19950521 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_19950523

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Coastal Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Roger N. Schecter, Director
Colonel Robert J. Sperberg
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps, of Engineers.
Wilmington District
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
November 28, 1995
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REFERENCE: DCM95-74 Modify ACTID-95-2056 The Nature Conservancy,
Experimental Burning Project Site, Green Swamp, Brunswick County
Dear Colonel Sperberg:
The State of North Carolina has completed its review of the Corps Public Notice
Modification for project number Action ID-199502056, application by the Nature Conservancy
to excavate and place dredged or fill material in wetlands of the Green Swamp for an experimental
burning project. The modification, which changes the location of the project site within the Green
Swamp, is needed because soils at the site originally proposed could not support the equipment
necessary to mow the fire lines.
Based upon our review we agree to amend our consistency position, dated August 18,
19952 to include the new site selected for the project. All conditions of our original consistency
position remain in effect.
Please note that an approved sedimentation and erosion control plan will be required for
this project. Also, during our review the Division of Environmental Health noted that the
proposed work will create mosquito breeding habitat. The Nature Conservancy should contact
the Brunswick County Mosquito Control Office to discuss methods for mosquito control.
Should either you or the Nature Conservancy have any questions, please contact Mr.
Stephen B. Benton or 4s. Caroline J. Bellis, Division of Coastal Management, at [phone].
Sincerely,
,,-',v.-Roger N. Schecter
cc: Bob Stroud, Division of Coastal Management, Wilmington
John Dorney, Division of Environmental Management
Bennett Wynne, Wildlife Resources Commission
Dan Sams Division of Land Resources
Michael Mosey, Wilmington District Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B, Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E„ Director
October 16, 1995
Ms. Linda Gintoli
The Nature Conservancy
321 North Front Street
Wilmington, N.C. 28401
Dear Ms. Gintoli;
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FILE C?Subject: Certification Pursuant to Section 401
of the Federal Clean Water Act
Revised application
Experimental fire management practices
Project # 95521, COE # 199502056
Brunswick County
On 14 July 1995, the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management issued Water
Quality Certification No. 3008 to The Nature Conservancy for your project to fill 23.6 acres of
wetlands to conduct an experimental fire regime in the Green Swamp.
On 6 October 1995, we received a revised application for this project at a new location. We
have no objections to this plan and Certification No. 3008 is hereby transferred, to the new site.
Please call Mr. John Dorney at 919-733-1786 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
ston Howa r. P.E.
wgc3008.rev
cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers
Corps of Engineers Wilmington Field Office
Wilmington DEM Regional Office
Mr. John Dorney
Mr. John Parker, DCM
Central Files
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Coastal Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
Roger N. Schecter, Director
August 18, 1995
Colonel Robert J. Sperberg
District Engineer `-
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
AT!N F
ID EH F1
RECEIVED
vtP ? ? 1995
E?rRONW NTA ,X,
REFERENCE: ACTID-95-2056 The Nature Conservancy, Discharge
Dredged or Fill Material in Wetlands Impacting 23.6
Acres Wetlands in the Green Swamp, Brunswick County
Dear Colonel Sperberg:
The State of North Carolina has completed its review for
consistency with the North Carolina Coastal Management Program,
pursuant to 15 CFR 930, of Corps Public Notice number Action ID-
199502056, regarding an application by the Nature Conservancy to
excavate and place dredged or fill material in wetlands of the
Green Swamp, impacting a total of approximately 23.6 acres of
wetlands. The purpose of the work is to test models that predict
ignition and consumption of organic soils and to evaluate the
vegetation response to different level of peat consumption.
Based upon our review, we agree with the applicant's
determination that the proposed activity is consistent with the
North Carolina Coastal.Management Program, provided the following
conditions are met:
1. A 401 Water Quality Certification is issued for the
project by the North Carolina Division of Environmental
Management.
2. The Wildlife Resources Commission has expressed concern
that the deposition of ditch spoil in wetlands could alter
soils in the affected area to the point where a non-wetland
vegetation response is induced. To address this concern, the
vegetation response in the cleared, filled areas shall be
compared to that of a cleared, unfilled area. The results
shall be carefully documented and provided to the Wildlife
Resources Commission and the Division of Coastal Management.
P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
3. An approved sedimentation and erosion control plan may be
required for this project. If required, the plan must be
submitted to the NC Division of Land Resources at least 30
days prior to the initiation of land disturbing activities.
Should either you or the applicant have questions regarding
our finding or conditions, please contact Mr. Stephen B. Benton or
Ms. Caroline J. Bellis, Division of Coastal Management, at
[phone].
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Sche er
cc: Bob Stroud,' Division of Coastal Management,
John Dorney, 'Division of Environmental Management
Bennett Wynne, Wildlife Resources Commission
Michael Hosey, Wilmington District Army Corps of
Wilmington
Engineers
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 1995
Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers EWIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Post Office Box 1890 ODAkwsw
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890
Action ID No. 199502056 October 6, 1995
PUBLIC NOTICE MODIFICATION
ON MAY 18, 1995, A DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PUBLIC NOTICE ANNOUNCED THAT
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, ATTN: LINDA GINTOLI, 321 North Front Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401, applied for a Department of the Army (DA)
permit TO DISCHARGE DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL INTO WETLANDS RESULTING IN
ADVERSE IMPACTS TO AN ESTIMATED 23.6 ACRES OF WETLANDS IN THE GREEN SWAMP,
north of Supply, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
On October 2, 1995, the applicant submitted a revised plan for the
proposed project, changing the site to another area within their Green Swamp
Preserve. The change in location was necessary because the soil at the
original site could not support equipment to mow fire lines.
