HomeMy WebLinkAbout20181232 Ver 1_Supplemental info_20180905Westinghouse Logistics Park South Permit
Supplemental Information
PCN Form – Westinghouse Logistics Park South Permit
C. Project Information and Prior Project History
4. Project Description
4g. Describe the overall project in detail, including indirect impacts and the type of
equipment to be used:
STV Engineers, Inc. (STV) was engaged by The Keith Corporation (TKC) in cooperation with
Burton Engineering (Site Civil Engineers) and the property owner, Marshall Gilchrist, to complete
a delineation of waters of the U.S. on the approximate 76-acre Gilchrist Property Southern Tract
site (now renamed “Westinghouse Logistics Park South”). STV submitted a ‘Request for
Jurisdictional Determination (JD)’ on December 8, 2016 (SAW 2016-02435). The Corps’ David
Shaeffer subsequently conducted a field verification of jurisdictional boundaries on February 8,
2017 and issued the Approved JD on December 13, 2017.
The following site and project description, including stormwater management plan, was prepared
by Burton Engineering.
This property is generally flat with slopes between 0 and 8 percent (more than 30% of the site
being between 0 and 1 percent slope). The soil is predominantly of poor quality “bull tallow”
requiring significant processing to become suitable for use. Roughly 15% of this property is also
somewhat in-accessible; bounded on the north by an existing Norfolk-Southern rail line and on the
south by a perennial stream (Perennial RPW A); see Sheet 1 of 6.
Bisecting the property is a planned expansion of Carowinds Blvd. which limits the size and
orientation of possible developments. An existing public sanitary sewer is also present (See Sheet
1 of 6). To overcome the financial burdens of this site a 710,000-sf building is planned for the lot
north of the proposed Carowinds Blvd., and a 232,000-sf building on the lot south of the proposed
Carowinds Blvd (Sheet 2 of 6).
The proposed 710,000-sf building requires access to the portion of the property north of the
perennial stream. This area will be needed for parking as well as to provide borrow material for
fill and area for processing the bull tallow into structural material. The public sanitary sewer line
will also need to be relocated to the north side of the stream.
To access this area, we are proposing the installation of approximately 55-lf of 66” reinforced
concrete pipe (RCP) culvert that will impact approximately 108 linear feet of stream. In order to
limit the permanent impact to the stream, headwalls at either end of the culvert have been
significantly increased to create retaining walls for the fill slopes (Sheet 4 of 6). This significantly
reduces the required length of culvert. The culvert will be embedded 12 inches below the grade
and aquatic passage will not be hindered. The sanitary sewer relocation will also cross at this
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location to minimize proposed and future installation and maintenance impacts. A second
temporary impact (20 lf) will then be required downstream of the culvert to allow the sanitary
sewer to cross back over the stream to the existing system (Sheet 5 of 6).
To further limit impacts, a 1,200-sf retaining wall, approximately 110 lf in length, will be built to
avoid permanent impacts to the adjacent wetlands. Approximately 0.036-acre of temporary
wetland impacts are shown (Sheet 6 of 6) for installation of the wall, though it will be avoided if
possible. Temporary impacts may consist of hand clearing vegetation in this area to construct the
retaining wall.
These proposed measures discussed above and shown in the attached exhibits will allow the
necessary access to a significant portion of the site with the least impacts reasonably possible.
Runoff from the proposed development will be treated in several wet ponds and a sand filter prior
to discharging under the Norfolk-Southern rail line. In the existing condition two major catchments
exist. The northmost catchment, containing the perennial stream (Perennial RPW A), is roughly
117-acre discharging to a 72” CMP culvert under the rail line. The southernmost catchment is
roughly 65.7-acre discharging to a 24” RCP culvert under the rail line (Sheet 1 of 6). The stream
is fed by roughly 70.8 acres of offsite area. Of the 46.6 acres of onsite area, approximately 28.1
acres drains to the length of the stream. The remaining 18.5 acres drains to rail side ditches which
convey to the culvert.
Roughly 25 acres of offsite drainage and 40.7 acres of onsite area drains to an existing 24” culvert.
An adjacent wetland exists in a depression directly in front of this culvert.
In the final proposed condition, the 70.8 acres of offsite area will continue to drain to the head of
the stream while 32.2 acres south of the stream will be detained in a wet pond prior to entering the
stream. Of the area north of the stream 2.1 acres will continue to release directly along the length
of the stream while 13.8 acres will drain to a rail side ditch heading to the 72” culvert.
A bypass system will convey the 25 acres of offsite area in the southernmost catchment to the 24”
culvert as seen on Sheet 2 of 6. Two wet ponds will detain the remaining 40.7 acres prior to
discharging to the bypass system.
All post construction stormwater is designed to mitigate the 2-yr 6-hr, 10-yr 6-hr, and 25-yr 6-hr
storms peak flow per Charlotte’s Stormwater Ordinance. Riprap outfall aprons are also proposed
to ensure runoff discharges at a non-erosive velocity.
