19941083 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_19941128

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources A74*
Division of Environmental Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor p E H N F1
Jonathan B, Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
November 28, 1994
Mecklenburg County
DEM Project # 941083
APPROVAL of 401 Water Quality Certification
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department
Benjamin B. Russell
5100 Brookshire Boulevard
Charlotte, N.C. 28216
Dear Mr. Russell:
You have our approval to place fill material in wetlands or waters for the purpose of a
transmission main at the North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant, as you described in your
application dated 21 November 1994. After reviewing your application, we have decided that this fill
is covered by General Water Quality Certification Number 2664. This certification allows you to use
Nationwide Permit Number 12 when it is issued by the Corps of Engineers.
This approval is only valid for the purpose and design that you described in your application. If
you change your project, you must notify us and you may be required to send us a new application.
For this approval to be valid, you must follow the conditions listed in the attached certification. In
addition, you should get any other federal, state or local permits before you go ahead with your
project.
If you do not accept any of the conditions of this certification, you may ask for an adjudicatory
hearing. You must act within 30 days of the date that you receive this letter. To ask for a hearing,
send a written petition which conforms to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the
Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 27447, Raleigh, N.C. 27611-7447. This certification and
its conditions are final and binding unless you ask for a hearing.
This letter completes the review of the Division of Environmental Management under Section 401
of the Clean Water Act. If you have any questions, please telephone John Domey at 919-733-1786.
PestoSine,
n Howard, J . E.
Attachment
cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers
Corps of Engineers Asheville Field Office
Mooresville DEM Regional Office
Mr. John Domey
Central Files
Gary Talmage; Black & Veatch
941083.1tr
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
BLACK & VEATCH
401 ISS E®
8604 Clill Cameron Drive, Suite 164, Charlotte, North Carolina 28269, [phone], Fax [phone]
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department B&V Project 19729.291
North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant B&V File A
Contract No. 3--Finished Water Transmission Main November 21, 1994
Mr. John Dorney
Division of Environmental Management
North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
P. 0. Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
Dear Mr. Dorney:
On behalf of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department, we have
enclosed seven copies of the joint application form for Nationwide
Permit #12 (Utility Line Backfill and Bedding) and 401 General
Certification Concurrence for a 54-inch finished water transmission main
for the proposed North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant. The
transmission main crosses McDowell Creek and an unnamed tributary to
McDowell Creek.
This project will be advertised for bids on November 19, 1994.
If you have any questions regarding the application or need additional
information, please contact Ms. Jennifer Boe or me.
Very truly yours,
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Enclosures
BLACK & VEATCH
?Y&_f ow'>?
Brent M. Reuss 6
cc: Tom Vandeventer, CMUD (w/enclosures)
Gary Talmage, B&V
Steve Lund, Corps of Engineers, Asheville, NC (w/enclosures)
Wilmington District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, Wilmington, NC
(w/enclosures)
r DEM ID:
401 ISSUEPTION ID:
JOINT APPLICATION FORM FOR
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE NOTIFICATION TO THE DISTRICT ENGINEER
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION CONCURRENCE
NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE INDIVIDUAL SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION
WILMINGTON DISTRICT ENGINEER
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NC 28402-1890
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E
Telephone [phone]
WATER QUALITY PLANNING
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENZ_-..-..---=-
NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT-; E-4T1i,,
AND NATURAL RESOURCES'.'
P.O. BOX 29535
RALEIGH, NC 27626-0535 '3
ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone [phone]
ONE (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CORPS OF
ENGINEERS. SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. PLEASE PRINT.
OWNERS NAME: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilitv Department
OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE: BENJAMIN B. RUSSELL
OWNERS ADDRESS: 5100 Brookshire Boulevard
Charlotte. NC 28216
OWNERS PHONE NUMBER (HOME): - - - - (WORK) : [phone]
4. IF A°PLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE OFFICIAL, ADDRESS,
PHONE NUMBER,: Gary Talmage, Project Manager
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte, NC 28269
LOCATION OF PLANNED WORK (ATTACH MAP).
COUNTY: - Mecklenburg
NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Huntersville, NC
SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE ROAD NUMBERS, LANDMARKS, ETC.):
Eastern side of North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant site,
$abee..St.i we Farm Road, Huntersville, NC .28078.
6. NAME OF CLOSEST STREAM/RIVER: McDowell Creek and unnamed tributar
7. RIVER BASIN: 'Catawba River Basin
8. IS THIS PROJECT LOCATED IN A WATERSHED CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, SA, HQW, ORW,
WS I, OR WS II? YES [ ] NO [X ]
9. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED 'FOR USE ON THIS
PROPERTY? YES [ ] NO [X ]
IF YES, EXPLAIN..
1C'. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLANDS LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE:
-0-

-2-
11. NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLAND IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT:
FILLED: -0-
DRAINED: -0-
FLOODED: -0-
EXCAVATED: -0-
TOTAL IMPACTED: -0-
12. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK (ATTACH PLANS): Construction of one 54-inch
finished water transmission main at stream and creek crossings with
appropriate sediment control measures in place.
1;. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED WORK: To bury proposed 54-inch finished water transmission
main and return stream and creek to preconstruction flow conditions.
14. STATE REASONS WHY THE APPLICANT BELIEVES THAT THIS ACTIVITY MUST BE
CARRIED OUT IN WETLANDS. ALSO, NOTE MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMIZE WETLAND
IMPACTS. N/A
YOU ARE REQUIRED TC CONTACT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
(USFWS) AND/OR NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) REGARDING THE PRESENCE
OR ANY FEDERALLY LISTED OR PROPOSED FOR LISTING ENDANGERED OR THREATENED
SPECIES OR CRITICAL HABITAT IN THE PERMIT AREA THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE
PROPOSED PROJECT. HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES ] NO [ j
RESPONSES FROM THE USFWS AND/OR NMFS SHOULD BE ATTACHED.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER
(SHPO) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE PERMIT AREA WHICH
MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT?
HAVE YOU DONE SO? YES [X J NO
RESPONSE FROM THE SHPO SHOULD BE ATTACHED.
17. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY DEM:
A. WETLAND DELINEATION MAP SHOWING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, AND LAKES ON
THE PROPERTY.
B. IF AVAILABLE, REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF WETLANDS TO BE IMPACTED BY
PROJECT.
C. IF DELINEATION WAS PERFORMED BY A CONSULTANT, INCLUDE ALL DATA SHEETS
RELEVANT TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE DELINEATION LINE.
D. IF A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN IS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT, ATTACH
COPY.
E. WHAT IS LAND USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTY? Residential/Agricultural
F. IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IS PROPOSED METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL?
N/A
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BLACK & VEAICH
October 15, 1993 401 ISSUED
Charlotte, North Carolina 28269
Dear Mr. Talmage:
Subject: Proposed construction of a new water treatment plant off
Babe Stillwell Road, north of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County,
North Carolina
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
330 Ridgefield Court
Asheville, North Carolina 28806
Mr. Gary R. Talmage
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive
Suite 164
In your letter of September 2, 1993, to Ms. L.K. Mike Gantt of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) Raleigh Field Office, you
requested our review and comments on the subject project. The Service's
Asheville Field Office is responsible for Section 404 Clean Water Act
permit reviews in the western part of the State, including Mecklenburg
County. The Raleigh Field Office has project review jurisdiction for all
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FERC
( ) projects in North Carolina.
Thus, the following comments are provided by both the Asheville and the
Raleigh Field Offices in accordance with the provisions of_the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 661-667e), and Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543)
(Act).
According to the information provided in your letter, this project will
involve the construction-of a water treatment facility on a 151 acre
tract located north of Charlotte off Babe-Stillwell Farm Road. The
treatment plant will be initially designed to handle 187mi;lidn-gallons
per day (MGD) and ultimately 108 MGD. Additional "facilities such as
operations/chemical feed building, treated water storage areas, high
service pumping facilities, and washwater/residuals handling facilities
will also be constructed on this tract. The project also involves the
construction of a raw water intake structure in Lake Norman and raw and
finished water transmission lines. The raw water transmission line will
run from Lake Norman to the treatment facility crossing through Browns
Cove Park, a residential area, along road and utility line rights-of-way.
The finished water transmission line will run from the plant along Babe
Stillwell Farm Road to a future main on NC 73. Some waste water will be
discharged into McDowell Creek.
TAKE? i
PRIDE IN
AMERICA??
s-
OCT 18 1993
401 34UED
Section 404 Comments
The Service is particularly concerned about the potential impacts this
project could have on: (1) the Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus
schweinitzii), a federally listed endangered plant species, and other
Federal candidate plant species. Preference should be given to
construction techniques that avoid and/or minimize encroachment and
impacts to these resources.
Helianthus schweinitzii is endemic to the upper piedmont of the
Carolinas, with all 22 known occurrences centered around Charlotte, North
Carolina; and Rock Hill, South Carolina. This species occurs in
relatively open habitats--early successional fields, forest ecotonal
margins, or forest clearings. It thrives in full sun but also grows in
the light shade of open stands of oak-pine-hickory. Helianthus
schweinitzii generally occurs on soils characterized as moist to dryish
clays, clay-loams, or sandy-clay loams that often have a high gravel
content. The draft recovery plan for this species points out the
importance of soils--"The geology and soils of this area appear to be an
important determining factor in the occurrence of Schweinitz's
sunflower." Helianthus schweinitzii is known from a variety of soil
types, including Iredell (Fine, Montmorillonitic, Thermic Typic
Hapluduff), Enon (Fine, Mixed, Thermic Ultic Hapludalf), and Cecil
(Clayey, Kaolinitic, Thermic Typic Hapludult). There are two known
populations of Helianthus schweinitzii--along McCoy Road and along
Beatties Ford Road--relatively close to the project area.
In accordance with the Act it is the responsibility of the appropriate
Federal regulatory agency to review its activities or programs and to
identify any such activities or programs that may affect endangered or
threatened species or their habitat. If it is determined that these
proposed activities may adversely affect any species federally listed as
endangered or threatened, formal consultation with this office must be
initiated. Thus, the Service recommends that if appropriate habitat is
available surveys be conducted to determine the presence of Helianthus
schweinitzii in the project impact area (this species blooms in late
summer, September to October).
There are also several plant species that are Federal candidates for
listing that are known to occur in Mecklenburg County--Georgia aster
(Aster geor ianus), Heller's trefoil (Lotus helleri), Nestronia
(Nestronia umbellula), and tall larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum). The
first three species are found in similar habitats: Aster eorgianus is a
perennial that occurs in dry open woods along roadsides, woodland
borders, old fields, and pastures; Lotus helleri is an annual that occurs
in dry open woods, roadsides and clearings over clay soils; and Nestronia
umbellula is a root parasite frequently associated with pines and occurs
in upland forests and along wooded streams from the sandy margins onto
the adjacent slopes. Delphinium exaltatum occurs mostly over mafic rock
on grassy balds, glades, and rich woodlands.
Please note that candidate species are not legally protected under the
Act and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7,
until they are formally proposed or listed as endangered or threatened.
401 ISSUED
We are including these species in our response to give you advance
notification and to request your assistance in protecting them. If you
do conduct surveys for Helianthus schweinitzii, we would appreciate it if
the above-mentioned candidate species were also included.
FERC Comments
On October 4, 1993, Mr. Peter Campbell of the Service's Raleigh Field
Office contacted Mr. Don Degan, a Duke Power Company fisheries biologist,
regarding potential project related impacts to Lake Norman's fisheries.
Mr. Degan confirmed that the location of the proposed intake facility is
in an oligotrophic (low nutrient) section of Lake Norman which is
characterized by low fish standing biomass and productivity. Previous
studies conducted' by Duke Power Company for the McGuire Nuclear
Facility's water intake concluded that.there is insufficient densities of
larval fish in this area of the lake to be of concern. Although the
nuclear facility's water intake is operated at much higher velocities
than that proposed for the subject project, fish impingement rates on the
existing project trashracks are low. Since the proposed intake will
include a passive screen system with 3/8-inch diameter openings and be
operated at a maximum intake velocity of 0.5 feet per second, the Service
finds that significant adverse impacts to Lake Norman's fishery resources
are not expected from construction or operation of the proposed intake
structure and associated raw water transmission main.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Janice Nicholls of the Service's
Asheville Field Office at 704/665-1195, Ext. 227, or Mr. Peter Campbell
of the Service's Raleigh Field Office at 919/856-4520, if you have any
questions regarding our comments. We have assigned our Log Number
4-2-94-007 to this project. Please refer to this number in all future
correspondence directed to us concerning this matter.
Sinc rely,
i
Brian P. Cole
Field Supervisor
cc:
Ms. L.K. Mike Gantt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 33726,
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
Mr. Dennis L. Stewart, Program Manager, Division of Boating and Inland
Fisheries, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Archdale
Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604-1188
Mr. Bob Johnson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Field Office,
Room 75, Grove Arcade Building, 37 Battery Park Avenue,
Asheville, NC 28801
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Parks & Recreation
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Philip McKnelly, PhD., Director
401 iSSUEDF->FHNF=:1
OCT 3 1993
October 7, 1993 BLACK & VEATCH
Gary R. Talmage
Black and Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte, NC 28609
SUBJECT: New Water Intake Structure, Treatment Plant, and
Transmission Lines, Lake Norman
Dear Mr. Talmage,
The Division does not have any specific concerns regarding the
proposed project. The information obtained from the biological
inventories of the project site appears to be quite thorough and
indicates that no rare species of plants and animals are likely
to be affected, nor any ecologically significant sites.
Sincerely,
Stephen P. Hall
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
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401 izPSUED
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BLACK UL-A T Cli
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Betty Ray McCain, Secretary
October 5, 1993
Gary R. Talmadge
Black & Veatch
8604 Cliff Cameron Drive, Suite 164
Charlotte, NC 28269
Re: Archaeological Survey Report for Proposed North
Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant Site near
Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, ER 94-7397.
Dear Mr. Talmadge:
Division of Archives and History
William S. Price, Jr., Director
Thank you for your letter of September 1, 1993, transmitting the archaeological
survey report by R.P. Stephen Davis, Jr. and Joseph Herbert concerning the above
project.
The following properties were determined not eligible for listing in the National
Register of Historic Places:
31 MK631-31 MK643, because of lack of integrity
We concur with the recommendations for no further investigations.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley,
environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
Sincerely,
avid Brook, Deputy State
Historic Preservation Officer
DB:slw
cc: Dr. R.P. Stephen Davis, Jr.
109 Fast Jones Street • Rnleich Nnr t, rnrn];- ')'74n, ')Qn'7

401 IGSULL)
Environmental Assessment - Flora
Water Transmission Main - Water Treatment Plant to Sam Furr Rd.
November, 1994
Prepared for Black and Veatch
by
James F. Matthews, Ph.D.
Habiatat Assessment and Restoration Program
P.O. Box 655, Newell, NC 28126
w
Environmental Assessment
Water Transmission Main - Water Treatment Plant to Sam Furr Road
Flora
This. project is to_ provide a water line from the North Mecklenburg Water Treatment
Plant, across McDowelb Creek; then. east and northeast to North Cross, Dr., across 1-77 and US
21 up to Sam Furr- Rd The right-of-way passes mostly- along existing. road right-of-way, but
in twa places -does impam forests. The Field work was performed on November, 2, 1994, as the
right;of-;way wv as a mmdd:the•,entire 1IengtK. The. plant communities: are noted by the
dominants:. No, attempt has-been-made: to. classify the<communities, because of the high degree of
disturbance. However, the field work did concentrate on the potential for endangered or
threatened species, particularly Silphium, perfoliaturn (northern cup-plant), Helianthus
schweinitz&:(Sckiweinitz:'.s- sunflower-)- and Gnaphaiium? helleri var. helleri (Heller's rabbit
tobacco). In addition,, the presence of any, other species of concern were noted. Common names
are used, althougWthe scientific names are given in Table 1. Nomenclature- follows Radford et
a l., Manual of the Vascular Flora of, the Carolinas.
Beginning. at the. Water Treatment Plant, the line crosses the floodplain of McDowell
Creek. This floodplain is an abandoned plant nursery, dominated by rows of cultivated species.
Since the acquisition by the county, some of the trees have been removed. The ground cover is a
mixture of grasses, mostly Brome and Rye, with many early successional weedy species. Next
to the creek is a, fringe of Alder. The line crosses the creek, into- a narrow floodplain on the east
side, which quickly, becomes & bottomlanda hardwood forest. The dominant trees are Sweetgum
and Yellow Poplar over a subcanopyof Red Maple and Ironwood. The topography goes up so other
species: occur.: Shagbark' Hickory; Whitey Oak; Pignut Hickory,, and Northern Red Oak. The
subcanopy species are Dogwood, Pawpaw, Red Maple, American Holly, Red Cedar and
Silverberry. Although the trees are mature, none are over 26" dbh. The aspect of the woods is
very open, with little hebaceous growth due to the use of the site as a woodland pasture. Several
herbs were scattered throughout the woods, and did not occur in any abundance: Black Cohosh,
Wild Ginger, Crane-Fly Orchid and Elephant's-Foot. The line crosses two small drainage
ditches, running northwest. Between them, the area is wetter than the surrounding habitat, and
there are several plants of Climbing Hempweed, False Nettle, Greenbriar and one small Alder.
