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Home My WebLink About20150636 Ver 1_Year 5 Monitoring Report_2021_20211030ID#* 20150636 Version* 1 Select Reviewer: Katie Merritt Initial Review Completed Date 11/03/2021 Mitigation Project Submittal - 10/30/2021 Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site?* O Yes O No Type of Mitigation Project:* Stream Wetlands Buffer Nutrient Offset (Select all that apply) Project Contact Information Email Address:* Contact Name:* mherrmann@watershed investment Michael Herrmann snc.net Project Information ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ID#:* 20150636 Version:* 1 Existing ID# Existing Version Project Type: DMS • Mitigation Bank Project Name: Neville Farms Nutrient Offset and Buffer Bank County: Orange Document Information Mitigation Document Type:* Mitigation Monitoring Report File Upload: NevilleCreek_2021_MY5.pdf 15.79MB Please upload only one PDF of the complete file that needs to be submitted... Signature Print Name:* Michael Herrmann Signature: ra4�zrm! � � t•t��x� YEAR 5 (2021) MONITORING REPORT Neville Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Parcel (Phase 1 & Phase 2) Jordan Lake Nutrient Strategy - Upper New Hope Subwatershed Orange County, NC Prepared by: Axiom Environmental, Inc. 218 Snow Avenue Raleigh, NC 27603 Phone: 919.215.1693 Prepared for: Watershed Investments NC, LLC 1630 Weatherford Circle Raleigh, NC 27604 Phone: 919.533.9195 DWR# 2015-0636 October 2021 iz SHE� ents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Watershed Investments NC (Sponsor) is pleased to provide the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) this Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report for the Neville Farms Bank Parcel (Site). The purpose of this project is to generate Jordan Lake riparian buffer restoration and preservation mitigation credits as well as nutrient offset credits. The Neville Farms Bank Parcel is included in the Neville Farms Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) for Riparian Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset Credits signed between Watershed Investments NC, LLC and the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) and effective on January 291h, 2016. The MBI is in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (Temporary Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule, effective October 24, 2014) and 15A NCAC 02B .0240 (Nutrient Offset Payments Rule). The Site is located approximately 3 miles southwest of Chapel Hill, NC and one mile upstream of University Lake. Surface water drainage features at the Site feed into the Upper New Hope subwatershed of Jordan Lake. The Site is located in the Cape Fear River Basin 14-digit United States Geological Survey (USGS) Cataloging Unit 03030002060070 of the South Atlantic/Gulf Region (North Carolina Division of Water Quality [NCDWQ] Sub -basin Number 03-06-06). Project restoration activities and planting were completed in November -December 2016. Completed project activities, reporting history, completion dates, project contacts, and project attributes are summarized in Tables 1-4 (Appendix A). The site encompasses 6.15 acres of land along Neville Creek, which is a tributary to University Lake south of Chapel Hill in Orange County North Carolina. Site activities consisted of approximately 5.04 acres of riparian restoration and approximately 0.94 acres of riparian preservation. An additional 0.17 acres of Tract 1 is included in the project easement area but is outside the rule -defined riparian buffer zone and, consequently, not included for either riparian buffer mitigation or nutrient offset credit generation. The Site is comprised of two separate tracts owned by two different landowners and is being mitigated in two phases. Phase 1 is comprised of Tract I and Phase 2 is comprised of Tract 2. Each phase/tract has its own credit release schedule for milestones met in accordance with the Neville Farms Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI). Though the tracts are adjacent, the division of the Site was necessary based on land use, land planning, and project crediting. Moving forward; however, project activities for both Tracts are proceeding on the same schedule. Tract information is as follows. Tract Acreage Location Tract 1 (Gambill/Neville Property) 4.31 ac. Main project area located on the north side of Neville Creek and accessible from Old Greensboro Highway Tract 2 (McGee Property) 1.84 ac. Area south of Neville Creek and accessible from Stansbury Road Orange County is the delegated authority by the NC Environmental Management Commission to conduct determinations on whether drainage features in their jurisdiction are surface waters and subject to the buffer rules of the State found in 15A NCAC 02B .0267 (Protection of Existing Riparian Buffers). Orange County • Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Planning and Inspections assessed the Site and provided their determination on February 9th, 2015 that the surface water features on the Site are subject to the Rule (Appendix C). The project has restored and preserved forest adjacent to surface water features to reduce nutrients that flow into Neville Creek, University Lake, and ultimately Jordan Lake. The project will have ancillary benefits that include reducing sediment runoff, reducing nutrients to streams through agricultural runoff, and thus, improving aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Any nutrient offset or riparian buffer mitigation generated from this Bank Parcel may offset impacts from development, both existing and proposed, within the Upper New Hope Subwatershed of Jordan Lake, as verified by DWR staff onsite and in a letter dated April 6, 2015 (Appendix E). At the request of NC DWR, one (1) additional permanent vegetation plot was installed in the Zone C Restoration area of Tract 1 during year 1 annual monitoring for a total of five (5) permanent vegetation plots in Tract 1 and two (2) permanent vegetation plots in Tract 2. During Year 1 (2017), mowing occurred to reduce herbaceous competition of planted trees. Year 5 (2021) data was collected on October 6, 2021 by Axiom Environmental and derived an average density of 358 planted stems per acre (excluding livestakes). In addition, all seven vegetation plots were well above success criteria of 260 planted stems per acre with the exception of Plot 7; however, when taking naturally recruited stems of green ash (Fraxinus pennglvanica) and tulip poplar (liriodendron tulipifera) stems into consideration, this plot was well -above success criteria. During data collection Axiom noted that several trees in Plot 7 may have been lost to due herbicide treatments in this portion of the site. While both tracts have met success criteria, after reviewing Year-3 (2019) monitoring data, NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) staff raised concerns over limited plant growth. As a result, an adaptive management plan was developed by WINC for the Site and approved by the Division (see Appendix C). Implementation of this plan has commenced and is detailed in Section 3.0 of this report. Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Table of Contents EXECUTIVESUMMARY............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 PROJECT MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.......................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Monitoring Plan..................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Success Criteria................................................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 MITIGATION POTENTIAL.................................................................................................................................... 2 3.0 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN....................................................................................................................... 3 4.0 REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................................4 APPENDICES APPENDIX A. GENERAL FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1. Site Location Figure 2. Current Conditions Plan View Figure 3. Component and Asset Map Table 1A. Phase 1/Tract 1 Neville Farms Buffer Credit Generation Summary Table 1B. Phase 1/Tract 1 Neville Farms Nutrient Offset Credit Generation Summary Table 1 C. Phase 2/Tract 2 Neville Farms Buffer Credit Generation Summary Table 1D. Phase 2/Tract 2 Neville Farms Nutrient Offset Credit Generation Summary Table 2. Project Activity and Reporting History Table 3. Project Contacts Table Table 4. Project Baseline Information and Attributes APPENDIX B. VEGETATION DATA Table 5. Planting List Table 6. Riparian Buffer Vegetation Totals Table 6A. 2021 Temporary Vegetation Plot Data Table 7. Planted and Total Stems by Plot and Species Table 8. CVS Data Summary Table Permanent Photo Points Vegetation Plot Photographs Temporary Transect Photographs APPENDIX C. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN & STATUS SUMMARY Year 4 Monitoring Report Addendum — Adaptive Management Implementation Status Table 1. Tree Species and Planting Numbers Addendum Attachment 1. Adaptive Management Plan Table 1. Proposed Tree Species Figure 1. Adaptive Management Areas Addendum Attachment 2. Vegetation Management Report Addendum Attachment 3. Soil Testing Report Addendum Attachment 4. Site Photos and Photo Point Locations Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC 1.0 PROJECT MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 1.1 Project Monitoring Plan Riparian vegetation monitoring for Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be based on the CVS Level 1-2 Pmtocol for Recording Vegetation, Version 4.2 (Lee et al. 2008). Annual vegetation monitoring will occur each year during the fall season with the first year for each Phase occurring at least 5 months after initial planting of the Tract/s. Vegetation monitoring plots measure 0.0247 acre in size and cover 2% of the planted area. Accordingly, four (4) permanent vegetative plots will be used to monitor Tract 1 and two (2) permanent vegetative plots will be used to monitor Tract 2. At the request of NC DWR, one (1) additional permanent vegetation plot was installed in the Zone C Restoration area of Tract 1 during year 1 annual monitoring for a total of five (5) permanent vegetation plots in Tract 1 and two (2) permanent vegetation plots in Tract 2 (Figure 2, Appendix A). A reference photo will be taken from the southwestern corner of each plot. All planted stems in the plots will be marked with flagging tape and recorded. Data collected will include species, height, planting type (planted stem or volunteer), and grid location. Year 5 (2021) CVS data was collected on October 06, 2021 by Axiom Environmental and derived an average density of 358 planted stems per acre (excluding livestakes) (Table 7, Appendix B). Four transects (4x25m) were conducted in areas identified in the adaptive management plant. The average density for these transects was 587 stems per acre. The average for both temporary and permanent plots was 469.5 stems per acre. Planted stems throughout the site had good vigor, in general, with an average planted stem height of 4.95 feet (151cm). Deer browse was identified across the site even after treatment with a repellant earlier in the growing season. The Sponsor shall submit to DWR an annual monitoring report for each phase, no later than December 31 of each year for five consecutive years. Reports will document the success of the vegetation and any maintenance, supplemental planting, or encroachment within the easement areas. As planting and the monitoring for both Phase 1 and 2 occurred on the same schedule, WINC intends to submit one Monitoring Report each year for at least 5 years to document the above requirements for both phases. All Monitoring Reports shall reflect the Phase for which it is being submitted. Monitoring bonds shall be renewed with confirmation of renewal provided to DWR with each annual monitoring report for each phase. DWR reserves the right to alter the credit release schedule if monitoring reports are submitted without proof of bond renewals. Invasive and noxious species will be monitored annually and controlled as needed so that none become dominant or alter the desired community structure of the site. Year 2 maintenance activities at the Site included herbicide treatment on local areas of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegiuru viruineuru) and Autumn Olive (Eleagnus urubellata) at Tract 2. These treatments were conducted on May 25, 2018 with a follow up on August 31, 2018. An aquatic -safe glyphosate (AquaNeat) herbicide was applied by a licensed Pesticide Applicator to control the invasive vegetation. Additionally, the conservation easement associated with the project was transferred to Unique Places to Save on July 26, 2018. This transfer fulfilled the property disposition and long-term management requirements of the Neville Farms MBI. Year 4 adaptive implementation measures at Tract 1 included herbicide treatment of fescue (festuca sp.), soil testing, and subsequent tree planting of the approximate 0.4 acre area around Plot 7, previously identified as an area of concern by DWR staff. Herbicide treatment was conducted by a licensed Pesticide Applicator from 11 Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Ripple EcoSolutions on August 71h, 2020 using an aquatic -safe glyphosate herbicide with surfactant to control fescue around Plot 7. Axiom staff noted at a following Site visit that several trees may have been lost in Plot 7 due to herbicide treatment. Soil testing of the same area around Plot 7 was conducted on July 9th1 2020 to assess whether lime treatment or other soil amendment was necessary to aid tree growth. Testing results concluded that lime treat was not necessary, but slow -release fertilizer tablets were added with newly planted trees. The supplemental tree planting occurred on October 29th5 2020 using fifty one -gallon containerized plants for the Plot 7 area at Tract 1. Year 4 adaptive implementation measures at Tract 2 included soil testing of two locations on July 9th, 2020 and supplemental tree planting of 1.2 acres on October 29th, 2020. One hundred and fifty trees were planted and flagged at Tract 2. Additional information on adaptive implementation measures is included below in Section 3.0 and in Appendix C. All Easement boundaries were checked at the time of CVS data collection, there were no signs of encroachment. 1.2 Success Criteria Pursuant to criteria found in the Temporary Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and Neville Farms MBI, vegetative success for the Site will require the survival of at least 260 planted trees per acre at the end of Year 5 based on monitoring data compiled for the site and site visits by the DWR. Natural recruits will not count towards annual achievement of performance standards; however, they may be taken into account during review by the NC DWR. Recruitment of volunteer species in the floodplain is anticipated due to adjacent forests that exist upstream and on the stream bank. 2.0 MITIGATION POTENTIAL As noted in the Neville Farms MBI, buffer credit determination is subject to the Temporary Buffer Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295(h) and (i). Figure 3 (Appendix A) identifies the riparian areas and credit types for Phase 1 and Phase 2. In accordance with Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295, the width of the buffer/nutrient credit generation area begins at the most landward limit of the top of bank or the rooted herbaceous vegetation and extends landward to a maximum distance of 200 feet. Nutrient offsets are not being generated within the areas described as Preservation. Preservation areas meet the requirements described in .0295 (m) (2) (D) — Preservation of Buffers on Subject Streams. Restoration areas meet the requirements of .0295(i) — Riparian Restoration or Enhancement. Nutrient Offset credits are consistent with rules 15A NCAC 02B .024. The following is a summary of the Jordan Lake riparian buffer credits and nutrient offset credit calculations for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Site. Detailed credit calculations are included in Tables 1A-1D (Appendix A). Phase 1 (Tract 1� • 0.40 acres Riparian Buffer Preservation = 1742.4 square feet of credit • 3.74 acres Nutrient Offset = 7220.59 lbs-N delivered and 424.90 lbs-P delivered) 22 Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Phase 2 (Tract 2) • 1.30 acres Riparian Buffer Restoration = 55,321.2 square feet (ft2) of credit • 0.54 acres Riparian Buffer Preservation = 2330.50 square feet (ft2) of credit As indicated in the Site's MBI, credits generated from riparian buffer restoration activities can be converted and transferred from buffer credits to nutrient offset credits with Division approval and from nutrient offset credits to buffer credits. However, when converting from nutrient offsets to buffer, all applicable ratios and percentages of full credit will apply according to 15A NCAC 02B .0295. Neville Farms' Nutrient Offset and Riparian Buffer credits will not be debited within the same area (not stacked). The Neville Farms Bank will service impacts within the Upper New Hope Subwatershed of Jordan Lake. 3.0 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN An Adaptive Management plan has been implemented due to DWR's concerns over poor plant growth. Soil testing was conducted in July of 2020 to determine whether soil amendment measures were necessary to stimulate tree growth. Herbicide treatment of dense fescue occurred in August of 2020 in the vicinity of Plot 7 at Tract 1, spray logs are included in Appendix C. Follow-up tree planting of the sprayed area in Tract 1 as well as areas of poor growth in Tract 2 was conducted in October of 2020. Soil testing from July 91h, 2020 concluded that the Site was not recommended for lime treatment, however, slow -release fertilizer tablets were added with newly planted trees. Testing was conducted at three areas around the Site using several soil samples from a depth of approximately six inches to create a composite soil of each area. Test results are included as attachment 3 in Appendix C. Results for the area around Plot 7 at Tract 1 are listed as site N1. Tract 2 was divided into Side A (south side, listed as N2A) and Side B (north side, listed as N2B) in the soils report (Figure 1, Appendix C). Although lime treatment was not recommended, fertilizer tablets were added with new trees due to concerns over poor growth. Each tree was planted with one 21-gram Scotts Agriform Fertilizer 20N:10P:5K tablet. These slow -release tablets were utilized to provide consistent plant -available micronutrients for consistent growth. Supplemental tree planting occurred on October 291h, 2020 using two hundred containerized one -gallon trees planted at a spacing of 20 ft x 20 ft. Fifty trees were planted at the 0.4 acre site around Plot 7 at Tract 1 and one hundred and fifty trees were planted in the 1.2 acre area at Tract 2. Adaptive planting zones are depicted in Figure 1, Appendix C and a full one -gallon species list is located in Table 1, Appendix C. 33 Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC 4.0 REFERENCES Lee, M.T., RK. Peet, S.D. Roberts, and T.R. Wentworth. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation, Level 1-2 Plot Version 4.2. Ecosystem Enhancement Program, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Shafale, M. P., and Weakley, A.S. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, third approximation. NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program. Raleigh, NC. 44 Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC APPENDIXA GENERAL FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1. Site Location Figure 2. Current Conditions Plan View Figure 3. Component and Asset Map Table 1A. Phase 1/Tract 1 Neville Farms Buffer Credit Generation Summary Table 1B. Phase 1/Tract 1 Neville Farms Nutrient Offset Credit Generation Summary Table 1 C. Phase 2/Tract 2 Neville Farms Buffer Credit Generation Summary Table 1D. Phase 2/Tract 2 Neville Farms Nutrient Offset Credit Generation Summary Table 2. Project Activity and Reporting History Table 3. Project Contacts Table Table 4. Project Baseline Information and Attributes Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Y W W C� W LL= Z 0 y O 0 0 0 DN. N O l ' W LL fn T U Q Z Q CO LU of o COZ WO 0 ZU U O 0 0 -jQQ J W Qz LL a a Zak O N F m o o m n o a I U- ..J-•-�, 5 p l o t IS Is 0 F a� cj ir, \ i-i U ti U 6J � o � � w o o w a N Is N C\l C� o U � � � o „O A o o N o 1-0 a� r o z N N Z >4 U M r.a y ,Q cd z\ o 0 0 o c� a a a G .� w w w � w z � �wGGoUo � o"' o� NoN"'N� a� V C4 00 00 N 00 G', O O GN, 00O M OO M O � N O O N t N N LO A4 O O M Vr Ln V' Ln 00 M m "a U Ln Ln U N r- cn o tq 00 L Ln tq 00 0 0 0 I o p 0 O Ln tUi Ln U r U U 000�000� � Pi Pi P� H ;-4 ;-4 ;-4 awww sa sa sa �3 �3 �J 0 woH 0 0 00 oE-1 0 0 00 0 N `n � o Ln o u Ln� N N N N N N rid C cn Ln O+�4 N O ti 00 sa v sa 00 r- z Ln m CN A., cN wa w y0 0 cc m\Z) O w N N o Lq Ln c� sa u U u U z 00 Ln 00 DD Ln�--i o ti U w u � N .•a � y cd y� 00 O z"` z 00 U Ln O M a a ; U o •� w ;,t4 o o w � � o w � o � O w W o U z 7c NoN"'N7!, b o V, E N 5 U � Cam' •� o•�b a�Q o ° � � o w � � O w w U U U O p bIJ p U U = O• 0 0 u 0 N U U U 4� 0 U '° H Z a 0 o ° cp •° U o LO rz 'F U Cd Cd Table 2. Project Activity and ReportinL, History Activity or Report Data Collection Completion or Delivery Neville Farms Bank Parcel Mitigation Banking Instrument Signed - January 29, 2016 Orange County Planning & Inspection Determination - February 9, 2015 DWR Staff Site Visit for Project Viability & Service Area Approval - April 6, 2015 Revised BPDP Submitted - June 1, 2016 Revised BPDP Approved - June 9, 2016 Site Preparation & Invasive Controls - November 16-18, 2016 Site Planting - December 21-22, 2016 Restoration work verification site visit with DWR Staff - January 31, 2017 Draft As -Built & Baseline Monitoring Document January 51 2017 March 20, 2017 Year 1 (2017) Annual Monitoring Report October 11, 2017 October 30, 2017 Year 2 (2018) Annual Monitoring Report October 09, 2018 October 30, 2018 Year 3 (2019) Annual Monitoring Report October 11, 2019 October 30, 2019 DWR Staff Site Visit to review plant growth and adaptive measures - June 11, 2020 Adaptive Management — NCDA & CS Soil Testing - July 9, 2020 Adaptive Management — Tract 1 Fescue Herbicide Application - August 7, 2020 Adaptive Management — Supplemental Tree Planting - October 29, 2020 Year 4 (2020) Annual Monitoring Report October 12, 2020 October 30, 2020 DWR Email Approval of the Adaptive Management Plan - February 23, 2021 Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report October 06, 2021 October 18, 2021 Table 3. Project Contacts Table Site Prep and Planting Contractor Surveying Bruton Natural Systems K2 Design Group PO Box 1197 5688 US Hwy 70 East Fremont, NC 27830 Goldsboro, NC 27534 naturalsystems@embargmail.com k2design@suddenhnk.net 919-242-6555 919-751-0075 Conservation Easement Preparation Banking Documents and Reports Preparation Harriss & Marion, PLLC Watershed Investments NC 3326 Durham -Chapel Hill Blvd 1630 Weatherford Circle P.O Box 51009 Raleigh, NC 27604 Durham, NC 27717 mherrmann@watershedinvestmentsnc.net joe@hmattorneys.net 919-559-6264 919-493-8421 Nursery/Seedling Supplier Monitoring Services Dykes and Son Nursery Axiom Environmental Inc 825 Maude Etter Road 218 Snow Avenue McMinnville, TN 37110 Raleigh, NC 27603 931-668-8833 919-215-1693 glewis@axiomenvironmental.org Adaptive Management Plan Contractor Ripple EcoSolutions 215 Moomidge Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Table 4. Project Baseline Information & Attributes Table Project Information Project Name Neville Farms County Orange Project Area (acres) Tract 1 = 4.31 acres, Tract 2 = 1.84 acres Project Coordinates (latitude and longitude) Tract 1 - Latitude: 35.8917' , Longitude:-79.1281' Tract 1 - Latitude: 35.8926' , Longitude:-79.1262' Project Watershed Summary Information Physiographic Province Piedmont River Basin Cape Fear USGS Hydrologic Unit 8-digit 03030002 USGS Hydrologic Unit 14- git 03030002060070 DWQ Sub -basin 03-06-06 Jordan Lake Subwatershed Upper New Hope Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC APPENDIX B VEGETATION DATA Table 5. Planting List Table 6. Riparian Buffer Vegetation Totals Table 6A. 2021 Temporary Vegetation Plot Data Table 7. Planted and Total Stems by Plot and Species Table 8. CVS Data Summary Permanent Photo Points Vegetation Plot Photographs Temporary Transect Photographs Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Table 5. Planting List Piedmont Alluvial Forest Acreage Planted 5.04 acres Species Total Stems Planted River Birch (Betula nigra) 535 Green Ash (Fraxinuspennylvanica) 240 Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulpifera) 535 American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) 535 Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxiz) 535 Cherrybark Oak (Quern pagoda) 535 TOTAL 2915 Table 6. 