20081579 Ver 1_Public Notice_20081120

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US Army Corps
Of Engineers
Wilmington District
PUBLIC NOTICE
Issue I
Comment Dea
Corps
Fort
The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received a
application from the Department of the Army/For. t Bragg seeking
Army authorization to discharge dredged or fill material into wat
States associated with construction of the New Ammunition Supp
existing Pope Air Force Base Munitions Supply Area in Cumber
Carolina.
Specific plans and location information are described below and sho
plans. This Public Notice with all attached plans is also available on
District Web Site at www.saw.usace.armv.mil/wetlands
Applicant: Department of the Army
U.S. Army installation Management Command
Headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Bragg
c/o Col. Gregory Bean (Ret), Director of Public Works
IMSE-BRG-P W
Reilly Road Stop A
Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 28310-5000
Authority
: November 20, 2008
le: December 5, 2008
ion ID #:2007-04036
Igg - Pope AFB ASP
vision to the
apartment of the
of the United
Point (ASP) at the
id County, North
on the attached
Wilmington
The Corps will evaluate this application and a decide whether to issue, conditionally issue,
or deny the proposed work pursuant to applicable procedures under ection 404 of the
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
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Location
The affected area of the Pope ASP review area encompassed approximately 450
acres adjacent to the east side the Pope MSA facility. This area falls 'within the
Cape Fear River Basin (HUC 003030004) in the NC Sandhills pysio rapchic
region of the state. The proposed ASP area encompassed approxima ely 450
acres and is located approximately 4 miles west of the intersection o Vass Road (NC 690)
and NC 87, between Manchester Road and Vass Road in Cumberlan County. The
proposed project is located in adjacent wetlands and tributaries that a hydrologically
connected to the Cape Fear River, Hydrologic Cataloging Unit 03030004.
Background
A Fort Bragg "Grow the Army" Environmental Assessment (EA) was signed on June 20,
2008 and on August 22, 2008 a Findings of No Significant Impact was signed by Fort
Bragg. The social, economic, and environmental impacts associated with various proposals
and their alternatives, including the No-build alternative, have been described in the above
referenced environmental documents. The Fort Bragg "Grow the Army" EA is available
for review at the Wilmington Regulatory Field Office of the Wilmington District U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403, or at
Fort Bragg. Headquarters, United States Army Garrison, Department of Public Works, Fort
Bragg, 2175 Reilly Road, Stop A, Fort Bragg, NC 28310-5000.
Applicant's Stated Purpose
The Purpose of the proposed project is to replace the existing deficient Fort Bragg ASP.
The existing Bragg ASP facility provides processing and out-loading munitions for airdrop
and air land forces as well as storage of training and basic load ammunition. That facility's
capacity and current location is outdated and insufficient to provide for adequate safe,
secure storage, and processing of ammunition. To continue to provide for the Army's state
of readiness in a safe fashion, the existing ASP at Fort Bragg is no longer sufficient and
must be replaced.
Existing Site Conditions
The affected area of the Pope ASP review area encompassed approximately 450 acres
adjacent to the east side the Pope MSA facility. This area falls within the Cape Fear River
Basin (HUC 003030004) in the NC Sandhills pysiograpehic region of the state. The
Sandhills encompasses parts of 8 counties and is situated in the south central part of NC.
Most of the project area is vegetated with immature longleaf pines (Pinus palustris)
approximately 10 years old planted after timbering operations. The area surrounding the
forest plantation is a mixture of 30-40 year old slash pine (Pinus ellioltii) stands and mature
loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and longleaf pine stands, approximately 60-80 years of age.
The forest cover in the stream and wetland areas was not impacted by the timber harvest
and supported mature canopies of broadleaved deciduous species such as red maple (Acer-
rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambarstyraciflua), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), and water
oak (Quercus nigra). The shrub strata was very dense I most places with gallberry (Ilex
coriacea), red bay (Pet-sea borbonia), and sapling growth of the upper canopy species.
