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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201735 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20210203Strickland, Bev From: Dunn, Maria T. Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 1:42 PM To: Mairs, Robb L Subject: FW: [External] City of Boiling Spring Lakes Dams Construction/Reconstruction Project - Requested Information Attachments: BSL - NCWRC Request for Information 020321.pdf Hi Robb. I'm not sure who in DWR is reviewing this or if there is interest. Chad was involved back in the day and was on this email but I thought I should forward along anyway. Maria T. Dunn Coastal Coordinator NC Wildlife Resources Commission 943 Washington Sq. Mall Washington, NC 27889 office: 252-948-3916 www.ncwiIdlife.org Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. From: Jon Swaim <jon.swaim@mcgillassociates.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 3, 2021 12:06 PM To: Dunn, Maria T. <maria.dunn@ncwildlife.org> Cc: Beecher, Gary H CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)<Gary.H.Beecher@usace.army.mil>; Coburn, Chad <chad.coburn@ncdenr.gov> Subject: [External] City of Boiling Spring Lakes Dams Construction/Reconstruction Project - Requested Information CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to Report Spam. Maria, Please find the attached additional information you requested pertaining to the proposed Boiling Spring Lakes Construction/Reconstruction project. This letter is intended to be a supplement to the PCN that our office submitted on January 29, 2021. Let me know if you need any clarification or additional information. Thank you, a Jon Swaim Project Manager McGill Associates, P.A. 1240 19t" Street Lane NW, Hickory, NC 28601 T 828.328.2024 C 828.434.0951 ion.swaima-mcgillassociates.com mcgillassociates.com m�gdl February 3, 2021 Ms. Maria T. Dunn, Coastal Coordinator NC Wildlife Resources Commission 943 Washington Sq. Mall Washington, North Carolina 27889 RE: Dam Construction/Reconstruction Project Requested Supplemental Information City of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina Dear Ms. Dunn: Shaping Communities Together This letter is in response to your request for additional information during our pre - permitting meeting held on October 17, 2019. McGill submitted the Pre - construction Notification (PCN) Form on January 29, 2021 requesting Clean Water Act 401/404 verification for the proposed repairs to the Boiling Spring Lakes dam system. Please find the below information pertaining to project purpose and need, design considerations, alternatives analysis, and ecological benefits. Purpose and Need Analysis, Design Considerations, Alternatives Analysis Purpose and Need Analysis The purpose of the proposed project is to re-establish the Boiling Spring Lakes system by repairing the City -owned dams breached by Hurricane Florence in 2018. The lake system has historically been the lifeblood and identity of the City of Boiling Spring Lakes community. Benefits for the local community and City if lakes are restored: 1. Restoration of lacustrine fringe wetlands and open water — Large areas of lacustrine and forested wetlands existed along the fringe of the lake system prior to draining. The project would restore these wetlands and shoreline areas which provide habitat for a variety of wetland and aquatic animal and plant species. Approximately 353.3-acres of open water would be restored if the lakes were returned to their original capacity. 2. Restore lakefront properties — At present there are 288 single family use residential properties adjacent to the former lake system waterfront. Restoring the waterfront would likely return these properties to their pre - Florence value and worth. 3. Business growth — Several businesses and public service properties adjacent to or near the lakes would benefit directly or indirectly from restoration. MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM EA Shaping Communities Together mcgill Recreational opportunities provided by the lakes draw tourism to the area which will benefit a variety of local businesses. 4. Recreation opportunities - The restored lakes will once again provide a number of recreational and educational opportunities to both residents and visitors of the City, including boating, waterskiing, hiking, wildlife and bird watching, and fishing. 5. Flood control - Sanford Dam has historically been operated to lower the Boiling Spring Lake level for flood control ahead of major storm events (McGill 2020). Properties and Businesses Affected Sanford Dam, North Lake Dam, and Pine Lake Dam were designed by Henry von Oesen Consulting Engineers of Wilmington, North Carolina in 1960. Original construction of the three dams was completed in 1961 and 1962 by the Lincoln Construction Company of Wilmington, North Carolina. The three dams were designed and constructed in support of the development of the Town of Boiling Spring Lakes. According to the Boiling Spring Lakes Sinkhole Hazard Reduction Plan (Planning & Design Associates, P.A. 1983), Boiling Spring Lakes was originally designed in the late 1950s as a "planned retirement community" and experienced the highest rate of population growth in Brunswick County between 1970 and 1980. The Town of Boiling Spring Lakes assumed ownership of the three dams in March of 1981. The City is practically based around this lakes system. Water levels were primarily maintained passively by the spillways for aesthetics and recreational use throughout the lake system. Sanford Dam is also operated to lower the Boiling Spring Lake level for flood control ahead of major storm events (McGill 2020). Properties and businesses currently experiencing the negative economic and aesthetic impacts of the loss of Boiling Spring Lakes: - Public service properties and parks directly dependent on the Boiling Spring Lakes system include North Lake Park, Alton Lennon Park, Tate Lake Park, the Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center, and the Boiling Spring Lakes Community Garden. North Lake Park is located just off E. Boiling Spring Road. This waterfront park includes a fishing dock and bench swings. This park allows leashed pets and there are year-round restroom facilities. Alton Lennon Park is located near the corner of E. Boiling Spring Road and Alton Lennon Road. This beautiful park includes a boat ramp for access into Boiling Spring Lake, a newly renovated picnic shelter with tables, two bench swings, MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together and a great swimming area. Tate Lake Park is a small community park along S Shore Drive which includes a shoreline natural area along Boiling Spring Lake. The Boiling Spring Lakes Community Center currently consists of a newly renovated fitness room with up to date equipment, a variety of classes & instruction and serves as home base for many recreational programs for youth, adult & senior adults, Community Center amenities also include the Butterfly, Rose & Hummingbird Garden planted and maintained by the Boiling Spring Lakes Garden Club, and a Nature Trail providing ecologic educational opportunities in partnership with The N.C. Plant Conservation Program and The Nature Conservancy. The Boiling Spring Lakes Community Garden currently contains 14 raised planting beds for flowers, herbs and produce. - Private commercial properties whose income is heavily affected or directly depends on the lakes include the Lakes Country Club, Cougar County Disc Golf Course, MW Marine Design, the Office Coffee and Wine Bar, Boiling Spring Lakes Motel, Mama C's Taqueria, Kopps 2 Convenience Store, and Sunoco Gas Station. - According to Brunswick County GIS data, there are currently 535 residential properties which adjoin the Boiling Spring Lakes system. Approximately 288 of those residential properties appear to be developed and currently in use as single family residences. The majority of these properties are lakefront and have a dock for boating access. Approximately 247 of these residential properties are currently undeveloped. Returning the lake to original conditions would return these homes and properties to pre -Florence value, increase opportunities for land and home sales, and allow current and future homeowners to enjoy their property as originally intended. Importance of W Dam Road The restoration of Upper Lake Dam is necessary to preserve the existence of W Dam Road. This small locally used road provides an alternate route to the Antioch community to the west, George II Highway SE to the east, and two large mostly undeveloped residential properties along Sunset Road and W South Shore Drive. Approximately 12 lakeside single family residential properties routinely utilize W Dam Road as an alternate and low traffic option across Boiling Springs Lake. Allen Creek Allen Creek and its tributaries are the main recharge source for the Boiling Spring Lakes system. Following the dam breaches, new channels began to form within the lake beds. During site visits McGill observed the condition of these newly aligned channels. The stream system was predictably degraded with no stable bank vegetation to speak of beyond a sparse mixture of wetland and riparian MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together shrubs and grasses. Instream structure was non-existent and bed material consisted of mostly unconsolidated sand, gravel, and shell material. Channel sinuosity was observed as the stream flow had cut into loose lake bed material leaving debris piles and large sediment deposits. Sediment deposition and movement through the system was actively occurring within most observed channel areas. Using available online aerial photography and based on site visits, McGill estimates that approximately 44,120 linear feet (LF) of stream channel has established since dam failure. Channel lengths totals: Boiling Spring Lake (Main Lake) - 34,257LF North Lake — 5,214LF Pine Lake — 2,46OLF Upper lake — 2,189LF Design Considerations During project design elements such as the standard design flood, site hydrology, basin characteristics, rainfall characterization, and hydrologic modeling were analyzed by McGill. Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) models were developed to simulate the lake system aiming to assess hydraulic performance for various alternatives of all spillways. The H&H evaluation provided adequate spillway sizing to ensure overtopping protection up to the design storm for each lake. In addition, a combined breach of all dams upstream of Sanford Dam was simulated to ensure that the breach of the upstream dams does not cause overtopping and risk of failure at Sanford Dam. See attached Design Report, Hydrology and Hydraulics section within the Pre -Construction Notification a -File. McGill contacted NCDEQ — Division of Water Resources (DWR) to determine minimum flow releases for the Dams. DWR reviewed the system and determined that a site - specific study is not warranted for operating the dams as "run -of -river" (i.e., operated such that the outflow from each dam approximately equals inflow to each impoundment). These "run -of -river" conditions will maintain downstream aquatic habitat within Allen Creek, especially for the support of anadromous fish species. No additional requirement for minimum flows is provided. The determination letter from DWR is attached. Alternatives Analysis No Impoundment or Flow Control for North Lake, Pine Lake, and Upper Lake Dams Alternative: This alternative consists of repairing only Sanford Dam allowing a portion of the MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together main lake to refill to its normal (historic) water elevation of 30ft. This alternative would result in less impacts to lake bed areas for construction, and allow for Allen Creek and its tributaries to return to a stream channel structure in upstream areas within Pine Lake, North Lake, and Upper Lake. However, with the Sanford Dam normal water elevation at 30ft, the resulting water elevations within Pine Lake, North Lake, and Upper Lake would be much lower than desired. The Pine Lake and North Lake water elevation would be 5ft lower than original, and Upper Lake water elevation would be 8ft lower than original. The upper three lakes at this elevation would leave many existing private docks land locked, eliminating many waterfront properties, and would leave virtually all of the upstream wetland and shoreline areas drained. In addition, the continued release of sediment from exposed lake bed areas would be an ongoing maintenance issue within the lake and downstream into Allen Creek. Due to these undesirable issues, this alternative was deemed impractical. No -Action Alternative: This alternative involves leaving the dam breaches as -is and not restoring the impoundments. While this alternative eliminates the proposed impact to jurisdictional areas from dam construction and the installation of spillways, it will result in additional adverse impacts to historic open waters, and continued release of sediment and bank/shoreline erosion downstream. While at full pool, the Boiling Spring Lakes system contains State listed natural communities, and provides a variety of habitat for native plant and animal species including several Federal and State listed species (see Ecological Benefits of Lake Restoration section below). In addition, the impoundments, which have been present in some shape since the early 1960s, create a vital natural resource and identity for the community. It is used for multiple recreational activities, directly contributes to home and land sales, and provides economic benefits through tourism. Therefore, this alternative was deemed impractical. Construction/Reconstruction of Sanford Dam, North Lake Dam, Pine Lake Dam, and Upper Lake Dam — Chosen Alternative: The proposed designs are the culmination of several iterations of alternative designs that aim to minimize the proposed work while maintaining public safety. Ultimately, a Preliminary Analysis Report (PAR) was prepared as part of the NC Dam Safety permitting process. The PAR identified the minimum spillway design capacity needed to meet the requirements of NC Dam Safety, which also resulted in the minimum required footprint which was the basis of design for this project. The proposed repairs of the City -owned dams include restoration of the earthen embankment and installation of spillways and seepage control elements that meet current codes and standards. The design storm approved by NC Dam Safety program is the'/2 PMP (Probable Maximum Precipitation) for the Sanford MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM Shaping Communities Together Dam and '/3 PMP for the other dams in the system. The following are the major elements included in the design: — At Sanford Dam, install a cutoff wall for the entire length of the dam, upgraded riser structure and cast -in -place (CIP) concrete box culvert to replace the existing undersized spillway and rebuild the embankment at the location of the breach and partially scoured area, and install mix -in - place (MIP) panels along the upstream and downstream toes of the embankment to mitigate the potential for cyclic liquefaction. — At North Lake Dam and Pine Lake Dam, remove the existing bottom metal culverts because they are not compliant with current codes and standards and install riser structures and CIP box culverts with seepage controls. — At Upper Lake Dam, replace the existing undersized spillway with a riser structure and CIP box culverts with seepage controls and rebuild the embankment at the breach. Ecological Benefits of Lake Restoration Since dam failure in 2018 lake system water levels have receded to the open channel uncontrolled levels in Allen Creek and associated tributaries. Early successional vegetation typical for disturbed rural areas has established including native species and lawn management species such as dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), crabgrass (Digitaria spp.), fescue (Festuca spp.), soft rush (Juncus effusus), sedges (Carex spp.), scutch grass (Cynodon dactylon), pine saplings (Pinus spp.), and black willow (Salix nigra). Headwater or cove areas of North Lake, Pine Lake, Upper Lake and several tributary areas along S Shore Drive and W North Shore Drive have drained, dramatically altering the soils and vegetation. These large areas have begun to convert from a forested wetland and typical lakeshore open water system with established littoral and limnetic zones, to a headwater stream system with a saturated sandy bed and upland banks. The water level drainage in these areas has most likely produced major changes in soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. The organic lake bed and wetland soils developed under historic flooded conditions, and the resulting accumulation of plant material over time likely resulted in increases of soil depth. As these areas drained in 2018, the primary processes leading to the development of their organic soils, i.e., flooding, were removed forcing the soil to change from an anoxic (anaerobic) to oxic (aerobic) system (Wright and Reddy, 2001). With these changes to the hydrology and soil, came changes to the vegetation and habitat. Wetland and aquatic vegetation has begun to convert to more upland and terrestrial vegetation as evident in the early successional plant species mentioned earlier. As the lake system remains drained, it is our opinion that this trend will continue further upstream as forested wetland areas adapt to these extreme MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together hydrologic changes. By restoring the dams to their original capacity and re- establishing hydrologic conditions through flooding, these impacted areas should quickly rebound and return to their historic function. Loss of wetland and littoral habitat in these cove areas has most likely displaced many wildlife species. Many vertebrate (e.g. mammals, waterfowl, fish, etc.) and invertebrate (e.g. snakes, insects, etc.) use both the littoral zone as well as the adjoining terrestrial ecosystem for food and habitat. Biota that are commonly assumed to reside in the pelagic zone, including zooplankton and fish (planktivores and piscivores) often rely heavily on resources from the littoral zone. (Peters and Lodge, 2009). According to US Fish & Wildlife Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the NC Natural Heritage Program several Federal and State listed species and natural communities have documented occurrences or have the potential to occur within the lake system or within adjacent and upstream wetland areas (Documented within project area or within 1-mile of project area) . See attached IPAC and NCNHP reports within the Pre -Construction Notification a -File. These species include but are not limited to: Federal — Candidate Species — Magnificent ramshorn (Planorbella magnifica). The magnificent ramshorn was pushed out of