HomeMy WebLinkAboutSW4211102_Wetland Determination/Report_20211117iiiiiiiii
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P I L❑ T E N V I R❑ N M E N T A L, I N C
October 29, 2021
Mr. Aiken Keppler
721 Ancient Oaks Drive
Holly Springs, North Carolina 27540
Reference: Wetland Delineation
Approximate 1.76-Acre Tract
NC Highway 87 South
Graham, Alamance County, North Carolina
Pilot Project 7371
Dear Mr. Keppler:
Pilot Environmental, Inc. (Pilot) is pleased to submit this report of the wetland delineation for the
approximate 1.76-acre tract located east of NC Highway 87 South in Graham, Alamance County,
North Carolina.
Background
Wetlands are defined by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "those areas that are inundated or saturated
by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal
circumstances, do support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions." In order for an area to be classified as wetland, hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils,
and wetland hydrology indicators must be present.
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates the discharge of dredge and fill materials
into waters of the United States (lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, etc.), including wetlands. Waters
of the United States include the territorial seas, navigable coastal and inland lakes, rivers and
streams, intermittent streams, and wetlands. The EPA and the USACE jointly administer the
Section 404 program. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act grants each state the authority to
approve, condition, or deny any Federal permits that could result in a discharge to State waters.
Jurisdictional features include wetlands, open waters, ponds, lakes and perennial/intermittent
streams. Jurisdictional features are regulated by the USACE and North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality -Division of Water Resources (NCDEQ-DWR). Permits are required prior
to impacting any jurisdictional feature. The type of permit required is specific to the type,
location and amount of impacts. Stormwater management plans and/or mitigation for proposed
impacts could be a requirement of the permit approval process.
The findings and conclusions in this report are our opinions based on field conditions
encountered at the time of the site visit. Changes including, but not limited to, regulations,
PO Box 128, Kernersville, NC 27285
www.pilotenviro.com
Wetland Delineation
Pilot Project 7371
October 29, 2021
weather, timber/vegetation removal and usage/development of the site or nearby properties
can alter the findings and opinions presented in this report. We recommend that this report only
be used for preliminary planning purposes. Agency verifications, followed by a survey of
jurisdictional features, are required to determine the exact extent and locations of jurisdictional
features and are valid for a period of up to five years following issuance of a USACE Jurisdictional
Determination (JD) and/or NCDEQ-DWR Site Determination Letter.
Global Positioning System (GPS) location of jurisdictional features has been conducted by Pilot
personnel in the field utilizing a Trimble handheld GPS unit capable of sub -meter accuracy. Field
GPS data has been post -processed by Pilot personnel and digitally provided to the client for
assistance with preliminary planning. Pilot expresses no warranties or liabilities to accuracy of
GPS locations and/or provided GPS data.
Scope of Services
Pilot was contracted to perform a wetland delineation for the approximate 1.76-acre tract located
east of NC Highway 87 South in Graham, Alamance County, North Carolina. The site is identified on
the Alamance County Geographic Information System (GIS) as parcel identification number (PIN)
9708943664. The scope of services included a delineation of jurisdictional features (streams,
wetlands and other surface waters) on the site. The site boundary was not marked at the time
of our field delineation.
Literature Review
We reviewed the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Soil Survey of Alamance County, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Map and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
• The USGS Topographic Map (Drawing 1) does not depict surface waters or wetlands on the
site. Surface drainage is towards the west and northwest. An unnamed tributary to Marys
Creek is depicted approximately 600 feet northwest of the site.
The USDA Web Soil Survey of Alamance County (Drawing 2) identifies the following mapping
unit on the site: Cullen clay loam (CnB2). The Cullen series consists of well drained,
moderately permeable soils that occur on upland ridgetops and side slopes. The soil mapping
unit is not identified on the Alamance County Hydric Soils List.
Pilot also reviewed the last published USDA Soil Survey of Alamance County (Drawing 2A).
The published soil survey does not depict surface waters or wetlands on the site. A stream is
depicted approximately 250 feet west of the site.
• The USFWS NWI Map (Drawing 3) does not depict surface waters or wetlands on the site.
iA
Wetland Delineation
Pilot Project 7371
October 29, 2021
• The FEMA FIRM (Drawing 4) identifies the site within Zone X, an area of minimal flood hazard.
Field Delineation
Pilot conducted the site visit on October 28, 2021. The site contains an overgrown field with
scattered trees. Ponds, streams and wetlands are not located on the site. The soils on the site
are bright and appear well drained. A USACE Wetland Determination Data Form, supporting our
opinion, is included as an attachment. Drawing 5 shows the approximate locations of the site
boundary and the location of the data point. Drawing 5 is preliminary and subject to change
during agency verification(s) of the delineation.
Watershed Classification
According to the NCDEQ-DWR, the site is located in the Cape Fear River Basin. Surface drainage
across the site is to the west, towards an off -site unnamed tributary to Marys Creek. The NCDEQ-
DWR has classified Marys Creek, the receiving waters, as WS-V; nutrient sensitive waters (NSW).
