20011690 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20091022

LWIWA
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
10/22/2009
Ms. Sharon Wilson
Catawba Lands Conservancy
105 W. Morehead Street, Suite B
Charlotte, NC 28202
Natural Resources
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d
Dee Freeman
Secretary
DWQ # 20011690
Lincoln County ,
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Subject Property: Pott Creek Mitigation Site
Re: Site visit for EPA Program Development Grant - Review of mitigation projects by DWQ
Dear Ms. Wilson:
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 and Eric Kulz
from this Unit visited the above-referenced mitigation project on June 9, 2009. Our comments are as
follows:
The project appeared to have been constructed according to the approved mitigation plan. Mitigation
success varied across the site. Bottomland hardwood forested wetlands at higher elevations exhibited
dense, vigorous growth of woody vegetation and development or restoration of hydric soils. Flow was
not observed within the restored stream channel In fact the lower I t' f th I 1
3

V eva tons o e protect were arge y C
flooded at the time of the site visit, leading us to believe that there may be beaver dams inhibiting flow. Q
Dams were not located because the depth of the water made passage through the stream valley difficult
and potentially unsafe. The plants in the flooded areas were primarily emergent marsh wetland species. C
The 401 Certification requirement for long-term protection of the mitigation parcel was being met, and is-
we appreciate the signage marking the site as a protected area. L
0
It is our understanding that this site has not been "closed out" in relation to mitigation credits, but that the CJ
Catawba Lands Conservancy owns the property fee simple and holds the conservation easement. We
expect to be working with staff from the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program and its advisory groups to
determine mitigation credits generated by the site in the next two years.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation with our evaluation and your continued stewardship of the aquatic
resources at the Pott Creek Mitigation Site. Please contact Tammy Hill or Eric Kulz at [phone] if
you have any questions regarding our comments or the mitigation review project.
401 Oversight/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]
Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.ric,us/ncwetlands/
NorthCarolina
,atumlly
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