20231145 Ver 1_VIABILITY ASSESSMENT REQUEST FORM 2023 - Sand Hill 111723_20231117

ID#* 20231145 Version* 1
Select Reviewer:
Katie Merritt
Initial Review Completed Date 11/20/2023
Mitigation Project Submittal - 11/17/2023
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 [e-mail]
Project Information
ID#: * 20231145 Version:* 1
Existing ID# Existing Version
Project Type: DMS Mitigation Bank
Project Name: Sand Hill Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset
Bank
County: Wayne
Document Information
Mitigation Document Type:*
Mitigation Site Viability Request
File Upload: VIABILITY ASSESSMENT REQUEST FORM 2023 -
9.29MB
Sand Hill 111723.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

ROY COOPER
Governor
DIONNE DELLI-GATTI
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
BUFFER MITIGATION &/OR NUTRIENT OFFSET
SITE VIABILITY ASSESSMENT REQUEST (VERSION 7-2023)
(Form must be complete and all attachments included to process request)
❑ BUFFER MITIGATION ❑ NUTRIENT OFFSET ❑X BOTH
Contact Name
Daniel Ramsay
Contact Company
RestorEcology Neuse, LLC
Mailing Address
PO Box 5842, Cary, NC 27512
Email
[e-mail]
Phone:[phone]
Do you have the right to access the property?
0 YES ❑ NO
PARCEL/SITE DETAILS
Proposed Site Name
Sand Hill (DWR# 2023-1145v1)
Address
0 Old Grantham Rd
City: Grantham
Site Coordinates
35.3077114°N, 78.1494603°W
County: Wayne
River Basin Name
Neuse
8-Digit HUC:03020201
Sub -watershed (only include
if in Jordan Lake or Falls)
Below Falls Lake Dam
Will this be part of a stream or wetland project/bank?
❑ YES 0 NO
Has anyone from DWR or the USACE visited the site in the past 12 months? 0 YES ❑ NO
Have buffer/stream determinations been made by Division of Water Resources? 0 YES ❑ NO
Will any state or federal grant money be associated with this proposed project? ❑ YES 0 NO
Are any State, Local or Federal Permits associated with the parcel/land? ❑ YES 0 NO
ATTACHMENTS REQUIRED (provide items 1-6 as a separate attachment, not to exceed 10 pages)
1. Detailed description of the parcel/site including existing site conditions, constraints and permits
affiliated with the property.
2. Include a timeline of land use changes from 1990-Present supported by Google imagery;
3. Include the DWR Stream Call Determination letter with maps & figures;
4. Include an Aerial Map showing a proposed Conservation Easement/Project boundary
5. Include lidar imagery of the area within the proposed project boundary
6. Include ditch depths: measure center -line of ditch to top of bank every 100 ft to stream confluence
NCDWR - 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
SEND COMPLETE REQUEST TO: [e-mail]

SAND HILL BUFFER MITIGATION
AND NUTRIENT OFFSET BANK
DWR#2023-1145v1
Site Viability Request
HUC: 03020201
Neuse Watershed, Below Falls Lake Dam
RESTORECOLOGY NEUSE, LLC
Version 1
November 17, 2023

ATTACHMENT 1
1.0 Project Description
1.1 Existing Site Conditions
RestorEcology Neuse, LLC (RestorEcology) is proposing the Sand Hill Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient
Offset Project (the Project) on Horse Branch, one unnamed tributary, one ditch, and two ephemeral
features in Wayne County, NC (NC Division of Water Resources [DWR] Project ID 2023-1145v1). Pending
survey confirmation and project design, approximately 14 acres of agricultural field will be planted with
native hardwood trees and shrubs. The existing buffers, where present, will be preserved and enhanced
as appropriate. The Project is primarily in row -crop, with a hardwood swamp area along Horse Branch.
The five proposed project features are depicted on Attachment 4 and described as follows:
Horse Rranch
Horse Branch is a stream -swamp complex on the southern boundary of the Project. It is a perennial
stream, having a watershed of —3.2 miz. Mr. Shelton Sullivan, DWR, indicated from his site visit
documented in the Stream Determination Letter dated October 23, 2023 (Attachment 3) that the
stream is subject to the Neuse buffer rules and is at least intermittent. The existing Horse Branch
riparian area is primarily hardwood swamp, with cropland uphill of the swamp. UT1 and Ephemeral 2
confluence with Horse Branch or its adjacent swamp in the Project.
Ditch 1
Ditch 1 begins as a 1-foot by 5-foot ditch in a field south of Old Grantham Rd and flows southeast. Flow
has only been present at the lower end of Ditch 1 when evaluated. Ditch 1 widens and deepens at it
nears its confluence with UT1 and is 6-feet by 10-feet at the confluence. The Project area along Ditch 1
is from the centerline to 200-feet outside the right bank, and this area is currently cropland.
Akic"9:
UT1— EPH begins as a modified ephemeral channel to the east of Ditch 1 and is 3 feet deep by 5 feet
wide. At a 1.5-foot headcut, it gains intermittent characteristics and becomes UT1.
UT1
At the headcut described above, UT1 begins as a short segment of naturalized channel within a deep
drainage ditch (6-feet-deep and 10-feet-wide). Using the NC Division of Water Quality Methodology for
Identification of Intermittent and Perennial Streams and Their Origins, Version 4.11 (the NC Method),
the stream was given a score of 22.5. Mr. Sullivan indicated that UT1 is subject to the Neuse buffer rules
and is at least intermittent. UT1 continues south as a modified natural stream through cropland to its
confluence with Horse Branch. The ditched section varies from 7-feet-deep by 12-feet-wide to 2-feet-
deep by 7-feet-wide. A farm path is present on the right bank of UT1 where it enters the floodplain of
Horse Branch, and the path continues across Horse Branch.
Ephemeral 2
Ephemeral 2 begins abruptly as an apparent groundwater seep in a narrow valley between two fields.
There is a timbered riparian area along the feature, and cropland outside of that. Ephemeral 2 then
enters a man-made pond as a 1-foot-deep by 5-feet-wide channel with sluggish flow. The NC Method
score in this area was 14.25. The channel exits the pond along a man-made drainageway around the side
Sand Hill Site Viability Request
Neuse 03020201, Below Falls Lake Dam 1 November 2023

ATTACHMENT 1
of the earthen dam. Ephemeral 2 is discernible as a channel below the dam until it terminates in the
Horse Branch floodplain swamp. Because Ephemeral 2 does not directly connect to Horse Branch, Mr.
Sullivan did not deem it subject to the Neuse buffer rules.
1.2 Constraints
As shown on Attachment 4, there is a farm path that crosses UT1 and travels south on the right bank
side. The Project will also likely be one-sided along Ditch 1 and UT1-EPH because the adjacent property
owner to the north is not participating in the Project at this time.
1.3 Permits Affiliated with the Property
No known permits are affiliated with the property containing the Project.
1.4 Land Use Changes
The project area has been in largely the same land use of cropland since at least 1993 (see 1993, 1998,
2013, and 2021 aerials enclosed as Attachment 2 and 4). The left bank riparian area of UT1-EPH was
primarily wooded in the 1993 aerial photograph. By 1998, this area was converted to cropland.
Sand Hill Site Viability Request
Neuse 03020201, Below Falls Lake Dam 2 November 2023

