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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110309 Ver 3_401 Application_20170517Martin Marietta P.O. Box 30013 Raleigh, North Carolina 27622-0013 Telephone (919) 783-4505 Facsimile (919) 787-9577 E -Mail: nuwan.wijesuriya@martinmarietta.com Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested May 16, 2017 NC DWR, 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 fi PA1jD CP G �2 k� Subject: PCN Application to reauthorize previously issued Nationwide Permit 39 Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. — Onslow Quarry Dear Sir / Madam, Please find enclosed a completed Pre -Construction Notification Application requesting 401 permit certification. This application was previously submitted to both the USACE and DWR for 401/404 permit approval last year, and in fact both the 401/404 permits were issued 12/2/16 and 11/15/16 respectively. However, since the expiration date of the 404 permit was set to expire on March 18, 2017 a request was made to the USACE for an extension of the permit. On April 14, 2017 the USACE reauthorized the 404 permit. A request was made to the DWR for a similar extension for the 401 permit but I was informed that I would need to file a PCN application again. I have been working with Chad Coburn out of the Wilmington Regional Office on this matter. As required please find enclosed four copies of the submittal and a check in the amount of $240 for the processing fee. The following items are included with this submittal: • The completed PCN application. • Map indicating location of proposed impact to tributary. • USGS Quad Map (Catherine Lake, NC). • Stream determination letter from Chad Coburn (DWR). • Copy of last jurisdictional determination. • Copy of latest 404 permit issued April 14, 2017. • Copy of 401 WQC approval issued December 2, 2016. As you can see I am simply asking for an extension of the 401 permit that was previously approved by your office. We need the extension to be able to actually undertake the work that was approved by the permit, but was unable to due to unexpected delays. If you have any questions please call me at (919) 783-4505. Sincerely, /' l �.►,,.,i�,_._� Gam-'' sem. �..-: Nuwan Wijesuriya Sr Environmental Engineer Enclosure CC: Chad Coburn, DWR M Office Use Only: Corps action ID no. DWQ project no. Form Version 1.4 January 2009 "Po Page 1 of 10 PCN Form — Version 1.4 January 2009 Pre -Construction Notification (PCN) Form A. Applicant Information 1. Processing 1 a. Type(s) of approval sought from the Corps: T ❑ Section 404 Permit ❑ Section 10 Permit 1 b. Specify Nationwide Permit (NWP) number: 39 or General Permit (GP) number: 1c. Has the NWP or GP number been verified by the Corps? 0 Yes ❑ No 1 d. Type(s) of approval sought from the DWQ (check all that apply): Q 401 Water Quality Certification — Regular ❑ Non -404 Jurisdictional General Permit ❑ 401 Water Quality Certification — Express ❑ Riparian Buffer Authorization 1 e. Is this notification solely for the record because written approval is not required? For the record only for DWQ 401 Certification: ❑ Yes 0 No For the record only for Corps Permit: ❑ Yes ❑ No 1f. Is payment into a mitigation bank or in -lieu fee program proposed for mitigation of impacts? If so, attach the acceptance letter from mitigation bank or in -lieu fee program. ❑ Yes ❑X No 1 g. Is the project located in any of NC's twenty coastal counties. If yes, answer 1 h below. Z Yes ❑ No 1 h. Is the project located within a NC DCM Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)? ❑ Yes Q No 2. Project Information 2a. Name of project: Expansion through tributary (lower quality; man made ditch) at Onslow Quarry 2b. County: Onslow 2c. Nearest municipality / town: Richlands 2d. Subdivision name: 2e. NCDOT only, T.I.P. or state project no: 3. Owner Information 3a. Name(s) on Recorded Deed: The Padgett Family Ltd Partnership (Mining lease held by Martin Marietta) 3b. Deed Book and Page No. DB 1658, PG 384 3c. Responsible Party (for LLC if applicable): John J. Tiberi 3d. Street address: P.O. Box 30013 O ` 3e. City, state, zip: Raleigh, NC 27622-0013 ?� 3f. Telephone no.: 919-781-4550 3g. Fax no.: 919-787-9577 3h. Email address: John.Tiberi@martinmarietta.com "Po Page 1 of 10 PCN Form — Version 1.4 January 2009 4. Applicant Information (if different from owner) 4a. Applicant is: ❑ Agent ❑X Other, specify: Mining lease holder for property 4b. Name: John J. Tiberi (application prepared by Nuwan Wijesuriya) 4c. Business name (if applicable): Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. 4d. Street address: P.O. Box 30013 4e. City, state, zip: Raleigh, NC 27622-0013 4f. Telephone no.: 919-781-4550 4g. Fax no.: 919-787-9577 4h. Email address: John.Tiberi@martinmarietta.com 5. Agent/Consultant Information (if applicable) 5a. Name: 5b. Business name (if applicable): 5c. Street address: 5d. City, state, zip: 5e. Telephone no.: 5f. Fax no.: 5g. Email address: Page 2 of 10 B. Project Information and Prior Project History 1. Property Identification 1a. Property identification no. (tax PIN or parcel ID): Tax PIN 443004722641 1b. Site coordinates (in decimal degrees): Latitude: 34.8462 Longitude: 77.5403 1c. Property size: 286 acres 2. Surface Waters 2a. Name of nearest body of water to proposed project: Unnamed tributary to the New River 2b. Water Quality Classification of nearest receiving water: SC; HQW 2c. River basin: White Oak 3. Project Description 3a. Describe the existing conditions on the site and the general land use in the vicinity of the project at the time of this application: The site is currently used for mining of native limestone and is generally located in a rural area, consisting of farm land. 3b. List the total estimated acreage of all existing wetlands on the property: 23.96 3c. List the total estimated linear feet of all existing streams (intermittent and perennial) on the property: 21,375 3d. Explain the purpose of the proposed project: Refer to addendum. 3e. Describe the overall project in detail, including the type of equipment to be used: Refer to addendum. 4. Jurisdictional Determinations 4a. Have jurisdictional wetland or stream determinations by the Corps or State been requested or obtained for this property / project(including all priorphases) in thepast? ❑X Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown Comments: 4b. If the Corps made the jurisdictional determination, what type of determination was made? Preliminary ❑X Final 4c. If yes, who delineated the jurisdictional areas? Name (if known): Chad Evenhouse Agency/Consultant Company: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Other: 4d. If yes, list the dates of the Corps jurisdictional determinations or State determinations and attach documentation. August 29, 2005. Documentation attached. S. Project History 5a. Have permits or certifications been requested or obtainetL:0 this project (including all prior phases) in the past? Yes ❑ No ❑ Unknown 5b. If yes, explain in detail according to "help file" instructions. Refer to addendum. 6. Future Project Plans 6a. Is this a phased project? ❑ Yes ❑X No 6b. If yes, explain. Page 3 of 10 PCN Form —Version 1.4 January 2009 C. Proposed Impacts Inventory 1. Impacts Summary 1a. Which sections were completed below for your project (check all that apply): ❑ Wetlands ❑ Streams — tributaries ❑ Buffers ❑X Open Waters ❑ Pond Construction 2. Wetland Impacts If there are wetland impacts proposed on the site, then complete this question for each wetland area impacted. 2a. Wetland impact number Permanent (P) or Tem ora 2b. Type of impact 2c. Type of wetland 2d. Forested 2e. Type of jurisdiction Corps (404,10) or DWQ (401, other) 2f. Area of impact (acres) W1 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - VV2 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No W3 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No W4 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No W5 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No W6 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - 2g. Total Wetland Impacts: 2h. Comments: 3. Stream Impacts If there are perennial or intermittent stream impacts (including temporary impacts) proposed on the site, then complete this question for all stream sites impacted. 3a. Stream impact number Permanent (P) or Temporary (T) 3b. Type of impact 3c. Stream name 3d. Perennial (PER) or intermittent (INT)? 3e. Type of jurisdiction 3f. Average stream width (feet) 3g. Impact length (linear feet) S1 Choose one S2 - Choose one S3 - Choose one - S4 - Choose one S5 - Choose one - S6 - Choose one 3h. Total stream and tributary impacts 3i. Comments: Page 4 of 10 PCN Form — Version 1.4 January 2009 4. Open Water Impacts If there are proposed impacts to lakes, ponds, estuaries, tributaries, sounds, the Atlantic Ocean, or any other open water of the U.S. then indiv" ually list all open water impacts below. 4a. Open water impact number Permanent (P) or Temporary T 4b. Name of waterbody (if applicable) 4c. Type of impact 4d. Waterbody type 4e. Area of impact (acres) 01 P Unnamed tributary Excavation Other 0.25 O2 Choose one Choose 03 Choose one Choose 04 Choose one Choose 4f. Total open water impacts 0.25 4g. Comments: unnamea tributaryw quality: s e ncri). Approximamy m Dy 1 D Ti Wide. 5. Pond or Lake Construction If pond or lake construction proposed, the complete the chart below. 5a. Pond ID number 5b. Proposed use or purpose of pond 5c. Wetland Impacts (acres) 5d. Stream Impacts (feet) 5e. Upland (acres) Flooded Filled Excavated Flooded Filled Excavated Pi Choose one P2 Choose one 5f. Total: 5g. Comments: 5h. Is a dam high hazard permit required? ❑ Yes ❑ No If yes, permit ID no: 5i. Expected pond surface area (acres): 5j. Size of pond watershed (acres): 5k. Method of construction: 6. Buffer Impacts (for DWQ) If project will impact a protected riparian buffer, then complete the chart below. If yes, then individually list all buffer impacts below. If any impacts require mitigation, then you MUST fill out Section D of this form. 6a. Project is in which protected basin? ❑ Neuse ❑ Tar -Pamlico ❑ Catawba ❑ Randleman ❑ Other: 6b. Buffer Impact number - Permanent (P) or Temporary T 6c. Reason for impact 6d. Stream name 6e. Buffer mitigation required? 6f. Zone 1 impact (square feet) 6g. Zone 2 impact (square feet 131 Yes/No B2 Yes/No B3 Yes/No B4 Yes/No B5 Yes/No B6 Yes/No 6h. Total Buffer Impacts: 6i. Comments: Page 5 of 10 D. Impact Justification and Mitigation 1. Avoidance and Minimization 1 a. Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts in designing project. Expansion to the north of the existing pit was designed with avoiding the intermittent stream in mind. A 50 ft buffer is to be maintained around the intermittent stream that exists on the property. Only the lower quality tributary portion (basically man made ditch) is to be impacted. 1 b. Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts through construction techniques. The limit of the intermittent stream on the property will be located, and from there the 50 ft buffer will be flagged and/or staked to prevent impact. The only impacts will occur to the lower quality tributary portion (man-made) that would not require mitigation. The project location has been seen by the US Army Corps, DWR, and DLR during field visits. 2. Compensatory Mitigation for Impacts to Waters of the U.S. or Waters of the State 2a. Does the project require Compensatory Mitigation for impacts to Waters of the U.S. or Waters of the State? ❑ Yes ❑X No 2b. If yes, mitigation is required by (check all that apply): ❑ DWQ ❑ Corps 2c. If yes, which mitigation option will be used for this project? ❑ Mitigation bank ❑ Payment to in -lieu fee program ❑ Permittee Responsible Mitigation 3. Complete if Using a Mitigation Bank 3a. Name of Mitigation Bank: 3b. Credits Purchased (attach receipt and letter) Type: Choose one Type: Choose one Type: Choose one Quantity: Quantity: Quantity: 3c. Comments: 4. Complete if Making a Payment to In -lieu Fee Program 4a. Approval letter from in -lieu fee program is attached. ❑ Yes 4b. Stream mitigation requested: linear feet 4c. If using stream mitigation, stream temperature: Choose one 4d. Buffer mitigation requested (DWQ only): square feet 4e. Riparian wetland mitigation requested: acres 4f. Non -riparian wetland mitigation requested: acres 4g. Coastal (tidal) wetland mitigation requested: acres 4h. Comments: 5. Complete if Using a Permittee Responsible Mitigation Plan 5a. If using a permittee responsible mitigation plan, provide a description of the proposed mitigation plan. Page 6 of 10 PCN Form — Version 1.4 January 2009 6. Buffer Mitigation (State Regulated Riparian Buffer Rules) — required by DWQ 6a. Will the project result in an impact within a protected riparian buffer that requires buffer mitigation? El Yes ❑X No 6b. If yes, then identify the square feet of impact to each zone of the riparian buffer that requires mitigation. Calculate the amount of mitigation required. Zone 6c. Reason for impact 6d. Total impact (square feet) Multiplier 6e. Required mitigation (square feet) Zone 1 3 (2 for Catawba) Zone 2 1.5 6f. Total buffer mitigation required: 6g. If buffer mitigation is required, discuss what type of mitigation is proposed (e.g., payment to private mitigation bank, permittee responsible riparian buffer restoration, payment into an approved in -lieu fee fund). 6h. Comments: Page 7 of 10 E. Stormwater Management and Diffuse Flow Plan (required by DWQ) 1. Diffuse Flow Plan 1a. Does the project include or is it adjacent to protected riparian buffers identified ❑ Yes ❑X No within one of the NC Riparian Buffer Protection Rules? 1 b. If yes, then is a diffuse flow plan included? If no, explain why. ❑ Yes ❑ No 2. Stormwater Management Plan 2a. What is the overall percent imperviousness of this project? 2b. Does this project require a Stormwater Management Plan? ❑ Yes ❑X No 2c. If this project DOES NOT require a Stormwater Management Plan, explain why: The site currently falls under the regulations of the NC Mining Permit (#67-39) which requires sediment and erosion control measures to be provided. In addition, the site has an existing NPDES General Stormwater Permit (NCG020255) issued by the Division of Water Resources which requires best management practices and controls for stormwater. 2d. If this project DOES require a Stormwater Management Plan, then provide a brief, narrative description of the plan: 2e. Who will be responsible for the review of the Stormwater Management Plan? 3. Certified Local Government Stormwater Review 3a. In which localgovernment's jurisdiction is thisproject? ❑ Phase II ❑ NSW 3b. Which of the following locally -implemented stormwater management programs ❑ USMP apply (check all that apply): ❑ Water Supply Watershed ❑ Other: 3c. Has the approved Stormwater Management Plan with proof of approval been ❑ Yes ❑ No attached? 4. DWQ Stormwater Program Review ❑Coastal counties ❑HQW 4a. Which of the following state -implemented stormwater management programs apply ❑ORW (check all that apply): E] Session Law 2006-246 ❑Other: 4b. Has the approved Stormwater Management Plan with proof of approval been ❑ Yes ❑ No attached. 5. DWQ 401 Unit Stormwater Review 5a. Does the Stormwater Management Plan meet the appropriate requirements? ❑ Yes ❑ No 5b. Have all of the 401 Unit submittal requirements been met? ❑ Yes ❑ No Page 8 of 10 PCN Form — Version 1.4 January 2009 F. Supplementary Information 1. Environmental Documentation (DWQ Requirement) 1a. Does the project involve an expenditure of public (federal/state/local) funds or the ❑ Yes ❑X No use of public (federal/state) land? 1 b. If you answered "yes" to the above, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the requirements of the National or State ❑ Yes ❑ No (North Carolina) Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)? 1 c. If you answered 'yes" to the above, has the document review been finalized by the State Clearing House? (If so, attach a copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval ❑ Yes ❑ No letter.) Comments: 2. Violations (DWQ Requirement) 2a. Is the site in violation of DWQ Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 2H .0500), Isolated Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 2H .1300), DWQ Surface Water or Wetland Standards, ❑ Yes ❑X No or Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 2B .0200)? 2b. Is this an after -the -fact permit application? ❑ Yes ❑X No 2c. If you answered "yes" to one or both of the above questions, provide an explanation of the violation(s): 3. Cumulative Impacts (DWQ Requirement) 3a. Will this project (based on past and reasonably anticipated future impacts) result in ❑ Yes ❑X No additional development, which could impact nearby downstream water quality? 3b. If you answered "yes" to the above, submit a qualitative or quantitative cumulative impact analysis in accordance with the most recent DWQ policy. If you answered "no," provide a short narrative description. 4. Sewage Disposal (DWQ Requirement) 4a. Clearly detail the ultimate treatment methods and disposition (non -discharge or discharge) of wastewater generated from the proposed project, or available capacity of the subject facility. Page 9 of 10 PCN Form — Version 1.4 January 2009 5. Endangered Species and Designated Critical Habitat (Corps Requirement) 5a. Will this project occur in or near an area with federally protected species or ❑ Yes X No habitat? 5b. Have you checked with the USFWS concerning Endangered Species Act ❑ Yes ❑X No impacts? 5c. If yes, indicate the USFWS Field Office you have contacted. 5d. What data sources did you use to determine whether your site would impact Endangered Species or Designated Critical Habitat? Refer to addendum. 6. Essential Fish Habitat (Corps Requirement) 6a. Will this project occur in or near an area designated as essential fish habitat? ❑ Yes ❑X No 6b. What data sources did you use to determine whether your site would impact Essential Fish Habitat? The pit expansion is through the man-made ditch (lower quality tributary) which was dry on the day the Corps inspected the project location. The pit expansion will simply expand an existing pit. 7. Historic or Prehistoric Cultural Resources (Corps Requirement) 7a. Will this project occur in or near an area that the state, federal or tribal governments have designated as having historic or cultural preservation ❑ Yes X❑ No status (e.g., National Historic Trust designation or properties significant in North Carolina history and archaeology)? 7b. What data sources did you use to determine whether your site would impact historic or archeological resources? Refer to addendum. 8. Flood Zone Designation (Corps Requirement) 8a. Will this project occur in a FEMA -designated 100 -year floodplain? ❑ Yes ❑X No 8b. If yes, explain how project meets FEMA requirements: 8c. What source(s) did you use to make the floodplain determination? `� /7 Applicant/Agent's Printed Name Date Applic t/Agent's Signature gent's signs is valid only if an authorization letter from the applicant isprovided.) Page 10 of 10 Addendum Section B (page 3 of 10 of PCN application) 1c. 286 acres is the size of the parcel that is referenced in 1a. This is the area where the proposed impact to the tributary (lower quality ditch; man-made) will occur. Total permitted acreage at Onslow Quarry will be 764.78 acres. 3d. The quarry needs to expand the existing northern pit to be able to continue operating. There exists a tributary (lower quality ditch; man-made) that needs to be mined through in order to be able to reach mineable reserves that are presently separated from the existing pit. Only the lower quality tributary portion will be mined through. 3e. The quarry plans to leave a 50 foot undisturbed buffer around the portion of the stream that is intermittent, and mine through the portion that was identified to be a tributary of lower quality (man-made ditch). 5b. AID# 199400588, NWP 14, issued 12/21/93. AID# 200500319, notification of JD, issued 12/21/04. AID# 200500319, NWP 33, issued 5/18/05. AID# 200500582, notification of JD, issued 3/22/05. AID# 200500582, NWP 39, issued 6/1/06. AID# SAW -2011-00666, NWP 39, issued 5/27/2011. DWQ Project #11 0309, issued 6/9/11. AID# SAW -2016-01209, NWP 39, issued 11/15/16. AID# SAW -2016-01209, NWP 39, reauthorized 4/14/17. Section F (page 10 of 10 of PCN application) 5d. Once the 404 Permit is issued, a revision to the Mining Permit will be required prior to the pit expansion. During the Mine Permit modification process the NC Division of Land Resources routes the application through various agencies including the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for review prior to the issuance of the modified Mine Permit. No issues from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission have been raised on previous NWP applications for this site, and none are anticipated. 7b. No historical resource was shown on a search of the NC Historic Sites website (http://www.nchistoricsites.org/), and the NC Office of Archives and History website (http://www.history.ncdcr.gov/). In addition, the list of properties and districts in North Carolina entered in the National Register of Historic Places was reviewed. This list can be found at the following website link: http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nrlist.htm. Furthermore, each time a Mine Permit modification is submitted through the NC Division of Land Resources, Land Quality Section the application is routed through the NC Division of Archives & History. A Mine Permit modification to add a haul truck crossing was permitted through the Land Quality Section back in 2011 with no historical or archeological issues noted or studies required prior to the revision of the Mining Permit for this location. U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON DISTRICT. Action Id. 200500582 County: Onslow U.S.G.S. Quad: Catherine Lake NOTIFICATION OF JURISDICTIONAL DETERNIINATION Property Owner: Martin Marietta Aggregates Consultant: Kimlev-Horn and Associates, Inc. Address: c/o Grea Meadows c/o Chad Evenhouse 131 Duffy Field Road P.O. Box 33068 Richlands, NC 28574 Raleigh, NC 27636-3068 Telephone No.: 910-324-7430 919-677-2000 Property description: Size (acres) Approximately 300 Nearest Town Richlands Nearest Waterway New River River Basin White Oak USGS HUC 03020302 Coordinates N 34 50.96 W 77 32.66 Location description The site is located across the road from the active mine site on the north side of NCSR 1223 south of Richlands, Onslow County. Indicate Which of the Following Apply: _ Based on preliminary information, there may be wetlands on the above described property. We strongly suggest you have this property inspected to determine the extent of Department of the Army (DA) jurisdiction. To be considered final, a jurisdictional determination must be verified by the Corps. This preliminary determination is not an appealable action under the Regulatory Program Administrative Appeal Process ( Reference 33 CFR Part 331). There are Navigable Waters of the United States within the above described property subject to the permit requirements of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Unless there. is a change in the law or our published regulations, this determination may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years from the date of this notification. X There are wetlands on the above described property subject to the permit requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA)(33 USC § 1344). Unless there is a change in the law or our published regulations, this determination may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years from the date of this notification. _ We strongly suggest you have the wetlands on your property delineated. Due to the size of your property and/or our present workload, the Corps may not be able to accomplish this wetland delineation in a timely manner. For a more timely delineation, you may wish to obtain a consultant. To be considered final, any delineation must be verified by the Corps. _ The wetland on your property have been delineated and the delineation has been verified by the Corps. We strongly suggest you have this delineation surveyed. Upon completion, this survey should be reviewed and verified by the Corps. Once verified, this survey will provide an accurate depiction of all areas subject to CWA jurisdiction on your property which, provided there is no change in the law or our published regulations, may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years. X_ The wetlands have been delineated and surveyed and are accurately depicted on the plat signed by the Corps Regulatory