20161268 Ver 1_U-4751 NECFRBank letter_20160317

Herndon, Mason
From: Paugh, Leilani Y
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2016 1:00 PM
To: '[e-mail]'; Brittingham, Cathy; Wilson, Travis W.; Van Der Wiele,
Cynthia ; Herndon, Mason; '[e-mail]' ([e-mail]);
'[e-mail]' ([e-mail])
Cc: Stanton, Tyler P
Subject: U-4751 proposed mitigation
Brad
NCDOT is proposing to debit the North East Cape Fear River Mitigation Bank for wetland mitigation required
for U-4751. The request letter is attached for your consideration. I can schedule a Merger Team meeting to
discuss if necessary. Thank you.
�

Trans/�or-ta tion
March 17, 2016
F3rad E Shaver
P►•oject Managei�
US Army Corps ofi Engineers
69 Darlington Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403
PAT McCRORY
Governor
NICHOLAS J. TENNYSON
s������� y-
Subject: Mitigation Strategy for U-4751, Militaiy Cutoff Road, Wilmington, New Hanover
Co�ii�ty, Division 3
Mr. Shaver:
ST1P project U-4751 is the proposed extension of SR 1409, Militaiy Cutoff Road, to US 17 in
Wilmington, New Hanover County. It is scheduled to for construction let in FY 2018. Unavoidable
wetland impacts associated with the project consists of app►•oximately 100 acres of non-riparian
wetlands. NCDOT requests approval to use the Holly Shelter Bay site (Site) of the Northeast Cape
Fear Rive►� Umbrella Mitigation Bank as the so�n-ce of all wetland mitigation required for the
project.
The Site is located north of the intersection of NC Highway 210 and Shaw Highway in the 8 di�it
Hydrologic Unit Code 03030007 of the Cape Fear River Basin, Pender County. The MBI was
signed and e;cecuted on June 5, 2013. Initial credit release was October 15, 2013. The Site
encompasses a total of 1,153 acres and provides the following c��edit types and quantities.
Mitigation T pe Total Credits Released Available*
Non-riparian wetland 912.1 287 282.12
Riparian wetland 2.0 1.3 1.3
Stream 2,300 1301 1251
*Based on USACE RIB[TS as ofi 6/5/2014
The request to use the Site for non-riparian wetland mitigation requirements for the subject pt�oject
is based on several factoi�s. The Site is situated along the Northeast Cape Fear River adjacent to the
Holly Shelter Game Lands, placing it in veiy close proximity to the project impacts. It also serves
as a protected habitat corridor between the Game Lands and the NE Cape Fear River Floodplains,
both considered nationally significant by the Natural Heritage Program. Along with non-riparian
wetlands, the Site provided for �-estoration of riparian wetlands and headwater stream habitat along
with the associated water quality improvements. The fiu�ction-based approach to wetland
mitigation is consistent with relevant fedet•al and state resource management agencies' goal of
integrated ecosystem management. The non-riparian wetlands that may be impacted by the subject
project are very similar to the non-1•iparian wetland credits available at the Site. The Site is an
established mitigation bank and as such, it is at the top of the hierarchy for preferred mitigation
sources accordiilg the 2008 Rule.
�Nothing Compares`�.
Stale ol Noiih Carolina � Departmenl of Transportation I PDLA -- Natui.�l Gnvironment Section
1020 13irch Ridge Road Raleigh � 1598 Nlail Service Center � Raleigh NC 27G99-1598
919 707 G000 T

Furthermore, the Site offers a total of 912 non-riparian wetland credits with 282 credits available
and more scheduled fior release this year. This i•epresents a surplus of available credits above what
is needed for the s�ibject peoject and other projects in the area. Tl�is utilization of sw•plus ecedits is
in concert with the 2008 DENR-NCDOT MOA governing both parties p►•ocedures related to the
Division of Mitigation Services, fo►•merly the Ecosystem Enhancement Program. It also promotes
the directive signed by DENR-ECP and NCDOT in June 2013 to move towards a fee based
program.
Therefiore, given the reasons stated above and being good stewards of the public's money,
NCDOT proposes to use the Holly Shelter Bay site of the Northeast Cape Fear River Umbi•ella
Mitigation Bank as the source of all wetland mitigation required for U-4751. If you have any
questions or comir�ents, please contact ine at i�u��(�r;ncdor.�c,v.
Sincer�ly, �,
� ; �
� �
�� ��
LeiLani Paugh
ICl/OSM Group Supervisor
CC: Mason Herndon, NCDEQ
Cathy E3cittingham, NCDCM
Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Ron Lucas, FHWA
Dr. Cynthia Van Der Wiele, USEPA
Gary Jordan, USFWS
Statc of North Carolina I Depa»ment of "I'ransportalion � PDEA — Natural [nvironmen[ Section
I(120 [3irch Ridge Road R�leigh � 1598 Mail Service Center � Raleigh NC 27G99-I 598
919 707 G000 T