2020-0047 Ver 2_Banished Bull MY3 Site Visit Summary + Emails

Banished Bull Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Bank
Notes from Site Visit on 4/23/24 in the AM
Attendees
Andrew Friedman -Herring, NC DWR - 401 & Buffer Permitting
Michael Herrmann, Watershed Investments NC
Notes
1) Attendees started the site visit with a discussion of AMP activities. A figure provided in the Adaptive
Management Plan dated 12/28/23 incorrectly showed one of the two areas planted in December of 2023. A
revised figure is provided in Figure 1 to these notes and will be corrected in the Monitoring Year 4 report to
be submitted later this year.
2) The tour of the site started at the northeast corner of the project. During the visit, all permanent plots and
replant areas were visited to assess plant diversity, growth and overall conditions.
3) Andrew observed that, at the majority of the permanent plots, Sycamores were the predominant species
with heights that reflected growth rates he'd like to see. Few other species within the plots showed height
and trunk diameter that he'd expect to see at the start of Year 4 monitoring.
4) An area between Permanent Plots 1 & 3 and another around Permanent Plot #5 were identified as potential
areas for supplemental planting based on observations of stem height. Plot #5 had been identified by
Watershed Investments previously as a targeted area for supplemental planting (See Figure 1 for plot
locations).
5) Observed presence of Sweat Gum were not deemed to be a threat at their current density and growth.
Andrew stated that control measures of Sweat Gum may be necessary if their density displaces or prevents
growth of planted stems.
6) Observed Stressors: Deer browsing was observed on many planted stems. Andrew observed that dense
herbaceous growth may be another factor in low growth of non -Sycamore plants. Additionally, Andrew
suggested soil conditions may be contributing to low growth.
7) Replanting areas were observed to have benefitted taller plant heights and improved density.
Follow-up Actions:
Soil testing at the site will be completed to attempt to assess the impact of soil conditions on plant growth. In
particular, the two areas identified in Item #4 will be sampled along with several other areas.
The site will continue to be monitored for encroachments and the disturbance from non-native and invasive
plants.
Additional Adaptive Management Plan Activities will be considered after collection of the Year 4 monitoring data
and provided to NC DWR for their review.

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4/30/24. 3:48 PM
Mail - Friedman -Herring, Andrew - Outlook
Re: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
Friedman -Herring, Andrew <andrew.friedman herring @deq.nc.gov>
Tue 4/30/2024 3:06 PM
To:[e-mail] <mherrmann@watershedi nvestmentsnc.net>
Cc:Merritt, Katie <[e-mail]>
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much for getting the site notes to me so quick. For the most part they are accurate and reflect
what we talked about in the field. In terms of timing for the AMP, DWR is requesting that a proposed
AMP be submitted for DWR review over the summer, ideally within the next 90 days. Once the AMP is
approved, the MY4 report will need to include documentation that the AMP has been successfully
implemented. It is okay if the MY4 report needs to be submitted in Jan -Feb of 2025 instead of by
December 315t 2024 to accommodate this.
In addition to proposing replanting in certain areas of the site, DWR highly recommends that WINC
should consider some combination of herbaceous management of fescue, tree boosters, deer repellant
pellets, and soil amendments in the MY4 AMP to assist with tree growth and address some of the
recurring issues with the site.
Let us know if you have any other questions. I will be out of the office from 5/2/24 - 6/3/24, so please
direct your questions to Katie during this time, and I will do my best to catch up when I return in June.
Thanks again.
Best,
Andrew Friedman -Herring
Environmental Specialist II
Division of Water Resources - 401 & Buffer Permitting
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Office: (919)-707-3644
Mobile: [phone]
[e-mail]
From: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 5:02 PM
To: Friedman -Herring, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Report
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Andrew — Attached are my draft notes from today. Please let me know if I didn't characterize your perspective
correctly.
Thanks for the site visit and feedback.
Mike Herrmann
1630 Weatherford Circle
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4/30/24. 3:48 PM
Mail - Friedman -Herring, Andrew - Outlook
Raleigh, NC 27604
(p) 919-559-6264
mike@watershednc. net
www.watershedinvestmentsnc.net
This electronic mail communication may contain privileged, confidential, and/or proprietary information which is the property of Watershed Investments
NC, LLC or one of its affiliates. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized agent of the intended recipient please delete this communication
and notify the sender that you have received it in error.
From: Friedman -Herring, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 9:44 AM
To: Mike H <[e-mail]>
Cc: Merritt, Katie <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
Hi Mike,
Yes, tomorrow at gam still works for us. I'll have the MY3 monitoring report and AMP update printed out
as a hard copy as well to reference on the site visit.
We'll see you then. My work cell is 919-604-8684 if you need to reach me.
Best,
Andrew Friedman -Herring
Environmental Specialist II
Division of Water Resources - 401 & Buffer Permitting
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(919)-707-3644
[e-mail]
From: Mike H <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2024 8:10 AM
To: Friedman -Herring, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Cc: Merritt, Katie <katie.merrij@ eq.nc.gov>
Subject: Re: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
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Andrew,
I'm confirming our gam meeting tomorrow at the Banished Bull site. Attached is a location map showing a
parking pad on the NE side of the property where I'd like to meet.
I'll bring a map of the site. Anything else you'd like me to have?
Mike
On Mar 7, 2024, at 11:33 AM, "Friedman -Herring, Andrew" <[e-mail]> wrote:
Hi Mike,
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4/30/24. 3:48 PM
Mail - Friedman -Herring, Andrew - Outlook
I'm reaching out to see if we could put a tentative site visit date for Banished Bull on the calendar.
Would Tuesday April 23th work? The site visit will likely only be for half a day, we we could do either
the morning or afternoon. If not, we can try and find another day that works. Let me know if you have
any other questions.
Best,
Andrew Friedman -Herring
Environmental Specialist II
Division of Water Resources - 401 & Buffer Permitting
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(919)-707-3644
[e-mail]
From: [e-mail] <mherrmann( �watershedinvestmentsnc.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2023 3:37 PM
To: Friedman -Herring, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Cc: Merritt, Katie <katie.merrittCa)deq.nc.gov>
Subject: RE: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
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Andrew —
Following up on your previous email, attached is a memo with attachments that responds to requests in your
email, provides a summary of the completed AMP activities, and includes confirmation of the bond
continuation.
I believe this fulfils what's needed to receive our credit release for the completion of Task #6 at the subject site.
If so, would you please provide that?
Unless we hear from you prior, we'll reach out in early March to schedule a site visit for this spring.
Thank you for your review.
Mike Herrmann
1630 Weatherford Circle
Raleigh, NC 27604
(p) 919-559-6264
mike@watershedncmet
www.watershedinvestmentsnc.net
This electronic mail communication may contain privileged, confidential, and/or proprietary information which is the property of Watershed
Investments NC, LLC or one of its affiliates. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized agent of the intended recipient please delete this
communication and notify the sender that you have received it in error.
From: Friedman -Herring, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 9:27 AM
To: mherrmann <mherrmann(cDwatershedinvestmentsnc.net>
Cc: Merritt, Katie <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
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4/30/24. 3:48 PM
Hi Mike,
Mail - Friedman -Herring, Andrew - Outlook
DWR has reviewed the Year 3 Monitoring Report for the Banished Bull Mitigation Parcel and
have the following comments:
1. A requirement for an easement boundary check to be performed every year was included in the
BPDP, but does not seem to be included in this monitoring report. Was an easement boundary
check completed this year? If so, provide a summary in response to this comment and any
photos of problem areas. Please make sure this section is included in all monitoring reports
going forward as its own section.
2. We approve of the Adaptive Management Plan proposed in this report. When completed,
provide DWR with a summary memo on actions taken, with photos of the replanted areas with
the newly planted stems flagged.
Thank you for your attention to these comments. Please provide an adequate response to all
items above along with supporting documents if required.
DWR officially approves the year 3 monitoring report for Banished Bull. Please provide
confirmation of bond renewal through next year's monitoring period. Once DWR receives
your bond renewal, we can proceed issuing the credit release for this task.
Due to consistent issues with this site and proposed replanting and other adaptive
management, please renew the bond at the current amount, and expect a partial credit
release until the adaptive management has been completed and memo received by DWR.
Additionally, DWR would like to request a site visit sometime in the spring after planting and
leaf out to see how the site is coming along. Thank you.
Best,
Andrew Friedman -Herring
Environmental Specialist II
Division of Water Resources - 401 & Buffer Permitting
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
(919)-707-3644
[e-mail]
From: Merritt, Katie <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 9:15 AM
To: Friedman -Herring, Andrew <[e-mail]>
Cc: mherrmann <[e-mail]>
Subject: FW: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
Hey Andrew,
This email is meant for you. Please follow up with Mike as needed.
Thanks,
Katie
From: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 4:59 PM
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4/30/24. 3:48 PM
Mail - Friedman -Herring, Andrew - Outlook
To: Hartshorn, Blake <[e-mail]>; Merritt, Katie <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] RE: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the
Report Message button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.
Katie, Blake - We talked to a two planting specialist about native trees they recommend against deer -browse, a
stressor observed at the site. They supported the list we had put in our AMP submitted to NCDWR for review
and dated as 10/27/23. I've attached the AMP appendix to this email for your convenience.
Given that this is targeted replanting of one -gallon plants on our original species list, would you approve this
AMP activity? The species selected, based on monitoring data, have done well at the site and have been
recommended against deer -browse. We'd like to get these plants ordered and scheduled for planting.
Mike Herrmann
1630 Weatherford Circle
Raleigh, NC 27604
(p) 919-559-6264
mike( watershednc.net
www.watershedinvestmentsnc.net
This electronic mail communication may contain privileged, confidential, and/or proprietary information which is the property of Watershed
Investments NC, LLC or one of its affiliates. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized agent of the intended recipient please delete this
communication and notify the sender that you have received it in error.
From: mherrmann(@watershedinvestmentsnc.net <mherrmann(@watershedinvestmentsnc.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 4:01 PM
To: 'Hartshorn, Blake' <blake.hartshorn(@deq.nc.ggv>; 'Merritt, Katie' <katie.merritt(@deq.nc.gov>
Subject: Proposed Adaptive Management Activities - Banished Bull
Katie, Blake,
Would you be able to review/approved the proposed AMP activities contained in this year's MY3 (i.e., the last
pages/Appendix D in the attached report) in less than 60 days? We have proposed planting measures. I realize
that you have 60 days to complete your MY3 report review but I'd like to get the plants ordered so I wondered
if you could review/approve the AMP portion of the report on a shorter timeline.
I've submitted the MY3 report via the portal and sent in a hardcopy.
Thank you for your review.
Mike Herrmann
1630 Weatherford Circle
Raleigh, NC 27604
(p) 919-559-6264
mike(&watershednc.net
www watershedinvestmentsnc. net
This electronic mail communication may contain privileged, confidential, and/or proprietary information which is the property of Watershed
Investments NC, LLC or one of its affiliates. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized agent of the intended recipient please delete this
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4/30/24, 3:48 PM Mail - Friedman -Herring, Andrew - Outlook
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