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ENGLISH BAYOU MITIGATION BANK IN CALCASIEU PARISH
ENGLISH BAYOU MITIGATION BANK IN CALCASIEU PARISH
NAME OF APPLICANT: B.H. Mitigation Company, LLC: c/o TerRestore, LLC, Attn: Leonard McCauley, 6070 Fitzgerald Drive, Denham Springs, LA 70706.
LOCATION OF WORK: The 253.6 acre site is located approximately four miles west of Iowa, Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish, on Boys Village Road, as shown on enclosed drawings (Latitude: 30.2280 N, Longitude:–93.0896 W). The Project is located within the Lower Calcasieu Basin, Hydrologic Unit 08080206.
CHARACTER OF WORK: Degrade spoil banks and redistribute material for the purpose of enhancing and restoring traditional surface hydrology to the site for the construction of a mitigation bank.
JOINT PUBLIC NOTICE
February 9, 2015
United States Army
Corps of Engineers
New Orleans District
Regulatory Branch
Post Office Box 60267
New Orleans, La. 70160-0267
State of Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality
Post Office Box 4313
Baton Rouge, La. 70821-4313
Attn: Water Quality Certifications
(504) 862-2548/ FAX (504) 862-2574
Jacqueline.R.Farabee@usace.army.mil
Project Manager
Jacqueline Farabee
Permit Application Number
MVN-2014-01965-MR
(225) 219-3225/FAX (225) 325-8250
Elizabeth.johnson@la.gov
Project Manager
Elizabeth Johnson
WQC Application Number
WQC # 150204-04
Interested parties are hereby notified that a permit application has been received by the New
Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pursuant to: [ ] Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1151; 33 USC 403); and/or [ X ] Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (86 Stat. 816; 33 USC 1344).
Application has also been made to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, for a
Water Quality Certification (WQC) in accordance with statutory authority contained in Louisiana
Revised Statutes of 1950, Title 30, Chapter 11, Part IV, Section 2074 A(3) and provisions of
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (P.L.95-17).
ENGLISH BAYOU MITIGATION BANK IN CALCASIEU PARISH
NAME OF APPLICANT: B.H. Mitigation Company, LLC: c/o TerRestore, LLC, Attn: Leonard
McCauley, 6070 Fitzgerald Drive, Denham Springs, LA 70706.
LOCATION OF WORK: The 253.6 acre site is located approximately four miles west of Iowa,
Louisiana, in Calcasieu Parish, on Boys Village Road, as shown on enclosed drawings (Latitude:
30.2280 N, Longitude:93.0896 W). The Project is located within the Lower Calcasieu Basin,
Hydrologic Unit 08080206.
CHARACTER OF WORK: Degrade spoil banks and redistribute material for the purpose of
enhancing and restoring traditional surface hydrology to the site for the construction of a
mitigation bank.
The comment period for the Department of the Army Permit and the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality WQC will close 30 days from the date of this joint public notice. Written
comments, including suggestions for modifications or objections to the proposed work, stating
reasons thereof, are being solicited from anyone having interest in this permit and/or this WQC
request and must be mailed so as to be received before or by the last day of the comment
period. Letters concerning the Corps of Engineers permit application must reference the
applicant's name and the Permit Application Number, and be mailed to the Corps of Engineers
at the address above, ATTENTION: REGULATORY BRANCH. Similar letters concerning the
-2-
Water Quality Certification must reference the applicant's name and the WQC Application
number and be mailed to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality at the
address above.
The application for this proposed project is on file with the Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality and may be examined during weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Copies may be obtained upon payment of costs of reproduction.
Corps of Engineers Permit Criteria
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable
impacts, including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest. That
decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important
resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be
balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the
proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are
conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic
properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation,
shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy
needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership
and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public, federal, state, and
local agencies and officials, Indian Tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and
evaluate the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to determine whether to make, modify, condition, or deny a permit
for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public
interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental
Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to
determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
The New Orleans District is unaware of properties listed on the National Register of Historic
Places near the proposed work. The possibility exists that the proposed work may damage or
destroy presently unknown archeological, scientific, prehistorical, historical sites, or data.
Issuance of this public notice solicits input from the State Archeologist and State Historic
Preservation Officer regarding potential impacts to cultural resources.
Our initial finding is that the proposed work would neither affect any species listed as
endangered by the U.S. Departments of Interior or Commerce, nor affect any habitat designated
as critical to the survival and recovery of any endangered species.
This notice initiates the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation requirements of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The applicant's proposal would
result in the destruction or alteration of N/A acre(s) of EFH utilized by various life stages of red
drum and penaeid shrimp. Our initial determination is that the proposed action would not have a
substantial adverse impact on EFH or federally managed fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. Our
final determination relative to project impacts and the need for mitigation measures is subject to
review by and coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
-3-
If the proposed work involves deposits of dredged or fill material into navigable waters, the
evaluation of the probable impacts will include the application of guidelines established by the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Also, a certification that the proposed
activity will not violate applicable water quality standards will be required from the Department of
Environmental Quality, before a permit is issued.
Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that a
public hearing be held to consider this application. Requests for public hearings shall state, with
particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing.
You are requested to communicate the information contained in this notice to any other
parties whom you deem likely to have interest in the matter.
The applicant has certified that the proposed activity described in the application complies
with and will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the Louisiana Coastal Resources
Program. The Department of the Army permit will not be issued unless the applicant received
approval or a waiver of the Coastal Use Permit by the Department of Natural Resources.
You are requested to communicate the information contained in this notice to any other
parties whom you deem likely to have interested in the matter.
Martin S. Mayer
Chief, Regulatory Branch
Enclosure
Final Prospectus
Proposed English Bayou Mitigation Bank
Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
January 13, 2015
Sponsor:
B.H. Mitigation Company, LLC
Tom Spies
5667 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808-2610
Agent:
TerRestore, LLC
8070 Fitzgerald Drive
Denham Springs, Louisiana 70706
Table of Contents
1.0
1.1
2.0
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.0
6.0
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
7.0
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1
Site Location ....................................................................................................... 1
PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................... 1
ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY OF THE SITE ..................................................... 4
Historical Ecological Characteristics of the Site ................................................ 4
Current Ecological Characteristics of the Site .................................................... 4
General Need for the Project in this Area ........................................................... 5
Technical Feasibility ........................................................................................... 5
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MITIGATION BANK ........................................... 6
Site Restoration Plan ........................................................................................... 6
Current Site Risks ............................................................................................. 10
Long-Term Sustainability of the Site ................................................................ 10
PROPOSED SERVICE AREA............................................................................. 10
OPERATION OF THE MITIGATION BANK .................................................... 11
Project Representatives ..................................................................................... 11
Qualifications of the Sponsor............................................................................ 11
Proposed Long-Term Ownership and Management Representatives ............... 11
Site Protection ................................................................................................... 11
Long-Term Strategy .......................................................................................... 12
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................... 12
List of Tables
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
Current Habitat Types and Landuse
Proposed Mitigation Bank Habitat Types
Proposed BLH Species Assemblage to be Planted
Proposed Potential Coastal Prairie Species to be Planted
List of Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 7a-b
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Location Map
Site Boundary
Existing Conditions
Landuse / Land Cover within One-Mile Buffer
Proposed Mitigation Types
Existing Drainage
Proposed Drainage
Typical Cross-Sections
Soils Map
Drainage Area
BLH Service Area
Coastal Prairie Service Area
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
1.0 INTRODUCTION
B.H. Mitigation Company, LLC (Sponsor) submits this prospectus to the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers - New Orleans District (CEMVN) and the Interagency Review Team
(IRT) to initiate evaluation of the proposed English Bayou Mitigation Bank (EBMB) in
accordance with 33 CFR 332.8(d)(2). The details pertaining to the use of this site as a
mitigation bank will be specified in the subsequent mitigation banking instrument (MBI).
EBMB consists of 253.58 acres currently used for agricultural purposes and located in
Section 33, Township 9S, Range 7W of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (Figure 1).
1.1
Site Location
The Property is located at latitude 30.2280 N and longitude 93.0896 W (approximate
center point) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. This location includes all or portions of
Sections 32 and 33 Township 9S, Range 7W. The Property is located approximately
4.0 miles west of Iowa, Louisiana. To reach the Property, drive west on Interstate 10
toward Lake Charles; take Exit 43 (Iowa) to Louisiana Highway 383 South; proceed
south for approximately 1.4 miles; turn right (west) on Louisiana Highway 90; proceed
for approximately 4.0 miles; turn left onto Boys Village Road; proceed for 0.3 miles, and
the property will be on the right (see Figure 2).
Current landuse of the property consists primarily of agricultural crop fields, cattle
pasture, and open water (see Table 1 and Figure 3). Adjacent landuse consists primarily
of agricultural (59%) and forest/woodlands (5%) (see Figure 4).
2.0
PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of EBMB is the re-establishment, rehabilitation, and preservation of 223.39
acres of coastal prairie and bottomland hardwood habitats, with an additional 20.42 acres
of hydric and non-hydric inclusions. The remaining 9.77 acres of non-mitigation features
will consist of ROW and open water.
The Sponsor proposes to restore the hydrology of the site by removing spoil banks, rice
dikes, and elevated roads which currently impede the natural movement flood waters and
sheet flow across the site. The Sponsor will also remove the site from agricultural use
and reforest the site with an assemblage of species indicative of wetland forests in this
area. The surrounding area consists primarily of agricultural landuse, making the
proposed bank a valuable asset to water quality and wildlife.
1
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
Table 1: Current Habitat Types and Landuse (Figure 3)
Habitat Type
Landuse
Acreage
Agricultural
Prior Converted Wetlands
Agricultural
223.39
Forested Areas
Recreational
20.42
Non-Wetlands
Roads/Right-of-Way
(ROW)
6.21
Other U.S. Waters
Natural Drains / Drainage
Canals
3.56
Total
---
253.58
Table 2: Proposed Mitigation Bank Habitat Types (Figure 5)
Habitat Type
Acreage
Mitigation Type
Bottomland Hardwood
Forest
44.41
Re-establishment I
Bottomland Hardwood
Forest
15.00
Rehabilitation I
Coastal Prairie
139.86
Re-establishment I
Coastal Prairie
24.12
Rehabilitation I
Wetland Forest
8.63
Hydric inclusion
Upland Forest
11.79
Non-hydric inclusion
ROW, Roads, and Water
Water:
ROW/Roads:
3.56
6.21
Non-mitigation
Total: 9.77
Total
253.58
---
Total Mitigation and
Inclusions
243.81
---
2
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
2.1
Aquatic Functions to be Restored
The EBMB site is located in the Upper Calcasieu watershed, specifically within the
English Bayou drainage area. The site is currently in agricultural use for rice production
and cattle pasture. The site drains into the West Fork of English Bayou via several
agricultural drains. Rice dikes and spoil banks impound water on the site and prevent
overbank flooding, hydrologically isolating the site (Figure 6).
The degrading of spoil banks, roads, and rice dikes will restore sheetflow across the
property. Water that is currently flowing through the property via agricultural drains will
be allowed to spread overbank and temporarily inundate the property (Figure 7).
Vegetative plantings will be used to restore natural vegetation throughout the property.
Long-term maintenance will be provided to prevent colonization by noxious plants,
erosion along interfaces of drainageways, and trespass vandalism. Vegetative plantings,
as well as the restoration of the hydroperiod across the property, will create wildlife
habitat, as well as benefiting water quality as described below in Section 2.2.
2.2
Water Quality
The EBMB project area is located in the drainage area to Subsegment LA030702
(English Bayou from Headwaters to Calcasieu Lock) as designated by Louisiana
Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).
The project generally flows to the north via the West Fork of English Bayou, which
bisects the western portion of the property (see Figure 6). The West Fork of English
Bayou flows to the north and drains to English Bayou (approximately 1.0 mile
downstream of the project), which then discharges into the Calcasieu River
(approximately 8.8 miles downstream of the project).
The LDEQ-designated use of Fish and Wildlife Propagation (FWP) for Subsegment
LA030702 was identified as impaired in the 2012 final LDEQ 303(d). The identified
impairment was total dissolved solids (due to flow alterations from water diversions).
Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for ammonia nitrogen/dissolved oxygen and total
suspended solids/turbidity were completed for Subsegment LA030702 (English Bayou)
in 1997 and 2002 (respectively), due to prior impairments for these water quality
parameters (cause by urban runoff, natural sources, and hydro-modification).
The cessation of agricultural activities along with degrading spoil banks, roads, rice
dikes, and planting of trees for this project will aid in meeting the current and future
TMDLs through the resulting water quality improvements due to increased filtration and
plant uptake (i.e., nonpoint source pollution prevention).
3
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
3.0
3.1
ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY OF THE SITE
Historical Ecological Characteristics of the Site
EBMB lands were historically coastal prairie and hardwood forests, which were cleared
for silvicultural and agricultural use prior to 1970. This is confirmed by aerial
photography maintained by CEMVN. Since property acquisition in 1995, the property
has been used only for agricultural activities.
3.2
Current Ecological Characteristics of the Site
The site is currently used for agricultural activities (i.e., rice fields and cattle pasture).
Currently, wetlands and unnamed drainageways on-site are hydrologically isolated due to
spoil banks along drainageways, elevated roads, and rice dikes. Wetland hydrology onsite is currently driven by direct precipitation rice dikes have been minimally gapped to
allow some of the excessive precipitation to flow from the site as runoff, while spoil
banks and elevated roads are too high for routine flood waters to overtop. Current and
proposed drainage patterns are depicted on Figures 6 and 7.
