19981257 Ver 1_Mitigation Site Visit_20091026

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
10/26/2009
Mr. Steve Bush and Mr. Bobby Deal
Duke Energy Corporation
P.O. Box 1090
Charlotte, NC 28201
DWQ # 19981257
Macon County
Subject Property: Stream and Wetland Mitigation for Dowdle Mountain
Re: Site visit for EPA Program Development Grant - Review of mitigation projects by DWQ
Dear Mr. Bush and Mr. Deal:
As part of a Wetland Program Development Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit is conducting a
statewide evaluation of compensatory stream and wetland mitigation success. Tammy Hill and Eric Kulz
from this Unit conducted a site visit at the above-referenced mitigation project on July 16, 2009. Our
comments are as follows:
The project appeared to have been constructed according to the approved mitigation plan and to be
performing the expected ecological functions. The enhanced riparian buffers contained outstanding
diversity and density of appropriate tree species with very few invasive plants. The restored streams
supported macroinvertebrate insects from multiple taxonomic groups. Wetland restoration success varied
across the targeted area, with wetland hydrology, hydric soil indicators, and characteristic vegetation
present in depressions throughout the wetland-upland matrix adjacent to the northern tributary. Although
the entire area was not a wetland, it contained at least the required 0.29 acres of wetland mitigation. The
401 Certification requirement for long-term protection of the mitigation parcel was being met as a
protected parcel held by the Little Tennessee Land Trust. The area was open to passive public use
(fishing, hiking, etc.) but no degradation of the mitigation areas was observed.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation with our evaluation and your continued stewardship of this
mitigation project. Please contact Tammy Hill or Eric Kulz at [phone] if you have any questions
regarding our comments or the mitigation review project.
Sincerely,
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Cyndi B. Karoly, Program Manager
401 Oversight and Express Review Program
cc: File Copy (Tammy Hill)
Kevin Barnett, Division of Water Quality, Asheville Regional Office
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncweVands/
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