[External] Fw: Re: Sidden NRCS Stream Restoration - DWR Additional Information Received

Hartshorn, Blake
From:Jeff Belflower <[e-mail]>
Sent:Thursday, May 16, 2024 10:30 AM
To:Hartshorn, Blake
Subject:\[External\] Fw: Re: Sidden NRCS Stream Restoration - DWR Additional Information
Request
Attachments:Additional Information Response - 5.16.24.pdf; Sidden Site Photos.pdf; Signed Agent
Authorization.pdf; Revised Impact Table.pdf

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Blake,

I received a failure to send message after I sent the email below. I will break the attachments up and try sending
again in two messages.

Thank you,
Jeff

------ Forwarded Message ------
From "Jeff Belflower" <[e-mail]>
To "Hartshorn, Blake" <[e-mail]>
Date 5/16/2024 10:26:43 AM
Subject Re: Sidden NRCS Stream Restoration - DWR Additional Information Request

Blake,

Please see the attached files:
1. Written response to request for additional information that provides more detailed information about the
project and responses to each individual request.
2. Photos of current site conditions with descriptions
3. Signed agent authorization form
4. Revised impact table from PCN
5. Revised project plans
Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

Thank you,
Jeff Belflower

828-980-5715

1

------ Original Message ------
From "Hartshorn, Blake" <[e-mail]>
To "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>
Cc "Leslie, Andrea J" <[e-mail]>; "[e-mail]"
<[e-mail]>
Date 5/7/2024 3:03:15 PM
Subject Sidden NRCS Stream Restoration - DWR Additional Information Request

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]

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.
2

Photos of Site Taken During Winter 2024:

Figure 1: Perched DOT culvert under Longbottom Rd at 0+00 of mainstem

Figure 2: Bank erosion at 1+00 of mainstem

Figure 3: Bank erosion at 0+60 of Tributary 2

Figure 4: Bank erosion at 0+80 of Tributary 2

Figure 5: Typical unstable banks - Tributary 2

Figure 6: DOT culvert under Longbottom Rd, Tributary 1

Figure 7: Eroding banks at 2+60 of Tributary 1

Figure 8: Existing pipe outlet with eroding side slopes, 5+48 of Tributary 1

Figure 9: Unstable bend, top of bank caving in foreground; mainstem station 3+00

Figure 10: Unstable bank, mainstem station 4+70

Figure 11: Stable left bank, unstable right bank, mainstem 7+50

Figure 12: Unstable bank on left side of picture; mainstem station 13+90

Figure 13: Unstable bank on right side of photo; Tributary 3

Figure 14: Looking towards culvert at beginning of mainstem and the bottom portion of
Tributary 1 showing the lack of existing riparian buffers

Page 10 of 21 PCN Form Version 4.3- February 22, 2024

3. Stream Impacts
If there are perennial or intermittent stream/ tributary impacts (including temporary impacts) proposed on the site,
complete this table for all stream/ tributary sites impacted.
** All Perennial or Intermittent streams must be verified by DWR or delegated local government

Site #*
3a
Impact
Reason*
3b.
Impact
Duration*
3c.
Impact Type*
3d.
Stream Name*
3e.
Stream
Type*
3f.
Jurisdiction
Type*
3g.
Stream Width
(avg ft) *
3h.
Impact length
(linear ft) *
S1 Stream
Restoration
and
Enhancement
Permanent Restoration/
Enhancement
Mainstem UT
Double Creek
Perennial Both 4 1427
S2 Stream
Restoration
and
Enhancement
Permanent Restoration/
Enhancement
Tributary 1 Perennial Both 3 553
S3 NRCS Farm
Crossing
Permanent Crossing/
Culvert
Tributary 1 Perennial Both 3 40
S4 Stream
Restoration
and
Enhancement
Permanent Restoration/
Enhancement
Tributary 2 Perennial Both 3 702
S5 NRCS Farm
Crossing
Permanent Crossing/
Culvert
Tributary 2 Perennial Both 3 40
S6 Stream
Restoration
and
Enhancement
Permanent Restoration/
Enhancement
Tributary 3 Perennial Both 2 70
S7 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S8 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S9 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S10 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S11 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S12 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S13 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S14 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S15 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S16 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S17 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S18 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S19 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
S20 Click to enter Temp/ Perm Choose one Click to enter Per/Int Choose one Click to enter Click to enter
3i1. Total jurisdictional ditch
impact: 0 linear ft
3i2. Total permanent stream
impacts: 2,832 linear ft

Page 11 of 21 PCN Form Version 4.3- February 22, 2024
3i3. Total temporary stream
impacts: 0 linear ft
3i4. Total stream and ditch
impacts: 2,832 linear ft
3j. Comments:
Impacts to the stream channels include the installation of j-hooks, toe-wood, log vanes, and habitat rocks.
These structures are needed to maintain grade, reduce shear stress along the streambanks, improve habitat,
and to enhance bedform diversity. This will result in a long-term positive impact to instream aquatic habitat.

