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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20211268 Ver 1_More Info Received_20211012 (2)NC WAM WETLAND ASSESSMENT FORM Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1 Rating Calculator Version 4.1 Wetland Site Name Wetland Type Level III Ecoregion River Basin Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area) Please circle and/or make note on last page if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if appropriate, in recent past (for instance, approximately within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited to the following. Is the assessment area intensively managed? Regulatory Considerations (select all that apply to the assessment area) What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (check all that apply) Is the assessment area on a coastal island? Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver? Does the assessment area experience overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Notes • • • • Ground Surface Condition/Vegetation Condition – assessment area condition metric Check a box in each column. Consider alteration to the ground surface (GS) in the assessment area and vegetation structure (VS) in the assessment area. Compare to reference wetland if applicable (see User Manual). If a reference is not applicable, then rate the assessment area based on evidence of an effect. GS Surface and Sub-Surface Storage Capacity and Duration – assessment area condition metric Check a box in each column. Consider surface storage capacity and duration (Surf) and sub-surface storage capacity and duration (Sub). Consider both increase and decrease in hydrology. Refer to the current NRCS lateral effect of ditching guidance for North Carolina hydric soils (see USACE Wilmington District website) for the zone of influence of ditches in hydric soils. A ditch ≤ 1 foot deep is considered to affect surface water only, while a ditch > 1 foot deep is expected to affect both surface and ditch sub-surface water. Consider tidal flooding regime, if applicable. Surf Water Storage/Surface Relief – assessment area/wetland type condition metric (answer for non-marsh wetlands only) Check a box in each column for each group below. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT). 3a. 3b. Soil Texture/Structure – assessment area condition metric Check a box from each of the three soil property groups below. Dig soil profile in the dominant assessment area landscape feature. Make soil observations within the 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance for regional indicators. 4a. 4b. 4c. Discharge into Wetland – opportunity metric Check a box in each column. Consider surface pollutants or discharges (Surf) and sub-surface pollutants or discharges (Sub). Examples of sub-surface discharges include presence of nearby septic tank, underground storage tank (UST), etc. Surf Land Use – opportunity metric Check all that apply (at least one box in each column). Evaluation involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. Consider sources draining to assessment area within entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (5M), and within 2 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (2M). Effective riparian buffers are considered to be 50 feet wide in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont ecoregions and 30 feet wide in the Blue Ridge Mountains ecoregion. WS Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer – assessment area/wetland complex condition metric 7a. 7b. 7c. 7d. 7e. Wetland Width at the Assessment Area – wetland type/wetland complex metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only) Check a box in each column. Select the average width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT) and the wetland complex at the assessment areas (WC). See User Manual for WT and WC boundaries. WT Inundation Duration – assessment area condition metric Answer for assessment area dominant landform. Indicators of Deposition – assessment area condition metric Consider recent deposition only (no plant growth since deposition). Wetland Size – wetland type/wetland complex condition metric Check a box in each column. Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric evaluates three aspects of the wetland area: the size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the wetland complex (WC), and the size of the forested wetland (FW) (if applicable, see User Manual). See the User Manual for boundaries of these evaluation areas. If assessment area is clear-cut, select “K” for the FW column. WT Wetland Intactness – wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Pocosins only) Connectivity to Other Natural Areas – landscape condition metric 13a. 13b. Edge Effect – wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes) May involve a GIS effort with field adjustment. Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include non-forested areas ≥ 40 feet wide such as fields, development, roads, regularly maintained utility line corridors and clear-cuts. Consider the eight main points of the compass. Vegetative Composition – assessment area condition metric (skip for all marshes and Pine Flat) Vegetative Diversity – assessment area condition metric (evaluate for Non-tidal Freshwater Marsh only) Vegetative Structure – assessment area/wetland type condition metric 17a. 17b. 17c. Snags – wetland type condition metric Diameter Class Distribution – wetland type condition metric Large Woody Debris – wetland type condition metric Include both natural debris and man-placed natural debris. Vegetation/Open Water Dispersion – wetland type/open water condition metric (evaluate for Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh only) Select the figure that best describes the amount of interspersion between vegetation and open water in the growing season. Patterned areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water. Hydrologic Connectivity – assessment area condition metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only) Examples of activities that may severely alter hydrologic connectivity include intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion, man-made berms, beaver dams, and stream incision. Hydrological modifications (examples: ditches, dams, beaver dams, dikes, berms, ponds, etc.) Surface and sub-surface discharges into the wetland (examples: discharges containing obvious pollutants, presence of nearby septic tanks, underground storage tanks (USTs), hog lagoons, etc.) Signs of vegetation stress (examples: vegetation mortality, insect damage, disease, storm damage, salt intrusion, etc.) Habitat/plant community alteration (examples: mowing, clear-cutting, exotics, etc.) Anadromous fish Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect Abuts a Primary Nursery Area (PNA) Publicly owned property N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer) Abuts a stream with a NCDWQ classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout Designated NCNHP reference community Abuts a 303(d)-listed stream or a tributary to a 303(d)-listed stream Blackwater Brownwater Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) A B A B C A B C A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C A B C A B C D E F G H I J K A B A B C A B C A B C A B A B C A B A B C D Yes AA Is assessment area within 50 feet of a tributary or other open water? Wetland buffer need only be present on one side of the water body. Make buffer judgment based on the average width of the wetland. Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been removed or disturbed. How much of the first 50 feet from the bank is weltand? Descriptor E should be selected if ditches effectively bypass the buffer. Tributary width. If the tributary is anastomosed, combine widths of channels/braids for a total width. Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the tributary/open water? Is tributary or other open water sheltered or exposed? Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This evaluates whether the wetland is well connected (Well) and/or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contiguous metric naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate). Boundaries are formed by four-lane roads, regularly maintained utility line corridors the width of a four-lane road or wider, urban landscapes, fields (pasture open and agriculture), or water > 300 feet wide. Well Evaluate for marshes only. Is vegetation present? Evaluate percent coverage of assessment area vegetation for all marshes only. Skip to 17c for non-marsh wetlands. Check a box in each column for each stratum. Evaluate this portion of the metric for non-marsh wetlands. Consider structure in airspace above the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) separately. Canopy Mid-Story Shrub Herb VS Sub A B C D A B C A B C D E A B A B Sub 5M Yes A B C D E ≤ 15-feet wide Yes Sheltered – adjacent open water with width < 2500 feet and no regular boat traffic. Exposed – adjacent open water with width ≥ 2500 feet or regular boat traffic. WC Evidence of short-duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days) Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation Evidence of long-duration inundation or very long-duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more) Sediment deposition is not excessive, but at approximately natural levels. Sediment deposition is excessive, but not overwhelming the wetland. Sediment deposition is excessive and is overwhelming the wetland. WC Pocosin is the full extent (≥ 90%) of its natural landscape size. Pocosin is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size. A B C D E F Yes No artificial edge within 150 feet in all directions No artificial edge within 150 feet in four (4) to seven (7) directions An artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in more than four (4) directions or assessment area is clear-cut Vegetation is close to reference condition in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of appropriate species, with exotic plants absent or sparse within the assessment area. Vegetation is different from reference condition in species diversity or proportions, but still largely composed of native species characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting or clearing. It also includes communities with exotics present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata. Vegetation severely altered from reference in composition. Expected species are unnaturally absent (planted stands of non- characteristic species or at least one stratum inappropriately composed of a single species). Exotic species are dominant in at least one stratum. Vegetation diversity is high and is composed primarily of native species (<10% cover of exotics). Vegetation diversity is low or has > 10% to 50% cover of exotics. Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (>50% cover of exotics). Yes A B Large snags (more than one) are visible (> 12-inches DBH, or large relative to species present and landscape stability). Not A Majority of canopy trees have stems > 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH); many large trees (> 12 inches DBH) are present. Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6 and 12 inches DBH, few are > 12-inch DBH. Majority of canopy trees are < 6 inches DBH or no trees. Large logs (more than one) are visible (> 12 inches in diameter, or large relative to species present and landscape stability). Not A A Overbank and overland flow are not severely altered in the assessment area. Overbank flow is severely altered in the assessment area. Overland flow is severely altered in the assessment area. Both overbank and overland flow are severely altered in the assessment area. A B A B C A B C A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H I J K AA WT Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is greater than 2 feet Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is between 1 and 2 feet Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is less than 1 foot Sandy soil Loamy or clayey soils exhibiting redoximorphic features (concentrations, depletions, or rhizospheres) Loamy or clayey soils not exhibiting redoximorphic features Loamy or clayey gleyed soil Histosol or histic epipedon Soil ribbon < 1 inch Soil ribbon ≥ 1 inch No peat or muck presence A peat or muck presence ≥ 50 feet From 30 to < 50 feet From 15 to < 30 feet From 5 to < 15 feet < 5 feet or buffer bypassed by ditches Loosely ≥ 25% coverage of vegetation < 25% coverage of vegetation A B C A B C A B C A B C No Not severely altered Severely altered over a majority of the assessment area (ground surface alteration examples: vehicle tracks, excessive sedimentation, fire-plow lanes, skidder tracks, bedding, fill, soil compaction, obvious pollutants) (vegetation structure alteration examples: mechanical disturbance, herbicides, salt intrusion [where appropriate], exotic species, grazing, less diversity [if appropriate], hydrologic alteration) Water storage capacity and duration are not altered. Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation). Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation change) (examples: draining, flooding, soil compaction, filling, excessive sedimentation, underground utility lines). A B C D Little or no evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the assessment area Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the wetland and stressing, but not overwhelming the treatment capacity of the assessment area Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges (pathogen, particulate, or soluble) entering the assessment area and potentially overwhelming the treatment capacity of the wetland (water discoloration, dead vegetation, excessive sedimentation, odor) 2M ≥ 100 feet From 80 to < 100 feet From 50 to < 80 feet From 40 to < 50 feet From 30 to < 40 feet From 15 to < 30 feet From 5 to < 15 feet < 5 feet FW (if applicable) A B C D E F No Alexander Farms A B C D E F G H No No A B C D E F G H I J K No WT Precipitation within 48 hrs? Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water > 1 foot deep Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 3 to 6 inches deep Depressions able to pond water < 3 inches deep ≥ 500 acres From 100 to < 500 acres From 50 to < 100 acres From 10 to < 50 acres < 10 acres Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats Wetland type has a surface hydrology connection to open waters/stream or tidal wetlands. A B C A B C A B C A B C ≥ 10% impervious surfaces < 10% impervious surfaces Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants) ≥ 20% coverage of pasture ≥ 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) ≥ 20% coverage of maintained grass/herb ≥ 20% coverage of clear-cut land Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic alterations that prevent drainage or overbank flow from affecting the assessment area. ≥ 500 acres From 100 to < 500 acres From 50 to < 100 acres From 25 to < 50 acres From 10 to < 25 acres From 5 to < 10 acres From 1 to < 5 acres From 0.5 to < 1 acre From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre < 0.01 acre or assessment area is clear-cut If Yes, continue to 7b. If No, skip to Metric 8. If Yes, continue to 17b. If No, skip to Metric 18. Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps Canopy sparse or absent Dense mid-story/sapling layer Moderate density mid-story/sapling layer Mid-story/sapling layer sparse or absent Dense shrub layer Moderate density shrub layer Shrub layer sparse or absent Dense herb layer Moderate density herb layer Herb layer sparse or absent > 15-feet wide B Other open water (no tributary present) Yes Yes Lunar Lunar No No Latitude/Longitude (deci-degrees) C Wind Both D Date Assessor Name/Organization Nearest Named Water Body USGS 8-Digit Catalogue Unit 09/19/2018 Mary K Murray/Terracon McDowell Creek 03050101 35.463067, -80.886457 Yes Yes No No NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1 Rating Calculator Version 4.1 Wetland Site Name Wetland Type Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Wetland is intensively managed (Y/N) Assessment area is located within 50 feet of a natural tributary or other open water (Y/N) Assessment area is substantially altered by beaver (Y/N) Assessment area experiences overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y/N) Assessment area is on a coastal island (Y/N) Sub-function Rating Summary Function Hydrology Water Quality Habitat Function Rating Summary Function Hydrology Water Quality Habitat Overall Wetland Rating Alexander Farms Headwater Forest Sub-function Surface Storage and Retention Sub-Surface Storage and Retention Pathogen Change Particulate Change Soluble Change Physical Change Pollution Change Physical Structure Landscape Patch Structure Vegetation Composition LOW Metrics/Notes Condition Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Conditon Date Assessor Name/Organization Metrics Condition Condition Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition Condition 09/19/2018 Mary K Murray/Terracon NO NO YES YES NO NO NO Rating LOW LOW HIGH HIGH YES MEDIUM NA NA MEDIUM HIGH YES HIGH HIGH YES NA NA NA MEDIUM LOW LOW Rating LOW HIGH HIGH YES LOW WetlandIndex EcoregionIndex BasinIndex ManagedWetland RegConsid StreamType Beaver Island Flood Trib_OpenWater booSelection booOpen booActivate Hydro(1,1,0) Hydro(1,1,1) Hydro(1,1,2) Hydro(1,1,3) Hydro(1,2,0) Hydro(1,2,1) Hydro(1,2,2) WQ(2,1,0) WQ(2,1,1) WQ(2,1,2) WQ(2,1,3) WQ(2,1,4) WQ(2,1,5) WQ(2,1,6) WQ(2,2,0) WQ(2,2,1) WQ(2,2,2) WQ(2,2,3) WQ(2,2,4) WQ(2,3,0) WQ(2,3,1) WQ(2,3,2) WQ(2,3,3) WQ(2,4,0) WQ(2,4,1) WQ(2,4,2) WQ(2,4,3) WQ(2,5,0) WQ(2,6,0) Hab(3,1,0) Hab(3,1,1) Hab(3,1,2) Hab(3,1,3) Hab(3,1,4) Hab(3,1,5) Hab(3,1,6) Hab(3,2,0) Hab(3,2,1) Hab(3,2,2) Hab(3,2,3) Hab(3,2,4) Hab(3,3,0) Hab(3,4,0) subHydro(1) subHydro(2) subWQ(1) subWQ(2) subWQ(3) subWQ(4) oppWQ(1) oppWQ(2) oppWQ(3) oppWQ(4) subHab(1) subHab(2) subHab(3) subHab(4) txtHydro(1) txtHydro(2) txtWQ(1) txtWQ(2) txtWQ(3) txtWQ(4) oppWQTxt(1) oppWQTxt(2) oppWQTxt(3) oppWQTxt(4) txtHab(1) txtHab(2) txtHab(3) txtHab(4) functHydro functWQ oppfunctWQ functHab functHydroTxt functWQTxt oppfunctWQTxt functHabTxt functOverallTxt m1_gs m1_vs m2_surf m2_sub m3_aa m3_wt m3_depth m5_surf m5_sub m7_bufferyn m7_wbwidth m7_strwidth m7_roots m7_open m8_wt m8_wc m9_ m10_ m11_wt m11_wc m11_fw m12_ m13_wc m13_lc m13_open m14_ m15_ m16_ m17_present m17_percent m17_aa_canopy m17_aa_mid m17_aa_shrub m17_aa_herb m17_wt_canopy m17_wt_mid m17_wt_shrub m17_wt_herb m18_ m19_ m20_ m21_ m22_ m4_type m4_ribbon m4_peat m6_ws(1) m6_ws(2) m6_ws(3) m6_ws(4) m6_ws(5) m6_ws(6) m6_ws(7) m6_ws(8) m6_5m(1) m6_5m(2) m6_5m(3) m6_5m(4) m6_5m(5) m6_5m(6) m6_5m(7) m6_5m(8) m6_2m(1) m6_2m(2) m6_2m(3) m6_2m(4) m6_2m(5) m6_2m(6) m6_2m(7) m6_2m(8) booClear 8 3 3 1 0 2 2 2 2 True False True 0 2 1 3 0 1 3 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 3 2 0 3 3 3 0 3 0 3 3 1 2 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 3 3 0 LOW LOW HIGH MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM LOW LOW 3 1 1 3 LOW HIGH HIGH LOW LOW 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 3 1 1 1 5 5 2 2 9 9 9 0 6 3 0 3 3 0 1 0 1 3 3 2 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 0 4 1 1 1 -1 0 0 -1 0 -1 0 0 -1 0 0 -1 0 -1 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 False WetlandIndex EcoregionIndex BasinIndex ManagedWetland RegConsid StreamType Beaver Island Flood Trib_OpenWater booSelection hydro110 hydro111 hydro112 hydro113 hydro120 hydro121 hydro122 wqual210 wqual211 wqual212 wqual213 wqual214 wqual215 wqual216 wqual220 wqual221 wqual222 wqual223 wqual224 wqual230 wqual231 wqual232 wqual233 wqual240 wqual241 wqual242 wqual243 wqual250 wqual260 habitat311 habitat312 habitat313 habitat314 habitat315 habitat316 habitat321 habitat322 habitat323 habitat324 habitat330 habitat340 subhydro1 subhydro2 subwq1 subwq2 subwq3 subwq4 subhab1 subhab2 subhab3 subhab4 m1_gs m1_vs m2_surf m2_sub m3_aa m3_wt m5_surf m5_sub m7_buffer m7_rb m7_width m7_roots m7_open m8_wt m8_wc m9 m10 m11_wt m11_wc m11_fw m12 m13_wc m13_lc m13_open m14 m15 m16 m17_present m17_percent m17_aa_canopy m17_aa_mid m17_aa_shrub m17_aa_herb m17_wt_canopy m17_wt_mid m17_wt_shrub m17_wt_herb m18 m19 m20 m21 m22 m4_type m4_ribbon m4_peat m6_ws1 m6_ws2 m6_ws3 m6_ws4 m6_ws5 m6_ws6 m6_ws7 m6_ws8 m6_5m1 m6_5m2 m6_5m3 m6_5m4 m6_5m5 m6_5m6 m6_5m7 m6_5m8 m6_2m1 m6_2m2 m6_2m3 m6_2m4 m6_2m5 m6_2m6 m6_2m7 m6_2m8 NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet Wetland Site Name Wetland Type Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Wetland is intensively managed (Y/N) Assessment area is located within 50 feet of a natural tributary or other open water (Y/N) Assessment area is substantially altered by beaver (Y/N) Assessment area experiences overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y/N) Assessment area is on a coastal island (Y/N) Sub-fucntion Rating Summary Function Hydrology Water Quality Habitat Function Rating Summary Function Hydrology Water Quality Habitat Overall Wetland Rating Sub-function Surface Storage and Retention Sub-Surface Storage and Retention Pathogen Change Particulate Change Soluble Change Physical Change Pollution Change Physical Structure Landscape Patch Structure Vegetation Composition LOW Metrics/Notes Condition Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Conditon Date Assessor Name/Organization Condition Condition Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) NO YES YES NO NO NO Rating LOW LOW HIGH HIGH YES MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH YES HIGH HIGH YES MEDIUM LOW LOW Rating LOW HIGH HIGH YES LOW A B D E 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 %./ 20 L 1 22 23 24 25 26 2T 28 29 30 31 V L 33 34 35 36 V I 38 40 T 1 42 T V 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 VT 55 56 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 -6T 68 A B C D E 69 71 -73- 74 -Te -7T A B D E 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 8T 88 90 91 93 94 96 77 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 1 VV 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 ILL 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 1 T 1 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 A B C D E 149 150 151 152 153 1 V T A B D E 155 156 157 158 159 1 V V 161 162 163 164 165 1 VV 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 -ITT 178 179 180 181 182 1 VV 184 185 186 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 201 202 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 «I 222 223 224 A B D E 225 A 227 228 229 231 232 233 235 236 237 238 239 240 242 243 244 246 247 248 250 251 252 254 255 256 258 259 260 261 262 264 265 266 267 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 7TT 278 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 A B C D E 298 299 300 301 302 303 F C H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V A X Y ZIAIAEA(A[AEAIA(AIAI A,AIAIAIAI AcAINAIA:KAWAWA'A: B/ B I B(B I B I 1 NC WAM WETLAND ASSESSMENT FORM 2 Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1 3 Rating Calculator Version 4.1 4 Wetland Site Name Alexander Farms Date 09/19/2018 5 Wetland Type Headwater Forest Assessor Name/Organization Mary K Murray/Terra 6 Level III Ecoregion Piedmont Nearest Named Water Body McDowell Creek 7 River Basin Cataw ba USGS 8-Digit Catalogue Unit 03050101 8 Yes • No Precipitation within 48 hrs? Latitude/Longitude (deci-degrees) 35.463067, -80.8864 Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area) 10 11 Please circle and/or make note on last page if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if 12 appropriate, in recent past (for instance, approximately within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited 13 to the following. 14 • Hydrological modifications (examples: ditches, dams, beaver dams, dikes, berms, ponds, etc.) 15 • Surface and sub -surface discharges into the wetland (examples: discharges containing obvious pollutants, presence of nearby 16 septic tanks, underground storage tanks (USTs), hog lagoons, etc.) 17 • Signs of vegetation stress (examples: vegetation mortality, insect damage, disease, storm damage, salt intrusion, etc.) 18 • Habitat/plant community alteration (examples: mowing, clear -cutting, exotics, etc.) Is the assessment area intensively managed? (i. Yes No 20 22 Regulatory Considerations (select all that apply to the assessment area) 23 i Anadromous fish 24 I— Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species 25 7 NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect 26 7 Abuts a Primary Nursery Area (PNA) 2T 7 Publicly owned property 28 1— N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer) 29 7 Abuts a stream with a NCDWQ classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout 30 7 Designated NCNHP reference community 31 7 Abuts a 303(d)-listed stream or a tributary to a 303(d)-listed stream What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (check all that apply) 33 34 Blackwater 35 . Brownwater 36 Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) r Lunar 'T Wind C Both Is the assessment area on a coastal island? Yes • No 38 Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver? Yes 40 T 1 42 Does the assessment area experience overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions? Yes • No T V 44 1. Ground Surface Condition/Vegetation Condition — assessment area condition metric 45 Check a box in each column. Consider alteration to the ground surface (GS) in the assessment area and vegetation structure 46 (VS) in the assessment area. Compare to reference wetland if applicable (see User Manual). If a reference is not applicable, 47 then rate the assessment area based on evidence of an effect. 48 GS VS 49 r A A Not severely altered 50 4-" B :- B Severely altered over a majority of the assessment area (ground surface alteration examples: vehicle tracks, exce 51 sedimentation, fire -plow lanes, skidder tracks. bedding, fill, soil compaction, obvious pollutants) (vegetation structu 52 alteration examples: mechanical disturbance, herbicides, salt intrusion [where appropriate], exotic species, grazini 53 less diversity [if appropriate], hydrologic alteration) VT 55 2. Surface and Sub -Surface Storage Capacity and Duration — assessment area condition metric 56 Check a box in each column. Consider surface storage capacity and duration (Surf) and sub -surface storage capacity and 5T duration (Sub). Consider both increase and decrease in hydrology. Refer to the current NRCS lateral effect of ditching guidance 58 North Carolina hydric soils (see USACE Wilmington District website) for the zone of influence of ditches in hydric soils. A ditch 59 s 1 foot deep is considered to affect surface water only, while a ditch > 1 foot deep is expected to affect both surface and ditch 60 sub -surface water. Consider tidal flooding regime, if applicable. 61 Surf Sub 62 C A A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered. 63 B . B Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation). 64 (' C i:.. C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation 65 change) (examples: draining, flooding, soil compaction, filling, excessive sedimentation, underground utility lines). 3. Water Storage/Surface Relief — assessment area/wetland type condition metric (answer for non -marsh wetlands only) BT 68 Check a box in each column for each group below. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetle F C H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V A X Y ZIAIAEA(A[ALMA(AIAIA,AIAIAIAIAcAINAIA:KAWAWA'A: B/ B I B(B I B I 69 type (WT). —7Ir AA WT 71 3a. 4. A C A Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water > 1 foot deep ( B C B Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep -2— (' C 6- C Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 3 to 6 inches deep -3— 74 r D D Depressions able to pond water < 3 inches deep 7W 3b. r A Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is greater than 2 feet 7T . B Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is between 1 and 2 feet C C Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is less than 1 foot -8— J K L M N 0 P Q R S T U V V� X Y EA( A EA [Al A( AI Al A, AI A LAI AI A( AI A( AI A:A A A� A' A` A: Bi BI B( BI BI 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 8T 88 90 91 93 94 96 zST 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 1 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 ILL 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 IT 1 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 4. Soil Texture/Structure — assessment area condition metric Check a box from each of the three soil property groups below. Dig soil profile in the dominant assessment area landscape feature. Make soil observations within the 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance fo regional indicators. 4a. • A Sandy soil " B Loamy or clayey soils exhibiting redoximorphic features (concentrations, depletions, or rhizospheres) • C Loamy or clayey soils not exhibiting redoximorphic features • D Loamy or clayey gleyed soil ✓ E Histosol or histic epipedon 4b. ▪ A Soil ribbon < 1 inch B Soil ribbon >_ 1 inch 4c. (. A No peat or muck presence • B A peat or muck presence 5. Discharge into Wetland — opportunity metric Check a box in each column. Consider surface pollutants or discharges (Surf) and sub -surface pollutants or discharges (Sub). Examples of sub -surface discharges include presence of nearby septic tank, underground storage tank (UST), etc. Surf Sub A A Little or no evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the assessment area B • B Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the wetland and stressing, but not overwhelming the treatment capacity of the assessment area C C Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges (pathogen, particulate, or soluble) entering the assessment area a potentially overwhelming the treatment capacity of the wetland (water discoloration, dead vegetation, excessive sedimentation, odor) 6. Land Use — opportunity metric Check all that apply (at least one box in each column). Evaluation involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. Consider sourcE draining to assessment area within entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (5M), and within 2 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (2M). Effective riparian buffe are considered to be 50 feet wide in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont ecoregions and 30 feet wide in the Blue Ridge Mountains eco WS 5M 2M 1 A [ A F A >_ 10% impervious surfaces B [ B fl B < 10% impervious surfaces C E C E C Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants) . D iv D fl D >_ 20% coverage of pasture F E fl E [ E >_ 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) F F ' F [ F >_ 20% coverage of maintained grass/herb F G C G fl G >_ 20% coverage of clear-cut land F H E H C H Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic alteration: that prevent drainage or overbank flow from affecting the assessment area. 7. Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer — assessment area/wetland complex condition metric 7a. Is assessment area within 50 feet of a tributary or other open water? ▪ Yes C No If Yes, continue to 7b. If No, skip to Metric 8. Wetland buffer need only be present on one side of the water body. Make buffer judgment based on the average width of the Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been removed or disturbed. 7b. How much of the first 50 feet from the bank is weltand? Descriptor E should be selected if ditches effectively bypass the buff A >_ 50 feet B From 30 to < 50 feet * C From 15 to < 30 feet " D From 5 to < 15 feet " E < 5 feet or buffer bypassed by ditches 7c. Tributary width. If the tributary is anastomosed, combine widths of channels/braids for a total width. ▪ 15-feet wide > 15-feet wide Other open water (no tributary present) 7d. Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the tributary/open water? * Yes No 7e. Is tributary or other open water sheltered or exposed? ▪ Sheltered — adjacent open water with width < 2500 feet and no regular boat traffic. Exposed — adjacent open water with width >_ 2500 feet or regular boat traffic. 8. Wetland Width at the Assessment Area — wetland type/wetland complex metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only) Check a box in each column. Select the average width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT) and the wetland complex at the assessment areas (WC). See User Manual for WT and WC boundaries. WT WC `" A A >_ 100 feet 4" B B From 80 to < 100 feet ("" C C From 50 to < 80 feet FC HLI J KLIM N O P Q R S T UV V\ X Y ZHAEA(A[ALMA(AIAIA,AIAIAIAIAcAINAIA:A-AWAYC,A'A: B/ B E B( B I B I 149 D D From 40 to < 50 feet 150 • E ; E From 30 to < 40 feet 151 F F From 15 to < 30 feet 152 G G From 5 to < 15 feet 153 H H < 5 feet 1 VT C H J K L M N 0 P Q R S T U V V� X Y EA( A EA [Al A( AI Al A, AI A LAI AI A( AI A( AI A:A A A� A' A` A: Bi BI B( BI BI 155 156 157 158 159 161 162 163 164 165 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 17T 178 179 180 181 182 1 VV 184 185 186 Tg 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 201 202 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 222 223 224 9. Inundation Duration — assessment area condition metric Answer for assessment area dominant landform. r- A r`- B r- c Evidence of short -duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days) Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation Evidence of long -duration inundation or very long -duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more) 10. Indicators of Deposition — assessment area condition metric Consider recent deposition only (no plant growth since deposition). A Sediment deposition is not excessive, but at approximately natural levels. * B Sediment deposition is excessive, but not overwhelming the wetland. C Sediment deposition is excessive and is overwhelming the wetland. 11. Wetland Size — wetland type/wetland complex condition metric Check a box in each column. Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric evaluates three aspects of the wetland are size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the wetland complex (WC), and the size of the forested wetland (FW) (if applicable, see Manual). See the User Manual for boundaries of these evaluation areas. If assessment area is clear-cut, select "K" for the FW co WT WC FW (if applicable) - A A r A >_ 500 acres (`" B B r- B From 100 to < 500 acres r- C C C' C From 50 to < 100 acres C- D D ( D From 25 to < 50 acres r' E E C E From 10 to < 25 acres • F ( F F From 5 to < 10 acres 4`" G G r- G From 1 to < 5 acres C H H C' H From 0.5 to < 1 acre • I I 4' I From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre • J i J J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre K 1 K ( K < 0.01 acre or assessment area is clear-cut 12. Wetland Intactness — wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Pocosins only) A Pocosin is the full extent (>_ 90%) of its natural landscape size. B Pocosin is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size. 13. Connectivity to Other Natural Areas — landscape condition metric 13a. Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This evaluates whether the wetland is well connected (Well) and/or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contic metric naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate). Boundaries are formed by four -lane roads, regularly maintair line corridors the width of a four -lane road or wider, urban landscapes, fields (pasture open and agriculture), or water > 300 fe Well Loosely A A >_ 500 acres B B From 100 to < 500 acres r- C C From 50 to < 100 acres D r. D From 10 to < 50 acres C' E - E < 10 acres F F Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats 13b. Evaluate for marshes only. Yes No Wetland type has a surface hydrology connection to open waters/stream or tidal wetlands. 14. Edge Effect — wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes) May involve a GIS effort with field adjustment. Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges it non -forested areas >_ 40 feet wide such as fields, development, roads, regularly maintained utility line corridors and clear -cuts. Consider the eight main points of the compass. ( A No artificial edge within 150 feet in all directions • B No artificial edge within 150 feet in four (4) to seven (7) directions • C An artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in more than four (4) directions or assessment area is clear-cut 15. Vegetative Composition — assessment area condition metric (skip for all marshes and Pine Flat) A Vegetation is close to reference condition in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of appropriate species, with exotic plants absent or sparse within the assessment area. B Vegetation is different from reference condition in species diversity or proportions, but still largely composed of native spec characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting o clearing. It also includes communities with exotics present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata. • C Vegetation severely altered from reference in composition. Expected species are unnaturally absent (planted stands of no characteristic species or at least one stratum inappropriately composed of a single species). Exotic species are dominant at least one stratum. 16. Vegetative Diversity — assessment area condition metric (evaluate for Non -tidal Freshwater Marsh only) A Vegetation diversity is high and is composed primarily of native species (<10% cover of exotics). B Vegetation diversity is low or has > 10% to 50% cover of exotics. 225 FC H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V A X Y ZHAEA(AEALMA(AIAIA,AIAEAIAIAcAINAIA:A-AWAOA;A'A: B/ B I B(B I B I C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (>50% cover of exotics). 227 228 229 231 232 233 235 236 237 238 239 240 242 243 244 246 247 248 250 251 252 254 255 256 258 259 260 261 262 264 265 266 267 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 7T 278 L L VV 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 L V V FC H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U VAX Y ZIAIAEA(A[ALMA(AIAIA,AIALAIAlAcAINAIA:A-AWAWA'A:B/B IB(B I B I 17. Vegetative Structure — assessment area/wetland type condition metric 17a. Is vegetation present? f Yes No If Yes, continue to 17b. If No, skip to Metric 18. 