20080511 Ver 3_LAGII 2019 5th AnnRep GES_20190911

ID#* 20080511
Select Reviewer:*
Katie Merritt
Initial Review
Completed Date
09/12/2019
Mitigation Project Submittal - 9/11/2019
Version* 3
Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site? *
Type of Mitigation Project:*
r Stream r Wetlands V Buffer V Nutrient Offset
(Select all that apply)
Project Contact Information
Contact Name:*
Jeff Becker
Project Information
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Email Address:*
[e-mail]
Existing 20080511 Existing 3
(DWR) (nunbersonly ...nodash) Version: (nurrbersonly)
I D#: *
Project Type: r DMS r Mitigation Bank
Project Name: LaGrange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
County: Lenoir
Document Information
Mitigation Document Type:*
Mitigation Monitoring Report
File Upload: LAGII 2019 5th AnnRep GES.pdf 1.75MB
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Signature
Print Name:* Jeff Becker
Signature:
*
Te rke Y,

La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Fifth Annual Report / September 2019
Greene Environmental Services, LLC
Neuse River Umbrella Mitigation Bank / DWR#: 2008-0511v3

Submitted to:
Katie Merritt
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources – Water Quality Programs
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

Submitted by:
Greene Environmental Services, Jeff Becker and David Knowles
Ham Farms, 963 Hwy 258 S
Snow Hill, NC 28580
[phone]

2

Table of Contents
1.0 Project Location and Description……………………………………………………..... 3
2.0 Plantings of Seedlings……………………………………………………………….…. 4
3.0 Monitoring Plot Survey Results ……………………………………………………….. 7
4.0 Monitoring, Maintenance and Supplemental Planting………………………………… 10
5.0 Nutrient Offset and Buffer Potential ………………………………………………….. 10
6.0 Appendices …………………………………………………………………………….. 12
Appendix A: Figures
Figure 1: LaGrange Bank, Phase II in Neuse Basin
Figure 2: LaGrange Bank, Phase II in HUC 03020202
Figure 3: LaGrange Bank, Phase II aerial image
Figure 4: LaGrange Bank sub-tracts
Figure 5: Survey plat
Figure 6. Survey plant excerpt with monitoring plots
Appendix B: Monitoring Plots and Photographs
Plot page: LAG-3
Plot page: LAG-4
3

