20190661 Ver 1_Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Report and Appendix_20210628

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Sassarixa Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Report and
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Abbreviated
Buffer Baseline
Monitoring Report
Final Buffer Baseline Monitoring Report -
June 2021
Abbreviated - June 2021
SASSARIXA SWAMP MITIGATION SITE
Johnston County, NC
NCDEQ Contract No. 7425
DMS ID No. 100040
DWR Project Number 2018-0198
Neuse River Basin
HUC 03020201
RFP #: 16-007279

ABBREVIATED BUFFER BASELINE MONITORING REPORT
PREPARED FOR:
PREPARED BY:
SASSARIXA SWAMP MITIGATION SITE
Johnston County, NC
NCDEQ Contract No. 7425
DMS ID No. 100040
Neuse River Basin
HUC 03020201
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Mitigation Services
1652 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1652
WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
312 West Millbrook Road, Suite 225
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: [phone]
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
DMS ID No. 100040
Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Monitoring Report
Page i June 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Mitigation Project Summary 1
2.0 Baseline Summary 1
2.1 Parcel Preparation 1
2.2 Riparian Area Restoration Activities 1
2.3 Riparian Area Enhancement Activities 2
2.4 Riparian Area Preservation Activities 2
3.0 Annual Monitoring 2
3.1 Vegetation 2
3.2 Maintenance and Contingency Plans 2
TABLES
Table 1: Tree Species Planted within the Buffer Areas
APPENDIX
Table 1
Table 2
Figure 1
Figure 2
Buffer Project Attributes
Planted and Total Stem Counts
Service Area Map
Monitoring Plan View Map
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
DMS ID No. 100040
Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Monitoring Report
Page i June 2021

Mitigation Project Summary
The Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site (Site) is a riparian restoration project located in Johnston County
approximately six miles southwest of Smithfield and five miles north of Four Oaks (Figure 1). Figure 2
depicts the service area of the Site which does not include the Falls Lake watershed in the Neuse River
Basin. A conservation easement comprised of 65.06 acres along Sassarixa Creek and seven unnamed
tributaries to Sassarixa Creek, along with six unnamed tributaries to Black Creek was recorded on the
Site (Figure 3). Before construction, the Site was characterized by a mix of active pastures, fields, and
woodlands. The project is expected to generate 1,080,282.590 riparian buffer credits.
The Site is within Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201130030 and North Carolina Department of
Water Resources (NCDWR) Sub -basin 03-04-04. The Site drains to Holts Lake, which is a recreational lake
classified as Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW). Holts Lake then drains to the Neuse River, which is a
water supply for the City of Goldsboro.
The buffer project attributes are listed in Table 1, located in the Appendix.
2.0 Baseline Summary
The Wildlands Team restored riparian areas along Sassarixa Creek and seven unnamed tributaries to
Sassarixa Creek, along with six unnamed tributaries to Black Creek on the Site. The buffer mitigation
took place in conjunction with Sassarixa Swamp Stream Mitigation. The project design minimized
impacts to existing riparian areas at the Site. Figure 2 illustrates the design for the Site. Detailed
descriptions of the restoration activity follow in Sections 2.1 through 2.4.
2.1 Parcel Preparation
Prior to stream construction, the Site was a mix of active pastures, fields, and woodlands. The pond
along T2 was removed as part of the stream restoration. During stream construction, invasive plants
were targeted and removed to reduce native competition. Soil amendments were added to certain
graded areas after construction as directed by soil test results. Amendments included agricultural lime,
slow release fertilizer, and soil conditioners (humic acid, organic material, soil biota stimulants). Haul
roads and other high trafficked areas were also ripped to a depth of 18" where possible to reduce soil
compaction.
2.2 Riparian Area Restoration Activities
The revegetation plan for the riparian restoration area included planting bare root trees and live stakes
(Table 1) as well as permanent seeding. In total, 9,619 woody stems were planted across the Site.
Vegetation management and herbicide applications will be implemented as needed during tree
establishment in the restoration areas to prevent establishment of invasive species that could compete
with the planted native species.
Wildlands planted trees at a density sufficient to meet the performance standards outlined in the Rule
15A NCAC 02B .0295 of 260 trees per acre at the end of five years. An appropriate seed mix was applied
as necessary to provide temporary ground cover for soil stabilization and reduction of sediment loss
during rain events in disturbed areas. This was followed by an appropriate permanent seed mixture.
Tree planting was completed in March 2021.
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
DMS ID No. 100040
Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Monitoring Report
Page 1 June 2021

Table 1: Tree Species Planted within the Buffer Areas
Scientific Name
Common Name
Total Number Planted
Acer negundo
Boxelder
540
Betula nigra
River birch
1,907
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
1,907
Populus deltoides
Eastern cottonwood
1,396
Quercus nigra
Water oak
551
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
66
Quercus michauxii
Swamp chestnut oak
1,396
Quercus phellos
Willow oak
1,379
Magnolia virginiana
Sweetbay magnolia
463
Salix nigra
Black willow
33
Ulmus alata
Winged elm
33
2.3 Riparian Area Enhancement Activities
Fencing was used to exclude cattle throughout the project as allowed by 15A NCAC 02B .0295(o) and
minimal work was done on the streams through the enhancement areas. The enhancement areas have
been protected in perpetuity under a conservation easement.
Vegetation management and herbicide applications were implemented prior to construction along
existing forested areas to prevent the spread of invasive species that could compete with planted native
species. Dense Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and trifoliate orange (Citrus trifoliata) was removed
along Sassarixa Creek. Sporadic trees of Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana), tree -of -heaven (Ailanthus
altissima), and princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa) were removed along T4 and T5. Invasive species will
continued to be monitored and controlled as necessary.
2.4 Riparian Area Preservation Activities
No work was done in the buffer preservation areas, as allowed under 15A NCAC 02B .0295(o). The
preservation area has been protected in perpetuity under a conservation easement.
Annual Monitoring
3.1 Vegetation
Ten fixed 100 square meter vegetation monitoring quadrants were installed across the Site to measure
the survival of the planted stems (Figure 2) with a stem density range of 445 to 648 planted stems per
acre (Table 2). Vegetation monitoring follows the CVS-EEP Level 2 Protocol for Recording Vegetation
(2008). All planted stems were marked with flagging tape and a reference photograph was taken from
the southwestern corner of each vegetation plot during vegetation assessments. The Appendix includes
the baseline (MVO) vegetation plot planted and total stem counts.
3.2 Maintenance and Contingency Plans
The conservation easement has been properly and accurately marked by adding witness posts with
easement placards along the easement boundary and at every corner. Adaptive management will be
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
DMS ID No. 100040
Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Monitoring Report
Page 2 June 2021

performed during the monitoring years to address minor issues as necessary. If during annual
monitoring it is determined the project's ability to achieve performance standards are jeopardized,
Wildlands will notify and work with the DMS/NCDWR to develop contingency plans and remedial
actions. Any actions implemented will be designed to achieve the success criteria specified previously
and will include a work schedule and updated monitoring criteria (if applicable).
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
DMS ID No. 100040
Abbreviated Buffer Baseline Monitoring Report
Page 3 June 2021

APPENDIX

Table 1. Buffer Project Attributes
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 0 - 2021
Project Name
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Hydrologic Unit Code
03020201130030
River Basin
Neuse
Geographic Location (Lat, Long)
35° 28' 19.75" N, 78° 26' 9.60" W
Site Protection Instrument (DB/PG)
DB3624/PG581
DB3719/PG4717
DB4358/PG908
DB46061/PG183
Total Credits
1,080,282.59 ft2
Types of Credits
Riparian Buffer
Mitigation Plan Date
November 2019
Initial Planting Date
March 5, 2021
Baseline Report Date
June 2021
MY1 Report Date
MY2 Report Date
MY3 Report Date
MY4 Report Date
MY5 Report Date

Table 2. Vegetation Plot Data
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 0 - 2021
Planted Acreage
Date of Initial Plant
Date of Current Survey
Plot size (ACRES)
13.03
2021-03-05
2021-03-11
0.0247
Scientific Name
Common Name
Tree/
Shrub
Indicator
Status
Veg Plot 1 F
Veg Plot 2 F
Veg Plot 3 F
Veg Plot 4 F
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Species
Included in
Approved
Mitigation Plan
Acer negundo
boxelder
Tree
FAC
1
1
1
1
1
1
Betula nigra
river birch
Tree
FACW
3
3
4
4
1
1
Magnolia virginiana
sweetbay
Tree
FACW
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
Platanus occidentalis
American sycamore
Tree
FACW
3
3
3
3
4
4
2
2
Populus deltoides
eastern cottonwood
Tree
FAC
1
1
3
3
2
2
Quercus michauxii
swamp chestnut oak
Tree
FACW
2
2
2
2
4
4
Quercus nigra
water oak
Tree
FAC
2
2
1
1
1
1
Quercus phellos
willow oak
Tree
FACW
1
1
2
2
3
3
3
3
Sum
Performance Standard
14
14
11
11
15
15
15
15
Mitigation Plan
Performance
Standard
Current Year Stem Count
14
11
15
15
Stems/Acre
567
445
607
607
Species Count
8
5
6
8
Dominant Species Composition (%)
21
27
27
27
Average Plot Height
3
2
2
2
% Invasives
0
0
0
0
Post Mitigation
Plan
Performance
Standard
Current Year Stem Count
14
11
15
15
Stems/Acre
567
445
607
607
Species Count
8
5
6
8
Dominant Species Composition (%)
21
27
27
27
Average Plot Height
3
2
2
2
% Invasives
0
0
0
0

Table 2. Vegetation Plot Data
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 0 - 2021
Planted Acreage
Date of Initial Plant
Date of Current Survey
Plot size (ACRES)
13.03
2021-03-05
2021-03-11
0.0247
Scientific Name
Common Name
Tree/
Shrub
Indicator
Status
Veg Plot 5 F
Veg Plot 6 F
Veg Plot 7 F
Veg Plot 8 F
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Species
Included in
Approved
Mitigation Plan
Acer negundo
boxelder
Tree
FAC
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
2
Betula nigra
river birch
Tree
FACW
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Magnolia virginiana
sweetbay
Tree
FACW
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Platanus occidentalis
American sycamore
Tree
FACW
4
4
2
2
4
4
3
3
Populus deltoides
eastern cottonwood
Tree
FAC
1
1
1
1
Quercus michauxii
swamp chestnut oak
Tree
FACW
1
1
4
4
3
3
5
5
Quercus nigra
water oak
Tree
FAC
1
1
Quercus phellos
willow oak
Tree
FACW
2
2
3
3
2
2
1
1
Sum
Performance Standard
12
12
14
14
14
14
14
14
Mitigation Plan
Performance
Standard
Current Year Stem Count
12
14
14
14
Stems/Acre
486
567
567
567
Species Count
7
6
7
7
Dominant Species Composition (%)
33
29
29
36
Average Plot Height
3
3
2
3
% Invasives
0
0
0
0
Post Mitigation
Plan
Performance
Standard
Current Year Stem Count
12
14
14
14
Stems/Acre
486
567
567
567
Species Count
7
6
7
7
Dominant Species Composition (%)
33
29
29
36
Average Plot Height
3
3
2
3
% Invasives
0
0
0
0

Table 2. Vegetation Plot Data
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 0 - 2021
Planted Acreage
Date of Initial Plant
Date of Current Survey
Plot size (ACRES)
13.03
2021-03-05
2021-03-11
0.0247
Scientific Name
Common Name
Tree/
Shrub
Indicator
Status
Veg Plot 9 F
Veg Plot 10 F
Planted
Total
Planted
Total
Species
Included in
Approved
Mitigation Plan
Acer negundo
boxelder
Tree
FAC
3
3
1
1
Betula nigra
river birch
Tree
FACW
3
3
2
2
Magnolia virginiana
sweetbay
Tree
FACW
1
1
2
2
Platanus occidentalis
American sycamore
Tree
FACW
5
5
3
3
Populus deltoides
eastern cottonwood
Tree
FAC
2
2
2
2
Quercus michauxii
swamp chestnut oak
Tree
FACW
1
1
2
2
Quercus nigra
water oak
Tree
FAC
1
1
Quercus phellos
willow oak
Tree
FACW
1
1
2
2
Sum
Performance Standard
16
16
15
15
Mitigation Plan
Performance
Standard
Current Year Stem Count
16
15
Stems/Acre
648
607
Species Count
7
8
Dominant Species Composition (%)
31
20
Average Plot Height
2
2
% Invasives
0
0
Post Mitigation
Plan
Performance
Standard
Current Year Stem Count
16
15
Stems/Acre
648
607
Species Count
7
8
Dominant Species Composition (%)
31
20
Average Plot Height
2
2
% Invasives
0
0

Table 3. Vegetation Performance Standards Summary Table
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Monitoring Year 0 - 2021
Veg Plot 1 F
Veg Plot 2 F
Veg Plot 3 F
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Monitoring Year 5
Monitoring Year 4
Monitoring Year 3
Monitoring Year 2
Monitoring Year 1
0a
Monitoring Year 0
3
8
0
445
2
0
607
2
Veg Plot 4 F
Veg Plot 5 F
Veg Plot 6 F
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Monitoring Year 5
Monitoring Year 4
Monitoring Year 3
Monitoring Year 2
Monitoring Year 1
Monitoring Year 0
607
2
8
0
486
3
7
0
567
3
6
0
Veg Plot 7 F
Veg Plot 8 F
Veg Plot 9 F
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Monitoring Year 5
Monitoring Year 4
Monitoring Year 3
Monitoring Year 2
Monitoring Year 1
Monitoring Year 0
` 567
2
7
+ 0
567
3
7
0
648
2
7
0
Veg Plot 10 F
Stems/Ac.
Av. Ht. (ft)
# Species
% Invasives
Monitoring Year 5
Monitoring Year 4
Monitoring Year 3
Monitoring Year 2
Monitoring Year 1
Monitoring Year 0 "607
2
8
0

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Smilhtield
1WWILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
0 5 10 Miles
I I I
Figure 1. Service Area Map
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Baseline Monitoring Report (MYO)
Neuse River Basin 03020201
Johnston County, NC

irkOWILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
0 500 1,000 Feet
11111
r 7_ j Conservation Easement
Internal Crossing
Utility Easement
Project Features
Project Stream
Project Ephemeral Channel
Project Ditch
Mitigation Approach
Buffer Restoration
Buffer Enhancement
Cattle Exclusion
Coastal Headwaters
Buffer Preservation
Not for Credit
Vegetation Plot
Fencing
Surveyed Treeline
Gates
Figure 2. Monitoring Plan View Map Key
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Baseline Monitoring Report (MYO)
Neuse River Basin (03020201)
Johnston County, NC

14WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
0 200 400 Feet
f-_ j Conservation Easement
Internal Crossing
Project Features
Project Stream
Project Ephemeral Channel
Project Ditch
Mitigation Approach
Buffer Restoration
Cattle Exclusion
Buffer Preservation
Not for Credit
Vegetation Plot
= Fencing
Surveyed Treeline
b Gates
2019 Aerial Photography
Figure 2a. Monitoring Plan View Map
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Baseline Monitoring Report (MYO)
Neuse River Basin (03020201)
Johnston County, NC

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Project Features
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Mitigation Approach
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Cattle Exclusion
Buffer Preservation
Not for Credit
Vegetation Plot
Fencing
Surveyed Treeline
Gates
3
b WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
0 300 600 Feet
Figure 2b. Monitoring Plan View Map
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Baseline Monitoring Report (MYO)
Neuse River Basin (03020201)
Johnston County, NC

1 Conservation Easement
Project Features
Project Stream
Mitigation Approach
- Buffer Restoration
Cattle Exclusion
_ Coastal Headwaters
Not for Credit
Vegetation Plot
Fencing
--- Surveyed Treeline
Gates
tWILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
0 100 200 Feet
I I I I
Figure 2c. Monitoring Plan View Map
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Baseline Monitoring Report (MYO)
Neuse River Basin (03020201)
Johnston County, NC