Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220293 Ver 2_240510 - Britt & Hales 2022-0293v2 As-Built Report MY0_20240510As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Neuse River Basin HUC 03020201 (excluding the Falls Watershed) Wayne County, North Carolina NCDWR Project #: 2022-0293 V2 SPONSORED BY:PREPARED BY:PREPARED FOR: 117 Centrewest Court Cary, NC 27513 621 Hillsborough St, Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27603 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 MAY 2024 RESPONSE TO COMMENTS > ECT22001 621 Hillsborough Street, Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27603 / 919. 361. 5000 creating experiences through experience May 8, 2024 Blake Hartshorn Katie Merritt NCDEQ – DWR 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 RE: Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site NCDWR Project #2022-0293 V2 Response to Review Comments ECT22001 The following are the response comments for the above-mentioned project. Our response comments are in bold. NCDEQ – DWR REVIEW Blake Hartshorn 919. 707. 3684 Katie Merritt 919. 707. 3637 Page Label 6: There were several issues brought up during the as built walk. Refer to those issues and describe how Eco Terra attended to those issues (i.e. the banks of the features needing to be planted and several spots of bare area needing seeding). Refer to those spots in a map as well. McAdams Response: The text has been revised to reference Section 2.3 where recommendations from the as-built site walk and follow-up actions have been summarized. Figure 4 - Monitoring Map has been updated to show areas that were reseeded and hand planted following the site walk. Page Label 11: The compliance action plan has been finalized by DWR. Incorporate the final draft of the CAP into the As-Built report by referencing it in Section 6 and adding it into the Appendix of the report. Sign the action plan before resubmitting the As-Built Report Final Draft addressing DWR's comments. McAdams Response: The signed CAP has been added to Appendix B and is referenced in Section 6.0. It has also been added to Table 4. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS > ECT22001 creating experiences through experience 2 of 2 Page Label 12: The modified credit release is provided in the CAP as Part II of the CAP. Reference it as "Part II of the CAP" and then refer to where in the Appendix you have added it to the report. McAdams Response: Section 6.1 has been revised to reference the modified credit release provided in the Compliance Action Plan as Part II of the CAP provided in Appendix B. Page Label 17: UT2, UT3 need different symbology than UT1 as depicted on survey and match credit table. McAdams Response: Figure 3 - Credit Generation & Vegetation Plot Map has been revised to show a different linetype for the Non-Subject Stream (UT1) and Subject Streams (UT2 + UT3). Page Label 18: Point out where culvert was removed and where seeding/planting and erosion controls were needed as results from the as Built walk. McAdams Response: Figure 4 – Monitoring Map has been revised to show where the culvert was removed, additional seeding was conducted to stabilize erosion, and where additional bare roots trees were hand-planted. Page Label 19: Delete amounts in the total creditable buffer column that are not convertible to RBC. McAdams Response: The Project Credits (Table 5) has been revised to remove the areas not convertible to riparian buffer credit. Consideration of this response is greatly appreciated. If you should have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 919.361.5000. Sincerely, MCADAMS Kerry Bray, PE Senior Project Manager, Water Resources KB/kt Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site iiBritt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 TABLE OF CONTENTS AS-BUILT & BASELINE MONITORING REPORT ......................................................................................................... I BRITT & HALES NUTRIENT OFFSET & RIPARIAN BUFFER MITIGATION SITE .............................................................. I 1.0 MITIGATION PROJECT SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 4 1.2 PROJECT GOALS ....................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND PARCEL VIABILITY ................................................................................................. 5 2.0 RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................................. 6 2.1 PARCEL PREPARATION ............................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................... 7 3.0 PROJECT CREDIT POTENTIAL ......................................................................................................................... 8 4.0 ANNUAL MONITORING AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA ................................................................................ 9 4.1 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS........................................................................................................................ 9 4.2 VEGETATION ........................................................................................................................................... 9 4.3 PHOTO REFERENCE STATIONS.................................................................................................................... 10 4.4 VISUAL ASSESSMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 10 4.5 ANNUAL REPORTING PERFORMANCE CRITERIA .............................................................................................. 10 4.6 PARCEL MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................ 11 4.7 PARCEL BOUNDARY MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................ 11 5.0 FINANCIAL ASSURANCES ............................................................................................................................ 11 6.0 COMPLIANCE ACTION PLAN ........................................................................................................................ 11 6.1 MODIFIED CREDIT RELEASE SCHEDULE ........................................................................................................ 12 7.0 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................ 13 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site iiiBritt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 Tables Table 1: Water Quality and Ecological Goals and Objectives Table 2: Project Attributes Table 3: Planted Tree Species Table 4: Timeline of Project Activities, Notifications and Approvals Table 5: Project Credit Table Table 6: Planted and Total Stem Counts Table 7: Vegetation Performance Standards Summary Appendices Appendix A. Figures and Project Credit Table Figure 1 - Vicinity Map Figure 2 - Credit Service Area Map Figure 3 - Credit Generation & Vegetation Plot Map Figure 4 – Monitoring Map Table 5: Project Credit Table Appendix B. NCDWR Correspondence NCDWR Applicability to the Neuse River Basin Buffer Rules Letter – April 19, 2022 NCDWR Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset Letter – June 15, 2022, 2022 Notification and Request for Site Visit Letter – April 24, 2023 NCDWR Notification of Non-Compliance – May 4, 2023 NCDWR Compliance Action Plan – April 22, 2024 Appendix C. As-Built Survey Appendix D.Vegetation Plot Data Table 6: Planted and Total Stem Counts Table 7: Vegetation Performance Standards Summary Vegetation Plot Photographs Appendix E.Site Photographs Appendix F.Recorded Conservation Easement Appendix G. Financial Assurances Performance/Maintenance Bond Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 4Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 1.0 Mitigation Project Summary 1.1 Introduction The Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (Parcel) is located near Mount Olive, NC, in the Upper Falling Creek watershed of the Neuse River Basin. The project site is approximately 6.5 miles northwest of the Town of Mount Olive and 1.7 miles south of US Highway 13 on McArthur Pond Road in Wayne County, NC (Figure 1). The Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) was approved under the Britt and Hales Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) between the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) and Eco Terra, LLC, the Bank Sponsor (Eco Terra or Sponsor). The Parcel is approximately 24.7 acres (ac) or 1,076,524 square feet (sf) of a 180-ac tract that encompasses a series of forked, interconnected ditches and unnamed tributaries to Falling Creek. The project is located within the Neuse River Basin hydrological unit code (HUC) 03020201, excluding the Falls Watershed. The BPDP was approved for riparian buffer and nutrient offset credit in the service area designated by Neuse River Basin HUC 03020201, excluding the Falls Watershed (Figure 2). The Parcel is in the headwaters of three unnamed tributaries and three agricultural ditches that converge and flow into an unnamed tributary to Falling Creek, approximately 1.8 miles downstream of the project area, and subsequently into the Neuse River. According to the as-built survey and most recent, at time of BPDP review and approval, DWR Buffer Mitigation Calculation Tool V.5 (updated November 2022), the Parcel is expected to generate 333,957.870 riparian buffer credits (RBC) and 33,148.872 pounds (lbs) of nitrogen nutrient offset credits (NOC). The Parcel addresses agricultural runoff by reducing sediment and nutrient loading into the unnamed tributaries and Falling Creek. Falling Creek is classified as Water Supply (WS-IV) and Nutrient Sensitive Waters (NSW) by NCDWR with an impairment for dissolved oxygen. The project area and surrounding areas are open agricultural land, primarily farmed for row crops. The project improves terrestrial habitats along the streams and ditches by establishing and preserving the riparian buffers and adjacent riparian areas and allowing the land to undergo a natural succession to a forested community. The project restores forested riparian buffers and adjacent riparian areas a minimum width of 50 feet from tops of banks and extend out to a maximum of approximately 200 feet from the project features (streams and ditches) and will remove rotating crops and fertilizer inputs. The restored riparian buffer and adjacent riparian areas filters agricultural runoff from the surrounding farm fields and provide shading to reduce stream temperatures and improve aquatic habitat. Invasive vegetation will be managed as needed within the project area to promote native vegetation. 1.2 Project Goals The major goal of the proposed buffer and adjacent riparian area restoration is to improve water quality through ecological enhancements within the Neuse River Basin. This is being accomplished with specific goals to address agricultural runoff, including nutrients and sediment, Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 5Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 restore terrestrial habitat and protect the project parcel in perpetuity. Specific goals and objectives are outlined in Table 1. Table 1: Water Quality and Ecological Goals and Objectives Goal Objective Reduce nutrient loading Establish and restore riparian buffers and adjacent riparian areas to filter runoff and subsurface flows from adjacent agricultural fields. Remove fertilizer input through conversion of agricultural field to forested riparian buffer. Reduce sediment loading Establish and restore riparian buffers and adjacent riparian areas to filter runoff from adjacent agricultural fields. Provide vegetative bank stabilization to decrease sediment input. Decrease water temperature and increase dissolved oxygen Establish a wide riparian corridor with canopy closure to filter nutrients and provide stream shading, reducing water temperature and increasing concentration of dissolved oxygen. Restore terrestrial habitat Plant riparian corridor with native vegetation and manage invasives. Protect project in perpetuity Implement and record a conservation easement on the Parcel. 1.3 Existing Conditions and Parcel Viability The restored Parcel has converted approximately 22.2 acres of agricultural row crop fields to forested buffers and riparian areas along three unnamed tributaries (UT1, UT2 and UT3) and three agricultural ditches (Ditch A1, B1 and B2). Additionally, this project will preserve approximately 0.2 acres of existing forested riparian area along UT1. All credit areas have been protected in perpetuity by a recorded conservation easement of approximately 24.7 acres in total area. Refer to Figure 3 and Appendix A for the Credit Generation & Vegetation Plot Map. Ditch A1 emerges from a farm road to the south of the Parcel, flows north along the eastern border of the Parcel before turning west through the project area transitioning into UT1. UT1, an intermittent stream, continues to flow west, turns to the north before it merges with UT2 which continues northward as UT3 to the Parcel terminus. Ditches B1 and B2 flow east and west, respectively, until the transition/confluence with UT2, an intermittent stream. UT2 flows west to the confluence with Ditch B2, turns north and then northeast through the site until its confluence with UT1. It should be noted the centerline of Ditch A1 forms the eastern boundary of the conservation easement. The Parcel is composed of and surrounded entirely by agricultural fields with the exception of two small wetland areas with existing trees and vegetation that have been preserved along UT1 and Ditch A1. Project attributes associated with the Parcel are outlined in Table 2. Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 6Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 Table 2: Project Attributes Project Name Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Hydrologic Unit Code 03020201 River Basin Neuse Service Area Neuse 03020201, excluding the Falls Watershed Geographic Location (Lat, Long)35.254653, -78.164589 Site Protection Instrument MB P, PG 82-I Type of Credits Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Total Credits 333,957.870 RBC1 33,148.872 lbs N NOC2 BPDP Date April 2023 Initial Planting Date March 2023 Baseline Report Date October 2023 MY1 Report Date December 2023 MY2 Report Date December 2024 MY3 Report Date December 2025 MY4 Report Date December 2026 MY5 Report Date December 2027 1 Riparian Buffer Credit (RBC) 2 Nutrient Offset Credit (NOC) NCDWR staff visited the project Parcel on March 4, 2022 to review features and determine applicability to the Neuse River Basin Riparian Area Protection Rules, Title 15A NCAC 02B .0714. NCDWR issued the official Stream Call Determination letter on April 19, 2022. On May 19, 2022, NCDWR staff re-visited the site to determine the potential for riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset within the proposed easement boundary per 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and 15A NCAC 02B .0703, respectively. NCDWR issued the official Site Viability letter on June 15, 2022. A copy of both the “Applicability to the Neuse River Basin Buffer Rules” and “Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation and Nutrient Offset” letters issued by NCDWR are provided in Appendix B. NCDWR staff visited the project Parcel on May 8, 2023 to verify as-built conditions. A few issues were discussed during the as-built site walk and subsequently addressed as summarized in Section 2.3. 2.0 Restoration Activities 2.1 Parcel Preparation The existing erosion and sink hole noted as areas of concern in the Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset letter dated June 15, 2022 were stabilized with minor bank grading, and temporary and permanent seeding. Bank stabilization was applied to isolated areas along the banks of Ditch B1, UT2 and where the 30-inch RCP culvert was removed and relocated out of the easement. Additionally, the concrete debris and trash that existed along the forested area Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 7Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 that was converted to a riparian preservation area was removed and stabilized with hand-planted trees and temporary and permanent seeding. Prior to the riparian restoration, the land was in agricultural row crop production, therefore the site preparation required minimal soil disturbance. Soil ripping occurred in mechanically planted rows to break up plow pans and compacted soils and where farm paths were planted. A limited number of invasive plants were present and treated with an aquatic-safe herbicide that was applied by a licensed NC pesticide applicator. 2.2 Restoration Activities The Parcel was planted between March 30 and April 1, 2023, in accordance with the draft BPDP and MBI, which were ultimately approved April 21, 2023. The entire area proposed for restoration and development of nutrient offset and riparian buffer credits was planted with native tree species and permanent seeding to convert the active farming area to a vegetated riparian corridor. Because the land within the Parcel had been historically used for agricultural row crop production, it required minimal soil disturbance to install the plants. Planting activities utilized both mechanical and manual methods depending on site conditions. Bare root trees were well mixed in the bags prior to being planted to ensure adequate distribution across the Parcel and installed at an approximate spacing of 6 feet by 10 feet. It is expected that the initial planted density will be sufficient in meeting the performance standards outlined in the Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and in the approved MBI of 260 trees per acre at the end of five years. Table 3 provides a summary of the tree species and permanent seeding planted along with their density and composition which matches the proposed planting plan in the approved BPDP. Table 3: Planted Tree Species Scientific Name Common Name Planting Zone* Number + Density Planted % of Total Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam MMF/SSS 1000 (43 stems/acre)6% Diospyros virginiana Persimmon MMF/SSS 1500 (65 stems/acre)9% Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash SSS 500 (22 stems/acre)3% Nyssa biflora Swamp Tupelo SSS 500 (22 stems/acre)3% Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum MMF 1000 (43 stems/acre)6% Platanus occidentalis Sycamore MMF/SSS 2000 (86 stems/acre)12% Quercus lyrata Overcup Oak SSS 1000 (43 stems/acre)6% Quercus michauxii Swamp Chestnut Oak MMF/SSS 2500 (108 stems/acre)15% Quercus nigra Water Oak MMF/SSS 1500 (65 stems/acre)9% Quercus pagoda Cherrybark Oak MMF 1500 (65 stems/acre)9% Quercus phellos Willow Oak MMF/SSS 2700 (116 stems/acre)16% Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak MMF 1000 (43 stems/acre)6% Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 8Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 Andropogon gerardi Big bluestem Permanent Seed Mix Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Permanent Seed Mix Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass Permanent Seed Mix *SSS-small stream swamp; MMF-mesic hardwood forest 2.3 Post-Restoration Activities NCDWR staff visited the site on May 8, 2023 to conduct the as-built site walk during which several items were discussed and subsequently addressed. The original mechanical planting did not include plants along the top of banks at several locations. On May 31, 2023, Eco Terra hand- planted bare root trees per the following NCDWR direction: 2 rows (including one at top of bank) along southern side of Ditch A1 1 row at top of bank along northern side of Ditch A1 1 row at top of bank along northern side of Ditch B1 1 row at top of bank along southern and northern sides of Ditch B2 1 row at top of bank along northern side of UT1 2 rows (including one at top of bank) along western side of UT2 Add plantings to last row and install 1 row at top of bank along eastern side of UT2 1 row at top of bank along southern side of UT2 to confluence with UT3 1 row at top of bank along western side of UT3 Increase density of plantings at top of bank along eastern side of UT3’s upper reach Three areas were noted for additional seeding to stabilize and monitor for potential erosion. Eco Terra reseeded the following areas several times with millet to stabilize: Bare spot where piled concrete was removed from preservation area Bare area within northern section of parcel on western side of UT3 Bare banks where culvert was removed 3.0 Project Credit Potential The potential project credits are based on the top of bank of the three unnamed tributaries (UT1, UT2 and UT3) and three agricultural ditches (Ditch A1, B1 and B2). All areas within 200-linear feet landward of the top of bank were planted (with the exception of the preservation area adjacent to UT1) and accounted as either riparian buffer credit or nutrient offset credit with the exception of the area where diffuse flow cannot be attained from Ditch A1. The entire conservation easement boundary was planted; however, a credit deduction has been calculated for the 60- degree angle where Ditch A1 enters the easement boundary. Refer to Figure 3 for a depiction of the Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Credit areas for the Parcel. Riparian restoration adjacent Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 9Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 to the streams is primarily intended to be used to generate RBC out to 100 feet and to generate NOCs beyond 100 feet in width. RBC’s generated from preservation areas are capped at 25% of the total area. The Parcel’s preservation area represents 1.9% of total area. Riparian restoration adjacent to the ditches will be used to generate NOC because they are not viable to generate RBC. Potential mitigation credits are based upon the most recent, at time of BPDP review and approval, NCDWR Buffer Mitigation Calculation Tool v5 (updated November 2022) and the as-built survey (Appendix C). There were no major deviations from the approved BPDP. Credit calculations based on the as-built survey resulted in a slight reduction in credit area from what was previously calculated via GIS in the approved BPDP. This equated to a reduction of 0.835 lbs N NOC and 411.914 RBC’s. The project’s credit potential is depicted in the Project Credit Table (Table 5, Appendix A). 4.0 Annual Monitoring and Performance Criteria The maintenance and monitoring plan has been developed to demonstrate required performance standards and success criteria are met and project goals and objectives are achieved. 4.1 Performance Standards The performance standards for the project follow approved criteria presented in the Buffer Mitigation Rule (15A NCAC 02B .0295). Annual monitoring and semi-annual site visits will be conducted to assess the condition of the finished project. Performance standards will be evaluated throughout the five-year post-construction monitoring period and summarized annually in the monitoring report. The annual report will provide project data and chronicle issues that arise during the five-year monitoring period. The first growing period will be documented in the first annual report to be completed in the fall 2023. Eco Terra will submit annual monitoring reports to NCDWR by December 31st of each year for at least 5 consecutive years until project close-out and will follow the terms and conditions of the approved Britt & Hales MBI. Although the approved credit release schedule has been modified due to cited non-compliance with the Parcel (see Section 6.0 for more details), the vegetation data for Monitoring Year 1 will be submitted to NCDWR by December 31, 2023 despite no credit release for Year 1. Performance criteria includes standardized vegetation plot establishment and annual monitoring for planted stems including individual plot photo documentation, overall site photo documentation, biannual visual assessments for project status and easement integrity including herbaceous and/or invasive species competition, stem mortality, stand health, incidental damage from agricultural equipment, and stem loss or damage from natural causes such as fire, disease, or animal impacts. Figure 3 (Appendix A) illustrates the location of the project easement, permanent vegetation plots/photo points, as well as overall site photo points. 4.2 Vegetation Eighteen (18) 10-meter by 10-meter permanent vegetation plots were established according to the most recent Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) – NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) Protocol for Recording Vegetation, V4.2 (2008). Representative vegetation plots were established Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 10Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 within the restored riparian buffer and adjacent riparian areas at a minimum density of 2% of the planted area. In order to meet performance standards and determine stem health, species, height, planting date and vigor have been documented for each monitoring plot. Vegetation assessments were completed in April 2023 following the CVS-EEP Level I protocol. Baseline data collection resulted in a planted stem density ranging from 526 - 809 stems per acre which surpasses the performance standard requiring survival of 260 stems per acre at the end of the five-year monitoring period. Baseline or monitoring year zero (MY0) vegetation stem data is included in Table 6 (Appendix D). Additional vegetative success criteria to ensure that plots are diverse is the survival of at least four native hardwood tree species where no one species represents more than 50% of the planted stems. The Parcel’s baseline plot data shows 12 native hardwood species with a minimum of 4 distinct species per plot and an individual species maximum equal to 47% percent composition of the planted stems. Upon NCDWR approval, desirable native volunteer species may be included in the overall tree density for the Parcel to meet performance standards and success criteria. 4.3 Photo Reference Stations The vegetation plots were photographed from the southwest corner (origin) of each plot. Nine additional Parcel reference photos were taken at designated points along the conservation easement boundary providing an overall view of the Parcel and documenting project success. Refer to Appendix D and E for vegetation plot and Parcel reference photo documentation, respectively. All photo points locations were georeferenced for map production to provide a consistent means for photo replication annually and in the event a plot or photo location must be reestablished during the monitoring period. Photo orientation (direction and/or bearing) were recorded as well as approximate vertical position for consistency in photo logging. 4.4 Visual Assessments Additional observations were made of site conditions and vegetation conditions for the restored areas outside of the monitoring plots. This biannual effort will be made to appropriately monitor changing site conditions and address any issues ensuring Bank success and performance criteria are met after the monitoring period. Any site problems will be noted and discussed in the annual reports and monitored biannually to ensure performance criteria are met following any remedial action. 4.5 Annual Reporting Performance Criteria All monitoring reports, including this baseline report, will be compiled and submitted to NCDWR annually in accordance with the approved MBI. Annual monitoring will occur for a minimum of five years or until performance criteria are met. Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 11Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 4.6 Parcel Maintenance Any site observations identified through the vegetation plot monitoring or visual assessments, whereby performance criteria is not being met, will be documented in the annual reports with recommended adaptive measures. NCDWR will be notified, and if necessary, Eco Terra will collaborate with NCDWR to develop the adaptive measures or remedial actions for implementation to correct the performance criteria deficiency. Any adaptive measures implemented will be designed to achieve the performance success criteria and monitoring measures will be adjusted accordingly, if necessary. Any Parcel maintenance activities will be included in annual monitoring reports. As noted in the approved BPDP, effective herbicide application is critical to success of restoration areas, primarily historical agricultural land. Herbicides approved for aquatic environments will be applied as necessary and in accordance with the NCDA rules and regulations by a qualified NC licensed pesticide/herbicide applicator. Prior approval from NCDWR is required if mowing within Zones 1 and 2 of the Neuse River basin buffers is deemed necessary. 4.7 Parcel Boundary Maintenance Conservation easement boundaries were marked in the field with 6-foot U-channel posts to ensure clear distinction between the Parcel and adjacent properties. Long-term stewardship signs were attached to the posts and placed at approximate 200-foot intervals along the outer perimeter of the Parcel to identify the conservation easement. All easement boundaries will be visually assessed twice per year as part of the monitoring protocol. Boundary markers incidentally destroyed, damaged or disturbed will be repaired and/or replaced as needed during the monitoring period and in the future under the long-term trustee management. Any easement encroachment or performed maintenance will be documented in the annual monitoring reports. 5.0 Financial Assurances After BPDP approval and prior to the first credit release, Eco Terra, LLC secured a Performance/Maintenance bond in the penal amount of 100 percent of the estimated cost, but not less than $150,000. The Financial Assurance was fully approved by NCDWR and signed by Mr. Richard Rogers Jr., NCDWR Director, on May 16, 2023. Upon NCDWR approval, the penal sum may be lowered each year based on the adjusted cost to complete monitoring activities. Performance bonds for monitoring shall be secured annually for a minimum of five (5) years to cover the next year’s monitoring period, with confirmation of renewal provided to NCDWR with each annual monitoring report (when applicable). The Performance/Maintenance bond will be in place until NCDWR has released all RBC and NOC to the Bank Sponsor. A copy of the secured Performance/Maintenance bond is provided in Appendix G. 6.0 Compliance Action Plan The Parcel was initially planted from March 30 to April 1, 2023. Parcel preparation activities (vegetation plot installations, easement boundary demarcation and signage) occurred on March Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 12Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 29, 2023. Eco Terra acknowledges that these actions took place prior to written NCDWR approval of the Britt & Hales MBI and BPDP on April 21, 2023. On May 4, 2023 NCDWR issued a Notification of Non-Compliance to Eco Terra, LLC for commencing mitigation activities prior to receiving NCDWR approval of the Britt & Hales MBI and BPDP. On April 22, 2024 NCDWR issued the Compliance Action Plan Agreement between NCDWR and Eco Terra to address non-compliance with the MBI and BPDP. The NCDWR Non-Compliance correspondence and Compliance Action Plan Agreement is included in Appendix B. A timeline of all the activities, notifications, and approvals associated with the project is presented in Table 4. Table 4: Timeline of Project Activities, Notifications and Approvals NCDWR Stream Determination Site Visit March 4, 2022 NCDWR Stream Determination Letter April 19, 2022 NCDWR Site Viability Evaluation May 19, 2022 NCDWR Site Viability Letter June 15, 2022 Initial Planting Activities March 30 – April 1, 2023 Parcel Preparation Activities March 29, 2023 MBI Final Draft Submittal March 9, 2023 BPDP Final Draft Submittal March 28, 2023 MBI and BPDP Public Notice March 31 - April 14, 2023 MBI and BPDP Approval April 21, 2023 Notification of Mitigation Activities and Site Walk Request April 24, 2023 NCDWR Notification of Non-Compliance May 4, 2023 NCDWR As-Built Site Walk May 8, 2023 Additional Parcel Planting and Restoration Activities May 31, 2023 NCDWR Compliance Action Plan Issued April 22, 2024 Due to the Site’s cited non-compliance, NCDWR will not proceed with the issuance of credit releases for the proposed buffer mitigation credits and proposed nutrient offset credits for Year 1 monitoring. However, Eco Terra, LLC will still submit Year 1 monitoring data by December 31, 2023. The Site’s credit release schedule has been modified to reflect these changes. 6.1 Modified Credit Release Schedule The modified credit release is provided in the Compliance Action Plan as Part II of the CAP which can be referenced in Appendix B. Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site 13Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 7.0 References 15A NCAC 02B .0295 Mitigation Program Requirements for Protection and Maintenance of Riparian Buffers. 2015. 15A NCAC 02B .0703 Nutrient Offset Credit Trading. 2020. 15A NCAC 02B .0714 Neuse River Basin: Nutrient Sensitive Waters Management Strategy: Protection and Maintenance of Existing Riparian Buffers. 2020 Eco Terra, LLC. (2023). Britt and Hales Mitigation Bank Parcel Development Package. NCDWR. Raleigh, NC. Eco Terra, LLC. (2023). Britt and Hales Mitigation Banking Instrument in the Neuse River Basin for Nutrient Offset and Riparian Buffer Mitigation Credits pursuant to the Neuse River Basin Nutrient Management Strategy. NCDWR. Raleigh, NC Lee, M.T., Peet, R.K., Roberts, S.D., & Wentworth, T.R. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Version 4.2. Available at:http://cvs.bio.unc.edu/protocol/cvs-eep-protocol-v4.2-lev1- 2.pdf Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX A Figures and Project Credit Table BRITT & HALES NUTRIENT O FFSET &RIPARIAN BUFFER MITIG ATION SITEVICINITY MAP FIG URE1Prepared For:Drawn By: KABDate: 3/2/2023Project No.: ECT22001Scale: Wayne C ounty, N C Legend Conservation Easement UT1 UT2 ± Project Site Wa yn e C ounty 0 0.2 0.40.1 Miles Neuse 03020201, excluding Falls Watershed 1 in = 0.2 miles £¤70 £¤117 §¨¦40 §¨¦95 BRITT & HALES NUTRIENT O FFSET &RIPARIAN BUFFER MITIG ATION SITE CREDIT SERVICE AREA MAP FIG URE2 Prep ared For:Drawn By: KABDate: 3/2/2023Project No.: ECT22001Scale: Wayne C ounty, N C Legend 8-Digit HUC 03020201RBC & NOC Service Area - Neuse 03020201, excluding Falls WatershedConservation Easement UT1 UT2 ± 0 10 205 Miles Neuse 03020201, excluding Falls Watershed 1 in = 10 miles Project Site Table 5. Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Bank, NCDWR Project # 2022-0293 V2 , 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) Buffer Rural No I / P Restoration 0-100 UT1 85,294 85,294 1 100%1.00000 Yes 85,294.000 Yes 4,450.755 — Buffer Rural Yes I / P Restoration 0-100 UT2, UT3 247,193 247,193 1 100%1.00000 Yes 247,193.000 Yes 12,898.861 — ——— Nutrient Offset Rural No I / P Restoration 101-200 UT1 41,505 0 1 33%No —Yes 2,165.786 — Nutrient Offset Rural Yes I / P Restoration 101-200 UT2, UT3 170,050 0 1 33%No —Yes 8,873.436 — ——— Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 0-100 Ditch A1, B1, B2 262,410 0 1 100%No —Yes 13,692.904 — Nutrient Offset Rural No Ditch Restoration 101-200 Ditch A1, B1, B2 161,298 0 1 33%No —Yes 8,416.745 — Buffer Rural No Ditch Restoration 0-100 Diffused Flow Deduction (Ditch A1) 2,197 0 1 100%No —No —— ——— Totals (ft2):969,947 332,487 332,487.000 50,498.488 0.000 Total Buffer (ft2):334,684 332,487 Total Nutrient Offset (ft2):635,263 N/A Total Ephemeral Area (ft2) for Credit:0 0 Total Eligible Ephemeral Area (ft2):85,743 0.0%Ephemeral Reaches as % TABM Enter Preservation Credits Below Total Eligible for Preservation (ft2):111,561 1.9%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 I / P 0-100 UT1 6,894 6,894 5 100%5.00000 1,378.800 Buffer Rural No I / P 101-200 UT1 1,395 1,395 5 33%15.15152 92.070 Preservation Area Subtotals (ft2):8,289 8,289 Square Feet Credits 332,487 332,487.000 0 0.000 8,289 1,470.870 340,776 333,957.870 Square Feet Credits Nitrogen:33,148.872 Phosphorus:0.000 Neuse 03020201 - Outside Falls Lake 19.16394 N/A Restoration: Enhancement: Mitigation Totals 635,263 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 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX B NCDWR Correspondence ID#* 20220293 Version* 2 Select Reviewer: Katie Merritt Initial Review Completed Date 04/27/2023 Mitigation Project Submittal - 4/25/2023 Is this a Prospectus, Technical Proposal or a New Site?* Yes No Type of Mitigation Project:* Stream Wetlands Buffer Nutrient Offset Select all that apply) Project Contact Information Contact Name: * Email Address: Michael Beinenson mitigation@ecoterra.com Project Information ID#: * 20220293 Version:* 2 Existing ID# Existing Version Project Type: DMS Mitigation Bank Project Name: Britt & Hales Mitigation Site County: Wayne Document Information Mitigation Document Type:* Mitigation As -Built Plans File Upload: 2023.04.24 Britt + Hales Notification Letter.pdf 17.11 MB Please upload only one PDF of the complete file that needs to be submitted... Signature Print Name:* Kerry Bray Signature: C4 taJ 117 Centrewest Court, Cary, NC 27513 | EcoTerra.com April 24, 2023 To: Katie Merritt, Nutrient Offset & Buffer Banking Coordinator NC Division of Water Resources 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 From: Michael Beinenson, President Eco Terra, LLC 117 Centrewest Court Cary, NC 27513 Re: Notification & Request for Site Visit MBI Task 2 Site Visit Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Neuse River Basin HUC 03020201 (excluding the Falls Watershed) Wayne County, NC NCDWR Project #: 2022-0293 v2 Eco Terra is providing written notification that all nutrient offset and riparian buffer activities have been completed at the Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site per the requirements of the approved Mitigation Banking Instrument MBI). Eco Terra is requesting a site visit by DWR to complete the requirements of MBI Task 2 for credit release. The Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site (Parcel) is located near Mount Olive, NC, in the Upper Falling Creek watershed of the Neuse River Basin. The project site is approximately 6.5 miles northwest of the Town of Mount Olive and 1.7 miles south of US Highway 13 on McArthur Pond Road in Wayne County, NC (Figure 1). The Parcel is approximately 24.7 acres (1,076,524 sf) of a 180-acre tract that encompasses a series of forked, interconnected ditches and unnamed tributaries to Falling Creek. The Parcel was restored to provide ecological and water quality enhancements to the Neuse River Basin HUC 03020201, excluding the Falls Watershed Figure 2) by restoring and preserving riparian buffers and adjacent riparian areas along three unnamed tributaries (UT1, UT2 and UT3) and three ditches (Ditch A1, B1 and B2). The Parcel provides riparian buffer mitigation credits by protecting the riparian area from top of bank to a minimum 30-foot width and maximum 100-foot width along the 117 Centrewest Court, Cary, NC 27513 | EcoTerra.com streams (UT1, UT2 and UT3). Buffer mitigation credits are also generated through preservation of a riparian area adjacent to UT1 for a minimum 30-foot width and maximum 200-ft width. The Parcel provides nutrient offset credits by protecting the riparian area from the 100-foot offset from top of banks along the streams and minimum 50-foot width along the ditches, to a maximum 200-foot width (Figure 7). Tables 1 and 2 provide project attributes and viability information. Table 1: Project Attributes Project Name Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Hydrologic Unit Code 03020201 River Basin Neuse Service Area Neuse 03020201, excluding the Falls Watershed Geographic Location (Lat, Long) 35.254653, -78.164589 Site Protection Instrument MB P, PG 82-I Type of Credits Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Total Credits 334,369.784 RBC1 33,149.707 NOC2 BPDP Date April 2023 Initial Planting Date April 2023 Baseline Report Date May 2023 MY1 Report Date December 2023 MY2 Report Date December 2024 MY3 Report Date December 2025 MY4 Report Date December 2026 MY5 Report Date December 2027 1 Riparian Buffer Credit (RBC) 2 Nutrient Offset Credit (NOC) Table 2: Project Features and Viability Feature Name Classification Riparian Buffer Credit Viable Nutrient Offset Viable UT1 (A*) Stream Yes Yes UT2 (B*) Stream Yes Yes UT3 (C*) Stream Yes Yes Ditch A1 Ditch>3’ No Yes Ditch B1 Ditch>3’ No Yes Ditch B2 Ditch>3’ No Yes Feature Name per NC DWR letters 117 Centrewest Court, Cary, NC 27513 | EcoTerra.com The Parcel was planted between March 30 and April 1, 2023, in accordance with the approved Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) and MBI. The entire area proposed for restoration and development of nutrient offset and riparian buffer credits was planted with native tree species and permanent seeding. The land within the Parcel had historically been used for agricultural row crop production, therefore minimal soil disturbance was required to install the plants. Planting activities utilized both mechanical and manual methods. Soil ripping occurred in mechanically planted rows to break up plow pans and compacted soils and where farm paths were planted. Areas immediately adjacent to the top of banks were not ripped to prevent soil erosion and runoff from entering the surface water. A limited number of invasive plants were present and treated with an aquatic-safe herbicide that was applied by a licensed NC pesticide applicator. Bare root trees were well mixed in the bags prior to being planted and installed at a spacing of 6 feet by 10 feet, resulting in a stem density of 720 stems per acre. Table 3 provides a summary of the tree species planted along with their density and composition which matches the proposed planting plan in the approved BPDP. Table 3: Tree Species Planted Scientific Name Common Name Planting Zone* Number + Density Planted of Total Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam MMF/SSS 1000 (43 stems/acre) 6% Diospyros virginiana Persimmon MMF/SSS 1500 (65 stems/acre) 9% Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash SSS 500 (22 stems/acre) 3% Nyssa biflora Swamp Tupelo SSS 500 (22 stems/acre) 3% Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum MMF 1000 (43 stems/acre) 6% Platanus occidentalis Sycamore MMF/SSS 2000 (86 stems/acre) 12% Quercus lyrata Overcup Oak SSS 1000 (43 stems/acre) 6% Quercus michauxii Swamp Chestnut Oak MMF/SSS 2500 (108 stems/acre) 15% Quercus nigra Water Oak MMF/SSS 1500 (65 stems/acre) 9% Quercus pagoda Cherrybark Oak MMF 1500 (65 stems/acre) 9% Quercus phellos Willow Oak MMF/SSS 2700 (116 stems/acre) 16% Quercus shumardii Shumard Oak MMF 1000 (43 stems/acre) 6% Andropogon gerardi Big bluestem Permanent Seed Mix Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Permanent 117 Centrewest Court, Cary, NC 27513 | EcoTerra.com Seed Mix Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass Permanent Seed Mix SSS-small stream swamp; MMF-mesic hardwood forest The existing erosion and sink hole noted as areas of concern in the Site Viability for Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset letter dated 6/15/2022 were stabilized with minor bank grading, and temporary and permanent