20210519_NCWRC_Comments

9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jason Parr
NCDEQ, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources, Land Quality Section
FROM: Andrea Leslie, Mountain Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: May 19, 2021
SUBJECT: Mining Permit Modification for Ararat Rock Products Company
Mount Airy Quarry, Surry County
MP 86-01
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed the
application to modify the permit for the Mount Airy Quarry in Surry County. Our comments on
this permit action are offered for your consideration under provisions of the Mining Act of 1971
(as amended, 1982; G.S. 74-46 through 74-68; 15 NCAC 5) and the North Carolina General
Statutes (G.S. 113-131 et. seq.).
The permit application proposes to expand the mined area by adding 205 acres to the permitted
area. An access road would be constructed along the perimeter of the proposed area, paralleling
almost 3 miles of the Ararat River. Sediment ponds would be constructed off this access road.
A 50-ft buffer would be maintained along the river, with the land abutting this buffer used for
erosion control; some sediment ponds would abut this 50-ft buffer.
In order to minimize impacts to the Ararat River, it is essential that sediment control practices
are adequate and maintained regularly in order to minimize sediment loss from the site to the
river. We recommend regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the sediment and erosion control
practices on site. We strongly recommend that a buffer of at least 100 ft be used to lessen
impacts to the Ararat River: a wider buffer is needed to retain bank stabilitv. shade on the river.
control of sediment, and a wildlife corridor for species that use riverine areas such as birds,
especially as almost 3 miles of the river will border the proposed area.
The seeding specifications include Tall Fescue and Sericea Lespedeza, both of which are highly
invasive and should be avoided. Annual Ryegrass is also non-native and may inhibit the growth
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

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Ararat River, Surry Co
of native species. NCWRC recommends an alternative mix of Red Clover, Creeping Red
Fescue, and a grain, such as Oats, Wheat, or Rye. We recommend adding native grasses and
wildflowers to benefit pollinators and other wildlife. Attached are additional seeding
recommendations for disturbed sites.
The only trees noted for planting are Long Leaf Pine and Loblolly Pine. Please note that Long
Leaf Pine is not native to the area, and we recommend replacing this species. We encourage
mine staff to plant a more diverse mix of trees and shrubs native to the region that will better
benefit wildlife. Please reach out to NCWRC for site -specific recommendations.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this permit action. Please contact me
at [phone] if you have any questions about these comments.
ec: James Crossingham, Ararat Rock Product Company
Tamera Eplin, NC Division of Energy, Mineral and Land Resources
Sue Homewood, NC Division of Water Resources
Seed Mixes for Revegetating Disturbed Sites
Basic Mix
Oats (Mar -Jun), Wheat (Jul -Nov), or Rye Grain Dec -Feb
1-2 ba s / ac
$ 5-10 ba
Red Clover Tri olium pratense
l0 lbs / acre
$ 3 / lb
Creeping Red Fescue Festuca rubra
20 lbs / acre
$ 2-3 / lb
-The Basic Mix can be sown on disturbed sites in the mountains and upper piedmont year round
but spring or fall seeding will result in a better stand. It is important to use all of the components
of the Basic Mix. The cover crop grain & legume provide rapid green -up while the creeping red
fescue is developing. These components can be obtained locally.
- Grains like oats, wheat, and rye may be sold by weight (pounds) or by volume (bushels).
To simplify things, this mix recommends 1 — 2 BAGS of grain rather than pounds or bushels.
With this mix, 1 bag or about 50 — 601bs per acre should be adequate for most sites, but where
slope or soil conditions warrant, increase grain amounts to 100 — 120 lbs (use 2 bags).
-The perennial grass will establish within the first year and is the key to good site stabilization.
Creeping red fescue has a wide range of adaptation when used for erosion control along roads
and highways; cuts, fills, and other disturbed areas; and for stream and channel bank
stabilization. It thrives in sun or shade, and is drought -resistant after establishment.
For permanent seeding of harsh dry sites, Hard Fescue Festuca
10 lbs / acre
$ 3 / lb
brevi ila (syn. track h lla can be added to the Basic Mix
Application Notes
- Disturbed sites with loose soils can usually be sown without extensive seedbed preparation if
seeded as soon as the other work is completed.

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- Where necessary, prepare seedbed with conventional farm equipment (tractor and disk), or the
soil surface can be bladed and then tracked with a bulldozer. Hydro -seeding can be used with the
Basic Mix for slopes where equipment access is difficult.
- Red fescue is adapted to sandy and acid soils so extensive soil amendments are usually not
needed. On poor and subsoil sites, a low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 may be required.
- If required, apply any necessary soil amendments, then drill or broadcast the seed mix.
- The larger cover crop grains can be sown separately first and covered lightly to prevent loss of
seed from wildlife such as turkeys and doves.
-The rest of the seed mix should then be sown, but not covered with soil. It is better to firm the
small seed into the soil than to try to cover it.
- Culti-pack conventional seedbeds to ensure good seed -to -soil contact. Tracked sites will fill in
on their own from rainfall.
- Apply straw mulch at a minimum of 15 bales per acre to help enhance soil moisture as well as
hold the soil in place until the seed germinates. Use higher rates as site conditions warrant.
- If the site calls for it, biodegradable natural fiber matting is recommended over plastic matting
or matting that contains strands of plastic that can entrap small animals.
- Monitor the site until the perennial grass component is fully established. Mature stands of the
Basic Mix are short-statured and will not require mowing. The seeded mix should persist for
many years, but will eventually yield to developing successional species in the seed bank.
Adding Native Species
- Some projects specify a preference for native plant species or actually require their use. Native
wildflowers and grasses can be added to the Basic Mix to beautify and diversify the site, and
provide food and cover for wildlife such as wild turkey, bobwhite quail, and songbirds.
- The following table contains native species that are easy, proven performers that have been
used successfully on stream restoration areas as well as dryer upland sites. The first four
wildflowers will come on well the first year; the three grasses may take two to three years to
develop good sized clumps.
- These seeds are reasonably priced as natives go and can be ordered from a reputable seed
dealer. Using all seven will provide maximum diversity as well as added site stabilization but
any additions will be beneficial. For sources, refer to Wildlife Seed List at
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Wildlife_ Species_ Con/WSC_WPM.htm .
- Mixes with native seed can be culti-packed or tracked in with a bulldozer; hydro -seeding is
apparently not recommended. Mixes with mainly wildflowers can be sown in early fall.
Note - when adding native Panicum grass seed, sow the mix in late fall, winter, or early spring to
subject the seed to cool, moist soil conditions necessary to break seed dormancy. Sowing during
the warmer months may delay Panicum germination until the following year, and some seed may
be lost in the interim.
- For information on each native species listed here, visit http://plants.usda.gov/; type in the
scientific name in the search box. Note - adding natives will increase the height of the resulting
stands, providing good wildlife habitat. Frequent mowing destroys food & cover and is not

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Ararat River, Surry Co
recommended. Mow once every few years, in late winter, only if absolutely necessary to remove
encroaching woody vegetation.
Nativespecies — add to Basic Mix at 1-21bs / acre
Black Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
$ 16 / lb
Showy Partridge Pea Chamaecrista Cassia asiculata
$ 14 / lb
Showy Bidens Bidens aristosa
$ 16 / lb
Lanced -leaved Coreo sis Coreo sis lanceolata
$ 14 / lb
Deertongue Dicanthelium Panicum clandestinum `Tio a'
$ 12 / lb
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum `Blackwell', `Cave -in -Rock',
`Kanlow'
$ 8/lb
Big Bluestem Andro 0 on gerardii
$ 10 / lb