20080868 Ver 2_Emails_20080710

[Fwd: Bonnerton WHF historical information]
Subject: [Fwd Bonnerton WHF historical information]
From: John Dorney <john.dorney@ncmai 1. net>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:58:16 -0400
To: Mike Schafale <[e-mail]>, Becky Fox <[e-mail]>, Kyle Barnes <[e-mail]>
CC: "Walker, William T SAW" <Will iam.T.Walker@saw02. usace. army. mil>, Ross Smith <[e-mail]>, Jeff Furness
<[e-mail]>, John Domey <John,[e-mail]>, Cyndi Karoly <[e-mail]>, Tammy L Hill
<[e-mail]>, "Lekson, David M SAW" <[e-mail]. In il>
We (DWQ with Tom Walker "present" via phone) yesterday with PCS Phosphate folks (Ross Smith and Jeff Furness) to talk about PCs
permitting issues. We had a good meeting and talked about a variety of subjects including the hardwood flat area that Mike has
determined to be nationally significant on the Bonnerton tract. PCs folks have gathered the following information for all of us to
consider to provide a more complete environmental history of these tracts. Please review and get me and Tom Walker with the Corps
any thoughts by July 25. DWQ will be putting the project on hold for more information for a number of reasons including the hardwood
flat area but your thoughts will help us make the ultimate permitting decision for this site. thankx
p.s. Tammy may want to visit the site and I will probably want to do NC WAM on the hardwood flat/headwater forest/stream site that
PCS will avoid that flows into upper Porter Creek. I'll look at my calendar (which is nightmarish) and Dave's to find a mutually
convenient time. More on that later. thankx
Subject: Bonnerton WHF historical information
From: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 181241 -0400
To: John Dorney <[e-mail]>
As you requested during our meeting today, the following information
related to the historical setting of the Bonnerton Wet Hardwood Forests
(WHF) is attached.
(See attached file: Exhibit A.jpg) (See attached file: Bonnerton WHF -
CBrown affidavit.pdf)
This information is provided as additional historical background of this
site and can be used in conjunction with the existing suite of information
for consideration, review, and a resource in PCS mine continuation
permiting decisions. This information is not intended to debate or
contradict any previous determinations by regulatory or advisory agencies.
Thanks.
Ross
1 of 3 7/10/2008 10:01 AM
[Fwd: Ronnerton WHF historical information]
EXHI BIT A
Non-Riverine Wet Hardwood Forest
2 of 3 7/10/2008 10:01 AM

[Fwd: Ronnertgn WHF historical information]
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Bonnerton WHF historical information.eml Content-Type: message/rfc822
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Exhibit A.jpg Content-Type: image/jpeg
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Bonnerton WHF - CBrown affidavit.pdf Content-Type: application/pdf
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3 of 3 7/10/2008 10:01 AM
AFFIDAVIT OF CURTIS BROWN
I am employed as the Land Supervisor for the Aurora operations of PCS Phosphate
Company, Inc. ("PCS") and have held that position since 1975. I have been directly
responsible for managing the timber assets of PCS since the year 2000. I manage in
excess of 25,000 acres of PCS timberland.
Since 2000, I have consulted regularly with forester, David C. Austin, a representative of
Superior Land and Timber Corporation regarding the appropriate time to timber PCS
forest properties to maximize income. In seven years under my management, I have
generated $5,162,700 income for PCS, an average of $737,528 per year.
Silvicultural activities have been and are conducted independently of mining operations.
Each year, I include income and expense estimates within the Land Management budget
for the harvest and re-planting of trees. The decision of when and what timber needs to be
cut is based upon the maturity of various stands and the market for each forest species.
PCS timbering includes both clear-cutting and selective thinning, as well as active
reforestation, depending upon what method is appropriate for the acres being timbered.
On occasion, we have arranged clear-cutting of timber from the path of permitted mining
when requested by the mining group, but this action is the exception to PCS silviculture
management activities.
Land acquisition and the timber management records are maintained in my office under
my supervision.
I have reviewed the files related to the twelve parcels that comprise the Significant
Natural Heritage Area (SNHA) designated by the North Carolina Natural Heritage
Program (NCNHP) on the Bonnerton tract. They are identified on Exhibit A attached as
follows:
1. W. B. Gray ......... 17.47 acres.
2. M. M. Gray ........ 36.38 acres.
3. D. D. Bonner ....... 71.90 acres.
4. T. W. Bonner ....... 61.32 acres.
5. B. B. Ross ......... 71.55 acres.
6. W. B. Gray ......... 16.70 acres.
7. D. D. Bonner ........ 7.90 acres.
8. Earl Bonner ........ 99.20 acres.
Page 2
Affidavit - Curtis H. Brown
July 7, 2008
9. Vance Bonner ....... 16.35 acres.
10. M. W. Ingram ...... 37.60 acres.
11. Matilda Tuten ...... 16.08 acres.
12. Icelenor Simpson ... 18.02 acres.
Information contained in the Land Office files and obtained from personal interviews
with former owners indicates:
1. The W. B. Gray tract was acquired by PCS on June 27, 1967. At the time of
acquisition, the former owner retained timber-cutting rights for one year. Logging trails
are clearly visible on an aerial photograph dated March 17, 1970 in records I maintain. I
have interviewed Mr. W. B. Gray, Jr., son of the former owner, who recalls that his father
harvested timber from this tract upon its sale to Texasgulf.
2. The M. M. Gray tract was acquired by PCS on October 19, 1966. In a Forest Land
Appraisal dated November 21, 1966, Mr. Robert L. Smith, Forester, stated "Ernest
Moore, logger, is presently logging this tract and has been instructed by Mrs. Jennie M.
Gray to clear cut all merchantable timber. Appears to be about 3,000 board feet per acre,
half pine and half hardwood". Logging trails are clearly visible on an aerial photograph
dated March 17, 1970.
3. The D. D. Bonner tract was acquired by Weyerhaeuser/North Carolina Phosphate
Corporation on August 3, 1960. PCS acquired the property from NCPC on April 27,
1982. Weyerhaeuser managed silvicultural activities on the Bonner tract from 1960 until
1979. Records indicate that all timber was removed by Weyerhaeuser as of December 20,
1978. PCS selectively thinned a portion of this tract in 2002.
4. The T. W. Bonner tract was acquired by PCS on August 31, 1964. At the time of
acquisition, former owners retained timber-cutting rights for one year. Marketable timber
was harvested. Logging trails are clearly visible on an aerial photograph dated March 17,
1970. PCS clear cut a portion of this tract in 2007.
5. The B. B. Ross tract was acquired by PCS on August 3, 1963. A timber cruise by
Robert L. Smith, Forester, on August 1, 1963 revealed that this tract contained pine saw
timber, pine pulpwood, gum saw timber, oak saw timber, maple saw timber and
hardwood pulpwood. Logging trails are clearly visible on an aerial photograph dated
March 17, 1970.
Page 3
Affidavit - Curtis H. Brown
July 7, 2008
6. The W. B. Gray tract was acquired by PCS on November 6, 1964. A Forest Land
Appraisal by Robert L. Smith, Forester, dated June 11, 1965 reveals that all commercial
timber was harvested by the former owner before giving up possession.
7. The D. D. Bonner tract was acquired by Weyerhaeuser/North Carolina Phosphate
Corporation on August 3, 1960. PCS acquired the property from NCPC on April 27,
1982. Weyerhaeuser managed silvicultural activities on the Bonner tract from 1960 until
1979. Records indicate that all timber was removed by Weyerhaeuser as of October 16,
1979. PCS selectively thinned a portion of this tract in 2003.
8. The Earl Bonner tract was acquired by PCS on November 15, 1982. I have interviewed
Mr. Earl Bonner who recalls that his aunt selectively thinned pine timber larger than 12
inches, diameter-breast-height in 1952. In 1980, Mr. Bonner selectively thinned the pines
again, yielding $29,420 proceeds to send his son to college. PCS selectively thinned the
subject area in 2003.
