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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190884 Ver 1_White_100112_MY2_2022_20230123ID#* 20190884 Select Reviewer: Katie Merritt Initial Review Completed Date 01/23/2023 Mitigation Project Submittal - 1/23/2023 Version* 1 Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site?* Type of Mitigation Project:* Stream Wetlands Buffer Nutrient Offset (Select all that apply) Project Contact Information Contact Name:* Emily Dunnigan Project Information ID#:* 20190884 Existing ID# Project Type: • DMS Mitigation Bank Project Name: White Buffer Full Delivery Project County: Randolph Document Information O Yes O No Email Address:* emily.dunnigan@ncdenr.gov Version:* 1 Existing Version Mitigation Document Type:* Mitigation Monitoring Report File Upload: White _100112_MY2_2022.pdf 9.76MB Please upload only one PDF of the complete file that needs to be submitted... Signature Print Name:* Emily Dunnigan Signature: * {mac% "c�Igly Prepared for: NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Mitigation Services 1652 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1652 sport ied )106 Construction Completed: 2021 Data Collected: July 28, 2022 Report Submitted: January 19, 2023 Prepared by: HDR Engineering 555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 900 Raleigh, NC 27601-3034 Davey Resource Group Contributing Staff: Ben Furr, Ryan Smith, Alex DiGeronimo, William Bailey, Yvette Mariotte, Michael Foster, Kevin Williams This MY2 Baseline Monitoring Report has been written in conformance with the requirements of the following: NCAC rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295, effective November 1, 2015 and Nutrients Offset Credit Trading 15A NCAC 02B. 0703, effective April 1, 2020 and DWR —1998, Methodology and Calculations for determining Nutrient Reductions associated with Riparian Buffer Establishment DAVEY#-. Resource Group January 19, 2023 North Carolina Department of Mitigation Services 217 W Jones St #3000a Raleigh, NC 27603 Re: Task 6 Draft Monitoring Year 2 Report for the White Mitigation Project Cape Fear River Basin; CU# 03030003 Randolph County, North Carolina DMS ID No. 100112; Contract No. 7860 Ms. Dunnigan, As per your letter concerning the White Mitigation Project MY2 Report, we have updated the reviewed report and addressed your comments as follows: Title Page: Please add the full range of dates for site data collection. RE: Data for MY2 was collected solely on July 28, 2022. Invasives were treated and visual site inspections were completed at other points in the year, but all pertinent MY2 data was collected on that date. Section 2.0 Annual Monitoring: Please indicate the results of the conservation easement boundary integrity assessment. RE: Comply. Conservation easement boundary integrity assessment results have been added to section 2.2. Section 2.2: Suggest surveying a random vegetation plot(s) in the areas surrounding VP1 in MY3 to support visual assessment of stem survival outside VP1. RE: A Random vegetation plot will be surveyed in the area near VP1 and included in the MY3 report if it fails to meet density criteria in MY3. Section 2.3 Adaptive Management Plan: Due to the challenges seen with stem plantings at the site, are other measures such as soil sampling and herbaceous treatment being considered? Also, will ripping be proposed in any of the compacted pasture areas? RE: Stem plantings are performing well across >90% of the site upon visual inspections. Invasives are currently being treated, and the area of overgrowth around VP5 will be mowed and replanted in February and March respectively. No soil tests have been conducted on site, and neither soil tests nor ripping have been proposed on the site. Appendix B: Consider including a table when Summarizing plot stem counts including volunteers that can be counted toward success. When stems that cannot be counted towards success are included in Table 8, it can be difficult to tell which plots are meeting success requirements and what the correct stem count is with volunteers. RE: Table 8 is generated by the CVS-EEP program. The highlighted cells in Table 8 contain stems per acre calculations using only planted stem counts and only planted stem data is used to determine the pass or failure of a vegetation plot. Volunteer stems (listed in the T column) do not count towards success criteria. Stems per acre calculations including volunteers can be found adjacent to the highlighted stems per acre counts in Table 8 in line with the T column. Phone: 919.645.4350 3101 Poplarwood Court, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27604 daveyresourcegroup.com/carolinas DAVEY#-. Resource Group If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to give me a call (843.830.1536). Sincerely, Davey Resource Group, Inc. � 14."to � 5L _--O Alex DiGeronimo Phone: 919.645.4350 3101 Poplarwood Court, Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27604 daveyresourcegroup.com/carolinas FN White Mitigation Project I DMS Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Contents 1.0 Project Summary............