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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20060447 Ver 2_Reauthorization Response_20080826Ola- 0tAL 77Y2_ Soil & Environmental Consultants, PA 11010 Raven Ridge Road • Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 • Phone: (919) 846-5900 • Fax: (919) 846-9467 www.SandEC.com August 26, 2008 S&EC Project # 4865.W9 DWQ No. # 06-0447, Ver 2. Division of Water Quality Attn: Ian McMillan/Annette Lucas 2321 Crabtree Boulevard Suite 250 Raleigh, NC 27604 DWQ- Raleigh Regional Office Attn: Natalie Landry 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, NC 27609 Re: Reply to the Division of Water Quality's 6/17/08 and 7/18/2008 request for additional information Olde Towne Development -REAUTHORIZATION Wake County, North Carolina Dear Mr. McMillan, Ms. Lucas and Ms. Landry: This letter is in i esponse to your letter dated June 17, 2008 and July 18, 2008 which requested additional information for the proposed Olde Towne Development Reauthorization. The following restates your questions/comments and is then followed by our response. Additional Infonnation Requested on June 17, 2008 The June 17, 2008 letter from NC DWQ stated "... 813 (PCN incorrectly reports 803 linear feet total stream impact) linear feet of stream (300 linear feet permanent perennial stream impact, 114 temporary, perennial stream impact, 49 linear feet permanent, intermittent stream impact and 340 linear feet temporary, intermittent stream impact... " Our original application tables are correct and have been included here for your reference. The above stream impact totals as listed by NC DWQ are identical to the totals listed in our Stream Impact Table (page 8 of 18) which we have confirmed total 803 linear feet of proposed stream impact. 0 I R ?_ R AUG 2 6 nn DENR-%4 ,iL : '. WETLANDS ANDi;O MWXfE BRANCH Charlotte Office: 236 LePhillip Court, Suite C Concord, NC 28025 Phone: (704) 720-9405 Fax: (704) 720-9406 Greensboro Office: 3817-E Lawndale Drive Greensboro, NC 27455 Phone: (336) 540-8234 Fax: (336) 540-8235 REVISED STREAM IMPACTS REQUESTING REAUTHORIZATION Stream Impact Perennial Average Impact Number or Stream Length Area of (indicate on Stream Name Type of Impact Intermitte Width (linear Impact map) nt? Before feet) (acres) Impact UT to Walnut Road crossing- P-7 (was P-3) Creek culvert & Perennial 1-2' 150' 0.0059 UT to Walnut Road crossing- P-11 (was P-5) Creek culvert & Perennial +/_ 4' 150' 0.0144 P-9 (was P-15) UT to Walnut Road crossing- Intermitte ' 49, 0 0045 Creek culvert & nt 4-5 . T-13 (was T-1) UT to Walnut Utility crossing Perennial +/_ 6' 31' 0.0044 Creek (temporary) T-6 (was T-? UT to Walnut Utility crossing Perennial 3' 31 0.0024 Creek (temporary) T-7 (was T-8) UT to Walnut Utility crossing Perennial +/_5? , 32 0.0036 Creek (temporary) T-15 (new UT to Walnut Utility crossing Perennial +/- 3' 20 0.0014 impact) Creek (temporary) T-16 (new UT to Walnut Stream Intermitte ' impact)© Creek Relocation Y. I nt +/- 2 340 0.0156 Total Stream Impact (by length and acreage) *803' 0.0274 temp. /0.0248 perm. ©please note the impact table (sheet 2 of 16) shows the stream channel length to be 380 LF, the correct length is the 340 LF listed here * of the 803 LF of total impact length, 503 LF is temporary 1. Per the requirements of the Neuse Riparian Buffer Rule, you must show that this site meets diffuse flow requirements with a level spreader or other BMP per Chapter 8 of the BMP Manual (see http: //h2o. enr.state. nc. uslsulbmp_ forms. htm). In the original application submitted to DWQ on June 6, 2008, it was not clearly stated that the proposed stormwater BMPs are constructed stormwater wetlands and therefore, the direct discharge of the treated stormwater through the protected riparian buffer is an allowable activity per 15A NCAC 02B .0233 (6) Table of Uses. The original application package did account for the riparian buffer impact associated with the stormwater outfalls for the proposed constructed stormwater wetlands (see pages 13 of 18 through 15 of 18 for an enumeration of stormwater outfall buffer impacts). Additionally, we have included copies of the Stormwater Management Plans for the Olde Towne development which detail the specifics of the stormwater treatment for the project. It should be noted that all stormwater is directed to the appropriate stormwater devices and there is no "untreated" direct discharge to any of the streams on the subject property. 