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Home My WebLink About20140510 Ver 1_Riparian Buffer Authorization_20140522Strickland, Bev From: Joey Lawler <JLawler @smeinc.com> Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2014 9:50 AM To: Strickland, Bev Subject: RE: Electronic Copy of Buffer Authorization Request Attachments: PNG LAKE WYLIE CROSSING PROJECT.pdf OK well here it is. I sent the 3 hard copies of this yesterday. Thanks! j IN • .r I q 0 Lei 10 1 q q V 101 6 T ' i - - Boulevard • - I .I I` it Map 704.523.4726 704.525.3953 Mobile: llawler smeinc.com www.smeinc.com This electronic message is subject to the terms of use set forth at www.smeinc.com /email. If you received this message in error please advise the sender by reply and delete this electronic message and any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this email. From: Strickland, Bev [ mai Ito: bev.strickland(a)ncdenr.govI Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2014 9:43 AM To: Joey Lawler Subject: RE: Electronic Copy of Buffer Authorization Request From: Joey Lawler [mailto:JLawlerCa)smeinc.com] Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2014 9:35 AM To: Strickland, Bev Subject: Electronic Copy of Buffer Authorization Request Good morning Ms. Strickland — do y'all require an electronic copy of application submittals for stand -alone buffer authorizations, like it required if it was a normal PCN? Thanks -j IN • .. I q 0 Lei 10 1 q 4 V 1011 6 T 1751 Southern Pine Boulevard Charlotte NC 28273 Map F9 18 15 A VA 11r 1 - We LA RISM EA RIMA FLA llawler smeinc.com www.smeinc.com This electronic message is subject to the terms of use set forth at www.smeinc.com /email. If you received this message in error please advise the sender by reply and delete this electronic message and any attachments. Please consider the environment before printing this email. May 21, 2014 N.C. Division of Water Resources 401 and Buffer Permitting Unit 512 North Salisbury Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Attention: Ms. Karen Higgins Reference: Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization PNG Lake Wylie Crossing Mecklenburg County, North Carolina S &ME Project No. 4335 -14 -058 Dear Ms. Higgins: S &ME, Inc. (S &ME) has been retained by Piedmont Natural Gas (PNG) to provide support services related to the PNG Lake Wylie Crossing project (the Project). Accordingly, and due to unavoidable riparian buffer impacts associated with the Project, we hereby submit this Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization for the proposed installation of a segment of 16 -inch diameter natural gas pipeline under the bed of a cove of Lake Wylie in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The purpose of the Project is to install a replacement connection between existing 16- inch diameter pipelines on opposite sides of the cove. The existing connection segment, which is below the bed of the lake cove, is only 12 inches in diameter and was installed prior to current safety inspection standards that require passage of an in -line inspection device (ILID, aka a "smart pig ") through the pipeline. The existing 12 -inch connection poses a data collection problem for ILID inspections; therefore, a new 16 -inch diameter connection needs to be installed. The new connection segment will be installed by a horizontal directional drill (HDD) crossing under the bed of Lake Wylie and will not result in any impacts to jurisdictional streams, wetlands or other waters of the United States; consequently, no action is required pursuant to Sections 404 or 401 of the Clean Water Act. However, the Project will affect riparian buffers. In support of this Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization, we have included the following: • Figures: Site Vicinity Map (Figure 1), USGS Topographic Map (Figure 2), Aerial Photograph (Figure 3), Soil Survey Map (Figure 4) and Buffer Impact Map • Appendix I: Completed Riparian Buffer Authorization Form and Signed Agent Authorization Form; • Appendix II: Site Photographs; • Appendix III: Restoration Plan; and • Appendix IV: NCEEP Acceptance Letter. S &ME, INC. / 9751 Southern Pine Blvd / Charlotte, NC 28273 / p 704.523.4726 f 704.525.3953 / www.smeinc.com Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization S &ME Project No. 4335 -14 -058 PNG Lake Wvlie Crossina Proiect Mav 21. 2014 BACKGROUND INFORMATION As indicated, S &ME was retained by PNG to assist with the Project. As part of these efforts, S &ME has performed a pedestrian reconnaissance of the proposed crossing entry and exit workspaces, including assessments for the possible presence of federally - protected species within these workspaces. Additionally, the project area was assessed for the presence of jurisdictional waters by ECS on April 14, 2014. Aside from the lake boundary, ECS determined that streams or wetlands were not present within the project workspace areas. Photographs of the general project area are included in Appendix II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION PNG is proposing to connect existing main 16 -inch pipe natural gas pipelines outside of the lake boundary with a new 16 -inch pipeline segment that will be installed under the bed of Lake Wylie, in close proximity and parallel to the existing 12 -inch segment. This option will best meet USDOT safety inspection and assessment requirements, and allow PNG to remain in compliance with federal safety regulations. Following disconnection, the 12 -inch pipeline segment will be capped and left in place. As mentioned, the crossing of Lake Wylie is proposed to be done by HDD. The approximate centerpoint of this proposed crossing is 35.22477° N, - 80.98937° W. Workspace entrance and exit points of the HDD will be in existing, maintained PNG rights -of -way. Installation of the new pipeline segment may include clearing and grubbing throughout the workspaces, as well as excavating a trench to place the pipeline within the HDD workspace at the tie -in points. Construction activities are not anticipated to have significant adverse impacts down - gradient in the watershed or on adjacent properties. The HDD under the bed of Lake Wylie will be for a run of approximately 293 linear feet. The minimum depth of the HDD will be 25 feet below the lake bottom. Sixteen -inch diameter steel pipe will be used for the HDD; see the attached plan set (Line 373 Directional Drills – Lake Wylie Crossing) for additional details on the HDD crossing. BUFFER IMPACTS The new segment of pipe will be installed near the edge of PNG's existing rights -of -way (ROW), and will require clearing of an additional 40 -foot wide strip along the south side of the lake. Of the 40 feet, 20 feet will be new, permanently- maintained easement, and the remaining 20 feet will be temporary workspace, which will not be maintained. Although a new 20 -foot wide easement will also be required on the north side of the lake, removal of trees will not be required, as the area already consists of open field. The buffer impacts are identified in Table 1: Table 1: Riparian Buffer Impacts Type Impact sf Zone 1 Zone 2 Permanent Tree Removal 833 470 Encroachment 3,720 2618 —Temporary Total 4,553 3,088 Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization S &ME Project No. 4335 -14 -058 PNG Lake Wvlie Crossina Proiect Mav 21. 2014 Wooded portions of the temporary workspace will be restored and re- planted with native woody vegetation upon completion of the project. A restoration plan is included in Appendix III. The buffer impact areas, both permanent and temporary, are depicted on the Buffer Impact Map, attached to this submittal. Establishment and maintenance of the additional permanent ROW at the location of the replacement segment is required in order to support: 1) leakage surveys from ground mobile units or aerial technology; 2) aerial patrolling for possible encroachment activity near the pipeline; 3) identification of possible repairs and maintenance; 4) promotion of damage prevention through ready, public visual recognition of the the easement; and, 5) minimization of potential canopy encroachment (which creates visibility problems). ADDITIONAL REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS Information Request letters were sent to the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and the NC Natural Heritage Program (NHP), on March 17, 2014, soliciting comments from those agencies with respect to concerns regarding protected species. Though the FWS recommended implementation of stringent erosion - control measures and protection of shoreline vegetation in general, they expressed no concerns regarding impacts to protected species, and they stated that they had no objections to the project. The NHP mentioned that within one mile of the project site there was a record of the federally - protected Carolina heelsplitter mussel, but they also stated that that population was considered extirpated. Nonetheless, there are no streams being crossed by the pipeline project, and the pipe is being installed by HDD under the lake bed. On April 10, 2014, S &ME conducted a field reconnaissance of the terrestrial project workspace areas to see whether certain federally - protected plant species (e.g. Helianthus schweinitzii, Echinacea laevigata) known to exist in the broader region (though not recorded for the project location) might be present. No specimens of federally - protected species were observed by S &ME at the project workspace areas. S &ME sent an Information Request letter to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) on March 17, 2014. SHPO's response letter, dated May 27, 2014, stated that they are aware of "no historic resources that would be affected by project." The project also requires a Duke Energy Conveyance Permit for the crossing of Lake Wylie. This permit application has been submitted separately. A Section 10 permit is not required, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers determined that the subject portion of the lake is not identified as a navigable water. AVOIDANCE AND MINIMIZATION Though the Project will avoid impacts to jurisdictional waters, the Project does entail some unavoidable impacts to riparian buffers of the Catawba River. The Project will avoid impacts to jurisdictional waters. No jurisdictional waters will be impacted in the entry and exit workspaces. The crossing of Lake Wylie will be by HDD to a depth of 30 feet below the lake bottom. Implementation of the Erosion and Sediment Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization PNG Lake Wvlie Crossina Proiect S &ME Project No. 4335 -14 -058 Mav 21. 2014 Control Plan (E &SC) should prevent significant adverse indirect impacts down - gradient in the watershed. MITIGATION Because the pipeline will cross beneath the lake, the project will not result in stream impacts, nor require stream mitigation. Similarly, the project will not impact wetlands. Cleared areas will be restored in accordance with the attached Restoration Plan (Appendix III) following completion of the work. With respect to the Catawba River Basin riparian buffers, temporarily affected portions of Zone 1 that were previously forested will be restored and replanted with native woody vegetation upon completion of the project. Zone 2 will remain grassed upon project completion, and, as such, no mitigation is required. Permanent removal of overstory vegetation within the ROW will affect 833 square feet of Zone I and 470 square feet of Zone 2. Mitigation for those permanent impacts will be satisfied through payment to the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program ( NCEEP) with the appropriate multiplier. An acceptance letter from NCEEP is included in Appendix IV. CLOSING By copy of this correspondence and completed Request for Riparian Buffer Authorization, we are requesting your written authorization for these riparian buffer impacts. If you need additional information, please contact us at 704.523.4726, or by email. Thank you. Sincerely, S &ME Joey Lawler, P.W.S. Project Manager jlawlergsmeinc.com Julie Bennett - Hudel, P.G. Natural Resources Senior Reviewer Attachments: ichael Wolfe, C.S. . Senior Consultant mwolfegsmeinc.com • Figures • Appendix I: Completed Riparian Buffer Authorization Form and Signed Agent Authorization Form • Appendix II: Site Photographs • Appendix III: Restoration Plan • Appendix IV: NCEEP Acceptance Letter 4 FIGURES ,S ° \Ka` 03° r% �' ® PERMANENT CONVERSION AREA TEMPORARY IMPACT AREA SITE �. i �& REPLANT AREA r STREAM BUFFER IMPACT ZONE 1 ZONE 2 PERMANENT CONVERSION AREA 833 SF 470 SF TEMPORARY IMPACT AREA 3,720 SF 2,618 SF REPLANT AREA 1,036 SF 671 SF / I I I ol on P VICINITY MAP (NOT T ° —0' t_ TEMPORARY / P P / R'P KI �I �P ml m� P nI off P I icy $bO'� N y S 3� L�YC o Z PIN:11342101 MECKLENBURG COUNTY } w DB 6202 PG 189 PB 23 PG 587 3 3 a IMPACT AREA �_ -L ` -1 �� 1� -1 -� f'F't� m Of Wns % >� . 1 Zl- I P CID �'i'� P r� s v°>oa of \ i� �� _ L_ l- L REPLANT I I �..� / , �\ �` P I ` -1 t � L � � � �- �_ AREA w u Ii _3 P,_�-' y Ps s• y�° ,�l a /e�P a/ � G o -- ---- -- -- - -� e \ \ � I l 1 - , — __� �G �t� I t - -� iPERMANE. NT CONVERSION. ------ ° ___ _ _ l_ I I LINE 372 . EXISTING 12" GA S LINE AREA G GAG G G G G— G— G— G— G— G— G —G —G— ` G u -- - -- - __G Ge n a �c aia� P LINE 373 G—G� G .�G G G G —G G G+— C --r -C G C —G —C C— G— r.— r.— G— G— G —G —G —E G a o iS E m i _ G v G�A_ G �G __ —_ c --..i _ 1 -- -_ -_ ,- _- .