20170502 Ver 1_USACE Request for Additional Information_20170502

Strickland, Bev
From: Brown, David W SAW <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 3:29 PM
To: [e-mail]
Cc: Leslie, Andrea J; Mitchell, Robert K; Price, Zan (George); Hamstead, Byron
Subject: Request for Additional Information -Rainbow Springs Enhancement Project
Action ID: SAW -2015-00565
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
Asheville, NC
Andrew Bick,
The Corps has received (April 24) and reviewed your recently submitted PCN application and supporting documents for
the Rainbow Springs Enhancement project in the Rainbow Springs community, Macon County, NC. After review and
evaluation of the submitted documents the Corps is requesting the following additional information in order for us to
consider the application to be complete.
1) The proposed 350 If of stream impacts to the UT of the Nantahala River can be verified under NWP 13. Please note
this in Section 3i on page 5 of the PCN.
2) The proposed 80 If of stream impacts to Trough Branch are to provide in -stream structures which will aid in aquatic
passage at an existing perched culvert. These impacts will be verified under NWP 27 - Aquatic Habitat Restoration,
Enhancement, and Establishment Activities. Please note this in the applicable section of the PCN.
3) The submitted plans indicate the head gate and sluice will impact Trough Branch below the OHWM, but the PCN does
not account for these impacts. Please note these impacts on the submitted plans and PCN, where applicable, and note
which NWP these impacts are to be verified under.
4) Please clarify the proposed tail race will not will not impact Trough Branch below the OHWM (no drop pool structure,
no energy dissipation structure, no grade or bank stabilization structure, etc.,).
5) Based upon past site visits by the Corps, the 3 ponds could be WoUS. Therefore, the proposed work to construct the
spillways may require Department of Army authorization. Please provide dates in order to arrange a site visit to aid in
making this determination.
6) The submitted documents state no more than 50% of the normal flows from Trough Branch will be diverted to the
grist mill. Provide operating guidelines for diverting flows to the grist mill which outline measures to ensure minimal
impacts to the aquatic resources/organisms in the stream reach below the head gate when flows are diverted to the
grist mill.
7) The proposed project area is located in an area with a high probability for the presence of cultural resources,
therefore the Corps will need to coordinate/consult the application with SHPO and EBCI-THPO. Please be aware of the
delays that will be forthcoming in verification of the application and the potential for output of additional resources
which may be needed to complete this application in order to comply with possible recommendations from SHPO and
/or THPO. I will be submitting the request for coordinate/consult to SHPO and THPO in the next few days.

At this time, the request to utilize NWP 13 for authorization of impacts to WoUS is on hold until the above additional
information has been received. Once the Corps receives the information listed above and applicable comments from
SHPO and THPO we will be able to continue to process your request. If you have any questions please contact me.
Sincerely
David Brown, PG
Regulatory Specialist/Geologist
828-271-7980, ext. 4232
[e-mail]
USACE Wilmington District - Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
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