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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWQ0000020 Aville Arpt 401 404 Permitting Sept 2008- Mar 2012 i - c0 em i PROGRAM June 1,2011 Lew Bleiwei Asheville Airport 61 Terminal Drive Suite I Fletcher,NC 28732 Expiration of Acceptance:March 1,2012. Project:Asheville Airport Expansion County:Buncombe The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program(NCEEP)is willing to accept payment for impacts associated with the above referenced project. Please note that this decision does not assure that the payment will be approved by the permit issuing agencies as mitigation for project impacts. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact these agencies to determine if payment to the NCEEP will be approved. You must also comply with all other state federal or local government permits:regulations or.authorizations associated with.the.proposed activity.includiri SL 2009337:An Act Promote Comneitsatory Miti atg_ion by Private Mitigation-Banks This acceptance is valid for nine months from the date of this letter and is not transferable. If we have not received a copy of the issued 404 Permit(401 Certification/CAMA permit within this time frame,this acceptance will expire. It is the applicant's . responsibility to send copies of the permits to NCEEP. Once NCEEP receives a copy of the permit(s)an invoice will be issued based on the required mitigation in that permit and payment must be made prior to conducting the authorized work. The amount of the In Lieu Fee to be paid to NCEEP by an applicant is calculated based upon the Fee Schedule and policies listed at www.nceep.net. 3 Based on the information supplied by you the impacts that may require compensatory mitigation are summarized in the following table. River Basin CU Stream(feet) Wetlands(acres) Buffer I Buffer II Location (Sq.Ft.) (Sq.F Cold Cool Warm Riparian Non-Riparian Coastal Marsh Impact French Broad 06010105. 0 2,I 11 0 1.0 0 0 0 0 Credits French Broad 06010105 0 Up to 0 up to 2.0 0 0 0 0 4,333 Upon receipt of.payment,EEP will take responsibility for providing the compensatory mitigation. If the regulatory agencies require mitigation credits greater than indicated above,and the applicant wants NCEEP to be responsible for the additional mitigation,the applicant will need to submit a mitigation request to NCEEP for approval prior to permit issuance..The mitigation will be performed in accordance with the N.C.Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Ecosystem Enhancement Program In-Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28,2010. If you have any questions or need additional information,please contact Kelly Williams at(919)716-1921. Sincerely, I William D.Gilmore,PE Director cc: Ian McMillan,NCDWQ Wetlands/401 Unit Tasha McCormick,USACE-Asheville Susan Wilson,NCDWQ-Asheville Rebekah Newton,agent File Restor' .. Protects Our Stag NCDENR North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,NC 27699-1652/919-715-0476/www.nceep.net AT- LA MCDEMR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H,Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretary October 7,2011 Mr. Lew Bleiweis, Airport Director OCT 0 2011 Asheville Regional Airport Authority 61 Terminal Drive Suite 1 tOG GEId(� Fletcher,NC 28732 �c.iG"I�` Re: Asheville Airport Runway Rehabilitation Parallel Taxiway and Cargo Hold Expansion(West) Buncombe County DWQ#20071841, Ver.4; USACE Action ID. No. SAW-2010-00036 Ut to French Broad River[040302, 6-(54.5), B] APPROVAL of 401 Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions-REVISED Dear Mr. Bleiweis: Attached hereto is a copy of Certification No. 3753 issued to Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asheville Regional Airport Authority, dated October 7,2011. This Certification replaces the Certification issued to you on September 30,2011. In addition,you should get any other federal,state or local permits before you go ahead with your project including(but not limited to) Solid Waste, Sediment and Erosion Control, Stormwater, Dam Safety,Non-discharge and Water Supply Watershed regulations. If we can be of further assistance,do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, "2 Coleen H. Sullins CHS/kahlUm Attachments: Certificate of Completion NCDWQ 401 WQC Summary of Permanent Impacts and Mitigation Requirements cc: Becky Fox, EPA, 1307 Firefly Road, Whittier,NC 28789 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,Asheville Regulatory Field Office, Wilmington District, USACOE Chuck Cranford, DWQ Asheville Regional Office LI RAslfe ille Regional,Offce� File Copy Clement Riddle, CEC,224 South Grove Street, Suite f,Hendersonville,NC 28792 Filename: 071841 ver4AshevilleAirportRunwayRehabilitationParallelTaxiwayAndCargoHoldExpgnsiori_West(BUncombe)4o1 IC'Revised'" A.' r rOCT 1 2 2011 Wetlands,Buffets,Storr•water,Compliance and Pe;.nitting Unit(WeBSCaPe) I�: 1650 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1650 Phone.919-807-63001 FAX 919 rt07-6494 - nterrn.t:hftp://portal.nc enrorglv.eb/wq/ws '. WATER C,IJALITY Su FION 10E AnE ;alOpportunitylAffirm eativeActionEmploy c, Mr.Lew Bleiweis and Ash, Regional Airport Authority Page 2 of 6 October 7,2011 NORTH CAROLINA 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION THIS CERTIFICATION is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section 401 Public Laws 92- 500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality(DWQ) Regulations in 15 NCAC 2H, Section .0500 to Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asheville Regional Airport Authority, have permission to fill or otherwise impact 0.9 acres of 404/wetland and 1,796 linear feet of stream,to construct the proposed Asheville Regional Airport expansion,which is located at 61 Terminal Drive, in Fletcher, Buncombe County,North Carolina, pursuant to an application dated June 8, 2011, and received by the DWQ on June 14, 2011, and by Public Notice issued by the USACE on June 24,2011,and received by the DWQ on June 24, 2011, and by additional information received on August 30, 2011, and September 15, 2011. The application and supporting documentation provides adequate assurance that the proposed work will not result in a violation of applicable Water Quality Standards and discharge guidelines. Therefore,the State of North Carolina certifies that this activity will not violate the applicable portions of Sections 301, 302,303, 306,307 of PL 92-500 and PL 95-217 if conducted in accordance with the application,the supporting documentation, and conditions hereinafter set forth. This approval is for the purpose and design submitted in the application materials and as described in the Public Notice. If the project is changed,prior to notification a new application for a new Certification is required. If the property is sold,the new owner must be given a copy of the Certification and approval letter and is thereby responsible for complying with all conditions of this Certification. Any new owner must notify the Division and request the Certification be issued in their name. Should wetland or stream fill be requested in the future, additional compensatory mitigation may be required as described in 15A NCAC 2H.0506(h)(6)and(7). If any plan revisions from the approved site plan result in a change in stream or wetland impact or an increase in impervious surfaces,the DWQ shall be notified in writing and a new application for 401 Certification may be required. For this approval to be valid,compliance with the conditions listed below is required. Conditions of Certification: 1. Impacts Approved The following impacts are hereby approved as long as all of the other specific and general conditions of this Certification(or Isolated Wetland Permit)are met. No other impacts to wetlands, streams, and/or buffers,are approved including incidental impacts: Type of Impact Amount Approved Units Plan Location or Reference 404/Wetland 0.9(acres) Application Stream 1,796(linear feet) Application Sediment and Erosion Control: 2. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing the proper design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in order to protect surface waters standards: a. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosioir Control Planninlf;and Design tMamial. Mr. Lew Bleiweis and As] fe Regional Airport Authority Page 3 of 6 October 7,2011 b. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures must be such that they equal, or exceed,the requirements specified in the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile(spoil)projects, including contractor-owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project. c. Sufficient materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures and stormwater routing and treatment shall be on site at all times. 3. No waste,spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands,waters,or riparian areas beyond the footprint of the impacts depicted in the 404/40 1 Permit Application. All construction activities, including the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of sediment and erosion control Best Management Practices, shall be performed so that no violations of state water quality standards, statutes,or rules occur; 4. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters without prior approval from the Division. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable, design and placement of temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or stream beds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the above structures. All sediment and erosion control devices shall be removed and the natural grade restored within two(2) months of the date that the Division of Land Resources or locally delegated program has released the project; 5. Protective Fencing-The outside buffer,wetland or water boundary and along the construction corridor within these boundaries approved under this authorization shall be clearly marked with orange warning fencing(or similar high visibility material)for the areas that have been approved to infringe within the buffer, wetland or water,prior to any land disturbing activities; Continuing Compliance: 6. Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asheville Regional Airport Authority shall conduct construction activities in a manner consistent with State water quality standards(including any requirements resulting from compliance with section 303(d)of the Clean Water Act)and any other appropriate requirements of State law and federal law. If the Division determines that such standards or laws are not being met(including the failure to sustain a designated or achieved use)or that State or federal law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance,the Division may.reevaluate and modify this Certification to include conditions appropriate to assure compliance with such standards and requirements in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H.0507(d). Before modifying the Certification,the Division shall notify Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asheville Regional Airport Authority, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, provide public notice in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H.0503 and provide opportunity for public hearing in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H.0504. Any new or revised conditions shall be provided to Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asheville Regional Airport Authority in writing, shall be provided to the United States Army Corps of Engineers Act, and shall also become conditions of the 404 Permit for the project; Mitigation: 7. Compensatory Mitigation Using the Ecosystem Enhancement Program(EEP) Mitigation must be provided for the proposed impacts as specified in the table below. We understand that you wish Lo make a payment to the Wetlands Restoration Fund administered by the INC Ecosystem Enhancement Program(EEP) to meet this mitigation requirement. This has Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Ast e Regional Airport Authority Page 4 of 6 October 7,2011 been determined by the DWQ to be a suitable method to meet the mitigation requirement. Until the EEP receives and clears your check(made payable to: DENR—Ecosystem Enhancement Program Office),.no impacts specified in this Authorization Certificate shall occur. The EEP should be contacted at(919) 716-1921 if you have any questions concerning payment into a restoration fund. The mitigation will be phased as shown in the table below: T e of Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Required River and Sub-basin Number Phase#1—Cargo Area 404/Wetlands—riparian 0(acres) French Broad/06010105 Stream(perennial) 1,225(linear feet) French Broad/06010105 Phase#2—Parallel Taxiway 404/Wetlands—riparian 0.9(acres) French Broad/06010105 Stream(perennial) 571 (linear feet) French Broad/06010105 8. Construction Stormwater Permit NCG010000 Upon the approval of an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan issued by the Division of Land Resources(DLR)or a DLR delegated local erosion and sedimentation control program, an NPDES General stormwater permit(NCGO10000)administered by DWQ is automatically issued to the project. This General Permit allows stormwater to be discharged during land disturbing construction activities as stipulated by conditions in the permit. If your project is covered by this permit [applicable to construction projects that disturb one(1)or more acres], full compliance with permit conditions including the sedimentation control plan, self-monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements are required. A copy of this permit and monitoring report forms may be found at: http:// portal.ncdenr.or /c/document library/get file?uuid=d15e7ee8-cb50-443 9dcf-049b001337ac&grounId=38364; 9. Stormwater Management Plan Implementation Procedures(No Further Approval Needed) • The approved SMP must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure is occupied at the site. If a development is phased,then the approved SMP for each future phase must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure associated with that phase is occupied. • The approved SMP as well as drainage patterns must be maintained in perpetuity. • The SMP may not be modified without prior written authorization from the SMP approval authority. If the SMP falls under another state stormwater program,then a copy of the approval letter and the modified SMP must be submitted to the 401 Oversight/Express Unit prior to the commencement of the modifications. 10. Culvert Installation All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall e conducted to a dry work area. Approved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual (http://www.ncdot.or doh/operations/BMP manuaUdownload/BMP®Manual pdf) such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water. Culverts required for this project shall be installed in such a manner that the original stream profiles are not altered. Existing stream dimensions(including the cross section dimensions, pattern, and longitudinal profile)must be maintained above and below locations -)f each culvert. Culverts shall be designed and installed to allow fo,-aquatic life movrment as well as to prevent head cutting of Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asl le Regional Airport Authority Page 5 of 6 October 7,2011 the streams. If any of the existing pipes are or become perched,the appropriate stream grade shall be re-established or, if the pipes installed in a perched manner,the pipes shall be removed and re- installed correctly. Culvert(s)shall not be installed in such a manner that will cause aggradation or erosion of the stream up or down stream of the culvert(s). Existing stream dimensions(including the cross section dimensions, pattern and longitudinal profile)shall be maintained above and below locations of each culvert. Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands must be placed below the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches,to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or.upstream and down stream of the above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium shall be maintained if requested in writing by DWQ. The establishment of native, woody vegetation and other soft stream bank stabilization techniques must be used where practicable instead of rip rap or other bank hardening methods. If rip-rap is necessary, it shall.not be placed in the stream bed, unless specifically approved by the Division of Water Quality. Installation of culverts in wetlands must ensure continuity of water movement and be designed to adequately accommodate high water or flood conditions. , Upon completion of the project,the Applicant shall complete and return the enclosed"Certificate of Completion"form to notify NCDWQ when all work included in the §401 Certification has been completed. The responsible party shall complete the attached form and return it to the 401/Wetlands Unit of the NC Division of Water Quality upon completion of the project. Please send photographs upstream and downstream of each culvert site to document correct installation along with the Certificate of Completion form. 11. Deed Notifications Deed notifications or similar mechanisms shall be placed on all retained jurisdictional wetlands, waters and protective buffers in order to assure compliance for future wetland,water and buffer impact. These mechanisms shall be put in place at the time of recording of the property, or of individual lots,whichever is appropriate. A sample deed notification can be downloaded from the 401/Wetlands Unit web site at: hiip://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document libraryget file?uuid=ef84d0e1-5fc9-4183-87b5- 2f9d7eb152e0&groupId=38364. The text of the sample deed notification may be modified as appropriate to suit to this project. 12. Stormwater Management Before any permanent impervious surface(i.e., building,roadway, taxiway, tarmac or other similar surface) is installed as part of any phase of the project described in this certification, the applicant must meet all of the following: • The Stormwater Management Plan(SMP)must be approved in writing by the City of Asheville. A copy of the approval ietter and approved SMP must be submirted v)the Mr.Lew Bleiweis and Asti e Regional Airport Authority Page 6 of 6 October 7,2011 Division prior to installation of any impervious surface within the project site. If the, project is phased,then the approved SMP for each phase must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surfaces associated with that phase. • The approved stormwater best management practices(BMPs)must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure is occupied or becomes operational. If the project is phased,then the approved BMPs for each future phase must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure associated with that phase is occupied or becomes operational. • The approved SMP, phased or otherwise, as well as drainage patterns must be maintained in perpetuity. • The SMP may not be modified without prior written authorization from the SMP approval authority. 13. Certificate of Completion Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules, and any subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return the attached certificate of completion to the Wetlands, Buffers, Stormwater,Compliance and Permitting Unit (WeBSCaPe),North Carolina Division of Water Quality, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,NC, 27699-1650. Also,this approval to proceed with your proposed impacts or to conduct impacts to waters as depicted in your application shall expire upon expiration of the 404 or CAMA Permit. If this Certification is unacceptable to you,you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within sixty(60)days following receipt of this Certification. This request must be in the form of a written'petition conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh,N.C. 27699-6714. If modifications are made to an original Certification,you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing on the modifications upon written request within sixty(60)days following receipt of the Certification. Unless such demands are made,this Certification shall be final and binding. This the 7t'day of Octob 2 11 DIVI ONO W ER LITY oleen H. Sullins 3753 CHS/kah/Um =A NCD NR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H.Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretary North Carolina Division of Water Quality 401 Water Quality Certification Summary of Permitted Impacts and Mitigation Requirements In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H.0500,Mr. Lew Bleiweis and Asheville Regional Airport Authority,have permission to fill or otherwise impact 0.9 acres of 404/wetland and 1,796 linear feet of stream,to construct the proposed Asheville Regional Airport expansion,which is located at 61 Terminal Drive, in Fletcher,Buncombe County,North Carolina. All activities associated with these authorized impacts must be conducted with the conditions listed in the attached Permit transmittal letter. THIS CERTIFICATION IS NOT VALID WITHOUT THE ATTACHMENTS. COMPENSATORY MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS,ECOSYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM DWQ PROJECT#: 20071841,Ver.4 NC EEP NAME: Asheville Airport Expansion LOCATION: Asheville COUNTY: Buncombe BASIN/SUB BASIN: French Broad/06010105 As required by 15A NCAC 2H.0500,and the conditions of this Certification,you are required to compensate for the above mitigable impacts through the restoration,creation,enhancement or preservation of wetlands,surface waters and riparian buffers as outlined below prior to conducting any activities that impact or degrade the waters of the state. Note: Acreage requirements proposed to be mitigated through the Ecosystem Enhancement Program must be rounded to one-quarter acre increments and linear foot requirements must be rounded up to the nearest foot according to 15 2R.0503(b). Impacts Mitigation 1.259 Acres Riparian Wetlands 1.259 Acres Riparian Wetlands 1,076 Linear Feet of Stream 1,796 Linear Feet of Stream One of the options you have available to satisfy the compensatory mitigation requirement is through the payment of a fee to the Wetlands Restoration Fund per NCAC 2R.0503. If you choose this option,please sign this form and mail the form along with a copy of your 401 Certification or Buffer Approval to the Ecosystem Enhancement Program at the address below. An invoice for the appropriate amount of payment will be sent to you upon receipt of this form. PLEASE NOTE,THE ABOVE IMPACTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED UNTIL YOU RECEIVE NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR PAYMENT HAS BEEN PROCESSED BY THE ECOSYTEM ENHANCMENT PROGRAM. Signature Date ECOSYSTEM FUN ANCRA4 1652 Mail Service Center RALEIGH,N.C.27699-1652 (919)715-2219 Filename:071841 Ver4AshevilleAirportRunwayRehabilitationParallelTaxiwayAndCargoHoldExpansion_West(Buncombe)401_IC_EEP /etl:nds,Buffers,Storm!vater,Compliance and Permitting Unit(WeBSCaPe) 650 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-16b0 hone:919-801-6301 1 FAX:919-807-649-1 der et:htlp:/rrortal.ncdenr.orgh:eb"�vq/vve n ECLla!Oppr`,tunity 1 Affirniativa Action E•nployer 401 Water Quality Certification Regional Office Comments Project number: ' 07-1841 V4 �Region: Asheville r�`Date K 09-27-11 Project name:, Asheville Airport Runway Rehab '. Staff Chuck Cranford Regional Office Supervisor: Keith Haynes ❑ Issue as submitted CJ1 Issue with conditions listed below Requested°Action: ❑ Request additional information ❑ Return to applicant ❑ Deny project 1. Stormwater Management Before any permanent impervious surface (i.e., building, roadway, taxiway, tarmac or other similar surface) is installed as part of any phase of the project described in this certification, the applicant must meet all of the following: ° • The Stormwater Management Plan(SMP) must be approved in writing by the City of Asheville. A copy of the approval letter and approved SMP must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surface within the project site. If the project is phased,then the approved SMP for each phase must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surfaces associated with that phase. Comments; • The approved stormwater best management practices (BMPs) must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure is occupied or becomes operational. If the project is phased, then the approved BMPs for each future phase must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure associated with that phase is occupied or becomes operational. • The approved SMP,phased or otherwise, as well as drainage patterns must be maintained in perpetuity. • The SMP may not be modified without prior written authorization from the SMP approval authority. Also, include any standard IP conditions you see fit. Version 1 S:\SWP\Buncombe\401s\Non-DOT\AshevilleAirport\AVL Airport 07-1841 V4\Regional Office Comments.9.27.1 Ldoc Le rWa ra r", �L ' AUG 3 0 2011 J tr C1earWater Environmental Consultants,Inc. ; August 26, 2011 www.cwenv.com ,:. Mr. Ian McMillan NC Division of Water Quality 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh,North Carolina 27699 RE: Request for More Information Asheville Airport Buncombe County,North Carolina Action ID SAW-2010-00036; DWQ Project# 07-1841 Ver. 4 Dear Mr. McMillan, Please reference the letter dated August 5, 2011 (Attachment A) sent by the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) in response to the permit application submitted by C1earWater Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC), on behalf of Mr. Lew Bleiweis of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority. The permit application requested written authorization for the impacts associated with runway maintenance and construction of air cargo facilities in a location that facilitates use of existing infrastructure. The comments provided by the DWQ are listed and discussed below. DWQ Comment #1: "'Impact #8' is proposed for construction of a stormwater pond. The application indicates that City of Asheville (COA) requirements related to construction in a floodway are forcing these impacts to occur. Please provide documentation of any decision communicated by the COA that confirms this statement. Additional option to address stormwater management needs must be considered that avoid `Impact#8'." As originally proposed, the stormwater detention basin west of Old Fanning Bridge Road was partially in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated floodway and 100-year floodplain. The initial comments regarding the location of this stormwater basin were provided by Ms. Dana Perkins of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during review of the Draft Environmental Assessment (drafted by Ms. Laura Stevens of The LPA Group). Ms. Perkins indicated that airport development actions must avoid the floodplain if a practicable alternative exists (per Executive Order 11988 and US Department of Transportation (DOT) Order 5650.2). If no practicable alternative exists, actions in a floodplain must be designed to minimize adverse impact to the floodplain's natural and beneficial values. Ms. Perkins would agree that the Draft Environmental Assessment adequately addressed the Executive and DOT Orders if the governing stormwater authority (the City of Asheville) provided 224 South Grove Street,Suite F Hendersonville,NC 28792 828-698-9800 Tel 828-698-9003 Fax i • The Stormwater Management Plan(SMP)must be approved in writing by the City of Asheville. A copy of the approval letter and approved SMP must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surface within the project site. If the project is phased, then the approved SMP for each phase must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surfaces associated with that phase. • The approved stormwater best management practices (BMPs)must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure is occupied or becomes operational. If the project is phased,then the approved BMPs for each future phase must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure associated with that phase is occupied or becomes operational. • The approved SMP,phased or otherwise, as well as drainage patterns must be maintained in perpetuity. • The SMP may not be modified without prior written authorization from the SMP approval authority. The above condition allows stream impacts to occur upon issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification and is acceptable to the AVL. The DWQ requested that the AVL examine additional alternatives for the location and configuration of the stormwater basin west of Old Fanning Bridge Road. Recommendations from the COA and DWQ for the new basin included avoiding the stream channel impacts and avoiding the floodway (if possible). After additional evaluation, it was determined that the basin could be divided and reconfigured. The attached modified site plan illustrates a new stormwater basin ;design that follows the recommendations of the DWQ and COA. The new basin design eliminates Impact #8 from the project (2801inear feet). Total new impacts for the project site are 1,796 linear feet of stream impact and 0.9 acre of wetland impact(no change). The AVL respectfully request the. permit application be modified to reflect the elimination of Impact#8 (280 linear feet) as discussed above. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-698-9800 should you have any questions or comments concerning this project. Respectfully, 1`x-ODJ'-{' ' Rebekah L.Newton R. Clement Riddle,P.W.S Project Biologist Principal Copy Furnished: NC Division of Water Quality; Asheville Regional Office—Chuck Cranford i 7 Mr.Ian McMillan 08.26.11 Page 2 of 4 concurrence with the stormwater basin location. Ms., Stevens coordinated with Mr. Chuck Watson, the City of Asheville Floodplain Administrator, regarding the location of the stormwater basin. During a personal communication via-phone on March 29, 2011 between Ms. Stevens and Mr. Watson, Mr. Watson (citing City of Asheville Regulations 7-12-1) indicated that if no practicable alternative exists then encroachment onto the 100-year floodplain is permissible under the City of Asheville Regulations as long as fill remains a minimum of 10 feet outside of the floodway. It was determined that a practicable alternative for removing the stormwater detention basin out of the floodway did exist; however, there were no practicable alternatives for removing the basins out of the 100-year floodplain. The stormwater detention basin was redesigned to avoid encroachment into the floodway, however, complete avoidance of impacts to the 100-year floodplain were not practicable due to site limitations associated with the proposed cargo area, as well as FAA design standards for the runway safety area (RSA) associated both with the temporary runway/parallel taxiway and with the existing runway. In explanation, the fill slope that, encroaches into the floodplain is associated with the minimum allowable RSA dimensions for the temporary runway. Additionally, the shape and size limitations of the proposed cargo site necessitate locating the stormwater detention basin on the opposite side of Old Fanning Bridge Road. After the above mentioned coordination with Mr. Watson at the City of Asheville, Ms. Perkins approved the Draft Environmental Assessment with encroachments into the 100-year floodplain. The Findings of No Significant Impact was issued on August 19, 2011. Because the stormwater detention pond proposal is in accordance with the Region 4 Guideline for Reconciling Stormwater Management and Water Quality Resource Protection Issues (EPA 2004) and no practicable alternative exists, the AVL respectfully requests that the location of the stormwater detention basin be reevaluated and approved as it is proposed. DWQ Comment 42: "Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) — Project approval is not possible without documentation that a SMP has been approved by the COA." This statement is incorrect. The DWQ memorandum dated August 20, 2007 states that: "Any 401 Certification approved under this scenario shall be conditioned so that the proposed activity shall not commence until such time that the appropriate local approval has been granted." Therefore, project approval can be granted without documentation of the approved Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) by the City of Asheville. Ms. Rebekah Newton of CEC spoke with Mr. Ian McMillan of the DWQ-Raleigh Office on August 12, 2011. Mr. McMillan confirmed that "DWQ Comment 42" is incorrect and clarified the statement by saying that the approval can be granted but that impacts can not occur until the DWQ is provided with documentation that the SMP has been approved. AVCON, the project Engineers, will be submitting a SMP to the City of Mr.Ian McMillan 08.26.11 Page 3 of 4 Asheville. The DWQ, City of Asheville, and AVCON are working together to provide appropriate documentation to the DWQ regarding approval of the SMP. The DWQ will be provided a copy of the approval letter upon receipt. DWQ Comment 43: "Potential Mitigation— The stream located at the south-west corner of the Airport property (adjacent to NC HWY 280) is severely downcut and heavily influenced by stormwater from the airport property. During the onsite meeting(March 9, 2010), NCDWQ and NCWRC both expressed that restoration/stabilization of this channel should be part of the application package. No plans for this stream segment have been submitted. A complete stream stabilization/restoration plan should be developed and submitted for mitigation credit as part of this application." Restoration of stream channels within existing airport boundaries is difficult and proves complicated. On-site restoration and preservation has proven unsuccessful at other airport expansions in North Carolina. For instance, vegetation height restrictions limit vegetation that can be planted in the restored areas. Additionally, undisturbed woody buffers have the potential to attract wildlife to the area. Wildlife is a threat to airport safety if animals move onto the runway or fly within plane flight patterns. Additionally, because of an airport's large footprint and significant financial commitment, airport expansions need to be adjacent to existing facilities, limiting space for on-site mitigation. It is common for airports to continually expand due to demand for passenger or cargo services; or change in aviation standards and runway needs. For these reasons, off-site mitigation is more practicable; restoration or preservation of stream channels within airport property is rarely proposed. The US Army Corps of Engineers has reviewed the proposed mitigation plan and has stated that they believe the plan is "adequate to compensate for the proposed impacts". The have also stated that the proposed plan is in "accordance with the Wilmington District's Interagency Stream Mitigation Guidelines (2003) and the recently published federal rule entitled Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources (33 CFR Part 332)". The DWQ was a part of the interagency team that developed the Stream Mitigation Guidelines and routinely accepts payment into the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) as compensatory mitigation for projects of this type. Ms. Rebekah Newton of CEC spoke with Mr. Ian McMillan of the DWQ-Raleigh Office on August 12, 2011. Mr. McMillan indicated that payment into EEP is an acceptable form of mitigation and is in compliance with the published guidelines. Mr.Ian McMillan 08.26.11 Page 4 of 4 The applicant believes the information submitted in this package addresses all issues set forth by the DWQ in their letter dated August 5, 2011. Should you have any questions or comments concerning this project please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-698-9800. Sincerely, Rebekah L.Newton R. Lmentddle, Project Biologist Principal Cc: NC D1visonyof-Water Quality-AshevilleChuc Cxanford US Army Corps of Engineers—Tasha McCormick Attachment A DWQ Request for Additional Information (dated August 5, 2011) M®VR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H.Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretary August 5,2011 DWQ Project#07-1841,Ver. 4 Buncombe County CERTIFIED MAIL:RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr.Lew Bleiweis,Airport Director Asheville Regional Airport Authority 61 Terminal Drive,Suite 1 Fletcher,NC 28732 Subject Property: Asheville Regional Airport Runway Rehabilitation,Parallel Taxiway and Cargo Hold Expansion Ut to French Broad River[030402,6-(54.5),BJ REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION Dear Mr.Bleiweis: On June 14 2011,the Division of Water Quality(DWQ)received your application dated June 8,2011, with Public Notice issued June 24,2011,and received by the DWQ on June 24,2011,to impact or fill 0.9 acres of 404/wetland and 2,076 linear feet of stream associated with rehabilitation of the existing runway and development of a cargo facility with associated infrastructure at the existing Asheville Regional Airport. The DWQ has determined that your application was incomplete and/or provided inaccurate information as discussed below. The DWQ will require additiondf information in order to process your application.to impact protected wetlands.and/or streams on the subject property. Therefore,unless we receive five copies of the additional information requested below,we will place this project on hold as incomplete until we receive this additional information. If we do not receive the requested information, your project will be formally returned as incomplete. Please provide the following information so that we may continue to review.your project. Additional Information Requested: 1. "Impact#8"is proposed for construction of a stormwater pond.The application indicates that City of Asheville(COA)requirements related to construction in a floodway are forcing these impacts to occur. Please provide documentation of any decision communicated by the COA that confirms this statement.Additional options to address stormwater management needs must be considered that avoid"Impact#8". 2. Stormwater Management Plan(SMP)—Project approval is not possible without documentation that a SMP has been approved by the COA. 3. Potential Mitigation—The stream located at the South-west corner of the Airport Property (adjacent to NC HWY 280)is severely downeut and heavily influenced by stormwater from the airport property. During the onsite meeting(March 9,2010),NCDWQ and NCWRC both expressed that restoration/stabilization of this channel should be part of the application package. No plans for this stream segment have been submitted. A complete stream stabilization/ Wetlands,Buffers,Stonnwater,Compliance and Permitting Unit(WeBSCaPe) 1650 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1650 T�TOn..1.i1e�1, 1 Phone:919-807.63011 FAX:919-807-6494. iV O1Carohna. Interne[:http://por[al.ncdenr.orghNeb/Wq/ws An Equal OpportunityI Affirmative Action Employer Asheville Regional Airport Authority Page 2 of 2 August 5,2011 restoration plan should be developed and submitted for mitigation credit as part of this application. Please submit this information within 30 calendar days of the date of this letter. If we do not receive this requested information within 30 calendar days of the date of this letter,your project will be returned and you will need to reapply with a new application and a new fee. This letter only addresses the application review and does not authorize any impacts to wetlands,waters or protected buffers. Please be aware that any i;a pacts requested within your application are not authorized(at this time)by the DWQ. Please call Ms.Karen Higgins or Mr.Ian McMillan at 919-807-6300 if you have any questions regarding or would like to'set up a meeting to discuss this matter. Sincerely, Karen Higgins,Wetlands,Buffers,Stormwater, ompliance and Permitting(WeBSCaPe),Supervisor KH/ijm cc: USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office Chuck Cranford,DWQ Asheville Regional Office File Copy Clement Riddle,CDC,224.South Grove Street, Suite f,Ilendersoriville,NC 28792 Filename: 07f 844Ve:4AshevilleRegionaWrportRuuwayPcbabilitationParallelTaxiwayA.1dCarboHoldExpansion(Buncombe)On_Y,old Lear ater U SEP 1 9 2011 i WATER CUALITYS�CTION C1earWater Environmental Consultants,Inc. _ ASHEVILLE REGIONAL 0=} 10E www cwenucom 5G � Fro w September 14 2011 "'`` Ms. Tasha McCormick US Army Corps of Engineers Asheville Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue,Room 208 ! a Asheville,North Carolina 28801-2638 SEP Mr. Ian McMillan NC Division of Water Quality � ��-0UALITY� lN9SANDSTpi 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh,North Carolina 27699 RE: Asheville Regional Airport Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion and Parallel Taxiway Buncombe County,North Carolina Action ID 2010-00036 DWQ Project#07-1841,Ver. 4 Ms. McCormick and Mr. McMillan, The Asheville Regional Airport Authority (AVL), AVCON, Inc., and C1earWater. Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) met with the City of Asheville (COA) and the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on September 12, 2011 to discuss stormwater requirements at the proposed Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion and Parallel Taxiway (West Expansion)project site. The AVL requested the meeting so that the COA and the DWQ could discuss option for review and approval of the required stormwater management plan (SMP) and options for conditioning the 401 Water Quality Certification so that the project could move forward while remaining within the bounds of each agency's rules and regulations. The DWQ also asked to discuss Impact #8 (impact associated with the stormwater basin west of Old Fanning Bridge Road). The DWQ has drafted the following condition to be included in the 401 Water Quality Certification: 1. Stormwater Management Before any permanent impervious surface (i.e.,building,roadway,taxiway, tarmac or other similar surface), is installed as part of any phase of the project described in this certification,the applicant must meet all of the following: 224 South Grove Street,Suite F Hendersonville,NC 28792 829-698=9800-Tel---- — 828-698-9003 Fax • The Stormwater Management Plan(SMP)must be approved in writing by the City of Asheville. A copy of the approval letter and approved SMP must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surface within the project site.If the project is phased,then the approved SMP for each phase must be submitted to the Division prior to installation of any impervious surfaces associated with that phase. • The approved stormwater best management practices (BMPs)must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure is occupied or becomes operational. If the project is phased,then the approved BMPs for each future phase must be constructed and operational before any permanent building or other structure associated with that phase is occupied or becomes operational. • The approved SMP,phased or otherwise, as well as drainage patterns must be maintained in perpetuity. • The SMP may not be modified without prior written authorization from the SMP approval authority. The above condition allows stream impacts to occur upon issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification and is acceptable to the AVL. The DWQ requested that the AVL examine additional alternatives for the location and configuration of the stormwater basin west of Old Fanning Bridge Road. Recommendations from the COA and DWQ for the new basin included avoiding the stream channel impacts and avoiding the floodway (if possible). After additional evaluation, it was determined that the basin could be divided and reconfigured. The attached modified site plan illustrates a new stormwater basin design that follows the recommendations of the DWQ and COA. The new basin design eliminates Impact #8 from the project (280 linear feet). Total new impacts for the project site are 1,796 linear feet of stream impact and 0.9 acre of wetland impact(no change). The AVL respectfully request the. permit application be modified to reflect the elimination of Impact#8 (280 linear feet) as discussed above. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-698-9800 should you have any questions or comments concerning this project. Respectfully, Rebekah L.Newton R. Clement Riddle,P.W.S Project Biologist Principal Copy Furnished: NC Division of Water Quality; Asheville Regional Office—Chuck Cranford sheville REGIONAL AIRPORT .; °»,,.. ..>_....•.-'*�;,,. .-- ;;,.. .l. z f A :r,.-., . .:.._... «. ._.___ ENGINEEM INC. .�,,. ... •'ma.. -, ._. ,..�:..... ...... ... .. �..s ._,., .,.,. ,w:k:7.�»... ,:. _.,...-- ..=.'._., NEERS&PWN,`1ER5 ._..., ,.... \ / aW.LARO CREEK RL SUfIE laS .. - +r..W / ,±Y^.. OFPTCE: a ssavooa.Fwc noa vsavoe: ..,<.., ,..-'r, \ ...,...,. _.,-..-a , ,,; ':,. ;.. , ,_:..., ;+. - 2M . \ &. \ u _ . Learwater C ,..,, { : r7n Environmental Consultants,Inc. . „s' , . ' ,'.f= ,-.._ �.:; _:<• :;, v - ,t,,.: 7:<: L.�,_ r � 224 South Grove St. ste.F i + i �.. � t x ,t /r Hendersonville,NC 28792 > ,:. ..� ,. ,.,. ,,..t •., \ 3 .,.., ,.:,.. :.. ...€-�`.r. ,. / ;.c ':: r s,:,.. :S.. .,a.. 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LINEAR WETLAND ¢ _ 0' 250' 500' 1000' _ PROPERTY LINE jGRAPHIC SCALE IN FEET SHEET NUMBER AIRPORT PROPERTY LINE heville A _ - - - =— _ REGIONAL AIRPORT R E G 1 O T , :. �.- ,.,$ ..._,a g g # / / 7 ti iRg _... ___ •-:s .,r....,. � .e": .../ s '.'.c..e R_: � 'e-_ _--e.._. -_. G.wl pa:",„ ,. .r -- .:Y \r a>-r ,';a. ,!",4a \ \.,• ;, �, • ..:= - _ _., a;."= ,,.. z.: 3 �, '•\1 \ \ - ar.;,. ...�-s \, \,� st i.... AVCAN,INC. \\�'., ENc[NeeNs&eWrvrvERs �. �' •\.`- -,�;.�a :G P,' �._.�- '. -_�.•,.._ "�_.. •,. .. �� `.._ \\ al:4,y,✓7r/�`' `—, - \ t ':i~`--T ®e'.r \ � ,.:\a\ Q i \ ^ray,,; , r •\ l ��' - _ nw.LARD CREFx nt surrE uS , CLIFYCA(—)9 08-FAX:(7N)TTE N.c.aaw . i -`�-\�. --... �•` •..— .•...-T { _• ::m'., i^, ---:. ••. ... .__„ "'--... __ ., ',�•,`\ `,\•\ `\ \\.\ RN OFFICE:(]61)950.9006•FA%:l9W)95i9002 .._ ..;.ram « • � .. ._-�. -.. ! _,..:Sa" ,, .O _y.. N_:_._ -"a—.�. •.._, $. ,,._._¢. _. 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AND } w NDsiDESU RV AR PROJECT \ — \ DEVELOPMENT Uj r � Mk'd < �� Y � va" ,/� IMPACT #7 '�' z ; TRUCK LO WG / 375 LF o A A LEGEND " / ' � ��� � ,}� �"' SITE \ , PLAN of PROJECT AREA 198 ACRES 1\\�,. �` ��,� ' ' 100 YR FLOOD LINE TOTAL STREAM 16 629 LF ' ' IMPACT #6 AIRPORT " �"°" \�(1; •\ THIS DOCUNmTT CONTAINS PRNILEDED AND PROPRIETARY 850 LF / IN�USEBYNT"E NOTENDEDR CRIENT•ANDFORASPEOKICPURPOSE. PROPERTY LINE FO WRHOUTTHEEXPRESS—ENDONSENTOF—ONINO.ANY ` \ �' \ WSTRIBI-ON REPRODUCTION,OROTHER USE OF THLS DOCUMENT,IN "" `:_. :. NAIOLEOR IN PART,IS STRICTLY PROHIBNED TOTAL WETLANDS 5.15 ACRES 00 FLOODWAY LINE PROPOSED IMPACTS: ' LEGEND SCALE: AS NOTED REVISIONS: o / AIRPORT PROJECT AREA p � NO. GATE BY DESCRIPTION O \ , STREAMS = 1,796 LF \ 100—YEAR FLOOD ZONE WETLANDS = 0.9 ACRES ;' —i— STREAMS In w WETLANDS a MITIGATION: / �� LINEAR WETLAND DESIGNED BY: C.M.W. Ir ! DRAWN BY: W.L.J. / _ _ PROPERTY LINE CHECKED BY: M.A.D. AVOIDANCE / \\ / APPROVED BY: M.A.D. STREAMS = 14,833 LF \ DATE: SEPTEMBER2011 WETLANDS = 4.25 ACRESOf w ' North PROJECT NO. 2009.157.08 EEP (1:1) = 1,796 LF 100' 200` 400• 1 ACRES GRAPHIC SCALE IN FEET SHEET NUMBER n: A fi il, rr • , ,.,,.... -- .__._ "^_.. '... ;,;:is -.. .. :.:. :. :.: - ,._+._�"' {t$ U 4 a _ sheville :,w. .. .,ttz. 1 �, u.,.,::_.-.+�o.� ',".,L-., I, , .- ,s tx ..: '+...",r- a.---' , , ,. .M.--_ s''I �: s ... � _>:_..., e. � «—�. ,.. :. a: �..--�.___' - REGIONAL AIRPORT r \ I 0.51 ACRES � �w_ ,_ ,.. .«, , , . .. i � � -.__ '. ,, . ter" 4::—• :...... , ,., .z . ,.. ..x,.^h,. n ....»�^.:., < .ia :,, ,. 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TOTAL STREAM 16,629 LF FOR USEEYTHEIN FNOFDREOU'IFNT,NNOFORASP 0N,N URPOSE WITII N,REXPRESS Y0N.ORNCONSENTOFAVISIKMC.ANY OISTRIeUTN)N,—OOUOTIOR OR OTHER USEOFTHISDOCUMEM,IN WHOLEOR IN PART,Ri STRM:ILY PRONISREO J OD TOTAL WETLANDS 5.15 ACRES SCALE: AS NOTED m D; PROPOSED IMPACTS: LEGEND REVISIONS: p NO. DATE BY DESCRIPTION O j AIRPORT PROJECT AREA N STREAMS = 1,796 LF 100—YEAR FLOOD ZONE 11 co WETLANDS = 0.9 ACRES _1_I STREAMS w ® WETLANDS DESIGNED BY: C.M.W. O MITIGATION: DRAWN BY: W.L.J. I �� LINEAR WETLAND w CHECKED BY: M.A.D. p _ _ PROPERTY LINE APPROVED BY: M.A.D. Of AVOIDANCE DATE: SEPTEMBER2011 STREAMS = 14,833 LF In Uj WETLANDS = 4.25 ACRES Noah PROJECT NO. 2009.157.08 a EEP (1:1) = 1,796 LF 100 200 aoo 1 ACRES GRAPHIC SCALE IN FEET SHEET NUMBER T age Check List Date: 6/15/2011 Project Name: Asheville Airport Runway Rehab DWQ#: 07-1841 Ver 4, F >.,:z,;,,; Cqy t . $uncog.Lbre To:' 401 Staff, Asheville Regional Office 6 2011 60-day Processing Time: 6/14/2011 — $ / FCTION 11wArER QUALITY AL OF I i' AS -VILLF REGiONAI OFFICE I From: Ian McMillan 919 Telephone: 8063364 y { P � ) ❑ Restoration Project NOT for mitigation issued by RO (copy to Eric/Tammy for comments) ❑ NON-EEP mitigation project; Issued by RO (copy to Eric/Tammy for comments) ❑ EEP full Delivery project; issued by RO (copy to Eric/Tammy for comments) ❑ EEP design-Bid Build; issued by CO (copy to RO for comments) A.This is an IP and will be issued out of the Central Office Comments: As per our discussion regarding revision of the triage and delegation processes, please review the attached file. Note that you are the first reviewer, so this file will need to be reviewed for administrative as well as technical details. If you elect to place this project on hold,please ask the applicant to provide your requested information to both the Central Office in Raleigh as well as the Asheville Regional Office. As we discussed, this is an experimental, interim procedure as we slowly transition to electronic applications. Please apprise me of any complications you encounter, whether related to workload, processing times, or lack of a "second reviewer" as the triage process in Central had previously provided. Also, if you think of ways to improve this process, especially so that we can plan for the electronic applications, let me know. Thanks! �1 Individual Permit Application for --— Q � D .1 UlV 1 4 2011 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers �NR bVdo �' Section 404 Permit etlan and North Carolina 401 Water Quality Certification June 2011 , Applicant: 4 l� Asheville Regional Airport Authority +ra -�*rsvui.us l:+♦ r E;;1:.. t i.."{.?.tz''^z3�'C 2it,",+�2,;7�+•r� dip t JUN 16 2011 hev*1114.,'. REGIONAL A I R P O R R WATER QUALITY SECTION ' ASH EVILLE REGIONAL OFFICE ^'"R:1t\`.�s:irjnlF,viiS.:s:..u,:::sA�.,cw.,..',:•a:;.�:.....s;.r.;....,....A..c'r;14.:w.,.•.a Attn: Lew Bleisweis 61 Terminal Dr, Ste 1 Fletcher,NC 28732 Prepared by: Clearwater Environmental Consultants,Inc. 224 South Grove Street, Suite F Hendersonville,North Carolina 28792 828-698-9800 �1 • C LIEARWATER ENVIRONM ENTAL CONSULTANTS, ffNC. Department of the Army Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers Attn:Ken Jolly, Chief Regulatory Division PO Box 1890 Wilmington,North Carolina 28402-1890 -and- NC Division of Water Quality Attn: Cyndi Karoly 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh,NC 27699-1650 1, the current landowner/managing partner of the property identified below,hereby authorize ClearWater Environmental Consultants,Inc. (CEC) to act on my behalf as my agent during the processing of permits to impact Wetlands and Waters of the US that are regulated by the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act. CEC is authorized to provide supplemental information needed for permit processing at the request of the USAGE or DWQ. Property Owner of Record: Asheville Regional Airport Authority Property Owner Address: 61 Terminal Drive, Ste 1 Fletcher, NC 28732 Phone number: (828) 684-2226 Property Location: Hwy280 (Airport Road) w �� OwnerManaging partner Signature: Lew Bleiweis, Airport Director Date: April 14, 2010 718 Oakland Street Hendersonville, Nodh Carolina 28791 Phone; 828-698-9800 Fax: 828-698-9003 www.cwenv.com of - Ica 41 V �} APPLICATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE,ICE ARMY PERMIT O14113 APPROVAL NO.0710.003 (33C R 325) Expires October 1996 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 hours per response,including the time for reviewing instructions,searching existing data sources,gathering and maintaining the data needed,and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,including suggestions for reducing this burden,to Department of Defense,Washington.Headquarters Service Directorate of Information Operations and Reports,1215 Jefferson Davis Highway,Suite 1204,Arlington,VA 22202-4302;and to the Office of Management and Budget,Paperwork Reduction Project(0710-0003),Washington,DC 20503. Please DO NOT RETURN your form to either of those addresses. Completed applications must be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction over the location of the proposed activity. PRIVACY ACT STATEiVIENT Authority: 33 USC 401,Section 10;1413,Section 404. Principal Purpose: "These laws require permits authorizing activities in,or affecting,navigable waters of the United States,the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the Untied States,and the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of dumping it into ocean waters. Routine Uses: Information provided on this form will be used iri evaluating the application for a permit. Disclosure: Disclosure of requested information is voluntary. If information is not provided,however,,the permit application cannot be processed nor can a permit be issued. One set of original drawings or good reproducible copies which show,the location and character of the proposed activity must be attached to this application(see sample drawings and instructions)and be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction over the location of the proposed activity. An application that is not completed in full will be returned. (ITEMS 1 THRU 4 7'0 BE Il.LED BY THE CORPS) 1,APPLICATION NO. 2. FIELD OFFICE CODE 3.DATE RECEIVED 4.DATE APPLICATION RECEIVED (ITEMS BELOW TO BE EE LLED BY APPLICANT) 5.APPLICANT'S NAME 8.AUTHORIZED AGENT'S NAME&TITLE(an agent is not required) Asheville Regional Airport Authority C1earWater Environmental Consultants.Inc. Attn: Mr.Lew Bleiweis,Airport Director ATTN: Mr.R.Clement Riddle 6.APPLICANT'S ADDRESS 9.AGENT'S ADDRESS. 61 Terminal Drive,Suite 1 224South Grove Street,Suite F Fletcher,North Carolina 28732 Hendersonville,North Carolina 29792 7.APPLICANT'S PHONE NOS.W/AREA CODE 10.AGENT'S PHONE NOS.W/AREA CODE a. Residence N/A a. Residence N/A b. Business (828)684-2226 b. Business (828)698-9800 11. STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION I hereby authorize,R.Clement Riddle and C1earWater Environmental Consultants,Inc.,to act on my behalf as my agent in the processing of this application and to furnish,upon request,supplemental information in support of this permit application. APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE DATE 12.PROJECT NAME-OR TITLE(see instructions) Asheville Airport Runway Rehabilitation,Parallel Taxiway,and Cargo Hold Expansion(West.Expansion) 13. NAME OF WATERBODY,IF KNOWN(if applicable) Unnamed tributaries to the French Broad River. 14.PROJECT STREET ADDRESS(if applicable) Old Funning Bridge Road 15.LOCATION OF PROJECT The project site is located south of Asheville,adjacent.to existing airport facilities in Buncombe County,North Carolina. 16.OTHER LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS,IF'KNOWN,(see"Directions to the Site"below) In.general,the site is bordered to the north and east by the existing airport,to the south by Airport Road,and to the west by the French Broad River. 17.DIRECTIONS TO THE SITE To access the site from Asheville,take 1-26 East to Exit 40(Airpon Road/NC Highway 280). Tom right(south)onto Airport Road and continue approximately 1.25 miles. Past the airport,turn right(north)onto Old Fanning Bridge Road. The project site is to the right(east)of Old Fanning Bridge Road. Q12�90 2,JUAL JJN 1 4 DENR - C1llP,t EFtWeOarlda& 18. Nature of Activity(Description of project,include all features) The project will include the development of land adjacent(immediately west)to the existing airport facility for the rehabilitation of the existing runway, construction of a parallel taxiway,and cargo facilities. See attached description. 19. Project Purpose(Describe the reason or purpose of the project,see instructions) The purpose of the proposed project is to conduct much needed runway maintenance without disrupting- airport operations. Additionally, the project purpose includes file construction of air cargo facilities in a location that facilitates use of existing infrastructure. See attached description. USE BLOCKS 20-22 IF DREDGED AND/OR FILL MATERIAL IS TO BE DISCHARGED 20. Reason(s)for Discharge The proposed activities are necessary to provide a level fill pad that is at grade with tine existing infrastructure at the airport_ This fill pad is necessary for development of the proposed parallel taxiway and cargo facility. See attached description 21. Type(s)of Material Being Discharged and the Amount of Each Type in Cubic Yards Material being discharged will be.in the form of culverts,clean fill dirt,and coal fly ash. See attached description. 22. Surface Area in Acres of Wetlands or Other Waters Filled(see instructions) Approximately 2,076 linear feel of stream channel and 0.9 acre of wetland will be impacted by the development at the project site. See attached description. 23. is Any Portion of the Work Already Completed? Yes ❑ No ® IF YES,DESCRIBE THE COMPLETED WORK 24. Addresses of Adjoining Property Owners,Lessees,Etc.,Whose Property Adjoins the Waterbody(If more than can be entered here,please attached a supplemental list). See attached list. 25. List of Other Certifications or Approvals/Denials Received from other Federal,State or Local Agencies for Work Described in This Application, AGENCY TYPE APPROVAL* IDENTIFICATION M DATE APPLIED DATE APPROVED DATE DENIED None. 26. Application is hereby made for a permit or permits to authorize the work described in this application. I certify that the information in this application is complete and,@ccurate. I fill-tiler certify thatl possess the authority to undertake the work described herein or am acting as tite duly authorized agentot the applicart. 11 t -�II SIGNATURE:OI APPLICANT DATE SIGNATURE OF AGENT DATE The application must be sighed by the person who desires to undertake the proposed activity(applicant)or it may be signed by a duly authorized agent if the statement in block I t has been filled out and signed. 18 U,S,C.Section 1001 provides that: Whoever,in any manner within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies,conceals,or covers up any trick,scheme,or disguises a material fact or makes any false,fictitious or fraudulent statements or entry,shall be fined not more than$10,000 or imprisoned not more than live years or both. Adjoining Property Owners Claude A. Lance City of Asheville 655 Old Fanning Bridge Road Post Office Box 7148 Fletcher,North Carolina 28732 Asheville,North Carolina 28802 Henderson County Brightstar Association,Inc. 100 N. King Street 2 Memory Lane Hendersonville,North Carolina 28792 Norwalk, Connecticut 06853 Brite Stars, LLC David O. Kachman 2 Memory Lane 35 Bran Rick Lane Rowayton, Connecticut 08653 Arden,North Carolina 28704 Roger Pinner James D. Elmore 78 Pinner Road 22 Li Jim Jo Lane Arden,North Carolina 28704 Arden,North Carolina 28704 Peter Hall Jeffrey Eaton 63 Mountain.View Drive 31 Bran Rick Lane Arden,North Carolina 28704 Arden,North Carolina 28704 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT...................................................................................1 1.1 Project Location........................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Jurisdictional Waters.................................................................................................................................1 2.0 BACKGROUND AND PRIOR PROJECT HISTORY.................................................3 3.0 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS.....................................................................................5 3.1 Streams and Wetlands...............................................................................................................................5 3.2 Soils...........................................................................................................................................................5 3.3 Fish and Wildlife Use of the Project Site..................................................................................................5 3.4 Threatened and Endangered Species.........................................................................................................6 3.5 Cultural Resources....................................................................................................................................6 4.0 PROJECT PURPOSE.......................................................................................................8 5.0 PROPOSED PROJECT DEVELOPMENT....................................................................9 5.1 Cargo Area Plans.......................................................................................................................................9 5.2 Rehabilitation of the Existing Runway Using a Parallel Taxiway............................................................9 6.0 DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVES............................................................................11 6.1 Avoidance-Cargo Area.........................................................................................................................12 6.2 Avoidance-Rehabilitation of the Existing Runway Using a Parallel Taxiway.....................................15 6.3 Minimization and Justification of Impacts..............................................................................................20 6.4 Alternatives Conclusion..........................................................................................................................25 7.0 CONCEPTUAL MMGATION PLAN.........................................................................26 7.1 NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program(EEP).........................................................................................26 8.0 US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 404(b)(1)GUIDELINES........27 8.1 Factual Determination.............................................................................................................................27 8.2 Potential Impacts on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Aquatic Ecosystem........................27 8.3 Potential Impacts to Biological Characteristics of the Ecosystem...........................................................29 8.4 Potential Impacts on Special Aquatic Sites.............................................................................................30 8.5 Potential Effects on Human Use Characteristics.....................................................................................31 8.6 Summary.................................................................................................................................................32 9.0 PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS..................................................................33 9.1 Conservation............................................................................................................................................33 9.2 Economics...............................................................................................................................................33 9.3 Aesthetics...........................................................................................................................6..........6.........33 9.4 General Environmental Concerns....................................................................................6..............6....6...34 9.5 Wetlands...........................................6......6............6....6..........................................................6..................34 9.6 Historic Properties..........................................................................................................................6.....-34 9.7 Fish and Wildlife Values.........................................................................................................................34 9.8 Flood Hazards..........................................................................................................................6..............35 9.9 Floodplain Values.............................................................................................................6.....................35 9.10 Land Use.................................................................................................................................................36 9.11 Navigation...............................................................................................................................................36 9.12 Shore Erosion and Accretion.......................................................................................................6...........36 9.13 Recreation...............................................................................................................................................36 9.14 Water Supply and Conservation.....................................................................................................6........36 9.15 Water Quality(Stormwater Management)..............................................................................................37 9.16 Energy Needs..........................................................................................................................................37 9.17 Safety.......................................................................................................................................................37 9.18 Food and Fiber Production......................................................................................................................37 9.19 Mineral Needs...................................................................................................................:.....................37 9.20 Considerations of Property Ownership...................................................................................................37 9.21 Needs and Welfare of the Public.............................................................................................................37 i 10.0 SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS.........................................................38 11.0 SUMMARY......................................................................................................................39 LIST OF FIGURES 1. Vicinity Map 2. USGS Topographic Map 3. Stream and Wetland Map 4. Soils Map 5. Impact Map/Site Plan 6. Alternatives Map LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Cultural Resources Documentation Appendix B NC EEP.Acceptance Letter ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT The applicant, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL),proposes to construct a parallel taxiway to aid in the rehabilitation of the existing runway. AVL also proposes to construct an air cargo facility with associated infrastructure. The project, known as the Asheville Airport Runway Rehabilitation, Parallel Taxiway, and Cargo Hold Expansion (West Expansion), will include the development of land adjacent(west)to the existing airport facility. 1.1 Project Location The West Expansion will be located south of Asheville and immediately west of the existing airport in Buncombe County, North Carolina. A site vicinity map is included for review (Figure 1). To access the site from Asheville, take I-26 East to Exit 40 (Airport Road/NC Highway 280). Turn right(south)onto Airport Road and continue approximately 1.25 miles. Past the airport, turn right (north) onto Old Fanning Bridge Road. The project site is to the right (east) of Old Fanning Bridge Road. One stormwater facility will be located to the left (west) of Old Fanning Bridge Road. In general, the site is bordered to the north and east by the existing airport, to the south by Airport Road, and to the west by the French Broad River. A USGS topographic map is included for review(Figure 2). 