NC WAM Ratings for proposed Fibrowatt site

NC WAM ratings for proposed Fibrowatt site wetlands
Subject: NC WAM ratings for proposed Fibrowatt site wetlands
From: "Tammy. L. Hill" <Tammy.L.Hill @ncmail.net>
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:05:55 -0500
To: Ian McMillan <1an.mcmillan a ncmail.net >, Ann.McMenemy @ei-m.com, cluis.clark @erm.com,
teriy.wahmley @fibrowattusa.com, wthor10593 @embargmail.com
Hello, all.
Attached are Word documents detailing the data entry and rating output for the 2
sites we evaluated on November 12, 2008 in Sampson County. The pine flat received an
overall "low" functional rating, while the smaller pocosin area received a "high"
rating. Details regarding sub - function ratings are included in the attached
documents.
If you would like more information about NC WAM, please see our 7/2/08 public notice
at http:// h2o .enr.state.nc.us /ncwetlands /rd pub not.html. Several downloads,
including the NC WAM manual and rating calculator are available as links from that
website.
If you have questions or would like to discuss these results, please feel free to
contact me.
Warm regards,
Tammy
Tammy Hill
Environmental Senior Specialist
NC Division of Water Quality (401 /Wetlands)
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
919 -715 -9052 (voice)
919- 733 -6893 (fax)
Tammy.L.Hillcncmail.net
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1 of 1 11/17/2008 4:13 PM

NC WAM FIELD ASSESSMENT FORM
VERSION 1 (June 12, 2008)
Netland Site Name Sampson County pine flat Date
Wetland Type Pine Flat Assessor Name /Organization
Level III Ecoregion Southeastern Plains Nearest Named Water Body
River Basin Cape Fear USGS 8 -Digit Catalogue Unit
❑ Yes ® No Precipitation within 48 hrs? Latitude /Longitude (deci- degrees)
11/12/2008
Hill McMillan / NC
Goshen Swamp
03030006 / 03030
-78.1825.35.1126
Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and /or make note below if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if appropriate, in recent past
(for instance, within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited to the following.
• 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.)
Is the assessment area intensively managed? ® Yes ❑ No
Describe effects of stressors that are present,
bedding, silviculture (pines)
Regulatory Considerations
Select all that apply to the assessment area.
❑ Anadromous fish
❑ Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
❑ NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect
❑ Wetland adjacent to Primary Nursery Area or associated with a stream that drains to a Primary Nursery Area
❑ Publicly owned property
❑ N-C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
• N.C. Division of Water Quality best usage classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
• Designated NCNHP reference community
• Wetland adjacent to a 303(d)- listed stream
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (Check all that apply)
Blackwater
❑ Brownwater
❑ Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) ❑ Lunar ❑ Wind ❑ Both
Is the assessment area on a coastal island? ❑ Yes 0 No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver? ❑ Yes 0 No
Ground Surface ConditionlVegetation 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 alteration.
GS VS
❑A ❑A Not severely altered
ZB ®B 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], artificial hydrologic alteration)
2. 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 sub - surface water. Consider tidal flooding
regime, if applicable.
Surf Sub
❑A ❑A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
®B MB Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation),
❑C ❑C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation
change) (examples: intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion, man -made berms, beaver
dams, stream incision, underground utility lines, soil compaction).
. Water Storage /Surface Relief — assessment area /wetland type condition metric
Check
a box in
each column. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT).
AA
W
❑A
❑A
Majority of the wetland type with depressions able to pond water > 2 feet deep
❑B
❑B
Majority of the wetland type with depressions able to pond water 1 to 2 feet deep
MC
®C
Majority of wetland type with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep
❑D
❑p
Majority of wetland type with depressions able to pond water 3- to 6- inches deep
[JE
❑E
Depressions able to pond water < 3- inches deep

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 top 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance for regional
indicators.
❑A Sandy soil
®B Predominantly characterized by mottled (redoxymorphic features), mineral soil
❑C Predominantly characterized by other, mineral soil (no mottling)
❑D Gleyed mineral soil
❑E Peat or muck soil (histosol or histic epipedon)
®A Soil ribbon < 1 inch
❑B Soil ribbon >_1 inch
HA No peat or muck presence
FIB 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
ZA [DA 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 El 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)
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 sources
draining to assessment area within entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment
area (510), 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 5M 2M
❑A ❑A ❑A > 30% impervious surfaces with stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) (land use examples:
industrial, commercial, and high- density residential)
El ❑B ❑B > 30% impervious surfaces without stormwater BMPs
❑C ❑C ❑C 1Q to 30% impervious surfaces
❑D ❑D ❑D < 10% impervious surfaces
®E ❑E ❑E Old urban development (pink areas on USGS 7.5- minute quadrangles)
❑F ❑F ❑F New adjacent development
❑G ❑G ❑G Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants)
❑H ❑H ❑H >_2Q% coverage of pasture without riparian buffer
❑I ❑I ❑I >20% coverage of pasture with effective riparian buffer
01 ❑1 ❑1 >20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) without riparian buffer
❑K ❑K ❑K >_20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) with effective riparian buffer
❑L ❑L ❑L >!20% coverage of maintained grass /herb
❑M ❑M ❑M >_20% coverage of silvicultural land with disturbance < 5 years old
®N ®N ®N Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic modifications
that prevent drainage or overbank flow from affecting the assessment area.
7. Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer — assessment area condition metric
Is assessment area within 50 feet of a stream or other open water? (open water does not typically include man -made ditches or canals)
❑Yes ®No If No, Skip to next metric
Stream width (Stream width is normal flow width [ordinary high water to ordinary high water]). If the stream is anastomosed, combine
widths of channels /braids for a total stream width.
❑ 515 -feet wide ❑> 15 -feet wide ❑ Not applicable (no stream associated with assessment area)
Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the adjacent stream /open water?
❑Yes ❑No
Is stream or other open water sheltered or exposed?
❑Sheltered — adjacent open water with width < 25QQ feet and no regular boat traffic.
❑Exposed — adjacent open water with width ?2500 feet or regular boat traffic.
, Wetland /Riparian Buffer Width — assessment area/wetland type /wetland complex metric
Check a box in each column. Select the appropriate width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT), the wetland complex
(WC), and the riparian
buffer at the assessment area (RB) (if applicable). Riparian buffer width is measured from top of bank and need
only be present on one side of the water body. The riparian buffer is measured from the outside banks of the outer channels of an
anastomosed system.
Make buffer judgment based on dominant landscape feature. Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been
removed or disturbed,
WT WC RB (if
applicable)
®A ®A ❑A
>100 feet
❑B ❑B n
From 80 to < 100 feet
❑C El ❑C
From 50 to < 80 feet
❑D ❑D ❑D
From 40 to < 50 feet
❑E ❑E F1
From 30 to < 40 feet
OF OF OF
From 15 to < 30 feet
❑G ❑G n
From 5 to < 15 feet
❑H ❑H ❑H
<5feet

g, Inundation Duration — assessment area condition metric
Answer for assessment area dominant landform.
[]A Evidence of short- duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days)
®B Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation
❑C Evidence of long- duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more)
1, 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 area: the
size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the contiguous wetland complex (WC), and the size of the contiguous, forested wetland (FW) (if
applicable, see User Manual). Boundaries are formed by uplands, four -lane roads, or urban landscapes. An observed beaver pond forms
a boundary if it extends across the entire width of the floodplain. Additionally, other wetland types are considered boundaries for column
WT. If assessment area is clear -cut, select "K" for FW column.
WT WC FW (if applicable)
❑A ❑A ❑A >500 acres
❑B ❑B ❑B From 100 to < 500 acres
❑C ❑C ❑C From 50 to < 100 acres
❑D ❑D ❑D From 25 to < 50 acres
❑E ®E ®E From 10 to < 25 acres
®F ❑F ❑F From 5 to < 10 acres
0 ❑G ❑G From 1 to < 5 acres
❑H ❑H n From 0.5 to < 1 acre
❑I El n From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre
❑J ❑J ❑J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre
❑K 0 n < 0.01 acre
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 type is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size.
13. Connectivity to Other Natural Areas — landscape condition metric
Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). This metric evaluates whether the wetland is well connected
(Well) and /or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contiguous naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate).
Boundaries are formed by four -lane roads, urban landscapes, maintained fields (pasture and agriculture), or open water > 300 feet wide.
Well Loosely
❑A ❑A >500 acres
MB ®B From 100 to < 500 acres
❑C ❑C From 50 to < 10Q acres
❑D F1 From 10 to < 50 acres
❑E ❑E < 10 acres
❑F Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats
Check Yes or No.
❑Yes ❑No Does wetland type have a surface hydrology connection to open waters or tidal wetlands? (evaluate for marshes only)
❑Yes ®No Does the assessment area experience overbank or overland flooding during normal rainfall conditions?
1. Edge Effect — wetland type condition metric
Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include permanent features such as fields, development,
two -lane or larger roads ( >_40 -feet wide), utility line corridors wider than a two -lane road, and clear -cuts < 10 years old. 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 to seven directions
❑C An artificial edge occurs within 15Q feet in more than four directions or assessment area is clear -cut
1!; 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 species
characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting or
clearing. It also includes comrnuniiljos with exafics present, but not d- eminant, over a large portion of the expected straf ,
❑;:C Vegetation severely altered from reference in corripositibn, Expected strata are unn tucally absent or dominated, by exotic
species or composed of planted stands of non - characteristic species or inappropriately composed of a single species.
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.
❑C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (> 50 % cover of exotics).

17. Vegetative Structure — assessment area /wetland type condition metric
M Vegetation present
Evaluate percent coverage of vegetation for marshes only
❑A >_25% coverage of vegetation
❑B < 25% coverage of vegetation
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.
AA WT
❑A ❑A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes
❑B ❑B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps
OC OC Canopy sparse or absent
®A ®A Dense mid - story/sapling layer
❑B ❑B Moderate density mid - story/sapling layer
❑C ❑C Mid- story/sapling layer sparse or absent
0A ®A Dense shrub layer
❑B ❑B Moderate density shrub layer
El ❑C Shrub layer sparse or absent
®A ®A Dense herb layer
❑B El 13 Moderate density herb layer
❑C []C Herb layer sparse or absent
❑ Vegetation 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) are
present,
❑B Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6- and 12- inches DBH, few are > 12 -inch DBH,
®C Majority of canopy trees are < 6- inches DBH or no trees..
20. Large Woody Debris — wetland type condition metric
Include both man -made and natural debris piles,
❑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. Patterned
areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water,
❑A ❑B ❑C ❑D
�i
` r �
511 A
i t
22. Habitat Uniqueness — wetland type condition metric
❑Yes ®No Has the N.C. Environmental Management Commission classified the assessment area as "Unique Wetlands" (UWL) ?"
Notes
As rated in field on 11/12/2008.

NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet
Wetland Site Name Sampson County pine flat Date of Assessment 11/12/2008
Hill, McMillan
Wetland Type Pine Flat Assessor Name /Organization / NCDWQ
Presence of stressor affecting assessment area (Y /N)
YES
Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y /N)
YES
Presence of regulatory considerations (Y /N)
NO
Wetland is intensively managed (Y /N)
YES
Wetland may be a high - quality riverine wetland (Y /N)
X
Assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially
altered by beaver (Y /N)
NO
Assessment area subject to overbank or overland flooding during normal
rainfall conditions (Y /N)
X
Sub- function Rating Summary
Function Sub- function
Metrics
Rating
Hydrology Surface Storage and Retention
Condition
HIGH
Sub - surface Storage and Retention
Condition
MEDIUM
Water Quality Pathogen Change
Condition
Condition /Opportunity
Opportunity Presence (Y /N) _
w...x
Particulate Change
Condition _
x
Condition /Opportunity
Opportunity Presence (Y /N)
Soluble Change
Condition
Condition /Opportunity
Opportunity Presence (Y /N)
Physical Change
Condition
x
Condition /Opportunity
Opportunity Presence (Y /N)
Pollution Change
Condition
LOW
Condition /Opportunity
LOW
Opportunity Presence (Y /N)
NO
Habitat Physical Structure
Condition _
LOW
Landscape Patch Structure
Condition
MEDIUM
Vegetation Composition
Condition
Uniqueness
Condition
NO
Function Rating Summary
Function _
.. _.
Metrics
Rating„
Hydrology
Condition
HIGH
Water Quality
Condition
LOW
Condition /Opportunity
LOW
Opportunity Presence (Y /N)
NO
Habitat
Condition
LOW
Overall Wetland Rating LOW

Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and /or make note below if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if appropriate, in recent past
(for instance, within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited to the following.
• 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.)
Is the assessment area intensively managed? ❑ Yes E No
Describe effects of stressors that are present.
Regulatory Considerations
Select all that apply to the assessment area.
❑ Anadromous fish
❑ Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
❑ NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect
❑ Wetland adjacent to Primary Nursery Area or associated with a stream that drains to a Primary Nursery Area
❑ Publicly owned property
❑ N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
❑ N.C. Division of Water Quality best usage classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
❑ Designated NCNHP reference community
❑ Wetland adjacent to a 303(d)- Listed stream
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (Check all that apply)
rl Blackwater
El Brownwater
Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) ❑ Lunar El Wind ❑ Both,
Is the assessment area on a coastal island? ❑ Yes N No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver? ❑ Yes 0 No
1, Ground Surface ConditionlVegetation 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 alteration.
GS VS
❑A ®A Not severely altered
®B ❑B 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], artificial hydrologic alteration)
2. 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 sub - surface water. Consider tidal flooding
regime, if applicable.
Surf Sub
❑A ®A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
®B ❑B Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation).
❑C ❑C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation
change) (examples: intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, ohannelization, diversion, man -made berms, beaver
dams, stream incision, underground utility lines, soil compaction).
Water Storage /Surface Relief — assessment area/wetland type condition metric
Check a box in each column. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT),.
AA. WT
❑A ❑A Majority of the wetland type with depressions able to pond water > 2 feet deep
❑B ❑B Majority of the wetland type with depressions able to pond water 1 to 2 feet deep
0 ❑C Majority of wetland type with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep
®D ®D Majority of wetland type with depressions able to pond water 3- to 6- inches deep
❑E FIE Depressions able to pond water < 3- inches deep
NC WAM FIELD ASSESSMENT FORM
VERSION 1 (June 12, 2008)
Netland Site Name
Sampson County pocosin
Date
11/12/2008
Wetland Type
Pocosin
Assessor Name /Organization
Hill, McMillan / NCDWQ
Level III Ecoregion
Southeastern Plains
Nearest Named Water Body
Goshen Swamp
River Basin
Cape Fear
USGS 8 -Digit Catalogue Unit
03030006 / 03030007
171 Yes M No
Precipitation within 48 hrs?
Latitude /Longitude (deci - degrees )
- 78.1825, 35.1126
Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and /or make note below if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if appropriate, in recent past
(for instance, within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited to the following.
• 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.)
Is the assessment area intensively managed? ❑ Yes E No
Describe effects of stressors that are present.
Regulatory Considerations
Select all that apply to the assessment area.
❑ Anadromous fish
❑ Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
❑ NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect
❑ Wetland adjacent to Primary Nursery Area or associated with a stream that drains to a Primary Nursery Area
❑ Publicly owned property
❑ N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
❑ N.C. Division of Water Quality best usage classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
❑ Designated NCNHP reference community
❑ Wetland adjacent to a 303(d)- Listed stream
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (Check all that apply)
rl Blackwater
El Brownwater
Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) ❑ Lunar El Wind ❑ Both,
Is the assessment area on a coastal island? ❑ Yes N No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver? ❑ Yes 0 No
1, Ground Surface ConditionlVegetation 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 alteration.
GS VS
❑A ®A Not severely altered
®B ❑B 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], artificial hydrologic alteration)
2. 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 sub - surface water. Consider tidal flooding
regime, if applicable.
Surf Sub
❑A ®A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
®B ❑B Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation).
❑C ❑C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation
change) (examples: intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, ohannelization, diversion, man -made berms, beaver
dams, stream incision, underground utility lines, soil compaction).
Water Storage /Surface Relief — assessment area/wetland type condition metric
Check a box in each column. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT),.
AA. WT
❑A ❑A Majority of the wetland type with depressions able to pond water > 2 feet deep
❑B ❑B Majority of the wetland type with depressions able to pond water 1 to 2 feet deep
0 ❑C Majority of wetland type with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep
®D ®D Majority of wetland type with depressions able to pond water 3- to 6- inches deep
❑E FIE Depressions able to pond water < 3- inches deep

