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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100691 Ver 1_Mitigation Plans_20100603VU HEATH RIPARIAN BUFFER MITIGATION SITeN?*sq?4 DRAFT BUFFER RESTORATION PLAN CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA Not EEP CONTRACT NO. 002280 Prepared for: 2010069 1 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES ECOSYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA -i i t 1 rwormw Prepared by: Natural Rt sources Rl-?ttir on&Con enawn Restoration Systems, L.L.C. 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211 Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 April 2010 t' O 4? ? Er. a EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Restoration Systems, L.L.C. has contracted with EEP (FDP contract #002280) through the Full Delivery Process (RFP #16-001383) to provide 60 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units through the completion of the Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (Site) located approximately 3.4 miles southeast of Dover in Craven County. The Site encompasses 60.632-acres of land, which has been ditched and cleared for row crop production. The surface area of the water in the ditches within the Site boundaries totals 0.632 acres and is excluded from the area used to generate mitigation units as defined in RFP #16-001383 and Contract No. 002280. A Deed of Conservation Easement and Survey of the Site were recorded with the Craven County Register of Deeds on March 18, 2010. The Site is situated along unnamed tributaries to Core Creek, a major tributary to the Neuse River. The Site is located within DWQ sub-basin 03-04-08 of the Neuse River Basin and is encompassed within USGS 14-digit Hydrologic Unit and Targeted Local Watershed 03020202080010. Site streams drain to Core Creek (Stream Index Number 27-90). Core Creek has a best usage designation of C, Sw, NSW and sections are listed as impaired. Sections of Core Creek to which the Site drains are listed on the draft 2008 303(d) list for impaired biological integrity and low dissolved oxygen. Impairment results from agricultural crop production. The surrounding landscape is characterized primarily by agricultural land and silviculture stands. Agricultural land is farmed extensively where soils provide adequate drainage. Agricultural and silviculture fields are fairly contiguous in areas where drainage systems have been implemented. Site land use is characterized by agricultural row-crop production. Row crops identified during field investigations include soybeans. Ditches vary from 2 to 4 feet in depth and exhibited flow during Site visits. This Draft Restoration Plan defines specific goals and objectives associated with the restoration of native forest on former agricultural fields located within the Site boundaries. The primary goals of this buffer restoration plan include 1) enhancement of water quality functions (reduce nonpoint source sedimentation and nutrient inputs), 2) restoration of natural vegetation buffers along onsite ditches, and 3) creation of wildlife habitat associated with a riparian corridor. Upon successful completion of this Restoration Plan, the Site will be monitored to ensure successful vegetation density of 320 stems per acre through the five years. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................1 2.0 PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................... ..1 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ....................................................................................... ..2 3.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND LAND USE ....................................... .. 2 3.2 WATER QUALITY .......................................................................................... .. 2 3.3 SOILS ........................................................................................................... .. 3 4.0 RESTORATION PLAN .......................................................................................... ..3 4.1 VEGETATIVE PLAN ...................................................................................... .. 3 4.2 GRADING PLAN .................................................................................... .. 4.3 FERTILIZATION PLAN ............................................................................ .. 4.4 PROJECT PHASING .............................................................................. 4.5 MONITORING AND SUCCESS CRITERIA .................................................. 5 5.0 REFERENCES ...............................................................................................6 Table 1 NRCS Soils Mapped within the Site ........................................................3 Table 2 Vegetative Plan ..................................................................................4 Appendix A Figures Figure 1 Site Location .................................................................................... Appendix A Figure 2 Watershed Location ......................................................................... Appendix A Figure 3 NRCS Soils Map .............................................................................. Appendix A Figure 4 Existing Conditions ........................................................................... Appendix A Figure 5 Recorded Survey ............................................................................. Appendix A Appendix B EEP Floodplain Checklist HEATH RIPARIAN BUFFER MITIGATION SITE DRAFT BUFFER RESTORATION PLAN CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 1.0 INTRODUCTION This draft restoration plan describes the Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (Site) and is designed specifically to assist in fulfilling North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) restoration goals. The Site is located approximately 3.4 miles southeast of Dover, in Craven County (Figure 1, Appendix A). This portion of Craven County is located centrally within Neuse River Basin 8-digit Cataloging Unit 03020202 (Figure 2, Appendix A). The following criteria are required to provide Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units as requested under this solicitation: • Protect the Site in perpetuity with a conservation easement. • Revegetate the Site. • Monitor the Site successfully for 5 years. This document provides a buffer restoration plan summarizing activities proposed within the Site. The Site encompasses 60.632 acres of land utilized for timber and agricultural row crop production, but only 60 acres are proposed for the generation of Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units as the surface area of water in the ditches is not being used to generate mitigation units. The plan includes 1) project goals and objectives, 2) descriptions of existing conditions, 3) restoration plans, and 4) vegetation monitoring plans. 2.0 PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The following project is proposed to provide 60 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units, as calculated in accordance with the requirements stipulated in EEP Request for Proposal #16-001383. The primary goals of this buffer restoration project focus on improving water quality, enhancing flood attenuation, and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat and will be accomplished by the following. 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 ditches, or other open waterways and b) providing a vegetative buffer adjacent to waterways to treat surface runoff which may be laden with sediment and/or agricultural pollutants. 2. Reducing sedimentation within on-site and downstream receiving waters by a) increasing retention time for surface waters entering and leaving the Site, b) reducing bank erosion associated with vegetation maintenance and agricultural plowing to Site ditches, and c) planting a forested vegetative buffer adjacent to Site ditches. Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Page 1 Restoration Plan (Contract #002280) 3. Promoting floodwater attenuation by ripping soils and revegetating Site floodplains, increasing frictional resistance on lateral surface flow across the Site. 4. Providing terrestrial wildlife habitat including a natural forested corridor in an area that is currently cleared of natural vegetation and highly dissected by agricultural practices. 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS 3.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND LAND USE The Site is located in the Carolina Flatwoods and Mid-Atlantic Floodplains/Low Terrace Ecoregion of North Carolina within United States Geological Survey (USGS) Cataloging Unit 03020202080010 of the Neuse River Basin (North Carolina Division of Water Quality [NCDWQ] sub-basin number 03-04-08). Regional physiography is characterized by flat plains on lightly dissected marine terraces, major river floodplains and associated terraces, swamps, Carolina bays, oxbow lakes, ponds, and low gradient streams with sand and silt substrates. On-site elevations are relatively flat, averaging approximately 16 feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) across the Site (USGS Dover, North Carolina 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle). The Site offers the potential of providing water quality functions to a 0.1-square mile watershed at the Site outfall. The watershed is entirely characterized by agriculture land utilized for row crop production, which is farmed extensively where soils provide adequate drainage. Impervious surfaces account for less than 2 percent of the upstream drainage area. The Site is entirely dominated by agricultural land with no impervious surfaces. 