20081539 Ver 1_Monitoring Report Review_20080115

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Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coleen H Sullins, Director
Division of Water Quality
October 15, 2008
Mr. Norton Webster
Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC
909 Capability Drive, Suite 3100
Raleigh, NC 27606
Re: Hargett Buffer Mitigation Site
Year 4 Annual Monitoring Report
Lenoir and Jones Counties
DWQ #08-1539
Dear. Mr. Webster:
The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit has reviewed
the Year 4 Monitoring Report for the above-referenced site. Our comments on the site, based on review
of the monitoring report, are as follows:
• The report states that the average tree density on the site is 427 stems per acre, with a range of
310 to 550 stems per acre. The report goes on to say that the final success criteria for the site is
260 stems per acres by the end of year 5.
15A NCAC 02B.0242(9)(d)(ii) states that the targeted success criteria for riparian buffer
restoration is 320 trees per acre at maturity. Areas on the site not meeting that success criteria
may not receive full buffer credit.
The report describes the tree species that were planted on the site in 2004, but does not provide
data on the survival of each species in the vegetation monitoring plots. The expectation is that
the plots would maintain some of the diversity initially planted on the site. DWQ requests
additional information detailing the diversity of tree species comprising the density totals in each
of the plots.
Significant areas of the site populated by one or two species, or dominated by less desirable
volunteer species, may result in reduced buffer credit for those portions of the site.
Please provide a written response addressing the issues listed above within 30 days of your receipt of
this letter.
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone [phone] / Fax [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands
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NhCarolina
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An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
Mr. Webster
Environmental Banc & Exchange, LLC
Hargett Buffer Mitigation Site - Year 4 Mon. Report.
Page 2 of 2
Please feel free to contact Eric Kulz at [phone] if you have any questions regarding this project
or our comments.
Sincerely,
Cyndi B. Karoly, Program Manager
401 Oversight and Express Review Program
cc: File Copy (Eric Kulz)
Kyle Barnes - DWQ WaRO
Matt Matthews - DWQ Wetlands and Stormwater Branch
Guy Pearce - NCEEP, 1652 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1652
N e hCarolina
Noaturally
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone [phone] / Fax [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper