20190159 Ver 1_REVISED BUFFER Mitigation Plan FINAL

ID#* 20190159 Version* 1
Select Reviewer:*
Katie Merritt
Initial Review Completed Date 01/14/2021
Mitigation Project Submittal - 1/14/2021
Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site?* r Yes r No
Type of Mitigation Project:*
r Stream r Wetlands W Buffer r- Nutrient Offset
(Select all that apply)
Project Contact Information
Contact Name:*
Jeremiah Dow
Project Information
.................................................................................................................................................................................
ID#:* 20190159
Existing IDY
Project Type: r DMS r Mitigation Bank
Project Name: Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project
County: Johnston
Document Information
Email Address:*
[e-mail]
Version:
*1
Existing Version
Mitigation Document Type:*
Mitigation Plans
File Upload: StrawberryHill_100094_BufferMP_2020.pdf 6.46MB
Rease upload only one RDFcf the conplete file that needs to be subnitted...
Signature
Print Name:* Jeremiah Dow
Signature:*

Final Buffer Mitigation Plan
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project
DMS Project #: 1000941 Contract #: 7745 1 RFP: 16-007576 1 DWR #: 2019-0159
Neuse River Basin I HUC 030202011 Johnston County, North Carolina
December 2020
Prepared For:
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Mitigation Services
1652 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1652
Prepared By:
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC
For Environmental Banc & Exchange —
Neuse I, LLC (EBX-Neuse)
3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
919-209-1052
This mitigation plan has been written in conformance with the requirements of the following:
• The Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule, 15A NCAC 02B .0295, effective November 1, 2015
• Nutrient Offset Credit Trading Rule, 15A NCAC 02B .0703, effective April 1, 2020
These documents govern NCDM5 operations and procedures for the delivery of compensatory mitigation.

MEMORANDUM Ores
3600 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100 Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 919.209.1062 tel.
919.829.9913 fax
TO: NCDWR and NCDMS
FROM: Jamey McEachran — Project Manager
Resource Environmental Services, LLC
DATE: December 1811, 2020
RE: Response to Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Plan NCDWR Comments
during the Mitigation Plan Review
DMS Project ID No. 100094, Contract #7745, USACE Action ID #SAW-2019-00124
DWR #20190159
Buffer MI J:Wtion Plan (Appendix A
NCDWR Comments, Katie Merritt:
Title Page: Since DMS has requested DWR to review the Plan under both 0295 (Buffer Mitigation) &
under 0703 (Nutrient Offset), additional rule references and edits will be necessary within the document. I
have provided comments where appropriate. Add rule 15A NCAC 02B .0703 "Nutrient Offset Credit
Trading" Rule effective April 1, 2020.
The final buffer mitigation plan has been revised accordingly to allow for the flexibility to convert riparian
buffer credits to nutrient offset credits, where viable, if DMS ever chooses to do so.
The Nutrient Offset Credit Trading rule reference has been included on the title page. The reference is also
now included in Section 1 and Section 2.1.
Table of Contents:
• Add another Figure titled "Nutrient Offset Conceptual Map" and add clarification that this Figure
only represents areas that are viable for nutrient offsets if ever DMS converted the RBCs. The
areas shown in the Figure as being viable for NOC should match the asset table in Al for what is
deemed convertible to Nutrient Offset.
A Nutrient Offset Conceptual figure has been created and is now Figure 7. The areas depicted are
those that are convertible to nutrient offset and are viable according to the Buffer Viability letter.
Furthermore, the asset table in Appendix Al has been revised and corresponds to the areas in the
figures appropriately.

• Change Appendix Al title to "Project Buffer Mitigation Credits."
Title has been revised accordingly.
• There is no stream determination correspondence in A2. Only the Site Viability Letter. The stream
determination letter is found in Appendix H. Correct reference.
The stream determination letter is now also included in Appendix A2. Furthermore, the Appendix
A2 title has been revised to "Buffer Viability & Stream Determination."
Section 1.1:
• Change sentence in 3rd paragraph that starts "Furthermore, the buffers and surrounding riparian
areas..." to read "Furthermore, the fifty -foot riparian buffers of all stream channels were
determined to be subject to the Neuse buffer protection rules.
The sentence has been revised accordingly.
• The reference to Appendix A2 in the 3rd paragraph should be Appendix H.
As mentioned in an above response, the stream determination letter is now also included in
Appendix A2. Therefore, the reference to Appendix A2 is now valid.
Add language to the 4th paragraph acknowledging that the service area for these credits is limited
to the Neuse 01 excluding the Falls Lake Watershed.
The sentence has been revised to read, "The Project will provide significant functional uplift to the
watershed and will assist DMS with achieving its mitigation goals in the Neuse 01 watershed,
excluding the Falls Lake Watershed."
Table 1:
• Add text "excluding the Falls Lake Watershed" beside Neuse River in the River Basin row.
Text has been added accordingly.
• Types of Credits row please add additional text "with flexibility to convert to Nutrient Offset if
needed."
Text has been added accordingly.
Section 1.3.4 Landscape Communities
• Part A: With the presence of loblolly pine, eastern baccharis, and sweetgum in the clear cut areas,
is there a need to do a thinning of these species before project implementation?
Yes. As mentioned in Section 3.1, one of the site preparation activities will involve the clearing of
undesirable scrub -shrub vegetation: This is meant to account for the area in question.
N

• Part B: There is a statement indicating that the riparian areas within the clear cut area have failed
to regenerate trees. What is being proposed within these areas that will promote healthy and
successful stem establishment?
RES believes the areas lacking much tree growth is likely due to site wetness and lack of wet -
tolerant seed source. Therefore, RES believes that by incorporating a diverse tree mix that includes
many wet -tolerant species in the planting plan, tree growth will be successful in these areas.
Furthermore, the statement in question has been revised for clarity and now reads, "Specifically,
the buffer and riparian area off the right bank of reach JH1-B was clear-cut sometime around 2014
and is currently in an early successional state of regeneration, although much of the area has failed
to regenerate trees, likely due to site wetness and lack of wet -tolerant seed sources."
Section 3:
• Change title to read "Riparian Restoration and Preservation Implementation Plan."
Title has been revised accordingly.
3.1, second paragraph, first sentence: Clarify the meaning here of "restoration activities". Do you
mean after "stream restoration activities" are completed or after "riparian restoration activities" are
completed?
It was intended to imply "stream restoration activities." The sentence has been revised accordingly.
The location where the agricultural buildings are being demolished will likely require grading, soil
amendments and ripping to give stems and herbaceous vegetation the best chance at survival and
vigor. Therefore, specifically call out this area & include a plan to specifically address this area as
part of the riparian restoration. Include a plot in this area as well.
RES actually intends to rip and add soil amendments to the entire planting area within the Project,
including the area in question, which will provide favorable conditions for growth throughout.
Further details/language have been added to Section 3.1 and Appendix B, P1.
A fixed vegetation plot has been moved to the area in question as well. Please note that the
Monitoring Plan figure is now Figure 9.
• 3.2.1: Remove text in the first paragraph that reads "... are determined based on whether there are
less than 25 percent of the tree canopy cover and lack of dense growth of smaller woody stems (i.e.
shrubs or saplings) in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15 NCAC 02B .
0295 (b) (12). Furthermore, these selective areas..."
Text has been removed accordingly.
3.2.1: In the last paragraph correct the rule reference to be 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (1)(2)(3). Also,
identify the untreated flow referenced here along JH1-A on Figure 4.
The rule has been corrected accordingly. Also, please note that this same error was corrected in last
paragraph of Section 3.2.2 and within the footnote of Table 4.
Figure 4 has been revised to include symbology (red crosshatch) to identify each area not receiving
credit due to untreated flow (including the area at the top of JH1-A). Also, note that the untreated
flow entering at the top of JH1-A is a field -edge ditch along the parcel boundary and is depicted as
a "ditch" in Figure 2 - Existing Conditions.

3.2.2: Riparian restoration adjacent to ditches or streams with less than a 50' riparian zone will not
be viable to generate nutrient offset. Since DMS has requested that DWR review this Plan under
both 0295 & 0703, please identify any and all areas where a riparian width is less than 50' and show
those areas on the Table in A 1 and on the Figures that correspond to the asset table. If no areas are
less than 50', please confirm that within the text of this plan.
There is one segment of riparian restoration at the upper end of ditch JH2, along the left bank, that
is less than 50' but greater than 30'. Therefore, this area is not viable for nutrient offset credit, and
the revised asset table in Appendix Al incorporates this segment accordingly. Additionally, a
callout has been added to Figure 4 to identify this area, while the new Figure 7 (Nutrient Offset
Conceptual) omits this area.
In order to get buffer credit along ditches, compliance of all of (o)(8) must be achieved, including
the following: "The perpetual conservation easement ...shall provide language that prohibits future
maintenance of the ditch" Explain how this requirement will be met.
The recorded conservation easements for three of the four landowners are now included in
Appendix D. The Section L. Water Quality and Drainage Patterns with the easement specifically
says "There shall be no channeling, filling. leveling, pumping, impounding or diverting, causing
allowing or permitting the diversion of surface or underground water in the Conservation
Easement." RES believes this language adequately covers the requirement that prohibits future
maintenance of the ditch.
• In the last paragraph of 3.2.2., add the total square feet of the ditch deduction.
The following sentence has been added to the section: "Ultimately, these areas equate to 13,055
W." This area is also included in the revised asset table in Appendix Al.
3.2.3: are any areas along ditches or streams less than 50'. If so, DWR needs to see those areas
represented in the Appendix AI (Buffer Credit Calculation) as well as in the corresponding figures.
This is only necessary if DWR is requested to review the Plan under 0703 to generate Nutrient
Offsets.
There is one segment of riparian restoration at the upper end of ditch JH2, along the left bank, that
is less than 50' but greater than 30'. Therefore, this area is not viable for nutrient offset credit, and
the revised asset table in Appendix Al incorporates this segment accordingly. Additionally, a
callout has been added to Figure 4 to identify this area, while the new Figure 7 (Nutrient Offset
Conceptual) omits this area.
4

