20081368 Ver 1_Year 4 Monitoring Report_20090709

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ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT
YEAR 4 (2009)
BROGDEN ROAD BUFFER RESTORATION SITE
JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
(Contract Number D05015-3)
V R .... 53, 3?11
DENR - WATER OVALITY
iM ILMIDS AND STORWATER BRANCH
Prepared for:
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
ECOSYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
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Prepared by:
Restoration Systems, L.L.C.
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
And
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
20 Enterprise Street, Suite 7
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
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Axiom Environmental, Inc.
June 2009

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Restoration Systems, LLC (Restoration Systems) has completed riparian buffer restoration at the
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site (hereafter referred to as the "Site") to assist the North
Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) in fulfilling restoration goals in the region.
The Site is located approximately 0.25 mile south of Smithfield, in Johnston County. This
portion of Johnston County is located centrally within Neuse River Basin 14-digit Targeted
Local Watershed 03020201140010.
The Site encompasses approximately 15 acres immediately adjacent to unnamed tributaries to the
Neuse River. A total of 15 Buffer Mitigation Units, resulting from 15 acres of buffer restoration,
were completed in January 2006.
Prior to restoration, Site land use consisted of agricultural fields utilized for row crop production.
Site stream banks were characterized by little or no vegetation and extensive erosion. Excessive
runoff during storms from nearby Interstate 95 appeared to have exacerbated stream bank
erosion problems caused by previous onsite land use.
Site reforestation, consisting of a Mesic Pine Flatwoods community, was implemented within the
entire 15-acre Site. The primary goals of this buffer restoration project focused on reforestation
of the Site with native species to 1) improve water quality; 2) enhance flood attenuation; 3)
reduce sedimentation/sihation; 4) increase channel bank stability; 5) filter and reduce pollutants
prior to entering the Neuse River; 6) serve as a wildlife corridor by providing connectivity to
forested areas adjacent to the Site; 7) provide increased habitat for aquatic and terrestrial
wildlife; 8) increase organic matter, carbon export, and woody debris in the stream corridor; 9)
restore shade to open waters; 10) increase potential for freshwater mussel recruitment; 11)
enhance macroinvertebrate species populations in the channel; 12) augment the existing Mesic
Pine Flatwoods Natural Community documented by the North Carolina Natural Heritage
Program (NCNHP) just northeast of the Site; and 13) expand potential red-cockaded woodpecker
(Picoides borealis) foraging habitat for populations documented by the North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program (NCNHP) approximately 0.3 mile and 0.9 mile northeast of the Site.
As a whole, the densities of four vegetation plots across the Site were above the required 320
stems/acre with an average of 1127 tree stems per acre in the Fourth Monitoring Year (Year
2009). All individual vegetation plots met success criteria and had good species diversity with 7
to 13 Character Tree Species present within each plot.
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page i
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1
2.0 VEGETATION MONITORING PROGRAM ..................................................................3
2.2.1 Vegetation Success Criteria ..................................................................................5
2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling Results and Comparison to Success Criteria .......................6
3.0 CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................................6
4.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................8
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Character Tree Species .................................................................................................5
Table 2. 2009 Vegetation Monitoring Data and Results ..............................................................7
Table 3. Summary of Vegetation Plot Results .............................................................................6
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Site Location ...............................................................................................................2
Figure 2. Monitoring Plan ..........................................................................................................4
APPENDICES
Appendix A. Vegetation Plot Photographs
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page ii
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
BROGDEN ROAD BUFFER RESTORATION SITE
ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT
YEAR 4 (2009)
JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Restoration Systems, LLC (Restoration Systems) has completed riparian buffer restoration at the
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site (hereafter referred to as the "Site") to assist the North
Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) in fulfilling restoration goals in the region. The
Site is located approximately 0.25 mile south of Smithfield, in Johnston County (Figure 1).
The Site conservation easement encompasses 15 acres immediately adjacent to unnamed
tributaries to the Neuse River within subbasin 03-04-02 of the Neuse River Basin. The Site is part
of United States Geological Survey Catalog Unit 03020201 of the South Atlantic/Gulf Region and
is encompassed within a watershed that has been targeted for restoration needs (Targeted Local
Watershed 03020201140010) (NCWRP 2002).
A Detailed Buffer Restoration Plan was completed for the Site in July 2005. The plan outlined
methods designed to reforest the entire 15-acre Site with native species. Prior to implementation,
the entire Site was composed of row-crop agriculture. The following implemented activities
provide 15 Buffer Mitigation Units as requested under the EEP Request for Proposal (RFP) 16-
D05015 dated October 22, 2004:
• Restoration of approximately 15 acres of riparian buffer through planting with native forest
species.
Protection of the Site in perpetuity with a conservation easement, which is held by the
State of North Carolina.
The primary goals of this buffer restoration project focused on reforestation of the entire 15-acre
Site with native species to 1) improve water quality; 2) enhance flood attenuation; 3) reduce
sedimentation/siltation; 4) increase channel bank stability; 5) filter and reduce pollutants prior to
entering the Neuse River; 6) serve as a wildlife corridor by providing connectivity to forested
areas adjacent to the Site; 7) provide increased habitat for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife; 8)
increase organic matter, carbon export, and woody debris in the stream corridor; 9) restore shade
to Site open waters; 10) increase potential for appropriate mussel habitat; 11) enhance
characteristic macro invertebrate species populations in the channel; 12) augment the existing
Mesic Pine Flatwoods Natural Community documented by the North Carolina Natural Heritage
Program (NCNHP) just northeast of the Site; and 13) expand potential red-cockaded woodpecker
(Picoides borealis) foraging habitat for populations documented by the NCNHP approximately
0.3 mile and 0.9 mile northeast of the Site.
The primary goals were accomplished by:
1. Removing nonpoint sources of pollution associated with agricultural production including
a) cessation of broadcasting fertilizer, pesticides, and other agricultural materials into and
adjacent to Site streams and b) providing a vegetative buffer adjacent to streams to treat
surface runoff.
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page 1
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
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BUFFER RESTORATION SITE

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Project: 08-007
2. Reducing sedimentation within onsite and downstream receiving waters by a) a reducing
bank erosion associated with agricultural practices, b) filtering surface runoff from
adjacent land and reducing particulate matter deposited into area waterways, and c)
planting a forested buffer adjacent to Site streams.
3. Promoting floodwater attenuation by revegetating Site floodplains, thereby promoting
increased frictional resistance on floodwaters crossing Site floodplains.
4. Providing wildlife habitat including a forested riparian corridor.
As constructed, the Site provides 15 acres of riparian buffer restoration (15 Buffer Mitigation
Units).
On July 1, 2005, EEP contracted with Restoration Systems to complete restoration of the Site. A
Detailed Buffer Restoration Plan was completed for the project in July 2005. Upon completion of
the detailed plan, Bruton Nurseries and Landscapes planted the Site during the first week of
January 2006. Axiom Environmental, Inc. completed an As-built Mitigation Report in April 2006.
Information on project managers, owners, and contractors follows:
Owner Information
Restoration Systems, L.L.C.
George Howard and John Preyer
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
[phone]
Designer and Monitoring Performer Information Planting Contractor Information
Axiom Environmental, Inc. Bruton Nurseries and Landscapes
W. Grant Lewis Charlie Bruton
20 Enterprise Street, Suite 7 PO Box 1197
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607 Fremont, North Carolina 27830
[phone]
2.0 VEGETATION MONITORING PROGRAM
Monitoring procedures for vegetation were designed in accordance with Stream Mitigation
Guidelines (USACE et al. 2003) and the Draft Internal Guidance for Vegetation Monitoring Plans
for NCWRP Riparian Buffer and Wetland Restoration Projects (undated). A general discussion of
the plant community restoration monitoring program is provided. Monitoring of restoration
efforts will be performed for a minimum of 5 years or until success criteria are fulfilled. The
locations of monitoring plots are depicted in Figure 2.
During the first year, vegetation received visual evaluations on a periodic basis to ascertain the
degree of overtopping of planted species by nuisance species. Subsequently, quantitative
sampling of vegetation will be performed between June 1 and September 30 of each monitoring
year for five years or until the vegetation success criteria are achieved.
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page 3
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
Four sample transects were installed within planted areas of the Site shortly after replanting to
equally represent the Site (Figure 2). Each transect is 300 feet in length and 8 feet in width (0.055
acre). In each sample plot, vegetation parameters monitored include species composition and
species density. Visual observations of the percent cover of shrub and herbaceous species were
also noted. Photographs of the 4 vegetation plots are included in Appendix A.
2.2.1 Vegetation Success Criteria
Success criteria have been established to verify that the vegetation component is dependent upon
density and growth of "Character Tree Species." Character Tree Species include planted species,
those observed in forest stands near the Site, and those listed in the Mesic Pine Flatwood
community descriptions from Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina
(Schafale and Weakley 1990). All planted canopy tree species and those identified in Schafale
and Weakley (1990) will be utilized to define "Character Tree Species" as termed in the success
criteria.
Table 1. Character Tree Species
Planted Species Examples of Mesic Pine Flatwood Species*
River Birch (Betula nigra) Mockernut Hickory (Carya alba)
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) Sand Hickory (Carya pallida)
White Oak (Quercus alba) Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata) Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)
Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxii) Bluejack Oak (Quercus incana)
Water Oak (Quercus nigra) Post Oak (Quercus stellata)
Cherrybark Oak (Quercus pagoda) Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica)
