20230026 Ver 1_Swiftie Draft BPDP_All_20240221

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Offset Mitigation Bank
DWR #20230026 v1
Edgecombe, North Carolina
Tar River Basin (HUC 03020101)
DRAFT September 2023

Prepared by:

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Project Location ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.2 Project Description ........................................................................................................................ 4
2 Project Area - Existing Conditions .............................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Reach Descriptions ........................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Existing Wetlands .......................................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Soils ............................................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 Existing Vegetative Communities ................................................................................................. 8
2.5 Threatened and Endangered Species ........................................................................................... 9
2.6 Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................................... 10
2.7 Constraints .................................................................................................................................. 10
2.8 FEMA Floodplain / Floodway Mapping ....................................................................................... 10
3 Proposed Tar-Pamlico Buffer & Nutrient Offset Restoration Plan .......................................................... 10
3.1 Parcel Preparation ...................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Riparian Restoration ................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Riparian Preservation .................................................................................................................. 12
3.6 Planting ....................................................................................................................................... 12
4 Monitoring and Maintenance Plan .......................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Monitoring Protocol .................................................................................................................... 13
4.2 Performance Standards for Vegetation Adjacent to Single-Thread Streams ............................. 14
4.3 Performance Standards for Vegetation Adjacent to Coastal Headwater Streams ..................... 14
4.4 Performance Standard for Coastal Headwater Streams ............................................................. 14
4.5 Photo Reference Stations ........................................................................................................... 15
4.6 Visual Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 15
4.7 Reporting Performance Criteria .................................................................................................. 16
4.8 Adaptive Management Plan ....................................................................................................... 16
4.9 Conservation Easement and Long-Term Management Plan ...................................................... 16
4.10 Financial Assurances ................................................................................................................... 17
5 Credit Release Schedule ........................................................................................................................... 18
6 Mitigation Potential ................................................................................................................................. 19
7 Citations ................................................................................................................................................... 22

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Figures
Figure 1 ............................................................................................................................... Service Area Map
Figure 2 ......................................................................................................................... Project Location Map
Figure 3 .................................................................................................................................. NRCS Soils Map
Figure 4 .................................................................................................................................. Floodplain Map
Figure 5 ............................................................................................................................. Existing Conditions
Figure 6 ................................................................................Proposed Buffer and Nutrient Restoration Plan
Figure 7 ............................................................................. Stream and Wetland Mitigation Conceptual Plan
Figure 8 ................................................................................................................ Proposed Monitoring Map

Attachments
Attachment A ........................................................................................... DWR Determinations and Viability
Attachment B .................................................................................................................................. Photo Log

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1 Introduction
The Swiftie Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel (“Parcel”) is proposed under the terms and
conditions of the Swiftie Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI), made and
entered into by Water and Land Solutions, LLC (WLS), acting as Bank Sponsor (“Sponsor”), and the North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Water Resources (DWR). The Parcel
shall be planned and designed according to the MBI, 15A NCAC 02B .0240, and the Consolidated Buffer
Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295, which became effective on November 1, 2015. The Buffer Mitigation
& Nutrient Offset Plan (“Plan”) will be designed in concurrence with the Swiftie Mitigation Bank (SAW-
2019-00631). The mitigation plan for the Swiftie Mitigation Bank has been submitted to the Interagency
Review Team and a prospectus has been approved.

This Parcel is proposed to provide riparian buffer and nutrient offset mitigation credits for unavoidable
impacts due to development in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin, United States Geologic Survey (USGS) 8-digit
Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020101. The Parcel service area is depicted in Figure 1.
1.1 Project Location
The Parcel (35.9984° N, -77.6062° W) is located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina (Figure 2) within
the Upper Tar River Basin (8-digit HUC 03020101). The Parcel will have an estimated conservation
easement of 315 acres. The Parcel is located directly adjacent to and on the same property as the Swift
Creek Permittee Responsible Mitigation (PRM) project (SAW-2016-02338). The Swift Creek PRM site is
being used to mitigate impacts associated with the CSX Transportation, Inc’s Carolina Connector
Intermodal Terminal project, located along the western edge of Edgecombe County and north of the City
of Rocky Mount.
To access the site from Raleigh, NC, follow I-40 East, take exit 14 for US-64 E/US-264 E toward Rocky
Mt/Wilson, then continue onto I-87. Continue onto US-64 E, take exit 470 for NC-97/Atlantic Ave, turn
right onto NC-97 E/Atlantic Ave, then turn right onto NC-97 E. Turn left onto New Hope Church Rd, turn
right onto Battleboro-Leggett Rd, turn left onto Speights Chapel Rd, turn right onto White Oak Swamp Rd,
and finally turn right onto NC-33 E. The site will be on the right in four miles between the existing CSX
mainline and Old Battleboro Road.
1.2 Project Description
The Parcel encompasses land along unnamed tributaries to the Tar-Pamlico River in Edgecombe County,
NC and is in row crop agricultural and silvicultural land use. Historically, the project stream reaches have
been extensively ditched to promote rapid drainage from the adjacent farm fields. This disturbance has
resulted in stream channel incision and a permanent disconnection from the streams’ relic floodplain.
Most of the project stream reaches have been completely or partially cleared with some areas of forested
or successional riparian buffer. Currently, the project reaches act as significant sources of nutrient
contamination to the project watershed and Swift Creek.
The project will restore Tar-Pamlico buffers and other riparian areas in order to reduce non-point source
discharge of contaminants into streams and agricultural ditch channels within the Tar-Pamlico River basin.
The project area is comprised of two easement sections and is approximately 315 acres, which includes
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the stream and wetland mitigation areas. The Parcel streams drain directly to White Oak Swamp and Swift
Creek which are listed as ‘WS-IV’ and ‘NSW’ (Water Supply, Nutrient Sensitive Waters) waters according
to the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) (2018).
Out of the 315 acres, 24.4 acres will be restored for Tar-Pamlico buffer credit and 24.1 acres will be
restored for nutrient offset restoration credit. In general, Tar-Pamlico buffer widths will extend a
minimum width of 50 feet from the top of stream banks, while nutrient offset restoration area widths will
extend out to a maximum of 200 feet from the top of the channel or ditch bank. The buffer restoration
credit adjacent to coastal headwater stream mitigation is classified as alternative mitigation under Rule
15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(2) and is discussed in Section 3.2. The DWR performed an onsite Site Viability for
Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset on March 8, 2023 (letter dated June 26, 2023) for the Parcel
(Attachment A). The buffer mitigation and nutrient offset viability will be based on the proposed site
conditions.
2 Project Area - Existing Conditions
2.1 Reach Descriptions
S100: S100 is a small headwater tributary that has been historically manipulated and channelized;
however, appears to generally be within the natural valley/low point along most of its length. The valley
slope is approximately 0.8 percent, and the drainage area is 41 acres. The majority of the drainage area
for S100 is in active agricultural management. The riparian buffer along upper S100 is actively maintained
within agricultural fields and woody vegetation in the lower end. The lower section in the wooded area
has downcut to the natural floodplain elevation but remains mostly stable. S100 drains into the PRM
project easement.
S200: S200 is a small headwater tributary that begins at an existing culvert crossing under NC Hwy 33 and
flows southeast as an intermittent headwater tributary. S200 has a valley slope of 0.7 percent and
drainage area of 90 acres. Based on field observations, the headwater channel and floodplain have been
ditched in an attempt to drain surface hydrology for agricultural use. The historic channel manipulation in
the upper section has led to poor bedform diversity. The lower reach is mostly stable with limited bank
erosion observed in a few localized areas. Successional native woody vegetation was observed along most
of this reach; however, Chinese privet was also documented along the reach.
S300: S300 is a headwater tributary that originates from a heavily ditched area containing hydric soils.
The stream has been channelized and straightened along its upper length. The upper portion of S300 is
highly incised and lacks natural bedform features. The valley slope is approximately 0.5 percent, and the
natural drainage area is 44 acres which excludes the ditched non-riparian wetland area. Although the
lower reach is moderately incised, it is mostly stable and experiencing minimal lateral instability and bank
erosion. The riparian buffer along the entire length of S300 is partially to mostly wooded, and the
understory contains limited invasive species vegetation, mainly Chinese privet.
S400: S400 begins downstream of an existing culvert under a farm access road. S400 has been channelized
and straightened along much of its length, as evidenced by the spoil piles and levees along the floodplain.
S400 lacks natural bedform features until the stream begins downcutting towards the Swift Creek
floodplain and meander cutoff. This reach exhibits localized streambank erosion and associated soil loss.
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The valley slope is approximately 0.9 percent, and the drainage area is 468 acres. The majority of the
drainage area for S400 is within active agricultural fields with an adjacent forested area. The riparian
buffer along the entire length is partially wooded. This reach is not proposed for stream mitigation credit.
S500: S500 begins immediately downstream of the PRM project boundary and connects with a restored
stream system that flows towards the Swift Creek floodplain. S500 has a valley slope of 0.3 percent and
drainage area of 279 acres. Based on field observations, the channel gently meanders across relic meander
cutoffs and backwater sloughs, although portions of the channel and floodplain areas appear to have been
historically ditched. The reach is stable and native woody vegetation was observed along a majority of this
area.
S600: S600 continues downstream of S500 and eventually flows off the project boundary towards its
confluence with Swift Creek. S600 has a valley slope of 0.3 percent and drainage area of 348 acres. Similar
to S500, the channel gently meanders across relic meander cutoffs and backwater sloughs, although some
channel and floodplain areas appear to have been historically ditched. The reach is stable and native
woody vegetation was observed along most of this section.
S700: S700 is a small headwater tributary that flows directly into White Oak Swamp. The valley slope is
approximately 0.9 percent, and the drainage area is 33 acres. The reach is stable and exhibits minimal
bank erosion. The channel appears to be within its natural valley and the existing buffer is well vegetated.
This headwater stream and wetland system is considered to be high functioning and the existing riparian
buffer helps to filter pollutants (nutrients) that would otherwise drain to White Oak Swamp.
2.2 Existing Wetlands
Based on preliminary site investigations, including hand-augered soil borings, it is likely that jurisdictional
wetlands were once present throughout the headwater stream valleys. The extent of the existing wetland
areas was determined by the valley crenulations and overall bottom widths. When on-site streams were
straightened and/or dredged, groundwater elevations were altered such that many of the historic
wetlands along the stream fringe were drained and lost. These areas have been utilized for agriculture
(row crop) production over the past fifty years and have lost most of their historic wetland function. A
preliminary jurisdictional determination package is provided in Appendix F of the Stream and Wetland
Mitigation Plan.
2.3 Soils
The Parcel is located in the Inner Coastal Plain Physiographic Region. As shown on the NRCS Soils Map
(Figure 3), there are fifteen main soil types on the Parcel: Altavista fine sandy loam (AaA), Ballahack fine
sandy loam (Ba, hydric), Chewacla silt loam (Cc), Conetoe loamy sand (CeB), Dogue fine sandy loam (DgA),
Goldsboro fine sandy loam (GoA), Norfolk loamy sand (NoB), Rains fine sandy loam (RaA, hydric), Roanoke
loam (Ro, hydric), State loamy sand (StB), Tarboro loamy sand (TaB), Wagram loamy sand (WaB), Wahee
fine sandy loam (We), Wehadkee silt loam (Wh, hydric), and Wickham sandy loam (WkB). The Parcel soils
are commonly defined by a sandy loam surface layer, with predominantly sandy and loamy subsoil
alluvium located along floodplains and stream terraces.
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Table 1. Project Soil Types
Soil Name Hydric % of
easement Description
Altavista fine
sandy loam (AaA) No 9.0
Moderately well drained soil on stream terraces. Slopes
from 0 to 3 percent. Hydrologic Soil Group (HSG): C and
runoff class is low.
Ballahack fine
sandy loam (Ba) Yes 2.4
Very poorly drained soil in floodplains and flats on stream
terraces. Slopes from 0 to 2 percent. HSG: B/D and runoff
class is very high.
Chewacla silt loam
(Cc) No 10.0
Somewhat poorly drained soil in floodplains. Slopes from
0 to 2 percent HSG: B/D and runoff class is low. Can have
frequent flooding.
Conetoe loamy
sand (CeB) No 3.8 Well drained soil on ridges of stream terraces. Slopes
from 0 to 4 percent HSG: A and runoff class is very low.
Dogue fine sandy
loam (DgA) No 7.0
Moderately well drained soil on flats of stream and
marine terraces. Slopes from 0 to 3 percent. HSG: C and
runoff class is low.
Goldsboro fine
sandy loam (GoA) No 0.3
Moderately well drained soil on broad interstream
divides & flats of marine terraces. Slopes from 0 to 2
percent. HSG: B and runoff class is low.
Norfolk loamy
sand (NoB) No 0.4
Well drained soil on broad interstream divides & flats of
marine terraces. Slopes from 2 to 6 percent. HSG: A and
runoff class is medium.
Rains fine sandy
loam, Southern
Coastal Plain (RaA)
Yes 0.1
Poorly drained soil on broad interstream divides, Carolina
bays, & flats of marine terraces. Slopes from 0 to 2
percent. HSG: B/D and runoff class is low.
Roanoke loam (Ro) Yes 33.9
Poorly drained soil on backswamps and depressions of
stream terraces. Slopes from 0 to 2 percent. HSG: C/D
and runoff class is low. Frequent ponding for brief periods
is common.
State loamy sand
(StB) No 3.5 Well drained soil on stream terraces. Slopes from 0 to 4
percent. HSG: B and runoff class is low.
Tarboro loamy
sand (TaB) No 20.3
Somewhat excessively drained soil on ridges of stream
terraces. Slopes from 0 to 6 percent. HSG: A and runoff
class is very low.
Wagram loamy
sand (WaB) No 1.6
Well drained soil on ridges & broad interstream divides of
marine terraces. Slopes from 0 to 6 percent. HSG: A and
runoff class is low.
Wahee fine sandy
loam (We) No 1.8
Somewhat poorly drained soil on flats of marine & stream
terraces. Slopes from 0 to 2 percent. HSG: C/D and runoff
class is very high.
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Wehadkee silt
loam (Wh) Yes 3.1
Poorly drained soil in depressions on floodplains. Slopes
from 0 to 2 percent. HSG: B/D and runoff class is very
high. Frequently flooded.
Wickham sandy
loam (WkB) No 1.0 Well drained soil on stream terraces. Slopes from 0 to 4
percent. HSG: B and runoff class is low.
2.4 Existing Vegetative Communities
The current use within the project area is primarily agriculture fields and forested wetlands. The
northeastern portion on the site closest to Highway 33 has a horseshoe-shaped area of forested wetlands
that encompasses S200. The natural community in the agricultural fields adjacent to the project area has
been effectively removed through tillage, ditching, agriculture, and silviculture. These practices have
removed native vegetation and altered the hydrology of the site in order for row-crops to be successful.
The southwestern portion of the proposed easement includes large wetlands, located within the
floodplain of Swift Creek & White Oak Swamp. Prior to anthropogenic land disturbances, the riparian
vegetation community likely consisted of Bottomland Hardwoods in the floodplain of Swift Creek/White
Oak Swamp and a Mesic Mixed Hardwood community in the existing agricultural fields and forested area
encompassing S200 (Schafale, 2012).

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Table 2. Existing Site Vegetation
Common Name Scientific Name
Canopy Vegetation
Red maple Acer rubrum
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
River birch Betula nigra
Loblolly pine Pinus taeda
Tulip poplar Liriodendron tulipifera
Slippery elm Ulmus rubra
Understory & Woody
Shrubs
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
Red maple Acer rubrum
Southern wax myrtle Morella cerifera
American sycamore Platanus occidentalis
River birch Betula nigra
Loblolly pine Pinus taeda
Slippery elm Ulmus rubra
White oak Quercus alba
Chinese privet Ligustrum sinense

Herbaceous & Vines
Giant cane Arundinaria gigantea
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
Netted chain fern Woodwardia areolata
Japanese stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum
Roundleaf greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia
Cinnamon fern Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
False nettle Boehmeria cylindrica
Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans
Invasives Chinese privet Ligustrum sinense

Invasive Species
There is not a significant presence of invasive species vegetation in the buffer and nutrient credit areas.
Within the wooded areas there are small clusters of Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense). After restoration,
these areas will be monitored, and any invasive plants found within the project boundary will be treated
to prevent expansion and establishment of a substantial invasive community. This will allow for a healthy,
native riparian and upland plant community to dominate the area and help prevent future establishment
of invasive species vegetation.
2.5 Threatened and Endangered Species
Based on a review of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) database and IPAC, there are currently five
federally listed threatened and endangered species known to occur in Edgecombe County: Neuse River
Waterdog (Necturus lewisi), Carolina Madtom (Noturus furiosus), Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni), Tar
River Spinymussel (Parvaspina steinstansana), and Yellow Lance (Elliptio lanceolata). The Neuse River
Waterdog and the Carolina Madtom are present in Swift Creek adjacent to the Bank, and there is the
potential for both species to be found in the lower tributaries of the Bank. The stretch of Swift Creek
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adjacent to the Bank is also critical habitat for the Neuse River Waterdog and Carolina Madtom. A net
survey in July 2018 captured a Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) near the Bank bounday. The Tricolored
bat is proposed for listing as an endangered species and a decision to list may be made as soon as
September 2023. If the Tricolored bat is listed prior to the construction of the Bank, WLS will reinitiate the
consultation of USFWS. Project implementation is not anticipated to have a negative impact on these
listed species.
2.6 Cultural Resources
In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, WLS investigated and confirmed that the
proposed project area and property do not contain, nor are they adjacent to, any properties listed in the
National Register of Historic Places or the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (NCSHPO).
The nearest site is the Edward Cotton House (HPO Site ID: ED0721) which is approximately 0.8 miles from
the project site. On-site investigations and discussions with the previous landowners have not disclosed
any potential resources or occurrences of this type on the property. Therefore, the proposed project
activities should have no effect on any historic properties eligible for listing in the National Register, and
SHPO did not have any comments.
2.7 Constraints
The Bank conservation easement is located on the same parcel as the conservation easement of the Swift
Creek PRM Site. The Swiftie Bank easement will abut the Swift Creek PRM easement in a few areas. There
are no existing utility corridors on the Parcel. There is an overhead powerline easement located outside
of the conservation easement at the top of S200.
2.8 FEMA Floodplain / Floodway Mapping
A majority of the Parcel is located within a FEMA regulated floodplain (Zone ‘AE’ and the Floodway) (Figure
4). While it is not anticipated that there will be issues associated with FEMA permitting or documentation,
WLS will coordinate with the local floodplain administrator as needed and prepare the required
documentation to obtain approval for any FEMA regulated impacts. In addition, the project will be
designed so that any increase in flooding will be contained within the project boundary and will not impact
adjacent landowners; therefore, hydrologic trespass will not be a concern.
3 Proposed Tar-Pamlico Buffer & Nutrient Offset Restoration Plan
Riparian restoration adjacent to the streams was approved by the DWR in their letter dated June 26, 2023
(Attachment A). This site is also being proposed as a stream and wetland mitigation bank, and restoration
of riparian areas will be accomplished through the goals and methods outlined by the Swiftie Mitigation
Banking Instrument (MBI), Swiftie Mitigation Plan (SAW-2019-00631) and the Swiftie Riparian Buffer and
Nutrient Offset Mitigation Banking Instrument. All riparian restoration mitigation activities along channels
will begin from the tops of the banks and extend a maximum of 200 feet perpendicular to the stream
channel where possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (effective November 1, 2015) and for nutrient
offset credits pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0240.

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All applicable federal, state, and local documentation, permits, and/or authorizations will be acquired as
part of implementing the above-mentioned mitigation plan and will be provided to DWR as part of the
As-Built Report, including Section 401, Section 404 and Sediment and Erosion Control permits. The
restoration of the Parcel will require converting existing agriculture land use practices within riparian
areas adjacent to streams and ditches into a dense and diverse vegetated riparian forest. The riparian
areas will be replanted with appropriate native tree species. The restoration of the riparian buffer will
provide stabilization and improve water quality to tributaries that drain directly to Swift Creek and White
Oak Swamp.
3.1 Parcel Preparation
The current land uses adjacent to the streams and ditches proposed for riparian restoration are primarily
non-forested croplands (Figure 5). The riparian restoration areas will require limited site preparation in
addition to the stream and wetland construction. Headwater stream restoration activities will include
excavating a broader floodplain at or slightly above the existing bed elevation and will seek to restore
groundwater hydrology and connection of surface flows. The design concept will address the current
channel’s dimension, pattern, and profile to create stable conditions. Wetland restoration activities will
include minimal grading and blending of microtopography.

After construction activities, the subsoil will be ripped and disked, and the topsoil will be placed back over
the site. Site preparation will also include select herbicide treatments or mechanical clearing to remove
undesirable underbrush or invasive species as needed. Diffuse flow will be maintained in the buffers.

The Sponsor might utilize mechanical equipment periodically in the first few years after planting to
enhance vegetative growth. Mowing will not take place within the first 50 feet (Zone A) of restored buffer
after planting unless absolutely necessary. Additionally, selective applications of a pre-emergent herbicide
will be used to control weedy competition.
3.3 Riparian Restoration
A headwater valley restoration approach is proposed for S100-R1 and S200-R3. Headwater stream
restoration activities will seek to restore groundwater hydrology and connection of surface flows. All
existing ditches within the buffer and nutrient offset areas will be filled such that diffuse flow and positive
site drainage will be maintained as shown on the proposed grading plan in the Mitigation Plan. The
headwater valley restoration of S100-R1 will end near the field edge as the valley turns southwest towards
White Oak Swamp. At this location, the channel will gradually transition into S100-R2 a single thread ‘C5’
stream type using appropriate riffle-pool morphology and grade control to accommodate vertical drops
towards the remnant meander cutoff. On S200-R3, headwater valley restoration will end and transition
into S200-R4 a single thread channel. S200-R4 flows into ditch 3 before flowing into S300. S300 is a single
thread channel.
Starting at the upstream end of S300-R1, enhancement activities such as geolifts with brush toes and
brushy riffles in combination with bank grading will be strategically placed along the reach to stabilize the
banks and stream. Ditches 1, 2, 3, and 4 are viable for nutrient offset credits per 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(8).
Figure 6 depicts the nutrient and buffer restoration plan based on existing top of bank conditions. Figure
7 depicts the stream and wetland conceptual plan. The riparian buffer credits that are located adjacent to
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headwater valley restoration will be based on the centerline of the channel and will be reported in the
As-Built Report. These credits will be withheld until the As-Built survey has been finalized.
The revegetation plan for the entire riparian restoration area will include permanent seeding, planting
bare root trees, live stakes, and controlling invasive species growth. If temporary seeding is applied from
November through April, rye grain will be used and applied at a rate of 130 pounds per acre. If applied
from May through October, temporary seeding will consist of browntop millet, applied at a rate of 40
pounds per acre. The permanent seed mix will consist of a riparian seed mix and wetland seed mix. The
riparian restoration efforts along the project streams will be adjacent to reconstructed stream banks and
will extend perpendicular from top of bank a minimum of 50 feet to a maximum of 200 feet. The riparian
restoration efforts along the project ditches will extend perpendicular from top of bank a minimum width
of 50 feet to a maximum width of 200 feet. Riparian buffer restoration efforts along ditches will be less
than 50 feet in width.
The riparian restoration activities will occur at the same time as the stream mitigation activities and not
before. Therefore, the mitigation area where riparian restoration is being performed may be altered
slightly depending on the implementation of the Swiftie Mitigation Bank. The riparian restoration areas
will be surveyed, and the resulting information provided in the As-Built report and As-Built Survey. The
As-Built report will also include any deviations that were made to the approved BPDP.
3.4 Riparian Preservation
Riparian buffer preservation will include permanently protecting existing forested riparian areas with a
conservation easement. This will include the left and right bank on the bottom section of S100-R3, the left
and right bank of the bottom of S300-R1 and S300-R2 and the left bank of S400.

No more than 25 percent of the total area of buffer mitigation will be used for preservation credit pursuant
to 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(5) and 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(4), and preservation buffer areas in excess will be
protected in the conservation easement and not applied for credit. Buffer preservation can only generate
buffer mitigation credit and is not transferrable into nutrient offset credits.
3.6 Planting
The specific species composition to be planted was selected based on the community type, observation
of occurrence of species in riparian buffers adjacent to the Parcel, and best professional judgement on
species establishment and anticipated site conditions in the early years following project implementation.

Trees will be planted at a density sufficient to meet the performance standards outlined in Rule 15A NCAC
02B 0295 of 260 hardwood trees per acre at the end of five years for the nutrient offset areas. The
performance standards for the buffer restoration areas on the coastal headwater streams will be 210
hardwood trees per acre at the end of seven years. No one tree species will be greater than 50 percent of
the established stems. An appropriate riparian seed mix will also be applied to provide temporary ground
cover for soil stabilization and reduction of sediment loss during rain events in areas disturbed by stream
and wetland construction as necessary. This will be followed by an appropriate permanent seed mixture.
Planting is scheduled for Winter 2025 and the list of species proposed are shown in Table 3; however, the
actual planting list will be provided in the As-Built report.

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Table 3. Tree Planting and Seed Mix List
Scientific Name Common Name Tree Type Wetland Tolerance
Riparian Bare Root Plantings – Primary Species List
(Proposed 8’ x 8’ Planting Spacing @ 680 Stems/Acre)
Betula nigra River birch Canopy FACW
Nyssa sylvatica Black gum Canopy FAC
Platanus occidentalis American sycamore Canopy FACW
Ulmus americana American elm Canopy FAC
Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip poplar Canopy FACU
Quercus alba White oak Canopy FACU
Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak Canopy FACW
Quercus phellos Willow oak Canopy FACW
Quercus nigra Water oak Canopy FAC
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress Canopy OBL
Quercus lyrata Overcup oak Canopy OBL
Cornus amomum Silky dogwood Canopy FACW
Asimina triloba Pawpaw Canopy FAC
Carpinus caroliniana Ironwood Canopy FAC
Scientific Name Common Name Wetland Tolerance Seeding Rate (lb/acre)
Permanent Seed Mix
Scirpus cyperinus Woolgrass OBL 1.5
Dichanthelium
clandestinum
Deer tongue FACW 1.5
Elymus virginicus Virginia wildrye FAC 1.5
Panicum virgatum Switchgrass FAC 2.5
Schizachyrium scoparium Little blue stem FACU 2.5
Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed susan FACU 1.5
Echinacea purpurea Coneflower NI 1.5
Juncus effusus Soft rush OBL 1.0
Note: Final species selection may change due to refinement or availability at the time of planting. Species
substitutions will be coordinated between WLS and planting contractor prior to the procurement of seeding
stock.
4 Monitoring and Maintenance Plan
4.1 Monitoring Protocol
Permanent vegetation monitoring plots will be installed and evaluated within the buffer restoration
and/or nutrient offset areas to measure the survival of the planted trees. Riparian buffer vegetation
monitoring will be based on the Carolina Vegetation Survey-Ecosystem Enhancement Program Protocol
for Recording Vegetation: Level 1-2 Plot Sampling Only Version 4.2 (Lee, 2006). Annual vegetation
monitoring will occur each year for a minimum of five years on the nutrient offset areas and seven years
on the coastal headwater buffer restoration areas and will be conducted during the fall season with the
first year occurring at least five months from initial planting. Twenty-seven vegetation monitoring plots
will be installed, and will be 100 meters squared in size, and will cover at least two percent of the riparian
restoration area. Plots will be randomly placed throughout the planted riparian areas. The approximate
Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 14
location of the plots is shown in Figure 8. Photos will be taken from all photo points each monitoring year
and provided in the annual reports. All planted stems will be marked with flagging tape and recorded. All
of the vegetation plots in Figure 8 will be monitored for both the buffer/nutrient bank and the
stream/wetland bank. There will be additional vegetation plots for the stream/wetland bank.

Planting is scheduled for winter 2025. The first annual monitoring activities will commence at the end of
the first growing season, at least five months after planting has been completed and no earlier than the
fall season. The following data will be recorded for all trees in the plots: species, common name, height,
planting date (or volunteer), and grid location. The total number of volunteer woody stems will also be
documented and reported.
4.2 Performance Standards for Vegetation Adjacent to Single-Thread Streams
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 percent of the established stems, established at a
density of at least 260 planted trees per acre at the end of Year 5. Appropriate native volunteer stems of
native hardwood tree species may be included to meet the performance standards upon DWR approval.
The Sponsor shall submit the annual monitoring report to DWR by December 31st of each year for five
consecutive years and will follow the terms and conditions of the MBI.
4.3 Performance Standards for Vegetation Adjacent to Coastal Headwater Streams
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 percent of the established stems, established at a
density of at least 260 planted trees per acre at the end of Year 5 and 210 hardwood trees per acre at the
end of Year 7 for riparian restoration areas adjacent to coastal headwater stream restoration. The seven
years of monitoring only applies to the areas receiving credit under Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(2) for
buffer mitigation. Appropriate native volunteer stems of native hardwood tree species may be included
to meet the performance standards upon DWR approval. The Sponsor shall submit the annual monitoring
report to DWR by December 31st of each year for seven consecutive years and will follow the terms and
conditions of the MBI.
4.4 Performance Standard for Coastal Headwater Streams
The performance standards for the coastal headwater streams will be detailed in the Stream Mitigation
Plan in Sections 8.2 and 9.1.4. Performance standards must be met each monitoring year for a minimum
of seven years to comply with 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(2) for buffer mitigation. Confirmation from the
USACE that stream performance standards have been met will need to be provided to DWR by the Bank
Sponsor prior to issuance of credit releases for riparian buffer credit along the coastal headwater streams.
The success criteria for the coastal headwater streams include channel formation within the valley or
crenulation that must be documented through identification of field indicators consistent with those listed
below, and continuous surface water flow within the valley or crenulation must be documented to occur
every year for at least 30 consecutive days during the prescribed monitoring period.

