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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040325 Ver 1_Mitigation Plans_20020901WETLAND MITIGATION PLAN BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA PHASE II Submitted by: 65C 651 ?l 63 =Y _- J ? sue. r ? v i J4 ?? 63h ? a o ? 4sp y? wo 63h ,..r OAF ? Cape Fw Prepared by: Land Management Group, Inc. P.O. Box 2522 Wilmington, NC September 2002 ?7_ September 19, 2002 ECOBANKI Mr. Ken Jolly Chief Regulatory Division Wilmington District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 1890 Wilmington, NC 26402-1890 Re: Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank, Phase H Dear Mr. Jolly: ECOBANK is pleased to submit to you and other members of the Mitigation Bank-Review Team (MBRT), the enclosed Wetland Mitigation Plan and proposed amendment to the Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. The existing MBI provides, in Paragraph 2.2 Additions to the Bank Site, that ECOBANK, as Bank Sponsor, may request the addition of adjacent lands to the Bank Site. Specifically, ECOBANK is requesting the addition of 1,817 acres (Phase II) that are adjacent to and upstream from the existing 623-acre site (Phase 1). Based upr -179ur years of hydrologic and vegetative success at Barra Farms, Phase I, we believe that the a - of Phase 11 will significantly enhance the ecological benefits already demonstrated in the gin. In accordance with Paragraph 2.2, we have prepared and have enclosed a wetland mitigation ;for Phase H, including specific provisions concerning credit ratios, credit release schedule, fi, -.ial assurances, and property disposition. The current MBI is enclosed as Appendix A for refer' Le. In addition, in accordance with Paragraph 4.1 Geoerapi?ic Service Area, ECOBANK is requesting that the Geographic Service Area be expanded to include that portion of Ecoregion 63 situated within the boundaries of the Cape Fear River Basin (refer to Appendix D). The Ecoregions of North Carolina Map is a collaborative project among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the University of North Carolina. The Ecoregions Map, with accompanying ecoregion characteristics, denotes area of similar ecosystems with similar geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. Within the Cape Fear River Basin, the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (Ecoregion 63) extends from southeastern Cumberland County to the mouth of the Cape Fear River in the Wilmington area. Barra Farms is located in this ecoregion, which supports our request to expand the service area to the mouth of the Cape Fear River. 1555 HOWELL BRANCH ROAD , WINTER PARK FLORIDA 32789 (407) 629-7774 , FAX (407) 629-6044 r E, a fB fou We have appreciated the opportunity to work with the MBRT as we successfully developed Phase I of the Barra Farms Bank. We look forward to continuing that success on the - Barra Farms, Phase II project. If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know. Sincer y, Alan G. Fickett, Ph.D. Enclosures C: Ms. Kathy Matthews, USEPA Mr. John Dorney, NCDWQ Mr. Mike Wicker, USFWS Ms. Shannon Deaton, NCWRC TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................1 I. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................3 II. MITIGATION GOALS .....................................................................................................5 III. SITE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................5 A. WETLAND GEOMORPHOLOGY ........................................................................6 B. PRIOR ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS ................................................................7 C. GENERAL SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ..............................................................9 D. VEGETATION ......................................................................................................11 E. WETLAND FUNCTIONS ....................................................................................12 F. SITE SUITABILITY .............................................................................................12 Service Area Considerations ..........................................................................12 Replacement of Wetland Functions and Values ..........................................13 IV. PROPOSED MITIGATION ...........................................................................................15 A. RESTORATION ....................................................................................................16 B. ENHANCEMENT .................................................................................................17 C. PRESERVATION ........................................................................................:.........17 D. UPLAND BUFFER ..............................................................................................18 V. MONITORING PLAN ....................................................................................................18 A. VEGETATION MONITORING ...........................................................................19 B. HYDROLOGY MONITORING ...........................................................................19 VI. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE .............................................................................20 VII. FINAL PROPERTY DISPENSATION .........................................................................20 VIII. SOURCES OF INFORMATION .................................................... .............................21 i TABLES 1. PLANTING REGIME 2. MITIGATION CREDIT 3. MITIGATION CREDIT RELEASE SCHEDULE FIGURES 1. SITE VICINITY MAP 2. USGS TOPOGRAPHIC QUADRANGLE 3. USGS 8-DIGIT HYDROLOGIC UNIT MAP 4. 1998 NAPP COLOR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 5. EXISTING DRAINAGE NETWORK MAP 6. PC/CC STATUS MAP 7. USDA-SCS GENERALIZED COUNTY SOIL SURVEY 8. MITIGATION PLAN MAP APPENDICES A. MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT - BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE I B. BARRA I FOURTH ANNUAL MONITORING REPORT C. DUKE UNIVERSITY WETLAND CENTER RESEARCH.- ABSTRACTS AND CONCLUSIONS DERIVED FROM BARRA I STUDY SITE D. ECOREGIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA E. LMG DRAINMOD ANALYSIS OF BARRA II F. BARRA II SITE PHOTOGRAPHS G. MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT - BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE II ii C ,4j EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation (ECOBANK) has established Phase I of the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank (Bank) within the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Ecoregion (Ecoregion 63) of the Cape Fear River Basin. Phase I consists of successful restoration, enhancement and preservation of 623 acres (out of a total of 2,440 acres) within the headwaters of Harrison Creek, a first-order tributary of the Cape Fear River. The Phase I restoration and enhancement activities included filling 100,000+ linear feet of ditches and canals and planting 192,000 native tree species. These activities were completed in January, 1998, and four years of monitoring have demonstrated hydrologic and vegetative success. Further, scientific research conducted by the Duke University Wetland Center, under the direction of Dr. Curtis J. Richardson, has demonstrated the downstream water quality benefits that the restored Phase I site has provided. The Bank is composed of approximately 2,440 acres of interstream flats, former Carolina bays, historic stream origins, and floodplains that were ditched, leveled, and drained to support agriculture production and logging activities. ECOBANK developed a mitigation plan in 1997 that described existing conditions and presented a plan for restoring wetlands in a phased approach. A Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) establishing the Barra Farms Bank was adopted between ECOBANK and the appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies in March 1999. The MBI provides for expanding the Bank to incorporate the remaining 1,817 acres (Phase II), which continue to be farmed and logged. The MBI also provides for expanding the Bank's service area with the addition of Phase II. ECOBANK is submitting this Barra Farms, Phase II Wetland Mitigation Plan and a proposed amendment to the existing MBI (Appendix G) in order to add the adjacent Phase II land (1,817 acres) and to extend the geographic service area of the Bank to the mouth of the Cape Fear River in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. Expanding the geographic service area is consistent with the "Ecoregion Map and Ecoregion Characteristics of North Carolina", Griffith et al., 2002 (refer to Appendix D). The Ecoregion Project is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Geological Service, the U.S. Forestry Service, and the University of North Carolina. The ecoregion classification is based upon the identification of areas exhibiting similar geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. The Barra Farms site is located in Ecoregion 63, Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain, encompassing areas of New Hanover and Brunswick Counties within the lower Cape Fear River Basin. The Barra Farms, Phase II Mitigation Plan includes 912 acres of wetland restoration, 215 acres of wetland enhancement, 621 acres of wetland preservation, and 69 acres of upland buffer preservation. On-site evaluations and DRAINMOD computer modeling has been used to determine the extent of restoration, enhancement, and preservation. Based upon these acreages, the Barra Farms, Phase II site provides for 1,053 bank credits. Also included in the Mitigation Plan and the amended MBI are provisions for success criteria, monitoring plans, financial assurances, credit release schedule, and final property disposition. 2 I. INTRODUCTION On March 5, 1999, a Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) was executed by ECOBANK (Bank Sponsor), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ), collectively comprising the Mitigation Banking Review Team (MBRT). The MBI was developed in accordance with the Federal Guidance for the Establishment, Use and Operation of Mitigation Banks, 60, Federal Register, 58605, November 28, 1995 (Guidance). The purpose of the MBI was to establish Phase I of the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank (Barra I) in Cumberland County, NC (refer to Appendix A). Phase I consisted of restoration, enhancement, and preservation of 623 acres adjacent and contiguous to 1,817 acres (totaling 2,440 acres) of pocosin/Carolina bay wetlands which comprise the headwaters of Harrison Creek (a first-order tributary of the Cape Fear River). All wetland/stream restoration and enhancement activities were completed on Barra I from October, 1997 to January, 1998. Restoration of wetland hydrology consisted of filling 100,000+ linear feet of major canals and lateral ditches to redirect groundwater slope to the restored section of Harrison Creek. In addition, more than 192,000 plants, consisting of 19 swamp forest, wet hardwood forest and upland pine species were planted in January, 1998. 3 Hydrologic and vegetative success criteria have been met and documented in each of the four annual monitoring reports since restoration was completed. The Fourth Annual Monitoring Report is included as Appendix B. Natural hydrologic regimes and water quality benefits have been documented by research scientists from the Duke Wetland Center, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University under the direction of Dr. Curtis J. Richardson (refer to Appendix Q. The MBI (Appendix A, Paragraph 2.2) provides for the expansion of the Barra Farms Bank to incorporate the remaining Phase II Barra land (1,817 acres). Adding Phase II to the Bank will significantly improve the water quality, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem benefits already achieved in Phase I. Phase II restoration and enhancement activities will include filling approximately 125,400 linear feet of ditches/canals and planting approximately 397,000 native trees. This proposed mitigation project is intended to compensate for those wetland losses authorized by applicable federal and state permits via the restoration, enhancement, and preservation of 1,817 acres at the Barra II mitigation site. Barra II is located at the headwaters of Harrison Creek in Cumberland County, North Carolina (Figure 1). The Barra II mitigation plan serves as an extension of the MBI for the 623-acre Barra I site initiated in March 1999. The following plan provides detailed information related to project goals and objectives, existing site conditions, proposed mitigation activities, site- success criteria, financial assurances, property dispensation, and annual monitoring as provided in the Barra I MBI. 4 yyy x? y O z II. MITIGATION GOALS The objective of the Barra II project is to provide for the establishment of a compensatory wetland mitigation bank suitable for offsetting unavoidable wetland impacts authorized by state and federal permits. The long-term goal of the project is to establish pocosin and associated pine flatwood/savannah habitat via the restoration, enhancement, and preservation of 1,748 acres of wetlands and 69 acres of upland buffer (totaling 1,817 acres) situated at the headwaters of Harrison Creek (a first-order tributary of the Cape Fear River). Mitigation activities will provide for intact, functional habitat (pocosin and pine flatwood/savannah) characteristic of the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Ecoregion (refer to Appendix D). Ultimately, the mitigation bank will provide for increased floodwater storage capacity, enhanced nutrient filtration/transformation, and increased habitat for species utilizing headwater wetland systems. The mitigation area will be preserved in perpetuity through a conservation easement and transferred through fee simple title to an approved public land management organization. III. SITE DESCRIPTION The 1,817-acre Barra II mitigation site is located immediately south of the junction of NC Highway 210 and State Route 2003 in Cumberland County, NC (UTM 17-710519 E; 3868292 N) (Figure 2). The tract consists of 1793 acres of previously altered and/or disturbed nonriverine (i.e. pocosin/Carolina bay) wetlands and 24 acres of non-hydric soil. In conjunction with Barra I lands, the tract forms nearly the entire headwater 5 wetland system of Harrison Creek (a first-order tributary of the Cape Fear River Basin). The project site is located within the Lower Cape Fear River Basin (USGS 8-digit Hydrologic Unit 03030005, Cape Fear River Subbasin 030616) (refer to Figure 3). A. WETLAND GEOMORPHOLGY Characteristic geomorphic features of the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Ecoregion - including elliptical Carolina bays (with deep organic soils), sandy uplands, and incised blackwater streams are common in the vicinity of the project area. The mitigation site is situated within Harrison Creek Bay, a relatively large headwater Carolina bay. Elevations typically range from -120 to -125 feet above mean sea level (amsl). Thus, topography is relatively level (0-2% slopes), with slight undulations from edges of the bay rims. The Barra II mitigation site is situated within the interior portions of the bay with slopes of 0-1%. Natural drainage of the area is by rapid permeability through sandy upland areas to the concave organic Carolina bay, where permeability and water movement slows. Barra II's natural drainage and water movement is in a south to southwest direction towards Harrison Creek. Prior to anthropogenic disturbance, wetland systems of the Barra II site were typical of natural pocosins/Carolina bay systems occurring along interstream divides throughout the entire Coastal Plain. Indeed, the Barra tract is part of a larger ecoregion, the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain, as defined by Griffith et al. (2002) "Ecoregions of North Carolina" (Appendix D). 6 B. PRIOR ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS Agricultural and silvicultural drainage improvements have been historically established within the Barra II tract. Please refer to Figure 4 (1998 aerial photograph of the site) depicting wooded and field conditions of the tract. Initial clearing and ditching of the tract began in the mid 1960's in order to convert Harrison Creek Bay into agricultural fields. A system of lateral and collector ditches was installed throughout the farm in the 1970's. The drainage network consists of 2 to 4 ft-deep lateral (i.e. tertiary) open ditching on approximate 300-ft spacing, which connect to 4 to 6 ft-deep collector (i.e. (secondary) ditches, ultimately draining off-site through large (6 to 8 ft-deep) canals (i.e. primary ditches). There are approximately 73,800 linear feet (lf) (equivalent to 14.0 miles) of lateral ditches on the tract. An additional 71,800 if (equivalent to 13.6 miles) of collector ditches and canals drain Barra II (refer to Figure 5). All of the artificial drainage is in a southwest direction to an outlet canal draining to Harrison Creek through a water-control structure. Much of the tract's original hydrology has been modified to varying degrees depending upon position relative to existing ditches. On-site ditches function in two capacities: (1) drawdown of groundwater via lateral drainage effect; and (2) interception of surface flow associated with storm or flood events. The effect of each ditch is related to its size (i.e. depth), landscape position/elevation, and surrounding soil properties (e.g. hydraulic conductivity and drainable porosity). Based upon site evaluations and DRAINMOD analysis, the lateral drainage effect of the ditches typically ranges between 150 ft to 255 ft. Please refer to the DRAINMOD drainage study (Appendix E) conducted by Land 7 Management Group, Inc. (LMG) for more specific information related to effective drainage distances of ditches located on the tract. Other land-disturbing activities on the tract have included clearing/conversion to agricultural fields and timber management. Approximately 440 acres of Barra II is currently in use for agricultural production. An additional 260 acres have been historically cleared and ditched. These areas, however, are not currently in agricultural use and have become overgrown with opportunistic vegetative species. The remainder of the tract is in active silvicultural production (primarily for loblolly pine). Based upon site evaluations and DRAINMOD analysis, 212 acres of wooded areas have been effectively drained. On-going silvicultural activities include ditching, construction of temporary forestry roads, and logging. It should be noted that these activities are exempt from Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permitting with an approved forestry plan. Therefore, such practices continue on Barra II even within jurisdictional 404 wetlands. During recent site evaluations, LMG staff observed foresters excavating a large interior ditch (approximately 8 ft deep, 10 ft wide, and 300 ft in length) for the construction of a temporary forestry road (refer to site photographs, Appendix F). Such land-use activities are evidence that natural wetland functions continue to be compromised on the tract even within jurisdictional areas and serve as a testament to the importance of the preservation component of the mitigation site. Based upon the extent of agricultural fields and land-use practices, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (MRCS) provided Prior-Converted (PC) and Commenced 8 Conversion (CC) determinations for the tract. Prior-converted wetlands are those areas that were converted to agricultural fields prior to December 23, 1985. These areas can be continued to be farmed and maintained and include those areas granted a CC determination. Approximately 440 acres have been designated as PC areas by NRCS. For areas granted a CC determination, the producer was to have finished the commenced conversion by January 1, 1995. The Cumberland County Farm Service Agency (FSA) verified these determinations for the Barra II tract as was required in 1995. Based upon FSA site visits in March 1995, approximately 260 acres of the CC areas had been completed. Approximately 410 acres of approved commenced areas were not completed by January 1, 1995. Refer to Figure 6 for a map of PC and CC designations for the Barra II site. C. GENERAL SOIL CHARACTERISTICS Basic geomorphic processes have determined the type and nature of existing soils located on the Barra II site. The tract is located in the center of an ancient estuary created when sea level occurred at elevations of 100 to 170 ft amsl during the late Miocene to Pliocene geologic epoch, 10 to 25 millions years before present (MYBP) (Oaks and DuBar 1974, Thom 1967). Sediments deposited during this era are largely fine clays and silts transported from Piedmont and Mountain regions of the Cape Fear River. Subsequent fluvial migration of the Cape Fear River channel during inter-glacial periods resulted in thick deposits of sands from the Sandhills region on top of the finer-textured basal sediments. This event represents the starting point for modern soil-forming factors in the 9 broad sandsheet located between the existing channels of the South and Cape Fear Rivers. As depicted in the Soil Survey of Cumberland and Hoke Counties, North Carolina, USDA-SCS (1984), Map 19 (Figure 7), the tract consists predominantly of Croatan muck. Evaluations of the Barra II tract confirmed the USDA-SCS mapping to be representative of the soil types located at the site. It should be noted that land use practices have altered soil conditions to varying degrees depending upon the extent of drainage. In some areas, the organic surface characteristic of Croatan muck soil series has been oxidized. In its natural state, Croatan muck consists of very poorly drained organic soils. These soils typically have an organic surface and subsurface to +2-3 ft depths, where loamy sand to sandy loam substratums are encountered. These land types (in undisturbed conditions) exhibit 404 wetland hydric soil and vegetative characteristics, but significant areas have been altered through prescribed drainage improvements (refer to Appendix E). Smaller perimeter areas of the tract are mapped as Torhunta and Leon soils (Figure 7). These soil types generally occur around the perimeter of, and drain into, organic soils (e.g. Croatan) of slightly lower topography. The Torhunta series consist of very poorly drained soils occurring in broad interstream areas. Surface runoff is very slow. The Leon series consist of poorly drained soils of broad interstream flats and depressions. Surface runoff for these soils is slow. 10 D. VEGETATION Agricultural and silvicultural practices have significantly altered natural vegetative assemblages of the wetland system. Undisturbed bays typically have dense, impenetrable vegetation with characteristic species including loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), American titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), gallberry (Ilex glabra), pond pine (Pinus serotina), red maple (Acer rubrum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), and catbrier (Smilax species). PC fields (approximately 440 acres) are currently in agricultural production for corn, soybean, and winter wheat rotation. Some CC fields that were previously cleared and ditched have reverted to vegetation consisting of more opportunistic species such as broom sedge (Andropogon spp.), catbrier, and saplings of red maple and sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua). In general, areas that are influenced by drainage effect of ditches exhibit a drier-end species assemblage. Species indicative of slightly drier conditions resulting from drainage (and not typically found in Croatan muck soils) include sweet gum, winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), and dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium). E. WETLAND FUNCTIONS Undisturbed pocosins and Carolina bays have been recognized to support a variety of functions important for the local watershed and the regional basin in which they are 11 located. Documented functions include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) nutrient retention/transformation; (2) surface water/groundwater storage; and (3) refuge/feeding habitat for variety of resident and migratory fauna. Carolina bays, in particular, represent a landscape feature unique to the southeastern Coastal Plain and supporting vital habitat for migratory songbirds and endemic species. Associated human-based values provided by intact pocosin/bay systems include (1) stormwater storage/flood attenuation; (2) enhanced water quality/pollutant removal; and (3) recreational value. F. SITE SUITABILITY Service Area Considerations: The Barra II Wetland Mitigation Bank is located in the lower Cape Fear River Basin (USGS Hydrologic Unit 03030005). This hydrologic unit has been rated as a Category I (needing restoration) according to NC DWQ's Unified Watershed Assessment. The lower Cape Fear River hydrologic unit extends south to the coast in New Hanover County (Figure 3). Based upon standard state mitigation guidelines (including those set forth by NCDENR and the NC Wetland Restoration Program (WRP)), the Barra II bank can be suitable for providing compensatory mitigation for wetland impacts occurring anywhere within the same 8-digit hydrologic unit (i.e. the lower Cape Fear River Basin). In addition, the Barra II tract is located within the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (Ecoregion 63) as defined by Griffith et al. (2002) "Ecoregions of North Carolina" (refer to Appendix D). This ecoregion encompasses the area defined as the `Carolina 12 Flatwoods' - a subregion occurring along nearly level, poorly drained areas and exhibiting characteristic landforms including pocosins and Carolina bays. The "Ecoregions of North Carolina" is a collaborative effort between the NRCS, EPA, NCDENR, U.S. Geological Service (USGS), U.S. Forestry Service (USFS), and the University of North Carolina (UNC). The Ecoregions Project has identified areas of North Carolina consisting of ecosystems that are similar in type, quantity, and quality of environmental resources. Characteristics of ecoregions include similar geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. Ecoregion 63 (Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain) and subregion 63h (Carolina Flatwoods) includes all 2,440 acres of Barra Farms and extends south to the mouth of the Cape Fear River in New Hanover County. This ecoregion classification supports expansion of service areas to allow for compensation of wetland impacts occurring within the same ecoregion and the same river basin as the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. Replacement of Wetland Functions and Values: Implementation of the proposed Barra II mitigation bank and successful restoration of such a large headwater wetland complex will benefit not only the local watershed (i.e. Harrison Creek), but the regional lower Cape Fear River Basin as well. These benefits are expected in light of the tangible and well-documented functions and values attributed to headwater wetland systems (as described above). Natural hydrologic and vegetative conditions of nearly the entire Harrison Creek Bay system will be restored and/or enhanced. Doing so will remove a major source of nutrients and contaminants (e.g. 13 herbicides/pesticides) contributing to impaired water quality in Harrison Creek and the Cape Fear River. Currently, agricultural and silvicultural practices of Barra II contribute to decreased water quality of downstream waters. Ditches and canals drain 1,817 acres of agricultural fields and forest stands. These surface waters serve as direct conduits for sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants entering Harrison Creek. Removal of these ditches/canals and restoration of natural groundwater conditions will promote enhanced uptake/filtration of potentially nutrient-enriched agricultural run-off and associated contaminants. As documented by researchers at the Duke University Wetland Center (under the direction of Dr. Curtis J. Richardson), mitigation activities on Barra I resulted in a significant decrease in nitrogen run-off from restored agricultural fields (refer to Appendix Q. Clearly, such work has discernible benefits to the water quality of downstream waters including the lower Cape Fear River Basin. In addition, enhanced water quality directly benefits residents of New Hanover County, since municipal water supplies are drawn from the Cape Fear River just above Lock and Dam #1 in Elizabethtown, NC. Due largely to physiographic characteristics, the restored wetland will increase the buffering capacity of storm water runoff, thereby reducing the danger of flooding downstream. Episodic peak runoff will be intercepted and discharged slowly over time. Existing fields in agricultural production do not provide this flood attenuation value. 14 The restored habitat will also serve as refuge for resident and migratory animals, providing the opportunity for increased recreational activity (including bird watching and/or hunting). It should be noted that the entire 2,440-acre Barra Farms site is designated as a wild turkey sanctuary. In addition, this area will continue to serve as an ideal setting for academic groups to conduct research and/or teaching. Currently, the Duke University Wetland Center uses Barra I for wetland research. Research can be expanded to encompass Barra II upon initiation of the mitigation activities. Indeed, there are numerous benefits to the local and regional community inherent in a project of this scope and magnitude. IV. PROPOSED MITIGATION A total of 1,817 acres of existing or previously altered wetlands and upland buffer will be either restored, enhanced, or preserved through the implementation of the mitigation plan. The proposed location and extent of restoration, enhancement, and preservation is depicted in Figure 8. The areas currently in agricultural production and/or within the effective drainage distance of existing canals/ditches will be restored via filling of ditches and vegetative plantings. Based upon site evaluations and the corresponding DRAINMOD study, the effective drainage distances has been determined to be up to 170 ft for small lateral (i.e. tertiary) ditches (2 to 3 ft deep), and up to 255 ft for collector ditches and canals (i.e. primary and secondary) ditches (4 to 7 ft deep). Areas within the lateral drainage effect of ditches will be restored via filling of ditches, grading, and plantings. Areas beyond the lateral drainage effect that are have been previously cleared 15 will be considered enhancement. All other areas (including those actively timbered) will be preserved. The entire Barra II mitigation site will be placed within a conservation easement - the terms of which will prohibit any land-disturbing activity. A. RESTORATION A total of 912 acres of the Barra II tract is targeted for restoration. All existing ditches and canals on the tract will be completely filled, thus restoring the natural wetland hydroperiod. Initial grading work will focus on the filling of lateral (i.e. tertiary) and collector (i.e. secondary) ditches on the tract. Once lateral and collector ditches have been completely filled, larger canals (i.e. primary ditches) will be backfilled. Earthen berms (approximately 12" to 18") will be installed perpendicular to filled ditches to prevent gully erosion of former drainageways during periods of increased surface runoff. These berms will be spaced approximately 200 ft apart from each other. Fill material will come from existing roadbeds and spoil piles. Removing roadbeds will also prevent access to the tract from trucks, SUV's and other vehicles. Small paths will be kept open with bush hogs to facilitate mitigation site monitoring and management. Disking of former agricultural fields will be conducted as needed prior to site planting. Figure 8 illustrates planting zones of the mitigation site. Characteristic tree species to be planted within the restored bay include bald cypress, pond pine, American white cedar (Chaemycyperus thyroides), black gum, swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora), and water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica). Tree species will be planted on 10-ft spacings, corresponding to 435 trees per acre. It is expected that characteristic shrub species (including sweet bay, 16 loblolly bay, gallberry, American titi, and fetterbush) will recruit naturally into restored areas. Characteristic species to be planted within the restored pine flatwood/savannah habitat include longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and water oak. Herbaceous and understory vegetation characteristic of the restored habitat are expected to recruit naturally. Planting for both zones (i.e. habitat types) will be conducted concurrently or immediately after grading work during the winter or early spring (i.e. January 15 to March 15). B. ENHANCEMENT A total of 215 acres of partially drained wetlands will be enhanced via the removal of drainage ditches and the reestablishment of characteristic wetland vegetation. Areas of proposed enhancement are depicted in Figure 8. Enhancement areas that are unvegetated at the time of construction will be planted with characteristic tree species at a density of 435 trees per acre. C. PRESERVATION A total of 621 acres of non-drained wetlands are targeted for preservation (Figure 8). These wetlands will be preserved through appropriate legal covenants. These covenants will assure that the wetlands will be protected in their natural state in perpetuity. D. UPLAND BUFFER A total of 69 acres (corresponding to drained areas adjacent to the large outlet canal) will be preserved as upland buffer. Protection and management of upland areas adjacent to 17 restored wetlands contributes to the overall ecological functioning of the mitigation project (as recognized in USACE Regulatory Guidance Letter 01-01, October 31, 2001). V. MONITORING PLAN Upon agency concurrence of the final wetland mitigation plan, mitigation site activities will be initiated. Staff environmental scientists will be present during project construction to ensure that the work is consistent with the proposed design. An `as-built' survey will be prepared to document site conditions immediately post-construction. The mitigation site will be monitored annually for a period of 5 years (or until such time deemed successful) to document site development over time. The site will be evaluated based upon performance criteria related to vegetative density and wetland hydrology. The primary success criteria for the Barra II mitigation site will be: (1) Demonstrated density ofplantings and naturally colonized individuals' to meet or exceed 320 trees per acre; and (2) Hydrology during the growing season must be sufficient to meet the guidelines set forth within the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual (Technical Report Y-87-1). A. VEGETATION MONITORIN The vegetation monitoring protocol is based upon accepted methods used for the Barra I site. Thirty-six (36) permanent 0.1-acre plots (equivalent to 0.4% restored wetland area) will be randomly established and monitored for vegetative success criteria. The number 18 of surviving planted individuals and the number of volunteer individuals (of desirable species) will be counted within each plot. No single species (volunteer or planted, hardwood or softwood) may comprise more than 30% of the total number of individuals counted toward the success criteria. In addition, an average of at least five characteristic species per acre must be present. B. HYDROLOGY MONITORING Shallow groundwater hydrology will be monitored via twenty (20) automated wells (RDS, Inc. Ecotone-20s) located within established vegetation monitoring plots. Water levels will be recorded once daily. Well data will be compiled and graphically displayed to demonstrate hydroperiods of monitored areas. As stated above the primary hydrologic success criteria will be either (1) the establishment of a static water table at, or within, 12" of the soil surface for 5% of the growing season (equivalent to 12 days based upon SCS-established growing season dates) during periods of normal rainfall or (2) the establishment of a hydroperiod similar (in amplitude and frequency/duration of saturation and/or inundation) to the reference monitoring area established within the preservation section of the mitigation site. Annual monitoring reports will provide quantitative data of vegetative success, comparative hydrographs (restoration area vs. reference area), qualitative observations, and conclusions pertaining to mitigation site development. Monitoring reports will be submitted no later than November 30th of each year. ' Naturally colonized individuals must be of an acceptable species naturally occurring in pocosin/bay wetlands. Individuals of species considered invasive or undesirable will not be counted toward the success criteria. 19 If the site does not fulfill established success criteria, contingency measures will be employed to remedy site deficiencies. For instance, selective re-grading may be conducted if targeted hydrology is not achieved. In addition, supplemental planting may be necessary in areas that do not fulfill the vegetative success criteria. VI. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE Upon acceptance of the amended MBI for Barra II, mitigation activities, including site grading and planting, will be initiated. The conservation easement will be recorded in January 2003. All site grading, planting, and the as-built survey will be completed by May 2003. VII. FINAL PROPERTY DISPENSATION Ownership of Barra II will reside with the bank sponsor who intends to transfer fee simple title to an appropriate land management organization (as determined by the MBRT) for long-term protection of the site. Fee simple transfer will occur once the mitigation site is deemed successful by reviewing agencies and no further performance monitoring is required. 20 VIII. SOURCES OF INFORMATION Griffith et al. 2002. Ecoregions of North Carolina. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR. Mitsch, W.J. 1993. Wetlands (Second Edition). Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. Oaks, R.Q., Jr. and J.R. Dubar. 1974. Post-Meiocene Stratigraphy, Central and Southern. Atlantic Coastal Plain. Utah State University Press. Logan, UT. Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakely. 1990. Classification of the Natural Communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. N.C. Natural Heritage Program Raleigh, N.C. Skaggs, R.W. et al. 1995. Reference Simulations for Evaluating Wetland Hydrology, in Campbell, K. (ed.), Versatility of Wetlands in the Agricultural Landscape. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, pp. 1-10. Thom, B.G. 1967. Coastal and Fluvial Landforms: Horry and Marion Counties, South Carolina. Louisiana State University Coastal Studies Institute. Coastal Studies Series 19, Technical Report 44. Baton Rouge, LA. USDA-SCS. 1984. Soil Survey of Cumberland County, North Carolina. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 2001. Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL) 01-01. Guidance for the Establishment and Maintenance of Compensatory Mitigation Projects under the Corps Regulatory Program Pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. 13 pp. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service. 1995. Federal Guidance for the Establishment, Use and Operation of Mitigation Banks; Notice. Vol. 60, No. 228. l Opp. 21 yy ~ .? w? TABLE 1: PLANTING REGIME'- BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE II Nonriverine Pine Flatwood/ Community Type Pocosin/ Savannah TOTAL Carolina Bay Stem Target' 435/acre 435/acre Area (acres): (888) (24) (912) SPECIES # planted ## planted #planted (Wetland Indicator (% of total) (% of total) Status) Atlantic White 38,628 (10) 38,628 Cedar (OBL) Bald Cypress 77,256 (20) 77,256 (OBL) Black Gum 77,256 (20) 1,044 (10) 78,300 (FAC) Pond Pine 77,256 (20) 77,256 (FACW+) Swamp Tupelo 77,256 (20) 77,256 (OBL) Water Tupelo 38,628 (10) 38,628 (OBL) Longleaf Pine 7,308 (70) 7,308 (FACU+) Water Oak 1,044 (10) 1,044 (FAC) Willow Oak 1,044 (10) 1,044 (FACW-) TOTAL TREES 386,280 10,440 396,720 'Please note final species composition dependent upon nursery quality and availability at the time of plant ordering. TABLE 2. MITIGATION CREDIT - BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE II Area Mitigation Credit Replacement Credit Mitigation Type (acres) Ratio (acre credits) Nonriverine Pocosin/Carolina Bay 888 1:1 888 Restoration Nonriverine Pine Flatwoods/Savannah 24 1:1 24 Restoration Nonriverine Wetland 215 3:1 72 Enhancement Nonriverine Wetland Preservation 621 10:1 62 Upland Buffer 69 10:1 7 TOTAL 1,817 1,053 TABLE 3. MITIGATION CREDIT RELEASE SCHEDULE - BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE II Task Projected Completion Date Percentage of Credits Released (% cumulative) Credits Released Cumulative Credits Released Signing of the MBI Amendment 2/2003 20(20) 211 211 Completion of all Restoration Activities 5/2003 20(40) 211 422 Monitoring Plan --- --- --- --- Year 1 Success 2/2004 10(50) 105 527 Year 2 Success 2/2005 10(60) 105 632 Year 3 Success 2/2006 10(70) 105 737 Year 4 Success 2/2007 10(80) 105 842 Year 5 Success 2/2008 20(100) 211 1053 TOTAL 100 1,053 C? 00 1 ,jVt? fit: /"a, ` _, SITE K C`r 'J'' t? '?- CM = ?q r\`? ? ? Ftif ?C. a' w -1 $I b• M?.\?` „I`n'n?{? .?}t I .R, I : rr l,• , / n C wr?.b7?- 4b r; - i .. t ' ?/ '' / - - .• _ b ti / to * YS ', SCALE I"= 2.4 miles Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ECOBANK Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, Inc. Figure 1. Vicinity map. Cumberland County, NC September 2002 7 ti? .;1 tl ' :' t ,), k- s iiw? Barra Farms I Mitigation Bank i SCALE 1" = 3000' Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ECOBANK Figure 2. USGS topographic Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, Inc. map. Site located within Cumberland County, NC September 2002 the Autryville quad. Q" z - ? y U ? O 4 Y p: ~ L i i ?3 d„? ` ? L ! y n Q f t..r 1 v- t '? M 5 '? ¢ ? - ? z ? .,'? •T+a X31 ?41 r a ^?I ? N Q J? ... ? ?, 6 a Q? c ? O !?. "` z W 9 V O a0i i2 'n ?, f ? ? _ s r; ?T•, a O v7 m a i ICI (, M t E "Its Oi 3 =? _N?J O o r ell L i ?, i :V '• I a ?a n & °_'V L 9 ?. h nR Q ° Q O H 0-1 r ?? 6 ,o O o. n_i N 7 L x ; w u 4. :°. Lei cd a Y .a.2Se=O C'd r- N y :+ a ?c ?c'F w O ? w x ? 35 5 '> a ¢, ? t N _ C,j \z =p=? U fj 00 00 0 Cd IZ L__ Barra Farms I Mitigation Bank Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ECOBANK Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, Ina Cumberland County, NC September 2002 SCALE 1"= 3000' Figure 4. 1998 aerial infra-red photograph of the Barra Farms Tract. Existing Soil Roads Existing Collector Ditch (4'-7' deep) Existing Lateral Ditch (2'-4' deep) Drainage Canal (ie. primary ditch) Property Boundary ---- Existing Roads SCALE I"= 3000' Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ' ECOBANK Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, InG Figure 5. Drainage network. Cumberland County, NC September 2002 LEGEND CC' Approved commenced areas that were not completed by January 1, 1995 Commence conversion areas completed by January 1, 1995 PC PC Areas (wetlands converted prior to December 23,1985) SCALE V = 3000' Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ECOBANK Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, Ina Figure 6. PC/CC status. Cumberland County, NC September 2002 1.n& \-' ? .? ? 4Y. ? ft : ?' .Ilan ?(, + .. ?? ? ??/' ? ? / A A'A ' F L Ii ? /?.... \? iR .alt rR •h r {" J a.Y ??`tR?l. '? .. .r3 '? r?? stn ? I Evr } ). are-1` E.A Cr r ross / o- r.a a A- le ?i _ pR.. VT Jo 18 z?A \r c.,?1 611 ?. EsA , •\ . a c t t? INA Ift Go') .?u??•r„ i ???r co - JJJ r . i C n..,n TH In `Y PA CT A. ;n 1.r7 F'r?g Ta ?? ro' 111 1\J ` . l.. rt 11 A W.8 l y Barra Farms I Mitigation Bank SCALE I"= 3000' Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ECOBANK Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, Inc. Figure 7. SCS soil survey Cumberland County, NC for Cumberland County. September 2002 o Q" 0 0 C> M ? bo W 06 U ? GO w Q ? M a AyyU 00 k a ? 1"1 rl VJ CMC V) 00 e4 Q + ? a ? '. ?.f !rte 4. ' {.?? i.1 17 r? w m •r~n W C? 3 a? as a a, a a ? w ? u,o C w ? H 0 z b ?z d MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA Prepared for: Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation 6200 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh, NC 27609 1555 Howell Branch Road Winter Park, Florida 32789 Prepared by: EcoScience Corporation 612 Wade Avenue, Suite 200 Raleigh, North Carolina .27605 EcoScience r i ?I December 1998 MITIQA ION BANKING INSTRUMENT AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 1.0 MOLE This agreement made and entered into on the day of 199 , by Ecosystems .. Land Mitigation Sank Corporation, hereinafter Sponsor, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U,S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), and the North Carolina Division of `V-*dter Quality (NCDWQ), hereinafter collectively refers-; to as the Mitigation Bank Review Team (MORT)- The purpose of this Agreement is to establish a mitigation bank designed to provide compensatory mitigation for unavoidable wetland and stream impacts authorized by Section 404 Clean Water Act permits or Section 401 Water 4uality Certifications in appropriate circumstances. The Sponsor is the record owner of that certain parcel of land containing approximately 623 acres located in Cumberland County, North Carolina described in the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank Stream and Wetland Mitigation Plan (Mitigation Plan). The Mitigation Plan is attached hereto. The Mitigation Plan is hereto revised as described in Exhibit A of this Banking Instrument (Supplemental Appendix to the Mitigation Plan, Response to MBRT Comments and Revisions to the Mitigation Plan). The agencies comprising the MBRT agree that the Bank Site is a suitable mitigation bank site, and that implementation of the Mitigation Plan is likely to result in net gains in wetland and stream functions at the Bank Site, Therefore, it is mutually agreed among the parties to this agreement that the following provisions are adopted and will be implemented upon signature of tnis agreement. Pagel of 14 MHI 1 2.0 GENERA PROVISIQNg 2.1 Goals: The goal of the mitigation bank is to restore and enhance streams, rivenne wetlands, nonriverine wetlands, and their functions and values. Restoration and enhancement activities are designed to compensate in appropriate circumstances for unavoidable wetland and stream impacts authorized by Clean Water Act permits or Water Quality Certifications in circumstances.deemed appropriate by USACE or NCDWQ after consultation with members of the MBRT. 2.2 Additions to the Bank Site; The Sponsor may request the addition of adjacent lands to the Bank Site. Such a request shall be accompa~ied by a Site-Specific Restoration Plan which follows the general format of the Mitigation Plan and depicts the location and describes the hydraulic interaction between the addition and the existing Bank Site, In addition, the Site- Specific Restoration Plan shall include specific provisions conceming credit. ratios, a schedule for release of credits, financial assurances, and property disposition. The MBRT shall review the Site-Specific Restoration Plan, request, additional information if needed, and approve/disapprove the request for addition within 90 days of submittal. In the event.the i request for addition is not approved, specific modification suggestions may be provided by the MBRT to the Sponsor. In the event of approval, the additional area shall be deemed a portion of the Bank Site and the contents of this agreement not inconsistent with the approved Site-Specific Restoration Plan shall apply to that area. An updated mitigation credit determination will subsequently be submitted which depicts the amount of credit, type of credit, and credit release schedule generated by approved additions to the Bank Site, 2.3 Use of Credits: Use of credits from the Bank to offset wetland and stream impacts authorized by Clean Water Act permits or Water Quality Certifications must be in compliance with the Clean Water Act and implementing regulations, including but not limited to the 404(b)(1) Guidelines, and the National Environmental Policy Act, and all other applicable Federal and State legislation, rules, regulations, and policies, This agreement has been drafted following the guidelines set forth in the "Federal Guidance forthe Establishment, Use, and Operation of Mitigation Banks," 60 ed. Reg. 58605, November 28, 1995 (Guidance). Page 2 of 14 MBI 2 2.4 Role of the MBRT: The MBRT shall be chaired by the representative from USACE, Wilmington District. The MBRT shall review monitoring and accounting reports more fully described in Sections 3.3 and 4;4 below. In addition, the MBRT will review requests for additions to the Bank (Section 2.2), or proposals for remedial actions proposed by the Sponsor, or any of the agencies represented on the MBRT. The MBRT's role and responsibilities are more fully set forth in Sections II.C. 3 & 6 of the Guidance, The MBRT will work to reach consensus on its actions. USACE, after any required notice and comment process, shall make all decisions conceming the amount and type of compensatory mitigation to be required for unavoidable, permitted wetland and stream impaiem, and whether-or not the use of credits from the B~?k is appropriate to offset those impacts. The parties to this agreement understand that, where practicable, on-site, in-kind compensatory mitigation is preferred, unless use of the Sank is determined by USACE to be environmentally preferable or it is determined by USACE that practicable on-site and/or in-kind mitigation opportunities are not available, 3•0?1?11ITMCATION PLAN 3.1 Genejglpescriution: The Bank Site is composed of approximately 623 acres (ac) of interstream flats, former Carolina Bays, and historic stream origins which have been ditched and drained to support agricultural and siivicultural activities. This site offers opportunities for nonriverine wetland, riverine (riparian) wetland, and stream restoration and enhancement. In addition, surrounding areas within the former wetland complex are available for expansion of the Bank Site which can be phased over a period of time. A more detailed description of the baseline conditions on the site is contained in Sections 1.0 through 4.0 of the Mitigation Plan. 3.2 Site Modifications: The Sponsor has completed all work described in Section 6.0 of the Mitigation Plan. Scream repair and ephemeral pool construction has been corn pitted and ditch flows diverted into the restored floodplain where planned. Ditches have been backfilled and Page 3 of 14 MB I 3 spoil/roadway fill recontoured within the ditch corridors. Soil preparation and planting of characteristic wetland trees has been completed, The purpose of the modifications, and the objective of the Bank, is to re-direct the watershed into 2400 linear feet of historic stream channel; to restore 451 acres of drained former wetlands to riverine and nonriverine wetlands, and to enhance 172 acres of disturbed wetlands (Table 1, copied from Table 10 in the Mitigation Plan). 3.3 Site Monitoring: The Sponsor shall monitor the Bank Site as described in Section 7.0 of the Mitigation Plan- IMonitoring Plan ) and as amended in Exhibit A (Revisions to the Mitigation Plan). The Bank Site will be monitored for a five year period after implementation is completed or until such time as the MBRT determi;.~s that the Success Criteria have been met, whichever occurs later. The Sponsor is responsible for assuring the success of the restoration and enhancement activities at the Bank Site, and for the overall operation and management of the Bank. The Sponsor shall provide the reports described in Section 7.0 of the Mitigation Plan to each member of the MBRT, 3.4 Contingency: USACE shall review said reports, and may, at any time, after consultation with the Sponsor and the MBRT, direct the Sponsor to take remedial action at the Bank Site. Remedial action required by USACE shall be designed to achieve the success criteria specified in Section 7.0 of the Mitigation Plan and Exhibit A. All remedial actions required under this paragraph shall include a schedule, which shall take into account physical and climatic conditions. The Sponsor shall implement any remedial measures required pursuant to the above paragraph. In the event the Sponsor determines that remedial action may be necessary to achieve the required monitoring and maintenance criteria, it shall provide notice of such proposed remedial action to all members of the MBRT. No remedial actions shall be taken without the concurrence of USACE, in consultation with the MBRT. Page 4 of 14 a m Z a k? ILI Z ? v m O ¢ C7 L N a V iF a a m m ? iA m m LO r- 0 m - N r N N N a 10 (? ^ ?1 Q3 - r r CR r N' ?? '- r- 0 m m ca r ? ? d' to O ?' N Q7 ?O ['1 a m c7 (G N r- tt N N ? O C ? C C ..y y +p+ m 43 _ ? (tea '? m ?y' ? p a c tZ'? u. c n m C Id C C l0 ?. ?"' ?. RI m N 0 N ?? ? r b Q y ? > ? r- 13 ? O C p 3 m w ip Q O G v O h le +, C p' p O .r p O O` O p 0 O ch R! cn VJ tl? C [7 0 cp C7 C m * C l0 ' O C O C E. O J0 ?- td C ?? 10 m }? C > d C -o C 4 C m m il! m tC m = m Z lU O y. G Z w m O z W X m c = a G m? mb r c ~ m .C m n 3 m n `om ?m m ? r ? C y m ? N a m C ?.r 17 U N 7 m tD H m cc Q`1 }, m m 3 ra m m 01 0.0 E m w ? = m m a m c . ? ? 0 0 m ? ? o ro ? m G Q M m C m ? ? L m m E? ? c o c w m m o . o ca p -p 7 E y, C V O m m A a rn O R1 5 U G ? m n m jr m .0 .yr Q! `p m C; 2 0.m" 04 .ma ? N MBI 5 4.0 USE OF MITIGATION CREDITS 4.1 Geographic Service Area. The Geographic Service Area (GSA) is the designated area wherein a bank can reasonably be expected to provide appropriate compensation for impacts to similar wetland arid/or other stream or aquatic resources. The. geomorphic setting of the Bank includes nonriverine flats; nonriverine depressions, and riverine, first order blackwater streams within the Coastal Plain region of the Cape Fear River Basin. The Bank is located in proximity to, or -on the boundary between three hydrophysiographic cataloging units depicted on the "Hydrologic Unit Map - 1974 State of North Carolina", prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. Cataloging units, located within the inner Coastal Plan region of the river basin, inc:.:de 03030004, 03030006, and 03030006 as depicte in Figure 15 of the Mitigation Plan, These Cataloging Units support similar Coastal Plain natural communities, wetlands, and drain into the lower Cape Fear River. Therefore, the eastern and western limits of the service area are defined by the outer boundaries of the Cape Fear River Basin contained within the above-listed Cataloging Units. The southern and northern boundaries of these river sub-basins have been modified based primarily upon 11 digit watersheds in the region. To the south, watersheds in the Wilmington Area have been excluded due to Karst geomorphology and regional aquifer issues identified by the MBRT. The MBRT has further restricted the service area north of Wilmington due to expected development patterns in the region and the potential for wetland compensatory mitigation in proximity to these developments. To the north, the service area has been reduced along 11 digit watershed boundaries to exclude Raleigh Belt portions of the Cape Fear basin (Figure 15 of the Mitigation Plan). The service area is inclusive of the 11 digit watersheds listed in Table 2. Use of the Bank for compensatory mitigation may also be considered outside of the designated Geographic Service Area if this option is preferable to other mitigation alternatives. It is understood that Geographic Service Area expansion will be considered if the area of the Bank is expanded. page 6 of 14 MBI 6 JA= 2 ELEVEN DIGIT MROLOGICAL UNITS IN BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL BANK SERVICE AREA 03030006010 03030004060 03030006020 03030006090 03030004110 03030004090 03030004070 03030004080 03030004120 03030004100 03030004130 03030004140 03030006030 03030006080 03030006060 03030006040 03030006110 03030006100 03030006050 03030005020 03030006120 03030006130 03030005030 0303000614.0 03030004150 03030005010 MSY 7 4.2 Amount and Type of Credit; The Mitigation Plan is intended to result in the forms and amounts, in acres, of wetland compensatory mitigation depicted in Table 1 (copied from Table 10 of the Mitigation Plan), Successful implementation of the Mitigation Plan will result in the creation of 240 riparian (riverine) and nonriverine wetland mitigation credits. In addition, 2400 linear feet of first order, stream channel credit will be generated (Table 11. It is anticipated by the parties to this Agreement that use of mitigation credits shall be "in- kind"; riparian (riverine) wetland, nonriverine wetland, and first order, stream channel credits will be used to offset riverine wetland, nonriverine wetland, and first order, stream channel impacts. It is anticipated by the parties to this agreement that in most cases in which USACE, after consultation with members of the MBRT, has determined that mitigation credits from the bank may be used to offset wetland and stream impacts authorized by Department of the Army permits, for every acre of impact, one credit will be debited from the Bank. Deviations from the one to one compensation ratio will be based on considerations of value of the wetlands impacted, the severity of the impacts to wetlands, whether this compensatory mitigation is in-kind, and physical proximity of the wetland impacts to the Sank Site. All decisions concerning the appropriateness of using credits from the Bank to offset impacts to waters and wetlands, as well as all decisions concerning the amount and type of such credits to-be used to offset wetland and water impacts authorized by Department of the Army permits, shall be made by USACE, pursuant to the Clean Water Act, and implementing regulations and guidance, after notice of any proposed use of the Bank to the members of the MBRT, and consultation with the members of the MBRT concerning such use, 4.3 Credit Release SchedyJe: The credit release schedule for the Bank, as depicted in Table 3, will be based upon successful completion of the following tasks: Page 8 of 14 8 MB 1: a Z m yo y d ?o 9; w C °C oa ri Us W OU dy R2 i- cc W Q t. Q Q to 5 Elm o 4 Q m?e c ? ? I I ? m m tp N ? o E 5yUQ N v d Z ami r N d' N Q - m to N N m N m m- ? ccn cc N cq m N 3 a ?m ? ,oz ~ O Q s G maw r - M ct a co Lo o a to o 0 m a 13 41 0 Om7 En o O m tf .? .. Q1 m m O O O O ' N N N o EQ d ` V N r- 1 Cr1 r .- r r ?e d w 43 cii U Q o U m 'j U U' V U 0 4 C F ? °- oo O LL cL Li 4L ti Qf C G ?0+ ' N C7 rh w • O ONE U ¢ C O r2 m a } '= m N } .= m !p } .. 0 0 > '? w m '.. O O O 1 N C m No tt7 . .- cV e*i m U c? U m U m u ei u 00 c 3 =n U N c N G N N V U m ? N ? O C m m o m ? m ? m m ? CD > sm r- y ao - U ? C m o? 'C « ? C m U U N H d U H a t 7 m ? Ua 'fl Oi U N d to O C1 U C G ? •O ? E L N to m b 41 } Co .U C ? y O H w MBI 9 Task 1: Task 1 entails acquisition and protection of the Bank site, completion of detailed mitigation planning, review of plan parameters by the MBRT, and signing of the MBI. Protective covenants, easements, and bonds on the property acceptable to the MBRT will also be obtained. Upon completion of Task I, 15% of the wetland Bank credits will be released. Completion of_ Task 1 is a prerequisite for release of any credits from the Sank, not withstanding completion of other tasks described below. Task 2: Task 2 includes completion of all mitigation implementation activities at the Bank. Stream repair and ephemeral pool construction will be completed and ditch flows diverted into the restored f'--odplain where planned. Ditches will be backfilled and --poil/roadway fill will be recontoured within the ditch corridors. Subsequently, soil preparation and planting of characteristic wetland trees will be completed. Documentation will be submitted to the MBRT certifying completion of Task 2. Upon completion of Task 2, 15 % of the wetland Bank credits will be released (30% cumulative), but no stream credits. Task 3: Task 3 involves implementation of the monitoring plan and submittal of annual reports to the MBRT for a five year monitoring period, or until success criteria have been fulfilled, whichever period is longer. Stream, hydrology, and vegetation sampling will be completed towards the and of each growing season (between September 1 and October 311. The data will be compiled and success/failure documented within the Bank. The data will be submitted to the MBRT as an Annual Wetland Monitoring Report (AWMR). Upon submittal of the AWMR showing that success criteria are being fulfilled, wetland credits will be released as follows. First AWMR (November 1998): 10% 140% cumulative) Second AWMR (November 1999): 15% (55% cumulative) Third AWMR (November 2000): 15% (70% cumulative) Fourth AWMR (November 2001): 10% (80% cumulative). Fifth AWMR (November 2002): 20% (100% cumulative) Page 10 of 14 MBI 10 Credit releases for Task 3 will only occur if success criteria are fulfilled as stipulated in the Mitigation Plan and Exhibit A. Stream credit release will begin at the and of the second year of monitoring, assuming all success criteria are met. The released credits will be cumulative to total 40% of the available stream credit at the end of .the Second AWMR and corresponding to the percent of wetland credit released in years 3,4, and E (Table 3). If wetland or-stream recovery for the applicable year is delayed (i.e. lacking wetland plants, in-- stream aquatic fauna, or hydrology), the credit will be reserved for release upon submittal of a subsequent report which verifies restoration success. The final credit allotment will be released upon completion of the fifth AWMR, fulfillment of success criteria, and provisions for dispensation/lor;. term management of the property acceptable to.the MBRT. ECOBANK reserves the right to request an expedited release of credits if wetland restoration success is apparent over a period of time, and success criteria are met and exceeded. 4.4 Accogntina Proce gres: - The Sponsor shall develop accounting procedures for maintaining accurate records of debits made from the Bank, acceptable to the MBRT. Such procedures shall include the generation of a report by the Sponsor showing "credits used at the time they are debited from the Bank, which the Sponsor shall provide within 30 days of the debit to each member of the MBRT. In addition, the Sponsor shall prepare an annual report on each anniversary of the date of execution of this agreement, showing all credits used, and the balance of credits remaining, to each member of the MBRT, until such time as all of the credits have been utilized, or this agreement is otherwise terminated. All reports will identify credits debited and remaining by type of credit (e.g., nonriveiine forested wetland), and shall include for each reported debit the USACE Action ID number for the permit for Which the credits were used. Exhibit B comprises a sample master credit Iedger which will be used to track and report Bank debits. S.0 PROPERTY DISPOS111ON Ownership of the Bank will reside with the Sponsor who intends to provide fee simple transfer of the property to the appropriate land management organization as determined by the MBRT. Fee simple transfer will occur upon completion of debiting of the Bank or the end Page 11 of 14 MBI 11 of the monitoring period, whichever is longer. The transferee will be responsible for maintaining the Bank in accordance with a Conservation Easement placed on the Bank Site for perpetual protection as described in Section 8.0 of the Mitigation Plan. 6.0 FINANCIAL ASSURANCES 6.1 Monitoring and Maintenance Bonds: The Sponsor is responsible for securing adequate construction, monitoring, and maintenance bonds as a form of financial assurance to cover contingency actions in-the event of Bank default or failure. Construction and implementation activities at the Bank Site were completed in January 1998; therefore, construction bonds are no longer necc-sary. However, monitoring and maintenance bonds ha v- been obtained to ensure monitoring for a five year period and to ensure that contingency actions are implemented in the event of wetland or stream restoration failure. Financial Assurance Documents in the form of Monitoring and Maintenance Bonds are included as Exhibit C. 6.2 Management"Trust Fund A separate, long-term trust fund will be provided by the Sponsor for long-term maintenance, management, and remedial actions acceptable to the MBRT. The trust fund will be established upon completion of debiting of the Bank or at the end of the monitoring period, which ever is longer. 7.0 MISCELLANEOUS This agreement may be amended with the written consent of all the parties. Notices, requests, and required reports shall be sent by regular mail to each of the parties at their respective addresses provided below: Sponsor: Alan G. Fickett, Ph.D. Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation 1555 Howell Branch Road Winter Park, Florida 32789 Page 12 of 14 MBI 12 USACE: Scott McLendon U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Post Office Box 1890 Wilmington, NC 27889-1000 USEPA: Kathy Matthews Environmental Protection Agency Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsythe St. Atlanta, GA 30303 USFWS: Kevin Moody L . S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 3326 Raleigh, NC 27636 NCWRC: Bennett Wynne North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 901 Laroque Ave. Kinston, NC 28501 NCDWQ: Mac Haupt North Carolina Division of Water Quality P.O. Box 29535 Raleigh, NC 27626-0535 Page 13 of 14 MBI 13 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. (See Attached Page 14c) Col. T rry R. Y n bluth William L. Cox Wilm? gton Dis ict Engineer Chief, Wetland Section, Wetlands U. S. Army Co ps of Engineers Coastal, and Water Quality Grants Branch, Water Management Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (See AttachedPage 14a) (See Attached Page 14d) John M. Hefner Preston Howard, Jr., P.E. Ecological Services Supervisor Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North Carolina Division of Water Quality (See Attached Page 14b) Frank McBride iller McCarthy Director President North Carolina Wildlife Resource Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Commission Corporation Alan G. Fickett Secretary Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation (Corporate Seal) Page 14 of 14 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. John M. He er Ecological foervices Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Page 14a IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. 4 Frank McBride D#ector `t?a {tee.w` Ac??Q6G? North Carolinaildlife Resources Commission Page 14b IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. ill m L. Cox Chief, Wetlands Section, Wetlands, Coastal, and Water Quality Grants Branch, Water Management Division U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Page 14c IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank. A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E. Director North Carolina Division of Water Quality Page 14d O N z d ANNUAL WETLAND MONITORING REPORT (YEAR 4) BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA Prepared for: Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation 1555 Howell Branch Road Winter Park, Florida 32789 (407) 629-7774 Prepared by: Land Management Group, Inc. P.O. Box 2522 Wilmington, North Carolina. 28402 (910) 452-0001 November, 2001 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES .........................................................................................ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 2.0 HYDROLOGY MONITORING ........................................................................................ 4 2.1 Monitoring Program ................................................................................................4 2.2 Monitoring Results .................................................................................................. 6 Groundwater Flats (GF) ..................................................................................... 6 Riverine Floodplains (RF) .................................................................................. 7 Headwater Slopes (HS) ....................................................................................... 8 2.3 Evaluation of Success Criteria ................................................................................ 8 3.0 VEGETATION MONITORING ................................................................................13 3.1 Monitoring Program ..............................................................................................13 3.2 Monitoring Results ...............................................................................................14 Herbaceous Vegetation .....................................................................................14 Groundwater Flats ............................................................................................14 Headwater Slope ...............................................................................................14 3.3 Evaluation of Success Criteria ..............................................................................15 4.0 WETLAND FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES AND MITIGATION CREDIT ........... 19 4.1 Post-Restoration Conditions (October 2000 to October 2001) ............................19 5.0 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................. 20 6.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................... 22 7.0 APPENDICES Appendix A: Mitigation Credit Release Schedule Appendix B: Wetland Hydrology Data and Hydrographs Appendix C: Wetland Vegetation Data Appendix D: Comparison of 2000 and 2001 Vegetation Data Appendix E: Summary of Monitoring Plan Appendix F: Photographs of Barra Farms LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Vicinity map ................................................................................................................ 3 Figure 2. Location of vegetation plots and wells ......................................................................... 5 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Summary of hydrology monitoring data ................... Table 2. Woody species found in groundwater flats habitat .... Table 3. Woody species found in headwater slope habitat ...... ..................................................11 ............................... ...............17 ..................................................18 ii ANNUAL WETLAND MONITORING REPORT (YEAR 4) BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA 1.0 INTRODUCTION ECOBANK, a private sector mitigation banking company, has established the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank (the Bank) within the Coastal Plain region of the Cape Fear River Basin. The Bank comprises 623 acres located along upper reaches of Harrison Creek in Cumberland County (Figure 1). Wetland restoration/enhancement activities were completed in the winter of 1997-1998 as described in the detailed mitigation plan. A mitigation banking instrument has also been prepared through ongoing coordination with the mitigation banking review team (MBRT) as outlined in the Federal Guidance on the Establishment, Use, and Operation of Mitigation Banks (60 FR 12286-12293, 1995). Hydrological and vegetation monitoring are important components of a successful mitigation plan and are required for release of compensatory mitigation credits. The Barra Farms monitoring plan requires annual monitoring for a five-year period and analysis of the data to evaluate success in the establishment and maintenance of diagnostic wetland parameters. The mitigation credit schedule and monitoring plan are attached for reference in Appendices A and E. This document represents the Annual Wetland Monitoring Report (AWMR) for Year 4 of the monitoring plan. Monitoring was performed during the 2001 growing season for hydrology and vegetation, consisting primarily of a comparison between hydrology model predictions, reference wetlands, and wetland restoration areas in the Bank. Subsequently, the success criteria are analyzed and verified to facilitate issuance of mitigation credit designated in the MBI at the end of Year 4 monitoring. In the beginning of the restoration process at the Bank, extremes in weather made achieving success criteria difficult. Heavy rainfall in the winter/spring of 1998 and in the fall of 1999 created ponding over much of the site and contributed to seedling mortality. As expected, Year 2 monitoring performed in the fall of 1999 revealed low seedling survivability, and subsequent contingency measures were employed to increase survivorship. Six drainage pipes were installed to alleviate ponding and over 40,000 seedlings were planted in the winter of 2000 to increase species abundance and achieve success criteria. Because of these measures and subsequent achievement of success criteria in 2000, Year 2 and 3 credits were released and the Bank is on schedule for release of Year 4 credits. Year 4 hydrologic monitoring at the Bank has been occurring throughout the year, with regular checks of manual and automated wells within the Bank and adjacent reference areas. Vegetation monitoring was conducted in October of 2001 and consisted of identifying woody and herbaceous species within 34 plots that are each 0.1 acre in size. After compiling and analyzing the data, it has been determined that the hydrology and vegetation success criteria identified in the mitigation plan have been achieved. 2 .t ' 2d ? \ _ l .ti ? ?- `\ ?.. c*wCV .ok i ? l '../• V•.YaW? • ? t Y ' 6 4 ?^ _ ? ? ? Cro..rw Jl ' ,??r , ?? NC24 ' b:??. ?, 1. , '',,,•? ?? ? ? t - _ . csc+r, 210", 4r! iver Nu 87 BARRA FARMS/CAPE FEAR rp- - + - ?, REGIONAL MITIGATJQN? N . [ ?'"? ? JwwAiw` S All 210 rno. ? .1l '' ? tom. 2? ?i = •?, y. _ ? ? G?? ?" w Sy +a` . Study Area 53 D 7 2 3 Miles Ilk 'a; A 1 2 3 4 Kilometers Mpfoduaod wflttPrrtnifaiorf lmm vw Nofm Gmlvu r' v, Awf:.rw ?,znne.t, Datortn. wPpvp, too3 - ? ' Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank ECOBANK Figure 1. Vicinity Map Cumberland County, NC Land Management Group, Inc. 3 Rainfall (in) U bog 0 1:1 U 00 N OM M 00 110 cd O 0 O c? ? x a? w 0 0 o O ? U? w 10.x, "Y E'er , I1 10, M x ? O W ?? p 6r, fp;t?,11 6 M ? Q 10.4, 10 10. 2 00 00 M ? ate, lp, 0e Qa tf'1 M ? 3 yl0?t, 01 ? N 10.E 1? ,l. to ll O (ut) qldoQ JQjVAlpunojD 2.0 HYDROLOGY MONITORING 2.1 Monitoring Program Twenty three surficial monitoring wells (manual recording) were located throughout the Barra Mitigation Bank to provide representative coverage and flow gradients extending through each of the four physiographic landscape areas: 1) uplands; 2) groundwater flats; 3) headwater slope; and 4) riverine floodplain. Figure 2 depicts the approximate location of monitoring wells in the Bank. In addition, five automated recording wells were placed on-site to provide continuous data that can be extrapolated to manual recording devices. Monitoring wells were installed and downloaded by a subcontractor in accordance with specifications in U.S. Corps of Engineers' Installing Monitoring Wells / Piezometers in Wetlands (WRP Technical Note HY-IA-3.1, August 1993). The manual monitoring wells are set to a depth of approximately 24 inches below the soil surface and had bentonite plugs to prevent surface flow introduction. Five manual monitoring wells and two automated recording wells were placed in reference wetlands to compare hydrology between the Bank and relatively undisturbed wetlands in the region. Four wells (3 manual and 1 automated) were located in the reference groundwater flats along the northwestern periphery of the Bank. Three additional wells (2 manual and 1 automated) were located in the reference riverine wetland along Colly Creek in the Bushy Lake/Horse Shoe Lake Natural Area. These wells provided comparative annual hydroperiods within the organic soil flat and riverine floodplain physiographic areas of the site. The headwater slope physiographic area was interpolated from the two adjacent systems as described in the mitigation plan and the MBI. Hydrological data continue to be collected at weekly intervals on-site and within the reference sites. The data extending from March 21, 2001 (1' reading within the growing season) to September 26, 2001 (last reading prior to submission of this report) have been utilized in this Year 4 monitoring report. 4 '9 >~ cd o ? 0 o ° C7 ? P4 t5 0 '20 4.) O w U r? 0 Cl 0 it W .? o ? o ?r a? 0 U O O 3 o w o CZ) p , x w ? C7 soll 5 2.2 Monitoring Results The raw well data are depicted in hydro graph and tabular format in Appendix B. Wetland hydrology criteria in number of consecutive days and percent of the growing season are also summarized in Table 1. Line intersection at 12 inches below the surface was used as the cut off for wetland hydrology, following the regulatory wetland criterion requiring saturation (free water) within one foot of the soil surface. As in previous years, groundwater levels were highest in early spring, followed by dry periods during summer months. Well data have been subdivided into three wetland physiographic wetland types: 1) groundwater flats (GF); 2) headwater slopes (HS); and 3) riverine floodplains (RF) Groundwater Flats (GF) Three wells located within reference groundwater flats provided a general indication of the average 2001 hydroperiod on groundwater flats supporting steady state forest structure and organic soils. Data indicated that the reference groundwater flats habitat maintained wetland hydrology during 17.3% of the growing season. The automated reference well located within this same reference area recorded wetland hydrology for 19.7% of the growing season. The groundwater flats data from the restoration wetland area had an average wetland hydrology of 17.7% of the growing season and ranged from 16.3 to 37.2% (Table 1). Year 1 and Year 2 monitoring indicated that the wetland hydrology within this habitat correlated with vegetation cover and soil organic matter content, with the wettest hydrology in areas of high organic matter and low vegetation cover and the driest hydrology in areas with mineral soil flats. Year 4 results are similar to Year 3 in that there was no significant difference between the average hydrology of former farmland and pocosin vegetation, or between that of mineral soil flats and organic soil flats. This is likely 6 because as more vegetation becomes established within the bank, causing evapotranspiration, hydrological differences between these areas are diminished. The automated monitoring wells located within groundwater flats habitat at the Bank (wells A, B, and E; Figure 2) documented wetland hydrology within this habitat for 19.2%, 10.9%, and 7.5% of the growing season, respectively (Appendix B). Well B stopped reading during the growing season, when its water table was high, and most likely. would have documented a longer duration of wetland hydrology had data been collected throughout this time period. (Well B stopped reading for a total of 36 days because of bear damage and has since been repaired. Please see section 2.3 for more information on automated well problems.) Data from well E were unusual and showed a somewhat flashy pattern that did not appear to correlate with rainfall. Data from this well documented a shorter wetland hydrology duration than the other wells largely because two days in April dropped slightly below 12" from the soil surface, breaking up the continuous number of days of wetland hydrology. Riverine Floodplains (RF) Two manual wells are located in reference riverine floodplain habitat. The data from these wells indicated that the average wetland hydrology for small stream swamps was approximately 43.1 % of the growing season. The two reference hydrology wells had the same number of consecutive saturation days and therefore no difference in hydrology due to proximity of well to stream channel was noted. The automated well located in the reference riverine floodplain habitat documented wetland hydrology for 32.6% of the growing season. Data from the two manual wells located in the restoration riverine floodplain habitat showed that wetland hydrology averaged 16.3% of the growing season. Both wells exhibited the same duration of wetland hydrology, therefore, differences in hydrology could not be correlated to proximity to the stream channel. 7 Headwater Slopes (HS) Reference wetland hydrology for the headwater slope habitat was simulated by averaging wetland hydrology exhibited by adjacent riverine floodplain and groundwater flats. The average amount of time the reference headwater slope habitat met wetland hydrology was 27.6% of the growing season and ranged from 17.3% (groundwater flats) to 43.1 % (riverine floodplain). Headwater slope in the restoration wetlands supported wetland hydrology averaging 16.3% of the growing season, with all wells achieving this percentage. Unlike previous years, because all wells achieved the same hydrology percentage, hydrology did not appear to be influenced by landscape position within the headwater storage area or vegetation cover. The automated monitoring well (well C; Figure 2) located within the headwater slope habitat recorded a wetland hydrology for 11.7% of the growing season (28 consecutive days). Well C stopped reading during the growing season (mid-April), when the water table at this location was well above the soil surface, and would likely have documented a longer duration of wetland hydrology had data been collected throughout this time period (Appendix B). (Well C stopped reading for a total of 35 days because of bear damage and has since been repaired. Please see section 2.3 for more information on automated well problems.) 2.3 Evaluation of Success Criteria Success in the restoration of wetland hydrology in the Bank required saturation (free water) within one foot of the soil surface for at least 50% of the time the reference habitat achieved wetland hydrology. This criterion was applied separately to each of the restored habitats. The reference groundwater flats, riverine floodplain, and headwater slope habitats exhibited wetland hydrology for a period averaging 17.3%, 43.1%, and 27.6%, respectively. In the Bank, restoration wetlands supported wetland hydrology averaging 17.7% (102% of reference), 16.3% (37.9% of reference), and 16.3% (59.1% of reference), respectively. When comparing manual wells located in the restored habitats to manual wells located in the reference areas, the groundwater flats and headwater slope habitats fulfilled the wetland hydrology criterion, however, the riverine floodplain habitat did not. This appears to be due to an exceptionally long wetland hydrology duration exhibited by the reference riverine manual wells. In fact, this duration is longer than that exhibited in Years 2 and 3, when rainfall was above normal for the area (see Appendix B for a comparison of rainfall during Years 3 and 4). However, the restored riverine area still surpasses ACOE wetland hydrology standards of being within 12" of the soil surface for at least 12% of the growing season (restored riverine wells documented wetland hydrology for 16.3% of the growing season). In addition, data from the manual wells located within the restored riverine habitat achieved wetland hydrology for 50% of the automated reference well (36 continuous days and 72 continuous days, respectively), which is within the success criterion. Therefore, the restored riverine habitat does achieve the hydrology success criterion. The unusually long wetland hydrology exhibited by the manual wells located in the reference riverine habitat may be a result of riverine bleed out and artesian effect as seasonal surface flow changes. Also, evapotranspiration may be reduced in this forested area due to cooler temperatures exhibited this year. Automated wells are dependable and accurate ways of recording hydrology. It should be noted, however, that it has become increasingly difficult to keep the automated wells at the Bank functioning continuously because of black bears in the area. They use these wells as scratching posts and often chew the caps off of the tops of the wells. In fact, the well located near plot 10 (well D) has been replaced three times this year because a bear has broken it; the last time completely snapping it in two (Appendix F). A subcontractor reads both the manual and automated wells frequently and repairs any problems promptly. However, gaps in the data do occasionally occur. Most of the gaps that have occurred in data at the Bank are due to natural circumstances that actually demonstrate that the mitigation site is providing habitat for wildlife. 10 Table 1 enmmarv of')001 hydrnlnuv mnnitoring data at the Bank. Well Number Maximum Consecutive Saturation Days Percent of Growing Season (Saturat'n Days/239) Comments Groundwater Flats Restored Wetland Wl 39 16.3. former farmland (FF) W2 46 19.2 FF W4 89 37.2 FF W5 39 16.3 FF, mineral soil flat W6 39 16.3 FF, mineral soil flat W7 39 16.3 FF W10 39 16.3 FF Wll 39 16.3 FF W12 39 16.3 FF, mineral soil flat W14 39 16.3 FF, mineral soil flat W17 54 22.6 FF, located on fill material in backfilled ditch W20 54 22.6 FF W21 39 16.3 Existing pocosin vegetation (PV), end organic soil flat (targeted swamp forest community) W22 39 16.3 PV W23 39 16.3 PV Average 42.2 17.7 Range: 16.3-37.2% Reference Wetland JB1 39 16.3 Existing forest vegetation (FV), mineral soils JB2 39 16.3 FV, organic soils JB3 46 19.2 FV, organic soils Average 41.3 17.3 Range: 16.3-19.2% 11 Tnhle 1 cnntinued_ Summary of 2001 hvdroloQv monitoriniz data at the Bank. Well Number Maximum Consecutive Saturation Days Percent of Growing Season (Saturat'n Days/239) Comments Riverine Floodplain Restored Wetland Wls 39 16.3 existing forest vegetation (FV), upstream reach, outer floodplain W18 39 16.3 FV, downstream terminus, inner floodplain Average 39 163 Range: none Reference Wetland SS1 103 43.1 FV, outer floodplain SS2 103 43.1 FV, inner floodplain Average 103 43.1 Range: none Headwater Slope Restored Wetland W3 39 16.3 Former farmland (FF), upper reaches W8 39 16.3 FV, interior slope W9 39 16.3 FF, interior slope W16 39 16.3 FV, interior slope W19 39 16.3 existing pocosin vegetation (PV), upper reaches Average 39 163 Range: none Reference hydroperiod* 66 27.6 Average of riverine and groundwater flats The reference hydroperiod for the headwater slope physiographic area is calculated as the average hydroperiod exhibited by both the groundwater and riverine floodplain reference wells. 12 3.0 VEGETATION MONITORING 3.1 Monitoring Program Quantitative sampling of vegetation was conducted in October of 2001 and was similar to the sampling performed in 1999 and 2000. Thirty-four plots that were each 0.1-acre in size were sampled resulting in 3.4 totalacres of former cropland being surveyed (Figure 2). The center of each plot has been permanently established with a labeled, white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe marked with orange flagging. The coordinates of each of these plot centers has been identified with a global positioning system (GPS) unit. Plot centers are located within two community types at the Bank: groundwater flats habitat, which represents 324 acres, and headwater slope habitat, which comprises approximately 38 acres. No plots are located within the riverine habitat since none of this habitat type was formerly cropland. Twenty-nine plots are located within the groundwater flats and 5 plots are located within the headwater slope. At each plot center, woody species within a 37.2-foot radius of the plot center were flagged, identified, and measured for height. Diameter at breast height (DBH) measurements equal to or greater than one inch were also recorded. In most cases, clumps of multiple black willow (Salix nigra) stems originating from a common root source were counted as a single stem. Although differences between the two Nyssa species that were planted (Nyssa biflora and Nyssa aquatica) are beginning to appear, such as leaf size and serrations, we continued to group them into one category because these differences were still difficult to distinguish in most seedlings. Herbaceous vegetation at each plot was recorded and assigned to one of seven cover classes: 1= 0-0.5%, 2 = 0.5-1%, 3 =1-3%, 4 = 3-15%, 5 =15-33%, 6 = 33-66%, 7 = 66- 99%. Cover classes for all species were determined by visually estimating the area of 13 ground surface covered by its vertical projection. 3.2 Monitoring Results Herbaceous Vegetation During Year 4 monitoring, a total of 21 herbaceous species were identified within the 34 sample plots (Appendix Q. As in previous years, the most common were woolgrass (Scirpus cyperinus), goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus). The headwater slope and wetter groundwater flats plots, located within the center of the site, contained dense stands of woolgrass. The drier plots, located at the western and eastern ends of the site, supported more aster, goldenrod, and panic grass. Broomsedge was found throughout the Bank in areas not exceptionally wet or dry. Groundwater Flats Within the groundwater flats habitat, 28 woody species were surveyed among the 29 plots. Of the 28 species, 20 were tree species and 8 were shrub species. Of the tree species, 12 were planted and 8 were volunteer. All shrubs were volunteer. Most common tree species included red maple (Ater rubrum), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), swamp tupelo and/or water tupelo (Nyssa biflora, N. aquatica), and black willow (Salix nigra). The vegetation observed within groundwater flats averaged 940.0 stems/acre with approximately 260.4 stems/acre from planted species. When using the number of trees/acre by species that can be applied to the stems/acre criterion (s 20% of 320 stexns/acre.for - hardwoods and _< 10% of 320 stems/acre for softwoods), the total number of trees that can be counted per acre was 393.4 (see Table 3, column 5). Headwater Slope A total of 13 woody species was identified within this habitat, of which 8 were planted and 5 were volunteer. The most common tree species included red maple (Acer rubrum), black 14 willow (Salix nigra), and swamp tupelo and /or water tupelo (Nyssa biflora, N. aquatica): Density averaged 1746.0 stems/acre, with 282.0 stems/acre resulting from planted species. When success criteria percentages were used (<_ 20% of 320 stems/acre for hardwoods and <_ 10% of 320 stems/acre for softwoods), the total number of trees that can be counted per acre was 378.0 (see Table 4, column 5). 3.3 Evaluation of Success Criteria Success criteria for the Barra Farms Mitigation Plan included a minimum mean density of 320 characteristic trees/acre. At least five character tree species must be present, and no hardwood species can comprise more than 20 percent of the 320 stems/acre (64 stems). Softwood species cannot comprise more than 10 percent of the 320 stems/acre (32 stems). Several plots within both the groundwater flats habitat (P7, P32, and P35) and the headwater slope habitat (P8) contained an abundance of red maple stems, which elevated the average number of maple sterns well above 20% of the total number of stems. These plots are located near the forest edge, where the seedlings are growing opportunistically in areas of open sunlight. Because maple numbers are continuing to increase in certain areas, the effect that these seedlings have on planted species was evaluated by comparing vegetation data in 2000 and 2001, specifically the number of trees observed in each plot and the average height of each species in both years (Appendix D). As is shown from these data, although a few plots continue to support large amounts of maple, this species is not inhibiting the number or height of planted species. In fact, the average height of most planted species within these plots continues to increase. Observations made in plots that support many maple seedlings demonstrate that they are growing in place of herbaceous vegetation and are having no greater effect on planted trees than any other herbaceous species. Furthermore, research has shown that red maple is a typical component of early successional forest regeneration of a bay forest community type (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982). 15 When evaluating the success criteria, only 20% of the 320 stems/acre criterion (64 stems) was used for maple or any other hardwood that exceeded this value. Only 10% of the 320 stems/acre criterion was used for softwood species. Tables 2 and 3 show the number of trees/acre by species that can be applied to the stems/acre criterion. For groundwater flats, a mean density of 940.0 stems/acre was found across 26 character wetland species, with an average of 6.4 tree species/plot. An average of 393.4 stems/acre can be applied to the vegetation success criterion. In the headwater slope habitat, a mean density of 1746.0 stems/acre was found across 13 wetland species, with an average of 7.0 tree species/plot. An average of 378.0 stems/acre in this habitat can be applied to the vegetation success criterion. Therefore, both of these wetland community types meet the vegetation success criteria. 16 Table 2. Woody species found in groundwater flats habitat, average number of trees/acre, and the number of trees nllnumd in S77ccP.SS criteria Common name Scientific Name Avg # of trees/ acre % of total # of trees/ac # trees/ac allowed in criteria Comments Red Maple Acer rubrum 427.2 45.4 64 Volunteer hardwood, three plots had many seedlings (see Appendix D Winged Sumac Rhus copallina 157.9 16.8 32 Volunteer softwood, mostly from 2 lots Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum 89.0 9.5 64 Planted hardwood Swamp/ Water Tupelo Nyssa spp. 76.9 8.2 76.9 Planted hardwood Black Willow Salix nigra 64.5 6.9 32 Volunteer softwood Overcup Oak Quercus lyrata 24.8 2.6 24.8 Planted hardwood Willow Oak Quercus phellos 24.1 2.6 24.1 Planted hardwood Atlantic White Cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides 14.5 1.5 14.5 Planted Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciua 13.8 1.5 13.8 Volunteer hardwood Red Bay Persea borbonia 12.1 1.3 12.1 Volunteer softwood Pond Pine Pinus serotina 6.9 0.7 6.9 Planted softwood Swamp Chestnut Oak Quercus michauxii 6.2 0.6 6.2 Planted hardwood Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 4.5 0.5 4.5 Planted hardwood Water Oak Quercus nigra 4.5 0.5 4.5 Planted hardwood Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris 3.5 0.3 3.5 softwood Pond Cypress Taxodium ascenders 2.4 0.3 2.4 Planted hardwood Loblolly Pine Pinus weda 2.1 0.2 2.1 Volunteer softwood Eastern Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 1.7 0.2 1.7 Planted hardwood Tulip Poplar Driodendron tulipifera 1.4 0.1 1.4 Planted hardwood Cottonwood Populus heterophylla 1.0 0.1 1.0 Volunteer hardwood Unknown (no leaves) 1.0 0.1 1.0 No leaves, but stem alive TOTAL 940.0 100 393A 17 Table 3. Woody species found in headwater slope habitat, average number of trees/acre, and the number of trees allowed in success criteria. Common name Scientific Name Average # of trees/ acre % of total # of trees/ac % of total / ac allowed in criteria Comments Red Maple Acer rubrum 1300.0 74.4 64 Volunteer hardwood; one plot had many seedlings (see Appendix D) Swamp/Water Tupelo Nyssa spp. 158.0 9.0 128 Planted hardwood Black Willow Salix nigra 134.0 7.7 32 Volunteer softwood Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum 64.0 3.7 64 Planted hardwood Overcup Oak Quercus lyrata 28.0 1.6 28 Planted hardwood Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda 18.0 1.0 18 Volunteer softwood Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 14.0 0.8 14 Planted hardwood Atlantic White Cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides 8.0 0.4 8 hardwood Swamp Cottonwood Populus heterophylla 6.0 0.3 6 hardwood Sweetgum Liguidambar styraciua 6.0 0.3 6 hardwood Eastern Sycamore Platanus occidentalis 4.0 0.2 4 Planted hardwood Willow Oak Quercus phellos 4.0 0.2 4 Planted hardwood Pond Pine Pinus serotina 2.0 0.1 2 Planted softwood TOTAL 1746 100 378 18 4.0 WETLAND FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES AND MITIGATION CREDIT Post-Restoration Conditions (October 2000 to October 2001) The following is a brief summary of the conditions observed at Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank during the past year. Species noted this past year: great blue heron (Ardea herodias), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), quail, black bear (Ursus americanus) tracks, mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon). In addition, many insects were observed throughout the tract including grasshoppers, dragonflies, and butterflies. Compared to Years 1 through 3, Year 4 at the Bank has been uneventful. Rainfall has been at normal levels for a majority of the year and the tract is no longer ponded. This change was also noted in the duration of wetland hydrology across the tract, which was shorter than in previous years. Many trees throughout the tract are continuing to flourish. The average heights of most species are considerably higher than last year. The preponderance of black willow, which was noted in Years 1 and 2, has lessened considerably and other species, including red maple, winged sumac, groundsel bush, and sweet pepperbush are volunteering into the tract. 19 5.0 SUMMARY Success in the restoration of wetland hydrology in the Bank required saturation (free water) within one foot of the soil surface for at least 50% of the time that the reference wetland exhibited wetland hydrology. The reference groundwater flats, riverine floodplain, and headwater slope habitats exhibited wetland hydrology for a period averaging 17.3%, 43.1%, and 27.6%, respectively. In the Bank, restoration wetlands supported wetland hydrology averaging 17.7% (102% of reference), 16.3% (37.9% of reference), and 16.3% (59.1 % of reference), respectively, when comparing data from manual wells. The wetland hydrology success criterion was met for groundwater flats and headwater slope. However, the restoration riverine floodplain habitat achieved wetland hydrology for only 37.9% of that of the reference habitat. This is due to an unusually long wetland hydrology (102 days) exhibited by the two reference wells, which was actually longer than that exhibited in Years 2 and 3, when rainfall was above normal for the area. Despite this, the manual wells located within the restored riverine habitat meet ACOE wetland hydrology success criteria (saturation within 12" of the soil surface for 12% of the growing season) and the wetland hydrology duration of the manual wells is within 50% of the automated well located within reference riverine habitat. Furthermore, hydrology within the restored riverine habitat met the hydrology success criterion in all previous years of monitoring at the Bank. Finally, the unusually long wetland hydrology exhibited by the manual wells located in the reference riverine habitat may be a result of riverine bleed out and artesian effect as the seasonal surface flow changes. Because of these reasons, it is concluded that the restored riverine floodplain habitat meets the hydrology success criterion. The wetland vegetation success criterion was met during Year 4 monitoring. According to the mitigation plan, at least 320 trees/acre and at least five character wetland species must survive in order to meet success criteria. After factoring in acceptable percentages of hardwoods and softwoods, the groundwater flats habitat contained 448.5 stems/acre across 24 wetland species. Headwater slope habitat supported 380 stems/acre and 14 character wetland species. Although the 20 number of red maples in several plots within the Bank is above the 20% hardwood threshold, these maples are not inhibiting the growth or survival of planted species. The installation of drainage pipes to alleviate ponding, along with normal weather conditions and cooler steady temperatures in 2000 and 2001, have created better growing conditions for planted vegetation. In addition, supplemental planting in the winter of 2000 increased the number of stems/acre to acceptable levels. Year 4 monitoring found both hydrology and vegetation at the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank to meet the success criteria stated in the mitigation plan. Therefore, the conclusion of this monitoring report is that this mitigation site is thus far successful and Year 4 credits should be released. 21 6.0 References Sharitz, R.R. & J.W. Gibbons. 1982. The Ecology of Southeastern Shrub Bogs (Pocosins) and Carolina Bays: A Community Profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, November, 1982. 22 i Water uak tree at Barra. Land Management Group, Inc. Barra Farms Mitigation Site Environmental Consultants Cumberland County, NC Wilmington, N.C. November 2001 Pictures of site. i Bald cypress trees. 1 Bald cypress trees within plot. Land Management Group, Inc. Barra Farms Mitigation Site Environmental Consultants Cumberland County, NC Wilmington, N.C. November 2001 Pictures of site. 1 Trees within a typical plot at Barra. Many trees are greater than T tall. i A majority of the herbaceous vegetation consisted of broomsedge. Land Management Group, Inc. Barra Farms Mitigation Site Environmental Consultants Cumberland County, NC Wilmington, N.C. November 2001 Pictures of site. Goldenrod was found in drier sections. Land Management Group, Inc. Barra Farms Mitigation Site Environmental Consultants Cumberland County, NC Wilmington, N.C. November 2001 Pictures of site. 1 Red maple dominated several plots, however planted species continued to grow. Red maple appeared to have no more effect on planted species than herbaceous vegetation. i Automated well broken at Barra Farms by a bear. Land Management Group, Inc. Barra Farms Mitigation Site Environmental Consultants Cumberland County, NC Wilmington, N.C. November 2001 Pictures of site. 4 b d 5? Abstract and conclusions from a research paper entitled: "Effects of agriculture and wetland restoration on hydrology, soils, and water quality of a Carolina bay complex" by Gregory L. Bruland, Matthew F. Hanchey, and Curtis J. Richardson Duke University Wetland Center Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Durham, NC Accepted for publication in the scientific journal: Wetlands Ecology and Management Effects of agriculture and wetland restoration on hydrology, soils, and water quality of a Carolina bay complex Gregory L. Bruland, Matthew F. Hanchey, and Curtis J. Richardson Duke University Wetland Center Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences Box 90328 Durham, North Carolina, USA 27708-0328 Phone: (919) 613-8047 Fax: (919) 613-8101 E-mail: glb5@duke.edu Key Words: Agriculture, Carolina bay, hydrology, land-use, North Carolina, soil properties, wetland restoration, water quality Abstract We compared hydrology, soils, and water quality of an agricultural field (AG), a two-year-old restored wetland (RW), and two reference ecosystems (a non-riverine swamp forest (NRSF) and a tall pocosin forest (POC)) located at the Barra Farms Regional Wetland Mitigation Bank, a Carolina bay complex in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Our main objectives were to: 1) determine if the RW exhibited hydrology comparable to a reference ecosystem, 2) characterize the soils of the AG, RW, and reference ecosystems, and 3) assess differences in water quality in the surface outflow from the AG, RW, and reference ecosystems. Water table data indicated that the hydrology of the RW has been successfully reestablished as the hydroperiod of the RW closely matched that of the NRSF in 1998 and 1999. Jurisdictional hydrologic success criterion was also met by the RW in both years. To characterize soil properties, soil cores from each ecosystem were analyzed for bulk density (Db), total carbon (Ct), nitrogen (Nt), and phosphorus (Pt), extractable phosphate (P04w), nitrogen (N,), and cations (Caex, MgeX, KeX, NaeX), as well as pH. Bulk density, Pt, Caex, MgeX, and pH were greatly elevated in the AG and RW compared to the reference ecosystems. Water quality monitoring consisted of measuring soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total phosphorus (TP), nitrate + nitrite (NOX), and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations in surface water from the AG, RW, and reference outflows. Outflow concentrations of SRP, TP, and NOX were highest and most variable in the AG, while TN was highest in the reference. This study suggested that while restoration of wetland hydrology has been successful in the short term, alteration of wetland soil properties by agriculture was so intense, that changes due to restoration were not apparent for most soil parameters. Restoration also appeared to provide water quality benefits, as outflow concentrations of SRP, TP, NOX, and TN were lower in the RW than the AG. 2 Introduction Wetland restoration is a promising strategy for alleviating water quality problems in watersheds dominated by agriculture. The effectiveness of the wetland at improving water quality will depend on the flow of the water through the system (hydrology), as well as the forms and amounts of nutrients in the soil (soil properties). We report here the early results of a study investigating the effects of agriculture and wetland restoration on hydrology, soil properties, and water quality of the Barra Farms Regional Wetland Mitigation Bank, a Carolina bay complex in Cumberland County, North Carolina. The conversion of a wetland to agricultural production has implications for all components of the ecosystem. In terms of hydrology, the establishment of networks of drainage ditches lowers the water table, promotes rapid drainage during and after precipitation, and creates conditions of continuous surface water flow; in contrast, prior to ditching, water tables would be higher, drainage would be slower, and only intermittent flow would occur (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982; Richardson and Gibbons, 1993). Reversal of these effects, to reestablish wetland hydrology is often cited as the most critical component to wetland restoration success (Kusler and Kentula, 1990); as hydrology has been considered the master variable controlling redox status, pH, nutrient cycling, community composition, and wetland development (Bridgham and Richardson, 1993). Thus, the first objective of our paper was to determine if the restored wetland (RW) exhibited representative wetland hydrology and met jurisdictional hydrologic success criteria. This was accomplished by comparing the seasonal pattern of water table depths of the RW to that of the reference non-riverine swamp forest (NRSF). 3 Upon conversion to agriculture, wetland soils that were once subjected to reducing conditions and low rates of decomposition are subjected to oxidizing conditions and high rates of decomposition (Armentano and Menges, 1986; Schlesinger, 1986). Artificial drainage leads to the loss of organic matter and subsequent soil subsidence (Lilly, 1981). Following the initial impacts of ditching and clearing, come the secondary impacts that result from tillage, liming and fertilization. Tillage has been shown to increase compaction of wetland soils (Brady and Weil, 1999; Braekee, 1999). Liming increases soil pH and elevates base cation content (Simmons et al., 1996; Braakee, 1999). This, in turn, can further increase decomposition (Lilly, 1981; Compton and Boone, 2000). Fertilization often leads to over-saturation of agricultural soils with inorganic nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate. This occurs as more nutrients are applied as fertilizer than are taken up by crops during the growing season. Like hydrology, the restoration of wetland soil properties is another important factor in restoration, as soils are the physical foundation of wetland ecosystems (Stolt et al., 2000). Our second objective was to characterize and compare the soils of the agricultural (AG), restored wetland (RW), and two reference ecosystems to assess the impacts of land-use on wetland soil properties. Unlike hydrology, soil properties are more difficult to restore, less often considered in restoration plans, and rarely monitored in years following restoration (Shaffer and Ernst, 1999). Conversion. of wetland to agriculture in the North Carolina coastal plain has also been shown to affect surface water quality (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982; Ash et al., 1983; Richardson, 1981; Richardson and Gibbons, 1993). Specifically, conductivity, pH, sediment, phosphorous and nitrogen concentrations have been shown to be much higher in agricultural ditches draining converted wetlands compared to streams draining unaltered wetlands in the coastal plain (Kuenzler et al., 1977; Kirby-Smith and Barber, 1979; Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982; Ash et al., 4 1983). Channelized streams are also more likely to be located in heavily managed areas that tend to export large amounts of nutrients as a result of fertilization and liming (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982). The third objective of our paper was to assess the differences in water quality in the outflow from the AG, RW, and reference ecosystems at Barra Farms. Characteristics of Unaltered Carolina Bays Carolina bays are elliptical depressions found on the southeastern coastal plain that are consistently oriented in a northwest-southeast direction (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982). Common features of these bays include an ovate shape with the large end at the northwest, a sand rim prevalent at the southeast margin, the presence of shrub bog communities, and a water table dependent on precipitation and evapotranspiration (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982). According the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system, Carolina bays are classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as either forested or scrub-shrub palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979). However, due to their variability in size, depth, and substrate conditions, Carolina bays do not have a single characteristic cover type and may contain woody, shrub-scrub, herbaceous, and even aquatic vegetation (Sharitz and Gibbons, 1982). Although the general features and vegetative communities of Carolina bays have been characterized, few in-depth studies have been conducted on these ecosystems (Richardson and Gibbons, 1993) and thus, despite their abundance in the southeast, relatively little is known about their hydrology, community structure, succession, trophic dynamics, and mineral cycling (Schalles and Shure, 1989). When land-use effects are overlaid upon the complex pattern of natural succession in Carolina bays, the ecosystem structure, function, and successional patterns become difficult to predict or quantify. For instance, over the last 300 years, Carolina bays have been frequently burned by Native Americans (Wells and Boyce, 1953), and more recently 5 drained for agriculture, forestry, industry, and other land management activities (Kirkman and Sharitz, 1994). Study Site The four ecosystems chosen for our research .were all part of a 975 hectare (ha) Carolina bay complex located in Cumberland County, North Carolina (Figure 1). Clearing and ditching beginning in the 1960's converted the natural vegetative communities into a large-scale farm operation (Land Management, 2000a). A system of primary and secondary ditches was established with tertiary ditches added later in the 1970s (Land Management, 2000a). During the 1970s and early 80s, Barra Farms was one of the largest farming operations in the North Carolina coastal plain (J. Bullard, personal communication). For the last 10 years, the site has been farmed much less intensively. During a four-month period, from October 1997 to January 1998, 250 ha at the southern end of the site were restored from agriculture to wetland, creating the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank (Figure 1). The restoration was conducted by Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation (ELMBC), a mitigation banking firm based in Winter Park, Florida, USA. The restoration process consisted of two main components: 1) filling 3,300 m of linear ditches to reestablish surface and groundwater flow through the restored wetland, and, 2) planting 192,000 individual woody seedlings (see below). Secondary activities included stream restoration in Harrison Creek and supplemental planting in an adjacent riparian forest. Prior to agricultural activity, the bay complex comprised the majority of the 2,500 ha drainage area for Harrison Creek. However, the network of agricultural ditches used to drain the site reduced the drainage area of Harrison Creek to 130 ha (Environmental Services, 1997). 6 After restoration, the drainage area of Harrison Creek was increased from 130 ha to 380 ha. Surface runoff and subsurface flow from the RW pass through the riparian forest before exiting the system. Improvements to water quality most likely result from the filling of ditches in the restored wetland and the redirection of flow through the riparian forest. Thus, in terms of water quality, we considered the restored wetland and the riparian forest a unit and will refer to them as the RW. Seedlings planted in the RW are typically found in these bay complexes and included bald cypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] Richard), Tupelo (Nyssa ssp.), Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides [L.] BSP.), water ash (Fraxinus caroliniana Miller), red bay (Persea borbonia [L] Sprengel), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera, L.), cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda Ra£), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata Walter), willow oak (Quercus phellos L.), swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii Nuttall), and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia Michaux). Interestingly, while T. distichum might have been found in the near-stream area or the floodplain of the riparian forest, it probably would not have occurred in the central portions of the bay removed from the stream (Rheinhardt and Brinson, 2000). In these areas, it may have been more appropriate to plant Taxodium ascendens, a more fire-tolerant species. To protect seedlings from flood stress during the fall of 1999, ELMBC installed a series of culverts to drain standing water from the RW. Supplemental planting of an additional 43,300 seedlings was performed February 8-11, 2000 to replace dead seedlings and maintain a tree density of 320 per ha (Land Management, 2000b). Very little information is available to characterize the original status of the bay complex. A historic timber map of the site identified areas of hardwood in central portion of the bay complex, and areas of pine and juniper at the periphery (Flowers, 1924). The original Soil 7 Survey of Cumberland County classified the soils of the bay complex as Portsmouth loam, a Typic Umbraquult (Perkins et al., 1925). Soils of this series are described as poorly drained and range from dark-gray loam to muck. They are underlain by silty to sandy clay, and, in many places, have accumulated large quantities of organic matter (Perkins et al., 1925). The survey states that Portsmouth loam soils in Cumberland County supported forests of cypress, gum, and maple with an understory of gallberry, huckleberry, and bay bushes (Perkins et al., 1925). The most recent County Soil Survey of Cumberland and Hoke Counties reclassified the soils of the bay complex as Croatan muck, a Terric Haplosaprist (Hudson, 1984). This is, a very poorly drained, organic soil that is formed of highly decomposed organic material and underlain by loamy textured marine and fluvial sediment. Intensive agricultural activities at the study site have caused massive changes in the Croatan muck soils. Much of the organic matter has been lost, and mineral subhorizons have been brought to the surface by plowing. For these reasons, when choosing a reference soil, both a true Croatan muck and an organic rich mineral soil might be considered appropriate. It the absence of other more specific historical information about the vegetation of the site, the nature of the vegetative communities that existed prior to cultivation must be inferred from the surrounding ecosystems. However, due to the heterogeneity of vegetative communities within Carolina bays, the restoration site may not have been originally identical to the adjacent agricultural area. Therefore, sampling several local reference wetlands can provide information about the range of values characteristic of regional reference conditions. Thus, we included in this study two reference communities, each with different soil and vegetative characteristics. Both reference areas are part of the bay complex, and are typical of communities observed in other unaltered bays of this region (Schafale and Weakley, 1990). Following the classification scheme of Schafale and Weakley, we refer to them as the high pocosin (POC) and the non- riverine swamp forest (NRSF) The vegetation of the POC was characterized by a thick understory of Lyonia lucida (fetterbush), Ilex glabra (low gallberry), Smilax laurifolia (green briar), with emergent tree species such as Pinus serotina (pond pine), Magnolia virgiana (sweetbay), and Gordonia lasianthus (loblolly bay). The vegetation of the NRSF consisted of a much more open shrub layer of L. lucida, and S. laurifolia, with a closed canopy of tree species such as Acer rubrum (red maple), T. distichum, M. virgiana, Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip poplar), and Pinus taeda (loblolly pine). Importantly, recent management practices in the study area have involved long-term fire suppression. Thus, our control sites may not represent truly unaltered conditions. However, at the time of the study, no other reference areas were available that had been subjected to any other type of fire regime. Conclusions Despite 30 years of intensive drainage and,agricultural land-use. at Barra Farms, wetland hydrology was quickly and effectively reestablished in the RW by filling in ditches. Both the seasonal pattern of water table depths and duration of time that water table depths were within 30 cm of the soil surface were very similar in the restored and reference monitoring wells. The major effects of agricultural land-use on wetland soil properties were to increase Db, Pt, Ca,,,, Mg,,, and pH of the AG and RW soils. Upon comparing the soils of the AG to RW, the main differences between the two ecosystems were in Ct, Nt, and P04wi which were higher. in the upper 0-40 cm of the AG. Interestingly, the soils of the RW had relatively high amounts of Ct that may enhance ecosystem function in the early years of development. Even though large changes in most soil properties weren't observed following restoration, it appeared that restoration activities did provide water quality benefits as shown by the 30, 27, 97, and 19 % lower concentrations of TP, SRP, NOX, and TN respectively, in the RW as compared to the AG. Further process-level research is necessary to determine which mechanisms are responsible for nroviding these water quality benefits. Outline of Carolina bay 4 11 Reference Outflow \(R. I- F) Focosin Re\f,Qrence (270'ha) Bay Forest Reference (`3,Q_ ha) 4 Agricltlval Outflow (A G) , Barra Farms Cape (UPL) , Fear Regional Restored Wetland Mitigation Bank Outflow N . Water quality monitoring outflow point Harrison Creek • Water table monitoring well T Direction of surface water flow I Km Agricultural ? V \\\ \\Area (240 ha) 0 O R?§tored • Wetland 0 -7 Riparian Forest UPI 250 h'd • ?_(51Yhf • q\ O ?. O North Carolina A comparison of Carolina bay soil properties under agriculture, wetland restoration, and reference conditions Gregory L. ruland, Matthew F. anchey and. Curtis J. Richard..sm, Duke University Wetland, Center, Durham,NiC, 27708 ? Abstract-??: J_. _ >-m Results and Discussion Wetland rr_smrx ion is a frequently used method of muigaimo damage to a watershed caused by the destruction of nature' a 1 1 ? .a 1 1 ° i -„ .? ., 9 _ i wetland functions on the landscape Assessment of wetland restoration success is frequently based on restoring hydroloa' r- 1 and vegetation, while soil properties, which are more difficult to restore, arc less often monitored. Few in depth studies have I been conducted on the soil characteristic of natural and developed Carolina bays of the southeast United States. We took i multiple soil cores from each of two developed ecosystems, an agricultural field and a restated wetland, and two reference wetlands at the Barra Farms Mitigation Bank, a Carolina bxy in Cumberland Co., North Carolina. The cores were analyzed a i G `r E m'~ a "u t,_ i n ? o?p for: total carbon C ammonium, ammod Ipul nitrogen (M, total phosphorus (P), water extractable phosphors, ICCI extradable muam and ?- ' ? w.. ..--.. . mm acetme exuactable cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na), oxalate extractable uon and aluminum, panicle size, and pH. Our results indicate that agricultural land-use practices have caused stgndicant changes in soil properties of the o n i o cr o ro developed ecosystems in comparison to the reference ecosystems. Agriculture has reduced the amount of C and N ica throughout the soil profile in the developed ecosystems. Restoration had no effect on C and N content after two years. Total sir 1 s t "o v o is eon zo no sw sac r ?. soil? was not affected by agncultural soil practices. Liming has significantly elevated the exchangeable Ca content and pH as or i .. u of the developed ecosystems, and CART analysis indicates that Ce was the pnmary'soil parameter separating developed t %Carbon ? f %Nitrpgan Total Phosphorus (µ91g) from reference ecosystems. These differences in soil properties have the potential to affect biogeochemn:al precasts such u r? damFositia, AdenitrifiFcalion, and ehosphorus sor?tioo._ Fs?s? -''POCOSIN -e-HARDWOOD -=-AGRICULTURE RESTORED REFERENCE REFERENCE WETLAND Objectives "Characterize the soils of 2 developed (agriculture and restored wetland) and 2 reference (hardwood and pocosin) ecosyste located in a Carolina bay in North Carolina, USA. ° Assess the differences between the restored wetland soils and agriculural soils that have arisen in the first two years after restoration. Typical Characteristics of Undisturbed Carolina Bays -Named'bays" by early European pioneers who observed evergreen shrubs and bay trees typically growing on their margins. mrrau, 'Definition: shallow elliptical depressions which occur abundantrp in abroad N ? C]nn xm band across the consul plain province of the southeastern United States. ? • Cowardin Classification: Foreued or scrub-shrub palustnne wetlands ;swat" 'or'igin: formed during glacial periods probably by Fie, t. v,eetnlive mmmumry plow view SW winds interacting with water stored in depressions ----7-rnx--- n features: general ori bComm N ion )1'?11'11W1 )11t 117} d rl I t l end at NW ovate prevalent at ioa p tad ri va SE margin, water table dependent on rainfall and evapotranspiration. --- Figures 1 and 2 modified from Sharitz & Gibbous 1982. - ....... - _ F• 2 SRae tl.@sx+nW,tonilonr ?x' FL ar.,u?;. Study Site and Methods • A portion of a 975 hectare Carolina hay wetland in Cumberland County, North Carolina was ditched and cleared in the mid 1960s to be used for farming, while the remainder of the site retains the original vegetation, including pocosin and hardwood forest. • 250 hectares of agricultural land were restored in the winter of 1997 to create the Barta Farms Cape Fcu Regional Mitigation Bank. Restoration consisted of filling of ditches and planting of scedhngs. • We took soil samples from 5 depths (0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, 60-80 cm, and 80-100 em) in 4 ecosystems: restated wetland (8 profiles), agricultural system (3 profiles), pocosin reference (7 profiles), and hardwood reference (3 profiles). Additional surface samples were lateen from the anricunural and reference systems. Study Area ;'• alCflgl'g _ tNorlli Carolina S=d-d Rcrorrnm Cumbertmd Co. rk, , HanM'ut!d lief. ?, P, ;,,,in BareFerms 1, ti?li I '?1?„N` i?as Cape t^l fit} I' ,f Fear ig tr M1 on Dank Ot I 1 j ? 1IUn Outline of Carolina bay Fig. 3. Location and plan view of study area. Fig. 4. Carbon and nitrogen are consistently higher in the reference ecosystems throughout the soil profile. In contrast, there are no significant differences in total P content among ecosystems. At a given depth, points with different letters are significantly different (a = 0.05). Numbers indicate significant depth differences within ecosystem types. Data presented are means ± 1 SE. k- ro ss a zo V is a tc 5 e ngncullwe Yh ?lo?lofeo ne.rn M " I uo'.vdm a u I1am Ya ao 2 pN ?i 10 I m s ? I, Aya'cutlure de"mr¢,; ruuaam ro''saw Welland Relerence Reference Fig. 5. Water extractable phosphate is highest in the surface cores of the reference ecosystems. Extractable nitrogen in the surface cores is significantly higher in the agricultural, restored wetland and hardwood ecosystems in comparison to the pocosin. Data presented are means ± 1 SE. Bars with different letters are significantly different, and stars indicate significant differences between depths (a=0.05). a o -_ POCOSIN ?