20221617 Ver 2_More Info Received_20240124 (9)

Baker, Caroline D
From:Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Sent:Wednesday, January 24, 2024 9:43 AM
To:Homewood, Sue
Cc:Martin, Matthew K CIV CESAW
Subject:RE: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development -
Johnston County - DWR#20221617v2
Attachments:2024-01-23 BLOCK E - STREAM IMPACT EXHIBITS.pdf; 2024-01-23 BLOCK E - BUFFER
RESTORATION EXHIBIT.pdf; Eastfield DMS Acceptance rev 2.pdf; Eastfield Buffer
Restoration Plan_v2 Jan2024.pdf
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
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Sue,
Please see our responses below in red. I have also attached the Buffer Restoration Plan V2 that has your
comments/concerns now incorporated into the document. Also attached are the two drawings that show the parking
area you discuss in General Comment 1 as being shifted away from the buffer.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information.

Thank you,

Jeff Harbour, PWS
Senior Scientist I Natural Resources

2401 Brentwood Road, Suite 107 I Raleigh, NC 27604
D [phone] I M [phone]
[e-mail] I Terracon.com

From: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 8:40 AM
To: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Cc: Martin, Matthew K CIV CESAW <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development - Johnston County -
DWR#20221617v2

Jeff,

DWR has reviewed the response to our request for additional information and the buffer restoration plan. We have a
few final comments and questions:
1

Specific to the Buffer Restoration Plan:
1. Please clarify when buffer restoration activities are proposed to be conducted. Note that the schedule should
address the appropriate tree planting season. It is our position that the best tree planting season for this site
would be mid to late fall. This will allow the stems to stabilize and produced some roots before being exposed
to hot, dry North Carolina summer months.
2. Section 3.0 of the Buffer Restoration Plan states that “Within one year after NCDWR approval of the restoration
plan the application will provide documentation of restoration”. DWR appreciates that your plan follows the
protocol set out in the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 2B .0295, however the rule was developed
for mitigation sites and not all aspects are applicable/appropriate for violation restoration activities. As such,
DWR requires that the restoration be conducted as soon as possible and DWR be notified immediately upon
completion. The Buffer Restoration Plan has been revised to address this item.
3. Section 3.0 also states that the success criteria for the buffer restoration is to be 361 living and viable
stems. While this total number may be in accordance with the overall density requirement, DWR will evaluate
the buffer density within the restoration area, and if there are any portions of the buffer where DWR
determines the restoration to be unsuccessful the permittee will be required to develop a remediation plan,
regardless of the overall total number of stems throughout the entire project. The Buffer Restoration Plan has
been revised to address this item.
4. Section 4.0 of the Buffer Restoration Plan states that the applicant will notify future landowners of buffer
restrictions and maintenance requirements. Please clarify if the applicant expects that the property will be
sold/transferred to another owner within the proposed monitoring period. It is possible that some of the
parcels may be sold, but it cannot be confirmed at this time. Eastfield Associates is in agreement to record
deed notifications of the buffers on all applicable lots within Block E and will reference the Neuse Buffer Rules.
5. DWR requests that the applicant provide that they will record deed notifications of the buffers on all applicable
lots within Block E with reference to the Neuse Buffer Rules. Eastfield Associates is in agreement to record
deed notifications of the buffers on all applicable lots within Block E and will reference the Neuse Buffer Rules.
6. Section 4.0 states that noxious and/or invasive vegetation will be managed. The Neuse Buffer Rules require that
the buffer be maintained in vegetation therefore mulch and weed control fabrics and herbicide are not generally
appropriate because they will prevent all herbaceous vegetation which is an important aspect of a stable,
functioning buffer. The Buffer Restoration Plan proposes stabilization with temporary herbaceous vegetation
which DWR agrees is essential. DWR typically recommends complete removal and control of invasive species
prior to buffer restoration. DWR recommends that the area be evaluated for invasive species prior to initiating
the buffer restoration and invasive control be conducted if necessary prior to planting. Please modify Section
4.0 to either include a species specific invasive removal plan, such as spot treatment/removal only, or a general
invasive control plan that will retain native vegetation within the buffer to the maximum extent. Please refrain
from using the word “weed” within the revision. The Buffer Restoration Plan has been revised to address this
item.

General comments:
1. The area circled in red below shows development right up to the edge of the buffer. Can you please verify that
this parking area will not require a shoulder/fill slope or other construction support that would potentially
encroach into the buffer at this location. “The parking area has been shifted to provide additional clearance
from the buffer. It is noted that fill / grading operations cannot take place within the buffer. If final design
revisions are required for that parcel, they will not disturb the buffer.”
2

Lastly, you may want to consider confirming with private mitigation banks that wetland credits are still available before
DWR issues any final approvals, this can avoid the need for modifications later. The attached SOA from NCDMS
provides the mitigation for wetlands, streams and buffers for this project. The permittee did have SOAs for buffer
mitigation from two private banks, however updates received yesterday indicate that those banks no longer have
those buffer credits. NCDMS will be covering the mitigation needs for the permittee.

Thanks,

Sue Homewood (she/her/hers)
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Division of Water Resources
[e-mail] please note my new email address
336 813 1863 mobile
919-707-3679 office

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
3

From: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 2, 2024 10:09 AM
To: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development - Johnston County -
DWR#20221617v2

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Report Message
button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Sue,
I will also upload these, but it seems that the uploaded versions are the ones that have the decreased resolution when
zoomed in. Let me know if you can see these better.

Thanks

Jeff Harbour, PWS
Senior Scientist I Natural Resources

2401 Brentwood Road, Suite 107 I Raleigh, NC 27604
D [phone] I M [phone]
[e-mail] I Terracon.com

From: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2023 4:06 PM
To: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development - Johnston County -
DWR#20221617v2

Yes, they do. You can look for yourself what is in our
file: https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/DocView.aspx?id=3080716&dbid=0&repo=WaterResources

It’s mostly the plans, especially the buffer restoration plan, I can’t read the text on that one.

For future, if you can upload higher resolution plans that would be great. I know it’s a tradeoff in size of file, I don’t
know what the magic number is but this one was too low.

Thanks,

Sue Homewood (she/her/hers)
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Division of Water Resources
[e-mail] please note my new email address
336 813 1863 mobile
919-707-3679 office

4

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2023 4:00 PM
To: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development - Johnston County -
DWR#20221617v2

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Report Message
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Hey Sue
Do they get blurry when you zoom in? I’d so I will get a higher resolution set. Does this apply to the permit plans, storm
water plans or both?
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 29, 2023, at 3:52 PM, Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]> wrote:

Hi Jeff,

I see that you uploaded your response to the DWR portal. Thank you for doing that. Unfortunately the
quality of the plans isn’t good enough for me to zoom in or read all of the text. Could you send me a pdf
please so that we can finish up our review.

Thanks,

Sue Homewood (she/her/hers)
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Division of Water Resources
[e-mail] please note my new email address
336 813 1863 mobile
919-707-3679 office

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 12:59 PM
To: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Cc: Joshua M. Scanlon, P.E. <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development - Johnston
County - DWR#20221617v2

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the
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Thank you Sue. Josh, can you send a teams invite for this?
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Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 7, 2023, at 12:54 PM, Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]> wrote:

Yes, 3:30 pm tomorrow

Thanks,

Sue Homewood (she/her/hers)
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Division of Water Resources
[e-mail] please note my new email address
336 813 1863 mobile
919-707-3679 office

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2023 10:01 AM
To: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Cc: Joshua M. Scanlon, P.E. <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development
- Johnston County - DWR#20221617v2

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report
suspicious emails with the Report Message button located on your Outlook menu bar on the
Home tab.

Sue,
Can you do a quick call tomorrow after 12pm ?

Thanks

Jeff Harbour, PWS
Senior Scientist I Natural Resources

<image001.png>
2401 Brentwood Road, Suite 107 I Raleigh, NC 27604
D [phone] I M [phone]
[e-mail] I Terracon.com

<image002.png> <image003.png> <image004.png> <image005.png> <image006.png>

From: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 7:38 PM
To: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development
- Johnston County - DWR#20221617v2

6

Hi Jeff,

I’m in meetings most of Thurs but may be able to find some time on Friday when we can
chat and share a screen to talk about your question. Would you be available on Friday?

Thanks,

Sue Homewood (she/her/hers)
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Division of Water Resources
[e-mail] please note my new email address
336 813 1863 mobile
919-707-3679 office

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2023 4:23 PM
To: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Cc: Joshua M. Scanlon, P.E. <[e-mail]>; Ryan M. Enoch, P.E.
<[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; Matt Phillips
<[e-mail]>
Subject: \[External\] RE: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development -
Johnston County - DWR#20221617v2

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report
suspicious emails with the Report Message button located on your Outlook menu bar on the
Home tab.

Sue,
First of all, thank you for providing these comments so quickly. I just had a call with the
team and we are confident that we can address your comments and provide a formal
response at some point next week.

We do have a question about Item 5 in your letter. We are a little unclear on what you
are requesting. Are you suggesting that the area that is not colored as an impact needs
to be shown as an impact, even though it is part of the buffer that will be
restored? Maybe you can clarify this via email or if you wish, we can get on a call to
discuss.

Other than these items that we will be currently addressing, overall are you in good spot
st
with your review? We would like to have the 401/404 approvals by February 1 based
on the team’s timelines and commitments and are hoping that we can satisfy these
comments quickly.

As always, thanks for you help.

Jeff Harbour, PWS
Senior Scientist I Natural Resources

<image007.png>
2401 Brentwood Road, Suite 107 I Raleigh, NC 27604
7

D [phone] I M [phone]
[e-mail] I Terracon.com

<image002.png> <image003.png> <image004.png> <image005.png> <image006.png>

From: Homewood, Sue <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, December 4, 2023 4:13 PM
To: Harbour, Jeff W <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]
Cc: Martin, Matthew K CIV CESAW <[e-mail]>; Garrison,
Gabriela <[e-mail]>; Mcdaniel, Chonticha
<[e-mail]>
Subject: Request for Additional Information for Eastfield Development - Johnston
County - DWR#20221617v2

Thanks,

Sue Homewood (she/her/hers)
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Division of Water Resources
[e-mail] please note my new email address
336 813 1863 mobile
919-707-3679 office

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina 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.
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