2. Please provide detailed stream, wetland, pond and buffer restoration plans per the DWQ Raleigh Regional Offices' NOV dated March 7, 2008. If it is not clear from the NOV as to where the buffer violation occurred, then you must contact them directly to clarify. The NOV dated March 17, 2008 from the DWQ Raleigh Regional Office (RRO) did not require restoration of the pond and the wetlands. "Requested Response Item No. 3" in the March 17th NOV required a sediment removal plan, which S&EC provided to the DWQ RRO on April 15, 2008. The "Olde Towne Subdivision Revised Sediment Impact Delineation Report, Clean-up and Stabilization Plan " was approved by the DWQ RRO on April 15, 2008 (see attached letter signed by Mr. Danny Smith). The sediment clean- up and stabilization was completed on June 24, 2008 (see attached S&EC Completion Letter). Additionally, as stated in our April 3, 2008 NOV Response letter, S&EC has been engaged by Olde Towne, LLC to provide the NC DWQ and the USACE with a Stream Stabilization plan as well as an "after-the-fact" permit request for the channel relocation. The stream stabilization plan was supplied and approved in the above mentioned documents. The applicant has requested a stream relocation approval for 340 linear feet of intermittent, un-buffered stream channel. The applicant requested approval of the conceptual design submitted in our original application package. At this time, the applicant wants concurrence from both the USACE and the NC DWQ as to the proposed relocation of the stream before moving forward with a full stream relocation plan (i.e. pattern, dimension, and profile of the newly relocated channel). Once the applicant receives concurrence from both the USACE and the NC DWQ as to the acceptability of the relocation of the stream, S&EC will work with the applicant in the preparation and submittal of the stream relocation documents for your review. Previous discussions with Ms. Natalie Landry of the NC DWQ RRO have addressed the alleged buffer violations. Namely, the previously approved buffer impacts are associated with the constructed stormwater wetlands that will be utilized for stormwater management. In other words, these are not in violation of the Neuse River Riparian Buffer Rules but in fact, are in compliance with the DENR/DWQ Stormwater BMP Manual. Additionally, these buffer impacts were re-requested in our reauthorization submittal on June 6, 2008. Ms. Landry also questioned temporary sediment basin No. 4 on the Olde Towne site (see attached page from the approved Sediment and Erosion Control plan) which is located next to the buffered tributary to Walnut Creek. We have included photo documentation that the sediment basin outlet and level spreader are installed in accordance with the approved sediment and erosion control plans. As evidenced by these photographs, the buffer stakes are still in the ground (blue) which clearly shows that the level spreader and the silt/tree protection fence is outside the riparian buffer by at least two feet. Additionally, the site experienced a significant rain event (see attached rain gauge picture) on 8/20/08 and there was no evidence of failure of the sediment pond or the level spreader (i.e. no unauthorized, channelized/re-concentrated flow into the protected riparian buffer). Additional Information Requested on July 18, 2008 from DWO RRO NOV Item I requested a description and quantification of impacts to jurisdictional features and your plans to avoid further stream, wetland and buffer impacts on your site. a. Please explain why wetland impacts were not quantified in totality as required in the NOV. Please note that if the purpose, need and impact justification of this additional impact is not explained, then the impact may not be authorized for wetland fill and/or creation. Refer to Impact T-4 (page 6 of 18 PCN dated June 6, 2008). Impact T-4 is the wetland impact associated with the unauthorized relocation of 340 linear feet of un-buffered, unimportant channel. Our April 3, 2008 response did acknowledge the impact, however, at that time, the amount of wetland impacted was not known. We also stated in our response letter that our subsequent re-verification application for the Olde Towne development would seek approval for the temporary wetland disturbance. Previous discussions with Mr. Monte Matthews (USACE) and Ms. Vicky Fuentes (NC DWQ RRO) during the February 2008 site compliance