NC Coastal Beach Sand Placement Programmatic Biological Assessment

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WASHINGTON REGULATORY FIELD OFFICE
2407 W 5T" STREET
WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 27889
November 22, 2016
Regulatory Division
Action ID No. SAW -2016-02262
Mr. Pete Benjamin, Field Supervisor
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
Dear Mr. Benjamin:
FT,Nov 3 0 2016
Please reference the North Carolina Coastal Beach Sand Placement Programmatic Biological
Assessment (PBA) dated October, 2016. This PBA was developed by the Wilmington District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management
(NCDCM) in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) Raleigh Ecological
Services Field Office. This PBA has been prepared to facilitate a streamlined programmatic
consultation process and subsequently a USFWS Programmatic Biological Opinion (PBO) for
routinely implemented sand placement activities that have similar project approval requirements
in North Carolina.
I have reviewed this PBA and conclude that the proposed work may affect the Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus melodus), Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii
dougallii), Seabeach Amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus), and the Kemp's Ridley (Lepidoehelys
kempi), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricate), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Loggerhead
(Caretta caretta), and Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas); and therefore, I am hereby requesting
initiation of formal consultation pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended.
Your expeditious review and preparation of the Biological Opinion is appreciated. Should
you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Josh Pelletier, at the
Washington Regulatory Field Office, telephone [phone].
Sincerely,
IMA61 �, tWicooe
William J. Biddlecome
Chief, Washington Regulatory Field Office

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Copies Furnished:
Rahlff Ingle
Senior Environmental Scientist
Dial Cordy and Associates, Inc.
201 N. Front St., Suite 307
Wilmington, NC 28401
Mr. Daniel Holliman
Wetlands and Regulatory Section
United States Environmental Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Ms. Kathy -Matthews
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
Mr. Ken Riley
National Marine Fisheries Service
Habitat Conservation Division
101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
Ms. Karen Higgins
Division of Water Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Mr. Doug Huggett
Division of Coastal Management
North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
400 Commerce Avenue
Morehead City, North Carolina 28557

Mr. Shane Staples
Division of Marine Fisheries
North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, North Carolina 27889
Ms. Maria Dunn
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, North Carolina 27889
Mr. Dave Hallac
National Park Service
1401 National Park Road
Manteo, North Carolina 27954