20211116_NCWRC

NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Adam Parr
Assistant State Mining Engineer
NC DEQ, DEMLR
FROM: Gabriela Garrison
Eastern Piedmont Coordinator
Habitat Conservation
DATE: November 16, 2021
SUBJECT: Mining Permit Application for Rufus Young Construction, Inc., Whitehall Road Mine,
Columbus County, North Carolina.
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
permit application. Comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Mining Act of 1971 (as
amended, 1982)(G.S. 74-46 through 74-68 15 NCAC 5).
Rufus Young Construction, Inc. is requesting a new permit to mine sand. The proposed site is 25 acres;
23 acres will be disturbed. The applicant has indicated the following erosion and sediment control
measures will be installed: temporary sediment fence, gravel construction entrance/exit; berm;
appropriate seeding/mulching; and a rip rap apron at the de -watering basin outlet. The operation will not
discharge fresh or wastewater from the site. The reclamation plan includes re -vegetating disturbed areas
in accordance with permanent seeding specifications. The excavated site will be reclaimed as a pond.
The proposed project is located at 7126 Chauncey Town Road, north of Lake Waccamaw.
Aerial maps and images indicate Spring Branch flows east of the project area; in addition, there may be
wetlands in the southeastern portion of the proposed site. If the permit is issued, the NCWRC offers the
following recommendations to minimize impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife resources:
1. A minimum 100-foot undisturbed native, forested buffer along perennial streams and a minimum
50-foot undisturbed native, forested buffer along intermittent streams and wetlands should be
maintained between any mining, construction, or land -disturbing activities. Maintaining
undisturbed, forested buffers along these areas will reduce impacts to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife
resources, water quality and aquatic habitat both within and downstream of the site. In addition,
these buffers will provide a travel corridor for wildlife species. Grassed buffers, particularly fescue,
do not provide the necessary and highly valuable functions that forested buffers provide. Sediment
and erosion control structures should be located outside of the buffers.
2. Any wetlands and streams within the site boundaries should be identified through on -site surveys
prior to any land -disturbing activities. If wetlands and/or streams will be impacted by mining
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

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November 16, 2021
Whitehall Road Mine
activities, the project must be coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the N.C.
Division of Water Resources.
3. Water discharges should be proportional to the size of the receiving stream, and all discharges
should comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements.
Turbidity of the discharge should be maintained at or below the permit requirement. High water
discharge rates and turbidity can negatively impact aquatic resources within and downstream of the
project area. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have numerous detrimental effects on aquatic
resources including destruction of spawning habitat, suffocation of eggs and clogging of gills of
aquatic species.
4. Consider using seed mixtures that are beneficial to wildlife (e.g., native warm season grasses) in the
reclamation plan — see attached Table. The NCWRC strongly recommends against the use of
Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) as a stabilizing groundcover. This is an egregious and
invasive, non-native species that is very hard to eradicate. An exact seeding mixture should account
for soil types, moisture, pH, and degree of slope of areas to be stabilized. Relatively shallow
sediment basins can be reclaimed as wetlands where practicable. Free technical assistance from
NCWRC biologists is available for ideas on establishing vegetation or incorporating other measures
that are beneficial for wildlife.
5. Only native fish species should be stocked in reclamation ponds. A stocking permit may be
required to stock any species of fish, mollusks, or crustaceans. Applications for a stocking permit
are available at http://www.ncwildlife.org. There is no fee associated with the permit application
process. Please contact Kyle Rachels, District Fisheries Biologist, at [phone] or
kyle.rachels(a_),ncwildlife.org for additional information regarding fish stocking and the need for a
stocking permit.
6. Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to any land -clearing, construction,
or disturbance. The use of biodegradable and wildlife -friendly sediment and erosion control devices
is strongly recommended. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose -weave
netting that is made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and
horizontal twines. Silt fencing and similar products that have been reinforced with plastic or metal
mesh should be avoided as they impede the movement of terrestrial wildlife species.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this permit application. If I can be of further assistance,
please call [phone] or email gabriela.garrison(a,ncwildlife.org.

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November 16, 2021
Whitehall Road Mine
Suggested Wildlife -friendly Mining Reclamation Mix
lb/ac
cost/lb
Proso or Brown Top Millet
30
0.88
$26.40
Austrian Winter Pea or Iron Clay*
10
1.1
$11.00
Buckwheat
40
0.88
$35.20
Durana Clover
5
8.33
$41.65
Black-eyed Susan
1
22
$22.00
Purpletop
5
22
$110.00
Beaked Panicgrass
4
19.8
$79.20
Wild Rye*
5
6.6
$33.00
Carthage Switch Grass
4
6.6
$26.40
Partridge Pea
3
6.6
$19.80
Ragweed
1
13.33
$13.33
Sum $417.98
Prices from Adams Briscoe or Ernst
Ernst Mix NC Steep Slope Mix $993.60 plus cover crop
Other mixes run 700 to $800 without cover.
* During cool season use Austrian Winter Peas and increase Wild Rye to 20 lbs.