HomeMy WebLinkAboutBrown Tract (2)aFy
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William G. Ross Jr ;.Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
March 31 , 2003
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Jeff Brown
Alan W.Klimek, P E Director
Division of Water Quality
2728,Shoeheel Rd
Selma, North Carolina 27576
Subject: Notice,of Violation '
-And Enforcement Action Recommendation
Wetland Standard and Riparian Buffer
NBRRO 03 -024
Brown Tract
Johnson,County
Dear,Mr. Brown:
On November 22, 2002, Debbie Edwards of the Raleigh Regional Office (RRO) and Danny Smith of the
Central Office of the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) conducted a site visit of the subject tract located just west of
the Little River and.between SR 2127 andSR 2128.
During the site visit the investigators took photographs, measurements, and made observations of impacts
associated with grading, grubbing, and clearing of approximately 900 linear feet of stream -side (riparian) buffer
zone ,along Long, Branch, a tributary of the Little River. Additionally; significant; amounts of grading and
mechanical land disturbances in,adjacent wetlands'was also observed.
The stream -side area adjacent to Long Branch was severely impacted by removal of vegetation and
grading /filling of wetlands,. Also, diffuse flow -through the •,stream -side buffer zone, a requirement of the Neuse
Buffer Rules, had'failed to be maintained. Therefore,. the subject site inspections revealed violations and/or merit
additional information ,requests for the following items: 4) Neuse Riparian, Buffer, zone violations and 2) wetland
standard violations.
Violation 1: Riparian Buffer Rule
The Neuse River Basin is a basin that is subject to riparian (streamside) buffer rules. The purpose of this
rule 'is .to protect, and preserve riparian buffers in the Neuse River 'Basm: That is, this rule helps to maintain the
nutrient removal functions of the strearnside areas necessary 'to protect surface Waters. Specifically; this Rule
applies to the, 50 -foot wide riparian: buffers directly adjacent to surface waters (intermittent, streams, perennial
streams, lakes, ponds, and estuaries). Further, the protected riparian buffer has two zones as follows. Zone I;
[measured from - stream bank landward. for 30 feet] shall-consist of a vegetated area, that is'undisturbed except for
uses provided' foam Subparagraph (6) of I 5 NCAC 2B '0233, and Zone II; [the outer 20 feet, landward "from the
outer 30 foot edge of zone I] shall consist, of a stable, vegetated area that is undisturbed except for activities and uses
provided for in Subparagraphs (4) and (6) of 15A.NCAC 2B .0233
The site -visit and file review.of this tracfconfirmedFpo Pre - Construction Notification was received for this
project and riparian buffer impacts associated with clearing of vegetation, gradmg and grubbing were not authorized
by DWQ. Specifically, no request, or a DWQ practical alternative determination, variance or authorization had
been issued ,for,,!bese impacts to the riparian zone. As;,a result, the following pp@Lrian buffer rule violations are
noted, MKV
Raleigh Regional Office 1628 Mad ,Service Center phone (919) 571 -4700 Customer Service �`.C7EP9�t
Water,Quality Section Raleigh, NC,,27,699 -1628 facsimile (919).571 -4,718 1- 800 - 623 -7748
JG11 ,D10w11
03/31/03
Neuse River Buffer Rule 15A NCAC 2B .0233
Deposition of fill, grading, grubbing' and the respective clearing of vegetation has occurred in the riparian
zone„ a violation of the requirement that Zone I and. Zone II consist of stable; vegetated area that is
undisturbed except for activities and uses provided for in Item (6) of the Rule. Further, notification was not
provided to DWQ prior to these riparian zone impacts and no Variance or Practical Alternative Request
was received prior to the Riparian Zone impacts.
Violation 2: Wetland Standard Violation
Wetland, impacts correspond,to the,deposition of earthen fill that occurred,due,to the grading and grubbing
of wetlands That are located adjacent to Long Branch. This activity, without the proper authorizations /perrmts,
constitutes a wetland standard violation.
