20200714 Ver 1_USACE Comments_20200622

Strickland, Bev
From: Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2020 7:28 AM
To: Leslie, Andrea J; Homewood, Sue
Subject: RE: [External] River Run Stabilization photos (Ashe) for PCN review
• External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
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The bank along the waters' edge is fine. He is mainly having some minor erosion from when the flood waters recede and
washing out little holes here and there. He is basically wanting to strategically place rocks in those spots and plant larger
containerized plantings in between the rocks. I don't even think he'll be in/near the water but maybe in a few spots. My
pictures from the other day pretty much look the same as the ones I had sent before.
Amanda
828-271-7980 ext. 4225
From: Leslie, Andrea J <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2020 4:54 PM
To: Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <[e-mail]>; Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] RE: [External] River Run Stabilization photos (Ashe) for PCN review
We want to get out there and look for animals. I just emailed him. I need to understand exactly where he
wants to do the work. Did you see the project, Amanda? From the photos, the banks don't look bad ... just
need veg!
Andrea
Andrea Leslie
Mountain Habitat Conservation Coordinator
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
645 Fish Hatchery Rd., Building B
Marion, NC 28752
828-803-6054 (office)
828-400-4223 (cell)
Blockedwww.ncwildlife.or
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From: Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 2:25 PM

To: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>; Leslie, Andrea J <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] River Run Stabilization photos (Ashe) for PCN review
External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
So here are some pictures at the end of the document of the area where Mr. Harrison wants to stabilize. This was
something he had sent to me before he submitted the application so the impact numbers may be different. This is the
"River Run Bank Stabilization" PCN that was submitted by James Harrison in Ashe. I may try to get out there tomorrow
and talk with him since I have questions about need but he's pretty adamant...
Amanda
828-271-7980 ext. 4225
From: James Harrison <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, May 1, 2020 8:16 PM
To: Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [Non-DoD Source] New River
Amanda:
I have no idea where I came up with 600 feet of river frontage. In total I only have 242 feet of river frontage. Attached is a
write up on the area as well as map and photos.
These are two different lots. The first was purchased through my self directed IRA. It has a house we rent on it. The deed
is made out to Equity Trust, care of James Harrison IRA. The second my wife and I personally bought and it is titled to
James and Bridget Harrison. I have to ask can we treat these as different ownerships? If so can we do 100 feet on each
lot, under the exemption?
On the lot with the house you will see we have 95 feet that is the worst. If this is all we put rock on, do we need to get a
permit? What would be involved to get a permit to put rock on the bank for the entire 242 feet?
Of you have any questions or need anything else please let me know.
Thanks
Butch Harrison
704-617-5700
On Monday, April 27, 2020, 04:27:57 PM EDT, Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <amanda.ionesa-usace.army. miI> wrote
Mr. Harrison,
I am the contact for this area and would be best if we can discuss over the phone so feel free to give me a call at the
number below. Also, if you can provide your address I can look it up and help clarify our permitting requirements. In
general, you would need a permit from our office and Division of Water Resources if you wanted to place stone/rock along
the bank for approximately 600-feet. We have an application process that favors reducing the amount of rock and using
plantings where possible so there are some thresholds that you may be able to work around and avoid the requirement to
submit a written application (depending on your location on the River, the linear footage of work you will be doing on the
river, etc). Again, best to discuss over the phone in more detail. I'm heading out today but will be back in Wednesday
morning.

Amanda
828-271-7980 ext. 4225
From: James Harrison <harrison.28215a-vahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2020 5:25 PM
To: Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <Amanda.Jonesa-usace.army. miI>
Cc: Beckwith, Loretta A CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <Loretta.A.Beckwith a-usace.army. miI>
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] New River
Amanda and Loretta:
I own a small cottage on the New River in Ashe County, NC. I actually have 2 lots in the development. In total I have
about 600 feet of frontage on the New River.
About 3 years ago now, I worked with the New River Conservancy out of West Jefferson, and had a bunch of native
plants, planted on the river bank. I am a forester and botanist, and wanted to try and control erosion using native plants.
Unfortunately the river continues to win. I lost several more feet of bank last year to the river. I contacted the river
conservancy again. This time I wanted to see about putting large rocks on the bank to stop the erosion. I know several
people in Ashe county have done this and it does appear to work. The conservancy group is dead set against using rock
for this purpose. I have a neighbor below me who did this and he did not lose any bank this year. It worked for him.
The New River Conservancy recommended I have Foggy Mountain (they did the original planting) come in and reshape
the bank and re -plant it. In addition they wanted them to put large rock in the river to form a break in the current. This was
supposed to direct the water away from my bank. I could see this working at low water, but not during flood stages. It is
during floods that I lose the soils. I checked with them both and I know this does require permitting.
The problem with any native plants establishing along these banks of the river, is they are rapidly overgrown with a non-
native grass, Reeds Canary Grass. I did research with herbicides for a number of years, and none of the gramicides are
that effective on this grass. You can control it with some non -selective products, but that kills your native plantings as
well.
My question for you, is it legal to put rock on the banks of my property on the New River. If I do so will it require permitting
through you and or the NC DWQ?

I look forward to your reply. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
Best regards:
James L. (Butch) Harrison
harrison.28215a-vahoo.com
704-617-5700