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Home My WebLink About20221573 Ver 1_RS_Big Buffalo--Bluebird--Project Approach Review with IRT - NotesRestoration Systems, LLC 1101 Haynes St. Suite 211 Raleigh, North Carolina Ph: (919) 755-9490 September 12, 2023 Fx: (919) 755-9492 Jeremiah Dow Eastern Project Manager, Division of Mitigation Services North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality jeremiah.dow@ncdenr.gov Subject: Project Approach Review with IRT Big Buffalo SAW-2022-02124 / DWR # 20221573 DMS Contract #: 452048014-03; DMS Project ID: 100639; RFP # 16-452048014 Bluebird Post Contract Site Visit Notes USACE # SAW-2022-02402 / DWR # 20221572 DMS Contract #: 452048014-02; DMS Project ID: 100637; RFP # 16-452048014 At Restoration Systems (RS) request, a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting was held on September 6, 2023, to review mitigation approaches at the two subject NCDMS Mitigation Sites. Below is an overview of the meeting request sent on August 315t via email. The e-mail request summary is followed by meeting notes. Attendees: USAC E: Division of Mitigation Services: Axiom Environmental: - Kim Isenhour - Jeremiah Dow - Grant Lewis - Casey Haywood Restoration Systems: NC DWR: - Raymond Holz - Maria Polizzi Email Request/Overview of Meeting Purpose: Big Buffalo (SAW-2022-02124, DWR # 20221573) Key Item to Discuss: North Prong of the Rocky River — Axiom river walk/discoveries. At the Post -Contract Site visit, the IRT requested RS/Axiom walk and document the current conditions of the Rocky River. Axiom completed this work on July 31St, taking GPS points at each photo point. A map depicting the photo points and the matching photo log is attached. During the walk, an approximately 4-foot-tall concrete dam was located on bedrock. The dam impounds approximately 1,296 linear feet of N. Prong Rocky River (as determined during the reach walk). A partially breached earthen dam was located approximately 50 feet below the concrete dam. Photographs of both dams have been included with this correspondence (Photo Points 34-37 in Figure 1). Restoration Systems would like to discuss the removal of these two dams and a piped crossing with the IRT. The IRT visited the piped crossing during the Site visit. However, the concrete dam and partially breached dam have recently been discovered. IRS believes the proper action is to remove the dams to return natural flow to the Rocky River and receiving streams. As this reach was proposed for Enhancement (Level II) at a 10:1 ratio, IRS would like to discuss the possibility of Enhancement (Level II) for the impounded reach at a different ratio. The agreed -upon ratio would be requested for the stream footage directly impounded by the concrete dam. 1101 Haynes St., Suite 211 • Raleigh, NC 27604 • www.restorationsystems.com • Ph 919.755.9490 • Fx 919.755.9492 Microsoft Teams Meeting / Notes / Big Buffalo & Bluebird Page 2 2023/09/06 Bluebird (SAW-2022-02402, DWR # 20221572) Key Item to Discuss: Restoration of UT2 to its historic valley. During the Post -Contract Site visit, we discussed, and it was requested that an alternatives analysis be conducted on the proposed restoration of UT2. Currently, UT2 is ditched and has been directed into UT 6 (Figure 2). IRS is proposing to turn UT 2 down through its historic valley and tie the reach into UT 4 (Figure 3). We would like to get some feedback from you that we are progressing appropriately based on our analysis. Information on the analysis of UT 2 includes the following: UT 2 originates approximately 150 feet west of Arthur Teague Road, where the channel is characterized by incision, straightening, and buffer removal activities. It flows into a culvert under the road before entering the Site. Detailed topographical survey data, historical aerial photography, and QL2 LiDAR data were used to determine that UT 2 was ditched, dredged, and redirected from the road culvert across a flat ridge and into the next valley, where it flows into UT 6. Surveyed topographic contour lines are depicted in Figure 3, QL2 LiDAR data is detailed in Figure 4, and historic (1955) aerial imagery is included in Figure 5. This data provides sufficient evidence that the proposed restoration plan of restoring UT 2 into its historic valley is the proper mitigation alternative. Team Meeting Notes: Those IRT members on the Team meeting and currently scheduled to review these sites attended the post -contract IRT Site visit. Big Buffalo (SAW-2022-02124, DWR # 20221573) A larger overview of Big Buffalo was given, along with an overview of the discussion regarding Rocky River during the IRT post -contract site visit. Grant discussed his site visit/walk of the Rocky River, the process of taking GPS points, and photo documentation. - The removal of the dilapidated existing pipe crossing was discussed. - Grant then discussed the concrete dam located on the Rocky River and RS's/Axiom's opinion that the dam should be removed. IRT