•v --- ,-1 ,..,,,- �„- , ,. „ -., , r e I e \ P ; -PI P \ PC 1 Z R —I -S�TIN� G G — `1�2” G _ G ` AS l LC - \I N—._E G c -c c -c G c i - G - -- -c - -\ - F �c - �- LINE (T0 BE BORED) n --------- I NO RIVE R I MPACT „___ __ PERMANENT CONVERSION _ A REA Z z - Z s 1n I 50' REPLANT 30, -I t- �-1 - l l_ L\ -1 l �_ 1.1 l �_l_` -� 1.. AREA o Z i 20 m f rl o a G- -1 A Z P j m om J t l D RNHORTON6INC z I o o +�9 o I cG ` L L_ L �� `- mil- mil_ s DB 23704 PG 525 �" i m I ~ I w, L� �-` �_ �L l- `_` �_ 9 PB 51 PG 129 u o I P o x m LEGEND —c —G— EXISTING PNG GAS LINE —G —G— PROPOSED PNG GAS LINE — — — BOUNDARY LINE (NOT SURVEYED) - - — RIGHT -OF -WAY LINE ---- - - - - -- PNG EASEMENT LINE —• — — EDGE OF WATER — . — . — JURISDICTIONAL BOUNNDARY 11r1 r, 11 WOODS LINE - = — = —P- EDGE OF ZONE 1 BUFFER -_ EDGE OF ZONE 2 BUFFER �H CARS � O •�FESS /O,y :2 Z; •Qe q� •., 9 SEAL L -4464 ;Qyo Ey�:•�7� FRY S ; \S\ I,I Io 10 m Iz x I 1 \ zao� cod m omm TEMPORARY z a N IMPACT AREA o m 6 jG -0Gc c c G —G —G —c \ G G — G —G - -n. —G —G —G 0 —G-0 G—G. _tt _ -_ _____ 'Y YxY,(Y (Y' - YY l l -- 1 1 Z G P I y3j a W Woo P Z K< Z, K II ! a U, N�3 as � I I I I I � I 9 9 Regional Lund Surveyors, Inc. 6642 WEST MARKET STREET, SUITE 100 GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27409 NC FIRM LICENSE NO. C -1362 1 , 1 DATE: 05 /07 14 I^ 1 L11 JOB N0. 1395.00 1 l SCALE: 1' = 50' BUFFER IMPACT MAP PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS LINE 373 LAKE WYLIE CROSSING MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA IR# *** ***• SHEET 1 OF 1 APPENDIX I: COMPLETED RIPARIAN BUFFER AUTHORIZATION FORM AND SIGNED AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM DWRState of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources Division of Water Resources 15A NCAC 02B .0233 (8)(b), .0243 (8)(b), .0250 (11)(b), .0259 (8)(b), .0267 (11)(c), .0607 (e)(2) - Buffer Authorization FORM: BA 10 -2013 Riparian Buffer Authorization Form A. Applicant Information 1. Project Information 1a. Name of project: PNG Lake Wylie Crossing 1 b. County: Mecklenburg 1c. Nearest municipality: Charlotte 1d. Subdivision name: N/A 1e. Is the project located in any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties. If yes, answer 1f below. ❑ Yes ® No 1f. Is the project located within a NC Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)? ❑ Yes ® No 2. Owner Information 2a. Name on Recorded Deed: N/A - Linear Utility Project 2b. Deed Book and Page No. 2c. Map Book and Page No. (include a copy of the recorded map that indicates when the lot was created): 2d. Responsible Party (for Corporations): 2e. Street address: 2f. City, state, zip: 2g. Telephone no.: 2h. Fax no.: 2i. Email address: 3. Applicant Information (if different from owner) 3a. Applicant is: ❑ Agent ® Other, specify: Utility Company 3b. Name: Jim Kalish 3c. Business name (if applicable): Piedmont Natural Gas 3d. Street address: 4720 Piedmont Row Drive 3e. City, state, zip: Charlotte N.C. 28210 3f. Telephone no.: 704.731.4598 3g. Fax no.: 704.731.4098 3h. Email address: Jim. kalish(apiedmontng.com 4. Agent/Consultant Information (if applicable) 4a. Name: Joey Lawler, P.W.S. 4b. Business name (if applicable): S &ME, Inc. 4c. Street address: 9751 Southern Pine Boulevard 4d. City, state, zip: Charlotte, NC 28273 4e. Telephone no.: 704.523.4726 4f. Fax no.: 704.525.3853 4g. Email address: jlawler @smeinc.com FORM: BA 10 -2013 Page 1 of 5 B. Project Information and Prior Project History 1. Property Identification 1a. Property identification no. (tax PIN or parcel ID): Project is utility line replacement 1 b. Site coordinates (in decimal degrees): Latitude: 35.22477 Longitude: - 80.98937 1c. Property size: N/A acres 2. Surface Waters 2a. Name of nearest body of water to proposed project: Paw Creek cove of Lake Wylie 2b. Water Quality Classification of nearest receiving water: WS -IV 2c. River basin: South Fork Catawba River (03050102) 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: Land use in the immediate vicinity of the project corridor consists primarily of a mix of undeveloped woodland and residential development. Relatively nearby is the Charlotte - Douglas Airport. 3b. Attach an 8'/2 x 11 excerpt from the most recent version of the USGS topographic map indicating the location of the site 3c. Attach an 8'/ x 11 excerpt from the most recent version of the published County NRCS Soil Survey Map depicting the project site 3d. List the total estimated linear feet of all existing streams (intermittent and perennial) on the property: No stream crossings within project workspace areas. 3e. Explain the purpose of the proposed project: The purpose of the work is to replace a segment of pipe that will not currently accommodate an in -line inspection device. 