9. The Vance Bonner tract was acquired by PCS on July 22, 1969. A Forest Land
Appraisal by Robert L. Smith, Forester, dated June 14, 1965 reveals that all commercial
timber was cut over by the owner.
10. The M. W. Ingram tract was acquired by PCS on March 20, 1968. Files that I
maintain reveal that Mr. Ingram retained the right for one year to remove all remaining
wood.
11. The Matilda Tuten tract was acquired by PCS on October 4, 1963. A Forest Land
Appraisal by Robert L. Smith, Forester, dated June 7, 1965 reveals that all commercial
timber was recently cut over.
12. The Icelenor Simpson tract was acquired by PCS on November 12, 2004. PCS clear
cut this tract in 2007.
Page 4
Affidavit - Curtis H. Brown
July 7, 2008
I contracted the harvest of timber from portions of the Bonnerton Significant Natural
Heritage Area in years 2002 - 2007. These silvicultural activities involved both clear-
cutting and selective thinning operations. The specific areas harvested and the species
count from that harvesting are as follows:
D. D. Bonner and T. W. Bonner (Tracts 3 & 4 - Exhibit A)
Portions of these tracts were selectively thinned by PCS under a contract dated October
31, 2002 with Superior Land & Timber Corporation. Stumpage reports from the entire
contract acreage reveal totals by timber type of
Pine - Tree Length Log
Pine Pulpwood
Pine Logs (10+ inches)
Pine Chip-N-Saw
Hardwood Pulpwood
Hardwood Plylogs
Poplar Logs
s 1,071.22 Tons
417.14 Tons
156.33 Tons
204.39 Tons
1,021.01 Tons
182.53 Tons
8.38 mbf
D. D. Bonner and Earl Bonner (Tracts 7 & 8 -Exhibit A)
Portions of these tracts were selectively thinned by PCS under a contract dated January
29, 2003 with Superior Land & Timber Corporation. Stumpage reports from the entire
contract acreage reveal totals by timber type of
Pine - Tree Length Logs 539.04 Tons
Pine Pulpwood 259.28 Tons
Pine Logs (10+ inches) 26.67 Tons
Pine Chip-N-Saw 252.80 Tons
Hardwood Pulpwood 696.25 Tons
Hardwood Plylogs 77.84 Tons
Poplar & Maple Logs 1.46 mbf
Gum Logs 0.08 mbf
#2 Hardwood Logs 1.58 mbf
Page 5
Affidavit - Curtis H. Brown
July 7, 2008
T. W. Bonner and Icelenor Simpson (Tracts 4 & 12 - Exhibit A)
Portions of these tracts were clear cut by PCS under a contract dated December 21, 2006
with Superior Land & Timber Corporation. Stumpage reports from the entire contract
acreage reveal totals by timber type of
Pine - Tree Length Logs 894.37 Tons
Pine Pulpwood 625.51 Tons
Pine Logs (10+ inches) 408.64 Tons
Pine Sawlogs (# 1 & #2) 31.41 mbf
Pine Sawlogs (0) 8.29 mbf
Pine Chip-N-Saw 258.27 Tons
Red Oak Logs 4.24 mbf
Ash Logs 0.14 mbf
White Oak Logs 1.18 mbf
Hardwood Plylogs 489.20 Tons
Poplar Logs 18.62 mbf
Maple Logs 0.45 mbf
#2 Hardwood Logs 7.75 mbf
Harwood Pulpwood 2,497.97 Tons
We have requested a professional cruise of the subject parcels from Environmental
Services, Inc., Washington, North Carolina. A preliminary report by Seth A. Ward,
Registered Forester employed by ESI, states that due to the selective removal of the pine
timber from the site, the survey area has become a typical late successional southern
forest. Mr. Ward further states that evidence still exists that selective logging or thinning
has been conducted throughout the site, including logging equipment ruts and hand-felled
heartwood pine stumps.
As can be seen from the above facts, the current condition of these tracts is largely the
result of prior timber harvesting practices that continuously removed the more valuable
pine species.

Curtis H. Brown
Land Supervisor
PCS Phosphate Company, Inc.
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