Narcel Bush Island Mitigation Site

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
IN REPLY REFER TO
Regulatory Division
ACTION ID. 199900054
Mr. William D. Gilmore, P.E., Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Post Office Box 25201
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-5201
Dear Mr. Gilmore:
? ? 31998 ?_,
(A otaov
Reference the August 25, 1998, meeting between Mr. Jim Houser, myself, and Mr. Dave
Timpy at the Nance/Bush Island mitigation property, adjacent to Porter Swamp and Middle
Swamp, northeast of Cerro Gordo, Columbus County, North Carolina. Also present at this
meeting was Ms. Cindi Bell of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Mr. Bennett Wynn
of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and your consultant, Mr. Ken Roeder of
HNTB, Inc. The purpose of this meeting was to give resource agency representatives an
opportunity to inspect and comment on the proposed mitigation site. According to Mr. Houser,
the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) intends to use this site as
compensatory mitigation for the relocation of US 74 from the Maxton Bypass to NC 41 (TIP R-
513) as well as other TIP projects in the vicinity.
The property is located on an interstream divide between Porter Swamp and Middle Swamp
in the Lumber River drainage basin (Hydrologic Unit 03040203). According to the Columbus
County Soil Survey, the property is composed primarily of Torhunta and Johns Fine Sandy
Loams. The property is approximately 700 acres, with 300 acres in pasture, 300 acres recently
clear-cut and 100 acres in loblolly pine plantation. The site contains one central drainage ditch
that runs from north to south through the pasture and a perimeter ditch along the northwest
property boundary.
As discussed, the site may provide suitable compensatory mitigation for TIP projects in the
vicinity, however, we have some concerns relative to restoration of the site and it's use as
compensatory mitigation for "riverine" wetland impacts. Although Torhunta soils are fluvial in
origin, it is not readily apparent that the site will be subject to surface flooding from Porter
Swamp or Middle Swamp once restoration activities have been completed. If NCDOT intends
on using this site to provide for compensatory mitigation for riverine impacts, the plan should be
able to describe the extent and duration of flooding from adjacent stream or river channels.
November 9, 1998

-2-
Although the site has been cleared and is currently being used for pasture, no cropping
history has been documented and an extensive network of ditches does not exist on the site. As
discussed, baseline information relative to the extent of drainage on the site should be gathered in
order to document the hydrologic and plant community restoration potential. It will be
incumbent upon NCDOT to demonstrate that the site has been sufficiently altered such that
wetland hydrology is no longer present and that once restoration work has been completed that
hydrologic restoration of the site will occur.
You should strongly consider the affect on adjacent property owners if the perimeter ditch
is plugged. If this ditch must remain open, the plan should adequately describe the impact this
will have on the successful restoration of the site.
The enhancement of existing wetlands on the site that have been recently clearcut through
revegetation with appropriate species is acceptable. However, these areas will not provide
acceptable compensatory mitigation for direct impacts to wetlands through filling activities.
Finally, the plan should provide a concise description of the hydrologic and vegetative
success criteria. In addition to being specific, these criteria should also be measurable and
attainable, based on the preliminary data that will be gathered relative to the hydrodynamics of
the site.
As you are aware, use of large mitigation sites for multiple TIP projects will be very limited
until such time that successful restoration of wetlands has been demonstrated. We strongly
suggest that you pursue the development of a mitigation bank for this property.
If you have any questions regarding this correspondence, they should be addressed to the
undersigned in the Wilmington Regulatory Field Office at [phone].
Sincerely,
Scott McLendon
Regulatory Specialist

-3-
Copies Furnished:
Mr. John Hefner
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
Mr. Larry Hardy
National Marine Fisheries, NOAA
Habitat Conservation Division
Pivers Island
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
Mr. David Cox
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1142 I-85 Service Road
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522
Mr. John Dorney
Division of Water Quality
North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687
M SPATE' q,
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201
GOVERNOR
August 11, 1998
Ms. Cyndi Bell
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Dear Ms. Bell:
Enclosed is some reference material regarding the proposed Nance/Bush Island
Mitigation Site in Columbus County. These materials were taken from selected portions
of the Feasibility Study for the proposed site, and are being provided for your review
prior to the scheduled site visit on August 25, 1998. If you have any questions or need
additional information, please contact me at [phone] Extension 279.
Sincerely,
Jim Hauser
cc: David Schiller Xio k 6?4A
0
E. NORRIS TOLSON
SECRETARY

U.S.G.S. DIGITAL QUADRANGLE
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(706+/- ACRES) = RESO URCE
AREA LOCATION MAP - SOUTHEAST LTD.
LUMBER RIVER BASIN MITIGATION L'NTIIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS
SITE SEARCH
?+ 4915 WAT4..RS EDGE DRWE o SUM 1140 o RALEIG$ NC 27606
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. [phone] 0 FAX [phone]
0213
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Project Description
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is currently proposing to construct
various projects in Columbus and surrounding counties within the Lumber River watershed.
These projects will impact jurisdictional wetlands as defined by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACOE). Approximately 263 hectares (650 acres) of a 308 hectare (762 acre) tract
of land identified here as the Nance Property has been selected by the NCDOT for potential use
as a compensatory mitigation site to partially offset wetland impacts to riverine habitat types that
will occur due to these projects.
1.2 Purpose
The feasibility study was undertaken to determine whether the Nance Property would be suitable
for use for compensatory wetland mitigation. This report describes the results of the wetlands
determination, natural and cultural resources assessment, hydrologic assessment, and Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment. Recommendations made in this report are based on the analysis
of available published data relative to this site, data collected as a result of field investigations,
and other available information.
1.3 Study Area
The project study area is located in Columbus County, North Carolina (Figure 1). The property
falls within the Lumber River Basin, with a North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ)
subbasin designation of LBR51 (03-07-51) and a United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Hydrologic Unit designation of Lumber River-03040203. It is bordered on the east by Cow
Branch and SR 1503, on the south by Porter Swamp, and on the west by Middle Swamp (Figure
2). The central portion of the property between Middle Swamp and Cow Branch is named Bush
Island as labeled on the USGS topographic maps. The property is within the Coastal Plain
physiographic province of North Carolina. Approximately 93 hectares (230 acres) of the
property have been cleared and are in pasture. Initial clearing of the pasture land was started in
the mid 1950s. The pasture includes a network of drainage ditches, with one primary ditch
nearly bisecting the property. A perimeter canal constructed in the 1950's surrounds a large
portion of the property and drains into Porter Swamp. A stand of trees on the southern end of the
Nance Property was logged in late 1997. A section of Cow Branch crossing the property has
been dredged and widened. The proposed mitigation area consists of swamp and upland habitats
(Figure 2).
1.4 General Methodology
Information sources used to prepare this report include: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5
minute Cerro Gordo, North Carolina quadrangle map (1986) and Evergreen, North Carolina
Nance Property
Mitigation Feasibility Study
P.N. 94028.41
April 1998
1
6.0 WETLAND MITIGATION CONCEPTS
Based on the foregoing, it is believed that preservation, enhancement, and/or restoration of
wetlands and stream environments could be implemented at the site. The following paragraphs
provide a description of the possible options for the site.
The Cypress-Gum Swamp and Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp communities provide areas
for wetland preservation. These communities comprise approximately 44% of the property. The
recently logged area, which consists of approximately 10% of the site will provide the
opportunity for wetland enhancement by planting hardwood species such as willow oak and
water oak to enhance the biological diversity of the community. Sprouting shoots from the
logged species will provide the remaining vegetation. The mixed pine/hardwood, the
planted/regenerated pine and the pasture communities combine to represent approximately 46%
of the property. These communities present the opportunity for wetland restoration (Figure 5).
L) ak?
The potential for stream restoration also exists on the ance Property and could occur at several
locations. On the northern portion of the property the perimeter canal could be partially diverted
southward onto the site and braided into a network of small streams. Another option consists of
connecting the perimeter canal to the central drainage canal, creating a network of braided
streams to flow between it and Cow Branch. With the additional water volume the braided
streams could be restored as a dendritic flow pattern of Cow Branch. Another site where stream
restoration could occur is along Cow Branch where it has been dredged and improved. The
original dimensions of Cow Branch could be restored. In addition, at this location stream
braiding could be constructed, extending west into the existing pasture. Lastly, the disturbed
portions of Cow Branch in the recently logged area could be restored to their original condition.