Current sources of water include direct precipitation, runoff from adjacent properties, and
backwater flooding from the Calcasieu River. The average annual precipitation in the
vicinity of the project area is approximately 52.4 inches. August is the wettest month of
the year with an average precipitation of 5.8 inches, and March is the driest month of the
year with an average precipitation of 2.7 inches. Average annual runoff ranges from 12
to 20 inches in this region.
Current vegetation within cleared cow pasture consists of predominantly: Southern carpet
grass (Axonnopus affinis), Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum), and Early butter-cup
(Ranunculus fasciclaris).
Current vegetation within cleared crop fields consists of predominantly cultivated rice
(Oryza sativa).
The Calcasieu Parish Soil Survey maps the sites soils as Mowata-Vidrine silt loams (Mt),
Leton silt loam (Lt), Edgarly loam (Mr), and Crowley-Vidrine complex (Cr). A wetland
delineation conducted in January 2014 confirmed that these soils present hydric
indicators and are wetland soils. Figure 8 presents the current soils within the project
area.
Hydric soils indicate that the site is inundated for at least 14 consecutive days per year.
This site is comprised primarily of Mowata-Vidrine silt loam and Edgarly loam soils,
which, in this area, typically have a seasonal high water table between the surface and
1.5 feet below the surface during the months of December and April.
4
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
The jurisdictional determination from CEMVN, MVN-2014-00564-SR, dated
April 16, 2014, is included in Appendix B.
The drainage area has been estimated based on topographic maps and HUC areas. The
drainage area is bound on the north by Louisiana Highway 90, on the west by Manchester
Road, on the east by David Road, and on the south by McCown Road (Figure 9).
3.3
General Need for the Project in this Area
EBMB is proposed to provide compensatory mitigation for CEMVN approved projects
within the Calcasieu-Mermentau watershed, which encompasses approximately 1,270
square miles. In recent years, this watershed has seen the highest demand for wetland
mitigation in the New Orleans District.
Due to development and agriculture, very little native prairie and forest habitat remains in
the vicinity of the site, providing limited habitat for migratory birds and terrestrial
wildlife. The restoration of this site will provide 253.58 acres of much needed natural
habitat, while also improving the water quality in the receiving waters downstream of this
site.
3.4
Technical Feasibility
The EBMB has the potential to re-establish and rehabilitate 223.39 acres of coastal
prairie and forested wetlands. These lands will be protected and maintained by
conservation servitude.
The site is underlain by hydric soils, according to the NRCS soil survey and verified via
field investigations. Despite hydrologic modification of Bank lands, the hydric soil
indicators have persisted.
The site is bisected by the West Fork of English Bayou, which flows north to the
Calcasieu River. Following hydrologic restoration (i.e., removal of spoil banks and rice
dikes), water in English Bayou will flood Bank lands during high water events.
A reference site was used to determine the species assemblage which historically existed
at the project site.
5
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
4.0 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MITIGATION BANK
4.1
Site Restoration Plan
4.1.1
Hydrologic Restoration
Spoil Banks / Elevated Access Roads / Rice Dikes:
Currently, overbank flooding is impeded by spoil banks, elevated roads, and rice dikes.
During flood stages sufficient to overtop these impediments, flood waters become
impounded behind them. Removal of these impediments will contribute to the ability of
flood waters on-site to rise and recede in a more natural regime.
Spoil bank material excavated during restoration will be spread over adjacent fields so as
not to significantly alter topography or will be removed from site.
Those access roads to remain will be lowered to grade and low-water crossings will be
installed (as necessary) to further facilitate drainage.
4.1.2
Vegetative Restoration
4.1.2.1
BLH Reestablishment/Rehabilitation Measures
For those 59.41 acres proposed for designation as BLH re-establishment and
rehabilitation, an appropriate combination of hard and soft mast producing bare-root
stock will be planted. Species assemblages will be selected and planted based on
landscape position. Proposed species assemblages to be planted will be representative of a
species assemblage historically common to surrounding wetland forest and bayous of the
area. These species assemblages are identified in The Natural Communities of Louisiana
(Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, August 2009, available at:
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov). A proposed species list is presented in Table 3.
Proposed planting spacing in areas designated as re-establishment and rehabilitation will
be 9'x 9' (for an initial density of 538 trees per acre) for bare-root stock. Initial / interim
planting success rates for reestablishment areas will be a minimum of 250 trees per acre
for bare-root stock. Long-term success for all replanted areas will be 80% canopy
coverage. Escrow or bond sum release rates and monitoring requirements will be
consistent with other recently implemented CEMVN approved mitigation banks.
