20161268_Mitigation Plans_20120605

U- 4751/R -3300
Proposed Military Cutoff Extension/US 17 Hampstead Bypass
New Hanover and Pender Counties
Conceptual Mitigation Plan
June 2012
NCDOT typically provides mitigation at a 2:1 ratio for unavoidable wetland and stream
impacts. The final mitigation ratio will not be set until the Corps and DWQ have sent out the
permit application for public review and comment. At a minimum, NCDOT will provide
wetland restoration at a 1:1 ratio for unavoidable wetland impacts. The remainder of required
mitigation will be provided with a combination of restoration, enhancement or preservation.
NCDOT will attempt to provide mitigation that is functionally equivalent to impacted streams
and wetlands. Mitigation will be located in the same HUC as the project, if possible.
NCDOT will mitigate for any unavoidable wetland impacts on the Corbett Tract
mitigation site at a ratio determined by the regulatory agencies during permit processing.
NCDOT will include preservation of the existing wetlands on the Plantation Road site
and two residual sites as part of the wetland mitigation offered. These sites were acquired as part
of the US 17 Wilmington Bypass (TIP Project R- 2405A). Information available indicates that no
wetland mitigation from these sites or the Corbett Strip site was used to offset impacts of the
US 17 Wilmington Bypass.
The table below is an estimate of wetlands existing on these sites. The selected
alternative for the proposed project will not impact the two residual sites but may slightly impact
the Plantation Road site (less than 0.25 acre).
NCDOT Owned Sites
Site
Estimated Wetlands (acres)
Plantation Road
33.55
34 -Acre Residual
31.14
22 -Acre Residual
4.73
NCDOT will investigate potential on -site stream and wetland mitigation opportunities
since the preferred alternative has been selected. A corridor review will be conducted along the
selected alternative. This corridor review will evaluate parcels within or immediately adjacent to
the project right -of -way for their potential as on -site stream and wetland mitigation.
During the project development process, NCDOT has been approached by some
landowners about the possibility of selling property for use as mitigation. These properties will
be further investigated during the corridor review process.
Following the corridor review, feasibility studies will be conducted on any potential
mitigation sites identified during the review. Site planning will begin on any sites deemed
feasible. These site plans will be submitted with the permit application for the project.

Mitigation will be requested from the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) to cover any additional mitigation
required.
The table below lists existing mitigation sites in the 3030007 and 03020302 (formerly
3030001) HUC.
Existing Mitigation Sites
In February of every year, NCDOT provides the EEP with an estimate of the amount of
wetland and stream impacts for every project funded for constriction in the NCDOT Ten -Year
Work Program. Impact projections for this project have been provided to EEP for inclusion in
their Operational Strategic Planning (OSP). The OSP will evaluate the mitigation needs in an
area based on the impact projections, current mitigation assets, and planned projects. This
evaluation includes reviewing existing water quality data, Wildlife Action Plan and Natural
Heritage Program surveys. In accordance with the "Memorandum of Agreement among the
North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Wilmington District ", July 22, 2003, the EEP will provide offsite mitigation to satisfy the federal
Clean Water Act compensatory mitigation requirements for this project.
As part of its standard process, EEP requests for proposals include a limit on the amount
of wetland and stream preservation offered in order to target restoration and enhancement
opportunities.
Riparian
Nonriparian
Stream
Wetland
Wetland
HUC
River Basin
Status
(Feet)
(Acres)
(Acres)
In the ground
0
582
528
3030007
Cape Fear
Under
6,797
0
0
construction
In the ground
3,065
4
3
03020302
Onslov, Bay
Under
4,000
4
0
construction
Total
13,862
590
531
In February of every year, NCDOT provides the EEP with an estimate of the amount of
wetland and stream impacts for every project funded for constriction in the NCDOT Ten -Year
Work Program. Impact projections for this project have been provided to EEP for inclusion in
their Operational Strategic Planning (OSP). The OSP will evaluate the mitigation needs in an
area based on the impact projections, current mitigation assets, and planned projects. This
evaluation includes reviewing existing water quality data, Wildlife Action Plan and Natural
Heritage Program surveys. In accordance with the "Memorandum of Agreement among the
North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Wilmington District ", July 22, 2003, the EEP will provide offsite mitigation to satisfy the federal
Clean Water Act compensatory mitigation requirements for this project.
As part of its standard process, EEP requests for proposals include a limit on the amount
of wetland and stream preservation offered in order to target restoration and enhancement
opportunities.