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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20090451 Ver 1_Public Notice_20090622vRU((Sl 0 1.10 PUBLIC NOTICE /V? 2 009 US Army Corps STR p?y</ Of Engineers Wilmington District y Issue Date: June 18, 2009 Comment Deadline: July 18, 2009 Corps Action ID #: SAW-2009-0860 The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch, seeking Department of the Army authorization to impact Rocky Branch, unnamed tributaries within the Little Tennessee River drainage basin, and adjacent wetlands in conjunction with the widening of NC Highway 28 in Macon County, North Carolina (TIP No. R- 2408B). 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.miUwetlands. Applicant: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D. Environmental Management Director, PDEA North Carolina Department of Transportation 1598 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1598 Authority The Corps will evaluate this application and a decide whether to issue, conditionally issue, or deny the proposed work pursuant to applicable procedures of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33U.S.C. 1344). Location The proposed project involves the widening of approximately 2.7 miles of NC 28 from north of SR 1323 (Riverview Street) to south of SR 1378 (Bennett Road) in Franklin, Macon County, North Carolina. The improvements identified as Project Number R-2408B in the NCDOT 2009- 2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The project begins at 35.1995 degrees north latitude and 83.3901 degrees west longitude and ends at 35.2318 degrees north latitude and 83.3960 degrees west longitude. The project area drains into the Little Tennessee River Basin, Hydrologic Unit 06010202. Existing Site Conditions Existing NC 28 within the project limits is a 2-lane highway, which has a 20-foot pavement width and 1 to 4-foot shoulders. Section B begins near the junction of NC 28 and continues north to SR 1378 (Bennett Road). Residences are scattered along the corridor; however, few homes have direct access to NC 28. Most homes access the corridor via connecting roads. There are scattered commercial sites along the corridor. There are no prime farmland resources or active farms within the project area. Water resources within the study area are located within the Little Tennessee River Basin. Rocky Branch (Index No. 2-26), and Iotla Creek (Index No. 2-27) are classified as "C". Class C refers to waters suitable for aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture. Unnamed tributaries receive the same best usage classification as the named streams into which they flow. Therefore, the classifications for the UT to Rocky Branch and the UT to the Little Tennessee River are C as well. There are three distinct biotic communities identified within the project area. All of the habitats are reflective of varying degrees of recent human disturbance. The moderately steep dry-mesic slope that is adjacent to the unnamed tributary to the Little Tennessee and interspersed along the project corridor exhibits a vegetative component that is most similar to the Montane Oak- Hickory Forest described by Schafale and Weakley (1990). Disturbed/maintained are lands that have been kept in a non-climax state by clearing and/or grazing. Once regular maintenance (disturbance) ceases, these areas are populated by early successional species. This type of habitat occurs along road shoulders, within powerline corridors, and fallow fields scattered throughout the project study area. Rocky Branch, unnamed tributaries to Rocky Branch, and unnamed tributaries to the Little Tennessee River are all classified as small mountain perennial streams. Applicant's Stated Purpose The purpose of the proposed project is to correct existing roadway deficiencies by improving the vertical and horizontal alignment and widening the travel lanes and shoulders. Project Description The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to widen the existing 2- lane highway, which has a 20-foot pavement width and I to 4-foot shoulders with a 2-lane highway with a 24-foot pavement width and 8-foot shoulders. An Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been completed and distributed for this project. Also, an Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment was completed and distributed in August 2004. Additional copies of these documents are available upon request. 2 The project as proposed will permanently impact 0.09 acres of wetlands, 663 linear feet of streams, and temporarily impact 216 feet of streams. These impacts are associated with culvert extensions, relocations, and replacements, roadway fills, and channel relocations. A site by site description of wetland and stream impacts are shown in the tables below. Design details are included on the attached permit drawings and half size plans. Impacts to Waters of the United States Wetlnnri Tmnarts & Descriptions Permit Permanent Temporary Miti ag tion Site No. ac Lac) Required 3 0.05 -- Yes 5 0.04 Yes Total 0.09 All wetlands impacted are riparian wetlands. Q,.h rP 1E7.tnr Tmnartc Permit Site Permanent Temporary Mitigation No. S Stream Name (if) Re aired IA UT to Little Tennessee River 9 31 Yes 1 UT to Rocky Branch 41 4 Yes 2 Rocky Branch 65 46 Yes 3 Roc Branch 442 60 Yes 4 Rocky Branch 106 75 Yes Total 663 216 This project has been designed using asymmetrical widening. Using this method, the NCDOT has avoided impacting many wetlands and streams and reduced impacts to wetlands and streams to the greatest extent practicable. Other specific examples of avoidance and minimization measures include: • Onsite natural stream design methods for the relocation of Rocky Branch The removal of a culvert carrying a UT to Rocky Branch and return the area to natural grade. • At site 4, the culvert carrying Rocky Branch across NC 28 will be replaced with a bottomless structure. • The use of 2:1 slopes in wetlands and stream crossings. Due to construction, 442 feet of Rocky Branch will be relocated away from the fill slope of NC 28. Using natural stream design techniques, 393 feet of the stream will be restored. Additionally, NCDOT proposes to restore 190 linear feet of a UT to the Little Tennessee River on the A section (previously constructed), by removing an existing 18-inch pipe. The tributary will have a stable stream channel established and buffer planted. As a result of these two activities, 80 linear feet of permanent stream impacts remain for R-2408B. The remaining, unavoidable impacts to 0.09 acre of jurisdictional wetlands and 80 feet of streams will be offset by the use of the Tulula Bog Mitigation Site. The Tulula Bog Mitigation Site is a 222 acre tract located in Graham County, NC within the 8- digit HU 06010204. The site it located off of Highway 129 between Topton and Robbinsville, NC in a rural area of the Blue Ridge Belt of the North Carolina mountains. The mitigation site contains 102 acres of wetland restoration, 121 acres of upland buffer protection, 8,639 linear feet of stream restoration, and 1,248 linear feet of stream preservation. Summa of Stream Mitigation for R-2408B Mitigation Source Site Stream Mitigation Relocation of Rocky Branch (Site 3 393 Restoration of UT to Little Tennessee River A section) 190 Tulula Bog 80 Total 6631f Total Permanent Stream Impact=6631f R-2408B calls for a November 17, 2009 let date, and a review date of September 29, 2009. This application provides final design and impacts for the project. Project plans are available for review at the Corps of Engineers, Asheville Regulatory Field Office, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208, Asheville, North Carolina. 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, Transportation Permitting 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), 2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-2260 Attention: Mr. Brian Wrens by July 18, 2009. Cultural Resources An architectural survey for structures listed in the National Register or eligible for nomination to the National Register was conducted in the project area. There are no properties in the project area that are eligible for or are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 4 Two archaeological sites located within the project limits were recommended as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Sites 31MA588 and 31MA589 consist of dense concentrations of cultural remains and intact subsurface deposits dating to the Qualla Phase (A.D. 1450-1838). The two sites have been recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion D for their potential to yield significant information about the prehistory of the region. The SHPO concurred with these recommendations according to a July 11, 2003 memorandum. Current design for the project maintains the existing topography along the west side of NC 28, where the sites are located, and proposes to widen to the east, away from the areas of interest. The USACE will consult with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Tribal Historic Preservation Office of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (THPO) to seek fulfillment of Section 106 responsibilities. Endangered Species Plants and animals with Federal classification of Endangered (E) or Threatened (T) are protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. As