SW3220305_Wetland Determination/Report_20220325

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July 20, 2021
Brown and Caldwell
309 East Morehead Street, Suite 160
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Attention: Mr. George Anipsitakis, P.E.
[e-mail]
Reference: Waters of the U.S. Assessment Report
Rocky River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (RRRWWTP)
Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No. 216064
Dear Mr. Anipsitakis:
S&ME, Inc. (S&ME) appreciates the opportunity to submit this letter report detailing results of the Waters of the
U.S. Assessment recently performed at a portion of the RRRWWTP property located at 6400 Breezy Lane in
Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. These services were performed in general accordance with Task 2 of
S&ME Proposal No. 216064, dated June 24, 2021 and Subcontract for Professional Services, Project No. 156673,
between Brown and Caldwell and S&ME. The assessment of the Waters of the U.S. was conducted by S&ME
Natural Resources Project Scientist Ms. Suzanne Knudsen on July 7, 2021. The opinions included herein are based
on this information and professional experience. This report is based on the observations made on the date
noted and using the procedures described herein.
Background Information
The subject property is an approximately 10-acre portion of a larger 239-acre parcel comprised of Cabarrus
County Parcel Number 55470645480000. At the time of the site reconnaissance, the subject property was a
vacant field with two stormwater detention basins and a vegetated swale. The subject property is shown on the
attached figures: Vicinity Map (Figure 1), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map (Figure 2), and a Site
Map (Figure 3).
On behalf of the RRRWWTP, Brown and Caldwell requested S&ME provide Geotechnical Services and a Waters of
the U.S. Assessment for a planned facility expansion and improvements. This letter details the findings of the
Waters of the U.S. Assessment. The results of the Geotechnical Services will be provided under separate cover.
S&ME, Inc. 19751 Southern Pine Boulevard I Charlotte, NC 28273 1 p 704.523.4726 1 www.smeinc.com

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Methodology
Waters of the U.S. Assessment Report
RRRWWTP
Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Project No. 216064
The services performed by S&ME are described and outlined in Task 2 of the above -mentioned proposal (Waters
of the U.S. Assessment). Prior to conducting the site visit, S&ME reviewed relevant supporting information, which
included USGS topographic maps, the USDA Cabarrus County Soil Survey, the USDA publication Hydric Soils of
the U.S., and representative aerial imagery of the subject property.
On July 7, 2021, Ms. Knudsen of S&ME conducted a pedestrian review of the project area to assess the area for
features that exhibit characteristics that are consistent with jurisdictional waters of the U.S. This determination was
performed following the procedures set forth in the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetlands
Delineation Manual and the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region Supplemental Guidance'.
Detailed information required to determine wetland conditions was collected during the field reconnaissance and
documented on the attached USACE Wetland Determination Data Sheet. S&ME also assessed the site for the
presence of stream channels, utilizing the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) Stream
Identification Form (Version 4.11).
The findings of this investigation are detailed below and on the Site Map (Figure 3). Photographs from the site
visit are provided in Attachment I. The USACE Wetland Data Determination Sheet is provided in Attachment II.
Findings
The subject property has been previously graded and is herbaceously vegetated. Jurisdictional waters of the U.S.
were not identified during the field review conducted by S&ME. Two non -jurisdictional stormwater detention
basins are located within the southeastern portion of the subject property. A non -jurisdictional vegetated Swale
parallels a portion of the southern boundary. These features do not exhibit characteristics of jurisdictional waters
of the U.S.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The Waters of the U.S. Assessment conducted by S&ME did not identify jurisdictional waters of the U.S. within the
subject property.
Based on the findings of this field review, an official jurisdictional determination and/or Section 404/401 of the
Clean Water Act permitting associated with the proposed project development would not be required.
' Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual, Technical Report Y-87-1, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways
Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. NTIS No. AD A176.
Environmental Laboratory. 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Eastern Mountains and
Piedmont Region (version 2.0). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. ERDC/EL TR-12-9
July 20, 2021

Waters of the U.S. Assessment Report
RRRWWTP
III Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
Project No. 216064
Closing
S&ME appreciates the opportunity to provide this Waters of the U.S. Assessment for this project. Please contact
Suzanne Knudsen at [phone] (cell) or [e-mail] if you have questions regarding the
information provided.
Sincerely,
S&ME, Inc.
C) µc - d �-
Suzanne L. Knudsen Chris Daves, PWS
Natural Resources Project Scientist Senior Scientist/Senior Reviewer
Attachments:
Figures: Vicinity Map (Figure 1)
USGS Topographic Map (Figure 2)
Site Map (Figure 3)
Attachment 1: Site Photographs
Attachment 2: USACE Upland Data Sheet
July 20, 2021 3

Figures

Attachment I - Site Photographs

RRRWWTP
Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No. 216064
N
O
N
r
r
4J
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w
Facing east toward non jursdictional stormwater detention basin within the eastern
portion of the subject property.
N
O
N
r
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q I
4J
N
L
Q
_
O
d
2
Facing west toward second non jurisdictional stormwater basin within the eastern
portion of the subject property.

RRRWWTP
Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina
S&ME Project No. 216064
(V
C
N
C
Y
N
C
C
N
7
N
N
L
Q
O
O
L
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3 Facing east toward subject property.
(V
O
(V
L� Facing north along fence of eastern portion of subject property.

Attachment II - USACE Upland Data Sheet

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Requirement Control Symbol
EXEMPT
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA SHEET — Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region (Authority: AR 335-15,
See ERDC/EL TR-07-24; the proponent agency is CECW-CO-R paragraph 5-2a)
Project/Site: RRRWWTP/6400 Breezy Lane City/County: Concord/Cabarrus Sampling Date: 7/7/2021
Applicant/Owner: RRRWWTP State: NC Sampling Point: UP -A
Investigator(s): Suzanne Knudsen Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.): hillslope Local relief (concave, convex, none): concave Slope (%):
Subregion (LRR or MLRA): LRR P, MLRA 136 Lat: 35.328680 Long:-80.538446 Datum:
Soil Map Unit Name: Urband Land NWI classification:
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 (B10)
_Saturation (A3) _Oxidized
Rhizospheres on Living Roots (C3)
_Moss Trim Lines (B16)
—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:
No hydrology
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont — Version 2.0

VEGETATION (Four Strata) - Use scientific names of plants.
Sampling Point: UP -A
Absolute Dominant
Indicator
Tree Stratum (Plot size: )
% 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: 7 (B)
5.
Percent of Dominant Species
6.
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 14.3% (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:
)
FACW species 0 x 2 = 0
1.
FAC species 20 x 3 = 60
2.
FACU species 100 x 4 = 400
3.
UPL species 20 x 5 = 100
4.
Column Totals: 140 (A) 560 (B)
5.
Prevalence Index = B/A = 4.00
6.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
7.
_ 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
8.
2 - Dominance Test is >50%
9.
3 - Prevalence Index is :53.0'
=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.
Apocynum cannabinum
20 Yes
FACU
'Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must be
2.
Erigeron annuus
20 Yes
FACU
present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Definitions of Four Vegetation Strata:
3. Lysimachia arvensis 20 Yes UPL
4.
Sorghum halepense
20 Yes
FACU
Tree - Woody plants, excluding vines, 3 in. (7.6 cm) or
5.
Trifolium pratense
20 Yes
FACU
more in diameter at breast height (DBH), regardless of
6.
Solanum carolinense
20 Yes
FACU
height.
7.
Campsis radicans
20 Yes
FAC
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.
140 =Total Cover
Woody Vine - All woody vines greater than 3.28 ft in
50% of total cover:
70 20% of total cover:
28
height.
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: )
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: UP -A
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
0-8 7.5YR 4/6 90 7.5YR 4/2 10 M Loamy/Clayey
8-12 10YR 5/3 90 10YR 4/6 10 M Loamy/Clayey
'Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, MS=Masked Sand Grains.
Hydric Soil Indicators:
Histosol (Al)
_ Histic Epipedon (A2)
—Black Histic (A3)
—Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
—Stratified Layers (A5)
2 cm Muck (A10) (LRR N)
—Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
_Thick Dark Surface (Al2)
—Sandy Mucky Mineral(S1)
_Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
_Sandy Redox (S5)
_Stripped Matrix (S6)
Dark Surface (S7)
_ Polyvalue Below Surface (S8) (MLRA 147, 148)
_Thin Dark Surface (S9) (MLRA 147, 148)
_Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (MLRA 136)
—Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
_ Depleted Matrix (F3)
_ Redox Dark Surface (F6)
—Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
_ Redox Depressions (F8)
_ Iron -Manganese Masses (F12) (LRR N,
MLRA 136)
_ Umbric Surface (F13) (MLRA 122, 136)
_ Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19) (MLRA 148)
Red Parent Material (F21) (MLRA 127, 147, 148)
2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
_2 cm Muck (A10) (MLRA 147)
_Coast Prairie Redox (A16)
(MLRA 147, 148)
—Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19)
(MLRA 136, 147)
—Red Parent Material (F21)
(outside MLRA 127, 147, 148)
_Very Shallow Dark Surface (F22)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if observed):
Type:
Depth (inches): Hydric Soil Present? Yes No X
Remarks:
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont — Version 2.0