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Location and Background Information.......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Goals and Objectives......................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Annual Monitoring............................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Methods........................................................................................................................................ 2 2.2 Results and Discussion................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 Adaptive Management Plan..........................................................................................................3 3.0 References.........................................................................................................................................3 Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 FN White Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Figures Figure 1. Service Area Map (Appendix A) Figure 2. Vicinity Map (Appendix A) Figure 3. Asset Map (Appendix A) Figure 4.1-4.5 Monitoring Plan View (Appendix A) Figure 5.1— 5.6 Vegetation Plots and Site Photographs (Appendix 8) Figure 6. Planned Replant Area Map Tables Table 1. Project Credits (Appendix A) Table 2. Project Activity and Reporting History (Appendix A) Table 3. Project Contacts Table (Appendix A) Table 4. Project Information (Appendix A) Table 5. Current Condition Plan View (CCPV) Components (Appendix A) Table 6. Baseline Planted Species and Quantities (Appendix A) Table 6. Monitoring Year 2 Vegetation Data (Appendix 8) Table 7. Replant Area Species, Source, and Quantities (Appendix D) Appendices Appendix A — General Tables and Figures Appendix B — Vegetation Plot Data and Site Photographs Appendix C — Regulatory Considerations Appendix D — Adaptive Management Plan Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 FNWhite Mitigation Project I DMS Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report 1.0 Project Summary 1.1 Location and Background Information The White Mitigation Project (Site) was selected by the NC Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) to provide Buffer Mitigation Units (BMUs) in the Randleman Lake Watershed (Hydrologic Unit Code 030300030106) (Figure 1). The Randleman Lake Watershed is located within the larger Cape Fear River Basin (Hydrologic Unit Code 03030003). The Site is located within the Southern Outer Piedmont, approximately 2.9 miles southeast of Archdale, NC (Figure 2). The 12.2 acre Site involved restoration and enhancement of 504,075 square feet of riparian buffers along Unnamed Tributary to (UT) Muddy Creek (UT MC) (UT MC, Index #17- 9-(1)) and UT 1, UT 2, and UT 5 that were previously active cattle pasture (Table 1 and Figure 3). Directions to the Site: From Raleigh -Durham International Airport: 1-40 west for 61.6 miles; keep left for 1-85 S, go 17.6 miles to exit 113; turn left onto NC-62, go .2 miles; turn right onto Weant Rd, go to end; turn right onto Suits Rd, the project site will be on the left. The final mitigation plan was submitted and accepted by North Carolina Division of Water Resources in November of 2020. Construction began in December 2020 and finished in March of 2021. Site planting finalized in February of 2021. LMG provided construction oversight services for the Site. LMG completed baseline vegetation monitoring on March 12, 2021. Completed project activities, reporting history, completion dates, project contacts, and background information is summarized in Tables 2, 3, and 4 of Appendix A. 1.2 Project Goals and Objectives The following goals and objectives address the primary issues within the watershed and assist DMS in meeting planning goals. Primary goals for the Site, as detailed in the White Mitigation Project Mitigation Plan (HDR 2020) include: 1. Reduce water quality stressors associated with nutrient, sediment, and pathogen loading. 2. Enhance terrestrial and aquatic habitat. The following objectives accomplish the goals listed above: 1. Reducing water quality stressors is directlytied to the following: a) Reducing non -point source (i.e., cattle accessing the channels, stormwater runoff through pastures and feeding stations) pollution associated with on -site agricultural operations from the installation of exclusionary fencing to remove cattle and machinery from on -site streams and riparian buffers. b) Reducing non -point pollution associated with on -site agricultural operations by the restoration and enhancement of riparian vegetative buffers on adjacent floodplains to treat surface water runoff from adjacent pastureland. c) Further removal of agricultural equipment and cattle by providing and improving culverted agricultural crossings. d) Treatment of pollution associated with off -site agricultural, institutional, and residential properties by the restoration and enhancement of riparian vegetative buffers on -site to attenuate nutrient and sediment laden floodwaters. Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 FNWhite Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report 2. Enhancement of terrestrial and aquatic habitat is directly tied to a) Restoration of native vegetation to the previously maintained and highly impacted riparian corridors in order to diversify flora and created a protected habitat corridor that provides an abundance of available foraging and cover habitat for a multitude of mammals and birds. Additionally, establishment of woody vegetation in the riparian corridor provides direct inputs of woody debris to adjacent conveyances that assist in increasing biomass and cover habitat for aquatic species. 2.0 Annual Monitoring 2.1 Methods Monitoring of the parameters listed in Table 5 (Appendix A) were conducted on July 28, 2022. Ten (10) permanent vegetation plots (totaling more than 2 percent of the planted area on Site) within the buffer restoration area were monitored using the Carolina Vegetation (CVS) protocols. Vegetative problem areas, invasive species, and project boundary encroachments have been mapped and included as part of Current Condition Plan View (Figure 4.1-4.5, Appendix A). Year 3 vegetation survey is anticipated to occur in September 2023. 2.2 Results and Discussion This section documents the conditions observed in Year 2 monitoring. Table 6 details specific vegetative data in relation to the Year 2 conditions (Appendix B). The 1,830 feet of repaired stream bank has remained stable over the past year of monitoring. Livestakes and bare -root plantings along the majority stabilized streambanks have increased in vigor over the past monitoring year. One bare area measuring 20 feet in length was observed during the spring invasive species treatment at the confluence of UT 3 and UT MC. While the stream bank remains stable, livestakes will need to be reestablished in the subsequent monitoring year. The areas of minor erosion observed during Year 1 monitoring have stabilized and filled with herbaceous vegetation as expected. The conservation easement boundary is intact and functioning properly; furthermore, the owners of the property no longer own cattle. Eight of the ten permanent vegetation plots are meeting or exceeding success criteria outlined in the Mitigation Plan. Vegetation plots 1 and 5 have failed to meet the success criteria of 260 stems per acre; however, the site is at 319 stems per acre. Vegetation Plot 1 is demonstrating a planted stem density of 161 stems per acre after 2 years of monitoring. With the inclusion of volunteer stems the plot still fails to meet success criteria with only 242 stems per acre. It is unknown what is causing the high mortality of planted stems within the vegetation plot. Visual observations at the time of monitoring suggests that the stem density of VP1 is not indicative of planted stem survival in the surrounding area and the plot will be reassessed during MY3 monitoring. Vegetation plot 5 has failed to meet criteria for the second year in a row due to dense herbaceous growth. Knotweed (Polygonum spp.) and spiny pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus) have taken the place of fescue, stifling bare -root plantings in and around VP5. VP5 had a stem density of 81 stems per acre, with only two bare -root plantings surviving in the plot; others were either dead or unable to be located due to the dense vegetative growth. Randolph County, NC Page 2 January 19, 2023 FNWhite Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Several areas of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) were treated in April 2021 (MY1). While the areas previously treated are dead, 38 new areas of invasive growth were discovered during vegetation monitoring in September 2021 and May 2022, and are depicted in Figures 4.1-4.5. It is important to note that the Site had dense growth of Chinese privet along the banks and floodplain of UT MC, UT 3, UT 4, and UT 5 that were treated and removed during construction. Much of the new growth is a result of stump coppicing and sprouting from a prevalent seed bank. New areas of invasive species growth were treated in May and July 2022. Further details of invasive species management procedures can be found in Section 2.3 of this document. 2.3 Adaptive Management Plan Approximately 38 instances of invasive species, mainly Chinese privet and multiflora rose, were spot treated using a 6% solution of aquatic glyphosate. Treatments were made during May 2022 and July 2022. Invasive species will be monitored and treated as needed in subsequent monitoring years. Dense herbaceous vegetation observed along the right bank of UT2 near VP5 has choked out planted stems. This area is depicted in the Current Condition Plan Review (Figure 4.1-4.5). It is anticipated that approximately 1 acre of area will be replanted at a density of 360 stems per acre (Figure 6) in March 2023. Table 7 outlines species and quantities chosen for the replant based on the approved planting plan in the Mitigation Plan. Prior to replanting this area, the dense herbaceous layer of vegetation may be mowed to allow planted stems time to establish. Livestakes will be clipped from black willow (Salix nigra) and tag alder (Alnus serrulata) on site and reestablished in the bare area observed between UT 3 and UT MC. 3.0 References HDR Engineering Inc. of the Carolinas (HDR) 2020. Mitigation Plan White Mitigation Project. Randolph County, North Carolina. October 29, 2020. Lee, Michael & Peet, Robert & D. Roberts, Steven & Wentworth, Thomas. 2018. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation All Levels of Plot Sampling, Version 4.2. North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC). Title 15A — Environmental Quality. Chapter 02 — Environmental Management. Subchapter B. 15A NCAC 02B .0295. Mitigation Program Requirements for Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers. Accessed on September 20, 2019. http://reports.oa h.state. nc.0 s/ncac/title%2015a%20%20envi ronm enta 1%20g ua I ity/chapter%2002%20- %20environmental%20management/subchapter%20b/15a%20ncac%2002b%20.0295.pdf 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. Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 H1� White Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 J MY2 Monitoring Report Appendix A — Background Tables and Figures Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 \ � ) /)}\)}\))) o °° \§ \ o , f!; FN White Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Table 2. Project Activity and Reporting History Activity or Report Data Collection Complete Completion or Delivery Mitigation Plan August 2019 October 2020 Final Design — Planting and Construction Plans November 2020 November 2020 Construction and Planting March 2021 March 2021 Mitigation Plan/As-built (Year 0 Monitoring -Baseline) March 12, 2021 March 22, 2021 Invasive Species Treatment April 22, 2021 Year 1 Monitoring September 9, 2021 Invasive Species Treatment October 22, 2021 MY1 Monitoring Report November 2021 Year 2 Monitoring July 28, 2022 Invasive Species Treatment May 22 & July 28, 2022 MY2 Monitoring Report January 19, 2023 Year 3 Monitoring Year 4 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Table 3. Project Contacts Table Designer HDR Engineering 555 Fayetteville Street, Suite 900 Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-3034 Primary project design POC Vickie Miller (919) 232-6600 Construction Contractor KBS Earthworks, Inc. 5616 Coble Church Rd Julian, NC 27283 Construction Contractor POC Chris Sizemore (336) 362-0289 Planting Contractor KBS Earthworks, Inc. 5616 Coble Church Rd Julian, NC 27283 Planting Contractor POC Chris Sizemore (336) 362-0289 Monitoring Performers Davey Resource Group, Inc 3101 Poplarwood Court Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Michael Foster and William Bailey Vegetation Monitoring POC Davey Resource Group, Inc 3101 Poplarwood Court Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Alex DiGeronimo (843) 830-1536 Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 FN White Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Table 4. Project Information Project Attributes Project Name White Mitigation Project County Randolph Project Area (acres) 12.2 Project Coordinates (latitude and longitude) 35.887369,-79.927081 River Basin Cape Fear (03030003) Service Area Randleman Lake Watershed 14 digit HUC 03030003010060 EPA level IV Ecoregion Southern Outer Piedmont BMUs 466,747.935 Table 5. Monitoring Plan Components Parameter Monitoring Quantity Frequency Notes Method 10 Annual Vegetation will be monitored using the Vegetation CVS Level 2 Vegetation Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) Level 2 plots (10 x protocols. Data to be collected are the 10 meter) following: planted stem density, planted stem height and planted stem vigor. Invasive and Visual Semi- Locations of exotic and nuisance nuisance --- annual vegetation will be mapped and treated, vegetation as necessary. Visual Semi- Areas of dense fescue were mapped and Fescue annual treated. Fescue will be monitored to ensure the survivability of planted stems. Dense Visual Semi- Areas of dense herbaceous growth were Herbaceous annual mapped. A treatment and replanting Growth plan have been developed and will be (Knotweed, implemented in March 2023. Spiny Pigweed) Herbaceous growth will be monitored to ensure the survivability of planted stems. Visual Semi- Mapping of fence damage, vegetation Project annual damage, boundary encroachments, etc. Boundary will be mapped and addressed as necessary Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 — E `L• l��•5�, '� ` :2`- i t+:may Y - �, •�' {ti -�- �� �s - - �{ ti ?k A Z.,y '� r •`SST L•�.y�. � n}. pi � � r � ll � � _ �_ _ : r• { yes r'' f .. �-` `-�- �L '�`"ram 'j � f'.•i�y' y K-*.. � r _ '- r•_y r'-� _ ,5• _ '-r�'• +>! r�,- y�.• tx7J _ - - Y■ - . f • _ . r � r � -, �. � • .w • r-�� �r - S ,!-= � �_ [� i _ • - _ �.• •:ram f 'iir't ~_ -� �b to fit ■ To • r �S 1 1 • �I - s �•; _ C� a `� �' I �• je)� - -_ i•�}"t :�t:'�, _�`~ ill i!'v I *, .�,E• i 1`NiA- _=R.J ti•, �- '� >• riac !'•� i I - - -. �' rKi ,r PROJECT SITE _ El= r xE ' r `r; -• 1' �� I .!' 'I• •1 s-'�.�..., � � •,r :Rr flA Ste. 1 j t T. _ • f�. y r>I '�,i ' ly, `lam. ' -. • �r r l - • • - • _ �.[_. 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Figure 5.11 Treated Multiflora rose UT2 Fi ure 5.12 Lack of vegetation bank at confluence g g g g (07/28/2022) of UT3 and UT to Muddy Creek (07/28/2022) Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 F)I White Mitigation Project I DMS Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Appendix C — Regulatory Considerations Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 ROY COOPER Governor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretary S. DANIEL SMITH Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality November 16, 2020 Division of Mitigation Services Attn: Jeremiah Dow/Kelly Phillips (via electronic mail: jeremiah.dowOncdenr.gov, Kelly. PhillipsOncdenr.gov ) Re: White Farms Riparian Buffer Mitigation Plan Approval Dear Mr. Dow, The Division of Water Resources (DWR) received a draft Mitigation Plan (Plan) from the Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) for the White Farms site (Site) in 2020. The Plan was submitted to DWR for review and approval under 15A NCAC 02B .0295 to be used as a buffer mitigation project. DWR reviewed the Plan and provided comments and recommendations. DMS submitted a revised Plan that addressed all comments and recommendations provided by DWR. The table below summarizes the timeline of the Plan: Project Site DWR Project Initial Mitigation Revised Buffer Plan Location/ITUC Name fD # Plan Received Received Final Draft White Farms 2019-0884vl July 20, 2020 November 10, 2020 Randleman Lake Watershed By copy of this letter, the Final Draft of the Plan is approved. A copy of the final draft can be found online at: https: [/edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/DocView.aspx?id=1349646&dbid=0&repo=WaterResources Please feel free to call (919) 707-3637 if you have any questions regarding this correspondence. Sincerely, DocuSignedNAby:: -Wlm_ ; A43C72700BD543E... Katie Merritt 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch cc: DWR File Copy D Qor Nth Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources v� 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 EnrrA oaoa .�r orE�wm�me�e o ,ir, /`� 919.707.9000 FYZ White Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Appendix D — Adaptive Management Plan Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023 w j.,.t" r • r r FYZ White Mitigation Project I DMs Project No. 100112 MY2 Monitoring Report Table 7. Replant Area Species, Source, and Quantities Species Planted Plant Source Quantity to be Planted Platanus occidentalis Bare Root (3-4') 50 Betula nigra Bare Root (3-4') 50 Ulmus americana Bare Root (3-4') 50 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Bare Root (3-4') 25 Carpinus caroliniana 1 Gallon Pot 20 Quercus phellos 1 Gallon Pot 20 Quercus nigra 1 Gallon Pot 50 Quercus phellos Bare Root (3-4') 50 Quercus nigra Bare Root (3-4') 50 Randolph County, NC January 19, 2023