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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20191435 Ver 1_NWP 12 Letter_20191018=0 III q:N77 October 18, 2019 Asheville Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208 Asheville, NC 28801 Attention: Mr. James Lastinger N.C. Division of Water Resources 401 Wetlands Unit 512 North Salisbury Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Attention: Ms. Karen Higgins Reference: Pre -construction Notification Nationwide Permit No. 12/WQC No. 4133 Dominion Energy Johnson Road Pipeline Wake County, North Carolina S&ME Project 7435-19-075 Dear Mr. Lastinger and Ms. Higgins: On behalf of our client, Dominion Energy North Carolina (Dominion Energy), S&ME, Inc. (S&ME) hereby submits this notification to inform you of work they plan to conduct in accordance with Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12 and the corresponding North Carolina Water Quality Certification (WQC) No. 4133. The proposed project will involve installation of approximately 8,360 linear feet of natural gas pipeline. The application and accompanying support information is being submitted through the NCDWR E-PCN website (httl2s://edocs.deq.nc.gov/Forms/Pre-Construction Notification Form\). The supporting information submitted online consists of the following: Figures: Site Vicinity Exhibit (Figure 1), USGS Topographic Map Exhibit (Figure 2), and NRCS Soil Survey — Wake County Exhibit (Figure 3) Authorization to Act as Agent Site Photographs Impact Tables Jurisdictional Impacts Exhibits (Figures 4 through 9) Buffer Impacts Exhibit (Figure 10) and Buffer Impacts Detail Exhibits (Figures 11 through 13) Typical Stream and Wetland Involvement Details (Figures 14 through 19) NCNHP Report and IPaC Report Restoration Plan Inadvertent Return Contingency Plan S&ME, Inc. 19751 Southern Pine Boulevard I Charlotte, NC 28273 1 p 704.523.4726 1 f 704.525.3953 1 www.smeinc.com Pre -Construction Notification Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Written concurrence from the USACE is required because the project will require mechanized land clearing of forested wetlands in order to establish workspace for a horizontal directional drill (HDD) rig. The project will otherwise comply with applicable conditions of NWP-12. Written concurrence from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) is not required because the project does not meet any of the notification thresholds identified in WQC 4133, and will comply will all applicable conditions. Similarly, NCDWR approval for Neuse River Basin riparian buffer impacts is not required because: 1) the pipeline will cross the subject stream channels at a near - perpendicular angle; 2) will not disturb greater than 40 linear feet of the buffer and; 3) result in a maintenance corridor of 10 feet. Accordingly, this activity is identified as "exempt" by the Neuse River Basin. Accordingly, this PCN is being submitted to NCDWR as a courtesy. General Project Information Dominion Energy is currently planning a natural gas pipeline extension on Johnson Pond Road near Fuquay Varina, Wake County, North Carolina. The new pipeline will begin just south of Brighton Forest Drive and end near the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Hilltop Needmore Road and Johnson Pond Road. The project route consists of a combination of 4-inch polyethylene pipe, 8-inch polyethylene pipe, and 8-inch steel pipe, totaling approximately 1.6 miles. Installation of the new pipeline will require a disturbance width of 10 feet with areas of additional temporary workspace, and a majority of the pipe will be installed within the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) right-of-way. Approximately 2,610 feet of the pipe is planned for installation by bore to avoid streams and wetlands. The project disturbance will be approximately 2.0 acres. The purpose of the project is to provide natural gas service and improve system strength in Middle Creek Township in Wake County, North Carolina. The general project location is depicted on the Site Vicinity Exhibit (Figure 1). The project vicinity consists primarily of a mixture of residential development and forested areas. The project will cross several privately -owned parcels within which Dominion Energy is negotiating private easements. The location of the project corridor is depicted in greater detail on the appropriate U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map Exhibit (Figure 2) and NRCS Soil Survey — Wake County Exhibit (Figure 3). Description of the Proposed Work The pipeline will be installed within a new 10-foot wide permanent easement. Additional temporary workspace sufficient to accommodate an HDD rig that will install bored segments of the pipe will also be required at several locations. Construction of the new pipeline will first involve demarcation of clearing limits, jurisdictional boundaries, and other associated workspaces, etc. Appropriate erosion and sedimentation control (E&SC) measures will be installed as clearing proceeds to prevent sedimentation of adjacent jurisdictional features. No grubbing or below -ground vegetation removal will occur within wetland areas. A small portion of a non - forested wetland in the NCDOT ROW may be temporarily impacted in order to accommodate the HDD rig that will install the pipe beneath the wetland without creating additional disturbance. One stream crossing will be conducted via conventional isolation methods, while the remainder will be crossed by HDD. Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Following preparation of the work area and installation of necessary E&SC measures in upland areas, the trench will be excavated along the "non -working" side of the easement. Lengths of the new pipe will be trucked to the site from temporary storage yards, strung along the easement and placed on skids (wooden pedestals). The pipe segments will be heat -welded together, inspected, and then lowered into the trench. Permanent trench breakers will then be installed where necessary and the trench backfilled. Affected areas will then be "cleaned up" by rough -grading and temporary seeding (if necessary), followed by final grading, permanent seeding and mulching to restore the easement as closely as possible to pre - disturbance contours and conditions. All work within the wetland and at the stream crossing will be conducted in accordance with the applicable permit conditions Jurisdictional Areas S&ME visited the project area on September 24, 2019; September 27, 2019; and October 14, 2019 to delineate jurisdictional features located therein. S&ME followed the procedures set forth in the 1987 USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual and the appropriate Regional Supplemental Guidance. Field conditions were documented using USACE Routine Wetland Determination Data Forms, as appropriate. The field review also included identification of tributaries (streams or jurisdictional ditches) within the project area. Drainage features identified during the field review were assessed to determine the jurisdictional status of the tributary. Drainage features were classified as either non jurisdictional or jurisdictional. S&ME used the NCDWR Stream Classification Form to document characteristics of identified drainage features on the day of the assessment. During the site visit, the boundaries of regulated surface waters were demarcated using sequentially -numbered flagging. The location of the jurisdictional features is depicted on Figures 4-9. Representative Wetland/Upland Data Forms and typical photographs of some of the subject features were included with the information submitted online. Multiple jurisdictional features were identified within the proposed project area during the site visit. Wetlands within the project corridor included headwater forests and bottomland hardwood swamps. Project -wide stream and wetland impacts are summarized in Table 1 Table 1: Summary of Project -wide Wetland and Stream Impacts .. Temporary Wetland Impacts (Ac) Forested Wetland Conversion (Ac) Permanent Fill Placement (Ac) 0.12 0.00 0.00 Temporary Permanent LF LF 15 0 All of the proposed impacts are temporarily in nature, and no forested wetland will be converted to herbaceous wetlands. Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Drawings depicting the location of each crossing (Figures 4-9), and typical wetland and stream involvement details (Figures 14-19) are included with the information submitted online with the E-PCN. Following construction, the temporarily affected jurisdictional areas will be returned to their pre - construction grade and contour, seeded, and stabilized. To determine which of the affected streams are subject to riparian buffer rules, S&ME conducted field reviews of the project corridor as part of the delineation efforts. Those features that appeared on the most recent version of the appropriate Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey or the appropriate 1:24,000 scale (7.5 minute) quadrangle topographic maps, and scored greater than 19.0 points on the NCDWR Stream Assessment Form (Version is 4.11, effective September 1, 2010) were considered subject to the buffer. It should be noted that a feature that appears on the soil survey was not present in the field. In such instances, DWR verification is typically required in order to "kick out" the feature. However, the pipe will cross this location in the existing maintained NCDOT easement, where no vegetated buffer is present, and an existing use is present and ongoing, and will remain unchanged. Project -wide buffer impacts are summarized in Table 2. Table 2: Summary of Project -wide Riparian Buffer Impacts Zone 1 Zone 2 900 600 The project will only affect an existing buffer at one location (Stream 1). Crossings of the remaining on - site streams with buffers will be accomplished by HDD, with no vegetation removal required. As indicated previously, the Stream 1 crossing is considered exempt from the buffer rules because: 1) the pipe will cross the stream and buffer at a near -perpendicular angle; 2) less than 40 linear feet of buffer will be affected during construction, and; 3) the width of the new maintenance easement will be limited to 10 feet. During construction in the buffered area, Dominion Energy will limit grubbing and belowground vegetation removal to the trenchline and those areas necessary to safely install the pipe. Efforts will also be made to maintain diffuse flow through the buffer area. Upon completion of the work, affected portions of the buffer will be restored, seeded, and mulched with a native riparian seed mix. In any areas where additional workspace was required, portions of the easement outside of the 10-foot wide maintenance corridor will be allowed to return to a forested state. Protected Species To determine the project's compliance with applicable sections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (16 USC 1531-1543), S&ME conducted a search of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) database to identify element occurrences (EOs) of such species listed as potentially occurring near the project area. The NCNHP list was compared to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). rd Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaQ service list. Additionally, S&ME personnel conducted a pedestrian field review of the site in conjunction to locate potential habitat or the presence of protected terrestrial species that were identified through the records review. The assessment did not include sampling or a habitat assessment for aquatic or state -listed species. The NCNHP provided a September 24, 2019 report that identified one record of Atlantic pigtoe (At -Risk Species) within one mile of the site. The report did not identify additional records of rare federal species, within one mile of the site. Property managed for conservation by the Triangle Greenways Council is located east of the route, and land adjacent to Middle Creek is identified as important natural areas. The NCNHP report is included in the accompanying information submitted with the online courtesy PCN. Based on review of the NCNHP and the USFWS databases, federally -protected species with documented populations in Wake County are listed in Table 3. Table 3. Federally -Listed Species Summary for Wake County M1V . .-. Nzw -IM Halioeetus leucopcepholus Bald Eagle BGPA Current No Notropis mekistocholas Cape Fear Shiner E Current No Picoides borealis Red -cockaded Woodpecker E Current Yes Alasmidonta heterodon Dwarf Wedgemussel E Current No Parvaspina steinstansona Tar River spinymussel E Current No Rhus michauxii Michaux's sumac E Current No Elliptio lanceolata Yellow Lance T Current No Fusconaia masoni Atlantic pigtoe ARS Current Yes Noturus furiosus Carolina Madtom ARS Current No Necturus lewisi Neuse River Waterdog ARS Current No Heterodon simus Southern Hognose Snake ARS Obscure No Lasmigona subviridis Green Floater ARS Current No Lindera subcoriacea Bog Spicebush ARS Current No Based on pedestrian assessments conducted by S&ME, it was determined that the project corridor does not contain suitable habitat for the following species: bald eagle, Cape Fear shiner, Tar River spinymussel, southern hognose snake and bog spicebush. A summary of the remaining species is provided on the following page. Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Dwarf Wedgemussel Status: Federally -Listed Endangered Biological Determination: No Effect The dwarf wedgemussel is a small bivalve mussel which rarely exceeds 1.75 inches in length. Young shells are greenish -brown with green rays. As the mussel ages, the shell color becomes obscured by algae or mineral deposits and appears brown or black. The anterior end is rounded while the posterior end is angular and forms a point. The nacre is bluish -white. The most distinctive shell character is the arrangement of the lateral teeth. There are two lateral teeth in the right valve and one in the left valve. Their foot and other organs are white. This species is a generalist in terms of habitat. It has been identified in small streams less than 15 feet to large rivers and can be found in a variety of substrates including gravel, clay, sand, and pebble. It usually inhabits hydrologically stable areas such as the shallow water along streambanks and under root mats. Threats to this species include riparian disturbance, pollution, sedimentation, impoundments, artificial flow regimes, and stream fragmentation. Toxic effects from industrial, domestic, and agricultural pollution are the primary threats to this species. Two of the streams that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline contain potentially -suitable habitat for dwarf wedgemussel. However, both of these streams will be crossed by HDD. Therefore, the project should have no effect on this species. Michaux's Sumac Status: Federally -Listed Endangered Biological Determination: No Effect Michaux's sumac is a rhizomatous, densely hairy shrub with erect stems approximately one to three feet in height. The compound leaves are evenly serrated, oblong to lanceolate, acuminate leaflets. Flowers are small, borne in a terminal, erect, dense cluster and are greenish yellow to white in color. Michaux's sumac flowers between June and July and the fruit, a red drupe, is produced through the months of August to October. Michaux's sumac grows in sandy or rocky open woods in association with basic soils, surviving best in areas where some form of disturbance has provided an open area. In North Carolina, observed populations have been identified on highway rights -of -way, roadsides, or on the edges of artificially maintained clearings. It is commonly observed with species such as pitchfork crowngrass (Pospa(um bifidum), woodland sunflower (He(ionthus divaricatus), Carolina fluffgrass (Tridens caro(inionus), winged sumac, green silkyscale (Anthoenontio vi((oso), skeletongrass (Gymnopogon sp.), and woolysheath threeawn (Aristida (anoso). This species does not tolerate shade or wet soils. Threats to this species include its low reproductive capability, a reduction in habitat due to fire suppression and habitat destruction due to residential and industrial development. The project corridor contains areas of potentially -suitable habitat for the above species. However, no individuals of Michaux's sumac were observed. Based on our pedestrian field review, it is not anticipated that this project will adversely affect populations of this species. 