20160980 Ver 2_EBX_Neuse1_20160980v2_Meadow Spring Bank Parcel_MY5 Monitoring Report_20231023

Bank Parcel Development Plan Year 5 Monitoring Report

Meadow Spring Mitigation Site

DWR Project # 2016-0980v2

Johnston County, North Carolina
Neuse River Basin
HUC 03020201

Prepared By:

Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC

3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
919-829-9909

Bank Sponsor: EBX-Neuse I, LLC

October 2023
i
Table of Contents

1 Project Summary .................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Project Location and Description .............................................................................................. 1
1.2 Project Success Criteria ............................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Project Components .................................................................................................................. 2
1.4 Riparian Restoration and Enhancement Approach .................................................................... 3
1.5 Construction and As-Built Conditions ...................................................................................... 4
1.6 Year 3 Monitoring Performance ................................................................................................ 4
2 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 4
3 Reference ................................................................................................................................................ 5

Appendix A: Site Maps
Figure 1: Site Location Map
Figure 2: Current Conditions Plan View

Appendix B: Vegetation Assessment Data
Table 2: Plant Species Summary
Table 3: Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Table
Table 4: Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species

Appendix C: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos

Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Data Sheets

Meadow Spring 1 Year 5 Monitoring Report
Mitigation Site October 2023
1 Project Summary

1.1 Project Location and Description

EBX–Neuse I, LLC, an entity of Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), is pleased to provide this
Monitoring Report for the Meadow Spring Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Offset Mitigation Bank (Parcel).
This Parcel was designed to provide 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). In addition, it provides nutrient offset credits in the 03020201 HUC,
excluding the Falls Lake Watershed, for existing and proposed development requiring such mitigation. This
Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) is in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule
15A NCAC 02B .0295, 15A NCAC 02B .0240 and the RES Neuse Umbrella Mitigation Banking
Instrument for Riparian Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset Credits (UMBI), made and entered into by
EBX-Neuse I, LLC acting as the Bank Sponsor (Sponsor), and the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality-Division of Water Resources (DWR). Supporting figures can be found in Appendix
A. The BPDP was also designed in concurrence with Meadow Spring Stream Mitigation Site in the Neu-
Con Stream and Wetland Umbrella Mitigation Bank (SAW# 2016-01989). The mitigation plan for the
Meadow Spring Stream & Wetland Mitigation Bank was approved by the Interagency Review Team (IRT)
and constructed in May 2019.

The Meadow Spring Parcel is located in Johnston County approximately three miles north of Smithfield,
North Carolina (Figure 1). The Parcel is located within Neuse River Basin USGS 14-digit HUC
03020201100050, a Targeted Local Watershed, and DWR Subbasin Number 03-04-02. To access the Site
head East on NC 70 from the Town of Wilson Mills and turn right onto Wilson Mills Road and head south
for approximately 1.5 miles. The coordinates of the site are 35.5437°N and - 78.3303°W.

When combining the Meadow Spring Stream & Wetland Mitigation Bank with the Meadow Spring
Riparian Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset Bank, the conservation easement totals approximately 60.93
acres and includes three unnamed tributaries to the Neuse River. The Parcel is located in an area formerly
dominated by agricultural fields, cattle pastures and wooded areas. The majority of the Parcel was grazed
pasture and disturbed riparian forest. Additional land use practices included the maintenance and removal
of riparian vegetation and the relocation, dredging and straightening of onsite streams that resulted in
degraded water quality and unstable channel characteristics. The Parcel also contained an agricultural pond
that was in place for over 40 years.

The Meadow Spring Stream Mitigation Site was built to provide stream enhancement and restoration on
approximately 7,392 linear feet of streams and wetland restoration and enhancement on approximately
36.51 acres of wetlands, to generate 14.41 wetland mitigation units, within the conservation easement
through a separate mitigation banking instrument with the IRT. The Meadow Spring Bank Parcel was built
to restore and enhance stream systems with their adjacent riparian buffers and their functions and values to
compensate, in appropriate circumstances, for unavoidable riparian buffer impacts and nutrient load
reduction requirements. DWR staff performed an onsite viability assessment for buffer mitigation and
nutrient offset on October 18, 2016 and approved the BPDP in May 2018.

