20041178 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20090107

The Ramble - Buncombe Co. (#04-1178)
Subject: The Ramble - Buncombe Co. (#04-1178)
From: Eric Kulz <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:30:03 -0500
To: Kevin Barnett <[e-mail]>, Linda Wiggs <[e-mail]>
CC: Roger Edwards <[e-mail]>, Cyndi Karoly <[e-mail]>
Kevin/Linda:
Just following up on my phone conversation with Linda last month regarding the mitigation progress
at The Ramble.
As you recall, Biltmore Farms was issued a permit for 266 LF of stream impacts. Our 401 required at
least 212 LF of restoration (rest is preservation). The proposed stream restoration entailed removing
existing crossings (culverts) and restoring the bed, banks and riparian zone. The original plan called
for restoration of 7 crossings. Per the As-Built report dated 12/18/07, crossings 11, 12, 16 and 17 were
completed, and crossings 13, 14 and 15 had not been completed, but were to be completed in 2008.
The Yr 1 Monitoring report dated 10/22/08 states that crossings 13, 14 and 15 were still not done, as
"performing additional mitigation work at this time is not logistically feasible".
They have currently completed 142 LF of the required 212 LF. We need to get someone out there to
see how much of the impacts have been done. If the impacts exceed the mitigation, I feel we should
issue a NOV.
Please let me know how we should proceed.
Eric
Eric W. Kulz
Environmental Specialist
401 Oversight and Express Permitting Unit
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
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