A21_W912P818R0070_Am_0004.pdf

Apr. 3, 2019

Charles R. Zammit Jr.

ZAMMIT.CHARLES.RAYMO

ND.JR.1230832656

Digitally signed by

ZAMMIT.CHARLES.RAYMOND.JR.1230832656

Date: 2019.04.03 15:38:28 -05'00'

W912P818R0070 Amendment 0004

CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS / CEMVN RESPONSES

1. Question: We question the Wetland Value Assessment (WVA) score of for , and we respectfully request the supporting documentation and assumptions used to calculate the AAHUs per credit/acre for our bank.

CEMVN Response: Attached is the WVA information for .

2. Question: Did the WVA assessment for the listed banks include a review of whether each bank is currently meeting its performance standards? Did CEMVN re-evaluate whether the WVA information contained in each bank's MBI was accurate compared to current and historic aerial images and/or other sources of information?

CEMVN Response: A review to determine whether each bank has met all of its performance standards in accordance with its MBI and work plan was not performed as part of the WVA calculation.

3. If the USACE does not meet its mitigation needs/goal for the Comite River Diversion Project through the above solicitation, will the USACE solicit out-of-kind mitigation bank credits (

) from approved banks in the Lake Ponchartrain and/or Mississippi River Basins)?

CEMVN Response: Out of kind mitigation is not being considered at this time by the CEMVN.

Pursuant to WRDA 1986, Section 906, as amended (33 U.S.C. 2283(d)), mitigation plans shall ensure that impacts to bottomland hardwood forests are mitigated in kind to the extent possible.

4. If yes to 1 above, will a potential USACE solicitation for out-of-kind mitigation credits from existing approved mitigation banks in the Lake Ponchartrain and/or Mississippi River Basins be issued before soliciting/utilizing non-approved bank options (e.g., permittee responsible mitigation sites or other non-bank mitigation options)?

CEMVN Response: Out of kind mitigation is not being considered at this time by the CEMVN.

5. If yes to 2 above, how soon would a solicitation for potential out-of-kind mitigation credits be issued?

CEMVN Response: Out of kind mitigation is not being considered at this time by the CEMVN.

6. Question: Will the USACE consider credits for the Comite River Diversion Canal Project, Bottomland Hardwood Impacts?

W912P818R0070 Amendment 0004

CEMVN Response: Out of kind mitigation is not being considered at this time by the CEMVN.

Pursuant to WRDA 1986, Section 906, as amended (33 U.S.C. 2283(d)), mitigation plans shall ensure that impacts to bottomland hardwood forests are mitigated in kind to the extent possible.

7. Question: If credits are allowed, will the USACE simply issue an amendment to the current solicitation, or would an entirely new solicitation need to be issued?

CEMVN Response: Out of kind mitigation is not being considered at this time by the CEMVN.

8. Question: Also, if credits are allowed, requests that the WVA values are re-evaluated as has been recently done for This re-evaluation was made by the USACE-Civil Works Division as well as the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2018, following the USACE-Regulatory Division and Interagency Review Team’s 2017 official recognition of basin-wide hydrology improvements. Note that a re-evaluation will likely result in a higher WVA value and yield additional AAHU’s available to meet the demand for the Comite project. Will USACE allow this to occur if credits are considered for the Comite Project?

CEMVN Response: Out of kind mitigation is not being considered at this time by the CEMVN.

9. Question: The only questions/comment has is the following: Please provide the Wetland Value Assessment (WVA) with supporting documents used to score all of the Banks included in the solicitation.

CEMVN Response: Attached is the WVA information for . WVA information will only be released to the owner/Sponsor of the bank or its representative.