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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040526 Ver 1_Complete File_20050519LandWanagement Group, Inc. Environmental Consultants Post Office (Box 2522 ,Wfini ton, North Carolina 28402 T hone. 910-452-0001 9Kay 16, 2005 Mr. Dan Cameron Noremac Enterprises, LLC Dto; 3504 Saint Frances Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 Re: Mitigation Plan for Proposed Truck Stop off of Blackwell Road. To Whom It May Concern: In order to address comments from NC DWQ, the mitigation plan has been edited. A more thorough investigation of the property has revealed additional opportunities for wetland restoration. The revised plan calls for the filling and grading of an additional 1,175 linear feet of ditching. The ditch was found to be roughly 3-4' deep and has a north-south orientation. Surrounding soil units (Torhunta, Woodington) are defined as Group "D" under the hydric soil drainage guide publication. The guide states that lateral drainage effect of a 3-4' ditch in these soils is greater than 600'. However, we are proposing a less aggressive total of 200' for the entire length, restoring a total of 5.4 acres. Additional edits to the monitoring protocols have also been included to reflect the increase in total restored acreage (increased monitoring wells, plots, etc.) Otherwise, the plan remains very similar to the originally submitted document. Final ratios will provide for greater than 2:1 mitigation for the project, with a total of 12.3 acres of pocosin habitat restoration At the present time, we are preparing for a meeting scheduled for June 3rd, 2005, where the plan will be discussed by all parties. Please review the enclosed attachment and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Brent Manning --- Environmental Scientist Cc: Noelle Lutheran, NCDWQ Tom Farrell, USACOE Cyndi Karoly, NCDWQ L W72 MAY 1 9 2005 DENR - WATER QUALITY TLMIDS AND STOPoIIV 72R- BRANCH Rattlesnake Bay Wetland Restoration Plan Introduction 1. Background Noremac Enterprises, LLC. is the applicant requesting a 404/401 permits for a proposed construction project in Brunswick County, NC. If permitted, a full service truck stop will be constructed along the HWY 17 corridor west of Wilmington (Figures 1-4). The project proposes to fill 11.09 acres of wetlands on the property. The applicant has been involved in the individual permit (IP) process orchestrated by the USACOE for the past 18 months to develop a suitable mitigation plan to accompany the overall development and the associated wetland impacts. In order to accommodate the mitigation required by USACOE and NC DWQ, the applicant proposes a mixture of restoration, preservation, and enhancement of wetlands located on a 114.06 acre tract near the town of Sandy Run in Brunswick County. This tract lies within the same 8 HUC (Cape Fear 03030005) as the impact site. In addition to these measures, approximately 18 acres of wetlands will also be preserved at the impact site. II. Pre-restoration Site Conditions The tract is located west of NC 87 (Maco Rd.) near the municipality of Sandy Run in Brunswick County, N.C. The center of the tract is located at Longitude 7809'40"W and Latitude 34016'25" N. The site is bounded by the Sandy Run housing development to the north and Little Green Swamp the west. Several logging roads provide access to most areas of the property. The previous owner of the property cleared land for an airstrip which would have served members of the proposed development. However, the owner became ill the development plan was never completed. III. Wetland Classification and Functions Much of the southeastern North Carolina coastal plain, including this tract, is underlain by an extensive Pleistocene marine terrace that is flat and poorly to very poorly drained. Saturated conditions produced by this terrace have driven the development of hydric soils and large interstream divide wetlands. Many of these wetland ecosystems are classified hydrogeomorphically as flats. These ecosystems receive precipitation as their sole water source and lose water primarily by evapotranspiration with overland flow and gradual seepage to the underlying aquifer. Soils of wet flats can be either histosol or mineral. Flats with organic soil are dominated by bay type vegetation (e.g. Magnolia virginiana, Persea borbonia, Ilex spp., Lyonia spp.) while mineral soil flats tend to be dominated by pine species (e.g. Pinus taeda). A majority of the 114.06 tract is classified as a pocosin wetland which drains primarily into Chinnis