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Home My WebLink About20201095 Ver 1_Double Rock_Buffer_MY1_Report_Draft_20231222 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel DWR ID # 2020‐1095v1 Wildlands Holdings VI, LLC; Wildlands Catawba Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument Alexander County, NC Catawba 01 Watershed Catawba River Basin HUC 03050101 MONITORING YEAR 1 REPORT – BUFFER MITIGATION December 2023 PREPARED BY: Wildlands Engineering, Inc. 1430 South Mint Street, Suite 104 Charlotte, NC 28203 Phone: (704) 332‐7754 Fax: (704) 332‐3306 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page i Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report MONITORING YEAR 1 REPORT – BUFFER MITIGATION Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Wildlands Holdings VI, LLC; Wildlands Catawba Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Description....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Bank Sponsor................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Project History .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Project Location ........................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Project Design .............................................................................................................................. 2 2.0 Vegetation Monitoring .................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Success Criteria ............................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Description of Species and Monitoring Protocol ........................................................................ 4 2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring ............................................................................................... 6 2.4 Parcel Adaptive Management ..................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Easement Boundary Inspection ................................................................................................... 7 2.6 Conclusions................................................................................................................................... 7 3.0 References ....................................................................................................................................... 8 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Project Activity and Reporting History Table 2 Tree Species Selected for Buffer Restoration Table 3 Character/Existing Tree Species Table 4 Monitoring Plot Summary – Planting (As‐Built) Table 5 Monitoring Plot Summary – Year 1 APPENDICES Appendix A: Figures Figure 1 Project Location Map Figure 2 Service Area Map Figure 3 Project Components/Assets Map Figure 4 Monitoring Components Map Appendix B: Bank Credit Ledger Appendix C: Vegetation Assessment Data Table 6 Vegetation Plot Success Summary Table 7a‐b Planted and Total Stem Counts Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Appendix E: Overview Photographs Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 1 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Project Description The Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel (Parcel) was created under the terms and conditions of the Wildlands Catawba Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument (UMBI), made and entered into by Wildlands Holdings VI, LLC acting as Bank Sponsor (Sponsor) and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Water Resources (NCDWR). The Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) was approved in September 2022. The Parcel has been planned, designed, and constructed according to the UMBI and the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 which became effective November 1, 2015. The project has been designed in concurrence with the Wildlands Catawba Umbrella Mitigation Bank, Double Rock Mitigation Site (DWR ID#2020‐1095v1) which includes a stream restoration component. The parcel location and the service area are depicted in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The Parcel creates a protected riparian area from top of bank ranging from 50 feet to 200 feet along four project tributaries. Both the buffer and stream mitigation projects include Elk Shoals Creek and two unnamed tributaries (Randall Tributary and Stikeleather Tributary). The stream mitigation bank also includes three additional unnamed tributaries (Matheson Tributary, Matheson Tributary A, and Matheson Tributary