20210603_NCWRC

NORTH CAROLINA WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION
Cameron Ingram, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Brenda M. Harris
Mining Program Secretary
Land Quality Section
FROM: Gabriela Garrison
Eastern Piedmont Coordinator
Habitat Conservation
DATE: June 3, 2021
SUBJECT: Mining Permit Application for Tara Group of Lumberton, Inc., Tara Group Mine, Bladen
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).
Tara Group of Lumberton, Inc. is requesting a new permit to mine sand. The proposed site is 42.8 acres;
32.3 acres of this area will be disturbed. This was a pre-existing permit (#09-16) that expired. The
applicant has indicated that erosion and sediment control measures will be installed around the site, to
include buffer zones, a perimeter silt fence with outlets, temporary diversions, earthen berms and three
temporary basins. The operation will discharge fresh or wastewater from the site; a temporary sediment
basin and two temporary skimmer basins with temporary diversions will be used to capture stormwater
runoff. Sediment will then be allowed to settle to the bottom of the basin 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 south of Tarheel Road, west of its
intersection with Red Oak Farm Road, southwest of Tar Heel.
Aerial maps and images indicate Big Swamp flows west of the project area; a tributary to Big Swamp
bisects the project 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.
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

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June 3, 2021
Tara Group Mine
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
activities, the proj ect should 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. In
particular, 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 euneata) 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. 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(ancwildlife.org.

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June 3, 2021
Tara Group 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.