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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20061581 Ver 1_More Info Received_20070212LM G LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP nvc. Environmental Consultants February 7, 2007 TO: Mr. Doug Huggett Division of Coastal Management - ~-.; : - . ° .f ~. 4000ommerceAve. 's~ '~` _ ~~~~ ;~.~ 4~ t~ "`^.,. ~ Morehead City, NC 28557 _., RE: New Hanover County Well Field and WWTP ; DW4 # o ~ i58 ~ ~ b~ _1 :.5 ..; a.,S I~~ . ? ~FrLx~t:Fi Dear Doug: Thank you for your letter in which you ask us to respond to agency comments generated by the CAMA Major Permit application review process. Comments were received from the Division of Coastal Management, Division of Water Quality, Division of Marine Fisheries, Wildlife Resources Commission, Division of Land Resources, and Public Water Supply. We also received comments from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Individual Permit Public Notice review process. Below is a response to each of these comments. Division of Coastal Mana eg ment It is recommended that the applicant consider the installation of the outfall line at the AIA'W utilizing directional bore in order to eliminate the impacts to coastal wetlands, eliminate the need to stockpile spoil material within Public Trust Areas and eliminate potential impacts to shel~sh resources If the directional bore option is deemed not to be feasible, it is recommended that all spoil material be temporarily stockpiled on a barge or on highground until the trench is ready to be backfilled The following response was prepared by Mr. Chris Gibson of Gahagan & Bryant Associates, the engineering firm designing the outfall location. During the initial design, the directional bore oprion was considered at length. However given the working parameters of the site, it was considered not feasible for several reasons. Safety and longevity of the structure and other existing utilities were the foremost considerations. In order to prevent movement or flotation of the pipeline, the pipe must either be weighted or have sufficient ground cover. Since there is the potential for the pipeline to be full of air at various times, this is the worse case design condition. A directionally bored pipeline cannot be weighted externally, thus the line must be drilled significantly below existing grade. In our experience this would be 10-15 feet. These design constraints resulted in the following issues for the directional drill option. 1. Because of the limitation of a standard drilling rig and the HDPE pipeline characteristics, there is insufficient horizontal distance within the allotted easement to drill deep enough to provide sufficient ground cover and still surface west of the bridge fendering system. www.lmgroup.net • info@Imgroup.net • Phone: 910.452.0001 • Fax: 910.452.0060 3805 Wrightsville Ave., Suite 15, Wilmington, NC 28403 • P.O. Box 2522, Wilmington, NC 28402 2. There are both cable and phone utility lines which share the utility easement being utilized. Based on the USACE requirements for utilities crossing the AIWW, these lines are estimated to be buried at approximately elevation -25 ft NGVD29. In the event additional working space could be obtained so that desired depth could be reached, the directional drill would likely cross these lines vertically. The easement is only 30' wide so there is a substantial risk of interrupting phone and cable service to the island during the installation process. 3. The third issue with the direction drill option is not directly related to design, but is an environmental one. The drill rig would have to "surface" in open water. It has been our experience in other states that the release of "drilling mud", specifically bentonite, into open waters is an environmentally unsound practice that we would like to avoid. If a permit is issued to authorize the project it should be subject to the following conditions: In order to protect juvenile shrimp/frnfish/shrimp and finfish populations, no excavation of filling will be permitted between April 1 and September 30 of arty year without the prior approval of the Division of Coastal Management, in consultation with the Division of Marine Fisheries. All proposed work at the outfall location will occur between October 1~` and March 31~ to protect populations of finfish and shrimp. The temporary placement or double handling of excavated or fill materials within waters or vegetated wetlands is not authorized. The project has been revised to stockpile material from the trench directly to a barge. Once the pipe has been installed, the material will be transferred from the barge back to the trench. No excavated or fill material will be placed at any time in arty vegetated wetlands/marsh or surrounding waters outside of the alignment of the fill area indicated on the workplan drawing(s). The applicant will comply with this .condition. No attempt will be made by the permittee to prevent the full and free use by the public of all navigable waters at or adjacent to the authorized work. The applicant will comply with this condition. The authorized structure and associated activity must not cause an unacceptable interference with navigation. The applicant will comply with this condition. The permittee will maintain the authorized work in good condition and in conformance with the terms and conditions of this permit. The permittee is not relieved of this requirement if he abandons the permitted activity without having it transferred to a third party. 2 The applicant will comply with this condition. This permit does not authorize the interference with arty existing or proposed Federal project, and the permittee will not be entitled to compensation for damage to the authorized structure or work, or injury which may be caused,from existing or future operations undertaken by the United States in the public interest. The applicant will comply with this condition. In order to protect water quality, runoff from construction must not visibly increase the amount of suspended sediments in adjacent waters. The applicant will comply with this condition. Appropriate sedimentation and erosion control devices, measures or structures must be implemented to ensure that eroded materials do not enter adjacent wetlands, watercourses and property (e.g. silt fence, diversion swales or berms, sand fence, etc). The applicant will comply with this condition. A ground cover sufficient to restrain erosion shall be provided within the shorter of IS working or 30 calendar days of completion of arty phase of grading on cut or filled slopes. The applicant will comply with this condition. The permitted activity will be conducted in such a manner as to prevent a significant increase in turbidity outside of the area of construction or construction-related discharge. Increase such that the turbidity in the waterbody is 25 NTU's or Zess in all saltwater classes are not considered significant. The applicant will comply with this condition. Division of Water Quality In a letter dated October 19, 2006, Ms. Linda Lewis with the Division of Water Quality provided the following comments: The North Carolina Administrative Code requires any project that must receive either Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan approval and/or a CAMA Major permit to apply for and received a Stormwater Management Permit by the Division, of Water Quality. Either a Stormwater Permit Application package .... or a written response regarding the status of this project and the expected submittal date must be received in this Office no later than November 19, 2006. LMG submitted a letter to Ms. Linda Lewis on November 7a', 2006 describing the expected submittal date of the Stormwater Permit application. Since that time, the application has been finalized and the County plans to submit it through the express review process in February of 2007. 3 In a letter dated January 16, 2007, Ms. Noelle Lutheran of the Division of Water Quality provided the following comments: 1. Impact Just cation: It appears that impacts associated with installation of the efjZuent pipeline could be minimized by directionally drilling the section of pipeline adjacent to the ICWW that is currently proposed in 404 and Coastal Wetlands..... Please revise the narrative and plans accordingly. Please see the response given by Gahagan & Bryant on page 1. 2. Mitigation Please provide a copy of the mitigation plan, including but not limited to, monitoring plan for mitigation area and draft preservation documents and associated maps for the well sites and the WTP site. Enclosed is the complete wetland restoration plan. The applicant is currently preparing the preservation documents and associated maps showing the wetland areas to be preserved. The language will follow standard language provided by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. We will submit this information to you as soon as it is complete. 3. NPDES General Stormwater Permit No. NCGO10000 Monitoring Requirements Please provide a written narrative explaining how New Hanover County intends to comply with this Permit and who will be delegated to inspect the site and maintain required rain gauge and monitoring reports. The County will include this monitoring in the contractor's scope of work to ensure that it is completed. Division of Marine Fisheries To prevent damage to the 225 ft of coastal marsh, the pipe should be directional bored. Please see the response given by Gahagan & Bryant on page 1. To prevent problems with navigation, anchoring, etc. the line should be marked appropriately. The line will be marked to avoid problems with navigation. Wildlife Resources Commission To prevent damage to the 225 ft of coastal marsh, the pipe should be directional bored. Please see the response given by the project engineer on page 1. 4 To prevent problems with navigation, anchoring, etc. the line should be marked appropriately. The line will be marked to avoid problems with navigation. The draft deed restrictions for the wetlands to be set aside as mitigation for wetlands impacted by the project were not provided We recommend that all remaining wetlands on-site are preserved in perpetuity through conservation easement that prohibits: cutting, pruning, mowing, or burning of vegetation; construction of arty kind; use of herbicides; arty land disturbing activities; dumping or storing of soil, trash, or other waste; and the pasturing, grazing or watering of animals, or any other agricultural or horticultural purpose within wetlands. The applicant is currently preparing the preservation documents and associated maps showing the wetland areas to be preserved. The language will follow standard language provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will prohibit the above-listed activities. We will submit this information to you as soon as it is complete. We recommend that all sub-aqueous utility stream crossings be made using directional bore methods rather than trenching. The only stream crossing is located on Porters Neck Road (Sheet CS}. This crossing will be directionally bored to avoid impacts. Division of Land Resources An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan application and approval is necessary for this project. The County is currently preparing an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan application and plans to submit it through the express review process in February of 2007. Public Water Sunnly This project must be approved by PWS. The PWSS received a partial submittal for the New Hanover County Well Field and Water Treatment Facility project on December 29, 2006, which included the plans and specifications for the Water Treatment Facility and the PER. The Plans and Specifications for the Well Field portion of the project and the updated NHC Water System Management Plan will be submitted by the first week in February of 2007. U. S. Army Corps of En ig, neers a. Permits for work within wetlands or other special aquatic sites are available only if the proposed work is the least environmentally damaging, practicable alternative. Please furnish information regarding arty other alternatives, including upland alternatives, to the work for which you have applied and provide justification that your selected plan is the least damaging to water or wetland areas. 5 A complete Alternatives Analysis was included in the Environmental Assessment prepazed by Arcadis and in the Project Narrative, which was a part of the Individual Permit application. b. It is necessary for you to have taken all appropriate and practicable steps to minimize wetland losses. Please indicate all that you have done, especially regarding development and modification of plans and proposed construction techniques, to minimize adverse impacts. A description of the applicant's attempt to avoid and minimize wetland impacts is included in the Project Narrative, which was a part of the Individual Permit application. c. The MOA requires that appropriate and practicable mitigation will be required for all unavoidable adverse impacts remaining after the applicant has employed all appropriate and practicable minimization. Please indicate your plan to mitigate for the projected, unavoidable loss of waters or wetlands or provide information as to the absence of arty such appropriate and practicable measures. Enclosed is the complete wetland restoration plan. The applicant is currently preparing the preservation documents and associated maps showing the areas to be preserved within the well field sites and the wetland restoration area. The language will follow standard language provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We will submit this information to you as soon as it is complete. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service There should be a discussion of the type(s) of wetland communities to be preserved, current condition of these wetlands, the nature of the conservation easement, and the easement holder. The wetlands to be preserved are located within the well field sites and the wetland restoration area within the WTP site. The well field sites consist of densely vegetated pocosin habitat (please see Project Narrative for additional details). The wetland restoration area within the WTP tract was ditched and does not currently support wetland hydrology. Vegetation within this area has been mowed and consists mostly of fetterbush, sweet pepperbush, and cinnamon fern in the herbaceous layer, with a few scattered loblolly dine trees in the canopy. Ditches within the wetland restoration azea will be filled to restore hydrology and the area will be planted with wetland vegetation. Please see the enclosed mitigation plan for additional details. The applicant is currently preparing the preservation documents and associated maps showing the specific wetland areas to be preserved. The language will follow standard language provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We will submit this information to you as soon as it is complete. Areas to be disturbed by the WTP, wells, and pipeline corridors should be surveyed for listed plants during the optimal time period for detection. Arty area requiring the removal of mature pines should be evaluated as potential RCW foraging habitat unless there is evidence that no RCW's occur within a half-mile of the impacted area. The evaluation should not be limited to active nest trees. Please see the enclosed Biological Assessment for an evaluation of RCW habitat. 6 The Service recommends that the applicant submit a Biological Assessment (BA) to the Corps to facilitate your determination of project impacts. The BA would consolidate the information in existing planning documents and add new information, such as surveys for federally listed plants during the optimal survey period and survey information from the well sites. Each species consideration should end with a determination of "no effect ", "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect ; or "may a, ffect, and is likely to adversely affect ". After reviewing the BA, the Corps may accept or reject the conclusions of the applicant. Enclosed is a Biological Assessment for the NHC Well Field and WWTP Project. This BA found that the project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the West Indian manatee, the red-cockaded woodpecker, Cooley's meadowrue, and rough-leaf loosestrife. The BA concluded that ditch banks and several small wetland pockets within the WTP tract could potentially provide suitable habitat for the rough-leaf loosestrife and Cooley's meadowrue. The project proposes to impact two of these pockets (0.013 acre) and 0.24 acre of ditch banks. The flowering period for these two plant species is in June. The applicant requests that permitting be allowed to proceed with the condition that these areas be evaluated in June to make a final determination about the presence/absence of these species. No earthwork will occur until after these areas have been inspected and it has been determined that these species do not exist within the areas. If these species are observed, the plants will be relocated to the wetland mitigation area on site with the supervision of the USFWS and the NCWRC. Please note that the WTP site plan was recently modified by the project engineers due to stormwater considerations. These modifications have decreased the amount of impacts to Waters of the U.S on site from 0.67 acre to 0.24 acre. Please see the attached revised WTP plan (Sheet 12). The overall amount of proposed impacts to Waters of the U.S. from the project has been reduced from 1.108 acre to 0.678 acre. I have enclosed a revised impact table. I hope this response adequately addresses the agencies' concerns. Please contact me if you require any additional information. Thank you for your assistance with this project. Si cerelyl, 1 InJ ~~' Kim Williams Wetland Scientist Encl. C: Mr. Greg Thompson, NHC Mr. David Hollis, NHC Mr. Paul Goss, WK Dickson Mr. David Briley, Arcadis Ms. Jennifer Frye, ACOE Ms. Noelle Lutheran, DWQ Mr. Ian McMillan, DWQ Mr. Howard Hall, USFWS 7 List of Wetland and Waters of the U.S. Impacts (revised February 2007) Permanent Area 404 Wetland Im act Area Square Feet Acres Location 1 574 0.013 Well Field 2 1461 0.034 Well Field 3 825 0.019 Well Field 4 109 0.003 Well Field 5 3910 0.090 Well Field 6 11911 0.273 Well Field 7 377 0.009 Well Field 8 264 0.006 Well Field 9 9831 0.226 Well Field 10 207 0.005 -Well Field 11 12227 0.281 Well Field 12 10485 0.241 Well Field 13 18952 0.435 Well Field 14 11091 0.255 Well Field 15 1492 0.034 Well Field 16 359 0.008 Well Field 17 245 0.005 WTP Total 84320 1.937 Permanent Area Waters of the U.S. Im act Area Square Feet Acres Location 1 1324 0.030 Well Field 2 483 0.011 Well Field 3 621 0.014 Well Field 4 5861 0.135 Well Field 5 562 0.013 Well Field 6 529 0.012 Well Field 7 221 0.005 Well Field 8 188 0.004 Well Field 9 575 0.013 Well Field 10 41 0.001 Well Field 11 3620 0.083 Well Field 12 728 0.017 Well Field 13 692 0.016 Well Field 14 784 0.018 Well Field 15 549 0.013 Well Field 16 1890 0.043 WTP 17 439 0.010 WTP 18 29199 0.24 WTP Total 48306 0.678 List of Wetland and Waters of the U.S. Impacts Contd. Temporary Area 404 Wetland Im act Area Square Feet Acres Location 1 1699 0.039 Concentrate 2 695 0.016 Concentrate 3 24 0.001 Concentrate 4 754 0.017 O den Park 5 20761 0.477 Outfall Total 23933 0.55 Temporary Area Coastal Wetland Im act Area Square Feet Acres Location 1 2807 0.064 Outfall Total 2807 0.064 N I I~ ~4 ., O 4N W ti Q j 3 w 2 i~ ~~ „o C~ 3 DITCH .... (WATERS OF THE US) ~ -gym ~~ DITCH fWAZF~C,mOF TI(~nfJS> U7 ~ y x x~ ~4 0 ` a ,~ w ~ w<,, F . , wus IMPnCTs (AREA. = 98222 S.F.) N 55'S9'00'W ' ~ ;:N S ~~t~,P 60' PUBLIC R/W ~0 ,~ e- ` • ~ ~a ~ ~ O ~ PR~U~TISN 1~ A t ~' (Sqee Sheet Cd for wetland Ifn ac dethils~ ~. .,. ~~ ! . ' ~jpp ~ ~. ' 1 ,~ ' ~~ ~ O ~ U W `4~ ~~ =F ~ '~ ~ ~6 O 4y ~ o W Q ~ 4 i _1 u ~ I J r •-----a ~ `I ~ WUS IMPACTS cwATERS l>FuT us) i !AREA = 2770. S,F.) 2~ U1 ~ o Qh W ~~~`. ~ x 0 ~" ~ _ _. W T nrrcH fwaTERS of rHE us) ~ j I'JI N SF JACQUELINE -R ti5 I 1p 2 I 3 RECHELLE R(JAD 35 .Sb 3g O n~9 DIANE DRIVE pp p5 ®Proposed Impacts to IrNaters of the U.S. (10,6 ~ 0.66 sf; 0.24 ac~ Proposed Impacts to ~`04 4"Wetlands ~244.~? sf; 0.005 ac) Please note these numbers do not include impects from Wells A & B (see Sheet CB) PRE~IMINARI': NoT FoR GoNSTRUGTIaN RANCH DRIVE DRAWING BY: ARCADIS G&M of North Carolina 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 300 Roleigh, NC 27601 Weltontl survey fnfofmation provided by Hanover Design h,~odif;ed 6y Lond Management Group, Inc. to show proposed weUonds ontl Waters of Lhe L.S. irr~pocls. SHEET 12 of 14 `Water Treatment Plant `/ite Plan July 2006; revised February 2007 0 SCALE: 1° = 15G BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT NEW HANOVER COUNTY WELL FIELD AND WATER TREATMENT PLANT NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA February 2007 Submitted to: Ms. Jennifer Frye U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch P.O. Box 1890 Wilmington, NC 28402-1890 Applicant: New Hanover County, North Carolina 230 Market Place Drive, Suite 16 Wilmington, NC 28403 Prepared by: Land Management Group, Inc. P.O. Box 2522 Wilmington, NC 28402 t 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Table of Contents 1.00 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................1 2.00 EXISTING CONDITIONS .............................................................................................................. 2 3.00 PROPOSED PROJECT ....................................................................................................................4 4.00 PRIOR CONSULTATIONS ............................................................................................................ 7 5.00 LIST OF SPECIES ...........................................................................................................................7 6.00 SURVEY AND ANALYSIS METHODS .......................................................................................9 7.00 GENERAL EFFECTS ON LISTED SPECIES ................................................................................9 8.00 SPECIES ASSESSMENTS ..............................................................................................................9 8.01 West Indian Manatee ..............................................................................................................9 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ........................................ 9 b. Effect Determination ...............................................................................................:..... 10 8.02 Red-Cockaded Woodpecker ................................................................................................. 10 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ...................................... 10 b. Effect Determination ..................................................................................................... 13 8.03 Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, and Loggerhead Sea Turtle ............................................................................................... 13 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ...................................... 13 b. Effect Determination ..................................................................................................... 14 8.04 Shortnose Sturgeon ............................................................................................................... 14 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ...................................... 14 b. Effect Determination ..................................................................................................... 15 8.05 Cooley's Meadowrue ............................................................................................................. 15 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ...................................... 15 b. Effect Determination ..................................................................................................... 16 8.06 Rough-leaf Loosestrife .......................................................................................................... 16 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ...................................... 16 b. Effect Determination ..................................................................................................... 17 8.07 Venus Flytrap ........................................................................................................................ 17 a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ...................................... 17 b. Effect Determination ..................................................................................................... 18 9.00 LONG TERM M'ACTS OF CONCENTRATE ..........................................................................18 10.00 SUMMARY EFFECT DETERMINATION ...................................................................................19 11.00 SUMMARY OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES ...............................................................................19 12.00 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................20 i List of Figures, Tables, and Appendices Table 1. List of threatened and endangered species considered in BA .........................................8 Figure 1. Vicinity map of project area ...........................................................................................22 Figure 2. Service area for project ...................................................................................................23 Figure 3. SCS Soils Map for WTP and Well Fields ......................................................................24 Figure 4. Aerial photograph of WTP and Well Fields ...................................................................25 Figure 5. Aerial Photograph of Ogden Park ..................................................................................26 Figure 6. Aerial Photograph of Outfall Location ...........................................................................27 Figure 7. WTP Site Design ............................................................................................................28 Figure 8. Diffuser Plan View with Elevations ............................................................................... 29 Figure 9. Cross Section of Diffuser ............................................................................................... 30 ii BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT NEW HANOVER COUNTY WELL FIELD AND WATER TREATMENT PLANT NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA February 2007 1.00 INTRODUCTION New Hanover County (County) proposes to improve its existing water supply and treatment for the northeast part of the County. This project includes additional treatment to improve finished water quality and better management of groundwater supplies through better spacing of wells and balancing water supplies from the Pee Dee aquifer and the Castle Hayne aquifer. The County is proposing to construct a new six million-gallon-per-day (mgd) groundwater treatment plant (WTP) and well field system in the northern part of the County. Fifteen well sites (two wells at each location for a total of 30 wells) will be used to tap into the Pee Dee and Castle Hayne aquifers. Two parallel raw water transmission mains will transmit raw water from the well sites to the WTP. One main will transmit water pumped from the Castle Hayne aquifer, while the other main will transmit water pumped from the Castle Hayne aquifer. The County is also applying for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to discharge up to two mgd of membrane concentrate into the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) at the Figure Eight Bridge. In order to assess the potential impacts of this project on the environment, an Environmental Assessment was prepared by Arcadis G&M of North Carolina, Inc. and submitted to NCDENR; Division of Environmental Health. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued. A CAMA Major Permit application and an Individual Permit application were submitted to the Division of Coastal Management and to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, respectively, on July 31, 2006. Comments were received from various state and federal agencies. This Biological Assessment (BA) has been prepared in response to comments received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the application review process. This report evaluates the potential of federally protected species to occur within the above-mentioned project area. Federally protected species are those listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Endangered (E), Threatened (T), Proposed endangered (PE), or Proposed Threatened (PT). 1 Z.00 EXISTING CONDITIONS The project area is located in the northern part of New Hanover County, NC (Figure 1). The 88 square-mile service area encompasses the northern half of New Hanover County with the exception of the US 421 corridor between the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers (Figure 2). The project area is bounded by Pender County to the north, the City of Wilmington to the south, the Northeast Cape Fear River to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Below is a description of each project area (WTP, well field, corridor, and outfall location). Water Treatment Plant The proposed Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is 44 acres in size and is located off of Old Oak Road in the Ogden area of New Hanover County. According to the New Hanover County Generalized Soil Survey, the site consists of Johnston loam, Murville fine sand, and Seagate fine sand soil types (Figure 3). Historically, this site most likely supported a wet pine flatwood community type. However, the area has been significantly altered through time. Several ditches were placed within and around the tract many years ago to drain the site. Only a few wetland pockets now exist within the tract and the ditches have been classified as Waters of the U.S. Ms. Jennifer Frye of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed the wetland survey for this site on March 10, 2006. Vegetation within the site has been mowed and consists mostly of fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), and cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) in the herbaceous layer, with a few scattered loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees in the canopy. A dirt path approximately 20'-wide runs east-west across the site. Two wells have already been installed within the tract; one located in the southeast corner near Old Oak Road (Well A) and one located in the northwest corner (Well B) of the site. Surrounding land use is residential or undeveloped. The property is located within the New Hanover County jurisdiction. The property is currently zoned for single-family residential (R-15) development and is classified as a Wetland Resource Protection Area by the New Hanover County Land Use Plan. All properties adjacent to the site are currently zoned for single-family residential (R-15) development. A threatened and endangered species evaluation was performed for 10 acres of this site in December of 2004. Please see Appendix E of the EA for the complete report. The additiona134 acres were surveyed in December of 2006. 2 Well Field Sites Fifteen well sites are proposed for the well field (Figure 4). Two of these are existing well sites at the WTP tract. One well site is located across the road from the WTP. Eight well sites are proposed within Greenview Ranches and four well sites are proposed within the Ogden Park tract. Eight lots within the Greenview Ranches area have been purchased by the County. These undeveloped, forested lots are between two and five acres in size. Dirt roads were installed many years ago to provide limited access. to the area. Plantation Road runs east from Murrayville Road and terminates just before reaching Market Street. This road is approximately 22' wide and has ditches running parallel to it for a majority of its length. Several smaller dirt roads run north-south through the area. These roads have not been maintained as well as Plantation Road and large potholes (some of which have naturalized back to wetlands) exist throughout them. Ditches (Waters of the U.S.) run parallel to most of these roads. According to the New Hanover County Generalized Soil Survey, these lots consist of Leon fine sand. Most all of these lots consist entirely of 404 wetlands, however upland areas were found on lots K and L. Furthermore, old ditches that were dug parallel to the existing dirt roads have a minor drainage effect on the lot located furthest north (J). Surrounding land use is residential, agricultural (horse farms), or undeveloped. Vegetation within these lots consists of a dense assemblage of pond pine (Pinus serotina), gallberry (Ilex glabra), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), and fetterbush (Lyonia lucida). Four additional well sites are proposed within the Ogden Park tract (Figure 5). This tract is 160 acres in size and is located off of Market Street. The County received a Nationwide Permit 26 in 1993 to fill 5.71 acres of wetlands for park facilities. This acreage plus the natural uplands have been developed into a park that contains baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, rest rooms, a picnic area, a trail, a pet exercise area, and parking. The wetlands are forested and support Murville fine sand soils. Habitat is similar to that found in Greenview Ranches. Wetlands are vegetated by pond pine, gallberry, loblolly bay, titi, and fetterbush. Route of Concentrate Main The proposed route of the concentrate main will lead from the WTP, along the right of way of Market Street and then turn right onto the right of way of Porters Neck Road (Figure 1). The line will then turn right onto Edgewater Club Road and follow this road to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at 3 the Figure Eight Bridge. The majority of this route consists of forested or mowed uplands located along a 50'-wide corridor measured from the centerline of these roads. Surrounding land use is mostly residential. The route will cross wetlands in five separate areas. Outfall Location The project proposes to discharge membrane concentrate into the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), on the south side of the Figure Eight Bridge (Figure 1). The AIWW in this area is classified as SA and Outstanding Resource Water. The SA classification indicates salt waters used for market shellfishing. The ORW classification is for unique and special surface waters that are of exceptional state or national recreational or ecological significance and have exceptional water quality. The average tide range in the AIWW near the Figure Eight Island Bridge is 3.58 feet. The mean water depth at the proposed discharge location is approximately 12 feet at low tide and the mean concentration of salinity is approximately 35 ppt. Freshwater and coastal wetlands have been delineated adjacent to the AIWW and an estuarine Area of Environmental Concern is located 575' landward of mean high water. The portion of the AIWW in which the discharge is proposed is an area that is presently open for shellfishing. The adjacent land use is residential and a boat ramp and pier exist in this vicinity for water access. According to the New Hanover County Soil Survey, upland soils consist of Wakulla and wetland soils are Tidal Marsh muck (Figure 6). The NPDES permit application contains additional tide data from this area and a mixing zone analysis. 