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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070291 Ver 4_More Info Received_20081106A!SLMG LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. `:aw Environmental Consultants November 4, 2008 TO: Mr. Ian McMillan Division of Water Quality 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 RE: King's Bluff Pump Station; DWQ Project # 07-0291 V er Bladen County, NC Dear Mr. McMillan: g' A I . Thank you for your letter dated October 13'', 2008 regarding the 401 Water Quality Certification application submitted for the King's Bluff Pump Station project located in Bladen County, NC. As requested, we have enclosed five additional copies of the application as well as an application fee of $240. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for your assistance with this project. Sincerelyz W ., - A-? Ki-m--Williams Wetland Scientist Encl. fl ,? ?' w L i?IOV ? 2s!?8 DENS ° YyA:i ER. s, LEh FiR?NCH YdE?IANDS AND STDC??,. C: Mr. Don Betz, Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority Mr. Tony Boahn, McKim & Creed Mr. Ken Averitte, DWQ Mr. Ronnie Smith, ACOE www.lmgroup.net • info@lmgroup.net • Phone: 910.452.0001 • Fax: 910.452.0060 3805 Wrightsville Ave., Suite 15, Wilmington, NC 28403 9 P.O. Box 2522, Wilmington, NC 28402 July 18, 2008 TO: Mr. Ronnie Smith U. S. Army Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 1890 Wilmington, NC 28402-1890 RE: NWP 12 Application; King's Bluff Pump Station Bladen County, NC Dear Ronnie: Enclosed is a NWP 12 application for your review. This application is submitted on behalf of the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority for the installation of a 60-inch water intake pipe at the existing King's Bluff Pump Station in Bladen County, NC. This pipe is part of a capacity upgrade at the pump station to account for increased water demands resulting from recent population growth in coastal North Carolina. The intake pipe will be approximately 1,100 LF in length and will extend from the Cape Fear River to the pump station. Approximately 800 LF of piping will traverse wetlands with a 40' wide construction corridor, resulting in approximately 0.721 acres of temporary wetland impacts. In addition, approximately 0.222 acre of open water within the Cape Fear River will be temporarily impacted. The applicant plans to maintain a 10' corridor. To mitigate for these impacts, the applicant will buy into the NC EEP for 0.25 acre of riparian wetland restoration and place a portion of wetlands located on site into preservation. The Pre-Construction Notification form, associated maps, and site plan are enclosed for your review. In addition, a copy of the project's draft Environmental Assessment is enclosed. This EA has undergone initial review by state agencies. Several agencies provided comments and Emily McArthur with McKim and Creed has responded to these comments. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your assistance with this project. Sincerely, J Kim Williams Wetland Scientist Encl. C: Mr. Don Betz, Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority (w/o EA) Ms. Emily McArthur, McKim & Creed (w/o EA) Mr. Ken Averitte, DWQ (w/o EA) Mr. Ian McMillan, DWQ www.lmgroup.net • info@lmgroup.net o Phone: 910.452.0001 • Fax: 910.452.0060 3805 Wrightsville Ave., Suite 15, Wilmington, NC 28403 9 P.O. Box 2522, Wilmington, NC 28402 Office Use Only: Fonn Version March 05 USACE Action ID No. DWQ No. D"(- O ag k V4 (If any particular item is not applicable to this project, please enter "Not Applicable" or "N/A".) 1. Processing PA I 1. Check all of the approval(s) requested for this project: ® Section 404 Permit ? Riparian or Watershed Buffer Rules ® Section 10 Permit ? Isolated Wetland Permit from DWQ ? 401 Water Quality Certification ? Express 401 Water Quality Certification 2. Nationwide, Regional or General Permit Number(s) Requested: Nationwide 12 3. If this notification is solely a courtesy copy because written approval for the 401 Certification is not required, check here: 4. If payment into the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is proposed for mitigation of impacts, attach the acceptance letter from NCEEP, complete section VIII, and check here: 5. If your project is located in any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties (listed on page 4), and the project is within a North Carolina Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (see the top of page 2 for further details), check here: ? 'Jig II. Applicant Information 1. Owner/Applicant Information I'f Name: Mr. Don Betz -wrrFR.QO'zE y?'l Mailing Address: Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority 1ETUINDSANDs 1107 New Pointe Blvd. Suite 17 Leland, NC 28451 Telephone Number: (910) 383-1919 Fax Number: N/A E-mail Address: N/A 2. Agent/Consultant Information (A signed and dated copy of the Agent Authorization letter must be attached if the Agent has signatory authority for the owner/applicant.) Name: Kim Williams Company Affiliation: Land Management, Group, Inc Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2522 Wilmington, NC 28402 Telephone Number: 910-452-0001 Fax Number: 910-452-0060 E-mail Address: kwilliamsglmg-rouj.net Updated 11/1/2005 Pagel of 8 III. Project Information Attach a vicinity map clearly showing the location of the property with respect to local landmarks such as towns, rivers, and roads. Also provide a detailed site plan showing property boundaries and development plans in relation to surrounding properties. Both the vicinity map and site plan must include a scale and north arrow. The specific footprints of all buildings, impervious surfaces, or other facilities must be included. If possible, the maps and plans should include the appropriate USGS Topographic Quad Map and NRCS Soil Survey with the property boundaries outlined. Plan drawings, or other maps may be included at the applicant's discretion, so long as the property is clearly defined. For administrative and distribution purposes, the USACE requires information to be submitted on sheets no larger than 11 by 17-inch format; however, DWQ may accept paperwork of any size. DWQ prefers full-size construction drawings rather than a sequential sheet version of the full-size plans. If full-size plans are reduced to a small scale such that the final version is illegible, the applicant will be informed that the project has been placed on hold until decipherable maps are provided. 1. Name of project: Kings Bluff Pump Station Expansion 2. T.I.P. Project Number or State Project Number (NCDOT Only): 3. Property Identification Number (Tax PIN): 4. Location County: Bladen Nearest Town: Riegelwood Subdivision name (include phase/lot number): n/a Directions to site (include road numbers/names, landmarks, etc.): The project is located at Lock and Dam #1 in Bladen County NC. From Wilmington take US 74 W towards Brunswick County. US 74 will merge with NC 87. Take a right and head North on NC 87 where 74/87 splits. Take a right onto Lock Number 1 Road in Bladen County. Veer left at the end of this road. Property will be straight ahead at 246 Private Road. 5. Site coordinates (For linear projects, such as a road or utility line, attach a sheet that separately lists the coordinates for each crossing of a distinct waterbody.) Decimal Degrees (6 digits minimum): 34.40409 N, 78.2965 W 6. Property size (acres): approx. 6.8 acres 7. Name of nearest receiving body of water: Cape Fear River River Basin: Cape Fear River Basin (Note - this must be one of North Carolina's seventeen designated major river basins. The River Basin map is available at http//h2o.enr.state.ne.us/admin/ma)/.) 9. Describe the existing conditions on the site and general land use in the vicinity of the project at the time of this application: The site currently houses the King's Bluff Pump Station Updated 11/1/2005 Page 2 of 8 with three (3) raw water pumps and one 48-inch pipe that extends from the pumping station to the Cape Fear River. Land use in the vicinity is largely agricultural or undeveloped. 10. Describe the overall project in detail, including the type of equipment to be used: The ap lips cant plans to install a 60-inch parallel intake pipe originating at the pumping facility and ending in the Cape Fear River. The intake pipe will be approximately 1,100 linear ft. Approximately 800ft of piping will traverse on-site wetlands with a 40 ft construction corridor, resulting in approximately 0.721 acres of temporary wetland impacts. A track hoe and bulldozer will be used to create the installation area and then restore to existing grade. Silt fences will be used to reduce erosion into adjacent wetlands and the Cape Fear River. 