Comment Period Ends: Public Notice 2017-06-07 (401 Program)

June 7, 2017

TO:             DENR-DWR-Wetlands-Public Listserv

FROM:        Karen Higgins, 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch

RE:              Proposed MBI in the Neuse River Basin – Restoration Systems, LLC; Proposed Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Offset BPDP in the Neuse River Basin – Restoration Systems, LLC

The purpose of this Public Notice is outlined below.  This notice is available electronically at https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-resources-permits/wastewater-branch/401-wetlands-buffer-permits/401-public-notices.

I.  MBI for Riparian Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Credits in the Neuse River Basin

The Weaver Farm Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) has been prepared by Restoration Systems, LLC (RS) for review and approval by the Division of Water Resources under the Buffer Mitigation Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0295 and the Nutrient Offset Rule 15A NCAC 02B .0240.  This MBI, if approved, will allow RS to sell riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset credits within the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201 of the Neuse River Basin, excluding the Falls Lake Watershed.  A site-specific Bank Parcel Development Package has been submitted for review and approval (see Item II below).  

The proposed MBI can be found online at http://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/0/doc/542825/Page1.aspx?searchid=4abaf7da-e562-4abe-872d-95775d3bde81 .  Persons wishing to comment are invited to submit their comments in writing to Katie Merritt at (katie.merritt@ncdenr.gov or 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617).  All comments received by DWR by close of business (5:00 p.m.) on June 23, 2016 will be considered during preparation and approval of the final MBI.  If you have any questions, please contact Katie Merritt at 919-807-6371.

II.  Proposed Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Offset Bank Parcel Development Package in the Neuse River Basin

A Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) for the Weaver Farm Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Bank for Restoration Systems, LLC (RS) has been submitted for review and approval (see Item I above). 

RS has submitted a proposed Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) for the Weaver Farm Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Bank Parcel, which is located in the Neuse River Basin (8-digit USGS HUC 03020201) in Wayne County.  Stormwater runoff from this Bank Parcel drains into an unnamed tributary of Falling Creek.

The proposed bank parcel will be used to generate approximately 63.6 acres of Neuse riparian buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation.   Enhancement via cattle exclusion and Preservation of Neuse riparian areas will provide approximately 37.9 acres (593,722.8 ft2) of Neuse riparian buffer credits.  Restoration of other riparian areas will generate approximately 25.7 acres of nutrient offset credits which yields 58,416.61 pounds of nitrogen. 

The proposed bank parcel will be used to generate approximately 20.72 acres of Neuse riparian buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation.   Restoration of Neuse Buffer riparian areas will provide approximately 6.08 acres (264,844 ft2) of Neuse riparian buffer credits.  Restoration of other riparian areas will generate approximately 14.64 acres of nutrient offset credits which yields 33,390.60 pounds of nitrogen. 

Nutrient offset credits generated at this proposed site can be used to satisfy nutrient offset requirements for development projects pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0240 and located within the 8-digit USGS HUC 03020201, excluding the Falls Lake Watershed.  Neuse riparian buffer credits generated at this proposed bank site can be used to satisfy buffer mitigation requirements for impacts pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 within the Neuse River Basin, primarily within the USGS HUC 03020201 and excluding the Falls Lake Watershed. 

The proposed Weaver Farm Riparian Buffer and Nutrient Offset Mitigation Bank BPDP can be found online at: http://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/0/doc/542823/Page1.aspx?searchid=4abaf7da-e562-4abe-872d-95775d3bde81 .  Persons wishing to comment are invited to submit their comments in writing to Katie Merritt at (katie.merritt@ncdenr.gov or 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617).  All comments received by DWR by close of business (5:00 p.m.) on June 23, 2016 will be considered during preparation and approval of the final BPDP.  If you have any questions, please contact Katie Merritt at 919-807-6371.