DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY SAVANNAH DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS

1590 ADAMSON PARKWAY, SUITE 200 MORROW, GEORGIA 30260-1777

REPLY TO

ATTENTION OF FEBRUMY 1 5 Z012

Regulatory Division SAS-2009-01341

PUBLIC NOTICE Savannah District

The District Engineer has received a Prospectus describing the establishment and operation of a stream and wetland compensatory mitigation bank (Wilkins Mitigation Bank) for Federal and State permits as described below:

Application Number: SAS-2009-01341

Applicant: Mr. David Wilkins WILCO 816 South Main Street Helen, Georgia 30545

Agent: Mr. David Huff Huff Environmental Consulting, Inc. 1860 Barnett Shoals Road Suite 103, PMB 586 Athens, Georgia 30605

This public notice does not imply, on the parts of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) or other agencies, either favorable or unfavorable opinion of the work to be performed, but is issued to solicit comments regarding the factors on which final decisions will be based.

Location of Proposed Work: The project site is located 1.1 miles south of the Chattahoochee National Forest, 0.4 miles north ofDukes Creek Conservation Area and adjacent to Unicoi State Park, in the City ofHelen, White County, Georgia (latitude 34.7029, longitude -83.7221). The bank site is located in the Upper Chattahoochee River Basin. See the enclosed Vicinity Map and USGS Topof:,rraphic Map.

Description of Mitigation Bank: The bank sponsor proposes to restore and enhance approximately 3,291 linear feet ofstream associated with six ( 6) unnamed tributaries of the Chattahoochee River, 3,140 linear feet of stream bank along the Chattahoochee River and preserve 0.069 acre of wetland. The proposed mitigation area encompasses the stream and

associated riparian zones that extends across the three-parcel 52.05-acre site. Additional proposed land use includes an existing public park (Riverside Park) on the south side of the Chattahoochee River within the City of Helen.

The primary goals of the stream restoration project are to improve water quality, enhance flood attenuation and restore aquatic and riparian habitat. Areas that require priority 1 restoration would include belt-width preparation, channel excavation, spoil stockpiling, channel stabilization, channel diversion to newly constructed channels, installation of channel plugs and backfilling the abandoned channels. Areas requiring priority 2 restoration would incorporate a design that promotes an average bankfull channel depth and channel size based on calculations and reference reach data. This will be achieved by installing in-stream structures and installing a bankfull floodplain bench. See the enclosed Property Plat and Reference Reach Map.

Stream preservation is proposed for approximately 300 linear feet along Stream 1 on Tract Two. This area would be protected through the establishment of a conservation easement which will include a minimum I 00-foot forested buffer adjacent to each stream bank. The preservation portion would involve excavating a floodplain bench on one or both sides of the existing stream channel at the elevation of the existing bankfull level. See the enclosed Proposed Activities Topographic Map, Proposed Activities Aerial Map and Proposed Monitoring Map.

The 0.069 acre of wetland would be preserved. This would be done through promoting floodwater attenuation through reconnecting bankfull stream flows to the abandoned floodplain terraces, restoring floodplain wetlands along tributary channels and revegetating the bank's floodplains to increase frictional resistance on floodwaters crossing the bank.

Geographic Service Area: The Geographic Service Area (GSA) is the defmed area within which this bank can reasonably be expected to provide appropriate compensation for impacts to aquatic resources. The GSA for this bank will include the Upper Chattahoochee, Hydrologic Unit Code 03130001 as the Primary service area and the Middle Chattahoochee River, Hydrologic Unit Code 03130002 as the Secondary service area in Georgia. See the enclosed Service Area Map.

Oversight: This mitigation bank may be considered one ofa number of practicable alternatives available to applicants to compensate for unavoidable impacts associated with permits issued under the authority of Sections 404 and 401 of the Clean Water Act for projects located within the prescribed GSA.

Oversight of this compensatory mitigation bank will be by a group of Federal and State agency representatives collectively referred to as the Interagency Review Team (IRT). The IRT shall be chaired by the Savannah District, USACE and is comprised of representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources, Environmental Protection Division.

2 SAS-2009-0 1341

The approval for use of this mitigation bank by any specific project is the decision of the USACE pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The USACE provides no guarantee that any particular individual or general permit will be granted authorization to use this compensatory mitigation bank to compensate for unavoidable impacts associated with a proposed permit, even though mitigation from this bank may be available.

Authority: A public notice regarding the proposed mitigation bank is required pursuant to Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 325 and 332 and Title 40 Code ofFederal Regulations Part 230, entitled "Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources, Final Rule", published in the Federal Register on AprillO, 2008.

Consideration of Public Comments: The USACE is soliciting comments from the public; federal, state, and location agencies and officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate this proposed mitigation bank. The Prospectus can be seen at the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Regulatory Division, 1590 Adamson Parkway, Suite 200, Morrow, Georgia 30260-1777. Written comments received will be considered by the USACE in evaluating this proposal. Comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, cultural values, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards and flood plain values (in accordance with Executive Order 11988), land use, navigation, shore erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership, and, in general, the needs and welfare of the public.

Preliminary review, provided by the bank's sponsor, indicates that: 1) An environmental impact statement will not be required; 2) No species of fish, wildlife, or plant (or their critical habitat) listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (PL 93­205) will be affected; and, 3) No cultural or historical resources considered eligible or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places will be affected according to a website review of known listed properties. Additional information may change any of these preliminary findings.

Comment Period: Anyone wishing to comment on this proposal should submit comments in writing to the Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Regulatory Division, Attention: Ms. Chikita' Sanders, 1590 Adamson Parkway, Suite 200, Morrow, Georgia 30260-1777 no later than 30 days from the date of this notice. Please refer to the mitigation bank name (Wilkins Mitigation Bank) and the Regulatory Division file number (SAS-2009-01341) in your comments.

3 SAS-2009-01341

If you have any further questions concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Chikita' Sanders, Regulatory Specialist, Piedmont Branch at 678-422-6570.

8 Encls 1. Vicinity Map 2. USGS Topographic Map: Conceptual Restoration Plan 3. Property Plat 4. Reference Reach Map 5. Proposed Activities Topographic Map 6. Proposed Activities Aerial Map 7. Proposed Monitoring Map 8. Service Area Map

4 SAS-2009-0 1341

[H]HUFF Environmental Consulting, Inc •.

1181a-a.a.u....ua.l'MI-.~~-1'11: (706)54N!J20 PAX: (706)!J4M054

JI.GIIil: IIIIGO.S.'' ,..

FIGURE llA. CULTURAL RESOURCES

'WILKINS MITIGATION BANK

HELEN, 'WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA

HEC PROJECT N01 08- 062-04

APPROXIMATE SITE BOUNDARY --~~--~~~~--~0~~~~~~~~&...........~~t•aMJOO'~ I ,.

I [I] rn

Unicoi State Park

Legend

- Georgia Highway 75

= Chattahoochee River

•••••• Conceptual Oestgn Streams

Conceptual Des1gn Rtparian

City of Helen

Source: USGS 7.~.. Series Topographic Map

Holen, Georgia Quadrangle

400 200 0 40tl 1 et:t

. -- !1:4.000

FIGURE 10 Conceptual Restoration Plan

Wilkins Tract Helen, White County, Georgia

TTL Project Number 600608210

- -

FIGURE PROt ERTY PL.Al

llOIJNtWI'( SUI\IEY PREPAAED FOR

1RACT ONE

Wl i .KINS ET AL

TRACTS TWO o1r 1\iR££

CITY Of HELEN I..OCATED IN

CITY or HEI.£N LNID 1.01' .lG olr 40 Jrd LNIO DISTRlCT

Wfm: COUNTY, G£0RGIA DAm Ft:B. 2. 2010

1 JOB NO. 16-IA __ =..;,:BOOI< 7/44Fl.;,:ELD ..:..;__;~"'""'-------l

N LL :ze L.L. 2.5

w

CHo\TTNiO<lOIE!: LL 39 U.40STRASSE 30' R/W

WU!"" "'" i1 fU& !;i,

"""-·--

ICJWiiEJ!n) ftl- Is CNJ

TJW:I ONE ~~ -0 DISIAIICI:

• 1!4S<'n"W I II IMtl<')e"w II 74'21'114"W II 111'20'10'\1 ,. v.a•tr'lt Jii 11"36"10"'111 TRACT THREE• •oo'GJ"W • 211t'lC't 3.252 ACRES• :wtiO'.n M &l'CI'Wio u N~"'I... • ..~'»"w• uxr....,. H laiTH"W .. ,••1"2C"'t II WWIII7'1: • :50'11'!1"1: • »lll'll't

Tr44'151"W anno,.IW04'ol2.._

l o 1 • :12'05'87"\: 11_ ­anu·~"w l-t • 2705'!1"1: M.;>.>OS':28'2J"': l ~ • tt10'll't 81.01':1$;\)'+J"': L-4 I 742G'In 2011... 01'31'15"1: ,_. 0&JI$.11't L-! I llr44'JO't l7LII4

I !4 .14'~"1: ltUlf L-7 I UJ1'ZS't 11!.6747'52"24"'[

.........'20"[ ~... ,... s 11117'87"11 112.22

1140l'oi2'Y ,... ll Ul0'03"W 11 .21 Dn!l'21"1: 10 • 111"11'03"W )e.l5

11'4$'44"1: It • ~·ro.n. S2.1Z' I N $0'12'03 ... .......

&l'JO'~ 3 M U:l8'03... 72.4$' 200 0 lOO 400 100...._..85'$4'U't :n•.o•UM'!IO't •! IIi II'H'OJ"- 1lUO' 11111111111 I I Ianll"lD't: N ~· li'<JI"W lt.:ta'2'f"ll~ • -.: SCAL£ - nrr

'I + - -­ ~L-.~ I

~ f,­

0 2000 2000 4000 1"= 2000' ~!!!!liiiiiii1!!!!!!!!!!5iiiiiiiiil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!~!i;i;;--------!!;i

~~

~--------------------­

[BJ HUFF Environmental Consulting, Joe..

,.,..._......_111!,__ ~a...I&­

PH:(706)~ FAX:~~ £mill: iz6GIIdl'anl *"'0!1!

~~

r~~------------------, FIGURE llB. REFERENCE REACH MAP

\o/ILKINS MITIGATION BANK

HELEN, \o/HITE COUNTY, GEORGIA

HEC PROJECT NO: 08- 0(>2-04

----

---- ---··-·--- ------·- ~-- ·----· - ..... ------- ­

STREAM 1­

LEGEND -· - SITE BOUNDARY

STREAM

STREAM

C:: BUFFER

~ BUFFER

~ BUFFER

'WETLAND

- CULVERT TO BE REMOVED

PONDS AND ASSOCIATED CULVERTS

~ ~

(Drto>........,..,

PRESERVATION

RESTORATION

RESTORATION

PRESERVATION

ENH ANCEMENT

PRESERVATION

'---

r

I TO BE REMOVED

POOL TO BE REMOVED

[B] HUFF Environmental Consulting, Inc.

PM&"'"' l 860 ....1111o111114, .... 103 AM~~.Olcqla 301115 PH: ('706) S84920 FAX: (706) ~

&alii.: iaftlO~

NOTE: MINIMUM 100-FEET BUFFERS (WILL BE INCREASED UP TO 200-FEET

FIGURE 12A. PROPOSED ACTIVITIESWHERE TOPOGRAPHY REQUIRES AND/OR SITE CONDmONS ALLOW) · <TOPOGRAPHIC MAP)

'WILKINS MI TIGA TIDN BANK

HELEN, 'WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA500 0 500 1000 1"= 500'

HEC PROJEC T N01 08- 062- 04 scale feet

-

I...ELW SITE BOUNDARY

STREAM PRESERVATION

STREAM RESTORATION

BUFFER RESTORATION

BUFFER PRESERVATION

0500 1"= 500' -­-­scole

c8 BUFFER ENHANCEMENT

WETLAND PRESERVATION

- CULVERT TO BE REMOVED

I PONDS AND ASSOCIATED CULVERTS TO BE REMOVED POOL TO BE REMOVED

500 1000

feet

FIGURE 12B. PROPOSED ACTIVITIE S

<AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY)

\J I LKINS MITIGATION BANK

HELEN, 'w'HIT E COUNTY , GEORGIA

HEC PROJECT N~ 08- 062- 04

•. - -­ ----­

[BHUFF Environmental Consulting, Inc.

fttll f.586, lll60a--..114., lltdla lOl .U..,OoaiP301i05 PH: (106) ~ PAX: (106) so.8054

B-clil: illt!oOMIItiit... -­

----

---·------- ·---- ---- ----­

BOUNDARY STATION

LOCATION

GAUGE/PRESSURE SITE

SAMPLING

3.252 ACRES-

I ,.., i

\I jT-7; I \__! 11 I

( ( . \\

\ \.l,\ v ' \\ ~

........ __

\ il

LEGEND SITE

~ 'WEATHER

® PI EZOMETER

• STREAM TRANSDUCER

0 BIOLOGICAL LOC ATION

[B] HUFF Environmental Consulting, Inc.

I'MB1516, 11110--111111111.4.,... .03 ~Cleaqla30605

PH: (706) S49-0920 PAX: ('706) 568QW IHuil: lalloOiadl.'eavil ww rom

500 0 500 1000 l w= 500'

scale feel

FIGURE 12C. PROPOSED MONITORING

'WILKINS MITIGATION BANK

HELEN, 'WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA

HEC PROJECT N01 08- 062- 04

~-~- ~ - ------------------------ - ·-----------~ I

'

0

{

;.

.... t

~0~1,(;

/r

'j,. ~ /' .

(

,·, !

'

t' j ' •

\ \

). . .\'..JCCii0 ,_...

.\

' rl

/

'

' \

/

I • /

../ \.

v

--.I I I

•.

s

.....

•;i I

·' ,

..J

·­ Project Site

\ ' I

I l

\. l '

• .:: / <.'-: .•

. l .

~ ·-

.,

·,

I ,l ~

V'

''

' '-•

'\

r

D Primary Service Area 03130001 Upper Ch<tttilhochee River. Nationwide and ndividual Permit (IP) Actions

[;~ .. Seconday Set vice Area - 03130002 Middle Chatt~hoochee Rivet - N1tio nwide and Cas A By Case IP

P1\ l B ih~c •. 1.\'l ( 'u!h:~~, · Sl.llh\nl{tl, ,\ lh•'Jh. (,~.:,,r11 1.t :•{ V.~u:-:

I'll: r lOC11.l% %5/ I· \X 1// ){>) 'v\ )-XO.'i.:l l ~· lllall' 1\u l kn\ ll'lllllllL' IIL(ll)bdb ntllh.nelI

l__ -- ··----------- - - ---- - . - ··-- - -- ­