20190397_Site Visit on August 22 2018-_20180928

Wanucha, Dave
From: Cox, Marissa R
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 12:32 PM
To: Chambers, Marla J; Zerman, William S; Adima, Nathan N; Steve Kichefski; Wanucha, Dave; Buncick, Marella;
'[e-mail]'; Beaver, Brian T; Dagnino, Carla S; Paschal, Keith; Bob May; David Petty;
Cochran, Cameron; Lipscomb, Brian S; Dilday, Jason L; Lee, Craig J; Beaver, G Trent; Slaughter, Johnathan H;
[e-mail]; Lee, Amber M; Patterson, Robert D; [e-mail];
[e-mail]; Moore, Brenda L; Staley, Mark K; Gray, Jared S
Cc: Robinson, Beverly G; Whittington, Kevin K
Subject: RE: R-2566BA Watauga River Bridge Replacement , Division 11; County: Watauga - Site Visit on August 22,
2018-
Everyone,
I recently sent this same information to everyone regarding B-5388 so this is a repeat of information for some of ya'll to some
extent...
Per the Hellbender discussion, here is what we know/are waiting for/working on:
• Based on the Peer Review Plan, the "estimated dissemination date of SSA Report" is September 2018
• Based on the "Stipulated Settlement Agreement" between the Center for Biological Diversity and the USDOI/USFWS,
USFWS will submit a listing decision to the Federal Register by September 30, 2018
• We have reached out to Barbara Hosler at USFWS (listed as contact for the Peer Review Plan for the Eastern Hellbender
Species Status Assessment Report) as well as some USFWS staff regarding the status but we will all know on the 30t" if
we don't hear anything from them. (I haven't called Marella but I am trying to let her stay focused on another project O)
• In anticipation of it being warranted for listing, we have performed surveys recently as you know. BSG & RKK staff found
25 hellbenders upstream, downstream, and right at the bridge. Jared is working with RKK to develop a map showing
the project and GPS locations of the hellbenders.
• We have reached out to Lori Williams (WRC) to discuss the bridge project, location of hellbenders per Sept survey, and
see what suggestions she has related to species/conservation measures.
• If it is warranted for listing in a few days, we will get RK&K under contract to begin work on a BA so that we
can obtain a conference opinion before the species is listed as either threatened or endangered in the fall of
2019
Thankfully, we have more time on this one than B-5388 since we recently had a 4A meeting but keep in mind that if it
is proposed in a few days, we will need to start looking at avoidance & minimization during design and construction as
it relates to the hellbender.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Marissa
Marissa Rodman Cox
Biological Surveys Group Supervisor
Environmental Analysis Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
919 707 6153 office
919 818 5901 mobile
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1020 Birch Ridge Drive
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1598

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From: Chambers, Marla J
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2018 9:01 AM
To: Zerman, William S<[e-mail]>; Adima, Nathan N<[e-mail]>; Steve Kichefski
<[e-mail]>; Wanucha, Dave <[e-mail]>; Buncick, Marella
<[e-mail]>; '[e-mail]' <[e-mail]>; Beaver, Brian T
<[e-mail]>; Dagnino, Carla S<[e-mail]>; Paschal, Keith <[e-mail]>; Bob May
<[e-mail]>; David Petty <[e-mail]>; Cochran, Cameron <[e-mail]>; Lipscomb,
Brian S<[e-mail]>; Dilday, Jason L<[e-mail]>; Lee, Craig J<[e-mail]>; Cox, Marissa R
<[e-mail]>; Beaver, G Trent <[e-mail]>; Slaughter, Johnathan H<[e-mail]>;
[e-mail]; Lee, Amber M<[e-mail]>; Patterson, Robert D<[e-mail]>;
[e-mail]; [e-mail]; Moore, Brenda L<[e-mail]>; Staley, Mark K<[e-mail]>
Cc: Robinson, Beverly G<[e-mail]>; Whittington, Kevin K<[e-mail]>; Williams, Lori A
<[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: R-2566BA Watauga River Bridge Replacement, Division 11; County: Watauga - Site Visit on August 22, 2018
The area of concern for the Longtail Salamander is not under the bridge, it's the rock outcrops along Old Tweetsie Road, above
the roadway. Their habitat is at the end of Old Tweetsie Rd, where itjoins NC 105, and runs both directions— both along NC 105
and especially along Old Tweetsie Rd. for a distance. This entire hillside is to be removed as the road is shifted in that direction
and the entrance to Old Tweetsie Road is moved. It's impacts to that hillside that we'd like to see minimized as much as possible.
I was made aware of the specific location of this habitat at the field meeting by our biologist, Lori Williams.
I do appreciate the efforts to look at shifting the roadway, but it doesn't appear to help with minimizing the removal of this
hillside. Is there anything that can be done to significantly reduce that cut?
