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20160372 Ver 2_Final Mitigation Plan_20180919
FINAL MITIGATION PLAN Stony Fork Restoration Site Johnston County, North Carolina DMS Project Number 97085 DMS Contract 6830 USACE AID SAW-2016-00875 DWR Project Number 2016-0372 FULL-DELIVERY PROJECT Neuse River Basin Cataloging Unit 03020201 Prepared for: NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Mitigation Services 1652 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 September 5, 2018 Prepared by: KCI Associates of North Carolina, PC 4505 Falls of Neuse Rd, Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27609 (919) 783-9214 KCI Project Staff: Tim Morris, Alex French, Adam Spiller, Joe Sullivan, and Kristin Knight-Meng This mitigation plan has been written in conformance with the requirements of the following: Federal rule for compensatory mitigation project sites as described in the Federal Register Title 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters Volume 3 Chapter 2 Section § 332.8 paragraphs (c)(2) through (c)(14). NCDEQ Division of Mitigation Services In-Lieu Fee Instrument signed and dated July 28, 2010 NCAC Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295, effective November 1, 2015, for riparian buffer mitigation. These documents govern NCDMS operations and procedures for the delivery of compensatory mitigation. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PROJECT INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................ 1 2.0 WATERSHED APPROACH AND SITE SELECTION .......................................................................... 3 3.0 BASELINE AND EXISTING CONDITIONS ....................................................................................... 6 3.1 Watershed Processes and Resource Conditions ........................................................................ 6 3.1.1 Landscape Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 6 3.1.2 Land Use/Land Cover and Chronology of Impacts ................................................................ 8 3.1.3 Watershed Disturbance and Response ............................................................................... 12 3.1.4 Site Photographs ................................................................................................................. 17 4.0 FUNCTIONAL UPLIFT POTENTIAL .............................................................................................. 20 5.0 MITIGATION PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................................... 21 6.0 DESIGN APPROACH AND MITIGATION WORK PLAN................................................................. 22 6.1 Stony Fork (SF) .......................................................................................................................... 22 6.2 Tributary 1 (T1) ......................................................................................................................... 22 6.3 Tributary 2 (T2) ......................................................................................................................... 22 6.4 Tributary 3 (T3) ......................................................................................................................... 23 6.5 Riparian Buffer Mitigation ........................................................................................................ 23 6.6 Crossings ................................................................................................................................... 23 6.7 Design Discharge Determination .............................................................................................. 24 6.8 Sediment ................................................................................................................................... 25 6.9 Morphological Essential Parameters Tables ............................................................................. 27 6.10 Planting ..................................................................................................................................... 30 6.11 Project Assets ........................................................................................................................... 31 7.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS .................................................................................................... 35 8.0 MONITORING PLAN .................................................................................................................. 35 9.0 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................................................................................... 39 10.0 LONG‐TERM MANAGEMENT PLAN ........................................................................................... 39 11.0 REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 41 12.0 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 43 12.1 Plan Sheets 12.2 Data Analysis/Supplemental Information and Maps 12.3 Buffer Mitigation Plan 12.4 Site Protection Instrument 12.5 Credit Release Schedule 12.6 Financial Assurance 12.7 DWR Stream Identification Forms 12.8 Approved Jurisdictional Determination 12.9 Approved FHWA Categorical Exclusion Form 12.10 Agency Correspondence Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 ii FIGURES Figure 1. Project Site Vicinity Map ................................................................................................................ 2 Figure 2. Project Site Watershed Maps ........................................................................................................ 4 Figure 3. Project Site / LWP Watershed Map ............................................................................................... 5 Figure 4. Soil Survey Map .............................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 5. Land Use/Land Cover Map ............................................................................................................. 9 Figure 6A. Historic Aerials ........................................................................................................................... 10 Figure 6B. Historic Aerials ........................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 7. Current Conditions Plan View Map .............................................................................................. 16 Figure 8. Local Regional Curve for Stony Fork ............................................................................................ 24 Figure 9. Project Asset Map ........................................................................................................................ 34 Figure 10. Proposed Monitoring Plan ......................................................................................................... 38 TABLES Table 1. Credit Summary ............................................................................................................................... 1 Table 2. Existing Stream Bank Height and Entrenchment Ratios ............................................................... 12 Table 3. Project Attribute Table .................................................................................................................. 14 Table 4. Project Goals, Objectives, and Functional Outcomes ................................................................... 21 Table 5. Local Regional Curve Data ............................................................................................................. 24 Table 6. Local XS Flow Compared to USGS Regression for North Carolina................................................. 25 Table 7. Sediment Summary for Project Reaches ....................................................................................... 26 Table 8. Morphological Essential Parameters for SF1 ................................................................................ 27 Table 9. Morphological Essential Parameters for SF2 ................................................................................ 27 Table 10. Morphological Essential Parameters for SF3 .............................................................................. 28 Table 11. Morphological Essential Parameters for T1 ................................................................................ 28 Table 12. Morphological Essential Parameters for T2‐1 ............................................................................. 29 Table 13. Morphological Essential Parameters for T2‐2 ............................................................................. 29 Table 14. Morphological Essential Parameters for T2‐3 ............................................................................. 30 Table 15. Morphological Essential Parameters for T3 ................................................................................ 30 Table 16. Project Asset Table ...................................................................................................................... 32 Table 17. Length and Summations by Mitigation Category ........................................................................ 33 Table 18. Overall Assets Summary .............................................................................................................. 33 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 1 1.0 PROJECT INTRODUCTION The Stony Fork Restoration Site (SFRS) is a full‐delivery stream and riparian buffer mitigation project being developed for the North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) in the Neuse River Basin (03020201 8‐digit cataloging unit) in Johnston County, North Carolina. The site’s natural hydrologic regime has been substantially modified through the relocation and straightening of the existing stream channels and clearing of riparian buffer. This site offers the chance to restore impacted agricultural lands to a stable stream ecosystem with a functional riparian buffer and floodplain access. The SFRS is situated in southwestern Johnston County. SFRS is located approximately 5.5 miles north of Benson, NC in Johnston County. Specifically, the site is 0.2 mile west on Elevation Road from its intersection with Federal Road (SR‐1331). The center of the site is at approximately 35°26'55.0"N and 78°31'18.5"W in the Benson USGS Quadrangle. The site location is shown in Figure 1. The SFRS will restore a stable stream ecosystem along Stony Fork and four of its tributaries (T1, T1A, T2, and T3) with a combination of stream restoration and enhancement with primarily a Priority 1 approach to reconnect the streams with an active floodplain. Riparian buffer restoration, enhancement, and preservation under the Neuse Buffer Rule (NCAC Rule 15A NCAC 02B .029) will also take place at the site. Invasive Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and kudzu (Pueraria lobata) will be both physically cleared and chemically treated from the project site as part of the stream and buffer mitigation. Once site grading is complete, the riparian buffer will be planted with native tree species. The site will be monitored for seven years or until the success criteria are met. Table 1. Credit Summary Stony Fork Restoration Site, Johnston County DMS Contract 6830; DMS Project Number 97085 Mitigation Credits StreamRiparian Wetland Non‐ riparian Wetland Buffer Nitrogen Nutrient Offset Phosphorous Nutrient Offset Type R RE R RE R RE R RE Linear Feet/Acres 6,405 lf 405 lf 450,285 sf 499,462 sf Credits 6,405 181 425,434 54,904 TOTAL CREDITS 6,586 480,338 R=Restoration RE=Restoration Equivalent o o o ooo o o oo o o o o oooo o o o o o o o o ooo o o o oo o o o o o ooo o o o oooo o o o oo o ooo o ooo o o o o o o o o o o oooo o o oo o oo o o o o o o o o oo o o o o o o o o oooooooo ooo oooooo oooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o oo o o o oo o o o oo o o o o o ooo o oo o oo o o oo o o o o o o oo o o ooo o oooo o o o o oo ooo o o o o o o o o o o ooo o o oo o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o o o o oo o o o o oo o o o o oo o o o o o o o o o o o o o ÊÚ §¨¦40 §¨¦95 50 27 242 242 £¤301 BENSON B l a c k Creek ÊÚ WAKE JOHNSTON WAYNE NASH SAMPSON HARNETT WILSON ÊÚ Project Site Location County Boundary Major Roads Minor Roads o Airports (none within a 5-mi radius) Major Rivers and Streams Cities and Towns Elevation RdFederal RdÜ 0 10.5 Miles FIGURE 1. VICINITY MAP, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC 2 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 3 2.0 WATERSHED APPROACH AND SITE SELECTION The SFRS is located within the Upper Neuse River Basin (03020201), where population growth and rapid development have produced a significant need for restoration projects. DMS updated the priorities for the Neuse 01 cataloging unit (CU) in 2015 due to extensive mitigation needs and changes in watershed conditions since the 2010 report. The project 14‐digit CU is included as a targeted local watershed (TLW), which faces challenges such as a high percentage of agricultural land/animal operations, disturbed riparian buffer, and increasing impervious surface from development. The amount of problems identified were scored higher than the amount of assets available in the most recent 14‐digit CU ranking (NCDENR, EEP 2015). The Neuse River Basin Restoration Priorities are maintaining and enhancing water quality, restoring hydrology, and improving fish and wildlife habitat (NCEEP, 2010). The project will support the following basin priorities: ‐ Managing stormwater runoff ‐ Improving/restoring riparian buffers ‐ Reducing sediment loading ‐ Improving stream stability The project watershed for the SFRS is comprised of 0.79 square mile (497 acres). The project aims to uphold the goals consistent with several CU‐wide watershed improvement objectives by restoring stream hydraulics, improving/restoring riparian buffers, improving stream stability and reducing sediment loading (NCDENR, EEP 2010). Stony Fork (27‐52‐6‐2) has been rated by Division of Water Resources (DWR) as Class C, Nutrient Sensitive Waters, and is not on the 2016 303(d) list. However, Hannah Creek (27‐52‐ 6a), 4.2 miles downstream of the site, is listed as impaired for dissolved oxygen. There are no other DMS mitigation projects currently located in the 03020201150010 watershed cataloging unit. The project watershed is shown in a map in Figure 2, and another map illustrating the project’s watershed location in relation to the 03020201150010 watershed identified in the TLW is shown in Figure 3. There are no conservation or protected areas located adjacent to the project site, but it will connect with the forested buffer immediately adjacent to the project and improve and restore the existing forested buffer on the site itself. The site is approximately 4.5 miles upstream of the Hannah Creek Swamp Natural Heritage Area. Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed Ü 0 2,0001,000 Feet FIGURE 2. PROJECT WATERSHED, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Proposed StreamsProposed EasementProject Watershed (497 ac)Source: USGS DRG,Benson Quad (1973). 4 HU03020201150010 HU03030006020010 HU03020201130030 HU03020201150030 HU03020201150020 HU03020201130020 Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO,USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, OrdnanceSurvey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo,MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community Ü 0 21Miles FIGURE 3. PROJECT SITE/LWP WATERSHED, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Proposed Easement Project Watershed (497 ac) 14-digit HUC Boundaries HUC 03020201150010 (TLW) 5 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 6 3.0 BASELINE AND EXISTING CONDITIONS 3.1 Watershed Processes and Resource Conditions 3.1.1 Landscape Characteristics The site lies within the Rolling Coastal Plain (Level IV 65m) ecoregion of the Southeastern Plains. The Rolling Coastal Plain is mostly irregular plains with broad interstream areas and a mosaic of cropland, pasture, woodland, and forest. While the natural vegetation was historically longleaf pine, oak‐hickory and mixed pine forests are more abundant now. The geology of this area is typified by Cretaceous or Tertiary‐age sands, silts and clays (Griffith et al 2002). Many of the stream reaches have been ditched to a clay bottom and are overlaid with a sediment transport regime of sand and small gravel. While gravel is the predominant bed material, sand is entering the system from bank erosion both upstream and on‐site. The floodplain for Stony Fork is unconfined in most areas, although it is currently disconnected from the existing stream. According to the Soil Survey of Johnston County, all of the project streams and floodplain areas are underlain by Bibb sandy loam (Bb). The official Map Unit Name is Bibb sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded. These soils are poorly drained floodplain soils that are usually linear, associated with streams, and frequently found along the toe of slopes. The soil survey for the project area is shown in Figure 4. BbGeB GeD FaB UcB FaA CoC CoB GeB Ra GeD UcB GeB NoA FaB GeB UcB MaB NoB GeB GeD FaA GeD Bb UcC W NoB GeB CoC FaB FaB FaA FaB GeB WaB W CoC GeB UcC FaB NoA NC Center for Geographic Information & Anaylsis Ü 0 1,000500Feet FIGURE 4. NRCS SOIL SURVEY, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC NRCS Soil SurveyProposed Easement Source: NRCS Web Soil Survey; Google Earth, 3/2018. Bb - Bibb sandy loam, 0-2% FaB - Faceville sandy loam, 2-6% GeB - Gilead sandy loam, 2-8% Ged - Gilead sandy loam, 8-15% UcC - Uchee loamy coarse sand, 6-12% 7 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 8 3.1.2 Land Use/Land Cover and Chronology of Impacts The project watershed for the SFRS is comprised of 0.78 square mile (497 acres). Current land use in the project watershed (Figure 5) was derived from the 2013 orthoimagery and consists of agriculture/open space (53% / 262 ac), forest (31% / 150 ac), rural development (9% / 42 ac), residential (5% / 24 ac), and roads/impervious (3% / 13 ac), and water. The current adjacent land use has a negative impact on water quality of the project streams. This is evidenced by direct run off from agricultural open space along parts of the stream where there is no riparian buffer. The top of T2 will receive stormwater from a residential development currently being constructed. Impervious surfaces within the project watershed include Federal Road, which is immediately adjacent to the project, and I‐40, which is just 1,400 linear feet upstream of the project. KCI’s measurement of the total impervious area for the watershed is approximately 5%, which is based on the land use delineated from the 2013 orthoimagery and based on published average impervious values for land use categories (Center for Watershed Protection 2003). Development pressure in the watershed is high as evidenced by the new development mentioned above that is being constructed to the northeast and southeast of the project streams. The existing ponds above T2 will remain and be incorporated into the stormwater system of the new development. A new aluminum arched culvert will be installed across Stony Fork to access th e southeastern part of the development and will be incorporated into our project design in the existing easement exception. The SFRS has undergone significant modifications that have altered the site hydrology and vegetation. Historic aerials were examined for any information about how the site has changed over recent history. Historic aerials were obtained from the NRCS, USGS EarthExplorer, and Google Earth for 1938, 1949, 1960, 1972, 1980, 1998, 2005, and 2013. Selected historic aerials are presented in Figures 6A and 6B. The site was systematically impacted over the twentieth century with channelization and clearing. In the earliest aerial photo from 1938, the upstream part of the project appears forested, but the channel is straight, indicating that it had been ditched prior to this photo. Also, the nearby Federal Road is on a different alignment, which suggests that when it was realigned to its current position, there may have been further manipulation of Stony Fork. The ponds upstream of T2 had not been built yet in this photo. Additionally, the portion of Stony Fork that currently flows through an existing dense stand of kudzu is flowing south of that area. In the 1949 aerial, there has been more clearing along the periphery of the project area and the straightened streams are easily identifiable throughout the site. Stony Fork at the downstream end of the project has been ditched between two fields. In 1960, there was more clearing just downstream of Federal Road. This cleared field borders the ditched portion of Stony Fork to the north. Also, the ponds upstream of T2 have been built by this point. In the 1972 aerial, some fields south of the project have reforested, and other areas north of the project that have been cleared. The 1980 aerial looks similar to the previous aerial, with some minor changes to the clearing limits. By 1998, there has been extensive clearing throughout the middle of the project along the southeastern side of Stony Fork. Also, the previously cleared fields on the north side of Stony Fork at the downstream end of the project have revegetated. The 2006 aerial looks similar to conditions today. The area of Stony Fork around T1 has been cleared and is revegetating, likely with the kudzu present today, and the previously large cleared area that appeared in the 1998 photo has been planted with loblolly pine. The most recent aerial (2013) shows the rows of pine trees in the plantation and area of kudzu around T1. NC Center for Geographic Information & Anaylsis Land UseAgriculture/Open Space (52.7%)Forest (30.3%)Roads (2.5%)Residential (4.8%)Rural Development (8.4%)Water (1.3%) Ü 0 2,0001,000 Feet FIGURE 5. PROJECT LANDUSE, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Source: Google Earth, 3/2018and NCOneMap Orthoimagery 2017 Project Watershed (497 ac)Project Easement (24.4 ac) 9 Image Sources: Johnston County NRCS; USGS Earth Explorer. 1938 1960 1972 1949 Ü 0 2,0001,000 Feet FIGURE 6A. HISTORIC AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Proposed Easement (24.4 ac) 10 NCCGIANCCGIA Image Sources: USGS Earth Explorer; Johnston County Orthoimagery; NC OneMap. 1980 2005 2013 NCCGIA 1993 Ü 0 2,0001,000 Feet FIGURE 6B. HISTORIC AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Proposed Easement (24.4 ac) 11 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12 3.1.3 Watershed Disturbance and Response The project has experienced significant landscape and vegetative modifications to allow for agriculture and timber management along the project streams of Stony Fork (SF), Tributary 1 (T1), Tributary 1A (T1A), Tributary 2 (T2), and Tributary 3 (T3). The measured bank height ratios along the project streams are all greater than 1.5 and the reaches have been altered through channelization as seen in Table 2. Additional existing conditions data are included in Section 12.2. Table 2. Existing Stream Bank Height and Entrenchment Ratios Stream Existing Bank Height Ratio Existing Entrenchment Ratio SF 1.6‐2.9 1.2‐1.5 T1 4.5 1.3 T2 1.5‐4.1 1.3‐5.4 The primary hydrologic feature at the site is SF, which has been impacted by channelization and riparian vegetation removal or alteration. This stream enters the projects from a 48”‐diameter concrete pipe from under Federal Road. SF flows in a general west to east direction until flowing off of the project site. The first 450 linear feet (lf) are incised with steep vertical banks, a narrow channel, and intermittent headcuts. The channel likely was relocated, because there is no existing floodplain connection. The canopy is mostly composed of a dense midstory of invasive Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). After about 450 lf, SF begins to flow northeast; the condition changes, and the channel becomes less incised and wider. A distinct floodplain is not actively connected to the existing channel, but is present in this landscape position. However, the channel is still narrower than a natural system and the banks are vertical. Chinese Privet and kudzu dominate the riparian buffer. Downstream of this point, SF channel has been mechanically ditched in the past. After the confluence with T2, SF continues to flow northeast until it comes along a field edge. Similar to most other parts of SF on this project, the stream is not in the correct position in the valley and is disconnected from the former floodplain. In some instances, the channel has one dramatically higher bank, while the other bank is significantly lower. This is evidence of the channel having been moved to its current location to the side of the valley. The stream continues to flow in this condition off of the project site to the southeast. T1 flows north to south before flowing into SF. The stream originates from one distinct seep/spring in the hillslope to the north of SF and receives additional hydrology from degraded seeps (including T1A) at the base of the slope to the east of T1 that are currently impacted by vegetation removal and land clearing. This tributary has been moved out of the natural position in the low point of the valley to the base of the slope to drain the seepage from the hill slope. The riparian buffer is currently a monoculture of kudzu. T2 begins at a headcut and is bordered by a narrow buffer of brush and trees before it meets the wood line. Upstream land clearing, agriculture, and farm ponds have altered the hydrologic regime of the stream and caused the tributary to become unstable. After the wood line, there are several small headcuts, and after a larger headcut 345 feet into the wood line, the stream becomes more incised as it flows southeast to its confluence with SF. This lower portion of T2 is disconnected from its historic floodplain. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 13 T3 is a seep‐driven stream that flows north to south until it meets SF approximately 160 linear feet downstream of the beginning of the project. The first 125 linear feet of T3 are channelized, but with mature trees scattered along the stream, stabilizing portions of the banks. After this point, the flow enters a breached pond bed with accumulated sediment for an estimated 50 feet of flow length. Although the pond has been breached, the majority of the former dam is still in place. T3 exits the former pond to join SF at a location against the valley grade. The riparian areas at the SFRS has been colonized by a dense layer of invasive Chinese privet, especially along SF. In addition, kudzu dominates the middle portion of SF and T1. There is existing native forested buffer near the bottom of SF and at the outer margins of the easement, which consists of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), white oak (Quercus alba), American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Additional details regarding the extent of the invasive species in the riparian areas at SFRS are included in the Buffer Mitigation Plan in Section 12.3. A jurisdictional determination was submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers on July 12, 2016 and was approved July 13, 2016. The approved jurisdictional determination is included in Section 12.7. NC Division of Water Resources also provided a stream determination on July 8, 2016, which is provided in Section 12.3 in the appendices. An updated site assessment of the stream buffer along T2‐2 was completed by DWR on March 29, 2018 and is included in the appendices as well. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 14 Table 3. Project Attribute Table Project Name Stony Fork Restoration Site County Johnston County Project Area (acres) 24.4 ac Project Coordinates (lat. and long.) 35°26'55.0"N, 78°31'18.5"W Planted Acreage (Acres of Woody Stems Planted) 12.1 Project Watershed Summary Information Physiographic Province Coastal Plain River Basin Neuse USGS Hydrologic Unit 8‐digit 03020201 USGS Hydrologic Unit 14‐digit 03020201150010 DWR Sub‐basin 03‐04‐04 Project Drainage Area (acres) 497 acres Project Drainage Area Percentage of Impervious Area 5% CGIA Land Use Classification Managed Herbaceous Cover 53% (262 ac), Mixed Hardwoods/Conifers 31% (150 ac), Low Density Developed 9% (42 ac), Medium Density Residential 5% (24 ac), Transportation/Impervious 3% (13 ac) Existing Reach Summary Information Parameters Stony Fork T1 and T1A T2 T3 Length of reach (linear feet) 3,141 412 1,433 154 Valley Confinement Unconfined Confined Confined, then unconfined Unconfined Drainage area (acres) 497 acres 12 acres 150 acres 29 acres Perennial, Intermittent, Ephemeral Intermittent Intermittent Intermittent/ Perennial Intermittent NCDWQ Water Quality Classification C; NSW C; NSW C; NSW C; NSW Rosgen Classification (Existing/Proposed) G4c G4 G4 G4 Evolutionary trend (Simon) Channelized, Stage III Channelized, Stage III Channelized, Stage III Modified with pond, Stage III FEMA classification None None None None Existing Wetland Summary Information Parameters Size of Wetland (acres) 0.33 (WA and WE) 0.06 (WB) 0.14 (WC and WF) Wetland Type Headwater Forest Bottomland Hardwood Forest Non‐Tidal Freshwater Marsh Mapped Soil Series Gilead sandy loam Bibb sandy loam Bibb sandy loam Drainage class Moderately Well Drained Poorly Drained Poorly Drained Soil Hydric Status Non‐Hydric Hydric Hydric Source of Hydrology Surface Water Stream Floodplain Stream Floodplain Restoration or Enhancement Method N/A N/A N/A **Items addressed in the Categorical Exclusion in Appendix. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 15 Table 3, continued Regulatory Considerations Regulation Applicable? Resolved? Supporting Documentation Waters of the United States – Section 404 Yes Applying for NWP 27 JD has been obtained. Waters of the United States – Section 401 Yes Applying for NWP 27 Endangered Species Act** Yes Yes USFWS Historic Preservation Act** No Yes NCSHPO Coastal Zone Management Act ** (CZMA)/ Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) No N/A N/A FEMA Floodplain Compliance No Yes N/A Essential Fisheries Habitat** No N/A N/A **Items addressed in the Categorical Exclusion in Appendix. WC WE WB WF WA WD T1 Start Stony Fork T2 XS1 XS7 XS2 XS3 XS4 XS5 XS9 XS6 XS8 T3 T1A XS 10 & 11 Ü 0 1,000500Feet FIGURE 7. CURRENT CONDITIONS PLAN VIEW, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Project Easement (24.4 ac) Existing Project Streams Other Streams Cross-Sections Jurisdictional Wetlands Image Source: Google Earth, 3/2018. 16 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 17 3.1.4 Site Photographs Photo 1: Head of project at exit from culvert at Federal Rd. Photo 2: Typical view of Stony Fork near top. Photo 3: View of eroding banks on Stony Fork on Reach 1. Photo 4: View of 2‐acre kudzu monoculture near confluence of T1 and Stony Fork. Photo 5: View of flowing seep near head of T1. Photo 6: View of clay channel bottom on Stony Fork along channelized stream. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 18 Photo 7: View of 18” headcut on Stony Fork. Photo 8. View of accelerated erosion and undercut banks on Stony Fork. Photo 9: View of T2 bed erosion and incision. Photo 10: Typical view of upper portion of T2 above headcut Photo 11: View of Stony Fork downstream of mid‐project culvert. Photo 12: View of upstream portion of T2. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 19 Photo 13: Top of T3. Photo 14. T3 as it becomes incised. Photo 15: Another view of T3 with incised banks. Photo 16: T3 as it goes through the pond bottom near the end of the stream near SF. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 20 4.0 FUNCTIONAL UPLIFT POTENTIAL Based on the current stream and watershed conditions at the SFRS, there is a high potential for functional improvements at this site. Channelization, incision, riparian vegetation removal, and invasive species monocultures have resulted in a local system with lack of floodplain connectivity, high shear stress, minimal bedform variation, and high amounts of sediment inputs from bank erosion and a degraded riparian buffer. The primary uplift for the SFRS will be achieved at the hydraulic and geomorphological functional levels. Reestablishing floodplain connectivity with a Priority 1 Restoration will allow stream flows to access the floodprone area more frequently, providing uplift of hydraulic functions within this system that will distribute flood flows through a wide area instead of within a confined channel. Geomorphological functional uplift will be achieved through channels sized to the bankfull flow, a planform and profile design emphasizing bedform variation, and the reestablishment of a native riparian corridor with invasive species removed. As a result, bank migration and lateral stability will be restored to a sustainable level and the banks and bed will accommodate design flows in a stable manner. Sediment inputs will decrease due to reduced bank erosion and sediment transport can return to a stable level that will accommodate watershed inputs. Riparian plantings will further support geomorphological functionality by increasing bank stability. Consideration of future impacts to the area that could limit functional uplift opportunities is important when assessing project potential. The upstream watershed is agricultural, but the vicinity is experiencing development pressure. A new residential development is being constructed to the northeast and southeast of the project. The project streams are sized such that the floodprone areas will accommodate changes in hydrology as needed. The table below summarizes the project goals and objectives that will lead to functional improvements and the monitoring tools that will be used to track these changes to the site. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 21 5.0 MITIGATION PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Table 4. Project Goals, Objectives, and Functional Outcomes Goals Objective Functional Level Function‐Based Parameter Effects Monitoring Measurement Tool Restore an incised stream to a stable stream system with an active floodplain Relocate streams to a meandering landscape position Hydraulics Floodplain Connectivity Flood Frequency Bank Height Ratio and Entrenchment Ratio Install a cross‐ section sized to the bankfull discharge Geomorphology Bank Migration/Lateral Stability Cross‐Sectional Survey Visual Inspection of Bank Stability Create bedform diversity with pools, riffles, and habitat structures Geomorphology Bed Form Diversity Percent Riffle and Pool Visual Inspection of Feature Maintenance Restore a forested riparian buffer to provide bank stability and shading Treat invasive plant populations and plant the site with native trees and shrubs. Geomorphology Vegetation Density Species Composition/Diversity Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 22 6.0 DESIGN APPROACH AND MITIGATION WORK PLAN The project streams were designed using a modified reference reach approach using a local regional curve developed from stable reference cross‐sections (see Section 12.2 for reference data). In addition to the data from the on‐site references, common reference values from Harmon et al. 2011 were also used to aid the development of the design criteria. The proposed channel design values have been adjusted as necessary to fit the existing site conditions based on these sources. Stable pattern data were taken from the UT Fisher River reference in Surry County as needed. 6.1 Stony Fork (SF) Stony Fork will be broken into three separate reaches: Stony Fork Reach 1 (SF1) from the western edge of the project until the confluence with T1, Reach 2 (SF2) from SF1 until the confluence with T2, and Reach 3 (SF3) from SF2 until the end of the project. The first reach, SF1, begins at the culvert under Federal Road and is 1,155 linear feet. Since the elevation of this reach is controlled by this culvert, this reach will be a transition part of the project where the design will follow more of a Priority 2 approach. The design will raise the channel elevation to match the channel grade with the invert of the culvert. In the lower third of this reach, the channel will be meandered to the south of its current location and into the former floodplain location. Invasive privet, which is extensive throughout Reach 1, will be removed from the buffer. From the T1 confluence, SF2 will continue with Priority 1 restoration down the valley in the historic floodplain location. This is the longest reach on Stony Fork at 2,707 linear feet. The first half of this reach has a narrower valley width and as a result, the proposed stream will follow along the general path of the existing channel, while increasing the sinuosity and raising the bed elevation. The second half of this reach will be relocated to the north of the existing channel where the valley is broader. Every effort will be made to work around trees in this area that can provide shade to the restored stream. After the confluence with T2, SF3 will continue to be restored by moving the stream back to the relic floodplain in the center of the valley. The proposed stream (624 linear feet) will remain to the north of the existing channel before tying back into the existing thalweg at the end of the project. The stream will be remeandered around significant trees that will provide shade to the restored channel. The project crediting will end at Station 56+04 approximately 26 lf below the last crossing due to limitations of the buffer width, but the stream will be improved until the end of the project easement and property line for another 70 lf. 6.2 Tributary 1 (T1) T1 will be restored using a Priority 1 approach for approximately 510 linear feet. The design will move the channel west to its historic floodplain away from the toe of the hill slope. The stream will originate from the primary spring/seep that emerges from the base of the hill and provides the hydrology for the stream. T1 will then join Stony Fork to the west of the current location of the confluence. In addition, 159 linear feet of T1A, which is fed by seep flow, will be redeveloped through restoration. 6.3 Tributary 2 (T2) T2 has been divided into three reaches: T2‐1 (334 linear feet of EII), T2‐2 (337 linear feet of restoration), and T2‐3 (885 linear feet of restoration). Enhancement II for T2‐1 will involve installing a step pool to Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 23 stabilize a headcut, planting the riparian buffer with native vegetation, and removing and controlling invasive vegetation within the easement. T2‐2 begins where several headcuts cause the stream to rapidly incise. The restoration will maintain the landscape position of the stream, but add appropriate sinuosity and restore the streambed morphology by raising the elevation of the streambed to regain floodplain connection. T2‐3 will continue this approach, but with a larger cross‐section to accommodate additional drainage area. 6.4 Tributary 3 (T3) T3 has been divided into two reaches: T3‐1 (71 linear feet of Enhancement I) and T3‐2 (58 linear feet of restoration). The top reach will be enhanced along its existing planform up until the pond bed. After this point, T3‐2 will be restored by constructing a stable channel and eliminating spoil piles in this area. 6.5 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Riparian buffer mitigation will take place across the site in the form of restoration (450,285 sf / 425,434 credits), enhancement (74,802 sf / 37,401 credits), and preservation (424,660 sf / 17,503 credits) and adhering to the Neuse Buffer Rule (NCAC Rule 15A NCAC 02B .029). The preservation area has been limited to 25% of the total area for crediting purposes as mandated by the rule, but uncredited preservation areas will still be protected as part of the conservation easement. See Section 12.3 for the Buffer Mitigation Plan, including calculations and maps. 6.6 Crossings There are three easement exceptions for crossings on Stony Fork. The first culvert will be installed as part of the current development being constructed to the southeast of the site. The second crossing will be a rock ford crossing; this landowner will use this crossing infrequently and there are no livestock in this area. The third crossing is an existing culvert pipe that will stay in place. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 24 6.7 Design Discharge Determination KCI developed the design discharge values for the proposed streams by using four stable reference cross‐ sections located in the vicinity of the project: two on‐site (Ref XS1 and 4) and two downstream (Ref XS 2 and 3) from the project on Stony Fork (see Section 12.2 for locations and cross‐sectional data). In comparison to other impaired portions of the site, these four reference cross‐sections have stable bankfull features that allowed for the cross‐sectional area and discharge to be linked to the drainage area. Based on these values, we developed a local regional curve using these cross‐sections. The rural Piedmont regional curves were used to as a comparison for the on‐site relationships (Harman et al 1999) (although the site is in the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont curve was deemed more suitable based on the watershed’s characteristics). The local curve showed a linear power relationship lower than the Piedmont curve as shown in Figure 8 and Table 5 below (Reference Cross‐Sections 2 and 3 have similar drainage areas, and appear as one data point on the curve). Figure 8. Local Regional Curve for Stony Fork Table 5. Local Regional Curve Data Cross‐Section Location Drainage Area (Sq. Miles) Reference XS Area (sf) XS Area Estimate (sf) from Piedmont Regional Curve Q (cfs) from Ref XS Q (cfs) from Piedmont Regional Curve Onsite T1 (Ref XS 4) 0.23 5.0 7.9 19.5 30.9 Stony Fork Upstream (Ref XS 1) 0.41 9.3 11.7 30.0 46.9 Onsite Stony Fork (Ref XS 2) 0.84 17.0 19.0 51.2 78.5 Stony Fork Downstream (Ref XS 3) 0.84 24.8 19.0 52.2 78.5 y = 89.039x0.7223 R² = 0.9069 y = 58.915x0.7535 R² = 0.9997 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 0.1 1 10 100Discharge (cfs)Drainage Area (Square Miles) Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 25 To further evaluate the field measurements taken within the project, we compared the flow results for the four cross‐sections to two different hydrologic methods. First, we compared our results to the 2‐year recurrence interval flow calculations using the USGS Rural Peak‐Flow Regression Equations for North Carolina in the USGS National Streamflow Statistics Program (USGS 2016). Bankfull values in the North Carolina Piedmont average a 1.4‐year recurrence interval (Harman et al. 1999), and as such should be lower than the 2‐year recurrence interval USGS values. Our field results are lower than the USGS values as expected. The effective discharge equation for a 1.2 recurrence interval for the Southeastern Plains Ecoregion (Simon et al. 2004) was also used as a comparison tool; in general, the Q1.2 values are close in range to the reference cross‐section flow values. This comparison shows that our field calculations are within the range of other established discharge estimates. In addition to the field‐acquired reference data, we also used common reference values from Harman et al. 2011 as mentioned previously. Table 6. Local XS Flow Compared to USGS Regression for North Carolina Cross‐Section Location Drainage Area (Sq. Miles) Field Q (cfs)1 USGS Regression 2‐ year Q (cfs)2 USGS Regression Low Prediction (cfs) USGS Regression High Prediction (cfs) Effective Discharge3 (cfs) Onsite T1 (Ref XS 4) 0.23 19.5 32.5 14.8 71.4 18.0 Stony Fork Upstream (Ref XS 1) 0.41 30 45.7 20.9 99.0 26.8 Onsite Stony Fork (Ref XS 2) 0.84 51.2 69.9 32.1 152 43.8 Stony Fork Downstream (Ref XS 3) 0.84 52.2 69.9 32.1 152 43.8 1.Calculated using field bankfull dimensions and Manning’s formula. 2.Calculated using USGS NSS, North Carolina Region 4 Equations assuming impervious percentage of 5%. 3.Simon et al. 2004 equation for Southeastern Plains (Ecoregion 65) for 1.2 Recurrence Interval. 6.8 Sediment The on‐site streams have sediment with a mixture of small gravel and sand. The project streams have a silt/clay bed underneath the active sediment where excessive shear stresses from the confined channels have removed existing bed material and created an unstable condition. In order to analyze the existing sediment conditions within the project streams, two pavement samples and nine pebble counts were performed for trend analysis. These data are provided in Section 12.2. Based on the existing conditions data, the project sediment sizes range from sand up to small gravels. Bank erosion is currently contributing excess sand to the system. Following project completion, the amount of sand being contributed from on‐site erosion is expected to decrease. However, a sand component is still anticipated for the sediment regime given that upstream agriculture and development will continue in the upper watershed and move through Stony Fork. Based on the collected sediment and cross‐section data, shear stress values were calculated using both average channel boundary shear stress and a modified critical shear stress (USDA, Forest Service 2008). The modified shear stress was calculated using the D84 values from field samples and compared to the average channel boundary shear stress based on the existing and proposed channel dimensions and slopes. The results are shown in the table below. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 26 Table 7. Sediment Summary for Project Reaches XS Reach Avg Shear Stress (lb/sf) D50 (mm) D84 (mm) Sample Type Modif. Critical Shear Stress (lb/sf) Predicted Grain Size Movement (mm) Existing XS1 SF1 0.45 2.2 7.5 PC 0.042 Existing XS2 SF2 0.42 0.57 8 PC 0.015 Existing XS3 SF2 0.49 0.062 4.7 PC 0.007 Existing XS4 SF2 0.40 0.093 0.14 PC 0.001 Existing XS5 SF2 0.47 4.1 12 PC 0.080 Existing XS6 SF3 0.39 8.3 12 PC 0.137 Existing XS7 T1 0.54 0.062 0.062 PC 0.001 Existing XS8 T2‐2 0.60 0.062 0.062 PC 0.001 Existing XS9 T2‐3 1.00 0.21 2 PC 0.005 Proposed SF1 0.39 2.2 7.5 PC 0.042 29 Proposed SF2 0.40 0.57 8 PC 0.015 30 Proposed SF3 0.45 8.3 12 PC 0.137 34 Proposed T1 0.45 0.062 0.062 PC 0.001 34 Proposed T2‐1 0.27 0.062 0.062 PC 0.001 20 Proposed T2‐2 0.41 0.062 0.062 PC 0.001 31 Proposed T2‐3 0.43 0.21 2 PC 0.005 32 Based on the calculated average channel boundary shear stress for the proposed channels, the stream will have adequate stream power to transport the existing D84 material as shown by the critical shear stress values. Due to the small size of existing site sediment, the average channel boundary shear stress is higher than that needed to move the existing D84 (critical shear stress). While we do anticipate that native small gravels and sand will move into the restored reaches, the results indicate the need for riffle reinforcement to protect the newly constructed riffles from excessive scour. Proposed riffle grade control structures have been designed with a mix of Class A, B, and 1 stone with 10% ABC stone; Class A (the smallest among Classes A, B, and 1) has a modified critical shear stress that is large enough to withstand all of the predicted average channel boundary stresses. The last column in the table above provides a predicted grain size that will move at the calculated modified critical shear stress for the proposed channel. The largest grain size predicted to be mobilized is 34 mm (1.3 inches). Given the mix of the constructed riffle, 106 mm equates to the midrange of the Class A Stone (approximately 4 in.). It can be expected that approximately 85% of the constructed riffle stone will be greater than this diameter. Additionally, our experience has revealed minimal movement of constructed riffle material when it is well mixed and placed in the stream bed in similar design conditions. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 27 6.9 Morphological Essential Parameters Tables Table 8. Morphological Essential Parameters for SF1 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 90‐210 N/A 90‐210 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 175 Variable 175 Channel/Reach Classification G4c C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 7.2 N/A 9.7 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 0.9 N/A 0.7 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 6.4 N/A 7.0 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 3.5 N/A 3.2 Design Discharge (cfs) 22 N/A 23 Water Surface Slope 0.009 N/A 0.009 Sinuosity 1.3 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 8.1 10‐15 13.5 Bank Height Ratio 2.9 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.2 2.5+ 10.3 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) 0.15/1.2/2.2/7.5/11/‐0.4/7.1 Gravel Gravel Table 9. Morphological Essential Parameters for SF2 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 45‐130 N/A 45‐130 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 264 Variable 264 Channel/Reach Classification G4c‐G5c C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 5‐10 N/A 11.3 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 1.0‐1.4 N/A 0.8 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 6.9‐8.9 N/A 9.4 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 3.3‐3.8 N/A 3.2 Design Discharge (cfs) 24‐30 N/A 30 Water Surface Slope 0.008 N/A 0.008 Sinuosity 1.1 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 3.7‐11.2 10‐15 13.5 Bank Height Ratio 1.6‐2.1 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.4‐1.5 2.5+ 8.8 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) 0.33/0.61/1.2/6.2/9.8/0.3/5.5 Gravel Gravel Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 28 Table 10. Morphological Essential Parameters for SF3 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 180‐230 N/A 180‐230 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 497 Variable 497 Channel/Reach Classification G4c C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 10.5 N/A 12.6 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 1.2 N/A 0.9 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 12.5 N/A 11.8 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 3.4 N/A 3.6 Design Discharge (cfs) 42 N/A 43 Water Surface Slope 0.006 N/A 0.008 Sinuosity 1.1 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 8.9 10‐15 13.5 Bank Height Ratio 2.0 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1,4 2.5+ 7.9 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) 1.1/6.0/8.3/12/15/‐0.7/3.3 Gravel Gravel Table 11. Morphological Essential Parameters for T1 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 40‐70 N/A 40‐70 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 12 Variable 12 Channel/Reach Classification G5 C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 3.4 N/A 5.0 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 0.3 N/A 0.4 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 0.9 N/A 1.9 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 3.2 N/A 3 Design Discharge (cfs) 3 N/A 6 Water Surface Slope 0.035 N/A 0.020 Sinuosity 1.0 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 12.7 10‐15 13.5 Bank Height Ratio 4.5 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.3 2.5+ 10.0 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) Silt‐Clay Gravel Gravel Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 29 Table 12. Morphological Essential Parameters for T2‐1 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 30‐100 N/A 30‐100 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 93 Variable 93 Channel/Reach Classification G5c C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 4.4 N/A 5.0 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 0.8 N/A 0.4 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 3.6 N/A 1.9 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 3.9 N/A 2.9 Design Discharge (cfs) 14 N/A 5 Water Surface Slope 0.014 N/A 0.012 Sinuosity 1.1 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 5.4 10‐15 13.5 Bank Height Ratio 4.1 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.3 2.5+ 10.0 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) Silt‐Clay Gravel Gravel Table 13. Morphological Essential Parameters for T2‐2 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 90‐140 N/A 90‐140 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 135 Variable 135 Channel/Reach Classification G5c C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 4.4 N/A 7.6 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 0.8 N/A 0.6 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 3.6 N/A 4.3 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 3.9 N/A 3.1 Design Discharge (cfs) 14 N/A 14 Water Surface Slope 0.009‐0.020 N/A 0.012 Sinuosity 1.1 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 5.4 10‐15 13.4 Bank Height Ratio 4.1 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.3 2.5+ 6.6 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) Silt‐Clay Gravel Gravel Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 30 Table 14. Morphological Essential Parameters for T2‐3 Parameter Existing Condition Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 90‐150 N/A 90‐150 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 149 Variable 149 Channel/Reach Classification G5c C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 5.7 N/A 9.0 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 1.7 N/A 0.6 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 9.4 N/A 5.8 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 2.1 N/A 3.4 Design Discharge (cfs) 20 N/A 20 Water Surface Slope 0.009‐0.020 N/A 0.011 Sinuosity 1.1 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 3.4 10‐15 13.9 Bank Height Ratio 1.5 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.8 2.5+ 5.6 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) 0.031/0.13/0.21/2.0/6.1/0.1/8 Gravel Gravel Table 15. Morphological Essential Parameters for T3 Parameter Existing Condition* Reference Condition Proposed Valley Width (ft) 50‐90 N/A 50‐90 Contributing Drainage Area (acres) 29 Variable 29 Channel/Reach Classification G4 C4 C4 Design Discharge Width (ft) 4.2‐4.8 N/A 5.0 Design Discharge Depth (ft) 0.4‐0.6 N/A 0.4 Design Discharge Area (ft2) 1.9‐2.6 N/A 1.9 Design Discharge Velocity (ft/s) 1.8‐2.3 N/A 1.2 Design Discharge (cfs) 3‐6 N/A 2 Water Surface Slope 0.007 N/A 0.016 Sinuosity N/A 1.2‐1.4 1.2 Width/Depth Ratio 6.9‐12.6 10‐15 13.5 Bank Height Ratio 3.2‐3.4 1.0‐1.1 1.0 Entrenchment Ratio 1.2 2.5+ 10 d16 / d35 / d50 / d84 / d95 / dip / disp (mm) N/A Gravel Gravel *Existing condition values for upper portion only – the remainder is impacted by pond bed. 6.10 Planting All unforested portions of the project easement will be planted to establish a forested riparian buffer. At a minimum, 12.1 acres will be reforested, but additional plantings may take place beyond this area to ensure an adequate density across the site. The planting plan is shown in the attached project plan sheets (Section 12.1). Trees and shrubs will be planted at a density of 968 stems per acre (9 feet x 5 feet spacing) to achieve a mature survivability of 210 stems per acre after seven years. Woody vegetation planting will Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 31 be conducted during dormancy. Species to be planted may consist of the following and any substitutions from the planting plan will be taken from this list: Common Name Scientific Name River Birch Betula nigra American Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis White Oak Quercus alba Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata Swamp Chestnut Oak Quercus michauxii Pin Oak Quercus palustris Willow Oak Quercus phellos On the restored stream banks, live stakes will be used to provide natural stabilization. Species identified for live staking include: Common Name Scientific Name Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum Black Willow Salix nigra Silky Willow Salix sericea In addition, partially forested sections of the easement that have been treated for privet will be supplementally planted with either one gallon container trees at a 20 by 20 foot spacing or bare root trees contained in tree shelters with 10‐foot center spacing. These species may consist of river birch, sycamore, or any of the five oak species listed above. A custom herbaceous seed mix composed of native species will also be developed and used to further stabilize the easement area as needed. 6.11 Project Assets The tables below outline the anticipated project assets that will be produced from the Stony Fork project, and Figure 9 shows the proposed mitigation assets for the site. The total stream mitigation credits (SMCs) are slightly different than those outlined in the initial proposal. SMCs were removed at the bottom of the site due to land title issues associated with the Critcher Farms subdivision and narrow buffer widths at the property edge. The upper portion of T2 was eliminated from the project, since it was not a jurisdictional stream, but an additional tributary, Tributary 3, was added to the project once it was determined it was jurisdictional. The buffer mitigation credits (BMCs) were reduced from the contracted amount due to the limitation on preservation credits once the final restoration, enhancement, and preservation BMCs were tabulated. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 32 Table 16. Project Asset Table Project Component ‐or‐ Reach ID Existing Footage/ Acreage Stationing Restoration Footage or Acreage Creditable Footage or Acreage Restoration Level Approach Priority Level Mitigation Ratio (X:1) or Percentage MitigationCredits Notes/Comments SF1 1,235 9+93‐ 21+48 1155 1155 R PI/PII 1:1 1155 SF2 2,453 21+48‐49+50 2802 2707 R PI 1:1 2707 Crossings at STA 32+52‐33+17(65’) and 44+49‐44+80 (31’) SF3 618 49+50‐56+04 654 624 R PI 1:1 624 Crossing at STA 55+48‐ 55+78 (30’) T1 365 100+00‐105+10 510 510 R PI/PII 1:1 510 T1A 47 150+00‐151+59 159 159 R PI/PII 1:1 159 T2‐1 327 200+00‐203+34 334 334 EII N/A 2.5:1 134 T2‐2 326 203+34‐206+71 337 337 R PI/PII 1:1 337 T2‐3 780 206+71‐215+26 855 855 R PI/PII 1:1 855 T3‐1 72 300+00‐ 300+71 71 71 EI PI/PII 1.5:1 47 T3‐2 82 300+71‐ 301+29 58 58 R PI/PII 1:1 58 Buffer Restoration TOB to 100' 413,194 N/A 413,194 413,194 R N/A 100% 413,194 Buffer Restoration 101‐200' 37,091 N/A 37,091 37,091 R N/A 33% 12,240 Buffer Enhancement TOB to 100' 74,802 N/A 74,802 74,802 E N/A 50% 37,401 Buffer Preservation TOB to 100' 424,660 N/A 424,660 175,029 P N/A 10% 17,503 Preservation limited to no more than 25% of total buffer mitigation area (175,029 sf) Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 33 Table 17. Length and Summations by Mitigation Category Restoration Level Stream (linear feet) Riparian Wetland (acres) Non‐riparian Wetland (acres) Buffer (square feet) Riverine Non‐ Riverine Restoration 6,405 450,285 Enhancement 74,802 Enhancement I 71 Enhancement II 334 Creation Preservation 424,660 (175,029 allowable for credit) High Quality Preservation Table 18. Overall Assets Summary Stony Fork Restoration Site (Project ID ‐ 97085) Overall Assets Summary Asset Category Overall Credits Stream 6,586 RP Wetland NR Wetland Buffer 480,338 Start SF1 SF2 T1 T2-3 SF3 T2-2 T2-1 T1A T3-1 T3-2 NCCGIAÜ0500250Feet FIGURE 9. PROJECT ASSET MAP, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Stream Mitigation 6,586 SMCs R (6,405 lf / 6,405 SMCs) EI (71 lf / 47 SMCs) EII (334 lf / 134 SMCs) Buffer Mitigation 480,338 total credits Buffer Restoration (450,285 sf / 425,434 credits) Buffer Enhancement (74,802 sf / 37,401 credits) Buffer Preservation (424,660 sf / 17,503 credits limited to 25% of total) Image Source: Google Earth, 3/2018. 34 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 35 7.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Monitoring of the site shall occur for a minimum of seven years following construction. The following performance standards for stream mitigation are based on the Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update (NCIRT 2016) and will be used to judge site success. Buffer mitigation must meet the standards outlined in Neuse River Basin Buffer Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295. Vegetation Performance The site must achieve a woody stem density of 260 stems/acre after five years and 210 stems/acre after seven years to be considered successful. Trees in each plot must average 7 feet in height at Year 5 and 10 feet at Year 7. A single species may not account for more than 50% of the required number of stems within any plot. Volunteers must be present for a minimum of two growing seasons before being included performance standards in Year 5 and Year 7. For any volunteer tree stem to count toward vegetative success, it must be a species from the approved planting list included in Section 6.10. If monitoring indicates that any of these standards are not being met, corrective actions will take place. Stream Hydrologic Performance During the monitoring period, a minimum of four bankfull events must be recorded within the monitoring period. These bankfull events must occur in separate monitoring years. Bankfull events will be verified using a minimum of one automatic stream monitoring gauge on Stony Fork to record daily stream depth readings. Any Qgs flows at the project during the monitoring period will also be documented. All project streams must also show a minimum of 30 continuous flow day within a calendar year (assuming normal precipitation) for three out of four of the first four monitoring years. Stream Geomorphology Performance The site’s geomorphology will be monitored per the NCIRT’s 2016 guidance. The bank height ratio (BHR) must not exceed 1.2 and the entrenchment ratio (ER) should be at least 2.2 for C channels. BHR and ER at any measured riffle cross‐section should not change by more than 10% from the baseline condition during any given monitoring interval (e.g., no more than 10% between years 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 5, or 5 and 7). Adjustment and lateral movement following construction and as the channel settles over the monitoring period are to be expected. Geomorphological measurements of cross‐sections will be used to determine if any adjustments that occur are out of the range typically expected for this type of stream. Riparian Buffer Performance The vegetation within the areas proposed for riparian buffer credit must contain 260 stems per acre at the end of five years of monitoring. There should be a minimum of four native hardwood tree species (inclusive of volunteers), with no species greater than 50% of the stems. See the Buffer Mitigation Plan in Section 12.3 for further details. 8.0 MONITORING PLAN Monitoring of the Stony Fork Site shall consist of the collection and analysis of stream hydrology, stability, and vegetation survivability data to support the evaluation of the project in meeting established performance standards described above. The Proposed Monitoring Plan in Figure 10 shows the proposed locations of monitoring features described below. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 36 Vegetation Monitoring Vegetation monitoring will take place no earlier than the end of August and no later than mid‐December. The success of the riparian buffer plantings will be evaluated using twelve 0.02‐acre square or rectangular plots within the enhancement and restoration buffer mitigation areas. Seven plots will be permanently installed, while the remainder will be randomly placed at the time of each monitoring visit. In the permanent plots, the plant’s height, species, location, and origin (planted versus volunteer) will be noted. In the random plots, species and height will be recorded. In all plots, exotic and invasive stems will also be included in the stem counts. Additionally, a photograph will be taken of each plot. Beginning at the end of the first growing season, KCI will monitor the planted vegetation in monitoring years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Riparian buffer mitigation requires monitoring in Years 1‐5, while the stream mitigation requires monitoring in Years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Stream Hydrologic Monitoring Bankfull events on‐site will be verified using an automatic stream monitoring gauge on SF3 as seen on Figure 10 to record daily stream depth readings. The Qgs flow after the confluence with T2 is 45 cfs (based on 67% of a 2‐year USGS regression flow of 67.4 cfs). The measured flows will be compared to the Qgs value as well as the bankfull discharge. In addition, flow will recorded on T1, T2‐2, and T3. Stream Geomorphology Monitoring For stream monitoring, the purpose of monitoring is to evaluate the stability of the restored stream. Following the procedures established in the USDA Forest Service Manual, Stream Channel Reference Sites (Harrelson et al. 1994) and the methodologies utilized in the Rosgen stream assessment and classification system (1994 and 1996), data collected will consist of detailed dimension measurements, longitudinal profiles, and bed materials sampling. Dimension Sixteen permanent cross‐sections will be established at the Stony Fork Site, one set of a riffle and pool each on SF1, SF3, T1, T2‐2, T2‐3, and T3‐2 and two sets on SF2, the longest of the project reaches. The extents of each cross‐section will be recorded by either conventional survey or GPS. The cross‐sectional surveys shall provide a detailed measurement of the stream and banks and will include points on the adjacent floodplain or valley, at the top of bank, bankfull, at all breaks in slope, the edge of water, and thalweg. Width/depth, bank height and entrenchment ratios, as well as bankfull cross‐sectional area, width, max depth and mean depth will be calculated for each riffle cross‐section based on the survey data. Width/depth ratios, bankfull cross‐sectional area, width, max depth and mean depth will be calculated for each pool cross‐section. Cross‐section measurements will take place in Years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Profile A detailed longitudinal profile will be conducted along the lengths of SF1, SF2, SF3, T1, T2‐2, T2‐3, and T3‐ 2 during the as‐built survey. Measurements will include slopes (average, pool, and riffle) as well as calculations of pool‐to‐pool spacing. No additional profile measurements will be taken during the monitoring period unless deemed necessary due to concerns about bed elevation adjustments. Visual Assessment An annual site walk will be conducted at the end of each monitoring period to document any problem areas. Specific problem areas that could include low stem density or poor plant vigor, areas dominated by Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 37 undesirable volunteer species, prolonged inundation, native and exotic invasive species, beaver activity, herbivory, encroachments, indicators of livestock access, or other areas of concern. The findings of the visual assessment as well as any recommended corrective actions for problem areas will be summarized in the monitoring reports by way of a Current Conditions Plan View (CCPV) figure. Photograph reference points (PRPs) will be established to assist in characterizing the site and to allow qualitative evaluation of the site conditions. The location of each photo point will be marked in the monitoring plan and the bearing/orientation of the photograph will be documented to allow for repeated use. Reporting Annual monitoring data will be reported using the most current DMS monitoring template from June 2017. The monitoring report shall provide a project data chronology that will facilitate an understanding of project status and trends, population of DMS databases for analysis, research purposes, and assist in decision making regarding project close‐out. The report will document the monitored components and include all collected data, analyses, and photographs. The first year of monitoring will occur no earlier than the end of the first growing season and no sooner than 5 months following planting. The site will be monitored for performance standards for seven years as needed after completion of construction. Full monitoring reports will be completed in Years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Limited monitoring reports will be submitted in Years 4 (vegetation, CCPV, photos, stream gauge data, and site narrative) and 6 (CCPV, photos, stream gauge data, and site narrative). Table 20. Monitoring Requirements Stony Fork Restoration Site Required Parameter Quantity Frequency Notes Yes Pattern and Profile SF1, SF2, SF3, T1, T2‐2, T2‐3, and T3‐2 Once, during as‐ built survey Additional measurements in later years may be taken as necessary. Yes Stream Dimension 16 cross‐sections (8 riffles, 8 pools) Monitoring Years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 Yes Stream Hydrology 5 pressure transducer gauges or cameras Annual 1 each on SF3, T1, T1A, T2‐2, and T3‐2 Yes Vegetation 7 permanent and 5 random vegetation monitoring plots Monitoring Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 Minimum size of 0.02 acre Yes Visual Assessment Annual Yes Exotic and nuisance vegetation Annual Locations of exotic and nuisance vegetation will be mapped Yes Project boundary Semi‐annual Locations of vegetation damage, boundary encroachments, etc. will be mapped ! ! ! ! ! ") ") ") ") ") ") ")VP 7 VP 3 VP 1 VP 4 VP 2 VP 5 VP 6 NC Center for Geographic Information & AnaylsisÜ 0 500250Feet FIGURE 10. PROPOSED MONITORING PLAN, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC ")Proposed Permanent Veg Plots (7) !Proposed Stream Gauges (5) Proposed Cross-Sections (16) Stream Restoration Stream Enhancement I Stream Enhancement II Buffer Restoration Buffer Enhancement Buffer Preservation Source: Google Earth, 3/2018 38 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 39 9.0 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN In the event the mitigation site or a specific component of the mitigation site fails to achieve the necessary performance standards as specified in the mitigation plan, the sponsor shall notify the members of the IRT as well as NCDWR’s 401 and Buffer Permitting Branch staff and work with both groups to develop contingency plans and remedial actions. 10.0 LONG‐TERM MANAGEMENT PLAN SFRS will be transferred to the NCDEQ Stewardship Program, which shall serve as conservation easement holder and long‐term steward for the property and will conduct periodic inspection of the site to ensure that restrictions required in the conservation easement are upheld. Funding will be supplied by the responsible party on a yearly basis until such time an endowment is established. The NCDEQ Stewardship Program is developing an endowment system within the non‐reverting, interest‐bearing Conservation Lands Conservation Fund Account. The use of funds from the Endowment Account will be governed by North Carolina General Statue GS 113A‐232(d)(3). Interest gained by the endowment fund may be used for the purpose of stewardship, monitoring, stewardship administration, and land transaction costs, if applicable. The Stewardship Program will periodically install signage as needed to identify boundary markings as needed. Any livestock or associated fencing or permanent crossings will be the responsibility the owner of the underlying fee to maintain. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 40 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 41 11.0 REFERENCES Center for Watershed Protection. 2003. Impacts of Impervious Cover on Aquatic Systems: Watershed Protection Research Monograph. Center for Watershed Protection, Ellicott City, MD. Pages 1‐158 Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y‐87‐1. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station. Griffith, G., J. Omernik, and J. Comstock. 2002. Ecoregions of North Carolina, Regional Descriptions. US E.P.A. Last accessed 8/2017 at: https://archive.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/web/html/ncsc_eco.html Harman, W.A., G.D. Jennings, J.M. Patterson, D.R. Clinton, L.O. Slate, A.G. Jessup, J. R. Everhart, and R.E. Smith, 1999. Bankfull Hydraulic Geometry Relationships for North Carolina Streams. Wildland Hydrology. AWRA Symposium Proceedings. Edited by D.S. Olsen and J.P. Potyondy. American Water Resources Association. June 30 – July 2, 1999. Bozeman, MT. Harman, W. and R. Starr. 2011. Natural Channel Design Review Checklist. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, Annapolis, MD and US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Wetlands Division. Washington, D.C. EPA 843‐B‐12‐005 Harman, W., R. Starr, M. Carter, K. Tweedy, M. Clemmons, K. Suggs, C. Miller. 2012. A Function‐Based Framework for Stream Assessment and Restoration Projects. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Washington, DC EPA 843‐K‐12‐006. NCDEQ, Division of Mitigation Services. March 2015. 2015 Neuse 03020201 Priorities. Last accessed at http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=340a3f58‐336b‐42bf‐bab2‐ fb663cbfd78d&groupId=60329 NCDENR, Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Feb. 2014. Annual Monitoring and Closeout Reporting Format, Data Requirements, and Content Guidance. Last accessed at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=7af33f02‐0b5d‐4e8c‐b4e5‐ 8517b3b41815&groupId=60329 NCDEQ, Division of Water Resources. Draft 2016 303(d) list. Raleigh, NC. Last accessed 11/2017 at: https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2016/NC_2016_Category_5_20 160606.pdf North Carolina Interagency Review Team. 2016. Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update. Last accessed at: http://saw‐reg.usace.army.mil/PN/2016/Wilmington‐District‐ Mitigation‐Update.pdf Neuse River Basin Buffer Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295. Mitigation Program Requirements for Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers. Last accessed at http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20‐ %20environmental%20quality/chapter%2002%20‐ %20environmental%20management/subchapter%20b/15a%20ncac%2002b%20.0295.pdf Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 42 Shields, F.D., Jr. R.R. Copeland, P.C. Klingeman, M.W. Doyle, and A. Simon. 2003. Design for Stream Restoration. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 129 (8): 575‐584. Shields, Ing. A., W. P. Ott, and J. C. Van Uchelen. 1936. Application of Similarity Principles and Turbulence Research to Bed‐load Movement. Pasadena, CA: Soil Conservation Service, California Institute of Technology Simon, A., W. Dickerson, and A. Heins. 