Fourth Year Permit Compliance Report For Corridor D WAS-50-4.40 (PID 23565) Fourth Year Monitoring Davis Creek Relocations USACE Permit: UN Trib Davis Creek-200400265 Prepared by 1980 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43223 January, 2012 Table of Contents Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1 Methods………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Fourth Year Monitoring Results…………….………………………………………………………………….. 3 QHEI and HHEI……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 Water Quality and Hydrology………………………………………………………………………… 3 Native Vegetation………..………………………………………………………………………………… 4 Table 1. QHEI and HHEI scores……………………………………………………………………….. 5 Table 2. Water Quality……………………………………………………………………………………. 5 Permit Compliance Summary and Contingency Plan..……………………………………………….. 6 Davis Creek and its Unnamed Tributary…………………………………………………………. 6 Conservation Easement East Branch Little Hocking River…………………………..….. 6 Conservation Easement Unnamed Tributary Goss Fork…………………………………. 7 Literature Cited…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Appendix A: Figures Figure 1. Corridor D Interchange Location Map (USGS Topographic) Figure 2. Corridor D Interchange Location Map (Aerial) Figure 3. Conservation Easement Unnamed Tributary Goss Fork (USGS Topographic) Figure 4. As built drawings for stream relocations after construction Figure 5. Stream relocations as surveyed in 2010. Figure 6. Vegetation Map showing Community Types Figure 7. 2011 Aerial Photograph of the Relocated Portions of Davis Creek and the Unnamed Tributary to Davis Creek Appendix B: Fourth Year Photographs of Davis Creek 2011 Appendix C: QHEI and HHEI data 2011 (Davis Creek and Unnamed Tributary) Appendix D: Individual Permit Authorization (UN Trib Davis Creek-200400265) Appendix E: Goss Fork Conservation Easement Documentation Appendix F: Balance Sheet for Sunday Creek Introduction An interchange and new bridge spanning the Ohio River at U.S. Route 50 and State Route 7 in Belpre Township, Washington County, Ohio was constructed in 2007 to provide access to West Virginia’s Appalachian Corridor D highway project (Appendix A, Figures 1 and 2). Interchange construction resulted in approximately 2,330 linear feet of stream impacts, specifically 1,580 feet to Davis Creek (Modified Warmwater Habitat) and 750 feet to its unnamed tributary (Class II Headwater). Stream channel not filled by the interchange construction foot print was relocated within the interchange infield (see photo below). The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) individual permit authorization (UN Trib Davis Creek-200400265) required compensatory mitigation for stream impacts (Appendix D). On-site stream mitigation was to consist of using natural channel design techniques for relocated segments of Davis Creek (340’) and its unnamed tributary (400’) (Appendix A, Figures 4 and 5). Off-site stream mitigation consisted of placing approximately 900 linear feet of East Branch Little Hocking River (WWH) and 210 linear feet of an “approved” stream location under a conservation easement. In 2006, an unnamed tributary to Goss Fork (Class III) was selected as the “approved” location for the 210 linear feet of conservation easement (Appendix A, Figure 3; Appendix E). In late winter 2010, a landowner previously identified as willing to participate in a conservation easement along 900 feet of the East Branch Little Hocking River indicated she was longer interested. ODOT is currently seeking a contingency plan for the 900 linear feet stream deficit. Corridor D infield showing relocated stream channels Ohio Environmental Protection Agency shortly after construction. (OEPA) permit ODOT ID No. WAS-50-4.40 (PID 23565); Off-Site Stream Mitigation required that ODOT mitigate a minimum of 1110 linear feet stream off-site including 900 linear feet along the East Branch Little Hocking River and 210 linear feet at the Unnamed Tributary to Goss Fork (Appendix D). As indicated above, the 900 linear feet of off-site mitigation along the East Branch Little Hocking River is no longer available. An alternative is being pursued by ODOT. OEPA permit; Performance Criteria required that relocated Davis Creek and its unnamed tributary within the interchange infield obtain Warmwater Habitat and Class II headwater status respectively, based on QHEI and HHEI assessments within five years after project completion. In addition, the riparian zone vegetation along both streams was to be comprised of 80% native Ohio species. Note – The USACE erroneously reported impacts to Davis Creek and the unnamed tributary as 2,220’ on the cover letter and Special Conditions of the individual permit dated December 3, 1 2004. The correct total length of impacts is 2,330’ as reported in ODOT’s Section 401 Water Quality