FINAL STREAM AND WETLAND
MITIGATION PLAN
FRA-270-19.84 (PID 77319) North Central Outerbelt
Improvements
January 2010
Prepared by:
Ohio Department of Transportation
Office of Environmental Services
1980 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43223
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 Overall Mitigation Goals and Objectives ........................................................................... 2
2.1 Summarize of Mitigation Objectives .......................................................................... 2
2.2 Summarize of Functions Lost and Gained ................................................................ 2
2.3 Summarize of Aquatic Resource Type and Functions ............................................... 3
3.0 Information on Impact Sites .............................................................................................. 4
3.1 Location of Impact Sites ........................................................................................... 4
3.2 Wetland and Stream Delineations ............................................................................. 5
3.3 Wetland and Stream Habitat Assessments ............................................................... 5
3.4 Impacts and Mitigation Requirements ....................................................................... 5
4.0 Baseline Information of Proposed Mitigation Site ........................................................... 7
4.1 Off-site Stream Preservation for Mitigation Credit .................................................... .7
4.2 Off-site Wetland Mitigation ........................................................................................ 8
5.0 Mitigation Site Selection & Justification ........................................................................... 9
5.1 Existing Conditions ................................................................................................... 9
5.2 Future Sustainability ................................................................................................. 9
6.0 Mitigation Work Plan ........................................................................................................ 10
6.1 Off-site stream preservation site ............................................................................. 10
6.2 Off-site wetland mitigation ....................................................................................... 10
7.0 Performance Standards ................................................................................................... 10
7.1 Off-site stream preservation site ............................................................................. 10
7.2 Off-site wetland mitigation ....................................................................................... 10
8.0 Site Protection and Maintenance .................................................................................... 11
8.1 Responsible Parties ................................................................................................ 11
8.2 Legal Protection ...................................................................................................... 11
8.3 Maintenance Plan and Schedule ............................................................................ 11
9.0 Monitoring Plan ................................................................................................................ 11
9.1 Off-site stream preservation site ............................................................................. 11
9.2 Off-site wetland mitigation ....................................................................................... 13
10.0 Adaptive Management Plan ........................................................................................... 13
10.1 Off-site stream preservation site ........................................................................... 13
10.2 Off-site wetland mitigation...................................................................................... 13
11.0 Financial Assurances .................................................................................................... 13
12.0 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................... 14
Appendix A: Aerial Photographs of the impacted stream and wetland resources
Appendix B: QHEI Forms for the Olentangy River in the vicinity of the Panhandle Dam
Appendix C: Photographs of the Panhandle Dam Mitigation Area
Appendix D: Ohio EPA Olentangy River in the vicinity of the Panhandle Dam
Appendix E: Little Scioto River Mitigation Bank balance Sheet.
Appendix F: Section 404 Nationwide Permit and Section 401 Individual WQC for Phase B2.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The proposed project involves
modifying a portion of Interstate 270,
including the interchanges with
State Route 315 and United States
Route 23 within the cities of
Worthington and Columbus in
Franklin County, Ohio (Figure 1).
The project will improve safety and
reduce congestion by improving
geometrics and reducing weave
areas associated with the above
interchanges. These modifications
include the following:
• I-270
at
SR
315
–
reconfiguring the interchange
to eliminate the weaves at the
cloverleaf ramps by “braiding”
the ramps (elevating one
ramp over the other to
Figure 1: FRA-270-19.84 general location map.
eliminate lane changes).
• I-270 at US 23 – reconfiguring
the full cloverleaf interchange to a partial (2 loop) cloverleaf design. Two of the
cloverleaf ramps will be replaced with diamond ramps with “T” intersections at
US 23 to eliminate weaving movements on I-270.
• US 23 North of I-270 –
eliminating
several
at-grade
intersections along US 23 by
utilizing an open-air grade
separated roadway located below
the normal grade (trenched
roadway). This allows through
northbound traffic to flow through
this area without stopping at
traffic lights.
• York Temple Drive – eliminates
the direct access from York
Temple Drive to US 23 and
relocates and extends this
roadway
to
intersect
with
Campus View Blvd. The access
to this roadway is only 650 feet
from the interchange. This new
configuration will allow full access
at a signalized intersection.
