20011043 Ver 1_More Info Received_20080929

ol- io43

September 24, 2008
Dear community member,
pm@ww5p
SEP 2 9 2008
DENR. WATER QUALITY
WETLANDS AND STORMWATER BRANCH
As you may be aware, in November 2000, the State of North Carolina acquired a parcel of land
located on both sides of Smith and Austin creeks in the Heritage Subdivision in Wake Forest.
The property along the streams was acquired by the State to offset development-related impacts
in the river basin. The Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) designed and built the stream
and buffer restoration project along the stream systems within the subdivision. These restoration
areas border many properties.
The State protects wetland and stream systems through rules and regulations with an overarching
objective to maintain and improve water quality and habitat. The compensatory mitigation
provided by EEP must be protected in perpetuity, and the activities on these lands are regulated
by the N.C. Division of Water Quality, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and protected by the N.C.
Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General. This effort translates into better water
supply, healthy ecosystems and a better North Carolina.
The stream parcel that borders your lot serves as a buffer for the restored stream system. Large
native woody tree roots provide protection for the soil and reduce erosion, protect water quality,
provide aquatic habitat and improve stream bank stability. Overall the project is successful and
functioning well with a few exceptions that require additional work by our program.
In order to complete this project and close it out, EEP must demonstrate to state and federal
regulators that the stream is stable and that buffers and boundaries are protected and functioning.
A regulatory meeting with many federal and state agencies was conducted last fall. Certain
encroachments and areas in need of repair were identified. As a result, a draft repair plan is
attached that will satisfy the regulatory requirements. This work will be undertaken during the
winter of 2008-2009 and early spring to maximize plant survival.
EEP will be repairing a small portion of the stream channel near Heritage Greens Drive,
controlling areas of non-native vegetation, and re-planting native trees and shrubs on the
property during the coming months. Planting will be completed by mid-March. Examples of
trees and shrubs to be planted include river birch, sycamore, tulip poplar, American elm, willow
oak, shingle oak, bitternut hickory, shagbark hickory, box elder, spicebush, bleeding heart,
buckeye and pawpaw.
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NCDENR
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North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 16S2 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652 / 919-715-0476 / www.nceep.net

For projects like the Smith and Austin Creek restoration project, it is important for the benefit of
us all that streamside buffers are allowed to function in a natural manner and therefore remain
undisturbed. The site will be periodically inspected to ensure that the integrity of the buffers is
maintained. The property may be used for its natural enjoyment, but must not be disturbed or
altered. Most of your neighbors have honored the property boundaries, but there have been
encroachments in some areas. EEP's objective is to make some final repairs and place the project
in long term monitoring. In most areas EEP has marked the protected conservation area with
visible signs. EEP asks that mowing or other damaging activities within the property boundary
cease so that the project can achieve its intended potential. Thank you for your cooperation on
this matter, and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
William D. Gilmore, Director
Ecosystem Enhancement Program
CC: Mr. Manly Wilder, Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources, NCDENR
Mr. Scott McLendon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Ms. Amy Chapman, NC Division of Water Quality
Jeania Schaper, Charleston Management Corporation
Andy Ammons, Ammons Development Group
Attachment
NC A
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program, 1652 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652 / 919-715-0476 / www.nceep.net

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