11. Explain the purpose of the proposed work: The additional pipe is part of a capacity upgrade at King's Bluff Pumping Station to account for increased water demands resulting from recent population growth in Coastal North Carolina. IV. Prior Project History If jurisdictional determinations and/or permits have been requested and/or obtained for this project (including all prior phases of the same subdivision) in the past, please explain. Include the USACE Action ID Number, DWQ Project Number, application date, and date permits and certifications were issued or withdrawn. Provide photocopies of previously issued permits, certifications or other useful information: Describe previously approved wetland, stream and buffer impacts, along with associated mitigation (where applicable). If this is a NCDOT project, list and describe permits issued for prior segments of the same T.I.P. project, along with construction schedules. The 404 wetland line was delineated by Land Management Group, Inc. in August 2006. Liz Hair of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers field approved the wetland line. In October of 2007, the applicant received a NWP 18/33 to temporarily impact 0.075 acre of 404 wetlands to install a sediment trap and permanently impact 0.070 acre of 404 wetlands for grading associated with the expansion of a building (Action ID# SAW-2006-41503). V. Future Project Plans Are any future permit requests anticipated for this project? If so, describe the anticipated work, and provide justification for the exclusion of this work from the current application. No additional wetland impacts are anticipated on this site. VI. Proposed Impacts to Waters of the United States/Waters of the State It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to wetlands, open water, and stream channels associated with the project. Each impact must be listed separately in the tables below (e.g., culvert installation should be listed separately from riprap dissipater pads). Be sure to indicate if an impact is temporary. All proposed impacts, permanent and temporary, must be listed, and must be labeled and clearly identifiable on an accompanying site plan. All wetlands and waters, and all streams (intermittent and perennial) should be shown on a delineation map, whether or not impacts are proposed to these systems. Wetland and stream evaluation and delineation forms should be included as appropriate. Updated 11/1/2005 Page 3 of 8 Photographs may be included at the applicant's discretion. If this proposed impact is strictly for wetland or stream mitigation, list and describe the impact in Section VIII below. If additional space is needed for listing or description, please attach a separate sheet. 1. Provide a written description of the proposed impacts: The applicant proposes to temporarily impact 0.721 acre of 404 wetlands and 0.222 acre of open water for initial construction of water intake pipeline. The applicant has already temporarily impacted 0.075 acre of wetlands and permanently impacted 0.070 acre of wetlands. 2. Individually list wetland impacts. Types of impacts include, but are not limited to mechanized clearing, grading, fill, excavation, flooding, ditching/drainage, etc. For dams, senarately list imnacts due to both structure and flooding. Wetland Impact Type of Wetland Located within Distance to Area of Site Number Type of Impact (e.g., forested, marsh, 100-year Floodplain Nearest Stream Impact (acres) (indicate on map) herbaceous, bog, etc.) (yes/no) (linear feet) 1 Excavation/Fill (Temp) forested yes 0-900 ft 0.721 Total Wetland Impact (acres) 0.721 3. List the total acreage (estimated) of all existing wetlands on the property: approx. 5.4 acres 4. Individually list all intermittent and perennial stream impacts. Be sure to identify temporary impacts. Stream impacts include, but are not limited to placement of fill or culverts, dam construction, flooding, relocation, stabilization activities (e.g., cement walls, rip-rap, crib walls, gabions, etc.), excavation, ditching/straightening, etc. If stream relocation is proposed, plans and profiles showing the linear footprint for both the original and relocated streams must he included- To calculate acreage. multinlv length X width. then divide by 43.560. Stream Impact Number (indicate on map) Stream Name Type of Impact Perennial or Intermittent? Average Stream Width Before Impact Impact Length (linear feet) Area of Impact (acres) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Total Stream Impact (by length and acreage) 5. Individually list all open water impacts (including lakes, ponds, estuaries, sounds, Atlantic Ocean and any other water of the U.S.). Open water impacts include, but are not limited to fill- excavation- dredging- flooding- drainage. bulkheads. etc. Open Water Impact Name Waterbody Type of Waterbody Area of Site Number applicable) e) (if ap Type of Impact (lake, pond, estuary, sound, bay, Impact (indicate on map) ocean, etc.) (acres) I Cape Fear River Excavation/ fill (temp) River 0.222 Total Open Water Impact (acres) 0.222 Updated 11/1/2005 Page 4 of 8 6. List the cumulative impact to all Waters of the U.S. resulting from the project: Stream Impact (acres): 0 Wetland Impact (acres): 0.866 Open Water Impact (acres): 0.222 Total Impact to Waters of the U.S. (acres) 1.088 Total Stream Impact (linear feet): 0 7. Isolated Waters Do any isolated waters exist on the property? ? Yes ® No Describe all impacts to isolated waters, and include the type of water (wetland or stream) and the size of the proposed impact (acres or linear feet). Please note that this section only applies to waters that have specifically been determined to be isolated by the USACE. 8. Pond Creation N/A If construction of a pond is proposed, associated wetland and stream impacts should be included above in the wetland and stream impact sections. Also, the proposed pond should be described here and illustrated on any maps included with this application. Pond to be created in (check all that apply): ? uplands ? stream ? wetlands Describe the method of construction (e.g., dam/embankment, excavation, installation of draw-down valve or spillway, etc.): Proposed use or purpose of pond (e.g., livestock watering, irrigation, aesthetic, trout pond, local stormwater requirement, etc.): Current land use in the vicinity of the pond: Size of watershed draining to pond: Expected pond surface area: VII. Impact Justification (Avoidance and Minimization) Specifically describe measures taken to avoid the proposed impacts. It may be useful to provide information related to site constraints such as topography, building ordinances, accessibility, and financial viability of the project. The applicant may attach drawings of alternative, lower-impact site layouts, and explain why these design options were not feasible. Also discuss how impacts were minimized once the desired site plan was developed. If applicable, discuss construction techniques to be followed during construction to reduce impacts. The temnorarv wetland and oven water impacts are necessarv to access the Cage Fear River for water intake purposes. After the pipe has been installed, the area will be returned to natural grade and all but a 10' wide maintenance corridor will be allowed to re-vegetate. The construction corridor has been minimized to 40' in width to reduce initial wetland impacts. The intake pipe was designed to be constructed on the opposite side of the walkway from the existing pipe for several reasons. First, both the existing and the proposed intake pipes are very large and if the proposed intake pipe was placed in the previously cleared corridor, it would have to cross the existing intake to enter the wetwell (based on the wetwell expansion project that has already started and will be complete in November 2008). This crossing would have to be very deep and would not enable both pipes to enter the wetwell and still maintain the necessary slope for the water to enter the wetwell by gravity. Secondly, the Kings Bluff Expansion Project is well underway and the wetwell expansion is directly inline with the proposed intake pipe route. Therefore, the proposed design is the only feasible alternative. Updated 11/1/2005 Page 5 of 8 VIII. Mitigation DWQ - In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0500, mitigation may be required by the NC Division of Water Quality for projects involving greater than or equal to one acre of impacts to freshwater wetlands or greater than or equal to 150 linear feet of total impacts to perennial streams. USACE - In accordance with the Final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide Permits, published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2002, mitigation will be required when necessary to ensure that adverse effects to the aquatic environment are minimal. Factors including size and type of proposed impact and function and relative value of the impacted aquatic resource will be considered in determining acceptability of appropriate and practicable mitigation as proposed. Examples of