20080511 Ver 2_Year 4 Monitoring Report_20161115

Fourth Annual Monitoring Report
La Grange Bank Parcel
Greene Environmental Services, LLC
Neuse River Umbrella Mitigation Bank
DWQ#: 08-0511v2
Year 2016
Submitted to: Katie Merritt
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources — Water Quality Programs
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650 Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
Greene EnHlwnunl8 Sericez. LLC
Submitted by: Jeff Becker
1004 Glencastle Way
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

Fourth Annual Monitoring Report
La Grange Bank Parcel
Greene Environmental Services, LLC
Neuse River Umbrella Mitigation Bank
DWQ#: 08-0511v2 Year 2016
Table of Contents
Introduction and Background
Page 3
Monitoring and Results for Year 2016
Page 3
Overall Condition, Maintenance and Supplemental Plantings
Page 4
Tables 1-6
Pages 5-9
Figures 1-8
Pages 10-17

Fourth Annual Monitoring Report
La Grange Bank Parcel
Greene Environmental Services, LLC
Neuse River Umbrella Mitigation Bank
DWQ#: 08-0511v2 Year 2016
Introduction and Background
Greene Environmental Services, LLC (GES) of Snow Hill, North Carolina added the La Grange
site to the GES Neuse River Basin Umbrella Mitigation Bank. The La Grange Bank Parcel is
located at the southwest intersection of NC 903 and Old Jason Road (SR 1501), north of
LaGrange, in Lenoir County, North Carolina (Figures 1 and 2). The latitude/longitude
coordinates of the site are approximately 77° 44.315 W and 35° 20.588N. The purpose of the
nutrient mitigation bank is to improve water quality within the Neuse River Basin by reducing
nutrient and sediment inputs to the watershed and provide off-site mitigation for development
requiring nutrient offsets.
The Bank Parcel is located within the Middle Neuse Watershed (HUC: 03020202). The site
drains to Meeting House Branch (Stream Index # 27-72-3), which drains into Bear Creek
(Stream Index # 27-72-(0.1)), a major tributary to the Neuse River. According to the NC
Division of Water Quality Basinwide Information Management System, Meeting House Branch
is classified as C; Sw, NSW.
The Bank Parcel is 3.39 acres, including 0.87 acres of riparian buffer and 2.52 acres of nutrient
offset acreage (Figures 3 and 4). The Bank Parcel was established under the terms and
conditions of the GES Neuse River Basin Umbrella Mitigation Bank. The project site was in
agricultural cropland until 2009 and was first planted with character species during March of
2010. The first annual monitoring report was submitted to the Division of Water Resources in
2013; this is the third annual monitoring report.
In 2015, a second mitigation bank was established immediately adjacent to the La Grange Bank
Parcel. This bank is the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II and will be monitored separately
from the initial La Grange Bank Parcel and will be maintained with a separate mitigation credit
ledger.
Monitoring and Results for Year 2016
As specified in the La Grange Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP), this report represents
the fourth year of vegetative monitoring. The BPDP requires the submission of an annual
monitoring report each of five successive years. The next (fifth) annual report will be submitted
no later December 31, 2017.

The La Grange Bank Parcel was initially planted with character trees in 2010 and 2011 at a rate
of 413 seedlings per acre (Table 1). Supplemental plantings were done in 2012 and 2013 at a
rate of 108 and 103 seedlings per acre, respectively. Thus prior to the submission of this first
annual monitoring report an estimated total of 624 seedlings per acre had been planted on the
3.39 -acre parcel.
In each of the two monitoring plots in the La Grange Parcel, tree stems were recorded by species
in September 2016. Plot locations are mapped in Figure 5. Vegetation plot photo points were
located at the northwestern corner of the plots (Figure 6).
During the 2016 monitoring effort, a total of 43 seedlings representing ten tree species were
recorded in the two monitoring plots, LAG -1 and LAG -2. The total average density was 870.4
trees per acre (Table 2). Thirty-six of the 43 trees within the plots were from seedlings planted
by GES; average planted stem density was 728.7 tree stems per acre (Table 3). Thus eighty-four
percent of the trees were planted species; bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) accounted for 41.7
percent of the planted seedlings followed, in decreasing order by river birch (Betula nigra), black
gum (Nyssa sylvatica) (both species at 19.4 percent), and sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis)
(11.1 percent). White oak (Quercus alba), swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) and
cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda) each accounted for less than three percent of planted species
total. (Table 4). Red maple (Acer rubrum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and black oak (Quercus
velutina) became established via natural colonization. Persimmon, green ash, yellow poplar,
turkey oak, live oak, and pond cypress were planted on the La Grange Parcel but were not
recorded in the monitoring plots. Stems of river birch and sycamore had the greatest average
height (over 15 feet) among the ten species found within the plots (Table 5).
A comparison of third year (2015) monitoring data to the fourth year (2016) indicted a decrease
in total stem density per acre in the monitoring plots from 910.9 stems per acre in 2015 to 870.4
stems per acre in 2016 (Table 6). For planted species, stem density decreased by 40.5 stems per
acre and for naturally colonizing species, stem density decreased by 20.2 stems per acre. The
decrease in stem density of planted species is most likely due to plant tissue damage rabbits and
deer, other natural mortality or minor field sampling error. For both total stem density and
planted stem density, the 320 trees per acre success criterion was well -exceeded.
Overall Condition, Maintenance and Supplemental Plantings
Vegetation establishment and growth during the 2016 growing season has been good at the La
Grange parcel. Growing conditions, e.g., adequate rainfall, length of growing season and fertile
soils, have been advantageous since the initial plantings were undertaken. The height of some
seedlings, especially sycamore and river birch, planted in 2010, now exceeds 5 in with diameters
(dbh) of 8-12 cm. Other species exhibit slower growth but are performing as expected.
Browsing by deer has been moderately problematic for seedlings in exposed areas and especially
problematic for green ash seedlings. There has been some evidence of depredation by rabbits
and possibly beavers and other rodents. Annual, herbaceous weed growth has been excessive;
this would expectedly result in above -ground and below -ground competition with planted
El

seedlings. However, the weeds likely afford the seedlings some greater advantage by protecting
them from browsing deer. In an effort to control rabbit and rodent populations, two 15 -foot tall
hawk perches were installed on the site. Signage has been installed at key access locations
identifying the Bank Parcel as a conservation area, contact information and listing activities that
are not allowable as per a conservation easement.
Table 1. Approximate number of seedlings planted 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 on 3.39 acre tract
prior to the first annual monitoring effort. Year 2016 Annual Report, Greene Environmental
Services, LLC. November 2016.
*An error was made in the First Annual (2013) Report; planted seedlings of Quercus michauxii was unreported and
Q. pagoda was overestimated; the data in the above table reflects the correction.
Planted April
Planted
Common
2013
Planted
February/
Species
Name
January 2012
March 2010
Totals
and 2011
Betula nigra
River birch
50
50
400
450
Diospyros
Persimmon
0
25
0
25
virginiana
Fraxinus
Green ash
0
0
200
200
ennsylvanica
Liriodendron
Yellow poplar
0
20
0
20
tuli i era
N ssa s lvatica
Blackgum
0
30
200
230
Pl us
occidentalis
occid
Sycamore
0
120
0
120
Quercus alba
White oak
0
25
0
25
Quercus laevis
Turkey oak
0
25
0
25
Quercus
Swamp
0
0
100
100*
michauxii
chestnut oak
Quercus pagoda
Chic rrybark
0
0
100
100*
Quercus
Live oak
0
45
0
45
virginiana
Taxodium
Bald cypress
100
25
400
425
distichum
Taxodium
ascendes
Pond cypress
200
0
0
200
Total Seedlings Planted
350
365
1400
2115
Average Number Seedlings
103
108
413
624
Planted per Acre
*An error was made in the First Annual (2013) Report; planted seedlings of Quercus michauxii was unreported and
Q. pagoda was overestimated; the data in the above table reflects the correction.

Table 2. Stem density for all tree species in 100 m2 monitoring plots at La Grange Parcel. Fourth
Year Annual Report, 2016, Greene Environmental Services, LLC. November 2016.
Plot LAG -1
Plot LAG -2
Tract Avera es
Common
Species
Number
Stems
Number
Stems
Num.
Stems per
Name
Stems
per acre
Stems
per acre
Stems
acre
Acer rubrum
Red maple
3
121.5
0
0.0
2.5+2.1
60.0+_85.9
Betula nigra
River birch
2
81.0
5
202.4
3.5+2.1
141.7+85.9
Nyssa
sylvatica
Black gum
1
40.5
6
242.9
3.5+3.5
-
141.7+85.9
-
Pinus taeda
Loblolly
0
0.0
2
81.0
1.0+1.4
40.5+57.3
pine
-
-
Platanus
occidentalis
Sycamore
y
2
81.0
2
81.0
2.0+0.0
81.0+0.0
Quercus
alba
White oak
1
40.5
0
0.0
0.5+0.7
20.2+28.6
Quercus
Swamp
michauxii
chestnut
0
0.0
1
40.5
0.5+0.7
20.2+_28.6
oak
Quercus
Cherrybark
pagoda
oak
1
40.5
0
0.0
0.5+0.7
-
20.2+28.6
-
Quercus
velutina
Black oak
1
40.5
1
40.5
1.0+0.0
-
40.5+0.0
Taxodium
Bald
distichum
10
404.9
5
202.4
7.5+3.5
303.6+143.1
cypress
All Species Totals
21
850.2
22
890.7
21.5+0.7
870.4+28.6

