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Home My WebLink About19990974 Ver 1_Monitoring Report Review_20081216?O G L o ? 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 December 16, 2008 Mr. Marshall B. Roberts, AIA Director of Facility Services Buncombe County Schools 175 Bingham Road Asheville, NC 28806 Re: T.C. Roberson Stream Restoration Project Year 4 Annual Monitoring Report Buncombe County DWQ #99-0974 Dear. Mr. Roberts: The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit has reviewed the above-referenced document. Our comments on the monitoring report and site progress are as follows: • Stability issues noted in previous reports were limited to the B section of stream. DWQ acknowledges that these sections have been repaired and live-staked. These areas should be monitored closely for additional signs of erosion. DWQ is pleased that a fence has been erected along the upper B section of stream. It is hoped that this will prevent future mowing or other encroachment issues. DWQ wishes to reiterate that for the site to be considered a successful mitigation site, there must be an undisturbed wooded buffer with a width of 30 feet on each side of the restored stream, as measured from the top of bank (and in accordance with the revised vegetation plan approved by DWQ in our letter dated November 19, 2007). It should also be noted that the practice of dumping debris, soil, etc. within this zone must be curtailed, as these actions may hinder the growth of the vegetation. • The lower E section of the stream appears to be developing into a stream/wetland complex. No stability or vegetation issues were noted in the monitoring report. 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 (919) 733-1786 / Fax (919) 733-6893 Internet: htta://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycledl10% Post Consumer Paper Mr. Roberts Buncombe County Schools T.C. Roberson Stream Mitigation Page 2 of 2 The macrobenthos data continues to be variable, and are not showing indications of water quality improvement, which is disappointing. It is hoped that the repairs will result in some improvement of the macrobenthic community in the restored stream. DWQ acknowledges that drought conditions likely affected the restored stream, along with sediment from the unstable banks We look forward to receiving next year's monitoring report, and hope to see the site trending toward success. Please feel free to contact Eric Kulz 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) Matt Matthews - DWQ Wetlands and Stormwater Branch Kevin Barnett - Asheville Regional Office David Baker - USACE, Asheville Regulatory Field Office Barbara S. Wiggins - Fish and Wildlife Associates, Inc, P.O. Box 241, Whittier, NC 28789 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 (919) 733-1786 / Fax (919) 733-6893 Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands NorthCarolina Naturally An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper