20200715 Ver 1_DWR Comment Response Letter_20200930

CONSULTING ENGINEERS
engineering for the future since 1960
September 30, 2020
Ms. Stephanie Goss
Raleigh Regional DEQ/DWR
3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
Subject: Harts Mill Solar
DWR 920-0715
Response to Request for Additional Information
Ms. Goss:
On behalf of our client, Pine Gate Renewables, Booth & Associates, LLC is submitting additional
documentation for the Harts Mill Solar project in Edgecombe County, addressing comments from your
office dated September 17, 2020. This letter provides responses to all DWR comments below in blue.
Responses to NCDEQ DWR comments dated September 17, 2020
Avoidance & Minimization for Buffer and Stream Impacts for Fence Crossings — Please provide
more details regarding avoidance of the riparian buffer and stream impacts 1 and 2 (as indicated on
Sheets 2 and 3) for this project [15A NCAC 02H .0506(f) and (g)]. This Office believes that the
riparian buffer and stream impacts can be moved or reconfigured to eliminate the impacts. Please
revise the plans to avoid the impacts or provide a detailed explanation of why this plan for the
activity cannot be practically accomplished, or reconfigured to avoid these impacts.
Stream Impact 1 (as depicted on Sheet 2 of the Impact Maps) is to be moved approximately 400
feet south to an existing stream crossing. The existing stream crossing consists of a culvert and an
unpaved access drive over the stream. By utilizing this crossing, the proposed perimeter fence will
not impact the stream. Thus, there are no proposed stream impacts. In addition, per 15A NCAC
02B .0259 (6), fences —provided that disturbance is minimized and installation does not result in
removal of forest vegetation, both of which apply here —are exempt from the Tar -Pamlico Riparian
Buffer rules. So, while buffer impacts are shown in the Impact Maps, these are actually exempt
from the Buffer rules.
See the image on the following page for the original proposed fence crossing location of Stream
Impact 1 (in the red circle) and the new proposed fence crossing location of Stream Impact 1 (in
the blue circle). See Sheet 2 of the Impact Maps for further details.
5811 Glenwood Avenue 919.851.8770 office
Raleigh, NC 27612 919.859.5918 facsimile
www.booth-assoc.com

- =0 GONSU LTING ENGINEERS
engineering for the future since 1960
Stream Impact 2 (as depicted on Sheet 3 of the Impact Maps) has been reconfigured to eliminate
the proposed stream and buffer impacts altogether. The fence is placed around the perimeter of the
Zone 2 riparian buffer of the stream. The fence on either side of the stream shall connect upslope
of the stream origin point so Zones I and 2 of the riparian buffer will remain undisturbed. See
Sheet 3 of the Impact Maps for further details.
5811 Glenwood Avenue 919.851.8770 office
Raleigh, NC 27612 919.859.5918 facsimile
www.booth-assoc.com

CONSULTING ENGINEERS
engineering for the future since 1960
Please let me know if I can provide any further detail or information regarding this submittal. Feel free to
contact me via phone at 919-851-8770 ext. 179 or via email at [e-mail].
LRH/
19-9390/699
Sincerely,
BOOTH & ASSOCIATES, LLC
L H414�4
Laura Harris
Project Engineer II
5811 Glenwood Avenue 919.851.8770 office
Raleigh, NC 27612 919.859.5918 facsimile
www.booth-assoc.com