20090271 Ver 1_Public Notice_20090417

US Army Corps PUBLIC NOTICE
Of Engineers
Wilmington District
Issue Date: April 17, 2009
Comment Deadline: May 18, 2009
Corps Action ID #:2007-03235
Camp Lejeune-MPMG Range P-01
The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application from the
US Marine Corps/Camp Lejeune seeking Department of the Army authorization to
discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States associated with
construction of the P-1 Multi-purpose Machinegun Range on Marine Corps Base
(MCB) Camp Lejeune in Onslow County, North Carolina.
Specific plans and location information are described below and shown on the attached
plans. This Public Notice with all attached plans is also available on the Wilmington
District Web Site at www.saw.usace.army.mil/wetlands
Applicant: Department of the Navy
US Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
c/o Mr. Carl Baker, Deputy Public Works Officer
Public Works Division
1005 Michael Road
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina 28542
Authority
The Corps will evaluate this application and decide whether to issue, conditionally issue, or
deny the proposed work pursuant to applicable procedures under Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
Location
The MCB plans to realign and consolidate several training ranges within the G-10 Impact
Area. The G-10 Impact area is 5,189 acres in size and is located between Sneads Ferry
Road, Highway 172 and Lyman Road. The P-1 Range site is approximately 136 acres in
size and is located in the southern part of the larger G-10 Impact Area, just north of the
intersection of Sneads Ferry Road and highway 172 in Onslow County. The proposed
project is located in adjacent wetlands and tributaries that are hydrologically connected to
the New River or the Intracoastal Waterway, Hydrologic Cataloging Unit 03030001 and
03020106, respectively.
Applicant's Stated Purpose
The Purpose of the proposed project is to sustain mission readiness through maximizing the
base's training capabilities to meet current and emerging requirements, consistent with the
Range and Training Area Transformation Plan for 2020 concepts. The need for the project
is to optimize range configuration to use land more efficiently, eliminate range scheduling
conflicts, minimize long term environmental impacts, reduce noise impacts on the local
community, develop ranges that facilitate realistic, combat-oriented training and provide
training for multiple weapon systems and performance feedback to the shooter.
Existing Site Conditions
The G-10 Impact area is 5,189 acres in size and is located between Sneads Ferry Road,
Highway 172, and Lyman Road. The P-1 Range site is approximately 136 acres in size and
is located in the southern part of the larger G-10 Impact Area, just north of the intersection
of Sneads Ferry Road and Highway 172. The western part of the G-10 Impact Area falls
within the New River Basin (HUC 03030001) and the eastern and southern portions fall
within the Intracoastal Waterway (HUC 03020106) in the NC Coastal Plain physiographic
region of the state. Topography is characterized by gently sloping ridges and swales, with
the highest elevation at about 54 feet above mean sea level (MSL) in the northwestern
portion of the G-10 Impact Area and the lowest elevation at about 6 feet MSL.
The G-10 Impact Area is characterized by pine savannas dissected by drainage slopes.
Forested areas in the G-10 Impact Area support longleaf pines (Pinus palustris) as the
dominant canopy species and wiregrass as the dominant groundcover, which is
representative of the historical landscape of the southeastern coastal plain. Other species
found in this area with variation due to hydrology and fire history, include Turkey Oak
(Quercus laevis), Blackjack Oak (Q. marilandica), Bracken fern, Highbush Blueberry
(Vaccinium corymbosum), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), blue huckleberry, and
spackleberry. Areas excluded from a frequent fire regime may support mockernut hickory,
white oak, beech, American Holly (Ilex opaca), and tulip poplar. Herbaceous species in
wet depressions include cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), chainferns (Woodwardia
spp.) and sedges. If trees are present in or surrounding the depressions, they may include
red maple (Acer rubrum), redbay (Persea palustris), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus),
sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), and an occasional pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens).
Also found within the G-10 Impact Area is pocosin, dense evergreen shrub communities
that occur on peat lands of poorly drained interstream flats. Dominant plant species include
fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), swamp cyrilla (Cyrilla racemiflora), and dusty zenobia (Zenbia
pulverulenta). Other species found in pocosin include stunted pond pine, ink-berry (Ilex
glabra), laurel-leaf greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia), redbay, loblolly bay, and sweetbay.
The P-1 Range contains approximately 90 acres of wetlands. The project area supports wet
pine flatwoods, pine savannas, and coastal plain small stream swamp along Freeman Creek.
The wetlands located within the project site are classified as palustrine forested, broad-
leaved deciduous (PFO 1) and needle-leaved evergreen forests (PF04). The PFO 1 wetlands
are dominated by red maple (Acer rubrum), blackgum (Nyssa sylatica) and sweetgum
2
(Liquidambar styraciflua). The mid-story is composed of redbay (Persea palustris),
sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), and American holly
(Ilex opaca). The PF04 wetlands are dominated by pond pine (Pinus serotina), and loblolly
pine (P. taeda), with a mid-story similar to the PFO1 wetlands. Both wetland types share
similar shrub layers of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), wax myrtle (Myrica
cerifera), titi (Cyrila racemiflora), inkberry (Ilex glabra), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) and
sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia).
Project Description
The following description of the work is taken from data provided by the applicant. The
Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune proposes to construct the P-1, Multi-purpose Machine
Gun Range within the G-10 Impact Area. The range will consist of eight firing lanes and a
total footprint of approximately 136 acre. The range consists of two main areas, separated
by the firing line. These areas are the target area (approximately 134 acres) and the smaller
support area (approximately 1.4 acres). Range targets would be placed on above-grade
earth berms arrayed in several parallel rows up to a maximum distance of 1,312 yards from
the firing line. All targets will be automated and controlled from a tower located in the
support area. A maintenance road providing access to the target would run behind each
berm. The target maintenance roads would branch off the main service road, which would
run along the northern boundary of the range, connecting the support and target areas. All
range roads would be gravel roads. The entire P-1 downrange footprint will be graded,
with the exception of a 50 foot buffer along Clay Bank Branch, in order to promote positive
drainage and help facilitate the future maintenance of the range and meet required line-of-
sight parameters. Some areas located along the perimeter of the P-1 Range and adjacent
Clay Bank Branch will be periodically bushhogged in order to maintain line-of-sight from
the firing line to the range limit markers. The target berms will be constructed using fill
from a proposed borrow pit located off site.
The proposed project will result in permanent impacts to 71.60 acres of wetlands through
grading activities. In addition, 17.89 acres of wetlands would be impacted (converted to a
different wetland type) due to vegetation maintenance needs. These areas would receive
periodic mechanical treatment (mowed with specialized forest management equipment) in
order to maintain line of sight from the firing line to the range markers.
The project impact areas are located in the Intracoastal Waterway, Hydrologic Cataloging
Unit 03020106. The applicant proposes to debit the mitigation credits from the Greater
Sandy Run Area (GSRA) Wetland Mitigation Bank located on Camp Lejeune 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 May 18, 2009.
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, MCB, Camp Lejeune archaeologists have not identified any
potential archaeological sites within the proposed ranges. No archaeological surveys can be
conducted within the Primary Impact Area in G-10 due to the hazards posed by the
potential presence of unexploded ordinance.
Endangered and Threatened Species
Known populations of threatened and endangered species are monitored closely by MCB,
Camp Lejeune Endangered Species staff. MCB, Camp Lejeune has populations of seven
federally-listed threatened or endangered species, as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Federally Listed Species at MCB, Camp Lejeune
Common Name Scientific Name Status
Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Threatened
Leatherback sea turtle Dermochel s coriacea Endangered
Green sea turtle Chelonia m das Threatened
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Threatened
Red-cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis Endangered
Seabeach amaranth Amaranthus umila Threatened
Rough-leaved loosestrife L simachia as erulae olia Endangered
Source: Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, 2007
Of the federally threatened and endangered species listed in Table 3 above, only the red-
cockaded woodpecker and rough-leaved loosestrife have the potential to be affected by the
proposed action. The proposed Range would affect one existing red-cockaded woodpecker
cluster, which would be cut or destroyed by live fire and may affect areas of high
probability for rough-leaved loosestrife. MCB Camp Lejeune has consulted with the US
Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 et seq.), and prepared a Biological Assessment
(BA) to evaluate the nature and intensity of the expected impacts that the project may have
on the two species. The Biological Assessment was submitted for review to the US Fish
and Wildlife Service (Service), and a Biological Opinion (BO) was issued by the Service
on May 5, 2008. The Service's Biological opinion is that the proposed Range
Transformation Plan is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the RCW.
However, the proposed project would result in an anticipated incidental take of RCW. Non-
discretionary measures have been identified by the service to be undertaken by Camp
Lejeune to minimize the impacts of the incidental take of RCW.
The District Engineer, based on available information, is not aware that the proposed
activities requiring DA authorization will affect 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 consolidated 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, May 18, 2009. Comments
should be submitted to Mr. Richard K. Spencer, Wilmington Regulatory Division Office,
69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343.
6
Action ID No: 2007-03235-024
April 18, 2009
To discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States associated with
construction of the P-1 Multi-purpose Machinegun Range on Marine Corps Base
(MCB) Camp Lejeune in Onslow County, North Carolina.
No. Cys. Mail To
Applicant:
18 Required List Hard Copies
USAED, ATTN: Richard Spencer
5 Extra
25 TOTAL
US Army Corps PUBLIC NOTICE
Of Engineers
Wilmington District
Issue Date: 17 April 2009
Comment Deadline: 18 May 2009
Corps Action ID #:SAW-2009-00743
The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application from
Spring Creek Timber Company, LLC seeking Department of the Army authorization
to impact 3.6 acres of jurisdictional wetlands associated with construction of two
access roads for two hunting cabins to be built on the property in Pamlico County,
North Carolina.
Specific plans and location information are described below and shown on the attached
plans. This Public Notice and all attached plans are also available on the Wilmington
District Web Site at www.saw.usace.army.miI/wetlands
Applicant: Spring Creek Timber Company, LLC
Attention: Mr. Ken Williams
3313 Highway 70 East
New Bern, North Carolina 28560
AGENT (if applicable): Land Management Group
Attention: Ms. Ashley Futral
Post Office Box 2522
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
Authority
The Corps will evaluate this application and a decide whether to issue, conditionally
issue, or deny the proposed work pursuant to applicable procedures pursuant to Section
404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
Location
The property is a 2,318 acre tract located east of NCSR 1327 south of the community of
Florence southeast of Bayboro, adjacent to Spring Creek, Long Creek, Swan Creek, and
Broad Creek in Pamlico County, North Carolina ( 35.131730 N, -76.597051 E).
Existing Site Conditions
Version 12/12/05
The site is currently undeveloped except for a logging road that was constructed on the
site in 2006. Large portions of the tract are in timber production. Most of the tract is
comprised of jurisdictional wetlands. Surrounding land use includes pine plantations and
undeveloped property. The property is bordered to the northeast by Spring Creek and
