20181033 Ver 1_Owen Farms_100064_Credit Release Site Visit_2022_20220523

From:
Davis, Erin B
To:
Baker, Caroline D
Subject:
FW: Owen Farms _DMS#100064_SAW-2018-01165_DWR# 2018-1033 vl: Credit Release Site Visit Meeting
Minutes (5-10-2022)
Date:
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 3:39:47 PM
Attachments:
Owen Farms 100064 Credit Release Site Visit 2022.odf
Laserfiche Upload: Email & Attachment
DWR#: 20181033 v.1
Doc Type: Mitigation Site Visit
From: Wiesner, Paul <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2022 5:08 PM
To: McHenry, David G <[e-mail]>; Haywood, Casey M CIV USARMY CESAW
(USA) <[e-mail]>; Davis, Erin B <[e-mail]>; Kim Browning
<[e-mail]>
Cc: Reid, Matthew <[e-mail]>; Allen, Melonie <[e-mail]>; Furr,
Benjamin <[e-mail]>; Tisdale, Jessica <[e-mail]>
Subject: Owen Farms _DMS#100064_SAW-2018-01165_DWR# 2018-1033 v1: Credit Release Site
Visit Meeting Minutes (5-10-2022)
Casey, Dave, Erin, and Kim;
The IRT credit release meeting minutes for the Owen Farms site visit are attached for your review.
Please let us know if you have any questions, comments or concerns.
HDR & DRG will include the final meeting minutes as an Appendix in the project's MY2 (2022) report.
Thanks
Paul Wiesner
Western Regional Supervisor
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Mitigation Services
828-273-1673 Mobile
paul.wiesnerCq-)ncdenr.gov
Western DMS Field Office
5 Ravenscroft Drive
Suite 102
Asheville, N.C. 28801
D- E
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

Meeting Minutes
Project: Owen Farms Stream and Wetland Mitigation Site (DMS # 100064, USACE: SAW-2018-01165, DWR:
2018-1033v1)
Subject: IRT Credit Release Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Location: On -site (Silverstein Rd, Lake Toxaway, NC)
Attendees: Matthew Reid (DMS) Ben Furr (DRG)
Paul Wiesner (DMS) Dave McHenry (WRC)
Casey Haywood (USACE) Erin Davis (DWR)
Kim Browning (USACE)
An on -site IRT meeting was held at 9:30am on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 (Monitoring Year 2) to review the
condition of the Owen Farms Stream and Wetland Mitigation Site. The following represents highlights
of discussions that occurred during the meeting:
1. IRT suggested that HDR note percent cover and herbaceous species diversity within the Swamp
Forest Bog wetland complex (noting that woody stem density and height may be lower within
the bog complex than in other areas on -site).
2. IRT requested that HDR map out all areas of invasive species on -site and develop a treatment
plan for areas of invasive species identified within the entire conservation easement. DRG noted
that invasives would be treated late summer/early fall 2022.
3. IRT requested that the wetland expansion area surrounding W3 (as well as the new
groundwater gauge that was installed in the expansion area) be depicted and discussed in the
MY2 report. DRG also noted that random vegetation plots would be located within the wetland
expansion area over the course of monitoring to document vegetative success.
4. Cattails were observed in UT 5 and UT 7. DRG noted that cattail would be treated later this year
as part of the invasive treatment plan for the Site.
5. IRT suggested that some of the random vegetation plots be located in replant areas during MY2.
6. IRT noted that woody vegetation along West Fork French Broad River was lacking. DRG indicated
that additional bare roots and live stakes were planted in February 2022. IRT suggested that
additional planting along channel banks may be warranted in future years if density doesn't
improve.

7. IRT reviewed culvert crossings on UT 2 and UT 4. IRT requested that photos of all project
crossings be included in each annual monitoring report. Crossing photos should be taken to
show upstream and downstream sides of crossings to document crossing stability and potential
for aquatic passage.
8. IRT requested that a photo point be added on UT 2 to verify that a stream channel is present
and active, given the beaver activity that was observed downstream of the easement.
9. Fencing was down at the ford crossing on WFFBR. IRT and DMS requested that the fencing be
repaired as soon as possible. IRT and DMS agreed that spring fencing could be installed across
the river that would allow the property owner to connect fencing when moving cattle across
ford and remove fencing when not in use to avoid large flows from continuing to damage fence
in this area. IRT also noted that additional rock could be placed on the ford to stabilize crossing
and minimize erosion.
10. Kissing gates were observed and discussed during the meeting. DRG noted that calves had been
able to access the easement through the kissing gates but are currently excluded by placement
of wooden pallets and metal posts. DMS suggested that a long-term solution be discussed with
the property owner to ensure cattle exclusion following the monitoring phase of the project.
DRG indicated that they would discuss a long-term solution with the property owner, which may
include nailing wooden slats across the kissing gates.
11. DRG showed DMS and IRT the beaver dam on UT 6. UT 6 was flowing under the beaver dam
during the site visit and the system was still functioning as a stream. IRT agreed that the beaver
dam could be left in place as long as UT 6 continues functioning as a stream (i.e. as long as the
beaver dam doesn't create a significant backwater effect on the channel). Any other active
beaver dams and beaver within the conservation easement should be removed during the
monitoring period.
12. DRG explained why the groundwater gauge in W5 was moved and that the groundwater gauge
at the upstream extents of the wetland was intended to serve as a reference gauge which is why
it was installed in the wetland enhancement area. IRT requested that the reference gauge be
identified as such in future monitoring reports.
13. IRT noted that some terrace side slopes were bare and rill erosion was observed in these areas.
DRG stated that additional temporary seeding would be placed in bare areas during late
summer/early fall 2022, if necessary.