Oates Property

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
IN REPLY REFER TO August 13, 1998
Regulatory Division
Action ID: 199811922
Mr. William D. Gilmore, P.E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Post Office Box 25201
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-5201
Dear Mr. Gilmore:
This correspondence confirms the July 8, 1998, meeting between Messrs. David Lekson
and Mike Bell of my staff and Mr. Tanner Holland of your staff regarding the North Carolina
Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) proposed mitigation bank located on an approximately
4,000 acre tract of land (formerly the Oates property), off of State Road 1100, adjacent to Long
Lake, northwest of Havelock, in Craven County, North Carolina. Also in attendance were
Messrs. Dickie Harmon, Kevin Markham and Jan Gay of Environmental Services, Incorporated.
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss this proposed mitigation bank and to inspect the
consultant's efforts to delineate the jurisdictional wetlandsAughground intersection that is
currently underway on the site.
It was readily apparent that your staff is moving forward with planning and development of
this bank. As Mr. Lekson discussed with Mr. Holland, the development of any mitigation bank
is a complex and time consuming process. However, there are many factors that greatly
complicate the development of this particular bank. Your predecessor, Mr. Frank Vick and Mr.
Roy Shelton in the Federal Highway Administration previously attended an interagency meeting
in New Bern, on September 4, 1996. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss agency
concerns with NCDOT regarding development of this particular mitigation bank. Very specific
and critical information was exchanged at this meeting.
I am concerned that NCDOT is moving forward with this project without the benefit of our
guidance and input. I strongly suggest that you contact Mr. Lekson to begin the mitigation bank
review process. Any delay in doing so may adversely effect your planned development and
utilization of this bank.
-2-
Thank you for your time and cooperation. Any questions regarding this matter may be
addressed to Mr. Lekson at the Washington Regulatory Field Office, Post Office Box 1000,
Washington, North Carolina 27889-1000, telephone [phone], extension 22.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Smith, P.W.S.
Assistant Chief, Regulatory Division
Copies Furnished:
Mr. Dickie Harmon
ESI
1100 Wake Forest Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Mrs. Kathy Matthews
Wetlands Section - Region IV
Water Management Division
United States Environmental
-Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Mr. John Dorney
Division of Water Quality
Carolina Department of Environment
atural Resources
N
rZnd
Wetlands and Aquatic Plants
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Mr. Mac Haupt
Division of Water Quality/WRP
Post Office Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
Mr. Kevin Moody
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
Mr. Ron Sechler
National Marine Fisheries, NOAA
Habitat Conservation Division
Pivers Island
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
Mr. William Wescott
North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission
146 Chesterfield Drive
Washington, North Carolina 27889
Ms. Kelly Beissel
Division of Coastal Management
North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Post Office Box 27687
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687