Official identified below on August 29, 2005. Unless there is a change in the law or our published regulations, this determination may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years from the date of this notification. _ There are no waters of the U.S., to include wetlands, present on the above described property which are subject to the permit requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC 1344). Unless there is a change in the law or our published regulations, this determination may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years from the date of this notification. X The property is located in one of the 20 Coastal Counties subject to regulation under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA). You should contact the Division of Coastal Management in Morehead City at 252-808-2808 to determine their requirements. - Page 1 of 2 Action ID: 200500582 Placement of dredged or fill material within waters of the US and/or wetlands without a Department of the Army permit may constitute a violation of Section 301 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC § 1311). If you have any questions regarding this determination and/or the Corps regulatory program, please contact Brad Shaver at 910-251-4611. Basis For Determination: The subiect area exhibits wetland criteria as described in the 1987 Corns Wetland Delineation Manual and is adiacent to an unnamed tributary of the New River, a navigable water of the US. Remarks: The delineation was verified on two separate site visits; December 16, 2004 and January 6, 2005. This verification is the result of information �(.dlata sheets and field sketches) received from Kimley-Born on March 15, 2005. Corps Regulatory Official: t, I d — Date August 29, 2005 Expiration Date August 29, 2010 Corps Regulatory Official (Initial): Iff FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: • A plat or sketch of the property and the wetland data form must be attached to the file copy of this form. • A copy of the "Notification Of Administrative Appeal Options And Process And Request For Appeal' form must be transmitted with the property owner/agent copy of this form. • If the property contains isolated wetlands/waters, please indicate in "Remarks" section and attach the "Isolated Determination Information Sheet" to the file copy of this form. cc: Martin Marietta Aggregates Environmental Affairs Horace Wilson P.O. Box 30013 Raleigh, NC 27622-0013 Page 2 of 2 , ADMISTRATIVE APPEAL OPTIONS AND PROCESSAND NOTIFICATION OFNI _ QUEST FOR APPEAtI RE Applicant: Martin Marietta Aggregates File Number: 200500582 Date: 8/29/2005 Attached is: D See Section below INITIAL PROFFERED PERMIT (Standard Permit or Letter of A permission) PROFFERED PERMIT Standard Permit or Letter ofpermission) B PERMIT DENIAL C X APPROVED JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION D PRELIMINARY JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION E SECTION I - The following identifies your rights and options regarding an.administrative appeal of the above decision. Additional information may be found at http•//www.usace.gM.mil/inet/functions/cw/cecwo/reg or Corps regulations at 33 CFR Part 331. A: INITIAL PROFFERED PERMIT: You may accept or object to the permit. • ACCEPT: If you received a Standard Permit, you may sign the permit document and return it to the district engineer for final authorization. If you received a Letter of Permission (LOP), you may accept the LOP and your work is authorized. Your signature on the Standard Permit or acceptance of the LOP means that you accept the permit in its entirety, and waive all rights to appeal the permit, including its terms and conditions, and approved jurisdictional determinations associated with the permit. • OBJECT: If you object to the permit (Standard or LOP) because of certain terms and conditions therein, you may request that the permit be modified accordingly. You must complete Section II of this form and return the form to the district engineer. Your objections must be received by the district engineer within 60 days of the date of this notice, or you will forfeit your right to appeal the permit in the future. Upon receipt of your letter, the district engineer will evaluate your objections and may: (a) modify the permit to address all of your concerns, (b) modify the permit to address some of your objections, or (c) not modify the permit having determined that the permit should be issued as previously written. After evaluating your objections, the district engineer will send you a proffered permit for your reconsideration, as indicated in Section B below. B: PROFFERED PERMIT: You may accept or appeal the permit • ACCEPT: If you received a Standard Permit, you may sign the permit document and return it to the district engineer for final authorization. If you received a Letter of Permission (LOP), you may accept the LOP and your work is authorized. Your signature on the Standard Permit or acceptance of the LOP means that you accept the permit in its entirety, and waive all rights to appeal the permit, including its terms and conditions, and approved jurisdictional determinations associated with the permit. • APPEAL: If you choose to decline the proffered permit (Standard or LOP) because of certain terms and conditions therein, you may appeal the declined permit under the Corps of Engineers Administrative Appeal Process by completing Section II of this form and sending the form to the division engineer. This form must be received by the division engineer within 60 days of the date of this notice. C: PERMIT DENIAL: You may appeal the denial of a permit under the Corps of Engineers Administrative Appeal Process by completing Section II of this form and sending the form to the division engineer. This form must be received by the division engineer within 60 days of the date of this notice. J: AYYKUVED JUFJSDICT10NAL DETERMINATION: You may acceptor appeal the approved JD or >rovide new information. ACCEPT: You do not need to notify the Corps to accept an approved JD. Failure to notify the Corps within 60 days of the date of this notice, means that you accept the approved JD in its entirety, and waive all rights to appeal the approved JD. APPEAL: If you disagree with the approved JD, you may appeal the approved JD under the Corps of Engineers Administrative Appeal Process by completing Section II of this form and sending the form to the division engineer. This form must be received by the division engineer within 60 days of the date of this notice. is PRELIMINARY JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION: You do not need to respond to the Corps egarding the preliminary JD. The Preliminary JD is not appealable. If you wish, you may request an approved D (which may be appealed), by contacting the Corps district for further instruction. Also you may provide new :iformation for further consideration by the Corps to reevaluate the JD. -ECTION II - REQUEST FOR APPEAL or OBJECTIONS TO AN INITIAL PROFFERED PERMIT :EASONS FOR APPEAL OR OBJECTIONS:, (Describe your reasons for appealing the decision or your bjections to an initial proffered permit in clear concise statements. You may attach additional information to its form to clarify where your reasons or objections are addressed in the administrative record.) DDITIONAL INFORMATION: The appeal is limited to a review of the administrative record, the Corps Lemorandum for the record of the appeal conference or meeting, and any supplemental information that the :view officer has determined is needed to clarify the administrative record. Neither the appellant nor the Corps Lay add new information or analyses to the record. However, you may provide additional information to clarify Le location of information that is already in the administrative record. DINT OF CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS OR INFORMATION: 'you have questions regarding this decision If you only have questions regarding the appeal process you id/or the appeal process you may contact: may also contact: rad Shaver Mr. Michael Bell, Administrative Appeal Review Officer egulatory Specialist CESAD-ET-CO-R O. Box 1890 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division Tilmington, NC 28402-1890 60 Forsyth Street, Room 9M15 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8801 [GHT OF ENTRY: Your signature below grants the right of entry to Corps of Engineers personnel, and any wernment consultants, to conduct investigations of the project site during the course of the appeal process. You ill be provided a 15 day notice of any site investigation, and will have the opportunity to participate in all site vesti ations. Date: Telephone number: gnature of appellant or agent. DIVISION ENGINEER: Commander U.S. Army Engineer Division, South Atlantic 60 Forsyth Street, Room 9M15 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3490 N NC24 +— SRI 308 TO RICHLANDS NC24/258 O Y SRI 223 N �Z M cmwr TO CNE Q WE W 7HE � m eOGTFD. -.THAT 7M RAT 6 OF A zMLEY TMT GATES A 9XV1 OF LAD W7W IM NEA OF A CdMW M MKPAL117 THAT HAS M MRAW£ VMT MMLLATES PMMS OF LAID; - IMT IM PUT M OF A 91RIE7 THAT IS LDG7m M 9O01 A POe1D11 OF A NULI7 M LeAeCPNLiT VMT M Lee'✓Ba"A AS TO N QONNICE THAT IEGUMM PAPAnS OF L MU X3VMT 7HSYSAT 6 ff A 9ATKY OF AN E)MSMa PAItA1 M PAA OF LAM _ _4THAT 7M RAT 5 LF A tiMtE7 %F AM01le3T GVD6f/, SIOI AS TIE RELCT®MATIM ff D15A10 PMQ; A CANT O®m aRWf M OMM MMEPOM 70 TIE DUKDM OF KMnMae AND DOES NOT CREWE A We ROAD M CHMW M DORM FAM _3THAT VE lily "M AVAMOLE 70 71$ m l 7IMT 1 AY UNME TO WJM A DEW&MMIM 70 VE LEST CF MY PFAFESNOWL M TO 1VNOINi14 Al PIWA Cowl N S_1 -QS DATE 015DD— PLS L -- NOTE& LIM SAMY WAS FEWMED WHOM NLETR OF A VILE AM" 2THt5 9SMY WAS BA M DEEM OF FMDOW AND ADJMUM DEEM OF RECpm TAX MIMM �.71eS RI6FRITW7 SIeLECa�FM ODER DIa11HiNdaS &ALVMT A ASLWMd TIME CONAL HORaDi AL LTH ANO MG SHAM ARE NWnM 2D. r. IASLNI6S 7TI NE MD ED,B COOFO T wfilN ]000. 7.NEA lALL1AAlm B7 COOIDNA7lS PG M YAP BOOK 15 PG 47 OTIIE7ri AS Naim L®D: LfE Lar SLIn w L Ab -y S DBwra TxrBfy Olat Die PAIL Trs 6wr carer my dF. t .y.wm ion m aatud NWM m06 caner my suprNiae; Urot 1M balslealee Trot sur Tged a CLvly fid6mhd a dram fan Woman. toald In (nwfix r a d—Nthot tM Tette et P -Won to cd.A.W Y T:I(XODD+. 13M my V dgje+eS !pWr0ljy%am*r me rd Bi 2d day OF ApnL AD, 2W& Anlhaq lie w PIS •This csNffes that this copy of this plat occuraWl, dW;cb the bamdwy of the jltisdictbn om f Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as deterTe M mined by Udrslyled m thts date. Unless there. In a change In the taw or err NWWwd rsi;L an, this determination of Section 404 JaLdldion may be ma -A upon for a pwfod not to esaed Ow years from this data Th%3 determkmtlon TI® made utNzktg the T987 Caps of F1lgineers olds den m Ymud• Name: � - '✓t THICK L Daft A) / ' 9D REVISIONS I a31G-- I AD05123-01 1 OF 5 GRAPHIC SCALE L-3967 i 0 300 600 IN FEET 1 inch = 300 ft •This csNffes that this copy of this plat occuraWl, dW;cb the bamdwy of the jltisdictbn om f Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as deterTe M mined by Udrslyled m thts date. Unless there. In a change In the taw or err NWWwd rsi;L an, this determination of Section 404 JaLdldion may be ma -A upon for a pwfod not to esaed Ow years from this data Th%3 determkmtlon TI® made utNzktg the T987 Caps of F1lgineers olds den m Ymud• Name: � - '✓t THICK L Daft A) / ' 9D REVISIONS I a31G-- I AD05123-01 1 OF 5 Water Resources _NVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PAT MCCRORY Governor DONALD R. VAN DER VAART S. JAY ZIMMERMAN Dfnwtnr October 27, 2016 Mr. Nuwan M. Wij esuriya Martin Marietta 2700 Wycliff Road' Raleigh, NC 27607 Stream Determination County: Onslow Property: Onslow Quarry (Martin Marietta) Just North of Duffy Field Road, Catherine Lake, NC Feature(s): Feature labeled as L294 on attached map Date of Determination: June 14, 2016 Feature Location Notes/Basis for Call (Stream Form Rating, Biol. Indicators, etc.). Stream Feature as labeled on attached survey map. Field visit, geomorphology, USGS maps, NRCSSoil Origin at Stream origin at L294 Titis feature is a ditch .Survey, Aerial photos, LIDAR data L294 "upstream" of L294. This on-site determination shall expire five (5) years from the date of this letter. Landowners or affected parties that dispute a determination made by the DWR may request a determination by the Director. An appeal request must be made within sixty (60) days of the date of this letter or from the date the affected party (including downstream and/or adjacent owners) is notified of this letter. A request for a determination by the Director shall be referred to the Director in writing c/o Karen Higgins, DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit, 1650.Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650. This determination is final and binding unless as detailed above, you ask for a hearing or appeal within sixty (60) days. 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, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6714. cc: WiRO Sincerely, Chad Coburn Senior Environmental Specialist Wilmington Regional Office Water Quality Regional Operations Section Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ State of North Carolina I Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Ext., Wilmington, NC 28405 919 796 7215 Il , I ' iag e� al. KEN REIM Rr - i "-k "A' -V-�r 'k -P NOS 1'5 Z21 Z-2; _-6 Awl", *44- -'-feg; Slli zk,-p -7!.qZ' -20—Ail. -90 Mac "..K.-I�-C -7, ;A• -t- - q I V4 WIM IN P'll iS 1 4 - Al 47 4r , W".7 V., .0y fdl - - - - - - - - - - . . . . . . . . . . 0 w Ai� m m PIZ-- "JR. mv 7 1 R!� lo W i 4) it X5 . gg?p v W. OR, i7 _Nk UN"." n'_ K: Wq.vT'nl? . . . . . . . . . . . . V kgg Of Ahl, ill"'U•Ng.7 ng� ggg. i qj_` 6j. "M Z' N 'P -W, 4 Adirk. OiCk flN. � If, F -term -,7,:: �77- . . . . . .... t L j -lop, :112?2 J" X 4 %I 7 03 % 26 -26• M6 1, ow % t . 'A , It Col , JI C. I. L -A X 4 p 1222 TIP m7 -34--Z49- lu "-0 USGS MAP ONSLOW QUARRY ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. JD�br.N.Wij-ri� !.�.,O- JO&M. V jCI-Lbr.N.Wij-,iy, 1Sk:1""' oo.� Water- Resources ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY December 2, 2016 Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Mr. John Tiberi P.O. Box 30013 Raleigh NC 27622 Subject Property: Onslow Quarry Access Crossing PAT MCCRORY DONALD R. VAN DER VAART S. JAY ZIMMERMAN Onslow County DWR Project: 2011-0309v2 Approval of 401 Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions Dear Mr. Tiberi, You have our approval, in accordance with the attached conditions and those listed below, to impact a total of 0.25 acres of open waters in order to expand an existing mine pit as described in your application received by the N.C. Division of Water Resources (DWR) on October 31, 2016. After reviewing your application, we have decided that the impacts are covered by General Water Quality Certification Number 3890 (GC3890). This Certification allows you to use the Nationwide Permit 39 when issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, you should obtain or otherwise comply with any other required federal, state or local permits before you go ahead with your project including (but not limited to) Erosion and Sediment Control, Non -discharge, and stormwater regulations. Also, this approval to proceed with your proposed impacts or to conduct impacts to waters as depicted in your application shall expire upon expiration of the 404 Permit. This Certification can also be found on line at: http://portal.ncdeii.or web/wq/sM/ws/401/certsandpermits. This approval is 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. If the property is sold, the new owner must be given a copy of this Certification and approval letter and is thereby responsible for complying with all conditions. If total fills for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre of wetland or 150 linear feet of stream, compensatory mitigation may be required as described in 15A NCAC 211.0506 (h). This approval requires you to follow the conditions listed in the attached certification and any additional conditions listed below. State of North Carolina I Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Ext., Wilmington, NC 28405 919 796 7215 Martin Marietta - Onslow Quarry Access Crossing DW R # 2011-0309v2 Page 2 of 4 The Additional Conditions of the Certification are: This approval is for the purpose and design described in your application. The plans and specifications for this project are incorporated by reference as part of the Certification. If you change your project, you must notify the Division and you may be required to submit a new application package with the appropriate fee. If the property is sold, the new owner must be given a copy of this approval letter and General Certification and is responsible for complying with all conditions. Any new owner must notify the Division and request the Certification be issued -in their name {15A NCAC 02H.0501 and .0502). 2. Any final construction plans for this project must include or reference the application and plans approved by the Division under this authorization letter and certification. The applicant will also be required to evaluate all acquired permits to assure that they are consistent and all relative impacts are accounted for and shown on the construction plans. [15A NCAC 02H.0502 (b) and 15A NCAC 02H.0506 (4)] The applicant shall require his contractors (and/or agents) to comply with all of the terms of this Certification, and shall provide each of its contractors (and/or agents) a copy of this Certification. 3. Turbidity Standard The turbidity standard of 25 NTUs (Nephelometric Turbidity Units) shall not be exceeded as described in 15 A NCAC 2B .0220. Appropriate sediment and erosion control practices must be used to meet this standard. Turbidity curtains shall be used as appropriate. Please notify this Office if any turbidity issues arise at 910.796.7215 4. This General Certification shall expire on the same day as the expiration date of the corresponding General Permit. The conditions in effect on the date of issuance of the Certification for a specific project shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the expiration of this Certification. 5. The permittee shall require its contractors and/or agents to comply with the terms of this permit in the construction and maintenance of this project, and shall provide each of its contractors and/or agents associated with the construction or maintenance of this project a copy of this certification. A copy of this certification including all conditions shall be available at the project site during the construction and maintenance of this project. [15A NCAC 02H.0507 (c) and 15A NCAC 02H.0506 (b)(2) and (c)(2)] 6. Continuing Compliance: The applicant/permittee and their authorized agents shall conduct all activities in a manner consistent with State water quality standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with 303(d) of the Clean Water Act), and any other appropriate requirements of State and Federal law. If the Division determines that such standards or laws are not being met, including failure to sustain a designated or achieved use, or that State or Federal law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary Martin Marietta - Onslow Quarry Access Crossing DWR # 2011-0309v2 Page 3 of 4 to assure compliance, than the Division may reevaluate and modify this General Water Quality Certification. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(d)] 7. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters or wetlands will be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent contamination of waters and wetlands from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other potential toxic chemicals. In the event of a hydrocarbon or chemical spill, the permittee/contractor shall immediately contact the Division of Water Quality, between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm at the Wilmington Regional Office at 910.796.7215 and after hours and on weekends call (800) 858-0368. Management of such spills shall comply with provisions of the North Carolina Oil Pollution and Hazardous Substances Control Act. [15A NCAC 02H.0506 (b)(3) and (c)(3), 15A NCAC 02B .0200 (3)(f), and GS 143 Article 21A]. 8. Fueling, lubrication and general equipment maintenance should not take place within 50 feet of a waterbody or wetlands to prevent contamination by fuel and oils. [15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(3) and (c)(3) and 15A NCAC 02B .0200 (3)(f)]. 9. This certification grants permission to the director, an authorized representative of the Director, or DEQ staff, upon the presentation of proper credentials, to enter the property during normal business hours 15A NCAC 02H.0502(e). 10. Certificate of Completion Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules, and any subsequent modifications, the applicant and/or authorized agent is required to return a completed certificate of completion form to the NCDEQ DWR 401 and Buffers Unit North Carolina Division of Water Resources, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699 within ten days of project completion. The certification of completion is available at: http://portal.iiedenr.orp-/web/%vq/swp/ws/401/certsandpermits/apply/forins). Violations of any condition herein set forth may result in revocation of this Certification and may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. The authorization to proceed with your proposed impacts or to conduct impacts to waters as depicted in your application and as authorized by this Certification shall expire upon expiration of the 404 or CAMA Permit. This approval and its conditions are final and binding unless contested. This Certification can be contested as provided in Articles 3 and 4 of General Statute 150B by filing a written petition for an administrative hearing to the Office of Administrative Hearings (hereby known as OAH). A petition form may be obtained from the OAH at htip://www.ncoah.com/ or by calling the OAH Clerk's Office at (919) 431-3000 for information. Within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of this notice, a petition must be filed with the OAH. A petition is considered filed when the original and one (1) copy along with any applicable OAH filing fee is received in the OAH during normal office hours (Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, excluding official state holidays). Martin Marietta - Onslow Quarry Access Crossing DWR # 2011-0309v2 Page 4 of 4 The petition may be faxed to the OAH at (919) 431-3100, provided the original and one copy of the petition along with any applicable OAH filing fee is received by the OAH within five (5) business days following the faxed transmission. Mailing address for the OAH: If sending via US Postal Service Office of Administrative Hearings 6714 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-6714 If sending via delivery service (UPS, FedEx, etc): Office of Administrative Hearings 1711 New Hope Church Road Raleigh, NC 27609-6285 One (1) copy of the petition must also be served to DEQ: Sam M. Hayes, General Counsel Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Resources under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If you have any questions, please telephone Chad Coburn in the DWR Wilmington Regional Office at (910)796-7379 or Chad.CoburnCancdenr.gov. Sincerely, Jim gson, Regiona Supervisor Water Quality Regional Operations Section Wilmington Regional Office Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ Enclosure: GC3890 cc: Brennan Dooley - USACE Wilmington Regulatory Field Office DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch file WiRO . PAT MCCRORY DONALD R. VAN DER VAART li'(Irr- {.'<sour-r_c,s S. JAY ZIMML-RMAN I1v [,&, rNir�.! c._.n.i_ni DWR Project No: County: Applicant: Project Name: 401 Water Quality Certification Issued Date: Certificate of Completion Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules, and any subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return this certificate to the DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650. This form may be returned to DWR by the applicant, the applicant's authorized agent, or the project engineer. It is not necessary to send certificates from all of these. Applicant's Certification I, , hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials, Signature: Date: Agent's Certification I, , hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials. Signature: Date: If this project was designed by a Certified Professional I, , as a duly registered Professional (i.e. Engineer, Landscape Architect, Surveyor, etc.) in the State of North Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the project, for the Permitee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials. Signature: Date: State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources 1611 Mail service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 919 707 9000 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification Number 3890 is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section 401, Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Regulations in 15A NCAC 02H .0500 and 15A NCAC 02B .0200 for the discharge of fill material to waters and adjacent wetland areas or to wetland areas that are not a part of the surface tributary system to interstate waters or navigable waters of the United States as described in 33 CFR 330 Appendix A (B) (18, 29, 39, 41, 42, 44, and 46) of the Corps of Engineers regulations and for the Riparian Area Protection Rules (Buffer Rules) in 15A NCAC 02B .0200. The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category of activity will not violate applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 if conducted in accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth. Activities meeting any one (1) of the following thresholds or circumstances require written approval for a 401 Water Quality Certification from the Division of Water Quality (the "Division' ): a. Any impacts to streams involving excavation or dredging; or b. Total stream impacts within the project boundaries equal to or greater than 150 linear feet of stream, including temporary and/or permanent impacts; or c. Any stream relocation; or d. Any impact associated with a high density project (as defined in Item (A)(iv) of the 401 Stormwater Requirements) that is not subject to either a state stormwater program (such as, but not limited to, Coastal Counties, HQW, ORW or state -implemented Phase II NPDES) or a certified community's stormwater program; or e. Temporary or permanent impacts equal to or greater than one-tenth (1/10) acre of wetlands or open waters; or f. Any impacts to wetlands adjacent to waters designated as: ORW, SA, WS -I, WS -II, or Trout, or wetlands contiguous to waters designated as a North Carolina or National Wild and Scenic River; or g. Any impacts to coastal wetlands [15A NCAC 07H .0205)], or Unique Wetlands (UWL) [15A NCAC 02H.0506]; or h. Any impact associated with a Notice of Violation or an enforcement action for violation(s) of DWQ Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H.0500), Isolated Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .1300), DWQ Surface Water or Wetland Standards, or Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0200); or i. Any impacts to streams and/or buffers in the Neuse, Tar -Pamlico, or Catawba River Basins or in the Randleman, Jordan or Goose Creek Watersheds (or any other basin or watershed with Riparian Area Protection Rules [Buffer Rules] in effect at the time of application) unless the activities are listed as "EXEMPT" from these rules or a Buffer Authorization Certificate is issued through N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) delegation for "ALLOWABLE" activities. In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.3D(e), written approval for a 401 Water Quality General Certification must include the appropriate fee. If a project also requires a CAMA Permit, then one payment to both agencies shall be submitted and will be the higher of the two fees. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Activities included in this General Certification that do not meet one of the thresholds listed above do not require written approval from the Division as long as they comply with the Conditions of Certification listed below. If any of these Conditions cannot be met, then written approval from the Division is required. Conditions of Certification: 1. No Impacts Beyond those Authorized in the Written Approval or Beyond the Threshold of Use of this Certification No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands, waters, or riparian areas beyond the footprint of the impacts depicted in the Pre -Construction Notification, as authorized in the written approval from the Division or beyond the thresholds established for use of this Certification without written authorization, including incidental impacts. All construction activities, including the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of sediment and erosion control Best Management Practices shall be performed so that no violations of state water quality standards, statutes, or rules occur. Approved plans and specifications for this project are incorporated by reference and are enforceable parts of this permit. 2. Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Practices Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing the proper design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices and if applicable, comply with the specific conditions and requirements of the NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit issued to the site: a. Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures must be such that they equal or exceed the requirements specified in the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor -owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project. b. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface Mining Manual. c. Reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in accordance with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act and the Mining Act of 1971. d. Sufficient materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures and stormwater routing and treatment shall be on site at all times. e. If the project occurs in waters or watersheds classified as Primary Nursery Areas (PNAs), SA, WS -I, WS -II, High Quality (HQW), or Outstanding Resource (ORW) waters, then the sedimentation and erosion control designs must comply with the requirements set forth in 15A NCAC 04B.0124, Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 3. No Sediment and Erosion Control Measures in Wetlands or Waters Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters. Exceptions to this condition require application submittal to and written approval by the Division. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable, then design and placement of temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands, stream beds, or banks, adjacent to or upstream and downstream of the above structures. All sediment and erosion control devices shall be removed and the natural grade restored within two (2) months of the date that the Division of Land Resources (DLR) or locally delegated program has released the specific area within the project. 4. Construction Stormwater Permit NCGO10000 An NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit is required for construction projects that disturb one (1) or more acres of land. This Permit allows stormwater to be discharged during land disturbing construction activities as stipulated in the conditions of the permit. If your project is covered by this permit, full compliance with permit conditions including the erosion & sedimentation control plan, inspections and maintenance, self-monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements is required. A copy of the general permit (NCG010000), inspection log sheets, and other information may be found at http://Portal.ncdenr.org/web/wo/ws/su/ni)dessw#tab- . The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) shall be required to be in full compliance with the conditions related to construction activities within the most recent version of their individual NPDES (NCS000250) stormwater permit. 5. Construction Moratoriums and Coordination If activities must occur during periods of high biological activity (i.e. sea turtle nesting, fish spawning, or bird nesting), then biological monitoring may be required at the request of other state or federal agencies and coordinated with these activities. All moratoriums on construction activities established by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to lessen impacts on trout, anadromous fish, larval/post-larval fishes and crustaceans, or other aquatic species of concern shall be implemented. Exceptions to this condition require written approval by the resource agency responsible for the given moratorium. Work within the twenty-five (25) designated trout counties or identified state or federal endangered or threatened species habitat shall be coordinated with the appropriate WRC, USFWS, NMFS, and/or DMF personnel. 6. Work in the Dry All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted so that the flowing stream does not come in contact with the disturbed area. Approved best management practices from the most current version of the NC Sediment and Erosion Control Manual, or the NC DOT Construction and Maintenance Activities Manual, such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams, and other diversion structures shall be used to minimize excavation in flowing water. Exceptions to this condition require application submittal to and written approval by the Division. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 7. Riparian Area Protection (Buffer) Rules Activities located in the protected riparian areas (whether jurisdictional wetlands or not), within the Neuse, Tar -Pamlico, or Catawba River Basins or in the Randleman, Jordan, or Goose Creek Watersheds (or any other basin or watershed with buffer rules) shall be limited to "uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0233, .0259, .0243, .0250, .0267 and .0605, and shall be located, designed, constructed, and maintained to have minimal disturbance to protect water quality to the maximum extent practicable through the use of best management practices. All buffer rule requirements, including diffuse flow requirements, must be met. 8. If concrete is used during the construction, then all necessary measures shall be taken to prevent direct contact between uncured or curing concrete and waters of the state. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to waters of the state due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life/ fish kills. 9. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across the bridge and pre-treated through site -appropriate means (grassed swales, pre- formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of Stormwater Best Management Practices. Exceptions to this condition require written approval by the Division. 10. Compensatory Mitigation In accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .0506 (h), compensatory mitigation may be required for losses of equal to or greater than 150 linear feet of streams (intermittent and perennial) and/or equal to or greater than one (1) acre of wetlands. For linear public transportation projects, impacts equal to or exceeding 150 linear feet per stream shall require mitigation. Buffer mitigation may be required for any project with Buffer Rules in effect at the time of application for activities classified as "Allowable with Mitigation" or "Prohibited" within the Table of Uses. A determination of buffer, wetland, and stream mitigation requirements shall be made for any General Water Quality Certification for this Nationwide and/or Regional General Permit. Design and monitoring protocols shall follow the US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Stream Mitigation Guidelines (April 2003) or its subsequent updates. Compensatory mitigation plans shall be submitted to the Division for written approval as required in those protocols. The mitigation plan must be implemented and/or constructed before any impacts occur on site. Alternatively, the Division will accept payment into an in -lieu fee program or a mitigation bank. In these cases, proof of payment shall be provided to the Division before any impacts occur on site. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 4 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 11. Relocated stream designs should include the same dimensions, patterns, and profiles as the existing channel (or a stable reference reach if the existing channel is unstable), to the maximum extent practical. The new channel should be constructed in the dry and water shall not be turned into the new channel until the banks are stabilized. Vegetation used for bank stabilization shall be limited to native woody species, and should include establishment of a 30 -foot wide wooded and an adjacent 20 -foot wide vegetated buffer on both sides of the relocated channel to the maximum extent practical. A transitional phase incorporating appropriate erosion control matting materials and seedling establishment is allowable, however matting that incorporates plastic mesh and/or plastic twine shall not be used in wetlands, riparian buffers or floodplains as recommended by the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. Rip -rap, A -Jacks, concrete, gabions or other hard structures may be allowed if it is necessary to maintain the physical integrity of the stream; however, the applicant must provide written justification and any calculations used to determine the extent of rip -rap coverage. Please note that if the stream relocation is conducted as a stream restoration as defined in the US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District, April 2003 Stream Mitigation Guidelines (or its subsequent updates), the restored length may be used as compensatory mitigation for the impacts resulting from the relocation. 12. Stormwater Management Plan Requirements All applications shall address stormwater management throughout the entire project area per the 401 Stormwater Requirements, referenced herein as "Attachment A" at the end of this Certification 13. Placement of Culverts and Other Structures in Waters and Wetlands Culverts required for this project shall be designed and installed in such a manner that the original stream profiles are not altered and allow for aquatic life movement during low flows. Existing stream dimensions (including the cross section dimensions, pattern, and longitudinal profile) must be maintained above and below locations of each culvert. Placement of culverts and other structures in waters and streams must be below the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than or equal to 48 inches, to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. When topographic constraints indicate culvert slopes of greater than 5%, culvert burial is not required, provided that all alternative options for flattening the slope have been investigated and aquatic life movement/ connectivity has been provided when possible (rock ladders, crossvanes, etc). Notification to the Division including supporting documentation to include a location map of the culvert, culvert profile drawings, and slope calculations shall be provided to the Division 60 days prior to the installation of the culvert. When bedrock is present in culvert locations, culvert burial is not required provided that there is sufficient documentation of the presence of bedrock. Notification to the Division including supporting documentation such as, but not limited to, a location map of the culvert, geotechnical reports, photographs, etc shall be provided to the Division a minimum of 60 days prior to the installation of the culvert. If bedrock is discovered during construction, then the Division shall be notified by phone or email within 24 hours of discovery. If other site-specific topographic constraints preclude the ability to bury the culverts as described above and/or it can be demonstrated that burying the culvert would result in destabilization of the channel, then exceptions to this condition require application submittal to, and written approval by, the Division of Water Quality, regardless of the total impacts to streams or wetlands from the project. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 5 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Installation of culverts in wetlands must ensure continuity of water movement and be designed to adequately accommodate high water or flood conditions. Additionally, when roadways, causeways, or other fill projects are constructed across FEMA -designated floodways or wetlands, openings such as culverts or bridges must be provided to maintain the natural hydrology of the system as well as prevent constriction of the floodway that may result in destabilization of streams or wetlands. The establishment of native, woody vegetation and other soft stream bank stabilization techniques must be used where practicable instead of riprap or other bank hardening methods. 14. All temporary fill and culverts shall be removed and the impacted area returned to natural conditions within 60 days of the determination that the temporary impact is no longer necessary. The impacted areas shall be restored to original grade, including each stream's original cross sectional dimensions, plan form pattern, and longitudinal bed and bed profile, and the various sites shall be stabilized with natural woody vegetation (except for the approved maintenance areas) and restored to prevent erosion, 15. All temporary pipes/ culverts/ riprap pads etc, shall be installed in all streams as outlined in the most recent edition of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual or the North Carolina Surface Mining Manual so as not to restrict stream flow or cause dis-equilibrium during use of this General Certification. 16. Any riprap required for proper culvert placement, stream stabilization, or restoration of temporarily disturbed areas shall be restricted to the area directly impacted by the approved construction activity. All rip -rap shall buried and/or "keyed in" such that the original stream elevation and streambank contours are restored and maintained. Placement of rip -rap or other approved materials shall not result in de -stabilization of the stream bed or banks upstream or downstream of the area. 17. Any rip -rap used for stream stabilization shall be of a size and density so as not to be able to be carried off by wave, current action, or stream flows and consist of clean rock or masonry material free of debris or toxic pollutants. Rip -rap shall not be installed in the streambed except in specific areas required for velocity control and to ensure structural integrity of bank stabilization measures. 18. A one-time application of fertilizer to re-establish vegetation is allowed in disturbed areas including riparian buffers, but is restricted to no closer than 10 feet from top of bank of streams. Any fertilizer application must comply with all other Federal, State and Local regulations. 19. If this Water Quality Certification is used to access building sites, then all lots owned by the applicant must be buildable without additional impacts to streams or wetlands. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the lots are buildable without requiring additional impacts to wetlands, waters, or buffers if required to do so in writing by the Division. For road construction purposes, this Certification shall only be utilized from natural high ground to natural high ground. 20. Deed notifications or similar mechanisms shall be placed on all retained jurisdictional wetlands, waters, and protective buffers within the project boundaries in order to assure compliance for future wetland, water, and buffer impact. These mechanisms shall be put in place at the time of recording of the property or of individual lots whichever is appropriate. A sample deed notification can be downloaded from the 401NVetlands Unit web site at http•//portal ncdenr orq/web/wq/swp/ws/401/certsandpermits/appiy/forms. The text of the sample deed notification may be modified as appropriate to suit to a specific project. Documentation of deed notifications shall be provided to the Division upon request. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 21. If an environmental document is required under the National or State Environmental Policy Act (NEPA or SEPA), then this General Certification is not valid until a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD) is issued by the State Clearinghouse. 22. In the twenty (20) coastal counties, the appropriate DWQ Regional Office must be contacted to determine if Coastal Stormwater Regulations will be required. 23. This General Certification does not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to obtain all other required Federal, State, or Local approvals. 24. The a pplicant/permittee and their authorized agents shall conduct all activities in a manner consistent with State water quality standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with §303(d) of the Clean Water Act), and any other appropriate requirements of State and Federal Law. If the Division determines that such standards or laws are not being met, including failure to sustain a designated or achieved use, or that State or Federal law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, then the Division may reevaluate and modify this General Water Quality Certification. 25. When written authorization is required for use of this certification, upon completion of all permitted impacts included within the approval and any subsequent modifications, the applicant shall be required to return the certificate of completion attached to the approval. One copy of the certificate shall be sent to the DWQ Central Office in Raleigh at 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650. 26. Additional site-specific conditions, including monitoring and/or modeling requirements, may be added to the written approval letter for projects proposed under this Water Quality Certification in order to ensure compliance with all applicable water quality and effluent standards. 27. This certification grants permission to the director, an authorized representative of the Director, or DENR staff, upon the presentation of proper credentials, to enter the property during normal business hours. This General Certification shall expire on the same day as the expiration date of the corresponding Nationwide and/or Regional General Permit. The conditions in effect on the date of issuance of Certification for a specific project shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the expiration date of this Certification. Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set forth by a specific project may result in revocation of this General Certification for the project and may also result in criminal and/or civil penalties. The Director of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality may require submission of a formal application for Individual Certification for any project in this category of activity if it is determined that the project is likely to have a significant adverse effect upon water quality, including state or federally listed endangered or threatened aquatic species, or degrade the waters so that existing uses of the wetland or downstream waters are precluded. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Public hearings may be held for specific applications or group of applications prior to a Certification decision if deemed in the public's best interest by the Director of the North Carolina Division of :Nater Quality. Effective date: March 19, 2012 DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY By Charles Wakild, P. E. Director History Note: Water Quality Certification (WQC) Number 3890 issued March 19, 2012 replaces WQC Number 3821 issued April 6, 2010; WQC Number 3631 issued March 19, 2007; WQC 3402 issued March, 2003; WQC Number 3362, issued March 18, 2002; WQC 3287, issued June 1, 2000; WQCs 3106 and 3108 issued February 11, 1997. This Water Quality Certification is rescinded when the Corps of Engineers reauthorizes any of the corresponding Nationwide or Regional General Permits and/or when deemed appropriate by the Director of the Division of Water Quality. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Attachment A: 401 Stormwater Requirements The requirements listed below shall be implemented in order to comply with Condition 12 of this General Certification. For the North Carolina Department of Transportation, compliance with NCDOT's Individual NPDES permit NCS000250 shall serve to satisfy the 401 and Isolated Wetland Stormwater Requirements.' A. Design and Implementation Requirements. All projects, regardless of project area, amount of built -upon area or amount of jurisdictional impact, shall meet the following stormwater design requirements: i. Non -Erosive Discharge to Streams and Wetlands. Stormwater conveyances that discharge to streams and wetlands must discharge at a non-erosive velocityprior to entering the stream or wetland during the peak flow from the ten-year storm. ii. Vegetated Setbacks. A 30 -foot wide vegetated setback must be maintained adjacent to streams, rivers and tidal waters in areas that are not subject to a state Riparian Area Protection Rule or other more stringent vegetated setback requirements. The width of the setback shall be measured horizontally from the normal pool elevation of impounded structures, the top -of -bank of streams and rivers, and the mean high waterline of tidal waters, perpendicular to shoreline. Vegetated setback and filters required by state rules or local governments may be met concurrently with this requirement and may contain coastal, isolated or 404 jurisdictional wetlands. Non -jurisdictional portions of the vegetated setback may be cleared and graded, but must be planted with and maintained in grass or other vegetative or plant materia 1.3 iii. Construction and Operation. The stormwater management plan must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure is occupied or utilized at the site. The stormwater management plan, including drainage patterns, must be maintained in perpetuity.4 iv. Coordination with Other Stormwater Programs. Projects that are subject to another Division of Water Quality (DWQ) stormwater program, including (but not limited to) the 20 Coastal Counties, HQW, ORW or state -implemented Phase II NPDES, or a Certified Community's stormwater management program, must be constructed and maintained in compliance with the approved stormwater management plan.5 v. Stormwater Design Requirements for Projects Not Covered Under Item (iv). Projects that are not subject to another DWQ stormwater program or a Certified Community's stormwater program shall meet all of the following requirements: a. Low Density. A site is low density if all the following requirements are met: The development has a built upon area of twenty-four percent (24%) or less, considering both current and future development. When determining the amount of built upon area, coastal wetlands shall be included; however, ponds, lakes and rivers as specified in North Carolina's Schedule of Classifications shall be excluded. If a portion of project has a density greater than 24%, the higher density area must be located in an upland area and away from surface waters and drainageways to the maximum extent practicable.6 2. All stormwater runoff from the built upon areas is transported primarily via vegetated conveyances designed in accordance with the most recent version of the NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Alternative designs may be approved if the applicant can show that the design provides Water Quality Certification No. 3890 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 equal or better water quality protection than the practices specified in the manual. The project must not include a stormwater collection system (such as piped conveyances) as defined in 15A NCAC 02B.0202(60).' b. High Density. Projects that do not meet the Low Density requirements shall meet the following requirements: 1. Stormwater runoff from the entire site must be treated by structural stormwater controls (BMPs) that are designed to remove eighty-five percent (85%) of the average annual amount of Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Stormwater runoff that drains directly to Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) must also be treated to remove thirty percent (30%) of Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP).8 2. All BMPs must be designed in accordance with the version of the NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual that is in place on the date of stormwater management plan submittal. Alternative designs may be approved if the applicant can show that the design provides equal or better water quality protection than the practices specified in the manual.9 3. DWQ may add specific stormwater management requirements on a case-by- case basis in order to ensure that a proposed activity will not violate water quality standards.10 4. DWQ may approve Low Impact Developments (LIDs) that meet the guidance set forth in the Low Impact Development., A Guidebook for North Carolina.11 5. Proposed new development undertaken by a local government solely as a public road project shall follow the requirements of the NC DOT BMP Toolbox rather than Items (1)-(4) above. 12 B. Submittal Requirements. The submittal requirements listed below apply only to projects that require written authorization as indicated in the applicable General Certification as well as projects that require an Isolated Wetlands Permit. Any required documentation shall be sent to the Wetlands, Buffers and Stormwater Compliance and Permitting Unit at 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650. i. Projects that are Subject to Another DWQ Stormwater Program: If the project is subject to another DWQ stormwater program, such as the 20 Coastal Counties, HQW, ORW or state -implemented Phase II NPDES, then the applicant shall submit a copy of the stormwater approval letter before any impacts occur on site. 13 ii. Projects that are Subject to a Certified Community's Stormwater Program. If the project is subject to a certified local government's stormwater program, then the applicant shall submit one set of approved stormwater management plan details and calculations with documentation of the local government's approval before any impacts occur on sites iii. Projects Not Covered Under Items (i) or (ii). If the project is not subject to another DWQ Stormwater Program or a Certified Community's stormwater program, then it shall be reviewed and approved by the DWQ through the Water Quality Certification authorization process. a. Low Density. For low density projects, the applicant shall submit two copies of the DWQ Low Density Supplement Form with all required items. 13 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 10 Water Quality Certification No. 3890 b. High Density. For high density projects, the applicant shall submit two copies of a DWQ BMP Supplement Form and all required items at the specified scales for each BMP that is proposed. 13 iv. Phasing. Stormwater management plans may be phased on a case-by-case basis, with the submittal of a final stormwater management plan per Items (i) -(iii) above required for the current phase and a conceptual stormwater management plan for the future phase(s). The stormwater management plan for each future phase must be approved by the appropriate entity before construction of that phase is commenced. The approved stormwater management plan for each future phase must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure associated with that phase is occupied. " Stormwater Management Plan Modifications. The stormwater management plan may not be modified without prior written authorization from the entity that approved the plan. If the project is within a Certified Community, then the applicant shall submit one set of approved stormwater management plan details and calculations with documentation of the local government's approval for record-keeping purposes. If the project is subject to DWQ review, then the applicant shall submit two copies of the appropriate Supplement Forms per Item (iii) above for any BMPs that have been modified for DWQ's review and approval.15 1 The stormwater requirement for 401 applications is codified in 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(5) and (c)(5). 2 Non erosive discharge rates are required in SL 2008-211§2(b)(1). The 10 -year design storm standard is codified in 15A NCAC 02H .1008(f)(2) and .1008(g)(1). 3 30 -foot vegetated setbacks are required in SL 2006-246§9(d), SL 2008-211§2(b), 15A NCAC 02H .1006(2)(c) and .1007(1)(a). 4 Construction and maintenance of the stormwater plan is necessary to satisfy 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(5). e Conveys application procedure to streamline the permitting process and reduce any unnecessary duplication in the review of stormwater management plans. 6 Low density built upon area thresholds are set in SL 2006-246§9(c) and SL 2008-211 §2(b). The requirement for low density development to use vegetated conveyances is codified in SL 2006-246§9(c), SL 2008-211§2(b), 15A NCAC 02H .1006(2)(b) and .1007(1)(a). The Stormwater BMP Manual is also referenced in 15A NCAC 02B .0265(3)(a) and .0277(4)(e). 8 85% TSS removal is required in SL 2006-246§9(d), SL 2008-211 §2(b), 15A NCAC 02H .1006(2)(c), 15A NCAC 02H .1007(1)(a). The 30% TN and TP removal requirements for NSW waters are set forth in 15A NCAC 02B .0232, 15A NCAC 02B .0257(a)(1), 15A NCAC 02B .0265(3)(a) and 15A NCAC 02B.0277(4). 9 The Stormwater BMP Manual is also referenced in 15A NCAC 02B .0265(3)(a) and .0277(4)(e). 10 The requirement for DWQ to ensure that water quality standards are protected before issuing a 401 certification is codified in 15A NCAC 02H .0506. 11 The LID Toolbox is also referenced in 15A NCAC 02B .0277(4)(g). 12 The term "public road project" is defined in15A NCAC 02B .0265(3)(a). 13 Conveys application procedure to streamline the permitting process. 14 Phased development is addressed as a "common plan of development" in 15A NCAC 02H .1003(3). 15 Procedures for modifying stormwater plans are set forth in 15A NCAC 02H .1011. Water Quality Certification No. 3890 11 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON DISTRICT Action Id. SAW -2016-01209 County: Onslow U.S.G.S. Quad: NC -CATHERINE LAKE GENERAL PERMIT (REGIONAL AND NATIONWIDE) VERIFICATION Permittee: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc John Tiberi Address: PO Box 30013 Raleigh, NC, 27622-0013 Size (acres) 0.25 Nearest Waterway New River USGS HUC 03020302 Nearest Town River Basin Onslow Bay Coordinates Latitude: 34.847343 Longitude: -77.541451 Location description: The project area is the tributary feature depicted on the attached may which is adjacent to the existing mine pit. Description of projects area and activity: This verification authorizes 0.25 acres of open water impacts for the expansion of an existing mine pit. Applicable Law: ® Section 404 (Clean Water Act, 33 USC 1344) ❑ Sections 10 (Rivers and Harbors Act, 33 USC 403) Authorization: Regional General Permit Number or Nationwide Permit Number: NWP 39 SEE ATTACHED RGP or NWP GENERAL, REGIONAL AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS Your work is authorized by the above referenced permit provided it is accomplished in strict accordance with the attached conditions and your submitted application and attached information dated 10/21/16. Any violation of the attached conditions or deviation from your submitted plans may subject the permittee to a stop work order, a restoration order, a Class I administrative penalty, and/or appropriate legal action. This verification will remain valid until the expiration date identified below unless the nationwide authorization is modified, suspended or revoked. If, prior to the expiration date identified below, the nationwide permit authorization is reissued and/or modified, this verification will remain valid until the expiration date identified below, provided it complies with all requirements of the modified nationwide permit. If the nationwide permit authorization expires or is suspended, revoked, or is modified, such that the activity would no longer comply with the terms and conditions of the nationwide permit, activities which have commenced (i.e., are under construction) or are under contract to commence in reliance upon the nationwide permit, will remain authorized provided the activity is completed within twelve months of the date of the nationwide permit's expiration, modification or revocation, unless discretionary authority has been exercised on a case-by-case basis to modify, suspend or revoke the authorization. Activities subject to Section 404 (as indicated above) may also require an individual Section 401 Water Quality Certification. You should contact the NC Division of Water Resources (telephone 919-807-6300) to determine Section 401 requirements. For activities occurring within the twenty coastal counties subject to regulation under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), prior to beginning work you must contact the N.C. Division of Coastal Management in Elizabeth City, NC, at (252) 264-3901. This Department of the Army verification does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to obtain any other required Federal, State or local approvals/permits. If there are any questions regarding this verification, any of the conditions of the Permit, or the Corps of Engineers regulatory program, please contact Brennan Dooley at 910-251-4694 or Brennan.J.Doolev(&usace.armv.mil. DOOLEY.BRENNAN WO EYBRFNANJ0 N.151]99M13 M..WS, WISGwemre.rt.a-OOD,an>N. Corps Regulatory Official: JOHN.1512992613 ;a ° °" ""'M" Date: AAvril 14.2017 Expiration Date of Verification: March 18, 2022 Determination of Jurisdiction: A. ❑ There are waters, including wetlands, on the above described project area that may be subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 USC § 1344) and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) (33 USC § 403). This preliminary determination is not an appealable action under the Regulatory Program Administrative Appeal Process (Reference 33 CFR Part 331). However, you may request an approved JD, which is an appealable action, by contacting the Corps district for further instruction. Please note, if work is authorized by either a general or nationwide permit, and you wish to request an appeal of an approved JD, the appeal must be received by the Corps and the appeal process concluded prior to the commencement of any work in waters of the United States and prior to any work that could alter the hydrology of waters of the United States. B. ❑ There are Navigable Waters of the United States within the above described project area subject to the permit requirements of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) (33 USC § 403) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 USC § 1344). Unless there is a change in the law or our published regulations, this determination may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years from the date of this notification. C. ❑ There are waters within the above described project area that are subject to the permit requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 USC § 1344). Unless there is a change in the law or our published regulations, this determination may be relied upon for a period not to exceed five years from the date of this notification. D. ® The jurisdictional areas within the above described project area have been identified under a previous action. Please reference jurisdictional determination issued November 15, 2016. Action ID: SAW -2016-01209. Basis For Determination: E. Attention USDA Program Participants This delineation/determination has been conducted to identify the limits of Corps' Clean Water Act jurisdiction for the particular site identified in this request. The delineation/determination may not be valid for the wetland conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985. If you or your tenant are USDA Program participants, or anticipate participation in USDA programs, you should request a certified wetland determination from the local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, prior to starting work. F. Appeals Information (This information applies only to approved jurisdiction determinations as indicated in B and C above). This correspondence constitutes an approved jurisdiction determination for the above described site. If you object to this determination, you may request an administrative appeal under Corps regulations at 33 CFR Part 331. Enclosed you will find a Notification of Appeal Process (NAP) fact sheet and request for appeal (RFA) form. If you request to appeal this determination you must submit a completed RFA form to the following address: US Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division Attn: Jason Steele, Review Officer 60 Forsyth Street SW, Room 1OM15 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8801 Phone: (404) 562-5137 In order for an RFA to be accepted by the Corps, the Corps must determine that it is complete, that it meets the criteria for appeal under 33 CFR part 331.5, and that it has been received by the Division Office within 60 days of the date of the NAP. Should you decide to submit an RFA form, it must be received at the above address by N/A. **It is not necessary to submit an RFA form to the Division Office if you do not object to the determination in this correspondence.** Corps Regulatory Official: Brennan Dooley Date of JD: Expiration Date of JD: The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we continue to do so, please complete our Customer Satisfaction Survey, located online at http://corpsmapu.usace.army.mil/cm apex/P12=136:4:0. Action ID Number: SAW -2016-01209 County: Onslow Permittee: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc John Tiberi Project Name: Martin Marietta / Onslow Ouarry Date Verification Issued: April 14, 2017 Project Manager: Brennan Dooley Upon completion of the activity authorized by this permit and any mitigation required by the permit, sign this certification and return it to the following address: US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON DISTRICT Attn: Brennan Dooley 69 Darlington Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 Please note that your permitted activity is subject to a compliance inspection by a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers representative. Failure to comply with any terms or conditions of this authorization may result in the Corps suspending, modifying or revoking the authorization and/or issuing a Class I administrative penalty, or initiating other appropriate legal action. I hereby certify that the work authorized by the above referenced permit has been completed in accordance with the terms and condition of the said permit, and required mitigation was completed in accordance with the permit conditions. Signature of Permittee Date NATIONWIDE PERMIT 39 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FINAL NOTICE OF ISSUANCE AND MODIFICATION OF NATIONWIDE PERMITS FEDERAL REGISTER AUTHORIZED MARCH 19, 2017 Commercial and Institutional Developments. Discharges of dredged or fill material into non -tidal waters of the United States for the construction or expansion of commercial and institutional building foundations and building pads and attendant features that are necessary for the use and maintenance of the structures. Attendant features may include, but are not limited to, roads, parking lots, garages, yards, utility lines, storm water management facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, and recreation facilities such as playgrounds and playing fields. Examples of commercial developments include retail stores, industrial facilities, restaurants, business parks, and shopping centers. Examples of institutional developments include schools, fire stations, government office buildings, judicial buildings, public works buildings, libraries, hospitals, and places of worship. The construction of new golf courses and new ski areas is not authorized by this NWP. The discharge must not cause the loss of greater than 1/2 -acre of non -tidal waters of the United States. The discharge must not cause the loss of more than 300 linear feet of stream bed, unless for intermittent and ephemeral stream beds the district engineer waives the 300 linear foot limit by making a written determination concluding that the discharge will result in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. The loss of stream bed plus any other losses of jurisdictional wetlands and waters caused by the NWP activity cannot exceed 1/2 - acre. This NWP does not authorize discharges into non- tidal wetlands adjacent to tidal waters. Notification: The permittee must submit a pre -construction notification to the district engineer prior to commencing the activity. (See general condition 32.) (Authorities: Sections 10 and 404) Note: For any activity that involves the construction of a wind energy generating structure, solar tower, or overhead transmission line, a copy of the PCN and NWP verification will be provided to the Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse, which will evaluate potential effects on military activities. NATIONWIDE PERMIT GENERAL CONDITIONS The following General Conditions must be followed in order for any authorization by a NWP to be valid: 1. Navigation. t`. (a) No activity may cause more than a minimal adverse effect on navigation. (b) Any safety lights and signals prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard, through regulations or otherwise, must be installed and maintained at the permittee's expense on authorized facilities in navigable waters of the United States. (c) The permittee understands and agrees that, if future operations by the United States require the removal, relocation, or other alteration, of the structure or work herein authorized, or if, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army or his authorized representative, said structure or work shall cause unreasonable obstruction to the free navigation of the navigable waters, the permittee will be required, upon due notice from the Corps of Engineers, to remove, relocate, or alter the structural work or obstructions caused thereby, without expense to the United States. No claim shall be made against the United States on account of any such removal or alteration. 2. Aquatic Life Movements. No activity may substantially disrupt the necessary life cycle movements of those species of aquatic life indigenous to the waterbody, including those species that normally migrate through the area, unless the activity's primary purpose is to impound water. All permanent and temporary crossings of waterbodies shall be suitably culverted, bridged, or otherwise designed and constructed to maintain low flows to sustain the movement of those aquatic species. If a bottomless culvert cannot be used, then the crossing should be designed and constructed to minimize adverse effects to aquatic life movements. 3. Spawning. Activities in spawning areas during spawning seasons must be avoided to the maximum extent practicable. Activities that result in the physical destruction (e.g., through excavation, fill, or downstream smothering by substantial turbidity) of an important spawning area are not authorized. 4. Migratory Bird Breeding Areas. Activities in waters of the United States that serve as breeding areas for migratory birds must be avoided to the maximum extent practicable. 5. Shellfish Beds. No activity may occur in areas of concentrated shellfish populations, unless the activity is directly related to a shellfish harvesting activity authorized by NWPs 4 and 48, or is a shellfish seeding or habitat restoration activity authorized by NWP 27. 6. Suitable Material. No activity may use unsuitable material (e.g., trash, debris, car bodies, asphalt, etc.). Material used for construction or discharged must be free from toxic pollutants in toxic amounts (see section 307 of the Clean Water Act). 2 7. Water Supply Intakes. No activity may occur in the proximity of a public water supply intake, except where the activity is for the repair or improvement of public water supply intake structures or adjacent bank stabilization. 8. Adverse Effects From Impoundments. If the activity creates an impoundment of water, adverse effects to the aquatic system due to accelerating the passage of water, and/or restricting its flow must be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. 9. Management of Water Flows. To the maximum extent practicable, the pre - construction course, condition, capacity, and location of open waters must be maintained for each activity, including stream channelization, storm water management activities, and temporary and permanent road crossings, except as provided below. The activity must be constructed to withstand expected high flows. The activity must not restrict or impede the passage of normal or high flows, unless the primary purpose of the activity is to impound water or manage high flows. The activity may alter the pre -construction course, condition, capacity, and location of open waters if it benefits the aquatic environment (e.g., stream restoration or relocation activities). 10. Fills Within 100 -Year Floodplains. The activity must comply with applicable FEMA -approved state or local floodplain management requirements. 11. Equipment. Heavy equipment working in wetlands or mudflats must be placed on mats, or other measures must be taken to minimize soil disturbance. 