3f. Describe the overall project in detail, including the type of equipment to be used: PNG will install a new 16 -inch diameter natural gas pipe parallel to an existing 12 -inch pipe that is being replaced. The new pipe (1,315 feet) will be installed beneath a cove of Lake Wylie by horizontal directional drill (HDD). The existing, 12 -inch segment will then be grouted and retired in place. The new 16 -inch pipe will be welded to the ends of the existing 16 -inch lines on either side of the river, providing a seamless 16 -inch pipeline through which an in -line inspection device can travel. Installation of the new pipe segment will first involve identification of the clearing limits of the HDD entry and exit workspaces within the existing right -of -way (ROW). Efforts will be made to minimize soil disturbances, and impacts to forested areas. Temporary workspace will be established along one side of the ROW to accommodate the new pipe tie -ins and facilitate equipment passage and operation. Appropriate sediment and erosion control measures will be installed to prevent sedimentation of nearby waters as a result of construction. An equipment crossing of Lake Wylie is not required. The HDD will begin in high ground on the south side of the cove of Lake Wylie, pass beneath the lake, and terminate at a high ground tie -in point on the north side of the lake. Where the pipe crosses beneath Lake Wylie, it will be located approximately 25 -30 feet below the lake bed. Conventional pipe installation (trenching) will be required at the entry and exit workspaces only. During construction, the pipe will be strung along the temporary work space and placed on skids (wooden pedestals). The pipe segments will be welded together, x -rayed and inspected for structural integrity, and then pulled through the hole drilled by the HDD rig. Following installation of the new pipe, affected areas will be "cleaned up" and application of temporary seeding (if necessary), followed by final grading, permanent seeding and mulching to restore the ROW as closely as possible to pre- disturbance contours and conditions. Temporarily affected portions of the Zone 1 buffer will also be replanted with native woody vegetation. FORM: BA 10 -2013 Page 2 of 5 4. Jurisdictional Determinations 1a. Project is in which protected basin? 4a. Have jurisdictional wetland 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 ❑ Unknown Comments: 4b. If yes, who delineated the jurisdictional areas? Name (if known): Eric McClanahan Agency/ Consultant Company: ECS Other: 4c. If yes, list the dates of the Corps jurisdictional determinations or State determinations and attach documentation. 5. Project History Buffer 5a. Have permits or certifications been requested or obtained for this project (including all prior phases) in the past? ❑ Yes ❑ No ® Unknown 5b. If yes, explain and detail according to "help file" instructions. N/A (exempt, allowable, 6. Future Project Plans impact 6a. Is this a phased project? ❑ Yes ® No 6b. If yes, explain. N/A required? C. Proposed Impacts Inventory 1. Buffer Impacts 1a. Project is in which protected basin? ❑ Neuse ❑ Tar - Pamlico ® Catawba ❑ Randleman ❑ Jordan ❑ Goose Creek 1 b. Individually list all buffer impacts below. If any impacts require mitigation, then you MUST fill out Section D of this form. Buffer impact Reason for Type of impact Stream name Buffer Zone 1 Zone 2 number — impact (exempt, allowable, mitigation impact impact Permanent (P) allowable w/ mitigation) required? (sq ft) (sq ft) or Temporary T B1 ® P ❑ T Accommodate Allowable w/ Paw Creek ® Yes ❑ No 833 470 new pipe mitigation cove of Lake Wylie B2 ❑ P ® T Temporary Allowable Paw Creek ❑ Yes ® No 3720 2618 construction cove of Lake Wylie 63 ❑ P ❑ T ❑ Yes ❑ No 64 ❑ P ❑ T ❑ Yes ❑ No 65 ❑ P ❑ T ❑ Yes ❑ No 66 ❑ P ❑ T ❑ Yes ❑ No Total buffer impacts 4,553 3,088 1c. Comments: Mitigation is not required for Zone 2 impacts, as the area will remain grassed upon project completion. FORM: SSGP3080 8 -13 Page 3 of 5 D. Impact Justification and Mitigation 1. Avoidance and Minimization 1a. Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts in designing project. Project design was dictated by USDOT safety regulations, which determined the location, extent and alignment of the pipeline replacement. Avoidance and minimization could not factor into design, per se. Rather, construction techniques (see below) had to be the means for avoiding and minimizing impacts. 