20080737 All Versions_Monitoring Report_20080116

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MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Mitigation for Fayetteville Outer Loop (TIP Nos. U-2519 and X-0002)
By way of this memorandum, NCDOT requests permission to use stream and wetland mitigation from the Privateer
Farms site for anticipated mitigation needs associated with the Fayetteville Outer Loop (Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) Project Nos. U-2519 and X-0002). The Fayetteville Outer Loop is estimated to have the following
impacts in cataloguing unit (CU) 03030004 of the Cape Fear River Basin:
(1) 12,838 feet of stream impacts
(2) 49.76 acres of riparian wetland impacts
(3) 11.84 acres ofnon-riparian wetland impacts
These numbers include impacts from all sections of the project (including those funded on the TIP and those post-year).
The Privateer Farms mitigation site is located in CU 03030005 of the Cape Fear River Basin, on the boundary of
Cumberland and Bladen counties, approximately 6 miles from the southern boundary of CU 03030004 (see attached
map). The project restored 402.5 acres of riparian wetlands, enhanced 25 acres of riparian wetlands, and restored 34,005
feet of Harrison Creek, making it one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in the Southeast. Currently, the project
is in its third year of monitoring. Stream flows from larger storms now spread onto the floodplain, which reduces the
energy of the water and results in less erosion of stream banks. Structures placed within the streambed control its grade,
reduce stress on stream banks, and create a more diverse habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms. Riparian wetlands
were restored by reconnecting Harrison Creek with its original floodplain. Additional details about the site can be found
in the attached project fact sheet.
Due to the close proximity of the Privateer Farms site to the Fayetteville Outer Loop and the quality of the mitigation
provided by the site, NCDOT proposes to use credits from Privateer Farms to meet the required stream and non-riparian
wetland mitigation requirements for the Fayetteville Outer Loop. (Riparian wetland requirements would be fulfilled
using a site located within CU 03030004.) Riparian wetland assets from the Privateer Farms site would be used to meet
the non-riparian wetland requirements; therefore, NCDOT requests a reduction in the required mitigation ratio to account
for use of these more ecologically and economically valuable assets.
If you have any questions, please contact Bruce Ellis at 919-715-1418 or [e-mail]. us.
Attachments:
(1) Map of Fayetteville Outer Loop and Privateer Farms mitigation site
(2) Fact sheet about Privateer Farms mitigation site
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENNRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE: WWW.DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH W ILMINGTON STREET
RALFJGH NC

Privateer Farms Mitigation Site Fact Sheet
Location: Cataloguing unit 03030005 of the Cape Fear River Basin, Cumberland and Bladen Counties
Mitigation Provided: Restoration of 402.5 acres of riparian wetlands, enhancement of 25 acres of riparian
wetlands, and restoration of 34,005 feet of stream
Site Overview: The Privateer Farms project restored 402.5
acres of riparian wetlands, enhanced 25 acres of riparian
wetlands, and restored 34,005 feet of Harrison Creek,
making it one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in
the Southeast. Stream flows from lazger storms now spread
onto the floodplain, which reduces the energy of the water
and results in less erosion of stream banks. Structures
placed within the streambed control its grade, reduce stress
on stream banks, and create a more diverse habitat for fish
and other aquatic organisms. Riparian wetlands were
restored by reconnecting Harrison Creek with its original
floodplain. The restoration of stream and wetland hydrology
was particularly challenging given the low gradient of the
site and extensive ditching of the existing agricultural fields.
Historical aerial photography, detailed elevation data,
information on neazby intact streams and wetlands, and other
resources were used to mimic the original site hydrology.
Monitoring Results: Currently, the project is in its third year
of monitoring. The five-year monitoring plan for the site
includes criteria to evaluate the success of the wetland
hydrology, vegetation community, and stream components
of the project. Data collected during the 2006 (Monitoring
Year 2) growing season by 15 automatic monitoring well
gauges at the Privateer site showed that groundwater levels
met hydrologic success criteria for 14 of the wells. The
gauge that did meet the criteria exhibited a cumulative hydroperiod of 108 days or 45% of the 2006 growing
season, indicating that the location experiences significant wetness, but the water table fluctuates very rapidly and
does not experience surface saturated conditions for long periods of time. This is due to the close proximity to the
restored stream channel. The vegetation monitoring for 2006 indicated an average survivability of over 532 stems
per acre, which is on a trajectory to achieve an average vegetation survival criteria of 320 stems per acre surviving
after the fifth growing season.
On-site streamflow gauges documented the occurrence of at least two bankfull flow events during the second year
of the monitoring period. In-stream structures installed within the restored stream included constructed riflles, log
vanes, log weirs, and root wads. Visual observations of structures throughout the Year 2 season indicated that the
structures are functioning as designed. No areas of streambank erosion have been noted after numerous bankfull
flow events since construction completion. Photographs were taken throughout the Year 2 growing season to
document the evolution of the restored stream channel. Restored pools have maintained a variety of depths and
habitat qualities, depending on the location and type of scour features (logs, root wads, etc.).
Awards: American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina 2005 Environmental Engineering
Excellence Award

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CAPE FEAR 03030005
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Legend
Fayetteville Outer Loop
- Privateer Farms Mitigation Site
CU Boundaries
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FEAR 03030006
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