2004. Suspended‐sediment transport rates at the 1.5‐year recurrence interval for ecoregions of the United States: transport conditions at the bankfull and effective discharge? Geomorphology 58: 243–262. Simon, A. and M. Rinaldi. 2006. Disturbance, stream incision, and channel evolution: The roles of excess transport capacity and boundary materials in controlling channel response. Geomorphology 79: 361–383. Stream Mitigation Guidelines, April 2003, US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District. USDA, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program. 2008. Stream Simulation: An Ecological Approach to Providing Passage for Aquatic Organisms at Road‐Stream Crossings. Appendix E: Methods for Streambed Mobility/Stability Analysis. Last accessed 9/2016 at: http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/pdf/StreamSimulation/ USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2017. Web Soil Survey. Last accessed at: http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx USGS. 2017. National Streamflow Statistics Program, Version 6.1. Database Version NSS_v6_2017‐09‐ 27.mdb. Last accessed 11/2017 at: http://water.usgs.gov/software/NSS/. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.0 APPENDICES Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.1 Plan Sheets Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 SF1 10+00 to 21+55 1,235 Restoration 1 to 1 1,155 1,15521+55 to 32+62 1,143 1,105 1,105SF2* 33+19 to 44+53 1,027 Restoration 1 to 1 1,134 1,13444+84 to 49+54 283 470 47049+54 to 55+52 592 598 59855+82 to 56+08 26 26 26Tributary 1 100+00 to 105+10 365 Restoration 1 to 1 510 510Tributary 1A 150+00 to 151+59 47 Restoration 1 to 1 159 159Tributary 2‐1 200+00 to 203+34 326 Enhancement II 2.5 to 1 334 134Tributary 2‐2 203+34 to 206+71 318 Restoration 1 to 1 337 337Tributary 2‐3 206+71 to 215+26 820 Restoration 1 to 1 855 855Tributary 3 300+00 to 300+71 72 Enhancement I1.5 to 17147Tributary 3 300+71 to 301+29 82 Restoration 1 to 15858TOTAL STREAM CREDITS 6,588Buffer Restoration TOB to 100'N/A 413,194 Buffer Restoration TOB to 100'1.00 413,194 413,194 Buffer Restoration 101‐200'N/A 37,091 Buffer Restoration 101‐200'0.33 37,091 12,240 Buffer Enhancement TOB to 100'N/A 74,802 Buffer Enhancement TOB to 100'0.50 74,802 37,401 Buffer Preservation TOB to 100'N/A 175,029 Buffer Preservation TOB to 100'0.10 175,029 17,503 480,338 * Crossings have been removed from creditable linear footage for all project streams.TOTAL BUFFER CREDITSMitigation RatioRestoration Footage or AreaMitigation CreditsRestoration 1 to 1PROJECT COMPONENTS – 6,588 STREAM CREDITS AND 480,338 BUFFER CREDITSSF3*Reach IDProposed StationingExisting Footage or Square FeetApproach Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan April 24, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.2 Data Analysis/Supplemental Information and Maps Existing Conditions Cross‐Sections Pebble Count Tables Stream Morphological Tables Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan April 24, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Station Elevation0.0 201.53 199.64.5 201.87 6.48.6 202.02 7.210.2 201.75 200.811.0 201.46 8.711.8 199.65 1.212.8 198.68 0.913.5 198.52 8.114.3 198.43 1.215.4 198.36 2.916.1 198.4817.2 198.6418.4 198.8621.0 201.8422.0 201.8830.3 201.5237.3 201.17Bankfull Elevation:SUMMARY DATARiver Basin:Project NameXS IDDrainage Area:Date:Field Crew:175 acresFlood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:NeuseStony Fork Restoration SiteXS1 Stony Fork Reach 15/26/2016T. Seelinger, A. FrenchBankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Mean Depth at Bankfull:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:W / D Ratio:1981992002012022030 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS1 Stony Fork Reach 15/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 198.70 194.44.1 198.56 7.07.5 198.16 7.011.9 197.19 195.616.0 196.15 10.018.0 195.67 1.320.0 195.41 1.020.6 195.23 7.020.8 193.51 1.422.3 193.52 1.723.0 193.1424.2 193.1025.1 193.0725.9 193.1026.4 193.3227.2 193.7427.9 194.5628.7 196.7530.1 197.0733.1 197.0837.0 196.7940.5 196.6443.7 196.43NeuseStony Fork Restoration SiteXS2 Stony Fork Reach 2River Basin:Project NameXS IDDrainage Area:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Date:Field Crew:190 acres5/26/2016T. Seelinger, A. FrenchW / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bankfull Elevation:SUMMARY DATAMean Depth at Bankfull:Bank Height Ratio:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:1921931941951961971981990 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS2 Stony Fork Reach 25/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 189.45185.24.1 189.556.910.1 189.215.013.4 188.67187.415.8 188.117.417.6 187.762.218.9 185.811.421.6 183.443.622.0 183.271.522.4 183.052.122.7 182.9623.2 183.0624.4 184.2825.3 187.4428.4 189.3629.2 190.9833.1 191.7436.4 192.0939.0 192.43Bankfull Elevation:SUMMARY DATARiver Basin:Project NameXS IDDrainage Area:Date:Field Crew:217 acresFlood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:NeuseStony Fork Restoration SiteXS3 Stony Fork Reach 25/26/2016T. Seelinger, A. FrenchBankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Mean Depth at Bankfull:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:W / D Ratio:1821841861881901921940 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS3 Stony Fork Reach 25/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 182.10 180.44.7 182.08 8.99.0 182.19 10.011.5 181.81 181.713.8 181.21 14.515.1 180.27 1.316.3 180.18 0.916.6 179.46 11.218.9 179.37 1.520.2 179.27 1.621.5 179.1722.8 179.1823.3 179.0323.9 179.3025.8 181.2428.6 183.3430.9 183.8037.3 184.06NeuseStony Fork Restoration SiteXS4 Stony Fork Reach 2River Basin:Project NameXS IDDrainage Area:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Date:Field Crew:254 acresMax Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:Bankfull Elevation:SUMMARY DATAMean Depth at Bankfull:5/26/2016T. Seelinger, A. FrenchBankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:1781791801811821831841850 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS4 Stony Fork Reach 25/26/2016BankfullFloodprone Area Station Elevation0.0 178.30 176.68.5 178.72 8.214.0 178.98 7.416.6 178.59 178.018.1 178.34 9.919.9 176.94 1.521.4 175.41 1.123.3 175.42 6.724.6 175.22 1.325.6 175.11 2.226.3 175.2227.1 175.3929.0 179.2129.9 179.3235.4 179.2740.1 179.2944.4 179.26Bankfull Elevation:SUMMARY DATARiver Basin:Project NameXS IDDrainage Area:Date:Field Crew:264 acresFlood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:NeuseStony Fork Restoration SiteXS5 Stony Fork Reach 25/26/2016T. Seelinger, A. FrenchBankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Mean Depth at Bankfull:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:W / D Ratio:1741751761771781791800 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS5 Stony Fork Reach 25/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 176.80 175.64.4 177.00 12.58.8 177.22 10.510.1 177.30 176.911.4 176.81 14.412.4 174.40 1.314.7 174.22 1.216.9 174.37 8.819.2 174.32 1.420.8 174.29 2.022.0 174.4723.5 178.1625.8 179.7727.8 180.1931.2 180.2634.9 179.4839.0 178.9342.3 178.7545.0 178.96River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS6 Stony Fork Reach 3Drainage Area:414 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:1731741751761771781791801810 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS6 Stony Fork Reach 35/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 199.77 197.04.1 199.60 0.97.9 199.49 3.412.0 198.93 197.414.4 198.87 4.517.2 198.33 0.418.4 197.93 0.319.5 197.21 12.820.0 196.60 1.320.8 196.75 4.521.4 196.7722.2 196.6223.1 196.9924.6 198.1026.0 198.5130.3 198.6034.5 198.2638.6 198.11Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Drainage Area:12 acresDate:5/26/2016XS7 Tributary 1SUMMARY DATAEntrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:Bankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchRiver Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS ID1961971971981981991992002000 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS7 Tributary 15/26/2016BankfullFloodprone Area Station Elevation0.0 99.77 96.05.3 100.02 3.611.3 100.00 4.414.0 99.65 97.214.9 96.50 5.716.3 95.01 1.216.7 94.96 0.817.5 94.88 5.418.1 94.82 1.318.5 95.05 4.119.6 95.6822.0 100.0323.8 100.2528.7 100.1135.3 100.35River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS8 Tributary 2Drainage Area:93 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:9495969798991001010 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS8 Tributary 25/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 177.63 176.76.4 177.59 9.411.0 177.91 5.713.1 178.03 178.813.8 177.79 >3014.7 174.81 2.115.6 174.67 1.616.5 174.85 3.517.5 174.86 5.318.5 175.02 1.519.2 175.2920.4 178.2322.0 178.6826.8 178.5830.7 178.57River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS9 Tributary 2Drainage Area:149.5 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:1741751751761761771771781781791791800 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS9 Tributary 25/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 210.87 207.017.6 209.81 1.926.9 210.02 4.829.0 206.99 207.731.5 206.30 5.933.7 206.84 0.735.0 208.53 0.467.5 210.49 12.61.33.2River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS10 Tributary 3Drainage Area:29 acresDate:May-16Field Crew:Survey staffSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:2062072082092102112120 1020304050607080Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS10 Tributary 35/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 210.97 206.815.3 208.68 2.615.9 206.27 4.217.7 206.02 207.619.6 206.26 5.021.6 208.91 0.829.4 208.78 0.636.3 212.99 6.944.2 215.71 1.23.4Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:SUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Drainage Area:29 acresDate:May-16Field Crew:Survey staffRiver Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS11 Tributary 32062072082092102112122132142152160 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS11 Tributary 35/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 182.75 180.64.7 182.77 9.38.5 182.35 10.111.8 181.71 182.013.5 181.06 >2015.8 180.64 1.316.4 179.53 0.919.3 179.49 11.021.4 179.29 2.022.7 179.54 1.123.3 179.7024.4 180.2626.6 180.8029.2 181.1030.9 181.48River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS Ref 1Drainage Area:263.9 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:1791801801811811821821831830 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS Ref 15/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 101.01 100.27.2 100.37 15.010.0 100.99 11.811.1 100.87 102.312.4 99.16 >3813.6 98.10 2.114.7 98.18 1.316.2 98.21 9.317.2 98.21 3.218.0 98.34 1.118.8 98.5019.4 99.2920.5 99.6124.0 100.3026.3 101.0230.1 100.8038.2 101.73River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS Ref 2Drainage Area:536.8 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:989899991001001011011021021031030 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS Ref 25/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 100.94 100.08.4 101.48 15.09.8 101.44 11.711.3 100.39 102.113.5 99.56 >2515.1 99.45 2.116.1 99.09 1.317.2 98.14 9.118.1 98.09 2.119.3 97.99 1.520.0 98.1121.6 98.1422.3 98.2422.8 98.5225.3 101.8626.2 102.1929.3 102.9333.5 103.22River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS Ref 3Drainage Area:536.8 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:9798991001011021031040 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS Ref 35/26/2016BankfullFlood Prone Area Station Elevation0.0 100.63 98.10.8 100.49 5.92.3 98.98 7.76.3 98.49 99.410.3 98.83 22.313.3 98.52 1.315.6 97.90 0.817.8 97.57 10.018.1 96.96 2.918.7 96.87 1.219.7 96.9821.0 96.9421.6 96.8423.0 98.6224.5 99.5831.1 99.7234.5 100.6538.8 100.78River Basin:NeuseProject NameStony Fork Restoration SiteXS IDXS Ref 4Drainage Area:149.5 acresDate:5/26/2016Field Crew:T. Seelinger, A. FrenchSUMMARY DATABankfull Elevation:Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area:Bankfull Width:Flood Prone Area Elevation:Flood Prone Width:Max Depth at Bankfull:Mean Depth at Bankfull:W / D Ratio:Entrenchment Ratio:Bank Height Ratio:9797989899991001001011010 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Elevation (feet)Station (feet)Neuse River Basin, Stony Fork Restoration Site, XS Ref 45/26/2016BankfullFloodprone Area 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS1 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 3%Silt/Clay 26%Sand 71%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.15D16 1.2D35 2.2D50 5.3D65 7.5D84 11D95 Size Distribution 1.1Mean (mm) 7.1Dispersion -0.4Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 3 10 2 4 5 5 20 6 13 20 7 4 1 100 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS2 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 3%Silt/Clay 54%Sand 43%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.11D16 0.23D35 0.57D50 3.4D65 8.0D84 11D95 Size Distribution 0.9Mean (mm) 8.6Dispersion 0.2Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 3 4 11 19 11 8 6 3 18 12 3 1 99 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS3 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 61%Silt/Clay 13%Sand 26%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.062D16 0.062D35 0.062D50 0.068D65 4.7D84 11D95 Size Distribution 0.5Mean (mm) 8.7Dispersion 1Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 62 3 5 3 1 1 5 3 4 1 8 3 2 101 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS4 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 10%Silt/Clay 90%Sand 0%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.066D16 0.080D35 0.093D50 0.11D65 0.14D84 0.21D95 Size Distribution 0.1Mean (mm) 1.5Dispersion 0.1Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 10 70 20 100 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS5 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 5%Silt/Clay 7%Sand 88%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 1.1D16 2.1D35 4.1D50 7.0D65 12D84 17D95 Size Distribution 3.7Mean (mm) 3.3Dispersion -0.1Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 5 1 7 23 17 10 11 13 14 5 1 107 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS6 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 5%Silt/Clay 10%Sand 85%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 1.1D16 6.0D35 8.3D50 9.6D65 12D84 15D95 Size Distribution 3.6Mean (mm) 3.3Dispersion -0.7Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 6 1 9 1 10 3 8 15 40 17 4 114 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS7 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 100%Silt/Clay 0%Sand 0%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.062D16 0.062D35 0.062D50 0.062D65 0.062D84 0.062D95 Size Distribution 0.1Mean (mm) 1Dispersion NaNSkewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 100 100 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS8 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 100%Silt/Clay 0%Sand 0%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.062D16 0.062D35 0.062D50 0.062D65 0.062D84 0.062D95 Size Distribution 0.1Mean (mm) 1Dispersion NaNSkewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 100 100 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS9 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 8%Silt/Clay 67%Sand 25%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.031D16 0.13D35 0.21D50 0.45D65 2.0D84 6.1D95 Size Distribution 0.2Mean (mm) 8Dispersion 0.1Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 9 15 14 25 13 9 11 4 7 6 1 114 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS Ref 1 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 10%Silt/Clay 90%Sand 0%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.066D16 0.080D35 0.093D50 0.11D65 0.14D84 0.21D95 Size Distribution 0.1Mean (mm) 1.5Dispersion 0.1Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 10 70 20 100 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS Ref 2 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 0%Silt/Clay 65%Sand 35%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.091D16 0.20D35 0.39D50 1.0D65 1.8D84 5.6D95 Size Distribution 0.4Mean (mm) 4.4Dispersion 0Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 11 10 22 13 11 23 5 3 2 1 1 1 103 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS Ref 3 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 0%Silt/Clay 81%Sand 19%Gravel 0%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.10D16 0.17D35 0.22D50 0.41D65 1.2D84 3.2D95 Size Distribution 0.3Mean (mm) 3.4Dispersion 0.4Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 7 13 37 11 13 12 3 3 1 100 020406080100Particle Size Distribution Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site XS Ref 4 Particle Size (mm)% Finer Than (Cumulative)0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000 Assessment - 5/26/2016 Type 7%Silt/Clay 24%Sand 68%Gravel 1%Cobble 0%Boulder 0%Bedrock 0%Hardpan 0%Wood/Det. 0%Artificial Size (mm) 0.12D16 2.4D35 6.4D50 11D65 19D84 30D95 Size Distribution 1.6Mean (mm) 12.5Dispersion -0.6Skewness Particle Silt/Clay Millimeter Very Fine Fine Count Medium Coarse Very Coarse Very Fine Fine Fine Medium Medium Coarse Coarse Very Coarse Very Coarse Small Small Large Large Small Small Medium Lrg- Very Lrg Bedrock < 0.062 .062 - .125 .125 - .25 .25 - .50 .50 - 1 1 - 2 2 - 4 4 - 5.7 5.7 - 8 8 - 11.3 11.3 - 16 16 - 22.6 22.6 - 32 32 - 45 45 - 64 64 - 90 90 - 128 128 - 180 180 - 256 256 - 362 362 - 512 512 - 1024 1024 - 2048 >2048 S/C S A N D S G R A V E L S C O B L B L D R BDRK Total 7 4 6 7 4 4 3 8 8 6 14 13 9 10 2 1 106 T1 Stony Fork T2 XSR ef 1 XSRef 4 XSR ef 2XSRef 3 T3 T1A NCCGIAÜ01,000500Feet REFERENCE CROSS-SECTION LOCATIONS Project Easement Existing Project Streams Other Streams Reference Cross-Sections Image Source: Google Earth, 3/2018. Morphological CriteriaReferenceG4c G4c - G5c G4c G5 G5c G4 C4 C4 C4 C4 C4 C4 C4 C4 C4 C40.27 0.41 0.84 0.02 0.23 0.05 1.49 ~ 0.27 0.41 0.84 0.02 0.04 0.15 0.23 0.027.2 5.0 -- 10.0 10.5 3.4 4.5 -- 5.7 4.2-4.8 14.8 -- 18.8 ~ 9.7 11.3 12.6 5.0 5.0 7.6 9.0 5.00.9 1.0 -- 1.4 1.2 0.3 0.8 -- 1.7 0.4-0.6 1.3 -- 1.8 ~ 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.46.4 6.9 -- 8.9 12.5 0.9 3.6 -- 9.4 1.9-2.6 25 ~ 7.0 9.4 11.8 1.9 1.9 4.3 5.8 1.98.1 3.7 -- 11.2 8.9 12.7 3.4 -- 5.4 6.9-12.6 9.0 -- 14.0 10 -- 15 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.4 13.9 13.51.2 1.3 -- 2.2 1.3 0.4 1.2 -- 2.1 0.6-0.7 1.9 -- 2.4 ~ 1.1 1.2 1.4 0.6 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.68.7 7.4 -- 14.5 14.4 4.5 5.7 -- 30.7 5.0-5.9 >50 ~ 100 100 100 50 50 50 50 501.2 1.4 -- 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.3 -- 5.4 1.2 >2.5 >2.5 10.3 8.8 7.9 10 10 6.6 5.6 101.3 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.3 1.2 -- 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2Pool Mean Depth (ft)********1.6 -- 1.8 ~ 1.3 1.5 1.7 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.2 0.7Riffle Mean Depth (ft) (Dbkf) 0.9 1.0 -- 1.4 1.2 0.3 0.8 -- 1.7 *** 1.3 -- 1.8 ~ 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.4Pool Width (ft)********16.2 -- 18.8 ~ 13.5 15.7 17.5 7.0 7.0 10.6 12.5 7.0Riffle Width (ft) 7.2 5.0 -- 10.0 10.5 3.4 4.5 -- 5.7 *** 14.8 -- 18.8~ 9.7 11.3 12.6 5.0 5.0 7.6 9.0 5.0Pool XS Area (sf)********25.5 -- 33.4 ~ 17.6 23.3 29.2 5.0 5.0 10.1 14.8 5.0Riffle XS Area (sf) 6.4 6.9 -- 8.9 12.5 0.9 3.6 -- 9.4 *** 25.0 ~ 7.0 9.411.8 1.9 1.9 4.3 5.8 1.9Pool Width / Riffle Width********1.2 -- 1.3 1.2 -- 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4Pool Max Depth / Dbkf********2.21.5 -- 3.5 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.7 3.3 3.0Bank Height Ratio 2.9 1.6 -- 2.1 2.0 4.5 1.5 -- 4.1 3.2-3.4 1.0 -- 1.21.0 -- 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0Mean Bankfull Velocity (V) (fps) 3.5 3.3 -- 3.8 3.4 3.2 2.1 -- 3.9 1.8-2.3 3.7 -- 4.2 3.5 -- 5 3.2 3.2 3.6 3.0 2.9 3.1 3.4 1.2Bankfull Discharge (Q) (cfs) 22.2 23.7 -- 30.2 42.1 3 13.9 -- 19.7 3-6 93 -- 105 ~ 22.7 30.4 42.8 5.6** 5.3 13.5 19.9 2.2Radius of Curvature (Rc) (ft)********16 -- 87 ~ 20 -- 29 22 -- 33 28 -- 35 11 -- 17 12 -- 15 16 -- 23 18 -- 23 11 -- 14Belt Width (Wblt) (ft)********60 ~30 -- 55 37 -- 65 46 -- 77 23 -- 37 25 -- 40 28 -- 45 32 -- 54 16 -- 26Meander Length (Lm) (ft)********66 -- 191 ~ 93 -- 132 105 -- 148 148 -- 176 58 -- 72 70 85 -- 90 92 -- 100 43-- 47Radius of Curvature / Bankfull Width********0.9 -- 5.9 2 -- 3 2.1 -- 3.0 2.0 -- 2.9 2.2 -- 2.8 2.2 -- 3.4 2.4 -- 3.0 2.1 -- 3.0 2 .0-- 2.6 2.2 -- 2.8Meander Width Ratio (Wblt / Wbkf)********4.13.5 -- 8 3.1 -- 5.7 3.3 -- 5.8 3.7 -- 6.1 4.6 -- 7.4 5.0 -- 8.0 3.7 -- 5.9 3.6 -- 6.0 3.2 -- 5.2Meander Length / Bankfull Width********3.5 -- 12.9 7 -- 14 9.6 -- 13.6 9.3 -- 13.1 11.7 -- 14.0 11.6 -- 14.4 14 11.2 -- 11.8 10.2 -- 11.1 8.6 -- 9.4Valley slope 0.011 0.009 0.007 0.028 0.013 0.012 0.006 0.005 -- 0.015 0.011 0.009 0.007 0.024 0.016 0.014 0.013 0.0019Average water surface slope 0.009 0.008 0.006 0.035 0.014 0.007 0.005 ~0.009 0.008 0.008 0.020 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.0016Riffle slope 0.009 0.003 -- 0.008 0.006 0.035 0.009 -- 0.020 *** 0.013 -- 0.035 ~ 0.009 -- 0.015 0.009 -- 0.015 0.01 0.014 - 0.04 0.016 0.014 0.012 -- 0.015 0.0025Pool slope********0 -- 0.0003 ~ 0 0 0 0 0 -- 0.006 0 0 0Pool to pool spacing********50 -- 105 ~ 55 -- 70 59 -- 84 84 -- 101 31 -- 44 32-- 40 44 -- 50 46 -- 63 21 -- 27Pool length********14 -- 33 ~ 21 -- 46 24 -- 52 35 -- 62 11 -- 29 6 -- 16 14 -- 24 12 -- 34 7 -- 15Riffle Slope / Avg. Water Surface Slope 1.00 0.31 -- 1.00 1.00 1.001.00 -- 1.43 *** 2.6 -- 7.0 1.2 -- 1.5 1.0 -- 1.6 1.1 -- 1.9 1.2 0.7 - 2.0 1.3 1.2 1.1 -- 1.4 1.6Pool Slope / Avg. Water Surface Slope********0 -- 0.06 0 -- 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Pool to Pool Spacing / Bankfull Width********2.7 -- 7.1 3.5 -- 7 5.6 -- 7.3 5.2 -- 7.4 6.7 -- 8.0 6.2 -- 8.8 6.4 -- 8.0 5.7 -- 6.6 5.1 -- 7.0 4.2 -- 5.4* : no data shown for pools, radius of curvature or meanders in existing stream do to channelization / lack of bed diversity** : channel sized larger for constructability***: channel affected by former pondT3Restored ReachesWidth / Depth Ratio (Wbkf / Dbkf)Bankfull Width (Wbkf) (ft)Bankfull Mean Depth (Dbkf) (ft)Stream Type (Rosgen)SF3SF1Stable Design RatiosSF1 (xs1)Profile Pattern DimensionEntrenchment Ratio (ER)Sinuosity (stream length/valley length) (K)Width of Flood Prone Area (Wfpa) (ft)Maximum Depth (dmbkf) (ft)SF2 (xs2-5)SF3 (xs6)T1 (xs7)Bankfull Cross-Sectional Area (Abkf) (ft2)Drainage Area (mi2)Existing ChannelT2-2T2 (xs8-9)Long BranchT2-2T2-1T1SF2T3 (xs10-11) Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.3 Buffer Mitigation Plan Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 1 BUFFER MITIGATION PLAN Stony Fork Restoration Site Johnston County, North Carolina DWR Project Number: 2016‐0372 DMS Project Number 97085 DMS Contract 6830 Neuse River Basin Cataloging Unit 03020201 Prepared by: KCI Associates of North Carolina, PC 4505 Falls of Neuse Rd, Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27609 (919) 783‐9214 Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 2 Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 3 Table of Contents A. BUFFER MITIGATION SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 4 B. EXISTING CONDITIONS ......................................................................................................................... 4 B.1 Chinese Privet ................................................................................................................................ 4 B.2 Kudzu ............................................................................................................................................. 5 B.3 Japanese Honeysuckle ................................................................................................................... 5 C. BUFFER PHOTOGRAPHS ....................................................................................................................... 6 D. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ...................................................................................................................... 7 D.1 Pre‐construction Phase ................................................................................................................. 7 D.2 Construction Phase........................................................................................................................ 7 D.3 Post‐Construction Phase / Adaptive Management ....................................................................... 8 E. PLANTING PLAN .................................................................................................................................... 8 F. MONITORING PLAN .............................................................................................................................. 