20210020 Ver 2_Kingfield_100176_MY1_2022_20230206

ID#* 20210020
Select Reviewer:
Katie Merritt
Initial Review Completed Date 02/06/2023
Mitigation Project Submittal - 2/6/2023
Version* 2
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#:* 20210020
Existing ID#
Project Type:
Project Name:
County:
• DMS Mitigation Bank
Kingfield Buffer Mitigation Site
Jones
Document Information
O Yes O No
Email Address:*
[e-mail]
Version:* 2
Existing Version
Mitigation Document Type:*
Mitigation Monitoring Report
File Upload: Kingfield_100176_MY1_2022.pdf 11.83MB
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AnnualMonitoring Report (MY1)

KINGFIELD BUFFER MITIGATION SITE
Jones County, NC
NCDEQ Contract No. 0103-01
DMS ID No. 100176
DWR Project No. 2021-0020v2
RFP No. 16-20200103

Prepared for:

NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Mitigation Services
1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652

November 2022

MEMO
Emily Dunnigan, DMS
January 20, 2023
Subject: Task 5 Draft Year 1 Monitoring Report Comments Kingfield Buffer Mitigation
Project (DMS#100176)
Neuse River 03020204; Jones County, NC
Contract No. 0103-01
On November 23, 2022, DMS received the Draft Year 1 Monitoring Report for the Kingfield
BufferMitigation Project from Eco Terra. DMS has completed our review of the draft report
and has thefollowing comments:
1. Page 3, Section 4.2: Change baseline monitoring to Year 1 monitoring report.
This has been corrected.
2. Page 3, Section 4.3: What is the acreage of the low stem areas? Please include in report
and add to theCCPV legend.
Approximately 1.93 acres. This has been added to Section 4.3 and in the updated CCPV.
five
requirements.Please add in performance standard language to the report and make any
necessary changes. Updatecolor coding for performance criteria in Table 3.
Thatis correct all plots onsite met success criteria. Table 3 color coding has been updated.
4. Figure 1: Does the red centerline of the stream represent the easement or is that the
surveyed stream?Please add the surveyed stream to the CCPV legend if that is the case and
differentiate theeasementfrom the stream.
The Site encompasses three CEs each outlined in a red polygon. CE polygonsfollow the
thalweg of UT1 andMusselshell Creek, and the surveyed thalweg lineworkhas been included
in the updated CCPV (see legend).The surveyed stream TOB polygon is shown in blue.
117C ENTREWEST C OURT,C ARY,NC27513|E CO T ERRA.COM

5. During the site visit on January 5th, multiple areas were identified for additional easement
marking.As discussed in the field, mowing along the inside of the easement on the edge
near UT1must cease.Please add additional marking and provide photo documentation of
completed work withthe finalreport.
Additional easement markingwill be addedduring MY2around the time of supplemental
planting to address areas oflow stem density affected by knotweed.
Please let us know if you have any further comments or questions related to the MY1 Annual
Report. We look forward to working with you and ensuring a successful project moving
forward.
Regards,
D. Norton Webster, Eco Terra
117C ENTREWEST C OURT,C ARY,NC27513|E CO T ERRA.COM

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΐ
1.1P ROJECT G OALS ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΐ
1.2E XISTING S ITE C ONDITIONS ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΐ
ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΑ
ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΑ
3.1R IPARIAN A REA R ESTORATION A CTIVITIES ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΑ
ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΒ
4.1V EGETATION ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΒ
4.2P HOTO R EFERENCE S TATIONS ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΒ
4.3V ISUAL A SSESSMENTS ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΒ
4.4A NNUAL R EPORTING P ERFORMANCE C RITERIA ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΓ
4.5M AINTENANCE AND C ONTINGENCY P LANS ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΓ
ȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁȁΔ
APPENDICES
Appendix 1Project Data
Figure 1: Current Condition Plan View (CCPV)
Table 1:Buffer Project Attributes
Table 2:Buffer Project Componentsand Assets
Appendix 2Site PhotoPoints
Appendix 3MonitoringPlot Data
Table 3:MonitoringPlot Planted and Total Stem Counts
MonitoringPlot Photographs
Site Aerial
KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Site AnnualMonitoring Report(MY1)
DMS ID No. 100176iiNovember2022

The KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Site (Site)is a buffer restoration project located
approximately 3.4miles northeast of Trentonin JonesCounty, NC. TheProject is located
within the NeuseRiver basin,14-digit hydrologic unit code (HUC) 03020204010071.The
Site comprisesapproximately 8.59 acres along an unnamed tributary (UT) to Musselshell
Creek in the Crooked Creek targeted watershed (HUC 03020204010070) that drains into
the Neuse River. Located within North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services (DMS)
identified Hydrology and WaterQuality Targeted Resource Areas (TRA), the Site has
beenimplemented along a Class C, Sw, NSW, 303(d)-listed water impaired for aquatic life
and ecological and biological integrity,according to the North CarolinaDepartment of
Environmental Quality (DEQ)303(d) Final List (2022). According to the as-built survey
and Division of Water Resources (DWR)Buffer Mitigation Calculation Tool v3 (updated
August 2020), the Site is expected to generate 315,430.000buffer mitigation units (BMU)
(Appendix 1: Table 2).
1.1Project Goals
The major goals of the Siteare to address agricultural runoff, including nutrients and
sediment, protect the project site in perpetuity, and restore terrestrial habitat. The Site
will reduce futuresediment and nutrientloading into Crooked Creek watershed and the
Neuse River downstream. It will also improve terrestrial habitatsalong this stream by
establishing ariparian corridor and allowing the landto convert to forested
communities.
The project goals and objectives are consistent with those of the DMS, and the specific
goals outlined in the 2018 NeuseRiver Basin Restoration Priorities (RBRP). As proposed,
the KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Sitewill further help DMS to meet these goals.
1.2Existing Site Conditions
The Site is located within threeparcels(~135acres) currently used for agricultural row
crop productionand animal pasture. Adjacent land use includespasture and row crop
agriculture.Additionally, minimalvegetated buffer exists within the Site along the length
of the UT to Musselshell Creek (UT1) as well as Musselshell Creek proper.
The project was successfully planted with appropriate trees and herbaceous vegetation
st
and is now at the end of the first(1) full growing season and early stages of successful
buffer restoration. The projectrestored forested riparian buffers andadjacent riparian
KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Site AnnualMonitoring Report(MY1)
DMS ID No. 100176November2022
1

areas to a maximumof approximately 100feet from thetop-of-bankof bothstreams and
removed rotating crops and fertilizer inputs.
The restoredNeuseriparian buffer and adjacent riparian areas will filter runoff from the
surrounding farm fields and provide shading to improve stream temperatures andaquatic
habitat.Invasivevegetation will betreated as needed within the project area topromote
native vegetation
Vegetative success criteria was confirmed at all plots, with Plot 3 stem density being
notably lower than most accompanying monitoring plots (Table 3). Low stem densities
were noted as depicted in Figure 1. Supplemental planting of approved trees and
herbaceous competition management will be accomplished during 2023 winter/spring
seasonsin order to ensurefuture project success.
Riparian buffer and adjacent riparian area restoration was accomplished in accordance
with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0295) and the Nutrient
Offset Credit Trading Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0703). All areas within 100+ linear feet of the
top-of-bankof subject streams as measure from the top-of-banklandward were planted
and devoted to generating riparian buffer mitigation credits. Areas designated forfuture
nutrient offset conversion were planted similarlyat a minimum50 linear feet of the top of
bank. Mitigation credits generated are listed in Table 2and are based upon the DWR
Buffer Mitigation Calculation Tool v3 (October 2020) (Appendix 1).
Siteconstruction was completed in February 2022, following mitigation plan approval. Eco
Terra and supporting teammembers successfully planted and restored the proposed areas
dedicated for riparian buffer and adjacent riparian area restoration with high quality native
trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation.
3.1Riparian Area Restoration Activities
In accordance with the Mitigation Plan,restoration of the riparian areas involved planting
bare root one-andtwo-yearold trees in planting zones specific tosoil and site conditions.
A combination of machine and manual planting techniques were used depending on site
conditions. Approximately 6,900 stems (803 stems/acre) were planted within the riparian
areas designated for restoration.
KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Site AnnualMonitoring Report(MY1)
DMS ID No. 100176November2022
2

The Mitigation Program Requirements for Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers
(15A NCAC 02B .0295) and RFP 16-20200208set forth specific performance criteria for the
successful development and close-out of the Site. Performance criteria monitoring
includes standardized vegetation plot establishment and annual monitoring for planted
stemsincluding individual plot photo documentation, overall site photo documentation,
biannual visual assessments for project status and easement integrity including
herbaceous and/or invasive species competition, stem mortality, stand health, incidental
damage from agricultural equipment, and stem loss or damage from natural causes such
as fire, disease, or animal predation. The CCPV(Figure1) illustratesthe location of project
easement, permanent vegetation plots/photo points, as well as overall site photopoints.
4.1Vegetation
Sevenpermanent vegetation plots were established according to the most recent Carolina
Vegetation Survey (CVS) protocol within the restored buffer area. Representative
vegetation plots were established at a minimum density of 2% of the planted area.
Specifically, vegetation monitoring was obtained for all plots according to the CVS-EEP
Level I Protocol for Recording Vegetation, v4.2(2008). First year monitoring(MY1)
vegetation stem data is included in Appendix 3:Table 3. All vegetation plots met success
criteria for stem densities, averaging549stems/ac;overall tree vigor,averaging 3.8; and
overall tree height, averaging60.6 cm.
4.2Photo Reference Stations
Site reference photopoints were taken at designated points along the conservation
easement boundary,providing an overall view of project success (Appendix 2).
Individual plot photos were taken at the approximate southwest corner (origin) of each
plot and areincluded in Appendix 3. All photo points were located by survey and
georeferenced for map production to provide a consistent means for photo replication
annually, or in the event a plot or photo location must be reestablished during the
monitoring period. Photo orientation (direction and bearing) were recorded as well as
approximate vertical position for consistency in photo logging.
4.3Visual Assessments
Additional observations were made of site conditions and vegetation conditions outside
of monitoring plots. Initial implementation and planting of the Site resulted in a density
of 803 stems/acre. However, nativetreesare needed to supplementapproximately 1.93
acres oflow tree density due to aggressive herbaceous competition(Figure 1). Biannual
visual assessmentswill continuein order to appropriately monitor changing site conditions
and address any issues to ensure Site success and performance criteria are met in
KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Site AnnualMonitoring Report(MY1)
DMS ID No. 100176November2022
3

subsequent monitoring years. Any additional Site problems will be noted and discussed
in the annual reports, addressed in a remedial action plan if necessary, and monitored
biannually to ensure performance criteria are met following any remedial action.

4.4 Annual Reporting Performance Criteria
All monitoring reports, including this annual report, will be compiled and submitted to
DMS annually in accordance with the Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Buffer Baseline
and Annual Monitoring Report Template Ver. 2.0 (May 2017). Annual monitoring will occur
for a minum of five years or until performance criteria are met.

4.5 Maintenance and Contingency Plans
Any Site observations identified through vegetation plots or visual assessments, whereby
the performance criteria is not met, will be noted and discussed in the annual reports and
addressed with a contingency plan as necessary. DMS/DWR will be notified and, if
necessary, collaborate with Eco Terra to develop a contingency plan with remedial action
steps to correct the performance criteria deficiency. Any contingency plan and remedial
actions will occur within an agreed timeframe and monitoring adjusted accordingly, if
necessary. Site problem areas will be monitored biannually to ensure performance criteria
are met following any remedial action.

Kingfield Buffer Mitigation Site Annual Monitoring Report (MY1)

DMS ID No. 100176 November 2022
4

15 NCAC 02B.0295 Mitigation Program Requirements for Protection and Maintenance of
Riparian Buffers. 2015.
15A NCAC 02B .0703 Nutrient Offset Trading. 2020.
NCDepartment of Water Resources.Methodology for Determining Nutrient Reductions
Associated with Riparian Buffer Establishment. 1998.
NC Department of Water Resources.Buffer Interpretation/Clarification#2008-019
Memorandum.August 19, 2008.
NC Department of Environmental Quality.Division of Water Resources. Clarified
Procedures for Calculating Buffer Mitigation Credits & Nutrient Offset Credits for
Riparian Projects Regulated under 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and 15A NCAC02B .0240.
November 21, 2019.
Lee, Michael T. Peet, Robert K., Steven D. Wentworth, Thomas R. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol
for Recording Vegetation Version 4.2. http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs-eep-
protocol-v4.2-lev1-2.pdf
NC Department of Environmental Quality. Division of Mitigation Services. 2017.Riparian
Buffer and Nutrient Offset Buffer Baseline and Annual Monitoring Report Template
Version 2.0.
NCDepartment of Environmental Quality.Division of Mitigation Services. 2018. Tar-
Pamlico River Basin Restoration Priorities.
US Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2021.Web Soil
Survey. https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. Accessed April 2021.
USEnvironmental Protection Agency. North Carolina Final 303(d) List. 2022.
https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=2361776&cr=
1. Published June 8, 2022.
USGeological Survey. 2013. Trenton. 1:24,000. North Carolina Topographic Quadrangle
(7.5-minute series). Reston, VA: U.S. Department of the Interior, USGS, 2013.
KingfieldBuffer Mitigation Site AnnualMonitoring Report(MY1)
DMS ID No. 100176November2022
5

APPENDIX 1

PROJECT DATA

Table 1: Buffer Project Attributes
Kingfield Buffer Mitigation Site
DMS ID No. 100176
DWR Project No. 2021-0020v2
Monitoring Year 1 2022

Project Name Kingfield Buffer Mitigation Site
Hydrologic Unit Code 03020204
River Basin Neuse
Geographic Location (decimal
35.110000, -77.330000
degrees)
Site Protection Instrument (BK, PG)422/637-688
Types of Credits Riparian Buffer (315,430.000)
Mitigation Plan Date December 2021
Initial Planting Date February 2022
Baseline Report Date June 2022
MY1 Report Date November 2022
MY2 Report Date November 2023
MY3 Report Date November 2024
MY4 Report Date November 2025
MY5 Report Date November 2026
Close out Report Date/Visit May 2027

020v2
0
-
2022

76
1
Buffer Mitigation Site

: Buffer Project Components and Assets
2
Table KingfieldDMS ID No. 1001DWR Project No. 2021 Monitoring Year

APPENDIX 2

SITE PHOTO-POINTS

APPENDIX 3

MONITORING PLOT DATA
MONITORING PLOT PHOTOGRAPHS

020v2
Planted and Total Stems
0
-
2022

76
1
Buffer Mitigation Site

Monitoring Plot
:
3
Table KingfieldDMS ID No. 1001DWR Project No. 2021 Monitoring Year

)
2
202

October
(

post construction
Site