20070810 Ver 1_Staff Comments_20070703

1C'
NC Division of Water Quality
Wetlands/401 Unit
July 3, 2007
Memorandum
To: Cyndi Karoly
Ian McMillan
John Dorney
Kyle Barnes (e-mail)
File
From: Eric Kulz
Subject: Comments on PCN and Stream & Wetland Restoration Plan -Duke Swamp -Gates
County. Baker Engineering plan for EEP; EEP Full-Delivery Project (DWQ#
20070810)
Tammy and I both looked at this PCN/restoration plan. They are proposing to restore approx.
5,420 LF of stream (UT1 a/UT1 b, and UT2, which flows into UT1) They are proposing a
combination of Priority I and II restoration. Also, 13.1 ac. Wetland restoration and 7.5 ac.
Wetland enhancement.
The proposed wetland restoration plan is adequate, and appears to have good probability of
success.
The stream project has a number of issues. The average slope for UT1a is 0.0003 feet/foot.
They are proposing to create a C channel with a sinuosity of 1.6. I cannot see how this will flow.
In addition, a 470-foot section of UT1a will have only 15-foot buffers due to the landowner
"agricultural requirements".
UT1b (reach downstream from UT1a) and UT2 are being designed as multithread (braided)
channels. These stream reaches may be, at least partially, within the floodplain of Duke Swamp.
No actual quantitative geomorphic measurements are proposed for monitoring, just "visual
documentation of stability" and collection of hydrologic (groundwater and flooding) data.
I question the potential for success of this stream restoration project due to the design issues
stated above.
The Coastal Plain Mitigation Policy may be applicable to these streams, and may need to be
employed, at least in part, in the designs.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality; Wetlands/401 Unit
1650 Mail Service Center; Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604-2260
Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
http://ncwaterq uality.org/wetlands