SR1161 Mitigation Site (2)

- - - NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT
WAYNE: MCDEVITT
SECRETARY
DONNA D. MOFFITT.
DIRECTOR
¢. _ November 29, 1999
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V. Charles Bruton,' Ph.D.
Assistant Branch Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
NC Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 25201
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
Re: SR 1161 Mitigation Site, Carteret County, State Project No. 6.162228, General
Permit No. CESAW-C089-N-000-0291, CAMA Permit No. 220-89.
Dear Dr. Bruton:
This letter is in response to your correspondence dated April 28, 1999 to the Division
of Coastal Management regarding regulatory release of the SR 1161 mitigation site
in Carteret County.
The SR 1161 mitigation plan's success criteria require that planted species survive at
an estimated rate of 50% after two years and the planted stand provides at least 50%
areal coverage of salt marsh type and aquatic bed species. The mitigation type is
creating on-site, 0.38 acres of brackish marsh (Juncus roemerianus). Kelly
Williams, DCM Wetland Restoration Specialist, and myself visited the SR 1161
mitigation site on October 27, 1999. During our site visit, Ms. Williams and I
observed Distichlis spicata, Spartina alterniora, Salicornia spp., Limonium spp.
and Juncus roemerianus. It is important to note that it does not appear as though the
success criteria of 50% survival for planted species (Juncus roemerianus) was
achieved.
However, the site does appear to be a functioning brackish marsh, and it appears as
though the second success criteria of at least 50% areal coverage of salt marsh type
and aquatic bed species has been achieved. We can, therefore, agree with your
recommendation to discontinue monitoring at this site. We are pleased that the site
has 80% areal coverage rather than the relatively low areal coverage of 50% needed
to meet the success criteria.
Please note that we did not receive a 1998 monitoring report for this site in our
Raleigh office. In the future, please send monitoring reports for wetland mitigation
sites to Kelly Williams in the Raleigh DCM office. Ms. Williams will then forward
the monitoring reports to the appropriate DCM Field Representative as needed.
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.o. sox 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 E. N0 LSON

GOVERNOR
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April 28, 1999
Mr. John Parker
Division of Coastal Management
NC Department of Environment and
Natural Resources
Post Office Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
Re: SR 1161 Mitigation Site, Carteret County, State Project No. 6.162228, General
Permit No. CESAW-C089-N-000-0291, CAMA Permit No. 220-89
Dear Mr. Parker,
As you are aware, the Department has monitored the SR 1161 Mitigation Site
since 1996. Originally constructed in 1995, it was replanted in 1996 with marsh grass
species. Designed as salt marsh restoration, the site mitigates for the widening and
paving of SR 1161 in Carteret County.
Following replanting activities in 1996, monitoring revealed unsuccessful
vegetation on the site. Vegetation monitoring in 1997 yielded an improvement in the
growth of the planted species; visual observation indicated that 75% of the site was
beginning to establish with the remaining portion remaining inundated with water. Within .
the vegetated area, visual observation indicated a total coverage of the planted species of
27%. In 1998, the average coverage of the two grass species was reported as 80%, well
above the success criteria of 50%. No hydrologic monitoring was required for the site.
As per the 1998 Annual Monitoring Report for the mitigation site, NCDOT
recommends discontinuing any further monitoring activities. In a meeting with Corps of
Engineers representatives on March 2, 1999, agency personnel agreed that the site had
achieved success and monitoring activities could be discontinued. The SR 1161
mitigation. site has met the success criteria stated in the 1992 approved mitigation plan.
If you have any questions about what has been presented, please contact Phil
Harris, Natural Systems Unit Head, at [phone]. Thank you for your continued
support and cooperation.
Sincerely,
/, aji
V. Charles Bruton, Ph.D.
Assistant Branch Manager,
Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Branch
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USACE
Mr. David Timpy, USACE
Ms. Kelly Williams, NCDCM
Mr. John Dorney, NCDWQ
Mr. David Cox, NCWRC
Mr. Phil Harris, PE, NCDOT
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or Kelly Williams at (919)
733-2293. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Cathy Br' ngham
Transportation Project Coordinator
cc: David Cox, NCWRC
John Hennessy, NCDWQ
Phil Harris, PE, NCDOT
Beth Smyre, NCDOT
David Timpy, USACE
Kelly Williams, P.W.S., NCDCM