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DocuSign Envelope ID: B3781ADF-B30B-4lE9-A92E-DE6B3C56F5F2
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
Daniel Ramsey, RestorEcology, LLC
[e-mail]
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
October 23, 2023
DWR Project 20231145 Version 1
Wayne County
Subject: On -Site Determination for Applicability to the Neuse Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0714)
Project Name: Sand Hills
Site Address / Location: 35.3077114 N, 78.1494603 W
Dear Mr. Ramsey:
On September 14th 2023, Blake Harthorn and Shelton Sullivan conducted an on -site review of features
located on the Sand Hills Mitigation Bank Site with and at the request of Daniel Ramsey with
RestorEcology, LLC to determine the presence of streams and the applicability of features on the site to
the Neuse River Riparian Area Protection Rules, Title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 02B .0714.
The Division of Water Resources has determined that the features listed as "subject" in the table below
and identified on the attached maps are shown on either the most recently published County NRCS Soil
Survey of and/or the USGS National Map at a scale that incorporates the National Hydrography Dataset
High Resolution data at 1:24,000 scale. In addition, the features listed as "subject" on the below table
have been located on the ground at the site and possess characteristics that qualify them to be at least
intermittent streams in accordance with the NC Stream Identification Manual v.4.11 and therefore
subject to the Nuese Buffer Rules. Please be aware that features identified as "not subject" may be
considered jurisdictional according to the US Army Corps of Engineers and subject to the Clean Water
Act.
The enclosed map(s) depict the feature(s) evaluated and this information is also summarized in the
table below.
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 CAROLINA
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3781ADF-B30B-4lE9-A92E-DE6B3C56F5F2
DWR 2023-1145v1
Sand Hills
Wayne County
Page 2 of 3
Subject to
Depicted on
Depicted on
Feature ID
Feature Type*
Start @
Stop @
Buffer Rules
Soil Survey
USGS Topo
35.308147N, -
Confluence with
Ephemeral 1
Ephemeral
No
no
no
78.149366W
UT1
Stream at least
35.307859N, -
Confluence with
UT1
Intermittent
Yes
78.149373W
Horse Branch
yes
no
35.305961, -
Ephemeral 2
Ephemeral
No
35.306023N, -
78.148478 (@
yes
no
(above pond)
78.148267W
pond)
Ephemeral 2
35.305702, -
35.305200, -
(below pond)
Ephemeral
No
78.149400
78.149872
yes
no
35.309117 N, -
Confluence with
Ditch 1
Ditch
No
78.150549 W
Ephemeral 1
yes
no
Stream at least
35.302952 N, -
35.306836 N, -
Horse Branch
Intermittent
Yes
78.146438 W
78.153216 W
Yes
yes
Pond 1
Pond
No
35.305961, -
35.305702, -
no
yes
78.148478
78.149400
* Stream (ephemeral, intermittent, perennial), Ditch, Swale, Wetland, Other
This on -site determination shall expire five (5) years from the date of this letter. The owner (or future
owners) should notify the Division (and other relevant agencies) of this decision in any future
correspondences concerning this property. Landowners or affected parties that dispute this
determination made by the Division may request a determination by the Director of Water Resources.
This determination is final and binding, unless an appeal request is made within sixty (60) calendar
days of the date of this letter to the Director in writing.
If sending via U.S. Postal Service:
Stephanie Goss - DWR 401 & Buffer
Permitting Branch Supervisor
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
If sending via delivery service (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
Stephanie Goss -DWR 401 & Buffer
Permitting Branch Supervisor
512 N Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27604
This letter only addresses the applicability of the stated regulations on the features identified on the
subject property and/or within the proposed project area. This letter does not approve any activity
within buffers or within waters of the state. There may be other regulated waters, streams or other
features located on the property that do not appear on the maps or table referenced above. Any
waters, streams, or other features on the site, including the features identified in this letter, may be
considered jurisdictional according to the US Army Corps of Engineers and subject to the Clean Water
Act. If you have any additional questions or require additional information, please contact Blake
Hartshorn at 919-707-3684 or [e-mail]. This determination is subject to review as
provided in Articles 3 & 4 of G.S. 150B.
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
NCRTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
gaparNrM of Emironmanfal quay

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3781ADF-B30B-41E9-A92E-DE6B3C56F5F2
DWR 2023-1145v1
Sand Hills
Wayne County
Page 3 of 3
Sincerely,
DocuSigned by:
S��bSS
tep�ianie doss, Supervisor
401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Enclosures: USGS Topographical Map, published NRCS Soil Survey, Site Map
Electronic cc: 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch, Laserfiche File 2023-1145v1
Landowner: Susan O. Rudell and husband Steven T. Rudell
USACE County Rep, Emily Thompson, [e-mail]
DWR Washington Regional Office
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
NCRTH CAROLINA 919.707.9000
gaparMeM of EmironmanW quay

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3781ADF-B30B-41E9-A92E-DE6B3C56F5F2

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3781ADF-B30B-4lE9-A92E-DE6B3C56F5F2
ultcn 1, Ephemeral i , ana rond 1 are not represented on NRCS Soils map
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Sand Hill Buffer and Nutrient Offset Project
RESTORECOLOGY T2023 0 zoo 400
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Coordinate System: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet o 0.07 0.15

DocuSign Envelope ID: B3781ADF-B30B-41E9-A92E-DE6B3C56F5F2
No features shown except Horse Branch and Pond 1
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