20051690 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20131211

Strickland, 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: [phone]
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: [phone]
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: [phone]
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