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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221207 Ver 1_USACE Permit_20221208U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON DISTRICT Action Id. SAW-2022-01840 County: Brunswick County U.S.G.S. Quad: Holden Beach GENERAL PERMIT (REGIONAL AND NATIONWIDE) VERIFICATION Permittee: John McClure Address: 1282 Mercer Mill Road Elizabethtown, NC 28337 Size (acres) Nearest Town Supply Nearest Waterway Intracoastal Waterway River Basin Lower Pee Dee USGS HUC 03040208 Coordinates Latitude: 33.91808. Longitude: -78.28978 Location description: The boat lift will be placed in Sea Aire Canal at 1853 Sea Aire Canal SW, Supply, Brunswick County, North Carolina. Description of project area and activity: The proposal is to expand an existing docking facility with the installation of a new boat lift, increasing from two (2) slips to three (3) slips. The applicant is proposing to construct a new boat lift (13 feet by 13 feet) to the immediate east of the existing floating dock. Applicable Law: ❑ Section 404 (Clean Water Act, 33 USC 1344); IX Section 10 (Rivers and Harbors Act, 33 USC 403) Authorization: Regional General Permit Number: 197800056 Special Condition: In order to further protect the endangered West Indian Manatee, Trichechus manatus, the applicant must implement the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Manatee Guidelines, and strictly adhere to all requirements therein. The guidelines can be found at http://www.fws.gov/nc-es/mammal/manatee_guidelines.pdf. SEE ATTACHED RGP GENERAL AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS Your work is authorized by the above referenced permit provided it is accomplished in strict accordance with the attached conditions and your submitted application and attached information and drawings dated July 20 and August 25, 2022 . Any violation of the attached conditions or deviation from your submitted plans may subject the permittee to a stop work order, a restoration order, a Class I administrative penalty, and/or appropriate legal action. This verification will remain valid until the expiration date identified below unless the nationwide and/or regional general permit authorization is modified, suspended or revoked. If, prior to the expiration date identified below, the nationwide and/or regional general permit authorization is reissued and/or modified, this verification will remain valid until the expiration date identified below, provided it complies with all requirements of the modified nationwide permit. If the nationwide and/or regional general permit authorization expires or is suspended, revoked, or is modified, such that the activity would no longer comply with the terms and conditions of the nationwide permit, activities which have commenced (i.e., are under construction) or are under contract to commence in reliance upon the nationwide and/or regional general permit, will remain authorized provided the activity is completed within twelve months of the date of the nationwide and/or regional general permit's expiration, modification or revocation, unless discretionary authority has been exercised on a case - by -case basis to modify, suspend or revoke the authorization. Activities subject to Section 404 (as indicated above) may also require an individual Section 401 Water Quality Certification. You should contact the NC Division of Water Resources (telephone 919- 807-6300) to determine Section 401 requirements. For activities occurring within the twenty coastal counties subject to regulation under the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA), prior to beginning work you must contact the N.C. Division of Coastal Management in Wilmington, NC, at (910) 796-7215. This Department of the Army verification does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to obtain any other required Federal, State or local approvals/permits. If there are any questions regarding this verification, any of the conditions of the Permit, or the Corps of Engineers regulatory program, please contact Gregory Currey at (910) 523-1151 or Gregory.E.Currey(c�usace.army.mil. Digitally signed by Gregory Gregory Currey Currey Date: 2022.12.08 11:30:42 Corps Regulatory Official: osoo Date: December 8, 2022 Expiration Date of Verification: December 31, 2026 The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we continue to do so, please complete our Customer Satisfaction Survey, located online at https://regulatory.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-survey/ Copies furnished by email: Ben Brink (Coastal Permit Guy) Patrick Amico (NC DCM) Cameron Luck (NC DCM) Amanda Cannon (NC DCM) Holley Snider (NC DWR) Action ID Number: SAW-2022-01840 County: Brunswick County Permittee: John McClure Project Name: 1853 East Sea Aire Canal SW John McClure Date Verification Issued: December 8, 2022 Project Manager: Gregory Currey Upon completion of the activity authorized by this permit and any mitigation required by the permit, sign this certification and return it to the following address: US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON DISTRICT Attn: Gregory Currey Please note that your permitted activity is subject to a compliance inspection by a U. S. Army Corps of Engineers representative. Failure to comply with any terms or conditions of this authorization may result in the Corps suspending, modifying or revoking the authorization and/or issuing a Class I administrative penalty, or initiating other appropriate legal action. I hereby certify that the work authorized by the above referenced permit has been completed in accordance with the terms and condition of the said permit, and required mitigation was completed in accordance with the permit conditions. Signature of Permittee Date CANAL 1843 E. Sea Aire Canal SW (Sea Aire HOA) I 0 k DCM WILMINGTON, NC p�. RECEIVED AUG 2 5 2022 DCM WILMINGTON, NC IIF CANAL (Flood — Ebb) - fi 183.Sea Aire Canal SW (Sea Aire HOA) j h 0 DCM WILMINGTON, NC August 25 , 2022 RECEIVED AUG $332Z OCM WILMINGTON,NG Coastal Wetlands -2.08' g NLW 17, 1) (f) 11"1 0 0 1300f-1 , , PA rt , ‘VO @.) f:D 6 Op Waterbody Width: 1 !, 'A Width:42' c-4 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers 69 Darlington Avenue Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343 http://www.saw.usace. army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram.aspx General Permit No. 197800056 Name of Permittee: General Public Effective Date: January 1, 2022 Expiration Date: December 31, 2026 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT (RGP) A RGP to perform work in or affecting navigable waters of the U.S. and waters of the U.S., upon recommendation of the Chief of Engineers, pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403), and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), is hereby modified and renewed by authority of the Secretary of the Army by District Engineer U.S. Army Engineer District, Wilmington Corps of Engineers 69 Darlington Avenue Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343 TO MAINTAIN, REPAIR, CONSTRUCT AND INSTALL PIERS, DOCKS, BOATHOUSES AND BOAT SHELTERS, PILINGS, MOORING BOUYS, DOLPHINS, JETTIES, GROINS, AND BREAKWATER STRUCTURES IN NAVIGABLE WATERS OF THE U.S. IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Projects must be constructed in conformance with the following standards in order to be authorized by this RGP. 1. All piers, docks, boathouses, and boat shelters will be pile -supported or floating structures. 2. Pilings, dolphins, jetties, and breakwater structures may be constructed of wood, metal, or pre -cast concrete. Groins may be constructed of wood, pre -cast concrete, or rock riprap. 3. Breakwater structures will be designed to provide for adequate water circulation landward of the structures. This RGP does not authorize dredging or excavation, or the discharge of dredged, excavated, or fill material within waters of the U.S., except for the placement of structures for jetty, breakwater, or groin construction. This RGP does not authorize any work on Atlantic Ocean beaches. The following definitions will be used for purposes of this RGP: a. Mean high water mark (MHWM): The line on the shore, in tidal water, reached by the plane of the mean (average) high water. The precise determination of the actual location of the line can be established by survey with the reference to the available tidal datum, preferably averaged over a period of 18.6 years. A less precise method, such as observation of the apparent shoreline, which is determined by reference to physical markings, lines of vegetation, may be used for the purpose of this permit. b. Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM): The line on the shore, in non -tidal waters, established by the fluctuations of water indicated by physical characteristics such as clear, natural line impressed on the bank; shelving changes in the soil; destruction of terrestrial vegetation; the presence of litter and debris; or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas. Special Conditions a. Authorized structures located on or adjacent to Federally authorized waterways will be constructed in accordance with the latest setback criteria established by the Wilmington District Engineer. You may review the setback policy at http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Setbacks.aspx. This RGP does not authorize the construction of hardened or permanently fixed structures within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback, unless the activity is approved by the Corps. The Permittee must submit the information described in General Condition "y" and obtain approval from the Corps prior to the construction of any structures within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback. b. Floating structures installed within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback must be designed to be removable. No utilities or infrastructure shall be permanently fixed/attached to floating structures located within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback. The Permittee must submit the information described in General Condition "y" and obtain approval from the Wilmington District Corps of Engineers (Corps) prior to the construction of any structures within the Federally Authorized Channel Setback. c. This RGP does not authorize construction across or into any natural or manmade channel or waterbody in any manner that may adversely affect navigation by the general public. d. Piers, docks, boathouses, boat shelters and piles authorized by this RGP may be extended or be located up to 400 feet waterward of the Mean High Water Mark (MHWM) elevation contour (tidal areas), or the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) elevation contour (non -tidal areas), or one-third (1/3) the width of a waterbody, whichever is closer to the shoreline, except as otherwise governed by the presence of a Federally maintained channel. e. The width of any pier will not exceed six (6) feet, unless the Corps determines, in writing, that a greater width is necessary for safe use, to improve public access, or to support a water dependent use that cannot otherwise occur. f. The total square footage of shaded impact for docks and mooring facilities (excluding the pier) allowed shall be 8 square feet per linear foot of shoreline with a maximum of 800 square feet. In calculating the shaded impact, uncovered open water slips shall not be counted in the total. The maximum size of any individual component of the docking facility (excluding the pier) authorized by this RGP shall not exceed 400 square feet unless the Corps determines, in writing, that a greater width is necessary for safe use, to improve public access, or to support a water dependent use that cannot otherwise occur. g. Boathouses and boat shelters will not be enclosed and will not exceed 400 square feet. Boatlifts will be open and will not exceed 400 square feet. h. Boathouses, boatlifts, boat shelters and will not be constructed over Federally jurisdictional wetlands. i. Docks and piers extending over wetlands will be elevated sufficiently (minimum of 3 feet) above the wetland substrate to prevent total shading of vegetation, substrate, or other elements of the aquatic environment. j. Groins, jetties, or breakwater structures shall not be constructed in wetlands, seagrasses, and other submerged aquatic vegetation. k. Piers and docking facilities located over submerged aquatic vegetation may be constructed without prior consultation from the National Marine Fisheries Service if the following two conditions are met: 1) Water depth at the docking facility location is equal to or greater than two feet at mean low water level: and 2) The pier and docking facility are located to minimize the area of submerged aquatic vegetation under the structure. 1. Floating piers and docking facilities located over submerged aquatic vegetation shall be allowed if the water depth between the bottom of the proposed structure and the substrate is at least 18 inches at mean low water level. m. Jetties will not extend farther than 100 feet waterward of the MHWM (tidal areas), or the OHWM elevation contours. n. This RGP does not authorize the installation of fueling facilities on authorized structures. o. Riprap groins shall not exceed a base width of 10 feet. p. Riprap groins must be constructed of clean rock or masonry material and be of sufficient size to prevent displacement by wave or current action. q. No groin shall extend more than 25 feet waterward of the mean high water or normal water level elevation contour. r. Groins and jetties shall not be located within primary nursery areas. s. No jetty shall be constructed during the period between April 1 and September 30 unless the activity is approved by NCDMF and the NMFS. t. Floating structures will be supported by material that will not become waterlogged or sink when punctured, will be installed to provide for fluctuations in water elevation, will be designed so that the structure will not rest on the bottom of the waterbody at any time, and will be secured in such manner as to not break away. u. Breakwater structures will be no longer than 500 feet. They will have a minimum of one -inch openings between standard width (6 to 12-inch) sheathing boards and at least one, five-foot wide opening for each 100 linear feet of structure. v. Breakwater structures may not be constructed so as to prohibit access to estuarine waters or public trust areas. w. It is possible that the authorized structure may be damaged by wave wash from passing vessels. The issuance of this permit does not relieve the Permittee from taking all proper steps to ensure the integrity of the permitted structure and the safety of moored boats. The Peiinittee will not hold the US liable for any such damage. x. This RGP does not authorize habitable structures or any structure or associated facility for non -water related use. y. Structures and their attendant utilities, authorized by this RGP, located on lands subject to an easement in favor of the US for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and enlargement of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), will be removed at the expense of the Permittee, in the event that, in the judgment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers acting on behalf of the US, the lands are needed at any time for any purpose within the scope of the easement. Permanent buildings will not be constructed within the easement. z. This RGP does not apply to structures within existing or proposed marinas as defined by North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15, Subchapter 7H.0208(b)(5). aa. Should all or part of a proposed development activity be located in an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) as designated by the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission, a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit is required from the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management before the onset of the proposed activity. Should a Federal activity within any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties or which could affect a coastal use or resource in any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties be proposed by a Federal agency, a consistency determination pursuant to Subpart "C" of 15 CFR 930 must be prepared and submitted by that Federal agency to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management before the onset of the proposed activity. General Conditions. a. Except as authorized by this RGP or any Corps approved modification to this RGP, no excavation, fill or mechanized land -clearing activities shall take place within waters or wetlands, at any time in the construction or maintenance of this project. This permit does not authorize temporary placement or double handling of excavated or fill material within waters or wetlands outside the permitted area. This prohibition applies to all borrow and fill activities connected with this project. b. Authorization under this RGP does not obviate the need to obtain other federal, state, or local authorizations. c. All work authorized by this RGP must comply with the terms and conditions of the applicable Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification for this RGP issued by the North Carolina Division of Water Resources. d. The Permittee shall employ all sedimentation and erosion control measures necessary to prevent an increase in sedimentation or turbidity within waters and wetlands outside the permit area. This shall include, but is not limited to, the immediate installation of silt fencing or similar appropriate devices around all areas subject to soil disturbance or the movement of earthen fill, and the immediate stabilization of all disturbed areas. Additionally, the project must remain in full compliance with all aspects of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 (North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A Article 4). e. The activities authorized by this RGP must not interfere with the public's right to free navigation on all navigable waters of the U.S. No attempt will be made by the Permittee to prevent the full and free use by the public of all navigable waters at or adjacent to the authorized work for a reason other than safety. f. The Permittee understands and agrees that, if future operations by the US require the removal, relocation, or other alteration, of the structure or work herein authorized, or if, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army or his/her authorized representative, said structure or work shall cause unreasonable obstruction to the free navigation of the navigable waters, the Permittee will be required, upon due notice from the Corps of Engineers, to remove, relocate, or alter the structural work or obstructions caused thereby, without expense to the US. No claim shall be made against the US on account of any such removal or alteration. g. The Peiinittee, upon receipt of a notice of revocation of the permit for the verified individual activity, may apply for an individual permit, or will, without expense to the US and in such time and manner as the Secretary of the Army or his/her authorized representative may direct, restore the affected water of the US to its former conditions. h. This RGP does not authorize any activity that would conflict with a federal project's congressionally authorized purposes, established limitations or restrictions, or limit an agency's ability to conduct necessary operation and maintenance functions. Per Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, as amended (33 U.S.C. 408), no project that has the potential to take possession of or make use of for any purpose, or build upon, alter, deface, destroy, move, injure, or obstruct a federally constructed work or project, including, but not limited to, levees, dams, jetties, navigation channels, borrow areas, dredged material disposal sites, flood control projects, etc., shall be permitted unless the project has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate Corps approval authority. The Permittee must submit the information described in General Condition "y" and obtain approval from the Wilmington District Engineer prior to the initiation of any activity that has the potential to modify or conflict with a federally authorized project. i. The Permittee shall obtain a Consent to Cross Government Easement from the Wilmington District's Land Use Coordinator prior to any crossing of the Corps easement and/or prior to commencing construction of any structures, authorized dredging or other work within the right-of-way of, or in proximity to, a federally designated disposal area. The Land Use Coordinator may be contacted at: CESAW-OP-N, 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343, email: SAWWeb-NAV@usace.army.mil. j. The Permittee will allow the Wilmington District Engineer or his/her representative to inspect the authorized activity at any time deemed necessary to assure that the activity is being performed or maintained in strict accordance with the Special and General Conditions of this permit. k. This RGP does not grant any property rights or exclusive privileges. 1. This RGP does not authorize any injury to the property or rights of others. m. This RGP does not authorize the interference with any existing or proposed federal project. n. In issuing this RGP, the Federal Government does not assume any liability for the following: (1) Damages to the permitted project or uses thereof as a result of other permitted or unpermitted activities or from natural causes. (2) Damages to the permitted project or uses thereof as a result of current or future activities undertaken by or on behalf of the US in the public interest. (3) Damages to persons, property, or to other permitted or unpermitted activities or structures caused by the activity authorized by this RGP. (4) Design or construction deficiencies associated with the permitted work (5) Damage claims associated with any future modification, suspension, or revocation of this RGP. o. Authorization provided by this RGP may be modified, suspended, or revoked in whole or in part if the Wilmington District Engineer, acting for the Secretary of the Army, determines that such action would be in the best public interest. The tern of this RGP shall be five (5) years unless subject to modification, suspension, or revocation. Any modification, suspension or revocation of this authorization will not be the basis for any claim for damages against the US Government. p. No activity may occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a "study river" for possible inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, unless the appropriate Federal agency with direct management responsibility for such river, has determined in writing that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the Wild and Scenic designation or study status. Information on Wild and Scenic Rivers may be obtained from the appropriate Federal land management agency responsible for the designated Wild and Scenic River or "study river" (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, etc.) q. This RGP does not authorize any activity within, or directly affecting, a marine sanctuary established by the Secretary of Commerce under authority of Section 302 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, unless the Permittee provides the Corps with a certification from the Secretary of Commerce that the proposed activity is consistent with the purposes of Title III of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. Information on marine sanctuaries may be obtained at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/#MN. Peiiuittees may not begin work until they provide the Corps with a written certification from the Department of Commerce. r. In cases where the Wilmington District Engineer determines that the activity may affect properties listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places and its codified regulations, the National Historic Preservation Amendment Acts of 1980 and 1992, the Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the activity is not authorized, until the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) have been satisfied. Permittees must submit the information described in General Condition "y" to the Corps if any properties subject to the above criteria may be affected by the proposed project. The Permittee may not begin work until notified by the Corps that the requirements of the NHPA have been satisfied and that the activity is authorized. s. If you discover any previously unknown historic, cultural or archeological remains and artifacts while accomplishing the activity authorized by this permit, you must immediately notify the Wilmington District Engineer of what you have found, and to the maximum extent practicable, avoid construction activities that may affect the remains and artifacts until the required coordination has been completed. The Wilmington District Engineer will initiate the Federal, tribal, and state coordination required to determine if the items or remains warrant a recovery effort or if the site is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. t. No activity is authorized under this RGP which is likely to directly or indirectly jeopardize the continued existence of a threatened or endangered species or a species proposed for such designation, as identified under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), or which will directly or indirectly destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species. No activity is authorized under any RGP which "may affect" a listed species or critical habitat, unless Section 7 consultation addressing the effects of the proposed activity has been completed*. Information on threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat can be obtained directly from the Corps field offices, the USFWS field offices or at the following web addresses: http://www.fws.gov/ or http://www.fws.gov/ipac/ or http://www.noaa.gov/fisheries.html. Permittees must submit the information described in General Condition "y" to the Corps if any listed species or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project. Permittees may not begin work until notified by the Wilmington District Engineer that the requirements of the ESA have been satisfied and that the activity is authorized. *Note - Section 7 consultation has been completed for the West Indian Manatee and if the activity may affect the manatee, the Permittee does not have to submit the information in General Condition "y" to the District Engineer as long the Permittee complies with General Condition "u". Section 7 consultation has been completed for the Northern long-eared bat and the Permittee must submit the information described in General Condition "y" to the District Engineer prior to commencing the activity if the project meets the criteria in General Condition "v". u. In order to further protect the endangered West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), the Permittee must implement the USFWS' Manatee Guidelines, and strictly adhere to all requirements therein. The guidelines can be found at https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/pdfs/ManateeGuidelines20 1 7.pdf. v. The Wilmington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has consulted with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in regard to the threatened Northern long-eared bat (NLEB) (Myotis septentrionalis) and Standard Local Operating Procedures for Endangered Species (SLOPES) have been approved by the Corps and the Service. This condition concerns effects to the NLEB only and does not address effects to other federally listed species and/or to federally -designated critical habitat. A. Procedures when the Corps is the lead federal* agency for a project: The Permittee must comply with (1) and (2) below when: • The project is located in the western 41 counties of North Carolina, to include non-federal aid North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) projects, OR; • The project is located in the 59 eastern counties of North Carolina and is a non-NCDOT project. *Generally, if a project is located on private property or on non-federal land, and the project is not being funded by a federal entity, the Corps will be the lead federal agency due to the requirement to obtain Department of the Army authorization to impact waters of the U.S. If the project is located on federal land, contact the Corps to determine the lead federal agency. (1) A Permittee using a RGP must check to see if their project is located in the range of the NLEB by using the following website: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/nleb/pdf/WNSZone.pdf. If the project is within the range of the NLEB, or if the project includes percussive activities (e.g., blasting, pile driving, etc.), the Permittee is then required to check the appropriate website in the paragraph below to discover if their project: • Is located in a 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code area ("red HUC" - shown as red areas on the map), AND/OR; • Involves percussive activities within 0.25 mile of a red HUC. Red HUC maps - for the western 41 counties in NC (covered by the Asheville Ecological Services Field Office), check the project location against the electronic maps found at: http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmis/project review/NLEB in WNC.html. For the eastern 59 counties in NC (covered by the Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office), check the project location against the electronic maps found at: https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/NLEB RFO.html. (2) A Permittee must submit a pre -construction notification (PCN) to the district engineer, and receive written authorization from the district engineer, prior to commencing the activity, if the activity will involve either of the following: • Tree clearing/removal, construction/installation of wind turbines in a red HUC, AND/OR; • Bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, (applies anywhere in the range of the NLEB), AND/OR: • Percussive activities in a red HUC, or within 0.25 mile of a red HUC. The Permittee may proceed with the activity without submitting a PCN to either the Corps or the USFWS, provided the activity complies with all applicable RGP terms and general and special conditions, and if the Permittee's review under A.(1) and A.(2) above shows that the project is: • Located outside of a red HUC (and there are no percussive activities), and the activity will NOT include bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, OR; • Located outside of a red HUC and there are percussive activities, but the percussive activities will not occur within 0.25-mile of a red HUC boundary, and the activity will NOT include bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, OR; • Located in a red HUC, but the activity will NOT include tree clearing/removal; construction/installation of wind turbines; bridge removal or maintenance, unless the bridge has been inspected and there is no evidence of bat use, and/or; any percussive activities. B. Procedures when the Corps is not the lead federal agency: For projects where another federal agency is the lead federal agency - if that other federal agency has completed project -specific ESA Section 7(a)(2) consultation for the NLEB, and has (1) determined that the project would not cause prohibited incidental take of the NLEB, and (2) completed coordination/consultation that is required by the Service (per the directions on the respective Service office's website), that project may proceed without notification to either the Corps or the Service, provided all RGP general and special conditions are met. The NLEB SLOPES can be viewed on the Corps website at the following World Wide Web Page: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Permit- Program/Agency-Coordination/ESA/. Permittees who do not have interne access may contact the Corps at (910) 251- 4633. w. The Wilmington District, USFWS, NCDOT, and the FHWA have conducted programmatic Section 7(a)(2) consultation for a number of federally listed species and habitat, and programmatic consultation concerning other federally listed species and/or habitat may occur in the future. The result of completed programmatic consultation is a Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO) issued by the USFWS. These PBOs contain mandatory terms and conditions to implement the reasonable and prudent measures that are associated with "incidental take" of whichever species or critical habitat is covered by a specific PBO. Authorization under this RGP is conditional upon the permittee's compliance with all the mandatory terms and conditions associated with incidental take of the applicable PBO (or PBOs), which are incorporated by reference in this RGP. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions associated with incidental take of an applicable PBO, where a take of the federally listed species occurs, would constitute an unauthorized take by the permittee, and would also constitute permittee non-compliance with the authorization under this RGP. If the terms and conditions of a specific PBO (or PBOs) apply to a project, the Corps will include this/these requirements in any RGP verification that may be issued for a project. The USFWS is the appropriate authority to determine compliance with the terms and conditions of its PBO, and with the ESA. All PBOs can be found on our website at: https://www. saw.usace. army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Permit-Program/Agency- Coordination/ESA/ x. If the Permittee discovers or observes any live, damaged, injured or dead individual of an endangered or threatened species during construction, the Permittee shall immediately notify the Wilmington District Engineer so that required coordination can be initiated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or National Marine Fisheries Service. y. For activities that require approval from the Corps prior to initiating any work, the Permittee must submit the following information to the appropriate Corps Regulatory Field Office. You may apply online at https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/Forms/Pre- Construction Notification Form. 1. Name, address, email and/or telephone number of the prospective Permittee. 2. Location of the proposed project, including waterbody, nearest community, and county. 3. A detailed description of the proposed project, including applicable project details such as width, height, length of structures or fills, piling span, distance from the shoreline, type of materials, location of structure(s), and the amount of proposed impact to waters and/or wetlands. The description must be sufficiently detailed to allow the Wilmington District Engineer to determine that the adverse effect of the project will be minimal and to determine the need for compensatory mitigation. Project drawings must be provided when necessary to show that the activity complies with the terms of the RGP. (Drawings usually clarify the project and when provided results in a quicker decision. Drawings must contain sufficient detail to provide an illustrative description of the proposed activity (e.g., a conceptual plan), but do not need to be detailed engineering plans). z. Permittees are advised that development activities in or near a floodway may be subject to the National Flood Insurance Program that prohibits any development, including fill, within a floodway that results in any increase in base flood elevations. This RGP does not authorize any activity prohibited by the National Flood Insurance Program. aa. The Peiiuittee must install and maintain, at his/her expense, any signal lights and signals prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard, through regulations or otherwise, on authorized facilities. For further information, the Permittee should contact Coast Guard Sector North Carolina at (910) 772-2191 or email Coast Guard Fifth District at cgd5waterways@uscg.mil. bb. The Permittee must maintain any structure or work authorized by this permit in good condition and in conformance with the terms and conditions of this permit. The Permittee is not relieved of this requirement if the Permittee abandons the structure or work. Transfer in fee simple of the work authorized by this permit will automatically transfer this permit to the property's new owner, with all of the rights and responsibilities enumerated herein. The Permittee must inform any subsequent owner of all activities undertaken under the authority of this permit and provide the subsequent owner with a copy of the terms and conditions of this peinnit. cc. At his sole discretion, any time during the processing cycle, the Wilmington District Engineer may determine that this RGP will not be applicable to a specific proposal. In such case, the procedures for processing an individual peiinit in accordance with 33 CFR 325 will be available. dd. Except as authorized by this RGP or any Corps approved modification to this RGP, all fill material placed in waters or wetlands shall be generated from an upland source and will be clean and free of any pollutants except in trace quantities. Metal products, organic materials (including debris from land clearing activities), or unsightly debris will not be used. ee. Except as authorized by this RGP or any Corps approved modification to this RGP, all excavated material will be disposed of in approved upland disposal areas. ff. Activities which have commenced (i.e., are under construction) or are under contract to commence in reliance upon this RGP will remain authorized provided the activity is completed within twelve months of the date of the RGP's expiration, modification, or revocation. Activities completed under the authorization of this RGP that were in effect at the time the activity was completed continue to be authorized by the RGP. BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: . Bennett Colonel, U.S. Army District Commander United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Raleigh Field Office Post Office Box 33726 Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726 GUIDELINES FOR AVOIDING IMPACTS TO THE WEST INDIAN MANATEE Precautionary Measures for Construction Activities in North Carolina Waters The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), also known as the Florida manatee, is a Federally -listed endangered aquatic mammal protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.0 1461 et seq.). The manatee is also listed as endangered under the North Carolina Endangered Species Act of 1987 (Article 25 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is the lead Federal agency responsible for the protection and recovery of the West Indian manatee under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. Adult manatees average 10 feet long and weigh about 2,200 pounds, although some individuals have been recorded at lengths greater than 13 feet and weighing as much as 3,500 pounds. Manatees are commonly found in fresh, brackish, or marine water habitats, including shallow coastal bays, lagoons, estuaries, and inland rivers of varying salinity extremes. Manatees spend much of their time underwater or partly submerged, making them difficult to detect even in shallow water. While the manatee's principal stronghold in the United States is Florida, the species is considered a seasonal inhabitant of North Carolina with most occurrences reported from June through October. To protect manatees in North Carolina, the Service's Raleigh Field Office has prepared precautionary measures for general construction activities in waters used by the species. Implementation of these measures will allow in -water projects which do not require blasting to proceed without adverse impacts to manatees. In addition, inclusion of these guidelines as conservation measures in a Biological Assessment or Biological Evaluation, or as part of the determination of impacts on the manatee in an environmental document prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, will expedite the Service's review of the document for the fulfillment of requirements under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. These measures include: 1 The project manager and/or contractor will inform all personnel associated with the project that manatees may be present in the project area, and the need to avoid any harm to these endangered mammals. The project manager will ensure that all construction personnel know the general appearance of the species and their habit of moving about completely or partially submerged in shallow water. All construction personnel will be informed that they are responsible for observing water -related activities for the presence of manatees. 2. The project manager and/or the contractor will advise all construction personnel that there are civil and criminal penalties for harming, harassing, or killing manatees which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. 3. If a manatee is seen within 100 yards of the active construction and/or dredging operation or vessel movement, all appropriate precautions will be implemented to ensure protection of the manatee. These precautions will include the immediate shutdown of moving equipment if a manatee comes within 50 feet of the operational area of the equipment. Activities will not resume until the manatee has departed the project area on its own volition (i.e., it may not be herded or harassed from the area). 4. Any collision with and/or injury to a manatee will be reported immediately. The report must be made to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (ph. 919-856-4520), the National Marine Fisheries Service (ph. 252- 728-8762), and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (ph. 252-448-1546). 5. A sign will be posted in all vessels associated with the project where it is clearly visible to the vessel operator. The sign should state: CAUTION: The endangered manatee may occur in these waters during the warmer months, primarily from June through October. Idle speed is required if operating this vessel in shallow water during these months. All equipment must be shut down if a manatee comes within 50 feet of the vessel or operating equipment. A collision with and/or injury to the manatee must be reported immediately to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (919-856-4520), the National Marine Fisheries Service (252-728-8762), and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (252- 448-1546). 6. The contractor will maintain a log detailing sightings, collisions, and/or injuries to manatees during project activities. Upon completion of the action, the project manager will prepare a report which summarizes all information on manatees encountered and submit the report to the Service's Raleigh Field Office. 7. All vessels associated with the construction project will operate at "no wake/idle" speeds at all times while in water where the draft of the vessel provides less than a four foot clearance from the bottom. All vessels will follow routes of deep water whenever possible. 8. If siltation barriers must be placed in shallow water, these barriers will be: (a) made of material in which manatees cannot become entangled; (b) secured in a manner that they cannot break free and entangle manatees; and, (c) regularly monitored to ensure that manatees have not become entangled. Barriers will be placed in a manner to allow manatees entry to or exit from essential habitat. Prepared by (rev. 02/2017): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Raleigh Field Office Post Office Box 33726 Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726 919/856-4520 2 Figure 1. The whole body of the West Indian manatee may be visible in clear water; but in the dark and muddy waters of coastal North Carolina, one normally sees only a small part of the head when the manatee raises its nose to breathe. Illustration used with the permission of the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. Source: Clark, M. K. 1987. Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina: Part I. A re- evaluation of the mammals. Occasional Papers of the North Carolina Biological Survey 1987-3. North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. Raleigh, NC. pp. 52. 3