20090960 Ver 1_USFWS Comments_20110729

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United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Post Office Box 1969
Manteo, North Carolina 27954
[phone] 473-1668 (fax)
July 29, 2011
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
Washington Regulatory Field Office
ATTN: Mr. Josh Pelletier, Project Manager
PO Box 1000
Washington, NC 27889
Dear Mr. Pelletier:
The attached correspondence, dated April 5, 2011 describes extensions of our climate
adaptation project at Point Peter Road on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Action ID.
SAW 2010-01442; NC Division of Coastal Management CD10-072; NC Division of Water
Quality Project # 09-0960 Ver. 2). We would like to request that the permits and certifications
associated with this project be amended to include the additional work described in the April 25,
2011 correspondence. Although the red wolf most likely passes through the areas on occasion,
there are no federally listed species inhabiting any of the sites. Likewise, there are no records
of any cultural or archaeological resources at any of the sites.
By copy of this letter we are also asking the North Carolina Division of Water Quality for an
amendment to the project's 401 Water Quality Certification and the Division of Coastal
Management to amend our Consistency Determination. Also, the Ecological Services Raleigh
Field Office and our Region 4 HPO & Archaeologist are receiving a copy of this request. Please
advise if we need to submit any additional information.
As we have done in the past, the refuge staff is committed to working cooperatively with all
State and Federal agencies to ensure full compliance with law, regulation, and policy. If you
have. questions about the refuge or this project, contact Dennis Stewart, Refuge Biologist at
[phone] ext 231.
Sincerely,
Scott Lanier
Deputy Project Leader
Enclosures
cc: N. C. Division of Water Quality
N. C. Division of Coastal Management
Mr. Pete Benjamin, USFWS-ES, Raleigh
Mr. Rick Kanaski, USFWS-R4
Dr. Brian Boutin, TNC-NC Chapter

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United States Department. of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Post Office Box 1969
Manteo, North Carolina 27954
[phone] 473-1668 (fax)
April 5 2011
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District
Washington Regulatory Field Office
ATTN: 'Mr. Josh Pelletier, Project Manager
PO Box 1000.
Washington, NC 27889
Dear Mr. Pelletier:
This correspondence is in reference to Acti
Coastal Management CD10-072; INC Divisi
2). Over the -past year we have been able
LL -
valves
thought
our sirE
rate of
These prc
Pamlico
the action
3 are cur(
d. Through our
)n ID. SAW 2010-01
on of°Water Quality'I
;o implement various
new water control
3t thestructure is wa
(NC Division of
ect # 09-0969 Ver.
pecis of the overall
nuch as we
ioreline of the refuge that pose problems with determining the effectiveness of
JY for restoring wetlands to a more natural hydrologic regime and slowing the
t water intrusion.
as are associated, directly with them;
are preseinte6 in Table 1 with a brie
J. The photograph shows locations'f
possible. Oyster reefs presented in Table 1 are authorized und(
obtained by The Nature Conservancy and do not represent new
currently unfunded but we hope to have additional funding withif
2012. 'We are aware that these sites, even though they area to
Point Peter Road Climate Adaptation Project, will require appro\
agencies.
1) 2, an(
CAMA Permit 08-10
work: Sites 4-7 are
the year or by early
ical extension of the
it from various
Our question is whether or not these additional actions can be added to the existing
permit, certification, and determination through amendments. The easiest and most
efficient approach for everyone would appear to be amending the existing permit and
approvals but we understand there may be problems with that approach. By copy of
this letter we are also asking` the North Carolina Divisions of Water Quality and Coastal
Management whether or not amendments are possible or do we simply need to submit
new applications to all.

As we have done in the past, the refuge staff is committed to working cooperatively with
all State and Federal agencies to ensure full compliance with law, regulation, and policy
at all times. If you have questions about the refuge, contact Mr. Dennis Stewart, Refuge
Biologist at [phone] ext 231
Sincerely,
Scott Lanier
Deputy Project Leader
Enclosures
cc: N. C. Division of Water Quality
N. C. Division of Coastal Management
Dr. Brian Boutin, TNC-NC Chapter

Table 1. Summary of site characteristics and the action being proposed at each site for the Alligator
River National Wildlife Refuge Climate Change Adaptation Project in Dare County, North Carolina. Note
that, at the present time only the work at Sites 1, 2, and 3 is funded. Funding for work at Sites 4-7 is
pending and these sites will be done as soon as funding becomes available.
SITE #
LOCATION
HABITAT
PROPOSED ACTION
Funding
1
Wanchese Point
Sawgrass, Phragmites
Vinyl sheet piling and earthen plug;
Funded
South Ditch
200 ft oyster reef nearshore
Natural plug — stabilize with vinyl
2
Navy Shell Road
Sawgrass, Juncus,
sheet piling & earthen plug; 200 ft
Funded
East Ditch
Phragmites
oyster reef nearshore
3
Stumpy Point
Red maple,
Vinyl sheet piling and earthen plug
Funded
North Ditch
Sweetgum, Blackgum
4
Wanchese Point
Sawgrass, Phragmites
Vinyl sheet piling and earthen plug
Pending
North Ditch
5
Callahan Creek
Sawgrass, Phragmites
Vinyl sheet piling and earthen plug
Pending
South Ditch
6
Callahan Creek
Sawgrass, Phragmites
Vinyl sheet piling and earthen plug
Pending
Headwater Ditch
7
Callahan Creek
Sawgrass, Phragmites
Vinyl sheet piling and earthen plug
Pending
West Ditch

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