This project will be constructed in seven
construction phases as summarized in Figure 2: FRA-27-19.84 Construction Phasing Summary.
Figure 2.
The project will occur in the Olentangy River sub-basin of the Scioto River Watershed,
and is expected to impact six surface streams and one wetland. Streams impacted will
include the Olentangy River, seven unnamed direct tributaries to the Olentangy River,
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and three unnamed indirect tributaries to the Olentangy River for a total of 4,588 linear
feet of impact to tributaries, and additional piers and workpads in the Olentangy River
(to widen bridges and add ramps to the IR 270/SR 315 interchange). Wetlands impacts
will occur to one Category 1 wetland for a total of 0.012 acre of impact. These impacts
will be mitigated by the removal of the Panhandle Dam on the Olentangy River in
Delaware County and by purchasing 0.018 acre of credit from the Little Scioto wetland
mitigation bank.
2.0 OVERALL MITIGATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
2.1 Summary of Mitigation Objectives
The goal of the mitigation is to provide compensatory functional replacement of wetland
and stream habitats lost through the construction of the FRA-270-19.84 (PID 77319)
project. The objectives of the mitigation projects are to compensate for impacts to
4,367 linear feet of stream (and additional pier/workpad impacts to the Olentangy River)
through the removal of the Panhandle Road Dam. ODOT has estimated that the
removal of the Panhandle Dam will result in at least 4,224 linear feet (0.8 mile) of
mitigation. The first construction phase (Phase B2) will impact 409 linear feet of stream
and will be mitigated under the existing stream mitigation rules using the Panhandle
Dam mitigation. Impacts for the additional phases are very preliminary, and will be
reduced during future design. These phases may be potentially permitted under new
stream mitigation rules that may reduce the amount of mitigation needed. If the
Panhandle Road Dam site does not offer enough stream mitigation for the entire
project, other opportunities will be sought during the permitting process for the
additional construction phases.
In addition, the unavoidable impacts to 0.012 acre of wetlands will be compensated for
off-site at a 1.5:1 ratio (0.018 acre) at the Wetlands Resource Center Little Scioto
Wetland Mitigation Bank in Marion County, Ohio. Compensatory mitigation for stream
and wetland impacts for each phase will be conducted in accordance with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA)
requirements.
2.2 Summary of Functions Lost and Gained
The project will occur within the Olentangy River sub-basin (Hydrologic Unit Code
[HUC] 05060001120) of the Scioto River Watershed (HUC 05090202). The project is
expected to impact eight surface streams and three wetlands. The project is not
expected to result in any substantial adverse impacts to the overall quality and value of
surface waters (streams and wetlands) in the project area, and it is not expected to
result in a lowering of the existing aquatic life use for any of the features based on the
following conclusions:
• Most of the impacted streams and wetlands are disturbed features in
urban/suburban area with limited aquatic value. The Olentangy River has good
water quality, but will only be impacted by placement of additional piers for new
and widened structures. Impacted streams are predominantly small headwater
features with no official OEPA aquatic life use designations, exhibiting provisional
WWH (streams over 1 square mile drainage), and Class I, II, and III PHWH
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conditions. One stream that scored as a Class III stream on the HHEI, scored out
as a Class I stream on the HMFEI. The remaining Class III stream will only be
impacted by a minor culvert lengthening (8 linear feet). Wetlands impacted by
the project are very small Category 1 features (limited value). As a result, only a
minor lowering of water quality is expected for these features from loss of habitat
and assimilative capacity (in terms of sediment retention, water retention, and
nutrient retention and reduction) by structure/fill placement for the proposed
project.
The majority of the Provisional WWH habitat impacts will be to Stream 9. This
stream enters the project area near the eastern project terminus from the north.
It crosses under IR 270 and runs parallel to IR 270 westward. This stream then
flows through the IR 270/US23 interchange and runs parallel to IR 270 until its
junction with the Olentangy River (just east of the SR 315 ramps). Near the
Olentangy, it has been previously channelized for the original construction of the
freeway and the construction of a golf course. Most of the impact to this stream
will occur in the channelized section near the golf course, within the IR 270/US
23 interchange and at the culvert where the stream enters the project area east
of US 23. All of these areas have been previously impacted.
