20110955 Ver 1_Mitigation Prospectus_20180129

Strickland, Bev
From: Kichefski, Steven L CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2018 8:23 AM
To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US); Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW
(US); Kim Browning; Haupt, Mac; Price, Zan (George); Leslie, Andrea J; 'Hamstead,
Byron'; [e-mail]
Cc: Jones, M Scott (Scott) CIV USARMY CESAW (US)
Subject: [External] FW: Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank
Attachments: Agent Authorization Form.pdf, Sluder -Meeting Location Map.pdf,
draft_Sluder_Prospectus_Jan25_2018.pdf, FW: FB05 site visits
Follow Up Flag: Flag for follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Send all suspicious email as an
attachment to [e-mail].
I RT,
Sluder Branch is a small previously approved mitigation bank just north of Asheville that is seeking to make several
changes to their bank instrument. They were formally approved with a signed instrument in 2012 but never satisfied all
the requirements for their initial release of credit. With the open IRT dates full already for February, its small size and
close proximity to previously scheduled RES site visits next week, we have added this site to the agenda on Tuesday,
January 30th. I am forwarding the draft prospectus, agent authorization and location map they submitted for your
review and comment.
This will change the itinerary for Tuesday and instead of starting at the Dead Oak site, we will now be starting at the
Puncheon Site still at Sam. It is looking like it will be a cold field day, so dress warm. We'll make time for a quick lunch
stop between Puncheon and Dead Oak (and may need it to warm up). My previous RES email (see attached) has the
coordinates for each site and the email below has the Sluder Branch coordinates.
Hate to make it a longer field day for everyone, but I think this will save everyone time in the long run. Also, I realize that
not everyone on this list will be attending the visits next week, but I wanted to make sure all had a copy of their draft
prospectus in case you had comments for me about the proposed changes.
Regards,
Steve Kichefski
Regulatory Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District, Asheville Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Suite 208
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)-271-7980 Ext. 4234
The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we
continue to do so, please complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at our website at
http://corpsmapu.usace.army.mil/cm_apex/f?p=136:4:0 to complete the survey online.

-----Original Message -----
From: Corri Faquin [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2018 10:58 AM
To: Kichefski, Steven L CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <[e-mail]>
Cc: Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <[e-mail]>; Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY
CESAW (US) <[e-mail]>; Kenan Jernigan <[e-mail]>; Grant Lewis
<[e-mail]>; Will Jeffers ([e-mail]) <[e-mail]>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] RE: Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank
Steve
Please find attached the following for Sluder Branch.
Draft Prospectus
Agent Authorization Forms
Meeting Location Map
The best place to meet is on a driveway located south of Sluder Branch Road (35.653625, -82.670684); see attached
map. Also, for easy reference Grant's cell number is 919-215-1693.
Thank you for fitting this into your Jan. 30th visits!
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any additional information.
Corri
Corri Faquin
AXIOM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC
218 Snow Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-414-2471
[e-mail]
axiomenvironmental.org

-----Original Message -----
From: Kichefski, Steven L CIV USARMY CESAW (US) [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 11:44 AM
To: Grant Lewis <[e-mail]>
Cc: Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <[e-mail]>; Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY
CESAW (US) <[e-mail]>; Corri Faquin <[e-mail]>; Kenan Jernigan
<[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank
Grant,
Turns out the February IRT dates are all full, so we are going to fit Sluder in with the visit next week. I'm not sure of the
exact timing yet, but it would be Tuesday, January 30th (probably mid to late afternoon). The sooner you can get the
draft prospectus to me the better just to give the IRT more time to review. If it is too large to email, contact me and we
can try reducing it or send it through our large file sharing site.
Next week we can discuss whether it would be best to modify or just start over with this bank since the timelines would
be pretty much the same, but either process would likely mean bringing the bank up to current District standards such
as monitoring, credit release schedules, etc.
When you send me the prospectus, make sure you give me coordinates for where we will meet. Call with questions
and/or I'll be back in touch with timing for Tuesday.
Regards,
Steve Kichefski
Regulatory Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District, Asheville Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Suite 208
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)-271-7980 Ext. 4234

The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we
continue to do so, please complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at our website at
Blockedhttp://corpsmapu.usace.army.miI/cm_apex/f?p=136:4:0
<Blockedhttp://corpsmapu.usace.army.miI/cm_apex/f?p=136:4:0> to complete the survey online.
-----Original Message -----
From: Grant Lewis [mailto:[e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]> ]
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2018 4:13 PM
To: Kichefski, Steven L CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <[e-mail]
<mailto:[e-mail]> >
Cc: Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <[e-mail]
<mailto:[e-mail]> >; Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US)
<[e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]> >; Corri Faquin
<[e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]> >; Kenan Jernigan
<[e-mail] <maiIto: kjernigan@axiomenviron mental.org> >
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank
Hello Steve;
I appreciate your time in discussing how to best to move forward with the Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank. We have
been awarded a contract by the NCDOT in the French Broad River Basin. I am attaching a few figures of the updated Site
for your review and hope to have a draft prospectus by the end of the week.
You mentioned a possibility of adding our Site onto your schedule for the January 30 IRT visits (our Site is in the vicinity
of the others you are reviewing). If that works I will make sure I am available.

If not, please coordinate with Todd and Andrea to schedule one of the February IRT visits. I appreciate you adding us to
the soonest IRT visit.
As always, we enjoy working with you, and I look forward to our Site visit.
Thanks
Grant
Grant Lewis
Senior Project Manager
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
218 Snow Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
[e-mail] <mailto:[e-mail]> <mailto:[e-mail]
<mailto:[e-mail]> >
[phone] (cell)

<file:///S:\Business\Administrative\logos\Axiom.jpg <file:///S:\Business\Administrative\logos\Axiom.jpg> >

MITIGATION PROSPECTUS
SLUDER BRANCH MITIGATION BANK
FRENCH BROAD RIVER BASIN
CATALOGING UNIT 06010105
Developed Through
RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT
OF NEWFOUND CREEK, SLUDER BRANCH,
AN UNNAMED TRIBUTARY, AND
RIPARIAN RIVERINE WETLANDS
Buncombe County, North Carolina
PREPARED BY:
AXIOM ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
218 SNOW AVENUE
AK RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27603
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
JANUARY 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 1
1.1
PROJECT OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................... 2
1.2
BANK SPONSOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION................................................................... 4
2.0
ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION........................................................................... 4
2.1
MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT.................................................................................. 4
2.2
CREDIT DETERMINATION................................................................................................... 4
3.0
WATERSHED APPROACH............................................................................................... 4
3.1
BANK SELECTION.............................................................................................................. 4
3.2
GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA.............................................................................................. 5
4.0
OWNERSHIP AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT...................................................... 5
5.0
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SPONSORS TEAM............................................................ 6
6.0
FINANCIAL ASSURANCES............................................................................................. 6
7.0
BASELINE INFORMATION............................................................................................. 6
7.1
PHYSIOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND LAND USE............................................................... 7
7.2
WATER QUALITY.............................................................................................................. 7
7.3
VEGETATION..................................................................................................................... 8
7.4
SOILS AND LAND FORM..................................................................................................... 8
7.5
JURISDICTIONAL STREAMS AND WETLANDS..................................................................... 8
7.6
STREAM CLASSIFICATION.................................................................................................. 9
7.7
REFERENCE STUDIES................................................................................................
11
7.7.1 Stone Mountain Reference Reach...........................................................................
11
7.7.2 Cranberry Creek Reference Reach..........................................................................12
7.7.3 Reference Forest Ecosystem...................................................................................
13
7.8
FEDERALLY PROTECTED SPECIES....................................................................................
13
7.9
HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS....................................................
17
7.10
NATURAL HERITAGE ELEMENT DATA..............................................................................
18
7.11
SITE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION CONSTRAINTS.......................................................
18
8.0
MITIGATION WORK PLAN...........................................................................................
18
8.1
STREAM RESTORATION...................................................................................................
18
8.2
STREAM ENHANCEMENT LEVEL I).................................................................................
19
8.3
STREAM ENHANCEMENT LEVEL II)................................................................................
19
8.4
WETLAND RESTORATION.................................................................................................
19
8.5
WETLAND ENHANCEMENT..............................................................................................
19
8.6
PLANT COMMUNITY RESTORATION.................................................................................
19
8.7
NUISANCE SPECIES MANAGEMENT......................................................................
20
9.0
MAINTENANCE AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN ......................................
20
10.0
MONITORING REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................
21
10.1
STREAM MONITORING.....................................................................................................
21
10.2
WETLAND MONITORING.................................................................................................
23
10.3
VEGETATION...................................................................................................................
24
10.4
VISUAL MONITORING......................................................................................................
24
11.0
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................
25
Mitigation Prospectus Table of Contents page i
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

APPENDICES
Appendix A. Figures
Figure 1. Site Location
Figure 2. Hydrologic Unit Map
Figure 3. Topography and Drainage Area
Figure 4. Existing Conditions and Soils
Figure 5. Proposed Conditions
Appendix B. Existing Stream Data
Cross-sections
Substrate Plot
Appendix C. SHPO Correspondence
Appendix D. NCNHP Report
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Proposed Mitigation Units........................................................................
Table 2. Stream/Wetland Targeted Functions, Goals, and Objectives ...................
Table3. Bank Soils.................................................................................................
Table 4. Existing Stream Characteristics................................................................
Table 5. Stream Geometry and Classification.........................................................
Table 6. Reference Forest Ecosystem.....................................................................
Table 7. Federally Protected Species for Buncombe County .................................
Table 8. Monitoring Schedule.................................................................................
Table 9 Stream Monitorin Summa
..................................... 2
..................................... 3
..................................... 8
..................................... 9
................................... 10
................................... 13
gry...................................................................................
Table 10. Wetland Monitoring Summary...............................................................................
Table 11. Vegetation Monitoring Summary...........................................................................
Mitigation Prospectus Table of Contents page ii
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Sluder Branch Mitigation Company, LLC proposes the establishment of a stream and wetland
mitigation bank at the Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank (Bank) approximately 6 miles northwest
of Asheville in northwestern Buncombe County; immediately south of Sluder Branch Road
(Figure 1, Appendix A). The Bank is located within the French Broad River Basin in 14 -digit
United States Geological Survey Cataloging Unit and Targeted Local Watershed
06010105090020 of the South Atlantic/Gulf Region (North Carolina Division of Water Quality
Subbasin Number 04-03-02) (Figure 2, Appendix A). The Bank is not located in a Regional or
Local Watershed Planning area. The Bank is expected to offset unavoidable impacts associated
with projects located within 8 -digit Cataloging Unit 06010105.
Supporting figures for this document are located in Appendix A. The proposed Bank
encompasses agricultural land utilized for livestock grazing, crops, and hay production, and
disturbed forest situated along cool water Newfound Creek, Sluder Branch, and an unnamed
tributary to Newfound Creek. Bank streams have historically been accessible to livestock and
hay fields are routinely cleared and mowed, resulting in local disturbances to stream banks and
wetland soil surfaces. The maintenance and removal of riparian vegetation has resulted in
degraded water quality, increased water temperatures due to a lack of stream channel shading,
and excessive sedimentation resulting from adjacent land use practices and stormwater runoff.
Degraded water quality at the Bank is evidenced by a poor abundance and diversity of
macrobenthos in all channels, in addition to areas of excessive algae growth, foul water odors,
stream foam, and discolored water scattered within the Bank. Protection of Bank resources
through a conservation easement will promote the sustainability and improvement of aquatic
resources in the Newfound Creek watershed.
Directions to the Bank from Asheville:
➢ Take I-240/US-70 West out of Downtown Asheville
➢ Keep left at the fork to merge onto US-19/US-23 South
➢ After 1.1 mile, turn right onto NC -63 West
➢ After 6.6 miles, turn right onto Old Leicester Highway
➢ After 0.9 mile, turn left onto Sluder Branch Road
➢ After 1 mile, the Bank is located on both sides of Sluder Branch Road
o Latitude: 35.6528° N, Longitude: 82.6674° W
The Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank activities include removing current land use practices,
restoration/enhancement of streams and wetlands, and planting native, woody vegetation within
the entire 12.6 -acre Bank easement. Mitigation outlined in this report will result in net gains in
hydrology, water quality, and habitat functions, and are designed to provide 3285 Stream
Mitigation Units and 0.52 Riparian Riverine Wetland Mitigation Units as follows.
Mitigation Prospectus page I
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Table 1. Probosed MitiLyation Units
Stream Mitigation Type Type
Linear Feet
Mitigation Ratio
SMUs
Restoration Priority I/II
890
1:1
890
Enhancement Level I
3483
1.5:1
2322
Enhancement Level II
182
2.5:1
73
Totals
45551f
3285 SMUs
Wetland Mitigation Type Type
Acreage
Mitigation Ratio
Riparian
Riverine WMU
Restoration Riparian Riverine
0.30
1:1
0.30
Enhancement Riparian Riverine
0.44
2:1
0.22
Totals
0.74 acre
0.52 WMUs
This project complies with interagency guidelines outlined in the October 24, 2016 NC
Interagency Review Team Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation
Update. Specifically Bank selection, restoration goals, and monitoring procedures/objectives
comply with project design considerations outlined by interagency guidance.
1.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVES
General goals for this stream and wetland project focus on 1) improving water quality, 2)
enhancing flood attenuation and hydrology, 3) improving aquatic resources, and 4) restoring
riparian habitat within the Newfound Creek watershed. Agricultural runoff and a lack of shading
is deleterious to benthic macroinvertebrate populations as evidenced by field surveys and can be
expected to reduce fisheries populations in the existing and downstream reaches. In addition,
proposed mitigation activities will create wildlife and fish habitat, shade/cool surface waters
(thereby increasing dissolved oxygen levels), filter nutrients, reduce sedimentation, reduce
downstream flooding, and increase bed morphology (habitat) through maintenance of
perpendicular flow vectors.
A preliminary table of Bank mitigation goals and objectives is provided below; Bank specific
goals and objectives will be refined during the detailed planning process through the use of
North Carolina Stream Assessment Method (NC SAM) and North Carolina Wetland Assessment
Method (NC WAM) analyses of existing and reference stream systems (NC SFAT 2015 and NC
WFAT 2010).
Mitigation Prospectus page 2
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Table 2. Stream/Wetland Targeted Functions, Goals, and Obiectives
Targeted Functions Goals Objectives
(I)HYDROLOGY
(2) Flood Flow (Floodplain Access)
• Attenuate flood flow across the Ban.
• Minimize downstream flooding to the
maximum extent possible
• Connect streams to functioning wetland
systems
• Remove piped channel reaches and construct new channels at the historic
floodplain elevation to restore overbank flows and restore jurisdictional wetlands
(UT1)
• Restore/enhance Sluder Branch and Newfound Creek within the Bank
• Plant woody riparian buffers
• Remove agricultural land uses
• Protect riparian buffers with a perpetual conservation easement
(3) Streamside Area Attenuation
(4) Floodplain Access
(4) Wooded Riparian Buffer
(3) Stream Stability
• Increase stream stability within the Bank
so that channels are neither aggrading
nor degrading
. Construct channels with proper pattern, dimension, longitudinal profile, and
substrate
• Remove agricultural land uses
. Plant wood riparian
Y buffers
(4) Sediment Transport
(4) Stream Geomorphology
1 WATER QUALITY
(2) Streamside Area Vegetation
• Remove direct nutrient and pollutant
inputs from the Bank and reduce
contributions to downstream waters
• Remove agricultural land uses and reduce agricultural land/inputs
• Install marsh treatment areas
• Plant wood riparian buffers
Y p
• Restore/enhance jurisdictional wetlands adjacent to Bank streams
O Upland land Pollutant Filtration
p
(2) Indicators of Stressors
Wetland Particulate Change
(1) HABITAT
(2) In -stream Habitat
• Improve instream and stream -side
habitat
• Construct stable channels with cobble/gravel substrate
• Plant woody riparian buffers to provide organic matter and shade
• Remove piped channels and construct new channel (UTI)
• Restore/enhance Sluder Branch and Newfound Creek within the Bank
• Protect riparian buffers with a perpetual conservation easement
• Restore/enhance jurisdictional wetlands adjacent to Bank streams
(3) Substrate
(3) In -Stream Habitat
(2) Stream -side Habitat
(3) Stream -side Habitat
(3) Thermoregulation
Wetland Physical Structure
Wetland Landscape Patch Structure
Wetland Vegetation Composition
Mitigation Prospectus page 3
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

1.2 BANK SPONSOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Sluder Branch Mitigation Company, LLC is the "Sponsor" for the proposed Sluder Branch
Mitigation Bank Site.
Sluder Branch Mitigation Company, LLC
Contact: Will Jeffers
424 Watson St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
Cell 919-610-1927
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
2.0 ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION
2.1 MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT
The Sponsor is proposing to permit the Bank using a mitigation banking instrument (MBI).
2.2 CREDIT DETERMINATION
Bank mitigation credits will be determined using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE)
most current mitigation credit determination methodology (Wilmington District Stream and
Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update [USACE 2016]).
3.0 WATERSHED APPROACH
3.1 BANK SELECTION
Primary considerations for Bank selection include the potential for protection/improvement of
water quality within a region of North Carolina under heavy livestock and agriculture pressure.
More specifically, considerations include desired aquatic resource functions, hydrologic
conditions, soil characteristics, aquatic habitat diversity, habitat connectivity, compatibility with
adjacent land uses, reasonably foreseeable effects the mitigation project will have on
ecologically important aquatic and terrestrial resources, and potential development trends and
land use changes.
The Bank is located along Newfound Creek within the French Broad River Basin 8 -digit
Cataloging Unit 06010105. According to the French Broad River Basin Restoration Priorities
(NCEEP 2009), specific goals for this 8 -digit Cataloging Unit include improving management of
stormwater runoff; controlling both stormwater volume and pollutants; protect habitat for
priority fish, mussel, snail, and crayfish species in the basin; and promoting low impact
development techniques to lessen impacts of new development. The Newfound Creek
watershed, located in 14 -digit Cataloging Unit and Targeted Local Watershed 06010105090020,
has the highest proportion (42 percent) of agricultural land in the French Broad River Basin. The
watershed is also under development pressure and only 39 percent of the stream length within
the watershed is adequately buffered. Most of Newfound Creek is impaired, suffering from
severe habitat degradation, sedimentation, excessive nutrient inputs, and high fecal coliform
Mitigation Prospectus page 4
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

bacteria leading to recommendations for Best Management Practices (BMPs) and riparian
buffers.
The Bank is located approximately 6 miles northwest of Asheville and approximately 3 miles
southwest of Weaverville. According to 2010 United States census data, Asheville's population
has increased 21 percent since 2000. Much of this growth is attributed to migration of people to
the South for better climates and jobs, in addition to the migration of baby boomers in retirement
or near retirement to the region. The population increase correlates with increased development
pressures throughout the Asheville area with new construction of residential and commercial
properties. According to the Asheville Office of Economic Development, there is still a wide
variety of space for further development opportunities within multiple business districts and
suburban areas.
The proposed restoration and enhancement will result in improved water quality within the Bank
and downstream watershed. The Bank is located in a region of the state dominated by
agriculture and livestock; therefore, restoration and enhancement of streams and wetlands is
expected to result in immediate water quality benefits in the vicinity of the Bank.
3.2 GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA
The Geographic Service Area (GSA) is the designated area within which the bank is authorized
to provide compensatory mitigation required by Department of Army permits. The GSA for this
Bank will provide compensatory mitigation for unavoidable impacts associated with projects
located within the French Broad River Basin 8 -digit Cataloging Unit 06010105 of North
Carolina. This 8 -digit unit is comprised of approximately 1663 square miles that is characterized
by one Level II ecoregion (and a total of five Level IV ecoregions) as follows (Griffith et al.
2002).
Blue Ridge
• Southern Crystalline Ridges and Mountains
• Southern Sedimentary Ridges
• Southern Metasedimentary Mountains
• High Mountains
• Broad Basins
This Bank is proposed to offset unavoidable impacts associated with projects located within the
entire 8 -digit Cataloging Unit 06010105. Use of the Bank to compensate for impacts beyond the
GSA may be considered by the Corps or the permitting agency on a case-by-case basis.
4.0 OWNERSHIP AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT
The Sluder Branch Mitigation Company, LLC (SBMC) will be the initial record owner of
conservation easements associated with the Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank. The conservation
easements will be held by the SBMC in a form acceptable to the Interagency Review Team
(IRT). Conservation easements will preserve natural areas within easement boundaries and
protect property against uses inconsistent with its establishment as a mitigation site. SBMC will
hold the conservation easement for the operational life of the mitigation bank. At the time in
Mitigation Prospectus page S
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

which the bank is closed out the easement will be delivered to The Southern Appalachian
Highlands Conservancy, where it will be held in perpetuity.
5.0 QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SPONSORS TEAM
The Manager, Will Jeffers, of the SBMC owns, operates, and lives part-time on the farm where
the proposed mitigation bank is located. The impetus for mitigation bank establishment is to
preserve the farms past while restoring and protecting the aquatic resources for future
generations. Mr. Jeffers has 17 years of experience in the environmental and construction
industries with extensive experience in all aspects of environmental remediation. Experience
includes, but is not limited to, site selection, land acquisition, stream and wetland evaluation and
design, construction management of mitigation sites, as well as monitoring completed projects.
The sponsor will provide financial surety throughout every phase of the project and will have a
representative present throughout construction and required monitoring to ensure Bank success,
in accordance with the IRT's guidelines.
Axiom Environmental, Inc. (Axiom) is a Raleigh -based environmental consulting firm that is
assisting SMBM with the generation of this prospectus. The Axiom staff is experienced with
coordination among North Carolina natural resources agencies over a wide range of
environmental issues ranging from jurisdictional area identification and delineations,
jurisdictional area functional assessments, protected species, mitigation site assessments,
mitigation site conceptual and detailed planning and construction oversight, mitigation site
monitoring, determination of mitigation success, and mitigation bank development. Axiom has
completed more than 100 mitigation feasibility studies/prospectuses since its inception in
October 2004 for private landowners, mitigation bankers, and in -lieu fee programs throughout
North Carolina. Axiom has also developed more than 50 detailed plans providing construction
management for the majority of those sites, and monitored more than 70 mitigation sites.
6.0 FINANCIAL ASSURANCES
Prior to the first credit release, the Sponsor shall provide financial assurances in the form of a
Performance Bond or Letter of Credit sufficient to assure completion of all mitigation work,
required reporting and monitoring, and any remedial work. The Performance Bond or Letter of
Credit will cover anticipated costs for land acquisition, planning and design, legal fees,
surveying, mobilization, construction and planting, monitoring, re -grading contingency (30% of
grading cost), replanting contingency (30% of planting cost), control and/or eradication of
undesirable plant species, control of herbivory; measures to control access and human impacts,
and Corps administrative expenses (10% of estimated costs). The Performance Bond or Letter of
Credit shall be underwritten by a surety company licensed to do business in North Carolina with
a Best's current rating of not less than "A-".
7.0 BASELINE INFORMATION
The Bank is characterized by disturbed forest and agricultural land used for livestock grazing,
crops, and hay production The main hydrologic features of the Bank include Newfound Creek,
Sluder Branch, and an unnamed tributary to New Found Creek (UT 1), wetlands, and floodplains
(Figure 4, Appendix A).
Mitigation Prospectus page 6
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

7.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND LAND USE
The Bank is located in the Broad Basins ecoregion of North Carolina. Regional physiography is
characterized by intermountain basins with low mountains, rolling foothills, and moderately
broad mountain valleys with moderate -gradient streams characterized by cobble and boulder
substrate and low to moderate gradient rivers with sand and bedrock substrates (Griffith et al.
2002). Onsite elevations range from a high of 2000 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum
(NGVD) on slopes of UTI to a low of approximately 1600 feet NGVD at the lowest point of the
Bank (United States Geological Survey [USGS] Leicester, North Carolina 7.5 -minute
topographic quadrangle). Topography within the Bank is depicted on Figures 1 & 4 (Appendix
A).
The Bank provides water quality functions to an approximately 22.48 -square mile watershed at
the Bank outfall (Figure 3, Appendix A). The watershed is dominated by pasture, agricultural
land, forest, and sparse residential property. Impervious surfaces account for less than 5 percent
of the upstream watershed land surface.
Onsite land use is characterized by disturbed forest, hay fields, crops, and livestock pasture.
Riparian zones and wetland areas are primarily composed of herbaceous vegetation that is sparse
and disturbed due to livestock grazing, bush hogging, and regular maintenance activities.
7.2 WATER QUALITY
The Bank is located within the French Broad River Basin in 14 -digit USGS Cataloging Unit and
Targeted Local Watershed 06010105090020 of the South Atlantic/Gulf Region (NCDWQ
Subbasin Number 04-03-04) (Figure 2, Appendix A).
Newfound Creek has been assigned Stream Index Number 6-84, and Sluder Branch has been
assigned Stream Index Number 6-84-5; both have a Best Usage Classification of C (NCDWQ
2013). These waters are suitable for all Class C uses including aquatic life propagation and
survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation, and agriculture. Secondary recreation includes
wading, boating, and other uses not involving human body contact with waters on an organized
or frequent basis.
NCDEQ has assembled a list of impaired waterbodies according to the Clean Water Act Section
303(d) and 40 CFR 130.7, which is a comprehensive public accounting of all impaired
waterbodies. An impaired waterbody is one that does not meet water quality standards including
designated uses, numeric and narrative criteria, and anti -degradation requirements defined in 40
CFR 131. Newfound Creek within, and adjacent to the Bank is listed on the NCDEQ draft 2016
and final 2014 303(d) lists for reduced aquatic life integrity (NCDEQ 2014, NCDEQ 2016).
According to the French Broad River Basin Restoration Priorities (NCEEP 2009), most of
Newfound Creek is impaired, suffering from severe habitat degradation, sedimentation,
excessive nutrient inputs, and high fecal coliform bacteria leading to recommendations for Best
Management Practices (BMPs) and riparian buffers. Vegetation of Bank streams, wetlands,
floodplains, and slopes will reduce sedimentation and pollution associated with current land use
practices, as well improve aquatic and terrestrial habitat.
Mitigation Prospectus page 7
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

7.3 VEGETATION
The Bank is characterized primarily by agricultural land, including pasture, crops, and hay fields,
and some areas of disturbed forest. Hay fields and crops are located along Newfound Creek and
north of Newfound Creek up to Sluder Branch Road. Hay has been planted up to the top of
banks and is growing into the stream channel. Livestock pasture is located south of Newfound
Creek. Pastures are dominated by fescue (Festuca sp.), in addition to opportunistic herbaceous
species. Wetlands are located within pasture land and are dominated by emergent vegetation
such as rushes (Juncus sp.), sedges (Carex sp.), and polygonum (Polygonum sp.). Disturbed
hardwood forest are characterized by black walnut (Juglans nigra), tulip poplar (Liriodendron
tulipifera), and American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis).
7.4 SOILS AND LAND FORM
Based on web soil survey mapping (MRCS 2011), the Bank contains four soil series: Clifton clay
loam (Typic Hapludults), Evard-Cowee complex (Typic Hapludults), French loam (Fluvaquentic
Dystrudepts), and Tate loam (Typic Hapludults). Bank soils are depicted on Figure 4 (Appendix
A) and described in Table 3.
Table 3. Bank Soils
MapUnit
Map Unit
Hydric
Description
Symbol
Name
Status
CkE2/CkD2
Clifton clay
Non-
The Clifton series consists of well -drained, moderately eroded soils that formed
loam
hydric
in residuum weathered from amphibolite or hornblende gneiss. These soils are
on ridges and hill slopes. Slopes range from 15 to 50 percent. Depth to the
seasonal high water table is greater than 80 inches.
EvD2/EvE2
Evard-
Non-
The Evard-Cowee complex consists of well -drained, moderately eroded soils
Cowee
hydric
that formed in residuum weathered from amphibolite or hornblende gneiss.
complex
These soils occur on ridges. Slopes range from 15 to 50 percent. Depth to the
seasonal high water table is greater than 80 inches.
FrA
French
Non-
The French series consists of somewhat poorly drained, occasionally flooded
loam
hydric,
soils that formed in alluvium. These soils are on floodplain with slopes
may
between 0 and 3 percent. Depth to the seasonal high water table is 12 to 30
contain
inches. This soil is considered nonhydric; however, typically contains
hydric
approximately 5 percent hydric inclusion of the Ela series within floodplain
inclusions
depressions.
TaB
Tate loam
Non-
The Tate series consists of well drained soils that are colluvium derived from
hydric
igneous and metamorphic rock. These soils occur in coves, drainageways, and
fans. Slopes are generally between 2 and 8 percent. Depth to seasonal high
water table is greater than 80 inches.
7.5 JURISDICTIONAL STREAMS AND WETLANDS
The main hydrologic features of the Bank include Newfound Creek, Sluder Branch, an unnamed
tributary to Newfound Creek (UTI), and associated riparian wetlands and floodplains.
Newfound Creek is a perennial, fourth -order stream that drains a 22.48 -square mile (14,385 -
acre) watershed at the Bank outfall. Sluder Branch is a perennial, third -order stream that drains a
3.12 -square mile (1997 -acre) watershed at its convergence with Newfound Creek. UT 1 is a
perennial, first -order stream that is currently piped for its entire length within the easement and
drains a 0.10 -square mile (62 -acre) watershed at its outfall from the Bank (Figures 1, 3, & 4,
Appendix A).
Mitigation Prospectus page 8
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Perennial streams within the Bank may be generally characterized as riverine, upper perennial
with unconsolidated bottoms consisting of gravel (R3UB1). Streams located at the Bank have
silt deposits from adjacent sediment inputs and lack stream shading. The Bank encompasses
approximately 4501 linear feet of existing stream channel proposed for mitigation (Table 4 and
Figure 4, Appendix A).
Table 4. Existing Stream Characteristics
* UT1 is currently piped for its entire length within the easement.
Jurisdictional wetlands are defined by the presence of three criteria: hydrophytic vegetation,
hydric soils, and evidence of wetland hydrology during the growing season (Environmental
Laboratory 1987). Portions of the Bank supporting jurisdictional wetlands may originally have
been characterized by palustrine wetlands which were seasonally flooded. However, onsite
wetland areas have been impacted by land use activities and vegetation removal.
Approximately 0.74 acre of the Bank's land area is characterized by drained or disturbed
wetlands (Figure 4, Appendix A). Wetlands were delineated in July 2011 and revisited in
December 2017 to accurately calculate potential wetland mitigation credits.
7.6 STREAM CLASSIFICATION
Bank streams have been characterized based on fluvial geomorphic principles (Rosgen 1996).
Table 5 provides a summary of measured stream geometry attributes under existing conditions
on Newfound Creek and measurements of two reference reaches.
Regional curves (Harmen et al. 2001) were utilized to determine bankf ill channel cross-sectional
area, bankfull width, average bankfull depth, maximum depth, and floodprone area of the
existing Newfound Creek. During field investigations, four cross-sections were measured to
characterize Newfound Creek; Newfound Creek is currently characterized as a C-type channel
dominated by sand substrate. Existing cross-section data is provided in Appendix B with cross-
section locations depicted on Figure 4 (Appendix A).
The valley slope for Newfound Creek measures approximately 0.0017 rise/run. Water surface
slopes were estimated by dividing the valley slope by channel sinuosity. Sinuosity was
measured from topographic surveys, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis of aerial
photography, and visual observations of the stream channel during field surveys, and was
measured at 1.03.
Mitigation Prospectus page 9
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank
Approximate
USGS
USGS Stream
In -Field Stream
Stream Reach
Stream Length
Stream Order
Classification
Classification
(linear feet)
Newfound
Creek/Sluder
3751
Fourth/Third
perennial
perennial
Branch
UTI
750*
First
perennial
N/A*
Total
4501
* UT1 is currently piped for its entire length within the easement.
Jurisdictional wetlands are defined by the presence of three criteria: hydrophytic vegetation,
hydric soils, and evidence of wetland hydrology during the growing season (Environmental
Laboratory 1987). Portions of the Bank supporting jurisdictional wetlands may originally have
been characterized by palustrine wetlands which were seasonally flooded. However, onsite
wetland areas have been impacted by land use activities and vegetation removal.
Approximately 0.74 acre of the Bank's land area is characterized by drained or disturbed
wetlands (Figure 4, Appendix A). Wetlands were delineated in July 2011 and revisited in
December 2017 to accurately calculate potential wetland mitigation credits.
7.6 STREAM CLASSIFICATION
Bank streams have been characterized based on fluvial geomorphic principles (Rosgen 1996).
Table 5 provides a summary of measured stream geometry attributes under existing conditions
on Newfound Creek and measurements of two reference reaches.
Regional curves (Harmen et al. 2001) were utilized to determine bankf ill channel cross-sectional
area, bankfull width, average bankfull depth, maximum depth, and floodprone area of the
existing Newfound Creek. During field investigations, four cross-sections were measured to
characterize Newfound Creek; Newfound Creek is currently characterized as a C-type channel
dominated by sand substrate. Existing cross-section data is provided in Appendix B with cross-
section locations depicted on Figure 4 (Appendix A).
The valley slope for Newfound Creek measures approximately 0.0017 rise/run. Water surface
slopes were estimated by dividing the valley slope by channel sinuosity. Sinuosity was
measured from topographic surveys, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis of aerial
photography, and visual observations of the stream channel during field surveys, and was
measured at 1.03.
Mitigation Prospectus page 9
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Table 5. Stream Geometry and Classification
Variables
Sinuosity (Sin)
REFERENCE- STONE MTN
REFERENCE- CRANBERRY
Stream Type
1104.9
Cb3
Average Water Surface Slope (Save)
E4
Drainage Area (miz)
Valley Slope (Svalley)
0.0131
7.46
Mean:
Range:
0.70
Bankfull Discharge (cfs)
3.6
3.4-3 . 8
Mean:
Range:
75.3
Mean:
Range:
28.7
Mean:
Range:
8.0
Mean:
Range:
425.0
350-500
Dimension Ratios
Dimension Variables
8.9
7.4-10.5
Mean:
Range:
Bankfull Cross -Sectional Area (Abkf)
Mean:
Range:
2.2
2.0-2.4
46.0
1.0
1.0 - 1.06
20.2
Existing Cross -Sectional Area (Aexlsting)
Mean:
Range:
1.0
0.9-1.05
45.9-46.1
1.4
19.9-20.4
Bankfull Width (Wbkf)
Mean:
30.1
Mean:
12.5
Range:
27.2-33.0
Range:
11.8 - 13.2
Bankfull Mean Depth (Dbkf)
Mean:
1.6
Mean:
1.6
Range:
1.4 - 1.7
Range:
1.5 - 1.7
Bankfull Maximum Depth (Dmax)
Mean:
2.4
Mean:
1.9
Range:
2.2-2.6
Range:
Pool Width (WPool)
Mean:
24.4
Mean:
15.7
Range:
23.8-25.0
Range:
Maximum Pool Depth (DPool)
Mean:
2.7
Mean:
2.7
Range:
2.6-2.7
Range:
Mean:
100.0
Mean:
75.0
Width of Floodprone Area (Wfpa)
Range:
Range:
Dimension Ratios
Entrenchment Ratio (Wfpa/Wbkf)
Mean:
3.4
Mean:
6.0
Range:
3.0-3.7
Range:
5.7-6.4
Width / Depth Ratio (Wbkf/Dbkf)
Mean:
20.0
Mean:
7.8
Range:
16.1 -23.8
Range:
7.0-8.5
Max. Dbkf/ Dbkf Ratio
Mean:
1.6
Mean:
1.2
Range:
1.5 - 1.6
Range:
1.1 - 1.3
Low Bank Height / Max. Dbkf Ratio
Mean:
1.3
Mean:
1.0
Range:
1.0 - 1.6
Range:
Maximum Pool Depth / Bankfull
Mean:
1.7
Mean:
1.7
Mean Depth (Dpool/Dbkf)
Range:
1.6 - 1.9
Range:
1.6 - 1.8
Pool Width / Bankfull
Mean:
0.8
Mean:
1.3
Width (Wpool/Wbkf)
Range:
0.7-0.9
Range:
1.2-1.3
Pool Area / Bankfull
Mean:
0.9
Mean:
1.4
Cross Sectional Area
Range:
0.9 - 1.0
Range:
1.4 - 1.5
Pattern Variables
Sinuosity (Sin)
1.20 1.04
22.00
1104.9
Profile Variables
Average Water Surface Slope (Save)
0.0121
0.0112
Valley Slope (Svalley)
0.0131
0.0116
Existing Newfound Creek
C4
22.00
1104.9
Dimension Variables
175.3
173.2-176.4
Mean:
Range:
48.8
46-51.6
Mean:
Range:
3.6
3.4-3 . 8
Mean:
Range:
7.6
7.3-8.0
Mean:
Range:
48.0
Mean:
Range:
8.0
Mean:
Range:
425.0
350-500
Dimension Ratios
Mean:
Range:
8.9
7.4-10.5
Mean:
Range:
13.8
12.1 -15.4
Mean:
Range:
2.2
2.0-2.4
Mean:
Range:
1.0
1.0 - 1.06
Mean:
Range:
2.2
2.1 -2 . 4
Mean:
Range:
1.0
0.9-1.05
Mean:
Range:
1.4
Pattern Variables
1.03
Profile Variables
0.0016
0.0017

