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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20071134 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20071011Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality October 11, 2007 Dr. Greg Thorpe, PhD., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch North Carolina Department of Transportation 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1548 Subject: 401 Water Quality Certification Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act with ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS Proposed Improvements of US 19/US 19E from future I-26 (existing US 19-23) to SR 1186 in Madison and Yancey Counties, State Project Nos. 6.869005T and 6.909001T, TIP Project Nos. R-2518A, R-2518B and R-2519A. DWQ Project No. 20071134, Individual Certification No. 3706 Dear Dr. Thorpe: Attached hereto is a copy of Certification No. 3706 issued to The North Carolina Department of Transportation dated October 11, 2007. If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us. Coleen H. Sullins, Director Attachments cc: David Baker, US Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Field Office Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency Kathy Matthews, Environmental Protection Agency Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission Marella Buncick, US Fish and Wildlife Service Mike Parker, DWQ Fayetteville Regional Office File Copy Nine Carolina Transportation Permitting Unit ~tllCQlllf 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-68931 Internet: htto:/lh2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled110% Post Consumer Paper William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality 401 Water Quality Certification Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act with ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS THIS CERTIFICATION is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section 401 Public Laws 92- 500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Regulations in 15 NCAC 2H .0500. This certification authorizes the NCDOT to impact 0.42 acres of jurisdictional wetlands and 7,0591inear feet of jurisdictional streams in Madison and Yancey Counties. The project shall be constructed pursuant to the application dated received June 26, 2007. The authorized impacts are as described below: Table 1-Stream Impacts for R-2518A in the French Broad River Basin Site Permanent Fill in Intermittent Stream (linear ft) Temporary Fill in Intermittent Stream (linear ft) Permanent Fill in Perennial Stream 'near ft Temporary Fill in Perennial Stream linear ft Total Stream Impact (linear ft) Stream Impacts Requiring Mitigation 'near ft R-2518A 1 0 0 13 10 23 0 l A 0 0 144 0 144 0 2 0 0 213 20 233 213 3 0 0 148 20 168 148 3A 0 0 0 36 36 0 4 0 0 85 10 95 85 5 0 0 171 10 181 171 6 0 0 148 20 168 148 7 0 0 1,168 20 1,188 1,168 7A 0 0 151 10 161 151 8 0 0 154 10 164 154 9 0 0 89 10 99 0 10 0 0 39 20 59 0 11 0 0 1,071 10 1,081 1,071 13 0 0 79 20 99 0 13A 194 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 171 10 181 171 15 0 0 476 20 496 476 16 0 0 95 10 105 0 17 0 0 305 20 325 305 18 0 0 637 20 657 637 19 0 0 128 20 148 0 20 0 0 111 20 131 0 21 0 0 325 62 387 325 22 0 0 148 20 168 0 23 0 0 98 20 118 0 24 0 0 230 20 250 230 Total 194 0 6,397 468 7,059 5,453 Total Stream Impact for R-2518A: 7,0591inear feet Transportation Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center, Ralegh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-689311ntemet: http:/Ih2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycledl10% Post Consumer Paper William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality Table 2 -Estimated Stream Im acts for R-2518B in the French Broad River Basin* Site Permanent Fill (linear ft) Temporary Fill (linear ft) Total Stream Impact 'near ft R-2518B 1 43 10 53 2 102 20 122 3 49 10 59 4 56 49 105 5 76 20 96 6 79 30 109 7 496 20 516 8 118 13 131 9 204 16 220 10 69 10 79 11 36 0 36 12 76 10 86 13 95 16 111 14 135 36 171 14A 10 0 10 15 82 10 92 16 112 10 122 17 66 10 76 18 66 10 76 20 16 233 249 20A 36 10 46 21 33 0 33 22 154 10 164 23 36 56 92 24 16 10 26 25 135 20 155 26 39 10 49 27 302 56 358 28 82 82 2A 131 20 151 Total 2,868 807 3,675 Total Stream Impact for R-2518B: 3,675 linear feet* *Estimates based on preliminary information at time of application. Impact numbers will be based on fmal hydraulic designs submitted with required modification. N~o e~Carolina Transportation Permitting Unit ~ "`tura~~l/ 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-68931 Internet: http:!lh2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal OpportunitylAffirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled110% Post Consumer Paper -~~o~ w H r~~QG ~ r o ~ Table 3 -Estimated Stream Im acts for R-2519A in the French Broad River Basin* Site Permanent Fill (linear ft) Temporary Fill (linear ft) Total Stream Impact linear ft R-2519A 1 68 16 84 2 85 18 103 3 54 8 62 4 46' 12 58 5 94 13 107 6 81 11 92 8 19 9 28 9 35 19 54 9A 25 0 25 10 714 47 761 11 32 10 42 12 132 20 152 13 82 15 97 14 129 153 282 15 82 64 146 16 41 10 51 18 69 40 109 21 66 35 101 22 251 19 270 23 132 9 141 24 535 0 535 25 186 34 220 26 583 11 594 27 143 11 154 28 175 58 233 29 294 14 308 30 200 7 207 31 50 24 74 32 217 10 227 33 325 26 351 34 208 20 228 35 73 20 93 36 24 12 36 37 59 10 69 Total 5,309 785 6,092 Total Stream Impact for R-2519A: 6,0921inear feet* *Estimates based on preliminary information at time of application. Impact numbers will be based on final hydraulic designs submitted with required modification. NQ~thCarolina Transportation Permitting Unit Q~LfCQ~~I,J 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-68931 Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper `o~OF vv H r~~QG Ul ~ Y _i William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality Table 4 -Wetland Im acts for R-2518A in the French Broad River Basin Site Fill (ac) Fill (temporary) ac Excavation (ac) Mechanized Clearing ac Hand Clearing ac Area under Bridge ac Total Wetland Im act ac R-2518A 7A 0.01 0 0 0 0 0 0.01 9 0.17 0 0 0.02 0 0 0.19 12 0.16 0 0 0 0 0 0.16 19 0.06 0 0 0 0 0 0.06 Total 0.40 0 0 0.02 0 0 0.42 Total Wetland Impact for R-2518A: 0.42 acres. Table 5 - F,stimated Wetland Imnacts for R-2518B in the French Broad River Basin* Site Fill (ac) Fill (temporary) ac Excavation (ac) Mechanized Clearing ac Hand Clearing ac Total Wetland Im act ac R-2518B lA 0.07 0 0 0.04 0 0.11 2A 0.11 0 0.01 0 0 0.12 Total 0.18 0 0.01 0.04 0 0.23 Total Wetland Impact for R-2518B: 0.23 acres.* Table 6 -Estimated Wetland Imnacts for R-2519A in the French Broad River Basin*" Site Fill (ac) Fill (temporary) ac Excavation (ac) Mechanized Clearing ac Hand Clearing ac Total Wetland Im act ac R-2519A 17 0.02 0 0 0.02 0 0 19 0.15 0 0 0.08 0 0 20 0.01 0 0 0.01 0 0 Total 0.18 0 0 0.11 0 0.29 Total Wetland Impact for R-2519A: 0.29 acres.* *Estimates based on preliminary information at the time of application. Impact numbers will be based on final hydraulic designs submitted with required modification. The application provides adequate assurance that the discharge of fill material into the waters of the French Broad River Basin or wetlands in conjunction with the proposed development will not result in a violation of applicable Water Quality Standards and discharge guidelines. Therefore, the State of North Carolina certifies that this activity will not violate the applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, 307 of Pi, 92-500 and PL 95-217 if conducted in accordance with the application and conditions hereinafter set forth. Noe Carolina Transportation Permitting Unit ° '"`turQ"~ 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-6893 / Internet http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal OpportunitylAffirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled110% Post Consumer Paper William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality This approval is only valid for the purpose and design that you submitted in your application dated received June 26, 2007. Should your project change, you are required to notify the DWQ and submit a new application. If the property is sold, the new owner must be given a copy of this Certification and approval letter, and is thereby responsible for complying- with all the conditions. If any additional wetland impacts, or stream impacts, for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre or 1501inear feet, respectively, additional compensatory mitigation may be required as described in 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h) (6) and (7). For this approval to remain valid, you are required to comply with all the conditions listed below. In addition, you should obtain all other federal, state or local permits before proceeding with your project including (but not limited to) Sediment and Erosion control, Coastal Stormwater, Non-discharge and Water Supply watershed regulations. This Certification shall expire on the same day as the expiration date of the corresponding US Army Corps of Engineers Permit. Condition(s) of Certification: Project Specific Condition(s) 1. This certification authorizes impacts to streams and wetlands for Section R-2518A from Station No. 8+00.000 -L- to Station No. 115+06.547 -L- only. When final design plans are completed for R-2518B and R-2519A, a modification to the 401 Water Quality Certification shall be submitted with five copies and fees to the NC Division of Water Quality. Final designs shall reflect all appropriate avoidance, minimization, and mitigation for impacts to wetlands, streams, and other surface waters. No construction activities that impact any wetlands, streams, or surface waters located in R=2518B and R-2519A shall begin until after the permittee applies for, and receives a written modification of the 401 Water Quality Certification from the NC Division of Water Quality. 2. Compensatory mitigation for impacts to 5,453 linear feet of streams at a replacement ratio of 1:1 is required. Compensatory mitigation for impacts to jurisdictional streams shall be provided by a combination of onsite stream restoration, enhancement, and preservation. The mitigation sites shall be constructed in accordance with the mitigation plans provided in the June 26, 2007 application. The mitigation shall be provided as detailed in the table below: Table 7 -Mitigation Credits for R-2518A. Miti ation Method Stream Len h Ratio Credits Restoration 4,078* 1:1 4,078* Enhancement 640 2:1 320 Preservation 15,335 4:1 3,834 Total 20,053 8 232 *Prior to providing restoration credit for Site D (262 if of restoration), NCDOT shall provide design plans showing the site is within NCDOT right-of--way or under a conservation easement. Additional mitigation credits may be available on R-2518B and R-2519A. Final mitigation plans with design lengths shall be submitted with the modification application for R-2518A and R-2519A. 3. The onsite stream mitigation shall be constructed in accordance with the design submitted in your June 26, 2007 application. Please be reminded that as-bunts for the completed streams Nco~thCarolina Transportation Permitting Unit QtllCl7~~l,~ 1650 Mail Service Center, Ralegh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-68931 Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled110% Post Consumer Paper William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality shall be submitted to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality 401 Wetlands Unit with the as-builts for the rest of the project. If the parameters of this condition are not met, then the permittee shall supply additional stream mitigation for the 5,453 linear feet of impacts: All channel relocations shall be constructed in a dry work area, shall be completed and stabilized, and must be approved on site by DWQ staff, prior to diverting water into the new channel. Whenever possible, channel relocations shall be allowed to stabilize for an entire growing season. All stream relocations shall have buffers in accordance with the Biological Assessment prepared for this project. A transitional phase incorporating rolled erosion control product (RECP) and appropriate temporary ground cover is allowable. 4. The permittee shall monitor the restoration and enhancement mitigation sites following the Level 1 protocols outlined in the "Stream Mitigation Guidelines," dated Apri12003 with the following exceptions: 1. Pebble counts shall not be conducted. 2. Two cross sections shall be conducted for streams less than 500 linear and five (5) cross sections shall be conducted for streams greater than 500 linear feet. 3. Riparian success shall be by visual inspection of plant survival. Photos will be taken and comments noted on plant survival. The permittee shall monitor the preservation sites by visual inspection. Photos will be taken and comments noted on plant survival. T'he monitoring shall be conducted annually for a minimum of five (5) years after final planting. The monitoring results shall be submitted to DWQ in a final report within sixty (60) days after completing monitoring. After 5 years the NCDOT shall contact the DWQ to schedule a site visit to "close out" the mitigation site. 5. NC DOT shall adhere to all appropriate in-water work moratoriums (including the use of pile driving) prescribed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. No in-water work is permitted on Bald Creek between January l .and April 15 of any year, without prior approval from the NC Division of Water Quality and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. 6. For projects impacting waters classified by the NC Environmental Management Commission as High Quality Waters (HQW), or Water Supply I or II (WSI, WSIn stormwater shall be directed to vegetated buffer areas, grass-lined ditches or other means appropriate to the site for the purpose ofpre-treating storm water runoff prior to discharging directly into streams. Mowing of existing vegetated buffers is strongly discouraged. 7. For all construction activities occurring in high quality water (HQW) watersheds, NC DOT shall use Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds [15A NCAC 4B .0124(a)-(e)]. However, due to the size of the project, NC DOT shall not be required to meet 15A NCAC 4B .0124(a) regarding the maximum amount of uncovered acres. 8. The post-construction removal of any temporary bridge structures must return the project site to its preconstruction contours and elevations. The impacted areas shall be re-vegetated with appropriate native species. N~o°e~Carolina Transportation Permitting Unit ~ "`tura~~t/ 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 CrabUee Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-68931 Internet http:/lh2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality 9. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into streams. Stormwater should be directed across the bridge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of Stormwater Best Management Practices. Stormwater shall be managed in accordance with your State Stormwater Permit issued by DWQ. 10. Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands shall be placed below the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches, to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being maintained if requested in writing by DWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NC DWQ for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required. 11. Riprap should not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes aquatic life passage. General Condition(s) 12. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area should be maintained to prevent direct contact between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete should not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills. 13. During the construction of the project, no staging of equipment of any kind is permitted in waters of the U.S., or protected riparian buffers. 14. The dimension, pattern and profile of the stream above and below the crossing should not be modified. Disturbed floodplains and streams should be restored to natural geomorphic conditions. 15. The use of rip-rap above the Normal High Water Mark shall be minimized. Any rip-rap placed for stream stabilization shall be placed in stream channels in such a manner that it does not impede aquatic life passage. 1 ti. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water. 17. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream. Noo~thCarolina Transportation Permitting Unit QtllCalhf 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-68931 Internet: http:llh2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal OpportunitylAffirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled110% Post Consumer Paper William G. Ross Jr., Secretary North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Coleen H. Sullins, Director Division of Water Quality 18. Heavy equipment maybe operated within the stream channels however, its usage shall be minimized. 19. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters must be regularly inspected and' maintained to prevent contamination of stream waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. 20. No rock, sand or other materials shall be dredged from the stream channel except where authorized by this certification. 21. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment in or adjacent to surface waters is prohibited. 22. The permittee and its authorized agents shall conduct its activities in a manner consistent with State water quality standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with §303(d) of the Clean Water Act) and any other appropriate requirements of State and Federal law. If DWQ determines that such standards or laws are not being met (including the failure to sustain a designated or achieved use) or that State or federal law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, DWQ may reevaluate and modify this certification. 23. All fill slopes located in jurisdictional wetlands shall be placed at slopes no flatter than 3:1, unless otherwise authorized by this certification. 24. A copy of this Water Quality Certification shall be posted on the construction site at all times. In addition, the Water Quality Certification and all subsequent modifications, if any, shall be maintained with the Division Engineer and the on-site project manager. 25. The outside buffer, wetland or water boundary located within the construction corridor approved by this authorization shall be clearly marked by highly visible fencing prior to any land disturbing activities. Impacts to areas within the fencing are prohibited unless otherwise authorized by this certification. 26. Upon completion of the project, the NCDOT Division Engineer shall complete and return the enclosed "Certification of Completion Form" to notify DWQ when all work included in the 401 Certification has been completed. 27. Native riparian vegetation (ex., river birch, green ash, water tupelo, blackgum, redbay, sycamore, swamp chestnut oak, tag alder, common pawpaw, ironwood, sweet pepperbush, titi, Virginai willow, doghobble) must be reestablished within the construction limits of the project by the end of the growing season following completion of construction. 28. There shall be no excavation from, or waste disposal into, jurisdictional wetlands or waters associated with this permit without appropriate modification. Should waste or borrow sites be located in wetlands or streams, compensatory mitigation will be required since that is a direct impact from road construction activities. N~one~Carolina Transportation Permitting Unit ~ "`tuCaf'~t/ 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-6893 / Internet htto•I/h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal OpportunitylAffinnative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper OF W H rF~ William G. Ross Jr., Secretary `O~ QG North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources ~jj y, Coleen H. Sullins, Director ~ ~ Division of Water Quality ~ < 29. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing the proper design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in order to protect surface waters standards. 30. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual. a. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor-owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project. b. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface Mining Manual. c. The reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in accordance with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act. 31. Sediment and erosion .control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters unless otherwise approved by this Certification. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable, -they shall be removed and the natural grade restored upon completion of the project. Violations of any condition herein set forth may result in revocation of this Certification and may result in criminal and/or civil penalties. This Certification shall become null and void unless the above conditions are made conditions of the Federa1404 and/or Coastal Area Management Act Permit. This Certification shall expire upon the expiration of the 404 or CAMA permit. If this Certification is unacceptable to you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon written request within sixty (60) days following receipt of this Certification. This request must be in the form of a written petition conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes and filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6714. If modifications are made to an original Certification, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing on the modifications upon written request within sixty (60) days following receipt of the Certification. Unless such demands are made, this Certification shall be final and binding. This the 11th day of October 2007 OF WATER QUALITY Coleen H. Sullins Director WQC No. 3706 IVop~thCazolina Transportation Permitting Unit RtllCllr'~1,~ 1650 Mail Service Center, Ralegh, North Carolina 27699-1650 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX 919-733-6893 / Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal OpportunitylAffirmative.Action Employer- 50% Recyded110% Post Consumer Paper