1.0 Project Location and Description
Greene Environmental Services, LLC (GES) of Snow Hill, North Carolina expanded a mitigation
bank at near La Grange, NC to include additional acreage for riparian buffer and nutrient offset
credits. A Site Closeout Inspection for the La Grange Bank Parcel (phase one) was conducted,
and subsequently approved, by staff from the North Carolina, Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR) in October 2017 following the fifth and final year monitoring effort at the Bank. As
with the initial project, the expansion acreage is included in the Greene Environmental Services
Neuse River Basin Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Umbrella Bank. The expansion project is
named the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II (Bank); this report is the fifth of five annual
monitoring reports submitted for review to the NCDWR.
The Bank is immediately adjacent to the initial La Grange Bank Parcel and is situated southwest
of the intersection of NC 903 and Old Jason Road (SR 1501), north of La Grange, in Lenoir
County, North Carolina (Appendix A: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4). The latitude/longitude coordinates of
the site area approximately 35° 20' 31.17'' N and 77° 47' 23.21'' W The purpose of the Phase II
mitigation bank expansion is to improve water quality within the Neuse River Basin by reducing
nutrient and sediment inputs to the watershed and providing off-site mitigation for development
requiring nutrient offsets.
The Phase II bank parcel is located within the Middle Neuse Watershed (HUC: 03020202)
(Figures 1 and 2). Storm water runoff from this site drains into Meeting House Branch (Stream
Index # 27-72-3) and via a farm drainage ditch and maintained canal system (un-named
tributary, UT). Meeting House Branch discharges to Bear Creek (Stream Index # 27-72-(0.1)),
a major tributary to the Neuse River (Appendix A: Figure 3).
The Phase II parcel is 3.50 acres. Of this 3.50 acres, 2.97 acres (6,750.87 lbs-N) were restored to
generate nutrient offsets and 0.52 acres (22,620.63 ft2) were restored to generate Neuse Riparian
Buffer Mitigation. The buffer restoration acreage was reduced by 30.57 ft2 as compared to the
BPDP. For reporting purposes, all acreages are rounded to the nearest hundredth of an acre.
Riparian buffer mitigation acreage was established in two sub-tracts labelled A and C in the
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survey plat provided in Appendix A: Figures 5 and 6. Sub-tract A is 0.03 acres (1,491.00 ft2)
and buffers southerly flowing Meeting House Branch; sub-tract C is 0.49 acres (21,129.63 ft2)
and buffers the westerly flowing unnamed tributary to Meeting House Branch. Nutrient offset
acreage was established in two sub-tracts, B and D. Sub-tract B is 0.16 acres along the unnamed
tributary to Meeting House Branch and sub-tract D is 2.81 acres along a drainage ditch at the
eastern border of the Phase II tract that discharging to the UT that flows into Meeting House
Branch, and adjacent to the sub-tract C riparian buffer area. The riparian buffers extended from
the top of the ditch-banks 50 feet perpendicular to the buffered steam segments. The nutrient
offset acreage extended from the top of the ditch-banks a minimum of 50 feet and a maximum of
200 feet perpendicular to the buffered stream segments or to the border of Phase I. A 0.06-acre
(2,613.60 ft2) triangular portion of the site adjacent to L-13 on the survey plat is beyond the 200-
foot allowable limit for mitigation credit thus is not included in the mitigation credit calculations.
However, this isolated portion had to be purchased by Greene Environmental Services, LLC to
avoid the need to provide access an access easement. This Phase II bank parcel was established
under the terms and conditions of the Greene Environmental Services Neuse River Basin
Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Umbrella Bank.
The Phase II parcel was previous agricultural cropland and approximately one acre was planted
with bald cypress and river birch saplings during March of 2010, at which time staff from the
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (now renamed the Department of
Environmental Quality), Division of Water Resources visited the site and determined that it was
suitable for mitigation. Katie Merritt with DWR visited the site in June of 2013 and determined
this Phase II acreage was still suitable for mitigation purposes.

2.0 Plantings of Seedlings the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
In an effort to restore some ecological functions and improve water quality in the local and
regional watersheds, the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II project site was planted with
seedlings of native trees species and placed under permanent conservation easement. As a result
of these actions, the project site has been taken out of agricultural production, soils should
become better stabilized, and nutrient loading in adjacent streams should be reduced. Seedlings
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of character tree species were planted in three installments during separate years prior to the
creation of the 3.50-acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II. In late winter of 2010 and 2014,
seedlings of river birch and bald cypress were planted in portions of the area that was to become
the Phase II expansion acreage (Table 1). In late winter of 2014 and 2015, yellow poplar, black
gum and sycamore were planted in the Phase II tracts. Also, in March of 2015, three oak species:
overcup oak, cherrybark oak and Shumard’s oak were planted in the Phase II acreage.
Considering all planting installments, bald cypress and sycamore were the most frequently
planted species with the oak species least frequently planted (Table 1). A total of 1890 seedlings
were planted in the Phase II expansion acreage for an estimated density of 541.5 seedlings per
acre prior to the first annual monitoring effort.
Plantings by sub-tract were as follows: riparian buffer sub-tracts A and C were planted in 2015
with a mix of yellow poplar, black gum, sycamore, overcup oak, cherrybark oak and Shumard
oak, from the top of the stream bank outward to 50 feet. Nutrient offset sub-tract B was planted
in 2015 with the same tree species from the top of the stream bank to the border of the pre-
existing La Grange Bank Parcel (roughly 30 feet). Nutrient offset sub-tract D was planted the
same mix of species from the existing stand of trees (mostly bald cypress and river birch)
initially planted in 2010, to the pre-existing La Grange Bank Parcel boundary or up to 200 feet
from the top of the ditch bank. Survival rates of the planted seedlings were assessed by counting
stems in two 100m2 monitoring plots that were established in representative stands of the project
site.
In December 2016, during a site visit by GES personnel, an easement violation was discovered at
the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II. This violation consisted of a mechanized vehicle
(tractor) entering the Bank and mowing approximately 0.58 acres of sub-tracts II-a and II-d
(Figure 4). The mowing was done without the knowledge or consent of GES, and presumably by
a local farmer or farm worker who mistook the area containing 2 to 3 year-old saplings as weeds,
even though the site was well-marked with signage prohibiting these activities. NC Division of
Water Resources staff was notified and following a site visit, a remedial plan was developed and
subsequently implemented in February 2017. In the affected area, 150 bald cypress, 100
sycamore and 5 black cherry saplings were planted as per guidance from DWR. A portion of
monitoring plot LAG-4 was mowed and remedial planting of two sycamore saplings in that plot
6

