Pierce-Terrace_100139_MY0-MY1(2023)_IRT Site Visit Notes_

Restoration Systems, LLC
1101 Haynes St. Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina
Ph: [phone]
August 9, 2023 Fx: [phone]

1101 Haynes St., Suite 211 • Raleigh, NC 27604 • www.restorationsystems.com • Ph 919.755.9490 • Fx 919.755.9492

Jeremiah Dow
Eastern Regional Supervisor
Division of Mitigation Services
Sent via email to: [e-mail]

Subject: Pierce Terrace, MY0/MY1 (2023) IRT Site Visit Notes
DMS Project No. 100139
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2020-00046 & DWR Project No. 2020034

On August 4, 2023, Restoration Systems (RS) held an on-site meeting with regulatory agencies to review and discuss
the Pierce Terrace Site (Site). Below is a list of attendees and site visit notes.

Attendees:
USACE:
- Todd Tugwell
- Casey Haywood
NC DWR:
- Maria Polizzi

Restoration Systems:
- Alex Baldwin

Site Visit Notes:

• A review of the Pierce Terrace Mitigation Plan Modification was conducted before the walkthrough began.
The modification was discussed, and the as-built figures were reviewed to inform the IRT of the requested
changes.

• Gauge locations along the wetland asset boundaries were appreciated.

• Even though it is in an upland RS proposed to keep monitoring gauge 57 to provide additional data to
hydrological response to the restoration efforts. There was no objection to this request.

• IRT was accepting of using the Hofler reference gauge located in Merchants Millpond State Park as a
reference for Pierce Terrace if it is representative of a reference wetland. RS indicated the gauge is located
in the Bladen soil series with mature trees and in a landscape position (non-riparian wetland) similar to
Pierce Terrace with no drainage influence from existing ditches. Once the reference gauge has been
installed, please be sure to note the specific location of the gauge and provide photo points and a soil
profile of the spot in next year’s monitoring report.

• The IRT observed areas where ditches were filled along with wetland creation areas were showing a slower
response to establishment of herbaceous vegetation. RS indicated that these areas were scheduled to be
seeded with clover late summer/early fall 2023 to promote vegetation establishment.

IRT requested during annual vegetation monitoring to include one random vegetation transect in each of
the wetland creation areas, and to include random vegetation transects in the non-riverine swamp forest
planting zone as well. In the annual monitoring reports track the general progression of vegetation
establishment in these areas.

• Add photo points (total of 3) at the top of each outlet structure facing downstream.

• Add bentonite around each of the wells.

• On the CCPV show the outlet lowering locations along the berm that were performed as a part of the
Hofler Mitigation Site Adaptive Management Plan.

Pierce Terrace, MY0/MY1 (2023) IRT Site Visit Notes Page 2
DMS Project No. 100139
USACE Action ID No. SAW-2020-00046 & DWR Project No. 2020034

• The lower elevation non-riverine swamp forest areas need to be watched carefully as they may have slow
vegetation growth due to standing water and have the possibility of resulting in some drainage effect to
the immediately adjacent slopes that are all supposed to be restored to wetland.

• Cattails were observed in some of the lower elevation non-riverine swamp forest areas and need to be
monitored and treated as needed.

• The IRT noted that there were posts that have not yet been installed that are intended to prevent further
scalloping along the boundary between the ag field and the easement. Please ensure these are installed
with markers, and continue to monitor for encroachments, noting the results in future monitoring reports.