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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20181589 Ver 1_More Info Received_20190122CiLearWaLer C1earWater Environmental Consultants, Inc. www.cwenv.com January 16, 2019 Ms. Amanda Jones US Army Corps of Engineers Asheville Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208 Asheville, North Carolina 28801-2638 Ms. Karen Higgins NC Division of Water 401 Permitting & Buff 512 N. Salisbury Street, 91 Floor Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 RE: Biltmore French Broad River and Swannanoa River Bank Stabilization Nationwide Permit 13 Modification to Application Buncombe County, North Carolina Dear Ms. Jones and Ms. Higgins, The attached addendum to the Pre -Construction Notification (PCN) is being submitted on behalf of The Biltmore Company represented by Mr. Parker Andes. The project site is a +/- 2,485 acre parcel with a physical address of 1 Lodge Street, Asheville, North Carolina (35.56685, - 82.546343). The applicant is seeking a Nationwide Permit 13 for bank stabilization in four locations on the French Broad river and three locations on the Swannanoa River to prevent loss of property and for an emergency portage location for recreational water craft on the French Broad River. This addendum includes an updated page 4 of the PCN form which includes an additional 60 LF of impacts (S9) for bank repairs on a new location on the Swannanoa River, updated figures (Figures 1-4, Sheets 7 and 7a), and statement in response to USACE and DWR requests for additional information dated December 20, 2018 (Attachment A). The additional impact S9 will be carried out with equipment operating at the top of bank and will not require access from the riverbed. Copies of this package have been sent to Zan Price of the Division of Water Resources Asheville Regional Office, Andrea Leslie of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Jason Mays and Mark Endries of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 828-698-9800 if you have any questions or comments. Sincerel Alea Tuttle, P.W.S. Biologist R. Clement ddle, P.W.S Principal Copy Fumished: NC Division of Water Resources — Zan Price NC Wildlife Resources Commission — Andrea Leslie US Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission — Mark Endries; Jason Mays 32 Clayton Street Asheville, NC 28801 828-698-9800 Tel NWP 13 Application Biltmore French Broad Swannanoa River Stream Stabilization Request for Additional Information RE: Construction Access for the Biltmore Estate Streambank Repairs on the Swannanoa River Introduction: Two locations near the Biltmore Estate main entrance are proposed for repair requiring earthmoving equipment operating from within the channel. The downstream repair, Impact S5, is an 80 ft section of bank to be protected with a boulder vane located adjacent to the approach road approximately 200 ft west of the gate house. Approximately 350 feet upstream is Impact S6, a 170 ft section which includes repair of an eroding bank with brush mattresses and the installation of a log vane, located adjacent to the group sales lot. The construction access point for both repairs is proposed through the group sales lot. To access the area for Impact S5 the applicant proposes traversing earthmoving equipment approximately 350LF through the Swannanoa River stream channel. Materials for Impact S5 would be stockpiled at the construction entrance near Impact S6 and carried to Impact S5 through the channel. This access was chosen as it is the most practical option available for repairing the stream bank without causing major disruptions to Biltmore Estate business operations. The Biltmore Estate Stream Bank Repairs were discussed on a field visit to the site December 17, 2018, which was attended by representatives of the USACE, FWS, NCWRC, Biltmore Estate, CEC, Headwaters Engineering, and Dinkins Biological. During the meeting, the applicant stated that the best execution of the proposed streambank repairs would require the use of earthmoving equipment to be operated from within the channel on the Swannanoa River. The applicant received written comments via email on December 20, 2018 from the USACE and DWR. Amanda Jones of the USACE requested the following information regarding construction access within the channel: "Also noted in the meeting was the plan to track equipment in the Swannanoa River between the two impact sites since there is no way to access/stage which is approximately 250 feet between the two sites. It was also mentioned that equipment may stay in the river and not be pulled out at the end of the day. Please revise the PCN to include this area in between as a temporary impact and include a narrative/discussion as to how this work would occur to include estimated time that equipment will be in the river and plans for minimizing/reducing impacts to channel bottom and turbidity. Discussions should also address contingency plans for if/how equipment will be removed from the River in the event of a storm/high water event. " Zan Price of the DWR requested the following information on December 20, 2018: "DWR will need more information if this is proposed in the revised PCN. The Permittee shall take all reasonable measures to construct in -stream structures while keeping heavy equipment out of the stream channel. Only equipment that is being used to install structures may enter the stream channel. This exemption does not authorize the use of equipment within the stream channel for any other purpose such as a haul road, access, streambank reshaping etc. Equipment shall access the stream at the closest point possible to reduce impacts to the stream bed. The majority of stream flow shall be diverted around work areas along the stream banks such as toe protection and bank sloping. All reasonable steps must be taken to limit the amount of disturbance in the channel and to therefore reduce downstream turbidity during construction. " CEC Response: The practice of using the river channel to move materials and equipment is not unprecedented when it is the most practical option. Excavators were authorized and operated within the stream bed and traversed the channel in antecedent repairs to the Swannanoa river banks which occurred in 2014 (See Photo 1). For reasons outlined below, the applicant believes this is the most practicable solution to gaining access to the Swannanoa River bank at the proposed Impact S5 repair location. The Impact S5 repair is in a difficult to access location with little area between the main entrance road and the top of bank (See Photos 2 and 3). The area between the main entrance road and the channel is insufficient to accommodate earthmoving equipment and staging materials without greatly disrupting the flow of traffic or intruding upon the aesthetic of the historic "Approach Road." There is also no other location less than 350 feet from the proposed S5 location that provides suitable access. The narrow steep area between the approach road and the Swannanoa river extends for several hundred feet. A new safe entrance location would require approximately 120ft to build a necessary ramp at a 10% percent slope into the river. This would require major disruption to the approach road. Alternatively, a portion of the group sales lot would already have restricted public access for the duration of the repairs (approximately two weeks). In this area, there is enough space for material to be stockpiled and earthmoving equipment to gain access to the river, without majorly disrupting the normal operation of the Biltmore Estate main entranceway. However, there will be reduced parking capacity for large groups of visitors during this time. The most practical solution is to utilize this area for construction access and materials for both the S5 and S6 repair areas. The Biltmore main entrance gate typically varies between 2,000-7,000 vehicles per day, which can form a line of vehicles backing up beyond the boundary of the Estate even during normal operation. In addition, traffic leaving the estate often backs up along the main entrance road past the point of the gate house adjacent to the proposed Impact S5 location. It is important to note the proximity of the gate house to two busy intersections at Lodge street and McDowell Street, and at Lodge Street and Hendersonville Road. Restricting the flow of traffic at the gate house location near impact S5 would create a nuisance affecting visitors to the Biltmore Estate as well as visitors to the Historic Biltmore Village and daily commuters who must pass through the area along McDowell Street and Hendersonville Road. If a second construction access point were created at Impact S5, traffic could be disrupted for several days. The main entrance road, also known as the "Approach Road," has historical significance. Care must be taken to avoid disturbing existing features in the vicinity of the stream bank repair, including a stone retaining wall and mature trees, which were a part of the original landscape designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted. Enjoying the aesthetic of the Approach Road is an element of the overall experience visitors receive as guests of the historic Biltmore Estate. Therefore, preserving this aesthetic is an important consideration in this unique setting. For these above outlined reasons, the applicant believes that building a construction access point adjacent to Impact S5 on the approach road is not practical. The applicant requests temporary construction access through the Swannanoa River channel to perform repairs at the location of Impact S5. Figure 7 and page 4 of the PCN have been revised to include this area of temporary impact. Efforts to reduce impacts to the river bottom and reduce turbidity would include temporary strategic placement of boulders to deflect the river flow, thereby creating an area of slow-moving water surrounding the repair area while equipment is operating within the channel. Work would proceed only during low flow conditions, and equipment would be removed from the channel at the end of each work day. In the event of the threat of high water, equipment would be removed from the channel immediately and work would not continue until the water levels have returned to safe operating conditions. s ta; �v \ z�i Ab 7 - to � + -�' 's --"'Ye!•.. ��[ S'�-vim Y,ais"•" `'M` y ; 'r`—�',�_ - te� * mac,- >, �� �Y,,•'��v-s�� : t,�. •' - - -!• - r � S r: '^' �•,�y i-�e- .:gin �-.? T �sy o Photo 3: View of the proposed Impact S5 area- facing west. 12-31-2018 C. Proposed Impacts Inventory 1. Impacts Summary 1 a. Which sections were completed below for your project (check all that apply): ❑ Wetlands © Streams — tributaries ❑ Buffers ❑ Open Waters ❑ Pond Construction 2. Wetland Impacts If there are wetland impacts proposed on the site, then complete this question for each wetland area impacted. 2a. 2b. 2c. 2d. 2e. 2f. Wetland impact Type of impact Type of wetland Forested Type of jurisdiction Area of number Corps (404,10) or impact Permanent (P) or DWQ (401, other) (acres) Temporary W1 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - W2 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - W3 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - W4 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - W5 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - W6 - Choose one Choose one Yes/No - 2g. Total Wetland Impacts: 2h. Comments: 3. Stream Impacts If there are perennial or intermittent stream impacts (including temporary impacts) proposed on the site, then complete this question for all stream sites impacted. 3a. 3b. 3c. 3d. 3e. 3f. 3g. Stream impact Type of impact Stream name Perennial (PER) or Type of Average Impact number intermittent (INT)? jurisdiction stream length Permanent (P) or width (linear Temporary m (feet) feet) S1 P Stabilization French Broad River PER Corps 200 220 S2 P Stabilization French Broad River PER Corps 200 165 S3 P Stabilization French Broad River PER Corps 200 160 S4 P Stabilization French Broad River PER Corps 200 290 S5 P Stabilization Swannanoa PER Corps 60 80 S6 P Stabilization Swannanoa PER Corps 60 170 3h. Total stream and tributary impacts 1,585 3i. Comments: For Question 3h. Stream impacts S7 - S10 listed below are included in the total: S7 / P / Emergency Portage / French Broad River / PER / Corps / 200 / 70 LF S8 / P /Outlet stabilization / French Broad River / PER / Corps / 200 / 10 LF S9/ P / Stabilization / Swannanoa River / PER / Corps / 60 / 60 LF S10/ T / Construction Access / Swannanoa River / PER / Corps / 60 / 350 LF Page 4 of 10 PCN Form —Version 1.4 January 2009 Biltmore French Broad Bank Stabilization (+/-2,485 AC) o 71 Asheville Is, S Zboy 7,1-. French Broad River Bank Stabilization areas 0 0 ro Tunn-1 TSwannanoa River Slump repair and log vane 81 r'o%I St — Rd D of Swalnnanc 0 Ift, ,VGeolift s French Broad River Emergency portage log vane Legend Repair Locations I Project Parcel Drawn by: AKT 10.23.2018; CEC Project# 1001 Buncombe County, North Carolina River 0 'IcIK Biltmore Forest LI Blue NO OK SOUICWS� Esri, Del Copyright: @ 2013 n in ,..-,arWater 32 Clayton Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 N 044 FA 74 1� N 0 0.5 1 2 Miles on,ql Geographic S'016i0y Vicinity Map Figure I Ma �a •r�PAN • Biltmore Bank Stabilization (+/-2,485 AC) French Broad River Bank Stabilization areas (EwE) - Evard-Cowee complex 30-50% slopes, stony rr French Broad River Emergency portage (BeA) - Biltmore loamy sand 0-3% slopes, occasionally flooded Swannanoa River Slump repair (EwD) Evard- Cowee complex 15-30% slopes, stony (UfB) Udorthents- Urban land complex. 0-5% slopes Nor g Swannanoa River Geolifts (RsA)- Rosman fine sandy loam 0-3% slopes, occasionally flooded Legend Repair Locations ® CsD s ExE TmC Project ParcelCuC FrA - TsA SOIIS ® CuD HpA �� Ud BeA - DrB IoA UfB BkB2 HE �� RsA UhE BkC2 EvD2 StB UnB j CkC2 EvE2 - TaB UnC CkD2 - EwC _ TaC F Ux CsB - EwD - TaD W CSC EwE TkC Drawn by: AKT 10.23.2018; CEC Project# 1001 -.. N _ v iap Buncombe County, rLeaMr"`e North Carolina 32 Clayton Street Asheville, North Carolina 28801 � M-41,6ZEN N 0 0.25 0.5 1 C Miles USDA Soil Survey NRCS Web Soil Survey Figure 3 Biltmore Bank Stabilization (+/-2,485 AC) M FI n i� French Broad River ���• Bank Stabilization areas L", Swannanoa River Geolifts 0 French Broad River Emergency portage Legend Repair Locations r Project Parcel Flood Hazard Zones Zone Type 1 % Annual Chance Flood Hazard Regulatory Floodway Special Floodway Area of Undetermined Flood Hazard i 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Future Conditions 1%Annual Chance Flood Hazard Area with Reduced Risk Due to Levee Drawn by: AKT 10.23.201JC OneMap; N ff"Board Updated 1.11 2019 �( do Buncombe County, ..-arWaLer North Carolina Swannanoa River 32 Clayton Street Slump repair Asheville, North Carolina 28801 FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel 3700963700J & 3700964700J Figure 4 Swannanoa River Slump repair P. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel 3700963700J & 3700964700J Figure 4 :d 1 -- I a f� LLI i A / Q o to F- W U ry cn w N o 0001 CD O U o 0.0 W � N04 C OA RIVER p w = Z z° ;;WANNAN O wo a; z 0 — =W w<m Z 60 LF GEOLIFTS 0 z Q W N � } J Q H _ Impact S9 Co n Z) + �w0 ' W U 0 Co � � W Q Co 0 W Co z m __— -- - DATE: JAN. 2019 SCALE: AS SHOWN LEGEND PLAN GEOLIFTS 0 60' 120' 180' SWANNANOA SHEET 7A OF 11 RLLJ E -USE DOWNED HICKORY AT o z - TOE OF SLUMP FOR LOG VANE z O I r - cn Impact S6 .' > Xei. V CONSTRUCTION ACCESSAL 0 o y.^O THROUGH GROUP SALES LOT <1 m - SLUMP REPAIR: REMOVE SLUMPED r SOIL/DEBRIS, SLOPE 2:1, BRUSH MATTRESS AT TOE, LIVE STAKE UPPER SLOPE`S - 3 SPRUCE AND D � " REMOVE i LEANING ELM U N a A o� P "< Cod CONSTRUCTION STAGING AREA a af Co U v' i W C7 P ARTIAL LOT CLOSURE .2 zQ z U Z Impact S 10 Viz_ w § Lu w N m Q Z f Z O U Qw} Jz H Q w O �J w v Illo :a U) PloP P;. �P� JPS a Y O m `�F Q�� yJp' ►1 g0 Co J O S Impact SS wmz y �m LEGEND DATE: OCT. 2018 SCALE: AS SHOWN BANKGRADING xxxxxxxx'x'x—xxx--xx-1, PLAN LOG VANE SWANNANOA BOULDER VANE 0 60' 120' 180, SHEET 7 OF 11 Attachment A: USACE and DWR Requests For Additional Information, December 20, 2018 Alea Tuttle From: Fuemmeler, Amanda 1 CIV (US) <AmandaJones@usace.army.mil> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2018 10:46 AM To: Clement Riddle, Andrew Bick (Andrew@headwaters-eng.com) cc: mark.endries@fws.gov, Leslie, Andrea 1; Alea Tuttle,, Price, Zan (George) Subject: Biltmore Bank Stabilization Project: Additional Information / Coordination Clement/Andrew, Just following up from our meeting on Monday based on the discussions we had. As 1 mentioned there are several on- going coordination efforts that will need to be resolved before we can issue the permit. With regards to Section 7 ESA, we will concur with USFWS's recommendations to survey the French Broad River portions of the impact areas to determine the presence/effects to Appalachian elktoe. At this time, I do not believe surveys of the Swannanoa River impact areas are warranted but if USFWS wants to provide justification otherwise then they can do so and we will evaluate that information. Please proceed with scheduling these surveys in the French Broad portions and coordinating with USFWS on survey requirements/methodologies. 1 also mentioned upcoming coordination with SHPO/THPO. Until we get the cultural resource survey and the results, we cannot determine what effects there may be to these resources so I would recommend completing those studies and forwarding to me/SHPO as soon as possible. I have initiated consultation with SHPO but not THPO pending findings of the survey. Also noted in the meeting was the plan to track equipment in the Swannanoa River between the two impact sites since there is no way to access/stage which is approximately 250 -feet between the two sites. It was also mentioned that equipment may stay in the river and not be pulled out at the end of the day. Please revise the PCN to include this area in between as a temporary impact and include a narrative/discussion as to how this work would occur to include estimated time that equipment will be in the river and plans for minimizing/reducing impacts to channel bottom and turbidity. Discussions should also address contingency plans for if/how equipment will be removed from the River in the event of a storm/high water event. Zan may have some additional thoughts/comments related to the 401 requirements. Once we review this information, I may additional comments on this issue. Please contact me with any questions, thanks. Amanda Jones Regulatory Specialist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Asheville Regulatory Field Office 151 Patton Avenue, Room 208 Asheville, NC 28801-5006 828-271-7980 ext. 4225 Alea Tuttle From: Price, Zan (George) <Zan.PriceC@ncdenr.gov> Saw. Thursday, December 2Q 2018 2:44 PM To: Fuemmeler, Amanda 1 CIV (US); Clement Riddle; Andrew Bick (Andrew@headwaters-eng.com) cc mark.endries@fws.gov; Leslie, Andrea J; Alea Tuttle Subject RE: [External] Biltmore Bank Stabilization Project Additional Information / Coordination See one of our common conditions below in regards to using the channel as an access route. DWR will need more information if this is proposed in the revised PCN. This authorization exempts the Permittee from meeting Condition 11.9 in the attached General Certification #4134 for the placement of in -stream structure material into XX Creek. The Permittee shall take all reasonable measures to construct in -stream structures while keeping heavy equipment out of the stream channel. Only equipment that is being used to install structures may enter the stream channel. This exemption does not authorize the use of equipment within the stream channel for any other purpose such as a haul road, access, streambank reshaping etc. Equipment shall access the stream at the closest point possible to reduce impacts to the stream bed. The majority of stream flow shall be diverted around work areas along the stream banks such as toe protection and bank sloping. All reasonable steps must be taken to limit the amount of disturbance in the channel and to therefore reduce downstream turbidity during construction. This exemption does not relieve the Permittee of meeting stream standards as indicated in 15A NCAC 026. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(f)] Zan Price, P.E. Assistant Regional Supervisor - Asheville Regional Office Water Quality Regional Operations Section NCDEQ - Division of Water Resources 828 296 4662 office 828 2319634 mobile zan.price@ncdenr.gov 2090 U.S. Hwy. 70 Swannanoa, N.C. 28711 Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. -----Original Message ----- From: Fuemmeler, Amanda J CIV (US) <Amanda.Jones@usace.army.mil> Sent: Thursday, December 20, 201810:46 AM To: Clement Riddle <clement@cwenv.com>; Andrew Bick (Andrew@headwaters-eng.com) <Andrew@headwaters- eng.com> Cc: mark.endries@fws.gov; Leslie, Andrea J <andrea.leslie@ncwildlife.org>; Alea Tuttle <alea@cwenv.com>; Price, Zan (George) <Zan.Price@ncdenr.gov> Subject: [External] Biltmore Bank Stabilization Project: Additional Information / Coordination CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verged. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to Report Spa m.<mailto:report.spam @ nc.gov> Clement/Andrew,