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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20160393 Ver 4_Final BPDP - Bandit Farms - FOR SUBMITTAL 091323_20230913ID#* 20160393 Version* 4 Select Reviewer: Blake Hartshorn Initial Review Completed Date 09/13/2023 Mitigation Project Submittal - 9/13/2023 Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site?* Yes No Type of Mitigation Project:* Stream Wetlands Buffer Nutrient Offset (Select all that apply) Project Contact Information Contact Name: * Email Address: Daniel Ramsay dramsay@Restorecology.com Project Information ID#: * 20160393 Version: * 4 Existing ID# Existing Version Project Type: DMS Mitigation Bank Project Name: Bandit Farms Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset Bank County: Orange Document Information Mitigation Document Type:* Mitigation Plans File Upload: Final BPDP - Bandit Farms - FOR SUBMITTAL 14.94MB 091323.pdf Please upload only one PDF of the complete file that needs to be submitted... Signature Print Name:* Daniel Ramsay Signature: * 0r?-V.-W'�P4W'k?f Comment -Response for Bandit Farms BPDP The following contains RestorEcology Jordan, LLC's (RestorEcology) responses to comments from the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) dated August 29, 2023 on the Bandit Farms Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) dated June 5, 2023. A comment -review meeting was held on September 8, 2023 with DWR staff. Page 1: 1. 8-digit HUC is irrelevant. replace with the 14 digit HUC. Response: Revised as requested. 2. Please add the DWR# on title page. Response: Revised as requested. Page 4: 1 and 2. Remove term "Mitigation" from Nutrient Offset and add after "Buffer" Response: Revised as requested. 3. Project #: 2016-0393v4 Response: Revised as requested. 4. Page 3, Insert "proposed." Response: Revised as requested. 5. Insert "intending to be made." Response: Revised as requested. 6. This rule is not applicable..0273 is for permittees with stormwater. Response: Removed as requested. 7. Insert "proposed." Response: Revised as requested. 8. Insert "Bank Parcel (DWR#2016-0393v1)" Response: Revised as requested. 9, 10, 11, and 12. Remove "Ib" from Nitrogen and Phosphorus and replace with "nutrient offset credits." Response: Revised as requested. 13. Insert "Sub -watershed." Response: Revised as requested. Bandit Farms BPDP: Comment -Response Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 1 September 2023 Page 5: 1. There is no "existing conditions" labeled figure. Response: Title for Figure 2 changed to "Existing Conditions." 2. Please indicate if there have been any land use changes within the riparian areas proposed in Fig2 and shown in Appendix A. If there have not been any land use changes please indicate that in this section. Response: This is now indicated at the beginning of Section 2.2. Page 6: 1. Please provide the source for where you got this information (does not need to be in the report just in the comment response). Response: The source is NCDOT HUC14 for ESM application, accessed at: . _. _X. htrr -.Prvices.ncdot.gov/arcgis/rest/se rvices/NCDOTApp ESM/NCDOT HUC14/MapServer on September 1, 2023. 2. Please do not include anything about credit potential in the Parcel Summary. We have the project credit table for that. Response: Noted and removed. 3. When referring to nutrient offset, the term "mitigation" is irrelevant. We do not refer to nutrient offsets as "mitigation." Response: Noted and changed throughout. Mitigation will only be used to refer to buffer. 4. Remove "Mitigation" from "Nutrient Offset Mitigation" in Section Title Response: Removed as requested. Page 7: 1. Please provide the drainage area that is relative to what is needed for .0295(o)(7) along the Ephemeral channel of C1 and verify in writing that the riparian restoration of C1 meets the requirements in (o)(7). Response: Drainage area relevant to (o)(7) now included in Table 4.0 and added to Figure 5. Verified in writing in Section 2.3 that the riparian restoration of C1 meets the requirements in (o)(7. Page 10: 1. This site should be considered for fescue treatment during the site preparation stage. Lands historically used as managed cattle pasture and grazing are also usually compacted and would make planting of bare roots Bandit Farms BPDP: Comment -Response Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 2 September 2023 susceptible to poor soil conditions. Why is the Bank Sponsor not proposing to amend soils, provide fescue treatments, or rip as part of this site preparation phase? Response: Soils have been augered to check for the presence of hardpan layer, and none was identified. Therefore ripping was not prescribed. The Sponsor would prefer to avoid widespread herbicide usage for site ecology unless deemed necessary during monitoring of tree/shrub establishment success. The planting area will be bushhogged prior to planting to promote seedling establishment. Herbaceous cover is relatively diverse in the former pasture area, which is located on the far west side of the Parcel along Stream A and Morgan Creek. Based on the vigor of existing vegetation throughout the Parcel, widespread fertilization is not deemed necessary. Bare soil areas present at bank approval will be fertilized, seeded, and strawed as part of construction following approval. 2. DWR does not allow Black Walnut to be planted due to the allelopathic properties." Response: Noted and removed. Page 11: 1. It says you want to use trees and shrubs towards your performance standard however Table 8 does not indicate tree vs. shrub. Please add a column with this information clearly identifying what is shrub and tree. Response: The planting table has been updated to indicate shrub vs. tree. 2. If 15 species (I excluded black walnut) of trees are shown in the table, DWR expects 15 species to be planted. If anticipating to plant only 7 from the list, DWR cannot confirm the density percentages column would comply with the performance standard of "no one tree species will be greater than 50%" as noted on Rule .0295 (n)(2). At this time the density according to Table 8 is not accurate unless all 15 species are planted. It is understood that changes to planting plans can happen. If any changes are needed to the planting list before planting, the Provider will need to submit a request to DWR for approval of the modified planting list if not listed as an approved tree in Table 8. DWR will accept a few substitutions if RestorEcology wants to include a table as potential substitutions in a Table 8b but you must include the % those subs are intended to be utilized in the case you need those substitutions. Response: Table 8.0 has been separated into primary species (Table 8.1) and substitute species (Table 8.2) to address this comment. Density percentages have been updated accordingly. 3. Change all terminology from "buffer" to "riparian." Response: reviewed BPDP for appropriate changes and made them. 4. Revise "buffer" to "buffer and adjacent riparian area." Response: revised to read "riparian restoration areas" 5 and 6. Revise "buffer restoration areas" to "riparian buffer credit and nutrient offset credit area." Response: revised as requested 7. Please add "vigor" into the evaluation. Response: added as requested. Bandit Farms BPDP: Comment -Response Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 3 September 2023 8. Insert "and data included in the annual monitoring report." Response: inserted as requested. Page 12: 1. There is no Jordan protected buffer here. remove last sentence. Response: Based on additional discussion in 9/8/2023 meeting, this comment does not apply. Edited this section to clarify notification requirements for mowing. Recommended that mowing within the riparian restoration areas to promote planting establishment be deemed an allowable form of maintenance for the Parcel during the monitoring period. Page 13: 1 and 2. Remove two instances of "buffer." Response: Removed as requested. 3. Please add the credit table attachment in Section 7.0 instead of a separate appendix. Response: added as requested. 4. Generated Credits are no longer needed therefore they do not need to be referenced in the BPDP. Response: removed Table 9.0 and discussion of Generated Credits as requested. 5. How did you confirm this HUC? what link did you use? Response: please see source provided above in response for Page 6, Comment 1. Page 15 - Project Credits Table: 1. For simplicity, since all these streams are subject, you could consolidate all the streams (A, Morgan, C2, 61, 62) into one row for each width category. Remember, the survey has to match this table and your corresponding figure. The more complicated the table, the more complicated the survey has to be. Response: Condensed restoration and preservation by width category as requested and broke out Ephemeral C1 and Nutrient Offset on 61 into separate rows. 2. The grey area on Figure 7 has to be quantified here in a transparent way. This area will also have to be shown on the as -built survey. Choose "Buffer" for credit type, for Feature Name, label it "Non-credit Area <30' ". Do not put a ft2 amount in the "Total (Creditable) area" column and check "No" for RBC and NOC. Response: As discussed in the 9/8/23 meeting, the No Credit area will not be planted other than for easement visibility, and thus does not need to be included in the Project Credits Table. 3. Can these rows be consolidated like on the other BPDP? Response: Consolidated as requested. Bandit Farms BPDP: Comment -Response Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 4 September 2023 4. Make sure you are using the most recent table updated in July 2023, which is found only online here: https://deg.nc.gov/water-quality/surface-water-protection/401/mitigation/project-credit-table-tem plate- u pdated-november-2022" Response: We used the table available as of the BPDP submittal date of June 5, 2023. For this revised BPDP we have used the most recent table updated in July 2023. Page 19 - Figure 2: 1. 1 like this. Can you add this to other figures? Response: Added Maple View Bank Parcel Conservation Easement Area to other figures as requested. 2. Insert "Bank Parcel Conservation" between "View" and "Easement" in the Legend Response: Revised as requested. Page 20 — Figure 3: 1. Insert "for Riparian Buffer Credits & Nutrient Offset Credits." Response: Inserted into title as requested. 2. Insert "Jordan Lake" into Legend. Response: Inserted as requested. 3. Empty Comment in Legend. Response: No changes made. 4. There is no reason to list the Lower New Hope service area because this bank site cannot provide credits to that service area. Remove that boundary. Response: Removed as requested. 5. Remove "Lower New Hope Service Area" from Legend. Response: Removed as requested. Page 24 — Figure 7: 1. It may be more appropriate for the nutrient offset credits to be generated off C1 instead, leaving this area as Buffer. It's okay as proposed, just may want to reconsider. Response: RestorEcology would prefer to leave this as -is, which was affirmed by DWR in the 9/8/2023 meeting. 2. It is hard to tell where this easement line is. Please add a callout here and a zoomed in picture of this easement line. I need to confirm that the easement line includes the other site of the Ephemeral channel, not the center -line. I also need to see if this is the Greyed out area called out in the legend as "no credit." Bandit Farms BPDP: Comment -Response Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 5 September 2023 Response: Added zoomed -in view of the upper section of C1 to Figure 7 and changed symbology to red to make this clear as one of the "No Credit" areas. The proposed easement includes at least 4.5 feet beyond the left bank Top -of -Bank, and this is based on survey locations. The other three areas of "No Credit" should now be more visible on the west side of Stream C2 and B2 where preservation is less than 30 feet from Top -of -Bank. RestorEcology did not think it worthwhile to account for reduced preservation credit ratios less than 30 feet from Top -of -Bank in these three areas. 3. Change to "Riparian Restoration for RBC." Response: Revised as requested. 4. Change to "Riparian Preservation for RBC." Response: Revised as requested. 5. Change to "Riparian Restoration for NOC." Response: Revised as requested. 6. Change this to read "Proposed Conservation Easement Boundary". Make this change on all figures. Response: Revised as requested. 7. Change to Riparian Restoration for RBC." Response: Revised as requested. 8. Where is this area? why is it "no credit"? Response: see Page 24 Comment 2 and response above. Page 25, Figure 8: 1. Show the C2 origin point on all Figures. Response: added to Figures 5, 7, 8, and 9 in addition to Figure 2. The other figures are at a zoomed -out scale and it did not fit well on those figures. 2. See comments on Figure 7 and change. Response: matched to Figure 7 as requested. 3. The easement boundary is black and the 100' is dark blue. Change the easement boundary color so that it doesn't get confused with the 100' boundary. Make this change on all figures. Response: RestorEcology elected to revise the 100' boundary to be a purple color to differentiate it from the proposed conservation easement boundary and other colors on the figure. We prefer to keep the proposed conservation easement boundary color black on Figures 7, 8, and 9. 4 and S. Change "buffer" to "riparian" in legend and map title. Response: revised as requested. 6. We don't use the term Buffer loosely. It should only be used when describing the Zone 1 and Zone 2 of the Jordan lake protected riparian buffer, which doesn't apply to this site. All areas adjacent to the streams on this Bandit Farms BPDP: Comment -Response Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 6 September 2023 site should be referred to as "riparian areas" and not "buffer" areas. Be sure to correct this throughout your BPDP. Response: revised as requested throughout the BPDP to the correct usage of "buffer." It is also noted in the Page 12 Comment 1 Response that the Jordan Lake protected riparian buffer does apply to the Parcel. Page 26 — Figure 9: 1. See comments on Figure 7 and change. Response: Revised as requested. Bandit Farms Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake BPDP: Comment -Response 7 September 2023 BANDIT FARMS Bank Parcel Development Package DWR# 2016-0393v4 14-Digit HUC: 03030002060070 Upper New Hope Arm - Jordan Lake �RESTORECOLOGY RESTORECOLOGY JORDAN, LLC Version 2 September 13, 2023 Table of Contents 1.0 Project Introduction.............................................................................................................................................3 1.1 Project Description.................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.0 Mitigation Project Summary....................................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Project Goals............................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Existing Parcel Conditions..................................................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Site Viability for Riparian Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset................................................................... 5 2.4 Watershed Characterization................................................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Soils............................................................................................................................................................................ 6 2.6 Existing Vegetative Communities......................................................................................................................... 7 2.7 Threatened and Endangered Species.................................................................................................................... 8 2.8 Cultural Resources................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.9 FEMA Floodplain Compliance............................................................................................................................. 8 2.10 Parcel Location, Parcel Constraints, and Access.............................................................................................. 8 2.11 Other Environmental Conditions....................................................................................................................... 9 3.0 Site Protection Instrument.......................................................................................................................................... 9 4.0 Mitigation Work Plan................................................................................................................................................... 9 4.1 Parcel Preparation.................................................................................................................................................... 9 4.2 Riparian Area Restoration Activities..................................................................................................................... 9 4.3 Riparian Area Preservation Activities.................................................................................................................10 4.4 DWR As -Built Evaluation....................................................................................................................................11 5.0 Monitoring and Maintenance Plan..........................................................................................................................11 5.1 Monitoring Protocol..............................................................................................................................................11 5.2 Parcel Maintenance................................................................................................................................................11 5.3 Easement Boundaries............................................................................................................................................12 6.0 Financial Assurance and Long -Term Management..............................................................................................12 6.1 Financial Assurances.............................................................................................................................................12 6.2 Long -Term Management......................................................................................................................................12 7.0 Project Credit Potential.............................................................................................................................................12 7.1 Riparian Buffer Credits.........................................................................................................................................12 7.2 Nutrient Offset Credits.........................................................................................................................................13 8.0 References....................................................................................................................................................................14 Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 1 September 2023 Tables Table 1.0 - Water Quality and Ecology Goals for the Parcel Table 2.0 - Parcel Summary Table 3.0 - Site Viability Summary Table 4.0 - Drainage Areas and Land Uses Table 5.0 - Soil Types Table 6.0 - Existing Vegetation Table 7.0 - Site Protection Instrument Table 8.1 — Primary Planting List Table 8.2 — Substitute Planting List Table 9.0 - Delivery Factors & Credit Conversion Ratio Table 10.0 - Bandit Farms Project Credit Table Figures Figure 1 - Vicinity Map Figure 2 - Existing Conditions Figure 3 - Service Area Map Figure 4 - USGS Topographic Map Figure 5 - Watershed Map Figure 6 - Soils Map Figure 7 - Credit Areas Map Figure 8 - Riparian Zones Map Figure 9 - Monitoring Components Map Appendices Appendix A - Current Land Use Photographs Appendix B - Historical Aerials Appendix C - Stream Determination Appendix D - Buffer Viability Appendix E - Regulatory Correspondence Appendix F - EDR Radius Map Report: Executive Summary Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 2 September 2023 1.0 Project Introduction The Bandit Farms Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset Bank Parcel (the Parcel) is proposed in the Upper New Hope Arm of Jordan Lake (Upper New Hope). The Parcel (NC Division of Water Resources [DWR]# 2016-0393v4) is being developed under the proposed Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) intending to be made and entered into by RestorEcology Jordan, LLC (RestorEcology) and the NC Department of Environmental Quality — Division of Water Resources (DWR). This Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) has been prepared in accordance with the proposed MBI and applicable State of NC Regulations (15A NCAC 02B .0295 and §.0703). The Parcel has received a Stream Determination Letter dated December 7, 2022, and a Site Viability Letter dated December 9, 2022. After these letters were issued, the Parcel received a new Sponsor in RestorEcology, and an updated Site Viability Letter was issued April 12, 2023. BPDP Comments from DWR were received August 29, 2023, and this BPDP has been revised to address the comments. 1.1 Project Description The Parcel is located south of Dairyland Road in unincorporated Orange County, North Carolina (Lat/Lon Coordinates: 35°58'30.10"N, 79' 8'45.89"W). Directions to the Parcel are included in Figure 1. The property containing the Parcel has been a dairy farm for much of its history and is currently being converted to viticulture. The Parcel is in the Upper New Hope, within the University Lake 14-digit HUC 03030002060070, and Morgan Creek is the named receiving stream on the Parcel. To develop the Parcel as an Upper New Hope riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset bank, approximately 12.8 acres of cropland will be planted with native hardwood trees to lessen nutrient inputs into the streams from agricultural activities and provide restored riparian areas. Existing wooded riparian areas within the Parcel will be preserved, resulting in a total Parcel size of approximately 17.5 acres. Notably, the Project is expanding on a previous mitigation bank project called Maple View Bank Parcel (DWR# 2016- 0393v1) on the property, shown in Figure 2. Riparian buffer credits, nitrogen nutrient offset credits, and phosphorus nutrient offset credits will be generated by the Project and sold to permittees in the Upper New Hope Sub -watershed. The Parcel Service Area Map is provided as Figure 3. 2.0 Mitigation Project Summary 2.1 Project Goals The overarching goals of the Parcel are to improve water quality and ecology in streams and a viable ephemeral feature by restoring and expanding a hardwood riparian corridor. These improvements will positively affect Morgan Creek, which flows to University Lake and eventually into the Upper New Hope Arm of Jordan Lake. Specific goals are described in Table 1.0 as follows: Table 1.0 - Water Quality and Ecology Goals for the Parcel Water Quality and Ecology Goals Objectives Decrease nutrient levels Converting cropland along the streams to a restored hardwood riparian corridor will diminish nutrient inputs directly into the streams and provide a forested area where nutrient inputs can be further reduced by biogeochemical processes in the soil before entering the streams. Decrease sediment input Providing a restored hardwood riparian corridor along the streams will filter and decrease sediment flows from adjacent fields. Restoring and Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 3 September 2023 Water Quality and Ecology Goals Objectives preserving wooded floodplains along the streams will allow for deposition of off -site sediment sources in the flood lain. Decrease water temperature and increase dissolved Increased shading of streams as the restored oxygen concentrations hardwood forest matures will decrease water temperatures and allow for increased dissolved oxygen concentrations. Restore appropriate terrestrial habitat Invasive seed sources in the Parcel will be treated to promote establishment of a restored native hardwood forest community. Permanently protect Parcel The Parcel will be protected by a perpetual conservation easement. 2.2 Existing Parcel Conditions As of the date of this BPDP, there have not been any land use changes within the riparian areas proposed in Figure 2 and shown in Appendix A since the updated Site Viability Letter issued April 12, 2023. As depicted in the historical aerial photographs provided in Appendix B, land use has remained relatively unchanged since at least 1993. Cropland, hay, and pasture have been the primary agricultural uses outside of the wooded areas. The property around the Parcel is planned for viticulture associated with a winery being constructed on the north side of Dairyland Road. Viable Parcel features and existing riparian area conditions are described as follows (see Figure 2 for feature references, and photos in Appendix A): Morgan Creek: Morgan Creek flows west to east across the south side of the Parcel. It is a perennial stream, with a heavily -wooded, mature forest on the right bank, and variable -width forest on the left bank that ranges from 25 to 75 feet wide. Outside of the forested area on the left bank is a cropland area that will be restored via plantings described in Section 4.0. Stream A: Stream A flows north to south from Dairyland Road and confluences with Morgan Creek. It is also a perennial stream with a more entrenched appearance than Morgan Creek. The left bank has a mature wooded riparian area that is generally greater than 100 feet in width. The right bank has a narrow wooded riparian area ranging from 0 to 25 feet wide, with a cropland area that extends out beyond 200 feet. Stream B: Stream B is the easternmost tributary on the Parcel. It flows north to south from Dairyland Road as an intermittent headwater stream (131), and becomes perennial midway down (B2, see Figure 2). From the Dairyland Road culvert down to below the perennial transition, the existing riparian area is cropland all the way to the banks. Stream B enters a mature hardwood forest strip, with existing wooded riparian areas ranging from 25 feet wide on the left bank to more than 100 feet wide on the right bank. Outside the treeline, the land use is cropland. The south end of Stream B enters the Maple View project on its right bank. Stream C: Stream C begins as a viable ephemeral channel issuing from a culvert on Dairyland Road (Cl on Figure 2) and flows south to an intermittent origin (C2 begins). Stream C starts in a cropland area and has no existing wooded riparian area. It then enters a mature hardwood forest after the intermittent origin. The existing forested riparian area on the left bank ranges from 10 to 25 feet in width, and out to more than 100 feet on the right bank in this area. Stream C enters the Maple View Bank Parcel conservation easement at the downstream end of the Parcel. Table 2.0 below summarizes the Parcel information, credit yield, and project schedule anticipated. Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 4 September 2023 Table 2.0 - Parcel Summary Project Name Bandit Farms 14-Di it Hydrologic Unit Code 03030002060070 Jordan Lake Subwatershed Upper New Hope Arm Location (Lat/Lon) 35°58'30.10"N, 79° 8'45.89"W Site Protection Instrument Conservation Easement to Long -Term Steward at Closing following BPDP and MBI Approval BPDP Submittal Date September 13, 2023 Anticipated Planting Date February 20241 As -Built Report Date May 2024 MY1 Report Date November 2024 MY2 Report Date November 2025 MY3 Report Date November 2026 MY4 Report Date November 2027 MY5 Report Date November 2028 Anticipated Closeout Date June 2029 'Planting is anticipated to occur during the December 2023 — May 2024 planting season. 2.3 Site Viability for Riparian Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset On December 7, 2022, DWR issued a Determination for Applicability to the Jordan Lake Buffer Rules 15A NCAC 02B .0267 (Stream Determination Letter, Appendix C) for the Parcel. On December 9, 2022, DWR issued a Site Viability Letter for the Parcel (Appendix D). The evaluation was made from Top of Bank (TOB) and landward 200 feet from each feature for buffer mitigation pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and for nutrient offset credits pursuant to §.0703 using §.0295 to define the mitigation type determinations. On March 16, 2023, DWR received a request from RestorEcology to modify the existing Site Viability letter issued in 2022 to reflect the updated Parcel layout and Sponsor. On September 21, 2022, DWR had performed a site assessment of the subject site for the initial Site Viability Letter, therefore, another site visit was not deemed necessary. The updated Site Viability Letter was issued April 12, 2023, and DWR's evaluation of the features onsite and their associated mitigation determination for the riparian areas are detailed in the updated Site Viability Letter in Appendix D. The following table summarizes the Parcel features and the results of DWR's evaluation: Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 5 September 2023 Table 3.0 - Site Viability Summary Parcel Feature Classification Buffer Mitigation Credit Viability Nutrient Offset Credit Viability Morgan Creek Stream Viable non -forested fields)' Viable non -forested fields A Stream Viable (non -forested fields) Viable (non -forested fields) B1 Stream Viable2 Viable B2 Stream Viable (non -forested fields) Viable (non -forested fields) Cl Ephemeral Feature Viable2,3 Viable C2 Stream Viable non -forested fields Viable non -forested fields 'Forested areas deemed viable for Riparian Preservation along Morgan Creek, Stream A, B2, and C2, per 15A NCAC 02B .0295(o)(5). 2No credits allowed within NCDOT Right -of -Way 3Ephemeral feature deemed viable as a Restoration Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295(o)(7). The riparian restoration of Cl meets the requirements of §(o)(7), in that the entire area proposed for mitigation is within the contributing drainage area to Cl (see Section 2.4 below). Ephemeral Cl is also directly connected to C2, an intermittent/perennial stream and is contiguous with the rest of the Parcel protected under a perpetual conservation easement. 2.4 Watershed Characterization The Parcel is located within 14-digit HUC 03030002060070: University Lake along Morgan Creek, which flows directly into the Upper New Hope Arm of Jordan Lake. The surrounding area contains a mixture of agricultural, residential, and wooded land uses, as depicted in the USGS Topographic Map provided as Figure 4. The watersheds in Figure 5 were delineated using the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Streamstats service. Table 4.0 - Drainage Areas and Land Uses Feature Drainage Area (Ac) Land Uses' Morgan Creek 176 26% Agricultural 1% Developed 73% Forested Stream A 372 44% Agricultural 2% Developed 2% Open Water 52% Forested Stream B 126 70% Agricultural 5% Developed 2% Open Water 23% Forested Ephemeral Cl 39 14% Developed 86% A icultural Stream C2 55 86% Agricultural 10% Developed 4% Forested 'Land uses assessed via aerial photography. 2.5 Soils The Parcel and its stream features are shown in Figure 6 on the Orange County Soil Survey, dated 1977. The following table describes Parcel soil types and descriptions: Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 6 September 2023 Table 5.0 — Soil Types Map Unit Name Description Ch - Chewacla loam This nearly level, somewhat poorly drained soil is on long, flat areas parallel to the major streams on the floodplains. Permeability is moderate and depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The seasonal high water table is 6 to 18 inches during the late winter/early spring. The soil has a very high potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as walnut, oaks, and poplar. GeB - Georgeville silt This well drained soil is on broad ridges on the uplands. Permeability is loam, 2-6% slopes moderate and depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The seasonal high water table is below 72 inches. The soil has moderately high potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as oaks, poplar, and sweet m. G1F - Goldston slaty silt This well -drained soil is on side slopes adjacent to the major drainageways. loam, 15-45% slopes Permeability is moderately rapid and depth to bedrock is 20 to 40 inches. The seasonal high water table is below 72 inches. The soil has a medium potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as oaks, sweet m, and hickory. HrB - Herndon silt loam, This well drained soil is on broad ridges on the uplands. Permeability is 2-6% slopes moderate and depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The seasonal high water table is below 72 inches. The soil has moderately high potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as oaks, poplar, and sweet m. HrC - Herndon silt loam, This well drained soil is on narrow side slopes on the uplands. Permeability 6-10% slopes is moderate and depth to bedrock is more than 60 inches. The seasonal high water table is below 72 inches. The soil has moderately high potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as oaks, poplar, and sweet m. TaD - Tatum silt loam, 8- This well drained soil is on side slopes on the uplands. Permeability is 15% slopes moderate, and depth to bedrock is 40 to 60 inches. The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 48 to 72 inches. The soil has moderately high potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as oaks, poplar, and hickory. TaE - Tatum silt loam, 15- This well drained soil is on side slopes on the uplands. Permeability is 25% slopes moderate, and depth to bedrock is 40 to 60 inches. The seasonal high water table is at a depth of 48 to 72 inches. The soil has moderately high potential for broad -leafed trees, with dominant species such as poplar, hickory, and maple. 2.6 Existing Vegetative Communities Existing vegetation in the Parcel consists of cropland and mature hardwood forest. Typical vegetation observed in the existing forest is summarized in Table 6.0. Table 6.0 - Existing Vegetation Scientific Name Common Name Oversto Liriodendron tuli i era Tulip poplar' Li uidambar s raci lua Sweet ' u lans ni ra Black walnut' Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 7 September 2023 Scientific Name Common Name Fagusgrandi olia American beech Paulownia tomentosa Princess tree Understory Lindera ben oin S icebushl Celtis laevi ata Sugarberryl Cornus orida Flowering dogwood Ulmus amencana American elm Li ustrum sinense Chinese privet Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven uni eras viiXiniana Eastern red cedar Herbaceous Pol stichum acrostichoides Christmas fern Podo h llum peltatum Mayapple Lonicera a onica Japanese honeysuckle Oxalis violacea Violet woodsorrel 'Dominant in forest layer. 2.7 Threatened and Endangered Species RestorEcology initiated regulatory coordination with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) via letter and self -certification on March 21, 2023 (see Appendix E). The Official Species List from (USFWS) contained three species: Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) — Proposed Endangered, Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia mason) — Threatened, and Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) — Candidate. As part of coordination with the USFWS, RestorEcology also purchased a Natural Heritage Resource Report from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resource — Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) dated March 21, 2023. The NCNHP Report identified no element occurrences intersecting with the Parcel, and no listed species occurrences were found within one mile of the Parcel. As summarized in the Species Conclusion Table and confirmed in USFWS' response dated April 26, 2023, the Parcel will have No Effect on listed species (see Appendix E). 2.8 Cultural Resources RestorEcology initiated regulatory coordination via letter to the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources — State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) dated March 21, 2023. SHPO responded via letter on April 4, 2023 that SHPO is aware of no historic resources that would be affected by the Parcel (Appendix E). 2.9 FEMA Floodplain Compliance As mapped by the Orange County GIS, a portion of the Parcel along Stream A and Morgan Creek is within the Regulatory Floodway and the 100-year floodplain. A floodplain development permit for the Parcel will be obtained from the Orange County Planning Department before planting and will be submitted to DWR along with the As -Built Report. 2.10 Parcel Location, Parcel Constraints, and Access The Parcel is located south of Dairyland Road and is accessed via multiple farm paths from the road (See Figure 2). The Parcel is located outside of the NCDOT 60-foot right-of-way for Dairyland Road. Dairyland Road has a single -pole electric transmission line along the south side of the road (see Figure 2). The 20-foot-wide maintenance right-of-way for this line has been excluded from the Parcel. There is an ingress, egress, regress, and utilities easement granted in 1991 that crosses Morgan Creek on the west side of the Parcel (see Figure 2) and is excluded. No crossing or access road is currently in place or planned for that Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 8 September 2023 location. The Parcel landowner is planning to install a 40-foot-wide culverted crossing on Stream C2 at the location depicted in Figure 2. This crossing will be outside of the Parcel. 2.11 Other Environmental Conditions A Lightbox — Environmental Data Resources (EDR) report was prepared on April 14, 2023. An excerpt from the EDR Report is provided as Appendix F. The full report can be made available upon request by the DWR. The Parcel was not listed in any of the databases searched by EDR. The only mapped item was an emergency release record of raw sewage contaminating a water well approximately 0.45 miles west of the Parcel. This release is not considered likely to affect the Parcel. Environmental conditions that could affect the Parcel were not identified in the EDR Report. 3.0 Site Protection Instrument The Parcel will be protected via a perpetual conservation easement based on DWR's latest template available online. A DWR-approved Long -Term Steward (Steward) will be the Grantee on the easement, such as Unique Places To Save, a 501(c)3 not -for -profit organization (UP2S). The parcel and landowner information is summarized in Table 7.0 below: Table 7.0 — Site Protection Instrument Landowner Orange County PIN Instrument Register of Acreage to be Deeds Reference Protected Bandit Farms II, LLC 9850698697 Conservation To be Recorded 17.5 Acres Easement 4.0 Mitigation Work Plan The Parcel will preserve existing hardwood riparian corridors along Morgan Creek and portions of Stream A, B2, and C2. Native tree and shrub plantings will be used to expand these corridors up to 200 feet from top - of -bank, as well as establishing new hardwood forest along the upper sections of Stream B2, B1, and C2; and along Ephemeral C1. Figure 7 depicts the credit -generating areas and project design, and Figure 8 depicts the riparian zones for the Parcel. 4.1 Parcel Preparation The Parcel has historically been used for dairy cattle pasture and cropland and is currently planted in an herbaceous seed mix. Most of the riparian restoration areas will require minimal soil preparation because they've been maintained in active agriculture. Soil augering was conducted to check for a hardpan layer that would need ripping and none was identified. Therefore ripping is not prescribed for preparation at the Parcel. The planting area will be bushhogged prior to planting to promote seedling establishment. Areas of poor herbaceous growth will be visually assessed and fertilized prior to planting. If sinkholes or unstable erosional areas are observed along the streams they will stabilized using methods such as minor grading, erosion control matting, live staking, straw bales, and seeding with native grasses and forbs. 4.2 Riparian Area Restoration Activities Riparian restoration areas will be restored using native bare -root plantings of trees and shrubs selected from the following table: Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 9 September 2023 Table 8.1- Primary Planting List: Species Common Name Approximate Density' Category Forest Layer Betula ni ra River birch 15% Tree Overstory Liriodendron tuli i era Tulip poplar 15% Tree Overstory Platanus occidentalis Americansycamore 15% Tree Overstory Quercus rubra Northern red oak 15% Tree Overstory Lindera ben , -pin S icebush 15% Shrub Understory Cornus amomum Silky dogwood 15% Shrub Understory Cenis canadensis Redbud 10% Shrub Understor 'Density will be determined by the commercially -available species at the time of planting. Based on commercial availability, substitute species from Table 8.2 may be selected instead of those in Table 8.1. At least 7 of the species listed in Table 8.1 or 8.2 will be planted. Table 8.2 - Substitute Planting List: Species Common Name Approximate Density' Category Forest Layer uercus palustfis Pin oak 15% Tree Overstory Quercus hellos Willow oak 15% Tree Overstory Populus deltoides Eastern cottonwood 15% Tree Overstory Ca a glabra Pignut hickory 10% Tree Overstory Fagusgrandi olia American beech 10% Tree Overstory Ulmus americana American elm 10% Tree Overstory Celtis laevi ata Su arber 10% Tree Understory Dio ros i4iginiana Persimmon 10% Tree Understory Ostrya virginiana Eastern hop hornbeam 5% Shrub Understory 'Density will be determined by the commercially -available species at the time of planting. Trees and shrubs will be spaced at 9 feet by 9 feet during planting, which will provide a stem density of 534 stems per acre and is sufficient to meet the performance standards outlined in 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and the MBI of 260 planted trees and shrubs per acre at the end of five years. Stems will be mixed before planting to promote diversity of bare root species across the Parcel. Due to the randomized mixing, some stems of the same species may be planted together. No single tree or shrub species will be greater than 50% of the planted stems. In areas without existing ground cover, a regionally appropriate seed mix of warm season grasses and wildflowers will also be applied to provide temporary/permanent ground cover for soil stabilization and reduction of sediment loss during rain events. The proposed planting area includes the areas identified as Riparian Restoration for RBC and Riparian Restoration for NOC on Figure 7. Planting is scheduled for the 2024 planting season (December 2023 - May 2024). 4.3 Riparian Area Preservation Activities Preservation areas have been visually assessed for invasive species seed sources. Scattered Chinese privet and Tree -of -heaven was observed but was not dominant in either the overstory or understory. These species will be spot -treated at a seasonally -appropriate time during the as -built year to minimize spread to riparian restoration areas. Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 10 September 2023 4.4 DWR As -Built Evaluation Within 30 calendar days after completing the establishment of the riparian restoration and riparian preservation areas, the Sponsor will submit written notification to DWR documenting that all buffer mitigation and nutrient offset 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. 5.0 Monitoring and Maintenance Plan 5.1 Monitoring Protocol Permanent vegetation monitoring plots will be installed and assessed within the riparian restoration areas to measure the survival of planted trees and shrubs. The plots will be randomly placed throughout the planted areas. A total of 11 plots will be randomly placed such that the plots are representative of the riparian buffer credit and nutrient offset credit areas (Figure 9) and at least 2% of the planted riparian restoration area is monitored. The size of individual quadrants will be 100 square meters. Vegetation assessments will be conducted and follow the Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) Level 2 Protocol for Recording Vegetation (2008). A reference photograph will be taken from the southwestern corner of each of the 11 plots. Overview photographs will be taken each monitoring year and provided in the annual reports. All planted stems in the plots will be marked with flagging tape and recorded. The first annual monitoring activities will begin at the end of the first growing season, at least five months after planting has been completed and no earlier than the fall season. Species composition, height, vigor, and survival rates will be evaluated on an annual basis by plot and data included in the annual monitoring report. The total number of volunteer woody stems will also be documented and reported. The measure of vegetative success for the Parcel will be the survival of at least four native hardwood tree and shrub species, where no one species is greater than 50% of the established planted stems, and an established density of at least 260 planted trees and shrubs per acre at the end of the fifth year of monitoring. Appropriate and desirable native volunteer species may be included in the Parcel's density to meet the performance standards with written DWR approval. The Sponsor shall submit the annual monitoring report to DWR by December 31st of each year for five consecutive years and will follow the terms and conditions of the MBI regarding content. 5.2 Parcel Maintenance If the Parcel or a specific component of the Parcel fails to achieve the success criteria outlined in Section 5.1, adaptive measures will be developed and appropriate remedial actions will be implemented. Maintenance will be performed to correct problems on the Parcel that have a high likelihood of affecting project success. Such items include, but are not limited to, fire, flooding, drought, or insects that cause excess tree mortality. Implemented actions will be designed to achieve the success criteria and will include a work schedule and updated monitoring criteria. An herbicide application schedule may need to be implemented in the first few years of tree establishment in the riparian restoration areas to prevent establishment of invasive species that may out -compete the planted native vegetation. The only herbicides used on the Parcel will be aquatic -approved herbicides that will be applied in accordance with North Carolina Department of Agriculture rules and regulations. The easement boundary will be checked annually as part of monitoring activities. Easement boundary conditions as well as maintenance performed will be reported in the annual monitoring reports to DWR. If mowing inside the riparian preservation areas within Zone 1 and Zone 2 of the Jordan Water Supply buffers is deemed necessary by the Sponsor during the monitoring period, the Sponsor must notify DWR prior to Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 11 September 2023 conducting mowing activities to ensure that no buffer violations occur. Mowing inside the riparian restoration areas during the Parcel monitoring period to promote planting establishment is deemed allowable maintenance for the purposes of this BPDP. 5.3 Easement Boundaries Easement boundaries will be marked to ensure clear distinction between the Parcel and adjacent properties. Boundaries may be identified by marker, post, tree -blazing, or other means as allowed by site conditions and/or the conservation easement prior to the DWR onsite As -Built evaluation for the Task 2 credit release. Boundary markers that have been disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be repaired or replaced as needed. Contact information for the conservation easement holder will be included on the easement markers. To minimize encroachment, trees and/or shrubs will be planted along the eastern boundary of the easement at Ephemeral C1 depicted on Figure 7 as "No Credit." Horse tape or a similar marking tool will also be tied between the easement markers in this area to promote boundary visibility. 6.0 Financial Assurance and Long -Term Management 6.1 Financial Assurances Following approval of the BPDP, the Sponsor shall provide a Performance/Maintenance Bond (Bond) from a surety company that is rated no less than an "A-" as rated by A.M. Best. The amount of the Bond shall be 100% of the estimated cost for implementation of the riparian restoration and other related activities for the construction of the Parcel, but not less than $150,000. Alternatively, in lieu of posting a Bond, the Sponsor may elect to construct the Bank Parcel prior to the first credit release. After completion of the riparian activities and construction activities on the Parcel, a separate Bond will be secured for 100% of the estimated cost to implement the monitoring and maintenance plan, but not less than $100,000 initially. Each Bond shall be renewed annually for a minimum of five years, and until DWR has released all Riparian Buffer Credits and Nutrient Offset Credits to the Sponsor. Upon DWR approval, the bond amount may be lowered each year based on the adjusted cost to complete the monitoring and maintenance. Confirmation of bond renewal will be provided to DWR with each annual monitoring report when applicable. DWR reserves the right to alter the credit release schedule if a monitoring report is submitted without proof of bond renewal when applicable. 6.2 Long -Term Management The Parcel will remain in private ownership, protected by a DWR-approved Long -Term Steward (Steward), and will be managed under the terms detailed in a DWR-approved Conservation Easement recorded with the Orange County Register of Deeds. Among other requirements documented in the Conservation Easement, the Steward will be responsible for periodic inspection of the Parcel to ensure that the easement restrictions are upheld in perpetuity. 7.0 Project Credit Potential 7.1 Riparian Buffer Credits All Riparian Buffer Credits have been determined based on the ratios and percentages provided in 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (m) and (n) following the guidance provided in the Clarified Procedures for Calculating Buffer Mitigation Credits and Nutrient Offset Credits letter issued by the DWR (Clarified Procedures Letter), including the most recent Project Credit Table Template provided by DWR and incorporated in this BPDP as Table 10.0. Riparian restoration on the Parcel that is performed on agriculture lands within the Parcel, may be used for either Riparian Buffer Credit or Nutrient Offset Credit, but not both. Riparian preservation on the Parcel can Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 12 September 2023 only be used for Riparian Buffer Credit. Riparian Buffer Credit is defined as one (1) buffer credit per one square foot or 43,560 buffer credits per one acre. 7.2 Nutrient Offset Credits The square footage of Nutrient Offset Credits on the Bank Parcel has been determined by applying the applicable ratios as provided in 15A NCAC 02B. 0295(m) for a Restoration Site following the guidance provided in the Clarified Procedures Letter and using the Project Credit Table Template. All riparian areas proposed for Nutrient Offset Credits are a minimum of 50 feet from the top of the banks along viable features on land noted in a Site Viability Letter as having agricultural use. As required under the Jordan Trading Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0703 (the Jordan Trading Rule), the Sponsor must account for differences in in -stream nutrient losses between the location of the reduction need and excess loading reduction being delivered to the affected area of Jordan Lake. DWR provided the delivered Jordan Lake Total Nitrogen (TN) and Jordan Lake Total Phosphorus (TP) credit yields per acre of riparian restoration for the University Lake 14-digit HUC in the Clarified Procedures Letter, as summarized in Table 9.0. Table 9.0 — Delivery Factors & Credit Conversion Ratio Bank Parcel TN TP Bandit Farms — 14-Digit HUC 03030002060070 Delivery Factor: 40% Ratio: 50.20146 ft2/lb Delivery Factor: 19% Ratio: 1,594.20874 ft2/lb Delivered TN and TP credits were calculated by dividing the square footage of riparian restoration by the Credit Conversion Ratio from Table 9.0. The amount of delivered credits is calculated in the Project Credit Table Template provided as Table 10.0. Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 13 September 2023 Table 10.0: Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank [#i2016-0393v4], Project Credits Cape Fear - Jordan Upper New Hope 03030002060070 Project Area N Credit Conversion Ratio (ft2/pound) P Credit Conversion Ratio (ft2/pound) 50.20146 1594.20874 Credit Type Location Subject? (enter NO if ephemeral or ditch') Feature Type Mitigation Activity Min -Max Buffer Width (ft) Feature Name i Total Area (ft) Total (Creditable) Area of Buffer Mitigation (fti) Initial Credit Ratio (x:1) %Full Credit Final Credit Ratio (x:l) Convertible to Riparian Buffer? Riparian Buffer Credits Convertible to Nutrient Offset? Delivered Nutrient Offset: N (Ibs) Delivered Nutrient Offset: P (Ibs) Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 0-100 A, Bl, B2, C2, Morgan Creek 393,705 393,705 1 100% 1.00000 Yes 393,705.000 No — — Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 101-200 A, B1, B2, C2, Morgan Creek 69,834 69,834 1 33% 3.03030 Yes 23,045.243 Yes 1,391.075 43.805 Buffer Rural No Ephemeral Restoration 0-100 Ephemeral C1 80,134 80,134 1 100% 1.00000 Yes 80,134.000 No — — Buffer Rural No Ephemeral Restoration 101-200 Ephemeral C3 5,603 5,603 1 33% 3.03030 Yes 1,848.992 No — — Nutrient Offset Rural Yes I/ P Restoration 0-100 B1 9,059 9,059 1 100% 1.00000 Yes 9,059.000 Yes 180.453 5.682 Totals (ft2): Total Buffer (ft2): Total Nutrient Offset (ft2): 558,335 558,335 507,792.235 1,571.528 49.487 549,277 549,277 9,059 N/A Total Ephemeral Area (ft) for Credit Total Eligible Ephemeral Area (ft) Enter Preservation Credits Below Credit Type Location Subject? Feature Type Mitigation Activity Min -Max BufferWidth (ft) Feature Name Rural I Yes I I / P TOTAL AREA OF BUFFER MITIGATION (TABM) Mitigation Totals Square Feet Credits Restoration: 549,277 498,733.235 Enhancement: 0 0.000 Preservation: 163,524 16,352.400 Total Riparian Buffer: 712,801 515,085.635 TOTAL NUTRIENT OFFSET MITIGATION Mitigation Totals I Square Feet Credits Nutrient Offset: Nitrogen: 9,059 180AS3 Phosphorus: 5.682 0-100 1 A, B2, C2, Morgan Creel Preservation Area Subtotals (ft) 1. The Randleman Lake buffer rules allow some ditches to be classified as subject according to 15A NCAC 02B .0250 (5)(a). 85,737 85,737 178,200 12.0% 183,092 22.3% Total Area (sf) Total (Creditable) Area for Buffer Mitigation (ft') 166,625 163,524 166,625 163,524 Ephemeral Reaches as %TABM 'reservation as %TABM Initial Credit Final Credit Riparian Ratio (x:l) %Full Credit Ratio (x:l) I Buffer Credits 10 1 100% 1 10.00000 last updated 07/06/2023 8.0 References Lee, M. T., Peet, R. K., Roberts, S. D., & Wentworth, T. R. 2008. CVS- EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Version 4.2. http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs-eep-protocol-v4.2-lev1-5.pdf North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), 2009. 