20090173 Ver 1_Information Letter_20090320

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9 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: March 20, 2009
SUBJECT: Review of NCDOT's application for Section 404 and 401 permits to replace
Bridge No. 146 on SR 1151 (Big Pine Road) over Big Pine Creek, Madison
County, North Carolina. TIP No. B-3869.
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) and a 401 Water Quality
Certification from the Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). Staff biologists with the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the 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. 146 on SR 1151 (Big Pine Road) over Big Pine
Creek with a new bridge on the same alignment. There will be 40 linear feet of permanent
impact to the creek from the east bridge abutment being placed at the waters edge. A temporary
detour will bridge Big Pine Creek to the north of the existing bridge; no temporary impacts are
proposed. Big Pine Creek is Hatchery Supported Designated Public Mountain Trout Water in
the project area and is expected to support wild trout reproduction. Prior to establishing our
current standard trout moratorium dates, NCWRC recommended a November 1 to April 15
moratorium for this project, which we will maintain.
NCWRC can concur with the issuance of Section 404 and 401 permits provided that the
following conditions are implemented:
1. In-stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are prohibited
during the trout spawning seasons of November 1 through April 15 to protect the egg and
fry stages of trout.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

B-3869, Big Pine Road
Big Pine Cr., Madison Co. -2- March 20, 2009
2. Sediment and erosion control measures shall adhere to the design standards for sensitive
watersheds and be strictly maintained until project completion.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Stormwater, including deck drainage, should be directed to buffer areas or retention
basins and should not be routed directly into the waterway.
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 backfilling 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.
It. 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 hydroseeding mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment
in or adjacent to surface waters is strictly prohibited.
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.
B-3869, Big Pine Road
Big Pine Cr., Madison Co. -3- March 20, 2009
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 Dagnino, NCDOT
Elizabeth Lusk, NCDOT