20231056 Ver 1_More Info Requested_20230929

DocuSign Envelope ID: 03D00766-069C-4229-BDC7-947FE1 F58F6F
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
September 29, 2023
DWR # 20231056
Carteret County
Rachel Carson Reserve Beaufort, NC 28516
Attn: Stephanie Valdez
Duke University Marine Lab
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd.
Beaufort, NC 28516
Delivered via email: stephanie.valdezPduke. edu
Subject: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DRAGNet Rachel Carson Reserve- Stephanie Valdez- 34.701714,-76.637743
USACE Action ID# SAW 2023-01592
Dear Ms. Valdez:
On August 1, 2023, the Division of Water Resources (Division) received your application requesting a 401
Water Quality Certification from the Division for the subject project. The applicant proposes to
subdivide the project site 55.7'x95.1' (5390sf) area of coastal wetlands into 15 plots, 156.25sf each plot
with PVC pole markers. The water adjacent to the project site is Back Sound and is classified SA;HQW by
the Division of Water Resources. Upon review of the application, the Division has determined that your
application is incomplete and cannot be processed. The current application is on -hold until all of the
following information is received:
DWR has significant concerns about the application of fertilizer to a coastal wetland area, in a tidal
system. DWR recommends that this experiment take place in a more controlled environment, such as a
greenhouse experiment, where the adjacent water quality might not be negatively affected or have
other unanticipated impacts.
1. In the email received by DWR on August 12 you listed clarifications on what NPK fertilizer will
be used, can you please clarify what will the application method be and will the additional
nutrient be granular or spray sticky substance.
2. Please clarify if the applied nutrients infiltrate into the substrate within a certain period of
time or within a 12-hour tidal cycle.
3. Please clarify how the application rate of 10 g m-2 was determined.
4. Please provide details about how you intend to contain fertilizer within the project
boundaries from the surrounding surface waters in a tidal system.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D E Q�� 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTH CAROLINA
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 03D00766-069C-4229-BDC7-947FE1 F58F6F
DWR Project # 20231056
Rachel Carson Reserve DRAGNet
Page 2 of 3
5. DWR requests a monitoring plan be developed sampling for TKN, Total Phosphors, pH,
dissolved oxygen (DO) and Chlorophyll A around the project area to see how the additional
nutrients impact the water quality in the area.
6. Please provide what soil parameters you will be analyzing for, what lab you are using, and the
detection limits.
7. Please provide more detail about what the tilling of the marsh mimics or represents.
8. Please provide any examples of similar project that have been conducted in coastal wetland
environments.
9. Please provide a plan for the revegetation or remediation if the project is not successful or if
unintentional or additional impacts occur to the surrounding coastal wetlands outside of the
project area.
The DWR is required to evaluate projects to ensure that impacts to surface waters and wetlands have
been avoided and minimized and to ensure that any remaining surface waters or wetlands and any
surface waters downstream, continue to support existing uses during and after project completion in
accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(1).
Pursuant to Title 15A NCAC 02H .0502(e) the applicant shall furnish all 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 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 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 Michael Meilinger at 910-796-7215 or [e-mail] if you have any
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Do��cuSigned by: 6�"
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Morella Sanchez -King
Regional Operation Supervisor
Division of Water Resources, NCDEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NORT CAROIINA 919.707.9000
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 03D00766-069C-4229-BDC7-947FE1 F58F6F
DWR Project # 20231056
Rachel Carson Reserve DRAGNet
Page 3 of 3
cc: Sarah Hair, USACE Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
Gregg Bodnar, Cameron Luck, and Amanda Cannon DCM
Maria Dunn, WRC
James Harrison, DMF Washington Regional Office
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch file
Filename: 20231056_Addlnfo_DRAGNet_CarteretCo._Sept.23
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mad Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTH CAROLINQ 919.7()7.9()()()
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