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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100099 Ver 3_DRAFT - Poncho BPDP_20130910 DRAFT Bank Parcel Development Plan & As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report Pancho Bank Parcel Pursuant to: Restoration Systems Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument for Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Credits - Neuse River Basin September 2013 Prepared By: Restoration Systems, LLC 1101 Haynes St. Suite 211 Raleigh, NC 27604 Phone: 919-755-9490 Fax: 919-755-9492 Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan Restoration Systems’ Neuse River Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Umbrella Mitigation Bank Restoration Systems (Sponsor) is pleased to provide this Bank Parcel Development Plan for the Pancho Bank Parcel (Parcel), proposed as part of the Restoration Systems’ Neuse River Basin Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument (Banking Instrument) signed March 17, 2008 between Restoration Systems, and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. The Parcel is designed to provide nutrient and riparian buffer mitigation credits for unavoidable impacts due to development within the Neuse River Basin, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201, excluding the Falls Lake Drainage Basin. Supporting figures are located in Appendix A. Parcel construction activates were concluded in early April of 2013. An onsite determination for applicability to the Neuse River Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 2B .0233) was conducted in June 2013 (Appendix B). The Sponsor currently holds a Conservation Easement on the Parcel and is attached as Appendix C. As-built and baseline data was collected in late June of 2013. The As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report with detailed baseline vegetation data is attached as Appendix D. This Parcel was designed and implemented in concurrence with the Pancho Steam & Wetland Mitigation Bank (Corps Action ID # SAW-2010-00142), Approved by the Interagency Review Team on April 12, 2012 (Appendix E). DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. i Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Parcel Location ................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Parcel Overview .................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 Project Area – Existing Conditions ................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Physiography ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 Soils .................................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.4 Threatened and Endangered Species .................................................................................. 5 2.5 Environmental & Cultural Constraints ............................................................................... 5 3.0 Restoration Plan ................................................................................................................................ 6 3.1 Riparian Corridor Restoration Activates ............................................................................ 6 4.0 Monitoring and Maintenance Plan .................................................................................................... 7 4.1 Monitoring Protocol ............................................................................................................ 7 4.2 Parcel Maintenance ............................................................................................................. 7 4.3 Long Term Management Plan ............................................................................................ 7 5.0 Financial Assurance .......................................................................................................................... 7 6.0 Mitigation Potential .......................................................................................................................... 7 7.0 References ......................................................................................................................................... 8 Appendix Appendix A: Figures Figure 1 – Site Location & Service Area Figure 2 – NRCS Wayne County Soil Survey Figure 3 – Pre-Construction Parcel Conditions Figure 4 – Credit Determination (a & b) Appendix B: NCDWQ Stream Determination Appendix C: Conservation Easement Appendix D: Pancho Bank Parcel As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report Appendix E: Pancho Steam Mitigation Banking Instrument and Mitigation Plan (Corps Action ID # SAW-2010-00142) DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 1 1.0Introduction 1.1Parcel Location The Pancho Bank Parcel is located approximately 13 miles west of Goldsboro in western Wayne County; north of U.S. Highway 13 near the intersection of State Road 1008 (Stevens Mill Road) and State Road 1105 (Dobbersville Road) (Figure 1, Appendix A). The Parcel is located within the Neuse River Basin in the 14-digit United States Geological Survey (USGS) Cataloging Unit 03020201150050 of the South Atlantic/Gulf Region (North Carolina Division of Water Quality \[NCDWQ\] Subbasin Number 03-04-04) (Figure 2, Appendix A) Directions to Parcel: From the City of Raleigh travel east on U.S. Highway 70 Travel ~ 37 miles on U.S. Highway 70 to the intersection with Martin Livestock Road Turn right at Martin Livestock Road (0.7 mile) Turn right at Progressive Church Road (4 miles) Turn left at Brogden Road (0.5 mile) Turn right at