Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20051690 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20131211Strickland, Bev From: Kulz, Eric Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 9:07 AM To: Strickland, Bev Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Carbonton Dam Landowner Authorization Figure 12 -09 -2013 (UNCLASSIFIED) Eric W. Kulz Environmental Senior Specialist 401 and Buffer Permitting Unit NCDENR - Division of Water Resources — Water Quality Permitting Section 1650 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699 -1650 Phone: (919) 807 -6476 E -mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties From: Kulz, Eric Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2013 9:06 AM To: 'Adam Riggsbee'; Todd Tugwell Cc: Wicker, Henry M JR SAW; Baumgartner, Tim; George Howard; John Preyer; Tiffani Bylow Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Carbonton Dam Landowner Authorization Figure 12 -09 -2013 (UNCLASSIFIED) DWR is certainly interested in reviewing data collected by Sandy and Dave, as this information can be valuable in looking at water quality issues related to these tributaries. However, these data do not necessarily preclude the need for site visits to verify the overall condition of these tributaries, especially overbank /floodplain function, as this is a primary objective of many restoration plans. I believe one of the main concerns that the IRT has is that some of these trios may be deeply incised and lack connection to their floodplains. NCDENR - Division of Water Resources — Water Quality Permitting Section 1650 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699 -1650 Phone: (919) 807 -6476 E -mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties From: Adam Riggsbee [ma i Ito: adamOriverbankecosystems.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 9:18 PM To: Todd Tugwell; Kulz, Eric Cc: Wicker, Henry M JR SAW; Baumgartner, Tim; George Howard; John Preyer; Tiffani Bylow Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Carbonton Dam Landowner Authorization Figure 12 -09 -2013 (UNCLASSIFIED) Todd and Eric- I certainly understand the safety concerns Todd relayed in his message this morning; so I won't bother disagreeing or trying to talk y'all out of it. I would, however, like to propose a way of salvaging some productivity in the absence of the scheduled field visit. As I relayed to both of you recently, Restoration Systems engaged Sandy Smith of Axiom and Dave Penrose to conduct stream calls on all of the Carbonton tributaries other than McLendons, Big Governors and Little Governors. The work was completed the weekend of November 23 & 24. In an effort to keep this closeout process moving forward, I suggest that we convene at either the EEP or Restoration Systems offices and go over Axiom's results. In addition, I will present the results from my top of the impoundment analysis as well as relevant baseline and post - removal monitoring data. This will allow us to draw conclusions on credited stream lengths (top of impoundment and stream hydrological status). We can also draw conclusions re: tributary ecosystem improvements resulting from the dam removal. I hope both of you will agree that this is a reasonable and productive use of time that may well alleviate the need for any further field visits. This project is soon to enter its fourth year in the closeout process. Obviously, we need to bring this to resolution. Sandy and Dave dedicated a long, cold weekend to provide stream calls for the project. I have personally sidelined several of my company's projects and some of my clients' to prepare for next week. And I know that both of you have other demands on your time. It would be helpful for all if we don't create any other delays. Please respond to me as soon as possible letting me know if you guys are willing to meet next week to review the data and see if we can't avoid another field visit altogether. Many thanks for your expeditious responses and for your consideration. Best regards, Adam Adam Riggsbee, PhD I Partner I RiverBank Ecosystems P.O. Box 2:921 ( AUstin, TX 78755 ( p. 5122413775 ( m. 512.. X0.3062 adam(Wriverbankecosystems.com I www.riverbankecosystems.com On Dec 10, 2013, at 10:24 AM, Adam Riggsbee <adam@riverbankeco systems. com> wrote: Todd- I will get back to you on this later today or first thing tomorrow. In the meantime, please keep the field dates on your calendar. I think there is a reasonable and safe solution here. We have simply had too many delays to let these dates go by without making some meaningful progress towards closing this project out. Talk soon, Adam Adam Riggsbee, PhD I Partner I RiverBank Ecosystems P.O. Box 2:921 ( AUstin, TX 78755 ( p. 5122413775 ( m. 512.. X0.3062 adam(Wriverbankecosystems.com I www.riverbankecosystems.com <low rez logo.jpg> On Dec 10, 2013, at 8:33 AM, "Tugwell, Todd SAW" <Todd. Tugwell@us ace. army. mil> wrote: Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Adam, I spoke with some of the IRT yesterday and we had discussions internally about the access issue. Due to safety concerns, especially this time of year, we are not willing to review tribs from the river. Due to the dangers associated with climbing up and down the banks, potential for hypothermia if someone gets wet, etc., the potential risks are too great to comply with our safety protocols. Given how long it takes to float the river and the prospect of walking up each of the tribs, this approach would also take much longer that gaining access from the road. If this is the only way that property owners will agree to allow these tribs to be accessed, we may reconsider this method of review during warmer times of the year. I know that you and Restoration Systems have been working diligently to secure access rights and I appreciate the effort. This is really a critical step for us - if there are properties where the landowners refuse the right to access these tributaries, I don't believe it is appropriate for any credit to be generated by these tributaries (this applies to those tributaries that are entirely located on private property). For the meeting next week, I suggest that we focus on those properties where we have permission to gain access from the roads. Please let me know how this changes things for next week so I can inform the IRT. Todd Tugwell Special Projects Manager Wilmington District, US Army Corps of Engineers 11405 Falls of the Neuse Road Wake Forest, NC 27587 Office: 919- 846 -2564 Mobile: 919 -710 -0240 Original Message - - - -- From: Adam Riggsbee [mailto :adam @riverbankeco systems.com] Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 1:18 PM To: Tugwell, Todd SAW Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Fwd: Carbonton Dam Landowner Authorization Figure 12 -09 -2013 (UNCLASSIFIED) Yeah, we can arrange that. no On Dec 9, 2013, at 11:00 AM, "Tugwell, Todd SAW" <Todd. Tugwell@us ace. army. mil> wrote: Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Adam, Will you (or Sandy) be able to bring a GPS to capture the coordinates for any points that we determine? Todd - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Adam Riggsbee [mailto :adam @riverbankecosystems.com] Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 10:21 AM To: Tugwell, Todd SAW; Eric Kulz; Tim Baumgartner Cc: George Howard; Tiffani Bylow Subject: [EXTERNAL] Fwd: Carbonton Dam Landowner Authorization Figure 12 -09 -2013 All- Please find attached the latest map displaying property access for the Carbonton tributaries. The remaining landowners are proving rather recalcitrant according to the RS staff So I'm not real optimistic there will be much change between now and next week. Best, Adam Begin forwarded message: Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE