20160981 Ver 1_USACE January 2020 AMR Comments_20200225

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69 DARLINGTON AVENUE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28403-1343
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
CESAW-RG/Dailey February 24, 2020
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
SUBJECT: RES Annual Monitoring Report Comment Memo for: Stone Creek
Mitigation Site, Uzzle Mitigation Site, and Meadow Spring Mitigation Site
*General request for future RES Wildlands monitoring reports — Please include a
paragraph in the beginning of the monitoring report that summarizes visual
assessments of the site boundary (and crossings) and confirmation of no
encroachments. This can be added to the summary on the credit request letter.
SAW-2016-01990 / EBX-Meuse 1, LLC / Neu -Con UMBI / Stone Creek Mitigation Site /
Year 1 Monitoring Report Comments:
1. A general concern is that monitoring was performed in December. The Johnston
County NRCS growing season ends November 6. Again, I'm surprised that stem
species in the random plots were identifiable with leaf off;
2. Overall, the cross sections appear stable and the one VPA is scheduled for
replanting;
3. Page 7 states that the groundwater wells were installed in June, but GW2 and
GW3 hydrographs show data starting in March. Please confirm when each well
was installed. If GW2 and GW3 were installed earlier than GW 1, can an asterisk
and note please be added to Tables 13 and 14 indicating that GW1 data only
reflects part of the growing season period;
4. Based on the as -built site walk, DWR requested relocation of the flow gauge on
UT2 and installation of an additional flow gauge on UT1. The CCPV figure shows
the relocated flow gauge on UT2. However, it does not appear that flow gauge
was added to UT1. While mapped as perennial UT1 was dry during the site walk.
Please provide a justification as to why the UT1 gauge was not installed; and
5. Also, during the as -built site walk privet was noted in the wetland preservation
area. Was any invasive management completed during MY1?

SAW-2016-01989 / EBX-Neuse 1, LLC / Neu -Con UMBI / Meadow Spring Mitigation Site
/ Year 1 Monitoring Report Comments:
1. A general concern is that monitoring was performed in December. The Johnston
County NRCS growing season ends November 6. I'm a little surprised that stem
species in the random plots were identifiable with leaf off;
2. Also a concern is that the wetland groundwater gauge data collection started in
July. This delay is reflected in the results, as only 2 of 11 gauges met the 12%
success criteria and 3 of 4 reestablishment gauges had a 2% hydroperiod;
3. Several cross sections showed dimension changes, with 7 cross sections
downcutting in the 6 months since as -built;
4. As Ryan notes in the cover letter, there were 2 VPAs that were replanted and 3
SPAs that were repaired. A bit troubling at the number of problem areas, but glad
they were noted and addressed quickly;
5. Based on all of the above bullets, it's difficult to evaluate an initial trend towards
project success. MY2 will have additional scrutiny and DWR will likely request a
site visit.
6. During the as -built site walk, privet and multiflora rose were present in some of
the enhancement and preservation areas. Was any invasive management
completed during MY1; and
7. General request for future RES monitoring reports — Please include a sentence
or two summarizing annual visual assessments of the site boundary (and
crossings) and confirmation of no encroachments.
SAW-2016-01973 / EBX-Neuse 1, LLC / Neu -Con UMBI / Uzzle Mitigation Site / Year 1
Monitoring Report Comments:
1. Similar timing concerns as Meadow Spring — veg monitoring occurred in
December and wetland gauge data missed the spring season;
2. The stream cross sections appeared stable and the veg plots were all successful;
and
3. Based on our as -built walk, this is a site I'm concerned about encroachment
(utility & cattle). Again, it would be nice to have a brief summary of the visual
assessment of the easement boundary and crossings.
DAILEY.SAM Digitally signed by
DAILEY.SAMANTH
ANTHAII3 A11387567948
87567948 Date:2020.02.24
14:54:35-05'00'
Samantha Dailey
Project Manager
Raleigh Field Office