0 Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Yellow Lance Status: Federally -Listed Threatened Biological Determination: No Effect The yellow lance is a freshwater mussel approximately 3.5 inches long. The shell is elongate with shells over twice as long as tall. The outer shell is uniformly yellow in juvenile individuals while older individuals may have a brown discoloration at the posterior end of the shell. The inner shell can range from salmon to white to an iridescent blue color. The posterior ridge is rounded and curves dorsally toward the posterior end. Rays are almost never present. The yellow lance prefers sandy substrates, rocks and mud, in slack water areas. This species is not found in lakes. The yellow lance prefers clean, course to medium sized sands as substrate but is found in gravel substrates on occasion. This species is found in waterways as small as three feet across to main channels of drainages. Two of the streams that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline contain potentially -suitable habitat for yellow lance. However, both of these streams will be crossed by HDD. Therefore, the project should have no effect on this species. Atlantic Pigtoe Status: Federally At Risk Species Biological Determination: No Effect The Atlantic pigtoe is a freshwater mussel which rarely exceeds two inches in length. The shell is rhombus shaped similar to that of a horse or pig's hoof. The outer shell is yellow to dark brown in color and parchment like with a distinct posterior edge. The inner shell is iridescent blue to salmon, white, or orange. Young individuals may have greenish rays across the shell surface. The Atlantic pigtoe has interlocking hinge teeth in the inside of the shell to keep the valves in proper alignment. This species prefers course sand and gravel and is rarely found in silt or detritus substrates. Historically this species was most often found in small creeks to larger rivers with excellent water quality where the stream flow is sufficient to maintain clean, silt -free substrates. Threats to this species include non -point and point sources of pollution, sedimentation, and the construction of dams. Two of the streams that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline contain potentially -suitable habitat for Atlantic piogtoe. However, both of these streams will be crossed by HDD. Therefore, the project should have no effect on this species. Carolina Madtom Status: Federally At Risk Species Biological Determination: No Effect This species is also not currently federally protected, but is an At Risk Species which has been petitioned to become protected and may attain such status in the future. No occurrences of this species have been documented within one mile of the project route. 7 Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 The Carolina madtom is a small catfish reaching a maximum length of nearly five inches. The madtom has a short, chunky body. This species has three dark saddles along its back which connects a wide, black stripe along its side extending from the snout to the base of the tail. There is an additional dark blotch on the adipose fin which can give the impression of a forth saddle. Yellowish to tan blotches space the saddle while the rest of the fish is tan. The belly is not speckled and the tail has crescent -shaped brown bands near the edge and center. Its pectoral fins have well defined serrated projections along the margins with stinging spine in its pectoral fins. This species occurs in riffles, runs, and pools in medium to large streams and rivers. It prefers fresh waters with continuous, year-round flow and moderate gradient. Optimal substrate is predominantly silt -free, stable, gravel and cobble bottom habitat with cover for nest sites. Threats to this species include declines in water quality, loss of stream flow, riparian and instream fragmentation, deterioration of instream habitats, and expansion by the predator Flathead catfish. Human caused increases in river water temperatures have been identified as a factor in the decline of the madtom. Two of the streams that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline contain potentially -suitable habitat for this species. However, both of these streams will be crossed by HDD. Therefore, the project should have no effect on this species. Neuse River Waterdog Status: Federally At Risk Species Biological Determination: No Effect The Neuse River waterdog is a permanently aquatic salamander which can reach 11 inches in length. It has a reddish brown body with an irregular pattern of large blue or black spots. The waterdog has a laterally compressed tail which is the same color as the body. The belly is typically a dull brown or grey color with spots similar to those elsewhere on the body. Adults of the species have elongated heads with square noses, cylindrical trunks, and three dark -red, bushy