20170976 Ver 1_More Info Received_20170824

Strickland, Bev
From: Annino, Amy M
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2017 8:47 AM
To: Mitchell, Robert K
Subject: FW: PCN Permitting Package for Slatten Branch Culvert Replacements Project in
Jackson County, NC
Amy Annino
Environmental Specialist —Asheville Regional Office
Water Quality Regional Operations Section
NCDEQ — Division of Water Resources
828 296 4656 office
g.ML.aiiiiiiiiiiopiiicdeiiiir.gov
2090 U.S. Hwy. 70
Swannanoa, N.C. 28711
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From: Jake McLean[mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2017 7:02 AM
To: Hamstead, Byron <[e-mail]>
Cc: Brown, David W SAW <[e-mail]>; Annino, Amy M <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: PCN Permitting Package for Slatten Branch Culvert Replacements Project in Jackson County, NC
Byron,
We've got responses back from SHPO and WRC on our PCN request for Slatten. I was just wondering if you have any
questions, or comments to add to your original email response from the pre -permit email I sent? Your response was:
We don't have any record of federally protected species in the immediate vicinity of the project as depicted. The
potential for suitable habitat for TIE spp known from Jackson County appears to be minimal at best, based on the project
area map provided. Potential summer roosting habitat maybe present within the project area for Indiana and northern
long-eared bats, but aerial imagery shows ample roosting habitat in adjacent areas, and the project may not require
substantial tree clearing. Our aquatic habitat suitability models do not predict the occurrence of any federally protected
species or federal species of concern in Slatten Branch. The receiving waters (Robinson Creek) may support the French
Broad River crayfish (Cambarus reburrus), a federal species of concern for which we have been petitioned to list under
the ESA. It appears that this project would benefit this species if it would affect it at all.
Please pass along later iterations of the project design/PCN and let me know if you have any questions.

We are under a really tight time table with the Trout Moratorium Oct. 15th and two bridges to build. TU hired a new
restoration coordinator mid -year, and he didn't exactly get to plan out his project schedules- he's just trying to squeeze
in everything he can, and Slatten is an important project for TU right now.
Thanks,
Jake
From: Hamstead, Byron [mailto:byron [e-mail]]
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2017 7:12 AM
To: Scott Gregory <[e-mail]>
Cc: Jake McLean <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: PCN Permitting Package for Slatten Branch Culvert Replacements Project in Jackson County, NC
Received. Thanks. I will let you know if I have any q's.
Byron
Byron Hamstead
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
USFWS Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa St., Suite B
Asheville, NC, 28801
828-258-3939 ext. 225
7..his email d."orrk:p'»pondk:pnd.e an any aG..t..ad."hmk:pnts to and from this '»k:pnder is '»d,6bfk:pd.t to the Freedom of InformaGion Act and
may be disclosed to third parties.
On Wed, Aug 2, 2017 at 2:29 PM, Scott Gregory <[e-mail]> wrote:
Hello Byron,
I hope you're doing well. Please find attached, a copy of the PCN permitting package for proposed culvert replacements
along Slatten Branch. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else.
Thanks!
Scott Gregory, GISP, PLS I Environmental Scientist
0:828.774.5547 M: 704.451.2177

Wifflands Engineering
167'BHaywood Road
Asheville, INIC 28806