4.1.2.2
Coastal Prairie Reestablishment/Rehabilitation Measures
For those 163.98 acres proposed for designation as Coastal Prairie re-establishment and
rehabilitation, an appropriate assemblage of coastal prairie species will be planted.
Species assemblages will be selected and planted based on landscape position. Proposed
species assemblages to be planted will be representative of a species assemblage
historically common to surrounding wetland prairies of the area. These species assemblages
are identified in The Natural Communities of Louisiana (Louisiana Natural Heritage
6
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
Program, August 2009, available at: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov). A proposed list of
possible species to be planted is presented in Table 4.
Proposed coastal prairie areas designated as re-establishment and rehabilitation will be
prepared by applying herbicides and tilling soil to remove invasive species prior to
planting. Coastal prairie areas will be replanted with seed from regional suppliers or
harvested from local habitats. Coastal prairie habitat will be maintained by prescribed
burning on a 1-3 year cycle. Escrow or bond sum release rates and monitoring
requirements will be consistent with other recently implemented CEMVN approved
mitigation banks.
4.1.2.3
Hydric and Non-hydric Inclusions
For those 20.42 acres proposed for designation as hydric and non-hydric inclusions,
restoration will include removal of invasive plant species.
4.1.2.4
Invasive Species Control
Invasive plant species such as Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebiferum) will be removed
by cutting or herbicidal treatment during initial planting. The percent cover of invasive
plants will be monitored during long-term and short-term success monitoring, and
appropriate action will be taken if needed.
Table 3.
Proposed BLH Species Assemblage to be Planted
Scientific Name
Common Name
(USDA)
Observed In
Reference
Site(1)
Recorded
In
Calcasieu
Parish
(USDA)
Wetland
Indicator Status
Region 2 (USDA)
Bottomland Hardwood
Quercus nigra L.
Quercus pagoda Raf.
Water oak
Cherrybark oak
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
FAC
FACW
Quercus texana Buckley
Quercus phellos L.
Quercus laurifolia Michx.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Liquidambar styraciflua L.
Celtis laevigata
Ulmus americana L.
Acer rubrum L. var. drummondii
(Hook. & Arn. Ex Nutt.) Sarg.
Nuttall oak
Willow oak
Laurel oak
Green ash
Sweetgum
Sugar berry
American elm
Drummond's
maple
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
FACW
FACW
FACW
FACW
FAC
FACW
FAC
Yes
Yes
OBL
(1)
A nearby reference site of a natural (healthy) bottomland hardwood community was selected
on which vegetative surveys were conducted.
7
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
Table 4.
Proposed Potential Coastal Prairie Species to be Planted
Scientific Name
Coastal Prairie
Agalinis fasciculata
Agalinis purpurea
Agrostis hyemalis
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Andropogon gerardii
Andropogon glomeratus
Andropogon gyrans
Andropogon virginicus
Aristida purpurascens
Arnoglossum ovatum
Aster praealtus
Aster puniceus
Bidens aristosa
Buchnera Americana
Carex spp.
Chaerophyllum tainturieri
Coreopsis pubescens
Coreopsis tinctoria
Coreopsis tripteris
Ctenium aromaticum
Dichanthelium
Dichanthelium dichotomum
Dichanthelium
Dichanthelium scoparium
Dichanthelium scoparium
Eleocharis parvula
Eragrostis elliottii
Eragrostis refracta
Erigeron philadelphicus
Erigeron strigosus
Eryngium yuccifolium
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Eupatorium rotundifolium
Euthamia leptocephala
Helenium vernale
Helianthus angustifolius
Common Name (USDA)
Beach Purple False
Purple False Foxglove
Winter Bent Grass
Eastern Bluestar
Big Bluestem
Bushy Bluestem
Elliot's Bluestem
Broomsedge
Three Awn Grass
Egg-leaf Indian Plantain
Tall Blue Aster
Roughstem Aster
Beaded Beggar's Ticks
American Blue Hearts
Caric Sedges
Wild Chervil
Star Tickseed
Plains Tickseed
Tall Tickseed
Toothache Grass
Variable Panic Grass
Cypress Panic Grass
Panic Grass
Velvet Panic Grass
Velvet Panic Grass
Dwarf Spikerush
Elliot Lovegrass
Coastal Love Grass
Showy Daisy Fleabane
Fleabane
Button Snakeroot
Boneset
Roundleaf Boneset
Flat-topped Goldenrod
Vernal Sneezeweed
Narrow Leaf Sunflower
8
Wetland
Indicator Status
Region 2 (USDA)
FAC
FACW
FAC
FACW
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
FACW
FACW
FACW
OBL
FACW
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
FAC
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
OBL
FACW
FACW
OBL
FACW
FACW
FAC
FAC
FAC
FACW
FAC
FACW
FACW
FACW
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
Hibiscus moscheutos
Juncus effusus
Liatris spicata
Lobelia puberula
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Panicum anceps
Panicum virgatum
Paspalum floridanum
Paspalum plicatulum
Penstemon digitalis
Penstemon laxiflorus
Prunella vulgaris
Psoralea simplex
Pycnanthemum albescens
Pycnanthemum muticum
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Rhexia mariana
Rhynchospora caduca
Scutellaria integrifolia
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Sisyrinchium rosulatum
Solidago rugosa
Solidago sempervirens
Symphyotrichum dumusom
Symphyotrichum
Tradescantia ohiensis
Tridens ambiguus
Tridens strictus
Tripsacum dactyloides
Vernonia gigantea
4.1.2.5
Crimsoneyed Mallow
Soft Rush
Blazing Star
Purple Dew Drop
Coastal Muhly Grass
Beaked Switchgrass
Switchgrass
Florida Paspalum
Brownseed Paspalum
Smooth Beardtongue
Beardtongue
Common Self-heal
Single Stem Snakeroot
Whiteleaf Mountain Mint
Lowland Mt. Mint
Thin Leaf Mt. Mint
Maryland Meadow Beauty
Anglestem Beaksedge
Helmet Flower
Narrowleafed Blue-eyed
Spreading Blue-eyed Grass
Roughleaf Goldenrod
Seaside Goldenrod
Rice Button Aster
Calico Aster
Common Spiderwort
Pine Barren Tridens
Long-spike Tridens
Eastern Gamma
Giant Ironweed
OBL
FACW
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
FAC
FAC
FAC
FAC
FAC
FACW
FACW
OBL
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
FACW
FAC
FAC
FAC
FACW
FACW
FAC
FAC
Monitoring
At a minimum, monitoring reports shall be completed in the spring (when new growth
makes identification practicable) of Years 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and prior to and following the
first thinning operation. Reports will be submitted by December 31 of each monitoring
year.
9
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
4.2
Current Site Risks
While there is no immediate threat of conversion to a more intensive landuse for this site
(or any known proposed development on any adjacent properties), continued use of this
site for agricultural purposes would further degrade the water quality of the receiving
water bodies and would provide limited benefit to wildlife habitat.
EBMB is free of encumbrances, with the exception of a lien which will be released prior
to Bank approval. EBMB and adjacent properties are within unincorporated land and are
absent of zoning regulations.
There are no existing hydrologic disturbances on or adjacent to the site, over which the
Sponsor has no control. Louisiana Civil Code, Article 490, treats water resources under
the theory of absolute ownership and rule of capture, provided capture does not result in
harm to neighbors.
4.3
Long-Term Sustainability of the Site
EBMB will be self-sustaining, requiring minimal maintenance after the final success
criteria are met. No structures are proposed or would be necessary to assure hydrologic
or vegetative restoration.
5.0
PROPOSED SERVICE AREAS
EBMB is located in the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 08080203.
EBMB will provide BLH mitigation credits primarily to the HUC 08080203 area and
secondarily to the Calcasieu drainage basin (HUCs 08080204, 08080205, and 08080206)
(Figure 10).
EBMB will provide Coastal Prairie mitigation credits primarily to the HUC 08080203
area and secondarily to HUCs 08080201, 08080202, 08080205, 08080206, 08080102,
and 08080103 (Figure 11).
These proposed service areas are consistent with other CEMVN approved mitigation
banks within this region.
10
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
6.0 OPERATION OF THE MITIGATION BANK
6.1
6.2
Project Representatives
Sponsor:
B.H. Mitigation Company, LLC
5667 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808-2610
(225) 922-4540
Tspies@powellgrp.com
POC: Tom Spies
Agent:
TerRestore, LLC
8070 Fitzgerald Drive
Denham Springs, Louisiana 70706
Landowner:
Excalibur Land Company, LLC
5667 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808-2610
(225) 922-4540
Tspies@powellgrp.com
POC: Tom Spies
Qualifications of the Sponsor
B.H. Mitigation, LLC has more than 50 years of experience in land management,
forestry, and agriculture. B.H. Mitigation, LLC currently manages over 18,000 acres of
land and silviculture, including Cow Bayou Mitigation Bank (an approved mitigation
bank within the New Orleans District).
6.3
Proposed Long-Term Ownership and Management Representatives
The long-term owner of the bank is proposed to be Excalibur Land Company, LLC, and
the long-term management of the bank is proposed to be conducted by B.H. Mitigation
Company, LLC.
