20170783 Ver 1_More Info Requested_20170831

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Water Resources S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
ENVIRONMENTAL QUAL!TY 0/rector
August 31, 2017
DWR # 17-0783
Halifax County
CERTIFIED MAIL: 7016 3560 0000 4428 8691
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Virginia Electric and Power Company
Attn: Amanda Mayhew
701 E. Cary Street, 12th Floor
Richmond,VA 23219
Subject: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Scotland Neck to South Justice Branch 115kV Transmission Line Project
Dear Ms. Mayhew:
On June 27, 2017,the Division of Water Resources (Division) received your application dated
June 23, 2017, requesting a 401 Certification and Riparian Buffer Authorization from the
Division for the subject project. The Division has determined that your application is
incomplete and cannot be processed at this time.The application is on-hold until the following •
information is received:
1. Please provide the most recent version of the 1:24,000 USGS Topographic Map. Please
cleanly draw or delineate the site boundaries on the topographic map. [15A NCAC 02H
.0502(b)]
2. Please provide a most recent bound and published county soil survey. Please cleanly
draw or delineate the site boundaries on the soil survey. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(b)]
3. The Division recognizes that Overhead Electric Utility Lines impacts other than
perpendicular crossings in Zone 1 and Zone 2 are considered exempt impacts [15A NCAC
026.0259(6)] Please explain in your response how your project meets the following
requirements for exemption:
• Provided that, in Zone 1, all of the following BMPs fore overhead utility lines are
used. If all of these BMPs are not used then the overhead utility line shall require
a no practical alternative evaluation by the Division.
State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
919 807 6300

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• A minimum Zone of 10 feet wide immediately adjacent to the water body shall
be managed such that only vegetation that poses a hazard or has the potential to
grow tall enough to interfere with the line is removed.
• Woody vegetation shall be cleared by hand. No land grubbing or grading is
allowed.
• Vegetative root systems shall be left intact to maintain the integrity of the soil.
Stumps shall remain where trees are cut.
• Rip rap shall not be used unless it is necessary to stabilize a tower.
• No fertilizer shall be used other than a one-time application to re-establish
vegetation.
• Construction activities shall minimize the removal of woody vegetation,the
extent of the disturbed area, and the time in which the areas remain in a •
disturbed state.
• Active measures shall be taken after construction and during routine
maintenance to ensure diffuse flow of stormwater through the buffer.
• In wetlands, mats shall be utilized to minimize soil disturbance. •
• Provided that poles or towers shall not be installed within 10 feet of a waterbody
unless the Division completes a no practical alternative evaluation.
• Perpendicular crossings are those that intersect the surface water at an angle
between 75. and 105°.
4. In the Tar-Pamlico River Basin and Neuse River Basin, intermittent streams, perennial
streams, lakes, ponds and estuaries depicted on USGS maps and NRCS soil survey maps
are subject to the Riparian Buffer Rules. Impacts to the riparian buffers must be
identified on your plans [15A NCAC 02B .0259 (8)(b)(iv)]. If a stream is depicted on
either map it is subject to the riparian buffers. [Note: if the permittee believes the maps
inaccurately depict surface waters he or she must consult the Division to secure a formal
on site determination. DWR's file review revealed that the riparian buffers have NOT
received formal verification by the Division.]
5. The wetland, stream and riparian buffer impacts requested in this application need to
be clearly shown and enumerated on the site plan. These impacts need to correspond
to the impacts requested in the application. The labels on the site plan must be clear
and must match the labels of the impacts listed in the application.The Division
recommends highlighting by hatching or shading all impacts areas for temporary impact
areas and permanent,impact areas. [15A NCAC 02B .0259(8)(b)(iv)] Wetlands, streams,
open waters, and Riparian buffers impacts must be differentiated by permeant versus
temporary impacts. With respect to riparian buffers, these impacted areas must be
further separated by Zone I and Zone II impacts as well. (Zone 1 is measured from top
of bank landward for first 30 feet. Zone II is the outer 20 foot of the 50 buffer and is

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measured landward from the outer edge of Zone I). Do not hesitate to contact
Stephanie Goss if you have additional questions.
Pursuant to Title 15A NCAC 02H .0502(c) the above requested information is necessary for the
proper consideration of the application. The Division will be notified by the USACE when a
Public Notice is issued for your project. No action is necessary by you at this time. This letter is
to serve as notification to you that your application cannot be processed until a Public Notice
has been issued.
Please be aware that you have no authorization under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act or
the Neuse Riparian Buffer Rules for this activity and any work done within waters of the state
may be a violation of North Carolina General Statutes and Administrative Code.
Please contact Stephanie Goss at 919-791-4256 or [e-mail] if you have any
questions or concerns
Sync re a y,
v p 4
7
Danny Smith
Supervisor, Water Quality Regional Operations Section
cc: DWR RRO 401 file
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit file via Laserfiche
Laura Clark via e-mail at [e-mail]