7.7 REFERENCE STUDIES
Distinct bankfull indicators were present within the reference stream channels. In addition,
dimension, pattern, and profile variables have not been altered or degraded, allowing for
assistance with designing the proposed restoration reaches. The table of Stream Geometry and
Classification (Table 5) includes a summary of dimension, profile, and pattern data for each
reference reach. Channel cross-sections were measured at systematic locations and stream
profiles were developed via total station.
7.7.1 Stone Mountain Reference Reach
Stone Mountain is located in northern Wilkes County in Stone Mountain State Park
approximately 90 miles to the northeast of the Bank. Alterations, development, and impervious
surfaces within the watershed are minimal.
Stream geometry and substrate data have been evaluated to classify the reference reach based on
a classification utilizing fluvial geomorphic principles (Rosgen 1996a). This classification
stratifies streams into comparable groups based on pattern, dimension, profile, and substrate
characteristics. The reference reach is characterized as a Cb -type, low sinuosity (1.08) channel
with a cobble -dominated substrate. Cb -type streams are characterized as slightly to moderatly
entrenched, riffle -pool channels exhibiting a moderate to high width -depth ratio. Cb -type
streams often occur in narrower valleys with moderately -developed alluvial floodplains.
The reference stream has an approximately 7.5 -square mile watershed and a bankfull discharge
of 75.3 cubic feet per second based on bankfull indicators.
Stream cross-sections and profiles were measured along the reference stream. The stream reach
is transporting its sediment supply while maintaining stable dimension, pattern, and profile.
Dimension: Data collected at the reference reach indicates a bankf ill cross-sectional area
of 46.0 square feet, a bankfull width of 30.1 feet, a bankfull depth of 1.6 feet, and a width -to -
depth ratio of 20.0. Regional curves predict that the stream should exhibit a bankfull cross-
sectional area of approximately 85.0 square feet for the approximate 7.5 -square mile watershed
(Harman et al. 2001), slightly above the 46.0 -square feet displayed by channel bankfull
indicators identified in the field.
The reference reach exhibits a bank -height ratio averaging 1.3, which is slightly high for a stable
Cb -type channel. In addition, the width of the floodprone area is approximately 100 feet giving
the channel an entrenchment ratio of 3.0 to 3.7, typical of a stable C-type channel.
Pattern: In -field measurements of the reference reach have yielded an average sinuosity
of 1.2 (thalweg distance/straight-line distance). Other channel pattern attributes include an
average pool -to -pool spacing ratio (Lp_p/Wbkf) of 3.5, a meander wavelength ratio (Lm/Wbkf) Of
6.6, and a radius of curvature ratio (Rc/Wbkf) of 3.1. These variables were measured within a
stable, forested reach, which did not exhibit any indications of pattern instability such as shoot
cutoffs, abandoned channels, or oxbows.
Mitigation Prospectus page 11
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Profile: Based on elevational profile surveys, the reference reach is characterized by a
valley slope of 0.0131 (rise/run). Ratios of the reference reach riffle, run, pool, and glide slopes
to average water surface slope are 0.98, 0.80, 0.70, and 0.34, respectively.
Substrate: The channel is characterized by a channel substrate dominated by cobble -sized
particles.
7.7.2 Cranberry Creek Reference Reach
Cranberry Creek is located in Burke County approximately 90 miles to the northeast of the Bank.
Alterations, development, and impervious surfaces within the watershed are minimal.
The reference reach is characterized as an E -type, low sinuosity (1.04) channel with a cobble -
dominated substrate. E -type streams are characterized as slightly entrenched, riffle -pool
channels. In North Carolina, E -type streams often occur in narrow to wide valleys with well-
developed alluvial floodplains (Valley Type VIII). E -type channels are typically considered
stable; however, these streams are sensitive to upstream drainage basin changes and/or channel
disturbance, and may rapidly convert to other stream types.
The reference stream has an approximately 0.7 -square mile watershed and a bankfull discharge
of 28.7 cubic feet per second based on bankf ill indicators.
Stream cross-sections and profiles were measured along the reference stream. The stream reach
is transporting its sediment supply while maintaining stable dimension, pattern, and profile.
Dimension: Data collected at the reference reach indicates a bankfall cross-sectional area
of 20.2 square feet, a bankfull width of 12.5 feet, a bankfull depth of 1.6 feet, and a width -to -
depth ratio of 7.8. Regional curves predict that the stream should exhibit a bankfull cross-
sectional area of approximately 17.4 square feet for the approximate 0.7 -square mile watershed
(Harman et al. 2001), slightly below the 20.2 -square feet displayed by channel bankfull
indicators identified in the field.
The reference reach exhibits a bank -height ratio of 1.0, which is representative of a stable E -type
channel. In addition, the width of the floodprone area is approximately 75 feet giving the
channel an entrenchment ratio of 5.7 to 6.4, typical of a stable E -type channel.
Pattern: In -field measurements of the reference reach have yielded an average sinuosity
of 1.04 (thalweg distance/straight-line distance). Other channel pattern attributes include an
average pool -to -pool spacing ratio (Lp_p/Wbkf) of 4.4, a meander wavelength ratio (Lm/Wbkf) Of
8.3, and a radius of curvature ratio (Rc/Wbkf) of 3.8. These variables were measured within a
stable, forested reach, which did not exhibit any indications of pattern instability such as shoot
cutoffs, abandoned channels, or oxbows.
Profile: Based on elevational profile surveys, the reference reach is characterized by a
valley slope of 0.0116 (rise/run). Ratios of the reference reach riffle, run, pool, and glide slopes
to average water surface slope are 1.74, 0.13, 0, and 0.25, respectively.
Mitigation Prospectus page 12
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Substrate: The channel is characterized by a channel substrate dominated by Cobble -
sized particles.
7.7.3 Reference Forest Ecosystem
Reference Forest Ecosystems (RFE) are forested areas on which to model restoration efforts of
the Bank in relation to soils and vegetation. RFEs should be ecologically stable climax
communities and should represent historical (predisturbance) conditions of the Bank.
Quantitative data describing plant community composition and structure are collected at the
RFEs and subsequently applied as reference data for design of the Bank planting scheme.
The RFE for this project is located on the Stone Mountain Reference reach. The RFE supports
plant community and landform characteristics that restoration efforts will attempt to emulate.
Tree and shrub species identified within the reference forest and outlined in Table 6 will be used,
in addition to other relevant species in appropriate Schafale and Weakley (1990) community
descriptions.
Table 6. Reference Forest Ecosystem
Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest
Canopy Species
Understory Species
white pine (Pinus strobus)
dogwood (Cornus orida)
white oak (Quercus alba)
ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana)
sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
spice bush (Lindera benzoin)
black locust (Robiniapseudoacacia)
rhododendron (Rhododendrons .)
red maple (Acer rubrum)
wild azalea (Rhododendron ericl menoides)
red oak (Quercus sp.)
strawberry bush (Euon mous americana)
black the (Prunus serotina)
tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)
hemlock (Tsuga sp.)
7.8 FEDERALLY PROTECTED SPECIES
Based on the most recent list as updated by the USFWS on October 19, 2017, 15 federally
protected species are listed for Buncombe County. Table 7 lists the federally protected species
for Buncombe County and indicates if potential habitat exists within the Bank for each; species
descriptions and preliminary biological conclusions follow. No designated unit of Critical
Habitat is located in Buncombe County.
Mitigation Prospectus page 13
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Table 7. Federallv Protected Sbecies for Buncombe Countv
* Historic
** Historic and obscure
Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will occur in support of the
project, with surveys for protected species occurring, as needed, prior to permitting of the
project. Record searches from the Natural Heritage Program indicate that federally protected
species have not been documented within a mile of the Site boundaries.
Bog Turtle
The bog turtle is typically found in bogs, marshes, and wet pastures, usually in association with
aquatic or semi -aquatic vegetation and small, shallow streams over soft bottoms. Suitable
habitat occurs within the Bank for bog turtle in existing degraded wetlands. This species' status
is Threatened due to similarity of appearance with another rare species and is not subject to
Section 7 consultation in North Carolina.
Biological Conclusion: Not Required
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
The Carolina northern flying squirrel typically occurs in spruce -fir forests and mature hardwood
forest adjacent to spruce -fir forests at elevations above 4000 feet. Endemic to the Appalachians
of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, this subspecies is known from the Great
Smoky Mountains, Roan Mountain, and Mount Mitchell. Habitat for this species is not present
within the Bank; therefore, this project will have no effect on the Carolina northern flying
squirrel.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Mitigation Prospectus page 14
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank
Habitat
Common Name
Scientific Name
Status
Present
Biological Conclusion
Within Bank
Bog turtle
Clemmys muhlenbergii
Threatened
Yes
Not Required
Carolina northern flying
Glaucomys sabrinus
Endangered
No
No Effect
squirrel
coloratus
Gray bat
M otis grisescens
Endangered
No
No Effect
Northern long-eared bat
Myotis septentrionalis
Threatened
Yes
Unresolved
Spotfin chub
Erimonax monachus
Threatened*
Yes
Unresolved
Appalachian elktoe
Alasmidonta raveneliana
Endangered
Yes
Unresolved
Rusty -patched bumble
Bombus affinis
Endangered*
Yes
Unresolved
bee
Spruce -fir moss spider
Microhexura montiva a
Endangered
No
No Effect
Tan riffleshell
Epioblasma florentina
Endangered**
Yes
No Effect
walker
Blue Ride goldenrod
Solida o s ithamaea
Threatened
No
No Effect
Bunched arrowhead
Sa ittaria asciculata
Endangered*
No
No Effect
Mountain sweet
Sarracenia rubra ssp.
Endangered
Yes
Unresolved
pitcherplant
jonesii
Spreading avens
Geum radiatum
Endangered
No
No Effect
Virginia spirea
Spiraea virginiana
Threatened*
No
Unresolved
Rock gnome lichen
Gymnoderma lineare t
Endangered
No
No Effect
* Historic
** Historic and obscure
Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will occur in support of the
project, with surveys for protected species occurring, as needed, prior to permitting of the
project. Record searches from the Natural Heritage Program indicate that federally protected
species have not been documented within a mile of the Site boundaries.
Bog Turtle
The bog turtle is typically found in bogs, marshes, and wet pastures, usually in association with
aquatic or semi -aquatic vegetation and small, shallow streams over soft bottoms. Suitable
habitat occurs within the Bank for bog turtle in existing degraded wetlands. This species' status
is Threatened due to similarity of appearance with another rare species and is not subject to
Section 7 consultation in North Carolina.
Biological Conclusion: Not Required
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
The Carolina northern flying squirrel typically occurs in spruce -fir forests and mature hardwood
forest adjacent to spruce -fir forests at elevations above 4000 feet. Endemic to the Appalachians
of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, this subspecies is known from the Great
Smoky Mountains, Roan Mountain, and Mount Mitchell. Habitat for this species is not present
within the Bank; therefore, this project will have no effect on the Carolina northern flying
squirrel.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Mitigation Prospectus page 14
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Gray Bat
Gray bats roost in large limestone caves year-round and migrate from summer maternity colonies
and bachelor roosts in late summer to caves used for hibernation. Maternity roosts are typically
located in caves with large flowing streams. Roosts are located near large permanent water
bodies, such as rivers and reservoirs, over which gray bats forage. North Carolina is on the
periphery of the range for gray bat, and in North Carolina, this species is known from a single
individual, which had been tagged in Tennessee and probably represents a vagrant. Habitat for
this species is not present within the Bank; therefore, this project will have no effect on the gray
bat.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Northern Long-eared Bat
During summer, northern long-eared bats roost singly or in colonies underneath bark, in cavities,
or in crevices of both live and dead trees. Males and non -reproductive females may also roost in
cooler places, like caves and mines. This bat seems opportunistic in selecting roosts, using tree
species based on suitability to retain bark or provide cavities or crevices. It has also been found,
rarely, roosting in structures like barns and sheds. Northern long-eared bats spend winter
hibernating in caves and mines, called hibernacula. They typically use large caves or mines with
large passages and entrances, characterized by constant temperatures and high humidity with no
air currents. Specific hibernation areas have very high humidity, such that droplets of water are
often seen on their fur. Within hibernacula, surveyors find them in small crevices or cracks,
often with only the nose and ears visible. Potential habitat for this species may be present within
the Bank; therefore, coordination with USFWS will occur prior to permitting the project.
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Spotfin Chub
In North Carolina, the spotfin chub is presently restricted to the Little Tennessee River system,
although it formerly occurred in the French Broad drainage as well. The spotfin chub is typically
found in clear waters of medium-sized streams and rivers of moderate gradient. Spotfin chub do
not tolerate heavily silted conditions and are reported to prefer areas with moderate to swift flow
over large bars and beds of small to medium-sized gravel. Spotfin chub occasionally occur in
sandy areas. Potential habitat for this species may be present within the Bank; therefore,
coordination with USFWS will occur prior to permitting the project.
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Appalachian Elktoe
Appalachian elktoe is endemic to the upper Tennessee River system in the mountains of western
North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. In North Carolina, this species is now restricted to the
Tennessee drainages. Suitable habitat for Appalachian elktoe is well -oxygenated riffle areas
with sand and gravel substrate among cobbles and boulders. Current is usually moderate to swift
and depth is no more than 3 feet. Potential habitat for this species may be present within the
Bank; therefore, coordination with USFWS will occur prior to permitting the project.
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Mitigation Prospectus page 15
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Rusty -patched Bumblebee
Rusty -patched bumble bees once occupied grasslands and tallgrass prairies of the Upper
Midwest and Northeast, but most grasslands and prairies have been lost, degraded, or fragmented
by conversion to other uses. Bumble bees need areas that provide nectar and pollen from
flowers, nesting sites (underground and abandoned rodent cavities or clumps of grasses), and
overwintering sites for hibernating queens (undisturbed soil). Potential habitat for this species
may be present within the Bank; therefore, coordination with USFWS will occur prior to
permitting the project.
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Spruce -fir Moss Spider
This species is known only from spruce -fir forests in the Appalachian mountains of North
Carolina and Tennessee. The spruce -fir moss spider occurs in well -drained moss and liverwort
mats growing on rocks or boulders. These mats are found in well -shaded areas in mature, high -
elevation (>5000 feet mean sea level) Fraser fir, and red spruce forests. The spruce -fir moss
spider is very sensitive to desiccation and requires environments of high and constant humidity.
Habitat for this species is not present within the Bank; therefore, this project will have no effect
on the spruce -fir moss spider.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Tan Riffleshell
The tan riffleshell is considered by state biologists and the North Carolina Natural Heritage
Program to be extirpated in North Carolina. Historically it occurred in the French Broad and
other adjacent river basins. However, as no tan riffleshell are believed to presently occur in the
state, with little or no hope of being re -discovered, this project will have no effect on the tan
riffleshell.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Blue Ridge Goldenrod
Blue Ridge goldenrod, endemic to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee,
occurs in the High Elevation Rocky Summit natural community generally at or above elevations
of 4600 feet above mean sea level along cliffs, ledges, balds, and dry rock crevices of granite
outcrops of the higher mountain peaks. This early pioneer herb usually grows in full sun on
generally acidic soils of shallow humus or clay loams that are intermittently saturated. The
encroachment of woody vegetation such as ericaceous shrubs can eliminate the goldenrod
through competition and shading. Roan Mountain bluet, Heller's blazing star, and spreading
avens are a few of its common associate species. Habitat for this species is not present within
the Bank; therefore, this project will have no effect on Blue Ridge goldenrod.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Bunched Arrowhead
Bunched arrowhead is found rooted in shallow water in or along shallow, sluggish streams
flowing through mountain swamps or bogs. Typical substrate is reported to be siliceous and
micaceous silty muck, often with high sulfide content. Habitat for this species is not present
within the Bank; therefore, this project will have no effect on bunched arrowhead.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Mitigation Prospectus page 16
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Mountain Sweet Pitcher Plant
Mountain sweet pitcher plant is found in bogs and streamsides along the Blue Ridge Divide.
Populations are usually found in level depressions in floodplains, but a few populations have
been found along waterfalls on granite rockfaces. Habitat for this species is present within the
Bank; therefore, plant by plant surveys were completed on July 26, 2011 for this species during
the optimal survey window. Surveys resulted in no findings of mountain sweet pitcher plant;
however, surveys will be updated during the optimal survey window between April -October.
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Spreading Avens
Spreading avens usually occurs at elevations greater than 5000 feet (1524 meters) in mountain
grass balds or in grassy clearings in heath balds as well as in crevices of granitic rock; it cannot
tolerate shading or crowding. Habitat for this species is not present within the Bank; therefore,
this project will have no effect on spreading avens.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
Virginia Spirea
Endemic to the southern Appalachians, Virginia spiraea is restricted to disturbance -prone
riverine areas, specifically along scoured banks of high gradient streams, meander scrolls, point
bars, natural levees, and braided features of lower stream reaches. Disturbance is required for
removal of woody competitors and to aid in establishment of colonies. Habitat for this species is
present within the Bank; therefore, plant by plant surveys were completed on July 26, 2011 for
this species during the optimal survey window. Surveys resulted in no findings of Virginia
spirea; however, surveys will be updated during the optimal survey window between May -early
July.
Biological Conclusion: Unresolved
Rock Gnome Lichen
The rock gnome lichen is endemic to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Most
populations occur above 5000 feet in elevation in areas subject to frequent fog cover; however,
the species has been found at lower elevations in deep gorges with a similarly high humidity
regime. Rock gnome lichen typically occurs on vertical rock faces subject to intermittent
seepage. Habitat for this species is not present within the Bank; therefore, this project will have
no effect on rock gnome lichen.
Biological Conclusion: No Effect
7.9 HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS
According to a letter dated November 17, 2011 from Renee Gledhill -Earley of the North
Carolina Department of Cultural Resources State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) "there is
one previously recorded archaeological site, 31BN70, at or adjacent to the project area."
Therefore, comprehensive surveys were conducted at the Bank by Blue Ridge Archeological
Consultants. During the course of the survey, no sites were located within the project area, and
in a letter dated October 25, 2012 from Renee Gledhill -Earley, SHPO concurred with the
recommendation that no further archaeological investigations be conducted in connection with
the project since the project will not involve significant archaeological resources (Appendix Q.
Mitigation Prospectus page 17
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

7.10 NATURAL HERITAGE ELEMENT DATA
No element occurrences or natural areas are documented to occur within the project area.
Managed areas are located immediately adjacent to, but not within, the proposed stream and
wetland conservation easement for the Bank as follows.
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Easement
NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund Easement
One additional managed area, Buncombe County Open Space, is located within a one -mile
radius of the Bank (Appendix D)
7.11 SITE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION CONSTRAINTS
The presence of conditions or characteristics that have the potential to hinder restoration
activities on the Bank was evaluated. The evaluation focused primarily on the presence of
hazardous materials, utilities and restrictive easements, rare/threatened/endangered species or
critical habitats, cultural resources, and the potential for hydrologic trespass. Existing
information regarding constraints was acquired and reviewed. In addition, any Bank conditions
that have the potential to restrict the restoration design and implementation were documented
during the field investigation.
A powerline traverses a portion of the Bank and will be left out of the conservation easement. In
addition, several watering structures currently within the easement will be removed from and/or
moved outside of the proposed easement. Portions of the easement adjacent to livestock grazing
areas will be fenced to keep cattle out of the easement. No other evidence of natural and/or man-
made conditions was identified that has the potential to impede proposed restoration activities.
8.0 MITIGATION WORK PLAN
Primary activities proposed at the Bank include 1) stream restoration, 2) stream enhancement
(level I), 3) stream enhancement (level II), 4) wetland restoration, 5) wetland enhancement, 4)
construction of marsh treatment areas, and 5) plant community restoration (Figure 5, Appendix
A).
8.1 STREAM RESTORATION
Stream restoration efforts are designed to restore a stable stream that approximates
hydrodynamics, stream geometry, and local microtopography relative to reference conditions.
Restoration on UTI, which is currently piped, will be Priority I restoration; therefore, bankfull
elevations will meet the adjacent valley floodplain elevation. The upper reach of Sluder Branch
is proposed for Priority II restoration to increase the radius of curvature of a very sharp, highly
eroding outer bend.
Stream restoration is expected to entail 1) channel excavation, 2) channel stabilization, 3)
channel diversion, and 4) channel backfill. In -stream structures may be placed in the channel to
elevate local water surface profiles, potentially flattening the water energy slope or gradient and
directing stream energy into the center of the channel and away from banks.
Mitigation Prospectus page 18
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

8.2 STREAM ENHANCEMENT (LEVEL I)
Stream enhancement (level I) will occur on Newfound Creek and the majority of Sluder Branch
within the Bank. Stream dimension will be restored in these reaches; eroding outer bends will be
stabilized with erosion control matting, livestakes, and larger containerized trees where needed;
fencing will be erected to exclude livestock; current land management practices will be ceased;
marsh treatment areas will be constructed; and riparian buffers will be planted with native forest
vegetation to facilitate stream recovery and prevent further degradation.
Marsh Treatment Areas
Shallow wetland marsh treatment areas will be excavated in the floodplain to intercept surface
waters draining through agricultural areas prior to discharging into Newfound Creek. Marsh
treatment areas will consist of shallow depressions to provide treatment and attenuation of initial
stormwater pulses coming off Sluder Branch Road. The outfall of each treatment area will be
constructed of hydraulically stable rip -rap or other suitable material that will protect against
headcut migration into the constructed depression and/or upstream stream reaches. It is expected
that the treatment areas will fill with sediment and organic matter over time.
8.3 STREAM ENHANCEMENT (LEVEL II)
Stream enhancement (level II) is proposed along a short reach of Sluder Branch and will entail
the cessation of current land management practices; planting riparian buffers with native forest
vegetation; and stabilizing any eroding outer bends with erosion control matting, livestakes, and
larger containerized trees, where necessary.
8.4 WETLAND RESTORATION
Alternatives for wetland reestablishment are designed to restore a fully functioning wetland
system, which will provide surface water storage, nutrient cycling, removal of imported elements
and compounds, and will create a variety and abundance of wildlife habitat. Wetland
reestablishment will focus on the restoration of stream corridors that are currently piped to
reestablish historic groundwater tables, soil structure, and microtopographic variations, as well as
planting native, riparian vegetation. These activities will result in the reestablishment 0.30 acre
of jurisdictional riparian riverine wetlands.
8.5 WETLAND ENHANCEMENT
Bank wetland areas have endured significant disturbance from land use activities such as land
clearing, agriculture, livestock grazing, and other anthropogenic maintenance. Wetland areas
will be revegetated with native herbaceous and shrub vegetation typical of wetland bog
communities in the region. Emphasis will focus on developing a diverse plant assemblage and
will result in the enhancement of 0.44 acre of wetland.
8.6 PLANT COMMUNITY RESTORATION
Restoration of floodplain forest and stream -side habitat allows for development and expansion of
characteristic species across the landscape. Ecotonal changes between community types
contribute to diversity and provide secondary benefits, such as enhanced feeding and nesting
opportunities for mammals, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife.
Mitigation Prospectus page 19
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Variations in vegetative planting will occur based on topographic locations and hydraulic
conditions of the soil. Vegetative species composition will mimic reference forest data, onsite
observations, and community descriptions from Classification of the Natural Communities of
North Carolina (Schafale and Weakley 1990) and the North Carolina Wetlands Assessment
Method (NC WFAT 2010). Community associations that may be utilized include 1)
Piedmont/Low Mountain Alluvial Forest, 2) Bog, and 3) stream -side assemblage within 15 feet
of stream banks.
8.7 NUISANCE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Prior to planting invasive species including Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), multiflora rose
(Rosa multiflora), and royal paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) will be controlled, as necessary.
Beaver, privet, and other potential nuisance species will be monitored over the course of the 7 -
year monitoring period. Appropriate actions to ameliorate any negative impacts regarding
vegetation development and/or water management will occur on an as -needed basis.
9.0 MAINTENANCE AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN
In the event that success criteria are not fulfilled at the Bank, a mechanism for contingency will
be implemented. The maintenance and adaptive management plan as discussed below includes
contingency for stream, hydrology, and vegetation components of the Bank as well as other
components of the Bank including easement boundaries, fencing, and marsh treatment areas.
Stream Contingency
Stream contingency may include maintenance to areas of the stream bank where stormwater or
floodplain flows are intercepted to prevent bank failure and head -cutting of the channel. The
method of contingency is expected to be dependent upon stream variables that are not in
compliance with success criteria.
Hydrologic Contingency
Hydrologic contingency may include floodplain surface modifications such as construction of
ephemeral pools, deep ripping of the soil profile, installation of berms to retard surface water
flows, supplemental planting, and/or maintenance to areas of the wetland where stormwater or
floodplain flows are intercepted to prevent scour. Recommendations for contingency to establish
wetland hydrology may be implemented and monitored until hydrology success criteria are
achieved. In the event that beaver become a nuisance within the Bank, beaver management will
be initiated and continued on an as -needed basis in accordance with North Carolina Wildlife
Resource Commission (NCWRC) rules and regulations.
Vegetation Contingency
If vegetation success criteria are not achieved based on average density calculations from
combined plots over the entire restoration area, supplemental planting will be performed with
tree species approved by regulatory agencies. Supplemental planting will be performed as
needed until achievement of vegetation success criteria. Other vegetation maintenance and
repair activities may include pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. In the event that exotic invasive
plant species require treatment, such species will be controlled by mechanical and/or chemical
Mitigation Prospectus page 20
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

methods in accordance with North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) rules and
regulations.
Easement Boundaries and Fencing
Bank boundaries will be identified in the field to ensure clear distinction between the mitigation
Bank and adjacent properties. Boundaries will be delineated by fencing and/or boundary
markers. Fencing and boundary markers disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be repaired
and/or replaced on an as -needed basis.
Marsh Treatment Areas
Marsh treatment areas used to intercept initial stormwater pulses will be visually inspected
throughout the mitigation monitoring period. These areas are expected to naturalize and
maintenance is not anticipated.
10.0 MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Monitoring requirements and success criteria outlined in this plan follow the October 24, 2016
NC Interagency Review Team Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory
Mitigation Update. Monitoring data collected at the Bank should include reference photos, plant
survival analysis, channel stability analysis, and biological data, if specifically required by
permit conditions.
Wetland hydrology is proposed to be monitored for a period of seven years (years 1-7). Riparian
vegetation and stream morphology is proposed to be monitored for a period of seven years with
measurements completed in years 1-3, year 5, and year 7. If monitoring demonstrates the Bank
is successful by year 5 and no concerns have been identified, SBMC may propose to terminate
monitoring at the Site and forego monitoring requirements for years 6 and 7. Early closure will
only be provided through written approval from the USACE in consultation with the IRT.
Monitoring will be conducted by Axiom Environmental, Inc. Annual monitoring reports of the
data collected will be submitted to the NCDMS by SBMC no later than December 31 of each
monitoring year data is collected.
Table 8. Monitoring Schedule
Resource Year 1
Year 2
Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7
Streams
Wetlands
Vegetation
Macroinvertebrates
Visual Assessment
Report Submittal
10.1 STREAM MONITORING
Annual monitoring will include development of channel cross-sections and substrate on riffles
and pools. Data to be presented in graphic and tabular format will include 1) cross-sectional
area, 2) bankfull width, 3) average depth, 4) maximum depth, and 5) width -to -depth ratio.
Longitudinal profiles will not be measured routinely unless monitoring demonstrates channel
Mitigation Prospectus page 21
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

bank or bed instability, in which case, longitudinal profiles may be required by the USACE
along reaches of concern to track changes and demonstrate stability.
Table 9. Stream Monitoring Summary
Parameter
Method
Schedule/Frequency
Number/Extent
Stream Profile
Full longitudinal survey
As -built (unless otherwise
All restored stream
required)
channels
Stream Dimension
Cross-sections
Years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7
Two per 1000 feet of
restored channels
Visual Assessments
Yearly
All restored stream
channels
Only if instability is
Channel Stability
Bank Pins
Yearly
documented during
monitoring
Only if instability is
Additional Cross-sections
Yearly
documented during
monitoring
Continuous monitoring
Continuous recording
Stream Hydrology
water level gauges and/or
through monitoring period
One gauge
trail camera
Visual Assessments
Visual assessment of in -stream structures will be conducted to determine if failure has occurred.
Failure of a structure may be indicated by collapse of the structure, undermining of the structure,
abandonment of the channel around the structure, and/or stream flow beneath the structure. In
addition, visual assessments of the entire channel will be conducted in each of the seven years of
monitoring as outlined in the October 24, 2016 NC Interagency Review Team Wilmington
District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update. Areas of concern will be
depicted on a plan view figure identifying the location of concern along with a written
assessment and photograph of the area.
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling will be conducted once before construction (baseline
conditions) and once during monitoring years 3, 5, and 7. Macroinvertebrate sampling will be
conducted in accordance with the "Qual 4" method described in Standard Operating Procedures
for Collection and Analysis of Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Version 5.0 (NCDWR 2016). In
addition, sampling will occur during the "index period" referenced in Small Streams Biocriteria
Development (NCDWQ 2009). Results will be presented on a site -by -site basis and will include
a list of taxa collected, an enumeration of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Tricopetera taxa as
well as Biotic Index values. Benthic Macroinvertebrate sampling data will not be tied to success
criteria; however, the data may be used as a tool to observe positive gains to in -stream habitat.
10.1.1 Stream Success Criteria
Monitoring and success criteria for stream restoration should relate to project goals and
objectives identified from on-site NC SAM data collection. From a mitigation perspective,
several of the goals and objectives are assumed to be functionally elevated by restoration
activities without direct measurement. Other goals and objectives will be considered successful
upon achieving vegetation success criteria. The following summarizes stream success criteria,
Mitigation Prospectus page 22
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

per the October 24, 2016 NC Interagency Review Team Wilmington District Stream and
Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update.
• All streams must maintain an Ordinary High -Water Mark (OHWM), per RGL 05-
05.
• Continuous surface flow must be documented each year for at least 30
consecutive days.
• Bank height ratio (BHR) cannot exceed 1.2 for a majority of measured cross
sections on a given reach.
• Entrenchment ratio (ER) must be 1.4 or above for a majority of measured riffle
cross-sections on a given reach.
• BHR and ER should not change by more than 10% in any given year for a
majority of a given reach.
• Must document occurrence of at least 4 bankfull events in separate years during
the monitoring period.
10.2 WETLAND MONITORING
Groundwater monitoring gauges will be installed to take measurements after hydrological
modifications are performed at the Site. Hydrological sampling will continue throughout the
entire year at intervals necessary to satisfy jurisdictional hydrology success criteria. In addition,
an on-site rain gauge will document rainfall data for comparison of groundwater conditions with
extended drought conditions and floodplain crest gauges (or other suitable recording devices)
will be installed to confirm overbank flooding events.
Table 10. Wetland Monitoring Summary
Parameter
Method Schedule/Frequency
Number/Extent
Data Collected
2 gauges spread
Soil temperature at the
Wetland
Groundwater As -built, Years 1, 2,
throughout
beginning of each monitoring
Reestablishment
gauges 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
reestablished
period, groundwater and rain
wetlands
data for each monitoring period
10.2.1 Wetland Success Criteria
The following summarizes wetland success criteria, per the October 24, 2016 NC Interagency
Review Team Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update.
• Saturation or inundation within the upper 12 inches of the soil surface for, at a minimum,
10 percent of the growing season, during average climatic conditions
During years with atypical climatic conditions, groundwater gauges in reference wetlands may
dictate threshold hydrology success criteria (75 percent of reference). These areas are expected
to support hydrophytic vegetation. If wetland parameters are marginal as indicated by vegetation
and/or hydrology monitoring, a jurisdictional determination will be performed. The
jurisdictional determination will not supersede monitoring data, or overturn a failure in meeting
success criteria; however, this information may be used by the IRT, at the discretion of the IRT,
to make a final determination on Site wetland re-establishment success.
Mitigation Prospectus page 23
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

10.3 VEGETATION
After planting has been completed in winter or early spring, an initial evaluation will be
performed to verify planting methods and to determine initial species composition and density.
Supplemental planting and additional Site modifications will be implemented, if necessary.
During quantitative vegetation sampling, plots (100 square meters in size) will be installed
within the Site as per guidelines established in CYS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation,
Version 4.2 (Lee et al. 2008). In each sample plot, vegetation parameters to be monitored
include species composition and species density. Visual observations of the percent cover of
shrub and herbaceous species will also be documented by photograph.
Table 11. Vegetation Monitoring Summary
Parameter
Method
Schedule/Frequency
Number/Extent
Data Collected
Permanent vegetation
As -built, Years 1, 2,
10 plots spread
Species, height,
plots 0.0247 acre (100
3, 5, and 7
across the Site
location, planted vs.
Vegetation
square meters) in size
volunteer, and age
establishment
Annual random
and vigor
vegetation plots, 0.0247
As -built, Years 1, 2,
3 plots randomly
Species and height
acre (100 square meters)
3, 5, and 7
selected each year
in size
10.3.1 Vegetation Success Criteria
The following summarizes wetland success criteria, per the October 24, 2016 NC Interagency
Review Team Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update.
• Within planted portions of the Bank, a minimum of 320 stems per acre must be present at
year 3; a minimum of 260 stems per acre must be present at year 4; and a minimum of
210 stems per acre must be present at year 7.
• Trees must average 7 feet in height at year 5, and 10 feet in height at year 7.
• Planted and volunteer stems are counted, provided they are included in the approved
planting list for the site; natural recruits not on the planting list may be considered by the
IRT on a case-by-case basis.
• Any single species can only account for 50% of the required stems within any vegetation
plot.
10.4 VISUAL MONITORING
Visual monitoring of general Bank conditions will be conducted at least twice during each
monitoring year. Monitoring will be conducted by traversing the entire Bank to identify and
document areas of low stem density, poor plant vigor, prolonged inundation, native and exotic
invasive species, beaver activity, excessive herbivory, easement encroachment, indicators of
livestock access, and other areas of concern.
Mitigation Prospectus page 24
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

11.0 REFERENCES
Cowardin, Lewis M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classifications of Wetlands
and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.
Griffith, G.E., J.M. Omernik, J.A. Comstock, M.P. Schafale, W.H. McNab, D.R. Lenat, T.F.
MacPherson, J.B. Glover, and V.B. Shelbourne. 2002. Ecoregions of North Carolina
and South Carolina. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.
Leopold, L.B. 1994. A View of the River. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA. 298 pp.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS). 2011. Web Soil Survey (online). Available:
http://websoilsurvey.nres.usda.gov/app/ [April 8, 2011]. United States Department of
Agriculture.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). 2014. 2014 Category 5 Water
Quality Assessments -303(d) List (online). Available:
https://ncdenr.s3.amazonaws.com/s3 fs-
public/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2014/2014_303dlist.pdf (January 24,
2018).
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). 2016. Draft 2016 Category 5
Assessments EPA Submittal -303(d) List (online). Available:
https://ncdenr.s3.amazonaws.com/s3 fs-
public/W ater%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/3 03 d/2016/NC_2016_Category_5 _20160606.
pdf (January 24, 2018).
North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). 2013. River Basin Classification
Schedule, French Broad (online). Available:
https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/CSU/Surface%20Water/River%20
Basin%20Water%20Quality%20CIassifcations%20as%20o1%20Dec%209%202013/Fre
nchBroad Hydro_order.pdf [Accessed: January 24, 2018].
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP). 2009. French Broad River Basin
Restoration Priorities. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina Stream Functional Assessment Team. (NC SFAT 2015). N.C. Stream
Assessment Method (NC SAM) User Manual. Version 2.1.
Mitigation Prospectus page 25
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

North Carolina Wetland Functional Assessment Team (NC WFAT). 2010. N.C. Wetland
Assessment Method (NC WAM) User Manual. Version 4.1.
Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied River Morphology. Wildland Hydrology (Publisher). Pagosa
Springs, Colorado
Schafale, M and Weakley, A. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North
Carolina, Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of
Parks and Recreation. Raleigh, North Carolina
United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Environmental Protection Agency, North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina Division of Water Quality
(USACE et al.). 2003. Stream Mitigation Guidelines.
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2016. Wilmington District Stream and
Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2017. Endangered Species, Threatened
Species, Federal Species of Concern, and Candidate Species, Buncombe County, North
Carolina (Updated: October 19, 2017). Available:
https://www.fws.gov/raleigh/species/cntylist/buncombe.html. [Accessed: January 23,
2018]. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Mitigation Prospectus page 26
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

APPENDIX A
FIGURES
Figure 1. Site Location
Figure 2. Hydrologic Unit Map
Figure 3. Topography and Drainage Area
Figure 4. Existing Conditions and Soils
Figure 5. Proposed Conditions
Mitigation Prospectus Appendices
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