9 G. PROJECT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ................................................................................................ 9 ATTACHMENTS: I. Table 3. Buffer Project Areas and Assets II. Adjacent Development Map III. Invasive Species Coverage Map IV. NCDWQ STREAM DETERMINATION LETTER V. NCDWR MITIGATION VIABILITY LETTER VI. NCDWR MITIGATION VIABILITY LETTER REVISED VII. BUFFER MAP SHEETS Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 4 A. BUFFER MITIGATION SUMMARY The Stony Fork Restoration Site (SFRS) is a stream and riparian buffer mitigation site located in Johnston County, NC. The site will produce riparian buffer credits for the Neuse Basin under Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295, effective November 1, 2015. This plan provides an overview of the existing buffer conditions, proposed mitigation actions, and monitoring performance standards along the three project subject streams, Stony Fork (SF), which has three reaches, and Tributaries 1 (T1) and 2 (T2). There are two additional project streams (T1A and T3) that are not subject to the buffer rule. Below are the anticipated buffer credits that will be produced from this project, and project maps are included in the attachments. Additional information on the stream mitigation components is included in the mitigation plan prepared for NCDMS. Table 1. Buffer Credit Summary Project Component Existing Square Footage Creditable Footage or Acreage Restoration Level Mitigation Ratio (X:1) Mitigation Credits Notes/Comments Buffer Restoration TOB to 100' 413,194 413,194 R 1:1 413,194 Buffer Restoration 101‐200' 37,091 37,091 R 3.03:1 12,240 Buffer Enhancement TOB to 100' 74,802 74,802 E 2:1 37,401 Buffer Preservation TOB to 100' 424,660 175,029 P 10:1 17,503 Preservation limited to no more than 25% of total buffer mitigation area. TOTAL 949,747 700,116 480,338 B. EXISTING CONDITIONS The land uses at the project site are a combination of farmland, pine plantation, and reforested hardwoods. In recent years, residential development has increased to the north of the project site, and an additional development is proposed to the southeast (see Attachment II). In the revegetated portions of the site, invasive species have become prevalent throughout the riparian areas of SFRS. Dominant species include Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), kudzu (Pueraria montana), and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Treatment of these populations began in November and December 2017 with mechanical removal and will continue with additional physical and chemical treatments as the project proceeds (see Section D below). A map has been prepared showing the original extent of aerial coverage of these primary invasive species. It is included as Attachment III. Hardwoods, where present, consist of tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), white oak (Quercus alba), American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Below is further detail about these invasive plant populations. B.1 Chinese Privet Chinese privet is found throughout the forested components of the project varying in lateral extent and density throughout the project area. The areas of highest density were found along Stony Fork from the upstream limit of the project to the confluence of T1 (Attachment 1, Area A). The entire riparian area within the easement and extending outside the easement is dominated by privet in this area. A second high density area was located within the riparian area along T2 from the upstream extent of the project tributary to the confluence of Stony Fork (Attachment 1, Area B). Again, most of the mid‐story canopy is dominated by privet with a few mature desirable Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 5 tree species mixed in to comprise a patchy overstory. In these two areas, the privet dominates the mid‐story canopy and had crowded out more desirable understory species. The size of the privet ranges in diameter from seedling size to 8” DBH. Privet is also located sporadically within the riparian zone throughout the rest of the project. In many of these areas it does not dominate the understory, but instead is interspersed with more desirable native trees and shrubs as noted above. B.2 Kudzu Kudzu dominates the area of the project surrounding T1 as well as a large section of Stony Fork in the general vicinity of T1. This approximately 3‐acre area is essentially a monoculture of kudzu during the growing season, with vines extending up and into the tree canopy that located along the edge of the easement boundary. The approximate location of the kudzu infestation is shown in Attachment 2. Other small patches of kudzu exist within the easement, especially along the farm road approximately 1,500 feet below the confluence of T1 and Stony Fork. B.3 Japanese Honeysuckle Japanese honeysuckle is located sporadically throughout the easement area, but has a stronger presence along Tributary 2, especially in areas directly adjacent (10‐15’) from the T2 stream channel. Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 6 C. BUFFER PHOTOGRAPHS Photo 1. Top of Stony Fork showing privet coverage and other invasives prior to removal. Photo 2. Kudzu along Stony Fork Reach 2. Photo 3. Kudzu near the confluence of Stony Fork and T1. Photo 4. Privet covering T2 channel (approximately halfway down) prior to removal. Photo 5: Near top of T2 showing mechanical removal of privet that occurred in December 2017. Photo 6: Lower part of T2 showing another view of privet removal. Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 7 D. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN The following approach will be used to restore, enhance, and preserve the buffer areas across the site as outlined in the project maps in the attachments. The dominance of the three target species above will require a diligent and persistent treatment approach to control and prevent the future encroachment of these species into the riparian areas. The treatment program will consist of three phases of treatment. These include the pre‐construction, construction, and post‐construction phases of treatment. D.1 Pre‐construction Phase The preconstruction phase started with the physical removal of privet biomass through mechanical grinding in fall and winter 2017. Physical removal was required because of the degree of infestation. Chemically treating these areas was not be feasible initially due to the size and density of the existing privet plants. Physical removal was completed using a FECON mulching head mounted to a track loader (skid steer). Privet trees were ground into mulch and left in place to decompose. Pictures showing the condition of T2 after grinding are shown above in Section C. This first step in the invasive control program allowed for more direct access to the riparian area for future chemical treatment. It also served to remove the larger privet trees that were acting as a seed source for the colonization and spread of the privet stand. In the spring of 2018, topical chemical treatment of privet using a tank mix of active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate was completed throughout the riparian areas of the easement using backpack sprayers. Stumps were also treated using a 40% active ingredient glyphosate solution. At the same time as privet was being treated, other invasives such as Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose and autumn olive were also treated topically with glyphosate. The kudzu area was also treated in the Fall 2017 using the active ingredient Clopyralid. The initial treatment was effective at reducing the aerial standing crop of kudzu by an estimated 50% based on a re‐evaluation in Spring 2018 (post emergence). A second treatment was conducted in the Spring 2018 on the main kudzu area as well as several smaller patches in other areas of the easement. The pre‐construction phase activities allowed KCI to establish a baseline condition to lay the groundwork for the construction phase and‐post construction phase programs. D.2 Construction Phase Mechanical removal (including grubbing) will occur throughout the stream construction phase since equipment will be mobilized for an extended duration during construction. This period will also include the mechanical removal of kudzu after chemical treatments have had adequate time to translocate to the root system. Debris from mechanical removal of privet and kudzu will be burned on site. Larger debris remaining from the pre‐construction phase will also be burned during the construction phase. KCI equipment operators are experienced in identifying privet, kudzu and multiflora rose and understand the need for mechanical removal of these invasives as they implement the designed stream improvements. The staff is also experienced in minimizing damage to desirable canopy trees and will avoid critical root zones when possible to minimize damage to trees that will remain. A NC licensed aquatic pesticide applicator from KCI (Kevin O’Briant) will be on‐site at all times during construction. In addition to serving as the on‐site construction manager, Mr. O’Briant will Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 8 apply, supervise, and oversee the application of herbicides to the target species mentioned above during the construction process. With the construction duration expected to last 4‐5 months during the growing season, KCI envisions this time period to be critical in the process of eradicating the dense stands of privet and kudzu (as well as other invasives) that occur on the site. Weekly treatment of the entire easement area, as well as infested areas outside the easement where property owners have agreed to allow treatment, are expected to occur during the construction phase of the project. D.3 Post‐Construction Phase / Adaptive Management KCI has an active maintenance contract with Riverworks, Inc. for the long‐term care of invasive species on site. This work will be supervised by George Morris, a botanist and experienced invasive species specialist, with Riverworks. It is anticipated that multiple treatments each year (likely spring and fall), will be required to control the growth and re‐propagation of the invasive populations within the Stony Fork project. The program is envisioned to cover the full five years of monitoring required for the stream restoration project; however, the treatment program will adapt yearly to accommodate the ongoing effectiveness of the treatment work. Chemical treatment is expected to be the standard process for post construction services, but physical removal may be required to ensure the survivability of desirable planted trees and native volunteers. E. PLANTING PLAN All unforested portions of the project easement will be planted to establish a forested riparian buffer. At a minimum, 12.1 acres will be reforested, but additional plantings may take place beyond this area to ensure an adequate density across the site. The planting plan is shown in greater detail in the project construction sheets. Trees and shrubs will be planted at a density of 968 stems per acre (9 feet x 5 feet spacing). Woody vegetation planting will be conducted during dormancy. Species to be planted may consist of the following and any substitutions from the planting plan will be taken from this list: Common Name Scientific Name River Birch Betula nigra American Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis White Oak Quercus alba Southern Red Oak Quercus falcata Swamp Chestnut Oak Quercus michauxii Pin Oak Quercus palustris Willow Oak Quercus phellos In addition, partial overstory forested enhancement sections of the easement that have been treated for privet will be supplementally planted with either one gallon container trees at a 20 by 20 foot spacing or bare root trees contained in tree shelters 10‐foot center spacing. These species may consist of river birch, sycamore, or any of the five oak species listed above. Buffer Mitigation Plan Page 9 F. MONITORING PLAN Vegetation monitoring will take place between the end of August and mid‐December. The success of the riparian plantings will be evaluated using twelve 0.02‐acre square or rectangular plots within the enhancement and restoration buffer mitigation areas. Six plots will be permanently installed, while the remainder will be randomly placed at the time of each monitoring visit. The plots will be distributed as follows: Table 2. Vegetative Monitoring Plots for Buffer Mitigation Veg Plot Reach Buffer Mitigation Distance from TOB Bank Type 1 SF1 Restoration 51‐200' Left Permanent 2 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' Right Permanent 3 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' Left Permanent 4 T1 Restoration 51‐200' Right Permanent 5 T2 Restoration TOB‐50' Left Permanent 6 T2 Enhancement TOB‐50' Left Permanent 7 SF1 Restoration TOB‐50' Right Random 8 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' left Random 9 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' Right Random 10 SF3 Enhancement TOB‐50' Right Random 11 T1 Restoration TOB‐50' Left Random 12 T2 Enhancement 51‐200' Right Random In the permanent plots, the plant’s height, species, location, and origin (planted versus volunteer) will be noted. In the random plots, species and height will be recorded. Height will be used as a determination of plant vigor. In all plots, exotic and invasive stems will also be included in the stem counts. Additionally, a photograph will be taken of each plot. Beginning at the end of the first growing season and no sooner than 5 months following planting, KCI will monitor the planted vegetation for riparian area success in monitoring years 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 or until DWR approval is obtained. G. PROJECT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS The vegetation within the areas proposed for riparian buffer credit must contain 260 stems per acre at the end of five years of monitoring. There should be a minimum of four native hardwood tree species (inclusive of volunteers), with no species greater than 50% of the stems. Trees in each plot must average 7 feet in height at Year 5. For any volunteer tree stem to count toward vegetative success, it must be a species from the approved planting list included in the Mitigation Plan. Table 3. Buffer Project Areas and AssetsLocation Jurisdictional Streams Restoration TypeReach ID/ComponentBuffer Width (ft)Creditable Area (sf)*Initial Credit Ratio (x:1)% Full CreditFinal Credit Ratio (x:1)Riparian Buffer Credits (BMU)Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 1.33 ‐ SF Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 291,656 100% 1.00 291,656 SF 101‐200' 20,075 33% 3.03 6,625 Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 2.67 ‐ SF Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 16,364 100% 2.00 8,182 101‐200' 33% 6.06 ‐ Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 1.33 ‐ T1 Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 74,430 100% 1.00 74,430 T1 101‐200' 17,015 33% 3.03 5,615 Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 2.67 ‐ Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 100% 2.00 ‐ 101‐200' 33% 6.06 ‐ Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 1.33 ‐ T2 Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 47,108 100% 1.00 47,108 101‐200' 33% 3.03 ‐ Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 2.67 ‐ T2 Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 58,439 100% 2.00 29,219 101‐200' 33% 6.06 ‐ 525,087 462,835 175,029 Location Jurisdictional Streams Restoration TypeReach ID/ComponentBuffer Width (ft)Creditable Area (sf)*Initial Credit Ratio (x:1)% Full CreditFinal Credit Ratio (x:1)Riparian Buffer Credits (BMU)SF Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 1,378 75% 13.33 103 SF Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 297,223 100% 10.00 29,722 SF 101‐200' 9,358 33% 30.30 309 Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 6.67 ‐ Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 100% 5.00 ‐ 101‐200' 33% 15.15 ‐ Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 13.33 ‐ T2 Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 115,847 100% 10.00 11,585 T2 101‐200' 854 33% 30.30 28 Min. 20' from TOB to 29' 75% 6.67 ‐ Min. 30' from TOB to 100' 100% 5.00 ‐ 101‐200' 33% 15.15 ‐ 424,660 41,747 413,069175,02910 100% 10 17,503 949,747 504,582 700,116 480,338 TOTAL BUFFER MITIGATION SQUARE FOOTAGE TOTAL BUFFER MITIGATION SQUARE FOOTAGE WITH ELIGIBLE PRESERVATIONSUBTOTAL AREA MIN. 30' FROM TOB TO 100' PRESERVATION ELIGIBLE FOR 10:1 CREDITLIMIT OF PRESERVATION BASED ON ELIGIBLE PRESERVATION AREASUBTOTALSSUBTOTALSELIGIBLE PRESERVATION AREARural SubjectRestoration 1Enhancement 2Rural NonsubjectRestoration 1Enhancement 2Rural SubjectRestoration 1Enhancement 2RuralSubjectPreservation10Nonsubject5RuralSubjectPreservation10Nonsubject5 Sher rill Far msPhase 2Forthcoming Sher rill Far msPhase 1Started 2018 Critcher Far msPhase 1Establ. 1998-2001 Critcher Far msPhase 2Est. 2006/7 NC Center for Geographic Information & Anaylsis Ü 0 1,200600Feet ATTACHMEN T II. ADJACENT DEVELOPMENT, STONY FOR K RE STORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Source: Google Earth, 3/2018. Project Easement (24.4 ac)Johnston County Parcels T1 Start Stony Fork T2 T3 T1A Ü 0 1,000500Feet ATTACHMENT III. EXTENT OF INVASIVE SPECIES, STONY FORK RESTORATION SITE, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Project Easement (24.4 ac) Existing Project Streams Other Streams Kudzu Area Privet - Area A Privet - Area B Source: Google 2018. Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 1 Ü 0 250125Feet Buffer Mitigation - Overview Image Source:Google Earth, 3/2018 Project Easement Buffer Zones TOB to less than 20' (No Credit) TOB to 20-29' TOB to 30' 30-100' 101-200' T1 T2 ! ! ! ! NCCGIAÜ0250125Feet Buffer Mitigation - Field Points Image Source:Google Earth, 3/2018 Existing Project Streams Other Streams Project Easement !Field Points T1 T2 SF Proposed Top of Bank, 30' and 101' lines Ü 0 10050Feet Buffer Mitigation - Sheet 1 Image Source:Google Earth, 3/2018 MATCHLINE WITHSHEET 2 T1 Star t Stony For kReach 1 (SF1) Stony For kReach 2 (SF2) Out of T1 watershed and beyond 200'of Stony Fork Project Easement Easement Drainage Breaks Buffer Width Zones Buffer Mitigation Buffer Restoration Buffer Enhancement Buffer Preservation Ü 0 10050Feet Buffer Mitigation - Sheet 2 Image Source:Google Earth, 3/2018 MATCHLINE WITHSHEET 1 Stony For k Reach 2 (SF2) MATCHLINE WITHSHEET 3 Project Easement Buffer Width Zones Buffer Mitigation Buffer Restoration Buffer Enhancement Buffer Preservation Pr oposed Top of Bank and 30' lines Pr oposed Top of Bank, 30', and 101' lines Ü 0 10050Feet Buffer Mitigation - Sheet 3 Image Source:Google Earth, 3/2018. MATCHLINE WITHSHEET 2 T2 Stony For kReach 3 (SF3) Project End Project Easement Easement Drainage Breaks Buffer Width Zones Buffer Mitigation Buffer Restoration Buffer Enhancement Buffer Preservation Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.4 Site Protection Instrument Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.5 Credit Release Schedule Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 All credit releases will be based on the total credit generated as reported in the final design plans unless otherwise documented and provided to the Interagency Review Team following construction. Under no circumstances shall any mitigation project be debited until the necessary DA authorization has been received for its construction or the District Engineer (DE) has otherwise provided written approval for the project in the case where no DA authorization is required for construction of the mitigation project. The DE, in consultation with the Interagency Review Team (IRT), will determine if performance standards have been satisfied sufficiently to meet the requirements of the release schedules below. In cases where some performance standards have not been met, credits may still be released depending on the specifics of the case. Monitoring may be required to restart or be extended, depending on the extent to which the site fails to meet the specified performance standard. The release of project credits will be subject to the criteria described as follows: Stream Credit Release Schedule – 7 year Timeframe Monitoring Year Credit Release Activity Interim Release Total Released 0 Initial Allocation – see requirements below 30% 30% 1 First year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met 10% 40% 2 Second year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met 10% 50% (60%*) 3 Third year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met 10% 60% (70%*) 4 Fourth year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met 5% 65% (75%*) 5 Fifth year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met 10% 75% (85%*) 6 Sixth year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met 5% 80% (90%*) 7 Seventh year monitoring report demonstrates performance standards are being met, and project has received close‐out approval from IRT 10% 90% (100%*) *See Subsequent Credit Releases description below Initial Allocation of Released Credits The initial allocation of released credits, as specified in the mitigation plan can be released by the NCDMS without prior written approval of the DE upon satisfactory completion of the following activities: a.Approval of the final Mitigation Plan b.Recordation of the preservation mechanism, as well as a title opinion acceptable to the USACE covering the property c.Completion of project construction (the initial physical and biological improvements to the mitigation site) pursuant to the mitigation plan; Per the NCDMS Instrument, construction means that a mitigation sit\e has been constructed in its entirety, to include planting, and an as‐built report has been produced. As‐built reports must be sealed by an engineer prior to project closeout, if appropriate but not prior to the initial allocation of released credits. d.R eceipt of necessary DA permit authorization or written DA appr oval for projects where DA permit issuance is not required Subsequent Credit Releases All subsequent credit releases must be approved by the DE, in consultation with the IRT, based on a determination that required performance standards have been achieved. For stream project with a 7‐year monitoring period, a reserve of 10% of a site’s total stream credits shall be released after four bank‐full Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 events have occurred, in separate years, provided the channel is stable and all other performance standards are met. In the event that less than four bankfull events occur during the monitoring period, release of these reserve credits shall be at the discretion of the IRT. As projects approach milestones associated with credit release, the NCDMS will submit a request for credit release to the DE along with documentation substantiating achievement of criteria required for release to occur. This documentation will be included with the annual monitoring report. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.6 Financial Assurance Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Pursuant to Section IV H and Appendix III of the Division of Mitigation Service’s In‐Lieu Fee Instrument dated July 28, 2010, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (formerly NCDENR) has provided the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District with a formal commitment to fund projects to satisfy mitigation requirements assumed by DMS. This commitment provides financial assurance for all mitigation projects implemented by the program. Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.7 DWR Stream Identification Forms Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.8 Approved Jurisdictional Determination Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.9 Approved FHWA Categorical Exclusion Form Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Categorical Exclusion Form for Division of Mitigation Services Projects Version 1.4 Note: Only Appendix A should to be submitted (along with any supporting documentation) as the environmental document. Part 1: General Project Infor mation Ston Fork Stream Restoration Site Johnston Count , NC 97085 KCI Technolo ies, Inc. Tim Morris 4601 Six Forks Rd, Suite 220, Ralei h, NC 27609 Stony Fork is a stream and stream buffer restoration project for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Services, Division of Mitigation Services that aims to restore and enhance over 7000 linear feet of channelized and entrenched stream channels in the Neuse River Basin. This project will occur on eight parcels of privately owned land near the Town of Benson in Johnston Count North Carolina. Date Conditional Approved By: Date D Check this box if there are outstanding issues Final Approval By: ••••• Date . ... DMS Project Manager For Division Administrator FHWA For Division Administrator FHWA \/Ar�irm 1 .:1 A/1 A/nF, 7-6-2016 Lindsay Crocker Version 1.4, 8/18/05 1 Part 2: All Projects Regulation/Question Response Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) 1. Is the project located in a CAMA county? Yes No 2. Does the project involve ground-disturbing activities within a CAMA Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)? Yes No N/A 3. Has a CAMA permit been secured? Yes No N/A 4. Has NCDCM agreed that the project is consistent with the NC Coastal Management Program? Yes No N/A Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) 1. Is this a “full-delivery” project? Yes No 2. Has the zoning/land use of the subject property and adjacent properties ever been designated as commercial or industrial? Yes No N/A 3. As a result of a limited Phase I Site Assessment, are there known or potential hazardous waste sites within or adjacent to the project area? Yes No N/A 4. As a result of a Phase I Site Assessment, are there known or potential hazardous waste sites within or adjacent to the project area? Yes No N/A 5. As a result of a Phase II Site Assessment, are there known or potential hazardous waste sites within the project area? Yes No N/A 6. Is there an approved hazardous mitigation plan? Yes No N/A National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) 1. Are there properties listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places in the project area? Yes No 2. Does the project affect such properties and does the SHPO/THPO concur? Yes No N/A 3. If the effects are adverse, have they been resolved? Yes No N/A Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act) 1. Is this a “full-delivery” project? Yes No 2. Does the project require the acquisition of real estate? Yes No N/A 3. Was the property acquisition completed prior to the intent to use federal funds? Yes No N/A 4. Has the owner of the property been informed: * prior to making an offer that the agency does not have condemnation authority; and * what the fair market value is believed to be? Yes No N/A Version 1.4, 8/18/05 2 Part 3: Ground-Disturbing Activities Regulation/Question Response American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) 1. Is the project located in a county claimed as “territory” by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians? Yes No 2. Is the site of religious importance to American Indians? Yes No N/A 3. Is the project listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places? Yes No N/A 4. Have the effects of the project on this site been considered? Yes No N/A Antiquities Act (AA) 1. Is the project located on Federal lands? Yes No 2. Will there be loss or destruction of historic or prehistoric ruins, monuments or objects of antiquity? Yes No N/A 3. Will a permit from the appropriate Federal agency be required? Yes No N/A 4. Has a permit been obtained? Yes No N/A Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) 1. Is the project located on federal or Indian lands (reservation)? Yes No 2. Will there be a loss or destruction of archaeological resources? Yes No N/A 3. Will a permit from the appropriate Federal agency be required? Yes No N/A 4. Has a permit been obtained? Yes No N/A Endangered Species Act (ESA) 1. Are federal Threatened and Endangered species and/or Designated Critical Habitat listed for the county? Yes No 2. Is Designated Critical Habitat or suitable habitat present for listed species? Yes No N/A 3. Are T&E species present or is the project being conducted in Designated Critical Habitat? Yes No N/A 4. Is the project “likely to adversely affect” the specie and/or “likely to adversely modify” Designated Critical Habitat? Yes No N/A 5. Does the USFWS/NOAA-Fisheries concur in the effects determination? (By virtue of no-response) Yes No N/A 6. Has the USFWS/NOAA-Fisheries rendered a “jeopardy” determination? Yes No N/A Version 1.4, 8/18/05 3 Executive Order 13007 (Indian Sacred Sites) 1. Is the project located on Federal lands that are within a county claimed as “territory” by the EBCI? Yes No 2. Has the EBCI indicated that Indian sacred sites may be impacted by the proposed project? Yes No N/A 3. Have accommodations been made for access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites? Yes No N/A Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) 1. Will real estate be acquired? Yes No 2. Has NRCS determined that the project contains prime, unique, statewide or local important farmland? Yes No N/A 3. Has the completed Form AD-1006 been submitted to NRCS? Yes No N/A Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) 1. Will the project impound, divert, channel deepen, or otherwise control/modify any water body? Yes No 2. Have the USFWS and the NCWRC been consulted? Yes No N/A Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (Section 6(f)) 1. Will the project require the conversion of such property to a use other than public, outdoor recreation? Yes No 2. Has the NPS approved of the conversion? Yes No N/A Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Essential Fish Habitat) 1. Is the project located in an estuarine system? Yes No 2. Is suitable habitat present for EFH-protected species? Yes No N/A 3. Is sufficient design information available to make a determination of the effect of the project on EFH? Yes No N/A 4. Will the project adversely affect EFH? Yes No N/A 5. Has consultation with NOAA-Fisheries occurred? Yes No N/A Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) 1. Does the USFWS have any recommendations with the project relative to the MBTA? Yes No 2. Have the USFWS recommendations been incorporated? Yes No N/A Wilderness Act 1. Is the project in a Wilderness area? Yes No 2. Has a special use permit and/or easement been obtained from the maintaining federal agency? Yes No N/A Agency Responses North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources State Historic Preservation Office Ramona M. Bartos, Administrator Governor Pat McCrory Office of Archives and History Secretary Susan Kluttz Deputy Secretary Kevin Cherry Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: (919) 807-6570/807-6599 May 12, 2016 Timothy Morris KCI Technologies Landmark Center II, Suite 220 4601 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Re: Stony Fork Stream Restoration, KCI 161600959, Johnston County, ER 16-0710 Dear Mr. Morris: Thank you for your letter of April 21, 2016, concerning the above project. We have conducted a review of the project and are aware of no historic resources which would be affected by the project. Therefore, we have no comment on the project as proposed. 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, contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-807-6579 or environmental.review@ncdcr.gov. In all future communication concerning this project, please cite the above referenced tracking number. Sincerely, Ramona M. Bartos The Natural Resources Conservation Service is an agency of the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources mission. An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer May 31, 2016 Timothy J. Morris Senior Environmental Scientist KCI Technologies, Inc. Landmark Center II, Suite 220 4601 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Dear Mr Morris: Thank you for your letter dated April 22, 2016, Subject: Request for Comments – Stony Fork Stream Restoration Project, KCI Job Number – 161600959, Johnston Co., NC. The following guidance is provided for your information. Projects are subject to the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) requirements if they may irreversibly convert farmland (directly or indirectly) to non- agricultural use and are completed by a federal agency or with assistance from a federal agency. Farmland means prime or unique farmlands as defined in section 1540(c)(1) of the FPPA or farmland that is determined by the appropriate state or unit of local government agency or agencies with concurrence of the Secretary of Agriculture to be farmland of statewide local importance. For the purpose of FPPA, farmland includes prime farmland, unique farmland, and land of statewide or local importance. Farmland subject to FPPA requirements does not have to be currently used for cropland. It can be forestland, pastureland, cropland, or other land, but not water or urban built-up land. Farmland does not include land already in or committed to urban development or water storage. Farmland already in urban development or water storage includes all such land with a density of 30 structures per 40-acre area. Farmland already in urban development also includes lands identified as urbanized area (UA) on the Census Bureau Map, or as urban area mapped with a tint overprint on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographical maps, or as urban-built-up on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Important Farmland Maps. The area in question meets one or more of the above criteria for Farmland. Farmland area will be affected or converted. Enclosed is the Farmland Conversion Impact Rating form AD1006 with PARTS II, IV and V completed by NRCS. The corresponding agency will need to complete the evaluation, according to the Code of Federal Regulation 7CFR 658, Farmland Protection Policy Act. Natural Resources Conservation Service North Carolina State Office 4407 Bland Road Suite 117 Raleigh, NC 27609 Voice 919-873-2171 Fax 844-325-6833 Mr. Morris Page 2 If you have any questions, please contact Milton Cortes, Assistant State Soil Scientist at 919-873-2171 or by email: milton.cortes@nc.usda.gov. Again, thank you for inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Milton Cortes Assistant State Soil Scientist cc: Kent Clary, State Soil Scientist, NRCS, Raleigh, NC MILTON CORTES Digitally signed by MILTON CORTES DN: c=US, o=U.S. Government, ou=Department of Agriculture, cn=MILTON CORTES, 0.9.2342.19200300.100.1.1=12001000080173 Date: 2016.05.31 15:49:42 -04'00' North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Gordon Myers, Executive Director Mailing Address: Habitat Conservation • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721 Telephone: (919) 707-0220 • Fax: (919) 707-0028 May 4, 2016 Mr. Timothy Morris KCI Technologies Landmark Center II, Suite 220 4601 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Subject: Request for Environmental Information for the Stony Fork Stream Restoration Project, KCI Project Number 161600959, Johnston County, North Carolina. Dear Mr. Morris, Biologists with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) have reviewed the proposed project description. Comments are provided in accordance with certain provisions of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (as amended), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667e) and North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 113-131 et seq.). KCI Technologies of North Carolina proposes to complete a wetland restoration project for the North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services. The subject site, referred to as the Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site, is located approximately 2,000 feet south and east of the intersection of Elevation and Federal Roads. The proposed restoration work will restore hydrology and vegetation by realigning the existing stream and stabilizing the site with native vegetation. Stony Creek flows into Hannah Creek in the Neuse River basin. Stream restoration projects often improve water quality and aquatic habitat. Establishing native, forested buffers in riparian areas will help protect water quality, improve aquatic and terrestrial habitats and provide a travel corridor for wildlife species. The NCWRC recommends the use of biodegradable and wildlife-friendly sediment and erosion control devices. Silt fencing, fiber rolls and/or other products should have loose-weave netting that is made of natural fiber materials with movable joints between the vertical and horizontal twines. Silt fencing and similar products that have been reinforced with plastic or metal mesh should be avoided as they impede the movement of terrestrial wildlife species. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have detrimental effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning habitat, suffocation of eggs and clogging of gills. Any invasive plant species that are found onsite should be removed. Page 2 May 4, 2016 Scoping – Stony Fork Stream Restoration Project Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me at (910) 409-7350 or gabriela.garrison@ncwildlife.org. Sincerely, Gabriela Garrison Eastern Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator Habitat Conservation Program NCNHDE-1517 April 20, 2016 Thomas Seelinger KCI Technologies, Inc. 4601 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 tommy.seelinger@kci.com RE: Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site Dear Thomas Seelinger: The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide information about natural heritage resources from our database that have been compiled for the project referenced above. A query of the NCNHP database, based on the project area mapped with your request, indicates that there are no records for rare species, important natural communities, natural areas, or conservation/managed areas within the proposed project boundary. Please note that although there may be no documentation of natural heritage elements within the project boundary, it does not imply or confirm their absence; the area may not have been surveyed. The results of this query should not be substituted for site-specific surveys where suitable habitat exists. In the event that rare species are found within the project area, please contact the NCNHP so that we may update our records. 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. The location of the natural areas and conservation/managed areas can be viewed online on the Natural Heritage Data Explorer found at: https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/. 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. The NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a Dedicated Nature Preserve (DNP), Registered Heritage Area (RHA), or Federally-listed species are documented near the project area. If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter or need additional assistance, please contact John Finnegan at john.finnegan@ncdcr.gov or 919.707.8630. Sincerely, NC Natural Heritage Program Page 1 of 3 Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area Stony Fork Stream Restoration Site April 20, 2016 NCNHDE-1517 Element Occurrences Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area Taxonomic Group EO ID Scientific Name Common Name Last Observation Date Element Occurrence Status Accuracy Federal Status State Status Global Rank State Rank Dragonfly or Damselfly 33753 Somatochlora georgiana Coppery Emerald 2004-PRE Historical 5-Very Low ---Significantly Rare G3G4 S2? No Natural Areas are Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area No Managed Areas are Documented Within a One-mile Radius of the Project Area Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.org/content/help. Data query generated on April 20, 2016; source: NCNHP, Q4 October 2015. 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 3 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Page 3 of 3 Affidavit of Public Notice Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 12.10 Agency Correspondence Stony Fork Restoration Site Final Mitigation Plan July 27, 2018 DMS Project Number 97085 Date: July 27, 2018 To: Andrea Hughes, USACE Lindsay Crocker, NC DMS From: Tim Morris, Project Manager KCI Associates of North Carolina, P.A. Subject: Stony Fork Restoration Site Mitigation Plan Review – Response to IRT Comments Neuse River Basin ‐ 03020201 Johnston County, North Carolina Contract No. #6830 DMS Project #97085 Below are our responses to comments received on the mitigation plan for the Stony Fork Restoration Site, which includes changes that were agreed upon at the site visit between KCI and Ms. Hughes on June 25, 2018 (the email correspondence following that site visit is included in the mitigation plan appendices). All of the following changes have been completed in the revised mitigation plan. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like clarification concerning these responses. Mac Haupt, NCDWR, May 18, 2018: 1. DWR recalls during the site visit that the area planned for reaches T1 and reaches T1 A and B had a lot of wetlands or wet areas. DWR is concerned that sections of these reaches will become more wetland‐like than streams, particularly for T1A and B. T1A and B may be spring heads, however; given the amount of flow coming out of the springs, channel formation may not form until further down in the watershed (DMS comment #5). Response: Based on the site visit with USACE and KCI on June 25, 2018 as a follow‐up to these comments, KCI has decided to remove T1B from the mitigation pla n as it was not flowing during the site visit and is not currently on the JD map. T1A was an active seep flowing at the time of the 6/25/18 site visit. Ms. Hughes expressed concern that because of the limited flow, this tributary could become more wetland‐like than stream‐like in the post‐restoration condition. While this is a possible outcome, we believe that the on‐site topography and soil indicators suggest it will be a stream. Obviously, this decision is risk‐based on our part, and the IRT’s position on this issue is noted. We will closely monitor the site to evaluate if credit reductions are warranted. 2. DMS had several comments regarding sediment size of stream and size of rock being placed in the stream, particularly in the constructed riffles, both as “enhanced” and “riffle grade control”. DWR is also very concerning with the size and amount of stone proposed to go in the stream with the particle size which is essentially sand. DWR believes there is a risk to the stream channel from a sediment transport standpoint. DWR requests the designer revisit the amount and size of rock being proposed for the riffle structures. a. DWR looked up the various rock sizes and please confirm that these size classes are correct, or close to the standard: i. Class A‐ midrange size 4 inches, ii. Class B‐ midrange size 8 inches, iii. Class 1‐ midrange size 10 inches b. If these are the midrange sizes of the stone going into the structures, DWR has issue with the use of these sizes of stone going into this stream. c. Would not Class 57 stone be the more relevant stone size for this stream? Response: The stone sizing is as we intended. These materials have been selected based on our past construction and monitoring experience. During the period right after construction, Class 57 Stone will mobilize even during small storms. Using these classes of stone provides a factor of safety in the design that we feel is necessary to ensure the maintenance and development of the channel profile and habitat features (riffles and pools) in the system. We do anticipate that the system will seed the bed features with a native mixture of sand and small gravels, while the larger materials become part of the subpavement over time. 3. It appears from recent Google aerials that the new subdivision road may have an outlet structure from one of the sediment basins located in the easement. DWR would like assurances that the new subdivision on both sides of the stream will honor the easement for the project. Response: The sediment ponds for the adjacent development do currently infringe slightly on the easement, but they are temporary features that will be removed as that phase of the project is completed. The developer’s obligation is to fill in the sediment ponds and bring them back to a natural grade. The timing of construction of the stream restoration project and the abandonment of the sediment control features is dependent on several variables but the timing right now indicates that the ponds will be removed near the time we anticipate initiating project construction. We are in contact with the developer regarding this and other issues that need to be coordinated for the stream restoration project. Ultimately, the developer (Clifton Enterprises) signed the easement and is obligated to abide by the easement terms just like any other landowner. 4. DWR would like to know the minimum amount of benching that will be constructed, especially on the stream channel with the larger drainage area. The cross section typicals shown on design Sheet 5 do not specific a minimum width. DWR prefers 2X bankfull width for a minimum for benching of the floodplain. Response: We have added the floodplain grading extents on the project sheets, which reflect the grading limits consistent with the two times bankfull width requested in the DWR comment. The majority of the restored reaches on this project are Priority 1. There are sections of Priority 1/2 transitional areas and Priority 2 that were needed due to site constraints. 5. DWR is concerned with the amount of kudzu on site and reminds the designer of the need for multiple treatments throughout the construction and monitoring of the site. Response: The kudzu as well as the privet documented in the post‐contract site memo were treated in Fall 2017 and again in Spring 2018. The treatment program will remain aggressive until the invasive species are under control. Privet was also mechanically removed throughout the site in Fall 2017. We have provided additional details on invasive species management in a newly added “Buffer Mitigation Plan” in Section 12.3 of the appendices. Andrea Hughes, USACE, June 14, 2018: 1. According to maps submitted for the public notice and field notes from the site visit on April 7, 2016, T1 is a stream‐wetland complex and the IRT recommended that no work should occur above the cattail area. The map included with the JD depicts T1 and a very short feature labeled T8 but does not indicate any other jurisdictional features in this area. The DWR site viability letter indicates T1 is a modified stream not subject to buffer rules and does not mention T8, T1a or T1b. Since the current proposal includes restoration for T1a, and T1b, we will need to field review these features before we can approve the draft mitigation plan. Response: Based on our field visit on 6/25/18, T1A was verified as a stream and T1B was removed from the project. No work will be done above the cattail wetland as indicated in the original post‐ contract site review memo. T1 starts just below the cattail swamp. 2. The draft mitigation plan does not provide existing morphological parameters for T3 and this feature was not proposed for restoration at the technical stage so we would like to review this feature during the site visit. Response: Based on the 6/25/18 field visit, we are providing additional morphological data for the upper part of T3 (see Table 15 in the report and the existing cross‐sections 10 and 11 in the updated Morphological Table in Section 12.2 in the appendices). We also provided an additional narrative description in Section 3.3.1. 3. The boundaries of the project have been revised due to land title issues associated with the Critcher Farms subdivision and the project now ends a short distance below a 30 foot wide easement. According to page 9 of the design plans, the small section of stream channel below the 30 foot easement does not have the minimum 50‐foot buffers (it appears that a large portion of one side abuts the conservation easement boundary). The project should be revised to end before the 30‐ foot easement (approximately 55+50). Response: Based on email correspondence following the 6/25/18 site meeting (included in Section 12.10 in the appendices), we have agreed to end the project stream credits at Station 56+04. This is the point at which the stream still has the minimum 15‐foot riparian buffers on either side. We will still continue the restoration work of the remainder of Stony Fork Reach 3 until the property boundary for no credit. The credits have been adjusted throughout the revised mitigation plan. 5. Stream gauges should be placed in the upper third of the channel for T3, T1, T1a, and T1b. Response: For T1 and T3, we moved up the proposed locations into the upper third of the streams. We added a location on T1A. The T2 gauge was already proposed for installation in the upper third of the channel. We will have stream gauges (and/or cameras) in these locations to document flow. T1B has been eliminated from the project. These changes are shown in Figure 10. 5. Section 7.0: The draft mitigation plan does not include performance standards for stream geomorphology. Per the 2016 guidance, stream performance standards should include: BHR must not exceed 1.2 and ER should be at least 2.2 for C and E channels. BHR and ER at any measured riffle cross‐section should not change by more than 10% from the baseline condition during any given monitoring interval (e.g., no more than 10% between years 1 and 2, 2 and 3, 3 and 5, or 5 and 7). Response: These parameters were added. 