mitigation that may be appropriate and practicable include, but are not limited to: reducing the size of the project; establishing and maintaining wetland and/or upland vegetated buffers to protect open waters such as streams; and replacing losses of aquatic resource functions and values by creating, restoring, enhancing, or preserving similar functions and values, preferable in the same watershed. If mitigation is required for this project, a copy of the mitigation plan must be attached in order for USACE or DWQ to consider the application complete for processing. Any application lacking a required mitigation plan or NCEEP concurrence shall be placed on hold as incomplete. An applicant may also choose to review the current guidelines for stream restoration in DWQ's Draft Technical Guide for Stream Work in North Carolina, available at htt-D://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/iicwetlands/stii-nizide.html. 1. Provide a brief description of the proposed mitigation plan. The description should provide as much information as possible, including, but not limited to: site location (attach directions and/or map, if offsite), affected stream and river basin, type and amount (acreage/linear feet) of mitigation proposed (restoration, enhancement, creation, or preservation), a plan view, preservation mechanism (e.g., deed restrictions, conservation easement, etc.), and a description of the current site conditions and proposed method of construction. Please attach a separate sheet if more space is needed. To mitigate for the 10' wide maintained corridor (approximately 0.18 ac) the applicant proposes to buy into the NCEEP for the restoration of 0.25 acre of riparian wetlands. In addition, a section of remaining wetlands on site will be preserved. The applicant is currently in the process of determining the location and amount of these wetlands. 2. Mitigation may also be made by payment into the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP). Please note it is the applicant's responsibility to contact the NCEEP at (919) 715-0476 to determine availability, and written approval from the NCEEP indicating that they are will to accept payment for the mitigation must be attached to this form. For additional information regarding the application process for the NCEEP, check the NCEEP website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wrp/index.htm. If use of the NCEEP is proposed, please check the appropriate box on page five and provide the following information: Amount of stream mitigation requested (linear feet): n/a Updated 11/1/2005 Page 6 of 8 Amount of buffer mitigation requested (square feet): n/a Amount of Riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): 0.25 Amount of Non-riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): n/a Amount of Coastal wetland mitigation requested (acres): n/a IX. Environmental Documentation (required by DWQ) 1. Does the project involve an expenditure of public (federal/state/local) funds or the use of public (federal/state) land? Yes ® No ? 2. If yes, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the requirements of the National or North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)? Note: If you are not sure whether a NEPA/SEPA document is required, call the SEPA coordinator at (919) 733-5083 to review current thresholds for environmental documentation. Yes ® No ? 3. If yes, has the document review been finalized by the State Clearinghouse? If so, please attach a copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter. Yes ? No X. Proposed Impacts on Riparian and Watershed Buffers (required by DWQ) It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to required state and local buffers associated with the project. The applicant must also provide justification for these impacts in Section VII above. All proposed impacts must be listed herein, and must be clearly identifiable on the accompanying site plan. All buffers must be shown on a map, whether or not impacts are proposed to the buffers. Correspondence from the DWQ Regional Office may be included as appropriate. Photographs may also be included at the applicant's discretion. 1. Will the project impact protected riparian buffers identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0233 (Neuse), 15A NCAC 2B .0259 (Tar-Pamlico), 15A NCAC 02B .0243 (Catawba) 15A NCAC 2B .0250 (Randleman Rules and Water Supply Buffer Requirements), or other (please identify )? Yes ? No 2. If "yes", identify the square feet and acreage of impact to each zone of the riparian buffers. If buffer mitigation is required calculate the required amount of mitigation by applying the buffer multipliers. Impact Required Zone* r__, Multiplier AX:] : 1 3 (2 for Catawba) 2 1.5 Total * Zone 1 extends out 30 feet perpendicular from the top of the near bank of channel; Zone 2 extends an additional 20 feet from the edge of Zone 1. 3. If buffer mitigation is required, please discuss what type of mitigation is proposed (i.e., Donation of Property, Riparian Buffer Restoration / Enhancement, or Payment into the Updated 11/1,12005 Page 7 of 8 Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund). Please attach all appropriate information as identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0242 or.0244, or.0260. N/A XI. XII. Stormwater (required by DWQ) Describe impervious acreage (existing and proposed) versus total acreage on the site. Discuss stormwater controls proposed in order to protect surface waters and wetlands downstream from the property. If percent impervious surface exceeds 20%, please provide calculations demonstrating total proposed impervious level. The proposed project will not result in increased impervious surface coverage A stormwater plan is not required. Sewage Disposal (required by DWQ) Clearly detail the ultimate treatment methods and disposition (non-discharge or discharge) of wastewater generated from the proposed project, or available capacity of the subject facility. There will be no additional wastewater resulting from the proposed project. XIII. Violations (required by DWQ) Is this site in violation of DWQ Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 2H .0500) or any Buffer Rules? Yes ? No Is this an after-the-fact permit application? Yes ? No XIV. Cumulative Impacts (required by DWQ) Will this project (based on past and reasonably anticipated future impacts) result in additional development, which could impact nearby downstream water quality? Yes ? No If yes, please submit a qualitative or quantitative cumulative impact analysis in accordance with the most recent North Carolina Division of Water Quality policy posted on our website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands. If no, please provide a short narrative description: This project will not provide access to other tracts. The applicant proposes to preserve a section of remaining wetlands on site XV. Other Circumstances (Optional): It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the application sufficiently in advance of desired construction dates to allow processing time for these permits. However, an applicant may choose to list constraints associated with construction or sequencing that may impose limits on work schedules (e.g., draw-down schedules for lakes, dates associated with Endangered and Threatened Species, accessibility problems, or other issues outside of the applicant's control). N/A Applicant/Ajg_ent"s Signature Date (Agent's signature is valid only if an authorization letter from the applicant is provided.) -IM/J y' Updated 11/1/2005 Page 8 of 8 -/2006 13:30 9104520060 LANDMANAGEMENT PAGE 03/03 AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I/we, the undersigned, hereby authorize Land Management Group, Inc. to act as our agent in the determination of jurisdictional wetland boundaries on the subject property, Icings Bluff Pump Station Expansion in Bladen County, NC. By way of this form, I/we additionally authorize access to the site by representatives of the US Army Corps of Engineers and/or the NC Division of Coastal Management for the purpose of reviewing the flagged wetland boundary and providing a final jurisdictional determination. Any questions regarding the jurisdictional wetland determination should be directed to Land Management Group, Inc. Please provide the following information: Property Address and Parcel ID Number: 246 Private Rd.. Riegelwood, NC 28456 Current Property Owner Name: Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority Owner Address & Phone Number: 1 1 07 New Pointe Blvd. Suite 17 Leland, North Carolina 28451 910-383-1919 Please circle Yes or No for the following -questions: I/We are the current owners: ''des No I/We are under contract to purchase the subject property: Yes We are under option to purchase the subject property: Yes I/We have no legal interest in subject property: Yes No (i.e. speculative request - NOTE: Site access will be restricted without notice/authorization by current owner) Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority Don Betz O'er's Name gnature (not required if under contract or under option) July 24, 2006 Date Print Applicant's Name /Z -b A?Applic?an??? Signature Executive Director July 24, 2006 Date Point- _ L . ?i K??p? „?, ar. }? ?% Zara °' /c, ._.. y • y. _41" A SITE 4- 4 4 -4. 06 X64 ?. r ?, t O ?? ` 49t. 0& IFAW 87 R d *Boundaries are approximate and are SITE not meant to be absolute Map Source: North Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer. Pg 83.2003 SCALE 1" = 1 Mile King's Bluff Pump Station Bladen County, NC 40-06-477W LMG LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP inc. Environmental Consultants Figure 1 Vicinity Map Bouiidam,.s ?iw appjoxw,,If? -jr)d ate?SJIF riot meant to he ahsolole Map Source: Kelly Quadrangle 7.5 minute (topographic) 1990. SCALE 1" = 1000' King's Bluff Pump Station 1 4 LMG Figure 2 Bladen County, NC LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP mc USGS Topgraphic Map 40-06-477W Environmental Consultants Boundaries are approximate and are not meant to be absolute. Map Source: NRCS Soil Survey. King's Bluff Pump Station Bladen County, NC 40-06-477W SITE ?11?,LMG LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. Environmento( Consultants SCALE 1" = 300' Figure 3 Soils Map *Boundaries are approximate and are not meant to be absolute. Map Source: 1998 NAPP aerial photography SITE SCALE 1" = 300' King's Bluff Pump Station 1 4 LMG Figure 4 Bladen County, NC LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP idu Aerial Photograph 40-06-477W Environmental Consultants 1.3 J t? 5 c0 L Co CN r a) N /r N N S (x: ? / rJ (y rj u r n o O ? ^ I N o j) a co Go v o C G CL3 c G a) 04 i Q i r G U) U) 1C1 , CL. v 5 k: 5A G ( I 4 =` Fx cs ? d" a) O t1 d G v + 0 0 CJ O \J 11 ui $ - ,, 7 ?::..... :,.._..._.... ._ ? l 1 4? i J i ?Y J ? s I' r... 1 ? •v i I i't C`) U O N + a. v O O + O N + LAJ C_) > n._ C) - - o r EL c-, ? + F- .. v)fYCl Ld 1 Q j.-- < CD t J_I -) F- LL t.A... - C7 < r. - i - .. + CL t.A..l n cn 4. .AJ WUO O L, [? lI? ±, %.J + L.A.- W -> CD o s:...1 - n n-1.1 LLJ rx, U (7 O 0 m ?.P m L7, W cC c LIJ n LU w h 0 n ] N ? ^ m h 1 1 m ^ W N rte, N 1 ^' 1 1( _ 1'/1 m r av N 0 p V N l am o O > VU ° u ' . O 0 O o O W ?ZO I 0 O?v z c°u e E 1 Na s o I co stem PROGRAM July 23, 2008 Don Betz LCFWSA 1107 New Pointe Blvd. Suite 17 Leland, NC 28451 Project: Kings Bluff Pump Station County: Bladen The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is willing to accept payment for impacts associated with the above referenced project. Please note that this decision does not assure that the payment will be approved by the permit issuing agencies as mitigation for project impacts. It is the responsibility of the applicant to contact these agencies to determine if payment to the NCEEP will be approved. This acceptance is valid for six months from the date of this letter and is not transferable. If we have not received a copy of the issued 404 Permit/401 Certification/CAMA permit within this time frame, this acceptance will expire. It is the applicant's responsibility to send copies of the permits to NCEEP. Once NCEEP receives a copy of the permit(s) an invoice will be issued based on the required mitigation in that permit and payment must be made prior to conducting the authorized work. The amount of the In Lieu Fee to be paid to NCEEP by an applicant is calculated based upon the Fee Schedule and policies listed at www.neeep.net. Based on the information supplied by you the impacts that may require compensatory mitigation are summarized in the following tahle. River CU Stream (feet) Wetlands (acres) Buffer I Buffer II Basin Location (Sq. Ft.) (Sq. Ft.) Cold Cool Warm Riparian Non-Riparian Coastal Marsh Impacts Cape 03030005 0 0 0 0.721 0 0 0 0 Fear Credits Cape 03030005 0 0 0 1.442 0 0 0 0 Fear Upon receipt of payment, EEP will take responsibility for providing the compensatory mitigation. If the regulatory agencies require mitigation credits greater than indicated above, and the applicant wants NCEEP to be responsible for the additional mitigation, the applicant will need to submit a mitigation request to NCEEP for approval prior to permit issuance. The mitigation will be performed in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the N. C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers dated November 4, 1998. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Valerie Mitchener at (919) 715-1973. Sincerely, Expiration of Acceptance: January 23, 2009 1?f? ai;--w ?? William . Gilmore, PE Director cc: Cyndi Karoly, NCDWQ Wetlands/401 Unit Ronnie Smith, USACE-Wilmington Ken Averitte, NCDWQ-Fayetteville Kim Williams, agent File RmtDYU?... E ... PYDt2Gt, our State NHCAENR North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652 / 919-715-0476 / www.nceep.net IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT LOWER CAFE FEAR WAFER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH PARALLEL RAW WATER INTAKE PIPE AND SCREEN PROJECT Prepared for NC DENR Division of Water Quality Authorized by Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority Prepared by 4- P 1 U, 243 North Front Street L Wilmington NC 28401 M&C Project Number 01575-0021 Revised December 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KING'S BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH PARALLEL RAW WATER INTAKE PIPE AND SCREEN PROJECT Lead State Agency Public Water Supply Engineer Contact McKim & Creed, PA 243 N. Front St Wilmington NC 28401 (910)343-1048 (phone) (910)251-8282 (fax) tboahn@mckimcreed.com emcarthur@mckiincreed.com Owner Contact Don Betz, Executive Director Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority Post Office Box 1673 Wilmington, NC 28402 (910)383-1919 (phone) (910)383-1949 (fax) donglcfwasa.or, ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority 60-Inch Parallel Raw Water Intake Pipe and Screen Project Table of Contents SECTION 1- PURPOSE AND NEED OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ............................... 1 1.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 NEED AND PURPOSE OF PROJECT ............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 PROJECT SERVICE AREA SUMMARY DESCRIPTION .................................................................................... 5 1.4 PROJECT SITE PLAN .................................................................................................................................. 6 SECTION 2 - ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS .............................................................................................. 6 2.1 ALTERNATIVE 1 - NO ACTION ................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 ALTERNATIVE 2 - CONSTRUCTION OF A RAW WATER INTAKE CANAL ..................................................... 7 2.3 ALTERNATIVE 3 - CONSTRUCTION OF A PARALLEL RAW WATER INTAKE PIPE AND SCREEN STRUCTURE (RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE) ............ ........................................................................................ 9 2.4 MATRIX COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................................. 13 SECTION 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................ 14 3.1 LAND USE/IMPORTANT FARMLAND/FORMALLY CLASSIFIED LANDS ..................................................... 14 3.1.1 General Land Use ......................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.21mportant Farmland .................................................................................................................... 17 3.1.3Formally Classified Lands ........................................................................................................... 17 3.2 SURFACE WATERS .................................................................................................................................. 18 3.2.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................. 18 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................................... 19 3.2.3 Mitigation .................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3 WETLANDS ............................................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.1Affeeted Environment .................................................................................................................. 20 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................................... 21 3.3.3 Mitiga ti on .................................................................................................................................... 21 3.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 23 3.4.1 Affected Environment .................................................................................................................. 23 3.4.2Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................................... 23 3.4.3 Mitigation .................................................................................................................................... 23 3.5 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................ 23 3.5.1Affeeted Environment .................................................................................................................. 23 3.5.2Environmental Consequences ...................................................................................................... 24 3.5.3 Mi tiga ti on ................................................................................................................................... .25 3.6 WATER QUALITY ISSUES ........................................................................................................................ 26 3.6.1Affected Environment ................................................................................................................. .26 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE I NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF PUMP STATION PARALLEL RAW WATER INTAKE SECTION 1- PURPOSE AND NEED OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority's (Authority) Kings Bluff Raw Water Pump Station Parallel Raw Water Intake project to provide the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and associated agencies with information to assist in reaching a decision on whether this project will have an impact on the environment sufficient to cause the State of North Carolina to require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. If an EIS is not warranted, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be issued. The Authority is a regional provider of raw water to the Lower Cape Fear region that is comprised of 6 member governments that include the City of Wilmington, Brunswick County, New Hanover County, Pender County, Columbus County, and Bladen County. The Authority is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors appointed by each member government, of which several are active customers of the raw water system. The project will involve the construction of a 60-inch raw water intake pipe and screens to serve the Authority's Kings Bluff Raw Water Pump Station. The Kings Bluff facility is located in Bladen County immediately upstream of Lock & Dam No. 1 on the Cape Fear River. The proposed 60" raw water intake pipe will parallel the existing 48" raw water intake pipe currently serving the Kings Bluff facility to provide additional raw water capacity to meet projected customer demands. The basis of this EA is to provide an update to the 1973 Environmental Assessment (1973 EA) prepared for the original Kings Bluff Raw Water Pump Station project. This document evaluated both the initial construction of the Kings Bluff Pumping Station as well as long-term projections of raw water demands that would be required at this location. The initial project involved the construction of the Kings Bluff facility with a 48" raw water intake pipe and screens. This facility, currently in operation today, is rated at 45 million gallons per day (MGD). The 1973 EA projected a year 2020 raw water demand of approximately 90 MGD. As detailed in this document, projections of raw water demand for Authority customers are approximately 80 MGD by 2020, which are generally consistent with the findings of the 1973 EA. A copy of this document is provided in Exhibit 16. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 1 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY NOVEMBER 2007 KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT As a regional provider for raw water, the Authority must be proactive in planning and implementation of infrastructure improvements necessary to meet customer demands. The proposed project represents such a proactive approach and is necessary for the Authority to continue its role as a regional raw water supplier by meeting the projected demands of its customers. The purpose of this project is to provide the Authority with additional raw water capacity at the Kings Bluff facility for conveyance to its current and future customers. The need for the proposed project is based upon current and future raw water demands to serve Authority customers. As noted in Section 1.1, the Authority has 4 current customers that include the City of Wilmington and Brunswick County as well as 2 private industries located on US 421 in New Hanover County. The Authority will continue to provide raw water for these customers' long-term needs (Exhibit 3 provides copies of current Water Supply Agreements with Authority customers). Additionally, Pender County and the Authority have recently executed an agreement for raw water supply for a new water treatment facility to be constructed in Pender County. The new water treatment facility will have an initial capacity of 2 MGD; however, long-term projections indicate that up to 12 MGD will be required by the year 2030. A summary of projected raw water demands provided by Authority customers and Pender County is provided in Table 1 as follows: TABLE 1 - PROJECTED RAW WATER DEMAND Customer Current Demand (MGD) 2010 Demands (MGD) 2015 Demands (MGD) 2020 Demands (MGD) 2025 Demands (MGD) 2030 Demands (MGD) City of Wilmington 15 17.9 27.1 29.9 33.2 36.9 Brunswick Count 24 28 34 38 42 43 Invista 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 Praxair 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Pender County 0 2 5 7.2 9.2 12 Totals 43.2 52.07 70.27 79.27 88.57 96.07 As noted in Table 1, the current average daily demand for the Kings Bluff facility is approximately 43 MGD, or 96% of the facilities 45 MGD capacity. Additionally, it is noted that by 2010, the demand will be approximately 52 MGD and will exceed the current capacity of Kings Bluff facility. Therefore, the need for this project is as follows: The Authority serves a vital role in the Lower Cape Fear region as a provider of raw water to Brunswick County's Northwest Water Plant, the City of Wilmington's Sweeney Water Plant and two industrial customers located on US 421 in New Hanover County. The Authority has long-term agreements ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 3 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT 1.3 Project Service Area Summary Description For the purposes of this report, the Project Service Area (PSA) has been delineated into two areas: General PSA - This represents the basic boundary of the service area for the Authority's customers, which includes Brunswick County, the City of Wilmington, and 2 industries located on US 421 in New Hanover County. Additionally, Pender County has been included in the General PSA per the current agreement with the Authority for future raw water supply. Exhibit 2 provides a map of the General PSA. Specific PSA - This represents the area confined to the proposed project, which entails the construction of 60" parallel intake pipe and screens (See Exhibit 1). As will be presented in this document, environmental impacts, mitigation, and secondary/cumulative impacts will be addressed based on the Specific PSA and not the General PSA. The justification for this delineation is based on the following: • The Authority is only a provider of raw water. Customers purchase raw water from the Authority, provide treatment, and then deliver to their customers. The Authority does not own, operate or maintain the treatment or distribution systems. The delivery of raw water has no impact to the General PSA. The treated water and distribution systems owned by Authority customers are the drivers for system expansion and potential environmental impacts. • Expansions of treated water capacity at the customer owned water plants may require an EA to address environmental impacts and secondary/cumulative impacts in their respective service areas. The Authority does not retain control or governing power over its customers or their infrastructure and due to this constraint will not be able to assess impacts associated with such expansions or improvements. • Specific to secondary and cumulative impacts, common mitigation measures such as comprehensive land use/zoning plans, stormwater management, and conservation measures are adopted and enforced by the respective governments. The Authority does not have jurisdiction or control over the development, implementation, or enforcement of such measures for these governments. • As an example, the City of Wilmington's Sweeney Water Plant is currently in the preliminary stages of a capacity expansion of the facility. As part of the expansion, the City is preparing an EA, which addresses the appropriate quantity