Wetland Standards 15A NCAC 2B .0231(hM
"Liquids, fill, or other solids or dissolved gases may -not be present in amounts which may cause adverse
impacts on existing wetland uses;"
This Office requests that,you respond to th'is'letter in writing within,20 days of receipt of tlus Notice. Your
response should be sent to both, this office at, the letterhead address and to the attention of Mr: Danny Smith at' the
Wetlands /401 Unit, 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh NC, 27604 -2260. Your response should address the following
items:
1. Please provide a restoration plan detailing how material will be.removed from the Neuse Buffer Zone, wetlands,
and to areas near the stream and wetlands necessary to prevent additional impacts to waters. As a part of this
plan, you should provide an account.of the site that indicates the length of streamside area and the amount of fill
that:is necessary to'be removed from wetlands. This information should depicted on a -map you provide This
,map, should. also indicate the wetlands and riparian,buffer zone,location.
2. Your restoration plan should clearly depict how diffuse flow will be maintained. Also, materials lobe removed
should be placed in uplands outside of the riparian zone and floodplam. (Note: you will need to contact the
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) to determine if, a 404 Permit is necessary for the wetland
restoration activity).
3 Please .indicate in your response a schedule with dates detailing when streamside area and wetlands will be
restored. (Note: DO NOT begin any restoration until your plan has been reviewed and' approved by DWQ )
4. With respect to your restoration plan;the following components will mmimally, be required to be included and
respectively-implemented:
o The plan must clearly indicate that, appropriate compliance with USACOE (919) 876 -8441 and the Division
of Land Resources (919) 571 -4700 is being addressed during the_restoration planning.
Riparian Zone — A planting plan must be•developed such that, at least two native tree species be planted at
a density sufficient to provide 320 trees per acre at maturity. This density can be achieved by planting
approximately 436 (10x10 feet spacing) to 681 (8x8 feet spacing) trees per acre. Your plan.must include
the types of native woody vegetation selected, methodology of planting, and site map indicating the
location of the plantings how you. plan to stabilize disturbed streamside areas. (It is required that you
secure- written,approval prior to removing any riparian buffer,vegetation.in your restoration efforts.)
jen mown
03/31 /03
:/
For the wetland areas a iestoration'plan is also required. Asa,part of this -plan, please indicate areas where
earthen fill has been place or graded into wetlands. A respective restoration plan that includes spoil
removal and planting for the4nipacted areas is required. Also, a satisfactory wetland restoration requires the
repianting of At least 2 liardwood wetland species and maintaining a stem density/survivorship of at least
320 trees per acre at the_ end 5' years. Also this'plan will require a herbaceous wetland seed mix for all
wetlands that are disturbed.
• These,plans must be,subinrtted to the letterhead address, approved by this office.
e As a component of these, plans, annual monitoring (for -three years) and the submission of report by June 1
of each year to RRO will also be- required.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. This Office- is considermg sending a ,recommendation for
enforcement to the Director of the Division of Water Quality regarding these issues and any future /conturued
violations that may be encountered. Also, your above - mentioned' response to this correspondence will'be considered
in this process. Further, this office requires that violations, as detailed above,'be abated immediately. It should also
be noted, these violations and any future violations are subject to civil penalty assessment of'up to $25,000.00 per
day for each violation. Should you.,have any questions regarding these matters, please contact Danny Snuth at (919)
733 -9716 or myself at (9 19) 571=4700.
Sincere'
Ken Schuster
Water Quality Regional Supervisor
cc: - DWQ Non - Discharge Compliance- Linda Forehand
RRO -File Copy
Wetlands /401 Unit — Danny Smith
US Army Corps of Engineers — Raleigh Field Office'— John Thomas
Division of Land Resources — RRO,
May 3, 2003
Dear Ms. Edwards,
Please find attached a copy of a letter I sent to Danny Smith regarding the
issues we have discussed on the telephone a few weeks ago. As well, I sent him a few
pictures of the areas in question.
Attached you will find a letter of reference from my neighbor, David Barnes.
Please be in touch as I hope to get this matter resolved.
Sincerely,
9kle� W, zo,
Jeffery H. Brown
(919) 965 -6564
(919) 880 -9139
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May 3, 2003
Mr. Danny Smith
Wetlands /401 Unit
2321 Crabtree Blvd.
0
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 -2260 �o
Re: Notice of Violation and Enforcement Action Recommendation
Wetland Standard and Riparian Buffer
NBRRO 03 -024
Brown Tract
Johnston County
Dear Mr. Smith:
As a citizen of Johnston County and as a land owner that joins Little River and Long
Branch, I have taken the responsibility of keeping the streams and rivers clear of debris. I've
lived on the Little River for over 35 years and take pride in keeping the waters as clean as
possible within limits. As you are well aware, we lost many trees during Hurricane Fran. The
stretch of Long Branch that is in question was filled with underbrush and dead trees caused from
the storm. As well, there were many smaller trees that were destroyed by beavers. I apologize if
I have offended any regulations, I was unaware that any were being violated. I simply felt it my
duty to clean up following the hurricane as so many other citizens felt it their duty to do. It was
also my intention to fence in part of my property for livestock in that area.
Since the Fall of 2002, which was when I cleaned the area, I have seeded all of the
riparian buffer. It was planted in fescue and all areas are stabilized. Regarding the concerns
with grading or filling in the riparian buffer, none was done . The water flow on the land itself
is the same as it has always been. I feel that the branch has been improved environmentally with
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my'assistance. However,'if you feel that I need to fiurther�,improve the area, I will„be more than
willing to ado so.
Adjacent, to Long, Branch, on higher ground, I have dug out,red clay that has been used in
other ,areas, of my'Family Farm. I also 'have an area that I'have put stumps and brush'that one
corner could be in the edge of the wetlands: Again,) apologize if it is in violation of any
regulations and will ,be more than happy to move 'the stumps to higher ground. As well, if you
feel that, I need to plant any trees,in this area or the riparian buffer, I am. Willing to do this: if
necessary,. -
Enclosed you will.find pictures of these areas. Please, notice with pictures 1 -3 where
beavers have already started cutting ,the trees and damning up the brandh., ,Pictures 4-8-are areas
along the riparian buffer. Please notice that this area is in full vegetation. Picture, 9 is my barpit:
This is over, 1,00 feet from the ,branch.
Iflpossibl`e, I would like to meet with you and Debbie Edwards, regarding this matter, at
your earliest convenience. It is my'understanding that.you both have been out to this site. Please
call me so that we can set up a time that is convenient for you. I °would very much like to discuss
this with you in person and get this matter resolved as soon as'- ossible.
Sincerely,,
Jeffery H. Brown
(919) 965 -6564
(919) 880 -9139
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.Spring House Builders
bavid,U. Barnes -'Builder •,281a'Shoeheel ".Rd_ -'Kent' ; ;N_ C' 27542• Telephone, (919)!284-490
To Whom it may coricern,
I am,Je`ff_ Brown's neighbor-. I have known'him for over 20 years. Iwihavtimej have.
known him as, the only- individual' in our community who has d"e_monst_rated' acts of
volunteerism concerning our river .,,hen.I moved herein 1982 I
had no'.notibii,of environmental, stewardship,i whatsoever. it was, Jeff'f3fown and' his
- Father's,concerwtowards ikeeping the, river *clean that.caused me to first become aware of
my own responsibility Over the years, !he- Y4 have removed,everythingfrom -car tires -to
washing machines 'irom'Little,Riven.
In'2001-I° was inducted4rito the Forest Services Forest Stewardship, program. In'2002 I,
was named TreeFarmer of the Year 'b_.y Johnston County,Soil and Water °Conservation
District This' winter`2003; iny,family •planfed 1000 hardwoods along'L'ittle'Rive_r, as a
riparian buffet, part of 'the C.R.FP.'[Conservation reserve enhancement,prograni']
I zm,also, a- certified Environmental Educator and member of the Ass. of Environmental
Educators of N. C. Last'yearwhen I became a,member oftl a '-Stream: Watch,Program't
was Jeff Brown who volunteered to be listed, as secondary contact person to,the Stream
Watch Coordinator. Jeff -and I haveiad'' ted the stretch;of Little River,,fiom the Shoeheel,
Road bridge•to the junction of Little River. and Long,Branch.
I am aware-of the, negotiations you are having with. Mr 'Brown"concerning the eripar an,
zone I'feel con`fident'that •lie will ,remedy the situation 'in -any manner you consider
appropriate, Please feet freer'to contad%men if I' can be any assistance, in this matter.
YoursTful
Payid -J ; Barnes; May 6,,2003
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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
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S,w tchboard.White Pages. =4M6re Info wysiwyg:// 81% http:_/ switchboard.co._,hiia &S= NC&FIJN MORE &MEM =1 &TYPE =1008
Jeffery H Brown
2728 Shoeheel Rd
,SWma, N,C' 27, 576 =8569,
(91,9,)965 -6564
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