19950013 Ver 1_Complete File_19990308

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DR. J.H. CARTER III & ASSOCIATES, I - A'
Environmental Consultants.
P.O. Box 891 • Southern Pines, N.C. 28388
[phone] 9 Fax [phone]
Letter of Transmi I
To Division of Water Quality
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
WE ARE SENDING YOU IT)
Attached X Reports Maps ?.
Copy of letter Plans Data
Prints Photos Other: y i
Gly; .
COPIES DATE NO. DESCRIPTION
1 03/08/99 14 Annual Re ort-1998
Wetland Mitigation
Pinehurst #8 Golf Course

THESE ARE TRANSMITTED
X For approval
For your use
X As requested
For review and comment
REMARKS:
Approved as noted
Approved as submitted
Returned for corrections
For your information
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COPY TO: Brad Kocher, Director of Golf SIGNED:
If enclosures are not noted, please contact us immediately
Date: 8 A ril 99 -job #
Attn: Mr. John Dome
Re: Pinehurst 48 Mitigation

Endangered Species Surveys • Environmental Assessments 9 Land Management 9 Wetlands Mapping and Permitting
ANNUAL REPORT--1998
WETLANDS MITIGATION
PINEHURST NO.8 GOLF COURSE
PINEHURST, MOORE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Prepared By:
Mr. Robert H. Pegram, Jr. and Dr. J.H. Carter III
Dr. J.H. Carter III & Associates, Inc.
Environmental Consultants
P.O. Box 891
Southern Pines, North Carolina 28388
Submitted 8 March 1999
To:
Division of Water Quality
4401 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
ANNUAL REPORT--1998
WETLANDS MITIGATION
PINEHURST NO.8 GOLF COURSE
PINEHURST, MOORE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
INTRODUCTION
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club began construction of Pinehurst #8, "The
Centennial Course", a 450 acre golf course and residential development, in November
1994. The project resulted in impacts to approximately 6.3 acres of jurisdictional
wetlands. Approximately 0.71 acre of wetland was created to partially offset this impact.
This report was prepared to address the wetland mitigation results for 1998 as required by
the Division of Environmental Management (DEM) in 401 Water Quality Certification
Number 2671 (DWQ No. 95013).
PROJECT AREA
The project site is located on the northwestern edge of Pinehurst, Moore County
in the Sandhills of south-central North Carolina (Figure 1). Natural plant communities
consist of fire-maintained pine-dominated communities such as Xeric Sandhill Scrub and
Pine-Scrub Oak Sandhill on the uplands, and Streamhead Pocosin, Sandhill Seep and
Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp-Blackwater Subtype in wetlands. The former 2
wetland communities are unique to the Sandhills and contain several rare plant species, as
well as the rare pine barrens treefrog (Hyla andersoni) and an undescribed form of 2-
lined salamander (Eurycea spp). Rare wetland plant species include bog spicebush
(Lindera subcoriacea), white wicky (Kalmia cuneata) and Sandhills' bog lily (Lillium
irridole). Several insectivorous plants, including 3 species of pitcher plants (Sarracenia
spp), bladderworts (Utricularia spp), sundews (Drosera spp) and Venus' flytrap
(Dionaea muscipula) occur in these wetlands. Streamhead Pocosins and Sandhill Seeps
are groundwater-charged wetlands. Soils are usually saturated to near the surface, highly
acidic and often have a high organic content.
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Figure 1. Location of Pinehurst No. 8 Golf Course in Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina.
PROJECT SITE
The project site consists of 450 acres located north of N.C. Highway 211, south of
Juniper Lake Road (SR 1216), east of Murdocksville Road (SR 1209) and west of U.S.
Highway 151501 (Figure 1). Joe's Fork Creek runs west to east along the northern
portion of the property and McLean's Branch runs south to north through the western side
of the property. Two old sewage treatment lagoons are located near the center of the
project site. Discharge of effluent into the lagoons was halted in the mid 1980s and the
lagoons have slowly converted into freshwater marshes vegetated with soft rush (Juncus
effusus), wool grass (Scirpus cyperinus) and duckweed (Lemna sp). Black willow (Salix
nigra) and red maple (Ater rubrum) are scattered within the lagoons. The marshes have
attracted numerous muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), which have foraged extensively on the
soft rush.
The project site features approximately 100 lots measuring 0.75 to 1.00 acre in
size, an 18-hole championship golf course, a clubhouse, a practice range and associated
access roads. The plans for this development were redesigned several times to minimize
impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and 2.78 acres of fill was ultimately permitted for road
crossings and construction of the golf course. To mitigate for a portion of the fill, 0.71
acre of wetland was created.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club created approximately 0.71 acre of wetland
contiguous to the northeast corner of the northernmost lagoon (Figure 2) to partially
offset impacts to jurisdictional wetlands elsewhere on the property. The approved
mitigation plan (Wetlands Mitigation Plan for Pinehurst #8 "Centennial Course ", Dr.
J.H. Carter III, 1995), as modified by DWQ (DWQ No.95013), requires the following
steps to be implemented.
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Management Plan:
1. Organically enriched soils excavated elsewhere on the site will be stockpiled on
uplands for use in the wetlands creation.
2. The proposed wetland to be created will be excavated to approximately 6 - 12 inches
below the existing marsh soil level.
3. The stockpiled soils will be placed in the excavated area to a depth of 6 - 12 inches.
The created wetlands will be flooded with several inches of water.
4. Native vegetation will be allowed to colonize the created buffer and clumps of Juncus
e.fusus will be transplanted from the adjacent marsh (to approximately 10% cover).
Naturally recolonizing wetland vegetation may include beakrushes (Rhynchospora
spp), spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa), panic grasses (Dichanthelium spp) and sedges
(Carex spp). Other marsh vegetation, such as duck potato (,Sagitlaria latifolia),
common 3-square stem (Scirpus americanus), lesser bur-reed (Sparganium
americanum), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and pickerel-weed (Pontederia
cordata) will be considered for planting where applicable.
5. Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) will be planted in clumps along the margin of the
2 marshes (outside of the golf course envelopes).
6. The mitigation sites will be monitored annually for 3 years during July or August to
document hydrology (depth to saturation), soil chroma, species composition, cover,
and survival of planted materials. Brief reports will be submitted annually in January.
Additional DEM requirements:
1. If native vegetation has not colonized the site (50 percent cover) within 12 months of
construction, native marsh species shall be planted to ensure at least 75 percent cover
after 3 years.
2. An as-built report shall be submitted to DEM after construction.
3. Annual monitoring reports shall be submitted to DEM.
4. Success criteria for this project shall be ( 75 percent cover of native herbaceous
species after 3 years.
PLANTING TECHNIQUES
Two planting techniques were utilized to create or enhance wetlands at Pinehurst
#8 Golf Course. The primary technique consisted of planting soft rush, usually in clumps
of 5, with clumps spaced 10 to 15 feet apart within the mitigation site. The second
technique involved planting bald cypress, Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) along the banks of the marshes and in shallow water
near the shore (as applicable). See Figures 3 and 4 for the approximate locations of the
plantings in 1998.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
The golf course, clubhouse and associated roads and utilities were constructed
between November 1994 and November 1995. The golf course opened to play during the
spring of 1996. Impacts to jurisdictional wetlands were as described in the documents
and plans submitted with the permit application package in December 1994, together with
subsequent modifications. Approximately 0.71 acres of wetland was created in the
northeastern corner of the northern lagoon.
Stockpiled, organically enriched soils were placed in the excavated mitigation site
to a depth of 6 - 12 inches and the area was flooded with 6 - 12 inches of water. Native
hydrophytic vegetation was allowed to colonize the newly created wetland. In 1996,
wetland species such as buttonbush, willow oak (Quercus phellos), titi (Cyrilla
racemiflora), Atlantic white cedar and bald cypress were planted along the edges of both
marshes (see 1996 Annual Report). In 1997, Atlantic white cedar, bald cypress and wax
myrtle (Myrica cerifera) were planted along the edges of both lagoons to continue the
enhancement and replace vegetation which died or was lost to muskrat predation (see
1997 Annual Report).
In early 1997, muskrats began to deplete the vegetation within the freshwater
marshes. The muskrats foraged on and constructed their lodges from the herbaceous
wetland vegetation, particularly soft rush. When the water in the lagoons was lowered to
facilitate the construction of the golf course and mitigation site, the muskrats built their
-E Atlantic white c
+* Bold cypress
Water tupelo
4 Soft rush
Z\-?s Figure 3. 1998
approximate planting
and transplanting
locations by species in
k-W
the northern marsh at
Dr. J. H. Carter III Pinehurst #8 Golf
& Associates, Inc. Course, Pinehurst, Moore
County, North Carolina.
Atlantic white cede
'* Hold cypress
Figure 4. 1998
approximate planting
locations by species in
the southern marsh at
Pinehurst #8 Golf Course,
Dr. J. H. Carter III Pinehurst, Moore County,
& Associates, Inc. North Carolina.
lodges toward the middle of the lagoons in deeper water. When the water levels were
raised to flood the mitigation site, the muskrats abandoned their lodges and began digging
burrows in the banks of the marshes. These burrows were lined with soft rush and wool
grass. Many of the burrows collapsed and created small erosion channels, which posed
problems for golfers and maintenance crews with machinery (mowers, etc.). A 30-day
wildlife damage control permit was issued to Pinehurst #8 in May 1997 to trap or shoot
the muskrats. In June 1997, a second permit was issued. Since then, depredation permits
have been continually renewed and a total of 104 muskrats were taken from the 2
marshes. Efforts to control the muskrat population continued through 1998.
The water level in the marshes was lowered 2 times (Spring and Fall) in 1998,
with a range in depth of 0 to 2.5 feet. The lowering of the water level allowed new
growth of native vegetation to become established. A lower water level also forced the
muskrats to move to deeper water, away from the mitigation site. (Figures 3 and 4). Soft
rush was transplanted in front of and beside the drainpipe in the mitigation site and in
vegetative "gaps" created by muskrat predation. Duckweed was still present in both
lagoons; however, it was not as abundant as in previous years. Both lagoons were treated
with SonarO (an aquatic herbicide) during the summer of 1998.
Of the 44 large bald cypress planted in the winter of 1995-96 and 5 planted in
winter 1997, approximately 46 have survived. All of the stumps from dead cypress trees
that were cut in 1996, coppiced during the spring and summer of 1997; however, 3 of the
coppiced stumps were inadvertently cut while mowing and have not regenerated new
growth. The large bald cypress located along the eastern edge of the northern lagoon that
showed signs of stress due to muskrat burrowing in 1996 is still alive. Ninety-four
percent of the large bald cypress have survived.
Approximately 90 percent of the vegetation planted in 1998 (44 small bald
cypress, 180 Atlantic white cedar and 9 water tupelo) have survived (Table 1).
Approximately 75 percent of the small bald cypress, 95 percent of the Atlantic white
cedar and 67 percent of the water tupelo have survived (Table 1). Mortality has resulted
from encroachment from other wetland species and/or muskrat predation. Muskrat trails
Table 1. 1998--Composition, abundance and survival rates of planted species at
Pinehurst #8 Golf Course Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina. Survival
rates are approximate.
Species Individuals Individuals Survival
Planted Surviving Rate

Bald cypress 44 33 75%
Atlantic white cedar 180 171 95%
Water tupelo 9 6 67%
Total 233 210 90%
leading from the lagoons to the young water tupelo and the bald cypress indicate that
muskrat predation has occurred and is continuing.
In 1998, the mitigation site was approximately 80 to 85 percent vegetated with
native wetland plants. Most of the larger plants had been transplanted from elsewhere in
the lagoon (primarily soft rush); however, many young soft rushes have colonized
shallow areas along the shoreline. Vegetative cover will be monitored in 1999 to ensure
that the muskrat population does not destroy the marsh vegetation established in the
mitigation site.
The water levels in the marshes were manually manipulated in 1998 to encourage
recolonization of native species and to help control the duckweed blooms. Water depths
in the marshes ranged from 0 to 2.5 feet deep, with an average depth of approximately 1.5
feet. The marshes, including the mitigation site, were flooded for most of 1998 and soils
were saturated to the surface during water level draw-downs.
The lagoons and mitigation site are lined with more than 1 foot of relatively
impermeable clay. Soils were sampled from 2 locations within the mitigation site in
1998 (Table 2). Organic soils previously deposited apparently have been volatized.
Only, dense, mixed clay remains.
Representative photographs of the mitigation site are presented in Figures 5-10.
CONCLUSIONS
Native vegetation in the mitigation site has responded well due to transplanting
and natural colonization. More than 80 percent of the mitigation site contains native
vegetative cover. Plantings of shrubs and trees along the marsh edges had an overall
survival rate of 90 percent in 1998. The muskrat population will be closely monitored to
ensure the mitigation site remains at least 75 percent vegetated. The 3-year mitigation
goal of 75 percent cover of native vegetation has been met. Therefore, annual monitoring
and reporting to DWQ will be discontinued in 1999.
Table 2. Soil profile data for the mitigation site at Pinehurst No. 8 Golf Course,
Pinehurst, Moore County, North Carolina.
1997
Profile 1 (0 -12") Profile 2 (0 - 12")
No dominant matrix 7/1 (10 YR) dominant matrix
7/6 (10 YR) 7/6 (2.5 YR)
511 (10 YR) 7/6 (10 YR)
8/1 (Gley)
Inundated Inundated
1998
Profile 1 (0 -12") Profile 2 (0 -12")
No dominant matrix 7/3 (10 YR) dominant matrix
7/1 (10 YR) 6/1 (10 YR)
511 (10 YR) 5/3 (10 R)
6/2 (10 YR)
6/1 (7.5 YR)
Inundated Inundated

Course. Photo was taken in the summer of 1998.
Course. Photo was taken in early 1998.
Figure 8. Photo depicts the majority (approximately 80%) of the
mitigation area along the eastern edge of the 18`" fairway.
The remaining mitigation area is located to the north and is
depicted in Figure 10. Photos were taken during the summer
of 1998.

Figure 7. Close-up of the mitigation area at Pinehurst #8 Golf Course.

Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 9. Seedling Atlantic
white cedars within protective
collars, were planted along the
banks of the marshes during the
winter of 1997-98.
Figure 10. The remaining
portion of the mitigation area not
shown in Figure 8. Note the
diverse herb layer that has
become established over the past
3 years. Photo was taken during
the summer of 1998.
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