20191132 Ver 1_Mitigation Site Visit_20181212

Strickland, Bev
From: Price, Zan (George)
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 8:38 AM
To: Davis, Erin B
Cc: Haupt, Mac
Subject: FW: [External] East Buffalo Mitigation IRT Site Walk Notes
Attachments: EBuff_IRT Walk_FINAL_2018-12-12_f.pdf; EBuff Revised Pre -Prospectus with Figures 1
& 2.pdf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Zan Price, PE
Assistant Regional Super v sol, Asheville Regional Office
Water Ovality Regional Operations Section
D EM Forth Carolina Department of Environmental uaht�,
828-296-466/-
828-231-9634
28.2.96.4662828.231.9634 (Cell)
Zan.Price cdenr_gov
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may be dsGb5 d to thkd partes
From: Jake McLean <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 9:36 AM
To: Price, Zan (George) <[e-mail]>; Steve Kichefski <[e-mail]>; Leslie, Andrea J
<[e-mail]>; Todd Tugwell <[e-mail]>
Cc: Shawn Wilkerson <[e-mail]>; Andrea Eckardt <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] East Buffalo Mitigation IRT Site Walk Notes
Good Morning,
Please find the site walk notes attached, along with updated pre -prospectus and figures. Based on our discussions in the
field, and follow-up work, we've prepared updates to the project approach and an explanation of these updates is
provided at the end of the meeting notes.
We hope that you can review and provide comment/feedback on this revised approach and we would be happy to have
a quick call to discuss this in the next couple of weeks. We want to make sure that we have your general buy -in to the
revised approach so that we can proceed with the project.
Please let me know if you have any comments on the minutes.
Thanks,
Jake

Jake McLean I Water Resource Engineer, Project Manager
0: 828.774.5547 M: 828.545.3865
Wildlands Engineering, Inc.
167-B Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806

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WILDLANDS
ENGINEERING
MEETING NOTES
MEETING: IRT Site Walk
EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site
Little Tennessee 06010204; Graham County, NC
Wildlands Project No. 005-45020
DATE: On-site Meeting: Monday, November 19, 2018
Meeting Notes Distributed: Wednesday, December 12, 2018
LOCATION: East Buffalo Road
Robbinsville, NC
Attendees
Todd Tugwell, USACE Andrea Leslie, NCWRC Shawn Wilkerson, Wildlands
Steve Kichefski, USACE Zan Price, DWR Jake McLean, Wildlands
Reference Materials
• Pre -Prospectus with Credit Summary Table
• Figure 1 Vicinity Map
• Figure 2 Concept Map
(These have been updated following the site -walk as explained within this document. The updated
versions are the versions being provided for reference.)
Meeting Notes
The meeting began at 10:30 am and concluded around fpm. A map of the project and a brief overview of the
project were provided in advance and reviewed at the gravel drive near the cattle pasture prior to starting the
walk. The group first visited the south side of the site (south of East Buffalo Road, SR 1254) and then the north
side of the site (north of road). Access to the south side of the site is via a dirt road accessed just north of UT2 at
the corner of the property nearest to East Buffalo Road. From there, the dirt road traverses the slope south of
the road along a west -east alignment. The group returned to this access point and then walked the north side of
the site from upstream to downstream along East Buffalo Creek, by entering from the upstream parcel, before
returning along the existing ditched portion of UT3 along the East Buffalo Road.
General
Wildlands is proposing to put the majority of the site under easement with buffers of 150' or greater on
all reaches of all streams, except those whose buffers overlap, or where existing parcel boundaries do
not allow.
• The site abuts National Forest, Natural Heritage Program (NHP) Managed Areas, and is in a watershed
whose headwaters is protected by a DMS easement (the entire headwater parcel of that project and
easement is now held by a local land trust with the intent to permanently protect the entire parcel).

EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site — Meeting Notes
Wildlands is proposing an enhanced preservation ratio for some of the preservation streams based on
the buffer widths, site values, and protection of areas upslope of the jurisdictional boundaries. IRT
members agreed that an enhanced ratio is justifiable, but recommended that Wildlands propose a ratio
with justification based on the USACE Stream Preservation Guidelines.
Wildlands was originally proposing more preservation, but based on discussions during this site walk, it
was decided to revise the approach to include several lower level enhancement activities along the
streams in the valley on the north side of the road. The revised approach, discussed below the meeting
notes, incorporates IRT recommendations and proposes mitigation ratios and justification for those
ratios.
South of East Buffalo Road
UT1, UT2, UT3, UT4, UT4a-Reach 1
• On the south side of the site (south of East Buffalo Road), tributaries UT2, UT3, and UT4 were walked for
representative portions of their jurisdictional length; tributary UT4a was observed later from the road;
and UT1 was not observed. The headwaters of UT1, UT2, UT3, and UT4 will be protected with 150'
buffers and extending all the way to the ridge. At the ridge, the parcel adjoins National Forest and NHP
Managed Areas which provides value for habitat connectivity. There is also connectivity to the Cheoah
Mountain NHA which lies within the watershed headwaters.
• Andrea Leslie indicated that there are Natural Heritage Elements in close proximity:
o Sammy Basin Natural Area (rated Very High by the NC Natural Heritage Program) is on the SW
side of the site (just adjacent). Within this NA area number of rare plants (e.g., Goldenseal — NC
Significantly Rare, American Bittersweet — NC Endangered) and important communities (e.g.,
Montane Cliff, Mafic Subtype).
• Streams are generally stable but not pristine — the site has evidence of prior landslide activity as well as
historic logging. The IRT commented that some of the streams have abundant fine sediment in riffles;
• The riparian areas are intact and of mixed structure and mostly free of invasives;
• Wildlands was asked to clarify how the existing logging roads would be treated. Wildlands indicated
that they would be decomissioned and runoff routed off of the road to disrupt the current erosion and
sedimentation. Considerable erosion was observed along the road traversing this southern slope and is
contributing to sedimentation in streams. In addition, along the road traversing the slope, and along old
logging roads paralleling tributaries, flow follows the roads in many cases, sometimes for several
hundred or more feet, which decreases the effectiveness/function of the buffers.
• It was discussed that culverts and crossings will be removed and grade control and bank stability
reestablished through the removed crossings.
• Landslide activity is present on some or all of these tributaries which may reduce the jurisdictional
stream length from the pre -landslide condition. Landslide activity may be related to prior deforestation
or may be natural to the setting — similar activity has been observed in adjacent drainages. Historic
landslide activity may be contributing, along with sedimentation from dirt roads, to the persistence of
fine sediment in streams.
• Steve K. noted that 2018 has been a very wet year and that the hydrology visible reflects that and
should be factored into jurisdictional calls.
• Wildlands indicated that a portion of the south slope similar to that shown on the map would remain
outside of the conservation easement.
WWildlands Engineering, Inc. page 2
EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site
IRTSite Walk

EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site — Meeting Notes
North of East Buffalo Road
On the north side of the site (north of the road), the mainstem of East Buffalo Creek was walked in its entirety
(upper and lower portions); UTI Reach 2 and UT2 Reach 2 have very poor access through privet thickets and
were not observed in detail; UT3 Reach 2 (currently ditched along roadside) and UT4a Reach 2 which is in the
cattle pasture, were walked for most of their length; UT5 was observed for a representative length; and UT6
was not observed.
Upper portion of East Buffalo Creek and adjacent Tributaries UT1-Reach 2, UT2-Reach 2
• Participants observed the upper portion of East Buffalo Creek from upstream to downstream along the
right bank. The reach does not have cattle but is maintained with a grassed understory on the right
floodplain. Limited overstory is present, and the reach has dense privet thickets on the left bank and on
both banks near the downstream portion of the reach. There are a handful of areas where there is
bank erosion and mid -channel bar deposition which Wildlands indicated would be addressed with spot
bank grading / benching and planting to eliminate erosion.
• UTI Reach 2 and UT2 Reach 2 were largely not visible or accessible from more than one or two locations
due to heavy privet and multiflora rose undergrowth. In one or two locations, evidence of vertical banks
and an old farm crossing were visible.
• IRT representatives commented that the treatments required along East Buffalo Creek and the two
tributary reaches are more consistent with enhancement -level intervention than preservation, as
originally proposed. Intervention is necessary to reestablish various stream and floodplain functions and
the proposed approach has been modified to reflect this and is further discussed at the end of the
meeting notes.
• Wildlands indicated that along the upper portion of East Buffalo Creek on the right floodplain, beyond
the 150' buffer, Wildlands may sell the maintained field to the adjacent landowner to accommodate
their aesthetic preferences. The IRT commented that there was considerable value in the proposed 150'
buffer and did not provide objection to this.
• A wide buffer, typically 100-150', will be placed on UT1 Reach 2 and UT2 Reach 2.
Lower portion of East Buffalo Creek, UT3-Reach 2, UT4a-Reach2, and UT5
• Cattle are present on the lower portion of the site which includes: the left floodplain of East Buffalo
Creek, UT4a Reach 2, and the valley low point proposed for the restored alignment for UT3 Reach 2.
Only East Buffalo Creek is fenced, and the fencing generally follows the left top of bank and has minimal
value in providing a buffer to grazing activities. Cattle exclusion along East Buffalo Creek will provide
functional uplift to water quality by significantly enhancing the buffer.
• There are dense privet thickets along both banks of East Buffalo Creek, as well as evidence of historic
stream relocation and straightening to the current position against the right valley wall. Minor grading
may be required to address intermittent bank erosion and/or to remove privet and prepare a planting
surface for native riparian species. The combination of activities required is in-line with enhancement
level intervention.
• Wildlands indicated that a buffer would be established between East Buffalo Creek and the proposed
alignment of UT3 Reach 2.
• UT3 Reach2, which was historically ditched along East Buffalo Road, is proposed to be rerouted down
the middle of the valley where there is an obvious low point running through the middle of the pasture
and where UT3's valley would have naturally flowed to.
WWildlands Engineering, Inc. page 3
EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site
IRTSite Walk

EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site — Meeting Notes
o The IRT generally agreed with and recognized benefits provided by this approach.
o Intermittent wetland vegetation is present near the valley low point, suggesting that remnant
stream hydrology is still present in the valley.
o The proposed re -alignment of UT3 Reach 2 will ultimately confluence with UT4a Reach 2 by
following the existing natural low point in the valley topography. IRT members agreed with the
rationale of this approach.
o There was some discussion about potentially routing UT2 Reach 2 into UT3 as well. The
appropriateness of this approach will be explored based on more detailed survey information.
o There was also discussion that the mainstem of East Buffalo Creek may have originally occupied
this point in the valley but that leaving the mainstem in its current location, and simply
conducting enhancement activities along it, was appropriate.
UT5 was walked for a representative portion of its length; it is proposed for preservation and is in
generally stable condition with an intact forested buffer, except in a small area with a historic clearing
on the left bank. The clearing will be replanted. There are invasives in and near the clearing which will
be treated. An old crossing was observed and such crossings, where present and affecting stream
stability or organism passage, will be removed.
UT4a-Reach 2 was walked for a representative portion of its length; it is proposed for high level
enhancement which is warranted due to the need to exclude livestock, repair and enhance trampled
streams which are variably incised, overly wide, and generally exhibit poor habitat from livestock
impacts. Privet is also present along UT4a and will be removed. The existing buffer is minimal or non-
existent, and a forested buffer of 100-150' will be established within the easement area.
All Attendees listed have been copied by email. These meeting minutes were prepared by Jake McLean and
reviewed by Shawn Wilkerson on December 11, 2018, and represent the authors' interpretation of events. Please
report and discrepancies or corrections within 5 business days of receipt of these minutes.
Explanation of Updates to Proposed Concept Map and Credit Ratios
Based on discussions during the IRT site walk, Wildlands has made adjustments to the proposed approach and
corresponding crediting ratios. A summary of approach and proposed ratios by Reach is explained below and
reflected in the provided reference materials which have been updated.
The majority of the site is planned to be placed under conservation easement and 150 foot or greater
buffers are expected to be achieved in most locations (see figure for reference).
Wildlands is proposing a 7:1 credit ratio on Preservation streams with continuous connectivity to lower
project reaches, and a 10:1 credit ratio on other Preservation streams (UT1 & UT6).
The 7:1 Preservation Ratio is proposed based on the following factors:
o Buffers of greater than 150 feet are proposed and the headwaters of UT2, UT3, and UT4 are
proposed to have their watersheds protected in their entireties above their jurisdictional limits
up to the ridgeline (National Forest boundary) providing significant functional value to the
watershed and landscape ecology;
o The preservation streams are stable and the vegetation on the preservation reaches is generally
mature and of mixed composition and free of invasives.
o The site provides connectivity to National Forest, the Cheoah Mountain NHA, and protected and
managed NHP managed areas and element occurrences and expands upon prior and on-going
watershed protection and restoration efforts by DMS and Mainspring Conservation Trust (a local
WWildlands Engineering, Inc. page 4
EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site
IRTSite Walk

EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site — Meeting Notes
land trust, formerly, Land Trust for the Little Tennessee), who has recently acquired the entire
East Buffalo Creek headwaters parcel where a prior DMS mitigation project was sited;
o The site is sufficiently close to Robbinsville and Lake Santeetlah that it was agreed that there
was sufficient development pressure to warrant protection from future residential or similar
development;
o The streams are headwater tributaries to the Cheoah River which is designated for Trout and
also as critical habitat for the Appalachian Elktoe mussel in close downstream proximity to the
confluence;
o There is significant potential to reduce sediment loading to streams and enhance water quality
and habitat in preservation reaches through decommissioning of roads and crossings. This will
also results in restoration of buffer functions and natural site hydrology.
o Wildlands is providing additional detail, as requested, as to how road decommissioning along
the south side of the site will be approached:
■ Along the primary dirt road, at regular intervals not to exceed 300; Wildlands will create
breaks in the flow path through berms or turn -outs to redirect runoff onto downslope
wooded areas which will reestablish diffuse flow through the site. Efforts will be visually
monitored to ensure that direct sedimentation to streams from rilling of the existing
road is eliminated. The roads will be replanted at typical restoration density with
appropriate under- and mid -story species.
o There is potential to enhance aquatic organism passage through decommissioning crossings;
and
o Invasives, where present within the conservation easement, will be treated.
The 10:1 Preservation Ratio is proposed for UT1 & UT6 based on the following factors:
o Buffers of greater than 150 feet are proposed for UT1 & UT6;
o Streams are stable and forested;
o Preservation of these two headwater streams builds on other preserved headwaters in the
watershed and on the site and provides many of the same benefits and values discussed above
for the other preservation streams;
o The preservation of UT1 protects to the ridgeline and connects the project with additional
National Forest and NHP managed areas and UT1 reenters the project site downstream; and
o Similar landscape settings on adjacent slopes are developed with roads and houses and the
protection offered by the project limits future development in these tributaries.
Wildlands is proposing a 4:1 credit ratio on Enhancement II streams. Proposed intervention measures
include treatment of dense thickets of invasive species, addressing minor bank erosion from vertical
banks and mid -channel bars with structures and/or bank grading, planting of a native riparian buffer on
both banks for at least 150', and cattle exclusion from the buffer along the lower portion of East Buffalo
Creek. Old farm crossings, where present, will be removed and renaturalized.
Wildlands is proposing a 1.5:1 credit ratio on Enhancement I streams. Streams require reconstruction to
reestablish a stable profile and dimension, at a minimum and to enhance degraded habitat. Invasive
species will be treated, cattle excluded, and a woody riparian species planted within the buffer which
will typically be 150' or greater.
Wildlands is proposing a 1:1 credit ratio on UT3 Reach 2, the only site restoration stream. A buffer
typically 150' or greater will be established along the reach. Cattle will be excluded from the stream
valley and the stream will be relocated to this natural valley from its current position ditched along East
Buffalo Road.
WWildlands Engineering, Inc. page 5
EAST BUFFALO Mitigation Site
IRTSite Walk

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WILDLANDS
E N G I N E E R I N G
Little Tennessee Umbrella Mitigation Bank
• East Buffalo Mitigation Site - Graham County, NC
Wildlands Engineering, Inc. is proposing the creation of the Little Tennessee Umbrella Mitigation Bank
("Bank") in the Little Tennessee Basin, Cataloging Unit 06010204. The umbrella bank currently includes
one site in the Little Tennessee River Basin, the East Buffalo Mitigation Site located in Graham County,
North Carolina (Figure 1). The bank will provide 3,697 cold stream mitigation credits.
The East Buffalo Mitigation Site encompasses 255 acres and will include restoration, enhancement and
preservation of East Buffalo Creek and several unnamed tributaries (Figure 2). The project streams
proposed for restoration and enhancement have been degraded over time by agricultural use. The
implementation of the project will result in ecological improvements to the project streams within the
Little Tennessee River Basin. Among these are improvements to aquatic and riparian habitat, reduction
of nutrient and sediment loads, connection of the onsite streams to their floodplains, restoration of
native riparian buffers, and preservation of existing high-quality streams and riparian buffers. The
attached figures illustrate the location of the bank site as well as the mitigation activities proposed for
the site. A summary of the site's proposed credits follows:
Credit Summary: East Buffalo Mitigation Site
Approach
Length (LF)
Ratio
Stream Mitigation Credits
Restoration
1271
1:1
1271
Enhancement 1
551
1.5:1
367
Enhancement II
2,432
4:1
608
Preservation
8,942
7:1
1,277
Preservation
1,744
10:1
174
Total
14,940
3,697
Directions: East Buffalo Mitigation Site
To get to the East Buffalo Mitigation Site, from Asheville, NC, follow 1-40 West and US -74 West to NC -28
North in Nantahala. Continue on NC -28 North to Robbinsville for 20 miles. Take US -129 North/Tapoco
Road to East Buffalo Circle (4.6 miles). Turn right onto East Buffalo Circle. In 2.3 miles turn right onto
East Buffalo Road. The site is at the intersection of East Buffalo Road and Buffalo Lane. (35° 21' 50" N,
83° 48'32" W)

Site Location
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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
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Little Tennessee Umbrella Mitigation Bank
Little Tennessee 06010204
Graham County, NC