20190158 Ver 1_Updated IRT Site Visit Comments_20190314

MEMORANDUM
March 14, 2019
RE: Brahma Stream & Wetland Mitigation Site
Post - IRT Site Visit Notes
Contract No. 7743 / RFP # 16-007571 / DMS Project ID: 100092
Attendees:
USACE —Todd Tugwell, Kim Browning
NCDMS — Lindsay Crocker, Jeff Schaffer
DWR — Mac Haupt
NCWRC —Olivia Munzer
Restoration Systems (RS) —Worth Creech
Axiom Environmental (Axiom) — Grant Lewis
On February 26, 2019, a site visit was conducted with members of the NC Inter -agency Review Team (IRT)
to review and discuss the merits of the proposed Brahma Mitigation Site (Site). The —20.6 -acre Site
includes six Unnamed Tributaries (UTs) to Reedy Branch and is located at longitude 35.8540, -79.4106.
The IRT reviewed approximately 7160 linear feet of degraded stream channel and multiple
degraded/drained wetland areas. Provided below is a list of comments discussed during the walkthrough.
Overall, IRT members agreed with the mitigation approach proposed in the Technical Proposal with minor
alterations as discussed below. Stream reaches, credit ratios, and wetland restoration/enhancement
areas were generally approved in the field as depicted on attached mapping.
1) Wetlands: Overall, general wetland areas rehabilitation and reestablishment areas were agreed upon,
with the expectation that there will be larger areas of wetlands than are currently depicted in the
Technical Proposal. The IRT agreed that a Jurisdictional Determination will be completed at the Site
that will outline the final areas and extent of wetlands for the Detailed Mitigation Plan. In addition,
wetland gauges will be required to be installed to verify wetland reestablishment areas, specifically
adjacent to UT 3.
2) Stream Flow Gauges: Several of the UTs have small drainage areas and will require flow gauges to
determine the number of consecutive days of flow. These reaches will also need to exhibit stream
characteristics outlined in current stream mitigation guidelines (2016).
3) UT 4: UT 4 currently discharges at a spring head and exhibits a dendritic flow pattern down a narrow
valley. IRT members agreed that this stream should be treated as a headwater system and stream
credit should be calculated down valley as Enhancement (Level II).
4) Crossings: There was a discussion about limiting the number of crossings on the Site. Every effort will
be made to reduce crossings through discussions with the landowner prior to the Mitigation Plan
development.

5) Expired EQIP Agreement: The prior landowner, John C. Allen and his tenant farmer (participant Chris
McPherson) were enrolled in an EQIP program contract that paid for fencing and cattle drinkers at
various locations on the Site parcel. The signed agreement between the past Participant, Christopher
W McPherson and the Resources Conservation Service expired on 9/30/2014. The expired Agreement
will be in the Draft Mitigation Plan.
6) Nutrient Management: Three chicken laying houses are scheduled to be constructed on the
landowner's parcel outside of the proposed Site conservation easement. The use of appropriate
setbacks for the houses and waste management from the houses will be detailed in the Mitigation
Plan as a reference for RS, DMS, the IRT, and the landowner. In addition, any drainages downstream
of the houses will receive a marsh treatment area before entering the Site's streams or wetlands.
7) UT 5: DNR requests that the project designer explore adding benching along UT 5 while formulating
the mitigation plan.
8) Design Sheet Layout: DNR requests that design sheets will be formatted with the plan view and the
profile view on the same page. The scale is requested to be scaled in order to accommodate showing
bedform (elevations) changes. This request is due to the E1 being proposed, involves filling the existing
channel.
Thank you,
400'e-, !►,.,
Worth Creech
Restoration Systems