Thanks,
Marla
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From: Zerman, William S
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2018 5:23 PM
To: Chambers, Marla J<rrr�a_rla.:_charrr�_�ers_(c�_n_�wi.l_dl.i�e_:cr_r�>; Adima, Nathan N<na_d.i_rrr�a(c�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Steve Kichefski
<Steven.l.kichefski(c�_u_sa_ce.:a_rm�.y.._m�i.l>; Wanucha, Dave <dave.wanucha(c�_n_cd_e_nr.:.�crv>; Buncick, Marella
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Brian S<�I_i.�s�ca.m��(e�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Dilday, Jason L<jldilda�v(e�ncdcrt.�crv>; Lee, Craig J<ca.lee(e�_n�d_crt:.�crv>; Cox, Marissa R
<m�rccrxC�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Beaver, G Trent <tk�eaverC�_n�dcrt...�ca.v>; Slaughter, Johnathan H<hs.la_u.�_hter(e�_n�d_crt:.�crv>;
..............................._. ......................................_.
z_ri�ha_rd_�t�s_e_n.�i_n_eers..�ca.rn�; Lee, Amber M<a_rn�_I_ee(e�_n�d_crt:.�crv>; Patterson, Robert D<rca.�ert,�atte_rscrn_(e�_n�den_r.:.�ca.v>;
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Cc: Robinson, Beverly G<�rca.�i_n_scr_n_(c�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Whittington, Kevin K<k_kwh_itti_n.�tca.n(c�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>
Subject: RE: R-2566BA Watauga River Bridge Replacement, Division 11; County: Watauga - Site Visit on August 22, 2018
��
Conc�rning wildlif� passag�, our d�sign�rs will striv� to �qual or �xc��d th� op�n ar�a that curr�ntly �xists und�r th� �xisting
Watauga Riv�r bridg�.
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R�alizing that your primary conc�rn is �xcavation in ar�as with salamand�r habitat, w� r�visit�d sit� photos of th� ar�a. It
app�ars that �xcavation n��d�d for construction of th� north�rn �nd b�nt may not b� in a habitat ar�a. Sinc� our Hydro
consultant, David P�tty, has a b�tt�r knowl�dg� of th� NE quadrant than I, I ask�d David to w�igh in on his opinion as to our
propos�d �nd b�nt location (un-shift�d bridg� alignm�nt) and vvhat may b� salamand�r habitat ar�as. David°s comm�nt; "The
first photo is on NC 105 looking down Old Tweetsie rd.The second is taken from SE quad looking at NE quad streambank. The big
rocks at water edge are in the lower left part of the red oval you show below. Here those rocks may extend 1/3 to 1/2 way up the
slope. There may be a few rocks at waters edge in the upper left portion of red oval and under existing bridge but as best 1 recall
and can see in pics, the remaining portion of slope throughout is grassed and as best 1 understand, would not be typical longtail
salamander habitat." Whil� th� plan vi�w b�low has th� bridg� shift�d 56° w�st, th� original bridg� alignm�nt would also not
app�ar to hav� its north�rn �nd b�nt in a habitat ar�a. Th� third attach�d photo (144645) is looking dir�ctly at th� NE quadrant
und�r th� �xisting bridg�. It should b� not�d that vv� ar� still �nt�rtaining a 2 span bridg� option as vvas discuss�d during our
fi�ld m��ting.
Tr�nt; vvith you knovvl�dg� of th� sit� can you pl�as� confirm that any pot�ntial �xcavation n��d�d for construction of th�
north�rn �nd b�nt should not impact habitat ar�as?
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From: Chambers, Marla J
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2018 12:28 PM
To: Adima, Nathan N<na_d.i_rrr�a(c�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Steve Kichefski <�teven..:.l.:_k%�h_e�s_ki_(c�_u_sa�e.._a_rrrr�.y.:_rrr�i.l>; Wanucha, Dave
<dave_:wa_n_u�ha_(c�_n_cd_e_nr.:.�crv>; Buncick, Marella <rrr�a_re.l.l_a......_k�_u_n�i_ck(c�_�ws...�ca.v>;'[e-mail]'
<m�ilitscher.chris�e.pa_m�ai.l.:e.pa.:.�crv>; Beaver, Brian T<k�tk�eaverC�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Dagnino, Carla S«d_a.�ni_ncr_..C,�_n_cdca.t.:.�crv>; Paschal,
..........................................................................� ............................................,�. _ _
Keith <k.pa_s�ha.l_(e�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Bob May <I�INlla.y(e�_weth_e_ri.l_I_e_n�:�cr_m�>; David Petty <d.pett.��t�s_e_n.�i_n_eers..�ca.m�>; Cochran,
Cameron <a�ca.�hra_n_..C,�_n_cdca.t.:.�crv>; Lipscomb, Brian S<�I_i.�s�ca.rn��(e�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Dilday, Jason L<jldilda�v(e�ncdcrt.�crv>; Lee, Craig J
<ca.lee(�_n�d_crt:.�crv>; Cox, Marissa R<m�rccrxC�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Beaver, G Trent <tk�eaverC�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Slaughter, Johnathan H
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................................. . ......_. _ ...._...._...._... ..........................................
Staley, Mark K <m�stal_e.y(�_n�d_crt:.�crv>
Cc: Zerman, William S<k�z_e_r_rn�an(�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Robinson, Beverly G<�rca.�i_n_scr_n_(�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Whittington, Kevin K
<kkwh itti n�tca.n (c�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>
............................................