However, the cattle keep the vegetation grazed and the area does not exhibit any sedges or
rushes, appearing rather as just a small section of wetter forest.
The line contiues up slope, through a more disturbed, open pasture dominated by Short-
Leaf Pine and Red Cedar, up to 6" dbh. Near the open field, the line passes through a uniform
Short-Leaf Pine forest, exhibiting problems from pine bark beetle and wind throws. The
hardwood species are in early succession, with quite a few Black Cherry mixed in with Red
Cedar. The. line then emerges into a? dim farm road, turns northeast. along,the road right-of-way
to the paved: North Cross: Road, contining along the east side of this right-of-way. This road has
been recently, relocated; andl'the, roadsidertvegetation. is, a dense, cover of Lespedeza and- Japanese.
Honeysuckle. The line then turns east, passing under 1-77 and into a disturbed Short Leaf Pine
woods on, the east side of the interstate highway. The topography drops quickly into a deep
erosion ditch. The vegetation on the sides of the slopes- of the ditch is dominated by Yellow
Poplar, over art understory• of Red: Maple and, White Ash-, with° a very dense shrub layer of
Silverberry. Additionally, there are a few scattered Short-Leaf Pine, Red Cedar and sapling
Beech trees. There is a good population of Running-Pine on the east slope. One specimen of
Hazelnut was noted. Continuing up slope, toward US 21, the dominant trees are White Oak and
Short-Leaf Pine, with some Black Cherry and Yellow Poplar. This area is very disturbed, all
the way to US 21: The line crosses the highway and passes along the south and east right-of-
way of Rich Hatchet Rd. (SR 2434 ) to the terminus at Sam Furr Road.
Recommendations
Due to. the. disturbed,nature.of. the vegetation there are no recommendations regarding: the
placement: of the, line. The, falEbloomirrg species. of- concern were not evident during the field
study. There are no recommendations regarding, habitats or communities as a result of the field
work.
Wme? Matthews, Ph.
Table 1
Master List of Plant Species
Common Name Scientific Name
Alder Alnus serrulata
Beech Fagus; grandifolia
Cedar, Red Juniperus virginiana
Cherry, Black Prunus serotina
Cohosh, Black Cimicifuga racemosa
Dogymod Cormus florida
Elephant's-Foot Elephantopus tomentosus
Ginger, Wild Hexastylis arifolia
Grass, Brome Bromus catharticus
Rye Lolium multiflorum
Greenbrier Smilax sp.
Hempweed, Climbing Mikania scandens
Hickory, Pignut Carya glabra
Shagbark C. tomentosa
Holly, American flex opaca
Honeysuckle, Japanese Lonicera japonica
Ironwood Carpinus caroliniana
Lespedeza Lespedeza sp.
Maple, Red Acer rubrum
Nettle, False Boehmeria cylindrica
Oak, Northern Red Quercus rubra
White Q. alba
Orchid, Crane-Fly Tipularia discolor
Pawpaw Asimina triloba
Pine, Short-Leaf Pinus echinata
Poplar, Yellow Liriodendron tulipifera
Running-Pine Lycopodium flabelliforme
Silverberry Elaeagnus umbellata
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
401 ISSUED
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department
North Mecklenburg Water Treatment Plant
Finished Water Transmission Main
Evaluation of Wetlands
Summary
An evaluation of wetlands was conducted within the proposed alignment of the finished water
transmission main for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department's North Mecklenburg
Water Treatment Plant in November, 1994. The evaluation included a desktop review of
mapping followed by an onsite review.
