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Home My WebLink AboutMacon Co. Scoping Docs_20200615 Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section June 10,2013 Memorandum To: Lyn Hardison,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,Environmental Enginee Subject: Various Improvements—Macon Co. (Copeland Project) USDA/Forest Service/Nantahala Ranger District Environmental Comments Project No. : 13-0428 Macon County Various watershed improvements and vegetative management practices have been proposed for Nantahala National Forest—Macon County,Copeland Project. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream and/or wetland(due to culvert installations, stream restoration projects,etc.)—written concurrence from this office may be required. 2. Forest Practice Guidelines—the Forest Service,as well as private timber interests,should follow Forestry Practice GuidelinesBMPs to avoid potential water quality impacts during any construction and/or after prescribed burns(so that sediment due to exposed soils does not enter surface waters). Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828)296-466S or susan.a.wilson�ncdner. ov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Nantahal Natl Forest Copeland Project.Scoping.6 2013.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section June 10,2013 Memorandum To: Lyn Hardison,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,P.E.,Environmental Engineer Subject: Cliffside Lake Project(Macon) Wolf Creek Lake Project(Jackson) USDA/Forest Service/Nantahala Ranger District Scoping Comments Project No. : 13-0426 The Cliffside Lake Project would improve fish habitat and fishing by installing some artificial structures and/or brush piles near fishing piers. The Wolf Creek Lake Project would provide cover and spawning habitat by feeling one tree into the lake every 100 feet along two miles of shore line. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Artificial structures placed into the lake(for the Cliffside Lake Project)may require a 404 permit from the Army Corps of Engineers. Due to the limited information provided, it is difficult for the Division to determine what may be required(or what may be exempt). 2. NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit NCGO 10000—This permit is issued concurrently with an approved Erosion and Sedimentation Control plan to control stormwater discharges from construction activities. If greater than one acre is disturbed,a NCGO10000 is required. 3. Forest Practice Guidelines—the Forest Service should follow Forestry Practice Guidelines/BMPs to avoid potential water quality impacts during any construction. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828)296-4665 or susan.a.wilson a,ncdner.gov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Scoping Cliffside Lake Fish hab.Nantahal Natl Forest 6 2013.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section February 8,2013 Memorandum To: Lyn Hardison,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,P.E.,Environmental Engineer ' Subject: Cowee Volunteer Fire&Rescue USDA/Rural Development Grant Request Environmental Review Comments Project No. : 13-0294 Macon County The proposal is for the construction of a new Cowee Volunteer Fire&Rescue Station to serve northwest Macon County: The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit NCGO 10000—This permit is issued concurrently with an approved Erosion and Sedimentation Control plan to control stormwater discharges from construction activities. If greater than one acre is disturbed,a NCGO 10000 is required. 2. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream and/or wetland—written concurrence from this office may be required. It does not appear,from the information provided in the application, that surface waters will be impacted by the project. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828) 296-4665 or susan.a.wilson a,ncdner. og_v should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Cowee VF&R.USDA.2 2013.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section September 11,2012 Memorandum To: Melba McGee,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,Environmental Engineer Subject: Nantahala National Forest/Nantahala Ranger District—Prescribed Bum Environmental Review Record Comments Project No. : 13-0061 Macon,Jackson, and Swain County The Nantahala Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest proposes to add eight areas to the prescribed burn rotation starting in 2013. The Division of Water Quality has the following concern: 1. The USDA should ensure that all Forestry Practice Guidelines are met/maintained after completion of the prescribed burn, so that sediment due to exposed soils does not enter surface waters. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(829) 296-466S or susan.a.wilson@ncdner.Qov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO file S:\SWP\Jackson\Z-Loose Docs\A95 EA Scoping docs\Nantahala Natl Forest.Prescribed Bum Jackson Swain Macon.9 2012.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section July 26, 2012 Memorandum To: Melba McGee,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,Environmental Engineer Subject: Various Improvements—Macon Co.(Buckwheat Project) USDA/Forest Service/Nantahala Ranger District Environmental Comments Project No. : 13-0015 Macon County Various watershed improvements and vegetative management practices have been proposed for Nantahala National Forest—Macon County,Buckwheat Project. The Division of Water Quality offers the same comments for the chosen alternative as those dated March 8, 2012. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers,a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream and/or wetland—written concurrence from this office may be required. Due to the varied scope of the project,it is difficult for the Division to give a definitive answer on what may be required (or what may be exempt). It appears that J-Hook structures are proposed to reduce erosion on some stream areas. 2. Forest Practice Guidelines—the Forest Service,as well as private timber interests,should follow Forestry Practice GuidelinesBMPs to avoid potential water quality impacts during any construction and/or after prescribed burns(so that sediment due to exposed soils does not enter surface waters). Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828)296-4665 or susan.a.wilson c ncdner.gov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Nantahal Natl Forest Buckwheat Project 3 2012.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section September 11,2012 Memorandum To: Melba McGee,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,P.E.,Environmental Engineer 7£'_. Subject: Proposed Nantahala River Fishing Parking Put-Ins Pisgah National Forest Environmental Scoping Comments Project No. : 13-0062 Macon County Various improvements have been proposed along the Nantahala River for fishing/paddling access between River Mile 16.5 and 19.0. This is proposed.as part of the FERC relicensing process. This portion of the Nantahala River is Classified B-Trout [Stream Index 2-57-(22.5)]. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. It is the Division of Water Quality's understanding that as part of Duke's FERC relicensing requirements—written concurrence from the Division is required. The Forest Service may wish to contact Kevin Bamett of this office for further details [(828)296-4500 or kevin.barnett@ncdenr.gov]. 2. Forest Practice Guidelines—the Forest Service should follow Forestry Practice GuidelinesBMPs to avoid potential water quality impacts during any construction. 3. Trout Classified waters—this area is classified Trout waters. Any effort to restore/maintain the 25 foot trout buffer is encouraged by the Division. The Division of Land Resources should be contacted regarding any questions concerning Trout buffer requirements. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828)296-4665 or susan.a.wilsoii@,ncdner.gov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Scoping Nantahala River Fishing Paddling Access.9 2012.doc Division-of Water.--Qual-ity --- Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section May 15,2012 Memorandum To: Melba McGee,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,P.E.,Environmental Engineer Subject: Haywood Electric Membership Corporation(HEMC)—Power line Work USDA/Forest Service/Nantahala Ranger District Environmental Review Comments Project No. : 12-0292 Macon County The Haywood Electric Membership Corporation(HEMC)proposes to amend their Special Use permit to bury a section of power line in the right of way from Glen Falls to Clear Creek in the Nantahala Ranger District. Surface mounted equipment will be placed every 600 feet. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream and/or wetland—written concurrence from this office may be required. Due to the limited information provided, it is difficult for the Division to give a definitive answer on what may be required(or what may be exempt). 2. NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit NCGO 10000—This permit is issued concurrently with an approved Erosion and Sedimentation Control plan to control stormwater discharges from construction activities. If greater than one acre is disturbed,a NCGO 10000 is required. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828)296-4665 or susan.a.wilson a,ncdner.gov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SVWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Haywood Electric Member Corp Nantahal Natl Forest 5 2012.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section March 8,2012 Memorandum To: Melba McGee,Environmental Coordinator s r. From: Susan A. Wilson,P.E.,Environmental Engineer Subject: Various Improvements—Macon Co. (Buckwheat Project) USDA/Forest Service/Nantahala Ranger District Environmental Review Comments Project No. : 12-0215 Macon County Various watershed improvements and vegetative management practices have been proposed for Nantahala National Forest—Macon County,Buckwheat Project. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream and/or wetland—written concurrence from this office may be required. Due to the varied scope of the project, it is difficult for the Division to give a definitive answer on what may be required (or what may be exempt). It appears that J-Hook structures are proposed to reduce erosion on some stream areas. 2. Forest Practice Guidelines—the Forest Service,as well as private timber interests,should follow Forestry Practice GuidelinesBMPs to avoid potential water quality impacts during any construction and/or after prescribed burns(so that sediment due to exposed soils does not enter surface waters). Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828) 296-4665 or susan.a.wilsonancdner.gov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Nantahal Nad Forest Buckwheat Project 3 2012.doc Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section January 17,2012 Memorandum To: Melba McGee,Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson,Environmental Engineer '\ Subject: Lake Sequoyah Dam Repair and Raw Water Intake Improvements NCDENR Project 12-0160 Environmental Review Comments Macon County The Town of Highlands is proposing to perform repairs to Lake Sequoyah Dam and to locate a new raw water intake,with associated infrastructure, in the lake(and to close the Town's raw water intake#2 near the mouth of Big Creek). Lake Sequoyah is classified as WS-III,Tr,CA water body in the Little Tennessee River Basin(SI# 2-21-(3.5)). The following concerns may, or will likely, need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Army Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream, open waters, and/or wetland—written concurrence from this office may be required. 2. Water Supply Watershed requirements—Because Lake Sequoyah is classified WS-III, Tr,CA— any applicable water supply watershed ordinances should be met with this project. 3. NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit NCGO10000—This permit is issued concurrently with an approved Sediment and Erosion Control plan to control stormwater discharges from construction activities. If the proposed project will disturb greater than one acre, an NCGO10000 permit is required. 4. Trout buffer—Lake Sequoyah is also classified as a Trout water body. The Town and/or its consultant should contact NC Division of Land Resources to determine if a Trout buffer waiver may be necessary for the project. 5. Minimum flow requirements—with repair of the dam, and/or construction of the new intake, minimum flows should be met downstream during construction, as well during raising of the lake i J Division of Water Quality Asheville Regional Office Surface Water Protection Section December 21, 2010 I' Memorandum To: Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator From: Susan A. Wilson, P.E.,Environmental Engineer Subject: Various Improvements—Macon Co. (west of Winding Stair Gap) USDA/Forest Service/Nantahala Ranger District Environmental Review Record Comments Project No. : 11-0145 Macon County Various improvements have been proposed for Nantahala National Forest—Macon County,west of Winding Stair Gap area. The following concerns may need to be addressed: 1. 401 Water Quality Certification—If a 404 permit is required by the Anny Corp of Engineers, a 401 Water Quality Certification is necessary. Depending on the amount of impact to a stream and/or wetland—written concurrence from this office may be required. Due to the varied scope of the project, it is difficult for the Division to give a definitive answer on what.may be required (or what may be exempt). 2. Forest Practice Guidelines—the Forest Service should follow Forestry Practice GuidelinesBMPs to avoid potential water quality impacts during any construction and/or after prescribed burns(so that sediment due to exposed soils does not enter surface waters). Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please contact me at(828)296-4665 or susan.a.wilson a,ncdner.gov should you have any questions regarding this memo. cc: ARO files S:\SWP\Macon\Z-Loose Docs\A95s-EAs-Scoping docs\Nantahal Natl Forest 12 2010.doc