2021 Riparian Buffer Vegetation Totals Plot # Riparian Buffer Stems' (per acre) Success Criteria Met? 1 647 Yes 2 323 Yes 3 364 Yes 4 323 Yes 5 323 Yes 6 283 Yes 7 202 No Project Avg 352 Yes 1 Buffer Sterns=Native planted hardwood trees. Does NOT include shnlbs. No pines. No vines. Table 6A. 2021 Temporary Vegetation Plot Data Species 25m x 4m Temporary Plot (Bearing) T-1 (2860) T-2 (2690) T-3 (2350) T-4 (2070) Betula nigra 1 1 1 -- Diospyros vir iniana -- 2 -- 7 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 19 1 1 3 Liriodendron tuli ifera -- 2 1 2 Platanus occidentalis 5 4 5 1 Quercus pheUows -- -- -- 1 Quercus rubra -- -- -- 1 Total Stems 25 10 8 15 Total Stems/Acre 1012 405 324 607 Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC IIININIIIIININIINIIN 1IlllilIIIlllllll Sllil�1011��lll �1111�1�111�111 SII�111■IIIOIIIC �1111�1�1�111�1 L Table 8. P lanted Stems Summary Plot SCIENTIFIC NAME X Y Height (CM) DBH Vigor 1 Quercus pagoda 0.9 0.2 54 3 1 Platanus occidentalis 0.8 3.0 180 0.5 1 1 Platanus occidentalis 3.4 2.2 210 1 4 1 Betula nigra 5.6 3.5 50 4 1 Betula nigra 5.0 5.0 35 3 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 7.2 3.4 60 3 1 Platanus occidentalis 8.2 1.3 320 2.5 4 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 10.9 0.8 60 3 1 Betula nigra 10.9 2.1 40 3 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 10.6 3.7 80 3 1 Platanus occidentalis 12.7 3.6 210 1 4 1 Quercus michauxii 12.8 2.1 55 3 1 Quercus pagoda 13.0 0.9 20 2 1 Quercus shumardii 15.8 3.9 36 3 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 15.7 5.0 75 4 1 Quercus pagoda 17.8 1 3.6 40 3 1 Platanus occidentalis 17.8 0.7 210 1 4 1 Platanus occidentalis 17.8 1.7 170 1 4 2 Liriodendron tulipifera 4.0 1.4 10 3 2 Platanus occidentalis 7.7 3.3 350 2.5 4 2 Platanus occidentalis 8.8 0.4 255 1 4 2 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 10.0 3.9 200 3 2 Quercus michauxii 6.4 5.5 85 3 2 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 8.8 6.6 135 3 2 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 7.8 9.3 220 1 4 2 Quercus michauxii 5.2 8.3 110 3 3 Betula nigra 2.2 2.2 102 3 3 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5.2 3.2 255 4 3 Quercus pagoda 9.4 1.3 55 4 3 Betula nigra 7.7 4.2 100 3 3 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5.2 9.4 160 0.5 3 3 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 2.5 1 8.1 200 1 4 3 Betula nigra 4.1 6.3 80 4 3 Quercus michauxii 0.9 5.9 15 2 3 Liriodendron tulipifera 1.2 0.1 60 3 Plot SCIENTIFIC NAME X Y Height (CM) DBH Vigor 4 Quercus rubra 1.5 2.5 40 3 4 Quercus rubra 4.6 2.3 45 3 4 Quercus rubra 2.9 4.7 60 3 4 Liriodendron tulipifera 9.0 3.5 75 4 4 Betula nigra 9.2 0.2 65 3 4 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5.4 4.9 120 4 4 Betula nigra 8.9 6.9 50 4 4 Liriodendron tulipifera 6.2 7.6 45 2 4 Betula nigra 9.9 9.1 65 3 4 Quercus 1.1 9.6 42 3 5 Platanus occidentalis 2.9 2.5 550 6 4 5 Liriodendron tulipifera 6.1 1 3.4 55 4 5 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 8.6 0.3 120 3 5 Platanus occidentalis 8.7 3.0 550 4.5 4 5 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 8.8 5.9 120 3 5 Liriodendron tulipifera 6.1 8.8 85 4 5 Betula nigra 3.1 3.9 55 3 5 Quercus michauxii 0.2 8.8 50 4 6 Platanus occidentalis 3.6 3.3 450 6 4 6 Fraxinus pennsylvanica 5.5 1 .1 360 3 4 6 Platanus occidentalis 7.2 3.6 400 4.5 4 6 Platanus occidentalis 5.2 5.1 550 5 4 6 Quercus pagoda 7.7 7.1 48 4 6 Platanus occidentalis 3.9 7.1 370 3 4 6 Betula nigra 1.1 5.5 55 4 7 Betula nigra 9.5 2.7 50 3 7 Quercus michauxii 6.9 8.7 10 2 Neville Farms Permanent Photo Points Taken October 06, 2021 Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Neville Farms Vegetation Monitoring Photographs Taken October 06, 2021 Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Neville Farms Temporary Transect Photographs Taken October 06, 2021 Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC APPENDIX C ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN & STATUS SUMMARY Year 4 Monitoring Report Addendum — Adaptive Management Implementation Status Table 1. Tree Species and Planting Numbers Addendum Attachment 1. Adaptive Management Plan Table 1. Proposed Tree Species Figure 1. Adaptive Management Areas Addendum Attachment 2. Vegetation Management Report Addendum Attachment 3. Soil Testing Report Addendum Attachment 4. Site Photos and Photo Point Locations Appendices Neville Farms Year 5 (2021) Annual Monitoring Report (Phases 1 &2) Watershed Investments NC Year 4 Monitoring Report Addendum - Adaptive Management Implementation Status Neville Farms Phases 1 & 2 DWR #2015-0636 February 15, 2021 This document summarizes implementation of the Adaptive Management Plan for Neville Farms submitted by Watershed Investments NC, LLC and approved by the NC Division of Water Resources in a letter dated July 14, 2020. For your convenience, the approved Adaptive Plan is included as Attachment 1 to this Addendum. Tract 1 Year 3 Monitoring Observation: In the vicinity of Plot 7, planted stems were exhibiting stunted growth when compared with surrounding plots. Based on observations, the likely cause for diminished growth was competition with dense fescue in the area. Year 4 Adaptive Implementation Measures: The following adaptive management measures have been implemented on Tract 1: 1. A licensed pesticide applicator from Ripple EcoSolutions applied an aquatic safe herbicide on an approximate 0.4 acres in the vicinity of Plot 7 on 8/7/2020. Spray logs are included in Attachment 2. While spraying, care was taken to avoid existing plant stock, however, during the monitoring assessment of the area on October 11t" and 12t" of 2020, Axiom noted that several trees in Plot 7 may have been lost to herbicide treatment. 2. Soil tests of this area were taken on 7/9/2020 to check whether soil amendment was needed to aid tree growth and to compare the area with the neighboring Tract 1 soils. The soil test results are included in Attachment 3 as Site N1. Several areas around plot 7 were taken at a depth of approximately 6 inches to create a composite soil of the area. As indicated in the soil test results, the emergent hardwood community in and around Plot 7 (i.e., Site N1) was not recommended for lime treatment. Due to concerns over the lack of growth in the originally planted trees around Plot 7, each tree was planted with one 21-gram Scotts Agriform Fertilizer 20N:10P:5K tablet. The slow -release tablets provide consistent plant -available micronutrients for consistent growth across the planting area with minimal leaching and should aid plant growth. 3. Follow-up planting of the sprayed area was completed 10/29/20 (See Table 1 for the planting list). Fifty containerized plants (one -gallon) were planted at a spacing of 20ft x 20ft and the newly planted stock were flagged. Photos of the new plant stock in the planted area are included as Attachment 4. Table 1. One -gallon tree species and planting numbers used on 10/29/20. Species Common Name Number Acernegundo Box Elder 25 Betula nigra River Birch 50 Acer rubrum Red Maple (Only on Tract 2) 25 Quercusphellos Willow Oak 25 Liriodcndron tuipilala Tulip Poplar 50 -Quercus michauxii Swamp Chestnut Oak 25 Total 200 Tract 2 Year 3 Monitoring Observation: Lack of vigorous planted stem growth in the majority of the site outside of Plot 2 with potential causes being herbivory or poor soil conditions. Unlike the Plot 7 area of Tract 1, fescue density and growth was not vigorous and did not seem to be a likely cause for low growth in planted stems in Tract 2. Year 4 Adaptive Implementation Measures: The following adaptive management measures have been implemented on Tract 2: • Soil tests were taken at the site on 7/9/20 and the results are included in Attachment 3. To better diagnose the site, Tract 2 was divided into Side A (south side) listed as N2A in the soils report and Side B (north side) listed as 1\1213 in the soils report. Several soil samples were taken at a depth of approximately 6 inches to create a composite soil of each side. Like Tract 1, lime soil amendment was not recommended in the soils results for the emergent hardwood plants. The same Scotts Agriform fertilizer tablet described for Tract 1 was utilized for new tree plantings in Tract 2 to help improve plant growth. • Follow-up tree planting of the tract was completed 10/29/20 (See Table 1 for the planting list). One -hundred -fifty (150) containerized plants (one -gallon) were planted at a spacing of 20ft x 20ft and the newly planted stock were flagged. Photos of the new plant stock in the planted area are included as Attachment 4. Remaining Implementation Measures In the early Spring of 2021, a non -toxic deer repellent will be applied at least once to the plants on Tract 2 to discourage herbivory. A non -toxic repellent safe for wildlife will be used and timed to coincide with the early budding stage of the newly planted trees. Addendum Attachment 1. Adaptive Management Plan (end Submission - 7/12/2020) Neville Farms Phases 1&2 DWR #2015-0636 Site Overview and History This Adaptive Management Plan is provided to address concerns over planted stem success at the Neville Farms Mitigation Bank Parcel (Site). Watershed Investments NC (WINC), the sponsor, originally planted the site in November -December 2016. The site encompasses 6.15 acres of land along Neville Creek in Orange County North Carolina and is broken into two tracts separated by Neville Creek (See Figure 1 for a map of the site). Site activities consisted of approximately 5.04 acres of riparian restoration and approximately 0.94 acres of riparian preservation. An additional 0.17 acres of Tract 1 is included in the project easement area but is outside the rule -defined riparian buffer zone and, consequently, is not included for either riparian buffer mitigation or nutrient offset credit generation. Year 3 (2019) monitoring data was collected on October 11, 2019 by Axiom Environmental (See Attachmentl). While average density of planted stems per acre were above success criteria of 260 planted stems, in their review of the report, NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) staff raised concerns over limited plant growth at both tracts of the Site (See NC DWR Email in Attachment 2) and prompted a visit to review the site. Staff from Watershed Investments (Mike Herrmann), Axiom Environmental (Phillip Perkinson) accompanied Katie Merritt (DWR) on a visit to the Site on June 111h, 2020 to review plant growth and discuss options for corrective measures. In their visit, deer browsing, competition from existing fescue, and poor soils were all sited as potential causes for limited tree growth in some areas of both tracts. The prevalence of these causes varied between Tract 1 and Tract 2 but raised concerns over planting success at some areas within the Site. No signs of easement encroachment were observed during the visit. The following is a brief summary of observations made of the two tracts during the site visit. Tract 1- Planted stem growth was observed to be meeting success criteria throughout the majority of the mitigation area and numerous natural volunteer plants were observed. Limited plant growth was observed, however, both within Plot 7 and its immediate surrounding area (See Figure 1). In the Plot 7 area dense fescue was established. Additionally, the plot's planted stem viability was the lowest of all the plots (283 stems/acre). Based on field observation, the area of suppressed growth is estimated to be 0.30 acres. Tract 2 — Both plant diversity and growth were limited in most of the easement area except for the area within monitoring Plot #2. Potentially causes for these problems were suggested to be poor soil and plant herbivory. The area affected is shown in Figure 1 and is approximately 1.20 acres. In response to concerns found in the annual monitoring reports and observed during the visit, the following adaptive measures are proposed to, increase planted tree density, provide plant diversity, and address competition from herbaceous plants. Adpative Management Plan Herbaceous competition from fescue was observed to be a likely cause of stunted plant growth on Tract 1. On this tract, herbicide will be used to control fescue. Chemicals labeled safe for use in riparian zones and in aquatic environments will be mixed and applied at rates labeled for treatment of fescue. Precautions will be taken to avoid collateral damage to desirable vegetation (both planted and volunteer). Pesticide application will be conducted by a licensed application specialist and logs will be available upon request. Fescue application will be scheduled soon after approval of this adaptive management plan. Soil testing of Tract 2 is being undertaken to determine whether the site needs soil amendments prior to the container planting. Soil amendment will occur as needed based on soil testing. Possible amendments to the soil include the use of lime to lower acidity and/or fertilization to improve low soil nutrients (e.g., phosphorus, or potassium) while being careful not to over fertilize. Fertility in Tract 1 was not observed to be a problem. To increase planted stem density, planting one -gallon container plants will occur on both tracts 1 and 2. On Tract 2, 150 native hardwood species listed in Table 1 will be planted at a density of approximately 100 stems per acre to fillin areas with low planted stem growth or stunted growth. This density, when combined with existing successful plants, should solidify the likelihood that plantings at the site will meet success criteria defined in the Mitigation Banking Instrument at the site close-out. To assess planting needs, Tract 2 is separated into 2 sides based on topography and existing tree growth. Results from soil tests and existing tree locations on each side will be used to determine where container plants are needed to supplement sparse areas of existing tree growth. Soil amendments will be based on soil test findings. For Tract 1, where the area is smaller, approximately 50 trees will be planted using a more uniform 16-foot spacing. Of the Table 1 species, Acer rubrum (Red Maple) will not be planted on Tract 1 and only used on Tract 2. Planting of both tracts will occur in the Fall/Winter of 2020/2021 and observed over Year 5 of the monitoring period. Due to their more developed root system, the container plants will be better enabled to overcome herbivory that is suspected to be affecting the site. In addition, to discourage herbivory, a deer repellent will be applied at least once to the plants on Tract 2 in the spring of 2021 when trees are in the early budding stage. A non -toxic repellent safe for wildlife will be used. Table 1. Proposed one -gallon tree species (Note: Species availability may result in the substitution of regionally appropriate native species.) Species Common Name Acer negundo Box Elder Diospyms virginiana Persimmon Acer rubruru Red Maple (Only on Tract 2) Quercus phellos Willow Oak Celas ocadentalis Hackberry Quercus falcata Southern red oak Addendum Attachment 2. 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