20110098 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20110203

Double Oaks Stream Improvement Project - Mecklenburg County (#11-0098) Page 1 of 1
Double Oaks Stream Improvement Project - Mecklenburg County (#11-
0098)
Kulz, Eric
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 10:57 AM
To: Johnson, Alan
Cc: Mcmillan, Ian; Strickland, Bev
Alan:
I reviewed the above-referenced application and restoration plan; I assume this project is not intended as
compensatory mitigation, as this was not indicated anywhere in the submitted materials.
As far as the physical aspects of the restoration plan, it looks OK. Lots of structures, but this is an urban stream.
I do have several concerns regarding their proposed vegetation plans. They are proposing a pretty decent
wooded riparian zone along this stream, which is to be commended, as the woody vegetation will do a lot for
the long-term stability of the stream.
That being said, on Sheets 2.1 and 2.2, their temporary seeding plans include the use of tall fescue. We have
seen the problems bare-root seedlings have getting established when fescue is present on a site, so I would
recommend they delete fescue from their plans. Likewise, for "steep slopes - October 25 - December 30", the
plan proposes adding Kobe lespedeza to the mix. It is listed as "annual" but this species reseeds aggressively
and should be avoided if they want their woody plantings to succeed.
Finally, the permanent planting plans (Sheets 4.1 and 4.2) indicate the live staking is to include tag alder (Alnus
serrulata). This species cannot be propagated with live stakes. I checked several local vegetation sources and
tag alder is not listed in their live stake selections. Furthermore, Dr. Jennings at NCSU verified that this species
does not successfully colonize via live stakes. I don't know where the consultant plans to get the alder stakes,
but they will not have much success with them.
These issues can probably be resolved with a phone call rather than an "on hold" letter, but to maximize success
of the project, these issues should probably be addressed.
Eric
Eric W. Kulz
Environmental Senior Specialist
N.C. Division of Water Quality
401 Oversight and Express Permitting Unit
1650 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Phone: [phone] Please note this is a new phone number
Fax: [phone]
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and
may be disclosed to third parties
https://mail.nc.gov/owa/?ae-Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAAAAAAOgPoLNIPQZ06vHVRO... 2/3/2011