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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCasey Creek Proposal-RedactCASEY CREEK MITIGATION SITE NEUSE RIVER BASIN 03020201 RFP #16-20210201 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL PROPOSAL OPENING DATE: OCTOBER 12, 2021 at 2:00 PM WILDLANDS E NO IN E E RING Wildlands Engineering, Inc. 1430 S. Mint Street, Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28203 PHONE: (704) 332-7754 FAX: (704) 332-3306 Wildlands' Authorized Representative: John Hutton This report is printed on recycled paper 1113Pi11�1��7C� nkf PART D - Executive Summary Wildlands Engineering, Inc. (Wildlands) is proposing to provide 3,750 stream credits, 362,500.000 riparian buffer credits, and 9,003.077 nutrient offset credits within the Neuse River Basin Catalog Unit 03020201 at the Casey Creek Mitigation Site (Site) in Wayne County, NC. Wildlands has recorded options to acquire conservation easements on approximately 24 acres on the Site. The project will include stream restoration, stream preservation, riparian buffer restoration, and riparian buffer preservation. The Site is an active row crop farm and the streams are in various stages of impact due to historic cattle grazing and stream manipulation as well as on -going farming activities. Crops are planted up to the top of bank on all restoration reaches. The streams are in various stages of evolution, with a predominant condition of erosion and incision, which has drained historic riparian wetlands. Existing wooded riparian areas are high quality pine and hardwood forests. The presence of instream habitat and bedform diversity is dependent on the extent of manipulation on each reach. The presence of large woody debris (LWD) varies across the site depending on the adjacent existing wooded riparian areas. This project will improve water quality and ecology through riparian buffer establishment and stream restoration. These activities will result in a decrease in nutrient and sediment loads from the Site and improved aquatic and terrestrial habitat. The specific evaluation criteria outlined in the Division of Mitigation's (DMS) Request for Proposals will be met as summarized in Part F of this proposal. In summary, the mitigation plan for the Site will include the following: • Reconnection of incised streams to their historic and newly constructed floodplains; • Enhancement of habitat functions through in -stream structures and planting native riparian buffers; • Protection for stream channels from further channel degradation and vegetation impact for agricultural purposes; • Reduction of sediment and nutrient loadings due to overland runoff from agricultural fields; • Improvements to water quality; • Conservation of 24 acres of restored land in perpetuity. Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART D Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page D.1 Part F -Technical Approach The Casey Creek Mitigation Site (Site) is in Wayne County approximately one mile west of the town of Grantham (Figure 1). The project includes restoration and preservation of project streams, as well as restoration and preservation of riparian buffers. The project is located within Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201170010 and is being submitted for mitigation credit in the Neuse River Basin Catalog Unit 03020201. This Site is not located in a targeted resource area (TRA), local watershed plan (LWP) area, or regional watershed plan (RWP) area. However, stressors to the Site are documented in other watershed planning documents including the 2010 DMS Neuse River Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRP), the 2009 DWR Neuse River Basin Water Quality Plan, and the 2005 Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Action Plan (WAP). The proposed project will address key CU-wide restoration goals outlined in the RBRP including reduction of sediment and nutrient loads from agricultural lands by restoring streams and riparian buffers and targeted implementation of a nutrient offset project. The 2010 Neuse RBRP highlights the importance of riparian buffers for stream restoration projects. Of all streams in the Neuse 01 CU, 23% do not have adequate riparian buffers. The RBRP states that projects which increase or improve buffers should be prioritized. The Site is located in the DWR subbasin 03-04-12, which is impacted by the large amount of animal operations within the watershed (Figure 1b). DWR lists 22 permitted animal facilities within the subbasin. This is the largest concentration of animal operations within a single subbasin in the Neuse 01 watershed. Selection of this Site was, in part, based on targeting sites with permitted animal operations. In the WAP report, non -point source pollution including nutrient loading and erosion from stream channelization for agriculture is described as contributing to degraded aquatic habitats in the basin. Additionally, fertilizers and livestock contribute 60% of the nitrate and phosphate found in the Neuse River basin according to the report. This report notes the importance of stream restoration and land protection efforts in the watershed to address the observed stressors. In addition, other important factors considered in the development of TRAs were analyzed in selecting this site. There are other conservation lands within the 14-didit HUC including a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Easement and two large, private mitigation bank sites called Falling Creek and Grantham Branch. These easements protect 461 acres within the HUC. The HUC is 41% agricultural land, indicating the potential for water quality stressors. Casey Creek is a poor quality, headwater stream with non-functioning buffers that drains directly to Falling Creek where the confluence is protected by the Falling Creek mitigation bank easement. Given all of the factors described above, Wildlands believes the Site should receive the additional points for the planning identified stressors on the scoresheet, at least at the lowest level for water quality. Our attached scoresheet includes the additional points as if the Site were in a water quality TRA. VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.1 As shown in figure 2, the Site contains three unnamed tributaries to Falling Creek, which have been given names for this proposal (Casey Creek, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch). Falling Creek flows into the Neuse River approximately six river miles downstream of the Site. 1.0 Project Goals and Objectives The major goals of the proposed stream, buffer, and nutrient offset mitigation project are to provide ecological and water quality enhancements to the Neuse River Basin while creating a functional riparian corridor at the site level. Site stressors include stream incision, active stream erosion including mass wasting, row crops up to the top of stream bank, and areas of limited to absent bedform diversity. Specific enhancements to water quality, hydrology, and habitat are outlined in Table F.I. Watershed ecological uplift potential and specific calculations supporting these goals and objectives outlined in Section 3. Table F.1 Water Quality, Hydrology, and Habitat Goals of the Mitigation Project Site Functional Stressors Functional Uplift Potential Site Goal Site Objective Very High — Riparian buffers on restoration Convert agricultural • Convert agricultural fields to forested Water Quality: reaches are currently in row crop fields to wooded riparian buffers along Site streams north Non-functioning production. Restored buffer widths extend buffer. Improve of US Hwy 13. riparian buffer from 50 feet to over 200 feet from top of treatment processes • Remove entire parcel from agricultural bank, and average 90 feet from top of bank by restoring floodplain production south of US Hwy 13 and across the Site. wetlands. establish riparian forest. • Reconstruct stream channels slated for restoration with stable dimensions and High —Major sources of sediment include appropriate depth relative to the existing eroding streams, mass wasting of banks, Improve the stability floodplain. Add bank revetments and and runoff from row crop operations in the of stream channels. instream structures to protect Water Quality: Reduce sediment and restored/enhanced streams. Sediment riparian zone. The project will restore nutrient input from • Restore riparian stream corridor to slow streambanks, establish a wooded riparian adjacent agricultural and filter runoff from adjacent agricultural buffer, and remove land from agricultural fields. fields. production. • Remove entire parcel from row crop production south of US Hwy 13 and establish a riparian forest. qW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.2 Site Functional Functional Uplift Potential Site Goal Site Objective Stressors Very High — In addition to completely removing a 13.3-acre parcel south of US Hwy 13 from row crop production and placing a 9.5-acre easement around the streams, the completed project is expected Reduce sediment and to reduce TN by 327 Ibs/yr and TP by 21 • Reconstruct stream channels slated for Ibs/yr based on 4.3-acres of new wooded nutrient input from restoration with stable dimensions and Water Quality: buffers upstream of US Hwy 13 that will adjacent agricultural appropriate depth relative to the existing Nutrients continue to receive drainage from row fields; Convert floodplain. Add bank revetments and crops. Runoff from these heavily fertilized agricultural fields to instream structures to protect agricultural row crop fields will be filtered wooded buffer. restored/enhanced streams. through wide restored buffers. Removing • Restore riparian stream corridor areas to the land south of US Hwy 13 entirely from slow and filter runoff from adjacent row crops production also improves the agricultural fields. project sustainability. • Remove drainage tiles to prevent hydrologic bypass of the riparian zone. Low —Site buffers are currently row Convert agricultural cropped; however, one cattle operation is fields to wooded Treat concentrated drainage tile runoff Water Quality: located in Casey Creek's watershed. Storm buffer. Improve onsite through floodplain pools. Fecal Coliform runoff from this cattle operation will be treatment processes • Reconnect incised streams to their filtered through the restored floodplain for upstream runoff by floodplains through restoration will buffer, providing treatment. restoring floodplain restore floodplain wetlands and address connection. peak flows. • Remove entire parcel from row crop High — Project will use Priority 1 and streams to Priority2 restoration to correct deepReconnect a wooded floodplain; production south of US Hwy 13 and incision and allow for increased floodplain prevent hydrologic establish a riparian forest. Hydrology: storage of storm flows. Three lengths of bypass the buffer Peak Flows drainage tiles will be removed within the conservation easement. Drainage from and treat remaining tiles outside of the easement will concentrated runoff be treated through a floodplain pool. points. Moderate —Three lengths of drainage tiles Prevent hydrologic will be removed within the conservation bypass of the buffer . Remove drainage tiles to prevent Hydrology: easement. Drainage from remaining tiles and treat hydrologic bypass of the riparian zone. Ditching/Draining outside of the easement will be treated concentrated runoff Treat concentrated drainage the runoff through a floodplain pool. points. through floodplain pools. Moderate —There is an approximate 6-foot knickpoint between the preservation • Raise the bed of Casey Creek to meet the Habitat: section of Casey Creek and the restoration elevation of the preservation reach. Habitat reach, and there is a 4- to 5-inch drop from Reduce habitat • Raise the invert of Casey Creek Fragmentation the US Hwy 13 culvert outlet to Casey fragmentation downstream of US Hwy 13 to reduce the Creek's normal water surface elevation. habitat fragmentation effects of the These two barriers fragment aquatic culvert. habitats during baseflow conditions. High — Bedform diversity in restoration Improve instream Habitat: reaches of Casey Creek, Martha Creek, and habitat and • Install grade control step features Limited Bedform Afton Creek is low due to sedimentation incorporate constructed with rock, wood, and brush Diversity from bank erosion. Pools are silted in and restoration strategies to create stable and diverse bedform. riffles are embedded with fines. that provide short - VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.3 Site Functional Stressors Functional Uplift Potential Site Goal Site Objective and long-term carbon • Install plunge and constriction features to sources. induce pool formation in reaches lacking Moderate —Project stream reaches slated pools. • Add woody materials/ LWD as grade for restoration lack large woody debris, leaf control, revetments, cover, and hydraulic packs, and organic debris, due to the features to improve pool formation, Habitat: absence of riparian vegetation. Woody variability of habitat, and to increase Absence of Large grade control structures installed on the retention of coarse organic matter. Woody Debris projects restoration reaches will enhance bedform stability, enhance bank stability, • Establish forested riparian floodplain and will provide cover for aquatic habitat to create long-term source of woody debris. organisms. • Install roughness features such as brush toes that enhance retention of carbon within stream reaches. Permanently protect N/A N/A the project site from . Establish a conservation easement on the harmful uses. Site. 2.0 Project Description The following section describes the existing conditions at the Site in terms of geomorphic condition, watershed, soils, geology, cultural resources, species of concern, regulated floodplain zones, and site constraints. Figure 2 provides a Site map that shows approximate locations of incision, water quality stressors, active headcuts, bedrock, and other relevant site observations. 2.1 Existing Site Conditions The proposed project is located on four parcels that contain tributaries to Falling Creek. A large portion of the properties (over 40 acres) has been used for row crop agriculture for decades. The remaining acreage is primarily wooded with a mix of pines and hardwoods. Currently, the agricultural fields are used to grow a rotation of corn and soybeans with an occasional rotation of peanuts, cotton, and sweet potatoes. Cattle were grazed in the fields south of US Hwy 13 until 1982. The fields are drained by drain tiles, perennial, and intermittent streams on the Site have clearly been channelized and relocated to increase crop production. Aerial photography dating back to the late 1950's (included in Appendix) shows that the Site has remained in substantially the same configuration since that time. 2.2 Existing Conditions — Riparian Buffer Casey Creek's riparian buffer condition varies throughout the Site. Casey Creek Reach 1 possesses a forested buffer greater than 50 feet on both floodplains. Following its confluence with Martha Branch, Casey Creek Reach 2 lacks a riparian buffer, with cotton fields occupying the floodplain and a narrow community of winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), sweetgum (Liquidambarstyracifllua), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), blackberry (Rubus occidentalis), and rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) mixed with annual herbaceous vegetation dispersed along its banks. Casey Creek Reach 3 is bordered by agricultural fields on either side, with annual herbaceous vegetation and occasional sweetgum, winged sumac, blackberry, and black willow (Salix nigra) stems scattered along its banks. Downstream from its confluence with Afton Branch, Casey Creek lacks a riparian buffer on its right side with cotton fields in the floodplain. On its left side, an agricultural field occupies the first approximate 30 feet perpendicular to the stream. Past this 30-foot zone exists a mature forest. Martha Branch has a forested riparian buffer greater than 50 feet on its left floodplain, while the right floodplain is occupied by row crops. Afton Branch lacks a forested buffer throughout the project extent, with row crops occupying its qV Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page FA floodplain and occasional red maple (Acer rubrum) saplings, blackberry, rivercane, dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) and other annual herbaceous vegetation dispersed across its banks. Within the forested area surrounding Casey Creek Reach 1 and the left floodplain of Martha Branch, there is a predominantly hardwood mix interspersed with occasional loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) within the first approximate 30-50 feet from the stream. Typical overstory species include red maple, tulip poplar, sweetgum, swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), and white oak (Quercus alba). The mid -story contains American holly (Ilex opaca) and a small amount of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). Typical understory species include rivercane and various fern species. Outside of the hardwood mix includes areas of forest dominated by loblolly pine. Typical species within the forested floodplain on the left side of Casey Creek Reach 3 include willow oak (Quercus phellos), water oak (Quercus nigra), red maple, and sweetgum, with rivercane and greenbriar (Smilaxspp.) in the understory. 2.3 Existing Conditions— Streams On September 24, 2021, all Site streams were evaluated and scored. Casey Creek Reaches 2 and 3 and Afton Branch were identified as perennial within the project limits. Casey Creek Reach 1 and Martha Branch were identified as intermittent streams. Casey Creek Casey Creek flows south through the Site in a moderately sloped, unconfined valley with a mixture of mature vegetation and row crops in the riparian area. Crops are planted up to the top of the stream banks in Reaches 2 and 3. Reach 1 is an intermittent, high quality reference sand bed stream system with extensive grade control from mature vegetation, high bedform diversity, and large woody debris throughout the reach. Reach 1 ends at a knickpoint that is held by a dense root mat and drops approximately six feet to the start of Reach 2. Casey Creek Reach 2 begins as an intermittent stream but quickly changes to perennial near the confluence with Martha Branch. This reach is highly incised with a measured bank height ratio of 2.5 and an entrenchment ratio of 1.8. Bank erosion is prevalent throughout this reach and row crops are planted up to the top of bank. According to the landowners, three drain tiles empty into this reach to drain surrounding historic wetlands. The reach ends at the US Hwy 13 culvert. Reach 3 is a perennial reach that has incised to bedrock which now controls grade for approximately 300 feet downstream from the US Hwy 13 culvert. This reach is also highly incised with a measured bank height ratio of 4.9 and an entrenchment ratio of 1.1. Bank erosion is prevalent throughout this reach and row crops are planted up to the top of bank. The reach ends at the downstream property line. Martha Branch Martha Branch is an intermittent stream that, according to the landowners, was ditched in the 1940s to improve drainage from the adjacent parcel. The stream is highly incised with a measured bank height ratio of 4.4 and an entrenchment ratio of 1.8. Bank erosion is prevalent throughout this reach and row crops are planted up to the top of bank on the right side while the left side is forested. The reach ends at the confluence with Casey Creek. VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.5 Afton Branch Afton Branch is a perennial stream that, according to the landowners, was excavated and straightened in the 1940s to improve drainage from the adjacent parcel and drain surrounding wetlands. The stream is highly incised with a measured bank height ratio of 2.4 and an entrenchment ratio of 1.8. Bank erosion is prevalent throughout this reach and row crops are planted up to the top of bank. The reach ends at the confluence with Casey Creek. 