20090266 Ver 6_NC WRC Comments_20190731

Staff Review
Does this application have all the attachments needed to accept it into the review process?
r Yes r No
ID#* Version* 6
20090266
Is this project a public transportation project?* r Yes
r No
Reviewer List:* Anthony Scarbraugh:eads\adscarbraugh1
Select Reviewing Office:* Washington Regional Office - [phone]
Submittal Type:*
Application Attachments
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Yes
r
No

Project Submittal Form
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mandatory questions are answered.
Project Type: r New Project
r Pre -Application Submittal
r More Information Response
r Other Agency Comments
r For the Record Only (Courtesy Copy)
r Stream or Buffer Appeal
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Is this supplemental information that needs to be sent to the Corps?*
r Yes r No
Project Contact Information
Name: Maria T Dunn
Who is subrritting the inforrration?
Email Address: [e-mail]
Project Information
Existing ID #: Existing Version:
20090266 6
20170001 (no dashes)
Project Name: GUC Raw water intake maintenance dredging 2019
Is this a public transportation project?
r Yes
r No
Is the project located within a NC DCM Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)?
r Yes r No r Unknown
County (ies)
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20090266 V6 GUC intake dredge_NCWRC^ pdf 812.74KB
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V By checking the box and signing box below, I certify that:
• I have given true, accurate, and complete information on this form;
• I agree that submission of this form is a "transaction" subject to Chapter 66, Article 40 of the NC General Statutes (the
"Uniform Electronic Transactions Act")
o I agree to conduct this transaction by electronic means pursuant to Chapter 66, Article 40 of the NC General Statutes
(the "Uniform Electronic Transactions Act');
• I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal effect and can be enforced in the same way as a written
signature; AND
o I intend to electronically sign and submit the online form."
Signature:
Submittal Date: Is filled in automatically.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission=1
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Anthony Scarbraugh
40I/Wetlands Unit, Division of Water Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
�;J_: (
FROM: Maria T. Dunn, Coastal Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Division
DATE: July 31, 2019
SUBJECT: Greenville Utilities Commission (GUC) Intake Dredge Proposal, Pitt County, North
Carolina.
20090266 V6
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed the notice with
regard to impacts of the project on fish and wildlife resources. The project site is in the vicinity of the
eight water intake structures within the Tar River located in front of the GUC Water Treatment Plant
(WTP). Our comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.) and the Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended, and
Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, as amended
The applicant proposes to remove accumulated sediments that have settled in front of the GUC WTP
intake structures. Sediment removal would be conducted either by mechanical or hydraulic dredge_ If
conducted via mechanical dredge, the material would be extracted via an excavator, loaded onto an off-
road dump truck, and transported to an upland spoil area. If conducted via hydraulic dredge, the spoils
would be dredged and piped to an upland area approximately 400' from the river. Water overflow would
be directed to the raw water pump station wetwell of the WTP_ The Tar River at this location is classified
WS -IV NSW by the Environmental Management Commission, is subject to the Tar -Pamlico buffer rules,
is designated a primary nursery area (PNA) by the NCWRC, and is designated critical habitat for Atlantic
sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NWS)
The NCWRC is familiar with the project area and previous renditions of maintenance for the facility. This
includes the Iowa Vanes installation, new intake installations via coffer dam, shoreline stabilization, and
regular sediment removal events. During these reviews, the NCWRC requested several measures to
minimize impacts to wildlife resources, including the following:
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

• Intake screens were required to minimize entrainment and impingement of anadromous eggs,
larvae, and juvenile fish that exhibit minimal to no self -propulsion. These species included but
were not limited to striped bass (Morone saxatillis) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis).
• A February 15 — September 30 in -water work moratorium was requested to protect important
anadromous species from elevated turbidity and noise levels during adult spawning and the egg,
larvae, and juvenile life stages of fish within the PNA waters.
• Freshwater mussel surveys were requested and conducted by the applicant prior to the 2009
coffer dam and new intake installations. During this survey three state listed species, Roanoke
Slabshell (Elliptio roanokensis), Eastern lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata), and Tidewater mucket
(Leptodea ochracea) were found_
The NCWRC does not object to the allowance of the maintenance events. However, the following items
should be recognized and included as permit conditions:
• Since the 2009 permit issuance, this area of the Tar River has been designated as critical habitat
for Atlantic sturgeon. To minimize impacts to this species as well as other PNA species, a
February 1— September 30 moratorium should be implemented. This is a two-week expansion
from previous years to account for the critical habitat designation of Atlantic sturgeon.
• In addition to the aforementioned designations, the project area is likely habitat for two species
currently under consideration to be placed on the Endangered Species list; the Carolina madtom
(Noturus furiosus) and N Buse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi). The February 1— September 30
moratorium would also serve to protect these species.
• The 300' by 40' dredge footprint is within a previously maintained area. Any expansion outside
this area or any future placement of species on the endangered species list may trigger need to
conduct mussel surveys prior to project implementation_ At this time the NCWRC is not
requesting a new survey.
• Opportunity should be given to resource agencies to allow the addition or removal of resource
protection measures as habitat conditions, species presence, species listings, and project changes
occur.
During several maintenance events, including 2018-2019, river conditions precluded the applicant from
finishing sediment removal outside the moratorium even with earnest attempts to comply_ Contact was
made with NCWRC by the contractor and operation details and schedules were provided_ Some
allowance was given to conduct work within the moratorium due to the operation plans, schedules, river
conditions, and yearly resource assessment. This communication should continue for all future
maintenance events. It is not guaranteed that allowance will be given, but it can be considered.
The NCWRC appreciates the opportunity to comment on this permit application_ If you have further
comments, questions, or concerns, please contact me at [phone].