Richardson Bridge Road (5.3 miles) Turn left at T-intersection onto Harper House Road, which turns into Stevens Mill Road (1.3 miles) The Parcel is located where Kennedy Mill Branch crosses Stevens Mill Road -Latitude: 35.333755° N, Longitude: -78.192699° W 1.2Parcel Overview The Parcel encompasses approximately 65.62 acres of land located along Kennedy Mill Branch at the confluence with Mill Creek. According to the Final Neuse River Basinwide Water Quality Plan (NCDWQ 2009), the lack of buffer and heavy agricultural practices along Kennedy Mill Branch make the watershed an ideal target for land acquisition to protect the nutrient sensitive Neuse River watershed. The restored riparian corridor will result in improved water quality within the Parcel and downstream of the Kennedy Mill Branch watershed. The Parcel is located in a region of the state dominated by agriculture and livestock; therefore, restoration and enhancement of the riparian corridor is expected to result in immediate water quality benefits in the vicinity of the Parcel. The entire Parcel is currently protected by a permanent Conservation Easement (Appendix C). Of the 65.62 acre Parcel, 14.84 acres of riparian corridor were restored through the establishment of native hardwood vegetation to generate nutrient offset and riparian buffer mitigation credits. Nutrient offset and riparian buffer mitigation credits will not be generated within areas generating compensatory wetland mitigation credits through the Pancho Stream and Wetland Mitigation Bank. Construction activities involved with the Pancho Steam & Wetland Mitigation Bank were concluded in April of 2013. Primary activities designed to restore the stream channels include 1) belt-width preparation and grading, 2) channel excavation, 3) installation of channel plugs, 4) backfilling of the abandoned channel, and 5) vegetative planting. Wetland restoration focused on the removal of fill materials, restoration of vegetative communities, filling drainage ditches, the reestablishment of soil structure and microtopographic variations, and redirecting normal surface hydrology from ditches back to Site floodplains. Riparian corridor restoration consisted of re-establishing deep-rooted native riparian vegetation. Prior to construction activities the Parcel encompassed agricultural land utilized for livestock grazing, row crop production, and forest. Pasture areas were accessible to livestock and are routinely cleared and DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 2 mowed for hay production, resulting in local disturbances to stream banks and wetland soil surfaces. Additional land use practices including the maintenance and removal of riparian vegetation; ditching of adjacent riparian wetlands; and relocation, dredging, and channelization of onsite streams resulting in degraded water quality and excessive sedimentation resulting from unstable banks (stream entrenchment, erosion, and bank collapse). Figure 3, Appendix A graphically displays pre-construction conditions. 2.0Project Area – Existing Conditions 2.1Physiography The Parcel is located in the Southeastern Floodplains and Low Terraces ecoregion on the border of the Rolling Coastal Plain ecoregion within the Southeastern Plains of North Carolina USGS HUC 03020201 (NCDWQ Subbasin Number 03-04-06) of the Neuse River Basin. Regional physiography is characterized by broad interstream divides with gentle to steep side slopes dissected by numerous small, low to moderate gradient sandy bottomed streams and major river floodplains, associated terraces, and low gradient streams with sandy and silty substrates (Griffith et al. 2002a). Onsite elevations range from a high of 100 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) on slopes to a low of approximately 75 feet NGVD at the lowest point of the Parcel (USGS Grantham, North Carolina 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle) (Figure 4, Appendix A) The Parcel provides water quality functions to a nearly 3.3-square mile watershed at the outfall of Kennedy Mill Branch. The watershed is dominated by pasture, agricultural land, forest, and sparse residential property. Impervious surfaces account for less than 5 percent of the upstream watershed land surface. Surrounding area land use is primarily agricultural, with some low-density residential housing. Onsite land use was characterized by hardwood forest, agricultural land (row crop production), and pasture (livestock). Riparian zones and wetland areas were primarily composed of herbaceous vegetation with sparse hardwood canopy species along the streams. Riparian vegetation adjacent to restoration and enhancement reaches of the Parcel was sparse and disturbed due to livestock grazing, bush hogging, and regular maintenance activities. 2.2Soils Based on county soil survey mapping (USDA 1974), the Parcel contains seven soil series: Bibb sandy loam (Typic Fluvaquent), Chewacla loam (Fluvaquentic Dystrudepts), Kalmia loamy sand (Typic Hapludults), Kenansville loamy sand (Arenic Hapludults), Johnston loam (Cumulic Humaquepts), Norfolk loamy sand (Typic Paleudults), and Wagram loamy sand (Arenic Kandiudults). Parcel soils are described in Table 1 below. DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 3 Table 1. Parcel Soils Map Unit Map Unit Hydric Description Symbol Name Status The Bibb series consists of very deep, poorly drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in stratified loamy and sandy alluvium. These soils are on floodplains of Bibb sandy Hydric Bbstreams in the coastal plain. They are commonly flooded and water runs off the loam surface very slowly. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. The water table is within 8 inches of the surface from 6 to 11 months each year. The Chewacla series consists of very deep, somewhat poorly drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in stratified loamy and sandy alluvium. These soils are ChewaclaHydric on floodplains of streams in the piedmont and coastal plain river valleys that drain out Ch loam of the Piedmont. They frequently to rarely flood for brief to long periods. Slopes range from 0 to 2 percent. Depth to seasonal high water table is generally 6 to 24 inches from November to April. Bedrock occurs at a depth of more than 80 inches. The Kalmia series consists of well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in stratified loamy and sandy alluvium. These soils are on stream terraces that never or KalmiaNon- KaD rarely flood for very brief periods. Slopes range from 0 and 6 percent. Depth to the loamy sand hydric seasonal high water table is 40 to 72 inches or more December to April. Bedrock occurs at a depth of more than 80 inches. The Kenansville series consists of well drained, nearly level to gently sloping soils on Coastal Plain uplands and stream terraces. They have formed in marine and fluvial Kenansville Non- Ke sediments. Slopes are generally between 0 and 10 percent. Depth to the seasonal loamy sand hydric high water table is greater than 48 inches for the wet substratum phase. Bedrock occurs at a depth of more than 80 inches. The Johnston series consists of very poorly drained, moderately rapid permeable soils that formed in alluvium. These soils are on floodplains and swamps of the lower and Johnston Hydric upper coastal plain. They frequently or occasionally flood for very brief to long Js loam periods of time. Slopes are generally between 0 and 2 percent. Depth to the seasonal high water table is 0 to 12 inches from November to May. Bedrock occurs at a depth of more than 80 inches. The Norfolk series consists of well drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in marine and fluvial sediments. These soils are on uplands or marine terraces in the Norfolk Non- NoC lower, middle, and upper coastal plain that never or rarely flood for very brief periods loamy sand hydric of time. Slopes are generally between 0 and 10 percent. Depth to seasonal high water table is 40 to 72 inches from January to March. The Wagram series consists of somewhat excessively drained, moderately permeable soils that formed in fluvial and marine sediments. These soils are on uplands in the Wagram WaB Hydric middle and upper coastal plain that never or rarely flood for very brief periods of loamy sand time. Slopes are generally between 0 and 15 percent. Depth to seasonal high water table is more than 60 inches. Bedrock occurs at a depth of more than 80 inches. 2.3Vegetation The Parcel was characterized primarily by agricultural and pasture land with mature disturbed hardwood forests. Agricultural land was dispersed along the margins of riparian zones in the northern half of the Parcel. Disturbed hardwood forest occupied the southern portion of the Parcel. Pasture dominated the majority of the Parcel and consisted primarily of fescue (Festuca sp.), crabgrass (Digitaria sp.), dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), rushes (Juncus sp.), and sedges (Carex sp.). Disturbed hardwood forest are DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 4 characterized by mesic, floodplain species adjacent to stream channels, such as river birch (Betula nigra), eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), willow oak (Quercus phellos), red maple (Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), black willow (Salix nigra), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), and American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Wetlands are dominated by emergent vegetation such as rushes, sedges, polygonum (Polygonum sp.), and meadow beauty (Rhexia sp.). 2.4Threatened and Endangered Species Species with the classification of Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or officially Proposed (P) for such listing are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C 1531 et seq.). One species is federally listed for Wayne County by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (USFWS 2008): red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). Additionally, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Habitat for red- cockaded woodpecker and bald eagle is not present within the Parcel. In addition to the bald eagle and E, T, and P species, the USFWS list includes a category of species designated as "Federal Species of Concern" (FSC). A species with this designation is one that may or may not be listed in the future (formerly C2 candidate species or species under consideration for listing for which there is insufficient information to support listing). The FSC designation provides no federal protection under the ESA for the species listed. The nine FSC species listed on the current USFWS list are presented in the table below. Table 2: USFWS FSC Species List Common Name Scientific Name American elm Anguilla rostrata Carolina madtom Noturus furiosus Pinewoods shiner Lythrurus matutinus Rafinesques big-eared bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii Southern hognose snake Heterodon simus Atlantic pigtoe Fusconaia masoni Yellow lance Elliptio lanceolata Cuthbert turtlehead Chelone cuthbertii Pondspice Litsea aestivalis Proposed mitigation activities will result in positive benefits for these species through improved habitat and water quality. 2.5Environmental & Cultural Constraints The presence of conditions or characteristics that have the potential to hinder restoration activities on the Parcel were evaluated. The evaluation focused primarily on the presence of hazardous materials, utilities and restrictive easements, rare/threatened/endangered species or critical habitats, cultural resources, and the potential for hydrologic trespass. Existing information regarding constraints was acquired and reviewed. In addition, any parcel conditions that had the potential to restrict design and implementation were documented during the field investigation. DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 5 No evidence of natural and/or man-made conditions were identified that had the potential to impede proposed restoration activities. 3.0Restoration Plan Restoration of riparian corridors was accomplished in conjuncture with the goals and methods outlined by the Pancho Stream Mitigation Bank. The primary goals associated with the riparian corridor restoration focused on improving water quality, enhancing flood attenuation, and restoring wildlife habitat through the creation of a forested riparian buffer adjacent to stream channels, and was accomplished by the following. 1.Removing nonpoint sources of pollution associated with agricultural production including a) removing livestock and b) ceasing the broadcast application of fertilizer, pesticides, and other agricultural materials into and adjacent to Site streams through treatment of runoff within the forested buffer. 2.Reducing sedimentation within onsite and downstream receiving waters by a) reducing bank erosion, vegetation maintenance, plowing, and hoof shear adjacent to Site streams, and b) removing livestock from the Site. 3.Promoting floodwater attenuation by increasing frictional resistance on floodwaters crossing Site floodplains. 4.Improving aquatic habitat by enhancing stream bed shading and natural detritus input. 5.Providing a terrestrial wildlife corridor and refuge in an area extensively developed for agricultural production. 6.Restoring and reestablishing natural community structure, habitat diversity, and functional continuity. 7.Protecting the Sites full potential of stream and riparian buffer functions and values in perpetuity. 3.1Riparian Corridor Restoration Activates Restoration of floodplain forest and stream-side habitat will allow for development and expansion of characteristic species across the landscape. Eco-tonal changes between community types contribute to diversity and provide secondary benefits, such as enhanced feeding and nesting opportunities for mammals, birds, amphibians and other wildlife. Stream-side trees and shrubs include species with high value for sediment stabilization, rapid growth rate, and the ability to withstand hydraulic forces associated with bankfull flow and overbank flood events. Stream-side trees and shrubs will be planted along the reconstructed stream banks, concentrated along outer bends. Vegetative species composition mimicked reference forest data, onsite observations, and community descriptions from Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina (Schafale and Weakley 1990). Community associations utilized include 1) Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest on slopes, 2) Coastal Plain Bottomland Hardwoods (brownwater subtype) in wetlands that are intermittently to seasonally inundated for long periods (NCWAM Bottomland Hardwood Forest and Headwater Forest), and 3) stream-side assemblage within 15 feet of stream banks. Deep-rooted, riparian vegetation was restored over 49 acres of the Parcel in late April. Bare-root seedlings of tree species within the Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest and Coastal Plain Bottomland Hardwoods (brownwater subtype) were planted at a density of approximately 900 stems per acre on 8- foot centers. The As-Built and Baseline report attached as Appendix D details specific species type and restoration activities. DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 6 4.0Monitoring and Maintenance Plan 4.1Monitoring Protocol Restoration monitoring procedures for vegetation will monitor plant survival and species diversity. Quantitative sampling of vegetation will be performed as outlined in the CVS Level 1-2 Protocol for Recording Vegetation, Version 4.0 (Lee et al. 2006). Monitoring of the restoration efforts will be performed for five years or until success criteria are fulfilled, Restoration Systems shall submit to st NCDWQ an annual monitoring report, no later than December 31 of each year. Detailed qualitative and quantitative monitoring is proposed for vegetated riparian areas; marsh treatment areas will be visually inspected periodically and reported qualitatively within the annual monitor report, which will include photographic record of the Parcels assets. Success criteria within the buffer and nutrient offset restoration areas will be based on the survival of planted species at a density of 320 stems per acre after five years of monitoring. 4.2Parcel Maintenance A remedial action plan will be developed and implemented with the approval of NCDWQ in the event that the Site or a specific component of the Site fails to achieve success criteria as outlined above. Other vegetation maintenance and repair activities may include pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. In the event that exotic invasive plant species require treatment, such species will be controlled by mechanical and/or chemical methods in accordance with North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) rules and regulations. 