20100857 Ver 1_Year 5 Monitoring Report_20141016

ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT
YEAR 5 (2013)
BUTLERS BRANCH NUTRIENT BUFFER RESTORATION PROJECT
NEUSE RIVER NITROGEN ABATEMENT
CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
rcT
1 6 2014 1
Prepared for:
THE CITY OF RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
Prepared by:
Restoration Systems, L.L.C.
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
And
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
218 Snow Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
October 2014
Axiom Environmental, Inc.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Restoration Systems, LLC has completed riparian buffer restoration at the Butlers Branch Nutrient Buffer
Restoration Site (hereafter referred to as the "Site ") for the City of Raleigh's wastewater treatment facility
on the Neuse River (NPDES Permit NC0029033). Within the Site, approximately 54 acres of headwater
buffer habitat were restored providing 4091 pounds of nitrogen offsets per year for greater than 122,742
pounds of nitrogen offsets over 30 years to the City of Raleigh. The Site is located approximately 17
miles east of the Town of Kinston in Craven County within United States Geological Survey Hydrologic
Unit 03020202080020 (North Carolina Division of Water Quality Subbasin 03- 04 -08) of the Neuse River
Basin.
The Site includes three main tributary systems that drain directly to the Neuse River (Village Creek and
two unnamed tributary systems). Prior to construction, the Site was characterized by agricultural fields
and disturbed forest, and Site streams were regularly dredged and cleared of vegetation. Land use
practices including the maintenance and removal of vegetation, regular plowing, and use of agricultural
chemicals had resulted in degraded water quality.
The goals and objectives of this project focused on improving local water quality, improving bank
stability, supporting in- stream habitat through the contribution of large woody debris, and maintaining
wildlife passage corridors. These goals were accomplished by the following.
1. Removing nonpoint sources of pollution associated with agriculture production by a) ceasing the
application of agricultural herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural materials into
and adjacent to Site ditches and open waterways and b) providing a vegetative buffer adjacent to
ditches and waterways to treat surface runoff that may be laden with sediment and /or agricultural
pollutants.
2. Reducing sedimentation/siltation within on -Site and downstream receiving waters by a)
increasing retention time for surface waters entering and leaving the Site, b) reducing erosion
associated with vegetation maintenance and agricultural plowing to Site ditches, and c) planting a
forested vegetative buffer adjacent to Site ditches and waterways.
3. Promoting floodwater attenuation by ripping compacted soils and revegetating the Site to increase
frictional resistance on floodwaters crossing the Site.
4. Providing terrestrial wildlife habitat including a forested riparian corridor within an area that was
previously cleared and highly dissected by agricultural land use.
This project was constructed in late winter /early spring 2010. As a whole, the densities of vegetation
plots across the Site were above the required 320 stems per acre with an average of 836 planted stems per
acre in the Fifth Monitoring Year (2014). In addition, each individual plot met success criteria based on
planted stems alone with the exception of Plot 2 which was two stems shy; however, when counting an
additional stem of naturally recruited red maple (Ater rubrum) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciva)
this plot was well -above 320 stems per acre.
Annual Monitoring Report Executive Summary
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SDMMARY ----------------------------------------.i |
1]3
INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------'l
Ll
Locudouand S � --------------------------------------.l
1.2
Project GoulsuodOhcodvco ----------------------------------
)
1.3
Project Stnuutoo:Rcok`otiouTvnuuud Approach ----------------------'l
2.0
MONITORING PLAN ...................................................................................................................
2
2.1
Vegetation Success Criteria ........................................................................................................
2
22
Maintenance and Contingency ---------------------------------.]
2.3
Vegetation Sampling Results and Comparison k> Success Criteria .............................................
3
3.0
CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................................................
3
APPENDICES
Appendix A. Figures
Figure 1. Site Location
Figure 2. Monitoring Plan View
Appendix B. Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photographs
Annual ' Monitoring Report Table mContents
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