gills protruding from the side of the head. The limbs are rather small with four toes on each foot, unlike most salamanders which have five toes per back foot. This species breeds annually, mating in the fall or winter with females spawning in the spring. The waterdog prefers low to moderate gradient streams and low current velocity. It requires clean, flowing water with high dissolved oxygen levels due to their lack of lungs and reliance on their external gills for oxygen. This species is found in larger waterbodies (greater than 45 feet) but had been found in smaller creeks. Threats to this species include siltation, pollution from industrial and urban developments, low dissolved oxygen levels, and non -point pollution sources. Two of the streams that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline contain potentially -suitable habitat for this species. However, both of these streams will be crossed by HDD. Therefore, the project should have no effect on this species. Green Floater Status: Federally At Risk Species Biological Determination: No Effect 0 Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 The green floater is a freshwater mussel approximately 2.2 inches in length. The shell is think and the mussel has a subovate or trapezoidal shape. The color of the outer shell varies from a dull yellow to green with many dark green rays visible, especially in young individuals. This species prefers small to medium sized streams. It is intolerant of very strong currents and is often found in pools and eddies with gravel and sand substrate in depths of one to four feet. In North Carolina, populations are often found in streams with excellent to good water quality. Threats to this species include degraded water quality and the introduction of invasive mussel species. Two of the streams that will be crossed by the proposed pipeline contain potentially -suitable habitat for green floater. However, both of these streams will be crossed by HDD. Therefore, the project should have no effect on this species. Copies of the NCNHP and IPaC reports were included with the information submitted online with the E- PCN. Historic and Archaeological Resources To determine the project's compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, S&ME reviewed the NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) GIS web mapping service, which indicates that no sites eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places are located within one mile of the project area. Accordingly, the project should have no effect on historic resources. Avoidance and Minimization The proposed easement was routed to avoid wetlands and streams and utilizing areas that have been previously developed (the NCDOT ROW) where practicable. Impacts to significant streams and adjacent wetland areas will be avoided by use of HDD. At wetland areas, where the pipe will be installed by HDD, Dominion Energy does not plan to clear trees within their 10-foot wide easement. At the single stream crossing where the pipe will be installed by conventional means, Dominion Energy plans to only maintain a 10-foot wide easement. At this crossing, Dominion Energy will only require an additional 5 feet of temporary workspace. A dam -and -pump system will be used to divert clean water flow around the work area until the crossing is completed. Once work affecting the stream is initiated, it will be carried to completion in an expeditious manner to minimize the period of disturbance. Typical details for a temporary coffer dam and pump methodology for isolation of the trench excavation were included in the information submitted online with the E-PCN. Project BMPs used in connection with the conventional stream crossing include the following: • The crossing will be executed in as minimal amount of time necessary. • Sufficient equipment to execute the crossing in an expeditious, environmentally responsible manner will be available on site prior to initiation of the crossing. • Efforts will be made to perform the crossing will be conducted during anticipated low flow conditions. • Local weather conditions will be monitored such that, to the extent possible, stormwater events will be avoided during and immediately following installation of the pipe. 0 Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 • The crossing will be monitored during installation by personnel experienced in stream crossing procedures, familiar with site conditions, and knowledgeable of North Carolina environmental regulations. The monitor shall have the authority to stop work should conditions change and additional or different measures be needed. • The upstream and downstream portions of the crossing point will be sealed to isolate the crossing for pipeline installation "in the dry." Clean steel plates, sand bags, or similar measures will be inserted to temporarily dam the flow. Steel plates will be cleaned prior to use on streams using biodegradable products or heat. On both sides of the installed plates (both upstream and downstream) sandbags will additionally be placed to secure the plates, reinforce the damming of water, and provide a secondary barrier to seepage. The excavated trench will be monitored for groundwater intrusion and, if noted, excess water will be pumped to a discharge site located 50'-100' from the top of bank of the receiving stream. Discharged