19960525 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_19960530

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

James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director

.NA

DEHNR

June 8, 1996
Burke County
DEM Project # 960525

APPROVAL of 401 Water Quality Certification

Mr. Marshall Ellis
N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687

Dear Mr. Ellis:

You have our approval to place fill material irl 0.2 acres of wetlands or waters for the purpose of
constructing a road and utility crossing at South Mountains State Park, as you described in your
application dated 24 May 1996. After reviewing your application, we have decided that this fill is
covered by General Water Quality Certification Numbers 3022 and 2732. These certifications allow
you to use Nationwide Permit Numbers 12 and 14 when they are issued by the Corps of Engineers.
This approval is only valid for the purpose and design that you described in your application. If
you change your project., you must notify us and you may be required to send us a new application.
For this approval to be valid, you must follow the conditions listed in the attached certification. In
addition, you should get any other federal, state or local permits before you go ahead with your
project.
If you do not accept any of the conditions of this certification, you may ask for an adjudicatory
hearing. You must act within 60 days of the date that you receive this letter. To ask for a hearing,
send a written petition which conforms to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the
Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 27447, Raleigh, N.C. 27611-7447. This certification and
its conditions are final and binding unless you ask for a hearing.
This letter completes the review of the Division of Environmental Management under Section
401 of the Clean Water Act. If you have any questions, please telephone John Dorney al919-733-
1786.

Sincerely,

Attachment

cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers
Corps of Engineers Asheville Field Office
Asheville DEM Regional Office
Mr. John Dorney
Central Files

960525.ltr

Environmental Sciences Branch, 4401 Reedy Creek Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607 Telephone [phone] FAX # [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. 50% recycled/1 0% post consumer paper

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North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health, and Natural Resources @ PnnledonRecycledPaper

James B. Hunt. Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Dr. Philip K. McKnelly, Director

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- -- -
- - -
DEHNR

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment.
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Parks & Recreation

June 14, 1996

MEMORANDUM

TO: John Dorney

FROM: Marshall Ellis fV\~l-v:r~ ~
SUBJECT: 401 Water Quality Certification for South Mountains State Park

The Division of Parks and Recreation has received the Division of Environmental Management's
letter dated June 8, 1996 notifying us that our 401 permit request for South Mountains State Park
has been approved. As noted in the letter, our certifications will be for Nationwide 12 and
Nationwide 14 permits.

As we discussed by phone last week, the project's design has changed slightly since the submittal
of our original package, with the plans now calling for the electrical lines to be buried under the
stream instead of attached to the bridge. I do not yet have details regarding the location of the
buried lines, but our designers have indicated that they will be placed within 100 feet of the
bridge.

When we spoke about this, you indicated that you would go ahead and attach a recommendation
for a Nationwide 12 permit in addition to our request for the Nationwide 14. You also indicated
that I should notify you in writing of the change. If you need more specific details on this,
please give me a call at 733-7795.

Thank you for your assistance on this; it's always a pleasure working with your shop.

P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer

Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper

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James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Dr. Philip K. McKnelly, Director

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- -- ---
- - -
DEHNA.

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment.
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Parks & Recreation

May 24, 1996

F\FCEIVEL

MAY 3 0 '996

Mr. John Dorney
Division of Environmental Management
NC Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources
Environmental Sciences Branch
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, NC 27607

ENVIKUNMI:NTAL SCIENCES
"""1

Dear John:

The NC Division of Parks and Recreation is planning to construct a campground and parking
facilities for use by equestrians at South Mountains State Park in Burke County. The project
will be located in abandoned fields along the park's main road and will require a bridge across
the Jacob Fork, which has been classified as an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW).

This project has been reviewed in an Environmental Assessment (EA), and our consultants have
determined that jurisdictional wetlands will be disturbed at the stream crossing site. Although
the agencies involved in Clearinghouse review of the EA determined that the project's impacts
to wetlands will be minimal, we have been advised that a Nationwide 14 permit will be required.

Therefore, attached please find information on the project as well as a copy of the joint form
for Corps of Engineers notification and Section 401 certification. If you need additional
information, please feel free to contact me at 919-733-7795. If you need more specific
information on the project's technical aspects, please contact the Division's project manager, Mr.
Fred Hagenberger, at 919-846-9991. A site visit can be arranged by contacting the South
Mountains State Park staff at 704-433-4772.

Sincerely,

~ e:w(

Marshall Ellis
Resource Management Specialist

Attachment

cc: Mr. Steve Chapin, US Army Corps of Engineers (Asheville)

P.O. Box 27687. Raleigh. North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled! 1 0% post-consumer paper

James B, Hunt, Jr" Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Dr, Philip K, McKnelly, Director

~!.;~

-- --- -
- - -
DEHNR

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Parks & Recreation

May 24, 1996

Mr. Steve Chapin
US Army Corps of Engineers Regional Field Office
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5006

Dear Mr. Chapin:

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is planning to construct a campground and
parking facilities for use by equestrians at South Mountains State Park in Burke County. The
project will be located in abandoned agricultural fields along the park's main road and will
require a bridge across the Jacob Fork, which has been classified as an Outstanding Resource
Water (ORW).

This project has been reviewed in an Environmental Assessment (EA), and our consultants have
determined that jurisdictional wetlands will be disturbed at the stream crossing site. Although
the agencies involved in Clearinghouse review of the EA concluded that the wetlands impacts
will be minimal, the Division has been advised by the NC Division of Environmental
Management that a Nationwide 14 permit will still be required for this project.

Therefore, attached please find information on the project as well as a copy of the joint form
for Corps of Engineers notification and Section 401 certification. If you need additional
information, please feel free to contact me at 919-733-7795. If you need more specific
information on the project's technical aspects, please contact the Division's project manager, Mr.
Fred Hagenberger, at 919-846-9991. If you need to visit the site, that can be arranged by
contacting the South Mountains State Park staff at 704-433-4772.

Sincerely,

~6iJ
Marshall Ellis
Resource Management Specialist

Attachment

cc: Mr. John Dorney, NC Division of Environmental Management

P,Q.Box27687.Raleigh. North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX[phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper

DE?-.1 ID:

ACTION ID:

4011SSllELJ

Nationwide Pennit Requested (Provide Nationwide Permit #):

Nationwide 14

JOINT FOR1\1 FOR

Nation\\ide permits that require notification to the Corps of Engineers
Nationwide permits that require application for Section 401 certification

WILMINGTON DISTRlCT ENGINEER DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
CORPS OF ENGINEERS . NC DEPARTtBNT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH,
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. Box 1890 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES BRANCH
WIlmington, NC 28402-1890 4401 Reedy Creek Road
AlTN: CESAW-CO-E Raleigh, N.C. 27607
Telephone (919) 251~511 ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
Telephone [phone]

ONE (1) COpy OF TInS COMPLETED APPLICATiON SHOULD BE SEJ\'T TO THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DMSIONOF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEME."l.
PLEASEPRD\7. .
1. Owners Name: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

2. Owners Address: PO Box 27687
3. Owners Phone Number (Home):

Raleigh, NC

27611

(Work): 919-846-9991

4. If Applicable: Agent's name or responsible corporate official, address, phone number:
Fred Hagenberger - Project Manager
Address and phone same as above.

5. Location of work (MUST AITACH MAP). County:
Nearest Town or City: Morganton, North Carolina
Specific Location (Include road numbcrs, landmarks,etc.): South Mountains State Park. From Morganton
take NC HWY 18 south to right on SR 1913, to left on SR 1924, to right on SR 1901, to
right on SR 1904 (which becomes the park road).

Burke

6. Name of Closest StrcamlRiver:
Catawba

Jacob Fork

7. River Basin:

8. Is this project located in a watershed classified as Trout, SA. HQW, ORW, WS I, or WS ll? YES

9. Have any Section 404 pcnnits been previously requested for use on this property? YES [ ]

If yes, explain.

10. Estimated total number of acres of waters of the US.. including wetlands, located on project site: Es tim? te
less than 5 acres. Impacts to wetlands limited to stream crossing and one lane road.

[XJ NO [ )
NO [x]

11. Number of acres of waters of the U.S., including wetlands, impacted by the proposed project:

Approximately 0.10 - 0.20 acre

Filled:
Drained:
Flooded:

Total Impacted:

Approximately

i

OOl@cre

Excavated:

12, Description of proposed work (Attach PLANS.8 1::" X ll" drawings only): Eques trian parking and
camping areas. Will include 15 campsites and b~thhouse on west side of stream. Parking
on east side of stream. One lane gravel road connecting via a concrete bridge.
13. Purpose of proposed work: Provide permanent, centralized facilities for equestrians. The
park lacks adequate facilities now. Project will alleviate crowding and resource damage.

14. Slate reasons why the applicant believes that this a=tivity must be carried out in wetlandsj Also, note meas..ure~ ;'
taken to minimize wetland impacts. Sui table sites extremely limited. This s~ te is the onLY one
large .enough. Wetland impacts limited to bridge across stream and one lane gravel road
across flood plain. Both sites already highly.disturbed. No rare species affected.