3.2 WATER QUALITY The Site is located within NCDWQ subbasin 03-04-08 of the Neuse River Basin and is encompassed within USGS 14-digit Hydrologic Unit and Targeted Local Watershed 03020202080010. Site streams drain to Core Creek (Stream Index Number 27-90). Core Creek has a best usage designation of C, Sw, NSW (NCDWQ 2008b) and downstream sections are listed as impaired. Streams with a best usage designation of C are suitable for aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation, and agriculture. Secondary recreation includes wading, boating, and other uses not involving human body contact with waters on an organized or frequent basis. The supplemental classification Sw (Swamp Waters) is intended for waters which have low velocities and other natural characteristics which are different from adjacent streams. The supplemental classification of NSW (Nutrient Sensitive Waters) is intended for waters needing additional nutrient management due to their being subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation. According to the NCDWQ June 2008 Draft Neuse River Basinwide Water Quality Plan, a stressor study completed on Core Creek found high levels of nutrients and identified pesticides and organics in the sediment, likely due to runoff from the many agricultural fields in the area. These pesticides were related to fish kills in the Core Creek area on April 23, 2003 and May 3, 2003. The numerous agricultural fields located in the watershed contribute to significant sedimentation of Core Creek due to nonpoint source runoff after rainfall events. Additionally, nutrient inputs from farmland and a few animal operations probably contribute to nutrient enrichment and subsequent biological impacts Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Page 2 Restoration Plan (Contract #002280) or impairment. NCDWQ recommends continued implementation of agricultural BMPs in this watershed to continue the effort in reducing sedimentation and nutrient loading to the Neuse River Estuary. The proposed project is supportive of the reduction in sediment and nutrients, which will serve to address existing deficiencies with the watershed, and will assist NCEEP in meeting goals within the Targeted Local Watershed 03020202080010. 3.3 SOILS Soils that occur within the Project, according to the Soil Survey of Craven County, North Carolina (NRCS 1989) are depicted in Figure 3 (Appendix A) and described in Table 1. Table 1. NRCS Soils Mapped within the Site Soil Series Family Description Rains Typic Paleaquults This series consists of poorly drained, moderately permeable soils on flats, Carolina bays and interstream divides. Depth to seasonal high water table occurs at 0.5 to 1.5 feet. HYDRIC A Pantego Umbric Paleaquults This series consists of very poorly-drained soils that formed in moderately fine textured sediments and are found on flats and interstream divides. HYDRIC A 4.0 RESTORATION PLAN The primary goals of this buffer restoration project include 1) enhancement of water quality functions (reduce nonpoint source sedimentation and nutrient inputs), 2) restoration of natural vegetation buffers along onsite ditches, and 3) creation of wildlife habitat associated with a riparian corridor. Restoration of forest and stream-side habitat allows for development and expansion of characteristic species across the landscape. Ecotonal changes between community types contribute to diversity and provide secondary benefits, such as enhanced feeding and nesting opportunities for mammals, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. 4.1 VEGETATION PLAN Onsite observations and community descriptions from Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina (Schafale and Weakley 1990) were used to develop the primary plant community associations that will be promoted during community restoration efforts. Areas will be planted with species characteristic of the Coastal Plain Bottomland Hardwood Forest (Table 2). Bare-root seedlings of tree and shrub species will be planted within the Site at a density of approximately 1000 stems per acre. Planting will be performed between December 1 and March 15 to allow plants to stabilize during the dormant period and set root during the spring season. A total of 60,200 diagnostic tree and shrub seedlings will be planted in support of Site buffer restoration (Table 2). Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Page 3 Restoration Plan (Contract #002280) Table 2. Veaetation Plan Plant Common Name Species Name Number Planted (% of Total) Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 9,500(15) Mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa 6,300 (10) Water oak Quercus nigra 6,300 (10) Willow oak Quercus phellos 9,500 (15) Chestnut oak Quercus michauxii 9,500 (15) Black gum Nyssa sylvatica 3,200(5) Sugarberry Celtis laevigata 3,200(5) American elm Ulmus americana 6,300(15) Sweetbay magnolia Magnolia virginiana 3,200(5) Ironwood Carpinus caroliniana 3,200(5) TOTAL 60,200 Final distribution and densities will be reported in the detailed mitigation plan. 4.2 GRADING PLAN Existing ditches are very stable conveyances except for minor areas of bank erosion. Prior to planting, soils will be ripped in linear bands perpendicular to the direction of surface water flows. The established micro-topography on leveled surfaces will promote diffuse flow and surface water storage. In addition, subsurface hardpans may be eliminated to promote vegetation growth/survival and to increase groundwater recharge rates. All vegetative buffers will be a minimum of 50 feet in width. 4.3 FERTILIZATION PLAN No fertilization activities are proposed for the Site. The application of fertilizers may compound water quality degradation within onsite and downstream receiving waters. 4.4 PROJECT PHASING A tentative phasing schedule for the proposed project is presented below: Task Description Task 1 Environmental Screening (CE Document) Task 2 Conservation Easement Recorded Task 3 Develop Approved Restoration Plan Task 4 Mitigation Site Earthwork Task 5 Site Planting Install Monitoring Equipment Task 6 Prepare Mitigation Plan and As Built Drawings Task 7 Submit Year 1 Monitoring Report Task 8 Submit Year 2 Monitoring Report Task 9 Submit Year 3 Monitoring Report Task 10 Submit Year 4 Monitoring Report Task 11 Submit Year 5 Monitoring Report Weeks from Contract Execution 5 36 37 35* 35* 70* 70* Dec. after implementation Dec.- 2 yrs after implementation Dec.- 3 yrs after implementation Dec.- 4 yrs after implementation Dec.- 5 yrs after implementation Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Restoration Plan (Contract #002280) Page 4 " Time frame is dependent upon seasonal conditions at completion of Site implementation. 4.5 MONITORING AND SUCCESS CRITERIA The Monitoring Plan ensures vegetation growth and survival. Monitoring of restoration efforts will be performed for 5 years or until success criteria are fulfilled. Vegetation monitoring will follow the 2006 CVS-EEP Vegetation Monitoring Protocol set forth by EEP (Lee et al. 2006). After planting has been completed, an initial evaluation will be performed to verify planting methods and to determine initial species composition and density. Supplemental planting and additional Site modifications will be implemented, if necessary. During quantitative vegetation sampling between June 1 and September 31 of the first year, 10-meter by 10-meter square sample plots will be randomly placed within the Site. In each sample plot, vegetation sampling will follow Levels 1-2 CVS-EEP sampling methods (Lee et al. 2006). Vegetation Success Criteria Success criteria have been established to verify that the vegetation component supports community elements necessary for forest development. Success criteria are dependent upon the density and growth of characteristic forest species. An average density of 320 stems per acre must be surviving after five monitoring years. Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Page 5 Restoration Plan (Contract #002280) 5.0 REFERENCES Lee, M.T., R.K. Peet, S.D. Roberts, and T.R. Wentworth. 2006. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation. Version 4.0. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2007a. Final North Carolina Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List (2006 Integrated 305(b) and 303(d) Report) (online). Available:http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/documents/303d_Report.pdf [November 10, 2008]. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2007b. Redbook, Surface Waters and Wetlands Standards. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2008a. Draft North Carolina Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters List (2008 Integrated 305(b) and 303(d) Report). Public Review (online). Available: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/tmdl/documents/B.Draft2008303dList.pdf. [November 10, 2008]. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina. North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2008b. Draft Basinwide Planning Program: Neuse River Basinwide Water Quality Plan - June 2008. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, North Carolina. Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1989. Soil Survey of Craven County, North Carolina. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Page 6 Restoration Plan (Contract #002280) I 1 41 r185_...? 1 :4 _ . i -S? -9Y LL i tia- ?+_. i ' _ I (I' i ir .,ice 1- 1-.` r I f&D BM p X8.6 AT owers { i ti ? 1 i 7oC-?, 7.4 I Site Boundary - ?• 35.19627 N -77.38060 W re_v / Overview Map '258 25 70 Directions (From Kinston):c° j . " I 25 Take 70 East from Kinston. Travel approximately 8 miles to the Eo?:; Dover exit off of 70. Follow Old 70/Wilson Street approximately 4.3 miles East. Turn Right over the railroad tracks to a wire gate. Restoration Systems, LLC Figure 1: 1101 Haynes St. Suite 211 Heath Riparian Buffer Raleigh, NC 27604 Site Mitigation Site 1:24,000 N tel: 919.755.9490 Location Craven County, NC 0 470 940 1,880 2,820 3.760 Feet i 00020202080010 FA EEP,�argeted watershed. 