20231056 Ver 1_USACE Correspondence_20230109

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69 DARLINGTON AVENUE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28403-1343
January 8, 2024
Regulatory Division
Action ID No. SAW-2023-01592
Mr. Gregg Bodnar
Division of Coastal Management
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
400 Commerce Avenue
Morehead City, North Carolina 28557-3421
gre gg.bodnargdeq. nc. gov
Dear Mr. Bodnar:
Reference the permit application request of Ms. Stephanie Jenkins, Duke Marine Lab to conduct
a multi -year research project within the coastal marsh at the Rachel Carson Research Reserve,
near Beaufort, in Carteret County, North Carolina.
Specifically, the applicant proposes to conduct a research project which involves work within a
55.7'x 95.1' (-5390sf) area of coastal wetlands, to be subdivided into fifteen 156.25sf plots,
delineated with a total of 60 PVC markers (four posts measuring 6'x2" diameter and 56 smaller
posts measuring at 3'xI" diameter). The proposal shows that PVC posts will be anchored 1' into
substrate. Six out of the 15 plots would have 0.5' depth of soil disturbance and coastal wetland
biomass removal using a rototiller (mechanized clearing), which would impact 0.04-acre of
coastal wetland.
Disturbance within the project area would be limited to first 3 years of the overall 10-year
experiment. The applicant proposes to dig small holes/channels to place the granular fertilizer
within the plots and mix in with the substrate to prevent the granules from washing away with
the tide cycle.
THE APPLICANT PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING
REMEDIATION TO ADDRESS UNINTENDED NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO THE
SALTMARSH:
"If there remains unvegetated space at the end of the project, we will plant S. alterniflora. S.
alterniflora is available from local nurseries and readily used in restoration projects in the area.
Using clumped planting methods, we will plant a minimum of 10 plants/m2. In this arrangement,

-2-
S. alterniflora has been shown to rapidly expand and regrow in bare spaces. In addition, as part
of the agreement to work on the Rachel Carson, we have agreed to restore the area to previous
conditions if, revegetation does not occur over the course over the 10-year experiment."
The Federal agencies have completed review of the proposal as presented by the
application and your field investigation report. We recommend that the following condition be
included in the State authorization:
1. Within 30 days following the completion of construction, the Permittee shall submit
to the Corps as -built plans for those portions that affect wetlands. The as -built plans shall
include all grading, structures, and activities in or affecting waters and wetlands.
2. Mitigation in all its forms (avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, ectifying, reducing, or
compensating for resource losses) will be required to the extent necessary to ensure that the
individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects are no more than minimal.
3. Coastal marsh within the disturbance area shall be restored to pre -project conditions
upon completion of the disturbance activity (i.e. the rototill disturbance plot within the wetland
area (-0.04 acre area)). The applicant has committed to replant the project area with Spartina
Alterniflora if the DRAGNet experiment impacts the defined project area and surrounding
coastal marsh in such a way that the vegetation fails to regenerate. If remedial planting efforts
fail to regenerate coastal marsh vegetation (i.e. plant mortality), compensatory mitigation will
be required.
4. Monitoring of the disturbance area (0.04-acre rototill area) shall occur for a minimum
of 5 years, beginning the first growing season after the 3rd year of the experiment
implementation. Vegetation monitoring will include visual observations and photo
documentation of coastal marsh vegetation regeneration twice per year. Observations shall be
detailed in annual monitoring reports, submitted to the Corps and NC Division of Water
Resources (DWR), as described in the attached NC DWR 401 Certification.
Questions or comments may be addressed to Ms. Liz Hair Wilmington Field Office,
Regulatory Division, telephone [phone] or email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
Liz Hair, Project Manager
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office

-3-
Electronic Copy Furnished:
NCDEQ/DWR; Mr. Michael Meilinger
USFWS; Ms. Kathy Matthews
NOAA NMFS-HCD; Dr. Pace Wilber/Mr. Fritz Rohde
USEPA; Mr. Todd Bowers