3.00 PROPOSED PROJECT Please see Section 1 of the Environmental Assessment (Proposed Project Description) for a detailed description of the proposed project. Water Treatment Plant The proposed WTP will be located in the northwestern portion of the property off of Old Oak Road (Figure 7). The northern portion of the WTP site is reserved for wetlands mitigation to offset impacts from the WTP site, well sites, and other offsite construction activities. The southern portion of the parcel as well as the remaining northern portion of the property is reserved for future County uses. The proposed access road will connect with Old Oak Road opposite of Rochelle Road. The 4 main plant entrance and exit will be located along the southern property boundary. It will be equipped with an electric slide gate. All roadways will be asphalt pavement roads. Most roads will be 24-feet wide with the exception of the chemical unloading area, which will have a 12-ft wide road. The visitors parking area will be located adjacent to the Administration Building and will include handicapped spaces for staff and visitors. Parking for WTP staff will be located behind the WTP building. Parking is also proposed for plant operators and maintenance staff near the Chemical Storage Area. The primary treatment process for the WTP will be nanofiltration for softening total organic two source waters to alleviate the potential for membrane fouling from biological growth or saturated carbon (TOC) removal and color removal. Separate membrane filtration units will be provided for the salts. Treatment processes will include cartridge filtration and nanofiltration in series. Following nanofiltration, permeate from both the Pee Dee and Castle Hayne treatment trains will be blended and conveyed to packed tower aerators for removal of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and oxidation of any remaining iron in the permeate. Sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, and corrosion inhibitor will be added and then the finished water will be stored in two 1.0-million gallon clearwells prior to pumping to the distribution system. Two one-million gallon (MG) circular, pre-stressed concrete tanks will be provided for finished water storage. The proposed tanks will be 100-feet diameter with 17-ft side water depth. Each tank will include curtain-type baffle constructed of Hypalon and stainless steel hardware. Influent connection will be 24-inch diameter and effluent connection will be 30-inch diameter. A tank overflow and drain will be piped to an onsite stormwater detention pond. Level will be recorded and reported to SCADA by an ultrasonic level indicator and transmitter. Well Field Sites Fifteen well sites are proposed within the northern part of New Hanover County. Both the Castle Hayne and Pee Dee aquifers will be tapped at each well site. Therefore, the 6-mgd WTP will have a total of 30 wells. Two of the well sites (Wells A & B) will be located within the WTP tract. One well site (Well Q) will be located across the road from the WTP. Four well sites (Wells M, N, O, & P) will be located within the Ogden Park Tract. The remaining eight well sites (Wells C, F, G, H, I, J, K, & L) will be located along Plantation Road and two roads located perpendicular to Plantation Road. Wells must be placed at least 100 feet from any property line, but will be installed as close to the roads 5 as possible to reduce wetland impacts from the proposed driveway. The width of roadway improvements will be minimal; only a 12' wide gravel road is proposed with 2' shoulders. This will minimize wetland impacts from the road and reduce access by trespassers. I Route of Water Main Two parallel raw water transmission mains will be constructed to convey raw water from the well sites to the WTP. One main will convey water pumped from the Castle Hayne aquifer, and the other main will transmit water pumped from the Pee Dee aquifer. Raw water from each aquifer will be conveyed to the WTP separately to avoid potential biological fouling. Each raw water transmission main will consist of approximately 17,000 feet (3.2 miles) of line ranging in size from 6-inch to 30- ' inch, for a total of 34,000 feet (6.6 miles) of main. The discharge line will be routed from the WTP site south to US 17, run northeast along US 17, east on Porters Neck Road, and southeast along Edgewater Club Road toward the bridge to Figure Eight Island. The line will cross wetlands at five different locations, two of which will be directionally bored. The other wetlands will be open cut and backfilled t to original grade. Outfall Location The proposed discharge location is at the Figure Eight Island Bridge at Bridge Road. The County is proposing to discharge up to two mgd of membrane concentrate to the AIWW. The proposed discharge would include amulti-port diffuser outfall located along the bottom of the AIWW (Figures 8 I & 9). The diffuser would be within the bridge easement of the USACE's AIWW right-of--way. During the NCSEPA process, the planned design for the effluent outfall structure was to suspend the pipeline under the bridge structure and the have the pipeline run vertically down the last set of pilings west of the bridge fender system. Consultation with the bridge designers resulted in several logistical problems with attaching the effluent pipeline to the bridge. The issues were as follows: 1. Penetration. of the concrete bridge abutment with the pipeline. 2. Uncertainties with attaching suspension elements to an aging concrete girder structure. 3. Foreseeable future maintenance of the bridge that might cause disruption in the use of the I outflow pipeline within the next decade. i 1 For these reasons it was determined that the best course of action was to make the pipeline a stand-alone structure. The pipeline will be placed underground, utilizing trench and fill construction methods, out to approximately the -10.0 ft mean low water contour, then extend 55' along the seabed to the diffuser structure. The pipeline will be secured by a series of pre-cast 4'x4'xl' concrete collars. The end of the structure will be approximately 60' west of the western bridge fender. During initial construction, it will be necessary to temporarily excavate 225-ft long, by 4-ft deep, by 4-ft wide trench with 3:1 side slopes. The trenching operations will result in the excavation of 550 cubic yards of sandy material and the temporary disturbance of a marine area 35-ft wide by 225 long. The trench will be dug utilizing a small barge and excavator/dragline. Material will be excavated and temporarily placed on a barge. After the pipeline is installed, material excavated from the trench will be returned to the trench, burying the effluent line. Final grades will be within +/- 1 ft of pre- construction conditions. The mean water depth at the proposed discharge location is approximately 12 feet at low tide. 4.00 PRIOR CONSULTATIONS An Environmental Assessment was prepared by Arcadis G&M of North Carolina, Inc. and submitted to NCDENR; Division of Environmental Health. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued. A CAMA Major Permit application and an Individual Permit application were submitted to the Division of Coastal Management and to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, respectively, on July 31, 2006. Comments were received from various state and federal agencies. This Biological Assessment (BA) has been prepared as requested by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate anticipated impacts to federally protected species. 5.00 LIST OF SPECIES Species to be considered in this biological assessment were provided by the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and are contained in the following table. 7 t Table 1. List of threatened and endangered species known to occur within New Hanover County and considered in BA. Common Name Scientific Name Status Habitat present? Known observation* Mammals Finback whale Balaenoptera physalus E no no Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae E no no Right whale Eubaleana glacialis E no no Sei whale Baleanoptera borealis E no no Sperm whale Physeter catodon E no no West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus E yes no Birds Piping plover Charadrius melodus T no no Red-cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis E yes yes* Reptiles American alligator Alligator mississippiensis T(S/A) no no Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas T yes no Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata E no no Kemp's ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempi E yes no Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea E no no Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta T yes no Fish Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum E yes no Plants Cooley's meadowrue Thalictrum cooleyi E yes no Rough-leaf loosestrife Lysimachia asperulaefolia E yes no Seabeach amaranth Amaranthus pumilus T no no Venus flytrap Dionaea muscipula FSC yes no KEY: Status Definition E Endangered: A taxon "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range." T Threatened: A taxon "likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range." T(S/A) Threatened due to similarity of appearance: A species that is threatened due to similarity of appearance with other rare species and is listed for its protection. These species are not biologically endangered or threatened and are not subject to Section 7 consultation. FSC Federal Species of Concern: a species that may or may not be listed in the future (formerly C2 candidate species or species under consideration for listing for which there is insufficient information to support listing). * Observation obtained by NC Natural Heritage Program data. Observed within''/2 mile of project area. 8 6.00 SURVEY AND ANALYSIS METHODS Impacts to the natural environment of the project area were determined by data gathered during field surveys conducted by Land Management Group, Inc. Additional information was obtained from literature sources and consultation with informed individuals. 7.00 GENERAL EFFECTS ON LISTED SPECIES j The presence of listed species in the project area depends on the availability of appropriate habitat. Since the project area does not contain any sandy beach areas, the piping plover and seabeach amaranth are not likely to be found within the project area and will not be affected by the project. Furthermore, because the outfall location will be located in shallow (less than 12' MSL), brackish water, whale species and the American alligator are not likely to be found within the project area. Listed species that could potentially be located at the well field site and the WTP site are the red-cockaded woodpecker, Cooley's meadowrue, rough-leaf loosestrife, and Venus flytrap. Listed species that could potentially be located at the outfall location are the West Indian manatee, green sea turtle, Kemp's ridley sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, and shortnose sturgeon. The short-term and long-term impacts that this project may have on each of these species are evaluated below. 8.00 SPECIES ASSESSMENTS 8.01 West Indian Manatee a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area The manatee is an occasional summer resident of the North Carolina coast. Manatees inhabit both salt and fresh water of sufficient depth (1.5 meters to usually less 9 i 1 i ,.o~ 1 1 1 1 1 than 6 meters) throughout their range. The species can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas. The West Indian manatee is herbivorous and eats aquatic plants such as hydrilla, eelgrass, and water lettuce (USFWS, 1999). It has been sighted frequently in southeastern North Carolina with most records occurring in the Cape Fear River basin in July, August, and September (Clark, 1993). However, scattered records of this species in the region span all seasons. Based on this data, the manatee is considered ayear-round resident with a maximum population in the late summer months. b. Effect Determination Since the proposed trenching work at the outfall location is scheduled to occur during the time of year when manatee populations will be minimal (between October 1 and March 31), it is unlikely that there will be any manatees in the project area during construction of the project. The trench to be dug will be small in size and a single barge with excavator/dragline will be used dig it. If manatees occur in the area during the proposed excavation, they would likely be able to avoid the disturbance. The contractors performing the work will have a copy of USFWS guidelines "Precautions for General Construction in Areas Which May Be Used by the West Indian Manatee in North Carolina". Because of the timing of the project, the limited amount of disturbance, and the precautions of the contractors, this work is not likely to adversely affect the West Indian manatee. Red-Cockaded Woodpecker a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area The red-cockaded woodpecker is generally found in open pine woodlands and savannas with large old pines for nesting and roosting habitat (USFWS, 2003). Cavity trees are located in open stands with little or no hardwood midstory or overstory. Minimum age of cavity trees is between 60 and 80 years depending on tree and site factors. Foraging habitat is provided in pine and pine hardwood stands 30 years old or l0 older with foraging preference for pine trees 10 inch DBH or larger. In good, well- stocked pine habitat, sufficient substrate can be provided on 80 to 125 acres. The aggregate of cavity trees (cluster) may include 1 to 20 or more cavity trees on 3 to 60 acres. The average cluster is about 10 acres. The territory for a group averages about 200 acres, but may range from 60 to over 600 acres. The NC Natural Heritage Program database in Raleigh, NC documented one 0 L~ known cavity within '/2 mile of the project area. This cavity was noted in an area approximately 700' to the west of Well I, 1000' to the southeast of Well F, and 1000' south of Well J. However, this cavity was found to be abandoned in 1996 and inhabited by a bluebird. Two other cavities have been reported greater than '/z mile north of the well field project area. These cavities were described in 1996 as being abandoned as well. The project area was evaluated for its potential to support the red-cockaded woodpecker in December of 2004 (10 acres of the WTP site) and in January of 2007 (force main corridor, well field sites, and remainder of WTP site). A'/2 mile of the project area was also evaluated for suitable habitat. As described above, the WTP site has been significantly altered throughout the years. Several ditches were placed within and around the tract many years ago to drain the site. Based on the current wetland survey, the tract now consists entirely of uplands except for several small isolated wetland pockets located in the middle of the tract. Vegetation within the site has been mowed and consists mostly of fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), and cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) in the herbaceous layer, with a few scattered loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) trees in the canopy. Most of the trees observed in the canopy of the WTP site were young loblolly pines (DBH 4"-8") and would not provide appropriate habitat for RCW's. Several mature (12-15" DBH) loblolly pine trees were observed within the southeastern corner of the tract. These trees were inspected for RCW cavities. However, no cavities or red-cockaded woodpeckers were observed during the survey. Some mature pines were 11 1 1 also noted within a'/2 mile north of the site. These trees were also inspected for cavities, but none were observed. The wooded area to the northeast of the site was densely vegetated and would not provide appropriate habitat for the RCW. Residential development existed to the southeast and northwest of the tract. Each well field site and the surrounding forested area was inspected for RCW habitat. Well sites C, F, G, H, J, K, and L contained young loblolly pines (DBH <8") and supported a very dense shrub layer of gallberry and sweet pepperbush. These sites would not provide suitable nesting or foraging habitat for this species. Well site I was found to contain some mature loblolly pine trees in its canopy, but the shrub layer was still very dense. This site would not provide suitable nesting or foraging RCW habitat. The area located between well sites F and I was inspected since this is where a previous cavity had been located. This area contained a greater amount of mature loblolly pine trees, however, the shrub layer was very dense. The Greenview Ranches area most likely once contained suitable habitat for the RCW, but previous logging and a lack of fire have significantly altered it. The well sites within Ogden Park were also evaluated. Well site M was located adjacent to uplands that currently contain restrooms, picnic shelters, and a mowed grassy area where dogs can be walked. This mowed area supported several mature loblolly pine trees. These trees were inspected for cavities, but none were observed. The other forested areas within 1/2 mile of well site M were densely vegetated and would not support the red- cockaded woodpecker. Well sites N and O were both located within densely vegetated habitat with young loblolly pine trees and would not support this species. t The pipeline corridor was the final area evaluated for RCW habitat. This corridor is located along Market Street, Porters Neck Road, and Edgewater Club Road. Most of the corridor is located within a road right-of way that has been previously disturbed from the installation of other utility lines and general road maintenance. Some of the corridor includes easements obtained from various parcels adjacent to the roads. Several mature 12 i loblolly and longleaf pine trees were noted along Porters Neck Road and Edgewater Club Road. No cavities were observed. These trees were surrounded by residential development and major road traffic and would not provide suitable habitat for the red ' cockaded woodpecker. b. Effect Determination Appropriate nesting and foraging habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker was located in the southeastern corner of the WTP tract and within a 1/2 mile north of the tract. Pine trees in these areas that had a DBH of at least 10" were inspected for cavities, but none were observed. Of the well sites, only well site M had suitable RCW habitat within '/z mile of it. Pine trees that had a DBH of at least 10" were inspected for cavities, but ' none were observed. Mature pine trees along the pipeline corridor were observed, but they were located in fragmented patches and would not be appropriate habitat for this ' species. Most of the project area did not contain appropriate habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker. Of the areas that did have mature pine trees and an open understory, no cavities or individuals were observed. Therefore, the project is not likely to affect the red- cockaded woodpecker. 8.03 Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, and Loggerhead Sea Turtle ' a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area In North Carolina, the green sea turtle, Kemp's ridley sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle are known to occur in estuarine and oceanic waters, whereas the leatherback and hawksbill are found primarily in oceanic waters (Schwartz, 1977; Epperly et al., 1995). These species are found in North Carolina waters all year but can be present in inshore waters April through December (Epperly et al., 1995). Of these five species, only the loggerhead is considered to be a regular nester in North Carolina, while the green nests occasionally in the state and the Kemp's ridley has been documented to nest in the r state only once. 13 b. Effect Determination No nesting habitat for sea turtles was found within the project area, but foraging habitat may exist at the outfall location. It is unlikely that the green, Kemp's ridley, or loggerhead sea turtle would occur in the project area during the installation of the pipe and diffuser (between October 1St and March 31St), however, should it occur, its foraging habitat would be only minimally altered by project construction. Material will be excavated and temporarily placed on a barge. After the pipeline is installed, material excavated from the trench will be returned to the trench, burying the effluent line. Furthermore, any sea turtles in the area should be able to avoid being affected by a small barge and excavator/dragline. Therefore, it has been determined that the actions of the proposed project are not likely to affect the green, Kemp's ridley, or loggerhead sea turtle. 8.04 Shortnose Sturgeon a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area This species ranges along the Atlantic seaboard from southern Canada to northeastern Florida (USFWS, 1999). The shortnose sturgeon feeds on invertebrates and stems and leaves of macrophytes. From historical accounts, it appears that this species was once fairly abundant throughout North Carolina waters, however, many of these early records are unreliable due to confusion between this species and the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus). The distribution of the shortnose sturgeon in the Cape Fear River basin was poorly known until it was investigated by the Corps. This study has found that the species is very uncommon in the system (likely less than 50 individuals; NMFS, 2004) and uses primarily freshwater portions of the river. No tagged or tracked shortnose sturgeon were documented to use the ocean during the course of the three year study (Moser and Ross, 1995). Because of the lack of suitable freshwater spawning areas in the project area and the requirement of low salinity waters by juveniles, any shortnose sturgeons present would most likely be non-spawning adults. 14 b. Effect Determination It is unlikely that the shortnose sturgeon occurs in the project area, however, should it occur, its habitat would be only minimally altered by project construction. This species feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates and while some food resources may be initially affected by installation of the outfall pipeline, the area affected would be very small and most invertebrates will quickly reestablish from adjacent unaffected areas or through recruitment processes. Furthermore, any sturgeons in the area should be able to avoid being affected by a small barge and excavator/dragline. Material will be excavated and temporarily placed on the barge. After the pipeline is installed, material excavated from the trench will be returned to the trench, burying the effluent line. For these reasons, it has been determined that the actions of the proposed project are not likely to affect the shortnose sturgeon. 8.05 Cooley's Meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyt~ a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area Cooley's meadowrue prefers moist to wet bogs and savannas with neutral soils (Leonard, 1987). The flowers of this unisexual plant have no petals. The sepals on male plants are pale yellow to white and those of female plants are green. Cooley's meadowrue flowers in mid- to late June. This plant is shade-intolerant and wet sites exposed to sunlight provide suitable habitat. Most of the WTP tract has been drained by large ditches and would not be considered appropriate habitat for the species. However, some open areas such as ditch banks and the existing wetland pockets may provide suitable habitat for this species. The well sites within Greenview Ranches and Ogden Park contain dense vegetation and would not provide appropriate habitat for this plant. The banks of most of the ditches located throughout the well field area in Greenview Ranches are heavily vegetated as well. An evaluation of these ditches and wetland pockets near roads in June of 2005 did not locate any rare plant species. 15 i b. Effect Determination Two small wetland pockets (0.013 acre) and several ditches (0.24 acre) within the WTP site will be filled in order to construct the plant and to restore wetland habitat. These areas have not specifically been evaluated during the plant's flowering period. The applicant requests that permitting be allowed to proceed with the condition that these areas be evaluated in June of 2007 to make a final determination about the presence/absence of these species. No earthwork will occur until after these areas have been inspected and it has been determined that this species does not exist within these areas. If these species are observed, the plants will be relocated to the wetland mitigation area on site with the guidance of the USFWS and the NCWRC. Because any rare plants located in the areas of proposed disturbance will be relocated to an area containing suitable habitat that will be preserved, it is the determination of this document that the project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect Cooley's meadowrue. 8.06 Rou h-leaf Loosestrife L simachia as erulae olia g ~ y P .f ) a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area ' Rough-leaf loosestrife generally occurs in the ecotones between pine savannas and pocosins, on moist to seasonally saturated sands, and on shallow organic soils overlaying sand (USFWS, 1993). Because this plant is shade-intolerant, moist areas exposed to sunlight may provide suitable habitat. Flowering occurs from mid-May through June, with fruits (capsules) present from July through October. Most of the WTP tract has been drained by large ditches and would not be appropriate habitat for the species. However, open wet areas throughout the site, including ditch banks and existing wetland pockets, may provide appropriate habitat for this species. The well sites within Greenview Ranches and Ogden Park contain dense vegetation and would not provide appropriate habitat for this plant. The banks of most of the ditches located throughout the t well field area in Greenview Ranches are heavily vegetated as well. An evaluation of these ditches in June of 2005 did not find any rare plant species. 16 i b. Effect Determination Two small wetland pockets (0.013 acre) and several ditches (0.24 acre) within the WTP site will be filled in order to construct the plant and to restore wetland habitat. These areas have not specifically been evaluated during the plant's flowering period. The applicant requests that permitting be allowed to proceed with the condition that these areas be evaluated in June of 2007 to make a final determination about the presence/absence of these species. No earthwork will occur until after these areas have been inspected and it has been concluded that this species does not exist within the project area. If these species are observed, the plants will be relocated to the wetland mitigation area on site with the guidance of the USFWS and the NCWRC. Because any rare plants located in the areas of proposed disturbance will be relocated to an area containing suitable habitat that will be preserved, it is the determination of this document that the project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect rough-leaf loosestrife. 8.07 Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) a. Status and Natural History of the Species in the Project Area The Venus flytrap is a perennial, insectivorous herb that is endemic to the Coastal Plain of the Carolinas. It is found most often in ecotonal areas between pine savannas and pocosins, but is also observed in moist ecotones between streamhead pocosins and longleaf pine/scrub oak/wiregrass uplands. These sites are generally flat with wet or moist soils for much of the year. Most of the WTP tract has been drained by large ditches and would not be appropriate habitat for the species. However, open wet areas throughout the site, including ditch banks and existing wetland pockets, may provide appropriate habitat for this species. The well sites within Greenview Ranches and Ogden Park contain dense vegetation and would not provide appropriate habitat for this plant. The banks of most of the ditches located throughout the well field area in Greenview Ranches are heavily vegetated as well. An evaluation of these ditches in June of 2005 did not find any rare plant species. 17 b. Effect Determination Two small wetland pockets (0.013 acre) and several ditches (0.24 acre) within the WTP site will be filled in order to construct the plant and to restore wetland habitat. These areas have not specifically been evaluated during the plant's flowering period. The applicant requests that permitting be allowed to proceed with the condition that these areas be evaluated in June of 2007 to make a final determination about the presence/absence of these species. No earthwork will occur until after these areas have been inspected and it has been concluded that these species do not exist within the project area. If this species is observed, the plants will be relocated to the wetland mitigation area on site with the guidance of the USFWS and the NCWRC. Because any rare plants located in the areas of proposed disturbance will be relocated to an area containing suitable habitat that will be preserved, it is the determination of this document that the project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the Venus flytrap. 9.00 LONG TERM IMPACTS OF CONCENTRATE As mentioned before, pipe to be installed will be releasing up to two mgd of membrane concentrate into the AIWW. The proposed discharge would include amulti-port diffuser outfall located along the bottom of the AIWW. The diffuser would be within the bridge easement of the USACE's AIWW right-of--way. Any long-term effects that this discharge will have on species such as sea turtles, shortnose sturgeon, and the manatee will be indirectly associated with impacts imposed on the water quality. The plant plans to produce nine million gallons of fresh water a day with a byproduct of between 0.9 and 2.0 million gallons a day of partially saline water. The saline discharge water is planned to have a concentration of 536.4 mg/L or 0.536 ppt and will be discharged into the Intracoastal Waterway at the Figure Eight Island Bridge. The New Hanover County Water Treatment Plant Outfall Diffusion Study (part of the NPDES application) concluded that the diffuser will have minimal influence upon the surrounding salinity regime because of the rapid dilution and persistent~id~l flows in the area of the Figure Eight Island Bridge. Furthermore, this study concluded that the diffuser would not have an effect on existing tidal flow patterns in this location. Based on this information, the release of 18 ' concentrate into the AIWW will not have along-term negative effect on federally protected species. 10.00 SUMMARY EFFECT DETERMINATION This assessment has examined the potential short-term and long-term impacts of the proposed project on listed species of plants and animals that are, or may be, present in the project area. Both primary and secondary impacts to habitat have been considered. It is the determination of this analysis that the project may affect the West Indian manatee, red-cockaded woodpecker, migrating sea turtles, shortnose sturgeon, rough-leaf loosestrife, Cooley's meadowrue, and Venus flytrap. However, based on data collected from the project area and the conditions established to protect these species, it has been determined that this project will not adversely affect these species. 11.00 SUMMARY OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES In order to minimize impacts to migrating sea turtles, West Indian manatee, and short- nose sturgeon, work at the outfall location will occur during the winter months. All material will be temporarily stockpiled on a barge. To ensure that rare plants will not be impacted within the WTP site, the wetland areas and ditch banks to be disturbed within this site will be evaluated in June of 2007 for prior to any earthwork. Furthermore, remaining wetlands within the well field sites and the restoration area within the WTP site will be preserved in perpetuity. 19 t 12.00 REFERENCES Ackerman, R.A. 1996. The nest environment and the embryonic development of sea turtles. Pp. 83-106 in The Biology of Sea Turtles (Lutz, P.L. and J.A. Musick, eds.) Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press. Amoroso, J.L. and A.S. Weakley. 1999. Natural Heritage Program list of the rare plant species of North Carolina. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 85 pp. Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, Inc. 2005. New Hanover County Water Treatment Plant Outfall Diffusion Study, New Hanover County, North Carolina. Clark, M.K. 1993. Curator of Mammals, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences. Personal communication regarding seasonal distribution of manatees in the Cape Fear region; p.6, In: Biological Assessment: Channel Realignment Masonboro Inlet, New ~ Hanover County, NC. August 1995. USACOE. Epperly, S.P., J. Braun, & A. Veishlow. 1995. Sea turtles in North Carolina waters. Conservation Biology 9(2): 384-394. LeBlond, R.J. and A.S. Weakley. 1992. Report on the conservation status of Carex lutea, a newly discovered species. LeGrand, H.E. Jr. and S.P. Hall. 1999. Natural Heritage Program list of the rare animal species of North Carolina. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation. N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 91 pp. Morrimen, J. 1982. Feeding ecology of sea turtles, Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles. Smithsonian Institute, Press, Washington, D.C. Moser, M.L. and S.W. Ross. 1995. Habitat use and movements of shortnose and Atlantic sturgeons in the Low Cape Fear River, North Carolina. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 124 (2): 225-235. National Marine Fisheries Service. 2004. Biennial Report to Congress on the Recovery Program for Threatened and Endangered Species, October 1, 2002-September 30, 2004.Washington (DC): Department of Commerce. Ross, S.W. and J.E. Lancaster. 1996. Movements of juvenile fishes using surf zone nursery habitats and the relationship of movements to beach nourishment along a North Carolina beach: pilot project. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA570Z0318. Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North L 20 Carolina- Third Approximation. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC, 325 pp. Schmidly, D.J. 1981. Marine mammals of the southeastern United States coast and the Gulf of Mexico. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Office of Biological Services Report No. 80/41. 165pp. Schwartz, F.J. 1977. caretta caretta caretta (Linnaeus), Atlantic loggerhead; Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus), Altantic green turtle; Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata (Linnaeus), Atlantic hawksbill; Lepidochelys kempi (Garman), Atlantic ridley; Dermochelys coriacea coriacea (Linnaeus), Atlantic leatherback; p. 303-308 In: Cooper, J.E. S.S. Robinson, and J.B. Funderburg (Eds.). 1977 Endangered and threatened plants and animals of North Carolina. N.C. State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, N.C. 444 pages. Slay, C. 1993. Right Whale Research Project, New England Aquarium. Personal communication regarding seasonal occurrence of right whales of the Cape Fear region; p.5, In: Biological Assessment: Channel Realignment Masonboro Inlet, New Hanover County, NC. August 1995. USACOE. USFWS, 1999. Shortnose sturgeon in North Carolina http: //web.ral.r4.fws.gov/fish/shortst.html. USFWS, 1999. West Indian Manatees in North Carolina, http://web.ral.r4.fws.gov/mammaUmanatee.html. Wildlife Resources Commission, Unpublished Loggerhead Sea Turtle nesting data between 1972-2002. 21 1 _ ,.. *Boundanes are approx~rriaie ana are ~ SITE not meant to be absolute Map Source: North Carolina Atlas 8~ Gazetteer. Pg 84 .2003 SCALE 1" = 1 Mile NHC Well Field and WTP Land Mana ement Grou ,Inc. New Hanover County, NC g p 01-05-371 Environmental Consultants Figure 1 Wilmington, N.C. Vicinity Map Biological Assessment February 2007 a ~~ ro N -/~ p ``. , ~ ~ .f o. ,~ r = Z ~ ~ ~w U - {~. W ~ .~ ~ ~ g ~ ~ N ~ ci. ~ W ~ ~ 3 0. ~ ~ ~ ~o ~ ~ ~ ~ U~? =~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ a ~QW a ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ It ui ~ a '~ s a n ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t ( ~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ k 3~ ;~ o©~ `~ ~°~ cL z ~~\ ~ s~,>, d A, N = ~ _~ 9 W \_1 '~ ~ Z ~ ~ i /~ ~ . Mfr ~~/~~` ~.-~~G/`•:. ,{~ ~~ ti . , ~_:, ~ l , ,, r; ~.. ~, ~~ ~ - ~ _;.,>. ~ ~~ ~. ~ ~~ ~- ~. r , ~ __._ r` Le Le Le L Y L ~~ DO Le Se Le ~~ D S Le Le Mu Le r Le Se (~ LY Kr Y' ~~ DO M Se M Se Le w LY Se Se Se Be DO e Le ~ Le J Be Se Se m Br Se •• u Rm ~~ ~~) Kr , DO ~ Le NA Mu ~~ ~r, , w Se NA A Y Se L ~~ Se e NA Mu Se NA Mu DO ~ Rm S / Le Mu ~Le r' Ly , Le e J P •+.... ~ Proposed Well Locations *BOUndaiiCa aiC aNNiuxniia~C diw are not meant to be absolute Map Source: NRCS Soils Map. NHC Well Field and WTP New Hanover County, NC 01-05-371 Biological Assessment aiTE Land Management Group, Inc. Environmental Consultants Wilmington, N.C. February 2007 SCALE 1 " = 1500' Figure 3 Soils Map for Well Field and WTP *BOUndariCS are aN~ruxirndre criiu dre not meant to be absolute Map Source: 1998 NAPP aerial photography NHC Well Field and WTP aiTE New Hanover County, Nc Land Management Group, Inc. 01-05-371 Environmental Consultants Wilmington, N.C. Biological Assessment February 2007 SCALE 1 " = 1500' Figure 4 Aerial Photograph of Well Field and WTP *Boundaiics aie a~{~iuxursa~e driu are aiTE not meant to be absolute SCALE 1" - 800' Map Source: 1998 NAPP aerial photography NHC Well Field and WTP Land Mana ement Grou , /nc. New Hanover County, NC g P Figure 5 01-05-371 Environmental Consultants Aerial Photograph of Wilmington, N.C. Ogden Park Tract Biological Assessment February 2007 *Boundanes are approximate ana are aiTE not meant to be absolute Map Source: 1998 NAPP aerial photography SCALE 1" = 400' NHC Well Field and WTP Land Management Group, Inc. New Hanover County, NC Environmental Consultants Figure 6 01-05-371 Wilmington, N.C. Aerial Photograph of Biological Assessment February 2007 Outfall Location Proposed Impacts to U~'aters of the U.S. (1C,6a.66 sf; 0.24 ac) Proposed Impacts to 404 ~"~etlands (244.87 sf; 0.005 aaj Please note these numbers do nai include impacts from N'ells A & B {see Sheet C8) PRELIv11~ARY: NQT FCR CONSTRUCTION DRA'~NING BY: A,RC,gDIS G&P~ of Narth Carolina 801 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 2760; ~eltand survey intormatian provided by Honover 6esign klacited by land Management croup, nc. to show prcpased wetlands and Waters of the U.S, impacts. Figure 7 !Y''v'ater Treatment Piant Site Dian Duly 2000; revised Februar,,~ 2007 0 75 1 0 300 S~AIE: 1" _ ':5C% 8 3unolj Z'1D .09 - l :4DOS Dand 11!jPuh u0140n00x3 pasod(lJd ' �asn 1pub a}oo8a.ul adld 11D n0 Pasodad SUD�d U0AQAJUO,l 1 U OJ RS 04b AN -i. aDN 6uIMw0 . .0 Q ,Pg4O mr :48. 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I ` { ~ I ~ i - - ~ - -5 - - I - T - - - - --I -- _.~ ~ -- - - B - IDGE - FEN~~ - ER - ~ - ~ ~ - - I i ~ See D tail ~ ee Det ail I 1 " HD PE P PE. - - - - -,, ,,, ~ ~„ ~ ter, n ~n i nn ~ ~n R( - 50 0 5U lUU ICU 50' 0 50' 100' Horizontal Scale : 1" = 50' P PLAN e LUU LJV .lvv ~.w ~..~ ~..... ___ --- 10' 0 10' 20' PIPELINE DETAIL Vertical Scale : ," = 10' SECTION A-A DIFUSER DETAIL rar ros ..c 12` 24` 12" ~ ~ 6, d ~ J U N ~ O ~ , ~ G N O 0 ~ m +~ O Q m O t C o~ m L ~ ~ RR b'~ V M o 1~~Z m ~ ~ a ~ E N E ~ o M U ~~ : o 3 m ~ a o ~ ~ o Z au ~ ° ~' ~ ~ a t ; ; o O U1 ~ 0 N ~M O ~ r C ~ ~a 0 c M~ Ey uo~y .; ,°y uni c °c orv°'P ~Wa~va~ E~ N 0 c~ ~~~Q' N D ~ m Z> .+ y O ~ -D cip` «E c o Z I'm o c- GN WdY~~ 7 S> W ,- as ._ v c o ---- ---------- a 0 0 Co° ~ O U ~ EZ ~ ---- ---------- o . ~ „~, ~ v U ~ L ~ m ~~ m w 12` 3 = ~ w UZ c _ •- COLLAR DETAIL I` ~ s rv rTOs ~0 1"x28" Threaded Rod ~24'~ c O 0 U 3 L ++ C 0 U w _~ LL Water Treatment Plant Wetland Restoration Plan Prepared fora New Hanover County Engineering Department Prepared by: LMG LAND MANAGEMENT GROLiP ~.~ Fnvironmentnl Consultants December 2006 _ ;~~' ~ ',~ r- : ,~-e- ~ t; '4 c~ t Water Treatment Plant Wetland Restoration Plan Introduction I. Background New Hanover County (County) proposes to improve its existing water supply and treatment for the northeast part of the County. This project includes additional treatment to improve finished water quality and better management of groundwater supplies through better spacing of wells and balancing water supplies from the Pee Dee aquifer and the Castle Hayne aquifer. A total of fifteen well field sites will be installed throughout the Greenview Ranches area. These wells will supply water to the proposed treatment facility located off of Old Oak Road. The plant will be located in the northwestern corner of the parcel and will include an approved stormwater detention facility. At the present time, wetland impacts for the ro osed ro'ect total 1.93 acres and "Waters of the P p p J US"impacts total 1.1 acres. In order to provide compensatory mitigation for these impacts, -the County is proposing a project which would provide 4.5 acres of in-kind restoration. The restoration area would be located on the northeastern portion of the water treatment plant (WTP) parcel (Figure 1). The parcel is approximately 44 acres and is currently zoned for residential use. ' II. Pre-restoration Site Conditions The tract is located in northeastern New Hanover County directly adjacent to Old Oak Road. Extensive mowing has been done leaving only mature pines and understory vegetation throughout the area. Earthwork (i.e., grading) has also been conducted throughout the upland portion of the tract. Stockpiling of on-site material has been stored at various locations along Old Oak Road. Several large ditches are found along the perimeter and throughout the interior of the parcel (Appendix A). These ditches, in addition those in adjacent parcels, have effectively drained the site and lowered the water table. As a result of these activities only a few isolated wetland areas remain on the property. These areas have been delineated and approved by the Corps of ' Engineers. t III. Wetland Classification and Functions Much of the southeastern North Carolina coastal plain, including this tract, is underlain by an extensive Pleistocene marine terrace that is flat and poorly drained. Saturated conditions produced by this terrace have driven the development of hydric soils and large interstream divide wetlands. Many of these wetland ecosystems are classified hydrogeomorphically as flats. These ecosystems receive precipitation as their sole water source and lose water primarily by evapotranspiration with overland flow and gradual seepage to the underlying aquifer. Soils of wet flats can be either histosol or mineral. Flats with organic soil are dominated by bay type vegetation (e.g. Magnolia virginiana, Persea borbonia, Ilex spp., Lyonia spp.) while mineral soil flats tend to be dominated by pine species (e.g. Pinus taeda). Restoration at the WTP tract will re-establish 4.5 acres of pocosin habitat. The goal is to provide for functional restoration via re-establishment of characteristic hydrology and vegetative __ assemblages. By re-establishing these criteria, wetland functions such as nutrient cycling and removal, sediment retention, and water storage will be realized on the tract. IV. Soil The soils of the property are mapped as Seagate, Johnston and Murville soil series (Figure 2). A majority of these soils are poorly to very. poorly drained and maintain a seasonal high water table at or near the surface under normal conditions. The Johnston series is typically associated with small stream floodplains and is considered a hydric soil. The Murville series is associated with broad, interstream flats and is also considered a hydric soil. V. Vegetation Community Although the tract has been mowed and maintained for several years, vegetation typical of pocosins including pond pine (Pinus serotina), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), hollies (Ilex spp.), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), American ti-ti (Cyrilla racemiflora), and laurel-leaf greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia) are found 2 throughout the property. Undisturbed areas adjacent to the tract also contain a similar assemblage of species. VI. Prior Anthropogenic Impacts In addition to the aforementioned drainage network, several unpaved roads are also found on the property (Figure 3). Large spoils are located adjacent to these ditches as well as the entrance to the property. The spoil will likely be used in grading activities associated with the construction of the WTP. VII. Adjacent Land Use The land use in the surrounding area consists of residential and light commercial development. Residential developments consisting of 0.33 to 0.5 ac. lots bound the subject property while light commercial development-occupies the road frontage of HWY 17 (Market Street). - Restoration I. Initial Hydrologic Monitoring Study Due to the complexity of the on-site drainage network and stormwater management constraints a preliminary hydrologic study will be conducted. A series of monitoring wells will be installed at 50', 100', and 150' intervals adjacent to interior and perimeter ditches (Figure 4). The wells will collect water table data on a daily basis. These data will be used to ascertain the extent of