20011551 Ver 3_More Info Received_20120402

The
Catena
up
Jean B Gibby
Chief Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
Department of the Army
Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers
69 Darlington Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403 -1343
Re Action ID SAW -2011 01765
Dear Ms Gibby,
;�(l ®t - ass v3
410 B Millstone Drive
Hillsborough NC 27278
[phone]
L�
APR 2 2012
DENR 1�1A1�R
Stann QU1- y
March 30, 2012
We are writing in reference to your letter dated December 21, 2011, regarding the November 4
2011, Public Notice for the proposed impacts associated with the modifications to the Ararat
River at the North Carolina Granite Corporation (NCGC) in Mount Any, Surry County North
Carolina We have been coordinating with Mr Monte Matthews of the Raleigh Regulatory Field
Office in this matter
We have reviewed the five response letters and have gathered the requested information The
following document details our response
The December 21 letter indicated that a No Rise Certification from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) may be required After consultation with the Surry County
FEMA Floodplain Administrator it was determined that this was the case Michael Baker
Engineering conducted a Hydraulic Analysis and prepared and submitted the application for the
certification We will forward the response when we receive it
The requested permit and actions already employed by NCGC minimizes and avoids impacts to
the Ararat River to the extent practicable Since implementing water recycling measures NCGC
is often able to operate on recycled water alone For example, NCGC has not had to withdraw
any water from the Ararat River thus far in 2012 Inevitably business demands will increase
but with the current infrastructure the maximum withdrawal that could occur is 1 million gallons
of water per day (mgd) In an effort to consider potential future growth NCGC is requesting
maximum permitted withdrawals of 15 mgd This is a reduction from the 175 mgd
requested in the original permit application
The original permit application indicated that the entire 540 linear feet of the side channel that
emerges on the right descending bank of the Ararat River, opposite the proposed structures
would be dewatered However since the removal of the dam and accumulated sediment, our

assessment of this channel has been revised Prior to dam removal it was thought that the side
channel received most of its water through overbank flow from the Ararat River Since the dam
has been removed and the Ararat restored to its natural level it has become apparent that the
channel is still receiving significant hydrology through groundwater inputs This was evident as
flow was evident during each field visit conducted on the following dates in 2011
• March 1, 2011
• April 13 2011
• April 20 2011
• May 11 2011
• July 21 2011
• January 30 2012
In addition, there is an overflow floodwater channel that funnels floodwaters from the Ararat to the side
channel This floodwater channel which intercepts floodwaters under the Linville Road Bridge has not
been altered by the dam or sediment removal and continues to perform this function As such each time
the Ararat overflows its banks the side channel will be flooded and flushed by these high flows Further
in more extreme events floodwaters can also top the weir providing further flushing As such it is now
apparent the side channel will continue to provide quality habitat for aquatic species including reptiles
and amphibians and has not lost its functions or values
We are appreciative of your continued time and assistance with this matter If clarification or
additional information is necessary to finalize this application please contact me at 919 732-
1300 (office) or 919 417 8027 (mobile)
Sincerely,
Michael Wood
Enclosure Responses to Public Notice
Copies Furnished
Mr Monte Matthews
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
US Army Corps of Engineers
3331 Heritage Trade Drive Suite 105
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
Mr Carlos Goad
North Carolina Granite Corporation
P O Box 151
Mount Airy NC 27030

U S Army Corps of Engineers
Office of Counsel
Attn Mr Justin McCorcle
69 Darlington Avenue
Wilmington NC 28403
Mr Ian McMillian
N C Department of Environment and
Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Wetlands /401 Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699
Ms Amy Euliss
N C Department of Environment and
Natural Resources
Winston -Salem Regional Office
Division of Water Quality, Surface Water
Protection
585 Waughtown Street
Winston Salem, NC 27107

Reponses to Specific Letters
Letter from Renee Gledhill- Early, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, State
Historic Preservation Office, dated 12 5 -2012
SHPO has no concerns within the project boundaries
Email from Carrol Epting, Vice President Engineering, Renfro Corporation, dated 12 -2 -2011
Letter addresses concerns about current and future flood gate operation and woody debris and
sedimentation in the Ararat River
The current river levels at the Renfro plant are no longer affected by the NCGC dam or any of the
sediment that collected in the reservoir pool created by the dam The weir proposed by NCGC was
designed by Baker Engineering utilizing state of the an natural channel techniques The design includes
structures that have been engineered to retain and improve stream bank stability reduce erosion and
enhance natural channel formation while still providing needed water to NCGC The structures will not
create an impediment to water passage nor become an obstruction that will collected river flotsam
Letter from Ron Linville, Regional Coordinator, Habitat Conservation Program, North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), dated 9 27 -2011
Letter details concerns in an itemized list which are addressed individually below
1 NCGC implemented water recycling and reuse during the summer of 2011 NCGC is using
overflow from sedimentation ponds and runoff from Quarry operations to supplement its existing
supplies
2 The permit proposes a plan designed by Baker Engineer which utilizes state of the art natural
channel design methodologies not hard stabilization Free flowing conditions have been restored
The proposed structures will not impede the movement of water or aquatic life
3 Riparian areas will be vegetated using native species Black walnut will be replaced with another
native species which is not allelopathic
4 The maximum amount of withdrawal will be 150 mgd which equates to 2 32 cfs which is 18%
of the low flow or 7Q 10 value
5 Installation will be overseen by Baker Engineering who is experienced in minimizing impacts to
the extent practicable in both design and installation This includes ensuring equipment is clean
and properly staged with spill and containment equipment on site
6 The invert of the intake is set at the 20 7% of the low flow (7Q10 value), which provides a
physical impediment to water withdrawal However the maximum daily withdrawal will be 18%
of the low flow which provides the operational impediment to water withdrawal
Letter from Dave McHenry, Mountain Region Coordinator, Habitat Conservation Program, North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), dated 12 -2 -2011
Clarification to 9 27 2011 NCWRC Letter noted above
Concern of potential impacts to downstream trout fishing is noted Assuming permits are
obtained by April 2012 construction of weir is scheduled for the beginning of June 2012 which

is just before the requested mid June to September timeframe but is essential to the continued
operation of the quarry Construction will be completed before the end of September
Considering the existing site conditions and proposed construction activities the resulting
turbidity is anticipated to essentially be negligible within 500 feet downstream of the protect As
such we request that the permits allow construction from June 1 through September 30 2012
2 The existing weir restricts continuous water flow from the Ararat River to the side channel
However the side channel continues to receive groundwater seepage and has had continuous flow
on each site visit since the dam was removed (March 1, April 13 April 20, May 11 and July
21, 2011 and January 30, 2012) In addition there is an overflow floodwater channel that
funnels floodwaters from the Ararat to the side channel This floodwater channel which
intercepts floodwaters under the Linville Road Bridge has not been altered by the dam or
sediment removal and continues to perform this function As such each time the Ararat
overflows its banks the side channel will be flooded and flushed by these high flows Further in
more extreme events floodwaters can also top the weir providing further flushing Therefore
the side channel will continue to provide quality habitat for reptiles and amphibians
3 The maximum amount of withdrawal will be 150 mgd which equates to 2 32 cfs which is 18%
of the low flow or 7Q 10 value and thus provides a physical operational impediment to ever
reaching the 20% low flow threshold Further the invert of the intake is set at 20 7% of the low
flow (7Q10 value) which provides a physical impediment to water withdrawal
Letter from Jim Mead, SEPA Review Coordinator, Division of Water Resources, North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, dated 12 -1 -2011
Letter details concerns in an itemized list which are addressed individually below
1 The 303 d listing and reasons for such a listing are noted
2 Currently the maximum withdrawal per day is 10 mgd
3 More details added to plan drawings
a The elevation of the quarry s intake is 1013 5 This elevation was used to set the invert
of thew weir (at 1013 5 also) The stream discharge associated with that elevation is
theoretically zero (as this is the invert for the main channel also)
b Based on weir and channel (Manning s) calculations the predicted water surface at the
7Q 10 is 0 3 above the invert of the w weir (i a 1013 8 )
c The following stage discharge rating table is based upon the stream structures and intake
channel being installed and an intake channel slope of approximately 0 2%

