HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240440 Ver 1_BP13.R020_PJDPackage_20240319Legend
Project Study Area
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT WBS # BP13.R020
OF TRANSPORTATION Madison County Replace
g DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515
DIVISION 13 (Buckner Branch Rd.) over Figure 1
°� """ Middle Fork Creek
Legend
Project Study Area
o Wetland Data Point
O Upland Data Point
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS - Intermittent Stream
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS - Perennial Stream
Potential Wetland WOTUS
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS
Stream SA - 311 LF
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS
Middle Fork Creek - 297 LF
0 50 100 200
Feet
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Potential Non -wetland WOTUS
Stream SIB - 40 LF
DP1
O 19
DP2
Potential Wetland WOTUS
Wetland WA - 0.027 ac.
USGS Topo Basemap
Barnardsville, NC Quadrant, 1:24K
KaRry� USGS Topographic Map Date: 01-11-2023
a °� �' NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
. OF TRANSPORTATION WBS #BP13.R020
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
Madison County
��'� 4oQp DIVISION 13 Replace Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515 Figure 2
krMTR�NS (Buckner Branch Road) over Middle Fork Creek
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Legend
Project Study Area
y
o Wetland Data Point
o Upland Data Point
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS - Intermittent Stream
_
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS - Perennial Stream
Potential Wetland WOTUS-
1-ft Contours
Potential Non -wetland WOTUS ,, �ar'
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Potential Non -wetland WOTUS:
Stream SA - 311 LF
Stream SIB - 40 LF
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Potential Non -wetland WOTUS
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Middle Fork Creek - 297 LF
Potential Wetland WOTUS
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Wetland WA - 0.027 ac.
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2022
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination Map
Date: 01-11-2023
. OF TRANSPORTATION
WBS #BP13.R020
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
Replace
Madison County
Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515
Figure 3
DIVISION 13
��TR>NF'
(Buckner Branch Road) over Middle Fork Creek
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers OMB Control #: 0710-xxxx, Exp: Pending
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA SHEET — Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region Requirement Control Symbol EXEMPT.
See ERDC/EL TR-07-24; the proponent agency is CECW-CO-R (Authority: AR 335-15, paragraph 5-2a)
Project/Site: Madison 36/BP13.R020 City/County: Madison County Sampling Date: 01/09/2023
Applicant/Owner: NCDOT State: NC Sampling Point: DP1
Investigator(s): R. Elliott, I. Warr Section, Township, Range: Mars Hill
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.): Terrace Local relief (concave, convex, none): None Slope (%): 1
Subregion (LRR or MLRA): LRR N Lat: 35.8718 Long:-82.4819 Datum: NAD83
Soil Map Unit Name: FrA - French loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded NWI classification: None
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes X No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation Soil or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are "Normal Circumstances" present? Yes X No
Are Vegetation Soil or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS — Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes X No Is the Sampled Area
Hydric Soil Present? Yes X No within a Wetland? Yes X No
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes X No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Secondary Indicators (minimum of two required)
Primary Indicators (minimum of one is required: check all that apply)
_Surface Soil Cracks (136)
X Surface Water (Al) _True
Aquatic Plants (1314)
_Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (138)
X High Water Table (A2) X
Hydrogen Sulfide Odor (Cl)
—Drainage Patterns (1310)
X Saturation (A3) —Oxidized
Rhizospheres on Living Roots (C3)
—Moss Trim Lines (1316)
—Water Marks (131) —Presence
of Reduced Iron (C4)
_ Dry -Season Water Table (C2)
_Sediment Deposits (132) _Recent
Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
_Crayfish Burrows (C8)
_ Drift Deposits (133) _Thin
Muck Surface (C7)
—Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
_Algal Mat or Crust (134) —Other
(Explain in Remarks)
—Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1)
—Iron Deposits (135)
—Geomorphic Position (D2)
_ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (137)
—Shallow Aquitard (D3)
—Water-Stained Leaves (139)
_ Microtopographic Relief (D4)
Aquatic Fauna (1313)
X FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes X No
Depth (inches): 2
Water Table Present? Yes X No
Depth (inches): 0
Saturation Present? Yes X No
Depth (inches): 0
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes X No
(includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont — Version 2.0
VEGETATION (Four Strata) - Use scientific names of plants.
Sampling Point: DP1
Tree Stratum (Plot size: )
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
50% of total cover:
Saplinq/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: )
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
50% of total cover:
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 5 )
1. Juncus effusus
2. Carex lurida
3. Scirpus cyperinus
4. Typha sp.
5. Rubus occidentalis
6. Rubus sp.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
50% of total cover: 45
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15 )
1. Rosa multiflora
2.
3.
4.
5.
Absolute Uominant Indicatc
% Cover Species? Status
_=Total Cover
20% of total cover:
_=Total Cover
20% of total cover
40 Yes
FACW
25 Yes
OBL
10 No
FACW
10 No
2 No
UPL
2 No
89 =Total Cover
20% of total cover: 18
5 Yes FACU
5 =Total Cover
50% of total cover: 3 20% of total cover: 1
Remarks: (Include photo numbers here or on a separate sheet.)
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 2 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 3 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 66.7% (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of:
Multiply by:
OBL species
25
x 1 =
25
FACW species
50
x 2 =
100
FAC species
0
x 3 =
0
FACU species
5
x 4 =
20
UPL species
2
x 5 =
10
Column Totals:
82
(A)
155 (B)
Prevalence Index
= B/A =
1.89
_ 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
X 2 - Dominance Test is >50%
X 3 - Prevalence Index is !2.0'
4 - Morphological Adaptations' (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
-Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation' (Explain)
'Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Definitions of Four Vegetation Strata:
Tree - Woody plants, excluding vines, 3 in. (7.6 cm) or
more in diameter at breast height (DBH), regardless of
height.
Sapling/Shrub -Woody plants, excluding vines, less
than 3 in. DBH and greater than or equal to 3.28 ft
(1 m) tall.
Herb - All herbaceous (non -woody) plants, regardless
of size, and woody plants less than 3.28 ft tall.
Woody Vine -All woody vines greater than 3.28 ft in
height.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes X No
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont - Version 2.0
SOIL Sampling Point: DP1
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix
Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) %
Color (moist) % Type LoC2
Texture Remarks
0-6 10YR 3/2 85
2.5YR 4/6 15 C PL
Loamy/Clayey Prominent redox concentrations
6-12 10YR 3/2 75
Loamy/Clayey 25% 10YR 3/3
Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion, RM=Reduced Matrix, MS=Masked Sand Grains.
2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix.
Hydric Soil Indicators:
Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soils3:
_ Histosol (Al)
_ Polyvalue Below Surface (S8) (MLRA
147, 148) _2 cm Muck (A10) (MLRA 147)
Histic Epipedon (A2)
_Thin Dark Surface (S9) (MLRA 147, 148) _Coast Prairie Redox (A16)
—Black Histic (A3)
—Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (MLRA 136) (MLRA 147, 148)
X Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
_ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
—Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19)
—Stratified Layers (A5)
_ Depleted Matrix (F3)
(MLRA 136, 147)
2 cm Muck (A10) (LRR N)
X Redox Dark Surface (F6)
_ Red Parent Material (F21)
_ Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
_ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
(outside MLRA 127, 147, 148)
_Thick Dark Surface (Al2)
_ Redox Depressions (F8)
_Very Shallow Dark Surface (F22)
_Sandy Mucky Mineral (S1)
_Iron -Manganese Masses (F12) (LRR N, _Other (Explain in Remarks)
Gleyed Matrix (S4)
MLRA 136)
_Sandy
_ Sandy Redox (S5)
_ Umbric Surface (F13) (MLRA 122, 136) 3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
—Stripped Matrix (S6)
—Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19) (MLRA 148) wetland hydrology must be present,
Dark Surface (S7)
Red Parent Material (F21) (MLRA 127, 147, 148) unless disturbed or problematic.
Restrictive Layer (if observed):
Type: Rock/gravel
Depth (inches): 12
Hydric Soil Present? Yes X No
Remarks
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont — Version 2.0
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers OMB Control #: 0710-xxxx, Exp: Pending
WETLAND DETERMINATION DATA SHEET — Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Region Requirement Control Symbol EXEMPT:
See ERDC/EL TR-07-24; the proponent agency is CECW-CO-R (Authority: AR 335-15, paragraph 5-2a)
Project/Site: Madison 36/BP13.R020 City/County: Madison County Sampling Date: 01/09/2023
Applicant/Owner: NCDOT State: NC Sampling Point: DP2
Investigator(s): R. Elliott, I. Warr Section, Township, Range:
Landform (hillside, terrace, etc.): Terrace Local relief (concave, convex, none): None Slope (%): 0.1
Subregion (LRR or MLRA): LRR N Lat: 35.8718 Long:-82.4819 Datum: NAD83
Soil Map Unit Name: FrA - French loam, o to 3 percent slopes, occasionally flooded NWI classification:
Are climatic / hydrologic conditions on the site typical for this time of year? Yes X No (If no, explain in Remarks.)
Are Vegetation Soil or Hydrology significantly disturbed? Are "Normal Circumstances' present? Yes X No
Are Vegetation Soil or Hydrology naturally problematic? (If needed, explain any answers in Remarks.)
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS — Attach site map showing sampling point locations, transects, important features, etc.
Hydrophytic Vegetation Present? Yes No X Is the Sampled Area
Hydric Soil Present? Yes X No within a Wetland? Yes No X
Wetland Hydrology Present? Yes X No
Remarks:
HYDROLOGY
Wetland Hydrology Indicators:
Secondary Indicators (minimum of two required)
Primary Indicators (minimum of one is required: check all that apply)
_ Surface Soil Cracks (136)
—Surface Water (Al) —True
Aquatic Plants (1314)
_ Sparsely Vegetated Concave Surface (138)
_ High Water Table (A2) —Hydrogen
Sulfide Odor (Cl)
_ Drainage Patterns (1310)
X Saturation (A3) —Oxidized
Rhizospheres on Living Roots (C3)
—Moss Trim Lines (B16)
—Water Marks (B1) —Presence
of Reduced Iron (C4)
_ Dry -Season Water Table (C2)
—Sediment Deposits (132) —Recent
Iron Reduction in Tilled Soils (C6)
_ Crayfish Burrows (C8)
_ Drift Deposits (133) _Thin
Muck Surface (C7)
_ Saturation Visible on Aerial Imagery (C9)
_Algal Mat or Crust (134) _Other
(Explain in Remarks)
_Stunted or Stressed Plants (D1)
—Iron Deposits (135)
_ Geomorphic Position (D2)
_ Inundation Visible on Aerial Imagery (137)
—Shallow Aquitard (D3)
—Water-Stained Leaves (139)
_ Microtopographic Relief (D4)
Aquatic Fauna (1313)
FAC-Neutral Test (D5)
Field Observations:
Surface Water Present? Yes No
X Depth (inches):
Water Table Present? Yes No
X Depth (inches):
Saturation Present? Yes X No
Depth (inches): 9
Wetland
Hydrology Present? Yes X No
includes capillary fringe)
Describe Recorded Data (stream gauge, monitoring well, aerial photos, previous inspections), if available:
Remarks:
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont — Version 2.0
VEGETATION (Four Strata) - Use scientific names of plants.
Sampling Point: DP2
Absolute Uominant Indicatc
Tree Stratum (Plot size: ) % Cover Species? Status
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
50% of total cover:
Saplina/Shrub Stratum (Plot size: 25 )
1. Arctium minus
2. Rubus argutus
3. Lonicera japonica
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
50% of total cover: 20
Herb Stratum (Plot size: 5 )
1. Equisetum hyemale
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
50% of total cover: 5
Woody Vine Stratum (Plot size: 15 )
1. Lonicera japonica
2.
3.
4.
5.
_ =Total Cover
20% of total cover
5 No FACU
30 Yes FACU
5 No FACU
40 =Total Cover
20% of total cover: 8
10 Yes FACW
10 =Total Cover
20% of total cover: 2
10 Yes FACU
10 =Total Cover
50% of total cover: 5 20% of total cover: 2
Remarks: (Include photo numbers here or on a separate sheet.)
Dominance Test worksheet:
Number of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 1 (A)
Total Number of Dominant
Species Across All Strata: 3 (B)
Percent of Dominant Species
That Are OBL, FACW, or FAC: 33.3% (A/B)
Prevalence Index worksheet:
Total % Cover of: Multiply by:
OBL species 0 x 1 = 0
FACW species 10 x 2 = 20
FAC species 0 x 3 = 0
FACU species 50 x 4 = 200
UPL species 0 x 5 = 0
Column Totals: 60 (A) 220 (B)
Prevalence Index = B/A = 3.67
Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators:
_ 1 - Rapid Test for Hydrophytic Vegetation
2 - Dominance Test is >50%
_ 3 - Prevalence Index is <_3.01
4 - Morphological Adaptations' (Provide supporting
data in Remarks or on a separate sheet)
_ Problematic Hydrophytic Vegetation' (Explain)
Indicators of hydric soil and wetland hydrology must
be present, unless disturbed or problematic.
Definitions of Four Vegetation Strata:
Tree - Woody plants, excluding vines, 3 in. (7.6 cm) or
more in diameter at breast height (DBH), regardless of
height.
Sapling/Shrub -Woody plants, excluding vines, less
than 3 in. DBH and greater than or equal to 3.28 ft
(1 m) tall.
Herb - All herbaceous (non -woody) plants, regardless
of size, and woody plants less than 3.28 ft tall.
Woody Vine - All woody vines greater than 3.28 ft in
height.
Hydrophytic
Vegetation
Present? Yes No X
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont -Version 2.0
SOIL Sampling Point: DP2
Profile Description: (Describe to the depth needed to document the indicator or confirm the absence of indicators.)
Depth Matrix Redox Features
(inches) Color (moist) % Color (moist) % Type LOC2 Texture Remarks
0-3 10YR 3/2 100 Loamy/Clayey
3-12 10YR 3/2 45 7.5YR 4/4 5 C M Loamy/Clayey 50% 10YR 4/3
Type: C=Concentration, D=Depletion,
Hydric Soil Indicators.
_ Histosol (Al)
_ Histic Epipedon (A2)
—Black Histic (A3)
—Hydrogen Sulfide (A4)
_ Stratified Layers (A5)
_2 cm Muck (A10) (LRR N)
_Depleted Below Dark Surface (A11)
_Thick Dark Surface (Al2)
—Sandy Mucky Mineral(S1)
—Sandy Gleyed Matrix (S4)
—Sandy Redox (S5)
—Stripped Matrix (S6)
Dark Surface (S7)
Restrictive Layer (if observed):
Type:
Depth (inches):
Remarks:
RM=Reduced Matrix. MS=Masked Sand Grains
_ Polyvalue Below Surface (S8) (MLRA 147, 148)
_Thin Dark Surface (S9) (MLRA 147, 148)
_Loamy Mucky Mineral (F1) (MLRA 136)
_ Loamy Gleyed Matrix (F2)
_ Depleted Matrix (F3)
X Redox Dark Surface (F6)
_ Depleted Dark Surface (F7)
_ Redox Depressions (F8)
_ Iron -Manganese Masses (F12) (LRR N,
MLRA 136)
_ Umbric Surface (F13) (MLRA 122, 136)
—Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19) (MLRA 148)
Red Parent Material (F21) (MLRA 127, 147, 148)
2Location: PL=Pore Lining, M=Matrix
Indicators for Problematic Hydric Soil
_2 cm Muck (A10) (MLRA 147)
—Coast Prairie Redox (A16)
(MLRA 147, 148)
Piedmont Floodplain Soils (F19)
(MLRA 136, 147)
Red Parent Material (F21)
(outside MLRA 127, 147, 148)
_Very Shallow Dark Surface (F22)
Other (Explain in Remarks)
3Indicators of hydrophytic vegetation and
wetland hydrology must be present,
unless disturbed or problematic.
Hydric Soil Present? Yes X No
ENG FORM 6116-4-SG, JUL 2018 Eastern Mountains and Piedmont — Version 2.0
NC WAM FIELD ASSESSMENT FORM
Accompanies user Manual Version b.0
USACE AID #
NCDWR#
Project Name
Madison Bridge No. 50036
Date of Evaluation
01-09-2023
Applicant/Owner Name
NCDOT Division 13: Roger Bryan
Wetland Site Name
Wetland WA
Wetland Type
Non -Tidal Freshwater Marsh
Assessor Name/Organization
Ryan Elliott, Sage Ecological
Services
Level III Ecoregion
Blue Ridge Mountains
Nearest Named Water Body
Middle Fork Creek
River Basin
French Broad
USGS 8-Digit Catalogue Unit
06010105
County
Madison
NCDWR Region
Asheville
F-1 Yes 17 No
Precipitation within 48 hrs?
Latitude/Lonaitude (deci-dearees)
35.8719.-82.4818
Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and/or make note on the last page if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if appropriate, in
recent past (for instance, within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited to the following.
• Hydrological modifications (examples: ditches, dams, beaver dams, dikes, berms, ponds, etc.)
• Surface and sub -surface discharges into the wetland (examples: discharges containing obvious pollutants, presence of nearby septic
tanks, underground storage tanks (USTs), hog lagoons, etc.)
• Signs of vegetation stress (examples: vegetation mortality, insect damage, disease, storm damage, salt intrusion, etc.)
• Habitat/plant community alteration (examples: mowing, clear -cutting, exotics, etc.)
Is the assessment area intensively managed? ® Yes ❑ No
Regulatory Considerations - Were regulatory considerations evaluated? ®Yes ❑No If Yes, check all that apply to the assessment area.
❑ Anadromous fish
❑ Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
❑ NCDWR riparian buffer rule in effect
❑ Abuts a Primary Nursery Area (PNA)
❑ Publicly owned property
❑ N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
® Abuts a stream with a NCDWQ classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
❑ Designated NCNHP reference community
❑ Abuts a 303(d)-listed stream or a tributary to a 303(d)-listed stream
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (check all that apply)
❑ Blackwater
® Brownwater
❑ Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) ❑ Lunar ❑ Wind ❑ Both
Is the assessment area on a coastal island? ❑ Yes ® No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver? ❑ Yes ® No
Does the assessment area experience overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions? ❑ Yes ® No
1. Ground Surface Condition/Vegetation Condition —assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider alteration to the ground surface (GS) in the assessment area and vegetation structure (VS) in the
assessment area. Compare to reference wetland if applicable (see User Manual). If a reference is not applicable, then rate the assessment
area based on evidence an effect.
GS VS
❑A ❑A Not severely altered
®B ®B Severely altered over a majority of the assessment area (ground surface alteration examples: vehicle tracks, excessive
sedimentation, fire -plow lanes, skidder tracks, bedding, fill, soil compaction, obvious pollutants) (vegetation structure
alteration examples: mechanical disturbance, herbicides, salt intrusion [where appropriate], exotic species, grazing, less
diversity [if appropriate], hydrologic alteration)
Surface and Sub -Surface Storage Capacity and Duration — assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface storage capacity and duration (Surf) and sub -surface storage capacity and duration (Sub).
Consider both increase and decrease in hydrology. A ditch <_ 1 foot deep is considered to affect surface water only, while a ditch > 1 foot
deep is expected to affect both surface and sub -surface water. Consider tidal flooding regime, if applicable.
Surf Sub
®A ®A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
❑B ❑B Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation).
❑C ❑C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation change)
(examples: draining, flooding, soil compaction, filling, excessive sedimentation, underground utility lines).
Water Storage/Surface Relief — assessment area/wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes)
Check a box in each column. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT).
AA WT
3a. ❑A ❑A Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water > 1 deep
❑B ❑B Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep
❑C ❑C Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 3 to 6 inches deep
❑D ❑D Depressions able to pond water < 3 inches deep
3b. ❑A Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is greater than 2 feet
❑B Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is between 1 and 2 feet
❑C Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is less than 1 foot
4. Soil Texture/Structure — assessment area condition metric (skip for all marshes)
Check a box from each of the three soil property groups below. Dig soil profile in the dominant assessment area landscape feature.
Make soil observations within the top 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance for regional
indicators.
4a. ❑A Sandy soil
❑B Loamy or clayey soils exhibiting redoximorphic features (concentrations, depletions, or rhizospheres)
❑C Loamy or clayey soils not exhibiting redoximorphic features
❑D Loamy or clayey gleyed soil
❑E Histosol or histic epipedon
4b. ❑A Soil ribbon < 1 inch
❑B Soil ribbon >_ 1 inch
4c. ❑A No peat or muck presence
❑B A peat or muck presence
5. Discharge into Wetland — opportunity metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface pollutants or discharges (Surf) and sub -surface pollutants or discharges (Sub). Examples
of sub -surface discharges include presence of nearby septic tank, underground storage tank (UST), etc.
Surf Sub
®A ®A Little or no evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the assessment area
❑B ❑B Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the wetland and stressing, but not overwhelming the
treatment capacity of the assessment area
❑C ❑C Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges (pathogen, particulate, or soluble) entering the assessment area and
potentially overwhelming the treatment capacity of the wetland (water discoloration, dead vegetation, excessive
sedimentation, odor)
6. Land Use — opportunity metric (skip for non -riparian wetlands)
Check all that apply (at least one box in each column). Evaluation involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. Consider sources draining
to assessment area within entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (5M),
and within 2 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (2M).
WS 5M 2M
❑A ❑A ❑A > 10% impervious surfaces
❑B ❑B ❑B Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants
®C ❑C ❑C >_ 20% coverage of pasture
❑D ❑D ❑D >_ 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land)
®E ❑E ❑E >_ 20% coverage of maintained grass/herb
®F ❑F ❑F >_ 20% coverage of clear-cut land
❑G ❑G ❑G Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from little or no disturbance in
the watershed or hydrologic alterations that prevent drainage and/or overbank flow from affecting the
assessment area.
7. Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer— assessment area/wetland complex condition metric (skip for non -riparian wetlands)
7a. Is assessment area within 50 feet of a tributary or other open water?
®Yes ❑No If Yes, continue to 7b. If No, skip to Metric 8.
Wetland buffer need only be present on one side of the water body. Make buffer judgment based on the average width of wetland.
Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been removed or disturbed.
7b. How much of the first 50 feet from the bank is wetland? (Wetland buffer need only be present on one side of the .water body. Make
buffer judgment based on the average width of wetland. Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been removed or disturbed.)
❑A >_ 50 feet
®B From 30 to < 50 feet
❑C From 15 to < 30 feet
❑D From 5 to < 15 feet
❑E < 5 feet or buffer bypassed by ditches
7c. Tributary width. If the tributary is anastomosed, combine widths of channels/braids for a total width.
®<_ 15-feet wide ❑> 15-feet wide ❑ Other open water (no tributary present)
7d. Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the tributary/open water?
❑Yes ®No
7e. Is stream or other open water sheltered or exposed?
®Sheltered — adjacent open water with width < 2500 feet and no regular boat traffic.
❑Exposed — adjacent open water with width >_ 2500 feet or regular boat traffic.
8. Wetland Width at the Assessment Area — wetland type/wetland complex condition metric (evaluate WT for all marshes and
Estuarine Woody Wetland only; evaluate WC for Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Headwater Forest, and Riverine Swamp Forest
only)
Check a box in each column for riverine wetlands only. Select the average width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT) and
the wetland complex at the assessment area (WC). See User Manual for WT and WC boundaries.
WT WC
❑A ❑A >_ 100 feet
❑B ❑B From 80 to < 100 feet
❑C ❑C From 50 to < 80 feet
®D ❑D From 40 to < 50 feet
❑E ❑E From 30 to < 40 feet
❑F ❑F From 15 to < 30 feet
❑G ❑G From 5 to < 15 feet
❑H ❑H < 5 feet
9. Inundation Duration — assessment area condition metric (skip for non -riparian wetlands)
Answer for assessment area dominant landform.
®A Evidence of short -duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days)
❑B Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation
❑C Evidence of long -duration inundation or very long -duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more)
10. Indicators of Deposition — assessment area condition metric (skip for non -riparian wetlands and all marshes)
Consider recent deposition only (no plant growth since deposition).
❑A Sediment deposition is not excessive, but at approximately natural levels.
❑B Sediment deposition is excessive, but not overwhelming the wetland.
❑C Sediment deposition is excessive and is overwhelming the wetland.
11. Wetland Size — wetland type/wetland complex condition metric
Check a box in each column. Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric evaluates three aspects of the wetland area: the
size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the wetland complex (WC), and the size of the forested wetland (FW) (if applicable, see User
Manual). See the User Manual for boundaries of these evaluation areas. If assessment area is clear-cut, select "K" for the FW column.
WT WC FW (if applicable)
❑A ❑A ❑A >_ 500 acres
❑B ❑B ❑B From 100 to < 500 acres
❑C ❑C ❑C From 50 to < 100 acres
❑D ❑D ❑D From 25 to < 50 acres
❑E ❑E ❑E From 10 to < 25 acres
❑F ❑F ❑F From 5 to < 10 acres
❑G ❑G ❑G From 1 to < 5 acres
❑H ❑H ❑H From 0.5 to < 1 acre
❑I ❑I ❑I From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre
®J ®J ❑J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre
❑K ❑K ❑K < 0.01 acre or assessment area is clear-cut
12. Wetland Intactness — wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Pocosins only)
❑A Pocosin is the full extent (>_ 90%) of its natural landscape size.
❑B Pocosin type is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size.
13. Connectivity to Other Natural Areas — landscape condition metric
13a. Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric
evaluates whether the wetland is well connected (Well) and/or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contiguous
naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate). Boundaries are formed by four -lane roads, regularly maintained utility line
corridors the width of a four -lane road or wider, urban landscapes, maintained fields (pasture and agriculture), or open water > 300
feet wide.
Well Loosely
❑A
❑A
>_ 500 acres
❑B
❑B
From 100 to < 500 acres
❑C
❑C
From 50 to < 100 acres
❑D
❑D
From 10 to < 50 acres
❑E
®E
< 10 acres
®F
❑F
Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats
13b. Evaluate for marshes only.
®Yes ❑No Wetland type has a surface hydrology connection to open waters/stream or tidal wetlands.
14. Edge Effect — wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes and Estuarine Woody Wetland)
May involve a GIS effort with field adjustment. Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include
non -forested areas >_ 40 feet wide such as fields, development, roads, regularly maintained utility line corridors, and clear -cuts. Consider
the eight main points of the compass. Artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in how many directions? If the assessment area is clear cut,
select option "C."
❑A 0
❑ B 1 to 4
❑C 5to8
15. Vegetative Composition — assessment area condition metric (skip for all marshes and Pine Flat)
❑A Vegetation is close to reference condition in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of appropriate
species, with exotic plants absent or sparse within the assessment area.
❑B Vegetation is different from reference condition in species diversity or proportions, but still largely composed of native species
characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting or clearing.
It also includes communities with exotics present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata.
❑C Vegetation severely altered from reference in composition, or expected species are unnaturally absent (planted stands of non -
characteristic species or at least one stratum inappropriately composed of a single species), or exotic species are dominant in at
least one stratum.
16. Vegetative Diversity — assessment area condition metric (evaluate for Non -tidal Freshwater Marsh only)
®A Vegetation diversity is high and is composed primarily of native species (< 10% cover of exotics).
❑B Vegetation diversity is low or has > 10% to 50% cover of exotics.
❑C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (> 50 % cover of exotics).
17. Vegetative Structure — assessment area/wetland type condition metric
17a. Is vegetation present?
®Yes ❑No If Yes, continue to 17b. If No, skip to Metric 18.
17b. Evaluate percent coverage of assessment area vegetation for all marshes only. Skip to 17c for non -marsh wetlands.
®A >_ 25% coverage of vegetation
❑B < 25% coverage of vegetation
17c. Check a box in each column for each stratum. Evaluate this portion of the metric for non -marsh wetlands. Consider
structure in airspace above the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) separately.
AA WT
T
o ❑A ❑A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes
m ❑B ❑B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps
U ❑C ❑C Canopy sparse or absent
T
o ❑A
❑A
Dense mid-story/sapling layer
❑B
❑B
Moderate density mid-story/sapling layer
❑C
❑C
Mid-story/sapling layer sparse or absent
❑A
❑A
Dense shrub layer
s ❑B
❑B
Moderate density shrub layer
U) ❑C
❑C
Shrub layer sparse or absent
-0 ❑A
❑A
Dense herb layer
_ ❑B
❑B
Moderate density herb layer
❑C
❑C
Herb layer sparse or absent
18. Snags — wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes)
❑A Large snags (more than one) are visible (> 12 inches DBH, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
❑B Not
19. Diameter Class Distribution — wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes)
❑A Majority of canopy trees have stems > 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH); many large trees (> 12 inches DBH) are
present.
❑B Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6 and 12 inches DBH, few are > 12 inch DBH.
❑C Majority of canopy trees are < 6 inches DBH or no trees.
20. Large Woody Debris — wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes)
Include both natural debris and man -placed natural debris.
❑A Large logs (more than one) are visible (> 12 inches in diameter, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
❑B Not
21. Vegetation/Open Water Dispersion — wetland type/open water condition metric (evaluate for Non -Tidal Freshwater Marsh only)
Select the figure that best describes the amount of interspersion between vegetation and open water in the growing season. Patterned
areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water.
❑A ❑B ❑C ®D
JI
22
Hydrologic Connectivity — assessment area condition metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands and Salt/Brackish Marsh only)
Examples of activities that may severely alter hydrologic connectivity include intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion,
man-made berms, beaver dams, and stream incision. Documentation required if evaluated as B, C, or D.
®A Overbank and overland flow are not severely altered in the assessment area.
❑B Overbank flow is severely altered in the assessment area.
❑C Overland flow is severely altered in the assessment area.
❑D Both overbank and overland flow are severely altered in the assessment area.
Notes
NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet
Accompanies User Manual Version 5.0
Wetland Site Name Wetland WA Date of Assessment 01-09-2023
Ryan Elliott, Sage
Wetland Type Non -Tidal Freshwater Marsh Assessor Name/Organization Ecological Services
Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y/N) NO
Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N) YES
Wetland is intensively managed (Y/N) YES
Assessment area is located within 50 feet of a natural tributary or other open water (Y/N) YES
Assessment area is substantially altered by beaver (Y/N) NO
Assessment area experiences overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y/N) NO
Assessment area is on a coastal island (Y/N) NO
Sub -function Ratina Summa
Function Sub -function Metrics Rating
Hydrology Surface Storage and Retention Condition NA
Sub -surface Storage and
Retention Condition NA
Water Quality Pathogen Change
Condition
NA
Condition/Opportunity
NA
Opportunity Presence (Y/N)
NA
Particulate Change
Condition
NA
Condition/Opportunity
NA
Opportunity Presence (Y/N)
NA
Soluble Change
Condition
NA
Condition/Opportunity
NA
Opportunity Presence (Y/N)
NA
Physical Change
Condition
NA
Condition/Opportunity
NA
Opportunity Presence (Y/N)
NA
Pollution Change
Condition
NA
Condition/Opportunity
NA
Opportunity Presence (Y/N)
NA
Habitat Physical Structure
Condition
LOW
Landscape Patch Structure
Condition
LOW
Vegetation Composition
Condition
HIGH
Function Ratina Summa
Function
Metrics
Rating
Hydrology
Condition
HIGH
Water Quality
Condition
MEDIUM
Condition/Opportunity
MEDIUM
Opportunity Presence (Y/N)
NO
Habitat
Condition
LOW
Overall Wetland Rating MEDIUM
PRELIMINARY JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION (PJD) FORM
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. REPORT COMPLETION DATE FOR PJD: #CURRENT DATE TRADITIONAL#
B. NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON REQUESTING PJD:
NC Department of Transportation — Division 13: Roger Bryan, 55 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801
C. DISTRICT OFFICE, FILE NAME, AND NUMBER: Charlotte District
D. PROJECT LOCATION(S) AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION:). The North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to replace bridge 560036 on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch
Rd.) over Middle Fork Creek (WBS Element Number BPI3.R020) in Madison County. The project study
area is located on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch Rd.) immediately west of the intersection with US HWY 19,
north of Mars Hill, NC.
E. (USE THE TABLE BELOW TO DOCUMENT MULTIPLE AQUATIC RESOURCES
AND/OR AQUATIC RESOURCES AT DIFFERENT SITES)
State: North Carolina County/parish/borough: Madison County City: Mars Hill
Center coordinates of site (lat/long in degree decimal format): Lat.: 35.8719, Long:-82.4825
Universal Transverse Mercator: Zone 17S 366165.33 3970755.16
Name of nearest waterbody: Middle Fork Creek
F. REVIEW PERFORMED FOR SITE EVALUATION (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY):
❑ Office (Desk) Determination. Date:
❑ Field Determination. Date(s):
TABLE OF AQUATIC RESOURCES IN REVIEW AREA WHICH "MAY BE" SUBJECT TO REGULATORY
JURISDICTION.
Type of
Estimated amount
aquatic
Geographic authority to
Latitude
Longitude
of aquatic resources
resources
which the aquatic
Site Number
(decimal
(decimal
in review area
(i.e., wetland
resource "may be"
degrees)
degrees)
(acreage and linear
vs. non-
subject (i.e., Section
feet, if applicable
wetland
404 or Section 10/404)
waters
Middle Fork
35.8719
-82.4826
297 LF
Non -wetland
Section 404
Creek
SA
35.8726
-82.4833
311 LF
Non -wetland
Section 404
SB
35.8721
-82.4824
40 LF
Non -wetland
Section 404
WA
35.8719
-82.4818
0.027 Ac.
Wetland
Section 404
1) The Corps of Engineers believes that there may be jurisdictional aquatic resources in the review
area, and the requestor of this PJD is hereby advised of his or her option to request and obtain an
approved JD (AJD) for that review area based on an informed decision after having discussed the
various types of JDs and their characteristics and circumstances when they may be appropriate.
