20140356 Ver 1_More Info Received_20140908

Wetland and Natural Resource
Consultants, Inc.

Asheville Office
775 Haywood Road, Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
828-712-9205 mobile

September 8, 2014
WNR Project # TQC-1004

US Army Corps of Engineers NC Division of Water Resources, WQP
Asheville Regulatory Field Office Wetlands, Buffers, Streams –
Attn: Mrs. Tasha McCormick Compliance and Permitting Unit
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208 Attn: Mrs. Karen Higgins / Mrs. Jennifer Burdette
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006 1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650

Re: Response from Applicant – Corps Letter dated August 25, 2014
The Quartz Corp, USA – Pine Mountain Mine, 577.1 Acres
Corps Action ID: 2013-01376 / DWR #: 14-0356
Mitchell County (Parcel ID: 0882-00-52-1389)
Spruce Pine, Mitchell County, North Carolina

Tasha / Karen / Jennifer:

As you all are aware Mr. Tim Sweeney, by email correspondence on August 17, 2014, withdrew the
Beaver Creek Mitigation Plan (BCP) from consideration for the project specific mitigation needs at The
Quartz Corp’s (TQC) Pine Mountain Mine (PMM) project. WNR and TQC understand Mr. Sweeney’s
position to withdraw BCP; however, we still advocate that BCP was the most appropriate mitigation
for PMM for the numerous reasons that have already been presented. Due to the withdrawal of BCP,
WNR subsequently applied on August 18, 2014 to the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement
Program (EEP) for the mitigation needs at PMM and received approval from EEP on August 19, 2014.
Your offices have a copy of the approval letter from EEP. TQC, by copy of this letter, requests
revision of the mitigation plan from the previously proposed BCP to payment to EEP. Due to the
withdrawal of BCP, payment into EEP for the required mitigation at PMM is TQC’s preferred mitigation
alternative.

The following page includes the impact tables and mitigation table from the Individual Permit
application narrative for your reference.

Asheville Office
775 Haywood Road, Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
828-712-9205 mobile

Road Impacts
Stream Impacts
Site #
Length (ft.)
New Impact
Length (ft.)
Replacement
Length (ft.)
Temporary
1 40 60 20
2 100 20
Totals 140 60 40
Wetland Impacts
Site # Size (ac.)
1 0.019
Totals 0.019
Mine Waste Dump Areas Impacts
Stream Impacts
Site #
Length (ft.)
New Impact
Length (ft.)
Temporary
3 450 20
4 450 20
Totals 900 40
Tailing Management Areas Impacts
Stream Impacts
Site #
Length (ft.)
New Impact
Length (ft.)
Temporary
5 180 0
Totals 180 0

Mitigation for Impacts
Stream Impacts
Quality
Assessment
Mitigation
Ratio
Required
Stream Mitigation
Site #
Length (linear feet)
New Impacts
Poor, Good, or
Excellent
1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 Length (linear feet)

1 40 Good 2:1 80
2 100 Good 2:1 200
3 450 Poor 1:1 450
4 450 Poor 1:1 450
5 180 Poor 1:1 180
Totals 1,220 1,360

WNR is requesting that the
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
following impact schedule be included in the 404 and 401
accordingly.
is including the 404 and 401.

Site #1
volume is 5,829 tons
Site #2
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will
Site #3
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
months to complete, the construction of the
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
Site #5
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
begins
Stream Relocation
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
of cut will be required fo

Summary of Impact Timeline (year impacts will occur):
Site #1: 2015
Site #2: 2021
Site #3: 2016
Site #4: 2016
Site #5: 2015

Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
application.