B), which are not proposed for riparian buffer credit. Elk Shoals Creek eventually drains into the Catawba River, a 303(d) listed stream, approximately 6‐miles downstream. The primary purpose of the project is to provide stream and riparian buffer mitigation credits to compensate for unavoidable impacts in the Catawba River Basin Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03050101. Of the 19.33 acres protected under the conservation easement, 6.17 acres were restored and 2.06 acres were preserved for riparian buffer credit. The area of preservation credit within the buffer mitigation site equals 25% of the total area of buffer mitigation. An additional 5.93 acres are used for crossings, for the stream preservation areas on Matheson Trib, Matheson Trib A, and Matheson Trib B, and for the buffer preservation areas which are greater than the 25% of the total credited area; these areas will not receive credits. There is one credit ledger for the project: Riparian Buffer Credits. None of the riparian buffer credits on the Parcel are convertible or transferable to nutrient offset credits. 1.2 Bank Sponsor The Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel is part of the bank. The Wildlands Catawba UMBI for the bank was approved on September 19, 2022. Wildlands Holdings VI, LLC 1430 South Mint Street, Suite 104 Charlotte, NC 28203 Phone: 704‐332‐7754 Attn: Shawn Wilkerson Email: swilkerson@wildlandseng.com Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 2 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report 1.3 Project History A timeline of the project history is provided in Table 1. Table 1. Project Activity and Reporting History Activity or Report Data Collection Complete Completion or Scheduled Delivery Stream Mitigation Plan Approved ‐ July 2022 Wildlands Catawba UMBI ‐ September 2022 BPDP Approval Date ‐ September 2022 Conservation Easement ‐ October 2022 Stream Mitigation Construction (Grading) ‐ April 2023 Bare Root Planting ‐ April 2023 Stream Mitigation As‐Built Survey ‐ June 2023 Buffer Mitigation As‐Built Survey ‐ August 2023 Easement Marking & Fencing (Buffer and Stream Mitigation) ‐ June 2023 Stream Mitigation As‐Built and Baseline Monitoring Document (Year 0) May 2023 July 2023 Buffer Mitigation As‐Built and Baseline Monitoring Document (Year 0) April 2023 August 2023 Buffer Mitigation Year 1 Monitoring November 2023 December 2023 Stream Mitigation Year 1 Monitoring November 2023 March 2024 1.4 Project Location The Parcel is comprised of two parcels: one that is maintained as an active cattle farm, and one that is currently wooded but has been managed for both timber and agriculture in the past. The Parcel is located in Alexander County in the township of Hiddenite, approximately six miles southeast of Taylorsville, NC (Figure 1). DirecƟons are included on Figure 1. Although the Parcel was restored for stream and riparian buffer miƟgaƟon credits in the Catawba River Basin HUC 03050101 (Figure 2), this report is to document the implementaƟon of the buffer miƟgaƟon efforts. The Parcel is located within the Catawba River Basin HUC 03050101130010 (Elk Shoals Creek), NCDWR Subbasin 03‐08‐32. AddiƟonally, the Parcel is located in the Elk Shoals Creek Targeted Local Watershed (TLW) which amended is deﬁned in the Catawba River Basin RestoraƟon Plan (NCDEQ, 2018) as Water Supply IV Waters, which are used as a source of drinking water, culinary, or food processing. 1.5 Project Design The Double Rock Bank Parcel includes 6.17 credited acres or 268,654.000 ft² of riparian buffer restoration credits, 2.06 credited acres or 89,551.000 ft² of riparian buffer preservation credits. An additional 5.93 acres are used for crossings, for the stream preservation areas on Matheson Trib, Matheson Trib A, and Matheson Trib B, and for the buffer preservation areas which are greater than the 25% of the total credited area; these areas will not receive credits. Mitigation credits for the Parcel are based upon the as‐built survey. A map detailing the credit generation is provided in Figure 3 in Appendix A. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 3 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report The revegetation plan for the Parcel included the planting of bare root trees and controlling invasive species growth. The tree species selected for the Parcel were native hardwood species typical for Piedmont Bottomland Forest communities as defined by Schafale (2012). A total of 6,380 trees were planted on 11.1 acres of the conservation easement at a density of 575 trees per acre, which is sufficient to meet the performance standards of 260 trees per acre at the end of five years (Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295). All areas for mitigation are protected in perpetuity under the conservation easement. Tree species selected for planting on the Parcel, as well as size specifications, planting density, and planting composition are detailed in Table 2. Table 2. Tree Species Selected for Buffer Restoration Scientific Name Common Name Size (ft) Planting Density (Stems/Acre)1 Planting Composition (%) Buffer Bare Root Planting Betula nigra River Birch 2‐3 83.5 15% Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood 2‐3 28.0 5% Celtis laevigata Sugarberry 2‐3 28.0 5% Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood 2‐3 28.0 5% Diospyros virginiana Persimmon 2‐3 56.0 10% Lindera benzoin Spicebush 2‐3 28.0 5% Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore 2‐3 83.5 15% Quercus michauxii Swamp Chestnut Oak 2‐3 28.0 5% Quercus phellos Willow Oak 2‐3 56.0 10% Quercus rubra Northern Red Oak 2‐3 28.0 5% Ulmus rubra Slippery Elm 2‐3 56.0 10% Viburnum prunifolium Blackhaw Viburnum 2‐3 28.0 5% Xanthorhiza simplissima Yellow Root 2‐3 28.0 5% Totals 559.0 100% Wetland Bare Root Planting Alnus serrulata Tag Alder 2‐3 1.6 10% Betula nigra River Birch 2‐3 2.4 15% Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush 2‐3 1.6 10% Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore 2‐3 2.4 15% Quercus michauxii Swamp Chestnut Oak 2‐3 2.4 15% Rhododendron viscosum Swamp Azalea 2‐3 1.6 10% Salix nigra Black Willow 2‐3 1.6 10% Ulmus americana American Elm 2‐3 2.4 15% Totals 16.0 100% 1 The totals also include the areas planted for the stream mitigation portion of the project. Natural recruitment of desirable Character Tree species shall be counted towards the survival and success rate of the Parcel. Character Trees are defined as planted or volunteer species identified from a survey of local vegetation on less degraded sections of the specified stream and from reference literature that details native species. A list of Character Tree species (other than the planted species) is included in Table 3. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 4 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report Table 3. Character/Existing Tree Species Scientific Name Common Name Wetland Indicator Status Fagus grandifolia American Beech FACU Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust FAC Juglans nigra Black Walnut FACU Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum FAC Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Poplar FACU Morus rubra Red Mulberry FACU Oxydendron arboreum Sourwood UPL Quercus alba White Oak FACU Sambuscus nigra Elderberry FAC 2.0 Vegetation Monitoring 2.1 Success Criteria The performance criteria for the Parcel follows approved performance criteria presented in the guidance documents outlined in the Consolidated Buffer Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0295). Annual monitoring and semi‐annual site visits will be conducted to assess the condition of the finished project. The buffer mitigation project has been assigned specific performance criteria components for vegetation. Performance criteria will be evaluated throughout the five‐year post‐construction monitoring. The monitoring components are depicted in Figure 4 (Appendix A). The measures of vegetative success for the Parcel will be the survival of at least four native hardwood tree species, where no one species is greater than 50% of the established 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 to meet the performance standards with DWR approval. 2.2 Description of Species and Monitoring Protocol Vegetation A total of 6 (5 permanent and 1 mobile), 100‐m2 vegetation monitoring plots were installed within the buffer restoration area to measure the survival of the planted trees (Figure 4). The permanent plots (VPs) were established as either 10‐meter by 10‐meter square plots or 5‐meter by 20‐meter rectangular plots, while mobile vegetation plots were established as 100‐m2 circular plots. The mobile vegetation plots (MPs) will be relocated to a different buffer restoration area in monitoring years 2‐5. Five out of the 6 vegetation plots (VPs 4‐7 and MP2) are also being used for vegetation monitoring in the stream mitigation portion of the project. The number of plots required was determined and vegetation assessments were conducted following the CVS Levels 1 & 2 Protocol for Recording Vegetation, Version 4.2 (Lee et al, 2008; Peet, et al., 1998). Planting was completed in April 2023 and annual monitoring activities began in October of 2023, at least six months after planting was completed, and will continue in the fall for the remainder of the monitoring period. Each year a reference photo will be taken from the origin pole, which is located near the southwestern corner of each vegetation plot, and all planted stems will be marked with flagging tape and their heights recorded. Species composition, height, density, and survival rates will be evaluated on an annual basis by plot for the entire parcel. The total number of volunteer woody stems will also be documented and reported. All planted stems within the plots were marked with flagging Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 5 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report tape and recorded. The total number of tree species planted at as‐built within the monitoring plots as well as planting density and plant composition are detailed in Table 4. Detailed results of the Monitoring Year 1 stem counts are summarized in Appendix C. Table 4. Monitoring Plot Summary – Planting (As‐Built) Scientific Name Total Planted Stems Flagged Calculated Planting Density (Stems/Acre) Planting Composition (%) Betula nigra 19 128 21% Carpinus caroliniana 3 20 3% Celtis laevigata 3 20 3% Cornus florida 6 40 7% Diospyros virginiana 7 47 8% Lindera benzoin 3 20 3% Platanus occidentalis 18 121 20% Quercus michauxii 2 13 2% Quercus phellos 10 67 11% Quercus rubra 5 34 5% Ulmus rubra 8 54 9% Viburnum prunifolium 4 27 4% Xanthorhiza simplicissima 4 27 4% Totals 92 621 100% Photo Reference Stations Photographs will be taken of the project area using a drone once a year to visually document the Parcel conditions for five years following construction. The approximate locations of the aerial photos are shown in Figure 4. The photos documenting the current conditions of the Parcel are provided in Appendix E. Visual Assessments A visual assessment of the conservation easement will be performed each year and reported to NCDWR in the annual monitoring reports to confirm: • Existing fencing is in good condition throughout the site; • No cattle access within the conservation easement area; • No encroachment has occurred; • Diffuse flow is being maintained in the conservation easement area; • There has not been any cutting, clearing, filling, grading, or similar activities that would negatively affect the functioning of the buffer; and • Easement boundaries are clearly and distinctly identified by marker, post, tree‐blazing, or other means as allowed. Problem areas consisting of vegetative health and density issues will be noted. Areas of concern will be mapped, photographed, and accompanied by a written description in the annual report. Problem areas will be re‐evaluated during each subsequent visual assessment. The extent of invasive species coverage will also be monitored and treated as necessary throughout the required, five‐year monitoring period. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 6 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report 2.3 Results of Vegetation Monitoring The six vegetation plots were sampled in October 2023. A reference photo was taken from the southwest corner of each plot, which can be found in Appendix D along with the MY1 stem counts and assessment data. The number of planted stems identified within the monitoring plots as well as density and composition are summarized in Table 5. Vegetative assessment results with planted stem density and stem count by plot and species are summarized in Appendix C. Table 5. Monitoring Plot Summary of Planted Stems – Year 1 Scientific Name Total Planted Stems Flagged Calculated Planting Density (Stems/Acre) Planting Composition (%) Betula nigra 17 115 22% Carpinus caroliniana 2 13 3% Celtis laevigata 3 20 4% Cornus florida 2 13 3% Diospyros virginiana 7 47 9% Lindera benzoin 1 7 1% Platanus occidentalis 18 121 24% Quercus michauxii 2 13 3% Quercus phellos 9 61 12% Quercus rubra 2 13 3% Ulmus rubra 9 61 12% Viburnum prunifolium 4 27 5% Xanthorhiza simplicissima 0 0 0% Totals 76 511 100% The 2023 vegetation monitoring resulted in an average stem density of 870 stems per acre with individual plot densities ranging from 405 to 2,671 stems per acre, which exceeds the final requirement of 260 stems per acre. Diversity remained high in all but VP4 through the first growing season, with 3 planted species for VP4 and a range of 7 to 11 species across all other plots. The average stem height is 76cm (2.5 ft) for the permanent plots and 79 cm (2.6 ft) for MP2 in MY1. Additionally, herbaceous vegetation and desirable volunteers have become well established throughout the Parcel. Parcel is on track to meet its final success criteria. 2.4 Parcel Adaptive Management Adaptive measures will be developed, or appropriate remedial actions will be implemented in the event the Parcel, or a specific component of the Parcel fails to achieve the success criteria outlined in the BPDP. Parcel maintenance will be performed to correct any identified 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. Any actions implemented will be designed with the consent of NCDWR to achieve the success criteria and will include a work schedule and updated monitoring criteria. A rigorous herbicide schedule may be implemented in the first few years of tree establishment in the restoration areas to prevent establishment of invasive and/or undesirable species that may out‐compete 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. Any actions implemented will be designed with the consent of NCDWR to achieve the success criteria and will include a work schedule and updated monitoring criteria. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 7 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report During MY1, isolated areas of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) were observed in the existing woody buffers along Elk Shoals Creek. Wildlands will treat existing invasive areas in 2024 and will continue to monitor for the reemergence of any invasive populations which threaten the success of the project. 2.5 Easement Boundary Inspection During the as‐built site walk with NCDWR on July 12, 2023, NCDWR expressed concern over the distance between easement signs along the northern wooded portion of the Elk Shoals Creek Reach 1 easement line. Therefore, Wildlands added additional signage along the reach in September 2023. Additionally, Wildlands inspected the remainder of the boundary in December 2023 and no easement encroachment was observed. A full easement boundary inspection will be conducted every monitoring year to ensure that the easement remains intact and free from violations. 2.6 Conclusions Vegetation is thriving across the Parcel and is exceeding performance standards. Visual inspection indicates thriving herbaceous and woody vegetation. Monitoring Year 1 data shows an average stem density of 870 stems per acre when all volunteers are included. Diversity remained high in all, but one vegetation plot (VP4) vigor remains high for nearly all stems in all plots. Overall, the monitoring data shows positive trends in vegetation establishment, and this trajectory is expected to continue. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Page 8 Monitoring Year 1 Annual Report 3.0 References 15A NCAC 02B .0295. Retrieved from: 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. Lee, M.T., Peet, R.K., Steven D., & Wentworth, T.R. 2008. CVS‐EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Version 4.2. Retrieved from: http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs‐eep‐protocol‐v4.2‐lev1‐5.pdf. NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ecosystem Enhancement Program. 2004. Guidelines for Riparian Buffer Restoration. Retrieved from: https://www.monroenc.org/Portals/0/Departments/Water%20Resources/Documents/Bufferrestor ation‐guide‐NCDENR.pdf. NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), Division of Water Resources (DWR). 2011. Surface Water Classifications. Retrieved from: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water‐ resources/water‐planning/classification‐standards/classifications. NCDEQ, DWR. 2018. Upper Catawba River Basin Plan 2009 (Amended July 2018). https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Mitigation%20Services/Watershed_Planning/Catawba_River_Basin/20 18_Upper_Catawba_RBRP.pdf Peet, R.K., T.R. Wentworth and P.S. White. 1998. A flexible, multipurpose method for recording vegetation composition and structure. Castanea 63:262‐274. Schafale M. 2012. Guide to the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program. Retrieved from: https://www.ncnhp.org/documents/files/guide‐classification‐natural‐ communitiesnorth‐carolina‐4th‐approximation/open. Wildlands Engineering, Inc. (Wildlands). 