20041529 Ver 1_Mitigation Report_20100309

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DR. J.H. CARTER III & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Environmental Consultants
P.O. Box 891 • Southern Pines, N.C. 28388
[phone] • Fax [phone]
Letter of Transmittal
To Emily B. Hughes
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
US Army Corps of Engineers
69 Darlington Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403-1343
WE ARE SENDING YOU
Date: 3-8-2010 Job # 8917
Attn:
Re: Annual Report

Attached X Reports Maps
Copy of letter Plans Data
Prints Photos
COPIES DATE # P s DESCRIPTION
1 3-8-10 12+ 2009 Wetland Mitigation and Reclamation Report for
Southern Products and Silica, Inc.,
Hoffman, Richmond County, North Carolina
and Appendix

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THESE ARE TRANSMITTED ViETL v1-1AND "NATFN
AND „TMattiI. BRANCH
For approval Approved as noted
X For your use Approved as submitted
As requested Returned for corrections
For review and comment For your information
REMARKS: Emily,
I've enclosed the 2009 annual report for Southern Products mine. Please contact me
with any questions.
Have a great day!
Jennifer Archambault
COPY TO: CK Smith - Southern Products SIGNED:
Floyd Williams - Land Quality
Section, NCDENR
Tammy Hill - NCDWQ
If enclosures are not noted, please contact us i mediately
Endangered Species Surveys • Environmental Assessments 9 Land Management 9 Wetlands Mapping and Permitting
2009 WETLAND MITIGATION
AND RECLAMATION REPORT
FOR
SOUTHERN PRODUCTS & SILICA CO., INC.,
HOFFMAN, RICHMOND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Mining Permit No. 77-04
401 Water Quality Certification No. 2551
USACE Action ID No. 200500164
Prepared By:
Jennifer M. Archambault and Dr. J.H. Carter III
Dr. J.H. Carter III and Associates, Inc.
Environmental Consultants
515-F Midland Road
Southern Pines, NC 28387
Submitted 8 March 2010
To:
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Land Quality Section
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
N.C. Division of Water Quality
Wetlands/401 Certification Unit
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604-2260
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District
69 Darlington Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403
UL o3i 0 16 Al 14-AR a b
201o EXR WATER QUALfTY
VIETLANiANO.+TORVIVATER RRANCN
2009 WETLAND MITIGATION
AND RECLAMATION REPORT
FOR
SOUTHERN PRODUCTS & SILICA CO., INC.,
HOFFMAN, RICHMOND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
INTRODUCTION
This report, prepared in accordance with State of North Carolina (NC) Land Quality
Permit No. 77-04, NC Water Quality Certification No. 2551 and the United States (US) Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) Permit No. 200500164, summarizes wetland mitigation and
monitoring activities and reclamation progress at Southern Products & Silica Co., Inc., during
2009.
Southern Products & Silica Co., Inc., is located directly south of, and adjacent to,
Drowning Creek on the west side of US Highway 1, in northeastern Richmond County, NC
(Figure 1). The mine site is located adjacent to forested wetlands, as described in the permit
documentation dated 22 October 1990 by J.H. Carter III. Existing trees growing on wetlands
onsite include swamp blackgum (Nyssa biflora), bald and pond cypress (Taxodium distichum and
T. ascendens), red maple (Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), tulip poplar
(Liriodendron tulipifera), pond and loblolly pines (Pinus serotina and P. taeda) and Atlantic
white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides).
Wetland mitigation activities at the mine in 2009 consisted of collecting annual
vegetation and soil data from 1 monitoring plot, tree planting and soil sample analysis.
WETLAND MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
Wetland mitigation activities in 2009 took place at the Mushroom Fan site, which is
within the Rankin lease area at the mine (Figure 2). Activities consisted of assessing survival of
planted seedlings, tree planting, and wetland vegetation, hydrology and soil monitoring.
Figure 1. Location of the Southern Products & Silica Co., Inc., mine site, near Hoffman,
Richmond County, North Carolina.
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VEGETATION MONITORING ACTIVITIES
Vegetation monitoring plots were established in 2 undisturbed wetland areas adjacent to
the mine site in 1992 in order to monitor the success of the wetland mitigation activities (Figure
2). These plots (Reference Forest Ecosystems (RFEs)) serve as a reference for the mitigation
areas and were monitored for the 14 years; the last monitoring year was 2005.
In addition to the RFEs, mitigation monitoring plots (Reclamation Monitoring Plots
(RMP)) were established on the original Tyner Lake Fan-West in 1992 (RMP #1), on the Rankin
Lake Fan in 2001 (RMP 42), on the Tyner Lake Fan-East in 2002 (RMP #3) and on the
Mushroom Fan in 2006 (RMP #4) (Figure 2). Restoration of RMP #1 has been completed and
no plot data have been collected since 2003. Restoration at RMPs #2 and #3 has been completed
and these plots were released from monitoring in 2007. Data were collected at RMP #4 in 2009.
Reference Plot Data Collection:
RFE plot data were last collected in 2005. Since species composition in the 2 RFE plots
has not shifted significantly during the last 10 years of monitoring, annual data are no longer
collected, however, we visit the RFE plots each year during the monitoring period (between June
and October) to note any major changes. RFE Plot #1 has undergone some cover changes since
being established due to a storm event in 2000 and a prolonged drought. No major changes to
the RFE plots were noted in 2009.
RFE #1: Dominant tree species in RFE Plot #1, located in an Atlantic white cedar stand
(Figure 2), consisted of Atlantic white cedar, red maple, sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia
virginiana) and tulip poplar (Tables 1 and 3). Dominant shrub species were fetterbush (Lyonia
lucida), sweet gallberry (Ilex coriacea) and red bay (Persea borbonia). Dominant herbaceous
species were cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) and netted chain-fern (Woodwardia
areolata). Dominant non-flowering ground cover species were peat moss (Sphagnum sp.) and
common liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha).
RFE #2: Dominant tree species in RFE Plot #2, located in the cypress-gum swamp
adjacent to Drowning Creek (Figure 2), consisted of swamp blackgum, red maple and sweetgum,
4
Table 1. Relative cover of dominant plant species in Reference Forest Ecosystem (RFE)
Plots #1 and #2 (2005), Southern Products & Silica Co., Inc., mine site, near
Hoffman, Richmond County, North Carolina.
PLOT CLASS SPECIES PERCENT COVER
RFE #1 Trees Chamaecyparis thyoides 25-50%
Acer rubrum 25-50%
Liriodendron tulipifera 25-50%
Magnolia virginiana 10-25%
Shrubs flex coriacea 25-50%
Persea borbonia 10-25%
Lyonia lucida 10-25%
Vaccinium corymbosum 2-5%
Gaylussacia frondosa 2-5%
Clethra alnifolia 1-2%
Herbs Osmunda cinnamomea 5-10%
Woodwardia areolata 1-2%
RFE #2 Trees Nyssa biflora 50-75%
Acer rubrum 25-50%
Liquidambar styraciflua 10-25%
Shrubs flex opaca 50-75%
Cyrilla racemiflora 25-50%
Clethra alnifolia 5-10%
Itea virginica 1-2%
Herbs Carex spp. 1-2%
Woodwardia areolata 0-1%
Lobelia elongata 0-1%
Vines Bignonia capreolata 1-2%
Smilax laurifolia 1-2%
5
with previous dominance by bald or pond cypress as evidenced by the presence of numerous
stumps (Tables 1 and 3). Dominant shrub species were sweet pepperbush (Clethra aanifolia), titi
(Cyrilla racemiflora), Virginia-willow (Itea virginica) and American holly (Ilex opaca).
Dominant herbs and vines were sedges (Carex spp.), elongated lobelia (Lobelia elongata), netted
chain-fern, cross-vine (Bignonia capreolata) and laurel-leaf greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia). Other
ground cover species included mosses and liverworts.
Mitiuation Plot Data Collection:
RMP #4: Data from RMP #4, located on the Mushroom Fan (Figure 2), were collected
for the 4th year in October 2009 (Tables 2 and 3). Planted bald cypress and swamp blackgum
accounted for approximately I% cover each within the monitoring plot. Herbaceous species
diversity has increased since 2008. Six new species were recorded in 2009: bushy seedbox
(Ludwigia alternifolia), southern bog clubmoss (Lycopodiella apressa), Maryland
meadowbeauty (Rhexia mariana), common greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), marsh St. John's-
wort (Triadenum virginicum) and a St. John's-wort (Hypericum sp.).
The dominant herbaceous species in RMP #4 were Canadian rush (Juncus canadensis)
with 25-50% cover, small-fruit spikerush (Eleocharis microcarpa) with 10-25% cover and
clustered beakrush (Rhynchospora glomerata) and wool grass (Scirpus cyperinus), each with 5-
10% cover. Broom-sedge (Andropogon virginicus), slender fragrant goldenrod (Euthamia
minor), narrowleaf seedbox (Ludwigia linearis), forked rush (Juncus dichotomus), narrow-leaf
seedbox (Ludwigia linearis), giant plumegrass (Saccharum giganteum) and a small yellow-eyed-
grass (Xyris sp.) each covered approximately 2-5% of the monitoring plot (Table 2).
PLANTING
Planting methods were similar to those described in our 1993 report (1993 Reclamation
Report--Southern Products and Silica, Inc., Hoffman, NC, Wilds et al. 1993). In general, bald
cypress and swamp blackgum were planted with 8 to 10 foot spacing between the trees. Atlantic
white cedars were planted in clumps of 5 with 6 - 8 feet between each tree. A fertilizer tablet
was placed with each planted seedling.
Table 2. Relative cover of dominant plant species during the 2009 monitoring in Reclamation
Monitoring Plot (RMP) #4, Southern Products & Silica Co., Inc., mine site, near
Hoffman, Richmond County, North Carolina.
PLOT CLASS ' SPECIES PERCENT COVER
Mushroom Fan
RMP #4
(established 2006)
(no dominant over- or understory)
Bare ground / Standing water 10-25%
Tree seedlings Nyssa biflora 0-1%
Taxodium distichum 0-1%
Herbs Juncus canadensis 25-50%
Eleocharis microcarpa 10-25%
Rhynchospora glomerata 5-10%
Scirpus cyperinus 5-10%
Andropogon virginicus 2-5%
Euthamia minor 2-5%
Juncus dichotomus 2-5%
Ludwigia linearis 2-5%
Saccharum giganteum 2-5%
Xyris sp. 2-5%
Fuirena squarrosa 1-2%
Lycopodium appressum 1-2%
Rhynchospora microcephala 1-2%
7
Table 3. List of plant species for Reference Forest Ecosystem (RFE) Plots #1 and #2 (2005) and
Reclamation Monitoring Plot (RMP) #4 (2009) at the Southern Products and Silica
Company mine site near Hoffinan, Richmond County, North Carolina.
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME RFE#1 RFE #2 RMP #4
Acer rubrum red maple x X X
Andropogon virginicus broomsedge x
Asplenium platyneuron ebony spleenwort x
Bignonia capreolata cross-vine x
Carex glaucescens southern waxy sedge x
Carex sp. sedge x
Chamaecyparis thyoides Atlantic white cedar x
Chasmanthium laxum slender spikegrass x
Chimaphila maculata pipsissewa x
Clethra alnifolia sweet pepperbush x X
Cyrilla racemiflora titi x
Dichanthelium dichotomum cypress witchgrass x
Eleocharis microcarpa small-fruit spikebush x
Eleocharis tuberculosa long-tubercle spikerush x
Euthamia minor slender fragrant goldenrod x
Fuirena squarrosa hairy umbrella sedge x
Gaylussacia frondosa dangleberry x
Hypericum sp. St. John's wort x X
Ilex amelanchier Sarvis holly x
Ilex coriacea sweet gallberry x
Ilex glabra inkberry x
Ilex opaca American holly x X
Itea virginica Virginia-willow x X
Juncus canadensis Canadian rush x
Juncus dichotomus forked rush x
Leucothoe axillaris coastal doghobble x
Lindera subcoriacea bog spicebush x
Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum x X
Liriodendron tulipifera tulip poplar x X
Lobelia elongata elongated lobelia x
Ludwigia alternifolia bushy seedbox x
Ludwigia linearis narrow-leaf seedbox x
Ludwigia repens creeping seedbox x
Lycopodium appressum southern bog clubmoss x
Lycopus virginicus Virginia bugleweed x
Lyonia lucida fetterbush x X
Table 3 (continued). List of plant species for Reference Forest Ecosystem (RFE) Plots #1 and #2
(2005) and Reclamation Monitoring Plot (RMP) #4 (2009) at the Southern
Products and Silica Company mine site near Hoffman, Richmond County,
North Carolina.
SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME RFE #1. RFE #2 RMP #4
Magnolia vir iniana sweetba magnolia x X
Marchantia of mor ha common liverwort x
Myrica heterophylla southern bayberry x
N ssa bi ora swam black gum x X
Osmundastrum
cinnamomeum cinnamon fern x
Panicum s panic grass x
Parthenocissus uin ue olia Virginia creeper x
Peltandra virginica green arrow-arum x
Persea borbonia red bay x
Phoradendron serotinum American mistletoe x
Pinus serotina and pine x X
Quercus nigra water oak x
uercus hellos willow oak x X
Rhexia mariana Maryland meadowbeaut x
Rhexia vir inica Virginia meadowbeaut x
Rhododendron nudiorum wild azalea x
Rh nchos ora lomerata clustered beakrush x
Rh nchos ora microce hala small-headed beaksed e x
Rhus co allina winged sumac x
Rubus s p. blackberry x
Saccharum i anteum giant plume grass x
Scir us c erinus wool ass x
Smilax laurifolia laurel-leaf eenbrier x X
Smilax rotundifolia common reenbrier x X X
Sphagnum s. sphagnum moss x X
Taxodium ascendens and cypress x
Taxodium distichum bald cypress x X
Tipularia discolor crane-fl orchid x
Toxicodendron radicans poison-ivy x X
Tremella mesenterica witches' butter x
Triadenum virginicum marsh St. John's wort x
Utricularia cornuta horned bladderwort x
Vaccinium co mbosum hi hbush blueberry x X
Viburnum nudum ossumhaw x
Vitis rotundifolia muscadine grape x X
Woodwardia areolata netted chain-fern x X
X ris 'u icai Richard's yellow-eyed grass x
X ris s yellow-e ed grass x
The Mushroom Fan (-6 acres) was created in 2005 with excess sand, gravel and organic
muck from the mining operation (Figure 2). This fan was initially planted in January and March
2006 with 400 bald cypress, 800 swamp blackgum, 450 Atlantic white cedar and 400 pond pine
seedlings. In addition, 100 bald cypress, 100 swamp blackgum and 125 Atlantic white cedar
seedlings were planted in February and March 2007. No seedlings were planted in 2008.
Approximately 200 swamp blackgum seedlings were planted in February 2009.
Seedlings planted within the 10 x 10-meter (0.025 acre) vegetation monitoring plot (RMP
#4) were mapped and counted in order to track their survival. In October 2009, there were 6 bald
cypress, 7 swamp blackgum and 2 Atlantic white cedars in the plot, which equates to 600 trees
per acre. Four new trees (3 swamp blackgum and 1 Atlantic white cedar) were recorded in RMP
#4 in 2009. Though pond pine is not represented in the monitoring plot, this species is thriving
in the mitigation area. The lack of representation is simply due to the random placement of the
plot when monitoring was initiated. Additional trees will be planted as needed during the
monitoring period.
SOIL SAMPLING
Hue, value and chroma readings were taken from 1 site in RMP #4 on 2 October 2009.
The sample taken from RMP #4 was saturated at the surface and had a low chroma and some
organic streaking, however, it will take many years to develop characteristics similar to the RFE
soils (Table 4). Some of the plot was inundated with 1 - 2 inches of water. And in-depth soil
analysis was conducted in 2008 (monitoring year 3). The next in-depth soil analysis for RMP #4
is scheduled for monitoring year 5 (2010).
SUMMARY
The wetland mitigation and reclamation activities for Southern Products & Silica Co.,
Inc., are proceeding as prescribed in the approved Reclamation Plan (Carter 1989). The
Mushroom Fan mitigation area has been planted with the prescribed plant species. Survivorship
is being monitored and seedlings will be replaced as necessary.
10

Table 4. Reclamation Monitoring Plot (RMP) #4 soil sample results for 2009, Southern Products
& Silica Co., Inc., mine, Hoffman, Richmond County, North Carolina.
LOCATION DEPTH HUE VALUE/ COMMENTS
(inches) CHROMA
RMP #4 -1 0-6 l OYR 2/1 saturated sand, some faint organic
streaking;
6-10 IOYR 2/1 loamy sand, gravel inclusions with a
few mottles of IOYR 511;
10+ 10YR 511 mixed with IOYR 6/2, mostly grey
11
. W .
REFERENCES
Carter, J.H. 1989. Reclamation and mitigation plan for the Southern Products Silica Company,
Inc. mine. 4 pp.
NC Division of Land Quality. 2005. Permit No. 77-04, Permit for the operation of mining
activity, Drowning Creek Deposit Mine, expires 5-04-2015.
NC Division of Water Quality. 2005. Approval of 401 Water Quality Certification, Modified.
Certification No. 2551 issued 9-06-2005, expires 3-31-2010.
US Army Corps of Engineers. 2005. Department of the Army Permit No. 200500164. Issued
11-28-2005, expires 3-31-2010.
Wilds, S., T. Hippensteel and Dr. J.H. Carter III. 1993. 1993 Reclamation Report--Southern
Products and Silica, Inc., Hoffinan, NC. 11 pp.
12
.
APPENDIX A
PHOTOGRAPHS
FROM
WETLAND RECLAMATION AND MITIGATION
MONITORING
FOR
SOUTHERN PRODUCTS & SILICA CO., INC.,
HOFFMAN, RICHMOND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

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Appendix A-1. Photographs of the Mushroom Fan (RMP #4) in 2006 (above) and 2009
(bottom), Southern Products & Silica Co., Inc., mine site, near Hoffman,
Richmond County, North Carolina.