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06i' <br /> Alternative." Although impacts may be unlikely, an <br /> absolute statement regarding the impacts appears <br /> unwarranted in the absence of a field investigation. <br /> - = 2. A detailed description of project needs and proposed <br /> modification in the vicinity of wetlands along Phil's <br /> Creek at Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road should be <br /> provided. It is not clear whether or not the 50' vegetated <br /> buffer along Phil's Creek will include the wetlands. <br /> However, any impacts on wetlands resulting from the <br /> expansion would.be within the scope of Nationwide <br /> Permits 14 and 26. (Nationwide Permit 14 provides for <br /> streamlined review for road crossings of less than 200' <br /> affecting less than 1/3 acres of wetlands. Nationwide <br /> Permit 26 provides for review of fill or disturbance in <br /> isolated headwater wetlands. No approval is needed for <br /> disturbance of less than 1/3 acre. State approval is <br /> needed for disturbance of between 1/3 and 1 acre. <br /> Approval of the Army Corps of Engineers is needed for <br /> disturbance of more than 1 acre.) <br /> Current Orange County standards require a stream buffer <br /> of at least 50' and possibly more, depending on slope <br /> and groundcover. Additional requirements could be <br /> included as conditions of Special Use Permit approval. <br /> The Planning Staff will recommend at that time that the <br /> buffer be measured from the edge of the wetland rather <br /> than the edge of the stream. <br /> 3. The conclusion on page 4-12 that "...edge ecotone... will <br /> provide a much richer diversity of flora and fauna" is <br /> overstated. <br /> 4. The vicinity of the northern terminus of the proposed <br /> realignment of Bethel-Hickory Grove Church Road <br /> supports a mature oak forest habitat which should be <br /> avoided to the extent possible. <br /> The comments from NCWRC also make reference to a Final <br /> EIS. Orange County does not require a Final EIS. However, <br /> comments and recommendations received during the review <br /> process may be used as the basis for attaching specific <br /> conditions to the Special Use Permit. The State does not <br /> require an EIS for a quarry operation. <br /> A locally-advertised public review period for citizens to study the <br />