of raw water supply to be purchased from the Authority. Therefore, all impacts associated with the City's area of the General PSA will be evaluated specifically in their EA document and not by the Authority. Similarly, if Brunswick County were to choose to expand their Northwest Water Treatment Plant, Brunswick County would be required to prepare an EA to address environmental impacts in the service area of this facility and not the Authority. • Another example is the proposed Pender County 2 MGD Water Plant for which the Authority will be the raw water provider. Pender County has applied for funding of this -.facility through USDA Rural Development. As required by USDA, the County has ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 5 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT Each alternative is described in detail as follows: 2.1 Alternative 1- No Action A "No Action" alternative was evaluated for feasibility. Based on Table 1 of this report, the projected raw water demands for the Kings Bluff facility are approximately 52 MGD in 2010. This will exceed the facility's current capacity of 45 MGD. Additionally, long-term projections indicate that raw water demands will approach 96 MGD by 2030. Without additional raw water intake capacity the Authority will not be able to meet the needs of its customers. Therefore, the "No Action" alternative was deemed not feasible and is not recommended. 2.2 Alternative 2 - Construction of a Raw Water Intake Canal Given the proximity of the Kings Bluff facility to the Cape Fear River (approximately 1,000 feet) it is possible to excavate a permanent canal from the river bank near the base of the Kings Bluff facility. The canal would generally parallel the existing 48" raw water intake pipe and provide a source of additional raw water capacity. The dimensions of the canal would be approximately 45 feet (W) x 900 feet (L) x 6 feet (D) and would be constructed entirely through existing wetlands. A constructed intake assembly would be required at the discharge end of the canal, including a cast-in-place structure with a mechanical screening mechanism. Approximate dimensions of the structure would be 40' (W) x 25' (L) x 10' (D). Based on wetlands delineations of the project site, the location of the structure would have a direct and permanent impact to existing wetlands. New piping from this structure would be connected directly to the Kings Bluff facility wetwell for conveyance of raw water from the canal to pumping station. Exhibit 4 provides a schematic of Alternative No. 2. A. Regulatory Issues Consultations with regulatory agencies yielded that the construction of a canal, because of the permanent impacts to wetlands, forested wetlands, and potential wildlife habitat would provide a number of obstacles with respect to permitting. In addition to the permanent wetland impacts, the canal would require routine dredging with approximate 20-30 buffers on each side of the canal for a maintenance corridor. Comparatively, the recommended Alternative No. 3 requires minimal permanent impacts to wetlands and habitat and requires no external maintenance that would have temporary impacts to the surrounding area. The majority of impacts would be temporary in nature and experienced during construction. It is anticipated that regulatory approvals may be difficult to obtain. Therefore, an excavated canal was determined not to be the most advantageous alternative for this project. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 7 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT Description Cost Contingency $114,500 Total Construction $1,259,500 Technical & Permitting Fees $151,140 Total Opinion of Probable Cost $1,410,640 D. Alternative No. 2 Summary Alternative No. 2 entails the construction of an excavated canal with cast-in-place concrete intake structure to provide additional raw water to the Kings Bluff raw water pump station. This alternative would require temporary impacts during construction as well as one acre of permanent impacts to forested wetlands and wildlife habitat. Regulatory obstacles for permitting of such a canal are expected to be considerable and estimated costs for this option are higher than the recommended Alternative No. 3. Therefore, Alternative No. 2 is not recommended. 2.3 Alternative 3 - Construction of a Parallel Raw Water Intake Pipe and Screen Structure. (Recommended Alternative) This alternative would involve the installation of a new raw intake pipe and screens to provide the additional raw water capacity to the Kings Bluff facility. This alternative would involve three wedge-wire type intake screens installed in the Cape Fear River. Raw water would flow from the river, through the screens, and to the Kings Bluff facility through the new intake pipe. The new intake pipe and screens would be installed parallel and adjacent to the existing 48" raw water intake and screens that serve the facility currently (See Exhibit 5). Alternatives evaluated for feasibility are as follows: 1. Pipe Size 2. Pipe Location Determination & Material 3. Intake Screen Requirements Pipe Size Analysis To determine the required pipe diameter, the capacity of the existing 48-inch was used as a basis for comparison for the parallel intake pipe. Commercially available pipe sizes in the range of 54" through 72" were examined in order to provide the required capacity and maintain economic feasibility of the project. For the purposes of this report, it was assumed that the 48-inch would provide the current 45 MGD design capacity and the parallel pipe would supplement that capacity to provide a minimum of 100 MGD. The following table summarizes the capacities that would be available for the respective pipe diameters. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 9 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT pipe has been in operation for over 20-years and recent inspections of this pipeline indicate it to be in good condition and working well within the environment that it is installed. Intake Screen Requirements A screened intake structure will be required to remove sediment, sand, and debris from the raw river water prior to pumping. For the purposes of this report, the intake screen structures evaluated for each alternative were based on screens manufactured by Johnson Screens. It is recommended that three (3) 27.5 MGD screens be provided for this project. The screen sizing, along with the proposed 60-inch intake pipe, will provide the requisite raw water demand to the Kings Bluff facility. An air backwash system will also be provided in order to remove the sand and sediment that will accumulate on the screen surface. This configuration is a mirror image of the current intake and screen facility which utilizes three (3) 15 MGD Johnson Screens for raw water intake and a 48-inch pipe to deliver raw water to the Kings Bluff facility. An air backwash facility currently exists for the 48-inch intake screens and would require minor modifications for increased size and volume to clean the proposed new screens. Exhibit 5A provides a detail of the existing and proposed intake screen structures for this project. A recent concern with regard to Lock & Dam No. 1 has been the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) consideration of removal of the Lock & Dam. This was originally investigated due to environmental concerns for the endangered Shortnose Sturgeon that utilize the surrounding area as a habitat and occasionally swim upstream to spawn. The USACE investigated alternatives associated with the removal of the dams, which was detailed in their report titled the Wilmington Harbor, 96 Act General Re-Evaluation Report (GRR) for relocating Turning Basin and Remaining Mitigation Features (GRR). Exhibit 6 provides excerpts of Table 3.5.1.A of this report which notes that the use of a Rock Ramp downstream of Lock and Dam No. 1 is the best alternative for lowering potential impacts to the endangered Shortnose Sturgeon. Section 3.5.3.4 of the report addressed removal of the dam to allow for fish passage; however, this alternative was found to have significant adverse impacts on the availability of water withdrawal at Lock & Dam No. 1 and subsequently the Kings Bluff pumping facility. Therefore, removal of the Lock & Dam was eliminated as an alternative. Pursuant to the USACE determination that the dam will not be removed or reconfigured to support the lowering of the water level in the Cape Fear River, the screened intake will function as proposed and identical to the existing intake that is currently in operation. Copies of the entire GRR report can be found on the Army Corps of Engineers website. In addition to the USACE report, the Authority and the City of Wilmington authorized an independent evaluation of Lock & Dam No. 1 and the potential impacts with removal of the dam. This report, prepared by