20231428 Ver 1_More Info Received_20231215

Baker, Caroline D
From: Hopper, Christopher D CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)
<[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 1:48 PM
To: Thomas, Zachary T
Subject: [External] FW: SAW-2023-02044 / UT Hair Snipe Creek Sewerline Exposure / 3806
Whispering Branch Road / Public Utilities Department / City of Raleigh / Wake County,
NC - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Report Message
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Christopher. D. Hopper
TREC Team Lead / Wilmington District Liaison
US Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
[phone]
We would appreciate your feedback on how we are performing our duties. Our automated Customer Service Survey can
be accessed by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser:
https://re_ u�y.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-surveyl. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and
complete the survey.
From: Tisdale, Jessica <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 12:31 PM
To: Hopper, Christopher D CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>
Cc: Rougeot, Katie <[e-mail]>; Brice, Mary <[e-mail]>
Subject: [Non-DoD Source] RE: SAW-2023-02044 / UT Hair Snipe Creek Sewerline Exposure / 3806 Whispering Branch
Road / Public Utilities Department / City of Raleigh / Wake County, NC - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Hi Chris,
Thanks for speaking with me this morning. Below are answers to your questions for this ePCN that we talked over via
phone.
Going forward we will check "Yes" on 5a. and make a more robust explanation for the listed species in the project area
for you to send on to USFWS.
Thank you and please reach out with questions.
Jessica

From: Hopper, Christopher D CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2023 6:37 AM
To: Tisdale, Jessica <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: SAW-2023-02044 / UT Hair Snipe Creek Sewerline Exposure / 3806 Whispering Branch Road / Public Utilities
Department / City of Raleigh / Wake County, NC - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CAUTION: [EXTERNAL] This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
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G'mornin!
I tried to call yesterday to discuss before sending — left a message. Sorry for the 11t" hour surprise email. I typically like
to discuss with applicants before sending when I can.
Give me a holler or email if you'd like to discuss any of these.
Christopher. D. Hopper
TREC Team Lead / Wilmington District Liaison
US Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
[phone]
We would appreciate your feedback on how we are performing our duties. Our automated Customer Service Survey can
be accessed by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser:
https://re_ u�y.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-surveyl. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and
complete the survey.
From: Hopper, Christopher D CIV USARMY CESAW (USA)
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 4:55 PM
To: Tisdale, Jessica <[e-mail]>
Cc: Phillips, George L CIV USARMY CESAW (USA) <[e-mail]>; Thomas, Zachary T
<[e-mail]>
Subject: SAW-2023-02044 / UT Hair Snipe Creek Sewerline Exposure / 3806 Whispering Branch Road/Public Utilities
Department / City of Raleigh / Wake County, NC- REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Good afternoon, Jessica:
This email is in reference to the Pre -construction notification (PCN) for the proposed 3806 Whispering Branch Road
Sewerline Exposure Project (SAW-2023-02044), received on October 17, 2023.
The following information is required to complete our evaluation, confirm compliance with one or more General or
Regional Conditions, and/or complete consultation with another federal/state agency to verify the use of the
Nationwide Permit (NWP):
1) PCN Section C.5. Jurisdictional Determinations: The application states that no wetlands were located within the
project area. Please confirm the project area includes access to the streambank restoration site. Yes, I reviewed
and walked the access area as well and there are no wetlands in the project area.

2) The narrative included in the application states that, "... pipe has become uncovered in the streambed due to
high velocity flows and will remain exposed in the streambed". RE: General Condition 2 (Aquatic Life
Movements) and General Condition 14 (Proper Maintenance): The plan does not sound to be compliant with GC
2. Please discuss how leaving the pipe exposed in the streambed would not disrupt the life cycle movements of
aquatic life and also maintenance measures for this pipe going forward. The pipe is uncovered and perched.
Portions of the pipe will be re-covered when the stream bank stabilization efforts are complete. However, the
gravity pipe will remain uncovered and perched in the streambed. During stream bank stabilization previously
placed rip -rap will be removed from areas around the streambed pipe to allow for aquatic life movement.
This will remove the "waterfall effect" that the gravity pipe is currently having on the stream.
3) Were options to bury the line or restore the stream to its previous elevation considered? Please discuss why
other alternatives that would comply with NWP 58 General Conditions are not feasible. This is a gravity sewer
pipe and the elevation of the pipe can't be adjusted without significant reconstruction or a pump/lift station
which is not feasible. We did not consider changing the stream elevation as we didn't want to disrupt the
stream above or below the gravity sewer crossing and didn't think this was a viable option.
4) Only the portion of stream to be repaired is depicted on the attached exhibits. Please discuss down -gradient
stream conditions, and whether hardening this reach of stream is likely to degrade downstream reaches. Are
grade control structures downstream? This stream is degrading due to the flashy stormwater nature and
urbanization of the watershed; this project is mainly to protect the sewer infrastructure and prevent further
sewer line breaks. This UT stream has been hardened in the past and repairs made to the stream bank. The
down gradient stream conditions were not reviewed in full detail however Hare Snipe Creek is within 20'
downstream of the repair and it has sand, and gravel bottom with no signs of grade control in the
downstream reach (-20' of UT and 10' of Hare Snipe Creek). There are backwater effects of Hare Snipe Creek
on this UT section and we do not anticipate streambed downcutting to occur after this stabilization repair.
5) The IPaC report attached to the application identifies tricolored bat (PE), red -cockaded woodpecker (E), Neuse
River waterdog (T), Carolina madtom (E), Atlantic pigtoe (T), Dwarf wedgemussel (E), and Michaux's sumac (E) as
potentially occurring in the project area. However, the PCN states that the project will not occur in or near an
area with federally protected species or habitat, and that you have not checked with the US Fish and Wildlife
Service regarding impacts. Please note that we will be required to consult with the Service prior to being able to
issue any permit verification. Any additional details for each species (we need to provide an Affect
Determination for each) would be helpful in securing their concurrence for the project as proposed. The project
will not occur in or near a area of federally protected species or habitat. There is no habitat for RCW
within the project area and access roads as it is a maintained sewer easement. A biological conclusion of No
Effect has been reached for RCW. The project area does have limited suitable habitat for Michaux's sumac but
no individuals were identified during the field reconnaissance trip (inside optimal survey window) on
7/25/2023. A biological conclusion of No Effect has been reached for Michaux's sumac. Habitat for Neuse
River waterdog, Carolina madtom, Atlantic pigtoe and Dwarf wedgemussel is present within the project area
in UT to Hare Snipe Creek and downstream Hare Snipe Creek. Minimal habitat for UT to Hare Snipe Creek
exists as it is a low flow, small stream and Hare Snipe Creek downstream of the project area harbors habitat
for the listed aquatic species with sand, gravel bottoms with sand bars, riffles and pool with an approximate
width of 12'. A culvert is located approximately 500 feet downstream at Woodowl Drive from Hare Snipe
Creek. Our project is located 20' upstream from the confluence with Hare Snipe Creek and we expect the
impacts to be minimal on aquatic species as this project would ensure the stability of the sewer line and
prevent future sewer spillages. A biological conclusion of "MANLAA" has been reached for four listed aquatic
species.
Please provide the requested information within 30 days, or your application will be administratively withdrawn. To
clarify, if the requested information is submitted after the 30-day timeframe, you will not be required to re -submit an
3

entirely new PCN (unless otherwise specified). We will continue to review and/or process your permit application upon
receipt of the requested information.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Christopher. D. Hopper
TREC Team Lead / Wilmington District Liaison
US Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
[phone]
We would appreciate your feedback on how we are performing our duties. Our automated Customer Service Survey can
be accessed by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser:
https://regulatory.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-surveY1. Thank you for taking the time to visit this site and
complete the survey.