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Home My WebLink About20221493 Ver 1_2023-05-18 EMH Farm_Post-Construction Notification (DWR 2022-1493v1)_20230518Post Construction Notification EMH Farm Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel Guilford County, NC Randleman Watershed — Cape Fear River Basin NCDWR Project No. 2022-1493v1 Sponsored by: Clearwater Mitigation Solutions CLEARWATER MITIGATION S O L U T I O N S POC: Kevin Yates Ph: 919-624-6901 604 Macon Place Raleigh, North Carolina May 2023 Prepared by: Axiom Environmental, Inc. POC: Grant Lewis 218 Snow Avenue Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................ 1 2.0 RESTORATION ACTIVITIES & PLANTING PLAN........................................................................ 1 2.1 RIPARIAN AREA RESTORATION ACTIVITIES....................................................................................... 1 2.2 RIPARIAN BUFFER ENHANCEMENT................................................................................................. 2 2.3 RIPARIAN BUFFER PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES................................................................................... 2 3.0 CONSERVATION EASEMENT BOUNDARY MARKING............................................................... 3 4.0 CHANGES TO THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT BOUNDARY .................................................. 4 5.0 FIGURES.................................................................................................................................... 4 Post Construction Notification EMH Farm Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel Clearwater Mitigation Solutions Guilford County, North Carolina May 2023 1.0 INTRODUCTION Clearwater Mitigation Solutions, LLC (Sponsor) is pleased to provide this Post Construction Notification documenting that all buffer mitigation activities have been completed per the following requirements of section VI(B) of the approved EMH MBI: "VI. Post Construction Documentation for Bank Parcel B. Within 30 calendar days after completing the establishment of the buffer mitigation areas, the Sponsor will submit written notification to DWR documenting that all buffer mitigation activities have been completed. Failure to submit written notification within 30 days may result in a modified credit release schedule or a delay in the issuance of credit releases. Notification shall include all the following: 1. Short summary of activities completed as required per the approved BPDP; 2. Figures representing all riparian restoration, riparian enhancement, and riparian preservation activities where applicable; 3. Figures representing location of all monitoring plots installed; 4. Detailed planting plan- including type of species planted, density of species planted, and any modifications to the planting plan from what was approved in the BPDP; 5. Description of how the conservation easement boundaries were marked 6. Any major changes to the conservation easement boundary or to the amount of Riparian Buffer Credits from what was proposed in the approved BPDP." 2.0 RESTORATION ACTIVITIES & PLANTING PLAN All activities and plantings were completed per the approved BPDP. 2.1 Riparian Area Restoration Activities Riparian area restoration involved an herbaceous treatment of existing fescue grasses, shallow ripping of pasture areas, paralleling streams and ephemeral channels to promote floodwater attenuation by increasing frictional resistance of floodwaters crossing Bank Parcel floodplains, and planting appropriate native tree species along the riparian corridor throughout Bank Parcel riparian restoration areas (21.96 acres). Continued herbicide applications may be needed over the first few years of tree establishment in the riparian restoration areas to prevent encroachment of undesirable species, such as fescue and Tree of Heaven, that may out -compete the planted native vegetation. Tree species planted across the Bank Parcel are listed in Table 1. There were no modifications to the tree species planted from what was approved in the BPDP. Page 1 Post Construction Notification EMH Farm Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel Clearwater Mitigation Solutions Guilford County, North Carolina May 2023 Table 1. Bare -Root Planted Stems Common Name Scientific Name # of Planted Stems % of Total Planted Trees Canopy Type River birch Betula nigra 2650 17.6 Canopy Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera 1500 10 Canopy Red mulberry Morus rubra 750 5 Midstory Black willow Salix nigra 750 5 Midstory Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 2650 17.6 Canopy Mockernut hickory Carya tomentosa 750 5 Canopy Swamp chestnut oak Quercus michauxii 1500 10 Canopy Water oak Quercus nigra 1500 10 Canopy Willow oak Quercus phellos 1500 10 Canopy Shumard oak Quercus shumardii 750 5 Canopy American elm I Ulmus americana 750 5 Canopy Total 15050 100 Trees were planted at a density of approximately 680 stems per acre on 8-foot centers, sufficient to meet the performance standards outlined in Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 of 260 planted trees per acre at the end of five years of monitoring. Bare -root tree stock was mixed during planting to ensure diversity and that no one tree species will be greater than 50% of the established stems in permanent vegetations plots. Planting occurred on April 20, 2023. As -built measurements indicate that all nineteen plots are meeting success criteria, with an average of 555.9 stems per acre. Several additional restoration activities occurred on the Bank Parcel. Three total culverts were removed: a non-functioning culvert on UT 1, and two functioning culverts on UT 2 and UT 3. The culverts were removed with a mini -excavator with low pressure tracks, and impacted stream banks were sloped at 3:1 grade, matted, seeded, and live -staked to ensure future stability. An existing ditch feature along the eastern boundary of the Bank Parcel (Feature E 3) was plugged and filled for diffuse flow into UT 3. Graded/disturbed areas were strawed and seeded to minimize sediment inputs. Minor bank stabilization was needed along UT3. This included mechanically sloping at 3:1 grade, matting, seeding, and live -staking (Figure 3). Appropriate seed mixes of pollinator -attracting annual and perennial species were applied to provide temporary and permanent ground cover for soil stabilization and reduction of sediment loss during rain events in areas without existing herbaceous cover, especially where earthwork was performed. Seed mixes are listed in Tables 2A-B. The pasture area surrounding the Bank Parcel will be abandoned by the landowner, and existing fencing will be maintained to permanently exclude cattle from the conservation easement area. Additionally, a small section of fencing within the easement boundary was removed. Page 2 Post Construction Notification EMH Farm Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel Clearwater Mitigation Solutions Guilford County, North Carolina May 2023 Table 2A. Permanent Seed Mix Species Percent of Total Mix Indiangrass (Sorghostrum nustons) 26.57% Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerodii) 14.34% Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) 14.34% Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) 13.57% Deertongue (Panicum clandestinum) 13.15% Creeping Red Fescue (Festuco rubro) 9.90% Organic Matter 8.13% TOTAL 100% Table 2B. Temporary Seed Mix Species Application Rate Grain Rye (Secole cereole) 100 lbs. per acre Brown Top Millet (Urochloo romoso) 40 lbs. per acre German Millet (Setorio italica) 25 lbs. per acre 2.2 Riparian Buffer Enhancement Riparian buffer enhancement includes supplementally planting and permanently protecting existing riparian buffer and adjacent riparian areas via exclusionary fencing, cutting, clearing, filling, and grading. Enhancement areas (1.16 acres) on the Bank Parcel were primarily disturbed mixed hardwoods and were supplementary planted (Figure 2). The enhancement area extends a maximum of 200 feet from the top of bank with a minimum width of 20 feet from the top of bank. 2.3 Riparian Buffer Preservation Activities Riparian buffer preservation includes permanently protecting existing riparian buffer from cutting, clearing, filling, grading, and any similar activities that would affect the functionality of the riparian buffer. Areas specified for Preservation, as defined in 15A NCAC 02B .0295, are shown in Figure 2. These areas are primarily mixed hardwoods (2.90 acres), with the number of high value species above 200 stems per acre. They are areas where livestock are currently fenced out, and there has been little or no historic livestock access. 