20200511 Ver 1_EB-6038_PCN Cover Letter_20200414_20200414

TGS
ENGINEERS
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April 14, 2020
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Ms. Catherine M. Janiczak
Regulatory Specialist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Charlotte Regulatory Satellite Office
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c/o 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
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[e-mail]
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SUBJECT: Action ID# SAW-2020-00346
r- Nationwide Permit #14
STIP Project Number EB-6038
Multi -Use Trail from US 321 to Hickory Regional Airport
Z and from 9th Street NW to l 1th Street NW
I Catawba and Burke Counties
Dear Ms. Janiczak,
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-C o We are requesting a Nationwide 14 permit for a multi -use trail connector along 9th Street NW and
N1 lth Street NW and from Hickory Reginal Airport to US 321. In this package, please find a pre-
0o U construction notification application with figures depicting USGS topography, NRCS soils and
o Z site coordinates within the project area. Also included are the USACE agent authorization form,
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CU rn a Draft NRTR Memo, a Categorical Exclusion Type 1(B) with letters from the State Historic
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o Preservation Office enclosed, a submitted PJD package, preliminary erosion control basin
r_ N locations and Permit Drawings including a Stormwater Management Plan.
The project will permanently impact 130 linear feet (UT to Catawba River (SA): 110' 48" pipe
extension; Intermittent UT to Frye Creek (SD): 20' bank stabilization) and no permanent impacts
to wetlands. The project will temporarily impact 27 linear feet (UT to Catawba River (SA): 16'
temporary dewatering; Intermittent UT to Frye Creek (SD): I I' bank stabilization installation)
c and 0.12 & 0.03 acres of temporary fill in wetlands & hand clearing in wetlands, respectively.
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LUThe USFWS lists Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), White irisette
(Sisyrinchium dichotomum), and Rock gnome lichen (Gymnoderma lineare) as endangered
and Northern Long -Eared bat (NLEB-Myotis septentrionalis), Bog turtle (Glytemys
muhlenbergii), Dwarf -flowered heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora), Heller's blazing star
(Liatris helleri), Mountain golden heather (Hudsonia montana), and Small whorled
pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) as threatened for Burke and Catawba County.
Pedestrian surveys for Schweinitz's sunflower, White irisette, Dwarf -flowered heartleaf and
Small whorled pogonia will be conducted prior to construction. Habitat for Bog turtle is not
present in the study area. Elevations within 0.5-mile of the project study area range from 920-feet
to 1220-feet above msl. Due to the lower elevations and lack of rock outcrops and high elevation

TGS
ENGINEERS
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cliffs, habitat for Rock gnome lichen, Heller's blazing star, Mountain golden heather and does not
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According to NC NHP records, the nearest known northern long-eared bat hibernacula record is
approximately 27 miles northwest of the study area, and no known maternity roost trees occur in
or within 150 feet of the study area. Tree removal is proposed for this project; however, tree
Q removat activities wit not result in proniDnea mciaemai taxe or norutern long-earea Dais. tsasea
upon guidance from Asheville Field Office USFWS personnel, the biological conclusion for
00 northern long-eared bat is a "may affect not likely to adversely affect" call for any counties in
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00 Division 12. This is due to the fact that these counties are located in the white nose syndrome
� area, but since there are no known hibernacula nor roosting trees in Division 12, the criteria for
I- the Final 4(d) rule has been met and any associated take is exempt. A USFWS NLEB 4(d) rule
streamlined consultation form will be completed.
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By copy of this letter, we also request 401 review and approval from the NC Division of Water
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Resources with one copy of the application package provided to Donna Hood, NCDEQ-DWR.
Please charge the application fee of $240 to WBS Project No. 48927.1.1.
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If you have any questions, comments or need additional information after reviewing this material,
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please contact David Petty at 770-310-1052 or dpetty&tgsengineers.com. Thank you for your
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cooperation on this matter.
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Sincerely,
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David B. Petty, PE
CC: Kevin B. Greer, PE, DS-A, CS-4, City Engineer, City of Hickory, e-copy
Donna Hood, NCDEQ-DWR, e-copy
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NCDOT Division 12, e-copy
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