Branch and secondarily into an unnamed tributary ditch to the west. The area forms the headwaters for both Chinnis and Rattlesnake Branches (Figure 5). As a result of this landscape position, the area can play a dramatic role in preserving water quality for those streams and would be protected in perpetuity under the current mitigation package. Wetland restoration at the Rattlesnake Bay tract will re-establish 12.3 acres of pocosin habitat that was impacted during the construction of the airstrip and adjacent roadway. In addition to the restoration, 4.7 acres will also be enhanced by filling and grading the local drainage ditch network. The goal is to provide for functional restoration via re-establishment of characteristic hydrology and vegetative assemblages. By re-establishing these criterion, wetland functions such as nutrient cycling and removal, sediment retention, and water storage will be realized on the tract. 2 IV. Soil The soils of the property are of the Woodington and Torhunta soil series (Figure 6). These soils are poorly to very poorly drained and are commonly found along interstream divides in the lower coastal plain of North Carolina. While these soils are not considered spodosols, inclusions of Leon and Murville series (which contain spodic horizons) have been found within the property boundaries. The drainage restrictions present in these spodosols allow them to retain wetland hydrology almost year round through the retention of precipitation and without any additional input from surrounding stream systems. The presence of spodic horizons also minimizes the drainage effect from the surrounding ditching. V. Vegetation Community Prior to mechanized impacts the tract contained vegetation typical of pocosins including pond pine (Pinus serotina), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), hollies (Ilex spp.), blueberry, fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), American ti-ti (Cyrilla racemiflora), and laurel-leaf greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia). VI. Prior Anthropogenic Impacts A 3.4 ac. area of cleared land for the airstrip represents a majority of the anthropogenic disturbance (Figure 7). Several thousand linear feet of old forestry ditching are currently in place in the western portion of the tract (Figure 8). These ditches are pre-Tulloch and are not in violation of standards set by DWQ or the Army Corps. of Engineers. While these features do provide local drainage benefits for growing trees, the overall impact on hydrology and adjacent wetlands is unknown. 3 VII. Adjacent Land Use The land use in the surrounding area consists of residential, light commercial development, and silviculture. Residential developments consisting of 0.5 ac. lots and bound the subject property while light commercial development occupies the road frontage of HWY 74 and HWY 87. Land to the west and south is owned and managed by International Paper and is considered part of Little Green Swamp. Mitigation Plan 1. Physical Restoration Plan Restoration activities at the Rattlesnake Bay tract will take place at three locations, restoring a total of 12.3 acres of pocosin habitat (Figure 9). Backfilling of an existing ditch, flowing north through the property, will restore a total of 5.4 acres (given a 100' drainage effect on either side of the ditch). The remaining acreage will be associated with the airstrip, restoring 3.4 acres and removal of the roadbed which will re-establish 3.5 acres. At the present time, this area is covered with a variety of herbaceous vegetation such as sundew (Drosera spp.) and broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) which may become submerged for several days following rain events. Field investigations found little evidence that adjacent ditches and swales were effectively removing water from the area. At present surface ponding increases from 0" to 12" from the northwest to the southeast across the airstrip. During restoration grading activities will be designed to allow for more uniform surface ponding and drainage across the entire area. The ditches and swales which are in close proximity to the site will also be filled and graded to restore natural contours. Following grading activities, the acreage will be planted with typical pocosin vegetation (Table 1) at a density of 600 stems per acre. 4 The remaining 8.9 acres of the restoration will be achieved through the removal of an existing access road and filling of the adjacent ditches and swales. At present, topsoil (0-6" below surface) strippings from the mechanized land clearing activities remain on-site. These strippings were not burned and maintain an active, viable seed source for fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) and sweet pepper bush (Clethra alnifolia), which will be used to fill in the adjacent ditches. The road surface will be disked and mixed with topsoil to provide a more suitable substrate for planting. In addition to the available seed source, a mixture of pocosin species will be planted during the dormant season (Winter 2006). Common Name Scientific Name Quantity Gallberry Ilex glabra 1,200 Fetterbush Lyonia lucida 1,200 Red Bay Persea borbonia 1,000 Loblolly Bay Gordonia lasianthus 1,000 Pond Pine Pinus serotina 3,000 Total 7,400 Table 1. Preliminary planting list for Rattlesnake Bay site II. Wetland Enhancement Wetland enhancement procedures are planned for a 4.7 acre portion of the tract located to the south of the airstrip (Figure 9). At present, this portion of the tract is densely vegetated and has evidence of active hydrology but is partially drained by the surrounding ditches. These ditches will be filled in conjunction with the restoration mentioned above and should restore natural hydrologic functions to the existing area. 5 III. Wetland Preservation Following the restoration and enhancement activities the entire property will be placed under a conservation easement. This easement will protect the entire 114.6 acre tract in perpetuity. In addition, 18.0 acres at the impact site will also be placed under a conservation easement, for a total of 132.60 acres (Figure 9). Monitoring Plan 1. Annual Report Schedule All restoration monitoring will be conducted in the 6.0 acre restoration for three years or until deemed successful, whichever is longer. Annual reports will be submitted to the US Army Corps. of Engineers (USACE) and DWQ no later than September 30th of the following year. Each report will include a narrative summarizing the findings of the monitoring. Vegetative and hydrologic data will also be included to document conditions of the restored area over the course of the year. Photographs will be incorporated to illustrate the evolution of site soil and vegetative communities. H. Reference Site The reference site for this project will be located in adjacent undisturbed wetlands within the property boundaries. These wetlands maintain similar vegetative and hydrologic characteristics and are easily accessible through existing roads on the property. III. Restoration Monitoring Hydrologic Criteria Filling of ditches in wetlands precludes the necessity of hydrologic monitoring as it removes the transport mechanism for the existing water volume 6 causing retention times to increase within the area. The two ditches that were dug drain a very narrow distance laterally due to the shallow depth and narrow channel width. Furthermore, field visits have shown water levels to consistently remain at surface levels indicating little effective drainage. However, in order to demonstrate the restored hydrology, seven (7) shallow automated groundwater monitoring wells will be installed as shown in Figure 10. Two wells will be located in the old roadbed area adjacent to the existing ditches. Three will be installed in the airstrip area to demonstrate the effect of grading work designed to balance the hydrologic flow. The remaining two will be located in the southern portion of the tract to demonstrate the effect of the ditch filling. Groundwater levels will be recorded daily. The success criterion will be the establishment and maintenance of a static water table which closely mirrors the levels recorded in the reference well. Vegetation Monitorinq While the primary success criterion for the restoration will be based on hydrology, vegetation community development will also be monitored. A vegetation monitoring study will include twelve 0.10 ac. circular plots, which will be randomly selected throughout the restored area. The number of acceptable volunteer species and planted individuals will be quantified and the results will be compared with those from the reference site. Overall, survivorship must meet or exceed 320 stems per acre by the end of the monitoring period for the project to be deemed successful. Contingency Plan In the event that the hydrology and vegetation success criteria are not fulfilled, a contingency plan will be implemented. The contingency plan will require consultation with all regulatory agencies if success is not achieved during the monitoring period. Sample contingency measures may include selective re- grading or replanting. Recommendations for further activities will be 7 implemented and monitored until the hydrology and vegetation accurately represent the reference site and meet or exceed regulatory statutes. Restoration Implementation Schedule Restoration planning is currently underway. Monitoring in the restoration site will begin after the earthwork and plantings are complete and will continue for the duration of the project. Earthwork and plantings will take place throughout the winter and spring of 2006. Annual vegetation monitoring will be conducted in the spring of each year following planting and will continue until 2009. Summary A multi-tiered mitigation plan has been designed to address the 11.08 acres of wetland impact associated with the development of the truck stop proposed by Noremac Energy, Inc. A majority of the mitig ion will take place at a 114.6 acre tract near the Little Green Swamp in Brunswic County. A total of 12.3 acres will be restored, while 4.7 acres will be enhanced through the filling of on-site ditches and swales. When completed the entire tract will be placed under a conservation easement which will protect the headwaters of Chinnis and Rattlesnake Branches perpetually. In addition to these measures, 18.0 acres of wetlands at the impact site will also be preserved under an easement to prevent damage to the surrounding environment. A total of 27.85 acres are proposed, providing greater than 2:1 mitigation without the use of the Wetland Restoration Program reserves. Final Proiect Mitigation Ratios 12.3 ac. of wetland restoration (1:1 ratio) 4 12.3 acres 4.7 ac. of wetland enhancement (2:1 ratio) 4 2.35 acres 132.6 ac. of wetland conservation (10:1 ratio) 413.2 acres TOTAL RESTORATION CREDITS4 27.85 acres The plan will provide for a functional restoration via re-establishment of characteristic hydroperiod and vegetative communities in the restoration area. Earth work will restore contours to their original grades and will remove the existing roadbed. Following these activities 7,400 stems will be planted. The target stem density (for planted and characteristic volunteer species) will be 320 stems/acre by the completion of the third year of monitoring. It is anticipated that the native seed bank within the ditch spoil piles and stripping windrows will germinate via seed and sucker sprout once this material is spread over top of the regraded areas. If the target species diversity and density are not met, contingency plans will be developed in conjunction with NCDENR and USACOE, ensuring a successful restoration project. Successful restoration of the tract should be completed within three years or less. 9 4 {? ?? 1 r I \ Rk bed r' g YI _ Cs _iti 9? -._• ?c?? Sti ,? \'. ? I C' % ? i y\?t P_E!VUFx ?U? `i f? ^ . r. n? ay . ?.?a? A?J c•-?'.....'4?`?? .. Imm w ?,l r `se,. t,:, , cH of j 87 h'w %. ...,. ?S z? Pnu?,u `.?-?- rt `kd-!?. jY banil? QeOY - " 4 _ _ ILI Mitigation Site 00 00 ?. , i CCC >_, Impact Site r ? lb Y .- ? !' ? \ / /' i i r..., rlhuuu/.' r?+ f ??y C ? {?/ f --. - 1 r . r {- , r Nlnrmmnr Fnnreiv Ine Vicinity MaD DeLorme Gazatteer Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 1 0 1 2 miles Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. Lo BDC ? B C B B o 0 Fo BaB Lo Lo Pn Fo 1 Lo Fo On ar Ez Ma 3 Fo ' L Ma BaB To Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan 0 1,000 2,000 ,. ft Brunswick County ivr«..-J a7v11 vuivcy Figure 2 Land Management Group, Inc. r ???• 4 , i Noremac Energy, Inc. USGS Topographic Quadrangle Leland Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 3 0 1,000 2,000 ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. Noremac Energy, Inc. 1998 Aerial Photography Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 4 0 1,000 2,000 ?ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. MAW . _ _. i..Mpal ` f - 1 j ! 1?? -•• • `Fcad a Tti- ?., Mitigation Site Noremac Energy, Inc. USGS Topographic Quadrangle Acme Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 5 0 1,600 3,200 Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. BDC BaB To Ly Fo Wo Wo Pn TO WO - Fo Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan 0 600 1,200 njajomenal rnOtayrdpiy Figure 6 Land Management Group, Inc. N Noremac Energy, Inc. Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan 0 600 1,200 ft Brunswick County 1998 Aerial Photography Figure 7 Land Management Group, Inc. " Noremac Energy, Inc. 1998 Aerial Photography On-site Ditch Network Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 8 0 400 800 ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. Mitigation Plan Enhancement (4.7ac.) ® Restoration (12.3 ac.) Conservation Easement (114.6 ac.) Noremac Energy, Inc. 1998 Aerial Photography Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 9 Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. 0 LandWanagement Group, Inc. Environmental Consultants . ost Office 0ox 2522 Withnington, North Carolina 28402 Telephone. 910-452-0001 9Kay 16, 2005 Mr. Dan Cameron Noremac Enterprises, LLC 3504 Saint Frances Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 Re: Mitigation Plan for Proposed Truck Stop off of Blackwell Road. To Whom It May Concern: MAY D 3 ?005 ?? - WATER 3MD'fC A % In order to address comments from NC DWQ, the mitigation plan has been edited. A more thorough investigation of the property has revealed additional opportunities for wetland restoration. The revised plan calls for the filling and grading of an additional 1,175 linear feet of ditching. The ditch was found to be roughly 3-4' deep and has a north-south orientation. Surrounding soil units (Torhunta, Woodington) are defined as Group "D" under the hydric soil drainage guide publication. The guide states that lateral drainage effect of a 3-4' ditch in these soils is greater than 600'. However, we are proposing a less aggressive total of 200' for the entire length, restoring a total of 5.4 acres. Additional edits to the monitoring protocols have also been included to reflect the increase in total restored acreage (increased monitoring wells, plots, etc.) Otherwise, the plan remains very similar to the originally submitted document. Final ratios will provide for greater than 2:1 mitigation for the project, with a total of 12.3 acres of pocosin habitat restoration At the present time, we are preparing for a meeting scheduled for June 3rd, 2005, where the plan will be discussed by all parties. Please review the enclosed attachment and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Brent Manning Environmental Scientist Cc: Noelle Lutheran, NCDWQ Tom Farrell, USACOE Cyndi Karoly, NCDWQ Rattlesnake Bay Wetland Restoration Plan Introduction 1. Background Noremac Enterprises, LLC. is the applicant requesting a 404/401 permits for a proposed construction project in Brunswick County, NC. If permitted, a full service truck stop will be constructed along the HWY 17 corridor west of Wilmington (Figures 1-4). The project proposes to fill 11.09 acres of wetlands on the property. The applicant has been involved in the individual permit (IP) process orchestrated by the USACOE for the past 18 months to develop a suitable mitigation plan to accompany the overall development and the associated wetland impacts. In order to accommodate the mitigation required by USACOE and NC DWQ, the applicant proposes a mixture of restoration, preservation, and enhancement of wetlands located on a 114.06 acre tract near the town of Sandy Run in Brunswick County. This tract lies within the same 8 HUC (Cape Fear 03030005) as the impact site. In addition to these measures, approximately 18 acres of wetlands will also be preserved at the impact site. II. Pre-restoration Site Conditions The tract is located west of NC 87 (Maco Rd.) near the municipality of Sandy Run in Brunswick County, N.C. The center of the tract is located at Longitude 78°9'40"W and Latitude 34°16'25" N. The site is bounded by the Sandy Run housing development to the north and Little Green Swamp the west. Several logging roads provide access to most areas of the property. The previous owner of the property cleared land for an airstrip which would have served members of the proposed development. However, the owner became ill the development plan was never completed. III. Wetland Classification and Functions Much of the southeastern North Carolina coastal plain, including this tract, is underlain by an extensive Pleistocene marine terrace that is flat and poorly to very poorly drained. Saturated conditions produced by this terrace have driven the development of hydric soils and large interstream divide wetlands. Many of these wetland ecosystems are classified hydrogeomorphically as flats. These ecosystems receive precipitation as their sole water source and lose water primarily by evapotranspiration with overland flow and gradual seepage to the underlying aquifer. Soils of wet flats can be either histosol or mineral. Flats with organic soil are dominated by bay type vegetation (e.g. Magnolia virginiana, Persea borbonia, Ilex spp., Lyonia spp.) while mineral soil flats tend to be dominated by pine species (e.g. Pinus taeda). A majority of the 114.06 tract is classified as a pocosin wetland which drains primarily into Chinnis Branch and secondarily into an unnamed tributary ditch to the west. The area forms the headwaters for both Chinnis and Rattlesnake Branches (Figure 5). As a result of this landscape position, the area can play a dramatic role in preserving water quality for those streams and would be protected in perpetuity under the current mitigation package. Wetland restoration at the Rattlesnake Bay tract will re-establish 12.3 acres of pocosin habitat that was impacted during the construction of the airstrip and adjacent roadway. In addition to the restoration, 4.7 acres will also be enhanced by filling and grading the local drainage ditch network. The goal is to provide for functional restoration via re-establishment of characteristic hydrology and vegetative assemblages. By re-establishing these criterion, wetland functions such as nutrient cycling and removal, sediment retention, and water storage will be realized on the tract. 2 IV. Soil The soils of the property are of the Woodington and Torhunta soil series (Figure 6). These soils are poorly to very poorly drained and are commonly found along interstream divides in the lower coastal plain of North Carolina. While these soils are not considered spodosols, inclusions of Leon and Munrille series (which contain spodic horizons) have been found within the property boundaries. The drainage restrictions present in these spodosols allow them to retain wetland hydrology almost year round through the retention of precipitation and without any additional input from surrounding stream systems. The presence of spodic horizons also minimizes the drainage effect from the surrounding ditching. V. Vegetation Community Prior to mechanized impacts the tract contained vegetation typical of pocosins including pond pine (Pinus serotina), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), hollies (Ilex spp.), blueberry, fetterbush (Lyonia lucida), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), American ti-ti (Cyrilla racemiflora), and laurel-leaf greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia). VI. Prior Anthropogenic Impacts A 3.4 ac. area of cleared land for the airstrip represents a majority of the anthropogenic disturbance (Figure 7). Several thousand linear feet of old forestry ditching are currently in place in the western portion of the tract (Figure 8). These ditches are pre-Tulloch and are not in violation of standards set by DWQ or the Army Corps. of Engineers. While these features do provide local drainage benefits for growing trees, the overall impact on hydrology and adjacent wetlands is unknown. VII. Adjacent Land Use The land use in the surrounding area consists of residential, light commercial development, and silviculture. Residential developments consisting of 0.5 ac. lots and bound the subject property while light commercial development occupies the road frontage of HWY 74 and HWY 87. Land to the west and south is owned and managed by International Paper and is considered part of Little Green Swamp. Mitigation Plan 1. Physical Restoration Plan Restoration activities at the Rattlesnake Bay tract will take place at three locations, restoring a total of 12.3 acres of pocosin habitat (Figure 9). Backfilling of an existing ditch, flowing north through the property, will restore a total of 5.4 acres (given a 100' drainage effect on either side of the ditch). The remaining acreage will be associated with the airstrip, restoring 3.4 acres and removal of the roadbed which will re-establish 3.5 acres. At the present time, this area is covered with a variety of herbaceous vegetation such as sundew (Drosera spp.) and broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) which may become submerged for several days following rain events. Field investigations found little evidence that adjacent ditches and swales were effectively removing water from the area. At present surface ponding increases from 0" to 12" from the northwest to the southeast across the airstrip. During restoration grading activities will be designed to allow for more uniform surface ponding and drainage across the entire area. The ditches and swales which are in close proximity to the site will also be filled and graded to restore natural contours. Following grading activities, the acreage will be planted with typical pocosin vegetation (Table 1) at a density of 600 stems per acre. 4 The remaining 8.9 acres of the restoration will be achieved through the removal of an existing access road and