water from the trench will be filtered through an appropriate E&SC measure. • The top 6-12 inches of streambed substrate will be stockpiled separately from the subgrade material and kept saturated during the installation. • Pumps will be obtained and staged prior to executing the crossing. Back-up pumps shall be kept on - site should the primary pump(s) malfunction, or to control high flows. All pumps will have screened intakes and will be placed in secondary -containment for the duration of the installation. In the event an unforeseen weather event occurs during installation, pumps near the crossing will be monitored 24-hours a day until normal flow conditions are present. • Pump flow rates will be monitored to ensure adequate flow is achieved such that water neither accumulates behind the upstream dam nor is discharged too rapidly on the downstream side. At the downstream discharge location, flow discharge rates shall be controlled such that scouring of the stream bed and/or banks does not occur. Efforts will be made to aerate the water prior to its downstream discharge into the receiving stream. • Removal of in -stream control devices will be conducted in such a manner as to allow a gradual re- introduction of flowing water into the channel. • Banks will be restored in a careful manner, achieving pre -construction contours to the extent practical. • A cover crop and specialized riparian seed mix will be applied for the length of banks disturbed by the crossing. Coir matting with appropriate shear strength will additionally be installed to anchor the seeding and the banks. • The Stream crossing will be monitored for stability following construction and for the duration of the pipeline construction. Restoration will be considered complete when herbaceous vegetation reaches 80-percent coverage. • All disturbed areas within wetlands or on stream banks will be seeded with a customized seed mix that will extend 10-feet landward of the jurisdictional boundary. Stream banks temporarily affected by trenching will be stabilized with a native seed mix specifically designed for riparian areas, and with biodegradable coir matting. The affected wetland area will be seeded with a native wetland seed mix; however, no heavy mulching will occur within the wetland. • Construction equipment operating near the stream and the wetland area will be limited to that necessary for excavation, pipe installation and restoration activities. Vegetation near the stream will be cut at ground level, leaving existing root systems in place to promote re -growth. Appropriate E&SC practices outlined in the most recent version of the "North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual" and approved by the local governing authority shall be in compliance with specifications governing the proper design, installation, operation, and maintenance of such BMPs to comply with the appropriate turbidity water quality standard. 10 Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 The project will comply with applicable conditions of NWP No. 12 and WQC No. 4133. Following the work, the affected areas will be restored to their original grade and contour. As proposed, the project will not result in permanent changes to the ground surface elevation(s) in the proposed easement or permanently affect the dimension, pattern, or profile of the subject streams. Temporarily affected areas are proposed to be restored in accordance with the attached Restoration Plan (submitted online with the E-PCN) following completion of the work. Mitigation Wetlands The project will not result in loss of wetlands or waters of the US. In addition, the project will not convert forested wetlands to herbaceous wetlands, and all affected areas will be restored to original grade and contour. Therefore, purchase of wetland mitigation credit is not required. Streams The project will temporarily impact less than 150 linear feet of stream. No permanent stream impacts are proposed. Stream impacts authorized under NWP 12 are considered temporary if the affected streams are restored to original pre -construction contours once construction is completed, and do not involve the permanent placement of hard armor. A general stream and wetland restoration plan was provided with the information submitted online with the E-PCN. Accordingly, we do not anticipate that purchase of stream mitigation credit will be required. Riparian Buffers The project will cross three streams subject to Neuse River riparian buffer rules. Two of the pipeline crossings will be achieved by HDD and will not require removal of vegetation within the buffer. The third pipeline crossing (S1) will be achieved by conventional means, however, it will be installed in a perpendicular manner and impact less than 40 linear feet of buffer with a maintained easement of ten feet. Accordingly, this crossing is considered exempt from the buffer rules, and does not require mitigation. 11 Courtesy Pre -construction Notification Dominion Energy Johnson Pond Road Pipeline Wake County, NC S&ME Project No. 7335-19-075 Closing Thank you for your review of this courtesy PCN. If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact us at 704.523.4726. Sincerely, 5&ME Joey Lawler, PWS Natural Resources Project Manager ilawler@smeinc.com Senior Review by Christopher J. L. Stahl, PE Cc Robert Schwartz, PE 12