20190011 Ver 1_Maps and Supplemental Info_20190102

Federal Highway Administration
Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division
21400 Ridgetop Circle
Sterling, VA 20166

December 10, 2018
Milltail Road Improvement Project
Milltail Road
Buffalo City, Dare County, North Carolina
PRE-CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
2. Existing Site Description .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.1 General Information .................................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.2 Plant Communities ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Wetlands ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2.4 Stream and/or Other Potential Waters of the U.S. ........................................................................................................ 2
2.5 Section 7 ESA Compliance ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.6 Section 106 Compliance ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
3. Description of Roadway improvement Plan ........................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Site Design Plan Description .................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Impact Minimization Measures ............................................................................................................................................ 5
3.3 Unavoidable Site Impacts ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
4. Compensatory Mitigation ................................................................................................................................................................ 6
4.1 Mitigation ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
5. References .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 7

List of Tables
1 Summary of Delineated Waterbody Resources (included in report – Subsection 2.4)
2 Summary of Permanent Impacts Proposed – Categorical Exclusion (NWP 23) (included in report –
Subsection 3.3)
List of Figures
1 Project Location
2 Site Vicinity Map
3 Site Plan (OBG)
List of Appendices
A. Jurisdictional Waters Delineation (AEM, April 2018)
B. USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation
C. Milltail Road Site Plan Details
D. Letter of Credit Availability

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1. INTRODUCTION
O’Brien & Gere (OBG) was retained by Advanced Environmental Management Group, LLC (AEM) to provide
environmental consulting and permitting services for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) related to the
Milltail Road and Milltail Bridge improvement project (Milltail Road project). The Milltail Road project is a
proposed road modernization and improvement project involving the profile raising and resurfacing of
approximately 0.8 miles of Milltail Road within the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo City, Dare County, North
Carolina (i.e., the Site; Figure 1). The project area consists of an existing paved road surrounded by an extensive
forested wetland area with the Albemarle Sound to the north, East Lake to the west, Milltail Creek to the south
and Pamlico Sound to the east.
This report is a required part of the permit application (described further below). The FHWA is the permit
applicant (Applicant). OBG is the authorized agent for this permit application.
A jurisdictional waters delineation survey of the Site was completed by AEM in April 2018. The delineation survey
was completed along both sides of the Milltail Road project (0.8 miles in length) and generally extended
approximately 60 feet from the edge of pavement. The project area measured approximately ±9.7-acres
(Appendix A). The purpose of the survey was to identify wetlands and other potentially regulated jurisdictional
aquatic resources that could be affected by the proposed Milltail Road project. A total of 1,563 linear feet (LF) of
stream (Stream 1 and Stream 2) and a total of 12 acres of wetlands (Wetland 1 and Wetland 2) were mapped on
the Site. A copy of AEM’s delineation report is provided as Appendix A.
The delineated waters appear to be within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) due to
their observed surface water connection to Milltail Creek, a named perennial stream within the Sawyer Lake-
Milltail Creek watershed. For the purpose of this project, the Applicant is presuming the delineated waters are
USACE jurisdictional.
The FHWA evaluated alternative plans to improve the Milltail Road project. The improvement activities will
consist of aggregate resurfacing along the 0.8-mile segment and improving the condition of Milltail Bridge by
repairing exposed reinforcing steel and resealing expansion joints. The project area is used for traffic and access
to the Dare County Bombing Range. The FHWA concluded that raising the road profile, resurfacing, and
embankment improvements are necessary to maintain future stability of the road. The bridge repair work will
not involve impacts to jurisdictional waters. The roadway improvement activities will result in limited impacts
along the west side of Milltail Road (Wetland 2), as presented in Figure 3. The plans include impacts to the
surrounding wetlands to the minimum extent practicable. Details of the project design are presented in Appendix
C.
The selected design approach includes:
 Grading
 Widening and,
 Elevating the existing road.
Details of the project design are presented in Appendix C.
Based upon the above project purpose and scope, the following sections and attachments were prepared by OBG
in accordance with Nationwide Permit (NWP) 23 – Categorical Exclusion requirements and General Condition 32
- Pre-construction Notification (PCN). Categorical exclusion was granted to the FHWA in RGL 87-10 dated
December 9, 1987. Notification is required due to the approximate 0.7 acres of permanent fill within the
delineated boundaries of Wetlands 1 and 2, which are required for improvements to the existing Milltail Road.
Within the NWP guidance for NWP 23 USACE subpart (d), any impacts to jurisdictional waters for the
modernization of a road requires notification.

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2. EXISTING SITE DESCRI PTION
2.1 GENERAL INFORMATION
The Site is a linear corridor centered on Milltail Road, which crosses a wetland along a segment of the Alligator
River Wildlife Refuge to an upland area with flat topography; Milltail Road in this area is a slightly curved, two-
lane road surrounded by a large forested wetland that extends to the east and west beyond the Site’s project area.
Two stream segments exist in the project area; a channelized perennial stream which runs parallel to Milltail Road
and the named perennial stream, Milltail Creek which flows below Milltail Road via a bridge.
The Site is located on a peninsula of land surrounded by the Albemarle Sound to the north, East Lake to the west,
Milltail Creek to the south and Pamlico Sound to the east. The surrounding land use is a wildlife refuge with
predominately open natural areas.
The Site is situated within the Pasquotank River Basin which is part of the Sawyer Lake-Milltail Creek watershed
(HUC 030102050901), sub basin. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Rate
Insurance Map (FIRM), the Site is located within the 100-year floodplain of the Atlantic Ocean. The FEMA FIRM
map is included in Appendix A.
2.2 PLANT COMMUNITIES
The Site is located within an expansive wetland complex, the delineated wetlands within the Site area are forested
swamp wetlands. In the area along the road where mowing has occurred, emergent plants are present. There is a
channelized stream (Stream 1) located on the eastern side of the Milltail Road that is at least 5 feet in depth. The
wetland area on the eastern side of the road surrounds the channelized stream and continues beyond the eastern
boundary of the Site. Wetland 2 on the western side of the road comprises the same species as the wetland on the
eastern side. Dominant species include pond pine (pinus serotina), red maple (acer rubrum), wax-myrtle (myrica
cerifera), and loblolly bay (gordonia lasianthus), with jointed spike-rush (eleocharis equisetoides) and phragmites
(phragmites australis) in the mowed areas that contained some standing water along the road.
2.3 WETLANDS
Two forested wetlands were identified within the Site. The wetland boundaries extended beyond the Site’s study
area and each wetland was part of a larger wetland complex. The western wetland was considered to be
potentially jurisdictional based on its location within a 100-year floodplain of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as, the
eastern wetland which has connectivity to a waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) via Milltail Creek and the same 100-year
floodplain. Wetland 1 is a swamp forested wetland and Wetland 2 is a Pocosin wetland.
2.4 STREAM AND/OR OTHER POTENTIAL WATERS OF THE U.S.
In addition to wetlands, AEM also evaluated the Site for other potential WOTUS, including streams, ditches, and
ponds. A total of one, unnamed tributary to Milltail Creek and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) named
stream Milltail Creek were identified and surveyed on Site and vary in length from 1,513 LF to 50 LF. The total
onsite stream footage is 1,563 LF (Appendix A). On Site stream resources mapped by AEM are summarized
below.
Stream 1 flows from the northern boundary of the Site, parallel to the eastern side of Milltail Road and flows south
for a distance of 1,513 LF to confluence with Milltail Creek (Stream 2). Stream 1 is a perennial channelized stream
that flows through the delineated forested wetland (Wetland 1).
Stream 2 is a USGS named perennial stream known as Milltail Creek and flows on Site for a distance of 50 LF
trending west and flows beneath Milltail Road via a spanned bridge. The on Site streams and wetlands are
summarized in Table 1 below:

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Table 1 – Delineation Waterbody Resources
Resource ID Resource Classification
(Cowardin/NCDEQ)
N.C. Wetland
Functional Assessment
Method Rating
Jurisdictional
Classification
Wetland Acreage /
Stream Length per
Delineation1
(Acre/LF)
Wetland 1 PFO2B (Riparian) Medium RPWWN 6.0
Wetland 2 PFO2B (Non-riparian) High NRPWW 6.0
Total 12.0
Stream 1
Perennial – Man-made
Channel – No
Classification
N/A RPW
1,513
Stream 2 (Milltail Creek in
the Pasquotank River Basin) SC, Sw, ORW2 N/A RPW 50
Total 1,563
Notes:
1Areas and water length based on limits of wetlands/WOUS survey per delineation report.
2North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality – Division of Water Resources Water Classifications
PFO2B = Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved Deciduous, Seasonally Saturated
Sw = Swamp waters
ORW = Outstanding Resource Waters
SC = Aquatic Life, Secondary Recreation, Salt Water
LF=Length Feet

2.5 SECTION 7 ESA COMPLIANCE
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the following federally-listed species are known to occur in
Dare County, North Carolina:
 Piping plover (Charadrius melodus)
 Red knot (Calidris canutus rufa)
 Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
 Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii dougllii)
 American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
 Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
 Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
 Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)
 Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
 Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
 Seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus)
 Red wolf (Canis rufus)
 West indian manatee (Trichechus manatus)
 Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis).
As previously described, the Site is a previously-disturbed area along the existing Milltail Road. In accordance with
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), OBG requested available file information for the Site and
surrounding area regarding the above-listed species via the online Information for Planning and Consultation
(IPac) website.

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Due to the project type, size, and location, no adverse effects to any federally listed species are anticipated
(Appendix B).
2.6 SECTION 106 COMPLIANCE
As previously described, the proposed project includes profile grade and aggregate resurfacing of Milltail Road
(approximately 0.82 acres) within a wetland. Proposed activities related to this project involve work along an
existing road, previously disturbed areas, and/or in-wetland activities. No structures are present onsite.
Therefore, scheduled improvements to the road and wetland are not anticipated to affect cultural resources.

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3. DESCRIPTION OF ROADW AY IMPROVEMENT PLAN
3.1 SITE DESIGN PLAN DESCRIPTION
The proposed project plan includes raising the profile grade and aggregate resurfacing on a 0.8-mile segment of
Milltail Road. The project plan requires decreasing the existing slope grade on the west and east sides of the road
embankment with aggregate-topsoil, which will require widening of the roadway.
3.2 IMPACT MINIMIZATION MEASURES
As described above, the selected project design involves profile raising and resurfacing to improve road stability
of Milltail Road. The widened road embankment segment will be on the east and west sides of the existing Milltail
Road for approximately 3,300 LF, and require approximately 0.82 acre of impacts to a forested wetland (Wetland
1 and 2). The extension of the existing embankment is required to enhance stability of the roadway. No impacts
to Milltail Creek (Stream 2), or Stream 1 are anticipated.
The extension of the existing road embankment was the basis of this NWP notification requirement. The Milltail
road profile grade and aggregate resurfacing work will be completed in accordance with NWP 23 – Categorical
Exclusion. The Milltail plans are provided in Appendix C.
3.3 UNAVOIDABLE SITE IMPACTS
As discussed above, the Applicant evaluated several different design scenarios that began in the spring of 2018 to
avoid and minimize impacts to the extent practicable. It is conservatively assumed that each disturbance area will
be limited to maximum extent practicable. The permanent impacts associated with the project will be done in
accordance with NWP 23 limitations and conditions. Impacts are presented below in Table 2.

Table 2 – Summary of Permanent Impacts Proposed – Categorical Exclusion (NWP 23)
Resource ID Delineated Wetland
Size (AC)
Unavoidable Impacts
(AC) Reason for Impact
Wetland 1 (riparian PFO) 6 0.02 Road development
Wetland 2 (non-riparian PFO) 6 0.80 Road development
Total 12 0.82

Permanent jurisdictional impacts to wetlands will be limited to Wetlands 1 and 2, the impacts will be minimized
as much as practicably possible. Due to the extensive wetland complex habitat of the area present within and
beyond the Site, impacts are unavoidable.

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4. COMPENSATORY MITIGAT ION
4.1 MITIGATION
Given the fill activities required along Wetlands 1 and 2 (0.02-acre of riparian PFO and 0.80-acre of a non-riparian
PFO, respectively) as part of the Milltail Road improvement work (NWP 23), compensatory mitigation is required.
FHWA will implement the compensatory wetland mitigation requirements for Milltail Road Improvement project
in accordance with 33 CFR part 332 – Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources (Mitigation Rule)
and the North Carolina Administrative Code 15A NCAC 02H .0506(h) and 15A NCAC 02H .1305(g).
The Applicant is proposing to off-set wetland impacts by purchasing wetland credits at the Great Dismal Swamp
Restoration Bank, which is authorized to sell credits within the Sawyer Lake-Milltail Creek watershed (HUC
030102050901). Based on the recommendation of the Great Dismal Swamp Restoration Bank manager, the
following 2:1 replacement ratio was applied to this project as follows:
 1.6-acre of non-riparian credits
 0.04-acre of riparian credits.
A letter of credit availability was received from the Great Dismal Swamp Restoration Bank manager on October
30, 2018 (Appendix D).

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5. REFERENCES
Cowardin, L.M., Carter, V., Golet, F.C., and LaRoe, E.T. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of
the United States. FWS/OBS79/31, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C.
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. Technical Report
Y-87-1, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
N.C. Wetland Functional Assessment Team. 2016. N.C. Wetland Assessment Method (NC WAM) User Manual.
(Version 5). April 2018.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2012. Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Manual: Atlantic & Gulf Coast Region. (Version 2.0). August 2017.

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Figures
PROJECT LOCATION
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
¥10/24/2018 1:37:29 PM0 2,000 4,0001,000
Feet\\cincinnatisvr\Projects\Aem.16526\STDS\GIS\69647.Fhwa\Figure 1 - ProjectLocation.mxdLEGEND
Site Boundary
FIGURE 1
O'BRIEN & GERE ENGINEERS, INC.
SITELOCATIONMILLTAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
ALLIGATOR RIVER WILDLIFE REFGUE
DARE COUNY, NORTH CAROLINA
SITE MAP
16526/69647
OCTOBER 24, 2018
SITE LOCATION
Esri, HERE, Garmin, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS
user community, Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar
Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN,
and the GIS User Community
¥MILLTAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
ALLIGATOR RIVER WILDLIFE REFGUE
DARE COUNY, NORTH CAROLINA
16526/69647
OCTOBER 24, 201810/24/2018 1:17:53 PM0 10,000 20,0005,000
FeetI:\Aem.16526\STDS\GIS\69647.Fhwa\Figure 2 - SITE MAP.mxdSITE MAP
LEGEND
Site Boundary
FIGURE 2
O'BRIEN & GERE ENGINEERS, INC.
Milltail Road
Wetland 2 Impacts0.80 acre
Stream 11,153 LF
Wetland 16 acres
Wetland 26 acres
Stream 2 (Milltail Creek)50 LF
Wetland 1 Impacts0.02 acre
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics,
CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS
User Community
¥MILLTAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
ALLIGATOR RIVER WILDLIFE REFUGE
DARE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
16526/69647
OCTOBER 24, 201810/25/2018 10:33:12 AM0 200 400 600100
FeetI:\Aem.16526\STDS\GIS\69647.Fhwa\Figure 3 - Delineation.mxdSITE PLAN
LEGEND
Wetland Impacts
Stream
Site Boundary
Delineated Wetlands
FIGURE 3
O'BRIEN & GERE ENGINEERS, INC.

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Appendix A
Jurisdictional Waters
Delineation
(AEM, April 2018)
USGS The National Map: Orthoimagery. Data refreshed October 2017.
National Flood Hazard Layer FIRMette
0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250Feet
Ü75°53'29.09"W 35°48'3.39"N 75°52'51.63"W 35°47'34.21"N
SEE FIS REPORT FOR DETAILED LEGEND AND INDEX MAP FOR FIRM PANEL LAYOUT
SPECIAL FLOODHAZARD AR EAS
Without Base Flood Elevation (BFE)Zone A, V, A99With BFE or Depth Zone AE, AO, AH, VE, AR
Regulator y Floodway
0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard, Areasof 1% annual chance flood with averagedepth less than one foot or with drainageareas of less than one square mile Zone X
Future Conditions 1% AnnualChance Flood Hazard Zone XArea with Reduced Flood Risk due toLevee. See Notes.Zone X
Area with Flood Risk due to Levee Zone D
NO SCREE N Area of Minimal Flood Hazard Zone X
Area of Undetermined Flood Hazard Zone D
Channel, Culver t, or Storm SewerLevee, Dike, or Floodwall
Cross Sections with 1% Annual Chance17.5 Water Surface ElevationCoastal Transect
Coastal Transect BaselineProfile BaselineHydrographic Feature
Base Flood Elevation Line (BFE)
Effective LOMRs
Limit of StudyJurisdiction Boundar y
Digital Data Available
No Digital Data Available
Unmapped
This map complies with FEMA's standards for the use of digital flood maps if it is not void as described below. The basemap shown complies with FEMA's basemap accuracy standards
The flood hazard information is derived directly from theauthoritative NFHL web services provided by FEMA. This mapwas exported on 10/2/2018 at 11:34:12 AM and does notreflect changes or amendments subsequent to this date andtime. The NFHL and effective information may change orbecome superseded by new data over time.
This map image is void if the one or more of the following mapelements do not appear: basemap imagery, flood zone labels,legend, scale bar, map creation date, community identifiers,FIRM panel number, and FIRM effective date. Map images forunmapped and unmodernized areas cannot be used forregulatory purposes.
Legend
OTHER AREAS OFFLOOD HAZARD
OTHER AREAS
GENERALSTRUCTURES
OTHERFEATURES
MAP PANELS
8
1:6,000
B 20.2
The pin displayed on the map is an approximate point selected by the user and does not represent an authoritative proper ty location.
Wetland Delineation Report
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Dare County, North Carolina
Prepared for:
Federal Highway Administration
on behalf of
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Attn: Ryan Kimberley
Prepared by:
Advanced Environmental Management Group
44339 Plymouth Oaks Blvd.
Plymouth, Michigan, 48170-2585
July 3, 2018
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey

Table of Contents
1.0 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2
3.0 Project Location and Site Conditions ........................................................................ 3
3.1 Project Location ......................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Date of Site Determination ........................................................................................ 3
3.3 Site Conditions .......................................................................................................... 3
3.4 Principal Investigators ............................................................................................... 4
3.5 Results of Site Determination .................................................................................... 4
4.0 Methodology ................................................................................................................. 5
4.3 Wetland Delineation Methodology ........................................................................... 5
4.4 Other WOUS Delineation Methodology ................................................................... 7
4.5 Functional Assessment .............................................................................................. 7
5.0 Results ........................................................................................................................... 9
5.1 Wetlands .................................................................................................................... 9
6.0 References .................................................................................................................. 12
Appendix A:
References
Appendix B:
Map of surveyed area
Appendix C:
Photograph list
Appendix D:
Figure 1: Wetland delineation boundaries in study area
Figure 2: Topography map of study area
Figure 3: NWI map of study area
Figure 4: Soil map of study area
Wetland Datasheets
Wetland Functional Assessment Datasheets

AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey

1.0 Executive Summary
Advanced Environmental Management Group, LLC (AEM Group) was retained by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway
Association (FHWA), to provide an evaluation of wetlands and Waters of the U.S.
(WOUS) for a project area located on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in
Dare County, North Carolina. During AEM Group's site reconnaissance, two wetlands
and one WOUS were delineated. Both wetlands are considered potentially jurisdictional
because of A) direct connection a WOUS and B) residing immediately within the 100-
year floodplain of two WOUS. In addition to the delineation, a functional assessment was
conducted for the wetlands found within the site area.
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 2

2.0 Introduction
AEM Group was retained by the U.S. FWS, in cooperation with the FHWA to provide an
evaluation of wetlands and WOUS for a project area located along a 0.80-mile stretch of
road on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. AEM Group
determined wetland and WOUS boundaries and made a preliminary jurisdictional
determination on the basis of current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wetland
determination criteria and jurisdictional guidance. Delineations were conducted following
the USACE regional supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual:
Atlantic & Gulf Coast (USACE, 2010) and the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation
Manual (Environmental Laboratory, 1987). In addition, a wetland functional assessment
was conducted for the wetland found using the North Carolina Wetland Assessment
Method (NCWAM) User Manual (N.C. Wetland Functional Assessment Team, 2016).
This report includes wetland mapping and the appropriate regional wetland determination
data sheets. A map of the site location and study boundary is provided in the appendices
of the report.

AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 3

3.0 Project Location and Site Conditions
3.1 Project Location
The study area for this project was located along Milltail Road in the Alligator River
National Refuge. The project located along a 0.80-mile stretch of road, beginning at
coordinates 35°48’13.6”N 75°53’5.2”W and ending at coordinates 35°47’37.8”N
75°53’14.9”W. The study area extends 50 feet in both directions from the edge of the
graded area of the road.
3.1.1 Geophysical description
The study area is located on a peninsula of land surrounded by Albemarle Sound to the
north, East Lake to the west, and Pamlico Sound to the east. Milltail Creek runs through
the southern part of the study area. The soils in the area are various types of muck. Based
on the NRCS soil survey, the majority of the site is Pongo muck, with the northern
portion, particularly on the western side of the road, classified as Belhaven muck.
3.1.2 Botanical description
The study area is a forested swamp. In the area along the road where mowing has
occurred, emergent plants are present. There is a deep channelized stream located on the
eastern side of the road that is at least 5 feet in depth. The wetland area on the eastern
side of the road surrounds this stream and continues outside of the study area to the east.
The wetland on the western side of the road comprises the same species as the wetland on
the eastern side. Dominant woody species include these included red maple (Acer
rubrum), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). In addition to
the tree and shrub layer, jointed spike-rush (Eleocharis equisetoides) and Phragmites
(Phragmites australis) were observed in the mowed areas that contained some standing
water along the road.
3.2 Date of Site Determination
The wetland delineation for the study area was conducted April 10, 2018.
3.3 Site Conditions
Rainfall was recorded in the area on the site visit date of April 10th. The U.S. Geological
Survey rain gauge at Lk Mattamuckeet HWY 94 nr Fairfield NC (USGS
352936076125245 reported a total rainfall of 0.16 inches for April 10th for the area. For
the five days preceding the delineations the total rainfall was recorded at 1.54 inches.
The weather during the delineation was cool and partially cloudy. The temperature was
around 46°F.
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 4

3.4 Principal Investigators
The site visit was conducted by Danielle McLain and Lindsay Hanna. Both Ms. McLain
and Ms. Hanna are Certified Wetland Delineators (CWD). Ms. McLain has an M.S. in
Biology and has delineated over 5,500 acres of wetland within the last three years. Ms.
Hanna has an M.S. in Natural Resources and the Environment, and has delineated over
6,000 acres of wetland within the last four years.
3.5 Results of Site Determination
AEM Group identified two (2) wetland in the study area. The wetland boundaries
extended beyond the study area and are part of larger wetland areas. The western wetland
delineated is considered to be potentially jurisdictional based on its location within a 100-
year floodplain of the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern delineated wetland is considered to be
potentially jurisdictional based on its location within a 100-year floodplain of the Atlantic
Ocean and its connectivity to a traditionally navigable water (TNW) (Milltail Creek)
through a WOUS.
In addition to two wetlands, AEM Group identified one (1) WOUS. This WOUS is
located on the eastern site of the study area, and flowed directly into Milltail Creek,
which is considered a TNW.
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 5

4.0 Methodology
4.1 Pre-Field Review of Information
The following data sources were reviewed for information on vegetation, topography,
drainage patterns, and potential or known wetlands in the project vicinity:
• Aerial photographs
• U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Maps (East Lake, NC)
4.2 Mapping Methodology
Field data was collected using a Trimble GeoXh7000 sub meter accuracy global
positioning system (GPS) unit.
4.3 Wetland Delineation Methodology
Wetlands were identified and delineated using the Corps of Engineers Wetland
Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory, 1987) and the Interim Regional
Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic & Gulf
Coast Region Version 2.0 (USACE, 2010). This supplement covers the area of North
Carolina where the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located. Wetland
indicators as described by the USACE (2010) were used to assess the presence of
wetlands. All three indicators needed to be present in order to meet the definition of a
wetland. The indicators listed in the manual include hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils,
and wetland hydrology.

4.3.1 Hydrophytic Vegetation
Hydrophytic vegetation are plants typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
The USACE National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) is used to evaluate the vegetation
factor. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Atlantic & Gulf Coast
Region and so the 2016 Atlantic & Gulf Coast Region NWPL was used for determining
vegetation statuses on the site. Wetland vegetation is evaluated in three steps: 1.)
determine if wetland vegetation is present, 2.) determine the percent of vegetative cover,
and 3.) determine the plant indicator status for the dominant species. Plants are observed
within a nested variable radius with the plot size being appropriate for the stratum being
evaluated. Plot sizes for trees and vines, sapling/shrub, and herbaceous vegetation were:
30-foot radius, 15-foot radius, and 5-foot radius, respectively. Vegetation canopy cover
for all vegetative layers (tree, shrub, woody vine, and herbaceous) is estimated to
determine the dominant vegetation and to characterize each plant community sampled.
Dominant species within the sample area are classified using percent cover within the
plot. The wetland indicator status and dominance of each plant species was used to
determine if the majority of plants within the sample plot were hydrophytic. If more than
50 percent of the dominant species within a sample plot are Obligate (OBL), Facultative
Wetland (FACW), or Facultative (FAC), the hydrophytic vegetation criterion is satisfied
according to the regional supplement (USACE, 2010).

AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 6

4.3.2 Hydric Soil
Hydric soils form under conditions of sufficient saturation, flooding, or ponding during
the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper portion of the soil
profile. Hydric soils at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge study area were
identified using the methods in the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic & Gulf Coast Region Version 2.0
(USACE, 2010). Soil colors were determined using a Munsell Color Chart, which
compared the soil color to the color chips within the color chart. Hydric soil indicators
were determined as defined in the Atlantic & Gulf Coast Regional Supplement (USACE,
2010). Sample points were concentrated near wetland edges; if soils were determined to
be hydric near the edge of a wetland, it was assumed that soils in the wetter interior of the
wetland also were hydric, as permitted in the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps
of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic & Gulf Coast Region Version 2.0
(USACE, 2010). According to the United States Department of Agriculture Natural
Resources Conservation Service's (USDA-NRCS) soil survey map, the soils in the study
area on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge are mucks.

4.3.3 Wetland Hydrology
Wetland hydrology is the driving factor in wetland occurrences. Hydrology drives the
soils, which in turn promote the growth of the hydrophytic vegetation that are
characteristic of wetlands. Wetland hydrology indicators are separated into primary and
secondary indicators where only one primary hydrology indicator is necessary to meet
wetland hydrology whereas a minimum of two secondary indicators are necessary to
meet the criteria for wetland hydrology. The primary indicators for the Atlantic & Gulf
Coast Regional Supplement (USACE, 2010) are listed below followed by the secondary
indicators. These include the alphanumeric code assigned by the USACE to each
indicator.
Primary indicators
• Presence of surface water (A1)
• High water table (A2)
• Saturated soil within 12 inches of the soil surface (A3)
• Water marks (non-riverine) (B1)
• Sediment deposits (non-riverine) (B2)
• Drift deposits (non-riverine) (B3)
• Algal crust mats (B4)
• Iron deposits (B5)
• Inundation visible on aerial imagery (B7)
• Water stained leaves (B9)
• Aquatic fauna (B13)
• Marl deposits (LRR U) (B15)
• Hydrogen sulfide odor (C1)
• Oxidized rhizospheres on living roots (C3)
• Presence of reduced iron (C4)
• Recent iron reduction in tilled soils (C6)
• Thin muck surface (C7)
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 7

• Gauge or well data (D9)
Secondary indicators
• Surface soil cracks (B6)
• Sparsely vegetated concave surface (B8)
• Drainage patterns (B10)
• Moss trim lines (B16)
• Dry season water table (C2)
• Crayfish burrows (C8)
• Saturation visible on aerial imagery (C9)
• Geomorphic position (D2)
• Shallow aquitard (D3)
• FAC-Neutral test (D5)
• Sphagnum moss (D8)
AEM Group determined whether or not hydrology indicators were present within all
areas examined. As required by both the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and the
Atlantic & Gulf Coast Regional Supplement, AEM Group documented at least one
primary hydrology indicator and/ or two secondary hydrology indicators for each wetland
area identified. Recent storm events were taken into consideration when determining
normal hydrology regimes for the study area.
The site assessment for the study area on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge was
conducted on April 10, 2018. Wetland boundaries and WOUS were mapped using a sub-
meter GPS unit. Final determination of wetland boundaries are under the purview of the
USACE, Norfolk District – Regulatory Branch.

Figure 1 in Appendix D provides a visual of the wetland boundaries and mapped Waters
of the U.S.
4.4 Other WOUS Delineation Methodology
In addition to wetlands, AEM group determined the presence of other WOUS within the
study area. This included a field identification and classification of streams and ponds.
These WOUS would be classified using the Cowardin classification and delineated using
the same mapping metholodogy as wetland mapping. AEM Group did not find any
additional WOUS in the study area.
4.5 Functional Assessment
The wetlands found in the study area is assessed using the North Carolina Wetland
Assessment Method (NC WAM) developed by the North Carolina Wetland Functional
Assessment Team. Specific assessment requirements and methods are within the NC
WAM document in the appendices. The purpose of this functional assessment is to
determine what functions the wetlands in the study area provide and how effectively they
provide those functions when compared to similar wetlands in the state. It is important to
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 8

note that not all wetlands will provide the same functions, and not all wetlands will
provide all of the functions that are possible for a wetland to provide.
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 9

5.0 Results
The results of the delineation and characterization of wetlands on the Alligator River
Wildlife Refuge are included below. All wetlands are determined to be potentially
jurisdictional based on their location with a 100-year flood plain of a water of the U.S.
and traditionally navigable water (Atlantic Ocean). An executive summary of the results
can be found on page 1 of this report.
5.1 Wetlands
Two wetlands were delineated by AEM Group on April 10, 2018.
Wetland surveys were conducted using sub-meter accuracy GPS devices. The wetlands
assessed by AEM Group may be considered jurisdictional waters by the USACE. This
determination is under the purview of the USACE, Norfolk District, Regulatory Division.
A total of 12 acres of wetlands have been delineated; this acreage may extend beyond the
survey boundary to the east and the west as the wetland boundaries extend beyond the
site location. The wetlands are described below.
A map of the delineated wetlands is included in Appendix D: Figure 1.
Wetland 1 (W01)
Wetland 1 (W01) is a 6-acre wetland located on the east side of Milltail Road. The
delineated wetland is part of a larger wetland that extends to the east. The wetland area is
labeled on the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) as palustrine, forested, needle-leaved
deciduous and needle-leaved evergreen, seasonally saturated (PFO2/4B). The AEM
Group field team agreed that W01 fit the Cowardin Classification PFO2B. A large stream
runs through W01, which is potentially a WOUS. The stream ranges in width from 19
feet to 35 feet.
The field team completed a sampling point near the southwestern edge of the wetland,
along the road and west of the WOUS. An additional vegetation survey was conducted
for the wooded area on the other side of the river; surface water was observed in this area
and extended beyond the study area to the east. The wetland contained surface water, as
well as a high water table and saturation, which are primary hydrology indicators. The
vegetation community is dominated by plants that usually occur in wetlands, but are
occasionally found in uplands (facultative wetland), and plants that will grow in either
wetland or upland habitat (facultative). These included red maple (Acer rubrum),
blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) and common reed (Phragmites
australis). Some species that only occur in wetlands (obligate) were observed along the
WOUS, including cattail (Typha spp.) and jointed spike-rush (Eleocharis equisetoides).
In addition, bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), which is an obligate tree, was observed
within the wetland. The soils in the wetland are organic, with trace sand. The organic soil
continued down past 16 inches, and contained both fibric and hemic material. The hydric
soil indicator for this wetland is histosol (A1).
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 10

Wetland 2 (W02)
Wetland 2 (W02) is a 6-acre wetland located on the west side of Milltail Road. The
delineated wetland is part of a larger wetland that extends to the west. The wetland area is
labeled on the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) as palustrine, forested, needle-leaved
deciduous and needle-leaved evergreen, seasonally saturated (PFO2/4B). The AEM
Group field team agreed that W02 fit the Cowardin Classification PFO2B.
The field team completed a sampling point near the northeastern edge of the wetland,
along the road. The wetland contained surface water, as well as a high water table and
saturation, which are primary hydrology indicators. The vegetation community is
dominated by plants that usually occur in wetlands, but are occasionally found in uplands
(facultative wetland), and plants that will grow in either wetland or upland habitat
(facultative). These included red maple (Acer rubrum), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), and
wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). The soils in the wetland are a sandy loam, with large
amounts of fibric muck present. The hydric soil indicator for this wetland is 5 cm mucky
mineral (A7).
5.2 Waters of the U.S. (WOUS)
There is a man-made canal system (classified as open water) (S01) located on the eastern
side of the site, running through W01. The sides of the canal have vegetation growing
right up to the edge. Milltail Creek, which is directly connected to the canal, is labeled on
the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) as riverine, lower perennial, unconsolidated
bottom. The open water of the canal is connected to Milltail Creek (a TNW), which flows
into the Alligator River and the Albemarle Sound. This connects directly with the
Atlantic Ocean. Based on the connection to a TNW (Milltail Creek), and being in the
100-year flood zone of the Atlantic Ocean, the canal is considered a WOUS.
5.3 Functional Assessment
The wetlands observed onsite were assessed using North Carolina Wetland Assessment
Method (NC WAM) version 5.0 (2016). This method compares the wetlands in the study
area to the wetland type as identified for North Carolina. The applicable functions are
assessed based on how they compare to the North Carolina wetland type. Both wetlands
exhibited similar plants, however; using the Dichotomoous Key in the NC WAM, W01
would be classified as a riverine swamp forest based on its connectivity to Milltail Creek
through S01, and W02 would be classified as Pocosin based on the presence of Belhaven
muck.

Based on the NC WAM calculator, W01 scored a medium on its applicable functional
assessments, and W02 scored a high on its applicable functional assessments. This
disparity of scores between wetlands that are in such close proximity was mainly due to
the impact of the large ditch (S01) in W01.

Functional Assessment worksheets are included in Appendix D.
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 11

5.4 Disturbances
AEM Group observed the channeling of S01 into a deep ditch along the edge of W01. It
is unclear what the impact is on the wetland diversity of functionality. S01 is part of a
man-made canal system, which is assumed to be maintained for depth and width. This
maintenance may affect the surrounding wetlands.
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey 12

6.0 References
Cowardin, L.M., Carter, V., Golet, F.C., and LaRoe, E.T. 1979. Classification of
Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS79/31, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2010. Regional Supplement to the Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Atlantic & Gulf Coast Region. (Version
2.0). August 2017.
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation
Manual. Technical Report Y-87-1, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment
Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
N.C. Wetland Functional Assessment Team. 2016. N.C. Wetland Assessment Method
(NC WAM) User Manual. (Version 5). April 2018.

AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey

Appendix A
See attached CD for references
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey
Appendix B
Source s: Esri, H ERE , DeLorme , Intermap, increment P Corp.,GEBCO, U SGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN , GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL,Ordnance S ur vey, E sri Japan, M ETI, Esri China (Hong Kong),sw isstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GISUser Community
Alligator Ri ver Milltail Road W etland Delineation
Legend
Project boundaries
WOUS
Wetlands
0 310 620 930 1,240155Feet ¯
AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey
Appendix C
Advanced Environmental Management Group
44339 Plymouth Oaks Blvd.
Plymouth, MI 48170-2585
voice: 1-734-354-9070
fax: [phone]
www.environmental-help.com
Global knowledge, local solutions. ®

Photo log- photos to be included as .jpeg on attached disc
Site Location: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
County: Dare
Site Visit Date: April 10, 2018

Photo Number Photo Description
1 upland pit
2 view into W01 from upland pit
3 W01 in pit
4 W01 north
5 W01 east
6 W01 south
7 W01 west
8 W01 with S01 flowing through (1)
9 W01 with S01 flowing through (2)
10 W01 with S01 flowing through (3)
11 W01 with S01 flowing through (4)
12 W01 with S01 flowing through (5)
13 W01 with S01 flowing through (6)
14 W01 with S01 flowing through (7)
15 W01 with S01 flowing through (8)
16 W01 with S01 flowing through (9)
17 road between wetlands
18 W02 in pit
19 W02 interior from north side
20 W02 interior west view
21 W02 (1)
22 W02 (2)
23 W02 (3)
24 W02 (4)
25 W02 (5)

AEM Group page 2 of 2
Wetland dealination photo log
26 S01 connecting with S02 north view
27 S01 connecting with S02 south view
28 S01 east view
29 S01 north view
30 S01 south view
31 S01 west view
32 Milltail Creek (S02) east view

AEM GROUP: GS-10F-0338X, Alligator River Wildlife Refuge Wetland Survey
Appendix D
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp.,GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL,Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong),swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GISUser Community
Figure 1: Alligator River Milltail Road Wetland Delineation
Boundaries
Legend
Project boundaries
WOUS
Wetlands
0 310 620 930 1,240155Feet ¯
Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, Intermap, increment P Corp.,GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL,Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong),swisstopo, MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GISUser Community
Figure 2: Alligator River Milltail Road Wetland Delineation
Boundaries(Topo)
Legend
Project boundaries
WOUS
Wetlands
0 310 620 930 1,240155Feet ¯
Figure 3: Alligator River Milltail Road Wetland Delineation NWI
Areas
Legend
Project boundaries
Wetlands
WOUS
NWI Wetland Type
Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland
Riverine
0 280 560 840 1,120140Feet ¯
PuAPungo Muck
BvABelhaven Muck
WWater
Figure 4: Alligator River Milltail Road Wetland Delineation Soil
Map Areas
Legend
Project boundaries
Soils
Wetlands
WOUS
0 280 560 840 1,120140Feet ¯
Date
Assessor Name/Organization
Nearest Named Water Body
USGS 8-Digit Catalogue Unit
Yes No
Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and/or make note on last page if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if
appropriate, in recent past (for instance, approximately within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited
to the following.
•
•
•
•
Is the assessment area intensively managed?Yes No
Regulatory Considerations (select all that apply to the assessment area)
Anadromous fish
Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect
Abuts a Primary Nursery Area (PNA)
Publicly owned property
N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
Abuts a stream with a NCDWQ classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
Designated NCNHP reference community
Abuts a 303(d)-listed stream or a tributary to a 303(d)-listed stream
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (check all that apply)
Blackwater
Brownwater
Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes)Lunar Lunar Wind Both
Is the assessment area on a coastal island?Yes No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver?Yes No
Does the assessment area experience overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions?Yes No
1.Ground Surface Condition/Vegetation Condition – assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider alteration to the ground surface (GS) in the assessment area and vegetation structure
(VS) in the assessment area. Compare to reference wetland if applicable (see User Manual). If a reference is not applicable,
then rate the assessment area based on evidence of an effect.
GS
A A Not severely altered
B B Severely altered over a majority of the assessment area (ground surface alteration examples: vehicle tracks, excessive
sedimentation, fire-plow lanes, skidder tracks, bedding, fill, soil compaction, obvious pollutants) (vegetation structure
alteration examples: mechanical disturbance, herbicides, salt intrusion [where appropriate], exotic species, grazing,
less diversity [if appropriate], hydrologic alteration)
2.Surface and Sub-Surface Storage Capacity and Duration – assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface storage capacity and duration (Surf) and sub-surface storage capacity and
duration (Sub). Consider both increase and decrease in hydrology. Refer to the current NRCS lateral effect of ditching guidance for
North Carolina hydric soils (see USACE Wilmington District website) for the zone of influence of ditches in hydric soils. A ditch
≤ 1 foot deep is considered to affect surface water only, while a ditch > 1 foot deep is expected to affect both surface and ditch
sub-surface water. Consider tidal flooding regime, if applicable.
Surf
A A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
B B Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation).
C C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation
change) (examples: draining, flooding, soil compaction, filling, excessive sedimentation, underground utility lines).
3.Water Storage/Surface Relief – assessment area/wetland type condition metric (answer for non-marsh wetlands only)
Check a box in each column for each group below. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland
type (WT).
AA WT
3a.A A Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water > 1 foot deep
B B Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep
C C Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 3 to 6 inches deep
D D Depressions able to pond water < 3 inches deep
3b.A Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is greater than 2 feet
B Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is between 1 and 2 feet
C Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is less than 1 foot
4.Soil Texture/Structure – assessment area condition metric
Check a box from each of the three soil property groups below. Dig soil profile in the dominant assessment area landscape
feature. Make soil observations within the 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance for
regional indicators.
4a.A Sandy soil
B Loamy or clayey soils exhibiting redoximorphic features (concentrations, depletions, or rhizospheres)
C Loamy or clayey soils not exhibiting redoximorphic features
D Loamy or clayey gleyed soil
E Histosol or histic epipedon
4b.A Soil ribbon < 1 inch
B Soil ribbon ≥ 1 inch
4c.A No peat or muck presence
B A peat or muck presence
5.Discharge into Wetland – opportunity metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface pollutants or discharges (Surf) and sub-surface pollutants or discharges (Sub).
Examples of sub-surface discharges include presence of nearby septic tank, underground storage tank (UST), etc.
Surf Sub
A A Little or no evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the assessment area
B B Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the wetland and stressing, but not overwhelming the
treatment capacity of the assessment area
Hydrological modifications (examples: ditches, dams, beaver dams, dikes, berms, ponds, etc.)
Latitude/Longitude (deci-degrees)
Habitat/plant community alteration (examples: mowing, clear-cutting, exotics, etc.)
Surface and sub-surface discharges into the wetland (examples: discharges containing obvious pollutants, presence of nearby
Sub
VS
septic tanks, underground storage tanks (USTs), hog lagoons, etc.)
Precipitation within 48 hrs?
Signs of vegetation stress (examples: vegetation mortality, insect damage, disease, storm damage, salt intrusion, etc.)
NC WAM WETLAND ASSESSMENT FORM
Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1
Danielle McLain, Lindsay Hanna
4/10/18Wetland Site Name
Wetland Type
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Milltail Road
Rating Calculator Version 4.1
Boat BayLevel III Ecoregion
River Basin
Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain
Pocosin
Pasquotank
C C Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges (pathogen, particulate, or soluble) entering the assessment area and
potentially overwhelming the treatment capacity of the wetland (water discoloration, dead vegetation, excessive
sedimentation, odor)
6.Land Use – opportunity metric
Check all that apply (at least one box in each column). Evaluation involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. Consider sources
draining to assessment area within entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the
assessment area (5M), and within 2 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (2M). Effective riparian buffers
are considered to be 50 feet wide in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont ecoregions and 30 feet wide in the Blue Ridge Mountains ecoregion.
WS 5M 2M
A A A ≥ 10% impervious surfaces
B B B < 10% impervious surfaces
C C C Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants)
D D D ≥ 20% coverage of pasture
E E E ≥ 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land)
F F F ≥ 20% coverage of maintained grass/herb
G G G ≥ 20% coverage of clear-cut land
H H H Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic alterations
that prevent drainage or overbank flow from affecting the assessment area.
7.Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer – assessment area/wetland complex condition metric
7a.Is assessment area within 50 feet of a tributary or other open water?
Yes No If Yes, continue to 7b. If No, skip to Metric 8.
Wetland buffer need only be present on one side of the water body. Make buffer judgment based on the average width of the wetland.
Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been removed or disturbed.
7b.How much of the first 50 feet from the bank is weltand? Descriptor E should be selected if ditches effectively bypass the buffer.
A ≥ 50 feet
B From 30 to < 50 feet
C From 15 to < 30 feet
D From 5 to < 15 feet
E < 5 feet or buffer bypassed by ditches
7c.Tributary width. If the tributary is anastomosed, combine widths of channels/braids for a total width.
≤ 15-feet wide > 15-feet wide Other open water (no tributary present)
7d.Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the tributary/open water?
Yes No
7e.Is tributary or other open water sheltered or exposed?
Sheltered – adjacent open water with width < 2500 feet and no regular boat traffic.
Exposed – adjacent open water with width ≥ 2500 feet or regular boat traffic.
8.Wetland Width at the Assessment Area – wetland type/wetland complex metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only)
Check a box in each column. Select the average width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT)
and the wetland complex at the assessment areas (WC). See User Manual for WT and WC boundaries.
WT WC
A A ≥ 100 feet
B B From 80 to < 100 feet
C C From 50 to < 80 feet
D D From 40 to < 50 feet
E E From 30 to < 40 feet
F F From 15 to < 30 feet
G G From 5 to < 15 feet
H H < 5 feet
9.Inundation Duration – assessment area condition metric
Answer for assessment area dominant landform.
A Evidence of short-duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days)
B Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation
C Evidence of long-duration inundation or very long-duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more)
10.Indicators of Deposition – assessment area condition metric
Consider recent deposition only (no plant growth since deposition).
A Sediment deposition is not excessive, but at approximately natural levels.
B Sediment deposition is excessive, but not overwhelming the wetland.
C Sediment deposition is excessive and is overwhelming the wetland.
11.Wetland Size – wetland type/wetland complex condition metric
Check a box in each column. Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric evaluates three aspects of the wetland area: the
size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the wetland complex (WC), and the size of the forested wetland (FW) (if applicable, see User
Manual). See the User Manual for boundaries of these evaluation areas. If assessment area is clear-cut, select “K” for the FW column.
WT FW (if applicable)
A A A ≥ 500 acres
B B B From 100 to < 500 acres
C C C From 50 to < 100 acres
D D D From 25 to < 50 acres
E E E From 10 to < 25 acres
F F F From 5 to < 10 acres
G G G From 1 to < 5 acres
H H H From 0.5 to < 1 acre
I I I From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre
J J J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre
K K K < 0.01 acre or assessment area is clear-cut
12.Wetland Intactness – wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Pocosins only)
A Pocosin is the full extent (≥ 90%) of its natural landscape size.
B Pocosin is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size.
13.Connectivity to Other Natural Areas – landscape condition metric
13a.Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This
evaluates whether the wetland is well connected (Well) and/or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contiguous
metric naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate). Boundaries are formed by four-lane roads, regularly maintained utility
line corridors the width of a four-lane road or wider, urban landscapes, fields (pasture open and agriculture), or water > 300 feet wide.
A A ≥ 500 acres
B B From 100 to < 500 acres
C C From 50 to < 100 acres
D D From 10 to < 50 acres
E E < 10 acres
F F Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats
13b.Evaluate for marshes only.
Yes No Wetland type has a surface hydrology connection to open waters/stream or tidal wetlands.
14.Edge Effect – wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes)
LooselyWell
WC
May involve a GIS effort with field adjustment. Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include
non-forested areas ≥ 40 feet wide such as fields, development, roads, regularly maintained utility line corridors and clear-cuts.
Consider the eight main points of the compass.
A No artificial edge within 150 feet in all directions
B No artificial edge within 150 feet in four (4) to seven (7) directions
C An artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in more than four (4) directions or assessment area is clear-cut
15. Vegetative Composition – assessment area condition metric (skip for all marshes and Pine Flat)
A Vegetation is close to reference condition in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of appropriate
species, with exotic plants absent or sparse within the assessment area.
B Vegetation is different from reference condition in species diversity or proportions, but still largely composed of native species
characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting or
clearing. It also includes communities with exotics present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata.
C Vegetation severely altered from reference in composition. Expected species are unnaturally absent (planted stands of non-
characteristic species or at least one stratum inappropriately composed of a single species). Exotic species are dominant in
at least one stratum.
16.Vegetative Diversity – assessment area condition metric (evaluate for Non-tidal Freshwater Marsh only)
A Vegetation diversity is high and is composed primarily of native species (<10% cover of exotics).
B Vegetation diversity is low or has > 10% to 50% cover of exotics.
C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (>50% cover of exotics).
17.Vegetative Structure – assessment area/wetland type condition metric
17a.Is vegetation present?
Yes No If Yes, continue to 17b. If No, skip to Metric 18.
17b.Evaluate percent coverage of assessment area vegetation for all marshes only. Skip to 17c for non-marsh wetlands.
A ≥ 25% coverage of vegetation
B < 25% coverage of vegetation
17c.Check a box in each column for each stratum. Evaluate this portion of the metric for non-marsh wetlands. Consider structure
in airspace above the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) separately.
A A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes
B B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps
C C Canopy sparse or absent
A A Dense mid-story/sapling layer
B B Moderate density mid-story/sapling layer
C C Mid-story/sapling layer sparse or absent
A A Dense shrub layer
B B Moderate density shrub layer
C C Shrub layer sparse or absent
A A Dense herb layer
B B Moderate density herb layer
C C Herb layer sparse or absent
18.Snags – wetland type condition metric
A Large snags (more than one) are visible (> 12-inches DBH, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
B Not A
19.Diameter Class Distribution – wetland type condition metric
A Majority of canopy trees have stems > 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH); many large trees (> 12 inches DBH) are
present.
B Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6 and 12 inches DBH, few are > 12-inch DBH.
C Majority of canopy trees are < 6 inches DBH or no trees.
20.Large Woody Debris – wetland type condition metric
Include both natural debris and man-placed natural debris.
A Large logs (more than one) are visible (> 12 inches in diameter, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
B Not A
21.Vegetation/Open Water Dispersion – wetland type/open water condition metric (evaluate for Non-Tidal Freshwater
Marsh only)
Select the figure that best describes the amount of interspersion between vegetation and open water in the growing season. Patterned
areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water.
A B C D
22.Hydrologic Connectivity – assessment area condition metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only)
Examples of activities that may severely alter hydrologic connectivity include intensive
ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion, man-made berms, beaver dams, and stream incision.
A Overbank and overland flow are not severely altered in the assessment area.
B Overbank flow is severely altered in the assessment area.
C Overland flow is severely altered in the assessment area.
D Both overbank and overland flow are severely altered in the assessment area.Mid-StoryShrubHerbAA WT
Notes Canopy
Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y/N)
Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N)
Wetland is intensively managed (Y/N)
Assessment area is located within 50 feet of a natural tributary or other open water (Y/N)
Assessment area is substantially altered by beaver (Y/N)
Assessment area experiences overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y/N)
Assessment area is on a coastal island (Y/N)
Sub-function Rating Summary
Function Sub-function Metrics
Hydrology Surface Storage and Retention Condition
Sub-Surface Storage and Retention Condition
Water Quality Pathogen Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Particulate Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Soluble Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Physical Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Pollution Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Habitat Physical Structure Condition
Landscape Patch Structure Condition
Vegetation Composition Condition
Function Rating Summary
Function Metrics/Notes
Hydrology Condition
Water Quality Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Habitat Conditon
Overall Wetland Rating
Rating Calculator Version 4.1
LOW
NO
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
LOW
Rating
LOW
MEDIUM
NO
NO
NA
NO
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
NO
NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet
Wetland Type
Wetland Site NameAlligator River National Wildlife Refuge Milltail Road
Danielle McLain, Lindsay HannaRiverine Swamp Forest
Date
Assessor Name/Organization
4/10/18
Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
NO
MEDIUM
NA
LOW
HIGH
Rating
LOW
HIGH
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
NA
MEDIUM
MEDIUM
YES
Date
Assessor Name/Organization
Nearest Named Water Body
USGS 8-Digit Catalogue Unit
Yes No
Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and/or make note on last page if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if
appropriate, in recent past (for instance, approximately within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited
to the following.
•
•
•
•
Is the assessment area intensively managed?Yes No
Regulatory Considerations (select all that apply to the assessment area)
Anadromous fish
Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect
Abuts a Primary Nursery Area (PNA)
Publicly owned property
N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
Abuts a stream with a NCDWQ classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
Designated NCNHP reference community
Abuts a 303(d)-listed stream or a tributary to a 303(d)-listed stream
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (check all that apply)
Blackwater
Brownwater
Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes)Lunar Lunar Wind Both
Is the assessment area on a coastal island?Yes No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity or duration substantially altered by beaver?Yes No
Does the assessment area experience overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions?Yes No
1.Ground Surface Condition/Vegetation Condition – assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider alteration to the ground surface (GS) in the assessment area and vegetation structure
(VS) in the assessment area. Compare to reference wetland if applicable (see User Manual). If a reference is not applicable,
then rate the assessment area based on evidence of an effect.
GS
A A Not severely altered
B B Severely altered over a majority of the assessment area (ground surface alteration examples: vehicle tracks, excessive
sedimentation, fire-plow lanes, skidder tracks, bedding, fill, soil compaction, obvious pollutants) (vegetation structure
alteration examples: mechanical disturbance, herbicides, salt intrusion [where appropriate], exotic species, grazing,
less diversity [if appropriate], hydrologic alteration)
2.Surface and Sub-Surface Storage Capacity and Duration – assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface storage capacity and duration (Surf) and sub-surface storage capacity and
duration (Sub). Consider both increase and decrease in hydrology. Refer to the current NRCS lateral effect of ditching guidance for
North Carolina hydric soils (see USACE Wilmington District website) for the zone of influence of ditches in hydric soils. A ditch
≤ 1 foot deep is considered to affect surface water only, while a ditch > 1 foot deep is expected to affect both surface and ditch
sub-surface water. Consider tidal flooding regime, if applicable.
Surf
A A Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
B B Water storage capacity or duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation).
C C Water storage capacity or duration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation
change) (examples: draining, flooding, soil compaction, filling, excessive sedimentation, underground utility lines).
3.Water Storage/Surface Relief – assessment area/wetland type condition metric (answer for non-marsh wetlands only)
Check a box in each column for each group below. Select the appropriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland
type (WT).
AA WT
3a.A A Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water > 1 foot deep
B B Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot deep
C C Majority of wetland with depressions able to pond water 3 to 6 inches deep
D D Depressions able to pond water < 3 inches deep
3b.A Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is greater than 2 feet
B Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is between 1 and 2 feet
C Evidence that maximum depth of inundation is less than 1 foot
4.Soil Texture/Structure – assessment area condition metric
Check a box from each of the three soil property groups below. Dig soil profile in the dominant assessment area landscape
feature. Make soil observations within the 12 inches. Use most recent National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils guidance for
regional indicators.
4a.A Sandy soil
B Loamy or clayey soils exhibiting redoximorphic features (concentrations, depletions, or rhizospheres)
C Loamy or clayey soils not exhibiting redoximorphic features
D Loamy or clayey gleyed soil
E Histosol or histic epipedon
4b.A Soil ribbon < 1 inch
B Soil ribbon ≥ 1 inch
4c.A No peat or muck presence
B A peat or muck presence
5.Discharge into Wetland – opportunity metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface pollutants or discharges (Surf) and sub-surface pollutants or discharges (Sub).
Examples of sub-surface discharges include presence of nearby septic tank, underground storage tank (UST), etc.
Surf Sub
A A Little or no evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the assessment area
B B Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the wetland and stressing, but not overwhelming the
treatment capacity of the assessment area
Boat BayLevel III Ecoregion
River Basin
NC WAM WETLAND ASSESSMENT FORM
Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1
Danielle McLain, Lindsay Hanna
4/10/18Wetland Site Name
Wetland Type
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Milltail Road
Rating Calculator Version 4.1
Hydrological modifications (examples: ditches, dams, beaver dams, dikes, berms, ponds, etc.)
Latitude/Longitude (deci-degrees)
Habitat/plant community alteration (examples: mowing, clear-cutting, exotics, etc.)
Surface and sub-surface discharges into the wetland (examples: discharges containing obvious pollutants, presence of nearby
Sub
VS
septic tanks, underground storage tanks (USTs), hog lagoons, etc.)
Precipitation within 48 hrs?
Signs of vegetation stress (examples: vegetation mortality, insect damage, disease, storm damage, salt intrusion, etc.)
Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain
Pocosin
Pasquotank
C C Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges (pathogen, particulate, or soluble) entering the assessment area and
potentially overwhelming the treatment capacity of the wetland (water discoloration, dead vegetation, excessive
sedimentation, odor)
6.Land Use – opportunity metric
Check all that apply (at least one box in each column). Evaluation involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. Consider sources
draining to assessment area within entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the
assessment area (5M), and within 2 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (2M). Effective riparian buffers
are considered to be 50 feet wide in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont ecoregions and 30 feet wide in the Blue Ridge Mountains ecoregion.
WS 5M 2M
A A A ≥ 10% impervious surfaces
B B B < 10% impervious surfaces
C C C Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants)
D D D ≥ 20% coverage of pasture
E E E ≥ 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land)
F F F ≥ 20% coverage of maintained grass/herb
G G G ≥ 20% coverage of clear-cut land
H H H Little or no opportunity to improve water quality. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic alterations
that prevent drainage or overbank flow from affecting the assessment area.
7.Wetland Acting as Vegetated Buffer – assessment area/wetland complex condition metric
7a.Is assessment area within 50 feet of a tributary or other open water?
Yes No If Yes, continue to 7b. If No, skip to Metric 8.
Wetland buffer need only be present on one side of the water body. Make buffer judgment based on the average width of the wetland.
Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been removed or disturbed.
7b.How much of the first 50 feet from the bank is weltand? Descriptor E should be selected if ditches effectively bypass the buffer.
A ≥ 50 feet
B From 30 to < 50 feet
C From 15 to < 30 feet
D From 5 to < 15 feet
E < 5 feet or buffer bypassed by ditches
7c.Tributary width. If the tributary is anastomosed, combine widths of channels/braids for a total width.
≤ 15-feet wide > 15-feet wide Other open water (no tributary present)
7d.Do roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the tributary/open water?
Yes No
7e.Is tributary or other open water sheltered or exposed?
Sheltered – adjacent open water with width < 2500 feet and no regular boat traffic.
Exposed – adjacent open water with width ≥ 2500 feet or regular boat traffic.
8.Wetland Width at the Assessment Area – wetland type/wetland complex metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only)
Check a box in each column. Select the average width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT)
and the wetland complex at the assessment areas (WC). See User Manual for WT and WC boundaries.
WT WC
A A ≥ 100 feet
B B From 80 to < 100 feet
C C From 50 to < 80 feet
D D From 40 to < 50 feet
E E From 30 to < 40 feet
F F From 15 to < 30 feet
G G From 5 to < 15 feet
H H < 5 feet
9.Inundation Duration – assessment area condition metric
Answer for assessment area dominant landform.
A Evidence of short-duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days)
B Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation
C Evidence of long-duration inundation or very long-duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more)
10.Indicators of Deposition – assessment area condition metric
Consider recent deposition only (no plant growth since deposition).
A Sediment deposition is not excessive, but at approximately natural levels.
B Sediment deposition is excessive, but not overwhelming the wetland.
C Sediment deposition is excessive and is overwhelming the wetland.
11.Wetland Size – wetland type/wetland complex condition metric
Check a box in each column. Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric evaluates three aspects of the wetland area: the
size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the wetland complex (WC), and the size of the forested wetland (FW) (if applicable, see User
Manual). See the User Manual for boundaries of these evaluation areas. If assessment area is clear-cut, select “K” for the FW column.
WT FW (if applicable)
A A A ≥ 500 acres
B B B From 100 to < 500 acres
C C C From 50 to < 100 acres
D D D From 25 to < 50 acres
E E E From 10 to < 25 acres
F F F From 5 to < 10 acres
G G G From 1 to < 5 acres
H H H From 0.5 to < 1 acre
I I I From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre
J J J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre
K K K < 0.01 acre or assessment area is clear-cut
12.Wetland Intactness – wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Pocosins only)
A Pocosin is the full extent (≥ 90%) of its natural landscape size.
B Pocosin is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size.
13.Connectivity to Other Natural Areas – landscape condition metric
13a.Check appropriate box(es) (a box may be checked in each column). Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This
evaluates whether the wetland is well connected (Well) and/or loosely connected (Loosely) to the landscape patch, the contiguous
metric naturally vegetated area and open water (if appropriate). Boundaries are formed by four-lane roads, regularly maintained utility
line corridors the width of a four-lane road or wider, urban landscapes, fields (pasture open and agriculture), or water > 300 feet wide.
A A ≥ 500 acres
B B From 100 to < 500 acres
C C From 50 to < 100 acres
D D From 10 to < 50 acres
E E < 10 acres
F F Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats
13b.Evaluate for marshes only.
Yes No Wetland type has a surface hydrology connection to open waters/stream or tidal wetlands.
14.Edge Effect – wetland type condition metric (skip for all marshes)
Well
WC
Loosely
May involve a GIS effort with field adjustment. Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include
non-forested areas ≥ 40 feet wide such as fields, development, roads, regularly maintained utility line corridors and clear-cuts.
Consider the eight main points of the compass.
A No artificial edge within 150 feet in all directions
B No artificial edge within 150 feet in four (4) to seven (7) directions
C An artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in more than four (4) directions or assessment area is clear-cut
15. Vegetative Composition – assessment area condition metric (skip for all marshes and Pine Flat)
A Vegetation is close to reference condition in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of appropriate
species, with exotic plants absent or sparse within the assessment area.
B Vegetation is different from reference condition in species diversity or proportions, but still largely composed of native species
characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting or
clearing. It also includes communities with exotics present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata.
C Vegetation severely altered from reference in composition. Expected species are unnaturally absent (planted stands of non-
characteristic species or at least one stratum inappropriately composed of a single species). Exotic species are dominant in
at least one stratum.
16.Vegetative Diversity – assessment area condition metric (evaluate for Non-tidal Freshwater Marsh only)
A Vegetation diversity is high and is composed primarily of native species (<10% cover of exotics).
B Vegetation diversity is low or has > 10% to 50% cover of exotics.
C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species (>50% cover of exotics).
17.Vegetative Structure – assessment area/wetland type condition metric
17a.Is vegetation present?
Yes No If Yes, continue to 17b. If No, skip to Metric 18.
17b.Evaluate percent coverage of assessment area vegetation for all marshes only. Skip to 17c for non-marsh wetlands.
A ≥ 25% coverage of vegetation
B < 25% coverage of vegetation
17c.Check a box in each column for each stratum. Evaluate this portion of the metric for non-marsh wetlands. Consider structure
in airspace above the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) separately.
A A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes
B B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps
C C Canopy sparse or absent
A A Dense mid-story/sapling layer
B B Moderate density mid-story/sapling layer
C C Mid-story/sapling layer sparse or absent
A A Dense shrub layer
B B Moderate density shrub layer
C C Shrub layer sparse or absent
A A Dense herb layer
B B Moderate density herb layer
C C Herb layer sparse or absent
18.Snags – wetland type condition metric
A Large snags (more than one) are visible (> 12-inches DBH, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
B Not A
19.Diameter Class Distribution – wetland type condition metric
A Majority of canopy trees have stems > 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH); many large trees (> 12 inches DBH) are
present.
B Majority of canopy trees have stems between 6 and 12 inches DBH, few are > 12-inch DBH.
C Majority of canopy trees are < 6 inches DBH or no trees.
20.Large Woody Debris – wetland type condition metric
Include both natural debris and man-placed natural debris.
A Large logs (more than one) are visible (> 12 inches in diameter, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
B Not A
21.Vegetation/Open Water Dispersion – wetland type/open water condition metric (evaluate for Non-Tidal Freshwater
Marsh only)
Select the figure that best describes the amount of interspersion between vegetation and open water in the growing season. Patterned
areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water.
A B C D
22.Hydrologic Connectivity – assessment area condition metric (evaluate for riparian wetlands only)
Examples of activities that may severely alter hydrologic connectivity include intensive
ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion, man-made berms, beaver dams, and stream incision.
A Overbank and overland flow are not severely altered in the assessment area.
B Overbank flow is severely altered in the assessment area.
C Overland flow is severely altered in the assessment area.
D Both overbank and overland flow are severely altered in the assessment area.CanopyMid-StoryShrubHerbAA WT
Notes
Notes on Field Assessment Form (Y/N)
Presence of regulatory considerations (Y/N)
Wetland is intensively managed (Y/N)
Assessment area is located within 50 feet of a natural tributary or other open water (Y/N)
Assessment area is substantially altered by beaver (Y/N)
Assessment area experiences overbank flooding during normal rainfall conditions (Y/N)
Assessment area is on a coastal island (Y/N)
Sub-function Rating Summary
Function Sub-function Metrics
Hydrology Surface Storage and Retention Condition
Sub-Surface Storage and Retention Condition
Water Quality Pathogen Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Particulate Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Soluble Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Physical Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Pollution Change Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Habitat Physical Structure Condition
Landscape Patch Structure Condition
Vegetation Composition Condition
Function Rating Summary
Function Metrics/Notes
Hydrology Condition
Water Quality Condition
Condition/Opportunity
Opportunity Presence? (Y/N)
Habitat Conditon
Overall Wetland Rating
Rating Calculator Version 4.1
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Rating
HIGH
HIGH
NO
NA
HIGH
NA
NA
NA
NA
NC WAM Wetland Rating Sheet
Wetland Type
Wetland Site NameAlligator River National Wildlife Refuge Milltail Road
Danielle McLain, Lindsay HannaPocosin
Date
Assessor Name/Organization
4/10/18
Accompanies User Manual Version 4.1
HIGH
HIGH
HIGH
NO
HIGH
NO
HIGH
HIGH
Rating
HIGH
HIGH
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
HIGH
NA
NA
NO

OBG THERE ’S A WAY
PRE-CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION – MILLTAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENT

Appendix B
USFWS Information for
Planning and Consultation
(IPAC)
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
In Reply Refer To:
Consultation Code: 04EN2000-2019-SLI-0002
Event Code: 04EN2000-2019-E-00004
Project Name: Milltail Road Improvement Project

Subject:List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project
location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project
To Whom It May Concern:
The species list generated pursuant to the information you provided identifies threatened,
endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical
habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by
your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of
species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to
contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to
federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical
habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the
Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be
completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be
completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and
implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested
through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.
Section 7 of the Act requires that all federal agencies (or their designated non-federal
representative), in consultation with the Service, insure that any action federally authorized,
funded, or carried out by such agencies is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any
federally-listed endangered or threatened species. A biological assessment or evaluation may be
prepared to fulfill that requirement and in determining whether additional consultation with the
Service is necessary. In addition to the federally-protected species list, information on the
species' life histories and habitats and information on completing a biological assessment or
October 01, 2018
10/01/2018 Event Code: 04EN2000-2019-E-00004   2

evaluation and can be found on our web page at http://www.fws.gov/raleigh. Please check the
web site often for updated information or changes
If your project contains suitable habitat for any of the federally-listed species known to be
present within the county where your project occurs, the proposed action has the potential to
adversely affect those species. As such, we recommend that surveys be conducted to determine
the species' presence or absence within the project area. The use of North Carolina Natural
Heritage program data should not be substituted for actual field surveys.
If you determine that the proposed action may affect (i.e., likely to adversely affect or not likely
to adversely affect) a federally-protected species, you should notify this office with your
determination, the results of your surveys, survey methodologies, and an analysis of the effects
of the action on listed species, including consideration of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects,
before conducting any activities that might affect the species. If you determine that the proposed
action will have no effect (i.e., no beneficial or adverse, direct or indirect effect) on federally
listed species, then you are not required to contact our office for concurrence (unless an
Environmental Impact Statement is prepared). However, you should maintain a complete record
of the assessment, including steps leading to your determination of effect, the qualified personnel
conducting the assessment, habitat conditions, site photographs, and any other related articles.
Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require
development of an eagle conservation plan (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/
eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the wind energy
guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and
bats.
Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications
towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http://
www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http://
www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/
comtow.html.
Not all Threatened and Endangered Species that occur in North Carolina are subject to section 7
consultation with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, sea
turtles,when in the water, and certain marine mammals are under purview of the National Marine
Fisheries Service. If your project occurs in marine, estuarine, or coastal river systems you should
also contact the National Marine Fisheries Service, http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages
Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project
planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in
the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project
that you submit to our office. If you have any questions or comments, please contact John Ellis
of this office at [e-mail].
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Attachment(s):
▪Official Species List
10/01/2018 Event Code: 04EN2000-2019-E-00004   1

Official Species List
This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the
requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether
any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed
action".
This species list is provided by:
Raleigh Ecological Services Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726
[phone]
10/01/2018 Event Code: 04EN2000-2019-E-00004   2

Project Summary
Consultation Code:04EN2000-2019-SLI-0002
Event Code:04EN2000-2019-E-00004
Project Name:Milltail Road Improvement Project
Project Type:TRANSPORTATION
Project Description:road improvement
Project Location:
Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://
www.google.com/maps/place/35.799748571674684N75.88285428998032W
Counties:Dare, NC
10/01/2018 Event Code: 04EN2000-2019-E-00004   3

Endangered Species Act Species
There is a total of 14 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.
Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include
species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species
list because a project could affect downstream species.
IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA
Fisheries , as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the
Department of Commerce.
See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially
within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office
if you have questions.
1.NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an
office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of
Commerce.
Mammals
NAME STATUS
Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9045
Threatened
Red Wolf Canis rufus
Population: U.S.A. (portions of NC and TN)
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/37
Experimental
Population,
Non-
Essential
West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.
This species is also protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and may have additional
consultation requirements.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4469
Threatened
1
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Birds
NAME STATUS
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus
Population: [Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains populations] - Wherever found, except
those areas where listed as endangered.
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039
Threatened
Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1864
Threatened
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7614
Endangered
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii dougallii
Population: northeast U.S. nesting pop.
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2083
Endangered
10/01/2018 Event Code: 04EN2000-2019-E-00004   5

Reptiles
NAME STATUS
American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/776
Similarity of
Appearance
(Threatened)
Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas
Population: North Atlantic DPS
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6199
Threatened
Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3656
Endangered
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. The location of the critical habitat is not
available.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5523
Endangered
Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1493
Endangered
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta
Population: Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1110
Threatened
Flowering Plants
NAME STATUS
Seabeach Amaranth Amaranthus pumilus
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8549
Threatened
Critical habitats
THERE ARE NO CRITICAL HABITATS WITHIN YOUR PROJECT AREA UNDER THIS OFFICE'S
JURISDICTION.

OBG THERE’S A WAY
PRE-CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION – MILLTAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENT

Appendix C
Milltail Road Site Plan
Details

OBG THERE’S A WAY
PRE-CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION – MILLTAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENT

Appendix D
Letter of Credit
Availability