20150634 Ver 1_Viability Ltr_20120719

July 19, 2012
Ms. Jessica Kemp
N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program
1652 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 -1652
Re: Site Viability for Mitigation - McDaniel Farm
Durham County
Dear Jessica,
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Lauren Witherspoon and Katie Merritt from the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) were asked by
NCEEP to visit the above - referenced site on June 25, 2012. The focus of our review was to determine
the site's potential for nutrient offset and Neuse riparian buffer restoration. Ms. Witherspoon performed
a stream determination and will submit a separate letter to NCEEP showing all streams onsite that are
subject to the Neuse River Buffer Rules. If approved, mitigating this site could provide both riparian
buffer credits and nutrient offset credits within the 8 -digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201 of
the Falls Watershed in the Neuse River Basin.
The site appeared to be a good candidate for planting Neuse riparian buffers (0 -50 feet from the top of
bank) for riparian buffer credits or nutrient offset credits. Additionally, there were other riparian areas
(0 -200 feet from top of bank) that were good candidates for nutrient offset only.
Please provide a mitigation plan detailing the buffer and nutrient offset restoration for review and
approval prior to initiating the project. Once the project is complete, you must provide an as -built report
showing the total of Neuse riparian buffer and nutrient offset credits that were generated. Please provide
riparian buffer credits generated in both acres and square feet. Please provide nutrient offset credits
generated in acres and pounds. Monitoring reports shall follow the as -built reports to provide DWQ a
means of tracking the project's restoration success for a period of at least five years.
DWQ appreciates the opportunity to participate in up -front evaluations of potential buffer and nutrient
offset projects.
Wetlands, Buffers, Stormwater Compliance & Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1650
Location: Archdale Bldg., 91h Floor, 512 N. Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone :919- 807 - 6300 \ FAX :919 - 807 -6494
Internet: http: / /portal.ncdenr.org /web /wq /swp /ws /webscape
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer
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McDaniel Farm
Page 2 of 2
July 18, 2012
We look forward to future participation with your program in our joint efforts to produce quality
restoration sites that will help improve water quality.
Please feel free to contact Ms. Merritt at (919) 807 -6371 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Karen Higgins
Wetlands, Buffers, Stormwater Compliance &
Permitting Unit
Cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt)
Lauren Witherspoon - RRO