The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20120285 Ver 1_Mitigation Information_20100101Gaston East -West Connector STIP NO U -3321 GASTON AND MECKLENBURG COUNTIES, NC TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM On -Site Mitigation Field Review Prepared by j I o 1616 East Millbrook Road, Suite 310 Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 Prepared for 5 NORTH CAROLINA moo Turnpike Authority January 2010 V TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM On -Site Mitigation Field Review The purpose of this memorandum is to document potential on site mitigation opportunities within the project study area to possibly aid in meeting the compensatory mitigation requirements of the proposed Gaston East West Connector (Garden Parkway) For the purposes of this memorandum on site is defined as an area in the vicinity of the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) (DSA 9) extending from 1 85 west of Gastonia in Gaston County to 1485/NC 160 near the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Mecklenburg County Site Selection Methodology Potential wetland and stream restoration sites were first identified through GIS analysis Aerial photography was examined in areas where wetlands streams and buffer areas were found to be coincident with disturbed land uses Based on aerial photography interpretation areas fudged to have restoration potential were recorded and those areas without potential were discounted Specific methodology and data used in identifying wetland and stream restoration sites are described separately in this section Aerial photography used in the identification of all restoration sites consisted of 2008 aerial photography acquired from the National Agricultural Imaging Program for Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties Aerial photography was used in concert with other data sets including soils (SSURGO database) hydrology (NHD) contour data (NCDOT) and county parcel data Criteria for the selection of potential wetland and stream restoration sites were established prior to the GIS analysis Site selection criteria were developed with consideration for guidance from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) The following guidelines were observed throughout the GIS analysis Stream Restoration • Stream projects must have a minimum of 50 feet conservation easement on both sides of the stream for the entire project length Easements are measured from the top of the stream bank on both sides of the stream The easement may be wider if there is room for additional planting (up to 200 feet from the top on either side of the stream) or if there is a wetland component to the project (no easement width limit) • One side of stream must be free of utilities • Streams with a utility on one side must have a 50 foot easement in addition to any existing utility easement The width of the utility cannot count towards the 50 foot requirement [1j • The stream segment proposed for restoration must be greater than or equal to 2 000 linear feet in length however exceptions may be made under certain circumstances There is no maximum length for a stream project Stream restoration opportunities that are less than 2 000 linear feet but involve relocation of the existing stream as a result of the proposed roadway were also considered • Less than 10 square mile drainage area (typically 1st and 2nd order streams 3rd order streams in some cases) and no greater than a 3'd order stream • Proposed stream segments must be perennial as indicated on USGS 24K Quadrangle Maps and /or in the NRCS Soil Surveys No more than 20 percent of the proposed restoration or enhancement project can be intermittent Wetland Restoration • Hydric soils must be present (might be relic) • Original wetland hydrology is altered by ditching the drains filling or other means caused by human influences • Proposed wetland restoration area lacks appropriate wetland vegetation • Minimum of 2 acres (unless associated with a stream project) in size but no maximum • Site is not comprised entirely of invasive vegetation species (i a manageable within reason) After identification of potential mitigation opportunities sites were further evaluated in the field Field evaluations at prospective mitigation sites were performed over the course of two days by staff with extensive experience in mitigation implementation Evaluations included an assessment of soils hydrology vegetative cover and landscape /watershed characteristics Sites were evaluated with consideration for an existing buffer and proximity to existing jurisdictional systems Notes were collected regarding species composition soil matrix and chroma and any site constraints (e g active farming culverts utilities) Site photos were also collected Based on the GIS analysis 20 tax parcels totalling approximately 1050 acres were identified as potentially containing mitigation opportunities (Table 1) [2l Table 1 Parcel Data and Field Evaluated Mitigation Opportunities PIN PID* OWNER PARCEL ADDRESS ACREAGE MITIGATION POTENTIAL 3535210554 00469558 DOCKERY DAVID N LINWOOD RD 428 Stream Enhancement (Site 1) DOCKERY 3535229884 1403024 PROPERTIES LLLP HUBERT ST 291 Stream Enhancement (Site 1) 3534287991 00469558 DOCKERY DAVID N 2900 LINWOOD RD 1016 Stream Enhancement (Site 1) HARRISON Stream Enhancement and 3562837404 1460409 CHARLES 6338 UNION RD 155 Restoration (Site 2) HARRISON Stream Enhancement and 3562839141 1460409 CHARLES 6338 UNION RD 193 Restoration (Site 2) HARRISON Stream Enhancement and 3562920627 1460409 CHARLES 6338 UNION RD 223 Restoration (Site 2) HARRISON Stream Enhancement and 3562922221 1460409 CHARLES WILSON RD 206 Restoration (Site 2) 362 CROWDERS 3533650153 1562686 FALLS ROBERT P CREEK RD 216 Wetland Enhancement (Site 3) 1113 SHANNON No Mitigation Potential impaired 3535098933 1550392 STILES PARKS BRADLEY RD 158 stream reach too short ROBINSON No Mitigation Potential stable 3535091505 03970476 ROBERT F & ANNIE DUNDEEN DR 262 stream SHANNON BRADLEY No Mitigation Potential impaired 3536009443 1550392 STILES PARKS RD 4 1 stream reach too short No Mitigation Potential stable 3552053030 1491098 ENTLER EARNEST L GRANNY TRL 47 stream THOMPSON No Mitigation Potential stable 3552039171 03994535 JAMES C JR SPARROW DAIRY RD 1793 stream FERGUSON MARGARETANN 162 WILSON FARM No Mitigation Potential 3562438039 1377773 QUINN RD 1372 functioning wetland system Omega Realty and 1208 UNION NEW No Mitigation Potential 3573819339 1505700 Development LLC HOPE RD 285 functioning wetland system UNION NEW HOPE No Mitigation Potential currently 3573830015 03974703 STOWE JEFFREY W RD 835 under construction MECKLENBURG Completed stream restoration 4502847583 14117111 COUNTY DIXIE RIVER RD 750 project MECKLENBURG Completed stream restoration 4512051925 14117112 COUNTY DIXIE RIVER RD 1050 project DIXIE RIVER LAND Completed stream restoration 4502649026 14117101 COMPANY LLC DIXIE RIVER RD 159 project DIXIE RIVER LAND No Mitigation Potential stable 4502820480 19925103 CO LLC DIXIE RIVER RD 1028 stream "Value is recognized as PID by Mecklenburg County (Mecklenburg County POLARIS database) and Owner Id by Gaston County (Gaston County GIs Web Site) In most cases the natural resource feature with mitigation opportunity extended across multiple parcels In which case the parcels were combined to facilitate field evaluation Following field evaluations seven parcels were found that contain opportunities for stream and /or wetland mitigation These parcels are grouped Into 3 sites (Sites 1 3) and are described [3] below. Figures and photographs for each site are also provided. All of the recommended sites will require additional analysis and feasibility studies to determine the full mitigation potential. Site 1: 2900 Linwood Road, Gastonia, NC (Linwood Golf Course) Owner: David Dockery Mitigation Opportunity: Stream Enhancement Site 1 (Figure 1) is located at 2900 Linwood Road in southwest Gastonia. The site consists of three tax parcels that total 173.5 acres. Land use consists of a golf course with routine maintenance associated with fairway upkeep. The site contains approximately 5,600 linear feet of Crowders Creek. Crowders Creek is a 303d listed stream for impaired biological integrity primarily resulting from urban runoff and storm sewers (North Carolina Division of Water Quality, 2006 Final 303d). The reach of Crowders Creek contained within the Site is deeply entrenched and