20081809 Ver 1_Meeting Minutes_20090211

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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
s w REGION 4
ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
3F 0 2 61 FORSYTH STREET
hlq PR0160 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960
Mr. David Baker, Project Manager
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
February 3, 2009
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Subject: North Carolina Department of Transportation; U.S. Highway 221 from the South
Carolina line to U.S. 74 Bypass in Rutherford County (TIP No. R-2233A).
Action I.D. #SAW-2008-2242
Dear Mr. Baker:
This is in response to the Public Notice for North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) dated January 26; 2009; to widen U.S 221 from the South Carolina state line to the
U.S..74 Bypass-in Rutherford County (TIP Number R-2333A). As proposed; 'the'picject would
fill 0.01 acres of jurisdictional wetlands and 2,870 linear feet of streams in the Bioad'River Basin
(Hydrologic;Units.0305,0105). As compensatory mitigation for the' impacts;.NCDOT proposes to
pay Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP). However, a mitigafion ratio is not discussed in the
public notice or in the permit application materials.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Region 4, Wetlands & Marine Regulatory
Section reviewed the public notice, the permit application, and other documents related to the
project. Since there appears to be no currently proposed mitigation ratio, we recommend that the
applicant be required to provide mitigation at a 2:1 ratio. Payment to EEP.is acceptable.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. If you have any questions or
comments, please contact Kathy Matthews, of my staff, at [phone].
ce;. MarellaBuncick, USFWS
Brian-Wrenn, NCDWQ
Marla I hafnbers, NCWRC
Greg Thorpe, PDEA
Donnie Brew, FHWA
Sincerely,
J )nn lifer ?. Derby
Chief
Wetlands and Marine: Regulatory Section

Internet Address (URL) • http:/Iwww.apa.gov
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