2.4 Existing Conditions — Wetlands Quality forested wetlands exist where Casey Creek Reach 1 passes through a natural depressional area and at the southern end of the project area where groundwater discharges in the Casey Creek floodplain. Vegetation composition in these areas is similar to the wooded area surrounding Casey Creek Reach 1. Wetlands are absent in remaining areas of the Casey Creek Reach 2, Casey Creek Reach 3, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch floodplains due to the drainage effect of stream channelization and drainage tiles. 2.5 Existing Conditions — Watersheds The Site is located in NCDWR Subbasin 03-04-12. Project features flow to 303d listed stream Falling Creek, which eventually flows to the Neuse River. The Neuse River is classified as WS-IV and NSW by NCDWR. WS-IV waters are water supply waters used for drinking water, culinary, or food processing where a WS-I, II, or III classification is not feasible. These waters are also protected for Class C uses (recreational use, agriculture, fishing and fish consumption, and the maintenance of biological integrity for wildlife). The NSW designation applies to surface waters that are experiencing excessive growths of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation. The Site topography, as indicated on the Grantham USGS 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle shows moderate sloped valleys for Casey Creek, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch (Figure 3). Drainage areas for the project reaches were delineated using 2-foot contour intervals derived from the 2016/2017 North Carolina Emergency Management Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data (Figure 4). Land uses draining to the project reaches are a mix of agricultural pasture/hay fields, forested areas, wetlands, and developed land. The land use was calculated using the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) for 2016. The watershed areas and current land uses are summarized in Table F.2, below and depicted in Figure 5. Table F.2 Drainage Areas and Associated Land Use NC DWR Intermittent/ Subject Watershed Watershed Reach Stream to Perennial Area Area (sq. Land Use Name Identification Buffer Status (acres) mi.) Form Scores Rules* Casey 25.5/36.5 I/P Y 430 0.68 38% Agriculture, 19% Wetland, 18% Creek Forest, 16% Herbaceous, 9% Developed Martha 46% Forest, 16%Agriculture, 18% 23 1 N 71 0.11 Branch Herbaceous, 12% Wetland, 8% Developed Afton 34% Wetland, 33% Agriculture, 15% 35.25 P Y 210 0.33 Branch Herbaceous, 9% Forest, 9% Developed * Depicted on the Figure 3 USGS 7.5 Minute Topographic Map — Grantham Quadrangle and Figure 6b Natural Resources Conservation Service 1974 Soil Survey 2.6 Soils The proposed project is mapped by Web Soil Survey for Wayne County. The primary project area soils are described below in Table F.3. Figure 6a provides a soil map of the Site. Rains soils comprise the majority of the project area in the lower landscape positions found along the southern portion of the VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.6 project area. Remaining soils are on slightly higher landscape positions and typically occur on coastal plain uplands, flats, and terraces. Table F.3 Project Soil Types and Descriptions Soil Name Description Weston loamy sand Deep, coarse -loamy, poorly drained soil that occurs on gently rolling coastal plain uplands, flats, and stream terraces. Located along upper Casey Creek. Well drained, loamy, and deep soils formed of marine and fluvial sediment. Kenansville occurs Kenansville loamy sand on level and gently sloping coastal plain uplands and stream terraces. Located along upper Casey Creek. Dragston loamy sand Very deep, coarse -loamy, and somewhat poorly drained found on marine terraces. Located along the middle portion of Casey Creek. Norfolk loamy sand Well drained, fine -loamy and very deep soils located on coastal plain uplands and marine terraces. A very small area of Norfolk is located near the middle portion of Casey Creek. Lynchburg sandy loam Very deep, fine -loamy, and somewhat poorly drained soils occurring on coastal plain flats and marine terraces. Located along Martha Branch. Rains sandy loam Very deep, poorly drained, fine -loamy soils with a shallow, persistent water table occurring on coastal plain flats and depressions. Located along lower Casey Creek. Kalmia loamy sand Deep to very deep, well drained, fine -loamy soils found on coastal plain stream terraces. There is a very small inclusion at the southernmost portion of the project area. Source: Soil Survey of Wayne, North Carolina, USDA-NRCS, https:Hwebsoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx 2.7 Geology The Site is located in the Coastal Plain physiographic province. The landscape of the Coastal Plain is characterized by flat lands to gently rolling hills and valleys. Elevations range from sea level to 600 feet. The Coastal Plain largely consists of marine sedimentary rocks comprised of sand, clay, and limestone that formed through the deposition of estuarine and marine sediments within the last 140 million years. According to the Geologic Map of North Carolina (1985), the underlying geology of the proposed Site is mapped as the Black Creek Formation (Kb) which is described as gray to brown lignitic clay that contains thin beds and laminae of fine-grained micaceous sand and thick lenses of cross -bedded sand. Glauconitic, fossiliferous clayey sand lenses are present in the upper portion of the unit. Bedrock was observed at the channel invert on Casey Creek Reach 3 but is not anticipated to be a constraint as it is below the proposed design depth. Sources: Geologic Map of North Carolina 1:500,000 scale. Compiled by Philip M. Brown at el. Raleigh, NC, North Carolina Geological survey httos://ncdenr. maps. arcais. com/aposIMaoSerieslind ex.htm/?appid=a8281 cbd24b84239b29cd2ca798d4al0 2.8 Cultural Resources and Significant Natural Heritage Areas There are no entries in the State Historic Preservation Office's National Register located on the Site or within a one -mile radius. The archaeological site files at the North Carolina Office of state Archaeology (OSA) have not been reviewed at this time. All appropriate cultural resource agencies will be contacted for their review and comment prior to any land disturbing activity. 2.9 Threatened and Endangered Species Wildlands searched the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and NHP databases for federally protected plant and animal species in Wayne County, INC. Currently the red -cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and Carolina madtom (Notorus furiosus) are federally listed as endangered. The Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi) is federally listed as threatened. A pedestrian survey conducted on qW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.7 September 24, 2021, indicated that no suitable habitat was identified for the red -cockaded woodpecker, Neuse River waterdog, and Carolina madtom. Wildlands will conduct a full review of the Site for protected species upon award of the contract and will coordinate with USFWS and NCWRC as necessary based on that review. Table FA Federally Protected Species in Wayne County, NC Species Federal Status Habitat Birds Red -cockaded woodpecker Endangered Open pine woodlands and savannahs with large specimen trees. (Picoides borealis) Little to no hardwoods. Fish Neuse River waterdog Threatened Low to moderate gradient streams with cold water and high (Necturus lewisi) dissolved oxygen. Carolina madtom Endangered Large streams and rivers with predominantly silt -free, stable, (No torus furiosus) gravel and cobble substrate. Habitat information from the following websites https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/report/species-I istings-by-cu rrent-ra nge-county?fi ps=37127 2.10 Floodplain Compliance The Site is represented on the Wayne County Flood Map 3720254600J. There is no mapped floodplain or floodway on the Site. If necessary, Wildlands will coordinate with the Wayne County floodplain administrator to obtain a floodplain development permit and meet local requirements. The project will be designed to avoid adverse floodplain impacts or hydrologic trespass on adjacent properties or local roadways. 2.11 Site Constraints and Access One internal easement crossing is proposed at the Site to maintain landowner access to adjoining tracts. Additionally, one external easement break is proposed as Casey Creek crosses under US Hwy 13. A culvert is proposed at the internal easement crossing and will be fenced and gated if needed for livestock exclusion. The culvert will be designed with the restored stream bed profile to allow for aquatic organism passage. The crossings are summarized and numbered below in Table F.5 and on Figures 7. Table F.5 Proposed Easement Crossings No. Width (ft) Location Internal or External Crossing Type 1 50 Casey Creek Reach 2 Internal Proposed Gated Culvert Crossing 2 60 Casey Creek Reach 3 External Existing US Hwy 13 The easement boundaries around streams proposed for mitigation credit provide the required 50-foot minimum riparian buffer for Coastal Plain streams and nutrient offset mitigation. The entire easement area can be accessed for construction, monitoring, and long-term stewardship from US Hwy 13. There are two airports (Cox -Grantham airfield and Scottbrook Farm airport) located within five miles of the Site. Both airports are single, turf runways. 3.0 Project Development — Functional Uplift Potential The Wildlands Team proposes to restore a high quality of ecological function to streams and riparian areas on this Site. The project design will be developed to avoid adverse impacts to existing streams, wetland resources, or mature wooded vegetation where possible. Management strategies for individual resources are tailored to their functional uplift potential. Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.8 3.1 Functional Uplift for Water Quality Non-functionine Riaarian Buffer The restoration reaches of Casey Creek, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch are row cropped up to the top of the stream banks, rendering the existing riparian zone non-functional. Planting riparian buffers on project stream corridors will not only improve terrestrial habitat but will contribute to water quality improvements as well. North of US Hwy 13, planted riparian buffers will meet and often exceed the required 50-foot minimum width. South of US Hwy 13, the entire 13.3-acre parcel will be removed from row crop production, 9.5-acres of which will be placed in conservation easement and planted with woody vegetation. Buffer widths on these sections of Casey Creek and Afton Branch will range from 110 to 200 feet off the top of the stream banks. Wildlands has scored non-functioning riparian buffer uplift as very high. Sediment A preliminary watershed analysis was performed to evaluate onsite and offsite sediment sources. Currently, sediment loading on Casey Creek, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch is largely dictated by onsite sources. These streams are impacted by sediment runoff from row crops, which are planted throughout the floodplains and up to the top of the stream banks. The lack of stabilizing stream bank vegetation has also resulted in systemic stream bank erosion and incision through the row crop fields. Sediment from onsite stream bank erosion is another substantial source of sediment loading. Both sources will be addressed through restoration of stable stream geomorphology and the riparian zone. Reconnection of these systems with flood relief areas will also allow the streams to use their floodprone areas for sediment storage from any remaining upstream sources. Wildlands has scored sediment functional uplift potential as high. Nutrients and Fecal Coliform Row cropping accounts for approximately 12.3 acres, or 51%, of the proposed 24.3-acre conservation easement. The 13.3-acre parcel south of US Hwy 13, which contains 8.0 acres of row crops, will be completely removed from row crop production. The remaining 4.3 acres of converted row crops upstream of US Hwy 13 will continue to receive drainage from adjacent row crops. This 4.3 acres is estimated to remove 327 pounds of total nitrogen (TN) and 21 pounds of total phosphorus (TP) annually. Calculation variables are shown in Table F.6 below. Additionally, storm runoff from a cattle operation in Casey Creek's watershed containing nutrients and fecal coliform will be treated via filtration on the enhanced and restored Casey Creek floodplain. Wildlands has included additional buffer ranging up to 500-feet off the top of stream bank along the upstream reach of Casey Creek to enhance these watershed treatment efforts. Wildlands has scored nutrients functional uplift potential as very high and fecal coliform functional uplift potential as low. Table F.6 Water Quality Calculations Estimated Nutrient Reductions for Proposed Project Input Variables Acres of restored riparian buffers adjacent to agricultural fields 4.3 LBs TN reduction/year 327 LBs TP reduction/year 21 Sources: NCDMS. 2016. Quantifying Benefits to Water Quality from Livestock Exclusion and Riparian Buffer Establishment for Stream Restoration. Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.9 3.2 Functional Uplift for Hydrology Site streams slated for restoration are severely incised. Bank height ratios are greater than 2 on all restoration reaches and exceed 4 on Martha Branch and Casey Creek south of US Hwy 13. The current owners state that both Casey Creek and Afton Branch were ditched and straightened in the early 1940's to create larger fields and stated that Martha Branch was ditched at the edge of the property to prevent field flooding. Peak flow confinement within these ditched channels has led to systemic scour, incision, and mass wasting of bank material. Restoration activities will be tailored to restore the hydrologic connection between the stream and floodplain on incised reaches with an emphasis on Priority 1 restoration with transitional lengths of Priority 2 restoration upstream of US Hwy 13. Downstream of US Hwy 13, topographic constraints necessitate a Priority 2 restoration approach to create a new, stable floodplain elevation at a lower elevation. Raising the stream beds upstream of US Hwy 13 and lowering the floodplain downstream of US Hwy 13 will improve floodplain connectivity, reduce the erosive effects of peak flows, and decrease the drainage effect on surrounding wetlands. The existing channelized streams will be filled. Three known lengths of drainage tiles will be removed from within the conservation easement to prevent hydrologic bypass of the riparian zone. Floodplain pools will be established near the easement edge to treat any remaining concentrated drainage as it enters the easement. Floodplain pools provide attenuation and treatment of surface water runoff, as well as habitat variety. Wildlands has scored control of peak flows functional uplift potential as high and ditching/drainage function uplift potential as moderate since all restoration reaches streams are incised, historic ditching will be corrected, and drainage tiles within the easement will be removed. 3.3 Functional Uplift for Habitat The 6-foot knickpoint between the preservation section of Casey Creek and the restoration reach and the 4- to 5-inch drop from the US Hwy 13 culvert on Casey Creek impacts hydrologic connectivity and fragments habitat. Raising Casey Creek's bed elevation in both locations will promote aquatic species passage. Wildlands has scored habitat fragmentation functional uplift potential as moderate. Casey Creek, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch all exhibit poor bedform diversity due to silted in pools and embedded riffles. The lack of stabilizing riparian vegetation and widespread stream bank erosion has also created a lack of bank habitats. The use of wood and rock step structures, riffles and bank revetments provides habitat for macroinvertebrates, catches debris for leaf packs, and creates shelter for fish in undercut banks. A diverse bedform will be created in restoration reaches to provide habitat for an increased number of species of insects, fish, and amphibians. Wildlands has scored limited bedform diversity functional uplift potential as high. The restoration reaches also lack large woody debris and leaf and debris packs usually found in streams with ample riparian vegetation. Restoration efforts will incorporate woody material to seed channels with sources of carbon and to provide physical roughness to enhance retention of beneficial material. Planting the riparian buffers with woody vegetation will provide future sources of large woody debris for the streams. Wildlands has scored absence of large woody debris as moderate. VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.10 Table F.7 Functional Uplift Potential Summary Table Functional Category Functional Stressor Functional Uplift Potential Water Quality Non-functioning riparian buffer Very high Sediment High Nutrients Very high Fecal coliform Low Hydrology Peak flows High Ditching/drainage Moderate Habitat Habitat fragmentation Moderate Limited bedform diversity High Absence of large woody debris Moderate 4.0 Project Development — Design Approach Wildlands will begin the project by identifying the best design approach to meet the stated project objectives and implement the appropriate degree of intervention. A combination of analog, empirical, and analytical design approaches will potentially be used. All project resources will be designed to create stable, functional stream channels and riparian buffers. 4.1 Preservation Casey Creek Reach 1 is slated for preservation. Reach 1 is an intermittent, high quality reference reach sand bed stream system with extensive grade control from mature vegetation, high bed form diversity, and large woody debris throughout the reach. 4.2 Restoration Reaches proposed for restoration include Casey Creek Reaches 2 and 3, Martha Branch, and Afton Branch. While Martha Branch is an intermittent stream, the level of incision and bank erosion require restoration rather than enhancement to develop a stable system. Restoration reaches will be designed and built with appropriate dimension, pattern, and profile to allow for frequent overbank flooding, provide stable bank slopes, enable biological lift, and reconnect streams with existing and constructed floodplains. Reference streams will be identified and will serve as one of the primary sources of information on which restoration designs are based. Wildlands has developed a general approach to be used as the basis for stream restoration design. The design approach, which is tailored to each site, continues to develop as additional projects are implemented. Due to site constraints, Priority 2 restoration will be required on Martha Branch, Afton Branch, Casey Creek Reach 3, and the downstream end of Casey Creek Reach 2 where it transitions down to the US Hwy 13 culvert. While this amount of floodplain excavation is not ideal, the Grantham Branch Mitigation Site located less than one mile to the southeast provides an example of how Priority 2 restoration can achieve the same functional uplift and attain the same performance standards as Priority 1 restoration when constructed correctly. The project involved 2,700 feet of stream restoration, of which, 1,300 feet was Priority 2 with cut depths as great as four feet. Four of the nine vegetation monitoring plots are located within the Priority 2 reach. Average stem density across the site at the end of Monitoring Year 3 (2020) was 459 stems per acre while average stem density within the four Priority 2 plots was 445 stems per acre. Average stem height across the site VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.11 at the end of Monitoring Year 3 (2020) was 6.0 feet while average stem height within the four Priority 2 plots was 6.4 feet. Permanent cross sections within the two reaches showed minimal change in dimension throughout the first three years of monitoring in either the Priority 1 or Priority 2 reaches. While these parameters are not a complete picture of functional uplift, they provide an indication of how stockpiling and spreading topsoil on cut surfaces and addressing nutrient deficiencies at cut depths can achieve results similar to Priority 1 restoration. Priority 2 reaches will be designed with a minimum 2.2 entrenchment ratio and floodplains will be graded to mimic reference valley cross section conditions. Stream structures will be installed to promote water quality, increase bed and bank stabilization, provide bedform diversity, and increase aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Wildlands plans to evaluate stream substrate and determine appropriate gradations/bed features for the Site streams. At this stage, Wildlands believes most of these channels will be built using a threshold channel approach with a sand and gravel substrate. 