Arcadis and provided in Exhibit 7, analyzes the different alternatives associated with the dam removal and fish passage. Its findings detail how each alternative would affect water users of the Authority's and the City of Wilmington's ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 11 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT Description Cost 60-Inch Class 50 Ductile Iron $660,000 Ductile Iron Fittings $125,000 Intake Screens $105,000 Air Backwash Modifications $45,000 Sub-Total Construction $935,000 Contingency $90,000 Total Construction $1,025,000 Technical & Permitting Fees $55,000 Total Opinion o Probable Cost $1,080,000 D. Alternative No. 3 Summary Alternative No. 3 involves the construction of a 60-inch raw water intake pipe and screen structure located upstream of Lock & Dam No. 1 on the Cape Fear River. The pipe will bey,. installed via open cut excavation and temporary as well as permanent impacts to wetlands are anticipated. However, permanent impacts are expected to be 0.2 acres approximately and all other impacts may be a direct result of construction activities. Regulatory requirements for this project area anticipated to follow normal procedures and within acceptable timeframes for such projects. This alternative provides the needed raw water flow for the Kings Bluff facility and a high level of redundancy for the facilities intake needs. Therefore, Alternative No. 3 is the recommended alternative. 2.4 Matrix Comparison of Alternatives Based on the comparative table below, constructing a parallel raw water intake and screen configuration to provide additional raw water capacity to the King's Bluff Pump Station is the most beneficial option: Project Factors Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 No Action Raw Water Parallel Intake Pipe Alternative Intake Canal & Screen Permitting 0 1 2 Constructability 0 3 4 Feasibility 0 2 4 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 13 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT along with the future customer, Pender County will require through the year 2030. 6. Due to the growth in southeastern North Carolina as a whole, the populations projected below are presented in five-year planning increments. Table 4 provides the population projection for the City of Wilmington, Brunswick County and Pender County, as these are the main public customers of the Authority. TABLE 4 -POPULATION PROJECTIONS Area 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 City of Wilmington 90,330 94,531 99,781 104,870 110,220 - - Brunswick County 73,141 89,481 110,374 125,107 138,169 151,959 164,165 Pender County 41,082 46,471 52,512 63,014 78,768 92,946 104,100 Total 204,553 230,483 262,667 292,991 327,157 - - *Population projections were obtained from Pender County Water Master Plan, July 2006, by McKim & Creed, PA, and for the City of Wilmington and Brunswick County the North Carolina State Demographics Center. The growth projections above indicate that growth within the southeastern part of the state is expected to occur with or without the availability of a capacity increase for the system. B. Environmental Consequences 1. The improvements include a raw water intake pipe and screen structure that will be constructed parallel to the existing intake pipe and screen structure. The project area is owned and maintained by the Authority. As a result, this will cause no conversion of zoning districts. The total area of disturbance for the line routing is estimated to be 1.1 acres (1,200 LF x 40'). 2. There will be no impacts to homes and businesses. Pre-existing conditions for the construction area will be re-established upon construction completion with the exception of #3 below. 3. Permanent impacts will be associated with a 10' wide corridor that will be maintained over the center of the new pipe. The impact is estimated at 0.2 acres. 4. Secondary and cumulative impacts include the potential for land development and associated impacts in such areas as drainage, water quality, wildlife habitat, and threatened & endangered species. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 15 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT 3.1.2 Important Farmland A. Affected Environment 1. Prime farmlands along the project corridor have been identified by soil type per the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. Soil types for the project area are as follows: a. BnB - Blanton san, 2 to 7 percent slopes b. Cn - Conagree silt loam, frequently flooded c. Ch - Chewacla abd Chastain soils, frequently flooded d. DyF - Dystrochrepts, steep e. GbA - Goldsboro sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes f. Ln - Lynchburg fine sandy loam Exhibit 8 provides a map of soils types in the project area. B. Environmental Consequences 1. The majority of improvements are the installation of a raw water intake and screens to convey raw water from the Cape Fear River to the King's Bluff Pump Station. Due to the nature of the project area, no conversion of farmland is anticipated for this project. 2. In conclusion, direct impacts will be minimal or non-existent. Indirect impacts are non-existent, as this will not affect uses permitted by right. 3. Cumulative impacts include the potential for growth and farmland conversion in the City of Wilmington, Brunswick County and Pender County as additional capacity becomes available. 4. Consequently, cumulative impacts will be minimized and managed by the very governing zoning districts. C. Mitigation 1. The Bladen County Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Plans will be adhered to. 2. The project is consistent with the current use of the property and no important farmland is anticipated to be impacted. 3.1.3 Formally Classified Lands A. Affected Environment 1. There are no formally classified lands administered by Federal, State, or local agencies within the project corridor that have been accorded special protection through formal legislative designations. B. Environmental Consequences 1. Not applicable C. Mitigation ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 17 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT 5. Surface waters in the project area are not listed on the Federal 303 (d) list for impaired waters. 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences The water system improvement consists of a 60-inch raw water intake pipe that will be constructed parallel to the existing 48-inch raw water intake pipe. Three intake screens will be constructed in the run of the river immediately adjacent to the three existing screens currently in operation. Temporary impacts are expected from the construction of the intake screens, which will be installed via sub aqueous methods. It is also possible that a coffer dam may be installed for construction of the screens to minimize impact to river wildlife. 2. The availability of raw water for drinking water supply in the Cape Fear Basin is of concern to the NC Division of Water Resources as well as entities that depend on the river for such supply. The Division of Water Resources is evaluating the withdrawal rates on the river and in the basin to ascertain long- term impacts. 3. The majority of the floodplains will be temporarily disturbed during the installation of the raw water main from the River to the pump station. Stormwater runoff from construction activities will,be minimized partly due to the sediment and erosion control measures that will be installed and partly because of the project site is a wetlands system. Therefore, stormwater runoff will flow from the wetlands into the Cape Fear River. 4. There will be minimal permanent displacement of floodways during construction, as these areas will be returned to pre-existing conditions. No direct change to existing topography will result from this project and its installation will not create an environment prone to flooding as the facilities will be installed below grade. The original grade and contours will be returned to original condition upon completion. 5. The primary water body in the project area is the Cape Fear River. 6. Secondary and cumulative impacts to the project area are expected to be negligible. Secondary and cumulative impacts for service area of Authority customers would/will be addressed via separate and independent EA's required for any subsequent capacity or distribution system upgrades. The Authority does not own or control these systems, nor govern such expansions. Direct impacts will be the temporary disturbances of the floodplain channel during construction. A 10 foot wide cleared corridor will be maintained for maintenance on the pipe. Indirect and cumulative impacts will be minimal. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 19 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT 4. The primary function of the wetlands on the project site is for flood control from the Cape Fear River. With their proximity to the Cape Fear River any rise in the River water level will directly affect the wetlands system. 5. Because the majority of the project will be the installation of below grade raw water intake pipe in forested wetlands, direct impacts will be unavoidable. Approximately 0.2 acres of forested wetlands are anticipated to be permanently impacted. Other wetlands impacts will be temporary in nature and associated with the installation of the raw water intake pipe. Permanent impacts to the forested wetlands will involve a 10-foot cleared maintenance corridor centered over the pipeline. 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences 1. Temporary disturbance to wetland areas will occur with the construction of the raw water main. The water main depth will be reasonably shallow to support an open-cut methodology. Where practicable, avoidance of wetlands, and mitigation of potential adverse impacts to the wetlands, will be made in routing and placement of the water main. 2. The amount of wetlands disturbance for water main installation is estimated at less than one acre. Approximately 1.1 acres (1200 LF x 40 LF) of disturbance is proposed for all construction activities. The total amount of permanent impact to forested wetlands (cleared maintenance corridor) is anticipated at 0.2 acres. 3. Wetlands permits were submitted to the USACE as a Nationwide Wetlands Permit 12 (NWP 12) for utility line activities. The approval of such permits will be contingent upon issuance of a Finding of No Significant Impact for this project. It will be noted on final plans that all conditions of the wetlands permit will be adhered to during construction. 4. In conclusion, direct impacts will be temporary in nature. Indirect and cumulative impacts will be minimal with appropriate construction techniques that ensure wetlands hydrology is protected, and pre-existing conditions are re-established. 3.3.3 Mitigation As the majority of the project area is located in forested wetland, total avoidance is impossible. However, impacts will be minimized by the following: Temporary discharge of excavated or fill material into wetlands and waters of the United States will be for the absolute minimum period of time necessary to accomplish the work. Temporary discharges will be fully contained with appropriate erosion control or containment methods or otherwise such fills will consist of non-erodible materials. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 21 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT wetland for buried utility lines. Perpendicular wetland crossings that are open cut and less than 150 feet long will not require anti-seep collars. 14. During the project design and prior to the start of construction, the delineation of wetlands associated with stream crossings and use of directional drilling will be used to avoid wetland impacts in addition to impacting streams. 15. Authority customers may be required to develop EA's specific to their service areas to address wetland and secondary and cumulative impacts associated with increased treated water capacity. 3.4 Cultural Resources (Reference Exhibit 14) 3.4.1 Affected Environment 1. Bladen County has twelve structures on the National Register. None of these structures is proximal to the project area. 2. The visual aesthetics of the project area is its undeveloped' character. 3. The project is not anticipated to encounter any archeological resources. 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences 1. The raw water intake and screens will be located within property owned by the Authority. No impacts are anticipated. 2. The project will be installed below grade, therefore, visual impacts are expected to be minimal. 3. In conclusion, direct impacts will be temporary in nature while construction occurs. Indirect and cumulative impacts will not affect on the visual aesthetics. 3.4.3 Mitigation 1. Mitigation will be accomplished by avoidance of significant historic properties. If any archeological artifacts are discovered during construction, all construction activity at that site will immediately cease. The NC Department of Cultural Resources' State Historic Preservation Office will be contacted prior to resuming construction. 3.5 Biological Resources (Reference Exhibit 15) 3.5.1 Affected Environment The North Carolina National Heritage Program indicated the potential presence of the following threatened and endangered species by use of their "Quad" Maps. The ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 23 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT 2. Both the habitat area and potential presence of red-cockaded woodpeckers are not anticipated to be disturbed by installation of this project. 3. Vegetation will be removed in association with the raw water intake pipe installation. The majority of the project will be installed in a previously cleared corridor, leaving minimal areas of mixed hardwood areas that would require clearing. 4. In conclusion, direct impacts will be the temporary disturbance and removal of wetland vegetation. Indirect and cumulative impacts include a 10-foot wide utility corridor centered over the intake pipeline. 3.5.3 Mitigation Confine the majority of project improvements within the previously cleared corridor. 2. The NC Wildlife Resources Commission recommended that a mollusk survey be completed. The Authority proposes to gather all comments regarding this project prior to determining appropriate course of action for biological surveys. It is recognized that the Cape Fear River has a diverse aquatic community and protection of this resource is a high priority. 3. Due to the nature of the project, the Authority is actively investigating preservation of adjacent wetlands as a means of mitigation. Preservation will benefit both the wetlands and the habitats that thrive on specific environmental characteristics associated with forested wetlands. The pipeline will be installed below grade at each wetlands crossing, and preconstruction contours will be restored in all affected areas once construction is completed. 5. In-stream silt curtain weighted at the bottom, and stringent bank erosion control will be implemented when applicable. In-stream construction activities will be during low flow conditions that permit the effective deployment of the silt curtain. 6. Disturbed stream banks will be restored to their original contours and re- vegetated with natural materials. Riparian vegetation will be preserved as much as possible. 7. Disturbed areas will be reseeded within 15 days of project completion wherever possible. Disturbed stream banks will be restored with natural materials. An erosion and sedimentation control plan will be submitted to and approved by the North Carolina Division of Land Resources, Land Quality Section prior to construction. Erosion and sedimentation controls will be installed and maintained between the construction site and any nearby down- gradient surface waters. ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 25 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT service areas may be addressed by independent EA's for their respective systems. 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences 1. Not applicable 3.7.3 Mitigation 1. Not applicable 3.8 Socio-Economic/Environmental Justice Issues The construction of the proposed raw water main will not affect the socio-economic status of the residents in the surrounding project area. The raw water main will be installed on Authority owned property, and aside from a maintenance corridor, existing conditions will be re- established upon completion of construction. 3.8.1 Socio-Economic Issues A. Affected Environment 1. Not applicable. B. Environmental Consequences 1. Not applicable C. Mitigation 1. Not applicable 3.8.2 Environmental Justice Issues A. Affected Environment 1. Due to the undeveloped nature of the project site, no disproportional environmental effects are anticipated upon the residents near the project corridor. B. Environmental Consequences 1. This project will have no disproportionate environmental effects to the communities. C. Mitigation 1. Not Applicable 3.9 Miscellaneous Issues 3.9.1 Air Quality A. Affected Environment 1. Air quality at the Authority's Pump Station site and adjacent properties could be impacted as construction efforts progress. B. Environmental Consequences ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT PAGE 27 NOVEMBER 2007 LOWER CAPE FEAR WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY KINGS BLUFF RAW WATER PUMP STATION 60-INCH RAW WATER INTAKE AND SCREEN PROJECT 2. Conclusively, direct impacts will be elevated noise levels from construction equipment on a temporary basis. Indirect and cumulative impacts will be non- existent C. Mitigation 1. 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