Stream 8 accounts for the rest of the Provisional WWH habitat impacts. This
stream enters the project area from the west near the northern end of the SR
315/IR 270 interchange. The portion of this stream that will be impacted has no
riparian corridor, and was previously impacted by the construction of SR 315.
•
Impacts to the physical structure of streams by the Preferred Alternative are
expected to be localized. In other words, physical stream modifications will be
limited to the footprint of the proposed impact area of the Preferred Alternative,
with no adverse effects to stream function (including flow pattern, velocity and
sediment carrying capabilities), drainage area or aquatic community expected up
stream or downstream of impact zones.
The proposed mitigation is intended to offset these project impacts through the removal
of the Panhandle Road Dam on the Olentangy River in Delaware County, and by
purchasing credit at a wetland mitigation bank in the Scioto River basin.
• Stream preservation includes the removal of the Panhandle Road Dam. ODOT
has estimated that the removal of the Panhandle Dam will result in at least 4,224
linear feet (0.8 mile) of mitigation.
• The Category 1 wetland impacts will be compensated for at a 1.5:1 ratio (0.018
acre) at the Wetlands Resource Center Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank in
Marion County, Ohio.
2.3 Summary of Type and Functions of Aquatic Resources Being Impacted
Streams
Streams impacted will include the Olentangy River, seven unnamed direct tributaries to
the Olentangy River, and three unnamed indirect tributaries to the Olentangy River for a
3
total of 4,367 linear feet of impact to tributaries, and additional piers and workpads in
the Olentangy River (to widen bridges and add ramps to the IR 270/SR 315
interchange). Total impacts by the proposed project for stream features are as follows:
• 851 linear feet of impact to Class I Primary Headwater Habitat
• 522 linear feet of impact to Class II Primary Headwater Habitat
• 8 linear feet of impact to Class III Primary Headwater Habitat
• 2,986 linear feet of impact to Provisional Warmwater Habitat
• Impacts associated with the widening and addition of piers to the Olentangy River
Wetlands
The project will not result in any impacts to unique wetland habitats or any substantial
impacts to the flood attenuation abilities of wetlands in the Olentangy River watershed.
One wetland will impacted by the project. This wetland is a 0.462 acre, OEPA ORAM
Category 1, emergent feature, of which 0.012 acre will be impacted. The loss of habitat
and wetland functions in the project area is considered minimal and will not have a
substantial impact on water quality or the overall availability of wetland habitat within the
Olentangy River watershed.
3.0 INFORMATION ON IMPACT SITES
3.1 Location of Impact Sites
As depicted in Figure 1, the proposed impact sites are located in within the cities of
Worthington and Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio. All impacts resulting from the
Figure 3a: Aquatic resource impact sites in the western
portion of the project area.
Figure 3b: Aquatic resource impact sites in the eastern
portion of the project area.
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project will occur within the Olentangy River sub-basin (Hydrologic Unit Code [HUC]
05060001120) of the Scioto River Watershed (HUC 05090202). Figures 3a and 3b
indicate where the proposed impacts occur within the project area. Detailed mapping
and photographs of the impacted resources can be found in the Preliminary Waterway
Impact Report for FRA-270-19.84 (PID 77319), Franklin County, Ohio, dated 18
November 2008.
3.2 Wetland and Stream Delineations
Wetland and stream delineations were performed as part of the project ecological
survey. All wetland delineations were conducted in accordance with the 1987 Corps of
Engineers Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987), and wetland functional
assessments following the OEPA’s Rapid Assessment Method (ORAM) version 5.0
(OEPA, 2001). Classification of the wetlands identified followed Cowardin et al. (1979).
Stream assessments for the project were conducted using OEPA’s Qualitative Habitat
Evaluation Index (QHEI) for stream greater then 1mi² drainage area, and the methods
described in OEPA’s Field Evaluation Manual for Ohio’s Primary Headwater Habitat
Streams (OEPA, 2002) for streams with less than 1mi² drainage area. Copies of the
project area wetland delineation forms, OEPA ORAM v. 5.0 forms, QHEI forms, and
Headwater Habitat Evaluation Index (HHEI) forms can be found in the Preliminary
Waterway Impact Report for FRA-270-19.84 (PID 77319), Franklin County, Ohio, dated
18 November 2008. Please see the FRA-270-24.14 (PID 81737) permit application for
plan sheets depicting the locations of aquatic resource impacts for Phase B2. Detailed
design on other phases will be provided in subsequent permit applications.
