20160825 Ver 1_Reforestation question_20200831

Wanucha, Dave
From:Hining, Kevin J
Sent:Monday, August 31, 2020 2:52 PM
To:Latham, Tim; Wanucha, Dave
Subject:Reforestation question regarding NCDOT projects
Attachments:R-5745 Permit Drawings_20160601.pdf
Hey Tim and Dave,

I apologize, as I may have already asked one or both of you the following question…. When DOT finalizes the erosion
control plans for a project, we will sometimes have a reforestation clause that will specify an acreage (and in some cases
a specific location for planting livestakes and/or bare root trees. My understanding is it is often up to the project
manager to determine the quantity and location. However, I wasn’t sure if that was something that one of your groups
monitored or not?

The reason I’m asking, is that we have a project in Lenoir that had a specific area slated for reforestation – it was a
stream relocation site beside Caldwell R-5745. See the bottom right on page 8 above, as well as page 9 for the
details. However, we have lots of natural regeneration in the specific area that we are supposed to reforest, and the
species that have naturally come up are the same ones we were supposed to plant (sycamore, poplar, black cherry,
etc.). My thought would be that when that happens, we are better off just leaving things as they are since 1) we might
damage a lot of plants stomping around planting new ones, and 2) the nursery stock we would plant might be less
suitable for the area than what comes up naturally. There are tons of other non-woody plants that have come up in the
area as well.

All that said, I don’t want to give the ok to do nothing additional if there is a non-DOT group or entity in charge of
reviewing those reforestation areas. If that’s the case, I’d seek them out for the ok. Would either of your groups be in
charge of reviewing reforested areas on our projects?

Thanks in advance for any assistance,

Kevin

Kevin Hining
Division 11 Environmental Officer
North Carolina Department of Transportation

828-386-7202 cell
[e-mail]

801 Statesville Rd.
PO Box 250
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

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