20061342 Ver 1_Bishop Rd Wetland Restoration_20010906

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment
and Natural Resources •
Division of Water Quality

Michael F. Easley, Governor

Sherri Evans-Stanton, Acting Secretary Kerr T. Stevens, Director NCDENR

September 6, 2001

Mr. Bill Gilmore, P.E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 25201
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27611
Re: Comments on the Mitigation Plan for the Bishop Road Mitigation Plan in Hyde County, TIP B-2806.

Dear Mr. Gilmore:

The Division of Water Quality has reviewed the Wetland Mitigation Plan for the Bishop Road Wetland
Mitigation Site dated January May 2001. The following comments are offered to assist NCDOT with
planning of the proposed site.
Ditches

• Will the plugging of ditches along Bishop Road located on the Southwest side of the property result in
the flooding of adjacent properties? Conversely, what will be the effect of the drainage ditches that are
to remain along the Silverthorne Road? Please develop an appropriate model that demonstrates the
expected post-construction hydrology of the site.
• Any areas of the site that are impacted by ditches will not be considered for enhancement or restoration
credits by the NCDWQ.

Monitoring & Success Criteria
• We have concern with the proposed hydrologic success criteria for the marsh, riverine, and non-
riverine areas. We would rather see hydrologic success related to the reference sites.. Given that the
proposed restoration is the areas of proposed road removal, we believe that reference gauges can be
installed in locations in close proximity to the restores areas. Because of the close proximity, almost
identical elevations, and similarity of soils between the reference sites and the restoration sites, we
believe that a comparison using standard tests for statistical significance can be applied for frequency,
duration, and depth. In addition, all reference sites must be approved by-the-NC Division of Water - " "
Quality.
• Monitoring gauges and sample plots will be necessary for the proposed enhancement areas as well as
the proposed restoration areas.
• The proposed vegetative success criterion does not specify the expected sample size. Please provide
additional information in this regard.

• In section 5.3, the plan indicates, "...vegetation planted ...will be based on those available from local
nursery stock at the time of planting...". We understand that concern exists about the availability of
specific species at the time of planting. As a result, a final planting plan was not included in your

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submittal. However, a final planting plan that lists the species to be planted in the cypress-gum swamp
must be presented for approval to the NC Division of Water Quality prior to planting the site.
• The plan does not identify the length of time for monitoring the site. We recommend a 5-year
minimum for site monitoring. We would like monitoring to be discontinued only after the site
successfully demonstrates the proposed criteria after five years, and written approval is received by the
US Army Corps of Engineers, the NC Division of Water Quality, and the NC Division of Coastal
Management.
Site History

• In section 2.7.1, the plan states, "Since the site is currently managed by silvicultural practices, it is
exempt from the rules set forth in the Section 404/401 program. However, changes in current land use
practices will incorporate the jurisdictional issues to govern conditions at the site." Please clarify this
statement.
• It is our understanding that a portion of the site as already been used as mitigation for an old violation
by Weyerhauser. If this is true, then that portion of the site cannot be used as part of the mitigation
credits being developed with the current plan.

In general, we believe the plan lays the foundation for a quality site. Hopefully, the information presented
above provides you with the necessary guidance to proceed forward. If you have any questions or require
additional information, please contact John Hennessy at 919-733-5694.
Sincerely,

phnR.Dome
alitProgram

cc: Mike Bell, USACE Raleigh Field Office
David Cox, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Tom McCartney, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Cathy Brittingham, NC Division of Coastal Management
Kelly Williams, NC Division of Coastal Management
File Copy

C:lncdot\B-2806correspondence\Bishop Road comments.doc