20110615 Ver 1_USACE Correspondence_20110818

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IN REPLY REFER TO
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Washington Regulatory Field Office
Post Office Box 1000
Washington, North Carolina 278MI000
August 11, 2011
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Regulatory Division
Action ID No. SAW-2010-00903 / Proposed Desert Wind Project
Mr. Michael Clayton
Atlantic Wind, LLC / Iberdrola Renewables, Incorporated
201 King of Prussia Road, Suite 500
Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087
Dear Mr. Clayton:
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AUG 1 S 2011
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On August 1, 2011, you submitted a draft Department of the Army (DA) permit application
for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review in anticipation of requesting authorization to construct a
150 turbine wind energy generation facility within a 2,513 acre portion of a 24,242 acre study area
located 7.5 miles west of Elizabeth City and 2.5 miles north of the Town of Windfall, in
Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties, North Carolina. The proposed project would impact DA
jurisdictional waters and wetlands adjacent and tributary to the Perquimans River, Little River and
Pasquotank River. This conversation also confirms your August 10, 2011, telephone
conversation with Ms. Tracey Wheeler of my staff.
As discussed, your application is incomplete and cannot be evaluated until the following
information is provided.
1. The stated purpose and need is too narrowly defined and consequently, limits our ability
to analyze alternatives to the proposed location of the subject project. Ultimately, it is the Corps'
responsibility to define the project purpose, even if it differs from an applicant's definition.
However, the applicant's needs must be considered in the context of the desired geographic area of
the development balanced against the type of project being proposed. Accordingly, Ms. Wheeler
is available to work with you to craft an appropriate purpose and need statement for this project.
2. There is no description of existing structures within and adjacent to the project area.
3. The application must be signed by an authorized official of Atlantic Wind, LLC.
The above information is necessary to initiate review of your permit application and should
be submitted to Ms. Wheeler at Post Office Box 1000, Washington, North Carolina, 27889.
Thank you for your time and cooperation. The Wilmington District is committed to
providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we continue to do so, please
complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at our website at
http://regulatoly.usacesurvey.com/. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Wheeler at the
Washington Regulatory Field Office, telephone [phone].
Sincerely,

David M. Lekson, P.W.S.
Chief, Washington Regulatory Field Office
Copies Furnished:
Mr. Ian McMillan
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Ms. Becky Fox
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1307 Firefly Road
Whittier, North Carolina 28789
Mr. Pete Benjamin
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
Mr. Ron Sechler
National Marine Fisheries Service
Habitat Conservation Service
101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
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