6. Regarding vegetation performance, for any tree stem to count towards success it must be a species from the approved planting list included in the Mitigation Plan. Response: The vegetative performance section was changed to address the comment above. In addition to addressing the IRT’s comments, KCI has also incorporated changes in the revised mitigation plan based on DWR’s review of the proposed buffer mitigation credits. A new “Buffer Mitigation Plan” has been added to Section 12.3, which provides greater detail on the invasive plant populations and proposed treatment. The response to comments to DWR, outlining all of the changes made, is included in Section 12.10 Agency Correspondence. None of the changes made based on the buffer comments affect the stream credits. Below is a summary of the changes in the mitigation plan: ‐ Section 5.0: The objective under the second goal was amended to start with “Treat invasive plant populations and….”. ‐ Section 6.10: An additional planting zone (Zone 3) has been added to the construction plans for supplemental plantings in areas cleared of privet understory. ‐ Section 7.0: The vegetative performance standard was changed from four native trees or shrub species to just four native tree species. ‐ Section 8.0: Vegetative monitoring will occur no earlier than the end of August and no later than mid‐December. Also, a permanent vegetation plot was added to the buffer enhancement area along T2‐2, making the division of plots 7 permanent and 5 random. Under Reporting, the first year of monitoring will occur no earlier than the end of the first growing season and no sooner than 5 months following planting. ‐ General: Aerial backgrounds for the mitigation plan were changed to a 2018 aerial showing the proposed development to the north of the site. Sincerely, Tim Morris Project Manager 1 From:Tim Morris Sent:Wednesday, July 18, 2018 10:03 AM To:Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US); Crocker, Lindsay; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US); Haupt, Mac Cc:Adam Spiller; Kristin Knight-Meng; Gary Mryncza Subject:RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Thanks, we will finalize our response to comments and resubmit our mitigation plan for final approval in the coming days. ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) [mailto:Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 9:59 AM To: Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com>; Gary Mryncza <Gary.Mryncza@kci.com> Subject: RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Tim, given that you are in a situation where you must complete the repair below the crossing and include the stream in the easement, I think we can agree to credits on the reach that has a full buffer. Todd ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tim Morris [mailto:Tim.Morris@kci.com] Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 9:43 AM To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil>; Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com>; Gary Mryncza <Gary.Mryncza@kci.com> Subject: [Non‐DoD Source] RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary The easement has been paid for and recorded already. I would not feel right about leaving the end of the project within the easement unfinished for the landowner knowing his expectations. Unless you have some objection, we will complete the project as designed, and not get credit for the bottom. There are certainly plenty of instances where the ends of projects have been looked at differently, but you have made your decision and we will have to live with it. It is just a shame that knowing we have substantial extra credits in wider buffers (that we can't ask for credit for), that this circumstance can't be looked at in a different light. One last question and I'll give up on this. Given the landowner expectations, can we at least recover the 26 credits below the culvert that have full buffer? ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) [mailto:Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil] 2 Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 8:59 AM To: Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary The stream takes a 90 degree turn and runs along the property line for the last 75 feet, where the left top of bank is essentially the property boundary. In all other cases where the there is a reach of stream that has a one‐sided easement, we have not allowed credit, and that is basically what is happening in this case. At most, it looks like about 15 feet of stream below the crossing exception would have a protected buffer of any meaningful width on both sides. Also, if the 90 degree turn in the channel downstream of the crossing has erosion problems in the future, there is no easement there for the stream to migrate into or to allow repair. We also don't want to see fragmentation of projects, and what is proposed here is to disconnect the last 100 or so feet of stream, which will also have no buffer on one side for 75'. For these reasons, it seems to make sense to end the project at the easement crossing. I know this is an unusual case, but I do not see how this particular configuration meets our basic requirements. Todd ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tim Morris [mailto:Tim.Morris@kci.com] Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2018 9:07 AM To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil>; Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: [Non‐DoD Source] RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary It is at the property boundary?? ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) [mailto:Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil] Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 4:24 PM To: Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Tim, my concern remains the width of the buffer downstream of 56+10 or so. I understand this is at the bottom of the site, but it is not at the property boundary, and it appears to be only a couple feet wide if that. The provision for the 5% was meant for areas where stream intersect a property boundary at an angle, not to allow the inclusion of reaches with no effective buffer at all. In this case, I would recommend just stopping the project at the crossing. Todd ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tim Morris [mailto:Tim.Morris@kci.com] Sent: Friday, July 13, 2018 9:50 AM 3 To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil>; Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: [Non‐DoD Source] RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Todd ‐ The culvert is in good condition and is sized properly. It will not be removed. We did what we could to align the stream better with the angle of the culvert, but the position of the easement exception (an existing farm road) and the constraints imposed by the property line didn't allow much flexibility in what we could do to the end of the project. The table on the enclosed plan was meant to provide you all the information you need to make a credit decision on this reach. As you probably are aware, the project was originally designed to extend another 700+ feet downstream, but property title issues associated with the downstream property forced us to stop the project short. Not your problem, but I wanted to make sure you knew the history. ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) [mailto:Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil] Sent: Friday, July 13, 2018 8:42 AM To: Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Tim/Lindsay, I looked at the plan view and do have a couple questions ‐ is the culvert at the crossing proposed to be replaced? I assume that is part of the reason for the erosion given the 90 degree turn in the channel immediately downstream. Secondly, from STA 56+10 down to the end of the project, it looks like the buffer is considerably narrower than 15' ‐ maybe closer to just 1 or 2 feet from the top of bank to easement/property line? This seems essentially like a one‐sided buffer in this area. Todd ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Crocker, Lindsay [mailto:Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov] Sent: Monday, July 02, 2018 10:44 AM To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: adam.spiller@kci.com; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: [Non‐DoD Source] RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Todd, Yes, this is the case. The small area in question is at the end of the project, below a culverted crossing. The buffer width is (approx.) >50' on stream right (although it tapers at the end), and the buffer width ranges from 140' to 15' (at the end) on stream left. The reason the easement was not extended is that it is owned by a HOA and all 24 homeowners would have to sign the easement, which is extremely difficult to accomplish. It is likely that this ownership situation will protect this area perpetually because of the nature of the real estate situation. 4 Thanks, Lindsay Lindsay Crocker NC DEQ Division of Mitigation Services 217 West Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27603 Office 919.707.8944 Cell 919.594.3910 lindsay.crocker@ncdenr.gov Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties unless the content is exempt by statute or other regulation. ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) [mailto:Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil] Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2018 3:19 PM To: Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; andrea.w.hughes@usace.army.mil; Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: adam.spiller@kci.com; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: RE: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to Report Spam.<mailto:report.spam@nc.gov> Lindsay, I have not seen the plan view for the area in question. As the guidance points out, the 5% is intended to apply to areas near project termini where buffers are narrow due to the project intersecting with a road or property line. Is this the case here? Also, what is the width of the buffer for the reach in question? If there is a section that has no buffer at all, obviously that is not what is intended ‐ we have never agreed to credits for a one‐sided buffer. Todd ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Crocker, Lindsay [mailto:Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov] Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2018 10:25 AM To: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil>; Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil>; Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com>; Haupt, Mac <mac.haupt@ncdenr.gov> Cc: adam.spiller@kci.com; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: [Non‐DoD Source] Re: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary All, Based on interpretation of State contract law, DMS will not allow KCI to use IRT 2016 wider buffer guidance for any of the contracts in this particular RFP. This RFP and project was contracted well before the 2016 guidance existed. DMS 5 will not seek the additional credits this way, nor will KCI be able to realize those credits. These credits would have provided a significant increase for KCI to meet their contracted amount (they are currently below). The 75' in question is well below the threshold of 5% of the project total (1%). DMS has realized credits for streams with less than 50' in the past (pre‐2016), as long as it was not more than 5% of the project total. I think this is what you are saying, Todd? Please confirm if the inclusion of those 75' for credits would be ok with this clarification as it is in line with previous projects. Thanks and apologies for all the acronyms in this email. I'm slightly embarrassed that I communicate this way. Lindsay ________________________________ From: Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil> Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2018 9:28:34 AM To: andrea.w.hughes@usace.army.mil; Tim Morris Cc: Crocker, Lindsay; adam.spiller@kci.com; Kristin Knight‐Meng Subject: [External] RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to Report Spam.<mailto:report.spam@nc.gov> Tim, Under normal circumstances buffers of less than 15 feet cannot generate credits, and this is built into the buffer calculation tool; however, per our 2016 guidance (Sec XI(A)5), exceptions to the 15 foot standard can be made in certain circumstances. The limit on this is 5% cumulatively over the entire project. I'm not sure from the description below if the area in question exceeds this amount. Note that if you request additional stream credits on the project by using the buffer tool, the 5% allowance does not apply. In your case, it sounds like you are able to get additional credits per your contract, correct? And I assume that also means that DMS would not be asking for those credits either? If that is the case, then the 5% limit would apply. Does this help? Todd ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 4:17 PM To: Tim Morris <Tim.Morris@kci.com> Cc: Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; adam.spiller@kci.com; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐ Meng@kci.com>; Tugwell, Todd J CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Todd.J.Tugwell@usace.army.mil> Subject: RE: Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary 6 Hi Tim, Thank you for providing field notes from our meeting. I am not aware of SAW allowing credit for a stream reach that has a buffer of less than 15 feet on one side. I realize the project has lost credits due to easement issues beyond your control but we have to be careful setting a precedence, particularly when it is contrary to current guidance. I am copying Todd on this e‐mail so he can weigh in on your proposal. Andrea W. Hughes Mitigation Project Manager Regulatory Division, Wilmington District 11405 Falls of Neuse Road Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587 Phone: (919) 846‐2564 ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐ From: Tim Morris [mailto:Tim.Morris@kci.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 3:03 PM To: Hughes, Andrea W CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <Andrea.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil> Cc: Crocker, Lindsay <Lindsay.Crocker@ncdenr.gov>; Adam Spiller <Adam.Spiller@kci.com>; Kristin Knight‐Meng <Kristin.Knight‐Meng@kci.com> Subject: [Non‐DoD Source] Stony Fork Response to Comments and Field Meeting Summary Andrea ‐ thank you for meeting with us on short notice on Monday (6‐25) to view the stream features that were questioned during the IRT in‐house review. Specifically we looked at T1A and T1B as well as T‐3. This email summarizes our discussions in the field. T1‐A ‐ This was an active seep area that was flowing at the time of the site visit. ACOE expressed concern that because of the limited flow, this tributary could become more wetland‐like than stream‐like in its post restoration condition. KCI will address this concern in the response to comments. T1‐B ‐ This tributary was another seep area that was not flowing at the time of the site visit. Since it was not flowing and did not appear on the JD map, KCI agreed to remove this feature from the plan. T1B was likely picked up during the assessment phase as a seep and survived the design process erroneously. Removal of this feature will reduce the overall credit yield by 26 credits. T‐3 ‐ This feature was flowing at the time of the site visit. ACOE expressed concern that the area in and around the old pond bed, although manipulated, was stable. KCI indicated that the floodplain bench of the main channel would require all the spoil from the pond to be removed. That accompanied with the fact that the T‐3 drainage pattern was un‐natural (directed upstream to Stony Fork) and the channel was improperly sized resulted in the restoration call for T‐3 through the pond. After looking at the channel upstream of the pond, ACOE agreed with the E1 call, but asked that additional justification be provided in the Mitigation Plan, including cross sections and sizing justification. KCI will provide this data to substantiate the R and E1 calls for T3. Below is a close up of the planform for T‐3 (page 6 of the design plans). The dotted line below shows the extent of the floodplain grading. 7 Stream buffer issues at the bottom of the project ‐ KCI also discussed (but did not visit) the end of the project where there is a short (75') section of stream with less than the minimum buffer on the left bank. The written IRT comment asks why we couldn't stop the project at the culvert instead of having a short section of narrow easement below the culvert. I looked back at the design and confirmed that there is no design reason why we could not stop at the culvert. There are some badly eroded sections below the culvert that are within the easement that we feel should be addressed, especially the tight right‐hand meander that we plan to stabilize with a soil lift. That is the reason we pursued credits in this section. KCI purchased excess buffer width on most of this project with the intent of providing two main benefits to the project. In addition to providing more buffering capacity, the wider buffers would also allow a broader treatment envelop for the extensive privet stands that dominated the understory, especially in the area of the stream valleys. We anticipated that the excess credit that we could generate using the expanded buffer guidance would offset the additional acreage encumbered in the easement, however we did not anticipate that Contract issues would not allow us to recover credits from the purchase of the wider buffers. We have run several versions of the buffer guidance during the assessment and design phase of this project. These methods show excess credit yields of 145 to 463 credits due to the expanded buffer. The most recent method provided by the IRT (using the DMS' GIS tool) yields the least number of credits (145). Since we can't recover these credits contractually we would request that we be able to utilize these credits to cover the narrow buffer area at the bottom of the project. In the past the IRT has been lenient on the terminal ends of easements where they come to a property line at an angle (as an example). I guess what we are asking for is leniency for this downstream section with the knowledge that the excess buffer in other areas of the project could more than offset any deficiencies at the end of the project. Any feedback on this issue would be appreciated prior to providing our formal response to comment letter to the rest of the IRT. Thanks in advance for your feedback. Date: July 18th, 2018 To: Katie Merritt, DWR From: Tim Morris, Project Manager KCI Associates of North Carolina, P.A. Subject: Stony Fork Restoration Site Mitigation Plan Review for Buffer Mitigation – Response to DWR Comments Neuse River Basin ‐ 03020201 Johnston County, North Carolina Contract No. #6830 DMS Project #97085 DWR Project Number: 2016‐0372 We have addressed each of your comments below. We are attaching a “Buffer Mitigation Plan” that will be included in Section 12.3 in the revised mitigation plan that should address many of your comments. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like clarification concerning these responses. General comments: 1. Credit Assets for buffer are inconsistent throughout the document. Inconsistencies noted on the following: pg. 23, 32, section 12.3 (table) The inconsistency on page 23 was our error – it showed an earlier version of our calculations. This has been corrected to match the numbers on page 32 and the table in Section 12.3. All of these numbers are in agreement now. 2. Provide site photos in the Appendix showing existing conditions of riparian areas proposed for restoration, & enhancement along T2.2. We have provided additional photos in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan” showing the conditions along T2 before and after physical removal that targeted the larger invasive stems – see attached. 3. Usually there is an appendix summarizing the buffer mitigation along reaches, which includes specifics to the monitoring plan, performance standards, credit assets, restoration/enhancement plan, etc that are different than the stream mitigation plan. Please provide an appendix titled “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. We have prepared the “Buffer Mitigation Plan” to be included in Section 12.3 in the appendices; this section previously was titled “Buffer Mitigation” and included only the spreadsheet and maps, but it has been expanded upon to include the information requested in the DWR review. A draft is being included with these responses for your review. 4. Lack of detail is provided for riparian restoration & enhancement areas: ‐ SF reaches: Riparian Restoration along South Fork is not described in much detail, other than in section 6.1 where it vaguely references the removal of privet in the buffer (note that “buffer” is defined as Zone 1 and Zone 2 and only includes the first 50’ from Top of Banks). For added clarity, please use the term “riparian areas”. We have added additional descriptions of these areas in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. Rather than organize descriptions of the existing site conditions by reach, we have grouped them by invasive species type since those drive much of the buffer impacts at the site. ‐ According to the viability letter much is needed in the form of invasive species removal & management along SF up to its confluence with T1 to receive Restoration credit. Please explain what KCI will be doing in areas proposed for Restoration along SF & T1. Please see Section D. Implementation Plan in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. Mitigation work will consist of mechanical and chemical treatment of invasive species plus plantings of native hardwoods. ‐ T2.2 was re‐evaluated this year based on the substantial privet removal in the buffer. The Site viability letter indicates that Enhancement & Restoration areas “need to be managed aggressively during the entire five (5) years.” No mention of this is provided in the mitigation plan. Additionally, planting larger stock of woody stems was also recommended due to the conditions of the buffer during that site visit in April. Therefore, please provide more detail so I can confirm it complies with the site viability letter for being eligible for buffer mitigation. I recommend this level of detail be provided in the appendix requested in Item #3 above & noted on the Planting Plan sheets For T2.2, please see Section D. Implementation Plan in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. Mitigation work will consist of mechanical and chemical treatment of invasive species plus plantings of native hardwoods. We have also added in Section E in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan” that we will plant addition partial forested sections of the easement that have been treated for privet with either one gallon container trees at a 20 by 20 foot spacing or bare root trees contained in tree shelters at 10‐foot center spacing. This area, approximately 6.2 acres, will also be denoted on the Planting Plan sheets. ‐ Many references describing changes to adjacent land uses since the IRT/DWR visit are provided, but no visual representation is included in the plan. Please include an aerial showing the current site conditions in and around the proposed easement boundary. Please reference the new aerial as a Figure and incorporate that figure in text where KCI references future roads, construction, development, crossings, etc. We have put together a map showing the new development (Sherrill Farms Phase I to the north of the center of the project, currently in progress, and Phase 2 to the southeast of the project, still in the planning stages; it is Attachment II for the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. We have also inserted a recent aerial image from March 2018 that shows the most recent development to the north of the site. We will use this aerial as a background in the mitigation plan figures as well. 5. Section 12.3: Map Sheets ‐ Map Sheet #2‐Shows the west side of the farm path between T1/SF confluence and T2/SF confluence proposed for Preservation credit. However, the viability letter indicates the pine plantation is not suitable for any credit. Please revise credits accordingly to comply with the viability letter. We have changed this area to no credit (see revised map sheets attached). ‐ Sheets do not accurately depict current land uses in close proximity to the project easement. Please use the aerial requested in #5 above as the base layer for this section. We are now using the 2018 aerial discussed above for these maps. 6. Section 6.10: lacks essential details. Many areas on this site require special attention with regards to the stems planted, stock and density. Please add detail to the planting plan using specific areas where special attention is warranted (see viability letter). (example: Enhancement areas are described in the viability letter as having no understory; therefore, DWR recommends KCI be selective when choosing what plants to use to establish a healthy understory in areas receiving Enhancement credit. Section 6.10 will be updated to reflect the information presented in Section E. Planting Plan in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. Partially forested sections of the easement that have been treated for privet will be supplementally planted with either one gallon container trees at a 20 by 20 foot spacing or bare root trees contained in tree shelters 10‐foot center spacing. These species may consist of river birch, sycamore, or any of the five oak species listed in the primary planting zone. 7. Section 5.0: a. Please add a goal that targets a high level of intervention and management of invasive species within the riparian areas. This should be a goal for this site considering that a 1:1 and 2:1 ratio has been agreed to by the DWR for the removal and management of the invasives present for buffer mitigation. We prefer to have broad goals and believe the current second goal encompasses invasive species management. We did add to the objectives for the second goal: “Treat invasive plant populations and plant the site with native trees” to emphasize the importance of the task of removing these plants. The measurement tool of species composition/diversity takes into account the number and type of species present, and will track any invasive species present during monitoring events. 