WEI CF05-Dudley Pond MY1 Comments

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69 DARLINGTON AVENUE
WILMINGTON. NORTH CAROLINA 28403-1343
February 27, 2023
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF:
CESAW-RGM/Isenhour
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
Action ID No. SAW-2016-02160
Re: Year 1 Monitoring Report Review IRT Comments associated with the Wildlands
Cape Fear 05 Umbrella Mitigation Bank — Dudley Mill Pond Mitigation Site
Todd Bowers, USEPA:
According to WEI, MY1 site assessments were conducted between January and
December 2022. Overall, the Site is meeting performance standards and on track to
meet MY7 success criteria. All vegetation plots exceeded MY3 interim success criterion
of 320 stems per acre on an individual basis. Herbaceous vegetation is establishing
itself throughout and much progress has been made in vegetating the acidic soils. Two
easement encroachments have occurred. Wildlands is in the process of mitigating the
damage and working with the parties involved to
resolve the issues. Invasive species and acidic soils will continue to be assessed and
treated as necessary.
Additionally, all project streams are stable and functioning as intended. Cross-section
entrenchment ratios are over 2.2 and bank height ratios are below 1.2. Three (two)
beaver dams have been observed on Cedar Creek and APHIS is working to remove the
beaver. No bankfull events were recorded on project streams, however the area was
abnormally
dry or in drought most of the year.
Per my review of the MY1 report, the following items are noteworthy for performance
praise, issues with the report, concern for report findings and comments in general.
All streams appear to be functioning as designed and no issues noted. All cross
section appear exceptionally stable, however, in the absence of no recorded
bankfull events.

• Beaver activity (two dams) on Cedar Creek with negligible hydrological impact
noted. Wildlands is taking corrective action to ensure proper removal in the
future. Three dams was erroneously noted in Section 2.4.
• No bankfull events on perennial streams noted.
• All vegetation plots appear to be performing very well in density (558
stems/acre). Keeping any eye on Veg plots 1 and 2 which received some
damage due to beaver dam removal along Cedar Creek.
• Continued invasive vegetation species and acidic soils treatment as needed
noted.
• Noted encroachments have been dealt with satisfactorily with new boundary
markings and areas noted to be smoothed and replanted; thank you for including
photos pre -and post -corrective action.
• Utility pole easement encroachment issue along with continued corrective action
is ongoing and resolution is expected soon. Noted.
• 1 appreciated the detail in the photos of veg plots, stream planiform and cross
sections, beaver dams and encroachment concerns.
Overall, I am very pleased with the report findings and the ongoing work that has been
completed at the site. Most of the results thus far are encouraging and trending towards
success with few areas of ongoing serious concern. I recommend a full third credit
release for warm stream credits for this monitoring milestone. I have no other
substantial comments at this time nor am I requesting a site visit.
Kim Isenhour, USACE:
1. I recall having a phone conversation with Angela Allen regarding the utility pole
that will be removed from the conservation easement. Please remind me whether
the 34.97 LF of stream on T2 that will be affected is a credited area.
2. Section 2.1: Is there a concern that the swollen bladderwort may become too
dense? I've only come across it in wetlands, so I'm curious how it affects stream
channels.
3. What is the 0.2 ac maintenance area near the confluence of T2 and Cedar
Creek?