20021259 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20071029

07 1254
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
IN REPLY REFER TO October 29, 2007
Regulatory Division
Action ID No. 200121095, Deep Creek Wetland & Stream Mitigation Bank
Mr. Lamar Beasley D ~ `_' ~ a `~
American Wetlands
2310 Ballycairne Court OCT 2 9 2A07
Reston, Virginia 20191 AENR -WATER QUALITY
WETW~p,~ AND STORIIIW,ATER BRANCy
Dear Mr. Beasley:
This correspondence is in reference to Deep Creek Wetland and Stream
Mitigation Bank that is being developed by American Wetlands. The site consists of
70.745 acres and is located on the west side of Dinkins Bottom Road (SR 1570), south of
US Highway 421, southwest of Yadkinville, adjacent to Deep Creek and one of its
tributaries, in Yadkin County, North Carolina.
Reference is made to the Year-Four Monitoring Report dated January 2007,
received in our office on March 7, 2007. Reference is also made to the attached
comments from the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water
Quality (DWQ), dated March 30, 2007 and the site inspection conducted by the agencies
on Apri14, 2007. The site inspection revealed that you have taken the necessary steps to
remove beaver activity on the site through continued removal of the dams. Furthermore,
it was noted that bank instability within the lower reaches of the project has been
addressed as evidenced by recent construction activities located near the farm road
access. As noted in the letter from DWQ, hydrologic regimes within plots D4, D5, and
D6 reveal evidence of long periods of standing water, while Wells D1, D3, and 3A are
showing long periods without saturation. Accordingly, they have requested that the next
monitoring report provides data detailing the maximum number of consecutive days of
saturation for all gauges in all monitoring areas. With respect to the wetland vegetation
success criteria, DWQ noted that overall the success criteria is being met, yet plots D2,
D4, D7, and D 12 did not meet success individually. They also note that less desirable
volunteer species appear to be replacing planted species. Therefore, they have requested
that the next monitoring report provide separate tables for planted and volunteer

vegetation, in order to allow evaluation of the density and diversity of the developing
plant community. Our site inspections during 2007 revealed that overall plant
composition of the site is rather high and diverse and the lower densities occur in
microtopographic depressions where ponding may be hindering the successful
establishment of woody species.
With respect to the stream stability, a site inspection in early 2007 revealed that
you have taken the necessary steps to address stream stability that were identified
following the submittal of the Year Three Monitoring Report for Deep Creek Stream and
Wetland Mitigation site. These activities included continued removal of beaver activity
and addressing streambank instability in a few areas. Overall, the stream appears to be
rather stable. Our site inspection in early 2007 also raised concern regarding the last
structure constructed on the site and the transition to the unrestored stream reach, which
will be addressed by the team and we will coordinate this discussion with you and your
consultant.
Finally, overall the site appears to be meeting the success criteria, despite the
transition to the unrestored stream reach at the terminus of the project. Accordingly,
15% of the wetland and stream credits are now available since interim success criteria
have been met.
Thank you for your time and cooperation. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact me at [phone], Ext. 24.
Sincerely,
~~
Jean B. Manuele
Chief, Raleigh Regulatory
Field Office
Copies Furnished with attachments:
Ms. Rebecca Fox
United States Environmental Protection Agency
1349 Firefly Road
Whittier, North Carolina 28789
2

Ms. Marella Buncick
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
Ms. Amanda Mueller
Division of Water Quality
North Carolina Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699
Mrs. Marla Chambers
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Habitat Conservation Program
112275 Swift Road
Oakboro, North Carolina 28129