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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
January 18, 2001
Mr. Mike Bell
US Army Corps of Engineers
Washington Regulatory Field Office
P.O. Box 1000
Washington, NC 27889-1000
Dear Mr. Bell:
JAN r.'. 2 m,
_.r
DAVID MCCOY
SECRETARY
Subject: 2000 Annual Monitoring Reports for the Casey Wetland Mitigation Site
and the Manteo Bypass Bridge Mitigation Site
Please find enclosed the 2000 Annual Monitoring Reports for the Casey Wetland
Mitigation Site in Currituck County and the Manteo Bypass Bridge Mitigtion Site in Dare
County.
These reports detail the hydrologic and vegetation monitoring activities over the past year
at the sites. Per the attached e-mail from Mr. Scott McLendon, USACE Wilmington, the
Department is in agreement to wait to receive written comments from the regulatory and
resource agencies 30 days after receipt of the reports. A meeting to discuss any
outstanding issues on a site by site basis will be scheduled for March 8, 2001 at the
Transportation Building in Raleigh.
If you should have any questions, please contact Mr. Randy Griffin, Natural Systems
Engineer, or Mr. Phil Harris, PE, Natural Systems Engineer, at [phone]. Thank
you for your continued support and cooperation.
Sincerely,

V. Charl Bruton,
Assistant Branch Manager
Project Development and Environmental
Analysis Branch
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS FAX : [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 WEBSITE: WWW.DOH. DOT. STATE. NC. US RALEIGH, NC
r
Cc: w/ attachment
file
Scott McLendon, USACE (1)
Kelly Williams, NCDCM (2)
John Hennessy, NCDWQ (1)
David Cox, NC W RC (1)
Tom McCartney, USFWS (1)
Ron Sechler, NMFS (1)
w/o attachments
Randy Turner, NCDOT
r Subject: Mitigation Monitoring Reports
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 17:10:14 -0500
From: Scott. [e-mail]. army. mil
To: [e-mail]. state. nc.us, John. [e-mail], [e-mail],
[e-mail], [e-mail]
CC: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Greetings,
As you are aware, NCDOT is in the process of sending the annual mitigation
monitoring reports out to the regulatory and resource agencies. Instead of
bringing our comments to a meeting with NCDOT as we have done in the past, we
have elected to provide our written comments to NCDOT for their review prior to
having any sort of meeting. If any outstanding issues remain after NCDOT has
had an opportunity to review our comments, we would plan to meet at the
Transportation Building in Raleigh on March 8, 2001.
As there is a time factor involved, we would like to provide our comments back
to NCDOT within 30 days of the receipt of the reports. To that end, a response
via e-mail is perfectly acceptable. Please provide your comments on these
reports to the appropriate NCDOT Project Manager with a copy to me in
Wilmington.
If you have any questions regarding this message, I may be reached at
910-251-4725. Point of Contact at NCDOT is Randy Griffin.
Thanks,
Scott McLendon
1 of 1 01/18/2001 11:19 AM

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2000
Manteo Bypass Bridge Mitigation Site
Dare County
Project No. 8.T051403
TIP No. R-2551 A
0 1
I

Prepared By:
Natural Systems Unit & Roadside Environmental Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
December 2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY
1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 Project Description 2
1.2 Purpose 2
1.3 Project History 2
2.0 VEGETATION 4
2.1 Success Criteria 4
2.2 Description of Species 4
2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring 5
2.4 Conclusions 5

3.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONS/ RECOMMENDATIONS 6
FIGURES
FIGURE 1 - SITE LOCATION MAP 3
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - ORIGINAL MONITORING PLAN
APPENDIX B - SITE PHOTOS
7
0
2

SUMMARY

The following report summarizes the monitoring activities that have occurred in
the past year at the Manteo Bypass Bridge Restoration Site. The site was
restored in August and September 1999. Monitoring activities for 2000 include
the first year of vegetation monitoring for the site. i
The mitigation encompasses approximately .0128 acres total. The site consists
of brackish marsh restoration. The restoration effort involves removing spoil ,
deposited by the jetting of piles and monitoring the spoil removal area to ensure
that natural regeneration of Juncus roemerianus. No hydrologic monitoring is
required for this project; however, vegetation monitoring is required for five years.
In conclusion, NCDOT recommends that the site be planted in Spring, 2001, in
an effort to "jump-start" the vegetation throughout the site.

