Ver _Approval Letter_20040202

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
Michael F. Easley, Governor
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
Coleen H. Sullins, Deputy Director
Division of Water Quality
Asheville Regional Office
NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND (NATURAL RESOURCES
WATER QUALITY SECTION
. February 2, 2004
Dr. J. D. Robinette
1850 Clement Boulevard Northwest
Hickory, North Carolina 28601-3377
Subject: Lot 23, Plantation Pointe
Buffer Restoration
Caldwell County
Dear Dr. Robinette:
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
FEB 1 1 2004
WATER QUALITY SE(3,0N
On January 29, 2004, the Division of Water Quality received a buffer restoration plan for Lot 23,
Plantation Point. Items detailed below must be addressed prior to the Division of Water Quality's
certifying that the plan complies with the requirements set forth at item two on page two of the
Division's letter dated December 23, 2003 (copy attached):
The vehicular access way parallel to Lake Hickory may not exist under Title 15A North
Carolina Administrative Code 213.0243 (Catawba Buffer Rules), copy attached.
The vehicular access way perpendicular to Lake hickory is only "allowable" if the property
owner receives a determination of "no practical alternatives" in accordance with item
number eight on page 87, Catawba Buffer Rules.
The walkway through the center of the buffer is only "exempt" if "no impervious surface"
is added to the buffer area. Please describe the construction of the walkway; gravel is
defined as "impervious".
The plan received on January 29, 2004 failed to establish that the plantings shown on the
plan provide buffer protection equivalent to the planting density specified at item number two-a
of the letter dated December 23, ?8Of4 ""y provide justification for the planting plan presented.

Asheville Regional Office, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
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Dr. J. D. Robinette
February 2, 2004
Page Two
The junipers shown on the plan for Lot 23 are spaced at approximately 12-feet intervals for
seedlings. Normally, the Division receives plans specifying 2-3 gallon-sized junipers spaced at
intervals of 4-6 feet. Mulching between the junipers may be required prior to the plantings
growing to the point of providing an unbroken area of ground cover. Details concerning the type of
junipers, their coverage areas and density, and expected interval of time to maturity are requested.
The Division's understanding is that the un-vegetated near vertical surface (from the edge of the lot
down to water's edge) will be stabilized and protected by installation of a seawall after resolution of
the above-described buffer issues. Please confirm the manner in which the vertical surface is to be
stabilized.
Your attention to these matters is appreciated. The Division of Water Quality will await submittal of
a buffer restoration plan addressing the above listed items. If there are questions regarding this matter
please contact me at telephone number [phone].
Sincerely,
`James R. Reid
Environmental Engineer
Enclosure
cc: Wetlands Unit
Danny Smith
Steve Lewis.
Asheville Regional Office, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville, North Carolina 28801 Phone: [phone] Pax: 828/251-6452
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