Document 1QN0xmjzgKxzB94v1Yd8MzJnm

Report Title: Inspection Date(s): Start Time: Regulatory Program(s): Site Name: Site Location: Latitude: County/Parish: Site Owner(s): Mailing Address: Clean Water Act, Section 404 Inspection Report for Preston Hoopes Site 08/8/2024 11:09 End Time: 13:10 Inspections authorized pursuant to Clean Water Act, Sections 308 and 404 (33 U.S.C. 1318 and 1344) Preston Hoopes Intersection of Loucks Mill Road and T536 Ulysses Township, Pennsylvania 16948 41.892121 Potter County Longitude: -77.743672 Preston Hoopes 1002 Empson Road Ulysses, Pennsylvania 16948 DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 Site Contact(s): Preston Hoopes Phone: (434) 996-9173 Email: chelsea@hoopesfamilyfarm.com EPA Inspector: Laura Mathew, Inspector, 3ED31 Phone: (215) 814-2061 Email: Mathew.Laura@epa.gov EPA Inspector Signature/Date Supervisor Signature/Date DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 LAURA MATHEW Digitally signed by LAURA MATHEW Date: 2024.10.07 08:16:43 -04'00' Laura Mathew, Inspector, 3ED31 1600 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19103 KATELYN ALMETER Digitally signed by KATELYN ALMETER Date: 2024.10.07 09:47:22 -04'00' Katelyn Almeter, Acting Chief SDWA & Wetlands Section Date Date Table of Contents CWA Section 404 Inspection 08/8/2024 Section Page I Introduction................................................................................................ 3 A Site Identification....................................................................................... 3 B Weather and Environmental Conditions.................................................... 3 C Inspection Opening Conference................................................................. 3 II Site Activity................................................................................................ 4 III Observations............................................................................................... 4 IV Records Review.......................................................................................... 5 V Closing Conference.................................................................................... 5 A Overview.................................................................................................... 6 Observations Relayed to Site B Representative............................................. 7 VI List of Attachments.................................................................................... 7 DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 Page 2 of 6 CWA Section 404 Inspection 08/8/2024 I. Introduction On August 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") conducted an inspection to document current site conditions at the Hoopes property. On My 24, 2024, the EPA issued an information request letter and received a response on July 29, 2024. Subsequently, Ecotune Environmental Consultants ("Ecotune"), a consulting firm retained by the owner, requested a site visit to discuss restoration activities. This inspection was coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE"), Pittsburgh District, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ("PADEP"), and Ecotune. The EPA participated in the inspection in support of the USACE, Pittsburgh District, which is the current lead agency for Clean Water Act ("CWA"), Section 404 in this matter. A. Site Identification The site is located near the intersection of Loucks Mill Road and T536 in Ulysses Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania; parcel IDs: 280-001031-1A and 290-001-015-6 ("Site", Attachment 1 - Site Map). The eastern portion of the property is actively being farmed. The western portion of the property has been mowed. B. Weather and Environmental Conditions The weather conditions during the inspection were cloudy with a high near 85F. According to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Record of Climatological Observations for the Galeton, PA, station (USC0036130), a total of 0.04 inches of rain was recorded on August 8, 2024, however. The recorded rainfall at the Galeton, PA, station for the preceding seven-day period before the inspection are displayed in Table 1 below. Table 1 - Recorded Rainfall Date Rainfall (inches) 7/31/2024 1.01 8/1/2024 0.00 8/2/2024 0.36 8/3/2024 0.76 8/4/2024 1.35 8/5/2024 0.00 8/6/2024 0.70 8/7/2024 0.19 C. Inspection Opening Conference Opening conference was held on a property located to the south of the Site along Loucks Mill Road at 11:09 AM. Introductions were conducted, the EPA inspector displayed her credentials to the Site representative and inspection attendees. Attendees of the inspection included Laura Mathew of the EPA's CWA Section 404 enforcement program, Lianna Johnson of the USACE, Pittsburgh District, Kipp Starks of the PADEP, and Patrick Gavaghan of Ecotune. Ecotune stated that Preston Hoopes recently purchased this neighboring property (parcel ID 290- 001-015F) and has previously farmed parts of the property (parcel ID 290-001-015-6) between Loucks Mill Road and the Genessee River. This area is currently mowed. DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 Page 3 of 6 CWA Section 404 Inspection 08/8/2024 The EPA has not made a determination on whether the site/facility is a small business. Should the site/facility find it applicable, the U.S. EPA Small Business Resources Information Sheet can be found at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-06/documents/smallbusinessinfo.pdf. II. Site Activity The Site is privately owned, and the majority of the property has been used for agriculture. Fourinch drain tiles have recently been installed in areas identified as wetlands that have been newly converted for agricultural use. At the time of the inspection, the newly converted areas were not used for agriculture and appear to be mowed. Additionally, the portion of the Genessee River that flows through the property has been culverted with a 10-inch drainpipe. III. Observations