20051457 Ver 1_USACE Correspondence_20060804

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
151 PATTON AVENUE
ROOM 208
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28801-5006
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF: August 2, 2006
Regulatory Division
Action ID No. 200330194
Cyndi Karoly
NCDWQ
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Dear Ms. Karoly:
7.77 771
J
Please reference the June 27, 2005 Public Notice issued by the Corps, soliciting
comments on The Cleveland County Sanitary District (CCSD) application for Department of the
Army (DA) authorization to construct a dam and reservoir on the First Broad River, north of
Lawndale, Cleveland County, North Carolina. The Corps has decided, based on the scale and
potential intensity of the proposed impacts, comments received on the public notice and review
of similar projects requiring an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that this proposed activity
may significantly affect the quality of the human environment. A Notice of Intent to prepare a
draft EIS for the proposed project was published in the Federal Register on July 12, 2006.
The Corps is initiating the scoping process by inviting you to attend an interagency
scoping meeting to be held on August 22, 2006, 10:00 a.m. at the CCSD office, 439 Casar
Lawndale Road, Lawndale, North Carolina. The purpose of this work session is to introduce the
project and solicit input on potential alternatives, and major issues to be addressed in the EIS.
Specific issues to be discussed are potential impacts to endangered species, historic properties
and water quality and general environmental and socioeconomical considerations. Please also be
prepared to identify and discuss any permits or approvals that may be required by your group or
agency.
The following is a brief summary of initial project information regarding the project area,
existing land use, cultural resources, protected species, and water resources:
Project Location
The proposed project, known as the First Broad River Reservoir, is an approximate
2,245 -acre impoundment of the First Broad River, associated tributaries, and adjacent wetlands
located north of Lawndale, Cleveland County, North Carolina. The proposed dam would be
located approximately 1.4 miles north of the Town of Lawndale, downstream of the CCSD office
on Casar Lawndale Road. The approximate coordinates of the proposed dam location are

2
35.4335406 N and 81.5685226 W (Lawndale USGS Quadrangle Sheet). The impoundment will
extend along the First Broad River from the proposed dam location to a point approximately 10
miles upstream in the vicinity of Casar Road (NC 10). A vicinity map is attached.
Project Description
Preliminary plans estimate the construction of an 83 -foot high dam across the First Broad
River. The proposed earth -filled dam may be approximately 1,245 feet wide at the base and
have a 1,000 -foot wide spillway on the south side. The specific dam dimensions are subject to
revision as additional analysis and design are completed. The dam will create a reservoir with a
surface area of approximately 2,245 acres impounding those areas below elevation 860 feet msl.
Flooding impacts are estimated to include the loss of 24 miles of river and stream habitat and
approximately 1,400 acres of forested and agricultural land.
Existing Land Use and Site Conditions
The proposed project area includes rolling to hilly lands primarily used for residential and
agricultural uses. The project area ranges from broad alluvial flats to steep slopes. Natural
vegetation is found adjacent to the river and tributaries and consists of Piedmont/Low Mountain
Alluvial Forest (using Schafale and Weakley's Classification of the Natural Communities of
North America, Third Approximation (1990)). These areas are dominated by river birch, tulip
poplar, sycamore, red maple, black walnut, box elder, ironwood, American holly, and invasives
including Chinese privet, multiflora rose, and Japanese honeysuckle. The riparian zone of the
First Broad River is continuously wooded in a narrow band providing a wildlife corridor.
Fishery surveys identified 18 species of fish. The river supports a warm water fishery including
sunfish, chub, and suckers.
Transportation Infrastructure
Preliminary studies indicate that the reservoir will impact five existing bridges or culverts
and necessitate approximately 2.2 miles of roadway improvements on North Carolina
Department of Transportation roads. The roadway improvements are associated with work
necessary to construct the five new bridges and the elevation of the roadways on either side. The
bridge/roadway improvements are to occur at Mauney Road (SR 1513), Oak Grove Clover Hill
Church Road (SR 1509), Delight Road (SR 1512), Kistler Road (SR 1514), and Hicks Hill Road
(SR 1501).
Cultural Resources
A Phase I archaeological survey was performed on accessible portions of the project area
(based on land owners' permission) in July 2003. Two sites were determined to be potentially
eligible for the National Resister of Historic Places. These two sites will require additional

investigation to more fully determine their potential eligibility if they will be affected by the
proposed reservoir.
Preliminary research of the existing records of project area historic architectural
properties indicates that there are no known properties currently listed in the National Register of
Historic Places (NRNP). A historic architecture survey will identify any properties in the project
area that are potentially eligible for the NRNP. All survey results will be coordinated with the
State Historic Preservation Office in accordance with the requirements of Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act.
Threatened, Endangered, and Federal Species of Concern
An identified population of the federally threatened dwarf -flowered heartleaf (Hexastylis
naniflora) is located within the proposed impoundment area. Consultation under Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act will be required prior to issuance of any permits.
Species currently listed (April 27, 2006) with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
for Cleveland County include the following:
Common Name Scientific Name Status
Vascular Plants
Dwarf -flowered Heartleaf
Hexastylis naniflora Threatened
Sweet Pinesap
Monotropsis odorata FSC*
Torrey's Mountain -mint
Pycnanthemum torrei FSC*
Carolina (Gray's) Saxifrage
Saxifraga caroliniana FSC*
*FSC - federal species of concern. A species under consideration for listing, for which there is insufficient
information to support listing at this time.
Only the heartleaf has been found within the project area. Two species of Hexastylis
have been identified within the project area, H. naniflora and H. heterophylla.
Streams and Wetlands
The project area is located in the Broad River Basin. The proposed project would result
in impacts to approximately 24 miles of river and stream habitat. There are 15 intermittent
streams and 31 perennial streams that drain into the First Broad River in the project area. Four
major tributaries that enter the First Broad River within the impoundment area are Hinton Creek,
Stoney Run Creek, Grassy Branch and Crooked Run Creek. Approximately 5 acres of wetlands
adjacent to tributaries to the First Broad River have been identified within the proposed
impoundment area.

4
If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may submit written comments pertinent to
the proposed project to Mr. David Baker, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 151 Patton Avenue,
Room 208, Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006. Also, please note that future public
involvement, to include a public scoping workshop, is planned. Times and locations for future
meetings will be announced. Further information regarding the proposed action or the EIS
process may be obtained by contacting Mr. Baker at [phone], extension 225.
Sincerely,
Tom Walker
Chief
Asheville Regulatory Field Office

AMP 1 inch equals 5,000 feet Project Vicinity Map
First Broad River Reservoir
Source: USGS Cleveland County, NC ri