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 15

Headwater Stream Monitoring
Channel Formation: During monitoring years 1 through 4, the preponderance of evidence must
demonstrate a concentration of flow indicative of channel formation within the topographic low point of
the valley or crenulation as documented by the following indicators:
• Scour (indicating sediment transport by flowing water)
• Sediment deposition (accumulations of sediment and/or formation ripples)
• Sediment sorting (sediment sorting indicated by grain-size distribution with the primary path of
flow)
• Multiple observed flow events (must be documented by gauge data and/or photographs)
• Destruction of terrestrial vegetation
• Presence of litter and debris
• Wracking (deposits of drift material indicating surface water flow)
• Vegetation matted down, bent, or absent (herbaceous or otherwise)
• Leaf litter disturbed or washed away
During monitoring years 5 through 7, the stream must successfully meet the requirements above and the
preponderance of evidence must demonstrate the development of stream bed and banks as documented
by the following indicators:
• Bed and banks (may include the formation of stream bed and banks, development of channel
pattern such as meander bends and/or braiding at natural topographic breaks, woody debris, or
plant root systems)
• Natural line impressed on the bank (visible high-water mark)
• Shelving (shelving of sediment depositions indicating transport)
• Water staining (staining of rooted vegetation)
• Change in plant community (transition to species adapted for flow or inundation for a long
duration, including hydrophytes)
• Changes in character of soil (texture and/or chroma changes when compared to the soils abutting
the primary path of flow).
4.5 Photo Reference Stations
Photographs will be taken within the project area once a year to visually document stability for five years
following construction. Permanent markers will be established and located with GPS equipment so that
the same locations and view directions on the Parcel are photographed each year. Visual inspections and
photos will be taken to ensure that restored riparian areas are being maintained and compliant.
4.6 Visual Assessment
Visual assessments should support the specific performance standards for each metric as described
above. Visual assessments will be performed within the Parcel on a semi-annual basis during the five-year
monitoring period. Problem areas with vegetative health will be noted (e.g., low stem density, vegetation
mortality, invasive species, or encroachment). Areas of concern will be mapped and photographed
accompanied by a written description in the annual report. Problem areas will be re-evaluated during
Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 16
each subsequent visual assessment. Should remedial actions be required, recommendations will be
provided in the annual monitoring report.
4.7 Reporting Performance Criteria
Within 30 calendar days after the Parcel has been completed and all buffer and nutrient offset areas have
been planted, WLS will submit a written notification to NCDWR that documents that all buffer and nutrient
offset activities have been completed and that the conservation easement has been marked. The
documentation will include the following:
• Short summary of activities completed as required per the approved BPDP;
• Figures representing all riparian restoration, riparian enhancement and riparian preservation
activities where applicable;
• Figures representing location of all monitoring plots installed;
• Detailed planting plan- including type of species planted, density of species planted, and any
modifications to the planting plan from what was approved in the BPDP;
• Description of how the conservation easement boundaries were marked;
• Any major changes to the conservation easement boundary or to the amount of Nutrient
Offset Credits from what was proposed in the approved in the BPDP.
Complete monitoring reports will be prepared in the fall of each monitoring year and submitted to
NCDWR. Annual monitoring reports will be based on the most recent NCDWR Template. The monitoring
period will extend five years beyond the completion of site planting or until performance criteria have
been met.
4.8 Adaptive Management Plan
In the event the site or a specific component of the site fails to achieve the necessary performance
standards as specified in the approved Plan, the Sponsor shall notify and coordinate with NCDWR to
develop a remedial action plan. The remedial action plan should describe the source or reason for the
failure, a concise description of the corrective measures that are proposed, and a time frame for the
implementation of the corrective measures.
4.9 Conservation Easement and Long-Term Management Plan
The Bank Parcel will be protected in perpetuity by a recorded conservation easement. The conservation
easement is designed to ensure that Ditches 1, 2, 3 and 4 remain hydrologically connected to Streams
S100-R1, S300 and S400. The conservation easement will allow for annual monitoring and maintenance
of the Project during the monitoring phase. Upon DWR issuance of the final credit release as described in
the credit release schedule of the MBI, the Project stewardship will be transferred to a DWR approved
long-term steward. WLS has partnered with Tar River Land Conservancy (TRLC) as the long-term steward
for the Project site (See Appendix D of the Swiftie Mitigation Plan for conservation easement template
and long-term stewardship agreement letter).

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 17

Tar River Land Conservancy
Attn: Derek Halberg
121 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 1161
Louisburg, NC 27549

This party shall serve as conservation easement holder and long-term steward for the property and will
conduct periodic inspection of the Project to ensure that restrictions required in the conservation
easement are upheld. Any endowment funds for the conservation easement and deed restrictions shall
be negotiated prior to transfer to the responsible party. Funding will be supplied by the responsible party
on a yearly basis until such time and endowments are established. The use of funds from the Endowment
Account is governed by NC General Statute GS 113A-232(d) (3). Payments and interest gained by the
endowment fund may be used only for stewardship, monitoring, stewardship administration, and land
transaction costs, if applicable. The management activities will be conducted in accordance with the terms
and conditions of the approved MBI as agreed to by WLS.
The conservation easement plat will depict all relevant ditch centerlines, top of banks, and riparian zones.
The conservation easement boundaries will be identified in the field to ensure a clear distinction between
the Bank Parcel and adjacent properties. Boundaries may be identified by a fence, marker, bollard, post,
tree blazing, or other means as allowed by site conditions and/or conservation easement. Boundaries will
be marked with signs identifying the property as a conservation site and will include the name of the long-
term steward. All boundary markers will be installed prior to the submittal of Task 2 of the MBI. The
easement boundary will be checked annually as part of monitoring activities, and the conditions, as well
as any maintenance performed, will be reported in the annual monitoring reports.

The land required for riparian area planting, management, and stewardship of the project includes
portions of the parcel listed in Table 4. Palustrine Group LLC owns the property. WLS will place a
conservation easement of 315 acres on the parcel and it will be recorded at the Edgecombe County
Register of Deeds. TRLC will be noted on the conservation easement as the Grantee.

Table 4. Existing Property Owner
Owner of Record
N/F
PIN County Site Protection
Instrument
Deed Book
and Page
Numbers
Acreage
Protected
Palustrine Group LLC
(Owned by WLS) 4812-20-1970 Edgecombe Conservation
Easement
Book: 1773
Page: 0006 315
4.10 Financial Assurances
Following approval of the BPDP, WLS will provide financial assurances in the form of a Performance Bond
from a surety that is rated no less than “A-” as rated by A.M. Best. Financial assurances will be payable at
the direction of the NCDWR to its designee or to a standby trust. The initial performance bond will be for
100 percent of the implementation costs, but not less than $150,000. In lieu of posting the performance
bond, the Sponsor may elect to construct the project prior to the first credit release.

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 18
After completion of the construction and monitoring devices, a monitoring bond for $100,000 will be
secured to implement the monitoring and maintenance of the riparian restoration areas for a minimum
of seven years.

Performance bonds for monitoring shall be renewed to cover the next year’s monitoring period, with
confirmation of renewal provided to NCDWR with each annual monitoring report when applicable.
NCDWR reserves the right to alter the credit release schedule if monitoring reports are submitted without
proof of bond renewals when applicable.
5 Credit Release Schedule
Upon submittal of all appropriate documentation by the Sponsor, and subsequent approval by DWR, it is
agreed that the mitigation credits associated with the Parcel will be released as described in the MBI and
Table 5. The total buffer credits proposed adjacent to constructed headwater valley streams will be
dependent on the approval of the IRT to construct. The stream site will have to be constructed in its
entirety and an As-Built Report and survey submitted to the IRT prior to DWR granting approval to
generate buffer credits under Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(2). The area of the buffer credits shall be
measured perpendicular to the length of the valley being restored.

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 19

Table 5. Credit Release Schedule for Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Credits
Task Project Milestone
% Nutrient
Offset and
Riparian
Buffer
Credit
Release
% Riparian
Buffer Credit
Release within
Coastal
Headwater
Areas
1
Instrument and Plan Approved by DWR, Conservation
Easement Recorded and Assigned*, Financial Assurance
Posted, and Draft Stream & Wetland Mitigation Plan
Approved by IRT
25 No Credit
2
Mitigation Site Earthwork, Planting and Installation of
Monitoring Devices Completed, and all Applicable Permits
Obtained
20 No Credit
3 Monitoring Financial Assurance Posted and Approval of As-
Built Report 10 30
4 Monitoring Report #1 Approved by the DWR** and financial
assurance renewed 10 10
5 Monitoring Report #2 Approved by the DWR** and financial
assurance renewed 10 10
6 Monitoring Report #3 Approved by the DWR** and financial
assurance renewed 10 5
7 Monitoring Report #4 Approved by the DWR** and financial
assurance renewed 5 5
8
Monitoring Report #5 Approved by the DWR*, financial
assurance renewed for coastal headwater buffer areas, and
final site visit by DWR has been conducted for nutrient offset
areas
10 20
9 Monitoring Report #6 Approved by the DWR** and financial
assurance renewed for coastal headwater buffer areas N/A 10
10
Monitoring Report #7 Approved by the DWR** and final site
visit by DWR has been conducted for coastal headwater buffer
areas
N/A 10
Total 100 100
* For specification, please see Section V of the MBI
**DWR approval provided upon a determination that the site is meeting success criteria contained within the approved Plan
6 Mitigation Potential
Out of 315 acres that will be protected with a permanent conservation easement, 24.4 acres (1,061,063
ft²) are proposed to generate riparian buffer credits, and 24.1 acres (59,504.310 lbs. Nitrogen and
3,832.538 lbs. Phosphorus) are proposed to generate nutrient offset credits. Of the 24.1 acres proposed
for nutrient offset credits, 2.1 acres are suitable for buffer mitigation credits at a ratio of 1:1 and at 100%
full credit. The Sponsor may use the 2.1 acres of riparian restoration mentioned above for either nutrient
offset credit or buffer mitigation credit, but not both. The remaining acres within the Conservation
Easement will be used for wetland and stream mitigation pursuant to the Swiftie Mitigation Bank.

Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 20
The Sponsor must request and receive approval from DWR prior to any credit conversions and transfers
to the credit ledgers. With each conversion and transfer request submitted to the DWR, the Sponsor will
provide all updated credit ledgers showing all transactions that have occurred up to the date of the
request.

The Sponsor will maintain two credit ledgers: one for coastal headwater buffer credits and one for
Nitrogen nutrient offset credits and buffer credits. The total potential nutrient offset mitigation credits
and riparian buffer credits that the Parcel will generate is summarized in Table 6.

Table 6. [Swiftie Mitigation Bank], [20230026 v1], Project Credits
Project Area
N Credit Conversion Ratio (ft2/pound)
P Credit Conversion Ratio (ft2/pound)
Credit Type Location
Subject? (enter
NO if
ephemeral or
ditch 1)
Feature Type Mitigation Activity Min-Max Buffer
Width (ft)Feature Name Total Area (ft2)
Total (Creditable)
Area of Buffer
Mitigation (ft2)
Initial Credit
Ratio (x:1)% Full Credit Final Credit
Ratio (x:1)
Convertible to
Riparian
Buffer?
Riparian Buffer
Credits
Convertible to
Nutrient Offset?
Delivered
Nutrient Offset:
N (lbs)
Delivered
Nutrient
Offset: P (lbs)
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ephemeral Restoration 0-100 Ditch 1 81,991 81,991 1 100%1.00000 No —Yes 4,278.400 275.562
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ephemeral Restoration 101-200 Ditch 1 101,356 101,356 1 33%3.03030 No —Yes 5,288.892 340.646
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 0-100 Ditch 2 97,359 97,359 1 100%1.00000 No —Yes 5,080.323 327.212
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 101-200 Ditch 2 105,531 105,531 1 33%3.03030 No —Yes 5,506.749 354.677
Buffer Rural Yes Coastal
Headwater Restoration 0-100 S100 140,381 140,381 1 100%1.00000 Yes 140,381.000 No ——
Buffer Rural Yes Coastal
Headwater Restoration 101-200 S100 116,031 116,031 1 33%3.03030 Yes 38,290.268 No ——
Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 0-100 S100 17,102 17,102 1 100%1.00000 Yes 17,102.000 Yes 892.405 57.478
Nutrient Offset Rural Yes I / P Restoration 101-200 S100 21,062 21,062 1 33%3.03030 Yes 6,950.467 Yes 1,099.043 70.787
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 0-100 Ditch 3 95,108 95,108 1 100%1.00000 No —Yes 4,962.863 319.647
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 101-200 Ditch 3 117,412 117,412 1 33%3.03030 No —Yes 6,126.715 394.608
Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 0-100 S300 73,707 73,707 1 100%1.00000 Yes 73,707.000 Yes 3,846.130 247.720
Nutrient Offset Rural Yes I / P Restoration 101-200 S300 153,927 153,927 1 33%3.03030 Yes 50,795.961 Yes 8,032.117 517.330
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 0-100 Ditch 4 118,526 118,526 1 100%1.00000 No —Yes 6,184.845 398.352
Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 0-100 Ditch 4 157,256 157,256 1 100%1.00000 No —Yes 8,205.828 528.519
Buffer Rural Yes Coastal
Headwater Restoration 0-100 S200 4,379 4,379 1 100%1.00000 Yes 4,379.000 No ——
Buffer Rural Yes Coastal
Headwater Restoration 101-200 S200 112,786 112,786 1 33%3.03030 Yes 37,219.417 No ——
———
———
———
Totals (ft2):1,513,914 1,513,914 368,825.113 59,504.310 3,832.538
Total Buffer (ft2):464,386 464,386
Total Nutrient Offset (ft2):1,049,528 N/A
Total Ephemeral Area (ft2) for Credit:0 0
Total Eligible Ephemeral Area (ft2):265,266 0.0%Ephemeral Reaches as % TABM
Enter Preservation Credits Below Total Eligible for Preservation (ft2):154,795 96.4%Preservation as % TABM
Credit Type Location Subject?Feature Type Mitigation Activity Min-Max Buffer
Width (ft)Feature Name Total Area (sf)
Total (Creditable)
Area for Buffer
Mitigation (ft2)
Initial Credit
Ratio (x:1)% Full Credit Final Credit
Ratio (x:1)
Riparian Buffer
Credits
Buffer Rural Yes I / P 0-100 S300 181,818 181,818 10 100%10.00000 18,181.800
Rural Yes I / P 101-200 S300 202,656 202,656 10 33%30.30303 6,687.648
Rural Yes I / P 0-100 S400 84,140 84,140 10 100%10.00000 8,414.000
Rural Yes I / P 101-200 S400 93,599 93,599 10 33%30.30303 3,088.767
Rural Yes I / P 0-100 S100 12,962 12,962 10 100%10.00000 1,296.200
Rural Yes I / P 101-200 S100 21,502 21,502 10 33%30.30303 709.566
Preservation Area Subtotals (ft2):596,677 596,677
Square Feet Credits
464,386 311,078.686
0 0.000
596,677 38,377.981
1,061,063 349,456.667
Square Feet Credits
Nitrogen:54,765.775
Phosphorus:3,527.340
Tar-Pamlico 03020101
19.16394
297.54099
Restoration:
Enhancement:
Mitigation Totals
1,049,528
TOTAL AREA OF BUFFER MITIGATION (TABM)
TOTAL NUTRIENT OFFSET MITIGATION
Mitigation Totals
Nutrient Offset:
Preservation:
Total Riparian Buffer:
1. The Randleman Lake buffer rules allow some ditches to be classified as subject according to 15A NCAC 02B .0250 (5)(a).
last updated 08/03/2020
Swiftie Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Plan
Page 22
7 Citations
Lee, T.L, Peet, R.K., Roberts, S.D., and Wentworth, T.R. 2006. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation,
Version 4.2. http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs-eep-protocolv4.2- lev1-2.pdf.
NC Environmental Management Commission. 2014. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0295 - Mitigation Program
Requirements for the Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers.
Schafale, M.P. 2012. Guide to the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth Approximation. North
Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, NCDENR, Raleigh, NC.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil
Survey Division. 1979. Soil Survey, Edgecombe County, NC.
United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Threatened and Endangered
Species in North Carolina (County Listing). Edgecombe County. 2023.

Figures
Figure 1 ............................................................................................................................... Service Area Map
Figure 2 ......................................................................................................................... Project Location Map
Figure 3 .................................................................................................................................. NRCS Soils Map
Figure 4 .................................................................................................................................. Floodplain Map
Figure 5 ............................................................................................................................. Existing Conditions
Figure 6 ................................................................................ Proposed Buffer and Nutrient Restoration Plan
Figure 7 ............................................................................. Stream and Wetland Mitigation Conceptual Plan
Figure 8 ................................................................................................................ Proposed Monitoring Map

!(
SiteLocation
Figure1ServiceArea Map
Date: 9/1/2023
!(Site LocationService Area (HUC8 - 03020101)
´0 10 205Miles
1 inch = 10 miles
Map Projection: NAD_1983_StatePlane_North_Carolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Palustrine Group LLC4812-20-1970
Tar River Land Conservancy4812-33-5285
±0 1,500 3,000Feet
Figu re2Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Map Projection: NA D_1983_StatePlane_N C_FIP S_3200_Feet
ProjectLocation Map
!(
o
o
PITT CO
HALIFAX CO
NASH CO
MARTIN CO
EDGECOMBE CO
Lower Tar03020103
Fishing03020102
Upper Tar03020101
Lower Roanoke03010107
Contentnea03020203
Proposed Conservation EasementParcel Boundary
!(Project LocationVicinity Streams (NHD)HUC-8
5-Mile Aviation Zone
o Airport
Edgecombe CountyNC Counties
0 5 10Miles075150Miles
Project is located in: HUC8 - 03020101HUC12 - 030201010803
Date: 2/20/2024
Legend
Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, USGS, Intermap, INCREMENT P, NRCan, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri Korea, Esri (Thailand), NGCC, (c)Op enStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
36.00490, -77.60111
Figu re3NRCS SoilSurvey Map
Date: 2/20/2024
Approximate Project Boundary
Parcel Boundary
´0 1,000 2,000500Fe et
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Imagery data source: EDR
Map Projection: NA D_1983_StatePlane_N orth_C arolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Watershed 03040207Edgecombe County, North Carolina
White OakSwamp Rd
33
S300
S600
Swift Creek
S500
S400
White Oak Swamp
S 7 0 0
S200
S100
Figu re4FEMAFloodplain Map
Date: 2/20/2024
Approximate Project Boundary
Parcel Boundary
Existing PJD Stream
Existing PJD Ditch
FEMA Floodzone
100-yr (Zone AE)
Floodway (Zone AE)
500-yr (Zone X)
´0 1,000 2,000500Fe et
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Map Projection: NA D_1983_StatePlane_N orth_C arolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
"/"
"/"
"/"
"/"
White OakSwamp Rd
33
W01
W04
W02
W06
W05
Hydric Soil(W03)
DWR Stream Origin (S100)
Whi
te
Oak
Sw
a
m
p
Swift Creek
S600
S 5 0 0 S400
S300
S200
DWR Stream Reach Stop (S200)
DWR Stream Origin (S300)
Ephemeral 1 (Ditch 1)D itc h 2
Ditch 4
S100
Ditch 3
S700
Figu re5Existing AquaticResources Map
Date: 2/20/2024
Approximate Project BoundaryParcel BoundaryExisting R oadsEphemeral StreamExisting S treamExisting P JD DitchesExisting P JD Wetland (verified)Existing H ydric SoilOpen Water Feature
"/"Existing C ulvertsExisting U tility (powerline)
´0 1,000 2,000500Fe et
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Map Projection: NA D_1983_StatePlane_N orth_C arolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
White OakSwamp Rd
33
W01
W02
W03
W04W06
W05
S100-R1
S100-R2
S100-R3
S200-R1
S200-R2
S200-R3
S200-R4
S300-R1
S300-R2
Ephemeral 1
S600
Swift Creek
S500
S400
White Oak Swamp
S 7 0 0
Figu re6ProposedBuffer Map
Date: 2/20/2024
Approximate Project Boundary
Parcel Boundary
We tland Type
Existing
Re-establishm ent
Existing Ditch
To Rem ain
Positive Drainage
To be Fille d
Stream M itigation
Restoration
HWV R estoration
Enhancemen t
Preservation
No C red it
Ephem eral Stream
Stream Reach Breaks
Buffer and Nutrient M itigation
Coasta l HWV B ufferRestoration 0-100 ft
Coasta l HWV B ufferRestoration 101-200 ft
Buffer Restoratio n 0-100 ft
Buffer Preservation 0-100ft
Buffer Preservation 101-200ft
Nutrient 0-100 ft
Nutrient 101-200 ft
´0 1,000 2,000500Fe et
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Map Projection: NA D_1983_StatePlane_N orth_C arolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
"/"
"/"
"/"
"/"
"")
"")
33
W01 W02
W03
W04W06
W05
Swift Creek PRMAs-built Stream
S100-R1
S100-R2
S100-R3
S200-R1
S200-R2
S200-R3
S300-R2
S200-R4
Ephemeral 1
PollinatorMeadow
S300-R1
S600
Swift Creek
S500
S400
White Oak Swamp
S 7 0 0
Figu re7Proposed MitigationFeatures Map
Date: 2/20/2024
Approximate Project Bou ndary
Parcel Boundary
Existing Utility (powerline)
"/"Existing Culvert (to remain)
"")Existing Culvert (to be removed)
Existing Roads
Open Wate r Fea ture
Pollinator Mea dow
Stream Reach Break
Existing Ditch
To Remain
Positive Drainage
To be Filled
Stream Mitigation
Restoration
HWV Restoration
Enhancement
Preservation
No Credit
Ephemeral Stream
Wetland Mitigation
Riparian Enhancement
Non-Riparian Enhancement
Riparian Re-establishment
Non-Riparian Re-establishment
Preservation
´0 1,000 2,000500Fe et
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Map Projection: NA D_1983_StatePlane_N orth_C arolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Swift Creek PRM Easem ent BoundarySwift Creek PRM As-built Stream
___
")
___
")
___
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")
")")
")
")
___
")
")
___
")
")
")
")")
___
")
")
")
")
")
")
!.
!.
!.
!!
!!!!
!!!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!.
33
W01
W02
W03
W04
S300-R2
S300-R1
S100-R2
S100-R1
S200-R1
S200-R2
S200-R3
S400
S500
S200-R4
S100-R3
Figure8ProposedMonitoring Map
Date: 2/20/2024
Stream MitigationRestorationHWV RestorationEnhancementPreservationNo CreditEphemeral StreamExisting Ditches
Buffer and Nutrient MitigationCoastal HWV Buffer Restoration 0-100 ftCoastal HWV Buffer Restoration 101-200 ftBuffer Restoration 0-100 ftBuffer Preservation 0-100ftBuffer Preservation 101-200ftNutrient 0-100 ftNutrient 101-200 ft
Wetland MitigationRiparian EnhancementNon-Riparian EnhancementRiparian Re-establishmentNon-Riparian Re-establishmentPreservation
´0 500 1,000250Feet
1 inch = 500 feet
Map Projection: NAD_1983_StatePlane_North_Carolina_FIPS_3200_Feet
Swiftie Mitigation ProjectHUC8 Tar-Pam 01 - 03020101Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Approximate Project BoundaryParcel Boundary
")USACE Vegetation Plot (12)
")DWR Vegetation Plot (16)
")USACE/DWR Joint Vegetation Plot (10)
___USACE Random Transect Plot (6)
!.Flow Gauge
!!Groundwater Gauge
!.Crest GaugeCross SectionHeadwater ValleyRifflePool
This figure will be updated for the
final. Per USACE comment #20 in
the NCIRT comments regarding the
WLS Swiftie Stream and Wetland
Mitigation Bank. Once the planting
acreage is finalized the number of
vegetation plots will be updated.
Attachment A – DWR Determination and Viability

ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secrerary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR . NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality D/recror
June 26, 2023
Water & Land Solutions, LLC
Attn: Catherine Roland
(via electronic mail: cat herine(a),waterl an dsolutions.com )
Re: Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset -Swiftie Site
Near 35.996211, -77.6053 located off NC 33W in Tarboro, NC
Tar-Pamlico 03020101
Edgecombe County
Dear Ms. Roland,
On February l, 2023, Katie Merritt, with the Division of Water Resources (DWR), received a request
from you on behalf of Water & Land Solutions, LLC (WLS) for a site visit near the above-referenced
site in the Tar-Pamlico River Basin within the 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code 03020 IO I. The site visit
was to determine the potential for nutrient offset and buffer mitigation within a proposed
conservation easement boundary, which is more accurately depicted in the attached map labeled
"Figure 9 -Proposed Buffer Map" (Figure 9) prepared by WLS and edited by DWR. The proposed
easement boundary on the Figure 9, includes all riparian areas intended to be proposed as part of the
mitigation site. This site is also being proposed as a stream and wetland mitigation site and therefore
stream bank instability or presence of erosional rills within riparian areas were not addressed. Figure
1 labeled "Existing Aquatic Resources Map" prepared by WLS and edited by DWR was also used
for this site viability assessment and is attached to this letter. On March 8, 2023, Ms. Merritt
performed a site assessment of the subject site. Staff with WLS were also present.
Ms. Merritt's evaluation of the features onsite and their associated mitigation determination for the
riparian areas are provided in the table below. This evaluation was made from Top of Bank (TOB)
and landward 200' from each feature for buffer mitigation pursuant to I SA NCAC 02B .0295 and for
nutrient offset credits pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0703 using I SA NCAC 02B .0295 to define the
mitigation type determinations. North C'arol111a D�partment of l·m 1ron111ental Qualtt) I DI\ ision of Water Hes ourc·es 512 North Salisbul) St reet I 1611 Mail Sm ice ( enter I Ralei gh North Carolina 27 69Q-1611 919 707 90()() DocuSign Envelope ID: 445ACE81-B3B0-4327-9B65-22142C79D570
Feature Classification Subject onsite !Q Buffer
Rule 1
DI Ephemeral No
D2 Ditch <3' No
SI00 Stream Yes
(starts at
confluence
w/DI &
D2)
S200 Stream No
D3 Ditch >3' No
Ends at
S300 origin
S300 Stream Yes
(see map)
D4 Ditch >3' No
Ril!arian Land uses Buffer
adjacent to Feature Credit
(0-200') Viable
Non-forested agricultural Yes6
fields
Non-forested agricultural *see note
fields
Mostly non-forested Yes 2
agricultural fields;
Forested at field edge to
W04 label
Combination of mature Yes2
forest with row crop
agriculture beyond the
wood line. A benn and
lateral ditches are present
that require removal (see
maps)
Existing utility line is
present
Non-forested agricultural No
fields
Combination of non-Yes2
forested agricultural fields
and forested areas
Combination of non-No
forested agricultural fields
and mature forest (see
map)
Page 2 of 4
Nutrient
Offset
Viable3
Yes
Yes
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only)
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only)
Yes
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only)
Yes (non-
forested ag
fields only)
Swiftie Site EBX
June 26, 2023
Miti�ation T:rne Determination w/in
riparian areas 4•5•8
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per I SA NCAC 028 .0295 (o)(7)
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per 15A NCAC 028 .0295 (0)(8)
*Buffer Mitigation Note -Assessment
concludes the ditch meets I SA NCAC
028 .0295 (0)(8) (A, B, C, D & E). More
infonnation is required to be provided in
a mitigation plan for complete
assessment. See rule.
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per ISA NCAC 028 .0295 (n)
Forested areas -Preservation Site per
15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(5)
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per 15A NCAC 028 .0295 (o)(3)
Forested areas -Preservation Site per
ISA NCAC 028 .0295 (o)(4)
Viable for generating only if berm is
graded down and ditches within riparian
areas are fi lied and planted. No credits
within existing utility line.
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per I SA NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per I SA NCAC 02B .0295 (n)
Forested areas -Preservation Site per
15A NCAC 028 .0295 (o)(5)
Non-forested fields -Restoration Site
per I SA NCAC 028 .0295 (n)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 445ACE81-B3B0-4327-9B65-22142C79D570
Feature Classification Subject Riparian Land uses onsite !Q adjacent to Feature
Buffer (0-200')
Rule 1
S400 Stream Yes Right Bank is forested;
Left Bank in non-forested
agricultural fields but is
not included in the project
Buffer Nutrient
Credit Offset
Viable Viable3
Yes2 No
Swiftie Site
EBX
June 26, 2023
Miti11ation T:rne Determination w/in
riparian areas 4•5•8
Preservation Site per I SA NCAC 02B
.0295 (o)(5)
1Subjectivity calls and stream origins for the features were determined by DWR in correspondence dated May 3, 2017 (DWR# 2016-
1271) and June 16, 2017 using the I :24,000 scale quadrangle topographic map prepared by USGS and the most recent printed version
of the soil survey map prepared by the NRCS. 2The area of preservation credit within a buffer mitigation site shall comprise of no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer
mitigation per 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(5) and 15A NCAC 0295 (o)(4). Site cannot be a Preservation Only site to comply with this rule.
3NC Division of Water Resources -Methodology and Calculations/or determining Nutrient Reductions associated with Riparian Buffer
Establishment 4 Determinations made for this Site are detennined based on the proposal provided in maps and figures submitted with the request.5 All features proposed for buffer mitigation or nutrient offset, must have a planted conservation easement established that includes the
tops of channel banks when being measured perpendicular and landward from the banks, even if no credit is viable within that riparian
area. 6The area of the mitigation site on ephemeral channels shall comprise no more than 25 percent (25%) of the total area of buffer
mitigation per I SA NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(7). 7The area described as an Enhancement Site was assessed and detennined to comply with all of I SA NCAC 02B .0295(0)(6). Cattle
exclusion fencing is required to be installed around the mitigation area to get buffer credit under this part of the rule. 8The confluence of a ditch to a stream is required to be secured with a conservation easement to preserve the hydrologic connectivity of
ditches to streams to be viable to generate buffer and/or nutrient offset credits
Determinations provided in the table above were made using a proposed easement boundary showing
proposed mitigation areas and features shown on Figure 9 and Figure 1. The maps representing the
proposal for the site are attached to this letter and initialed by Ms. Merritt on June 26, 2023.
Substantial changes to the proposed easement boundary as well as any site constraints identified in
this letter, could affect the Site's potential to generate buffer mitigation and nutrient offset credits.
This letter does not constitute an approval of this Site to generate buffer and nutrient offset credits.
Pursuant to I SA NCAC 02B .0295, a mitigation proposal and a mitigation plan shall be submitted to
DWR for written approval prior to conducting any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or
surface waters for buffer mitigation credit. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0703, a proposal regarding a
proposed nutrient load-reducing measure for nutrient offset credit shall be submitted to DWR for
approval prior to any mitigation activities in riparian areas and/or surface waters.
All vegetative plantings, perfotmance criteria and other mitigation requirements for ripa1ian
restoration, enhancement and preservation must follow the requirements in I SA NCAC 02B .0295 to
be eligible for buffer and/or nutrient offset mjtigation credits. For any areas depicted as not being
viable for nutrient offset credit above, one could propose a different measure, along with supporting
calculations and sufficient detail to suppo11 estimates of load reduction, for review by the DWR to
determine viability for nutrient offset in accordance with I SA NCAC 02B .0703.
Page 3 of 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 445ACE81-B3B0-4327-9B65-22142C79D570
Swiftie Site EBX
June 26, 2023
This viability assessment will expire on June 26, 2025 or upon approval of a mitigation plan by
the DWR, whichever comes first. This letter should be provided in any nutrient offset, buffer,
stream or wetland mitigation plan for this Site.
Please contact Katie Merritt at [phone] if you have any questions regarding this
correspondence.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Goss, Supervisor
40 I and Buffer Permitting Branch
Attachments: Figure I -Existing Aquatic Resources Map (edited by DWR); Figure 9-Proposed
Buffer Map
cc: File Copy (Katie Merritt)
Page 4 of 4
DocuSign Envelope ID: 445ACE81-B3B0-4327-9B65-22142C79D570
500 1,000 2,000
---c::::===:1-----•Feet
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Existing Aquatic
Resources Map
Figure
1
DocuSign Envelope ID: 445ACE81-B3B0-4327-9B65-22142C79D570
Riparian Restoration
Riparian Restoration
Riparian Restoration
Riparian Preservation
Riparian Preservation
0
Map Projection: NAO_ 1983_StatePlane_Nor1h_Carobna_FIPS_3200_Feet
500 1,000
1 inch = 1,000 feet
Proposed
Buffer Map
Date: 1/2512023
2,000
� Feet
N
Figure
9
DocuSign Envelope ID: 445ACE81-B3B0-4327-9B65-22142C79D570
Attachment B – Photo Log

Ditch 1 looking downstream at transition to S100.Ditch 2 looking downstream at confluence with S100.
Ditch 3 looking downstream at transition to S300.Ditch 4 looking downstream towards S400.