3.3: In order to approve alternative planting plans where softwoods are proposed (like Bald
Cypress), I need to know that the Provider is planting this species in areas where site wetness is
prevalent. The rule gives two scenarios where allowing alternative planting plans: 1) Site Wetness,
and 2) availability. Therefore, on the Planting Sheets, indicate where Bald Cypress will be planted.
DWR recommends the Provider stick to planting this species along the clear cut riparian areas along
JH1B where wetlands have already been identified and represented in Figure 2.
RES has decided to propose two planting zones and will only plant bald cypress in the northern
easement section where stream restoration will occur (Zone 1), which will surely increase wetness
throughout the riparian areas of JH1-A and JH1-B. The following statement has been added to
Section 3.3: "Notably, although bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is technically considered a
softwood tree, it is included in the planting plan due to the significant amount of existing wetland
at the Strawberry Hill site and its proven success at other stream, wetland, and buffer mitigation
projects with similar site characteristics in Johnston County and the Neuse 01 service area.
However, bald cypress will only be planted in the northern easement section along JH1-A and JH1-
B where it is anticipated that stream restoration activities will increase wetness throughout the
riparian area, especially considering that much of the area is currently jurisdictional wetland and
within the hydric Rains sandy loam soil map unit. Therefore, there will be two planting zones: Zone
1 will encompass the northern easement section (which is associated with stream restoration) and
Zone 2 will encompass the southern easement section (where no stream restoration is proposed)."
In addition, Table 5, Figure 9, and Appendix B, P1 have been updated to reflect these changes.
Table 5: All these trees are Canopy trees. It is best to include some sub -canopy species in the mix. Explain
how the Provider intends to meet this expectation.
RES has added two sub -canopy species to the mix that are appropriate for the site conditions: wax myrtle
(Morella cerifera) and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Table 5 has been updated to include these
species and has added a column to label canopy versus sub -canopy species.
Section 4.1: What is your anticipated planting density to ensure you meet the 260 by Year 5?
The anticipated initial planting density will be approximately 807 trees per acre, based on a 9x6 foot
spacing. This is stated in Section 3.3 and Appendix B, P1.
Table 6: Reference Appendix K in the Invasive and Nuisance Vegetation row.
Reference to Appendix K has been added.
Section 4.2: Correct the rule reference in the 3rd paragraph. The Neuse Buffer Protection Rule is now
referenced as 15A NCAC 02B 0714 as of June 15, 2020.
The rule reference has been updated accordingly.
Figure 1: This is more of a Vicinity Map, even though titled "Service Area". Modify this figure to include
only the Neuse 01 service area excluding the Falls Watershed. You will need to Zoom out to show the entire
service area provided by this Project. Since DMs has requested DWR to review this Plan under both 0295
and 0703, please add "Nutrient Offset & Buffer Mitigation Service Area to the Title. These two credit types
share the same service area for this Plan.
Figure 1 has been revised accordingly.
5

Figure 4:
There was a statement in the text regarding non -diffused flow at the upper reach of JH1. Can you
show where that is?
Figure 4 has been revised to include symbology (red crosshatch) to identify each area not receiving
credit due to untreated flow (including the area at the top of JH1-A). Also, note that the untreated
flow entering at the top of JH1-A is a field -edge ditch along the parcel boundary and is depicted as
a "ditch" in Figure 2 - Existing Conditions.
• In the legend, call out the areas that not receiving credit due to clear cut in buffer.
Figure 4 has been updated accordingly — a red hatch symbol is now included to represent the
uncreditable area due to clear-cut of the buffer.
For this particular site and plan, it is recommended that the widths 0-50, 51-100, 101-200 be
outlined and shown around all features, even if the width outline extends beyond the CE boundary.
This will help DWR ensure compliance with width requirements for buffer credit & nutrient offset
potential. I recommend a thin outline (color coded) to represent each width. You may include this
information in a separate Figure if that is preferred.
A new figure has been created accordingly and is titled "Riparian Zones." Please note this Figure
8.
• Add the word "Riparian" to each mitigation approach category in the Legend, i.e., Riparian
Restoration, 0-100.
Legend has been revised accordingly.
• Don't see 101-200' Preservation represented on the Figure. Please point out where this width is
represented for Preservation.
The 101-200' Preservation area is very small and almost unnoticeable at the scale of this figure.
Therefore, a callout has been added to identify this area.
Figure 7:
Move a plot to the area where the buildings will be demolished.
A plot has been moved to the area.
Add word "Riparian" as described for Figure 4 in the Legend.
Legend has been revised accordingly.
Table 1, Project Credits (Appendix Al):
Add the following statement to this table somewhere appropriate: "Credit conversions must be
calculated using the guidance provided in the Clarified Procedures for Calculating Buffer
Mitigation Credits and Nutrient Offset Credits letter issued by the DWR in November 2020" and
located at:
https: //files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Qualily/Surface%20Water%20Protection/401 /Mitigation/Iss
ues--- Resolutions-Ver-1.0-buffer-mitigation-nutrient-offset.pdf
Statement has been added to the page, below the table.

If DMS is expecting to have the flexibility to convert to nutrient offset as indicated by this table,
please add text below the table that speaks to that directly. Using a text box may be the easiest way
to add that Text.
The following language has been added to the page, below the table: "Department of Mitigation
Services (DMS) will have the flexibility to convert Riparian Buffer Mitigation Credits to Nutrient
Offset Credits, where viable, in accordance with this table."
Provide a figure to support this table where it says "YES" for convertible to Nutrient Offset. This
table needs to be replaced with the newest version on our website.
A Nutrient Offset Conceptual figure has been created and is now Figure 7. The areas depicted are
those that are convertible to nutrient offset and are viable according to the Buffer Viability letter.
Furthermore, the asset table in Appendix Al (using the latest version from the DWR website, last
revised October 2020) has been revised and corresponds to the areas in the figures appropriately.
Where a particular feature and width is viable for NOC (check viability letter), please check "YES"
in "Convertible to Nutrient Offset" column.
The table has been updated accordingly.
Add a row to show the features receiving deductions for lack of Diffused flow. Title that Feature
Name "Diffused Flow Deductions (JH4, JH2, etc). then, enter the Total Area for the deductions.
Leave the "Total Creditable Area" as -0- and Check "No" for both columns for Buffer & Nutrient
Offset.
The table has been updated accordingly.
Appendix A2: There is no stream determination correspondence in A2, only the Site Viability Letter. The
stream determination letter is found in Appendix H.
The stream determination letter is now also included in Appendix A2. Furthermore, the Appendix A2 title
has been revised to "Buffer Viability & Stream Determination."

Table of Contents
1 MITIGATION PROJECT SUMMARY.........................................................................................1
1.1 Project Overview........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Project Location.........................................................................................................................
3
1.3 Existing Conditions....................................................................................................................
4
2 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS..........................................................................................
7
2.1 Determination of Credits............................................................................................................
7
2.2 Other regulatory considerations.................................................................................................
8
3 RIPARIAN RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ...........10
3.1 Site Preparation........................................................................................................................10
3.2 Methods....................................................................................................................................10
3.3 Planting Plan............................................................................................................................13
3.4 Easement Boundaries...............................................................................................................14
4 MONITORING PLAN..................................................................................................................15
4.1 Monitoring Protocol and Success Criteria................................................................................15
4.2 Adaptive Management Plan and Project Maintenance.............................................................16
5 STEWARDSHIP............................................................................................................................17
6 REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................18
FIGURES
Figure 1 - Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Service Area
Figure 2 - Existing Conditions
Figure 3 - Vicinity Map
Figure 4 - Buffer Conceptual Design Plan
Figure 5 - USGS Quadrangle
Figure 6 - Mapped Soils
Figure 7 - Nutrient Offset Conceptual Design Plan
Figure 8 - Riparian Zones
Figure 9 - Monitoring Plan
APPENDIX
Al - Project Buffer Mitigation Credits
A2 - Buffer Viability & Stream Determination
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 1 December 2020

1 MITIGATION PROJECT SUMMARY
Environmental Banc & Exchange — Neuse I, LLC (EBX-Neuse I), a wholly -owned subsidiary of Resource
Environmental Solutions (RES), is pleased to provide this Buffer Mitigation Plan as a component of the
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project (Project), a full -delivery stream and buffer mitigation project for the
Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) (DMS 4100094). This buffer component of the Project is
designed to provide riparian buffer mitigation credits for unavoidable impacts due to development within
the Neuse River Basin, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 8-digit Cataloguing Unit 03020201
(Neuse 01) (Figure 1). This Buffer Mitigation Plan is in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer
Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and Nutrient Offset Credit Trading Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0703.
The Buffer Mitigation Plan is designed in concurrence with the Strawberry Hill Stream Mitigation Project
(SAW-2019-00124).
1.1 Project Overview
The conservation easement of the Strawberry Hill Project will total approximately 22.12 acres and
includes two unnamed tributaries and three ditches that drain into Polecat Branch and eventually the Neuse
River. Current land use within the Project is primarily crop production and disturbed riparian forest. The
Project area has been used extensively for agricultural and forestry purposes for over 80 years. Currently,
the Project reaches and adjacent areas are in either crop production or forest regeneration. Water quality
stressors currently affecting the Project include pollution from crop production and lack of forested
riparian buffer (Figure 2). Current buffer conditions demonstrate significant degradation with the loss of
stabilizing vegetation because of continued crop production and recent clear cut of adjacent riparian forest.
The goal of the buffer component of the Project is to restore and preserve ecological function to the
existing streams and their associated riparian buffer areas by establishing appropriate plant communities
while minimizing temporal and land disturbing impacts. Buffer and surrounding riparian area
improvements will filter runoff from agricultural fields, thereby reducing nutrient and sediment loads to
Project channels and provide water quality benefit to the overall watershed.
The easement is comprised of two main sections: a northern and a southern. The northern section can be
accessed by either Yelverton Grove Road or Brogden Road, while the southern section can be accessed
by Yelverton Grove Road (Figure 3). The Strawberry Hill Project is composed of two intermittent stream
channels: JH1 (divided into JH1-A and JH1-B) and JH5; and three ditches: JH2, JH3, and JH4 (Figure 2).
Furthermore, the fifty -foot riparian buffers of all stream channels were determined to be subject to the
Neuse buffer protection rules. There will be three easement breaks: two of which account for the Yelverton
Grove Road crossing and one that accounts for an upgraded agricultural crossing. All streams and ditches
have been straightened and are incised; however, reaches JH1-A and JH1-B will be restored via stream
restoration as part of the stream mitigation component of the Project. Stream determinations were verified
by the DWR site visit on February 271h, 2019. Correspondence regarding this determination is in
Appendix A2.
Buffer and riparian area mitigation efforts along the Project streams and ditches will be
accomplished through the planting, establishment, and protection of a hardwood forest community.
The result will be a riparian area that functions to mitigate nutrient and sediment inputs from the
surrounding uplands. The buffer mitigation plan proposed is being submitted for review under the
Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and Nutrient Offset Credit Trading Rule
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 1 December 2020

