20001085 Ver 1_Mitigation Evaluation_20091009

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
Dee Freeman
Secretary
10/09/2009
Attn: Martin Korenek
US Marine Corps Base
PSC Box 20004
Camp Lejeune, NC 28542
DWQ # 20001085
Onslow County
Subject Property: Greater Sandy Run Mitigation Bank
Re: Site visit for EPA Program Development Grant - Review of mitigation projects by DWQ
Dear Mr. Korenek:
As part of a Wetland Program Development Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit is conducting a
statewide evaluation of compensatory stream and wetland mitigation success. Tammy Hill from this Unit
visited the above-referenced mitigation project with you on April 28, 2009. Our comments are as
follows:
This is a large mitigation bank, covering well over 1000 acres. While much of the bank was
successful and released from monitoring after five years, portions of the pocosin and burned
pine plantation required corrective measures to address hydrology and vegetation issues over
an extended timeframe. These measures appear to have accomplished the mitigation goals,
and the site is developing the expected ecological functions. The vegetation in a small area in
the northern corner of the upper pocosin is still recovering from inundation that was present
prior to installation of the spillway. This area is not currently inundated, black gum and titi
are growing, and herbaceous wetland vegetation is present in pockets among the many pine
snags.
• Check and log dams and culverts have been maintained per the mitigation plan. One culvert
was observed to have debris blocking flow during the site visit, and the debris was removed
immediately. To ensure the appropriate hydrology across the site, it is important that these
efforts continue in perpetuity, and we appreciate the Marine Corps' commitment to do so.
• The 401 Certification requirement for long-term protection of the mitigation parcel was being
met. One area along an access road had recently been disturbed by deep tire tracks, and you
indicated that it would be addressed quickly.
4010versight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands/
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NorthCarolina
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An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
DWQ Review of Mitigation Projects: Greater Sandy Run
Page 2 of 82
October 9, 2009
We greatly appreciate your cooperation with our evaluation and your continued stewardship of the
mitigation project at Greater Sandy Run. Please contact Tammy Hill or Eric Kulz at [phone] if
you have any questions regarding our comments or the mitigation review project.
Sincerely, n
Cyndi B. Karoly, Program Manager
401 Oversight and Express Review Program
cc: File Copy (Tammy Hill)
Joanne Steenhuis, Division of Water Quality, Wilmington Regional Office