15. You are required to contact the U.S. Fish and WIldlife Service (USFWS) and/or National Marine Hsheries Service
(NMFS) re'garding the presence or any Federally listed 0: proposed for listing endangered or threatened species or critical
habitat in the permit area that may be affected by the proposed project. Have you done so? ' YES [) NO [ X]

RESPONSES FROM THE USFWS AND/OR NMFS SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO CORPS.

16. You are required to contact the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) regarding the presence of historic
properties in the pennit area which may be affected by the proposed project? Have you done so? YES [ XJ NO [ ]
RESPONSE FROM THE SHPO SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO CORPS.

17. Additional information required by DEM:
A. Wetland delineation map showing all w~tlands, streams, and lakes on the property.

B. If available, representative photograph of wetlands to be impacted by project.
C. If delineation was perfonned by a consultant, include all data sheets relevant to the placement of the
delineation line.

D. If a stormwater management plan is required for this project. attach copy.
E. What is land use of surrounding property? . 'S't1J.te park.
F. If applicable, wh&t is proposed method of sewage disposal? Sep tic sys tern.

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Sout.h Mountains state Park'
Horse Camp Development.
~~ Plan
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Equestrian Camping and Parking Facility

South Mountains State Park, Burke County

Purpose of the Project:

In accordance with the master plan that has been developed for South Mountains State Park, the
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is planning to construct new parking and
camping facilities for use by horseback riders. This park is a very popular destination for
equestrians; however, parking space and sanitary facilities are extremely limited inside the park.

Development at this park has been minimized in order to provide a back country experience for
park visitors. However, equestrian use has always been high, and the park is unable to
adequately support such high volumes of traffic. The Division is concerned that such heavy use
in the absence of centralized facilities could lead to widespread degradation of the park's
resources. Therefore, permanent facilities have been planned. These facilities are located away
from other high use areas, such as the picnic area and drive-in campsites, where horse trailers
now park; the new site will reduce conflicts and congestion at all of these areas.

Project Description:

This project will provide parking, camping, and sanitary facilities. Due to the park's rugged
topography and limited access, useable sites are extremely limited. This project will utilize two
abandoned agricultural fields on opposite sides of the Jacob Fork River along the park road.
These fields are the only sites on park property large enough to support this type of project.

The field on the east side of the Jacob Fork will provide trailer parking only. It has been used
in the past as an excavation site for fill material. The field on the west side is a large abandoned
field that is mowed by the park staff. It will provide 15 campsites with pull through parking,
a washhouse, and stables. All parking areas will be graveled.

The two sections will be connected with a one lane gravel road and a bridge across the Jacob
Fork. The bridge will be 16 feet wide and approximately 140 feet long. It will be raised on
concrete pillars; minor filling, estimated at 0.10 - 0.20 acre, will occur on the west side of the
stream (see attachment).

Impacts to Jurisdictional Wetlands:

Jurisdictional areas in the park are riverine and palustrine. The riverine systems include the
surface waters of the Jacob Fork and its tributaries; palustrine systems include small, isolated
forested areas along the Jacob Fork. The Jacob Fork and its tributaries all carry best usage
classifications of WS-llI Tr ORW.

A small, forested palustrine wetland along the Jacob Fork's west bank will be affected by the
road and bridge linking the camping and parking areas. An Environmental Assessment/Finding
of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for this project that was reviewed and approved through
the NC State Clearinghouse estimated that 0.11 acre of jurisdictional wetland would be affected
by the new bridge and road associated with this project; however, that estimate was based on
a low-water bridge approximately 65 feet long. Division staff have since determined that a high-
water bridge would require less maintenance and would pose less long term danger to the

..

strea . The bridge is still in design, and we anticipate that no more than 0.20 acre of
juris ictional wetlands will be filled on the west side of the stream.

As n ted above, sites for this project are extremely limited. Since both of these fields are
alread disturbed and unvegetated, impacts to wetlands will be limited to the stream crossing
area. Stringent erosion control measures will be employed during construction, and since the
road and parking areas will be graveled, runoff should be minimized.

Rare Species:

During the preparation of the EA/FONSI, the Division's Resource Management Program and
its consultants (Environmental Services, Inc., Raleigh, NC) reviewed rare species databases
maintained by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) and the US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS). The NCNHP database has records of seven state-listed species:

Common raven
Thin-pod white wild indigo
Bear oak
Large witch-alder
Bleeding heart
Bradley's spleenwort
Sweet pinesap

Corvus corax
Baptisia albescens
Quercus ilicifoUa
Fothergilla major
Dicentra eximia
Asplenium bradleyi
Monotropsis odorata

All of these are designated as either Candidate or Significantly Rare species; such species receive
no legal protection. These species are generally confined to rocky, high-elevation habitats.
Such habitats do not occur in this project site, and no evidence of these species was found during
field surveys conducted for the EA/FONSI.

The USFWS database lists seven federally-listed species for Burke County:

Peregrine falcon
Roan Mountain Bluet
Spreading avens
Dwarf- flowered heartleaf
Heller's blazing star
Mountain golden heather
Small whorled pogonia

Falco peregrinus
Hedyotis purpurea var. montana
Geum radiatum
HexastyUs naniflora
Liatris helleri
Hudsonia montana
Isotria medeoloides

With the exception of the small whorled pogonia, which inhabits moist forests, all of these
species are confined to high elevations, rocky outcrops, or ravines. Such habitats do not occur
at the project site, and no evidence of these species was found during field surveys conducted
for the EA/FONSI. Therefore, no rare species are expected to be affected by this project.

Cultural Resources:

This project has been reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Although
other projects included in the EA/FONSI will require archaeological surveys prior to
construction, the equestrian parking/camping project has been cleared by SHPO (memo
attached) .

..... l- '"

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

James B. Huut. Jr., Governor
Betty Ray McCai.o, Secretary

May 27, 1994

MEMORANDUM

Division of Archives aod History
William S. Price, Jr., Director

TO: Marshall Ellis, Resource Management Specialist
Division of Parks and Recreation
DEHNR

FROM: David Brook ~IJ.-JJ~ Ocu..t\&..~L
Deputy State Hirid;i~ Preservation Officer

SUBJECT: South Mountains State Park capital improvement
projects, Burke County, GS 94-0088

Thank you for your memorandum of May 5, 1994, concerning the above project.

There are no known recorded archaeological sites within the project boundaries.
However, the project area has never been systematically surveyed to determine
the location of significance of archaeological resources. Project Areas 2, 3, 5, and
7 are considered to have a high probability for the presence of significant
archaeological resources.

We recommend that a comprehensive survey be conducted by an experienced
archaeologist to identify the presence and significance of archaeological remains
that may be damaged or destroyed by the proposed project. Potential effects on
unknown resources should be assessed prior to the initiation of construction
activities. Please contact David Moore, archaeologist at our Western Office,
telephone [phone], for assistance in developing a scope of work for this
archaeological survey.

Enclosed is a list of archaeological consultants who have conducted or expressed
an interest in conducting contract work in North Carolina. Individual files providing
additional information on the consultants may be examined at the State Historic
Preservation Office's Office of State Archaeology, 421 North Blount Street,
Raleigh. If additional names are desired, you may consult the current listing of the
members of the Society of Professional Archaeologists, or contact the society's
current secretary/treasurer, David L. Carlson, Department of Anthropology, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4352, telephone [phone].
Any of the above persons, or any other experienced archaeologist, may be
contacted to conduct the recommended investigation.

We have conducted a search of our files and are aware of no structures listed in
the National Register of Historic Places located within the planning area.

109 East Joaes SIreet · bJriab.. Nmtb CaroliDa 27601-2107

...

These comments are made in accord with G.S. 121-12(a) and Executive Order
XVI. If you have any questions regarding them, please contact Renee Gledhill-
Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.

DB:slw

Enclosure

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CAPITAL Th1PROVEMENT PROJECTS AT
SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY

All project locations are marked on the attached park and USGS topographical maps.

1. Maintenance Area:

- Access road: 400 linear feet.
- Maintenance shop: 1,500 square feet.
- Flammable materials storage building: 100 square feet.
- Six bay vehic~e storage building: 1,500 square feet.
- Lumber storage building: 400 square feet.
- Warehouse: 1,500 square feet.
- Paved maintenance yard: 10,000 square feet.
- Well and welIhouse.
- Extend water lines: 800 linear feet.
- Extend electrical lines (underground): 800 linear feet.
- Extend water line to ranger residence: 2,000 linear feet.
- Extend telephone lines: 400 linear feet.
- Install 1,000 gallon fuel tank (aboveground).

2. Park Entrance Road Project:

This project will upgrade the park's entrance road by repaving its entire length (10,500 feet),
relocating a 2,700 foot section that floods out several times each year, and constructing three
new bridges with spans of 92, 92, and 160 feet, respectively. The project will also include
1,400 cubic yards of fill at the first bridge site, as well as the installation of 125 linear feet of
riprap on the upstream side of the fill. Part of this project is dependent on future land
acquisition.