15A NCAC 0213.0703. In addition to traditional riparian restoration, the Project will also incorporate
the alternative buffer mitigation options: Preservation of Buffers on Subject Streams, as outlined in
15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o) (5), and Restoration and Enhancement of Ditches, as outlined in 15A
NCAC 02B .0295 (o) (8). DWR staff performed an onsite viability assessment for buffer mitigation
on February 271h, 2019. Correspondence regarding this assessment is provided in Appendix A2 and
dated April 301h, 2019. The Project will provide significant functional uplift to the watershed and will
assist DMS with achieving its mitigation goals in the Neuse 01 watershed, excluding the Falls Lake
Watershed. The Project presents the opportunity to provide up to 656,593.451 ftZ (15.07 acres) of riparian
buffer mitigation units (BMU). These will be derived from restoration and preservation of the riparian
buffer and surrounding riparian areas. Project attributes are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1. Project Attributes
Project Name
Strawberry Hill
Hydrologic Unit Code
03020201140010 (14 digit)
River Basin
Neuse River (excluding the Falls Lake
Watershed)
Geographic Location (Lat, Long)
35.469579,-78.323896
Site Protection Instrument (DB, PG)
5199, 272 Johnston (Hill)
5111, 571 Johnston (Hill)
3754, 814 Johnston (Carpenter)
3960, 792 Johnston (Davis)
4060, 391 Johnston (Haas)
Total Credits (BMU)
656,593.451
Types of Credits
Riparian Buffer (with flexibility to
convert to Nutrient Offset if needed)
Mitigation Plan Date
June 2020
Initial Planting Date
December 2021
Baseline Report Date
January 2022
MY1 Report Date
December 2022
MY2 Report Date
December 2023
MY3 Report Date
December 2024
MY4 Report Date
December 2025
MY5 Report Date
December 2026
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 2 December 2020

The riparian buffer mitigation credits will be produced by establishing a native forested and herbaceous
riparian plant community and protecting buffers in perpetuity with a conservation easement. For stream
channels, buffers will have a minimum width of 50 feet and a maximum of 200 feet from the edge of the
channels. These will be derived from 496,540 ft2 (11.40 acres) from the top of bank to 100 feet of
Restoration; 16,097 ft2 (0.37 acres) of 101 to 200 feet of Restoration; 80,893 ft2 (1.86 acres) from the top
of bank to 100 feet of Preservation; and 792 ft2 (0.02 acres) from 101 to 200 feet of Preservation. For ditch
channels, buffers will have a minimum width of 30 feet and maximum of 50 feet from the edge of the
channel. These will be derived from 146,626 ft2 (3.37 acres) from the top of bank to 50 feet of Restoration.
The new plant community will be established in conjunction with the treatment of any existing exotic or
undesirable plant species. Figure 4 shows the Conceptual Design Plan for Buffer and Credit Determination
Map and Section 2.1 provides details of the mitigation determination on the Strawberry Hill Project.
1.1.1 Parcel Ownership
The land required for the construction, management, and stewardship of this Project includes portions of
the parcels listed in Table 2. EBX-Neuse I has obtained and will obtain conservation easements from the
current landowners. The easement deeds and survey plats were submitted to DMS and the State Property
Office (SPO) for approval and are held by the State of North Carolina. The easement deeds followed the
DMS Full Delivery Conservation Easement Template dated May 5, 2017 and are included in Appendix D.
The recorded easement allows EBX-Neuse I to proceed with the Project development and protect the
mitigation assets in perpetuity. A finalized copy of the land protection instruments are included in
Appendix D.
Table 2. Parcel and Landowner Information
Landowners
Pin or Tax Parcel ID
Agreement Type
County
260200-26-4743
260200-45-0227
Jan Penny Hill
Easement
Johnston
260200-36-4485
260200-35-1474
William Christian Carpenter
260200-36-4710
Easement
Johnston
Melrose Haas
260200-46-0253
Easement
Johnston
Bridgette Edwards Davis
260200-46-1831
Easement
Johnston
1.2 Project Location
The Strawberry Hill Project is within the Neuse River Basin within the 8-digit HUC 03020201, 14-digit
HUC 03020201140010 and DWR Sub -basin Number 03-04-02.
The Strawberry Hill Project is located in Johnston County in Smithfield, NC at the crossroads ofYelverton
Grove Road and Brogden Road (Figure 1). To access the Project from Raleigh, take I-40 East to US-70
East. Then take US-70 BUS West until taking a right onto South 3rd Street in downtown Smithfield. Then
take a left onto Brogden Road. Follow Brogden Road for 2.9 miles and the downstream extent of reach
JH1-B will be on your left. The coordinates are 35.469579 °N and-78.323896'W.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 3 December 2020

1.3 Existing Conditions
1.3.1 Surface Water Classification
The Project's tributaries drain directly to Polecat Branch, which has been assigned class C and Nutrient
Sensitive Waters (NSW). Class C waters are protected for uses such as secondary recreation, fishing,
wildlife, fish consumption, aquatic life including propagation, survival and maintenance of biological
integrity, and agriculture. Secondary recreation includes wading, boating, and other uses involving human
body contact with water where such activities take place in an infrequent, unorganized, or incidental
manner. NSW designation is intended for waters needing additional nutrient management due to being
subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation (NCDWQ 2011).
1.3.2 Physiography and Soils
The Project is located within the Rolling Coastal Plain Level IV ecoregion within the Southeastern Plains
Level III ecoregion and is characterized by greater relief, elevation, and stream gradients compared to the
Mid -Atlantic Coastal Plain to the east with better drained soils and a slightly cooler and shorter growing
season. However, it is a productive agricultural region with typical crops of corn, soybeans, tobacco,
cotton, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and wheat. (Griffith et al. 2002). Elevations range from 133 to 141 feet
above mean sea level (NAD 83) based upon topographic survey (Figure 5).
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) depicts four soil map units across the Project
(Figure 6). The Project area is dominated by Rains sandy loam, with successively smaller proportions of
Goldsboro sandy loam, Lynchburg sandy loam, and Cowarts loamy sand. Rains sandy loam, Goldsboro
sandy loam, and Lynchburg sandy loam are zero to two percent slopes and not flooded, while Cowarts
loamy sand is two to six percent and not flooded. The soil characteristics of these map units are
summarized in Table 3.
Table 3. Project Mapped Soil Series
Map Unit Percent Hydrologic Landscape
Symbol Map Unit Name Hydric Drainage Class Soil Group Setting
Cowarts loamy sand, 2- o Coastal plains, low
CoB 6% slopes, not flooded 0 /o Well Drained C ridges on marine
terraces
Goldsboro sandy loam,
Moderately
Flats on marine
GoA 0-2% slopes, not flooded
2 o �0
Well Drained B
terraces, coastal
plains
Lynchburg sandy loam,
Ly
8 �0
Somewhat
B/D
Marine terraces,
0-2% slopes, not flooded
Poorly Drained
coastal plains
Ra Rains sandy loam, 0-2%
90%
Poorly Drained A/D
Marine terraces on
slopes, not flooded
coastal plains
1.3.3 Wetlands
A detailed wetland delineation was completed February 51h, 2020. Wetland boundaries were delineated
using current methodology outlined in the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetland
Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987). Soils were characterized and classified using the
Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States, Version 7.0 (NRCS, 2010). Within the boundaries of
the Project, four jurisdictional wetlands are present (Figure 2). Wetlands are labeled as WA (Wetland A)
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 4 December 2020

through WD (Wetland D). A preliminary jurisdictional determination (PJD) request was sent to the
USACE on February 14th, 2020 and a confirmed PJD was received, signed May 41h, 2020 (Appendix J).
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory Map (NWI) does not depict any
additional wetland areas within the Project (Figure 2).
1.3.4 Landscape Communities
A. Existing Vegetation Communities
Current land use around the Project is primarily composed of row crops, forest, and early successional
forest. Fields rotating soybean and corn directly abut most of the banks of Project streams and ditches.
Part of the uppermost portion of the main Project reach QH1-A) contains a forest along the left bank that
resembles a disturbed Mesic Mixed Oak -Hickory Forest (Coastal Plain Subtype) that consists of red maple
(Acerrubrum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), southern red oak (Quercusfalcata), water oak (Quercusnigra),
laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua),
common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), mockernut hickory, (Carya tomentosa), Chinese privet
(Ligustrum sinense), roundleaf greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans),
muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), evening trumpetflower
(Gelsemium sempervirens), giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea), and Nepalese browntop (Microstegium
vimineum). The other distinct community type within the Project is regenerating forest that resembles a
disturbed Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp. The area along reach JH1-B was clear-cut approximately
six to seven years ago and contains a mosaic of scrub -shrub and emergent wetland areas with upland
pockets and berms. Species in these areas include loblolly pine, water oak, red maple, sweetgum,
American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), sweetbay, redbay (Persea borbonia), common sweetleaf
(Symplocos tinctoria), swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), eastern baccharis (Baccharis halimifolia), black
elderberry (Sambucus nigra), sawtooth blackberry (Rubus argutus), muscadine, winged sumac (Rhos
copallinum), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardil), giant cane, common rush (Juncus effuses), seedbox
(Ludwigia alterniflora), common reed (Phragmities australis), woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), dogfennel
(Eupatorium capillifolium), and goldenrod (Solidago sp.). Also, stream and ditch channels contain locally
dense areas of murdannia (Murdannia sp.) and narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia).
Notable exotic invasive species include Chinese privet, Japanese honeysuckle, Nepalese browntop, and
narrowleaf cattail.
B. Riparian Vegetation
In general, all of the reaches within the Strawberry Hill Project do not function to their full potential.
Current conditions demonstrate significant habitat degradation with a loss of stabilizing vegetation as a
result of impacts from ongoing crop production and forestry. Specifically, the buffer and riparian area off
the right bank of reach JH1-B was clear-cut sometime around 2014 and is currently in an early successional
state of regeneration, although much of the area has failed to regenerate trees, likely due to site wetness
and lack of wet -tolerant seed sources. Also, notably, the clear-cut violated the Neuse Buffer Rules;
therefore, any clear-cut area within 50 feet of the existing stream channel is not eligible for buffer
mitigation credit. Throughout the Project there are scattered invasive plant species that will be treated to
the extent practicable.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 5 December 2020

1.3.5 Existing Conditions Photos
-J
Looking Upstream along JH1-A
January 16, 2020
Looking Upstream along JH1-B
January 16, 2020
Looking Upstream at JH2 (Ditch)
January 16, 2020
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project
DMS Project #: 100094
Looking Downstream along JH1-A
January 16, 2020
Looking Downstream along JH1-B
January 16, 2020
Looking Upstream along JH3 (Ditch)
January 16, 2020
Buffer Mitigation Plan
December 2020

Looking Upstream at JH4 (Ditch)
January 16, 2020
2 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
2.1 Determination of Credits
Looking Upstream along JH5
January 16, 2020
This Project has the potential to generate up to 656,593.451 ftZ (15.07 acres) riparian buffer mitigation
credits within a 22.12-acre conservation easement as depicted in Figure 4. These will be derived from
buffer restoration and buffer preservation. The riparian buffer mitigation credits generated will service the
Neuse 01 watershed, excluding the Falls Lake Watershed. Also, some of these buffer mitigation credits,
where viable, can be converted to nutrient offset credit in accordance with the Nutrient Offset Credit
Trading Rule, 15A NCAC 02B .0703. The total potential buffer mitigation credits that the Strawberry Hill
Mitigation Project will generate are summarized in Table 4 and the detailed Project credit breakdown,
including buffer credits that are convertible to nutrient offset credit, utilizing the DWR "Project Credit
Table Template (Updated October 2020)," is provided in Appendix Al. In addition, Figure 7 depicts
buffer restoration areas that are convertible to nutrient offset credit. This total area that is convertible to
nutrient offset amounts to 521,050 ftZ which would deliver 27,189.085 lbs of Nitrogen offset. Furthermore,
Figure 8 depicts riparian zones of 50, 100, and 200 feet from stream and ditch top of banks to demonstrate
width requirements for crediting.
Table 4. Strawberry Hill Project (DMS #: 100094) Riparian Buffer Mitigation Summary
Total Riparian Buffer Mitigation Credits
Mitigation Totals Square Feet Credits
Restoration 659,263 648,478.015
Preservation 81,685 8,115.436
Total Riparian Buffer 740,948 656,593.451
Note: Stipulation for untreated flow entering riparian buffer restoration areas according to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (1)
(2) (3) and Buffer Interpretation/Clarification #2008-019 Memorandum dated 08/19/2008 were accounted for in the
riparian buffer credit area and calculations. These areas are depicted in Figure 4.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 7 December 2020

2.2 Other regulatory considerations
2.21 Environmental Screening and Documentation
Because DMS mitigation projects are considered to be a category of activities that do not individually or
cumulatively have an impact on the human environment, they do not require preparation of an
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. To ensure that a project meets the
"Categorical Exclusion" criteria, the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and NCDMS have
developed a categorical exclusion (CE) checklist that is included as part of each mitigation project's
Environmental Screening process. The CE Approval Form for the Strawberry Hill Project is included in
Appendix L and was approved by DMS and FHWA in August 2019.
2.2.2 Threatened and Endangered Species
Plants and animals with a federal classification of endangered or threatened are protected under provisions
of Sections 7 and 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. According to the United States
Fish and Wildlife IPAC database review tool (USFWS 2018) and the self -certification process conducted
by RES and submitted to the USFWS on June 12th, 2019 the list of threatened and endangered species
includes the Red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), the Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masons), the
Tar River Spinymussel (Elliptio steinstansana), and Michaux's Sumac (Rhus michauxil). Two additional
species on the list submitted to USFWS are proposed for listing, the Neuse River Waterdog (Necturus
lewisl) and the Carolina Madtom (Noturus Furiosus). The Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project does not
contain any suitable habitat for the Red -cockaded woodpecker, the Atlantic Pigtoe, the Tar River
Spinymussel, the Neuse River Waterdog, the Carolina Madtom, nor the Michaux's Sumac. A self -
certification letter sent to USFWS (on August 2 d, 2019) A copy of this letter is enclosed. No response
was provided by USFWS which is typical as the certification letter (provided) is their official response
unless they do not concur with the determination. This consultation was conducted as part of the CE
process and supporting documentation and correspondence can be found in Appendix L
The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act requires consultation with state fish and wildlife agencies when
"waters of any stream or other body of water are proposed or authorized, permitted or licensed to be
impounded, diverted... or otherwise controlled or modified. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission (NCWRC) was consulted during the CE process and the NCWRC did not comment on any
state or federally listed species; however, they did recommend the use of biodegradable and wildlife -
friendly sediment and erosion control devices and to treat invasive species as part of the Project.
Documentation is included in Appendix L.
2.2.3 Cultural Resources
A review of North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) GIS Web Service (accessed 14
August 2018) database did not reveal any registered occurrences within the Project area; however, there
is one nationally registered house (JT0994 - the Watson -Sanders House) on Brogden Road just west of
the Project and one "Determined Eligible" house (JT1920 - Stevens Sausage Company Homeplace/Office)
on Stevens Sausage Road just south of the Project. RES consulted with the SHPO during the CE process
and the SHPO had "conducted a review of the project and are aware of no historic resources which would
be affected by the project." Cultural Resources screening met the Categorical Exclusion Criteria for
FHWA and DMS projects and documentation is included in Appendix L.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 8 December 2020

2.2.4 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Hydrologic Trespass
The Project is not within a mapped FEMA Regulatory Floodway or 100-year floodplain (Figure 2). While
designing the Strawberry Hill Project, appropriate measures were taken to eliminate hydrologic trespass
of the adjacent agricultural fields. The adjacent land use will not be affected by the proposed design, and
no detrimental impacts are expected beyond the easement limits. The DMS Floodplain Requirements
Checklist can be found in Appendix M.
2.2. 5 Clean Water Act -Section 4011404
Because this Project also includes a stream mitigation component that involves stream restoration and
culvert work, impacts to jurisdictional streams and wetlands and protected buffer will be unavoidable
due to the restoration activities proposed. All stream, wetland, and buffer impacts will be accounted for
in the Pre -Construction Notification form. Information about impacts and permitting are discussed
further in Section 3.4 of the Strawberry Hill Mitigation Plan.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 9 December 2020

3 RIPARIAN RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Riparian restoration and preservation areas adjacent to streams are shown in Figure 4 and were
approved by the DWR in the letter dated April 30t'', 2019 (Appendix A2).
3.1 Site Preparation
Preparation at the Project will involve spraying crops and exotic invasive species, clearing undesirable
scrub -shrub vegetation, contoured ripping, soil amendments, seeding, and planting. Additionally, culverts,
agricultural building structures, and old, abandoned irrigation pipes will be removed from buffer
restoration areas. Prior to construction a Pre -construction Notification for the Nationwide Permit 27, under
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and a DWR 401 Water Quality Certification, under Section 401 of
the Clean Water Act, will be obtained. Following the issuance of the Nationwide Permit, an erosion and
sediment control permit will be obtained. Stabilization and implementation of dispersal techniques will be
utilized where surface flows have become concentrated to minimize the chances of non -diffuse flow. A
combination of silt fencing, erosion control wattles, temporary seeding, and erosion control matting will
be used to reduce erosion and stabilize soil in riparian areas during any land disturbance activities. These
erosion control measures shall be inspected and properly maintained at the end of each working day to
ensure measures are functioning properly until permanent vegetation is established
Immediately following completion of stream restoration activities, disturbed areas will be stabilized to
prevent erosion by seeding with a mixture of temporary and permanent seed mix within ten working days
upon completion of final grading. The proposed seed mix was chosen to maximize successful herbaceous
growth in upland and wetland riparian areas, as both are characteristic of the site, while also incorporating
valuable pollinator species (Appendix B, P1). All riparian planting areas will ripped and disked prior to
seed mix application and tree planting. Temporary and permanent riparian seeding shall be done in
accordance with the erosion control plan. Soil amendments will be provided across the entire planted area
based on the results of soil fertility tests or at a rate of 2,000 lbs/acre limestone and 1,000 lbs/acre 10-10-
10 fertilizer. After construction activities, the subsoil will be scarified, and any compaction will be deep
tilled before the topsoil is placed back over the site. Any topsoil that is removed during construction will
be stockpiled and placed over the site during final soil preparation. This process should provide favorable
soil conditions for plant growth. Bare root plantings and live stakes shall be planted according to detail
shown in the planting plan (Appendix B, P1).
All riparian buffer restoration activities will commence in concurrence with the stream mitigation
activities and not before. The riparian restoration areas will be surveyed, and information will be provided
in the As -Built report.
3.2 Methods
Riparian buffer mitigation activities will include restoration and preservation along streams and restoration
along viable ditches. All restoration and preservation areas were determined by the mitigation
determination performed during the viability assessment by DWR (Appendix A2).
3.2.1 Riparian Restoration Activities -Streams
For stream channels, the Project will provide riparian buffer and surrounding area restoration in
accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n). Restoration activities
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 10 December 2020

will include the planting of bare root plantings as described in Section 3.3. These restoration activities
will begin from the tops of the proposed stream banks and extend a minimum of 50 feet from the stream
outward to a maximum of 200 feet perpendicular to the stream channel. Restoration will occur where
cropland is currently present as well as selective areas of early successional, regenerating forest that lack
suitable density and composition. In the early successional, regenerating forested areas, the buffer
restoration areas were determined by the mitigation determination performed during the viability
assessment by DWR (Appendix A2). Also, as determined in the viability assessment, all recently cleared
areas within Zone 1 (0-30 feet) and Zone 2 (31-50 feet) of the existing stream channel are not eligible for
riparian buffer credit due to violation of the Neuse Buffer Rules; however, these areas will still be planted
and protected within the conservation easement (Figure 4). Specifically, reaches JH1-A, JH1-B, and JH5
will include riparian buffer restoration (Figure 4). Notably, JH5 contains a small portion of recently
cleared, regenerating forest off the right bank that is not eligible for riparian buffer credit within Zones 1
and 2 due to circumstances described above. Therefore, this area will not be part of the Project, although
the entire stream channel will still be included within the conservation easement in order to maintain
protection of the entire stream channel: this conservation easement boundary will be offset approximately
five feet from the right top of bank (Figure 4). Additionally, there is an approximate 900 bend on JH5 that
has been stabilized with concrete that will be removed and disposed of offsite and replaced with
appropriately sized rip rap and livestakes to provide longterm stabilization of this bend.
Since the northern easement section is also proposed for stream restoration as part of the stream mitigation
component of the Project, buffer mitigation activities along reaches JH1-A and JH1-B will coincide with
stream restoration. The stream design approach will include constructing a meandering stream channel
within the natural valley and stabilizing stream banks using a combination of grading, erosion control
matting, live -stake planting, native material revetment techniques (i.e. bioengineering), structure
placement, and sod transplants where possible. These activities will also include backfilling the abandoned
stream channels to the elevation of the floodplain and planting (Appendix B).
Also, as denoted in Section 2.1, there will be credit deductions for untreated flow entering riparian buffer
restoration areas according to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (1) (2) (3) and Buffer Interpretation/Clarification
42008-019 Memorandum dated 08/19/2008. Specifically, there is untreated flow that enters reach JH1-A,
laterally, at its upstream extent. Therefore, where untreated flow enters the easement boundary, a 1200
angle wedge, drawn 50 feet below the easement boundary, was removed from the associated buffer area
for crediting purpose (Figure 4). However, this area of exemption will still be planted and contained
within the conservation easement.
3.2.2 Riparian Restoration Activities — Ditches
The southern easement section of the Project includes three ditch reaches: JH2, JH3, and JH4 (Figure 4).
These ditches are proposed for riparian buffer restoration in accordance with the alternative mitigation
option of Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o) (8) and the DWR buffer viability
assessment (Appendix A2). As no stream work is proposed on these ditches, the only restoration activities
will include the planting of bare root trees as described in Section 3.3 and the other activities mentioned
in 3.2.4. These restoration activities will begin from the tops of the ditch banks and extend a minimum of
30 feet from the ditch outward to a maximum of 50 feet perpendicular to the ditch channel. All these
riparian areas are currently cropland except for a small segment along the left bank of JH3, which contains
portions of dilapidated agricultural structures, which will be demolished as part of the Project (Figure 4).
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 11 December 2020

The ditch features meet criteria for riparian buffer restoration according to Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295
(o) (8) in the following ways:
(A) Each ditch drains directly to reach JH5, an intermittent stream.
(B) The stream (JH5) and all ditches, including their confluence, will be protected by a contiguous,
perpetual conservation easement that will prevent any future maintenance or manipulation of the
ditches.
(C) Stormwater runoff and overland flow drain toward the ditches.
(D) Each ditch is between one and three feet in depth (as measured during the DWR buffer viability
site visit and depicted in the issued buffer viability letter (Appendix A2):
• JH2 —
2.50 feet
• JH3 —
2.95 feet
• JH4 —
2.70 feet
(E) The entire length of each ditch has been in place prior to the effective date of the Neuse Buffer
Rule (see Strawberry Hill Mitigation Plan, Figure 6).
Additionally, the watersheds (DA) draining to each ditch were delineated (Figure 5) and determined to be
at least four times (multiplier of 4) larger than the restored area along their corresponding ditches, as
expressed in the following calculations:
• JH2/JH3: (71 ac. DA) / (2.79 ac. restored area)= 25 multiplier
• JH4: (20 ac. DA) / (0.58 ac. restored area)= 34 multiplier
Also, as denoted in Section 2.1, there will be credit deductions for untreated flow entering ditches
according to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (1) (2) (3) and Buffer Interpretation/Clarification 42008-019
Memorandum dated 08/19/2008. Specifically, there will be untreated ditch flow that enters reaches JH2
and JH4 from upstream, out of the proposed easement, and there is an untreated, lateral ditch that enters
JH2 further downstream. Therefore, where these untreated ditches enter the easement boundary, a 1200
angle wedge, drawn 50 feet below the easement boundary, were removed from the associated buffer area
for crediting purpose (Figure 4). Ultimately, these areas equate to 13,055 ftZ. However, these areas of
exemption will still be planted and contained within the conservation easement.
3.2.3 Riparian Preservation Activities
Preservation will take place in limited forested areas within the Project where existing tree growth was
determined adequate, and in accordance with the alternative mitigation option of Consolidated Buffer
Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o) (5) and the DWR buffer viability assessment (Appendix A2).
Specifically, reaches JH1-A and JH1-B contain forested areas that will be preserved (Figure 4). A portion
of riparian area off the left bank of JH1-A is mostly mature forest, while selective portions of riparian area
along JH1-B contain regenerating forest that has sufficient growth of tree saplings and shrubs that are
adequate for preservation. Because these preservation areas are associated with proposed stream restoration
under the stream mitigation component of the Project, some of these areas may need to be cleared during
construction of the new stream corridor. Therefore, these impacted areas will be planted using the same
criteria as restoration areas; however, will still only generate preservation credit. Also, as mentioned above
in Section 3.2.1, all recently cleared areas within Zone 1 (0-30 feet) and Zone 2 (31-50 feet) of the existing
stream channel are not eligible for riparian buffer credit due to violation of the Neuse Buffer Rules;
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 12 December 2020

however, these areas will still be planted and protected within the conservation easement (Figure 4). In
addition, preservation activities will include the permanent protection of the riparian area from cutting,
clearing, filling, grading, and similar activities that would affect the functioning of the buffer through a
conservation easement that will have clearly visible easement markers and signs (see Section 3.4 for further
description of the easement boundaries).
3.2.4 Other Activities
Other activities involved with the buffer mitigation component of the Project include culvert removal,
debris removal, irrigation piping removal, demolition of building structures, and local livestaking (Figure
4). Three culverts currently used as agricultural crossings will be removed in the southern easement
section: two on reach JH2 and one at the transition of JH3 to JH5. Upon removal of these culverts, the
banks will be graded to match the existing channel dimensions and stabilized. Debris removal will occur
throughout the Project where piles of brick and concrete have been used by landowners as makeshift
erosion control structures. The debris will be removed from the conservation easement and any remaining
rills or areas of concentrated flow entering the easement will be stabilized. Along reaches JH2, JH3, and
JH4, there are exposed, abandoned irrigation piping that will be removed from buffer restoration areas and
disposed of off -site as well. Along reach JH3, there are abandoned, dilapidated agricultural building
structures that will be demolished, and the debris materials will be stockpiled away from the conservation
easement for future disposal to be conducted by the landowner. Upon completion of the demolition
activities, the riparian area will be planted as specified above in Section 3.3.2. Livestakes will be planted
on stream and ditch banks where stability is compromised, such as existing areas of erosion and areas
where culverts and irrigation pipe are removed. See Appendix B, S1-S9 for more detail regarding these
activities.
3.3 Planting Plan
All riparian restoration areas will be planted from top of bank back at least 30 feet from ditches and 50
feet from mitigated streams (and in the case of JH5, the existing stream) with bare root tree seedlings on
a nine by six-foot spacing to achieve an initial density of approximately 807 trees per acre. Planting of the
Project where riparian buffer restoration is being performed will meet the performance standards outlined
in the Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295. The vegetation data will be collected no earlier than late August of
each year. This includes treating invasive species and planting at least four species of native hardwood
bare root trees. The buffer mitigation planting plan and species composition will also be consistent with
the stream mitigation planting plan. Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp (Schafale 2012) will be the target
community type and will be used for all areas within the Project. This community composition is highly
diverse and is suitable for wet tolerances from somewhat wet to very wet that will ultimately prove
successful given the Project's soil and landscape characteristics and will provide water quality and
ecological benefits. Notably, although bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is technically considered a
softwood tree, it is included in the planting plan due to the significant amount of existing wetland at the
Strawberry Hill site and its proven success at other stream, wetland, and buffer mitigation projects with
similar site characteristics in Johnston County and the Neuse 01 service area. However, bald cypress will
only be planted in the northern easement section along JH1-A and JH1-B where is anticipated that stream
restoration activities will increase wetness throughout the riparian area, especially considering that much
of the area is currently jurisdictional wetland and within the hydric Rains sandy loam soil map unit.
Therefore, there will be two planting zones: Zone 1 will encompass the northern easement section (which
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 13 December 2020

is associated with stream restoration) and Zone 2 will encompass the southern easement section (where
no stream restoration is proposed). The initial planting of bare root trees will occur either before Spring
2021 or after November 2021. The list of bare root tree species to be planted and their percentage of total
species composition can be found in Table 5. Wherever possible, mature vegetation will be preserved and
incorporated into the buffer. Some areas adjacent to the forested areas may require maintenance due to the
rapid regeneration of some species, such as red maple (Ater rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar
styraciflua), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Additionally, the livestake plantings mentioned above in
Section 3.2.4 will consist of black willow (Salix nigra) and silky dogwood (Cornus amomum).
Furthermore, the planting plan is depicted in Appendix B, P1.
Table 5. Tree Planting List
Bare Root Planting Tree Species
% of Total
% of Total
Species
Common
Spacing
Unit Type
Canopy or
Species
Species
Name
(ft)
Sub -canopy
Composition
Composition
(Zone 1)
(Zone 2)
Platanus occidentalis
American
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
sycamore
Betula nigra
River birch
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
Taxodium disiicum
Bald cypress
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
0
Quercus pbellos
Willow oak
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
Quercus micbauxii
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
chestnut oak
Quercus nigra
Water oak
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
Quercus lyrata
Overcup oak
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
10
10
Nyssa Mora
Swamp tupelo
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
5
5
Quercus laurifolia
Laurel oak
9X6
Bare Root
Canopy
5
10
Morella cerifera
Wax myrtle
9X6
Bare Root
Sub -canopy
5
10
Cepbalanthus
occidentalis
Buttonbush
9X6
Bare Root
Sub -canopy
5
5
3.4 Easement Boundaries
Easement boundaries will be identified in the field to ensure clear distinction between the Project and
adjacent properties. Boundaries may be identified by marker, bollard, post, tree -blazing, or other means
as allowed by Project conditions and/or conservation easement. Boundaries will be marked with signs
identifying the property as a mitigation project and will include the name of the long-term steward and a
contact number. Boundary markers disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be repaired and/or replaced on
an as needed basis. The easement boundary will be checked annually as part of monitoring activities and
the conditions as well as any maintenance performed will be reported in the annual monitoring reports to
DWR.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 14 December 2020

4 MONITORING PLAN
4.1 Monitoring Protocol and Success Criteria
Annual vegetation monitoring and visual assessments will be conducted. Riparian vegetation monitoring
where riparian buffer mitigation credits are being generated will be based on the "Carolina Vegetation
Survey -Ecosystem Enhancement Program Protocol for Recording Vegetation: Level 1-2 Plot Sampling
Only Version 4.2". Annual vegetation monitoring will occur each year for a minimum of five years and
will be conducted during the fall season with the first year occurring at least 6 months from initial planting.
Monitoring plots will be installed a minimum of 100 meters squared in size and will cover at least two
percent of the planted mitigation area. The entire planted area of the Project will generate riparian buffer
mitigation credits in the form of restoration and preservation; however, only the planted area within the
riparian buffer restoration areas will be monitored for vegetative success. Therefore, the creditable
restoration planted area is 15.13 acres, and there will be 13 vegetation plots measuring riparian buffer
mitigation success. These plots will be randomly placed throughout the planted riparian restoration area
and will be representative of the riparian community (Figure 9). The following data will be recorded for
all trees in the plots: species, height, planting date (or volunteer), and grid location. All stems in plots will
be flagged with flagging tape.
The measures of vegetative success for the Project will be the survival of at least four native hardwood
tree species, where no one species is greater than 50 percent of stems, at a density of at least 260 stems
per acre at the end of Year 5. Native volunteer species may be included to meet the performance standards
upon approval by DWR. Invasive and noxious species will be monitored and treated so that none become
dominant or alter the desired community structure of the site.
Photos will be taken from all photo points each monitoring year and provided in the annual reports. Visual
inspections and photos will be taken to ensure that applicable areas are being maintained and compliant.
A visual assessment of the conservation easement will also be performed each year to confirm:
• Easement markers are in good condition throughout the site;
• no encroachment has occurred;
• no invasive species occur in areas were invasive species were treated,
• diffuse flow is being maintained in the conservation easement areas; and
• there has not been any cutting, clearing, filling, grading, or similar activities that would
negatively affect the functioning of the buffer.
A summary of project monitoring and maintenance activities can be found in Table 6.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 15 December 2020

Table 6. Summary of Project Monitoring and Maintenance Activities
Component/ Monitoring Maintenance through project close-out
Feature
Vegetation Annual Vegetation shall be maintained to ensure the health and vigor of the targeted plant
vegetation community. Routine vegetation maintenance and repair activities may include
monitoring supplemental planting, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. Exotic invasive plant species
shall be treated by mechanical and/or chemical methods. Any vegetation requiring
herbicide application will be performed in accordance with NC Department of
Agriculture (NCDA) rules and regulations. Vegetation maintenance activities will be
documented and reported in annual monitoring reports. Vegetation maintenance will
continue through the monitoring period.
Invasive and Nuisance Visual Invasive and noxious species will be monitored and treated so that none become
Vegetation Assessment dominant or alter the desired community structure of the Project. Locations of invasive
and nuisance vegetation will be mapped. Also, see Appendix K for more details.
Project Boundary Visual Project boundaries shall be identified in the field to ensure clear distinction between the
Assessment mitigation project and adjacent properties. Boundaries will be marked with signs
identifying the property as a mitigation project and will include the name of the long-
term steward and a contact number. Boundaries may be identified by fence, marker,
bollard, post, tree -blazing, or other means as allowed by Project conditions and/or
conservation easement. Boundary markers disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be
repaired and/or replaced on an as -needed basis. Easement monitoring and staking/
signage maintenance will continue in perpetuity as a stewardship activity.
4.2 Adaptive Management Plan and Project Maintenance
Adaptive measures will be developed, or appropriate remedial actions taken if in the event that the project,
or a specific component of the project, fails to achieve the defined success criteria. DMS must approve all
adaptive management plans prior to submittal to DWR.
Remedial actions will be designed to achieve the success criteria specified in this Mitigation Plan, and will
include identification of the causes of failure, remedial design approach, work schedule, and monitoring
criteria that will consider physical and climatic conditions.
Initial plant maintenance may include a one-time mowing, prior to initial planting to remove undesirable
species. If mowing is deemed necessary by RES during the monitoring period, RES must first receive
approval by DMS and then by DWR prior to any mowing activities to ensure that no buffer violations will
be committed. Failure to receive approval to mow within the Neuse River buffer, as defined in 15A NCAC
02B .0714 by DWR, could result in Neuse River buffer violations and violations of the conservation
easement. If necessary, RES will develop a species -specific control plan.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 16 December 2020

5 STEWARDSHIP
The Project will be transferred to the NCDEQ Stewardship Program. NCDEQ Stewardship Program shall
serve as the conservation easement holder and entity responsible for long term stewardship of the Project.
This party shall serve as conservation easement holder and long-term steward for the property and will
conduct periodic inspection of the Project to ensure that restrictions required in the conservation easement
are upheld. The NCDEQ Stewardship Program is developing an endowment system within the non -
reverting, interest -bearing Conservation Lands Conservation Fund Account. The use of funds from the
Endowment Account will be governed by North Carolina General Statute GS 113A-232(d)(3). Interest
gained by the endowment fund may be used for the purpose of stewardship, monitoring, stewardship
administration, and land transaction costs, if applicable.
The Stewardship Program will periodically install signage to identify boundary markings as needed. Any
livestock or associated fencing or permanent crossings will be the responsibility of the owner of the
underlying fee to maintain.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 17 December 2020

6 REFERENCES
Endangered Species Act of 1973. Public Law 93-205, 87 Stat. 884. 16 USC 1531-1543,
Environmental Laboratory. (1987). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual,
Technical Report Y-87- 1. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg,
Mississippi.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2018. FEMA Flood Map Service Center. North
Carolina Panel 2602; map number 3720260200K, effective 6/20/2018.
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934. Public Law 85-72, 79 Stat. 216. 16 USC 661-667(d).
Lee, T.L, Peet, R.K., Roberts, S.D., and Wentworth, T.R. 2006. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording
Vegetation, Version 4.2. http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs-eep-protocol-v4.2-levl-2.pdf.
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended Section 106). 16 USC 470. 36 CFR 800, 23
CFR 771, 36 CFR 60, 36 CFR 63.
NCDENR. 2010. "N.C. Wetland Assessment Method User Manual Version 4. L" N.C. Wetland
Functional Assessment Team.
NCDWQ (North Carolina Division of Water Quality). 2011. A Guide to Surface Freshwater
Classifications in North Carolina. Raleigh. http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document_library
get_file?p 1 id=1169848&folderld=2209568&name=DLFE-35732.pdf; accessed January 2018.
NCDWQ. (North Carolina Division of Water Quality). 2010. Methodology for Identification of
Intermittent and Perennial Streams and Their Origins. Version 4.11. Raleigh.
NC Environmental Management Commission. 2014. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0295 — Mitigation Program
Requirements for the Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers.
NC Environmental Management Commission. 2020. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0714 — Neuse River Basin:
Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy: Protection and Maintenance of Existing
Riparian Buffers.
NCNHP (North Carolina Natural Heritage Program). 2019. Natural Heritage Element Occurrences. June
2019.
Schafale, M.P. 2012. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth
Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation,
NCDENR, Raleigh, NC.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region (Version 2.0), ed. J. S.
Wakeley, R. W. Lichvar, and C. V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR-10-20. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army
Engineer Research and Development Center.
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 18 December 2020

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS).
1994. Soil Survey of Johnston County, North Carolina.
USDA-NRCS. 2014. Web Soil Survey GIS Data
.http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm, accessed March 2020.
USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service). 2015. Information, Planning, and Conservation
(IPAC) Online Screening Tool. https:Hecos.fws.gov/ipac/; accessed June 2019.
Strawbeny Hill Mitigation Project Buffer Mitigation Plan
DMS Project #: 100094 19 December 2020

Figures

5O1 � l.a5la�lo
Grissom
Justice
�i Braggtawn Garman Red Oak
u e 0Dort
Durham Seven maths
ea Stony Hill ke Forest Nashville
Bunn Mameyer
Being Hope
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Wo
Blands Meuse Hop s 3e
Gen lee se, 5
MI�brook 4� 47
ss ornsville xb3 2e Ion
xa Elm
Cary Raleigh Knightdale Wendell Middlesex
_ Bailey
Sims
ka
Wilson
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Auburn Archer Lodge _
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prirgs Clayton az Lucama
Black Creep
7° Powhatan
a� Ker:ly
Fuquay-Va ilia Wdsons Mills sg
Duncan Willow
4x Springs Selma Fremont Eure
�
Cokesbury McGee
Angier Crossroads Smithfield
�Y e
Z1� 55 Princeton
Four Oaks
W tley Place
Manners Buies Creek Rosewood
74
1. ngton
e _ . c --- Strawberry Hill cold ra
ss -S Mitigation Project New �{
Bentonville Elroy
Mar -Mac
aq, Erwin � Peacocks
Anderson Bunnlevel Crossroads 0Dunr Grantham Brogden
Creek
Plain Vlev: ewton Grove
pewell
x,c, Spiveys Suttontown Mt live
aot Falcon Corner O Williams ss
�
ring Lake WadHohhton +: �3 d31 Calypso
403
agg
T3 xaz Faison
Feener
Legend
Bowdens
Proposed Easement
,.T
Neuse River Basin - 03020201 (Excluding Falls Lake Watershed) r V13rsavv
lir?an Tiukey
" Figure 1 Date: 121212020
Nutrient Offset & Buffer Mitgation Service Area
w Strawberry Hill Drawn by: MDD r
�
s Mitigation Project Checked by: JRM
o a
Miles
1 inch =smiles
Johnston County, North Carolina

Clear-cut
Regenerating Forest
(Poor Growth)
Clear-cut = r
Regenerating Forest
(Fair Growth)
PUBHx +
Yard Swale
Underground Telephone Line
Along DOT Right -of -Way
WC Crop Fir-
C WD - Crop Fie
Existing Culvert
Crossing
Clear-cut
Fire Hydra < < Mature Forest
Regenerating Forest__ Fire Hydrant
(Fair GfOWCh)
PUBHx Existing Culvert
Existing Pond Crossing
Building Structure
PUBHx Crop Field
Crop Fiel
• �H2
Legend 2 S .
Proposed Easement 4: Crop F d PUBHx
® Existing Wetland Exposed
USFWS 10/09/2019 Irrigation Pipe
NWI Wetlands
( ) (Abandoned)
f CroD Fier ' Existing Pond
- FEMA Zone AE (None)
-- Existing Intermittent Stream` $
c.
PUBHx
-- Existing Ditch =r_• ?' -
Existing Swale _ _
Utilities00
�
PF04A
T---T Overhead Power Line a
Sewer Line M `
Water Line PUBHh
" Figure 2 - Existing Conditions Date: 7/23/2020
w E res
Strawberry Hill Drawn by: MDD
s Mitigation Project Checked by. JRM
0 250 500
Feet Johnston County, North Carolina inch=500 feet

t Branch
�esan�
Green Chapel Missionary
Baptist Church
10
�+ag
Stevens Sausage Co., MC
2--
Legend
Proposed Easement
xsw
8eus�pe R4
Aso.
xsae
KD's Cans
F
" Figure 3 - Project Vicinity Date: 6/16/2020
w E Strawberry Hill Drawn by: MDD res
o soo
s 1,000 Mitigation Project Checked by: JRM
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Feet Johnston County, North Carolina

Legend
Proposed Easement (22.12 ac.)
Yk
r
Pro
- Proposed To
P p of Bank
Remove Abandoned
Irrigation Pipe
Riparian Buffer Mitigation Approach
Riparian Restoration, 0-100'
Segment of BUffE
Stabilize Bank Along Ditch
® Riparian Restoration, 101-200'
30' > 50'
Riparian Restoration (Ditch), 0-50'
Riparian Preservation, 0-100'
Riparian Preservation, 101-200'
Non diffuse Flow Deduction Area
Debris, such as brick and concrete piles, scattered throughout
the Project area will be removed and disposed of off -site. See
r Area Not Viable for Credit
Appendix B, S1-S9 and M1-M2 for locations of these areas
and more detail regarding removal activities.
N
Figure 4 - Buffer Mltlgatlon Conceptual Date: 12/17/2020
w F
Strawberry Hill Drawn by: MDD res
s Mitigation Project Checked by: JRM
0 250 500
Feet Johnston County, North Carolina 1 inch =500 feet

F
P,
Legend r b `' ►s a�
Proposed Easement (22.12 ac.) `
- Proposed Top of Bank
Nutrient Offset, 0-100' ' �,-
2 This figure only represents areas that are viable to be converted from Riparian
Nutrient Offest, 101-200' Buffer Credits to Nutrient Offset Credits.
" Figure 7 - Nutrient Offset Conceptual Date: 12/17/2020
w F
Strawberry Hi I l Drawn by: MDD res
s Mitigation Project Checked by: JRM
0 250 500
Feet Johnston County, North Carolina 1 inch =500 feet

JH2
-
-
Legend
Proposed Easement (22.12 ac.) ►�.
- Proposed Top of Bank
Riparian Zones - `f
r
0-50' -•
0-100,
r
0-200'
" Figure 8 - Riparian Zones Date: 12/17/2020
wE
Strawberry Hill Drawn by: MDD
s Mitigation Project Checked by: JRM
0 250 500
Feet Johnston County, North Carolina 1 inch=500 feet
fires

Legend
Proposed Easement (22.12 ac)
- Proposed Top of Bank
Fixed Vegetation Plots
Stream and Buffer
= Buffer Only
Planting Area
Zone 1
Zone 2
Riparian Buffer Mitigation Approach
Riparian Restoration, 0-100'
Riparian Restoration, 101-200'
Riparian Restoration (Ditch), 0-50'
Riparian Preservation, 0-100'
Riparian Preservation, 101-200'
_ N
w -F
0 250 500
Fcct
T
gyp- i `,A,ft
.�
SRC.
3+
Figure 9 - Buffer Monitoring Plan Date: 12/14/2020
Strawberry Hi I I Drawn by: MDD res
Mitigation Project Checked by: JRM
Johnston County, North Carolina 1inch =500feet

Appendix A l
Project Buffer Mitigation Credits

Table 1. Strawberry Hill, DMS# 100094, Project Credits
Neuse 03020201- Outside Falls Lake
Project Area
N Credit Conversion Ratio (ftz/pound)
P Credit Conversion Ratio (ft2/pound)
19.16394
N/A
Credit Type
Location
Subject? (enter
NO if
ephemeral or
ditch'
Feature Type
Mitigation Activity
Min -Max Buffer
Width (ft)
Feature Name
i
Total Area (k)
Total (Creditable)
Area of Buffer
z
Mitigation (ft)
Initial Credit
Ratio (x:l)
%Full Credit
Final Credit
Ratio (x:l)
Convertible to
Riparian
Buffer?
Riparian Buffer
Credits
Convertible to
Nutrient Offset?
Delivered
Nutrient
Offset: N (Ibs)
Delivered
Nutrient
Offset: P (Ibs)
Buffer
Rural
Yes
I / P
Restoration
0-100
Cropland (1H1, JH5)
372,663
372,663
1
100%
1.00000
Yes
372,663.000
Yes
19,446.053
—
Buffer
Rural
Yes
I / P
Restoration
0-100
Timberland (1111)
123,877
123,877
1
100%
1.00000
Yes
123,877.000
No
—
—
Buffer
Rural
Yes
I / P
Restoration
101-200
Cropland (1H1, JH5)
9,342
9,342
1
33%
3.03030
Yes
3,082.863
Yes
487.478
—
Buffer
Rural
Yes
I / P
Restoration
101-200
Timberland (JH3)
6,755
6,755
1 1
33%
1 3.03030
Yes
2,229.152
No
—
—
Buffer
Rural
No
Ditch
Restoration
0-50
JH2, JH3, JH4
139,045
139,045
1
100%
1.00000
Yes
139,045.000
Yes
7,255.554
—
Buffer
Rural
No
Ditch
Restoration
0-50
Segment Less than 50'
7,581
7,581
1
100%
1.00000
Yes
7,581.000
No
—
—
Buffer
Rural
No
Ditch
Restoration
0-100
Non -diffused Flow
Deductions(JH1, JH2,
JH4
13,055
0
1
100%
No
—
No
—
—
Totals (ft2):
Total Buffer (ft2):
Total Nutrient Offset (ft2):
672,318
659,263
648,478.015 27,189.085 0.000
672,318
659,263
0
N/A
Total Ephemeral Area (ft) for Credit
Total Eligible Ephemeral Area (ftZ)
Enter Preservation Credits Below
Credit Type Location Subject? Feature Type I Mitigation Activity IMin-Max Buffer Feature Name
Width (ft)
Rural Yes I/ P
Rural Yes I/ P
TOTAL AREA OF BUFFER MITIGATION (TABM)
Mitigation Totals
Square Feet
Credits
Restoration:
659,263
648,478.015
Enhancement:
0
0.000
Preservation:
81,685
8,115.436
Total Riparian Buffer:
740,949
656,593.451
TOTAL NUTRIENT OFFSET MITIGATION
Mitigation Totals
I Square
Nutrient Offset:
Nitrogen:
0
0.000
0.000
Phosphorus:
0-100 1H1, JH5
g101-200 JH1, JH5
Preservation Area Subtotals (ft2)
0
0
188,501
0.0%
224,106
9.1%
Total Area (sf)
Total (Creditable)
Area for Buffer
Mitigation (ft')
80,893
80,893
792
792
81,685
81,685
phemeral Reaches as %TABM
'reservation as %TABM
Initial Credit Final Credit Riparian
Ratio (x:1) %Full Credit Ratio (x:1) I Buffer Credits
10
100%
1 10.00000
1 8,089.30
10
33%
30.30303
26.136
Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) will have the flexibility to convert Riparian Buffer Mitigation Credits to Nutrient Offset Credits, where viable, in accordance with this table.
Credit conversions must be calculated using the guidance provided in the Clarified Procedures for Calculating Buffer Mitigation Credits and Nutrient Offset Credits letter issued by the DWR in
November 2019.
1. The Randleman Lake buffer rules allow some ditches to be classified as subject according to 15A NCAC 02B .0250 (5)(a).
last updated 08/03/2020

Appendix A2
Buffer Viability &Stream Determination

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretory
LINDA CULPEPPER
❑irecior
Jamey McEachran
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC
302 Jefferson Street, Suite 110
Raleigh, NC 27605
(via electronic mail: [e-mail])
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
April 30, 2019
❑WR# 2019-0159
Johnston County
Re: Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset — Strawberry Hill Site
Located near 3105 Brogden Rd, Smithfield
Neuse 03020201
Dear Ms. McEachran,
On February 25, 2019, Katie Merritt, with the Division of Water Resources (DWR), received a
request from Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC (RES) for an onsite mitigation determination
near the above -referenced site (Site). The Site is located within the Neuse River Basin in the 8-digit
Hydrologic Unit Code 03020201, The Site is being proposed as part of a full -delivery nutrient offset,
stream and riparian buffer mitigation project for the Division of Mitigation Services (RFP #16-
007576). Staff from the Division of Mitigation Services were also present onsite. At your request,
on February 27, 2019, Ms. Merritt performed an onsite assessment of riparian land uses adjacent to
streams and ditches onsite, which are shown on the attached map labeled "Figure 3-Existing
Conditions". Additionally, on March 18, 2019, RES provided ditch parameters showing the channel
depths per Ms. Merritt's request. This information is included with this letter.
Ms. Merritt's evaluation of the features onsite and their associated mitigation determination for the
riparian areas are provided in the table below. This evaluation was made from Top of Bank (TOB)
and landward 200' from each feature for buffer mitigation pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295
(effective November 1, 2015) and for nutrient offset credits pursuant to 15A NCAC 023.0240.
Ecature
Classification
onsite
ct
LQ
Buffer(0
Riparian Land uses
ad4acent to Feature
200,]
Buffer
Credi
Viable
ZNu rient
6Mitigation lype Deterrnination
o fset
Viable at
w1in riparian area
2,273,02
ibs-Ai
Rule
per
acre
]H 1 A
Stream
Yes
Mostly non -forested
'Yes
Yes (non-
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
agriculture fields with areas of
forested
NCAC 028 .029S (n)
mature forest along the left
fields only)
Forested Areas - Preservatfon Site
bank
per ] 5A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5)
1Vorth Camlina bepartmr»S of EnylronmentM Quality I Division of Water Rrsources
ie_-��D
_E 5t2 North Salts bury Sfrcr+ 1 1bf7 Mall Srrvire C6nlrr { Rairlgh, North Ca:ulIna 27644 1617
�r".""r�.�'rurr� r 91P,7iJ7.9ppD

Strawberry Hill Site
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC.
April 30, 2019
Feature Classification 'Subiec
RiDarian Land uses
gaffer
?t lutrient
aMitigation Type Determination
IQ
aj}certt.tn Feature
Credi#
9tfsKt
Wier riparian areas
Buffe
LO-200.1
Viable
Viable at
Rule
2,273_02
I-bs-N Ver
acre
!H 1 B Stream Yes
Left Bank - Mostly non-
'Yes
Yes (non-
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
forested agriculture Fields wl
forested ag
NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
timbered areas downstream
fields wrhy)
(near road)
Timbered Neuse Buffer (Zone 1 &
Right Bank - combination of
Tone 2)- no credit
timbered disturbed forest and
cleared areas not in
Timbered & Cleared areas (beyond
agriculture.
the Neuse Buffer) - Restoration
Neuse riparian buffers shown
Site per 15A NCAC 02B.0295 (n)
in Figure 3 were impacted
from timbering between 2014-
Timbered & Regenerated forest
2016 in violation of the Neuse
(beyond the Neuse Buffer) -
BufFer rules. Therefore, no
Preservation Site per 15A NCAC
buffer credit can be generated
02B .0295 (0)(5)
within Zone 1 orZone 2 of
the Neuse riparian buffer that
was timbered.
JH2 hitch No
Mostly non -forested
*see note
Yes
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
agriculture fields with a pond
(non-
NCAC 020 .0295 (o)C8)
located on the left side. Area
_forested ag
beyond pond is forested
fields only &
Forested Areas - no credit
excluding
the pond
*Buffer Mitigation Note -
joolprintl
Assessment concludes the ditch
meets 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(8)
(A, B, C, D & E), More information on
the watershed is required to be
provided in a mitigation plant for
complete assessment. See rule,
Areas of impeded (tow from
collapsed or compromised culverts
must be restored,
p Irrigation No
Combination of glass and
*see note
No
*Buffer Mitigation Note - If pond is
pond planned
mature forest around pond
drained, backfilled and planted, it can
to be drained,
perimeter. Not in agriculture
become a restored riparian area along
backfilled &
JH2 and this area will be viable for
planted
Restoration per ISA NCAC 02B
I
.0295 (o)(8)
Feature Classification 15ubiect
Riparian Land use
Ru f'er
xN ient
6MItigation Type Determination
onsite W
ad'ac ntto Feature
Credit
Uf_ fset
w /in_riparian ilreas
Buffer
0f 200Q]
Viabl
Viable ar
Rule
2 2. 73.o2
bs-N rN r
acre
Page 2 ❑ F 5

Strawberry Hill Site
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC.
April 30, 2019
JH3 Ditch
No non -forested agriculture fields
Yes Yes (gran-
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
[Starts at Rd
forested rig
NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(S)
and ends at
fields onlv))
JH5 DWR
*Buffer Mitigation Note -
flag)
Assessment concludes the ditch
meets 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(8)
(A, B, C, D & E). More information on
the watershed is required to be
provided in a mitigation plan for
complete assessment. See rule.
Culvert is partially compromised and
needs to be replaced or removed.
Irrigation piping observed parallel to
channel & needs to be removed
JH5 Stream
Yes Left Bank - Ag field
3Yes Yes (non-
Fields -Restoration Site per 15A
From DWR
Right Bank -mostly non-
forested ag
NCAC 02B.0295 (n)
flag-
forested agriculture with some
fields anlv)
Easement
areas timbered & regenerated
Timbered Neuse Buffer (Zone 1 &
boundary
forest not in agriculture.
Zone 2)- no credit
(see map)
Meuse riparian buffers shown
in Figure 3 were impacted
Timbered & Regenerated Forest
from timbering between 2014-
(beyond the Neuse Buffer) -
2016 in violation of the Neuse
Preservation Site per 15A NCAC
Buffer rules. Therefore, no
02B .0295 (o)(5)
buffer credit can be generated
within Zone l or Zone 2 of
the ]Neuse riparian buffer that
was timbered.
JH4 Ditch
No Non -forested agriculture
*see note Yes
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
fields
NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(8)
*Buffer Mitigation Note -
Assessment concludes the ditch
meets 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(8)
(A, B, C, D & E). More information on
the watershed is required to be
provided in a mitigation plan for
complete assessment. See rule.
A Ditch
No Non -forested agriculture
NIA NIA
NIA
fields
Located outside of proposed
easement boundary and not assessed
Page 3 of 5

Strawberry Hill Site
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC.
April 30, 2019
This viability assessment will expire on April 30, 2021 or upon the submittal of an As -Built Report to
the DWR, whichever comes first.
Please contact Katie Merritt at [phone] if you have any questions regarding this
correspondence.
Sincerely,
Karen Higgins, Supervisor
401 and Buffer Permitting Branch
KA H/krn
Attachments: Figure 3-Existing Conditions Map, Ditch Parameters Figure
cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt)
Jeff Schaffer- DM5 ( via electronic mail)
Page 5 of 5

N),b wtotllr6J I+WA@nA am Fe.-@.l % RtsiokAon eu'tas Kin

Y_
` ._ij
JH4 f{�
Y DA = 18.9 ac 7r�
Restored Buffer = 0,7 ac'
Restored Buffer Area1DA = 3.7°i.
i
FW r�-r
3
Jk3
k JH2
y.
JH2/JH3
_ ❑A = 72.2 ac (.
``-� -- n Restored Buffer= 3.3 ac
Restored Buffer Area/DA = 4.6 /o r;, A
00
rk
2,1
x
'I• Measured Average
Le�errd Ditch Reach Channel Depth Channel Depth
Proposed Easement (21-81 ac +I-} (ft.) (ft.)
2.4
® Drainage Area 1.8
Buffer Mitigation 2,5
JH2 2.5
Restoration 0-100 2.6
Preservation 0-100 2.8
2.9
Stream Mitigation 3
Restoration JH3 2.9 2,95
Enhancement II JH4 2.8 2 7
2.6
N
Buffer Viability Dale 31M2019
w E Requested Ditch Parameters prawn by nnoD res
0 250
5 5G� Strawberry Hill Mitigation Site Checked by spe
Feet
Johnston County, North Carolina I mch= 500feel

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
Bridgette Edwards
3200 Brogden Rd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
Jan Hill
3188 Stevens Sausage Rd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
William Carpenter
3032 YeIverton Grove Rd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
Melrose Haas
3299 Brogden Rd.
Smithfield, NC 27577
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
April 23, 2019
DWR Project # 2019-0159
Johnston County
Subject: On -Site Determination for Applicability to the Neuse Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0233)
Project Name: Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project
Parcel ID Number(s): 260200-46-1831; 260200-26-4743; 260200-45-0227; 260200-35-1474;
260200-46-0253; 260200-36-4710
Address/ Location: 3105 Brogden Rd., Smithfield, NC
Stream(s) Evaluated: Unnamed Tributaries to Polecat Branch
Determination Date: 3/14/2019 Staff: Shelton Sullivan
Dear Sir / Madam:
On March 14, 2019, Shelton Sullivan of the Division of Water Resources (DWR) Central
Office conducted an on -site review of features located on the subject properties at the
request of Jamey McEachran of Resource Environmental Solutions to determine the presence
or absence of streams on the site and their ephemeral/ intermittent/ perennial (E/UP)
characteristics and transition points and the applicability to the Neuse Riparian Area Protection
Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0233).
The enclosed map (s) depict the features evaluated and this information is also
summarized in the table below. Streams that are considered "Subject" have been located
D �., - North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Ratelgh, North Carolina 27699-1617
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919.707.9000

DWR #20190159 Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project
)ohnston County
Page 2 of 3
on the most recently published NRCS Soil Survey of Johnston County and/or the most
recent copy of the USGS Topographic (at 1-24,000 scale) map(s), have been located on the
ground at the site, and possess characteristics that qualify them to be at least intermittent
streams. Features that are considered "Not Subject" have been determined to not be at
least intermittent or not present on the property or not depicted on the required maps.
There may be other streams or features located on the property that do not appear on the
maps referenced above but may be considered jurisdictional according to the US Army
Corps of Engineers and subject to the Clean Water Act.
Seethe llowing table for the features rated during the DWR site visit:
Feature ID
Feature Type
*E/I/P/
Subject
to Buffer
Start @
Stop @
Depicted on
Depicted on
Other
Rules
Soil Survey
USGS Topo
At eastern
Continues
1H1-A
Stream
"I" at least
Yes
property and
throughout to
No
Yes
wood line
property line
at Bro den Rd.
Continues
JH1-B
Stream
"I" at least
Yes
Continuation of
throughout to
Yes
Yes
JH1-A
property line
at Bro den Rd.
JHS
Stream
"I" at least
Yes
JH5 Start at
Continues
No
Yes
culvert, see map
throughout
JH4
Ditch
n/a
No
On the property,
Confluence
No
Yes
see map
with JH5
JH3
Ditch
n/a
No
Stevens
tvens Sausage
At JHS Start
No
Yes
Eastern
JH2
Ditch
n/a
No
property
Stevens
No
Yes
bounds
Sausage Rd.
* E; Ephemeral
I: Intermittent
P: Perineal
This on -site determination shall expire five (5) years from the date of this letter.
Landowners or affected parties that dispute a determination made by the DWR may
request a determination by the Director. An appeal request must be made within sixty (60)
calendar days of the date of this letter to the Director in writing.
If sending via U.S Postal Service:
DWR- 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
c/o Karen Higgins
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
Ifsending via delivery service (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
DWR- 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
c/o Karen Higgins
512 N Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27604
This determination is final and binding as detailed above, unless an appeal is requested within
sixty (60) calendar days.

DWR #20190159 Strawberry Hill Mitigation Project
Johnston County
Page 3 of 3
This determination only addresses the applicability to the buffer rules and does not approve any
activity within buffers or within waters of the state, if you have any additional questions or
require additional information, please call Shelton Sullivan at [phone]. This
determination is subject to review as provided in Articles 3 & 4 of G.S. 150B.
Sincerely,
r
Karen Higgins, Superviso
401 & Buffer Permitting Bra ch
KAHIsos
Enclosures. Site Map(s), USGS Topo, Soil Survey
cc: Resource Environmental Solutions, Jamey McEachran, [e-mail]
Resource Environmental Solutions, Brad Breslow, bbreslowPres.us
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch files
Filename; 20190159_StraWHillStreamBufferDetLetter 4-23-2019.docx

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