NC0089729_More Information Received_20180502

United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801

May 2, 2018
Ms. Erin Greene
ATC
7606 Whitehall Executive Center Drive, Suite 800
Charlotte, North Carolina 28273
Dear Ms. Greene:

Subject: NPDES Permit for Myrtle-Morehead Storm Drainage Improvements; Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina Log No. 4-2-18-249

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the information provided in your
correspondence received via email on April 9, 2018, wherein you request our comments
regarding potential impacts to federally protected species that may result from the proposed project. We submit the following comments in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 661-667e); the National Environmental
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.); and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act).
Project Description
According to the information provided, you on behalf of the City of Charlotte Stormwater
Services are seeking a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit
associated with the installation of storm drainage improvements in Dilworth-Charlotte, North
Carolina. The proposed stormwater infrastructure improvements would require the collection, treatment, and discharge of groundwater into an unnamed tributary of Little Sugar Creek. The
proposed treatment system would filter extracted groundwater to remove sediment, then pass it
through an air stripper to volatilize and atmospherically discharge chlorinated solvents. The
treated water would be discharged into Little Sugar Creek via two storm drains. The proposed
project area is dominated by residential development and is surrounded by high intensity commercial developments. Onsite habitats are limited to maintained lawns and planted trees.

Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species
Based on the information provided and Service records, no federally protected species or their
respective habitats occur in the project vicinity. Therefore, we consider the requirements under the Act to be complete and require no further action at this time. Please be aware that
obligations under section 7 of the Act must be reconsidered if: (1) new information reveals
impacts of this identified action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner not
previously considered, (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that was not
considered in this review, or (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat is determined that may be affected by the identified action.
2

We offer the following comments in the interest of protecting fish and wildlife resources:

Spill Response and Sediment Control Excavated sediments and sediments removed from extracted water should be disposed of in a
manner that minimizes potential impacts to natural resources and especially aquatic habitats.
Since proposed treatment system is somewhat automated (extraction and pumping via float
switches), the system and project site should be closely monitored by onsite staff to ensure that
no spills occur. Moreover, we recommend that you identify and employ an emergency response plan in the event of a spill to reduce potential contamination of downstream habitats.

Measures to control sediment and erosion should be installed before any ground-disturbing
activities occur. Grading and backfilling should be minimized, and existing native vegetation
should be retained (if possible). Disturbed areas should be revegetated with native grass and/or tree species as soon as the project is completed. Ground disturbance should be limited to what
will be stabilized quickly, preferably by the end of the workday. Natural fiber matting (coir)
should be used for erosion control as synthetic netting can trap animals and persist in the
environment beyond its intended purpose.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to provide these comments. Please contact Mr. Byron
Hamstead of our staff at 828/258-3939, Ext. 225, if you have any questions. In any future
correspondence concerning this project, please reference our Log Number 4-2-18-249.

Sincerely,

- - original signed - -

Janet Mizzi Field Supervisor