20052146 Ver 5_Other Agency Correspondence_20090113

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North Carolina
Michael F. Easley, Governor
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WDENRO'
Department of Environment and Natural
January 9, 2009
Mr. Ian McMillan
Division of Water Quality
1650 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Subject: Objection to Issuance of 401 Water Quality Certification
Seawatch at Sunset Harbor
Brunswick County
Dear Ian:
Resources
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary

JAN 1 16 209,_q
J::'NR -WATER QUALITY
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vE i AND STOR VATER BRANCH
The Stewardship Program within the Department of Environment and Natural Resources objects to the
issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification for Seawatch at Sunset Harbor in Brunswick County until
an acceptable mitigation plan is developed. Mitigation is proposed on page 17 of the application, "To
mitigate for impacts to aquatic resources, approximately 470 acres of wetlands and 6,500 linear feet of
stream within the Seawatch at Sunset Harbor Community are being preserved. In addition, the applicant
proposes to buy into the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NC EEP) for the restoration of two acres
of non-riparian wetlands."
This office will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the proposed mitigation on site, including the
470 acres approved by the Council of State for the land swap. A meeting was held on July 25, 2008 with
the developer where upper DENR management expressed concerns about the proposed mitigation. It
appears that the applicant continues to propose the same unacceptable mitigation.
Ann Matthews with the Attorney General's office is working to resolve the mitigation issues with the
developer. A meeting on February 11`h is tentatively scheduled.
I respectfully request that you place this project on hold until the mitigation issues can be resolved.
Should this not be possible, please deny the permit request.
Should you have any questions, please call me at 919/715-8696 or e-mail eric. alamb ,ncmai1.net.
Sincerely,
Eric Galamb, PWS
Stewardship Director
cc: Ann Matthews, Dept. of Justice
Doug Huggett, DCM
1601 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601 ne Carpluia
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Internet: www.enr.state.nc.us/ENR/ atll!'a«
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