Contractor issue on Alleghany bridge 5

Wanucha, Dave
From:Hining, Kevin J
Sent:Thursday, September 15, 2022 1:52 PM
To:Wanucha, Dave
Cc:Hiatt, Todd M
Subject:Contractor issue on Alleghany bridge 5
Attachments:IMG_3494.jpg; Alleghany 5 clearing issue.docx
Hey Dave,

I wanted to alert you to an issue our contractor has caused at Alleghany bridge 5 - NCDWR Project No. 20211283. They
are just now starting the project, which first involves clearing the project limits. In doing so, they have cut some trees
beyond the project limits, and it looks like (so far at least) that they didn’t have the landowner’s permission. Once I
received word about it, we quickly asked them to not grub the stumps, so we didn’t end with a bigger issue. At this
point, I don’t think they have done anything that would require a permit or modification to the existing permit. I just
hate they cut down some nice riparian trees that didn’t need to be cut. See photo of area, and map of project showing
where photo was taken.

From talking to Todd Hiatt (Cc’d on this email), it sounds like they have gone out there and picked up all the woody
debris/limbs, but as a result, there is probably more bare ground showing now than the photo depicts. The main issue
we have right now is we can’t make them go back on the property to seed and straw the area because it’s outside of our
project limits and on private property. They are working to reach the landowner, and we have pushed them to work out
permission to go into the area and fix it back – whether by seeding it, planting more trees, or whatever the landowner
requests they do. Anyhow, I wanted to make you aware of the situation, in case you receive a call or complaint. We
definitely did not ask them to do anything beyond the project limits and sounds like it was just a bad decision on the
contractor’s part at this point. While we would prefer to leave it as an issue between the contractor and landowner, we
hired the contractor, so in some respects, I suppose we (NCDOT) could be held liable as well.

If there are any violations, my assumption is it would probably come from the land quality side, so Todd is planning to
reach out to his Land Quality coordinator as well. Again, just wanted to let you know about it. Let me know if you need
additional information.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin Hining
Division 11 Environmental Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Transportation

828-386-7202 cell
[e-mail]

801 Statesville Rd.
PO Box 250
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

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