HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140041 Ver 1_IRT Site Visit Memo_Feb 23 2021_20210810
3/1/2021
PROJECT SITE MEETING MINUTES
Little Pine Creek III Stream and Wetland Restoration Site, Alleghany County
Meeting Date: 2/23/2021
DMS Project ID 94903
DWR # 14-0041
USACE Action ID 2012-01299
In attendance:
Todd Tugwell (USACE), Erin Davis (NCDWR), Travis Wilson (NCWRC), Paul Wiesner (NCDMS),
Harry Tsomides (NCDMS)
Meeting Summary
The field review meeting was held in order to a) review recent repairs and current conditions on
this Design-Bid-Build site following submittal and IRT review of a repair memo (“Little Pine Creek
III – Update on recent stream repairs”, Dec 17, 2020); b) review other areas of the project as time
allowed; and c) establish the framework for remaining monitoring reporting, credit releases and
other items as appropriate. Further documented details on the recent repairs can be found in
the December 2020 memo. The project MY5 asset map is attached below for reference.
The following is a summary of the field review and items discussed during the meeting:
The areas of recent repair were all walked including: Phase 1 (2019) repair areas along
UT2a and UT2; and Phase 2 (2020) repairs including the two repair areas along the Little
Pine Creek main channel and head cut/stream repairs along UT1 (Repair Area 2). All
recent repairs appeared to be intact and functioning as intended, and no major concerns
were noted. There were other stressed spots in between the tributary repair areas on
UT1, UT2 and UT2a that were noted and the group felt should be watched, including an
area Todd noted along right bank of UT2 just below culvert pipe within the repair area
that was starting to erode following recent heavy rains this past winter; Travis noted a
boulder footer and structure along an outer bend of UT2 near STA 336+00 that was
stabilized with soil lift and buried boulders that appeared to show minor stress signs and
should be watched; and Todd noted the segment of stream along UT1 in between head
cut repairs that was down cutting. Other isolated areas beginning show signs of stress
were noted but not discussed as a group. The two culverts at the upper ends of the repair
areas along UT2 and 2a, and the one at the lower end of UT2, all appeared to be
functioning well.
All livestock exclusion fencing appeared to be intact and functioning effectively (with
exception of culvert crossing on UT2 Reach 1-upper, further discussed below). There were
a few areas of stream crossing fencing where livestock were not present (hay production
areas) that had been impacted by culvert overtopping (UT2) or high water flows (Little
Pine Creek) where fencing was loose or absent. Todd recommended that sections of
dysfunctional fencing in these areas either be removed or fixed; it was discussed that this
would be the landowner’s responsibility to repair their own fence in the event livestock
were reintroduced but DMS will further evaluate feasible options/costs, discuss with the
landowner, and come to some resolution. Any fencing removed would have to be
approved by the landowner since it is their fence now.
It was noted that site vegetation is doing well overall. As the MY5 report points out, the
Site has met the final MY5 requirement of 260 planted stems per acre, with 19 of the 21
plots (90%) individually meeting this requirement and an average planted stem density
of 409 stems per acre. Wetland FF (VP13) continues to not meet the stem density
requirement because the planted species are not suited for areas with saturated soils;
this will be likely be supplemented with wetland plants prior to 2021 growing season.
There has also been a high planted stem mortality in VP11 (Tributary 1 area) due to
competition with tall herbaceous vegetation. This will be supplementally planted
following the recent repairs, prior to growing season 2021.
Project areas were observed outside of the repair areas including walking UT2 upstream
direction to the UT2 Reach 1-upper culvert and just beyond, and a preservation portion
of UT2a. The main concerns were the conditions and functionality of the culverts on UT2
Reach 1-upper (UT2R1-U), and UT2 Reach 1-lower (UT2R1-L)
UT2R1-L showed recent impacts of overtopping that had scraped away the top dressing
material for a large portion of the middle of the crossing. This loss of rock was not noted
previously on field walks or in the MY5/2020 report and apparently the result of recent
winter storms. The area just upstream from this culvert was a constructed pool that had
filled in pretty quickly following project completion in 2015-2016 and well-known; while
the culvert is allowing water passage, there is substantial deposition upstream from the
culvert along the original pool that has caused incremental lateral migration of the stream
towards the right side (facing downstream) over the monitoring period such that water
flow is elbowing to the left at the culvert opening to get through.
UT2R1-U appeared intact along the top, sides, and materials intact, etc; however there
was significant sedimentation at the culvert opening that is affecting the culverts ability
to pass water significantly beyond base flow. Site walk photos taken July 2019 indicate
this was not a problem then so there has apparently been a recent impact and/or
movement downstream of sediments from farther above. A calf was observed in the
easement corner at this crossing and fled through an opening underneath the wires up
the rock façade right at the downstream end of the culvert. This loose fencing will be
communicated to the landowner and rectified; in addition, the landowner will be
requested to keep the gates closed in the future.
It was noted by IRT that both UT2R1-L and UT2R1-U seem undersized and not passing
sediments effectively to the point where they are not functioning as intended, and need
either maintenance/repair or replaced entirely. A conclusion on the solutions to the
issues at these two culverts remains to be seen; further evaluation/ calculations would
need to be performed. DMS is evaluating further, pursuing alternatives, and will
communicate statuses in the next monitoring report.
Erin noted a head cut along UT2b the CCPV sheet that has appeared as a new feature on
the MY5 (2019) CCPV that was not mapped in MY4. The group did not have time to
observe but DMS agreed to evaluate and follow up appropriately.
IRT recommended that DMS should photo-document selected areas that are starting to
show signs of stress over the remaining monitoring period to help evaluate if and at what
rate these areas may be trending downward, or stabilizing/ recovering. DMS intends to
complete these assessments and provide as an appendix to the MY6/close out report.
As far as credit release, Harry noted that stream credits are being proposed to release in
2021 up to 90% of the stream crediting across the project, leaving 10% (697.340 out of
6,973.40 credits total) being held for the remaining monitoring period following the 2021
proposed release. Todd asked about the proportional distribution of the repairs (length
and credits) relative to the entire project and Harry noted that the quantities represented
by the Phase 1 and 2 repair areas (and sections in between repairs along UT2/2a) were
7.5% of the total stream length and 9% of the total project stream credits. In general this
approach seemed agreeable with the group although the project will be discussed further
at the May 2021 credit release annual meeting.
As far as remaining monitoring, the IRT requested that a full year of annual monitoring
across the entire site (MY06/2021) should be added. Being originally a 5-year stream
project, this will include all previously reported parameters (stream morphology,
vegetation, and hydrology, etc.). Paul pointed out that DMS hopes to close out the project
in 2022 following this additional year, if site criteria are being met. DMS has already been
in scoping/contract discussions with Wildlands and will proceed with this contract action
and activity.
Meeting notes compiled by:
Harry Tsomides, Project Manager
Division of Mitigation Services, NCDEQ
Tel. (828) 545-7057
Harry.Tsomides@ncdenr.gov
- Conservation Easement
— Stream Restoration
Stream Enhancement I
Stream Enhancement II
Stream Preservation
Non-Project/Not for Credit Stream
— Reach Break
— Water Line
Wetland Enhancement
® Wetland Preservation
I/2Overhead Electric Easement
Internal Easement Crossing
O Waterers
• Well
WILDILANDS
L NUINLLI:I,C,
ri;
0
700 Feet
I I I
Figure 2 Project Component/Asset Map
Little Pine III Stream & Wetland Restoration Project
DMS Project No. 94903
Monitoring Year 5 - 2020
Alleghany County, NC