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 top 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance for regional
indicators.
❑A Sandy soil
❑B Predominantly characterized by mottled (redoxymorphic features), mineral soil
®C Predominantly characterized by other, mineral soil (no mottling)
❑D Gleyed mineral soil
❑E Peat or muck soil (histosol or histic epipedon)
❑A Soil ribbon < 1 inch
®B Soil ribbon >_1 inch
NA 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
0A [OA 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
El ❑C 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)
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 5M 2M
❑A ❑A ❑A > 30% impervious surfaces with stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) (land use examples:
industrial, commercial, and high- density residential)
❑B ❑B OB > 30% impervious surfaces without stormwater BMPs
❑C 0 ❑C 10 to 30% impervious surfaces
❑D El ❑D < 10% impervious surfaces
❑E ❑E OE Old urban development (pink areas on USGS 7.5- minute quadrangles)
❑F OF OF New adjacent development
❑G ❑G ❑G Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants)
❑H ❑H ❑H > -20% coverage of pasture without riparian buffer
❑l ❑I ❑I >!20% coverage of pasture with effective riparian buffer
❑J ❑J ❑J > -20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) without riparian buffer
❑K ❑K ❑K >_20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) with effective riparian buffer
❑L ❑L ❑L >20% coverage of maintained grass /herb
❑M ❑M ❑M >_20% coverage of silvicultural land with disturbance < 5 years old
EN ®N ®N Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic modifications
that prevent drainage or overbank flow from affecting the assessment area.
7. Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer— assessment area condition metric
Is assessment area within 50 feet of a stream or other open water? (open water does not typically include man -made ditches or canals)
❑Yes ®No If No, Skip to next metric
Stream width (Stream width is normal flow width [ordinary high water to ordinary high water]). If the stream is anastomosed, combine
widths of channels /braids for a total stream width.
El <15 -feet wide ❑> 15 -feet wide ❑ Not applicable (no stream associated with assessment area)
Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the adjacent stream /open water?
❑Yes ❑No
Is stream 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 /Riparian Buffer Width — assessment area /wetland type /wetland complex metric
Check a box in each column. Select the appropriate width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT), the wetland complex
(WC), and the riparian buffer at the assessment area (RB) (if applicable). Riparian buffer width is measured from top of bank and need
only be present on one side of the water body. The riparian buffer is measured from the outside banks of the outer channels of an
anastomosed system. Make buffer judgment based on dominant landscape feature. Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been
removed or disturbed.
WT WC RB (if applicable)
(DA ®A ❑A >100 feet
❑B ❑B ❑B From 80 to < 100 feet
❑C ❑C ❑C From 50 to < 80 feet
❑D ❑D ❑D From 40 to < 50 feet
❑ E ❑ E ❑ E From 30 to < 40 feet
❑F ❑F ❑F From 15 to < 30 feet
❑G ❑G ❑G From 5 to < 15 feet
❑H ❑H ❑H < 5 feet

g., Inundation Duration — assessment area condition metric
Answer for assessment area dominant landform.
MA Evidence of short- duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days)
❑B Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation
El Evidence of 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 area: the
size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the contiguous wetland complex (WC), and the size of the contiguous, forested wetland (FW) (if
applicable, see User Manual), Boundaries are formed by uplands, four -lane roads, or urban landscapes,. An observed beaver pond forms
a boundary if it extends across the entire width of the floodplain. Additionally, other wetland types are considered boundaries for column
WT. If assessment area is clear -cut, select "K" for FW column.
WT WC FW (if applicable)
❑A ❑A ❑A >_500 acres
❑B ❑B ❑B From 1Q0 to < 500 acres
❑C ❑C ❑C From 50 to < 100 acres
❑D ❑D ❑D From 25 to < 5Q acres
❑E ❑E ❑E From 10 to < 25 acres
0 Z ®F From 5 to < 10 acres
0 ❑G ❑G From 1 to < 5 acres
❑H ❑H ❑H From 0.5 to < 1 acre
Ell ❑I ❑I From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre
❑J ❑J ❑J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre
❑K ❑K ❑K < O.Q1 acre
1, Wetland Intactness — wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Pocosins only)
❑A Pocosin is the full extent ( >_90 %) of its natural landscape size.
®B Pocosin type is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size-
43. Connectivity to Other Natural Areas — landscape condition metric
Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). This metric evaluates whether the wetland is well connected
(Well) and /or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contiguous naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate).
Boundaries are formed by four -lane roads, urban landscapes, maintained fields (pasture and agriculture), or open water > 300 feet wide.
Well Loosely
❑A ❑A ?500 acres
HB ❑B From 1 Q to < 500 acres
❑C ❑C From 50 to < 100 acres
❑D ❑D From 10 to < 50 acres
❑E ❑E < 1Q acres
[]F Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats
Check Yes or No.
❑Yes ❑No Does wetland type have a surface hydrology connection to open waters or tidal wetlands? (evaluate for marshes only)
❑Yes ®No Does the assessment area experience overbank or overland flooding during normal rainfall conditions?
4, Edge Effect — wetland type condition metric
Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include permanent features such as fields, development,
two -lane or larger roads ( >_40 -feet wide), utility line corridors wider than a two -lane road, and clear -cuts < 10 years old. Consider the eight
main points of the compass.
®A No artificial edge within 150 feet in all directions
❑B No artificial edge within 15Q feet in four to seven directions
❑C An artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in more than four 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,
EB 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 commurrws with exotics present„ but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata:
❑C: Vegotation severely alley ;l from reference in oornposition, Expected s:tra1a are unnaturally abseru of dominated by erotic
species or composed of planted stands of non - characteristic species or inappropriately composed of a single species.
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.
❑C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (> 50 % cover of exotics).

17. Vegetative Structure — assessment area /wetland type condition metric
® Vegetation present
Evaluate percent coverage of vegetation for marshes only
❑A >_25% coverage of vegetation
❑B < 25% coverage of vegetation
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.
AA WT
❑A ❑A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes
❑B ❑B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps
®C ®C Canopy sparse or absent
❑A ❑A Dense mid - story/sapling layer
❑B ❑B Moderate density mid - story/sapling layer
®C ®C Mid - story/sapling layer sparse or absent
❑A ❑A Dense shrub layer
®B ®B Moderate density shrub layer
❑C ❑C Shrub layer sparse or absent
ZA ®A Dense herb layer
❑B ❑B Moderate density herb layer
❑C El Herb layer sparse or absent
® Vegetation 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) are
present.
❑B Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6- and 12- inches DBH, few are > 12 -inch DBH.
®C Majority of canopy trees are < 6- inches DBH or no trees.
20. Large Woody Debris — wetland type condition metric
Include both man -made and natural debris piles.
❑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. Patterned
areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water.
❑A ❑B ❑C ❑!,D
� 66
R
%
22. Habitat Uniqueness — wetland type condition metric
❑Yes ®No Has the N.C. Environmental Management Commission classified the assessment area as "Unique Wetlands' (UWL) ?"
Notes
As scored in field on 11 -12 -2008, except #12: Pocosin < full extent (< 90 %) of natural size. Surrounding landscape was part of pocosin - -> now
managed as pine plantation.

NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheen
Wetland Site Name Sampson County ocosin Date of Assessment _11/12/2008
Hill, McMillan
Wetland Type Pocosin Assessor Name /Organization / NCDWQ
Presence of stressor affecting assessment area (Y /N)
Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y /N)
Presence of regulatory considerations (Y /N)
Wetland is intensively managed (Y /N)
Wetland may be a high - quality riverine wetland (Y /N)
Assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver (Y /N)
Assessment area subject to overbank or overland flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y /N)
Sub - function Rating Sum
Function
Hydrology
Water Quality
Sub - function
Surface Storage and Retention
Sub - surface Storage and Retention
Pathogen Change
Particulate Change
Soluble Change
Physical Change
Pollution Change
Habitat Physical Structure
Landscape Patch Structure
Vegetation Composition
Uniaueness
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
Condition
NO
YES
NO
NO
X
NO
X
Rating
MEDIUM
HIGH
x
x
x
x
x
x
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
NO
uicu
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
NO
Function Rating Summa! :y
Function
Metrics
Rating
Hydrology
Condition
HIGH
Water Quality
Condition
MEDIUM
Condition /Opportunity
MEDIUM
Opportunity Presence (Y /N)
NO
Habitat
Condition
HIGH
Overall Wetland Rating HIGH