its natural habitat and since 1993 remains in existence only in captivity. If enough habitat is secured in suitable ponds and sustained into the future, magnificent ramshorn snails could be released to repopulate their historical habitat. The snail is adapted to still or slow -flowing aquatic habitats, and lays eggs on spatterdock and lily pads. Federal — Threatened Species — Wood Stork (Mycteria americana). Wood storks use freshwater and estuarine wetlands for nesting, feeding and roosting. They feed in wide variety of tidal and freshwater ecosystems: freshwater marshes, ponds, hardwood and cypress swamps, narrow tidal creeks or shallow tidal pools, and artificial wetlands such as seasonally flooded roadside and agricultural ditches, impoundments and large reservoirs. Particularly attractive feeding sites are depressions in marshes or swamps where fish become concentrated during periods of falling water levels. They nest in patches of medium to tall trees, either in standing water or on islands surrounded by expanses of open water. State — Threatened Species — Savanna Indigo -bush (Amorpha confuse). Habitats include riverbanks, soggy MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together thickets, open bottomland woodlands, edges of marshland, and wet prairies along rivers - Brown Bogbutton (Lachnocaulon minus). This species grows in somewhat similar habitats as with many other Lachnocaulon and Eriocaulon species -- damp sandy soil associated with pinelands. It grows at the margins of pineland pools and ponds, in shallow ditches, along damp roadsides that are sandy, and less so in wet pine savannas. - Shrubby Seedbox (Ludwigia suffruticosa). This species is generally restricted to shallow pools with often variable water levels, mainly in Iimesink ponds and clay -based Carolina bays, which are rare and very small habitats on the landscape, and thus it grows mainly in high -quality natural places. It might grow in other shallow pools or wet spots in pine savannas, but normally in good quality habitats. - Horned Bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta) This bladderwort is typically found on muddy shores and scrapes, shallow pond margins (such as Iimesink ponds and clay -based bays), and occasionally in ditches. State - Endangered Species - Florida Spikerush (Eleocharis elongate) Sinkhole ponds or depression ponds, blackwater stream impoundments and beaver ponds. May occur perched on floating peat mats. Essentially only in "pool/pond" habitats. State - Special Concern Species - Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). The species rarely occurs in seasonally flooded depressions, although it may occur along the edges of such sites. - Pigmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius). The Pygmy Rattlesnake tends to live in many different habitats such as: partially wooded hillsides, rocky hillsides, pine woodlands, along riverbanks or streams, and in marsh or swamp areas. Many times the Sistrurus miliarius can be found in underground burrows, which were previously dug and used by other small animals. A characteristic that all of these habitats have in common is that they all are very close to the water. - Yellow Fringeless Orchid (Platanthera integra). Savannas in the Coastal Plain, bogs in the Mountains and Piedmont... Essentially endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain. - Eastern Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia reticularia). Locally, may be found more often in ponds and ditches in pine savannahs. State - Significantly Rare Species - Coppery Emerald (Somatochlora georgiana). The Coppery Emerald relies on small sandy streams and slow -moving creeks, often with acidic water, in MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together forested areas. - Blackbanded Sunfish (Enneacanthus chaetodon). This fish is largely restricted to quiet, shallow, heavily vegetated, nonturbid, darkly stained, slightly to very acidic waters of sand- and mud -bottomed creeks, small to medium rivers, ponds, lakes, and roadside drainage ditches. Natural Communities, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas - Natural Communities - Cypress -Gum Swamp (Blackwater Subtype), Pond Pine Woodland (Typic Subtype), Sandy Pine Savanna (Rush Featherling Subtype), Small Depression Drawdown Meadow (Typic Subtype), Small Depression Pond (Open Lily Pond Subtype, Typic Marsh Subtype), Small Depression Shrub Border, Wet Pine Flatwoods (Sand Myrtle Subtype), Pine/Scrub Oak, Sandhill (Coastal Fringe Subtype), High Pocosin (Evergreen Subtype), Xeric Sandhill Scrub (Typic Subtype) - Natural Areas (Rated as Very High or Exceptional) - Boiling Spring Lakes Limesink Complex, Blue Pond/Allen Creek, Orton Sandhills and Limesinks, Boiling Spring Lakes Wetland Complex, Pretty Pond Limesink Complex - Managed Areas - North Carolina Coastal Land Trust Easement, Brunswick County Open Space, Boiling Spring Lakes Plant Conservation Preserve, Pretty Pond Limesink Complex Natural Heritage Preserve, Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve It is the opinion of McGill Associates that the ecological benefits gained from restoring the Boiling Spring Lakes system to its original open water condition far outweigh the effects of land disturbing activities during construction. Lake restoration will rejuvenate open water, upstream wetland, and lake shore hydrology, recreating lost habitat for many wildlife species, eliminate downstream sedimentation due to dam failure, and return the listed Natural Communities, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas to their desired condition. Rafaranrac - J.A. Peters, D.M. Lodge. 2009. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters. - McGill. 2020. "Preliminary Assessment Report." Alternatives Analysis. - McGill. 2021. "Design Report, Dams Construction/Reconstruction Project, City of Boiling Spring Lakes." - Planning & Design Associates, P.A. 1983. "Boiling Spring Lakes Hazard Reduction Plan." - Wright, A.L., and K.R. Reddy. 2001. Heterotrophic microbial activity in northern Everglades wetlands soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 65:1856-1864. MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM mcgdl Shaping Communities Together Please find supplemental information regarding project structural analysis and design, hydrology and hydraulics calculations and data, geotechnical analysis, and construction considerations, sequencing, and scheduling in the PCN eFile submittal. Also, please include McGill Associates on the copy list of all correspondence for this project. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact me at 828-328-2024. Sincerely, MCGILL ASSOCIATES, PA J� JON SWAIM Project Manager / Environmental Services Enclosure: NCDENR Low Flow Correspondence Letter Cc: Mr. Chad Coburn, NC Dept of Environmental Quality Mr. Gary H. Beecher, US Army Corps of Engineers Mr. Michael Hanson, PE, LEED, AP. McGill Associates Mr. Dori Sabeh, PE, LISP, McGill Associates P:\2020\20.07036-BoilingSprL-Dams Construction Reconstruc\Design\Permits MCGILL ASSOCIATES 1240 19`h STREET LANE NW, HICKORY, NC 28601 / 828.328.2024 / MCGILLASSOCIATES.COM ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director Dori Sabeh, PE, GISP McGill Associates, P.A. 5400 Trinity Road, Suite 107 Raleigh, NC 27607 NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality September 8, 2020 RE: Boiling Springs Lake Dam (BRUNS-003), Allen Creek, Brunswick County Flow Requirement Dea ir: This letter is in response to your request for a determination of a flow requirement for the Boiling Springs Lake (Sanford) Dam and near -by dams that sit within the footprint of the main impoundment, i.e., North Lake Dam (BRUNS-001), Pine Lake Dam (BRUNS-002), and Upper Lake Dam (BRUNS-012). The dams were breached by flood flows associated with Hurricane Florence in September 2018. The dams are subject to the Dam Safety Law and associated rules. 15A NCAC 02K .0500, et seq., provides the process for establishing minimum flow requirements for subject dams. Because the impounded waters of Boiling Springs Lake reach up to the toe of each of the three dams that sit within the footprint of the impoundment, those dams should be operated such that the outflow from each dam approximately equals inflow to each impoundment, or "run -of -river." For the following reasons the Division of Water Resources (DWR) requests that the Boiling Springs Lake Dam be operated in a run -of -river mode of operation as well. • Establishing a flow requirement for the dam would require a site -specific field study that would be a challenge given the dam's location in the outer coastal plain and the associated topographic, geologic and hydrologic characteristics of the watershed. • Given that there appears to be no off -stream water usage, for all intents and purposes the dam will spill water in a run -of -river manner. Thus, the commitment of staff time and resources and potential cost to the dam owner does not seem justified at this time. DWR will reconsider the need for a site -specific study at such time that off -stream uses put the run -of -river mode of operation in jeopardy. If you have questions or wish to discuss further, please contact me at 919.707.9029 or by email at fred.tarver@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Fred R Tary r III Water Planning Section D E Q�� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 NORTNcnaouNA Department of Enelmnmental Quay �� 919.707.9000