filling of the adjacent ditches and swales. At present, topsoil (0-6" below surface) strippings from the mechanized land clearing activities remain on-site. These strippings were not burned and maintain an active, viable seed source for fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) and sweet pepper bush (Clethra alnifolia), which will be used to fill in the adjacent ditches. The road surface will be disked and mixed with topsoil to provide a more suitable substrate for planting. In addition to the available seed source, a mixture of pocosin species will be planted during the dormant season (Winter 2006). Common Name Scientific Name Quantity Gallberry Ilex glabra 1,200 Fetterbush Lyonia Iucida 1,200 Red Bay Persea borbonia 1,000 Loblolly Bay Gordonia lasianthus 1,000 Pond Pine Pinus serotina 3,000 Total 7,400 Table 1. Preliminary planting list for Rattlesnake Bay site H. Wetland Enhancement Wetland enhancement procedures are planned for a 4.7 acre portion of the tract located to the south of the airstrip (Figure 9). At present, this portion of the tract is densely vegetated and has evidence of active hydrology but is partially drained by the surrounding ditches. These ditches will be filled in conjunction with the restoration mentioned above and should restore natural hydrologic functions to the existing area. 5 III. Wetland Preservation Following the restoration and enhancement activities the entire property will be placed under a conservation easement. This easement will protect the entire 114.6 acre tract in perpetuity. In addition, 18.0 acres at the impact site will also be placed under a conservation easement, for a total of 132.60 acres (Figure 9). Monitoring Plan 1. Annual Report Schedule All restoration monitoring will be conducted in the 6.0 acre restoration for three years or until deemed successful, whichever is longer. Annual reports will be submitted to the US Army Corps. of Engineers (USACE) and DWQ no later than September 30th of the following year. Each report will include a narrative summarizing the findings of the monitoring. Vegetative and hydrologic data will also be included to document conditions of the restored area over the course of the year. Photographs will be incorporated to illustrate the evolution of site soil and vegetative communities. II. Reference Site The reference site for this project will be located in adjacent undisturbed wetlands within the property boundaries. These wetlands maintain similar vegetative and hydrologic characteristics and are easily accessible through existing roads on the property. III. Restoration Monitoring Hydrologic Criteria Filling of ditches in wetlands precludes the necessity of hydrologic monitoring as it removes the transport mechanism for the existing water volume 6 causing retention times to increase within the area. The two ditches that were dug drain a very narrow distance laterally due to the shallow depth and narrow channel width. Furthermore, field visits have shown water levels to consistently remain at surface levels indicating little effective drainage. However, in order to demonstrate the restored hydrology, seven (7) shallow automated groundwater monitoring wells will be installed as shown in Figure 10. Two wells will be located in the old roadbed area adjacent to the existing ditches. Three will be installed in the airstrip area to demonstrate the effect of grading work designed to balance the hydrologic flow. The remaining two will be located in the southern portion of the tract to demonstrate the effect of the ditch filling. Groundwater levels will be recorded daily. The success criterion will be the establishment and maintenance of a static water table which closely mirrors the levels recorded in the reference well. Vegetation Monitoring While the primary success criterion for the restoration will be based on hydrology, vegetation community development will also be monitored. A vegetation monitoring study will include twelve 0.10 ac. circular plots, which will be randomly selected throughout the restored area. The number of acceptable volunteer species and planted individuals will be quantified and the results will be compared with those from the reference site. Overall, survivorship must meet or exceed 320 stems per acre by the end of the monitoring period for the project to be deemed successful. Contingency Plan In the event that the hydrology and vegetation success criteria are not fulfilled, a contingency plan will be implemented. The contingency plan will require consultation with all regulatory agencies if success is not achieved during the monitoring period. Sample contingency measures may include selective re- grading or replanting. Recommendations for further activities will be 7 implemented and monitored until the hydrology and vegetation accurately represent the reference site and meet or exceed regulatory statutes. Restoration Implementation Schedule Restoration planning is currently underway. Monitoring in the restoration site will begin after the earthwork and plantings are complete and will continue for the duration of the project. Earthwork and plantings will take place throughout the winter and spring of 2006. Annual vegetation monitoring will be conducted in the spring of each year following planting and will continue until 2009. Summary A multi-tiered mitigation plan has been designed to address the 11.08 acres of wetland impact associated with the development of the truck stop proposed by Noremac Energy, Inc. A majority of the mitigation will take place at a 114.6 acre tract near the Little Green Swamp in Brunswick County. A total of 12.3 acres will be restored, while 4.7 acres will be enhanced through the filling of on-site ditches and swales. When completed the entire tract will be placed under a conservation easement which will protect the headwaters of Chinnis and Rattlesnake Branches perpetually. In addition to these measures, 18.0 acres of wetlands at the impact site will also be preserved under an easement to prevent damage to the surrounding environment. A total of 27.85 acres are proposed, providing greater than 2:1 mitigation without the use of the Wetland Restoration Program reserves. Final Project Mitigation Ratios 12.3 ac. of wetland restoration (1:1 ratio) 4 12.3 acres 4.7 ac. of wetland enhancement (2:1 ratio) 4 2.35 acres 132.6 ac. of wetland conservation (10:1 ratio) 413.2 acres TOTAL RESTORATION CREDITS-> 27.85 acres The plan will provide for a functional restoration via re-establishment of characteristic hydroperiod and vegetative communities in the restoration area. Earth work will restore contours to their original grades and will remove the existing roadbed. Following these activities 7,400 stems will be planted. The target stem density (for planted and characteristic volunteer species) will be 320 stems/acre by the completion of the third year of monitoring. It is anticipated that the native seed bank within the ditch spoil piles and stripping windrows will germinate via seed and sucker sprout once this material is spread over top of the regraded areas. If the target species diversity and density are not met, contingency plans will be developed in conjunction with NCDENR and USACOE, ensuring a successful restoration project. Successful restoration of the tract should be completed within three years or less. 9 C +? _ {l, rF "?'?~•'? \+-„ . -7a 1 1 , la l .u;.. `?yr-`Yt ?r ,Y - z ram };' s y '? p vv+? lI _ , .•. ? Ar ..rte _ , •? ff?F a ., t . pro. Mitigation Site ..?;?? kY. i. a <I, 1. .? - Impact Site ..,_. , ? .. L_._- . .a ..:s., •.M1 Irv. ... c .1 - ? '?? - N -so } ? Y • C' H ? 1 _ Tt' w II7' i Noremac Energy, Inc. Vicinity Map DeLorme Gazatteer Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 1 0 1 2 miles Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. ?w?cn?w?. ???c?yr, uw• NKI.J JOII JUrVey Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 2 0 1.000 2,000 Br-j-sw -k I f ,.Ar.ty _a-7 ^.'a-acemert Grcup !nc W I ¦ v Noremac Energy, Inc. USGS Topographic Quadrangle Leland Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 3 0 1,000 2,000 ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. a n. `3 i P1 • I i ■R ? ., f _ m - , . Ni if P w:. 'z. "e ` 1. '�" ,.. f m L! �itti 3 "a a i 1 x tn dot to Or i INK— t tt s g MP i F4r�"# s S Zli s. u d + r c i a k yV� � x Y. ' f1, s f......— .. .=fir }6 — i7k�E.= 6r10 j s a • w R W N Noremac Energy, Inc. 1998 Aerial Photography Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 4 0 1,000 2,000 ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. N„t.Junli - v w _ . `tJr i a r Fits - ?, ? Mitigation Site Noremac Energy, Inc. 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N Noremac Energy, Inc. 1998 Aerial Photography W+E S Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 9 510 1,020 ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc. +4 b� - x a z w s a Legend Mitigation Plan Enhancement (4.7ac.) .- Restoration (12.3 ac.) Conservation Easement (114.6 ac.) N Noremac Energy, Inc. 1998 Aerial Photography W+E S Rattlesnake Bay Mitigation Plan Figure 10 0 300 600 ft Brunswick County Land Management Group, Inc.