of January 31, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists eight federally protected species for Macon County (Table 1). Biological conclusions of "May Affect-Not Likely to Adversely Affect" were rendered for Indiana bat, spotfm chub, Appalachian elktoe and little-wing pearlymussel. Concurrence was received from USFWS in a March 4, 2009 letter. The bog turtle is listed due to similarity of appearance and does not require a biological conclusion. Biological conclusions of "No Effect" were rendered for all remaining species. r cu cw au • - -- " Federal Habrtat Biological . Scientdic'Name Common Name Status .::Present.:: Conclusion . Clemm s muhlenber ii Bo turtle T S/A No Not Required M otis sodalis Indiana bat E Yes MA-NLAA Erimonax monachus S otfin chub T Yes MA-NLAA Alasmidonta raveneliana Appalachian elktoe E Yes MA-NLAA PegiasTabula Little-wing E Yes MA-NLAA earl ussel Isotria medeoloides Small whorled T No No Effect o onia S iraeo vir iniana Vir ina s iraea T No No Effect G nznodern:a [ineare Rock gnome lichen E No No Effect 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 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, July 18, 2009. Comments should be submitted to Mr. David Baker, US Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Regulatory Field Office, 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208, Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006. 6 Iv¢coma A NY211556 CONTRACT. TIP PROJECT: R -2408B O. n ? N y gg ? ° oo X y O Tl• o °v ° x 1 1 1 r O b a ° a X i 3 m ? " e at r? F• ? "e d r" 5 r .w n ? W ? a O e O a ? Q ? 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Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208 Asheville, NC 28801-5006 ATTN: Mr. David Baker NCDOT Coordinator Dear Sir: ?? UN2 ?zon9: ?j SECRETARY Subject: Application for an Individual Section 404 and Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the widening of NC 28 from North of SR 1323 (Riverview Street) to South of SR 1378 (Bennett Road) in Macon County. Federal Aid Project No. STP-28(1), Division 14, TIP No. R-2408B. Debit $570 from WBS 34427.1.1. Please see the enclosed ENG 4345, USFWS concurrence letter, permit drawing review meeting minutes, permit drawings, stream relocation plans, stream mitigation plan, design plans, State Stormwater Management Plan and Rapanos jurisdictional determination form for the above referenced project. An Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) have been completed and distributed for this project. Also, an indirect and Cumlative Effects Assessment was completed and distributed in August 2004. Additional copies of these documents are available upon request. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to widen the existing 2-lane highway, which has a 20-foot pavement width and 1 to 4-foot shoulders with a 2-lane highway with a 24-foot pavement width and 8-foot shoulders. The total length of the project is 2.7 miles. JR. Purpose and Need: The purpose of the proposed project is to correct existing roadway deficiencies by improving the vertical and horizontal alignment and widening the travel lanes and shoulders. Due to the mountainous terrain, the road has steep drop-offs and large inclines on opposite sides of the road. This makes it difficult to travel along this road with narrow lanes and sharp curves that limit a driver's sight distance. The corridor is also a preferred route for tractor trailer trucks. With the amount and variety of vehicles that travel this route, the narrow lanes and sharp curves can reduce a driver's sight distance and result in an unsafe travel condition. Summary of Impacts: The project will permanently impact 0.09 acres of wetlands, 663 linear feet of streams, and temporarily impact 216 feet of streams. Impacts for this project are slightly higher than originally proposed in the FONSI, predominantly due to the relocation of Rocky Branch near Airport Road. Summary of Mitigation: The project has been designed to avoid and minimize impacts to jurisdictional areas throughout the NEPA and design processes. Compensatory mitigation for proposed impacts to jurisdictional streams and wetlands will be provided by on-site mitigation and the use of the Tulula Bog Mitigation Site. NEPA DOCUMENT STATUS An EA was prepared for this project in April 2004. A FONSI was prepared in September 2005. A Right of Way Consultation was completed in 2007. Additional copies will be provided upon request. MERGER PROCESS SUMMARY Due to its limited scope, this project was not a part of the formal merger process. However an informal 4B/4C meeting was held with agency personnel on September 24, 2008 to review the project. INDEPENDENT UTILITY The subject project is in compliance with 23 CFR Part 771.111(f) which lists the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) characteristics of independent utility of a project: (1) The project connects logical termini and is of sufficient length to address environmental matters on a broad scope, (2) The project is usable and a reasonable expenditure, even if no additional transportation improvements are made in the area; (3) The project does not restrict consideration of alternatives for other reasonably foreseeable transportation improvements. RESOURCESTATUS Wetland delineations: Potential wetland communities were investigated pursuant to the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. Mr. David Baker of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers field verified the wetlands and surface waters on November 21, 2006. Written verification will be received at the time of permit issuance. Each impact is described below, in detail. Site and station numbers correspond with the permit (hydraulic) drawings included in this application. R-240RB Stream Classifications Permit Site No. Stream Name Sub-basin Stream Index No. Best Usage Classification IA UT to Little Tennessee River 04-04-01 2-(1) C 1,2 UT to Roc Branch 04-04-01 2-26 C 3,4 Roc Branch 04-04-01 2-26 C All streams in the project area are perennial impacts to Waters of the United States Wetland Impacts & Descriptions Permit Permanent Temporary Mitigation Site No. ac ac R uired 3 0.05 -- Yes 5 0.04 -- Yes Total 0.09 All wetlands impacted are riparian wetlands. Surface Water Impact... Permit Site Permanent Temporary Mitigation Stream Name d R i No. _ re equ IA UT to Little Tennessee River 9 31 Yes I UT to Rocky Branch 41 4 Yes 2 Roc Branch 65 46 Yes 3 Roc Branch 442 60 Yes 4 Roc Branch 106 75 Yes Total 663 216 Utility Impacts No temporary or permanent jurisdictional impacts will occur to wetlands and streams from utilities for this project. PROTECTED SPECIES Plants and animals with Federal classification of Endangered (E) or Threatened (T) are protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. As of January 31, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists eight federally protected species for Macon County (Table 1). Biological conclusions of "May Affect-Not Likely to Adversely Affect" were rendered for Indiana bat, spotfin chub, Appalachian elktoe and little-wing pearlymussel. Concurrence was requested from USFWS on December 11, 2008 for these biological conclusions and will be forwarded as soon as it is received by the NCDOT. The bog turtle is listed due to similarity of D llnOD D... # A-.. i:....?:,.- D...... 2 ..l7 appearance and does not require a biological conclusion. Biological conclusions of "No Effect" were rendered for all remaining species. Table 1. Federally protected species listed for Macon County. Clemm s muhlenber 'i Bo turtle T S/A No Not Required M otis sodalis Indiana bat E Yes MA-NLAA Erimonax monachus S otfin chub T Yes MA-NLAA Alasmidonta raveneliana Appalachian elktoe E Yes MA-NLAA Little-wing Pegiasfabula E Yes MA-NLAA earl ussel Small whorled Isoola medeoloides. T No No Effect 0 onta S iraea vir 'niana Vir ' s iraea T No No Effect G mnoderma lineare Rock gnome lichen E No No Effect INDIRECT CUMULATIVE IMPACT ANALYSIS Existing rules for the 401 Water Quality Certification Program (15A NCAC 2H .0506(b)(4) require that the DWQ determine that a project "does not result in cumulative impacts, based on past or reasonably anticipated future impacts, that cause or will cause a violation of downstream water quality standards." An Indirect and Cumulative Effects Report (ICE) was completed for this project in 2004, and is included in this application. Indi rect Land t) Effects screening Tool-TIP Project R- 2409H -Widening of NC Z8 (Bryson City Road) ;:. Nw:;:; .ax.mur Sim#d foUDr ao-d w..t o.y.tpn.in 1+W11!y11Yf[' ::TegMS M:' Yon :::1?i4!D!.:: ::irte:!IVMO!:: popWhb amM? , l? ? CoMPn F?.4J 1 X X j:.;:Xjj;:;:; X 1 . X X X s« ._. ?.? W_m Less .......... Comm : ?M1I yLFnbQ:? p:eipi:; : Igtrw wpnpd.mn bonbr.b Lhn4dLW N. ?° ^ : Wnlbrypir?: ':' Feebnl:: , ..Bmuf'::i: , ::::*My: ii ObnN«E " Job lopes Avabb .r rpiw« ,d,{h yyiyp mnwn :MT!Me`!nlm: :+Pt4aMMPP. Ins WPb awmn on M bai N.wIpIM b n11?o1 py ee«p IYnPW1b of tlws ?Nb?Y b IN Porn Pwbb bygan MphgnM et11.Ny ? ?WlbsMp b IWbE byecb. Indirect Effects The proposed project is located within an unincorporated portion of Macon County to the north of the Town of Franklin, which is not covered by formal zoning or subdivision ordinances, so growth would not be controlled very stringently if it did occur. However, only a small amount of growth has occurred in the area or is expected for the foreseeable future, according to local planners. The area does not have public water or sewer, and there are currently no plans to extend services to that area. Due to the limited scope of the proposed project, a safety widening on existing location, and the rugged topography, which limits development in the area, the R-7dnRR Ind:vUvnl P,r it dnnl:rnc:n? Pone J .J7 proposed project is unlikely to stimulate complementary or intra-regional land development, or to cause a change in travel patterns in the area. There should also be no travel-time savings or change in access. As a result, indirect effects because of TIP Project R-2408B alone, and environmental impacts due to ICEs, should be low or minimal. Cumulative Effects Direct impacts associated with the project that are not avoided, minimized, or mitigated are expected to be minimal. Since the project is not likely to result in a change inland use as result the transportation impact causing activities associated with the project, cumulative effects should be minimal or low. MORATORIUM No moratoriums were proposed in a letter from NCWRC dated July 27, 2004. CULTURAL RESOURCES Historical Structures & Archaeoloev: An architectural survey for structures listed in the National Register or eligible for nomination to the National Register was conducted in the project area. There are no properties in the project area that are eligible for or are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Two archaeological sites located within the project limits were recommended as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Sites 31MA588 and 31MA589 consist of dense concentrations of cultural remains and intact subsurface deposits dating to the Qualla Phase (A.D. 1450-1838). The two sites have been recommended as eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion D for their potential to yield significant information about the prehistory of the region. The SHPO concurred with these recommendations according to a July 11, 2003 memorandum. Current design for the project maintains the existing topography along the west side of NC 28, where the sites are located, and proposes to widen to the east, away from the areas of interest. FEMA COMPLIANCE The project has been coordinated with appropriate state and local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assure compliance with FEMA, state, and local floodway regulations. WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SYSTEM The project will not impact any designated Wild and Scenic Rivers or any rivers included in the list of study rivers (Public Law 90-542, as amended). I R-JdnRR lndividuml Pp. it AnnlirMinn Pnoc 5 nf7 MITIGATION OPTIONS The NCDOT is committed to incorporating all reasonable and practicable design features to avoid and minimize jurisdictional impacts, and to provide full compensatory mitigation of all remaining, unavoidable jurisdictional impacts. Avoidance measures were taken during the planning and NEPA compliance stages; minimization measures were incorporated as part of the project design. Avoidance and Minimization: This project has been designed using asymmetrical widening. Using this method, the NCDOT has avoided impacting many wetlands and streams and reduced impacts to wetlands and streams to the greatest extent practicable. Other specific examples of avoidance and minimization measures include: • Onsite natural stream design methods for the relocation of Rocky Branch • The removal of a culvert carrying a UT to Rocky Branch and return the area to natural grade. • At site 4, the culvert carrying Rocky Branch across NC 28 will be replaced with a bottomless structure. • The use of 2:1 slopes in wetlands and stream crossings. • NCDOT will implement erosion and sedimentation control measures as specified by "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds". Compensation: The NCDOT has avoided and minimized impacts to jurisdictional resources to the greatest extent practicable as described above. Due to construction, 442 feet of Rocky Branch will be relocated away from the fill slope of NC 28. Using natural stream design techniques, 393 feet of the stream will be restored. Additionally as mentioned in the permit for R-2408A, NCDOT proposes to restore 190 linear feet of a UT to the Little Tennessee River on the A section, by removing an existing 18-inch pipe. The tributary will have a stable stream channel established and buffer planted. This restoration of 190 feet of stream will be used to offset impacts in the B section. As o/ o LoL,*a result of these two activities, 80 linear feet of permanent stream impacts remain for R-2408B. The remaining, unavoidable impacts to 0.09 acre of jurisdictional wetlands and 80 feet of streams will be offset by the use of the Tulula Bog Mitigation Site. The Tulula Bog Mitigation Site is a 222 acre tract located in Graham County, NC within the 8- digit HU 06010204. The site it located off of Highway 129 between Topton and Robbinsville, NC in a rural area of the Blue Ridge Belt of the North Carolina mountains. The mitigation site contains 102 acres of wetland restoration, 121 acres of upland buffer protection, 8,639 linear feet of stream restoration, and 1,248 linear feet of stream preservation. The site was originally constructed in 2002 by NCDOT. The Phase I portion of the site was planted in April 2002, while Phase II was planted in March 2003. The 2003-year represents the first complete year of hydrologic and vegetation monitoring following site construction. The subsequent years of monitoring were performed under EEP management. According to the Tulula Monitoring Report dated March 2008 prepared for EEP, 2007 served as Monitoring Year 5 of 5, the final year of site monitoring. R-24nRR Individunl Permit Annlirntinn Pnoe 6 nf7 Summary of Stream Mitigation for R-2408B Mitigation Source Site Stream Mitigation Relocation of Roc Branch Site 3 393 Restoration of UT to Little Tennessee River A section 190 Tulula Bo 80 Total 6631f Total Permanent Stream Impact - 663 If PROJECT SCHEDULE R-2408B calls for a November 17, 2009 let date, and a review date of September 29, 2009. This application provides final design and impacts for the project. REGULATORY APPROVALS Section 404: Application is hereby made for a USACE Individual 404 Permit as required for the above-described activities. Section 401: We are hereby requesting a 401 Water Quality Certification from the N. C. Division of Water Quality. In compliance with Section 143 215.3D(e) of the NCAC, we will provide $570:00 to act as payment for processing the Section 401 permit application previously noted in this application (see Subject line). We are providing five (5) copies of this application to the NCDWQ for their review and approval. Thank you for your assistance with this project. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mr. Jason Dilday atjldilday@ncdot.gov or (919)4 3-6693. A copy of this application will also be posted at X31 d6 '3 http://www.ricdot.org/planning/pe/naturalunit/Permit.htmL Sincere ? 'Aiak ?ey Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Environmental Management Director Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch W/attachment Mr. Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ (5 Copies) Ms. Marella Buncick, USFWS Ms. Marla Chambers, NCWRC Ms. Kathy Matthews, USEPA-Whitter, NC Dr. Charles Nicholson, TVA W/o attachment (cont.) Mr. Jay Bennett, P.E., Roadway Design Mr. Majed Alghandour, P. E., Programming and TIP Mr. Art McMillan, P.E., Highway Design Mr. Scott McLendon, USACE, Wilmington Ms. Beth Harmon, EEP W/o attachment (see website for attachments) Mr. Todd Jones, NCDOT External Audit Branch Dr. David Chang, P.E., Hydraulics Mr. Steven Brown, P.E., PDEA Planning Engineer Mr. Victor Barbour, P.E., Project Services Unit Mr. Drew Joyner, PE, Human Environment Unit Mr. Greg Perfetti, P.E., Structure Design Mr. Clarence W. Coleman, P.E., FHWA Mr. Mark Staley, Roadside Environmental Ms. LeiLani Paugh, NEU Mr. J. B. Selzer, P.E. (Div. 14), Division Engineer Mr. Randy Griffin, NEU Mr. Mark Davis (Div. 14), DEO R-24W Individunl Permit Annliratinn Pnoo 7nf7 APPLICATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT I OMB APPROVAL NO. 0710-003 (33 CFR 325) Expires December 31, 2004 Public reporting burden for this collection of information Is estimated to average 10 hours per response, although the majority of applications should require 5 hours or less. This Includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, Including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Service Directorate of Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 222024302; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0710-0003), Washington, DC 20503. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of Information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. Please DO NOT RETURN your form to either of those addresses. Completed applications must be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction over the location of the proposed activity PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT Authority. Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10, 33 USC 403: Clean Water Act, Section 404, 33 USC 1344 Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, 33 USC 1413, Section 103. Principal Purpose: Information provided on this form will be used In evaluating the application for a permit Routine Uses: This Information may be shared with the Department of Justice and other federal, state, and local government agencies. Submission of requested Information Is voluntary, however, if information Is not provided the permit application cannot be evaluated nor can a permit be Issued. One set of original drawings or good reproducible copies which show the location and character of the proposed activity must be attached to this application (see sample drawings and Instructions) and be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction over the location of the proposed activity. An ar ollcation that is not completed in full will be returned. ITEMS 1 THRU 4 TO BE ILLED BY THE CORPS) 1 1. APPLICATION NO. 2. FIELD OFFICE CODE 3. DATE RECEIVED 4. DATE APPLICATION COMPLETED BE 5. APPLICANTS NAME 8. AUTHORIZED AGENT'S NAME AND TITLE (an agent is not iepuzmd) North Carolina Department of Transportation Project Development & Environmental Analysis 6. APPLICANTS 1598 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1548 7. APPLICANTS PHONE NOS. WIAREA CODE a. Residence b. Business 919-733-3141 it. DATE I hereby au0wri7e, m act in my behalf as my agent in the processing of this application and to furnish, upon request, supplemental information in support of this permit application. APPLICANTS SIGNATURE 12. PROJECT NAME OR TITLE (am Ireoumons) R-24088 OR 9. AGENTS ADDRESS 10. AGENTS PHONE NOS. W/AREA CODE a. Residence b. Business 13. NAME OF WATERBODY, IF KNOWN (e applicable) Rocky Branch and associated (1Ts. UT to Little Tennessee River Macon NC COUNTY STATE 14. PROJECT STREET ADDRESS (a applicable) 16. OTHER LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS, IF KNOWN (am In an dons) Section, Township, Rope, u fLon, analor Accassons Parcel Number, for eamgls. 17. DIRECTIONS TO THE SITE Please see attached vicinity map and cover letter. ENG FORM 4345, Jul 97 EDITION OF FEB 94 1S OBSOLETE (Proponent CECW-0R) 18. Nature of Activity (Desv pion or project, include all fwe ) Widening the current NC 28 from a 20-foot two lane facility with 1 to 4-foot shoulders , to a 24-foot two lane facility with 8-foot shoulders on existing location. 19. Project Purpose (Desmbe me reason rx purpme of me project, see Imtrucu") The purpose of this project is to correct existing roadway deficiencies by improving the vertical and horizontal alignment and Widening the travel lanes and shoulders. USE BLOCKS 20-22 IF DREDGED AND/OR FILL MATERIAL IS TO BE DISCHARGED 20. Reason(s) for Discharge Impacts Will result from widening the roadway and shoulders, and lengthening/ replacing hydraulic structures. 21. Type(s) of Material Being Discharged and the Amount of Each Type in Cubic Yards See attached cover letter. 22. Surface Area in Acres of Wetlands or Other Waters Filled (see Inalruptlpns) See attached cover letter. 23. Is Any Portion of the Work Already Complete? Yes _ No _X_ IF YES, DESCRIBE THE COMPLETED WORK 24. Addresses of Adjoining Property Owners, Lessees, Etc., Whose Property Adjoins the Waterbody (Ili mare Mn mn ee ernered here, please adacn a supplemental list). Please see adjacent property landowners page attached to the permit drawing package. 25. List of Other Certifications or Approvals(Denlats Received from other Federal, State, or Local Agencies for Work Described in This Application. AGENCY TYPE APPROVAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DATE APPLIED DATE APPROVED DATE DENIED WA Would include but is not restricted to zoning, bulging, and flood plain permits 26. Application is hereby made for a permit or permits to authorize the work described in this application. I certify that the information in this application is complete and accurate. I further certify that I possess the authority to undertake the work described herein or am acting as the duly autitor¢ed agent of the applicant yel(o r? 9 SIGNA RE 0 APPLICANT DATE SIGNATURE OF AGENT DATE The application must be signed by the person who destres to undertake the proposed activtty (applicant) or it may be signed by a duly authorized agent if the statement in block 11 has been filled out and signed. 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 provides that Whoever, In any manner within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up any hick, scheme, or disguises a material fact or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or entry, stall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years or both. ENG FORM 4345, Jul 97 EDITION OF FEB 94 IS OBSOLETE (Proponent CECW-0R)