20170170 Ver 2_WRC Comments_20170317

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: David Shaeffer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
FROM: Olivia Munzer
Western Piedmont Coordinator-
Habitat Conservation
DATE: 17 March 2017
SUBJECT: Pre -Construction Notification for the Mint Hill Athletic Park; Mecklenburg County;
USACE Action ID No. SAW -2016-02014, DEQ Project No. 20170170.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
document. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as
amended) and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended;
16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
A Fine Line Design has submitted a Pre -Construction Notification application for an approximately 27.3 -
acre athletic park located on the north side of Brief Road in the Town of Mint Hill, Mecklenburg County,
North Carolina. The proposed project includes three athletic fields, one softball diamond, one future field
area, public rest rooms, seating, and parking for 285 vehicles. The proposed project would permanently
impact 0.248 acres of headwater wetlands and 119 linear feet of permanent and intermittent unnamed
tributaries of Clear Creek.
The unnamed tributaries to Clear Creek occur within the Yadkin — Pee Dee River basin. Clear Creek is
classified as a Class C stream by N.C. Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). We have historical
records of the state significantly rare spine -crowned clubtail (Gomphus abbreviatus) and the state
threatened creeper (Strophitus undulatus) within Clear Creek. The United States Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) lists the federal and state endangered Carolina heelsplitter (Lasmigona decorata),
Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii), Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), and smooth
coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), and the federally threatened and state significantly rare northern -long
eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), with the potential to occur in Mecklenburg County. Therefore, these
species may be present within or adjacent to the site if suitable habitat occurs. As such, consultation with
the USFWS may be required. For more information, please see
https://www.fws.gov/Midwest/endangered/mammals/nleb/index.html or contact the USFWS at (828)
258-3939 to ensure that potential issues related to this species are addressed. The lack of records from the
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation Division • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

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17 March 2017
Mint Hill Athletic Park
USACE Action ID SAW -2016-02014
site does not imply or confirm the absence of federal or state -protected species; we are unaware of any
protected -species surveys having occurred within or adjacent to the project area.
We offer the following recommendations to minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources.
Maintain a minimum 100 -foot undisturbed, native, forested buffer along perennial streams, and a
minimum 50 -foot buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands. Maintaining undisturbed,
forested buffers along these areas will minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
resources, water quality, and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the project area.
Also, wide riparian buffers are helpful in maintaining stability of stream banks and for treatment
of pollutants associated with urban stormwater.
Limit impervious surface to less than 10% or use stormwater control measures to mimic the
hydrograph consistent with an impervious coverage of less than 10%. Where feasible, trees and
shrubs should be planted around stormwater ponds. This would provide habitat benefits that
offset those functions lost by development, partially restore aquatic habitats, reduce exposure of
the water surface to sunlight to minimize thermal pollution, and provide essential summer and
winter habitats.
Use non-invasive native species and Low Impact Development (LID) technology in landscaping.
Using LID technology in landscaping will not only help maintain the predevelopment hydrologic
regime, but also enhance the aesthetic and habitat value of the site. LID techniques include
permeable pavement and bioretention areas that can collect stormwater from driveways and
parking areas. Additional alternatives include narrower roads, swales versus curbs/gutters and
permeable surfaces such as turf stone, brick, and cobblestone.
4. Manage non-native, invasive species by pretreating the project site prior to construction,
preventing spread during construction, and control non-native, invasive species throughout the
monitoring period.
5. Re -seed disturbed areas with seed mixtures that are beneficial to wildlife. Avoid fescue -based
mixtures because fescue is invasive and provides little benefit to wildlife. Using native species
instead of ornamentals should reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides. We also urge
the Town of Mint Hill to incorporate pollinator species into their plantings. Further information
and free technical guidance from NCWRC is available upon request.
Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land clearing or
construction. The use of biodegradable and wildlife -friendly sediment and erosion control
devices is strongly recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have
loose -weave netting that is made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the
vertical and horizontal twines. Silt fencing that has been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh
should be avoided as it impedes the movement of terrestrial wildlife species. These measures
should be routinely inspected and properly maintained. Excessive silt and sediment loads can
have numerous detrimental effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning
habitat, suffocation of eggs, and clogging of gills of aquatic species.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If I can be of further assistance,
please contact me at [phone] or olivia.munzer(a�ncwildlife.org.
ec: Karen Higgins, NCDWR
Byron Hamstead, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Craig Wyant, A Fine Line Design