drainage throughout the site as well as the response to rain events. II. Physical Restoration Plan Restoration activities at the WTP tract will restore 4.5 acres of pocosin habitat (Figure 5). In order to restore hydrology throughout the project area measures will betaken to reduce the drainage effect of the adjacent ditches. Due to hydrologic trespass concerns the perimeter ditches will be left intact; however, anon-permeable geotechnical fabric will be installed along the restoration footprint (Appendix B). The geotechnical fabric will dramatically reduce the lateral drainage effect of the ditches and increase the seasonal high water table levels. Smaller interior ditches will be 3 filled to the original grade. Installation of a weir at the outflow point will allow larger flow events (hurricanes, etc.) to access the perimeter ditches, bypassing the restoration and stormwater retention areas. While the hydrology of the site has been altered, the appropriate vegetative community remains in place throughout the site. Unmanaged areas contained saplings of American ti-ti (Cyrilla racemiflora), red bay (Persea palustris), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), and loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus). In addition to the available seed source, saplings of native species will also planted during the dormant season (Winter 2008). Specific species planted will be based on availability, but will likely include loblolly bay, red bay, sweet pepperbush, and American ti-ti (Table 1). Table 1. Tentative list of plantings to be done in 4.5 ac. pocosin wetland Common Name Scientific Name Wetland Designation Densit Quantit Lobfolf Ba _ Gordonia lasianthus FACW 400/ac 400 Ti-Ti Cyrilla racemiflora FACW 300/ac 400 Red Ba Persea palustris FACW 400/ac 400 Sweet Pepper Bush Clethra alnifolia FACW 400/ac 600 TOTAL 1800 III. Additional Restoration Potential In addition to the initial 4.5 acre restoration, approximately 3.5 acres could be restored through similar methodologies (Figure 6). The 3.5 acre would extend from the center ditch towards Old Oak Drive. This area of the restoration project has an identical landscape position and vegetative assemblage as the initial phase and will likely react favorably to the decrease in drainage. Grading activities in the second phase of restoration can be designed to match the existing wetland areas. Installation of the same non-permeable geotechnical fabric could also occur along the perimeter ditch. 4 Monitoring Plan I. Annual Report Schedule All restoration monitoring will be conducted for five years or until deemed successful, whichever is longer. Annual reports will be submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) and Division of Water Quality (DWQ) no later than November 30th of the following year. Each report will include a narrative summarizing the findings of the monitoring. Vegetative and hydrologic data will also be included to document conditions of the restored area over the course of the year. Photographs will be incorporated to illustrate the evolution of site soil and vegetative communities. III. Restoration Monitoring Hydrologic Criteria Three shallow automated groundwater monitoring wells will be installed as shown in Figure 6. These wells will be located throughout the tract to document hydrologic activity in both wetland and - upland habitats. Groundwater levels will be recorded daily. The success criterion will be the establishment and maintenance of a static water table at or within 12" of the soil surface for 12.5% of the growing season during normal precipitation conditions. The growing season in New Hanover County lasts for 271 days from February 27 to November 26. In order for this criterion to be met, the water level must be within 12" of the soil surface for 33 consecutive days. During abnormal conditions, levels will be compared with the reference site to gauge the hydrologic response in surrounding areas. Vegetation Criteria While the primary success criterion for the restoration will be based on hydrology, vegetation community development will also be monitored. A vegetation monitoring study will include five 0.10 ac. circular plots which will be randomly selected throughout the restored area. The number of acceptable volunteer species and planted individuals will be quantified and the results will be compared with those from the reference site. Overall, survivorship must meet or exceed 320 stems per acre by the end of the monitoring period for the project to be deemed successful. 5 Contingency Plan In the event that the hydrology and vegetation success criteria are not fulfilled, a contingency plan will be implemented. The contingency plan will require consultation with all regulatory agencies if success is not achieved during the monitoring period. Sample contingency measures may include selective re-grading or replanting. Recommendations for further activities will be implemented and monitored until the hydrology and vegetation accurately represent the reference site and meet or E exceed regulatory statutes. Restoration Implementation Schedule Restoration planning is currently underway. Groundwater monitoring commenced in mid-August 2006 at the WTP site to gather pre-restoration hydrology data. Earth work and plantings will take place~hroughout the winter of 2007-2008. Monitoring m the restoration site will begin- after the earth work and plantings are complete and will continue for the duration of the project. Annual vegetation monitoring will be conducted in the spring of each year following planting and will continue until 2013. Summary A 4.5-acre restoration plan is proposed as potential mitigation for the proposed wetland impacts in conjunction with the expansion the water treatment facility. The plan will provide for a functional restoration via re-establishment of characteristic hydroperiod and vegetative communities. Earth work will restore contours to their original grades and over 1,800 trees and shrubs will be planted. The target stem density (for planted and characteristic volunteer species) will be 320 stems/acre by the completion of the fifth year of monitoring. When completed, the site will serve as both a functioning wetland system and an educational resource. This synthesis of development and wetland restoration will act as a model to municipalities seeking to expand in an environmentally conscience manner. t „~ e _ ,- .. ~`~ l s i ~~, ~~ .~ ,# Kings ~' ~ao '~~' ~.~` ~~ ~ . 9 Grant ~" ~, ~',of ~~ -,~ .,. 1 ~~ _ , 1 ~ F ,~ «.' .. t: t - ~ "= 4 ' _ __V _~_ _ ~ Y f. ~ .+ ~ A~. _, a F ~, i,, ; -. V ~ ~ - ~~ ~~ ..1 ~ ~ t"i f Y C 9 tr4 ". ~, r. *Boundanes are approxima~e anU are S, . not meant to be absolute SCALE 1" - 1 Mile Map Source: North Carolina Atlas 8~ Gazetteer. Pg 84 .2003 Greg Thompson Land Management Group, Inc. Water Treatment Plant Environmental Consultants Figure 1. Wetland Restoration Wilmington, N.C. Vicinity Map New Hanover County, NC 01-05-371 August 2006 Se o i 5e I Le \\ Y / ~'. ~ kBOUndarrC~ are aNNruxnriare dnu are SfTE not meant to be absolute. SCALE 1" - 400' Map Source: NRCS Soils Map. Greg Thompson Land Management Group, Inc. Water Treatment Plant FI ure 2. Wetland Restoration Environmental Consultants NRCS So SurVe M~ New Hanover County, NC Wilmington, N.C. Y K? 0105-Q~7? 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Dili ~ ~ ~' ~~j ~ Imo' .. •-- r+ 2~ .~~~~!'( ~ ~~, ~ `~ ~ • ~ ~~' t-J '. ~ ~ >ti^4:'. y ,+ ;? ~•~' ~ ~ >~j ~~~'S ,'Jt, ~t~ ^ ; ~i +~' ~ r `~ ~-~ s r ! f ~ ~~r~ f ~ ~ n y ,~ ~! y ~ .~r *• { 'I~ ~I~le ~I ~ ~~~'r~`i! + I `' ,~ ! ' IA ~ l ~ ~. ,~ t .~+. _ ~ L t •.. ~ (~~I. _ ~~iY~~ ,.~ . ~ ''~. _ f 1. ~ // _ ~~ .. ~~Y r-.. ..~j~r y !r ~ ~ ., 4 „~, *BOUnCiai~ea aie aNNi~~uiia~C aiw aie not meant to be absolute. Map Source: 1998 NAPP aerial photography Greg Thompson Water Treatment Plant Wetland Restoration New Hanover County, NC 01-05-371 SCALE 1" = 400' Land Management Group, Inc. Environmental Consultants Figure 3. Wilmington, N.C. 1998 Aerial Photography August 2006 ~ SITE aNCN DRIVE .incam.n~ nR, -j-- - - --I---- ;RECCE READ .~ 1 DRIVE I -J Mo. Rmldon/law Dab LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. POST OFFICE BOX 2522 NILMINGTON, NC 28402 (910) 452-0001 r. ~,.~ r, . ~~ xy~l Ir M Wr Water Treatment Plant OI-05.371 New Hanover Cour~y Figure 4. Preliminary Well layout Well Momtonng o~ 7124106 w 1200 \~ ~~ ~\ .\ General Notes No. Revision/Issue Date rmm x,~ am wa.w LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. POST OFFICE BOX 2522 WILMINGTON, NC 28402 (910) 452.0001 °: o .,-a _T Water Treatment Plant O I -05-371 New Hanover County FIGURE 5. Proposed Wetland Restoration !I oro.~ry sntti ~al~zo~ Sheet s<oi. \ ~:2~ \_.- i nra rrnni n~ rcnr~vrri r- ~~ n~r~ 3NCN DRIVE .~cuane nR. - - - ~ - - - :HELLE READ _ ~1 DRIVE I _ .! c~dr~ Na Re~won{wue ooM ~~~~ IAND MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC, POST OFFICE BOX 2522 WILMINGTON, NC 28402 (9 I O) 452-0001 n ~,. ~ ~~r~ .. It~~7 LJD~l--v Water Treatment Plant O I -05-371 New Flanover County Figure 6. Phase II Restoration Plan ~., 7rzaro6 .. i zoo Appendix A. Site Photographs A.yG. Greg Thompson Water Treatment Plant Wetland Restoration New Hanover County, NC 01-05-371 Land Management Group, Inc. Environmental Consultants Wilmington, N.C. August 2006 ~~~Ye~°3 ~~c; Appendix A. Site Photographs Large perimeter ditch on western property boundary Outlet ditch discharging water to Smith Creek ._ ~ _ 4-~ - / ~~ ' Y.. tn!r. .. • ~ T ~ ~ - J f 'b ~' - "4 :t lC ~ ~ ~ w ~' r ~ i c ~ l~~ 4~ ~ ~ ~i ~ .av.Aiw.. ,~,.. J' ''q . '1`. ., Greg Thompson Land Management Group, Inc. Water Treatment Plant Environmental Consultants Appendix A. Wetland Restoration Wilmington, N.C. Site Photographs New Hanover County, NC 01-05-371 August 2006 Large ditch bisecting WTP parcel (facing North) Perimeter ditch adjacent to subdivision (facing East) 4:: , .l5° _ r ~ ++~~. - fi ~ g. F~!s Hr' ~ _ _ A ~ t~`y s~ }" air .. . w,l~' 6r~ tr ,] ~ _ »c ,: I91 h7' ~~{y~~ ~ ~ ~ft~ ..°~ ,~{;'. r ,".wr~~ ~9psr ~ tq., 7ga :`,cn~' ' vF~` f'P ,, r f~.• r~~ a'~E1K. i h f <~~ + ,Y'~' 4y'1'~ `" ~ e T fa ~ i ~ `, ~ .S ~{r{ _ f f i~~ ~ ~ ~ F ,~ 6 ~' , ~ ~ 1 >f5 ,~5 b~'~,,.~: Ail ~1•- E '~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ 1XSpp 4~1. k ~ R" '~ ~t JI' "I L ' i! Li 4, i ~ ~ ~~~ L~ ~~ ~~ (! E t ~ ` ~ ~ ~ ~~ F F~ V ~ ~ ~~ R ~ A a . u "4 R F i Typical vegetation found in shallow interior ditches Greg Thompson Land Management Group, Inc. Water Treatment Plant A endix A. Wetland Restoration Environmental Consultants pp New Hanover County, NC Wilmington, N.C. Site Photographs 01-05-371 August 2006 Typical vegetation found in mowed areas throughout parcel Appendix B: Details for Geotechnical Fabric Installation General Notes No. Revision/Issue Date rrm xon ..e,w. LAND MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. POST OFFICE BOX 2522 WILMINGTON, NC 28402 (910) 452-0001 r'. ,~„ e ,.: v,.yn wm. ma eea~ Water Treatment Plant O I -05-371 New Hanover County Appendix B. Geoteztile Fabric Installation s~ ~iz~zao6 Sheet e~ ~:z~ ~ i non rrnni nr ~r-nrrvrri r rn nnrr 4' TOPSOIL (fYP.) SANDY LOAM: 5071- 80x PASSING OX-207L S 0.005 M COMPACTm TO 95X DRY DENSf1Y (BY Mi PROCTOR) NATURAL SO1L~ 6' 4' TOP SOR dt SEEDfA W/ BANK STABILQATION NETi1N6 (TYPICAL INSIDE Ec OUTSIDE BERM-~ ,,./ POLYETHYLENE LMER SANDY LOAM: ~~~-EXIST. GRADE CLAYEY 59.TS: 4~MIN. j 507L- 8071 PASSING #200 ~ ~ 2076-507¢ S 0.005 MIN. COMPACIEO TO 957L MAX. DRY DETiS71Y (BY MODIFlED GRADE REM04ED TYPICAL EXIST PROCTOR) TO BE EXIFNDED . ~P~4 lOQSE ~ ~~ UNDER BASIN BOLTON MATERULS AND AU. VEGETATKIN AND RODT. DETENTION BASIN BERM DE`T'AIL NOT TO SCALE