RE_ C204553 (R-3300B) Clearing In Wetlands

From:Sprinkle, Hannah H
To:Lane, Stephen; Giles, Jon W; Steffens, Thomas A CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)
Cc:Westphal, Anneliese; Stepp, Amy M; Steenhuis (LJB, Inc.), Joanne H
Subject:RE: C204553 (R-3300B) Clearing In Wetlands
Date:Friday, November 17, 2023 9:36:00 AM
Attachments:image002.png
Jon,

Thank you for the follow-up report. As you already stated, please emphasize to all contractors and sub-contractors that work requests by private citizens
(adjacent to our projects) must be discussed with Conti/NDCOT before any land clearing operations are to begin. I’m disappointed the additional clearing
took place, but I appreciate the quick response and reporting. If you could also provide some photos when you get a chance, that would be great.

Thank you,

Hannah

Hannah Sprinkle
Environmental Specialist II
401 and Buffer Transportation Permitting Branch
Department of Environmental Quality

[phone] (mobile)
910) 796-7379 (office)
[e-mail] ***please note my email address has changed ***

From: Lane, Stephen <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 2:12 PM
To: Giles, Jon W <[e-mail]>; Sprinkle, Hannah H <[e-mail]>; Steffens, Thomas A CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)
<[e-mail]>
Cc: Westphal, Anneliese <[e-mail]>; Stepp, Amy M <[e-mail]>; Steenhuis (LJB, Inc.), Joanne H <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: C204553 (R-3300B) Clearing In Wetlands

Thank you for the notification Jon. Just so I am clear on this, the 0.66 acres of additional hand clearing was within the NCDOT R/W in addition to what was
cleared beyond the R/W?

From: Giles, Jon W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 1:34 PM
To: Sprinkle, Hannah H <[e-mail]>; Steffens, Thomas A CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>; Lane, Stephen
<[e-mail]>
Cc: Westphal, Anneliese <[e-mail]>; Stepp, Amy M <[e-mail]>; Steenhuis (LJB, Inc.), Joanne H <[e-mail]>
Subject: FW: C204553 (R-3300B) Clearing In Wetlands

Hannah, Tom and Stephen,

Good Afternoon! I trust yall are having a great week and getting prepared for the Holidays.

I received a call from Ben Meyer, Assistant Resident Engineer for R3300B, yesterday late afternoon concerning some clearing in wetlands that occurred along
and within the NCDOT ROW along the -L- line near where the A section meets the B section. He stated that the adjacent property owner requested the on-
site clearing contractor clear out a portion along the ROW on his property. This request was not cleared through the Prime nor NCDOT and was not project
related work, this has been confirmed by all parties involved.

Ben has provided the calculations of the impacted area. Approximately, 0.66 acres were impacted, approximately 15 trees were removed. Please note that no
grubbing, rutting or ground disturbance occurred during this operation. I wanted to pass this information along as quickly as possible.

The Resident Engineers Office has discussed this matter with Conti and have told them to notify all their sub-contractors that moving forward any work
requested by private citizens is to be disclosed and discuss with Conti and NCDOT prior to accepting/performing requested work.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or comments. NCDOT will be re-staking the ROW in this area and will have it clearly visible.

Sincerely,

Jon

Jon W. Giles Jr.
Division Environmental Officer – Division 3
North Carolina Department of Transportation

910 341 2040 Office
910-902-0244 Mobile
910 675 0143 Fax
[e-mail]

5501 Barbados Blvd.
Castle Hayne, NC 28429

From: Meyer (RK & K Civil Engineering), Benjamin C <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 8:39 AM
To: Giles, Jon W <[e-mail]>
Cc: Westphal, Anneliese <[e-mail]>; Steenhuis (LJB, Inc.), Joanne H <[e-mail]>; Walker, Alex <[e-mail]>;
Brandon Helms <[e-mail]>; Jackson Provost, PE, PLS <[e-mail]>; Waugh, Daniel G <[e-mail]>
Subject: C204553 (R-3300B) Clearing In Wetlands

Jon,
Follow up email to my phone call and our review of the project logging wetland incident. I was alerted by the logging subcontractor yesterday, 11/15/2023,
about an area that was likely cleared outside of the project limits. Up on investigation, we realized that some of logged area affected permit Site 1. The
incident occurred due to the adjacent property owner hiring the project’s logging subcontractor to clear trees that were left on the private property outside
of the NCDOT right-of-way. The logging subcontractor accessed the adjacent private property from our right-of-way, away from any wetlands and properly
installed safety fence. Then the logging subcontractor began working towards the project and affected an area of right-of-way with project delineated
wetlands in. Approximately 15 trees were removed from the area, but no grubbing or rutting of the area occurred. Due to the equipment and tree removal,
the brush and small trees were “trampled”. We determined that the affects were from -L1- STA 585+00 to 591+00 RT and affected 0.66 acres of project
wetlands. We will have the ROW re-staked through the area. Additionally, we will make sure that Conti informs their subcontractors if private work occurs
adjacent to the project, we need to be informed to understand if impacts will be caused to the project. Let me know if you need any additional information.
Cheers,
Ben

Ben Meyer, PE, CCM
Assistant Resident Engineer
Hampstead Bypass
Cell: 910-617-1902
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

Only constant is change!

Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized state official.