• I I ' a e m .r ?.?r..a,-• E -4k-- HARDWOOD \'",t wt REFERENCE ? dal I ?'ae "- t rei t v a. _ -l-- AGRICULTURE IM, " o asy ,a„ mw :cee RESTORED pH . WETLAND Exchangeable Calcium (µ9l9) 3.5 Fig. 6. Exchangeable calcium and pH are elevated in the surface soils of both the agricultural system and the restored wedand, relative to the reference systems. Fig. 7. Oxalate extractable iron is significantly higher in the reference ecosystems than it is in the agricultural and restored wetland ecosystems at the surface. Oxalate extractable aluminum is highest in the restored wetland and agricultural ecosystems in comparison to the reference ecosystems. Results I ? e a a e s ' n•9 r c `\ o c, fix POCo56N HARDWOOD REFERENCE A AGRICULTURE 0 RESTORED WETLAND Axis t Increasing y carbon, nitrogen,- * Inca r mineral potassium, ¢ou, and phosphate soil content Fig. S. Principal components analysis: Soils of the different ecosystems separate primarily along principal components ais 1, which is positively correlated with pH and trneral soil parameters and negatively correlated with carbon, nitrogen, potassium and extractable phosphorus. Fig. 9. CART analysis uses soil paremeurs to explain divisions among groups. Results of CART for surface soils suggests that calcium concentration is the most important variable dividing reference systems from the restored and agricultural systems. The most significant division between the latmr two groups is water extractable phosphate, C. <223 29 nt/6 Na <ICJ.d7 VMC P0,<]de 4"alt I liob'N'IIi+ Conclusions ° Agriculture has reduced the amount of C and N throughout the soil profile in the developed relative to the reference ecosystems. Restoration had no effect on C and N after 2 years. Total soil P, however, does not appear to have been affected by agricultural practices. *No consistent difference was observed between developed and reference ecosystems for either of the extractable nutrients. This indicates that short-term processes are more important than land-use history in controlling extractable nutrients. "Liming has significantly elevated the exchangeable Ca content and pH of the developed ecosystems. For example, Ca in the surface of the restored wetland was 1000x larger than in the reference ecosystems. The primary soil parameter separating the reference from the developed ecosystems is the concenlrad m of Ca. Oxalate extractable Al has been elevated and oxalate extractable Fe has been depleted in the developed ecosystems possibly as a result of changes in soil chemistry caused by liming. Ecological Implications and Future Research ° Elevated pH may lead !o more rapid decomposition and less organic matter storage in the restored wetland than in the reference systems. ° Depletion of C in the restored wetland soil may limit denitrification. ° Increases in oxalate Al and exchangeable Ca in the developed ecosystems may cause them to have a higher phosphate adsorption capacity than the reference ecosystems. Acknowledgments W. Willis, I. Rice and P. Heine were very helpful with the laboratory analysis. N. Flanagan and P.V. Sundareshwar made hr!pful comments about the poster. Thanks to ECOBANIC for access to the research site and to Land Management, Inc. for information about the site. Funding was ovided b the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. Selection of Wetland Restoration Sites in Rural Watersheds to Improve Water Qualltyo Integrating Ee®i®gleal and Economic Approaches Curtis J. Richardson, Randall A. Kramer, Neal E. Flanagan, Jon Eisen-Hecht Duke Wetland Center, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708. I Abstract •At the watershed scale, the importance of wetlands to the maintenance of bicdiversit},, water quality, and natural hydrologic regimes depends at least in part on the total wetland area, types and spatial arrangement. The North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) was mandated to develop basin-wide wetland restoration plans primarily to improve water quality. The success of these plans in improving water quality will depend on the appropriate siting of wetland restoration projects. The primary objective of this study is to develop a procedure for configuring mosaics of restored wetlands to yield the greatest positive cumulative effect on watershed-level water quality given a set of ecological, economic and political constraints. • This study will center on the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) to assist the NCWRP in siting restored wetlands to maximize watershed-level water quality improvement. The DSS will rely upon an economic model of land use and farmer willingness to participate in restoration programs and a flow-weighted water quality model based on watershed variables including the area, type, shape and location of wetlands. The water quality model will be calibrated using data collected from the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) indicator watersheds, and will be validated using field data collected from one or more restoration projects that will be completed by the NCWRP. The water quality model will be coupled with an economic model of landowners' decisions to participate in the NCWRP as a function of their socioeconomic characteristics, various aspects of the program and other factors affecting land use decisions. An economic analysis of the individual restoration project will also be conducted to test the results of the conceptual model, and the effectiveness of the NCWRP from the landowner's point of view. • Several products of this study will be of interest to watershed managers. A model predicting the effects of wetland area and location on the flux of dissolved nutrients and dissolved organic carbon from the watershed will be developed. A site- specific nutrient mass balance that quantifies the effectiveness of wetland restoration for water quality improvement will be established. An economic model that predicts farmers' willingness to participate in wetland restoration programs will be produced. Finally, a decision support system will be constructed to determine optimal placement of wetland restoration projects to improve water quality, subject to economic constraints. These products will assist state agencies such as the NCWRP in demonstrating improved watershed water quality resulting from wetland restoration, and in deciding how to best allocate their resources to achieve the goal of water quality improvement III Study Approach This study will center on the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) to assist NCWRP in siting restored wetlands to maximize watershed-level water quality function. The DSS will rely upon an economic model of land use and farmer willingness to participate in restoration programs, and an ecological model relating flow weighted water quality parameters to several watershed variables include the area, type shape and location of wetlands within the watershed. The decision support model will then be used to select the best configuration for restored wetlands in the Harrison Creek watershed using ecological and economic considerations. Ecological Analysis The water quality model will be based on data collected in watersheds that are part of the Albemarle-Pamlico study unit of the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project of the United States Geological Survey. Site-level data will be collected from a restored wetland along Harrison Creek which is part of the Lower Cape Fear river basin. The water quality model will be used to predict the effect of wetland restoration on water quality functions in the = Harrison Creek Watershed. A quantitative nutrient mass balance will be created for the restored wetland. Economit Analysis Landowner Survey A survey will be conducted with owners of prior converted wetland areas which could potentially be restored. Using a combined telephone/mail format, the survey will collect data on socioeconomic characteristics, past land use practices and factors influencing land use decision- making. Data will be collected from 400-500 landowners located in selected river basins. The aim of the survey is to uncover information on how landowners make decisions regarding wetlands restoration. The willingness of landowners to participate in wetland restoration programs with various attributes will be assessed through stated preference methods. Survey data will be used to econometrically model landowners' decisions to participate in wetland restoration programs. Economic analysis 16?w i s ' mo ; ',Brie FVaa _ ll,rrr,?.rrr:rt Program Options for Landown.rA n North Garohna _ I NC -- - - - - --- Location of ..heBar a Fsra s Resto c 4veds d 1 Acnal photograph of the Barra Farms restored wetland area A=restored wetland area, B=agncultural uea scheduled for wetland's restoration. C=Bay Forest area IV Expected Results A watershed level ecological model predicting the effects of various wetland restoration projects on water quality, • a model predicting farmer willingness-to-participate in wetland restoration projects, a site-level economic analysis of a wetland restoration project including an assessment of the costs and benefits accruing to landowners, new information about nutrient cycling and retention in wetlands restored on agricultural lands, a quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of one or more restored wetlands in improving water quality, a Decision Support System (DSS) that integrates the economic and ecological models to assist the North Carolina Wetland Restoration Program (NCWRP) in locating and designing wetland restoration prolecls. M i Total Phosphorus i f I tai u: '. / '") eB n.ru n t red Bey F.na am.. t f . w u.ad SA. t...nnn Total Nitrogen i i 6' Id F -lor.d Bey F.- am.rr w waa sn. mama Dissolved Organic Carbon AB Fem a.d B.,-- am„ Welhrtl aAe h.etbn Water samples from ea-* of the three ecosystems show distinct nutnenl compou;ons One component of this protect mll Be to evalovx Ih4 capacity of the restored wetland to remove nulnants from the Barra rarms run-oll. II Objectives identify watershed level variables that predict the effects of various wetland restoration projects on water quality, describe site-level mass balances for nitrogen and phosphorus in restored wetlands, assess the effectiveness of these restored wetland in improving water quality, identify variables predicting farmer willingness to participate in wetland restoration projects, develop a procedure that will assist the North Carolina Wetland Restoration Program (NCWRP) in locating and designing wetland restoration projects to yield the greatest positive cumulative impact on watershed-level water quality given a set of ecological, economic, and political constraints. ?rG + o ?'1 • d i ;-t T5 -t ?=at;aipotpmu,-, iNndrestoration sites I prioritized by potential weer quality improvement and farmer willingness-to•pay _ ?d b dz d 'IN 36. 1 ,e terns I t 35" tl° 45 Piedmont ( 45a Southern Inner Piedmont O 45b Southern Outer Piedmont I__l 45c Carolina State Belt ® 45c Northern Inner Piedmont l= 45( Northern Outer Piedmont OR 45g Triassic Basins M 45i Icings Mountain 63 Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain 63b Chesapeake-Pamlico Lowlands and Tidal Marshes M 63c Nouriverine Swamps and Peatlands 63d Virginian Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes 1 63e Mid-Atlantic Flatwoods M 63g Carolinian Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes 63h Carolina Flatwoods ® 63n Mid-Atlantic Floodplains and Low Terraces PRINCIPAL AU'ITIORS: Glean U. Urilflh (NIiCS), James M. Umcml tLISITA), J.lYmy A. Com%uict lhidus Cwp,mi nf. Mwhud P. Sdhu(A, (N('1)ItNR), W. Henry McNab[USES),Oavud R, L. tINCOLNRk rind "Fnsh P. MaclYr+?,n 1N('I1FNIt) COLLABORATORS AND lY7NTRinln'ORS: Jwmx f:. Ikrn-, it ISITA). David I.. Pcorose (N0)I:NR), Roy L.Vick, Jr. (NRC3), G,:mrd McMahon (I ISCISI. Roh rl Peel (UNC). Cup Smith(NRS) and ram LovclarJ(USGS). CI.I'IN(3 7'IIIS MAP: Grill-11h. G.F, Onhcnnk. J.M., t UI, . JA. Sdadolc, M.T. .MCNab, W.H. LemL DA., and McPherson. T.F.. 2(X)2. Fcomghom o(Nonh C.vohna. U.S. Fnvinmmvulal Pnnwmn Ag-y. Co-11r.. Olt. Pn:.p.,oak I I.,SIXr,OfXp. 6S Southeastern Plains 1 1 65c Sand Hills 1 1 651 Atlantic Southern Loam Plains I 165m Rolling Coastal Plain ® 65p Southeastern Floodplains and Low Terraces 66 Blue Ridge 66c New River Plateau 66d Southern Crystalline Ridges and Mountains 1 66e Southern Sedimentary Ridges M 66g Southern Metasedfinentary Mountains M 66i High Mountains CJ 66j Broad Basins M 66k Amphibolite Mountains ME 661 Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills = 66m Sauratown Mountains Level III ecoregion County boundary Level IV eeoregian State boundary -•-•- SCALE 1:1 500 000 IS 10 5 0 10 6) mi J 10 20 Ill 11 60 1211 km Albers Equal Area Projection Ixvn,tom dtmDtc area of general shrulaRy, m ocosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of etevinaehemld resuarces. TMry arc tMai,-acd to serve as a spatial fmmcwork for the m-cmdh nAMMMymad pout, and a ikoring of ecosystems and ecosystem conpaneas. Faarcgions am dNcealy al"Rm le to may skit: age" activities, incising the selection of regional strum rdbrence silts, the d6vc1oplmwt of bprlb XW cretcrm oral walla quality sta datift and nun estaWiihmaI. of maragcmrnt goals for rrwgaia•sootc pollutes. They arc also relevant to integrated mosystam 13111512"wt, at utllrlnac goal of away federal and stale resource management agtmtiLy. The ;4gwoach used to compile this map of Node Carolina is based al the premise thud ecological n t0lh we bicnactrital awl Ian be identified through the analysts of the spatial patterns and the cumpwmiua rf twine and abioic pbeumeru that affect or reflect okffenmcs in ecosystem quality and integrity (Wtken 19K- ()amank 1987, 1995). Thcsc phenomena include geology, physiography. vegeeaGn, climate, so tK land use, vnkthfe, and hydrology. The relative importance of each ckwwctenslic varas from one ecological region to another regardless of the hierarchical level. A Roman mmnnnl hicraninic l sliMAOC has ban adopted for differam levels of ecological regions. Level I and I cvd It divine the North AAaaican caRiuett huo 15 and 52 regions respectively (Commission for Irvircamaad Cooperation Waking Group 1997). At Level W, the continatW United Sucks conmms 104 rcgkurs (United Stma Eariroomcaal Proration Agency [U.S. EPAt 2000). Lewd IV is a further wbdhvisiea of the Level fa etvregitas Explanations of lm mediods used to define the US. FA's cenregittm am given in fm ernik (1995), Omanik and others (2000), Grillith and others (1994, 1997), Mil GalRhnt and others (1989), 'Ito Loved III eM IV ccotegions were compiled at a scale of 1:250,000 and depict revisions aml wh livisions of cattier fevd W ecoregions that were originally compiled at a smaller scale (II.S. EPA 2000: UaaKnik 1987k CompOalot of Otis map is pan of a collaborative project primarily hdweerl the U.S. IX--p atone of AgricuRme's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), die LLS. F.1>A National I Icallo and l mveuumcnul li ecls Rcwuch Labumtory(NI IIi11U.), U.S. EIIA Rcgtnn IV, and der; North Carolina IkItartmern (f Pminrlmerd and Natural Resource-. This project is also associated with ran interagency effort to develop a wmmon framework of ecological regions (McMahon and other, MY Rcsional mllahoalive: pmgects, such as this one in North farohna what .some agreement Cm hl: reached amarg multiple resource management agencies are a step in the direction of atudning commonality and consistency in ccvrcgion frameworks for the entire ration. Commends regarding the level III and IV lixm gions of North Carolina heap should he addressed to Glcon Griffith, USDA-NRCS, 200 SW 35th Seem, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541) 7544465, FAX: (541) 7544716, crowd: griffhth,gknn@cpl.gov, or to lanes Omcmik, USES, 2nn SW 15111 Street, Corvallis, OR 97331 (541) 7 W-4458, email. omcmik.jamesG#cp,;l gov. I.Iwamnra Cited. Commission for Gtviroumerdal Cooperation Working fnwSa, 1997, Ixnlogical regions of Noah Amman - Toward a common pmgastFre' Moaned, Quebec, Commission fur Enviramrcnul Cmphcration, 71 p. Conant, A.L.. Whinier, TR., Larsen. O.P., Oaut", J.M., and Hughes. R.W. 1989, Regionalirnem as a cool for managing arvimnmentai racourc= Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. Imrdtonmental Protection Agency UPAINRY3-89IkM,152 P. Griffith, G.F., Omcmik, J.M., Wilton, T.F. and Piaum. S.M., 1994, Ecoregiona and satrep;auu of lowu - a fiunework for waew quality mmsnhcat and managumone The Journal of the lows Academy of Serene, v. 101, an I, p 5.13. Griaft6, G.E., Omamik, J.M., and Anvalo, SA L, 1997, fcon:gions of Tmm;ssw: Corvalar, oregon, U.S. Favirommcniad Prowrldon Agency, National Intealth and Irvirmmmenlal IQJfects Rexcurch Latrowoy, EPAf600M-9710??, 51 p. McMahon, G„ Gregonis, S.M., Waltman, SW„ Ometinik, 1,M.,'nmrctm, T.D., Prcenuf, J.A., Rorick. All.. and Rcysa J11_ 2001, Developing a spatial 'rrarm work if common ecological regions for die Conterminaa United Stales: Envviomewtal Management, v. 28, no. 3, p. 293.716. Omcma, l.M.1997, lxoregnioN of the coatermianms United Sw_%(map supplement): Annuls of the Association o(Ammieaa'Goographum v. 77, mm. 1, p.118.125. scale 1:7,500,000, Omvmlk J.M., 1995, Ewregioos-a spmnat framework for ewvi"Ruentul mmugement, in Davis, W.S, and Simon, T,P., ads„ niotogical asxsawhont and aiiafia-fools for walor resaucc pmlaing and decision muking: nuca Rahn, Florida, Iawirs Publishers, p. 49.62. Omemik, 1,M., Chapman, S.S., Lille, R.A., and Dumke. R.T., 2000, ficoragions of Wisconsin: Transactions of the Wisctmsin Academy of Sciences, Arts :rod Lelterx, v. lea. no. 2000, p. 71.10:5. U.S. Fovirormawlal Prolection Agency, 2000, Level III ecoregions of the continental Unilnl Sraha (mvwtoa or Qmrcmik, 1987). CorralIN, Orogom, 11.5. Environmenial Protection Agcnry-National Health and Environmental fRccis Rek=rch Labumallay, Mup M-l. Wien, li., 1986, Temestnal stryuLes or Canadw Oltuw., Enviromnom Gonda. Ecological I and ('I...ifi-lion Scrics no. 19,16 p. Ecoregions of North Carolina 65c •66 ? ??•?, l?a uvilirl ? . , 1 - - Lg lop Rcwk Bill a I ' GSp Nn t) 66 BARRA FARMS' 63n Grenville Jacket : o? 63h xr Ecoregions of No 651 ,3h 63DC rth Carolina ?.?. 6C ,a \ \ 63n , I' i • (5p _ 65 Wilminn? 1 45 ?% 63h - - --- i r Columbia ?ilUmhia Athens , ? ? _.._.. ,t'j' ?r • ?, I. 63 Cape Fear ' ; . Myrtle Beach 84" 83' 82" SI" WY 79" 79° 45 Piedmont 65 Southeastern Plains Ecoregions demote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in tie type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. They are designed to serve as a spatial framework for the research, I__ _.J 45a Southern Inner Piedmont 1 65e Sand Hills assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. Ecoregions are 145b Southern Outer Piedmont 1 1651 Atlantic Southern Loam Plains a directly applicable to many slate agency activities, including the selection of regional stream reference 45c Carolina Slate Belt I 165m Rolling Coastal Plain sites, the development of biological cAterha and water quality standards, and the establishment of L-_.1 45e Northern Inner Piedmont C _'vW 65p Southeastern Floodplains and Low Terraces management goals for nonpoint-source pollution. They are also relevant to integrated ecosystem 45f Northern Outer Piedmont 66 Blue Ridge management, an ultimate goal of many federal and state res-oume management agencies. f _- ! 'the approach used to compile this map of North Carolina is based on the premise that ecologiril ['7, ; i 45g Triassic Basins 66c New River Plateau regiomi are hierarchical and can be identified through the analysis of the spatial pauerts and the 45i Kings Mountain I 66d Southern Crystalline Ridges and Mountains composition of biotic and abiotic phenomena that affect or reflect dillerences in ecosystem quality and 63 Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain I 1 66e Southern Sedimentary Ridges integrity (Wiken 1986; Omernik 1987, 1995). 'these phenomena include geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, did hydrology. The relative importance of each 1 63Chesapeake- Pam ieo Lowlands and 'T'idal Marshes 'w.I 66g Southern Metasedimentary Mountains characteristic varies from one ecological region to another n gardless of the hierarchical level. A Roman E] 63c Nonriverine Swamps and Peatlands 66i High Mountains uumer;tl hierarchical scheme has been adopted for different levels of ecological regions. Level I and 1 163d Virginian Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes i *_1 66j Broad Basins bevel 11 divide the North American continent into 15 and 52 regions, respectively (Commission far Environmental ('ooperation Working Group 1997). At Level III, the continental United Slates contains 1 1 63e Mid-Atlantic Flatwoods 1l?I 66k Amphibolite Mountains I04 regions (tdnited States Environmental Protection Agency IU.S. t'l'Al 20IN)). Level IV is a further 63g Carolinian Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes 661 Eastern Blue Ridge Foothills subdivision of the bevel III ecoregions. Explanations of the methods used to define the U.S. EPA's 63h Carolina Flatwoods 66m Sauratown Mountains ecoregions are given in Omemik (1995), Omemik and otters (2000), Griffith and others (10174, 1997), 163n Mid-Atlantic Floodplains and Low Terraces and Gallant and others (1989). The Level III and IV ecoregions were compiled at a scale of 1:250,00 and depict revisions and subdivisions of earlier level III ecoregions that were originally compiled at a smaller scale (U.S. EPA Level III ecoregion County boundary 2(X)O; Omeinik 1987). Compilation of this map is part of a collaborative project primarily between the PRINCIPAL, AII't'IRMS: Glenn F. Griffith (NRCS). James M. Omcmik (USI'.i'A)• Level U.S. department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), die U.S. ETIA IV ecoregion State boundary Jeffrey A. Comstock (Indus Corlx)ration), Michael 1'. Schafale (NCDFNR), W. i lenry National Health and Environmental 1:11e is Research Laboratory (N111TRL), U.S. EPA Region IV, acid McNab (USFS), David R. Lena[ (NCDfiNR), and Trish F. MacPherson (N(•DFNR). the North Carolina Ikparnaent of' Environment and Natural Resources. 'Ibis project is also associated ('OLLAI(l)RA'fORS AND CONTRIBUTORS: James F. Harrison (US(il'A), David I.. S('Al,lI:I 500 000 with mi interagency effort to develop a common framework of ecological regions (McMahon and others 2(X)I). Regional collaborative projects, such as this one in North Carolina where some agreement can be nrose (NCDFNR), Roy (, Vick, Jr. (NRCS), Gerard McMahon (USGS), Robert Peel NC), Chip Smith (NRCS) and Tom Loveland (USGS ). 15 10 5 0 30 60 mi reached among multiple resource management agencies, are a step in the direction of attaining I l commonality and consistency in ecoregion frameworks for the entire nation. CI'T'ING THIS MAI': Griffith. G.fs., Omernik, J.M., Comstock, 1.A., Schafale, M.P., 30 20 10 0 60 120 kin ('ommems regarding the Level III and IV EC regions of North ('arolina map should be addressed to McNah, W.I I.. Leuat, D.K., arid MacPherson. T.F.. 2(X)2. lcoregions of North Carolina, Glenn Gnllith, I ISDA-NRCS, 200 SW 35dh Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541) 754-4465, hAX: (541) U.S. Iinvinomnenlal Protection Agency. Corvallis. OR, (map scale 1:1,5(X),(XX)). Albers E ual Area Projection 7544716, email: grillith.glemh((!)epa.gov, or to lames (hnernik, l ISGS, 2(X) SW 35th Streel, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541) 754-4458, email omernik Janhes0epa.gov. 63. MIDDLE ATLANTIC COASTAL PLAIN Level IV Ecoregion Physiography Geology Soil Climate Potential Natural Vegetation Land Use and Land Cover Area Elevatiod Sur&ial Material and Bedrock Order (Great Group) Common Soil Sent, Temperature ! Precipitation Frost Free Mean Temperature (sq- Local Relief Moisture Mean annual Mean annual January minim a; miles) (feet) Regimes (inches) (days) July min/max (°) 63b. Chesapeake- 2226 Low, flat plains and peninsulas; poorly 0-25 Late Pleistocene marine sand, silt, and Ultisols (Endoaquults, Tomotley, Roanoke, Thermic 1 48-55 210-250 32/52; Wet hardwood forest (bottomland oaks, tulip poplar; sweet.-um, Cropland with wheat, cam, soybeans, Pamlico drained with swamps, some low gradient clay. Umbraquults), Incepcisols Pergaimans, Pasquonink, Aquic 69!88 maple, swamp tupelo); mesic mixed hardwood forest (beech, potatoes, cotton, and peanuts: evergeen Lowlands and streams with sandy and silty substrates, a 5-20 Humaquepts), Alfisols Hyde, Deloss, Portsmouth, tulip poplar. mapleoaks, swcetgum); some pond pine forest, mined forest, forested wetlands. o me Tidal Marshes few large lakes; estuaries and sounds. (Endoaquaifs), Histosols Cape Fear, Wasda, Roper, woodlands and longleaf pint; tidal and nonriverine cypress-gum plantations, pasture, marsh. (Haplosapnsts) Arapahoe. Yonges, Argent, swamps. Dorovan, Currimck 63e. Nonriverine 1692 Low, broad flats and interstream divides, 5-50 Holocene peat and silty to clayey swamp Histosols (Haplosaprists), Pungo, Dare, Belhaven, Thermic / 50-56 210-235 32154; Pocosins (fenerbush, ti-ti, ink berry, pond pinepond pine Forested wetlands, evergreen forest, mixed Swamps and poorly drained, a few lakes, low stream deposits, Pleistocene marine sand, silt, and laceptisols (Humaquepts) Ponzer, Dorovan, Wasda, Aquic 69/89 woodlands Atlantic white cedar forest, nonriverine swamp forest forest, some cropland and pine plantations. Peatlands deasity; channelized drainage is common. 5-25 clay. Scuppernong, Roper, (bald cypress, pond cypress, swamp tupelo, loblolly pine, red Torhuna, Croatan maple). 63d. Virginian 63 Barrier islands, dunes, beaches, lagoons, 0-30, some Holocene beach and dune sand, saline Entisols (Sulfaquents, Bohicket, Carteret, Currimck Thermic ! 48 220-230 33/52; Salt and brackish marshes (cunigrass, saltgrass, rushes); tidal Marsh, forested wetland, evergreen forest, Barrier Islands estuaries, tidal marshes. dunes to 60 marsh deposits of sand, silt, clay, and peat. Psammaquents, in tidal marshes; Corolla, Aquic 69/81 freshwater mush (cordgrass, suwg ass, cattail, wild rice); urban, wildlife habitat, beaches, recreation, and Coastal Quartzipsammentsi, Newhan, Duckston on beach maritime shrub (wax myrtle, vaupon); maritime dry grassland fish and shellfish production. Marshes 5-30 Histosols (Haploseprists) dunes and flats. (saltmeadow cordgrass); maritime evergreen forest (live oak, sand laurel oak, loblolly pine); dune grass (beach grass, sea oats). 63e. Mid-Atlantic 2755 Pat plains on lightly dissected marine 2-100 Pleistocene and Pliocene marine sand. silt, Ultisols (Paleaquults. Rains, Lynchburg, Thermic ! 46-50 200-330 30/52; Mesic pine tlatwoods (longleaf p rtes loblolly p rtes oaks, Pine plantations, cropland with peanuts, Flatwoods terraces; swamps, low gradient streams and clay. Paleudults, Albaquults, Goldsboro, Leaf, Craven. Aquic, 68/89 hickories, bluestem); wet pine Ilatwoods (longleaf pine with cotton, cam, soybeans, tobacco, wheat, with sandy and silty substrates. 5-75 Hapludults) Lenoir, Noboco, Pantego Udic loblolly or pond pine); pine savanna (longleaf pine, pond pine, chickens, and hogs: pasture, mixed and bluestem); pond pine woodland; some oak-hickory and mixed deciduous forest. forest. 63g. Carolinian 557 Barrier islands, dunes, beaches, lagoons, 0-30, some Holocene beach and dune sand, saline Entisols (,Sulfaqucnrs, Bohicket, Carteret, Thermic I 50-56 240-260 35153; Salt and brackish marshes iairdgrass, saltgass, rushes); Marsh, forested wetland, evergreen forest, Barrier Islands estuaries, tidal marshes. dunes to marsh deposits of sand, silt, clay, and peat. Psammaquents, Hobucken in tidal marshes; Aquic 72186 maritime shrub (wax myrtle, vaupon); maritime dry grassland urban, wildlife habitat, beaches, tourism, and Coastal 100 Hvdraquents, Corolla, Newhan, Duckston. (saltmeadow cordgrass): maritime evergreen forest (live oak, recreation, fish and shellfish production. Marshes Quartzipsamments) Fripp on beach dunes and sand laurel oak. loblolly pug ); dune grass (sea oats, bitter panic 5-30 hats. grass, cordgrass, beach grass). 63h. Catalina 1510 Flat plans on lightly dissected marine 2-195 Pleistocene and Pliocene marine sand, silt, UI sols(Paleayuults, Goldsboro. Lynchburg, Thermic I 46-53 210-240 33!55; Longleaf p rte-w regrass; vac sandhi!l scrub (longleaf pine- Pine plantations, mixed forest, forested Flatwoods terraces: swamps, low gradient streams and clay; Tertiary sand, silt, clay, and Paleudults, Endoaquults, Rains, Coxville, Wahee. Aquic, in the 70/90 turkey oak-wiregrass); pond pine forest and woodland; some wetlands, cropland of cotton, cam, soybeans, with sandy and silty substrates; Carolina 5-75 limestone, some Cretaceous sand, silt and Albaquults, Hapludults), Bladen, Argent, Coosaw, Udic north, oak-hickory and mixed Guest. wheat, peanuts, tobacco, blueberries; bays. clay. Alfisols (Endoaqualts), Noboco, Baymeade, 230-250 production of hags, broilers, and turkeys; Spodosols (Alaquods), Woodington, Leon, Kureb, in the some public land, wildlife habitat. Entisols Yauhannah.Yemassee, south (Quarrzipsamments), 0geechee, Croatan Histosols (Haplosaprists) 63n. Mid-Atlantic 2193 yfajur river (]oodplains and associated '_-LO Holocene alluvial silt, clay, and gravelly Inceptisols (Endoaquupts, Johnston, Muckalee, Thermic I 4654 210-240 32/54; Southern floodplaiu forest includes cypress ;um swamp (water Forested wetlands, deciduous tares[, same Floodplains and low terraces; low gradient streams with sand, local swamp deposits and organic Dvstrudepts, Masontown, Congaree, Aquic, in the 69190 tupelo, swamp tupelo, bald cypress, pond cypress) and cropland on larger terraces. Low Terraces sandy and silty substrates, oxbow lakes, 5-25 muck; some late Pleistocene alluvial and Humaquepls), Entisols Dorovan, Chastain, Johns, some Udic north. bottomland hardwood form (bottomland oaks, red maple, ponds, swamps. estuarine sand and silt. (Udifluvems), Ultisols Kenansville, Roanoke, 230-250 sweetgum, green ash, biur nut hickory). (Hapludults, Umbmquults, I.umbee, Paxville, Meggeu, in the Endoaquults), Alfisols Fawcaw, Chewacla, Hobcnv south (Albaqualfs) x d ,4d 9?a4a,Wa??? SwuA, JRc- 9o'W %&e ax 2522 Vc xMytm, A" Vww4na 28402 d'. 910-452-0009 gr g. ?X! ?i?a/ren ,?eewor, DATE: August 15, 2002 gm& m 9J A effl. 3',.k 3805 V,*4 &:& 046MM 0dm Mptm, M 28403 SUBJECT: Land & soils evaluation and hydrologic drainage study of Barra-II (1110 acres) within the Barra Farms Tract to determine potential 404 Wetland areas vs Drained- Altered Wetland areas. Tract located within Harrison Creek Bay, south of NC Hwy 210 & NCSR 2033 intersection, Cedar Creek area, Cumberland County, North Carolina. (UTM 17-710519 E; 3868292 N) TO: ECOBANK Mr. Alan Fickett 1555 Howell Branch Road, Suite C-2 Winter Park, FL 32789 (888) 629-7774; (407) 629-7774; 629-6044 [fxj INTRODUCTION The lands of Barra-II (1110 acres) within the Barra Farms Tract were evaluated and inventoried to determine general soil/land types, drainage alterations, and their locations. Soil characterization, present drainage conditions, and general geohydrologic conditions were also used as inputs for a computer modeling drainage study ("DrainMod v.5.0). The results of these evaluations were compiled to determine the degree of historic drainage alterations to the site, and to determine potential areas that appear to function hydrologically as potential 404 Wetlands, versus those areas that should not meet the hydrologic criteria to be defined as 404 Wetlands. LAND & SOILS EVALUATION Barra-II is a portion of the Barra Farms Tract which is within southeastern Cumberland County, North Carolina (see general USGS topo and USDA soil maps). The general area's geomorphology is characterized by organic "Carolina Bays", sandy uplands, and slightly incised black-water streams. The Barra-II study site is within a relatively large Carolina Bay named "Harrison Creek Bay". The elevation of this entire area varies between -120 to -125 feet amsl (see USGS topo map). Thus, topography is predominantly level (0-2% slopes), with very slight undulations from edges of the bay rims. The Barra-ll study site is situated within the interior portions of the Carolina Bay with 0-1 % slopes. Natural drainage of the general area is by rapid permeability through sandy upland areas to a concave organic "Carolina Bay", where permeability and water movement slows. Barra-II's natural drainage and water movement appears to be in a south to southwest direction towards an un- named tributary that has truncated the southwest edge of the bay. Agricultural and silvicultural drainage improvements have been historically established within portions of the study site. This drainage consists of +24 ft deep lateral open ditching on -300 ft spacing, which connect to 4-7 ft deep collector drainage canals. All of the artificial drainage drains is in a southwest direction Page 1 of to an outlet canal with a water control structure. Portions of Barra-11's original hydrology has been altered to various degrees where the historic ditching exists (see Barra-II map showing existing roads & ditching). Evaluations of the Barra-II site confirmed the USDA-SCS mapping to be representative of the soil types within the site being studied. The enclosed USDA-SCS soils map shows the major soil type areas found within this area (see enclosed USDA-SCS soils map). The following is a brief discussion of the major land & soil type areas found within the 1110 acre tract evaluated: The "CT" Soil Areas (see SCS soils map & description) predominate within the study area. In their natural state, they consist of very poorly drained organic soils of "Croatan". These soils typically have an organic (+20% o.m.) surface and subsurface to +2-3 ft depths, where loamy sand to sandy loam substratums are encountered (see enclosed USDA-SCS data). These land types in their natural state have 404 Wetland hydric soil and vegetative characteristics, but significant areas have been altered through prescription drainage improvements. The "TR" Soil Areas (see SCS soils map) are minor and within the perimeter of the study area. In their natural state, they consist of very poorly drained mineral soils of "Torhunta". These soils typically have an organic (+20% o.m.) surface and subsurface to <1-2 ftdepths, where loamy sand to sandy loam substratums are encountered. These land types in their natural state have 404 Wetland hydric soil and vegetative characteristics, but significant areas have been altered through prescription drainage improvements.. The "Le" Soil Areas (see SCS soils map) are minorwithin the study area. In their natural state, they consist of somewhat poorly to poorly drained soils of "Leon". These soils typically have a thin surface horizon over sandy substratums with hardpans or spodic horizons. These land types.in their natural state have non-hydric 404 Wetland soil and vegetative characteristics, and typically would be classified as uplands. The "Pa" Soil Areas (see SCS soils map) are minor within the study area. In their natural state, they consist of moderately well to somewhat poorly drained soils of "Pactolus". These soils typically have a very thin surface horizon over sandy substratums. These land types in their natural state have non-hydric 404 Wetland soil and vegetative characteristics, and typically would be classified as uplands. DRAINAGE & HYDROLOGIC MODELING A hydrologic analysis and drainage modeling were performed to determine which areas of the Barra-II Tract should or should not meet 404 Wetland hydrologic criteria. This is principally within the bay areas of the tract where there is +2 to 7 ft deep historic open ditching. In order to assess which portions of these tracts currently do or do not meet the hydrologic criteria to be defined as jurisdictional 404 Wetlands, the soil, site, and drainage parameters were simulated using the "DrainMod" hydrologic computer model, developed by R.W. Skaggs'- NCSU-NRCS version 5.0. This hydrologic drainage model is one of the latest computer simulations to evaluate drainage and its' impacts within an area. Various DrainMod analysis were performed using the known and representative site characteristic inputs to run various scenarios that reflect the various drainage depths and existing drainage patterns that occur across the tract. The DrainMod model is capable of querying the results to determine the time periods and durations & depths of seasonal saturation from the ground surface to determine those areas that would meet the minimum hydrologic criteria to be hydrolocally defined or not defined as jurisdictional 404 Wetlands. All units within the models are in centimeters, hours, and days. All "DrainMod" modeling analysis were ran fora 31 year time period 1951-1981 using Wilmington, NC climatological data which is quite similarto Cumberland County's rainfall periods, evapotranspirational rates, and temperatures (see enclosed Cumberland & New Hanover County climatological date). The 404 Wetland hydrologic parameters for Cumberland Page 2 of 5 County, NC are soil saturation at depths <12" from the surface, for +12 consecutive days during the "growing season" which is March 17h thru Nov 12th (5% of growing season @>28° F; a 240 day time period). The following DrainMod inputs were used in the wetlands analysis for the Barra-II Tract with Croatan soil/land types. Climate Data = Time Period Analyzed = Annual Start/End Time = Depth To Saturation = Ditch Spacings Evaluated = Ditch Depths Evaluated Depth Of Surface Ponding = Surface Storage To Drain = Depth To Impermeable Layer = Effective Drain Radius = Drainage Coefficient = Soil Ksat Rates = Lateral Seepage = Vertical Seepage = Slope Seepage = Initial Potentiometric Surface = Kirkam G-Factor = Wetland Queries = Wilmington, NC climatological data Years 1951 thru 1981 Day 76 and Day 316 30.5 cm (12") 300 ft (9144 cm spacing) 400 ft (12194 cm spacing) 460 ft (14021 cm spacing) 510 ft (15545 cm spacing) 2 ft = 61 cm 3ft= 76cm 4 ft = 107 cm 5 ft = 138 cm 6 ft = 183 cm 1.2 in=3cm 1.2 in=3cm 10 ft =305 cm 7.0 -10.0 cm 5.0 cm/day "Croatan Soils" [USDA-SCS data: Used lower values] 00-15 cm (00-06"); 2.54 cm/hr (1.0 in/hr) 15-91 cm (06-36"); 1.02 cm/hr (0.4 in/hr) 91-279.2 cm (36-110"); 7.62 cm/hr (3.0 in/hr) 0 cm/hr 0 cm/hr 0 cm/hr 30 cm (beginning in year 1951) 4.72 Water table <30.5 cm (12" from surface for>12 daytime period, between day 76 and day 316. The various runs of the model incorporate soil characteristics, precipitation, evapotranspiration, surface storage, surface infiltration, and drainage influences on the fluctuation & duration of the unconfined aquifer's potentiometric surface. All inputs are fixed except drainage depths and spacing. The data of each model is queried to tell how many times over a 31 year time period the water table is less than 12" (30,.5 cm) for durations of >12 consecutive days, during the growing season of Cumberland County, NC (March 17th thru November 12th). When >50% of the 31 years meet these conditions (1-6 yrs out of 31 yrs), it hydrologically meets the criteria to be defined as 404 Wetlands. The enclosed data summary and graphs show these results (see Croatan DrainMod data). Within "Croatan" soil types of the Barra-II Tract the following results were obtained within areas of parallel ditchina: Drainage Depths with 300 ft Spacing Number of Yrs 404 Wetland Criteria Met (%) 2.0 ft 21 out of 31 years (67.7%) 3.0 ft 15 out of 31 years (48.4%) Page 3 of 5 Based upon the above resu types. Within Barra-II, the areas with parallel pattern drainage have ditch depths of >3.0 ft or are maintained to these depths. The land areas with parallel ditching that do not meet 404 Wetland hydrologic criteria within Barra-II are shown on the enclosed map (see map, hydrologic drainage conditions "white-shaded" areas). For the collector ditching within Barra-II, which are non-parallel and/or with variable ditch depths, DrainMod is ran several times, varying only the ditch spacing input, to determine the lateral drainage effects of a single ditch at a specified depth. When 404 Wetland hydrological criteria are not met (<50% of the 31 year time period), then % of the ditch spacing is the lateral drainage influence of a single ditch at the specified depth. The enclosed data summary and graphs show these results (see Croatan DrainMod data). Within "Croatan" soil types of the Barra-II Tract the following results were obtained for the lateral drninnnP Pffc?cts of single collectnr ditches- Depth of Collector Ditch Ditch Spacing In Model Number of Years 404 Wetland Criteria Met (%) Lateral Drainage Effect in Feet ('/ Ditch Spacing) 4.0 ft 400 ft 15 out of 31 yrs (48.4%) 200 ft 5.0 ft 460 ft 15 out of 31 yrs (48.4%) 230 ft 6.0 ft 510 ft 15 out of 31 yrs (48.4%) 255 ft Based upon the above results, the lateral drainage effects of single collector ditches at various depths were determined for the "Croatan" land/soil types within Barra-II. The land areas with collector ditching that do not meet 404 Wetland hydrologic criteria within Barra-II are shown on the enclosed map (see map, hydrologic drainage conditions "yellow-shaded" areas). SUMMARY A land, soils, and hydrologic evaluation was completed to evaluate the drainage effects within the Barra-II Tract (1100 acres). The bay areas have the hydric soil & vegetative indicators to be defined as 404 Wetlands, but have significantly altered drainage conditions through historic, open, parallel and collector ditching at various depths. The site was characterized through land/soils mapping, aerial photo interpretation, qualitative determinations of soil properties, research of existing reference materials, and "DrainMod" computer modeling. These evaluations were used to further determine the general acreage that would or would not meet the minimum hydrologic criteria to be defined as jurisdictional 404 Wetlands. Representative soil characterizations, conservative hydraulic conductivity rates, and known ditch depths & spacing inputs were utilized in the DrainMod drainage/hydrology model. Based upon the various DrainMod models ran with the Croatan land/soil types, 404 Wetland hydrology is not met when parallel ditch depths are 3.0 ft deep or greater with 300 ft spacing. Also the lateral drainage effects of collector ditches were determined at various depths and for conditions when 404 Wetland hydrologic criteria were not met. A final map is enclosed that shows the areas and planimetered acreage of potential jurisdictional 404 Wetlands vs drained wetland areas (see map "Hydrologic Drainage Conditions"). Page 4 of 5 Hydrologic 404 Wetland Status Acreage' *************** Inside Tract Outside Tract TOTAL . Non-Hydric 404 Hydrologic Conditions 315 acs 130 acs 445 acs Based Upon DrainMod "Yellow-Shaded" PC and Non-Hydric 404 Hydrologic Conditions Based Upon USDA-ASCS 440 acs 0 acs 440 acs Class & DrainMod "White-Shaded" Meets Hydric 404 Hydrologic Conditions 355 acs ***** 355 acs Based Upon DrainMod "Not Shaded" TOTAL ACREAGE 1110 acs 130 acs 1240 ac ' Acreage is planimetered & approximate. Based upon the soils evaluation and "DrainMod" hydrological analysis, there are -755 acres that do not meet 404 Wetland hydrology criteria within the Barra-II Tract. In addition, there are -130 acres directly adjacent to and outside of the Barra-II Tract that also do not meet 404 Wetland hydrology criteria. Thus, there is a total of -885 acres that do not meet 404 Wetland hydrology acres This report, maps, and evaluations should be used for land planning purposes only. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-EPA and NCDENR-DWQ have final regulatory authority over 404 Wetland determinations, and permitted/non-permitted activities within 404 Wetland areas. This information should be used as a supportive document to determine drained vs undrained wetlands, potential jurisdictional 404 Wetland areas, and areas for possible wetland mitigation credits within the Barra-II Tract. Larry F. Baldwin, CPSS/SC ARCPACS #2183; NCLSS #1040 Page 5 of 5 c? O y U J W Q J CIS C ca = C9 ea zU =s U? o oz Ix ' 0= J C J U 0-0 U = ev EEL) 0 z w L X W U Co z_ d L =v wo 0 N H L L C CIS V = C T Y T d v L U L O CL Q J N O O C N X W 1L N O = d QN N O, Ens" ? y O 'C Qq? r C t0 r. Z J W W H a O U a O m z 00 ZV Om a? o CZ WQ CO) m c N 0 Z OV H ? L 0.0 E Z ? a? ?a 0 Um ? Y OL U ? O 2 Z ? OY 2 d. N ` yU vV ca 0 oU 2 H V a m LL O 1 N C C O 0 O 'rnZ. 0.9 o m mo 0L ? it U a O o Z = m m 0 m M 0 c L U ? °6 o =U CO C) U) •L A 0 O C Z 0 Z) cc ?D m •o 0.0 ? L a d 0 m d' co C c^6 O w ? o 0 m U_ M •? o =a + 00 V O v .20 Q C zm tl! m L v a tL N Q 40 J C N - ?))Njjj Q N , N I' C = Q 0 m O _32 CD r_ BARRA-II 300 ft Spacing 2 ft Depth ---------------------------- ------------------------- DRAINMOD version 5.0 ° Copyright 1990-94 North Carolina State University ----------------------------------------------------- 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan soils; 2' Depth @300' Ditch Spacing WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD ----------RUN STATISTICS -------- time: 8/20/2002 @ 16:34 input file: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-Il.lis parameters: free drainage and yields not calculat drain spacing = 9144. cm drain depth = 61.0 cm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of periods with water table closer than 30.50 cm for at least 12 days. Counting starts on day 76 and ends on day 316 of each year YEAR Number of Periods Longest consecutive of 12 days or Period in Days more with WTD < 30.50 cm ------------------ -------------------- 1951 0. 10. 1952 2. 16. 1953 0. 7. 1954 0. 7. 1955 2. 25. 1956 1. 16. 1957 0. 11. 1958 3. 38. 1959 2. 16. 1960 4. 14. 1961 2. 24. 1962 3. 15. 1963 2. 18. 1964 1. 21. 1965 3. 16. 1966 4. 16. 1967 0. 6. 1968 0. 3. 1969 4. 27. 1970 2. 27. 1971 2. 23. 1972 0. 4. 1973 3. 20. 1974 2. 29. 1975 0. 11.. 1976 0. 11. 1977 1. 18. 1978 0. 8. 1979 2. 35. 1980 1. 22. 1981 1. 13. Number of Years with at least one period = 21. out of 31 years. Page 1 BARRA-.II 300 ft Spacing 3 ft Depth ---------------------------- 7------------------------ DRAINMOD version 5.0 * Copyright 1990-94 North Carolina State University ----------------------------------------------------- 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan soils; 3' Depth @300' Ditch Spacing ^^^^^^^??,_^, WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD ----------RUN STATISTICS ---------- time: 8/20/2002 @ 16:55 input file: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-II.1is parameters: free drainage and yields not calculat drain spacing = 9144. cm drain depth = 91.4 cm ------------------------------------------------------------------- - Number of periods with water table closer than 30.50 cm for at least 12 days. Counting starts on day 76 and ends on day 316 of each year YEAR Number of Periods Longest consecutive of 12 days or Period in Days more with WTD < 30.50 cm ------------------ -------------------- 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 0. 0. 0. 0. 2. 1. 0. 2. 0. 1. 2. 0. 1. 0. 3. 1. 0. 0. 1. 2. 1. 0. 1. 1. 0. 0. 0. 0. 1. 0. 1. 7. 6. 6. 4. 24. 13. 8. 20. 6. 12. 18. 11. 14. 10. 14. 14. 4. 2. 25. 20. 16. 0. 14. 27. 8. 11. 8. 0. 32. 7. 12. Number of Years with at least one period = 15 out of 31 years. Page 1 4 'ft Depth -200 ft Drainage Influence ----------------------------7------------------------ * DRAINMOD version 5.0 Copyright 1990-94 North Carolina State university ----------------------------------------------------- 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan Soils; 4' Depth @400' Ditch Spacing WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD L*^ ----------RUN STATISTICS ---------- time: 8/20/2002 @ 17: 4 input file: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-II-lis parameters: free drainage and yields not calculat drain spacing = 12194. cm drain depth = 122.0 cm ---------------------------------------------------------- .--------------- Number of periods with water table closer than 30.50 cm for at least 12 days. Counting starts on day 76 and ends on day 316 of each year YEAR Number of Periods Longest consecutive of 12 days or Period in Days more with WTD < 30.50 cm ------------------ -------------------- 1951 0. 7. 1952 0. 10. 1953 0. 7. 1954 0. 0. 1955 2. 25. 1956 0. 7. 1957 0. 10. 1958 3. 38. 1959 0. 6. 1960 2. 13. 1961 2. 19. 1962 1. 12. 1963 0. 10. 1964 1. 17. 1965 3. 16. 1966 2. 14. 1967 0. 0. 1968 0. 1. 1969 3. 26. 1970 2. 24. 1971 1. 16. 1972 0. 0. 1973 1. 14. 1974 2. 25. 1975 0. 4. 1976 0. 11. 1977 0. 8. 1978 0. 0. 1979 2. 35. 1980 0. 9. 1981 1. 13. Number of Years with at least one period = 15. out of 31 years. Page 1 5 ft Depth -x230 ft Drainage Influence ----------------------------------------------------- * DRAINMOD version 5.0 Copyright 1990-94 North Carolina state University ----------------------------------------------------- 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan Soils; 5' Depth @460 Ditch Spacing WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD ----------RUN STATISTICS ---------- time: 8/20/2002 @ 17:19 input file: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-II.lis parameters: free-drainage and yields not calculat drain spacing = 14021. cm drain depth = 152.4 cm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of periods with water table closer than 30.50 cm for at least 12 days. Counting starts on day 76 and ends on day 316 of each year YEAR Number of Periods Longest consecutive of 12 days or Period in Days more with WTD < 30.50 cm ------------------ -------------------- 1951 0. 7. 1952 0. 10. 1953- 0. 5. 1954 0. 0. 1955 2. 25. 1956 0. 8. 1957 0. 10. 1958 3. 38. 1959 0. 6. 1960 2. 13. 1961 2. 19. 1962 1. 12. 1963 0. 9. 1964 1. 18. 1965 3. 16. 1966 3. 14. 1967 0. 0. 1968 0. 0. 1969 3. 27. 1970 2. 24. 1971 1. 12. 1972 0. 0. 1973 1. 14. 1974 2. 25. 1975 0. 4. 1976 0. 11. 1977 0. 8. 1978 0. 0. 1979 2. 35. 1980 0. 8. 1981 1. 13. Number of Years with at least one period = 15. out of 31 years. Page 1 6 ,ft Depth °x2'55 ft Drainage influence ----------------------------------------------------- DRAINMOD version 5.0 Copyright 1990-94 North Carolina state university ----------------------------------------------------- 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan soils; 6' Depth @510' Ditch Spacing WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD ----------RUN STATISTICS ---------- time: 8/20/2002 @ 18:38 input file: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-Ii.lis parameters: free drainage and yields not calculat drain spacing = 15545. cm drain depth = 182.9 cm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Number of periods with water table closer than 30.50 cm for at least 12 days. Counting starts on day 76 and ends on day 316 of each year YEAR Number of Periods Longest consecutive of 12 days or Period in Days more with WTD < 30.50 cm ------------------ -------------------- 1951 0. 7. 1952 1. 15. 1953 0. 3. 1954 0. 0. 1955 2. 25. 1956 0. 8. 1957 0. 11. 1958 3. 38. 1959 0. 6. 1960 4. 14. 1961 2. 19. 1962 1. 12. 1963 0. 9. 1964 1. 18. 1965 3. 16. 1966 3. 16. 1967 0. 0. 1968 0. 0. 1969 2. 27. 1970 2. 25. 1971 1. 12. 1972 0. 0. 1973 1. 16. 1974 2. 25. 1975 0. 5. 1976 0. 11. 1977 0. 8. 1978 0. 0. 1979 2. 35. 1980 0. 8. 1981 0. 11. Number of Years with at least one period = 15. out of 31 years. Page 1 _INPUTS BARRA- I I WE'T'LAND ANKLY:SZ S D R A I N M 0 D Copyright 1990-91 North Carolina State University VERSION: NORTH CAROLINA MICRO-UNIX 5.0 LAST UPDATE: FEB. 1994 LANGUAGE: MS FORTRAN V 5.0 & UNIX f77 DRAINMOD IS A FIELD-SCALE HYDROLOGIC MODEL DEVELOPED FOR THE DESIGN OF SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS. THE MODEL WAS DEVELOPED BY RESEARCHERS AT THE DEPT. OF BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY UNDER THE DIRECTION OF R. W. SKAGGS. * D R A I N M 0 D -- 5.0 DATA READ FROM INPUT FILE: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-II.lis cream selector (0=no, 1=yes) = 0 TITLE OF RUN 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan soils; 2 to 6 ft Depths @300' Ditch Spacing WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD CLIMATE INPUTS DESCRIPTION (VARIABLE) VALUE UNIT ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE FOR RAINDATA .....,.........C:\DRAINMOD\WEATHER\NWILMING.RAI FILE FOR TEMPERATURE/PET DATA ..C:\DRAINMOD\WEATHER\NWILMING.TEM RAINFALL STATION NUMBER ..........................(RAINID) 319457 TEMPERATURE/PET STATION NUMBER ...................(TEMPID) 319457 STARTING YEAR OF SIMULATION ..................(START YEAR) 1951 YEAR STARTING MONTH OF SIMULATION ................(START MONTH) 1 MONTH ENDING YEAR OF SIMULATION ......................(END YEAR) 1981 YEAR ENDING MONTH OF SIMULATION ....................(END MONTH) 12 MONTH TEMPERATURE STATION LATITUDE..... ..............(TEMP LAT) 34.16 DEG.MIN HEAT INDEX ..........................................(HID) 85.00 ET MULTIPLICATION FACTOR FOR EACH MONTH 2.01 2.32 2.10 1.72 1.23 1.00 .86 .82 .92 1.05 1.22 1.44 DRAINAGE SYSTEM DESIGN ********************** *** CONVENTIONAL DRAINAGE *** JOB TITLE: 404 WETLANDS ANALYSIS BARRA-II; Croatan soils; 2'-6' Depth @300 WILMINGTON, NC WEATHER DATA 1951-1981 TIME PERIOD STMAX = 3.00 CM SOIL SURFACE Page 1 INPUTS BARRA-II WETLAND ANALYSIS ADEPTH.=305. CM DDRAIN = 61 to 183 CM 0------------- SDRAIN = 9144. CM -----------0 - * EFFRAD *°* CM HDRAIN =218. CM - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - IMPERMEABLE LAYER DEPTH SATURATED HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY (CM) (CM/HR) .0 - 15.0 2.540 15.0 - 91.0 1.020 91.0 - 279.2 7.620 DEPTH TO DRAIN = 61.0 to 183 CM EFFECTIVE DEPTH FROM DRAIN TO IMPERMEABLE LAYER = 218.2 CM DISTANCE BETWEEN DRAINS = 9144.0 CM MAXIMUM DEPTH OF SURFACE PONDING = 3.00 CM EFFECTIVE DEPTH TO IMPERMEABLE LAYER = 279.2 CM DRAINAGE COEFFICIENT(AS LIMITED BY SUBSURFACE OUTLET) = 5.00 CM/DAY MAXIMUM PUMPING CAPACITY (SUBIRRIGATION MODE) 2.50 CM/DAY ACTUAL DEPTH FROM SURFACE TO IMPERMEABLE LAYER = 305.0 CM SURFACE STORAGE THAT MUST BE FILLED BEFORE WATER CAN MOVE TO DRAIN = 3.00 CM FACTOR -G- IN KIRKHAM EQ. 2-17 = 4.72 *** SEEPAGE LOSS INPUTS *** No seepage due to field slope No seepage due to vertical deep seepage No seepage due to lateral deep seepage *** end of seepage inputs * * WIDTH OF DITCH BOTTOM = 91.0 CM SIDE SLOPE OF DITCH (HORIZ:VERT) = 1.00 : 1.00 INITIAL WATER TABLE DEPTH = 30.0 CM SOIL INPUTS *********** TABLE 1 DRAINAGE TABLE VOID VOLUME WATER TABLE DEPTH (CM) .0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 (CM) .0 36.5 47.2 55.5 63.0 69.4 75.7 Page 2 INPUTS BARRA-II WETLAND ANALYSIS 7.0 81.2 8.0 86.7 9.0 91.9 10.0 96.6 11.0 101.4 12.0 106.1 13.0 110.9 14.0 115.7 15.0 120.5 16.0 125.3 17.0 130.2 18.0 135.1 19.0 140.0 20.0 144.9 21.0 149.8 22.0 155.4 23.0 161.0 24.0 166.5 25.0 172.1 26.0 177.7 27.0 183.3 28.0 188.8 29.0 194.4 30.0 200.0 35.0 223.8 40.0 247.7 45.0 271.5 50.0 295.4 60.0 343.1 70.0 390.7 80.0 438.4 90.0 486.1 TABLE 2 SOIL WATER CHARACTERISTIC VS VOID VOLUME VS UPFLUX HEAD (CM) .0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0 110.0 120.0 130.0 140.0 150.0 160.0 170.0 180.0 190.0 200.0 210.0 220.0 230.0 240.0 250.0 260.0 270.0 280.0 WATER CONTENT (CM/CM) .4500 .4420 .4340 .4260 .4180 .4100 .4080 .4060 .4040 .4020 .4000 .3980 .3960 .3940 .3920 .3900 .3880 .3860 .3840 .3820 .3800 .3780 .3760 .3740 .3720 .3700 .3690 .3680 .3670 VOID VOLUME (CM) .00 .04 .18 .58 1.27 2.34 3.54 5.09 6.78 8.61 10.71 12.81 14.91 16.95 18.99 21.03 22.83 24.62 26.42 28.21 30.00 32.10 34.20 36.29 38.39 40.49 42.58 44.68 46.78 UPFLUX (CM/HR) .5000 .5000 .2167 .0777 .0331 .0170 .0071 .0040 .0020 .0010 .0008 .0005 .0003 .0002 .0001 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 .0000 Page 3 INPUTS BARRA-II WETLAND ANALYSIS 290.0 .3660 48.88 .0000 300.0 .3650 50.97 .0000 350.0 .3600 61.46 .0000 400.0 .3567 71.94 .0000 450.0 .3533 82.43 .0000 500.0 .3500 92.91 .0000 600.0 .3440 94.33 .0000 700.0 .3380 95.75 .0000 800.0 .3320 97.16 .0000 900.0 .3260 98.58 .0000 GREEN AMPT INFILTRATION PARAMETERS W.T.D. A B (CM) (CM) (CM) .000 .000 2.540 10.000 .250 2.540 20.000 .430 2.160 40.000 .630 1.590 60.000 .830 1.590 80.000 .910 1.590 100.000 .990 1.590 150.000 2.970 1.590 200.000 2.970 1.590 1000.000 2.970 1.590 WASTEWATER IRRIGATION NO WASTEWATER IRRIGATION SCHEDULED: ----------------------------------- ***** Wetlands Parameter Estimation ***** Start Day = 76 End Day = 316 Threshold water Table Depth (cm) = 30.5 Threshold Consecutive Days = 12 Fixed Monthly Pet values 1 1.00 2 1.00 3 1.00 4 1.00 5 1.00 6 1.00 7 1.00 8 1.00 9 1.00 10 1.00 11 1.00 12 1.00 Mrank indicator = 0 ****************************** END OF INPUTS ****************************** --RUN STATISTICS ---------- time: 8/20/2002 @ 16:34 input file: C:\Drainmod\inputs\Barra-II.lis parameters: free drainage and yields not calculat drain spacing = 9144. cm drain depth = 61.0 cm --------------------------------------------------------------- -------- FOR 7/1953, NUMBER DAYS MISSING TEMPERATURE= 1 FOR 2/1956, NUMBER DAYS MISSING TEMPERATURE= 3 FOR 9/1965, NUMBER DAYS MISSING TEMPERATURE= 1 **> Computational statistics . <**. **> Start Computations = 994.745 **> End Computations = 994.840 **> Total simulation time = 5.7 seconds. Page 4 38 SOIL SUR.VFY TABLE 1.--TEMPEP,ATURE AND PRECIPITATION DATA Temperatnrel ; Precipitationl - I 2 Years in 12 years in 101 I 10 will have-- ; Average will have-- 1 Average Month ,Average!Average,Average, , ;number oflAveragel i ;number of;Avera 1 daily ,.daily 1 daily 1 Maximum, 1 Minimum 1 growing 1 1 Less 1 More ;days withlsnowf I'maximum;minimuml ltemperatureltemperature; degree ; ;than--;than--10.10 inch; 1 , higher ; lower ; days2 ; ; i ; or more ' than-- than-- I I 3 { i F ; F i F i F In ; In i In i i n January----1 55.9 1 35.3 1 45.6 1 77 1 17 1 57 1 3.41 I 1 1.94 I 14.61 1 7 1 February ---i I 58.3 1 1 37.1 1 47.7 1 79 1 19 1 69 . 3.66 1 2.40 I I 1 4.80 ; 7 1 1 March------1 I 64.3 1 1 43.0 1 53.7 1 , 84 1 , 26 1 , 180 , 4.09 1 1 2.25 15.58 , 8 , April------1 73.7 1 51.6 1 62:7 1 91 1 1 34 1 381 1 1 3.07 I 1.36 I 1 4.46 5 May--------1 80.8 1 60.1 1 70.5 1 95 ; 43 636 1 4.09 1 2.27 I 1 1 5.57 1 6 1 June ------- ; 1 86.2 1 67.2 1. 76.7 1 99 I 53 1 801 I ; 5.63 I 1 2.84 I 7.89 1 8 1 July------- 89.o i 71.2 1 80:1 98 61 1 933 1 7.72 1 4.47 I I 110.36 1 10 August-----1 88.3 1 70.5 1 79.4 1 98 1 60 1 911 1 6.80 4.10 ; 9.21 1 9 September--; 1 83.7 . 65.2 1 74.5 1 94 50 1 735 1 5.55 1 2.66 1 7.90 1 6 October----1 ' 75.5 1 54.6 1 65:0 1 89 I 33 , 465 1 3.16 1 1.07 I ' 1 1 4.84 1 1 5 November---1 I 66.5 ; 43.7 1 55.1 1 , 1 82 , 25 1 ; 162 I 3.19 I i 1.28 1 4.73 i , ' 5 December---1 59.1 1 37.4 1 48.3 , 78 1 18 ' , 115 1 1 3.17 1 l 1.59 I 14.44 6 , I Year-----1 1 I 73.4 1 I . 53.1 1 I 1 63.3 i 1 1 99 1 1 15 I 1 5,445 i 1 53.54 I 47.28 I ; 13j9 82 1 2 I I l 1` , , 1Recorded in the period 1952-74 at Wilmington, N.C. 2A growing degree day is an index of the amount of heat available for plant growth. It can be calculate by adding the maximum and minimum daily temperatures, dividing the sum by 2, and subtracting the temperature below which growth is minimal for the principal crops in the area (56 degrees F). 102 TABLE 1.--TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION [Recorded in the period 1951-73 at Fayetteville, North Carolina, in Cumberland County] Month Soil survey Temperature ; Precipitation 2 years in 2 years in 10; 10 will have-- ; ;Average;Avera e'Avera e' ? Average ? I will have-- ; Average ; ; daily ; daily ; daily ; Maximum ; Minimum !number of Average; ; ;number of;Average ;maximum;minimum; 1 temperature 1 temperature 1 de reeg ; Less More ;days withlsnowfall ' g !than--,than--10.10 inch , , I , higher , , lower ; daysl ; ' I ; than-- ; than-- or more , ; of I of ; OF - - - - F Units ; In ; In ; In In January----; 54.0 ; 30.0 1 42.0 ; ; 78 72 25 3.51 ; 2.22 ; 4.67 ; 8 7 February---; 57.0 ; 32.9 ; 44.9 ; 80 15 ; ' 22 4.10 ; 2.42 ; 5.59 ; 8 1 .5 March .-----_; 63.9 ; 38.5 ; 51.2 ; 84 23 1 ; 11 ; 4.10 ; 2.59 ; 5.45 ; 8 .1 April ------ ; 73:5 ; 47.4 ; 60.5 ; 91 1 30 315 ; 3.21 ; 1.87 ; 4.40 ; 5 ; .0 MaY---=--_-; 80.7 ; 56.3 ; 68.5 ; 96 37 ; 4 57 1 3.54 ; 2.20 ; 4.74 ; 6 ; .0 June ------- ; 87.5 ; 64.7 ; 76.1 ; 100 49 1 783 1 4.56 ; 2.50 ; 6 37 1 July ------- i 90.1 i 68.9 79.6 ; 101 ; 57 1 . 7 ; .0 ; ; 9 8 ; 4.94 ; 3.02 6.66 .0 August----_; 89.1 1 67.9 78.5 ; 99 ; 55 1 ; 884 1 5.67 ; 3.81 ; 7.36 ; 8 .0 September--; 84.5 ; 61.8 { 73.2 ; 96 1 45 1 696 1 ; ? 3 1 .53 ; 1.41 ; 5.36 ; 5 ; :0 October----1 75.4 ; 50.1 ; 62.7 ; 90 ; 28 ; 394 ; 3.•15 ; 78 ; 5.03 ; 5 ' 0 November---! 66.0 ; 38.4 ; 52.2 ; 84 19 ; 1 ; 03 ; 2.40 ; 94 ; 3.61 ; q 0 December---; 56.0 ; 30.8 ; 43.4 ; 79 12 . , 78 ; 2.85 ; 1.27 ; 4.19 ; 6 ; 1,9 , Yearly: ; Average--; 73.1 ; 1 , Extreme--I Total ---- ; ___ 49.0 ; 61.1 , ; 101 ; ; 12 4,903 , , 45.56 137.72 ; ; 79 3.2 IC ,. f 1A growing degree day is a unit of heat available for-plant growth. It can be calculated by adding the maximum and minimum daily temperatures, dividing the sum by 2, and subtracting the temperature below which growth is minimal for the principal crops in the area (500 F), _. 104 TABLE 2.--FREEZE DATES IN SPRING AND FALL [Recorded in the period 1951-73 at Fayetteville, North Carolina in Cumberland County] i Temperature , , Probability 1____24_U_ F- ; 2g F ; 32 F or lower ; or lower 1 or lower Last freezing temperature in spring: , 1 year in 10 ; later than-- ; March 27 1 April 13 1 April 30 2 years in 10 ; 1 1 later than-- ; March 17 1 April 4 ; April 19 5 years in 10 1 later than-- 1 February 25 i March 17 1 March 30 First freezing temperature in fall: ; t 1 ' 1 year in 10 ' earlier than-= 1 November 5 1 October 27 1 October 20 2 years in 10 earlier than-- I November 11 1 November 1 1 October 24 5 years in 10 earli-er than-- 1 November 22 1 November 12 I October 31 [Recorded in the period 1951-73 at Pinehurst, North Carolina, in Moore County] 1 Temperature i Probability i 24U_F i 28 F ' 32 F , 1 or lower 1 or lower 1 or lower , Last freezing 1 ; temperature 1 in spring: 1 year in 10 later than-- 1 March 27 1 April 2 1 April 24 2 years -in 10 ' later than-- 1 March 19 i March 30 1 April 18 5 years in 10 i i later than-- 1 March 5 i March' 23 ; April 5 First freezing temperature in fall: 1 ' 1 year in 10 earlier than-- 1 November 4 1 October 23 1 October 14 2 years in 10 I I 1 earlier than-- 1 November 9 1 October 28 1 October 19 5 years in 10 1 1 1 earlier than-- 1 November 19 1 November 7 1 October 28 Soil survey Cumberland and Hoke Counties, North Carolina i Daily minimum temperature during growing season Probabi lity i Higher ; Higher i Ht r than ; than han i 240 F i 280 F i 320 F. Days i Days i Days 9 years in 10 i 231 i 202 175 8 years in 10 i 245 i 215 i 189 5 years in 10 ; 270 i 239 i 214 2 years in 10 i 245 262 i 239 1 year in 10 ; 308 i 275 i 253 [Recorded in the period 1951-73 at Pinehurst, North Carolina, in Moore County] Daily minimum temperature during growing season i Probability i Higher ', Higher i Higher i than i than i 240 F i 280 F i. 320 F - i Days i Days Days , 9 years in 10 i ' 228 i i 210 180 8 years in 10 i 238 i 216 189 ' 5 years in i 10 i 258 i ' 228 i 205 i 2 years in 10 i 278 i i 240 i 221 1 year in 10 i 288 247 229 TABLE 3•--GROWING SEASON [Recorded in the period 1951-73, Fayetteville, North Carolina, in Cumberland County] Cumberland and Hoke Counties, North Carolina This soil is suited to loblolly pine. The dominant trees --=loiiy pine, sweetgum, yellow-poplar, and white e main understory includes holly, sourwood, red map e, and dogwood. Wetness restricts the use of equipment and damages seedlings. This soil is suited to most urban and recreational uses. Wetness and slow permeability are the main limitations. Erosion can be a problem on slopes if disturbed sites are not revegetated promptly. This soil is in capability subclass Ille and woodland suitability group 3w. CT-Croatan muck. This nearly level, very poorly drained, organic soil is mostly in large, oval depressions or Carolina bays in the southeastern part of Cumberland County. Most areas of this unit have thick, almost impenetrable undergrowth; therefore, the soils were examined mostly along canals, trails, and logging roads. In selected areas, transects were made across the land, and borings were made at specific points to verify the soils. The boundaries of the soils were drawn from limited field observations, using aerial photographs as aids for interpretation. Although this unit was mapped with fewer detailed observations than were most other units in the survey, the resulting delineations meet the needs for the major anticipated uses of the soil. Individual areas of this unit range from 100 acres to more than 500 acres in size. pically, the soil is black muck to a depth of 37 mes. The underlying material to a depth of 80 inches work gray sandy loam. 