W))
V
; r _
4 ; '�►■ S
Axiom EnVUOf1�n1a7. Inc,
f{., ` ..� y _ 1 www - - • l-.:- `.w
s, a `• _ .v" , !`� - ;` Prepared for:
A;
Will Jeffers
A' •tom -', .� ] ,��— 1 __ —y ti °-
1. \ •j i ' - -@�� 1 Y---, ,.r� . � .� f• ti
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic
Society, i -cubed : 4 - , ` T l Fif k s. w►+y
■ :`:... , R ,�1? , �`'Ll r + + Project:
_70T _ i t
127
�� i .�, ;, �/ <r J GM SLUDER BRANCH
{ ' 1 ,� t Q t_ { t ��� STREAM
�_ �•� AND WETLAND
S' L@IC@Star , n,� � l � �. �s�uaer�- I ' f n .,--�_ ''�
�►^� Branch` : �.~ MITIGATION BANK
�u- i • - ,�
7-7 ,� ._ _ r�--�'ti �• _ \ _ I � �� ;� � Buncombe County, NC
✓ _ `v A ---1 --'..n- v, •... '1� Title:
P�. �'. SITE LOCATION
e, ; • y S
Lei.cester, ahch PC,
eIc C ■ 1
ester
Old Le�ceSt r G _ = d `., Drawn by:
ss -� ery;,y R �'`tel �� J - �• CLF/KRJ
o
o ''`8#r r I 'ate .; Legend Date:
JAN 2018
Sluder Branch Easement = 12.6 ac
Scale:
y` j} �� �• ��' fi3r: NCDOT Roads 1:20,000
Project No.:
JI
`-
�, ` i f`; �c�r , �• '
[�SGS 7.5 Minute Topographic Map (Leicester, NC Quad) 17-001.03
iral.=.-- � ' � �� . .'"�• •� ,` 5 ,/ •fir '�__
1 Directions to the Site from Asheville:
I-1 � �y � ` �� rs ` � � • k� •�� o � I � • - Take I-240/US-70 West out of Downtown Asheville
FIGURE
Kee left at the fork to merge onto US-19/US-23 South L
+�I'ayes; � �� fodk6s � ` f�,.-: `., � , r`v;.� . ':'• � '..��� ` � = j . � p 9
Wcw-
After 1.1 mile, turn right onto NC -63 West
,f41
t - After 6.6 miles, turn right onto Old Leicester Highway
r
"' in 1 - After 0.9 mile, turn left onto Sluder Branch Road
V_ �I Site parcels are located on both sides of the road after 1 mile.
> ong>
Site Latitude Longitude 35.6528 --82.6674 (WGS84)
-nPopyright:©j�2Ot13 National Geographic ` r
Society, i -cubed - %+ 1r _
33 ` 1 -

- f Rcan HI • i neap
N - - _ Syb _ ' `7 Gravel {f Aand
PA. # ee Knob ob W e .�
- -
Dandridge — 41 fdonteuma .� Lin.Iffe
Dandr e
it �Rcc : pork - -,�
{ Parrottsville r
yi
Plunme ='o Ia
�Bakersville :
Ne' port
1 y -reen 1. untain i
'+ .4,(ery s orrlso^ g Axl=Snvuonmenta3.InC,
—Del R* +• S Fi=_to i Falls,,
�eniand be
32 l _ Surnsvil gin . Prepared for:
Sevierville `- .0 1~ - at s 19 i.S _ lice Pine -p
Forgs n 1' ,R Yeti 4
F
`�sbyCo Will Jeffers
Hartford =i ! 1e erklnd_'
Digeon i 0rge iL _Hill
i. Mar II 22eA
41 pt It �Earnaros.;lle
lrnb" _
ur
Project:
i r $0 ti iebQ^.
SLUDER BRANCH
ar n STREAM
Location of Sluder Branch
'- ,- 1
Stream and Wetland Mitigation 9 ritreatt,+` AND WETLANDMITIGATION BANK
Bank withinUSGS Hydrologic } 0 Fort
C amans - Unit andTar eted Local Un G� t = I
me �§, g =1 °' Glenwo
rtl�y. .,; Watershed 06010105090020 - '� r J Buncombe County, NC
Title:
I.lag gie vu.
:erc,.ee } date 1Nayn v HYDROLOGIC
azeiw p� UNIT MAP
erto ion lulls S h u
a
ave
T her h
•Ch mne and ield
yJ er ck f r` Drawn by:
alsam utherFor
ab �,-� erse a CLF/KRJ
_ - - Cu ee = ale
r. wah `> 'enrlersa ills Fo t� Date:
`�a Cit7'= JAN 2018
i erarir8ii r Mill Spri 74�! Scale:
Fe se Fl ck r 1:450,000
Columbus
3Bar Bret::I��, Bal' m Grav Brei; gin. !Zireenia �= - e, Project No.:
Legend l '
a lu ds
..... : - '� Lynrs 17-001.03
Easement k Wfas
lie
.� -_Tryon
USGS Hydrologic Unit 06010105
1 a h Saluda Landrum FIGURE
14 Digit Hydrologic Unit Boundaries 1P eToxxaw in ,, Ra�cn.'orir _ = 2-21
Ap
2g Chesnee
Targeted Local Watersheds •�n'ers Shira . �;g _ _ Fingerville -
0 5 10 20 30 S tains _ — = cl I !
r _ - �' i3i3-ilcir2� Pard
- e relanv
Miles "'ine: y ' ,�� ?�.,'MaY°
Copyright:© 2014 DeLorme.

nq
y� 6
I � '
I
` Axlam ErnporNr�r�1a1, i1C.
-n
� � f
ee i Prepared for:
tr
Will Jeffers
r
Project:
erre
�•.§ r�"�'''
V1. rte' 4 � .1.' .> ,
L }, SLUDER BRANCH
tSTREAM
'' 6$0 AND WETLAND
1S MITIGATION BANK
Buncombe County, NC
�,'�;.,:•., s � � � t - •a' Title:
- r16 TOPOGRAPHY
r O B rEI:1 [ h �
AND
DRAINAGE AREA
.,
Drawn by:
m ' TOP CLF/KRJ
� A W
r ; } Date:
JAN 2018
■-- - o Scale:
1:68,000
�.
Project No.:
N
� � 5 � . �, 17-001.03
Legend FIGURE
Top Sluder Branch Easement = 12.6 ac
Site Stream Drainage Areas
, 3
V, 'ra t Newfound Creek = 22.48 sq mi (14,385 ac)
0 1.5 3 6t Sluder Branch = 3.12 sq mi (1997 ac)
Miles UT1 = 0.10 sq mi (62 ac)
VCCGIA: . ,S}

jY
N
Mitigation Type Feet/Ac Ratio SMU WMU
Stream Restoration 890 1 : 1 890
Stream Enhancement 1 3483 1.5 1 2322
Stream Enhancement 11 182 2.5 1 73
Wetland Restoration 0.3 1 1 0.30
Wetland Enhancement 0.44 2 1 0.22 ■
Total 3285 0.52
.4
INN-
af
- v *�­, 1- 7,
Air,
Legend
=Easement = 12.6 ac _X
Stream Restoration = 890 ft
Stream Enhancement Level 1 =3483 ft
Stream Enhancement Level 11 = 182 ft
Wetland Restoration = 0.3 ac �� ,+��ry4;tii , ,'• ,
Wetland Enhancement = 0.44 ac
Marsh Treatment Areas
Powerline
4 ft Lidar Contours
0 250 500 1,000 1,500
i Feet
NMI
V�A
Axl(3m ffn-ymnrinienlal. Inc.
Prepared for:
Will Jeffers
�F C
Project:
SLUDER BRANCH
STREAM
''
AND WETLAND
MITIGATION BANK
Buncombe County, NC
Title:
X,
PROPOSED
CONDITIONS
Drawn by:
KRJ
Date:
JAN 2018
Scale:
1:3500
Project No.:
17-001.03
FIGURE
7

APPENDIX B
EXISTING STREAM DATA
Cross-sections
Substrate Plot
Mitigation Prospectus Appendices
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

Cross Section
IM
173.2
x -section area
-
d mean
51.6
width
56.4
wet P
8.0
d max
3.1
h d radi
8.5
bank ht
15.4
w/d ratio
500.0
W flood rone area
9.7
eM ratio
hydraulics
0.0
velocity ft/sec
0.0
discharge rate, (2 cfs
0.00
shear stress Ibs/fts
0.00
shear velocity ft/sec
0.000
unit stream wer lbs/ft/sec
0.00
Froude number
0.0
friction factor u/u*
0.0
threshold grain size mm
check from channel material
0-surd
D84 mm
0.0
relative rou hness 1
0.0
fric. factor
0.000
Mannin 's n from channel
material
Sluder Cross-section
1
-
100.00
0
18.76689
20
��■ ��
- r.■■=7.8034
18.92567
:®r
805
■.81562
19.0747
- ■
■4572
19.27346
dirrensions-
- ■
j253
19.277
-®-.3.7
®
- ■
■ 025
19.08497
: r r
th51.8
wet P
- ■
j 277
19.69966
:r r�
�
Q7
- ■
■ 952
20.51747
FA
7.8
®
r®.
- ■
j 673
20.90651
500.0
®ood pra-.
10.5
ant
- ■
■ 291
21.4251
- ■
j 388
22.17759
FUNM,
hydraulics
- ■
jW9703
22.87311
0.0
velocity (ft/sec)
- ■
■6.4703
23.39841.®i
r •
discharge rate,
- ■
jlb.81853
23.91614
0.00
shear stress �(Tlbsi s)
- ■
■.01496
24.16758
r
- ■
jo.97311
24.35717
0.000
- ■
■13.1292
25.01743
rrr
Froucle number
-■
jb.53706
24.54872
r
friction factor u/u*
- 0j
jr.56246
24.96969
r r
9,44
threshold grain si� (mm)
-"■■jW1616
25.39515®i�:.
-V■■jM387
26.93809r®.
'
heck from channel
-V■■j=318
27.27205
r
-.D:
-Vm j
j M491
26.93471
0.0
�- . .,�
-V■■■=153
26.76678
®
0.000
-V■■■=292
26.76449
WMWIME
-V■■■=842
25.41377
-"■■■M722
24.81614
-U■■j=875
24.1507
-"■■jO487
23.95173
'.
-U■■■=709
22.20265
-"■■j=814
20.75039
-U■■■M458
19.8917
K.Til
-"■■j-.94
19.49019
:r r•:
-U■■■=184
19.56873
-"■■jM981
18.66248
-UA.■■=442
18.8368
-"t-
jM983
18.62059
-UA.■jM558
18.95211
Sluder Cross-seclion2 Riffle
-
--
60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135
dimensions
IM
173.2
x -section area
3.4
d mean
51.6
width
56.4
wet P
8.0
d max
3.1
h d radi
8.5
bank ht
15.4
w/d ratio
500.0
W flood rone area
9.7
eM ratio
hydraulics
0.0
velocity ft/sec
0.0
discharge rate, (2 cfs
0.00
shear stress Ibs/fts
0.00
shear velocity ft/sec
0.000
unit stream wer lbs/ft/sec
0.00
Froude number
0.0
friction factor u/u*
0.0
threshold grain size mm
check from channel material
0-surd
D84 mm
0.0
relative rou hness 1
0.0
fric. factor
0.000
Mannin 's n from channel
material

Cross Sectlo
-
----------
---�613"
M-A�---
----------
Sluder Cross-section
3
-
Sluder Cross-section
4
-
100.00
100.00
- ■
22.88671
F
REMM23.EMENNEN=
-
0
1- ■■■
33
23.29373
26.9
��
-
1- ■ME1032801
1111111■ ■
j 706
23.662
1®®
1111111■ ■
1111111■ ■
j 018
23.70997
. •rr
•
-
1- ■
j 004
24.57751
- .®--
-
. -®
114.09952
9682
25.43626
6
.
'®
0..
wet P
1- ■
■ 3737
26.49866
r
th50.5
`®
wet P
Q
- ■
■ 761
26.934
r .. r
.®3.5
.®
Q
.®.
1- ■
j111i$678
27.74708
WJWZ+ZM
400.0
®ood prone
8.7
®o
1- ■
■ 5679
28.51484
350.0
®ood prone
7.4
®.
1- ■
1- ■
■1.84242
28.8344
hydraulics
- ■
ib.60005
28.87352
116.94189
0.0
velocity (ft/sec)
- ■
- ■
■1,1176
29.16957
r : r
0.0Q
- ■
- ■
jWW29
31.23369
0.0t
0.00
sq)
- ■
- ■
34.29694
31.366
0.00
r rbs/ft
velocity (ft/sec)
- ■
119.72196
B697
■168
31.06379
0.00
r r0r
unit stream power (II■shear
- ■
j1D0.8896
802
31.00841
0.000
0.00
Froude number
- ■
-■
573
29.3822
r®:
r
friction factor u/u*
M- ■
1-P■C472
31.01676
28.50463
0.0
-
threshold
1-R"j1)8.9386
29.69805
28.77204
- -
threshold arain size (mm)
1-Mj[10.8935
1 "M
jW342
26.78599
MI
�k from channel
-�11i355
26.08237
jgj�
•
-.D:
1Mj�
-�j=395
25.67902
24.86136
0
• •
1�- .,h
• •
®.
1-�■1.915
25.77259
23.39426®i
• •
1'�- . .,ess
• •1�-
1-M
-"j=647
24.96663
22.95442
0.000
-Vffjj_589
21.96609
-"i
f 1491
20.87708
-"■
=904
19.28879
----------
---�613"
M-A�---
----------
-
Sluder Cross-section
4
-
100.00
-
0
0
19.15007T
26.9
26.9 350.0
-
1- ■ME1032801
24.7366
MEW -WE
1®®
1111111■ ■
j16.15034
25.22415
1111111■ ■
117.08638
25.53435
-
1- 0
114.09952
26.79824
®i
6
®.3.7
d mea
- ■
114.45421
27.66866
r
th50.5
wet P
- ■
117.24103
28.68775
®7.5
.®3.5
Q
- ■
i 18.72201
29.80916
ENIFT, M,
7.5
bank
12.5
.®.
1- ■
110.9458
30.9759.�
350.0
®ood prone
7.4
®.
1- ■
114.01993
31.7474
f1
1- ■
116.94189
32.351221�.
.�'. 'hydraulics
- ■
119.24793
32.70644
0.0
- ■
115.20613
34.41562
0.0t
- ■
117.95225
34.29694
r r.
0.00
- ■
119.72196
32.88221
0.00
ec
- ■
j1D0.8896
32.63843
0.000
- ■
jID1.6183
31.87452
0.00
Froude number
M- ■
j�4.4983
31.01676
0.0
friction factor u/u*
1-R"j1)8.9386
29.69805
r
- -
threshold arain size (mm)
1-Mj[10.8935
28.2882
1 JMJP12.921
26.36264
jgj�
heck • teria
1Mj�
16.7988
25.67902
0
-.
1 MJ
24.6227
25.77259
• •
1'�- . .,ess
• •1�-
1-M
j36.0683
24.96663
1 M
0.000

Pebble Count,
Note:
Sluder Branch
Pebble Count,
---
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
~ 40%
m
ii 30%
20%
a_ 10%
�
0%
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
10000
Particle
Size
(mm)
Riffle
+Cumulative
Percent •
Percent
Item
—
—9
--Pool
—*—Run
—o --Glide
Size percent less than (mm)
Percent by substrate type
D16
D35
D50
D84
D95
silt/clay
sand
gravel
cobble
boulder
bedrock
0.185
0.54
1.2
14
29
6%
53%
38%
4%
0%
0%

APPENDIX C
SHPO CORRESPONDENCE
Mitigation Prospectus Appendices
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
State Historic Preservation Office
Ramona M. Bartos, Administrator
Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor
Linda A. Carlisle, Secretary
Jeffrey J. Crow, Deputy Secretary
October 25, 2012
Scott Shumate
Blue Ridge Archaeological Consultants
65 Appian Way
Arden, North Carolina 28704
Re: Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank, Asheville, Buncombe County, ER 11-2112
Dear Mr. Shumate:
Office of Archives and History
Division of Historical Resources
David Brook, Director
Thank you for transmitting the Management Summary for the archaeological survey of the above project area.
During the course of the survey, no sites were located within the project area. BRAC has recommended that no
further archaeological investigation be conducted in connection with this project. We concur with this
recommendation since the project will not involve significant archaeological resources.
We look forward to receiving the final report detailing the results of the investigation.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36 CFR
Part 800.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment,
please contact Renee Gledhill -Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-807-6579. In all future
communication concerning this project, please cite the above -referenced tracking number.
Sincerely,
rwrRamona M. Bartos
cc: Will Jeffers, Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank,1J,C
Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mad Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: [phone]-6599

APPENDIX D
NCNHP REPORT
Mitigation Prospectus Appendices
Sluder Branch Mitigation Bank

North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Natural Heritage Program
Governor Roy Cooper
January 24, 2018
Kenan Jernigan
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
218 Snow Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
RE: Sluder Branch Mitigation Site
Dear Kenan Jernigan:
Secretary Susi H. Hamilton
NCNHDE-5142
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide information
about natural heritage resources for the project referenced above.
A query of the NCNHP database indicates that there are records for rare species, important natural
communities, natural areas, or conservation/managed areas within the proposed project boundary. These
results are presented in the attached `Documented Occurrences' tables and map.
The attached `Potential Occurrences' table summarizes rare species and natural communities that have been
documented within a one -mile radius of the property boundary. The proximity of these records suggests that
these natural heritage elements may potentially be present in the project area if suitable habitat exists and is
included for reference. Tables of natural areas and conservation/managed area within a one -mile radius of the
project area, if any, are also included in this report.
Please note that natural heritage element data are maintained for the purposes of conservation planning, project
review, and scientific research, and are not intended for use as the primary criteria for regulatory decisions.
Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published without prior written notification to the
NCNHP, and the NCNHP must be credited as an information source in these publications. Maps of NCNHP
data may not be redistributed without permission.
Also please note that the NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a
Dedicated Nature Preserve (DNP), Registered Heritage Area (RHA), Clean Water Management Trust Fund
(CWMTF) easement, or an occurrence of a Federally -listed species is documented near the project area.
If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter or need additional assistance, please
contact Rodney A. Butler at rod ney.butlerng ncdcr.gov or 919.707.8603.
Sincerely,
NC Natural Heritage Program
MAILING ADDRESS: Tele hone: [919', 7D7-8107 LOCA.TICN
16`1 MaiI Ser,rice Center �n�rr&ncnh2.org 121 VVest hones S-reat
Ralaigh, NC 27899-1881 Ralaigh, NC 27603

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Intersecting the Project Area
Sluder Branch Mitigation Site
January 24, 2018
NCNHDE-5142
No Element Occurrences are Documented within the Project Area
There are no documented element occurrences (of medium to very high accuracy) that intersect with the project area. Please note, however, that although the NCNHP database
does not show records for rare species within the project area, it does not necessarily mean that they are not present; it may simply mean that the area has not been surveyed. The
use of Natural Heritage Program data should not be substituted for actual field surveys if needed, particularly if the project area contains suitable habitat for rare species. If rare
species are found, the NCNHP would appreciate receiving this information so that we may update our database.
No Natural Areas are Documented within the Project Area
Managed Areas Documented Within Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner Owner Type
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Easement Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Private
NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation NC Department of Agriculture State
Trust Fund Easement
NOTE: If the proposed project intersects with a conservation/managed area, please contact the landowner directly for additional information. If the project intersects with a Dedicated Nature Preserve (DNP), Registered Natural
Heritage Area (RHA), or Federally -listed species, NCNHP staff may provide additional correspondence regarding the project.
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at httos://ncnhde.natureserve.org/content/help. Data query generated on January 24, 2018; source: NCNHP, Q4 October 2017. Please resubmit
your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database.
Page 2 of 4

Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Sluder Branch Mitigation Site
January 24, 2018
NCNHDE-5142
Element Occurrences Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Taxonomic EO ID Scientific Name
Common Name
Last
Element
Accuracy Federal
State
Global
State
Group
Observation
Occurrence
Status
Status
Rank
Rank
Date
Rank
Dragonfly or 33442 Calopteryx amata
Superb Jewelwing
2004 -Pre
H?
5 -Very ---
Significantly
G4
S1S2
Damselfly
Low
Rare
Mayfly 14313 Barbaetis benfieldi
Benfield's Bearded Small
1999-05-18
E
3 -Medium ---
Significantly
G2G4
S1
Minnow Mayfly
Rare
No Natural Areas are Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area
Managed Area Name Owner Owner Type
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Easement Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Private
NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation NC Department of Agriculture State
Trust Fund Easement
Buncombe County Open Space Buncombe County: multiple local government Local Government
Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/content/help. Data query generated on January 24, 2018; source: NCNHP, Q4 October 2017. Please resubmit
your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database.
Page 3 of 4

NCNHDE-5142: Sluder Branch Mitigation Site
January 24, 2018
❑ Project Boundary
Fl Buffered Project Boundary
Managed Area (MAREA)
Page 4 of 4
Y
c
- Pomo-
Y
(p ea
�
9r
Nx Leices r
8 Z
3
k'
� H
O .
'°m/ia
o N
plT
"All <
Oi HO
PA
Qec,Fc4 y0�
U
y
2 tBfamnP-�
�
0
c�i
O�
sF
� �a
Cees
3
O
January 24, 2018
❑ Project Boundary
Fl Buffered Project Boundary
Managed Area (MAREA)
Page 4 of 4
Y
(p ea
�
9r
Nx Leices r
8 Z
3
k'
� H
O .
'°m/ia
Zai
vook
Oi HO
PA
Qec,Fc4 y0�
O
016NGL� �W`o
Kr
en Rd a(
U
O�
O
2
0
m
f
,,—I—d Crank
a1�
axle
T
N
W�E
a /Lk
C
A
Ok0
Sea9
Or
n
January 24, 2018
❑ Project Boundary
Fl Buffered Project Boundary
Managed Area (MAREA)
Page 4 of 4
1:25,073
0 0.2 0.4 0.8 mi
0 0.325 0.65 1.3 km
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,
FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan,
METI, Esri China (Hong Kong),—sstopo, Mapmylndia, © OpenStreetMap
contributors, and the GIS User Community
E
n
4 200631
�
sl
Oi HO
1:25,073
0 0.2 0.4 0.8 mi
0 0.325 0.65 1.3 km
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,
FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan,
METI, Esri China (Hong Kong),—sstopo, Mapmylndia, © OpenStreetMap
contributors, and the GIS User Community

11 ^� SOOO I[
d jr
yq�pqa
�.
16 1
"' r if M
Hoo-Q, 3,e�geaesa-ase�oeea � A
It
IINI
.. a /.
N

AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM
PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
LOT NO.
LOT NO.
PIAN NO. PARCEL ID. 99 110a 6gL/4f o o 0a
STREET ADDRESS I'. Z 2 c R-muc lk JA r 1-6 & V
0"
STREET ADDRESS 2:
Please print:
Property Owner: WA- ALoi �k L
Property Officer (if different): W, L
The undersigned, registered property owners of the above noted property, do hereby authorize
!Z!� 1•,
_Lc W c S
(Contractor / Agent)
(Contractor / Agent)
(Name of consulting firm or agency)
of
(Name of consulting firm or agency)
to act on my behalf and take all actions necessary for the processing, issuance and acceptance of
this permit or certification and any and all standard and special conditions attached.
In addition, permission is granted for the above contractor/agent and for agents of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and N.C. Division of Water Resources for reasonable access the property for the
purposes of jurisdictional area verifications, riparian buffer verifications, permitting coordination, etc.
Property Owner's Address (if different than property above):
17 1*,, N. jCtv/, f azo d � ►�►.� c� 2'7{yty
Telephone: % 61
We hereby certify the above information submitted in this application is true and accurate to the
best of our knowledge.
v
t�
Authorized Signature
Date:

AGENT AUTHORIZATION FORM
' LION ; 4yfil1ll4*1 V10 IWs-r 11
LOT NO. PLAN NO.
LOT NO. PLAN NO.
PARCELID: 1gOMZo�- �1u000
PARCEL ID:
STREET ADDRESS I: 99 q 9� S o6ez- 1S ItI`1G 1t, _„_.. (�U Lt f C6 j rex Nc e8r?y v
STREET ADDRESS 2:
Please print: jr
Property Owner: L�t'i”' A)Ly L� ' ✓�,� �cc
Property Officer (if different):CZJV L R VOL
The undersigned, registered property owners of the above noted property, do hereby authorize
L—k of Ax, u tv,,- (,yvi14,,,vffi6NFAL-
(Contractor / Agent) (Name of consulting firm or agency)
of
(Contractor / Agent)
(Name of consulting firm or agency)
to act on my behalf and take all actions necessary for the processing, issuance and acceptance of
this permit or certification and any and all standard and special conditions attached.
In addition, permission is granted for the above contractor/agent and for agents of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and N.C. Division of Water Resources for reasonable access the property for the
purposes of jurisdictional area verifications, riparian buffer verifications, permitting coordination, etc.
Property Owner's Address (if different than property above):
-2`1'� Stuo6x- G4,r.l.l- (-4. Lezcrs eg, Arc- 29IgG
Telephone: _ L Z J n 5—Z -31L
We hereby certify the above information submitted in this application is true and accurate to the
best of our knowledge.
i
Authorized Signature
Date: 1 J Z g J201 6