20011120 Ver 1_Other Agency Correspondence_20000628 (2)

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9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commissf??WETLA W",
Charles R. Fullwood, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jim Hauser, Project Development & Environmental Branch
NC Department of Transportation
by
FROM: Joe Mickey for Ron Linville, Permit Coordinator ooginal?d
Habitat Conservation Program Joe
DATE: June 26, 2000
SUBJECT: Sparta Bog Mitigation Plan, Alleghany County
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is requesting comments
concerning the June 1999 Draft and May 2000 Site Inventory and Assessment for the Sparta
Bog, Alleghany County. The NCWRC has reviewed information provided by NCDOT and we
have attended several meetings and site visits to the project site. These comments are provided
in accordance with provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C. 466 et. seq.) and the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
Analyses of the Sparta Bog complex indicates that several man-made alterations have
occurred at the site over the last century. The NCDOT, based on data collected, has
recommended that restoration be implemented in an orchestrated plan that will enhance and
restore the functions of the fen, bog and stream systems without degrading the uniqueness of the
site. Recommended goals and objectives for the restoration of the site include:
• Restoration of natural drainage patterns.
• Restoration of native plant communities.
• Restoration/expansion of fen/bog communities.
• Restoration/enhancement/development of on-site habitat for rare species.
Regarding the June 1999 Draft of the Wetland/Stream Mitigation Plan for Sparta Bog, the
NCWRC has the following comments. In general, the plan appears to clearly define desired
measures to restore and enhance wetland hydrology and function to the site. However, what is
unclear is that all of the area proposed for restoration and enhancement (from Table 6 and Figure
13) is already wetland as defined either by wetland hydrology or field delineation (Figure 11), so
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] ext. 281 • Fax: [phone]
how will it be restored? Clearly the proposed actions (Figure 12) will serve to enhance much of
the wetland area, but for certain parcels even that is not clearly described. For instance, Figure
13 shows a patch of Swamp Forest Bog Complex Enhancement (western-most green patch)
which will supposedly be enhanced by some of the proposed actions described in Figure 12. It is
not clear how this area will be enhanced by any of the proposed actions.
The plan still contains proposed stream restoration of the main stream reach below
Highway 18 (Segment 3, Figure 9), to include modifications in planform, profile, and cross-
section. Based upon discussions conducted during the August 4, 1999 site visit, we believe that
the consensus of those present (USFWS, USCOE, NCWRC, NCDOT, NCDENR personnel) was
not to alter the stream channel in that portion of the bog segment; but rather consider some
smaller scale in-stream enhancements and habitat improvements that would be less intrusive on
the adjacent wetland habitat.
In the stream segment located above Hwy 18, there are several areas of eroding stream
banks that should.be identified in the plan and considered for restoration. To prevent damage to
adjacent wetlands, these stream banks could be stabilized without the use of mechanized
equipment.
Monitoring the success of restoration/enhancement activities proposed in the plan is not
sufficiently defined in the current draft. Monitoring hydrology of the site with wells will not
necessarily indicate restoration or enhancement unless they are placed in areas that do not
currently possess wetland hydrology. From Figures 10 and 13, it appears that most of the wells
are currently in areas that are wetlands. How will success be measured at these areas, and how is
success of enhancement differentiated from restoration?
The plan indicates that DOT is searching for a steward to manage the site in the future.
The future management of vegetation at the site is critical to many species that occur there, and
consequently, the ultimate property managing entity should be identified in the plan, as well as
the expected management activities which may be required in the foreseeable future.
With the exception of altering the stream channel below Highway 18, the WRC
anticipates that the proposed measures would help restore pre-disturbance hydrology to the site,
and therefore provide habitat for the diversity of wetland plants and animals which occur, or
once occurred there. We look forward to clarification of the details in the revised plan and its
implementation at the site. If we can be of further assistance, please contact me at 336/769-
9453.