Best regards,
Jennifer L Robertson

WNR is requesting that the
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
following impact schedule be included in the 404 and 401
accordingly. EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
is including the 404 and 401.
Site #1: construction to begin
volume is 5,829 tons
e #2: construction to begin
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will
Site #3 and Site #4
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
months to complete, the construction of the
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
Site #5: construction to begin
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
begins in 2016
Stream Relocation
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
of cut will be required fo
Summary of Impact Timeline (year impacts will occur):
Site #1: 2015
Site #2: 2021
Site #3: 2016
Site #4: 2016
Site #5: 2015
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
application.
Best regards,
Jennifer L Robertson
WNR is requesting that the
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
following impact schedule be included in the 404 and 401
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
is including the 404 and 401.
: construction to begin
volume is 5,829 tons
: construction to begin
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will
and Site #4: construction to begin
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
months to complete, the construction of the
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
: construction to begin
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings

Stream Relocation: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
of cut will be required for the stream relocation construction
Summary of Impact Timeline (year impacts will occur):

Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested

Jennifer L Robertson
WNR is requesting that the permit be issued for ten years since PMM is a long
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
following impact schedule be included in the 404 and 401
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
is including the 404 and 401.
: construction to begin in 2015
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will
: construction to begin
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
months to complete, the construction of the
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
: construction to begin in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
r the stream relocation construction
Summary of Impact Timeline (year impacts will occur):
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
Asheville Office
775 Haywood Road, Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
828-712

permit be issued for ten years since PMM is a long
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
following impact schedule be included in the 404 and 401
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
2015 and be completed in 2015, cut volume is 462 tons and fill
in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will
: construction to begin in 2016 and be completed in 2018, cut volumes at the
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
months to complete, the construction of the road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
r the stream relocation construction
Summary of Impact Timeline (year impacts will occur):
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
Asheville Office
775 Haywood Road, Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
712-9205 mobile

permit be issued for ten years since PMM is a long
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
following impact schedule be included in the 404 and 401
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
and be completed in 2015, cut volume is 462 tons and fill
in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will
in 2016 and be completed in 2018, cut volumes at the
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
r the stream relocation construction
Summary of Impact Timeline (year impacts will occur):
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
775 Haywood Road, Suite D
Asheville, NC 28806
9205 mobile
permit be issued for ten years since PMM is a long
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
so that the mitigation may be phas
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
and be completed in 2015, cut volume is 462 tons and fill
in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site
of cut and 64,721 tons of fill, construction of the road will take four years
in 2016 and be completed in 2018, cut volumes at the
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
of cut / 285 tons of fill and will require one month to complete
in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
r the stream relocation construction
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
permit be issued for ten years since PMM is a long-term mining project
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
so that the mitigation may be phas
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
and be completed in 2015, cut volume is 462 tons and fill
in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
38,461 tons in cut volume and 2,951 tons of fill volume and road to this site will require 281,290 tons
take four years
in 2016 and be completed in 2018, cut volumes at the
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and
in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
term mining project
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
so that the mitigation may be phas
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
and be completed in 2015, cut volume is 462 tons and fill
in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
will require 281,290 tons
in 2016 and be completed in 2018, cut volumes at the
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
be constructed at the NOV sites which will require 3,533 tons of cut / 517 tons of fill and 2,397 tons
in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
and fill volume is 5,661 tons, this basin must be constructed before the tailings area construct
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
term mining project
and the requested impacts will not be complete within five years. WNR also requests that the
so that the mitigation may be phased
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
and be completed in 2015, cut volume is 462 tons and fill
in 2019 and be completed in 2024, ten sediment basins include
will require 281,290 tons
in 2016 and be completed in 2018, cut volumes at the
dump site will total 23,410 tons and fill volumes will total 152,430 tons, these sites will take 18
road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
2,397 tons
in 2015 and be completed in 2015, basin cut volume is 12,973 tons
area construction
: construction to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2024, the construction of
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons
Please let me know if you need anything further in order to move forward with the requested
EEP has agreed to phase invoicing of the mitigation based on the phasing schedule that
will require 281,290 tons
road to the dump site will require 22,175 tons of cut and
42 tons of fill, construction of this road will take six months to complete, two sediment ponds will also
the stream relocation will need to take place while road construction to Site #2 occurs, 192,722 tons