20080868 Ver 2_Emails_20080715 (5)

Re: [Fwd: Bonnerton WHF historical information]
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Subject: Re: [Fwd: Bonnerton WHF historical information]
From: Mike Schafale <michael. schafale@ncmai 1. net>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:29:23 -0400
To: John Dorney <[e-mail]>
CC: Becky Fox <Fox. [e-mail]. gov>, "Walker, William T SAW"
<[e-mail]>, Cyndi Karoly <[e-mail]>, "Lekson,
David M SAW" <David. M. [e-mail]. army. mil>
Although I don't believe the history presented changes the interpretation of this
area as highly significant, I did discover something else troubling. 2006 aerial
photos show the northeastern corner of the southern part of the SNHA has been
recently clear cut. This happened sometime between 2003 and 2005. We walked up
into that area on my first visit to the site, and it was in good shape, but I have
not been back there in subsequent visits. I hadn't had occasion to look at the 2005
or 2006 aerial photos in that area until now. The cutting was presumably done by
PCS. I will need to remove this area from the primary part of the SNHA. It isn't
enough of a loss in the site to reduce its significance. Ironically, it is in the
area they agreed to avoid, so it just makes the remnant that survives smaller.
But, it does show the vulnerability of all high quality wetland natural communities,
and especially of this type. Short of public acquisition or a binding agreement,
there is nothing to prevent them from destroying the community whether it is mined
or not. In light of the history, it may be that only an unusually high proportion of
nonmerchantable oak trees has saved it this long.
John Dorney wrote:
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 18:12:41 -0400
To:
John Dorney [e-mail]-
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)
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Re: [Fwd: Bonnerton WHF historical information]
. A
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
Michael P. Schafale
Ecologist North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
Office of Planning and Conservation, Department of Environment and Natural
Resources
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
919-715-8689
i-QicnaeI .schafale??ncmai1.net
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