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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20051283 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20050818~ Nc>rth Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission ~ Richard B. Hamilton, Executive Director MEMORANDUM To: NC DENR/DWQ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ " fi~c~~ AUG 1 8 2005 From: Steven H. Everhart, PhD ~*~-' Southeastern Permit Coordinator DENR -WATER QUALITY YVETLANDS AND STORMWATER BRANCH Date: August 9, 2005 RE: Clearwater Enterprises - Timberlodge - 401/404, Bladen Co., DWQ #20051283, USAGE Action ID #200400678 Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the subject application for impacts to wildlife and fishery resources. A site visit was made on August 8, 2005. Our comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.), and Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (as amended). The project is located approximately 0.5 mile northwest of the intersection of NC 53 and SR 1515 at White Lake. The site is located in a residential area and the project was issued a cease and desist order (USAGE Action ID #200400678) on April 28, 2004 for mechanized land clearing and unauthorized discharge of fill material into Section 404 wetlands adjacent to White Lake. The unauthorized work performed impacted 0.9111 acres of wetland. The wetlands impacted. are of typical bay forest species composition. The purpose of the application is to address the existing soils deposition through mitigation and to provide for the construction of lots and roads in a residential subdivision. The applicant proposes to remove the deposited material from 0.413 acres of impacted wetland and restore it through the planting of native species. Mitigation for the remaining 0.498 acres of impacted wetland will be provided through abuy-in to the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program at a 2:1 ratio. Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 Telephone: (919) 733-3633 Fax: (919) 715-7643 Clearwater Enterprises - Timberlodge 2 August 9, 2005 We have the following concerns and recommendations: 1. The species list referred to in the restoration diagram was not provided. We strongly recommend that, as a condition of the permit, the species to be planted be those characteristic of the impacted wetland; a bay forest. 2. If the EEP buy-in is acceptable, that the purchased wetland be equal in quality and species composition to that impacted; still at a 2:1 ratio. However, it would be preferable to have the impacted wetlands fully restored. 3. At least a 5 year monitoring program should be established to ensure that the restoration process is functioning properly. The Wildlife Resources Commission does not object to this project, if the above concerns are addressed. Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this application. If you have any questions or require additional information regarding these comments, please call me at (910) 796-7436.