20200369 Ver 1_MY0-MY1(2023)_IRT Site Visit Notes

Restoration Systems, LLC
1101 Haynes St. Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina
Ph: [phone]
July 24, 2023 Fx: [phone]
Matthew Reid
Project Manager
Division of Mitigation Services
Sent via email to: [e-mail]
Subject: Wits End, MYO/MY1(2023) IRT Site Visit Notes
DMS Project No. 100164
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2020-00455 & DWR Project No. 20200369
On July 18, 2023, Restoration Systems (RS) held an on -site meeting with regulatory agencies to review and discuss
the Wits End Mitigation Site (Site). Below is a list of attendees and site visit notes.
Attendees:
USAC E:
- Steven Kichefski
- Erin Davis
Site Visit Notes:
General
NC DWR:
Maria Polizzi
- Mac Haupt
NC DMS:
- Matthew Reid
Restoration Systems:
- Raymond Holz
- Alex Baldwin
- Josh Merritt
Axiom Environmental:
- Grant Lewis
A review of the Wits End Mitigation Plan Addendum/Modification was conducted before the walkthrough
began. Each item in the addendum was discussed, and the as -built Record Drawings were reviewed to
inform the IRT of the requested changes.
• Erin Davis noted the Site's permanent seed mix included Roundhead Lespedeza (Lespedeza capitata), or
Bush Clover/Round-headed Bush Clover, which is native to the north/southeastern USA
(https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lespedeza-capitata/).
IRS reviewed the planted seed mixed, and Roundhead Lespedeza was planted as indicated in the MYO
Report. It accounted for 0.50% of the Site's permanent seed mix and should not be misinterpreted with
IRS seeding the highly invasive Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). During the site visit/walk-through,
there was no observance of a monoculture that had formed. Roundhead Lespedeza is well -suited for clay,
loam (silt), sand, and shallow rocky soils, which comprise most of the Site. IRS will continue to watch for
the development of Roundhead Lespedeza monocultures at the site. However, given the low -percentage
Roundhead Lespedeza planted and the Site's current herbaceous condition, IRS does not expect
monocultures to develop.
The group discussed the as -built stream profile through the former pond, which indicates the channel was
constructed lower than designed. Permanent stream cross -sections through this reach show the channel
was constructed properly, with an appropriate relationship between the channel's bankfull and the
restored floodplain. Survey rod discrepancies are assumed to be the cause, as no other profile issues were
observed in the as -built drawings. IRS will continue to monitor this reach of Waxhaw Branch for any
downcutting or subsidence of the channel.
Eastern Cottonwood — The IRT verbally agreed that it was okay to count Eastern Cottonwood on -site as a
volunteer species towards Site vegetative performance standards during future monitoring years. Moving
forward, Eastern Cottonwood will be recorded as an "Approved Post Mit Plan" species and capped at 10%
for any one fix or random vegetation monitoring plot. IRS will need to keep an eye on Eastern Cottonwood
monoculture development, as areas of dense recruits were observed during the visit, particularly around
the confluence of UT3 and UT3A.
1101 Haynes St., Suite 211 • Raleigh, NC 27604 • www.restorationsystems.com • Ph 919.755.9490 • Fx 919.755.9492

Wits End, MYO/MY1 (2023) IRT Site Visit Notes
DMS Project No. 100164
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2020-00455 & DWR Project No. 20200369
Page 2
• IRS must watch for monoculture development of Eastern Cottonwood, Red Maple, Sweet Gum, Green Ash,
and pine throughout the Site. If by MY3 (2025) development of monocultures exists that our out -
competing planted tree species, IRS may have to thin/remove the species referenced above.
• Missing flow gauges — In discussions with the Axiom Environmental monitoring crew, flow gauges were
present at the Site in early July. The group observed missing flow gauges along UT3 and UT4 during the
visit. These gauges are believed to have been washed away during heavy rains/flows. New gauges have
been ordered and will be installed as soon as possible.
• The IRT requested winter -time photos of the Site moving forward.
• The IRT indicated they would like to visit the site before the MY3 (2025) credit release meeting, which
would be between January and March of 2026.
• In the near future, IRS will submit an Adaptive Management Plan to the IRT to address pond bed
cracking/subsurface flow within the wetland areas along the right floodplain of Waxhaw Branch within the
former pond.
Waxhaw Branch/Old Pond Bed
• The IRT requested IRS map and plot pond bed cracking and bare areas on the CCPV moving forward.
• Waxhaw Branch — IRS discussed the construction process of Waxhaw Branch through the old pond bed.
The IRT requested that IRS closely watch wetland development where pond -bed soils were removed and
replaced during construction, as wetlands may not develop within the +/- 15-foot corridor along Waxhaw
Branch. The subject area is proposed for wetland credit but may need to be modified/removed depending
on wetland development.
• The IRT was pleased to see the general coverage of wetland monitoring gauges throughout the Site.
However, it was noted that as wetland development continues, gauge placement may need to be altered
to monitor the Site's wetlands appropriately, as wetlands are likely to contract/expand from those
proposed in the Mitigation Plan.
UT2
• The IRT walked the lower portion of UT2 from its confluence with Waxhaw Branch in the old pond bed to
BMP/wetland draw located off the right bank of UT2 above the constructed ford crossing.
In general, significantly less pond bed cracking/soil structure issues were observed along U2 in the
old pond bed.
- The ford crossing was stable and well -vegetated upstream and downstream.
- The BMP was holding water, and IRS discussed that no rock was used at the outfall of the BMP, and
instead, woody debris and live stakes were used to stabilize the outfall. Woody debris was present,
and live stakes were established.
UT3 & 3A
• Review of the Mitigation Plan Modification of UT3/3A and the Enhancement 2 Reach of UT3 was
conducted. The IRT observed the confluence drop structure of UT3/3A into the existing UT3 channel
without concern. IRS will monitor the effect, if any, of the UT3 E2 Reach on the proposed floodplain
wetlands.
• The IRT reviewed the former floodplain pond along UT3, which was filled with woody debris and planted
with bare roots and live stakes. Herbaceous vegetation had been established and was functioning as
proposed/in line with the IRT's wishes. This is one area with heavy Eastern Cottonwood recruits and could
require removal/thinning in future monitoring years.

Wits End, MYO/MY1 (2023) IRT Site Visit Notes
DIMS Project No. 100164
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2020-00455 & DWR Project No. 20200369
Page 3
UT4 &5
• The IRT walked UT4 from the mounted flow gauge, which was missing — as previously discussed, to UT4's
confluence with UT5 and Waxhaw Branch. It was noted that UT4 had re-established nicely with the
removal of pine trees within the easement footprint, but concern with pine recruits was high. IRS will watch
this area, and pine removal/thinning will likely need to occur during later monitoring years.
Waxhaw Branch / Forest Reach
The walk-through ended with a review of the Site's outfall/drop structure. Beaver activity is present
downstream of the Site, across Snyder Store Road, to the point that a portion of the outfall structure was
inundated. A very small, +/- 6-inch mud -constructed beaver dam was observed at the top of the outfall
structure. IRS will continue to monitor beaver activity, but at this point, the observed activity was not a
detriment to the reach.
The IRT reviewed the former floodplain pond located in the left floodplain of Waxhaw Branch. During
construction, IRS removed the earthen impoundment around the former pond, which was then filled with
woody debris and planted with bare roots and live stakes. Herbaceous vegetation had been established
and was functioning as proposed/in line with the IRT's wishes.