20070491 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20070403

NC Division of Water Quality
401 Oversight and Express Permitting Unit
April 3, 2007
Memorandum
To: Cyndi Karoly
From: Tammy Hill
Subject: DWQ # 20070491
Comments on PCN and Restoration Plan - Ripshin Branch Stream and Wetland
Restoration (Ashe County)
Reports prepared by Ecologic for EEP
Overall:
1) The site appears to be a good candidate for success. The landowners are involved and
supportive of the project, and the restoration plan is well-developed. A few suggestions and
comments follow.
2) The main issue is the accounting of mitigation credits. The values of restoration,
enhancement, and preservation listed in Table 1 of the restoration plan do not match those
documented on pages 7 and 8 of the PCN, nor do the values in the PCN match each other.
The stream lengths, in particular, vary wildly. Since Brushy Fork is mentioned in section VI of
the PCN, but is not detailed in the restoration plan, it is suspected that clerical errors were
made while modifying a PCN for another project.
3) The PCN and restoration plan show the project to be located within the Kanawha Stream
Basin. The larger river basin (one of the 17 in NC) should also be documented.
Comments on the restoration plan:
1) Level spreaders are included in the design; recent DWQ design criteria and details will be
utilized. Any need for DWQ engineers to review plan?
2) Placement of enhancement vs. restoration appears sound (i.e. enhancement on reaches of
relatively stable, functional channel).
3) Vegetation: Significant invasive populations exist on the site and will be difficult to control in
order to achieve the desired native community due to proximity to road and agricultural fields.
The plan suggestions regarding use of more mature woody vegetation than most mitigation
projects and monitoring (via grant to NCSU) in excess of the 5-year EEP requirement are
supported.
4) Success criteria suggested in restoration plan are satisfactory. It may be valuable to add one
more regarding vegetative diversity.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality; 401 Oversight and Express Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center; Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604-2260
Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
http://ncwaterqual ity.org/wetlands