Add Info Response 20240403 Bobby N Setzer Fish Hatchery Renovations - NCDWR Request for Information - 4.3.24

April 4, 2024

Joey Winston
Environmental Specialist II
NC Division of Water Resources
2090 U.S. 70 Highway
Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778-8211

Re: Response to Comments – Request for Additional Information
Bobby N Setzer State Fish Hatchery Renovations (DWR #20240035)
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Transylvania County, North Carolina

Dear Mr. Winston:

McGill Associates received an additional information request pertaining to the referenced project
from you via email on March 4, 2024. Please find our responses below.

1. The project proposes to install two grit removal systems, one at each intake pipe in
Grogan Creek (Cedar Rock Creek) and the Davidson River. The PCN, additional
information received from NCWRC (attached), and pre-application discussions
indicate that an operation plan is still being developed for these systems, but that
they will primarily discharge sediment during high storm flows with increased
sediment loads. These two streams are classified Trout and have a turbidity standard
of 10 NTU. When turbidity exceeds this level due to natural background conditions,
such as during storm flows with high sediment transport, the existing turbidity level
shall not be increased. Please describe the measures proposed to ensure the
operation of these grit removal systems will not exceed the turbidity standard. [15A
NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2); 15A NCAC 02B .0211(21)]

These systems are designed to collect heavy sediment which enters the hatchery system from
Grogan Creek (Cedar Rock Creek) and the Davidson River at the intakes. Heavy sediment
typically enters the hatchery during storm events, and these systems are designed to help
prevent potentially catastrophic failures to the process. The current hatchery process has no
means of removing heavy sediment from their system and during storm events this heavy
sediment settles out in the production raceways and creates the potential for the stoppage of
flow. These systems are designed to capture sediment with a specific gravity greater than 2.65
and larger than or equal to 106 microns in size, which in this application is fine to coarse river
sand. This sand is naturally occurring in the river and would continue past the dam if the intakes
at Grogan Creek and the Davidson River where not used for the hatchery process. Once
collected, the heavy sediment is fluidized with the creek and/or river water from downstream of
the heavy sediment removal systems and are discharged back into the receiving body just
downstream of the dam where it will settle out quickly and not become suspended in the water
column, increasing turbidity. Because of the nature of what the heavy sediment system is
designed to remove, along with the location of the discharge, the low discharge rate of the
system (200-300 gpm), and the use of river/creek water from downstream of the removal
Mr. Joey Winston, NCDWR
April 3, 2024
Page 2 of 3

system for fluidizing water the heavy sediment removal systems will not increase the turbidity
level above natural background conditions.

2. The PCN indicates that the project’s purpose is to improve the facility’s yield through
several techniques, including an increase in capacity, improved water supply
reliability, and a redesign of raceways. The PCN also describes existing challenges in
water availability. Please confirm that the redesign will not lead to the withdrawal of
additional water during low flow events, causing harm to the aquatic habitat
downstream of the the intakes at Grogan Creek and the Davidson River. [15A NCAC
02H .0506(b)(2); 15A NCAC 02B .0211(2)]

The proposed system at the Davidson intake is designed to increase capacity but is also
designed to return flow to the base of the dam by pumping effluent back into the channel. This
design should maintain adequate flow even during low flow conditions. The hatchery currently
does not have the capability of returning flow to the base of the dam. The Grogan Creek intake
will continue to operate at the current levels and will not withdraw additional water during low
flow events. We do not anticipate harm to the aquatic habitat downstream of the intakes.

3. The Division has received comments indicating that the project plans include erosion
control matting containing polypropylene. The Division does not allow matting that
incorporates plastic mesh and/or plastic twine along streambanks or within wetlands
due to its harmful effects to aquatic life. Please confirm that matting used along
stream banks and within wetlands will not contain plastic mesh and/or plastic twine.
[15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2); 15A NCAC 02B .0211(2)]

See revised Plan Sheets G-004, C-124, C-125, and C-140. Sheets have been revised to specify
Coir Matting for river and stream bank stabilization along with a native plant and seed mix.

4. The Division received additional project information from the NC Wildlife Resources
Commission on February 8, 2024, which addressed some of the Division’s concerns.
This information has been attached to this request. Please confirm this information
so it can be added to the project application. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(4); 15A NCAC
02H .0506(b)(3)]

All information provided to NCWRC is correct and has been incorporated into the plans.

5. Please provide an agent authorization letter authorizing Jon Swaim to act on behalf of
Brad Kleinmaier and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission for the Section 401
Water Quality Certification application. A sample Agent Authorization Form is
attached, if needed. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(11)]

Please find attached Agent Authorization Form.

Mr. Joey Winston, NCDWR
April 3, 2024
Page 3 of 3

This information represents the professional judgment and opinion of McGill Associates, PA. If
there are any questions regarding this information, please contact me at
[e-mail] or via phone at [phone].

Sincerely,
McGILL ASSOCIATES, PA
JON SWAIM
Practice Area Leader, Environmental Services

Enclosures: Revised Plan Sheets
Agent Authorization Form

Cc: Shannon Healy – USACE (via email)
Andrea Leslie – NCWRC (via email)

P:\2019\19.00124-NCWRC-Bobby N Setzer State Fish Hatche\Design\Permits

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