20061331 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20060905

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Richard B. Hamilton, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
To: Cyndi Karoly
NC DENR/DWQ ~
From: Steven H. Everhart, PhD ~+'''"'"
Southeastern Permit Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
Date: September 5, 2006
RE: Stafford Land Co. - Bucklin S/D, Wilson Co. 401/404 Application DWQ # 20061331
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
application for impacts to wildlife and fishery resources. Our comments are provided in accordance with
provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.), and
Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (as amended).
The project is located approximately one-half mile south of Dunn Crossroads, west of London Church Rd.
(SR 1327) at its intersection with Upchurch Rd. (SR 1330) in Wilson County. The property consists of
approximately 81.59 acres including approximately 28.78 (35%) acres of wetlands. The site is adjacent to
Toisnot Swamp, a tributary of the Neuse River. Waters in this area are classified WS III -NSW (Class III
Water Supply, Nutrient Sensitive Waters) by the Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ).
The applicants propose to impact approximately 0.927 acre of wetlands through filling/culverting to construct
roads and provide infrastructure fora 156-lot residential subdivision. The applicants propose no mitigation
for these impacts.
We have the following concerns/recommendations:
• We recommend that all road crossings of streams be bridged or that bottomless culverts be used,
where practicable. Where standard culverts are used, we recommend they are embedded sufficiently
to allow for the passage and settlement of aquatic organisms. We do not support the filling of
wetlands or streams for road crossings as this practice destroys wetland connectivity.
• We recommend that sub-aqueous utility crossings be made using directional bore methods rather than
trenching.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Stafford Land Co. - Bucklin S/D
September 5, 2006
• We recommend that all remaining wetlands on-site are preserved in perpetuity through conservation
easement that prohibits: cutting, pruning, mowing, or burning of vegetation; construction of any kind;
use of herbicides; any land disturbing activities; dumping or storing of soil, trash, or other waste; and
the pasturing, grazing or watering of animals, or any other agricultural or horticultural purpose within
wetlands.
• We recommend that as further mitigation, the applicant be required to buy-in to the NC EEP at a
minimum ratio of 2:1 for forested wetlands (1.8 acres) within the local watershed.
We have no objection to the project provided our recommendations are included as permit conditions. Thank
you for the opportunity to review and comment on this application. If you have any questions or require
additional information regarding these comments, please call me at [phone].
CC: Howard Hall, USFWS