NCDOT 27-92 Mitigation

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Coastal Management
Michael F. Easley,Governor Donna D. Moffitt, Director William G. Ross Jr.,Secretary
August 5, 2002
V. Charles Bruton
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
N.C. Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
Dear Dr. Bruton:
As discussed at the March 2002 annual mitigation monitoring report meeting, the N.C. Division
of Coastal Management (DCM) concurs with the N.C. Department of Transportation's (DOT's)
request to close out the following mitigation sites:
• Mann's Harbor,Dare County, TIP No. R-2304, CAMA Permit No. 27-92
• Bogue Sound Mitigation Site, Carteret County,TIP No. U-2226, CAMA Permit
No. 50-96
DCM is pleased that the sites have met their goals and success criteria. We appreciate DOT's
attention to DCM's comments and suggestions during the phases of planning, implementation
and monitoring.
Sincerely,
Sl—cA AP71
Doug Huggett
Major Permits and Consistency Coordinator
CC: Mike Bell, USACE
Scott McLendon, USACE
Randy Griffin, NCDOT
Kelly Williams, DCM
John Hennessy, DWQ
Lynn Mathis,DCM
Tere Barrett, DCM
1638 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1638
Phone: [phone]\FAX: [phone]\Internet: http://dcm2.enr.state.nc.us
An Equal Opportunity\Affirmative Action Employer—50%Recycled\10%Post Consumer Paper

. 1
Whalebone Junction
County: Dare
Location: In median at junction of US 158 and SR12 in Nags Head.
Size: 1 acre
Year started: 199?
Type of mitigation: Creation of an interdune swale wetland.
Description of site and its condition:
The Whalebone Junction site was a small median strip where two roads intersect on
the Outer Banks. The soil was very sandy with a 0.5 cm thick A horizon. Vegetative cover
was>80% (see species list below). The mitigation replicated an interdune swale wetland,
a type common on barrier islands. Thus, it is a reasonable type of restoration for the
location. Restoration appeared successful.
The following species were present in the swale:
Juncus roemerianus
Juncus effusus
Spartina patens
Solidago sp.
Distichlis spicata
Scirpus americanus
Setaria viridis
Borrichia frutescens
Dichromena sp.
Baccharis halimifolia
Myrica pensylvanicum
Ivafrutescens
Rhexia sp.
Rumex sp.
68

1 dot.. o r „I° A C c�(l S 1 f`�1 � J t t rseGrcA� P
cloc-RN\04 / 0 P,Ac,\ Y
of— f6,5-e p F
An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Existing
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Wetland Mitigation Sites
54f5 .“\
Go�s� GtalM Phase 1 Report
'
�'�� cT_Vs 1 Prepared for
�
c f"`����
1. \ North Carolina Department of Transportation
A-eolto �J'PS and
3
"\ North Carolina State University on Behalf of the
Institute for Transportation Research and Education
by
Richard D. Rheinhardt
Mark M. Brinson
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
July 2000

Technical Report Documentation 1:;4c
1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.
FHWA/NC/00-002
4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date
July 2000
An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Existing North Carolina Department of 6. Performing Organization Code
Transportation Wetland Mitigation Sites—Phase 1 Report
7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No.
Richard D.Rheinhardt and Mark M.Brinson
9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No.(TRAIS)
Biology Department
East Carolina University
Greenville,NC 27858 11. Contract or Grant No.
99-10
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered
Interim;phase 1
U.S.Department of Transportation
Research&Special Programs Administration
400 7th Street SW
Washington,DC 20590-0001
14. Sponsoring Agency Code
15. Supplementary Notes
Supported in part by a grant from the US Department of Transportation,and the North Carolina Department of
Transportation through the Center for Transportation and the Environment,NC State University.
16. Abstract
In this study,49 NCDOT wetland compensatory mitigation sites and 11 reference sites were evaluated on-site in 1999.
Seventeen of the larger sites consisted of more than one type of mitigation(restoration,creation and/or preservation).In total,71
mitigation parcels(approx.3,000 acres)were evaluated to assess the likelihood that mitigation sites would achieve some level of
structure and functioning similar to natural,self-sustaining wetland ecosystems and to provide recommendations for improvements.
Ecological success was related to whether or not natural geomorphology had been successfully restored.Sites from which fill was
removed were generally successful.Sites in which water impediment structures were constructed showed mixed results for
vegetation survival,presumably because it was difficult to determine how wet to make a site.Wetland creations were generally
unsuccessful because most all involved excavating soil to reach the underlying saturated zone,thus inhibiting growth of vegetation on
sub-soils.Predictions of success were difficult due to the immaturity of sites,but it appeared that many created wetlands would not
likely resemble historic,natural ecosystems.Of the 71 compensatory mitigations examined,26 were judged to be ecologically
successful, 19 were preservation sites(automatically judged to be successful),9 were judged to be unsuccessful,10 lacked sufficient
data(mostly hydrologic data)for judging success,4 sites were too young to predict the outcome for vegetation survival,and 3 were
undergoing construction at the time of our site visit.Alteration of and failure to restore natural geomorphology in compensatory
mitigation sites was the major factor associated with the lack of mitigation success,regardless of whether success was defined by
permit success criteria or by ecological success.More use of information from reference sites could improve outcomes.
Compensatory wetland mitigation involving restoration and creation appears to have gravitated toward relatively narrow sets of
conditions for hydrology and vegetation,with little room for flexibility.In contrast,no standards are being used for soil condition.
Current success criteria and standards should undergo critical examination to see if they are consistent with no-net-loss wetland
policies,and if alternative measures should to be taken.
17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement
restoration,creation,preservation,wetlands,
compensatory mitigation,reference wetlands,
geomorphic setting,ecological success
19. Security Classif.(of this report) 20. Security Classif.(of this page) 21. No.of Pages 22. Price
Unclassified Unclassified 114
Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT, JR DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS R. SAMUEL HUNT III
GOVERNOR P.O.BOX 25201,RALEIGH,N.C. 27611-5201 SECRETARY
I
JUL i
July 12, 1994
1Mi+swsw••«••••••••M••+
Mr. David R. Griffin
District Manager
North Carolina Division of
Coastal Management
1367 U.S. 17 South
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909
SUBJECT: Dare County, US 64-264 from NC 345 to US 158 and Bridge
over Muddy Channel (R-2304) 8.T051301
Dear Mr. Griffin:
Reference is made to your June 20th letter concerning the
planting of the Whalebone Junction mitigation site in compliance
with conditions of CAMA permit #27-92 .
On July 1 Mr. D. R. Conner , Division Engineer, advised us
that the project is still under contract. The portion of the
project in which the area in question is located has just
recently been completed. The portion of the project to the east
of Muddy Channel was accepted from the contractor for maintenance
on May 16, 1994. The Resident Engineer, Mr. A. E. Bradley, has
discussed the planting of the Whalebone Junction mitigation site
with the Division Roadside Environmental Engineer, Mr. J. E.
Benton. They have the mitigation plan in hand and plans have
already been formulated to plant the appropriate wetland plants
when they are available and the planting season permits. It is
anticipated this will be in April 1995 which is when the Pea
Island Wildlife Refuge and Manns Harbor Ferry Maintenance
Facility are scheduled to be planted.
0