was accomplished. The additional planting of 255 saplings increased the planted stem density
for the Bank from 541.5 saplings per acre as reported above, to 612.9 per acre (Table 1).
In October 2017, a second easement violation was discovered in the same location as the
previous violation. The 2017 violation was smaller in extent (0.15 acres) and it was determined
that a hunter, who had leased hunting rights to the tract via an Indiana-based land leasing
company, had mowed lanes within the Bank for hunting access. Hunting is allowable in the Bank
but, as noted with on-site signage, mowing and vehicular traffic is not allowable. The leasing
company and the hunter were notified of the violation and no additional violations have
occurred. To remedy the violation, an Adaptive Management Plan was submitted to NCDWR in
December 2017 and subsequently successfully implemented by planting 65 sycamore
containerized saplings and 55 containerized river bitch saplings in the mowed area during
February 2018. The resulting planted sapling density for the entire Bank approximated 647
saplings per acre when considering remedial plantings as well as previous plantings (Table 1).
Table 1. Species planted in the 3.50 acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.
Species Common name Year planted Seedlings planted
Betula nigra River birch 2010, 2014 270/55**
Liriodendron tulipifea Yellow poplar 2014, 2015 200
Nyssa sylvatica Black gum 2014, 2015 220
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore 2014, 2015, 2017* 420/100*/65**
Prunus serotina Black cherry 2017* 5*
Quercus lyrata Overcup oak 2015 100
Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak 2015 100
Quercus shumardii Shumard oak 2015 100
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 2010, 2014, 2017* 480/150*
Total Number of Saplings Planted 2265 (647 per acre)*
*Based on remedial plantings in February 2017.
** Based on remedial planting in February 2018.

7

3.0 Monitoring Plot Survey Results for Year 2019
Two 10m x 10m (0.0247 acre) monitoring plots, LAG-3 and LAG-4, were established in the
3.50-acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II project area (Appendix A: Figure 6).
Monitoring plot LAG-3 was established in a portion of Phase II that was planted with bald
cypress and river birch saplings in 2010 and one yellow poplar planted in 2015. A plot
survey in September 2018 indicated that there were eleven planted character trees in LAG-3
for an estimated density of 445 saplings per acre (Table 2). Bald cypress was the most
frequently encountered species with a relative density of sixty-four percent; the relative
density of river birch and yellow poplar was twenty-seven and nine percent, respectively
(Table 2). One native, naturally colonizing red maple (Acer rubrum) was found in the plot.
The second monitoring plot, LAG-4, was situated in a portion of the Phase II expansion area
that was planted with saplings in 2015, with an additional remedial planting in 2017 and
2018. Five planted species were found in the monitoring plot, river birch, yellow poplar,
sycamore, Shumard’s oak and bald cypress. A total of nineteen planted saplings were found
in the plot for an estimated density of 769 saplings per acre (Table 2). Sycamore and
Shumard’s oak each accounted for forty-two percent and twenty-six percent of the saplings,
respectively, in LAG-4. Each of the other three species accounted for sixteen percent or less
of the total saplings in the plot (Table 2).
Combining LAG-3 and LAG-4, the average planted saplings was 607 saplings per acre
(Table 3). Based on the two monitoring plots in the Bank, planted sapling density and total
sapling density both exceeded the target density of 320 stems per acre. Bald cypress, river
birch and sycamore were the most frequently encountered species with relative densities of
twenty-seven percent each, among five species of planted saplings (Table 3).
Stem heights in monitoring plots averaged 10.0+3.3 m (32.8+10.9 ft) in plot LAG-3 and
3.1+3.3 m (10.2+10.9 ft) in Plot LAG-4 (Table 4). Stem heights were higher in Plot LAG-3
since most of these trees were as 4 to 8 years older than those in Plot LAG-4.
A comparison of survivorship in monitoring plots between those reported in the La Grange
Mitigation Bank, Phase II, Fourth Annual Report (2018) to the survey conducted in
September 2018 and those reported in this document (Fifth Annual Report, 2019) indicated
8