Comments During Discussion: - Kim Isenhour o Open to removing the dam but hesitant to provide a ratio - wants to know what the banks will look like. o Up to IRS to justify the proposed ratio in the mitigation Plan. o Functional uplift ■ Species, Cape Fear shiner ■ Planting/live staking ■ Bank work? Casey — asked about 1300 foot "restoration" length. How was impoundment calculated? o Visual observations during the site walk of where flow stopped, GPS point was taken. o May require additional survey effort to confirm the top of dam elevation and impoundment elevation/length. o The term "Restoration" on the figure did not indicate the mitigation approach but referred to the physical removal of the dam and restoration of aquatic passage and flow regime to the reach. Maria requested additional information regarding the physical, albeit a natural barrier that would remain once the concrete dam was removed. o A review of upstream and downstream photographs shows the natural bedrock and rock riffle immediately downstream. o Grant discussed that with the dam removed, average flow in the river would cover the bedrock and rock riffle, allowing for aquatic passage. Microsoft Teams Meeting / Notes / Big Buffalo & Bluebird 2023/09/06 Page 3 - In general, the group noted it was difficult to see the scale of the dam in the photos provided, and a fall site visit was discussed. IRS is open to dam removal and may request a lower ratio with adequate justification; however, if a lower ratio requires additional earthwork within the impounded reach, i.e., bank stabilization and monitoring requirements, it may elect to remove the dam but forgo a request for a lower ratio. Other: - The conservation easement will include areas under the existing 100-foot powerline that bi-sec the site and treat them as internal easement breaks. Mitigation work will continue within these areas as proposed. However, no credit will be given. IRS will work with Blane Rice at the State Property Office to ensure the conservation easement language is clear regarding the powerline ROW maintenance. Bluebird (SAW-2022-02402, DWR # 20221572) Grant gave an overview of the site, the tributary in question (UT4), and the request to confirm the proposed approach. Data reviewed included: - Review surveyed topography from 2023 completed survey efforts. o Location of the channel as it enters the site, which is one distinctive valley. o The manipulation of the channel via ditching, straightening, and re-routing of the feature across the ridge line/saddle between two peaks and into an alternate valley o The restoration approach includes restoring the feature to its historic valley within the topographic crenulation of which it enters the site. Soils, LiDAR, and benthic data were also reviewed. Jeremiah spoke in favor of the approach from DMS' standpoint. USACE/DWR supported the approach but reiterated the need for justification in the mitigation plan. The possibility of a fall site visit was discussed. Attachments: Big Buffalo, Rocky River Investigation Documentation - Bluebird, UT4 Alternatives Analysis Figures BIG BUFFALO (SAW-2022-02124, DWR # 20221573) ROCKY RIVER INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTATION Big Buffalo Site Restoration Systems, LLC Chatham County, NC -low- 6 -IWO ra. Jr juw I+F 04, . . . . . . . . . ... Big Buffalo North Prong Rocky River Photo Log Photos Taken July 31, 2023 Mitigation Plan (Project No. 100639) Big Buffalo Mitigation Site Appendices Restoration Systems, LLC OW `err ' ri 00 ;tea-• ��=t .•T'. AL— s`. .sAL L .. K.+� . r Big Buffalo North Prong Rocky River Photo Log Photos Taken July 31, 2023 Mitigation Plan (Project No. 100639) Big Buffalo Mitigation Site Appendices Restoration Systems, LLC 'iii�iQS..P.�;'�L.:.wi--, .� if"' �' '�i•k ,-� .eft ST::Q+ •'_�I •mow. :�� .t 1. �,fF.' '.+e .: - • • f • y � +e" '--t/-r, •-q .. .. "" � .-�_ f •{ i-} �"'`� • '•s�f. ft F `c. t" 4 � . 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P�Jy •� i ri . _v J,d�r J. £tip Ll VF - •- - -` "�i- - `._ •.. - - - � � ,'.r _ _ _ .ram.-' Big Buffalo North Prong Rocky River Photo Log Photos Taken July 31, 2023 Mitigation Plan (Project No. 100639) Big Buffalo Mitigation Site Appendices Restoration Systems, LLC �s y.•1.' �y-�Y"lab' :!SiL.1Ytii7V?.. _ _ •- �'� Big Buffalo North Prong Rocky River Photo Log Photos Taken July 31, 2023 Mitigation Plan (Project No. 100639) Big Buffalo Mitigation Site Appendices Restoration Systems, LLC Big Buffalo North Prong Rocky River Photo Log Photos Taken July 31, 2023 Mitigation Plan (Project No. 100639) Big Buffalo Mitigation Site Appendices Restoration Systems, LLC BLUEBIRD (SAW-2022-02402, DWR # 20221572) ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS - FIGURES Bluebird Site Restoration Systems, LLC Chatham County, NC W U m o co N Y 0 0 a O h Y U Z CN a N Z Z O W W mo o F� N W 3 � F U � �Q X°z a o C� m r W O z a a U F o o Uo a U N OLL aaJ17 N O N N N '0 O '0 14.. 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