20040639 Ver 1_Monitoring Report Review_20071217

~OF w a rFgQ Michael F. Easley, Governor
`Q ~i Wiltiam G. Ross Jr., Secretary
C/j P North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
~ ~
~ .~. Coleen H. Sullins, Director
Division of Water Quality
December 17, 2007
Mr. Rick Benton
Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport Authority
P.O. Box 38
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870-2809
Re: Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport
Year 1 Mitigation Monitoring Report
Halifax County
DWQ #04-0639
Dear. Mr. Benton:
The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit has reviewed
the Year 1 Monitoring Report for the above-referenced site. Our comments on the report are as follows:
• Vegetation success criteria for wetland restoration projects generally require that planted tree
survival meet an average of 320 stems per acre after three years, 290 stems per acre in year four,
and 260 stems per acre in year 5.
The reported tree stem density in the monitoring report is 201 trees per acre. The report states
that the deficiency will be addressed after the 2007 monitoring period. If the stem counts are
correct (the report seems to question this), replanting the site is required to meet the success
criteria for the project. DWQ recommends resolving the issue and doing supplemental planting,
if warranted, prior to the submittal of the next monitoring report.
• Similarly, buffer restoration success criteria requires that trees "...be planted at a density
sufficient to provide 320 trees per acre at maturity" (15A NCAC .02B .0242 (9)(d)(ii).
The reported tree stem density in the monitoring report is 100 trees per acre in the buffer
restoration area. This area also must also be replanted to meet the success criteria for buffer
restoration.
Within 30 days of your receipt of this letter, please submit a written response describing the
resolution/confirmation of the planted tree densities, your plan for complying with the success criteria
for mitigation sites, and a schedule for completing the replanting work.
Nose Cazolina
~turally
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Cazolina 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 OpportunitylAffirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper

Mr. Benton
Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport Authority
Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport - Yr. 1 Monitoring Report
Page 2 of 2
Also, please note that depending on the amount of replanting required, the five-year monitoring clock
may be reset in order to evaluate the development of the wetland and buffer and ensure continued
success at the end of the monitoring period.
Please feel free to contact Eric Kulz at [phone] if you have any questions regarding this project
or our comments.
Sincerely,
ICJ
Cyndi B. Karoly, Program Manager
401 Oversight and Express Review Program
cc: File Copy (Eric Kulz)
Central Files
Danny Smith -Raleigh Regional Office
Thomas Brown - USACE, Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
Edward J. Smail - LPA Group of the Carolinas, PA, 5000 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh,
NC 27609
Nose Carolina
~tura!!y
401 OversighUExpress Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Cazolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Cazolina 27604
Phone [phone] / Fax [phone]
Internet: htto://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands
An Equal OpportunitylAffirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycledll0% Post Consumer Paper