20160299_Mitigation USACE Meeting minutes 080715 ncdot topics official_20150908

Viability of Onsite Mitigation Discussion

Summary

Project: R-2536 (Asheboro Southern Bypass and Zoo Connector)
Date: August 07, 2015
Location: NCDOT Century Center - Pamlico Conference Room
Time: 10:30 to 12:30 pm
Attendees: See attached Sign-in Sheet
Summary Authored by: Tina Swiezy, RK&K

The following is a brief summary of the major discussion items resulting from the referenced meeting, Viability of

Onsite Mitigation w/USACErepresentative Andy Williams for the R-2536 project. Official meeting minutes were
prepared from the meeting regarding mitigation and permitting for the project. During the meeting, the team had
general conversations regarding on site mitigation for NCDOT projects, the integrated stream/riparian wetlands
restoration approach, and in particular the sites identified by NCDOT for potential on site mitigation for the
Asheboro Southern Bypass and Zoo Connector Project. This summary is intended for NCDOT reference should
the identified potential mitigation sites deemed feasible be pursued by NCDOT on a separate track for mitigation
of the referenced project or for other projects.

DISCUSSION
a. Agencies confirmed that wetlands credits are not believed to be available in this watershed and on site
mitigation for wetlands could be an option for the project, provided agencies deem the wetlands mitigation
plans appropriate in lieu of the NCEEP mitigation. The sites need to meet technical criteria acceptable to
the agencies.
b. Agencies agreed that although NCEEP has stream credits available in the watershed (however no wetlands
credits), should NCDOT pursue the integrated restoration approach to achieve both riparian wetlands and
stream restoration, NCDOT may use the on-site stream restoration to substitute for that portion of stream
credits from NCEEP, provided NCDOT demonstrates the on-site mitigation provides uplift and would be
viewed by the agencies as appropriate for the location.
c. NCDENR and USACE had positive response to the results discussed on other sites using the proposed
restoration methodologies. Both agencies indicated that should implementation result in the restoration as
described, it would be reviewed favorably.
d. The agencies indicated that should the on-site mitigation sites be preferred by NCDOT over the NCEEP
committed mitigation after property owner coordination/agreement, the agencies would require the
following for the proposed mitigation sites to be accepted as approved mitigation options for the project:
i. Narrative describing the benefits of the restoration and its appropriateness as mitigation in this
watershed in lieu of the NCEEP mitigation sites.
ii. Concept/preliminary design plans. The agencies indicated the plans/images provided during the
meeting are close to the level of detail needed to submit for this purpose but do contain all the
information required. NCDOT/RK&K will collect additional site constraint data and amend the
plans accordingly prior to submission (including a delineation of jurisdictional features, soils
information and groundwater elevations).
e. Since the agencies confirmed that the permit would not be held up while the on-site mitigation was being
assessed or implemented, NCDOT and the agencies agreed that pursuit of the on-site mitigation would be
done on a separate track and schedule from the project.

TIP No. R-2536: US 64 Asheboro Southern Bypass and Zoo Connector

Randolph County, North Carolina

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Minutes
f. NCDOT clarified during the meeting that the D/B team would be paid $289/LF for stream mitigation and
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$3,943 per 1/10 of an acre for wetland mitigation upon acceptance of the mitigation sites after the
mandatory one year monitoring period. The $289/LF would apply for the stream channels that would
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result from the methodology proposed during the meeting. The $3,943 per 1/10 of an acre for wetland
mitigation would be paid for wetland restoration or wetland creation at each site.

Subsequent phone conversation (8/27 /15) with Andy Williams of USACE resulted in the summary below:

Andy confirmed that the permit for the Asheboro Southern Bypass will rely on the NCEEP letter for
mitigation credit. Should NCDOT decide to pursue on site mitigation for the project, it will not affect the
trajectory/timing of the permit for the project.

Based on agency current guidelines, since NCDOT does not have a banking instrument in place,
Consolidated Mitigation sites are no longer acceptable and NCDOT cannot add mitigation acreage/length
restored beyond need for Asheboro Southern Bypass into the ledger for future projects. There is no current
mechanism to reserve credits for more than one project upon completion of implementation at a mitigation
site.

Should the restoration be phased, the unencumbered phase could be viewed as a separate mitigation site
for a separate project.

Regarding USACE and IRT evaluation of credits for the integrated stream and riparian wetlands approach,
USACE made comments based on a general discussion of an approach and targeted outcomes. In theory,
should the proposed approach be successful and result in the outcomes described in the presentation then
the potential to receive both stream and wetlands credits would be considered and restoration credits could
be appropriate for wetlands mitigation following the design approach.

Until a concept plan is provided for a specific site, USACE cannot commit to that type of credits that
would be granted for a particular restoration project.

USACE confirmed that a completed demonstration project for the proposed restoration application would
be the next step in refining guidance on credits available for this type of mitigation.

N:\\Projects\\2014\\R-2536_Asheboro_Bypass_DB\\Admin\\Meetings\\08072015 Onsite Mitigation Viability Meeting\\Mitigation USACE Meeting minutes
080715 ncdot topics official.docx

TIP No. R-2536: US 64 Asheboro Southern Bypass and Zoo Connector

Randolph County, North Carolina