visit and follow up correspondence discussed the reasons and details for the relocation of the channel. The location of the original channel was the boundary between the fairway for Golf Course Hole #7 and a future irrigation lake (please see attached "Wetland Impact Map" from previous Approval dated 2/20/2006) . Within this area there is a very large Carolina Power & Light (CP&L) easement with overhead power lines. Since the date of the original project Approvals, the irrigation lake was dropped from the project scope as Progress Energy Carolinas (formerly known as CP&L) does not allow lakes or ponds within their power line easements without prior approval (see http://www.pro rg ess_ energy.com/aboutenergy/transmission/carolinas/ritsofway asp, "Use Guidelines"). In the interim, the City of Raleigh has required that the development provide a Public Greenway Trail that is within the Progress Energy transmission line corridor. The stream channel was relocated further to the west of the power line easement to allow for a reconfiguration of the fairway and "tee-off' locations to avoid any potential injuries or hazards to the public utilizing the greenway trails in the vicinity of the golf course. b. The relocated stream length is described as 340 linear feet on page 8 of 18 in the PCN and 380 feet on Sheet 2 of 16 dated June 6, 2008. This discrepancy is noted but not explained. Please explain. The impact maps provided by Withers & Ravenel contained a typographical error in the impact summary sheet (sheet 2 of 16). The correct length of stream impacted at location T-16 is 340 linear feet. We have confirmed this with the project engineer and have included the correct length in the previously supplied impact tables. c. New temporary impacts are proposed in the PCN dated June 6, 2008 (T-5) on page 6 of 18. this crossing is proposed to temporarily impact 1455 SF of wetland, 20 LF of mitigable channel, 1225 SF of Zone I and 830 SF of Zone 2. The impact map does not show the actual placement of the waterline. While the NOV requested your plans for impact avoidance, no impact justification for this temporary impact was provided. Please provide measures taken to avoid and minimize impacts. In recent conversation with Ms. Landry regarding the above utility impact, it was determined that the impact she is referring to is impact T-15, which is a new utility crossing (see Sheet 6 of 16 submitted in original application). Over the course of the two years since the original 404 and 401 Approvals, there have been design changes associated with the Olde Towne Development. The Olde Towne property is better than 600 plus acres and the anticipated site build out is over the course of 10 years. Keeping this in mind, some of the internal subdivision roads have been reconfigured, as well as shifts of the utility lines that are servicing the property. For example, originally permitted utility impact T-5 was dropped from the project as the City of Raleigh was not installing the necessary sewer manhole on New Hope Road. Originally permitted utility impact T- 2 was also dropped from the original project as the City of Raleigh did not provide a functioning manhole in the agreed upon location; therefore, the sewer line was able to be re-routed through a non jurisdictional area. In the case of impact T-15, which is located adjacent to impact P-3 (see Sheet 6 of 16 from June 6, 2008 submittal), the applicant was required to move the water line from the original location (i.e. suspended from the proposed bridge) as the City of Raleigh will not allow it. Therefore, the applicant was required to place the waterline utility outside of the road right-of-way which necessitated the need for additional, temporary stream, wetland and riparian buffer impact. Incidentally, the applicant could not locate the water line near the sanitary sewer line (i.e. utilizing the same utility trench) as the Department of Health will not allow sanitary sewer lines to flow in the same vicinity of public water supply lines. 