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1

1.0 INTRODUCTION: MANTEO BYPASS BRIDGE MITIGATION
SITE
1.1 Project Description
The Manteo Bypass Bridge Restoration Site is located immediately adjacent to
the western terminus of the new bridge over the Croatan Sound associated with
the Manteo Bypass (TI P R-2551 A). The site consists of approximately 0.128
acres and provides for the following types of mitigation:
Brackish Marsh Restoration
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this report is to detail the vegetation monitoring in 2000 at the
Manteo Bypass Bridge Restoration Site. No hydrologic monitoring is required for
this particular site. Vegetation
1.3 Project History
October 2000 Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr.)
2
3

2.0 VEGETATION: MANTEO BYPASS BRIDGE (YEAR 1 OF 5)
2.1 Success Criteria
The success criteria set forth by the permit violation is outlined in Appendix A.
However, it is the request of the Department to revise the success criteria for this
site to the current marsh mitigation criteria that has evolved in coordination with
the US Army Corps of Engineers and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The
new success criteria is reflected in the following description
The vegetative marsh success of the wetland site will be determined in
accordance with NMFS Guidelines. Monitoring plots found to be located within
the open water channel will not be evaluated, and will not count to the final count
of plots. The vegetation component of the wetland site will be deemed
successful if the following criteria are met.
1. At year five, the average of all plots should have a scale value of 5
(75% vegetative cover) consisting of wetland herbaceous species, not
including any invasive species.
2. A minimum of 70% of the plots shall contain the target (planted)
specie.
Due to the bridge interference with the GPS system, we are unable to GPS to
computer generated random plots; therefore, visual monitoring will be utilized for
the monitoring of this 0.128 acre site. Success Criteria will remain 75%
vegetative cover of wetland herbaceous species, not including any invasive
species in the fifth year and 70% of the site shall contain the target (planted)
species.
2.2 Description of Species
Juncus roemerianus, Black Needle Rush, is the primary target marsh grass
specie that is to be present in the Wetland Restoration Area.
4

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2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring (1 Year)

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IManteo 5% 5%
2.4 Conclusions
• Percent Frequency of Target Specie (Black Needle Rush) - 5%Frequency
of 70% required.
• Vegetative Cover Percentage 5%
• Vegetative Cover Percentage of 70% required for year 5. This marsh
grass site is approximately 0.128 acres.
s

3.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONWRECOMENDATIONS
Based on the vegetation data provided in this report, the Department proposes
plant Black Needle Rush throughout the restoration area in Spring, 2001. This
activity will be completed, in conjunction with the marsh grass planting at the
Mashoes Road Mitigation Site, which is also in Dare County.
U

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APPENDIX A
ORIGINAL MONITORING PLAN
SUBMITTED TO USACE

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?' S7ATE o?
STATE of NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 DAVID MCCOY
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
August 11, 1999
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Washington Regulatory Field Office
P. O. Box 1000
Washington, NC, 27889-1000
ATTENTION: Michael F. Bell, PWS
Regulatory Project Manager
SUBJECT: Monitoring plan for the disturbed area adjacent to the new bridge
over the Croatan Sound associated with TIP Project R-2551.
Dear Sir:
Please find attached the proposed monitoring plan for the recovery of the disturbed black
needle rush marsh adjacent to the new bridge over the Croatan Sound. If you have any
questions please don't hesitate to call me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Lindsey Riddick
Division Environmental Officer-Division One
CC: D. R. Conner, P. E.
Randy Midgett, P. E.
Randy K. Wise, P. E.
Frank Jennings, DCM
8

Monitoring Plan for the recovery of the disturbed marsh area adjacent to the
new Croatan Sound Bridge
The plan consists of monitoring the disturbed site to determine the success of vegetative
recovery occurring within it. The existing undisturbed marsh, dominated by black needle
rush (Juncus rvemerianu.s), adjacent to the disturbed site will be evaluated in September,
1999, and will be used as a reference marsh to determine the degree of recovery. Three
plots measuring 1 meter by 1 meter will be selected randomly and the percent aerial
vegetative coverage will be evaluated and used as a baseline reference.
The disturbed area will be allowed to recover naturally from existing plant material and
seed source present. Vegetative monitoring will be conducted annually beginning in
September of 1999. The monitoring will consist of randomly selecting 12 plots in the
disturbed area, measuring 1 meter by 1 meter, and comparing the level of regeneration to
the reference marsh. The area will be evaluated after one full growing season in
September of 2000 to determine if replanting with black needle rush will be necessary. If
replanting is deemed necessary, NCDOT will prepare a planting plan and submit it to the
USACE and the NCDCM for approval. All efforts will be made to utilize a local seed
source if plantings are required. If there are any areas where compaction has prevented
natural regeneration from occurring, hand labor will be used to scarify the area to
remediate the compaction. Areas that require scarification will be planted with black
needle rush and monitored accordingly.
As required, there will be a zero tolerance for phragmites (Phragmites communis). If the
presence of this species is detected, measures will be taken immediately to eradicate this
species from the site.
Monitoring reports will be submitted by December 31 " of each year for a period of five
years. The disturbed area will be considered recovered when aerial vegetative coverage
has been determined to meet or exceed 90% of the coverage found in the reference
marsh. If after a period of three years, it is determined that recovery efforts are not
succeeding, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will consult with the U. S.
Army Corps of Engineers and the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to
discuss necessary remedial action.

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APPENDIX B

SITE PHOTOS & PHOTO LOCATION MAP I
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Manteo Bypass Bridge I
2000
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_ _ 1lEMZ@ /_lv

ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2004
Manteo Bypass Bridge Mitigation Site
Dare County
Project No. 8.T051403
TIP No. R-2551 A
Prepared By:
Office of Natural Environment & Roadside Environmental Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
December 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................1
1.0 Introduction ...............................................................................................2
1.1. Project Description .........................................................................2
1.2. Purpose .........................................................................................2
1.3. Project History ................................................................................2
2.0 Vegetation: ................................................................................................ 4
2.1. Success Criteria .............................................................................4
2.2. Description of Species .....................................................................4
2.3. Results of Vegetation Monitoring ....................................................5
2.4. Conclusions ....................................................................................6
3.0 Overall Conclusions and Recommendations .............................................6
FIGURES
Figure 1 - Site Location Map ...............................................................................3
APPENDICES
Appendix A - Site Photos & Location Map ..........................................................7
SUMMARY
The following report summarizes the monitoring activities that have occurred in
the past year at the Manteo Bypass Bridge Restoration Site. The purpose of the
site is to restore a brackish marsh system that was impacted by the Manteo
Bypass Bridge construction (permit violation). The site was restored in August
and September 1999. Monitoring activities for 2004 include the fifth year of
vegetation monitoring for the site.
The mitigation encompasses approximately 0.128 acres of brackish marsh
restoration. The restoration effort involved removing spoil deposited by the
jetting of piles and monitoring the spoil removal area to ensure that natural
regeneration of Juncus roemerianus (blackneedle rush) occurs. No hydrologic
monitoring is required for this project; however, vegetation monitoring is required
for five years.
Due to the lack of rapidly recovering/regenerating blackneedle rush, the
Department planted the entire restoration area in May 2001 in an effort to "jump-
start" the vegetation.
In 2004 the frequency of target species remained consistent at 100% and the
vegetative coverage value improved to 4.8. This is above the required frequency
(70%) and very close to the scale value (5) stated in the success criteria for year
five. NCDOT proposes to discontinue vegetation monitoring at the Manteo
Bypass Bridge Mitigation Site.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
The Manteo Bypass Bridge Restoration Site is located immediately adjacent to
the western terminus of the new bridge over the Croatan Sound associated with
the Manteo Bypass (TIP R-2551A), as is shown in Figure 1. The site consists of
approximately 0.128 acres and provides for the following types of mitigation:
Brackish Marsh Restoration
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this report is to detail the vegetation monitoring in 2003 at the
Manteo Bypass Bridge Restoration Site. No hydrologic monitoring is required for
this particular site.
1.3 Project History
October 2000
May 2001
August 2001
July 2002
September 2003
July 2004
Vegetation Monitoring (1 yr.)
Site Planted
Vegetation Monitoring (2 yr.)
Vegetation Monitoring (3 yr.)
Vegetation Monitoring (4 yr.)
Vegetation Monitoring (5 yr.)
2
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FIGURE I: SITE L 'CATION`MAP
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Figure 1: Manteo Bypass Bridge Mitigation Site
3
2.0 VEGETATION: MANTEO BYPASS BRIDGE
(YEAR 5 MONITORING)
2.1 Success Criteria
The vegetative marsh success of the wetland site will be determined in
accordance with NMFS Guidelines. Monitoring plots found to be located within
the open water channel will not be evaluated, and will not count toward the final
count of plots. The vegetation component of the wetland site will be deemed
successful if the following criteria are met:
1. At year five, the average of all plots should have a scale value of 5
(75% vegetative cover) consisting of wetland herbaceous species, not
including any invasive species.
2. A minimum of 70% of the plots shall contain the target (planted)
species.
2.2 Description of Species
The following marsh grass species was planted in the Wetland Restoration Area:
Juncus roemerianus, Black Needle Rush
2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring

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1 4.0 ? ?
2 5.0 ? ? W ool rass
3 5.0 ? ?
4 5.0 ? ?
5 5.0 ? ?
6 5.0 ? ?
7 5.0 ? ?
8 4.0 ? ?
9 0.0 Open Water
10 0.0 Open Water
11 5.0 ? ?
12 5.0 ? ?
13 5.0 ? ?
14 5.0 ? ?
15 5.0 ? ?

Frequency (Percentage of Plots with 100% 100%
Desired Species)
Sum Scale Value 63.0
Total Number of Plots 13
Vegetative Cover Scale Value 4.8
2.4 Conclusions
Percent Frequency of Target Species (Black Needle Rush) 100%
Frequency of 70% required.
Vegetative Cover Scale Value 4.8
Scale Value of 5 required for year 5.
This marsh grass site is approximately 0.17 acres. The percent frequency meets
the 70% requirement. The vegetative cover is very close to meeting the
requirement and is continuing to improve.
NCDOT proposes to discontinue vegetation monitoring at the Manteo Bypass
Bridge Mitigation Site.
3.0 OVERALL CONCLUSIONWRECOMENDATIONS
Based on the vegetation data provided in this report for the 2004 monitoring year,
NCDOT proposes to discontinue vegetation monitoring for this site.
1 ".
APPENDIX A
SITE PHOTOS & PHOTO LOCATION MAP

Manteo Bypass Br

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