20071843 Ver 1_Mitigation Monitoring Report_20170531

Regulatory Division
Action ID. SAW -2003-00682
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69 DARLINGTON AVENUE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28403-1343
September 2, 2016
Mi•. DeCarol Williamson and
Ms. LaDane Williamson
Stone Farm Investment, ILC
11 Causeway Drive
Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina 28469
Dear Sir and Madame:
This letter serves to confirm the Corps' evaluation, in coordination with the Interagency
Review Team (IRT), of the July 2016 Year 4 annual monitoring report for Phase 11 & III of Stone
Farm Mitigation Bank (Bank) located north of Georgetown Road (SR 1163) and east of Seaside
Road (SR 1165), adjacent to the Little Caw Caw Canal/Creek and Drowned Bay, east of
Calabash, Brunswick County, North Carolina. Please reference the 5°i January 2009 executed
Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI), the 10"' October 2013 executed Amendment to the MBI,
and our July 16, 2015 evaluation letter of the Year 2 and 3 monitoring reports. Also, reference
the August 10, 2016 onsite inspection with Mr. Wes Fryar of Land Management Group and
Messrs. Mickey Sugg and John Policarpo of our office.
Phase II:
The overall review of the vegetation data shows that Phase II is meeting the performance
standards. However, it was observed during the onsite inspection that there were sections along
the upper portion of the Main Stem that exhibit sparse vegetative cover, likely due to type of soil,
construction compaction, and/or the absence of topsoil being brought in prior to planting. It is
noted that the vegetation present within these areas, excluding the planted stems, are species that
favor wetter environments. Additionally, in other plots (#1, 3, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, NTl,
NT3, and ST 1-5), the total composition consist of more than 50% volunteer species, but only
917 contained a single volunteer species that comprised over 50% that was "more than two times
the height of the planted trees" as defined in vegetative success criteria #2. Of all the plots to
date, only the planted species in #13 is projected to fail in meeting the 260 trees per acre at the
end of five years as required by success criteria #1. At this time, no recommendations or
remedial actions are being required for these areas. Our office will continue to monitor the
progress of these areas.
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IPA
In review of the hydrology data, our office concurs that all (14) of the wells in Phase lI
have met the performance standards. Our office also agrees with the provided stream data
results, summarized in Table 8 of Year 4 report, demonstrating the bankfull events occurring
within normal and above normal conditions throughout 2015.
The Corps and the IRT have determined that the vegetation and hydrology performance
standards have been met and all scheduled credits for Phase H are released. This credit release
comprises of 10% (or 10.4 credits) of riparian, non-riverine wetlands, 10% (or 9.1 credits) of
non -riparian wetlands, and 10% (or 1,534 linear foot of credits) of stream credits as depicted in
the MBI for Task 3.4 in Tables 3b, 3c, and 3d, respectively.
To date, the cumulative total of credits released for Phase H is the following: 83.5 riparian
(non-riverine) wetland credits, 72.6 non -riparian wetland credits, and 10,737 linear feet of stream
credits.
Phase III:
For the hydrology parameter, all of the wells have meet or exceeded the targeted success
criteria during normal conditions of the growing season. As noted in our July 16, 2015 letter, our
office continues to have concerns with the areas surrounding Well #8 based on the cumulative
well results and observations during past and most recent onsite inspections. It remains our
position that some drainage influence from the 3.5 to 4.0 -foot deep ditch continues to affect the
surrounding area, particularly the upper section of the ditch (away from the intersection with the
main ditch near Well #3). All options described in the July 16, 2015 letter still remain. If you
choose to initiate any corrective measures or discuss the other options, please do not hesitate to
contact our office for further discussion.
During the onsite inspection, it was observed that the requested remedial action of
strengthening Plug #1 had been completed and the area has appeared to be properly stabilized.
Periodic maintenance checks should continue for ensuring this, and other, plugs are not
compromised and remain stable.
Based on the uncertainty surrounding Well #8, it has been determined that the withheld 5%
(or 4.25 credits) from last year will continue to be withheld from the cumulative total. The
available 10% (or 8.5 credits) of non -riparian wetland credits for Task 3.4 of Table 3e in the
Amended MBI are released for compensatory mitigation use. To date, the cumulative total for
Phase III credit release is 63.75 non -riparian wetland credits.

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Please be reminded of your obligations pursuant to the 10th October 2013 Amendment to
the MBI, which includes the submittal of a debit ledger within 30 days from the final sell of any
credit; and to continue maintenance inspections throughout the bank in order to evaluate the
condition and stability of all earthen plugs, in -stream structures, and beaver activity. Should you
have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Sugg at telephone [phone].
Sincerely,
LPair, cting Chief
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
Copies Furnished: Mr. Mac Haupt
Division of Water Resources
Mr. DeCarol Williamson North Carolina Department of
Stone Farm Investment, LLC Environmental Quality
2618 New Village Way 1617 Mail Service Center
Wilmington, North Carolina 28405 Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Ms. Ladane Williamson Mr. Ken Riley
Ocean Isle Investment Co. National Marine Fisheries Service
11 Causeway Drive Pivers Island
Ocean Isle, North Carolina 28469 Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
Mr. Christian Preziosi Ms. Kathy Matthews
Land Management Group, Inc. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
3805 Wrightsville Avenue, Suite 15 Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403 Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh North Carolina 27636-3726
Ms. Maria Dunn
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Mr. Todd Bowers
Commission U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
943 Washington Square Mall Wetlands Regulatory Section- Region IV
Wilmington, North Carolina 27889 61 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960

ME
Ms. Debbie Wilson
North Carolina Division of
Coastal Management
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington North Carolina 28405-3845
Mr. Chad Coburn
Division of Water Resources
North Carolina Department of
Environmental Quality
127 Cardinal Drive Ext
Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
Mr. Travis Wilson
North Carolina Wildlife Resource
Commission
1718 Highway 56 West
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522