2014-1149-V9 Benton Branch Closeout AMP

From: Merritt, Katie
To: Menefee -Dunn. Barbara A
Cc: Hartshorn. Blake
Subject: FW: FW: [External] 2014-1149-V9 Benton Branch Closeout AMP
Date: Monday, June 19, 2023 6:07:01 PM
Attachments: 2014-1149-V9 Benton Branch Closeout (AMP).odf
Hey Barbara,
Please file email thread below into LF along with the attached PDF. Please combine the email w/ the
PDF into 1 file. Metadata description is as follows:
DWR#: 2014-1149v9
Doc Date: June 19, 2023
Doc Type: Remediation Plan
Doc Name: DWR Approval of AMP
Thank you,
katie
From: Merritt, Katie
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 6:04 PM
To: Merritt, Josh <[e-mail]>
Cc: Raymond Holz <[e-mail]>; Hartshorn, Blake
<[e-mail]>
Subject: Re:FW: [External] 2014-1149-V9 Benton Branch Closeout AMP
Good Afternoon John,
DWR supports the Proposed AMP for Benton Branch attached to this email. Please keep the USACE
project manager in the loop on this as well. I will prepare the credit release letter as noted in the
AMP.
Thank you,
katie
From: Merritt, Josh <Joshua.Merritt(@dave)l.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Merritt, Katie <katie.merritt(@deq.nc.gov>; Holz, Raymond <Raymond.HolzPdavey.com>
Cc: Hartshorn, Blake <blake.hartshorn @deq.nc.gov>
Subject: [External] 2014-1149-V9 Benton Branch Closeout AMP
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Good Afternoon, Katie —
I have attached the Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) for Benton Branch Bank Parcel (DWR #: 2014-
1149-V9) for your review. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Josh M
Josh Merritt
Project Manager
Davey Mitigation
Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third
parties by an authorized state official.

Restoration Systems, LLC
1101 Haynes St. Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina
Ph: [phone]
Fx: [phone]
Thursday, June 8, 2023
ATTN: Katie Merritt
North Carolina Division of Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
a DAVEY company
Subject: Proposal of an Adaptive Management Plan for the Benton Branch Bank Parcel Phase One Haw River WS
Umbrella Banking for Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Credits (DWR# 2014-1149-V9)
Ms. Merritt,
After the closeout site visit of the Parcel, you provided the attached Field Notes. This proposal responds to those
Field Notes, including an Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) to address stem vigor issues within an area of concern
at the Site.
During the closeout site visit on May 3 d, 2023, stem densities and heights appeared low along a portion of the
riparian restoration area measuring 1.11 acres along Benton Branch, precisely within the vicinity of CVS Plots 18,
19, and 20 (Figure 1). Stem data within the referenced plots exceeded the success criteria by more than 10%,
except for stem heights. Within the referenced CVS Plots, stem density averaged 418.2 stems per acre, and vigor
scored an average of 3. However, the stem heights averaged +/- 2 feet. Multiple variables, including deer
browsing, shading from established hardwood trees, and poor soil conditions, could be the lead cause for low stem
heights.
On May 315Y, 2023, RS took six (6) soil samples at four (4) locations within the area of concern (Figure 1). Soil
samples will be used to determine if underlining soil issues influence tree mortality and height. Pending the soil
sampling results, Restoration Systems (RS) will provide an amendment to the AMP, including soil sample results
and soil amendment activities.
Additionally, RS proposes planting seventy-five (75) three -gallon containerized shade -tolerant trees on 25 feet by
25 feet spacing. Planting larger shade -tolerant stems will prevent deer browsing and withstand shading caused by
mature deciduous hardwoods. Table 1 below details the species suitable for planting under the current conditions.
A minimum combination of four (4) species will be used for the supplemental planting and will be selected based
on availability. Stems will be planted in/around CVS plots. Monitoring will continue within CVS Plots 18, 19, and 20
for at least one (1) year to ensure tree survival and vigor. All other CVS plots will be released from monitoring.
Table 1: Supplemental planting species, shade tolerance, and wetland indicator status
Common Name
Scientific Name
Shade Tolerance
Wetland Indicator
Black gum
Nyssa sylvatica
Sun, Part Shade, Shade
FAC
Ironwood
Carpinus caroliniana
Part Shade, Shade
FAC
Persimmon
Diospyros virgiana
Part Shade
FAC
Redbud
Cercis canadensis
Part Shade, Shade
UPL
Water Oak
Quercus nigra
Part Shade
FAC
Tulip Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera
Sun, Part Shade, Shade
FACU
Note — All species listed were approved in the stream and wetland Mitigation Plan
RS will photograph the completed work and submit an AMP Completion Notice to DWR and separately to the
USACE in the annual stream mitigation monitoring report.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 910.840.3809.

Restoration Systems, LLC
Benton Branch (DWR# 2014-1149-V9) Closeout AMP
June 8, 2023
Page 2
Sincerely,
Josh Merritt
Project Manager
Restoration Systems, LLC
Attachments:
Site Closeout Field Notes
Figure 1

Restoration Systems, LLC
Benton Branch (DWR# 2014-114949) Closeout AMP
June 8, 2023
Page 3
Site Closeout Field Notes
Benton Branch (DWR No. 2014-1149 v9):
- In and around Veg Plots 18-20
o There were many areas void of stems all -together. Where stems were present along the riparian
restoration areas of Benton Branch, they rarely exceeded two feet and vigor was low. Two
figures are attached to this email showing the areas of vegetation concern along Benton Branch.
o Stems within veg plots 18, 19 and 20 were representative of the areas surrounding the plots
- Katie's Comments (virtually two methods to proceed with). DWR will proceed with approving Method 1
Method 1 (Partial credit release)
■ Task 8: Full release
■ Task 9: 5% release — Credit release for Task 8 & Task 9 are contingent upon receiving the
Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) for riparian restoration areas along Benton
Branch. Figures showing the AMP areas are attached to this email.
■ Implement an adaptive management plan for the problematic area.
• AMP (Soil sampling, plant one row of 3-gallon deer-resistant/shade-tolerant
trees, possibly use tree tubes if planted height isn't sufficient to limit deer
browsing, and possible soil amendments depending on soil samples).
■ Submit proof of completion (Photo documentation, species, dates, etc.)
■ Continued monitoring for at least one (1) years - released from monitoring on all veg
data except for the veg plots along "Benton Branch." These include plots 18, 19 and 20.
DWR will not be able to allow Method 2. Method 2 (Full credit lease once an AMP is submitted,
approved, and implemented)
■ DWR indicated a full credit release could occur if the problematic veg plots (18-20)
coincide with the IRT's stream mitigation veg monitoring - they do.
• If this is the allowable path forward, RS will implement the AMP outlined in
Method 1 and will add two random vegetation transects in the areas of
vegetation plots 18, 19, and 20 to the yearly stream and wetland monitoring
reports (MY6 and MY7)