1.2 Project Success Criteria

Annual vegetation monitoring will occur each year for a minimum of five (5) years and will be conducted
during the fall season with the first year occurring at least five months from initial planting. Six vegetation
monitoring plots were installed a minimum of 100 m2 in size and cover at least two percent of the riparian
restoration area. Plots were randomly placed throughout the planted Neuse buffer zones and nutrient offset
Meadow Spring 2 Year 5 Monitoring Report
Mitigation Site October 2023
mitigation area and are representative of the crediting areas. The following data will be recorded for all
trees in the plots: species, common name, height, planting date (or volunteer), and grid location. All stems
in plots will be flagged with flagging tape. Photos are to be taken from all photo points each monitoring
year and provided in the annual reports. Visual inspections and photos will be taken to ensure that
enhancement areas are being maintained and compliant. The measures of vegetative success for the Parcel
will be the survival of at least 4 native hardwood tree species, where no one species is greater than 50
percent of the established stems, established at a density of at least 260 planted trees per acre at the end of
Year 5. Native volunteer species may be included to meet the performance standards upon DWR approval.
Invasive and noxious species will be monitored and treated so that none become dominant or alter the
desired community structure of the site.
A visual assessment of the cattle exclusion areas within the conservation easement will also be performed
each year to confirm:
· Fencing is in good condition throughout the site;
· no cattle access within the conservation easement area;
· no encroachment has occurred;
· diffuse flow is being maintained in the conservation easement area; and
· there has not been any cutting, clearing, filling, grading, or similar activities that would
negatively affect the functioning of the buffer.

RES must monitor the stream mitigation bank for a minimum of seven years, or until IRT approval.
Therefore, plots placed within riparian restoration areas that are outside of the mitigation area for buffer
and nutrient offset credits will be monitored in accordance with the monitoring protocol in the Meadow
Spring Stream Mitigation Plan.

1.3 Project Components

This Bank generates approximately 4.42 acres (192,368 ft2) of riparian buffer restoration credits on existing
non-forested pasture, 1.79 acres (26,805 ft2) of buffer enhancement credits via cattle exclusion, and 1.88
acres (4,271 lbs) of nitrogen nutrient offset credits. The slight increase in credits is due to a more accurate
treeline survey being used to determine as-built areas. The riparian buffer mitigation credits generated
service Neuse buffer impacts within the USGS 8-digit HUC 03020201 of the Neuse River Basin. The
Nitrogen nutrient offsets generated service nutrient load reduction requirements where payments are
authorized in 15A NCAC 02B .0240 within the USGS 8-digit HUC 03020201, excluding the Falls Lake
Watershed. The Sponsor maintains three credit ledgers. One ledger accounts for buffer Restoration credits,
one ledger accounts for buffer Enhancement credits, and one accounts for Nitrogen nutrient offset credits.
All mitigation credit assets shall be shown on these credit ledgers. The total potential mitigation credits that
the Meadow Spring Bank generates are summarized in the table below.

Meadow Spring 3 Year 5 Monitoring Report
Mitigation Site October 2023
Table 1. Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Credit

The Sponsor may use the 4.42 acres (192,368 ft2) of riparian restoration generated on the non-forested
pasture for either Neuse riparian buffer credits or Nitrogen nutrient offset credits, but not both. The Sponsor
must submit a written request and receive written approval from DWR prior to any credit conversions and
transfers to the buffer and nutrient offset credit ledgers. With each conversion and transfer request submitted
to the DWR, the Sponsor will provide all updated credit ledgers showing all transactions that have occurred
up to the date of the request.

1.4 Riparian Restoration and Enhancement Approach

The land uses adjacent to the streams purposed for buffer restoration and enhancement were primarily
composed of forested and non-forested pasture which were grazed by livestock, but also included, row-
crops, maintained lawns, and hardwood forests.

Restoration activities based on the design approach included meandering the channel within the natural
valley, backfilling the existing stream, reconnecting the channel to its floodplain, removing the existing
dam embankment (the pond) and restoring hydrology to historically drained wetlands. Diffuse flow is
maintained throughout the mitigated riparian areas.

Enhancement also occurs in areas of grazing adjacent to the stream in accordance with the Consolidated
Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(6). RES installed cattle exclusion fencing in all riparian
areas where enhancement credit under this part of the rule is being requested to exclude access to riparian
areas and their associated streams. All fencing was installed to NRCS specifications.

All riparian restoration areas were planted from top of bank back at least 50 feet from the stream with bare
root tree seedlings on an eight by eight foot spacing to achieve an initial density of 680 trees per acre. Bank
planting and stabilization also incorporates the use of a riparian seed mix and temporary ground cover to
prevent erosion after construction. The buffered channels provide water quality and habitat functions within
Riparian
Zone
Credit
Type Mitigation Type Existing
Acreage
Credit Per
Acre (ft2)
Ratio % Full
Credit Mitigation Assets
Riparian
Buffer Restoration 1.87 43,560 1:1 100% 81,474 ft² (1.87 ac)
Riparian
Buffer
Enhancement via Cattle
Exclusion 0.69 43,560 2:1 100% 15,002 ft² (0.34 ac)
Riparian
Buffer Restoration 2.55 43,560 1:1 100% 110,894 ft² (2.55 ac)
Riparian
Buffer
Enhancement via Cattle
Exclusion 0.27 43,560 2:1 100% 5,775 ft² (0.13 ac)
Riparian
Buffer
Enhancement via Cattle
Exclusion 0.84 43,560 2:1 33% 6,029 ft² (0.14 ac)
4.42
Zone Credit
Type Mitigation Type Acreage
Credit Per
Acre (lbs)Ratio
101-200' Nitrogen Restoration 1.88 2,273.02 N/A
1.88
Riparian Buffer Credit
51-100'
0-50'
101-200'
Total Enhancements 1.79 26,805 ft² (0.62 ac)
includes ratios & reductions
Total Restoration 192,368 ft² (4.42 ac)
Nutrient Offset Credit
Mitigation Assets (lbs)
4,271lbs (1.88 ac)
4,271lbs (1.88 ac)TOTAL
Meadow Spring 4 Year 5 Monitoring Report
Mitigation Site October 2023
the sensitive Neuse River watershed, such as nutrient and sediment removal, filtration of runoff, and
improved aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Some areas adjacent to the forested areas may require maintenance
due to the rapid regeneration of some species, such as red maple (Acer rubrum) and sweetgum
(Liquidambar styraciflua).

1.5 Construction and As-Built Conditions

Revegetation of the Site included treating invasive species and planting native hardwood bare root trees.
Prior to planting, RES prepped the site by spraying and ripping the easement. Coastal Plain Small Stream
Swamp is the target community type and was used for all areas within the project. The community is defined
by Schafale (2012). The planting of bare root trees occurred in May and June 2019. Deviations from the
initial planting plan were due to bare root availability. A list of the planted species can be found in Table
2.
Stream construction activities were completed in June 2019. The site was constructed in accordance with
the Approved Mitigation Plan and associated permits. RES acquired 404 (SAW-2016-01989), 401 (DWR
# 16-0980), and NPDES Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (JC#18-097-P; Figure 4) Permits. There were
no easement changes between the submittal of the BPDP Approval and the construction of the site. The
conservation easement is marked every 150-200 feet with North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation signs
attached to either fences or t-posts. Fences were installed in areas where livestock were present, and t-posts
are used as physical barriers where livestock are not present.

1.6 Year 5 Monitoring Performance

The Meadow Spring Year 5 monitoring activities were completed in September 2023. All Year 5
Monitoring (MY5) data is present below and in the appendices. The Site is on track to meet interim success
criteria.

Monitoring of the six fixed vegetation plots was completed during September 2023. Vegetation tables are
in Appendix B and associated photos are in Appendix C. MY5 monitoring data indicates that all six plots
located in buffer/nutrient crediting areas are exceeding the interim success criteria of 260 planted stems per
acre. Planted stem densities ranged from 688 to 850 planted stems per acre with a mean of 782 planted
stems per acre across all plots. A total of 18 species were documented within the plots. Volunteer species
were observed in all six plots. The average tree height observed was 10.5 feet.

Visual assessment of vegetation outside of the monitoring plots indicates that the herbaceous vegetation is
becoming well established throughout the project. All of the fencing was in good condition and there was
no evidence of cattle in the easement. There was no encroachment observed or similar activities that would
negatively affect the functioning of the buffer. Diffuse flow was also maintained throughout the
conservation easement area. Supplemental planting of one-gallon container trees was performed in March
2023, however, not within any buffer/nutrient crediting areas. 0.1 acres within the buffer crediting area will
be supplementally planted this winter to address low stem density due to heavy shade near vegetation plot
9. In August 2023 a few small areas of re-sprouted Chinese privet and dense loblolly pine growth were
treated in the wetland crediting areas of the easement. During vegetation monitoring approximately 0.95
acres of loblolly pine were mapped for additional treatment this Fall and are notated on Figure 2 in
Appendix A.

2 Methods

Vegetation success is being monitored at six fixed monitoring plots. Vegetation plot monitoring follows
the CVS-EEP Level 2 Protocol for Recording Vegetation, version 4.2 (Lee et al. 2008) and includes analysis
Meadow Spring 5 Year 5 Monitoring Report
Mitigation Site October 2023
of species composition and density of planted species. Data is processed using the CVS data entry tool. In
the field, the four corners of each plot were permanently marked with PVC at the origin and metal conduit
at the other corners. Photos of each plot are to be taken from the origin each monitoring year.

3 Reference

EBX – Neuse I, LLC (2018). Meadow Spring Buffer/Nutrient Offset Site – Bank Parcel Development Plan.

Lee Michael T., Peet Robert K., Roberts Steven D., and Wentworth Thomas R., 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol
for Recording Vegetation Level. Version 4.2

NCDENR. 2009. “Neuse River Basinwide Water Quality Plan.” Division of Water Quality. http://
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/ps/bpu/basin/neuse/2009. (October 2013).

NC Environmental Management Commission. 2014. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0295 - Mitigation Program
Requirements for the Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers.

Schafale, M.P. 2012. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth
Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation,
NCDENR, Raleigh, NC.

Appendix A
Site Maps
0 2,0001,000
Feet
Figure 1 - Site Location Map
Meadow Spring B uffer/Nutrient Site
Johnston County, North Carolina
Legend
Conservation Easement
©Date: 10/25/2019
Drawn by: RTM
Checked by: BPB
Document Path: S:\@RES GIS\Projects\NC\Meadow Spring (bank site)\MXD\Monitoring\MY0\DWR Figures\Figure 1 Meadow Location Map.mxd
1 inch = 2,000 feet
WD
WB
WI
WH
1
2
3
4
5
6
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9
8 10
11
12
© OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Figure 2 - DWR CCPV MY5
Meadow Spring
Mitigation Project
Johnston County,
North Carolina
Date: 10/19/2023 Drawn by: KTO
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Restoring a resilient earth for a modern world
0 200100
Feet
Legend
Conservation Easement
ReachLines_MeadowSpring
Vegetation Plot
Both
404 Vegetation Plot
Pines Present
Low Stem Density
Buffer Crediting
Restoration (0-50')
Restoration (51-100')
Enhancement (0-50')
Enhancement (51-100')
Enhancement (101-200')
Nutrient (101-200')
Wetland Mitigation
Stream Alignment
Checked by: JRM1 inch = 200 feet
Low stem area ~0.2 acre
Low stem area and
pine ~0.1 acre
Appendix B
Vegetation Assessment Data
Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data

Table 2. Planted Species Summary

Table 3. Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary

Common Name Scientific Name Total Stems Planted
Water Oak Quercus nigra 3,500
Swamp Chestnut Oak Quercus michauxii 2,700
Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 2,300
Baldcypress Taxodium distichum 2,000
Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 2,000
Overcup Oak Quercus lyrata 2,000
Willow Oak Quercus phellos 2,000
Persimmon Diospyros virginiana 2,000
Swamp Tupelo Nyssa biflora 2,000
Water Tupelo Nyssa aquatica 1,700
Yellow Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera 1,600
Crab Apple Malus angustifolia 800
Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum 800
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida 800
Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 700
Blackgum Nyssa sylvatica 600
American Plum Prunus americana 500
American Hazelnut Corylus americana 400
River Birch Betula nigra 400
Elderberry Sambucus nigra 100
28,900Total
Plot #Planted
Stems/Acre
Volunteer
Stems/Acre
Total
Stems/Acre
Success
Criteria
Met?
Average
Planted
Stem Height
(ft)
1 850 445 1295 Yes 12.5
2 688 283 971 Yes 6.3
3 850 769 1619 Yes 11.0
8 688 202 890 Yes 16.0
9 809 1497 2307 Yes 5.2
11 809 3845 4654 Yes 11.8
Project Avg 782 1174 1956 Yes 10.5
Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data

Table 4. Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species

PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T
Betula nigra river birch Tree 4 4 4 5 5 5 7 7 7 16 16 16 16 16 16 13 13 13 14 14 14 5 5 5 13 13 13
Carya cordiformis bitternut hickory Tree 1 1 1
Cephalanthus occidentalis common buttonbush Shrub 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1
Cornus amomum silky dogwood Shrub 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 1 1 1 2 2 2
Cornus florida flowering dogwood Tree 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 3
Corylus americana American hazelnut Shrub 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3
Diospyros virginiana common persimmon Tree 1 1 5 1 1 1 2 2 6 2 2 12 2 2 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 3 3
Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash Tree 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 12 12 12
Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum Tree 14 65 79 165 68 51
Liriodendron tulipifera tuliptree Tree 4 4 4 1 1 2 1 1 1 6 6 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 4 4 4 5 5 5
Malus angustifolia southern crabapple Tree 1 1 1
Myrica sweetgale shrub 2
Nyssa aquatica water tupelo Tree 1 1 1 1 1 1
Nyssa biflora swamp tupelo Tree 1 1 1 4 4 4
Nyssa sylvatica blackgum Tree 1 1 1
Pinus taeda loblolly pine Tree 11 3 10 5 18 30 77 83 42
Platanus occidentalis American sycamore Tree 2 2 2 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 4 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 18 18 20 19 19 19 24 24 24
Prunus americana American plum Tree 1 1 1
Quercus oak Tree 1 1 1 54 54 54
Quercus alba white oak Tree 5 5 5 2 2 2 9 9 14 16 16 21 14 14 22 11 11 11 14 14 14
Quercus lyrata overcup oak Tree 4 4 4 6 6 7 2 2 2 8 8 8 20 20 21 22 22 22 23 23 23 23 23 23 18 18 18 14 14 14
Quercus michauxii swamp chestnut oak Tree 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 8 8 8 7 7 7
Quercus nigra water oak Tree 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2
Quercus phellos willow oak Tree 4 4 4 5 5 7 1 1 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 19 19 23 16 16 25 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 11
Quercus rubra northern red oak Tree 1 1 9
Taxodium distichum bald cypress Tree 5 5 5 2 2 2 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 10 10 10
Ulmus alata winged elm Tree 3
21 21 32 17 17 24 21 21 39 17 17 22 20 20 57 20 20 115 116 116 289 114 114 403 103 103 215 114 114 169 88 88 88 172 172 172
5 5 6 5 5 7 10 10 12 6 6 7 4 4 6 6 6 8 15 15 18 17 17 22 13 13 15 14 14 15 15 15 15 20 20 20
850 850 1295 688 688 971 850 850 1578 688 688 890 809 809 2307 809 809 4654 782 782 1949 769 769 2718 695 695 1450 769 769 1140 594 594 594 1160 1160 1160
Meadow Spring
Stems per ACRE
Scientific Name Common Name Species Type
06122019-01-0001
Stem count
size (ares)
size (ACRES)
Species count
1
0.02
Current Plot Data (MY5 2023)
1
0.02
1
0.02
1
0.02
1
0.02
1
0.02
06122019-01-0008 06122019-01-0009 06122019-01-001106122019-01-000306122019-01-0002 MY2 (2020) MY1 (2019)MY5 (2023) MY3 (2021)
Annual Means
MY4 (2022)MY0 (2019)
0.15
6 6 6 6 6
0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
6
Appendix C
Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos
Meadow Spring MY5 Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos

Vegetation Plot 1 (9/12/2023)

Vegetation Plot 2 (9/12/2023)
Vegetation Plot 3 (9/12/2023) Vegetation Plot 8 (9/12/2023)

Vegetation Plot 9 (9/12/2023) Vegetation Plot 11 (9/12/2023)

Appendix D
Vegetation Monitoring Plot Data Sheets