Cc: ark Cantrell, USFWS
John Dorney, NCDWQ
Chris McGrath, NCWRC
Dennis Herman, NCMNS
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PROGRAM
November 6, 2006
Mr. Richard Spencer
US Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
Post Office Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1890
Dear Mr. Spencer:
Subject: EEP Mitigation Acceptance Letter:
R-0609IAIlB and R-2606A/B/C. US 311 Bypass (Future I-73),
Guilford and Randolph Counties, Cape Fear River Basin
(Cataloging Unit 03030003) and Yadkin River Basin (Cataloging
Unit 03040103); Central Piedmont Eco-Region
The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the Ecosystem Enhancement
Program (EEP) is willing to provide compensatory wetland and stream mitigation
required for the subject project. This mitigation strategy letter replaces the mitigation
strategy letters issued on February 28, 2006, May 15, 2006, and June 2, 2006. The
impacts associated with this project are located in Cataloging Units 03030003and
03040103 of the Cape Fear and Yadkin River Basins, respectively, and in the Central
Piedmont eco-region. As indicated in the NCDOT's mitigation request letter dated
February 15, 2006, the project will impact a total of 26,991 feet of stream, 2.45 acres
riparian wetlands, and 1.981 acres of non-riparian wetlands. The impacts associated with
these projects are in two cataloging units and are as follows:
Cape Fear 03030003 Stream: 19,749 feet
Riparian Wetlands: 2.24 acres
Non-Riparian Wetlands: 1.948 acres
Yadkin 03040103 Stream: 7,242 feet
Riparian Wetlands: 0.21 acre
Non-Riparian Wetlands: 0.033 acre
Also, this project will impact buffers located in CU 03030003 of the Cape Fear
River Basin. The total buffer impacts are 1,453,085 square feet in Zone 1 and 887,861
square feet in Zone 2 with a total buffer mitigation requirement of 5,691,047 square feet.
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail
ervice Center, Raleigh, I
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T 1) a., 7 .t P"
NCDENR
IC 21699-1652 / 919-115-0416 / www.nceep.net
i?
Approximately 102,036 square feet of the buffer mitigation will be completed within the
existing right of way of the project. Therefore, EEP will commit to providing the
remaining buffer mitigation need of 5,589,011 square feet. If the buffer impacts or the
amount of mitigation required from EEP increases or decreases for this project, then this
mitigation acceptance letter will no longer be valid and a new mitigation acceptance letter
will be required. All buffer mitigation requests and approvals are administrated through
the Riparian Restoration Buffer Fund (Fund 2982).
The NCDOT will be responsible to ensure that the appropriate compensation for
the buffer mitigation will be provided in the agreed upon method of fund transfer. Upon
receipt of the NCDWQ's Buffer Authorization Certification, EEP will transfer funds
from Fund 2984 (Tri-Party MOA Account) into Fund 2982 and commit to provide the
appropriate buffer mitigation to offset the impacts associated with this project.
Compensatory wetland and stream mitigation for this project will be provided in
accordance with Section X of the Memorandum of Agreement between the N. C.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the N. C. Department of
Transportation, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers signed on July 22, 2003 (Tri-
Party MOA). EEP commits to implementing sufficient compensatory wetland and stream
mitigation up to a 2:1 ratio to offset the impacts associated with this project as listed
above by the end of the MOA year in which the permit is issued. If the above referenced
impact amounts are revised, then this mitigation strategy letter will no longer be valid and
a new mitigation strategy letter will be required from EEP.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Beth
Harmon at [phone].
Sincerely,
ti m D. Gilmore, P.E.
EEP Director
cc: Mr. Gregory J. Thorpe, P.E., PDEA, NCDOT
Mr. John Hennessey, Division of Water Quality, Wetlands/401 Unit
File: R-0609IA/I13 and R-2606A/B/C Revised-3

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PROGRAM
November 6, 2006
Mr. Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Environmental Management Director
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
Subject: EEP Mitigation Acceptance Letter:
R-0609IA/IB and R-2606A/B/C, US 311 Bypass (Future I-73/74),
Guilford and Randolph Counties
The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the Ecosystem Enhancement Program
(EEP) will provide the required wetland and stream mitigation for the subject project. Based on
the information supplied by you in letters dated May 15, 2006 and October 10, 2006, the impacts
are located in the Cape Fear and Yadkin River Basins of the Central Piedmont Eco-region (CP),
and are as follows:
Cape Fear 03030003 Riverine Wetlands: 2.24 acres
Non-Riverine Wetlands: 1.948 acres
Stream: 19,749 feet
Yadkin 03040103 Riverine Wetlands: 0.21 acre
Non-Riverine Wetlands: 0.033 acre
Stream: 7,242 feet
This mitigation acceptance letter replaces the mitigation acceptance letters issued on
February 24, 2006, April 11, 2006, and May 15, 2006. The wetland and stream impacts
referenced above are a combination of final and preliminary impact amounts. EEP understands
as portions of the above projects are finalized, required wetland and stream mitigation amounts
could increase or decrease.