Mr. David R. Griffin
July 12 , 1994
Page Two
Subsequently, we have discussed the matter with Mr. Benton
and he is in the process of ordering the required plants.
If I can provide any additional information, let me know.
Sincerely,
B. O'Q 'nn, P.E.
Assistant Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
BJO/eah
cc: Mr. Preston Pate
Mr. John Parker
Mr. D. R. Conner, P.E.
Mr. J. C. Manning, P.E.
Mr. A. E. Bradley
Mr. J. E. Benton
Mr. V. C. Bruton, Ph.D.
Mr. Doug Huggett

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources A/711
Division of Coastal ManagementAllosgi
Jamesilft
B. Hunt, Jr„ Governor p H N
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Roger N. Schecter, Director '>
li[ -Utfi 2 1 i994
�11
June 20, 1 t `
rP.LSaYi►ra.�.'
Barney J. O'Quinn, P. E.
Planning and Environmental Branch
Division of Highways
NC Department of Transportation
P. O. Box 25201
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-5201
Dear Mr. O'Quinn:
CAMA permit #27-92 was issued to NC DOT authorizing the
widening of US 64/264 from its junction with NC 345 to its junction
with NC 12 . The replacement of the Melvin Daniels Bridge was also
included in this project. Several areas of wetlands were impacted
by this project and mitigation for these impacts were to include
the construction of wetland areas on the Pea Island Wildlife
Refuge, adjacent the Manns Harbor Ferry Maintenance Facility, and
at the Whalebone Junction "triangle. " Progress has been made on
all three sites. All three sites have been graded to proper
wetland elevation. Pursuant to your letter dated March 8 , 1994 ,
appropriate wetland plants are not currently available to plant the
Pea Island and Manns Harbor sites. You indicate in your letter
that the wetland plants should be available and planted during
April, 1995. Your letter does not make mention of wetland plants
or progress at the Whalebone Junction mitigation site. We have had
considerable discussion with local DOT supervisors who either are
not aware of or have no intention of planting wetland plants in the
Whalebone Junction mitigation area as specified in your mitigation
plan prepared by Environmental Services, Inc. This is a highly
visible site and we have had several inquiries into the status of
the wetland mitigation at this site.
By notice of this letter, I am requesting that wetland plants
as specified in your mitigation plan be sprigged in the Whalebone
Junction mitigation site. Failure to carry this out in a timely
manner may result in enforcement action being taken against NC DOT.
I am also requesting a written response explaining the delay in
planting this site and an indication as to when the Whalebone
Junction wetland mitigation area will be completed.
1367 U.S. 17 South,Elizabeth City,North Carolina 27909 Telephone 919-2fs/1 3901 FAX [phone]
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Barney J. O'Quinn
Letter
Page 2
Your attention to this matter is appreciated. Should you have
any questions and/or comments regarding this matter feel free to
contact me.
incerely, k
cAA-4,--,.' CC (r"(r."-----
David R. Griffin
District Manager
cc: P. Pate, DCM
J. Parker, DCM
D. Conner, DOT
file

0101:3
0771-1717
Memo
FEB 1 8 19I+ 0 A
To: File
LAU
VLati
From: David — ..............-ovie
Subject: Creation of Mitigation Site by NC DOT
Date: 2/16/94
On February 15, 1994 , Ed Harrell and I visited the mitigation site
adjacent the DOT Ferry Maintenance Facility in Manns Harbor. This
mitigation site is associated with the Melvin Daniels Bridge/US
64/264 widening across the Manteo-to-Nags Head causeway.
Present from DOT were A. E. Bradley and his assistant, Skip from
Barnhill Construction Co. and several employees of Barnhill .
Barnhill had graded the site to the specified 1. 4 ' above MSL. The
site had silt fence around its entire perimeter. The elevation and
grading were accepted and the planting schedule was discussed. DRG
requested that the silt fence remain in place until the planting
had taken place and the site had had time to settle and stabilize
itself. Bradley thought this was OK and said he would discuss it
with Barnhill .
Bradley informed us that the planting would begin soon on the Pea
Island Mitigation site and on the Whalebone Junction site. DRG
asked to be contacted when the planting would begin on the Manns
Harbor Mitigation site.