20020409 Ver 1_Mitigation Information_20091130

To: John Dorney - DWQ
FROM: Marc Recktenwald - EEP
October 26, 2009
RE: Buffer Mitigation Credit Recalculation for
Kentwood Park - Wake County (Meuse 02)
DWQ# 2002-0409
EEP ID 205
aR@9019[96
NOV 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.
DWQ Comment: - The exact commentary can be found in the attached DWQ memo dated
May 21, 2009 and centered around concerns over the extent of mature trees on-site and the
conflict this seemed to represent for the allowances for claiming buffer credit for existing
stem densities in excess of 200 stems per acre. DWQ stated the need for production of map
that would depict those areas that were planted and did not have an excess of existing
mature stems. In addition, DWQ mentioned the need for a stream call on the projects
tributary prior to closeout.
Response: The amount originally inputted into the EEP database around the time of construction
was 2.9 acres, which was the easement acreage, a standard entry cell in the database that pre-
dated EEPs current IMS system. The migration to the new system inputted this value into the
buffer cell and this number was not revisited until the present audit. Dense planting did occur
in the near bank areas and to a lesser extent in the areas outside of this zone. The site was also
subject to supplemental planting with larger material 2 years after construction, which was the
one area noted by DWQ as a potential candidate area on site. Based on the mapping from that
replant effort and EEP follow up field verification, one area on the right floodplain would
technically be eligible, but represents a very small buffer acreage (less than 0.1 acre). EEP has
decided not to pursue riparian buffer restoration credit on the Kentwood site. Therefore the
ledger and databases have been modified to reflect that there is no riparian buffer credit on
the Kentwood site. Lastly, a stream call with DWQ for the tributary will be arranged prior to
the project being offered for closeout.
NCDENR
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N( 27699-1652 / 919-715-0476 / www.nceep.net
Based on the above information, the Debit Ledger will list this site with 0.0 Riparian Buffer
Mitigation Units.
Cc: Cyndi Karoly - NCDENR-DWQ - 401 Oversight and Express Permits Unit
2
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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
Kentwood Park Buffer Restoration Site - Wake County (Neuse 02)
DWQ # 20020409
Site Visit: 4/22/09 JRD
Contact Person: John Dorney
Dee Freeman
Secretary
The Kentwood Park Buffer Mitigation Site (NCEEP Full Delivery site) includes buffer restoration. According to the
monitoring report, an unknown quantity (perhaps as much as 3.2 acres) of buffer mitigation credits were created by planting a
wooded buffer along Brushy Branch and an unnamed tributary of Brushy Branch as they are located with in the city park.
Buffer width was greater than 50 feet in the reports except along the unnamed tributary. Guy Pearce and Greg Melia from
EEP as well as Tammy Hill from DWQ were also present on site.
The site is in its fourth year of monitoring. The monitoring report stated that all monitoring plots met vegetation success
criteria and that the stream was stable. This site also will provide stream enhancement credit.
Several significant problems were observed at this site which must be corrected. First, the vast majority of the site along
both sides of Brushy Branch were mature forest. Only one small area of planted trees was observed along the north bank.
These areas of mature forest vegetation (or the small area of planting) need to be determined and removed (or kept,
respectively) from the ledger as buffer mitigation. Some areas may be eligible for buffer enhancement credit if the numbers
of trees per acre are determined . Second, the planted area along the unnamed tributary is clearly less than 50 feet wide and
will provide no buffer credit. Third, DWQ has not made a stream determination on the unnamed tributary. This needs to be
done as soon as possible in order to determine if stream mitigation credit is available from this tributary
ITEMS TO ADDRESS: First, all locations on site with mature forest vegetation need to be determined and these
areas removed from the EEP ledger. Alternatively the one small area with planted vegetation could be determined
and this area left on the buffer ledger.
Second, the area along the unnamed tributary needs to be removed from the ledger since it is less than 50 feet
wide.
Third, DWQ Raleigh Regional Office staff must be contacted to make a formal stream call on the unnamed
tributary to determine if this site is eligible for stream mitigation.
EEP needs to send DWQ a letter with these locations of mature forest (or alternatively the small area of
planted buffer) clearly shown. Once DWQ staff concur with the locations, then the June 3, 2009 EEP ledger may need
to be further reduced accordingly. DWQ will need to be copied with a final letter including the stream determination
once these issues- has been resolved.
cc: Matt Matthews
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit One
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 NorthCarolina
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh. North Carolina 27604 ?aturallr?
Phone. [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: httQ:l/h2c.encstate.nc.us/ncwetlands/
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