20040167 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_20040206 (2)

?OF W A-r, Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
?0 Gy North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
>` r
-1 Alan Klimek, P.E., Director
0 Division of Water Quality
Coleen H. Sullins, Deputy Director
Division of Water Quality
February 10, 2004
DWQ # 04-0167
Transylvania County
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Town of Rosman
Attn: Johnny H. Rogers
Post Office Box 636
Rosman, NC
Subject Property: Wastewater Treatment Facility Collection System & Rehabilitation
Dear Mr. Rosman:
On February 6, 2004 the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) was notified by receipt of your application regarding
your plan to fill wetlands or-wa'e-rs for he ose of sanitary sewer improvements in Transylvania County.
Approval fro WQ is required to disturb these eas. Please provide 7 copies of the following information and
refer to th Q # listed above in your reply. Plea a show these on maps of suitable scale (for instance 1" = 100
feet) so a cWan begin to determine your projects' co pHance with 15A NCAC 211.0500.
SEPA document needed for further
Please telephone Ed Schwartzman at 919-715;X477 if you have any questions or would require copies of our rules
or proc dural materials. T project will emain on hold as incomplete in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H
0505(c). he processing timisfor this ap ication will begin when this information is received. If we.do,not hear
from you b writing or by fax at (919 733-6893 within three (3) weeks we will assume you no longer want to
pursue the prof and will cons It withdrawn.
Sincerely,
JRD/bs
cc: Asheville DWQ Regional Office
Asheville Corps of Engineers
Central Files
File Copy
John R. Dorney
401 Water Quality Certification Program

'4;k

N. C. Division of Water Quality, 401 Wetlands Certification Unit,
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650 (Mailing Address)
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604-2260 (Location)
[phone] (phone), 919-733-6893 (fax), (http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/newetlands)
Customer Service #: 1-877-623-6748
Office Use Only: Form Version April 2001
USACE Action ID No. DWQ No. ® in 1 IR- 7
If any particular item is not applicable to this project, please enter "Not Applicable" or "N/A" rather than
leaving the space blank. WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
1. Processing FEB 0` 6 2004
1. Check all of the approval(s) requested for this project:
® Section 404 Permit WATER QUALITY SECTION
? Section 10 Permit
? 401 Water Quality Certification
? Riparian or Watershed Buffer Rules
2. Nationwide, Regional or General Permit Number(s) Requested:
1 If this notification is solely a courtesy copy because written approval for the 401 Certification
is not required, check here: ?
4. If payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) is proposed for
mitigation of impacts (see section VIII - Mitigation), check here: ?
H. Applicant Information
Owner/Applicant Information
Name: Johnny H. Ropers
Mailing Address: Town of Rosman
PO Box 636
Rosman North Carolina
Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
Agent Information (A signed and dated copy of the Agent Authorization letter must be
attached if the Agent has signatory authority for the owner/applicant.)
Name: N/A
Company Affiliation:
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Fax Number:
Page 3 of 12
ill. Project Information
Attach a vicinity, niap clearly showing the location of the property w-Ith respect to local
landmarks such as towns, rivers, and roads. Also provide a detailed site plan showing property
boundaries and development plans in relation to surrounding properties. Both the vicinity map
and site plan must include a scale and north arrow. The specific footprints of all buildings,
impervious surfaces, or other facilities must be included. If possible, the maps and plans should
include the appropriate USGS Topographic Quad Map and NRCS Soil Survey with the property
boundaries outlined. Plan drawings, or other maps may be included at the applicant's discretion,
so long as the property is clearly defined. For administrative and distribution purposes, the
USACE requires information to be submitted on sheets no larger than 11 by 17-inch format;
however, DWQ may accept paperwork of any size. DWQ prefers full-size construction
drawings rather than a sequential sheet version of the full-size plans. If full-size plans are
reduced to a small scale such that the final version is illegible, the applicant will be informed that
the project has been placed on hold until decipherable maps are provided.
1. Name of project: Wastewater Treatment Facility. Collection System-4 Rehabilitation
2. T.I.P. Project Number (NCDOT Only): N/A
3. Property Identification Number (Tax PIN): N/A
4. Location
County: Transylvania Nearest Town: Rosman
Subdivision name (include phase/lot number): N/A
Directions to site (include road numbers, landmarks, etc.): From Brevard. North Carolina
travel west on US Hwy 64 until the intersection of Old US Hwy 64 is reached. Turn left on
Old US Hwy 64 and travel west bound until the project site is located. - Project begins on
Old US 64, 546 L.F. south of Calvert Road (SR 1195). The creek crossing is then
approximately 455 L.F. along Old US 64 to Galloway Creek.
5. Site coordinates, if available (UTM or Lat/Long):N/A
(Note - If project is linear, such as a road or utility line, attach a sheet that separately lists the
coordinates for each crossing of a distinct waterbody.)
6. Describe the existing land use or condition of the site at. the time of this application:
Rural residential and agriculture
7. Property size (acres):
8. Nearest body of water (stream/river/sound/ocean/lake): French Broad River
9. River Basin: French Broad
(Note - this must be one of North Carolina's seventeen designated major river basins. The
River Basin map is available at fint ://h2 o.enr_state. nc_us/ad-ni ads .)
Page 4 of 12
10. Describe the purpose of the proposed work: To provide Sanitary Sewer Improvements for
the Town of Rosman serving residents in the vicinity of Old US Hwy 64
11. List the type of equipment to be used to construct the project: Backhoe/excavator
12. Describe the land use in the vicinity of this project: Rural residential and agriculture
IV. Prior Project History
If jurisdictional determinations and/or permits have been requested and/or obtained for this
project (including all prior phases of the same subdivision) in the past; please explain. Include
the USACE Action ID Number, DWQ Project Number, application date, and date permits and
certifications were issued or withdrawn. Provide photocopies of previously issued permits,
certifications or other useful information. Describe previously approved wetland, stream and
buffer impacts, along with associated mitigation (where applicable). If this is a NCDOT project,
list and describe permits issued for prior segments of the same T.I.P. project, along with
construction schedules.
V. Future Project Plans
Are any additional permit requests anticipated for this project in the future? If so, describe the
anticipated work, and provide justification for the exclusion of this work from the current
application: N/A
VI. Proposed Impacts to Waters of the United States/Waters of the State
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
wetlands, open water, and stream channels associated with the project. The applicant must also
provide justification for these impacts in Section VII below. All proposed impacts, permanent
and temporary, must be listed herein, and must be clearly identifiable on an accompanying site
plan. All wetlands and waters, and all streams (intermittent and perennial) must be shown on a
delineation map, whether or not impacts are proposed to these systems. Wetland and stream
evaluation and delineation forms should be included as appropriate. Photographs may be
included at the applicant's discretion. If this proposed impact is strictly for wetland or stream
mitigation, list and describe the impact in Section VIII below. if additional space is needed for
listing or description, please attach a separate sheet.
1. Wetland Impacts
Page 5 of 12
Weiland Impact
Site Number
(indicate on ma)
Type of Impact* Area of
Impact
(acres) Located %*-ithin
100-year Floodplain**
(yes/no) Distance to
Nearest Stream
(linear feet)
Trpe of Weiland***
N/A

lest cacn impact selrttraiery anu luenmy temix>rary impacts. impacts include, but are not lunited lo: mechanised clearing, grading, 611,
excavation, flooding, ditching/drainage, etc. For dams, separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding.
** 100-Year floodplains are identified through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRM), or FEMA-approved local tloodplain maps. Maps are available through. the FEMA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616, or
online at httn://w%% to fema.gov.
*** List a wetland type that best describes wetland to be impacted (e.g., freshwater/saltwater marsh, forested wetland, beaver pond,
Carolina Bay, bog, etc.)
List the total acreage (estimated) of existing wetlands on the property: N/A
Total area of wetland impact proposed: N/A
2. Stream impacts, including all intermittent and perennial streams
Stream Irnpact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Length of
Impact
(linear feet)
Stream Name" Average Width
of Stream
Before Impact Perennial or
Intermittent?
(please specify)
1 Excavation 15 Galloway Creek 20 Perennial

t.tst each impact separately and identity temporary impacts. impacts include, but are not limited to: culverts and associated rip-rap,
dams (separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding), relocation (include linear feet before and after, and net loss/gain),
stabilization activities (cement wall; rip-rap, crib wall, gabions, etc.), excavation, ditching/straightetuns, etc. If stream relocation is
proposed, plans and profiles showing the linear footprint for both the original and relocated streams mast be included.
Stream names can be found on USGS topographic maps. If a stream has no name, list as UT (unnamed tributary) to the nearest
downstream named stream into which it flows. USGS maps are available through the USGS at 1-800-358-9616, or online at
t?Ilk-%V. usas Qov. Several internet sites also allow direct download and printing of USGS maps (e.g., a\?A.Jopozone.co,n,
t\trAt.lluipiltlest.com, etc.).
Cumulative impacts (linear distance in feet) to all streams on site: 15
Open Water Impacts, including Lakes, Ponds, Estuaries, Sounds, Atlantic Ocean and any
other Water of the U. S.
Page 6 of 12
Open waier lnlpact

i Siie Number

(indicate on 1.n;1p) I
I
I TNpe of (mpnct*
I Area of

Impact

(acres) j TN pe of Waterbody
%vatue of W'<>icrbodv - I
(fake, pond, estuary, sound.
Of appllcabie)
I ba\occan. etc. )
N/A
I j
I I
I
I

List each impact separately and identity temporary impacts. lulpacts include. but are not limited to: fill, excavation, dredging,
flooding, drainage, bulkheads, etc.
4. Pond Creation N/A
If construction of a pond is proposed, associated wetland and stream impacts should be
included above in the wetland and stream impact sections. Also, the proposed pond should
be described here and illustrated on any maps included with this application.
Pond to be created in (check all that apply): ? uplands ? stream ? wetlands
Describe the method of construction (e.g., dam/embankment, excavation, installation of
draw-down valve or spillway, etc.):
Proposed use or purpose of pond (e.g., livestock watering, irrigation, aesthetic, trout pond,
local stormwater requirement, etc.):
Size of watershed draining to pond: Expected pond surface area:
VII. Impact Justification (Avoidance and Minimization)
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid the proposed impacts. It may be useful to provide
information related to site constraints such as topography, building ordinances, accessibility, and
financial viability of the project. The applicant may attach drawings of alternative, lower-impact
site layouts, and explain why these design options were not feasible. Also discuss how impacts
were minimized once the desired site plan was developed. If applicable, discuss construction
techniques to be followed during construction to reduce impacts.
Crossing the above referenced streams is unavoidable due to the location of culverts under the
roads. The Force Main and Gravity Sewer routes were chosen to minimize impacts In addition,
impacts during construction will be minimized to the fullest extent possible with sediment and
erosion control devices. The Force Main and Gravity Sewer shall be installed under the stream
bed and the stream bed and bank shall be stabilized and restored to original grades following
utility line installation.
VIII. Mitigation
Page 7 of 12
DWQ - In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0500, mitigation may be required by the NC
Division of Water Quality for projects involving greater than or equal to one acre of impacts to
freshwater wetlands or greater than or equal to 150 linear feet of total impacts to perennial
streams.
USACE - In accordance with the Final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide
Permits, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000, mitigation will be required when
necessary to ensure that adverse effects to the aquatic environment are minimal. Factors
including size and type of proposed impact and function and relative value of the impacted
aquatic resource will be considered in determining acceptability of appropriate and practicable
mitigation as proposed. Examples of mitigation that may be appropriate and practicable include,
but are not limited to: reducing the size of the project; establishing and maintaining wetland
and/or upland vegetated buffers to protect open waters such as streams; and replacing losses of
aquatic resource functions and values by creating, restoring, enhancing, or preserving similar
functions and values, preferable in the same watershed.
If mitigation is required for this project, a copy of the mitigation plan must be attached in order
for USACE or DWQ to consider the application complete for processing. Any application
lacking a required mitigation plan or NCWRP concurrence shall be placed on hold as
incomplete. An applicant may also choose to review the current guidelines for stream restoration
in DWQ's Draft Technical Guide for Stream Work in North Carolina, available at
hup://h2o.enr.state. nc us/rigwetlands/stri-nelde.
Provide a brief description of the proposed mitigation plan. The description should provide
as much information as possible, including, but not limited to: site location (attach directions
and/or map, if offsite), affected stream and river basin, type and amount (acreage/linear feet)
of mitigation proposed (restoration, enhancement, creation, or preservation), a plan view,
preservation mechanism (e.g., deed restrictions, conservation easement, etc.), and a
description of the current site conditions and proposed method of construction. Please attach
a separate sheet if more space is needed.
2. Mitigation may also be made by payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration
Program (NCWRP) with the NCWRP's written agreement. Check the box indicating that
you would like to pay into the NCWRP. Please note that payment into the NCWRP must be
Page 8 of 12
reviewed and approved before it can be used to satisfy mitigation requirements. Applicants
will be notified early in the review process by the 401/Wetlands Unit if payment into the
NCWRP is available as an option. For additional information regarding the application
process for the NCWRP, check the NCWRP website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wrp/index.htm. If
use of the NCWRP is proposed, please check the appropriate box on page three and provide
the following information:
Amount of stream mitigation requested (linear feet): N/A
Amount of buffer mitigation requested (square feet): N/A
Amount of Riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Amount of Non-riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Amount of Coastal wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
IX. Environmental Documentation (DWQ Only)
Does the project involve an expenditure of public funds or the use of public (federal/state/local)
land?
Yes No ?
If yes, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the
requirements of the National or North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)?
Note: If you are not sure whether a NEPA/SEPA document is required, call the SEPA
coordinator at [phone] to review current thresholds for environmental documentation.
Yes [? No ?
If yes, has the document review been finalized by the State Clearinghouse? If so, please attach a
copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter.
Yes ? No
X. Proposed Impacts on Riparian and Watershed Buffers (DWQ Only)
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
required state and local buffers associated with the project. The applicant must also provide
justification for these impacts in Section VII above. All proposed impacts must be listed herein,
and must be clearly identifiable on the accompanying site plan. All buffers must be shown on a
map, whether or not impacts are proposed to the buffers. Correspondence from the DWQ
Regional Office may be included as appropriate. Photographs may also be included at the
applicant's discretion.
Will the project impact protected riparian buffers identified within 15A NCAC 213 .0233
(Meuse), 15A NCAC 2B .0259 (Tar-Pamlico), 15A NCAC 2B .0250 (Randleman Rules and
Water Supply Buffer Requirements), or other (please identify )?
Yes ? No [t? If you answered "yes", provide the following information:
Page 9 of 12
Identify the square feet and acreage of impact to each zone of the riparian buffers. If buffer
mitigation is required calculate the required amount of mitigation by applying the buffer
multipliers.
Zone* ln'pact
(square feet) Multiplier Required
Mitigation
N/A

Total
' Gone I extends out 30 feet perpendicular from near banK of enannei, Gone L exfenas an
additional 20 feet from the edge of "Lone 1.
If buffer mitigation is required, please discuss what type of mitigation is proposed (i.e., Donation
of Property, Conservation Easement, Riparian Buffer Restoration / Enhancement, Preservation or
Payment into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund). Please attach all appropriate information as
identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0242 or.0260,
XI. Stormwater (DWQ Only)
Describe impervious acreage (both existing and proposed) versus total acreage on the site.
Discuss stormwater controls proposed in order to protect surface waters and wetlands
downstream from the property.
XH. Sewage Disposal (DWQ Only)
Clearly detail the ultimate treatment methods and disposition (non-discharge or discharge) of
wastewater generated from the propos?ed/yroject, or available capacity of the subject facility.
1 woll le.e nJRV.eI(J.elL 6.v- A r,e,a 0.25'MG0 19$R WwTF W, 4:%-,

X1II. Violations (DWQ Only)
Is this site in violation of DWQ Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 2H .0500) or any Buffer Rules?
Yes ? No ??
Is this an after-the-fact permit ap ation?
Yes ? No
XIV. Other Circumstances (Optional):
Page 10 of 12
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the application sufficiently in advance of desired
construction dates to allow processing time for these permits. However, an applicant may
choose to list constraints associated with construction or sequencing that may impose limits on
work schedules (e.g., draw-down schedules for lakes, dates associated with Endangered and
Threatened Species, accessibility problems, or other issues outside of the applicant's control).
N/A

Applicant/Agent's Si re D9(e V
(Agent's signature,?s lid only ion authorization er from the applicant is provided.)
US Army Corps Of Engineers Field Offices and County Coverage
Asheville Regulatory Field Office Alexander Cherokee Iredell Mitchell
US Army Corps of Engineers Avery Clay Jackson Polk
151 Patton Avenue Buncombe Cleveland Lincoln Rowan
Room 208 Burke Gaston Macon Rutherford
Asheville, NC 28801-5006 Cabarrus Graham Madison Stanley
Telephone: [phone] Caldwell Haywood McDowell Swain
Fax: [phone] Catawba Henderson Mecklenburg Transylvania
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office Alamance Durham Johnston Rockingham
US Army Corps Of Engineers Alleghany Edgecombe Lee Stokes
6508 Falls of the Neuse Road Ashe Franklin Nash Surty
Suite 120 Caswell Forsyth Northampton Vance
Raleigh, NC 27615 Chatham Granville Orange Wake
Telephone: [phone] Davidson Guilford Person Warren
Fax: [phone] Davie Halifax Randolph Wilkes
Washington Regulatory Field Office Beaufort Currituck Jones
US Army Corps Of Engineers Bertie Dare Lenoir
Post Office Box 1000 Camden Gates Martin
Washington, NC 27889-1000 Carteret* Green Pamlico
Telephone: [phone] Chowan Hertford Pasquotank
Fax: [phone] Craven Hyde Perquimans
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office Anson Duphn Onslow
US Army Corps Of Engineers Bladen Harnett Pender
Post Office Box 1890 Brunswick Hoke Richmond
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890 Carteret Montgomery Robeson
Telephone: [phone] Columbus Moore Sampson
Fax: [phone] Cumberland New Hanover Scotland
Pitt
Tyrrell
Washington
Wayne
Union
Watauga
Yancey
Wilson
Yadkin
*Croatan National Forest Only
Page 11 of 12
US Fist
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
Telephone: [phone]
i and Wildlife Service / National Marine Fisheries Service
US Fish and Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries Service
Asheville Field Office Habitat Conservation Division
160 Zillicoa Street Pivers Island
Asheville, NC 28801 Beaufort, NC 28516
Telephone: [phone] Telephone: [phone]
lina State Agencies
Division of Water Quality
401 Wetlands Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Vater Quality
storation Program
srvice Center
27699-1619
919) 733-5208
33-5321
State Historic Preservation Office
Department Of Cultural Resources
4617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4617
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
NC Coastal Counties
Division of Coastal Management Beaufort Chowan Hertford Pasquotank
1638 Mail Service Center Bertie Craven Hyde Pender
Raleigh, NC 27699-1638 Brunswick Currituck New Hanover Perquimans
Telephone: [phone] Camden Dare Onslow• Tyrrell
Fax: [phone] Carteret Gates Pamlico Washington
NCWRC and NC Trout Counties
Western Piedmont Region Coordinator Alleghany Caldwell Watauga
3855 ldlewild Road Ashe Mitchell Wilkes
Kernersville, NC 27284-9180 Avery Stokes
Telephone: [phone] Burke Surry
Mountain Region Coordinator Buncombe Henderson Polk
20830 Great Smoky Mtn. Expressway Cherokee Jackson Rutherford
Waynesville, NC 28786 Clay Macon Swain
Telephone: [phone] Graham Madison Transylvania
Fax: [phone] Haywood McDowell Yancey
Page 12 of 12
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1
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
WILMINGTON DISTRICT
Action Id. 200430148 County Transylvania Quad ROSMAN
GENERAL PERMIT (REGIONAL AND NATIONWIDE) VERIFICATION
Property owner: Town of Rosman
Attn: Johnny Rogers
Address: Post Office Box 636
Rosman, NC 28772
'T'elephone No: [phone]
Zone: 44 UTM or LAT/LONG: North: 3891367 East: 664986
Size and Location of project (water body, road name/number, town, etc.) Old US 64, 546 LF south of Calvert Road, on
French Broad River near Rosman, Transylvania County, North Carolina
Description of Activity: to install a 6" by 15' long subaqueous sewer line crossing Galloway Creek. The project will
provide sanitary sewer improvements to residents in the vicinity of Old US Highway 64.
Applicable Law: _X Section 404 (Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1344)
(check all that apply) _ Section 10 (River and Harbors Act of 1899)
Authorization: NW 12 Nationwide Permit Number
Your work is authorized by this Regional General (RGP) or Nationwide Permit (NWP) provided it is accomplished in
strict accordance with the attached conditions and your submitted plans. If your activity is subject to Section 404 (if
Section 404 block above is checked), before beginning work you must also receive a Section 401 water quality
certification from the N.C. Division of Water Quality, telephone [phone]. For any activity within the twenty
coastal counties, before beginning work you must contact the N,C. Division of Coastal Management, telephone (919)
733-2293.
Please read and carefully comply with the attached conditions of the RGP or NWP. Any violation of the conditions of
the RGP or the NWP referenced above may subject the permittee to a stop work order, a restoration order, and/or
appropriate legal action.
This Department of the Army RGP or NWP verification does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to obtain any
other required Federal, State, or local approvals/permits. The permittee may need to contact appropriate State and local
agencies before beginning work.
If there are any questions regarding this authorization or any of the conditions of the General Permit or Nationwide
Permit, please contact the Corps Regulatory Official specified below.
Date: December 11, ?001
Corps Regulatory Official: Deborah M. Miller Telephone No.: [phone] x 228
Expiration Date of Verification: December 11, 9005
SURVEY PLATS, FIELD SKETCH, WETLAND DELINEATION FORMS, PROJECT PLANS, ETC., MUST BE
ATTACHED TO THE FILE COPY OF THIS FORM, IF REQUIRED OR AVAILABLE.
CESAW Form 591
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
_ 151 PATTON AVENUE
ROOM 208
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 28801-5006
REPLY TO
A"r7'f;NT10N OP:
Permit Number: 200430148
Permit Type: NW12
Name of County: Transylvania
Name of Permittee: Town of Rosman
Date of Issuance: December 11, 2003
Upon completion of the activity authorized by this permit and any mitigation
required by the permit, sign this certification and return it to the following
address:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Attention: CESAW-RG-A
151 Patton Avenue, Room 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
Please note that your permitted activity is subject to a compliance inspection
by an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative. If you fail to comply with
this permit you are subject to permit suspension, modification, or revocation.
I hereby certify that the work authorized by the above referenced permit has
been completed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the said permit,
and required mitigation was completed in accordance with the permit
conditions.
Signature of Permittee Date
NATIONWIDE PERMIT 12
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
FINAL NOTICE OF ISSUANCE AND MODIFICATION OF NATIONWIDE PERMITS
FEDERAL REGISTER
AUTHORIZED MARCH 18, 2002
Utility Line Activities. Activities required for the construction, maintenance, and repair of utility
lines and associated facilities in waters of the United States as follows:
1. Utility lines: The construction, maintenance, or repair of utility lines, including outfall and
intake structures and the associated excavation, backfill, or bedding for the utility lines, in all
waters of the United States, provided there is no change in preconstruction contours. A "utility
line" is defined as any pipe or pipeline for the transportation of any gaseous, liquid, liquescent, or
slurry substance, for any purpose, and any cable, line, or wire for the transmission for any
purpose of electrical energy, telephone, and telegraph messages, and radio and television
communication (see Note 1, below). Material resulting from trench excavation may be
temporarily sidecast (up to three months) into waters of the United States, provided that the
material is not placed in such a manner that it is dispersed by currents or other forces. The
District Engineer may extend the period of temporary side casting not to exceed a total of 180
days, where appropriate. In wetlands, the top 6" to 12" of the trench should normally be
backfilled with topsoil from the trench. Furthermore, the trench cannot be constructed in such a
manner as to drain waters of the United States (e.g., backfilling with extensive gravel layers,
creating a french drain effect). For example, utility line trenches can be backfilled with clay
blocks to ensure that the trench does not drain the waters of the United States through which the
utility line is installed. Any exposed slopes and stream banks must be stabilized immediately
upon completion of the utility line crossing of each waterbody.
2. Utility line substations: The construction, maintenance, or expansion of a substation
facility associated with a power line or utility line in non-tidal waters of the United States,
excluding non-tidal wetlands adjacent to tidal waters, provided the activity does not result in the
loss of greater than \1/2\ acre of non-tidal waters of the United States.
3. Foundations for overhead utility line towers, poles, and anchors: The construction or
maintenance of foundations for overhead utility line towers, poles, and anchors in all waters of
the United States, provided the foundations are the minimum size necessary and separate
footings for each tower leg (rather than a larger single pad) are used where feasible.
4. Access roads: The construction of access roads for the construction and maintenance of
utility lines, including overhead power lines and utility line substations, in non-tidal waters of the
United States, excluding non-tidal wetlands adjacent to tidal waters, provided the discharges do
not cause the loss of greater than \1/2\ acre of non-tidal waters of the United States. Access roads
shall be the minimum width necessary (see Note 2, below). Access roads must be constructed so
that the length of the road minimizes the adverse effects on waters of the United States and as
near as possible to preconstruction contours and elevations (e.g., at grade corduroy roads or
geotextile/gravel roads). Access roads constructed above preconstruction contours and elevations
in waters of the United States must be properly bridged or culverted to maintain surface flows.
The term "utility line" does not include activities which drain a water of the United States,
such as drainage tile or french drains; however, it does apply to pipes conveying drainage from
another area. For the purposes of this nationwide permit, the loss of waters of the United States
includes the filled area plus waters of the United States that are adversely affected by flooding,
excavation, or drainage as a result of the project. Activities authorized by paragraphs (i) through
(iv) may not exceed a total of \1/2\ acre loss of waters of the United States. Waters of the United
States temporarily affected by filling, flooding, excavation, or drainage, where the project area is
restored to preconstruction contours and elevation, is not included in the calculation of
permanent loss of waters of the United States. This includes temporary construction mats (e.g.,
timber, steel, geotextile) used during construction and removed upon completion of the work.
Where certain functions and values of waters of the United States are permanently adversely
affected, such as the conversion of a forested wetland to a herbaceous wetland in the permanently
maintained utility line right-of-way, mitigation will be required to reduce the adverse effects of
the project to the minimal level.
Mechanized land clearing necessary for the construction, maintenance, or repair of utility lines
and the construction, maintenance, and expansion of utility line substations, foundations for
overhead utility lines, and access roads is authorized, provided the cleared area is kept to the
minimum necessary and preconstruction contours are maintained as near as possible. The area of
waters of the United States that is filled, excavated, or flooded must be limited to the minimum
necessary to construct the utility line, substations, foundations, and access roads. Excess material
must be removed to upland areas immediately upon completion of construction. This NWP may
authorize utility lines in or affecting navigable waters of the United States, even if there is no
associated discharge of dredged or fill material (See 33 CFR Part 322).
Notification: The permittee must notify the District Engineer in accordance with General
Condition 13, if any of the following criteria are met:
a. Mechanized land clearing in a forested wetland for the utility line right-of-way;
b. A Section 10 permit is required;
c. The utility line in waters of the United States, excluding overhead lines, exceeds 500
feet;
d. The utility line is placed within a jurisdictional area (i.e., a water of the United States),
and it runs parallel to a streambed that is within that jurisdictional area;
2
e. Discharges associated with the construction of utility line substations that result in the
loss of greater than \1/10\ acre of waters of the United States;
f. Permanent access roads constructed above grade in waters of the United States for a
distance of more than 500 feet; or
g. Permanent access roads constructed in waters of the United States with impervious
materials. (Sections 10 and 404)
Note 1: Overhead utility lines constructed over Section 10 waters and utility lines that are
routed in or under Section 10 waters without a discharge of dredged or fill material require a
Section 10 permit; except for pipes or pipelines used to transport gaseous, liquid, liquescent, or
slurry substances over navigable waters of the United States, which are considered to be bridges,
not utility lines, and may require a permit from the U.S. Coast Guard pursuant to Section 9 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. However, any discharges of dredged or fill material associated
with such pipelines will require a Corps permit under Section 404.
Note 2: Access roads used for both construction and maintenance may be authorized, provided
they meet the terms and conditions of this nationwide permit. Access roads used solely for
construction of the utility line must be removed upon completion of the work and the area
restored to preconstruction contours, elevations, and wetland conditions. Temporary access roads
for construction may be authorized by Nationwide Permit 33.
Note 3: Where the proposed utility line is constructed or installed in navigable waters of the
United States (i.e., Section 10 waters), copies of the Pre-construction Notification and nationwide
permit verification will be sent by the Corps to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Ocean Service, for charting the utility line to protect navigation.
3
NATIONWIDE PERMIT GENERAL CONDITIONS
The following General Conditions must be followed in order for any authorization by a
NWP to be valid:
1. Navigation. No activity may cause more than a minimal adverse effect on navigation.
2. Proper Maintenance. Any structure or fill authorized shall be properly maintained,
including maintenance to ensure public safety.
3. Soil Erosion and Sediment Controls. Appropriate soil erosion and sediment controls
must be used and maintained in effective operating condition during construction, and all
exposed soil and other fills, as well as any work below the ordinary high water mark or high tide
line, must be permanently stabilized at the earliest practicable date. Permittees are encouraged to
perform work within waters of the United States during periods of low-flow or no-flow.
4. Aquatic Life Movements. No activity may substantially disrupt the necessary life-cycle
movements of those species of aquatic life indigenous to the waterbody, including those species
that normally migrate through the area, unless the activity's primary purpose is to impound water.
Culverts placed in streams must be installed to maintain low flow conditions.
5. Equipment. Heavy equipment working in wetlands must be placed on mats, or other
measures must be taken to minimize soil disturbance.
6. Regional and Case-By-Case Conditions. The activity must comply with any regional
conditions that may have been added by the Division Engineer (see 33 CFR 330.4(e)) and with
any case specific conditions added by the Corps or by the state or tribe in its Section 401 Water
Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determination.
7. Wild and Scenic Rivers. No activity may occur in a component of the National Wild and
Scenic River System; or in a river officially designated by Congress as a 'study river" for possible
inclusion in the system, while the river is in an official study status; unless the appropriate
Federal agency, with direct management responsibility for such river, has determined in writing
that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the Wild and Scenic River designation, or
study status. Information on Wild and Scenic Rivers may be obtained from the appropriate
Federal land management agency in the area (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
8. Tribal Rights. No activity or its operation may impair reserved tribal rights, including,
but not limited to, reserved water rights and treaty fishing and hunting rights.
9. Water Quality.
a. In certain states and tribal lands an individual 401 Water Quality Certification must be
4
obtained or waived (See 33 CFR 330.4(c)).
b. For NWPs 12, 14, 17, 18, 32, 39, 40, 42, 43, and 44, where the state or tribal 401
certification (either generically or individually) does not require or approve water quality
management measures, the permittee must provide water quality management measures that will
ensure that the authorized work does not result in more than minimal degradation of water
quality (or the Corps determines that compliance with state or local standards, where applicable,
will ensure no more than minimal adverse effect on water quality). An important component of
water quality management includes stormwater management that minimizes degradation of the
downstream aquatic system, including water quality (refer to General Condition 21 for
stormwater management requirements). Another important component of water quality
management is the establishment and maintenance of vegetated buffers next to open waters,
including streams (refer to General Condition 19 for vegetated buffer requirements for the
NWPs).
This condition is only applicable to projects that have the potential to affect water quality.
While appropriate measures must be taken, in most cases it is not necessary to conduct detailed
studies to identify such measures or to require monitoring.
10. Coastal Zone Management. In certain states, an individual state coastal zone
management consistency concurrence must be obtained or waived (see 33 CFR 330.4(d)).
11. Endangered Species.
a. No activity is authorized under any NWP which is likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of a threatened or endangered species or a species proposed for such designation, as
identified under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), or which will destroy or adversely
modify the critical habitat of such species. Non-federal permittees shall notify the District
Engineer if any listed species or designated critical habitat might be affected or is in the vicinity
of the project, or is located in the designated critical habitat and shall not begin work on the
activity until notified by the District Engineer that the requirements of the ESA have been
satisfied and that the activity is authorized. For activities that may affect Federally-listed
endangered or threatened species or designated critical habitat, the notification must include the
name(s) of the endangered or threatened species that may be affected by the proposed work or
that utilize the designated critical habitat that may be affected by the proposed work. As a result
of formal or informal consultation with the FWS or NMFS the District Engineer may add
species-specific regional endangered species conditions to the NWPs.
b. Authorization of an activity by a NWP does not authorize the "take" of a threatened
or endangered species as defined under the ESA. In the absence of separate authorization (e.g., an
ESA Section 10 Permit, a Biological Opinion with "incidental take" provisions, etc.) from the
USFWS or the NMFS, both lethal and non-lethal "takes" of protected species are in violation of
the ESA. Information on the location of threatened and endangered species and their critical
habitat can be obtained directly from the offices of the USFWS and NMFS or their World Wide
5
Web pages at http://www.fws.gov/r9endspp/endspp.html and http://www.nfms.noaa.gov/prot
i•es/overview/es.html respectively.
12. Historic Properties. No activity that may affect historic properties listed, or eligible for
listing, in the National Register of Historic Places is authorized, until the District Engineer has
complied with the provisions of 33 CFR part 325, Appendix C. The prospective permittee must
notify the District Engineer if the authorized activity may affect any historic properties listed,
determined to be eligible, or which the prospective permittee has reason to believe may be
eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and shall not begin the activity
until notified by the District Engineer that the requirements of the National Historic Preservation
Act have been satisfied and that the activity is authorized. Information on the location and
existence of historic resources can be obtained from the State Historic Preservation Office and
the National Register of Historic Places (see 33 CFR 330.4(g)). For activities that may affect
historic properties listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places, the
notification must state which historic property may be affected by the proposed work or include a
vicinity map indicating the location of the historic property.
13. Notification.
a. Timing; where required by the terms of the NWP, the prospective permittee must
notify the District Engineer with a preconstruction notification (PCN) as early as possible. The
District Engineer must determine if the notification is complete within 30 days of the date of
receipt and can request additional information necessary to make the PCN complete only once.
However, if the prospective permittee does not provide all of the requested information, then the
District Engineer will notify the prospective permittee that the notification is still incomplete and
the PCN review process will not commence until all of the requested information has been
received by the District Engineer. The prospective permittee shall not begin the activity:
1. Until notified in writing by the District Engineer that the activity may proceed
under the NWP with any special conditions imposed by the District or Division Engineer; or
2. If notified in writing by the District or Division Engineer that an Individual
Permit is required; or
3. Unless 45 days have passed from the District Engineer's receipt of the complete
notification and the prospective permittee has not received written notice from the District or
Division Engineer. Subsequently, the permittee's right to proceed under the NWP may be
modified, suspended, or revoked only in accordance with the procedure set forth in 33 CFR
330.5(d)(2).
b. Contents of Notification: The notification must be in writing and include the
following information:
6
1. Name, address and telephone numbers of the prospective permittee;
2. Location of the proposed project;
3. Brief description of the proposed project; the project's purpose; direct and indirect
adverse environmental effects the project would cause; any other NWP(s), Regional General
Permit(s), or Individual Permit(s) used or intended to be used to authorize any part
of the proposed project or any related activity. Sketches should be provided when necessary to
show that the activity complies with the terms of the NWP (Sketches usually clarify the project
and when provided result in a quicker decision.);
4. For NWPs 7, 12, 14, 18, 21, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43, the PCN
must also include a delineation of affected special aquatic sites, including wetlands, vegetated
shallows (e.g., submerged aquatic vegetation, seagrass beds), and riffle and pool complexes (see
paragraph 13(f));
5. For NWP 7 (Cutfall Structures and Maintenance), the PCN must include
information regarding the original design capacities and configurations of those areas of the
facility where maintenance dredging or excavation is proposed;
i 6. For NWP 14 (Linear Transportation Projects), the PCN must include a
compensatory mitigation proposal to offset permanent losses of waters of the US and a statement
describing how temporary losses of waters of the US will be minimized to the maximum extent
practicable;
7. For NWP 21 (Surface Coal Mining Activities), the PCN must include an Office
of Surface Mining (OSM) or state-approved mitigation plan, if applicable. To be authorized by
this NWP, the District Engineer must determine that the activity complies with the terms and
conditions of the NWP and that the adverse environmental effects are minimal both individually
and cumulatively and must notify the project sponsor of this determination in writing;
8. For NWP 27 (Stream and Wetland Restoration Activities), the PCN must include
documentation of the prior condition of the site that will be reverted by the permittee;
9. For NWP 29 (Single-Family Housing), the PCN must also include:
i. Any past use of this NWP by the Individual Permittee and/or the permittee's
spouse;
ii. A statement that the single-family housing activity is for a personal residence
of the permittee;
iii. A description of the entire parcel, including its size, and a delineation of
wetlands. For the purpose of this NWP, parcels of land measuring \1/4\-acre or less will not
7
require a formal on-site delineation. However, the applicant shall provide an indication of where
the wetlands are and the amount of wetlands that exists on the property. For parcels greater than
\1/4\-acre in size, formal wetland delineation must be prepared in accordance with the current
method required by the Corps. (See paragraph 13(f));
iv. A written description of all land (including, if available, legal descriptions)
owned by the prospective permittee and/or the prospective permittee's spouse, within a one mile
radius of the parcel, in any form of ownership (including any land owned as a partner,
corporation, joint tenant, co-tenant, or as a tenant-by-the-entirety) and any land on which a
purchase and sale agreement or other contract for sale or purchase has been executed;
10. For NWP 31 (Maintenance of Existing Flood Control Facilities), the prospective
permittee must either notify the District Engineer with a PCN prior to each maintenance activity
or submit a five-year (or less) maintenance plan, In addition, the PCN must include all of the
following:
i. Sufficient baseline information identifying the approved channel depths and
configurations and existing facilities. Minor deviations are authorized, provided the approved
flood control protection or drainage is not increased;
ii. A delineation of any affected special aquatic sites, including wetlands; and,
iii. Location of the dredged material disposal site;
11. For NWP 33 (Temporary Construction, Access, and Dewatering), the PCN must
also include a restoration plan of reasonable measures to avoid and minimize adverse effects to
aquatic resources;
12. For NWPs 39, 43 and 44, the PCN must also include a written statement to the
District Engineer explaining how avoidance and minimization for losses of waters of the US
were achieved on the project site;
13. For NWP 39 and NWP 42, the PCN must include a compensatory mitigation
proposal to offset losses of waters of the US or justification explaining why compensatory
mitigation should not be required. For discharges that cause the loss of greater than 300 linear
feet of an intermittent stream bed, to be authorized, the District Engineer must determine that the
activity complies with the other terms and conditions of the NWP, determine adverse
environmental effects are minimal both individually and cumulatively, and waive the limitation
on stream impacts in writing before the permittee may proceed;
14. For NWP 40 (Agricultural Activities), the PCN must include a compensatory
mitigation proposal to offset losses of waters of the US. This NWP does not authorize the
relocation of greater than 300 linear feet of existing serviceable drainage ditches constructed in
non-tidal streams unless, for drainage ditches constructed in intermittent nontidal streams, the
8
District Engineer waives this criterion in writing, and the District Engineer has determined that
the project complies with all terms and conditions of this NWP, and that any adverse impacts of
the project on the aquatic environment are minimal, both individually and cumulatively;
15. For NWP 43 (Stormwater Management Facilities), the PCN must include, for
the construction of new stormwater management facilities, a maintenance plan (in accordance
with state and local requirements, if applicable) and a compensatory mitigation proposal to offset
losses of waters of the US. For discharges that cause the loss of greater than 300 linear feet of an
intermittent stream bed, to be authorized, the District Engineer must determine that the activity
complies with the other terms and conditions of the NWP, determine adverse environmental
effects are minimal both individually and cumulatively, and waive the limitation on stream
impacts in writing before the permittee may proceed;
16. For NWP 44 (Mining Activities), the PCN must include a description of all
waters of the US adversely affected by the project, a description of measures taken to minimize
adverse effects to waters of the US, a description of measures taken to comply with the criteria of
the NWP, and a reclamation plan (for all aggregate mining activities in isolated waters and
non-tidal wetlands adjacent to headwaters and any hard rock/mineral mining activities);
17. For activities that may adversely affect Federally-listed endangered or
threatened species, the PCN must include the name(s) of those endangered or threatened species
that may be affected by the proposed work or utilize the designated critical habitat that may be
affected by the proposed work; and
18. For activities that may affect historic properties listed in, or eligible for listing
in, the National Register of Historic Places, the PCN must state which historic property may be
affected by the proposed work or include a vicinity map indicating the location of the historic
property.
c. Form of Notification: The standard Individual Permit application form (Form ENG
4345) may be used as the notification but must clearly indicate that it is a PEN and must include
all of the information required in (b) (1)-(18) of General Condition 13. A letter containing the
requisite information may also be used.
d. District Engineer's Decision: In reviewing the PCN for the proposed activity, the
District Engineer will determine whether the activity authorized by the NWP will result in more
than minimal individual or cumulative adverse environmental effects or may be contrary to the
public interest. The prospective permittee may submit a proposed mitigation plan with the PCN
to expedite the process. The District Engineer will consider any proposed compensatory
mitigation the applicant has included in the proposal in determining whether the net adverse
environmental effects to the aquatic environment of the proposed work are minimal. If the
District Engineer determines that the activity complies with the terms and conditions of the NWP
and that the adverse effects on the aquatic environment are minimal, after considering mitigation,
the District Engineer will notify the permittee and include any conditions the District Engineer
9
deems necessary. The District Engineer must approve any compensatory mitigation proposal
before the permittee commences work. If the prospective permittee is required to submit a
compensatory mitigation proposal with the PCN, the proposal may be either conceptual or
detailed. If the prospective permittee elects to submit a compensatory mitigation plan with the
PCN, the District Engineer will expeditiously review the proposed compensatory mitigation plan.
The District Engineer must review the plan within 45 days of receiving a complete PCN and
determine whether the conceptual or specific proposed mitigation would ensure no more than
minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment. If the net adverse effects of the project on
the aquatic environment (after consideration of the compensatory mitigation proposal) are
determined by the District Engineer to be minimal, the District Engineer will provide a timely
written response to the applicant. The response will state that the project can proceed under the
terms and conditions of the NWP.
If the District Engineer determines that the adverse effects of the proposed work are more
than minimal, then the District Engineer will notify the applicant either:
1. That the project does not qualify for authorization under the NWP and instruct
the applicant on the procedures to seek authorization under an Individual Permit;
2. that the project is authorized under the NWP subject to the applicant's submission
of a mitigation proposal that would reduce the adverse effects on the aquatic environment to the
minimal level; or
3. that the project is authorized under the NWP with specific modifications or
conditions. Where the District Engineer determines that mitigation is required to ensure no more
than minimal adverse effects occur to the aquatic environment, the activity will be authorized
within the 45-day PCN period. The authorization will include the necessary conceptual or
specific mitigation or a requirement that the applicant submit a mitigation proposal that would
reduce the adverse effects on the aquatic environment to the minimal level. When conceptual
mitigation is included, or a mitigation plan is required under item (2) above, no work in waters of
the US will occur until the District Engineer has approved a specific mitigation plan.
e. Agency Coordination: The District Engineer will consider any comments from
Federal and state agencies concerning the proposed activity's compliance with the terms and
conditions of the NWPs and the need for mitigation to reduce the project's adverse environmental
effects to a minimal level.
For activities requiring notification to the District Engineer that result in the loss of greater
than \1/2\-acre of waters of the US, the District Engineer will provide immediately (e.g., via
facsimile transmission, overnight mail, or other expeditious manner) a copy to the appropriate
Federal or state offices (USFWS, state natural resource or water quality agency, EPA, State
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), and, if appropriate, the NMFS). With the exception of
NWP 37, these agencies will then have 10 calendar days from the date the material is transmitted
to telephone or fax the District Engineer notice that they intend to provide substantive,
10
site-specific comments. If so contacted by an agency, the District Engineer will wait an
additional 15 calendar days before making a decision on the notification. The District Engineer
will fully consider agency comments received within the specified time frame, but will provide
no response to the resource agency, except as provided below. The District Engineer will indicate
in the administrative record associated with each notification that the resource agencies' concerns
were considered. As required by section 305(b)(4)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, the District Engineer will provide a response to NMFS
within 30 days of receipt of any Essential Fish Habitat conservation recommendations.
Applicants are encouraged to provide the Corps multiple copies of notifications to expedite
agency notification.
f. Wetland Delineations: Wetland delineations must be prepared in accordance with the
current method required by the Corps (For NWP 29 see paragraph (b)(9)(iii) for parcels less than
(\1/4\-acre in size). The permittee may ask the Corps to delineate the special aquatic site. There
may be some delay if the Corps does the delineation. Furthermore, the 45-day period will not
start until the wetland delineation has been completed and submitted to the Corps, where
appropriate.
14. Compliance Certification. Every permittee who has received NWP verification from the
Corps will submit a signed certification regarding the completed work and any required
mitigation. The certification will be forwarded by the Corps with the authorization letter and will
include:
a. A statement that the authorized work was done in accordance with the Corps
authorization, including any general or specific conditions;
b. A statement that any required mitigation was completed in accordance with the
permit conditions; and
c. The signature of the permittee certifying the completion of the work and mitigation.
15. Use of Multiple Nationwide Permits. The use of more than one NWP for a single and
complete project is prohibited, except when the acreage loss of waters of the US authorized by
the NWPs does not exceed the acreage limit of the NWP with the highest specified acreage limit
(e.g. if a road crossing over tidal waters is constructed under NWP 14, with associated bank
stabilization authorized by NWP 13, the maximum acreage loss of waters of the US for the total
project cannot exceed \ 1/3\-acre) . '
16. Water Supply Intakes. No activity, including structures and work in navigable waters of
the US or discharges of dredged or fill material, may occur in the proximity of a public water
supply intake except where the activity is for repair of the public water supply intake structures
or adjacent bank stabilization.
17. Shellfish Beds. No activity, including structures and work in navigable waters of the US
11
or discharges of dredged or fill material, may occur in areas of concentrated shellfish
populations, unless the activity is directly related to a shellfish harvesting activity authorized by
NWP 4.
18. Suitable Material. No activity, including structures and work in navigable waters of the
US or discharges of dredged or fill material, may consist of unsuitable material (e.g., trash,
debris, car bodies, asphalt, etc.) and material used for construction or discharged must be free
from toxic pollutants in toxic amounts (see section 307 of the CWA).
19. Mitigation. The District Engineer will consider the factors discussed below when
determining the acceptability of appropriate and practicable mitigation necessary to offset
adverse effects on the aquatic environment that are more than minimal.
a. The project must be designed and constructed to avoid and minimize adverse effects
to waters of the US to the maximum extent practicable at the project site (i.e., on site).
b. Mitigation in all its forms (avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, reducing or
compensating) will be required to the extent necessary to ensure that the adverse effects to the
aquatic environment are minimal.
c. Compensatory mitigation at a minimum one-for-one ratio will be required for all
wetland impacts requiring a PCN, unless the District Engineer determines in writing that some
other form of mitigation would be more environmentally appropriate and provides a
project-specific waiver of this requirement. Consistent with National policy, the District Engineer
will establish a preference for restoration of wetlands as compensatory mitigation, with
preservation used only in exceptional circumstances.
d. Compensatory mitigation (i.e., replacement or substitution of aquatic resources for
those impacted) will not be used to increase the acreage losses allowed by the acreage limits of
some of the NWPs. For example, \1/4\-acre of wetlands cannot be created to change a,\3/4\acre
loss of wetlands to a \1/2\-acre loss associated with NWP 39 verification. However, \1/2\-acre of
created wetlands can be used to reduce the impacts of a \1/2\-acre loss of wetlands to the
minimum impact level in order to meet the minimal impact requirement associated with NWPs.
e. To be practicable, the mitigation must be available and capable of being done
considering costs, existing technology, and logistics in light of the overall project purposes.
Examples of mitigation that may be appropriate and practicable include, but are not limited to:
reducing the size of the project; establishing and maintaining wetland or upland vegetated buffers
to protect open waters such as streams; and replacing losses of aquatic resource functions and
values by creating, restoring, enhancing, or preserving similar functions and values, preferably in
the same watershed.
f Compensatory mitigation plans for projects in or near streams or other open waters
will normally include a requirement for the establishment, maintenance, and legal protection
12
(e.g., easements, deed restrictions) of vegetated buffers to open waters. In many cases, vegetated
buffers will be the only compensatory mitigation required. Vegetated buffers should consist of
native species. The width of the vegetated buffers required will address documented water
quality or aquatic habitat loss concerns. Normally, the vegetated buffer will be 25 to 50 feet wide
on each side of the stream, but the District Engineers may require slightly wider vegetated buffers
to address documented water quality or habitat loss concerns. Where both wetlands and open
waters exist on the project site, the Corps will determine the appropriate compensatory mitigation
(e.g., stream buffers or wetlands compensation) based on what is best for the aquatic
environment or, a watershed basis. In cases where vegetated buffers are determined to be the
most appropriate form of compensatory mitigation, the District Engineer may waive or reduce
the requirement to provide wetland compensatory mitigation for wetland impacts.
g. Compensatory mitigation proposals submitted with the " notification" may be either
conceptual or detailed. If conceptual plans are approved under the verification, then the Corps
will condition the verification to require detailed plans be submitted and approved by the Corps
prior to construction of the authorized activity in waters of the US.
h. Permittees may propose the use of mitigation banks, in-lieu fee arrangements or
separate activity-specific compensatory mitigation. In all cases that require compensatory
mitigation, the mitigation provisions will specify the party responsible for accomplishing and/or
complying with the mitigation plan.
20. Spawning Areas. Activities, including structures and work in navigable waters of the
US or discharges of dredged or fill material, in spawning areas during spawning seasons must be
avoided to the maximum extent practicable. Activities that result in the physical destruction (e.g.,
excavate, fill, or smother downstream by substantial turbidity) of an important spawning area are
not authorized.
21. Management of Water Flows. To the maximum extent practicable, the activity must be
designed to maintain preconstruction downstream flow conditions (e.g., location, capacity, and
flow rates). Furthermore, the activity must not permanently restrict or impede the passage of
normal or expected high flows (unless the primary purpose of the fill is to impound waters) and
the structure or discharge of dredged or fill material must withstand expected high flows. The
activity must, to the maximum extent practicable, provide for retaining excess flows from the
site, provide for maintaining surface flow rates from the site similar to preconstruction
conditions, and provide for not increasing water flows from the project site, relocating water, or
redirecting water flow beyond preconstruction conditions. Stream channelizing will be reduced to
the minimal amount necessary, and the activity must, to the maximum extent practicable, reduce
adverse effects such as flooding or erosion downstream and upstream of the project site, unless
the activity is part of a larger system designed to manage water flows. In most cases, it will not
be a requirement to conduct detailed studies and monitoring of water flow.
This condition is only applicable to projects that have the potential to affect waterflows.
While appropriate measures must be taken, it is not necessary to conduct detailed studies to
13
identify such measures or require monitoring to ensure their effectiveness. Normally, the Corps
will defer to state and local authorities regarding management of water flow.
22. Adverse Effects From Impoundments. If the activity creates an impoundment of water,
adverse effects to the aquatic system due to the acceleration of the passage of water, and/or the
restricting its flow shall be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. This includes
structures and work in navigable waters of the US, or discharges of dredged or fill material.
23. Waterfowl Breeding Areas. Activities, including structures and work in navigable
waters of the US or discharges of dredged or fill material, into breeding areas for migratory
waterfowl must be avoided to the maximum extent practicable.
24. Removal of Temporary Fills. Any temporary fills must be removed in their entirety and
the affected areas returned to their preexisting elevation.
25. Designated Critical Resource Waters. Critical resource waters include,
NOAA-designated marine sanctuaries, National Estuarine Research Reserves, National Wild and
Scenic Rivers, critical habitat for Federally listed threatened and endangered species, coral reefs,
state natural heritage sites, and outstanding national resource waters or other waters officially
designated by a state as having particular environmental or ecological significance and identified
by the District Engineer after notice and opportunity for public comment. The District Engineer
may also designate additional critical resource waters after notice and opportunity for comment.
a. Except as noted below, discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the US
are not authorized by NWPs 7, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 29, 31, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, and 44 for any
activity within, or directly affecting, critical resource waters, including wetlands adjacent to such
waters. Discharges of dredged or fill materials into waters of the US may be authorized by the
above NWPs in National Wild and Scenic Rivers if the activity complies with General Condition
7. Further, such discharges may be authorized in designated critical habitat for Federally listed
threatened or endangered species if the activity complies with General Condition 11 and the
USFWS or the NMFS has concurred in a determination of compliance with this condition.
b. For NWPs 3, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, and 38,
notification is required in accordance with General Condition 13, for any activity proposed in the
designated critical resource waters including wetlands adjacent to those waters. The District
Engineer may authorize activities under these NWPs only after it is determined that the impacts
to the critical resource waters will be no more than minimal.
26. Fills Within 100-Year Floodplains. For purposes of this General Condition, 100-year
floodplains will be identified through the existing Federal Emergency Management Agency's
(FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps or FEMA-approved local floodplain maps.
a. Discharges in Floodplain; Below Headwaters. Discharges of dredged or fill material
into waters of the US within the mapped 100year floodplain, below headwaters (i.e. five cfs),
14
resulting in permanent above-grade fills, are not authorized by NWPs 39, 40, 42, 43, and 44.
b. Discharges in Floodway; Above Headwaters. Discharges of dredged or fill material
into waters of the US within the FEMA or locally mapped Foodway, resulting in permanent
above-grade fills, are not authorized by NWPs 39, 40, 42, and 44.
c. The permittee must comply with any applicable FEMA-approved state or local
floodplain management requirements.
27. Construction Period. For activities that have not been verified by the Corps and the
project was commenced or under contract to commence by the expiration date of the NWP (or
modification or revocation date), the work must be completed within 12-months after such date
(including any modification that affects the project).
For activities that have been verified and the project was commenced or under contract to
commence within the verification period, the work must be completed by the date determined by
the Corps.
For projects that have been verified by the Corps, an extension of a Corps approved
completion date maybe requested. This request must be submitted at least one month before the
previously approved completion date.
FURTHER INFORMATION
1. District Engineers have authority to determine if an activity complies with the terms and
conditions of a NWP.
2. NWPs do not obviate the need to obtain other Federal; State, or local permits, approvals, or
authorizations required by law.
3. NWPs do not grant any property rights or exclusive privileges.
4. NWPs do not authorize any injury to the property or rights of others.
5. NWPs do not authorize interference with any existing or proposed Federal project.
DEFINITIONS
Best Management Practices (BMPJ : BMPs are policies, practices, procedures, or structures
implemented to mitigate the adverse environmental effects on surface water quality resulting
from development. BMPs are categorized as structural or nonstructural. A BMP policy may
affect the limits on a development.
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Compensatory Mitigation: For purposes of Section 10/404, compensatory mitigation is the
restoration, creation, enhancement, or in exceptional circumstances, preservation of wetlands
and/or other aquatic resources for the purpose of compensating for unavoidable adverse impacts,
which remain, after all appropriate and practicable avoidance and minimization has been
achieved.
Creation: The establishment of a wetland or other aquatic resource where one did not formerly
exist.
Enhancement: Activities conducted in existing wetlands or other aquatic resources that increase
one or more aquatic functions.
Ephemeral Stream: An ephemeral stream has flowing water only during and for a short duration
after, precipitation events in a typical year. Ephemeral stream beds are located above the water
table year-round. Groundwater is not a source of water for the stream. Runnoff from rainfall is
the primary source of water for stream flow.
Farm Tract: A unit of contiguous land under one ownership that is operated as a farm or part of
a farm.
Flood Fringe: That portion of the 100-year floodplain outside of the floodway (often referred to
as "floodway fringe").
Floodway: The area regulated by Federal, state, or local requirements to provide for the
discharge of the base flood so the cumulative increase in water surface elevation is no more than
a designated amount (not to exceed one foot as set by the National Flood Insurance Program)
within the 100-year floodplain.
Independent Utility: A test to determine what constitutes a single and complete project in the
Corps regulatory program. A project is considered to have independent utility if it would be
constructed absent the construction of other projects in the project area. Portions of a multi-
phase project that depend upon other phases of the project do not have independent utility.
Phases of a project that would be constructed even if the other phases were not built can be
considered as separate single and complete projects with independent utility.
Intermittent Stream: An intermittent stream has flowing water during certain times of the year,
when groundwater provides water for stream flow. During dry periods, intermittent streams may
not have flowing water. Runoff from rainfall is a supplemental source of water for stream flow.
Loss of waters o the US: Waters of the US that include the filled area and other waters that are
permanently adversely affected by flooding, excavation, or drainage because of the regulated
activity. Permanent adverse effects include permanent above-grade, at-grade, or below-grade
fills that change an aquatic area to dry land, increase the bottom elevation of a waterbody, or
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change the use of a waterbody. The acreage of loss of waters of the US is the threshold
measurement of the impact to existing waters for determining whether a project may qualify for a
NWP; it is not a net threshold that is calculated after considering compensatory mitigation that
may be used to offset losses of aquatic functions and values. The loss of stream bed includes the
linear feet of stream bed that is filled or excavated. Waters of the US temporarily filled, flooded,
excavated, or drained, but restored to preconstruction contours and elevations after construction,
are not included in the measurement of loss of waters of the US. Impacts to ephemeral waters
are only not included in the acreage or linear foot measurements of loss of waters of the US or
loss of stream bed, for the purpose of determining compliance with the threshold limits of the
NWPs.
Non-tidal Wetland: An area that, during a year with normal patterns of precipitation has standing
or flowing water for sufficient duration to establish an ordinary high water mark. Aquatic
vegetation within the area of standing or flowing water is either non-emergent, sparse, 'or absent.
Vegetated shallows are considered to be open waters. The term "open water" includes rivers,
streams, lakes, and ponds. For the purposes of the NWPs, this term does not include ephemeral
waters.
Perennial Stream: A perennial stream has flowing water year-round during a typical year. The
water table is located above the stream bed for the most of the year. Groundwater is the primary
source of water for stream flow. Runoff from rainfall is a supplemental source of water for
stream flow.
Permanent Above-grade Fill: A discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the US,
including wetlands, that results in a substantial increase in ground elevation and permanently
converts part or all of the waterbody to dry land. Structural fills authorized by NWPs 3, 25, 36,
etc, are not included.
Preservation: The protection of ecologically important wetlands or other aquatic resources in
perpetuity through the implementation of appropriate legal and physical mechanisms.
Preservation may include protection of upland areas adjacent to wetlands as necessary to ensure
protection and/or enhancement of the overall aquatic ecosystem.
Restoration: Re-establishment of wetland and/or other aquatic resource characteristics and
function(s) at a site where they have ceased to exist, or exist in a substantially degraded state.
Riffle and Pool Complex: Riffle and pool complexes are special aquatic sites under the 404(b)(1)
Guidelines. Riffle and pool complexes sometimes characterize steep gradient sections of
streams. Such stream sections are recognizable by their hydraulic characteristics. The rapid
movement of water over a course substrate in riffles results in a rough flow, a turbulent surface
and high dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Pools are deeper areas associated with riffles. A
slower stream velocity, a streaming flow, a smooth surface, and a finer substrate characterize
pools.
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Single and Complete Project: The term "single and complete project" is defined at 33 CFR
330.2(1) as the total project proposed or accomplished by one owner/developer or partnership or
other association of owners/developers (see definition of independent utility). For linear
projects, the "single and complete project" (i.e., a single and complete crossing) will apply to
each crossing of a separate water of the US (i.e., a single waterbody) at that location. An
exception is for linear projects crossing a single waterbody several times at separate and distant
locations; each crossing is considered a single and complete project. However, individual
channels in a braided stream or river, or individual arms of a large, irregularly shaped wetland or
lake, etc., are not separate waterbodies.
Stormwater Mana ement: Stormwater management is the mechanism for controlling stormwater
runoff for the purposes of reducing downstream erosion, water quality degradation, and flooding
and mitigating the adverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment.
Stormwater Management Facilities: Stormwater management facilities are those facilities,
including but not limited to, stormwater retention and detention ponds and BMPs, which retain
water for a period of time to control runoff and/or improve the quality (i.e., by reducing the
concentration of nutrients, sediments, hazardous substances and other pollutants) of stormwater
runoff.
Stream Channelization: The manipulation of a stream channel to increase the rate of water flow
through the stream channel. Manipulation may include deepening, widening, straightening,
armoring, or other activities that change the stream cross-section or other aspects of stream
channel geometry to increase the rate of water flow through the stream channel. A channelized
stream remains a water of the US, despite the modifications to increase the rate of water flow.
Tidal Wetland: A tidal wetland is a wetland (i.e., water of the US) that is inundated by tidal
waters. The definitions of a wetland and tidal waters can be found at 33 CFR 328.3(b) and 33
CFR 328.3(f), respectively. Tidal waters rise and fall in a predictable and measurable rhythm or
cycle due to the gravitational pulls of the moon and sun. Tidal waters end where the rise and fall
of the water surface can no longer be practically measured in a predictable rhythm due to
masking by other waters, wind, or other effects. Tidal wetlands are located channelward of the
high tide line (i.e., spring high tide line) and are inundated by tidal waters two times per lunar
month, during spring high tides.
Vegetated Buffer: A vegetated upland or wetland area next to rivers, streams, lakes, or other
open waters, which separates the open water from developed areas, including agricultural land.
Vegetated buffers provide a variety of aquatic habitat functions and values (e.g., aquatic habitat
for fish and other aquatic organisms, moderation of water temperature changes, and detritus for
aquatic food webs) and help improve or maintain local water quality. A vegetated buffer can be
established by maintaining an existing vegetated area or planting native trees, shrubs, and
herbaceous plants on land next to openwaters. Mowed lawns are not considered vegetated
buffers because they provide little or no aquatic habitat functions and values. The establishment
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and maintenance of vegetated buffers I a method of compensatory mitigation that can be used in
conjunction with the restoration, creation, enhancement or preservation of aquatic habitats to
ensure that activities authorized by NWPs result in minimal adverse effects to the aquatic
environment. (See General Condition 19.)
Vegetated Shallows: Vegetated shallows are special aquatic sites under the 404(b)(1) Guidelines.
They are areas that are permanently inundated and under normal circumstances have rooted
aquatic vegetation, such as seagrasses in marine and estuarine systems and a variety of vascular
rooted plants in freshwater systems.
Waterbody: A waterbody is any area that in a normal year has water flowing or standing above
ground to the extent that evidence of an ordinary high water mark is established. Wetlands
contiguous to the waterbody are considered part of the waterbody.
FINAL REGIONAL CONDITIONS FOR NATIONWIDE PERMITS IN THE
WILMINGTON DISTRICT
1. Waters Excluded from NWP or Subject to Additional Notification Requirements:
a. The Corps identified waters that will be excluded from use of this NWP. These waters are:
1. Discharges into Waters of the United States designated by either the North Carolina
Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) or the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
(NCWRC) as anadromous fish spawning area are prohibited during the period between February
15 and June 30, without prior written approval. from NCDMF or NCWRC and the Corps.
2. Discharges into Waters of the United States designated as sturgeon spawning areas
are prohibited during the period between February 1 and June 30, without prior written approval
from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
b. The Corps identified waters that will be subject to additional notification requirements for
activities authorized by this NWP. These waters are:
1. Prior to the use of any NWP in any of the following North Carolina designated waters,
applicants must comply with. Nationwide Permit General Condition 13. In addition, the applicant
must furnish a written statement of compliance with all of the conditions of the applicable
Nationwide Permit. The North Carolina designated waters that require additional notification
requirements are "Outstanding Resource Waters" (ORW) and "High Quality Waters" (HQW) (as
defined by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality), or "Inland Primary Nursery Areas"
(IPNA) (as defined by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission), or contiguous
wetlands (as defined by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality), or "Primary Nursery
Areas" (PNA) (as defined by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries).
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2. Applicants for any NWP in a designated "Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC) in
the twenty (20) coastal counties of Eastern North Carolina covered by the North Carolina Coastal
Area Management Act (CAMA), must also obtain the required CAMA permit. Construction
activities may not commence until a copy of the approved CAMA permit is furnished to the
appropriate Wilmington District Regulatory Field Office (Wilmington Field Office - P.O. Box
1890, Wilmington, NC 28402 or Washington Field Office - P.O. Box 1000, Washington, NC
27889) for authorization to begin work.
3. Prior to the use of any NWP on a Barrier Island of North Carolina, applicants must
comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 13. In addition, the applicant shall furnish a
written statement of compliance with all of the conditions listed of the applicable Nationwide
Permit.
4. Prior to the use of any NWP in a "Mountain or Piedmont Bog" of North Carolina,
applicants shall comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 13. In addition, the applicant
shall furnish a written statement of compliance with all of the conditions listed of the applicable
NWP.
Note: The following wetland community types identified in the N.C. Natural Heritage Program
document, "Classification of Natural communities of North Carolina (Michael P. Schafale and
Alan S. Weakley, 1990), are subject to this regional condition.
Mountain Bogs Piedmont Bogs
Swamp Forest-Bog Complex Upland Depression Swamp Forest
Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Spruce Subtype)
Southern Appalachian Bog (Northern Subtype)
Southern Appalachian Bog (Southern Subtype)
Southern Appalachian Fen
5. Prior to the use of any NWP in Mountain Trout Waters within twenty-five (25)
designated counties of North Carolina, applicants shall comply with Nationwide General
Condition 13. In addition, the applicant shall furnish a written statement of compliance with all
of the conditions listed of the applicable, NWP. Notification will include a letter of comments
and recommendations from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the
location of work, a delineation of wetlands, a discussion of alternatives to working in the
Mountain Trout Waters, why other alternatives were not selected, and a plan to provide
compensatory mitigation for all unavoidable adverse impacts to the Mountain Trout Waters. To
facilitate coordination with the NCWRC, the proponent may provide a copy of the notification to
the NCWRC concurrent with the notification to the District Engineer. The NCWRC will
respond both to the proponent and directly to the Corps of Engineers.
The twenty-five (25) designated counties are:
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Alleghany Ashe
Buncombe Burke
Cherokee Clay
Haywood Henderson
Macon Madison
Mitchell Polk
Transylvania Watauga
Avery Yancey
Caldwell Wilkes
Graham Swain
Jackson Surry
McDowell Stokes
Rutherford
6. Applicants shall notify the NCDENR Shellfish Sanitation Section prior to dredging in
or removing sediment from an area closed to shell fishing where the effluent may be released to
an area open for shell fishing or swimming in order to avoid contamination of the disposal area
and allow a temporary shellfish closure to be made. Any disposal of sand to the beach should
occur between November 1 and April 30 when recreational usage is low. Only clean sand should
be used and no dredged sand from closed shell fishing areas. If beach disposal was to occur at
times other than stated above or if sand from a closed shell fishing area is to be used, a swim
advisory shall be posted and a press release shall be made. NCDENR Shellfish Sanitation
Section must be notified before commencing this activity.
2. List of Final Corps Regional Modifications and Conditions for All Nationwide Permits
a. Individual or multiple NWPs may not be used for activities that result in the cumulative
loss or degradation of greater than 300 total linear feet of perennial streambed or intermittent
streambed that exhibits important aquatic function(s).
b. Prior to the use of any NWP (except 13, 27, and 39) for any activity that has more than a
total of 150 total linear feet of perennial streambed impacts or intermittent streambed impacts (if
the intermittent stream has important aquatic function), the applicant must comply with
Nationwide Permit General Condition 13. In addition, the applicant shall furnish a written
statement of compliance with all of the conditions listed of the applicable NWP. Compensatory
mitigation is typically required for any impact that requires such notification. [Note: The Corps
uses the Intermittent Channel Evaluation Form, located with Permit Information on the
Regulatory Program Web Site, to aid in the determination of the intermittent channel stream
status. Also, NWPs 13, 27 and 39 have specific reporting requirements.]
c. For all Nationwide Permits which allow the use of concrete as a building material,
measures will be taken to prevent live or fresh concrete, including bags of uncured concrete,
from coming into contact with waters of the state until the concrete has hardened.
d. For all Nationwide Permits that allow for the use of riprap material for bank stabilization,
filter cloth must be placed underneath the riprap as an additional requirement of its use in North
Carolina waters.
e. For all NWPs that involve the construction of culverts, measures will be included in the
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construction that will promote the safe passage of fish and other aquatic organisms.
All culverts in the 20 CAMA coastal counties must be buried to a depth of one foot below the
Roadway
Approach Fill Bankfull
Culvert buried
below streambed
to appropriate
Stream depth
Bottom
bed of the stream or wetland. For all culvert construction activities, the dimension, pattern, and
profile of the stream, (above and below a pipe or culvert), should not be modified by widening
the stream channel or by reducing the depth of the stream. Culvert inverts will be buried at least
one foot below the bed of the stream for culverts greater than 48 inches in diameter. For culverts
48 inches in diameter or smaller, culverts must be buried below the bed of the stream to a depth
equal to or greater than 20 percent of the diameter of the culvert. Bottomless arch culverts will
satisfy this condition. A waiver from the depth specifications in this Regional Condition may be
requested in writing. The waiver will only be issued if it can be demonstrated that the impacts of
complying with this Regional Condition would result in more adverse impacts to the aquatic
environment.
3. Additional Regional Conditions Applicable to this Specific Nationwide Permit.
a. Pipeline/utility line construction through jurisdictional waters and wetlands will be
accomplished utilizing directional drilling/boring methods to the maximum extent practicable.
b. Temporary discharge of excavated or fill material into wetlands and waters of the United
States will be for the absolute minimum period of time necessary to accomplish the work.
Temporary discharges will be fully contained with appropriate erosion control or containment
methods or otherwise such fills will consist of non-erodible materials.
c. The areas of waters of the United States to be disturbed will be limited to the minimum
necessary to install the utility line. The work area authorized by this permit, including temporary
access roadways and permanent fills, will be minimized to the greatest extent practicable.
Justification for work corridors exceeding forty (40) feet in width is required and will be based
on pipeline diameter and length, size of equipment required to construct the utility line, and other
construction information deemed necessary to support the request. The applicant is required to
provide this information to the Corps with the initial notification package.
d. Temporary access roadways will not span more than one-half the distance across any
waters of the United States including wetlands at any one time.
e. In areas where a sub-aqueous utility line is to cross a Federally maintained channel, (i.e.,
the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway [AIWW]), the line will be buried at least six (6) feet below
the depth of the authorized channel. For areas outside Federally-maintained channels, sub-
aqueous lines must be installed at a minimum depth of two (2) feet below the substrate when
such lines might interfere with navigation.
22
f. The minimum clearance for aerial communication lines, or any lines not transmitting
electrical power, will be ten (10) feet above the clearance required for nearby stationary bridges
as established by the U.S. Coast Guard. In the event the U.S. Coast Guard has not established a
bridge clearance, minimum vertical clearances for power and aerial lines will not be less than
required by Section 23, Rule 232, of the latest revision of the National Electrical Safety Code
(ANSI C2). Clearances will not be less than shown in Table 232-1, Item 7, ANSI C2.
g. The clearance for an aerial line is based on the low point of the line under conditions that
produce the greatest sag, taking into consideration temperature, load, wind, length or span and
the type of supports. The minimum clearance for an aerial electrical power transmission line
shall be governed by the system voltage, as indicated below:
Nominal System Minimum Clearance (As Established
Voltage, kilovolt Above Bridge Clearance by the U.S. Coast Guard)
115 and below 20 feet
138 22
161 24
230 26
350 30
500 35
700 42
750 to 765 45
h. A plan to restore and re-vegetate wetland areas cleared for construction must be
submitted with the required pre-construction notification (PCN). Cleared wetland areas shall be
re-vegetated to the maximum extent practicable with native species of canopy, shrub, and
herbaceous species. Fescue grass shall not be used.
i. A pre-construction notification (PCN) shall be required for any activity impacting greater
than 1/10 acre of waters of the US, including wetlands.
Permanently cleared maintenance corridor through wetlands, and permanent fills will require
compensatory mitigation. A plan to mitigate such impacts will be submitted with the required
pre-construction notification.
j. A compensatory mitigation plan for activities under this nationwide permit will be
submitted with all required pre-construction notifications.
NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
GENERAL CERTIFICATION CONDITIONS
GC3374
23
1. Activities covered by this General Certification do not require written concurrence from the
Division of Water Quality as long as they comply with all conditions of General Certification and
the conditions of Nationwide 12 or Regional Permit 198100049 as appropriate. If any condition
in this Certification cannot be met, application to and written concurrence from DWQ are
required. Also, Condition No. 6 is applicable to all streams in basins with riparian area protection
rules;
2. In accordance with North Carolina General Statute Section 143-215.3D(e), any request for
written concurrence for a 401 Water Quality Certification must include the appropriate fee. If a
project also requires a CAMA Permit, one payment to both agencies shall be submitted and will
be the higher of the two fees;
3. In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h) compensatory mitigation may be required for
stream and/or wetland impacts. Streamside buffer mitigation may be required for any project
with Buffer Rules in effect at the time of application for buffer impacts resulting from activities
classified as "allowable with mitigation" within the "Table of Uses" section of the Buffer Rules
or require a variance under the Buffer Rules. A determination of buffer, wetland and stream
mitigation requirements shall be made by DWQ for any Certification involving written
concurrences including those for relevant Buffer Rules;
4. The edge of the construction corridor shall not be installed parallel to and closer than 10 feet
(3 meters) to a stream and 25 feet in waters classified as HQW. Utility lines shall not cross a
stream channel at other than a near-perpendicular direction (i.e., stream channel crossings shall
not be at an angle of less than 75 degrees or more than 105 degrees to the stream bank);
5. Any wastewater line that crosses any stream shown on the most recent version of the
1:24,000 USGS topographic map or NRCS (SCS) County Soil Survey as permanent or
intermittent shall be installed with no joints connected within the footprint of a stream channel or
within 2 feet of the stream banks. Otherwise, written concurrence from DWQ is required;
6. Impacts to any stream length in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Randleman and Catawba River
Basins (or any other river basins with Buffer Rules in effect at the time of application)
requires written concurrence from DWQ in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B.0233,.0259,
.0250 and .0243. Activities listed as "exempt" from these rules do not need to apply for
written concurrence under this Certification. New development activities located in the
protected 50-foot wide riparian areas (whether jurisdictional wetlands or not) within the
Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and Randleman River Basins shall be limited to "uses" identified
within and constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 213 .0233, .0259, .0250 and .0243.
All new development shall be located, designed, constructed, and maintained to have
minimal disturbance to protect water quality to the maximum extent practicable through
the use of best management practices;
7. Measures shall be taken to prevent live or fresh concrete from coming into contact with
24
waters of the state until the concrete has hardened;
8. Herbicides can be applied in wetlands or other waters only when applied by a certified
applicator, and in strict accordance with product labeling;
9. Placement of rip rap is restricted to the stream bottom and banks directly impacted by the
placement of the utility line. Riprap may only be used below the normal high water level.
The stream cross section must be restored to its original grade and elevation. Placement
of riprap or other materials shall not result in de-stabilization of the streambed or banks
upstream of downstream of the crossing;
10. That appropriate sediment and erosion control practices which equal or exceed those
outlined in the most recent version of the "North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control
Planning and Design Manual" or the "North Carolina Surface Mining Manual" whichever is
more appropriate (available from the Division of Land Resources (DLR) in the DENR
Regional or Central Offices) shall be in full compliance with all specifications governing
the proper design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management
Practices in order to assure compliance with the appropriate turbidity water quality
standard;
11. All sediment and erosion control measures placed in wetlands or waters shall be
removed and the original grade restored within two months after the Division of Land
Resources has released the project;
12. Annual native species suitable for wet locations shall be planted and established within
jurisdictional wetlands for soil and erosion control. Perennials such as fescue are prohibited;
13. No fertilizer shall be applied within 10 feet (3 meters) of streams. Any fertilizer application
must comply with all other Federal, State and Local regulations;
14. The construction corridor (including access roads and stockpiling of materials) is limited to
40 feet (12.2 meters) in width in wetlands and across stream channels and must be minimized to
the maximum extent practicable;
15. Permanent, maintained access corridors shall be restricted to the minimum width practicable
and shall not exceed 10 feet (3 meters) in width except at manhole locations. A 10 feet (3
meters) by 10 feet (3 meters) perpendicular vehicle turnaround must be spaced at least 500 feet
(152.4 meters) apart. Written concurrence is required if the maintenance corridor is greater than
10 feet (3 meters) wide except that a maintenance corridor larger than ten feet is acceptable for
gas pipelines as long as mitigation is provided for additional wetland fills to the maintenance
corridor beyond those widths specified in this General Certification;
16. An anti-seep collar shall be placed at the downstream (utility line gradient) wetland
boundary and every 150 feet (45.7 meters) up the gradient until the utility exits the wetland for
25
buried utility lines. Anti-seep collars may be constructed with class B concrete, compacted clay,
PVC pipe, or metal collars. Wetland crossings that are directionally drilled, and perpendicular
wetland crossings that are open cut and less than 150 feet (45.7 meters) long do not require anti-
seep collars. The compacted clay shall have a specific discharge of 1 X 10- 5 cm/sec or less. A
section and plan view diagram is attached for the anti-seep collars; The following specifications
shall apply to class B concrete: a) Minimum cement content, sacks per cubic yard with rounded
course aggregate 5.0 b) Minimum cement content, sacks per cubic yard with angular course
aggregate 5.5 c) Maximum water-cement ratio gallons per sack 6.8 d) Slump range 2" to 4"
e) Minimum strength - 28-day psi 2,500.
17. This General Certification does not authorize any permanent changes in pre-construction
elevation contours in waters or wetlands or stream dimension, pattern or profile. The permittee
will have a specific plan for restoring wetland contours. Any excess material will be removed to
a high ground disposal area;
18. If an environmental document is required, this Certification is not valid until a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD) is issued by the State Clearinghouse;
19. Stormwater management will not be required for this Certification as long as all other
Conditions are met. However, in the twenty coastal counties, the appropriate DWQ Regional
Office must be contacted to determine if Coastal Stormwater Regulations still apply;
20. Compensatory mitigation (i.e., restoration, creation or preservation) for wetland losses will
not be required for this Certification if written concurrence is not needed;
21. Payment of a dollar per acre figure into the Wetland Restoration Program for these impacts
is acceptable when compensatory mitigation is required as long as the Wetlands Restoration
Program agrees in writing to accept this payment. Other mitigation plans must receive written
DWQ concurrence;
22. This Certification does not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to obtain all other
required Federal, State or local approvals;
23. Additional site-specific conditions may be added to projects for which written concurrence is
required or requested under this Certification in order to ensure compliance with all applicable
water quality and effluent standards;
24. Concurrence from DWQ that this Certification applies to an individual project shall expire
three years from the date of the cover letter from DWQ or on the same day as the expiration date
of the corresponding Nationwide Permit 12 or Regional Permit 198100049 whichever is sooner;
25. When written concurrence is required, the applicant is required to use the most recent
version of the Certification of Completion form to notify DWQ when all work included in the
401 Certification has been completed.
26
F
NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
STATE CONSISTENCY
Consistent.
Citations:
2002 Nationwide Permits - Federal Register Notice 15 Jan 2002
2002 Nationwide Permits Corrections - Federal Register Notice 13 Feb 2002
2002 Regional Conditions - Authorized 17 May 2002
27
S
lop DWQ# 0 Y - 0 l t0 -7

Date D - (" -aq
Who Reviewed:A ACS
Plan Detail Incomplete
[] Please.provide a location-map for the project.
? Please show all stream impacts including all fill slopes, dissipaters, and bank stabilization on the site plan.
? Please show all wetland impacts including fill slopes on the site plan.
? Please indicate all buffer impacts on the site plan.
? Please indicate proposed lot layout as overlays on the site plan.
? Please indicate the location of the protected buffers as overlays on the site plan.
[J Please locate all isolated or non-isolated wetlands, streams and other waters of the State as overlays on the:site plan.
? Please provide cross section details showing the provisions for aquatic life passage.
? Please locate any planned.sewer lines on the siteplan.
? Please provide the location of any proposed stormwater management practices as required by GC
? Please provide detail for the stormwater•management practices as required by GC
? Please specify the percent of project imperviousness area based on the estimated built-out conditions.
? Please indicate all stormwater outfdh on the site plan.
? Please indicate the diffuse flow provision measures on the site plan.
? Please indicate whether or not the proposed impacts already been conducted
Avoidance and/or Minimization Not Provided
? The labeled as on the plans does not appear to be necessary. Please eliminate the or provide additional
information as to why it is necessary for this project.
? This Office believes that the labeled on the plans as can be moved or reconfigured to avoid the impacts to the
. Pleasb revise the plans to avoid the impacts.
? This Office believes that the - labeled on the plans as can be moved or reconfigured to minimize the impacts to the
Please revise the plans to minimise the impacts.
? The stormwater discharges at the location on the plans labeled will not provide diffuse flow through the buffer because
Please revise the plans and provide calculations to show that diffuse flow.will be achieved through the entire buffer. If it
is not possible to achieve diffuse flow through the entire buffer then it may be necessary to provide stormwater management
practices that remove'nutrients before the stormwater can be discharged through the buffer..
Other
? The application fee was insufficient because over 150 feet of stream and/or over 1 acre of wetland impacts were requested Please
provide $ . This additional fee must be received before your application can be reviewed.
? Please complete Section(s) on the application.
? Please provide a signed copy of the application.
? Please provide copies of the application, copies of the site plans and other supporting information.
Mitigation
?' of compensatory mitigation is required for this project. Please provide a compensatory mitigation plan. The
plan must conform to the requirements in 15 A NCAC 2H,0500 and must be appropriate to the type of impacts proposed
? 'Please indicate which 404 Permit the USACE would use to authorize this project.
DWQ# `t - y (G q Date 'cZo 4 Who Reviewed:
Plan Detail Incomplete
Pleasesrovide a -map for the project.
(p? Please show all stream impacts including all fill slopes, dissipaters, and bank stabilization on the site plan. CA e-GA
Tivnd?c os Ve- +tie_ 1; r) e_ax- -Poo{-a9(? o? M pa-CA- v\ AAn.ee AmL,. Y)9G .
? Please show all wetland impacts including fill slopes on the site plan.
? Please indicate all buffer impacts on the site plan.
[] Please indicate proposed lot layout as overlays on the site plan.
? Please indicate the location of the protected buffers as overlays on the site plan.
? Please locate all isolated or non-isolated wetlands, streams and other waters of the State as overlays on the:site plan.
? Please provide cross section details showing the provisions for aquatic life passage.
Please locate any planned.sewer lines on the site.plan.
? Please provide the location of any proposed stormwater management practices as required by QC
? Please provide detail for the stormwater.management practices as required by qC
? Please specify the percent of project imperviousness area based on the estimated built-out conditions.
? Please indicate all stomiwater outfalls on the site plan.
? Please indicate the diffuse flow provision measures on the site plan.
? Please indicate whether or not the proposed impacts already been conducted.
Avoidance and/or Minimization Not Provided
? The labeled as on the plans does not appear to be necessary. Please eliminate the or provide additional
information as to why it is necessary for this project. // ? I - O
r?Q,v?e? I?Vl? ltd" oi-CP-Pn0.IJ) .4-0 GC'oSS Gait
f This Office believes that the labeled on the plans as can be moved or reconfigured to -
Please revise the plans to aari kthe impacts. - C , .
i ed ucz o. r?l-, i o V1
? This Office believes that the labeled on, the plans as can be moved or reconfigured to minimize the impac to the
Please revise the plans to minim;e the impacts.
? The stormwater discharges at the location on.dw plans labeled will not provide diffuse flow through the buffer because
Please revise the plans and provide calculations to show that diffuse flowmill be achieved through the entire buffer. If it
is not possible to achieve diffuse flow through the entire buffer. then it may be necessary to provide stormwatermanagement
practices that remove'nutrients before the stormwatea can be discharged through the-buffer.
Vl ?n I e,s? cA r0,?r ,d cu l ac cro?S? o h ?e? c ?n b a c???
Other WV .,.
i eo (2DACtti'?'eyce- CAries of VAn Capp 1;c.a-4 icy V1? a
fe?- wi'll b? cec?u?reel:
? The application fee was insufficient because over 150 feet of stream and/or over 1 acre of wetland impacts were requested. Please
provide $ . This additional fee must be received before your application can be reviewed:
? Please complete-Section(s) on the application.
? Please provide a signed copy of the application.
? Please provide copies of the application, copies of the site plans and other supporting information.
Mitigation
ET of compensatory mitigation is required for this project. Please provide a compensatory mitigation plan. The 64 plan must conform to the requirements in 15 A NCAC 2H.0500 and must be appropriate to the type of impacts proposed.
? Please indicate which 404 Permit the USACE would use to authorize this project.