20190049 Ver 1_Meeting Minutes_IRT Walk_20190116

W
WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING: Post Contract IRT Site Visit
CARPENTER BOTTOM Mitigation Site
Catawba River Basin 03050103 (expanded service area); Gaston County, NC
NCDEQ Contract No. 7731
Wildlands Project No. 005-02179
DATE: Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 9:30 am
LOCATION: Gaston-Webbs Chapel Road
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Attendees
Todd Tugwell, USACE
Kim Browning, USACE
Paul Wiesner, Division of Mitigation Services (NCDMS)
Matthew Reid, NCDMS
Melonie Allen, NCDMS
Kirsten Ullman, NCDMS
Mac Haupt, NC Department of Environmental Quality
Olivia Munzer, Wildlife Resource Commission
Shawn Wilkerson, Wildlands Engineering
Eric Neuhaus, Wildlands Engineering
Materials
• Wildlands Engineering Technical Proposal 8/10/2018 in response to NCDMS RFQ 09132018
Meeting Notes
1. Wildlands gave a brief site overview before the walk which discussed stream and wetland approach and
general site conditions.
2. The group entered the proposed wetland re-establishment area from the northeast field adjacent to
Ditch 3 as shown on the proposal concept map. Wildlands was asked about plans for Ditch 3 and it was
noted that the ditch would be filled within the proposed wetland re-establishment area. Upstream of
the proposed wetland re-establishment area, drainage from Ditch 3 will be directed into the wetland to
support hydrology.
3. Soil borings were taken towards the eastern edge of the proposed wetland re-establishment area. The
consensus from the group was that site soils were depleted with a low chroma, consistent with the
Licensed Soil Scientist (LSS) investigation included with the proposal. Site soils were deemed suitable for
the proposed wetland restoration at the surface.
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. page 1
CARPENTER BOTTOM mitigation site
Post -Contract IRT Site Walk

4. The walk continued into the proposed wetland rehabilitation area, where two headwater ditches were
observed, and soils were double checked for consistency. A rehabilitation approach was discussed
including plugging of the existing drainage ditches, treatment of invasive vegetation (including but not
limited to hardy orange, Chinese privet, and white pine trees), wetland plantings, and cattle exclusion.
IRT members noted that a jurisdictional delineation will need to be done to verify the wetland
rehabilitation boundary, but overall, they agreed with the approach. Soils observed within the
rehabilitation area were consistent with previous soil borings taken within the re-establishment area.
5. Fish and Wildlife noted that there is potential habitat for a stream specific crayfish and dwarf flowered
heartleaf species on -site. Neither of these species was observed during the site walk but Wildlands
noted that they would look for these specific species as part of the categorical exclusion and threatened
and endangered species walks.
6. A soil boring was taken within the wetland re-establishment area west of Ditch 2 shown on the proposal
concept map. Soils were consistent with other observations on site and were deemed appropriate for
wetland re-establishment at the surface.
7. Overall, IRT members agreed with the proposed wetland restoration approach and proposed ratios of
1:1 for areas of wetland re-establishment and 1.5:1 for areas of wetland rehabilitation.
8. Wildlands will prioritize getting the jurisdictional delineation completed within the proposed wetland
rehabilitation area. Additionally, Wildlands will install groundwater gages throughout the wetland
restoration area prior to the 2019 growing season.
9. The walk continued south toward the headwater tributaries of Carpenter's Branch. IRT and NCDMS
representatives were shown the approximate location of intermittent and perennial stream calls based
on field mapping. It was discussed that these calls would be further refined as the project moved
forward, but generally intermittent and perennial calls presented in the proposal were agreed upon.
10. Ditch 1 shown on the proposal map east of the wetland rehabilitation area was discussed in detail.
Wildlands current proposed approach was to install channel plugs at various locations upstream of the
intermittent call to redirect drainage back into the adjacent proposed wetland area. It was noted that if
the channel was deemed jurisdictional above the current field call, Wildlands would either restore or
enhance the channel and include it within the proposed conservation easement.
11. The site walk continued to the headwaters and ultimately down the entire length of Carpenter's Branch.
Wildlands originally proposed all streams on -site including headwater tributaries, the entire length of
Carpenter's Branch, and UT1 for an enhancement II approach at a 2.5:1 credit ratio. After field
observations and discussions with the IRT, it was determined that the streams on -site need to be fully
restored using a priority I approach until an existing bedrock portion of the channel, which will be
proposed for a preservation approach. The change in approach will be incorporated by Wildlands and
updated crediting information will be supplied to DMS.
12. It was noted that a current culvert crossing over an unnamed tributary from the right floodplain will be
removed as part of the project. The portion of this channel within the proposed conservation easement
will be restored and tied to the proposed alignment of Carpenter's Branch as part of the project.
13. IRT members noted that a flow gage will need to be installed along UT1 to document continuity of flow
for the project reach, regardless of stream approach.
14. In addition to restoring Carpenter's Branch with a Priority I restoration approach, Wildlands agreed that
they would discuss putting the additional property (approximately 5.7 acres) on the right floodplain of
Carpenter's Branch within the proposed conservation easement with the property owner. This would
allow for an extended buffer along the right floodplain of Carpenter's Branch and allow Wildlands to
eliminate the proposed 30' internal culvert crossing shown in the proposal.
15. The IRT noted that the site could be a prime candidate for benthic and water quality monitoring with a
potential associated 2% credit bonus if property monitoring was carried out.
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. page 2
CARPENTER BOTTOM mitigation site
Post -Contract IRT Site Walk