20200775 Ver 1_Approval Letter_NCDMS Middendorf_SAW-2021-01973

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69 DARLINGTON AVENUE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28403-1343

September 11, 2023

Regulatory Division

Re: NCIRT Review and USACE Approval of the NCDMS Middendorf Springs Mitigation Site /
Anson County

USACE ID: SAW-2021-01973
NCDMS Project # 100151
NCDWR # 20200775 v.1

Paul Wiesner
North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services
5 Ravenscroft Drive, Suite 102
Asheville, NC 28801

Dear Mr. Wiesner:

The purpose of this letter is to provide the North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services
(NCDMS) with all comments generated by the North Carolina Interagency Review Team
(NCIRT) during the 30-day comment period for the Middendorf Springs Draft Mitigation Plan,
which closed on March 19, 2023. These comments are attached for your review.

Based on our review of these comments, we have determined that no major concerns
have been identified with the Draft Mitigation Plan, which is considered appro ved with this
correspondence. However, please note that issues identified as described in the attached
comment memo, must be addressed in the Final Mitigation Plan.

The Final Mitigation Plan is to be submitted with the Preconstruction Notification (PCN)
Application for Nationwide permit approval of the project along with a copy of this letter. Issues
identified above must be addressed in the Final Mitigation Plan. All changes made to the Final
Mitigation Plan should be summarized in an errata sheet included at the beginning of the
document. If it is determined that the project does not require a Department of the Army permit,
you must still provide a copy of the Final Mitigation Plan, along with a copy of this letter, to the
USACE Mitigation Office at least 30 days in advance of beginning construction of the project.
Please note that this approval does not preclude the inclusion of permit conditions in the permit
authorization for the project, particularly if issues mentioned above are not satisfactorily
addressed. Additionally, this letter provides initial approval for the Mitigation Plan, but this does
not guarantee that the project will generate the requested amount of mitigation credit. As you

REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
are aware, unforeseen issues may arise during construction or monitoring of the project that may
require maintenance or reconstruction that may lead to reduced credit.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter, and if you have any questions
regarding this letter, the mitigation plan review process, or the requirements of the Mitigation
Rule, please contact Steve Kichefski at [e-mail], or (828) 933-
8032.

Sincerely,

Steve Kichefski

Mitigation Specialist
for Todd Tugwell, Mitigation Branch Chief USACE
Regulatory Division

Enclosures

Electronic Copies Furnished:
NCIRT Distribution List