2. NOV Item 2 requested a Stream Restoration Plan. a. Please explain the purpose, need and impact justification to restore the previously impacted stream in another location (other than its original location) or submit a final restoration plan to restore the stream to its original location (pattern, profile and dimension). As was explained in previous emails and correspondence with both the USACE and the NC DWQ, the location of the original channel was the boundary between the fairway for Golf Course Hole #7 and a future irrigation lake (please see attached "Wetland Impact Map" from previous Approval dated 2/20/2006) . Within this area there is a very large Carolina Power & Light (CP&L) easement with overhead power lines. Since the date of the original project Approvals, the irrigation lake was dropped from the project scope as Progress Energy Carolinas (formerly known as CP&L) does not allow lakes or ponds within their power line easements without prior approval (see http://www.pro,gress- energy.com/aboutenergy/transmission/carolinas/ritsofway.asp, "Use Guidelines"). In the interim, the City of Raleigh has required that the development provide a Public Greenway Trail that is within the Progress Energy transmission line corridor. The stream channel was relocated further to the west of the power line easement to allow for a reconfiguration of the fairway and "tee-off' locations to avoid any potential injuries or hazards to the public utilizing the greenway trails in the vicinity of the golf course. Therefore, the applicant requested a conditional approval from both the USACE and the NC DWQ for the conceptual stream design supplied in the June 6, 2008 submittal. Once the location of the stream has been approved, then S&EC can move forward with supplying the stream relocation plan, which will necessarily include the patter, dimension and profile of the relocated stream. b. Please explain how you propose to restore the filled wetland or explain the purpose, need and impact justification to create a new wetland to the function of the previously impacted wetland (newly reported Impact T-4). As discussed above, the wetland associated with the unimportant, un-buffered stream channel was also impacted when the channel was moved. The reasons for the impact to the wetland are the same as discussed above regarding the relocated stream channel. Part of the conceptual design for the stream relocation includes a conceptual design of the proposed wetland restoration. While the proposed wetland restoration is not in the exact same location, for the reasons cited above, there ultimately will be more wetland restored than was originally impacted (i.e. 1,294 sq. ft. impacted vs 1,750 sq. ft. restored). S&EC will employ standard wetland restoration techniques which likely include some minor grading, sediment removal and seeding with a wetland seed mix. 3. NOV Item 4 requested restoration of diffuse flow in the buffer. a. Please describe measures taken to ensure the temporary basin is constructed in accordance with the approved Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and that the discharge is not concentrated when it enters the buffer. As stated earlier in this response, we have included photo documentation that the sediment basin outlet and level spreader are installed in accordance with the approved sediment and erosion control plans. As evidenced by these photographs, the buffer stakes are still in the ground (blue) which clearly shows that the level spreader and the silt/tree protection fence is outside the riparian buffer by at least two feet. Additionally, the site experienced a significant rain event (see attached rain gauge picture) on 8/20/08 and there was no evidence of failure of the sediment pond or the level spreader (i.e. no unauthorized, channelized/re-concentrated flow into the protected riparian buffer). Additionally, we have included the Approved Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) for Phases 13-25 of the Olde Towne Development. The supporting documentation also includes the preliminarily approved SMP for Tract SF-1 which includes Phases 26 - 31, the Tract C-1 Residence Center SMP which is currently under review with the City of Raleigh and the Stormwater Analysis and Nitrogen Calculations for the development. These plans all discuss the drainage areas, percentage impervious and water quality volumes associated with the SMPs. An overall Stormwater map has been provided to better illustrate the different Tracts and Phases for the purposes of SMP approval. We reiterate our request for a conditional 401 Approval, especially in light of the fact that the City of Raleigh has approved the SMP for Phases 13-25 which is the location of the majority of the site work that needs to be or will be under construction in the future. The applicant understands that no work may proceed in other Tracts