20070833 Ver 1_USACE Correspondence_20071130

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
PO BOX 1890
WILMINGTON NC 28402-1890
November 27, 2007
Regulatory Division
Action ID. 2000-985-067
Mr. David Ashcraft
North Carolina Forestry Foundation, Inc.
Campus Box 8005
Room 3114 Biltmore Hall
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
Dear Mr. Ashcraft:
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This letter serves to confirm our evaluation of the August 15, 2007 monitoring report for the
Hofmann Forest Wetland Mitigation Bank (Hofmann Bank) in the Hofmann State Forest,
adjacent to the White Oak Pocosin, north of Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina. Also,
please reference my October 23, 2007 telephone conversation with Mr. Glen Catts of North
Carolina State University.
Our review of the monitoring report, along with input from some of the Mitigation Bank
Review Team (MBRT) members, reveals that the Hofmann Bank has conclusively and
successfully met the hydrological and vegetation criteria for the 2006 growing season. As
discussed with Mr. Catts, the report's determination on page 13 concerning not meeting the
vegetation success criteria was incorrect. The criterion states that "no single volunteer species
may average more than twice the height of planted trees at year 5", not vice versa. Based on our
determination, our office confirms the release of 10% of the available 330 credits, or 33 credits.
As always, future decisions concerning the acceptability of the use of this bank to offset wetland
impacts authorized by any particular permit will be made during the review of that permit.
It should be noted that the vegetation success criteria also states that if, within the first three
years, any species exhibits greater than 50% mortality, remedial procedures outlined in a
contingency plan will be implemented. Also, our office recommends that you closely monitor
the flow and frequency of hydrology within the proximity of Block 1 South Well and Block 2
North Well where the water levels are noticeably lower than the remaining bank.
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Please be reminded of your obligations pursuant to the May 24, 2004 Mitigation Banking
Instrument (MBI); and to continue maintenance inspections of the check dams and culverts
throughout the bank in order to evaluate the condition and stability of each structure in
perpetuity. Should you have any questions, please contact me at [phone].
Sincerely,
Mickey Sugg, Project Manager
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
Copies Furnished:
Mr. Glenn Catts
Hofmann Forest Liaison
College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University
Post Office Box 8002
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8002
Tammy Hill
ivision of Water Quality
N.C. Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
2321 Crabtree Boulevard
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-2260
Mr. Garland Pardue
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh North Carolina 27636-3726
Ms. Maria Dunn
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, North Carolina 27889
Mr. Guy Stefanski
Division of Coastal Management
N.C. Department of Environment
and Natural Resources
1638 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1638
Mr. Ron Sechler
National Marine Fisheries Service
Pivers Island
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
Mr. Howard Hall
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh North Carolina 27636-3726
Ms. Kathy Matthews
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Wetlands Regulatory Section- Region IV
109 T.W. Alexander Drive
Durham, North Carolina 27711
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Mr. Stephen Everhart
N.C. Division of Coastal Management
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, North Carolina 28405-3845