20080987 Ver 1_More Info Received_20090107

FW: 401 question

Subject: FW: 401 question
From: "Wheeler, Tracey L SAW" <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 200913:42:19 -0500
To: <[e-mail]>, "Kyle Barnes" <[e-mail]>

Hey guys,
I don't know where this ended up, but here is the response from
Seymour Johnson. What do you think? Tracey

Tracey L. Wheeler
Regulatory Specialist
US Army Corps of Engineers
Post Office Box 1000
Washington, NC 27889
[phone] ex 24

The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of
support to the public. To help us ensure we continue to do so, please
complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at our website at
http://regulatory,usacesurvey.com/ to complete the survey online.

-----Original Message-----
From: Busch, Laura M Civ USAF ACC 4 CES/CEAO
[mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 1:37 PM
To: Wheeler, Tracey L SAW
Subject: RE: 401 question

Tracey - I think this is the one, let me know if not,

Thanks,
Laura

Content-Description: Response DWQ 2nd Ltr.pdf

Response DWQ 2nd Ltr.pdf Content-Type: application/pdf

Content-Encoding: base64

1 of 1 1/14/20093:12 PM

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
4TH FIGHTER WING (ACe)
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE NC

AUG 2 5 2008

Mr. Dennis G. Goodson, P.E.
Deputy Base Civil Engineer
1 095 Peterson A venue
Seymour Johnson AFB NC 27531-2355

Ms. Tracey Wheeler
Washington Regulatory Field Office,
US Army Corps of Engineers
POBox 1000
Washington NC 27889-1000

Dear Ms. Wheeler

We received a copy of the comment letter sent to Mr. Lekson.,Field Cbie~ by the Division of
Water Quality dated August, 18.2008. We would like to address their concerns, as numbered in
the original letter:

1. The USAF has previously reviewed the MOA between the USACE. USAF, FAA. and
other resources agencies. and agrees to Items A-P in Section 1. SJAFB also agrees with the
Background Section, which recognizes the hazards of wildlife collisions during complex take-otf
and landing procedures. Item G recognizes that there are circumstances where impacts to
wetlands are unavoidable. and therefore the Section 404 permitting process exists. This section
does not prohibit impacts to ~ it stipulates that avoidance and rnh'litlli7Jltion must be
tried, and mitigation be accomplished ifunable to dO so. SJAPB bas detailed previous methods
tried to discourage birds and why they have failed or why they were not practicable. The
NCEEP has agreed to accept USAF payment for mitigation credits for impacting these wetlands.

The USAF also agrees with Item L, that the FAA, USAF and WS personnel have the
expertise necessary to deten:nine aircraft-wildlife strike potential of various land uses.
SJAFBIUSDA wildlife biologists have identified species and seasonal popuIations of animals
attracted. by the wetlands. The extent of the wildlife hazard to aviation is evident by the recorded
number of strikes occurri.ng at the east end of Runway 26.

Furthermore. Section IL Item E states: "The signatory agencies retain the discretion to
adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from this MOA when they determine it is
appropriate to do so." This situation warrants a case-by-case analysis.

2. SJAFB provided data on bird and wildlife strikes at the east end ofthenmway in the
application. Additional information. was supplied in response to a letter from DWQ dated July

gf:.,td !7bfbE't ;:''1: dfme'tlaa

30, 2008. At Attachment 1 are the Flight Safety slides on bird strikes briefed to the Vice
Commander. chair of the Environmental, Safety, and Occupation Health Council, at the quarterly
meeting held July 24. 2008.

3. The USAF is unable to completely address the DWQ's assertion that the Navy has a
different perspective than SJAFB regarding wildlife interference around nmways, as we are not
familiar with the specifics of the Navy's site plan. The Navy published its NOI to prepare an
EIS to look at new sites for the OLF on April 29, 2008. This would indicate that the process is
still in the early stages, and therefore site specific designs and architectural drawings have not
been developed. It is unclear what factors were involved that allowed the Navy to determine that
wildlife interference would not be an issue. It is the USAF's position that the decision to impact
the wetlands located in close proximity to the portion of the SJAFB runway where aircraft are in
the most critical phases of flight, should be determined on site specific information and not on
general information offered by the Navy during preliminary planning. The USAF and the Navy
fly different types of aircraft, with different flight characteristics (specifically take-off and
landing). Large aircraft, such as the KC-135R based at 81AFB, have a longer glide slope when
landing, and are in this critical phase for a longer period than small aircraft such as the F-15E.
These type of aircraft would not be using the OLF.

4. The clear zone around the east end of the runway (approximately 210 acres) is currently
a mowed field, designed to be free of any obstructions. SJAFB must follow strict USAF
guidelines on grass height to prevent the attraction of foraging and nesting birds. This project
will not alter the field surrounding the wetlands, thereby not making the area more attractive to
Canada geese as the DWQ suggests; therefore we dispute the assumption that the geese would
"likely" locate near the runway if the proposed project was permitted.

If you have any questions on this matter please contact Mr. Donald Abrams at 919-722-5168.

Sincerely

~~
DENNIS G. GOODSON, P.E.

Attachment:
Flight Safety Slides from Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Council Meeting

0,
.t::
~
~
~
..c::
.0,
Li:
S
~

~
. ....

(.)
t:
::::s
o
(.)
S
......
C'O
CD
:t
......
C'OCO
t:Q
.0 '"-
(,) ~ u:
:t: g. "-
o g~
CI) 0 res
II I OC!S ~
...... ~ 0
~-e
~C")

......
~
t:
CD
E
t:
e

. ....
:s
Lii
~

:1 ~ ~~

._ 'I- 0
ns~nsN
CJ) . CJ) ~
m'l--
~~~
'-G>~
~:C:N
_0
o
o
....
..J

-
nsC....CO
....O.t:O
c U) t>>
G>'-=O
EG>U.N
C '"C .... ~
occ3
,-G>G>-,
.- J: E
> ~
CCG>N
Wnst>>
~ns
m ~
a..:~
~....
G>
U)
U)
<C
..0
.~ W

-

t>>IJ..
C-
ii:(/)
.~ (/)
'-<(
m-l
U)
.- U
.=Z
:J

~t

~
t:
Cb
e
~
~
CI)
-0
Cb
0)
Cb
:--
~

.~

a:

w
en w~ ~
::>::i~>-O::zco >-
cowoo<cou. 0
wi=>o::u.l-ccno::<C
N::>CI-CZC-O>
i:2o<Cffl~oZCU.i:2
owo::cwo<c~wc..
J:enw W>-N~...IW
t-OJ:u)z<(~uimJ:
::>O::l-zo::~,wCiiI-
~c..OOWI-~:JZ~~
::) ::;! ~ ~ e> z LL- a.. 0 <( oj(.
......OOZW c..c..-It)
z~>i:2o~<C<Cffll-<<'?
Q~I-I-..JB~co::g~
~O:::JfflOo~~cnCI-
~OiiiO::zCCZ-Ou.
""'O<C Z wwl-O::<C
O::I-_o::w~l-~zc..c
o ..JO:I::I:O W Z
U.5::!U.~,;-w<Cii:~<C
Z>->N oj( t-enO-J:-
_ _ en 0 <( t-"'~
>- I- 0 0:: C") · 0:: w :t;
t-O .W....cn^ :!0::C) I
w I- I- I W .... ,- Z C")
LL W Z a.. ,..... en Wen. - en
.., M ~.-.Z
<cmW<CZOmu.O<c..J
~~~~<cf2t;051-c...
w 0 .~::>::>I-u.~~
C)z..J;g~c..~o-<CQ)
W<Cc..N......Z <C>-~....
..JO~,:I:O:I:>-..J U.
_wwQ;I-_00ZCO
~o:: _S;I-i:<COZ
~::)OLLLL>Z>>W<(Ot-
a..en <(Ww>-ene>
cnoZWO>ZO::::>Z<C
..JOWZWOc.. -
zO_cn<Co::-....JC
<ccnl- .Cc..I-::~O::
Zt-- C ~ cn 0:: c.. :l! c:i~ <C
_ZO<(IICQLL::)
OO~:i100J:O~~LLe>
OO::i=Ocn OW
cn WO<c:iEu.C) u.
_ t-A Zw <(
J: ~ - en
I- 0::

~
..

t/)
.....,
c:
- Q)
~ ns
....., E
~ ~ c: E
Q)
ns ~ E 0
en .t: - U
ns c: ....., ~ S
t/) en e - t/)
ns c: t/)
c: ....., Q) ~ Q) '"
0 "'C a. .- Q) :::I "'C s-
a. s:: Q) > J: ns J: E t/) ns Q)
C s:: en Q) "'C
ns :::I W 0 en s:: t/)
Q) 0 .- ....., <C - .t: c:
Q) . - .t: e ~ <( ns
3: s- O .c
C) s- to E
.- m .-
. LL .- :::I > ~ ~
aJ .-
n. - s:: 0 E
. LL . ns
. w 0 0
. en
" . . ..J U
.,' .
.
. .
.

~
.(1)
~
~
o

0)
.t::
~
'-
~
..c::
.0)
u:
S
~

~
~
co
CI)
~
..c::
.0)
---

La:

~ ~co
Q)~g
.cCON
o en ~
D:::..-
.. -'= ~
.. C) ..,
-'= .- ~
~U::N

- .....
C.O
en.....
::: Q)
s::::: .-
0-'=
tnU
CO
..,

. .....
CO
:E .. C
.~ W

-

C)L1.
s:::::-
tt:en
.~ en
...<:(
aJ-J
.~ U
.=Z
:::>

\ .~
')

~
J2
~
~
........
co co
Q 0
>-
'- u..
~
cu ....
0
1:: "C
~
M
fa II)
w
~ u..
CS
-e
C")

(f)
<5 WlY
lY ~ W
lYl- (f) W (f)_I
<(Z ()I-~ Z(f)lYl-
Wo (f)-5:<(0 OWI-(f)O
(9 Z~lY- 0... --
(9(f)~(9()omQ()u..~ <(~O()
Z()....JO~>-::>>O~Is:WlYlY~
WWW....Ju..Iu..<(()<(o...""?scoai~
. . . . . . .. ...

a...'...&
'.'\
i
. ...c,cr/ ."

~ <0
CI) ~ 0
.... Q")
-
Q.. a ~
co
ca -c ~
Y7
..t: s- .
M .
.
.CI) .
s- .
0 .
..... .
~ .... .
.
.
~ en .
.
..... .
~ r: .
. Q)
t:: CI) . Q) 0)
.
e > . 0) ro
.
cu w . ............ Q) ro E
. 0:: E
~ . 0) Q) ro
~ . 0
~ . co 0) co 0
IJJ . <( E ro 0
~ . ............
. E 0:: 0
. ..... . e ro Q)
-c . 0 z
~ . '-"" en 0 Q) co E
c . Q) C> 0 <( en I
. Q)
ns . 0) Q") ro 0 ~
. .:::t!. s..... I E J0- e "C ro ............
~ . 'C co ~ a..
en . LL '-"" co
. ...... ..c ro 0:: c. <(
C. . CJ) - U en en
. u ~ 0 Q) """- .- I
ns . en ;;::: Q) 0
. 0) .- "C "C - .:::t!. '-""
0 J:: . e 0 co .:::t!.
. 0 0 co \f- s.....
en en .- ~ s..... s..... 0 Q)
- e u a.. a.. CO ......
.- U ...... .- en en "C
~ ~ ..c ...... > > t "C "C
co ...... W en
en 0) co co co 0 s..... 0 :J
......
en .- CJ) Z Z () I CO en 0::
(Y) N ro ....I en ....I
~ - ~ ('i) N ~ ~ ~ ro
U ~ ~ ~
-
0 . . . . . . . U . .
~ N
. .
'~
m'
c." '!
..-2"

0)
.t::
~
t....
~
..t:
.0)
u:
S
~

:x:
CI)
c::r:
CQ

CI)
.(.)
..i:;
.CI)
~
~
(.)
~
C\1

U).....
._ U) co
=._ 0
.- en 0
~ON
-
U) 0 ~
.- .- -
.... m :J
.c ..,
O.!~
.- ^-I
. - ..,
...."C
:E=
~
<C
c
CJ)
:J

..0
.~ W

-

enU-
e-
\i:(/)
.~ (/)
....<(
m..J
U)
.- U
~Z
::)

CI)
C1>
.:c .......
0
.~ 0
~ N
CI)
-e >-
LL
.
. ......
CO I-
..,
CD (3
~ 0 '0
0 l-
N M
0
LL.
~

II..'.'..."'>......~. ~.

., .T/
....' 'J
.,/

o
CD

o
Lt)

o
'll:t

o
M

o
N

o
~

00
o
o
N

Lt)
o
o
N

o

~
+-'
a
"'0 >-
~
(Y) LL
0 .

co
0
>-
u.
CI)
CU
~
.~ f'..
~ 0
CI) >-
u.
"E
. .....
CO
CO to
0
~ >-
u.
0)

L()
(Y)

o
(Y)

L()
N

o
N

L()
or-

o
or-

L()

L()
o
>-
u.

o

I'-
0
~ 0
N
CO
(0 0
>-
a:: 10 LL
0 .
Q) >- CD 3-
..:c u.. 0 .....,
0 0
.~ en N
~ > "'C
3-
. M
~
CI) ... 0
CJ
-e -C LO
~
M 0
. ...... 0
en N

CD 10 'lll::t M N ~ 0

...................\................>~...
.... ,~
. "" '1/
w
E

0:: f/)
W W
0.. _
WO~
!:;:OQ
~~f/)

co
o
o
N

I
......
..c
0)
i:i=
......
(/)
o
(L

CI) <0
t:
N
0 >-
S
.~
~ n::
~
(.)
0 ())
.....J -
I >
I
E
CU ~
co
~ LL
~
~
CI) (/)
Q..
-e ())
..c
0...
. .....
CO
c
0
......
(/)
C
~

a..........+'......'..~...."...

. . .[.
,."... Ii
~i

N
~

o
~

co

<0

~

N

o

.......

~
o
e
<>>
0::
"-
~
c:
<>>
e
CI)
CI)
e
~
~
o
~
(Y)

CI)
.... 0)
Q) , c:: CI)
Q) i: e
Q ~ Jg .a
"0 Q) CI) ......
~ Q) c::$
CUCl)(!)cu......
~ :s.. cu Q) Q)'
~ e'ti g.~
,_ cu a;;;. a.;;;
~ ~ c:: :::s ~
~O~UJI
I I I I C\I
~(\')Lt)~~

"0
Cb
CI)
::s
e
~
Q..
co
(\')
(\')

~
..

,