20081644 Ver 1_Monitoring Report_20081029

Y KECEIVED
ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT S E P 2 5 2008
YEAR 4 (2008) NC ECOSYSTEM
WALNUT CREEK BUFFER RESTORATION SITE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
WAYNE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
(Contract Number D04009-2)
08-1644
a9@93 G p
OCT 2 9 2008
OENR -WATtR DUALITY
vdETLANDS AND STORMWATER BRANCH
Prepared for:
_ NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
ECOSYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
r?
F nstem 6 (o?
RROC RAM

Prepared by:
Restoration Systems, L.L.C.
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
And
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
2126 Rowland Pond Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina 27592
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
September 2008
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Restoration Systems, LLC (Restoration Systems) has completed riparian buffer restoration at the
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site (hereafter referred to as the "Site") to assist the North
Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) in fulfilling restoration goals in the region.
The Site is located approximately one mile east of Goldsboro, in Wayne County. This portion of
Wayne County is located in the western portion of Neuse River Basin Cataloging Unit
03020202. The Site encompasses 25 acres of buffer restoration immediately adjacent to Walnut
Creek and one of its tributaries and was completed in June 2005.
Prior to restoration, Site land use consisted primarily of agricultural fields utilized for row crop
production in addition to a small area of abandoned pasture. Site ditch banks were characterized
by little or no vegetation and tilling took place within one to two feet of the top of bank.
Excessive runoff during storms contributed to nutrient, pesticide, and sediment runoff.
Site reforestation, consisting of a Nonriverine Wet Hardwood Forest community, was
implemented within the entire 25-acre Site. The primary goals of the buffer restoration project
focused on reforestation of the Site with native tree and shrub species to: 1) intercept and
assimilate nutrient, pesticide, and sediment runoff from agricultural activities in the headwaters
of Walnut Creek and ultimately into the Neuse River; 2) convert croplands within the Site into
riparian forest to reestablish forest functions; 3) improve water quality; 4) enhance flood
attenuation; 5) serve as a wildlife corridor by providing connectivity to forested areas adjacent to
the Site; 6) provide increased quantity and quality of habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife;
and 7) augment efforts by Wayne County and the City of Goldsboro to establish buffer areas
near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
As a whole, the densities of eight vegetation plots across the Site were well-above the required
320 stems/acre with an average of 2892 tree stems per acre counting towards success criteria in
the Fourth Monitoring Year (Year 2008). Each individual vegetation plot met success criteria
and had a species diversity consisting of 9 to 19 species per plot.
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page i
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................1
2.0 VEGETATION MONITORING PROGRAM ...................................................................6
2. 1 Vegetation Success Criteria ...........................................................................................9
2.2 Vegetation Sampling Results and Comparison to Success Criteria ..............................10
2.2.1 Woody Trees and Shrubs .....................................................................................10
2.2.2 Herbaceous Vegetation ........................................................................................10
3.0 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................10
4.0 REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................12
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Planted Tree and Shrub Species ....................................................................................9
Table 2. 2008 Herbaceous Vegetation Monitoring Data and Results .........................................10
Table 3. 2008 Vegetation Monitoring Data and Results ............................................................11
Table 4. Summary of Vegetation Plot Results ...........................................................................12
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Cataloging Map ...........................................................................................................2
Figure 2. Project Location ..........................................................................................................3
Figure 3. Topographic Map ........................................................................................................4
Figure 4. Soils ............................................................................................................................5
Figure 5. Planting Zones and Sampling Transects in Part 1 .........................................................7
Figure 6. Planting Zones and Sampling Transects in Part 2 .........................................................8
APPENDICES
Appendix A. Vegetation Plot Photographs
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page ii
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
WALNUT CREEK BUFFER RESTORATION SITE
ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT
YEAR 4 (2008)
WAYNE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Restoration Systems, LLC (Restoration Systems) has completed riparian buffer restoration at the
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site (hereafter referred to as the "Site") to assist the North
Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) in fulfilling restoration goals in the region. The
Site is located in the western portion of Cataloging Unit 03020202 (Hydrologic Unit
03020202010040) of the Neuse River Basin, approximately one mile east of Goldsboro, in Wayne
County (Figures 1 and 2). The Site conservation easement encompasses 27.9 acres immediately
adjacent to Walnut Creek and an unnamed tributary to Walnut Creek within subbasin 03-04-02 of
the Neuse River Basin (Figure 3). Site soils are comprised primarily of poorly drained wet flat
soil series such as Bibb, Johnston, Rains, and Weston (Figure 4).
A Detailed Buffer Restoration Plan was completed for the Site in December 2006. The plan
outlined methods designed to reforest the entire Site with native species. Prior to implementation,
Part 1 of the Site (approximately 23.5 acres) was composed of row-crop agriculture. Part 2,
approximately 1 mile east, consisted of approximately 1.5 acres of abandoned pasture. The
following implemented activities provide 25 Buffer Mitigation Units requested under EEP
Request for Proposal (RFP) 16-DO4009 dated December 31, 2003.
Restoration of 25 acres of riparian buffer through planting with native forest species.
Protection of the Site in perpetuity with a conservation easement which is held by the State
of North Carolina.
The primary goals of the buffer restoration project focused on reforestation of the Site with native
tree and shrub species to: 1) intercept and assimilate nutrient, pesticide, and sediment runoff from
agricultural activities in the headwaters of Walnut Creek and ultimately into the Neuse River; 2)
convert croplands within the Site into riparian forest to reestablish forest functions; 3) improve
water quality; 4) enhance flood attenuation; 5) serve as a wildlife corridor by providing
connectivity to forested areas adjacent to the Site; 6) provide increased quantity and quality of
habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife; and 7) augment efforts by Wayne County and the City
of Goldsboro to establish buffer areas near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The primary goals were accomplished by removing nonpoint sources of pollution associated with
agricultural production including the cessation of broadcasting fertilizer, pesticides, and other
agricultural materials into and adjacent to Site streams and providing a vegetative buffer adjacent
to streams to treat surface runoff.
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 1
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
wow Wayne County
Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 2
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
Figure 1. Cataloging Map
1:500.000
Walnut Creek t'
J B I: IG
, , , Buffer Restoration Site 'j°
Project Easement
;r,
"or N•
;00 1 Fftair ?? ?y?p,.
16" Jr-lb
00 Firov
Paai 1 t F•
• ? 1 3r•°?
? P
t 2
?
= ar
•

- rt

r., ' - .' • October 2007 Tn
Figure 2. Project Location 1:24-000
Walnut Creek ° x°'06 2.000 3eCG rxo
Fc:A
Buffer Restoration Site
Wayne County
Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 3
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)

Q Project Easement • `
" f '
"
* •• •
f
• •
• • • + of •
Fac*W `
I
Figure 3. Topographic Map 1:12.000
?a
Walnut Creek ° 2?O ' 5L0 `
Buffer Restoration Site
Wayne County
Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 4
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)

.r?t.
Part 2 1 &
I{ P
iT

I

Easement
SGIs
Stream
Intermittent Stream
Figure 4. Soils 1:5.000
ti
Walnut Creek 105 zic 420 an 940
Kop
Buffer Restoration Site
Wayne County
Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 5
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
As constructed, the Site provides 25 acres of riparian buffer restoration (25 Buffer Mitigation
Units). Information on project managers, owners, and contractors follows:
Owner, Designer, and Monitoring Performer Information
Restoration Systems, L.L.C.
George Howard and John Preyer
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
[phone]
Fourth Year Monitoring Performer Information
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
W. Grant Lewis
2126 Rowland Pond Drive
Willow Spring, North Carolina 27592
[phone]
2.0 VEGETATION MONITORING PROGRAM
Planting Contractor Information
Carolina Silvics
Dwight McKinney
908 Indian Trail Road
Edenton, North Carolina 27932
[phone]
Monitoring procedures for vegetation were designed in accordance with Guidelines for Riparian
Buffer Restoration (NCEEP 2004) and 2000 North Carolina Administrative Code (15A NCAC
02B .0242). A general discussion of the plant community restoration monitoring program is
provided. Monitoring of restoration efforts will be performed for a minimum of 5 years or until
success criteria are fulfilled. The locations of monitoring plots are depicted in Figures 5 and 6.
During the first year, vegetation received visual evaluation on a periodic basis to ascertain the
degree of overtopping of planted species by nuisance species. Subsequent quantitative vegetation
sampling will be performed between June 1 and December 30 of each monitoring year for five
years or until the vegetation success criteria are achieved.
Eight sample transects were installed within planted areas of the Site shortly after planting.
Transects 1-7 (Part 1) are 200 feet in length by 12 feet in width (0.055 acre). Transect 8 is 160
feet in length and 7.5 feet in width (0.0275 acre). In each sample plot, vegetation parameters
monitoring include species composition and density. Visual estimates of the percent cover of
herbaceous species were also noted. Photographs of the vegetation plots are included in Appendix
A.
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 6
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)