2023. Double Rock Mitigation Site As‐Built & Baseline (Stream) Monitoring Report. Charlotte, NC. Wildlands. 2023. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel: As‐Built & Baseline Monitoring Report – Buffer Mitigation. Charlotte, NC. Wildlands. 2022. Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel: Buffer Mitigation Plan. Charlotte, NC. Wildlands. 2022. Wildlands Catawba 01 Umbrella Mitigation Bank: Double Rock Mitigation Plan. Charlotte, NC. Wildlands. 2022. Wildlands Catawba Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument. Wildlands Holding VI, LLC., Charlotte, NC. APPENDIX A. Figures 115 268 16 18 421 421 90 16 16 90 127 115 115 901 21 70 70 321 77 40 Taylorsville Statesville Newton Hickory 21 421 601 Yadkinville 21 70 64 40 77 77 Mocksville ^_ ALEXANDER IR E D E L L CA L D W E L L CAT A W B A WILKES BU R K E RO W A N 0 5 10 Miles Conservation Easement County Boundaries ^_Double Rock Bank Parcel Location Figure 1: Vicinity Map Catawba 01 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Catawba River Basin (03050101) Alexander County, NC St i k e l e a t h e r R d 2022 Aerial PhotographyDirections: From Charlotte, take I-77 North. Take exit 51 onto I-40 East. In 0.4 miles keep left toward I-40 West. Take exit 144 and turn right onto Old Mountain Rd. In around 6 miles turn left onto Drumstand Rd. Turn right onto Mt Wesley Church Rd and in 2 miles make another right onto Stikeleather Rd. Go about 0.6 miles and take a right. The project is located down the driveway on the right. ¹ 0 700 Feet¹ ^_ £¤421 £¤421 £¤601 §¨¦77 Double Rock Mitigation Site 03050101130010 0 10 20 Miles ¹ County Boundaries Service Area - HUC 03050101 14 Digit HUC - 03050101130010 Municipalities ^_Project Location Figure 2: Credit Service Area Map Catawba 01 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Catawba River Basin (03050101) Alexander County, NC [[[[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [[ [ St i k e l e a t h e r R d El k S h o a l s C r e e k Stikeleat h e r T r i b E l k S h o a l s C r e e k M a t h e s o n T r i b R a n d e l l T r i b Matheson Trib A Matheson Trib B 55'55' 65' 80' 85' 55' 55'100' 200' 50' 85' 55' 50' Reach 1A Reach 2 Reach 1B Reach 1DReach 1C Reach 1B Reach 1A Elk Shoals Creek Figure 3: Project Components/Assets Map Catawba 01 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Catawba River Basin (03050101) 2022 Aerial Photography ¹ Alexander County, NC 0 200 400 Feet Project Location Conservation Easement Riparian Restoration for Buffer Credits (0-100') Riparian Preservation for Buffer Credits (0-100') Riparian Preservation for Buffer Credits (101-200') No Credit Internal Crossings Project Streams Stromwater BMP Non-Project Streams [[Fenceline [[[[ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [[ [ !P !P !P !P !P GF GF GF GF GF GF DP1 DP2 DP3 DP4 DP5 DP6 St i k e l e a t h e r R d El k S h o a l s C r e e k Stikeleat h e r T r i b E l k S h o a l s C r e e k M a t h e s o n T r i b R a n d e l l T r i b Matheson Trib A Matheson Trib B Reach 1A Reach 2 Reach 1B Reach 1DReach 1C Reach 1B Reach 1A Elk Shoals Creek VP4 VP7 VP6 VP5 VP8MP2 Figure 4: Monitoring Components Map Catawba 01 Umbrella Mitigation Bank Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Catawba River Basin (03050101) 2022 Aerial Photography ¹ Alexander County, NC 0 200 400 Feet Project Location Conservation Easement Internal Crossings Existing Wetlands Riparian Restoration for Buffer Credits (0-100') Riparian Preservation for Buffer Credits (0-100') Riparian Preservation for Buffer Credits (101-200') No Credit Project Streams Stormwater BMP Non-Project Streams [Fenceline GF Drone Photos (DP) !P Reach Break Permanent (VP) & Mobile Plots (MP) Criteria Met - Buffer Criteria Met - Buffer & Stream APPENDIX B. Bank Credit Ledger Sale/ Release Date Purchaser or % Credit Release Project Name Gov't Requiring Square Feet Acres Square Feet Acres Square Feet Acres 11/17/2022 Task 1 & 7 Credit Release (25%)85,088.000 1.953 - 85,088.000 1.953 NCDWR 5/1/2023 Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Allen Stream Station South Starter Landfill Basin (DWR#20230416) 28,612.00 0.657 56,476.000 1.297 NCDWR 7/21/2023 Task 2 Credit Release (20%)68,070.400 1.563 124,546.400 2.859 NCDWR Totals 153,158.400 3.516 28,612.000 0.657 124,546.400 2.859 Credits Released/Available to Bank Credits Debited/Sold From Bank Buffer Credit Balance Catawba Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument (UMBI): Double Rock Bank Parcel Catawba River Basin HUC 03050101 Buffer Restoration/Preservation Credit Ledger Date Last Updated: 8-10-2023 DWR Project #: 2020-1095v1 APPENDIX C. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 6. Vegetation Plot Success Summary Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel DWR No. 2020‐1095v1 Monitoring Year 1 ‐ 2023 VP4 1 35.863278 ‐81.097627 10 3 0 10 405 405 3 Yes VP5 1 35.863201 ‐81.095686 13 2 0 13 526 526 8 Yes VP6 1 35.864637 ‐81.093818 14 1 52 66 567 2,671 11 Yes VP7 1 35.863595 ‐81.093563 11 5 0 11 445 445 7 Yes VP8 1 35.863047 ‐81.094146 15 1 0 15 607 607 9 Yes MP2 1 35.862985 ‐81.096041 13 0 1 14 526 567 8 Yes 1Vegetation Threshold Met is based on the MY5 interim vegetative requirement of 260 stems per acre. Planted Living Stems per ACRE Total Living Stems per ACRE Total Species Vegetation Threshold Met?1Plot Year Latitude Longitude Planted Living Stems Dead/Missing Stems Volunteer Stems Total Living Stems Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel DWR No. 2020‐1095v1 Monitoring Year 1 ‐ 2023 Scientific Name Common Name Species Type PnoLS P‐all T PnoLS P‐all T PnoLS P‐all T PnoLS P‐all T PnoLS P‐all T PnoLS P‐all T PnoLS P‐all T Acer rubrum Red Maple Tree 50 50 Betula nigra River Birch, Red Birch Tree 555222111444333151515161616 Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood Shrub Tree 1 1 1 111222 Celtis laevigata Southern Hackberry, Sugarberry Shrub Tree 111111 111333333 Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood Shrub Tree 1 1 1 111222555 Diospyros virginiana American Persimmon, Possumwood Tree 222222 222666666 Lindera benzoin Northern Spicebush Shrub Tree 1 1 1 111222 Platanus occidentalis Sycamore, Plane‐tree Tree 444333444111222141414151515 Quercus michauxii Basket Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak Tree 111111 222222 Quercus phellos Willow Oak Tree 111111111222222777888 Quercus rubra Northern Red Oak Tree 111111222333 Salix nigra Black Willow Tree 2 2 Ulmus rubra Slippery Elm, Red Elm Tree 222222111222777777 Viburnum prunifolium Black Haw, Nannyberry Shrub Tree 1 1 1 111111333333 Xanthorhiza simplicissima Yellowroot, Brook‐feather Shrub 333 10 10 10 13 13 13 14 14 66 11 11 11 15 15 15 63 63 115 75 75 75 3338889911777999121214131313 405 405 405 526 526 526 567 567 2,671 445 445 445 607 607 607 510 510 931 607 607 607 Color for Density PnoLS: Number of planted stems excluding live stakes Exceeds requirements by 10% P‐all: Number of planted stems including live stakes Exceeds requirements, but by less than 10% T: Total stems Fails to meet requirements, by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements by more than 10% Volunteer species included in total Permanent Vegetation Plot Annual Mean MY1 (2023) 5 Table 7a. Planted and Total Stem Counts Stem count Permanent Plot 4 1 Permanent Plot 7Permanent Plot 6 size (ares) Permanent Plot 5 1 Current Permanent Vegetation Plot Data (MY1 2023) Stems per ACRE 0.0247size (ACRES)0.0247 11 0.0247 0.1236 5 MY0 (2023) Species count 1 0.0247 0.0247 Permanent Plot 8 0.1236 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel DWR No. 2020‐1095v1 Monitoring Year 1 ‐ 2023 Scientific Name Common Name Species Type MP2 MY1 (2023) MY0 (2023) MY1 (2023) MY0 (2023) TTT TT Acer rubrum Red Maple Tree 50 Betula nigra River Birch, Red Birch Tree 2 2 3 17 19 Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood Shrub Tree 1 11 23 Celtis laevigata Southern Hackberry, Sugarberry Shrub Tree 33 Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood Shrub Tree 126 Diospyros virginiana American Persimmon, Possumwood Tree 1 11 77 Lindera benzoin Northern Spicebush Shrub Tree 113 Platanus occidentalis Sycamore, Plane‐tree Tree 4 4 3 18 18 Quercus michauxii Basket Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak Tree 22 Quercus phellos Willow Oak Tree 2 22 910 Quercus rubra Northern Red Oak Tree 225 Salix nigra Black Willow Tree 1 13 Ulmus rubra Slippery Elm, Red Elm Tree 2 21 98 Viburnum prunifolium Black Haw, Nannyberry Shrub Tree 1 11 44 Xanthorhiza simplicissima Yellowroot, Brook‐feather Shrub 104 14 14 17 129 92 111 66 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.1483 0.1483 8 8 11 15 13 567 567 688 870 621 Color for Density PnoLS: Number of planted stems excluding live stakes Exceeds requirements by 10% P‐all: Number of planted stems including live stakes Exceeds requirements, but by less than 10% T: Total stems Fails to meet requirements, by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements by more than 10% Volunteer species included in total Mobile Vegetation Plot Annual Mean Overall Site Annual Mean Stems per ACRE Table 7b. Planted and Total Stem Counts Stem count size (ares) Species count size (ACRES) Current Mobile Vegetation Plot (MP) Data (MY1 2023) APPENDIX D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Permanent Vegetation Plot 4 ‐ Year 1 Tree ID Species X (m) Y (m) Height (cm) Vigor 1 Xanthorhiza simplicissima 0.9 1.0 Missing 2 Betula nigra 1.3 3.3 39 4 3 Betula nigra 1.6 5.7 98 4 4 Xanthorhiza simplicissima 1.4 8.1 Missing 5 Platanus occidentalis 6.2 9.5 67 3 6 Platanus occidentalis 6.5 6.7 42 4 7 Betula nigra 6.0 4.6 57 4 8 Platanus occidentalis 5.5 1.6 Missing 9 Betula nigra 8.9 0.6 134 4 10 Platanus occidentalis 9.3 3.6 91 4 11 Platanus occidentalis 9.7 5.8 59 4 12 Betula nigra 9.7 8.2 114 4 13 Quercus phellos 9.6 9.8 39 3 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Permanent Vegetation Plot 5 ‐ Year 1 Tree ID Species X (m) Y (m) Height (cm) Vigor 14 Platanus occidentalis 2.7 0.8 80 4 15 Betula nigra 5.9 0.7 62 4 16 Platanus occidentalis 9.4 0.5 120 4 17 Ulmus rubra 9.5 2.4 82 4 18 Quercus phellos 6.3 2.4 Missing 19 Diospyros virginiana 3.0 2.5 41 1 20 Cornus florida 3.1 4.1 Missing 21 Diospyros virginiana 6.4 4.3 58 3 22 Betula nigra 6.7 6.0 93 4 23 Viburnum prunifolium 3.3 5.8 55 4 24 Platanus occidentalis 3.3 7.5 93 4 25 Ulmus rubra 6.5 7.8 84 4 26 Quercus phellos 8.8 7.8 27 2 27 Cornus florida 7.4 9.5 42 1 28 Celtis laevigata 3.5 9.5 32 1 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Permanent Vegetation Plot 6 ‐ Year 1 Tree ID Species X (m) Y (m) Height (cm) Vigor 29 Platanus occidentalis 0.6 2.1 84 4 30 Lindera benzoin 2.5 2.3 Missing 31 Betula nigra 4.5 2.3 108 4 32 Ulmus rubra 6.6 2.4 61 4 33 Platanus occidentalis 8.7 2.4 92 4 34 Quercus michauxii 8.8 5.6 81 4 35 Celtis laevigata 6.8 5.7 62 2 36 Platanus occidentalis 4.9 5.7 128 4 37 Diospyros virginiana 2.9 5.6 70 3 38 Quercus phellos 0.9 5.7 80 4 39 Ulmus rubra 0.9 9.1 64 4 40 Diospyros virginiana 2.1 9.0 91 4 41 Carpinus caroliniana 4.0 9.1 85 3 42 Lindera benzoin 6.5 9.2 50 3 43 Platanus occidentalis 9.1 9.3 81 4 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Permanent Vegetation Plot 7 ‐ Year 1 Tree ID Species X (m) Y (m) Height (cm) Vigor 44 Viburnum prunifolium 5.0 0.3 38 4 45 Betula nigra 6.9 0.5 88 4 46 Quercus michauxii 8.8 0.5 104 4 47 Betula nigra 8.8 4.4 114 4 48 Betula nigra 6.9 4.1 127 4 49 Xanthorhiza simplicissima 5.1 3.7 Missing 50 Carpinus caroliniana 3.5 3.4 Missing 51 Platanus occidentalis 2.0 3.0 97 4 52 Quercus phellos 0.2 2.6 53 3 53 Betula nigra 0.5 6.3 97 4 54 Quercus rubra 2.2 6.7 Missing 55 Cornus florida 3.9 7.2 Missing 56 Quercus phellos 5.8 7.5 73 4 57 Quercus rubra 7.7 7.6 40 1 58 Ulmus rubra 9.4 8.1 56 4 59 Cornus florida 0.7 9.4 Missing Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Permanent Vegetation Plot 8 ‐ Year 1 Tree ID Species X (m) Y (m) Height (cm) Vigor 60 Celtis laevigata 0.8 0.8 52 3 61 Diospyros virginiana 4.4 4.4 40 1 62 Betula nigra 8.1 0.6 114 4 63 Quercus phellos 8.0 2.8 59 4 64 Platanus occidentalis 4.6 2.7 104 4 65 Cornus florida 1.2 2.6 54 3 66 Ulmus rubra 1.1 4.6 74 4 67 Viburnum prunifolium 4.9 4.9 55 4 68 Platanus occidentalis 8.1 4.7 171 4 69 Quercus rubra 8.5 6.9 41 1 70 Betula nigra 5.1 6.9 122 4 71 Betula nigra 1.6 6.2 Missing 72 Diospyros virginiana 1.6 7.8 87 4 73 Quercus phellos 1.6 9.7 7 2 74 Betula nigra 4.7 9.0 77 4 75 Ulmus rubra 8.7 9.0 93 4 Double Rock Mitigation Bank Parcel Appendix D: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos and Data Results Mobile Vegetation Plot 2 ‐ Year 1 Tree ID Species Height (cm) Vigor 200 Diospyros virginiana 71 4 201 Betula nigra 92 4 202 Viburnum prunifolium 39 4 203 Platanus occidentalis 78 4 204 Quercus phellos 56 4 205 Platanus occidentalis 140 4 206 Platanus occidentalis 61 4 207 Quercus phellos 47 4 208 Carpinus caroliniana 84 4 209 Betula nigra 97 4 210 Platanus occidentalis 82 4 211 Ulmus rubra 76 4 212 Ulmus rubra 77 4 213 Salix nigra 105 4 APPENDIX E: Overview Photographs Project Overview (11/01/2023) Drone Photo Point 1: Elk Shoals Creek Reach 1A – upstream (11/01/2023) Drone Photo Point 2: Elk Shoals and Stikeleather Trib Confluence – upstream (11/01/2023) Drone Photo Point 3: Elk Shoals Creek Reach 2 – downstream (11/01/2023) Drone Photo Point 4: Elk Shoals Creek Reach 2 – upstream (11/01/2023) Drone Photo Point 5: Elk Shoals Creek and Randell Trib Confluence – downstream (11/01/2023) Drone Photo Point 6: Randell Trib – upstream (11/01/2023)