The proposed project consists of establishing a freshwater wetland mitigation bank in the Four Hole Swamp watershed (8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code 03050205) in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Region. According to the prospectus, the proposed 672-acre mitigation site includes approximately 543.53 acres of wetlands. This total is comprised of approximately 120.54 acres of freshwater wetlands designated for pine plantation vegetative enhancement and approximately 422.99 acres of palustrine forested wetlands slated for preservation. According to the Prospectus, the mitigation work plan includes restoring approximately 120.54 acres of wetland pine plantation to a native, diverse bottomland hardwood wetland system and preserving approximately 422.99 acres of existing, undisturbed palustrine forested wetlands in perpetuity. The restoration of the pine plantation will include the removal of the pine trees, site preparation, and replanting with indigenous bareroot hardwood seedlings. The goal is to achieve a diverse mixed species community similar to naturally occurring habitats, with specific performance standards for tree stocking density. This work will be monitored annually for five years, to ensure that the restoration areas are developing as expected and meeting the necessary performance standards. Additionally, approximately 42.56 acres of uplands will be preserved as a buffer.
According to the Prospectus, the proposed mitigation bank will provide in-kind compensatory mitigation for authorized impacts to aquatic resources located within the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain ecoregion as shown on the attached Service Area Map. The work required to complete the proposed activities on the mitigation site may be authorized under Nationwide Permit #27 after reviews by the Corps, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, and the Interagency Review Team. The mitigation bank site will be protected by the bank sponsor using a conservation easement.