Also, as indicated in your letter, this project will impact buffers located in CU 03030003
of the Cape Fear River Basin. The total buffer impacts are 1,453,085 square feet in Zone 1 and
887,861 square feet in Zone 2 with a total buffer mitigation requirement of 5,691,047 square feet.
Approximately 102,036 square feet of the buffer mitigation will be completed within the existing
right of way of the project. Therefore, EEP will commit to providing the remaining.buffer
mitigation need of 5,589,011 square feet. If the buffer impacts or the amount of mitigation
required for this project increases, then this mitigation acceptance letter will no longer be valid
e A
NCDENR
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652 / 919-715-0476 / www.nceep.net

and a new mitigation acceptance letter will be required. All buffer mitigation requests and
approvals are administrated through the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund (Fund 2982).
The NCDOT will be responsible to ensure that the appropriate compensation for the
buffer mitigation will be provided in the agreed upon method of fund transfer. Upon receipt of
the NCDWQ's Buffer Authorization Certification, EEP will transfer funds from Fund 2984 (Tri-
Party MOA Account) into Fund 2982 and commit to provide the appropriate buffer mitigation to
offset the impacts associated with this project.
Compensatory wetland and stream mitigation for this project will be provided in
accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, signed on July 22, 2003 (Tri-Party MOA). EEP commits to
implementing sufficient compensatory wetland and stream mitigation to offset the impacts with
this project as previously listed by the end of the MCA Year in which this project is permitted, in
accordance with Section X of the Tri-Party MOA. If the above referenced impact amounts are
revised, then this mitigation acceptance letter will no longer be valid and a new mitigation
acceptance letter will be required from EEP.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Beth
Harmon at 919-715-1929.
Sincerely,
?• r
2:m D. Gilmore, P.E.
EEP Director
cc: Richard Spencer, USACE-Wilmington
John Hennessy, Division of Water Quality, Wetlands/401 Unit
File: R-0609IA/M and R-2606AB/C (Revised - 3)
Construction issue on R-2906 (widening of NC 55) in Div. 5
Subject: Re: Construction issue on R-2906 (widening of NC 55) in Div. 5
From: Rob Ridings <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:25:29 -0400
To: Chris Murray <[e-mail]>
6
Chris,
I agree. As long as riprap stays along banks and out of the main flow of the creeks, I've got no problem with this minor
change.
-Rob
Chris Murray wrote:
Reference: Widening of NC 55 from north of US 64 in Wake County to north of SR 1121 in Durham County. USACE
Action ID No. 2001203533. NCDENR-DWQ Project No. 010120.
Eric and Rob,
The Department is slowly completing work on this project. Two stabilization issues have become evident at a culvert
extension completed along NC 55 at Station 639+50 -L- (Permit Site Z). The stabilization issues are addressed below:
Issue 1
The tail end of a lateral base ditch discharges directly to Northeast Creek on the north streambank at the inlet of the
structure. The natural ground here is significantly higher than the ordinary high water mark and the grade change has
made it difficult to stabilize the tie-in point with matting. The Department proposes to install approximately 15 linear feet
of rip rap along the creek at the tie in point of the lateral base ditch which will provide long-term stability.
Issue 2
The tail end of an overflow ditch ditch discharges directly to Northeast Creek on the south streambank at the outlet of the
structure. The natural ground here is significantly higher than the ordinary high water mark and the grade change has
made it difficult to stabilize the tie-in point with matting. The Department proposes to install approximately 20 linear feet
of rip rap along the creek at the tie in point of the overflow base ditch which will provide long-term stability.
Permit Analysis
A review of the permit drawing and summary sheet indicates that the proposed activity is located entirely within the
previously permitted footprint. The project is located in the Cape Fear River Basin. No new additional impacts to
streams or wetlands. Accordingly, it does not appear that a permit modification would be required for this activity.
Please let me know if you agree with my assessment of the issues. Thank you in advance for your review.
Chris Murray
Division 5 Environmental Supervisor
1 of 2 7/26/2007 9:25 AM
Construction issue on R-2906 (widening of NC 55) in Div. 5

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