Sidden NRCS Stream Restoration - DWR Additional Information Request

Hartshorn, Blake
From:Hartshorn, Blake
Sent:Tuesday, May 7, 2024 3:03 PM
To:[e-mail]
Cc:Leslie, Andrea J; [e-mail]
Subject:Sidden NRCS Stream Restoration - DWR Additional Information Request
Attachments:20240397_Sidden_WilkesCounty-Addinfo.pdf
Good afternoon,

See the attached additional information request for the Sidden Stream Restoration. Please let me know if you have
any questions.

Thank you,

Blake Hartshorn (he/him)
Mitigation Specialist, Division of Water Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Office: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
[e-mail]

1

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1611 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000

May 7, 2024

DWR # 20240397v1
Wilkes County

Belflower Farms, LLC
Attn: Jefferson Belflower
452 Luckadoo Rd
Bostic, NC 28018

Delivered via email to: [e-mail]

Subject: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Sidden NRCS-EQIP Stream Restoration Project

Dear Mr. Belflower:

On March 6, 2024, the Division of Water Resources (Division) received your application requesting a 401
Individual Water Quality Certification from the Division for the subject project. The Division has
determined that your application is incomplete and cannot be processed. The application is on-hold
until all of the following information is received:

1. Provide DWR with photos of current conditions on site. (i.e. existing culverts, features)

2. Provide more information about culvert replacements. Is the proposed culvert length increasing in
length or will the impact length stay the same? If increasing length, provide specs in the plan and
include them as an impact within the impact table and callout on the sheet plans along with how
much linear feet of rip rap is being placed.

3. Provide DWR with a copy of the agent authorization form signed by the project applicant granting
you signature authority.

4. Within the ePCN, only one row (S1) was included as an impact of 2,930 ft for stabilization along UT
double creek. According to the plans that were submitted, there are multiple tributaries with
various types of impacts such as relocation, culvert installation, stabilization. These impacts will
need to be separated out by impact type and feature as well as called out on the plans for DWR to
verify correct amount of impacts.

5. According to the plans, there appears to be portions of the tributaries that will be relocated (i.e.
the portion between 0+00 and 3+00 on plan sheet 4.5) but there is no description of reason or
callout for proposed relocation. Provide DWR with a reason as to why stream relocation is
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7D67980C-69A6-4477-9FA8-77F43E6EC1F9
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1611 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000
Sidden NRCS-EQIP Stream Restoration Project
DWR# 20240397v1
Request for Additional Information
Page 2 of 3

occurring and why that is minimization of impacts along with callouts of length of relocation on
the plan sheets.

6. A planting plan was included that indicates planting will occur along majority of the features;
however, there are culverts being replaced. Are these culverts being replaced for vehicle access to
the farm land? The planting plan shows no difference of plantings if these culverts are for access,
DWR suggests pointing out access roads if that is the case.

7. There are several locations with callouts stating “Riprap over geotextile outlet for existing pipe”.
What kind of existing pipes are currently there? Is this for utilities? Provide clarification.

8. Has an erosion and sediment control plan been submitted to North Carolina Division of Energy,
Mineral, and Land Resources or a delegated local program?

Comments Specific to Plan Sheets:

9. On the Plan Sheets 4.5, 4.7 and 4.8 there is indication of multiple features being installed and
possible relocations (i.e. pools and riffles) but no change in proposed water surface. Typically
the water level will vary from current conditions when step features and relocation are being
proposed, should there be a change to the graphs for these Plan Sheets?

10. Plan Sheet 4.5 does not have the culvert called out on the elevation graph. Please have that
included.

Pursuant to Title 15A NCAC 02H .0502(e), the applicant shall furnish all of 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.deq.nc.gov/Forms/Supplemental-Information-Form (note the DWR# requested on the link
is referenced above).

If all of 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 for this
activity and any work done within waters of the state may be a violation of North Carolina General
Statutes and Administrative Code.

DocuSign Envelope ID: 7D67980C-69A6-4477-9FA8-77F43E6EC1F9
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 1611 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611
919.707.9000
Sidden NRCS-EQIP Stream Restoration Project
DWR# 20240397v1
Request for Additional Information
Page 3 of 3

Please contact Blake Hartshorn at 919-707-3684 or [e-mail] if you have any
questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Goss, Supervisor
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch

Electronic cc: Mitchell Anderson, USACE
Andrea Leslie, NCWRC
DocuSign Envelope ID: 7D67980C-69A6-4477-9FA8-77F43E6EC1F9