20071810 Ver 2_Staff Comments_20080619

Griffith Lakes Development and Stream Rest - Mecklenburg Co. (20...
Subject: Griffith Lakes Development and Stream Rest - Mecklenburg Co. (2007-1810 v2)
From: Eric Kulz <eric. kulz@ncmail. net>
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:09:57 -0400
To: Alan Johnson <[e-mail]>
CC: Ian McMillan <[e-mail]>
Alan:
I have reviewed the PCN and attached documents. My comments are as follows:
With respect to the impacts, the large road impact is about as diagonal as it can be. Can we ask them
to redesign to cross between 75 and 105 degrees?
Also, the stream impacts are 250 feet (culvert on stream A) and 230 feet (relocation of stream B).
While stream relocation is generally considered to be self-mitigating, should not the total stream
impacts of 480 LF kick this into an IP?
With respect to the proposed stream mitigation, the plans show the stream approaching the proposed
conservation easement at a number of locations. If we are going to accept this as mitigation, and the
project has not yet been built, they should re-adjust their easement to get a minimum of 50-foot buffers
on each side of the stream.
Also, with respect to their planting plan, I have comments on a number of their proposed species:
red maple - while this species is a normal component of riparian zones throughout North Carolina, red
maple tends to be a rapid colonizer and volunteers almost always appear on restoration sites during the
five-year monitoring period. This species should be counted during monitoring of the vegetation.
However, DWQ does to not recommend planting of this species, as planted stock and volunteers can
cause the total numbers of red maple to exceed 20% of the riparian zone vegetation
yellow birch (Betula lutea) - This species is not listed as occurring naturally in Mecklenburg County
(Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas, Radford, Ahles and Bell 1964/1968.). This species is
described as occurring in the mountains at "high elevations". not appropriate for the site.
striped maple (Acer pennsylvanicum) - also not listed in Radford et al. as occurring in Mecklenburg
County. also a mountain species. Not appropriate for the site.
Hope the info is helpful.
Call if you have any questions.
Eric
Eric W. Kulz
Environmental Specialist
401 Oversight and Express Permitting Unit
1 of 2 6/27/2008 2:50 PM
Re: From MRO[Fwd: FW: Griffith Lakes Mitigation Conceptual Plan]
Subject: Re: From MRO[Fwd: FW: Griffith Lakes Mitigation Conceptual Plan]
From: Eric Kulz <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:44:41 -0400
To: Alan Johnson <[e-mail]>
Alan:
Concept looks good. Clearly, we will need to see more detailed plans, which should be included with
the application. I am in agreement with you that they need to consider increased flows due to
build-out. They will need to do a conservation easement or some method of protection for the
enhancement reach, to include 50-foot riparian buffers, per the interagency stream mitigation
guidelines. Also, they will need to do the required monitoring.
With regards to the credit, is USACE requiring the mitigation, or is it just us? I guess the credit point
is moot if they are going to enhance the entire 1,500-foot reach, as there is enough there for either 2:1
or 2.5:1.
Eric
Alan Johnson wrote:
take a look.... this is a conceptual plan ...take a look... I mention maybe adding a couple of grade
control structures. Enhance II proposal... they were pushing for 2:1, but I informed them 2.5:1 is
the norm. But depending on the final details they "might" could get a bit more.
It is "degraded" in some respects and with build out, will probably handle more storm flow, so
enhancement might be a good way to go.
Overall, it looks pretty good to me. There are 250 ft of impact and 1500 ft of stream to work
with, so they can pick and choose the more needy spots.
Let me know at your early convenience
AJ
Eric W. Kulz
Environmental Specialist
401 Oversight and Express Permitting Unit
2321 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
1 of 1 6/27/2008 2:51 PM