The Westinghouse Logistics Park South property is a Brownfield site that has required remediation
due to groundwater contamination that occurred from previous uses of the site. The property has
numerous groundwater wells that have been installed for the extraction and treatment of
Westinghouse Logistics Park South Permit
contaminated groundwater. Flexible plastic piping extends from each well to the treatment
building that is located across the Norfolk Southern Railway tracks to the east. The NCDEQ
Division of Waste Management issued a “Notice of Brownfield Property” dated July 4, 2015
(NCDEQ Brownfields Project No. 18038-14-060) that sets requirements for the development of
the site, including the preparation of an “Environmental Management Plan” to be followed during
development. Copies of the Notice and the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) are attached
under the Miscellaneous Attachments. As noted in EMP, site sampling and assessment has been
completed, reviewed and approved by the Brownfields Project Manager. In addition,
redevelopment plans for the proposed project have been submitted and reviewed by the
Brownfields Project Manager. Based on the cut/fill analysis contained in the EMP, soil within the
“Area of Possible Soil Contamination” will not be excavated, but rather is located in an area of the
site primarily designated to receive fill material. Disposal of impacted soils off-site is not
anticipated. The property owner and developer understand their obligation to comply with the
requirements of the EMP.
G. Supplementary Information
5. Endangered Species and Designated Critical Habitat
STV conducted a protected species habitat assessment on September 9 and December 1, 2016. As
of March 26, 2018 the United States Fish and Wildlife (USFWS) lists six federally protected
species, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for Mecklenburg County (Table 1). For each
species, a discussion of the presence or absence of habitat is included below along with the
Biological Conclusion rendered based on survey results in the study area.
Table 1. ESA federally protected species listed for Mecklenburg County
Scientific Name Common Name Federal
Status
Habitat
Present
Biological
Conclusion
Bombus affinis Rusty-patched bumblebee E No NE*
Echinacea laevigata Smooth coneflower E Yes NE
Helianthus schweinitzii Schweinitz’s sunflower E Yes NE
Lasmigona decorata Carolina heelsplitter E No NE
Myotis septentrionalis Northern long-eared bat T Yes NE
Rhus michauxii Michaux’s sumac E Yes NE
E - Endangered
T - Threatened
NE - No Effect
* - Historic record (the species was last observed in the county more than 50 years ago)
Rusty-patched bumble bee
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: Early June – mid-August
Habitat Description: Rusty-patched bumble bees once occupied grasslands and tallgrass prairies
of the Upper Midwest and Northeast, but most grasslands and prairies have been lost,
degraded, or fragmented by conversion to other uses. Bumble bees need areas that provide
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nectar and pollen from flowers, nesting sites (underground and abandoned rodent cavities
or clumps of grasses), and overwintering sites for hibernating queens (undisturbed soil).
Biological conclusion: No Effect
Potential habitat does not exist within the project study area. There are historical records
of rusty-patched bumble bee being located in Mecklenburg County, but none in the
Charlotte West, NC and Fort Mill NC/SC USGS topographic quadrangles. The NCNHP
website was reviewed (June 27, 2018) to determine the locations of the nearest populations
of rusty-patched bumble bee. The NCNHP determined that no populations of rusty-patched
bumble bee were present within one mile of the project study area (PSA), and no effect to
rusty-patched bumble bee is anticipated.
Smooth Coneflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late May-October
Habitat Description: Smooth coneflower, a perennial herb, is typically found in meadows, open
woodlands, the ecotonal regions between meadows and woodlands, cedar barrens, dry
limestone bluffs, clear cuts, and roadside and utility rights-of-way. In North Carolina, the
species normally grows in magnesium- and calcium-rich soils associated with gabbro and
diabase parent material, and typically occurs in Iredell, Misenheimer, and Picture soil
series. The plant grows best where there is abundant sunlight, little competition in the
herbaceous layer, and periodic disturbances (e.g., regular fire regime, well-timed mowing,
careful clearing) that prevents encroachment of shade-producing woody shrubs and trees.
On sites where woody succession is held in check, habitat is characterized by a number of
species with prairie affinities.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for smooth coneflower is present in the PSA within the roadside rights-of-
way and meadows of the site. Plant by plant surveys were conducted by STV biologists
Brandon Phillips, CHMM and Joshua Kotheimer, WPIT, throughout areas of suitable
habitat on September 9 and December 1, 2016. No individuals of smooth coneflower were
observed and the September field survey was conducted during the flowering season. A
review of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) records on June 27, 2018,
indicates no known occurrences within one mile of the PSA and no effect to smooth
coneflower is anticipated.
