20230686 Ver 1_Public Notice Comments_20230620

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9023lD5D-7309-44E2-A21C-CDA22BA74E6B
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
June 20, 2023
Corps Action ID# SAW-2023-00994
DWR# 20230686
Buncombe County
Ms. Amanda Jones-Fuemmeler
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
Delivered via email to: [e-mail]
Subject Project: Greater Asheville Regional Airport New Parking Lot
Dear Ms. Fuemmeler:
On behalf of the NC Division of Water Resources (Division), we respectfully request that you consider
the following comments within your review of the 404 Individual Permit request for the above
referenced project:
The applicant states that the siting criteria used to evaluate off -site alternatives included a
requirement that the project be sited on existing airport property. The Division recommends
that the applicant consider alternatives that may be adjacent to the current airport property and
available, or potentially available for purchase.
The application notes that project alternative D., Site 6 was not considered further because it
would result in the loss of parking spaces as the adjacent rental car lot, however it appears that
there may be available space between the existing parking lot and Stream 1 for access
construction which would not impact, or minimally impact the rental car parking area. Please
further expand on the justification for elimination of this option. The Division recommends that
you provide visual illustration of this alternative with your response.
3. The application notes that project alternative Site 5 was not considered further due to the
construction of a garage near sites 3 and 4. It's not clear why proximity to other parking garages
precludes this alternative, nor why this alternative would impact 740 feet of streams. It appears
there is adequate room to construct a parking garage in this location without impacting any
streams.
4. The applicant has proposed a reduced mitigation ratio based on completion of NCSAM and
NCWAM forms, however applicant has stated that land clearing activities began on site in fall of
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CARCLINA
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 90231D5D-7309-44E2-A21C-CDA22BA74E6B
Corps Action ID# SAW-2023-00994
DWR# 20230686
Buncombe County
Page 2of2
2022. The Division recommends that any mitigation ratio be set based on the quality of the
features prior to the land clearing activity undertaken by the applicant in preparation for the
proposed project.
5. It appears that approximately 140 feet of stream S-1 was impacted around 2015 associated with
the construction of the gas station and restaurant. These impacts occurred on Asheville Regional
Airport property. The Division is unable to find any record that this impact had been approved
as part of the airport development. The Division requests that the USACE evaluate these
impacts if they were not appropriately authorized.
6. The Division is unable to complete a review of the project for compliance with 15A NCAC 02H
.0506 at this time. The Division has requested additional technical information from the
applicant. The Division requests that the USACE also consider the items requested in the
attached letter during the review of the application.
Thank you for your considering the Division's comments during your review of this Individual Permit. If
you have any questions, please contact Sue Homewood at 336-776-9693 or
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
ESDocuSigned by:
ft p�G 1 ass
98005097D8OE4E9_.
Stephanie Goss, Supervisor
401 & Buffer Permitting Unit
Electronic cc: Eric Romaniszyn, ClearWater
Andrea Leslie, WRC
DWR ARO
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch file
Filename: 20230686 AVL Parking Expansion - Buncombe - comments to USACE.docx
REQ5 North Carolina Department ofEnvironmental Quality I Division ofWater Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
naparMeM of EmironmanW 9uallly

DocuSign Envelope ID: 9023lD5D-7309-44E2-A21C-CDA22BA74E6B
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
June 20, 2023
DWR# 20230686
Buncombe County
Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority
Attn: Mr. Lew Bleiweis
61 Terminal Dr, Suite 1
Fletcher NC 28732
Delivered via email to: [e-mail]
Subject: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Greater Asheville Regional Airport New Parking Lot
Corps Action ID# SAW- SAW-2023-00994
Dear Mr. Bleiweis:
On May 16, 2023, the Division of Water Resources (Division) received your application requesting a 401
Individual Water Quality Certification from the Division for the subject project. The Division has
determined that your application is incomplete and cannot be processed. The application is on -hold
until all of the following information is received:
1. That application notes that project alternative D., Site 6 was not considered further because
it would result in the loss of parking spaces as the adjacent rental car lot, however it appears
that:
a. there may be available space between the existing parking lot and Stream 1 for
access construction which would not impact, or minimally impact the rental car
parking area while minimizing the impact to Stream 1.
Access can be provided via Rental Car Drive.
Please further expand on the justification for elimination of these options. The Division
recommends that you provide visual illustration of these alternative with your response.
2. That application notes that project alternative Site 5 was not considered further due to the
construction of a garage near sites 3 and 4. It's not clear why proximity to other parking
garages precludes this alternative, nor why this alternative would impact 740 feet of streams.
It appears there is adequate room to construct a parking garage in this location without
impacting any streams.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CARCLINA
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 90231D5D-7309-44E2-A21C-CDA22BA74E6B
Greater Asheville Regional Airport
DWR# 20230686
Request for Additional Information
Page 2 of 3
3. The proposed parking lot was designed to be on -grade with Highway 280. However, the
application states NCDOT would not allow a new entrance on Highway 280. Raising the
parking lot grade to meet the Highway 280 elevation results in additional fill required to cross
S-1 and S-2. Please explain why the design elevation of the parking lot cannot be lowered to
minimize impacts to S-1 and S-2?
4. Page 6 of the application states that design fill slope grades are 3:1. Steeper slopes would
further minimize the jurisdictional impacts and are often acceptable for public and private
roadways and development. Please provide further justification for the proposed 3:1 fill
slopes.
5. Please provide either:
Documentation that a local government, delegated by NCDEQ will be reviewing the
proposed stormwater plan; or
A complete stormwater management plan for detailed review.
6. If the USACE requests a response to any comments received as a result of the Public Notice,
please provide the Division with a copy of your response to the USACE to ensure we have all
relevant information to complete our review in accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b).
Pursuant to Title 15A NCAC 02H .0502(e), the applicant shall furnish all of the above requested
information for the proper consideration of the application. Please respond in writing within 30
calendar days of receipt of this letter by sending one (1) copy of all of the above requested information
to the 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 OR by
submitting all of the above requested information through this
link: https://edocs.deg.nc.gov/Forms/Supplemental-Information-Form (note the DWR# requested on
the link is referenced above).
If all of the requested information is not received within 30 calendar days of receipt of this letter, the
Division will be unable to approve the application and it will be denied as incomplete. The denial of this
project will necessitate reapplication to the Division for approval, including a complete application
package and the appropriate fee.
Please be aware that you have no authorization under the Section 401 of the Clean Water Act for this
activity and any work done within waters of the state may be a violation of North Carolina General
Statutes and Administrative Code.
Please contact Sue Homewood at 336-776-9693 or [e-mail] if you have any
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Es
DocuSigned by:
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980C5097D80E4E9_.
Stephanie Goss, Supervisor
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
gaparNrM of Emironmanfal quay

DocuSign Envelope ID: 90231D5D-7309-44E2-A21C-CDA22BA74E6B
Electronic cc:
Greater Asheville Regional Airport
DWR# 20230686
Request for Additional Information
Page 3 of 3
Eric Romaniszyn, ClearWater
Amanda Fuemmeler, USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch file
Filename: 20230686_AVL New Parking Lot_Buncombe_addinfo.docx
REQ5 North Carolina Department ofEnvironmental Quality I Division ofWater Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
NORTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
onparhnem of EmironmanW 9uallly