20170537 Ver 1_Appendix D_20170517

Appendix D
Soil Scientist Report

Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study
Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site - Final
Johnston County NC
Prepared for;
Mr. Daniel Ingram
Resource Environmental Solations, LLC
302 Jefferson Street, Suite 110
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605
Prepared by--
George
y_George K Lankford Soil Scientist, LSS #1223
George K Lankford, LLC
238 Shady Grove Rd
Pittsboro, NC 27312
April 2017
Soil Scientist Seal
This report describes the results of the soil evaluation performed at the Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site in Johnston County, NC.
Any subsequent transfer of the report by the user shall be made by transferring the complete report, including figures, maps,
appendices, all attachments and disclaimers.

GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
Final Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study, Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site
Study Objectives and Scope
The purpose of the study was to determine the existence and delineate the extent of hydric soils that are
potentially suitable for hydrologic restoration and mitigation. This evaluation is a soil delineation and all
boundaries shown are based on the detailed field evaluation. Potential for hydrologic restoration of soils
in this study is evaluated considering the existing land use and conditions with the sites potential for
creating a hydroperiod suitable for the landscape and soils. Restoration potential assumes the successful
restoration of the stream to access the floodplain. Practical modifications that utilize the sites natural
hydrology may include, but are not limited to surface drainage modifications, plugging drainage ditches,
removal of fill materials, and microtopographic alteration such as surface roughening or enhancing
existing depressions. Removal of fill material is typically limited due to cost and environmental impacts if
an extensive area is involved.
A detailed hydric soil delineation was completed in February and March, 2017 along an unnamed
tributary to the Hannah Creek located in Johnston County, North Carolina. This report presents an
evaluation of the subject property based upon a field evaluation the purpose of confirming the presence
and extent of hydric soil and assess the suitability for wetland restoration/mitigation at the site. This
evaluation is a soil delineation and all boundaries shown are based on the detailed field evaluation.
The observations and opinions stated in this report reflect conditions apparent on the subject property at
the time of the site evaluation. My findings, opinions, conclusions, and recommendations are based on the
locations and boundaries of the property as evident in the field and professional experience.
Project Information and Background
The location is approximately 7 miles east of Benson and east of Green Pasture Road (SR 1154) within an
active livestock operation (Figure 1). The project area is within a wide natural topographic crenulation
along an unnamed tributary that flows east to Hannah Creek. Current land use is livestock grazing with
access to areas evaluated. The surrounding land use is farm land, undeveloped land, and single-family
homes. A hog farm operation and several small farm ponds are located within the project watershed.
Livestock grazing has resulted in the unstable stream banks and significant down cutting with erosion.
The ground surface and underlying subsoil are exposed by the channel eroding.
Within the project the unnamed tributary to Hannah Creek is a 1St or 2"a order channel draining
agricultural and forested uplands. A small second unnamed tributary is present entering the site from the
southwest. Due to incision and/or dredging both channels exhibit nearly vertical banks from erosion and
livestock that lack significant vegetation. Runoff from the floodplain has created small v -shaped gullies
cutting into the channel banks and are expanding due to livestock. A small farm pond has been excavated
along the edge of the floodplain adjacent to the project. Downstream of the area evaluated is a farm
crossing over the tributary.
Vegetation is heavily disturbed due to the livestock. An old farm road used to cross the tributary in the
past is visible near the middle of the project where higher, near vertical stream banks are present. A small
deteriorated culvert is present and the presence of concrete debris likely used to attempt to stabilize the
crossing is scattered around at this old crossing. The old farm path leading to the crossing visibly rises
above the surrounding floodplain and may have fill. A small culvert provides farm access across the
channel downstream from the old crossing with the soil on the right bank floodplain slightly elevated.
Around the excavated pond the landscape appears to have spoil that is sloped toward the channel. Shallow
ditches present aid surface drainage.
Methodology
A series of soil borings were performed across the site to delineate the boundary between hydric soil and
upland soil to described current soil characteristics, and evaluate the extent of hydric soil suitable for
April 2017

GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
Final Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study, Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site
restoration. Soils were evaluated using morphologic characteristics to determine hydric indicators and
evaluate current hydrology. Using criteria based on "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States"
(USDA, NRCS, 2016, Version 8.0). The boring observations do not contain adequate detail to classify
these soils to a series. Indicators used are valid for the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers
Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region (Version 2.0), Land Resource
Region P (133A Southern Coastal Plain) (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010).
The boundary was delineated based on soil borings information, landscape position, and topographic
relief. Soil boring locations were approximately located using the Trimble Outdoor Navigator smart
phone application and exported to Google Earth. The hydric soil boundary points from field observations
were collected with a Trible GPS system by RES staff and are used to draw the soil boundaries on the
figures.
At the Hannah Bridge site, more than 45 shallow borings from 12 to 24 inches were evaluated to delineate
the hydric soil boundary. An additional seven boings were described to document a representative range
of soil characteristics at this site. Characteristics evaluated include texture, color, mottling, and saturation -
water table where present. Other important observations were noted as observed.
NRCS Soil Mapping
The landscape is within the upper part of the Southern Coastal Plain of an unnamed tributary to Hannah
Creek. The project is within the floodplain and low terraces of Hannah Creek, a large fourth order stream.
The soils are moderately weathered relatively recent deposit of sediments. The General Soil Map Units
shown in the USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Survey of Johnston County
(USDA 1994) indicate the surrounding uplands are the Gilead-Uchee-Bibb general mapping unit. These
soils occur on nearly level to moderately steep uplands, mainly on the hillslopes of major stream valleys
and have prominent relief along numerous intermittent drainages. Areas along the floodplain of Hannah
Creek are in the Wehadkee-Bibb-Chewacla unit. These soils are found on nearly level floodplains and
low terraces subject to flooding. Soils mapped along major streams and creeks are mostly poorly drained.
Soil textures expected in this landscape and position are a loamy surface with a subsoil that is stratified
sandy and loamy deposits. Soil texture and slope has the largest effect on natural drainage of these
landscapes.
The area evaluated focused upon areas with high potential for containing hydric soil. These areas have
suitable landscape position and NRCS county soil mapping indicates the presence of hydric soil
(Table 1). The NRCS Web Soil Survey has the poorly drained Bibb series mapped the length of the
project area with upland soils that extend into the project. The upland soils are a somewhat poorly drained
Lynchburg sandy loam and, a moderately well drained Goldsboro sandy loam. The Bibb soil can have up
to a 10 percent inclusion of Johnston soil, a deep mucky mineral soil. A potential inclusion on the NRCS
Web Soil Survey website is the Johnston series although not mapped in Johnston County. In the published
soil survey for Johnston County the NRCS mapping unit includes small areas of Rains, Grantham, and
Toisnot soils. Bibb soil is classified as hydric by the NRCS. The Lynchburg soil is Prime Farmland if
drained and can have inclusions of Goldsboro and Rains. The Goldsboro soil is Prime Farmland but can
have inclusions of Rains.
Bibb sandy loam soils are mapped "on floodplains and in narrow drainageways throughout the Coastal
Plain." (NRCS- Soil Survey of Johnston County 1994). Bibb soils on slopes of 0 to 2 percent are poorly
drained with slow runoff. They have moderate permeability and moderate available water capacity. The
depth to the seasonal high water table is within 8 inches between 6 and 11 months of the year with
frequent flooding. Within the project site the Bibb soil is mapped along the narrow drainage way the
length of the site. An excavated farm pond located adjacent to the project area is constructed at the edge
of the floodplain and upland.
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April 2017

GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
Final Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study, Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site
Table 1. NRCS Soil Mapping Units at the Hannah Bridge Site
Mapping
Drainage
Hydric
Seasonal
Farmland
Taxonomic
Unit/Series
Class
(NRCS)
High Water
classification
Class
Table
Bibb
poorly
Yes
0-8
Not
Typic
sandy loam
6 to 11 months
prime farmland
Fluvaquents
Johnston
very poorly
Yes
0-12
Not
Cumulic
prime farmland
Humaquept
Goldsboro
moderately
Hydric
inclusions
8 to 30 inches,
Prime farmland
Aquic Paleudults
sandy loam
well
December to April
Lynchburg
somewhat
Hydric
m ns
6 to 18 inches,
Prime farmland if
Aeric Paleaquults
sandy loam
poorly
�8 o)
November to April
drained
Rains
poorly
Yes
surface -undrained
Prime farmland
Typic Paleaquults
sandy loam
12 to 36 if drained
if drained
A Bibb soil typically has a thin dark sandy textured surface layer underlain by a sandy or loamy textured
subsoil. The Johnston soils have an organic surface. The Goldsboro, Lynchburg and, Rains soils have a
clayey textured subsoil and are usually found on the uplands. The Rains does occur on floodplains. Rains
soil typically has a gray sandy loam surface underlain by gray sandy clay loam with mottles.
Results and Discussion
Soil borings within the boundary exhibited hydric soil indicators within 12 inches of the soil surface
throughout the natural drain way (Figure). Suitable hydric soil was identified that that extend beyond the
NRCS mapped unit where the UT2 joined the floodplain. Variation observed is primarily in the surface 6
inches. The near vertical stream banks soils throughout exhibit the readily visible dark silt loam subsoil.
The floodplain landscape near the excavated pond has been altered by spoil fill. (soil profile # 47
Appendix A). The spoil is slopes from the channel upward toward the pond and enhanced surface
drainage. The excavated subsoil is a contrasting clayey in texture and reduces surface infiltration.
Overlaying material is deeper upslope near the pond and ranges to greater than 14 inches.
A typical surface consists of dark sandy loam having dark brown or dark gray colors with reddish redox
concentrations. It is underlain by a black loamy textured soil to greater than 30 inches. This black soil has
high organic content and is close to meeting a mucky mineral texture. A water table was observed in
some boring location below 20 inches. Areas with fill or significant disturbance are located near the
excavated pond and at an old farm crossing. Spoil along the second unnamed tributary is also present that
is black sandy loam similar to the underlying soil. Hydric Soil Indicators are still present within most
areas of the floodplain.
Throughout most of the site the surface has a sandy loam texture underlain by a black silt loam high in
organic matter. Small rounded gravel is found in some areas. Due to increased drainage, sandy textures,
and surface disturbance from the agricultural management, redoximorphic concentrations in the surface 6
inches are weak or absent. The hydric soil indicators present at the Hannah Bridge site are the A11 -Thick
Dark Surface, F6 -Redox Dark Surface, and F7 -Depleted Dark Surface. These indicators depend on
accumulated organics in the soil.
Potential Hydroperiod of Restored Soils
Based upon field observation across the site, the NRCS mapping units show a good correlation to actual
site conditions in areas of the site. Soils across the site are loamy or sandy with few areas having clayey
April 2017

GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
Final Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study, Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site
textured subsoil. Even the clayey textures have a high percent of sand. The mapped soil series of Bibb is
classified as a Typic Fluvaquents and it appears the mapped unit represents the site.
Mitigation guidance for soils in the Coastal Plain suggests a hydroperiod for the Bibb soil (Typic
Fluvaquents) of 12-16 percent during which the water table is within 12 inches of the surface (US Army
Corps of Engineers 2016.
Based upon this detailed study of site soils surface disturbance appears to be related to both natural and
man mace sources. The representative soil is a sandy loam over a silt loam or clayey textured subsoil
typical of alluvial systems in the upper coastal plain. Hydrologic success for these soils should be
expected to range from 12 to 16 percent saturation during the growing season. The hydroperiod suggested
follows the mitigation guidance. Hydrology may be less down to 9 percent in areas of higher relief or
where a clayey subsoil is present.
Summary Conclusions and Recommendations
Changes to this site includes increased soil drainage from the incised channel, active livestock affecting
soil compaction and surface churning, loss of organic matter in the surface, and the loss of the normal
reduction cycle characteristic of wetlands. The construction of a farm pond has altered surface drainage
and provided spoil across the floodplain.
Because of the soil characteristic and variations observed, plugging the existing incised channel with
appropriate material is recommended. Additional backfilling to created shallow depressions throughout
the old channel is allowable if the plugging material and construction are adequate to protect erosion prior
to vegetative establishment. Removal of spoil from pond excavation will restore the floodplain surface to
a natural grade relative to the surrounding landscape. Surface roughening and creation of shallow
depressions throughout the restoration area will provide an appropriate landscape for diverse habitat. Due
to compaction and long term agricultural use, a shallow ripping of the surface to a depth of 6 to 8 inches
is called for to allow adequate porosity for infiltration and storage and provide microtopographic relief.
The project area is located within a landscape suitable for wetland restoration and soil exhibiting hydric
indicators. The observed soils have taxonomy similar to mapped soil units over most of the site. An
available water source for hydrology will be available when the streams are reconnected to the floodplain.
Retention and storage that increase the hydroperiod will return the floodplain to a more natural state.
Given the observed soil characteristics indicating past wetland hydrology, and because of favorable
landscape positon, and the potential source for reconnecting hydrologic inputs, this site appears suitable
for hydrologic wetland restoration.
This report describes the results of the soil evaluation performed at the Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site in
Johnston County, NC. Any subsequent transfer of the report by the user shall be made by transferring the
complete report, including figures, maps, appendices, all attachments and disclaimers.
References
US Army Corps of Engineers. 2016. Wilmington District Stream and Wetland Compensatory Mitigation
Update. North Carolina Interagency Review Team - October 24, 2016. SAW -2013 -00668 -PN
http://www. saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram/
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Manual: Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region (Version 2.0), ed. J. S. Wakeley, R. W.
Lichvar, and C. V. Noble. ERDC/EL TR -10-20. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research and
Development Center.
4
April 2017

GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
Final Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study, Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site
USDA 1994. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Soil
Survey of Johnston County North Carolina. October 1994)
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2016. Field Indicators
of Hydric Soils in the United States, Version 8.0. L.M. Vasilas, G.W. Hurt, and J.F. Berkowitz (eds.).
USDA, NRCS, in cooperation with the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils.
April 2017

GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
Final Site Hydric Soils Detailed Study, Hannah Bridge Mitigation Site
Figures
APPENDICE
Appendix A Soil Boring Log
Appendix B Photos
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April 2017

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Appendix A
Hannah Bridge Site
Soil Boring Descriptions
April 2017
Table. Representative Soil Profiles in Hannah Bridge Proposed Wetland Restoration Area
Depth
I Color
Mottle
Texture
Notes
inches
Matrix
Mottle
Percentage
SB 44 (3-2-17)
F6 -Redox
Darts Surface
F7 -Depleted Dark Surface
0-7
10 YR 2/2
10 YR 3/1
15%
SiL
10 YR 4/3
15%
7-43
N 2.5/-
SL
high OM -near mucky
water table at -24 inches
SB 45 (3-2-17)
Al 1 -Thick Dark Surface
0-7
2.5 Y 3/1
10 YR 3/6
5%
SL
7-19
10 YR 2/1
10 YR 4/1
0
4%
SL
10 YR 416
2%
hounded ravel -15%
no water table
19-27 N 2.5/-
10 YR 3/6
8%
SCL
27-36 N 2,5/-
10 YR 5/1
a
Sc
10 YR 5/8
5%
SB 46 (3-2-17)
F6 -Redox
Dark Surface
0-5
10 YR 3/2
SL
5-17
10 YR 2/1
10 YR 3/4
4%
SCL
17-31
10 YR 2/1
7.5YR 5/8
20%
Sc
no water table
SB 47 (3-2-17) surface is fill material from excavated pond
F6 -Redox
Dark Surface
0-6
10 YR 3/2
10 YR 4/2
8%
Sc
appears disturbed
10 YR 4/6
8%
6-11
10 YR 3/3
SL
may be fill material
11-14
10 YR 3/2
5 YR 3/4
15%
SL
14-25
10 YR 2/1
10 YR 3/4
15%
SCL
no water table
GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
7 -

Appendix A
Hannah Bridge Site
Soil Boring Descriptions
April 2017
Depth
inches
Color
Mottle
I Percentage
texture
Notes
Matrix Mottle
SB 48 (3-2-17)
F6 -Redox Dark Surface
0-3 10 YR 2/2
SL
3-11 10 YR 3/1
10 YR 4/6
7%
SL
11-24 10 YR 2/1
10 YR 3/3
10%
SL/SCL
small round gravel @ 19
24-31 N 2.5/-
7.5YR 3/3
10%
SCL
water table at -27 inches
SB 49 (3-2-17)
Al2-Thick Dark Surface
F6 -Redox Dark Surface mottles appear relict with sh
boundaries 0-11 inches
0-28 1 10 YR 2/1
10 YR 3/4
15%
SiL
water table at -19 inches
SB 50 (3-2-17)
F6 -Redox Dark Surface
ad'acent borings with redox concentrations in upper surface
0-6 10 YR 3/2
SL
6-13 10 YR 3/1
10 YR 3/3
3%
SiCL
13-23 10 YR 3/1
10 YR 3/3
3%
SCL
water table at -17 inches
Texture (follows USDA textural classification)
S = sand, L = loam, Si = silt, C = clay.
GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC
I�

Appendix B
Hannah Bridge Site
Photo Log
March 2017
1. A11 Thick Dark Surface and F6 Redox Dark Surface. Relict mottles in upper 11 inches (Profile # 49).
2. A11 Thick Dark Surface. Small gravel present below 7 inches. (Profile # 45).
GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC

Appendix B
Hannah Bridge Site
Photo Log
March 2017
3. F6 Redox Dark Surface and F7 Depleted Dark Surface. High OM below 7 inches. (Profile # 44).
4. F6 Depleted Matrix. Upper 11 to 14 inches appears to be fill for excavated pond (Profile # 47).
2
GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC

Appendix B
Hannah Bridge Site
Photo Log
March 2017
5. F6 -Redox Dark Surface. Small gravel below 19 inches (Profile # 48).
6. F6 Redox Dark Surface and F7. Livestock observing profile description technique. (Profile # 44).
K1
GEORGE K LANKFORD, LLC