20000846 Ver 1_Monitoring Report Review_20091215

A ?A
Am=
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
Mr. Mickie Elmore
Piedmont Triad International Airport
6415 Bryan Boulevard
Greensboro, NC 27410
Division of Water Quality
Coleen H. Sullins
Director
February 4, 2009
Re: Horsepen Creek Wetland and Stream Restoration Annual Monitoring Report
Third Annual Monitoring Report (HP-2 and HP-3)
Fourth Annual Monitoring Report (HP-1)
Dear Mr. Elmore:
Dee Freeman
Secretary
DWQ 4 20000846
Guilford County
The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit has reviewed
the Monitoring Report for the above-referenced sites. Our comments on the report are as follows:
Streams
• The general overall physical stability data continue to looks good for the restoration reaches.
Cross-sections appear stable in both riffles and pools. Several areas of localized bank erosion
were noted on HP-1, and were recommended for repair. In addition, a beaver dam was reported
on HP-1.
Recommendations for repairs outlined on Pages 11 and 12 of the report should be followed.
These include removal of the beaver dam. Evaluation of the stream bed, banks and structures
should be performed as recommended. At a minimum, riparian seed mix should be planted in the
bare areas likely to be present once the beaver impoundment is drained.
• Pebble count data are promising, as the stream seems to be continuing its development as a
gravel-bed stream, with coarser material in riffles.
• Vegetation monitoring data from the riparian zone is encouraging, as it appears the planted trees
are have become established and are beginning to show more vigorous growth.
Wetlands
• As the drought eased somewhat in 2008, extended hydroperiods were observed in all monitoring
wells during the spring and fall portions of the growing season. We agree that all of the wells,
with the possible exception of HP-II 42, demonstrate a likelihood of achieving success during
years with normal rainfall.
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr,state,nc,us/ncwetiands/
NorthCarolina
,,/ I rally
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
Mr. Elmore
Horsepen Creek, Monitoring Year 3-4
Page 2 of 2
2/4/2009
The supplemental planting performed after 2007 monitoring appears to have been largely
successful. Plots with slightly low density of woody vegetation were HP-1 #4 and HP-2 #3.
Monitoring results show that trees in HP-III are in good health, while trees in HP-1 and 11 showed
a range of fair-good health. Photos show generally dense vegetation, but woody stems are hard to
see in many of them. We look forward to the continued growth of the trees over the next couple
of years.
• We appreciate the efforts being taken to monitor and proactively address issues with nuisance
vegetation, such as cattail, to minimize competition while more desirable vegetation becomes
established.
As noted above, we concur with the repair recommendations in the monitoring report. Remedial actions
and their outcomes should be documented in the next report. Otherwise, it appears that the project is on
track to meet its goals and satisfy the related 401 Certification Condition.
Please feel free to contact Eric Kulz or Tammy Hill if you have any questions regarding this project or
our comments.
Sincerely,
4 a. 6 1,," }
Cyndi Karoly, Supervisor
?1_401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
cc: Sue Homewood - DWQ Winston-Salem Regional Office
John Thomas - USACE Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
File Copy (Eric Kulz)
Matt Matthews, DWQ Wetlands and Stormwater Branch
Denise M. Poulos - ECS, LLP, 4811 Koger Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27407