that there was an overall increase in stem density of 60 trees per acre by September 2019
(Table 5). Stem density in Plot LAG-3 did not change during the 2019 growing season. In
Plot LAG-4, stem density increased due to remedial planting and coppice sprouting from
mowed stems or below ground tissue from previously planted saplings.
The monitoring plots in the Phase II acreage were photo-documented using digital
photography imaged from the northwestern corner of the plot. All saplings or trees were
flagging and their position within the plots were mapped (Appendix B).

Table 2. Planted tree sapling species, stem density and estimated stems per acre based on
surveys of 100m2 monitoring plots at the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.
Plot/Species Common
name
Stems per
plot
Estimated
stems per acre
Species
Relative
Density
LAG-3
Betula nigra River birch 3 121 27
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow poplar 1 40 9
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 7 283 64
LAG-3 Total 11 445 100

LAG-4
Betula nigra River birch 5 202 26
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow poplar 3 121 16
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore 8 324 42
Quercus shumardii Shumard’s oak 2 81 11
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 1 40 5
LAG-4 Total 16 769 100

9

Table 3. Estimated stems per acre are based on surveys of two 100m2 monitoring plots
combined (LAG-3 and LAG-4) at the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.

Table 4. Stem heights of planted tree sapling species. average stem heights of stems in 100m2
monitoring plots at the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.

Plot/Species Common name Estimated stems
per acre
Relative density
(Percent)
Betula nigra River birch 162 27
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow poplar 81 13
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 162 27
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore 162 27
Quercus shumardii Shumard’s oak 40 7
Total for Planted Species 607 100
Plot/Species Common name Average Stem Height
LAG-3 Meters+Std Feet+Std
Betula nigra River birch 14.0+1.0 45.9+3.3
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow poplar 6.0+0.0 19.7+0.0
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 9.4+2.4 30.8+25.6
LAG-3 Total 10.0+3.3 32.8+10.8

LAG-4 Meters+Std Feet+Std
Betula nigra River birch 4.4+2.8 14.4+9.2
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow poplar 1.5+0.5 4.9+1.6
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore 3.3+2.0 10.8+7.9
Quercus shumardii Shumard’s oak 2.0+0.0 6.6+0.0
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 1.0+0.0 3.3+0.0
LAG-4 Total 3.1+3.3 10.2+1.0
10

Table 5. Comparison of seedling/sapling stem density per acre between the September 2018
and September 2019. Negative numbers represent a decline in stem density. Estimated stems
per acre are based on surveys of 100m2 monitoring plots at the La Grange Mitigation Bank,
Phase II.

4.0 Monitoring, Maintenance and Supplemental Planting
The LaGrange Mitigation Bank, Phase II was monitored for planted species survivorship and
growth for five years, ending in 2019. Signage that designates the site as a conservation area
was maintained. Based on monitoring plot field data collected in September 2019, the Bank
exceeded performance standards and no supplemental planting is required. Long-term
maintenance of the Bank will entail transferring conservation easement oversight to a Division of
Water Resources - approved land trust or similar entity that will install additional signage and
conduct annual site visits to ensure the terms of the easement are not violated.

5.0 Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Potential
The 3.50-acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II consists of 0.52 acres (22,620.6 ft2 ) of
potential Neuse Riparian Buffer credits in two sub-tracts as indicated in the Table 6. Two
separate sub-tracts, totaling 2.97 acres, have the potential to generate 6,750.87 pounds of
nitrogen nutrient offset credits at 2273.02 lbs/ac.

Plot/Species Common name
Estimated
stems per
acre Sept
2018
Estimated
stems per
acre Sept
2019

Change in
stem density

Betula nigra River birch 101 162 61
Liriodendron tulipifera Yellow poplar 61 81 20
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 162 162 0
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore 81 162 81
Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak 61 0 -61
Quercus shumardii Shumard’s oak 81 40 -41
Total for Planted Species 547 607 60
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Table 6. Summary of riparian buffer components and projected mitigation credits generated the LaGrange Bank, Phase II.
Riparian
Area*
Credit
Type
Mitigation
Type
Total Acreage Credit
Ratio
Percent
of Full
Credit
Riparian Buffer
Credit Rate
(ft2/acre)
Credit Yield (ft2)
Sub-tract A Riparian
Buffer
Riparian
Restoration
0.30 ac
(1,491.0 ft2)
1:1 100% 43,560 ft2/acre 1,491.0 ft2
Sub-tract C Riparian
Buffer
Riparian
Restoration
0.49 ac
(21,129.6 ft2)
1:1 100% 43,560 ft2/acre 21,129.6 ft2
Total Riparian
Buffer
Riparian
Restoration
0.52 ac
(22,620.6 ft2)
1:1 100% 43,560 ft2/acre 22,620.6 ft2
Riparian
Area*
Credit
Type
Mitigation
Type
Total Acreage Credit
Ratio
Percent
of Full
Credit
Nitrogen Credit Rate

Credit Yield (lbs-N)
Sub-tract B Nutrient
Offset
Riparian
Restoration
0.16 ac NA 100% 2,273.02 lbs-N/acre 363.68 lbs-N
Sub-tract D Nutrient
Offset
Riparian
Restoration
2.81 NA 100% 2,273.02 lbs-N/acre 6,387.19 lbs-N
Total Nutrient
Offset
Riparian
Restoration
2.97 NA 100% 2,273.02 lbs-N/acre 6,750.87 lbs-N

12

6.0 Appendices

Appendix A: Figures
Figure 1: LaGrange Bank, Phase II in Neuse Basin
Figure 2: LaGrange Bank, Phase II in HUC 03020202
Figure 3: LaGrange Bank, Phase II aerial image
Figure 4: LaGrange Bank sub-tracts
Figure 5: Survey plat
Figure 6. Survey plant excerpt with monitoring plots

Appendix B: Monitoring Plot Maps and Photographs
Plot: LAG-3
Plot: LAG-4

Figure 1. Location (red arrow) of the LaGrange, Phase II Bank within HUC 03020202 of the Neuse River Basin.

Figure 2. Location of LaGrange Bank, Phase II (red arrow) within HUC 03020202.
HUC: 03020202

Figure 3. Aerial photograph depicting the La Grange Mitigation Banks in relation to Meeting House Branch and its un-named
tributary and Bear Creek, the receiving stream for Meeting House Branch and tributary to the Neuse River.

Figure 4. Aerial photograph depicting GES La Grange Mitigation Banks, Phases I and II. The area in red is Phase I. Phase II
includes: II-a nutrient buffer to field drainage ditch, II-b nutrient buffer to UT, II-c nutrient buffer to UT, II-d riparian buffer to UT
and II-e riparian buffer to Meeting House Branch.

Figure 5. Survey plat of the LaGrange Mitigation Bank, Phases I and II.

Figure 6. Locations of 10m x 10m vegetation monitoring plots, LAG-3 and LAG-4 in Phase II
tract. LAG-3 is entirely within the nutrient offset acreage; LAG-4 is entirely within the riparian
buffer acreage.
Plot LAG-3

NE 10 m SE

NW SW
Seedling ID / Species
1. River birch 8. Bald cypress
2. River birch 9. River birch
3. Bald cypress 10. Bald cypress
4. Bald cypress 11. Red maple VOLUNTEER
5. Bald cypress 12. Yellow poplar
6. Bald cypress
7. Bald cypress
1 2 3
4 5
6 7
8
910
11
12
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Plot LAG-4

Plot LAG-4

NE 10 m SE

NW SW
Seedling ID / Species
1. Sycamore 9. Sycamore 17. River birch
2. Shumard’s oak 10. River birch 18. River birch
3. Yellow poplar 11. River birch 19. Sycamore
4. Sycamore 12. River birch
5. Sycamore 13. Bald cypress
6. Sycamore 14. Sycamore
7. Yellow poplar 15. Sycamore
8. Yellow poplar 16. Shumard’s oak