrete will be used during construction, work must be accomplished so that wet
(uncured) concrete does not contact surface waters This will lessen the chance of
altering the water chemistry and causing a fish kill
12 Discharging hydroseedmg mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters is strictly prohibited
B-2515, NC 81, Biltmore Ave
Swannanoa River, Buncombe Co -3- September 12, 2008
13 Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the channel whenever
possible in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing
other pollutants into the waterway All mechanized equipment operated near surface
waters should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of surface
waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project If you have any questions
regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone]
cc Troy Wilson, USFWS
Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ
Mike Parker, NCDWQ
Carla Dagnmo, NCDOT
Elizabeth Lusk, NCDOT