19990872 Ver 1_Mitigation Project Review_20090921

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
9/21/2009
Mr. Blake Proctor, Town Manager
Town of Fairmont
PO Box 248
Fairmont, NC 28340
DWQ # 19990872
Robeson County
Subject Property: Wetland Mitigation for the Town of Fairmont WWTP
Re: Site visit for EPA Program Development Grant - Review of mitigation projects by DWQ
Dear Mr. Proctor:
As part of a Wetland Program Development Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit is conducting a
statewide evaluation of compensatory stream and wetland mitigation success. Tammy Hill from this Unit
visited the above-referenced mitigation project with representatives from Dr. J.H. Carter III & Associates,
Inc. on September 2, 2009. Our comments are as follows:
The road bed restoration project in Lumber River State Park appeared to have been constructed according
to the approved mitigation plan. Wetland soils, hydrology, and herbaceous vegetation were observed.
Planted tree survival has been low along the center of the road, possibly due to repeated inundation by
beavers. However, multiple supplemental planting efforts have yielded an acceptable density for the
overall site. Several of the bald cypress growing along the road edges appeared to be well-established and
robust. Over the long term, it is expected that this area will blend in with the surrounding swamp forest.
The 401 Certification requirement for long-term protection of the mitigation parcel was being met.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation with our evaluation and your continued stewardship of the
mitigation project for the Town of Fairmont WWTP. Please contact Tammy Hill or Eric Kulz at (919)
733-1786 if you have any questions regarding our comments or the mitigation review project.
Sincerely, /
I (p,
Cyndi B. Karoly, Program Manager
401 Oversight and Express Review Program
cc: File Copy (Tammy Hill)
Ken Averitte, Division of Water Quality, Fayetteville Regional Office
Jeanette Sabo, J.H. Carter III & Associates, PO Box 891, Southern Pines, NC 28388
4010versight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Intemet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands/
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