Certification/Section 404 Permit Application and on page 1 of the USACE permit (“You are authorized to place fill material into 1580’ of Davis Creek and 750’ of an unnamed tributary of Davis Creek...”, the sum of which is 2,330’.) In addition, OEPA’s “Modification of Section 401 Water Quality Certification issued July 12, 2004” dated October 28, 2004 was in response to changes in ODOT’s construction plans. Two hundred and ten feet (210) of channel relocation using natural channel design in Davis Creek was abandoned at the interchange culvert outlet in order to avoid arsenic laden sediments. Therefore, relocation of stream channels using natural design was reduced from a total of 950’ to 740’, with 340’ of relocation at Davis Creek and 400’ at its unnamed tributary. As stated previously, the 210 feet of stream impact was offset by the Goss Fork Class III headwater stream conservation easement. In compliance with permit requirements, an onsite meeting for a third year review was conducted between ODOT, USACE and the OEPA on October 26, 2010. Based on QHEI and other observations at that time, it was determined that relocated Davis Creek (340’) was not likely to meet Warmwater Habitat status by year five and that a contingency plan was needed. Based on the HHEI, the unnamed tributary appeared to be meeting Class II headwater status. Riparian vegetation appeared to be dominated by native Ohio species. This report is the fourth in a series of yearly monitoring reports that chart the development of the Davis Creek channel relocations. It will be the second comprehensive report that includes the status of conservation easements on private properties as proposed. Methods The fourth year monitoring of Davis Creek was conducted by Matt Raymond, Emily Miller and Mike Austin on July 12, 2011. QHEI and HHEI scores were recorded for Davis Creek and the unnamed tributary to Davis Creek. Methods were carried out in accordance with the Field Evaluation Manual for Ohio’s Primary Headwater Streams (OEPA, 2002) and Methods for Assessing Habitat in Flowing Waters: Using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) (OEPA, 2006). Photographs were taken from the center of the QHEI or HHEI sample reach and are shown on the stream drawings with corresponding photograph numbers. Water quality parameters were collected from both streams using calibrated field meters and included dissolved oxygen, oxygen percent saturation, temperature, pH, conductivity and total dissolved solids. Data and photographs documenting riparian vegetation and hydrology were also collected. Vegetation was identified with standard references such as Wieshaupt (1971), Braun (1961, 1967) and Gleason and Cronquist (1999). ODOT survey files and courthouse records were consulted to determine the status of conservation easements on private properties. 2 Fourth Year Monitoring Results QHEI and HHEI Based on QHEI data collected July 2011, the relocated segment of Davis Creek scored 47.5, ranging between modified Warmwater Habitat (< 45) and Warmwater Habitat (> 60) status. The score represents a continued and gradual improvement over time from very poor (2008) to fair (2011). An increase in the QHEI score compared to previous years is likely a result of the establishment of riparian vegetation and other recovery processes related to sediment transport and equilibrium (Table 1) (Appendix C). Siltation and bank erosion continue to be a problem and undoubtedly result from the instability of the red clay soils (Upshur-Vandalia association) on Relocated Davis Creek as it appeared during the which the project and the stream channels fourth year (2011) of data collection. were constructed (NRCS, 1977). The relocated reach of Davis Creek is showing improvement and while it will likely not attain a QHEI score greater than 60 by 2012, it may likely approach the pre-construction QHEI score of 53. HHEI data for the unnamed tributary of Davis Creek resulted in a score of 52 and continues to meet the minimum requirement of a Class II headwater. During July 2011 the unnamed tributary was flowing but largely obscured by a thick stand of willows. Stream banks appeared to be stabilized. Some red clay silts were noted on the stream bottom (Table 1) (Appendix C). Water Quality and Hydrology Water chemistry parameters examined during year 4 (2011) were within tolerable limits for aquatic organisms and generally unremarkable as in previous years (Table 2). Despite flowing water in both relocated channels and an Relocated unnamed tributary to Davis Creek as it elevated QHEI score in Davis Creek, no fish were appeared during the fourth year (2011). found. Davis Creek has a history of “drying up” during late summer not only within the interchange infield but outside of the project area as well. Drying obviously limits