20030341 Ver 1_Mitigation Information_20091130

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PROGRAM
October 28, 2009
To: John Dorney - DWQ
FROM: Marc Recktenwald - EEP
RE: Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Verification for
Stillhouse Creek Stream Restoration - Orange County (Meuse 02)
DWQ# 2003-0341
NOV 3 0 2009
DENR - WATER QUALITY
WETLANDS AND STORMINATER BRANCr,
By memo dated May 21, 2009 (attached), Cyndi Karoly - NCDENR-DWQ - 401
Oversight and Express Permitting Unit, requested that the Ecosystem Enhancement Program
(EEP) delineate and 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. Please supply DWQ a map delineating the area you are counting as 50-foot riparian
buffer credit.
Response: Areas with riparian buffer of at least 50 feet wide eligible for buffer restoration credit
are shown on the attached figure as green polygons. In some cases the green polygons extend
beyond the 50 foot buffer boundary to the conservation easement as Stillhouse Creek is a
grandfathered site which allows credit out to 200 feet.
2. The entire conservation easement needs to be marked.
Response: The conservation easement will be posted with boundary signs by December 18,
2009.
Based on this information, the Debit Ledger will list this site with 1.12 Riparian
Buffer Mitigation Units.
Cc: Cyndi Karoly - NCDENR-DWQ - 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit
NCDENR
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 21699-1652 / 919-115-0416 / www.nceep.net
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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
May 21, 2009
TO: Suzanne Klimek - NCEEP
Jeff Jurek - NCEEP
FROM: Cyndi Karoly - 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit
RE: Buffer Mitigation Site Evaluations
Stillhouse Creek Site - Orange County (Meuse 02)
DWQ #2003-0341
Site Visit: 4/21/09 ASC
Contact Person: Amy Chapman
Dee Freeman
Secretary
The Stillhouse Creek site includes stream enhancement, and Neuse buffer restoration. According to the monitoring report,
1,210 feet of Stillhouse Creek was restored. Buffer credits for this project were not clearly enumerated in the monitoring
report. Buffer width was variable but was less than 50 feet in all but one area evaluated. This site is "grandfathered" for
generating riparian buffer mitigation credit out to 200 feet along streams subject to the buffer rule. Julie Ventaloro and Amy
Chapman from DWQ and Perry Sugg from NC EEP were present during this site visit.
The site is in its third year of monitoring. The monitoring report stated that the four vegetation plots exceeded the success
criteria of 320 stems per acre. During the visit it was observed that the vegetation in the buffer was thriving. However (as
stated above) the buffer width was less than 50 feet for most of the stream reach.
In areas where trees were growing, adequate tree growth and diversity was observed. The conservation easement was
partially marked by a wooden fence at the time of the site visit.
ITEMS TO ADDRESS:
Please have the entire buffer surveyed and supply DWQ a map delineating the area you are counting as 50-foot
riparian buffer credit. A very small stretch (approximately 100 feet) of the restored stream may also yield riparian
buffer credit. In areas of less than 50-feet of buffer, please remove those buffer credits from the ledger.
The entire conservation easement needs to be clearly marked.
cc: Matt Matthews
401 Oversight/Express 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:1/h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands!
NorthCarofina
Naturally
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer

Legend
Conservation Easement Boundary
50-ft Buffer Boundary
Buffer Restoration 0 100 200
Pxww Stream Feet
Stillhouse Creek
EEP #363
Hillsborough NC
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