and/or Phases without SMP Approval by the City of Raleigh and the submission of those approved plans to the NC DWQ. We anticipate that this documentation, coupled with the above supplied information and explanation will satisfy any outstanding issues for the Olde Towne development. Please let us know if there is anything further that we can provide you with or do for you in order to assist in expediting the 401 Approval for this project. Given the complexity of this project, reauthorization and violation resolution, we request an inter-agency meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss the issues raised in your request for additional information and our responses. We believe that talking through these issues in person will be the most efficient method to resolve them. The applicant is diligent in their effort to bring this project into compliance. Please feel free to call me if you require any further explanation. . Sincerely, &ole Tho o Regulatory Specialist Attachments: 5 copies of Response letter 5 copies of Sediment Clean-up Approval (signed by Danny Smith, April 15, 2008) 5 copies of Sediment Clean-up Completion letter 5 copies of Approved Sediment and Erosion Control Plans for Temporary Sediment Basin #4 5 copies of Temporary Sediment Basin #4 outlet structure pictures 5 copies of 2006 Wetland Impact Map (marked up) 5 copies of overall Stormwater Management Plan Map 1 copy of Approved Stormwater Management Plan (Phases 13-25) 1 copy of Tract SF-1 Stormwater Management Plan (Phases 26-31) 1 copy of Tract C-1 Stormwater Management Plan (Residence Center) I copy of Stormwater Analysis and Nitrogen Calculations CC: Ms. Natalie Landry (NC DWQ Raleigh Regional Office) - all attachments listed above Mr. Monte Matthews (USACE Raleigh Field Office) - all attachments excluding SMP documents WAr F9 iwtlchae! ??. 3 i&ley. Guic:7tcr William ," No t : C amli ",a Dcmir;.nwrit. of t.nNirCt;1C ignt and Natural l7C" -Mrcc$ -..? i"ulci-n H Sullin&, t)in lnt ,,p?ryry y+ Division Or W:itLf Quality April 15, 2008 (tilde Towne, LLC Attn: Mr. Mark Bertoncino 5 Cameo Glass Way Raleigh, NC 27612 Subject: DWQ Review of Olde Towne SubdiAsion Revised Sediment Impact Delineation Report, Clean-up and Stabilization Plan NOV-2008-PC-0158, Nvake County Dear Mr. Bertoncino: On April 15, 2008, the Raleigh Regional Office of the M C. Division of Water Quality received a Devised Sediment Impact Delineation Report, Clean-up and Stabilization flan developed by Soil & Environmental Consultants, PA for the Olde Towne Subdivision. The Plan is satisfactory with the following additions. 1. Regarding removal of sediment from the open water pond, stabilize any land area disturbed by mechanized equipment following completion of the sediment removal. 2. DWQ requests that Rebecca Peterson, P.E. be present at the site during the construction of the rock toe protection and sill and periodically throughout the restoration and stabilization activities. 3. D Q requests copies of recent documentation issued by the Army Corps of l nigineers for Olde Towne. 4. DWQ requests a report within 30 days of completion of the Plan activities that includes descriptive text of the completed activities and photos of restored and stabilized areas. Should you have any questions regarding these matters, please contact Natalie Landry at (910) 7914200. o S fhcer y, F army Smith ;/ ' S' Regional Supervisor Surface Water Protection Section cc: Raleigh RO •-- Water Quality Raleigh RO - Land Quality Jahn Hennessy, KIPS Assistance and Compliance Oversight Unit Water Quality Central Files Monte .Mathews, USACOE. 3J31 Heritage Trade Drive, Ste 105, Wake Forest. NC 27587 C'-yndi Karoly, 401 OversightlExpress Review Permitting Unit Patrick Paine, City of Raleigh, 222 West. Hargett Street, PO.B 590, Raleigh„ NC.' 27602 Nicole Thomson, S&EC, i 1010 Raven Ridge Road. Raleigh, NC 27614 Rebecca Peterson. S&EC, 110101 Raven Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27614 "war h Cari?tliQ t)rtision o. t1'ater Quulily ttaletSh Reponal e6 e Surface Wawr Protmtint, Phiuic (919) 791-4?' )0 i Costa V't SM1M rote mor 1e?c?.rmr:siatc nw.u Sfi?