The criteria for adequate hydrologic conditions for successful forested wetlands was assumed to
be ground saturation to within 12 inches of the ground surface for at least 12 percent of the
growing season. As indicated, the growing season for the site was determined to be generally
April through mid-November.
Published soil survey information suggests that the period of seasonally high groundwater table
conditions is late fall through spring. Groundwater level measurements made at the site during
this time period are generally consistent with the published information. However, the time
period for the seasonally high groundwater condition does not coincide with at least 12 percent
of the growing season. Additionally, the depth to groundwater during the growing season may
not be conducive to producing ground saturation to within 12 inches of the ground surface.
Site observations and groundwater level measurements suggest that portions of the site are
currently experiencing adequate hydrologic conditions for the support of forested wetlands. The
water budget analysis suggests that much of the growing season will likely experience a water
surplus. However, the water surplus is not considered significant enough to satisfy the
hydrologic criteria. Therefore, ground surface and hydrologic modifications will be necessary.
Nance Property
Mitigation Feasibility Study
P.N. 94028.41 23
April 1998
It is anticipated that these modifications would include site grading to lower the ground surface
elevations, and capturing of surface water flows at the entrance of Cow Branch for redistribution
across the site. These combined modifications could provide adequate hydrologic conditions for
the support of forested wetlands.
Nance Property
Mitigation Feasibility Study
P.N. 94028.41 24
April 1998
7.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1 Conclusions
Based upon the information developed in this feasibility study, the following conclusions are
presented:
1. This site is suitable for stream restoration and wetland preservation, restoration and
enhancement.
2. Existing wetlands have been identified on the site and fall under the jurisdiction of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE).
3. The National Wetlands Inventory classifies wetlands on the Nance Property as
Palustrine Forested and Emergent communities..
4. The dominant soil series found on the property are Johnston, Torhunta and Johns.
The Johnston and Torhunta soils are classified as hydric. Johns soils may contain
inclusions of the hydric lumber soils.
5. The principal existing and potential sources of water for the site are precipitation,
groundwater and surface water flow. Areas of the property are subject to flooding
primarily from Cow Branch. Current water losses from the property include: surface
runoff, infiltration, periodic groundwater outflow to the ditches and Cow Branch, and
evapotranspiration.
6. Sufficient water for wetland restoration is currently available to the property during
both the wet and dry seasons due to the low existing surface elevations and inputs
from the creek.
7. According to EnviroData and the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information
and Analysis (CGIA) Base Sensitivity Maps, neither the study area or other properties
within the appropriate search distance have been listed as a National Priority
List(NPL) Superfund site, a hazardous waste facility generator, or a National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Site (NPDES). A registered construction
landfill site is located on an agricultural (cropped) section of the property that the
owner desires to retain title on.
8. No federal or state protected threatened or endangered species have been reported or
were observed on the Nance Property.
Nance Property
Mitigation Feasibility Study
P.N. 94028.41
April 1998 25
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U.S.G.S. CERRO GORDO (1986) AND EVERGREEN (1986), N.C. QUADRANGLE MAPS
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PROPOSED ADDITION TO COLUMBUS
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® PROPERTY EXCLUDED FROM
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NOTE: ALL LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE.
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NANCE PROPERTY
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COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C.
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PROPERTY EXCLUDED FROM STUDY
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PF01/2F PALUSTRINE FORESTED, BROAD-LEAVED DECIDUOUS/NEEDLE- LAND SURVEYOR, DATED JUNE 18, 1987.
LEAVED DECIDUOUS, SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED 2. TOPOGRAPHY TAKEN FROM U.S.G.S. CERRO GORDO (1986
PF01/3A PALUSTRINE FORESTED, BROAD-LEAVED DECIDUOUS/ AND EVERGREEN (1986), N.C. QUADRANGLE MAPS.