seeding. It was determined that erosion control matting was not necessary which is a deviation from what was proposed for stabilization in the approved BPDP. Bank stabilization was applied to isolated areas along the banks of Ditch B1, UT2 and where the 30-inch RCP culvert was removed and relocated out of the easement. Additionally, the cement, debris and trash noted in the letter was also removed from the riparian preservation area. Following planting, permanent vegetation monitoring plots were established within the restoration areas to document the survival and vigor of planted trees. A total of eighteen 18) plots were positioned within the planted restoration area according to Figure 7 in the approved BPDP. The vegetation plots are marked in the field by PVC pipes installed at each corner of the approximate 10-meter by 10-meter plot. Easement boundaries were marked in the field with 6-foot U-channel posts to ensure clear distinction between the Parcel and adjacent properties. Long-term stewardship signs were attached to the posts and placed at approximate 200-foot intervals along the outer perimeter of the Parcel to identify the conservation easement. There are no changes to the conservation easement boundary nor the amount of Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Credits from what was proposed in the approved BPDP. Photographs were taken within the vegetation plots and at select points to document the conservation easement boundary as depicted in the Monitoring Map (Figure 9). A selection of photographs is attached. Attachments: Photographs Vicinity Map (Figure 1) Credit Service Area Map (Figure 2) Credit Generation and Vegetation Plot Map (Figure 7) Monitoring Map (Figure 9) 10/31/23, 2:40 PM Eco Terra Mail - Notification of Non-Compliance - Britt & Hales MBI/BPDP https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/?ik=9d4a624ac4&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f:1764993914078600978&simpl=msg-f:1764993914078600978 1/2 Michael Beinenson <michael@ecoterra.com> Notification of Non-Compliance - Britt & Hales MBI/BPDP Merritt, Katie <katie.merritt@ncdenr.gov>Thu, May 4, 2023 at 3:42 PM To: "michael@ecoterra.com" <michael@ecoterra.com> Cc: Jordan Burbage <jordan@ecoterra.com>, "Hartshorn, Blake" <blake.hartshorn@ncdenr.gov>, "Goss, Stephanie" <stephanie.goss@ncdenr.gov>, Norton Webster <norton@ecoterra.com> Good Afternoon Michael, DWR received the attached documentation from McAdams notifying DWR that the Britt & Hales site was fully planted and ready for DWR to assess site conditions for the Task 2 milestone according to the MBI. According to the attached notification letter, Eco Terra planted this site March 30, 2023 & April 1, 2023. The Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) was approved on April 21, 2023 and the Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) was signed by Eco Terra on March 31, 2023 and DWR on April 21, 2023. Eco Terra did not have an approved Banking Instrument (required under 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and 15A NCAC 02B .0703), nor did they have an approved BPDP for the site (required under 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and 15A NCAC 02B .0703) prior to conducting activities for buffer mitigation and nutrient offset credits. Both rules referenced above clearly state that an approved plan by DWR is required prior to conducting activities for buffer mitigation or nutrient offset credits. Secondly, Eco Terra submitted an MBI and BPDP to DWR that contained inaccurate and falsified information. Eco Terra is in non-compliance with 15A NCAC 02B .0295 Eco Terra is in non-compliance with 15A NCAC 02B .0703 Eco Terra is in non-compliance with the Approved Britt & Hales BPDP - submitted to DWR by Eco Terra on March 29, 2023, public noticed on March 31 and approved by DWR on April 21 Eco Tera is in non-compliance with the Approved Britt & Hales MBI – submitted to DWR by Eco Terra on March 31, 2023, public noticed on March 31 and approved on April 21. At this time, DWR will not be able to proceed with the issuance of credit releases for the proposed buffer mitigation credits and proposed nutrient offset credits until these matters have been discussed. DWR will discuss the non-compliance issues with Eco Terra and DWR management in the near future prior to determining further actions needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter, Katie Katie Merritt Nutrient Offset & Buffer Banking Coordinator 401 & Buffer Permitting Unit North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Office: 919-707-3637 Work Cell: 919-500-0683 10/31/23, 2:40 PM Eco Terra Mail - Notification of Non-Compliance - Britt & Hales MBI/BPDP https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2/?ik=9d4a624ac4&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f:1764993914078600978&simpl=msg-f:1764993914078600978 2/2 Website: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting-branch 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27620 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. 20220293 Ver 2_2023.04.24 Britt + Hales Notification Letter_20230425.pdf 17477K Michael Beinenson President 04/25/2024 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX C As-Built Survey Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX D Vegetation Plot Data Table 6: Vegetation Plot Data Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site DWR Project No. 2022-0293v2 Monitoring Year 0 – 2023 Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam Tree 1 1 2 2 Diospyros virginiana Persimmon Tree 1 1 1 1 3 3 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash Tree 1 1 5 5 3 3 Nyssa biflora Swamp tupelo Tree 1 1 Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum Tree 2 2 1 1 Platanus occidentalis Sycamore Tree 1 1 3 3 1 1 Quercus lyrata Overcup oak Tree 2 2 Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak Tree 5 5 1 1 2 2 2 2 Quercus nigra Water oak Tree 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak Tree 5 5 1 1 1 1 Quercus phellos Willow oak Tree 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 Quercus shumardii Shumard oak Tree 2 2 1 1 3 3 1 1 13 13 20 20 16 16 15 15 13 20 16 15 526 809 647 607 11 10 9 9 38%25%19%20% 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.7 39 41 36 51 Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam Tree 2 2 Diospyros virginiana Persimmon Tree 1 1 2 2 1 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash Tree 1 1 Nyssa biflora Swamp tupelo Tree Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum Tree 1 1 1 1 Platanus occidentalis Sycamore Tree 1 1 2 2 1 1 Quercus lyrata Overcup oak Tree 4 4 2 2 Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak Tree 1 1 2 2 7 7 5 5 Quercus nigra Water oak Tree 2 2 3 3 2 2 Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak Tree 2 2 3 3 Quercus phellos Willow oak Tree 2 2 7 7 4 4 Quercus shumardii Shumard oak Tree 4 4 1 1 2 2 15 15 18 18 15 15 18 18 15 18 15 18 607 728 607 728 9 6 5 7 27%39%47%28% 1.2 1.3 1.6 1.7 36 41 48 51Average Plot Height (cm) Common Name Tree / Shrub Veg Plot 5 Veg Plot 6 Performance Standard Current Year Stem Count Stems/Acre Species Count Dominant Species Composition (%) Veg Plot 7 Veg Plot 8 Current Year Stem Count Stems/Acre Species Count Dominant Species Composition (%) Average Plot Height (cm) Veg Plot 3 Veg Plot 4Scientific Name Common Name Tree / Shrub Veg Plot 1 Average Plot Height (ft) Average Plot Height (ft) Performance Standard Scientific Name Veg Plot 2 Page 1 of 3 Table 6: Vegetation Plot Data Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site DWR Project No. 2022-0293v2 Monitoring Year 0 – 2023 Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam Tree 1 1 Diospyros virginiana Persimmon Tree 2 2 4 4 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash Tree 3 3 3 3 Nyssa biflora Swamp tupelo Tree Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum Tree 1 1 1 1 Platanus occidentalis Sycamore Tree 1 1 1 1 Quercus lyrata Overcup oak Tree 2 2 Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak Tree Quercus nigra Water oak Tree 3 3 1 1 5 5 2 2 Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak Tree 3 3 Quercus phellos Willow oak Tree 2 2 2 2 6 6 4 4 Quercus shumardii Shumard oak Tree 6 6 2 2 3 3 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 14 14 15 15 566 566 607 607 4 7 5 6 43%21%40%27% 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.7 39 41 36 51 Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Planted Total Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam Tree 2 2 1 1 1 1 Diospyros virginiana Persimmon Tree 1 1 5 5 2 2 2 2 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash Tree 2 2 Nyssa biflora Swamp tupelo Tree Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum Tree 1 1 1 1 Platanus occidentalis Sycamore Tree 1 1 2 2 Quercus lyrata Overcup oak Tree 1 1 Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak Tree 3 3 2 2 3 3 4 4 Quercus nigra Water oak Tree 2 2 2 2 2 2 Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak Tree 3 3 1 1 Quercus phellos Willow oak Tree 3 3 3 3 2 2 Quercus shumardii Shumard oak Tree 4 4 2 2 4 4 16 16 15 15 16 16 15 15 16 15 16 15 647 607 647 607 7 6 8 7 25%33%19%27% 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.7 36 41 36 51 Dominant Species Composition (%) Scientific Name Common Name Tree / Shrub Veg Plot 9 Veg Plot 12 Performance Standard Current Year Stem Count Stems/Acre Species Count Veg Plot 10 Veg Plot 11 Veg Plot 16 Performance Standard Current Year Stem Count Stems/Acre Species Count Veg Plot 14Scientific Name Common Name Tree / Shrub Veg Plot 13 Average Plot Height (ft) Average Plot Height (ft) Dominant Species Composition (%) Average Plot Height (cm) Veg Plot 15 Average Plot Height (cm) Page 2 of 3 Table 6: Vegetation Plot Data Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site DWR Project No. 2022-0293v2 Monitoring Year 0 – 2023 Planted Total Planted Total Carpinus caroliniana American hornbeam Tree Diospyros virginiana Persimmon Tree 2 2 Fraxinus pennsylvanica Green ash Tree 1 1 2 2 Nyssa biflora Swamp tupelo Tree Nyssa sylvatica Blackgum Tree Platanus occidentalis Sycamore Tree 1 1 Quercus lyrata Overcup oak Tree 1 1 Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak Tree 4 4 6 6 Quercus nigra Water oak Tree 1 1 2 2 Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak Tree 2 2 Quercus phellos Willow oak Tree 2 2 5 5 Quercus shumardii Shumard oak Tree 2 2 14 14 17 17 14 17 566 688 7 6 29%35% 1.3 1.3 39 41 Scientific Name Common Name Tree / Shrub Veg Plot 17 Veg Plot 18 Average Plot Height (cm) Performance Standard Current Year Stem Count Stems/Acre Species Count Dominant Species Composition (%) Average Plot Height (ft) Page 3 of 3 Table 7: Vegetation Performance Standards Summary Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site DWR Project No. 2022-0293v2 Monitoring Year 0 – 2023 Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Monitoring Year 7 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Year 3 Monitoring Year 2 Monitoring Year 1 Monitoring Year 0 526 11 1.3 0 809 10 1.3 0 647 9 1.2 0 Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Monitoring Year 7 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Year 3 Monitoring Year 2 Monitoring Year 1 Monitoring Year 0 607 9 1.7 0 607 9 1.2 0 728 6 1.3 0 Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Monitoring Year 7 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Year 3 Monitoring Year 2 Monitoring Year 1 Monitoring Year 0 607 5 1.6 0 728 7 1.7 0 566 4 1.3 0 Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Monitoring Year 7 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Year 3 Monitoring Year 2 Monitoring Year 1 Monitoring Year 0 566 7 1.3 0 607 5 1.2 0 607 6 1.7 0 Veg Plot 7 Veg Plot 8 Veg Plot 9 Veg Plot 10 Veg Plot 11 Veg Plot 12 Veg Plot 1 Veg Plot 2 Veg Plot 3 Veg Plot 4 Veg Plot 5 Veg Plot 6 Page 1 of 2 Table 7: Vegetation Performance Standards Summary Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site DWR Project No. 2022-0293v2 Monitoring Year 0 – 2023 Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Monitoring Year 7 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Year 3 Monitoring Year 2 Monitoring Year 1 Monitoring Year 0 647 7 1.2 0 607 6 1.3 0 647 8 1.2 0 Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Stems/Acre # Species Avg Ht (ft)% Invasive Monitoring Year 7 Monitoring Year 5 Monitoring Year 3 Monitoring Year 2 Monitoring Year 1 Monitoring Year 0 607 7 1.7 0 566 7 1.3 0 688 6 1.3 0 Veg Plot 13 Veg Plot 14 Veg Plot 15 Veg Plot 16 Veg Plot 17 Veg Plot 18 Page 2 of 2 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Veg Plot 1 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 2 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 3 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 4 – 4/3/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Veg Plot 5 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 6 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 7 – 4/3/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Veg Plot 8 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 9 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 11 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 10 – 4/3/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Veg Plot 13 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 14 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 15 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 12 – 4/3/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Veg Plot 16 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 17 – 4/3/23 Veg Plot 18 – 4/3/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX E Site Photographs Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Site Photo Point 1 – 4/4/23 Site Photo Point 2 – 4/4/23 Site Photo Point 3 – 4/4/23 Site Photo Point 4 – 4/4/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Site Photo Point 5 – 4/4/23 Site Photo Point 6 – 4/4/23 Site Photo Point 7 – 4/4/23 Site Photo Point 8 – 4/4/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed Site Photo Point 9 – 4/4/23 Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX F Recorded Conservation Easement Eco Terra, LLC | Britt & Hales Nutrient Offset & Riparian Buffer Mitigation Site Britt & Hales As-Built & Baseline Monitoring Report HUC 03020201, Excluding Falls Watershed May 2024 APPENDIX G Financial Assurances