June 28, 2018
To: DENR-DWR-Wetlands-Public Listserv
From: Karen Higgins, 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch
Re: Proposed Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Offset BPDP in the Jordan Lake Watershed – Wildlands Holdings IV, LLC; Proposed Mitigation Banking Instrument in the Neuse River Basin/Falls Watershed – Wildlands Holdings V, LLC; Proposed Riparian Buffer & Nutrient Offset BPDP in the Neuse River Basin/Falls Watershed – Wildlands Holdings V, 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. Proposed Buffer & Nutrient Offset Bank Parcel Development Package in the Jordan Lake Watershed- Wildlands Holdings IV, LLC
Wildlands Holdings IV, LLC (WHIV) has submitted a proposed Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) for the South Fork Buffer & Nutrient Offset Mitigation Bank Parcel, which is located in the Cape Fear River Basin (Haw River Sub-watershed) near Snow Camp, in Chatham County. Stormwater runoff from the parcel drains to South Fork creek.
The proposed bank parcel will be used to generate approximately five (5) acres (217,800 ft2) of riparian buffer mitigation credits, approximately 8,320.60 pounds of delivered nitrogen nutrient offsets and approximately 502 pounds of delivered phosphorus nutrient offsets. Delivery Factors have already been applied to the nutrient offset credits.
Riparian buffer mitigation credits generated at this proposed Bank Parcel can be used to satisfy buffer mitigation requirements for impacts pursuant to 15A NCAC 02B .0295 within the Haw River Sub-watershed of Jordan Lake. 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 Haw River Sub-watershed.
This project is being proposed under the Cane Creek Nutrient Offset and Buffer Umbrella Mitigation Banking Instrument (UMBI) approved on March 6, 2018. A copy of the UMBI can be found online at https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/0/doc/652159/Page1.aspx.
The proposed BPDP can be found online at https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/0/doc/681453/Page1.aspx. 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 July 13, 2018 will be considered during preparation and approval of the final BPDP. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Merritt at 919-807-6371.
II. Proposed MBI for Riparian Buffer Mitigation & Nutrient Offset Credits in the Neuse River Basin/Falls Watershed- Wildlands Holdings V, LLC
A Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) for the Wolfe Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank has been prepared by Wildlands Holdings V, LLC (WHV) 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 WHV to sell riparian buffer mitigation and nutrient offset credits within the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 03020201 of the Neuse River Basin, including the Falls Lake Watershed. A site-specific BPDP has been submitted for review and approval (see Item III below).
The proposed MBI can be found online at https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/0/doc/675430/Page1.aspx . 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 July 13, 2018 will be considered during preparation and approval of the final MBI. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Merritt at 919-807-6371.
III. Proposed Buffer & Nutrient Offset Bank Parcel Development Package in the Neuse River Basin/Falls Watershed- Wildlands Holdings V, LLC
An MBI for the Wolfe Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank for Wildlands Holdings V, LLC (WHV) has been submitted for review and approval (see Item II above).
WHV has submitted a proposed Bank Parcel Development Package (BPDP) for the Wolfe Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank Parcel, which is located in the Upper Falls Watershed of the Neuse River Basin (8-digit USGS HUC 03020201) near Roxboro, in Person County NC. Stormwater runoff from this Bank Parcel drains into Byrd’s Creek and its tributaries.
The proposed bank parcel will be used to generate approximately 22 acres of Neuse riparian buffer and/or nutrient offset mitigation. Preservation of riparian areas will generate approximately 463.60 ft2 of Neuse riparian buffer credits. Restoration and enhancement of riparian areas will generate approximately 5.97 acres (260,053.20 ft2) of Neuse riparian buffer credits and 16 acres (36,368.32 lbs-Nitrogen and 2,342.40 lbs-Phosphorus) of nutrient offset credits.
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 of the Upper and Lower Falls Lake Watersheds. 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.
The proposed Wolfe Nutrient Offset and Buffer Mitigation Bank BPDP can be found online at: https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/WaterResources/0/doc/676322/Page1.aspx . 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 July 13, 2018 will be considered during preparation and approval of the final BPDP. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Merritt at 919-807-6371.