1.0 • INTRODUCTION
1.1 Location and Setting
Restoration Systems, LLC has completed riparian buffer restoration at the Butlers Branch Nutrient Buffer
Restoration Site (hereafter referred to as the "Site ") for the City of Raleigh's wastewater treatment facility
on the Neuse River (NPDES Permit NC0029033). Within the Site, approximately 54 acres of headwater
buffer habitat were restored providing 4091 pounds of nitrogen offsets per year for greater than 122,742
pounds of nitrogen offsets over 30 years to the City of Raleigh. The Site is located approximately 17 miles
east of the Town of Kinston in Craven County within United States Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit
03020202080020 (North Carolina Division of Water Quality Subbasin 03- 04 -08) of the Neuse River.Basin
(Figure 1, Appendix A).
Directions to the Site from Kinston, North Carolina:
➢ Take NC- 11 /NC -55 North out of Kinston
➢ Turn right at NC -55 and travel approximately 16 miles
➢ Turn left onto Biddle Farm Road and travel for approximately 1.2 miles
➢ The Site is on the right.
➢ Site coordinates:
o Latitude 35.29250 °N, Longitude 77.30624 °W (NAD83/WGS84)
1.2 Project Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives of this project focused on improving local water quality, improving bank stability,
supporting in- stream habitat through the contribution of large woody debris, and maintaining wildlife
passage corridors. These goals were accomplished by the following.
1. Removing nonpoint sources of pollution associated with agriculture production by a) ceasing the
application of agricultural herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural materials into
and adjacent to Site ditches and open waterways and b) providing a vegetative buffer adjacent to
ditches and waterways to treat surface runoff that may be laden with sediment and /or agricultural
pollutants.
2. Reducing sedimentation/siltation within on -Site and downstream receiving waters by a) increasing
retention time for surface waters entering and leaving the Site, b) reducing erosion associated with
vegetation maintenance and agricultural plowing to Site ditches, and c) planting a forested
vegetative buffer adjacent to Site ditches and waterways.
3. Promoting floodwater attenuation by ripping compacted soils and revegetating the Site to increase
frictional resistance on floodwaters crossing the Site.
4. Providing terrestrial wildlife habitat including a forested riparian corridor within an area that was
previously cleared and highly dissected by agricultural land use.
1.3 Project Structure, Restoration Type, and Approach
The Site includes three main tributary systems that drain directly to the Neuse River (Village Creek and
two unnamed tributary systems). Prior to construction, the Site was characterized by agricultural fields and
disturbed forest, and Site streams were regularly dredged and cleared of vegetation. Land use practices
including the maintenance and removal of vegetation, regular plowing, and use of agricultural chemicals
had resulted in degraded water quality.
Annual Monitoring Report Page 1
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

As constructed, Site activities restored historic riparian buffer functions by planting the entire 54 -acre Site
with native riparian vegetation. The Site will provide 4091 pounds of nitrogen offsets per year for greater
than 122,742 pounds of nitrogen offsets over 30 years to the City of Raleigh. The following table outlines
information for project managers, owners, and contractors.
Table 1. Project Contacts Table
Designer
Restoration Systems, LLC
1101 Haynes Street, Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
(919) 755 -9490
Planting Contractor
Carolina Silvics
908 Indian Trail Road
Edenton, North Carolina 27932
Mary- Margaret McKinney (252) 482 -8491
Monitoring Performer
Axiom Environmental, Inc.
218 Snow Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
Grant Lewis (919) 215 -1693
2.0 MONITORING PLAN
Monitoring of Site restoration efforts will be performed for vegetation components of the Site for five years
or until success criteria are fulfilled. After planting was completed, an initial evaluation was performed to
verify planting methods were successful and to determine initial species composition and density. Twelve
sample vegetation plots (10 -meter by 10- meter) were installed within the Site as per guidelines established
in CVS -EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation, Version 4.0 (Lee et al. 2006). In each sample plot,
vegetation parameters to be monitored include species composition and species density. Visual
observations of the percent cover of shrub and herbaceous species will also be documented by photograph.
2.1 Vegetation Success Criteria
Characteristic Tree Species include woody tree and shrub species planted at the Site (Table 2) or outlined
for the appropriate plant community in Schafale and Weakley (1990). An average density of 320 stems per
acre of Characteristic Tree Species must be surviving after year 5 monitoring.
Annual Monitoring Report Page 2
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

