20091242 Ver 1_Emails_20090226

Mcmillan, Ian
From: Lewis, Ron [[e-mail]]
Sent: Friday, February 26, 2010 11:18 AM
To: Williams, Andrew E SAW
Cc: Mcmillan, Ian; Mark Bowers; Bryant, Shari L.; Goudreau, Chris J.; Tarver, Fred; Vinzani, Gil;
Manuele, Jean B SAW; Covington, Joette; Cunningham, Marv W; Vaughan, Gene E
Subject: Dan River proposed permanent pumping system to maintain the lake level of Belews Lake for
BCSS operation
Thanks to all for your input and suggestions concerning Duke Energy's proposed permanent pumping system during our
meeting yesterday. An additional item to add to the meeting summary below is the need for approval to again operate
the temporary pumping system between December 2010 through March 2011 if needed, since final installation of the
permanent system is now projected to be after March 2011. As discussed at our meeting, I will follow-up with Gil
Vinzani with this request. Again thanks for your input and assistance. If any additional questions, please give me a call.
Ron Lewis
Duke Energy
Mail Code: EC13K
526 S. Church Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Office 980-373-5710
Mobile [phone]
From: Williams, Andrew E SAW [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 6:18 PM
To: Lewis, Ron
Cc: Mcmillan, Ian; Mark Bowers; Bryant, Shari L.; [e-mail]; Tarver, Fred; [e-mail];
Manuele, Jean B SAW
Subject:
Mr. Lewis,
On February 25, 2010, a meeting was held with
Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NC
Environment and Natural Resources, Duke Energy
in attendance:
representatives from The U.S. Army Corps of
Wildlife Resource Commission, NC Department of
and Dewberry. The following individuals were
1. Andrew Williams USACE
2. Scott Ehrhardt Dewberry
3. Ron Lewis Duke Energy
4. Gene Vaughan Duke Energy
5. Doug Holmes Dewberry
6. Fred Tarver NCDENR
7. Ian McMillan NCDENR
8. Joette Covington Duke Energy
9. Shari Bryant NCWRC
10.Mark Bowers USFWS
11.Chris Goudreau NCWRC
12.Marv Cunningham Duke Energy
The purpose of the meeting was to review hydrological data from the USGS Pine Hall and
Francisco gages and discuss the models used to determine water withdrawal scenarios for the
proposed Belews Creek Steam Station Permanent Pumping Station proposed project (USACE Action
ID SAW-2009-01801). Additionally, the purpose was to discuss a proposed pumping scenario
requested by NCWRC, and agreed to by Duke Energy.
After a review of the hydrological data, all at the meeting agreed that the following
operational procedures for the proposed intake structures would be acceptable:
1. No pumping from 1 April to 30 June to minimize impingement/entrainment of eggs and
larval fish.
2. By-pass at least 80% of ambient flow as recorded at the Pine Hall USGS gage (i.e.
withdraw no more than 20% of the flow).
3. A minimum flow of no less than 110 cfs as recorded at the Pine Hall USGS gage, even if
the 80% flow-by requirement is satisfied.
Also, all agreed that pumping water into Belews Lake would be acceptable, even if lake levels
were above 722.5 feet, and that more frequent pumping would occur under this scenario than
previous pumping scenarios proposed by Duke Energy.
Mark Bowers, USFWS agreed that if the three (3) operation procedures listed above were
included as special conditions to a Nationwide Permit verification for this project, then the
USFWS could concur that the project is not likely to adversely affect the federally listed
James Spineymussel (Pleurobema collina) and the Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex), or their
designated critical habitat. Representatives from NCWRC agreed.
Additionally, we discussed that the installation of the intake velocity caps may require the
applicant to utilize blasting techniques for installation. Representatives with Duke Energy
stated that in order to install the intake velocity caps, coffer dams would be placed so that
all work would occur "in the dry", regardless of whether blasting would occur, or if the
velocity cap intakes were installed via mechanical methods. Also, representatives with Duke
stated that the area would be surveyed for endangered species, immediately before
installation of the cofferdams. Shari Bryant, NCWRC stated that there may be a range of
dates that NCWRC would not want work, especially blasting, to occur, as protection for
various aquatic species, including the endangered species listed above. She stated she would
consult with a co-worker and provide the range of dates. Via follow-up email notification on
February 25, 2010, Ms. Bryant recommended an in-water construction moratorium from April 1 to
June 30.
As a result, the following special conditions will be placed on a Nationwide permit
verification:
4. No work will occur from April 1 to June 30.
5. A survey of endangered species must occur prior to placement of the temporary
cofferdams (the special condition in the permit will be specific in terms of "no more
than XXX days prior to placement).
Mark Bowers, USFWS agreed that if these two (2) construction procedures were included as
special conditions to a Nationwide Permit verification for this project, then the USFWS could
concur that the project is not likely to adversely affect the federally listed James
Spineymussel (Pleurobema collina) and the Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex), or their designated
critical habitat, although he did state he needed to check with other co-workers to confirm.
Andrew Williams, USACE, also informed the representatives from Duke Energy that a special
condition would be placed on a Nationwide Permit verification that would require Duke Energy
to post signs indicating that velocity cap intake structures are present, in order to alert
any boating traffic.
Finally, Ian McMillan, NCDENR, stated that the Section 401 Water Quality Certification would
be modified to include the special conditions listed above.
2
For all those in attendance of the February 25, 20010 meeting, please contact me if I have
omitted any information that you consider critical to a permit decision or if I have
incorrectly summarized the information above.
Also, Ron if you would please forward this to Scott, Gene, Doug, 7oette and Marv, I would
appreciate it greatly. I did not get e-mail addresses from them during the meetings.
Andrew Williams
Regulatory Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District, Raleigh Field Office
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
919-554-4884 ext. 26
We would appreciate your feedback on how we are performing our duties. Our automated
Customer Service Survey is located at: http://per2.nwp.usace.army.mil/survey.html
Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and complete the survey.
3