Table 3. Stem density for planted tree species in 100 m2 monitoring plots at La Grange Parcel.
Year 2016 Annual Report, Greene Environmental Services, LLC. November 2016.
Plot LAG -1
Plot LAG -2
Tract Averages
Common
Species
Number
Stems
Number
Stems
Num.
Stems per
Name
Stems
per acre
Stems
per acre
Stems
acre
Betula nigra
River birch
2
81.0
5
202.4
3.5+2.1
141.7+85.9
Nyssa
sylvatica
Black gum
1
40.5
6
242.9
3.5+3.5
-
141.7+145.1
-
Platanus
occidentalis
Sycamore
y
2
81.0
2
81.0
2.0+0.0
-
81.0+0.0
Quercus
alba
White oak
1
40.5
0
0.0
0.5+0.7
20.2+28.6
Quercus
Swamp
michauxii
chestnut
0
0.0
1
40.5
0.5+0.7
20.2+28.6
oak
Quercus
Cherrybark
pagoda
oak
1
40.5
0
0.0
0.5+0.7
-
20.2+28.6
-
Taxodium
Bald
distichum
10
404.9
5
202.4
7.5+3.5
-
303.6+143.1
-
cypress
Planted Species: Total
Stems and Stems Per
17
688.3
19
769.2
18.0+1.4
728.7+57.3
Acre

Table 4. Relative density of species in 100 m2 monitoring plots in La Grange Parcel. 2016
Annual Report, Greene Environmental Services, LLC. November 2016.
Table 5. Stem heights for naturally colonizing tree species in 100 m2 monitoring plots at
LaGrange Parcel. Year 2016, Fourth Annual Report, Greene Environmental Services, LLC.
November 2016.
Species
Common
Percent of
Percent of
Species
Common name
Total Stems
Planted Stems
Stem Heights (m)
Heights Among
by S ecies
by Species
Acer rubrum
Red maple
7.0
NA
Betula nigra
River birch
16.3
19.4
Nyssa sylvatica
Black gum
16.3
19.4
Pinus taeda
Loblolly pine
4.7
NA
Platanus
Sycamore
9.3
11.1
occidentalis
10.0+2.8
10.0+2.8
Platanus
Quercus alba
White oak
2.3
2.8
Quercus
Swamp chestnut
2.3
2.8
michauxii
oak
White oak
7.0+0.0
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
2.3
2.8
Quercus
Black oak
4.7
NA
velutina
Taxodium
Bald cypress
34.9
41.7
distichum
oak
10.0+0.0
-
Percent of
10.0+0.0
-
planted stems
84% of Stems are of Planted Species
to total stems
6.0+0.0
Table 5. Stem heights for naturally colonizing tree species in 100 m2 monitoring plots at
LaGrange Parcel. Year 2016, Fourth Annual Report, Greene Environmental Services, LLC.
November 2016.
Species
Common
Plot: LAG -1
Plot: LAG -2
Average Stem
Name
Stem Heights (m)
Stem Heights (m)
Heights Among
Both Plots (m)
Acer rubrum
Red maple
14.0+1.7
NA
14.0+1.7
Betula nigra
River birch
15.0+0.0
15.8+6.4
15.6+5.2
Nyssa sylvatica
Black gum
2.0+0.0
6.6+2.0
5.8+2.8
Pinus taeda
Loblolly pine
NA
10.0+2.8
10.0+2.8
Platanus
Sycamore
occidentalis
20.0+7.1
-
22.5+3.5
-
21.2+4.8
-
Quercus alba
White oak
7.0+0.0
NA
7.0+0.0
Quercus michauxii
Swamp
NA
8.0+0.0
8.0+0.0
chestnut oak
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark
oak
10.0+0.0
-
NA
10.0+0.0
-
Quercus velutina
Black oak
2.0+0.0
6.0+0.0
5.5+0.7
Taxodium
Bald cypress
distichum
13.5+4.7
6.6+1.1
11.2+5.1
M

