20190288 Ver 1_More Info Requested_20190926

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S.REGAN
Secretory
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
September 26, 2019
DWR # 20190288
Watauga County
Town of Beech Mountain
Attn: Tim Holloman, Town Manager
403 Beech Mountain Pkwy
Beech Mountain NC 28604
Subject: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Buckeye Reservoir Modifications
Dear Mr. Holloman:
On February 26, 2019 the Division of Water Resources — Water Quality Programs (Division) received a
modification request dated February 21, 2019 requesting a 401 Individual Water Quality Certification for
the Buckeye Reservoir. The request was considered a complete application upon receipt of the
applicable application fee on March 21, 2019. The Division received additional information regarding
your application on August 15, 2019. The Division has determined that your application is still
incomplete and cannot be processed. The application is on -hold until all of the following information is
received:
1. The response submitted by ClearWater Environmental on August 15, 2019 (dated August 6,
2019) proposed a minimum release schedule in accordance with two tables (Table la and Table
lb). The response submitted indicates that the proposed minimum release schedule is in
accordance with a recommended schedule provided by the Division in 2016. As the proposed
schedule (Tables la and lb) and the recommended 2016 schedule were presented in slightly
different formats, the Division would like clarification that the tables provided below accurately
reflect the Town's proposal for a new minimum release schedule to be required as a condition
of a modified 401 Water Quality Certification.
7� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D_E QJjf 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 2 769 9-1617
Wx
����� 919.707.9000

Town of Beech Mountain
DWR# 2019-0288
Request for Additional Information
Page 2 of 3
January 1—April 15
Reservoir Water
Action as required by
Minimum Release
Surface Elevation
WSRP
MAF = 6.32 CFS
Flowing over spillway
None
40% MAF = 2.53 CFS
Between top of
Tier 1
40% MAF = 2.53 CFS
spillway (but not
Voluntary Restrictions
flowing over) and 4
feet below spillway
Between 4 feet below
Tier 2
20 % MAF = 1.26 CFS
spillway and 6.5 feet
Mandatory Restrictions
below spillway
10% reductions
Between 6.5 feet
Tier 3
Outflow will equal Inflow determined
below spillway and
Mandatory Restrictions
using USGS Stream Gauges (upstream and
13.5 feet below
20% reductions
downstream)
spillway
Between 13.5 feet
Tier4
Outflow will equal Inflow determined
below spillway and
Emergency Restrictions
using USGS Stream Gauges (upstream and
23.5 feet below
25% reductions
downstream)
spillway
23.5 feet below
Tier 5
Outflow will equal Inflow determined
spillway
Water Rationing
using USGS Stream Gauges (upstream and
downstream)
April 16— December 31
Reservoir Water
Action as required by
Minimum Release
Surface Elevation
WSRP
MAF = 6.32 CFS
Flowing over spillway
None
20% MAF = 1.26 CFS
Between top of
Tier 1
20% MAF = 1.26 CFS
spillway (but not
Voluntary Restrictions
flowing over) and 4
feet below spillway
Between 4 feet below
Tier 2
15 % MAF = 0.95 CFS
spillway and 6.5 feet
Mandatory Restrictions
below spillway
10% reductions
Between 6.5 feet
Tier 3
Outflow will equal Inflow determined
below spillway and
Mandatory Restrictions
using USGS Stream Gauges (upstream and
13.5 feet below
20% reductions
downstream)
spillway
Between 13.5 feet
Tier 4
Outflow will equal Inflow determined
below spillway and
Emergency Restrictions
using USGS Stream Gauges (upstream and
23.5 feet below
25% reductions
downstream)
spillway
23.5 feet below
Tier 5
Outflow will equal Inflow determined
spillway
Water Rationing
using USGS Stream Gauges (upstream and
downstream)

Town of Beech Mountain
DWR# 2019-0288
Request for Additional Information
Page 3 of 3
2. The response submitted on August 15, 2019 indicates "Once the stream gauges are calibrated
for stage -discharge relationships, the Town will utilize the Upstream Gauge stream flow during
low flow conditions..." Please clarify when it is expected that calibration will be completed.
115A NCAC 02H .0506(b))
In response to public comments received through the US Army Corps of Engineers, the response
submitted on August 15, 2019 states "The Town is committed to replacing infrastructure to
reduce water loss and has allocated $3.3 million in the next two years and another $3.42 million
in the next 6 years to replace waterlines and pressure reducing valves to reduce the amount of
water per day that is lost from defective pipes." Please provide and estimate of the reduction in
the amount of water lost per day upon completion of these upgrades. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b))
Pursuant to Title 15A NCAC 02H .0502(e), the applicant shall furnish all of the above requested
information for the proper consideration of the application. Please respond in writing within 30
calendar days of receipt of this letter by sending one (1) copy of all of the above requested information
to the 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 OR by
submitting all of the above requested information through this
link: https://edocs.deg.nc.gov/Forms/Supplemental-Information-Form (note the DWR# requested on
the link is referenced above).
If all of the requested information is not received within 30 calendar days of receipt of this letter, the
Division will be unable to approve the application and it will be returned. The return of this project will
necessitate reapplication to the Division for approval, including a complete application package and the
appropriate fee.
Please be aware that you have no authorization under the Water Quality Certification Rules for this
activity and any work done within waters of the state may be a violation of North Carolina General
Statutes and Administrative Code.
Please contact Sue Homewood at 336-776-9693 or Sue. Homewood Co) ncdenr.goy if you have any
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mac Haupt,
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
cc: Clemmont Riddle, Clearwater Environmental Consultants (via email)
Amanda Fuemmeler, USACE Asheville Regulatory Field Office (via email)
Andrea Leslie, NCWRC (via email)
Byron Hampstead, USFS (via email)
Fred Tarver, DWR (via email)
Harold Brady, DWR (via email)
DWR WSRO 401 files
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit