20171582 Ver 1_Cover Letter_20171212

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER
GovERNOR
December 12, 2017
Mr. Steve Kichefski
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
US Army Corp of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
7AMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Bridge #172 Replacement on SR 1819 (Alexis High Shoals Road), Gaston County
(Courtesy copy)
Dear Mr. Kichefski:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace an existing three
—span 90.5 long X 23.5-foot wide timber deck bridge with a single 105 foot long 36-ft wide box
beam bridge on SR 1819 (Alexis High Shoals Road) in Gaston County. The proposed bridge will
incorporate sloped abutments. Existing footers will be left in place and utilized as the "face" of
bank stabilization, with riprap being placed upslope of the footers. An additional nine feet of
riprap will be utilized since the new bridge is wider than the existing bridge. NCDOT also
proposes to place 12 feet of rip rap bank stabilization at the end of a proposed ditchline on the
north side. The scope of work will result in a total of 21 feet of permanent riprap bank
stabilization impacts and 40 feet of temporary impacts for bridge construction to Hoyle Creek
which is classified as a WS-IV watershed by the Division of Water Resources.
The Division 12 Environmental Office conducted a threatened/endangered species survey on
October 26, 2016 and April 19, 2017 for Bridge #172 and surrounding areas. The federally listed
species for Gaston County (USFWS listed date July 24, 2015) include the dwarf-flowered heartleaf
(Hexastylis naniflora)- Threatened: Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii)-Endangered;
the Northern Long-Eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)-Threatened; and the bog turtle (Glyptemys
muhlenbergii)- Threatened (Due to similarity of Apperance). Natural Heritage Program records
document the nearest bog turtle location approximately 4.6 miles south of the proposed project
area. Bog turtle habitat consists of open, groundwater supplied (spring fed) dominated wetlands
along riparian corridors or on seepage slopes. Species listed as threatened due to similarity of
appearance do not require Section 7 consultation with the USFWS. However, this project will not
affect the bog turtle because no suitable habitat is present within the study area. Natural Heritage
Program records document the nearest dwarf-flowered heartleaf location approximately 2.3 miles
north of the proposed project area. The heartleaf is usually found on dry to moist ravine slopes
(usually north facing and of the oak-hickory-pine forest type) and in boggy areas near springheads.
There did not appear to be suitable habitat within the proposed project area and no species were
observed. No impact on this species is anticipated. Natural Heritage Program records document the

Bridge #172, Alexis High Shoals Road
December 12, 2017
Page 2
nearest Schweinitz's sunflower location approximately 7.9 miles southeast of the proposed project
area. Schweinitz's sunflower is typically found along roadside rights-of-way, maintained power
lines and other utility rights-of-way, edges of thickets and old pastures, clearings and edges of
upland oak-pine-hickory woods and Piedmont longleaf pine forests, and other sunny or semi-sunny
habitats where disturbances help create open or partially open areas for sunlight. The Natural
Heritage Program records document the nearest Northern Long Eared Bat location approximately
27 miles northwest of the proposed project area. During summer, northern long-eared bats
typically roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live and
dead trees. It has also been found, rarely, roosting in structures like barns and sheds. Northern
long-eared bats spend winter hibernating in humid caves and mines. The closest listed underground
mine, per NHP database is the J.E. Gates property, 3.8 miles northwest of the project site. There
are currently no known hibernaculum or maternity roost trees in Division 12 counties for NLEB;
therefore, the bridge replacement, pipe replacement and any minor tree clearing associated with this
DOT project would be exempted from the incidental take under the 4(d) Rule. I have attached a
copy of the NLEB streamlined consultation form. Per guidance from USFWS personnel,
concurrence is granted by citing the following website and a 30-day response period is waived.
http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project_review/ NLEB_in WNC.html.
There are no sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places are located in the vicinity of the
project nor did there appear to be any eligible structures. The project has been reviewed by
NCDOT's cultural resources staff (NCDOT Cultural Resources Review — Internal Tracking No.
09-11-0015).
The project area is not located within'/2 mile of any critical watershed area. SR 1819 is not a rural
or urban arterial; therefore, hazardous spill basins are not required. Enclosed is the hazardous spill
basin checklist.
I have enclosed a courtesy pre-construction notification for a NW#3, plan sheets, location maps,
and other relevant documentation relative to the project.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at [phone]. Thank you
for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark Stafford, P.E.
Division Engineer
Twelfth Division
I:•
Trish Beam
Division 12 Environmental Supervisor
Enclosures