20021769 Ver 4_Other Agency Comments_20090603

0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 0
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Emily B. Hughes, Wilmington District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
FROM: Shari L. Bryant, Piedmont Region Coordinator ?-P
Habitat Conservation Program ?l
DATE: 3 June 2009
SUBJECT: Public Notice for Town of Southern Pines, Southern Pines Raw Water Reservoir, Moore
County, North Carolina. Corps Action ID #: SAW-2006-40205-063.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the
subject document and we are familiar with the habitat values of the area. Our comments are provided in
accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as amended), Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d), and North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113-131
et seq.).
The Town of Southern Pines proposes to construct a raw water storage reservoir on an unnamed
tributary to Horse Creek. The proposed project will permanently impact 1.6 acres of jurisdictional
riparian wetlands and 444 linear feet of stream channel. The purpose of the project is to provide reliable
source for drinking water during extreme drought conditions. The applicant proposes to mitigate for
impacts to wetlands and streams by payment into the N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program for
restoration of 1.6 acres of riparian wetlands and 444 linear feet of warmwater stream in the Lumber River
watershed. The applicant also proposes to preserve approximately 8 acres of high quality forested
wetlands in the Drowning Creek floodplain.
Horse Creek is a tributary to Drowning Creek in the Lumber River basin. There are records for
the federal species of concern and state special concern pinewoods darter (Etheostoma mariae) in Horse
Creek and Drowning Creek. In addition, there are records for the federal species of concern and state
special concern sandhills chub (Semotilus lumbee), and the state special concern thinlip chub (Cyprinella
sp.) in Drowning Creek. Listed terrestrial wildlife species in the area include the federal and state
endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), the federal species of concern and state special
concern Northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucas melanoleucas), and the state special concern pigmy
rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius).
Should the permit be issued, we offer the following recommendations to minimize impacts to
aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Page 2
3 June 2009
Southern Pines Raw Water Reservoir
Corps Action ID#: 2006-40205-063
A 0.3 cfs minimum flow release should be maintained below the dam. During the project's
Environmental Assessment review, it was our understanding a 0.3 cfs minimum release would be
maintained below the dam. We supported this minimum flow release from the reservoir to
protect downstream aquatic resources and maintain the HQW designation within the watershed
2. Remaining wetlands and streams on the site should be protected from additional impacts by
placing them in a permanent conservation easement to prohibit filling, draining, flooding, and
excavation.
Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land clearing or
construction. 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.
Water conservation measures should be implemented based on specific, measurable triggers that
ensure a balance between the needs of the local residents and the protection of the aquatic
resources in Drowning Creek.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. If we can provide further assistance,
please contact our office at [phone].
cc: Cyndi Karoly, DWQ