Long Creek and to the south and east by Swan Creek and Broad Creek. The property is
used for hunting.
Applicant's Stated Purpose
The applicant proposes to impact 3.6 acres of jurisdictional wetlands to construct access
roads for two hunting cabins to be built on the property.
Project Description
The applicant proposes to construct two hunting cabins on pilings on two upland islands
near Spring Creek. One of the cabins would be accessed using an existing logging road
and the other would require construction of a new access road. Because the existing
logging road was constructed as an exempt activity, the change of use requires that the
impacts be permitted. Construction of the access roads would result in the permanent loss
of 3.6 acres of jurisdictional wetlands. A bridge would be constructed over a small area
of coastal wetlands located in the road alignment.
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 combined with the 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 18
May 2009.
The applicant has not provided to the Corps, a certification statement that his/her
proposed activity complies with and will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with
the approved North Carolina Coastal Zone Management Program. Pursuant to 33 CFR
Version 12/12/05
325.2(b)(2), the Corps can not issue a permit for the proposed work until the applicant
submits such a certification to the Corps and the North Carolina Division of Coastal
Management (NCDCM), and the NCDCM notifies the Corps that it concurs with the
applicant's consistency certification.
Essential Fish Habitat
This notice initiates the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The Corps' initial
determination is that the proposed project will not adversely impact EFH or associated
fisheries managed by the South Atlantic or Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Councils
or the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Cultural Resources
The Corps has consulted the latest published version of the National Register of Historic
Places 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. Presently, unknown archeological, scientific, prehistoric, or historical
data may be located within the project area and/or could be affected by the proposed
work.
Endangered Species
The Corps has reviewed the project area, examined all information provided by the
applicant and consulted the latest North Carolina Natural Heritage Database. Based on
available information, the Corps has determined pursuant to the Endangered Species Act
of 1973, that the proposed project will have no effect on federally listed endangered or
threatened species or their formally designated critical habitat.
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
Version 12/12/05
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, 18 May 2009. Comments
should be submitted to Tracey Wheeler, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Post Office Box
1000, Washington, North Carolina, 27889 [phone] ex 24.
Version 12/12/05
.X2'7fYd ?Z ?pF trig
t
-_- , ,.rte. .. .- .. :.... .:. ., .... -
v
'..•, • ? ? t., is - '?',?,?L ?,
Z ?y :yam {
7t ?1 - FEJTt3(tTfJCirt
?t
----------- -----------
t? ?? TtS tI?ct?tY?! ? i
J apt? ?1rC_trti t
Pd.
cm.
1, v
r
i
???
F r al -
C «;,r * !
ti :1 -W7
k ?
F'k1 41 ?r r
I
r'
4... r- ;
?ft f I !ter t _? X
y ,
NO Atlas & Gazetter, 2003, pages 67 & 79
ages are approximate and not meant to be absolute.
All survey data provided by:
Carolina Engineers :'?`pect Date: Revision Data
tvsaoe
PO Drawer 1578 LM G Pamlico #12 10012009
New Bern, 28563 licant scale: Jot Number.
252.633.2424 LAND MANAGP.MENT GROUP nc Spring Creek Timber Co, LLC 151 Mile ot•o4-sa4
Environmental Consultants
Post Office Box 2522 Title: Drawn BY. Figure:
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402 Volnity Map ARF i
Tnlaanhnne: Ain-4F9_nnn'I

#,
31 Weuand lim)
Mends
laps. ara approxlmala and not meaty W M abaolula.
All array dads pmMded by Uplands
CMdina Erma..
PO Drawer 15" 4N WaMntl Mpada
Na. Bern, NC 28588
252883.2424 ®(PropoaeE aM eusBng) n

a
Prow"
_
eua.r lmpacn Utamoa
Pam8co 812 I-
LM G

HunMr
ApplkanE a-
4 .
LANU MANM:SMBeI CBOUPx Spring Cmek Tmbm Co, LLC 11aDp 4r-0LNx

.__.. __._... ___...._ .._,.. ... _. _ .. ._

.. _ .. _. E Post eOfficla, alol B. 2522" Tfkr. grown ay E?
WiMl Pal dina 26402 us
I! . North ......... $lla Pl.
J
J

O,

W
co
g

J W
J
Y W
am
31 LU
a
W
?
U ?
U
Z
CD
IL d
W
J
J
mTy D7

'ec
J

slgl?

d a ?.
(?2)+
E
E
9
6
w ?

v § ?

e ? m