20091236 Ver 2_Year 6 Monitoring Report_20210401

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20091236
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County: Brunswick
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Corey Novak

LOWER CAPE FEAR UMBRELLA MITIGATION BANK
WHITE SPRINGS TRACT
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

YEAR 6 ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT

Prepared For:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District
and
Inter-Agency Review Team (IRT)

Prepared by:
Land Management Group
Wilmington, NC
www.lmgroup.net

April 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. 1

2.0. PROJECT OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 1
A. Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1
B. Mitigation Goals and Objectives .............................................................................................. 2
C. Project Implementation ............................................................................................................. 2
3.0. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................................... 4

4.0 MONITORING RESULTS (YEAR 6) ................................................................................................. 5

5.0 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................. 5

LIST OF FIGURES, TABLES, AND APPENDICES

Figure 1 ................................................................................................................. White Springs Vicinity Map
Figure 2 ..................................................... Aerial Photograph with Site Boundary Overlay (Pre-Construction)
Figure 3A ............................................................................................... Aerial Photograph with Well Overlay
Figure 3B ........................................................................ Aerial Photograph with Stream Monitoring Overlay
Figure 4 ................................................................................................................. Wetland Community Types
Table 1. ................................................................................ Vegetation Plots and Wells by Community Type
Table 2. ..................................................................................................................... Vegetation Data by Plot

Appendix A. ......................................................................................................................... Site Photographs
Appendix B ............................................................................................... Vegetative Monitoring Data (2020)

Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – White Springs Tract
Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report (April 2021) 1
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
LCFUMB LLC (Bank Sponsor), has completed Year 6 annual monitoring of the White Springs Tract of the
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank. The White Springs Tract encompasses 72 acres, including 64.4
acres of non-riparian (i.e. pocosin and wet pine savanna) wetland restoration and 1.8 acres of riparian wetland
restoration (small stream swamp). In addition, 1,312 lf of first-order stream channel has been restored near the
down-gradient section of the site. A total of 72 acres have been placed into a perpetual conservation easement
for the long-term protection of the site.

Restoration activities included Priority II restoration of the first order single-thread stream channel. Upstream of
the first-order stream restoration, the existing, incised channel was widened, and its bed elevation was raised.
Lateral ditches that flowed into the channel (including both the first-order stream and the ditch upstream) were
backfilled with spoil from the channel work and plugged with clay material. The restored riparian wetland valley
associated with the restored first-order stream was planted with characteristic wetland trees. All restoration
work (including earthwork and plantings) was completed in April 2015. (Refer to the As-Built Report submitted
June 2015 for more detailed information regarding the implementation of the White Springs Tract).

The approved restoration plan stipulates seven years of vegetation monitoring and five years of hydrologic
monitoring. Following the completion of the earthwork, a total of three (3) 0.05-acre plots were established in
the riparian wetland planted area. A total of thirteen (13) shallow groundwater monitoring wells were installed
throughout the site (including 2 gauges within the first-order stream channel).

Hydrologic (including stream and wetland) monitoring has been discontinued since the five years of data
collected met the success criteria established in the restoration plan. The annual vegetation monitoring was
conducted in October 2020. Based upon the data collected, planted areas exhibit a high rate of survivorship of
characteristic wetland tree seedlings.

2.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW
A. Introduction
Construction of the White Springs Tract (72-acre project area) portion of the Lower Cape Fear Umbrella
Mitigation Bank was initiated in February 2015. The tract is located east of NC Hwy 133 (River Road SE) and
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – White Springs Tract
Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report (April 2021) 2
immediately north of the Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point (MOTSU) Access Road approximately 4 miles
north of Southport, NC (Figure 1). The site boundary is depicted in Figure 2.1 The project includes
approximately 64.4 acres of non-riparian (i.e. pocosin and wet pine savanna) wetland restoration, 1.8 acres of
riparian (small stream swamp) wetland restoration, and 1,312 linear feet of first-order stream restoration.
Restoration activities included earthwork (back-filling lateral ditches, installing reinforced clay plugs, and the
Priority II restoration of the first order single-thread stream channel); raising and widening the incised channel
above the first-order stream; planting of characteristic riparian wetland vegetation; and the installation of
monitoring devices. The White Springs portion of the Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank is intended to
provide suitable, high-quality wetland mitigation for authorized impacts within the Lower Cape Fear River Basin
(Cataloging Unit 03030005).

B. Mitigation Goals and Objectives
The objective of the White Springs restoration project is to provide for the functional restoration and ecological
up-lift of wetland and stream habitat via the re-establishment of characteristic hydrologic conditions and
vegetative assemblages. It is anticipated that several key wetland functions and values will be restored
including floodwater retention/abatement, sediment retention, nutrient transformation, and increased habitat
connectivity. The project offers the unique opportunity to restore a wetland complex that includes a first-order
single thread stream, riparian small-stream swamp, non-riparian pocosin, and non-riparian pine savanna.

C. Project Implementation
Restoration activities were initiated in February 2015. Restoration work included Priority II restoration of the
first order single-thread stream channel. Upstream of the first-order stream restoration, the existing, incised
channel was widened, and its bed elevation was raised. Grading work (including the removal of spoil piles)
along this segment of the reach has resulted in the establishment of a low flow valley contiguous with the
restored first order reach.

Lateral ditches that flowed into the channel (including both the first-order stream and the ditch upstream) were
backfilled with spoil from the channel work and plugged with clay material. Backfilling of ditches and the

1 Note that a conservation easement for the property was recorded and conveyed to the Land Trust for America. The
recorded conservation easement plat was submitted with the Mitigation Banking Instrument.

Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – White Springs Tract
Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report (April 2021) 3
primary outlet canal in conjunction with the restoration of the stream channel is intended to restore
characteristic wetland hydroperiods on the site.

Planting of the restored riparian wetland valley associated with the restored first-order stream was conducted
by Land Management Group (LMG) in April 2014. Plant material was provided by South Carolina SuperTree
Nursery (Blenheim, SC). Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) were planted in the valley bottom while Atlantic
white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) were planted on the valley slopes. A total of 3,000 seedlings were
planted across the 1.8-acre riparian wetland restoration area.

As part of the implementation of the restoration plan, LMG installed a total of eleven (11) automated shallow
groundwater monitoring wells (RDS, Inc. WM-40s) within the 66.2-ac restoration area (Figure 3A). The number
of monitoring wells installed was proportional to the area of each community type. Per the restoration plan,
seven (7) wells were installed in pocosin, two (2) wells were installed in pine savanna, and two (2) wells were
installed in riparian wetlands. These wells were installed on March 26 and April 14 (2015). Note that Well #10
was recently determined to be in uplands, leaving six (6) wells remaining in pocosin. In addition, a total of three
(3) automated wells have been installed within the identified non-riparian reference wetland area immediately
east of the mitigation site (Figure 3A). Data from the reference wells are used for comparative analyses to
evaluate the hydrology of the wetland restoration areas. In addition to the groundwater monitoring wells, two
(2) stream gauges were installed in the restored first-order stream channel (Figure 3B). These gauges
document bankfull events. The stream gauges were installed on March 26, 2015 (SG2) and April 14, 2015
(SG1). Three (3) permanent 0.05-ac vegetation plots were randomly established within the 1.8-ac riparian
wetland restoration area. The four (4) corners of each plot are marked with rebar and flagged PVC. GPS
coordinates are provided in Figure 3B. The number of wells and vegetation plots by community type are
provided in Table 1.

Well monitoring has been completed and hydrologic restoration has been deemed successful per the USACE
Credit Release Letter dated June 29, 2020. Stream monitoring has also been deemed successful per the
USACE Credit Release Letter dated December 15, 2020. As a result, no further reporting of hydrologic or
stream monitoring data is necessary. Results of the Year 6 annual vegetation monitoring event are reported
below.

Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – White Springs Tract
Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report (April 2021) 4
Table 1. Vegetation Plots and Wells by Community Type

3.0 MONITORING REQUIREMENTS
Annual monitoring includes both a vegetative and hydrologic component per the approved restoration plan.
Vegetation monitoring is being conducted near the end of each growing season for a period of seven years.
The vegetative component includes an assessment of the conditions within each of the three 0.05-ac
permanent monitoring plots that have been established in the riparian wetland restoration area. Hydrologic
(including stream and wetland) monitoring was conducted throughout the calendar year for a period of five
years. Hydrologic monitoring has ceased subsequent to meeting hydrologic success criteria in Year 5.

The following are the specific success criteria for the vegetation monitoring of the wetland restoration areas.

(1) Demonstrated density of planted species to meet or exceed 210 trees per acre at the end of 7 years
(post-planting).

(2) No single volunteer species (most notably, red maple, loblolly pine, and sweet gum) will comprise more
than 50% of the total composition at year 2 or 3. If this occurs, remedial procedures will be
implemented. During years 4 & 5, no single volunteer species, comprising over 50% of the total
composition, may be more than half the height of the planted trees. If this occurs, remedial procedures
will be implemented.

Community Type Area/Length (ac/ft) Vegetation Plots Monitoring Wells
Wet Pine Savanna 6.7 0 2
Pocosin 57.7 0 6
Riparian Wetland 1.8 3 2
First-Order Stream 1,312 (lf) 0 2 (gauges)
Non-restorable Areas 5.8 0 1
TOTAL 72 3 13
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – White Springs Tract
Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report (April 2021) 5
4.0 MONITORING RESULTS (YEAR 6)
A total of 104 planted stems were enumerated throughout the three 0.05-ac plots. For planted species, the
total number of stems identified corresponds to an average density of 700 stems per acre (35 stems per 0.05-
ac plot) within the riparian wetland restoration area (Table 2). All the plots exceeded the Year 7 minimum of 11
stems. As indicated above, bald cypress were planted in the valley bottom while Atlantic white cedar were
planted on the valley slopes. Therefore, bald cypress is the only planted species in the vegetation monitoring
plots.

Several woody volunteers, including fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), and redbay
(Persea borbonia) were identified throughout the riparian wetland corridor. The presence of these desirable
volunteer species has contributed increased diversity and is indicative of the targeted wetland community type.
No single volunteer species comprised more than 50% of the total composition in any of the monitoring plots.
Visual observations of the planted stream valley have revealed an apparent increase in the volume of pine and
sweetgum volunteers (mostly pine) in the upper portion of the valley. Suppression of these undesirable
volunteers was initiated in August 2019 and has continued throughout 2020. Refer to Appendix A for
photographs of site conditions in 2020. A comprehensive plot data table is provided in Appendix B.

Table 2. Vegetation Data by Plot1

Species Common Name
Planted (P)
or
Volunteer
(V)
Plot 1 Plot 2 Plot 3 Year 5 Year 0 Year 5 Year 0 Year 5 Year 0 Taxodium distichum bald cypress P 44 44 31 34 29 30
TOTAL 44 44 31 34 29 30
1 Plots are 0.05-acre in size (20m X 10m).

5.0 CONCLUSION
Hydrologic data collected during the first five years of monitoring confirm the re-establishment of hydrology
characteristic of the target habitats across the site as a result of the earthwork completed during project
initiation. Removal of the large outlet canal in conjunction with the re-contouring of the first-order stream valley
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank – White Springs Tract
Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report (April 2021) 6
has resulted in the connection of headwater wetland areas to White Springs Creek. There has been a
discernible hydrologic response indicating the restoration of key hydrologic functions relating to water storage
and groundwater recharge within the system.

Vegetation monitoring of the project area indicate that the site is progressing well during the sixth year following
the implementation of the restoration activities. Vegetation data document high rates of survivorship among the
planted species ( stem density = 700 stems per acre). No significant vegetation issues were noted.

Overall, the site appears to be performing very well. The restoration site is already providing key wetland
functions via the reduction of sediment/nutrient runoff; increased nutrient retention/transformation; increased
floodwater storage; and the enhancement and protection of wildlife habitat. The restored first-order stream
channel and the zero-order stream valley up-gradient from the channel support a diverse assemblage of
benthic macroinvertebrates. Wetland hydrology has been reestablished across the site. The vegetation on the
site will continue to be monitored over the next year (through Year 7), and the findings of such will be provided
in the final annual monitoring report for agency review and concurrence.
FIGURES
Figure 1.
White Springs Vicinity Map
0 1 2
Miles
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank
(White Springs Tract)
Brunswick County
Map Source: DeLorme: North Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer., 1997 p. 87.
*Boundaries are approximate and are not meant to be absolute.
SITE
N
Figure 2.
Aerial Photograph
with Site Boundary Overlay
(Pre-Construction)
Map Source: 2012 NC OneMap Aerial Photography
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella
Mitigation Bank
Brunswick County, NC
LMG # 01-13-038A
www.lmgroup.net
3805 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
*Boundaries are approximate and are not meant to be absolute.
N
SCALE 1" = 300’
(when printed at 11”x17”)
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
Figure 3A.
Aerial Photograph
with Well Overlay
Map Source: 2012 NC OneMap Aerial Photography
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella
Mitigation Bank
Brunswick County, NC
LMG # 01-13-038A
www.lmgroup.net
3805 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
*Boundaries are approximate and are not meant to be absolute.
N
SCALE 1" = 300’
(when printed at 11”x17”)
Legend
!(Monitoring Well
!(Reference well
!(Stream Gauge
Vegetation Plot
Cross-Section Profile
Stream Restoration
WELL ID SERIAL NUMBER
1 14EBC1BB
2 14EB5F7E
3 14EB15E1
4 14EBB9C2
5 14EB5F56
6 14EB334E
7 14EB1637
8 14EB7E88
9 14EB7F0B
10 removed
11 14EBC2B0
SG 1 14EB7E85
SG 2 14EBC215
Ref 1 EBDDCDF
Ref 2 9DE68CC
Ref 3 EBD36B8
5
4
3
2
1
6 7
SG 1
SG 2
8
11
10
9
Ref 1
Ref 2
Ref 3
Sxs1
Sxs2
Sxs3
Xs1
Xs2
Xs3
Xs4
!(
!(
!(!(
!(
!(
!(
!(
Figure 3B.
Aerial Photograph
with Stream Monitoring Overlay
Map Source: 2012 NC OneMap Aerial Photography
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella
Mitigation Bank
Brunswick County, NC
LMG # 01-13-038A
www.lmgroup.net
3805 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
*Boundaries are approximate and are not meant to be absolute.
N
SCALE 1" = 150’
(when printed at 11”x17”)
Legend
!(Monitoring Well
!(Reference well
!(Stream Gauge
Vegetation Plot
Cross-Section Profile
Stream Restoration
Xs1
Xs2 Xs3
Xs4
Vp1
Vp2 Vp3
1
2 3
4
4 3
2 1
1
2 3
4
VP1 VP2 VP3
33.987720 corner 1 33.987345 corner 1 33.987107 corner 1
-78.028097 -78.027242 -78.026653
33.987623 corner 2 33.987265 corner 2 33.987022 corner 2
-78.028152 -78.027323 -78.026678
33.987658 corner 3 33.987185 corner 3 33.987068 corner 3
-78.027895 -78.027122 -78.026443
33.987592 corner 4 33.987138 corner 4 33.986992 corner 4
-78.027928 -78.027178 -78.026480
GPS Coordinates
R3
R1
R2
W5
W11
W4
W3
W1
W2
W7W6
W8
W10
W9
Project:
Title:
Date:Revision Date:
Drawn By:
Job Number:Scale:
Figure:
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank
White Springs Tract
Wetland Community Types
1/23/2017
1"=400'
GSF
01-09-117
4
L:\WETLANDS\2013 WETLANDS FILES\01-13-038A --- LCFUMB, Monitoring, Jon Vincent\ACAD\White_Springs_Tract_01_20_2017.dwg
Telephone: [phone]
Post Office Box 2522
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
NOTE: This Is Not An Engineered, Survey, or Architectural Drawing.
Linear Measurements and Area Calculations are Approximate.
NOTE: Parcel Boundaries From Brunswich County GIS.
Aerial is dated 2014.
800400200
PRELIMINARY
0
Riparian Wetland Restoration 1.8 ac
Stream Restoration
Non Riparian Wetland Restoration 6.7 ac
Pine Savannah
Non Riparian Wetland Restoration 57.7 ac
Pocosin
Total Mitigation Bank Site 72 ac
Non Restorable Areas 5.8 ac
W
(Conservation Easement)
Monitoring Well (11)
RReference Well (3)
1/22/2018
APPENDIX A.
SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
APPENDIX A. SITE PHOTOS
LCFUMB, White Springs – Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report
Appendix A. Site Photos

1
(1) View of bald cypress at Vegetation Plot 2 (October 2020)

(2) View of riparian plantings (April 2020)
APPENDIX A. SITE PHOTOS
LCFUMB, White Springs – Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report
Appendix A. Site Photos

2
(3) View of Vegetation Plot 1 (October 2020)

(4) View of Vegetation Plot 2 (October 2020)

APPENDIX A. SITE PHOTOS
LCFUMB, White Springs – Year 6 Annual Monitoring Report
Appendix A. Site Photos

3
(5) View of bald cypress at Vegetation Plot 3 (August 2020)

(6) View of Vegetation Plot 3 (October 2020)
APPENDIX B.
VEGETATIVE MONITORING DATA (2020)
Lower Cape Fear Umbrella Mitigation Bank
White Springs Tract
Appendix B. Vegetation Data by Plot Year 6 (2020)
BASELINE
Species Name Common Name Planted (P) Volunteer (V)Plot 1Plot 2Plot 3Plot 1Plot 2Plot 3Taxodium distichum bald cypress P 44 31 29 44 34 30
Pinus spp.unidentified pine V 57 27 8
Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry V 1 4 0
Nyssa sylvatica black gum V 0 20 0
Lyonia lucida fetterbush V 41 51 55
Magnolia virginiana sweet bay V 2 0 0
Ilex glabra inkberry V 6 17 7
Morella cerifera wax myrtle V 1 5 1
Cyrilla racemiflora swamp titi V 40 51 60
Rhus copallinum winged sumac V 0 0 0
Baccharis halimifolia baccharis V 0 11 0
Persea borbonia red bay V 14 16 12
Gordonia lasianthus loblolly bay V 36 0 0
Ilex opaca american holly V 0 0 1
Clethera alnifolia sweet pepperbush V 0 3 0
Itea virginica Virginia sweetspire V 0 0 3
Total Stems of Planted Species 44 31 29
Total Stems of Planted Species +
Volunteer Species 242 236 176