20001045_Mitigation Information_20090224

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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AG
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ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960
February 18, 2009
Colonel Jefferson Ryscavage
District Engineer
Attention: Mr..Scott McLendon
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890
Subject: North Carolina Department of Transportation: On-site Mitigation
.Last of the 2008 Monitoring Reports
Dear Colonel Ryscavage:
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This is in reference to the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT)
request for comments on mitigation monitoring reports for 20 on-site stream relocation and
stream mitigation sites. The monitoring reports are provided on-line by NCDOT. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 4, Wetlands and Marine Regulatory Section,
has reviewed this final installment of the 2008 monitoring reports, which were on-line as of
February 13, 2009. We have the following comments for your consideration. In general, the
majority of sites showed success for vegetation criteria and stream stability. We have a few
comments pertaining to some of the sites.
Division 2
Crescent Road (R-2719B): NCDOT requests permission to discontinue monitoring on this site.
Previously, EPA recommended that NCDOT monitor the UT to Briery Run for one more year.
NCDOT has completed another year of monitoring, and the stream appears stable. EPA
recommends that a site inspection be conducted prior to closeout of the site.
Division 3
Third Street Bridge (U-0092A): This site consists of 1.3 acres of Bottomland Hardwood forest
creation. The site is meeting the hydrologic criteria, and the bottomland hardwood species are
surviving. However, the shrub areas under the bridge have issues with soil compaction and low
survival of vegetation. NCDOT recommends that the area will be addressed after year five.
However, if NCDOT is interested in trying to make the site work, they should address the issues
as soon as possible. If NCDOT intends to make up these credits elsewhere, they should prepare
that information as soon as possible for agency review.
Division 5
Marks Creek (R-2547 WM): NCDOT has requested permission to discontinue monitoring of
this site. EPA recommends that a site inspection be conducted prior to closeout of the site.
Internet Address (URL) • http7lw epa gov
Recycled/Recyclable . Printed with Vegetable Od Based Inks an Recycled Paper (Minimum 30'U. Postconsurnu)
Division 10
Long Creek (R-2248): NCDOT requests permission to discontinue monitoring on this site. EPA
agrees that monitoring may be discontinued, and after a new delineation is conducted, the site
may be closed out.
Division 12
Indian Creek (R-0617 BA): This mitigation site was proposed to provide the following
compensatory mitigation: . .
0.6 Acres of Wetland Creation
1.7 Acres of Wetland Enhancement
4.5 Acres of Wetland Preservation
480 LF of Stream Enhancement
2,080 LF of Stream Preservation.
According to the Year four (2008) monitoring report, the wetland creation portion of the site is
not meeting the hydrologic criteria, likely due to drainage from Indian Creek. NCDOT requests
permission to discontinue monitoring the creation area, and does not intend to use any of the
wetland creation credits. Instead, NCDOT would like to use the 1.7 acres of Wetland
Enhancement and 4.5 acres of Wetland Preservation to offset the 0.64 acres of wetland impacts
associated with R-061713A.
EPA agrees that NCDOT may cease monitoring the creation area. We also have no
significant concerns for the use of the wetland enhancement and preservation to be utilized as
compensation for the impacts. The debit ledger for this site should be updated to clearly show
the removal of wetland creation credit, and to accurately reflect remaining available credits (if
any) on the site.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on these reports. If you have any questions or
comments, please contact Kathy Matthews at [phone], or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
e ifer *SDerby
of
Wetlands and Marine Regulatory Section
cc: USFWS, Asheville
USFWS, Raleigh
NMFS, Beaufort
NCDWQ, Raleigh
NCWRC, Creedmoor
NCWRC, Charlotte
NCDCM, Raleigh
NCDOT/PDEA
FHWA
i
Gary Jordan
USFWS
P.O. Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636 - 3726
Marella Buncick
USFWS
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Ron Sechler
Habitat Conservation Division
NOAA Fisheries
101 Pivers Island Road
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516-9722
Scott McLendon
Wilmington District USACE
P.O. Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
Donnie Brew, Env. Prog. Specialist
FHWA North Carolina Division
310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 410
Raleigh, NC 27601-1418
Mr. Brian Wrenn, Env. Sup.
Division of Water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Greg Thorpe, Env. Mgmt. Dir.
NCDOT/PDEA
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1598
Cathy Brittingham
Steve Sollod
NCDCM, Raleigh Office
1638 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1638
Travis Wilson
Eastern Region Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1 142 1-85 Service Rd.
Creedmoor, NC 27522
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Marla d. Chambers
Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
12275 Swift Rd., Oakboro, NC 28129