3. Tent and Trailer Campground:

- Construct 23 campsites, all on one loop.
- Well and welIhouse.
- Extend underground electrica1lines: 400 linear feet.
- Extend water lines: 1,000 linear feet.
- Install septic system and field: 2,500 gallon/day capacity.
- Washhouse: 900 square feet.

4. Horse Camp and Trailer Parking

- Access road: 1,200 linear feet.
- Bridge across the Jacob Fork River: 62 linear feet.
- Gravel circulation road: 2,000 linear feet.
- Pull through parking spaces: 40.

.. .

- Extend water line from maintenance area: 2,000 linear feet.
- Extend underground electrical lines from maintenance area: 2,000 linear feet.
- Install one mulching toilet.
- Picnic tables and grills: 15.

5. Visitor Center:

- Demolish old house at site.
- Standard visitor center: 5,500 square feet.
- Parking spaces: 45.

6. General Utility Repairs:

- Remove trees in septic field at picnic area.
- Extend water lines in picnic area: 1,250 linear feet..
- Place power lines underground: 10,000 linear feet.

7. Ranger Residence:

- Standard residence: 1,440 square feet.
- Gravel driveway: 400 linear feet.
- Septic tank and field.
- Extend water lines: 400 linear feet.
- Extend electrical lines: 400 linear feet.

Park Superintendent:

Mr. Walt Gravley
Rt. 1 Box 206C
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
704-433-4772

...

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Division of Environmental Management
Ecological Assessment Group

September 12, 1995

o\l---

To:

Through:

Melba McGee
John Dome9\V

Steven Kroeger ') '{--

Review of Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact: Construction of Park Facilities at South Mountains State Park,
Burke and Cleveland Co., NC

From:

Subject:

This document describes the improvements in the facilities provided within South
Mountains State Park. These improvements apparently will have a minimum impact on
aquatic and wetland resources. Although less than 0.07 acres of jurisdictional wetlands
and 0.04 acres of surface water may be affected by project improvements, proper permits
will still need to be acquired.

The impacts identified are the result of the construction of a new road and the
construction of new bridges. The construction of a new road may alter wetland drainage in
a manner that may affect wetland functions and values. We encourage that adequate
drainage be provided to mimic current drainage conditions.

cc: Monica Swihart

, Hunt, Jr" Governor
n S, Howes, Secretary
K, McKnelly, Director

,

State ot ~orth Carolina .
Dep tment of Environment I
Healt and Natural Resources
Divisio of Parks & Recreation

May 24, 1996

l~n1 IS0UL~
, .

Mr. John Do ey
Division of E vironmental Management
NC Dept. of nvironment, Health, and Natural Resources
Environmental Sciences Branch
4401 Reedy C k Road
Raleigh, NC 7607

Dear John:

The NC Division of Parks and Recreation is planning to construct a campground and parking
facilities for use by equestrians at South Mountains State Park in Burke County. The project
will be located in abandoned fields along the park's main road and will require a bridge across
the Jacob Fork, which has been classified as an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW).

This project has been reviewed in an Environmental Assessment (EA), and our consultants have
determined that jurisdictional wetlands will be disturbed at the stream crossing site. Although
the agencies involved in Clearinghouse review of the EA determined that the project's impacts
to wetlands will be minimal, we have been advised that a Nationwide 14 permit will be required.

Therefore, attached please find information on the project as well as a copy of the joint form
for Corps of Engineers notification and Section 401 certification. If you need additional
information, please feel free to contact me at 919-733-7795. If you need more specific
information on the project's technical aspects, please contact the Division's project manager, Mr.
Fred Hagenberger, at 919-846-9991. A site visit can be arranged by contacting the South
Mountains State Park staff at 704-433-4772.

Sincerely,

~ g;ui;:

Marshall Ellis
Resource Management Specialist

Attachment

cc: Mr. Steve Chapin, US Army Corps of Engineers (Asheville)

P,O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper

James B. Hunt. Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Dr. Philip K. McKnelly, Director

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DEHNR

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Parks & Recreation

May 24, 1996

Mr. Steve Chapin
US Army Corps of Engineers Regional Field Office
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5006

Dear Mr. Chapin:

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is planning to construct a campground and
parking facilities for use by equestrians at South Mountains State Park in Burke County. The
project will be located in abandoned agricultural fields along the park's main road and will
require a bridge across the Jacob Fork, which has been classified as an Outstanding Resource
Water (ORW).

This project has been reviewed in an Environmental Assessment (EA), and our consultants have
determined that jurisdictional wetlands will be disturbed at the stream crossing site. Although
the agencies involved in Clearinghouse review of the EA concluded that the wetlands impacts
will be minimal, the Division has been advised by the NC Division of Environmental
Management that a Nationwide 14 permit will still be required for this project.

Therefore, attached please find information on the project as well as a copy of the joint form
for Corps of Engineers notification and Section 401 certification. If you need additional
information, please feel free to contact me at 919-733-7795. If you need more specific
information on the project's technical aspects, please contact the Division's project manager, Mr.
Fred Hagenberger, at 919-846-9991. If you need to visit the site, that can be arranged by
contacting the South Mountains State Park staff at 704-433-4772.

Sincerely,

~6iJ

Marshall Ellis
Resource Management Specialist

Attachment

cc: Mr. John Dorney, NC Division of Environmental Management

P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh. North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Emplover 50% recycled/l 0% post-consumer paper

DE:-.1 ID:

ACTION 10:

Na[ionwide Pe~j[ Requested (Provide Nationwide Permit #):

Nationwide 14

JOINT F0R1'1 FOR

Nation\\ide permits that require notification to the Corps of Engineers
Nationwide permits that require application for Section 401 certification

WII.,MnmTON DISTRICT ENGINEER DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
CORPS OF ENGINEERS . NC DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH,
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
P.O. Box 1890 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES BRANCH
Wllmington. NC 28402-1890 4401 Reedy Creek Road
ATTN: CESAW-CO-E Raleigh, N.C. 27607
1i 1 h 919 2S 5 ATTN: MR. JOHN DORNEY
e ep one ( ) I~ 11 Telephone [phone]

ONE (1) COpy OF nns COMPLETED APPUCmON SHOULD BE SENT TO TI1E CORPS OF ENGINEERS.
SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DMSIONOF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEME.'\!".
PLEASE PRll'.7. '
1. Owners Name: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation

2. Owners Address: po Box 27687
3. Owners Phone Number (Home):

Raleigh, NC 27611

(Work): 919-846-9991

4. If Applicable: Agent's name or responsible corporate official, address, phone number.
Fred Hage~berger - Project Manager
Address and phone same as above.

5. Location of work (MUST ATTACH MAP). County:
NcarestTown or City: Morganton, North Carolina
SJ'C:Cific Location (Include road numbcrs, landmarks, etc.): South Mountains State Park. From Morganton
take NC HWY 18 south to right on SR 1913, to left on SR 1924, to right on SR 1901, to
right on sa 1904 (which becomes the park road).

Burke

6. Name of Closest StrcamlRiver:
Catawba

Jacob Fork

7. River Basin:

8. Is this project located in a war.crshed classified as Trout, SA. HQW, ORW, WS l or WS IT? YES

9. Have any Section 404 permits been previously requested for use on this property? YES [ ]

Ifycs, explain.

10. Estimll'~.d total number ofacrcs of waters of the U.5.. including wetlands, located on project site: Esti.m~te
less than 5 acres. Impacts to wetlands limited to stream crossing and one lane road.

fxJ NO [ ]
NO IX]

11. Number of acres of waters of the U.S., including wetlands, impacted by the proposed project:

Approximately 0.10 - 0.20 acre

Filled:
Dr.Uned:
Flooded:

Excavated:

Tow Impacted:

Approximately 0.10 - 0.20 acre

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Equestrian Camping and Parking Facility

South Mountains State Park, Burke County

Purpose of the Project:

In accordance with the master plan that has been developed for South Mountains State Park, the
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is planning to construct new parking and
camping facilities for use by horseback riders. This park is a very popular destination for
equestrians; however, parking space and sanitary facilities are extremely limited inside the park.

Development at this park has been minimized in order to provide a back country experience for
park visitors. However, equestrian use has always been high, and the park is unable to
adequately support such high volumes of traffic. The Division is concerned that such heavy use
in the absence of centralized facilities could lead to widespread degradation of the park's
resources. Therefore, permanent facilities have been planned. These facilities are located away
from other high use areas, such as the picnic area and drive-in campsites, where horse trailers
now park; the new site will reduce conflicts and congestion at all of these areas.

Project Description:

This project will provide parking, camping, and sanitary facilities. Due to the park's rugged
topography and limited access, useable sites are extremely limited. This project will utilize two
abandoned agricultural fields on opposite sides of the Jacob Fork River along the park road.
These fields are the only sites on park property large enough to support this type of project.

