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Holcim Home Branch Relocation Permit Modification
Orangeburg County, South Carolina
Holcim Home Branch Relocation Permit Modification
Orangeburg County, South Carolina
JOINT
PUBLIC NOTICE
CHARLESTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69A Hagood Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29403-5107
and
THE S.C. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Office of Environmental Quality Control
Water Quality Certification and Wetlands Programs Section
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
REGULATORY DIVISION
Refer to: P/N # 2008-00071-2T (Modified)
5 September 2013
Pursuant to Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), an application has been submitted
to the Department of the Army and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control by
HOLCIM INC.
C/O
SYNTERRA
148 RIVER STREET, SUITE 220
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29601
for a permit modification to construct a new stream channel and reroute water flow from an existing diversion
canal to the new stream channel in
HOME BRANCH
at a location described as being within the Holcim Inc. facility on SC Highway 453 North in Holly Hill, Orangeburg
County, South Carolina (33.29221 Latitude/ 80.42532 Longitude)
In order to give all interested parties an opportunity to express their views
NOTICE
is hereby given that written statements regarding the proposed work will be received by the Corps until
15 Days from the Date of this Notice,
and SCDHEC will receive written statements regarding the proposed work until
30 Days from the Date of this Notice
from those interested in the activity and whose interests may be affected by the proposed work.
REGULATORY DIVISION
Refer to: P/N # 2008-00071-2T (Modified)
5 September 2013
The proposed project is a modification to permit SAC-2008-00071-2T that was issued on October 5,
2010. The original permitted work consisted of the placement of fill material in waters of the U.S. for the
construction of an embankment to re-route the water flow of Home Branch from the existing 15,000 linear foot
diversion canal to a newly constructed 5,800 linear foot stream channel above the quarry. The total permitted
impacts were 10 linear feet and 200 square feet of waters. The remainder of the permitted project involved the
construction of a new stream channel in uplands within the quarry and the construction of a temporary
embankment, and temporary sediment trap within the new channel. The proposed permit modification involves
only changes to the location and design of the new channel which will be constructed in uplands through the
quarry.
The project purpose remains the same as originally permitted, which is to re-direct flow of Home Branch from the
existing diversion canal to a new stream channel in order to 1) Minimize the current safety hazards associated
with the potential collapse of the existing diversion canal and resulting flooding of the quarry; 2) Reduce energy
consumption, air emissions, and operating costs of cement manufacturing as moisture content has increased as
mining activities have approached the canal; and 3) Improve the overall environmental quality of Home Branch.
Impacts associated with the proposed permit modification will also remain the same as originally permitted,
which is 200 square feet and 10 linear feet of waters of the U.S. No additional impacts to waters of the U.S.
will occur as a result of the proposed permit modification. The original permit also includes permit conditions
that require the permittee to monitor the constructed channel and inspect the structural fill. These permit
conditions will still apply to the proposed modified permit.
The proposed permit modification consists of relocating the proposed new channel towards the middle of the
quarry to a location that is in close proximity to the original Home Branch before it was diverted around the quarry
in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The diversion canal around the perimeter of the quarry is approximately 15,000
feet in length and was excavated to maintain flow of Home Branch from Holy Hill north of Holcim to Four Hole
Swamp south of Holcim. The proposed modified route of the new channel was not an optional alternative when
the original permit was issued due to quarry operations at that time. Significant changes in quarry operations and
the active area being mined provide the opportunity to locate the new channel in the proposed modified location.
Refer to the attached Figure 1-2 for the permitted location, the proposed modified location, and the original
location of Home Branch.
The proposed modified channel would begin near the processing facility, where the diversion canal currently
intercepts Home Branch at Three-way Junction. The channel would flow southeast to an earthen structure,
across the quarry, and to a new discharge point at Four Hole Swamp. The proposed modified route avoids many
of the Holcim plant areas such as coal piles and RCRA Solid Waste Management Units (SWMU) that are located
near the permitted channel route.
The proposed modified channel will be 6,912 feet long and was designed to resemble a natural representative
stream, especially along the upstream portion where sinuosity and floodplains were incorporated into the design.
The proposed modified channel was designed according to Rosgen's type C stream criteria using a combination
of hydrology and hydraulic analyses, hydraulic modeling, and geotechnical considerations. Fundamentals of the
stream design focused on channel pattern and dimensions. Design details encompass a temporary berm, an
inlet control structure, an emergency spillway, the earthen structure and quarry wall abutments, a temporary
sediment trap, as well as incorporating structures such as a vehicle bridge and conveyor overpass. The detailed
design of the entire length of the channel was modeled using HEC-RAS hydraulic software. Wherever possible, a
more natural stream channel was created by designing an inner channel with associated floodplains. The inner
channel was designed so that the floodplains would receive water once the flow rate exceeds 99 cfs. Thus the
inner channel would be 25 feet at the base, with an average depth of 2.5 feet. The width of the floodplains
depend on available space and will range from approximately 15 feet to 85 feet.
REGULATORY DIVISION
Refer to: P/N # 2008-00071-2T (Modified)
5 September 2013
The proposed modified channel can adequately convey 100-year storm flows of 1,025 cfs. However, as a
precaution to avoid flooding of the production plant area, an emergency spillway will be installed to receive flows
greater than 25-year storm events. Refer to Figures 7-4 and 7-9. The spillway will provide flow relief if large
debris becomes lodged within the channel. Any water lost from the channel via the spillway would collect in the
active quarry sump and be returned to Four Hole Swamp via the quarry dewatering system. With current design,
the spillway would discharge approximately 64 cfs and 680 cfs during 50-year and 100-year storm event,
respectively.
The upstream portion of the new channel from Three-Way Junction to the overhead conveyor will be constructed
by excavating uplands. The remainder of channel will be constructed from backfill to create an earthen structure
that will be elevated approximately 65 feet above the existing quarry floor. The following are specific design
features that will be incorporated into the earthen structure: 1) Clay soils removed from the quarry as overburden
are suitable for construction of the earthen structure. Soils would be compacted to 95 percent of Standard
Proctor density within two percent of the optimum moisture content; 2) Outboard slopes of the structure would be
3: 1 (horizontal to vertical); 3) Berms at the top of the structure would be 22 feet wide on the west side to
accommodate vehicles and 8 feet on the east side; 4) Prior to placement of fill material the ground surface will be
scraped to rock; 5) A keyway would be constructed beneath the clay backfill and a blanket drain installed at the
toe of the slope; 6) Perforated pipes (24 inch) would be installed at both the north and south abutments of the
earthen structure; and 7) The quarry wall would be benched and lined with geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) at each
end of the structure. Details of these features are illustrated in Figures 7-12A, 7-12B, 7-12C and 7-12D.
Drainage pipes (36 inch) will be installed at the base of the structure to serve to equilibrate water levels on either
side if the structure as the quarry floods after mining operations cease. The approximate location of these
drainage pipes are shown on Figures 7-5 through 7-8.
The proposed modified channel was designed to more closely resemble a natural representative stream,
especially along the upstream portion where floodplains and depressional wetlands were incorporated into the
design. This upstream or northern portion of the stream would be excavated from existing grade. A riparian
buffer of indigenous vegetation would be established along the excavated channel length. The downstream or
southern portion of the proposed stream would be constructed as an elevated earthen structure, which will be
vegetated in a different manner than the northern portion of the channel. Given that it will take time to establish a
good vegetation cover, precautionary erosion control measures will be implemented in specific sections of the
proposed channel. In an effort to restore a representative channel, vegetative erosion control measures would
be utilized wherever possible. However, bioengineering, which blends structural and vegetative stabilization
methods, will be used where flow velocities, shear stress, and bank stability preclude stabilization by vegetation
alone. Hard armoring could not be avoided at the vehicle bridge and conveyor overpass because of potential
high velocities, shear stress, and shading. Goals of the vegetation plan include: establishment of a riparian buffer
of indigenous vegetation; stabilization of channel banks and slopes; minimization of surface erosion,
sedimentation, and associated off-site impacts; enhancement of terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitat; and
conditions that will be self-sustainable and require minimal remedial work or maintenance.
The District Engineer has concluded that the discharges associated with this project, both direct and
indirect, should be reviewed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control in
accordance with provisions of Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. As such, this notice constitutes a request, on
behalf of the applicant, for certification that this project will comply with applicable effluent limitations and water
quality standards. The work shown on this application must also be certified as consistent with applicable
provisions of the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act (15 CFR 930). The District Engineer will not
process this application to a conclusion until such certifications are received. The applicant is hereby advised
that supplemental information may be required by the State to facilitate the review. Persons wishing to comment
or object to State certification must submit all comments in writing to the S.C. Department of Health and
Environmental Control at the above address within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice.
REGULATORY DIVISION
Refer to: P/N # 2008-00071-2T (Modified)
5 September 2013
This notice initiates the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Implementation of the proposed project would not impact waters
of the U.S. Our initial determination is that the proposed action would not have a substantial individual or
cumulative adverse impact on EFH or fisheries managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Our final determination relative to project impacts and the
need for mitigation measures is subject to review by and coordination with the NMFS.
The District Engineer has consulted the most recently available information and has determined that the
project will have no effect on any Federally endangered, threatened, or proposed species and will not result in the
destruction or adverse modification of designated or proposed critical habitat. This public notice serves as a
request to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for any additional
information they may have on whether any listed or proposed endangered or threatened species or designated or
proposed critical habitat may be present in the area which would be affected by the activity, pursuant to Section
7(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended).
Pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), this public notice also
constitutes a request to Indian Tribes to notify the District Engineer of any historic properties of religious and
cultural significance to them that may be affected by the proposed undertaking.
In accordance with the NHPA, the District Engineer has also consulted the latest published version of
the National Register of Historic Places for the presence or absence of registered properties, or properties
listed as being eligible for inclusion therein, and this worksite is not included as a registered property or
property listed as being eligible for inclusion in the Register. To insure that other cultural resources that the
District Engineer is not aware of are not overlooked, this public notice also serves as a request to the State
Historic Preservation Office to provide any information it may have with regard to historic and cultural
resources.
Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a public
hearing be held to consider this application. Requests for a public hearing shall state, with particularity, the
reasons for holding a public hearing.
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impact including
cumulative impacts of the activity on the public interest and will include application of the guidelines promulgated
by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under authority of Section 404(b) of the Clean
Water Act and, as appropriate, the criteria established under authority of Section 102 of the Marine Protection,
Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, as amended. That decision will reflect the national concern for both
protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from
the project must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to
the project will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics,
aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards,
flood plain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and
conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production and, in general, the needs and
welfare of the people. A permit will be granted unless the District Engineer determines that it would be contrary
to the public interest. In cases of conflicting property rights, the Corps of Engineers cannot undertake to
adjudicate rival claims.
REGULATORY DIVISION
Refer to: P/N # 2008-00071-2T (Modified)
5 September 2013
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, state, and local agencies and
officials; Indian Tribes; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this activity.
Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify,
condition or deny a permit for this project. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on
endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and the other public
interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an
Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to
determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the activity.
If there are any questions concerning this public notice, please contact Tracy Dotolo Sanders at
843-329-8044 or toll free at 1-866-329-8187.