Ver _COMPLETE FILE_19950228

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management

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DEHNR

James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Nann B. Guthrie, Regional Manager
Asheville Regional Office

WATER QUALITY SECTION

February 21, 1995

RECEIVED

FEB 2 8 '995
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BRM!CH

Mr. G. Carroll Hughes, AlA
SPACEPLAN
39 Patton Avenue
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Subject: Wetland Evaluation
Kerney McNeil Property
US Hwy 25 - Arden
Buncombe County, N.C.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

A wetland evaluation of the Kerney McNeil Property located
adjacent to US Highway 25 in south Buncombe County near Arden,
North Carolina, was conducted February 3, 1995. This wetland area
was identified as a seep which appears to be greater than one
third of an acre. As result, issuance of a 404 permit by the US
Army Corp of Engineers would require concurrence from this
Division.

The wetland received an overall rating which indicates
significant usages for which impact from future c9nstruction or
development would need to justified prior to permit issuance. The
rating involved evaluation of the wetland's capacity for water
storage, bank/shoreline stabilization, pollutant removal,
wildlife habitat, aquatic life value, and the recreation/
education value. Of these six (6) areas, the pollutant removal
capability for this wetland was considered to be the most
valuable due to the close proximity of the highway, railroad,
commercial property uses upstream of this property. Stormwater
runoff from these areas generally contains both suspended and
soluble pollutants normally removed by this wetland. Construction
of a mitigation wetlands combined with stormwater controls would
be an favorable alternative should it not be possible to avoid
this area. An optimum mitigation design also involving
stormwater controls would incorporate a stormwater basin in line
with a wetland area.

Also as we have discussed, this office has interest that the
stream flowing through this property should be unaffected by both
construction activities and the resulting development. Any
stream enclosure should be avoided or limited to 200 foot
sections unless justified. We can discuss this concern in more

Interchange Building. 59 Woodfin Place. Asheville. N.C. 28801 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
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Page 2
February 21, 1995
Mr. Hughes

detail as the project progresses. Diversion of this stream to
another part of the property and away from the construction area
also is an option worth pursuing. Of course, we are willing to
discuss this matter in more detail as the project progresses.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment in this matter.
Should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me;
telephone [phone].

Yours truly,

7!/zu/;;(~

Max L. Haner
Environmental Chemist

xc: David Baker
John Dorney V"
Forrest R. Westall