Colington Cut Mitigation

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WETLANDS AND STORMWATER BRANCH
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
April 14, 2005
Mr. William D. Gilmore, P.E.
EEP Transition Manager
Ecosystem Enhancement Program
1652 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1652
Dear Sir:
Subject: Colington Cut Mitigation (B-2024); Dare County
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRETARY
The purpose of this letter is to request that the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program
(EEP) provide confirmation that the EEP is willing to provide compensatory mitigation for the
project, in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed July 22, 2003 by the
USACE, the NCDENR and the NCDOT. This request has become necessary due to current
deficits that exist at the above-mentioned site, which was acquired to provide compensatory
mitigation for the roadway project referenced.
This letter was prepared in August 2004, but after discussion with EEP management the
Department was advised that a formal request would not be required. Per the April 14, 2005
meeting between NCDOT and EEP, the Department has been advised to submit a formal request
for any deficits on closed mitigation sites.
The Department constructed the above mentioned mitigation site in 1995 to offset marsh wetland
impacts caused by construction of the above mentioned bridge project. While the site has
demonstrated hydrologic success, some portions of the mitigation site have failed to meet the
optimum vegetative success criteria, as was required in the DCM permit for the roadway
construction project. Phragmites australis, which is adjacent to the mitigation site, has started to
colonize portions of the site. There have been several attempts to remediate the site; however the
site has not consistently withheld optimum vegetation success criteria. t
In March 2003, NCDOT and DCM officials met to discuss portions of the site that were
successful. A map was produced by DCM showing areas that met success versus areas that were
too dominated by phragmites. This map was reproduced using GPS equipment and showed that
approximately 0.09 acres of the 0.5 acre site was successful.
The specifics of the deficits regarding the marsh wetland impacts/compensatory mitigation
requirements for this project are as follows:
• Dare County, Coastal Plain Province
• Pasquotank River Basin, Cataloguing Unit: 03010205
• 0.41 Ac. of restored coastal marsh wetland mitigation (Juncus roemarianus,
black needlerush)
These deficits are included in the seven (7) year Transportation Improvement Program
impacts that are currently being provided by the Department to the EEP.
Please send the letter of confirmation to Ms. Lynn Mathis (DCM Coordinator) N. C.
Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Management, 1367 U. S.
Highway 17, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
In order to satisfy regulatory assurances that mitigation will be performed; the USACOE
requires a formal letter from EEP indicating their willingness and ability to provide the
mitigation work requested by NCDOT. The NCDOT requests such a letter of confirmation be
addressed to Mr. Bill Biddlecombe of USACOE, with copies submitted to NCDOT.
In order to satisfy regulatory assurances that mitigation will be performed; the NCDWQ
requires a formal letter from EEP indicating their willingness and ability to provide the
mitigation work requested by NCDOT. The NCDOT requests such a letter of confirmation be
addressed to Mr. John Dorney of NCDWQ, with copies submitted to NCDOT.
If you have any questions or need additional information please call Mr. Phil Harris at
715-1384.
Sincerely,
? Gregory . Thorpe,
Environmental Management Director
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
cc: Mr. Bill Biddlecombe, USACE-Washington Regulatory Field Office
Ms. Nicole Thomson, NCDWQ
Mr. Doug Huggett, DCM
Mr. David Franklin, USACE-Wilmington
Mr. Gary Jordan, USFWS
Mr. Chris Militscher, USEPA
Mr. Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Mr. Anthony Roper, PE, NCDOT Division Engineer
Mr. Philip S. Harris III, PE CPM, NCDOT-ONE
Mr. Randy Griffin Jr., NCDOT-ONE