PNreSAW-2016-11209_20180614

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Rachel Capito
US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
FROM: Maria T. Dunn, Coastal Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Division
DATE: June 14, 2018
SUBJECT: Public Notice for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Onslow Quam, Mine, Onslow County,
North Carolina.
SAW-2016-11209
Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) reviewed the public notice
with regard to impacts on fish and wildlife resources. The project site is located immediately north and
east of the existing Onslow Limestone Quarry, southwest of the intersection of Union Chapel Church
Road and NC Hwy 24 near Richlands, NC. Our comments are provided in accordance with provisions of
Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, as amended, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
(48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S. C. 661 et seq.).
The applicant proposes discharge fill material into 0.15 acre of wetlands, 104' of perennial stream, and
1,156' of intermittent stream to expand the existing limestone quarry. Three alternatives were considered,
but two were eliminated due to increased wetland and open water impacts and safety concerns. To
mitigate for the impacts, the applicant offers to mitigate for 216' of intermittent stream at a 1:1 ratio, 104'
of perineal stream at a 2:1 ratio, and 0.15 acre of wetland impacts at a 2:1 ratio with purchase of credits
from Bachelors Delight Mitigation Bank.
Our concerns for the project are not merely for the direct impacts to the listed wetlands and water
features, but whether the expansion of the quarry will impact adjacent wetlands and water bodies. To the
west of the facility is the Rock House Cave Significant Habitat area and surrounding the facility are
several tributaries that drain to the nearby New River that is designated a Primary Nursery Area (PNA)
and an Anadromous Fish Spawning Area (AFSA). Expansion of the facility should not affect these
features either with increased discharges into these features or by compromising wetland hydrology with
increased water draw down and mine excavation proximity. If calculations have been made and measures
taken to insure the quality of these features remain, our agency would have less concern.
We appreciate the opportunity to review and comment on this public notice. If you need further assistance
or additional information, please contact me at [phone] or at maria.dunnra-nc« it dli fe or
Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation - 1721 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone]