20241071 Ver 1_ Permit Application _8-2_20240802

Permit Application Report
Application ID Application Type Submitted App Complete Deadline Decision Expiration
PA-1312 DCM Major Permit 07-24-2024 07-24-2024 10-08-2024
Primary Applicant Information
Applicant Type Title Business Name Name Email Business Phone Mobile
Phone
Business/Company NR Land LLC NR Land LLC [e-mail] 336-623-2111 336-707-1965
Physical Address Mailing Address
Street 1 City State Zip Street 1 City State Zip
515 S Kennedy St Eden North 27289 P.O. 1107 Eden North 27289
Carolina Carolina
Registered Agent Information
Agent Type Title Business Name Name Email Business Phone Mobile
Phone
Business/Company North Carolina North Carolina [e-mail] 252-393-8185 252-247-6110
Coastal Federation Coastal
Federation
Physical Address Mailing Address
Street 1 City State Zip Street 1 City State Zip
3609 NC 24 Newport North 28570 3609 NC 24 Newport North 28570
Carolina Carolina
Project Information
Project Name Project Type Disturbed Land Area(Scl Ft/Acres)
Donor Salt Marsh Public/Government Sq.Ft./3 Acres
Is proposed project located in national registered historic district or national register listed/eligible: False
List of previous state or federal permits for work on project tract:
Project Location Information
Address County River Basin Subdivision County Parcel ID Latitude Longitude
0 Straits/Smyrna,North Carteret White Oak North River Farms 733900350520000 34.8182 -76.56038
Carolina 28516
Project Discharges to State Waters
Discharge Type Surface Sanitary Industry/Commercial Vessel Residential Other
Runoff Wastewater Effluent Wash Down
Wastewater/Stormwater Discharged Into Wetland? Discharge Same Salinity as Receiving Waters Is There Any Mitigation Proposed
False True False
Detailed Description of the Existing Development Located on the Property
Existing Man-Made Features:
The area is accessed by hard-packed dirt roads. Entire site is planned for preservation and creation of wetlands.
Existing Land Uses:
Pine plantations and previously created wetlands.
Existing Wastewater Treatment/Disposal:
Solid Waste/Fish Offal/Trash Disposal:
Use and Daily Operations of the Project When Complete
Proposed Development Purpose:
To address the need for more salt marsh plants,the Federation plans to establish a new 1-acre salt marsh that will contain a 380-
foot tidal creek within the North River Wetland Preserve.This endeavor involves converting elevated dry land to a salt marsh

wetland that will be subject to daily tidal actions from a drainage canal that flows into the headwaters of Wards Creek.This will
increase salt marsh acreage along this canal,which will directly benefit fisheries and water quality in Wards Creek. The primary
purpose of this project, however, is to provide a sustainable source of salt marsh plan plugs for restoration projects elsewhere along
the North Carolina Coast.
Buildings/Facilities/Units/Structures:
Use&Daily Operations:
Providing a sustainable source of plugs for other restoration activities. This marsh will also provide ongoing volunteer opportunities
for our community involvement in harvesting and maintenance. The Federation has learned from managers of donor marshes in
Florida the best methods and limitations associated with harvesting from a living wetland. All harvest practices will be kept at a pace
that will not affect the success of the wetland.
Construction Methodology&Equipment:
The Federation professional engineer drafted the plans and Backwater Environmental will construct the project. Backwater
Environmental has significant experience in creek and wetland restoration,with onsite experience constructing over 35 acres of
marsh and 1 mile of tidal creeks. Construction will follow a designated sequence and erosion control plan to prevent downstream
sediment impacts.A turbidity curtain will be placed in Ward Creek and the majority of excavation will take place in the dry without
surface water connectivity. Silt fencing will be used around the stockpile area.The site will be planted immediately following earth
disturbing activities.
Development Activities Narrative Specifics:
In keeping with its agreements with the North Carolina Land and Water Fund,the Federation will monitor the health of the marsh
for a 10-year period post construction. This monitoring will help assure that the harvesting of plants is done in a sustainable manner
that does not jeopardize the ability of the marsh to sustain itself. The Federation will use marsh monitoring techniques that it uses
for other marsh restoration projects that look at land elevation, plant densities,and any changes in species diversity. All monitoring
data will be provided to NCLWF.
Application Narrative:
Applicant:NR Land,LLC
Authorized Agent: North Carolina Coastal Federation
North River Wetlands Preserve: Donor Salt Marsh Project
In the 1980s, nearly 5,000 acres of wetlands in the headwaters of North River in
Carteret County were transformed into agricultural land.Starting in 1999,this
area—originally known as Smyrna Farms and later renamed North River Farms—began
its transition back to wetlands through purchases by the North Carolina Coastal
Federation(Federation)and other conservation-minded entities.Today,the
renamed North River Wetlands Preserve(Preserve)spans almost 6,000 acres,
featuring a mix of permanently protected freshwater and saltwater wetlands,
comparable in size to Morehead City.Efforts to restore natural water flow
across this extensive land have significantly reduced polluted runoff into the
surrounding estuaries of North River,Ward's Creek,Jarrett's Bay,and Core
Sound.
While the bulk of restoration efforts have rejuvenated over 4,900 acres of
freshwater wetlands,around 100 acres of previously converted farmland have been
developed into new salt marshes.These sections either support the migration of
salt marshes due to rising sea levels or have been specifically modified to
encourage the growth of salt marsh vegetation.The Federation's successful salt
marsh projects now resemble the natural functions and productivity of existing
marshes in the area.
Salt marshes are vital for their ecological benefits,including serving as
nurseries for young fish.The Federation's coastwide initiatives include
numerous living shoreline projects aimed at restoring salt marshes to bolster

fish habitats and mitigate shoreline erosion.However,sourcing sufficient
plants for these restoration projects is challenging due to limited nursery
availability both within and beyond North Carolina.
To address the need for more salt marsh plants,the Federation plans to
establish a new 1-acre salt marsh that will contain a 380-foot long,20-foot
wide,and 3.5-foot-deep(1.5-feet below sea level)tidal creek within the
Preserve,located on property owned by NR Land LLC(PIN:733900350520000).This
endeavor involves converting elevated dry land to a salt marsh wetland that will
be subject to daily tidal actions from a drainage canal that flows back and
forth into the headwaters of Wards Creek.This will add 1-acre of saltmarsh
along this canal,which will directly benefit fisheries and water quality in
Wards Creek.
The primary purpose of this project,however,is to provide a sustainable source
of salt marsh plant plugs for restoration projects elsewhere along the North
Carolina coast.That means the benefits of this single 1-acre marsh will be
amplified all over the coast. In 2021 alone the Federation planted over 100,000
salt marsh plugs in numerous restoration projects.This marsh will also offer
ongoing volunteer opportunities for community involvement in its maintenance.
Learning from Florida's donor marshes,the Federation is committed to
sustainable harvesting practices that preserve the wetland's long-term vitality.
Funded by grants from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund(NCLWF)and the
Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership,the project has been designed by the
Federation's professional licensed engineer.It will be constructed by Backwater
Environmental,a firm with extensive experience in wetland and creek
restoration.The project aims to showcase a cost-effective,environmentally
friendly method for cultivating salt marsh plants,potentially serving as a
model for future projects.Construction will be carefully managed to minimize
sediment runoff,including the use of turbidity curtains in Ward Creek.An
Erosion and sediment control permit is being filed in concurrence with this
major permit.Silt fencing is planned to surround the designated stockpile and
prevent slope erosion towards surface waters.Also,immediate planting after
earth-moving activities will occur to help prevent erosion.
Once the excavation process is completed,the marsh will be hand-planted,by
Federation staff and volunteers,with approximately 10,000 Spartina alterniflora
and 2,500 Spartina patens spaced 12-to 24-inches apart.Once the marsh plants
have been well established(90%ground coverage),which is expected to occur by
the end of the second growing season(2026),the Federation will harvest some of
the plants(as plugs)to be used in other restoration projects,such as living
shorelines.The number of plants that are harvested will be dependent on the
other projects'size,however,the harvest will not remove more than 15%of the
total biomass of the marsh.This is based on evidence provided by research in
Florida at a donor salt marsh.A powerpoint PDF has been supplied with results
of a study completed there.Another harvest will not reoccur until a sufficient
number of plants have regrown(back to at least 90%ground coverage)to keep the
salt marsh sustainable.We do not plan to add nutrients(such as fertilizers or
chemicals)when planting or harvesting.Given the rapid colonization and
successful establishment of saltmarshes at the two immediately adjacent marsh
creation projects previously built by the Federation,there is high confidence
that this project,using similar excavation and planting methods,will also be
quickly successful.
The proposed donor marsh project is a pioneering pilot initiative in the state.
It is imperative for the Federation to ensure the marsh remains healthy and
productive,enabling the planned harvesting and utilization of plants.In
keeping with its agreements with the NCLWF,the Federation will monitor the
health of the marsh for a 10-year period post construction.This monitoring will

help assure that harvesting of plants is done in a sustainable manner that does
not jeopardize the ability of the marsh to sustain itself.The Federation will
use marsh monitoring techniques that it uses for other marsh restoration
projects that look at land elevation,plant densities,and any changes in
species diversity.To monitor the marsh's health,we will employ set transects
and conduct biomass assessments using quadrats.The Federation will also invite
researchers to use the property to conduct more in-depth analysis should there
be interest.This project will also serve as an educational tool,allowing us to
learn and implement best practices for maintaining the marsh's health and
productivity.Throughout the project,we will evaluate and refine our monitoring
approach as necessary to achieve our objectives.All monitoring data will be
provided to NCLWF in keeping with the Federation's grant agreement.
The Federation has hired Bolton&Menk Inc,for assistance with design and
permitting of the project as the Federations'Project Engineer has taken
maternity leave during the development of the project.The resubmitted drawing
package contains the same information as the previous edition but is formatted
on the Bolton&Menk Inc/North Carolina Coastal Federation layouts,additional
sheets have been added,and the comments from CAMA and DMLR were addressed.The
comments have been highlighted within the drawing package and a Technical Memo
has been included that details the responses to the CAMA reviewers comments.
Boat Ramp Development Activity Included: False
Shoreline Stabilization Development Activity Included: False
Living Shoreline Development Activity Included: False
Piers &Docking Facilities Development Activity Included: False
Excavation Development Activity Included: True
Excavation Details
Amount&Type of Material to be Excavated From Below NHW or NWL
Volume(Cu Yds) Area(Sq Ft) Type of Material "Other"Material Description
486 7,600.00 Mud/Fines;Sand
Will Material Be Excavated From Any Of The Following Areas
Area Sq. Ft.Affected Purpose of Fill in This Area
Coastal Wetland/Marsh(CW)
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation(SAV)
Shell Bottom(SB)
Other Non-Coastal Wetlands(WL)
Wetlands Crossed Transporting Equipment to Site Steps Taken to Avoid/Minimize Environmental Impact
False
Excavation Purposes
Purpose Length Width 4Avg Existing Depth Final Project Depth
Boat Basin 380.00 1 20.00 0.00 3.50

Excavation Disposal Area Details
Disposal Area Name Available for Maintenance Location of Disposal Area Do You Claim Title
NC Coastal Federation Yes On adjacent NC Coastal Federation No
Stockpile property
Is Disposal Area Within Area of Environmental Concern Disposal Area Length Disposal Area Width
No 420.00 160.00
Does Disposal Area Include Any Of The Following Areas
Area Sq. Ft.Affected Purpose of Fill in This Area
Coastal Wetland/Marsh(CW)
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation(SAV)
Shell Bottom(SB)
Other Non-Coastal Wetlands(WL)
Open Water(OW)
How Will Excavated or Fill Material at the Disposal Area be Kept on Site and Erosion Controlled
An erosion and sediment control plan and permit is being submitted simultaneously.The stockpile area will be surrounded by silt
fence and stabilized with grass.
Bridges & Culverts Development Activity Included: False
Oceanfront Erosion Control Development Activity Included: False
Temporary Structures Development Activity Included: False
Utility Crossings Development Activity Included: False
Freestanding Moorings, Buoys & Bird Nesting Poles Development Activity Included: False
Log Removal/Marine Debris Development Activity Included: Yes/No
Navigational Aids Development Activity Included: False
Other Fill Below Water Level Development Activity Included: False

Stormwater Structures Development Activity Included: False
"Upland Development" Development Activity Included: False
Energy Facilities Development Activity Included: False
Aquaculture Development Activity Included: False
Submerged Lands Mining Development Activity Included: False
General Development Activity Details Required
Marina Development Activity Details Required