The field on the east side of the Jacob Fork will provide trailer parking only. It has been used
in the past as an excavation site for fill material. The field on the west side is a large abandoned
field that is mowed by the park staff. It will provide 15 campsites with pull through parking,
a washhouse, and stables. All parking areas will be graveled.

The two sections will be connected with a one lane gravel road and a bridge across the Jacob
Fork. The bridge will be 16 feet wide and approximately 140 feet long. It will be raised on
concrete pillars; minor filling, estimated at 0.10 - 0.20 acre, will occur on the west side of the
stream (see attachment).

Impacts to Jurisdictional Wetlands:

Jurisdictional areas in the park are riverine and palustrine. The riverine systems include the
surface waters of the Jacob Fork and its tributaries; palustrine systems include small, isolated
forested areas along the Jacob Fork. The Jacob Fork and its tributaries all carry best usage
classifications of WS-ill Tr ORW.

A small, forested palustrine wetland along the Jacob Fork's west bank will be affected by the
road and bridge linking the camping and parking areas. An Environmental Assessment/Finding
of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for this project that was reviewed and approved through
the NC State Clearinghouse estimated that 0.11 acre of jurisdictional wetland would be affected
by the new bridge and road associated with this project; however, that estimate was based on
a low-water bridge approximately 65 feet long. Division staff have since determined that a high-
water bridge would require less maintenance and would pose less long term danger to the

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stream. The bridge is still in design, and we anticipate that no more than 0.20 acre of
jurisdictional wetlands will be filled on the west side of the stream.

As noted above, sites for this project are extremely limited. Since both of these fields are
already disturbed and unvegetated, impacts to wetlands will be limited to the stream crossing
area. Stringent erosion control measures will be employed during construction, and since the
road and parking areas will be graveled, runoff should be minimized.

Rare Species:

During the preparation of the EA/FONSI, the Division's Resource Management Program and
its consultants (Environmental Services, Inc., Raleigh, NC) reviewed rare species databases
maintained by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) and the US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS). The NCNHP database has records of seven state-listed species:

Common raven
Thin-pod white wild indigo
Bear oak
Large witch-alder
Bleeding heart
Bradley's spleenwort
Sweet pinesap

Corvus corax
Baptisia albescens
Quercus ilicifolia
Fothergilla major
Dicentra eximia
Asplenium bradleyi
Monotropsis odorata

All of these are designated as either Candidate or Significantly Rare species; such species receive
no legal protection. These species are generally confined to rocky, high-elevation habitats.
Such habitats do not occur in this project site, and no evidence of these species was found during
field surveys conducted for the EA/FONSL

The USFWS database lists seven federally-listed species for Burke County:

Peregrine falcon
Roan Mountain Bluet
Spreading avens
Dwarf- flowered heartleaf
Heller's blazing star
Mountain golden heather
Small whorled pogonia

Falco peregrinus
Hedyotis purpurea var. montana
Geum radiatum
Hexastylis naniflora
Liatris helleri
Hudsonia montana
Isotria medeoloides

With the exception of the small whorled pogonia, which inhabits moist forests, all of these
species are confined to high elevations, rocky outcrops, or ravines. Such habitats do not occur
at the project site, and no evidence of these species was found during field surveys conducted
for the EA/FONSL Therefore, no rare species are expected to be affected by this project.

Cultural Resources:

This project has been reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Although
other projects included in the EA/FONSI will require archaeological surveys prior to
construction, the equestrian parking/camping project has been cleared by SHPO (memo
attached).

\'

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Betty Ray McCain, Secretary

May 27, 1994

MEMORANDUM

Division of Archives aod History
William S. Price, Jr.. Director

TO: Marshall Ellis, Resource Management Specialist
Division of Parks and Recreation
DEHNR

FROM: David Brook ~IJt-JJ~ Dcu.t\&. ~l.
Deputy State Hi~;i~ Preservation Officer

SUBJECT: South Mountains State Park capital improvement
projects, Burke County, GS 94-0088

Thank you for your memorandum of May 5, 1994, concerning the above project.

There are no known recorded archaeological sites within the project boundaries.
However, the project area has never been systematically surveyed to determine
the location of significance of archaeological resources. Project Areas 2, 3, 5, and
7 are considered to have a high probability for the presence of significant
archaeological resources.

We recommend that a comprehensive survey be conducted by an experienced
archaeologist to identify the presence and significance of archaeological remains
that may be damaged or destroyed by the proposed project. Potential effects on
unknown resources should be assessed prior to the initiation of construction
activities. Please contact David Moore, archaeologist at our Western Office,
telephone [phone], for assistance in developing a scope of work for this
archaeological survey.

Enclosed is a list of archaeological consultants who have conducted or expressed
an interest in conducting contract work in North Carolina. Individual files providing
additional information on the consultants may be examined at the State Historic
Preservation Office's Office of State Archaeology, 421 North Blount Street,
Raleigh. If additional names are desired, you may consult the current listing of the
members of the Society of Professional Archaeologists, or contact the society's
current secretary/treasurer, David L. Carlson, Department of Anthropology, Texas
A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4352, telephone [phone].
Any of the above persons, or any other experienced archaeologist, may be
contacted to conduct the recommended investigation.

We have conducted a search of our files and are aware of no structures listed in
the National Register of Historic Places located within the planning area.

109 East Joaes S1reet · lWeip. Nartb CaroUDI27601-2807

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These comments are made in accord with G. S. 121-1 2(a) and Executive Order
XVI. If you have any questions regarding them, please contact Renee Gledhill-
Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.

DB:slw

Enclosure

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CAPITAL IMPROVEl\1ENT PROJECTS AT
SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK, BURKE COUNTY

All project locations are marked on the attached park and USGS topographical maps.

1. Maintenance Area:

- Access road: 400 linear feet.
- Maintenance shop: 1,500 square feet.
- Flammable materials storage building: 100 square feet.
- Six bay vehic~e storage building: 1,500 square feet.
- Lumber storage building: 400 square feet.
- Warehouse: 1,500 square feet.
- Paved maintenance yard: 10,000 square feet.
- Well and wellhouse.
- Extend water lines: 800 linear feet.
- Extend electrical lines (underground): 800 linear feet.
- Extend water line to ranger residence: 2,000 linear feet.
- Extend telephone lines: 400 linear feet.
- Install 1,000 gallon fuel tank (aboveground).

2. Park Entrance Road Project:

This project will upgrade the park's entrance road by repaving its entire length (10,500 feet),
relocating a 2,700 foot section that floods out several times each year, and constructing three
new bridges with spans of 92, 92, and 160 feet, respectively. The project will also include
1,400 cubic yards of fill at the first bridge site, as well as the installation of 125 linear feet of
riprap on the upstream side of the fill. Part of this project is dependent on future land
acquisition.

3. Tent and Trailer Campground:

- Construct 23 campsites, all on one loop.
- Well and wellhouse.
- Extend underground electrica!lines: 400 linear feet.
- Extend water lines: 1,000 linear feet.
- Install septic system and field: 2,500 gallon/day capacity.
- Washhouse: 900 square feet.

4. Horse Camp and Trailer Parking

- Access road: 1,200 linear feet.
- Bridge across the Jacob Fork River: 62 linear feet.
- Gravel circulation road: 2,000 linear feet.
- Pull through parking spaces: 40.

- . . .....

- Extend water line from maintenance area: 2,000 linear feet.
- Extend underground electrica1lines from maintenance area: 2,000 linear feet.
- Install one mulching toilet.
- Picnic tables and grills: 15.

5. Visitor Center:

- Demolish old house at site.
- Standard visitor center: 5,500 square feet.
- Parking spaces: 45.

6. General Utility Repairs:

- Remove trees in septic field at picnic area.
- Extend water lines in picnic area: 1,250 linear feet..
- Place power lines underground: 10,000 linear feet.

7. Ranger Residence:

- Standard residence: 1,440 square feet.
- Gravel driveway: 400 linear feet.
- Septic tank and field.
- Extend water lines: 400 linear feet.
- Extend electrical lines: 400 linear feet.

Park Superintendent:

Mr. Walt Gravley
Rt. 1 Box 206C
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
704-433-4772

~~~~T;

Division of Environmental Management
Ecological Assessment Group

September 12, 1995

D\L-

Subject:

Melba McGee

John Dom~

Steven Kroeger <) '{.-

Review of Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact: Construction of Park Facilities at South Mountains State Park,
Burke and Cleveland Co., NC

To:
Through:

From:

This document describes the improvements in the facilities provided within South
Mountains State Park. These improvements apparently will have a minimum impact on
aquatic and wetland resources. Although less than 0.07 acres of jurisdictional wetlands
and 0.04 acres of surface water may be affected by project improvements, proper pennits
will still need to be acquired.

The impacts identified are the result of the construction of a new road and the
construction of new bridges. The construction of a new road may alter wetland drainage in
a manner that may affect wetland functions and values. We encourage that adequate
drainage be provided to mimic current drainage conditions.

cc: Monica Swihart