19970616 Ver 1_More Info Received_19971031

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201
October 31, 1997
Mr. Mike Smith
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Post Office Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890
Dear Mr. Smith:
GARLAND B. GARRETT JP,
SECRETARY
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SUBJECT: Alleghany County, Proposed acquisition of the Thompson Tract
(Sparta Bog Mitigation Site), Natural Resources Evaluation. ?s a9
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has completed a natural resource evaluation of a
324 acre tract in Alleghany County owned by the Thompson family. This property contains the core of a
significant natural area identified as "Sparta Bog" by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program. The NCDOT has
considered acquiring this tract as a mitigation site for the US 421 project in Watauga County (TIP No. R-
529) and possibly other projects in the New River Basin. The NCDOT currently intends to purchase this
tract based on the results of the natural resource evaluation and positive feedback by various agencies. The
NCDOT will likely close on this property in November.
A copy of the Natural Resource Evaluation is attached for your information. Your agency is not
required to officially comment on this report, but it is expected that this assessment will provide a starting
point for the development of a stream and wetland mitigation plan on the property. The NCDOT is
preparing to retain a consultant to assist us in the development of this plan.
As mentioned earlier, the NCDOT currently proposes to use this site to provide mitigation for the
wetland impacts and some of the stream impacts of the US 421 project (TIP No. R-529). Please continue to
review that project for authorization under the Clean Water Act.
Xnle
Vic
k, PE, Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
cc: Mr. Bob Johnson, COE, Asheville
Mr. Steve Lund, COE, Asheville
Mr. John Dorsey, DWQ, DEHNR
Mr. Mark Cantrell, USFWS
Mr. David Cox, NCWRC
Mr. Joe Mickey, NCWRC
Mr. Micky Clemmons, NCWRC
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