Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20061203 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20060920 (4)DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS 151 PATTON AVENUE ROOM 208 ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28801-5006 REPLY TO ATTENTION OF: September 14, 2006 Regulatory Division Action ID. 2006-32521-360 Mr. J. T. Orr, Airport Manager Charlotte Douglas International Airport Post Office Box 19066 Charlotte, North Carolina 28219 Dear Mr. Orr: 1~t i~ ~~yti ~ `~Yf ~•~i ~jd~ ~< S E P 1 9 2066 ~~F~~ ~~ ~~ n;~, -,~~,~~snr~r>~~r£~~uCr~ Reference is made to your May 26, 2006 Department of the Army permit application in which you requested a permit for impacts to stream channels and wetlands associated with the proposed construction of a new runway, the expansion of an existing runway, and the construction of associated infrastructure at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with comments received in response to the Public Notice dated June 27, 2006 and request that additional information be submitted to continue the review of your permit request. By letters dated July 27, 2006 (enclosed), USFWS and EPA provided comments in response to the Public Notice. Both USFWS and EPA commented that the proposed mitigation plan is inadequate and that the applicant should provide mitigation at a 2:1 ratio for impacts to important stream channels and a 1:1 ratio for impacts to unimportant stream channels. EPA also commented that impacts to wetland areas should be mitigated at a 2:1 ratio versus the current proposed ratio which is less than 1:1. We concur with the comments provided by USFWS and EPA and request that the mitigation plan be revised to adequately compensate for impacts to waters of the U.S. In accordance with Regulatory Guidance Letter 02-2 and Wilmington District's Interagency Stream Mitigation Guidelines (Apri12003), compensatory mitigation to offset impacts to waters of the U.S. typically require a minimum 1:1 ratio where practicable. USFWS commented that the Phase II project area should be surveyed for the federally endangered Schweinitz's Sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii). USFWS recommended that surveys be conducted in September 2006 and findings be forwarded to the service for review. USFWS also noted a statement in the individual permit application (page 23, first paragraph) that implies that waters of the U.S. between the proposed new parallel runway and runway extension would be filled to eliminate wildlife hazards to aircraft. Based upon the impact tables and maps submitted with the permit application, these jurisdictional areas were not calculated toward the impact total. Please provide clarification regarding proposed impacts to these areas. Also, please forward the re-issued Record of Decision when it becomes available. 2 Please be reminded that the requested information is essential for our permit review. If you have any questions please contact Ms. Amanda Jones of the Asheville Regulatory Field Office staff at telephone (828)-271-7980 extension 231. Sincerely, Tom VV~lker Chief, Asheville Field Office Enclosures Copies Furnished: Brian Hennessey, P.E., Charlotte/Douglas International Airport Post Office Box 19066 Charlotte, North Carolina 28219 Mr. Clement Riddle C1earWater Environmental Consultants 718 Oakland Street Hendersonville, North Carolina 28791 Ms. Rebecca Fox U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1349 Firefly Road Whittier, North Carolina 28789 Mr. Ronald J. Mikulak, Chief Wetlands Section -Region IV Water Management Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 61 Forsyth Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Mr. Brian Cole Asheville Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 3 ~/Ms. Cyndi Karoly N.C. Division of Water Quality 401 Wetlands Certification Unit 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 276041 Mr. Jarrod Karl City of Charlotte Stormwater Services 600 East Fourth Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202