characterized by steep banks, limited sinuosity, and a poor riparian buffer. Mowing occurs along both stream banks with only a limited stream buffer consisting of shrubs and grasses. Eroding stream banks were observed throughout this reach of Crowders Creek. Mitigation potential within Site 1 consists of stream enhancement opportunities along approximately 5,600 linear feet of Crowders Creek. Stream enhancement involves activities that result in improvements to the impaired stream and riparian corridor that restore dimension and profile (USACE 2003). However, Level 1 stream enhancement activities may include other techniques that ultimately result in improvement to channel stability, water quality, and in- stream habitat. Eroding banks and poor riparian buffer along Crowders Creek Stream enhancement approaches that are appropriate for this reach of Crowders Creek include stream bank stabilization (relaxing the grade of overly steep, unstable banks) and excavating a floodplain (or bankfull bench) adjacent to the channel. Additionally, planting a riparian buffer will enhance bank stability, increase channel shading, and provide additional wildlife habitat. Discussions with the landowner (David Dockery) indicated an interest in making improvements to Crowders Creek, so long as mitigation activities do not interfere with the continued operation of the golf course. Cooperation with adjacent landowners may also be necessary along a portion of the creek that flows adjacent to the parcel boundary. Additional analysis and feasibility studies are necessary to determine if mitigation activities are practical and cost effective. [4] created in support of logging activities. Mitigation potential within Site 3 consists of wetland enhancement opportunities for approximately 6.0 acres. Wetland enhancement primarily involves the re- introduction of functions that the existing wetland area previously performed. Wetland enhancement approaches that are appropriate for this Site include removal of timber slash, filling /grading ditches, ripping /discing areas compacted by logging equipment, and planting characteristic wetland species to restore the pre- disturbance community. The mitigation activity multiplier for wetland enhancement is 4.0. Wetland enhancement of approximately 6.0 acres may result in 1.5 wetland mitigation units (WMU). The USACE (in conjunction with NCDWQ and any other relevant regulatory agencies) ultimately determines the mitigation credit ratio for each project on a case -by -case basis. [7] I L�( ti _ L t t _ x- { C � Aw i Legend Sitel DSA 9 ROW Boundary DSA 9 Corridor Boundary 700 0 700 FEET SCALE: t IN = 700 FT Data Sources: 2008 Aerial Photo (NAIP) Parcel (Gaston County) Roads (NC OneMap) Streams (NHD) ROW and Corridor (DEIS, April 2009) prepared By: Y _ I s SU OqZ y" vil e: � 4 ��NLr Q �dJ.• 4. 1 MITIGATION POTENTIAL SITE I: 2900 LINWOOD ROAD GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA °vnBy: FIGURE MCG Ckd By: JWG JAN 2010 100010933 v,eva.ea er: MITIGATION POTENTIAL ow�ey: MCc FIGURE �O SITE 2: 6338 UNION ROAD cee By: JWG JAN 2010 POjeG GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 100010933 F ;r,..• ,r £ •c v, I 4t ti e + I �f t',�r �"� ''+ 1�•, r '� rh% -F a' •� � r Ft�;�tY �'�i ?+ '�� 4s �s a ° ly �� 1�`"rJ � .-�r� ,yam r��. ' j� :«' 4" ' � Awr S �: t', �: ' t � '� •' 7 Kam.,, 1• � � .,��F F`•i� �� \ �'\� , 9 �� . Y { t 4 w y 1• r � • � D i �� . ,* •.. � t c Vic. t' L r � Tel y AV ,C,sP i ir,� ► _,• ' i -F .# • .' W 1 0' rr ,..1yTF N r .ry `.... F A• ga,• r err ' S i'tr+P'' �' +!,Fl .1 t� r �^11 .mow+ Y• _ ay tl-T a �r Ir �y�-7 ' tea- �'�r,�, i Sa 7 { k ► Ml Lrs r lr /� /\ `• p �i 1 or e.. k�-� a� 1 � ' - : �- ivr - f �• i �r•"" :4�,y + f� - �y 1 i� 1ai_Y - Legend Site3 DSA 9 ROW Boundary DSA 9 Corridor Boundary 300 0 300 FEET SCALE: 1 IN = 300 FT Data Sources: 2008 Aerial Photo (NAIP) Parcel (Gaston County) Roads INC OneMap) Wetlands (U3321 delineation) ROW and Corridor (DEIS, April 2009) a� '�.` �_ � ` `� •r:` .- cam. :r'.. � _ - . ' 'p VL 1 d F R•a � Prepared By: MITIGATION POTENTIAL �. By' MCG FIGURE �® y SITE 3: 362 CROWDERS CREEK ROAD 3 cxd By: JwG Dare. JAN 2010 P' ° "" 100010933 GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA