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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20201384 Ver 1_Bobs Branch As Built Report Combined_20240425 Baseline Monitoring Report Draft Bobs Branch Mitigation Project DWR Project # 2020-1384 Version 1 Randolph County, North Carolina Cape Fear River Basin HUC 03030003 Prepared By: Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC For Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC 3600 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27612 919-623-9889 April 2024 i Table of Contents 1 Project Summary ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project Location and Description ......................................................................................... 1 1.2 Monitoring Protocol and Project Success Criteria ............................................................. 1 1.3 Project Components ............................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Riparian Mitigation Approach .............................................................................................. 3 1.5 Construction and As-Built Conditions ................................................................................. 3 1.6 Baseline Monitoring Performance ....................................................................................... 4 2 Methods .......................................................................................................................................... 6 3 References ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Appendix A: Site Maps and Credit Table Figure 1. Site Location Map Figure 2. As-built Plan Figure 3. Current Conditions Plan View Table 1. As-Built Project Credits Appendix B: Vegetation Assessment Data Table 2a. Planted Tree Species Summary Table 2b. Planted Seed Mix Species Summary Table 3. Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Table Table 4. Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species Vegetation Monitoring Plot Data Sheets Appendix C: Monitoring Photos Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos General Conditions Photos Bobs Branch 1 Baseline Monitoring Report Riparian Buffer Project April 2024 1 Project Summary 1.1 Project Location and Description Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC (EBX), a wholly owned subsidiary of Resource Environmental Solutions (RES), is pleased to provide this As-built Baseline Monitoring Report for the Bobs Branch Riparian Buffer Mitigation Project (“Project”) under the RES Bobs Branch Mitigation Banking Instrument in the Randleman Lake Watershed for Riparian Buffer Mitigation Credits that is being made between the Bank Sponsor, EBX, and the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR). This project (DWR: 2020-1384v1) provides riparian buffer mitigation credits for unavoidable impacts due to development within the Randleman Lake Watershed of the Cape Fear River Basin, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 8-digit Cataloguing Unit 03030003 (Figure 1). This Project is in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and the Randleman Lake Water Supply Watershed Buffer Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0724 and the proposed RES Bobs Branch Mitigation Banking Instrument. The Bobs Branch Project is within the Cape Fear River Basin within the 8-digit HUC 03030003, 14- digit HUC 03030003010060 and DWR Sub-basin Number 03-06-08. The Project is located in Randolph County approximately two miles northwest of New Market, North Carolina. To access the Project from the town of New Market, NC, travel north approximately one mile on State Road 1009. Turn left on Marlboro Church Road and continue for 0.5 mile. Then turn right onto Old Edgar Road and continue for 0.6 mile to the access road of the project on the right. The coordinates are 35.84275°N and -79.8953°W. The Bobs Branch project consists of a conservation easement that totals 11.36 acres and includes Bobs Branch, a direct tributary to Randleman Lake, and two unnamed tributaries (BS1 and BS2) that drain into Bobs Branch. The Project is located within a semi urban area, and currently consists of open pasture with minimally forested living fence lines. Historic land use of the Project area consisted of traditional agricultural practices including channel manipulation and livestock access. Water quality stressors that have affected the Project include livestock access and lack of forested riparian buffer areas. 1.2 Monitoring Protocol and Project Success Criteria Annual vegetation monitoring and visual assessments will be conducted. Vegetation will be surveyed at established vegetation plots across the site that are representative of the riparian restoration areas (Figures 2 & 3). Data will be presented each year in annual monitoring reports, including a Current Conditions Plan View map (Figure 3). Bobs Branch 2 Baseline Monitoring Report Riparian Buffer Project April 2024 Photos are taken at all vegetation plot origins during each monitoring year. Visual inspections and photos are taken to ensure that restoration and preservation areas are being maintained and compliant. These monitoring activities will continue to be done for each monitoring year. The measures of vegetative success for the Project are the survival of at least four native hardwood tree species, where no one species is greater than 50 percent of the stems, established at a density of at least 260 planted trees per acre at the end of Year 5. Desirable native volunteer species may be included to meet the performance standards as determined by DWR. Invasive and noxious species will be monitored and treated so that none become dominant or alter the desired community structure of the site. A visual assessment of the cattle exclusion areas within the conservation easement will also be performed each year to confirm: • Fencing is in good condition throughout the site; • No cattle access within the conservation easement area; • No encroachment has occurred; • Diffuse flow is being maintained in the conservation easement areas; and • There has not been any cutting, clearing, filling, grading, or similar activities that would negatively affect the functioning of the buffer. A summary of Project monitoring and maintenance activities can be found below: Component/ Feature Monitoring Maintenance through project close-out Vegetation Annual vegetation monitoring Vegetation shall be maintained to ensure the health and vigor of the targeted plant community. Routine vegetation maintenance and repair activities may include supplemental planting, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing. Exotic invasive plant species shall be treated by mechanical and/or chemical methods. Any vegetation requiring herbicide application will be performed in accordance with NC Department of Agriculture (NCDA) rules and regulations. Vegetation maintenance activities will be documented and reported in annual monitoring reports. Vegetation maintenance will continue through the monitoring period. Invasive and Nuisance Vegetation Visual Assessment Invasive and noxious species will be monitored and treated so that none become dominant or alter the desired community structure of the Project. Locations of invasive and nuisance vegetation will be mapped and reported. Project Boundary Visual Assessment Project boundaries shall be identified in the field to ensure a clear distinction between the mitigation project and adjacent properties. Boundaries are marked with signs identifying the property as a mitigation project and will include the name of the long-term steward and a contact number. Boundaries may be identified by fence, marker, bollard, post, tree-blazing, or other means as allowed by Project conditions and/or conservation easement. Boundary markers disturbed, damaged, or destroyed will be repaired and/or replaced on an as-needed basis. Easement monitoring and staking/ signage maintenance will continue in perpetuity as a stewardship activity. Bobs Branch 3 Baseline Monitoring Report Riparian Buffer Project April 2024 1.3 Project Components This Project generates up to 436,119.622 ft2 riparian buffer mitigation credits within an 11.36-acre conservation easement as depicted in Figure 3. These are derived from riparian restoration and preservation. The credits generated will service the Randleman Lake watershed. 1.4 Riparian Mitigation Approach For streams and ephemeral channels, the Project provides buffer mitigation through riparian restoration activities in accordance with the Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rules 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (n) and 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(7). Riparian restoration activities included the planting of trees as well as fencing and protection through a conservation easement. These restoration activities were carried out from tops of the stream banks and extend a minimum of 30 feet from the stream outward to a maximum of 200 feet perpendicular and landward to the stream channel. Notably, there are some small sections where the riparian buffer is less than 30 feet due to landowner parcels. Restoration occurred where non-forested pasture was present. Minor bank grading was conducted along BS2, as required in the buffer viability letter. Any crossings within the conservation easement were removed and graded to restore the banks to appropriate conditions (Figure 3). Preservation occurred in the limited forested areas within the ephemeral portion of Reach BS2 where existing tree growth was determined adequate, and in accordance with the alternative mitigation option of Consolidated Buffer Mitigation Rules 15A NCAC 02B .0295 (o)(4) and (5) and the DWR buffer viability assessment. Restoration and Preservation activities also include the permanent protection of the riparian buffer and adjacent riparian areas from cutting, clearing, filling, grading, and similar activities that would affect the functioning of the buffer through a conservation easement that have clearly visible easement markers and signs. The upper portion of stream feature BS2 is an ephemeral channel. The entire area for buffer mitigation credit along the upper portion of BS2 is located within the contributing drainage area to the ephemeral channel and is directly connected to the intermittent reach downstream. The channel will be contiguously contained within the conservation easement area of the Project. 1.5 Construction and As-Built Conditions Bare root trees and live stakes were planted on February 26, 2024, covering an area of 10.67 acres. All riparian restoration areas are planted from top of bank back at least 30 feet from streams with bare root tree seedlings on a nine by six-foot spacing to achieve an initial density of approximately Bobs Branch 4 Baseline Monitoring Report Riparian Buffer Project April 2024 800 trees per acre. The planting area was also seeded with an herbaceous seed mix to provide rapid herbaceous cover and promote immediate buffer effectiveness as well as habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. The seed blend contains both temporary and permanent seed and includes taproot species. The seed was sown utilizing a broadcast distribution. Planting occurred in all areas proposed for riparian buffer restoration and meets the performance standards outlined in Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295. This includes treating invasive species and planting of at least four species of native hardwood bare root trees. A Piedmont Alluvial Forest (Schafale 2012) was the target community type for all areas within the Project. A list of the planted species can be found in Appendix B. All construction activities were completed in March 2024. The site was constructed in accordance with the Approved Buffer Mitigation Plan. There were two locations – a section of BS1 and a section of BS2 - that required minor bank stabilization efforts to address erosional rills and side cuts. During final design and construction walk throughs, these areas were determined to need some grading and live staking. Live staking was completed in all graded areas by the planting crew in February 2024. DWR confirmed that these activities were completed during the site visit on March 26th, 2024, and provided documentation of its completion in the Task 2 Credit Release. Bobs Branch (2020-1384 V1) easement was closed and secured on August 11th, 2023. There was a minor change of the Bobs Branch Conservation Easement between the submittal of the BPDP Approval and the construction of the site. The change occurred on the northern boundary along Bobs Branch. Although, it does not affect much crediting. After the final boundary survey, a discrepancy in the boundaries between the two parcels altered the easement boundary to follow the centerline of the stream on the most downstream end. This resulted in a reduction in the overall easement area from 11.52 to 11.36 acres. The conservation easement is marked with t- posts and signage every 200 feet along the outer boundaries, and every 150 feet along Bobs Branch and the tree line to the west of the easement (Appendix C). A total of 4,742 feet of fencing was erected around the southern border of the easement to discontinue livestock access to the site. 1.6 Baseline Monitoring Performance The Bobs Branch monitoring activities were completed in March 2024. All Baseline Monitoring data is presented below and in the appendices. The Project is on track to meeting success criteria. RES installed nine permanent vegetation plots on site. Monitoring of the nine permanent vegetation plots was completed on March 5th, 2024. Vegetation data tables are in Appendix B and associated photos are in Appendix C. Monitoring Year 0 (MY0) monitoring data indicates that all plots are exceeding the success criteria of 260 planted stems per acre. Planted stem densities ranged from 728 to 1,052 planted stems per acre with a mean of 841 planted stems per acre across all plots. A total of 11 species were documented within the plots. Volunteer species Bobs Branch 5 Baseline Monitoring Report Riparian Buffer Project April 2024 were not noted at baseline monitoring but are expected to be established in upcoming years. The average tree height observed was 1.2 feet. During the as-built site visit, there was a small area adjacent to Bobs Branch and a small wetland area that appeared to have a low stem density. These areas were supplementally planted with approved three-gallon tree species and live stakes on April 12, 2024. Photos are included in Appendix C. Herbaceous vegetation will be monitored as it becomes established throughout the Project. There was no encroachment observed or similar activities that would negatively affect the functioning of the buffer. Diffuse flow was also maintained throughout the conservation easement area. Additionally, initial invasive species treatment was administered in February 2024. Bobs Branch 6 Baseline Monitoring Report Riparian Buffer Project April 2024 2 Methods Annual vegetation monitoring and visual assessments will be conducted. Riparian buffer vegetation monitoring is based on the “Carolina Vegetation Survey-Ecosystem Enhancement Program Protocol for Recording Vegetation: Level 2 Plot Sampling Only Version 4.2” (Lee et al., 2006). Monitoring plots were installed a minimum of 100 meters squared in size and cover at least two percent of the planted mitigation area. These plots were randomly placed throughout the planted riparian buffer mitigation area (10.67 acres) and are representative of the riparian restoration conditions. The following data is recorded for all trees in the plots: species, height, planting date (or volunteer), and grid location. All stems in plots are flagged with flagging tape. In the field, the four corners of each plot were permanently marked with PVC at the origin and metal conduit at the other corners. 3 References Lee Michael T., Peet Robert K., Roberts Steven D., and Wentworth Thomas R.. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Level. Version 4.2 NC Environmental Management Commission. 2014. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0295 - Mitigation Program Requirements for the Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers. NC Environmental Management Commission. 2010. Rule 15A NCAC 02B.0724 – Randleman Lake Water Supply Watershed: Protection and Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers. Resource Environmental Solutions, LLC. 2023. Bank Parcel Development Plan – Bobs Branch Mitigation Project. Schafale, M.P. 2012. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina, Fourth Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, NCDENR, Raleigh, NC. Appendix A Site Maps and Credit Table Cartographer: hhidlay | POC: XXXX | Path: R:\Resgis\Projects\NC\103365_Bobs_Branch\PRO\6_MonitoringMaintenance\MY0\Bobs Branch CCPV.aprx | Layout: Figure 1 - Project Vicinity - Bobs Branch | Date Exported: 4/22/2024 www.res.us Reference:This information is not to be used as final legal boundaries. Data Source: USGS, GoogleMaps Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 ­ N 0 4,0002,000 Feet 1 in = 4,000 ft when printed at 8.5x11"Bobs Branch Randolph County, North Carolina 79.8825°W 35.8406°N Figure 1 Project Vicinity Conservation Easement (11.36 ac) Cape Fear River Basin - 03030003 HUC - 03030003010060 02/28/24 Cartographer: hhidlay | POC: XXXX | Path: R:\Resgis\Projects\NC\103365_Bobs_Branch\PRO\6_MonitoringMaintenance\MY0\Bobs Branch CCPV.aprx | Layout: MY0 2024 CCPV www.res.us Reference: This information is not to be used as final legal boundaries. Imagery Source: XXXX, Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 StatePlane North Carolina FIPS 3200 Feet Date Exported: 4/22/2024 ­ N 0 15075 Feet 1 in = 150 ft when printed at 11x17" Conservation Easement (11.36 ac) Surveyed Top of Bank Fixed Vegetation Plot Grade Limits (Live stake Installation) Supplemental Planting Area Buffer Restoration (0-29 ft) Buffer Restoration (0-100 ft) Buffer Restoration (101-200 ft) Buffer Restoration, Ephemeral (0-100 ft) Buffer Restoration, Ephemeral (101-200 ft) Buffer Preservation (0-29 ft) Buffer Preservation (30-100 ft) No Credit Area Bobs Branch Randolph County, North Carolina 79.89°W 35.8446°N Figure 3 Current Conditions Plan View MY0 2024 AbsentMarginalPresent Absent Present Target Community In v a s i v e S p e c i e s Vegetation Condition Assessment 1 6 5 9 8 3 4 2 7 BS1 BB1 BS 2 Supplemental Planting Area Supplemental live stakes planting area Table 1. Bobs Branch Project Credits Cape Fear - Randleman Project Area N/A N Credit Conversion Ratio (ft2/pound) N/A 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) Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 0-100 BS1, BS2, BB1 374,908 374,908 1 100%1.00000 Yes 374,908.000 No —— Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 101-200 BS1, BS2, BB1 32,422 32,422 1 33%3.03030 Yes 10,699.271 No —— Buffer Rural No Ephemeral Restoration 0-100 BS2 49,151 49,151 1 100%1.00000 Yes 49,151.000 No —— Buffer Rural No Ephemeral Restoration 101-200 BS2 1,395 1,395 1 33%3.03030 Yes 460.350 No —— Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 20-29 BB1 405 405 1 75%1.33333 Yes 303.751 No —— Buffer Rural No I / P Restoration 0-100 No Credit Area -BB1, BS2 3,577 0 1 100%Yes —No —— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— Totals (ft2):461,858 458,281 435,522.372 0.000 0.000 Total Buffer (ft2):461,858 458,281 Total Nutrient Offset (ft2):0 N/A Total Ephemeral Area (ft2) for Credit:53,675 53,675 Total Eligible Ephemeral Area (ft2):116,247 11.5%Ephemeral Reaches as % TABM Enter Preservation Credits Below Total Eligible for Preservation (ft2):153,953 0.5%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 No Ephemeral 0-50 BS2 2,558 2,558 5 100%5.00000 511.600 Buffer Rural No Ephemeral 20-29 BS2 571 571 5 75%6.66667 85.650 Buffer — Buffer — Buffer — Preservation Area Subtotals (ft2):3,129 3,129 TOTAL AREA OF BUFFER MITIGATION (TABM) Mitigation Totals Square Feet Credits Restoration:458,281 435,522.372 Enhancement:0 0.000 Preservation:3,129 597.250 Total Riparian Buffer:461,410 436,119.622 TOTAL NUTRIENT OFFSET MITIGATION Mitigation Totals Square Feet Credits Nutrient Offset:Nitrogen:0 0.000 Phosphorus:0.000 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 Appendix B Vegetation Data Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 2a. Planted Tree Species Summary – Bare Roots Table 2b. Planted Tree Species Summary –Livestakes Table 2c. Planted Seed Mix Species Summary Common Name Scientific Name Mit Plan % As-Built %Total Stems Planted River birch Betula nigra 15 15 1,300 American sycamore Platanus occidentalis 15 15 1,300 Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis 10 10 900 White oak Quercus alba 10 10 900 Water oak Quercus nigra 10 10 900 Willow oak Quercus phellos 10 10 900 Northern red oak Quercus rubra 10 10 900 Persimmon Diospyros virginiana 5 5 450 Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 5 5 450 Yellow poplar Liriodendron tulipifera 5 5 450 sugarberry Celtis laevigata 5 5 450 8,900 10.67 841 Total Planted Area As-Built Stems/Acre Common Name Scientific Name As-Built %Total Stems Planted Black willow Salix nigra 50 750 Silky dogwood Cornus amomum 33 500 Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 17 250 1,500Total Common Name Scientific Name % of Total Species Composition Virginia Wild Rye Elymus virginicus 25% S witchgrass Panicum virgatum 25% Big Bluestem Andropogon gerardii 10% Lanceleaf Coreopsis Coreopsis lanceolata 10% Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 10% Oxeye Sunflower Heliopsis helianthoides 7% Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea 7% Narrowleaf Sunflower Helianthus angustifolius 3% Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa 3% 100%Total Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 3. Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Plot #Planted Stems/Acre Volunteer Stems/Acre Total Stems/Acre Success Criteria Met? Average Stem Heights (ft) 1 728 0 728 Yes 1.4 2 809 0 809 Yes 1.2 3 850 0 850 Yes 1.1 4 850 0 850 Yes 1.2 5 850 0 850 Yes 1.1 6 809 0 809 Yes 1.2 7 769 0 769 Yes 1.1 8 850 0 850 Yes 1.4 9 1052 0 1052 Yes 1.4 Project Avg 841 0 841 Yes 1.2 Appendix B. Vegetation Assessment Data Table 4. Stem Count Total and Planted by Plot Species Appendix C Monitoring Photos Bobs Branch MY0 Vegetation Monitoring Plot Photos Vegetation Plot 1 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 2 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 3 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 4 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 5 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 6 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 7 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 8 (3/5/2024) Vegetation Plot 9 (3/5/2024) Bobs Branch General Site Photos MY0 2024 Easement signs installed (3/8/2024) Easement signs installed (3/8/2024) Supplemental Planting (4/12/2024) Supplemental Planting (4/12/2024) Old Crossing Culvert (Removed) (8/9/2023) Installed Culvert (2/8/2024) Grading (12/4/2023) Grading (12/4/2023)