Stage Discharge Rating Table
Depth Above
Invert (ft)
(ALL FLOWS ARE IN CFS)
Qweir
Qmtake
Qtotal
005
03
01
04
01
09
03
14
015
25
07
35
02
39
11
56
025
54
17
80
03
71
23
109
0333
83
27
130
035
90
30
142
04
110
37
178
045
131
46
218
05
153
55
263
055
177
65
311
06
201
76
363
065
227
88
419
07
254
100
480
075
28 1
114
544
08
310
128
613
085
340
143
686
09
370
158
763
095
401
175
845
1
433
192
93 1
7Q10
(est)
4 The amount of daily water use varies greatly depending primarily upon business demand
Currently the usage ranges from no withdrawal from the river (running solely on recycled water)
to a maximum withdrawal is 10 mgd with an overall approximate daily average of 0 65 mgd In
an effort to accommodate potential future expansion the NCGC is requesting to withdraw a
maximum amount of 15 mgd This amount is a reduction from the originally requested 175
mgd The 150 mgd equates to 2 32 cfs which is 18% of the 7Q 10 value and thus provides a
physical operational impediment to ever reaching the 20% low flow threshold Further the invert
of the intake is set at the 20 7% of the 7Q 10 value which provides a physical impediment to
water withdrawal
The NCGC maximum requested daily withdrawal is 15 mgd The current average daily
withdrawal is 0 65 mgd So in the rare instance that the maximum withdrawal is needed during a
drought or low flow event, it is the opinion of NCGC that impacts to the Mt Airy WWTP
downstream which is located approximately 4 river miles downstream are negligible
6 The maintenance plan is attached

Letter from Ina McNVLllan, 401 Coordinator, Wetlands, Buffers, Stormwater Compliance and
permitting Unit, Division of Water Quality, North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, dated 11- 4-2012
Letter requests clarification andjustificationfor impacts to 540 ft of side channel
The existing weir restricts continuous water flow from the Ararat Rivei to the side channel
However the side channel continues to receive groundwater seepage and has had continuous flow
on each site visit since the dam was removed (March 1 April 13, April 20 May 11, and July
21, 2011 and January 30 2012) In addition there is an overflow floodwater channel that
funnels floodwaters from the Ararat to the side channel This floodwater channel which
intercepts floodwaters under the Linville Road Bridge has not been altered by the dam or
sediment removal and continues to perform this function As such each time the Ararat over
flows its banks the side channel will be flooded and flushed by these high flows Further in
more extreme events floodwaters can also top the weir providmg'further flushing Therefore
the side channel will continue to be a junsdictional stream and not be impacted by the project

ti!
MARUE
INSTITUTE
h
WE NOW CAROUNKGRAINITE CORPOROON 2 [phone] [phone]
P Q Box 151 Mount Airy North Carolina 27030
Maintenance Plan
Part I ProTect Data
A [phone] www ncgranite com
Project Name North Carolina Granite Corporation Intake Structure on the Ararat River
Project Location
County SIM County
Town/CrtyNillage Mount Airy
Latitude 36 51 Longitude -80 592
Year of construction 2012
Name of Engineer Michael Baker Engineering, _ Inc
Name of Contractor
Project Purpose Provide water for the North Carolina Granite Corporation operations
Owner(s) Name
Owner(s) Mailing Address _
Owner(s) Telephone Number
Owner(s) Facsimile Number
Owner(s) E Mail
OEM
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MARBLE
M NORIRCA2OLNKGRANUE CORPORAflON 2 [phone] [phone]
P 0 Box 151 Mount Airy North Carolina 27030 [—� [phone] www ncgranite com
Part II Weir and Intake Inspection and Maintenance
Primary person responsible for Dam Operations (name title, phone number)
INSPECTION
INSPECTION
FREQUENCY
ITEMS TO
PERSONNEL
Address erosion
TYPE
INSPECT/MONITOR
As needed
Informal
As needed after
Structures
Owner
(i a storm events)
major event
Maintenance
Annually
Streambank erosion, debris
Owner
accumulation sediment
deposition and/or damage to
bioengineering measures
grade control/flow diverting
structures, and streambank and
riparian vegetation
Techmcal2
As needed
I Engineering Assessment
Engineer
1 Maintenance Inspection will compare results to the As -Built plans
2 If Maintenance Inspection identifies a significant variance from As -Bwlt plans
Design Engineer will be consulted and a Technical Inspection will be conducted
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
ITEM
FREQUENCY
Re establish proper vegetative cover
As needed
Address erosion
As needed
Remove trapped woody debris
As needed
Maintain other mechanical equipment
Annually
Replace/ re lemsh nprap
Annually
im Part III Appendices
1 Reduced Size As Built Drawings
2 Permit
3 Pictures
A S L A
CCIA
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