Mr. Hartshorn,
Thank you for your response and for the detailed review. First, just a little background on this
project. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Wilkes County Soil and
Water Conservation District initiated the project because of the potential to improve water
quality through a stream restoration project at the site. The Soil and Water Conservation district
applied for and received a North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) Grant to hire a private
engineer (me) to provide design and permitting services for this project due to NRCS being
short-staffed and not able to provide engineering services in a timely manner. The site and
preliminary design have been thoroughly vetted and reviewed by conservation and restoration
specialists from all of the aforementioned agencies. NRCS employees developed a conservation
plan for the site and encouraged the landowner to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP). The application was funded and the landowner now has an EQIP contract in
place with NRCS to complete the proposed project. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program
that provides no incentive to the landowner other than conservation technical assistance and cost-
share to aid in the implementation of conservation practices on their land. I have provided
engineering, permitting, and construction supervision services for many NRCS funded projects.
Responses to request for additional information (corresponding to numbers on letter):
1. Photos of current conditions with descriptions are attached.
2. Existing culvert length = 20’ (1 existing culvert). Proposed total culvert length = 80’ (40’
at each proposed location). A thorough examination was undertaken to determine if ford-
type crossings could be used for access. Unfortunately, the topography at the site will not
allow the landowner to move multiple pieces of large agricultural equipment across the
streams without culverts. The culverts were designed according to the NRCS Stream
Crossing (code 578) practice standard. Designed culvert lengths are necessary to
facilitate stable side slopes and a roadbed of sufficient width to allow landowner’s access
to agricultural fields with large row-crop equipment. Callouts listing culvert design
details are included on the plan sheets and the impact table has been updated to include
the two proposed culverts. Due to NCWRC comments, culvert material was changed
from HDPE to aluminized corrugated metal in order to provide a rougher material that
will aid in aquatic organism passage.
3. A signed agent authorization form is attached.
4. The impact table has been revised to separate out impacts for each tributary and to
separate the proposed culverts and stream restoration. With similar projects in the past,
the total proposed project length was listed as restoration/enhancement even if other
impact descriptions such as relocation might also be applicable for portions of the project.
Ultimately, the project is a stream restoration/enhancement project and all impacts are for
the purpose of achieving that goal while also allowing continued agricultural production
in the uplands by providing stable stream crossings. The previously listed total was
miscalculated; the total impact length of 2,832 linear feet listed in the revised table is the
correct length based on the design.
5. There are three minor stream relocations proposed on the plans. The designed relocations
on Tributary 1 and the Mainstem UT to Double Creek are necessary because of existing
topography and stream alignment. The relocations will reduce shear stress along the
streambanks and will allow construction of flatter bank slopes. The relocation on
Tributary 2 was designed mainly due to extremely steep existing topography on the left
(western) streambank. The stream in this area flows through an old breached dam (see
Figures 3 and 4). Relocation will place the stream more closely to its likely historic path
before construction of the dam and will allow construction of flatter bank slopes. This
will result in minimization of impacts at these sites by reducing bank erosion due to
establishment of stable banks and a woody riparian buffer.
6. The culverts are for agricultural equipment access. The planting plan has been updated to
show that planting will not occur on access roads.
7. These pipes were installed many decades ago before the existing landowner was alive
and little information is known about them. They are likely agricultural subsurface
drains. Stabilizing their outlets will reduce bank erosion.
8. Erosion and sediment control permitting will be conducted after 404/401 permits are
obtained.
9. The longitudinal profiles on the sheets identified have been updated to show proposed
changes to the water surface profiles.
10. The proposed culvert was added to the longitudinal profile on Sheet 4.5.

Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime with any additional questions.

Sincerely,
Jeff Belflower

828-980-5715