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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20120972 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20130328U REPLY TO ATTENTION OF DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS 69 DARLINGTON AVENUE WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28403 -1343 March 21, 2013 Regulatory Division Action ID No. 2009 00315 Mr. Michael G. Tuton Onslow 22, LLC 1000 Hunters Trail Midway Park, North Carolina 28544 Dear Mr. Tuton: I :�-oq'J I l MAR 24 82013 NR - 1!iIATER UAL17Y ISM.. -J. w. Please reference our February 8, 2013 letter to you regarding non - compliance with the terms and conditions of the Nationwide Permit (NWP) 29 (Action ID: SAW- 2009 - 00315) verified on October 12, 2012 for permanent impacts to waters of the U.S. hydrologically connected to Rocky Run for the residential subdivision Wantlds Ferry, Section I at Towne Pointe, in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina. On March 15, 2013 we received a written response to our letter from your agent, Mr. Tim Stewart of Parker & Associates, Inc., which included itemized comments addressing our requirements and a wetland restoration plan. Upon review of this letter and the ensuing administrative record, we determine that you satisfactorily completed the following requirements: 1) Your letter included the required explanation for violations and a proposal to prevent further non - compliance; 2) You completed immediate corrective actions, subject to field review; 3) Your letter included the required restoration plan. The proposed wetland restoration plan, copy enclosed for your reference, is approved as submitted with the following clarifications: 1) As soon as practicable, determine the amount of scour or soil missing from the "Restoration Area" shown in the Wetlands Impact Restoration Plan included in your March 15, 2013 letter. As required add suitable organic -rich topsoil to this area to approximately match adjacent natural floodplain grade and seed with appropriate annual grass for stabilization. Trees must be planted as proposed as soon as possible, but prior to April 15, 2013, to reduce mortality; -2- 2) Once the above actions take place you must notify the Corps for field review; 3) Upon field review of all fill removal and restoration areas, we may require additional material to be removed with associated restoration requirements. With respect to stream channel stability concerns with respect to current culvert alignment, and following a telephone conversation with your Mr. Stewart on March 21. 2013, we do not approve your proposal to add High Velocity Excelsior matting and live willow stakes, as the area in question is already vegetated. However, the following actions are required within 30 days: 1) Calculate water velocities at the downstream end of the culvert for various storm event levels, up to the design level of the culverts (i.e. 25 -year storm); 2) Based on these calculations, and in consultation with the North Carolina Department of Transportation or other qualified organization having experience with stream stability in similarly -sized coastal plain stream systems, submit a plan to stabilize the area of anticipated stream bank impacts; 3) Given that hard structures such as rip rap may be required, calculate the additional wetland and stream impacts of necessary stream stabilization impacts, and submit a compensatory mitigation plan for our consideration. a. Note that the Corps is not in favor of a wait- and -see approach, given the large size of the culverts, large watershed, high expected storm flows, and alignment of the structures relative to the downstream bank, as stream bank "blowouts" are very damaging to stream and wetland habitat and downstream water quality. We strongly recommend your prompt attention in completing the required restoration plan. Please be aware that your compliance with this directive does not foreclose the Department of the Army's option to initiate additional appropriate legal action including pursuing a Class I Administrative Penalty under the authority of 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g) and 33 CFR Part 326.6 or referral to the United States Attorney or the United States Environmental Protection Agency with a recommendation for civil action. Thank you for your time and cooperation. Should you have questions, please contact Mr. David E. Bailey, at the Wilmington Regulatory Field Office, telephone -(910) -251 -4469 or Ms. - Jennifer Frye, also with the Corps at (910) 251 -4923. Sincerely, HO- Stev A. Baker Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander Enclosures -3- Copies Furnished (with enclosures): Mr. Timothy M. Stewart, P.E. Parker and Associates, Inc. Post Office Box 976 Jacksonville, North Carolina 28541 Mr. Elijah T. Morton Morton Minerals, Inc. 121 Garnett Lane Jacksonville, North Carolina 28546 Copies Furnished (without enclosures): Thomas G. Walker, U. S. Attorney Eastern District of North Carolina 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 800 Terry Sanford Federal Building & US Courthouse Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 -1461 Ms. Molly Davis Chief, Wetlands Enforcement Section Water Protection Division Clean Water Enforcement Branch U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region IV 61 Forsyth Street, Southwest Atlanta, Georgia 30303 -8960 Criminal Investigation Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6324.Fairview Road, Suite 525 Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 Ms. Joanne Steenhuis Division of Water Quality North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 Mr. Shelton Sullivan Division of Water Quality North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1617