20180198 Ver 1_MNOB Assessment Request_20180209

SD ROY COOPER
EB 0 9
2018 Governor
' a MICHAEL S. REGAN
A
Secretary
FFER pEJj IRC S LINDA CULPEPPER
G Interim Director
Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
C)cA o /9g
BUFFER MITIGATION WOR NUTRIENT OFFSET
SITE VIABILTV ASSESSMENT REQUEST
(Form must be complete and all attachments included to process request)
® BUFFER MITIGATION ❑ NUTRIENT OFFSET ❑ BOTH
Name
John Hutton
Company
Wildlands Engineering, Inc
Address
312 West Millbrook Road, Suite 225 Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone
919-851-9986
Email
[e-mail]
Do you have the right to access the property?
® YES ❑ NO
PARCEL/SITE DETAILS
Proposed Site Name
Full Delivery Sassarixa Swamp (RFP# 16-007279)
Address
2-162 Old Olive Road
City
Smithfield
County: Johnston
River Basin
Neuse
8 -Digit HUC: 03020201
Sub -watershed (if in
Jordan Lake or Falls)
Will this be part of a stream or wetland project/bank? ® YES ❑ NO
Has anyone from DWR or the USACE visited the site in the past 12 months? ❑ YES M NO
Has a riparian buffer or stream call been performed by Division of Water Resources staff on the
subject site? ❑ YES ® NO
Is the project receiving any state or federal grant money? M YES ❑ NO
Are there any State, Local or Federal Permits associated with the subject site? ® YES ❑ NO
PARCEL/SITE ATTACHMENTS (provide items 1-4 as a separate attachment, not to exceed 10 pages)
1. Detailed description of the site including existing site conditions and Aerial Site Map;
2. Include a timeline of landuses and landuse changes from 1990 -Present;
3. Most recent 1:24,000 scale USGS Topo Map showing the site; AND
4. Most recent published NRCS county soil survey showing site;
SEND COMPLETE REQUESTS TO:
NCDWR - 401 & Buffer Permitting
Branch
Attn: Katie Merritt
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
or by email to Katie. Merritt(a)ncdenr.gov

Sassarixia Swamp Mitigation Site
Land Use Assessment:
Land use at the Sassarixia Swamp Mitigation Site consists of cattle pasture and forested areas. Land use
has remained consistent since at least 1950. However, between 1950 and 1961 Old Olive Road was
constructed and the large pond to the north of the road was installed.
Existing Site Conditions:
Pages G.2 through G.8 extracted from the NCDMS technical proposal follow this page. This section
describes existing site conditions in detail.

and four unnamed tributaries to Sassarixa Creek (T1, T1A, T2, and T3) (Figure 2). The eastern portion of
the site contains six unnamed tributaries to Black Creek (T4, T5, TSA, TSB, TSC, and T6). A review of
historic aerials from 1950 to 2012, located in the appendix, show that onsite streams have existed in
their approximate locations with very little change to riparian buffer extents since 1950. Two alterations
to the Site visible from aerial photography are the addition of the pond on T2 between 1964 and 1973,
and the addition of the large pond below TSA, T56, and TSC, between 1950 and 1961. According to the
landowners, In the 1960's and early 1970's a hog yard was located at the upstream end of unnamed
tributaries T4 and T5, where the streams were diverted to make mud and hogs had a wallow area. The
hogs were moved to a hog house in the early 1970's, however goats, horses and cattle had continuous
access to the site until Hurricane Matthew struck the area in September 2016. The floods from the
storm destroyed much of the fencing around T4 and T5, and livestock have been rotated in other fields
since that time while fencing is repaired. Landowners have expressed to Wildlands that they intend to
return livestock to the T4 and T5 areas once fencing is repaired. Streams T4 and TS are currently the
only streams without active livestock access. Details about the existing streams are provided in Sections
5.2.2, below.
Three reaches on site lack a riparian buffer: T1-111, the upstream end of T2, and the upstream end of T3.
The riparian buffer in these areas consist primarily of fescue (Festuca sp.) and some areas of hay
production to feed livestock. The canopy on T1 -R2 is unique in that it is dominated by loblolly pine
(Pinus taeda) with an understory of Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimeneum). All other riparian
areas include a mix of canopy species including red maple (Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar
stracifluo), willow oak (Quercus phellos), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), ironwood (Carpinus
coroliniona), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), water oak (Quercus nigra), and black willow (Salix nigra).
While the understory of all reaches is dominated by Japanese stiftgrass, there is still a diverse mix of
understory species present, especially along Sassarixa Creek and T4 -R3. Understory species include
Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), dogfennel (Eupatorium caplilifolium), greenbrier (Smilax
sp.), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinuefolia), sawtooth blackberry (Rubus orgutus), common
ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolio), poison ivy (Toxicodendron rodicans), common rush (Juncus effesus),
and common sedge (Carexsp.). Invasive species located in the riparian buffers include Chinese privet
(Ligustrum sinese) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica).
2.2 Existing Conditions - Streams
Sassarixa Creek
Sassarixa Creek is a perennial stream that enters the Site from Black Creek Road and flows southeast.
The first two reaches (111 and R2) are an anabranching sandbed system of E5 channels in a wide alluvial
valley consisting of one large main channel and several smaller channels. Large deposits of alluvial
gravel/cobble material are in the floodplain, likely originating from flood flows during hurricane
Matthew in 2016. Near the confluence with T2, the creek forms a single thread channel as the valley
constricts slightly. Banks are relatively stable, with localized scour on outer meander bends and erosion
due to livestock access and trampling of banks. Several livestock pathways wind through the riparian
buffer and cross Sassarixa Creek. There is a large amount of woody debris in the system from felled trees
that help maintain pools, form grade control, and provide habitat niches. Sassarixa Creek is connected to
its floodplain (Bank Height Ratio (BHR) =1.0) and there is evidence of recent bankfull events from sand
deposits at the top of bank.
TI and UA
T1 enters the site at Old Olive Road in the northeast section of the project. The alluvial valley is relatively
narrow at the upstream limit and widens as the stream flows towards Sassarixa Creek. The first reach
(111) is most closely described as an incised and straightened B5. It has a pilot baseflow channel with a
W Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site - PART G
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page G.3

vegetated inner berm, and is incised (BHR = 3.0) but relatively stable. There is localized erosion from
livestock trampling across the channel. Most of the buffer on this reach is fescue with single specimen
trees along the bank. As the stream makes a 90 -degree bend towards the north (start of 112), the incision
increases and it transitions to a G5 channel. This channel is impounded by a small pond along R2. Below
the pond (113), the channel remains incised (BHR = 3.1) but increases in sinuosity. The stream scores
more towards perennial upstream of the pond, however, the pond appears to have heavily impacted
the hydrology, and the overall stream scores as intermittent. The stream is a sandbed system with
limited amounts of sediment input from the watershed due to the pond upstream of Old Olive Road.
T1A is a small intermittent stream that joins T1 downstream of the existing pond. It is a relatively stable
stream with an existing meander pattern and scour located along meander bends and evidence of
livestock trampling banks. The floodplain at the confluence of T1 and T1A has been heavily manipulated
by livestock, where their trampling of the wetland seep has altered the surface hydrology of the wetland
through continual compaction.
T2
The origin of T2 is a farm pond located in the natural valley of this drainage area that is dominated by
fescue and hay production. There is a grass swale at the outlet of the pond, and once the Swale reaches
the edge of the forest, there is a large (W) headcut as it enters the valley of Sassarixa Creek. The stream
within the forest is an intermittent, G5, sandbed system that is incised (BHR = 6.5) along the reach
length and has significant scour along the streambanks from high energy produced by the system over
the headcut. Livestock have access to this reach, which contributes to bank trampling, mass wasting of
bank material, and inputs of fecal coliform.
T3
T3 is a perennial stream that originates in the farm field south of Old Olive Road. It is incised along R1
and R2 (BHR = 2.3), but relatively stable. The streambed is sand with a small amount of gravel in the
pavement. As T3 flows down the steep (3.5%) alluvial valley, the incision increases and the stream
transitions to a G5 (BHR = 3.9). While T3 has a forested buffer, livestock access has impacted most of the
understory and contributed to bank trampling. Headcuts along R3, caused by woody debris dams,
increase incision and overall bed scour. Lack of grade control other than tree roots could continue to be
a destabilizing factor for this reach and incision may continue.
T4 and TS
T4 and T5 are perennial streams that enter the Site through culverts at Old Olive Road. They are located
in similar alluvial valleys that are restricted for most of the length, with the streams traversing between
valley walls, but that open up as the channels approach the Black Creek floodplain. The impact of the old
hog wallow area discussed in Section 2.1 is evident in T4 -R1 and T5 -R1. Both channels include areas
where the stream appears to go subterranean through wetlands due to manipulation of the channel and
surrounding floodplain. T4 is most accurately described as an E5b channel, with a slightly steeper valley
than T5. The T4 channel is incised (BHR= 2.0) along T4 -R1 and becomes less incised as it flows
downstream where livestock damage is lessened and the canopy and riparian buffer are more mature.
T5 is most accurately described as an E5 stream. Reach T5 -R1 is relatively stable, with localized scour on
the meander bends. The reach becomes moderately incised (BHR =1.7) at the headcut located at the
transition point between T5 -R1 and T5 -R2. The stream becomes narrow (width to depth ratio of 2.2),
which is causing scour of the sandbed stream that is likely to continue without intervention. As the
stream transitions to a wider valley along R3 the stream becomes more stable.
TSA, TSB, TSC
TSA, TSB, and T5c are the intermittent headwater streams to T5. They originate in the northernmost
region of the project, upstream of a large pond. Their watersheds are primarily livestock grazing areas
W Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site - PART G
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and row crops. These reaches are located in steep alluvial valleys ranging from 2.5% -3.75%. There is
minimal scour and incision along the reaches except for localized bank trampling from continued
livestock access and they are moderately incised (BHR=1.3 —1.7). A forested canopy covers the stream
area, but livestock access has impacted the understory, which is now dominated by Japanese stiltgrass.
These streams are best described as B5, sandbed channels.
T6
T6 has the widest alluvial valley of any of the tributaries on site. The perennial stream enters the project
area at Old Olive Road. Reach 1 (111) incised G5 channel (BHR = 2.1). There is evidence of channel
manipulation with dredged channel material located on the tops of banks. This incision reduces as the
channel moves downstream (BHR = 1.2). Spoil piles are less present, the stream begins to increase its
meander pattern, and the stream transitions to an E5 stream type.
2.3 Existing Conditions
The Site is located within the Targeted Local Watershed 03020201130030 and DWR Subbasin 03-04-04.
T1, T1A, T2, and T3 drain to Sassarixa Creek, which is a Class C, NSW protected for uses such as
secondary recreation, fishing, wildlife, fish consumption, aquatic life including propagation, survival, and
maintenance of biological integrity, and agriculture. Secondary uses include wading, boating, and other
uses involving human body contact with water where such activities take place in an infrequent,
unorganized, or incidental manner. T4, T5, and T6 flow into Black Creek, which is a Class B, NSW. This
classification is protected for all Class C uses; however, it includes recreational activities listed previously
specified as having direct contact of the human body with water, taking place on a frequent basis.
The Site topography, as indicated on the Four Oaks, NC USGS 7.5 -minute topographic quadrangle shows
a series of moderately sloped valleys (1-3%) that increase in width as they approach the floodplains of
Sassarixa Creek and Black Creek (Figure 3). Drainage areas and land uses for the project reaches were
delineated using USGS North Carolina StreamStats Version 3.0. The watershed boundaries were
imported into ArcGIS and confirmed against the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program's 2007
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data (Figure 4). Land uses draining to the project reaches are
primarily managed herbaceous cover/pasture and forest with impervious percentage ranging from 0.0%
on T5 to 3.9% on Tl. The watershed areas and current land use are summarized in Table G.2.
Table G.2 Drainage Areas and Associated Land Use
Reach
NC DWR Stream
Intermittent/
Watershed
Watershed
Identification
Land Use
Name
Perennial Status
Area (acres)
Area (sq. mi.)
Form Scores
Sassarixa
47% agricultural, 7% developed,
Creek
50.5
Perennial
4,726
7.38
46% forested
63% agricultural, 20% developed,
Ti
26
Intermittent
45
0.07
17% forested
80% agricultural, 0% developed,
T1A
23.5
Intermittent
6
0.01
20% forested
80% agriculture, 7% developed,
T2
25
Intermittent
13
0.02
13% forested
80% agricultural, 7% developed,
T3
31
Perennial
26
0.04
13% forested
52% agricultural, 4% developed,
T4
30.25
Perennial
32
0.05
44% forested
60% agricultural, 4% developed,
T5
41.25
Perennial
136
0.21
36% forested
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Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page G.5

Reach
NC DWR Stream
Intermittent/
Watershed
Watershed
Plain.
Gilead sandy loam, 8-15%
Identification
Plain. Formed from loamy marine sediments.
Cowarts loamy sand, 2-6% slopes
Land Use
Name
Deep, well drained soils generally found on south -facing side slopes of stream
Perennial Status
Area (acres)
Area (sq. mi.)
Very deep, well drained soils generally found on side slopes and in upland areas
slopes
Form Scores
Wehadkee loam, 0-2% slopes,
frequently flooded
Very deep, poorly drained soils generally located in floodplains.
80% agricultural, 0% developed,
T5A
29.75
Intermittent
24
0.04
20% forested
80% agricultural, 0% developed,
TSB
23.25
Intermittent
25
0.04
20% forested
T5C
25.25
Intermittent
10
0.02
90% agriculture, 10% forested
60% agricultural, 4% developed,
T6
38.25
Perennial
130
0.2
36% forested
Notes: Land Use Source — National Land Cover Database 2011 (NLCD 2011), Multi -Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLQ
consortium, https://www.mric.gov/nlcd2011.php
2.4 Soils
The proposed project is mapped by the Web Soil Survey for Johnston County. Project area soils are
described below in Table G.3. Figure 5 provides a soil map of the Site.
Table G.3 Project Soil Types and Descriptions
Soil Name
Description
Bibb sandy loam, 0-2% slope,
Very deep, poorly drained soils found in floodplains along streams in the Coastal
frequently flooded
Plain.
Gilead sandy loam, 8-15%
Very deep, moderately well drained soils found in the uplands of the Coastal
Plain. Formed from loamy marine sediments.
Cowarts loamy sand, 2-6% slopes
Very deep, well drained soils found in the uplands on the Coastal Plain.
Nason Silt loam, 15-25%
Deep, well drained soils generally found on south -facing side slopes of stream
valleys, more common in the Piedmont.
Uchee loamy coarse sand, 6-12%
Very deep, well drained soils generally found on side slopes and in upland areas
slopes
in the Coastal Plain.
Wehadkee loam, 0-2% slopes,
frequently flooded
Very deep, poorly drained soils generally located in floodplains.
Source: Soil Survey of Johnston County, North Carolina, USDA-NRCS,
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/lnternet/FSE_MANUSCRI PTS/north_caroli na/NC101/0/Johnston. pdf
2.5 Geology
The Site is located in the Rolling Coastal Plain of the Coastal Plain physiographic province. The Coastal
Plain is characterized by relatively flat terraces of primarily unconsolidated sediments and carbonate
rocks ranging in age from Cretaceous to Quarternary. These layered materials accumulated as sediments
deposited in what was once a shallow ocean or shelf interface along a shallow ocean. The deposits form
roughly parallel belts that trend southwest to northeast. The site is located in the belt called the
Middendorf Formation (km), which formed during the Cretaceous period. The Middendorf formation is
deeply weathered and consists mainly of layered delta plain to fluvial deposit. Sediments are layered in
think black clay and light-colored sand layers consisting of sand, sandstone, and mudstone. Sands are
primarily quartz; however, outcrops of feldspar may be up to 15 percent. Due to the weathered
condition of the soils and base geology, no exposed bedrock is located on site.
Sources: North Carolina Geological Survey (NCGS), 2016. Mineral Resources. http://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/energy-mineral-
land-resources/north-carolina-geological-survey/ncgs-maps/1985-geologic-map-of-nc, North Carolina Geological Survey
(NCGS), 1985. Geologic map of North Carolina 1:500,000 scale.
w Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site - PART G
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page G.6

2.9 Site Constraints and Access
Internal crossings are proposed on the Site to maintain landowner access and use of the adjoining
pastures. These crossings are summarized and numbered below in Table G.S. The numbered crossings
are depicted on Figure's 6A and 6B.
The only ford crossing on Site is located on Sassarixa Creek downsteam of the confluence with T1.
Crossings 2, 5, and 6 in Table G.5 are located at the easement boundaries and do not bisect any
restoration reaches. They are kept as internal crossings to exclude livestock from the streams in
perpetuity. Crossings will be designed to integrate with the project alignments and profile design.
Table G.5 Easement Crossings
No.
Width (ft)
Location
Internal or External
Crossing Type
1
25
Sassarixa Creek— R2
Internal
Ford
2
25
T4, upstream limit
Internal
Culvert
3
25
T4-113
Internal
Culvert
4
25
T5-Rl/T5-R2 break
Internal
Culvert
5
25
T5, downstream limit
Internal
Culvert
6
35
T6, downstream limit
Internal
Culvert
No known utilities are located within the site boundaries. The easement boundaries around all streams
proposed for mitigation credit provide the required 50 -foot minimum riparian buffer for Coastal county
streams. The easement area will be marked per requirements outlined in RFP 16-007279.
The entire easement area can be accessed for construction, monitoring, and long-term stewardship
from Old Olive Road.
There is one small airport that is known to exist just outside the five -mile radius from the Site. The
Johnston County Airport is located northeast of the site and has a single asphalt runway.
3.0 Project Development
The Wildlands Team proposes to restore a high quality of ecological function to the streams and riparian
corridors on the Site. The project design will be developed to avoid significant adverse impacts to
existing streams, wetland resources, or mature wooded vegetation. Different management objectives
are proposed for different portions of the project area. These activities are discussed below and
summarized in Table G.6. Figure 6A and 6B illustrates the conceptual design for the Site.
3.1 Stream Mitigation Approach
Currently, the streams throughout the Site are extensively impacted by grazing livestock. The primary
stressors to Site streams are livestock trampling and fecal coliform inputs, active erosion and incision,
and the lack of stabilizing stream bank and riparian vegetation.
Wildlands proposes a multi -tiered approach for restoring streams on site including Preservation,
Enhancement II, and Priority 1 Restoration with some Priority 2 Restoration at confluences and
transition zones. Most streams have more than one approach assigned, as Wildlands is targeting full
restoration only where it is absolutely required, and is using a lighter touch in areas that will stabilize
naturally with livestock exclusion and vegetation.
W Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site - PART G
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. Page G.8

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0 400 800 1,600 Feet Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
W I L D L A N D S I Neuse River Basin 03020201
ENCiINEEftINC�
Johnston County, NC

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I I I Johnston County, NC

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INQUIRY #: 5047396.5
YEAR: 2012 � N
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Project Location Non -project streams
-
A". r '
Proposed Conservation Easement Proposed Stream
Restoration
Internal Crossing
a\ �'�� ; .., •l ''• �. o Enhancement II
-Reach Break
F
Preservation
m 25' Internal
'�. Ford Crossing ,6 e I t �' �/ �� �8•. yee a \`'• • a t.:-
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T?
Culvert Crossing �• ' / - V.' t"..�
pr
40
e :. ♦ ♦ �' i'� ,,,,. �.�, A
,`. �• .e!4 Yy1F ¢ 35' Internal
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• � ,, d .' Existing Wetland ♦�,.} -: ?
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{ 130'
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E N G I N E F R I N G G
Figure 6A Concept Map (Option 1)
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Neuse River Basin 03020201
0 300 600 Feet
I I I I I Johnston County, NC

r l F Project Location Non -project streams
• • r ' Proposed Stream
rya s�',R r Proposed Conservation Easement
r.. .
z
' � •, Internal Crossing Restoration
` �� . - .. J ♦ ,�01
, o Enhancement II
_ Reach Break
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♦ ijli R!r jam' rKa'
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0 300 600 Feet
1 1 1 1 1
res 35' Internal
Culvert Crossing
r
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Figure 6B Concept Map (Option 2)
Sassarixa Swamp Mitigation Site
Neuse River Basin 03020201
1�1 Johnston County, NC