20230566 Ver 1_T&E Scoping Correspondence_20230418

Ashley Steele Bentz
From: Ellis, John <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2023 8:14 AM
To: Ashley Steele Bentz;Jones, Brena K.; Pohlman, Scott M
Cc: Garrison, Gabriela; Matthews, Kathryn H; Mann, Leigh
Subject: Re: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
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Ashley,
Thanks for the update. With the grading, coffer dam, etc it is likely that the Service would concur with a "may
affect, likely to adversely affect" determination for Cape Fear shiner and formal consultation with the Corps
would be needed. I think we have discussed this before, but the site is above the typical headwaters of the
Lockville impoundment isn't it? If it is, would you describe the Deep River in the area as a riffle, run or pool?
John
From:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>
Sent:Tuesday, March 21, 2023 3:12 PM
To: Ellis,John <[e-mail]>;Jones, Brena K. <[e-mail]>; Pohlman, Scott M
<scott.Pohlman @ncdcr.gov>
Cc: Garrison, Gabriela <[e-mail]>; Matthews, Kathryn H <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
John, please see the responses from the engineer. I am going to be submitting the permit by the end of the week to
the USACE, so please let me know if there is anything else that needs to be resolved before submittal.Thanks!
Ashley
• Can more information be provided regarding the ramp? Is the ramp to be poured in the dry and
pushed into place similiar to how WRC builds theirs? Will any grading be needed to get the needed
slope? Bed material needed under the ramp? Also would it be possible to build a floating kayak lauch
or a slide?
o A temporary cofferdam is proposed to allow the ramp to be poured in place. Some local grading
will be required to achieve the consistent ramp slope proposed. 6" of ABC stone base is
proposed underneath the ramp. See detail below. The launch is proposed on "Stream 2" as
identified on the plans, rather than directly on Deep River. A floating launch or slide is not
feasible given the width of this tributary stream
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• Were you able to find out more about the ford and how it will be built/bedded? Is there a deeper
"run/thalweg" or is it flat? If a run, can a lower spot be included to reflect the topography to prevent
claming or spreading the water across the whole width?
o The ford will be per the concrete pavement detail below. The ford is centered around the low
point of a sag vertical curve in the road profile, providing a deeper run rather than the entire
ford being flat.
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• Has a design similiar to this been considered? NCWRC's on Deep R at 421.
o The launch is proposed on "Stream 2" as identified on the plans, rather than directly on Deep
River. A slide is not feasible given the width of this tributary stream.
• Out of curiousity is there an effort to improve portage at Lockville? It is horrible and puts one in the
bypassed reach which has minimal flow due to most flow diverted for hydropower production.
o portage at Lockville is not a part of this project scope. The proposed kayak launch is intended to
serve primarily as a take out area for paddlers who put in further upstream.
Ashley Bentz, PWS
Project Scientist
5&ME
3201 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
M:919.896.0758 // 0:919.872.2660
www.smeinc.com
From: Ellis,John <[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, February 9, 2023 2:54 PM
To:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>;Jones, Brena K. <[e-mail]>; Pohlman, Scott M
<[e-mail]>; Dylan Coley<[e-mail]>
4

Cc: Walter Cole<[e-mail]>; Garrison, Gabriela <[e-mail]>; Matthews, Kathryn H
<[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
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Ashley,
Please include Kathy in these emails as we are tag teaming on it.
Can more information be provided regarding the ramp? Is the ramp to be poured in the dry and pushed into
place similiar to how WRC builds theirs? Will any grading be needed to get the needed slope? Bed material
needed under the ramp? Also would it be possible to build a floating kayak lauch or a slide?
Were you able to find out more about the ford and how it will be built/bedded? Is there a deeper
"run/thalweg" or is it flat? If a run, can a lower spot be included to reflect the topography to prevent claming
or spreading the water across the whole width?
John
From:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>
Sent:Wednesday, February 8, 2023 11:37 AM
To:Jones, Brena K. <[e-mail]>; Pohlman, Scott M <[e-mail]>; Ellis,John
<john [e-mail]>; Dylan Coley<[e-mail]>
Cc: Walter Cole<[e-mail]>; Garrison, Gabriela <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
Brena,thank you for the feedback! I have reached out to the project engineer(Dylan Coley)who is attached on this
email. He provided the answers to your questions below:
1. The launch will be upstream of the Lockville Dam at Moncure, correct?
a. Correct, the launch is upstream of the Lockville Dam
2. On the portion of the access path by the river, it says "natural surface." What does this consist of and how will it
be stabilized/maintained to prevent it from becoming an erosion channel?
a. The path will be cleared and grubbed, with the remaining native soils to be compacted to provide a
stabilized surface. Swales will be adjacent to the path as needed to prevent erosion.
3. What is the planned timeline for the project and when would construction occur?
a. Ideally, the project will begin construction in August 2023 and last for approximately 6 months.
John, I want to include this correspondence with our permit that I intend to submit shortly to the USACE for the wetland
and stream impacts. I know that the USACE agent will be reaching out to you regarding protected species and I want to
make sure that we have a clear plan to include that will satisfy all of the potential issues so that you can confirm that the
project can proceed. Brena, is this something you and John will need to discuss and agree upon?
Thanks all!
Ashley
Ashley Bentz, PWS
5

Project Scientist
S&ME
3201 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
M:919.896.0758 1 0:919.872.2660
www.smeinc.com
From:Jones, Brena K. <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday,January 30, 2023 1:40 PM
To:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>; Pohlman, Scott M <[e-mail]>; Ellis,John
<iohn [e-mail]>
Cc:Walter Cole<[e-mail]>; Garrison, Gabriela <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
This message originated outside of S&ME. Please report this as phishing if it implies it is from an S&ME employee.
Hi Ashley—
I am one of the correct contact people for NCWRC. Thank you for the opportunity to provide input on this
project. Gabriela, were you able to determine if this was one you had already reviewed previously? I don't think we
looked at it before—just trying to avoid duplicating effort.
I had a couple of questions that I wanted to clarify from your scoping document. (1)The launch will be upstream of the
Lockville Dam at Moncure, correct? (2) On the portion of the access path by the river, it says "natural surface." What
does this consist of and how will it be stabilized/maintained to prevent it from becoming an erosion channel? (3)What
is the planned timeline for the project and when would construction occur?
One thing we do for our own ramps is to do a mussel survey in the construction footprint before work is done. We have
multiple listed species of freshwater mussel in the Deep River, so we want to make sure that we minimize impacts to
those individuals, so we relocate them outside of the proposed work area. This is where the timing piece comes into
play because we can only do effective mussel surveys between about May and October. We need as much lead time as
possible so we can fit it into busy field schedules. Ideally, we'd like it to be as close as we can get it to construction to
avoid instances of animals moving back into the footprint after the survey is done. And lastly, we need it to occur when
water levels are low and clear. So all of that takes some advance planning.
Thanks and I look forward to learning more details,
Brena
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brena Jones (she/her)
Central Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Research Coordinator
Division of Inland Fisheries
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1718NC Hwy 56W
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522
**NEW OFFICE NUMBER AUG 15, 2022**
office: 919-707-4059 // mobile: [phone]
From:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday,January 30, 2023 12:05 PM
To: Pohlman, Scott M <[e-mail]>; Ellis,John <john [e-mail]>
6

Cc: Walter Cole<[e-mail]>;Jones, Brena K. <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
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Report Spam.
Hi Brena, I just wanted to follow up on this email to see if there is anyone you think would be best for us to contact
regarding this project. I have attached the scoping letter send to Scott with NCNHP and John Ellis with USFWS and have
recopied the project description from the original email in red below.
John and Scott, I have attached a scoping request for a project in Moncure, Chatham County, North Carolina.The
project, a proposed kayak launch and corresponding access road, is proposed to be constructed as a NC State Parks and
Recreation project to provide greater public access to the Deep River for recreational purposes within the Seep River
State Trail property.The State Parks and Rec department is anticipating submitting a permit application to the USACE
and NC DWR for proposed impacts to jurisdictional stream and wetland features.As a part of that permit application,
potential impacts to natural resources including protected species were evaluated.
The project intersects with several managed areas, including a NC Land and Water Fund Conservation Agreement area
and the Deep River State Trail Dedicated Nature Preserve. In addition, a population of the Cape Fear Shiner has been
identified within the Deep River adjacent to the site and a population of harperella was identified downstream and
within one mile of the project along the Deep River. In support of the permit application,we are initiating consultation
with the USFWS and NCNHP. Please review the attached documentation and let me know if you have any questions.
Ashley Bentz, PWS
Project Scientist
5&ME
3201 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
M:919.896.0758 // 0:919.872.2660
www.smeinc.com
From: Pohlman, Scott M <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday,January 20, 2023 4:09 PM
To:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>; Ellis,John <john [e-mail]>
Cc: Walter Cole<[e-mail]>;Jones, Brena K. <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
This message originated outside of S&ME. Please report this as phishing if it implies it is from an S&ME employee.
Thank you,Ashley. Please make sure that the NC Wildlife Resources Commission is part of this discussion. I am copying
Brena Jones (NCWRC), and she can point us in the right direction as to who would be the best point of contact. NC
Natural Heritage Program will largely act in support of USFWS and NCWRC. Scott
Scott Pohlman
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
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�■■ ■ NC DEPARTMENT OF
■ii■i NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
■ ■■
New Office Line:919-707-9383
[e-mail]
121 W.Jones Street
1651 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1651
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From:Ashley Steele Bentz<[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday,January 16, 2023 1:52 PM
To: Ellis,John <iohn [e-mail]>; Pohlman, Scott M <[e-mail]>
Cc: Walter Cole<[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] Proposed Deep River Kayak Launch
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verify.Send all suspicious email as an attachment to
Report Spam.
John and Scott, I have attached a scoping request for a project in Moncure, Chatham County, North Carolina.The
project, a proposed kayak launch and corresponding access road, is proposed to be constructed as a NC State Parks and
Recreation project to provide greater public access to the Deep River for recreational purposes within the Seep River
State Trail property.The State Parks and Rec department is anticipating submitting a permit application to the USACE
and NC DWR for proposed impacts to jurisdictional stream and wetland features.As a part of that permit application,
potential impacts to natural resources including protected species were evaluated.
The project intersects with several managed areas, including a NC Land and Water Fund Conservation Agreement area
and the Deep River State Trail Dedicated Nature Preserve. In addition, a population of the Cape Fear Shiner has been
identified within the Deep River adjacent to the site and a population of harperella was identified downstream and
within one mile of the project along the Deep River. In support of the permit application,we are initiating consultation
with the USFWS and NCNHP. Please review the attached documentation and let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for your help regarding this project!
Ashley
Ashley Bentz, PWS
Project Scientist
8

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