20220126 Ver 1_Riparian Buffer Authorization_20220124

Buffer Authorization Application Form
15A NCAC 02B .0233 (8)(b), .0243 (8)(b), .0250 (11)(b), .0259 (8)(b), .0267 (11)(c), .0607 (e)(2) Buffer Authorization Online Form -
Update 10/23/2018
Water Reources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Original Submittal 1/24/2022
A. Owner/Applicant Information
General Information
Primary Contact Email:*
Who is submitting the application?*
[e-mail]
Please list the contact person's email for questions or payment on this project if needed.
Owner
Applicant other than Owner
Agent
Is there an agent working on this application but Yes
not submitting it? • No
1. Property Owner Information:
....................................................................................................................................
la. Name on Recorded Deed: *
1b. Responsible Party:
lc. Mailing Address:*
Id. Telephone:*
9197078188
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
(for Corporations)
Street Address
1321 Mail Service Center
Address Line 2
City State / Province / Region
Raleigh NC
Postal / Zip Code Country
27699 US
2. Applicant's Information (if different from owner):
...........................................................................
2a. Name: Christine Farrell
2b. Company Affiliation: NC State Parks
1e. Email Address: * [e-mail]
2c. Mailing Address: Street Address
1615 Mail Service Center
Address Line 2
City State / Province / Region
Raleigh NC
Postal / Zip Code Country
27699 US
2d. Telephone: [phone]
2e. Email Address: [e-mail]

B. Project Information and Prior Project History
............................................................................................
1. Project Information
la. Name of Project: *
Lake Norman State Park Lakeshore Trail Improvements
(Subdivision, facility, or establishment name)
1b. Is this a publicly -funded transportation project?*
Yes
• No
Id. Subdivision Name:
1e. Nearest Municipality: Troutman
If. Property Size: 1,330.00
acres
lg. County (or Counties) where the project is located:*
Iredell
lh. Property ID#
4720569709
Tax PIN or Parcel id
1 i. Deed Information
Date of Purchase
8/13/1962
Type of Book
Book#
Page#
Deed
368
157
Map
1j. Attach a copy of the recorded map that indicates when the lot was last platted.
Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
PDF only
1k. How would you like to provide the Latitude and Longitude information?*
• Address Lookup
Manually
Address Lookup
Latitude * 35.6724787
Street Address
759 State Park Road
Address Line 2
City State / Province / Region
Troutman NC
Postal / Zip Code Country
28166 US
Longitude* -80.9325588
11. Is the project located in any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties?*
Yes
• No
2. Surface Waters

2a. Name of the nearest body of water to proposed project:*
Catawba River
2b. Water Quality Classification of nearest receiving water: *
WS-IV,B;CA
2c. List the total estimated linear feet of all existing streams (intermittent and perennial) on the property: *
1,000
(linear feet only)
3. Project Description:
3a. Describe the existing conditions on the site and the general land use in the vicinity of the project at the time of this application:
The project is located within Lake Norman State Park, an area used for recreational
purposes. A portion of the Lakeshore trail has eroded and now poses a safety hazard
to park visitors. Approximately 2.4 miles of 3 ft wide trail will be rerouted, 780 ft of
which will occur within zones 1 & 2 of the Catawbe River buffer.
3b. Attach an 8 1/2 x 11 excerpt from the most recent version of the USGS topographic map indicating the location of the site.
Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
PDF only
3c. Attach an 8'/2 x 11 excerpt from the most recent version of the published County NRCS Soil Survey Map depicting the project site.
Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
PDF only
4. Proposed Activity
Provide a detailed description of the proposed activity including its purpose and include the type of equipment to be used: *
The Lakeshore hiking trail runs along the shoreline of the Catawba River and will be
moved upslope or renovated in place using sustainable trail design practices. No
trees will be removed along the newly constructed trail tread, which will measure no
wider than 3 ft. Moving the trail away from the edge of the lake is necessary to help
slow the shoreline erosion issues that occur throughout the park. Therefore,
abandoned trails will be closed to the public and re -naturalized.
Attach a site plan as applicable to the project:
Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
PDF only
5. Jurisdictional Determinations
5a. Have jurisdictional wetlands or stream determinations by the Corps or State been requested or obtained for this property/project
(including all prior phases) in the past?*
Yes
No
6. Project History
6a. Have permits or certifications been requested or obtained for this project (including all prior phases) in the past?*
Yes
• No
7. Future Project Plans
7a. Is this project a phased project?*
C. Proposed Impacts Inventory
Buffer Impacts
Yes
No

Project is in which protected Basin?*
Neuse River Basin (15A NCAC 02B.0233)
• Catawba River Basin (15A NCAC 02B.0243)
Randleman Lake Watershed (15A NCAC 02B.0250)
Tar -Pamlico River Basin (15A NCAC 02B.0259)
Jordan Lake Watershed (15A NCAC 02B.0267)
Goose Creek Watershed (15A NCAC 02B.0606 & 15A NCAC 02B.0607)
Individually list all buffer impacts below. If any impacts require mitigation, then you MUST fill out Section D of this form.
Site# - Reason
Stream Name
Buffer Impact*
Impact Type
Zone 1
Zone 2
Trail Construction
Map label (e.g. Road
Crossing 1)
Catawba
River
Permanent
(P)
Perm or Temp
Exempt
435.00
Square
Feet
1,905.
00
Square
Feet
Total Zone 1 Impacts: 435.00
Total Zone 2 Impacts: 1,905.00
Total Buffer Impacts: 2,340.00
Comments:
No trees will be removed in buffer zone. Construction will involve hand tools or small
equipment where necessary. All trail construction is "deemed allowable" per 2020
Catawba buffer rules.
D. Impact Justification and Mitigation
1. Avoidance and Minimization
1a. Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts in designing the project.
Approximately 2.5 miles of new trail will be constructed at a maximum width of 3 ft
with a full -bench and outsloped 3-5%. Another -1.1 miles of the Lakeshore trail will be
renovated in place by redefining the backslope, narrowing areas of trail widened by
visitor use, and repairing drainage structures such as rolling grade dips and knicks.
Social trails in this area will be re -naturalized to discourage usage.
lb. Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts through construction techniques.
The trail will be constructed of native soil to the extent possible. Where box steps are
necessary, these will be constructed at a maximum 3 ft width. Trail will be built with
hand tools and small machinery to minimize grounds disturbances. All areas will be
stabilized to avoid erosion and sedimentation concerns.
E. Diffuse Flow Plan
la. What type of SCM are you providing?*
Level Spreader
Vegetated Conveyance (lower SHWT)
Wetland Swale (higher SHWT)
✓ Proposed project will not create concentrated stormwater flow through the buffer
Other SCM that removed minimum of 30% nitrogen
1c. Diffuse Flow Documentation
F. Supplementary Information
Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
Trail Specifications - LANO Lake Shore Ph.11.pdf 117.24KB
PDF only

Environmental Documentation
la. Does the project involve an expenditure of public (federal/state/local) funds or the use of public (federal/state) land?
• Yes
No
1 b. If you answered "yes" to the above, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the
requirements of the National or State (North Carolina) Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)?
Yes
• No
Violations
2a. Is the site in violation of DWR Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .0500), Isolated Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .1300), DWR Surface
Water or Wetland Standards, or Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0200)?
2b. Is this an after -the -fact buffer authorization application?
Yes
® No
G. Additional Information
Please upload any additional information you would like the Division to consider during application review.
Additional Attachments: Click the upload button or drag and drop files here to attach document
PDF only
Additional Comments:
attached pdf is detailed spec sheet from State Parks trail designer. Trail work will
follow Catawba River Basin 2020 buffer rules for "deemed allowable" construction
practices.
H. Sign and Submit
By digitally signing below, I certify that:
• I have given true, accurate, and complete information on this form;
o I agree that submission of this form is a "transaction" subject to Chapter 66, Article 40 of the NC General Statutes (the "Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act")
o I agree to conduct this transaction by electronic means pursuant to Chapter 66, Article 40 of the NC General Statutes (the "Uniform Electronic
Transactions Act");
o I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal effect and can be enforced in the same way as a written signature; AND
o I intend to electronically sign and submit the application form."
Print Name: * Christine Farrell
Signature
Submission Date:
01/24/2022
(Auto populated field)

Initial Review
Is this accepted into the review process?* • Yes No
Yes
• No
ID#* 20220126
Version:* 1
Select Reviewer: * Doug Perez:eads\djperez
Select Reviewing Office* Mooresville Regional Office - [phone]
Is this project a public transportation project?*
Has payment been received?* • No Payment Needed
Fee Received
Need Fee - send electronic notification

Lake Shore Trail Renovation — Ph. II
Lake Norman State Park
The Lake Shore Trail at Lake Norman State Park is a popular pedestrian trail, offering ample views of Lake Norman along
its path. The trail is in need of several reroutes and restoration to bring its design up to modern trail building standards
and to better accommodate increased trail usage. Several sections of the trail were constructed in a fall -line manner,
with the trail being aligned too steep against the prevailing contours of the land. This project will consist of new trail
construction, trail renovation, and trail decommission to improve the trail experience and overall trail sustainability.
Trail Renovations & Routine Maintenance:
Areas to be renovated are mostly on contour but have suffered trail creep and widening over the years from the trail
prism breaking down, sloughing, and/or lack of an established bench cut. In addition, some of these areas feature some
of the trail's prime lake views — a central motivation and source of enjoyment for trail users to be preserved. Areas that
are not being rerouted will need to be restored to a full -bench tread as needed with the following features:
• a well -compacted and outsloped tread (3-5%), to an intended design width of 3'
• roots that are tripping hazards and/or causing users to stray out of the tread removed (note exception below,
and any case that the roots are integral to the trail stability) or capped where appropriate.
• a defined backslope, covered with leaves post -construction to minimize potential slough and encourage re -
vegetation
• the tread narrowed down to a width of 3', using leaves and down and dead vegetation to mask previous
impacts in addition to scarification to encourage vegetative growth
• construction of remedial drainage structures, such as rolling grade dips and/or knicks a minimum of every 50'
and where naturally appropriate to encourage efficient water management on the tread
• social trails and trail braids brushed in and scarified as needed to discourage use
• Specific built features as noted below (SEE REFERENCE MAP)
• Trail restoration plan drawings attached
A. i. Move trail junction & signage (park staff responsible for signage)
ii. Reestablish bench cut to uphill side of the corridor for approximately 33' (new construction)
iii. Eliminate social trail cutting between the designated trail
B. 12' wide cable gate w/ 2 posts at access road intersection and a directional trail marker (Park Staff)
C. —14 Timber box steps
D. ^35' — shift bench cut to uphill side of tread (new construction)
E. —50' — shift bench cut to downhill side of tread (new construction)
F. —12' low pedestrian boardwalk (with handrails)
G. —10 timber box steps
H. i. Reset bench and trail marker (Park Staff)
ii. Duff removal only between marked flags due to buried intake pipe
I. —8 box/L-timber steps in switchback
J. ^22 box/L-timber steps in climbing turn
K. —4 box timber steps
L. Fill and cap roots around large beech tree in tread
M. ^20 box/L-timber steps
N. Existing boardwalk at trail junction (no action), eliminate social trail bypassing the boardwalk
O. ^'5 box timber steps at trail junction, move signage uphill (Park Staff — Signage)
P. —12 box/L-timber steps in climbing turn

New Trail Construction:
Rerouted sections should be constructed to a width of 3' with full -bench construction. The tread is to be compacted and
outsloped to 3-5%. A well-defined backsloped should be shaped, with the critical top point between the undisturbed
sideslope and backslope compacted to prevent future slough of organic materials. The backslope should be covered with
leaves to prevent slough and encourage vegetative growth. The route is flagged, however no deviation of the route by
the contractor within allowable confines should exceed grades more than 1/2 of the prevailing sideslope or more than 8%
grade.
Trail Decommission:
Areas of the former trail route to be decommissioned should be lightly scarified, covered with leaves, down and dead
vegetation, and other natural materials to loosen compaction and disguise the former route, in addition to encouraging
regrowth along the former corridor.
Note: all distances recorded and measured by field GPS applications and desktop GIS.
Step Specifications:
All overlapping timber steps should be constructed with rough -sawn, pressure treated 8x8 timbers rated for
ground/freshwater contact (min 0.80 CCA). L-step risers should be buried a minimum of 1' into the natural hillside. Box
steps should have a step rise of 8", and a minimum step run of 12". Steps are to be constructed with lap joints. All steps
should be constructed to a minimum of 3' overall width. All screws or rebar should be recessed. All duff and organic
materials should be removed and compacted native mineral soil used as backfill. Crushed and compacted rock may also
be used as backfill to aid in drainage if native soils are not favorable.
Work Item
Unit Price
Total
Total New Trail Construction:
13,087 If (2.4 mi)
Total Trail Renovation &
Maintenance: 6,121.6 If (1.1 mi)
Total Trail Decommission: 8,972
If (1.7 mi)
95 timber steps
Fill & Cap roots (see L)
^'12' boardwalk w/ handrail