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) Flowering Dogwood (Corpus Florida)
* Species described in Schafale and Weakley (1990) and observed in adjacent sites; this is not a comprehensive list.
Vegetation success criteria for the Site will be the existence of an overall density of at least 320
stems per acre five years after the initial planting. Additional seedlings are expected to be
recruited to the Site from adjacent forested communities. These individuals may also be counted
in the overall success rate for the Site provided they are native hardwood tree species.
If vegetation success criteria are not achieved based on average density calculations from
combined plots over the entire restoration area, supplemental planting may be performed with
Character Tree Species. Supplemental planting will be performed as needed until achievement of
vegetation success criteria.
No quantitative sampling requirements are proposed for herb assemblages as part of the vegetation
success criteria. Development of floodplain forests over several decades will dictate the success in
recruitment and establishment of desired understory and groundcover populations. Visual
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page 5
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
estimates of the percent cover of herbaceous species will be documented through periodic
photographs. Photographs of the vegetation plots are included in Appendix A.
2.2.2 Vegetation Sampling Results and Comparison to Success Criteria
Quantitative sampling of vegetation was conducted in June 2009. Results are provided in Table 2.
Vegetation success criteria for year 4 (320 stems per acre) were exceeded for the 2009 annual
monitoring year with 1127 tree stems per acre across the Site. All individual vegetation plots met
success criteria and had good species diversity with 7 to 13 Character Tree Species present within
each plot.
3.0 CONCLUSIONS
In summary, as a whole, the densities of four vegetation plots across the Site were above the
required 320 stems/acre with an average of 1127 tree stems per acre in the Fourth Monitoring Year
(Year 2009). All individual vegetation plots met success criteria and had good species diversity
with 7 to 13 Character Tree Species present within each plot. The average number of tree
stems/acre has increased by roughly 430 stems since the third year of monitoring and by roughly
530 stems since the first year of monitoring.
Table 3. Summary of Vegetation Plot Results
Stems/Acre Coun tin Towards Success Criteria
Plot Year 1
2006 Year 2
2007 Year 3
2008 Year 4
2009 Year 5
2010
1 582 891 618 1182
2 673 1127 945 1382
3 473 636 418 836
4 600 1473 800 1109
Average Plots 1-4 584 1022 695 1127
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page 6
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
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4.0 REFERENCES
North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP). 2002. North Carolina Wetlands Restoration
Program Neuse River Basin Watershed Restoration Plan. North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh.
North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP). Undated. Draft Internal Guidance for
Vegetation Monitoring Plans for NCWRP Riparian Buffer and Wetland Restoration Projects.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Schafale, M. P., A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third
Approximation, NC Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, NC DEM,
Raleigh NC.
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA), North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Natural Resources
Conservation Service (MRCS), and North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2003.
Stream Mitigation Guidelines. State of North Carolina.
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site page 8
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 4 (2009)
APPPENDIX A
VEGETATION PLOT PHOTOGRAPHS
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 3 (2008)
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site
Year 4 (2009) Annual Monitoring
Vegetation Plot Pictures Taken June 2009
p o? ?l

Rd 4

HOQ
Brogden Road Buffer Restoration Site
Annual Monitoring Report Restoration Systems, LLC
Year 3 (2008)