20080511 Ver 2_GES LaGrange Proposed Expansion_20131023

To: Katie Merritt, NCDENR- DWR
From: David Knowles, consultant for GES
Date: 23 October 2013
Re: Memo proposing the expansion of the GES La Grange Mitigation Bank

Preliminary estimation of acreage and site conditions for a propose mitigation bank
expansion at La Grange. David Knowles, October 2013
Greene Environmental Services, LLC of Snow Hill, NC is proposing a mitigation bank
expansion of an existing riparian buffer/nutrient mitigation bank located off of NC 903 north of
La Grange, NC. The existing bank is the La Grange Bank Parcel, DWQ# 08-0511v2, Neuse
River Umbrella Mitigation Bank.
The expansion area would extend approximately 640 feet in length and along a drainage ditch
discharging to a tributary canal to Meeting House Branch. The width of the expansion area has
yet to be determined but expectedly would be a minimum of 100 feet and a maximum of 200
feet. If the 100 foot width is selected, then the total area of the expansion would be
approximately 1.5 acres. If the 200 foot width is selected, site configuration would actually limit
the average width to approximately 150 feet, thus an expansion area of approximately 2.2 acres.
The existing mitigation bank and the adjacent expansion area were initially planted with
character tree species in March 2010. However, only a portion of the expansion area was planted
at that time. Roughly estimating, a strip approximately 50 feet in width was planted in character
trees along the drainage ditch; thus approximately 0.7 acres of the proposed expansion area was
planted in 2010. The seedlings that were planted in 2010 included river birch, green ash, black
gum, cherrybark oak and bald cypress. Planting density was approximately 400 seedlings per
acre for about 280 trees in the proposed expansion area. A cursory examination of the site in
October 2013 indicated good survivorship of river birch and bald cypress.
If the proposed expansion area was to be approved and the seedlings planted in 2010 allowable
as contributing to successful bank establishment, then the remaining expansion area and seedling
gaps in the previously planted strip would be planted in character trees, monitored and reported.
The expansion area would be used for nutrient offset credits. If this preliminary proposal is
acceptable, then follow-up and more detailed documents will be submitted.