1 b. Specifically describe measures taken to avoid or minimize the proposed impacts through construction techniques. To minimize impacts, PNG has planned for the entry and exit workspaces to avoid jurisdictional waters. Impacts to Lake Wylie will be avoided by installing the pipe via HDD methods. Buffer impacts were minimized as practicable, but were not entirely avoidable relative to construction and future inspection and maintenance requirements. Affected portions of the buffer used as temporary workspace will be replanted with woody vegetation upon project completion. 2. Buffer Mitigation 2a. Will the project result in an impact within a protected riparian buffer that requires buffer ® Yes ❑ No mitigation? 2b. If yes, then identify the square feet of impact to each zone of the riparian buffer that requires mitigation and calculate the amount of mitigation required in the table below. Zone Reason for impact Total impact Multiplier Required mitigation (square feet) (square feet) Zone 1 construction and maintenance 833 3 (2 for Catawba) 1,666 Zone 2 construction and maintenance 0 1.5 0 Total buffer mitigation required: 1,666 2c. If buffer mitigation is required is payment to a ® Yes ❑ No mitigation bank or NC EEP proposed? 2d. If yes, attach the acceptance letter from the mitigation bank or NC EEP. 2e. If no, then discuss what type of mitigation is proposed. 2f. Comments: Note that mitigation for permanent Zone 2 impacts is not required, as the area will remained grassed upon project completion. E. Diffuse Flow Plan All buffer impacts and high ground impacts require diffuse flow or other form of ® Diffuse flow stormwater treatment. Include a plan that fully documents how diffuse flow will be ❑ Other BMP maintained. If a Level Spreader is proposed, attach a Level Spreader Supplement Form. If due to site constraints, a BMP other than a level spreader is proposed, please provide a plan for stormwater treatment as outlined in Chapter 8 of the NC Stormwater BMP Manual and attach a BMP Supplement Form. NOTE: Project site will consist of a grassed, linear utility corridor upon completion, with no areas of concentrated flow constructed. FORM: SSGP3080 8 -13 Page 4 of 5 F. Supplementary Information 1. Environmental Documentation 1a. Does the project involve an expenditure of public (federal /state /local) funds or the use of ❑ Yes ® No public (federal /state) land? 1 b. If you answered "yes" to the above, does the project require preparation of an ❑ Yes ❑ No environmental document pursuant to the requirements of the National or State (North Carolina) Environmental Policy Act (NEPA /SEPA)? 1 c. If you answered "yes" to the above, has the document been finalized by the State ❑ Yes ❑ No Clearing House? (If so, attach a copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter.) Comments: 2. Violations 2a. Is the site in violation of DWR Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .0500), Isolated Wetland ❑ Yes ® No 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 permit application? ❑ Yes ® No 2c. If you answered "yes" to one or both of the above questions, provide an explanation of the violation(s): N/A _ Joey Lawler, P.W.S._ 05.21.2014 Applicant /Agent's Printed Name Applicant /Agent's Signature Date (Agent's signature is valid only if an authorization letter from the applicant is provided.) Send 3 complete sets of this form and accompanying documents to the following: For government transportation projects sent For government transportation projects sent by First Class Mail via the US Postal Service: by delivery service (UPS, FedEx, etc.): NC DWR, Transportation Permitting Unit OR NC DWR, Transportation Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center 512 N. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27699 - 1650 Raleigh, NC 27604 For all other projects sent by First Class Mail For all other projects sent by delivery service via the US Postal Service (UPS, FedEx, etc.): Karen Higgins OR Karen Higgins NCDWR — 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit NCDW R — 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center 512 N. Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27699 - 1650 Raleigh, NC 27604 FORM: SSGP3080 8 -13 Page 5 of 5 AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM Date: 05.12.2014 Project Information S &ME Project Name: Piedmont Natural Gas Catawba and Lake Wylie HDD Projects Type of Project: Permit Authorization(s) Location: Mecklenburg County Property Owner /Representative Information Business Name: Mailing Address: City, State, Zip Code: Telephone No. Contact: Agent Information Business Name Street Address: City, State, Zip: Telephone No Contact: Piedmont Natural Gas 4720 Piedmont Row Drive Charlotte, NC 28210 704.731.4598 Jim Kalish S &ME, Inc. 9751 Southern Pine Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28273 704.523.4726 Joey Lawler Authorization: I, Jim Kalish of Piedmont Natural Gas hereby authorize S &ME, Inc. to act as agent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the N.C. Division of Water Resources pursuant to obtaining the necessary Section 10/404/401 /Buffer permits , as applicable, related to the above - referenced projects. Signature: '�j S &ME, INC. / 9751 Southern Pine Blvd / Charlotte, NC 28273 / p 704.523.4726 f 704.525.3953 / www.smeinc.com APPENDIX 11: SITE PHOTOGRAPHS Photo 01: view south from north side of cove Photo 03: view northwest near ROW on north side of cove Photo 05: view south near water's edge on south side of cove I a III`: i� Photo 02: view north near water's edge on north side of cove Photo 04: view north, towards north side of cove, from south side of cove Photo 06: view north across cove from south side of cove REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS PNG Lake Wylie Crossing Project Mecklenburg County, North Carolina ect No.: 4335 -14 -058 PHOTO PAGE 1 pn �l .a Photo 03: view northwest near ROW on north side of cove Photo 05: view south near water's edge on south side of cove I a III`: i� Photo 02: view north near water's edge on north side of cove Photo 04: view north, towards north side of cove, from south side of cove Photo 06: view north across cove from south side of cove REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS PNG Lake Wylie Crossing Project Mecklenburg County, North Carolina ect No.: 4335 -14 -058 PHOTO PAGE 1 APPENDIX 111: RESTORATION PLAN RESTORATION PLAN PNG Lake Wylie Crossing Mecklenburg County, North Carolina The proposed project has been designed to avoid and minimize jurisdictional impacts where practicable. As part of mitigation for unavoidable impacts, the following plan is proposed for implementation to restore affected buffer areas. This plan entails restoration of temporarily - disturbed buffer areas to their original contours and conditions to the degree practicable upon project completion. Further, it specifies that formerly- wooded portions of Zone 1 will be permanently stabilized with a native vegetated cover and re- planted with native, woody vegetation. The measures outlined below will be reviewed with the project contractor prior to the plan's implementation. Proposed restoration activities include removal of temporarily - placed fill material at the tie -in areas and restoration of original pre- disturbance contours. Excavated material shall be returned to the pit to the extent possible, and remaining material relocated and retained on an upland site. Excavated topsoil shall be stockpiled separately and then replaced uniformly over the area of excavation from which it was removed. The native seed mix species identified in Table 1 below shall be applied to temporarily- disturbed portions of the buffer in combination with a relatively rapid - germinating cover species. Table 1: Riparian Seed Mix Species Species Common Name Percentage of Mix El mus vir inicus Virginia wild rye 15 Panicum vir atum Switch grass 15 A rostis stolinifera Creeping bent grass 10 Rudbeckia hirta, NC ecotype Black-eyed Susan 10 Coreopsis lanceolata Lance leaf tickseed 10 Panicum clandestinum Deer tongue 10 Andropo on gerardii Big bluestem 05 Juncus effusus Soft rush 05 Echinochloa muricata Awned barnyard grass 05 Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem 05 Sor hastrum nutans Indian grass 05 Tripsacum dact loides Gamma grass 05 100 • Combination seed mix to be applied to all disturbed streambanks, extending five feet landward following construction. • Recommended application rate: 10 -12 lbs. riparian seed mix plus 10 -12 pounds of companion species /acre. To provide relatively rapid establishment of cover, 50 percent of the total seed mix shall consist of perennial rye (Lolium perenne) and/or Germain (foxtail) millet (Setarza itahea) as companion species. Either of these species will germinate and grow quickly, but will not interfere with development of the riparian seed mix species. Woody plantings within the temporary work space shall be containerized specimens (minimum size one gallon) At least four of the species identified in Table 2 shall be selected for woody re- planting activities, and at least two of the species must be trees. Restoration Plan PNG Lake Wvlie Crossin Table 2: Woody Plantings Species S &ME Project No. 4335 -14 -058 Mav 21. 