'Permeability is slow to moderately rapid. Where the soil is drained, permeability is moderate in the organic layer and moderate or moderately slow in the mineral layer. Reaction is extremely acid, except where the surface had been limed. Except where the soil is drained, .the seasonal high water table is at or near the surface from 8 months to the full year. Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of Johnston, Torhunta, Lynn Haven, and Leon soils. All of these are mineral soils. They typically are on the outer edges of oval-shaped delineations of Croatan soils. They may be in slightly elevated areas located randomly within mapped areas. Also included are small areas of similar soils that have an organic surface tier thinner than 16 inches or thicker than 51 inches. These soils are randomly intermingled with Croatan soil. Included soils make up less than 20 percent of most unit. Most areas of this soil are in woodland. A small acreage has been cleared for growing corn and soybeans. This soil is poorly suited to growing cultivated crops and to pasture. Wetness is the main limitation. If the soil is drained, corn and soybeans can be grown. Suitable drainage outlets, however, usually are unavailable. Wetness also limits the use of this soil for pasture or may. Even with proper drainage, grazing probably would 20 be difficult during very wet periods when the organic surface layer becomes soggy. Croatan soil is poorly suited to trees. Because the soil is poorly suited to other uses, many areas of it probably will remain in native woodland for many years. The dominant trees are pond pine, water tupelo, baldcypress, loblolly pine, sweetgum, swamp tupelo, and Atlantic white-cedar. The understory includes sweetbay, greenbrier, and gallberry. In its natural, undrained state, this soil provides good habitat for wetland wildlife. This soil is poorly suited to most urban and recreational uses. Wetness and low strength are the main limitations. This soil is in capability subclass Vllw and woodland suitability group 4w. De-Deloss loam. This nearly level, very poorly drained soil is on terraces of the Cape Fear and Lower Little Rivers and their tributaries in Cumberland County. Individual areas of this unit generally are long and narrow and range from 10 acres to more than 200 acres in size. Typically, the surface layer is black loam 10 inches thick. The subsurface layer is dark grayish brown loamy sand 3 inches thick. The subsoil to a depth of 72 inches is grayish brown, light brownish gray, and light gray sandy clay loam in the upper part and gray sandy loam in the lower part. Permeability is moderate. Reaction ranges from very strongly acid through slightly acid in all horizons. The seasonal high water table is at or near the surface during the winter and early in spring. This soil is subject to rare flooding. Included with this soil in mapping are small areas of better drained Roanoke and Wahee soils and more clayey Cape Fear soils. Also included are small areas of sandy soils that have thin subhorizons high in organic matter content. These sandy soils are on small, narrow, slightly elevated ridges that have distinctive, gray or white surfaces. Several large areas of this soil have been cleared to grow corn and soybeans. The rest are in woodland. This soil is suited to growing cultivated crops, such as corn, soybeans, and small grains. Good yields are common in areas of Deloss soil which have been properly drained and protected from flooding. Open ditches are the most common method used to drain this soil. Deloss soil is well suited to grasses and legumes for hay and pasture. If this soil is used for pasture, proper stocking rates, pasture rotation, timely deferment of grazing, and restricted use during wet periods help to keep the pasture and soil in good condition. Grazing when the soil is too wet can cause surface compaction and poor tilth. This soil is suited to hardwoods and pines. Water tupelo and sweetgum can be grown without artificial a ?. =ai 3 74 Ap-0 to 7 inches; brown (10YR 5/3) loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; common fine and medium roots; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary. ..$t1-7 to 23 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 516) clay; moderate fine and medium angular blocky and subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky, plastic; common fine and medium roots; few discontinuous clay films on faces of peds and in. pores; very shiny ped faces; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Bt2-23 to 44 inches; yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) clay; common medium distinct gray (1OYR 6/1) mottles; moderate medium angular and subangular blocky structure; firm, sticky, plastic; few fine and medium roots; few discontinuous clay films on faces of peds and in pores; very shiny ped faces; very strongly acid;. gradual wavy boundary. Cg1-44 to 58 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) clay; common fine prominent strong brown (7.5YR 5/8) mottles; massive; firm, sticky, plastic; very strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. Cg2-58 to 80 inches; gray (10YR 6/1) clay loam; common fine distinct strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) mottles; massive; firm, sticky, plastic; very strongly acid. - The loamy and clayey horizons are 40 to 60 inches deep to stratified deposits of the Coastal Plain. Reaction is very strongly acid or strongly acid, except where the surface has been limed. The A or Ap horizon has hue of 1 OYR, value of 5, and chroma of 1 through 3; or it has value of 4 and chroma of 1 or 2. The E horizon, where present, has hue of 1 OYR, value of 6 or 7, and chroma of 3 or 4. The BA horizon, where present, has hue of 10YR or 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 4. It is loam, clay loam, or silty clay loam. The Bt horizon has hue of 1 OYR, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 4 through 8; hue of 2.5Y, value of 5 or 6, and chroma of 4 through 6; 'or hue of 7.5YR, value of 5, and chroma of 6 through 8. The lower part of the Bt horizon is mottled with gray, browni or red, or it is dominantly gray. The Bt horizon is clay, silty clay, silty clay loam, br clay loam. The Cg horizon is gray with red, yellow, or brown mottles. It is clay, clay loam, sandy clay loam, or sandy loam, Croatan Series The Croatan series consists of very poorly drained organic soils that formed in highly decomposed organic material underlain by loamy sediment. The Croatan soils are in the Carolina bays. Slope is less than 2 percent. Typical pedon of Croatan muck, in Cumberland County, approximately 15 miles southeast of Fayetteville, 1.1 miles northeast of the intersection of State Road 2041 and 2042 along State Road 2041, and 1.1 miles southeast, in a large bay..,- . Soil Survey Oat -0 to 4 inches; black (1 OYR 2/1 broken face and rubbed) sapric material; about 10 percent fibers unrubbed and 3,percent rubbed; moderate fine granular structure; very friable; many fine and medium roots; common grains of clean sand; about 50 percent organic material; extremely acid; gradual wavy boundary. Oa2-4 to 37 inches; black (10YR 2/1 broken face and rubbed) sapric material; about 8 percent fibers unrubbed; less than 4 percent rubbed; massive; very friable; common medium roots; few grains of clean sand; about 50 percent organic material; extremely acid; gradual wavy boundary. Cg-37 to 80 inches; dark gray (10YR 4/1) sandy loam; massive; friable; extremely acid. Croatan soils have organic horizons that total 16 to 51 inches in thickness. They are extremely acid, except where the surface has been limed. Logs, stumps, and fragments of wood make up 0 to 10 percent of the organic tiers. Fiber content is less than 25 percent unrubbed and less than 10 percent rubbed. The underlying mineral horizon is extremely acid through slightly acid. The organic tiers have hue of 7.5YR through 5Y, value of 2 or 3, and chroma of 0 to 2. They typically are massive under natural conditions. When drained and cultivated; granular or blocky structure develops in alf%or part of the organic tiers. The mineral horizon has hue of 7.5YR through 5Y, value of 2 through 6, and chroma of 1 through 3. It typically is sandy loam or sandy clay loam. Some pedons contain thin strata of sand or loamy sand. Deioss Series The Deloss series consists of very poorly drained soils that formed in loamy sediment on terraces along the Cape Fear and Lower Little Rivers. These soils are in Cumberland County. Slope is less than 2 percent. Typical pedon of Deloss loam, in Cumberland County, is 2 miles south of Fayetteville on N.C. Highway 87, 0.3 mile west on East Mountain Drive, 150 feet south of the road: Ap-O to 10 inches; black (N 2/0) loam; weak fine granular structure; friable; strongly acid; abrupt smooth boundary. E-10 to 13 inches; dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) loamy sand; weak medium granular structure; friable; strongly acid; clear smooth boundary. Btg1-13 to 24 inches; grayish brown (1OYR 5/2) sandy clay loam; weak medium subangular blocky structure; friable; common fine flakes of mica; few medium pockets of sandy loam; strongly acid; gradual wavy boundary. TABLE 15•--PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOILS symbol < means less than; > means more than. Entries under "Erosion factors--T" apply to the entire .profile. Entries under "Organic matter" apply only to the surface layer. Absence of an entry indicates that data were not available or were not estimated] - ; Erosion 5oi1 name and 1 Depth 1 Permeability ;Available! Soil 1 Shrink-swell i factors 1 ; Organic matter 1 Finap symbol , ! water ,reaction! potential K T 1 Y: i i Ica acity 1 i ! Pct 1 In ! In/hr i i ! In/in ! pH ?aA-------------- 1 0-11 : 2.0-6.0 1 ' 10.12-0.2014.5-6.0 ;Low ------------ 1 1 0.24 1 24 : 0 5 1 •5-3 Altavista 1 11-37 1 0.6_2.0 10.12_0.2014.5_6.0 ;Low------------ ------- 1 . ! W 1 37-80 1 1 l-------- i qUA-------------- ! i 0-25 i >6.0 1 10.04-0..0914.5-6.5 :Low------------ 1 0.10 i ; 5 ' .5-1 `Autryville 1 25-39 1 2.0-6.0 10.08-0.1314.5-5.5 !Low------------ 0 .10 1 39-59 1 >6.0 10.03-0:0814.5-5.5 ;Low-----------= 1 0:10 : 1 59-80 1 0.6-2.0 10.10-0.1514.5-5.5 ILow------------ 1 0.17 ! 1. AYB -------------- , 0-13 ! 2.0-6.0 10.15-0.2014.5-6.0 ;Low------------ ! -- 0.37 1 ; 43 0 5' ! 1-4 ! Aycock i 13-80 1 0.6-2.0 10.15-0.2014.5-5.5 !Low---------- 1 1 1 . 1 ! BaB, BaD---=-----: i 0-25 1 >6.0 1 lo.03-0.0614.5-6.0 !Low------------ i ! 0.15 : 28 ! 0 5 ! <1 I Blaney ! 25-34 1 0.2-0.6 10.05-0.1014.5-5.5 !Low------------ ! . 0 28 ! 1 1 34-80 ; 0.2-0.6 10.03-0.0814.5-5.5 ;Low------------ 1 . 1 ! Blaney----------1 0-25 1 >6.0 ---- 10.03-0.0614.5-6.0 ,Low-------- 1 0.15 1 28 : 0 5 <1 1 1 25-34 1 0.2-0.6 ;0.05-0:1014.5-5.5 !Low------------ . 1 34-80 ; 0.2-0.6 10.03-0.0814.5-5.5 !Low------------ 1 0.28 ! ! ! Urban land. 1 BrB -------------- : 0-6 1 2.0-6.0 10.06-0.1214.5-5.5 !Low------------ , - 0.20 , 5 i 0-2 1 Bragg : 6-30 1 0.2-0.6 ---- 1 ;0.10-0.1514.5-5.5 !Low------- 1 28 ! 0 1 1 30-80 1 0.2-0.6 10.10-0.1514.5-5.5 :Low------------ . BuA -------------- ! 0-9 1 6.0-20 10.05-0.1014.5-5.5 :Low------------ r : 0.15 0 15 ! ' .5-2 5 , Butters 1 9-37 1 2.0-6.0 10.10-0.1414.5-5.5 ;Low------------ 1 . 10 0 1 37-58 1 6.0-20 10.03-0.0814.5-6.5 ;Low------------ . 1 58-80 1 0.6-2.0 10.10-0.1514.5-5.5 !Low------------ ! 0.17 ; 1 By---------------! 0-18 ' 1 o.6-2.0 10.15-0.2013.6-5.5 ;Low------------ , 1 0.28 1 32 ! 0 5 1 2-9 Byars : 18-80 1 0.06-0.2 :0.14-0.18;3.6-5.5 :Moderate------- . CaB, CaD--------- ; 0-20 1 6.0-20 ;0.03-0.06:3.6-6.0 !Low------------ 1 0.10 , 5 1 .5-1 Candor 1 20-30 1 6.0-20 10.06-0.1013.6-5.5 :Low------------ ; 20 ! 0 ! ! 60-80 : 0.6-2.0 ;0.12-0.16:3.6-5.5 ;Low------------ 1 . ! , ' ' Cf--------------- : 0-16 ! 0.6-6.0 1 : : ? 10.15-0.22:4.5-6.5 :Low------------ 1 0.15 1 32 1 0 5 ! 5-15 1 Cape Fear 1 16-52 ! 0.06-0.2 10.12-0.22:4.5-6.0 !Moderate- . 1 1 52-62 1 --- ! --- : --- ----------------- 1 Ch---------------1 0-25 ! 1 6.6-2.0 10.15-0.24:4.5-6.5 !Low------------ ! 0.28 , 0 28 ! ' 1-4 5 , 1 Chewacla ! 25-48 : 0.6-2.0 10.12-0.2014.5-6.5 ;Low------------ -- . 32 ! ! 0 ! 48-64 ! 0.6-2.0 10.15-0.2414.5-6.5 !Low---------- . , co --------------- ; 0-7 1 0.6-2.0 I0.12-0.1713.6-5.5 :Low------------ 0.24 ; 32 1 ! 0 5 2-4 Coxville 1 7-55 ; 0.2-0.6 10.14-0.1813.6-5.5 :Moderate------- --- . : ---- ! ' ! 55-72 1 --- ! --- ----------- CrB--------------! 0-7 ! 0.6-2.0 10.12-0.1814.5-6.5 !Low------------ - - ; 0.37 i 0 32 ; 5 ; 1 .5-2 Craven 1 7-58 1 0.06-0.2 - 10.12-0.1513.6-5.5 !Moderate---- - . , 32 ! 1 0 1 58-80 1 0.2-6.0 10.08-0.1413.6-5.5 :Low----------- . I 0-37 I 1 0.06-6.0 10.35-0.451 <4.5 :Low------------ ! ---- 1 ! , --- , 25-60 Croatan 1 37-80 ! 0.2-6.0 10.10-0.1513.6-6.5 !Low------------ 1 ---- 1 De---------------1 0-13 1 1 2.0-6.0 1 1 10.10-0.16:4.5-6.5 !Low------------ , ! 0.24 ! 24 1 ! 0 5 ! 2-9 Deloss 1 13-48 1 0.6-2.0 10.12-0.1814.5-5.5 !Low------------ ----- . , : - , -- 1 48-72 1 --- --------- See footnote a t end of table. TABLE 14.--ENGINEERING.INDEX PROPERTIES--Continued i i 1 Ciassiiication ;r'rag- i rercentage passing . i i name and jDepthj USDA texture lments 1 sieve number-- ;Liquid 1 Plas- symbol 1 1 ; Unified ; AASHTO 1> 3 1 i i i 1 limit I ticity ;inches; 4 1 10 ; 40 1 200 1 i index In , , c c CaD--------- I 0-20ISand ------------- ISP-SM, SM :A-3, : 0-2 1 100 1 100 155-90 1 5-15 ! --- : NP andor 1 1 1 1 A-2-4 i : ' : : : : 120-30I1oamY sand-------ISM, SP-SM IA-2-4 1 0-2 : 100 r 100 165-90 110-25 ! --- 1 NP :30-60ISand------------- 1SP-SM, SM 1A-3, 1 0-7 190-100190-100155-90 ! 5-15 ! --- : --- _ A-2-4 160-80;Sandy clay loam, 1SC, SM-SC„ A-4, 1 0-7 190-100190-100155-90 125-49 1 <45 1 NP-25 : sandy loam, 1 SM : A-2, sandy clay. 1 1. A-7-6 Cf-------------- 1 0-161Loam-------------+M1, CL-ML,1A-4, A-6 1 0 1 100 195-t00185-100160-90 1 20-40 1 3-15 Cape Fear 1 1 , CL : : : : : i It : 116-52IClay loam, clay, 1ML; CL, 1A-7 1 0 1 100 195-100190-100160-85 1 41-65 1 15-35 silty clay. MH, CH 152-6.2!Variable---------, --- i --- r --- i --- --- i --- i --- --- , --- 'Ch------ ----- : 0-25:Loam------------- iML, CL, IA-4, A-6 ; 0 198-1:001195-100170-100155-90 ; 25-40 i NP-20 I Chewaela : 1 1 CL-ML : i : : : : : : 125-64ISandy clay loam, 1SM ;A-4, A-6 1 0 196=100195-100160-80 136-70 1 <35 1 NP-28 clay loam, loam.!CL, SC, ML: I : : --------------: 0-7 iLoam------------- 1SM, ML, 1A-4, A-6,1 0 1 100 1 100 185-97 146-75 1 20-46 1 3-15 Coxville 1 CL-ML, CLI A-7 ; ; : i i i : 1 7-55:Clay loam, sandy 1CL, CH IA-6, A-7 ; 0 It 100 1 100 185-98 150-85 : 30-55 : 12-35 clay, clay. ,. 155-721Variable--------- i --- i --- , --- , --- i --- i --- , --- i --- , --- 'CrB-------------- 1 0-7 ;Loam-------------:ML, CL-ML,IA-4 i 0 1100 1 100 175-100145-90 : <35 : NP-7 Craven ; I I SM, SM-SCI ! i i i 1 7-58IClaY, silty clay,ICH 1A-7 1 0 1 100 1 100 190-100165-98 1 51-70 1 24-43 i : silty clay loam.i 158-8013andy clay loam, ISM, SM-SC,1A-2, A-4,1 0 1 100 195-100150-100115-49 : <35 1 NP-15 sandy loam, SC , ' A-6 I'''I? clay loam. C?-----------' 0-37:Muck iPT : --- : - : --- : -=- : --- : --- : --- : --- Croatan 137-80ISandy loam, fine ISM, SC, ;A-2, A-4 1 0 1 100 1 100 160-85 125-49 1 <30 ; NP-10 sandy loam, ; SM-SC mucky sandy , i loam. De--------------i 0-13ILoam------ ------ 151`11, SIrI-SC, 1A-2, A-4 i 0 1 100 I 100 170-95 130-65 1 <35 : NP-7 Deloss i : i ML, CL-ML; : : : i i ! 113-48ISandy clay loam, 1SH-SC, SO,IA-4, A-6,1 0 1 100 1 100 175-98 136-70 1 18-45 1 4-22 clay loam, fine ; CL-ML, CLI A-7 sandy loam. 148-72,Varlable---------? --- i --- i --- i --- i -- , -- i --- , , DgA------------- I 0-4 ;Fine sandy loam ISM, SC, 1A-2, A-4 ; 0 195-100175-100150-100120-50 I <25 I NP-10 Dogue SM-SC 1 4-55IClay loam, clay, 1CL, CH, SC;A-6, A-7 ; 0 195-100175-100165-100140-90 1 35-60 1 16-40 : : sandy clay loam.: 155-72IStratified sand ISM, SC, 1A-2, A-4,1 0 180-100160-100135-100110-40 1 <30 1 NP-10 1 : to sandy clay SP-SM, 1 A-1 loam. 1 SM-SC DhA-------------- , 0-11 :Loamy sand-------ISM IA-2 1 0 :95-100192-1001'60-80 113-30 ! --- i NP Dothan 111-381Sandy clay loam, ISM-SC, SC,IA-2, A-4,1 0 195-100192-100168-90 123-49 1 <40 I NP-16 : 1 sandy loam. I SM - I A-6 ; i : i ! :38-72ISandy clay loam, 1SM-SC, SC,IA-2, A-4,1 0 :95-100:92-100170-95 130-53 1 25-45 1 4-23 sandy clay. , SM, CL 1 A-6, A-71 Dn --------------- 1 0-10ILoam------------- ISM, SM-SC 1A-2, A-4 1 0 1 100 ; 100 :50-95 1120-50 It <30 I NP-7 Dunbar 110-721Sandy clay, clay :CL, CH 1A-6, A-7 I 0 1 100 1100 185-95 150-70 1 36-60 : 18-35 1 1 loan, clay. ' ' I DpA -------------- 1 0-6 !Sandy loam ------- 1SM, SM-SC :A-2, A-4 1 0 1100 1 100 167-98 120-49 ! <26 , NP-7 Duplin 1 6-65ISandy clay, clay 1CL, CH, SCIA-6, A-7 1 0 1100 198-100180-100145-75 1 24-54'1 13-35 loam, clay. -ee footnote at end of table. 104 Soil survey TABLE 17.--ENGINEERING INDEX TEST DATA [Dashes indicate data were not available. NP means nonplastic] 1 Grain size distribution ;Moisture Classification ; density Soil name, ; ; Percentage , Percentage ; e ;,, ; report number,, ; ; passing sieve-- ;smaller than--1 - ;4.) x,T- horizon, and E i depth in inches ; AASHTO ;Unified; No.; No.; No.; No.1.02 1.0051.002; ;m '14 i ml-' 01 t i r r r i i i o' ,m x C yi +a 4 t 10 , 40 , 2001 mm , mm , mm , ., , .i i , m w , , a o i r r i i, r i I t .a i0. i= 'Cr0 E ;Pct 1 ; ft31Pct Blaney= (S74NCO93-008) ; ; ; ; ; ; ; E---------7 to 27 ; A-1-6 ; SP=SM :100 ; 92 ; 40 ; 9 ; 7 ; 4- ; 2 ; - ; NP ; 114; 12 Btl------ 27 to 39 1 A-2-7 1 SM ;100 1 95 ; 34 ; 22 1 .21 1 19 1 17 ; 46 1 19 1 120; 12 Bt2------ 48 to 64 1 A-2-4 ; Sc ;100 1 91 1 33 ; 19 1 18 ; 15 1 13 1 33 ; 10 1 124; 11 i ? ? r r r i ? r i t r r Candor:2 (S74NCO51-002) El--------8 to 33 ; A-2-4 ; SP-SM 1100 1100 1 72 1 12 ; 7 1 4 ; 3 1 - 1 NP ; 116; 10 Btl------ 43 to 50 ; A-2-4 ; SM ;100 ;100 ; 74 1 22 ; 18 1 15 1 13 1 21 1 3 1 116; 10 Bt3------ 60 to 80 ; A-7-6 ; Sc ;100 ;100 1 81 1 41 ; 33 ; 30 ; 28 ; 44 ; 22 1 112; 16 Croatan:3 ' (S74NCO51-003) ; ; ; ; ; 1 1 1 1 ; ; ; ; Cg-------37 to 52 ; A-2-4 : SM ;100 1100 1 76 ; 25 1 10 ; 5 ; 4 1 - 1 NP 1 1181 10 Cg-------52 to 64 ; A-4 ; SM ;100 ;100 ; 81 1 42 1 16 1 4 ; 3 ; - 1 NP 1 122; 8 Dothan : 3 (S74NCO93-009) 1 ; ; ; 1 l Ap------- 0 to 7 1 A-2-4 ; SM 1100 1100 1 77 ; 27 ; 13 ; 7 ; 4 ; - ; NP ; 120; 09 Btl------ 11 to 25 ; A-6 ; Sc ;100 1 99 ; 77 1 46 ; 36 1 30 1 26 ; 33 1 16 ; 116; 13 Bt2------ 25 to 38 ; A-7-6 1 CL ;100 ;100 ; 82 1 53 ; 46 1 40 1 37 1 45 ; 23 ; 108; 18 Bt3------ 38 to 63 1 A-7-6 1 CL ;100 99 1 81 1 50 l 43 1 37 1 34 1 44 1 19 1 109; 17 i i ? r r r i r r r i r i r r r r i i r r i r r r r i Faceville: (S74NCO51-006) Ap-------- 0 to 7 1 A-2-4 ; SM 1100 1100 ; 84 ; 22 ; 8 ; 4 ; 2 1 - ; NP ; 112; 10 Bt1------17 to 52 1 A-7-6 1 CL ;100 ;100 ; 84 1 52 ; 46 1 43 ; 41 1 49 ; 23 ; 107; 18 Bt2------ 52 to 70 l A-7-6 l SC ;100 ;100 1 86 ; 46 ; 37 1 34 1 33 1 46 1 21 1 109; 17 i r i i r r i r r i i r t Fuquay:3 (S74NCO93-007) 1 ; 1 1 1 1 ; 1 ; ; ; ; ; E---------3 to 29 ; A-2-4 ; SM 1100 ;100 1 80 ; 18 1 8 1 4 ; 2 ; - ; NP 1 115; 10 Be-------29 to 42 ; A-2-4 ; SM ;100 ;100 1 79 1 26 ; 19 ; 15 1 13 1 20 1 2 ; 124; 10 Btl------ 42 to 60 1 A-7-6 1 Sc ;100 ;100 l 81 1 41 1 34 1 30 1 28 1 45 1 21 1 107; 18 i r i r r i r r r r ? r i i r i r i r i i r i r Woodington: (S74NCO51-004) A---- --- 0 to 5 ; A-2-4 ; SM 100 100 ; 71 ; 26 ; 19 ; 11 1 6 ; - 1 NP ; 108; 14 Btg------ 11 to 28 ; A-2-4 ; SM 100 100 ; 63 1 25.1 21 ; 15 1 11 1 17 1 3 1 126; 10 BCgl----- 28 to 37 ; A-2-4 ; SM 100 100 ; 65 ; 22 ; 18 ; 13 ; 9 1 14 ; 2 1 127; 09 ? ? i t t r i ? t t t• ? t 1 This pedon is a taxadjunct to the Blaney series, because the medium and coarse sand content in the A horizon and the liquid limit of the Bt horizon are higher than allowed for the series. Pedon located about 8 miles west of Raeford in Hoke County, from the intersection of State Road 1218 and 1214, 1.5 miles southeast along State Road 1214, then 200 feet northwest of the road. 2 Pedon located about 1 mile east of Interstate 95 interchange at Hope Mills along State Road 2252, 0.7 mile northeast along a field road and 100 feet north of field road in an idle field in Cumberland County. 3 This is a typical pedon for the series. See the section, soil series and their morphology for the location of the pedon. TopoZone - The Web's Topographic Map Pagel of 2 i Target is UTM 17 709778E 3869088N - AUTRYVILLE quad rQuad Infol C ? ? s a fa carte, Inc. oppnyht @ 2000 Map r ? l ',rf l 5 L f ,? ?:-. i ? - ---?; .?- a. ?. fva -, `?.,q?..?:-mil'' rt ?.? ? `u ..yet .ek :1,. Y _ _.?I •_?.- _ __. I? c F brt Y ?n9? ? g. ro I t tt fi >d ,? ?. ..? 6L, I i r Y t' 1000 2000 3000 4000 1.0 2:0 fCi8?1ES I I I http://www.topozone.com/print.asp?z=17&n=3869088&e=709778&s=50&size=m 8/20/02 TopoZone - The Web's Topographic Map r? f , ..... .., ?l /. ; 500 1000 1600 Page 1 of 2 t { h4://www.topozone.com/print.asp?z=17&n=3868292&e=710519&s=25&size=m 8/20/02 by b ?? x d 5? i Existing PC fields in agricultural production. i Cleared CC areas with existing lateral (i.e. Tertiary) ditches. Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank, Phase H Cumberland County, NC ECOBANK Land Management Group, Inc. September 2002 Pictures of site. Large outlet canal (i.e. Primary ditch) Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional ECOBANK Mitigation Bank, Phase II Land Management Group, Inc. Cumberland County, NC September 2002 Pictures of site. Collector (i.e. Secondary) ditch with adjacent road bed to be graded. 4 G?x C MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT AMENDMENT TO THE BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA PHASE II Submitted by: Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation 1555 Howell Branch Road Winter Park, FL ECOBANK Prepared by: Land Management Group, Inc. P.O. BOX 2522 Wilmington, NC September 2002 MITIGATION BANKING INSTRUMENT AMENDMENT TO THE BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NC PHASE II 1.0 PREAMBLE This agreement is made and entered into on the day of 20 , by Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation, hereinafter Sponsor, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), and the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ), hereinafter collectively referred to as the Mitigation Bank Review Team (MBRT). The purpose of this Agreement is to add adjacent lands to the Barra Farms Mitigation Bank which was designed to provide compensatory mitigation for unavoidable wetland impacts authorized by Section 404 Clean Water Act permits and/or Section 401 Water Quality Certifications in appropriate circumstances. The Sponsor is the recorded owner of that certain parcel of adjacent land containing approximately 1817 acres located in Cumberland County, North Carolina as described in the Barra Farms (Phase II) Regional Mitigation Bank Wetland Mitigation Plan (Mitigation Plan). The Mitigation Plan is attached hereto. The agencies comprising the MBRT agree that the Barra II Bank Site is a suitable mitigation bank site, and that the implementation of the Barra II Mitigation Plan is likely to result in net gains in wetland functions at the Bank Site. Therefore, it is mutually agreed among the parties to this agreement that the following provisions are adopted and will be implemented upon signature of this agreement. 2.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS 2.1 Goals: The goal of the Barra Farms, Phase II mitigation bank is to restore, enhance and preserve pocosin/Carolina bay wetlands and their functions. Restoration, enhancement and preservation activities are designed to compensate in appropriate circumstances for unavoidable wetland impacts authorized by Clean Water Act permits or Water Quality Certifications in circumstances deemed appropriate by USACE or NCDWQ after consultation with members of the MBRT. 2.2 Additions to the Phase I Bank Site: The Sponsor is requesting the addition of adjacent lands to the Phase I Bank Site. This request is accompanied by a Barra Farms, Phase II Site-Specific Restoration Plan that follows the general format of the Phase I Mitigation Plan and depicts the location and describes the hydrologic interaction between the addition and the existing Bank Site. In addition, the Site-Specific Restoration Plan includes specific provisions concerning credit ratios, a schedule for release of credits, financial assurances, and property disposition. The MBRT shall review the Site-Specific Restoration Plan, request additional information if needed, and approve/disapprove the request within 90 days of submittal. In the event the request for addition is not approved, specific modification suggestions may be provided by the MBRT to the Sponsor. In the event of approval, the additional area shall be deemed a portion of the Bank Site and the contents of the Barra I agreement not inconsistent with the Site-Specific Restoration Plan shall apply to that area. 2.3 Use of Credits: Use of credits from the Phase II Bank to offset wetland impacts authorized by Clean Water Act permits or Water Quality Certifications must be in compliance with the Clean Water Act and implementing regulations, including but not limited to the 404(b)(1) Guidelines, and the National Environmental Policy Act, and all other applicable Federal and State legislation, rules, regulations, and policies. This 2 agreement has been drafted following the guidelines set forth in the "Federal Guidance for the Establishment, Use, and Operation of Mitigation Banks", 60 Fed. Reg. 58605, November 28, 1995 (Guidance). 2.4 Role of the MBRT: The MBRT shall be chaired by the representative from the USACE, Wilmington District. The MBRT shall review monitoring and accounting reports more fully described in Sections 3.3 and 4.4 below. In addition, the MBRT will review requests for additions to the Bank (Section 2.2), or proposals for remedial actions proposed by the Sponsor, or any of the agencies represented on the MBRT. The MBRT's role and responsibilities are more fully set forth in Sections II.C, 3 & 6 of the Guidance. The MBRT will work to reach consensus on its actions. The USACE, after any required notice and comment process, shall make all decisions concerning the amount and type of compensatory mitigation to be required for unavoidable, permitted wetland and stream impacts, and whether or not the use of credits from the Phase II Bank is appropriate to offset those impacts. The parties to this agreement understand that, where practicable, on-site, in-kind compensatory mitigation may be preferred. However, it is recognized that on-site mitigation is often unavailable or inappropriate due to site constraints (including hydrologic alterations and site development). In these instances use of a mitigation bank is considered to be environmentally preferable. 3.0 MITIGATION PLAN 3.1 General Description: The Barra II tract is composed of approximately 1817 acres (ac) of former Carolina bays, pocosins, and pine flatwoods/savannah that have been ditched and drained to support agricultural activities. This site offers opportunities for non-riverine wetland restoration, enhancement and preservation. A more detailed description of existing site conditions is contained in the Barra Farms (Phase II) Mitigation Plan. 3.2 Site Modifications: The Sponsor will complete all work as described in the Barra Farms (Phase Il) Mitigation Plan. The Phase II bank site will include 912 acres of wetland restoration, 215 acres of wetland enhancement, 621 acres of wetland preservation, and 69 acres of upland buffer (Table 1, copied from Table 2 of the Phase II Mitigation Plan). Restoration totals were determined by on-site evaluations, NRCS guidelines, and DRAINMOD analysis. 3.3 Site Monitoring: The Sponsor shall monitor the Bank Site as described in the monitoring section of the Phase II Mitigation Plan (Monitoring Plan). The Bank Site will be monitored for a five (5) year period after implementation is completed or until such time as the MBRT determines that the Success Criteria have been met, whichever occurs later. The Sponsor is responsible for assuring the success of the restoration, enhancement and preservation activities at the Barra II site, and for the overall operation and management of the Bank. The Sponsor shall provide the reports described in the monitoring section of the Mitigation Plan to each member of the MBRT. 3.4 Contingency: USACE shall review said reports and may, at any time, after consultation with the Sponsor and the MBRT, direct the Sponsor to take remedial action at the Bank Site. Remedial action required by USACE shall be designed to achieve the success criteria specified in the monitoring section of the Mitigation Plan. All remedial actions required under this paragraph shall include a schedule, which shall take into account physical and climatic conditions. 4 TABLE 1. MITIGATION CREDIT - BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE II Mitigation Type Area Mitigation Credit Replacement Credit (acres) Ratio (acre credits) Nonriverine Pocosin/Carolina Bay 888 1:1 888 Restoration Nonriverine Pine Flatwoods/Savannah 24 1:1 24 Restoration Nonriverine Wetland 215 3:1 72 Enhancement Nonriverine Wetland Preservation 621 10:1 62 Upland Buffer 69 10:1 7 TOTAL 1,817 1,053 The Sponsor shall implement any remedial measures required pursuant to the above paragraph. In the event the Sponsor determines that remedial action may be necessary to achieve the required monitoring and maintenance criteria, it shall provide notice of such proposed remedial action to all members of the MBRT. No remedial actions shall be taken without the concurrence of USACE, in consultation with the MBRT. 4.0 USE OF MITIGATION CREDITS 4.1 Geographic Service Area: The Barra II Wetland Mitigation Bank is located in the lower Cape Fear River Basin (USGS Hydrologic Unit 03030005). The lower Cape Fear River hydrologic unit extends south to the coast in New Hanover County. Based upon standard state mitigation guidelines (including those set forth by NCDENR and the NC Wetland Restoration Program (WRP)), the Barra II bank can be suitable for providing compensatory mitigation for wetland impacts occurring anywhere within the same 8-digit hydrologic unit (i.e. the lower Cape Fear River Basin). In addition, the Barra II tract is located within the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (Ecoregion 63) as defined by Griffith et al. 2002 (refer to Appendix D of the Barra II Mitigation Plan). This ecoregion encompasses the area defined as the `Carolina Flatwoods' - a subregion occurring along nearly level, poorly drained areas and exhibiting characteristic landforms including pocosins and Carolina bays. Ecoregion 63 (Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain) and subregion 63h (Carolina Flatwoods) includes all 2,440 acres of Barra Farms and extends south to the mouth of the Cape Fear River in New Hanover County. The ecoregion classification supports expansion of service areas to allow for compensation of wetland impacts occurring within the same ecoregion and the same river basin as the Barra II Wetland Mitigation Bank. 4.2 Amount and Type of Credit: The Mitigation Plan is intended to result in the forms and amounts, in acres, of wetland compensatory mitigation depicted in Table 1 (copied from Table 2 in the Phase II Mitigation Plan). Successful implementation of the Phase II 6 Mitigation Plan will result in the creation of 1,053 nonriverine wetland and upland buffer credits. It is anticipated by the parties to this Agreement that in most cases in which USACE, after consultation with members of the MBRT, has determined that mitigation credits from the bank may be used to offset wetland impacts authorized by Department of the Army permits, for every acre of impact, one credit will be debited from the Bank. Deviations from the one to one compensation ratios will be based on considerations of value of wetlands impacted, the severity of the impacts to wetlands, whether this compensatory mitigation is in-kind, and physical proximity of the wetland impacts to the Bank Site. All decisions concerning the appropriateness of using credits from the Bank to offset impacts to waters and wetlands, as well as all decisions concerning the amount and type of such credits to be used to offset wetland and water impacts authorized by Department of the Army permits, shall be made by USACE, pursuant to the Clean Water Act, and implementing regulations and guidance, after notice of any proposed use of the Phase II Bank to the members of the MBRT, and consultation with the members of the MBRT concerning such use. 4.3 Credit Release Schedule: The credit release schedule for the Bank, as depicted in Table 2, will be based upon successful completion of the following tasks: Task 1: Task 1 entails acquisition and protection of the Barra Farms (Phase II) Bank Site, completion of detailed mitigation planning, review of plan parameters by the MBRT, and signing of the MBI Amendment. Protective covenants, easements, and bonds on the property acceptable to the MBRT will also be obtained. Upon completion of Task 1, 20% of the Bank credits will be released. Completion of Task 1 is a prerequisite for release of any credits from the Barra II Bank, not withstanding completion of other tasks described below. 7 TABLE 2. MITIGATION CREDIT RELEASE SCHEDULE - BARRA FARMS CAPE FEAR REGIONAL MITIGATION BANK, PHASE II Task Projected Percentage of Credits Cumulative Completion Credits Released Released Credits Released Date (% cumulative) 1.0 Signing of the 2/2003 20(20) 211 211 MBI Amendment 2.0 Completion of all 5/2003 20(40) 211 422 Restoration Activities 3.0 Monitoring Plan --- --- --- --- 3.1 Year 1: Fulfill 2/2004 10(50) 105 527 Success Criteria 3.2 Year 2: Fulfill 2/2005 10(60) 105 632 Success Criteria 3.3 Year 3: Fulfill 2/2006 10(70) 105 737 Success Criteria 3.4 Year 4: Fulfill 2/2007 10(80) 105 842 Success Criteria 3.5 Year 5: Fulfill 2/2008 20(100) 211 1053 Success Criteria TOTAL 100 1,053 Task 2: Task 2 includes completion of all mitigation implementation activities at the Phase II Bank. Ditches will be filled and spoil/roadbed material will be recontoured within ditch corridors. Subsequently, soil preparation (if needed) and planting of characteristic wetland trees will be completed. Documentation will be submitted to the MBRT certifying completion of Task 2. Upon completion of Task 2, 20% of the Bank credits will be released (40% cumulative). Task 3: Task 3 involves implementation of the monitoring plan and submittal of annual reports to the MBRT for a five-year monitoring period, or until success criteria have been fulfilled, whichever period is longer. Hydrology and vegetation sampling will be completed toward the end of each growing season (between September 1 and October 31). The data will be compiled and success/failure documented within the Bank. The data will be submitted to the MBRT as an Annual Wetland Monitoring Report (AWMR). Upon submittal of the AWMR demonstrating that success criteria are being fulfilled, wetland credits will be released as follows: First AWMR (February 2004): Second AWMR (February 2005): Third AWMR (February 2006): Fourth AWMR (February 2007): Fifth AWMR (February 2008): 10% (50% cumulative) 10% (60% cumulative) 10% (70% cumulative) 10% (80% cumulative) 20% (100% cumulative) Credit releases for Task 3 will occur only if success criteria are fulfilled as stipulated in the Mitigation Plan. 4.4 Accounting Procedures: The Sponsor shall develop accounting procedures for maintaining accurate records of debits made from the bank, acceptable to the MBRT. 9 5.0 PROPERTY DISPOSITION Ownership of the Bank will reside with the Sponsor who intends to provide fee simple transfer of the property to the appropriate land management organization as determined by the MBRT. Fee simple transfer will occur upon completion of debiting of the Bank or the end of the monitoring period; whichever is longer. The transferee will be responsible for maintaining the Bank in accordance with a Conservation Easement placed on the Bank Site for perpetual protection as described in the Mitigation Plan. 6.0. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES 6.1 Monitoring and Maintenance Bonds: The Sponsor is responsible for securing adequate monitoring and maintenance bonds as a form of financial assurance to cover contingency actions in the event of the Phase II Bank default or failure. Monitoring and maintenance bonds will been obtained to ensure monitoring for a five-year period and to ensure that contingency actions are implemented in the event of wetland restoration failure. Sample financial assurance documents in the form of monitoring and maintenance bonds are included as Exhibit A. 6.2 Management Trust Fund: A separate, long-term trust fund will be provided by the Sponsor for long-term maintenance, management, and remedial actions acceptable to the MBRT. The trust fund will be established upon completion of debiting of the Bank or at the end of the monitoring period; whichever is longer. 7.0 MISCELLANEOUS This agreement may be amended with written consent of all the parties. Notices, requests, and required reports shall be sent by regular mail to each of the parties at their respective addresses provided below: 10 Sponsor: Alan G. Fickett, Ph.D. Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation 1555 Howell Branch Road Winter Park, FL 32789 USACE: Mr. Ken Jolly U.S. Army Corps of Engineers P.O. Box Office 1890 Wilmington, NC 28402 USEPA: Ms. Kathy Matthews Environmental Protection Agency Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsythe St. Atlanta, GA 30303 USFWS Mr. Mike Wicker U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 3326 Raleigh, NC 27636 NCWRC: Ms. Shannon Deaton North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh, NC 27604 11 NCDWQ: Mr. John Dorney North Carolina Division of Water Quality Department of Environment and Natural Resources 2321 Crabtree Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 12 IN WITNESS WHEREOF; the parties hereto have executed this Agreement for the Barra Farms Cape Fear Regional Mitigation Bank, Phase H. Wilmington District Engineer U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ecological Service Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Service Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Commission Chief, Wetland Section, Wetlands Coastal, and Water Quality Grants Branch, Water Management Division U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Director North Carolina Division of Water Quality Miller McCarthy President Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation Alan G. Fickett Secretary Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation (Corporate Seal) 13 EXHIBIT A MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE BOND DOCUMENTATION MITIGATION MONITORING /MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE BOND Date bond executed: Effective date: Principal: Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation 1555 Howell Branch Road Winter Park Florida 3278 Type of Organization: Individual Joint Venture Partnership X Corporation State of Incorporation: Florida Surety(ies): Cumberland Casualty & ure Company 4311 West Waters Avenue Suite 401 Tampa. Florida 33614 Scope of Coverage: Task 3 of the Cape Fear Mitigation Banking Instrument ("MK") for the Barra Farms property in Cumberland County, North Carolina ("Mitigation Project"). Total penal sum of bond: $200,000.00 Surety's Bond Number: XXXKXXXX KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, That we, the Principal and Surety(ies) hereto are fmnly bound to the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE")/State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Wet Lands Restoration Program, Division of Water Quality ("DENR") in the above penal sum for the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns jointly and severally; provided that, where the Sureties are corporations acting as co-sureties, we, the Sureties, bind ourselves in such sum "jointly and severally" only for the purpose of allowing a joint action or actions against any or all of us, and for all other purposes each Surety binds itself, jointly and severally with the Principal, for the.payment of such sum only as is set forth opposite the name of such Surety, but if no limit of liability is indicated, the limit of liability shall be full amount of the penal sum. WHEREAS, said Principal is required to provide financial assurance for Task 3 of the MBI or the Mitigation Project as further described in the scope of coverage above, and WHEREAS, said Principal shall establish a standby trust fund as is required when a surety bond is used to provide such financial assurance; NOW, TBEREFORE, the conditions of the obligation are such that if the Principal shall faithfully perform completion of Task 3 of the Mitigation Project as further described in the scope of coverage herein, for which this bond guarantees completion, in accordance with the MBI as such may be amended, pursuant to all applicable laws, statutes, rules, and regulations, as such laws, statutes, rules and regulations may be amended; Or, if the Principal shall provide alternate financial assurance and obtain the USACEIDENR's written approval of such assurance within 90 days after the date notice of cancellation is received by both the Principal and the USACE/DENR from the Surety(ies), then this obligation shall be null and void, otherwise it is to remain in full force and effect. Such obligation does not apply to any of the following: (a) Any obligation of Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or employment compensation law or other similar law; (b) Bodily injury to an employee of Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation arising from, and in the course of, employment by Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation; (c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use of, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft; (d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loan to, in the care, custody, or control of, occupied by Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation that is not the direct result of a construction or implementation activity for the NMI. (e) Bodily injury or property damage for which Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of the NMI. The Surety(ies) shall become liable on this bond obligation only when the Principal has failed to fulfill the conditions described above. Upon notification by the USACE/DENR that the Principal has been found in violation of the requirements of MBI for completion of Task 3 of the Mitigation Project for which this bond guarantees performance, the Surety(ies) shall within sixty (60) days of receiving such notice either perform completion in accordance with the MM and pursuant to the written directions of the USACE/DENR or place the bond amount guaranteed for Task 3 of the Mitigation Project into the standby trust fund as directed by the DENR. Upon notification by the USACE/DENR that the Principal has failed to provide alternate financial assurance and obtain written approval of such assurance from the LTSACE/DENR during the 90 days following receipt, by both the Principal and the USACE/DENR, of a notice of cancellation of the bond, the Surety(ies) shall place funds in the total penal sum of this bond guaranteed for the completion of Task 3 of the Mitigation Project in accordance with the MMI into the standby trust fund as directed by the DENR. The Surety(ies) hereby waive(s) notification of amendments to the NMI permits, applicable laws, statutes, rules and regulation and agrees that no such amendment shall in any way alleviate its (their) obligation on this bond. The Liability of the Surety(ies) shall not be discharged by any payment or succession of payments hereunder, unless and until such payment or payments shall amount in the aggregate to the penal sum of the bond, but in no event shall the obligation of the Surety(ies) hereunder exceed the amount of said penal sum. The Surety(ies) may cancel the bond by sending notice of cancellation by certified mail to the Principal and the USACE/DENR; provided, however that cancellation shall not occur during the 120 days beginning on the date of receipt of the notice of cancellation by both the Principal and the USACE/DENR, as evidence by the return receipts. The Principal may terminate this bond by sending written notice to the Surety(ies); provided, however, that no such notice shall become effective until the Surety(ies) receive(s) written authorization for termination of the bond by the USACE/DENR. Principal and Surety(ies) hereby agree to adjust the penal sum of the bond yearly so that it guarantees increased or decreased completion costs provided that no decrease in the penal sum takes place without the written permission of the USACE/DENR. MITIGATION BANK STANDBY TRUST FUND AGREEMENT TO DEMONSTRATE MONITORING /MAINTENANCE FINANCIAL ASSURANCE TRUST AGREEMENT, the "Agreement," entered into as of by and Date between Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation Name of the Owner or Operator a Florida Comoration (the Grantor,) Name of Stare Insert "corporation, partnership association, or proprietorship ", and SouthTrust Asset Management Company of Florida N A . Name and Address of Corporate Trustee a National Bank (the Trustee.) Insert "incorporated in the state of 'or" a national bank" WHEREAS, Grantor is the owner of certain real property in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and has received from the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE")/State of North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Wet Lands Restoration Program, Division of Water Quality ("DENR") that Mitigation Banking Instrument ("MBI") Number ("Permit") which authorizes the construction, operation and implementation of a wetland mitigation bank known as Cape Fear Mitigation Bank. WHEREAS, the USACE/DENR, have established certain, regulations applicable to the Grantor, requiring that an owner of a wetland mitigation bank provide assurance that funds will be available when needed for the monitoring and maintenance of this mitigation bank if Grantor fails to monitor and maintain this-mitigation bank pursuant to the terms of the above referenced permit. WHEREAS, the Grantor has elected to establish a performance bond to provide such financial assurance for the monitoring and maintenance of the mitigation bank identified herein and is requested to establish a standby trust fund able to accept payments from the performance bond. WHEREAS, the Grantor, acting through its duly authorized officers, has selected the Trustee to be the trustee under this agreement, and the Trustee is willing to act as trustee, NOW, THEREFORE, the Grantor and the Trustee agree as follows: Section 1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement: (a) The term "Grantor" means Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation who enters into this Agreement and any successors or assigns of the Grantor. (b) The term "Trustee" means SouthTrust Asset Management Company of Florida, N.A., the Trustee who enters into this Agreement and any successor Trustee. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Principal and Surety(ies) have executed this Performance Bond and have affixed their seals on the date set forth above. The persons whose signatures appear below hereby certify that they are authorized to execute this surety bond on behalf of the Principal and Surety(ies). PRINCIPAL CORPORATE SURETY(IES) ECOSYSTEMS LAND MITIGATION BANK CORPORATION Bv: D. Miller McCarthy, President (Corporate Seal) CUMBERLAND CASUALTY & SURETY COMPANY By: President 4311 West Waters Avenue, Suite 401 Tampa, Florida 33614 Florida State of Incorporation Liability Limit: $00.000.00 (Corporate Seal) (c) Bodily injury or property damage arising from the ownership, maintenance, use, or entrustment to others of any aircraft, motor vehicle, or watercraft; (d) Property damage to any property owned, rented, loaned to, in the care, custody, or control of, or occupied by Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation that is not the direct result of the monitoring and maintenance of the mitigation bank; (e) Bodily injury or property damage for which Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement other than a contract or agreement entered into to meet the requirements of USACE Mitigation Banking Instrument. Section 6. Payments Comprising the Fund. Payments made to the Trustee for the Fund shall consist of cash or securities acceptable to the Trustee and shall consist solely of proceeds from the Surety Bc -A Insert "Letter of Credit" or "Surety Bond". Section 7. Trustee Mana ement. The Trustee shall invest and reinvest the principal and income of the Fund and keep the Fund invested as a single fund, without distinction between principal and income, in accordance with general investment policies and guidelines which the Grantor may communicate in writing to the Trustee from time to time, subject, however, to the provisions of this Section. In investing, reinvesting, exchanging, selling, and managing the Fund, the Trustee shall discharge his duties with respect to the trust fund solely in the interest of the beneficiary. and with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then, prevailing which persons of prudence, acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters, would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; except that: (a) Securities or other obligations of the Grantor, or any other owner or operator of the mitigation bank, or any of their affiliates as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 80a-2.(a), shall not be acquired or held, unless they are securities or other obligations of the Federal or a State government; (b) The Trustee is authorized to invest the Fund in time or demand deposits of the Trustee, to the extent insured by an agency of the Federal or a State government; and (c) The Trustee is authorized to hold cash awaiting investment or distribution uninvested for a reasonable time and without liability for the payment of interest thereon. Section . Commingling and Investment. The Trustee is expressly authorized in its discretion: (a) To transfer from time to time any or all of the assets of the Fund to any common, commingled, or collective trust fund created by the Trustee in which the Fund is eligible to participate, subject to all of the provisions thereof, to be commingled with the assets of other trusts participating therein; and (c) The term "USACE/DENR" means the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Wet Lands Restoration Program, Division of Water Quality or any successor thereof. Section 2. Identification of Facilities and Cost Estimates. This Agreement pertains to the Facilities and cost estimates identified on attached Schedule A. Section . Standby Trust. This Trust shall remain dormant until funded with the proceeds from the Surety Bond as listed on Insert "Letter of Credit" or "Surety Bond" Schedule B. The Trustee shall have no duties or responsibilities beyond safekeeping this Document. Upon funding this Trust shall become active and be administered pursuant to the terms of this instrument. Section 4. Establishment of Fund. The Grantor and the Trustee hereby establish a trust fund (the Fund), for the benefit of the DENR. The Grantor and the Trustee intend that no third parry have access to the Fund except as herein provided. The Fund is established initially as a standby to receive payments and shall not consist of any property. Payments made by the provider of the Surety Bond listed on hedule B pursuant to the DENR's instructions are transferred to the Trustee and are referred to as the Fund, together with all earnings and profits thereon, less any payments or distributions made by the Trustee pursuant to this Agreement. The Fund shall be held by the Trustee,.IN TRUST, as hereinafter provided. The Trustee shall not be responsible nor shall it undertake any responsibility for the amount or adequacy of, nor any duty to collect from the Grantor, any payments necessary to discharge any liabilities of the Grantor established by the DENR. Section 5. Payment for Completing Monitoring and Maintenance. The Trustee shall make payments from the Fund as the Director of the DENR's Division of Water Quality shall direct, in writing, to provide for the payment of the costs of completing monitoring and maintenance of Task 3 - Cape Fear Mitigation Banking Instrument including any modifications or amendments to that Banking Instrument. The Trustee shall reimburse such persons as specified by the DENR from the Fund for monitoring and maintenance expenditures in such amounts as the DENR shall direct in writing. In addition, the Trustee shall refund to the Grantor such amounts as the DENR specifies in writing. Upon refund, such funds shall no longer constitute part of the Fund as defined herein. The Fund may not be drawn upon to cover any of the following: (a) Any obligation of Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation under a workers' compensation, disability benefits, or unemployment compensation law or other similar law; (b) Bodily injury to an employee of Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation arising from, and in the course of employment by Ecosystems Land Mitigation Bank Corporation; a statement confirming the value of the Trust. Any securities in the Fund shall be valued at market value as of no more than 60 days prior to the anniversary date of establishment of the fund. The failure of the Grantor to object in writing to the Trustee within 90 days after the statement has been furnished to the Grantor and the USACE/DENR shall constitute a conclusively binding assent by the Grantor, barring the Grantor from asserting any claim or liability against the Trustee with respect to matters disclosed in the statement. Section 12. Advice of Counsel. The Trustee may from time to time consult with counsel, who may be counsel to the Grantor, with respect to any question arising as to the monitoring of this Agreement or any action to be taken hereunder. The Trustee shall be fully protected, to the extent permitted by law, in acting upon the advice of counsel. Section 13. Trustee Compensation. The Trustee is authorized to charge against the principal of the Trust its published Trust fee schedule in effect at the time services are rendered. Section 14. Successor Trustee. The Trustee may resign or the Grantor may replace the Trustee, but such resignation or replacement shall not be effective until the Grantor has appointed a successor Trustee, the successor Trustee is approved by the USACE/DENR, and this successor accepts the appointment. The successor trustee shall have the same powers and duties as those conferred upon the Trustee hereunder. Upon the successor trustee's acceptance of the appointment, the Trustee shall assign, transfer, and pay over to the successor trustee the funds and properties then constituting the Fund. If for any reason the Grantor cannot or does not act in the event of the resignation of the Trustee, the Trustee may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee or for instructions. The Trustee shall notify the USACE/DENR in writing of such event. The successor trustee shall specify the date on which it assumes administration of the trust in a ;writing sent to the Grantor, USACE/DENR, and the present Trustee by certified mail 10 days before such change becomes effective. Any expenses incurred by the Trustee as a result of any of the acts contemplated by this Section shall be paid as provided in Section 10. Section 15. Instructions to the Trustee. All orders, requests, and instructions by the Grantor to the Trustee shall be in writing, signed by such persons as are designated in the attached Exhibi t A or such other designees as the Grantor may designate by amendment to Exhibit A The Trustee shall be fully protected in acting without inquiry in accordance with the Grantor's orders, requests, and instructions. All orders, requests, and instructions by the DENR to the Trustee shall be in writing, signed by the DENR's Division Director of Water Quality, or the designee, and the Trustee shall act and shall be fully protected in acting in accordance with such orders, requests, and instructions. The Trustee shall have the right to assume, in the absence of written notice to the contrary, that no event constituting a change or a termination of the authority of any person to act on behalf of the Grantor or the DENR hereunder has occurred. The Trustee shall have no duty to act in the absence of such orders, requests, and instructions from the Grantor and/or the DENR, except as provided for herein. (b) To purchase shares in any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,15 U.S.C. 80a-1 et seq., including one which may be created, managed, underwritten, or to which investment advice is rendered or the shares of which are sold by the Trustee. The Trustee may vote such shares in its discretion. Section . Express Power of Trustee. Without in any way limiting the powers and discretion conferred upon the Trustee by the other provisions of this Agreement or by law, the Trustee is expressly authorized and empowered: (a) To sell, exchange, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any property held by it, by public or private sale. No person dealing with the Trustee shall be bound to see to the application of the-purchase money or to inquire into the validity or expediency of any such sale or other disposition; (b) To make, execute, acknowledge, 1d deliver any and all documents of transfer and conveyance and any and all other instruments that may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the powers herein granted; (c) To register any securities held in the Fund in its own name or in the name of a nominee and to hold any security in bearer form or in book entry, or to combine certificates representing such securities with certificates of the same issue held by the Trustee in other fiduciary capacities, or to deposit or arrange for the deposit of such securities in a qualified central depository even though, when so deposited, such securities may be merged and held in bulk in the name of the nominee of such depository with other securities deposited therein by another person, or to deposit or arrange for the deposit of any securities issued by the United States Goverment, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, with a Federal Reserve bank, but the books and records of the Trustee shall at all times show that all such securities are part of the Fund; (d) To deposit any cash in the Fund in interest-bearing accounts maintained or savings certificates issued by the Trustee, in its separate corporate capacity, or in any other banking institution affiliated with the Trustee, to the extent insured by an agency of the Federal or a State government; and (e) To compromise or otherwise adjust all claims in favor of or against the Fund. Section I . Taxes and Expenses. All taxes of any kind that may be assessed or levied against or in respect of the Fund and all brokerage commissions incurred by the Fund shall be paid from the Fund. All other expenses incurred by the Trustee in connection with the administration of this Trust, including fees for legal services rendered to the Trustee, the compensation of the Trustee to the extent not paid directly by the Grantor, and all other proper charges and disbursements of the Trustee shall be paid from the Fund. Section 11. Annual Valuation. The Trust shall annually, at least 30 days prior to the anniversary date of establishment of the Fund, furnish to the Grantor and to the USACEIDENR IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers duly authorized and their corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested as of the date first above written. ATTEST GRANTOR ECOSYSTEMS LAND MITIGATION BANK CORPORATION By: Signature D. Miller McCarthy, President (CORPORATE SEAL) ATTEST TRUSTEE SOUTHTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF FLORIDA, N.A. By: Signature (CORPORATE SEAL) ec i 1 6. Amendment of Agreement. This Agreement may be amended by an instrument in writing executed by the Grantor, the Trustee, and the USACE/DENR, or by the Trustee and the USACE/DENR if the Grantor ceases to exist. ection 17. Irrevocability and Termination. Subject to the right of the parties to amend this Agreement as provided in Section 16, this Trust shall be irrevocable and shall continue until terminated at the written agreement of the Grantor, the Trustee, and the USACE/DENR, or by the Trustee and the USACE/DENR, if the Grantor ceases to exist. Upon termination of the Trust, all remaining trust property, less final trust administration expenses, shall be delivered pursuant to the written agreement terminating the Trust Section 18. Immunity and-Indemnification. The Trustee shall not incur personal liability of any nature in connection with any act or omission, made in good faith, in the administration of this Trust, or in carrying out any directions by the Grantor or the USACE/DENR issued in accordance with this Agreement. The Trustee shall be indemnif--d and saved harmless by the Grantor or from the Trust Fund, or both, from and against any personal liability to which the Trustee may be subjected by reason of any act or conduct in its official capacity, including all expenses reasonably incurred in its defense in the event the Grantor fails to provide such defense. ecti n 1 . Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be administered, construed, and enforced according to the laws of the State of Florida- Section 20. Interpretation. As used in this Agreement, words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular. The descriptive headings for each Section of this Agreement shall not affect the interpretation or the legal efficacy of this Agreement. - NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GRAN1"OR'S SIGNATURE STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF ORANGE On this _ day of 1998, personally appeared D. Miller McCarthy, who being by me duly sworn, acknowledged said instrument to be his free act and deed. Mr. McCarthy is personally known to me, or has produced her (state) driver's license bearing number IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal. Signature Printed Name (NOTARIAL SEAL) NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF Commission expiration date Serial Number, If any NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TRUSTEE'S SIGNATURE STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF PINELLAS On this _ day of 1998, personally appeared , who being by me duly sworn, acknowledged said instrument to be his/her free act and deed. is personally known to me, or has produced his/her (state) driver's license bearing number IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal. Signature Printed Name (NOTARIAL SEAL) NOTARY PUBLIC, STATE OF Commission expiration date Serial Number, If anv ?-