20160403 Ver 2_NCIRT Post-Contract Site Meeting Minutes_20160429

Meeting Minutes
Neuse 03020201 Full-Delivery Projects:
Lake Wendell Mitigation Project (NCDEQ DMS Contract # 6826, Project ID # 97081)
Pen Dell Mitigation Project (NCDEQ DMS Contract # 6824, Project ID # 97079)

Edwards-Johnson Mitigation Project (NCDEQ DMS Contract # 6825, Proj. ID # 97080)

Subject: NCIRT Post-Contract Site Meeting
Date Prepared: April 21, 2016

Meeting Date and Time: April 08, 2016 @ 0900
Meeting Location: On-site (Johnston County, NC)
Recorded By: Adam V. McIntyre
Attendees: USACE: Todd Tugwell (NCIRT)
NCDEQ DWR: Ginny (Virginia) Baker (NCIRT), Mac Haupt (NCIRT), and Katie
Merritt
NCDEQ DMS: Lindsay Crocker and Jeff Schaffer
WLS: Adam V. McIntyre, Kayne VanStell, and Scott Hunt

These meeting minutes’ document notes and discussion points from the North Carolina
Interagency Review Team (NCIRT) Post-Contract Site Meeting for the three (3) Neuse 03020101
Full-Delivery Projects, contracted on March 18, 2016, by the North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), Division of Mitigation Services (DMS), with Water & Land
Solutions, LLC (WLS), under RFP 16-006477. The three (3) projects are:

Lake Wendell Mitigation Project (NCDEQ DMS Contract No. 6826)


Pen Dell Mitigation Project (NCDEQ DMS Contract No. 6824)


Edwards-Johnson Mitigation Project (NCDEQ DMS Contract No. 6825)

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The three (3) project sites are located in Johnston County, North Carolina, between the Archer
Lodge Community and the Town of Wendell. The sites are contiguous/nearly contiguous to each
other, with the majority of the project property being owned by the Randy Edwards Family.
The meeting started began at 0900 with introductions and a general summary of the overall
project(s) concept, using a large-scale overall project aerial-based mapping board to display the
location of each of the 3 project sites, as well as show the location of 2 potential future sites, in
adjoining watersheds, that may be banked.
Katie Merritt provided an explanation regarding her role at the meeting as it relates to riparian
buffer regulation and determining potential riparian buffer credits for the projects. Katie
explained that while the buffer credit procurement process is “separate” from the NCDEQ DMS
stream mitigation process, she will provide a “viability letter” to the provider on behalf of the
NCDEQ DWR Buffer Mitigation Program documenting and explaining their preliminary approval
of potential riparian buffer mitigation credit ratios, types and amounts for each project.
After the project introduction and overview, attendees visited each of the project sites to review
existing conditions and proposed mitigation types, strategies, and design concepts. The project
site review notes are presented below in the order they were visited.
Lake Wendell Mitigation Project
Upon initial observation, Todd Tugwell asked a question regarding the middle part of R1
(proposed for Restoration), immediately downstream of the section of stream below the section
of R1 to be daylighted: would an enhancement approach of mainly cattle exclusion and re-
planting, be more appropriate. Kayne VanStell explained the floodplain and natural valley
topography had been significantly altered as evidenced by the extensive spoil piles in that area.
After the NCIRT walked the remainder of R1, including the upper section proposed to be
daylighted, the NCIRT concurred with the restoration approach to connect R1 to its historic
floodplain as proposed.
A small upstream portion of R1 left buffer is less than 50 feet in width and near an existing
residential structure. Todd Tugwell expressed that he was comfortable knowing that the project
landowner, Odell Edwards owned the rental property tract and that the stream reach is within
the proposed easement area.
waterlandsolutions.com | 11030 Raven Ridge Rd, Ste 119, Raleigh, NC 27614 | 919-614-5111