3.0 CONSERVATION EASEMENT BOUNDARY MARKING The Bank Parcel is surrounded by cattle exclusion fencing. Easement boundaries have been identified in the field to ensure clear distinction between the Bank Parcel and adjacent properties. Boundaries are variously identified by cattle fence, markers on t-post, tree -blazing, or other means as allowed by site conditions. Boundary markers contain contact information for the Bank Parcel. Boundary markers disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be repaired or replaced as needed. Page 3 Post Construction Notification EMH Farm Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel Clearwater Mitigation Solutions Guilford County, North Carolina May 2023 4.0 CHANGES TO THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT BOUNDARY The surveyed conservation easement boundary is 26.81 acres vs. the 26.69 acres as noted in the GIS based figures. The additional surveyed acreage within the conservation easement boundary did not changes the credit calculations proposed in the approved BPDP. 5.0 FIGURES Figure 1. Site Location and Service Area Figure 2. Current Conditions Plan View Figure 3. Aerial of Bank Parcel w. Restoration Activities Completed (per the BPDP) Page 4 Post Construction Notification EMH Farm Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel Clearwater Mitigation Solutions Guilford County, North Carolina May 2023 _ 1 s; E Pd 70 / / - -.. /'• .ram - Ix" - Axiom Environmental, Inc. � L-�-,-�. r Prepared for: r .'•' Advrr,pe �' � .� - �i / / / ( � 1 / yy j � � � cane Creek Moumena _. - .. saxaPaFw,w + •v �:. crma �, ChapitXill C LEARWATER lyiiTrGATTON S O L U T 10 h v Welcome 7-, �-• 71Fwna / // / uliin f // /// / /-6 will i� / ' --�4fe� C.Pm Ca �- •,�. •. .`. _ Project: _ 69 EMH Farms Buffer Mitigation Bank Guilford County uses HUC 03030003010050 EMH FARM 35.9194-N, 79.8941 W i �� ..... BUFFER i T Ima et .x [ Sh M)G n h Ccd er Fella Back e•. i ank l-ille -�-'— . s P:r•�.r f � � r � Pit raj HaPtBsl ..� • las J it ., . . Mountain rimn i._� k Oua rry • r " eoy(�� .ti 49 r d R ` Y 4 •. FIoP\well[ ! ` 1 Fi r 51112 C. Sea¢ore Gdd XiIl 8 '�+ 3e Mi heimer �+• wclK.ld tan lola ,� aMountam em, i T Y.. ftP66in ati• }i §tC�� M wrnl Plv aM x/ as r � Legend - �- .ii. hfrif»dvnr� OEMH Farms Bank Loaction `-' O USGS Hydrologic Unit 03030003 sole Prcngs NC River Subbasins: 14-digit HUCs A, ® Riparian Buffer Credit Service Area: Randleman Lake Watershed r MITIGATION f Bfi BANK PARCEL 511eFC11 A ��9. c—. - r°Pittsny� oro Y - l 9 um �� t t,,J'j r Guilford County, NC If ,f Title: y� 902 - -.t BANK LOCATION r re" �. AND ^-•w��F" �1,mP '' Shearo r. Hrorl: RAT°� CREDIT J SERVICE AREA Drawn b ram_. KRJ Sa Fd 0 Date: L? e.•aewaY MAR 2023 Scale: ' 1:400,000 '+ 1 Project No.: 22-033 � n Oliria 27 FIGURE Cameron RD"e9 "fame •, Y�} �d rclll ` 27 1 �•� , 0 5 10 20 Miles Legend Q EMH Farms Easement = :26.81 acres Riparian Restoration, TOB-100 Feet — Riparian Restoration on Ephemeral Channel, TOB-100 Feet Riparian Restoration, TOB-100 Feet - Riparian Restoration on Ephemeral Channel, 101-200 Feet Riparian Enhancement, TOB-100 Feet Riparian Enhancement, 101-200 Feet Riparian Enhancement, 20-29 Feet Riparian Preservation, TOB-100 Feet — Riparian Preservation, 101-200 Feet ® Riparian Preservation, 20-29 Feet 0 intermittent/Perennial Stream Channel Top of Bank O Ephemeral Channel Top of Bank - QCVS Plot Meeting Success Criteria ' 17 - - Top of Bank to 20-Feet_ - - - Top of Bank to 30-Feet — — Top of Bank to 50-Feet — Top of Bank to 100-Feet — Top of Bank to 200-Feet — — '.'��#'^1- 14 \ r j / \ / 5 , UT 2 \ / I0 150 300 N Axiom Environmental, Inc. Prepared for: CLEARWATER MITTGATiON Project: EMH FARM BUFFER MITIGATION BANK PARCEL Guilford County, NC 1�1 Title: Current Conditions) Plan View T' Drawn by: CIVIL Date: May 2023 Scale: 1:2000 Project No.: 22-033 FIGURE 2 600 � Feet