20190159 Ver 1_(WEI) Viability Ltr_20210518

ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
LINDA CULPEPPER
Director
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
DWR# 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 02B .0240.
Feature
Classification
1Subject
Riparian Land uses
Buffer
2Nutrient
6Mitigation Tvpe Determination
onsite
to
Buffer
adjacent to Feature
Credit
Offset
w/in riparian areas
{0-200')
Viable
Viable at
Rule
2.273.02
lbs-N per
acre
JH 1 A
Stream
Yes
Mostly non -forested
agriculture fields with areas of
mature forest along the left
bank
3Yes
Yes (non-
forested
fields only)
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
Forested Areas - Preservation Site
per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5)
DEQ
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000

Strawberry Hill Site
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC.
April 30, 2019
Feature
Classification
'Subject
Riparian Land uses
Buffer
2Nutrient
6Mitigation Type Determination
onsite
to
Buffer
adjacent to Feature
Credit
Offset
w/in riparian areas
j0-200')
Viable
Viable at
Rule
2.273.02
lbs-N per
acre
JH 1 B
Stream
Yes
Left Bank - Mostly non-
forested agriculture fields w/
timbered areas downstream
(near road)
Right Bank - combination of
timbered disturbed forest and
cleared areas not in
agriculture.
Neuse riparian buffers shown
in Figure 3 were impacted
from timbering between 2014-
2016 in violation of the Neuse
Buffer rules. Therefore, no
buffer credit can be generated
within Zone 1 or Zone 2 of
the Neuse riparian buffer that
was timbered.
3Yes
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only)
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
Timbered Neuse Buffer (Zone 1 &
Zone 2)- no credit
Timbered & Cleared areas (beyond
the Neuse Buffer) - Restoration
Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
Timbered & Regenerated forest
(beyond the Neuse Buffer) -
Preservation Site per 15A NCAC
02B .0295 (o)(5)
JH2
Ditch
No
Mostly non -forested
agriculture fields with a pond
located on the left side. Area
beyond pond is forested
*see note
Yes
(non-
forested ag
fields only &
excluding
the pond
footprint)
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(8)
Forested Areas - no credit
*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.
Areas of impeded flow from
collapsed or compromised culverts
must be restored.
P
Irrigation
pond planned
to be drained,
backfilled &
planted
No
Combination of grass and
mature forest around pond
perimeter. Not in agriculture
*see note
No
*Buffer Mitigation Note - If pond is
drained, backfilled and planted, it can
become a restored riparian area along
JH2 and this area will be viable for
Restoration per 15A NCAC 02B
.0295 (o)(8)
Feature
Classification
'Subject
Riparian Land uses
Buffer
2Nutrient
6Mitigation Type Determination
onsite
to
Buffer
adjacent to Feature
Credit
Offset
w/in riparian areas
10-200')
Viable
Viable at
Rule
2.273.02
lbs-N per
acre
Page 2 of 5

Strawberry Hill Site
Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC.
April 30, 2019
JH3
(Starts at Rd
and ends at
JH5 DWR
flag)
Ditch
No
non -forested agriculture fields
Yes
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only))
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
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.
Culvert is partially compromised and
needs to be replaced or removed.
Irrigation piping observed parallel to
channel & needs to be removed
JH5
From DWR
flag-
Easement
boundary
(see map)
Stream
Yes
Left Bank - Ag field
Right Bank - mostly non-
forested agriculture with some
areas timbered & regenerated
forest not in agriculture.
Neuse riparian buffers shown
in Figure 3 were impacted
from timbering between 2014-
2016 in violation of the Neuse
Buffer rules. Therefore, no
buffer credit can be generated
within Zone 1 or Zone 2 of
the Neuse riparian buffer that
was timbered.
3Yes
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only)
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
Timbered Neuse Buffer (Zone 1 &
Zone 2)- no credit
Timbered & Regenerated forest
(beyond the Neuse Buffer) -
Preservation Site per 15A NCAC
02B .0295 (o)(5)
JH4
Ditch
No
Non -forested agriculture
fields
*see note
Yes
Fields - Restoration Site per 15A
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
fields
N/A
N/A
N/A
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
KAH/km
Attachments: Figure 3-Existing Conditions Map, Ditch Parameters Figure
cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt)
Jeff Schaffer- DMS ( via electronic mail)
Page 5 of 5

Figure 3 - Existing Conditions
Strawberry Hill
Mitigation Project

JH4
DA = 18.9 ac
Restored Buffer = 0.7 ac
Restored Buffer Area/DA = 3.7%
JH2/JH3
DA = 72.2 ac
Restored Buffer = 3.3 ac
Restored Buffer Area/DA = 4.6%
Legend
Proposed Easement (21.81 ac +/-)
Drainage Area
Buffer Mitigation
Restoration 0-100
Preservation 0-100
Stream Mitigation
Restoration
Enhancement II
Ditch Reach
Buffer Viability
Requested Ditch Parameters
Strawberry Hill Mitigation Site
2.9
3
2.9
2.8
2.6
JH2
Measured Average
Channel Depth Channel Depth
(ft.) (ft.)
2.4
1.8
2.5
2.6
2.8
1H3
JH4
Date 3/18/2019
2.5
2.95
2.7
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