20190378 Ver 1_Brg 170 Permit Cover Letter_20190327

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR
March 27, 2019
Mr. Bryan Roden-Reynolds
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
8430 University Executive Park Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
SUBJECT: Pre-Construction Notiiication Pursuant to Nationwide Permit #14
7AMES H. TROGDON, III
SECRETARY
NCDOT Division 9 Bridge Replacement Program Project
Bridge No. 170 on SR 2300 over Crane Creek (Class C), Rowan County, NC
WBS Number: 17BP.9.R.81
Dear Mr. Roden-Reynolds:
We are requesting a Section 404 Nationwide Permit (NWP) #14 for the replacement of Bridge No. 170
with a new bridge on the same alignment over Crane Creek (Class C) on SR 2300 in Rowan County. In
addition to the PCN form, USGS and NRCS site excerpt maps, a"Historic Architecture and Landscapes
No Historic Properties Present or Affected Form" for Historic Architecture and Landscapes, a"No
Archaeological Survey Required Form" for Archaeological Resources, Permit Drawings and a
Stormwater Management Plan are included. Documentation in support of the delineation of waters of the
U.S. also included are the wetland determination data form, waters map, stream identification form and
site photographs. The project will permanently impact 127 linear feet of Crane Creek for bank
stabilization and will permanently impact 79 linear feet of the unnamed tributary to Crane Creek for the
relocation of the stream channel. Mitigation is being provided by NC Division of Mitigation Services
(DMS)for the 79' of permanent stream impacts at a ratio of 2:1. A letter from DMS is included.
Protected Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii) as
endangered, and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as threatened for Rowan County. There
is habitat in the project area for Schweinitz's sunflower. STV Environmental Scientists Brandon Phillips,
C.H.M.M. and Joshua Kotheimer, W.P.I.T completed a sunflower survey on October 6, 2017, during the
optimal flowering window, and no sunflowers were observed. A search of the North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program (NCNHP) database, accessed on April 19, 2018 found no occurrences of Schweinitz's
sunflower within 1.0 mile of the study area. A biological conclusion of "No Effect" was reached far
Schweinitz's sunflower.
There is summer roosting habitat in the surrounding trees for northern long-eared bat (NLEB). No
evidence of bats using the bridge was found during an October 6, 2017 field review. The USFWS nearest
recard of occurrence for the NLEB is mare than 30 miles away. Anticipated tree clearing impacts far this
Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 9
375 SILAS CREEK PARKWAY
WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968
Website: www.ncdot.gov
Location:
375 SILAS CREEK PARKWAY
WINSTON-SALEM,NC27127

project are estimated to be less than 0.5 acre. The NCDOT determined that the project `May Affect, Not
Likely to Adversely Affect' the NLEB.
NCDOT has determined that the proposed action does not require separate consultation on the grounds
that the proposed action is consistent with the final Section 4(d) rule, codified at 50 C.F.R. § 17.40(0)
and effective February 16, 2016. Section 7 responsibilities are therefore considered fulfilled.
Bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A desktop-GIS assessment of
the project study area, as well as the area within a 1.0-mile radius of the project limits, was performed on
April 3, 2018 using September 2, 2017 color aerials. An approximate four-acre agricultural pond was
located approximately 3,600 feet southeast of the PSA. This pond, although potentially large enough,
was very turbid due to farm runoff and was determined to be of low quality for bald eagle foraging.
Since the faraging habitat within the review area was of low quality, a survey of the project study area
and the area within 660 feet of the proj ect limits was not conducted. Additionally, a review of the NHP
database on April 19, 2018 revealed no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the project
study area. Due to the lack of habitat, known occurrences, and minimal impact anticipated for this
project, it has been determined that this project will not affect this species.
By copy of this letter, we also request 401 review and approval from the NC Division of Water
Resources with one copy of the application package provided to Amy Chapman, Transportation
Permitting Unit Supervisor, and Dave Wanucha, DOT Project Coordinator. Please charge the application
fee of $570 to WBS Project No. 17BP.9.R.81.
If you have any questions, comments or need additional information after reviewing this material please
contact me at [phone]. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
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Amy Euliss
Division Environmental Officer, NCDOT Division 9
Attachments: Application package
CC: Dave Wanucha, NCDEQ-DWR, Environmental Specialist- e-copy
Kelly Seitz, P.E. Rowan Resident Engineer —e-copy
Phil Suggs, Division 9 and 10 Roadside Environmental Engineer- e-copy
Daniel Dagenhart, NCDOT Bridge Program Manager, e-copy
Edward Vance, STV, e-copy