15A NCAC 02B .0273. Jordan Water Supply Nutrient Strategy: Options for Offsetting Nutrient Loads. http: / /reports.oah. state.nc.us /ncac /title%2015a%20-%20environmental%20quality/chapter%2002%20- %20environmental%20management/ subchapter%20b / 15a%20ncac%2002b%20.0273.pdf NCDEQ, 2015. 15A NCAC 02B .0295. Mitigation Program Requirements for Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers. http://reports.oah.state.nc.us/ncac/title%2015a%20- %20environmental%20quality/chapter%2002%20- %20environmental%20management/ subchapter%20b / 15a%20ncac%2002b%20.0295.pdf NCDEQ, 2020. 15A NCAC 02B .0703. Nutrient Offset Credit Trading. http: / /reports.oah. state.nc.us /ncac /title%2015a%20-%20environmental%20quality/chapter%2002%20- %20environmental%20management/ subchapter%20b / 15a%20ncac%2002b%20.0703.pdf DWR, 2008. Buffer Interpretation/ Clarification # 2008-019 — Memorandum. https:/ /edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&-id=2580086 DWR, 2019. Clarified Procedures for Calculating Buffer Mitigation Credits and Nutrient Offset Credits for Riparian Projects Regulated under 15A NCAC .0295 and 15A NCAC 02B .0240 — Memorandum. https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/DocView.aspx?dbid=0&id=2582459 6. DWR, 2023. Project Credit Table Template — Updated July 2023. https://www.deq.nc.gov/water- quality/surface-water-protection/401 /mitigation/project-credit-table-template-updated-july-2023 DWR. Methodology and Calculations for Nutrient Reduction associated with Riparian Buffer Establishment. https: / /files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Water%20Quality/Planning/NPU/Nutrient%20Offset%20Rule/Ag-Buffer- Credit.pdf United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1977. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Survey for Orange County, North Carolina. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/ U.S. Geological Survey, 2019. The StreamStats program, online at https://streamstats.usgs.gov/ss/, accessed on May 20, 2023. Orange County, NC GIS, 2023. Accessed online at https://gis.orangecountync.gov/orangeNCGIS/default.httn on May 31, 2023. Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 14 September 2023 FIGURES Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake September 2023 Directions: 0 -From 1-40 at Exit 263, take New Hope Church New Hope �e Rd 1.6 mi west to 4-way stop 6��° E J -Continue straight onto Arthur Minnis Road for I �Borland1.9 R miles Rd a 0 -Turn left on Rocky Ridge Rd and continue 1.0 _ 0 mi to Dairyland Rd. z`�r -Turn right on Dairyland Rd and the first access Z ArthurMinhis point to the Parcel at Stream B is on the left. Ra Blackwood 0 o � o a s hi Site Coordinates: 35°58'30.10"N, 79' 8'45.89"W a 13 N �. Of`� Q° d A�GC c� DodsonsCD ^ry CD Crossroads Eubanks 0 Eubanks Rd Feer Twin Creeks Park reer Rd r z a Ftd O � � G> o o Z o y Calvander Gdr U o kdi d o State of North Carolina coForeU5$G Ni9hway DOT, Esri, HERE, Garmin, SafeGraph, GecZTal9 i�eL ,Inc, METI/NASA, EPA, MpSaESp�irtiam 54 Vy , Q Bandit Farms Parcel: Bandit Farms N Figure 1: Vicinity Map 0 os t RESTORECOLOGY 2023 t 0 1 2 Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US I Huckleberry100 _ Spring BrGorm aggtown J 1 �I m m r� G Qa t na R I o a m bo//o W d ay s� � 5 Oak o Do on Bandit Farms Cross a a e rr `^' I - I oP e a a er I m a _ � J d ay 54-is li W 1 C a el i 4 x re a o v J Greensboro I ? o d cr s I I 5 HUC: 03030002 stra R 15 a 5 �o Morrisvi ° N_ f0 Fearrington ° Village / Upc`Ourch - 1 / Bynum 4 o ` Q I 64 US 64 Hwy, W ------ US Highway 64 E / gg Town of Chapel Hill, Ch ham County, NC, Esri, HERE, Garmin,, SleXGraph, 64 Pittsboro e Everett Jtordan Lake METI/NASA, USGS, EPA, UPS , USDA Jordan Lake / Legend Parcel: Bandit Farms _ 18-Digit HUC Boundaries Figure 3: Service Area for Riparian Buffer Jordan Lake Upper New Credits and Nutrient Offset Credits N Hope Service Area A RESTORECOLOGY 20,23 ° 10 3Miles Km Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US 0 3 6 ' r k dc *A- -4. Z National-Geographi-"cubed Proposed Conservation Parcel: Bandit Farms N Easement Boundary Maple View Bank Parcel Figure 4: USGS Topographic Map Conservation Easement RESTORECOLOGY 2023 0 0.1 o.Mi -t Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US o 0.23 0.45 m Syr 1i� f• Proposed Conservation Easement Boundary 0 Stream Origins Parcel: Bandit Farms Ephemeral Cl (39 AC) Figure 5: Watershed Map Stream A (372 AC) Stream B (126 AC) Stream C2 (SS AC) 2'023 0Morgan Creek(176AC) RESTOR0.2 04 �I. E Maple View Bank Parcel ECOLOGY Conservation Easement KM Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US 0 0.3 0.6 17, —r c TEE ITa 41 Goa L IIr �1sS y a wlr� J Mr@ M — - lau 'r'4 H r H t IIr:B ■■■ . 1 1 1 •,J 1403 � Dods* rkl4i�Q{� la L�'.� ;. � � � dal: '�' � r•—r .' _. y LS HrB . Dk3 Tarp i GI-H -r - n 18a t Td«' r :r• R L'rl r3 t IOT roject ATLAS EEIo 4,N�rnrion and Analysis, NC11 Boa d 1 Legend Parcel: Bandit Farms N Proposed Conservation Easement Boundary Figure 6: Soils Map Maple View Bank Parcel Conservation Easement " r'.i o:K RESTORECOLOGY 2023 :jNENK= @MENEM= 0 0.23 0.45 m Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US �1' A' A� i Legend Top of Bank Credit Areas Riparian Restoration for Treeline NOC (0-100') Riparian Preservation O Stream Origins for RBC (0-100') - No Credit <30' from TOB Proposed Conservation Riparian Restoration for Easement Boundary RBC (0-100') Maple View Bank Parcel Conservation Easement Riparian Restoration for L—� RBC (101-200') F. R Al F } �A O / i Parcel: Bandit Farms Figure 7: Credit Areas am B1 Stream 02, 1 N RESTOR ECOLOGY 0 100 200 400 Feet APPENDICES Bandit Farms BPDP Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake September 2023 Appendix A: Bandit Farms Photolog Photo 1: Morgan Creek, 4/19/2023 Photo 3: Morgan Creek, Buffer Restoration Area 4/19/2023 Photo 2: Morgan Creek Preservation Area, 4/19/2023 Photo 4: Stream A, 2/17/2023 Bandit Farms BPDP: Appendix A Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 1 June 2023 Photo 5: Stream A Preservation Area 4/19/2023 Photo 7: Stream B1, 2/17/2023 Photo 6: Stream A, Buffer Restoration Area, 4/19/2023 Photo 8: Stream B2, 4/19/2023 Bandit Farms BPDP: Appendix A Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 2 June 2023 Photo 9: Stream B1, Buffer Restoration Area on Left Bank, 4/19/2023 Photo 11: Stream B2, Buffer Restoration Area on Left Bank, 4/19/2023 Photo 10: Stream B1, Buffer Restoration Area on Right Bank, 4/19/2023 Photo 12: Stream B2, Buffer Restoration Area on Right Bank, 4/19/2023 Bandit Farms BPDP: Appendix A Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 3 June 2023 Photo 13: Stream B2, Buffer Preservation Area, 4/19/2023 Photo 15: Ephemeral C1, Buffer Restoration Area on Left Bank, 4/19/2023 Photo 14: Ephemeral C1, 2/17/2023 Photo 16: Ephemeral C1, Buffer Restoration Area on Right Bank, 4/19/2023 Bandit Farms BPDP: Appendix A Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 4 June 2023 Photo 17: Stream C2, 2/17/2023 Photo 19: Stream C2 Buffer Preservation Area, 4/19/2023 Photo 18: Stream C2 Buffer Restoration Area, 4/19/2023 Bandit Farms BPDP: Appendix A Upper New Hope Watershed: Jordan Lake 5 June 2023 J j }� 1 r + 1 AC I� I, 44 JAL Parcels Parcel: Bandit Farms 0 Bandit Farms Appendix B: 1993 Aerial ( ) RESTORECOLOGY 2'023 Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US A. N 0 250 500 Feet Km 0 0.07 0.15 0 Parcels Bandit Farms v t�'i ► f' ��� • T t. f • �= 41?� � Y J } i s Si.sr - - 1.i. . Parcel: Bandit Farms Appendix B: 1998 Aerial ( ) RESTOR ECOLOGY 2023 Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US V .,_ N 0 250 500 Feet Km 0 0.07 0.15 R3�,i r " + 1 ,y [ 0 Parcels Parcel: Bandit Farms N Bandit Farms Appendix B: 2010 Aerial RESTORECOLOGY 2023 0 =n soFeet Coordinate System: NAD 1983 2011 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Ft US 0 0.07 0.15m DocuSign Envelope ID: E72666F9-329F-44EE-8C04-7764037F7AB0 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Jamey McEachran Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC jmeachran@res.us WORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality December 7, 2022 Project 2016-0393v2 Orange County Subject: Determination for Applicability to the Jordan Lake Buffer Rules 15A NCAC 02B .0267 Project Name: Bandit Farms Mitigation Site Address: 3111 Dairyland Road, Hillsborough, NC Dear Ms McEachran: On September 21, 2022, Katie Merritt of the Division of Water Resources (DWR), conducted an on -site review of features located near or at the address above at the request of Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC, to determine the applicability of features on the site to the Jordan Lake Riparian Area Protection Rules, Title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 02B .0267. The enclosed map(s) depict the feature(s) evaluated and this information is also summarized in the table below. Streams were evaluated for being ephemeral, at least intermittent, and for subjectivity to the Jordan Lake Riparian Area Protection Rules. Streams that are considered "Subject" have been located on the most recently published NRCS Soil Survey of Orange County and/or the most recent copy of the USGS Topographic (at 1:24,000 scale) map(s), have been located on the ground at the site, and possess characteristics that qualify them to be at least intermittent streams. Features that are considered "Not Subject" have been determined to not be at least intermittent, not present on the property, or not depicted on the required maps. This determination only addresses the applicability to the buffer rules within the proposed easement boundary and does not approve any activity within buffers or within waters of the state. There may be other streams or features located on the property that appear or do not appear on the maps referenced above. Any of the features on the site may be considered jurisdictional according to the US Army Corps of Engineers and subject to the Clean Water Act. D � ��� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 NORTH MofErNA 919.707.9000 oeparimem of Fmironmentni wai� DocuSign Envelope ID: E72666F9-329F-44EE-8C04-7764037F7AB0 Page 2 of 3 3111 Dairyl and Road DWR 20160393v2 The following table addresses the features observed and rated during the DWR site visit. 'Feature Type: stream Subject Depicted Depicted (ephemeral, intermittent, to Start @ Stop @ on on ID perennial), ditch, Buffer Soil USGS swale, wetland, Rules Survey Topo other A Perennial Yes At road Property Y Y culvert boundary 2At road 35.977034, - B1 Intermittent Yes culvert 79.144308 Y Y B2 Perennial Yes 35.977034, Confluence Y Y -79.144308 of A 2At road 35.975390, - C1 Ephemeral No culvert 79.146393 Y C2 Perennial Yes 35.975390, Confluence Y -79.146393 of A 1 E: Ephemeral, I: Intermittent, P: Perennial 2 Large amounts of sediment from adjacent agricultural practices have deposited into portions of this reach affecting upstream flows through this reach that need to be remediated This on -site determination shall expire five (5) years from the date of this letter. Landowners or affected parties that dispute this determination made by the DWR may request an appeal determination by the Director of Water Resources. An appeal request must be made within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of this letter to the Director in writing. If sending via U.S. Postal Service: DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch Supervisor 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 If sending via delivery service (UPS, FedEx, etc.) DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch Supervisor 512 N Salisbury St. Raleigh, NC 27604 This determination is final and binding as detailed above unless an appeal is requested within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of this letter. If you have any additional questions or require additional information, please contact Katie Merritt at katie.merritt@ncdenr.gov or 919-500-0683. This determination is subject to review as provided in G.S. 150B. DocuSign Envelope ID: E72666F9-329F-44EE-8C04-7764037F7AB0 Page 3 of 3 3111 Dairyl and Road DWR 20160393v2 Sincerely, EpDocuSigned by: l/titst Daa�iY 9969F633EA974A6... Erin Davis, Acting Supervisor 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch Attachments: Site Map with labels, NRCS Soil Survey, USGS Topographical Map, Lidar cc: 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch Laserfiche File Filename: 20160393v2 BanditFarms Ltr a f 1 7 YWAY/ I 1 C oa' 'a 1 1 9 B2 origin 35.977034,-79.144308 o�ry n C2 origin 35.975390,-79.146393 0 q AIL i Ra DocuSign Envelope ID: E72666F9-329F-44EE-8C04-7764037F7AB0 Lee end rProposed Easement Maple View Conservation Easement W " Figure 2b - USGS National Map Date: 9ns/zozz g White Cross j W E Ores Bandit Farms Drawn by: HG 9 o soo ,,000 Mitigation Project Checked by: RM 8 a 1 inch = 1,000 feet Restoring o Resilient Earth for a Modern World Fast Orancie Countv, North Carolina DocuSian Envelope ID: E72666F9-329F-44EE-8C04-7764037F7AB0 DocuSign Envelope ID: E72666F9-329F-44EE-8C04-7764037F7AB0 As 7' Ir A -A A, A", 05,51111 11!11�1� Pr. 4wr V Legend 04 -7, IA Proposed Easement Value High 756.509 ft Low: 507.151 ft 2' Contour w EFigure 6 - UDAR Date: 9/15/2022 NOAA, 2022 Ores Bandit Farms Drawn by: GDS s Mitigation Project Checked by: RM 5 0 250 500 1 1 inch = 500 feet I Restoring a Resilient Earth for a Modem World Orange County, North Carolina I I s FeetI DocuSign Envelope ID:4E492781-536B-43BF-B21F-OE306A45FA44 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director Jamey Mceachran Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (via electronic mail: jmceachran(cr�,res.us ) NORTH CAROLINA £nvironmentat Quality December 9, 2022 Re: Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset — Bandit Farms Site Near 3111 Dairyland Road in Hillsborough, NC Upper New Hope Sub -watershed of Jordan Lake Orange County Dear Ms. Mceachran, On September 20, 2022, Katie Merritt, with the Division of Water Resources (DWR), received a request from you on behalf of Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (EBX) for a site visit near the above -referenced site in the Upper New Hope Sub -watershed of Jordan Lake. The site visit was to determine the potential for riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset within a proposed conservation easement boundary, which is more accurately depicted in the attached map labeled "Figure 1 - Bandit Farms Mitigation Project" (Figure 1) prepared by EBX and edited by DWR. The proposed easement boundary in Figure 1, includes all riparian areas intended to be proposed as part of the mitigation site. On September 21, 2022, Ms. Merritt performed a site assessment of the subject site. Staff with EBX were also present. Ms. Merritt's evaluation of the features onsite and their associated mitigation determination for the riparian areas are provided in the table below. This evaluation was made from Top of Bank (TOB) and landward 200' from each feature for buffer mitigation pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (effective November 1, 2015) and for nutrient offset credits pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0703 using 15A NCAC 02B .0295 to define the mitigation type determinations. The following table includes details regarding the potential of the site to generate buffer mitigation and/or nutrient offsets. Feature Classification onsite 'Subject Riparian Land uses adjacent to Feature Buffer Credit 3Nutrient Offset ','Mitigation Type Determination w/in to riparian areas Buffer 0( 200') Viable Viable Rule A Stream Yes Combination of forested 2yeS Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) D � ��� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 NORTH Mof Er NA 919.707.9000 oeparimem of Fmironmentni wai� DocuSign Envelope ID:4E492781-536B-43BF-B21F-OE306A45FA44 Bandit Farms Site EBX December 9, 2022 Feature Classification 'Subiect Riparian Land uses Buffer 'Nutrient ','Mitigation Type Determination w/in onsite to riparian areas adiacent to Feature Credit Offset Buffer 0( 200') Viable Viable Rule B 1 Stream Yes Non -forested agricultural Yes Yes Restoration Site per 15A NCAC 02B fields .0295 (n) Partially located in DOT No credits are allowed within the DOT R.O.W R.O.W. B2 Stream Yes Combination of forested 2Yes Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) C 1 Ephemeral No Non -forested agricultural 'Yes Yes Restoration Site per 15A NCAC 02B fields .0295 (o)(7) Partially located in DOT No credits are allowed within the DOT R.O.W R.O.W. C2 Stream Yes Combination of forested 2Yes Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) 'Subjectivity calls for the features were determined by DWR in correspondence dated December 7, 2022 (DWR# 2016-0393v2) using the 1:24,000 scale quadrangle topographic map prepared by USGS and the most recent printed version of the soil survey map prepared by the NRCS . 2The area of preservation credit within a buffer mitigation site shall comprise of no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer mitigation per 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(5) and 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(4). Site cannot be a Preservation Only site to comply with this rule. 3NC Division of Water Resources - Methodology and Calculations for determining Nutrient Reductions associated with Riparian Buffer Establishment. Credits are calculated differently in the Jordan Lake Watershed. Phosphorus may be calculated separately. 'Determinations made for this Site are determined based on the proposal provided in maps and figures submitted with the request. 5 All features proposed for buffer mitigation or nutrient offset, must have a planted conservation easement established that includes the tops of channel banks when being measured perpendicular and landward from the banks, even if no credit is viable within that riparian area. Easement breaks that disconnect the continuity of riparian restoration/enhancement/preservation result in no credit viable beyond the break. 'The area of the mitigation site on ephemeral channels shall comprise no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer mitigation per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(7). 7The area described as an Enhancement Site was assessed and determined to comply with all 15A NCAC 02B .0295(o)(6). Cattle exclusion fencing is required to be installed around the mitigation area to get buffer credit under this part of the rule. Determinations provided in the table above were made using a proposed easement boundary showing proposed mitigation areas shown in Figure 1. The map representing the proposal for the site is attached to this letter and initialed by Ms. Merritt on December 9, 2022. Substantial changes to the proposed easement boundary as well as any site constraints identified in this letter, could affect the Site's potential to generate buffer mitigation and nutrient offset credits. This letter does not constitute an approval of this Site to generate buffer and nutrient offset credits. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295, a mitigation proposal and a mitigation plan shall be submitted to DWR for written approval prior to conducting any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters for buffer mitigation credit. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0703, a proposal regarding a proposed nutrient load -reducing measure for nutrient offset credit shall be submitted to DWR for approval prior to any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters. Page 2 of 3 DocuSign Envelope ID:4E492781-536B-43BF-B21F-OE306A45FA44 Bandit Farms Site EBX December 9, 2022 All vegetative plantings, performance criteria and other mitigation requirements for riparian restoration, enhancement and preservation must follow the requirements in 15A NCAC 02B .0295 to be eligible for buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation credits. For any areas depicted as not being viable for nutrient offset credit above, one could propose a different measure, along with supporting calculations and sufficient detail to support estimates of load reduction, for review by the DWR to determine viability for nutrient offset in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0703. This viability assessment will expire on December 9, 2024 or upon approval of a mitigation plan by the DWR, whichever comes first. This letter should be provided in any nutrient offset, buffer, stream or wetland mitigation plan for this Site. Please contact Katie Merritt at (919) 707-3637 if you have any questions regarding this correspondence. Sincerely, ED/kym Attachments: Figure 1: Site Map cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt) DOCUSigned by: 9969F633EA974AB... Erin Davis, Acting Supervisor 401 and Buffer Permitting Branch Page 3 of 3 DocuSian Envelope ID: 4E492781-536B-43BF-B21F-OE306A45FA44 ROY COOPER Governor ELIZABETH S. BISER Secretary RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR. Director NORTH CAROLINA Environmental Quality April 12, 2023 Daniel Ramsay RestorEcology Jordan, LLC (via electronic mail: dramsay_krestorecology.com ) DWR Project ID#: 2016-0393 Re: Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset — Bandit Farms Site Near 3111 Dairyland Road in Hillsborough, NC Upper New Hope Sub -watershed of Jordan Lake Orange County Dear Mr. Ramsey, On December 9, 2022, the Division of Water Resources (DWR) issued a Site Viability letter for the above referenced site called Bandit Farms, which is in the Upper New Hope Sub -watershed of Jordan Lake. On March 16, 2023, DWR received a request from RestorEcology to modify the existing Site Viability letter issued in 2022 to reflect a different conservation easement boundary, which is more accurately depicted in the attached map labeled "Figure 1 - Bandit Farms modification" (Figure 1) prepared by RestorEcology and edited by DWR. The proposed easement boundary in Figure 1 includes all riparian areas intended to be proposed as part of the mitigation site. On September 21, 2022, Ms. Merritt performed a site assessment of the subject site for the initial Site Viability letter, therefore, another site visit was not deemed necessary. Ms. Merritt's evaluation of the features onsite and their associated mitigation determination for the riparian areas are provided in the table below. This evaluation was made from Top of Bank (TOB) and landward 200' from each feature for buffer mitigation pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (effective November 1, 2015) and for nutrient offset credits pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0703 using 15A NCAC 02B .0295 to define the mitigation type determinations. The following table includes details regarding the potential of the site to generate buffer mitigation and/or nutrient offsets. Feature Classification 'Subject Riparian Land uses Buffer 3Nutrient ','Mitigation Type Determination w/in onsite to adjacent to Feature Credit Offset riparian areas Buffer 0( 200') Viable Viable at Rule 2,249.36 lbs-N/acre A Stream Yes Combination of forested 2Yes Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) D � ��� North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources 512 North Salisbury Street 1 1611 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1611 NORTH Mof Er NA 919.707.9000 oeparimem of Fmironmentni wai� Bandit Farms Site RestorEcology April 12, 2023 Feature Classification 'Subiect Riparian Land uses Buffer 'Nutrient ','Mitigation Type Determination w/in onsite to riparian areas adiacent to Feature Credit Offset Buffer 0( 200') Viable Rule Reach B 1 Stream Yes Non -forested agricultural Yes Yes Restoration Site per 15A NCAC 02B fields .0295 (n) Partially located in DOT No credits are allowed within the DOT R.O.W R.O.W. Reach B2 Stream Yes Combination of forested 2Yes Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) C 1 Ephemeral No Non -forested agricultural 'Yes Yes Restoration Site per 15A NCAC 02B fields .0295 (o)(7) Partially located in DOT No credits are allowed within the DOT R.O.W R.O.W. C2 Stream Yes Combination of forested 2Yes Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) Morgan Stream Yes Combination of forested 2Yes Yes (non- Non -forested fields - Restoration Site Creek and non -forested areas. forested per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) Non -forested areas are in fields only) active agriculture Forested areas — Preservation Site per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5) 'Subjectivity calls for the features were determined by DWR in correspondence dated December 7, 2022 (DWR# 2016-0393v2) using the 1:24,000 scale quadrangle topographic map prepared by USGS and the most recent printed version of the soil survey map prepared by the NRCS . 'The area of preservation credit within a buffer mitigation site shall comprise of no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer mitigation per 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(5) and 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(4). Site cannot be a Preservation Only site to comply with this rule. 3NC Division of Water Resources - Methodology and Calculations for determining Nutrient Reductions associated with Riparian Buffer Establishment. Credits are calculated differently in the Jordan Lake Watershed. Phosphorus may be calculated separately. 'Determinations made for this Site are determined based on the proposal provided in maps and figures submitted with the request. 5 All features proposed for buffer mitigation or nutrient offset, must have a planted conservation easement established that includes the tops of channel banks when being measured perpendicular and landward from the banks, even if no credit is viable within that riparian area. Easement breaks that disconnect the continuity of riparian restoration/enhancement/preservation result in no credit viable beyond the break. 'The area of the mitigation site on ephemeral channels shall comprise no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer mitigation per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(7). 7The area described as an Enhancement Site was assessed and determined to comply with all 15A NCAC 02B .0295(o)(6). Cattle exclusion fencing is required to be installed around the mitigation area to get buffer credit under this part of the rule. Determinations provided in the table above were made using a proposed easement boundary showing proposed mitigation areas shown in Figure 1. The map representing the proposal for the site is attached to this letter and initialed by Ms. Merritt on April 12, 2023. Substantial changes to the proposed easement boundary as well as any site constraints identified in this letter, could affect the Site's potential to generate buffer mitigation and nutrient offset credits. This letter does not constitute an approval of this Site to generate buffer and nutrient offset credits. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295, a mitigation proposal and a mitigation plan shall be submitted to Page 2 of 3 Bandit Farms Site RestorEcology April 12, 2023 DWR for written approval prior to conducting any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters for buffer mitigation credit. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0703, a proposal regarding a proposed nutrient load -reducing measure for nutrient offset credit shall be submitted to DWR for approval prior to any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters. All vegetative plantings, performance criteria and other mitigation requirements for riparian restoration, enhancement and preservation must follow the requirements in 15A NCAC 02B .0295 to be eligible for buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation credits. For any areas depicted as not being viable for nutrient offset credit above, one could propose a different measure, along with supporting calculations and sufficient detail to support estimates of load reduction, for review by the DWR to determine viability for nutrient offset in accordance with 15A NCAC 02B .0703. This viability assessment will expire on December 9, 2024 or upon approval of a mitigation plan by the DWR, whichever comes first. This letter should be provided in any nutrient offset, buffer, stream or wetland mitigation plan for this Site. Please contact Katie Merritt at (919) 707-3637 if you have any questions regarding this correspondence. Sincerely, Attachments: Figure 1 cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt) E Do,.c�uS^igne�d Aby: W 11\ A43C72700BD543E... Katie Merritt 401 and Buffer Permitting Branch Page 3 of 3 .1, 71, lot, Al 4� 'MIEW, A�; - A W 14 logo" Aorga Creek f Legend �/►i,?/2g Stream Status <all other values> - Ephemeral Maple View Bank site Proposed Figure 1 Bandit Farms modification — Stream Bandit Farms Conservation Easement Boundary R VII 7 M. IWA LAWN. RISTOR ECOLOGY N A 0 100 200 400 Feet RESTORECOLOGY From: Daniel Ramsay RestorEcology Jordan, LLC (RestorEcology) PO Box 5842 Cary, NC 27512 919-817-7378 dramsay@Restorecology.com To: Ms. Kathryn Matthews U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Raleigh Field Office P.O. Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 March 21, 2023 Re: Online Project Review Request, Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Project, Orange County, North Carolina, NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) 42016-0393 Dear Ms. Matthews, We have reviewed the referenced project using the North Carolina Field Office's online project review process and have followed all guidance and instructions in completing the review. We completed our review on March 21, 2023 and are submitting our project review package in accordance with the instructions for further review. Our proposed action consists of: approximately 18.2 acres of cropland and pasture will be planted with native hardwood trees to lessen nutrient inputs into the streams from agricultural activities and provide restored stream buffers. Existing wooded stream buffers within the project area will be preserved. Notably, the Project is expanding on a previous mitigation bank project called Maple View on the property, shown in the attached figure. Waters of the U.S. permitting under Section 404/401 of the Clean Water Act will not be required for the Project because ground -disturbing construction activities and changes to Project streams are not proposed. Riparian buffer credits, nitrogen (lb) and phosphorus (lb) will be generated by the Project, as regulated by the NC DWR. Credits will be sold on the private mitigation bank market to offset development impacts within the Upper New Hope watershed of Jordan Lake. The project tree planting is expected to be completed by winter 2024/2025. 150 WRENN DR, #5842, CARY, NC 27512 T (919) 817-7378 U WWW.RESTORECOLOGY.COM The Project is located at 35°58'30.10"N, 79' 8'45.89"W in the Upper New Hope watershed of Jordan Lake (HUC 03030002). The location of the project and the action area are identified on the enclosed USGS topographic map and aerial photo map. There is no federal nexus, but project review has been requested by the NC DWR. The enclosed project review package provides the information about the species, critical habitat, and bald eagles considered in our review, and the species conclusions table included in the package identifies our determinations for the resources that may be affected by the project. For additional information, please contact Daniel Ramsay at the address listed above. Sincerely, Daniel Ramsay, PWS Owner, RestorEcology Enclosures: 1) ENTIRE PROJECT REVIEW PACKAGE 2) Other relevant project data/documents F_OJ7OFTy�2a 7&1& H • E N United States Department of the Interior 7 0 _= a9 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICES,` gactt a,,a „fF.• Raleigh Field Office P.O. Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Date: March 21, 2023 Self -Certification Letter ProjectNameBandit Farms Dear Applicant: Thank you for using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Raleigh Ecological Services online project review process. By printing this letter in conjunction with your project review package, you are certifying that you have completed the online project review process for the project named above in accordance with all instructions provided, using the best available information to reach your conclusions. This letter, and the enclosed project review package, completes the review of your project in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 87 Stat. 884), as amended (ESA), and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c, 54 Stat. 250), as amended (Eagle Act). This letter also provides information for your project review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, 83 Stat. 852), as amended. A copy of this letter and the project review package must be submitted to this office for this certification to be valid. This letter and the project review package will be maintained in our records. The species conclusions table in the enclosed project review package summarizes your ESA and Eagle Act conclusions. Based on your analysis, mark all the determinations that apply: ❑"no effect" determinations for proposed/listed species and/or ✓ proposed/designated critical habitat; and/or ❑ "may affect, not likely to adversely affect" determinations for proposed/listed species and/or proposed/designated critical habitat; and/or ❑ "may affect, likely to adversely affect" determination for the Northern long- eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and relying on the findings of the January 5, 2016, Programmatic Biological Opinion for the Final 4(d) Rule on the Northern long-eared bat; ❑✓ "no Eagle Act permit required" determinations for eagles. Applicant Page 2 We certify that use of the online project review process in strict accordance with the instructions provided as documented in the enclosed project review package results in reaching the appropriate determinations. Therefore, we concur with the "no effect" or "not likely to adversely affect" determinations for proposed and listed species and proposed and designated critical habitat; the "may affect" determination for Northern long-eared bat; and/or the "no Eagle Act permit required" determinations for eagles. Additional coordination with this office is not needed. Candidate species are not legally protected pursuant to the ESA. However, the Service encourages consideration of these species by avoiding adverse impacts to them. Please contact this office for additional coordination if your project action area contains candidate species. Should project plans change or if additional information on the distribution of proposed or listed species, proposed or designated critical habitat, or bald eagles becomes available, this determination may be reconsidered. This certification letter is valid for 1 year. Information about the online project review process including instructions, species information, and other information regarding project reviews within North Carolina is available at our website http://www.fws.gov. If you have any questions, you can write to us at Raleigh@fws.gov or please contact Leigh Mann of this office at 919-856-4520, ext. 10. Sincerely, /s/Pete Benjamin Pete Benjamin Field Supervisor Raleigh Ecological Services Enclosures - project review package Species Conclusions Table Project Name: Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Project Date: 3/21 /2023 Species / Resource Name Conclusion ESA Section 7 / Eagle Act Determination Notes / Documentation No effect Tricolored Bat Suitable roosting habitat Cave habitat not present, tree removal Perimyofis subflavus present — large not proposed. No NCNHP element hardwood trees, no occurrences present in the project current survey conducted vicinity one -mile radius). Atlantic Pigtoe No suitable habitat No effect Project streams are either intermittent Fusconaia masoni present, critical habitat not or degraded by agricultural and present residential runoff; unlikely to support Atlantic Pigtoe. No NCNHP element occurrences present in the project vicinity. No mussel species observed in site visit conducted 2/10/2023. Project area streams will be protected with a permanent conservation easement. No effect Project activities entail tree planting Monarch Butterfly Suitable habitat present and a permanent conservation Danaus plexippus along pasture edge, no easement along streams in pasture, current survey conducted cultivated fields, and woodland. These activities are deemed to have a net beneficial effect, if any. No NCNHP element occurrences present in the project vicinity. Bald Eagle Unlikely to disturb No Eagle Act Permit Required Not within 660 feet of large bodies of nesting bald eagles water. No NCNHP element occurrences present in the project vicinity. Critical Habitat No critical habitat present Acknowledgement: I agree that the above information about my proposed project is true. I used all of the provided resources to make an informed decision about impacts in the immediate and surrounding areas. &J, � March 21, 2023 Signature /Title: Daniel Ramsay, Owner, RestorEcology Jordan, LLC Date -- 1 Sa White Cross USGS .^-�►� . F c �pyrignt(c� ?nl� �iat�� Quadrangle p Cyq h- �' Parcels N Maple View Project Bandit Farms Buffer & Nutrient Bank Bandit Farms Project Area (18.2AC+/-) RESTORECOLOGY 2023 0 0.1 0.2 -ti , Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet 0 0.23 0.45m Bandit Farms Project Area (18.2 AC +/-) Maple View Project Stream Status Ephemeral Stream — <all other values> Bandit Farms Buffer & Nutrient Bank ( ) RESTORECOLOGY 2'023 Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet a� N 0 0.05 0.1 Mi Km 0 0.07 0.15 i�c United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 03�/ Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office Post Office Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Phone: (919) 856-4520 Fax: (919) 856-4556 In Reply Refer To: Project Code: 2023-0058056 Project Name: Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Project March 21, 2023 Subject: List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern: The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). If your project area contains suitable habitat for any of the federally -listed species on this species list, the proposed action has the potential to adversely affect those species. If suitable habitat is present, surveys should be conducted to determine the species' presence or absence within the project area. The use of this species list and/or North Carolina Natural Heritage program data should not be substituted for actual field surveys. New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list. The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered 03/21/2023 species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat. A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12. If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook" at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF Migratory Birds: In addition to responsibilities to protect threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), there are additional responsibilities under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) to protect native birds from project -related impacts. Any activity, intentional or unintentional, resulting in take of migratory birds, including eagles, is prohibited unless otherwise permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (50 C.F.R. Sec. 10.12 and 16 U.S.C. Sec. 668(a)). For more information regarding these Acts see https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations.php. The MBTA has no provision for allowing take of migratory birds that may be unintentionally killed or injured by otherwise lawful activities. It is the responsibility of the project proponent to comply with these Acts by identifying potential impacts to migratory birds and eagles within applicable NEPA documents (when there is a federal nexus) or a Bird/Eagle Conservation Plan (when there is no federal nexus). Proponents should implement conservation measures to avoid or minimize the production of project -related stressors or minimize the exposure of birds and their resources to the project -related stressors. For more information on avian stressors and recommended conservation measures see https://www.fws.gov/birds/bird-enthusiasts/threats-to- birds.php. In addition to MBTA and BGEPA, Executive Order 13186: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, obligates all Federal agencies that engage in or authorize activities that might affect migratory birds, to minimize those effects and encourage conservation measures that will improve bird populations. Executive Order 13186 provides for the protection of both migratory birds and migratory bird habitat. For information regarding the implementation of Executive Order 13186, please visit https://www.fws.govibirds/policies-and-regulations/ executive-orders/e0-13186.php. 03/21/2023 3 We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Code in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office. Attachment(s): ■ Official Species List • Migratory Birds 03/21/2023 OFFICIAL SPECIES LIST This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action". This species list is provided by: Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office Post Office Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 (919) 856-4520 03/21/2023 PROJECT SUMMARY Project Code: 2023-0058056 Project Name: Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Project Project Type: Restoration / Enhancement - Agricultural Project Description: Riparian buffer and nutrient offset restoration project involving tree planting of cultivated fields to reduce nutrient inputs into streams. Project Location: The approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https:// www.google.com/maps/(a)35.97552565,-79.14634452139805,14z Counties: Orange County, North Carolina 03/21/2023 3 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT SPECIES There is a total of 3 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA Fisheries1, as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the Department of Commerce. See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. MAMMALS NAME STATUS Tricolored Bat Perimyotis sub flavus Proposed No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Endangered Species profile: httpss://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/10515 CLAMS NAME STATUS Atlantic Pigtoe Fusconaia masoni Threatened There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat. Species profile: https:Hecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5164 INSECTS NAME Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Species profile: https:Hecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9743 STATUS Candidate CRITICAL HABITATS THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA UNDER THIS OFFICE'S JURISDICTION. 03/21/2023 MIGRATORY BIRDS Certain birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act2. Any person or organization who plans or conducts activities that may result in impacts to migratory birds, eagles, and their habitats should follow appropriate regulations and consider implementing appropriate conservation measures, as described below. 1. The Migratory Birds Treaty Act of 1918. 2. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. 3. 50 C.F.R. Sec. 10.12 and 16 U.S.C. Sec. 668(a) The birds listed below are birds of particular concern either because they occur on the USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) list or warrant special attention in your project location. To learn more about the levels of concern for birds on your list and how this list is generated, see the FAQ below. This is not a list of every bird you may find in this location, nor a guarantee that every bird on this list will be found in your project area. To see exact locations of where birders and the general public have sighted birds in and around your project area, visit the E-bird data mapping tool (Tip: enter your location, desired date range and a species on your list). For projects that occur off the Atlantic Coast, additional maps and models detailing the relative occurrence and abundance of bird species on your list are available. Links to additional information about Atlantic Coast birds, and other important information about your migratory bird list, including how to properly interpret and use your migratory bird report, can be found below. For guidance on when to schedule activities or implement avoidance and minimization measures to reduce impacts to migratory birds on your list, click on the PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE SUMMARY at the top of your list to see when these birds are most likely to be present and breeding in your project area. BREEDING NAME SEASON Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Breeds Sep 1 to This is not a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) in this area, but warrants attention Jul 31 because of the Eagle Act or for potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities. Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Breeds Mar 15 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Aug 25 and Alaska. Eastern Whip -poor -will Antrostomus voci ferns Breeds May 1 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Aug 20 and Alaska. 03/21/2023 2 NAME BREEDING SEASON Kentucky Warbler Oporornis formosus Breeds Apr 20 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA t0 Aug 20 and Alaska. Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor Breeds May 1 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Jul 31 and Alaska. Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Breeds Apr 1 to This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA Jul 31 and Alaska. Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Breeds May 10 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Sep 10 and Alaska. Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus Breeds This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) only in particular Bird Conservation Regions elsewhere (BCRs) in the continental USA Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Breeds May 10 This is a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC) throughout its range in the continental USA to Aug 31 and Alaska. PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE SUMMARY The graphs below provide our best understanding of when birds of concern are most likely to be present in your project area. This information can be used to tailor and schedule your project activities to avoid or minimize impacts to birds. Please make sure you read and understand the FAQ "Proper Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report" before using or attempting to interpret this report. Probability of Presence (■) Each green bar represents the bird's relative probability of presence in the 10km grid cell(s) your project overlaps during a particular week of the year. (A year is represented as 12 4-week months.) A taller bar indicates a higher probability of species presence. The survey effort (see below) can be used to establish a level of confidence in the presence score. One can have higher confidence in the presence score if the corresponding survey effort is also high. How is the probability of presence score calculated? The calculation is done in three steps: The probability of presence for each week is calculated as the number of survey events in the week where the species was detected divided by the total number of survey events for that week. For example, if in week 12 there were 20 survey events and the Spotted Towhee was found in 5 of them, the probability of presence of the Spotted Towhee in week 12 is 0.25. 03/21/2023 3 2. To properly present the pattern of presence across the year, the relative probability of presence is calculated. This is the probability of presence divided by the maximum probability of presence across all weeks. For example, imagine the probability of presence in week 20 for the Spotted Towhee is 0.05, and that the probability of presence at week 12 (0.25) is the maximum of any week of the year. The relative probability of presence on week 12 is 0.25/0.25 = 1; at week 20 it is 0.05/0.25 = 0.2. 3. The relative probability of presence calculated in the previous step undergoes a statistical conversion so that all possible values fall between 0 and 10, inclusive. This is the probability of presence score. Breeding Season( ) Yellow bars denote a very liberal estimate of the time -frame inside which the bird breeds across its entire range. If there are no yellow bars shown for a bird, it does not breed in your project area. Survey Effort (1) Vertical black lines superimposed on probability of presence bars indicate the number of surveys performed for that species in the 10km grid cell(s) your project area overlaps. The number of surveys is expressed as a range, for example, 33 to 64 surveys. No Data (—) A week is marked as having no data if there were no survey events for that week. Survey Timeframe Surveys from only the last 10 years are used in order to ensure delivery of currently relevant information. The exception to this is areas off the Atlantic coast, where bird returns are based on all years of available data, since data in these areas is currently much more sparse. probability of presence breeding season I survey effort — no data SPECIES JA1N1 I FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Bald Eagle ++++ I I iiii iiii Wi iiii ■ik ++++ Iil111N 1111 Jill Non -BCC Vulnerable Chimney Swift +11+ BCC Rangewide ++1 Al 1+1� I I I I 1141 Jill11111111 Nis+ ++++ ++++ (CON) Eastern Whip -Poor- ++++ ++++ TTT+ ++11 IL ++++ ++++ ++++ will �i�� ��i�BCC Rangewide --� (CON) Kentucky Warbler ++++ BCC Rangewide ++++ ++++ ++L+ TTTT Jill Jill III+ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ (CON) 03/21/2023 4 Prairie Warbler BCC Rangewide ++ I I I I I I I I I + *0 IN oil+'�" ,++* „++ ++++ ++++ ++++ (CON) yy Prothonotary Warbler ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ T+++ T��� "" ++++ +,++ ++++ ++++ ++++ BCC Rangewide (CON) Red-headed ++++ Woodpecker I I I I � 1010 **** **i+ HE 57i mill ++I$ ++l+ +110 BCC Rangewide (CON) Rusty Blackbird ++++ ++++ ++++ +*++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ +*++ ++++ BCC -BCR Wood Thrush BCC Rangewide ++++ ++++ ++++ +'" 0111 UV 11*1 +++1 +W 1+++ ++++ ++++ (CON) Additional information can be found using the following links: ■ Birds of Conservation Concern https://www.fws.gov/program/migratory-birds/species • Measures for avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds https://www.fws.gov/librarT�/ collections/avoidine-and-minimizinp--incidental-take-miV-ratorv-birds ■ Nationwide conservation measures for birds https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/ documents/nationwide-standard-conservation-measures.pdf MIGRATORY BIRDS FAQ Tell me more about conservation measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds. Nationwide Conservation Measures describes measures that can help avoid and minimize impacts to all birds at any location year round. Implementation of these measures is particularly important when birds are most likely to occur in the project area. When birds may be breeding in the area, identifying the locations of any active nests and avoiding their destruction is a very helpful impact minimization measure. To see when birds are most likely to occur and be breeding in your project area, view the Probability of Presence Summary. Additional measures or permits may be advisable depending on the type of activity you are conducting and the type of infrastructure or bird species present on your project site. What does IPaC use to generate the list of migratory birds that potentially occur in my specified location? The Migratory Bird Resource List is comprised of USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern (BCQ and other species that may warrant special attention in your project location. The migratory bird list generated for your project is derived from data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). The AKN data is based on a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen science datasets and is queried and filtered to return a list of those birds reported as occurring in the 10km grid cell(s) which your project intersects, and that have been identified as 03/21/2023 5 warranting special attention because they are a BCC species in that area, an eagle (Eagle Act requirements may apply), or a species that has a particular vulnerability to offshore activities or development. Again, the Migratory Bird Resource list includes only a subset of birds that may occur in your project area. It is not representative of all birds that may occur in your project area. To get a list of all birds potentially present in your project area, please visit the Rapid Avian Information Locator (RAIL)Tool. What does IPaC use to generate the probability of presence graphs for the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location? The probability of presence graphs associated with your migratory bird list are based on data provided by the Avian Knowledge Network (AKN). This data is derived from a growing collection of survey, banding, and citizen science datasets. Probability of presence data is continuously being updated as new and better information becomes available. To learn more about how the probability of presence graphs are produced and how to interpret them, go the Probability of Presence Summary and then click on the "Tell me about these graphs" link. How do I know if a bird is breeding, wintering or migrating in my area? To see what part of a particular bird's range your project area falls within (i.e. breeding, wintering, migrating or year-round), you may query your location using the RAIL Tool and look at the range maps provided for birds in your area at the bottom of the profiles provided for each bird in your results. If a bird on your migratory bird species list has a breeding season associated with it, if that bird does occur in your project area, there may be nests present at some point within the timeframe specified. If "Breeds elsewhere" is indicated, then the bird likely does not breed in your project area. What are the levels of concern for migratory birds? Migratory birds delivered through IPaC fall into the following distinct categories of concern: 1. "BCC Rangewide" birds are Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC) that are of concern throughout their range anywhere within the USA (including Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands); 2. "BCC - BCR" birds are BCCs that are of concern only in particular Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in the continental USA; and 3. "Non -BCC - Vulnerable" birds are not BCC species in your project area, but appear on your list either because of the Eagle Act requirements (for eagles) or (for non -eagles) potential susceptibilities in offshore areas from certain types of development or activities (e.g. offshore energy development or longline fishing). Although it is important to try to avoid and minimize impacts to all birds, efforts should be made, in particular, to avoid and minimize impacts to the birds on this list, especially eagles and BCC species of rangewide concern. For more information on conservation measures you can implement to help avoid and minimize migratory bird impacts and requirements for eagles, please see the FAQs for these topics. 03/21/2023 Details about birds that are potentially affected by offshore projects For additional details about the relative occurrence and abundance of both individual bird species and groups of bird species within your project area off the Atlantic Coast, please visit the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. The Portal also offers data and information about other taxa besides birds that may be helpful to you in your project review. Alternately, you may download the bird model results files underlying the portal maps through the NOAA NCCOS Integrative Statistical Modeling and Predictive Mapping of Marine Bird Distributions and Abundance on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf project webpage. Bird tracking data can also provide additional details about occurrence and habitat use throughout the year, including migration. Models relying on survey data may not include this information. For additional information on marine bird tracking data, see the Diving Bird Study and the nanotag studies or contact Caleb Spiegel or Pam Lorin. What if I have eagles on my list? If your project has the potential to disturb or kill eagles, you may need to obtain a permit to avoid violating the Eagle Act should such impacts occur. Proper Interpretation and Use of Your Migratory Bird Report The migratory bird list generated is not a list of all birds in your project area, only a subset of birds of priority concern. To learn more about how your list is generated, and see options for identifying what other birds may be in your project area, please see the FAQ "What does IPaC use to generate the migratory birds potentially occurring in my specified location". Please be aware this report provides the "probability of presence" of birds within the 10 km grid cell(s) that overlap your project; not your exact project footprint. On the graphs provided, please also look carefully at the survey effort (indicated by the black vertical bar) and for the existence of the "no data" indicator (a red horizontal bar). A high survey effort is the key component. If the survey effort is high, then the probability of presence score can be viewed as more dependable. In contrast, a low survey effort bar or no data bar means a lack of data and, therefore, a lack of certainty about presence of the species. This list is not perfect; it is simply a starting point for identifying what birds of concern have the potential to be in your project area, when they might be there, and if they might be breeding (which means nests might be present). The list helps you know what to look for to confirm presence, and helps guide you in knowing when to implement conservation measures to avoid or minimize potential impacts from your project activities, should presence be confirmed. To learn more about conservation measures, visit the FAQ "Tell me about conservation measures I can implement to avoid or minimize impacts to migratory birds" at the bottom of your migratory bird trust resources page. 03/21/2023 IPAC USER CONTACT INFORMATION Agency: RestorEcology Jordan, LLC Name: Daniel Ramsay Address: 150 Wrenn Drive #5842 City: Cary State: NC Zip: 27512 Email dramsay@restorecology.com Phone: 9198177378 Roy Cooper, Governor 0■ ■■IF NC DEPARTMENT OF ■ ! ■■k�■A NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ■ ■■■ March 21, 2023 Daniel Ramsay RestorEcology, LLC 150 Wrenn Dr. #5842 Cary, NC 27512 RE: Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Project Dear Daniel Ramsay: D. Reid Wilson, Secretary Misty Buchanan Deputy Director, Natural Heritage Program NCNHDE-21334 The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) appreciates the opportunity to provide information about natural heritage resources for the project referenced above. A query of the NCNHP database indicates that there are records for rare species, important natural communities, natural areas, and/or conservation/managed areas within the proposed project boundary. These results are presented in the attached `Documented Occurrences' tables and map. The attached 'Potential Occurrences' table summarizes rare species and natural communities that have been documented within a one -mile radius of the property boundary. The proximity of these records suggests that these natural heritage elements may potentially be present in the project area if suitable habitat exists. Tables of natural areas and conservation/managed areas within a one -mile radius of the project area, if any, are also included in this report. If a Federally -listed species is documented within the project area or indicated within a one -mile radius of the project area, the NCNHP recommends contacting the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for guidance. Contact information for USFWS offices in North Carolina is found here: https://www.fws.gov/offices/Di rectory_/ListOffices.cfm?statecode=37. Please note that natural heritage element data are maintained for the purposes of conservation planning, project review, and scientific research, and are not intended for use as the primary criteria for regulatory decisions. Information provided by the NCNHP database may not be published without prior written notification to the NCNHP, and the NCNHP must be credited as an information source in these publications. Maps of NCNHP data may not be redistributed without permission. Also please note that the NC Natural Heritage Program may follow this letter with additional correspondence if a Dedicated Nature Preserve, Registered Heritage Area, Land and Water Fund easement, or an occurrence of a Federally -listed species is documented near the project area. If you have questions regarding the information provided in this letter or need additional assistance, please contact Rodney A. Butler at rod ney.butler(a)ncdcr.clov or 919-707-8603. Sincerely, NC Natural Heritage Program DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL. AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 1:1 W. JONES STREET, RALEIGI 4_ NC 27fiO3 - 1651 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALCIGH. NC 27699 OFC 915707.9120 • FA 919.707.4121 Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Intersecting the Project Area Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Project March 21, 2023 NCNHDE-21334 No Element Occurrences are Documented within the Project Area There are no documented element occurrences (of medium to very high accuracy) that intersect with the project area. Please note, however, that although the NCNHP database does not show records for rare species within the project area, it does not necessarily mean that they are not present; it may simply mean that the area has not been surveyed. The use of Natural Heritage Program data should not be substituted for actual field surveys if needed, particularly if the project area contains suitable habitat for rare species. If rare species are found, the NCNHP would appreciate receiving this information so that we may update our database. Natural Areas Documented Within Project Area Site Na epresentational Rating lllnr—� Collective Rating Pickards Mountain R3 (High) C5 (General) Managed Areas Documented Within Project Area Managed Area Name I Owner ]Jim Owner Type NC Agricultural Development and Farmland NC Department of Agriculture State Preservation Trust Fund Easement Triangle Land Conservancy Easement Triangle Land Conservancy Private NOTE: If the proposed project intersects with a conservation/managed area, please contact the landowner directly for additional information. If the project intersects with a Dedicated Nature Preserve (DNP), Registered Natural Heritage Area (RHA), or Federally -listed species, NCNHP staff may provide additional correspondence regarding the project. Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at https://ncnhde.natureserve.ora/help. Data query generated on March 21, 2023; source: NCNHP, Q4, Winter (January) 2023. Please resubmit your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database. Page 2 of 5 Natural Heritage Element Occurrences, Natural Areas, and Managed Areas Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Project March 21, 2023 NCNHDE-21334 Element Occurrences Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Taxonomic EO ID Scientific Name Common NameFDate ast Element Group bservation Occurrence 6 0 Rank Bird 16506 Vireo gilvus Warbling Vireo 2001-05-13 CD Dragonfly or 33764 Somatochlora Coppery Emerald 2004-Pre Damselfly georgiana Natural 13086 Dry-Mesic --- 2021-08-05 Community Oak --Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Natural 15430 Mesic Mixed Hardwood--- 2021-08-05 Community Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Natural 10161 Piedmont Monadnock --- 2021-08-05 Community Forest (Typic Subtype) Vascular Plant 22304 Tridens chapmanii Chapman's Redtop 1894-08-21 Natural Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Site Nam Representational Rating Pickards Mountain R3 (High) Managed Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Managed Area Name Owner Orange County Open Space Orange County Conservation Trust for North Carolina Easement Conservation Trust for North Carolina Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program US Department of Agriculture, Natural Easement Resources Conservation Service NC Agricultural Development and Farmland NC Department of Agriculture Preservation Trust Fund Easement NC Division of Mitigation Services Easement NC DEQ, Division of Mitigation Services Orange County Easement Orange County Orange County Easement Orange County Orange County Easement Orange County Orange County Easement Orange County H? AB B A H Accuracy Federal State Global State Status Status Rank Rank 4-Low --- Significantly G5 S2B Rare 5-Very --- Significantly G3G4 Sl? Low Rare 2-High --- --- G4G5 S4 2-High --- --- G3G4 S4 2-High --- --- G3G4 S3 5-Very --- Threatened G5T3 S1S2 Low Collective Rating C5 (General) Owner Type Local Government Private Federal State State Local Government Local Government Local Government Local Government Page 3 of 5 Managed Areas Documented Within a One -mile Radius of the Project Area Managed Area Nam Owner Triangle Land Conservancy Easement Triangle Land Conservancy Private Triangle Land Conservancy Easement Triangle Land Conservancy Private Triangle Land Conservancy Easement Triangle Land Conservancy Private Triangle Land Conservancy Easement Triangle Land Conservancy Private Definitions and an explanation of status designations and codes can be found at httos://ncnhde.natureserve.ora/helip. Data query generated on March 21, 2023; source: NCNHP, Q4, Winter (January) 2023. Please resubmit your information request if more than one year elapses before project initiation as new information is continually added to the NCNHP database. Page 4 of 5 NCNHDE-21334: Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Project March 21, 2023 ® NHP Natural Area (NHNA) Managed Area (MAREA) Buffered project Boundary Q Project Boundary Sources: Esn, Airbus OS, USGS, NGA NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, 05. NMA, Geodafaslyrelsen, Rgks—lerstaal. GSA Gealend FEMA, Inlermap and [he GIS user wffimunity Saurces� Esri, HERE, Garmin. FAO, NOAA, USGS, 0 OpmSlreelMap oonlributars. and Ibe GIS User Community Page 5 of 5 5/1/23, 3:07 PM RestorEcology, LLC Mail - Re: Online project review request letter: Bandit Farms (USFWS Project Code: 2023-0058056) Ma i I Daniel Ramsay <dramsay@restorecology.com> Re: Online project review request letter: Bandit Farms (USFWS Project Code: 2023- 0058056) 1 message Matthews, Kathryn H <kathryn_matthews@fws.gov> Wed, Apr 26, 2023 at 3:56 PM To: "dramsay@restorecology.com" <dramsay@restorecology.com> Cc: "Mann, Leigh" <leigh_mann@fws.gov> Hi Daniel, The Service concurs with your species determinations. Thank you for the opportunity to review. Please note that 1 am teleworking Wednesday through Friday, every week. Email is the best way to reach me. Thanks, Kathy Matthews NC Renewable Energy Coordinator & Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 551-F Pylon Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 919-856-4520, x. 27 From: Daniel Ramsay <dramsay@restorecology.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 7:30 PM To: Raleigh, FW4 <raleigh@fws.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Online project review request letter: Bandit Farms This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding. Good afternoon, For your review, please see the attached letter and review package regarding the Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank in Orange County, NC. I look forward to coordination with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on this riparian buffer restoration project. Regards, Daniel Daniel Ramsay, PWS Owner ( ) RESTORECOLOGY https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1 /?ik=8f6548446f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:l 764269994501064379&simpl=msg-f:1764269994501064379 1 /2 5/1/23, 3:07 PM RestorEcology, LLC Mail - Re: Online project review request letter: Bandit Farms (USFWS Project Code: 2023-0058056) m: 919.817.7378 1 www.restorecology.com Coordination Letter - USFWS- Bandit Farms 032123.pdf 5691 K https://mail.google.com/mail/u/l/?ik=8f6548446f&view=pt&search=all&permthid=thread-f:l764269994501064379&simpl=msg-f:1764269994501064379 2/2 RESTORECOLOGY From: Daniel Ramsay RestorEcology Jordan, LLC (RestorEcology) PO Box 5842 Cary, NC 27512 919-817-7378 dramsay@Restorecology.com To: Ms. Renee Gledhill -Earley State Historic Preservation Office 4617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4617 Transmitted via email to: Environmental.Review@ncdcr.gov March 21, 2023 Re: Project Review Request, Bandit Farms Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Project (Bandit Farms), Orange County, North Carolina, NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) #2016-0393 Dear Ms. Gledhill -Earley, RestorEcology would like to request a project review for Bandit Farms, a proposed riparian buffer and nutrient offset restoration project regulated by the DWR. The Project is located at 35°58'30.10"N, 79° 8'45.89"W in the Upper New Hope watershed of Jordan Lake (HUC 03030002). The location of the project and the action area are identified on the enclosed USGS topographic map and aerial photo map. Our proposed action consists of: approximately 18.2 acres of cropland and pasture will be planted with native hardwood trees to lessen nutrient inputs into the streams from agricultural activities and provide restored stream buffers. Existing wooded stream buffers within the project area will be preserved. Notably, the Project is expanding on a previous mitigation bank project called Maple View on the property, shown in the attached figure. Waters of the U.S. permitting under Section 404/401 of the Clean Water Act will not be required for the Project because ground -disturbing construction activities and changes to Project streams are not proposed. Riparian buffer credits, nitrogen (lb) and phosphorus (lb) will be generated by the Project. Credits 150 WRENN DR, #5842, CARY, NC 27512 T (919) 817-7378 U WWW.RESTORECOLOGY.COM will be sold on the private mitigation bank market to offset development impacts within the Upper New Hope watershed of Jordan Lake. The project tree planting is expected to be completed by winter 2024/2025. Based on aerial photographs, USGS topographic maps, and our on -site review of the project area, there are no historic properties (buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites, or designed landscape features that are listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places, or that are 50 or more years old) within or immediately adjacent to the project area. A mapped structure viewable on HPOWEB 2.0 on March 23, 2023, OR0409, Nutter Log House (Gone), is approximately 400-feet east of the project area, but is no longer in existence, per the HPOWEB 2.0 data. For additional information, please contact Daniel Ramsay at the address listed above. Sincerely, Daniel Ramsay, PWS Owner, RestorEcology Fnclnsures- • USGS Topographic Map • Aerial Photo Map OR0409 ► r:. r4Nutter Log House(Gone) f - r Esri C. FF � • I foal er, icr t Bandit Farms Project Area N (18.2 Maple Bandit Farms Buffer & Nutrient Bank Maple View Project Stream Status Ephemeral RESTOR 2'023 N Mi Stream o 0.0. - <all other values> ECOLOGY Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet o 0.07 0.15m li -- 1 Sa White Cross USGS .^-�►� . F c �pyrignt(c� ?nl� �iat�� Quadrangle p Cyq h- �' Parcels N Maple View Project Bandit Farms Buffer & Nutrient Bank Bandit Farms Project Area (18.2AC+/-) RESTORECOLOGY 2023 0 0.1 0.2 -ti , Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet 0 0.23 0.45m North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources State Historic Preservation Office Ramona M. Bartos, Administrator Governor Roy Cooper Secretary D. Reid Wilson April 4, 2023 Daniel Ramsay, PWS Office of Archives and History Deputy Secretary, Darin J. Waters, Ph.D. dramsay&restorecolo gy. com RestorEcology 150 Wrenn Drive #5842 Cary, NC 27511 Re: Bandit Farms riparian buffer and nutrient offset mitigation project, 35.977873,-79.144179, Wayne County, ER 22-2811 Dear Mr. Ramsay: Thank you for your letter of March 23, 2023, regarding the above -referenced undertaking. We have reviewed the submittal and offer the following comments. We have conducted a review of the project and are aware of no historic resources which would be affected by the project. Therefore, we have no comment on the project as proposed. The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36 CFR Part 800. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment, contact Renee Gledhill -Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919-814-6579 or environmental.review(cncdcr.gov. In all future communication concerning this project, please cite the above referenced tracking number. Sincerely, Ramona Bartos, Deputy {� State Historic Preservation Officer Location: 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601 Mailing Address: 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4617 Telephone/Fax: (919) 814-6570/814-6898 Bandit Farms 0 Dairyland Rd Hillsborough, NC 27278 Inquiry Number: 7308827.2s April 14, 2023 6 Armstrong Road, 4th floor Shelton, CT 06484 (rEDR . Toll Free: 800.352.0050 www.edrnet.com FORM-LBE-MGA TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE Executive Summary ES1 OverviewMap----------------------------------------------------------- 2 DetailMap-------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Map Findings Summary 4 MapFindings------------------------------------------------------------ 8 Orphan Summary--------------------------------------------------------- 10 Government Records Searched/Data Currency Tracking- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GRA GEOCHECK ADDENDUM Physical Setting Source Addendum A-1 Physical Setting Source Summary A-2 Physical Setting SSURGO Soil Map ------------------------------------------- A-5 Physical Setting Source Map------------------------------------------------ A-15 Physical Setting Source Map Findings A-17 Physical Setting Source Records Searched PSGRA Thank you for your business. Please contact EDR at 1-800-352-0050 with any questions or comments. Disclaimer - Copyright and Trademark Notice This Report contains certain information obtained from a variety of public and other sources reasonably available to Environmental Data Resources, LLC. It cannot be concluded from this Report that coverage information for the target and surrounding properties does not exist from other sources. This Report is provided on an "AS IS", "AS AVAILABLE" basis. NO WARRANTY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED IS MADE WHATSOEVER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS REPORT. ENVIRONMENTAL DATA RESOURCES, LLC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES AND THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS REPORT OR ANY OF THE DATA AND INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES REGARDING ACCURACY, QUALITY, CORRECTNESS, COMPLETENESS, COMPREHENSIVENESS, SUITABILITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NON -INFRINGEMENT, MISAPPROPRIATION, OR OTHERWISE. ALL RISK IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. IN NO EVENT SHALL ENVIRONMENTAL DATA RESOURCES, LLC OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES OR THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE TO ANYONE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY TYPE OR KIND (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF USE, OR LOSS OF DATA) INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT. Any analyses, estimates, ratings, environmental risk levels, or risk codes provided in this Report are provided for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to provide, nor should they be interpreted as providing any facts regarding, or prediction or forecast of, any environmental risk for any property. Only an assessment performed by a qualified environmental professional can provide findings, opinions or conclusions regarding the environmental risk or conditions in, on or at any property. Copyright 2023 by Environmental Data Resources, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any media or format, in whole or in part, of any report or map of Environmental Data Resources, LLC, or its affiliates, is prohibited without prior written permission. EDR and its logos (including Sanborn and Sanborn Map) are trademarks of Environmental Data Resources, LLC or its affiliates. All other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners. TC7308827.2s Page 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A search of available environmental records was conducted by Environmental Data Resources, Inc (EDR). The report was designed to assist parties seeking to meet the search requirements of EPA's Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries (40 CFR Part 312), the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments (E 1527-13), the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments for Forestland or Rural Property (E 2247-16), the ASTM Standard Practice for Limited Environmental Due Diligence: Transaction Screen Process (E 1528-14) or custom requirements developed for the evaluation of environmental risk associated with a parcel of real estate. TARGET PROPERTY INFORMATION ADDRESS 0 DAIRYLAND RD HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278 COORDINATES Latitude (North): Longitude (West): Universal Tranverse Mercator: UTM X (Meters): UTM Y (Meters): Elevation: 35.9745630 - 35' 58' 28.42" 79.1456650 - 79° 8' 44.39" Zone 17 667193.6 3982516.2 560 ft. above sea level USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP ASSOCIATED WITH TARGET PROPERTY Target Property Map: 13840535 WHITE CROSS, NC Version Date: 2019 Southeast Map: 13839762 CHAPEL HILL, NC Version Date: 2019 AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN THIS REPORT Portions of Photo from: 20140619 Source: USDA TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 MAPPED SITES SUMMARY Target Property Address: 0 DAIRYLAND RD HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278 Click on Map ID to see full detail. MAP ID SITE NAME ADDRESS DATABASE ACRONYMS RELATIVE DIST (ft. & mi.) ELEVATION DIRECTION THOMPSON, BARRY RT 3 BOX 562 IMD Higher 2383, 0.451, West 7308827.2s Page 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TARGET PROPERTY SEARCH RESULTS The target property was not listed in any of the databases searched by EDR. DATABASES WITH NO MAPPED SITES No mapped sites were found in EDR's search of available ("reasonably ascertainable ") government records either on the target property or within the search radius around the target property for the following databases: STANDARD ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS Lists of Federal NPL (Superfund) sites NPL National Priority List Proposed NPL---------------- Proposed National Priority List Sites NPL LIENS Federal Superfund Liens Lists of Federal Delisted NPL sites Delisted NPL National Priority List Deletions Lists of Federal sites subject to CERCLA removals and CERCLA orders FEDERAL FACILITY---------. Federal Facility Site Information listing SEMS Superfund Enterprise Management System Lists of Federal CERCLA sites with NFRAP SEMS-ARCHIVE Superfund Enterprise Management System Archive Lists of Federal RCRA facilities undergoing Corrective Action CORRACTS------------------ Corrective Action Report Lists of Federal RCRA TSD facilities RCRA-TSDF RCRA - Treatment, Storage and Disposal Lists of Federal RCRA generators RCRA-LQG RCRA - Large Quantity Generators RCRA-SQG------------------ RCRA - Small Quantity Generators RCRA-VSQG RCRA - Very Small Quantity Generators (Formerly Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators) Federal institutional controls / engineering controls registries LUCIS------------------------ Land Use Control Information System TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY US ENG CONTROLS --------- Engineering Controls Sites List US INST CONTROLS Institutional Controls Sites List Federal ERNS list ERNS Emergency Response Notification System Lists of state- and tribal (Superfund) equivalent sites NC HSDS____________________ Hazardous Substance Disposal Site Lists of state- and tribal hazardous waste facilities SHWS Inactive Hazardous Sites Inventory Lists of state and tribal landfills and solid waste disposal facilities SWF/LF List of Solid Waste Facilities OLI___________________________ Old Landfill Inventory DEBRIS Solid Waste Active Disaster Debris Sites Listing LCID Land -Clearing and Inert Debris (LCID) Landfill Notifications Lists of state and tribal leaking storage tanks LUST ------------------------- Regional UST Database LAST Leaking Aboveground Storage Tanks INDIAN LUST Leaking Underground Storage Tanks on Indian Land LUST TRUST ----------------- State Trust Fund Database Lists of state and tribal registered storage tanks FEMA UST Underground Storage Tank Listing UST Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Database AST__________________________ AST Database INDIAN UST Underground Storage Tanks on Indian Land State and tribal institutional control / engineering control registries INST CONTROL No Further Action Sites With Land Use Restrictions Monitoring Lists of state and tribal voluntary cleanup sites VCP__________________________ Responsible Party Voluntary Action Sites INDIAN VCP Voluntary Cleanup Priority Listing Lists of state and tribal brownfield sites BROWNFIELDS Brownfields Projects Inventory ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS Local Brownfield lists US BROWNFIELDS---------- A Listing of Brownfields Sites TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Local Lists of Landfill / Solid Waste Disposal Sites SWRCY---------------------- Recycling Center Listing HIST LF Solid Waste Facility Listing INDIAN ODI Report on the Status of Open Dumps on Indian Lands DEBRIS REGION 9----------. Torres Martinez Reservation Illegal Dump Site Locations ODI Open Dump Inventory IHS OPEN DUMPS Open Dumps on Indian Land Local Lists of Hazardous waste / Contaminated Sites US HIST CDL---------------- Delisted National Clandestine Laboratory Register US CDL National Clandestine Laboratory Register Local Land Records LIENS 2 CERCLA Lien Information Records of Emergency Release Reports HMIRS----------------------- Hazardous Materials Information Reporting System SPILLS Spills Incident Listing SPILLS 90 SPILLS 90 data from FirstSearch SPILLS 80-------------------. SPILLS 80 data from FirstSearch Other Ascertainable Records RCRA NonGen / NLR RCRA - Non Generators / No Longer Regulated FUDS Formerly Used Defense Sites DOD------------------------- Department of Defense Sites SCRD DRYCLEANERS State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners Listing US FIN ASSUR Financial Assurance Information EPA WATCH LIST-----------. EPA WATCH LIST 2020 COR ACTION 2020 Corrective Action Program List TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act TRIS------------------------- Toxic Chemical Release Inventory System SSTS Section 7 Tracking Systems ROD Records Of Decision RMP------------------------- Risk Management Plans RAATS RCRA Administrative Action Tracking System PRP Potentially Responsible Parties PADS------------------------ PCB Activity Database System ICIS Integrated Compliance Information System FTTS FIFRA/ TSCA Tracking System - FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act)/TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) MLTS Material Licensing Tracking System COAL ASH DOE Steam -Electric Plant Operation Data COAL ASH EPA-------------- Coal Combustion Residues Surface Impoundments List PCB TRANSFORMER PCB Transformer Registration Database RADINFO Radiation Information Database HIST FTTS------------------- FIFRA/TSCA Tracking System Administrative Case Listing DOT OPS Incident and Accident Data CONSENT Superfund (CERCLA) Consent Decrees INDIAN RESERV------------- Indian Reservations TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FUSRAP_____________________ Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program UMTRA Uranium Mill Tailings Sites LEAD SMELTERS Lead Smelter Sites US AIRS_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Aerometric Information Retrieval System Facility Subsystem US MINES Mines Master Index File ABANDONED MINES Abandoned Mines FINDS ------------------------ Facility Index System/Facility Registry System DOCKET HWC Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket Listing ECHO Enforcement & Compliance History Information UXO-------------------------- Unexploded Ordnance Sites FUELS PROGRAM EPA Fuels Program Registered Listing PFAS NPL Superfund Sites with PFAS Detections Information PFAS FEDERAL SITES______ Federal Sites PFAS Information PFAS TSCA PFAS Manufacture and Imports Information PFAS RCRA MANIFEST_____. PFAS Transfers Identified In the RCRA Database Listing PFAS ATSDR---------------- PFAS Contamination Site Location Listing PFAS WQP Ambient Environmental Sampling for PFAS PFAS NPDES Clean Water Act Discharge Monitoring Information PFAS ECHO_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Facilities in Industries that May Be Handling PFAS Listing PFAS ECHO FIRE TRAINING. Facilities in Industries that May Be Handling PFAS Listing PFAS PART 139 AIRPORT___ All Certified Part 139 Airports PFAS Information Listing AQUEOUS FOAM NRC------- Aqueous Foam Related Incidents Listing PFAS PFAS Contamination Site Listing AIRS Air Quality Permit Listing ASBESTOS__________________ ASBESTOS COAL ASH Coal Ash Disposal Sites DRYCLEANERS Drycleaning Sites Financial Assurance_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Financial Assurance Information Listing NPDES NPDES Facility Location Listing UIC Underground Injection Wells Listing AOP-------------------------- Animal Operation Permits Listing SEPT HAULERS Permitted Septage Haulers Listing PCSRP Petroleum -Contaminated Soil Remediation Permits CCB-------------------------- Coal Ash Structural Fills (CCB) Listing PFAS TRIS List of PFAS Added to the TRI MINES MRDS Mineral Resources Data System EDR HIGH RISK HISTORICAL RECORDS EDR Exclusive Records EDR MGP____________________ EDR Proprietary Manufactured Gas Plants EDR Hist Auto EDR Exclusive Historical Auto Stations EDR Hist Cleaner EDR Exclusive Historical Cleaners EDR RECOVERED GOVERNMENT ARCHIVES Exclusive Recovered Govt. Archives RGA HWS-------------------- Recovered Government Archive State Hazardous Waste Facilities List RGA LF Recovered Government Archive Solid Waste Facilities List RGA LUST Recovered Government Archive Leaking Underground Storage Tank SURROUNDING SITES: SEARCH RESULTS Surrounding sites were identified in the following databases. TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Elevations have been determined from the USGS Digital Elevation Model and should be evaluated on a relative (not an absolute) basis. Relative elevation information between sites of close proximity should be field verified. Sites with an elevation equal to or higher than the target property have been differentiated below from sites with an elevation lower than the target property. Page numbers and map identification numbers refer to the EDR Radius Map report where detailed data on individual sites can be reviewed. Sites listed in bold italics are in multiple databases. Unmappable (orphan) sites are not considered in the foregoing analysis. ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS Records of Emergency Release Reports IMD: Incident Management Database. A review of the IMD list, as provided by EDR, and dated 01/13/2023 has revealed that there is 1 IMD site within approximately 0.5 miles of the target property. Equal/Higher Elevation Address Direction / Distance Map ID Page THOMPSON, BARRY RT 3 BOX 562 W 1/4 - 1/2 (0.451 mi.) Facility Id: 3793 TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Due to poor or inadequate address information, the following sites were not mapped. Count: 5 records. Site Name STEVENSON PROPERTY DELUXE CLEANERS PLAZA CLEANERS BAILEY PROPERTY P.W. SCOTT FARM #3 Database(s) LAST DRYCLEANERS DRYCLEANERS LUST TRUST LUST TRUST TC7308827.2s EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8 OVERVIEW MAP - 7308827.2S Target Property o 114 v2 1 races Sites at elevations higher than or equal to the target property Indian Reservations BIA Hazardous Substance ♦ Sites at elevations lower than °, a a a% Power transmission lines Disposal Sites the target property Special Flood Hazard Area (1%) 1 Manufactured Gas Plants 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard National Priority List Sites Dept. Defense Sites 0 National Wetland Inventory State Wetlands This report includes Interactive Map Layers to display and/or hide map information. The legend includes only those icons for the default map view. SITE NAME: Bandit Farms CLIENT: RestorEcology, LLC ADDRESS: 0 Dairyland Rd CONTACT: Daniel Ramsay Hillsborough NC 27278 INQUIRY #: 7308827.2s LAT/LONG: 35.974563 / 79.145665 DATE: April 14, 2023 1:52 pm Copyright m 2023 EDR, Inc. (c) 2015 TornTom Ref 2015 Map ID MAP FINDINGS Direction Distance EDR ID Number Elevation Site Database(s) EPA ID Number 1 THOMPSON, BARRY IMD S103130702 West RT 3 BOX 562 N/A 1/4-1/2 HILLSBOROUGH, NC 0.451 mi. 2383 ft. Relative: IMD: Higher Facility ID: 3793 Actual: Name: THOMPSON, BARRY 660 ft. Address: RT 3 BOX 562 City,State,Zip: HILLSBOROUGH, NC Date Occurred: 11/2/1988 Submit Date: 1/8/2003 Incident Desc: WATER WELL WAS CONTAMINATED WITH RAW SEWAGE. LETTER SENT IN 12/08/1988 DETAILS THE CHLORINATION OF THE WELL AND PUMPIING OF THE WELL TO REMOVE THE CONTAMINATION Operator: THOMPSON, BARRY UST ID: Not reported Incident ID: Not reported Initials of UST Regional Contact: Not reported Regional Office: Not reported Responsible Party/Company Name: Not reported Ownership: 5 Responsible Party Contact Name: Not reported Operation: 5 Responsible Party Mailing Address: Not reported Responsible Party City,State,Zip: Not reported Ownership: Federal Operation Type: Industrial Responsible Party County: Not reported Source: Well Type: SEWAGE/SEPTAGE Location: Not reported Petroleum Type: Not reported Date Incident Reported: Not reported Whether Tank is Commercial or Non Commercial: Not reported Site Priority: 40 Whether Tank is Regulated: Not reported Priority Update: Not reported Notice of Regulatory Requirement: Not reported Wells Affected: Yes Notice of Violation: Not reported Phase 1 or Phase 2: Not reported Num Affected: 1 Site Priority: Not reported Location: Not reported Current Risk Condition: Not reported Sampled By: Not reported Samples Include: Not reported Initial reported risk of incident (never changes): Not reported 7.5 Min Quad: Not reported 5 Min Quad: Not reported Intermediate Condition Present: Not reported Latitude: 35.971666 Longitude: -79.164166 Use of Land, Industrial: Not reported Corrective Action Plan Selected - up to 5: Not reported RBCA: Not reported Date Close Review Requested From RP or Owner: Not reported TC7308827.2s Page 8 Map ID Direction Distance Elevation Site THOMPSON, BARRY (Continued) MAP FINDINGS Date Case Closed: Extent of Contamination: Number of Supply Wells Located on Property: MTBE in Well Y/N/U Yes, No or Unknown: Facility Phone Number: MTBE in Groundwater Y/N/U Yes, No or Unknown: Date Land Use Restriction Filed: Date Cleanup Initiated: Record Status: RBCA GW Codes: RBCA GW: Pollutant Type Present: Reference Number for Media Disk for Archived Record RP Owner?: RP Operator?: RP Landowner?: Comments: GW Contam: Soil Contam: Contact Phone: Owner Company: Operator Address: Operator City,State,Zip: Operator County: Material: Qty Lost 1: Qty Recovered 1: Setting: Risk Site: Priority Code: Dem Contact: Wells Contam: Latitude Number: Longitude Number: Latitude Decimal: Longitude Decimal: GPS: Agency: EDR ID Number Database(s) EPA ID Number S103130702 Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Yes, Groundwater Contamination has been detected Not reported 919-942-2929 Not reported INTERSECTION SR 1102 & SR 1177 HILLSBOROUGH, NC 919-942-2929 Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported A ER Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported Not reported EST DWQ TC7308827.2s Page 9