20150759 Ver 1_Application Returned_20160714

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
July 14, 2016
Mr. Ray F. Ward
443 Old Watauga River Road
Sugar Grove, NC 28679
Subject: APPLICATION RETURN
Ward Mill Hydroelectric Project — P-9842-0006
Dear Mr. Ward:
i
Governor
DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
secreiary
S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
Director
DWR # 15-0759
Watauga County
On July 29, 2015, the Division of Water Resources (Division) received your application, which was
signed and dated on August 3, 2015, requesting an Individual Water Quality Certification from
the Division for the subject project.
On December 8, 2015, the Division requested a copy of a Finding of No Significant Impact or
Record of Decision resulting from the environmental analysis of the project. Based on our
telephone conversation on July 13, 2016, the environmental analysis may not be completed
within the one-year timeframe for processing the 401 application. Therefore, by copy of this
letter, we are returning your application for 401 Certification. We understand that you intend to
re -apply for the 401 Certification. Publication of the draft environmental assessment will be
sufficient for the Division to continue processing your application. In order to conserve
resources, we will retain the existing file materials so that an additional application fee is not
necessary. Upon receipt of your letter of re-application, if any additional materials are provided,
they will be attached to the existing file on record for this project.
Please be aware that you have no authorization under the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act
for this activity and any work done within waters of the state may be a violation of North
Carolina General Statutes and Administrative Code.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919 8076300

Mr. Ray F. Ward
DWR# 15-0759
Request for Additional Information
Page 2 of 2
Please contact me at 919-807-6360 or [e-mail] or Jennifer Burdette at 919-
807-6364 or [e-mail] if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Karen Higgins, Supervisor..
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
KAH/jab
cc: Andrew C. Givens, Cardinal Energy Services, Inc., 620 N West St., Raleigh, NC 27603
Todd Bowers, USEPA, Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center, 61 Forsyth St. SW, Atlanta,
GA 30303-8960
Kimberly D. Bose, FERC, 888 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20426
DWR WSRO 401 file
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch file
Filename: 150759WardMill Hydro_401_IC_Return.docx