3.3 Wetland and Stream Habitat Assessments
Project area wetlands and streams were assessed using the OEPA ORAM v. 5.0,
QHEI, and HHEI forms respectively. A more detailed summary of these assessments
can be found in the Preliminary Waterway Impact Report for FRA-270-19.84 (PID
77319), Franklin County, Ohio, dated 18 November 2008. Specific information on the
wetlands and streams to be impacted by the project has been summarized in section
3.4 Impacts and Mitigation Needed.
3.4 Impacts and Mitigation Requirements
Stream Impacts
Streams impacted will include the Olentangy River, three unnamed direct tributaries to
the Olentangy River, and three unnamed indirect tributaries to the Olentangy River for a
total of 4,367 linear feet of impact to tributaries, and additional piers and work-pads in
the Olentangy River (to widen bridges and add ramps to the IR 270/SR 315
interchange).
• 851 linear feet of impact to Class I Primary Headwater Habitat
• 522 linear feet of impact to Class II Primary Headwater Habitat
• 8 linear feet of impact to Class III Primary Headwater Habitat
• 2,986 linear feet of impact to Provisional Warmwater Habitat
• Impacts associated with the widening and addition of piers to the Olentangy River
5
Most of the impacted streams and wetlands are disturbed features in urban/suburban
area with limited aquatic value. The Olentangy River has good water quality, but will
only be impacted by placement of additional piers for new and widened structures.
Impacted streams are predominantly small headwater features with no official OEPA
aquatic life use designations, exhibiting provisional WWH (streams over 1 square mile
drainage), and Class I, II, and III PHWH conditions. One stream that scored as a Class
III stream on the HHEI, scored out as a Class I stream on the HMFEI. Wetlands
impacted by the project are very small Category 1 features (limited value). As a result,
only a minor lowering of water quality is expected for these features from loss of habitat
and assimilative capacity (in terms of sediment retention, water retention, and nutrient
retention and reduction) by structure/fill placement for the proposed project. Table A
summarizes the stream impacts associated with the project.
Table A. Streams Affected by the Proposed Project.
Stream Name and/or
Length within
OEPA Prov.
Identifier
Right-of-Way (l.f.)
ALU or Class
Fisher Run, Stream 8
663
Prov. WWH
Stream 9
4,000
Prov. WWH
Stream 11
174
Class III
Stream 13
40
Class II
Stream 15
966
Class I ( HMFEI)
Stream 17
312
Class II
Olentangy River
WWH
Receiving Waters
Olentangy River
Olentangy River
Stream 10
Stream 12
Olentangy River
Stream 9
Scioto River
Approximate
Impacts (l.f.)
318
2,668
8
210
851
312
Bridge widening
and/or additions,
l.f. impact not
known
Wetland Impacts
The project will not result in any impacts to unique wetland habitats or any substantial
impacts to the flood attenuation abilities of wetlands in the Olentangy River watershed.
One wetland will impacted by the project. This wetland is a 0.462 acre, OEPA ORAM
Category 1, emergent feature, of which 0.012 acre will be impacted. The loss of habitat
and wetland functions in the project area is considered minimal and will not have a
substantial impact on water quality or the overall availability of wetland habitat within the
Olentangy River watershed. Table B summarizes the stream impacts associated with
the project.
Table B. Wetlands Affected by the Proposed Project.
Wetland Identifier
Total Size
ORAM Category
Receiving Waters
Wetland C
Stream 9
0.462
Category I
Approximate
Impacts (a.c.)
0.012
Mitigation Requirements
Stream mitigation is currently determined on a project-by-project basis through the
waterway permit process. General mitigation requirements consist of: a) on-site
mitigation at a 1:1 ratio (with on-site defined as within the same effected 8 Digit USGS
watershed and within 1 mile of the project), and b) off-site mitigation at a minimum ratio
of 1.5:1.
6
Wetland mitigation is established by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA)
Wetland Water Quality Standards (OAC 3745-1-54), which, for impacts to Category 1
features, requires that: a) mitigation be at a 1.5:1 ratio (for both on-site or off-site
mitigation, forested or non-forested features), b) replacement features be either
Category 2 or 3 wetlands, and c) off-site mitigation be within the same United States
Army Corp Engineers (USACE) District as the impacted feature (USACE, Huntington
District).
Off-site stream mitigation and off-site wetland mitigation has been proposed for impacts
resulting from this project. On-site mitigation involving natural channel design
restoration measures was determined not to be practical due to right-of-way constraints
and the quality of streams involved. Section 4.0, Baseline Information of Proposed
Mitigation Sites, outlines details of the proposed stream and wetland mitigation ratios
proposed for this project. A summary mitigation requirements based on these proposed
projects has been included in Table C.
Table C. Summary of Mitigation Required Based on Proposed Mitigation Projects.
Feature
Project Impact/On-site
Proposed On-site
Amount to be
Off-site Mitigation
Mitigation Requirement Preservation for
Mitigated Off-site Requirement at
Mitigation Credit at
1.5:1 Ratio
1:1 Ratio
Streams
4,367 linear feet
0 linear feet
4,367 linear feet
6,551 linear feet
Wetlands
0.012 acre
0 acre
0.012 acre
0.018 acre
4.0 BASELINE INFORMATION OF PROPOSED MITIGATION SITE
4.1 Off-site Stream Mitigation
ODOT is proposing to compensate for impacts to
4,367 linear feet of stream (and additional
pier/workpad impacts to the Olentangy River)
through
the
removal of the
Panhandle
Road
Dam.
The Panhandle
Road dam is
co-owned
by
Ms. Lucinda R.
Bernlohr and
ODOT, and is
located on the
Figure 4: Location of Panhandle Road Dam
State
Scenic
Olentangy River, in Delaware County, Ohio
(Figure 4). The Olentangy River watershed is a
low-gradient watershed consisting of agriculture,
suburban, and urban environments. A large dam
structure at Delaware Lake Reservoir, which is
Figure 5: Locations of stream mitigation
area and project area. The red area is the
FRA-270-19.84 project area. The blue
area is the Panhandle Dam location.
7
managed by the USACE, controls the river flow through this section of the Olentangy
River. The Olentangy River discharges into the Scioto River near downtown Columbus,
Ohio.
The Panhandle Road Dam is located along the Designated State Scenic section of the
Olentangy River in the City of Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio (Latitude: 40018’20.16”
and Longitude: 8303’28.8”). This site is approximately 14.7 miles from the project area
(Figure 5). The Olentangy River has been assigned an official aquatic life use
designation of Warmwater Habitat from the Ohio EPA. Although it is in full attainment at
the Ohio EPA sample sites upstream and downstream of the dam, it does not meet
WWH criteria within the dam pool. (Ohio EPA data on this reach of the Olentangy River
can be found in Appendix F).
In addition, a habitat assessment of the Olentangy River conducted by ODOT within the
dam pool and downstream of the dam pool (Appendix D) confirmed that the habitat
within the dam pool did not meet WWH through the QHEI score.
Pool looking upstream from dam.
First riffle upstream from the dam.
First riffle downstream of the dam
Summary of Off-site Stream Mitigation
The stream mitigation area (primary) extends from approximately 400 linear feet
downstream of the dam to the first riffle upstream of the dam, and is located at
coordinates 40018’20.16” N, 8303’28.8” W to 40o19’55.35” N, 83o04’10.02” W. The
mitigation area totals 4,224 linear feet in length. Secondary mitigation credits (17,338 lf)
may be dispensed incrementally after receipt, review, and approval of the 1, 3, and 5thyear monitoring reports, respectively, based on increased IBI, ICI, MiWB, and QHEI
scores of selected sites outside of the primary mitigation area. This is optional, and
ODOT may or may not perform the extra survey work to receive these credits.
4.2 Off-site Wetland Mitigation
The Category 1 wetland impacts will be compensated for at a 1.5:1 ratio (0.018 acre) by
subtracting 0.018 acre of credit from ODOT’s balance at the Wetlands Resource Center
Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank in Marion County, Ohio. A balance sheet is
included in Appendix E.
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5.0 MITIGATION SITE SELECTION AND JUSTIFICATION
5.1 Existing Conditions
Off-site Dam Removal Mitigation
This mitigation area was selected based on agency comments received during the
ecological coordination associated with this project. ODNR-Division of Natural Areas
and Preserves Scenic River Program and Ohio EPA were especially interested in the
removal of this dam. Also, since ODOT is a joint owner of the dam structure, the
structure is very close to a US route, and the dam does not carry utilities, the structure
was a logical choice for removal. Restoring free-flowing conditions to this segment of
river will be beneficial to fish, macroinvertebrates, and freshwater mussels by the
formation of new habitats between the dam and the first riffle, the re-colonization of
suitable habitats upstream of the dam, and to allow genetic flow between upstream and
downstream populations of aquatic wildlife.
Off-site wetland mitigation at the Little Scioto Mitigation Bank.
Due to the minor amount of wetland impact expected for this project (0.012 acre) and
the quality of the wetlands being impacted (all OEPA Category 1 features) ODOT
proposes that the impacts to wetlands resulting from this project be mitigated through
off-site mitigation at the Wetlands Resource Center Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation
Bank in Marion County, Ohio.
Wetland mitigation is established by Ohio EPA Wetland Water Quality Standards (OAC
3745-1-54), which for impacts to Category 1 wetlands, requires that:
• mitigation be at a 1.5:1 ratio (for both on-site or off-site mitigation, forested
or non-forested features),
• replacement features be either Category 2 or 3 wetlands, and
• off-site mitigation be within the same United States Army Corp Engineers
(USACE) District as the impacted feature (USACE, Louisville District).
Subtracting 0.018 acre of credit off of the credit balance that ODOT has at the Little
Scioto Mitigation Bank as mitigation for the proposed project will comply with all
regulatory requirements, and will result in replacement of the impacted wetlands with
higher quality wetlands within the USACE District.
5.2 Future Sustainability
Off-site dam removal mitigation area
The purpose of the dam removal is to restore free-flowing conditions to a Ohio Scenic
segment of the Olentangy River. Restoring free-flowing conditions to this segment of
river will be beneficial to fish, macroinvertebrates, and freshwater mussels by the
formation of new habitats between the dam and the first riffle, the re-colonization of
suitable habitats upstream of the dam, and to allow genetic flow between upstream and
downstream populations of aquatic wildlife. No restrictive covenant has been placed on
the mitigation area, as this area is already under state ownership and easement.
Off-site wetland mitigation at the Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank
As with all public wetland mitigation banks, the Little Scioto wetland mitigation bank is
preserved in perpetuity by way of a restrictive covenant.
9
6.0 MITIGATION WORK PLANS
6.1 Off-site Dam Removal Stream Mitigation
The Panhandle Dam is scheduled for removal during the 2010 warm season (late spring
to early fall). A small access road will be constructed between US 23 and the
Olentangy River next to the dam to allow equipment to access the dam. The river-right
abutment and the entire dam structure will be removed. The river-left abutment will
remain in place to avoid impacts to private property. After the water levels have
stabilized (1-2 days after the dam removal), a mussel survey will be conducted to
relocate any stranded mussels. This survey would be done by a professional
malacologist, assisted by ODOT and ODNR staff, and will encompass the area between
the dam and the first riffle upstream of the dam.
6.2 Off-site wetland mitigation at the at the Little Scioto Mitigation Bank
The Category 1 wetland impacts will be compensated for at a 1.5:1 ratio (0.018 acre) by
subtracting 0.018 acre of credit from ODOT’s balance at the Wetlands Resource Center
Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank in Marion County, Ohio. No construction or
monitoring work will be conducted by ODOT for this mitigation.
7.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
7.1 Off-site Dam Removal Stream Mitigation
The following performance standards apply to the Panhandle Dam removal project:
• Within 5 years after removal of the dam, the Olentangy River primary mitigation
area (4,224 linear feet) shall be stable and intact, and achieve, at a minimum,
warm water habitat status (full attainment) based on the QHEI, IBI, ICI, and MIwb
assessments (at this time, this area is in non-attainment in the dam pool).
• Within 5 years after removal of the dam, the Olentangy River secondary
mitigation area (17,388 linear feet) shall achieve, at a minimum, warm water
habitat status (full attainment) based on QHEI, IBI, ICI, and MIwb assessments,
or in areas that are already in attainment, show a measurable improvement in
scores from the above-listed assessments as compared with data collected prior
to the dam removal. This survey work to gain the secondary credit is optional,
and ODOT will make a determination whether to do the additional survey work
for this credit at a later date.
7.2 Off-site wetland mitigation at the at the Little Scioto Mitigation Bank
The Category 1 wetland impacts will be compensated for at a 1.5:1 ratio (0.018 acre) by
subtracting 0.018 acre of credit from ODOT’s balance at the Wetlands Resource Center
Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank in Marion County, Ohio. The performance of this
wetland is the responsibility of the bank’s owner/operator.
10
8.0 SITE PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE
8.1 Responsible Parties
ODOT is responsible for the removal of the dam. The area where the dam is located is
owned by ODOT, and under easement held by the State of Ohio, with jurisdiction
assigned the ODNR-Division of Wildlife (the original easement was held by the Ohio
Conservation Council before the creation of ODNR). No other protective instruments
will be placed on this site.
For Information on Responsible Parties Contact:
ODOT, Office of Environmental Services
Waterway Permit Unit
1980 W. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 466-7100
8.2 Legal Protection
The river-right bank near the dam is owned by ODOT with an easement held by ODNR.
The dam itself is half owned by ODOT and a private owner, but the entire structure is
under the ODNR easement. The river-left bank near the dam is under private
ownership. No restrictive covenant will be placed on the dam removal area, as this area
is already under state ownership and easement.
8.3 Maintenance Plan and Schedule
On-site dam removal stream mitigation
Native vegetation will be planted in the areas denuded by the removal of the dam.
ODOT will monitor invasive species along the primary mitigation area with photographs,
but no invasive species removal or maintenance is required at this site. Most of the
land along the primary mitigation area is under private ownership, which would not allow
for vegetation management. No in-stream maintenance is required because the river
channel is not being changed, and no structures will remain in the stream after the dam
is removed.
Off-site wetland mitigation at the Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank
Maintenance of this site is the responsibility of the bank’s owner/operator.
9.0 MONITORING PLAN
9.1 Off-site dam removal stream mitigation
Pre-Dam Removal Assessment: ODOT will conduct a pre-dam (baseline) removal
assessment. The assessment shall include biological, chemical, and physical
measurements conducted in the stream mitigation area, which include representative
sample locations within the impoundment and reaches upstream and downstream of the
impoundment. The assessments shall include QHEI, ICI, IBI, Mlwb, erosion inspection,
invasive plant species encroachment, mussel survey, and habitat diversity.
11
Post-Dam Removal Assessment: ODOT will implement assessments of the entire
mitigation area, including sample points within the former impoundment and
representative reaches downstream and upstream of the former impoundment. Reports
containing the data listed in the appropriate subsections shall be submitted to Ohio EPA
for years 1, 3, and 5 following removal of the Panhandle Road Dam. The first annual
report is due to Ohio EPA by December 31 of the first full year following removal of the
dam. All subsequent reports shall be submitted by December 31st of each of the
subsequent monitoring years. ODOT will include any additional information that it
believes relevant for Ohio EPA's consideration. The reports will include the following
information:
• Habitat and Biota Assessments: The assessments shall include QHEI, ICI, IBI,
Mlwb.
• Post-Dam Removal Mussel Survey: A mussel survey shall be conducted within
the former impounded area and reaches upstream and downstream of the
impounded area, during monitoring Year 5. During monitoring year 3, a specific
survey shall be conducted for the Purple Wartyback in the second and third riffle
complexes downstream of the Panhandle Road Dam (RM 27.7 - RM 27.35). The
assessment shall include the location where species are found (coordinates),
condition of the mussel (live, fresh dead, shell, etc.), habitat characteristics (riffle,
pool, etc.), description of substrate (sand, cobbles, pebbles, etc.), stream flow
rate in vicinity of riffle complex, etc.