2) In any circumstance where a permit applicant obtains an individual permit, or a Nationwide
General Permit (NWT) or other general permit verification requiring "pre- construction
notification" (PCN), or requests verification for a non -reporting NWT or other general permit, and
the permit applicant has not requested an AJD for the activity, the permit applicant is hereby
made aware that: (1) the permit applicant has elected to seek a permit authorization based on a
PJD, which does not make an official determination of jurisdictional aquatic resources; (2) the
applicant has the option to request an AJD before accepting the terms and conditions of the permit
authorization, and that basing a permit authorization on an AJD could possibly result in less
compensatory mitigation being required or different special conditions; (3) the applicant has the
right to request an individual permit rather than accepting the terms and conditions of the NWT or
other general permit authorization; (4) the applicant can accept a permit authorization and thereby
agree to comply with all the terms and conditions of that permit, including whatever mitigation
requirements the Corps has determined to be necessary; (5) undertaking any activity in reliance
upon the subject permit authorization without requesting an AJD constitutes the applicant's
acceptance of the use of the PJD; (6) accepting a permit authorization (e.g., signing a proffered
individual permit) or undertaking any activity in reliance on any form of Corps permit
authorization based on a PJD constitutes agreement that all aquatic resources in the review area
affected in any way by that activity will be treated as jurisdictional, and waives any challenge to
such jurisdiction in any administrative or judicial compliance or enforcement action, or in any
administrative appeal or in any Federal court; and (7) whether the applicant elects to use either an
AJD or a PJD, the JD will be processed as soon as practicable. Further, an AJD, a proffered
individual permit (and all terms and conditions contained therein), or individual permit denial can
be administratively appealed pursuant to 33 C.F.R. Part 331. If, during an administrative appeal,
it becomes appropriate to make an official determination whether geographic jurisdiction exists
over aquatic resources in the review area, or to provide an official delineation of jurisdictional
aquatic resources in the review area, the Corps will provide an AJD to accomplish that result, as
soon as is practicable. This PJD finds that there "may be" waters of the U.S. and/or that there
"may be" navigable waters of the U.S. on the subject review area, and identifies all aquatic
features in the review area that could be affected by the proposed activity, based on the following
information:
SUPPORTING DATA. Data reviewed for PJD (check all that apply)
Checked items should be included in subject file. Appropriately reference sources below where indicated
for all checked items:
N Maps, plans, plots or plat submitted by or on behalf of the PJD requestor:
Map: Figure 2- PJD Map
N Data sheets prepared/submitted by or on behalf of the PJD requestor.
❑ Office concurs with data sheets/delineation report.
❑ Office does not concur with data sheets/delineation report. Rationale:
❑ Data sheets prepared by the
❑ Corps navigable waters' study:
❑ U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Atlas:
❑ USGS NHD data.
❑ USGS 8 and 12 digit HUC maps.
0 U.S. Geological Survey map(s). Cite scale & quad name: 1:24,000 Barnardsville, NC Quadrangle
❑ Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey. Citation:
❑ National wetlands inventory map(s). Cite name:
❑ State/local wetland inventory map(s):
❑ FEMA/FIRM maps:
❑ 100-year Floodplain Elevation is: (National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929)
N Photographs: ❑x Aerial (Name & Date): NC OneMap, 2022
or ❑Other (Name & Date):
❑ Previous determination(s). File no. and date of response letter:
❑ Other information (please specify):
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information recorded on this form has not necessarily been
verified by the Corps and should not be relied upon for later jurisdictional determinations.
Signature and date of Regulatory staff member
completing PJD
Signature and date of
person requesting PJD
(REQUIRED, unless
obtaining the signature is
impracticable) 1
1 Districts may establish timeframes for requester to return signed PJD forms. If the requester does not respond within the
established time frame, the district may presume concurrence and no additional follow up is necessary prior to finalizing an
action.
Potential Jurisdictional Features Characteristics
Table 1. Characteristics of streams in the study area
Bank
Bankfull
Stream
Map ID
Classification
Length (ft.)
Height
width
Depth
Name
(in)
ft
ft
Middle Fork
Middle Fork
Creek
Creek
perennial
297
2
12
12-36
SA
SA
Perennial
311
1-2
3
1-3
SB
SB
Intermittent
40
0.5
3
3-6
Table 2. Characteristics of wetlands in the study area
Area
NCWAM
NCWAM
Hydrologic
404/401
Map ID
Forested
in Study
Classification
Rating
Classification
or 401
Area
Non -Tidal
WA
Freshwater
No
Medium
Riparian
404/401
0.027
Marsh
$ji��owardin_Codej HGM_Codej Meas_Typej Amound Units I Waters —Type I Latitude) Lonaitudel Local _Waterway
Middle Fork Creek NORTH CAROLINA R2 RIVERINE Linear 297 FOOT DELIN.PJD-404 35.8719-82.4826 Middle Fork Creek
SA NORTH CAROLINA R3 RIVERINE Linear 311 FOOT DELIN.PJD-404 35.8726-82.4833 Middle Fork Creek
SB NORTH CAROLINA R4 RIVERINE Linear 40 FOOT DELIN.PJD-404 35.8721-82.4824 Middle Fork Creek
WA NORTH CAROLINA PEM RIVERINE Area 0.027 ACRE DELIN.PJD-404 35.8719-82.4818 Middle Fork Creek