The following description of the work is taken from revised data and site
plans (attached) provided by the applicant. The applicant proposes to impact
23.2 acres of wetlands located in the Green Swamp as a result of the discharge
of dredged or fill material. The project areas where the discharges and
impacts would occur include the following: 1.03 acres for the excavation of
3600 linear feet of 12.5-foot wide V-ditches to be used in the manipulation of
ground water levels on the site by pumping water in and out of the ditches;
8.2 acres for experimental plots which will be hydrologically modified and
burned, resulting in the loss of up to 18 inches of the organic soil surface;
8.4 acres for fire breaks which will be cleared by mowing and partially filled
by spreading of excavated material from the ditches; and 5.5 acres for a
buffer between experimental plots which will be hydrologically altered and may
be partially mowed and filled by spreading of ditch spoil and/or partially
burned during the experimental burning.
The applicant describes the area's vegetation as disturbed pocosin. The
proposed site is located within a one square mile plot known as "the test
square" which had been planted with slash pine during an attempt to turn the
area into a pine plantation during the late 60's and early 701s. This area
has already been somewhat hydrologically modified by ditches and plow lines.
The purpose of the proposed work is to field test models used to predict
ignition and consumption of organic soils by forest fires and to evaluate the
vegetative response to two different levels of peat consumption. The
experimental procedure calls for two burn plots(a wet plot and a dry plot)
separated by a buffer. Ground water levels in the plots will be controlled by
pumping water in and out of the perimeter ditches. Ground water levels in
the dry plot will be lowered to 18 to 24 inches below the surface to allow the
consumption of 12 to 18 inches of the organic soil surface during the
experimental burn. Ground water levels in the wet plot will be maintained at
2 to 4 inches below the surface to insure only the surface vegetation is
consumed by the fire.
The applicant has indicated that the hydrological impacts to the site
should be short term. The applicant contends that because there is no outlet
for the ditches, the natural hydrology will return to the area after pumping
activities have stopped. The proposal does not include filling in the ditches
after the experiment, due to the applicant's concern that the restoration
activity will result in more harm to the area than leaving the spread spoil in
place. The ditch spoil has been proposed to be spread over the fire lanes and
buffer area to avoid the potential fire hazard caused by stockpiled organic
material. The applicant suggests that any open water areas, including the

-2-
ditches, created by the experiment are similar to open water areas created by
natural deep burns.
The applicant has indicated that all disturbed areas will be allowed to
naturally revegetate. The applicant proposes to monitor regeneration of the
vegetation through stem counts and photo plots. The area will also be
monitored to avoid any invasion by exotic species.
All persons desiring to make comments regarding the application for Clean
Water Act certification should do so in writing delivered to the North
Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), Post Office Box 27687,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687, on or before October 16, 1995, Attention:
Mr. John Dorney.
Written comments pertinent to the proposed work, as outlined above, will
be received in this office, Attention: Mr. Michael Hosey, until 4:15 p.m.,
October 23, 1995, or telephone [phone].

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State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Management
James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor
Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
Ms. Linda Gintoli
The Nature Conservancy
321 N. Front Street
Wilmington, N.C. 28401
Dear Ms. Gintoli:
A14
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ID EHNR
FILE COPY
Subject:' Certification Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal
Clean Water Act,
Proposed experimental fire management practices
Project # 95521, COE # 199502056
Brunswick County
Attached hereto is a copy of Certification No. 3008 issued to Nature Conservancey
dated 14 July 1995.
If we can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.

Attachments
3008.wgc
July 14, 1995
Sincerely,
lk?
ston o
d, Jr. P.E.
R
cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers
Corps of Engineers Wilmington Field Office
Wilmington DEM Regional Office
Mr. John Dorney
Mr. John Parker, Division of Coastal Management
Central Files
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX [phone]
An Equal opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper
NORTH CAROLINA
Brunswick County
CERTIFICATION
THIS CERTIFICATION is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section 401
Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management Regulations in 15 NCAC 2H, Section .0500 to The Nature Conservancy
resulting in 23.6 acres of wetland impact in Brunswick County pursuant to an application filed on the
18th day of May of 1995 to conduct experimental fire regimes in pocosins.
The Application provides adequate assurance that the discharge of fill material into the waters.
of Green Swamp'in?conjimction with the proposed development in Brunswick County will not result in
a violation of applicable -W?attr Quality Standards and discharge guidelines. Therefore, the State of
North Carolina certifies that this activity will not violate Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, 307 of PL 92-
500 and PL 95-217 if conducted in accordance with the application and conditions hereinafter set
forth.
Condition(s) of Certification:
1. That the activity be conducted in such a manner as to prevent significant
increase in turbidity outside the area of construction or construction related
discharge (50 NTUs in streams and rivers not designated as trout waters by
DEM; 25 NTUs in all saltwater classes, and all lakes and reservoirs;. 10 NTUs
in trout waters).
2. DEM shall be copied on all interim and final reports concerning the changes in
hydrology and vegetation. A detailed soil description shall also be submitted
to six feet.
Violations of any condition herein set forth shall result in revocation of this Certification. This
Certification shall become null and void unless the above conditions are made conditions of the
Federal 404 and/or Coastal Area Management Act Permit. This Certification shall expire upon
expiration of the 404 or CAMA permit.
If this Certification is unacceptable to you, you have the right to an adjudicatory hearing upon
written request within.sixty (60) days following receipt of this Certification. This request must be in
the form of a written petition conforming to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes and
filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 27447, Raleigh, N.C. 27611-7447. Unless
such demands are made, this Certification shall be final and binding.
This the 14th day of July, 1995.
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Pre ton Ho? P.E. .
WQC# 3008
DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
WATER QUALITY SECTION
MEMORANDUM:
TO: John Dorney
FROM: Ron Ferrell REF
SUBJECT: Green Swamp Experimental Burn Project
Brunswick County
DATE: June 21, 1995
At the request of Jim Gregson I have reviewed the subject project. The
purpose of the project is to test models that predict ignition and consumption of
organic soils and to evaluate the vegetation response to 2 different levels of peat
consumption. The project will require the excavation of perimeter ditches around the
experimental plots that are 7.5 feet wide and 5.5 feet deep but will not be connected to
any outlet ditch. A fire line 50 to 100 feet in width will be constructed around the
plots. Water levels will be temporarily controlled by pumping water from the ditches.
Due to the fire hazards associated with stockpiling organic soils the ditches will not be
filled after the termination of the experiment. The spoil material will be evenly
distributed throughout the fire line.
It is my understanding that Jim has recently submitted a recommendation that
the 401 WQC be issued for the project. I concur with his recommendation but request
that the following condition be included in the certification:
Copies of all interim reports, including a detailed description of the soil profile
to a depth of six feet, and final report documenting the changes in hydrology
and vegetation, if any, shall be submitted to the Division of Environmental
Management, Water Quality Section.

SOUTHEAST COASTAL PLAIN
RECEIVED STEWARDSHIP OFFICE
321 North Front Street
MAY 3 11995 Wilmington, NC 28401
ENVIRONMEnNrTALsCIENCES 919/762-6277
May 26, 1995
Mr. Michael Hosey, Regulatory Branch
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
Dear Mr. Hosey:
SUBJECT: GREEN SWAMP EXPERIMENTAL BURN, ID No. 199502056
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to additional questions you have regarding our application for a
404 permit to conduct needed support activities for the previously described experiment. You may remember
from our application dated April 6, 1995 and our on the ground meeting of last week some of the following
points:
* Fire is a natural part of the pocosin ecosystems, and fire shaped the development of the associated
plant communities. Interactions between fire and hydrology have been instrumental in the formation
of the peat soils of this region and the maintenance of biodiversity in these wetland areas.
* Fire suppression has altered the historical impact of fire in these plant communities. As a result, fuel
amounts have increased and pocosins are more susceptible to uncontrollable and damaging wildfires.
Prescribed fire seeks to reduce fire hazards (and the potential damage to the ecosystem from
suppression activities), to reduce the extent of damage by wildfire, and to keep them smaller and
within acceptable limits when wildfire occurs.
* Experiments in these specific wetland community types are necessary to gain scientific data to
understand the ecological consequences of different degrees of organic soil consumption. We also
need to develop information for managers that would help them successfully implement a prescribed
burning program that is environmentally sound and reduces the impacts of unwanted wildfires.
* We need to conduct these experiments in wetland areas. Uplands, without organic soil, are not
suitable for understanding the processes in organic soil systems. We have conducted an extensive
search for suitable sites over a period of two years. This site at the Green Swamp meets all of our
criteria for scientific purposes and for the purposes of having a safe controllable burn, which is a
major concern for the North Carolina Forest Service.
* The size of the plots, buffer area, and fireline surrounding the area have been minimized to satisfy
the scientific, fire control, and hydrology needs. We have consulted with a hydrologist, an engineer,
and soils folks about ditch design and procedures that would provide our needs with the minimum
impact.
* The original design called for connecting the drainage ditches to canals across the road. We changed
the design so the ditches constructed are self contained and the water levels will be regulated by
pumping. This design minimizes the loss of water and results in no change in the site hydrology
except for the short period of pumping in preparation for the prescribed burn.
* The ditches proposed in the plan are the minimum needed to achieve successful water control in
preparation for the prescribed burning experiment.
* When the prescribed burn is completed (November, 1995) the natural water flow will be restored.
The ditches will not cause any drainage from the area or bring in outside water. Open water will be
available in these ditches, but should not affect the natural water table levels, except for a small
amount of additional evaporation during periods of low water tables.
* The depth of the organic soil and the underlying clay are deep enough that the bottom of the planned
ditches will not penetrate below the clay layer. Thus the ditches should not provide any other avenue
of drainage for the perched water.
* Except for the 1.2 acres of ditches that will have open water, drainage and discharge of dredged
material from the construction of the ditches should not have any impact on the wetland vegetation.
The vegetation is expected to reestablish itself within the range of what occurs as a result of historical
wildfires and wildfires that typically occur during our current time period. It is natural for wildfires
to consume 1 to 2 feet organic should and even up to 3 or 4 feet during dry periods. Observations
from the 1994 Fish Day wildfire at the Croatan National Forest show that depth of peat consumption
ranged from a few inches to several feet.
Since all impacts are deemed to be temporary in nature and will serve to enhance not only the
wetland system of the impact area but also the management of the remaining 14,000 acres of Green
Swamp pocosin, we propose no mitigation beyond the monitoring and restoration described in our
permit application.
I hope I have answered you questions adequately. The time frame you gave me to respond does not permit
much review on our part. If you need additional information, do not hesitate to contact me again.
Sincerely,
Linda K. Gintoli,
SECP Steward
cc. Mr. John Dorney
NC Div. of Environmental Management.
A
REc?WD
5 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
MA? 23 ?? DES Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers
??ptSC?E Post Office Box 1890
SFMRON oar.`^N Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890
Action ID No. 199502056 May 18, 1995
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, ATTN: LINDA GINTOLI, 321 North Front Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401, has applied for a Department of the Army
(DA)'permit TO DISCHARGE DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL INTO WETLANDS RESULTING IN
ADVERSE IMPACTS TO AN ESTIMATED 23.6 ACRES OF WETLANDS IN THE GREEN SWAMP,
north of Supply, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
The following description of the work is taken from data provided by
the applicant. The applicant proposes to impact 21.3 acres (area 1200 feet
by 775 feet) of wetlands located in the Green Swamp as a result of the
discharge of dredged or fill material. The project areas where the discharges
and impacts would occur include the following: 1.2 acres for the excavation
of 4000 linear feet of 12.5-foot wide V-ditches to be used in the manipulation
of ground water levels on the site by pumping water in and out of the ditches;
8.2 acres for experimental plots which will be hydrologically modified and
burned, resulting in the loss of up to 18 inches of the organic soil surface;
6.3 acres for fire breaks which will be cleared by mowing and filled by
spreading of excavated material from the ditches; and 5.5 acres for a buffer
between experimental plots which may be partially mowed and filled by
spreading of ditch spoil and/or partially burned during e e perimental
burning. It has also been determined that an additions 2.3 acres outside the
experimental area will be t, orarily impacted due to ra' d and/or lowered
ground water levels, caused by t e p anned ma ipulation of the ground water
levels during the experiment (total impacts approximately 23.6 acres). Plans
showing the proposed work are included with this public notice.
The applicant describes the area's vegetation as natural low to medium
pocosin. The entire area has been mapped as Croatan soil by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
The purpose of the proposed work is to field test models used to predict
ignition and consumption of organic soils by forest fires and to evaluate the
vegetative response to two different levels of peat consumption. The
experimental procedure calls for two burn plots(a wet plot and a dry plot)
separated by a buffer. Ground water levels in the plots will be controlled by
pumping water in and out of the perimeter ditches. Ground water levels in
the dry plot will be lowered to 18 to 24 inches below the surface to allow the
consumption of 12 to 18 inches of the organic soil surface during the
experimental burn. Ground water levels in the wet plot will be maintained at
2 to 4 inches below the surface to insure only the surface vegetation is
consumed by the fire.
The applicant has indicated that the hydrological impacts to the site
should be short term. The applicant contends that because there is no outlet
for the ditches, the natural hydrology will return to the area after pumping
activities have stopped. The proposal does not include filling in the ditcl s
after the experiment, due to the applicant's concern that the restoration
activity will result in more harm to the area than leaving the spread spoil in
place. The ditch spoil has been proposed to be spread over the fire lanes and
buffer area to avoid the potential fire hazard caused by stockpiled organic
material. The applicant suggests that any open water areas, including the
-2-
ditches, created by the experiment are similar to open water areas created by
natural deep burns.
The applicant has indicated that all disturbed areas will be allowed to
naturally revegetate. The applicant proposes to monitor regeneration of the
vegetation through stem counts and photo plots. The area will also be
monitored to avoid any invasion by exotic species.
The applicant has determined that the proposed work is consistent with
the North Carolina Coastal Zone Management Plan and has submitted this
determination to the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (NCDCM)
for their review and concurrence. This proposal shall be reviewed for the
applicability of other actions by North Carolina agencies such as:
a. The issuance of a Water Quality Certification under Section 401 of
the Clean Water Act by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management
(NCDEM).
b. The issuance of a permit to dredge and/or fill under North Carolina
General Statute 113-229 by the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management
(NCDCM).
C. The issuance of a permit under the North Carolina Coastal Area
Management Act (LAMA) by the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management
(NCDCM) or their delegates.
d. The issuance of an easement to fill or otherwise occupy State-owned
submerged land under North Carolina General Statute 143-341(4), 146-6, 146-11,
and 146-12 by the North Carolina Department of Administration (NCDA) and the
North Carolina Council of State.
e. The approval of an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan by the
Land Quality Section, North Carolina Division of Land Resources (NCDLR),
pursuant to the State Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
(NC G.S. 113 A-50-66).
The requested Department of the Army (DA) permit will be denied if any
required State or local authorization and/or certification is denied. No DA
permit will be issued until a State coordinated viewpoint is received and
reviewed by this agency. Recipients of this notice are encouraged to furnish
comments on factors of concern represented by the above agencies directly to
the respective agency, with a copy furnished to the Corps of Engineers.
This application is being considered pursuant to Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). Any person may request, in writing within
the comment period specified in the notice, that a public hearing beheld to
consider this application. Requests for public hearing shall state, with
particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing.
The District Engineer has consulted the latest published version of the
National Register of Historic Places for the presence or absence of registered
properties, or properties listed as being eligible for inclusion therein, and
this site is *not registered property or property listed as being eligible for
inclusion in the Register. Consultation of the National Register constitutes
the extent of cultural resource investigations by the District Engineer, and
he is otherwise unaware of the presence of such resources. Presently, unknown
A
w

-3-
archeological, scientific, prehistorical, or historical data may be lost or
destroyed by work under the requested permit.
The District Engineer, based on available information, is not aware
that the proposed activity will affect species, or their critical habitat,
designated as endangered or threatened pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973.
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation
of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the proposed
activity and its intended use on the public interest. Evaluation of the
probable impacts which the proposed activity may have on the public interest
requires a careful weighing of all those factors which become relevant in
each particular case. The benefits which reasonably may be expected to
accrue from the proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable
detriments. The decision whether to authorize a proposal, and if so the
conditions under which it will be allowed to occur, are therefore determined
by the outcome of the general balancing process. That decision should reflect
the national concern for both protection and utilization of important
resources. All factors which may be relevant to the proposal must be
considered including the cumulative effects thereof. Among those are
conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands,
cultural values, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards and flood plain
values (in accordance with Executive Order 11988), land use, navigation,
shore erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation,
water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral
needs, considerations of property ownership, and, in general, the needs
and welfare of the people. For activities involving the placement of
dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States, a permit will
be denied if the discharge that would be authorized by such permit would
not comply with the Environmental Protection Agencies' 404(b)(1) guidelines.
Subject to the preceding sentence and any other applicable guidelines or
criteria, a permit will be granted unless the District Engineer determines
that it would be contrary to the public interest.
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal,
State and local agencies and officials; Indian Tribes and other interested
parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed
activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers
to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this
proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on
endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental
effects and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are
used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). Comments are also used to determine the need for a public
hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
Generally, the decision whether to issue this Department of the Army (DA)
permit will not be made until the North Carolina Division of Environmental
Management (NCDEM) issues, denies, or waives State certification required by
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The NCDEM considers whether or not the
proposed activity will comply with Sections 301, 302, 306, and 307 of the
Clean Water Act. The application and this public notice for the Department
of the Army (DA) permit serves as application to the NCDEM for certification.

-4-
Additional information regarding the Clean Water Act certification may
be reviewed at the offices of the Environmental Operations Section, North
Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), Salisbury Street,
Archdale Building, Raleigh, North Carolina. Copies of such materials will
be furnished to any person requesting copies upon payment of reproduction .
All persons desiring to make comments regarding the application for
Clean Water Act certification should do so in writing delivered to the North
Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), Post Office Box 27687,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687, on or before June 9, 1995, Attention:
Mr. John Dorney.
Written comments pertinent to the proposed work, as outlined above,
will be received in this office, Attention: Mr. Michael Hosey, until
4:15 p.m., June 16, 1995, or telephone [phone].
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF
May 22, 1995
Regulatory Branch
Action ID No. 199502656
Mr. John Dorney
Division of Environmental Management
North Carolina Department of
Environment, Health and
Natural Resources
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687
Dear Mr. Dorney:
0
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In
F1,
Enclosed is the application of The Nature Conservancy, Attn: Ms. Linda
Gintoli, for Department of the Army Section 404 authorization and a State
Water Quality Certification for a proposed burn experiment that would impact
23.6 acres of wetlands in the Green Swamp, north of Supply, Brunswick County,
North Carolina. Your receipt of this letter verifies your acceptance of a
valid request for certification in accordance with Section 325.2(b)(ii) of our
administrative regulations.
We are considering authorizing the proposed activity pursuant to Section
404 of the Clean Water Act, and we have determined that a water quality
certification is required under the provisions of Section 401 of the same law.
A Department of the Army permit will not be granted until the certification
has been obtained or waived.
In accordance with our administrative regulations, in most cases, 60 days
after receipt of a request for certification is a reasonable time for State
action. Therefore, if you have not acted on the request, or asked for an
extension of time, by July 11, 1995, the District Engineer will deem that
waiver has occurred.
Questions or comments may be addressed to Mr. Michael Hosey, Wilmington
Field Office, Regulatory Branch, telephone [phone].
Sincerely,
4'e Wrig t
egula ry Branch
Enclosure
Copies Furnished (without enclosure):
Mr. John Parker
Division of Coastal Management
North Carolina Department of
Environment, Health and
Natural Resources
Post Office Box 27687
1 ' h N +- 1, C ro ling 27611-7687
Ra eig or a
Printed on 0 Recycled Paper
L' 1
RECEIVED
P
1995
J
REGULATORY BRANCef
Y
April 6, 1995
Southeast Coastal Plain
Stewardship Office
321 N. Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910/762-6277
Mr. Michael Hosey, Biologist
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Wilmington District, Regulatory Branch
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402
Dear Mr. Hosey:
SUBJECT: PERMIT APPLICATION - GREEN SWAMP EXPERIMENTAL BURN
Attached you will find a revisions to our form 4345, Application
for Department of the Army Permit, to construct fire lines and a
water management system to support a research project on the Green
Swamp Preserve, Brunswick Co., NC. We have been able to reduce the
impacts to the associated wetland system significantly with
additional input from soil scientists and hydrologists from NC
State and ASCS.
The revisions include oriented the study plots in an east west
direction, deletion of the need of a water control structure,
mowing rather than blading the fire line, and changing the
dimensions of the plots. To do all this has required the need for
additional ditching. The changes in calculations and wording of
the permit application are indicated on the attached by ..... for
deletions and underlining for additions to the-text.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (910)
762-6277.
Sincerely,
Linda K. Gintoli
Steward
Enclosure

A. 1 l
18. feature of Activity (Description of project, include all features)
See Attached
19. Project Purpose (Describe the reason or purpose of the project, see instructions)
See Attached
USE BLOCKS 20-22 IF DREDGED AND/OR FILL MATERIAL_IS_TO_BE DISCHARGED
20. Reason(s) for Discharge
Construction of the proposed ditches will require excavation of soil. Dredged material
will be spread as evenly as possible over bladed fire line to avoid berming and alteration
of surface water flow.
21. Type(s) of Material Being Discharged and the Amount of Each Type in Cubic Yards
S 1-7 0
Approximately cu. yds. of peat or Coatan soils.
22. Surface Area in Acres of Wetlands or Other Waters Filled (seeinstructions)
Dredge material will be feathered over 4.13 to 8.28 acres of bladed fire line.
23. Is Any Portion of the Work Already Complete? Yes No IF YES, DESCRIBE THE COMPLETED WORK
24. Addresses of Adjoining Property Owners, Lessees, Etc., Whose Property Adjoins the Waterbody (If more than can be entered here,
please attach a supplemental list).
Federal Paper Board Company
PO Box 338
Bolton, NC 28423
25. List of Other Certifications or Approvals/Denials Received from other Federal, State or Local Agencies for Work Described in This Application.
AGENCY TYPE APPROVAL" IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DATE APPLIED DATE APPROVED DATE DENIED
"Would include but is not restricted to zoning, building and flood plain permits
26. Application is hereby made for a permit or permits to authorize the work described in this application. I certify that the information in this
application is complete and accurate. I further certify that I possess the authority to undertake the work described herein or am acting as the
duly authorized agent of the applicant.
SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT DATE SIGNATURE OF AGENT DATE
The application must be signed by the person who desires to undertake the proposed activity (applicant) or it may be signed by a duly
authorized agent if the statement in block 11 has been filled out and signed.
18 U.S.C. Section 1001 provides that: Whoever, in any manner within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States
knowingly and willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up any trick, scheme, or disguises a material fact or makes any false, fictitious or
fraudulent statements or representations or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing same to contain any false, fictitious or
fraudulent statements or entry, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years or both.
U. S.GPO:1994.520.478/82018
t. APPLICATION FOR \RTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT
s3 CFR 3251
OMB APPROVAL NO. 0710-003
Expires October 1996
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send
i:,,mments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to
Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Service Directorate of InformationOperations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite
1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0710-0003), Washington, DC
20503. Please DO NO RETURN your form to either of those addresses. Completed applications must be submitted to the District Engineer having
jurisdiction over the location of the proposed activity.
H f?
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
Authority: 33 USC 401, Section 10; 1413, Section 404. Principal Purpose: These laws require permits authorizing, activities in, or affecting,
navigable waters of the United States, the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and the transportiticif of dredged
material for the purpose of dumping it into ocean waters. Routine Uses: Information provided on this form will be used in evaluating-the application
for a permit. Disclosure: Disclosure of requested information is voluntary. If information is not provided, howevei,`the,petrtut application cannot be
processed nor can a permit be issued.
One set of original drawings or good reproducible copies which show the location and character of the proposed activity must be attached to this
application (see sample drawings and instructions) and be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction over the location of the proposed
activity. An application that is not completed in full will be returned.
1. APPLICATION NO. 12. FIELD OFFICE CODE 13. DATE RECEIVED 14. DATE APPLICATION COMPLETED
/ITFIUC RFI nW TA RAC 911 1 Fn RV APPI ICANTI
5. APPLICANT'S NAME B. AUTHORIZED AGENT'S NAME AND TITLE /an agent is not required)
Linda K. Gintoli, SECP Steward
6. APPLICANT'S ADDRESS 9. AGENT'S ADDRESS
The Nature Conservancy
321 North Front Street
Wilmin on NC 28401
7. APPLICANT'S PHONE NOS. W /AREA CODE 10. AGENT'S PHONE NOS. W AR A COD
a. Residence 910-762-2793 a. Residence
b. Business 910-762-6277 b. Business
11. STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION
I hereby authorize, to act in my behalf as my agent in the processing of this application and to
furnish, upon request, supplemental information in support of this permit application.
APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE DATE
NAME, LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT OR ACTIVITY
12. PROJECT NAME OR TITLE (see instructions)
Green Swamp Burning Experiments
13. NAME OF WATERBODY, IF KNOWN ti/app#cabie)
Green Swamp
15. LOCATION OF PROJECT
Brunswick
COUNTY
NC
STATE
16. OTHER LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS, IF KNOWN, lsee instructions!
14. PROJECT STREET ADDRESS li/appiicabiel
Honey Island, NC Quadrangle about T 80 N, R 51 E - Please see attacment A Block 16
17. DIRECTIONS TO THE SITE
North on SR 211 from Supply (SR 17 Intersection) approximately 6 miles. Go North and
East on dirt road just North or past Driving Creek (Juniper Creek on some maps) for
approximately 4.2 miles, study site is on SE corner of intersection.
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Summary for the whole project
Ditches constructed for this project are for the purpose of controlling the
water table depth in the two experimental burn plots, with a minimum of effect
on the surrounding undisturbed pocosin. These ditches will not be connected to
any outside drainage system. Removal or addition of water from the plots will
be done by pumping, so unless we are pumping, our activities will not alter the
natural hydrology of the pocosin in the local area or back into the center of
the swamp. The following figures summarize the total length and volume of
spoil for the ditches. The discharge that is excavated will be feathered back
into the firebreak around the plots or into the buffer area between the plots.
We do not want to create a large berm that will provide a good source for the
initiation of ground fire.
* total length of ditch - 4,000 ft.
* total excavated spoil - 5,680 cu. yd.
* surface area in ditches = 1.1 Acres
* surface area in firebreaks - 6.0 Acres
* burn area (plots + buffer) - 9.6 Acres
S,z a IN ?Ta C C'

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BLOCK 18. NATURE OF ACTIVITY
The primary purpose for this experiment is to test models that
predict ignition and consumption of organic soils and to evaluate
the vegetation response to 2 different levels of peat consumption.
To accomplish the objectives of the study, as described in Block
19, a site within The Nature Conservancy, Green Swamp Preserve has
been selected. A site with deep organic soils, where heavy
equipment can.easily access and where we can adequately document
pre-burn fuels, burning conditions, fire characteristics, and
evaluate post-burn effects on vegetation and soils is needed for
the experiment. The soils of the selected site are mapped as
Croatan, and cursory examination indicate this to be true. The
vegetation is natural low to medium pocosin. The details, and
conditions required for the two treatments are described below.
Because we recognize the difficulty of burning large tracts of
pocosin, we propose three experimental units, each of about four
acres in size. One plot will be burned under wet conditions to
consume above ground vegetation but will avoid soil ignition by
wetting the area. The second plot will be burned under dry
conditions (< 150% moisture content) and soils burned to a depth of
12 to 18 inches. The third plot will be used as a control and
receive no treatment.
The proposed burns must be conducted so that fire is contained
within the burn plots and smoke produced does not exceed EPA Air
Quality Standards. To burn pocosin vegetation and soils to meet
the study objectives and be within NC Forest Service safety
guidelines, fire lines need to be constructed around both burn
plots. The ability to control water using V-ditches, and or
sprinklers is required to obtain the desired moisture levels within
the burn plots and to protect the adjacent area. A diagram of the
proposed alterations to the project site follows, Attachment B.
1. DRY Treatment - In this 4 acre treatment unit we want to
initiate ground fire and consume 12 to 18 inches of
organic soil (includes the root mat and some of the
underlying muck). To obtain this amount of consumption
the water table will need to be 18 to 24 inches below the
surface and the moisture content of much of the soil
above the water table needs to be 150 % or less (dry
weight basis).
2. WET Treatment - In this 4 acre treatment unit we want the
fire to consume only above ground vegetation with no
ground fire initiated. To achieve this result the water
table will need to be at the surface or within 2 to 4
inches of the surface. Moisture content of the organic
materials should be greater than 350 % (dry weight
basis).

The experimental plots (each 4 acres in size) will be oriented with
the long axis in a east-west direction. We propose that each plot
be 300 ft. wide by 600 ft. long with a 400 ft. buffer between the
dry and wet units. Vegetation in the buffer will not be disturbed,
before burning, other than for ditch construction. The whole burn
area will be ringed by a 50-100 foot wide fire break, which will be
bush-hogged.
Fire Line
The prescribed burning of any area and particularly pocosin
vegetation can be a hazardous activity if proper safety precautions
are not taken. Under dry conditions pocosin vegetation can be
highly flammable, with flame lengths exceeding 20 feet and spotting
of areas outside the burn area likely, and peat soils are likely to
smolder for many days. Therefore good fire lines are needed to
secure the prescribed fire within the planned burn area.
NCDFR recommends a 50-foot minimum to 100-foot wide bush-hogged or
chopped fire break to control burns within pocosin vegetation. For
the Green Swamp Experimental Burn we propose a 50 - 100 foot wide
line around all four sides of the study area in addition to the
width of the existing road and ditch and the proposed constructed
ditch for fire control safety concerns. The actual width is
variable and will depend on vegetation conditions (height and
density) around the plots. ......
The fire lines will be constructed by bush-hogging or mowing
vegetation at the ground surface and mashing litter into the soil.
Some uprooting of shallow rooted vegetation may occur. Litter and
turf will be feathered out as far as possible on the line (not
pushed into windrows). Some rutting of soils may occur. Lines
next to the burn plots 15-20 feet wide will be cleaner than the
rest of the line and will serve as the actual fire break.
* 262.000 sq. ft. or 6.0 acres of pocosin_vegetation will be
temporarily impacted.
* See Attachment B for cross section of fire lines
Water Management for the Experiment
There are four objectives for water management associated with this
experiment: 1) help provide the desired soil moisture conditions
required for the burning treatments; 2) manage water to keep the
planned burns within the prescribed treatment areas; 3) provide
water for fire suppression purposes in the event it is needed; and
4) all water management activities are temporary and natural
hydrologic regime will be returned once burning activities are
completed.
Dry Treatment
The dry plot will be located 50 ... feet east of the west road
and 750 feet south of the north boundary road. We propose to
construct a standard 5.5 ft. deep ditch around the whole plot
Q00 by 600 ft.) with a (12 X 12 X 6 foot) sump hole at the
southwest corner.
* total length of ditch - 1800 feet
* total excavated soil - 2556 cu. yd.
with an average ditch width of 7.5 feet and depth of
5.5 feet
* surface area of disturbance - 21,600 sq. ft or 0.5
acres
* spacing between ditches - 300 ft.
The plan would be to use the drainage system around the 4 acre
plot to remove water from the root mat and aid evapo-
transpiration to a small extent in lowering the water table in
the muck under the root mat. The drainage system is not meant
to be in lieu of a dry period. The drainage system could also
be used to control the depth of the water table to some extent
by pumping water into the system or by holding water back to
help us hit our target water table depth and moisture content
in the soil. In addition, the drainage system will be useful
later for controlling ground fire if and when it needs to be
mopped up, and for holding the ground fire within the plots.
Wet Treatment
We propose to locate the wet plot 300 ft. east of the dry
plot, oriented in the same direction as the dry plot, and also
250 by 700 feet. The objective for ditches around this unit
is totally different than for the dry treatment. The ditches
will serve to store water in case it is necessary to pump
water into the unit to maintain the water fable at 2 to 4
inches below the surface and to extinguish fire. Initially we
are proposing to construct ditches around the west and south
sides to hold water on the unit if we determine that we need
to pump water on to the unit. If we accomplish our objective
with ditches on these two sides it would require the
following:
* total length of ditch - 2200 ft.
* total excavated spoil - 3124 cu. yd.
with an average width of 7.5 feet and depth of 5.5 feet.
* surface area of disturbance - 26,000 sq.ft. or 0.6 A.
* connection to other ditches for drainage would not be
required.

spoil
Currently, plans call for using a backhoe to dredge the
ditches and spread spoil evenly over the fire line. The
dredging of ditches for fire control will result in the
removal of approximately 5,700 cubic yards of soil from the
wetland system. This spoil will be feathered out over the
fire line to fill ruts created by the fire line construction
and to avoid berming of spoil and the resultant alteration of
surface water flow.
To leave berms along the ditched area would create a hazardous
situation for possible ground fire. Because bermed organic
matter is above the natural surface of the wetland, the soils
are dryer than surrounding areas. These berms tend to ignite
easier and smolder for longer periods of time than the
surrounding surface soils. Any ground fire within these berms
would be counter to the study objectives. Therefor dredge
material from the ditch construction will be feathered out
over the fire line. The total area of construction of the
fireline is 5.7 acres.
Water control structure
Deleted.
Restoration of Area
The final objective of this project is to maintain the area in as
natural condition as possible. To do so requires that the draw
down of water from the site be strictly of short term duration.
Therefore, once burning activities are complete, no further pumping
or other drainage of the area will occur.
Vegetation within the fire line will be allowed-to regenerate just
as it will within the burn plots. By feathering out the soil
dredged from the ditches we will permit the pocosin vegetation to
come back from the released seeds within the soil or from sprouting
of the remaining underlying root mat. Monitoring of the regrowth
of vegetation will be continuous via stem counts and photo plots.
Monitoring of the water table and flow of ground water will be done
throughout the project with the aid of shallow ground water
monitoring wells with inferred remote sensors.
Because the area will be disturbed the exposed soils may be
vulnerable to exotic species invasion. Monitoring for the evidence
of exotics will be a priority and immediate action taken should
invasion occur.
We do not intend to refill the ditches with soil. We believe the
need to stockpile the dredged soils, the possibility of the bermed
soils igniting during the fire, and the additional heavy equipment
. 3
work needed for moving the soil back into the ditches would cause
more disturbance to the site than is acceptable to the study.
Because refilling the ditches would cause more damage to the area
than leaving them in place, water levels will return to normal
because their is no outflow from the ditches. The resultant open
water areas of the ditches will be quite similar to the open water
that results from deep peat burning.
It needs to be stressed that the changes to the landscape within
the study area are deemed to be short term in nature and that
natural processes will be allowed to play their role in the future.
BOCK 19. PROPOSED PROJECT PURPOSE.
Site Description
The Nature Conservancy's North Carolina Chapter owns and manages a
nearly 16,000 acre preserve in Brunswick County known as the Green
Swamp Preserve. The lands and waters of this natural area are
protected to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities
that represent the diversity of life within the long leaf pine
savannas and pocosin ecosystems of North Carolina's southeast
coastal plain. The proposed study will take place in the northwest
corner of the preserve, an area dominated by pocosin soils and
vegetation. By definition, pocosins are shrub dominated swamps
with organic soils.
The soils of the study area are mapped as Croatan muck. The
surface layer is well decomposed muck to a depth of 39 inches with
a mineral content of 30 percent and organic content of 70 percent.
Surface runoff is very slow to ponded. The soil has slow to
moderately rapid permeability and high volume change when it dries.
Water can move more freely laterally through the root mat in the
upper portion of the peat soils. Hence drainage channels are most
effective as long as the water table is above or at the root zone
and in close proximity of the channels. The organic material is
extremely acid.
The areas vegetation is described as low pocosin or dense shrubby
vegetation of persistently low stature (less than 1.5 meters tall)
dominated by fetterbush, Lyonia lucida, titi, Cvrilla racemiflora,
or honeycups, Zenobia pulverulenta, with frequent blaspheme-vine,
Smilax laurifolia. Pond pine, Pinus serotina, swamp red bay,
Persea palustris, loblolly bay, Gordonia lasianthus, and sweetbay,
Magnolia virginiana, emerge as widely scattered and stunted as the
canopy species.
Background
Fire is a key ecological process in the pocosin ecosystem.
Flammability and intensity of fires in these plant communities is
well known, and the prevalence of charcoal in the peat profile is a
testimony to the longterm importance of fire. Fire is important to
the persistence of a number of pocosin species as evidenced by the
variety of fire adaptations. Nevertheless, few studies of the
impact of various fire treatments on vegetation response have been
done. Typically, burning of pocosins is accomplished to avoid
burning of the peat soils; but historically, peat burns were
important in the development process of pocosins, creating
landscape diversity and often creating open water as a result of
deep peat burning. We need to understand the ecological
consequences of peat burning.

As part of cooperative studies with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, researchers at the Intermountain Fire Science Lab in
Missoula, Montana have initiated studies on "Heat Transfer into the
Duff and Organic Soil". Our agreement with the Fish and Wildlife
Service calls for the Forest Service to conduct research into: The
ignition and combustion processes in organic soils, the physical
processes of heat transfer in duff and organic soils, and the
physical and biological effects of fire on soils. The work
described in this application is specific to the Green Swamp
prescribed burn, but is complimentary to ongoing studies on the
Croatan National Forest.
Cooperators:
North Carolina Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Forest Service,
North Carolina State University, and U.S. Forest Service,
Intermountain Fire Sciences Lab.
Objectives:
1. Test ignition and consumption models for organic soils
that have been developed and refined in laboratory
experiments: Identify soil moisture relationships and spatial
factors as related to microtopography and surface conditions.
2. Document burning characteristics of smoldering peat such
as: Temperature histories during ground fire, depth of
consumption, residence time for smoldering at a given point,
and burnout of soil in relation to soil moisture and water
table depth.
3. Contrast the vegetation response for treatments where no
peat is consumed to treatments where 12 inches or more of peat
is consumed. Identify the initial plant community composition
and the rate of development after the fire.
4. Better understand the conditions when-peat will,ignite
under controlled conditions so that we can better manage fire
suppression activities on wildfires of natural pocosins. For
example, using less hydrologic altering methods of fire
control under certain moisture conditions.
5. Maintain the natural interaction of hydrologic and fire
processes within the biological pocosin system.
Related Activities:
Throughout the course of the study information will be gathered on:
Prefire and postfire vegetation cover and composition; Available
fuel sampling; Soil temperature measurements; Soil nutrient
sampling; Site micro-topography; Ignition and soil consumption
evaluation; Water table monitoring; Ground water flow; Soil's water
conductivity; and Photo monitoring.

Time Period of Project:
The preparation of fire lines and construction of drainage ditches
must occur during the dry period of the year. May or June of 1995
is projected to be the best time to access heavy equipment onto the
peat soils of the study site. Vegetation and soil sampling will
begin as soon as permit is approved.
The drainage ditches will be used to dry the dry burn plot until
weather conditions allow the site to be burned safely and
adequately. After the desired soil consumption by the fire has
occurred ..... the water table will be permitted to return to
natural conditions. It may be necessary to pump water back onto
the site to extinguish any smoldering soils.
The postfire monitoring will continue for at least two years.
..... The ditches will remain in place to avoid further damage to
the site and to provide a site for future research.
Final Results
It is crucial to the project that the natural hydrology of the
study area be returned immediately after the burning activities.
The hydrologic regime is a major controlling factor in the natural
regrowth of vegetation and the physical processes must go back to
natural regimes if monitoring activities are to have any validity.
Researchers will be monitoring the composition of vegetation
regrowth for many years into the future. Our data will have no
validity if water levels and other natural processes are not
allowed to function.

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4 199.7
March 28, 1997
Mr. G. Wayne Wright,
WILMINGTON DISTRICT,
P.O. Box 1890
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Chief, Regulatory Branch
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
Dear Mr.. Wright:
SUBJECT: EXPERIMENTAL POCOSIN BURN AT GREEN
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
PERMIT NUMBER 199502056 - PROGRESS
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SWAMP PRESERVE,
REPORT
In accordance with the general conditions of our permit (ID.
199502056), I am writing to update you on the status of the pocosin
burning project.
Mowing of the fire lines and digging the ditches around the two
study plots occurred last year. Although we had some trouble with
the contractor, we eventually did get two plots of usable, if
somewhat smaller in size than planned (a diagram of the site study
site is attached). Monitoring wells were installed last spring and
data of water levels was downloaded last week. We have not
analyzed the well data yet.
We began sampling vegetation this month and should complete preburn
sampling by the first of June. Our hopes are to burn this area
with the assistance of the NC Dept. of Forest Resources this summer
or fall, weather permitting.
Two points of interest: One, bears do not like wells in their
l.ra all... 11Y ti1 q.1ci a...Y J am. :--f the 71Tr,
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soils transport water much quicker than percolation tests might
indicate. As we dug the ditches we revealed many holes, about one
inch in diameter, with water streaming through them. The ditches
we had dug filled with water nearly as fast as the backhoe could
work. The big question we of course have is whether or not we will
be able to drain the ditches enough to burn the plots??
Sincerely,
Linda K. Ginto-1.1
SECP Steward
cc: A. Preston Howard, Jr. P.E. DEM
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