17b. Evaluate percent coverage of assessment area vegetation for all marshes only. Skip to 17c for non -marsh wetlands. A >_ 25% coverage of vegetation B < 25% coverage of vegetation 17c. Check a box in each column for each stratum. Evaluate this portion of the metric for non -marsh wetlands. Consider str in airspace above the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) separately. AA WT o • A i. A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes co B ('` B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps c.) C C Canopy sparse or absent o A A Dense mid-story/sapling layer B B Moderate density mid-story/sapling layer 7(13 • C • C Mid-story/sapling layer sparse or absent 2 (- A ( A Dense shrub layer ( B r B Moderate density shrub layer C 4. C Shrub layer sparse or absent (- A ( A Dense herb layer sa)( B B Moderate density herb layer C C Herb layer sparse or absent 18. Snags — wetland type condition metric * A Large snags (more than one) are visible (> 12-inches DBH, or large relative to species present and landscape stability). B Not A 19. Diameter Class Distribution — wetland type condition metric * A Majority of canopy trees have stems > 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH); many large trees (> 12 inches DBH) ar present. B Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6 and 12 inches DBH, few are > 12-inch DBH. C C Majority of canopy trees are < 6 inches DBH or no trees. 20. Large Woody Debris — wetland type condition metric Include both natural debris and man -placed natural debris. • A Large logs (more than one) are visible (> 12 inches in diameter, or large relative to species present and landscape stability B Not A 21. Vegetation/Open Water Dispersion — wetland type/open water condition metric (evaluate for Non -Tidal Freshwater Marsh only) Select the figure that best describes the amount of interspersion between vegetation and open water in the growing season. Patte areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water. A B C D (,,C; -a 11 _{ �. , .• 1 4� •. . , , ,. AlTh. - (.( I1 ___) ) _ :, V '''' )7—')?) ii ) { I 22. Hydrologic Connectivity — assessment area condition metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only) Examples of activities that may severely alter hydrologic connectivity include intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion, man-made berms, beaver dams, and stream incision. ( A Overbank and overland flow are not severely altered in the assessment area. 4 B Overbank flow is severely altered in the assessment area. I`- C Overland flow is severely altered in the assessment area. D Both overbank and overland flow are severely altered in the assessment area. 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 Notes FC H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V A X Y ZHAEA(A[ALMA(AIAIA,AIAIAIAIAcAINAIA:A-AWAWAA M I B(B I B I 298 299 300 301 302 303 BIB(BIBIEE BL BM BN 1 2 3 4 5 con 6 7 8 57 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25 26 2T 28 29 30 31 V � 33 34 35 36 38 ` No 40 j 1 42 T V 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 ssive 51 re 52 j, 53 VT 55 56 57 or 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 67 68 nd BIB(BIBIEE BL BM BN 69 71 74 -Te -7T BI B( BI BI BL BM BN 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 8T 88 90 91 93 94 96 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 1 VW 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 1 LL 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 1 T 1 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 nd ,s "s region. wetland. er. BIB(BIBIEE BL BM BN 149 150 151 152 153 1 V T BIB(BIBIEE BL BM BN 155 156 157 158 159 161 162 163 164 165 167 168a: the 169 Jser 170 lumn. 171 172 173 174 175 176 —ITT 178 179 180 181 182 184 185 186 T$$ 189 190 uous 191 led utility 192 et wide. 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 201 202 204 205 clude 206 207 208 209 210 212 213 214 215 :ies 216r 217 218 n- 219 in 220 222 223 224 BI B( BI BI E E BL BM BN 225 BI B( BI BI BL BM BN 227 228 229 231 232 233 235 236 237 238 239 240 242 243 244 246 247 248 250 251 252 254 255 256 258 259 260 261 262 264 265 266 267 269 270 271 272 273 274 275 276 7TT 278 281 282 283 284 285 286 287 ucture ). rned 289 290 291 292 293 294 295 296 297 BIB(BIBIEE BL BM BN 298 299 300 301 302 303 Wetland Site Name Wetland Type NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1 Rating Calculator Version 4.1 Alexander Farms Headwater Forest Date 09/19/2018 Assessor Name/Organization Mary K Murray/Terracon Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Wetland is intensively managed (Y/N) Assessment area is located within 50 feet of a natural tributary or other open water (Y/N) Assessment area is substantially altered by beaver (Y/N) Assessment area experiences overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y/N) Assessment area is on a coastal island (Y/N) Sub -function Rating Summary NO NO YES YES NO NO NO Function Sub -function Hydrology Surface Storage and Retention Sub -Surface Storage and Retention Metrics Condition Condition Rating LOW LOW Water Quality Pathogen Change Particulate Change Soluble Change Physical Change Pollution Change Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) HIGH HIGH YES MEDIUM NA NA MEDIUM HIGH YES HIGH HIGH YES NA NA NA Habitat Physical Structure Landscape Patch Structure Vegetation Composition Condition Condition Condition MEDIUM LOW LOW Function Rating Summary Function Hydrology Water Quality Habitat Metrics/Notes Condition Condition Condition/Opportunity Opportunity Presence? (Y/N) Conditon Rating LOW HIGH HIGH YES LOW Overall Wetland Rating LOW