20090517 Ver 1_Other Documents_20090518

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
MEMORANDUM
TO: Amanda ]ones, USACOE
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
FROM: Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: March 30, 2009
SUBJECT: Blue Ridge Parkway Repair/Resurfacing of Section 2D, Mile Post (MP) 247.9 to
MP 261.2, Laurel Fork, Alleghany/Ashe County
The applicant proposes to repair and repave a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP).
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with habitat
values in the area. These comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the North
Carolina Environmental Policy Act (G.S. 113A-1 through 113A-10; NCAC 25).
The project involves a bridge and a box culvert on a thirteen (13) mile segment of the BRP.
About 225 feet of rubble waterway along NCSR 18 is indicated to resolve water "ponding" plus
a 50' x 4' rubble water way is indicated beneath the bridge to protect the bridge and reduce
stream channel erosion. Work is proposed to be conducted during summer months. Aquatic life
passage provisions are indicated. Brown and Rainbow trout are known for the area.
Based on our review of the submittal, we will not object to the project as proposed providing the
following conditions are implemented:
1. In stream work and land disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are
prohibited during the brown and brook trout spawning season of October 15 through
April 15 to protect the egg and fry stages of trout from off-site sedimentation during
construction.
2. To the maximum extent practicable, aquatic life passage should be provided.
Existing aquatic life passage should be assured during low flow or drought
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
BRP Roadway Renovations Page 2 March 30, 2009
conditions. Any riprap used must not interfere with aquatic life movement during
low flows. Natural channel dimensions should be provided where fish are present.
3. Sediment and erosion control measures should adhere to the design standards for
sensitive watersheds (15A NC AC 4B .0124).
4. Work must be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact stream water.
5. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel
in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other
pollutants into the stream.
6. Temporary or permanent native herbaceous vegetation should be established on all
bare soil within five (5) days of ground disturbing activities in the twenty-five (25)
foot trout buffer to provide long-term erosion control. Natural fiber matting is
recommended over plastic matting that can impinge and entrap small animals.
Onsite vegetation and materials may be used for stream bank stabilization when
practicable.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project during the early planning
stages. If you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 336-769-9453.
E-copy: Sue Homewood, DWQ-WSRO