12. Soil Erosion and Sediment Controls. Appropriate soil erosion and sediment controls must be used and maintained in effective operating condition during construction, and all exposed soil and other fills, as well as any work below the ordinary high water mark or high tide line, must be permanently stabilized at the earliest practicable date. Permittees are encouraged to perform work within waters of the United States during periods of low -flow or no -flow, or during low tides. 13. Removal of Temporary Fills. Temporary fills must be removed in their entirety and the affected areas returned to pre -construction elevations. The affected areas must be revegetated, as appropriate. 14. Proper Maintenance. Any authorized structure or fill shall be properly maintained, including maintenance to ensure public safety and compliance with applicable NWP general conditions, as well as any activity -specific conditions added by the district engineer to an NWP authorization. 15. Single and Complete Project. The activity must be a single and complete project. The same NWP cannot be used more than once for the same single and complete project. 16. Wild and Scenic Rivers. (a) No NWP activity may occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a "study river" for possible inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, 3 unless the appropriate Federal agency with direct management responsibility for such river, has determined in writing that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the Wild and Scenic River designation or study status. (b) If a proposed NWP activity will occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a "study river" for possible inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, the permittee must submit a pre-construction notification (see general condition 32). The district engineer will coordinate the PCN with the Federal agency with direct management responsibility for that river. The permittee shall not begin the NWP activity until notified by the district engineer that the Federal agency with direct management responsibility for that river has determined in writing that the proposed NWP activity will not adversely affect the Wild and Scenic River designation or study status. (c) Information on Wild and Scenic Rivers may be obtained from the appropriate Federal land management agency responsible for the designated Wild and Scenic River or study river (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Information on these rivers is also available at: http://www.rivers.ga 17. Tribal Rights. No NWP activity may cause more than minimal adverse effects on tribal rights (including treaty rights), protected tribal resources, or tribal lands. 18. Endangered Species. (a) No activity is authorized under any NWP which is likely to directly or indirectly jeopardize the continued existence of a threatened or endangered species or a species proposed for such designation, as identified under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), or which will directly or indirectly destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species. No activity is authorized under any NWP which "may affect" a listed species or critical habitat, unless ESA section 7 consultation addressing the effects of the proposed activity has been completed. Direct effects are the immediate effects on listed species and critical habitat caused by the NWP activity. Indirect effects are those effects on listed species and critical habitat that are caused by the NWP activity and are later in time, but still are reasonably certain to occur. (b) Federal agencies should follow their own procedures for complying with the requirements of the ESA. If pre -construction notification is required for the proposed activity, the Federal permittee must provide the district engineer with the appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance with those requirements. The district engineer will verify that the appropriate documentation has been submitted. If the appropriate documentation has not been submitted, additional ESA section 7 consultation may be necessary for the activity and the respective federal agency would be responsible for fulfilling its obligation under section 7 of the ESA. (c) Non-federal permittees must submit a pre -construction notification to the district engineer if any listed species or designated critical habitat might be affected or is in the vicinity of the activity, or if the activity is located in designated critical habitat, and shall not begin work on the activity until notified by the district engineer that the requirements of the ESA have been satisfied and that the activity is authorized. For activities that might affect Federally -listed endangered or threatened species or designated critical habitat, the pre - construction notification must include the name(s) of the endangered or threatened species that 4 might be affected by the proposed activity or that utilize the designated critical habitat that might be affected by the proposed activity. The district engineer will determine whether the proposed activity "may affect" or will have "no effect" to listed species and designated critical habitat and will notify the non- Federal applicant of the Corps' determination within 45 days of receipt of a complete pre- construction notification. In cases where the non -Federal applicant has identified listed species or critical habitat that might be affected or is in the vicinity of the activity, and has so notified the Corps, the applicant shall not begin work until the Corps has provided notification that the proposed activity will have "no effect" on listed species or critical habitat, or until ESA section 7 consultation has been completed. If the non -Federal applicant has not heard back from the Corps within 45 days, the applicant must still wait for notification from the Corps. (d) As a result of formal or informal consultation with the FWS or NMFS the district engineer may add species-specific permit conditions to the NAT& (e) Authorization of an activity by an NWP does not authorize the "take" of a threatened or endangered species as defined under the ESA. In the absence of separate authorization (e.g., an ESA Section 10 Permit, a Biological Opinion with "incidental take" provisions, etc.) from the FWS or the NMFS, the Endangered Species Act prohibits any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take a listed species, where "take" means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. The word "harm" in the definition of "take" means an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such an act may include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering. (f) If the non-federal permittee has a valid ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) incidental take permit with an approved Habitat Conservation Plan for a project or a group of projects that includes the proposed NWP activity, the non-federal applicant should provide a copy of that ESA section I0(a)(1)(B) permit with the PCN required by paragraph (c) of this general condition. The district engineer will coordinate with the agency that issued the ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit to determine whether the proposed NWP activity and the associated incidental take were considered in the internal ESA section 7 consultation conducted for the ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit. If that coordination results in concurrence from the agency that the proposed NWP activity and the associated incidental take were considered in the internal ESA section 7 consultation for the ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit, the district engineer does not need to conduct a separate ESA section 7 consultation for the proposed NWP activity. The district engineer will notify the non-federal applicant within 45 days of receipt of a complete pre -construction notification whether the ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) permit covers the proposed NWP activity or whether additional ESA section 7 consultation is required. (g) Information on the location of threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat can be obtained directly from the offices of the FWS and NMFS or their world wide web pages at http://www.fws.gov/ or b=://www.fws.gov/il2ac and hn://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/esa/ respectively. 19. Mi rg atony Birds and Bald and Golden Eagles. The permittee is responsible for ensuring their action complies with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The permittee is responsible for contacting appropriate local office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine applicable measures to reduce impacts to migratory birds or eagles, including whether "incidental take" permits are necessary and available under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act for a particular activity. 20. Historic Properties. (a) In cases where the district engineer determines that the activity may have the potential to cause effects to properties listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places, the activity is not authorized, until the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) have been satisfied. (b) Federal permittees should follow their own procedures for complying with the requirements of section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. If pre -construction notification is required for the proposed NWP activity, the Federal permittee must provide the district engineer with the appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance with those requirements. The district engineer will verify that the appropriate documentation has been submitted. If the appropriate documentation is not submitted, then additional consultation under section 106 may be necessary. The respective federal agency is responsible for fulfilling its obligation to comply with section 106. (c) Non-federal permittees must submit a pre -construction notification to the district engineer if the NWP activity might have the potential to cause effects to any historic properties listed on, determined to be eligible for listing on, or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, including previously unidentified properties. For such activities, the pre -construction notification must state which historic properties might have the potential to be affected by the proposed NWP activity or include a vicinity map indicating the location of the historic properties or the potential for the presence of historic properties. Assistance regarding information on the location of, or potential for, the presence of historic properties can be sought from the State Historic Preservation Officer, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, or designated tribal representative, as appropriate, and the National Register of Historic Places (see 33 CFR 330.4(8)). When reviewing pre -construction notifications, district engineers will comply with the current procedures for addressing the requirements of section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The district engineer shall make a reasonable and good faith effort to carry out appropriate identification efforts, which may include background research, consultation, oral history interviews, sample field investigation, and field survey. Based on the information submitted in the PCN and these identification efforts, the district engineer shall determine whether the proposed NWP activity has the potential to cause effects on the historic properties. Section 106 consultation is not required when the district engineer determines that the activity does not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties (see 36 CFR 800.3(a)). Section 106 consultation is required when the district engineer determines that the activity has the potential to cause effects on historic properties. The district engineer will conduct consultation with consulting parties identified under 36 CFR 800.2(c) when he or she makes any of the following effect determinations for the purposes of section 106 of the NHPA: no historic properties affected, no adverse effect, or adverse effect. Where the non -Federal applicant has identified historic properties on which the activity might have the potential to cause effects and so notified the Corps, the non -Federal applicant shall not begin the activity until notified by the district engineer either that the activity has no potential to cause effects to historic properties or that NHPA section 106 consultation has been completed. 0 (d) For non-federal permittees, the district engineer will notify the prospective permittee within 45 days of receipt of a complete pre -construction notification whether NHPA section 106 consultation is required. If NHPA section 106 consultation is required, the district engineer will notify the non -Federal applicant that he or she cannot begin the activity until section 106 consultation is completed. If the non -Federal applicant has not heard back from the Corps within 45 days, the applicant must still wait for notification from the Corps. (e) Prospective permittees should be aware that section 110k of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 306113) prevents the Corps from granting a permit or other assistance to an applicant who, with intent to avoid the requirements of section 106 of the NHPA, has intentionally significantly adversely affected a historic property to which the permit would relate, or having legal power to prevent it, allowed such significant adverse effect to occur, unless the Corps, after consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), determines that circumstances justify granting such assistance despite the adverse effect created or permitted by the applicant. If circumstances justify granting the assistance, the Corps is required to notify the ACHP and provide documentation specifying the circumstances, the degree of damage to the integrity of any historic properties affected, and proposed mitigation. This documentation must include any views obtained from the applicant, SHPO/THPO, appropriate Indian tribes if the undertaking occurs on or affects historic properties on tribal lands or affects properties of interest to those tribes, and other parties known to have a legitimate interest in the impacts to the permitted activity on historic properties. 21. Discovery of Previously Unknown Remains and Artifacts. If you discover any previously unknown historic, cultural or archeological remains and artifacts while accomplishing the activity authorized by this permit, you must immediately notify the district engineer of what you have found, and to the maximum extent practicable, avoid construction activities that may affect the remains and artifacts until the required coordination has been completed. The district engineer will initiate the Federal, Tribal, and state coordination required to determine if the items or remains warrant a recovery effort or if the site is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. 22. Designated Critical Resource Waters. Critical resource waters include, NOAA- managed marine sanctuaries and marine monuments, and National Estuarine Research Reserves. The district engineer may designate, after notice and opportunity for public comment, additional waters officially designated by a state as having particular environmental or ecological significance, such as outstanding national resource waters or state natural heritage sites. The district engineer may also designate additional critical resource waters after notice and opportunity for public comment. (a) Discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States are not authorized by NWPs 7, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 29, 31, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 49, 50, 51, and 52 for any activity within, or directly affecting, critical resource waters, including wetlands adjacent to such waters. (b) For NWPs 3, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, and 54, notification is required in accordance with general condition 32, for any activity proposed in the designated critical resource waters including wetlands adjacent to those waters. The district engineer may authorize activities under these NWPs only after it is determined that the impacts to the critical resource waters will be no more than minimal. 7 23. Miti ag tion. The district engineer will consider the following factors when determining appropriate and practicable mitigation necessary to ensure that the individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects are no more than minimal: (a) The activity must be designed and constructed to avoid and minimize adverse effects, both temporary and permanent, to waters of the United States to the maximum extent practicable at the project site (i.e., on site). (b) Mitigation in all its forms (avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, reducing, or compensating for resource losses) will be required to the extent necessary to ensure that the individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects are no more than minimal. (c) Compensatory mitigation at a minimum one-for-one ratio will be required for all wetland losses that exceed 1/10 -acre and require pre -construction notification, unless the district engineer determines in writing that either some other form of mitigation would be more environmentally appropriate or the adverse environmental effects of the proposed activity are no more than minimal, and provides an activity -specific waiver of this requirement. For wetland losses of 1/10 -acre or less that require pre -construction notification, the district engineer may determine on a case-by-case basis that compensatory mitigation is required to ensure that the activity results in only minimal adverse environmental effects. (d) For losses of streams or other open waters that require pre -construction notification, the district engineer may require compensatory mitigation to ensure that the activity results in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. Compensatory mitigation for losses of streams should be provided, if practicable, through stream rehabilitation, enhancement, or preservation, since streams are difficult -to -replace resources (see 33 CFR 332.3(e)(3)). (e) Compensatory mitigation plans for NWP activities in or near streams or other open waters will normally include a requirement for the restoration or enhancement, maintenance, and legal protection (e.g., conservation easements) of riparian areas next to open waters. In some cases, the restoration or maintenance/protection of riparian areas may be the only compensatory mitigation required. Restored riparian areas should consist of native species. The width of the required riparian area will address documented water quality or aquatic habitat loss concerns. Normally, the riparian area will be 25 to 50 feet wide on each side of the stream, but the district engineer may require slightly wider riparian areas to address documented water quality or habitat loss concerns. If it is not possible to restore or maintain/protect a riparian area on both sides of a stream, or if the waterbody is a lake or coastal waters, then restoring or maintaining/protecting a riparian area along a single bank or shoreline may be sufficient. Where both wetlands and open waters exist on the project site, the district engineer will determine the appropriate compensatory mitigation (e.g., riparian areas and/or wetlands compensation) based on what is best for the aquatic environment on a watershed basis. In cases where riparian areas are determined to be the most appropriate form of minimization or compensatory mitigation, the district engineer may waive or reduce the requirement to provide wetland compensatory mitigation for wetland losses. (f) Compensatory mitigation projects provided to offset losses of aquatic resources must comply with the applicable provisions of 33 CFR part 332. (1) The prospective permittee is responsible for proposing an appropriate compensatory mitigation option if compensatory mitigation is necessary to ensure that the activity results in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. For the NWPs, the preferred mechanism for providing compensatory mitigation is mitigation bank credits or in - 8 lieu fee program credits (see 33 CFR 332.3(b)(2) and (3)). However, if an appropriate number and type of mitigation bank or in -lieu credits are not available at the time the PCN is submitted to the district engineer, the district engineer may approve the use of permittee -responsible mitigation. (2) The amount of compensatory mitigation required by the district engineer must be sufficient to ensure that the authorized activity results in no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects (see 33 CFR 330.1(e)(3)). (See also 33 CFR 332.3(f)). (3) Since the likelihood of success is greater and the impacts to potentially valuable uplands are reduced, aquatic resource restoration should be the first compensatory mitigation option considered for permittee -responsible mitigation. (4) If permittee -responsible mitigation is the proposed option, the prospective permittee is responsible for submitting a mitigation plan. A conceptual or detailed mitigation plan may be used by the district engineer to make the decision on the NWP verification request, but a final mitigation plan that addresses the applicable requirements of 33 CFR 332.4(c)(2) through (14) must be approved by the district engineer before the permittee begins work in waters of the United States, unless the district engineer determines that prior approval of the final mitigation plan is not practicable or not necessary to ensure timely completion of the required compensatory mitigation (see 33 CFR 332.3(k)(3)). (5) If mitigation bank or in -lieu fee program credits are the proposed option, the mitigation plan only needs to address the baseline conditions at the impact site and the number of credits to be provided. (6) Compensatory mitigation requirements (e.g., resource type and amount to be provided as compensatory mitigation, site protection, ecological performance standards, monitoring requirements) may be addressed through conditions added to the NWP authorization, instead of components of a compensatory mitigation plan (see 33 CFR 332.4(c)(1)(ii)). (g) Compensatory mitigation will not be used to increase the acreage losses allowed by the acreage limits of the NWPs. For example, if an NWP has an acreage limit of 1/2 -acre, it cannot be used to authorize any NWP activity resulting in the loss of greater than 1/2 -acre of waters of the United States, even if compensatory mitigation is provided that replaces or restores some of the lost waters. However, compensatory mitigation can and should be used, as necessary, to ensure that an NWP activity already meeting the established acreage limits also satisfies the no more than minimal impact requirement for the NWPs. (h) Permittees may propose the use of mitigation banks, in -lieu fee programs, or permittee -responsible mitigation. When developing a compensatory mitigation proposal, the permittee must consider appropriate and practicable options consistent with the framework at 33 CFR 332.3(b). For activities resulting in the loss of marine or estuarine resources, permittee -responsible mitigation may be environmentally preferable if there are no mitigation banks or in -lieu fee programs in the area that have marine or estuarine credits available for sale or transfer to the permittee. For permittee -responsible mitigation, the special conditions of the NWP verification must clearly indicate the party or parties responsible for the implementation and performance of the compensatory mitigation project, and, if required, its long-term management. (i) Where certain functions and services of waters of the United States are permanently adversely affected by a regulated activity, such as discharges of dredged or fill Z material into waters of the United States that will convert a forested or scrub -shrub wetland to a herbaceous wetland in a permanently maintained utility line right-of-way, mitigation may be required to reduce the adverse environmental effects of the activity to the no more than minimal level. 24. Safety of Impoundment Structures. To ensure that all impoundment structures are safely designed, the district engineer may require non -Federal applicants to demonstrate that the structures comply with established state dam safety criteria or have been designed by qualified persons. The district engineer may also require documentation that the design has been independently reviewed by similarly qualified persons, and appropriate modifications made to ensure safety. 25. Water Quality. Where States and authorized Tribes, or EPA where applicable, have not previously certified compliance of an NWP with CWA section 401, individual 401 Water Quality Certification must be obtained or waived (see 33 CFR 330.4(c)). The district engineer or State or Tribe may require additional water quality management measures to ensure that the authorized activity does not result in more than minimal degradation of water quality. 26. Coastal Zone Mana eg_ment. In coastal states where an NWP has not previously received a state coastal zone management consistency concurrence, an individual state coastal zone management consistency concurrence must be obtained, or a presumption of concurrence must occur (see 33 CFR 330.4(d)). The district engineer or a State may require additional measures to ensure that the authorized activity is consistent with state coastal zone management requirements. 27. Regional and Case -By -Case Conditions. The activity must comply with any regional conditions that may have been added by the Division Engineer (see 33 CFR 330.4(e)) and with any case specific conditions added by the Corps or by the state, Indian Tribe, or U.S. EPA in its section 401 Water Quality Certification, or by the state in its Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determination. 28. Use of Multiple Nationwide Permits. The use of more than one NWP for a single and complete project is prohibited, except when the acreage loss of waters of the United States authorized by the NWPs does not exceed the acreage limit of the NWP with the highest specified acreage limit. For example, if a road crossing over tidal waters is constructed under NWP 14, with associated bank stabilization authorized by NWP 13, the maximum acreage loss of waters of the United States for the total project cannot exceed 1/3 -acre. 29. Transfer of Nationwide Permit Verifications. If the permittee sells the property associated with a nationwide permit verification, the permittee may transfer the nationwide permit verification to the new owner by submitting a letter to the appropriate Corps district office to validate the transfer. A copy of the nationwide permit verification must be attached to the letter, and the letter must contain the following statement and signature: "When the structures or work authorized by this nationwide permit are still in existence at the time the property is transferred, the terms and conditions of this nationwide permit, including any special conditions, will continue to be binding on the new owner(s) of the property. To 10 validate the transfer of this nationwide permit and the associated liabilities associated with compliance with its terms and conditions, have the transferee sign and date below." (Transferee) (Date) 30. Compliance Certification. Each permittee who receives an NWP verification letter from the Corps must provide a signed certification documenting completion of the authorized activity and implementation of any required compensatory mitigation. The success of any required permittee -responsible mitigation, including the achievement of ecological performance standards, will be addressed separately by the district engineer. The Corps will provide the permittee the certification document with the NWP verification letter. The certification document will include: (a) A statement that the authorized activity was done in accordance with the NWP authorization, including any general, regional, or activity -specific conditions; (b) A statement that the implementation of any required compensatory mitigation was completed in accordance with the permit conditions. If credits from a mitigation bank or in -lieu fee program are used to satisfy the compensatory mitigation requirements, the certification must include the documentation required by 33 CFR 332.3(1)(3) to confirm that the permittee secured the appropriate number and resource type of credits; and (c) The signature of the permittee certifying the completion of the activity and mitigation. The completed certification document must be submitted to the district engineer within 30 days of completion of the authorized activity or the implementation of any required compensatory mitigation, whichever occurs later. 31. Activities Affecting Structures or Works Built by the United States. If an NWP activity also requires permission from the Corps pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 408 because it will alter or temporarily or permanently occupy or use a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) federally authorized Civil Works project (a "USACE project"), the prospective permittee must submit a pre -construction notification. See paragraph (b)(10) of general condition 32. An activity that requires section 408 permission is not authorized by NWP until the appropriate Corps office issues the section 408 permission to alter, occupy, or use the USACE project, and the district engineer issues a written NWP verification. 32. Pre -Construction Notification. (a) Timing. Where required by the terms of the NWP, the prospective permittee must notify the district engineer by submitting a pre - construction notification (PCN) as early as possible. The district engineer must determine if the PCN is complete within 30 calendar days of the date of receipt and, if the PCN is determined to be incomplete, notify the prospective permittee within that 30 day period to request the additional information necessary to make the PCN complete. The request must specify the information needed to make the PCN complete. As a general rule, district engineers will request additional information necessary to make the PCN complete only once. However, if the 11 prospective permittee does not provide all of the requested information, then the district engineer will notify the prospective permittee that the PCN is still incomplete and the PCN review process will not commence until all of the requested information has been received by the district engineer. The prospective permittee shall not begin the activity until either: (1) He or she is notified in writing by the district engineer that the activity may proceed under the NWP with any special conditions imposed by the district or division engineer; or (2) 45 calendar days have passed from the district engineer's receipt of the complete PCN and the prospective permittee has not received written notice from the district or division engineer. However, if the permittee was required to notify the Corps pursuant to general condition 18 that listed species or critical habitat might be affected or are in the vicinity of the activity, or to notify the Corps pursuant to general condition 20 that the activity might have the potential to cause effects to historic properties, the permittee cannot begin the activity until receiving written notification from the Corps that there is "no effect" on listed species or "no potential to cause effects" on historic properties, or that any consultation required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (see 33 CFR 330.4(f)) and/or section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (see 33 CFR 330.4(g)) has been completed. Also, work cannot begin under NWPs 21, 49, or 50 until the permittee has received written approval from the Corps. If the proposed activity requires a written waiver to exceed specified limits of an NWP, the permittee may not begin the activity until the district engineer issues the waiver. If the district or division engineer notifies the permittee in writing that an individual permit is required within 45 calendar days of receipt of a complete PCN, the permittee cannot begin the activity until an individual permit has been obtained. Subsequently, the permittee's right to proceed under the NWP may be modified, suspended, or revoked only in accordance with the procedure set forth in 33 CFR 330.5(d)(2). (b) Contents of Pre -Construction Notification: The PCN must be in writing and include the following information: (1) Name, address and telephone numbers of the prospective permittee; (2) Location of the proposed activity; (3) Identify the specific NWP or NWP(s) the prospective permittee wants to use to authorize the proposed activity; (4) A description of the proposed activity; the activity's purpose; direct and indirect adverse environmental effects the activity would cause, including the anticipated amount of loss of wetlands, other special aquatic sites, and other waters expected to result from the NWP activity, in acres, linear feet, or other appropriate unit of measure; a description of any proposed mitigation measures intended to reduce the adverse environmental effects caused by the proposed activity; and any other NWP(s), regional general permit(s), or individual permit(s) used or intended to be used to authorize any part of the proposed project or any related activity, including other separate and distant crossings for linear projects that require Department of the Army authorization but do not require pre -construction notification. The description of the proposed activity and any proposed mitigation measures should be sufficiently detailed to allow the district engineer to determine that the adverse environmental effects of the activity will be no more than minimal and to determine the need for compensatory mitigation or other mitigation measures. For single and complete linear projects, the PCN must include the quantity of anticipated losses of wetlands, other special aquatic sites, and other waters for each single and complete crossing of those wetlands, other special aquatic sites, and other waters. 12 Sketches should be provided when necessary to show that the activity complies with the terms of the NWP. (Sketches usually clarify the activity and when provided results in a quicker decision. Sketches should contain sufficient detail to provide an illustrative description of the proposed activity (e.g., a conceptual plan), but do not need to be detailed engineering plans); (5) The PCN must include a delineation of wetlands, other special aquatic sites, and other waters, such as lakes and ponds, and perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, on the project site. Wetland delineations must be prepared in accordance with the current method required by the Corps. The permittee may ask the Corps to delineate the special aquatic sites and other waters on the project site, but there may be a delay if the Corps does the delineation, especially if the project site is large or contains many wetlands, other special aquatic sites, and other waters. Furthermore, the 45 day period will not start until the delineation has been submitted to or completed by the Corps, as appropriate; (6) If the proposed activity will result in the loss of greater than 1/10-acre of wetlands and a PCN is required, the prospective permittee must submit a statement describing how the mitigation requirement will be satisfied, or explaining why the adverse environmental effects are no more than minimal and why compensatory mitigation should not be required. As an alternative, the prospective permittee may submit a conceptual or detailed mitigation plan. (7) For non -Federal permittees, if any listed species or designated critical habitat might be affected or is in the vicinity of the activity, or if the activity is located in designated critical habitat, the PCN must include the name(s) of those endangered or threatened species that might be affected by the proposed activity or utilize the designated critical habitat that might be affected by the proposed activity. For NWP activities that require pre-construction notification, Federal permittees must provide documentation demonstrating compliance with the Endangered Species Act; (8) For non -Federal permittees, if the NWP activity might have the potential to cause effects to a historic property listed on, determined to be eligible for listing on, or potentially eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places, the PCN must state which historic property might have the potential to be affected by the proposed activity or include a vicinity map indicating the location of the historic property. For NWP activities that require pre-construction notification, Federal permittees must provide documentation demonstrating compliance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; (9) For an activity that will occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a "study river" for possible inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, the PCN must identify the Wild and Scenic River or the "study river" (see general condition 16); and (10) For an activity that requires permission from the Corps pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 408 because it will alter or temporarily or permanently occupy or use a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers federally authorized civil works project, the pre-construction notification must include a statement confirming that the project proponent has submitted a written request for section 408 permission from the Corps office having jurisdiction over that USACE project. (c) Form of Pre-Construction Notification: The standard individual permit application form (Form ENG 4345) may be used, but the completed application form must clearly indicate that it is an NWP PCN and must include all of the applicable information required in paragraphs (b)(1) through (10) of this general condition. A letter containing the required information may also be used. Applicants may provide electronic files of PCNs and 13 supporting materials if the district engineer has established tools and procedures for electronic submittals. (d) Agency Coordination: (1) The district engineer will consider any comments from Federal and state agencies concerning the proposed activity's compliance with the terms and conditions of the NWPs and the need for mitigation to reduce the activity's adverse environmental effects so that they are no more than minimal. (2) Agency coordination is required for: (i) all NWP activities that require pre - construction notification and result in the loss of greater than 1/2 -acre of waters of the United States; (ii) NWP 21, 29, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51, and 52 activities that require pre - construction notification and will result in the loss of greater than 300 linear feet of stream bed; (iii) NWP 13 activities in excess of 500 linear feet, fills greater than one cubic yard per running foot, or involve discharges of dredged or fill material into special aquatic sites; and (iv) NWP 54 activities in excess of 500 linear feet, or that extend into the waterbody more than 30 feet from the mean low water line in tidal waters or the ordinary high water mark in the Great Lakes. (3) When agency coordination is required, the district engineer will immediately provide (e.g., via e-mail, facsimile transmission, overnight mail, or other expeditious manner) a copy of the complete PCN to the appropriate Federal or state offices (FWS, state natural resource or water quality agency, EPA, and, if appropriate, the NMFS). With the exception of NWP 37, these agencies will have 10 calendar days from the date the material is transmitted to notify the district engineer via telephone, facsimile transmission, or e-mail that they intend to provide substantive, site-specific comments. The comments must explain why the agency believes the adverse environmental effects will be more than minimal. If so contacted by an agency, the district engineer will wait an additional 15 calendar days before making a decision on the pre -construction notification. The district engineer will fully consider agency comments received within the specified time frame concerning the proposed activity's compliance with the terms and conditions of the NWPs, including the need for mitigation to ensure the net adverse environmental effects of the proposed activity are no more than minimal. The district engineer will provide no response to the resource agency, except as provided below. The district engineer will indicate in the administrative record associated with each pre -construction notification that the resource agencies' concerns were considered. For NWP 37, the emergency watershed protection and rehabilitation activity may proceed immediately in cases where there is an unacceptable hazard to life or a significant loss of property or economic hardship will occur. The district engineer will consider any comments received to decide whether the NWP 37 authorization should be modified, suspended, or revoked in accordance with the procedures at 33 CFR 330.5. (4) In cases of where the prospective permittee is not a Federal agency, the district engineer will provide a response to NMFS within 30 calendar days of receipt of any Essential Fish Habitat conservation recommendations, as required by section 305(b)(4)(B) of the Magnuson -Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. (5) Applicants are encouraged to provide the Corps with either electronic files or multiple copies of pre -construction notifications to expedite agency coordination. DISTRICT ENGINEER'S DECISION 1. In reviewing the PCN for the proposed activity, the district engineer will determine whether the activity authorized by the NWP will result in more than minimal 14 individual or cumulative adverse environmental effects or may be contrary to the public interest. If a project proponent requests authorization by a specific NWP, the district engineer should issue the NWP verification for that activity if it meets the terms and conditions of that NWP, unless he or she determines, after considering mitigation, that the proposed activity will result in more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse effects on the aquatic environment and other aspects of the public interest and exercises discretionary authority to require an individual permit for the proposed activity. For a linear project, this determination will include an evaluation of the individual crossings of waters of the United States to determine whether they individually satisfy the terms and conditions of the NWP(s), as well as the cumulative effects caused by all of the crossings authorized by NWP. If an applicant requests a waiver of the 300 linear foot limit on impacts to streams or of an otherwise applicable limit, as provided for in NWPs 13, 21, 29, 36, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51, 52, or 54, the district engineer will only grant the waiver upon a written determination that the NWP activity will result in only minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. For those NWPs that have a waivable 300 linear foot limit for losses of intermittent and ephemeral stream bed and a 1/2 -acre limit (i.e., NWPs 21, 29, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51, and 52), the loss of intermittent and ephemeral stream bed, plus any other losses of jurisdictional waters and wetlands, cannot exceed 1/2 -acre. 2. When making minimal adverse environmental effects determinations the district engineer will consider the direct and indirect effects caused by the NWP activity. He or she will also consider the cumulative adverse environmental effects caused by activities authorized by NWP and whether those cumulative adverse environmental effects are no more than minimal. The district engineer will also consider site specific factors, such as the environmental setting in the vicinity of the NWP activity, the type of resource that will be affected by the NWP activity, the functions provided by the aquatic resources that will be affected by the NWP activity, the degree or magnitude to which the aquatic resources perform those functions, the extent that aquatic resource functions will be lost as a result of the NWP activity (e.g., partial or complete loss), the duration of the adverse effects (temporary or permanent), the importance of the aquatic resource functions to the region (e.g., watershed or ecoregion), and mitigation required by the district engineer. If an appropriate functional or condition assessment method is available and practicable to use, that assessment method may be used by the district engineer to assist in the minimal adverse environmental effects determination. The district engineer may add case -specific special conditions to the NWP authorization to address site- specific environmental concerns. 3. If the proposed activity requires a PCN and will result in a loss of greater than 1/10 -acre of wetlands, the prospective permittee should submit a mitigation proposal with the PCN. Applicants may also propose compensatory mitigation for NWP activities with smaller impacts, or for impacts to other types of waters (e.g., streams). The district engineer will consider any proposed compensatory mitigation or other mitigation measures the applicant has included in the proposal in determining whether the net adverse environmental effects of the proposed activity are no more than minimal. The compensatory mitigation proposal may be either conceptual or detailed. If the district engineer determines that the activity complies with the terms and conditions of the NWP and that the adverse environmental effects are no more than minimal, after considering mitigation, the district engineer will notify the permittee and 15 include any activity -specific conditions in the NWP verification the district engineer deems necessary. Conditions for compensatory mitigation requirements must comply with the appropriate provisions at 33 CFR 332.3(k). The district engineer must approve the final mitigation plan before the permittee commences work in waters of the United States, unless the district engineer determines that prior approval of the final mitigation plan is not practicable or not necessary to ensure timely completion of the required compensatory mitigation. If the prospective permittee elects to submit a compensatory mitigation plan with the PCN, the district engineer will expeditiously review the proposed compensatory mitigation plan. The district engineer must review the proposed compensatory mitigation plan within 45 calendar days of receiving a complete PCN and determine whether the proposed mitigation would ensure the NWP activity results in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. If the net adverse environmental effects of the NWP activity (after consideration of the mitigation proposal) are determined by the district engineer to be no more than minimal, the district engineer will provide a timely written response to the applicant. The response will state that the NWP activity can proceed under the terms and conditions of the NWP, including any activity -specific conditions added to the NWP authorization by the district engineer. 4. If the district engineer determines that the adverse environmental effects of the proposed activity are more than minimal, then the district engineer will notify the applicant either: (a) that the activity does not qualify for authorization under the NWP and instruct the applicant on the procedures to seek authorization under an individual permit; (b) that the activity is authorized under the NWP subject to the applicant's submission of a mitigation plan that would reduce the adverse environmental effects so that they are no more than minimal; or (c) that the activity is authorized under the NWP with specific modifications or conditions. Where the district engineer determines that mitigation is required to ensure no more than minimal adverse environmental effects, the activity will be authorized within the 45 -day PCN period (unless additional time is required to comply with general conditions 18, 20, and/or 31, or to evaluate PCNs for activities authorized by NWPs 21, 49, and 50), with activity -specific conditions that state the mitigation requirements. The authorization will include the necessary conceptual or detailed mitigation plan or a requirement that the applicant submit a mitigation plan that would reduce the adverse environmental effects so that they are no more than minimal. When compensatory mitigation is required, no work in waters of the United States may occur until the district engineer has approved a specific mitigation plan or has determined that prior approval of a final mitigation plan is not practicable or not necessary to ensure timely completion of the required compensatory mitigation. FURTHER INFORMATION 1. District Engineers have authority to determine if an activity complies with the terms and conditions of an NWP. 2. NWPs do not obviate the need to obtain other federal, state, or local permits, approvals, or authorizations required by law. 3. NWPs do not grant any property rights or exclusive privileges. 