Following opening conference, the inspection began upstream in the Genessee River at the southern end of the recently installed, 10-inch drainpipe. The area was densely vegetated with herbaceous vegetation and water was observed flowing into the drainpipe (Attachment 3 - Photographic Log; DSCN5556 and DSCN5557). The area to the east has been mowed. Ecotune stated that wheat had been farmed in the area to the east of the Genessee River but is currently just mowed to maintain it. Ecotune also stated that when Mr. Hoopes installed the 10-inch drainpipe into the Genessee River, he side-casted material and spread it around. The inspection continued downstream. The location of one of the 4-inch drainpipes was identified, the area was vegetated with herbaceous vegetation and fill material was observed on the ground surface (DSCN5558). Moving further downstream, the inspector observed vehicle tracks in the area east of the Genessee River with standing water present, and an unused 4-inch and 10-inch drain discarded in vegetation near the Genessee River (DSCN5559, DSCN5562, and DSCN5563). The inspection continued to the north along the Genessee River to the Hoopes property (Attachment 1 - Site Map). A mowed field was noted to the west between the Genessee River and Loucks Mill Road (DSCN5567). The inspection walkthrough continued to a location of a possible drainageway based on pre-inspection review of aerial imagery of the Site. The area was within a slight depression and a variety of grasses where observed, including crabgrass. A soil boring (SB-01) was conducted at 41.8925171, -77.7447140 within the slight depression (Attachment 2 - Soil Boring Locations). The soil boring contained dense roots near the surface and was characterized as: [0-7 inches] 100% 7.5YR 3/2; [7-12 inches] 95% 7.5YR 4/1 silty loam with 5% 7.5YR 4/6 redoximorphic features (DSCN5569). The soil profile met the technical definition of a hydric soil (Indicator F3). The soil was saturated, and evidence of mixing in the soil profile was observed. The area had 100% vegetation cover that consisted primarily of grass. The inspection moved to the south and vehicle depressions were observed in the field. Surface water was present in the vehicle depressions at the time of the inspection (DSCN5570 and DSCN5571). A culvert under Loucks Mill Road was observed with water flowing to the Site (DSCN5572). Ecotune stated this culvert had recently been installed, replacing an older culvert. A second soil boring (SB-02) was conducted at approximately 41.89207228, -77.7442227 DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 Page 4 of 6 CWA Section 404 Inspection 08/8/2024 (Attachment 2) and was characterized as: [0-4 inches] 100% 7.5YR 3/2 silty loam; [4-12 inches] 60% 2.5YR 4/1 silty loam with 40% 7.5YR 4/6 redoximorphic features (DSCN5577). The soil profile met the technical definition of a hydric soil (Indicator F3). The soil was saturated and surface water was observed nearby (DSCN5576). The area had approximately 85% vegetation cover that was comprised of grass. A third soil boring (SB-03) was conducted in the mowed area at approximately 41.8919129, 77.7445052 in an area upgradient from SB-02 (Attachment 2). The soil boring was characterized as: [0-8 inches] mixed matrix with 90% 7.5YR 4/2 and 10% 7.5YR 5/2 silty loam; [8-14 inches] 60% 7.5YR 5/3 silty loam with 40% 7.5YR 5/8 redoximorphic features (DSCN5580). No hydrology was observed, approximately 80% of the area was vegetated with herbaceous vegetation including grass, clover, and docks. The inspection moved along the Genessee River to the culvert under Loucks Mill Road (DSCN5581). The downstream end of the 10-inch drainpipe was observed, water was flowing out of the drainpipe and through the culvert. Indicators of an Ordinary High Water Mark were observed downstream of the culvert including a change in the plant community along the bank and the bed and bank of the Genessee River were stable and well vegetated (DSCN5582 to DSCN5586). Water was flowing in the river at the time of the inspection at an approximate depth of 7 inches (DSCN5587). The inspection concluded at the areas where the cars were parked. IV. Records Review A review of Site or facility records was not a component of the inspection; therefore, the EPA is not expecting to access business records, including confidential business information ("CBI"). If the Site or facility owner wants to make a CBI claim on information or photographs collected by the inspector during the inspection, they can submit a claim to the EPA. After the Site or facility representative notifies the EPA of the CBI, the EPA representative will mark the CBI as such, and it will be handled as CBI according to the EPA's procedures. V. Closing Conference A. Overview Closing conference was conducted after concluding the inspection walkthrough at approximately 13:10. Ecotune asked about permit requirements for restoration work that will be completed on the property. USACE will follow up with permit requirements. EPA, USACE, PADEP, and Ecotune discussed restoration activities, which include: Removal of the 10-inch drainpipe from the Genessee River; Potentially install in-stream features in the Genessee River for erosion control; Removal of all 4-inch drainpipes located within the identified wetlands; Daylight 4-inch drainpipes outside the wetland boundary; and Disturbed areas will be allowed to naturally revegetate. PADEP also mentioned that restoration work will not be allowed to be conducted during the time of year restrictions for wild trout spawning season that starts in October. DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 Page 5 of 6 B. Observations Relayed to Site Representative CWA Section 404 Inspection 08/8/2024 The EPA communicated that an inspection report including observations and photographs documented today would be completed and disseminated within 60 days. VI. List of Attachments Attachment 1: Attachment 2: Attachment 3: Site Map Soil Boring Locations Photographic Log DSB-ID #: ECAD-5531 Page 6 of 6 New York Attachment 1 - Site Map Esri, TornTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, EPA, USFWS, Maxar, i\ficrosoft 2024 Coordinate System: WGS 1984 Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere 0 0 A N 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.07 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5555.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: General view facing north of the Hoopes Property. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5556.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Upstream end of the 10-inch drainpipe installed in the Genessee River. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5557.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Downstream view of the flowpath of the 10-inch drainpipe. Page 1 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5558.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: View of the surface above a drain tile that had been installed. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5559.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Debris observed in the field during the walkthrough. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5560.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: North facing view of the Genessee River with an installed 10-inch drainpipe. Page 2 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5561.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: North facing view further downstream of the Genessee River. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5562.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Surface water noted on east side of the Genessee River. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5563.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Unused drain observed in the vegetation during walkthrough. Page 3 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5564.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Looking west along the property boundary line. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5565.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Northwesterly view looking towards Loucks Mill Rd of the Hoopes property. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5566.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: South-facing view along former fence line. Page 4 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5567.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: North-facing view of area between Genessee River and Loucks Mill Road. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5568.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: View of Soil Boring #1. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5569.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Another view of Soil Boring #1. Page 5 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5570.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Vehicle depression with surface water present. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5571.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Vehicle depressions with surface water present. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5572.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Outfall of stormwater drain under Loucks Mill Road. Page 6 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5573.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Inlet of stormwater drainage under Loucks Mill Road. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5574.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Northeast view overlooking the Hoopes property from the culvert along Loucks Mill Road. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5575.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Location of Soil Boring #2. Page 7 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5576.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Standing surface water near location of Soil Boring #2. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5577.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: View of Soil Boring #2. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5578.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Another view of Soil Boring #2. Page 8 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5579.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Location of Soil Boring #3. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5580.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: View of Soil Boring #3. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5581.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Downstream view of the Genessee River flowing into culvert under Loucks Mill Road. Page 9 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5582.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Southeast view of the Genessee River downstream of culvert. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5583.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: View of the Genessee River flowing out of the culvert under Loucks Mill Road. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5584.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Another view of the Genessee River flowing out of the culvert. Page 10 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5585.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: East facing view of Genessee River. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5586.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: View of vegetation in and around the Genessee River. Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5587.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Depth of the Genessee River downstream of the culvert. Page 11 of 12 Attachment 3 - Photographic Log DSB-ID ECAD-5531 Hoopes Property Date: 8 August 2024 Photo ID: DSCN5588.JPG Photo taken by: Laura Mathew Notes: Width of the Genessee River. Page 12 of 12