4.3Long Term Management Plan The Sponsor currently holds a Conservation Easement on the Parcel Site. The Conservation Easement and appropriate title insurance documents are attached as Appendix B. The Conservation Easement is perpetual, preserves all natural areas, and prohibits all use of the property inconsistent with its use as mitigation property, including any activity that would materially alter the biological integrity. The North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation will be the long-term holder of the Conservation Easement and responsible for long-term stewardship of the Parcel site. The Sponsor will provide a financial sum appropriate for the long-term holder of the Conservation Easement to carry out its responsibilities. 5.0Financial Assurance Financial Assurances are in place for the wetland and stream mitigation bank that has been established on the Parcel site. These Financial Assurances consist of a 10-year casualty insurance policy approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in coordination with the Interagency Review Team (which includes the North Carolina Division of Water Resources). In addition to this casualty insurance, the Sponsor may, if requested, put in place a performance bond to provide additional financial assurances for the Parcel during its five-year monitoring period. 6.0Mitigation Potential The Parcel will provide nutrient offset and riparian buffer mitigation credits within the Neuse 03020201 Watershed, excluding the Falls Lake Drainage Basin (Figure 1, Appendix A). Neuse River Water Supply Nutrient Strategy states restored areas used for nutrient offset credit generate 2,249 pounds of nitrogen credits per acre. Riparain buffer credits will be measured by the hundredth of an acre and converted into square ft. DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 7 The Parcel will generate 14.84 acres of restored riparian corridor. 11.34 acres will be used specifically for nutrient offset credit generating 25,503.66 lbs of nitrogen offset credit. Restored riparian corridor within 50 feet, measured horizontally from the top of bank is considered the riparian buffer mitigation zone and may generate both nutrient offset and riparian buffer mitigation credits. Initially, the Pancho Bank Parcel will use the entire 3.50 acres within this zone to produce 152,460sq. ft. of riparian buffer mitigation credits. The sponsor reserves the right to shift these 3.50 acres between riparian buffer and nutrient offset credit with written notification to the NC DWQ Wetlands, Buffers, Streams Compliance and Permitting Unit. The table below outlines the amount of nutrient offset and riparian buffer credit the Parcel will generate over its lifetime. Table 3: Credit Determination Table Credit Type Total Acreage Credits per Acre Total Credit Nutrient (Nitrogen) 11.34 2,249 lbs. 25,503.66 lbs. Riparian Buffer 3.50 43,560 sq. ft. 152,460 sq. ft. 7.0References Griffith, G.E., J.M. Omernik, J.A. Comstock, M.P. Schafale, W.H. McNab, D.R. Lenat, T.F. MacPherson, J.B. Glover, and V.B. Shelbourne. 2002. Ecoregions of North Carolina and South Carolina. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. Neuse River Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy 15A NCAC 2B .0233, 15A NCAC 02B .0241, and 15A NCAC 02B .0242 NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Guidelines for Riparian Buffer Restoration. October 2004 Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2013. Endangered Species, Threatened Species, Federal Species of Concern, and Candidate Species, Alamance County, North Carolina Available: http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylist/wayne.html \[March, 2013\]. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. USDA, Soil Conservation Service, 1974. Soil Survey of Wayne County DRAFT– Pancho Bank Parcel Development Plan pg. 8 Appendix A: Figures Figure 1 – Site Location & Service Area Figure 2 – NRCS Wayne County Soil Survey Figure 3 – Pre-Construction Parcel Conditions Figure 4 – Credit Determination (a & b) Pancho Bank Parcel Appendix A: NC DWQ Stream Determination Draft As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report – September 2013 Legend q RESTORATION SYSTEMS, LLC Approximate Project Extents for the Pancho Mitigation Bank Pre-Construction Pancho BPDP Figure 3 Site Conditions Legend q RESTORATION SYSTEMS, LLC Legend q RESTORATION SYSTEMS, LLC Appendix B: NC DWQ Stream Determination Pancho Bank Parcel Appendix B: NC DWQ Stream Determination Draft As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report – September 2013 Appendix C: Conservation Easement Pancho Bank Parcel Appendix C: Conservation Easement Draft As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report – September 2013 Appendix E: Pancho Stream Mitigation Banking Instrument & Mitigation Plan (USACE # SAW-2010-00142) Pancho Bank Parcel Appendix E: Pancho Stream Mitigation Banking Instrument & Mitigation Plan (USACE # SAW-2010-00142) Draft As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report – September 2013 (Version June 2009) List of Appendices Appendix A: Final Mitigation Plan Appendix B: Property Surveys and Legal Description Appendix C: Geographic Service Area Appendix D: Bank Ledger Appendix E: Model Performance Bond Appendix F: Model Conservation Easement Appendix G: North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation Letter 18