The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20190846 Ver 1_Buffer Viability Assessment_20191125ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary LINDA CULPEPPER Director NORTH CAROUNA Environmental Quality November 22, 2019 Brad Breslow Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC 302 Jefferson Street, Suite 110 Raleigh, NC 27605 (via electronic mail: bbreslow(a,res.us ) DWR ID# 2019-0846 Wake County Re: Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset — Cairo Site Located near 6300 Johnston Pond Rd, Fuquay-Varina, NC Neuse 03020201 Dear Mr. Breslow, On August 12, 2019, Katie Merritt, with the Division of Water Resources (DWR), received a request from you on behalf of Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC (RES) for a site visit near the above - referenced site in the Neuse River Basin within the 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code 03020201. The site visit was to determine the potential for riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset within a proposed site boundary, which is more accurately shown in the attached map labeled "Figure 3". Portions of this site are intended to be proposed to the IRT as a stream and wetland mitigation site by RES. On September 10, 2019, Ms. Merritt performed a site assessment of the subject site. Staff with RES were also present. One stream within the proposed site boundary and labeled UT6, was not assessed and does not have a stream/buffer determination on file. Ms. Merritt's evaluation of the features onsite and their associated mitigation determination for the riparian areas are provided in the table below. This evaluation was made from Top of Bank (TOB) and landward 200' from each existing feature for buffer mitigation pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (effective November 1, 2015) and for nutrient offset credits pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0240. Feature ID Classification 'Subject to Riparian Land uses adjacent to Feature Buffer Credit 2Nutrient Mitigation Type Determination in the field Offset Win riparian areas 0-200' Buffer Viable Viable Rule UT1 Stream Yes Mostly forested with some ;Yes Yes (non- Non -forested areas - Restoration non -forested areas forested Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) previously in agriculture. areas only) Non -forested areas adjacent Forested Areas - Preservation Site to proposed boundary are per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) under construction for new - development; A sewer line *sewer easement must be located easement crossing is present. outside of Zone 1 & be in full compliance with 15A NCAC 02B.0295 (1)(4)(A-C) D_E Q North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 i 919.707.9000 Cairo Site Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC November 22, 2019 Feature ID Classification 'Subject Riparian Land uses Buffer 2Nutrient Mitigation Type Determination in the field to adjacent to Feature Offset w/in riparian areas Credit 0-200' Buffer Viable Viable Rule UT2 Stream Yes Fully forested 'Yes No Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) Minor timbering was observed in 2017 leaving Areas of minor timbering within Zone some bare areas. 1 or Zone 2 of the Neuse buffer must be surveyed out as "non-credit" areas. UT3-A Stream Yes Mostly non -forested pasture Yes Yes (non- Non -forested areas - Restoration (at DWR flag) grazed by cattle with some partially wooded areas (see forested areas only) Site per 15A NCAC 026.0295 (n) map). Mature persimmons Partially forested areas - were notable along the Enhancement Site per 15A NCAC stream 02B .0295 (n) and required to have supplemental plantings UT3 Stream Yes Mostly forested with some 'Yes No Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B Downstream partially wooded areas .0295 (o)(5) (see map) sporadically spaced with individual trees near Partially forested areas - confluence with Terrible Creek Enhancement Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) and required to have supplemental plantings UT4-A Stream Yes Mostly non -forested pasture Yes Yes Restoration Site per 15A NCAC 02B grazed by cattle with .0295 (n) sporadically spaced individual trees present along the banks UT4 Stream Yes Fully forested 'Yes No Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B Downstream .0295 (o)(5) (see map) UT5 Stream Yes Non -forested pasture 'Yes Yes (non- Non -forested areas - Restoration adjacent to fully forested forested Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) non -pasture beyond the areas only) fence -line Forested Areas - Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) UT6 Not assessed Not Fully forested with a parallel Not Not Not assessed assessed sewer line easement & assessed assessed downstream sewer -line crossing. Minor timbering was observed in 2017 Page 2 of 3 Cairo Site Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC November 22, 2019 Feature ID Classification 'Subject Riparian Land uses Buffer Credit 2Nutrient Mitigation Type Determination in the field to adjacent to Feature Offset w/in riparian areas 0-200' Buffer Viable Viable Rule Terrible Creek (TC1) Stream Yes Partially vegetated with mature trees sporadically Yes No Enhancement Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) and required to have spaced throughout riparian supplemental plantings areas. 'Subjectivity calls for the teatures were determined by DWR in correspondence dated October 3, 2016 and September 23, 2019, using the 1:24,000 scale quadrangle topographic map prepared by USGS and the most recent printed version of the soil survey map prepared by the NRCS . 2 NC Division of Water Resources - Methodology and Calculatio for determining Nutrient Reductions associated with Riparian Buffer Establishment. Nutrient offset credit cannot be generated adjacent to coastal headwater stream restoration sites 3The area of preservation credit within a buffer mitigation site shall comprise of no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer mitigation per 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(5) and 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(4). Site cannot be a Preservation Only site to comply with this rule. Maps that are attached to this letter were prepared by RES and were initialed by Ms. Merritt on November 22, 2019. This letter should be provided in all stream and wetland, buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation plans for this Site. This letter does not constitute an approval of this site to generate mitigation credits. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295, a mitigation proposal and a mitigation plan shall be submitted to DWR for written approval prior to conducting any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters for buffer mitigation credit. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0240, a proposal regarding a proposed nutrient load -reducing measure for nutrient offset credit shall be submitted to DWR for approval prior to any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters. All vegetative plantings, performance criteria and other mitigation requirements for riparian restoration, enhancement and preservation must follow the requirements in 15A NCAC 02B .0295 to be eligible for buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation credits. For any areas depicted as not being viable for nutrient offset credit above, one could propose a different measure, along with supporting calculations and sufficient detail to support estimates of load reduction, for review by the DWR to determine viability for nutrient offset in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0240. This viability assessment will expire on November 22, 2021 or upon the submittal of an As -Built Report to the DWR, whichever comes first. This letter should be provided in any nutrient offset, buffer, stream or wetland mitigation plans for this Site. Please contact Katie Merritt at (919) 707- 3637 if you have any questions regarding this correspondence. MH/kym Attachments: Figure 3 cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt) Sincere , Mac Haupt, Acting Supervisor 401 and Buffer Permitting Branch Page 3 of 3 t 1ti `. a • T. t Il 1 FA4 4ni-td mop ey g i ' �•r t' a . c F �.t �`� .. • Irv: qa•�� ,�' i _ i �. 1. Am �4 It ok It