Table 2. Planted Woody Vegetation
Species
Quantity
American elm Ulmus americana
2700
American holly (Ilex o aca )
1610
Americansycamore (Platanus occidentalis )
4563
Bald cypress Taxodium distichum
4694
Buttonbush Ce halanthus occidentalis
2280
Cherr bark oak uercus pagoda)
4085
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis )
868
Green ash Fraxinzts enns Ivanica
6218
Ironwood Car inus caroliniana
322
Laurel oak uercus lauri olia
4085
Overcu oak uercus 1 rata
4172
Possumhaw viburnum Viburnum nudum
434
Red chokeberr Aronia arbuti olio
1339
River birch Betula ni ra
4563
Silky dogwood (Cornus amomum )
1610
Silk willow Salix sericea
434
Swamp chestnut oak uercus michauxii
2700
Sweetba (Magnolia vir iniana
1350
Water oak uercus ni ra
1080
Willow oak uercus hellos
4085
Yellow poplar Liriodendron tuli i era
1620
TOTAL
54,813
2.2 Maintenance and Contingency
In the event that success criteria are not fulfilled, a mechanism for contingency will be implemented. If
vegetation success criteria are not achieved based on average density calculations from combined plots
over the entire restoration area, supplemental planting may be performed with tree species approved by
regulatory agencies. Supplemental planting will be performed as needed until achievement of vegetation
success criteria.
2.3 Vegetation Sampling Results and Comparison to Success Criteria
Quantitative sampling of vegetation was conducted in October 2014. Vegetation success criteria (320
stems per acre) were exceeded for the year 5 (2014) annual monitoring year with an average density of 836
planted stems per acre in the Fifth Monitoring Year (2014). In addition, each individual plot met success
criteria based on planted stems alone with the exception of Plot 2 which was two stem shy; however, when
counting an additional stem of naturally recruited red map (Ater rubrum) and sweetgum (Liquidambar
styraciflua) this plot was well -above 320 stems per acre.
3.0 CONCLUSIONS
The following table summarizes planted stem data throughout the monitoring period.
Annual Monitoring Report Page 3
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

Table 3. Summary of Planted Stem Vegetation Plot Results
Plot
Planted Stems /Acre
Year 1
2010
Year 2
2011
Year 3
2012
Year 4
2013
Year 5
2014
1
971
1012
931
971
890
2
283
324
324
243
243
3
1052
1012
1012
1012
1012
4
850
809
769
728
728
5
931
850
850
850
850
6
890
809
809
769
769
7
1052
1093
1093
1093
1093
8
809
809
769
769
769
9
890
931
931
931
931
10
1052
1012
971
971
971
11
890
971
971
931
971
12
1 647
809
1 809
1 809 1
850
Average Plots 1 -12
1 860
870
1 853
1 840 1
836
Annual Monitoring Report Page 4
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

4.0 REFERENCES
Lee, M.T., R.K. Peet, S.D. Roberts, and T.R. Wentworth. 2006. CVS -EEP Protocol for Recording
Vegetation. Version 4.0. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Ecosystem Enhancement Program. Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2007. Redbook, Surface Waters and Wetlands
Standards. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water
Quality. Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2008a. Draft North Carolina Water Quality
Assessment and Impaired Waters List (2008 Integrated 305(b) and 303(d) Report) (online).
Available: http: //h2o.enr. state. nc. us / tmdl/ documentsB .Draft2008303dList.pdf [November 10,
2008]. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, North
Carolina.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ). 2008b. Draft Basinwide Planning Program: Neuse
River Basinwide Water Quality Plan -June 2008. North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality. Raleigh, North Carolina.
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 Geological Survey (USGS). 1974. Hydrologic Unit Map - 1974. State of North Carolina.
Annual Monitoring Report Page 5
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

Appendix A.
Figures
Figure 1. Site Location
Figure 2. Monitoring Plan View
Annual Monitoring Report Appendices
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

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> ,H Willow spring, NC 27592 WGL
��'• [phone] BUTLERS BRANCH RESTORATION SITE
(91 9) 341 -3839 fax Date - I�
Craven County, North Carolina Apr 2007 I
Protect.
05- 002.38

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Appendix B.
Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photographs
Annual Monitoring Report Appendices
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site

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Butlers Branch
Year 5 (2014)
Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos
Taken October 2014
(continued)
Annual Monitoring Report Appendices
Butlers Branch Nitrogen Buffer Restoration Site