08_Appendix VII - Scoping Letters and Responses

Appendix VII — Scoping Letters and Responses

North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) — Scoping Letter
l..J

August 22,2022
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources
Asheville Regional Office Water Quality Regional Operations Section
2090 U.S. Highway 70
Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778
Attention: Mitchell Anderson
Environmental Specialist
mitchell.anderson(o)ncdenr.gov
Reference: Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
Dear Mr.Anderson,
On behalf of The Quartz Corp USA, S&ME, Inc.(S&ME) is currently seeking information necessary for
completion of a preliminary environmental review of the proposed Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency
Basin Project at The Quartz Corp USA facility in Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Please
accept this letter as a request for comments from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR) regarding this project.
Project Description
S&ME is assisting the Quartz Corp USA(Quartz Corp)with desgin and permitting of a new freshwater
reservoir, an emergency basin and laydown area at their existing facility in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Land use at the project area consists of mining activities and wooded areas.The existing Quartz Corp
production facility is located northeast of the project review area.The emergency basin is proposed for a
developed area west of the production facility, and the freshwater reservoir is proposed for a wooded
area south of the production facility. Land use in the vicinity of the project area consists of commercial
development,wooded areas, institutional development, and scattered residential development.
It is anticipated that impacts to jurisdictional waters will occur and a permit from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers(USACE)and subsequent Water Quality Certification (WQC)from the NCDWR will be
necessary.We anticipate that the project can be authorized under Nationwide Permit(NWP) No.44
(Mining Activities)through the USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office and North Carolina's WQC General
Certification (GC) No.4267.This letter serves as initial consultation to provide written comments
regarding the interests of your agency in this project.
1

Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No. 213314
Closing
Thank you for your assistance with this project.We look forward to receiving your comments. If you have
questions or need additional information please contact Rebeckah Sims, PWS with S&ME by e-mail at
rsimsCd)smeinc.com or by phone at 803.924.4152,at your convenience.
Sincerely,
5&ME
kto .
Rebeckah Sims, PWS
Natural Resources Professional II
Enclosures
Site Vicinity Exhibit(Figure 1)
USGS Topographic Exhibit(Figure 2)
Soils Exhibit(Figure 3)
Aerial Orthoimagery Exhibit(Figure 4)
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SCALE: FIGURE NO.
SITE VICINITY EXHIBIT 1 " = 2,000 '
DATE:
III S FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 1
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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d NOT BASED ON CIVIL SURVEY INFORMATION,UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
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DATE:FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 r�n
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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h. SaB:Saunook silt loam,2 to 8 percent slopes
7 VYR�.'• _ ScC:Saunook silt loam,B to 15 percent slopes,stony
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D OTHERWISE WgE:Watauga sandy loam,30 to 50 percent slopes,stony
a
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DATE: r�
I I I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 J
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROIECF NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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DATE:
I I I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 4
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - Scoping Letter

III
August 23,2022
North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
4617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4617
Attention: Renee Gledhill-Earley
Environmental Review Coordinator
environmental.review@ncdcr.00v
Reference: Section 106 Review- Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
Dear Ms.Gledhill-Earley,
On behalf of The Quartz Corp USA, S&ME, Inc.(S&ME) is currently seeking information necessary for the
completion of a preliminary environmental review for the proposed Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency
Basin project at The Quartz Corp USA Spruce Pine facility, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Please accept
this letter as a request for comments from the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office(NCSHPO)
regarding this project.
Project Description
S&ME is assisting the Quartz Corp USA(Quartz Corp)with desgin and permitting of a new freshwater
reservoir, an emergency basin and Iaydown area at their existing facility in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Land use at the project area consists of mining activities and wooded areas.The existing Quartz Corp
production facility is located northeast of the project review area.The emergency basin is proposed for a
developed area west of the production facility,and the freshwater reservoir is proposed for a wooded
area south of the production facility. Land use in the vicinity of the project area consists of commercial
development,wooded areas, institutional development, and scattered residential development.
It is anticipated that impacts to jurisdictional waters will occur and a permit from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) and subsequent Water Quality Certification (WQC)from the NCDWR will be
necessary.We anticipate that the project can be authorized under Nationwide Permit(NWP) No.44
(Mining Activities)through the USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office and North Carolina's WQC General
Certification (GC) No.4267.This letter serves as initial consultation to provide written comments
regarding the interests of your agency in this project.
1

Section 106 Review - Request for Comments
I I Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin ..�
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
Closing
Thank you for your assistance with this project.We look forward to receiving your comments. If you have
questions or need additional information please contact Rebeckah Sims, PWS with S&ME by e-mail at
rsimsCdsmeinc.com or by phone at 803-924-4152,at your convenience.
Sincerely,
S&&M/E n n
/�{AT�l a.��O.4"
Rebeckah Sims, PWS
Natural Resources Professional II
Enclosures
Site Vicinity Exhibit(Figure 1)
USGS Topographic Exhibit(Figure 2)
Soils Exhibit(Figure 3)
Aerial Orthoimagery Exhibit (Figure 4)
2

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SCALE FIGURE NO.
SITE VICINITY EXHIBIT 1 " = 2,000 '
DATE:
III E FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 1
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROIECTNUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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DATE: r�
I I I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 Z
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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t: GIS BASE LAYERS WERE OBTAINED FROM ESRI,COUNTY SOURCES,AND USDA-NRCS. THIS WgC:Watauga sandy loam,8 to 15 percent slopes,stony
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APPROXIMATED.THEY ARE NOT BASED ON CIVIL SURVEY INFORMATION,UNLESS STATED WOE:Watauga sandy loam, to 30 percent slopes,stony
3 OTHERWISE WOE!Watauga sandy loam,300 to 50 percent slopes,cony
d
SCALE FIGURE NO.
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DATE: r�
III S FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 J
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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AERIAL ORTHOIMAGERY EXHIBIT 1 " = 500 '
DATE:
FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 4
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECTNUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - Response

M'+TATE
North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
State Historic Preservation Office
Ramona M.Ratios,Administrator
Governor Roy Cooper Office of Archives and History
Secretary D.Reid Wilson Deputy secretary,Darin J.Waters,Ph.D.
September 9, 2022
Rebeckah Sims rsims(a smeinc.com
S&ME
2016 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Suite 2-A
Charlotte,NC 28273
Re: Construct Freshwater Reservoir, Emergency Basin and Lay Down Area, Mitchell County,
ER 22-2110
Dear Ms. Sims:
Thank you for your letter of August 23,2022, regarding the above-referenced undertaking. We have
reviewed the submission and offer the following comments: v
The area of potential effects (APE)for the proposed undertaking between the North Toe River and Grassy
Creek is in an area with a high potential for cultural resources that has not been systematically surveyed
before. We recommend a comprehensive archaeological survey be conducted prior to the initiation of any
ground disturbing activities in portions of the APE with 25%or less slope. Pedestrian reconnaissance
should also be conducted in steeper areas to record any potential rock shelters or historic quarry sites.
The purpose of the survey is to identify any archaeological sites and to make recommendations regarding
their eligibility for listing in the National Register of Historic Places(NRHP). The survey should be
conducted by an experienced archaeologist who meets the Secretary of the Interior Professional
Qualifications. A list of archaeological consultants,who have conducted or expressed an interest in
contract work in North Carolina is available at https://archaeologv.ncdcr.gov/archaeological-consultant-list.
The archaeologists listed, or any other experienced archaeologist, may be contracted to conduct the
recommended survey. Our office requests that your consultant meet with the Office of State
Archaeology Review Archaeologist to discuss appropriate field methodologies prior to the field
investigation.
One paper copy and one digital copy(PDF)of all resulting archaeological reports, as well as a digital copy
(PDF)of the North Carolina Site Form for each site recorded, should be forwarded to the Office of State
Archaeology (OSA)through this office for review and comment, as soon as they are available and in
advance of any construction activities. OSA's Archaeological Standards and Guidelines for Background
Research, Field Methodologies,Technical Reports, and Curation can be found online at:
https://archaeoIogy.nedcr.gov/osa-guidelines.
Location:109F.astJonesstmet,Ralcigh NC27601 Mailing Address:4617 Mad Service Center,Raleigh NC 276994617 Telephone/F.(919)8146570/814-6898

ER 22-2110,September 09,Page 2 of 2
We have determined that the project as proposed will not have an effect on any historic structures.
V The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36
CFR Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment,
contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-814-6579
or env i ronmental.reviewAncdcr.gov. In all future communication concerning this project, please cite the
above referenced tracking number.
Sincerely,
(�Ramona Bartos, Deputy
p State Historic Preservation Officer
cc: Lori Beckwith, USACE Loretta.A.Beckwith(@usace.armv.mil
Location:109 East Jones Street,Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address:4617 Mad Service Center,Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Pax:[phone]/814-6898

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) — Scoping Letter
�i.r�

August 22, 2022
North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission
Wildlife Management Division
1722 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-4617
Attention: Danny Ray
District 8 Biologist
dan i el.rayCW ncwildlife.org
Clint Barden
District 8 Conservation Biologist
clinton.barden Cdncwildlife.org
Reference: Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
'0./ Dear Mr. Ray and Mr. Barden,
On behalf of The Quartz Corp USA, S&ME, Inc.(S&ME) is currently seeking information necessary for
completion of a preliminary environmental review of the proposed Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency
Basin Project at The Quartz Corp USA facility in Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Please
accept this letter as a request for comments from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR) regarding this project.
Project Description
S&ME is assisting the Quartz Corp USA(Quartz Corp)with desgin and permitting of a new freshwater
reservoir, an emergency basin and laydown area at their existing facility in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Land use at the project area consists of mining activities and wooded areas.The existing Quartz Corp
production facility is located northeast of the project review area.The emergency basin is proposed for a
developed area west of the production facility, and the freshwater reservoir is proposed for a wooded
area south of the production facility. Land use in the vicinity of the project area consists of commercial
development,wooded areas, institutional development,and scattered residential development.
It is anticipated that impacts to jurisdictional waters will occur and a permit from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers(USACE) and subsequent Water Quality Certification(WQC)from the NCDWR will be
necessary.We anticipate that the project can be authorized under Nationwide Permit(NWP) No.44
(Mining Activities)through the USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office and North Carolina's WQC General
Certification (GC) No.4267.This letter serves as initial consultation to provide written comments
regarding the interests of your agency in this project.
1

Request for Comments
III Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
Closing
Thank you for your assistance with this project.We look forward to receiving your comments. If you have
questions or need additional information please contact Rebeckah Sims, PAS with S&ME by e-mail at
rsims0smeinc.com or by phone at 803-924-4152,at your convenience.
Sincerely,
S&ME
R4Wk".
Rebeckah Sims, PWS
Natural Resources Professional II
Enclosures
Site Vicinity Exhibit(Figure 1)
USGS Topographic Exhibit(Figure 2)
Soils Exhibit(Figure 3)
Aerial Orthoimagery Exhibit(Figure 4)
2

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5 REFERENCE ` LEGEND
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PURPOSES ONLY. ALL FEATURE LOCATIONS DISPLAYED ARE APPROXIMATED.THEY ARE oREVIEW AREAS
NOT BASED ON CIVIL SURVEY INFORMATION,UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. "YwII
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
v = SITE VICINITY EXHIBIT 1 " = 2,000 '
DATE:
I'I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 1
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROIECTNUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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DATE: r�
Ill E FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 Z
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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i MAP IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ALL FEATURE LOCATIONS DISPLAYED ARE
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5
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
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DATE:
III E FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 3
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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0
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
AERIAL ORTHOIMAGERY EXHIBIT 1 " = 500 '
DATE:
�I I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 4
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NC4VRC) —Response

r
.y'
® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
August 23,2022
Rebeckah Sims
S&ME
2016 Ayrsley Town Blvd.,Suite 2-A
Charlotte,NC 28273
SUBJECT: Freshwater Reservoir&Emergency Basin—Quartz Corp USA
Dear Ms. Sims:
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission(NCWRC)received your August 22,
2022 letter regarding plans for the construction of a reservoir,emergency basin,and laydown area for a
mine operation in Mitchell County.You requested review and comment on the project. Our comments on
this project are offered for your consideration under provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977(33 U.S.C.
466 et.seq.)and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act(48 Stat.401, as amended; 16 U.S.C.661-667d). �I
Details were not provided in the letter on design nor the size of the project. We are familiar with the
project vicinity and have surveyed Grassy Creek for aquatic biota. Grassy Creek is part of the North Toe
River/Nolichucky River Aquatic Habitat,a NC Natural Heritage Program natural area rated Very High
due to the ecological importance and richness of the aquatic community. Both Sharphead Darter
([Etheostoma acuticeps,US Federal Species of Concern(FSC),NC Threatened] and Eastern Hellbender
(Cryptobranchus alleganiensis,US FSC,NC Special Concern)are found in the North Toe River
downstream of the project area. Most importantly,we have records of Eastern Hellbender from Grassy
Creek on the project property;we strongly recommend avoiding impacts to Grassy Creek to protect these
animals.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. Please contact me at(828)400-
4223 if you have any questions about these comments.
Sincerely,
Andrea Leslie
Mountain Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
ec: Byron Hamstead, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh,NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) — Scoping Letter
�.J

