20041235 Ver 1_Mitigation Site Visit_20070907

A manual rainfall gauge on the Privateer Site was used to validate observations made at the automated
weather stations. However, the manual rain gauge malfunctioned during the month of July 2005, the wettest
month of the 2005 growing season. For this reason, total rainfall depth for the 2005 growing season collected
by the manual onsite gauge and by the nearby automated weather stations do not correlate well.
2.3.1 Success Criteria
Successful restoration of wetland hydrology is defined in the project's Restoration Plan as achieving
continuous inundation of the site or continuous saturation of its soil within 12 inches of soil surface
for a minimum of 12.5 percent of the growing season, or 30 consecutive days. The day counts are
based on the growing season for Cumberland County, which is 242 days long, beginning on March 18
and ending November 15, as calculated from National Weather Service Wetlands Determination
Tables (WETS) for Johnston County. Data on inundation height or depth of soil saturation line were
obtained from the 15 automated monitoring wells and 15 manual monitoring wells in place
throughout the site. Data defining successful hydrologic conditions must demonstrate that wetland
conditions are present in normal or dryer than normal conditions.
If rainfall data for any given year during the monitoring period are not normal, and if the desired
hydrology for the project site is not on a trajectory to achieve success, then data from the pre-defined
reference wetland site for this project can be assessed to determine if there is a positive correlation
between the underperformance of the restoration site and the natural hydrology of the reference site.
If the restored site is inundated or saturated within 12 inches of the soil surface for less than 12.5
percent of the growing season, but the post-restoration monitoring data reflect that the site meets
applicable USACE criteria for wetlands and the site is performing with similar hydrology as the
monitored reference site, then the regulatory agencies may consider the site for mitigation of in-kind
impacts on a case-by-case basis.
2.3.2 Results and Discussion
The spring months of the 2005 growing season were unusually dry, with total monthly rainfall
noticeably below the approximated long-term average for the area. The months of June and July
2005 experienced wetter conditions, with monthly rainfall depths over an inch above the estimated
long-term average for these months. Rainfall total were again below the long-term average in August
2005, while moderately wetter conditions returned during September 2005. Conditions were dry
again for the month of October 2005, with rainfall substantially below long-term average during this
period.
Total rainfall for the 2005 growing season was only three inches below the long-term average for
total growing season rainfall; however the distribution of rainfall throughout the growing season did
not follow the average rainfall pattern for the area. Most rain fell during the hottest summer months
when evapotranspiration leads to significant losses of water to the atmosphere. Year 1 may be
considered a relatively dry year, since monthly total rainfall fell below the long term average for half
of the growing season. Table 2 and Figure 4 compare historic rainfall over the area with those
observed during the 2005 growing season.
Data collected during the 2005 growing season by the fifteen automatic monitoring well gauges at the
Privateer site showed that groundwater levels met hydrologic success criteria for nine of the wells.
Data from a total of thirteen of the onsite automatic well gauges exhibited occurrence of a continuous
hydroperiod greater than 5 percent of the growing season. None of the automatic monitoring well
gauges installed at the reference site met hydrologic success criteria, and none showed occurrence of
a continuous hydroperiod for more than 5 percent of the growing season, reflecting the usually dry
conditions for the year. Data collected from onsite gauges are summarized in Table 5.
EEP / BUCK ENGINEERING 14
PRIVATEER FARMS - 2005 (YEAR 1) MONITORING REPORT
a single reach, data for that reach are presented in two separate graphs: one for the upstream half of
the reach and another for the downstream half of the same reach. Reference site well data are
presented in Figure 12.
Table 5
Hydrologic Monitoring Results for 2005 (Year 1).
Monitoring Consecutive Days Cuinolative Days Nleeting Nnniber of Instances
Station Aleeting Criteria' Criteria 2 Nleeting Criteria"
MW1 20(8.3%) 57(23.6%) 6
MW2 90(37.2%) 154(63.6%) 5
MW3 90(37.2%) 154(63.6%) 5
AW4 90 (37.2°/x) 154(63.6%) 5
MW5 90(37.2%) 154(63.6%) 5
AW6 20(8.3%) 57(23.6%) 6
MW7 45(18.6%) 13](54.1%) 8
AW8 96(39.7%) 198(81.8%) 6
AW9 45(18.6%) 131(54.1%) 8
MW10 45(18.6%) 131(54.1%) 8
MW11 36(14.9%) 120(49.6%) 9
AW12 36(14.9%) 120 (49.6°/x) 9
AW13 34(14.0%) 96(39.7%) 9
MW14 34(14.0%) 96(39.7%) 9
AW15 18(7.4%) 57(23.6%) 9
MW16 36(14.9%) 120(49.6%) 9
AW17 19(7.9%) 54(22.3%) 8
MW18 9 18(7.4%) 59(24.4%) 6
AW19 18(7.4%) 59(24.4%) 6
AW20 39(16.1%) 93(38.4%) 4
MW219 18(7.4%) 59(24.4%) 6
AW22 28 (11.6) 60(24.8%) 7
MW239 18(7.4%) 59(24.4%) 6
AW24 13(5.4%) 36(14.9%) 8
MW259 18(7.4%) 59(24.4%) 6
AW26 17(7.0%) 52(21.5%) 5
AW27 9(3.7%) 34(14.0%) 8
MW289 18(7.4%) 59(24.4%) 6
A W29 22(9.1%) 68(28.1%) 6
MW 3010 22(9.1%) 68(28.1%) 6
EEP / BUCK ENGINEERING
PRIVATEER FARMS - 2005 (YEAR 1) MONITORING REPORT
REF 1 3(l.2%) 12(3.7%) 4
REF2 5(2.1%) 12(5.0%) 3
REF3 9(3.7%) 60(24.8%) 10
Indicates the most consecutive number of days within the monitored growing season with a water table less
than 12 inches from the soil surface.
Z Indicates the cumulative number of days within the monitored growing season with a water table less than 12
inches from the soil surface.
3 Indicates the number of instances within the monitored growing season when the water table rose to less than
12 inches from the soil surface.
a Groundwater gauge MW1 is a manual gauge. Hydrologic parameters are estimated based on data from gauge
AW6.
5 Groundwater gauges MW2, MW3, and MW5 are manual gauges. Hydrologic parameters are estimated based
on data from gauge AW4.
6 Groundwater gauges MW7 and MW 10 are manual gauges. Hydrologic parameters are estimated based on data
from gauge AW9.
7 Groundwater gauges MW 11 and MW 16 are manual gauges. Hydrologic parameters are estimated based on
data from gauge A W 12.
8 Groundwater gauge MW 14 is a manual gauge. Hydrologic parameters are estimated based on data from gauge
AW13.
9 Groundwater gauges MW 18, MW21, MW23, MW25, and MW28 are manual gauges. Hydrologic parameters
are estimated based on data from gauge AW 19.
10 Groundwater gauge MW30 is a manual gauge. Hydrologic parameters are estimated based on data from
gauge AW29.
Figure 5. Well Data for Reach 1 and Reach 2 of the Privateer Restoration Project.

10 Privateer Wells in Reach 1 & 2
?-- MW1 ---r -- MW2 --- a-- MW3
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2/17/2005 4/8/2005 5/28/2005 7/17/2005 9/5/2005 10/25/2005
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EEP / BUCK ENGINEERING 17
PRIVATEER FARMS - 2005 (YEAR 1) MONITORING REPORT
The restoration plan for the Privateer Farms site specified that 15 vegetation plots, each 25 by 100 feet in size
would be established across the restored site. The initial planted density within each of the vegetation
monitoring plots is given in Table 3. The average initial density of planted bare root stems, based on the data
from the 15 monitoring plots, was 670 stems/ acre. The data from the end of the first growing season are
presented in Table 3. The locations of the vegetation plots are shown on the as-built plan sheets.
Table 3
Initial Planted Density of Trees for the 15 Vegetation Sampling Plots.
Sampling Plot No. Connted Stems per Plot Stems per Acre (extrapolated)
Initial Year 1 Initial Year I
1 38 29 662 519
2 40 31 697 527
3 39 35 680 610
4 33 18 575 371
5 42 34 732 551
6 37 26 645 478
7 43 29 749 459
8 31 28 540 614
9 35 27 610 525
10 35 24 610 466
11 39 19 680 331
12 36 30 627 567
13 35 16 610 311
14 49 20 854 278
15 45 37 784 478
2.1.1 Results and Discussion
Fifteen monitoring plots 0.1 acre in size were used to predict survivability of the woody vegetation
planted on-site. The vegetation monitoring for 2005 (Year 1) indicated an average survivability of
over 478 stems per acre, which is on a trajectory to achieve an average vegetation survival criteria of
320 stems per acre surviving after the fifth growing season.
2.1.2 Areas of Concern
Four monitoring plots had lower than expected survivability rates for Year 1. The survivability rates
for Plots 4, 11, 13, and 14 ranged from 40 to 54 percent and densities ranging from 278 to 371. The
lower than expected results for these plots are most likely the result of below average rainfall. Many
stems were called dead that actually were green at the base of the stem. If normal conditions and
saturation levels occur next year, it is anticipated that many of these stems will re-sprout from the
roots and grow. Therefore, no remedial action is proposed until more data can be collected during the
next growing season.
Privateer site visit
Subject: Privateer site visit
From: Bruce Ellis <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:43:33 -0400
To: "[e-mail]" <[e-mail]>, "rob.ridings"
<[e-mail]>, "[e-mail]"
<[e-mail]>, "Wilson, Travis" <[e-mail]>,
"Gary [e-mail]" <Gary [e-mail]>, Brian Wrenn <[e-mail]>, LeiLani
Paugh <[e-mail]>
CC: Scott McLendon <Scott. C. [e-mail]. army.mil>, John Hennessy
<[e-mail]>, Phil Harris <[e-mail]>, Linda Fitzpatrick
<[e-mail]>, Kevin Tweedy <[e-mail]>, Chris Rivenbark
<[e-mail]>, "Tyler P. Stanton" <[e-mail]>
Folks,
So far most folks can go on the Privateer Mitigation site on
Sept. 18.
Directions to the site can be found in the monitoring reports.
Briefly, from I-95, exit 49 (Route 53), take Route 53 south
approximately 12.4 miles. On the right there will be a fairly
large sign that says Privateer Farms Road. A couple of hundred
feet inside there will be a "Y" in the road. We will meet at the
Y
I propose we meet at 10 am. I expect that we will be on site for
a couple of hours. Please bring bug spray, snake guards (boots),
water. With any luck things will cool. down a bit.
Additionally, September 20 is a scheduled eastern concurrence
meeting day. I have reserved the BOT conference room for ipm on
the 20th, so we can discuss the visit and other issues pertaining
to Fayetteville Outer Loop and Privateer Farms.
Please let me know if there are any conflicts with either of
these dates, so we can make other arrangements or accomodations.
Bruce O. Ellis, PWS, CLM
NCDOT Natural Environment Unit
Assistant Unit Head
[phone]
1 of 1 9/17/2007 3:55?P1)¢
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