The proposed transmission pipeline is 14,000 feet long and extends from the water treatment
plant (WTP), across McDowell Creek and ties into the existing distribution system at
U.S. Highway 21 and at the intersection of Rich Hatchett Road and Sam Furr Road. The
proposed alignment is presented on Figure 1. Approximately 9,200 feet (or 70 percent) of
the portion of the pipeline on the east side of McDowell Creek is located adjacent to local
roads, as shown on the figure. These roads run through residential areas and also provide
access to several local farmsteads. The remaining portion of the alignment traverses areas
that are mostly wooded. A small tributary to McDowell Creek and a drainage swale are
crossed by the proposed pipeline; however, no areas with significant wetlands have been
mapped along the alignment nor were wetlands observed during the field visit.
Introduction
The 14,000-foot transmission pipeline originates at the WTP and connects to the existing
water distribution system at U.S. Highway 21 and at the intersection of Rich Hatchett Road
and Sam Furr Road. The first 900 feet of pipeline is located mostly within the WTP site on
the west side of McDowell Creek. This portion of the pipeline alignment extends from the
WTP to McDowell Creek and was evaluated in 1993 for wetland impacts. The current
evaluation covers the remaining 13,100 feet of pipeline that extends from McDowell Creek to
the intersection of Rich Hatchett Road and Sam Furr Road.
The first 3,000 feet of pipeline east of McDowell Creek traverses an area of bottomland
hardwood forest. The elevation increases along this portion of the alignment by nearly
80 feet. The dominant trees in the forested area are Sweetgum and Yellow Poplar over a
subcanopy of Red Maple and Ironwood. As elevations increase across the site, other species
1
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were observed including Shagbark Hickory, White Oak, Pignut Hickory, Northern Red Oak,
Black Cherry, and Short-Leaf Pine. The subcanopy species are Dogwood, Pawpaw,
Red Maple, American Holly, Red Cedar, and Silver Berry. Very little herbaceous growth is
present because of the use of the site as a woodland pasture for cattle. The forest is a very
disturbed area with evidence of frequent use by hunters and grazing cattle. The pipeline
crosses two small drainage ditches, approximately 200 feet apart, that flow in a mostly
northwesterly direction toward McDowell Creek. Several plants of Climbing Hempweed,
False Nettle, Greenbriar, and one small Alder, were present in this area. These species were
not dominant and the cattle keep the vegetation grazed.
The pipeline alignment then turns in a mostly northeasterly direction and continues for
5,400 feet within the right-of-way of existing local farm roads. These roads are single lane
and paved for most of their length. At a point approximately 2,000 feet south of
Sam Furr Road, the pipeline changes direction and continues eastward under Interstate 77.
The pipeline will be installed in a tunnel under the interstate for approximately 600 feet.
The pipeline emerges from the tunnel on the east side of the interstate and continues for
1,000 feet through another wooded area until it reaches U.S. Highway 21. These woods
slope fairly steeply to a drainage ditch that flows in a northerly direction to
McDowell Creek. The woods are classified as bottomland hardwood and are dominated by
Yellow Poplar with an understory of Red Maple and White Ash with a dense shrub layer of
Silverberry. From U.S. Highway 21, the pipeline again is aligned along existing paved local
roads until it reaches Sam Furr Road.
Methods
Various sources of information, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic
maps, National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps, and the Soil Survey of
Mecklenburg County, were first reviewed to determine if wetlands exist within the pipeline
alignment. This desktop analysis was followed by an onsite, or field, determination that
included walking and driving the entire length of the alignment. A survey of vegetation was
also performed during the field walk.
Results
Only one area along the pipeline within the wooded area is identified on NWI maps as a
wetland. This area is the small stream tributary to McDowell Creek that is located between
Interstate 77 and U.S. Highway 21. The stream is classified as PF01A in the
2
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Cowardin, et al. system used by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to identify wetlands. A
PF01A wetland is defined as a forested wetland with a predominance of broad-leaved,
deciduous trees and characterized by temporary flooding. This narrow wetland area is
confined to the banks of a narrow, shallow stream, which has steeply-sloping banks vegetated
with Yellow Poplar over an understory of Red Maple and White Ash. The impact from
pipeline construction will be limited to an approximately 200-foot corridor where it crosses
this stream.
The greatest portion of the pipeline alignment is located within the right-of-way of existing
roads. Wetlands do not exist within the road right-of-way. Two sections of the alignment
pass through wooded areas. The woods are disturbed from cattle grazing, and nearby road
and utility construction. Wetlands were also not identified within these areas.
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