20080511 Ver 3_Year 2 Monitoring Report_20161115

La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Second Annual Report / November 2016
Greene Environmental Services, LLC
Neuse River Umbrella Mitigation Bank / DWR#: 2008-05110
Submitted to:
Katie Merritt
NC Department of Environmental Quality
Division of Water Resources — Water Quality Programs
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
Submitted by:
Greene Environmental Services, Jeff Becker and David Knowles
Ham Farms, 963 Hwy 258 S
Snow Hill, NC 28580
[phone]

Table of Contents
1.0 Project Location and Description................................................................. 3
2.0 Plantings of Seedlings............................................................................. 4
3.0 Monitoring Plot Survey Results................................................................. 6
4.0 Monitoring, Maintenance and Supplemental Planting ....................................... 12
5.0 Nutrient Offset and Buffer Potential........................................................... 13
6.0 Appendices......................................................................................... 14
Appendix A: Figures
Figure 1: Vicinity map of LaGrange Mitigation Bank
Figure 2: Local aerial photograph of LaGrange Mitigation Bank
Figures 3: Aerial map of tracts
Figures 4: Survey plat of Phase II
Figure 5. Monitoring plot locations on Phase II
Appendix B: Monitoring Plots and Photographs
Plot page: LAG -3
Plot page: LAG -4
2

1.0 Project Location and Description
Greene Environmental Services, LLC (GES) of Snow Hill, North Carolina expanded a mitigation
bank at near La Grange, NC to include additional acreage for riparian buffer and nutrient offset
credits. The original bank, La Grange Bank Parcel is 3.39 acres and is in its third of five post -
implementation monitoring years. As with the initial project, the new acreage is included in the
Greene Environmental Services Neuse River Basin Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Umbrella
Bank. The new, expansion project is named the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II. It is
immediately adjacent to the initial La Grange Bank Parcel and is situated southwest of the
intersection of NC 903 and Old Jason Road (SR 1501), north of La Grange, in Lenoir County,
North Carolina (Appendix A: Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4). The latitude/longitude coordinates of the site
area approximately 350 20'30.00" N and 77°47'21.56" W. The purpose of the Phase II mitigation
bank expansion is to improve water quality within the Neuse River Basin by reducing nutrient and
sediment inputs to the watershed and providing off-site mitigation for development requiring
nutrient offsets.
The Phase H bank parcel is located within the Middle Neuse Watershed (HUC: 03020202).
Stormwater runoff from this site drains into Meeting House Branch (Stream Index # 27-72-3)
and via a farm drainage ditch and maintained canal system (un -named tributary, UT). Meeting
House Branch discharges to Bear Creek (Stream Index # 27-72-(0.1)), a major tributary to the
Neuse River (Appendix A: Figures 1 and 2).
The Phase II parcel is 3.50 acres. Of this 3.50 acres, 2.97 acres (6,750.87 lbs -N) were restored to
generate nutrient offsets and 0.52 acres (22,620.63 ft2) were restored to generate Neuse Riparian
Buffer Mitigation. The buffer restoration acreage was reduced by 30.57 ft2 as compared to the
BPDP. For reporting purposes, all acreages are rounded to the nearest hundredth of an acre.
Riparian buffer mitigation acreage was established in two sub -tracts labelled A and C in the
survey plat provided in Appendix A: Figures 4 and 5. Sub -tract A is 0.03 acres (1,491.00 ft2)
and buffers southerly flowing Meeting House Branch; sub -tract C is 0.49 acres (21,129.63 ft2)
and buffers the westerly flowing unnamed tributary to Meeting House Branch. Nutrient offset
acreage was established in two sub -tracts, B and D. Sub -tract B is 0.16 acres along the unnamed
3

tributary to Meeting House Branch and sub -tract D is 2.81 acres along a drainage ditch at the
eastern border of the Phase II tract that discharging to the UT that flows into Meeting House
Branch, and adjacent to the sub -tract C riparian buffer area. The riparian buffers extended from
the top of the ditch -banks 50 feet perpendicular to the buffered steam segments. The nutrient
offset acreage extended from the top of the ditch -banks a minimum of 50 feet and a maximum of
200 feet perpendicular to the buffered stream segments or to the border of Phase I. A 0.06 -acre
(2,613.60 ft2) triangular portion of the site adjacent to L-13 on the survey plat is beyond the 200 -
foot allowable limit for mitigation credit thus is not included in the mitigation credit calculations.
However, this isolated portion had to be purchased by Greene Environmental Services, LLC to
avoid the need to provide access an access easement concerns. This Phase II bank parcel was
established under the terms and conditions of the Greene Environmental Services Neuse River
Basin Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Umbrella Bank.
The Phase II parcel was previous agricultural cropland and approximately one acre was planted
with bald cypress and river birch saplings during March of 2010, at which time staff from the
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (now renamed the Department of
Environmental Quality), Division of Water Resources visited the site and determined that it was
suitable for mitigation. Katie Merritt with DWR visited the site in June of 2013 and determined
this Phase II acreage was still suitable for mitigation purposes.
2.0 Plantings of Seedlings the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
In an effort to restore some ecological functions and improve water quality in the local and
regional watersheds, the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II project site was planted with
seedlings of native trees species and placed under permanent conservation easement. As a result
of these actions, the project site has been taken out of agricultural production, soils should
become better stabilized, and nutrient loading in adjacent streams should be reduced. Seedlings
of character tree species were planted in three installments during separate years prior to the
creation of the 3.50 -acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II. In late winter of 2010 and 2014,
seedlings of river birch and bald cypress were planted in portions of the area that was to become
the Phase II expansion acreage (Table 1). In late winter of 2014 and 2015, yellow poplar, black
4

gum and sycamore were planted in the Phase II tracts. Also, in March of 2015, three oak species:
overcup oak, cherrybark oak and Shumard's oak were planted in the Phase II acreage.
Considering all planting installments, bald cypress and sycamore were the most frequently
planted species with the oak species least frequently planted (Table 1). A total of 1890 seedlings
were planted in the Phase II expansion acreage for an estimated density of 541.5 seedlings per
acre.
Plantings by sub -tract were as follows: riparian buffer sub -tracts A and C were planted in 2015
with a mix of yellow poplar, black gum, sycamore, overcup oak, cherrybark oak and Shumard
oak, from the top of the stream bank outward to 50 feet. Nutrient offset sub -tract B was planted
in 2015 with the same tree species from the top of the stream bank to the border of the pre-
existing La Grange Bank Parcel (roughly 30 feet). Nutrient offset sub -tract D was planted the
same mix of species from the existing stand of trees (mostly bald cypress and river birch)
initially planted in 2010, to the pre-existing La Grange Bank Parcel boundary or up to 200 feet
from the top of the ditch bank. Survival rates of the planted seedlings were assessed by counting
stems in two 100m2 monitoring plots that were established in representative stands of the project
site; the monitoring assessment for this first annual report was conducted on September 28, 2015.
Table 1. Species planted in the 3.50 acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.
Species
Common name
Year planted
Seedlings planted
Betula nigra
River birch
2010, 2014
270
Liriodendron tulipifea
Yellow poplar
2014, 2015
200
Nyssa sylvatica
Black gum
2014, 2015
220
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
2014, 2015
420
Quercus lyrata
Overcup oak
2015
100
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
2015
100
Quercus shumardii
Shumard oak
2015
100
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
2010, 2014
480
Total
1890 (541.5 per acre)
5

3.0 Monitoring Plot Survey Results
Two l Om x l Om (0.0247 acre) monitoring plots, LAG -3 and LAG -4, were established in the
3.50 -acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II project area (Appendix A: Figure 5).
Monitoring plot LAG -3 was established in a portion of Phase II that was planted with bald
cypress and river birch seedlings in 2010 and one yellow poplar planted in 2015. A plot
survey in September 2016 indicated that there were eleven planted character trees in LAG -3
for an estimated density of 445.3 trees per acre (Table 2). Bald cypress was the most
frequently encountered species with seven stems in the plot; there were three stems of river
birch and one yellow poplar. One native, naturally colonizing red maple was found in the
plot thus increasing the total stem density in LAG -3 to 485.8 stems per acre (Table 3).
The second monitoring plot, LAG -4, was situated in a portion of the Phase II expansion area
that was planted with seedlings in 2015. Four planted species were found in the monitoring
plot, yellow poplar, sycamore, cherrybark oak and Shumard's oak. A total of eleven seedlings
were found in the plot for an estimated density of 445.3 seedlings per acre (Table 2). There
were four stems each of Cherrybark oak and Shumard's oak in plot LAG -4. There were two
stems of sycamore and one stem of yellow poplar in plot LAG -4. The total stem density in
LAG -4 was 445.3 seedlings per acre. Combining LAG -3 and LAG -4, the average planted
stems was 445.3+37.7 seedlings per acre (Table 2). The combined average stem density for
planted and colonizing species for the two monitoring plots was 465.6+40.0 stems per acre
(Table 3).
Stem heights in monitoring plots averaged 20.5+9.2 feet in plot LAG -3 and 3.0+1.2 feet in
Plot LAG -4 (Table 4). Stem heights were higher in Plot LAG -3 since most of these trees
were five years older than those in Plot LAG -4.
A comparison of survivorship in monitoring plots between those reported in the La Grange
Mitigation Bank, Phase II, First Annual Report (2015) to the survey conducted in September
2016 and reported in this document (Second Annual Report, 2016) indicated that Plot LAG -3
did not change in planted species composition or stem density (Table 5) however, the
inclusion of one stem of colonizing red maple increased the stem density of the plot by 40.5
9

stems per acre (Table 6). In Plot LAG -4 two sycamore seedlings had died prior to the 2016
survey. One yellow poplar seedling that had not been found during the 2015 survey was
included; thus there was an overall decline of 40.5 stems per acre (Table 6). Combining Plots
LAG -3 and LAG -4, planted stem density decreased by 20.5 stems per acre but total stem
density remained unchanged (Tables 5 and 6). The success criterion of 320 stems per acre
was achieved for planted species (445.3 stems per acre) and combined planted and colonizing
species (465.6 stems per acre).
The monitoring plots in the Phase II acreage were photo -documented using digital
photography imaged from the northwestern corner of the plot. All seedlings or trees were
flagging and their position within the plots were mapped (Appendix B).
Table 2. Planted tree sapling species, stem density and estimated stems per acre based on
surveys of 100m2 monitoring plots at the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase Il.
Plot/Species
Common name
Stems per plot
Estimated stems per acre
LAG -3
Betula nigra
River birch
3
121.4
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
1
40.5
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
7
283.4
LAG -3 Total
11
445.3
LAG -4
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
1
40.5
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
2
81.0
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
4
161.9
Quercus shumardii
Shumard's oak
4
161.9
LAG -4 Total
11
445.3
Combined Average of
LAG -3 and LAG -4
11+0.9
445.3+37.7
7

Table 3. Combined colonizing and planted tree sapling species, stem density and estimated
stems per acre based on surveys of 100p2 monitoring plots at the La Grange Mitigation Bank,
Phase II.
Plot/Species
Common name
Stems per plot
Estimated stems per acre
LAG -3
*Acer rubrum
Red maple
1
40.5
Betula nigra
River birch
3
121.4
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
1
40.5
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
7
283.4
LAG -3 Total
12
485.8
LAG -4
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
1
40.5
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
2
81.0
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
4
161.9
Quercus shumardii
Shumard's oak
4
161.9
LAG -4 Total
11
445.3
Combined Average of
LAG -3 and LAG -4
11.5+1.0
465.6+40.0
*Acer rubrum (red maple), is a native, naturally colonizing species.
Es3

Table 4. Colonizing and planted tree sapling species, average stem heights of stems in 100m2
monitoring plots at the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.
Plot/Species
Common name
Average Stem Height (feet) + Std
LAG -3
*Acer rubrum
Red maple
10.0+0.0
Betula nigra
River birch
33.3+2.9
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
10.0+0.0
Taxodium distichum
Bald cypress
18.6+5.6
LAG -3 Total
20.5+9.2
LAG -4
Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow poplar
4.0+0.0
Platanus occidentalis
Sycamore
4.0+2.3
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
2.0+0.7
Quercus shumardii
Shumard's oak
3.0+0.6
LAG -4 Total
3.0+1.2
*Acer rubrum (red maple), is a native, naturally colonizing species.
0

Table 5. Comparison of planted seedling/sapling stem density per acre between the
September 2015 and September 2016. Negative numbers represent a decline in stem density.
Estimated stems per acre are based on surveys of 100m2 monitoring plots at the La Grange
Mitigation Bank, Phase Il.
10
Estimated stems
Plot/Species
Common
per acre
Change in
name
September 2015
stem density
LAG -3
Betula nigra
River birch
121.4
121.4
0.0
Liriodendron
yellow poplar
40.5
40.5
0.0
tulipifera
Taxodium
Bald cypress
283.4
283.4
0.0
distichum
LAG -3 Total
445.4
445.4
0.0
LAG -4
Liriodendron
yellow poplar
0.0
40.5
40.5
tulipifera
Platanus
Sycamore
161.9
80.1
-80.1
occidentalis
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
161.9
161.9
0.0
Qercus
Shumard's oak
161.9
161.9
0.0
uma dii
LAG -4 Total
485.8
445.3
-40.5
Combined Average of LAG -3
and LAG -4
465.6
445.3
-20.3
10

Table 6. Comparison of combined colonized and planted seedling/sapling stem density per
acre between the September 2015 and September 2016. Negative numbers represent a decline
in stem density. Estimated stems per acre are based on surveys of 100m2 monitoring plots at
the La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II.
*Acer rubrum (red maple), is a native, naturally colonizing species.
11
Estimated stems
Estimated stems
Plot/Species
Common
per acre
per acre
Change in
name
September 2015
September 2016
stem density
LAG -3
*Acer rubrum
Red maple
0.0
40.5
40.5
Betula nigra
River birch
121.4
121.4
0.0
Liriodendron
yellow poplar
40.5
40.5
0.0
tulipifera
Taxodium
Bald cypress
283.4
283.4
0.0
distichum
LAG -3 Total
445.4
485.8
40.5
LAG -4
Liriodendron
yellow poplar
0.0
40.5
40.5
tulipifera
Platanus
occidentalis
Sycamore
161.9
80.1
-80.1
Quercus pagoda
Cherrybark oak
161.9
161.9
0.0
Quercus
Shumard's oak
161.9
161.9
0.0
shumardii
LAG -4 Total
485.8
445.3
-40.5
Combined Average of LAG -3
and LAG -4
465.6
465.6
0.0
*Acer rubrum (red maple), is a native, naturally colonizing species.
11

4.0 Monitoring, Maintenance and Supplemental Planting
The La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II will be monitored seasonally during 2017 to ensure
that the terms of the conservation easement are not being violated due to unauthorized activities
at the site. Signage that designates the site as a conservation area will be maintained. Based on
monitoring plot field data collected in September, 2016, the Mitigation Bank is performing
adequately.
12

5.0 Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Potential
The 3.50 -acre, La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II consists of 0.52 acres (22,620.63 ft2) of
potential Neuse Riparian Buffer credits in two sub -tracts as indicated in the Table 3 below. Two
separate sub -tracts, totaling 2.97 acres, have the potential to generate 6,750.87 pounds of
nitrogen nutrient offset credits at 2273.02 lbs/ac.
Table 7. Potential riparian buffer and nutrient offset credits at the La Grange Mitigation Bank,
Phase Il.
Sub -tract
Riparian Buffer
Sq.ft. Acres
Nutrient Offset
Acres
Nitrogen
Credits (lbs.)
A
1,491.00
0.03
NA
NA
B
NA
NA
0.16
363.68
C
21,129.63
0.49
NA
NA
D
NA
NA
2.81
6,387.19
Totals
22,620.63
0.52
2.97
6,750.87
13

6.0 Appendices
Appendix A: Figures
Figure 1: Vicinity map of La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Figure 2: Local aerial photograph of La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Figure 3: Aerial map of tracts at La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Figure 4: Survey plat of La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Figure 5. Monitoring plot locations at La Grange Mitigation Bank, Phase II
Appendix B: Monitoring Plot Maps and Photographs
Plot: LAG -3
Plot: LAG -4
14

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Phase II includes: II-a nutrient buffer to field drainage ditch, II-b nutrient buffer to UT, II-c nutrient buffer to UT, II-d riparian buffer
to UT and II-e riparian buffer to Meeting House Branch.

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Figure 5. Locations of IOm x IOm vegetation monitoring plots, LAG -3 and
LAG -4 in Phase II tract. LAG -3 is entirely within the nutrient offset acreage; LAG -4 is entirely
within the riparian buffer acreage.

Plot LAG -3
NW
Seedling ID / Species
1. River birch
2. River birch
3. Bald cypress
4. Bald cypress
5. Bald cypress
6. Bald cypress
7. Bald cypress
8. Bald cypress
9. River birch
10. Bald cypress
11. Red maple VOLUNTEER
12. Yellow poplar

Plot LAG -4
NW
Seedling ID / Species
1. Shumards oak
2. Sycamore
3. Sycamore DEAD
4. Cherrybark oak
5. Cherrybark oak
6. Sycamore DEAD
7. Sycamore DEAD
8. Shumards oak
9. Shumards oak
10. Shumards oak
11. Sycamore DEAD
12. Sycamore DEAD
13. Cherrybark oak
14. Cherrybark oak
15. Yellow poplar
16. Sycamore
SW