Green Mill Run

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H, Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
October 20, 2010
City of Greenville
Attn: David T. Brown, PE
City Engineer
Department of Public Works
1500 Beatty Street
Greenville, NC 27834
Subject Property: Green Mill Run corridor between 10th St. and 14th St.
Green Mill Run, Tar-Pamlico River Basin
Determination of Applicability to the Tar-Pamlico River Riparian Area Protection
Rules (15A NCAC 213.0259)
Dear Mr. Brown:
DWQ has received the information requested from the City of Greenville in response to
observations of vegetation removal within the 50-foot Tar-Pamlico Riparian Buffer in
support of the City's assertion that the removal of vegetation, as an activity intended for
the purpose of drainage control and flood prevention, should be considered as an on-
going, exempt use in the riparian buffer. Based on the information presented, it is our
position that you have demonstrated that your activity qualifies as an existing use within
the riparian buffer; however, the following conditions are still applicable. If you are not
able to meet these conditions, then you may be required to apply for further buffer
authorization before undertaking any activity within the riparian buffer.
1) Selective cutting and debris removal
Trees larger than 5-inches diameter at breast height (DBH) should be completely
avoided, smaller trees should be avoided to the maximum extent practicable, and
any vegetation that is cut should preferably be done by hand labor. All vegetation
that is cut should be collected and disposed of in an area that is outside of the
riparian buffer or wetlands. If this activity will require removing trees larger than
5-inches DBH, then you must apply for a buffer authorization from DWQ.
Leaving trees will reduce brushy growth and increase buffer function.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org
943 Washington Square Mall Phone: [phone] One
Washington, NC 27889 FAX [phone] NorthCarohna
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2) Diffuse flow
An additional condition is that all stormwater shall be directed as diffuse flow at
non-erosive velocities through the protected stream buffers and will not re-
concentrate before discharging into the stream as identified within 15A NCAC 213
.0259(5).
3) No Waste, Spoil, Solids, or Fill of Any Kind
No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands, waters, or
riparian areas. All construction activities, including the design, installation,
operation, and maintenance of sediment and erosion control Best Management
Practices, shall be performed so that no violations of state water quality standards,
statutes, or rules occur.
This letter only addresses the applicability to the buffer rules and does not approve any
other activities within the buffers. Nor does this letter approve any activity within Waters
of the United States or Waters of the State. If you have any additional questions or
require additional information please call Chris Pullinger at [phone] or Al Hodge
at (252) 948 - 3844.
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Al Hodg' Supervisor
Division of Water Quality
Surface Water Protection
Washington Regional Office
cc: DWQ 401 Oversight/Express Unit
WaRO File Copy
Rock Springs Neighborhood Association, c/o Matthew Shulman; 1000 Edgewood
Court; Greenville, NC 27858
Pamlico-Tar River Foundation - Attn: Heather Jacobs-Deck