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FIGURE 3
NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAP
NANCE PROPERTY
(706+/- ACRES)
MITIGATION SITE SEARCH
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C.
SCALE: 1" = 2000'
RESOURCE
SOUTHEAST, LTD.
ENGINEERS o SCIENTISTS o PLANNERS
1513 IIALIOM STREET, SUnT 250 o CARY, NC 27511
[phone] o FAX [phone]
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POWER LINE LAND SURVEYOR, DATED JUNE 18, 1987.
Jo JOHNS FINE SANDY LOAM 2. SOIL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM SOIL SURVEY OF
Js JOHNSTON LOAM, FREQUENTLY FLOODED COLUMBUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROUNA (1990): BY.
LnB LEON SAND, 1 TO 4 PERCENT SLOPES THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SOIL
Mu MURVILLE FINE SAND CONSERVATION SERVICE.
To TORHUNTA FINE SANDY LOAM 3. TOPOGRAPHY TAKEN FROM U.S.G.S. CERRO GORDO (1986)
WkB WAKULLA COARSE SAND, 0 TO 6 AND EVERGREEN (1986), N.C. QUADRANGLE MAPS.
PERCENT SLOPES 4. ALL LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE.
PROPERTY EXCLUDED FROM STUDY
® PROPOSED ADDITION TO PROPERTY
0 STRUCTURES SCALE: i' = 2000'
FIGURE 4
SOILS MAP ! RESO URCE
NANCE PROPERTY vmr? SOUTHEAST, LTD.
(706th- ACRES) ENGINEERS o SCIENTISTS o PLANNERS
MITIGATION SITE SEARCH 1515 WAUJiM STREET SUITE 250 o CARY NC 27511
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. [phone] o FAX [phone]
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NOTES:
1. BOUNDARY TAKEN FROM SURVEY BY BILLY M. DUNCAN,
LAND SURVEYOR, DATED JUNE 18, 1987.
2. TOPOGRAPHY TAKEN FROM U.S.G.S. CERRO GORDO (1986),
AND EVERGREEN (1986), N.C. QUADRANGLES MAPS.
3. ALL LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE.
FIGURE 5
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POTENTIAL WETLAND MITIGATION
AREA MAP
NANCE PROPERTY
706+/- ACRES)
MI11 ATION SITE SEARCH
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C.
SCALE: 1" = 2000'
Amr-
RESO URCE
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lmr? SO UMEAST, LTD.
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ENGINEERS o SCIENTISTS o PLANNERS
1513 WALNUT STREET, SUITE 250 o CARP, NC 27511
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LEGEND
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PROPERTY LINE NOTES:
1. BOUNDARY TAKEN FROM SURVEY BY BILLY M. DUNCAN,
STATE ROADS LAND SURVEYOR, DATED JUNE 18, 1987.
--- - - - UNPAVED ROADS 2. TOPOGRAPHY TAKEN FROM U.S.G.S. CERRO GORDO (1986),
- - - STREAM AND EVERGREEN (1986), N.C. QUADRANGLES MAPS.
-70-- EXISTING TOPOGRAPHY 3. ALL LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE.
POWER LINE
PROPERTY EXCLUDED FROM STUDY
® PROPOSED ADDITION TO PROPERTY
11 STRUCTURES
A OBSERVATION WELL
i INFILTRATION TEST HOLE
(6' FROM OBSERVATION WELL)
?+f-- SURFACE DRAINAGE
?- FLOW DIRECTION OF STREAMS AND
DRAINAGE DITCHES

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PRIMARY DRAINAGE DITCHES r
SCALE: 1" = 2000'
FIGURE 6
OBSERVATION WELL LOCATIONS
AND SURFACE DRAINAGE
NANCE PROPERTY
706+/- ACRES)
MITIGATION SITE SEARCH
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C.
Amr? RES 0 URC?
SOUTHEAST, LTD.
lmr? lqqr?
ENGINEERS o SCIENTISTS a PLANNERS
1513 WALIMT STREET SUITE 250 o CARY, NC 27511
[phone] o FAX [phone]