Walnut Creek
Buffer Restoration Site
Wayne County
Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 7
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
Figure 5. Planting Zones and Sampling 1:4,540 ?.
Transects in Part 1 ., I'll ,r^ 4`0 600
Transects in Part 2 0 70 60 120 160 2a0
Walnut Creek
Buffer Restoration Site
Wayne County
Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 8
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
Figure 6. Planting Zones and Sampling 1:2,000
?.?:
2. 1 Vegetation Success Criteria
Rules published in the North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC 2000) have been established
to determine success criteria. All planted tree and shrub species and all native colonizing
hardwood tree and shrub species are counted in establishing success criteria.
Table 1. Planted Tree and Shrub Species
Canopy Trees Shrubs and Understory Trees
Betula nigra (river birch) Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry)
Carya aquatic (water hickory) Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush)
Celtis laevigata (sugarberry) Cornus amomum (silky dogwood)
Diospyros virginiana (persimmon) Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash) Persea palustris (red bay)
Liriodendron tulipifera (yellow poplar)
Nyssa biflora (swamp blackgum)
Platanus occidentalis (sycamore)
Quercus laurifolia (laurel oak)
Quercus michauxii (swamp chestnut oak)
Quercus nigra (water oak)
Quercus pagoda (cherrybark oak)
Quercus phellos (willow oak)
Ulmus americana (American elm)
Vegetation success criteria for the Site will consist of an overall density of at least 320 stems per
acre five years after the initial planting. Additional seedlings are expected to be recruited to the
Site from adjacent forested communities. These individuals may also be counted in the overall
success rate for the Site provided they are native hardwood tree species.
If vegetation success criteria are not achieved based on average density calculations from
combined plots over the entire restoration area, supplemental planting may be performed with
native species. Supplemental planting will be performed as needed until vegetation success
criteria is achieved.
No quantitative sampling requirements are proposed for herb assemblages as part of the vegetation
success criteria. Development of floodplain forests over several decades will dictate the success in
recruitment and establishment of desired understory and groundcover populations. Photographs of
the vegetation plots are included in Appendix A.
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 9
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
2.2 Vegetation Sampling Results and Comparison to Success Criteria
2.2.1 Woody Trees and Shrubs
Quantitative sampling of vegetation was conducted in July 2008. Results are provided in Table 3.
Vegetation success criteria for year 4 (320 stems per acre) were exceeded for the 2008 annual
monitoring year with 2892 tree stems per acre across the Site. Each individual vegetation plot met
success criteria and had a species diversity consisting of 9 to 19 species per plot.
Transects 1-7 were dominated by planted species most noteably American sycamore (Platanus
occidentalis), silky dogwood (Cornus amomum), and river birch (Betula nigra). Transect 8 was
dominated by natural recruits consisting of red maple (Acer rubrum) and sweetgum (Liquidambar
styracijlua) from an adjacent forest.
2.2.2 Herbaceous Vegetation
Table 2 includes the dominant herbaceous vegetation observed during monitoring. Herbaceous
vegetation within Part 1 of the Site consists primarily of agricultural weeds in addition to a few
vine species, and within Part 2 consists primarily of vine species for the 2008 monitoring year.
Herbaceous vegetation within the Site is not causing any problems and no herbicide applications
are recommended at this time.
Table 2. 2008 Herbaceous Vegetation Monitoring Data and Results
Species Part 1 (Plots 1-7) Part 2 (Plot 8)
Andropongon virginicus (broomsedge) x
Asplenium platyneuron (ebony spleenwort) x
Aster sp. (aster) x
Campsis radicans (trumpet creeper) x x
Eupatorium capillifolium (dogfennel) x
Juncus effusus (soft rush) x
Juncus sp. (rush) x
Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) x
Rubus argutus (blackberry) x x
Solidago sp. (goldenrod) x x
Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy) x
3.0 CONCLUSIONS
In summary, vegetation plots across the Site were well-above the required 320 stems/acre with an
average of 2892 tree stems per acre counting towards success criteria in the Fourth Monitoring
Year (Year 2008). In addition, each individual vegetation plot met success criteria and had good
species diversity with 9 to 19 species present within each plot. The average tree stems per acre
has increased slightly each year, most noteably in 2008 within plots 1, 3, 6, and 8 due to an
increase of natural recruits of red maple, sweetgum, and American sycamore (Table 4).
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 10
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
F
W
WN?
A
d
d
A
C7
M z
W !WF?i
a o
d F"
?z
O
z
0
F
W
W
00
O
N
d Vl
u d
OD rVj
u b m

