20061334 Ver 1_Mitigation Evaluation_20091130

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Fin 1a ement
PROGRAM
October 26, 2009
To: John Dorney - DWQ
FROM: Marc Recktenwald - EEP
RE: Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Verification for
Harrell Site - Edgecombe County (Tar-Pamlico 01)
DWQ# 2006-1334
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3 0 2009
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By memo dated May 21, 2009 (attached), Cyndi Karoly - NCDENR-DWQ - 401
Oversight and Express Permitting Unit, requested that the Ecosystem Enhancement Program
(EEP) verify the amount(s) of Riparian Buffer Mitigation and/or Nutrient Offset Credit the
subject site would be able to provide. The memo identified two (2) primary areas of concern.
They were:
1. Areas of the site that do NOT provide the minimum 50 foot buffer width can not be used
to generate riparian buffer mitigation.
Response: As shown of the attached map (Figure 1), all areas that do not provide the minimum
50 foot buffer width have been excluded, and will not be used to generate riparian buffer or
nutrient offset credit.
2. Four (4) of the eighteen (18) plots did not meet the minimum stem density of 320 stems
per acre.
Response: All areas that are proposed for use as Riparian Buffer Mitigation or Nutrient Offset
Credit will be replanted (if necessary), and an additional 3 years of monitoring will be performed
to ensure that those areas meet the required 320 stems per acre density.
In addition, please note that construction of this site was completed in September 2007.
Although this site was NOT included in EEP's original list of sites that were "grandfathered" to
allow buffer widths of up to 200 feet, EEP requests that this site be included in the grandfathered
list. If grandfathered, the site would generate a total of 17.2 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units
(see Figure 2). If not grandfathered, the site would generate a total of 11.26 Riparian Buffer
Mitigation Units (see Figure 1.)
Based on the above, 11.26 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units will be listed on the
Debit Ledger until it has been agreed that the site can be included on the list of
grandfathered projects. If allowed to be grandfathered, the Debit Ledger will be increased
to 17.2 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units.
ENR
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652 / 919-715-0476 / w
ww.nceep.net

If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact me at any time.
Cc: Cyndi Karoly - NCDENR-DWQ - 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit
2
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coieen H Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
May 21, 2009
TO: Suzanne Klimek - NCEEP
Jeff Jurek - NCEEP
FROM: Cyndi Karoly - 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit G?
RE: Buffer Mitigation Site Evaluations
Harrell Site - Edgecombe County (Tar-Pamlico 01)
DWQ 906-1334
Site Visit: 4/23/09 EWKJTLH
Contact Person: Eric Kulz
The Harrell Site consists of 6,808 linear feet of stream restoration with associated riparian zone plantings. The amount of
buffer component is not known as that information is not provided in the Year 1 monitoring report. This Full-delivery site is
listed as having a buffer component in the 4/13/09 version of the EEP on-line sites database.
The buffer widths varied from approximately 25 feet to 60 feet; at the majority of the outside bends not having 50 feet of
buffer. The Year I monitoring report states that the overall vegetation density is 607 stems per acre; four plots out of 18 did
not meet the required success criteria of 320 stems per acre. The lowest portion of the site experiences some backwater from
Swift Creek, and few trees were observed in this portion of the site. However, trees were alive across the majority of the site,
but appeared to have exhibited little growth since planting in 2008.
The conservation easement was not marked at the time of the site visit.
ITEMS TO ADDRESS: Please provide a total amount of buffer credit to be generated on this site. This will require
verification of the easement widths and planted area widths. It appeared that significant portions of the buffers were
less than 50 feet wide.
cc: Matt Matthews
401 CiversightlExpress Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh. North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr,state.nc,uslncwetlandsl
NorthCarolina
AaNurallty
An Equal Cpponunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
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