6.4
Site Protection
EBMB will be protected in perpetuity by a conservation servitude pursuant to Louisiana
Revised Statute 9:1271 et seq. The servitude will be held by Louisiana Land Conservancy
(Holder), a conservation-oriented 501(c)(3) organization. The servitude will inure and run
with the property title.
11
English Bayou Mitigation Bank
The servitude will prohibit activities, such as clear cutting, fill discharges, cattle grazing,
or other commercial surface development that would diminish the quality or quantity of
restored wetlands.
6.5
Long-Term Strategy
A long-term maintenance and protection escrow account will provide funding for longterm boundary maintenance and site protection, into perpetuity. These long-term
maintenance and site protection activities will be conducted by the Sponsor. The
conservation servitude will protect the site from any activities that would diminish the
quality of restored wetlands on the site. No structures are proposed or would be
necessary to assure hydrologic or vegetative restoration.
7.0
REFERENCES
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 33, Parts 325 and 332 and Title 40, Part 230, as
published on pages 19594-19704 in the Federal Register dated 10 April 2008.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Web
Soil Survey, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, Retrieved December 2010.
http://soils.usda.gov/survey/online_surveys/louisiana/index.html
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service,
PLANTS Database USDA PLANTS, Retrieved June 2009.
http://plants.usda.gov/
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality 303(d) Impaired Waterbodies List,
2008.
12
Appendix A
Figures
¯
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
0 0.5 1
2
3
4
Miles
LOCATION MAP
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: © OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
Figure: 1
Date: October 2014
Scale:1:120,000
ESRI
Map Author:
¯
Legend
Scheufens
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
Boys Village
90
£
¤
Ga
rr e
th
Manchester
P E Daigle
Mccown
0
1,000
2,000
SITE BOUNDARY
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
3,000
4,000
Feet
Figure: 2
Date: October 2014
Scale:1:11,500
Source: ESRI
Map ID: 277027103-3052
¯
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
Scheufens
Wetland - Cow Pasture - 39.12 ac.
Prior Converted Non-Wetlands - Crop Fields - 175.40 ac.
Non-Wet Spoil Bank / Road - 8.87 ac.
Forested - 20.42 ac.
Road/ROW - 6.21 ac.
Other Waters - 3.56 ac.
Boys Village
90
£
¤
Ga
rr e
th
Manchester
P E Daigle
Mccown
0
1,000
2,000
EXISTING CONDITIONS
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
3,000
4,000
Feet
Figure: 3
Date: January 2015
Scale:1:11,500
Source: ESRI
Map ID: 277027103-3052
¯
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
1 Mile Buffer - 4,156.42 ac.
Agricultural Vegetation - 59.28%
Forest & Woodland - 4.75%
Introduced & Semi Natural Vegetation - 7.36%
Open Water = 0.93%
0
Shrubland & Grassland - 1.35%
0.25
0.5
1
Developed & Other Human Use - 26.33%
LAND USE/LAND COVER WITHIN 1 MILE BUFFER
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: © OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
Figure: 4
Date: October 2014
Scale:1:30,000
ESRI/USGS
Map Author:
1.5
Miles
¯
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
Scheufens
Re-establishment of Coastal Prairie - 139.86 ac.
Re-establishment of Bottomland Hardwoods - 44.41 ac.
Rehabiliation of Coastal Prairie - 24.12 ac.
Rehabiliation of Bottomland Hardwoods - 15.00 ac.
Hydric Inclusion - 8.63 ac.
Non-hydric Inclusion - 11.79 ac.
Non-Mitigation - Road to Remain/ROW - 6.21 ac.
Other Waters - 3.56 ac.
Boys Village
90
£
¤
Ga
rr e
th
Manchester
P E Daigle
Mccown
0
1,000
2,000
PROPOSED MITIGATION TYPES
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
3,000
4,000
Feet
Figure: 5
Date: December 2014
Scale:1:11,500
Source: ESRI
Map ID:
¯
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
ork Engli
s
h BaText
yo u
Drainageways
Scheufens
West
F
Spoil Banks / Roads
Flow Direction
!
(
Drains - Flowing to Stream
Boys Village
90
£
¤
!
(
!
(
!
(
!
(
We
s
tF
or
k
-E
ng
lis
hB
Ga
rr e
th
ay
ou
Manchester
P E Daigle
Mccown
0
1,000
2,000
EXISTING DRAINAGE
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
3,000
Figure: 6
Date: October 2014
Scale:1:11,000
Source: ESRI
Map ID:
4,000
Feet
¯
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
ork Engli
s
Drainageways
h B ay
Scheufens
West
F
ou
Spoil Banks / Roads to Remain (Lowered to Grade)
Ditches - To Be Swaled
Spoil Banks / Roads To Be Removed
!