11111 PER I Site ii- located within th jq— �t �'j/`i� Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site RESTORATION - , ', • - • , SYSTEMS,LL( Craven County, NC Restoration Systems, LLC 1101 Haynes St. Suite 211 Figure 3: g Heath Riparian Buffer Raleigh, NC 27604 Soils Mitigation Site 1:5,000 N tel: 919.755.9490 Craven County, NC 0 95 190 350 51-0 Iso Feet EO Existing Ditches Site Boundary (60.632 acres) Y?1 f. ?r ? y y ax Y ll A Al, Yd '0O "4'•b a COW O 11l11f1•VJ 6 E ° zZ 8 d D 4 w b _ ggq r $ All y oz 1-4 U ?7 W??i??`-?c?d8 ~ £ z=a W ?W c?11 rcrr11tttt''Y?? ? I[I[{? ? j`\\ I I I I, I I I I 1 1 1 I l i a I ? 1 1 1 1 , I I I I I I? I? LLL ?? '?ZWZ ?1 a ? Gl \\\\ ( (? a?V?c yy?? (?m 8 Upy O)V I' I' W O \ ( 4 ? ?????e2WISQ2 12 g<?? 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Eka°gs ee m nt ,.C)GRAM EEP Floodplain Requirements Checklist This form was developed by the National Flood Insurance program, NC Floodplain Mapping program and Ecosystem Enhancement Program to be filled for all EEP projects. The form is intended to summarize the floodplain requirements during the design phase of the projects. The form should be submitted to the Local Floodplain Administrator with three copies submitted to NFIP (attn. Edward Curtis), NC Floodplain Mapping Unit (attn. John Gerber) and NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Project Location Name of project: Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Name if stream or feature: Unnamed tributaries to Core Creek County: Craven Name of river basin: Neuse 03020202080010 Is project urban or rural? rural Name of Jurisdictional municipality/county: Craven County DFIRM panel number for entire site: 4582 Consultant name: Barrett Jenkins Phone number: 919-334.9118 Address: 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211 Raleigh, NC 27604 Heath Buffer FEMA_Floodplain_Checklist-1 Page 1 of 4 Design Information Restoration Systems, L.L.C. has contracted with EEP (FDP contract #002280) through the Full Delivery Process (RFP 916-001383) to provide 60 Riparian Buffer Mitigation Units through the completion of the Heath Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (Site) located approximately 3.4 miles southeast of Dover in Craven County. The Site encompasses 60.632-acres of land, which has been ditched and cleared for row crop production. The Site is situated along unnamed tributaries to Core Creek, a major tributary to the Ncuse River. The Site is located within DWQ sub-basin 03-04-08 of the Neuse River Basin and is encompassed within USGS 14-digit Hydrologic Unit and Targeted Local Watershed 03020202080010. The primary goals of this buffer restoration project focus on improving water quality, enhancing flood attenuation, and restoring aquatic and riparian habitat. Restoration activities include recording of a permanent conservation easement and reforestation of Site. There are no stream or wetland restoration components to the project, only buffer restoration. Floodplain Information Is project located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)? C) Yes G, No If project is located in a SFHA, check how it was determined: r Redelineation U Detailed Study C Limited Detail Study Ci Approximate Study Ci Don't know List flood zone designation: Check if applies: C"i AE Zone 0 Floodway C, Non-Encroachment i?'!` None r7 A Zone 0 Local Setbacks Required 0' No Local Setbacks Required If local setbacks are required, list how many feet: Heath Buffer FEMA Floodplain Checklist- I Page 2 of 4 Does proposed channel boundary encroach outside floodway/non- encroachment/setbacks? 0 Yes G No Land Acquisition (Check) State owned (fee simple) Conservation easment (Design Bid Build) [-1 Conservation Easement (Full Delivery Project) Note: if the project property is state-owned, then all requirements should be addressed to the Department of Administration, State Construction Office (attn: Herbert Neily, 919)807-4101) Is community/county participating in the NFIP program? lrv Yes 0 No Note: if community is not participating, then all requirements should be addressed to NFIP attn: Edward Curtis, 919) 715-8000 x369) Name of Local Floodplain Administrator: Chad Strawn Phone Number: 252 636 6618 Floodplain Requirements This section to be filled by designer/applicant following verification with the LFPA [Ri No Action r No Rise r7 Letter of Map Revision i Conditional Letter ofMap Revision El Other Requirements List other requirements: Comments: Heath Buffer FEMA Floodplain_ Checklist-1 Page 3 of 4 Name: _1?arr c! rwcGC+IaS _ Signature: Title: ? r Date: Vickis Thicket FEMA Floodplain_Checklist-1 Page 4 of 4 0) lcb L5 00-6-4