Subject: RE: R-2566BA Watauga River Bridge Replacement, Division 11; County: Watauga - Site Visit on August 22, 2018
I thought I'd share my comments on the FONSI for this project (attached), in particular the part regarding making the bridge
readily passible by wildlife. I recall from our field meeting a mention of a riprapped slope under the bridge that sounded like it
went all the way to the water. That would prevent deer from crossing, as they don't do well with riprap. I'm wanting to make
sure the bridge is being designed for passage underneath, as this is the only crossing on the project that can pass large animals.

I don't know if there will be any minutes from that field meeting, but as much as I wanted that meeting onsite, it was difficult to
hear and understand the various conversations that occurred. It was hard to hear at the road level due to traffic noise and hard
to hear under the bridge due to the roar of the river that day. I wanted to make sure the team is aware of NCWRC's concern
about widening this bridge to the east, which will decimate the habitat of the Longtail Salamander at and near the end of Old
Tweetsie Road that has been well studied and documented over the years by us, ASU, and others. This State-listed species is not
easily moved, but we are planning to attempt to move as many as we can before the mountainside is removed there. The
remaining habitat will be fragmented and it's unknown what this will do to the population. I'd really like to see, not in great
detail, but what impacts would occur if the bridge were widened to the west, like the project roadway adjacent and to the south
will be. I've heard it MAY impact Laurel Fork, but don't know if it could be avoided or what type, how much of impact would
occur. The eastern widening was selected by designers prior to knowledge about this salamander (not to be confused with the
aquatic salamander, hellbender, which is also a concern for this project.). I just want to make sure we are truly designing the
least environmentally damaging practicable option for this portion of the project.
Marla
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From: Adima, Nathan N
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2018 4:40 PM
To: Steve Kichefski <�teven..:.l.:_k%�h_e�s_ki_(c�_u_sa_ce.._a_rrn�.y.:_rn�i.l>; Wanucha, Dave <dave_:wa_n_u�ha_(c�_n_cd_e_n_r.:.�crv>; Chambers, Marla J
<rrr�a_rla.:_charrr�_�ers_(c�_n_�wi.l_dl_i�e_:cr_r�>; Buncick, Marella <rrr�a_re.11_a....._�un�ic_k�Fws...�ca.v>;'[e-mail]'
<m�ilitscher.chris�e.pa_m�ai.l.:e.pa.:.�crv>; Beaver, Brian T<k�tk�eaverC�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Dagnino, Carla S«d_a.�ni_ncr_..C,�_n_cdca.t.:.�crv>; Paschal,
..........................................................................� ............................................,�. _ _ _
Keith <k.pa_s�ha.l_(e�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Bob May <I�INlla.y(e�_weth_e_ri.l_I_e_n�:�cr_m�>; David Petty <d.pett.��t�s_e_n.�i_n_eers..�ca.m�>; Cochran,
Cameron <a�ca.�hra_n_..C,�_n_cdca.t.:.�crv>; Lipscomb, Brian S<�I_i.�s�ca.rn��(e�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Dilday, Jason L<jldilda�v(e�ncdcrt.�crv>; Lee, Craig J
<ca.lee(�_n�d_crt:.�crv>; Cox, Marissa R<m�rccrxC�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Beaver, G Trent <tk�eaverC�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Slaughter, Johnathan H
.... ..............................._. .......................................� _ .
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................................. . ......_. _ ...._...._...._... ..........................................
Staley, Mark K <m�stal_e.y(�_n�d_crt:.�crv>
Cc: Zerman, William S<k�z_e_r_rn�an(�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>; Robinson, Beverly G<�rca.�i_n_scr_n_(�_n�dca.t...�ca.v>; Whittington, Kevin K
<kkwh itti n�tca.n (c�_n�dcrt.:.�ca.v>
............................................
Subject: R-2566BA Watauga River Bridge Replacement, Division 11; County: Watauga - Site Visit on August 22, 2018
AI I,
Following our m��ting of August 8, 2018 on th� r�vi�w of r�dlin� plans, constructability and impact issu�s of proj�ct R-2566�A,
a sit� m��ting has b��n sch�dul�d for � n�s ay, �a �ast 22, 2 1� at 9:3 a n�ar th� int�rs�cti�n �f � 1 5
an r�a st�n� �a , Vilas, � 2�692.

If th�r� is n��d for Van Pool, a 15-s�at�r van has b��n r�s�rv�d at th� County Maint�nanc� Yard locat�d at 1865 NC-194 North,
�oon�, NC 28607, vvhich is about 15 minut�s from th� sit� (Contact at th� County Maint�nanc� Yard is K�vin Whittington —(828)
268-6044).
I hop� s�� you at th� sit� at 9e30am.
Thanks.
Nathan N. Adima, PE
Project Manager
Project Management Unit — Divisions 11-14
North Carolina Department of Transportation
919 707 6210 office
919 707 6200 main
u�_� d. i_m� �_� u� � d r� t.�
1000 Birch Ridge Drive
Raleigh, NC 27610
1582 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 2699-1582
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