4.3 Riparian Restoration and Preservation Ecological uplift will be accomplished by restoring agricultural row crop fields to a protected riparian corridor. Riparian buffer restoration will involve planting appropriate native tree species within unforested areas of the conservation easement. Herbaceous riparian vegetation will also be planted, but additional herbaceous plants are expected to re-establish naturally and through the placement of a native seed mix in disturbed areas. Live stake shrub species will be planted along restored streams. Vegetation management and herbicide applications may be needed over the first few years of tree establishment in the riparian buffer restoration areas to prevent encroachment of invasive species. Portions of the Site that have been maintained as cleared agricultural fields may require little site preparation other than select herbicide treatments or tillage to loosen compacted soil. The planting plan will be based on an appropriate nearby reference community and past project experience. The plan will be developed to restore appropriate strata (canopy, understory, shrub, and herbaceous layers). 5.0 Proposed Mitigation The mitigation stream credit calculations were derived using the US Army Corps of Engineers' Stream Mitigation Guidance, and was based on Wildlands' conceptual design for maximum ecological uplift. Given the existing conditions of the stream channels, riparian buffers, the disturbance factors, and the constraints, management objectives for each reach have been established. The Site will be a combination of stream restoration and preservation activities. Stream restoration is proposed at a ratio of 1:1 and preservation is proposed at a ratio of 10:1. Preservation credits do not exceed 10% of the proposed stream credits. The Site is also proposed for riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset mitigation. The mitigation credit calculations for riparian buffer credits and nutrient offset credits were derived based on Wildlands' conceptual design for maximum ecological uplift, the October 2020 Credit Calculation Tool, VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.12 the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0295), and the Nutrient Offset Credit Trading Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0703). The management objective, the mitigation type, and proposed amount of mitigation for each option are presented in Table F.8 below. Table F.8 Mitigation Credits Proposed Stream Credits Reach Management Objectives Type of Length Ratio Stream Mitigation (feet)l Credits RESTORATION Casey Creek R2 Restore appropriate dimension, pattern, and 1,274 1 1,274 Casey profile with Priority 1 and Priority 2 restoration. 924 1 924 Creek R3 Install habitat structures, allow bankfull floodplain Restoration Afton access. Establish native riparian buffer and exclude 636 1 636 Branch agricultural activities. Martha Branch 743 743 Restoration Subtotal 3,577 3,577 PRESERVATION Casey Protect with a conservation easement. Preservation 1,734 10 173 Creek R1 Preservation total 1,734 173 TOTAL: 5,311 3,750 TOTAL AREA OF BUFFER MITIGATION (TABM) Mitigation Totals Square Feet Credits Restoration: 350,810 350,810.000 Enhancement: 0 0.000 Preservation: 116,900 11,690.000 Total Riparian Buffer: 467,710 362,500.000 TOTAL NUTRIENT OFFSET MITIGATION Mitigation Totals Square Feet Credits Nutrient Offset: Nitrogen: 172,534 9,003.077 Phosphorus: 0.000 6.0 Current Ownership and Long -Term Protection The Site is located on four parcels owned by two property owners. Option agreements for the project area shown on Figure 7 have been signed by the property owners and the Memoranda of Option are recorded at the Wayne County Register of Deeds. The option agreements allow Wildlands to purchase a conservation easement on the project properties. The Memoranda of Option are valid for a minimum of one year from the closing date of the RFP 16-20210201. Wildlands will convey the conservation easement to the State to provide long term protection of the Site. The conservation easement agreement will ensure the right of entry abilities of Wildlands, its contractors, and the future easement holder in any future land transactions. Copies of the Memoranda of Option are included in the appendix. VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.13 7.0 Scope of Work and Project Phasing Table F.9 describes the tasks and deliverables required by the Scope of Work outlined in RFP 16- 20210201. Table F.10 provides the proposed schedule for accomplishing each Scope of Work task. The Wildlands Team has experience handling tightly scheduled projects with multiple stakeholders. We understand the importance of clear communication and adherence to deadlines. We will establish additional internal deadlines to keep the project milestones on track. Each task will be staffed with the appropriate technical and management staff to ensure quality and timely completion. Table F.9 Summary Scope of Work Task # Task Name Task Summary DMS Deliverable • Onsite meeting with the IRT and DMS to discuss concepts of the mitigation plan and obtain concurrence on planned work and crediting. . Approved Categorical Exclusion document - • Conduct DMS/FHWA guidelines for emailed Adobe PDF. Environmental and environmental screening to identify . IRT meeting minutes — emailed Adobe PDF. 1 threatened/endangered species, Project Screening environmental, or cultural issues on •DMS Full Delivery Landowner Authorization the Site. Form (if applicable). • Secure DMS Full Delivery Landowner • USACE Public Notice (if applicable). Authorization Form (if applicable). • Satisfy USACE public notification process (if applicable). • 4 preliminary review items outlined in the RFP, submitted electronically as defined in • Create conservation easement Attachment H. documents and plats. . 5 final deliverables outlined in the RFP, 2 Property • Close and record the conservation submitted electronically and in hard copy as defined in Attachment H. easement. • Installation of boundary marking documented with As -Built survey during Task 6. • 2 hard copies and 1 electronic "Draft" Mitigation Plan and survey. • Develop asite-specific mitigation plan, • 3 hard copies and 1 electronic "Final Draft" Mitigation Plan (Final appropriate for the Site. Mitigation Plan and survey. 3 Draft) and Financial • Performance Bond (may be retired after Assurance • Revise per DMS and IRT review completion of Task 6) comments. • 2 Completed PCN forms and 2 hard copies of the "Final" Mitigation Plan. 1 copy of both submitted electronically. • Secure all necessary permits and/or • 1 electronic copy of approved permits prior 4 Permitting and certifications for Site construction. to beginning earthwork. Earthwork • Construct the Site. • Written notification of earthwork completion. Mitigation Site 5 Planting and • Complete planting of Site. • Written notification of planting and Installation of • Install monitoring devices. monitoring device installation completion. Monitoring Devices VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.14 Task # Task Name Task Summary DMS Deliverable • Conduct baseline monitoring. e 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of "Draft" Baseline Monitoring • Perform as -built survey. Baseline Monitoring Document and As -Built 6 Report (Including As- • Prepare baseline monitoring drawings. Electronic copies of surveys. Built Drawings) document. • 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of "Final" Approved by DMS • Prepare as -built survey drawings. Baseline Monitoring Document and As -Built • Install easement markers and signage. drawings. Electronic copies of surveys. 7 Monitoring Year 1 • Monitor the Site. • Prepare the monitoring report. 8 Monitoring Year 2 • Monitor the Site. • Prepare the monitoring report. p g p • 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of each "Draft" annual monitoring report. Electronic 9 Monitoring Year 3 • Monitor the Site. • Prepare the monitoring report. copy of survey. • 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of each 10 Monitoring Year 4 • Monitor the Site. • Prepare the monitoring report. "Final" annual monitoring report. Electronic copy of survey. 11 Monitoring Year 5* • Monitor the Site. • Prepare the monitoring report. 12 Monitoring Year 6 • Monitor the Site. • Prepare the monitoring report. • Monitor the Site. • 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of the Monitoring Year 7 •Prepare the monitoring report. "Draft" annual monitoring report and 13 and Close -Out •Prepare closeout report. closeout report. Electronic copy of survey. Process •Attend closeout meetings and present • 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of the "Final" annual monitoring report and final project to IRT. closeout report. Electronic copy of survey. * Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Closes Out after Monitoring Year 5 (assuming site meets success criteria) Table F.10 Project Schedule Project Milestone Proposed Time to Completion (from date of NTP) Proposed Completion Date (assuming NTP on March 1, 2022) Task 1. Regulatory Site Visit & Environmental Screening 3 months June 1, 2022 Task 2. Submit Recorded Conservation Easement on the Site 1 year, 9 months December 1, 2023 Task 3. Mitigation Plan Approved by DMS and Financial Assurance 1 year, 9 months December 1, 2023 Task 4. Mitigation Site Earthwork Completed 3 years March 1, 2025 Task 5. Mitigation Site Planting & Installation of Monitoring Devices 3 years, 1 month April 1, 2025 Task 6. Baseline Monitoring Report (Including As -Built Drawings) Approved by DMS 3 years, 2 months May 1, 2025 Task 7. Submit Monitoring Report #1 to DMS* 3 years, 9 months December 1, 2025 Task 8. Submit Monitoring Report #2 to DMS* 4 years, 9 months December 1, 2026 Task 9. Submit Monitoring Report #3 to DMS* 5 years, 9 months December 1, 2027 Task 10. Submit Monitoring Report #4 to DMS* 6 years, 9 months December 1, 2028 Task 11. Submit Monitoring Report #5 to DMS* 7 years, 9 months December 1, 2029 Task 12. Submit Monitoring Report #6 to DMS* 8 years, 9 months December 1, 2030 Task 13. Submit Monitoring Report #7 to DMS* and complete Close -Out Process 9 years, 9 months December 1, 2031 *Meets success criteria (schedule progression has been developed assuming that the site meets success criteria each monitoring year) Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.15 8.0 Performance Standards and Monitoring Plan The performance criteria for the Site will follow approved performance criteria presented in the October 2016 IRT Mitigation Monitoring Guidance, and DMS Stream and Wetland Mitigation Plan Template and Guidance (October 2020), and the Consolidated Buffer Rule (15A NCAC 02B.0295). Annual monitoring and semi-annual site visits will be conducted to assess the condition of the completed project. Specific performance standard components are proposed for stream morphology, hydrology, and vegetation. Performance criteria will be evaluated throughout the seven years of post -construction monitoring. An outline of the performance criteria components follows. 8.1 Stream Morphological Parameters and Channel Stability Dimension Riffle cross sections on the restoration reaches should be stable and should show little change in bankfull area, bank height ratio, and width -to -depth ratio. Riffle cross sections should fall within the parameters defined for channels of the appropriate stream type. If any changes do occur, these changes will be evaluated to assess whether the stream channel is showing signs of instability. Changes in the channel that indicate a movement toward stability or enhanced habitat include a decrease in the width -to - depth ratio in meandering channels or an increase in pool depth. Remedial action would not be taken if channel changes indicate a movement toward stability. In order to assess channel dimension performance, permanent cross sections will be installed on restoration reaches per the IRT Mitigation Monitoring Guidelines (October 2016). Each cross section will be permanently marked with pins to establish its location. Cross section surveys will include points measured at all breaks in slope, including top of bank, bankfull, edge of water, and thalweg. Cross section and bank pin surveys (if applicable) will be conducted in monitoring years one, two, three, five, and seven. Profile and Pattern Longitudinal profile surveys will be conducted during the as -built survey but will not be conducted during the seven-year monitoring period unless other indicators during the annual monitoring indicate a trend toward vertical and lateral instability. If a longitudinal profile is deemed necessary, monitoring will follow standards as described in the Stream Channel Reference Sites: An Illustrated Guide to Field Technique (Harrelson et. al., 1994) for the necessary reaches. Substrate The proposed project features are consistent with sand bed streams. Due to the nature of substrate in sand beds, pebble counts will not be performed. 8.2 Hydrology Stream Four bankfull flow events, occurring in separate years, must be documented on the restoration reaches within the seven-year monitoring period. Stream monitoring will continue until success criteria in the form of four bankfull events in separate years have been documented. Bankfull events will be documented using photographs and an automated pressure transducer. The device will be installed in the stream within a surveyed riffle cross section. Photographs will also be used to document the occurrence of debris lines and sediment deposition. VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.16 Where restoration activities are proposed for intermittent streams, monitoring gages will be installed to track the frequency and duration of stream flow events. Continuous surface water flow within the tributaries must be documented to occur every year for at least 30 consecutive days during the seven- year monitoring period. This 30-day period of flow can occur at any point during the year. Additional monitoring may be required if surface water flow cannot be documented due to abnormally dry conditions. 8.3 Vegetation The final vegetative success criteria for the stream mitigation project will be the survival of 210 planted stems per acre in the restored riparian areas at the end of the required monitoring period (year seven). The interim measure of vegetative success for the Site will be the survival of at least 320 planted stems per acre at the end of the third monitoring year and at least 260 planted stems per acre at the end of the fifth year of monitoring. Also, trees must average seven feet in height at the end of the fifth monitoring year, and ten feet in height at the end of the seventh monitoring year. The extent of invasive species coverage will also be monitored and controlled as necessary throughout the required monitoring period. The final vegetative success criteria of the riparian buffer and nutrient offset project will be the survival of at least 260 stems per acre at the end of the fifth year of monitoring. Vegetation monitoring quadrants will be monitored for seven years and will be installed across the Site to measure the survival of the planted trees. The number of monitoring quadrants required will be based on the October 2016 IRT Mitigation Monitoring Guidance. Vegetation monitoring will occur in monitoring years one, two, three, five, and seven between July 15T and leaf drop and will follow the CVS- EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation (2008) or another DMS approved protocol. 8.4 Other Parameters Photo Reference Stations Photographs should illustrate the Site's vegetation and morphological stability on an annual basis. Cross section photos should demonstrate no excessive erosion or degradation of the banks. Longitudinal photos should indicate the absence of persistent mid -channel bars within the channel or vertical incision. Grade control structures should remain stable. Deposition of sediment on the bank side of vane arms is preferable. Maintenance of scour pools on the channel side of vane arms is expected. Longitudinal reference photos will be established at regular intervals along the channel by taking a photo looking upstream and downstream. Cross sectional photos will be taken of each permanent cross section looking upstream and downstream. Reference photos will also be taken for each of the vegetation plots. Representative digital photos of each permanent photo point, cross section, and vegetation plot will be taken when the stream and vegetation assessments are conducted. The photographer will make every effort to consistently maintain the same area in each photo over time. Visual Assessments Visual assessments should support the specific performance standards for each metric as described above. Visual assessments will be performed along stream reaches on a semi-annual basis during the seven-year monitoring period. Problem areas such as channel instability (e.g., lateral and/or vertical instability, instream structure failure/instability and/or piping, headcuts), vegetation health (e.g., low stem density, vegetation mortality, invasive species, or encroachment), beaver activity, or livestock access will be noted. Areas of concern will be mapped and photographed and will be accompanied by a written description in the annual report. Problem areas will be re-evaluated during each subsequent visual assessment. Should remedial actions be required, a plan of action will be provided in the annual monitoring report. VW Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.17 Benthic Macroinvertebrates If required by NCDWR as part of the project's permitting process, benthic macroinvertebrate sampling will be performed on the restored Site. Any required sampling will be performed using NCDWR Standard Operating Procedures for the Collection and Analysis of Benthic Macroin vertebrates, February 2016 (Version 5.0). 8.5 Reporting Performance Criteria Using the DMS As -Built Survey Requirement Document (October 2020), the Annual Monitoring Report Template (October 2020), and the Record Drawings Requirement Guidance (October 2020), a baseline monitoring document and as -built record drawings of the project will be developed for the constructed Site. Annual monitoring reports will be prepared in the fall of each year of monitoring and submitted to DMS. These reports will be based on the DMS Annual Monitoring Report Template (October 2020). Full monitoring reports will be submitted to DMS in monitoring years 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Abbreviated monitoring reports will be submitted in monitoring years 4 and 6. Closeout monitoring period will be seven years beyond completion of construction or until performance standards have been met. 8.6 Maintenance and Contingency Plans The Wildlands Team will develop necessary adaptive measures or implement appropriate remedial actions if the Site or a specific component of the Site fails to achieve the success criteria outlined above. The project -specific monitoring plan developed during the design phase will identify an appropriate threshold for maintenance intervention based on the monitored items. Any actions implemented will be designed to achieve the success criteria previously specified and will include a work schedule and updated monitoring criteria (if applicable). 9.0 Quality Control The Wildlands Team takes pride in the quality of services that we deliver to our clients. We strive to exceed our clients' expectations. To maintain the w� highest level of quality, Wildlands has an established Quality •.... •. Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol that every member of our staff follows. At the beginning of a project, the necessary level of QA/QC is determined based on the size and complexity of the project. At a minimum, the project manager and an assigned QA/QC manager will function to control the quality of the project. The project manager provides day-to-day QA/QC and.:�� may assign task leaders to provide task -specific quality control (QC),•; functions. The QA/QC manager is a knowledgeable senior staff members who is not assigned to function in a lead capacity on other areas of the project. This This provides the QA/QC manager objective views of the quality of ��•.-� work. Our QC program includes established procedures for processes performed_ a�•�— from project inception through implementation and monitoring of the project. For example, Wildlands has developed standardized checklists and pre -defined procedures for activities such as field surveys of stream cross - sections and profiles, pebble counts, benthic surveys, bank stability assessments, natural channel design, permitting, contract document preparation, post -construction baseline survey, and post construction monitoring. The checklists are largely based on the most current DMS guidelines to ensure that all required information is included in the correct format. Task leaders assigned for each activity train project team members in the application of these procedures. The task leaders assist the project manager by providing day-to-day QC functions, such as establishing clear decisions and directions to Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.18 team members in the field, checking the completeness and accuracy of checklists, constant supervision, and documentation of all decisions, assumptions, and recommendations. The role of the project manager in QC is to monitor and maintain project schedule and budget, address any concerns the client may have, constantly assess company resources, and review all of the checklists. During the conceptual and preliminary design stages, the project manager and the task leader will perform a review of the design data, plans, technical specifications, and construction estimate for accuracy, correct approach, and general overall quality of the product and compliance with DMS formats before submission to the client. Sediment sampling, groundwater gage monitoring, and pressure transducer surface flow monitoring are frequently used during the design phase to validate the design criteria and analytical models. The project manager will perform a similar review at final design as will the QA/QC manager. During the construction phase, the project manager and the construction task manager will regularly meet to provide updates and discuss any issues. The goal of the QC process is to provide the highest quality product to our client by completing tasks correctly the first time. By completing procedural processes once, Wildlands helps ensure that we deliver the best products at a minimum cost to our clients. CIA is performed to confirm that the QC program is effectively practiced, and to provide feedback on further developments needed in the QC program. The QA/QC manager leads the CIA program; however, the project manager, task leaders, and project team staff also play large roles. It is each person's responsibility to notify the QA/QC manager whenever discrepancies and inefficiencies are found in the set of procedural activities that make up the QC process. The objective of CIA is the continual improvement of the total delivery process to enhance quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction. We are continually improving the QC process so that our latest products and services are better than the previous ones. 9.1 Deliverables The project schedule is established during the scoping phases of a project and it is the project manager's responsibility to maintain the schedule. A work plan is developed at the outset of a project and shared internally with team members so that milestone deadlines and work requirements are clearly outlined. Review time is built into this internal schedule to ensure that adequate review takes place. The CIA form, which is maintained by the QA/QC manager, is established at the beginning of the project and is maintained throughout the life of the project. Reviews of technical data, design parameters, reports, plan sheets, hydraulic models, and supporting calculations are tracked on the form. Included on this form are requirements that a professional staff member, who is not involved in the project on a day-to-day basis, review the design calculations, hydraulic models, reports, plans, and all other types of project deliverables. Conformance with DMS report templates and a final grammar/spelling/formatting review are also integrated into the CIA review process. 9.2 Construction Wildlands team members are familiar with the policies, procedures, and practices necessary to construct natural channel design and stream and wetland mitigation projects. Wildlands has provided construction administration and observation services for over 280 acres of riparian buffer mitigation, 219 acres of nutrient offset mitigation, and 115 miles of stream work. We believe that project implementation is the ultimate key to a successful project and, to achieve this, it is extremely important to have our most experienced staff members involved on all construction projects. Our team knows how to oversee construction so that the project is completed on time and in compliance with all federal, state, and local permits. Several members of the proposed project team have assisted with construction services for the DMS restoration sites, many of which have performed successfully for multiple years. Casey Creek Mitigation Site - PART F Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page F.19 Project Location Local Watershed Plans Wildlands Mitigation Banks 5 Mile Radius Significant Natural Heritage Areas -303d Listed Streams County Boundary NC Nat. Heritage Program Managed Areas Airports - Municipality [O Water Supply Watershed ■Q8-Digit HUC Targeted Local Watersheds L•_ i Hydrologic Unit Code (14-Digit) NC Historic Preservation Areas ML woo t fj}j 1� ! �„•r., :UJ02_0201140060@ ip 03020201150050 Mill Creek Aquatic Habitat - '� Bentonville` / r/, �/� +~•*� Battlefield (NHL) 1 Scottbrook Farm J3020201170020+ ~ USFWS Critical Habitat - - ! Neuse River Waterdog Conservation Trust for ■ , ■ 'v C�GJ North Carolina Preserve C� to 000 Project Location Grantham _ i t3 l r —Cox-Grantham Airfield ■ �� ` 17 Grantham Branch 1 13 f ■ Mitigation Bank ■ 030202017.0010 03020201J0040 y Falling Creek ■ Conservation Reserve Enhancement f J Program Easement 1 reek ■ r,■.�'�•- � � ■ ■ ■ ~��in9 G• Falling Creek j Fa •. Mitigation Bank ■ ■i ; ■ ■ ■ 0 oil, 030202011,70050 03030006090010 .` , - A 03020201170030 � + - wool 03030007010010 ��\•,.�� �-� r� ; •` 03030007010010 Figure 1a Vicinity Map 0 0.75 1.5 Miles Casey Creek Mitigation Site 0.*WILDLANDS E N G I N E E R I N G 1 1 1 1 I t Neuse River Basin (03020201) Wayne County, NC Z W Z AZ w a 4t) Figure 2 Site Map W I L D L A N D S Casey Creek Mitigation Site E N G l N E E R 1 N G 0 150 300 Feet Neuse River Basin (03020201) l i i i l Wayne County, NC i Grantham USGS 7.5 Minute r Topographic Quadrangle ■ s * y Proposed Conservation Easement f wwW I L D L A N D S 0 250 500 Feet ENGINEERING i I I I j w Figure 3 USGS Topographic Map Casey Creek Mitigation Site Neuse River Basin (03020201) Wayne County, NC Figure 4 Lidar Map *VWTLDLANDS 0 250 500 Feet Casey Creek Mitigation Site ENGINEERING I I I I I t Neuse River Basin (03020201) Wayne County, NC Figure 5 Watershed Map kv W I L D L A N D 5 0 450 900 Feet Casey Creek Mitigation Site ENGINEERING I I I I I t Neuse River Basin (03020201) Wayne County, NC Figure 6a Soils Map �' W I L D L A N D 5 0 250 500 Feet Casey Creek Mitigation Site ENGINEERING I I I I I t Neuse River Basin (03020201) Wayne County, NC $� ,, ir' rrL, .. .�f..r... v. .;�. JL v���. ,1v{L •� ... -- • • r` �• - ' iV�.y��{X ¢ yr, LProject LocationKe �•■ 71 kr r }� ' • r. rf• . r '�r _ .. • , 1}} k•rr - F•{'•`�-�1•!• __ � sr�•.: rf +c 1:.:. r: '•.v r ti kr: .i...�' •{fir#7. r'. r?J •. - .ry r •,� $r � ' I�.I}i: r'1�r ryr. • - 4 •} }:i - L-'vrh?•- r�•�: �•'• ram.; 1 o- Ke Ae 11 FIR .: rr •• r 7 •' •r r � f ' ' � ' , '{ tirf � } r� •'-+� rrs �'r •f rti -r — r`rr r • ny _ •rf• { � 1.� - .:L� rw ih.: .��r �;:}�rri' � -• '•, � r v~i' r{ , ' ern - �' • � _ ~' � - • . • r ti, irk V� •��.. .. � - • ��� - •" if !6- r • r .. .7r r• k•'Cr. .A-. lot Ile ��_�� ti:�.�� ?�f Ky . r err ti•. �• "•J' � 'y'�+` ' y�' �=: •. . . - ■ 7A }fF#7S(�L }lrti::f_:• • v c . f. r 4r ,�,+ ,��. •• � r��� � fry ; A x �_{- 5' r• .� rr {��'f••: " '� 1 f •r r •r •� •n •_ rr�'�Y' + •• � ••yG� f,�4�,r. ti'•• , •. ?1r s'• •.• 51}L:� �r ti1•- _: � •: e f• f • .. i-r ••r'1f• �}�'��'� •'f:�r.{�Ir•i•• f�•' r � .rf +' ' ti r• 1974 NRCS Soil Survey of Wayne County - Sheet 29 .:J1�.vY{ - " r' 7- Figure 6b 1974 NRCS Soil Survey Map kv,WILDLANDS 0 250 500 Feet Casey Creek Mitigation Site ENGINEERING I IIi I t Neuse River Basin (03020201) Wayne County, NC Figure 7 Concept Map W I L D L A N D S Casey Creek Mitigation Site E N G i N e R i N G 0 150 300 Feet Neuse River Basin (03020201) l i i i l Wayne County, NC r� e - A. -1 r4 EA 4j 1: M. -11 ow SAVyrh* A5 ««�� 47 r-.r,p7 ee v e _ r INQUIRY k 6676512.5 N YEAR: 1964 = 625' FOR .dw Z . 'L.. •�. ,`:".t•�.` pit- M1 r t� k� R JV 4 cad �y NC DWQ Stream Identification Form Version 4.11 Date: // Project/Site: w� c is U c Latitude: Evaluator: CN Y County: Longitude: ka Total Points: Stream is at least intermittent Stream Determination (circle one) In rmitten Perennial Other e.g. Quad Name: if? 99 orperennial if 3r?" LEphemeral A. Geomorphology (Subtotal = Absent Weak Moderate Strong 1a Continuity of channel bed and bank 0 1 2 3•- 2. Sinuosity of channel along thalweg 0 1 3 3. In -channel structure: ex. riffle -pool, step -pool, ripple -pool sequence 0 1 3 4. Particle size of stream substrate 0 1 I'll 3 5. Active/relict floodplain 0 1 3 6. Depositional bars or benches 0 1 3 7. Recent alluvial deposits 10 1 2 3 8. Headcuts CO) 1 2 3 9. Grade control 0 0.5 1.5 10. Natural valley 0 0.5 1 11. Second or greater order channel No 0 Yes = 3 artificial ditches are not rated; see discussions in manual B. H drolo Subtotal = 12. Presence of Baseflow 0 1 2 3 13. Iron oxidizing bacteria 1 2 3 14. Leaf litter 1.5 1 <_0:3 0 15. Sediment on plants or debris 110 0.5 1 1.5 16. Organic debris lines or piles 0 Q.5 1 1.5 17. Soil -based evidence of high water table? No = 0 Yes = 3 L. Biology (Subtotal = w 18. Fibrous roots in streambed (; 3) 2 1 0 19. Rooted upland plants in streambed 3 2 1 0 20. Macrobenthos (note diversity and abundance) 1 2 3 21. Aquatic Mollusks 1 2 3 22. Fish �W) 0.5 1 1.5 23. Crayfish U) 0,5 1 1.5 24. Amphibians p, 0.5 1 1.5 25. Algae 0 0.5 1 1.5 26. Wetland plants in streambed FACW = 0.75; OBL = 1.5 €fli r =` *perennial streams may also be identified using other methods. See p. 36 of manual. Notes: Sketch: NC DWQ Stream Identification Form Version 4.11 Al o � icy l3 Date: 2 Lj z Project/Site: [ (� r� �� Latitude: Evaluator: ^ ✓ County: wilp, Longitude: Total Points: / Stream Determination (circ_ qn Other Stream is at feast intermittent f) r ,� .„, ,„.„. : .,,,. hr,,.. - NC DWQ Stream Identification Form Version 4.11rt, Yr, ,, , V\ Date: q 9 /2- ProjecdSite: cd"fw CtcuG Latitude; Evaluator: 71. ! County: l Longitude: Total Points: V) �" Stream Determination (circle one) Other Stream is at feast intermittent if? 19 or perennial if>_ 30* Ephemeral Intermittent P r�al p g. Quad Name: A. Geomorphology (Subtotal = CQ Absent Weak Moderate Strong 1a' Continuity of channel bed and bank 0 1 2 3 2. Sinuosity of channel along thalweg 0 CD 2 . 3 3. In -channel structure: ex. riffle -pool, step -pool, ripple -pool sequence 0 2 3 4. Particle size of stream substrate 0 1 3 5. Activelrelict floodplain 0 1 2 3 6. Depositional bars or benches 0 1 3 7. Recent alluvial deposits 0 1 3 B. Headcuts 0 1 2 3 9. Grade control 0 09 1 1.5 10. Natural valley 0 .5] 1 1 1.5 11. Second or greater order channel No = 0 es 3 "artificial ditches are not rated; see disco sions in manual B. Hydrology (Subtotal = c j 12. Presence of Baseflow 0 1 2 G 13. Iron oxidizing bacteria 0 1 2 3 14. Leaf litter 1.5 1 0,5 15. Sediment on plants or debris 0 0.5 1 1.5 16. Organic debris lines or piles 0 0.5 _ 1.5 17. Soil -based evidence of high water table? No = 0 es = 3 C. Biology (Subtotal = . �( , V� ) 18. Fibrous roots in streambed 3 1 0 19. Rooted upland plants in streambed 3 2 1 0 20. Macrobenthos (note diversity and abundance) 0 2 3 21. Aquatic Mollusks 1 2 3 22. Fish 0 0.5 1 23. Crayfish 0 0.5 1 1.5 24. Amphibians 0 0.5 1 (iz) 25. Algae 0 1 0.5 1 1.5 26. Wetland plants in streambod A'tLW = 0.7 ; OBL = 1.5 Other = 0 perennial streams may also be identified using other methods. See p. 35 of manual. Notes: Sketch: 103 102 101 100 4= 99 0 98 w 97 96 95 94 XS 4 - Afton Branch 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Station (ft) Existing Channel Approximate Bankfull 104 103 102 101 100 0 99 2 i 98 v w 97 96 95 94 XS 3 - Martha Branch 0 10 20 30 40 Station (ft) Existing Channel Approximate Bankfull 102 101 100 99 98 0 97 96 95 94 93 XS 1- Casey Creek Reach 2 Casey Creek Mitigation Site 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Station (ft) Existing Channel -Approximate Bankfull 104 102 100 0 aT 98 w 96 94 0 XS 2 - Casey Creek Reach 3 Casey Creek Mitigation Site 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Station (ft) Existing Channel -Approximate Bankfull Page 1 of 4 Type: CRP Recorded: 10/11 /2021 4:10:03 PM Fee Amt: $26.00 Page 1 of 4 WAYNE COUNTY, NC CONSTANCE B. CORAM REGISTER OF DEEDS . r I gC9 &INE&ALH RECORDING REQUESTED BY AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: Wildlands Engineering, Inc. 1430 South Mint Street, Suite 104 Charlotte, NC 28203 Attention: Matt Covington SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE FOR RECORDER'S USE MEMORANDUM OF OPTION AGREEMENT This Memorandum of Option Ag-eement (this "Memorandum") is between Martha C. Kornegay, Trustee, or her successors in Trust, under the Martha C. Karnegay Declaration of Trust, dated November 21, 2000 ("Seller"), and Wildlands Engineering, Inc., a North Carolina corporation ("Buyer"). This memorandum will become effective when all parties have signed it. The date of this Memorandum will be the date this Memorandum is signed by the last party to sign it. Seller does hereby give and grant to Buyer the right and option to purchase fee simple title to portions of real property comprised of approximately 12.88 acres, 12.83 acres and 43.59 acres located at 3890 S US 13 Hwy in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, recorded in that County's Register of Deeds at Book 1823, Page 155 (the "Property"). The Property is also identified as Tax Parcel Identification Numbers 2546314958, 2546229607 and 2546335459. This option expires on October 12, 2024 and the closing shall occur on or before the date that is 30 days after the option expiration. The provisions set forth in a written Option Agreement between the parties with an effective date of S& ' e—r5er v� , 2021 are hereby incorporated in this memorandum. Each party is signing this memorandum on the date stated below that party's signature. submitted electronically by "Wildlands Engineering, Inc." in compliance with North Carolina statutes governing recordable docyme and the terms of the submitter agreement with the Wayne County fr'-2-,D tferATkePu:40e: 511 Seq: 1 Page 2 of 4 BUYER: WILDLANDS ENGINEERING, INC., a North Carolina corporation . By: awn D, Wilkerson, President Date: 1 SELLER: MARTHA C. KORNEGAY, TRUSTEE, OR HER SUCCESSORS IN TRUST, UNDER THE MARTHA C. KDRNEGAY DECLARATION OF TRUST, DATED NOVEMBER 21, 2000 By;OIC' ti -�� c 14 c�Ca rtha C. Kornega Tr t Date: I rr 1 ` f 2 Book: 3671 Page: 511 Seq: 2 Page 3 of 4 '#et, le-r County, North Carolina I certify that Shawn D. WiIkerson personally appeared before me this day, acknowledging to me that he is President of Wildlands Engineering, Inc., a North Carolina corporation and that he, as President, being authorized to do so, executed the foregoing on behalf of Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Date: (Official Seal) Oaf.enoture of Notary �e = NOMTY Public Meaklenbufg county Q C ARC .�. IIIIil� 0\\N printed or typed name My commission expires 3 g-.73';26 Book: 3671 Page: 511 Seq:3 Page 4of4 4e County, 11,7 r)h C"/& (State) I certify that Martha C. Kornegay personally appeared before me this day, acknowledging to me that she is Trustee of the Martha C. Kornegay Declaration of Trust, dated November 21, 2000 and that she, as Trustee, being authorized to do so, execited the foregoing on behalf of the Martha C. Kornegay Declaration of Trust, dated November 2I, 2000 Date: (Official Seal) O ficiv ure otary W �� •I���ri Q puy�lic �otasY _ Y M�C.Oun'is6 Notary's printed or typed name My commission expires: 4 Book: 3671 Page: 511 Seq:4 Page 1 of 4 Type: CRP Recorded: 1 011 1/2021 4:13:26 PM Fee Amt: $26.00 Page 1 of 4 WAYNE COUNTY, NC CONSTANCE B. CORAM REGISTER OF DEEDS BK 3571 PG 515 - 513 RECORDING REQUESTED BY AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO: Wiidiands Engineering, Inc. 1430 South Mint Street, Suite 104 Charlotte, NC 28203 Attention: Matt Covington SPACE ABOVE TH15 LINE FOR RECORDER'S USE MEMORANDUM OF OPTION This Memorandum of Option {this "Memorandum"} is between Johnnie Mangrunl Brock ("Seller"), and Wildlands Engineering, Inc., a North Carolina corporation ("Buyer"). This memorandum will become effective when all parties have signed it. The date of this Memorandum will be the date this Memorandum is signed by the last party to sign it. Seller does hereby give and grant to Buyer the right and option to purchase mitigation use rights on a portion of real property comprised of approximately 23 acres located at Paul dare Road in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, recorded in that County's Register of Heeds at Book 916, Page 852 (the "Property"). The Property is also identified as Parcel Identification Number 2546248066. This option expires on October 12, 2024 and the closing shall occur on or before the date that is 30 days after the option expiration. The provisions set forth in a written Option to Purchase Mitigation Use Rights between the parties with an effective date of c.T 6 , 2021 are hereby incorporated In this memorandum. Each party is signing this memorandum on the date stated below that party's signature, 10 1.71 tnlmtc submitted electronically by "Wildlands Engineering, Inc." in compliance with North Carolina statutes governing recordable doc�,e and the terms of the submitter agreement with the Wayne CountyRR-,Dat er.5 kedZ:4g@: 515 Seq: 1 Page 2 of 4 BUYER: VViL€IShwn ENGINEERING, INC., a North Carolina corp By:��=~� D. Will�erson, President Date: / 0 / 6 / ,2 SELLER- JOH#1 NiE MANGREJM BROCK ©ate: Book: 3671 Page: 515 Seq: 2 Page 3 of 4 -• -___ _ ...._„_. County, North Carolina I certify that Shawn D. Wilkerson personally appeared before me this day, acknowledging to me that he is President of Wiidlands Engineering, Inc., a north Carolina corporation and that he, as presidert, being authorized to do so, executed the foregoing on behalf of Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Date. lo- 6 -;zco (Official Seal) Official Signature of Notary Volc' Notary's printed or typed name pt"ic a ►� _ My commission expires: 9T.23 6 minty P y tit• �= �.y�4AT �p�,`�tit• '►Ie►HtC P ��llow 3 Book: 3671 Page: 515 Seq: 3 Page 4of4 E County, North Carolina I certify that the following person personally appeared before me this day, acknowledging to me that he or she signed the foregoing document: Name of principal Date:. lb !o Z (Official seal) az 'p. —1 '/ Official Sign 6ture of Notary M 'r NA = Notary's printed or typed name = My commission expires: Lo—2.7--7-4( ••��'1y-F COU0.,ia''`•�• 'ti Book: 3671 Page: 515 Seq: 4