4. NWPs do not authorize any injury to the property or rights of others. 5. NWPs do not authorize interference with any existing or proposed Federal project (see general condition 31). 16 Best management practices (BMPs): Policies, practices, procedures, or structures implemented to mitigate the adverse environmental effects on surface water quality resulting from development. BMPs are categorized as structural or non-structural. Compensatory mitigation: The restoration (re-establishment or rehabilitation), establishment (creation), enhancement, and/or in certain circumstances preservation of aquatic resources for the purposes of offsetting unavoidable adverse impacts which remain after all appropriate and practicable avoidance and minimization has been achieved. Currently serviceable: Useable as is or with some maintenance, but not so degraded as to essentially require reconstruction. Direct effects: Effects that are caused by the activity and occur at the same time and place. Discharize: The term "discharge" means any discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Ecological reference: A model used to plan and design an aquatic habitat and riparian area restoration, enhancement, or establishment activity under NWP 27. An ecological reference may be based on the structure, functions, and dynamics of an aquatic habitat type or a riparian area type that currently exists in the region where the proposed NWP 27 activity is located. Alternatively, an ecological reference may be based on a conceptual model for the aquatic habitat type or riparian area type to be restored, enhanced, or established as a result of the proposed NWP 27 activity. An ecological reference takes into account the range of variation of the aquatic habitat type or riparian area type in the region. Enhancement: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of an aquatic resource to heighten, intensify, or improve a specific aquatic resource function(s). Enhancement results in the gain of selected aquatic resource function(s), but may also lead to a decline in other aquatic resource function(s). Enhancement does not result in a gain in aquatic resource area. Ephemeral stream: An ephemeral stream has flowing water only during, and for a short duration after, precipitation events in a typical year. Ephemeral stream beds are located above the water table year-round. Groundwater is not a source of water for the stream. Runoff from rainfall is the primary source of water for stream flow. Establishment (creation): The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics present to develop an aquatic resource that did not previously exist at an upland site. Establishment results in a gain in aquatic resource area. High Tide Line: The line of intersection of the land with the water's surface at the maximum height reached by a rising tide. The high tide line may be determined, in the absence of actual data, by a line of oil or scum along shore objects, a more or less continuous deposit of fine shell or debris on the foreshore or berm, other physical markings or characteristics, vegetation lines, tidal gages, or other suitable means that delineate the general height reached by a rising tide. The line encompasses spring high tides and other high tides that occur with periodic frequency but does not include storm surges in which there is a departure from the normal or predicted reach of the tide due to the piling up of water against a coast by strong winds such as those accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm. Historic Property: Any prehistoric or historic district, site (including archaeological site), building, structure, or other object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National 17 Register of Historic Places maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. This term includes artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within such properties. The term includes properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that meet the National Register criteria (36 CFR part 60). Independent utility: A test to determine what constitutes a single and complete non- linear project in the Corps Regulatory Program. A project is considered to have independent utility if it would be constructed absent the construction of other projects in the project area. Portions of a multi -phase project that depend upon other phases of the project do not have independent utility. Phases of a project that would be constructed even if the other phases were not built can be considered as separate single and complete projects with independent utility. Indirect effects: Effects that are caused by the activity and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Intermittent stream: An intermittent stream has flowing water during certain times of the year, when groundwater provides water for stream flow. During dry periods, intermittent streams may not have flowing water. Runoff from rainfall is a supplemental source of water for stream flow. Loss of waters of the United States: Waters of the United States that are permanently adversely affected by filling, flooding, excavation, or drainage because of the regulated activity. Permanent adverse effects include permanent discharges of dredged or fill material that change an aquatic area to dry land, increase the bottom elevation of a waterbody, or change the use of a waterbody. The acreage of loss of waters of the United States is a threshold measurement of the impact to jurisdictional waters for determining whether a project may qualify for an NWP; it is not a net threshold that is calculated after considering compensatory mitigation that may be used to offset losses of aquatic functions and services. The loss of stream bed includes the acres or linear feet of stream bed that are filled or excavated as a result of the regulated activity. Waters of the United States temporarily filled, flooded, excavated, or drained, but restored to pre - construction contours and elevations after construction, are not included in the measurement of loss of waters of the United States. Impacts resulting from activities that do not require Department of the Army authorization, such as activities eligible for exemptions under section 404(f) of the Clean Water Act, are not considered when calculating the loss of waters of the United States. Navigable waters: Waters subject to section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. These waters are defined at 33 CFR part 329. Non -tidal wetland: A non -tidal wetland is a wetland that is not subject to the ebb and flow of tidal waters. Non -tidal wetlands contiguous to tidal waters are located landward of the high tide line (i.e., spring high tide line). Open water: For purposes of the NWPs, an open water is any area that in a year with normal patterns of precipitation has water flowing or standing above ground to the extent that an ordinary high water mark can be determined. Aquatic vegetation within the area of flowing or standing water is either non -emergent, sparse, or absent. Vegetated shallows are considered to be open waters. Examples of "open waters" include rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Ordinary High Water Mark: An ordinary high water mark is a line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics, or by other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas. Perennial stream: A perennial stream has flowing water year-round during a typical year. The water table is located above the stream bed for most of the year. Groundwater is the 18 primary source of water for stream flow. Runoff from rainfall is a supplemental source of water for stream flow. Practicable: Available and capable of being done after taking into consideration cost, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes. Pre -construction notification: A request submitted by the project proponent to the Corps for confirmation that a particular activity is authorized by nationwide permit. The request may be a permit application, letter, or similar document that includes information about the proposed work and its anticipated environmental effects. Pre -construction notification may be required by the terms and conditions of a nationwide permit, or by regional conditions. A pre - construction notification may be voluntarily submitted in cases where pre -construction notification is not required and the project proponent wants confirmation that the activity is authorized by nationwide permit. Preservation: The removal of a threat to, or preventing the decline of, aquatic resources by an action in or near those aquatic resources. This term includes activities commonly associated with the protection and maintenance of aquatic resources through the implementation of appropriate legal and physical mechanisms. Preservation does not result in a gain of aquatic resource area or functions. Protected tribal resources: Those natural resources and properties of traditional or customary religious or cultural importance, either on or off Indian lands, retained by, or reserved by or for, Indian tribes through treaties, statutes, judicial decisions, or executive orders, including tribal trust resources. Re-establishment: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural/historic functions to a former aquatic resource. Re-establishment results in rebuilding a former aquatic resource and results in a gain in aquatic resource area and functions. Rehabilitation: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of repairing natural/historic functions to a degraded aquatic resource. Rehabilitation results in a gain in aquatic resource function, but does not result in a gain in aquatic resource area. Restoration: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural/historic functions to a former or degraded aquatic resource. For the purpose of tracking net gains in aquatic resource area, restoration is divided into two categories: re-establishment and rehabilitation. Riffle and pool complex: Riffle and pool complexes are special aquatic sites under the 404(b)(1) Guidelines. Riffle and pool complexes sometimes characterize steep gradient sections of streams. Such stream sections are recognizable by their hydraulic characteristics. The rapid movement of water over a course substrate in riffles results in a rough flow, a turbulent surface, and high dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Pools are deeper areas associated with riffles. A slower stream velocity, a streaming flow, a smooth surface, and a finer substrate characterize pools. Riparian areas: Riparian areas are lands next to streams, lakes, and estuarine- marine shorelines. Riparian areas are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, through which surface and subsurface hydrology connects riverine, lacustrine, estuarine, and marine waters with their adjacent wetlands, non -wetland waters, or uplands. Riparian areas provide a variety of ecological functions and services and help improve or maintain local water quality. (See general condition 23.) 19 Shellfish seeding: The placement of shellfish seed and/or suitable substrate to increase shellfish production. Shellfish seed consists of immature individual shellfish or individual shellfish attached to shells or shell fragments (i.e., spat on shell). Suitable substrate may consist of shellfish shells, shell fragments, or other appropriate materials placed into waters for shellfish habitat. Single and complete linear project: A linear project is a project constructed for the purpose of getting people, goods, or services from a point of origin to a terminal point, which often involves multiple crossings of one or more waterbodies at separate and distant locations. The term "single and complete project" is defined as that portion of the total linear project proposed or accomplished by one owner/developer or partnership or other association of owners/developers that includes all crossings of a single water of the United States (i.e., a single waterbody) at a specific location. For linear projects crossing a single or multiple waterbodies several times at separate and distant locations, each crossing is considered a single and complete project for purposes of NWP authorization. However, individual channels in a braided stream or river, or individual arms of a large, irregularly shaped wetland or lake, etc., are not separate waterbodies, and crossings of such features cannot be considered separately. Single and complete non-linear project: For non-linear projects, the term "single and complete project" is defined at 33 CFR 330.2(1) as the total project proposed or accomplished by one owner/developer or partnership or other association of owners/developers. A single and complete non-linear project must have independent utility (see definition of "independent utility"). Single and complete non-linear projects may not be "piecemealed" to avoid the limits in an NWP authorization. Stormwater management: Stormwater management is the mechanism for controlling stormwater runoff for the purposes of reducing downstream erosion, water quality degradation, and flooding and mitigating the adverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment. Stormwater management facilities: Stormwater management facilities are those facilities, including but not limited to, stormwater retention and detention ponds and best management practices, which retain water for a period of time to control runoff and/or improve the quality (i.e., by reducing the concentration of nutrients, sediments, hazardous substances and other pollutants) of stormwater runoff. Stream bed: The substrate of the stream channel between the ordinary high water marks. The substrate may be bedrock or inorganic particles that range in size from clay to boulders. Wetlands contiguous to the stream bed, but outside of the ordinary high water marks, are not considered part of the stream bed. Stream channelization: The manipulation of a stream's course, condition, capacity, or location that causes more than minimal interruption of normal stream processes. A channelized stream remains a water of the United States. Structure: An object that is arranged in a definite pattern of organization. Examples of structures include, without limitation, any pier, boat dock, boat ramp, wharf, dolphin, weir, boom, breakwater, bulkhead, revetment, riprap, jetty, artificial island, artificial reef, permanent mooring structure, power transmission line, permanently moored floating vessel, piling, aid to navigation, or any other manmade obstacle or obstruction. Tidal wetland: A tidal wetland is a jurisdictional wetland that is inundated by tidal waters. Tidal waters rise and fall in a predictable and measurable rhythm or cycle due to the gravitational pulls of the moon and sun. Tidal waters end where the rise and fall of the water 20 surface can no longer be practically measured in a predictable rhythm due to masking by other waters, wind, or other effects. Tidal wetlands are located channelward of the high tide line. Tribal lands: Any lands title to which is either: 1) held in trust by the United States for the benefit of any Indian tribe or individual; or 2) held by any Indian tribe or individual subject to restrictions by the United States against alienation. Tribal rights: Those rights legally accruing to a tribe or tribes by virtue of inherent sovereign authority, unextinguished aboriginal title, treaty, statute, judicial decisions, executive order or agreement, and that give rise to legally enforceable remedies. Vegetated shallows: Vegetated shallows are special aquatic sites under the 404(b)(1) Guidelines. They are areas that are permanently inundated and under normal circumstances have rooted aquatic vegetation, such as seagrasses in marine and estuarine systems and a variety of vascular rooted plants in freshwater systems. Waterbody: For purposes of the NWPs, a waterbody is a jurisdictional water of the United States. If a wetland is adjacent to a waterbody determined to be a water of the United States, that waterbody and any adjacent wetlands are considered together as a single aquatic unit (see 33 CFR 328.4(c)(2)). Examples of "waterbodies" include streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. 21 FINAL 2017 REGIONAL CONDITIONS NOTICE ABOUT WEB LINKS IN THIS DOCUMENT. - The web links (both internal to our Wilmington District and any external links to collaborating agencies) in this document are valid at the time of publication. However, the Wilmington District Regulatory Program web page addresses, as with other agency web sites, may change over the timeframe of the five-year Nationwide Permit renewal cycle, in response to policy mandates or technology advances. While we will make every effort to check on the integrity of our web links and provide re -direct pages whenever possible, we ask that you report any broken links to us so we can keep the page information current and usable. We apologize in advanced for any broken links that you may encounter, and we ask that you navigate from the Regulatory home page (Regulatory Permit Program Wetlands and Streams) of the Wilmington District Corps of Engineers, to the "Permits " section of our web site to find links for pages that cannot be found by clicking directly on the listed web link in this document. Final 2017 Regional Conditions for Nationwide Permits (NWP) in the Wilmington District 1.0 Excluded Waters The Corps has identified waters that will be excluded from the use of all NWP's during certain timeframes. These waters are: 1.1 Anadromous Fish Spawning Areas Waters of the United States identified by either the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) or the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as anadromous fish spawning areas are excluded during the period between February 15 and June 30, without prior written approval from the Corps and either NCDMF or NCWRC. 1.2 Trout Waters Moratorium Waters of the United States in the designated trout watersheds of North Carolina are excluded during the period between October 15 and April 15 without prior written approval from the NCWRC, or from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Fisheries and Wildlife Management (FWM) office if the project is located on EBCI trust land. (See Section 2.7 for information on the designated trout watersheds). 1.3 Sturgeon Spawning Areas as Designated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Waters of the United States designated as sturgeon spawning areas are excluded during the period between February 1 and June 30, without prior written approval from the NMFS. 22 2.0 Waters Requiring Additional Notification The Corps has identified waters that will be subject to additional notification requirements for activities authorized by all NWPs. These waters are: 2.1 Western NC Counties that Drain to Designated Critical Habitat For proposed activities within waters of the United States that require a Pre -Construction Notification (PCN) and are located in the sixteen counties listed below, permittees must provide a copy of the PCN to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801. This PCN must be sent concurrently to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps Asheville Regulatory Field Office. Please see General Condition 18 for specific notification requirements related to the Endangered Species Act and the below website for information on the location of designated critical habitat. Counties with tributaries that drain to designated critical habitat that require notification to the Asheville U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Avery, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union and Yancey. Website and office addresses for Endangered Species Act Information: The Wilmington District has developed the following website for permittees which provides guidelines on how to review linked websites and maps in order to fulfill NWP General Condition 18 requirements: hqp://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Re ug lator3 PermitPro am/A encyCoordination/ESA a Permittees who do not have intemet access may contact the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices listed below or Corps at (910) 251-4633: Asheville U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office counties: All counties west of and including Anson, Stanly, Davidson, Forsythe and Stokes Counties. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Asheville Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801 Telephone: (828) 258-3939 Raleigh U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office counties: all counties east of and including Richmond, Montgomery, Randolph, Guilford, and Rockingham Counties. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Raleigh Field Office Post Office Box 33726 23 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Telephone: (919) 856-4520 2.2 Special Designation Waters Prior to the use of any NWP, except NWP 3, that involves a discharge of dredged or fill material in any of the following identified waters and/or adjacent wetlands in North Carolina, permittees shall submit a PCN to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity (see General Condition 32). The North Carolina waters and wetlands that require additional notification requirements are: "Outstanding Resource Waters" (ORW) or "High Quality Waters" (HQW) as designated by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission; "Primary Nursery Areas" (PNA), including inland PNA, as designated by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission and the NCWRC; or wetlands adjacent to these waters. Definitions of ORW, HQW and PNA waters can be found in the North Carolina State Administrative Code, Title 15A, Subchapters 2B and IOC (15A NCAC 02B, 15A NCAC l OC) and at the following World Wide Web page: http://re�orts.oah.state.nc.us/ncac.asp?folderName=\Title%2015A%20- %20Environmental%200ualiiy&lookUpErroc=15A%20NCAC%20000%20. Surface water classifications for waters in North Carolina can be viewed at the North Carolina Division of Water Resources website or at the following World Wide Web Page: httl2s:Hdeg.nc. gov/about/divisions/water-resources/planning,/classification- standards/classifications Permittees who do not have internet access may contact the Corps at (910) 251- 4633. 2.3 Coastal Area Management Act (LAMA) Areas of Environmental Concern Non-federal permittees for any NWP in a designated "Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC) in the twenty (20) counties of Eastern North Carolina covered by the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) must also obtain the required CAMA permit. Development activities for non-federal projects may not commence until a copy of the approved CAMA permit is furnished to the appropriate Wilmington District Regulatory Field Office (Wilmington Field Office — 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403, (910) 251-4802 or Washington Field Office — 2407 West 5th Street, Washington, NC 27889, (910) 251-4610). 2.4 Barrier Islands Prior to the use of any NWP on a barrier island of North Carolina, permittees must submit a PCN to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity (see General Condition 32). 2.5 Mountain or Piedmont Bogs Prior to the use of any NWP in a Bog, as classified by the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Methodology (NCWAM), permittees shall submit a PCN to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity (see General Condition 32). The latest version of NCWAM can be 24 viewed on the Corps RIBITS (Regulatory In -lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System) website or at the following World Wide Web Page: https://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits apex/Vp=107:27:0::NO::: 2.6 Animal Waste Facilities Prior to use of any NWP for construction of animal waste facilities in waters of the United States, including wetlands, permittees shall submit a PCN to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity (see General Condition 32). 