20021345 Ver 1_Mitigation Information_20141016

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
MEMORANDUM
TO: Katie Merritt
FROM: Jeff Schaffer R S
DATE: October 14, 2014
Michael Ellison, Director
Ecosystem Enhancement Program
RE: Assignment of Riparian Buffer and/or Nutrient Offset Credits
Sandy Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration Site (EEP IMS #322)
John E. Skvarla, III
Secretary
As you are aware, there is a consistent need for riparian buffer and /or nutrient offset mitigation credits in the
Jordan Lake Watershed and EEP has had a difficult time in implementing projects in the Jordan to meet these
needs. EEP recently undertook a review of existing sites in an effort to maintain existing permit compliance.
The enactment of the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule (15A NCAC 0213.0295) effective October 1, 2014
allowed EEP additional opportunities to identify riparian buffer and /or nutrient offset mitigation credits. One of
the projects identified in this effort was Sandy Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration project.
Sandy Creek is a wetland restoration and stream enhancement mitigation site located in Durham County, North
Carolina, in the Upper New Hope Sub - watershed Jordan Lake Watershed in the Cape Fear 03030002 Catalog
Unit. The project is within the 14 -digit HUC 03030002060110.
A 22.6 acre conservation easement was donated by the City of Durham to EEP in two phases, with phase 1
closing in October 2001 and phase 2 closing in November 2009. The project consists of 3.13 acres of wetland
restoration and 2,461 linear feet of Level II stream enhancement. Wetland and stream construction was
completed in June 2003. Wetlands restoration consisted of grading activities and planting wetland vegetation.
Stream enhancement consisted of the installation of log vanes to create pool features to enhance habitat and
water quality along 2,461 linear feet of stream. Initial construction activities included the planting of over 2,500
woody stems.
The wetland restoration area was re- graded between November and December 2009 and February 2010 to
correct final grade elevations to establish proper wetland hydrology. Replanting of the repaired area occurred at
the completion of the repair work. Topsoil was added to improve soil fertility for plant growth and the graded
areas were replanted with native plant species. An additional supplemental planting was done in February 2011.
This site is currently in its 9t" year of monitoring which represents the 5th year of wetland monitoring after site
maintenance and re- grading. Stream monitoring has been conducted annually since original restoration activities
completed in 2003.
The 8th year monitoring report (concluded in February 2014) reported average stem densities of 313 planted
stems per acre (677 planted and volunteer). All individual plots, with the exception of Plot 1, met success
criteria based on planted stems alone. Plot 1 did meet vegetative success when volunteers were included. EEP is
expecting to closeout this project in 2015.
The total acreage of planted stems is 319,295 square feet (7.33 acres). The total conservation easement measures
22.6 acres. Based on the vegetative success reported in the Year 8 Monitoring Report and the Mitigation
1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1652
Phone: [phone] Internet: www,ncdenr.gov
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allowed under the new Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule, EEP is requesting to claim the following buffer
and or nutrient offset mitigation credits from the Sandy Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration Site:
Mitigation Type
Scl. Ft. Ac.
Ratio
Credits*
Riparian Buffer Restoration or
58,879 (1.23)
1 :1
58,879 (1.23)
Nutrient Offset Buffer Restoration
1,788.39 N; 112.74 P
Riparian Buffer Preservation
58,889 (1.35)
3:1
19,630 (0.45)
*Nutrient Offset Credits are Delivered Credits calculated using Delivery Factor and Nutrient Reduction Rates as required
in Rule 15A NCAC .0213 .0262
Perpetual site protection will be maintained by:
DENR Stewardship Program
Office of Conservation, Planning, and Community Affairs, DENR
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
919- 715 -8696
Please find attached a copy of a map showing the buffer assets available at the Sandy Creek Stream and Wetland
Restoration Site. EEP would be willing to arrange a visit to the site if that would help to facilitate your decision
on this matter. Once an agreement is reached, EEP will update the assets in our database. EEP anticipates that
the Sandy Creek Stream and Wetland Restoration Site will be submitted for closeout to both the IRT and DWR
in 2015. At the time of closeout, EEP will submit a close out request letter including a map detailing the final
enumeration of credits and a credit/debit ledger.
cc: Tim Baumgartner
Jim Stanfill