Additionally, the site is located in the Jordan Lake Watershed. State Regulated Riparian Buffers
are required adjacent to intermittent and perennial streams as depicted on the most recent
versions of the USGS Topographic Map (Drawing 1) and the Published USDA Soil Survey (Drawing
2A). Features are not depicted on the site or within 100 feet of the site. Consultation with the
local planning authority is recommended to confirm local buffer/stormwater setback
requirements.
Agency Verification
The delineation has not been verified by the USACE or the NCDEQ-DWR. The delineation,
including locations and designations of features, is subject to change during agency verifications.
3
Wetland Delineation
Pilot Project 7371
October 29, 2021
Closing
We appreciate the opportunity to provide our services to you. Please contact us at (336) 310-
4527 if you have questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
/1�-) 7 4t*.-
Michael T. Brame, PWS
Principal
David S. Brame, PWS
Senior Project Manager
Attachments: Drawing 1— USGS Topographic Map
Drawing 2 — Web Soil Map
Drawing 2A — Published Soil Map
Drawing 3 — NWI Map
Drawing 4 — FEMA FIRM
Drawing 5 — Wetland Map
Wetland Determination Data Form
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Drawing 1 ``
USGS Topographic Map
Approximate 1.76-Acre Tract
USGS Topographic Map 4.. pp
_ NC Highway 87 South
Saxapahaw, NC Quadrangle PIL■ AM -
Graham, Alamance County, NC
Scale: 1"=2,000' p,L0, ENVIR0NMIN7AL,INC Pilot Project7371
Drawing 2
USDA Web Soil Survey
of Alamance County, NC
Scale: 1" = 100'
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LEGEND
Site Boundary
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Web Soil Map
Approximate 1.76-Acre Tract
NC Highway 87 South
Graham, Alamance County, NC
Pilot Project 7371
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Drawing 3 r
USFWS NWI::;Wetlands Mapper L01■A%Scale: 1" = 200' T 6 H V I R O N M I N T A L. I w i
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LEGEND
Site Boundary
Freshwater Emergent
Freshwater Forested/Shrub
Estuarine and Marine Deepwater
Estuarine and Marine
Freshwater Pond
Lake
RivPrine
k ' Other
NWI Map
Approximate 1.76-Acre Tract
NC Highway 87 South
Graham, Alamance County, NC
Pilot Project 7371
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LEGEND
Site Boundary
1 %Annual Chance Flood Hazard
MRegulatory Floodvay
Sped al Floodvay i
Area of Undetermined Flood Hazard
0.2%Annual Chance Flood Hazard
' Future Conditions 1 %Annual Chance Flood Hazard
► Area with R educed Risk Due to Levee
4 K10 114
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FEMA FIRM
Drawing 4
Approximate 1.76-Acre Tract
National Flood Hazard Layer ,.. .
NC Highway 87 South
from FEMA Web Map Service p�L01r +� Graham Alamance County, NC
Scale: 1" = 200' PILOT ENV3ROtiMEN7AL.iZC Pilot Project7371
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LEGEND A
Site Boundary
THE SITE WAS DELINEATED BY PILOT ENVIRONMENTAL ON OCTOBER 28, 2021. SURFACE
WATERS OR WETLANDS ARE NOT LOCATED ON THE SITE. THE DELINEATION HAS NOT BEEN DP-10 Data Point
VERIFIED BY THE USACE.
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Drawing 5`,.. Wetland Map
Aerial Imagery from ESRI 4 .. := Approximate 1.76-Acre Tract
and Pilot GPS Data - - NC Highway 87 South
Scale: 1" = 100' p11.a1' " Graham, Alamance County, NC
Date:10.29.21 PILOT ENVIR❑ MENTAL.INC Pilot Project7371
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Requirement Con&W Symbol
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA SHEET - Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region EXEMPT
See ERDC/EL TR-07-24; the proponent agency is CECW-CO-R (Authority AR 335- f5,paragraph 5-2a)
Project/Site: NC Highway 87 City/County: Graham/Alamance Sampling Date: 10.28.21
Applicant/Owner: Aiken Keppler State: NC Sampling Point: DP-1
Investigator(s): Pilot Environmental, Inc Section, Township, Range: NA
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.): Side Slope Local relief (concave, convex, none): Slope Slope (%): 2
Subregion (LRR or MLRA): LRR P, MLRA 136 Lat: 35.905412' Long:=I3-79.306483' Datum: WGS 84
Soil Map Unit Name: Cullen Clay Loam (CnB2) NWI classification: None
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes X No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation Soil or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are "Normal Circumstances' present? Yes X No
Are Vegetation Soil or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS - Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No X Is the Sampled Area
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No X within a Wetland? Yes No X
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes No X
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Secondary Indicators (minimum of two required)
Primary Indicators (minimum of one is required: check all that apply)
—Surface Soil Cracks (136)
_ Surface Water (Al) —True
Aquatic Plants (1314)
—Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (138)
_ High Water Table (A2) _
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (Cl)
—Drainage Patterns (1310)
_ Saturation (A3) —Oxidized
Rhizospheres on Living Roots (C3)
_Moss Trim Lines (1316)
—Water Marks (131) _
Presence of Reduced Iron (C4)
_ Dry -Season Water Table (C2)
—Sediment Deposits (132) _
Recent Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
—Crayfish Burrows (C8)
_ Drift Deposits (133) —Thin
Muck Surface (C7)
—Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
—Algal Mat or Crust (134) _
Other (Explain in Remarks)
—Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1)
_ Iron Deposits (135)
_ Geomorphic Position (D2)
_ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (137)
—Shallow Aquitard (D3)
—Water-Stained Leaves (139)
_ Microtopographic Relief (D4)
Aquatic Fauna (1313)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No
X Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No
X Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes No
X Depth (inches):
Wetland
Hydrology Present? Yes No X
includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
ENG FORM 6116A-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont —Version 2.0
VEGETATION (Four Strata) - Use scientific names of plants.
Sampling Point: DP-1
Absolute Uominant
Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: 30 )
% Cover Species?
Status
Dominance Test worksheet:
1
Number of Dominant Species
2.
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 1 (A)
3.
Total Number of Dominant
4.
Species Across All Strata: 6 (B)
5.
Percent of Dominant Species
6.
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 16.7% (A/B)
7.
Prevalence Index worksheet:
=Total Cover
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
50% of total cover:
20% of total cover:
OBL species 0 x 1 = 0
Sapling/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 15
)
FACW species 0 x 2 = 0
1.
FAC species 10 x 3 = 30
2.
FACU species 60 x 4 = 240
3.
UPL species 0 x 5 = 0
4.
Column Totals: 70 (A) 270 (B)
5.
Prevalence Index = B/A = 3.86
6.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
7.
_ 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
8.
2 - Dominance Test is >50%
9.
_
3 - Prevalence Index is 53.01
=Total Cover
_
4 - Morphological Adaptations' (Provide supporting
50% of total cover:
20% of total cover:
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 5 )
_ Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation' (Explain)
1. Asc%pias syrfaca
15 Yes
FACU
Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
2. So/idago canadensis
15 Yes
FACU
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Definitions of Four Vegetation Strata:
3. Festuca arundinacea 10 Yes FACU
4. Symphyotifchumpi/osum
10 Yes
FAC
Tree- Woody plants, excluding vines, 3 in. (7.6 cm) or
5. Eupatoffum capi//ifo/ium
10 Yes
FACU
more in diameter at breast height (DBH), regardless of
6. Phyto/acca ameffcana
10 Yes
FACU
height.
7
Sapling/Shrub - Woody plants, excluding vines, less
8.
than 3 in. DBH and greater than or equal to 3.28 ft
9
(1 m) tall.
10.
Herb -All herbaceous (non -woody) plants, regardless
11.
of size, and woody plants less than 3.28 ft tall.
70 =Total Cover
Woody Vine -All woody vines greater than 3.28 ft in
50% of total cover:
35 20% of total cover:
14
height.
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 30 )
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hydrophytic
=Total Cover
Vegetation
50% of total cover:
20% of total cover:
Present? Yes No X
Remarks: (Include photo numbers here or on a separate sheet.)
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont - Version 2.0
SOIL
Sampling Point: DP-1
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type LOC2 Texture Remarks
0-18 10YR 4/4 100 Loamy/Clayey
'Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, MS=Masked Sand Grains.
2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators:
Indicators for Problematic Hydric 801ls3:
_ Histosol (Al)
_ Polyvalue Below Surface (S8) (MLRA 147, 148)
_ 2 cm Muck (A10) (MLRA 147)
_ Histic Epipedon (A2)
—Thin Dark Surface (S9) (MLRA 147, 148)
—Coast Prairie Redox (A16)
_ Black Histic (A3)
_ Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (MLRA 136)
(MLRA 147, 148)
_ Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
_ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
_ Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19)
_ Stratified Layers (A5)
_ Depleted Matrix (F3)
(MLRA 136, 147)
_ 2 cm Muck (A10) (LRR N)
_ Redox Dark Surface (F6)
_ Red Parent Material (F21)
_ Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
_ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
(outside MLRA 127, 147, 148)
—Thick Dark Surface (Al 2)
_ Redox Depressions (F8)
—Very Shallow Dark Surface (F22)
—Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
_ Iron -Manganese Masses (F12) (LRR N,
_ Other (Explain in Remarks)
Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
MLRA 136)
_
_ Sandy Redox (S5)
_ Umbric Surface (F13) (MLRA 122, 136)
3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
_ Stripped Matrix (S6)
_ Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19) (MLRA 148)
wetland hydrology must be present,
Dark Surface (S7)
Red Parent Material (F21) (MLRA 127, 147, 148)
unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if observed):
Type:
Depth (inches):
Hydric Soil Present? Yes No X
Remarks:
ENG FORM 61164-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont —Version 2.0