Table 6. Comparison of stem density per acre between the third (Year 2015) and fourth (Year
2016) growing seasons based on stem counts in 10 m by 10 m (0.0247 -acre). Negative number
represents a decline in stem density. Year 2016, Fourth Annual Report, Greene Environmental
Services. LLC. November 2016.
Seedling Species
Common Name
Third Year
(2015)
Monitoring, Tree
Stems Per Acre
Fourth Year
(2016)
Monitoring, Tree
Stems Per Acre
Change in
Stem
Density
Per Acre
Planted Stems
Betula nigra River birch 202.4 141.7 -60.7
Nyssa sylvatica Black gum 121.5 141.7 20.2
Platanus occidentalis Sycamore 81.0 81.0 0.0
Quercus alba White oak 20.2 20.2 0.0
Quercus michauxii Swamp chestnut oak 20.2 20.2 0.0
Quercus pagoda Cherrybark oak 20.2 20.2 0.0
Taxodium distichum Bald cypress 303.6 303.6 1 0.0
Planted totals 769.2 728.7 -40.5
Colonizing Stems
Acer rubrum Red maple 81.0 60.7 -20.2
Pinus taeda Loblolly pine 40.5 40.5 0.0
Quercus velutina Black oak 20.2 20.2 0.0
Colonizing totals 141.7 121.4 -20.2
Planted and Colonizing Stems
Combined Planted and Colonizing Species
Stem Totals
910.9
870.4
-40.5
Z

CTE,
Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Hain Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530
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Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Hain Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530
Figure 1— Vicinity Map

C7EC Figure 2 — USGS Topographic Map
Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Hain Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530
N.T.S

La Grange Bank
Figure 3 — Aerial Map
Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Hain Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530
1 : 1 UUU Feet , 9

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124.01'
IN 881 9'S'W 36,5.4'
N.T.S.
Neuse Buffer Area: 37,939.70 sq. ft. (0.87 acres)
FNutrient Offset Area: 109,581.98 sq. ft. (2.52 acres)
(3E Figure 4 — Survey Excerpt
Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Hain Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530

Figure 5. Monitoring Plot Locations
Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Hain Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530

CTE
Greene Environmental Services. LLC
90 Ham Produce Rd.
Snow Hill. NC 28530
TO
Monitoring Plot LAG -1
Monitoring Plot LAG -2
Figure 6. Monitoring Plot Photographs

[kilt,
E
0
I
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
60
6 7
•
9 10
Bald cypress
Live
2
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
15
—
0
NW
Monitoring Plot Stem Map: LAG -1
1 2 3 4 5
10 m
•
10
•
12
SE
J7 •
• 14 21
•' •
• 119
18
SW
Seedling Number
Species
60
6 7
8
9 10
SW
Seedling Number
Species
Common Name
Status in 2016
1
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
2
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
Live
3
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
Live
4
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
5
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
6
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
7
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
8
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
9
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
10
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
Live
11
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
12
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
13
Quercus alba
White oak
Live
14
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
15
Acer rubrum
Red maple
Live
16
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
17
Acer rubrum
Red maple
Live
18
Acer rubrum
Red maple
Live
19
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
20
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
21
Quercus velutina
Black oak
Live
Figure 7. Monitoring plot map for plot LAG -1; 100 m` monitoring plot at LaGrange Parcel. Year 2016
Annual Report, Greene Environmental Services, LLC

Monitoring Plot Stem Map: LAG -2
NE SE
10
Species
'
•
•
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
2
18
9
Live
9
Taxodium distichum
S
06
4
Betula nigra
8
Live
5
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
7
Quercus michauxii
Swamp chestnut oak
Live
7
• 19
6
Live
8
Taxodium distichum
Q
•
9
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
•
15
•
0 5
•
11
Taxodium distichum
�� •
13
12
2
Bald cypress
Live
13
Platanus occidentalis
4
•
14
Platanus occidentalis
20
Live
3
1
Blackgum
• •
16
•
Sycamore
Dead
17
25 •
10 •
11
2
Quercus velutina
•
Live
22 •
Pinus taeda
1
•
4
• 24
Blackgurn
12
21
Pinus taeda
•
16
22
• •
0
0
1
17 2
3 4 5
6 7
'8' 9 14 10
24
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
10m
25
Betula nigra
NW SW
Seedling Number
Species
Common Name
Status in 2016
1
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
2
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
3
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
4
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
5
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
6
Quercus michauxii
Swamp chestnut oak
Live
7
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
8
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
9
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
10
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
11
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
12
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
Live
13
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
Live
14
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
Live
15
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
16
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
Dead
17
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
18
Quercus velutina
Black oak
Live
19
Pinus taeda
Loblolly pine
Live
20
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgurn
Live
21
Pinus taeda
Loblolly pine
Live
22
Acer rubrum
Red maple
Dead
23
Betula nigra
River birch
Live
24
Nyssa sylvatica
Blackgum
Live
25
Betula nigra
River birch
Dead
Figure 8. Monitoring plot map for plot LAG -2; 100 m` monitoring plot at LaGrange Parcel. Year 2016
Annual Report, Greene Environmental Services, LLC.