$ Mtxi$ Sm'icc t entry Raki#h, NL' x:'649-1028 FAX (919)_571A718 An Equal (,)Pporlur:ityrAtlu-ittativc Action I:mtltloyer 5itw? 12c.ycledtlt7? E?o31 (:attsurner Paler Soil & Environmental Consultants, PA 11010 Raven Ridge Road • Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 • Phone: (919) 846-5900 • Fax: (919) 846-9467 www.SandEC.com July 25, 2008 S&EC Project No. 4865.D1 Ms. Natalie Landry DWQ Raleigh Regional Office 3800 Barrett Drive Raleigh, NC 27609 Re: Olde Towne Sediment Clean-up Completion Wake County, NC Ms. Landry: This letter serves as notification of the completion of sediment removal activities at the Olde Towne Development located in Wake County, NC. A sediment clean-up and stream stabilization plan was implemented in response to observations made by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as cited in the Notice of Violations dated March 7, 2008 and April 14, 2008, and the Cease and Desist Letter (Action ID #200620287) dated November 2, 2007. Site Description The project site, a proposed subdivision and golf course of approximately 547 acres, is located east of Highway 440, along New Hope Road, between Poole Road and Rock Quarry Road in the City of Raleigh in Wake County, North Carolina. A vicinity map is provided in Figure 1. Project History Stream bank erosion of the impacted stream channel, overwhelmed existing Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) devices, and a lack of outlet protection resulted in deposition of sediment within wetland and open water pond areas. Subsequently, a sediment clean-up plan and stream stabilization Plan were developed by Soil & Environmental Consultants, PA (S&EC) and approved by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In April 2008, construction bean to relocate and stabilize the impacted stream channel, and was completed on May 2" 2008. On May 5th and 6th 2008, sediment removal from wetland areas was begun. On June 4th, 2008, lowering of the water level of the pond was begun in order to remove sediment. On June 24th 2008, the final sediment clean-up activities on-site were completed. S&EC personnel made frequent site visits to advise and confirm that sediment was removed and disposed of in an appropriate manner. On July 10, 2008; S&EC personnel visited the site to confirm successful completion of clean-up activities, stream stabilization, and document site conditions. The areas of Category 1 and Category 3 sediment were observed to be adequately removed. These areas were seeded, along with the Category 2 areas, with the approved wetland seed mix. Please see the attached photos for before and after photos of the site. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments regarding this notification. We thank you for your assistance and project input to date. Sincerely, SOIL &l Rebecca Petersoi%,' NC License No. 31 5.1'x`•. TANTS, PA /?/cu Ct C-?a I)GdU_ David Gainey Environmental Assessment Department Manager Cc: Ms. Cyndi Karoly, DWQ, 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27604 Mr. Ian McMillan, DWQ, 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 250, Raleigh, NC 27604 Mr. Monte Matthews, USACE, 3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105, Wake Forest, NC 27587 Ms. Vicki Fuentes, DWQ, 3800 Barrett Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609 Mr. Patrick Paine, City of Raleigh, PO Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27602 Mr. Mark Bertoncino, Olde Towne Company, LLC, 5810 Cameo Glass Way Raleigh, NC 27612 Attachments: Vicinity Map Site Photos W i z z ? I TEMPORARY SEDIMENT BASIN #4 AND OUTLET STRUCTURE r? c'?a ac IX, 7 3 ?1, + h ' t x$ it o r L { •? h'? A is Fig. I & 2: Temporary Sediment Basin #4 with skimmer and weir device (note it is dry despite significant rain on 8/20/08) ? x _ Iva I Fig. 3 & 4: Photographs of the rain gauge on the Olde Towne site Fig. 5 & 6: Photographs of outlet structures for Temporary Sediment Basin #4 per approved E&C plan i is *. Z; a < 44 Fig. 7 & 8: Photographs showing location of start of the Neuse Riparian Buffer (blue staking); outlet structures are set well back from buffer area Fig 9 & 10: Additional pictures showing locations for the start of Neuse Riparian Buffer (blue staking); note the silt/tree protection fence is approximately 2 feet prior to start of Neuse Riparian Buffer P? N{ A ,f' ? yt ? V?f1Y Fig. 1 1 & 12: Photographs showing outlet structure and level spreading device per approved S&EC Plans; these photographs also demonstrate no concentrated flow into the Neuse River Riparian Buffer Y r? a' J 4x ? 3? ao ? ? ? ? s o a ?w °a N FN o < LL g} s o B m o? rc _ $p4 gz? o 51 mz o o Y 4 g J xn o ? O F ? J ?U OX yJa ?? ?? JN F® O QD Z ? T?gzO 0_v pip ODU N a4 _ N iR v vi s .- ai o- 4 _ m a Imll I I