20180901 Ver 1_NOAA letter_20180629

5/3/2018
Andy Herndon
Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon
Recovery Coordinator
Protected Resources Division
NOAA Fisheries - SERO
727-824-5367
Re: Atlantic sturgeon critical habitat, Project Number 00358-
0138, Buffalo Rd to the Wilson’s Mills WTP, Wilson’s
Mills, Johnston County, NC
Dear Mr. Herndon,
Johnston County’s water service districts own and operate water transmission and distribution facilities that currently serve
35,000 retail customers and 9 bulk customers. Due to significant residential growth and commercial and industrial
development, additional water transmission mains and booster pumping improvements are required. The water districts
have been awarded low interest loans for three separate projects from the NCDEQ – Division of Water Infrastructure for
construction of the improvements.
Project Number 00358-0138 pertains to a project area extending from the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Wilson’s Mills east
to Buffalo Road, crossing the Neuse River (Figure 1). EEE Consulting, Inc. (3e) has determined that this location crosses designated
critical habitat for the Atlantic sturgeon. The proposed installation method is to open cut the Neuse and use bank to mid-river coffer dams to
install the pipe below the bed of the river. Coffer dams will span no more than 50% of the channel so that migratory pathways will not be
blocked. We are aware that the Atlantic sturgeon may be potentially utilize the critical habitat in this part of the river and so
construction of the project may potentially impact the species. However, the work area will be returned to pre-construction
grade and all impacts would be temporary. This project will be done under a 404 Nationwide 12 permit (NWP).
Please contact me with any questions or comments at [e-mail] or [phone], ext. 225.
Thank you,
Ray Bode, PWS
Senior Environmental Scientist / Associate
EEE Consulting, Inc
enc: Jurisdictional Determination Request Form and Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination Form
8525 Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville, Virginia 23116 [phone] [phone] (fax)
201 Church Street, Suite C, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060 [phone] [phone] (fax)
Virginia Beach, Virginia Field Office [phone]
601 Cascade Pointe Lane, Suite 101, Cary, North Carolina 27513 (919) 650-2463
*Professional services in North Carolina are provided by EEE Consulting of NC, PC Lic. # C-3945
Projection: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet
FIG URE 1: TO POGR APHIC AL MAPPROJECT NO. 00358-0138; BUFFALO WD-2017-18 HYDRAULIC IMPROVEMENTS02,300 4,600
FeetJohnsotn County, North CarolinaSources: ESRI & USGS Selma Quad Map 1:24,000 ScalePrepared by TJK, March 20181:24,000
Project Area