The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLowlands Wetland Mitigation Site MY5 (2023) Report - Corrected LOWLANDS Johnston County, North Carolina Annual Monitoring Report Year 5 Project Number: SPEC-16320 Prepared By: Rebecca Stubbs Cameron Jernigan Jennifer Burdette Date: December 2023 Corrected Date: January 5, 2024 621 Hillsborough Street, Suite 500 308 W Millbrook Rd, Suite D #200 Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 Raleigh, North Carolina 27609 LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION ................................................................................. 1 2.0 MONITORING OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................... 1 3.0 WETLAND HYDROLOGY MONITORING .................................................................................. 2 3.1 Wetland Hydrology Success Criteria ...................................................................................... 2 3.2 Monitoring Methodology ....................................................................................................... 2 3.3 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 3 3.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 4 4.0 VEGETATION ........................................................................................................................ 5 4.1 Vegetation Success Criteria .................................................................................................... 5 4.2 Monitoring Methodology ....................................................................................................... 5 4.3 Results and Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 6 5.0 VISUAL ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................ 7 5.1 Monitoring Methodology ....................................................................................................... 7 5.2 Results and Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 7 6.0 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................... 9 7.0 FIGURES 8.0 MONITORING YEAR 5 MONITORING DATA 8.1 Wetland Groundwater Hydrology 8.2 Rainfall Summary 8.3 PDSI Summary 8.4 Vegetation Tables and Plot Photos 8.5 Visual Assessment Table and Fixed/Area of Concern Photos LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 1 of 9 1.0 PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The Lowlands Wetland Mitigation Site (Site) is located approximately one mile northeast of the intersection of Devils Racetrack Road (SR 1009) and Guin Road (SR 1184) in Johnston County, North Carolina. The Site is located within the Neuse River Basin, 8 digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201, more specifically within the 14 digit HUC 03020201150050. The project area is approximately 75.35 acres, of which 69.16 acres will include some form of wetland re- establishment, enhancement, or preservation with the remaining 6.19-acres of uplands and non- credit area to be included within the overall conservation easement as an upland buffer (see Figure 1). The original purpose of the Site was to provide 33.58 wetland mitigation credits to Dominion Energy Transmission, Inc. (DETI) as part of DETI’s Permittee Responsible Mitigation Plan (PRM) to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands associated with the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project (ACP). Construction of the Site was abandoned by Dominion Energy in July 2020, and with that the need for the wetland mitigation credits provided by the Lowlands PRM Site. Since then, it has been agreed by all parties (USACE, IRT, Dominion Energy-ACP, Clearwater Mitigation and Landowners) to allow for the conversion of the Lowlands PRM Site and its assets into a traditional Mitigation Bank to service the Neuse River Basin, 8 digit HUC 03020201. An amended Mitigation Plan for the Lowlands Wetland Mitigation Site was approved by the USACE in September 2023. The former 3.53 acre ACP right-of-way easement (ROW) within the conservation easement has been added to the existing Lowlands Bank Site so that there are no breaks within the conservation easement. All earthwork within the former ACP ROW was completed during the original 2018 construction period, however it was never planted due to pending construction of the ACP. Plantings within the ACP ROW corridor was completed in March 2023. Upon completion of the planting period, performance standards for hydrology and vegetative monitoring were integrated in order to seek a 1:1 wetland re-establishment credit ratio in the former ACP ROW area. The Site includes the re-establishment of 23.96 acres of riparian wetlands, enhancement of 5.1 acres of riparian wetlands, and preservation of 23.56 acres of non-riparian wetlands within the Site. Construction of the project occurred in early 2018. Baseline hydrology and vegetation sampling was conducted in March 2018. Supplemental baseline hydrology and vegetation sampling was conducted for the newly integrated ACP ROW area was completed during March 2023. 2.0 MONITORING OBJECTIVES Monitoring activities will follow the guidelines presented in USACE Wilmington District October 2016 Guidance documents and the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) Monitoring Requirements and Performance Standards for Stream and/or Wetland Mitigation (November 2011) and will be tailored to the Site. During 2022, the amended Mitigation Plan was in the process of being written and reviewed. Additionally, all data loggers were sent to the manufacture in 2022 to be reconditioned and new batteries were installed in preparation to resume monitoring in 2023. Due to the unusual nature of the Site and associated lag time of the LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 2 of 9 transition from the Lowlands PRM Site to the proposed Lowlands Bank Site, monitoring of wetland hydrology and vegetation will resume for the 2023 growing season, which will become Monitoring Year-5 (MY-5), followed by MY-6 in 2024, MY-7 in 2025, and MY-8 in 2026. According to the amended Mitigation Plan approved October 2023, specific objectives for the Site are the following: > Restore the primary wetland functions and values appropriate for this section of the Neuse River Lowlands. > Improve sediment retention and capacity for nutrient removal to offset historic agricultural practices. > Restoration of the attendant hydrologic and biologic functions of a bottomland hardwood forest. > Restore and enhance native bottomland hardwood forest. > Permanently protect existing higher quality bottomland hardwood forest, in addition to the remainder of the project area. 3.0 WETLAND HYDROLOGY MONITORING 3.1 Wetland Hydrology Success Criteria Wetland hydrology success criteria is measured by improvements to the frequency and duration of saturated soils based on the USACE October 2016 Guidance Document. The Site contains Leaf soil series which according to the Wetland Saturation Threshold has a saturation/hydroperiod threshold of 10% to 12% of the growing season within 12 inches below the soil surface. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Soil Survey of Johnston County, NC there are 232 days per year starting from March 21 through November 8 that are greater than 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, successful wetland hydrology is defined as saturation of soils within 12 inches of the soil surface for a period equal to or greater than 24 consecutive days (10% of the growing season) within the growing season. The Site has been historically extensively managed for agricultural production. Therefore, for the first two years of monitoring, successful wetland hydrology will be defined as saturation of soils within 12 inches of the soil surface for a period equal to or greater than 19 consecutive days, or 8%, within the growing season. For years 3 through 8, successful wetland hydrology is defined as saturation of soils within 12 inches of the soil surface for a period equal to or greater than 24 consecutive days within the growing season. 3.2 Monitoring Methodology Wetland hydrology will be measured daily using installed groundwater data loggers. The data loggers will sample groundwater elevations beneath the soil surface at least twice per day throughout the monitoring period. The data loggers will be downloaded on a regular basis during the growing season. Through MY-4, wetland hydrology has been measured daily using (8) installed groundwater wells fitted with Onset HOBO U20-001-01 Water Level Loggers, additionally there is LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 3 of 9 a barometric pressure logger at the Site for on-site barometric compensation (the location of which can be seen on Figure 2). In an effort to integrate the former ACP ROW into the groundwater hydrology monitoring for the Site, an additional groundwater well and water level logger (MW-9) was installed on March 15, 2023 within the re-establishment area of the former ACP ROW. A reference groundwater monitoring well and water level logger (MW South) was also installed on March 15, 2023. MW South will provide comparisons of groundwater hydrology between the restored wetland areas and the preservation area. The location of the additional wells is shown in Figure 2. Groundwater hydrology data collected from the additional monitoring well and reference well will be included in monitoring reports MY-5 through MY-8. Care was taken to install all monitoring wells at the Site in accordance with the “Technical Standard for Water Table Monitoring of Potential Wetland Sites” (ERDC TN-WRAP-05-2, June 2005) document. An on-site weather station and rain gauge (Onset RX3000) will be maintained from MY-5 through MY-8. Daily total rainfall amounts will be shown graphically against each monitoring well’s groundwater data. The year’s rainfall will also be compared to rainfall normals for the Site. Precipitation normals will be based on the 30th and 70th percentile chances for precipitation found in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) WETS table for Smithfield, NC. Precipitation totals will be considered normal if they are within the 30th and 70th percentile chances for precipitation. 3.3 Results Monitoring year 5 groundwater hydrology data was collected on December 5, 2023. Groundwater data from the nine monitoring well locations was assessed as part of the MY-5 monitoring. The downloaded groundwater data is shown graphically against on-site precipitation data in Section 8.1 for monitoring locations shown in Figure 2. Five of the six groundwater monitoring locations in wetland credit generating locations are meeting the minimum success wetland hydrology for the Site in MY-5. The three groundwater monitoring locations located within non-credit generating upland areas did not meet minimum hydrology success criteria for the Site in MY-5. The reference groundwater monitoring location (MW South) did meet minimum success criteria. The longest hydroperiod for every monitoring well occurred between March 21, 2023 and April 21, 2023. MW-3 did not meet criteria, its longest hydroperiod was 5 days (2.2% of the growing season). MW-4 did not meet criteria, its longest hydroperiod was 8 days (3.5% of the growing season). MW-5 did not meet criteria, its longest hydroperiod was 4 days (1.7% of the growing season). MW-8 did not meet criteria, its longest hydroperiod was 10 days (4.3% of the growing season). However, of the four wells that did not meet success criteria, MW-8 did feature groundwater elevation data that were near the threshold of meeting success criteria. For MW-8 the groundwater elevation dropped below wetland criteria for 1 day starting on 3/25/2023 by a maximum of 0.07', and it drops below wetland criteria for 1 day again starting on 4/6/2023 by a maximum of 0.12'. If all data points had met criteria the MW-8 would have had a hydroperiod of 25 days. LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 4 of 9 Analysis of the on-site daily rainfall data and rainfall normal conditions indicates that the Site experienced significant periods below the range of normal rainfall, and overall received less than average rainfall for 2023. In section 8.2, on-site monthly total precipitation is plotted against the monthly 30th and 70th rainfall percentiles and the average monthly rainfall. The rolling 30-day cumulative rainfall was below the normal range of monthly precipitation for 39% of the monitoring year (see Section 8.2). Additionally, the 30-day cumulative rainfall was below the monthly average for 64% of the year. The months of January, February, June, and November experienced rainfall within the normal precipitation range; April, August, and December exceeded the normal precipitation range; and March, May, July, September, and October experienced rainfall that was below the normal range of precipitation at the Site. To further assess the climatic conditions of the monitoring year, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) was examined for the Site. PDSI data was obtained from the Gridded Surface Meteorological (gridMET) Dataset provided through the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). The gridMET dataset is a dataset of daily high-spatial resolution (~4-km, 1/24th degree) surface meteorological data covering the contiguous U.S. from 1979-yesterday. A PDSI rating is estimated for every 5-days of the dataset which indicates the severity of the departure from normal conditions based on simplified soil water balances and estimates of relative soil moisture conditions. According to the PDSI data, the Site experienced mild drought for 11% of the year, moderate drought for 68% of the year, and severe drought for 21% of the year. According to PDSI ratings for the Site’s climate division (NC Division 7 - Central Coastal Plain), the division spent 29% of the year in mild drought and 71% in moderate drought. A summary of the PDSI ratings for the Site and climate division is attached in section 8.3. Drought conditions persisted throughout the Central Coastal Plain climate division for 2023, and more locally, the Site and adjacent areas underwent intensified drought conditions when compared to the region’s climate division. 3.4 Conclusion Groundwater hydrology data for MY-5 indicated a reduction in hydroperiods within 12” of the soil surface for all monitoring well locations when compared to previous monitoring years. During MY-5, five of the (6) credit bearing monitoring wells achieved success criteria while one credit bearing location and three upland locations did not meet success criteria. Analysis of rainfall data and drought indices indicate that the Site overall received below average precipitation for the year and experienced mild to severe drought throughout the entire year. Assessing data of reference well MW South also shows an overall trend of dry conditions at the Site. The MW South well was installed within the Site’s preservation area amongst a saturated wetland area and has high potential for exhibiting consistently saturated conditions. However, data for MW South showed a similar trend in overall dryness throughout the growing season. After May 9, 2023, groundwater came within 12” of the soil surface only during six periods for MW South. Of those periods of saturation, the maximum consecutive days meeting success criteria was 1.5 days. Analysis of rainfall, drought conditions, and MW South indicates that the environmental conditions of 2023 do not reflect a typical year. MW-3 is located adjacent to an open water area LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 5 of 9 of a previous drainage ditch, which could be syphoning water during these drought periods. Therefore, the success criteria not being met by MW-3 is a result of the abnormally low rainfall that the Site received and the persistence of drought conditions in 2023. An additional contributing factor to other three monitoring wells not meeting success criteria is attributed to their location within the landscape. MW-4, MW-5, and MW-8 are located in areas designated as upland. These upland areas have a higher potential to exhibit lower groundwater elevations in periods of drought. 4.0 VEGETATION 4.1 Vegetation Success Criteria Prevalent vegetation should consist of species typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. These species should have the ability to grow, compete, reproduce, and persist in anaerobic soil conditions. Vegetation monitoring plots will be established to show that the composition and density of vegetation in the Site compares favorably to the reference areas. The primary focus of the vegetative monitoring will be on the tree stratum, although shrub and herbaceous species encountered may also be recorded. All woody stems, including planted and volunteer species, must be recorded for each fixed and random plot in each monitoring year. Exotic and invasive species should also be recorded; however, they will not count toward success or performance standards. Vegetation planting success criteria will be based on the survival of a minimum density of 320 trees per acre after three (3) years of monitoring. After five (5) years of monitoring, the density should be no less than 260 planted trees per acre. After seven (7) years of monitoring, the density should be no less than 210 trees per acre. In addition, trees must average 10 feet in height in each plot at year seven (7). Vegetation plots will be sampled and reported in all remaining monitoring years MY-5 through MY-8. The Site will be maintained to keep invasive species to less than 5% of the total population sitewide. Nuisance species for the site include loblolly pine, sweet gum, and red maple will comprise no more than 50% of a plot or areas of the site in excess 0.10 acre identified during the visual assessment as dominated by these nuisance species. Visual assessment identifies areas dominated by any single volunteer species to determine if management is warranted. All volunteer species are included in stem counts of each plot, and visual assessment is used to identify areas dominated by invasive and/or nuisance species. 4.2 Monitoring Methodology A combination of 22 permanent fixed vegetation monitoring plots and random vegetation monitoring plots are used to demonstrate vegetation coverage. Twenty-one (21) of the plots are fixed plots randomly placed throughout the Project, and one (1) of the vegetation monitoring plots is randomly located each monitoring year. The one (1) random plot may be a different plot type (e.g., circular, transect, etc.) but is the same size as the fixed plots. The location of the random plot for Year 5 monitoring is shown in Figure 2 Current Conditions Plan View. LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 6 of 9 Monitoring Year 5 field activities were conducted on October 17, 18, 23, 25, and 27, 2023. Monitoring methodologies followed the vegetation monitoring requirements specified in the USACE Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update released on October 24, 2016. All 21 permanent fixed vegetation monitoring plots installed by McAdams were located during Monitoring Year 5. Figure 2 (Section 7.0) depicts the location of the 21 permanent, fixed vegetation monitoring plots and one (1) random plot. Plant species and density were recorded for each vegetation monitoring plot. The height of planted stems and volunteer stems of species from the approved planting list were recorded. Volunteer species were tallied according to the Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) guidelines for recording Natural Woody Stems, which involves a tally of each species according to height classes for seedlings less than 137 cm and diameter at breast height (DBH) classes for saplings and trees greater than 137 cm in height. In Year 7, the height of all volunteers on the approved planted list will be recorded. Volunteers that are not on the approved planting list will be tallied according to the following height classes: 10- 50 cm, 50-100 cm, and 100-137 cm. The height of volunteers over 137 cm will be measured, and their average height will be calculated for comparison with planted stems. Volunteers not on the approved planted list, including nuisance and invasive species, are included in the stem counts conducted for the vegetation plot monitoring to identify if any nuisance species comprise more than 50% or invasive comprise more than 5% of the total composition. Volunteer height is divided into three equal-height classes. The highest height class is used to determine if any single volunteer species, comprising over 50% of the total composition, is more than twice the height of the planted trees. 4.3 Results and Conclusion Tables 1 and 2 (Section 8.4) summarize the Year 5 vegetation monitoring data and results. Photographs showing the general vegetation condition of each plot are provided in Section 8.5. The locations of the vegetation plots are shown in Figure 2. In Monitoring Year 5, the planted stem density in the vegetation monitoring plots ranged from 202 to 1,174 stems per acre after removing stems in excess of 50% of the required number of stems. All plots except plot 4D and 6A met the interim vegetation monitoring criteria of 260 stems per acre after five years of monitoring. Plot 4D met the interim success criteria in previous years when single species in excess of 50% of the required number of stems were not excluded. Three plots adjacent to plot 4D have stem densities ranging from 486 to 891 stems per acre, which exceeds the requirements by more than 10% and do not contain any single species greater than 50%. Although not on the approved planting list, five (5) black willows present within the plot bring the stem density to 445 stems per acre. Therefore, plot 4D is an isolated pocket dominated by a single species that does not warrant remedial action. Three trees within Enhancement Area 2, Plot 6A, have died since Year 3, reducing the stem density to 202 steams per acre. In March 2022, supplemental planting was completed in Enhancement Area 2. Many of the existing tree species in this plot are not on the approved planting list, and LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 7 of 9 thus, they cannot be counted toward success. Young, planted stems may have been obscured by the taller existing vegetation, preventing their survival. Plot 6B, located adjacent to this plot, has a stem density of 364 stems per acre. Plot 9, also within Enhancement Area 2, also met the interim success criteria. As part of the monitoring for year 7, a temporary plot will be monitored adjacent to plot 6A to determine whether the low density is limited to the plot. Nuisance species comprised 63% of Plot 10. This plot is located within ACP easement and south of the ditch within a larger AOC discussed below. Most of the loblolly pines are seedlings and samplings. Only three (3) of 19 loblolly stems exceed four (4) feet in height and do not exceed the height of the planted stems. 5.0 VISUAL ASSESSMENT 5.1 Monitoring Methodology Visual assessment of the mitigation site occurs semi-annually. The boundary of the conservation easement is traversed by foot to identify any areas of encroachment. Transects are completed through areas of the site between plots. Areas of concern (AOC), including but not limited to, areas of low stem density or poor plant vigor, areas dominated by nuisance species, prolonged inundation, invasive species, beaver activity, and herbivory, are photographed and mapped on Figure 2 Current Condition Plan View. Random and temporary plots were monitored to assess AOCs identified on the site. Figure 2 (Section 7.0) depicts the locations of these plots. Temporary plot 2 was representative of AOC 1 and 2. Plant species and density were recorded for each vegetation monitoring plot. The height of planted stems and volunteer stems of species from the approved planting list were recorded. Volunteer species were tallied according to the Carolina Vegetation Survey (CVS) guidelines for recording Natural Woody Stems, which involves a tally of each species according to height classes for seedlings less than 137 cm and diameter at breast height (DBH) classes for saplings and trees greater than 137 cm in height. In Year 7, the height of all volunteers on the approved planted list will be recorded. Volunteers that are not on the approved planting list will be tallied according to the following height classes: 10-50 cm, 50-100 cm, and 100-137 cm. The height of volunteers over 137 cm will be measured, and their average height will be calculated for comparison with planted stems. 5.2 Results and Conclusion Visual assessment of the mitigation site was completed on March 30 and October 27, 2023. Visual assessment data is shown in Table 3. In March, five AOCs were identified where planted vegetation appeared to be lower density and tree heights were lower than the surrounding trees. AOC photo stations were established and are shown in Figure 2. Within the same month, plants within the AOCs were supplemented and the ACP easement was planted. In October, random plot 8 was located within AOC 5 and temporary plots were monitored within AOC 2, 3, and 4. Stem density within the AOC 5 plot was 688 stems per acre. Temporary plots 1 through 3 located within AOCs 2 through 4 had stem densities ranging from 405 to 850. Therefore, all AOCs meet the stem density for Year 5. LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 8 of 9 The average tree height ranges from 4 to 5 feet in random plot 8 and temporary plots 1 through 3. These heights remain lower than the average tree height of 9 feet within the restoration area planted in 2018. The total acreage of AOCs 1 through 5 is approximately 1.64 acres. These areas were designated as areas of poor growth and are shown in Table 3 because they may not meet the target height criterion for Year 7 without contingency. These areas will be evaluated in January 2024 to determine if soil amendments and/or fertilizer tablets should be added to enhance growth and vigor. The total species compositions of plot 10 and temporary plots 2 and 3 within the Re-Establishment Area south of Ditch 2 were all over 50% pines (Table 2). Existing pines are dominant within the entirety of Enhancement Area 2. Therefore, these areas were designated as nuisance areas of concern (Table 3). The total area designated as nuisance areas of concern is approximately 11.6 acres, which includes the 5.1-acre Enhancement Area 2 and 6.5 acres of the Re-establishment Area. These nuisance areas of concern border or are within areas with already-high concentrations of existing pines, resulting in a higher proportion of pine saplings than the remainder of the project area due to dispersal of seeds from existing pines in the surrounding area. The pines and sweet gums within Enhancement Area 2 were treated using the hack and squirt method in November 2023. The pine saplings within the Re-establishment Area will be treated in February 2024 using hand clearing methods and herbicide where appropriate. No encroachments, low density areas, prolonged inundation, beaver activity, herbivory or bare areas were observed within the project area during visual assessments performed during March and October 2023. LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT > SPEC-16320 creating experiences through experience 9 of 9 6.0 REFERENCES Clearwater Mitigation Solutions and McAdams, September 2023. Final Mitigation Plan, Lowlands Wetland Mitigation Site. Lee Michael T., Peet Robert K., Roberts Steven D., and Wentworth Thomas R. 2008. CVS-EEP Protocol for Recording Vegetation Level. Version 4.2. Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weekley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina: Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources. Raleigh, North Carolina. US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District. 2021. NCIRT Mitigation Site Adaptive Management Plan Guidance. US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District. North Carolina Interagency Review Team. 2016. Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Update. LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 7.0 FIGURES Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed $ FIGURE 1. PROJECT LOCATION M APLOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION SITEFOUR OAKS, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC 12/28/2023 Alec DATE: JOB NO: DRAWN BY: C:\Users\NRC \NRC Server\Projects\21074 Lowlands\GIS\Lowlands-MY5 Fig 1 Location Map.mxd, 12/28/2023 10:32:06 AM, Alec 1VERSION: 21074 ^_ USGS The National Map: NationalBoundaries Dataset, 3DEP ElevationProgram, Geographic NamesInformation System, NationalHydrography Dataset, National LandCover Database, National StructuresDataset, and National TransportationDataset; USGS Global Ecosystems;U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line data; ! Esri, HERE, Garmin, (c)OpenStreetMap contributors, and theGIS user community JOHNSTO N CO UNTY, NC PR OJECT LOCATION 0 12,0006,000 Feet 1 inch = 12,000 feet Legen d Project Area PR OJECT AREA Natural ResourceConsultants Prepared B y:Prepared For: ACPS5 ACPS4 ACPS3 ACPS2 ACPS1 FPS2 FPS3 FPS4 FPS1 D ACB AB A B B B A A CD B D C C A D C D NC OneMap, NC Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, NC 911 Board $ LEGEND Mitigation Areas Enhancement Enhancement - Non-Credit Area Preservation Re-establishment Re-establishment - ACP Upland Buffer - Non-Credit Planting Zones Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Vegetation Plot Success Criteria Met Criteria Unmet Lowlands Site Easement = 75.35 ac Former ACP Easement Fixed Vegetation Plots Random Vegetation Plots Temporary Vegetation Plots Low-Density Areas Nuisance Areas of Concern Open Water Ditches ^_Fixed Photo Stations ^_Area of Concern Photo Stations Monitoring Wells Barometric Pressure Gauge FIGURE 2. CURRENT CONDITIONS PLAN VIEWLOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION SITEFOUR OAKS, JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC Fixed Plot 5 C:\Users\NRC\NRC Server\Projects\21074 Lowlands\GIS\Lowlands-MY5 Fig 2 Current Condition Plan View.mxd, 1/3/2024 5:05:48 PM, Alec 1/3/2024 Alec DATE:JOB NO:DRAWN BY: 2VERSION: 1 inch = 250 feet 21074 0 250125Feet MW 2 Fixed Plot 3 Fixed Plot 2 Fixed Plot 1 Fixed Plot 9 Fixed Plot 6 Former ACP Easement Fixed Plot 7(Removed) Fixed Plot 10 MY1Random Plot MY2Random Plot MY3Random Plot MW 3 MW 4 MW 5MW 6MW 7 Re-installedGroundwaterReference Well MW 8 MW 1 MW 9 AdditionalGroundwaterWell Fixed Plot 4 Enhancement Area 2 - Zone 2-Pines, Red Maples, Thinned & Treated in February 2022-Planted with Legacy Plantings March 2022 Added Soil Amendmentand Planted 3-Gallon Treeswithin ACP Easement andAreas of Concern 1-3Febuary/March 2023 Planted 3-GallonTrees in Areas ofConcern 4 and 5March 2023 Natural ResourceConsultants Prepared By:Prepared For: Planted 3-Gallon Treeswithin ACP EasementMarch 2023 MY5 Random Plot Area of ConcernTemporary Plot 1 Area of ConcernTemporary Plot 3 Area of ConcernTemporary Plot 2 Rim DitchFilled Ditch 2Plugged Ditch 1Plugged Ditch 3Plugged BarometricPressure Gauge NuisanceAOC 1 NuisanceAOC 2 LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 8.0 YEAR 5 MONITORING DATA LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 8.1 WETLAND GROUNDWATER HYDROLOGY Ground Elevation (ft)MY1 - 2018 MY2 - 2019 MY3 - 2020 MY4 - 2021 2022* MY5 - 2023 MY6-2024 MY7-2025 MY8-2026 Notes Average consecutive days within range1 -58 46 62 56 - 24 Average % of growing season2 -24.83% 19.83% 26.64% 24.03% - 10.27% Monitoring wells with criteria met -100.00% 100.00% 80.00% 100.00% - 83.33% Monitoring Well MW1 Consecutive days within range1 27 40 19 27 - 26 % of growing season2 11.64% 17.24% 8.19% 11.64% - 11.21% Criteria met?3 Y Y N Y - Y Monitoring Well MW2 Consecutive days within range1 31 42 130 - - 27 % of growing season2 13.36% 18.10% 56.03% - - 11.64% Criteria met?3 Y Y Y - - Y Monitoring Well MW3 Consecutive days within range1 44 41 26 26 - 5 % of growing season2 18.97% 17.67% 11.21% 11.21% - 2.16% Criteria met?3 Y Y Y Y - N Monitoring Well MW44 Consecutive days within range1 20 27 70 39 - 8 % of growing season2 8.62% 11.64% 30.17% 16.81% - 3.45% Criteria met?3 Y Y Y Y - N Monitoring Well MW54 Consecutive days within range1 16 23 97 94 - 4 % of growing season2 6.90% 9.91% 41.81% 40.52% - 1.72% Criteria met?3 N Y Y Y - N Monitoring Well MW6 Consecutive days within range1 88 46 85 91 - 29 % of growing season2 37.93% 19.83% 36.64% 39.22% - 12.50% Criteria met?3 Y Y Y Y - Y Monitoring Well MW7 Consecutive days within range1 98 61 49 79 - 25 % of growing season2 42.24% 26.29% 21.12% 34.05% - 10.78% Criteria met?3 Y Y Y Y - Y Monitoring Well MW84 Consecutive days within range1 27 22 29 36 - 10 % of growing season2 11.64% 9.48% 12.50% 15.52% - 4.31% Criteria met?3 Y Y Y Y - N Monitoring Well MW9 Consecutive days within range1 - 31 % of growing season2 - 13.36% Criteria met?3 - Y Reference Monitoring Well MW South Consecutive days within range1 - 31 % of growing season2 - 13.36% Criteria met?3 - Y *Monitoring wells were not maintained during 2022, groundwater hydrology monitoring and reporting will resume in 2023 (MY5). Restoration Monitoring Well Summary Lowlands Mitigation Site 1The US Army Corps of Engineers states that the range is within 12 inches of the soil surface 2The growing season for the site is 232 days long 4Denotes monitoring well is upland and not included in credit bearing calculations. MY3 groundwater elevation drops less than 0.01' below wetland criteria for one of the four data points logged on 4/8/2020. If all data points on 4/8/2020 had met wetland criteria there would be 38 consecutive days meeting criteria for MY3. MW2 malfunctioned during MY4 and data could not be reclaimed. The MW2 data logger was replaced for MY5. MY1 groundwater elevation drops less than 0.01' below wetland criteria for one of the four data points logged on 5/31/2018. If all data points on 5/31/2018 had met wetland criteria there would be 22 consecutive days meeting criteria for MY1. 3Successful wetland hydrology criteria is defined as saturation of soils within range for a period equal to or greater than 19 consecutive days (8%) within the growing season for the first two years of monitoring, and 24 consecutive days (10%) within the growing season for monitoring years 3-8 Only credit bearing groundwater well locations are included in overall success criteria calculations (MW1, MW2, MW3, MW6, MW7, and MW9). 109.00 108.00 106.91 108.87 105.98 107.77 108.48 106.28 107.88 107.99 MW South was installed within the Preservation Wetland Area on 3/15/2023. MW South is not included in success criteria calculations. MY5 groundwater elevation drops below wetland criteria for 1 day starting on 3/25/2023 by a max. of 0.07', it drops below wetland criteria for 1 day again starting on 4/6/2023 by a max. of 0.12'. If all data points had met criteria there would be 25 days meeting criteria for MY5. MW9 was installed within the former ACP ROW on 3/15/2023. LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 26 days (03/21/2023 - 04/16/2023). 26 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 104.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 109.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 1 - Serial #10777571 Rainfall Growing Season Groundwater Elevation Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 27 days (03/21/2023 - 04/17/2023). 27 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 104.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 109.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 2 - Serial #10777569 Rainfall Growing Season Groundwater Elevation Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 5 days (04/08/2023 - 04/13/2023). 5 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 102.5 103.5 104.5 105.5 106.5 107.5 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 3 - Serial #10777567 Rainfall Growing Season Groundwater Elevation Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 8 days (04/08/2023 - 04/16/2023). 8 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 104.5 105.5 106.5 107.5 108.5 109.5 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 4 - Serial #10777570 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 4 days (04/08/2023 - 04/12/2023). 4 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 104.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 109.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 5 - Serial #20284994 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 29 days (03/21/2023 - 04/19/2023). 29 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 102.0 103.0 104.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 6 - Serial #20284995 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 25 days (03/21/2023 - 04/15/2023). 25 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 103.0 104.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 7 - Serial #20284996 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 10 days (03/26/2023 - 04/06/2023). 10 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 109.0 110.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 8 - Serial #20284997 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 31 days (03/21/2023 - 04/21/2023). 31 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 109.0 110.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW 9 - Serial #20284998 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING GROUNDWATER GAGE PLOTS Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Longest consecutive days above wetland threshold is 31 days (03/21/2023 - 04/21/2023). 31 max consecutive days 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 104.0 105.0 106.0 107.0 108.0 109.0 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n ) Date De p t h R e l a t i v e t o S u r f a c e ( f t ) Lowlands MW South - Serial #21521639 Rainfall Growing Season Ground Elevation Wetland Criteria Manual Water Surface Measurement Groundwater Elevation LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 8.2 RAINFALL SUMMARY LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING RAINFALL SUMMARY Monitoring Year 5 (2023) 0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 Ja n u a r y Fe b r u a r y Ma r c h Ap r i l Ma y Ju n e Ju l y Au g u s t Se p t e m b e r Oc t o b e r No v e m b e r De c e m b e r Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n . ) Date Lowlands Rainfall 2023 - Onset RX3000 Rain Gauge 1991-2020 Rainfall Normals - WETS Station: Smithfield, NC Total Rainfall 30th Percentile 70th Percentile Average Rainfall LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION MONITORING RAINFALL SUMMARY Monitoring Year 5 (2023) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pr e c i p i t a t i o n ( i n . ) Lowlands Daily Rainfall 2023 - Onset RX3000 Rain Gauge 1991-2020 Rainfall Normals - WETS Station: Smithfield, NC 30-Day Rainfall Growing Season 30th Percentile 70th Percentile 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 1/ 1 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 1 5 / 2 0 2 3 1/ 2 9 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 1 2 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 2 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 9 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 2 3 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 7 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 2 1 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 1 8 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 1 6 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 3 0 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 1 3 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 2 7 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 1 0 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 4 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 8 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 5 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 9 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 7 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 3 1 / 2 0 2 3 Da i l y P r e c i p i t a t i o n T o t a l s ( i n . ) Date LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 8.3 PDSI SUMMARY LOWLANDS WETLAND MITIGATION SITE Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) Summary Monitoring Year 5 (2023) Incipient Wet Spell Near Normal Incipient Drought Mild Drought Moderate Drought Severe Drought -4 -3.5 -3 -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1/ 5 / 2 0 2 3 2/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 3/ 6 / 2 0 2 3 4/ 5 / 2 0 2 3 5/ 5 / 2 0 2 3 6/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 7/ 4 / 2 0 2 3 8/ 3 / 2 0 2 3 9/ 2 / 2 0 2 3 10 / 2 / 2 0 2 3 11 / 1 / 2 0 2 3 12 / 1 / 2 0 2 3 PD S I R a t i n g Date Lowlands Palmer Drought Severity Index (gridMET Dataset) Local PDSI Rating Central Coastal Plain Climate Division PDSI Rating LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 8.4 VEGETATION TABLES AND PLOT PHOTOS Vegetation Plot ID Vegetation Density Threshold Met?* Vegetation Height Requirement Met?** 1 Yes Yes 2A Yes Yes 2B Yes Yes 2C Yes No 2D Yes Yes 3A Yes Yes 3B Yes Yes 3C Yes Yes 3D Yes Yes 4A Yes Yes 4B Yes Yes 4C Yes Yes 4D No Yes 5A Yes Yes 5B Yes No 5C Yes No 5D Yes Yes 6A No No 6B Yes Yes 8 Yes No 9 Yes No 10 Yes No AOC1 Yes No AOC2 Yes No AOC3 Yes No Mean 92% 60% **Trees in each plot must average seven feet (84 inches) at year five and ten feet (120 inches) at year seven. * Target density is a minimum of 320 trees per acre after three years of monitoring, 260 trees per acre after five years of monitoring, and 210 trees per acre after seven years of monitoring. For any tree stem to count toward success it may be either planted or volunteer, but it must be a species from the approved planting list included in the Mitigation Plan. Table 1. Vegetation Plot Mitigation Success Summary Lowlands Mitigation Site Johnston County, NC MY4 Vegetation Data Collection: October 17, 18, 23, 25, & 27, 2023 Table 2 Vegetation Plot Data Planted Acreage 32.06 Date of Initial Plant March 2018 Dates of Supplemental Plant(s) March 2022, March 2023 Dates of Mowing NA Date(s) of Current Survey Oct 17, 18, 23, 25 & 27, 2023 Plot size (ACRES) 0.0247 PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T Betula nigra river birch tree 12 12 12 1 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 11 11 11 5 5 5 3 3 3 4 4 4 6 6 6 Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush shrub 6 6 6 9 9 9 6 6 7 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 Cercis canadensis eastern red bud small tree 1 1 1 1 1 1 Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash tree 3 3 3 7 7 7 12 12 12 12 13 13 11 13 13 7 7 9 8 8 8 6 6 6 9 12 12 1 1 1 Nyssa sylvatica black gum tree 9 1 1 Quercus michauxii swamp chestnut oak tree Quercus nigra water oak tree 4 4 4 1 1 1 6 6 6 1 1 1 3 3 3 4 4 4 8 8 8 6 7 7 Quercus phellos willow oak tree 6 6 6 5 5 5 2 2 2 6 6 6 2 2 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 7 7 7 Quercus sp.oak species tree Taxodium distichum bald cypress tree 2 2 2 4 4 4 3 3 3 5 5 5 Sum 25 25 34 22 22 22 29 29 29 24 25 26 22 24 25 16 16 19 26 26 27 16 16 16 18 21 21 20 20 20 12 13 13 Ulmus americana American elm tree 1 10 1 1 1 Ulmus alata Winged elm tree 14 4 9 1 1 1 Crataegus marshallii parsley hawthorn shrub 1 1 Salix nigra black willow tree 1 1 Pyrus calleryana Bradford pear tree 1 Diospyros virginiana persimmon tree 2 1 2 Platanus occidentalis sycamore tree 1 Quercus falcata southern red oak tree 1 Quercus rubra northern red oak tree 1 Populus deltoides eastern cottonwood tree Cornus florida flowering dogwood tree Callicarpa americana American beautyberry shrub Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry shrub Sambucus canadensis American elderberry tree Quercus velutina black oak tree Rhus copallinum winged sumac shrub Ilex opaca American holly shrub Quercus alba white oak tree Sum 1 10 15 4 10 2 1 4 6 3 1 Acer rubrum red maple tree 14 2 13 4 1 1 6 Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum tree 9 1 6 Pinus taeda loblolly pine tree 21 14 17 5 4 4 Sum 14 21 23 18 13 13 8 5 1 6 Ligustrim sinense Chinese privet shrub Sum 25 25 49 22 22 53 29 29 67 24 25 48 22 24 48 16 16 34 26 26 36 16 16 25 18 21 27 20 20 24 12 13 20 4 4 7 6 6 8 5 5 9 5 5 8 3 3 9 4 4 8 5 5 9 4 4 9 5 5 10 4 4 8 2 2 4 0.48 48% 29% 32% 32% 40% 41% 41% 21% 50% 52% 35% 50% 54% 27% 44% 44% 38% 42% 42% 31% 38% 38% 24% 50% 57% 44% 40% 40% 33% 50% 54% 35% 29% 40% 34% 38% 27% 38% 22% 20% 0% 4% 30% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 10 8 7 5 8 11 12 10 11 14 12 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 1012.1 1012 1984 891 891 2146 1174 1174 2713 972 1012 1943 891 972 1943 648 648 1377 1053 1053 1457 648 648 1012 729 850 1093 810 810 972 486 526 810 Color for Density PnoLS: Number of planted stems excluding live stakes and the planted stems over the 50% rule P-all: Number of planted stems including live stakes and the planted stems over the 50% rule T: Total stems (All planted steams, live stakes, and volunteers Exceeds requirements by more than 10% Exceeds requirements, but by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements, by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements by more than 10% 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 Veg Plot 2A - F Stems Per Acre Species Approved Average Height (ft) % Invasives Dominant Species Composition (%) % Nuisance Species Not Approved Lower Limit of Maximum Height Class (ft) Species Count Current Year Stem Count Total Veg Plot 1 - F Scientific Name Common Name Species Type Veg Plot 4B - FVeg Plot 2B - F Veg Plot 2C - F Veg Plot 2D - F Veg Plot 3A - F Not Approved - Invasive Not Approved - Nuisance Size of Vegetation Plot (acres) Species Included in Approved Mitigation Plan Not Approved - Non-Nuisance Veg Plot 3B - F Veg Plot 3C - F Veg Plot 3D - F Veg Plot 4A - F Table 2 Vegetation Plot Data Planted Acreage 32.06 Date of Initial Plant March 2018 Dates of Supplemental Plant(s) March 2022, March 2023 Dates of Mowing NA Date(s) of Current Survey Oct 17, 18, 23, 25 & 27, 2023 Plot size (ACRES) 0.0247 Betula nigra river birch tree Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush shrub Cercis canadensis eastern red bud small tree Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash tree Nyssa sylvatica black gum tree Quercus michauxii swamp chestnut oak tree Quercus nigra water oak tree Quercus phellos willow oak tree Quercus sp.oak species tree Taxodium distichum bald cypress tree Sum Ulmus americana American elm tree Ulmus alata Winged elm tree Crataegus marshallii parsley hawthorn shrub Salix nigra black willow tree Pyrus calleryana Bradford pear tree Diospyros virginiana persimmon tree Platanus occidentalis sycamore tree Quercus falcata southern red oak tree Quercus rubra northern red oak tree Populus deltoides eastern cottonwood tree Cornus florida flowering dogwood tree Callicarpa americana American beautyberry shrub Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry shrub Sambucus canadensis American elderberry tree Quercus velutina black oak tree Rhus copallinum winged sumac shrub Ilex opaca American holly shrub Quercus alba white oak tree Sum Acer rubrum red maple tree Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum tree Pinus taeda loblolly pine tree Sum Ligustrim sinense Chinese privet shrub Sum Color for Density PnoLS: Number of planted stems excluding live stakes and the planted stems over the 50% rule P-all: Number of planted stems including live stakes and the planted stems over the 50% rule T: Total stems (All planted steams, live stakes, and volunteers Exceeds requirements by more than 10% Exceeds requirements, but by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements, by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements by more than 10% Stems Per Acre Species Approved Average Height (ft) % Invasives Dominant Species Composition (%) % Nuisance Species Not Approved Lower Limit of Maximum Height Class (ft) Species Count Current Year Stem Count Total Scientific Name Common Name Species Type Not Approved - Invasive Not Approved - Nuisance Size of Vegetation Plot (acres) Species Included in Approved Mitigation Plan Not Approved - Non-Nuisance PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 5 5 5 1 1 1 6 6 6 4 4 4 7 7 7 8 8 8 3 7 7 8 8 8 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 10 10 10 3 3 3 5 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 1 1 1 5 5 5 1 1 1 4 4 5 1 1 1 6 7 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 4 4 4 2 2 2 4 4 4 5 9 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 3 1 1 1 2 2 2 22 22 22 6 10 10 16 16 16 10 14 14 16 16 16 15 15 15 5 5 5 9 9 11 17 17 17 12 13 14 11 11 11 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 5 1 1 5 2 3 3 1 4 2 1 1 25 24 33 1 1 3 5 1 4 1 7 1 2 6 3 2 2 3 36 51 5 37 1 4 1 1 12 2 3 9 2 4 4 6 1 6 19 1 6 4 5 6 2 15 6 11 19 3 1 3 1 22 22 25 6 10 22 16 16 23 10 14 21 16 16 24 15 15 20 5 5 56 9 9 62 17 17 28 12 13 62 11 11 30 3 3 6 2 2 6 5 5 9 4 8 4 6 4 4 9 5 5 14 5 5 12 6 6 8 4 4 12 4 4 5 45% 45% 40% 50% 70% 32% 31% 31% 22% 50% 64% 43% 50% 50% 33% 33% 33% 25% 20% 20% 45% 44% 44% 39% 41% 41% 25% 50% 54% 53% 45% 45% 63% 4% 27% 17% 24% 25% 10% 27% 0% 21% 18% 63% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 2% 0% 12 9 8 7 5 11 7 11 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 891 891 1012 243 405 891 648 648 931 405 567 850 648 648 972 607 607 810 202 202 2267 364 364 2510 688 688 1134 486 526 2510 445 445 1215 0.0247 0.0247 0.02470.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.0247 0.02470.0247 0.0247 0.0247 Veg Plot 6B - F Veg Plot 8 - R Veg Plot 9 - F Veg Plot 10 - FVeg Plot 5D - F Veg Plot 6A - FVeg Plot 4C - F Veg Plot 4D - F Veg Plot 5A - F Veg Plot 5B - F Veg Plot 5C - F Table 2 Vegetation Plot Data Planted Acreage 32.06 Date of Initial Plant March 2018 Dates of Supplemental Plant(s) March 2022, March 2023 Dates of Mowing NA Date(s) of Current Survey Oct 17, 18, 23, 25 & 27, 2023 Plot size (ACRES) 0.0247 Betula nigra river birch tree Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonbush shrub Cercis canadensis eastern red bud small tree Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash tree Nyssa sylvatica black gum tree Quercus michauxii swamp chestnut oak tree Quercus nigra water oak tree Quercus phellos willow oak tree Quercus sp.oak species tree Taxodium distichum bald cypress tree Sum Ulmus americana American elm tree Ulmus alata Winged elm tree Crataegus marshallii parsley hawthorn shrub Salix nigra black willow tree Pyrus calleryana Bradford pear tree Diospyros virginiana persimmon tree Platanus occidentalis sycamore tree Quercus falcata southern red oak tree Quercus rubra northern red oak tree Populus deltoides eastern cottonwood tree Cornus florida flowering dogwood tree Callicarpa americana American beautyberry shrub Vaccinium corymbosum highbush blueberry shrub Sambucus canadensis American elderberry tree Quercus velutina black oak tree Rhus copallinum winged sumac shrub Ilex opaca American holly shrub Quercus alba white oak tree Sum Acer rubrum red maple tree Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum tree Pinus taeda loblolly pine tree Sum Ligustrim sinense Chinese privet shrub Sum Color for Density PnoLS: Number of planted stems excluding live stakes and the planted stems over the 50% rule P-all: Number of planted stems including live stakes and the planted stems over the 50% rule T: Total stems (All planted steams, live stakes, and volunteers Exceeds requirements by more than 10% Exceeds requirements, but by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements, by less than 10% Fails to meet requirements by more than 10% Stems Per Acre Species Approved Average Height (ft) % Invasives Dominant Species Composition (%) % Nuisance Species Not Approved Lower Limit of Maximum Height Class (ft) Species Count Current Year Stem Count Total Scientific Name Common Name Species Type Not Approved - Invasive Not Approved - Nuisance Size of Vegetation Plot (acres) Species Included in Approved Mitigation Plan Not Approved - Non-Nuisance PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T PnoLS P-all T 2 2 2 6 6 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 2 2 2 3 3 3 1 1 1 9 9 9 8 8 8 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 21 21 21 19 19 19 10 10 10 5 51 17 5 51 17 1 1 21 21 26 19 19 70 10 10 27 6 6 8 5 5 6 4 4 5 43% 43% 35% 42% 42% 73% 50% 50% 63% 19% 73% 63% 4% 0% 0% 6 4 5 4 4 4 850 850 1053 769 769 2834 405 405 1093 0.02470.0247 0.0247 Temp Veg Plot 2 (AOC 2) - T Temp Veg Plot 3 (AOC 3) - T Temp Veg Plot 1 (AOC 4) - T 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 1 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants VEGETATION PLOT PHOTOS Lowlands Wetland Mitigation Site – Mitigation Bank Monitoring Year 5 Report Photos taken October 17, 18, 23, 25, & 27, 2023 Vegetation Plot 1 Vegetation Plot 2A 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 2 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 2B Vegetation Plot 2C 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 3 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 2D Vegetation Plot 3A 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 4 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 3B Vegetation Plot 3C 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 5 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 3D Vegetation Plot 4A 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 6 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 4B Vegetation Plot 4C 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 7 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 4D Vegetation Plot 5A 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 8 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 5B Vegetation Plot 5C 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 9 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 5D Vegetation Plot 6A 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 10 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 6B Random Vegetation Plot 8 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 11 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Vegetation Plot 9 Vegetation Plot 10 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 12 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Area of Concern Temporary Plot 1 Area of Concern Temporary Plot 2 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 13 of 13 Natural Resource Consultants Area of Concern Temporary Plot 3 LOWLANDS YEAR 5 MONITORING REPORT SPEC-16320 8.5 VISUAL ASSESSMENT TABLE AND FIXED STATION/AREA OF CONCERN PHOTOS Table 3. MY5 Visual Vegetation Assessment Planted acreage 32.06 Vegetation Category Definitions Mapping Threshold Combined Acreage % of Planted Acreage Bare Areas Very limited cover of both woody and herbaceous material 0.10 acres 0.00 0.0% Low Stem Density Areas Woody stem densities clearly below target levels based on current MY stem count criteria.0.10 acres 0.00 0.0% 0.00 0.0% Areas of Poor Growth Rates Planted areas where average height is not meeting current MY Performance Standard.0.10 acres 1.64 5.1% 0.00 5.1% Easement Acreage 75.35 Vegetation Category Definitions Mapping Threshold Combined Acreage % of Planted Acreage Invasive Areas of Concern Invasives may occur outside of planted areas and within the easement and will therefore be calculated against the total e asement acreage. Include species with the potential to directly outcompete native, young, woody stems in the short- term or community structure for existing communities. Species included in summation should be identified in report summary. 0.10 acres 0.00 0.0% Nuisance Areas of Concern - Enhancement Area 2 Nuisance species may occur outside of planted areas and within the easement and will therefore be calculated against the total easement acreage. Includes pine, maple, and sweetgum species with the potential to directly outcompete native, young, woody stems in the short-term or community structure for existing communities. 0.10 acres 5.10 15.9% Nuisance Areas of Concern - Re-establishment Area S of Ditch 2 Nuisance species may occur outside of planted areas and within the easement and will therefore be calculated against the total easement acreage. Includes pine, maple, and sweetgum species with the potential to directly outcompete native, young, woody stems in the short-term or community structure for existing communities. 0.10 acres 6.50 20.3% Easement Encroachment Areas Encroachment may be point, line, or polygon. Encroachment to be mapped consists of any violation of restrictions specified in the conservation easement. Common encroachments are mowing, cattle access,vehicular access. Encroachment has no threshold value as will need to be addressed regardless of impact area. none Total Cumulative Total 0 Encroachments noted 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 1 of 2 Natural Resource Consultants FIXED PHOTO STATIONS Lowlands Wetland Mitigation Site – Mitigation Bank Monitoring Year 5 Report Photos taken October 27, 2023 Photo Station 1 Photo Station 2 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 2 of 2 Natural Resource Consultants Photo Station 3 Photo Station 4 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 Page 1 of 3 Natural Resource Consultants AREA OF CONCERN PHOTOS Lowlands Wetland Mitigation Site – Mitigation Bank Monitoring Year 5 Report Photos taken March 7 and October 27, 2023 Area of Concern Photo Station 1 Area of Concern Photo Station 2 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 Page 2 of 3 Natural Resource Consultants Area of Concern Photo Station 3 Area of Concern Photo Station 4 308 W Millbrook Road, Ste D #200, Raleigh, NC 27609 Page 3 of 3 Natural Resource Consultants Area of Concern Photo Station 5 (See Plot 8 photo for a view of this area on October 18, 2023)