1.2 Jurisdictional Waters The majority of the airport property was delineated in November and December of 2009 and April, November, and December of 2010 by C1earWater Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC). A "Notification of Jurisdictional Determination" was issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) on January 22, 2010 and February 9, 2011 under Action ID 2010-0036. A stream and wetland map showing the approved delineation is included for review(Figure 3). Streams and wetlands within the Asheville Regional Airport North General Expansion project boundary (Action ID 2007-03766-311) were delineated in June of 2007 and March of 2008 by Carolina Wetland Services. Jurisdictional streams within the property boundary are unnamed tributaries to the French Broad River. The French Broad River is a navigable-in-fact water at the Wilson Bridge east of Brevard. The unnamed tributaries are classified by the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) as class `B" waters. There are also jurisdictional wetlands and open waters (associated with the Broadmoor Golf Links)located within the property boundary. The site contains the following amounts of jurisdictional waters within the property boundary: Project Boundary Totals Feature Amount Unit Stream 16,629 linear feet Wetlands 5.15 acres Open Water 1.1 acres 1 An "Existing Site Conditions" section (Section 3.0) has been included in this application for review and further describes the jurisdictional waters on site. 2 2.0 BACKGROUND AND PRIOR PROJECT HISTORY The applicant received a permit for stream and wetland impacts on November 19, 2008 associated with the Asheville Regional Airport North General Expansion Project. The Action ID associated with this project is 2007-03766-311. An on-site jurisdictional determination meeting for the previously proposed Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project area was held on December 9, 2009 with Ms. Liz Hair of the Corps and Mr. Kevin Howell of the Asheville Regional Airport. The Corps issued a "Notification of Jurisdictional Determination" on January 22, 2010 (Action ID 2010-0003 6). A pre-application meeting was held for the Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project on March 9, 2010. And, a subsequent permit application was submitted in April of 2010. The project was put on Public Notice from May 20 to June 18, 2010. AVL received comments in response to the Public Notice on July 19, 2010 and responded to the comments on August 13, 2010. During this time, AVL was told by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that funding may become available for a runway rehabilitation and parallel taxiway project during the next funding cycle. On September 2, 2010, an agency meeting was held at the Corps office to discuss the parallel taxiway project and its effect on the Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project which was still active at the time of the meeting. As a result of the agency meeting, the Corps and the DWQ asked that AVL withdraw the active permit application and reapply for the permit with the cargo area and West Expansion combined into a single application. The Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project was withdrawn/retumed by the Corps and the DWQ in October of 2010. Additionally, the Corps asked that the entire AVL property be delineated as a part of the West Expansion. The property was delineated and an on-site meeting to verify the delineation was held on February 1, 2011. The Corps issued a "Notification of Jurisdictional Determination" for the remainder of the site on February 9, 2011 (Action ID 2010-0036). The table below summarizes the project history. Date Action March 9, 2010 Pre-application meeting for cargo facility. April 2010 Submittal of permit application for cargo facility. May 20-June 18,2010 Public Notice comment period for cargo facility. July 19,2010 AVL received comments in response to the Public Notice. August 13,2010 AVL responds to comments. September 2, 2010 Agency meeting held to discuss the parallel taxiway. Application for the cargo facility is October 2010 withdrawn/returned by the Corps and DWQ. 3 February 1,2011 Site verification for airport property. February 9, 2011 Corps issues Notification of Jurisdictional Determination. 4 3.0 EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS The project site consists of existing AVL facilities and infrastructure, grassed areas maintained by the airport and adjacent to the existing runway, small pockets of wooded area, agricultural test plots for the NC Department of Agriculture's Mountain Horticultural Corps Research Station, the Asheville Police Department gun range, and the Broadmoor Golf Links. The site is relatively flat with an average elevation of approximately 2,100 feet above mean sea level (MSL). 3.1 Streams and Wetlands Perennial and intermittent streams are located within the project area. These streams originate in close proximity to the toe-of-slope of existing AVL development, and are moderately to severely affected by sediments. They are all unnamed tributaries to the French Broad River and are classified by the DWQ as class`B"waters. Wetland habitat types observed within the AVL: property boundary include: forested, shrub scrub (dominated by woody vegetation less than 20 feet in height), and herbaceous wetlands. Common species identified in on-site wetland habitats include: red maple, tag alder (Alnus serrulata), sedges (Carex spp.), ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), smooth rush (Juncus effuses), Joe-pye weed (Eupatorium spp), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), smartweed (Polygonum spp.), black willow (Salix nigra), elderberry (Sambucus 6 canadensis), and woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus).In general,the wetlands on-site are in fair condition. 3.2 Soils The project site is located within the Mountains physiographic region of North Carolina and more specifically the Broad Basins Ecoregion. Soils in this ecoregion are characterized as mostly deep, well-drained, loamy to clayey Ultisols, although there are variations between the uplands, the high and low terraces, and the floodplains. Soil series present on site include: Arkaqua, Bradson, Biltmore, Clifton, Dillard, Evard, French, Hemphill, Hayesville, Iotla, Kinkora, Kanuga, Rosman, Statler, Tate, Udorthents,Unison, and Urban Land. A soils map and legend have been attached for review(Figure 4). 3.3 Fish and Wildlife Use of the Project Site Wildlife species inhabiting the site are limited to small mammals,.birds, and aquatic species that may be present in the small streams on site. The airport property is surrounded by a 16-foot high wildlife fence and a heavily maintained grass safety area. For airport safety, this fence restricts large wildlife from entering the airport property. Aural impacts from airplane traffic also limits the amount of wildlife utilizing the area. Although site-specific studies and inventories documenting species utilization of the West Expansion project area have not been conducted by CEC, general observations of wildlife use were recorded during the stream/wetland delineation and habitat evaluations. 5 3.4 Threatened and Endangered Species Recent database information for listed species was acquired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the NC Natural Heritage Program (NHP) database in December of 2010 and June of 2011 concerning the existence or potential existence of federally or state listed species within 5 miles of the Asheville Regional Airport. The NHP database identifies 0 element occurrences (EO) for species with a Federal status of threatened or endangered within a 5-mile radius of the project site. During a desktop survey, the preferred habitat type for each listed species in Buncombe and Henderson County was identified and compared to the known habitat type identified within the airport property boundary: riparian forest, mixed pine/hardwood forest, mixed upland hardwood forest, mountain mixed pine forest, herbaceous cover, streams, and wetlands. Species were then categorically excluded from the field survey based on their preferred habitat and the commonality of the preferred habitat and the existing habitat. The field surveys for this project were conducted in November and December of 2009; and April,November, and December of 2010. Potential fauna were identified to the taxonomic unit level necessary to determine if the observed specimen is a protected species. Flora were identified to the lowest taxonomic level readily discernible in the field during the time of survey. No Federally threatened or endangered species were observed on site during the site visits. It is the opinion of CEC that Federally threatened and endangered species will not be directly impacted by development at the Asheville Regional Airport. Although no federally listed species were identified during the surveys, because of the transitory nature of some of the listed species and the particular flower and fruiting periods of some plants, it is possible that species populations and locations may change over time. Therefore, any potential findings at a later date will be fully investigated and coordinated with appropriate agencies to prevent potential adverse impacts. The FWS did not provide comments during the Public Notice comment period for the Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project. 3.5 Cultural Resources A desk review of the National Register of Historic Places records maintained by the NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) indicates four historic properties within 5 miles of the West Expansion project area: The Meadows (NPS Reference # 80002847) located approximately 2.8 miles from AVL, the Mills River Chapel (NPS Reference# 88002660) located approximately 3.4 miles from AVL, the Bent Creek Campus of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station (NPS Reference #93000373) located approximately 4.5 miles from AVL, and the Demens- 6 Rumbough-Crawley House (NPS Reference # 82003435) located approximately 4.5 miles from AVL. It is the opinion of CEC that activities taking place within the project boundary will not affect the integrity of the historic sites. The SHPO will be notified via Public Notice about the projects and will be given the opportunity to comment on the project and its potential affects on archaeological and cultural resources. A Phase I archaeological survey was conducted by TRC for the Asheville Regional Airport North General Expansion project boundary (Action ID 2007-03766-311) on September 24 and 26, 2008. The archaeological survey"identified no artifacts or other indications of an archaeological site". It was recommended by TRC that "no further archaeological work be required"in connection with the project. During the Public Notice comment period for the Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project, the ECBI and SHPO recommended that a comprehensive survey of previously undisturbed portions of the project area be conducted to identify any significant archaeological remains at the site. Based on conversations with the Corps on July 21, 2010, the scope of the survey was to include a 50-foot wide stream buffer on both sides of the impacted streams and two areas of excavation reserved for stormwater facilities. The applicant contracted with TRC to conduct a comprehensive survey at the site; field work took place on August 11-13 and 16, 2010. The "Management Summary for Intensive Archaeological Survey for Proposed Additions to Asheville Regional Airport" dated August 23, 2010 from TRC was submitted to the Corps on August 27, 2010. A copy of this summary was also submitted to the SHPO and ECBI for their review. Site investigations by TRC recovered one artifact described as a non-diagnostic prehistoric chert flake. The isolated find was "recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places" and at the recommendation of TRC,no further work is required. By letter dated September 27, 2010, SHPO concurred with this conclusion. To date, the ECBI has not commented on the management summary. All correspondence relating to cultural resources is included for review(Appendix A). Additional impact area has been added to the project as a part of the West Expansion; however, it is the opinion of CEC that additional cultural resource investigations not be required. Two archaeological surveys have been conducted. Both surveys identified no significant archaeological site and recommended no further archaeological work in association with the projects. Both surveys note the highly disturbed nature of the soils and site in general which resulted in the lack of any significant find. Site and soil conditions are the same in the additional impact area associated with construction of the parallel taxiway which in the opinion of CEC would yield similar survey results. Unless new information leads to additional concern about significant sites on AVL property, the applicant is not proposing additional cultural resource surveys. 7 4.0 PROJECT PURPOSE The purpose of the proposed project is to conduct much needed runway maintenance without disrupting airport operations. Additionally, the project purpose includes the construction of air cargo facilities in a location that facilitates use of existing infrastructure. 8 5.0 PROPOSED PROJECT DEVELOPMENT The proposed project includes the rehabilitation of the existing runway aided by the construction of a parallel taxiway. Additionally, the proposed project includes the construction of a cargo area which includes a small taxiway, cargo apron, a warehouse/cargo building, truck loading docks and associated infrastructure. The cargo area can be constructed without completion of the parallel taxiway and runway rehabilitation. AVL proposes to complete impacts in 2 phases (issued concurrently in 1 authorization). Phase 1 will include impacts for the cargo area and associated infrastructure (to take place immediately after permit issuance) and Phase 2 will include impacts associated with rehabilitation of the existing runway (estimated to begin in 2013). Stream and wetland impacts for both phases total 2,076 linear feet and 0.9 acre. Due to the time it will take to complete this project, AVL is requesting a 10-Year permit authorization. 5.1 Cargo Area Plans The applicant proposes to permanently impact 1,505 linear feet of stream channel to achieve the previously stated project purpose through the development of the proposed cargo facility and associated infrastructure. The cargo area can be constructed without completion of the parallel taxiway and runway rehabilitation. There are 3 permanent stream impacts associated with development of the cargo area. Impacts have been identified on the site plan, which is enclosed for review (Figure 5c). Upland fill areas for the project will include fly ash from the Progress Energy power plant at Lake Julian in Buncombe County. All fly ash fill material will be handled, utilized, and placed in accordance with rules and regulations outlined in 15A NCAC 13B administered by the State of North Carolina. Only clean fill material (including culverts and French drains) will be used to fill streams and wetlands; fly ash will not be used in these areas. The cargo area also includes a stormwater pond west of Old Fanning Bridge Road. Construction of the stormwater pond includes stream impacts. Permanent fill impacts associated with facility construction are listed in the table below. Stream Impact LF 6 850 7 '375 8 280 Total 1,505 5.2 Rehabilitation of the Existing Runway Using a Parallel Taxiway AVL proposes to permanently impact 575 linear feet of stream and 0.9 acres of wetland to achieve the previously stated project purpose through the construction of a parallel taxiway (used as a temporary runway) that will aid in the rehabilitation of the existing runway. There are 5 permanent stream and wetland impacts associated with development of the parallel taxiway. Impacts have been identified on the site plan, which is enclosed for review (Figure 5b). Upland fill 9 areas for the project will include fly ash from the Progress Energy power plant at Lake Julian in Buncombe County. All fly ash fill material will be handled, utilized, and placed in accordance with rules and regulations outlined in 15A NCAC 13B administered by the State of North Carolina. Only clean fill material (including culverts and French drains) will be used to fill streams and wetlands; fly ash will not be used in these areas. Permanent fill impacts associated with parallel taxiway construction are listed in the table below. Stream Wetland Impact LF Impact Acre 2 421 1 0.12 4 150 3 0.27 Total 571 5 0.51 Total 0.9 10 6.0 DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVES This discussion of alternatives is submitted by the applicant to assist the Wilmington District, Corps in evaluating the application for authorization to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands, under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1344 at the AVL West Expansion in Buncombe County, North Carolina. An analysis of the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines (Guidelines) requirements for consideration of alternatives as required by 40 C.F.R. 230.10(a) is set forth below. The Guidelines' alternatives requirements provide that "no discharge of dredged or fill material shall be permitted if there is a practicable alternative to the proposed discharge which would have less adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem, so long as the alternative does not have other significant adverse environmental consequences." [See 40 C.F.R. 230.10(a) (emphasis added).] The record must contain "sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed discharge complies with the requirements of Section 230.10(a) of the Guidelines. The amount of information needed to make such a determination and the level of scrutiny required by the Guidelines is commensurate with the severity of the environmental impact (as determined by the functions of the aquatic resource and the nature of the proposed activity) and the scope/cost of the project." [See Corps/EPA Memorandum to the Field "Appropriate Level of Analysis Required for Evaluating Compliance with Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines Alternatives Requirements,"p. 2, dated August 23, 1994, hereinafter the "Memorandum."] As noted in the Memorandum on pages 3-4, the 404(b)(1) Guidelines "only prohibits discharges when a practicable alternative exists which would have less adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem." [See Memorandum.] "If an alleged alternative is unreasonably expensive to the applicant, the alternative is not practicable." [See Guidelines Preamble, "Economic Factors,"45 Federal Register 85343 (December 24, 1980).] Practicable alternatives for the project are those alternatives that are "available and capable of being done after taking into consideration costs, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes." [See 40 C.F.R. 230.10(a)(2).] Clarification is provided in the Preamble to the Guidelines on how cost is to be considered in the determination of practicability. An alternative site is considered "available" if it is presently owned by the applicant or "could reasonably be obtained, utilized, expanded or managed in order to fulfill the basic purpose of the proposed activity."40 C.F.R. § 230.10(a)(2). The intent is to consider those alternatives, which are reasonable in terms of the overall scope and cost of the proposed project. The term economic [for which the term "costs" was substituted in the final rule] might be construed to include consideration of the applicant's financial standing, or investment, or market share, a cumbersome inquiry which is not necessarily material to the objectives of the Guidelines. 11 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 404(b)(1) Guidelines state that, "we have chosen instead to impose an explicit, but rebuttable presumption that alternatives to discharges in special aquatic sites are less damaging to the aquatic ecosystem, and are environmentally preferable." Of course, the general requirements that impacts to the aquatic system not be acceptable also applies. This presumption "...contains sufficient flexibility to reflect circumstances of unusual cases" (249 Fed. Reg., 85339, December 24, 1980). It is clear from these stipulations that a preferable alternative may allow filling in certain wetland areas and subsequent mitigation and/or management of other areas. 6.1 Avoidance—Cargo Area The applicant was willing to considered sites other than the proposed project site for development of the proposed cargo facilities at the airport. A set of criteria was developed to aid in the search for a site and ultimate selection of a site. 6.1.1 Site Criteria—Cargo Area A. Location—Airfield Access In order to meet the stated project purpose, the cargo area must be located in close proximity to the airfield, in an area that would provide operationally feasible access to the runway by cargo planes. B. Site Availability and Land Use Compatibility The cargo facility must be sited on existing airport property in a location that does not hinder existing airport functions or development of the parallel taxiway. C. Site Accessibility The cargo facility needs to be easily accessible to cargo trucks including convenient off-site road access. 6.1.2 Project Alternatives—Cargo Area The project as proposed, along with eight alternatives, were considered when determining the most practical alternative. A map which includes alternative locations within existing airport property is included for review (Figure 6). A. Areas North of Existing Runway Two areas identified as "A" on Figure 6 were evaluated for consideration for this project. Road access for cargo trucks could easily be provided from Pinner Road; however, cargo plane access would present significant challenges. The area immediately north of the existing runway (labeled as "C") is a runway safety area. A runway safety area is designed to reduce the risk of damage or injury if an airplane overshoots or undershoots a landing. For this reason, obstructions (airport infrastructure, buildings, parked 12 aircraft, etc.) are not permitted in this area. Without the use of the runway safety area, Area A (to the east) becomes isolated from the runway. Runway access is critical because cargo planes must land and taxi to specific cargo hold areas which must be separated from passengers and passenger cargo. Additionally, the airport is proposing the parallel taxiway as a part of this project. This future taxiway would be to the west of the existing runway. Area"A" (to the west)needs to be reserved as a runway safety area. Because access to and from the runway is an absolute necessity for this project (Criteria A) and the project must be sited in an area that will not hinder development of the parallel taxiway, areas north of the existing runway labeled as "A" were excluded as probable locations for this project. B. Area East of Existing Runway The area identified as `B" on Figure 6 was evaluated for consideration for this project. Area `B" is the location of the Asheville Regional Airport North General Expansion Project which is currently under construction. Cargo facilities should be separated from general aviation activities due to differing site requirements (Criteria B). Cargo operators use larger planes that require dedicated, secure areas for loading and unloading between the ground facility and the aircraft. Pavement design and geometrical requirements differ greatly for cargo facilities when compared to general aviation. Therefore, cargo facilities can not be co-located with general aviation and Area `B" was excluded as a probable location for this project. C. Area Immediately North of Existing Runway The area identified as "C" on Figure 6 was evaluated for consideration for this project. Area "C" is a runway safety area and an instrument landing system (ILS) critical area. A runway safety area is designed to reduce the risk of damage or injury if an airplane overshoots or undershoots a landing. The ILS critical area must remain clear as planes approach the airport for landing. Buildings, vehicles, or other planes in the ILS broadcast path could cause incorrect information to be transmitted to pilots. For obvious safety reasons, buildings and airport infrastructure can not be located in runway safety areas or ILS critical areas (Criteria B). Location"C"was excluded as a probable location for this project. D. Area West of the Existing Runway The area identified as "D" on Figure 6 was evaluated for consideration for this project. Construction of a parallel taxiway is proposed in this location. Because of the linear nature of the 13 airport property and location of existing infrastructure, Area "D" must be reserved for parallel taxiway construction (Criteria B). Because of the addition of a parallel taxiway as a part of the proposed project, location"D"was excluded as a probable location for the cargo area. E. Area South of the Existing Runway The area identified as "B" on Figure 6 was evaluated for consideration for this project. Area "C" is a runway safety area and an ILS critical area. A runway safety area is designed to reduce the risk of damage or injury if an airplane overshoots or undershoots a landing. The ILS critical area must remain clear as planes approach the airport for landing. Buildings, vehicles, or other planes in the ILS broadcast path could cause incorrect information to be transmitted to pilots. For obvious safety reasons, buildings and airport infrastructure can not be located in runway safety, areas or ILS critical areas (Criteria B). Location "E" was excluded as a probable location for this project. F. Area West of the Existing Runway The area identified as "F" on Figure 6 was evaluated for consideration for this project. Runway access could be provided for this area; however, road access for large cargo trucks would present a challenge (Criteria C). The existing roadway system would require truck traffic to travel approximately 4 miles via Pinner Road, Glen Bridge Road, and Bradley Branch Road to access I-26 from the north or necessitate construction of a new road to access Old Fanning Bridge Road approximately- 1 mile south. Road access is not practical for this location. Because of road access, location "F" was excluded as a probable location for .this project. G. Area Southwest of Existing Runway The area identified as "G" on Figure 6 was evaluated for consideration for this project. A portion of Area "G" is west of Old Fanning Bridge Road. This area was eliminated because of the inability to transport planes across the road (Criteria A). Area "G" east of Old Fanning Bridge Road is isolated from the runway because of the runway safety area(Criteria B). Although Area"G" could be accessed through portions of Area"D", Area"D"is being reserved for the parallel taxiway (Criteria B). Additionally, this Area"G"is small and streams and wetlands`exist in this area. Due to the size of Area "G" east of the road, stream and wetland impacts could not be avoided in this location. Because of runway access, size, and stream and wetland impacts, location "G" was excluded as a probable location for this project. 14 H. No-Build The proposed cargo area will provide the necessary improvements to accommodate the growing air cargo demand for the Western North Carolina(WNC) region. The project as proposed can not be completed without the stream impacts applied for in this application. If the project is not completed, the demands for air cargo in WNC will not be met. I. Project As Proposed The project as proposed meets the stated project purpose and is within the project selection criteria listed above. The proposed project site area has access to existing roads fit for large cargo trucks and access to the existing runway and airport facilities. Construction within the proposed project area will not hinder existing airport activities and is not in a runway safety area or ILS critical area. Wetlands impacts associated with the cargo area have been completely avoided and stream impacts have been reduced to the minimum amount necessary to complete development. The cargo area as proposed is the most feasible and least damaging practical alternative. 6.2 Avoidance—Rehabilitation of the Existing Runway Using a Parallel Taxiway The applicant was willing to considered several different development options for the rehabilitation of the existing runway. A set of criteria was developed to aid in the selection of development options. 6.2.1 Development Criteria—Parallel Taxiway A. Continuance of AVL Services The rehabilitation of the existing runway and construction of the parallel taxiway needs to provide for the continuance of services at AVL. B. Correction of Non-Standard Separation and Gradient Development at the site needs to correct the non-standard separation between the existing taxiway (Taxiway A) and the runway, along with the non-standard longitudinal gradient at the ends of the runway. C. Maintenance of Safe Airport Operation Operation of the AVL during construction must be done in a safe manner which is in compliance with FAA recommendations. D. Improvement of Pavement Condition Rehabilitation of the existing runway needs to address the deteriorating condition of the runway pavement. 15 6.2.2 Proiect Alternatives—Parallel Taxiwav A. Runway Rehabilitation with Full-time Closure This alternative would close the runway, and the airport, for 150 calendar days (approximately 5 months) and cost approximately $8,966,000 to construct. The existing runway pavement would be ground down, or milled, leaving the remaining runway sub-base exposed. Any cracks or other pavement distresses that are present in the runway sub-base would be repaired, and a new asphalt pavement overlay would be applied to the existing runway and grooved (Criteria D). The modification to airport design standard involving the runway longitudinal gradient would be corrected with the pavement overlay if possible (Criteria B). This alternative is not reasonable since it would close the airport for approximately 5 months (Criteria A). Airport operations from both general aviation and commercial users would be negatively impacted, which would affect the economy of the Asheville area as well as reduce transportation options to and from the Asheville region. The nearest airport to Asheville with commercial air service is Greenville Spartanburg International Airport, which is 64 miles south, taking approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach by car. Other nearby airports with commercial service are Bristol Johnson Kingsport Airport in Blountville, Tennessee, McGhee Tyson Airport south of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Charlotte International Airport, in Charlotte, North Carolina, all of which take between an 1.5 to 2.5 hours to reach by car from Asheville. This would disrupt the operations of the commercial air carriers during and after this 5-month closure period. Most major airlines would not want their operations stopped for this amount of time since it would result in economic impacts to their companies and employees. As a whole, the economic impacts to the airport would be substantial, as the airport directly employs 289 people, including 62 employees of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority, 70 car rental employees, 85 airline employees, 57 FBO aircraft maintenance employees, and 16 restaurant employees. Similarly, general aviation users would have to use another airport in the area during this time. The Hendersonville-Winkler Airport (OA7) is located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, 15 miles south of AVL, taking approximately 20 minutes to reach by car. Although it is the nearest general aviation airport, it has a runway of 3,075 feet by 40 feet, operates with displaced thresholds on both ends of the runway, and has a pavement strength of 10,000 pounds. Therefore, it would not be able to support all of the general aviation aircraft currently operating at AVL. 16 This alternative also fails to remedy the non-standard separation that exists between the Taxiway A centerline and runway centerline (Criteria B). Due to the substantial local and regional economic and air traffic impacts of closing the airport, the negative effect to both general aviation and commercial aircraft operations at the Airport, and failure to remedy non- standard conditions, this alternative was eliminated from further consideration. B. Runway Rehabilitation with Nighttime Closure In that this is also a rehabilitation project, the airfield layout and safety areas would remain unchanged. Under this alternative however, the existing runway would be rehabilitated without closing the airport. To accomplish this,the runway would be closed at night between the hours of midnight and 5 A.M. for construction, and normal airport operations would be allowed during the remaining hours of the day. Construction of this alternative would be anticipated to take 370 days (approximately 12 months) due to the limited 5 hour timeframe for construction each day, as compared to approximately 5 months under the Runway Rehabilitation with Full-time Closure Alternative. The estimated cost for this alternative is$11,672,000. Under this alternative, the existing pavement would be rehabilitated (Criteria D) as with the full-time closure alternative and the modification to airport design standard involving the runway longitudinal gradient would be corrected with the pavement overlay if possible(Criteria B). While this alternative keeps the runway open during construction, it would still impact airport operations between midnight and 5:00 A.M. Approximately 5% of daily airport operations (or 9 flights) occur between 10:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. Due to the single runway configuration at AVL, if flights come in late, or an airplane needs to land at the airport for emergency reasons, this alternative would pose problems (Criteria A). In addition, it is widely recognized that nighttime construction results in difficult construction phasing and a lower quality of construction due to the limited work hours (5-hour increments that include ramp up, mill runway surface, pave, core, trench and run conduit for lighting, paint temporary pavement markings, and shut down; with the need for the airfield to be fully operational upon the contractor's departure each morning). Nighttime construction activity would also result in a greater temporary noise impact on neighboring residential areas than that occurring during daytime hours when many residents would be away from their homes. Finally, this alternative fails to fix the non-standard separation that exists between the Taxiway A centerline and runway centerline (Criteria B). For these reasons, this alternative was eliminated from further consideration. 17 C. Runway Rehabilitation/Reconstruction in Place and Construction of a New Parallel Taxiway Under this alternative, a new 8,000-foot by 100-foot taxiway would be constructed over a 3-year period on the western side of the airport property. The alternative evaluated in the 2009 rehabilitation and reconstruction report called for the new taxiway centerline to be located 400 feet from the existing runway centerline to meet FAA airport design standards. However, upon further evaluation, it was noted that a proposed new taxiway to Runway 16-34 centerline separation of 475 feet would allow for future reconstruction of the runway, with a 75-foot shift west to bring the existing Runway 16-34 to Taxiway A centerline separation into compliance with the FAA airport design standards. The runway would remain in place and be rehabilitated/reconstructed under this alternative; however the non-standard separation would not be corrected (Criteria B). It is not considered feasible for this amount of financial investment to be made on new runway and taxiway pavements without correcting the existing Runway 16-34 to Taxiway A centerline separation. Thus, this alternative was eliminated from further consideration. D. Runway Construction While Using Taxiway A as a Temporary Runway Taxiway A, which is a full-parallel taxiway located between the runway and terminal area, would be widened from 75 feet to 100 feet, and striped, signed, and lighted for use as a temporary runway. Under this alternative, aircraft operations would be moved to this temporary runway. The existing runway would be reconstructed and moved 75 feet to the west to correct the non-standard separation between the runway and Taxiway A. The runway would have new airfield lighting systems, striping, and signage. The navigational aids (NAVAIDS) would be relocated to accommodate the 75-foot runway shift to the west. Once the runway reconstruction is completed, airport operations would be moved back to the runway and Taxiway A would return to its original use. This alternative was eliminated from further consideration due to a variety of safety issues relating to operations at the airport (Criteria C). Using Taxiway A as a temporary runway would move airport operations in very close proximity to the airport terminal and other landside facilities. There would not be adequate space for the runway safety area and runway object free areas. Employee and rental car parking lots would be located within the runway safety area, and gradient constraints would be present that would pose problems for construction of the runway safety area. The terminal apron, a portion of the T-hangar area, and parking lots would be located within the runway object free area. In addition, aircraft would have to use the temporary runway to taxi to and from the terminal apron, 18 which would also pose safety issues and is generally not recommended by the FAA. This is not considered a viable alternative. E. Runway Reconstruction While Using a New Parallel Taxiway as a Temporary Runway—Project As-Proposed This alternative would construct a new parallel taxiway to the west of the runway that would be 8,000 feet in length and 100 feet wide. It would be constructed over a 3-year period. The new taxiway centerline would be 475 feet from the existing runway centerline to exceed FAA airport design standards (Criteria B). This new taxiway would be striped, lighted, and signed for use as a temporary runway for approximately 12 months while the existing runway would be reconstructed. Airport operations and services would not be suspended during the construction (Criteria A) and the temporary runway would be far enough away from existing facilities to not cause safety concerns (Criteria C). The existing runway would be removed and a new base, sub-base, and overlay would be constructed 75 feet to the west of the existing runway (Criteria D). This new runway would meet FAA airport design standards, including correction of the longitudinal gradient so that the first and last quarter of the runway would meet the 0.5 percent gradient(Criteria B). Once the runway reconstruction was finished, airport operations would move back to the primary runway and the new parallel taxiway would be designated as a taxiway. This alternative is anticipated to take a total of 4 years to construct and cost approximately$69,554,000. F. No Action The runway was visually and geotechnically evaluated to determine the current pavement condition. See Section 6.3.2 below for detailed information. As of December 2008, the runway pavement at AVL had a weighted Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 50, with the center section having a lower PCI(42)than the end sections (54), significantly below the satisfactory PCI of 70 or higher. Based on the N icroPAVER model, the PCI is anticipated to decrease rapidly by 2013, with the weighted PCI of the runway pavement being 35, or very poor condition, and in need of reconstruction. The airport layout plan lists the existing 325-foot centerline to centerline separation between Taxiway A and Runway 16-34 as a modification of FAA airport design standard that was approved on August 16, 1978. The other approved modification of FAA airport design standards is that the longitudinal grade of the runway does not meet 0.5 percent in the first and last quarter of the runway. This modification was also approved on August 16, 1978. Under the no-action alternative, these modified standards would not be addressed (Criteria B). The FAA requires 19 federally obligated airports to address non-standard design conditions when associated projects are initiated. By not addressing the modifications to standards under the no-action alternative, existing airfield design issues would not be improved. 6.3 Minimization and Justification of Impacts 6.3.1 Cargo Facility AVL has received multiple inquiries from air cargo companies within the previous two years, most recently in March of 2011, and has been a short-listed location for one of their proposed facilities. With its 8,001-foot long runway, AVL is the, best equipped airport in WNC to serve the air cargo market. Furthermore, the airport has excellent access to I-26 for north-south transport, with Interstate 40 less than 10 miles away, providing for east=west transport. Asheville is centrally located along the east coast and also in close proximity to the region's major business centers of Knoxville, Greenville, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Raleigh. AVL is an essential part of the economic development of the area and air cargo activity provides an opportunity for growth at the airport. The proposed project would plan for air cargo transport facilities in a location that best utilizes existing infrastructure and developable airport property. The proposed cargo facility will provide the necessary improvements to accommodate the growing air cargo demand for the WNC region. AVL is the only FAA air traffic control towered airport in WNC, as well as, the only FAA part 139 certificated airport and the only airport equipped to adequately serve this market. AVL is an essential part of the economic development of the area and air cargo is a growing component for the airport and region. The air cargo facility must have direct access to the runway and taxiway system at AVL as well as access to the surrounding public roadway infrastructure for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft, trucks, and other ground vehicles. FAA design criteria dictate the separation between airfield movement areas such as runways and taxiways as well as the separation of the aircraft apron areas from the connecting taxiway. Additionally, the cargo site should be segregated from the general aviation area and commercial service areas of the airport for security and operational reasons. AVL has a need to expand in order to meet the needs of the regional aviation industry. Airport property is linear in nature and limited by the existing boundaries of the French Broad River, Interstate 26, and NC Highway 280. Due to the limited real estate available for aviation use with access to taxiways, runway systems, and public roadways, the proposed development area is the airport's best alternative and most feasible development parcel to accommodate the proposed cargo area. 20 I It is the purpose of this project to meet the economic development needs of the Asheville, Buncombe County and WNC by providing airside access to both the airfield and public roadway systems with an approximately 10-acre site to accommodate an approximately 189,000-square foot aircraft apron, approximately 50,000 square feet of building, and approximately 200,000 square feet of roadway and parking. The proposed layout has been designed to meet FAA design criteria. The proposed stormwater pond west of Old Fanning Bridge Road will impact jurisdictional stream channels. This stormwater pond was originally designed to avoid the stream channel and the proposed location of the stormwater pond was discussed with the City of Asheville. However, by designing the stormwater pond to avoid streams and wetlands, the only remaining practicable location was within the floodway of the French Broad River. The City of Asheville requires that stormwater facilities be located out of the floodway. As a result of this requirement, the stormwater pond has been redesigned but in doing so causes unavoidable impacts to the stream channel. Developable land at the southern end of the airport is at a premium and the most practical location for stormwater pond is west of Old Fanning Bridge Road. Upon completion of the cargo facility the entire stream channel upslope of the stormwater pond will be impacted. 6.3.2 Runway Rehabilitation and Parallel Taxiway The proposed project will address the critical pavement deterioration and non- standard design issues on Runway 16-34. The rehabilitated runway will meet FAA criteria for pavement condition while addressing existing FAA non-standard design issues and minimizing operational impacts to the airport from construction/rehabilitation. The need for the proposed runway improvements was recognized as a result of recent airfield evaluations that identified deficient runway pavement and lighting systems (lighting systems are not discussed in this application). Improvements to the runway have prompted addressing the FAA non-standard design modifications. Inquiries by prospective air cargo tenants have highlighted the need for the associated cargo apron project. In 1958, Runway 16-34 was constructed at a length of 6,500 feet and a width of 150 feet. Aircraft operations at AVL began in 1961. A 1,500-foot runway extension was completed in 1979, bringing Runway 16-34 to its current dimensions: 8,001 feet long by 150 feet wide. Although four runway overlays have been completed since it was originally constructed (1969, 1979, 1987, and most recently in 1995),the runway has never been reconstructed. According to the FAA: Failure to replace deteriorating pavement increases airport maintenance costs and can result in damage to aircraft propellers and engines, pooling 21 of water and ice deposits, and eventually potholes that can damage landing gear. Airfield lighting cables and fixtures deteriorate with age, resulting in dim and unreliable lighting if they are not replaced. Reconstruction is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) when normal maintenance procedures are no longer economical and effective. In 2009, a Runway 16-34 Rehabilitation/Reconstruction — Phase I Runway and Lighting Condition Assessment was completed as part of AVL's Pavement Management Program. The runway was visually and geotechnically evaluated to determine the current pavement condition. The 2009 report also provides a detailed evaluation of the existing airfield lighting and signage systems and discussion of the runway to taxiway separation standards. The results of this 2009 report are discussed below. An evaluation of the Runway 16-34 pavement and its associated airfield lighting system was completed in 2009 (actual pavement inspection date was December 2, 2008). The 2009 study of airfield pavements was conducted using procedures provided in FAA AC 17 150/5380-63, Guidelines and Procedures for Maintenance of Airport Pavements, and in accordance with ASTM D 5340 Standard Method for Airport Pavement Condition Index Surveys. Both of these guidelines use the Pavement Condition Index method of visually assessing and quantifying pavement condition. The PCI for airport pavements was originally developed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and has been adopted by the FAA. PCI is a numerical rating index between 0 and 100 of the pavement's surface condition, which provides a measure of functional performance. The pavement condition assessment includes the division of airfield pavement into "sections" based first on type of use (i.e. runway, taxiway, or apron), then based on pavement structure, existing condition, or airfield traffic distribution (i.e. the keel, or center 50-to 75-foot portion of runway is separated from outer sections due to higher traffic usage). Each airfield section is then further divided into "sample units:" A PCI is assessed for each sample unit and then the average PCI for the section is calculated. An area-weighted process is used to calculate the combined rating for multiple sections when determining an' overall_ weighted PCI of the runway, taxiway, or apron. This weighted calculation is done by multiplying each section PCI by its area (square footage), adding it to the same calculation of all other sections for that facility (i.e. runway, taxiway, or apron), and then dividing the sum by the total square footage of the facility. As depicted in the tables below, pavements with PCI values ranging from 60 to 100 typically will benefit from preventative maintenance; such as crack sealing and surface treatments. Pavements with a PCI of 40 to 60 may require major rehabilitation, such as an overlay. When the PCI value falls below 40, reconstruction is the only viable alternative due to the substantial degradation of the pavement structure. By definition, pavements with PCI values above 86 rated 22 as "Good" and below 10 are rated as "Failed." Satisfactory pavements are considered to be those with a PCI of 71 or higher. RIX Pavement Condition Index C Re air Needed 86-100(Good) 71-85(Satisfactory) Preventative Maintenance 56-70(Fair) 41-55(Poor) Major Rehabilitation 26-40(Very Poor) 11-25(Serious) Reconstruction 0-10(Failed) SOURCES:FAA AC 150/5380-6,Guidelines and Procedures for Maintenance of Airport Pavements and Roy D.McQueen. w Rang Definition 86-100 GOOD:Pavement has minor or no distresses and should require only routine maintenance. 71-85 SATISFACTORY: Pavement has scattered low-severity distresses that should require only routine maintenance. 56-70 FAIR: Pavement has a combination of general low-and medium-severity distresses. Near- term maintenance and repair needs may range from routine to major. POOR:Pavement has low-,medium-,and high-severity distresses that probably cause some 41-55 operational problems. Near-term maintenance and repair needs may range from routine up to a requirement for reconstruction. VERY POOR:Pavement has predominantly medium-and high-severity distresses that cause 26-40 considerable maintenance and operational problems. Near-term maintenance and repair needs will be intensive in nature. 11-25 SERIOUS:Pavement has mainly high-severity distresses that cause operational restrictions; immediate repairs are needed. 0-10 FAILED:Pavement deterioration has progressed to the point that safe aircraft operations are no longer possible;coin lete reconstruction is required. =SOURCEAS TM D4350,Standard Method for Airport Pavement Condition Index Surveys,2004 Based on the results of the 2009 Pavement Evaluation, Runway 16-34 has an overall weighted PCI average of 50, which is considered "Poor" and falls below the desired level of 70. More specifically, the center section of the runway has a 23 weighted PCI average of 42, while the outside portions of the runway have a weighted PCI average of 54. The MicroPAVER computer model results also indicate that Runway 16-34 would be anticipated to deteriorate rapidly to a level of"Very Poor"by year 2013, with a weighted PCI average of 35 (weighted PCI of 27 for the center section and 39 for the outside portions). Based on this PCI evaluation, runway reconstruction would be considered necessary for safe operations to continue at AVL. Included as part of the 2009 detailed pavement evaluation, non-destructive testing (NDT) was also completed to evaluate the support properties of the airfield pavement subgrade, which is the soil that forms the foundation for pavement structures and provides the necessary support for pavement and the imposed loads. The NDT measures the structural properties of pavement by simulating the effect of moving aircraft loads. The NDT results indicated that the subgrade would adequately accommodate existing and projected aircraft operations. Runway 16-34 also underwent geotechnical testing to determine the physical properties of the pavement section. The geotechnical testing used the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) to measure the conditions and resistance of the subgrade; the higher the CBR readings, the stronger the subgrade and the less thick the pavement design that is required. Laboratory results indicate that two-thirds of the borings would achieve CBR values greater than the recommended CBR value of 17. Therefore, the existing subgrade at AVL was determined to be adequate now and in the future. Based on the results of the NDT and geotechnical subgrade testing, the 2009 pavement evaluation recommended to mill Runway 16-34 and apply overlay to a depth of 2.5 to 3 inches. Airport design standards are continuously developed and revised in support of one of the FAA's critical functions, which is maintaining safe operating conditions at airport facilities throughout the national aviation system. In the NPIAS, the FAA identifies certain public-use airports that are eligible to receive Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants due to their importance to the national aviation system. Upon accepting AIP grants, these airports agree to meet FAA guidelines for facility improvements. Commonly referenced FAA airport design standards address physical layout characteristics, such as runway/taxiway separation dimensions. There are also design standards to address material characteristics, including pavement, wiring, and luminance of lights. Both of these broad design-standard categories, physical layout and material characteristics, apply to the proposed project. An important consideration in the scope of the proposed project results from the existing Modifications of Standards regarding the runway centerline to taxiway centerline separation distance of 325 feet and the runway grade not meeting a 24 maximum longitudinal gradient of 0.5 percent in the first and last quarter of the runway. The FAA requires federally obligated airports to address non-standard design conditions when associated projects are initiated. Therefore, the rehabilitation project must also include consideration of the existing separation between the centerlines of Runway 16-34 and Taxiway A, as well as correction of the longitudinal grade of the runway. Regarding the design standards to address material characteristics, a significant portion of the funding provided through the AIP is for the reconstruction of existing NPIAS-airport facilities. NPIAS funding of airport reconstruction projects accounts for about 22 percent of the overall program. The reconstruction category includes the replacement or rehabilitation of "pavement and lighting systems that have deteriorated due to weather or use and that have reached the end of their useful lives." Typically rehabilitation of pavement occurs on a 15-to 20-year cycle. In accordance with FAA AC 150-5380-6b, Guidelines and Procedures for Maintenance of Airport Pavements, a pavement maintenance program must be in place in order for Federal funds to be requested for a pavement replacement/reconstruction project. Furthermore, for any project to replace or reconstruct pavement, 49 U.S.C. §47105 requires that airport sponsors provide assurances to the FAA that they have implemented an effective pavement maintenance management program. 6.4 Alternatives Conclusion This discussion of alternatives, together with the documents submitted by the applicant in support of the 404 Permit, shows that the project complies with the Guidelines. As this analysis clearly demonstrates the project is designed to avoid and minimize impacts to the site to the maximum extent practicable while maintaining a rational project design. 25 7.0 CONCEPTUAL ARTIGATION PLAN Upon completion and implementation of practical avoidance and minimization efforts, 2,076 linear feet of stream channel and 0.9 acre of wetland associated with the development of the West Expansion are unavoidable. The following mitigation plan is provided in support of this permit application; the mitigation measures are described below. 7.1 NC Ecosystem Enhancement Proaram (EEP) AVL proposes to mitigate for unavoidable impact(2,076 linear feet of stream and 0.9 acre of wetland) at a 1:1 ratio through payment into the EEP in-lieu fee program. By letter dated June 1, 2011, EEP has indicated they are willing to accept payment for impacts associated with development at AVL and up to 4,222 linear feet of stream and 2 acres of wetlands. The acceptance letter is enclosed for review (Appendix B). AVL proposes to pay into EEP (or an approved mitigation bank)in phases, as well. Phase 1 will include mitigation for 1,505 linear feet of stream impacts for the cargo area and associated infrastructure (to take place immediately after permit issuance) and Phase 2 will include mitigation for 571 linear feet of stream impacts and 0.9 acre of wetland impacts associated with rehabilitation of the existing runway (estimated to begin in 2013). Prior to impacts occurring in Phase 2,AVL will provide an updated acceptance letter to the Corps. 26 8.0 US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 404(b)(1) GUIDELINES The EPA interim regulations providing guidance for specification of deposit on sites for dredge and fill material were published on September 17, 1993, in 40 C.F.R. 230 per Section 404(b)1. Sub-Parts A through I pertain to dredge and fill permits, and apply to project sites similar to this project. Sub-Part D presents a summary of compliance criteria for the 404(b)(1) guidelines. This section references and defines practicable alternatives and indicates that a dredge and fill permit shall not be issued if practicable alternatives exist. Alternatives reviewed, detailed in Section 6.0, were assessed for compliance with 404(b)(1) guidelines. Additional EPA guidance is presented related to general regulatory criteria, wildlife value, and human health guidelines. The discharge of dredge and fill material is considered permittable under these guidelines if the discharge activity: does not contribute to violation of state water quality standards; does not violate toxic effluent standards; does not jeopardize the continued existence of species listed as threatened and endangered pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and subsequent amendments; does not cause degradation to any marine sanctuaries; does not contribute to significant degradation of "waters of the United States;" does not adversely affect human health as it pertains to water supply; does not adversely impact wildlife, the food chain, and special aquatic sites; does not contribute to the discharge of pollutants that may affect the food web; does not have negative effects on the productivity of the aquatic ecosystem, or their physical values; and does not have adverse_impacts on recreation, aesthetic, or economic values. Additionally, the applicant is required to minimize potential adverse impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. 8.1 Factual Determination The Corps is required to determine both potential short-term and long-term effects of a proposed discharge of dredge and fill material on the physical, chemical, and biological components of an aquatic environment. 8.2 Potential Impacts on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of the Aquatic Ecosystem Sub-Part C of the 40 C.F.R. 230 guidelines lists six physical and chemical characteristics that must be assessed during the permit review, and the effects of which must be determined to be minimal on the aquatic ecosystem. 8.2.1 Substrate Fill material will be placed in jurisdictional streams and wetlands. Any discharge will consist of suitable fill material and will not include any trash, debris, car bodies, asphalt, etc. The fill material will also be free of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts. Proper sediment and erosion control devices will be installed prior to and during construction to ensure that the bottom elevation of remaining streams and wetlands on the property will not change. 27 Upland fill areas for the project will include fly ash from the Progress Energy power plant at Lake Julian in Buncombe County. All fly ash fill material will be handled, utilized, and placed in accordance with rules and regulations outlined in 15A NCAC 13B administered by the State of North Carolina. Only clean fill material will be used to fill streams and wetlands; fly ash will not be used in these areas. 8.2.2 Suspended Particulate/Turbidity(Sediment and Erosion Control) During construction activities on the site, there may be a minimal increase in suspended particulates that may lead to increased turbidity downstream. However, the increase is anticipated to be minimal and temporary due to the installation and maintenance of proper sediment and erosion control measures during construction and shortly thereafter. A stormwater plan will also be implemented on site; this plan has been submitted to the City of Asheville for review and approval. 8.2.3 Water Quality The proposed discharge of dredge and fill material should not cause increased chemical contamination levels within the aquatic ecosystem. Specifically, changes in clarity, color, odor, and taste of water in addition to possible chemical contamination shall be minimized or reduced. All discharges of dredge and fill material will be controlled with sediment and erosion control measures. A stormwater plan will also be implemented on site; this plan has been submitted to the City of Asheville for review and approval. Fill for the project will include fly ash from the Progress Energy power plant at Lake Julian. A minimum 50-foot buffer will be maintained around all streams not proposed for impact. The stream and buffer locations will be ground-truthed and delineated in the field with orange plastic construction fencing or similar material. Field verification of the stream locations and 50-foot buffer will provide clear boundaries for the placement of fill dirt. Fill will not be placed within 50 feet of any unimpacted stream. By State rule 15A NCAC 13B, fly ash is not permitted within 50 feet of stream channels. All fly ash fill material will be handled, utilized, and placed in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Only clean fill material will be used to fill streams and wetlands; fly ash will not be used in these areas. The applicant will be concurrently applying for a DWQ Water Quality Certification. 8.2.4 Current Patterns in Water Circulation The discharged fill material will modify current water circulation patterns by obstructing flow, changing direction or velocity of water, and changing velocity or flow of circulation in the channels proposed for impact; however, water circulation and patterns will be re-established in the stream channels provided as mitigation. 28 8.2.5 Normal Water Fluctuations The discharge of fill material associated with this project.is not anticipated to have any significant effect on the downstream hydrologic regimes. 8.2.6 Salinity Because this project is located inland and away from tidally influenced waters and wetlands, no modification to the salinity of on-.site or adjacent waters is expected. 8.3 Potential Impacts to Biological Characteristics of the Ecosystem Sub-Part D of the 40 C.F.R. 230 guidelines specifies three areas of concern in which disposal of dredge and fill material can affect the biological components of the ecosystem. These components are threaten and endangered species, fish, crustaceans,mollusks, other aquatic organisms in the food web, and wildlife. 8.3.1 Threatened or Endangered Species Recent database information for listed species was acquired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the NC Natural Heritage Program (NHP) database in December of 2010 and June of 2011 concerning the existence or potential existence of federally or state listed species within 5 miles of the Asheville Regional Airport. The NHP database identifies 0 element occurrences (EO) for species with a Federal status of threatened or endangered within a 5-mile radius of the project site. The field surveys for this project were conducted in November and December of 2009; and April,November, and December of 2010. Potential fauna were identified to the taxonomic unit level necessary to determine if the observed specimen is a protected species. Flora were identified to the lowest taxonomic level readily discernible in the field during the time of survey. No Federally threatened or endangered species were observed on site during the site visits. It is the opinion of CEC that Federally threatened and endangered species will not be directly impacted by development at the Asheville Regional Airport. The FWS did not provide comments during the Public Notice comment period for the Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project. 8.3.2 Fishes, Crustaceans, Mollusks, and other Aquatic Organisms in the Food Web Discharges of dredge and fill material can alter the food web by impacting animals such as invertebrates that make up the basis of a food chain. The release of contaminants or an increase in turbidity has the potential to 29 negatively affect certain aspects of the food web. Such releases may also potentially increase the levels of exotic species. Impacts to primary food chain production within the waters of the US and wetlands will occur on the project site; however, food chain production will be re-establish over time in the streams and wetlands provided as mitigation. Net impacts to primary food chain production are expected to be minimal. 8.3.3 Other Wildlife The discharge of dredge and fill material has the potential to negatively effect breeding and nesting areas, escape cover, travel corridors, and preferred food sources for resident and migrant wildlife species. Although some evidence of wildlife usage was apparent on site, because the project area is within close proximity to an existing airport facility, which is surrounded by a wildlife fence and grassed safety area, wildlife habitat is minimal and many wildlife species are restricted from the site. Noise pollution, denuded vegetation, and anthropogenic activity make this area less desirable for resident and migrant wildlife. While a loss of wildlife habitat for stream-dependent and wetland species may result from construction of the project, the proposed mitigation will compensate for any minor loss of habitat. 8.4 Potential Impacts on Special Aquatic Sites Sub-Part E of the 40 C.F.R. 230 guidelines addresses considerations for potential impacts on special aquatic sites, which include: sanctuaries and refuges, wetlands,mud flats, vegetated shallows, coral reefs, and riffle-pool complexes. 8.4.1 Sanctuaries and Refuges The discharge of dredge and fill material has the potential to negatively effect adjacent sanctuaries and wildlife refuges by impacting water quality, decreasing wildlife habitat, increasing human access, and creating the need for frequent maintenance activity, resulting in the establishment of undesirable plant and animal species, which can change the balance of habitat type. There are no sanctuaries or refuges in the project vicinity; therefore, impacts to sanctuaries or refuges will not occur as a result of development of the West Expansion. 8.4.2 Wetlands The discharge of dredge and fill material has the potential to adversely effect wetlands including wetland substrate, hydrology, and vegetation. Discharges can lead to a loss of wetland values, such as wildlife habitat, flood storage, and groundwater recharge. The discharge of fill material will impact 0.9 acre of wetlands on site. Approximately 4.25 acres of wetlands have been avoided; totaling 82 percent of total wetlands on site. 30 The applicant will make payment into the EEP in-lieu fee program to offset impacts to wetlands. 8.4.3 Mud Flats Discharges of dredge and fill material has the potential to negatively effect mud flats that exist along inland lakes,ponds, and riverine systems. There are no mud flat communities within the project boundary; therefore, loss of these ecosystems will not occur as a result of development of the West Expansion project. 8.4.4 Vegetated Shallows Vegetated shallows are permanently inundated areas that contain rooted aquatic vegetation. This type of habitat generally exists within estuarine and marine environments; and some freshwater lakes and rivers. No vegetated shallow habitats exist within the project boundary; therefore, no impacts to this ecosystem will occur as a result of development of the West Expansion project. 8.4.5 Coral Reefs Coral reefs typically exist within marine ecosystems. Coral reefs do not exist within the project boundary; therefore, no impacts to this ecosystem will occur as a result of development of the West 8.4.6 Riffle-Pool Complexes Discharge of dredge and fill material into or upstream of riffle-pool complexes has the potential to negatively affect water quality and wildlife value. Fill has the potential to be placed into riffle-pool complexes. Any permanent impact to riffle-pool complexes will be mitigated for through the proposed mitigation plan. 8.5 Potential Effects on Human Use Characteristics Sub-Part F of the 40 C.F.R. 230 guidelines address potential effects on human use of wetlands and waterways. Factors including water supply, recreational and commercial fisheries, water-related recreation, aesthetics, and parks and similar preserves are considered within this portion of the guidelines. No effects on human use characteristics are anticipated as a result of the proposed development of the West Expansion project. 8.5.1 Municipal and Private Water Supply The public water supply will not increase or decrease as a result of the proposed.activities. 8.5.2 Recreational and Commercial Fisheries Discharges of dredge and fill material has the potential to negatively effect recreational and commercial fisheries. Opportunity for recreational and commercial fisheries is not present on site. The amount and quality of 31 recreational and commercial fisheries will not increase or decrease as a result of the proposed activities. 8.5.3 Water-Related Recreation Proposed activities will not increase or decrease waterborne recreation within the project vicinity. 8.5.4 Aesthetics Aesthetically, the West Expansion will be similar to other facilities currently present within the airport property boundary. The facility will be designed in a manner that is consistent with the existing facilities at the site. The project is not expected to diminish the aesthetic value of the area or cause disharmony from an aerial or neighboring view. 8.5.5 Parks, National and Historical Monuments, National Beach Shores, Wilderness Areas,Research Sites, and Similar Preserves No areas as described above will be affected by the proposed activities. 8.6 Summary Based on the EPA guidelines identified within 40 C.F.R. 230, and enumerated herein, a number of potential environmental impacts have been presented and subsequently addressed. The proposed permanent impact to 2,076 linear feet of streams and 0.9 acre of wetland will not cause any off site adverse impacts. Mitigation offered through payment in to the EEP will compensate for any on-site impacts. 32 9.0 PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS When reviewing this application, the Corps is required to consider the project in terms of the public interest. In considering the public interest, the Corps must evaluate the probable impacts of the project and evaluate the "benefits which reasonably may be expected to occur,from the proposal against reasonably foreseeable detriments." In balancing these interests, the Corps must consider the public and private need for the proposed project, the practicability of using reasonable alternative locations, and the extent and permanence of the beneficial and/or detrimental impacts of the project. The Corps also considers the following public interest factors: conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic and cultural resources, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shore erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, and considerations of the property ownership. Pursuant to 33 C.F.R. 323.6, a determination that the project is not contrary to the public interest must be achieved before permit issuance. Public interest considerations are listed in 33 C.F.R. 320.4(a)(1)and are discussed below. Furthermore, the Corps regulations state that a permit will be granted unless the district engineer determines that it would be contrary to the public interest. The applicant has extensively evaluated these factors through the planning process and believes that the proposed project is clearly in the public interest. 9.1 Conservation The applicant is not proposing preservation as a component of the project; however, those projects completed by the EEP in association with this project will be preserved in perpetuity. 9.2 Economics The project will provide an overall benefit to the local economy of Buncombe County. During and upon completion of construction, the site will provide job opportunities associated with the development, maintenance, and operation of the proposed facilities. The appropriate economic evaluations have been completed and the project as proposed is economically viable. 9.3 Aesthetics Aesthetically, the West Expansion will be similar to other facilities currently present within the airport property boundary. The facility will be designed in a manner that is consistent with the existing facilities at the 33 site. The project is not expected to diminish the aesthetic value of the area or cause disharmony from an aerial or neighboring view. 9.4 General Environmental Concerns Other than stream and wetland impacts, proposed development activities will have no significant identifiable impacts upon other environmental components. 9.5 Wetlands The discharge of dredge and fill material has the potential to adversely effect wetlands including wetland substrate, hydrology, and vegetation. Discharges can lead to a loss of wetland values, such as wildlife habitat, flood storage, and groundwater recharge. The discharge of fill material will impact 0.9 acre of wetlands on site. Approximately 4.25 acres of wetlands has been avoided; totaling 82 percent of total wetlands on site. The applicant will make payment into the EEP in-lieu fee program to offset impacts to wetlands. 9.6 Historic Properties A desk review of the National Register of Historic Places records maintained by the NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) indicates four historic properties within 5 miles of the Asheville Airport Cargo Hold Expansion project area: The Meadows (NPS Reference # 80002847) located approximately 2.8 miles from AVL, the Mills River Chapel (NPS Reference # 88002660) located approximately 3.4 miles from AVL, the Bent Creek Campus of the Appalachian Forest Experiment Station (NPS Reference#93000373) located approximately 4.5 miles from AVL, and the Demens-Rumbough-Crawley House (NPS Reference # 82003435) located approximately 4.5 miles from AVL. It is the opinion of CEC that activities taking place within the project boundary will not affect the integrity of the historic sites. The SHPO will be notified via Public Notice about the projects and will be given the opportunity to comment on the project and its potential affects on archaeological and cultural resources. 9.7 Fish and Wildlife Values Riparian and wetland areas provide habitat for many types of wildlife because of their diverse and productive plant communities, complex structure, and close proximity to surface water. Wildlife may be permanent residents of riparian and wetland areas or occasional visitors that use the areas for food,water, or temporary shelter. Food availability varies with the type of vegetation in riparian and wetland areas, but includes fruit, seed, foliage, twigs, buds, insects, and other invertebrates. Trees and shrub produce a variety of foods that are eaten by many animals and may be especially important sources of nutrition during 34 the winter months. Grasses and herbaceous vegetation provide seeds and forage both within riparian and wetland areas and along the forest border. The stream environment provides moving water for many animals to drink, feed, swim, and reproduce. Water is also available on the moist vegetation and in wetlands that are often associated with riparian areas. These areas, both permanent and temporary, are especially important for amphibians and macro-invertebrates. Riparian and wetland areas provide a sheltered environment for many species of animals to feed, rest, and reproduce. Animals use these areas to seek shelter from extreme weather and to escape predators and human activity. Riparian and wetland areas may also provide important travel corridors for some species, and are frequently used as stop-over points for migratory birds. Although some evidence of wildlife usage was apparent on site, because the project area is within close proximity to an existing airport facility wildlife habitat is minimal. Noise pollution, denuded vegetation, and anthropogenic activity make this area less desirable for resident and migrant wildlife. While a loss of wildlife habitat for stream-dependent species may result from construction of the project, the proposed mitigation should compensate for any lost functions and values. 9.8 Flood Hazards It is likely that some tributaries on the property will flood occasionally due to natural fluctuations in weather patterns that increase precipitation. The proposed activities associated with the West Expansion are not expected to significantly increase or decrease the natural rate of flooding at the site or downstream. 9.9 Floodulain Values Based on data from the State of North Carolina, through FEMA's Cooperating Technical Community partnership initiative, 100-year floodplains associated with the French Broad River are located within the AVL property boundary. The proposed construction footprint encroaches into FEMA Zone AE. Zone AE is defined as an area with a one-percent annual chance of flooding for which base flood elevations have been determined by detailed hydraulic analyses and shown at selected intervals within the zone. The proposed construction footprint associated with the proposed project would encroach into the 100-year floodplain. Clean earthen fill (not fly ash)from the proposed construction footprint would impact approximately 5.6 acres of floodplains. Two extended-detention stormwater basins are 35 located within this 5.6-acre encroachment area. The proposed project would not impact the floodway. Since the floodplains within the proposed construction footprint are located in a FEMA Zone AE, FEMA will require either a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLoMR) or a Statement of No Impact for the proposed project. Detailed hydrologic studies would be completed during future design phases of the project, as required by 23 CFR 650, Subpart A, Location and Hydraulic Design of Encroachment on Floodplains, as well as coordination with the Buncombe County Flood Administrator to ensure the project will meet state and federal requirement. 9.10 Land Use The proposed project will be in compliance with local zoning regulations and ordinances. The project is consistent with surrounding land use and development. 9.11 Navigation All tributaries within the West Expansion project boundary are tributaries to the French Broad River. The.French Broad River is a navigable-in-fact water at the Wilson Bridge east of Brevard. The project will not have direct effects on the.French Broad River; therefore, activities proposed as a part of the West Expansion are not likely to effect navigation. 9.12 Shore Erosion and Accretion The project should have minimal effects on erosion and runoff. An erosion control plan will be implemented as part of the construction plan for the project. During the construction process, BMPs will be followed. These BMPs may include the construction of swales, erosion and sediment control structures, turbidity barriers, and other measures that will prevent sediment transport off the project site and into other waters. Use of devices such as silt screens, staked hay bales, temporary grassing, wind rowing of vegetation, and other mechanisms to prevent turbidity may be employed. A post-construction stormwater plan will also be implemented as apart of this project. 9.13 Recreation Proposed activities will not increase or decrease waterborne recreation on site or in the project vicinity. 9.14 Water Supply and Conservation The public water supply will not increase or decrease as a result of the proposed activities. 36 9.15 Water Quality(Stormwater Management) The stormwater management plan for this site has been submitted to the City of Asheville for review and approval. The applicant will be concurrently applying for a NC Division of Water Quality Water Quality Certification. 9.16 Enerpy Needs Activities associated with the West Expansion, during construction and at full operation, are not expected to significantly increase energy demands beyond the capacity of the local facility. Energy will not be produced as a result of the proposed activities. 9.17 Safety The proposed project will be designed with the maximum possible considerations for public safety. The proposed activities will not increase or decrease public safety. 9.18 Food and Fiber Production The proposed activities will not increase or decrease food and fiber production. 9.19 Mineral Needs The project fulfills no current mineral needs. No mining activities are proposed as part of the West Expansion. 9.20 Considerations of Property Ownership The applicant owns the property proposed for development and has the inherent right to develop the land in a reasonable and responsible manner, which includes adhering to all Federal, State, and local regulations. Property Owner of Record: Asheville Regional Airport Authority 61 Terminal Dr, Ste 1 Fletcher,NC 28732 9.21 Needs and Welfare of the Public The project will positively address the needs and welfare of the public by expanding and improving the existing airport facilities at the Asheville Regional Airport in Buncombe County,North Carolina. 37 10.0 SECONDARY AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS The West Expansion project site is located within the French Broad River Subbasin 04-03- 02. Approximately 75 percent of this subbasin is forested and the total land mass includes approximately 806 square miles (516,000 acres). The project area is comprised of approximately 195 acres (0.3 square miles). All of the land mass included within the project site accounts for less than 0.03 percent of the land mass of the basin. These percentages alone, limit significant cumulative effects on the watershed. Past activities within the subbasin include logging; agricultural, commercial and residential development; and road building. Agricultural and residential development, and road building in.the vicinity remains active; continued and future development of the watershed is independent of activities proposed at AVL. Impacts within the project boundary include the construction of a parallel runway, rehabilitation of the existing runway, and construction of a cargo facility. Stream and wetland impacts are necessary for the construction at the site. Activities associated with the West Expansion should not result in a significant impairment of the water resources on site or interfere with the productivity and water quality of the existing aquatic ecosystem. 38 11.0 SU AWRY The development of the West Expansion involves the construction of a parallel taxiway, rehabilitation of the existing runway, and construction of a cargo facility. Alternatives have been evaluated and the project "As Proposed" is the least damaging practical alternative which meets the project purpose. Potential impacts to the physical and chemical characteristics of the ecosystem, biological characteristic of the ecosystem, impacts on special aquatic sites, and potential effects on human use characteristics will be minimal. The project is not contrary to the public interest and will aid in the continued growth of the Asheville Regional Airport and Buncombe County. 39 Asheville Airport WAS a S f[0,� ,s << '��f14•y��i'!•j'i���.r1T;� '` Ffa�Q1 -` � � i� �) j{+-- lV, � - '}' 09 r-:A�she vlll 83 83 — 44 l 1 1 f 13 ., I �, ',�ef 1- ._• - •` _- — .4,',� ill ' Dent Creek y� • 0 s( (1 �= s _ t 6 Avery Creef# tArden �r¢ Site Location ; 16 9 a � 4 d ,Us' OL Legend ',t 'y ` r 0 0.5 1 2 3 Property Boundary Miles JDrawn by:RLN 01.04.10 Buncombe County, CLearWaEer Site Vicinity Ma North Carolina 224 South Grove Street, Suite F Figure 1 Hendersonville North Carolina 28792 Asheville Airport r ` Y 1 _ 1 ^i�' _ 0 N" .01 Mi k . e f` 1si U , "�tom= 4 �j � ,•' I - ,�✓ r��� , ��' � _' 1 a � t .t' LegendALUI Property Boundary _ 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 4 Feet _j,Drawn by:RLN 01.04.10 Buncombe County, CL2ar�/ate� USGS Topographic Map North Carolina Skyland Quad 224 South Grove Street,Suite F Figure 2a Hendersonville,North Carolina 28792 Asheville Airport ry 71 � i Ilk l I11 tY r 20.4 7 •c � - — n:.'� w 11 _..,Vy ���_� ,M {�, `� r �f .,ram_'' _ - ---- _ U jl .< ". � � `� � .. -�.`_•,.a r i q �P 3 a' • '�' IR - I + 1 _�' ,'r -} mri t• OL ji F� w . t y� As L i 1 � `r, �j. �- Wit.•s� w:x a ..1 ,i qi{, . _ 1 t EV I LLE S s k �,{ r P , AIRPORT € # - RE Yam, a _ �, P• it •, " a. y '` T p_ 4 N Legend _ r a* Property Boundary 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 Feet DraWr� ¢:RLN 01.04: 0*` 'e 1 _r � °�. _ f �A/ ` Buncombe County, C ar V ker USGS Topographic Map North Carolina ---- Skyland Quad 224 South Grove Street,Suite F Figure 2b Hendersonville,North Carolina 28792 7" b ., id' er iG �_ �- _ - Tom.:. •. - 9 �� 'ram :j •4}* 3 ���_ ry t . t cry: of � �� •;� - 'tu.��`Z Y. egend ry Ggac WaLer r �$jt•�p "" ' Jp �. v Buncombe •unty, USDA Soils Map North • Figure South224 e Hendersonville, e28792 T ` -ems 4 i C '!S. 4 _ u: f R e t -Ls Nt - T r ii nfr, z _ T,J.yif ' Leear. • • }� �A� .n. • F a:47► ;• i•;4. ,; "`.+." .. i -.f �e#> } -�•al a i. .s, s Ggar ater i • •- •• • • Hendersonville,224 South Grove Street,Suite F . 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NORTH CAROLINA � � � � I ,i a ��� ^•+�1� � .�._-; e,, �---r ^�- •�-•�_ t?:.-e.:�� -;N�� :-.�•��..��•,.;��� �.. -xr.`�: -�'.�' r `+•Iji%J \/ f PROJECT DEVELOPMENT w �� �/)(1" x �t .� tj '—�- �j5 t t �,�} r ., (r- f- \, 1�'� .!�`'�• ; mr• - '. � - ! / �i� '; r; �/J �\t���°t�sY.����'�xti•'z�ysttf(���^�. P /.-;6r 9ldy''`--�9'r,:ti�t.•-= �Y-� '✓-ram" Y� +73`l ..i `�'o-' .�� _ "( 1 i�-d 1 j ,.� 15jit •�.: �� /l�v �``}`�s��yj �// r s"'!1�d �33=-^��✓ ice`- .:`�� Jr �. rJ �' �1 �;y�. �� -t �f l_.-. .F 1 �••.�,'�} - - �, .`�,•�v� 1,5 �-�'1�r�- L� ' a t�_��a=-� •�-.�-�ram- \. �,i•� f+�( .�_�'�/I7��� �• � �� M1y� —�_. JVIj'�1)ffi7��1�ll.(��%'w t yt 21 a� �., �t �� 1 �e . �` '� l� ``rt OVERALL ,;sa3"•�;_ i ?. .,.��s..v. 7L�� r- ���- '�l - � ✓ ,f/ I7 d to �� t f! 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AIRPORT PROJECT AREA APPROVED BY; MA.D. 100-YEAR FLOOD ZONE DATE, FEBRUARY2090 coSTREAMS o ® WETLANDS North PROJECT NO_ 2009.157.03 ...-�o� LINEAR WETLAND rn 0' 250' 500' 1000, PROPERTY LINE GRAPHIC SCALE IN FEET Figure 5c is sheville REGIONAL AIRPORT -- ,' AYCON INC. ensa< excu+cewrvnerts ..- �,,,.. • k n �� - ""^�`s�,''"�"'• — — — r f 8601 CL R9NDRN6 Cf1ARLO9i6 ]a}69 .•-"'7 lI .� ..:� `4 6 11 II` 1©UI "� omw:oa)ssaswa.Fwx:Foal vsa-som ks Clearwater Environmental Consultants,Inc. o _ _ 6 o q� 718 Oakland Street Of a i - --!fa "^` -� i Hendersonville,NC 28791 Office:828-698-9800 ~� ASHEVILLE — — — — --- — _ _— — — _ — — — — — — REGIONAL AIRPORT uj `1 ASHEVILLE I ' ' NORTH CAROLINA W In PROJECT Z DEVELOPMENT of / \ EXISTING / SITE uj 3 / �✓ PLAN o �\o_ J Q / / wr NnaN: O THIS DO W6@tt cONTwINS P0.1NLHiED AHD PROP WETA0.Y FO INFORMABY ALLOFWHICH ISFXPT.A P0.RASP 9VAVCON,OSM r, WNHOUTTHE EItP-3 WRRTQI CONSFM OF AVCON,—ANY / OISNUAUTpN,REPR1—PAN.OROTXER USE OF THIS DOCUMIXT,IN WHOLEOR Ol PART,IS STRICTLY P0.0HI9Rm C) SCALE: AS NOTED 0 N REVISIONS: Z NO. DATE BY DESCRIPTION O H aLEGEND U A GRADING AND ACCESS ISSUES TO RUNWAY w Of B PLANNED FOR GENERAL AVIATION AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT DESIGNED BY: C.M.W. DRAWN BY: W.LJ. w D RUNWAY SAFETY AREA (RSA) AND INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS) CRITICAL AREA CHECKED BY: M.A.D. 0 o of j D FUTURE SITE OF PARALLEL TAXIWAY APPROVED BY: M.A.D. DATE: FEBRUARY 2010 < E RUNWAY SAFETY AREA (RSA) AND INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM (ILS) CRITICAL AREA x I North PROJECT NO. 2009.157.08 Of F POTENTIAL IMPACT 401/404 w of0' 250' 500' 1000, w j G WETLANDS AND/OR FLOODWAY GRAPHIC SCALE IN FEET Figure 6 North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources State Historic Preservation Office Peter B.Sandbeck,Administrator Beverly Eaves Perdue,Governor Office of Archives and History Linda A.Carlisle,Secretary Division of Historical Resources Jeffrey J.Crow,Deputy Secretary David Brook,Director September 27,2010 Rebekah Newton C1earWater Environmental Consultants,Inc. 224 South Grove Street Suite F Hendersonville,NC 28792 Re: Taxiway, Cargo Apron,Warehouse Building,Truck Loading Docks and Infrastructure, Asheville Regional Airport,Buncombe County,ER 10-0930 Dear Ms.Newton: Thank you for your letter of August 27,2010, transmitting the Management Summary by Tasha Benyshek for the archaeological survey of the above project. During the course of the survey,one site, 31BN958,was located within the project area.Ms.Benyshek has recommended that no further archaeological investigation be conducted in connection with this project.We concur with this recommendation since the project will not involve significant archaeological resources and look forward to receiving the full report of the archaeological survey. The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36 CFR Part 800. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley,environmental review coordinator;at 919-807-6579. In all future communication concerning this project,please cite the above-referenced tracking number. Sincerely, Peter Sandbeck cc: Tasha Benyshek,TRC US Army Corps of Engineers,Asheville Location:109 East Jones Street,Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address:4617 Mail Service Center,Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax:(919)807-6570/807-6599 1-- os stem rt PROGRAM March 24,2010 Kevin Howell Asheville Airport 61 Terminal Drive,Suite 1 Fletcher,NC 28732 Expiration of Acceptance: December 24,2010 Project:Asheville Airport Expansion(second request) County: Buncombe The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program(NCEEP)is willing to accept payment for impacts associated with the above referenced project. Please note that this decision does not assure that the payment will be approved by the permit issuing agencies as mitigation for project impacts. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact these agencies to determine if payment to the NCEEP will be approved. You must also comply with all other state,federal or local kovernment permits,regulations or authorizations associated with the proposed activity including SL 2009-337• An Act to Promote Compensatory Mitigation by Private Mitigation Banks. This acceptance is valid for nine months from the date of this letter and is not transferable. If we have not received a copy of the issued 404 Permit/401 Certification/CAMA permit within this time frame,this acceptance will expire. It is the applicant's responsibility to send copies of the permits to NCEEP. Once NCEEP receives a copy of the permit(s)an invoice will be issued based on the required mitigation in that permit and payment must be made prior to conducting the authorized work. The amount of the In Lieu Fee to be paid to NCEEP by an applicant is calculated based upon the Fee Schedule and policies listed at www.neeep.net. Based on the information supplied by you the impacts that may require compensatory mitigation are summarized in the following table. River CU Stream(feet) Wetlands(acres) Buffer I Buffer II Basin Location (Sq.Ft,) (Sq.Ft.) Cold Cool Warm Riparian Non-Riparian Coastal Marsh Impact French 06010105 0 1,260 0 0 0 0 0 0 Broad Credits French 06010105 0 2,520 0 0 0 0 0 0 Broad Upon receipt of payment,EEP will take responsibility for providing the compensatory mitigation. If the regulatory agencies require mitigation credits greater than indicated above,and the applicant-warits NCEEP to be responsible for the additional mitigation,the applicant will need to submit a mitigation request to NCEEP for approval prior to permit issuance. The mitigation will be performed in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the N,C.Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers dated November 4, 1998. If you have any questions or need additional information,please contact Kelly Williams at(919)716-1921. Sincerely, '3Kv-W Willia Gilmore,PE Director cc: Ian McMillan,NCDWQ Wetlands/401 Unit Tasha McCormick, USACE-Asheville(AID 2010-0036) Susan Wilson,NCDWQ-Asheville Rebekah Newton,agent File RP.stoY ... ... Protects Ow State, � 1�CDENR North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652/919-715-0476/www,nceep.net ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO THE ASHEVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT, BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA DRAFT REPORT Submitted to: ASHEVILLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY 61 Terminal Drive, Suite 1 Fletcher,North Carolina 28732 By: TRC ENVIRONMENTAL CORPORATION 50101 Governors Drive,Suite 250 Chapel Hill,North Carolina 27517 Authored by: Michael Nelson September 2010 ABSTRACT TRC Environmental Corporation(TRC)has completed an archaeological survey of four areas that will be affected by proposed additions to the Asheville Regional Airport, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The survey areas were identified by Asheville Regulatory Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) as requiring survey to satisfy regulatory requirements, and are located at the south end of the airport.The areas include: a ca. 0.9 acre south of the existing runway(Area 1),areas extending 50 feet on either side of two small streams east of NC 280 (Areas 2 and 3), and a ca. 6.0-acre area southwest of Old Fanning Bridge Road(NC 280)(Area 4). This study was conducted to produce information on the presence and location of significant archaeological sites on the tract,in order to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and so that the information could be considered for planning purposes. The survey meets the standards established by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office(SHPO)and Office of State Archaeology(OSA). The field survey was conducted on August 11-13 and 16, 2010 by Michael Nelson and Chris Pettyjohn;the background study was conducted on August 4,2010 by Heather Olson. The survey included systematic 20-m interval shovel testing across the four areas as well as a visual inspection of the ground surface for possible evidence of above ground cultural remains. A total of 139 shovel tests were excavated during the survey, including 28 shovel tests in Area 1,37 tests in areas 2 and 3, and 74 shovel tests in Area 4. As the project areas had not been staked, in some cases the survey coverage extended a short distance outside the area boundaries in order to ensure that the coverage was complete; in addition, the Area 4 survey was inadvertently extended across the large wetland area to the bank overlooking the French Broad River. A single isolated find(31BN958) consisting of a single prehistoric lithic artifact was found along the east bank of an unnamed intermittent drainage (Area 2) north of Old Fanning Bridge Road(NC 280) (Figure 1.2). This isolated find is recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No other non-modem cultural remains were encountered within the current project boundaries, and no further archaeological investigations of the defined project areas are recommnended. This report is organized in the following way. Chapter 2 provides information on the natural environment, and Chapter 3 presents a summary of the culture history of the project region, including information on local history and previous research in the area. Chapter 4 specifies the research goals and methods, and the results of the background research and survey are presented in Chapter 5. The conclusions and recommendations are provided in Chapter 6, which is followed by a list of references cited. i ACKNOWLEDGMENT'S The authors would like to thank Lew Bleiweis, Sherman Starks, Rita Yanz and Pat Garren of the Asheville Regional Airport for their support of this project. Rebekah Newton of Clearwater Environmental is also thanked for her assistance. For TRC, Michael Nelson and Chris Pettyjohn conducted the survey. The background research was conducted by Heather Olson. Artifact analysis was completed by Michael Nelson, and Matt Pare and Brenda Magouirk-Nelson produced the graphics. iii CONTENTS ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FIGURES....................................................................................................................................................vrr TABLES......................................................................................................................................................ix 1.INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................1 2.ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING..............................................................................................................3 PROJECTSETTING............................................................................................................................3 PHYSIOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY,HYDROLOGY,AND SOILS........................................................3 MODERNCLIMATE..........................................................................................................................6 FLORAAND FAUNA.........................................................................................................................6 3. CULTURAL BACKGROUND................................................................................................................9 PREHISTORIC OVERVIEW..............................................................................................................9 Paleoindian Period(ca. 10,000-8000 B.C.)................................................................................10 Archaic Period(ca. 8000-700 B.C.)............................................................................................10 Woodland Period(ca. 700 B.C.-A.D. 1000)................................................................................12 Mississippian Period(ca.A.D. 1000-1540)................................................................................15 HISTORIC CHEROKEE OCCUPATION.........................................................................................16 Pre-Removal Cherokee Occupations..........................................................................................16 Post-Removal Cherokee Occupations........................................................................................18 REGIONAL HISTORIC OVERVIEW..............................................................................................18 BuncombeCounty......................................................................................................................18 HendersonCounty......................................................................................................................20 AshevilleAirport History....................................................................................................... 21 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH.............................................................................21 4.RESEARCH GOALS AND METHODS ...............................................................................................23 RESEARCHGOALS.........................................................................................................................23 RESEARCHMETHODS...................................................................................................................23 BackgroundResearch.................................................................................................................23 Archaeological Field Methods....................................................................................................23 ArtifactAnalyses........................................................................................................................24 NRHP Eligibility Evaluations....................................................................................................24 5.RESULTS...............................................................................................................................................25 BACKGROUNDRESEARCH..........................................................................................................25 Previously Identified Resources.................................................................................................25 HistoricMaps of the Project Area..............................................................................................25 ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEY..........................................................................................26 31BN958 (Isolated Find 1).........................................................................................................30 6. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................31 REFERENCESCITED...............................................................................................................................33 v FIGURES I.I.Location of the project areas and site 31BN958,Buncombe County,North Carolina..........................2 2.1.View to north across Area 1.......................................................::..........................................................4 2.2.View to southwest along intermittent drainage in Area 2......................................................................4 2.3.View to east across south side of Area 3. ..............................................................................................5 2.4.View to north across Area 4...................................................................................................................5 5.1.The project area and vicinity as shown on the 1907 Henderson County soils map.............................27 5.2.The project area and vicinity as shown on the 1938 Henderson County road map......:......................27 5.3:Location of project areas and site 31BN958,Buncombe County,North Carolina..............................28 5.4.Detailed map of project areas and site 31BN958.................................................................................29 vii TABLES 3.1. Generalized Cultural Chronology for the American Indian Occupation of Western North Carolinathrough 1838*........................................................................................................................9 5.1.Previously Recorded Archaeological Sites within One Mile of Project Areas....................................25 ix 1. INTRODUCTION TRC Environmental Corporation(TRC)has completed an archaeological survey of four areas that will be affected by proposed additions to the Asheville Regional Airport, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The survey areas were identified by Asheville Regulatory Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) as requiring survey to satisfy regulatory requirements, and are located at the south end of the airport.The areas include: a ca. 0.9 acre south of the existing runway(Area 1), areas extending 50 feet on either side of two small streams cast of NC 280 (Areas 2 and 3), and a ca. 6.0-acre area southwest of Old Fanning Bridge Road(NC 280)(Area 4) (Figure 1.1). This study was conducted to produce information on the presence and location of significant archaeological sites on the tract,in order to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and so that the information could be considered for planning purposes. The survey meets the standards established by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office(SETO)and Office of State Archaeology(OSA). The field survey was conducted on August 11-13 and 16, 2010 by Michael Nelson and Chris Pettyjohn;the background study was conducted on August 4,2010 by Heather Olson. The survey included systematic 20-m interval shovel testing across the four areas as well as a visual inspection of the ground surface for possible evidence of above ground cultural remains. A total of 139 shovel tests were excavated during the survey,including 28 shovel tests in Area 1, 37 tests in areas 2 and 3, and 74 shovel tests in Area 4. As the project areas had not been staked, in some cases the survey coverage extended a short distance outside the area boundaries in order to ensure that the coverage was complete; in addition, the Area 4 survey was inadvertently extended across the large wetland area to the bank overlooking the French Broad River. A single isolated find(31BN958) consisting of a single prehistoric lithic artifact.was found along the east bank of an unnamed intermittent drainage (Area 2) north of Old Fanning Bridge Road (NC 280). This isolated find is recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No other non-modem cultural remains were encountered within the current project boundaries, and no further archaeological investigations of the defined project areas are recommended. This report is organized in the following way. Chapter 2 provides information on the natural environment, and Chapter 3 presents a summary of the culture history of the project region, including information on local history and previous research in the area. Chapter 4 specifies the research goals and methods, and the results of the background research and survey are presented in Chapter 5. The conclusions and recommendations are provided in Chapter 6; which is followed by a list of references cited. E 11 Tq� g. ILI AN RAM RAM,. ��'/` �cek��11 �• `�'a' ;+3t�: ' d�''�dr�Sj1'��'! � e.'`�r- r�j. ON Fg. iq2lk�{=1�7 � �a�� •k ''��+, �--'' �\ vim-' 11, Jai 2. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING PROJECT SETTING The intensive survey covered four separate parcels (arbitrarily labeled as Areas 1, 2, 3, and 4) located at the south end of the Asheville Regional Airport property in Buncombe County, North Carolina (see Figure 1.1).Three of the four areas (Areas 1-3) are situated on the east side of Old Fanning Bridge Road (NC 280)with Area 4 on the west side of the road.Area 1 is located in an open field approximately 920 ft west of the south end of the existing airport runway and covers approximately 0.9 acres (Figure 2.1). Areas 2 and 3 extend for 50 feet on either side of two small streams on the east side of the road. The smaller of those areas(Area 2) is south of an existing construction staging area and access gate.It follows alongside an intermittent drainage and covers approximately 400 ft x 100 ft (Figure 2.2). The larger drainage area (Area 3) measures approximately 900 ft x 100 ft, and is north of the staging area/access gate (Figure 2.3).Both drainages flow west/southwest to the French Broad River. The largest of the four areas (Area 4)is situated across a large open field(ca. 6 acres)and is bounded by the edge of a low-lying wetland in the middle of the field to the west/southwest and by Old Fanning Bridge Road to the east/northeast(Figure 2.4). All of the surveyed areas are relatively flat,with the exception of a small knoll in the northwest comer of Area 4 (the ca. 6.0 acre tract). Areas 1, 3, and 4 are in open grass fields, and are moderately to heavily disturbed from past activities (i.e., grading). The area along the smaller stream (Area 2) is moderately wooded with mixed hardwoods and pine with a light understory. PHYSIOGRAPHY,GEOLOGY,HYDROLOGY,AND SOILS The study area is situated in the Blue Ridge province of the Appalachian Mountains, within the intermountain plateau(Asheville Basin)physiographic subdivision(Goldston et al. 1954:3),which is the largest intermountain basin in the Blue Ridge.In North Carolina,the Blue Ridge stretches from the Unaka and Great Smoky Mountains in the west to the Blue Ridge escarpment,which borders the Piedmont at the Brevard fault in the east(Orr and Stuart 2000:21-20).The Blue Ridge Province is traditionally described as the area between the Brevard fault zone and the Blue Ridge fault systems, and is characterized by thrust sheets with separate tectonic histories (Hatcher and.Goldberg 1991).The intermountain plateau is a broad valley on either side of the French Broad River that is characteristically rolling and hilly with an average elevation of 2,300 ft above mean sea level(AMSL) (Goldston et al. 1954:4). Geologically,the project area is contained within the Blue Ridge.Belt(NCGS 1985).The Blue Ridge Belt is an area that has a similar complex geologic history characterized by metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous rock that have been transformed by the intense pressures and temperatures related to internal plate tectonics.The project area falls within the Ashe Metamorphic Suite and Tallulah Falls Formation as mapped by the North Carolina Geological Survey [NCGS] (1985), and consists of younger rocks (543- 900 my) than the basement rocks, which are biotite gneisses and amphibolites representing the oldest rocks in the region (900-1600 my). The project area is within an area mapped as containing metagraywacke, "...interlayered and gradational with mica schist, muscovite-biotite gneiss and rare graphitic gneiss" (NCGS 1985). Important materials in prehistoric times that were locally available were quartz, quartzite, and mica, all occurring in the general area. Soapstone outcrops also occur, but are not plentiful. During the late 19"' and early 20`h centuries, such minerals as garnet, olivine, and mica were mined in the western North Carolina Mountains. 0 MINES' AM a„„� ssm f � ��— �.�'r—"�.� _>_`r�aTkx` 7 , } 3,ry �"-rS,�. ,Ff"y' ` -,x� 's , .zax. Y z NEEt N �#;Ma rz ,'i.� '. 3.. y - Y`^ f -` a•2 x s - v fit }e "`� '" , -x. a,,'-. .+:< .3.s ,ems as a- r,.-'x"--� a+; x t A..rr -', a .,.s,•m 't'r k `", -aWO rn x� �'`} `s--f x'f y'«os �r- �`� �, z �,.+� , 'e w-��r•" "` s-!n x'g t 1 fs €b 4 .. '� t' t"- "' r R tr .t• S Ws•c. t'1 r�f`u '+ba. 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F ,€,S4 s r s i� �4€:d r� � � tI �r- >,.��.i 'Sr+ M-*°v!'7 �Y (y-S t'.h �E8 ,$ ill 41 u - ,y r t✓ki 4 �- * ''s )) ' tiyr} ... =, ti,{trr E _""yn.r't '` '.zv, � s Mew € �� { ":s € t`�ss.a�?-+�5- e -y `_ ._ •, ~ �-'kV 1, sA- 4� � .. r ... fir• r{ � _.N�y -. y a { �' xr ° _.�.�-.F�'�� -`t n-� ��"�„�('� r r� •2-rr r:.fx,�„ �" �� to .M.c' v� �i" ,� xrt-� {' tmZ a ^-• r � G,,l } • • •1 � 1 - 1 -1 1 1.� 1 - k 71 ve3 ��^ i + £A , < x s `"2� JS� �c�' ,fit 15t „,5§s,>�'�. ,N .,• x r° �,tr,� S'tyh ti 1 ip l�� t'`'K,��F ^yif { 'j3 'dF+ #.) "'�'' 'u,Y,'al;�''.gy7i �y�5 t `, g?� ,"' " '€, C. !o' 'a HIMM � Yv Y �:7 �}. r� r - dFy6;5 4 �p 7 .s+ ti T--• -`r .�S' (,,el f "T. � x.y1 4''a. c- st-3` w.i9�'.I`", '".L £ t. :`,�`t7Vs"Y. itli 9 � K rfi t 2 "s„�` �� :'�� .�z�, u�,.�� s. .'f x p�.r`� ra��•a,��";,�"'��"� ,C s x �- �"`` .t-y� �,t wilm M.104•. -Aso .pMv 6 1 - 1 1 kf i1 M rvx ' The project area is drained by the two small unnamed drainages (one which is intermittent) that were included within Areas 2 and 3). The two drainages flow west to the French Broad River which is located approximately 900 to 1200 feet southwest of the southernmost and northernmost areas surveyed, respectively. The French Broad's headwaters are in Transylvania County to the south. From there, it flows north and west through Henderson,Buncombe,and Madison counties before entering Tennessee.In Tennessee,the French Broad heads west and south,joining with the Holston River just cast of Knoxville to form the Tennessee River. The Tennessee River flows west and south into Alabama and then turns north back into Tennessee, continuing north into Kentucky and eventually joining the Ohio River. The Ohio River flows west into the Mississippi River,which empties into the Gulf of Mexico to the south. Soils across the four separate areas surveyed were slightly variable, although most are well-drained or moderately well drained. Within Area 1, the small ca. 0.9 acre open field at the south end of the runway, the soils are Udorthants which are characterized as a deep well drained sandy clay loam. Along the smaller drainage (Area 2) soils were either Unison loam, which is a well drained loam found on stream terraces, or part of the Kanuga-Swannanoa complex, which are moderately to poorly drained soils also found on stream terraces. Area 3, the westernmost drainage, consisted of Dillard loam (1-5%), a moderately well drained deep loam to clay loam found along stream terraces. Area 4, the largest area surveyed, was comprised of either Dillard loam (1-5%) or Statler loam (1-5%), which is also a deep moderately well-drained loamy soil found on stream terraces. The wetland section of the large field just south of the project area is marked by Hemphill loam (0-3%) which is found primarily in depressions along stream terraces. (NRCS 2010). MODERN CLIMATE The climate of Buncombe County is temperate and humid, but is generally cooler than other parts of the state found at lower altitudes. Summers are normally cool and short, while winters are fairly cold (Goldston et al. 1954:8-9). Asheville averages 37 inches of precipitation a year(Orr and Stuart 2000:25). The spring and fall months receive the most precipitation, while summer months are the driest. Temperature and precipitation records indicate that the growing season lasts for about 190 days, extending from the beginning of April through mid-October (Goldston et al. 1954:9-10). Accumulation of snowfall in the mountains can average 10-14 inches per year, however, this can be misleading since one storm might produce nearly a foot of snow, while other years little accumulation occurs (Orr and Stuart 2000:25). FLORA AND FAUNA The study area is located in the Southern Appalachians section of the Oak-Chestnut Forest region(Braun 1950).Prior to 1920 and the blight, chestnut(Castanea dentata) dominated the region,but a great mix of species including tulip poplar(Liriodendron tulipifera),ash(Fraxinus spp.),hemlock(Tsuga spp.),white basswood (Tilia spp.), buckeye (Aesculus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), red maple (Acer rubrum), walnut (Juglans nigra), wild cherry (Prunus serotina), birch (Betula spp.), and beech (Fagus grandifolia) could be found in the valleys, coves and along sheltered mountain slopes (Holmes 1911:38). Little or no primary forest vegetation remains in this section of the region due to the blight,logging, and other human activity(see Braun 1950:199).Presently,oak and pine(Pinus spp.) are the most common species with red maple, locust (Gleditsia spp.), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), and dogwood(Corpus spp.)all common as well on the intermountain plateau(Orr and Stuart 2000:36-37). In addition to arboreal species,the forests supported a variety of undergrowth species. The latter included several varieties of edible berries, such as blackberries and raspberries (Rebus spp.) and huckleberries 6 (Gaylussacia spp.), as well as numerous other species used for food and medicinal purposes by both the Cherokee and later Euro-American settlers(Mooney and Olbrechts 1932; Oliver 1989:29). The varied forests in the area would have supported a substantial and diverse fauna during and prior to Euro-American settlements. Potential game species include white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), black bear (Ursus americanus), elk (Cervus elaphus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), gray squirrel(Sciurus carolinensis), and fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). Other species present include beaver (Castor canadensis), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), otter (Lutra canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), mink (Mustela vison), wolf(Canis sp.) panther or mountain lion (Felis concolor) and bobcat (Lynx rufus) (Shelford 1963). Avian species of possible economic importance included turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and smaller species; other species may have been valuable non- food resources as well. The French Broad River and its tributary streams would have provided a variety of fish,including catfish(letaluridae), sunfish(Centrarchidae),and largemouth(Micropterus salmoides)and smalhnouth (Micropterus dolomieui) bass, while brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were present in upland tributaries. 7 3. CULTURAL BACKGROUND PREHISTORIC OVERVIEW This chapter presents a generalized overview of the prehistoric and historic period occupations of the study area and western North Carolina. Much of the earlier part of the cultural sequence for the region is based on Coe's (1964) investigations of the prehistoric cultures of North Carolina, coupled with more recent research across the mountains in Tennessee (e.g.,Davis 1990; Kimball 1985). The later prehistory and historic native American occupations of western North Carolina have been discussed by various researchers, including Dickens (1976), Keel (1976), contributors to Mathis and Crow (1983) and Moore (1986),Riggs(1988, 1996, 1999);Riggs and Rodning(2002),and Ward and Davis(1999). The prehistory of western North Carolina can be divided into four basic time and cultural periods. These periods—Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian—relate to both social and technological factors. Several authors (e.g., Dickens 1976:10; Keel 1976:18; Ward and Davis 1999; Wetmore 2002) divide some or all of these periods into phases, some of which overlap in time and name but vary in precise definition(Table 3.1). Table 3.1.Generalized Cultural Chronology for the American Indian Occupation of Western North Carolina through 1838* Period Phase Chronology Historic Cherokee Late Qualla A.D. 1700-1838 Protohistoric Middle Qualla A.D.1500-1700 Mississippian Early Qualla A.D.1400-1500 Late Pisgah** A.D.1200-1400 Early Pisgah** A.D.1000-1200 Late Woodland Undefined(Napier/Woodstock?) A.D.800-1000 Undefined(Cane Creek/Late Swift Creek?) A.D.600-800 Middle Woodland Connestee A.D.200-600 T Pigeon 200 B.C.-A.D.200 Early Woodland Swannanoa 1000?-200 B.C. Late Archaic Otarre 1500-1000 B.C. Savannah River 3000-1500 B.C. Middle Archaic Guilford 4000-3000 B.C. Morrow Mountain 6000-4000 B.C. Stanly 6000-5500 B.C. Early Archaic LeCroy 7000-6000 B.C. Kirk/Palmer 7500-7000 B.C.T Big Sandy 8000-7500 B.C. Paleoindian Undefined(Hardaway-Dalton?) 9000-8000 B.C. Clovis 10,000-9000 B.C. Pre-Paleoindian Undifferentiated Unknown T represents overlap into a later culture period. *Adapted from several sources including Rodning (2004), Stanyard(2003),and Ward and Davis(1999). **The Hiawassee and upper Little Tennessee River Valleys appear to contain Early and Middle Mississippian ceramic types that are more related to the Woodstock,Etowah, and Savannah cultural sequence of north Georgia(see Riggs and Kimball 1996). 9 Paleoindian Period(ca.10,000-8000 B.C.) The Paleoindian period represents the earliest well documented human occupation of the Southeast. Key diagnostic artifacts of this period are fluted and unfluted lanceolate projectile points; a variety of flake tools, such as endscrapers, gravers, retouched blades, and burins, are also found. Almost all of the Paleoindian materials found in the region have come from surface contexts, and as a result few data are available concerning regional subsistence or social organization (Anderson 1990). Hunting of late Pleistocene megafauna is inferred based on evidence from other areas, although direct evidence for use of animals of any kind is rare in the Southeast. Most, if not all, Paleoindian populations probably relied extensively on other animal and plant foods as well (Meltzer and Smith 1986; Purrington 1983). Paleoindian projectile points are exceedingly rare occurrences in the North Carolina mountains. Paleoindian populations were generally highly mobile,and settlements are thought to have included small temporary camps and less common base camps that were occupied by loosely organized bands. Paleoindians selected high-quality lithic materials for tools, and many sites are linked to important source areas. Keel (1976:17) suggests that the earlier Clovis phase (pre-9000 B.C.) populations may have been confined to south of an east-west line at the latitude of Asheville because of permafrost to the north. The later Paleoindian phase appears to include Dalton(Goodyear 1982) and perhaps Hardaway (Ward 1983) points and related cultures, although both types of artifacts are also very rare in the Appalachian Summit region(Purrington 1983). Archaic Period(ca.8000-700 B.C.) The Archaic period began with the onset of Holocene,post-glacial climatic conditions in the East, and has been subdivided into three subperiods: Early, Middle, and Late. Diagnostic projectile points are the primary criteria used to identify and date distinct Archaic manifestations.As a whole,the Archaic may be seen as a relatively long and successful foraging adaptation, with subsistence based on hunting, fishing, and the collection of wild plant resources. The period is also marked by a general increase in the density and dispersal of archaeological remains, more regionally distinct tool forms, and the increased use of locally available lithic raw materials. Group size gradually increased during this period, culminating in relatively large populations by the end of the period. While Archaic groups no doubt used a variety of materials to fashion utilitarian and other items, lithics are all that remain on almost all sites in the southeast due to lack of preservation in acidic soils. Architectural evidence is rare, indicating that most structures were not substantial constructions. Few Archaic sites have been the focus of intensive excavation in the Appalachian Summit(but see Purrington 1981; Shumate et al. 2000, 2001; Webb et al. 2005), although several Archaic sites have been investigated in eastern Tennessee in the Tellico area(e.g. Chapman 1981)and in the North Carolina Piedmont(Coe 1964). Early Archaic (ca. 8000-6000 B.C.). During the Early Archaic period, the mixed coniferous forests present in much of the Southeast were replaced by mixed hardwood communities dominated by oak, hemlock, beech, and maple (Claggett and Cable 1982:212). A modern faunal assemblage was in place following the extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna. Diagnostic markers of the Early Archaic period in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee include side-notched Big Sandy projectile points and later Palmer-Kirk projectile points (ca. 8000-6800 B.C.). Palmer-Kirk projectile points are fairly common and widespread oceurrences in the area,but are sparse compared to Middle and Late Archaic types. Bifurcate- based points such as the St. Albans, LeCroy, and Kanawha types (ca. 6900-5800 B.C.) are also found in the area (Kimball 1985), but appear to occur more rarely in the mountains than Kirk forms as is the case in northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee (Kimball 1996; Stanyard 2003). However, a survey near Asheville by an amateur archaeologist (Henry 1992) documented more bifurcates than Kirks, perhaps a reflection of better survey coverage up a smaller tributary(Kimball 1996). Other tools that occur on Early 10 Archaic sites include knives, adzes, end and side scrapers, drills, perforators, and expedient tools (Stanyard 2003). Low regional population densities and a continued high degree of group mobility are inferred for this period in the mountains, where most known sites are located in high upland areas, and over 90% of projectile points found are of non-local chert(Bass 1975);however, site burial in the floodplains could be largely masking Archaic period use of these landforms (see Benyshek 2007a; Benyshek and Webb 2004; Kimball 1991; Webb et al. 2005). The nature of more general land use patterns and. strategies for technological organization remain the subjects of discussion. To the west in Tennessee, Kimball (1996) has proposed an ongoing change from logistical (relatively more permanent base camps used from which a variety of other satellite camps and specialized use sites were accessed) to residential mobility patterns (wholesale moving frequently within zones to map onto resources) during the later Early Archaic period, perhaps as a result of the first signs of warning climatic conditions. Kimball (1996:173) notes that settlement patterns for bifurcate and Kirk groups were different, with more bifurcate sites found on T1 terraces and islands compared to Kirk sites,which are more dispersed on various landforms, suggesting a change in foraging strategy in the latter Early Archaic. Regardless, based on current data, generally compared to later periods, a high degree of mobility occurred in the Early Archaic and use of the Appalachian Summit was less permanent than seen in eastern Tennessee. Middle Archaic (ca. 6000-4000 B.C.). During the Middle Archaic, the cool,moist conditions of the early Holocene are generally considered to have given way to the wanner, drier climate of the Mid-Holocene Hypsithennal interval(although there is increasing evidence that the Mountains may have seen increased rainfall during this period[e.g.,Leigh 2002]).Extensive estuarine marshes and riverine swamps began to emerge in coastal regions as sea levels ceased their post-Pleistocene rise by 3000 B.C. The northern hardwoods vegetational matrix in those regions was replaced by an oak-hickory forest, which was in turn replaced by a southern hardwoods-pine forest characterized by the species occupying the region today (Claggett and Cable 1982:212-216; Delcourt and Deleourt 11983, 1985). Subsistence economies became increasingly diversified, particularly evident in the Mid-South and lower Midwest during the Shell Mound Archaic,where riverine settings were chosen more often for occupation(Sassaman 1996). The Middle Archaic witnessed the first substantial occupation in the Smoky Mountains (Bass 1975:109). Based on site file data, a marked increase in number of sites is evident from the Early to the Middle Archaic periods in Georgia and the Carolinas in general (Anderson 1996) and Morrow Mountain projectile points increase markedly compared to earlier types in western North Carolina(Leftwich 1999). Three subperiods recognized in most of North Carolina are identified by the presence of Stanly(ca. 6000- 5000 B.C.),Morrow Mountain (ca. 5000-4200 B.C.), and Guilford(ca. 4200-3500 B.C.)projectile points, following the classic Archaic sequence first identified by Coe (1964). Archaeologically, the transition from the Early Archaic to the Middle Archaic is characterized by the appearance of stemmed rather than notched projectile points, and an increased incidence of groundstone tools. Reliance on locally available quartz and quartzite, rather than higher quality non-local chert, for stone tools increased in the Appalachian Summit and other areas, such as other parts of the North Carolina, northern Georgia and South Carolina.Atlatl weights make their first appearance in the archaeological record during the Middle Archaic, found in Stanly contexts at Doerschuk. Stone net sinkers also first make their appearance. The use of expedient stone tool technology predominates during the Middle Archaic, even with fonnal tools (Stanyard 2003). Settlement pattern theories for the Middle Archaic Morrow Mountain peoples based on Sassaman's (1983) and Blanton and Sassaman's (1989) studies in South Carolina, involve foragers snapping onto resources until depleted and then moving on (sinilar to Binford's [1980] residential mobility). This is based on the redundant generalized and expedient stone tool technology utilizing local material, small site size and wide distribution in various landscape settings, lack of evidence for occupations of duration, and 11 no discernable substantial trade networks (Stanyard 2003:48-49). Morrow Mountain sites are frequently encountered in the uplands of western North Carolina (e.g., Purrington 1981) and also on smaller drainages (Yu 2001) and in floodplains of major rivers, and are sometimes buried (e.g. Benyshek and Webb 2004; Webb et al. 2005). Bass (1975) found half of the Middle Archaic sites in the uplands, with the others in valleys and coves. If further settlement pattern data were amassed from the Appalachian Summit, similar conclusions would likely emerge concerning Morrow Mountain populations in the mountains, as suggested by survey data in the Little Tennessee River valley where a dispersed settlement pattern was identified and larger sites found on terraces were not at all typical(Davis 1990). Late Archaic (ca. 4000-1000 B.C.). Like Middle Archaic sites, Late Archaic sites are common in the study area, although few have been the primary focus of archaeological investigations. The lower Southeast in general saw an increase in sites from the Middle to Late Archaic, and most researchers agree that a population increase is reflected in these data(Anderson 1996).During the Late Archaic period,sites occur in a wide range of environmental zones although most major settlements were in riverine or estuarine settings (Bass 1975; Ward 1983). In particular, many Late Archaic sites in the Smoky Mountains region appear to be situated near quartzite sources (Bass 1975:77; 'Shumate and Kimball 2001). The existence of formal base camps occupied seasonally or longer is inferred, together with a range of smaller resource-exploitation sites, such as hunting,fishing, or plant collecting stations (Claggett and Cable 1982; Ward 1983). Grinding implements, polished stone tools, and carved soapstone bowls become fairly common, suggesting increased use of plant resources, and possibly changes in subsistence strategies and cooking technologies. Although regional evidence is minimal, the first experiments with horticulture probably occurred at this time,with the cultivation of plants such as squash(Cucurbita pepo), sunflower(Helianthus sp.), and Chenopodium(Cowan 1985; Ford 1981;Smith 1989). Late Archaic occupations in the Appalachian Summit region are marked by a variety of large-to small- stemmed points. The most prominent and recognizable of these is the Savannah River Stemmed type, a large, broad-bladed, square stemmed point that appears ca. 3000 B.C. and lasts to ca. 1500 B.C. Subsequent Late Archaic sites frequently contain slightly smaller stemmed points of the -Iddins Undifferentiated Stemmed or Otarre Stemmed types (Ward and Davis 1999:71). Size reduction of these stemmed forms, on the average, is clearly indicated over the course of the Late Archaic/Early Woodland in the region(Oliver 1981, 1985).At Warren Wilson and at the Iddins site,the most common feature type during the Late Archaic is the rock-filled pit (Chapman 1981; Keel 1976). Towards the end of the Late Archaic fiber tempered pottery appears in the coastal regions (Sassaman 1993), but is very rare in the Appalachian Summit. Evidence for trade increases in the Late Archaic compared to the Middle Archaic, indicated by the presence of soapstone, slate, and rarely olivine outside their source areas (Chapman 1985). Woodland Period(ca.700 B.C.-A.D. 1000) The Woodland period began as early as 1000 B.C. and continued until the appearance of the Mississippian adaptation, around A.D. 1000. Across the eastern Woodlands the period is marked by the appearance of widespread pottery use, a greatly increased role for horticulture in subsistence economies, and an elaboration of mortuary ceremonialism,including the appearance of burial mounds. Early Woodland (ca. 1000-200 B.C.). Initial Woodland occupations are generally thought to reflect a largely unchanged continuation of Late Archaic lifeways coupled with the first widespread introduction of ceramics.The earliest Early Woodland manifestation in the project area is the Swannanoa phase,which dates ca. 1000-200 B.C.One date available for western North Carolina from a probable feature containing a portion of a Swannanoa fabric impressed conoidal pot; that uncorrected date is 2120±40 B.P. with a 2- sigma range of 350-50 B.C. (Benyshek and Webb 2006; Reimer et al. 2004). The hallmark of the Early Woodland is the distinctive thick, crushed quartz or coarse sand tempered fabric impressed ceramics. 12 Cord marked,plain, check stamped and simple stamped wares are also thought to occur late in the Early Woodland period(Keel 1976:260-266; Ward and Davis 1999:140-143;Wetmore 2002:254-257).Vessel forms consist of unrestricted conical pots and simple bowls. Eastern Tennessee's Watts Bar and northern Georgia's Kellogg phases are similar stylistically to Swannanoa materials, as are Vinette ceramics from as far away as eastern New York(Ward and Davis 1999:142). Early Woodland projectile points consist of smaller stemmed point forms (including Otarre/Gypsy and Swannanoa stemmed) that are the terminal expressions of the large stemmed point tradition associated with the Late Archaic. Large triangular varieties are first seen in this period, including Transylvania and Garden Creek types, which are morphologically equivalent to Badin and Yadkin Piedmont types (Keel 1976; Oliver 1985). Although Swannanoa site distributions have not been thoroughly documented, it is apparent that the settlement pattern included both large floodplain sites, such as Warren Wilson, Garden Creek, and Tuckasegee, along with numerous small upland extractive camps. Direct evidence is lacking, but it seems likely that the Early Woodland inhabitants of the region were engaged in at least some degree of horticulture(Ward and Davis 1999:145).Based on evidence at Phipps Bend in eastern Tennessee,deer, elk, and turkey were the animals primarily hunted in the Early Woodland (Lafferty 1981). To date, no Early Woodland structures have been definitely identified in the region. Middle Woodland (ca. 200 B.C.-A.D. 600). The Middle Woodland period is characterized by intensified long-distance trade throughout the Eastern Woodlands,and there is increasing evidence that some western North Carolina groups participated in the Hopewell exchange network (Chapman and Keel 1979; Keel 1976; Wetmore 2002:263). Sites with Middle Woodland components that have been the focus of intensive investigations in the region include Garden Creek in Haywood County (Keel 1976), Biltmore Mound in Buncombe County (Kimball and Shumate 2003; Kimball et al. 2004), Ela in Swain County (Wetmore 1989),Harshaw Bottom in Cherokee County(Robinson 1989),Tuckasegee in Jackson County (Keel 1976), the Tyler-Loughridge site in McDowell County (Robinson 1996), the Cherokee EMS site in Swain County(Benyshek 2007b),the Bent Creek site in Buncombe County(Shumate and Kimball 2006), the Macon County Airport site, and the Icehouse Bottom site in Monroe County in eastern Tennessee (Chapman 1973;Cridlebaugh 1981). Bass(1975:81)reports that while over 50 percent of Middle Woodland sites in his sample occurred on the floodplain,40 percent were located above the valley in coves and on benches.Numerous large and small sites dating to this period have been found, suggesting periodic aggregation and dispersion or some kind of a village/base camp—specialized resource extraction station settlement dichotomy. By Connestee times, however, sites have been demonstrated to occur most oflen in the floodplains and a higher percentage are present on the first rise above the river than in the preceding Pigeon or Swannanoa phases(Wetmore et al. 2000). Horticulture also is thought to have become increasingly important during this period, although mast resources remain the most visible dietary contributor. Possible late Middle Woodland cultigens in the region include maygrass, little barley, sumpweed, maize, squash, and perhaps Chenopodium (Benyshek 2007b; Chapman and Crites 1987; Crites 2004; Robinson 1989).Evidence for the use of animal resources is scarce from Middle Woodland sites in the area, save Biltmore Mound where preservation is excellent. Faunal information from the Connestee phase mound area may not be representative of overall diet and utilization due to the probable ceremonial activities including feasting that took place there, but no information is available from the village site to date. The assemblage is dominated by terrestrial species (white-tailed deer, turkey,box turtle, raccoon, squirrel)with aquatic resources (fish, mussels) used much less frequently(Whyte 2004). Diagnostic early Middle Woodland ceramics in western North Carolina include the Pigeon series, which Keel (1976:256-260) defines as including check stamped, simple stamped, plain, brushed, and 13 complicated stamped varieties with crushed quartz temper. Vessel forms include conical jars, hemispherical bowls, and tetrapodal and shouldered jars with flaring/everted rims. Pigeon ceramics are relatively common in the region but are generally found in mixed contexts (Ward and Davis 1999:146), perhaps indicative of stable populations inhabiting the same areas for long periods of time. Subsequent Middle Woodland ceramics consist of the Connestee series,which are generally thinner,sand tempered wares most often plain or decorated with simple stamped, cord marked or brushed surfaces. Crushed quartz temper was added in small amounts. Fabric impressed and check stamped sherds are also included in the series. Plain necks are characteristic, with punctated shoulders rarely occurring (Keel 1976:247-255). Swift Creek ceramics are often found as a minority ware on Middle Woodland sites in the area(Kimball and Shumate 2003;Robinson 1989;Ward 1977).Extremely rare,are Ohio Hopewellian ceramics of non-local manufacture or locally made copies (e.g. rocker stamped) and figurines, but these have been identified at Garden Creek, the Biltmore Mound site, and at Icehouse Bottom (Keel 1976; Kimball and Shumate 2003). Lithic artifacts characteristic of the late Middle Woodland consist of large triangular and side-notched projectile points (Garden Creek and Connestee triangulars, Pigeon side notched),gorgets, and also a prismatic blade and polyhedral core technology that was probably ultimately derived from the Hopewellian Midwest (Chapman and Keel 1979:157). Copper is also found on Middle Woodland sites in the area, such as at the Garden Creek Mound, Cherokee EMS, and Peachtree, but is rare(Chapman and Keel 1979; Seltzer and Jennings 1941). Connestee phase populations .engaged in mound building, evidenced by such substructure mounds as Garden Creek No. 2 and the Biltmore Mound, and interacted with Hopewellian populations in the Midwest and elsewhere (Keel 1976; Kimball and Shumate 2003; Ward and Davis 1999:151-153). Connestee series sherds are present on Hopewellian sites, and small numbers of Hopewellian ceramics and bladelets made of chalcedony from Flint Ridge in Ohio are present at the Garden Creek site, at the Biltmore Mound site, and at Icehouse Bottom (Chapman 1973; Chapman and Keel 1979; Kimball and Shumate 2003;Moore 1984).Marine shell was also traded(Kimball et al.2004).It has been hypothesized that western North Carolina was one source of the mica that was traded and used widely during this period. Architectural information has been limited, but at Garden Creek Mound No.2, at the base of the premound layer,a square structure measuring approximately 6 in across was identified and was attributed to the Connestee occupation (Keel 1976). At Ela, eight circular strictures 7-8 m in diameter were identified as representative of Connestee phase constrictions (Wetmore 1989, 2002). Recent excavations at the Macon County Airport site have also uncovered both circular and square to rectangular Woodland structures. Late Woodland (ca. A.D. 600-1000). The Late Woodland period in much of the Southeast saw the emergence of sedentary village life and intensive maize (Zea mays) horticulture and the development of complex tribal and chiefdom-level political structures. Certainly, by A.D. 1000, many interior Southeastern groups were producing substantial amounts of corn, which continued into the Mississippian period when wild food resources were supplemental to cultivated ones (Scarry 2003:88-89). In the Appalachian Summit, the Late Woodland is largely invisible, raising questions about its character there (Wetmore 2002). A similar lack of recognition of distinctive Late Woodland components has been described in northern Georgia(Rudolph 1991).Part of the problem may be the lack of specific diagnostic artifacts useful for unequivocally identifying sites of this period (i.e. plain sherds, small triangular projectile points), but it is also possible that the Appalachian Summit region was more lightly populated during this time and small,dispersed sites were more typical.Robinson et al.(1994, 1996)have suggested that the Connestee phase may have lasted well into the Late Woodland period based on work at several sites. One Late Woodland manifestation was identified by Keel and Egloff(1984) at the Cane Creek site; 14 the distinctive, largely plain-surfaced assemblage from that site is similar to Connestee wares and a single radiocarbon date from that site is 1340t90 B.P. (uncorrected). Anderson and Schuldenrein (1985:720) suggest that some materials identified as Middle Woodland Cartersville Phase in the central Piedmont of Georgia and South Carolina may actually be Late Woodland in age. Plain-surfaced ceramics predominate in the contemporaneous Simpson's Field assemblage, and the longevity of simple stamped and plain assemblages was demonstrated at the Rucker's Bottom and Bullard sites, which returned late Late Woodland dates from contexts containing those wares(Anderson and Schuldenrein 1985). Other parallels may also exist further to the south in Georgia, where the Late Woodland Vining Phase ceramics are largely plain and simple stamped (Pluckhahn 1997; Elliott and Wynn 1991; Meyers et al. 1999; Worth 1996). Scattered Napier and Late Swift Creek ceramics and sites (such as the Cullowhee Valley School site [31JK32] [Greene 1996:120-121], Biltmore II [31BN175] [Hall and Baker 1993], Ravensford [31SW78/136], Hominy Creek [31BN828] [Par6 et al. 2007], and Sneed [31JK466] [Benyshek 2008c]) also occur in the region and reflect influences from the south during this period. For northern Georgia, Rudolph (1991) notes that Caldwell's Swift Creek `B complex" wares are characteristic of the Late Woodland in that area; these wares consist of finer-lined stamping than classic Swift Creek pottery, and occur with Napier forms at sites in the upper Chattahoochee and Savannah River valleys, such as the Annewakee Creek, Tugalo, and the Simpson's Field site (38AN8), which is in the Richard B. Russell Reservoir (Wood et al. 1986). The B-complex wares appear to be a Late Woodland marker for western North Carolina as well, if perhaps an infrequent one. David Moore conducted salvage operations at the multi-component Cullowhee Valley School site, and many of the sherds recovered are very similar in appearance to the ones found at the single component Sneed site (David Moore,personal communication 2007).In addition,one radiocarbon date obtained from Feature 18 at that site is close to the dates obtained from the Late Swift Creek Sneed site dates,which are 1270f40 and 1290f30 (uncorrected).The accepted date range of the Late Swift Creek component at Simpson's Field is very similar to the Sneed and Cullowhee Valley School site dates (Benyshek 2008c). Rudolph (1991) also suggests that increased regionalization of ceramic styles occurred during this period in northern Georgia and points out that site dispersal seems to be the trend compared to earlier Middle Woodland site aggregation and this appears be the case for western North Carolina as well. Mississippian Period(ca.A.D. 1000-1540) The Mississippian period in the Southeast is marked primarily by the increasing intensification of maize horticulture, the establishment of increasingly hierarchical social structures and settlement systems, and an increase in ceremonialism expressed architecturally in the constriction of flat-topped substructure mounds.Increasing evidence exists that territorial boundaries between chiefdoms were closely maintained during the Mississippian period, although individual chiefdoms rose and fell in cyclical patterns. Studies of relations between native chiefdoms and Spanish expeditions suggest that some type of supra-chiefdom level organization was maintained through a system in which paramount chiefs traveled from fief to fief, displaying royal powers and prerogative and receiving gifts and tribute from subservient chiefdoms (Smith and Hally 1992). The Pisgah phase (ca. A.D..1000-1450) corresponds with the early centuries of the Mississippian period, at least in parts of western North Carolina (Dickens 1976:13-14). Sites with Etowah phase (ca. A.D. 1100-1300) components are present in the Hiwassee River valley (Riggs and Kimball 1996) and in the upper Little Tennessee River valley. Sites with a larger percentage of Pisgah pottery are found primarily in the eastern and central part of the Appalachian Summit region, and range from small sites such as Brunk (Moore 1981) to nucleated villages with substructure mounds such as Garden Creek (Ward and Davis 1999:160-161). Pisgah pottery is also found in the western part of the summit region as well, however, and down into northern South Carolina, and into southwestern Virginia and northeastern 15 Tennessee (Dickens 1976). Diagnostic Pisgah artifacts include small triangular projectile points and distinctive rectilinear complicated stamped vessels with collared,punctated rims.Dickens(1976)suggests that finer-lined complicated stamping and lack of rim elaboration characterizes the earlier portion of the phase and Moore (1981) documents some of this material from the Brunk site. Maize and other crops were important sources of food,but floral and faunal remains document the persistence of wild resources as major components of the diet (Ward and Davis 1999:171). Warren Wilson is the most extensively explored Pisgah village to date, and work there over several field seasons documented at least seven palisade lines and 17 structures; seven of these had entry trenches (Dickens 1976; Moore 2002; Ward 1986). Garden Creek Mound and Village also contains a Pisgah component and the main mound (Mound No. 1)at that site was constructed during the Pisgah phase(Dickens 1976). The Qualla phase represents the final centuries of Native American autonomy in the region. Although elements of the material culture,belief systems,place names, and social structure of Mississippian society lingered in the region well into the 19th century (and in some cases to the present day), this period is largely one of social change due to increasing Euro-American intrusion and settlement. This part of the Native American occupation of the region is discussed below as part of the historic background. HISTORIC CHEROKEE OCCUPATION The French Broad drainage lies east of the core area of known 17th and 18th century Cherokee settlement, which was concentrated in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and southwest. The area was likely frequented by Cherokee hunters, however, and may have contained small settlements at various times as well. According to Mooney (1900:380-381), the French Broad lies west of a neutral area between the Cherokees and the Catawbas,which was bounded by the Catawba River on the east and the Broad River on the west(Mooney 1900:380-381). Pre-Removal Cherokee Occupations The first Euro-American intrusion into western North Carolina took place in 1540, when Hernando de Soto's expedition passed through the area. Several different reconstructions of de Soto's route have been proposed, with some early scholars (e.g., Swanton 1985:201-202) suggesting that he crossed Cherokee country by way of the Hiwassee River valley. A later reconstruction (Hudson et al. 1984) proposed that de Soto crossed the Blue Ridge farther to the north at Swannanoa Gap, and then continued along the French Broad River into Tennessee;more recently,Beck(1997)and Hudson(1997:193)have agreed that the expedition probably followed a more northerly route along the Toe River. The route through the Swannanoa Gap may have been taken by Juan Pardo, however, who was a Spanish explorer who traversed much of the same area in 1567-1568 (Beck 1997:167;Hudson 1990:27-46, 1997:193). Whatever the precise routes of these explorers, it is clear that the ancestral Cherokees' first encounter with Europeans occurred in the mid-16`h century(and that the Spanish were unlikely to have traversed the present project area). These encounters were to have dramatic effects. The introduction of European diseases to which the native populations had little resistance caused a major reduction in Native American population levels and extensive changes in political organization. Elsewhere in the Southeast, the fragmentation and reformation of political groups resulted in a general decrease in social complexity and the total disappearance of some prehistoric societies (Smith 1987). Although substantial disruption occurred,the Cherokee managed to retain control of portions of their homeland. The historic-period Cherokee occupation of western North Carolina is known archaeologically as the Qualla phase (ca. A.D. 1450-1838). Although early formulations of the phase (Dickens 1976) divided it into two segments (Early Qualla, ca.A.D. 1450-1650; and Late Qualla, ca. A.D. 1650-1838),more recent analysts (Riggs and Rodning 2002; Rodning 2004, 2008; Ward and Davis 1999) suggest a tripartite 16 division. Following this latter scheme, the Early Qualla phase predates A.D. 1500, and thus was likely contemporaneous with at least the latter part of the Pisgah occupations in the region. These authors suggest that Qualla represents an in situ development in the Upper Little Tennessee and Hiwassee basins and likely is not a direct derivative of the Pisgah phase.Early Qualla phase ceramics show affinities to the more southern Savannah and Wilbanks styles, and samples from Coweta Creek and 31SW291 are characterized by "grit" tempered, primarily rectilinear complicated stamped wares (Riggs and Rodning 2002:39), sometimes with"sawtooth"rims. Red filming also occurs (Rodning 2004).Pisgah collared and punctated rims are not an uncommon occurrence with these Early Qualla wares, however, and Early and Late Pisgah ceramics have been identified at Ravensford. Domestic winter structure forms during the Early Qualla are the same as Late Pisgah forms (Benyshek and Webb 2008). Subsequent Middle Qualla phase (ca. A.D. 1500-1700) ceramics are characterized by jar forms with notched appliqu6, or more often, folded and notched everted to flared rims, and also by the presence of carinated or cazuela bowls with incised designs. Curvilinear complicated stamping predominates, although rectilinear designs are also present(Rodning 2004). By the Late Qualla phase (post-A.D. 1700), some variations occur; incised ceramics become much less common, while rectilinear stamped designs, rims with notched appliqu6 strips or fillets, and check stamping become more common in later, pre- Removal (pre-1838) assemblages. Sometime during the Middle Qualla phase, domestic structure forms change to paired winter and summer dwellings sometimes attached by entryway trenches. Summer dwellings were rectangular in shape, while winter houses were circular to octagonal (Shumate and Kimball 1997; Shumate et al.2005;Webb and Benyshek 2008). The Qualla subsistence base was mixed,and included cultivation of maize,beans, and other foods as well as wild plant gathering,hunting, and fishing (Dickens 1976:14). The Late Qualla phase is marked by the increasing appearance of European goods at Cherokee sites, as well as a shift towards more European- style architecture (Dickens 1976:15). Although small triangular projectile points are found in Early and Middle Qualla assemblages, these largely disappear with the increasing prevalence of European firearms after A.D. 1700. During most of the 181h century, the Cherokees were concentrated in towns and villages scattered throughout much of present-day western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, northeastern Georgia, and northwestern South Carolina. The towns in western North Carolina were known as the Middle Towns (along the Little Tennessee), the Out Towns (along the Tuckasegee drainage), and the Valley Towns (in the Valley River area to the southwest) (Smith 1979; Duncan and Riggs 2003:17). The French Broad drainage lies east of the core area of known 17`h and 181h century Cherokee settlement, which was concentrated in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and southwest. The area was likely frequented by Cherokee hunters,however, and may have contained small settlements at various times as well. The 18`h century also brought the continuous arrival of Europeans and the resulting loss of Cherokee lands. With the signing of the Treaty of Hopewell in 1785, the Cherokees lost inuch of their lands east of the Blue Ridge, leading to widespread Euro-American settlements east of Asheville (Mooney 1900:61- 62). A subsequent treaty in 1791, the Treaty of Holston,resulted in additional cessions by the Cherokees in the west (Mooney 1900:68-77), and a treaty in 1798 ceded additional land south and southwest of Asheville within present-day Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, and Haywood counties (Royce 1899:660-661). The early 19`h century witnessed the increasing acculturation of many Cherokees, largely as a result of increasing contact and intermarriage with white traders and settlers. Other Cherokees resisted changes to their traditional lifestyles, especially those residing in western North Carolina (Riggs 1988:10-11). Accounts by contemporary observers indicate that the population of that area was strongly traditionalist, 17 and contained the highest proportion of fullbloods to be found in the Cherokee Nation (McLoughlin and Cosner 1984:224-225). Most remaining Cherokee land claims in North Carolina were ceded to the U.S. government by the Calhoun Treaty of February 1819 (Royce 1884, 1887), and the signing of the Treaty of New Echota in 1835, which set in motion the forced removal of many of the remaining Cherokees to lands in the Arkansas Territory (Mooney 1900:123-133; Thomason 2003). The cruelty of this march, known as the b Trail of Tears,has been well documented. Post-Removal Cherokee Occupations Despite the Treaty of New Echota and the Trail of Tears, however, some Cherokee.remained in their former lands. A sizeable population living along the Oconaluftee and nearby was allowed to remain as a result of their assistance in the Tsali affair. Other Cherokees remained in the vicinity of Cheoah (along Buffalo Creek in present-day Graham County), primarily due to the difficulty in removing them along poor roads (Duggan 1998). Finally, still other Cherokees managed to evade the Army, escaped during the Removal, or, like Junaluska, returned from the Arkansas territory soon afterwards. These groups became the nucleus of the Eastern Band of Cherokee (King 1979). After the death of Chief Yonagusta in 1839, they were increasingly assisted by William H. Thomas, a white merchant who was Yonagusta's adopted son. Thomas worked on the Cherokees' behalf for the next 40 years, acquiring land for both individual Cherokees and the tribe. Thomas eventually acquired some 73,000 acres for these communities, mostly within the present-day Qualla Boundary. The mid-19`h through 20 century social and political history of the Eastern Band has been described in detail by Finger(1984, 1991),Hill (1997),Mooney (1900), and others, and needs only be recapped here. By 1840,Thomas had assisted the Quallatown residents into organizing into three towns, including Paint Town,Wolf Town, and Bird Town. Two other towns, Big Cove and Yellow Town, were later added to these three (Finger 1984:67). By 1851 approximately 883 Cherokees were living in three towns in the Quallatown area. The Cherokees' rights to the lands bought by Thomas were confirmed by a federal court decision in 1874, providing some measure of security to the local population. In 1889, the Cherokees in North Carolina were officially incorporated under state law as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (Finger 1984). Most Cherokees continued to practice a farming economy throughout the 19`h century, although hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plant foods were also important subsistence activities. Logging became an important source of jobs for a time beginning in the late 1800s, although most logging jobs were gone by the early 1930s. Although the Cherokee population has increasingly become outwardly acculturated since the growth of the modem tourist industry beginning in the 1930s, it has preserved a distinct cultural and ethnic identity through the retention of the Cherokee language and aspects of both day-to-day and ceremonial life(Riggs et al. 1997:19). REGIONAL HISTORIC OVERVIEW Buncombe County Prior to the American Revolutionary War, the Blue Ridge Mountains formed the western terminus of European settlement in North Carolina. The first documented English foray into the French Broad drainage west of the Blue Ridge Escarpment occurred in 1674.This doomed expedition was led by James Needham and included an indentured servant, Gabriel Arthur, and eight native guides. Financed by a wealthy Virginian, Abraham Woods, the expedition did not provide the profits expected by the financier, but it did begin the opening of the vast lands of the Cherokees,which were coveted by the Euro-American settlers for their natural resources and beauty(Dykeman 1965:27-41). 18 During the Revolutionary War the Cherokees sided with the British in the hope that a defeat of the colonists would stem the spread of colonial settlements within their traditional homelands. This alliance led to a number of military expeditions against the Cherokees in western North Carolina. The three major incursions against the Cherokees included colonial troops from North Carolina led by General Rutherford, Virginia troops led by Colonel Christina, and Tennessee troops led by Colonel Sevier (Dykeman 1965). Rutherford's 1776 campaign likely crossed the closest to the project area, as his 2,400 men crossed the Swannanoa Gap and followed the river of the same name to the French Broad and then on to the Tuckasegee, Oconaluftee, and the upper Little Tennessee rivers, eventually destroying 36 Cherokee towns. After the war, the Cherokee signed their first treaty with the United States government at Hopewell, South Carolina, in which they surrendered all lands east of the Blue Ridge, but maintained their home lands to the west(Arthur 1914:569-572). After the war, and with the Cherokees mostly subdued, large numbers of settlers (mostly Scots-Irish but also English, Welsh, German, and French) moved into western North Carolina (Ager 1981:10; Blethen and Wood 1987:76; Sondley 1930.398).After 1783,Land Act legislation was approved that allowed land sales for western settlements. In addition, war veterans were rewarded with land grants in the west as compensation for time served. In 1784 Samuel Davidson, his family and a single slave became the first known colonial settlers west of the Blue Ridge Mountains,in what was to become Buncombe County.They settled along the Swannanoa River near Jones Mountain. After Samuel Davidson's death,his brother(Major William Davidson),sister (Rachel Alexander), their families and several friends followed in his footsteps and established a settlement a year later near the confluence of Bee Tree Creek and the Swannanoa River. As the new settlement grew, western expansion into the mountains was rapid. By 1792, the County of Buncombe was created, including present-day Buncombe,Cherokee, Clay, Graham,Henderson, Jackson, Macon; Madison, Polk, Swain; Transylvania, and Yancey counties. Eventually, the Buncombe County Court was established between the Bee Tree Creek settlement and the Reems Creek Valley settlement; the court met on the property of Colonel William Davidson(a cousin of Major William Davidson), near the present-day entrance to the Biltmore Estate(Ager 1981:10-11; Sondley 1930:460).The joining of the two settlements was originally known as Morristown in 1792 (Blackmun 1977:162). In 1794, John Burton was granted 200 acres by the State of North Carolina next to William Davidson's property. Forty-two half-acre lots were laid off and sold on Burton's property along two newly formed roads now known as Broadway and Biltmore Avenue (Powell 1981:33). The town was incorporated in 1797 and renamed Asheville after Governor Samuel Ashe(Van Noppen and Van Noppen 1973:379). Although, the communities along the Swannanoa River were the first establishments in Buncombe County, Asheville became the dominant city and county seat. By 1800,Asheville had a hatter, a tailor, a blacksmith, an inn, a gristmill, and several merchants (Powell 1981:33). A post office was established in 1800 and the Public Square (now known as Pack Square)was laid out in 1805 (Sondley 1930:648-649; Stroupe et al. 1996). A brick courthouse was built in the square between 1825 and 1833 (Sondley 1930:649). By the early 1800s Asheville was a stopping point for livestock, as herders moved cattle from Tennessee and Kentucky to market in Georgia and South Carolina along the Buncombe Turnpike (Powell 1981:34).The road ran from Greeneville,Tennessee,to Hot Springs and then along the French Broad into Asheville. From there,the road headed towards Old Fort and then on to Greenville, South Carolina. Most of the roadway was completed by 1827 and helped to contribute to the growth of the town (Blethen and Wood 1987:88). With a higher traffic flow through the region, Asheville experienced an economic and population boom (Powell 1981:34). In addition to drovers, the turnpike also brought in some of Asheville's first tourists. By 1860, the town had a population of 1,100, while 12,654 people resided in Buncombe County(Blackmun 1977:288; Powell 1981:38;Sondley 1930:827-828). 19 During the Civil War, a rifle factory was located in the town for a short time, but because of the fear of Union troops in nearby Tennessee it was later moved to Columbia, South Carolina.In April 1865, a small skirmish occurred near Reed Creek north of the town, on land that is now part of the University of North Carolina at Asheville campus (Sondley 1930:691-697; Powell 1981:36-37). Overall, little physical damage from the Civil War occurred in the town, but growth was interrupted and railroad construction was delayed. In 1880, the railroad (Western North Carolina Railroad) was established to Asheville from Old Fort, connecting towns that had earlier been served by the Buncombe Turnpike. Just the year before, the first telegraph line was built, and a public library opened(Bishir et al. 1999:56;Van Noppen and Van Noppen 1973:379). In 1882, the rail line was completed to the Tennessee state line and by 1886 the railroad connected Asheville to points in all directions (Bailey et al. 2000). With new and easier access,Asheville experienced a revival in growth.From a population of about 2,600 in 1880, it had swollen to over 10,000 in 1890. By 1920, nearly 28,500 people resided in the town (Sondley 1930:828). In addition to an increase in industries such as logging in Buncombe County, Asheville grew as a resort for leisure and health. In the years after 1880, several sanitariums were opened in the town as many doctors recommended the healthy climate of Asheville and the surrounding area (Van Noppen et al. 1973:379). As tourism grew,many of the people who visited built second or vacation homes in the Asheville area or returned to invest in local industries. Henderson County Henderson County was formed in 1838 from a portion of Buncombe County and was named in honor of Leonard Henderson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina (Corbitt 1996:120). However land grants in what would become Henderson County began .in 1787, starting in the Mill River Valley with a grant to William Mills who established Fruitland(Patton 1976). Hendersonville, the county seat, was laid out in ca. 1840 after much debate about its location. Two factions had developed over the site of the new county seat—those that favored the community of Horse Shoe located on the French Broad River and those that favored a more central location on the Buncombe Turnpike (which ultimately won out}-- resulting in a number of debates and lawsuits (FitzSimons 1976:68). Hendersonville was incorporated as a town in 1847(Patton 1976:237). From its earliest history, transportation remained an important issue to those living in western North Carolina, particularly in the more mountainous reaches. A stagecoach line serviced Henderson County primarily by way of the Buncombe County Turnpike. The Buncombe Turnpike,running from Greenville, Tennessee to Greenville, South Carolina, was completed in 1827 and passed through Flat Rock and Hendersonville. Tourists, mainly from the low-country south, came to the area; boarding houses and hotels sprang up to accommodate summer visitors. Flat Rock was called "The Little Charleston of the Mountains," due to the large number of prominent Charlestonians who came to the vicinity beginning in the early 1800s in an effort to escape ailments typical of crowded cities and the heat of the Lowcountry (Ray 1970). As the population and commerce grew in western North Carolina, transport of goods and people became increasingly important to the region.By 1879,the Asheville and Spartanburg Railroad had reached Hendersonville,linking that town to larger commercial and industrial centers. Similar to most western North Carolina counties, Henderson did not see much military action during the Civil War. Initially, Henderson County voted against considering secession from the Union. After the declaration of war, however, many county residents joined the Confederate cause. According to Fain (1980:51),over 1,000 Henderson County men joined the war effort with less than half returning at the end of hostilities. At least five Confederate Companies were formed in Henderson County, and numerous other men enlisted in other service branches or companies;it is believed that ahnost as many men enlisted in the Union (Fain 1980:51).In addition to the enlistment or conscription of many of the able-bodied men 20 in Henderson County,those remaining had to endure economic hardships through a scarcity of goods,the raiding of farms for provisions by troops, and the damage wrought by bushwackers throughout the region. The only known military action within the county was the presence of Union troops in Hendersonville under the command of Major General George W. Stoneman during his capture of Asheville (Fain 1980:59). The early 20`h century saw increased growth in the county, as in the region in general. Henderson County continued to be a region of farming and fruit growing, but also remained an important destination for tourists.At that time,Hendersonville had become an important tourist town and was frequently compared to Asheville in terms of its amenities and "social charm" (Arthur 1914:182). By 1913, Hendersonville reportedly had "everything in the way of hotels, boarding houses, clubs, banks, street railways, parks, lights, water, livery and other advantages that could be wished" (Arthur 1914:182). Bishir et al. (1999:310)reports that by the 1920s the town was well known as a tourist destination, attracting big band musicians and performers while claiming to be the "dancingest little town in America." A number of country resorts were sited,within the county including a few on Osceola Lake and Kanuga Lake,and ones at Chimney Rock, Buck Forest,Fletcher, and Buck Shoals (near the current project area). Manufacturing enterprises had also arisen,including at least three textile mills, a cannery, and a furniture factory(Arthur 1914:184-185). Henderson County has continued to grow throughout the 20`h century. Although agriculture remains an important economy in the county,manufacturing and tourism have continued to grow.As with other areas of western North Carolina, the late 201h century has brought an influx of tourists and new residents, with associated increased development. As of 2007, Henderson County boasted just over 100,000 residents with a projected 25 percent growth over the next decade(Henderson County Government 2007). Asheville Airport History The current location of the Asheville Regional Airport represents the second incarnation of a regional Western North Carolina airport; the first was located approximately three miles to the east in the Fletcher/Hooper's Creek area. Located along the Buncombe and Henderson county boundaries, the airport originally was a joint operation between the two counties and the city of Asheville. Complexities in the joint ownership, along with the need for expansion, led the city of Asheville to seek a different arrangement. By the late 1950s the present location was selected, and a land swap of approximately 30 acres was made between Buncombe and Henderson counties. Henderson County received the old airport location, which is now an industrial park, and the city of Asheville received the land that houses the current airport(Fain 1980:7). The current airport was constructed between 1958 and 1960 and opened for business in 1961. It has seen a number of additions and improvements over the years in order to continue to serve not only the cities of Asheville and Hendersonville but the entire Western North Carolina region (http://www.flyavl.com/airport-info/avl-airport-history.html). PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH Western North Carolina has been the subject of archaeological research for over a century, and most trends in the history of North American archaeology are reflected in the region. As early as the 1880s, workers from the Valentine Museum in Richmond investigated several mound sites in the region (Dickens 1976:7), and other early investigations were carried out by the Osbornes (Keel 1976). The museum's work was primarily oriented toward recovering artifacts, although in some cases the resulting data have been useful in addressing present-day research questions (e.g., Dickens 1976:91). Also in the 1880s, researchers from the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of Ethnology excavated sites in western North Carolina as part of their investigations into the origin of the "Mound Builders" (Thomas 1894). That research was instrumental in demonstrating that the mounds in western North Carolina and 21 elsewhere had in fact been built by American Indians and were not the products of a mysterious,vanished race. Early 20`h century work in western North Carolina continued to focus on mound explorations. Between 1915 and 1919, George Heye and associates excavated at the Garden Creek site in Haywood County and at other.nearby sites (Harrington 1922;Heye 1919;Heye et al. 1918).Although that work was designed to gather artifacts for Heye's Museum of the American Indian in New York,it did provide some data on the antiquity of the Cherokees in the region (Dickens 1976:7-8). Subsequent work in 1933 and 1934 by the Smithsonian Institution at the Peachtree Mound and Village in Cherokee County was also designed to investigate the relationship between the Cherokees and prehistoric cultures in the area (Setzler and Jennings 1941). Also in the 1930s, George MacPherson (1936a, 1936b) and Hiram Wilburn conducted surveys of numerous sites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Although many of their data were to be incorporated into later research (Bass 1975), at the time their work had little impact on the understanding of the region's prehistory. Intensive, systematic work in the Appalachian Summit region did not begin until 1964, when the University of North Carolina instituted the Cherokee Archaeological Project. This project, which lasted until 1971, included large-scale surveys and salvage excavations, as well as intensive investigations of late prehistoric and historic Cherokee sites (Purrington 1983:98-99; Ward 1979; Ward and Davis 1999:17-18). Data from this project have been reported in several theses, dissertations, and other publications (e.g., Dickens 1976; Egloff 1967; Keel 1976), and provide much of the background information on the Appalachian Summit region.As part of that project,substantial work was conducted at the Warren Wilson site, and documented a Mississippian period Pisgah phase village as well as earlier Woodland period occupations (Keel 1976). Other substantial work was accomplished at Coweta Creek (Rodning 2004), Garden Creek (Keel 1976), Townson (Ward and Davis 1999; 268-271), and at the Tuckasegee site(Dickens 1976). Beginning in the 1970s, the establishment of Federal cultural resources legislation and management procedures resulted in an increasing number of archaeological projects in both Buncombe and Henderson Counties as well as the rest of western North Carolina.In the immediate vicinity of the airport and along the Buncombe—Henderson County line there have been a few relatively recent archaeological projects, as a result of civic improvements (Ayers 1981; Whyte and Kimball 1993), Department of Transportation (DOT)road projects (Padgett 1983) and improvements and additions to the airport(Benyshek and Kesler 2008;Hall 1995). 22 4. RESEARCH GOALS AND METHODS RESEARCH GOALS The primary goal of the project was to systematically gather data on any cultural resources present within the survey tract for the purposes of regulatory compliance. In addition,the archaeological field data were to be combined with information obtained in the background research to address the nature of the prehistoric and historic period occupations of the area. RESEARCH METHODS Specific research methods were utilized for the background studies,field research, analysis, and reporting stages of the project.The methods used in each stage of research are outlined below. Background Research Background literature review was conducted to gather information on any known cultural resources on or adjacent to the tract within a one mile in radius around the project area, and included examination of the following materials: • Archaeological site files and reports at the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology in Asheville and Raleigh; • North Carolina cemetery survey maps at the North Carolina State Archives, Henderson County GIS cemetery data,and any available published Henderson County cemetery records;and • Historical maps and other data available on-line, in the UNC-Chapel Hill North Carolina Collection, the North Carolina State Archives,in TRC's collection and similar repositories. Archaeological Field Methods The archaeological survey complied with all pertinent state and federal regulations, including the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology's (OSA) Guidelines for Preparation of Archaeological Survey Reports in North Carolina. The field survey was conducted by a team of two, consisting of the Field Director and one Archaeological Technician. Following standard regional procedures, the archaeological survey consisted of the excavation of shovel tests at 20-m intervals across the four separate areas. Shovel tests were excavated in all parts of the survey areas with the exception of those that exhibited 10% or more slope,hydric soils, and/or showed signs of severe prior disturbance. All portions of the four project areas also were subjected to a pedestrian survey to search for any surface indications of archaeological sites. All shovel tests measured about 30 to 35 cm in diameter and were excavated to sterile subsoil or at least 60 cm below surface. All soil was screened through 1/4 inch screen for uniform artifact recovery. Each shovel test was described in terms of depth, stratigraphy, and artifact recovery (when applicable). Furthermore,the texture and Munsell soil color of representative soils was recorded. The single positive shovel tests was delineated at 10 in intervals until two consecutive negative shovel tests were excavated or up to either natural boundaries or artificial obstructions. A site map was then drawn, GPS coordinates were obtained, photographs were taken and observations were made concerning 23 environmental conditions and the extent of previous impacts such as erosion, plowing, deposition, and development. Artifact Analyses Following the completion of field work, the recovered artifact was returned to TRC's Asheville office for processing, cleaning, and analysis. The single debitage fragment was classified according to raw material type. NRHP Eligibility Evaluations A significance recommendation was made for each archaeological site in terms of its eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places, following the NRHP Eligibility Criteria as outlined in 36 CFR 60.4 (USDOI 1991).The NRHP Eligibility Criteria state: The quality of significance in American history,architecture,archeology,engineering,and culture is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess integrity of location, design,setting,materials,workmanship,feeling and association. (a).That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history;or (b).That are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past;or (c).That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type,period,or method of construction;or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values; or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;or (d).That have yielded,or may be likely to yield,information important in prehistory or history. 24 5. RESULTS BACKGROUND RESEARCH Previously Identified Resources Archaeological Sites. The archaeological site files and records at the SHPO contain information on four previously recorded archaeological sites (31HN73, 31HN74, 31HN96, and 31HN113) within a mile radius of the project areas (Table 1). All four sites are located south of Old Fanning Bridge Road on or adjacent to the French Broad River floodplain.. Table 5.1.Previously Recorded Archaeological Sites within One Mile of Project Area. Site No. Description NRHP Eligibility Reference 3113N73 Middle/Late Archaic lithic scatter camp Ineligible Ayers 1978 31HN74 Middle Archaic to Early Woodland camp Ineligible Ayers 1978 31HN96 Late Archaic lithic scatter Ineligible Padgett 1983 31HN113 Non-diagnostic prehistoric lithic/ceramic scatter Ineligible Whyte and Kimball 1993 One site (31HN74) is located either in or immediately adjacent to the large ca 6.0-acre field (Area 4).. That site was recorded in 1978 during a survey of the South Buncombe Interceptor Sewer Project(Ayers 1978), and identified as a low density surface scatter of prehistoric lithic and ceramic artifacts atop a small ridge extending into the floodplain. While the mapped location of this site corresponds with the approximate location of the northern part of Area 4, the topography described 32 years ago does not correspond with the current field conditions. No evidence of the site was found either in surface or subsurface contexts.during TRC's survey of the area. The site may be located in the field immediately north of the current project area; alternatively, the area may have been heavily disturbed and altered so that no evidence of the site remains. The three remaining sites include a Middle to Late Archaic period lithic scatter(31HN73),a Late Archaic lithic scatter (31HN96) and a non-diagnostic prehistoric artifact scatter (31HN113). All four sites were described as lacking intact subsurface cultural deposits, and were previously recommended ineligible for the NRHP(Ayers 1978;Padgett 1983;Whyte and Kimball 1993). Cemeteries. Examination of the Henderson County GIS website (ht�t ://gisweb.hendersoncgLi c.org/ GoMaps/map/Index.cf m) and a compilation of data on Henderson County cemeteries (Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society [HCGHS] 1995)revealed no known cemeteries within a mile of the project area. The Buncombe County GIS website OM:Hgis.buncombecoimiy.org/buncomgp-o records a single cemetery within a one mile radius of the project area; the Boiling Springs Baptist Church Cemetery is located approximately 0.7 mile northeast of the project area, south of Fanning Bridge Road(SR 1358) where it crosses Interstate 26.No evidence of any unrecorded cemeteries was observed by TRC personnel in the survey areas. Historic Maps of the Project Area In addition to the site file check, historic maps were examined to evaluate past land use and determine if there was any potential for historic sites in the vicinity. As the project area location is at the border of both Henderson and Buncombe counties (and the airport property was formerly in Henderson County), maps of both counties were examined. The 1907 Henderson County Soil map (Hearn and MacNider 1908) depicts three major roads in the project vicinity (including one that is now Old Fanning Bridge Road) and three structures that appear to be northwest of the current project area (Figure 5.1). The 1938 25 Henderson County road map (NCSHPWC 1938b) shows that the area was crossed by a number of roads, and that several structures were situated in the general vicinity (Figure 5.2). Due to the schematic nature of the map, however, it is not possible to discern if any of those structures were within the current survey areas. Review of the 1938 Buncombe County road map (NCSHPWC 1938a) shows little detail at the airport location with the exception of Fanning Bridge Road and a few unnamed roads. No evidence of historic period occupation was discovered during the archaeological survey. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SURVEY The intensive survey included a surface pedestrian survey and subsurface testing at 20 in intervals across all four survey areas (Figures 5.3 and 5.4). A total of 139 shovel tests were excavated, including 28 in Area 1, 37 in areas 2 and 3, and 74 in Area 4. Additionally, as a portion of Area 4 is situated on a floodplain terrace along the French Broad River, a hand auger was used to facilitate excavations deeper than the 60 cmbs reached with shovels. Not all shovel tests were augered, but a sufficient number were tested to demonstrate that no buried cultural soils exist in the proposed project area. As the project areas had not been marked in the field,in some cases the survey coverage extended outside the apparent area boundaries to ensure that the coverage was complete; in addition,the Area 4 survey was inadvertently extended across the large wetland area to the bank overlooking the French Broad River. The soils encountered were generally eroded and disturbed,with very little consistency among the shovel tests. The soils in Area 1 consisted of a shallow compact A horizon of strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) silt or silt loam that extended to about 15 to 25 cm below surface(cmbs);the underlying subsoil was a yellowish red (5YR 4/6) compact silty sand. The shovel tests along two small intermittent drainages in Area 1 contained mottled hydric soils beneath the A horizon. The soils in Area 2 varied considerably,with a deep A horizon found at the west end of the drainage.That soil consisted of brown (I OYR 5/3) silt to silt loam extending up to 43 to 54 cmbs, and overlying a thin (approximately six cm thick) lens or band of compact light olive brown (2.5YR 5/4) sand. The subsoil was dark gray(1 OYR 4/1)silty sand.Further upstream along the drainage,the soils became shallower and consisted of a reddish brown (5YR 4/4) clay loam or light reddish brown (5YR 6/4) silt loam A horizon that extended to 19 to 25 cmbs,and overlay dark gray(I OYR 4/1)very sandy clay subsoil extending to 37 to 45 cmbs. Two shovel tests also contained a thin (approximately six cm thick) lens or band of light grayish brown(1 OYR 6/2)silty sand mottled with pockets of yellowish brown(1 OYR 516)sand. The soils along both sides of the northern drainage (Area 3) consisted of either a dark yellowish brown (10YR 3/6) loam or a brown (10YR 5/3) silt loam A horizon that extended to an average depth of 30 cmbs,and overlay a yellowish brown(1 OYR 5/6)silty clay loam subsoil. The soils within Area 4 showed much greater variation and evidence of disturbances, with fragments of black plastic found throughout the A horizon. 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F821\\ it ne •' 2050 ` r�1 \• ICy f I✓�� 1_.� lam_ 1+P V r All Bute 130C112\ lJ 23 K '� USGS 7.5Minnrrnk,Q&.I igk dtul. no-1-11vo,NCl77f 0 1 N rn 1vrde I.1 4000 W E m■ INC �1 Feet _• �f 11 1 cn s_ Kilometer S Figure 5.3.Location of project areas and site 31BN958,Buncombe County,North Carolina. 28 ,Area 2 Jr 7::j'.•b :: \` 1• :j �.' -- - - w G•' - -_= 1, ti1•. , a,,• R'��- y � �\� i! •c?. o-�}•;\\-'�..- _ �:� •r� � -,� ��.: Via' \��. ;+.i .f �j� Are a,l � a � � t ��� 1 ) •-�'ti'�.i' / i' \� '�" .a'�=-."-_��''—=—.__fir .� � ,` �/ l %)w �:. � �"_='�/• S' 1 / J f)� i` � �\t,• i \��TV.•�rs"`4-€,?-..y :y ' cti /.si..�,*,4i,•�`;,ti., \. \�._'..ti�� •� `r' -- - - -!r..._� -- e''�:•'w'.t�::wp.i: '-- �l �I JA �'�.,��j J ;:��•���� -f: '�-' ��._..-.'mil o { -� wetland area � ( ;t�� 31BN958 �s���\,tits 1----iz Q HOMO / drainage \Area*4 `�\\ wetland area N \ 100 400 ft \ \ 200 \ Project areas surveyed[] / \ / Shovel test transects Isolated Find (IF) Figure 5.4. Detail inap of project areas and site 31BN958.. The survey recovered only a single artifact; that was a non-diagnostic prehistoric chert flake in a shovel test on the south side of the drainage in Area 2,which has been designated 31BN958. 31BN958 (Isolated Find 1) This isolated find consists of a single non-diagnostic prehistoric chert flake found within the%plow zone 1 at an approximate depth of 32 to 39 cmbs, along the south side of the drainage in Area 2. Six additional shovel tests were excavated at 10-m intervals in cardinal directions around the fmd,but all were negative. Due to the extremely low artifact density and lack of intact cultural deposits, 31BN958 appears to have little research potential and is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. 30 6. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS TRC has completed an intensive archaeological survey of the proposed additions to the Asheville Regional Airport in Buncombe County,North Carolina.The four project areas include a ca.0.9 acre south of the existing runway (Area 1), areas extending 50 feet on either side of two small streams east of Old Fanning Bridge Road(NC 280) (Areas 2 and 3),and a ca. 6.0-acre area southwest of NC 280. The background research identified a single previously recorded site (31HN74) that was mapped within or immediately adjacent to the project area, but this site was not encountered by the survey. The field survey encountered a single archaeological resource, isolated find 31BN958 which consists of a single non-diagnostic prehistoric chert flake found along the east bank of an unnamed intermittent drainage (Area 2)north of Old Fanning Bridge Road(NC 280).Despite supplementary testing at 10 in intervals,no additional cultural artifacts were found. 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In People and Plants in Ancient Eastern North America,edited by Paul Minnis,pp.50-104.Smithsonian Books,Washington,D.C. Setzler,Frank M.,and Jesse D.Jennings 1941 Peachtree Mound and Village Site, Cherokee County,North Carolina.Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 131.Smithsonian Institution,Washington,D.C. Shelford,Victor E. 1963 The Ecology of North America.University of Illinois,Urbana. Shumate,M.Scott 2001 Archaeological Data Recovery at 31SW265 on the Davis Cemetery Tract,Nantahala National Forest, Swain County, North Carolina. Presented at Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Conference, Gatlinburg. Shumate,M.Scott,and Larry R.Kimball 2001 Archaeological Data Recovery at 31 SW265 on the Davis Cemetery Tract,Nantahala National Forest, Swain County,North Carolina. 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Smith,Bruce D. 1989 Origins of Agriculture in Eastern North America.Science 246:1566-1571. Smith,Marvin T. 1987 Archaeology of Aboriginal Culture Change in the Interior Southeast. University of Florida, Gainesville. 40 Smith,Marvin T.,and David J.Hally 1992 Chiefly Behavior: Evidence from Sixteenth Century Spanish Accounts. In Lords of the Southeast: Social Inequality and the Native Elites of Southeastern North America, edited by A. Barker and T. Pauketat,pp.99-109.Archaeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association No.3. Sondley,Foster A. 1930 A History of Buncombe County,North Carolina.The Advocate Printing Company,Asheville. Stanyard,William F. 2003 Archaic Period Archaeology of North Georgia.UGA Laboratory of Archaeology Series No.38. Stroupe,Vernon S.,Robert J.Stets,Ruth Y.Wetmore,and Tony L.Crumbley 1996 -Post Offices and Postmasters of North Carolina: Colonial to USPS. Volume II: Edgecombe through Northampton.North Carolina Postal History Society,Charlotte. Swanton,John R. 1985 Final Report of the United States De Soto Expedition Commission. Originally published in 1939. Smithsonian Institution,Washington,D.C. Thomas,Cyrus 1894 Reports on the Mound Explorations of the Bureau of American Ethnology. Twelfth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1890-1891. Smithsonian Institution,Washington,D.C. County. Van Noppen,Ina Woestemeyer,and John J.Van Noppen 1973 Western North Carolina since the Civil War.Appalachian Consortium Press,Boone,North Carolina. Ward,Trawick H. 1977 An Archaeological Survey of the New U.S. 19-129 Route Between Andrews and Murphy in Cherokee Co. Research Laboratories of Anthropology,University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill. 1983 A Review of Archaeology in the North Carolina Piedmont: A Study of Change.In The Prehistory of North Carolina: An Archaeological Symposium, edited by M. Mathis and J. Crow, pp. 53-81. North Carolina Division of Archives and History,Department of Cultural Resources,Raleigh. 1986 Intra-site Spatial Patterning at the Warren Wilson Site. In The Conference on Cherokee Prehistory, assembled by D.Moore,pp.7-19.Warren Wilson College,Swannanoa. Ward,H.Trawick,and R.P.Stephen Davis,Jr. 1999 Time before History:The Archaeology of North Carolina.University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill. Webb,Paul A.,and Tasha Benyshek 2008 Historic Cherokee Homesteads at the Ravensford Site, Cherokee North Carolina.Presented at the 2008 Conference on Social Archaeology of Southeastern Colonial Frontiers.USC,Columbia. Webb,Paul A.,Tasha Benyshek,Russell Townsend,and Bennie Keel 2005 Ravensford Tract Excavations: Archaic through Historic Cherokee Components. Presented at 2005 meeting of the Southeastern Archaeological Conference,Columbia. Wetmore,Ruth Y. 1989 The Ela Site(31SW5):Archaeological Data Recovery of Connestee and Qualla Phase Occupations at the East Elementary School Site, Swain County, North Carolina. (CH-89-C-0000-0424). On file, Office of State Archaeology,Raleigh. 2002 The Woodland Period in the Appalachian Summit of Western North Carolina and the Ridge and Valley Province of Tennessee. In The Woodland Southeast, edited by David G. Anderson and Robert C. Mainfort,Jr.,pp.249-269.University of Alabama,Tuscaloosa. Wetmore,Ruth Y.,Kenneth W.Robinson,and David G.Moore 2000 Woodland Adaptations in the Appalachian Summit of Western North Carolina: Exploring the Influence of Climate Change.In The Years Without Summer. Tracing A.D. 536 and Its Aftermath,edited by Joel D.Gunn,pp. 139-150.BAR International Series 872,Archaeopress,Oxford. Worth,John 1996 Upland Lamar, Vining, and Cartersville: An Interim Report from Raccoon Ridge. Early Georgia 24(1):34-83. 41 Whyte,Thomas R.. 2004 Biltmore Mound Archaeofaunal Remains. In Hopewell Subsistence and Ceremonialism at Biltmore Mound, Biltmore Estate, North Carolina. Research Report submitted by ASU Laboratories of Archaeological Science,Department of Anthropology, Boone,North Carolina to Committee for Research and Exploration National Geographic Society,Washington,D.C. Whyte,Thomas R.and Larry R.Kimball 1993 An Archaeological Survey of the Westfeldt River Parr Henderson County,North Carolina. Technical report submitted to the Henderson County Parks and Recreation Department,Hendersonville,NC. Wood,W.Dean,Dan T.Elliott,Teresa P.Rudolph,and Dennis B.Blanton 1986 Prehistory in the Richard B. Russell Reservoir: the Archaic and Woodland Periods of the Upper Savannah River.Southeastern Wildlife Services,Athens,Georgia.Russell Papers,National Park Service. Yu,Pei-Lin 2001 The Middle Archaic of the Great Smoky Mountains: Upland Adaptation in a Regional Perspective. Presented at the 66`h annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology,New Orleans. 42 50101 Governor's Drive Suite 250 �3 Chapel Hill, NC 27517 919.530.8446 PHONIF 919.530.8525 FAX www.1'E:Csa{utions.corn � Og�2�fl l O August 23,2010 D `;�:� , f,,:zt=.,,� : Mr.Lew Bleiweis Asheville Airport Authority 61 Terminal Drive,Suite 1 Fletcher,North Carolina 28732 Re: Management Summary for Intensive Archaeological Survey for Proposed Additions to Asheville Regional Airport,Buncombe County,North Carolina. Dear Mr.Bleiweis: TRC has completed a Phase I archaeological survey of four separate areas for proposed additions to the Asheville Regional Airport, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The survey areas were identified by C1earWater Environmental personnel as requiring survey for COE permitting requirements, and are located at the south end of the airport.The areas include: a ca. 0.9 acre south of the existing runway(Area 1), areas extending 50 feet on either side of two small streams east of NC 280 (Areas 2 and 3), and a ca. 6.0-acre area southwest of Old Fanning Bridge Road (NC 280) (Area 4) (Figure 1). The four areas total approximately 10 acres. This study was conducted to produce information on the presence and location of significant archaeological sites on the tract,in order to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and so that the information could be considered for planning purposes. The survey meets the standards established by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office(SHPO)and Office of State Archaeology (OSA). The field survey took place on August 11-13 and 16, 2010 and was directed by Michael Nelson;the background study was conducted on August 4,2010. PROJECT SETTING The project areas are located at the Asheville Regional Airport property, and are situated on both sides of Old Fanning Bridge Road. Area 1 is located in an open field approximately 920 ft west of the south end of the existing airport runway and covers approximately 0.9 acres. Areas 2 and 3 extend for 50 feet on either side of two small streams on the west side of the Old Fanning Bridge Road. The smaller of those areas(Area 2)is south of an existing construction staging area and access gate,and covers approximately 400 ft x 100 ft. The larger (Area 3)measures approximately 900 ft x 100 ft, and is north of the staging area/access gate. The largest of the four areas (Area 4) is situated across a large open field (ca. 6 acres) the southwest of Old Fanning Bridge Road. All of the surveyed areas area relatively flat, with the exception of a small knoll in the northwest corner of Area 4(the ca. 6.0 acre tract).Most of the areas are in open grass fields, and are moderately to heavily disturbed from past agricultural and grading activities (Figure 2). The area along the smaller stream is moderately wooded with mixed hardwoods and pine with a light understory(Figure 3). BACKGROUND RESEARCH The background research included examination of the following materials for an area extending one mile in radius around the project area: • Archaeological site files and reports at the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology(OSA); ® North Carolina cemetery survey maps at the North Carolina State Archives,Henderson County GIS cemetery data,and any available published Henderson County cemetery records;and m Historical maps and other materials at the UNC-Chapel Hill North Carolina Collection,the North Carolina State Archives,and similar repositories. Archaeological Sites The archaeological site files and records at the SHPO contain information on four previously recorded archaeological sites(31HN73, 31HN74,31HN96,and 31HN113)within a mile radius of the project areas (Table 1).All four sites are located south of Old Fanning Bridge Road on or adjacent to the French Broad River floodplain. One site (31HN74) is located either in or immediately adjacent to the large ca 6.0-acre field (Area 4) of the project area. That site was identified as a low density surface scatter of prehistoric lithic and ceramic artifacts atop a small ridge extending into the floodplain, and was recorded in 1978 during a survey of the South Buncombe Interceptor Sewer Project (Ayers 1978). While the mapped location of this site corresponds with the approximate location of the north corner of Area 4, the topography described 32 years ago does not correspond with the current field conditions.No evidence of the site was found either in surface or subsurface contexts during TRC's survey of the area. The site may be located in the field immediately adjacent to the north end of the current project area; alternatively, the area may have been heavily disturbed and altered so that no evidence of the site remains. Table 1.Previously recorded archaeological sites within one mile of project area. Site No. Description NRHP Eligibility Reference 31HN73 Middle/Late Archaic lithic scatter camp Ineligible Ayers 1978 31HN74 Middle Archaic to Early Woodland camp Ineligible Ayers 1978 31HN96 Late Archaic lithic scatter Ineligible Padgett 1983 31HN113 Non-diagnostic prehistoric lithic/ceramic scatter Ineligible Whyte and Kimball 1993 The three remaining sites include a Middle to Late Archaic period lithic scatter(31HN73), a Late Archaic lithic scatter (31HN96) and a non-diagnostic prehistoric artifact scatter (31HN113). All four sites were described as lacking intact subsurface cultural deposits, and were previously recommended ineligible for the NRHP(Ayers 1978;Padgett 1983;Whyte and Kimball 1993). In addition to the site file check,historic maps were examined to evaluate past land use and determine if there was any potential for historic sites in the vicinity. As the project area location is at the border of both Henderson and Buncombe Counties, maps of both counties were examined. The Asheville Airport was part of Henderson County prior to being annexed by the city of Asheville. The 1907 Henderson County Soil map (Hearn and MacNider 1908) depicts three major roads in the project vicinity including one that is now Old Fanning Bridge Road and three structures that appear to be northwest of the current project area. Review of the 1938 Henderson County map prepared by the North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission(NCSHPWC 1938) shows the area was crossed by a number of roads, and was the location of numerous structures and at least two mines in the general vicinity of the project area. However, it is difficult to discern if any of those structures were within the boundaries of the current survey locations. Review of the 1938 Buncombe County road map (NCSHPWC 1938) shows little detail at the airport location with the exception of Fanning Bridge Road and a few unnamed roads.No evidence of historic period occupation was discovered during the archaeological survey. Cemeteries Examination of the Henderson County GIS website (littp://gisweb.hendersoncount n�c.org[ GoMaps/map/Index.cfm) and a compilation of data on Henderson County cemeteries (Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society [HCGHS] 1995) revealed no known cemeteries within a mile of the project area. The Buncombe County GIS website (http:#gis.buncombecounty.or uncomapn records a single cemetery within a one mile radius of the project area;the Boiling Springs Baptist Church Cemetery is located approximately 0.7 mile northeast of the project area,south of Fanning Bridge Road(CR 1358)where it crosses Interstate 26. No evidence of any unrecorded cemeteries was observed by TRC personnel in the survey areas. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY The intensive survey included a surface pedestrian survey and subsurface testing at 20 m intervals across all four areas.A total of 139 shovel tests were excavated, including 28 shovel tests in Area 1, 37 in areas 2 and 3, and 74 shovel in Area 4. The soils in each area were generally eroded and disturbed, with little consistency noted. As the project areas had not been marked in the field, in some cases the survey coverage extended outside the apparent area boundaries in order to ensure that the coverage was complete; in addition,the Area 4 survey was inadvertently extended across the large wetland area to the bank overlooking the French Broad River. The survey recovered only a single artifact; that was a non-diagnostic prehistoric chert flake in a shovel test on the south side of the drainage in Area 2, which has been designated 31DN958. Six shovel tests excavated at 10 in intervals in cardinal directions from the initial positive shovel test were excavated; all were negative.This isolated find will be recommended ineligible for the NRHP, and no fiuther work will be required. SUIVEAARY The background research and archaeological survey identified no significant archaeological sites within the designated survey areas. Consequently, no additional archaeological investigations should be needed prior to construction of the proposed additions to the Asheville Regional Airport. A detailed report on the survey is in preparation,and will be provided soon.Please do not hesitate to contact me at(828)230-4812/(828)667-3838,or via email at tben s�Rtresolutions.com,in the interim if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Tasha Benyshek,M.A.,R.P.A. Senior Archaeologist,Asheville REFERENCES CITED Ayers,Harvard G. 1978 Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of the Hominy valley Interceptor Sewer Project and the South Buncombe Interceptor Sewer Project,Buncombe and Henderson Counties,North Carolina.Ms.on file, Department of Anthropology,Appalachian State University. Buncombe County GIS Services 2010 Buncombe County website http://aisweb.hendersoncountyne.org/GoMaps/niap/lndex.cfin,accessed August 18,2010. Hearn,W.Edward,and George M.MacNider 1908 Soil Survey of Henderson County,North Carolina.U.S.Department of Agriculture,Washington,D.C. Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society 1995 Henderson County,North Carolina Cemeteries.The Reprint Company,Spartanburg,SC. Henderson County GIS Services 2010 Henderson County GoMaps,website http://www.hendersoncountyne.org/gis/index.htnfl accessed August 18,2010. North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission 1938 Buncombe County,North Carolina.North Carolina Department ofNatural Resources and Community Development,Raleigh. 1938 Henderson County,North Carolina.North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development,Raleigh. Padgett,Thomas J. 1983 Archaeological Study,NC 280 from Mills River to I-26,Henderson County,R-401.Technical report submitted to the Archaeology Branch,North Carolina Department of Archives and History. Whyte,Thomas R.and Larry R.Kimball 1993 An Archaeological Survey ofthe Westfeldt River Park Henderson County,North Carolina.Technical report submitted to the Henderson County Parks and Recreation Department,Hendersonville,NC. A. �4 1-6 41 rea`3 ) ,� ��/ �i _ W ` f,,, 2. a' WN, r p".1' r F ,� \! %� / wetland area fill 31BN958 V M1 drainage 3 Area'.. wetland area N 100 400 ft \ �\ 200 — — — Project areas surveyed Shovel test transects Isolated Find (IF) Figure 1. Location of survey areas and isolated Find 3 1BN958,Asheville Regional Airport, Buncombe County,North Carolina. - �t — -t _title , { = r ;I • , ,- -- 5 � V r [ t11 5 \ f i 5 • • tlG.Rwlv two k iflrri et �..� 61.E .���r!•u ty��({ yPilk ]�AT � e (F �z�,� . t •'`. t'�yt � i�f i.l r i� y�ft a'� Z f i ark a 2afl xSI r f�'f .r "� iar a hp z>n rR € n ,.r _ xe- ",,I jl�yz<v1 r Pa, n a7 z°r ti.is.A t - "•. 4yf>'r � J. �, 1 '"'+: o �"d ,>rr �r a �,+ - i ,_..may tr'r"�i �N`'Y,.z7� t e., .lii �, t•- r- s.. - r - ' � � y -'- •" 3� •_ '` ] ? tit r � - tc MA, p - � r N-'�i..a �1/..3 � 2, � t .•��J,��'• �--;i{'tom � . awa North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources State Historic Preservation Office Peter B.Sandbeck,Administrator Beverly Eaves Perdue,Governor Office of Archives and History Linda A.Carlisle,secretary Division of Historical Resources Jeffrey i.Crow,Deputy secretary David Brook,Director June 11, 2010 Lew Bleisweis CE'- Project (Ok6 Asheville Regional Airport Authority 61 Terminal Drive Date Recipvec"� 0(011eglo Suite 1 Fletcher, NC 28732 Re: Taxiway, Cargo Apron,Warehouse Building,Truck Loading Docks and Infrastructure, Asheville Regional Airport,Buncombe County,ER 10-0930 Dear Mr. Bleisweis: We have received the Public Notice for the above project from the US Army Corps of Engineers for review. There are no known recorded archaeological sites within the project boundaries. The majority of the project area appears to be in previously disturbed portions of the existing airport facility. Based on the topographic and hydrological situation, there is a high probability for the presence of prehistoric or.historic archaeological sites located in the undisturbed portion of the project area, such as Section F in the Project Development Plan. We recommend that a comprehensive survey of the undisturbed portions of the project area be conducted by an experienced archaeologist to identify and evaluate the significance of archaeological remains that may be damaged or destroyed by the proposed project. The survey should take into account the potential for deeply buried deposits adjacent to the French Broad River. Potential effects on unknown resources must be assessed prior to the initiation of construction activities. Two copies of the resulting archaeological survey report,as well as one copy of the appropriate site forms, should be forwarded to us for review and comment as soon as they are available and.well in advance of any construction activities. A list of archaeological consultants who have conducted or expressed an interest in contract work in North Carolina is available atwww.arch.dcr.st-ate.nc.us/consults.htin. The archaeologists listed, or any other experienced archaeologist,may be contacted to conduct the recommended survey. We have determined that the project as proposed will not have an effect on any historic structures. The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36 CFR Part 800. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919/807-6579. In all future communication concerning this project,please cite the above referenced tracking number. Sincerely, Peter Sandbeck u cc: ACOE Clement Riddle, Clearwater Environmental Consultants 50101 Governor's Drive Suite 250 Chapel Hill, NC 27517 ��4K 919.530.3446 PHONE pN F 3 ar .. �, Wv�v"TRCsolutions.corn September 30,2008 Mr.Kevin E.Howell, C.M. Development Manager Asheville Regional Airport Authority 61 Terminal Drive, Suite 1 Fletcher,North Carolina 28732 Re: Management Summary,Archaeological Phase I Survey of 2.8 Acres for Proposed Improvements to Asheville Regional Airport,Fletcher,Buncombe County,North Carolina Dear Mr.Howell, TRC has completed a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed improvements to the northern end of the Asheville Regional Airport property in Buncombe County.The archaeological survey and related background research were conducted on September 24 and 26.The project Area of Potential Effects (APE)as defined by the USACE is linear,measures approximately 1,200 feet in length and extends a maximum of 50 feet on each side of a perennial stream;the total project area is 2.8 acres(Figures 1 and 2) (Lori Beckwith,personal communication September 2008).The proposed work will consist of the connection of two existing drainage culverts at the north and south ends of the project area;subsequently, the area is to be filled to bring it up to the level of the surrounding artificial landscape.This streambed handles rainwater runoff from the airport runways and parking lots.Additionally,there are other perennial and intermittent streams and wetlands within the project area all of which feed the main stream that runs the length of the project area.The land surrounding the APE has already been significantly modified (Figure 3), and the 16-acre area within and immediately surrounding the APE was logged some time after June of 2006. BACKGROUND RESEARCH Background research consisted examination of SHPO archaeological site and report files.No previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the APE, as indicated in a 2007 SHPO comment letter. Four archaeological sites have been identified within one mile of the APE.These include 31BN165,along with three sites recorded by local collector V. Gary Henry that have never received permanent state site numbers(and are labeled sites 366,367, and 379). Site 31BN165 is a Middle and Late Archaic site with a Pisgah phase component located at the confluence of Avery Creek and the French Broad River.No information is on file regarding the other sites is on file. FIELD RESULTS The soils were found to be very disturbed over the length of the project area, and surface inspection was undertaken in areas of obvious disturbance and with greater than 50%surface exposure.Additionally, shovel test pits(STPs)were excavated at 20 meter intervals in areas thought to potentially contain intact soils,and at 40 meter intervals in areas with indications of significant disturbance at the surface(Figure 4). Shovel testing was not performed in the wetland areas of the APE or in areas where subsoil was exposed at the surface.A total of 22 STPs were excavated. The shovel tests contained inconsistent soil profiles and extremely varied stratigraphy,indicating significant disturbance.The few STPs with possible intact soils consisted of dark yellowish brown(1 OYR 4/4)sandy silt above dark grayish brown(IOYR 4/2) clay subsoil(Figure 5). Other STPs contained a mix of these soils with large, displaced inclusions of the dark grayish brown clay at varying depths within the soil column.Many of the shovel tests had construction fill on top that was washed down from the surrounding slopes(Figure 6). Construction fill completely covered the easternmost and westernmost edges of the APE. Other disturbed areas contained schist rock mixed with brown(7.5YR 4/4)sand beneath yellow brown(1 OYR 5/6) sandy silt with gravels. Some of the STPs contained modern trash and most contained pieces of wood from the past logging.At the north and south ends of the APE the disturbed soils contained numerous charcoal chunks from the burning of timber associated with logging. Additionally,one STP contained coarse sand and modern bottle glass that may have been deposited by the runoff from a past rain event.The subsoil ranged in depth from exposure at the surface to 40 cmbs.No archaeological sites or isolated finds were discovered. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS The archaeological survey of approximately 2.8 acres for the proposed improvements at Asheville Regional Airport identified no artifacts or other indications of an archaeological site,and documented disturbed soils throughout most of the project area.Additionally,the presence of deeply buried intact cultural deposits within the APE is highly unlikely due to the level of disturbance and the shallow nature of the clayey subsoil.It is recommended that no further archaeological work be required in connection with this project. The draft report detailing this investigation is in progress.If you have any questions about the investigation,please feel free to contact me at(828)230-4812,or tbenyshek-@tresolutions.com. Sincerely, Tasha Benyshek M.A.,RPA Senior Archaeologist/Asheville Office Manager 1 - _ `.� � \ ti ,. \ � \ , < ��` ., ` y �.. /•fir o'r/ 1 ! f i 1i Jy� f'i i'�'� d�- ,1. 1 l ii �7�!•+,-„�1. '.�5 '•\? t ;/l"--, J ect Area. 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