20091018 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20091026

>Fc! O IA
2t)209
HATER QUAVY
STOPMWATER BRANCH
® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
To: Cyndi Karoly
NC DENR/DWQ
From: Shannon L. Deaton, Manager ?-
Habitat Conservation Program
Date: October 22, 2009
RE: Sandstone Mine Road Crossing, HanPen Company, LLC, Pender County; DWQ#09-1018
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject
application for impacts to wildlife and fishery resources. 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
Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (as amended).
HanPen Land Company, LLC is requesting to permanently impact 0.23 acres of riparian wetlands and
temporarily impact 0.09 acres of riparian wetlands to create a new road crossing in Pender County. The
stated purpose and need for the road crossing, which will be used as a haul road for the permitted sand mine,
is to create a more direct, northern route to Hwy 210. There is an existing haul road to Sidbury Road which
provides access to Hwy 17. The two, active, sand mine pits are currently 2.18 acres and 15.38 acres, and
mining permit #71-15 allows for 24.36 acres of disturbance.
The NCWRC does not agree with the need to 6110.32 acres of wetlands for a road that will have minimal
use. Riparian wetlands provide important water quality functions to adjacent water bodies and should be
protected to the greatest extent practicable. The purpose of the proposed road stated by the applicant does not
support the impacts that will be realized. With the project details provided to us, more than half the
permitted area has been mined and the majority of the mined material is currently hauled to Camp Lejeune
using the existing entrance road. The application further states that the new road would reduce time and
money associated with the hauling of materials, by shortening the route by 7 miles. Due to the small
reduction in distance for a secondary route, the NCWRC feels that the proposed wetland fill is not justified.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this application. Based on the information provided
in the application, the NCWRC recommends denial of this permit. If you have any questions or require
additional information regarding these comments, please call Molly Ellwood, Southeastern Permit
Coordinator, at [phone].
cc: Joanne Steenhuis, NCDWQ
Ronnie Smith, USACE
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]