8. Table 16: a ratio of 3:1 is shown in the column for areas >100’ from top of bank, and therefore the amount of credits are higher than if using 33% as required in the buffer mitigation rule. Adjust credits based on using 33% instead of 3:1. Example: 37,091 * .33=12,240 whereas 37,091/3 = 12,364. Note: the mitigation banks are required to use the 33%. We have corrected the value used to 33.0% for the two pertinent calculations. We show 3.03:1 as the ratio in Table 16 to maintain the formatting of that table for DMS, but we used 33.0% for all of the calculations. 9. Section 7.0: a. Riparian Buffer Performance should be included in the added appendix with that new appendix referenced here in this section Please see Section G in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”, which will be referenced in the revised mitigation plan. b. In this part, there are two different performance standards being stated, however KCI needs to choose which one they want to be held accountable for. Here are the two performance standards to choose from: 1. …a minimum of 4 native hardwood tree species with no species greater than 50% of planted stems; or 2. four native hardwood tree and native shrub species, with no species greater than 50% of planted stems We have changed it to indicate we would like to use four native trees. c. If you want to include volunteer species, that’s fine. Clarify that only “desirable volunteers may be included to meet performance standards and upon DWR approval”. Per your request as well as based on comments from USACE during their review, we have changed this to read: “For any volunteer tree stem to count toward vegetative success, it must be a species from the approved planting list included in the Mitigation Plan.” 10. Section 8.0: We have included an overview of proposed monitoring in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”, Section F, and will update the revised mitigation plan to be consistent with this section. i. DWR requests that monitoring be done no earlier than the end of August and no later than mid‐December. Mitigation banks are held to this standard. We have changed this. ii. Add a statement clarifying that vegetation monitoring will begin no earlier than at least 5 months post‐planting efforts. Currently, it says after the first full growing season. We have amended this to say “Beginning at the end of the first growing season and no sooner than 5 months following planting….”. iii. Add a statement that the monitoring will be for a period of five monitoring years or until DWR approval.(emphasis added) We have added this in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. Clarify that the parameters being monitored are mainly for planted stems. iv. Why are exotic and invasive “stems” going to be included in the stem counts? This allows us to quantify the number of invasive species present versus the desirable species. v. Section 5.1 ‐ 0295 (2)(E) indicates that the monitoring plan shall also include the “health and average stem densities” (emphasis added). Add clarity to this section to meet the rule expectation that vigor is an important parameter to note in the annual reports. We added a sentence stating that “Height will be used as a determination of plant vigor” in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. Height is already included as one of the plot measurements. Per Section 8 in the DMS mitigation plan for Vegetative Performance, trees in each plot must average 7 feet in height at Year 5, and we added that to the “Buffer Mitigation Plan” as well in Section G. vi. Figure 10 shows the approximate location of monitoring plots. ‐‐DWR recommends ensuring that each reach has a plot located on both sides of the stream where restoration or enhancement is being generated for buffer mitigation. ‐Please do not place plots within or partially within a buffer preservation area. None of the current plots are mapped within preservation areas, although they may appear close to the boundaries at the scale of Figure 10. ‐Please add another permanent plot within the buffer enhancement area along T2 along the right bank. We have included another permanent plot along T2’s right bank as requested – please see the revised Figure 10 in the attachments and plot table below. ‐Where non‐permanent random plots are installed each monitoring year, DWR would like to know what parameters KCI will use to determine where the plots will be placed to accurately represent the planted and partially planted areas. For example: areas within just 0‐50’ and/or 51‐200’, Enhancement areas, Restoration areas, etc. This level of detail is necessary to determine if the buffer mitigation areas are being monitored in the appropriate locations. For the permanent plots, we had 5 plots in the restoration areas and 1 plot in the enhancement area. We have further described and modified the distribution of the plots as follows. The random plots will be selected during each annual monitoring event using these criteria. Veg Plot Reach Buffer Mitigation Distance from TOB Bank Type 1 SF1 Restoration 51‐200' Left Permanent 2 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' Right Permanent 3 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' Left Permanent 4 T1 Restoration 51‐200' Right Permanent 5 T2 Restoration TOB‐50' Left Permanent 6 T2 Enhancement TOB‐50' Left Permanent 7 T2 Enhancement 51‐200' Right Permanent 8 SF1 Restoration TOB‐50' Right Random 9 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' left Random 10 SF2 Restoration TOB‐50' Right Random 11 SF3 Enhancement TOB‐50' Right Random 12 T1 Restoration TOB‐50' Left Random 11. Section 9.0: Add DWR to this paragraph for purposes of notification and contingency planning We have amended this sentence in the revised mitigation plan to read that “….the sponsor shall notify the members of the IRT as well as NCDWR’s 401 and Buffer Permitting Branch staff and work with both groups to develop contingency plans and remedial actions”. 12. Section 12.1: Plan Sheets a. Sheet 6: Tributary 1B & 1A are new tribs proposed off T1. Buffer Credit will need to be deducted from the footpint where these streams will be located. Figures provided in this plan do not currently show that deduction. Buffer credit is only viable adjacent T1. We have removed the bankfull extent of T1A from the buffer credits. Based on USACE comments during the IRT review, we are removing T1B from the project altogether. In addition, we have deducted the footprint of T3 from the buffer credit calculations; this is an additional tributary that was added for stream credit that flows into Stony Fork Reach 1 (SF1). b. Sheet 14: bare roots are the only size of stems shown to be planted other than live stakes. Is KCI not intending on planting larger stock within the buffer Enhancement areas along T2.2? (see viability letter note) As noted above, we have changed this sheet to show that the enhancement sections of the easement will be supplementally planted with either one gallon container trees at a 20 by 20 foot spacing or bare root trees contained in tree shelters 10‐foot center spacing. These species may consist of river birch, sycamore, or any of the five oak species listed in the primary planting zone. 13. Section 12.3: a. I like this table! b. please give the table a title for referencing. We have named this Table 1. Buffer Project Areas and Assets for the “Buffer Mitigation Plan”. c. This table shows different summations of credit potential than other parts of this plan. Please address all inconsistencies in credit assets for buffer mitigation prior to final submittal These have all been corrected. See revised values in the “Buffer Mitigation Plan.” d. There is a subtotal of 45,445 ft2 of buffer preservation credits after applying the ratios and % reductions; which is below the EPA of 175,721ft2. However, the EPA of 175,721 is then applied to a ratio of 10:1 on the next row implying that the project will only yield 17,572 ft2. Please explain why the 10:1 was applied on the EPA and which row of subtotals KCI is using towards their credit assets. We calculated the preservation credits as follows – please correct us if we are using an incorrect method (note numbers are slightly different now due to edits in this most recent version). o Eligible area (square footage) for preservation is (R+E)/0.75‐(R+E) (525,087/0.75) – (525,087) = 175,029 square feet o On‐site area of preservation mitigation is 424,660 square feet o Of this, we used 175,029 square feet of preservation that are eligible for full preservation credit (minimum 30’ to 100’ buffer area) at 10%, therefore the final preservation credit we are claiming is 17,503 credits. 14. Note that this site cannot be used to generate nutrient offset credits according to the viability letter. The viability letters are included in the appendix for reference. Assets generated on this site are retained by the State of North Carolina per a legally recorded easement. KCI will report the riparian buffer assets per the contract and RFP specifications as required by DMS. Sincerely, Tim Morris Project Manager Date: April 24, 2018 To: Lindsay Crocker, Project Manager DMS Review Team Members: Periann Russell and Greg Melia From: Tim Morris, Project Manager KCI Associates of North Carolina, P.A. Subject: Stony Fork Restoration Site Draft Mitigation Plan Review Neuse River Basin ‐ 03020201 Johnston County, North Carolina Contract No. #6830 DMS Project #97085 Dear Ms. Crocker, Please see below our responses to your comments received January 12, 2018 on the draft of the Stony Fork Mitigation Plan. We have addressed your comments in the final report and have outlined our changes below. In addition, there are further changes we needed to make that are described after the DMS comments. We are including 3 hard copies of the final report along with a CD with a PDF of the plan and this letter. 1. This Mitigation Plan is 82 SMU and 76,088 BMU under contract amounts. Ensure that these amounts are correct as the future payments will be reduced accordingly (see notes below on new IRT policies). We have revised the final mitigation units to 6,682 SMUs and 482,608 BMUs. The stream credits are reduced from the proposal stage due to land title issues associated with the Critcher Farms subdivision at the bottom of the site and removal of a portion of T2 that was not jurisdictional. We also removed the additional stream credits calculated from extra buffer widths after Jeff Jurek indicated they would not be approved for this site. The BMUs were reduced due to the limitation on preservation credits that we didn’t originally take into account. 2. Page 3, last sentence of first paragraph‐ this sentence is not clear. Please revise to make more sense. We were trying to relay that problem areas throughout this CU outweigh assets in the most recent document. We have reworded it to say: “The CU’s problem areas scored higher than the assets (98 compared to 36), indicating there is more disturbed land than intact resources (NCDENR, EEP 2015).” 3. Page 8. Will the ponds above T2 be removed as part of the residential development? If so, do you know what stormwater BMPs will be installed with the development? No, the ponds will remain and be used as part of the residential development stormwater system. During the residential construction, additional sediment traps will be used to capture sediment. A note has been added about the ponds at the bottom of Section 3.1.2. 4. Page 13, last paragraph, please add that DWR also provided a stream determination and the date. We added this note about the stream determination from July 8, 2016. 5. Page 14, Table 3. The T1 and T2 drainage areas are very small, especially for a coastal plain stream (even though it is western coastal plan). Both streams may currently be intermittent due to their depth, so are you sure you can maintain at least intermittent flow following restoration? The DWR stream scores are very low and if the ‘strong” bed and bank indicators are the result of mechanical straightening and cleaning, that strong indicator is misleading. The project streams were initially evaluated during a drier period, when all but a portion of the project streams were classified as intermittent. We believe these streams will have sufficient hydrology for intermittent status. 6. Section 6‐ general comment: something is going on with your numbering in this section, it moves from 6.1‐6.7 and then goes backwards. Check and update in text and table of contents. This has been corrected. 7. Section 6.7, provide a discussion or clarification of why you chose the on‐site and nearby reference locations‐ are these cross sections reference quality for the stream design? The selection of these four cross sections needs to be better justified. Yes, these reference cross‐sections exhibited stable bankfull indicators in the field that were used to determine bankfull area and discharge values. The design cross‐sections were developed using these values, but the exact shapes of the sections were dictated by other typical Piedmont and Coastal Plain reference values like those found in Harman et al 2011. A more detailed explanation has been added to this section. 8. Section 6.7 Figure 8‐ provide a legend to label the red and blue regression lines. It appears that these are only 3 cross sections on the red (reference sites). Is the fourth included? Yes, References Cross‐Sections 2 and 3 have similar drainage areas, so they appear as one data point. We added a sentence explaining this in the first paragraph of this section. 9. Table 8, SF1 sinuosity is showing 1.3 in pre‐condition, but I recall that area is very straightened. Double check this is correct. This value is correct. While the majority of the reach is channelized, there is a section in the middle that has unstable bends with high sinuosity that affects the overall average for the reach. 10. Page 25, Section 6.5 Sediment. Please state clearly the intent for the sediment regime for the constructed channel. Since this project lies in the coastal plain, sand and/or sand bed channels are expected. Currently, these channels are receiving fine sediment, likely predominately sand, because of bank erosion, where the banks are dominantly sand (is this correct?). If the channel substrate is composed of silt and clay (as stated in the first paragraph), and excess shear is preventing deposition of the courser fraction of sediment (sand and small gravel), will your design and design discharge provide for sediment input, transport and deposition? Yes, we believe the channel will develop a stable sediment regime once the on‐site bank erosion is stabilized. The size of sediment input is not expected to change, but the quantity is expected to be less following restoration. The stable cross‐section will also be able to accommodate more sediment deposition on the floodplain. Some seeding is expected in the project riffles, but to ensure that riffle degradation does not occur in the period immediately following restoration, we will be adding the larger material to protect the riffle beds. 11. Page 25. Reference to pebble counts and tables in section 12 – Were pebble counts used for determination of sediment > 2mm? How did you measure a sediment size of 0.091, 0.2, 0.39? Yes, pebble counts were the main source of sediment sampling. Sand is measured using a sand gauge card, which allows the user to calibrate their determination of sand size with provided size samples on the card (very coarse 1‐ 2 mm, coarse 0.5‐1 mm, medium 0.25‐0.5 mm, fine 0.125‐0.25 mm, and very fine sand 0.0625‐0.125 mm, and silt less than 0.0625). 12. Page 26, table 7. All the predicted grain size movement values (in the proposed sections) are much greater the D84 values. Is this intentional and if so, please explain how this condition will not result in total bed scour during effective discharges (based on the proposed D50 and D84 values). Given the small sediment sizes in this system, there is a discrepancy between the D84 and the predicted grain size movement in the restored channel. This is a frequent occurrence with projects of similar sediment regimes. To accommodate for this condition, the riffles will be stabilized with material large enough to withstand channel stresses. This means that sediment transport will occur as the natural sediment washes in to seed these riffles and is then transporte d through the system. As this occurs, both the riffle bed features and the transport of fine sediment through the system will be maintained as the project matures. 13. Page 26. The explanation of need for ‘riffle reinforcement’ suggests that all sediment sizes less than the grade control material will be moved at all effective discharges as well as .5 to 1 year frequency discharges. Does this mean the constructed channel bed will be composed of silt and clay, retaining little to sand or gravel? This section is not clear and the discussion is not consistent with the data you have provided. We do expect a large portion of the sand and gravel material inputs from upstream to be mobilized during stream events. However, over time this material should accumulate within the gaps of the larger riffle grade control material. 14. P. 26, text indicates that all riffles are rock. Will you incorporate wood here? We have added in wood into our detail for the riffles. The use of wood will be balanced against the expected flow duration in each location, since embedded wood is prone to rotting if it experiences frequent wet/dry cycles. 15. P. 31, DMS recommends limiting black willow, or more heavily relying on other lives stakes as it tends to become dominant in a system and could clog channel. We are proposing a mixture of species including two willows and one dogwood. In addition, we strategically place live stakes such that they will not overwhelm the channel (eg minimal to no live stakes on inner meander bends). 16. P. 35, 8.0, text states monitoring UT West Branch…do you mean this to say Stony Fork? Yes, this has been corrected. 17. P. 36 top paragraph‐ must have year 4 monitoring for vegetation to receive riparian buffer credit (required Monitoring in years 1‐5). Also need to update last sentence on page 37 and Table 20 (Vegetation Monitoring frequency) to reflect this update. Might want to add a separate section for Riparian Buffer monitoring to clarify? We have added that Year 4 monitoring will take place for riparian buffer mitigation. 18. Page 37, Table 20 – Believe it is intended to be 0.02 acres for vegetation; also add visual assessment parameter to include the occurrence of bank erosion, beaver, etc. This has been corrected to state 0.02 acre plot. Also, we added in Year 4 for vegetation monitoring as well as the visual assessment. 19. Please provide a brief narrative in the document that describes what changes occurred from the Technical Proposal IRT site visit and the Mitigation Plan stages. Specifically, describe the additional jurisdictional stream features added (T3). There appears to be a loss of stream in the upper section of tributary T2 from the mitigation plan (in addition to the eastern section of the project area). Can you provide a brief description of why those areas were dropped to insert in the mitigation plan? Please also provide description of if buffers were widened from the Technical proposal stage and justify use of this methodology, if applicable. Of relevance, KCI was encouraged to increase the buffer in some areas if possible during the IRT post‐contract review; consider including in justification. We have added the following to Section 6.11, Project Assets. “The total stream mitigation credits (SMCs) are slightly different than those outlined in the initial proposal. SMCs were removed at the bottom of the site due to land title issues associated with the Critcher Farms subdivision. The upper portion of T2 was eliminated from the project, since it was not a jurisdictional stream, but an additional tributary, Tributary 3, was added to the project once it was determined it was jurisdictional. The buffer mitigation credits (BMCs) were reduced from the contracted amount due to the limitation on preservation credits once the final restoration, enhancement, and preservation BMCs were tabulated.” Plan Sheets: Sheet 7 of 15: what is the future right of way depicted here? This refers to the subdivision road that will be constructed through here to support a proposed development. The first phase will be on the northern side of Stony Fork, which will be built soon. The second phase will be on the southern side of Stony Fork and will be constructed at a later date to be determined. Plan Sheet Legend. Please clarify why ‘riffle enhancement’ is being used in a newly constructed stream. We have found that riffle enhancements are necessary in many newly constructed streams with fine‐grained material to prevent bed degradation shortly after construction. Many new riffles are not seeded quickly enough with incoming sediment to protect them from the stresses experienced from large flow events. Over time, natural sediment (sand and fine gravels) will fill in the void space in the enhancement rock. Please justify the need for step‐pool features adjacent to enhance riffle features. The step pools are used to both provide a stable grade transition in steeper sections and to create pool habitat. Please justify the need for size and frequency of rock/boulder structures. These structures are needed to provide additional stability wit hin the channel, generally in sections where the site conditions dictate a steeper slope or where further bed or bank protection is needed. We will incorporate as much wood as we can, although as mentioned above, we will be selective where we place it, since wood can be prone to rotting if it experiences frequent wet/dry cycles (such as in an intermittent channel). Additional Changes by KCI Since the draft mitigation plan submittal, several items in the mitigation plan were changed based on developments in the project. ‐ We removed the extra credit calculations based on stream buffer widths beyond 50’ following feedback from Jeff Jurek and revised the total credit to 6,682 SMCs. ‐ NCDOT unexpectedly installed a new culvert under Federal Road at the beginning of the project. As a result, we recently resurveyed this area and adjusted the profile slightly in the first reach (SF1) to 0.9% slope from 1.0% slope. The new culvert also starts further back than the prior one, so the stationing was adjusted to 9+93 instead of 10+00 for the beginning of the project. ‐ We also adjusted the riparian buffer mitigation amounts. KCI performed additional GPS mapping on‐site following privet removal to determine the boundaries of buffer restoration versus enhancement on T2‐2. I met Katie Merritt from NCDWR for a field visit at the site to confirm these boundaries on 3/29/2018, and they issued a letter on 4/16/2018 confirming the revised buffer calls. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like clarification concerning these responses. Sincerely, Tim Morris Project Manager