Giant cane (Aruninaria gigantia) formed very dense patches throughout these areas. The
wetlands were typical of streamhead pocosins, small stream swamps, and bottomland
hardwood communities. Detailed descriptions of the wetlands in the project area are
provided in the document titled Jurisdictional Waters Delineation, 108'h ADVASP, Pope
ASP Review Area, Pope AFB, Cumberland County, North Carolina.
Project Description
The following description of the work is taken from data provided by the applicant. The
Army proposes to construct a new ASP at the existing Pope AFB Munitions Supply Area
(MSA) to accommodate the needs of Fort Bragg units. The proposed project action would
be constructed on the east side of the existing Pope MSA. Entry to the facility will be by
way of a new road connecting to Vass Road (NC 690) to the northeast from the existing
facility. Operation of a sufficiently sized facility will require construction of a 150,800
square foot (s.f.) Vehicle Maintenance Shop, 26,500 s.f. of Deploym' Equipment
Storage, a 2,500 s.f. Oil Storage Building, and 161,200 square yards ?fl organizational
Vehicle Parking as well as an ASP. The ASP facility itself will cons'st of eight 17,760 s.f.
Navy Type "F" magazines and four 3,800 s.f. oval arch magazines. ccess roads will be
installed throughout the facility. Associated needs and infrastructur include water, sewer,
gas, and electric utilities, storm water drainage, detention and bio-ret ntion ponds, and
secondary containment for oil storage facilities. Where structures ar proposed to be
constructed within jurisdictional wetland boundaries, clean fill will installed and
compacted to provide stability and raise the grade to the necessary h ight for the structure's
foundation. Roads constructed to access the facility will be 22 feet ide and paved with
asphalt. At locations where jurisdictional wetland areas are to be cr ssed, the roads will be
constructed on compacted fill. Where jurisdictional streams are to b crossed, box culverts
sized appropriately to accommodate stream flows will be placed perpendicular to the
channel. Utilities will be installed as subsurface lines. These will b routed within the
shoulder of the paved roads in most cases. In an effort to avoid and/ )r minimize impacts to
jurisdictional waters, utility crossings will be routed so that stream o wetland crossings
will be contained within the fill required for roadway crossings, thereby avoiding additional
impacts. In one location, utility lines will cross a jurisdictional wetland independent of any
new road construction and the utility will be trenched and the wetlan restored to a pre-
disturbed state. In all other instances where utilities cross stream ch nnels independent of
roadways, directional boring will be used to avoid impacts. The entire installation will be
secured by chain link fencing on posts around the perimeter.
The proposed project will result in permanent impacts to 4.62 acres Of wetlands instead of
4.66 acres as originally stated and 964 linear feet of stream channel Plates 1-5) instead of
310 linear feet as originally stated.
Table 1: Streams Identified in the Project Area
Stream Impact
Number
indicate on map) Stream
Name Stream
Type NCDWQ
Score
I USACE
Score Total
Impact
Feet
7 SD Perennial 45.75 88 202
13 SE Perennial 31 53 5
15 SD Perennial 45.75 88 177
22 SC Perennial 38.5 84 580
Total 964
Table 2: Wetlands Identified in the Project Area
Name Cowardin Type Total Impact Acres
WM PFO1 1.09
WO PF01, PSS3 1.54
WP PF01, PSS3 0.46
WW PFO1 1.53
Total 4.62
The project impact areas are located in the Cape Fear River Basin (Hydrologic Unit
03030004). The applicant proposes to utilize the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement
Program (EEP) to provide the necessary compensatory mitigation for the unavoidable
wetland impacts associated with this project.
Other Required Authorizations
This notice and all applicable application materials are being forwarded to the appropriate
State agencies for review. The Corps will generally not make a final permit decision until
the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) issues, denies, or waives State
certification required by Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (PL 92-500). The receipt of
the application and this public notice combined with appropriate application fee at the
North Carolina Division of Water Quality central office in Raleigh will constitute initial
receipt of an application for a 401 Water Quality Certification. A waiver will be deemed to
occur if the NCDWQ fails to act on this request for certification within sixty days of the
date of the receipt of this notice in the NCDWQ Central Office. Additional information
regarding the Clean Water Act certification may be reviewed at the NCDWQ Central
Office, 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit, 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Raleigh, North
Carolina 27604-2260. All persons desiring to make comments regarding the application
for certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act should do so in writing delivered
to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ), 1650 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 Attention: Ms. Cyndi Karoly by November 28, 2008.
Cultural Resources
The Corps has consulted the latest published version of the National Register of Historic
Places (NHRP) and is not aware that any registered properties, or properties listed as being
eligible for inclusion therein are located within the project area or will be affected by the
proposed work. In addition, Fort Bragg archaeologist identified two archaeological sites
determined eligible for the NRHP, site numbers 31CD218 and 31 CD 1035 which will be
avoided or the adverse effects mitigated in accordance with 36 CFR 800.
Endangered and Threatened Species
Known populations of threatened and endangered species are monitored closely by Fort
Bragg Environmental Division-Endangered Species Branch staff. Fort Bragg has
populations of three Federally-listed endangered plants: Rough-leaved loosestrife
(Lysimachia asperulagIblia); Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii); and American chaffseed
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(.Schrvalbea americana). The 1997 Fort Bragg Endangered Species Management Plan
(ESMP) provides monitoring and management programs for all three species, with the
primary emphasis aimed at reaching recovery. The three Federally-listed plant species and
their associated habitats were assessed and evaluated using results of two comprehensive
rare flora surveys conducted in 1991 through 1993 and 1998 through 1999, respectively.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis also determined no rare plant concerns. In
addition, GIS analysis and field surveys 1112007 determined no individuals were present,
however suitable habitat was found for Michaux's sumac and Rough-leaved loosestrife.
Field surveys during the growing season determined the absence of any endangered plant
species. The red cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (RCW) and the Saint Francis'
Satyr butterfly (Neonympha initchellii.Ji•ancisci) are the only Federally-listed animal
species known to occur at Fort Bragg. The ESMP provides monitoring and management
programs for the RCW and Saint Francis' Satyr, with the primary emphasis aimed at
recovery, The Saint Francis' Satyr is not known to be located in any of the projectlareas
footprints. Additional field evaluations conducted in August 2007 determined no suitable
habitat occurs in the Pope AFB ASP project site. The project footprint does encroach upon
RCW forage habitat, although most of the impacted forest habitat is non suitable forage. A
few surrounding known occupied RCW cluster's forage partitions will be minimally
impacted from forage loss. In addition, several unoccupied RCW clusters will also be
impacted from forage loss. The loss of habitat stemming from the project will not affect
RCW recovery at Fort Bragg. Based on the results of a Biological Assessment in
accordance with section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
USC 1531 et seq.), it concluded the project will have a "no effect" determination on four
Federally endangered species (Saint Francis' Satyr, Rough-leaved loosestrife, American
chaffseed, and Michaux's sumac) and a "not likely to adversely affect" determination for
the Redcockaded woodpecker at Fort Bragg..
The District Engineer, based on available information, is not aware that the proposed
activities requiring DA authorization will affcet any other species not listed above, or their
critical habitat, designated as endangered or threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973
Evaluation
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable
impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the proposed activity on the public interest. That
decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important
resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal
must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be
relevant to the proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof, among
those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands,
historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain values (in
accordance with Executive Order 11988), land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and
accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety,
food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and, in
general, the needs and welfare of the people. For activities involving the discharge of
dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States, the evaluation of the impact of the
activity on the public interest will include application of the Environmental Protection
Agency's 404(b)(1) guidelines.
Commenting Information
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State and local
agencies and officials, including any consolidate State Viewpoint or written position of the
Governor; Indian Tribes and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the
impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps
of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this
proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects and the other
public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments are also used to determine
the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed
activity.
Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that
a public hearing be held to consider the application. Requests for public hearings shall
state, with particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing. Requests for a public
hearing shall be granted, unless the District Engineer determines that the issues raised are
insubstantial or there is otherwise no valid interest to be served by a hearing.
Written comments pertinent to the proposed work, as outlined above, will be received
by the Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, until 5pm, December 5, 2008. Comments
should be submitted to Mr. Richard K. Spencer, Wilmington Regulatory Field Office, 69
Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343.
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