(
Drains - Flowing to Stream (To Be Plugged)
Flow Direction
Typical Cross-Sections A-D
90
£
¤
B
C
Boys Village
D
!
(
A
!
(
!
(
!
(
We
s
tF
or
k
-E
ng
lis
hB
Ga
rr e
th
ay
ou
Manchester
P E Daigle
Mccown
0
1,000
2,000
PROPOSED DRAINAGE
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP, swisstopo, and the GIS User Community
3,000
Figure: 7
Date: January 2015
Scale:1:11,000
Source: ESRI
Map ID:
4,000
Feet
ENGLISH BAYOU CROSS-SECTIONS A'A' & B-B'
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Figure: 7a
Date: January 2015
Scale: N/A
Source: USGS
Map ID:
ENGLISH BAYOU CROSS-SECTIONS C-C' & D-D'
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Figure: 7b
Date: January 2015
Scale: N/A
Source: USGS
Map ID:
¯
W
W W
W
Cr
W
WW
Legend
Mr
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
BB
% of Hydric
0
5
9
10
55
80
90
Mr
Mt
Soils
BB, Basile and Guyton silt loams
Cr, Crowley-Vidrine silt loams
Lt, Leton silt loam
Mr, Edgerly loam
Mt, Mowata-Vidrine silt loams
W, Water
Mt
Cr
Mt
Lt
Mr
0
Cr
W
Mt
W
1,000
2,000
3,000
W
4,000
Feet
Mt
Cr
Mt
SOILS MAP
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Figure: 8
Date: October 2014
Scale:1:11,000
Source: GEC/USGS
Map ID: 270131001000-3051
Parish Barn Rd
Claude Hebert Rd
Ira Breaux Rd
Ledoux Rd
Hungerford Rd
I-10 Mobile Village Rd
Mark Lebleu Rd
Packing House Rd
Interstate 10
E Opelousas St
Ardoin Rd
Joe Sp
ears R
d
Canal
Rd
Farm Rd
Metzger Rd
0Tower
0.15
0.3
0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5
Rd
Miles
DRAINAGE AREA
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Service Layer Credits: © OpenStreetMap (and) contributors, CC-BY-SA
Copyright:© 2013 National Geographic Society, i-cubed
Leger Rd
Hwy 397
Clement Rd
Mccown Rd
¯
David Rd
Boys Village Rd
Manchester Rd
Hwy 90 East
Legend
Study Area - 253.58 ac.
Drainage Area (Approx. 1,950 ac.)
Figure: 9
Date: October 2014
Scale:1:50,000
ESRI
Map Author:
Little
08040304
0
5 10
20
30
West Fork
Calcasieu
08080206
40
Miles
¯
V
V U
U
£
¤
3059
171
Lower Red
08040301
£
¤
V
U
3020
§
¦
¨
10
V
U
3256
£
¤
V
U
3258
90
90
V
U
383
1138
Lower Sabine
12010005
Whisky Chitto
08080204
210
§
¦
¨
V
U
384
V
U
V
U
397
3186
Bayou
Teche
Lower
08080102
Calcasieu
V
U
08080206
3092
West Fork Calcasieu
08080205
Upper Calcasieu
08080203
§
¦
¨
210
V
U
397
Mermentau
08080202
V
U
14
Mermentau Headwaters
08080201
Lower Grand
08070300
Upper Calcasieu
08080203
Atchafalaya
08080101
Legend
Sabine Lake
12040201
Lower Calcasieu
08080206
Project Area
Mermentau
08080202
Vermilion
08080103
Primary Service Area
Secondary Service Area
8 Digit Hydrologic Unit Code
State Boundary
BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD SERVICE AREA MAP
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Figure: 10
Date: January 2015
Scale:1:1,300,000
Source: USGS
Map ID:
0
5
10
20
30
40
Miles
¯
Whisky Chitto
08080204
Lower Grand
08070300
Lower Sabine
12010005
Mermentau Headwaters
08080201
West Fork Calcasieu
08080205
Upper Calcasieu
08080203
Atchafalaya
08080101
Bayou Teche
08080102
Lower Calcasieu
08080206
Mermentau
08080202
Sabine Lake
12040201
Vermilion
08080103
Legend
State Boundary
Western Gulf Coastal Plain Level III Ecoregion (New Orleans District)
Project Area
8 Digit Hydrologic Unit Code
Primary Service Area
Secondary Service Area
COASTAL PRAIRIE SERVICE AREA MAP
English Bayou
Calcasieu Parish
Figure: 11
Date: January 2015
Scale:1:1,000,000
Source: USGS
Map ID:
Appendix B
Jurisdictional Determination