- 0
III
August 22, 2022
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
Attention: Brandee Boggs
Mitchell County Regulatory Specialist
[e-mail]
Reference: Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
Dear Ms. Boggs,
On behalf of The Quartz Corp USA, S&ME, Inc. (S&ME) is currently seeking information necessary for
completion of a preliminary environmental review of the proposed Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency
Basin Project at The Quartz Corp USA facility in Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Please
accept this letter as a request for comments from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR) regarding this project.
Project Description
S&ME is assisting the Quartz Corp USA(Quartz Corp)with desgin and permitting of a new freshwater
reservoir, an emergency basin and laydown area at their existing facility in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Land use at the project area consists of mining activities and wooded areas.The existing Quartz Corp
production facility is located northeast of the project review area.The emergency basin is proposed for a
developed area west of the production facility,and the freshwater reservoir is proposed for a wooded
area south of the production facility. Land use in the vicinity of the project area consists of commercial
development,wooded areas, institutional development, and scattered residential development.
It is anticipated that impacts to jurisdictional waters will occur and a permit from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers(USACE) and subsequent Water Quality Certification(WQC)from the NCDWR will be
necessary.We anticipate that the project can be authorized under Nationwide Permit(NWP) No.44
(Mining Activities)through the USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office and North Carolina's WQC General
Certification (GC) No.4267.This letter serves as initial consultation to provide written comments
regarding the interests of your agency in this project.
1

Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No. 213314
Closing
Thank you for your assistance with this project.We look forward to receiving your comments. If you have
questions or need additional information please contact Rebeckah Sims, PWS with S&ME by e-mail at
rsims(osmeinc.com or by phone at 803-924-4152, at your convenience.
Sincerely,
5&ME
Rebeckah Sims, PWS
Natural Resources Professional II
Enclosures
Site Vicinity Exhibit(Figure 1)
..i USGS Topographic Exhibit(Figure 2)
Soils Exhibit(Figure 3)
Aerial Orthoimagery Exhibit (Figure 4)
2

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SCALE: FIGURE NO.
SITE VICINITY EXHIBIT 1 " = 2,000 '
DATE:
FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 1
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROTECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 211114

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SCALE: FIGURE NO.
USGS TOPOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT 1 " = 1,000 '
DATE:
I" S FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 2
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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5
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
SOILS EXHIBIT 1 " = 500 '
DATE:
I'I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 3
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROTECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314 1 _j

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n INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ALL FEATURE LOCATIONS DISPLAYED ARE OREVIEW AREAS
APPROXIMATED.THEY ARE NOT BASED ON CIVIL SURVEY INFORMATION,UNLESS STATED MRIDGE =ROADS
OTHERWISE
0
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
AERIAL ORTHOIMAGERY EXHIBIT 1 " = 500 '
DATE:
III S FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 4
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) —Response

Rebeckah S Sims
From: Boggs, Brandee C CIV USARMY CESAD (USA) <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday,August 23, 2022 3:40 PM
To: Rebeckah S Sims
Cc: Julie Robertson;Cedric Ruhl;Joey Lawler
Subject: RE: Request for Comments on The Quartz Corp USA Project(S&ME Project No.213314)
This message originated outside of S&ME. Please report this as phishing If It implies It Is from an S&ME employee.
Hi,Since it does appear your project will impact jurisdictional Waters of the US(WotUS), I look forward to further details
to determine permitting needs.
Kindest Regards,
Brandee Boggs(she/her)
Regulatory Specialist
Work Hours:Tues-Thurs 930a.m-6pm
828.271.7980 x 4224
US Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District,Asheville Field Office
151 Patton Avenue,Suite 208
Asheville, NC 28801
From:Rebeckah S Sims<[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday,August 22,2022 4:35 PM
To:Boggs, Brandee C CIV USARMY CESAD(USA)<[e-mail]>
Cc:Julie Robertson<[e-mail]>; Cedric Ruhl<[e-mail]>;Joey Lawler<[e-mail]>
Subject: [URL Verdict: Neutral][Non-DoD Source] Request for Comments on The Quartz Corp USA Project(S&ME Project
No.213314)
Good afternoon,
Please find the attached scoping letter requesting your comments on The Quartz Corp USA project necessary
for the completion of a preliminary environmental review of the project.
Thank you,
Rebeckah Sims, PWS
Natural Resources Professional It
1

