20201511 Ver 1_Compliance_Incident_B-5642_20211025

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER J. ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY

Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
5501 BARBADOS BOULEVARD
CASTLE HAYNE, NC 28429-5647
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968

Website: ncdot.gov
Location:
5501 BARBADOS BOULEVARD
CASTLE HAYNE, NC 28429-5647

October 22, 2021

Hannah Sprinkle
Environmental Specialist II
N.C. Division of Water Resources
127 Cardinal Drive Ext.
Wilmington, NC 28405

Subject: TIP No. B-5642 Utility Compliance Incident

Dear Ms. Sprinkle,

We have reviewed the issues surrounding the incident reported to you on October 19, 2021,
regarding unauthorized wetland impacts resulting from boring operations for an AT&T fiber optic
line relocation associated with NCDOT TIP No. B-5642.

The wetland impact site was reviewed on Oct 21, 2021, by both Hannah Sprinkle (NCDWR) and
Brad Shaver (USACE) and was deemed to have been restored satisfactorily. We understand that
NCDWR still may have concerns surrounding the cause of the incident. Division 3 wanted to
proactively address how this incident could have been avoided and how we plan to prevent further
issues of this nature.

These impacts could have been avoided had AT&T fulfilled their obligation to hold a Utility
Relocation Scheduling Conference (pre-construction meeting) with our Resident Engineer’s office
as required by their Utility Authorization. AT&T had not yet been given Notice to Proceed by the
Resident Engineer’s office.

The Division regrets that this incidence occurred, and we are committed to ensuring that there are
no gaps in our coordination process and that effective communication is maintained with utility
companies performing work associated with our projects. Our Division Construction and
Environmental units will meet the morning of Tuesday, October 21st to discuss more specific
preventative actions that we can take.

We are very appreciative of both Hannah and Brad’s assistance with these matters of compliance
and their timely response in reviewing this site with NCDOT staff.

Sincerely,

Chad Kimes, P.E.
Division Engineer