20081319 Ver 3_Buffer Mitigation Closeout_20181023

NORTH CAROLINA
ROY COOPER Envlronm ntal Quality
G<m'mor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
S>ra-iuy
LINDA CULPEPPER
InterimD]rtctor October 23, 2018
Mr. Jeffrey C Furness DWR Project# 08-1319/08-1319 V3
Nutrien {PCS Phosphate Company, Inc.) Beaufort County
Post Office Box 48
Aurora, NC 27806
Re: Rutman Creek Watershed Restoration Phase 3
CLOSEOUT ACCEPTANCE LETTER
Dear Mr. Furness,
On December 28, 2017, the Division of Water Resources (DWR) received a close-out packet from you
for the Rutman Creek Watershed Restoration Phase 3 (Rutman Creek Phase 3) on behalf of PCS
Phosphate (PCS) requesting approval to close-out the subject site from monitoring and maintenance of
the riparian areas. The buffer mitigation for Rutman Creek Phase 3 is part of the compensatory mitigation
for impacts to wetland, stream and protected riparian buffers within the PCS mine expansion authorized
by DWR 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) issued cn January 15, 2009 (DWR No. 08-0868 V2).
These mitigation activities for Rutman Creek Phases 1 2, and 3 were permitted under US Army
Corps of Engineers Nationwide #27 dated February 20, 2009 (Action D No. SAW -2007-0244) and the
401 WQC and Buffer Authorization (BA) dated March 16, 2009 (DWR No. 08-1319) and 401 WQC and
BA dated July 30, 2009 (DWR No. 08-1319 vs. 3). Under Condition 7 of 401 WQC {DWR No. 08-0868
V2) for mine expansion, DWR conditionally approved the use of flexible buffer mitigation
program if approved bV the Environmental Management Commission, then PCS may submit a list
and description of those sites to DWR for written approval to satisfy 47.87 acres of buffer impacts
associated with mining expansion activities. On June 15, 2015, DWR authorized PCS's request to
utilize the temporary consolidated buffer mitigation rule, Mitigation Program Requirements for
Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers, defined under 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (i) and (m) n order
to meet Condition 7 of the modified 401 WQC (DWR No. 08-0868 V2).
On April 15, 2016, Anthony Scarbraugh with DWR, visited the subject site to assess the vegetation
and overall site conditions. Thomas Steffens with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Christian Preziosi and
Andy Dorch with Land Management Group, Inc., Cal Miller with Wetlands Resources Center, and you
were also present. An asset map and asset table, both initialed by Mr. Scarbraugh cn October 23,
2018, are attached.
As a result of Mr. Scarbraugh's review of the close-out request, the following mitigation is approved and
inclusion of Rutman Creek Phase 3 credits n the mitigation ledger is appropriate:
-r---, A DR -M
North Carolina Department ofEnvironmcntal Quality !Division of Water Resources - Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall, Washington, North Carolina 27889
252-946-6481

Rutman Creek Watershed Restoration
Phase 3 Closeout
October 23, 2018
Page 2 of 2
River Basin/Service Area
Mitigation Type
Mitigation
Mitigation Units
Distance from
Ratio'
stream
Tar-Pamlico/03020104
100 Foot Buffer
1:1
38.8 acres - Buffer
CPHV2:
Restoration within
Mitigation
Valley A and B
TOTAL
38.8 acres
Authorized ID generate riparian buffer mitigation under 15A NCAC 02B .0295(i).
2 CPHV = Coastal Plain Headwater Valley.
3 Authorized to generated riparian buffer mitigation under 15A NCAC 02B .029S(m)(2)(A) where "the
area of the buffer shall be measured perpendicular to the length of the valley being restored".
Please feel free to contact Anthony Scarbraugh at [phone] if you have any questions regarding
this correspondence.
Sincerely,
d�
Karen Higgins, Supervisor
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
ADS/ads
ATTACHMENTS: Asset Map with Asset Table
cc: Christian Preziosi - Land Management Group, Inc. (via email)
Cal Miller -Wetlands Resource Center (via e-mail)
Katie Merritt - DWR Central (via e-mail)
Laserfiche
Thomas Steffens - US Army Corps of Engineers Washington Regulatory Field Office (via e-mail)
Maria Dunn - NCWRC (via email)
Shane Staples - NCDMF (via email)
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality !Division of Water Resources- Washington Regional Otlicc
943 Washington Square Mall, Washington, North Carolina 27889
252-946-6481

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NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
` Batman Creek Watershed Restoration Plan
LMG11, ,,.„AIII;I,o,,,,,. . Figure 5. Stream and Riparian Buffer Restoration
1.200
March S. 2016

10/23/18
_BUFFER (See enclosed Figure for depiction of areas of buffer mitigation).
I PHASE 3
Vegetation: Four tree plots within 0-100 feet from valley edge, including planted stems and
woody native volunteers average 560 tpa after 5 years.
• 0-100 foot buffer restoration along Coastal Plain Headwater zero order streams within
Valley A and Valley B Is 38.8 acres@ 1:1 = 38.8 credits
TOTAL BUFFER CREDITS: 38.8 (These acres are not included in the wetland restoration acreage).