20200018 Ver 1_Post Contract IRT Site Visit (1-14-2020) Meeting Minutes_20200122

Strickland, Bev
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Wiesner, Paul
Wednesday, January 22, 2020 2:03 PM
Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US); Haupt, Mac; Davis, Erin B; Leslie, Andrea J;
Kim Browning
Wiesner, Paul; Ullman, Kirsten J; Tsomides, Harry; Haywood, Casey; Shawn Wilkerson;
Eric Neuhaus
Laurel Valley Site_DMS# 100140: Post Contract IRT Site Visit (1-14-2020) Meeting
Minutes
Laurel Valley_100140_Post Con IRT Meeting Minutes_1-14-20.pdf
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The meeting minutes from the January 14, 2020 IRT post contract site visit are attached for your review.
Please let us know if you have any additional comments, questions or concerns.
Thanks
Paul Wiesner
Western Regional Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Mitigation Services
828-273-1673 Mobile
Pau l.wiesnera-ncdenr.gov
Western DMS Field Office
5 Ravenscroft Drive
Suite 102
Asheville, N.C. 28801
-EQ-
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
1

WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING: Post Contract IRT Site Visit
LAUREL VALLEY Mitigation Site
Catawba River Basin 03050101: Burke County, NC
NCDMS Project No. 100140
USACE ID: SAW-2020-00053
NCDEQ Contract No. 7875-02
Wildlands Project No. 005-02187
DATE: On -site Meeting: Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 1:00 pm
Meeting Notes Distributed: Wednesday, January 22, 2020
LOCATION: 3925 Hawkins Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
Attendees
Todd Tugwell, USACE
Mac Haupt, NC Department of Environmental Quality
Erin Davis, NC Department of Environmental Quality
Andrea Leslie, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Paul Wiesner, Division of Mitigation Services (NCDMS)
Kirsten Ullman, NCDMS
Harry Tsomides, NCDMS Project Manager
Casey Haywood, NCDMS
Shawn Wilkerson, Wildlands Engineering
Eric Neuhaus, Wildlands Engineering
Materials
• Wildlands Engineering Technical Proposal dated 8/13/2019 in response to NCDMS RFP #16-007875
Overall Site Notes/Comments
1. It was noted that the Site is located within the Hunting Creek targeted local watershed and that East
Prong Hunting Creek is 303(d) listed as impaired for fecal coliform bacteria.
2. The property owner had cleared approximately 7.5-acres beyond the left floodplain of UT1 Reach 1.
Wildlands noted that they would discuss best management practices with the property owner and have
them install erosion and sediment control measures (likely check dams) to minimize sediment induction
into existing UT1.
Meeting Notes
1. Wildlands gave a brief site overview before the walk which discussed overall site conditions and general
stream approach.
WWildlands Engineering, Inc. page 1
LAUREL VALLEY mitigation site
Post -Contract IRT Site Walk

2. The walk began at the upstream end of East Prong Hunting Creek at the outlet from Laurelwood Rd. The
current culvert is perched and undersized based on initial observation. Wildlands will discuss the
possibility of removing and replacing the existing culvert to improve its current condition and facilitate
the transition to a priority 1 restoration approach with the property owner.
3. Standing water was observed along most of the entire right floodplain of East Prong Hunting Creek. The
stream is proposed for priority 1 restoration, which will raise the existing water table. The IRT noted that
while the pocket wetland habitat is positive for ecological uplift, it could inhibit woody species growth.
As such, Wildlands will include discussion in the mitigation plan outlining expected reductions in woody
size and quantity and increased herbaceous vegetation within this area and other wetter areas around
the site.
4. The walk continued along UT2 working upstream. Wildlands noted that they would attempt to save
mature vegetation along the left bank of UT2 by pulling the stream away from the existing hill slope and
relocating it into the valley with minimal disturbance to the left bank.
5. It was discussed that UT2 will likely be broken into two separate reaches based on slope and stream
type.
6. It was noted that an internal crossing with a proposed culvert crossing will be installed at the upstream
end of UT2.
7. The IRT commented that Wildlands needs to be aware of the reduction in stream power at the valley
break along UT1 and UT2 and ensure sediment doesn't settle within flatter portions of the constructed
channels.
8. The IRT also commented that if wetlands were needed by DMS, they would like to see a larger scale
stream and wetland project at this site. Soil borings taken within the floodplain of East Prong Hunting
Creek by the IRT (Mac Haupt) indicated hydric soil indicators.
9. Two drainage outlets (shown in Figure 2 of the proposal) have been implemented by the property owner
to reduce ponded water in the fields adjacent to East Prong Hunting Creek. Wildlands indicated that
these drainage features would be stabilized within the work area, but would not be addressed beyond
the limits of the proposed conservation easement unless a larger wetland restoration component is
added to the project.
10. The walk continued to the downstream end of the current UT1 Reach 2 alignment. Wildlands proposal
includes the re -alignment of UT1 Reach 2 to drain to East Prong Hunting Creek. The IRT noted that the
realignment could have potential drainage effects on the downstream property owner and to be aware
of how changes in stream pattern would change downstream hydrology.
11. The IRT noted that the portion of UT1 Reach 2 which will be re -aligned will run through a broad, flat
floodplain. Subsequently the channel may require minor maintenance during the monitoring period to
ensure upstream sediment and vegetation don't choke channel flow. Wildlands will include information
in the adaptive management plan discussing these plans and associated potential maintenance.
12. The walk continued upstream along UT1 Reach 2. It was noted that the channel will be relocated to the
left, and mature vegetation along the right (eastern) boundary will be saved along hillslope. In sections
where UT1 Reach 2 is stable, Wildlands will consider enhancement style approaches if feasible with
grading and design limitations or ensure justification of restoration in mitigation plan.
13. It was noted by Wildlife Resources Commission that the existing driveway culvert at the upstream end of
UT1 Reach 2 would need to be replaced to eliminate the current aquatic organism blockage (perching).
Additionally, it was requested that the existing plastic pipe be replaced with a different material culvert
which will mimic a more natural stream bed, allowing for easier upstream passage of aquatics.
Wildlands agreed to these requests regarding the replaced culvert.
14. The IRT requested that Wildlands explore options to expand the buffer along UT1 Reach 1, specifically in
the right floodplain. Wildlands will follow up with the property owner and provide a memorandum
outlining the potential expansion of the buffer and any associated requested changes to the proposed
credit ratio.
WWildlands Engineering, Inc. page 2
LAUREL VALLEY mitigation site
Post -Contract IRT Site Walk