2014 Species Common Name Plant Spacing Acer rubrum (T) Red maple 6 feet on center Aronia arbutifolia (S) Red chokeberry 6 feet on center Betula nigra (T) River birch 6 feet on center Callicarpa americana (S) Beautyberry 6 feet on center Carpinus caroliniana (T) Ironwood 6 feet on center Cercis canadensis(T) Redbud 6 feet on center Corpus amomum (S) Silky dogwood 6 feet on center Fagus grandifolia (T) American beech 6 feet on center Fraxinus pennsylvanica (T) Green ash 6 feet on center Lindera benzoin (S) Spicebush 6 feet on center Ilex verticillata (S) Winterberry 6 feet on center Salix sericea (S) Silky willow 6 feet on center T= tree; S= shrub. Select at least three of the listed species. In addition to installing the woody plantings in the formerly wooded areas of Zone 1, the native seed mix (Table 1) shall be spread across this area (per previously prescribed application rate) following planting of the woody species. Suitable substitutions to the species identified in Table 2 are acceptable following approval of an S &ME botanist. Seed and woody planting materials must be from local region suppliers. Listed below are local suppliers of native seed and plant material. S &ME does not endorse these specific suppliers; they are listed only for informational purposes. Other local suppliers of native seed and plant materials may be available and suitable Mellow Marsh Farm 1312 Woody Store Road Siler City, N.C. 27344 919.742.1200 919.742.1280 fax www.mellowmarshfarm.com Natives 550 East Westinghouse Boulevard Charlotte, N.C. 28273 688.527.1177 plants plantnative.net APPENDIX IV: NCEEP ACCEPTANCE LETTER A _� WJ NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Pat McCrory Governor Jim Kalish, PE Piedmont Natural Gas 4720 Piedmont Row Drive Charlotte, NC - 28210 Project: PNG Lake Wylie Crossing Michael Ellison, Director Ecosystem Enhancement Program May 13, 2014 John E. Skvarla, III Secretary Expiration of Acceptance: November 13, 2014 County: Mecklenburg The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is willing to accept payment for compensatory mitigation for impacts associated with the above referenced project as indicated in the table below. Please note that this decision does not assure that participation in the NCEEP will be approved by the permit issuing agencies as mitigation for project impacts. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact these agencies to determine if payment to the NCEEP will be approved. You must also comply with all other state, federal or local government permits, regulations or authorizations associated with the proposed activity including SL 2009 -337: An Act to Promote the Use of Compensatory Mitigation Banks as amended by S.L. 2011 -343. This acceptance is valid for six months from the date of this letter and is not transferable. If we have not received a copy of the issued 404 Permit /401 Certification /CAMA permit within this time frame, this acceptance will expire. It is the applicant's responsibility to send copies of the permits to NCEEP. Once NCEEP receives a copy of the permit(s) an invoice will be issued based on the required mitigation in that pennit and payment must be made prior to conducting the authorized work. The amount of the In- Lieu Fee to be paid to NCEEP by an applicant is calculated based upon the Fee Schedule and policies listed at www.nceep.net. Based on the information supplied by you in your request to use the NCEEP, the impacts that may require compensatory mitigation are summarized in the following table. The amount of mitigation required and assigned to NCEEP for this impact is determined by permitting agencies and may exceed the impact amounts shown below. Impact River Basin CU Location Stream (feet) Wetlands (acres) Buffer I (Sq. Ft.) Buffer II (Sq. Ft.) Cold Cool Warm Ri arian Non - Riparian Coastal Marsh Catawba Basin Catawba 03050101 0 0 0 0 0 0 833 F 0 Upon receipt of payment, EEP will take responsibility for providing the compensatory mitigation. The mitigation will be performed in accordance with the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Ecosystem Enhancement Program In -Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28, 2010. Thank you for your interest in the NCEEP. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Kelly Williams at (919) 707 -8915. Since ely, Jame Stanfill vv Asset Management Supervisor cc: Alan Johnson, NCDWR Mooresville David Brown, USACE- Asheville Joey Lawler, agent File 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1652 Phone: 919 - 707 -89761 Internet: www.ncdenr.gov An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer— Made in part by recycled paper