2.7 Trout Waters Prior to any discharge of dredge or fill material into streams, waterbodies or wetlands within the 294 designated trout watersheds of North Carolina, the permittee shall submit a PCN (see General Condition 32) to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity, unless other thresholds are established in the Regional Conditions in Section 4 (Additional Regional Conditions for Specific Nationwide Permits). The permittee shall also provide a copy of the notification to the appropriate NCWRC office, or to the EBCI FWM Office (if the project is located on EBCI trust land), to facilitate the determination of any potential impacts to designated Trout Waters. Notification to the Corps will include a statement with the name of the NCWRC or EBCI FWM biologist contacted, the date of the notification, the location of work, a delineation of wetlands and waters, a discussion of alternatives to working in the mountain trout waters, why alternatives were not selected, and, if applicable, a plan to provide compensatory mitigation for all unavoidable adverse impacts to mountain trout waters. NC W RC and NC Trout Watersheds: NCWRC Contact** Counties that are entirely within Trout Watersheds* Counties that are partially within Trout Watersheds* Mountain Coordinator Alleghany Jackson Burke McDowell Balsam Depot Ashe Macon Buncombe Mitchell 20830 Great Smoky Avery Swain Caldwell Polk Mountain Expressway Graham Transylvania Cherokee Rutherford Waynesville, NC 28786 Haywood Watauga Clay Surry Telephone: (828) 558-6011 Henderson Wilkes Madison Yancey For NCDOT Projects: NCDOT Coordinator 206 Charter. Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Telephone: (704) 982-9181 25 *NOTE: To determine notification requirements, contact the Corps Asheville Regulatory Field Office at (828) 271-7980 or view maps for each County at the following World Wide Web page: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Re u�r-Permit-Pro regency- Coordination/Trout/. **If a project is located on EBCI trust land, submit the PCN in accordance with Section 3.14. Contact the Corps Asheville Regulatory Field Office at (828) 271-7980 with questions. 2.8 Western NC Waters and Corridors The permittee shall submit a PCN (see General Condition 32) to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity in waters of the United States if the activity will occur within any of the following identified waters in western North Carolina, within 0.5 mile on either side of these waters, or within 0.75 mile of the Little Tennessee River, as measured from the top of the bank of the respective water (i.e., river, stream, or creek): Brasstown Creek Burningtown Creek Cane River Caney Fork Cartoogechaye Creek Chattooga River Cheoah River Cowee Creek Cullasaja River Deep Creek Ellijay Creek French Broad River Garden Creek Hiwassee River Hominy Creek Iotla Creek Little Tennessee River (within the river or within 0.75 mile on either side of this river) Nantahala River Nolichucky River North Fork French Broad River North Toe River Nottley River Oconaluftee River (portion not located on trust/EBCI land) Peachtree Creek Shooting Creek Snowbird Creek South Toe River Stecoah Creek Swannanoa River Sweetwater Creek 26 Tuckasegee River (also spelled Tuckaseegee or Tuckaseigee) Valley River Watauga Creek Watauga River Wayah Creek West Fork French Broad River To determine notification requirements, contact the Corps Asheville Regulatory Field Office at (828) 271-7980 or view maps for all corridors at the following World Wide Web page: hM://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regul�ry-Permit-Pro r� eg_ncy- Coordination/Designated-Special-Waters.aspx 3.0 List of Corps Regional Conditions for All Nationwide Permits The following conditions apply to all Nationwide Permits in the Wilmington District: 3.1 Limitation of Loss of Stream Bed NWPs may not be used for activities that may result in the loss or degradation of more than 300 total linear feet of stream bed, unless the District Engineer has waived the 300 linear foot limit for ephemeral and intermittent streams on a case-by-case basis and has determined that the proposed activity will result in minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts to the aquatic environment. Waivers for the loss of ephemeral and intermittent streams must be in writing and documented by appropriate/accepted stream quality assessments*. This waiver only applies to the 300 linear feet threshold for NWPs. This Regional Condition does not apply to NWP 23 (Approved Categorical Exclusions). *NOTE: Permittees should utilize the most current methodology prescribed by Wilmington District to assess stream function and quality. Information can be found at: b=s://ribits.usace.army.mil/ribits apex/f?12=107:27:0::NO::: 3.2 Mitigation for Loss of Stream Bed For any NWP that results in a loss of more than 150 linear feet of stream, the permittee shall provide a mitigation proposal to compensate for more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts to the aquatic environment. For stream losses of 150 linear feet or less that require a PCN, the District Engineer may determine, on a case-by-case basis, that compensatory mitigation is required to ensure that the activity results in minimal adverse effect on the aquatic environment. 3.3 Pre -construction Notification for Loss of Streambed Exceeding 150 Feet Prior to use of any NWP for any activity which impacts more than 150 total linear feet of perennial stream, intermittent or ephemeral stream, the permittee shall submit a PCN to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity (see General Condition 32). This applies to 27 NWPs that do not have specific notification requirements. If a NWP has specific notification requirements, the requirements of the NWP should be followed. 3.4 Restriction on Use of Live Concrete For all NWPs which allow the use of concrete as a building material, live or fresh concrete, including bags of uncured concrete, may not come into contact with the water in or entering into waters of the United States. Water inside coffer dams or casings that has been in contact with wet concrete shall only be returned to waters of the United States after the concrete is set and cured and when it no longer poses a threat to aquatic organisms. 3.5 Requirements for Using Riprap for Bank Stabilization For all NWPs that allow for the use of riprap material for bank stabilization, the following measures shall be applied: 3.5.1. Where bank stabilization is conducted as part of an activity, natural design, bioengineering and/or geoengineering methods that incorporate natural durable materials, native seed mixes, and native plants and shrubs are to be utilized to the maximum extent practicable. 3.5.2. Filter cloth must be placed underneath the riprap as an additional requirement of its use in North Carolina waters. The placement of filter fabric is not required if the riprap will be pushed or "keyed" into the bank of the waterbody. A waiver from the specifications in this Regional Condition may be requested in writing. The waiver will only be issued if it can be demonstrated that the impacts of complying with this Regional Condition would result in greater adverse impacts to the aquatic environment. 3.5.3. The placement of riprap shall be limited to the areas depicted on submitted work plan drawings. 3.5.4. The riprap material shall be clean and free from loose dirt or any pollutant except in trace quantities that would not have an adverse environmental effect. 3.5.5. It shall be of a size sufficient to prevent its movement from the authorized alignment by natural forces under normal conditions. 3.5.6. The riprap material shall consist of clean rock or masonry material such as, but not limited to, granite, marl, or broken concrete. 3.6 Requirements for Culvert Placement 3.6.1 For all NWPs that involve the construction/installation of culverts, measures will be included in the construction/installation that will promote the safe passage of fish and other aquatic organisms. The dimension, pattern, and profile of the stream above and below a pipe or culvert should not be modified by altering the width or depth of the stream profile in connection with the construction activity. The width, height, and gradient of a proposed culvert should be 28 sufficient to pass the average historical low flow and spring flow without adversely altering flow velocity. Spring flow is the seasonal sustained high flow that typically occurs in the spring. Spring flows should be determined from gage data, if available. In the absence of such data, bank -full flow can be used as a comparable indicator. In Public Trust Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC) and/or the Estuarine Waters AEC as designated by the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA): All pipes/culverts must be sufficiently sized to allow for the burial of the bottom of the culvert at least one foot below normal bed elevation. Circular Culvert —y Streambed Material 4 Rise (Diameter) In all other areas: Culverts greater than 48 inches in diameter will be buried at least one foot below the bed of the stream. Culverts 48 inches in diameter or less shall be buried to maintain aquatic passage and to maintain passage during drought or low flow conditions, and every effort shall be made to maintain the existing channel slope. Culverts must be designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes destabilization and head cutting. Destabilizing the channel and head cutting upstream should be considered and appropriate actions incorporated in the design and placement of the culvert. A waiver from the depth specifications in this condition may be requested, in writing, by the permittee and issued by the Corp; this request must be specific as to the reasons(s) for the request. The waiver will be issued if it can be demonstrated that the proposed design would result in less impacts to the aquatic environment. All counties: Culverts placed within riparian and/or riverine wetlands must be installed in a manner that does not restrict the flow and circulation patterns of waters of the United States. 29 Culverts placed across wetland fills purely for the purposes of equalizing surface water do not have to be buried, but the culverts must be of adequate size and/or number to ensure unrestricted transmission of water. 3.6.2 Bank -full flows (or less) shall be accommodated through maintenance of the existing bank - full channel cross sectional area. Additional culverts or culvert barrels at such crossings shall be allowed only to receive bank -full flows. Approach Fill Culartburisd 3.6.3 Where adjacent floodplain is available, flows exceeding bank -full should be accommodated by installing culverts at the floodplain elevation. Additional culverts or culvert barrels at such crossings should not be buried, or if buried, must have sills at the inlets to ensure that they only receive flows exceeding bank -full. 3.6.4 Excavation of existing stream channels shall be limited to the minimum necessary to construct or install the proposed culvert. The final width of the impacted stream at the culvert inlet and outlet should be no greater than the original stream width. A waiver from this condition may be requested in writing; this request must be specific as to the reason(s) for the request. The waiver will be issued if the proposed design would result in less impacts to the aquatic environment and/or if it can be demonstrated that it is not practicable to restore the final width of the impacted stream at the culvert inlet and outlet to the width of the original stream channel. 3.6.5 The width of the culvert shall be comparable to the width of the stream channel. If the width of the culvert is wider than the stream channel, the culvert shall include baffles, benches and/or sills to maintain the width of the stream channel. A waiver from this condition may be requested in writing; this request must be specific as to the reason(s) for the request. The waiver will be issued if it can be demonstrated that it is not practicable or necessary to include baffles, benches or sills and the design would result in less impacts to the aquatic environment. 3.7 Notification to NCDEQ Shellfish Sanitation Section Permittees shall notify the NCDEQ Shellfish Sanitation Section prior to dredging in or removing sediment from an area closed to shell fishing where the effluent may be released to an area open for shell fishing or swimming in order to avoid contamination from the disposal area and cause a temporary shellfish closure to be made. Such notification shall also be provided to the appropriate Corps Regulatory Field Office. Any disposal of sand to the ocean beach should occur between November 1 and April 30 when recreational usage is low. Only clean sand 30 should be used and no dredged sand from closed shell fishing areas may be used. If beach disposal were to occur at times other than stated above or if sand from a closed shell fishing area is to be used, a swimming advisory shall be posted, and a press release shall be issued by the permittee. 3.8 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Impacts to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) are not authorized by any NWP, except NWP 48, unless EFH Consultation has been completed pursuant to the Magnuson -Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson -Stevens Act). Permittees shall submit a PCN (See NWP General Condition 32) to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity if the project would affect SAV. The permittee may not begin work until notified by the Corps that the requirements of the Magnuson -Stevens Act have been satisfied and that the activity is authorized. 3.9 Sedimentation and Erosion Control Structures and Measures All PCNs will identify and describe sedimentation and erosion control structures and measures proposed for placement in waters of the United States. The structures and measures should be depicted on maps, surveys or drawings showing location and impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and streams. 3.10 Restoration of Temporary Impacts to Stream Beds Upon completion of work that involves temporary stream impacts, streambeds are to be restored to pre -project elevations and widths using natural streambed material such that the impacted stream reach mimics the adjacent upstream and downstream reach. The impacted area shall be backfilled with natural streambed material to a depth of at least 12 inches or to the bottom depth of the impacted area if shallower than 12 inches. An engineered in -stream structure or material can be used to provide protection of a buried structure if it provides benefits to the aquatic environment and can be accomplished by a natural streambed design. A permittee may request a waiver of this condition if it is determined a buried structure needs significant physical protection beyond those provided in this condition. This condition does not apply to NWP 27 — Aquatic Habitat Restoration, Enhancement, and Establishment Activities. 3.11 Restoration of Temporary Impacts to Stream Banks Upon completion of work involving temporary stream bank impacts, stream banks are to be restored to pre -project grade and contours or beneficial grade and contours if the original bank slope is steep and unstable. Natural durable materials, native seed mixes, and native plants and shrubs are to be utilized in the restoration. Natural designs which use bioengineered and/or geo- engineered methods are to be applied. An engineered structure or material can be used to provide protection of a buried structure if it provides benefits to the stream bank environment, provided it is not in excess of the minimum amount needed for protection and does not exceed an average of one cubic yard per running foot placed along the bank below the plane of the ordinary high water mark. A permittee may request a waiver of this condition if it is determined a buried structure 31 needs significant physical protection beyond those provided in this condition. This condition does not apply to NWP 27 — Aquatic Habitat Restoration, Enhancement, and Establishment Activities. 3.12 Federal Navigation Channel Setbacks and Corps Easements 3.12.1 Authorized structures and fills located in or adjacent to Federally authorized waterways will be constructed in accordance with the latest setback criteria established by the Wilmington District Engineer. You may review the setback policy at hqp://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Setbacks.aspx. This general permit does not authorize the construction of hardened or permanently fixed structures within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback, unless the activity is approved by the Corps. The permittee shall submit a PCN (see General Condition 32) to the District Engineer prior to the construction of any structures or fills within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback. 3.12.2 The permittee shall obtain a Consent to Cross Government Easement from the Wilmington District's Land Use Coordinator prior to any crossing of the Corps easement and/or prior to commencing construction of any structures, authorized dredging or other work within the right-of-way of, or in proximity to, a federally designated disposal area. The Land Use Coordinator may be contacted at: CESAW-OP-N, 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343, email: SAWWeb-NAV2usace.army.mil 3.13 Northern Long-eared Bat — Endangered Species Act Compliance The Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has consulted with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in regards to the threatened Northern long-eared bat (NLEB) (Myotis septentrionalis) and Standard Local Operating Procedures for Endangered Species (SLOPES) have been approved by the Corps and the USFWS. This condition concerns effects to the NLEB only and does not address effects to other federally listed species and/or federally designated critical habitat. A. Procedures when the Corps is the lead federal* agency for a project: The permittee must comply with (1) and (2) below when: • the project is located in the western 41 counties of North Carolina, to include non- federal aid North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) projects, OR; • the project is located in the 59 eastern counties of North Carolina, and is a non- NCDOT project. *Generally, if a project is located on private property or on non-federal land, and the project is not being funded by a federal entity, the Corps will be the lead federal agency due to the requirement to obtain Department of the Army authorization to impact waters of the United States. If the project is located on federal land, contact the Corps to determine the lead federal agency. 32 (1) A permittee using a NWP must check to see if their project is located in the range of the NLEB by using the following website: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nleb/pdf/WNSZone.pdf. If the project is within the range of the NLEB, or if the project includes percussive activities (e.g., blasting, pile driving, etc.), the permittee is then required to check the appropriate website in the paragraph below to discover if their project: • is located in a 12 -digit Hydrologic Unit Code area ("red HUC" - shown as red areas on the map), AND/OR; • involves percussive activities within 0.25 mile of a red HUC. Red HUC maps - for the western 41 counties in NC (covered by the Asheville Ecological Services Field Office), check the project location against the electronic maps found at: hM://www.fws.%tov/asheville/httnls/project review/NLEB in WNC.html. For the eastern 59 counties in NC (covered by the Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office), check the project location against the electronic maps found at: h!Ws://www.fws.izov/raleighNLEB RFO.html. (2) A permittee must submit a PCN to the District Engineer, and receive written authorization from the District Engineer, prior to commencing the activity, if the activity will involve my of the following: • tree clearing/removal, construction/installation of wind turbines in a red HUC, AND/OR; • bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, (applies anywhere in the range of the NLEB), AND/OR: . percussive activities in a red HUC, or within 0.25 mile of a red HUC. The permittee may proceed with the activity without submitting a PCN to either the Corps or the USFWS, provided the activity complies with all applicable NWP terms and general and regional conditions, if the permittee's review under A.(1) and A.(2) above shows that the project is: • located outside of a red HUC (and there are no percussive activities), and the activity will NOT include bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, OR; located outside of a red HUC and there are percussive activities, but the percussive activities will not occur within 0.25 -mile of a red HUC boundary, and the activity will NOT include bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, OR; 33 • located in a red HUC, but the activity will NOT include: tree clearing/removal; construction/installation of wind turbines; bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, and/or; a—X percussive activities. B. Procedures when the USACE is not the lead federal agency: For projects where another federal agency is the lead federal agency - if that other federal agency has completed project -specific ESA Section 7(a)(2) consultation for the NLEB, and has (1) determined that the project would not cause prohibited incidental take of the NLEB, and (2) completed coordination/consultation that is required by the USFWS (per the directions on the respective USFWS office's website), that project may proceed without notification to either the USACE or the USFWS, provided all General and Regional Permit Conditions are met. The NLEB SLOPES can be viewed on the USACE website at the following World Wide Web Page: hLtp://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Reg_ulatoa-Permit-Pro rg am/A eg_ncy- Coordination/BSA/. Permittees who do not have internet access may contact the USACE at (910) 251-4633. 3.14 Work on Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Land All PCNs submitted for activities in waters of the United States on Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) trust land (i.e., Qualla Boundary and non-contiguous tracts of trust land), must comply with the requirements of the latest MOU between the Wilmington District and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. 4.0 Additional Regional Conditions for Specific Nationwide Permits 4.1 NWP #39 - Commercial and Institutional Developments 4.1.1 Discharges in perennial streams, intermittent streams and wetlands for stormwater management facilities are prohibited under this NWP. 4.1.2 Recreational facilities that are incorporated into the commercial or institutional development can be authorized by this NWP. 4.1.3 Discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands, within the floodway* resulting in permanent above -grade fills are not authorized by this NWP. *NOTE: Floodway means the area designated and/or regulated by Federal, state, or local requirements to provide for the discharge of the base flood so the cumulative increase in water surface elevation is no more than a designated height identified by the regulating entity within the 100 -year floodplain. 34 4.1.4 Discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands, within the mapped FEMA 100 -year floodplain resulting in permanent above -grade fills are not authorized by this NWP. 4.1.5 This NWP may not be used to authorize discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States that have been identified or designated by the State of North Carolina as: High Quality Waters (HQW), including only SA, PNA, WS -I and WS -II waters. Coastal Wetlands as defined by North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act. Wetlands adjacent to these HQW waters. *NOTE: Definitions of HQW, SA, PNA, WS -I, WS -II waters and Coastal Wetlands can be found in the North Carolina State Administrative Code, Title 15A, Subchapters 2B and l OC (15A NCAC 0213, 15A NCAC l OC) and at the following World Wide Web page: http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac.asl2?folderName=\Title%2015A%20- %20Enviromnental%20Oualiiy&lookUpError=l5A%20NCAC%20000%20. Surface water classifications for waters in North Carolina can be viewed at the North Carolina Division of Water Resources website or at the following link: hgps://deg.nc.Lov/about/divisions/water- resources/planningJclassification-standards/classifications. Permittees who do not have internet access may contact the Corps at (910) 251- 4633. 4.1.6 If riprap stabilization is needed, it should be placed only on the stream banks, or, if it is necessary to be placed in the stream bed, the finished top elevation of the riprap should not exceed that of the original stream bed. 4.1.7 Utility lines authorized by this NWP shall comply with the terms and conditions, including regional conditions, of NWP 12. 35