Schweinitz’s sunflower
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: late August-October
Habitat Description: Schweinitz's sunflower is endemic to the Piedmont of North and South
Carolina. The few sites where this rhizomatous perennial herb occurs in relatively natural
vegetation are found in Xeric Hardpan Forests. The species is also found along roadside
rights-of-way, maintained power lines and other utility rights-of-way, edges of thickets and
old pastures, clearings and edges of upland oak-pine-hickory woods and Piedmont longleaf
pine forests, and other sunny or semi-sunny habitats where disturbances (e.g., mowing,
clearing, grazing, blow downs, storms, frequent fire) help create open or partially open
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areas for sunlight. The plant is intolerant of full shade and excessive competition from other
vegetation. Schweinitz’s sunflower occurs in a variety of soil series, including Badin,
Cecil, Cid, Enon, Gaston, Georgeville, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Misenheimer, Secrest,
Tatum, Uwharrie, and Zion, among others. This perennial plant is generally found growing
on shallow sandy soils with high gravel content; shallow, poor, clayey hardpans; or shallow
rocky soils, especially those derived from mafic rocks.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower is present in the PSA along roadside shoulders.
Plant by plant surveys were conducted by STV biologists Brandon Phillips, CHMM and
Joshua Kotheimer, WPIT throughout areas of suitable habitat on September 9 and
December 1, 2016. No individuals of Schweinitz's sunflower were observed and the
September field survey was conducted during the flowering season. A review of NCNHP
records on June 27, 2018 indicates no known occurrences within one mile of the PSA and
no effect to Schweinitz’s sunflower is anticipated.
Carolina heelsplitter
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: year round
Habitat Description: The Carolina heelsplitter was historically known from several locations
within the Catawba and Pee Dee River systems in North Carolina and the Pee Dee and
Savannah River systems, and possibly the Saluda River system in South Carolina. In North
Carolina, the species is now known only from a handful of streams in the Pee Dee and
Catawba River systems. The species exists in very low abundances, usually within six feet
of shorelines, throughout its known range. The general habitat requirements for the
Carolina heelsplitter are shaded areas in large rivers to small streams, often burrowed into
clay banks between the root systems of trees, or in runs along steep banks with moderate
current. The more recent habitat where the Carolina heelsplitter has been found is in
sections of streams containing bedrock with perpendicular crevices filled with sand and
gravel, and with wide riparian buffers.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for the Carolina heelsplitter is not present in the PSA. A mussel survey for
the Carolina heelsplitter was not conducted. A review of NCNHP records on June 27, 2018
indicates historical occurrence’s within the Charlotte West, NC and Fort Mill NC/SC
USGS topographic quadrangles. It is anticipated that the project will have no effect on
Carolina heelsplitter.
Northern long-eared bat
USFWS Recommended Survey Window: June 1 – August 15
Habitat Description: In North Carolina, the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) occurs in the
mountains, with scattered records in the Piedmont and coastal plain. In western North
Carolina, NLEB spend winter hibernating in caves and mines. During the summer, NLEB
roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities, or in crevices of both live and dead
trees (typically ≥3 inches dbh). Males and non-reproductive females may also roost in
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cooler places, like caves and mines. This bat has also been found, rarely, roosting in
structures like barns and sheds, under eaves of buildings, behind window shutters, in
bridges, and in bat houses. Foraging occurs on forested hillsides and ridges, and
occasionally over forest clearings, over water, and along tree-lined corridors. Mature
forests may be an important habitat type for foraging.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Potential habitat exists within the wooded areas of the project study area. There are records
of NLEB being located in Mecklenburg County, but no records of NLEB being located in
the Charlotte West, NC or Fort Mill, NC/SC USGS topographic quadrangles. The NCNHP
website was reviewed on June 27, 2018 to determine the locations of the nearest
populations of NLEB. The NCNHP determined that no populations of NLEB were present
within one mile of the project study area. According to the USFWS website, the nearest
known hibernaculum and roosting location for NLEB is located in Rutherford County, NC
more than 45 miles to the west, so it is anticipated that the project will have no effect on
NLEB.
Michaux’s sumac
USFWS Optimal Survey Window: May-October
Habitat Description: Michaux’s sumac, endemic to the inner Coastal Plain and lower Piedmont,
grows in sandy or rocky, open, upland woods on acidic or circumneutral, well-drained
sands or sandy loam soils with low cation exchange capacities. The species is also found
on sandy or submesic loamy swales and depressions in the fall line Sandhills region as well
as in openings along the rim of Carolina bays; maintained railroad, roadside, power line,
and utility rights-of-way; areas where forest canopies have been opened up by blowdowns
and/or storm damage; small wildlife food plots; abandoned building sites; under sparse to
moderately dense pine or pine/hardwood canopies; and in and along edges of other
artificially maintained clearings undergoing natural succession. In the central Piedmont, it
occurs on clayey soils derived from mafic rocks. The plant is shade intolerant and,
therefore, grows best where disturbance (e.g., mowing, clearing, grazing, periodic fire)
maintains its open habitat.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Suitable habitat for Michaux’s sumac is present in the PSA along roadside shoulders. Plant
by plant surveys were conducted by STV biologists Brandon Phillips, CHMM and Joshua
Kotheimer, WPIT, throughout areas of suitable habitat on September 9 and December 1,
2016. No individuals of Michaux’s sumac were observed and the September field review
was conducted during the survey window. A review of NCNHP records on June 27, 2018
indicates no known occurrences within one mile of the PSA and no effect to Michaux’s
sumac is anticipated.