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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20221254 Ver 1_SAW-2022-00529 Draft Prospectus_20220405FRENCH BROAD 05 UMBRELLA MITIGATION BANK DRAFT PROSPECTUS Sponsored by: RESTORATION SYSTEMS LLC Prepared for: The North Carolina Inter -Agency Review Team; for distribution and comment Sponsored by: Restoration Systems, LLC �S RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC POC: Raymond Holz Ph: 919-755-9490 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211 Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 March 2022 Prepared by: Axiom Environmental, Inc. Axiom Environmental, Inc. POC: Grant Lewis 218 Snow Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Project Objectives 1 1.2 Bank Sponsor and Contact Information 2 2 ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION 2 2.1 Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument 2 2.2 Credit Determination 2 2.3 Credit Release Schedule 3 3 GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA AND USE OF CREDITS 3 4 WATERSHED CONSIDERATIONS 3 4.1 Watershed Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Needs 3 4.2 Bank Site Selection 4 5 OWNERSHIP, EASEMENT HOLDER, AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT 4 6 QUALIFICATIONS OF SPONSOR 5 7 ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY OF SITES 5 8 FINANCIAL ASSURANCES 6 9 MITIGATION PLAN 6 9.1 Reference Data 6 9.1.1 Stream Reference 6 9.1.2 Reference Forest Ecosystem 6 9.2 Design Approach 7 9.2.1 Stream Restoration 7 9.2.2 Stream Enhancement I 7 9.2.3 Stream Enhancement II 8 9.2.4 Stream Preservation 8 9.2.5 Wetlands 8 9.2.6 Riparian Restoration 8 9.3 Site Work Plans 9 9.3.1 Belt -width Preparation and Grading 9 9.3.2 Channel Excavations 9 9.3.3 Channel Plugs 10 9.3.4 Channel Backfilling 10 9.3.5 Stream Crossings 10 9.3.6 In -stream Structures 11 10 MONITORING PLAN 11 10.1 Stream Monitoring 12 10.2 Wetland Monitoring 12 10.3 Vegetation Monitoring 12 10.4 Visual Monitoring 12 11 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIAL MEASURES 12 11.1 Stream Instability 13 11.2 Vegetation 13 11.3 Invasive Species 13 12 HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS 13 13 ENDANGERED AND PROTECTED SPECIES 13 13.1 Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel 14 13.2 Roan Mountain Bluet 14 13.3 Spreading Avens 14 Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Table of Contents Phase 1— Prospectus 13.4 Blue Ridge Goldenrod 14 13.5 Appalachian Elktoe 14 13.6 Gray Bat 14 13.7 Slabside Pearlymussel 14 13.8 Northern Long -Eared Bat 14 13.8.1 Preliminary Biological Conclusions 15 14 ASSURANCE OF SUFFICIENT WATER RIGHTS 15 15 CONCLUSIONS 15 16 REFERENCES 16 17 FIGURES 18 List of Tables Table 1: Phase 1 Site Summary 1 Table 2: Hydrological Function Objectives and Proposed Actions 1 Table 3: Water Quality Function Objectives and Proposed Actions 2 Table 4: Habitat Function Objectives and Proposed Actions 2 Table 5: Population Growth in French Broad 05 4 Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: Appendix A: Appendix B: Appendix C: List of Figures Site Locations Map Hydrologic Unit Map Geographic Service Area Map Gentry Branch Mitigation Site Davis Cove Mitigation Site Sliding Knob Mitigation Site Appendices Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Table of Contents Phase 1— Prospectus 1 INTRODUCTION Restoration Systems, LLC ("Bank Sponsor") proposes to develop three -stream and riparian wetland mitigation sites (collectively referred to as "Phase I Sites") under the to -be -developed Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank ("the Bank"). Phase I Sites include Gentry Branch, Davis Cove, and Sliding Knob — all located in Madison County, North Carolina (Figure 1; Table 1). The proposed umbrella structure of the Bank is designed to initially permit Phase 1 Sites while allowing for the establishment of future mitigation bank parcels not yet identified. Table 1: Phase 1 Site Summary Site Coordinates Hydro Status* Existing Length (LF) Mitigation Type Approx. Final Length (LF) Gentry Branch SAW-2022-00528 Davis Cove SAW-2022-00529 Sliding Knob SAW-2022-00530 35.789956, Per/Int -82.825390 Cold Water 35.758804, Per/Int -82.878620 Cold Water 35.737648, Per/Int -82.850275 Cold Water 13,088 16,842 4,360 Restoration, Enhancement, Preservation Restoration, Enhancement, Preservation Restoration, Enhancement, Preservation 13,707 16,491 4,400 Totals 34,290 34,598 * Per = perennial; Int = intermittent The purpose of the Bank is to provide stream and wetland mitigation credits to compensate for impacts to Waters of the United States and/or State Waters within the service area, Hydrologic Unit 06010105 (French Broad 05, Figure 2). The proposed Bank's structure, operation, and management are detailed in the main prospectus document. Existing conditions and proposed site work for Phase 1 Sites are described by site in the attached appendices: Appendix A (Gentry Branch), Appendix B (Davis Cove), and Appendix C (Sliding Knob). 1.1 Project Objectives The overall objectives of the Bank are to restore or otherwise improve the following functions: 1) hydrological, 2) water quality, and 3) habitat. Tables 2-4 provide an overview of the Bank's Phase 1 objectives and the specific actions proposed to accomplish them. Table 2: Hydrological Function Objectives and Proposed Actions Functional Improvement Objectives Proposed Actions Floodplain Connectivity Floodplain Resistance Stream Stability & Sediment Transport Surface and Subsurface Storage and Retention Reconnect channels with historic floodplains Plant woody riparian buffers; increase microtopography Reconstruct stream channels, sized to convey bankfull discharges and watershed sediment supplies Channels constructed or raised to historic floodplain elevations; increased floodplain hydraulic resistance by planting woody vegetation and increasing microtopography Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 1 Phase 1— Prospectus Table 3: Water Quality Function Objectives and Proposed Actions Functional Improvement Objectives Proposed Actions Remove Pollutant Sources Cattle exclusion Upland Pollutant Filtration Plant woody riparian buffers; construct marsh treatment features intercepting overland flows Floodplain Biogeochemical Processing Increase floodplain connectivity, plant woody riparian buffers; increase microtopography; construct marsh treatment areas Thermal Regulation Plant woody riparian buffers to provide shade Table 4: Habitat Function Objectives and Proposed Actions Functional Improvement Objectives Proposed Actions In -channel Habitat Construct stable channels, geomorphology designed to increase hydraulic and bedform habitat heterogeneity Riparian Habitat and Structure Plant native, woody riparian buffers to provide foraging, nesting, and cover for terrestrial species as well as refugia for aquatic species 1.2 Bank Sponsor and Contact Information Restoration Systems, LLC Raymond Holz 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211 Raleigh, NC 27604 rholz@restorationsystems.com 919.604.9314 2 ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION 2.1 Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument The Sponsor proposes the Bank under an umbrella mitigation banking instrument ("UMBI"). As proposed, the UMBI would allow for multiple phases. Phase I is described in this prospectus and, if approved, will serve as the Bank's first source of mitigation credit. The Sponsor also proposes the incorporation of additional sites not yet identified but within the Geographic Service Area (Section 3) into the Bank, following Interagency Review Team ("IRT") review and approval. 2.2 Credit Determination Credit for Phase I, and all additional phases, shall be based on the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) most current mitigation credit determination methodology. Presently, the USACE is utilizing CFR part 332 (Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources) along with Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update (IRT 2016) to quantify mitigation project credit potential. If other methods are released and become de facto requirements for stream mitigation projects in the USACE, future phases will utilize these methods as appropriate. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 2 Phase 1 — Prospectus 2.3 Credit Release Schedule Credits generated by actions described and approved in the Bank's final UMBI shall be released in predetermined increments according to the milestones agreed to by the Sponsor and the IRT in the UMBI's credit release schedule. The Sponsor will use the credit release schedule detailed for stream mitigation banks in IRT (2016). 3 GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA AND USE OF CREDITS Located within the Blue Ridge level III ecoregion and the French Broad River basin, the Bank's geographic service area ("GSA") is defined by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 8-digit Hydrological Unit Code ("HUC") within which the Bank's sites are located, the French Broad 06010105 (Figure 3). The Bank's credits are proposed to be used to offset unavoidable, permitted impacts within the Bank's GSA. Use of the Bank's credits outside of its GSA may be permissible with approval by the USACE, which will be considered on a case -by -case basis. 4 WATERSHED CONSIDERATIONS 4.1 Watershed Environmental Concerns and Mitigation Needs The French Broad River basin spans over 2,800 square miles and drains to the Gulf of Mexico via the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. In North Carolina, the basin comprises three major drainage areas: the Upper French Broad, the Pigeon River, and the Nolichucky River subbasins, and contains all or portions of Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Transylvania, and Yancey Counties. The estimated population for the basin is just over 427,000, based on 2000 census data. Population growth is highest in Buncombe and Henderson Counties, and these areas are experiencing rapid growth while the rest of the basin is undergoing moderate growth (NCDWQ 2011). General basin -wide recommendations to preserve water quality in these expanding areas include encouraging low -impact development, stormwater runoff control measures, a greater emphasis on wastewater collection systems, and agriculture BMPs. In addition, lands should be prioritized to conserve both habitat and protection of water quality. Phase 1 Sites are in the Upper French Broad subbasin, encompassing 1,658 square miles, making it the largest of the three French Broad subbasins. In addition, this is the most populous subbasin, mainly because the land is less sloped, and the soils are more suitable for development and agriculture. As a result, urban development and agricultural activity are concentrated in valleys near waterways and, in many cases, up to stream banks. Between the 2000 and 2020 censuses, the basin's population grew considerably, with counties growing between 10 percent (Mitchell) and 30 percent (Henderson). According to recent population estimates, the general population growth trend will continue, which indicates Buncombe and Henderson counties are all growing at or faster than the state's 9.48 percent (Table 5) (USCB 2021). Data suggests land development activities will increase in frequency, as will aquatic ecosystem impacts related to such development. Therefore, there is an immediate and prolonged need for compensatory stream mitigation in the watershed. Of further benefit, aquatic ecosystem restoration projects can reduce nutrient loading in sensitive downstream receiving waters. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 3 Phase 1— Prospectus Table 5: Population Growth in French Broad 05 Municipality 2010 Population 2020 Population Percent Increase Asheville 83,393 94,589 13 Hendersonville 13,137 15,137 15 Marshall* 872 777 -11 Madison County 20,764 21,193 2 Buncombe County 238,318 269,452 13 Henderson County 106,740 116,281 9 *Town of Marshall experienced a population decline over the 10-year period. 4.2 Bank Site Selection Based on the analysis presented in Section 4.1, the French Broad 05 was targeted as a watershed in need of stream and riparian wetland mitigation. The Sponsor and its consultant, Axiom Environmental, Inc. (Axiom), searched for sites possessing stream and riparian wetland restoration and enhancement opportunities. Identified sites were prioritized based on geomorphic condition and land use, and the necessary landowners were contacted to gauge their interest in participating in a mitigation project. Sites with willing landowners were then pursued further. As real estate in the area is generally well subdivided, many of the identified opportunities are not currently feasible because such sites require the cooperation of several landowners to achieve sufficient ecological and economic scale. Therefore, the selection of the Phase I properties was based on a combination of geomorphic conditions, land use, and the willingness of landowners to participate. 5 OWNERSHIP, EASEMENT HOLDER, AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT The Phase I properties are currently owned by the following people or organizations: • Gentry Branch (PIN 8754843880) — Nancy Baker, Ted Baker, Jr. and Melba Baker, and Kenneth Baker and Lucille Baker • Davis Cove (PIN 8766-44-1702) — Veda Davis • Sliding Knob (PIN 8754843880) — Patsy Buckner Hereafter, these owners will collectively be referred to as "the Landowners." The Sponsor and the Landowners have executed separate Agreements for Purchase and Sale of Conservation Easements covering approximately 167 acres along Gentry Branch, 32 acres along Davis Cove, and 8.7 acres along Sliding Knob. Following USACE approval of the UMBI and the Phase I Site Mitigation Plans, the Sponsor will exercise its rights provided under the above -referenced agreements. All sites governed by the Bank will be protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement approved by the USACE. At a minimum, conservation easements will be written to prohibit incompatible uses that might jeopardize the objectives of the Bank. As Grantee of the conservation easement, the Sponsor will first acquire the easement and then assign it to a qualified easement holder to be held in perpetuity. Potential easement holders include but are not limited to the North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, Broad Water Innovations, or the North Carolina State Property Office. The Sponsor will provide the Easement Holder with a financial sum in an amount agreeable to both parties. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 4 Phase 1 — Prospectus Easements will be stewarded in general accordance with the guidelines published by the National Land Trust Alliance. Specific responsibilities include: • Conservation easement compliance — annual inspection of a site • Site visit coordination with the landowner when possible • Annual compliance reports are sent to the landowner when possible • Violations and potential violations are addressed following protocols outlined in the conservation easement. The Sponsor will be responsible for site management actions during the operational period. Following a site closeout, the Long -Term Manager would assume long-term management obligations. Site design and construction will ensure sites are self-sustaining. As a result, long-term management activities will be limited to routine boundary inspections and, when necessary, marking easement boundaries to provide clear identification of conservation areas. The Long -Term Manager and Easement Holder will likely be the same entity. The Sponsor will provide the easement holder with a financial sum in an amount agreeable to both parties. 6 QUALIFICATIONS OF SPONSOR Restoration Systems (RS) is an environmental restoration, mitigation banking, and full -delivery mitigation firm founded in 1998. The firm was formed to improve the quality of environmental restoration and mitigation by locating and acquiring the best available sites, planning restoration using proven science, and constructing sites with the most qualified contractors. RS staff has been involved in environmental mitigation and mitigation banking since 1992, and their Project Managers have more than 80 years of experience in resource evaluation, environmental restoration, and mitigation implementation. Corporate experience with the principals began with the completion of North Carolina's first full -delivery mitigation project in 1997, the Barra Farms Mitigation Bank (623-acres), and in 2001 with the Bear Creek — Mill Branch Mitigation Bank (450-acres) and Sleepy Creek Mitigation Site (550-acres). To date, RS has permitted 81 compensatory mitigation sites in North Carolina, including 55 for the State's In-Lue-Fee program, the Division of Mitigation Services, and nine stream and wetland compensatory mitigation banks under the 2008 Federal Compensatory Mitigation Rule. These projects total over 470,000 I.ft. of streams and 740 acres of wetlands, and 2,700 acres of eased property. 7 ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY OF SITES Primary considerations for selecting the Phase I Sites included the potential for protection/improvement of water quality within a region of North Carolina under development and livestock/agricultural pressure. More specifically, considerations included desired aquatic resource functions, hydrologic conditions, soil characteristics, aquatic habitat diversity, habitat connectivity, compatibility with adjacent land uses, reasonably foreseeable effects the mitigation projects will have on ecologically important aquatic and terrestrial resources, and potential development trends and land -use changes. Restoration, enhancement, and preservation work proposed at Phase 1 Sites (Appendix A, B, & C) will reduce existing nutrient and sediment loads to downstream waters. In addition, restoration work will improve in -channel aquatic and riparian habitats. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 5 Phase 1— Prospectus 8 FINANCIAL ASSURANCES For each site, the Sponsor will provide financial assurances in a form acceptable to the IRT and sufficient to ensure completion of all mitigation work, required reporting and monitoring, and any remedial work that may be required according to the final UMBI and site -specific Mitigation Plan. Before the first Phase 1 credit release, as well as all additional sites permitted under the proposed UMBI, the Sponsor shall furnish a financial assurance instrument covering all reasonably anticipated costs relating to construction, operation, monitoring, maintenance, and any remedial measures associated with each bank parcel. This instrument shall consist of either a Performance Bond underwritten by a surety company licensed to do business in North Carolina with a Best's current rating of not less than "A-, "or a casualty insurance policy in an appropriate form to be approved by the USACE in compliance with current USACE policy and guidance documents. The total value of such a bond or policy will be based on reasonably expected costs associated with approved Mitigation Plans, plus a reasonable contingency, which collectively shall be sufficient to ensure the project will be successfully completed in accordance with applicable performance standards. If performance bonds are utilized, the initial performance bond shall be replaced following completion of construction and USACE approval of the as -built report. The Sponsor shall then furnish a replacement monitoring bond to be valued based on reasonably anticipated costs associated with project monitoring and maintenance. Once all performance standards have been met, the Sponsor may withdraw monies from or otherwise terminate the financial assurance instrument described in this paragraph. 9 MITIGATION PLAN The primary goals of the Phase I mitigation plan include: 1) reducing and/or eliminating non -point source pollution associated with heavy livestock and agricultural activities; 2) improving water quality functions by restoring native, woody riparian vegetation adjacent to Phase I channels; 3) improving floodplain function by increasing hydraulic resistance to floodwaters; 4) improving aquatic habitat through channel stabilization and increased habitat heterogeneity; and 5) improving near -channel habitat for terrestrial species and refugia for aquatic species through the restoration of native, woody riparian vegetation. Site -specific information for Phase 1 Sites is provided in Appendix A (Gentry Branch), Appendix B (Davis Cove), and Appendix C (Sliding Knob). Common mitigation plan data, methodologies, monitoring protocols, cultural resources, and endangered/protected species are detailed in Sections 9-13. 9.1 Reference Data 9.1.1 Stream Reference At this time, site -specific reference streams have not been identified. However, relatively undisturbed sections of streams in the proposed preservation reaches of Phase 1 Sites have been identified. Data collected at reference sites included cross -sectional data, benthic macroinvertebrate collections, and hardwood forest composition, was utilized to approximate mitigation potential of Phase 1 Sites. These reference reaches have been compared to regional curves for the Mountains of North Carolina (Harman et al 2001), allowing for a comparison of existing, disturbed conditions to relatively undisturbed reference conditions at the proposed Phase 1 Sites. 9.1.2 Reference Forest Ecosystem According to Mitigation Site Classification ("MIST") guidelines (USEPA 1990), Reference Forest Ecosystems ("RFEs") must be established for restoration sites. RFEs are forested areas used to model restoration Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 6 Phase 1— Prospectus efforts in relation to soils, hydrology, and vegetation. RFEs should be ecologically stable climax communities and should represent believed historical conditions of the restoration site. Data describing plant community composition and structure are collected at the RFEs and subsequently applied as reference data for the design of each Phase 1 Site. Reference vegetation communities for Phase 1 Sites have not been identified. A site -specific reference forest will be located during detailed mitigation plan development, with tree and shrub species identified. In addition, other relevant species descriptions for Mountain Alluvial Forest and Montane Oak -Hickory Forest (Schafale and Weakley 1990) will be used to develop a final RFE. Species that may occur in these vegetative communities are listed in Table 6. Table 6: Reference Forest Ecosystem Species Mountain Alluvial Forest Montane Oak -Hickory Forest (Floodplains and Riparian Forest) (Upland Side Slopes) Canopy Species Understory Species Canopy Species Understory Species Pinus strobus Cornus florida Quercus alba Carpinus caroliniana Platanus occidentalis Lindera benzoin Robinia pseudoacacia Rhododendron sp. Acer rubrum Rhododendron periclymenoides Quercus rubra Euonymous americana Prunus serotina Liriodendron tulipifera Tsuga sp. Acer rubrum Carya alba/tomentosa/glabra Liriodendron tulipifera Pinus taeda Pinus virginiana Quercus alba Quercus montana Quercus rubra Acer rubrum Oxydendrum arboreum Nyssa sylvatica Amelanchier arborea Pinus taeda Cornus florida 9.2 Design Approach 9.2.1 Stream Restoration Stream restoration is are designed to restore stable, meandering streams that approximate hydrodynamics, stream geometry, and local microtopography relative to reference and on -site conditions. Restoration of Phase 1 Sites will be mainly Priority I (with the exceptions of Priority 2 at tie-in locations) restoration throughout. Within Priority I restoration areas, bankfull elevations will be raised to meet the adjacent valley floodplain elevation. Stream Restoration is expected to entail 1) channel excavation, 2) channel stabilization, 3) channel diversion, and 4) channel backfill, further detailed in Section 9.3 — Site Work Plans. In portions of Phase I Sites, the use of restoration may not be necessary to improve a system's ecological function. In such cases, enhancement activities will be implemented. For the purposes of the UMBI, Stream Enhancement I and Stream Enhancement II are defined per USACE (2016). 9.2.2 Stream Enhancement I Stream Enhancement I is expected to include cessation of agricultural activities (including row crop production, hay production, and/or livestock grazing), removal of invasive species, raising the channel bed elevation to reconnect bankfull stream flows to the abandoned floodplain, and planting with native, woody species. Stream Enhancement I will generally entail the alteration of stream channel dimension Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 7 Phase 1— Prospectus and profile as the channel is lifted to the historic floodplain elevation. These measures are expected to facilitate stream dynamics associated with a natural, relatively undisturbed stream in the mountain region of North Carolina. 9.2.3 Stream Enhancement II Stream Enhancement II is expected to include the cessation of agricultural activities (including row crop production, hay production, and/or livestock grazing), removal of invasive species, and supplemental planting with native, woody tree species. Stream enhancement II will extend a minimum distance of 30- feet from the top of stream banks. These measures are expected to facilitate stream recovery and prevent further degradation of the streams. 9.2.4 Stream Preservation Based on the mitigation rule (33 CFR Section 332.3 - General compensatory mitigation requirements), preservation may be used to provide compensatory mitigation if the following criteria are met. 1. The resources to be preserved provide important physical, chemical, or biological functions for the watershed. 2. The resources to be preserved contribute significantly to the ecological sustainability of the watershed. 3. Preservation is determined by the district engineer to be appropriate and practicable. 4. The resources are under threat of destruction or adverse modifications. 5. The preserved resources will be permanently protected through an appropriate legal instrument. 9.2.5 Wetlands Areas of jurisdictional wetlands were delineated at each of the Phase 1 Sites. Wetland re-establishment, rehabilitation, enhancement, and preservation will generate riparian wetland credit at agreed ratios. Wetland re-establishment of drained hydric soils is designed to restore a fully functioning wetland system, provide surface water storage, nutrient cycling, remove imported elements and compounds, and create a variety and abundance of wildlife habitat. Rehabilitation and enhancement of existing wetlands will improve their physical, chemical, and/or biological characteristics and result in a gain of wetland function but not in wetland acres. Wetland preservation will permanently protect high -functioning jurisdictional wetlands. 9.2.6 Riparian Restoration Restoration of floodplain forest and streamside habitat allows for the development and expansion of characteristic species across the landscape. Ecotonal changes between community types contribute to diversity and provide secondary benefits, such as enhanced feeding and nesting opportunities for mammals, birds, amphibians, and other wildlife. Planted streamside trees and shrubs will include species with high value for sediment stabilization, rapid growth rates, and the ability to withstand hydraulic forces associated with bankfull and overbank flow events. Streamside trees and shrubs will be planted within 15-feet of the channel throughout the meander beltwidth. Shrub elements will be planted along reconstructed stream banks, concentrated along outer bends. Deeply rooted riparian vegetation will be restored as needed at all Phase I and future sites. Planting vegetation on cleared stream banks is proposed to reestablish native/historic community patterns within Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 8 Phase 1— Prospectus the stream corridor as well as associated side slopes and transition areas. Revegetating floodplains and stream banks will provide overall system stability, shade, and wildlife habitat. In addition, viable riparian communities will improve system biogeochemical function by filtering pollutants from overland and shallow subsurface flows and providing organic materials to adjacent stream channels. Variations in vegetative planting will occur based on the topography and hydraulic condition of soils. Vegetative species composition will be based on RFEs, site -specific features, and community descriptions from Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina (Schafale and Weakley 1990). Community associations to be utilized include 1) Montane Alluvial Forest, 2) Montane Oak -Hickory Forest, and 3) Streamside Assemblage. A list of species organized by Schafale and Weakley (1990) communities is presented below. This list is for planning purposes only. Final planting may include some or all of the species below. In addition, other species may be added if appropriate and available. Montane Alluvial Forest 1. Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) 2. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) 3. White oak (Quercus alba) 4. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) 5. River birch (Betula nigra) 6. Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) 7. Smooth alder (Alnus serrulata) 8. Sweet birch (Betula lento) 9. Witch -Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Stream -Side Assemblage 1. Black willow (Salix nigra) 2. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) 3. Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea) Montane Oak -Hickory Forest 1. White oak (Quercus alba) 2. Red oak (Quercus rubra) 3. Chestnut oak (Quercus montana) 4. Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa) 5. Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) 6. Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) 7. Flowering dogwood (Corpus florida) 8. Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica) 9. Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum) 9.3 Site Work Plans 9.3.1 Belt -width Preparation and Grading Care will be taken to avoid the removal of existing, deeply rooted vegetation within the belt -width corridor, which often provides channel stability. Material excavated during grading will be stockpiled immediately adjacent to abandoned channel segments and ultimately used as backfill for abandoned segments following stream restoration. Spoil material may be placed to stabilize temporary access roads, minimizing the underlying floodplain's compaction. However, all spoil will be removed from floodplain surfaces upon completion of construction activities. After the preparation of the corridor, the design channels and updated profile surveys will be developed, and the locations of each meander wavelength will be plotted and staked along the profile. Pool locations and other channel features may be modified in the field based on local variations in the floodplain profile. 9.3.2 Channel Excavations Channels will be constructed within the range of values developed during detailed planning. Regional curves and/or reference stream reaches will be used to develop various stream geometry attributes. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 9 Phase 1— Prospectus Stream banks and local belt -width areas of constructed channels will be immediately planted with shrub and herbaceous vegetation to initiate stability, preventing unintended erosion. Deposition of shrub and woody debris into and/or overhanging the constructed channels will be used to further increase each channel's resistance to shear stress. Particular attention will be directed toward providing vegetative cover and root growth along the outer bends of each stream meander. Live willow stakes will be purchased and/or collected on -site and inserted through the root/erosion mat into underlying soils. 9.3.3 Channel Plugs Impermeable plugs will be installed within abandoned channel segments. Plugs will consist of low - permeability materials or hardened structures designed to be of sufficient strength to withstand the erosive energy of surface flow events. Dense clays, imported from off -site if necessary, will be compacted within each channel for plug construction. Each plug will be a sufficient width and depth to form an embedded overlap in the existing banks and bed. 9.3.4 Channel Backfilling After impermeable plugs have been installed, abandoned channels will be backfilled. Stockpiled materials will be pushed into abandoned channels. Suitable material used for backfilling may be derived from on - site or off -site sources. Topsoil and vegetation debris (e.g., root mats, shrubs, woody debris, etc.) will be redistributed across the backfill area upon completion. 9.3.5 Stream Crossings Landowner use will necessitate the installation of pipe, bridge, or ford crossings to allow access to portions of property otherwise isolated by mitigation activities. Specific crossing types have not been determined for Phase 1 Sites. A general approach for each type is detailed below. Pipe Crossing Pipe crossings would be constructed with a suitably sized baseflow pipe to allow for stormwater flows. Smaller floodplain pipes would be installed to enable overflow discharge from the upstream floodplain to pass freely to the downstream floodplain. Materials will include hydraulically stable rip -rap or suitable rock. The crossing would be large enough to handle anticipated vehicular traffic. Approach grades to a piped crossing would be at an approximate 10:1 slope and constructed of hard, scour -resistant crushed rock or other permeable material, free of fines. If necessary, fencing would be installed on the roadbed to restrict livestock access to the site. Bridge Crossing Bridge crossings would span beyond the proposed bankfull width and at a height to allow for stormwater flows. If appropriate, adjacent floodplain pipes would be installed to enable overflow discharge from the upstream floodplain to pass freely to the downstream floodplain. Hydraulically stable rip -rap or suitable rock would be placed along the stream banks under the bridge to prevent scour and erosion. The crossing would be large enough to handle anticipated farm and livestock use. Approach grades to a piped crossing would be at an approximate 10:1 slope and constructed of hard, scour -resistant crushed rock or other permeable material, free of fines. If necessary, fencing would be installed on the roadbed to restrict livestock access to the site. Ford Crossings On very low -volume roads and trails, ford crossings can be more appropriate than pipe and bridge crossings. Designed to be overtopped by high flows, debris, or ice -laden flows. The roadbed of a ford Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 10 Phase 1— Prospectus crossing can be armored to prevent erosion from vehicular use and significant storm events. Appropriately sized rocks (boulders) are firmly placed on the downstream side of the crossing to reduce scour and dissipate energy. Approach grades to a ford crossing would be at an approximate 10:1 slope and constructed of hard, scour -resistant crushed rock or other permeable material, free of fines. 9.3.6 In -stream Structures In -stream structures for grade control and habitat are essential for successful stream restoration. In - stream structures may be placed in the channel to elevate local water surface profiles, potentially flattening the water -energy slope or gradient. The structures will likely consist of log/rock cross -vanes or log/rock j-hook vanes designed primarily to direct stream energy into the center of the channel and away from banks. In addition, structures will be placed in relatively straight reaches to provide secondary (perpendicular) flow cells during bankfull events. Log vanes may also be used to direct high -velocity flows during bankfull events toward the center of constructed channels. Log vanes will be constructed utilizing large tree trunks harvested on -site or imported from off -site as necessary. Tree stems harvested for a log cross -vane arm must be long enough to be embedded into the stream channel and extend several feet into the floodplain. Logs will create an arm that slopes from the center of the channel upward to each stream bank at an angle of 20 to 30- degrees. A trench will be dug into the stream channel that is deep enough for the head of the log to be at or below the channel invert. The trench is then extended into the floodplain, and the log is set into the trench such that the log arm is below the floodplain elevation. If the log is not of sufficient size to completely block streamflow (gaps occur between the log and channel bed), a footer log will be installed beneath the header log. Support pilings will then be situated at the base of the log and at the head of the log to hold the login place. Once these vanes are in place, filter fabric is toed into a trench on the upstream side of the vane and draped over the structure to force water over the vane. The upstream side of the structure is then backfilled with suitable material. Drop structures will be necessary at the outfalls of some constructed channels to match preconstruction elevations. Drop structures will be constructed out of suitable natural materials, depending upon anticipated scour from the restored stream channels. The structures will be constructed to resist erosive forces associated with hydraulic drops. 10 MONITORING PLAN The Bank's performance standards and monitoring plan will be based on the IRT (2016) guidance document titled Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update. Monitoring will occur over seven years, as outlined in Table 7. Additional monitoring, aside from site -specific performance standards, will occur to identify areas under an IRT-approved Adaptive Management or Remedial Action Plan (Section 11). Table 7. Monitoring Schedule Resource Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Streams x x x x x Wetlands x x x x x x x Vegetation x x x x x Visual Assessment x x x x x x x Report Submittal x x x x x x x Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Phase 1 — Prospectus Page 11 10.1 Stream Monitoring Stream monitoring protocols will be developed for all reaches involving Stream Restoration, Enhancement II, and Enhancement I with in -channel work. Protocols will include a collection of the following: longitudinal profile (collected as part of a sites' as -built surveys), permanent channel cross -sections, and crest gauges to monitor frequency and magnitude of bankfull events. Visual assessments will be conducted by walking the length of each channel. Preconstruction and post -construction photographs will be compiled. 10.2 Wetland Monitoring Groundwater monitoring gauges will be installed to take daily measurements after hydrological modifications are performed. Sampling will continue throughout the entire year. In addition, an on -site rain gauge will document rainfall data for comparison of groundwater conditions with extended drought conditions. 10.3 Vegetation Monitoring Restoration monitoring procedures for vegetation are designed in accordance with CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Level1-2 Plot Sampling Only (Version 4.2) (Lee et al. 2008), or the latest NC Division of Mitigation Services data entry tool. Permanent and random vegetation plots, measuring 100 meters square) would be established to sample two percent of a site's planted area. In each sample plot, vegetation parameters to be monitored and reported include species, count, height, date of planting, and grid location of each planted stem. Volunteer species encountered during monitoring will be counted, identified to species level, measured, and recorded. After planting has been completed in winter or early spring, an initial evaluation will be performed to verify planting methods and determine initial species composition and density. If necessary, supplemental planting and additional site modification would be implemented. Baseline vegetation data would be reported in a Baseline Monitoring / As -built Report. During the first year, vegetation will receive visual observation periodically to ascertain the degree of overtopping of planted stems by nuisance species. Year 1 quantitative sampling will occur at a minimum of six months after the initial planting. During monitoring years 2-7, quantitative vegetation sampling would be performed between July 1 and leaf drop. 10.4 Visual Monitoring Visual monitoring of general site conditions that may or may not be part of stream and vegetation monitoring protocols will be conducted at least twice during each monitoring year. One visual inspection can be completed during the stream and/or vegetation monitoring. The other inspection will occur independently and must be separated by at least 5 months. Monitoring will be conducted by traversing the entire site to identify and document areas of low stem density, poor plant vigor, prolonged inundation, native and exotic invasive species, beaver activity, excessive herbivory, easement encroachment, indicators of livestock access, and other areas of concern. 11 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIAL MEASURES If monitoring results indicate a site will not meet one or more of its performance standards, an adaptive management plan will be developed and remedial actions implemented following notification and approval by the Bank's USACE project manager. Adaptive management and remedial measures are discussed in general below and will be developed further in each Bank Parcel's Mitigation Plan. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 12 Phase 1— Prospectus 11.1 Stream Instability If stream monitoring and/or visual monitoring identify stream stability problems that worsen or otherwise threaten other portions of a mitigation site, repairs will be made as necessary. Persistent problems will be evaluated to determine if design or construction are contributing factors. Should such systemic problems be identified and reasonably determined to be unfixable, the IRT may decide to adjust a site's mitigation credit potential. 11.2 Vegetation Vegetation remedial action may include replanting and, if needed, corrective measures based on a determination of potential reasons for mortality (e.g., portions of a site are too wet for planted species). Low vegetation vigor remedial action may include but is not limited to deep ripping, replanting (same or similar species), mowing, herbicide application, fertilization, and replanting with other species possessing condition -specific tolerance. 11.3 Invasive Species If invasive or otherwise undesirable species —as defined in an appendix to the NC SAM Users Manual (NC SFAT 2014)—reasonable efforts will be made to eradicate or otherwise control the growth and distribution of the species across the mitigation site. Such actions may involve herbicide applications, mechanical and/or hand removal, or prescribed burns. 12 HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS An in -person and digital review of Phase I Sites was conducted during the summer and fall of 2021 to ascertain the presence of structures or other features that may be eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. No structures were identified within proposed easement boundaries; however, coordination with State Historic Preservation Office will occur during the Mitigation Plan development to determine if any significant cultural resources are present. This review would include coordination with any American Indian groups through the USACE project manager 13 ENDANGERED AND PROTECTED SPECIES The United States Fish and Wildlife Service does not list any protected species as occurring in Madison County (USFWS 2021) (Table 8). If present, these species are likely to benefit from the restoration efforts. Table 8: Federal Species of Concern, Madison County, NC Common Name Scientific Name Potential Habitat Present Carolina northern flying squirrel Roan Mountain bluet Spreading avens Blue Ridge goldenrod Appalachian elktoe Gray bat Slabside Pearlymussel Northern Long -Eared Bat Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus Hedyotis purpurea var. montana Geum radiatum Solidago spithamaea Alasmidonta raveneliana) Myotis grisescens Pleuronaia dolabelloides Myotis septentrionalis No No No No Yes No No Yes Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 13 Phase 1 — Prospectus 13.1 Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel The Carolina flying squirrel typically occurs in spruce -fir forests and mature hardwood forest adjacent to spruce -fir forests at elevations above 4000 ft (Weigl 1987). 13.2 Roan Mountain Bluet Roan Mountain bluet is endemic to the high Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, mostly from 4200 to 6300 ft in elevation. It grows in crevices of rock outcrops as well as in thin, gravelly soils of grassy balds near summit outcrops (Weakley 1993). 13.3 Spreading Avens Spreading avens usually occurs at elevations greater than 5000 ft in mountain grass balds or in grassy clearings in heath balds as well as in crevices of granitic rock; it cannot tolerate shading or crowding (Kral 1983). 13.4 Blue Ridge Goldenrod Blue Ridge goldenrod is found on rocky summits above approximately 4000 ft elevation in the mountains. Typically found in full sun, this plant may be found rooted in fine sands that have accumulated in cracks and pockets of granitic rocks or bluff ledges, or associated with grasses and sedges on grass balds contiguous to rock outcrops (Kral 1983). 13.5 Appalachian Elktoe Suitable habitat for Appalachian elktoe is well -oxygenated riffle areas with sand and gravel substrate among cobbles and boulders. Current is usually moderate to swift and depth is no more than 3 feet (0.9 meter) (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). 13.6 Gray Bat Gray bats roost in large limestone caves year-round, but migrate from summer maternity colonies and bachelor roosts in late summer to caves used for hibernation. Maternity roosts are typically located in caves with large flowing streams (Handley 1991). Roosts are located near large permanent water bodies, such as rivers and reservoirs, over which gray bats forage. North Carolina is on the periphery of the range for gray bat, and, in North Carolina, this species is known from a single individual which had been tagged in Tennessee and probably represents a vagrant (Webster et al. 1985). 13.7 Slabside Pearlymussel The slabside pearlymussel is primarily a large creek to moderately -sized river species. It generally is found in gravel substrates with interstitial sand, with moderate current, at depths less than 1 meter deep in moderate to swift current velocities. This species requires flowing, well oxygenated waters to thrive (USFWS 2021). 13.8 Northern Long -Eared Bat A review of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Asheville Ecological Services Field Office web page ( ) on November 10, 2021 indicates that the Site watershed is outside an area where incidental take may be a special consideration. Further coordination with the USFWS will occur throughout the project in support of this species; however, at this time no additional surveys are expected for the Northern Long Eared Bat. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 14 Phase 1— Prospectus 13.8.1 Preliminary Biological Conclusions Only two species on the county list have habitat within or adjacent to the proposed Bank Site boundaries: Appalachian elktoe and Northern long-eared bat. Surveys for Appalachian elktoe will occur prior to project initiation. As described above no further surveys for Northern long-eared bat are expected. 14 ASSURANCE OF SUFFICIENT WATER RIGHTS In the State of North Carolina, water rights are owned by the State (General Statute 142-211 (NC GS § 143-211(a)). Developed using the "riparian rights" doctrine, water law in North Carolina entitles a riparian landowner to the natural flow of a stream running through or along their land. The landowner has the right to make "reasonable use" of the watercourse, meaning the landowner may use the water as long as their use does not interfere with the reasonable use of another downstream riparian landowner. Native waters supplied through rain events, surface runoff, overbank flooding events, and groundwater will sustain the Site's hydrology. Restoration of the Site will not result in the impoundment of streams. Native waters will be allowed to flow downstream for use by other riparian landowners. Upstream land use is almost entirely agricultural. There is no concern of upstream land activities having an adverse effect on the Site's hydrology. 15 CONCLUSIONS Restoration Systems, LLC is pleased to offer the French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank ("the Bank"). The proposed umbrella structure of the Bank is designed to initially permit the establishment of two stream mitigation sites, comprising Phase I, while enabling the establishment of future mitigation sites not yet identified. Phase I consists of the following sites in Madison County, North Carolina: 1) Gentry Branch, 2) Davis Cove, and 3) Sliding Knob (Figure 1; Table 8). Table 8: Mitigation Bank Site Summary Stream Site Hydro Status* Existing Length (LF) Mitigation Type Approx. Final Length (LF) Gentry Branch Per/Int Davis Cove Per/Int Sliding Knob Per/Int 13,088 16,842 4,360 Restoration, Enhancement II, Preservation Restoration, Enhancement II, Preservation Restoration, Enhancement, Preservation 13,707 16,491 4,400 Totals 34,290 34,598 * Per = perennial; Int = intermittent Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 15 Phase 1— Prospectus 16 REFERENCES Griffith, G.E., JM Omernik, J.A. Comstock, M.P. Schafale, W.H. McNab, D.R. Lenat, T.F. MacPherson, J.B. Glover, and VB Shelbourne. 2002. Ecoregions of North Carolina and South Carolina. US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. Handley, C.O., Jr. 1991. Mammals. Pp. 539-616 in: K. Terwilliger (ed.), Virginia's Endangered Species: Proceedings of a Symposium. The McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company, Blacksburg, Virginia. 672 pp. Harman, W.A., GD Wise, D.E., Walker, R.M, Cantrell, M.A., Clemmons, M., Jennings, G.D., Clinton, D., and Patterson, J. 2001. Bankfull Regional Curves for North Carolina Mountain Streams. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Kral, R. 1983. A Report on Some Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Forest -related Vascular Plants of the South. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region, Atlanta, GA. Technical Publication R8-TP 2. 1305 pp. Lee, M.T., R.K. Peet, SD. Roberts, and T.R. Wentworth. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation. Version 4.2. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Raleigh, North Carolina. Leopold, L.B. 1994. A View of the River. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA. 298 pp. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2020. National Climate Data Center's (NCDC) Climate Data Online (CDO). http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/ North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2011. French Broad River Basinwide Water Quality Plan. (online). Available: https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Qua1ity/Planning/BPU/BPU/French Broad/French%20Broad%20P1 ans/2011%20Plan/French%20Broad%202010%20Plan.pdf North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). 2020. NC 2020 Category 5 Assessment "Final 303(d) List" (online). Available: https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2020/NC 2020 INTEGRATED REPO RT.pdf North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). 2013. North Carolina Water Bodies Report (online). Available: http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document library/get file?uuid=10c60296-dcc8-439f- a41c-d475ea7ad1fa&groupld=38364 North Carolina Stream Functional Assessment Team (NC SFAT). 2014. NC. Stream Assessment Method (NC SAM) User Manual (Version 2). 178 pp. Parmalee, P.W. and A.E. Bogan. 1998. The Freshwater Mussels of Tennessee. University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville. 328 pp. Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied River Morphology. Wildland Hydrology (Publisher). Pagosa Springs, Colorado Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 16 Phase 1— Prospectus Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina. United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2016. Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2006. Soil Survey of Madison County, North Carolina. Soil Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2021. Web Soil Survey (online). Available: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx [September 2021]. United States Census Bureau (USCB). 2021. Population estimates V.2021. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/buncombecountynorthcarolina United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 1990. Mitigation Site Type Classification (MiST). EPA Workshop, August 13-15, 1989. EPA Region IV and Hardwood Research Cooperative, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (USFWS 2012). Slabside Pearlymussel Fact Sheet. https://www.fws.gov/daphne/Fact_Sheets/Slabside%20Pearlymussel%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf Weakley, A. S. 1993. Rubiaceae (Madder Family): Houstonia (Bluet). Pp. 362-364 in: Guide to the Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia: Working Draft of 27 August 1993. Webster, W.D., J.F. Parnell, and W.C. Biggs, Jr. 1985. Mammals of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. 255 pp. Weigl, P.D. 1987. Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus (Handley), Northern Flying Squirrel. Pp. 12-15 in: M.K. Clark (ed.), Endangered, Threatened, and Rare Fauna of North Carolina: Part I. A Re-evaluation of the Mammals. Occasional Papers of the North Carolina Biological Survey 1987-3. 52 pp. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 17 Phase 1— Prospectus 17 FIGURES Figure 1: Figure 2: Figure 3: Site Locations Map Hydrologic Unit Map Geographic Service Area Map Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 18 Phase 1— Prospectus FOREST ,4. Gentry Branch 35.789956, -82.825390 ."Canton: frt ,.';a...(:�:'..�-�;�� OpyrgAc® 20103=National•Gegraphic Society; i=cubed Axiom Environ+nenlai, Pnc, Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS f LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Title: SITE LOCATIONS MAP Drawn by: Date: Scale: Project No.: MLA JAN 2022 1:175,000 21-001.05 FIGURE 1 USGS Hydrologic Unit 06010105 14-digit Hydrologic Unit Boundary Mitigation Bank Easements Gentry Branch 06010105100040 Davis Cove 06010105120010 Sliding Knob 06010105120010 ci I r 5 Cgpyright:(c) 2018 Garmin^ Axiom Environ+nen1ai, Pnc, Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS r LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Title: HYDROLOGIC UNIT MAP Drawn by: Date: Scale: Project No.: MLA JAN 2022 1:350,000 21-001.05 FIGURE 2 Legend Mitigation Bank Easements Geographic Service Area Gentry Branch S ▪ yf Copyright(c) 2018 Garniin- Axiom Environ+nenlai, Pnc, Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS f LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Title: GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA MAP Drawn by: Date: Scale: Project No.: MLA JAN 2022 1:350,000 21-001.05 FIGURE 3 Appendix A Gentry Branch Mitigation Site SAW-2022-00528 Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Appendix A —Gentry Branch Mitigation Site Phase 1— Prospectus Appendix B Davis Cove Mitigation Site SAW-2022-00529 Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Appendix B — Davis Cove Mitigation Site Phase 1— Prospectus RESTORATION SYSTEMS FRENCH BROAD 05 UMBRELLA MITIGATION BANK PROSPECTUS — DAVIS COVE MITIGATION SITE SAW-2022-00529 Sponsored by: RESTORATION SYSTEMS LLC Prepared for: The North Carolina Inter -Agency Review Team for distribution and comment Sponsored by: Restoration Systems, LLC RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC POC: Raymond Holz Ph: 919-755-9490 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211 Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 March 2022 Prepared by: Axiom Environmental, Inc. Axiom Environmental, Inc. POC: Grant Lewis 218 Snow Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 Table of Contents 1 EXISTING CONDITIONS 1 1.1 Physiography, Topography, and Land Use 1 1.2 Water Quality 1 1.3 Vegetation 1 1.4 Soils 2 1.5 Hydrology 3 1.6 Fluvial Geomorphology 5 1.7 FEMA 5 2 SITE WORK PLAN & PROPOSED MITIGATION CREDIT 5 3 REFERENCES 6 List of Tables Table 1: Davis Cove Site Soils 2 Table 2: Davis Cove Existing Stream Flow Regime 3 Table 3: Davis Cove NC SAM Summary 4 Table 4: Davis Cove Work Plan & Mitigation Credit Summary 5 Attachments A: Figures, Photos, & Landowner Authorization Form Figure 4A: Figure 4B: Figure 4B-I: Figure 4C: Figure 4D: Figure 4D-I: Davis Cove Site —Topography and Drainage Area Davis Cove Site — Existing Conditions and Soils Davis Cove Site — Inset Existing Conditions and Soils Davis Cove Site — LiDAR Davis Cove Site — Proposed Conditions Davis Cove Site — Inset Proposed Conditions Existing Conditions Photos Landowner Authorization Form B: Baseline Assessment Forms Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Table of Contents Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site DAVIS COVE MITIGATION SITE The Davis Cove Mitigation Site ("Site") is characterized by disturbed forest and agricultural land used for livestock grazing and hay production. The main hydrological features include eleven unnamed tributaries (UTs) to Spring Creek. Reaches near the Site's outfall have been heavily modified for livestock and agricultural production; UT-3 has been diverted to allow cattle access, and UT-4 has been piped underground for hay production. The proposed conservation easement area contains approximately 32- acres (Figure 4A). 1 EXISTING CONDITIONS 1.1 Physiography, Topography, and Land Use The Site is located in the Southern Crystalline Ridges and Mountains ecoregion. Regional physiography is defined by rough, dissected ridges and mountains with high -relief slopes and well -drained, acidic, loamy soils occurring primarily on Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks (Griffith et al. 2002). On -site elevations range from a high of 3,200-feet NGVD at the upper reach of UT1 to a low of approximately 2,360-feet NGVD at the site outfall (Figure 4A). The Site drains an approximately 0.42-square mile watershed at the outfall with smaller drainage areas ranging from 0.03 to 0.29-square miles (Figure 4A). The watershed is forestland in the upper headwaters with pasture and hayfields in the lower valleys. Impervious surfaces account for less than five percent of the upstream land surface. Land use at the Site is characterized by forest, hayfields, and livestock pasture. Riparian zones in lower portions of the Site are primarily composed of herbaceous vegetation that is sparse and disturbed due to livestock grazing, bush hogging, and regular land -management activities. A road network extends through the upper reaches of the Site to allow access to the property by the landowner, firefighters, or other emergency personnel. Roads are stable and constructed of earthen materials and have multiple culverted crossings. 1.2 Water Quality The Site is within the French Broad River Basin in USGS 14-digit HUC 06010105120010 (Figure 2) and NCDWR Subbasin number 04-03-04. Site streams drain to Spring Creek, which has been assigned Stream Index Number 6-118-(1) and a Best Usage Classification of C, Tr. Streams with a C designation are protected for uses such as aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation, and agriculture. Secondary recreation includes wading, boating, and other uses not involving human body contact with waters on an organized or frequent basis. The supplemental classification TR is intended to protect freshwaters with conditions that can sustain and allow for trout propagation and survival of stocked trout on a year-round basis. Site streams are not included on the 2020 Final 303(d) lists of impaired waterbodies (NCDEQ 2020). 1.3 Vegetation The Site is characterized primarily by open pastureland utilized for cattle production surrounded by mature forested mountain slopes. Pastureland is maintained for livestock grazing and hay production and is dominated by fescue (Festuca sp.) and clover (Trifolium spp.). Other opportunistic herbaceous species such as ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), aster (Symphyotrichum spp.), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), hog peanut (Amphicarpaea Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 1 Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site bracteata), and crown beard (Verbesina sp.), occur the along streamside areas and woodland edges of the pasture. The forested portion of the Site is largely composed of hickory (Carya spp.), black walnut (luglans nigra), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black cherry (Prunus serotina), red maple (Acer rubrum), red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), sourwood (Oxydendron arboreum), and white ash (Fraxinus americana) in the canopy. Subcanopy and shrub species include striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), basswood (Tilia americana), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava), mountain maple (Acer spicatum), mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana), and rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum). Herbs and vines include Christmas fern (Polystichium acrostichoides), ebonly spleenwory (Asplenium platyneuron), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), pipsissewa (chimaphila maculata), Dutchmans's pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla), greenbriar (Smilax spp.), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Forested portions of the Site where cattle congregate have little to no shrubs or herbs. These areas include scattered Christmas ferns, false stinging nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), and Japanese stilt -grass (Microstegium vimineum). 1.4 Soils Based on Web Soil Survey mapping (USDA 2021), proposed conservation easement areas associated with the Davis Cove site contain six soil series (Figure 4B and Table 1): Ashe-Cleveland-Rock outcrop complex (Typic Dystrudepts), Buladean-Chestnut complex (Typic Dystrudepts), Eva rd-Cowee complex (Typic Hapludults), Statler loam (Humic Hapludults), and Toecane-Tusquitee complex (Humic Hapludults), Tusquitee-Whiteside complex (Humic Dystrudepts). Table 1: Davis Cove Site Soils Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Hydric Status Description ArE and ArF Ashe-Cleveland -Rock outcrop complex Non-hydric BnD, BnE, and Buladean-Chestnut BnF complex The Ashe-Cleveland complex consists of moderately deep, somewhat excessively drained, moderately rapid permeable soils on long and narrow summits and irregular side slopes. Depth to seasonal high water is greater than 6 feet. The Buladean-Chestnut complex consists of moderately deep, well drained, moderately rapid Non-hydric permeable soils on long and narrow summits and irregular side slopes. Depth to seasonal high water is greater than 6 feet. EvF2 Evard-Cowee complex Non-hydric StB Statler loam Non-hydric The Evard-Cowee complex consists of moderately deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on long and narrow summits and side slopes. Depth to seasonal high water is greater than 6 feet. The Statler soil series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on concave to planar toe slopes along low stream terraces. Depth to seasonal high water is 4 to 6 feet from January through December. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 2 Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site Table 1: Davis Cove Site Soils (continued) Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Hydric Status Description TaB, TaC, and Tate loam Ta D TsD, TsE, and Tusquitee-Toecane TuD complex The Tate soil series consists of very deep, well drained, moderately rapid permeable soils on Non-hydric footslopes and toeslopes along coves, colluvial fans, and benches. Depth to seasonal high water is greater than 6 feet. The Tusquitee-Toecane complex consists of very deep, well drained, moderately permeable soils on Non-hydric head slopes, footslopes, and toeslopes along colluvial fans, drainageways, and benches. Depth to seasonal high water is greater than 6 feet. A North Carolina Licensed Soil Scientist conducted investigations of the Site for hydric soil and/or wetland pockets that would be suitable for mitigation. Investigations indicate that there is insufficient acreage of hydric soils at the Site for mapping or mitigation. At this time, no detailed soil mapping has been conducted at the Site. 1.5 Hydrology Davis Cove site streams are depicted on USGS mapping as perennial (Figure 4A). However, on -site investigations using NCDWQ stream forms (Table 2) have identified additional intermittent streams. Six unnamed tributaries have been classified as intermittent: UT 1A, UT 4, UT 5A, UT 5B, UT 6, and UT 7. NC SAM on -site determinations have concluded that the stream functional characteristics range from low ratings in the disturbed areas to high ratings in the forested areas (Table 3). Table 2: Davis Cove Existing Stream Flow Regime Stream Stream Length Stream Order USGS Stream In -field Stream Classification Classification UT-1 3496 UT-1A 88 UT-2 1940 UT-3 3885 UT-4 1047 UT-5 3635 UT-5A 261 UT-5B 241 UT-6 501 UT-7 821 UT-8 926 15t 15t 15t 3rd 15t 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st Perennial Perennial Not mapped Intermittent Perennial Perennial Perennial Perennial Not mapped Intermittent Perennial Perennial Not mapped Intermittent Not mapped Intermittent Not mapped Intermittent Not mapped Intermittent Perennial Perennial Total 16,842 Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 3 Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site Table 3: Davis Cove NC SAM Summary NC SAM Function Class Rating UT 1 Summary UT 3 Lower UT 3 Preservation UT 4 UT 5 (1) HYDROLOGY HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (2) Baseflow HIGH MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM HIGH (2) Flood Flow HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (3) Streamside Area Attenuation (4) Floodplain Access HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH LOW HIGH (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer (4) Microtopography HIGH LOW HIGH LOW MEDIUM NA NA NA NA NA (3) Stream Stability HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (4) Channel Stability HIGH MEDIUM HIGH HIGH HIGH (4) Sediment Transport HIGH LOW HIGH LOW LOW (4) Stream Geomorphology HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (1) WATER QUALITY HIGH LOW HIGH LOW MEDIUM (2) Baseflow HIGH MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM HIGH (2) Stream -side Area Vegetation HIGH LOW HIGH LOW LOW (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration HIGH LOW HIGH LOW LOW (3) Thermoregulation HIGH LOW HIGH LOW MEDIUM (2) Indicators of Stressors NO YES NO YES NO (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance MEDIUM MEDIUM HIGH LOW MEDIUM (1) HABITAT HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (2) In -stream Habitat HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (3) Baseflow HIGH MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM HIGH (3) Substrate HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (3) Stream Stability HIGH MEDIUM HIGH MEDIUM HIGH (3) In -Stream Habitat HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (2) Stream -side Habitat HIGH LOW HIGH LOW MEDIUM (3) Stream -side Habitat HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH (3) Thermoregulation HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH OVERALL HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH The Site's main tributaries are depicted as perennial on the USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle. No streams were mapped as intermittent, however, UT 1A, UT 4, UT 5A, UT 5B, UT 6, and UT 7 exhibit field characteristics of intermittent streams based on benthic macroinvertebrate samples, NCDWQ Stream Identification Form [v4.11] scores, and evidence of stream flow during field visits. This hydro-physiographic region is characterized by moderate rainfall with precipitation averaging 51.1- inches per year (based on data provided by NOAA 2020). Site discharge is dominated by a combination of upstream basin catchment, groundwater flow, and precipitation. Based on regional curves (Harman et al. 2001), the bankfull discharge for a 0.42-square mile watershed is expected to average 17.0-CFS. Based on Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 4 Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site empirical evidence a bankfull discharge of 17.0-CFS is expected to occur approximately every 1.3 to 1.5 years (Rosgen 1996, Leopold 1994). 1.6 Fluvial Geomorphology Currently, channels targeted for restoration have been severely impacted by livestock trampling with sinuosity affected by bank erosion and hoof shear. UT 3 has been rerouted for agricultural purposes, and a large section of UT 4 has been piped underground to create a pasture for hay production. In general, underground piping, sediment and nutrient inputs, channel incision and straightening, removal of cobble substrate, aggradation of silt and sand, and removal of woody vegetation have impacted lower Davis Cove site streams. 1.7 FEMA Inspection of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map 3700874500J, Panel 8745, effective June 2, 2009, indicates that Spring Creek, the receiving stream for Site drainage is mapped as a Zone AE flood area. Work conducted at the Site is unlikely to affect flood zones in Spring Creek; however, coordination with FEMA will occur throughout the design process. At this time, a CLOMR is not expected. 2 SITE WORK PLAN & PROPOSED MITIGATION CREDIT A summary of the actions proposed at Davis Cove is provided in Table 4 and in Figures 5D and 5D-I. In general, proposed activities involve Stream Restoration, Stream Enhancement II, and Stream Preservation. Stream preservation has been limited to the upper reaches of stream confined by steep valleys. Stream and wetland restoration and enhancement occur in lower reaches of streams that have been impacted by straightening, piping, diversion, clearing of vegetation, livestock grazing, and other historic land uses. Table 4: Davis Cove Work Plan & Mitigation Credit Summary Stream Approx. Final Reach Length (LF) Mitigation Activity UT-1 3,496 Stream Enhancement II, Preservation UT-1A 88 Stream Preservation UT-2 1,940 Stream Enhancement II, Preservation UT-3 4,038 Stream Restoration, Enhancement II, Preservation UT-4 544 Stream Restoration, Enhancement II UT-5 3,635 Stream Enhancement II, Preservation UT-5A 261 Stream Preservation UT-5B 241 Stream Preservation UT-6 501 Stream Preservation UT-7 821 Stream Preservation UT-8 926 Stream Preservation Total 16,491 Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 5 Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site 3 REFERENCES Griffith, G.E., J.M. Omernik, J.A. Comstock, M.P. Schafale, W.H. McNab, D.R. Lenat, T.F. MacPherson, J.B. Glover, and V.B. Shelbourne. 2002. Ecoregions of North Carolina and South Carolina. U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia. Harman, W.A., G.D. Wise, D.E., Walker, R.M, Cantrell, M.A., Clemmons, M., Jennings, G.D., Clinton, D., and Patterson, J. 2001. Bankfull Regional Curves for North Carolina Mountain Streams. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. Leopold, L.B. 1994. A View of the River. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA. 298 pp. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2020. National Climate Data Center's (NCDC) Climate Data Online (CDO). http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/ North Carolina Division of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). 2020. NC 2020 Category 5 Assessment "Final 303(d) List" (online). Available: https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/TMDL/303d/2020/NC 2020 INTEGRATED REPO RT.pdf North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). 2013. North Carolina Water Bodies Report (online). Available: http://portal.ncdenr.org/c/document library/get file?uuid=10c60296-dcc8-439f- a41c-d475ea7adlfa&groupld=38364 North Carolina Stream Functional Assessment Team (NC SFAT). 2014. N.C. Stream Assessment Method (NC SAM) User Manual (Version 2). 178 pp. Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied River Morphology. Wildland Hydrology (Publisher). Pagosa Springs, Colorado United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2006. Soil Survey of Madison County, North Carolina. Soil Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2021. Web Soil Survey (online). Available: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx [September 2021]. Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Page 6 Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site ATTACHMENT A — FIGURES, PHOTOS, & LANDOWNER AUTHORIZATION FORM Figure 4A: Figure 4B: Figure 4B-I: Figure 4C: Figure 4D: Figure 4D-I: Davis Cove Site —Topography and Drainage Area Davis Cove Site — Existing Conditions and Soils Davis Cove Site — Inset Existing Conditions and Soils Davis Cove Site — LiDAR Davis Cove Site — Proposed Conditions Davis Cove Site — Inset Proposed Conditions Existing Conditions Photos Landowner Authorization Form Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Attachment A Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site Legend QDavis Cove Easement = 32.3 ac —Existing Streams = 16,842 ft i iUT 1 Drainage Area = 0.13 sq mi (80.3 ac) UT 3 Drainage Area = 0.29 sq mi (187.4 ac) UT 2 Drainage Area= 0.03 sq mi (21.6 ac) Upper UT 1 Drainage Area = 0.08 sq mi (57.3 ac) UT 5 Drainage Area = 0.16 sq mi (99.6 ac) Upper UT 3 Drainage Area = 0.09 sq mi (54.8 ac) UT 4 Drainage Area = 0.04 sq mi (23.7 ac) z.7 f GT -i { UT=1 A �' — \ Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, -cubed Axiom Environmental. inc. Prepared for: �S RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Madison County, NC Title: DAVIS COVE SITE: TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE AREA Drawn by: JMH Date: Scale: Project No.: NOV 2021 1:10,500 21-001.05 FIGURE 4A Soil Map Unit AcD, ArE, ArF BnD, BnE, BnF DeA DrB EvD2, EvE2, EvF2 StB TaB, TaC, TaD PxF Soil Series TsD, TsE 0 187.5 375 Ashe-Cleveland-Rock Outcrop Complex Buladean-Chestnut Complex Dellwood-Reddies Complex Dillard loam Evard-Cowee Complex Statler loam Tate Loam Basin Toecane-Tusquitee Complex 750 Hydric No No Class B No No Class B No Class B Existing perched culvert 1,125 1,500 Feet NCSAM Form #1 Score = HIGH NCSAM Form #5 Score = HIGH NCSAM Form #3 Score = HIGH NCDWR Form #2 Score = 32.5 NCSAM Form #2 Score = LOW Figure 4B-I NCDWR Form #1 Score = 24 NCSAM Form #4 Score = LOW Legend Easement = 32.3 ac Perennial Streams = 13,881 ft Intermittent Streams = 2,961 ft Piped Stream Channel Roads NCDWR Form Locations NCSAM Form Locations Madison County Parcels NRCS Soil Boundaries 20-foot Contours Axiom Envi onmen1aI, Inc. Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Madison County, NC Title: DAVIS COVE SITE: EXISTING CONDITIONS AND SOILS Drawn by: JMH Date: SEP 2021 Scale: 1:4000 Project No.: 21-001.05 FIGURE 4B Soil Map Unit AcD, ArE, ArF BnD, BnE, BnF DeA DrB EvD2, EvE2, EvF2 StB TaB, TaC, TaD TsD, TsE Soil Series Ashe-Cleveland-Rock Outcrop Complex Buladean-Chestnut Complex Dellwood-Reddies Complex Dillard loam Evard-Cowee Complex Statler loam Tate Loam Basin Toecane-Tusquitee Complex : Hydric No No Class B No No Class B No Class B Existing perched culvert NCDWR Form #1 Score = 24 s 62.5 125 NCSAM Form #2 Score = LOW Stream re-routed NCSAM Form #4 Score = LOW 250 375 500 Feel Stream channel piped underground Legend Easement = 32.3 ac Perennial Streams = 13,881 ft Intermittent Streams = 2,961 ft Piped Stream Channel NCDWR Form Locations NCSAM Form Locations Madison County Parcels NRCS Soil Boundaries 20-foot Contours a - -. : la .161.1i; Axiom Envi onmenlaI, Inc. Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Madison County, NC Title: DAVIS COVE SITE: EXISTING CONDITIONS AND SOILS Drawn by: JMH Date: SEP 2021 Scale: 1:1600 Project No.: 21-001.05 FIGURE 4B-I Legend Easement = 32.3 ac Existing Streams = 16,842 ft Value - High : 3440.36 - Low : 2300.22 Axiom EnvMonmenlal, Inc. Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Madison County, NC Title: DAVIS COVE SITE: LiDAR Drawn by: JMH Date: Scale: Project No.: SEP 2021 1:4000 21-001.05 FIGURE 4C Legend Easement = 32.3 ac Stream Restoration = 1,477 ft Stream Enhancement II (2.5:1) = 781 ft Stream Enhancement II (7.5:1 Ratio) = 6,058 ft Stream Enhancement II (10:1 Ratio) = 305 ft Stream Preservation = 7,884 ft No Credit Roads Preservation reaches will be protected under conservation easement Mitigation Footage Ratio SMUs Restoration 1477 1 1 1477.0 Enhance II 781 2.5 1 312.4 Enhance II 6058 7.5 1 807.7 Enhance II 305 10 1 30.5 Preservation 7884 10 1 788.4 Total 3416.0 Note: Internal road network is to remain for access Figure 4D-I a Axiom Envionmenlal, Inc. Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Madison County, NC Title: DAVIS COVE SITE: PROPOSED CONDITIONS Drawn by: Date: Scale: Project No.: JMH SEP 2021 1:4000 21-001.05 FIGURE 4D Backfill channel and reroute stream --� Fix perched culvert ti 1) Remove underground piped channel 2) Bring stream up to floodplain elevation and move it to natural valley position Legend Easement = 32.3 ac Stream Restoration = 1,477 ft Stream Enhancement II (2.5:1) = 781 ft Stream Enhancement II (7.5:1 Ratio) = 6,058 ft Stream Enhancement II (10:1 Ratio) = 305 ft Stream Preservation = 7,884 ft No Credit Madison County Parcel Boundaries a Axiom Envuunmenlai, Inc. Prepared for: RESTORATION SYSTEMS I LLC Project: French Broad 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Madison County, NC Title: DAVIS COVE SITE: PROPOSED CONDITIONS Drawn by: JMH Date: SEP 2021 Scale: 1:1600 Project No.: 21-001.05 FIGURE 40-1 LANDOWNER AUTHORIZATION FORM PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRITION: Deed Book: 548 Page: 582 County: _Madison Parcel ID Number: 8745734783 & 8745627482 Street Address: 75 Davis Cove Rd. Hot Springs, NC 28743 Property Owner (please print: Veda Davis The undersigned, registered property owner(s) of the above property, do hereby authorize JD Hamby f Restoration Systems Grant Lewis of Axiom Environmental to take all actions necessary for the evaluation of the property as a potential stream and wetland mitigation project, including conducting stream and/or wetland determinations and delineations, as well as issuance and acceptance of any required permit(s) or certification(s). I agree to allow regulatory agencies, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, to visit the property as part of these environmental reviews. Property Owners(s) Address: (if different from above) Property Owner Telephone Number: R a O - G ,Z9 - 3 r % We hereby certify the above information to be true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. ,d IS/2I (Property Owner Authorized Signature) (Date) ATTACHMENT B - BASELINE ASSESSMENT FORMS Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Attachment B Phase 1— Prospectus, Davis Cove Mitigation Site SAM 1 - UT 1 Reference NC SAM Stream Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 2.1 Stream Site Name Davis Cove Stream Category Mb2 Notes of Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Additional stream information/supplementary measurements included (Y/N) NC SAM feature type (perennial, intermittent, Tidal Marsh Stream) Function Class Rating Summary Date of Evaluation 211008 Assessor Name/Organization Lewis/Axiom USACE/ All Streams YES NO YES Perennial NCDWR Intermittent (1) Hydrology (2) Baseflow (2) Flood Flow (3) Streamside Area Attenuation (4) Floodplain Access (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer (4) Microtopography (3) Stream Stability (4) Channel Stability (4) Sediment Transport (4) Stream Geomorphology (2) Stream/Intertidal Zone Interaction (2) Longitudinal Tidal Flow (2) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NA HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NA NA NA NA NA (1) Water Quality (2) Baseflow (2) Streamside Area Vegetation (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration (3) Thermoregulation (2) Indicators of Stressors (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance (2) Intertidal Zone Filtration HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NO MEDIUM NA (1) Habitat (2) In -stream Habitat (3) Baseflow (3) Substrate (3) Stream Stability (3) In -stream Habitat (2) Stream -side Habitat (3) Stream -side Habitat (3) Thermoregulation (2) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (3) Flow Restriction (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology (3) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (2) Intertidal Zone Habitat HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Overall HIGH SAM 2 - UT3 Lower NC SAM Stream Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 2.1 Stream Site Name Davis Cove Stream Category Mb1 Notes of Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Additional stream information/supplementary measurements included (Y/N) NC SAM feature type (perennial, intermittent, Tidal Marsh Stream) Function Class Rating Summary Date of Evaluation 211008 Assessor Name/Organization Lewis/Axiom USACE/ All Streams NO NO NO Perennial NCDWR Intermittent (1) Hydrology (2) Baseflow (2) Flood Flow (3) Streamside Area Attenuation (4) Floodplain Access (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer (4) Microtopography (3) Stream Stability (4) Channel Stability (4) Sediment Transport (4) Stream Geomorphology (2) Stream/Intertidal Zone Interaction (2) Longitudinal Tidal Flow (2) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW MEDIUM LOW NA LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW NA NA NA NA NA (1) Water Quality (2) Baseflow (2) Streamside Area Vegetation (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration (3) Thermoregulation (2) Indicators of Stressors (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance (2) Intertidal Zone Filtration LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW LOW YES MEDIUM NA (1) Habitat (2) In -stream Habitat (3) Baseflow (3) Substrate (3) Stream Stability (3) In -stream Habitat (2) Stream -side Habitat (3) Stream -side Habitat (3) Thermoregulation (2) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (3) Flow Restriction (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology (3) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (2) Intertidal Zone Habitat LOW LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW LOW LOW NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Overall LOW SAM 3 - UT3 Preservation NC SAM Stream Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 2.1 Stream Site Name Davis Cove Stream Category Mb2 Notes of Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Additional stream information/supplementary measurements included (Y/N) NC SAM feature type (perennial, intermittent, Tidal Marsh Stream) Function Class Rating Summary Date of Evaluation 211008 Assessor Name/Organization Lewis/Axiom USACE/ All Streams YES NO YES Intermittent NCDWR Intermittent (1) Hydrology (2) Baseflow (2) Flood Flow (3) Streamside Area Attenuation (4) Floodplain Access (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer (4) Microtopography (3) Stream Stability (4) Channel Stability (4) Sediment Transport (4) Stream Geomorphology (2) Stream/Intertidal Zone Interaction (2) Longitudinal Tidal Flow (2) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NA NA HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA (1) Water Quality (2) Baseflow (2) Streamside Area Vegetation (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration (3) Thermoregulation (2) Indicators of Stressors (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance (2) Intertidal Zone Filtration HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NO NO HIGH NA NA NA (1) Habitat (2) In -stream Habitat (3) Baseflow (3) Substrate (3) Stream Stability (3) In -stream Habitat (2) Stream -side Habitat (3) Stream -side Habitat (3) Thermoregulation (2) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (3) Flow Restriction (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology (3) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (2) Intertidal Zone Habitat HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Overall HIGH HIGH SAM 4 - UT 4 Lower NC SAM Stream Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 2.1 Stream Site Name Davis Cove Stream Category Mb2 Notes of Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Additional stream information/supplementary measurements included (Y/N) NC SAM feature type (perennial, intermittent, Tidal Marsh Stream) Function Class Rating Summary Date of Evaluation 211008 Assessor Name/Organization Lewis/Axiom USACE/ All Streams YES NO YES Perennial NCDWR Intermittent (1) Hydrology (2) Baseflow (2) Flood Flow (3) Streamside Area Attenuation (4) Floodplain Access (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer (4) Microtopography (3) Stream Stability (4) Channel Stability (4) Sediment Transport (4) Stream Geomorphology (2) Stream/Intertidal Zone Interaction (2) Longitudinal Tidal Flow (2) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW LOW LOW NA LOW HIGH LOW LOW NA NA NA NA NA (1) Water Quality (2) Baseflow (2) Streamside Area Vegetation (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration (3) Thermoregulation (2) Indicators of Stressors (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance (2) Intertidal Zone Filtration LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW LOW YES LOW NA (1) Habitat (2) In -stream Habitat (3) Baseflow (3) Substrate (3) Stream Stability (3) In -stream Habitat (2) Stream -side Habitat (3) Stream -side Habitat (3) Thermoregulation (2) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (3) Flow Restriction (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology (3) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (2) Intertidal Zone Habitat LOW LOW MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM LOW LOW LOW LOW NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Overall LOW SAM 5 - UT 5 Middle NC SAM Stream Rating Sheet Accompanies User Manual Version 2.1 Stream Site Name Davis Cove Stream Category Mb2 Notes of Field Assessment Form (Y/N) Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) Additional stream information/supplementary measurements included (Y/N) NC SAM feature type (perennial, intermittent, Tidal Marsh Stream) Function Class Rating Summary Date of Evaluation 211008 Assessor Name/Organization Lewis/Axiom USACE/ All Streams YES NO YES Perennial NCDWR Intermittent (1) Hydrology (2) Baseflow (2) Flood Flow (3) Streamside Area Attenuation (4) Floodplain Access (4) Wooded Riparian Buffer (4) Microtopography (3) Stream Stability (4) Channel Stability (4) Sediment Transport (4) Stream Geomorphology (2) Stream/Intertidal Zone Interaction (2) Longitudinal Tidal Flow (2) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM NA HIGH HIGH LOW HIGH NA NA NA NA NA (1) Water Quality (2) Baseflow (2) Streamside Area Vegetation (3) Upland Pollutant Filtration (3) Thermoregulation (2) Indicators of Stressors (2) Aquatic Life Tolerance (2) Intertidal Zone Filtration MEDIUM HIGH LOW LOW MEDIUM NO MEDIUM NA (1) Habitat (2) In -stream Habitat (3) Baseflow (3) Substrate (3) Stream Stability (3) In -stream Habitat (2) Stream -side Habitat (3) Stream -side Habitat (3) Thermoregulation (2) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (3) Flow Restriction (3) Tidal Marsh Stream Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Channel Stability (4) Tidal Marsh Stream Geomorphology (3) Tidal Marsh In -stream Habitat (2) Intertidal Zone Habitat HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH HIGH MEDIUM HIGH NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Overall HIGH Fot� i uf NC DWQ Stream Identification Form Version 4.11 0 Y r; j4'I'1 Date: / D ' gfi 21 Project/site: D, J1S GeVC. Latitude: 35 .7 5 6728 Evaluator. ( iA)4 L County: , , k, 0,A Longitude: --d 2,go i59-'f Total Points: Streami perenat nial if if z 79 or perennia! if z 30* 2- y Stream Detenninati circle one) Other eo iN e.g. Quad Name: a p Ephemeral ., ntermitten Perennial A. Geomorphology (Subtotal = 7, S ) Absent Weak Moderate Strong 19 Continuity of channel bed and bank 0 1 2 3 2. Sinuosity of channel along thalweg _i-} 1 2 3 3. In -channel structure: ex. riffle -pool, step -pool, ripple -pool sequence / J 1 2 3 4. Particle size of stream substrate 0 1 2j 5. Active/relictfloodplain 1 2 3 6. Depositional bars or benches 1 2 3 7. Recent alluvial deposits 1 2 3 8. Headcuts 0 1 3 9. Grade control 0 0.5 111011 1.5 10. Natural valley 0 0.5 1 1.5 11. Second or greater order channel i Yes = 3 artnicial ditches are nat rated; B. Hvdroloav (Subtotal = CO 12. Presence of Baseflow 0 1 2 a 13. Iron oxidizing bacteria .' 1 2 3 14. Leaf litter 1.5 1 0.5 0 15. Sediment on plants or debris d5 0.5 1 1.5 16. Organic debris lines or piles C 0.5 1 1.5 17. Soil -based evidence of high water table? No = 0 Yes 3 C. Bioloov (Subtotal = 18. Fibrous roots in streambed C; 2 1 0 19. Rooted upland plants in streambed 2 1 0 20. Macrobenthos (note diversity and abundance) 0 1 j-1 3 21. Aquatic Mollusks -0--':' 1 2 3 22. Fish 0.5 1 1.5 23. Crayfish 0.5 1 1.5 24. Amphibians c113 0.5 1 1.5 25. Algae I)) 0.5 1 1.5 26. Wetland plants in streambed FACW= 0.75; OBL = 1.5 Other= 0 *perennial streams may also be identified using other methods. See p. 35 of manual. Notes: Sketch: sal ut i P �e a d, di i 5 V lr 1 w. A -ok lift 01_ g NC DWQ Stream Identification Form Version 4.11 Date: t0 I / toll Project/Site: Q as • , Ca, Latitude: 3 5 , 753 5 711-- Evaluator: Peri`,�Sp,` / 4 -' ----x- County: , `1 :Sum`' Longitude: - 8 1.8 a- 617 o. Total Points: Stream is at least intermittent if z 19 or perennial if >_ 30* " S Stream Determination (cir Ephemeral Intermittent erenni Other 1.- E tia'� e.g. Quad Name: s i › A. Geomorphology (Subtotal = t 9) Absent Weak Moderate Strong 1 a. Continuity of channel bed and bank 0 1 2 C S-' 2. Sinuosity of channel along thalweg 0 1 e2'' 3 3. In -channel structure: ex. riffle -pool, step -pool, ripple -pool sequence 0 1 3 - 4. Particle size of stream substrate 0 1 2 (3 5. Active/relict floodplain 0 1 2 3 6. Depositional bars or benches 0 1 1 2 3 7. Recent alluvial deposits 0 (1l 2 3 8. Headcuts 1 2 3 9. Grade control 0 0.5 1 15� 10. Natural valley 0 0.5 1 CL5 11. Second or greater order channel 0 0 Yes = 3 artificial ditches are not rated; see discussions in manual B. Hydrology (Subtotal = 12. Presence of Baseflow 0 1 2 6:). 13. Iron oxidizing bacteria (0) 1 2 3 14. Leaf litter 1.5 6) 0.5 0 15. Sediment on plants or debris * 0.5 1 1.5 16. Organic debris lines or piles (IP 0.5 1 1.5 17. Soil -based evidence of high water table? No = 0 (-Yes = C. Biology tSubtotal = t . . 5 ) 18. Fibrous roots in streambed 2 1 0 19. Rooted upland plants in streambed 3 2 1 0 20. Macrobenthos (note diversity and abundance) 0 1 CD 3 21. Aquatic Mollusks 0 1 CD 3 22. Fish i0 ' 0.5 1 1.5 23. Crayfish d) 0.5 1 1.5 24. Amphibians 0 0.5 1 25. Algae C) 0.5 1 1.5 26. Wetland plants in streambed FACW = 0.75; OBL = 1.5 Other = 0-) *perennial streams may also be identified using other methods. See p. 35 of manual. - Notes: (A. .'t S hlti...., 41:; e'S ., 5 Vo-, c Ptic ,, 6-0 `1.5 i Sketch: Appendix C Sliding Knob Site SAW-2022-00530 Restoration Systems French Broad 06010105 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Appendix C—Sliding Knob Mitigation Site Phase 1— Prospectus