Site Visit Meeting Notes-Remediation

May 9, 2024
Katie Merritt
Environmental Program Consultant, Division of
Water Resources North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality
[e-mail]
Restoration Systems, LLC
1101 Haynes St. Suite 211
Raleigh, North Carolina
Ph: [phone]
Fx: [phone]
Subject: GUC Buffer/Nutrient Offset
Post MY 4 (2023) Monitoring Report, Preliminary AMP Meeting — Site Visit
DWR #2017-1122 v2
Attendees:
NCDEQ-DWR: Restoration Systems:
Katie Merritt - Matthew Harrell - Gus Lehrman
Andrew Friedman -Herring - Josh Merritt
Overview:
On April 24, 2024, Restoration Systems (RS) held a site visit with NCDEQ staff from the 401 & Buffer Permitting
Unit to discuss the MY 4 (2023) GUC Monitoring Report, review MY4 results, implementation of Adaptive
Management Plans (AMP) to date, and future AMP to be submitted by RS.
The meeting began with RS summarizing the current conditions at the GUC Site and outlining all AMP work
completed between year 1 (2020) through year 4 (2023). MY 4 (2023) vegetation monitoring resulted in a site -
wide average of 241 stems per acre. Success for the Site is 260 stems per acre. However, many portions of the Site
are below the success criteria.
Following the Site summary, a site walk-through was conducted. Based on in -field observations, NCDEQ staff
determined that MY 4 results are representative. The Site has numerous areas that are underperforming success
criteria. NCDEQ requested that RS submit an AMP for approval. The AMP is intended to serve as a test for potential
remedies, particularly the potential for additional planting of alternate species. Details of the Site Visit discussions
are outlined below.
Meeting Notes:
- Site was walked in order of numbered features, beginning at Northeast corner. Higher elevations and
sandier soils were observed to be especially problematic areas for tree establishment.
- Sycamores stood out visually as a high vigor species despite a low initial planting density. Many species
noted as present showed low heights and low vigor, with obvious signs of heavy deer browse and
apparently challenging fertility/moisture conditions.
- Persimmons appeared to be the most prevalent volunteer species on the Site.
- Beavers are established in Features 5, 6, and 7 and seem to be benefitting the site.
- The vegetation on the Sand ridge located south of Feature 7 (Figure 1).was significantly lower than the
rest of the Site.
0 NCDEQ staff requested RS to compare species mortality between as -built My 0 (2020) data and
MY 4 (2023) results. RS will use the data to develop a species list within the highlighted area for
the AMP.

Development of AMP (2024) discussion.
o NCDEQ staff agreed to postpone MY 5 (2024) monitoring (sitewide monitoring to resume in
2026) to allow the development and implementation of an AMP.
o Continue annual monitoring of overall easement conditions, including boundary
encroachments, wild hog disturbance, drought/flooding, etc.
o Plant multiple test zones to consider alternative tree species and better understand causes of
tree mortality to date.
■ Ten to twelve (10-12) zones should be spread out to include representative areas
including all features, soils, and relative landscape positions.
■ Submit soil samples from each zone and provide representative soil profiles.
o DWR suggested including species currently on -site observed with high vigor, including Sycamore
(Platanus occidentalis) and Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana).
o DWR also requested the addition of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) and Red maple (Acerrubrum), as
species typically tolerant of very difficult site conditions.
o DWR suggested a shrub species. Considering site conditions, RS staff believes Wax myrtle
(Myrica cerifera) to be the most suitable shrub species widely available.
o Material used will be at RS's discretion (Le., container or bare root)
o Monitoring within the AMP (2024) test zones.
■ Monitoring guidelines
• Added stems will be flagged.
• Mortality, height, and vigor for added stems will be monitored.
o Anticipated AMP (2024) schedule (Table 1).
Dates
Milestones
Summer 2024
AMP submittal for NCDEQ review
January 2025
Implementation of NCDEQ-
approved AMP
February 2025
AMP as -built MY 0 monitoring
Fall 2025
AMP MY 1 Monitoring
AMP MY 2 Monitoring and
Fall 2026
continue site -wide MY 5
monitoring
Potential site -wide supplemental
January 2027
planting based on results of AMP
test plots
o Determination of close-out/ potential credit reduction.
■ Based on the AMP, an effective two-year monitoring delay is in place for this site.
■ Close-out will be considered in 2027.
The completion of monitoring requirements and the research AMP (2024) are required.
Implementation of a Site wide supplemental planting based on results of the AMP
(2024) may support close-out efforts.
Areas which do not meet success criteria and are unlikely to do so may be subject to
credit reductions at close-out.

iti>�I T
Feet
0 212.5 425 850 1,275 1,700
fly: Legend
OGUC Easement = 97.14 acres
As -Built CVS Plots
'~
. „
Sand Ridge/Low Veg. Density
:rr
- Top of Bank to 20- Feet
---- Top of Bank to 30-Feet,
r
Top of Bank to 50-Feet 'H , ° Prepared for:
x:
— To of Bank to 100-Feet .;� ;s rilr C.
a p �. � � , � :, ��r � NC DEQ
- Top of Bank to 200-Feet w $� �Y` Division of
Enviromental
a�+M± :.. '.a,y.r'i77
Quality
Division of
,,;
- .
.: / J❑ ,_ Water Resources
V'
sR
1:.
Project:
GUC
1 l^, - • t^ BUFFER &
PI;NUTRIENT OFFSET
BANK SITE
Ir :I DI I: "I \ V
I} C r I I •-"—
I, I I ,S z� �� Pitt County, NC
• r � ' �Y t r-i«-tea
Title:
❑
I:. til POST
SITE VISIT
e« f«x1::`� •-o ` .q'� MEETING NOTES
;I I ICI I .s : �♦ O . .: -� �,
2017 NC OneMap
10 Drawn by:
JGM
Sand Ridge Area
�` `.. +❑ Date:
rl 1 •• ~:-.z.�s�r4"�` APRIL2024
°.: Are presents lower �
Scale:
*'A- . ` vegetation density/vigor r
` O 1:6,000
z
compared to rest of site. 4
3pt,4 rt K: Project No.:
fl
1 �
4i d�L• �' 6
4'
1
t., '�fi�" •'�-`
_-:'
- .4'
- w ,-X:n
'_- `.,.-•'. 'i"'�,.R'. ,wp {[4'Y5�
r rA ; S 1 • l,q."r' A�': {!„
fg'� i" - - ''�
F-' �
� .'�� I4_ YtP
'W ( -'Y'• "
k � i�.� ��ra i" q.- 5::��((,,:: '� •s �
-
� � �'c'� '+1' T .'� - •� .-Y ' .�.:.r']�
"'4 .,♦�
0
1�-.�'+4 .T,rpW�,�.
'�e�°§k
}�d �' 7. J:�k'i�f'.�+'.A _/
:r-kJ� X ~� ,fl WF§
y S� y- .n
d8'. y f„gyp: - :t:rr1F
�h (�
` 41F
�•
.yF-
:a2.ffi'A4