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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140073 Ver 2_GreenValleyII_100111_MY4_2023_20240209 Year 4 Monitoring Report Final Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project DMS Project #: 100111 | Contract #: 7862 | DWR # 20140073v2 | RFP: 16-007703 Randolph County, North Carolina Cape Fear River Basin Randleman Lake Watershed HUC 03030003 Prepared By: Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC For Environmental Banc and Exchange, LLC Prepared For: NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Mitigation Services February 2024 3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27612 Corporate Headquarters 6575 West Loop South, Suite 300 Bellaire, TX 77401 Main: 713.520.5400 res.us February 9, 2024 Jeremiah Dow NC DEQ Division of Mitigation Services 217 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27604 RE: RES Green Valley Farm II: Year 4 Monitoring Report (NCDMS ID 100111) Listed below are comments provided by DMS on January 5, 2024 regarding the RES Green Valley Farm II: Draft Year 4 Monitoring Report and RES’ responses. 1. Based on last year’s DMS site visit where a handful of easement corners were checked, it was observed that at least one witness post was missing from a corner of the project, and RES stated that a boundary walk would occur in 2023 to ensure that all witness posts were installed and marked. Was this work completed? The boundary walk occurred January 11, 2023. The work to replace the missing witness post happened on May 11, 2023. Additionally, on the same day more t-posts were installed along the conservation easement boundary to help address some scalloping noticed during the January boundary walk. 2. Please indicate locations of all scalloping and mowing around corner posts on Figure 2. The mowing is occurring around the corner posts along the southern boundary, marked on Figure 2. Since submittal of the draft report, this boundary has been marked off with horse tape for clarification. This work occurred on January 11, 2024. 3. Will trees need to be planted in the 0.1 acre area of encroachment in the southeast corner? If so, please indicate when this will be completed. Include species, number, and size (1 gallon, 5 gallon, etc.) in the MY5 report. To clarify, this area of encroachment is 0.01 acre, not 0.1 acre, and therefore unlikely to need any additional trees. However, RES will double check the area to determine if additional trees are needed during the boundary walk that will occur prior to the growing season. If the area needs additional stems these will be planted in the Fall of 2024 once we have ensured that encroachment in the area has stopped. Species, number, and size will be included in the MY5 report. 4. This is the final monitoring year, so the Stewardship Program (SP) will be visiting the site in 2024 to determine suitability for transfer to long-term management following DWR closeout. With the current ongoing encroachment violations, the SP program would not accept the site, which will delay closeout. After meeting with the landowner, please provide DMS with documentation summarizing the landowner discussions regarding the easement violations. If written correspondence is sent to the landowner, DMS requests copies of said correspondence. These actions should occur before the SP transfer site visit which could happen as early as late spring. Noted. All correspondence with the landowner will be provided to DMS. At this time, the only remaining easement violation is the 0.1 acre easement corner where the landowner is keeping equipment. This will be addressed early on to help prevent delay of site transfer to long-term management. i Table of Contents 1 Project Summary .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Location and Description .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Monitoring Protocol and Project Success Criteria .................................................................... 1 1.3 Project Components .................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 Riparian Mitigation Approach ................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Construction and As-Built Conditions ...................................................................................... 3 1.6 Year 3 Monitoring Performance ................................................................................................ 3 2 Reference ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Appendix A: Background Tables and Site Maps Table 1: Buffer Project Areas and Assets Table 2: Project Activity and Reporting History Table 3: Project Contacts Table Table 4: Project Background Information Figure 1: Site Location Map Figure 2: Current Conditions Plan View Appendix B: Vegetation Assessment Data Table 5: Plant Species Summary Table 6: Supplemental Planted Species Table 7: Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Table Table 8: Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species Appendix C: Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos Appendix D: Vegetation Data Sheets Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project 1 Year 4 Monitoring Report Project #100111 February 2024 1 Project Summary 1.1 Project Location and Description The Green Valley Farm II Project is within the Randleman Lake Watershed of the Cape Fear River Basin within the 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03030003, 14-digit HUC 03030003010070 and DWR Sub- basin Number 03-06-08. The Project is located in Randolph County approximately 2.3 miles northwest of Level Cross, North Carolina (Figure 1). To access the Project head North on Randleman Road from city center for one mile and turn left on Hockett Dairy Road. Go about 1.3 miles before taking a farm access road to reach the project, on the right side. The coordinates are 35.9086 °N and -79.833 °W. Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (EBX), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), is pleased to provide this Monitoring Report for the Green Valley Farm II Riparian Buffer Mitigation Project (Project) as a full-delivery buffer mitigation project for the Division of Mitigation Services (DMS) (DMS #100111). This Project provides riparian buffer mitigation credits for unavoidable impacts due to development within the Randleman Lake Watershed (Figure 1). This Monitoring Report is in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and the Randleman Lake Water Supply Watershed Buffer Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0250. The conservation easement of the Green Valley Farm II Project totals approximately 7.19 acres and includes two unnamed tributaries that drain directly into Randleman Lake approximately 1,000 feet downstream of the Project. Land use within the Project parcel was primarily actively farmed row crops and newly planted riparian forest. The goal of the Project was to restore ecological function to the existing stream and riparian area by establishing appropriate plant communities while minimizing temporal and land disturbing impacts. Riparian area improvements help filter runoff from agricultural fields, thereby reducing nutrient and sediment loads to Project channels and the overall watershed. Restoration, of the Randleman Lake riparian area (as defined in 15A NCAC 02B .0250), results in a reduction of the water quality stressors affecting the Project. This Project is consistent with the management strategy for maintaining and protecting riparian areas in the Randleman Lake watershed. The easement is comprised of four sections, separated by two crossings and UT4. This Project surrounds an existing DMS project, Green Valley Farm Buffer Restoration Site (DMS # 95012, 2014-0073v1) that was closed out (Figure 2). The Green Valley II Project is composed of two stream channels: UT1 and UT4. Both of these reaches are outside of the actual easement boundaries but included in the previous Green Valley Farm Project. UT4 is a tributary to UT1, which then flows into Randleman Lake. UT1 is approximately 1,677 linear feet and is on the western side of the project. UT4 is approximately 590 linear feet and runs between the four easement segments. Stream identifications were verified by the DWR site visit on September 1, 2011, as well as a re-evaluation for UT4 on February 23, 2017. 1.2 Monitoring Protocol and Project Success Criteria Vegetation monitoring and visual assessments are to be conducted annually. Riparian area vegetation monitoring is based on the “Carolina Vegetation Survey-Ecosystem Enhancement Program Protocol for Recording Vegetation: Level 2 Plot Sampling Only Version 4.2”. Monitoring plots were installed a minimum of 100 meters squared in size and covered at least two percent of the planted mitigation area. These plots were randomly placed throughout the planted riparian restoration area and was representative of the riparian area restoration. The following data was recorded for all trees in the plots: species, height, planting date (or volunteer), and grid location. All stems in plots were flagged with flagging tape. There are six fixed vegetation monitoring plots (Figure 2). Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project 2 Year 4 Monitoring Report Project #100111 February 2024 Photos are to be taken at all vegetation plot origins each monitoring year and be provided in the annual reports. Visual inspections and photos are to be taken to ensure that restoration areas are being maintained and compliant. The measures of vegetative success for the Project are the survival of at least four native hardwood tree species, where no one species is greater than 50 percent of stems, at a density of at least 260 stems per acre at the end of Year 5. Native volunteer species may be included to meet the performance standards as determined by NC Division of Water Resources (DWR). A visual assessment of the conservation easement was performed each year to confirm: · No encroachment has occurred; · No invasive species in areas where invasive species were treated; · Diffuse flow is being maintained in the conservation easement areas; and there has not been any cutting, clearing, filling, grading, or similar activities that would negatively affect the functioning of the riparian area. Component/ Feature Monitoring Maintenance through project close-out Vegetation Annual vegetation monitoring Vegetation shall be maintained to ensure the health and vigor of the targeted plant community. Routine vegetation maintenance and repair activities may include supplemental planting, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. Exotic invasive plant species shall be treated by mechanical and/or chemical methods. Any vegetation requiring herbicide application will be performed in accordance with NC Department of Agriculture (NCDA) rules and regulations. Vegetation maintenance activities will be documented and reported in annual monitoring reports. Vegetation maintenance will continue through the monitoring period. Invasive and Nuisance Vegetation Visual Assessment Invasive and noxious species will be monitored and treated so that none become dominant or alter the desired community structure of the Project. Locations of invasive and nuisance vegetation will be mapped. Project Boundary Visual Assessment Project boundaries shall be identified in the field to ensure clear distinction between the mitigation project and adjacent properties. Boundaries will be marked with signs identifying the property as a mitigation project and will include the name of the long- term steward and a contact number. Boundaries may be identified by fence, marker, bollard, post, tree-blazing, or other means as allowed by Project conditions and/or conservation easement. Boundary markers disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be repaired and/or replaced on an as-needed basis. Easement monitoring and staking/ signage maintenance will continue in perpetuity as a stewardship activity. Road Crossing Visual Assessment Road crossings within the Project may be maintained only as allowed by conservation easement or existing easement, deed restrictions, rights of way, or corridor agreements. Crossings in easement breaks are the responsibility of the landowner to maintain. 1.3 Project Components This Project generates 175,509.615 riparian restoration credits on existing cropland. These riparian mitigation credits generated service Randleman Lake buffer impacts within the Randleman Lake watershed. The total mitigation credits that the Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project generates are summarized below and in Table 1. Location Jurisdictional Streams Restoration Type Reach ID/Component Buffer Width (ft) Creditable Area (sf)* Initial Credit Ratio (x:1) % Full Credit Final Credit Ratio (x:1) Riparian Buffer Credits (BMU) Rural Subject Restoration UT1/4 50-100 110,917 1 100% 1.00000 110,917.000 Rural Subject Restoration UT1/4 101-200 195,735 1 33% 3.03030 64,592.615 TOTALS 306,652 175,509.615 Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project 3 Year 4 Monitoring Report Project #100111 February 2024 1.4 Riparian Mitigation Approach Restoration efforts along UT1 and UT4 were accomplished through the planting, establishment, and protection of a hardwood forest community. The result was a riparian habitat that functions to mitigate nutrient and sediments inputs from the surrounding uplands. Traditional riparian restoration, as outlined in 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n), was utilized. All riparian restoration activities took place within the 50-200’ riparian area along to UT1 and UT4 and was subject to crediting and ratios as outlined in the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule. Mitigation ratios followed those provided in the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule. Prior to the issuance of the RFP (#16-007703), RES received approval for restoration on February 27, 2012, and an update on March 24, 2017. RES received an email from DWR on May 13, 2019, that indicated that an updated site visit was not necessary. 1.5 Construction and As-Built Conditions Revegetation of the Site included treating invasive species and planting native hardwood bareroot trees. Prior to planting, RES prepped the Site by spraying and ripping the easement. Piedmont Alluvial Forest is the target community type for the riparian restoration areas. The community is defined by Schafale (2012). The planting of bareroot trees occurred in May 2020. Deviations from the initial planting plan were due to bareroot availability. A list of the planted tree species can be found in Table 5. Additionally, a temporary and permanent seed mixture was applied in areas where row crops were present. Among a variety of seeds, the mixture also included black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) which is a perennial, pollinator species. 1.6 Year 4 Monitoring Performance Monitoring of the six permanent vegetation plots was completed on October 10, 2023. Vegetation tables are in Appendix B and associated photos are in Appendix C. Year 4 monitoring data indicates that six out of six plots are exceeding the success criteria of 260 planted stems per acre. Planted stem densities ranged from 324 to 890 planted stems per acre with a mean of 594 planted stems per acre across all plots. A total of 12 species were documented within the plots. Volunteer species were noted at Year 4 monitoring and are expected to increase in upcoming years. The average tree height observed was 4.6 feet. Areas of previous encroachment that were addressed with additional signage in 2022 are in good condition and appear to be preventing additional encroachment. A boundary walk occurred in January 2023. The additional areas of encroachment that were noted during this walk and the missing witness post noticed previously were addressed in May 2023 with the installation of new t-posts and signage. There is still some minor scalloping along the easement line and the landowner is mowing around corner posts. In January 2024 horse tape was installed along the easement boundary where scalloping is present to reduce the encroachment around the corner posts. The boundary line where this work occurred is marked on Figure 2. Additionally, during fall vegetation monitoring a small area of encroachment was noticed on the south- eastern easement boundary. The area has been mowed and is being used to store equipment. This will be discussed with the landowner and horse tape was installed in January 2024 to clarify the boundary. Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) is still prolific within the two southern easement portions. Trees are surviving and are beginning to get tall enough to shade out the grass, but an additional pre-emergent treatment is planned for before the growing season to give the trees a further head start this year. Additionally, three princess trees (Paulownia tomentosa) were noted by vegetation plot two. These individuals will be treated before the 2024 growing season. Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project 4 Year 4 Monitoring Report Project #100111 February 2024 2 Reference Lee Michael T., Peet Robert K., Roberts Steven D., and Wentworth Thomas R., 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Level. Version 4.2 NC Environmental Management Commission. 2014. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0295 - Mitigation Program Requirements for the Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers. NC Environmental Management Commission. 2010. Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0250 - Randleman Lake Water Supply Watershed: Protection and Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers. Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC (2020). Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project – Final Mitigation Plan. Schafale, M.P. 2012. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, NCDENR, Raleigh, NC. Appendix A Project Background Tables and Site Maps Date: 10/13/2022 Document Path: R:\Resgis\entgis\Projects\101738_Green_Valley_Farm_II\MXD\7_Monitoring\MY3\Figure 1 - Vicinity Map - Green Valley Farm II.mxd 1 inch = 1,000 feet Green Valley Farm IIMitigation Project Restoring a resilient earth for a modern world Figure 1 - Project Vicinity Green Valley Farm IIMitigation Project Randolph County, North Carolina Drawn by: GDS Checked by: MDE01,000500 Feet © Legend Conservation Easement Randleman Lake Service Area NC DMS Conservation Easement 4 2 1 5 3 6 NC OneMap, NC Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, NC 911 Board Figure 2 - CCPV MY4 Green Valley Farm II Mitigation Project Randolph County, North Carolina Date: 2/6/2024 Drawn by: KTO Do c u m e n t P a t h : R : \ R e s g i s \ P r o j e c t s \ N C \ 1 0 1 7 3 8 _ G r e e n _ V a l l e y _ F a r m _ I I \ P R O \ M o n i t o r i n g \ M Y 4 \ G V F I I _ M Y 4 _ 2 0 2 3 . a p r x Restoring a resilient earth for a modern world 0 15075 Feet Legend Conservation Easement Green Valley Farm Easement from 0-50' (Closed Out) Fixed Vegetation Plot >260 stems/acre Stream Top of Bank Buffer Zones Restoration, 0-100' Restoration, 101-200' Encroachment Corner Mowing Checked by: JRM1 inch = 150 feet Small area of encroachment. ~0.01 acre. Mowing around corner posts. Horse tape installed January 11, 2024 Table 1. Buffer Project Areas and Assets Credit Type Location Subject? Feature Type Mitigation Activity Min-Max Buffer Width (ft) Total Area (sf) Creditable Area (sf) Initial Credit Ratio (x:1)% Full Credit Final Credit Ratio (x:1) Riparian Buffer Credits Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 50-100 110,917 110,917 1 100% 1 110,917.000 Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 101-200 195,735 195,735 1 33% 3.0303 64,592.615 Feature Name UT1/4 UT1/4 Totals 306,652 306,652 175,509.615 Elapsed Time Since planting complete: 4 year 7 months Number of reporting Years1:4 Data Collection Completion or Activity or Deliverable Complete Delivery Restoration Plan NA Jan-20 Final Design – Construction Plans NA NA Stream Construction NA NA Site Planting NA May-20 As-built (Year 0 Monitoring – baseline)May-20 Jun-20 Year 1 Monitoring Nov-20 Dec-20 Year 2 Monitoring Nov-21 Nov-21 Supplemental Tree Planting N/A Apr-22 Johnson Grass Ring Spray N/A May-22 Year 3 Monitoring Oct-22 Nov-22 Additional Easement Markings N/A May-23 Year 4 Monitoring Oc-2023 Nov-23 Year 5 Monitoring 1 = The number of reports or data points produced excluding the baseline Table 2. Project Activity and Reporting History Green Valley Farm II Site Planting Contractor H&J Forestry Planting contractor POC Matt Hitch Nursery Stock Suppliers Arborgen Monitoring Performers RES / 3600 Glenwood Ave, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612 Monitoring POC Katie Obenauf 336.705.3041 Table 3. Project Contacts Table Green Valley Farm II Site USGS Hydrologic Unit 8-digit 03030003 Physiographic Province Southern Outer Piedmont Table 4. Project Background Information Project Name Green Valley Farm II County Randolph Project Area (acres) 7.19 Project Coordinates (latitude and longitude)Latitude: 35.9086 N Longitude: -79.833 W Planted Acreage (Acres of Woody Stems Planted)7.19 Project Watershed Summary Information River Basin Randleman Lake USGS Hydrologic Unit 14-digit 03030003010070 DWR Sub-basin 03-06-08 Appendix B Vegetation Assessment Data Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 5. Green Valley Farm II Planted Species Summary Table 6. Green Valley Farm II Supplemental Planted Species Common Name Scientific Name Total Stems Planted Willow Oak Quercus phellos 1,900 River Birch Betula nigra 1,200 White Oak Quercus alba 1,100 Water Oak Quercus nigra 1,000 American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 800 Tulip Poplar Liriodendron tulipfera 800 Southern Crabapple Malus angustifolia 800 Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra 600 Common Persimmon Diospyros virginiana 500 American Plum Prunus americana 500 Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis 500 Common Elderberry Sambucus canadensis 200 Black Walnut Juglans nigra 100 10,000Total Common Name Size (gallons) Stems Planted Cherrybark oak 1 33 1 63 2 148 3 20 Hackberry 5 79 Pawpaw 3 40 1 223 3 148 3 26 5 31 Red oak 3 10 Redbud 3 46 1 110 2 121 3 59 1 116 3 4 Sycamore 5 12 1 78 3 55 Willow oak 1 78 1500Total American Elm Pin oak Tulip poplar River birch Shumard oak White oak Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 7. Green Valley Farm II Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Plot # Planted Stems/Acre Volunteer Stems/Acre Total Stems/Acre Success Criteria Met? Average Planted Stem Height 1 890 2469 3359 Yes 4.2 2 728 931 1659 Yes 5.1 3 445 81 526 Yes 4.7 4 728 162 890 Yes 3.4 5 445 243 688 Yes 4.4 6 324 40 364 Yes 6.6 Project Avg 594 654 1248 Yes 4.6 Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 8. Green Valley Farm II Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species 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 PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T Acer negundo boxelder Tree 1 1 3 5 1 11 6 Acer rubrum red maple Tree 18 Asimina triloba pawpaw Tree 1 1 1 1 1 1 Betula nigra river birch Tree 7 7 7 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 14 14 14 17 17 17 12 12 14 15 15 15 18 18 18 Cercis canadensis eastern redbud Tree 6 6 6 1 1 1 7 7 7 7 7 7 5 5 5 6 6 6 1 1 1 Diospyros virginiana common persimmon Tree 1 1 1 1 1 1 14 14 14 Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash Tree 11 1 12 29 16 25 Juglans nigra black walnut Tree 1 1 3 3 3 Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum Tree 32 16 48 67 55 22 Liriodendron tulipifera tuliptree Tree 3 3 15 1 1 4 1 1 4 4 21 4 4 11 2 2 6 2 2 8 3 3 3 Malus angustifolia southern crabapple Tree 1 1 1 4 4 4 Morus rubra red mulberry Tree 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 5 5 5 4 4 4 5 5 5 Nyssa sylvatica blackgum Tree 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Platanus occidentalis American sycamore Tree 6 3 3 5 1 1 1 4 4 12 6 6 29 5 5 9 6 6 12 14 14 14 Prunus americana American plum Tree 5 5 5 Quercus oak Tree 1 1 1 Quercus alba white oak Tree 7 7 7 1 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 14 14 14 14 14 14 12 12 12 13 13 13 16 16 16 Quercus nigra water oak Tree 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 14 14 14 Quercus phellos willow oak Tree 4 4 4 5 5 5 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 13 13 13 13 13 13 11 11 11 12 12 12 43 43 43 Quercus rubra northern red oak Tree 4 4 4 10 10 10 7 7 7 2 2 2 23 23 23 23 23 23 19 19 19 26 26 26 19 19 19 Sambucus canadensis Common Elderberry Shrub 1 1 1 Ulmus americana American elm Tree 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 22 22 83 18 18 41 11 11 13 18 18 22 11 11 17 8 8 9 88 88 185 94 94 226 73 73 172 89 89 148 155 155 155 5 5 8 6 6 9 6 6 8 6 6 8 4 4 6 6 6 7 12 12 16 11 11 14 11 11 14 11 11 13 13 13 13 890 890 3359 728 728 1659 445 445 526 728 728 890 445 445 688 324 324 364 594 594 1248 634 634 1524 492 492 1160 600 600 998 1045 1045 1045 Green Valley Farm II 1 0.02 6 0.15 6 0.15 6 0.15 6 0.15 6 0.150.02 1 0.02 1 0.02 Stem count size (ares) size (ACRES) Species count Stems per ACRE 1 0.02 Annual Means MY4 (2023) MY3 (2022) MY2 (2021) MY1 (2020) MY0 (2020) Current Plot Data (MY4 2023) 100111-01-0003 100111-01-0004 100111-01-0005 100111-01-0006 1 0.02 1 Scientific Name Common Name Species Type 100111-01-0001 100111-01-0002 Appendix C Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos Green Valley Farm II Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos Vegetation Plot 1 10/10/2023 Vegetation Plot 2 10/10/2023 Vegetation Plot 3 10/10/2023 Vegetation Plot 4 10/10/2023 Vegetation Plot 5 10/10/2023 Vegetation Plot 6 10/10/2023 Appendix D Vegetation Data Sheets