|
EcoScience Corporation (ESC) has been contracted to undertake monitoring of four mitigations sites for NCEEP. The four sites are Benson Grove and White Oak Creek, in Johnston County, Sandy Creek in Durham County, and Bear Swamp Creek in Franklin County. Our firm began the process by obtaining copies of the original mitigation plans in order to familiarized ourselves with each site. Specific locations and access issues for each site were identified including, the location, number and types of monitoring devices and location of vegetation survey plots. ESC also gained an understanding of the original objective for restoration and enhancement efforts. This was necessary to effectively monitor and interpret data for year end monitoring reports.
After gathering the initial information a preliminary site visit was conducted to each off the four mitigation sites. Confirmation of location and condition of groundwater monitoring gauges, rain gauges, and vegetation survey plots was done. Each gauge and vegetation survey plot corner post was recorded with a Trimble GeoXT GPS unit. Using these GPS points our GIS specialist created updated mapping with the most current aerial photography available.
After the initial assessment, ESC staff started monthly site visits, throughout the growing season, to download all groundwater and rain gauges. In the fall, vegetative surveys and stream cross sections were undertaken using NCEEP standard protocols. After the growing season ended all data was compiled, analyzed, and an annual monitoring report was submitted to NCEEP. All work has been conducted on schedule and under budget, allowing NCEEP to meet monitoring goals.
|