• Mitigation Area Photographs: At a minimum, the first, third, and fifth year annual
report shall contain representative photographs of the stream mitigation area,
including each bank and riparian buffer of the pooled area of the Olentangy
River, upstream of the former dam, and sections of the river downstream of the
dam.
• Erosion Inspection: ODOT will visually inspect the floodplain and channel banks
in the project area for signs of erosion and instability.
• Vegetation Monitoring: The location and name of each plant community type
within the buffer mitigation area and buffer area shall be marked on a scaled
drawing or scaled aerial photograph (base map) and named. The dominant plant
species shall be visually determined in each vegetation layer of each community
type, and the scientific names of these species shall be included in the report.
Dominant species are those species which have the greatest relative basal area
(woody overstory), greatest height (woody overstory), greatest percentage of
aerial coverage (herbaceous understory), and lor greatest number of stems
(woody vines). The vegetation monitoring requirements only apply to areas that
ODOT has legal access to inspect.
• Invasive Plant Species Monitoring: ODOT will inspect the newly exposed areas
to assess the exotic colonization of vegetation. This information will be presented
in the monitoring report along with representative photo-documentation. The
information shall be compared with the pre-dam invasive plant species survey.
• Water Chemistry Monitoring: Basic water quality parameters (pH, Specific
Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, and Temperature) will
be measured in select stream locations, upstream and downstream of the former
dam, using calibrated field meters during the monitoring visits.
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•
Physical Measurements: A plan view, longitudinal profile, and at least one crosssection through the former pooled area and representative sample area
downstream of the former dam is required for the mitigation area in monitoring
report years 1 and 5 only.
9.2 Off-site wetland mitigation at the Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank
Monitoring of this site is the responsibility of the bank’s owner/operator.
10.0 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN
10.1 Off-site dam removal stream mitigation
If performance of the mitigation site does not fulfill anticipated expectations, ODOT will
work with the Ohio EPA and the USACE to develop a contingency plan.
10.2 Off-site wetland mitigation at the Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank
The purchase of 0.18 acre of wetland mitigation credits at this approved MBRT bank
has fulfilled ODOT’s obligations for providing wetland mitigation. The operation,
maintenance, and monitoring of the bank is the responsibility of the bank’s
owner/operator.
11.0 FINANCIAL ASSURANCES
Funding for this project will come from State and Federal funds earmarked for ODOT
transportation projects.
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12.0 LITERATURE CITED
Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of
Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Biological Services Program Rept. FWS/OBS-79/31. 103 p.
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.
Technical Report Y-87-1, US Ar my Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,
Vicksburq, Miss.
OEPA 2005. Biological and Water Quality Study of the Olentangy River, Whetstone
Creek and Select Tributaries 2003-2004. Crawford, Delaware, Franklin, Marion, and
Morrow Counties, Ohio.
OEPA, Unpublished. IBI, ICI, MIwb, and QHEI data for selected sites near present and
past low-head dam locations.
OEPA. 2001. Ohio Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands v. 5.0, User’s Manual and
Scoring Forms. Ohio EPA Technical Report WET/2001-1. Ohio EPA, Division of
Surface Water. Columbus, Ohio.
OEPA 2002. Field Evaluation Manual for Ohio’s Primary Headwater Habitat Streams (v
1.0). Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water. Columbus, Ohio.
URS Corporation, Ohio. 18 November 2008. Preliminary Waterway Impact Report FRA270-19.84 (PID 77319) Franklin County, Ohio.
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Appendix A:
Photographs of the Impacted Stream and Wetland Resources
Appendix B:
QHEI forms for the Olentangy River upstream and downstream of the Panhandle Road
Dam
Appendix C:
Photographs of the Panhandle Road Dam Mitigation Area
Appendix D:
Ohio EPA Data on the Olentangy River near the Panhandle Road Dam Mitigation Area
Appendix E:
Balance Sheet for Little Scioto Wetland Mitigation Bank
Appendix F:
Section 404 Nationwide Permit and Section 401 Individual WQC for Phase B2.