HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170213 Ver 2_USACE Permit_20230719U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WILMINGTON DISTRICT
Action Id. SAW-2022-02606 County: New Hanover County U.S.G.S. Quad: Hampstead
GENERAL PERMIT (REGIONAL AND NATIONWIDE) VERIFICATION
Permittee: Andrew Johnson
Address: 8740 Bald Eagle Ln
Wilmington, NC 28411
Telephone Number:704-763-7170
Size (acres) Nearest Town Wilmington
Nearest Waterway AIWW River Basin Onslow Bay
USGS HUC 03020302 Coordinates Latitude: 34.2994055555556; Longitude:-77.7420972222222
Location description: The site is located in the AIWW at 8740 Bald Eagle Lane, Wilmington, New
Hanover County, North Carolina.
Description of project area and activity: The proposal is to replace an existing 8 feet by 16 feet
floating dock with an 8 feet by 32 feet floating dock.
Please note, a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permit authorization must
be obtained from the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) prior
to commencing any work on this project.
Applicable Law: ❑ Section 404 (Clean Water Act, 33 USC 1344);
® 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.p
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 August 8, 2022 and revised November 8, 2022 and June 22,
2023 . 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.
CU RREY.G REGO Digitally signed by
CURREY.GREGORY.EUGEN
RY.EUGENE.105 E.1051011950
Date: 2023.07.19 09:48:20
Corps Regulatory Official: 1011950-04'00'
Expiration Date of Verification: December 31, 2026
Date: July 18, 2023
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:Hregulatoly.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-survey/
Copies furnished by email:
Richard Penny (Richard Penny Construction, LLC (Dba RPC Marine))
Cameron Luck (NC DCM)
Amanda Cannon (NC DCM)
Kelsey Beachman (NC DCM)
Holley Snider (NC DWR)
Action ID Number: SAW-2022-02606
Permittee: Andrew Johnson
County: New Hanover County
Project Name: 8740 Bald Eagle Ln/Wilmington/New Hanover
Date Verification Issued: July 18, 2023
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
z
W
zz
p0
O
C7 �
mm
> C //
'
W
N RI HT\�F
b
\
> '\
0
� r�z
od
zyz
�d
00
�z o
oo
r�°rd
>�
U0
yC7x
or�>
dm
z>z
rz
�yz
-z
t7 m
t-
�C)
z
o�
z�
oy
c0
C)
O
z
r
@fib
r
0
H
�y
o
m
o
>
C
;l
k`
aC
to
/ . . .
/
R)
/
Z
j•
�
O 2
t
. /
•
I
7 N /
n�
N
B8 'Btr B 8A
ray C:(A :.ran
C r" y py y'w � o�0PO' t v�7yp t"
��y II C7o tt m ratrJ�C]�by
ny�oC7��Y�xty
rnr" bn v,b b7 NCtn�yOtnv�
v ao d�' x �. cy°zo
rnNy-d "-� to b0 ���x�G1
moo.. H �o r u)m>��a
�y z �z ��
W xro zo
z � �
/
G s� 0 vCD O
3
C
co m �, �J
Sheet Description
° = -n °
`°
�
o� u,
SITE PLAN
-0 —u mm
o
Nm 00
co CD 0- CD Z�
F �� 3�.�D
= _ p
�QZ Q
W_ p
r
.,<
�, ° n o, r
F)JZ
I
n C'
Project Address
° ° ° v
�CD-0-av 0
L�
rQ
m
ANDY AND HEIDI J❑HNS❑N
-1 0D
m
o
�o�
W A
8740 BALD EAGLE LANE
a N: o � °-
-
o
WILMINGT❑N, NC 28411
p
O N n N
db NO3N Sb312IOd
o0
o C
'' C O
L7
m Z
Z r- D
Q2i N33210 H01n3 m -u
m
No.I Date I Revision Description I By
1 108/08/221 ORIGINAL ISSUE RLP
2 11/08/221 ADDED GEN NOTES, RLP
NOTATION CHANGES
3 6/22123 REVISED BULKHEAD LOC I RLP
C)
D
r
m
z
0
0
U)
0
v
ru(n Cn
m v
CD
t)o D
� Z
L„ 0
�o rD
0
�- 8„
AVERAGE
EXPOSURE OF
NEW WALL
uwm
IIII
I;
v u,
Sheet Description
N o
BULKHEAD DETAILS
CD C
�Z
r
n < '
Project Address
C m
ANDY AND HEIDI J❑HNS❑N
W A
8740 BALD EAGLE LANE
`<
WILMINGT❑N, NC 28411
r
u
N
z
r
ov
C
r
m
D
No.
Date I
Revision Description
By
1
08/08/22
ORIGINAL ISSUE
RLP
2
11/08/22
ADDED GEN NOTES,
RLP
NOTATION CHANGES
3
6/22/23
REVISED BULKHEAD LOC
RLP
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers
69 Darlington Avenue
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/Re ug latoryPennitPro rg am.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 maybe 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 OrdinarHigh 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.
in. 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 Permittee 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 (LAMA) 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 Permittee, 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-NAVgusace.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 penmitted 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 term 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. Permittees 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/raleifzh/pdfs/ManateeGuidelines20l7.pd
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.pd£ 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. ovg /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.anny.mil/Missions/Re ul�atory-Permit-
Pro regency-Coordination/ESA/. Permittees who do not have internet 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.q my.mil/Missions/Re ug latoly-Permit-Pro rg anl/Agena-
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.pov/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 Permittee 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 permit.
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 permit 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:
ami ?.Bleett
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.
, 73
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