General discussions were held regarding the potential location, design, and utilization of the
proposed agricultural BMPs. Todd Tugwell noted that if any permanent water control structures
are located outside of the easement, they will have to be permitted separately from the proposed
mitigation.
The NCIRT expressed that they want WLS to minimize turbidity and capture/retain excess
sediment moving through the decommissioned pond area. WLS will need to describe the
dewatering approach and construction sequence in the mitigation plan, including how the
downstream preservation reach, R4, will be protected from excessive sedimentation during
construction. Todd Tugwell suggested leaving the pond dam mostly in place during the
construction of R1, R2, R5 and the upstream section of R3, to essentially use the existing pond as
a sediment basin. R4 could then be connected once construction of the upstream reaches, pond
decommissioning and subsequent stabilization are completed.
Todd Tugwell agreed with the preservation approach and ratio of 10:1 proposed for R4, and did
not feel it was necessary to address the few meander bends exhibiting minor bank erosion. After
observing the overall design concepts proposed for the Lake Wendell Mitigation Project, both
Katie Merritt and Todd Tugwell commented favorably on the appropriateness of the mitigation
types and approaches.
USACE representative John Thomas will need to conduct the jurisdictional determinations (JD)
for the existing wetlands, as well as the stream determinations for the projects since they are
located in Johnston County. WLS will need to document “no net loss” through the 404 permitting
process, and will need to coordinate the permitting process through the NCDEQ DMS project
manager, Lindsay Crocker.
Pen Dell Mitigation Project
Todd Tugwell indicated that he was comfortable with the Enhancement Level II approach
proposed for R1, due to the historical aerial evidence and propensity for the channel to develop
into a more naturally functioning headwater stream system. The group agreed that the lack of
natural stream features observed along R1 are likely due to of the historic manipulation and
farming practices evident along the reach. It was noted and discussed that immediately
upstream of R1, the reach has more observable stream features.
waterlandsolutions.com | 11030 Raven Ridge Rd, Ste 119, Raleigh, NC 27614 | 919-614-5111

Todd Tugwell explained that R1 will not require permitting under the mitigation plan, as it is
proposed for Enhancement Level II, with only riparian buffer vegetation planting activities. In
addition, Todd Tugwell explained that wetland impacts due to the proposed Enhancement Level
II approach of only planting along R1 were not a concern.
Katie Merritt noted that the channel upstream of R1 is definitely a conveyance and therefore
available for nutrient offset crediting. NCDEQ DWR will need to conduct stream verifications for
riparian buffer mitigation crediting viability along R1. Katie Merritt also suggested that WLS
coordinate with both NCDEQ DWR and the USACE for stream verifications in order to ensure
consensus on said calls. Katie Merritt further explained that she is comfortable with awarding
riparian buffer mitigation credits for reaches that the USACE is approving for stream mitigation
credits. Todd Tugwell verified he was approving R1 for stream mitigation credit. This decision
satisfies Katie Merritt requirement for USACE “concurrence” that R1 is eligible for riparian buffer
mitigation credit generation.
NCDEQ DWR explained that even if they might not consider R1 a stream feature in its existing
condition, they would defer to what the NCIRT approves with regards to the stream mitigation
plan in order to determine the final riparian buffer mitigation credits.
The NCIRT noted that the performance standards for the R1 should demonstrate stream-like
features throughout the monitoring period. Mac Haupt had questions about how the headwater
stream system would appear and function during dry periods. Mac Haupt requested that a gage
be installed midway along R1 to monitor flow conditions. Todd Tugwell added that the NCIRT
requires a minimum 30 days of consecutive flow throughout the year, not just during the growing
season.
The NCIRT discussed the proposed Enhancement Level I approach along R2 and noted they were
comfortable with the proposed approach, including removing pines and preserving the
hardwoods along the reach.
The NCIRT discussed the proposed Restoration and Enhancement Level I reaches and breaks
along R3 and R4. After subsequent observations and discussions regarding the reach conditions
and their proposed mitigation approaches, the NCIRT indicated approval of the proposed
approaches. Preservation along R5 was also agreed upon by the NCIRT.

waterlandsolutions.com | 11030 Raven Ridge Rd, Ste 119, Raleigh, NC 27614 | 919-614-5111

Edwards-Johnson Mitigation Project
The group began at the downstream end of the project boundaries and continued walking
upstream to the headwaters. The NCIRT observed a majority of R3, R2, and R1 and R4 (up to the
existing in-line pond area). This allowed the NCIRT to see how the project would transition from
preservation, through restoration, and back to preservation. The NCIRT indicated approval of
the proposed mitigation approaches.
Mac Haupt requested a site visit to observe post-construction project(s) that WLS staff have
worked on that included constructed wood riffles and stream mitigation through pond removal.
Ginny Baker noted that she liked the concept that the proposed easement extends upstream of
the project area and stream preservation credits.
Concluding Comments
The NCIRT expressed that overall they accepted the proposed project mitigation approaches for
all three sites. Todd Tugwell explained that he did not have any additional closing comments,
other than he concurred with project mitigation approaches for each of the 3 sites and it would
be beneficial to collect additional water quality sampling data (i.e., nutrient reduction
monitoring) as discussed in the proposal(s).
The above minutes represents Water & Land Solutions’ interpretation and understanding of the
meeting discussion and actions. If recipients of these minutes should find any information
contained in these minutes to be in error, incomplete, please notify the author with appropriate
corrections and/or additions within five (5) business days to allow adequate time for correction
and redistribution.
waterlandsolutions.com | 11030 Raven Ridge Rd, Ste 119, Raleigh, NC 27614 | 919-614-5111