• N O N

D T M

?O O?

m ?D

M '°

v-? 00

vi

7 N N N r

oo

V 'D

?n
00

7

O

O
y,
V] O i N N ,-• ^, •.,,, N
?
a
F
Vl
ad. E Fem.
y
°?
N

N
O?

N
?n
?
M
'o
°?
m
O
?
?O
oo
M
r
in
N
?O
oo
O
O

w -. h vl O O h M r r
.?
.? r DD M
N O
'?
V•
00 N N .-• N N •--? N M .--? N N 'y

O N N

a+
O ? N M M 7
M
M 00
.?
w
L a ••
O
W
y
'b
r
M

x
d
3 ?
y
N
r
'.
?
N
N
M
•--?
7
M
N
?
,' ?
N
N
N H
?O N
?O r
?
lu O.i
N
C
•L

i
C p N M M N ? M N --? O N M M ?
z o,
C r °? M 00 a, It N N r --? N N -+ --? O O a,
a
M
b
M
o0
?° r
Mr r
Mr .r
?
a ri . . N
C N O ? ? 0 ? 7 N ?n .-. ? ?D N r M M ?
a
.. ? o0
fir
F ?
A
a

z oa oa

v? F.U E,U

U q
U
G u rj ?, (
i

? y 8 8 ? ° V F
r O V? O Vl
,O .` a c+ U 7 G7 0 U U
p Q fl ° o ° o a
L O ?i

. • E U i
1 a 3 3 3 U ?
b o q v n r a 4 a ° ; r d a .a
r ? ? ? C O
?' q
O ? a
5 s tl s a
« ? ?
y y ?
? ° ,
.,
? y
3 . a u
? N i r0. u
? '? C m
? ,v
? a ? o y F F
O
7 ? U .p is tl w ??++
C ? ti yy
3 ? C `? ? p ? y ? `?'? y y y y p y y ? ]
E ° '°
i v u a r e y ? h ?? ° a tt e d d ~ " 5
O d
Q a o
i
n ?C ro oo U U lu u u Q N a ? a ? a a ? ? ? N
N
n
O
0
c'a
0
00
0
N
.5
U

.b
a
Table 4. Summary of Vegetation Plot Results
Stems/Acre Coun tin Towards Success Criteria
Plot Year 1
2005 Year 2
(2006 Year 3
2007 Year 4
(2008 Year 5
2009
1 1670 1343 1597 2618
2 1851 1761 2831 2527
3 980 853 1851 2491
4 1143 1125 1960 1945
5 744 472 744 618
6 944 1180 2124 2927
7 998 998 2723 2673
8 2523 4011 6225 11818
Average Plots 1-8 1357 1468 2507 2892
4.0 REFERENCES
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP). 2004. Guidelines for Riparian
Buffer Restoration. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Raleigh, North Carolina.
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site page 12
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008)
APPPENDIX A
VEGETATION PLOT PHOTOGRAPHS
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Appendix A
Year 4 (2008)
Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site Year 4 (2008) Annual Monitoring
Vegetation Plot Pictures Taken September 2008
HA 9

Walnut Creek Buffer Restoration Site
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2008) Appendix A
n?„r? n