20140073 Ver 2_DWR comments_20200102

Mitigation Plan Checklist for Riparian Restoration Mitigation Sites —created 7/15/13
+A DWR Stream Determination
DWR Site Viability Letter n oc�Q -4 n d_ ,
()brim �LAJLO I. PSI �
�-'Site Location +uUn Wj un 1—P
�,..-- Directions including Lat & Long
1-e-�8-digit HUC &/or 14 digit (if applicable)
-cr' County
�6 EMC approved Soil map, Topo and Aerial Maps
Project Name:
Reviewed By: `
DWR # o14 - O0 -73
Date o ao
o Sub -watershed where applicable W I +G Grp l
d D � � �— Existing Site Conditions w/ photos no Y CA-0 r-v-lTCC 110h G �!1 exbA t9
O n i q �h6-o5 � c� �,� _ c� wJ � C)U3 CUU-.ems.
LP—� All proposed mitigation activities, including a brief summary of stream and/or wetland mitigation w/ pol- ��" f�'
a detailed planting plan — d�'ll S USA 4 +Qrtn "riFrnrI'an i�U �1—�' USQd -} )M\ UUO_
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�Cyfalonitoring &Maintenance Plan '� CAtv�-rS�
OLA1 )WQ '101icab 4SrUt 1� V
Financial Assurance (if applicable)
Associated buffer and/or nutrient offset credit calcs, which shall include credit generation, service
s➢,Cw �,')dths &n 4 c c aj S D '- too, i w- a6 O
area, etc. nod o-10 b' )
redit Determination Table/Map 'how UO c 5 a,- � i " l 0 0 t1v1S
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�C Verification that the site does not have an impact on threatened or endangered species
Yerification that the site is not affected by on -site or nearby sources of contamination as provided
by Environmental Data Resources, Inc.
C ,_�J­ Verification that the site can be constructed on land if it is an archaeological site;
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(_�//A list of all permits that will be required and obtained prior to constructing the mitigation site for
nutrient offset and/or buffer mitigation (e.g. Sediment and Erosion Control Plan from Division of
Land Resources, NCG010000 Stormwater Permit from NCDWQ, 404 permit from the Army Corps
of Engineers and corresponding 401 Water Quality Certification from NCDWQ).

Green Valley II Riparian Buffer Mitigation Plan DWR# 2014-0073v2
DWR staff (Katie Merritt) Comments submitted 1/2/2020:
No photos are provided showing existing conditions. The only 2 photos provided are from
2017 & 2016, which do not adequately describe "existing" conditions. Please add photos of
the riparian areas w/ dates that are more recent. Indicate any landuse changes, if any, from
the date DWR was last onsite, which was May 2018.
No site viability letter was provided by DWR, but an email to DMS was sent on May 13,
2019 about the site. Please add this correspondence to Appendix A.
Consistent misuse of the term "riparian buffer" or "buffer" is used throughout the text and
can lead to confusion or misleading information. These terms are only to be used to describe
the Randleman buffer, which is 0-50' and has a Zone 1 & Zone 2. All of this project is
located outside of the Randleman buffer. Please correct terminology where it is being
misused and replace with "riparian area'.
4. Section 1.0
a. Pagel, 3Td paragraph: add the DWR# to the first Green Valley site. It's 2014-0073vl
b. Page 2, 1st paragraph: replace "zero" with "fifty feet (50')" within the paragraph.
The provider has stated they are not performing any mitigation work within the top of
bank areas.
5. Section 2.1
a. It says that the credits will serve Randleman Lake buffer impacts within the 8-digit
03030003. This is incorrect. The service area for this project is limited to only the
Randleman Lake Watershed, which is not as broad of an area as the 03030003. Please
correct this statement.
b. Change the width in the table from 0-100' to 50-100
6. Section 3.3.1
a. Correct terminology here for "buffer". In most cases, the term buffer should be
"riparian area"
b. Descriptions of the "riparian buffer" conditions in this section are inaccurate. The
riparian buffer, which is the 0-50' from the stream, are all in great condition and in an
easement. This needs to be corrected. It's more accurate to represent the area of this
project, within 50-200'.
c. Correct the widths described from 0-200 to 50200', since no work is planned
within top -of -bank — 50'.
d. Recommend rephrasing the 4th sentence in 2nd paragraph to, "All riparian restoration
activities will take place within the 50-200' riparian area along to UTl and UT4 and
will be subject to crediting and ratios as outlined in the Consolidated Buffer
Mitigation Rule ".
e. Reference to "DWR guidance" is included in the text regarding ratios. Remove this
reference, as there was no DWR guidance for ratios at the time this plan was
submitted. The only reference needed here is the 0295 rule.
f. Reference the email from DWR to DMS May 13, 2019 in addition to the other
references already in the text.
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7. Only temporary seeding is proposed for application. However, DWR requests that
permanent/perennial riparian seeding also be applied and established where bare areas are
present from impacts of row crops. It is important to maintain a healthy and diverse
herbaceous layer within the riparian areas to reduce the potential of runoff, nutrients and
sediments into the streams.
a. Planting with a seed mix that is abundant in annual and perennial pollinator species is
strictly voluntary but is being encouraged by DWR in other mitigation plans to
promote diversity and enhance the health of the herbaceous layer, which can also
greatly benefit planted stems.
8. Section 4.0
a. Change "riparian buffer mitigation area" to "riparian restoration area"
b. 2nd paragraph — the word "established" has been inserted into the text when
describing the performance criteria. Please remove, as this word is not in the rule and
could have a different meaning. I may have missed this word in pervious mitigation
plan reviews.
c. Page 12; 4.2
■ Since mowing would not be performed anywhere but within the Green Valley
II easement, which is outside of the Randleman Lake Buffer, no reference to
buffer violations or the Randleman Lake Buffer should be necessary here.
Only easement violations could maybe result without notification.
9. Figure I —
a. Remove the 14-digit HUC from the service area map. It is not necessary and could be
misleading as presented.
b. Remove the words, "Service Area" from the 03030003 label in the legend
10. Figure 2 —
a. Add 0-50' to the label for Green Valley Farm Easement
b. Add 50-200' to the label for Proposed Easement
11. Figure 3 —
a. Change 0-100' in the legend to 50-100' for Restoration
b. Add 0-50' to the label for Green Valley Farm Easement
12. Figure 8 —
a. Add 50-200' to the legend for the "Planted Area". Example: "Planted Area (50-200')
= 7.19 acres
13. Overall, if the riparian restoration proposed is done according to the plan and addresses all
comments and corrections provided by DWR, the site is likely to provide a buffer mitigation
project that meets the expectations of 15A NCAC 02B .0295.
A response to comments above is requested by DWR prior to final review & issuance of any plan
approval.
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