S&ME
i 2016 Ayrsley Town Blvd.,Suile 2-A
Charlotte,NC 28273 map
0 -52 M 8
— : 03-9244154-4152
_ www�snuinccom v
Linkedln Twiner Facebook
BUILT FOR
v LRSATILITY
This electronic message is subject to the terns of use set forth at wtnvsmeinccom/email.if you received Ibis message in error please advise the sender by reply and
delete this electronic message and any attachments.Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
t
V
2

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) — Scoping Letter

August 22, 2022
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Asheville Ecological Services Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-1082
Attention: Rebekah Reid
Field Office Endangered Species Act Section 7 Coordinator
rebekah reiditfws.gov
Reference: Request for Comments
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No.213314
Dear Ms. Reid,
On behalf of The Quartz Corp USA, S&ME, Inc.(S&ME) is currently seeking information necessary for
completion of a preliminary environmental review of the proposed Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency
Basin Project at The Quartz Corp USA facility in Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Please
accept this letter as a request for comments from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR) regarding this project.
Project Description
S&ME is assisting the Quartz Corp USA(Quartz Corp)with desgin and permitting of a new freshwater
reservoir,an emergency basin and laydown area at their existing facility in Spruce Pine, North Carolina.
Land use at the project area consists of mining activities and wooded areas.The existing Quartz Corp
production facility is located northeast of the project review area.The emergency basin is proposed for a
developed area west of the production facility,and the freshwater reservoir is proposed for a wooded
area south of the production facility. Land use in the vicinity of the project area consists of commercial
development,wooded areas, institutional development, and scattered residential development.
It is anticipated that impacts to jurisdictional waters will occur and a permit from the United States Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE)and subsequent Water Quality Certification (WQC)from the NCDWR will be
necessary.We anticipate that the project can be authorized under Nationwide Permit(NWP) No.44
(Mining Activities)through the USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office and North Carolina's WQC General
Certification (GC) No.4267.This letter serves as initial consultation to provide written comments
regarding the interests of your agency in this project.
1

tt
k Request for Comments
III
Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin
The Quartz Corp USA
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No. 213314
Closing
Thank you for your assistance with this project.We look forward to receiving your comments. If you have
questions or need additional information please contact Rebeckah Sims, PWS with S&ME by e-mail at
rsimsCo)smeinc.com or by phone at 803-924-4152, at your convenience.
Sincerely,
S&�M/E "�
/C(AYcp��lk�.:�
Rebeckah Sims, PWS
Natural Resources Professional II
Enclosures
Site Vicinity Exhibit(Figure 1)
USGS Topographic Exhibit(Figure 2)
Soils Exhibit(Figure 3)
Aerial Orthoimagery Exhibit(Figure 4)
2

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SCALE: FIGURE NO.
SITE VICINITY EXHIBIT 1 " = 2,000 '
DATE:
I I I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 1
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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SCALE: FIGURE NO.
USGS TOPOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT 1 " = 1,000 '
DATE:
III E FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN B-17-22 2
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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CeE:Chandler-Micavilie complex,30 to 50 percent slopes,stony
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c Q cI
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E4q�� ScC:Saunook silt loam,8 to 15 percent slopes,stony
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r O 500 1,000 N Lid:Udorthents,loamy
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s MAP IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. ALL FEATURE LOCATIONS DISPLAYED ARE WEID:Watauga sandy loam,15 to 30 percent slopes,stony
APPROXIMATED.THEY ARE NOT BASED ON CIVIL SURVEY INFORMATION,UNLESS STATED
3 OTHERWISE +WgE:Watauga sandy loam,30 to 50 percent slopes,stony
0
SCALE FIGURE NO.
= SOILS EXHIBIT 1 " = 500 '
DATE:
11) FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 3
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

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5 LEGEND
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APPRO%IMATED.THEY ARE NOT BASED ON CIVIL SURVEY INFORMATION,UNLESS STATED GARTERS RIDGE RD =ROADS
OTHERWISE
SCALE: FIGURE NO.
AERIAL ORTHOIMAGERY EXHIBIT 1 " = 500 '
DATE:
I I FRESHWATER RESERVOIR AND EMERGENCY BASIN 8-17-22 4
THE QUARTZ CORP USA PROJECT NUMBER
SPRUCE PINE MITCHELL COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 213314

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) —Response

NT 0 Ty U.S.
Q F FISH
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
�'QRCH 3 $a Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street Suite B
Asheville,North Carolina 28801
September 15,2022
Ms.Rebeckah Sims
S&ME
2016 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Suite 2-A
Charlotte,North Carolina 28273
Subject: Scoping for The Quartz Corp Freshwater Reservoir and Emergency Basin in Spruce Pine,
Mitchell County,North Carolina.
Dear Ms.Sims:
On August 23,2022,we received(via e-mail)your information requesting our comments on the subject
project.We have reviewed the information that you presented,and the following comments are provided
in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act(42 U.S.C.§4321 et seq.)and
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973,as amended(16 U.S.C. 1531 - 1543)(Act).
Project Description
According to the information provided,The Quartz Corp USA proposes to construct a new freshwater
reservoir,emergency basin,and laydown area at their existing facility in Spruce Pine,Mitchell County,
North Carolina.The emergency basin is proposed for a developed area west of the production facility,and
the freshwater reservoir is proposed for a wooded area south of the production facility.
Federally Listed Species
In accordance with section 7(a)(2)of the Act and 50 CFR Part 402.01,before any federal
authorization/permits or funding can be issued for this project,it is the responsibility of the appropriate
federal regulatory/permitting and/or funding agency(ies)to determine whether the project may affect any
federally listed endangered or threatened species or designated critical habitat. If it is determined that this
project may affect any federally listed species or designated critical habitat,section 7 consultation must be
initiated with this office.
The proposed project is in an area that has potential or known occurrence records of species with federal
designations.Below is a list of species that should be considered in a biological assessment and/or
biological evaluation(BA/BE)prepared for this project.
Species Status'
Appalachian elktoe Alasmidonta raveneliana E
Gray bat Myotis grisescens E
Northern long-eared bat Myotis septentrionalis T,PE
Rock gnome lichen Gymnoderma lineare E
Tricolored bat Perimyotis subflavus PE

Species Status' J
Virginia spiraea Spiraea virginiana T
'E=endangered,PE=proposed endangered,T=threatened.
On March 23,2022,the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service(Service)published a proposal to reclassify NLEB
as endangered under the Act. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered the Service
to complete a new final listing determination for the NLEB by November 2022(Case 1:15-cv-00477,
March 1,2021). The bat,currently listed as threatened, faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of
white-nose syndrome(WNS),a deadly fungal disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent.
The proposed reclassification,if finalized,would remove the current 4(d)rule for the NLEB,as these
rules may be applied only to threatened species. Depending on the type of effects a project has on NLEB,
the change in the species' status may trigger the need to re-initiate consultation for any actions that are not
completed and for which the Federal action agency retains discretion once the new listing determination
becomes effective(anticipated to occur by December 30,2022). If your project may result in incidental
take of NLEB after the new listing goes into effect this will need to be addressed in an updated
consultation that includes an Incidental Take Statement. If your project may require re-initiation of
consultation,please contact our office for additional guidance.
On September 14,2022,the Service published a proposal in the Federal Register to list the tricolored bat
as endangered under the Act. The Service has up to 12 months from the date the proposal published to
make a final determination,either to list the tricolored bat under the Act or to withdraw the proposal. The
Service determined the bat faces extinction primarily due to the range-wide impacts of"S. Because
tricolored bat populations have been greatly reduced due to WNS, surviving bat populations are now
more vulnerable to other stressors such as human disturbance and habitat loss. Species proposed for
listing are not afforded protection under the Act; however,as soon as a listing becomes effective
(typically 30 days after publication of the final rule in the Federal Register),the prohibitions against
jeopardizing its continued existence and"take"will apply. Therefore, if you suspect your future or
existing project may affect tricolored bats after the potential new listing goes into effect,we recommend
analyzing possible effects of the project on tricolored bats and their habitat to determine whether
consultation under section 7 of the Act is necessary. Conferencing procedures can be followed prior to
listing to ensure the project does not jeopardize the existence of a species.Projects with an existing
section 7 biological opinion may require re-initiation of consultation to provide uninterrupted
authorization for covered activities. Please contact our office for additional guidance or assistance.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to provide these comments. Please contact Ms.Rebekah Reid of
our staff at [e-mail] if you have any questions.In any future correspondence concerning
this project,please reference our Log Number 4-2-22-720.
Sincerely,
-- 014ginal signed--
Janet Mizzi
Field Supervisor
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