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<section number="32-233" name="Mitigation Plan" law="code" slug="sec-32-233" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_32WAREPRGRCO_DIV5NOWEPROR_S32-233MIPL">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Phase I Mitigation Plan.</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A permittee shall submit a Phase I Mitigation Plan as part of the nontidal wetland permit application.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Phase I Mitigation Plans shall include all of the following information:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Names, addresses and telephone numbers of the principals associated with project implementation;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>A proposal, if applicable, to use monetary compensation consistent with Section 32-221 to fulfill mitigation requirements;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>A photograph and description of the type and acreage of the proposed nontidal wetland losses;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>A description of the activity causing the nontidal wetland loss;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="E">
        <text>A description of mitigation projects proposed to fulfill the required replacement of nontidal wetland acreage and/or functions. The description shall include a project location map, showing the geographic relationship between the area of proposed nontidal wetland loss and the proposed mitigation site or sites; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="F">
        <text>A description of the site selection process and a justification of the selection of the proposed mitigation site based on Section 32-231(h) and (j);</text>
      </level>
      <level label="G">
        <text>A description of the selected protection mechanisms required in Section 32-231(1).</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The Department shall render a decision concerning the acceptability of the Phase I Mitigation Plan as part of the final permit decision.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>In rendering a decision on the Phase I Mitigation Plan, the Department shall provide guidance to the applicant on the content, timing and necessity of proceeding with the Phase II Mitigation Plan.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>Phase II Mitigation Plan.</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A permittee may submit the Phase II Mitigation Plan as part of the permit application.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Unless otherwise determined by the Department, the Phase II Mitigation Plan shall be submitted within three (3) months of the Department's final permit determination. The design plan shall include all of the following information:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>Plan view scaled drawings prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer that include:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>A vicinity map showing the project location, existing land use and zoning;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The location, type and acreage of proposed nontidal wetland mitigation activities;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>The location of proposed stockpile areas;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>The location of proposed sediment and erosion control devices;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="v">
          <text>The location of all areas to be used to store machinery, equipment or supplies;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="vi">
          <text>The proposed source of borrow materials;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="vii">
          <text>The proposed location, spacing and type of propagules for each plant species; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="viii">
          <text>Other information pertinent to a Phase II Mitigation Plan as required by the Department;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Cross section drawing showing existing and proposed final site conditions including grade, elevation and slope;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Description of how enhancement activities will replace lost nontidal wetland acreage and functions;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>If applicable, a description of how the enhancement of farmed nontidal wetlands will replace lost nontidal wetland acreage and function;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="E">
        <text>Construction schedule, which includes estimated start and completion dates;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="F">
        <text>Hydrology, which includes:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Estimated elevation of surface and groundwater, as measured from the soil surface, bimonthly from November to May and monthly from June to October;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>The source of the water, such as precipitation, surface water, or ground-water, over various seasons of the year;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>The reliability of the hydrologic sources throughout various seasons of the year; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iv">
          <text>Relevant precipitation data;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="G">
        <text>Substrate conditions, including a description of:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Existing soil and substrate conditions; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Soil and substrate amendments needed to meet hydric soil characteristics and maintain the specified plant species;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="H">
        <text>Vegetation to be planted, including all of the following:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>The scientific and common name of plant species. All plants shall be native or adaptive to the State;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Planting dates for each species according to propagation methods; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="iii">
          <text>Planting stock fertilizer requirements for the entire five (5) year monitoring period;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="I">
        <text>A five (5) year monitoring schedule establishing responsibility for the removal of exotic and nuisance vegetation, and permanent establishment of the nontidal wetland system and its component parts. The Department shall encourage the permittee to provide for the long-term maintenance and monitoring of mitigation sites beyond the required monitoring period;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="J">
        <text>A detailed budget of the proposed mitigation project costs, including:</text>
        <level label="i">
          <text>Land acquisition; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="ii">
          <text>Design, which includes construction, monitoring and maintenance;</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="K">
        <text>A description of protection mechanisms required in Section 32-231(1).</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The permittee shall present evidence of a legal right to implement the proposed mitigation plan on the selected site by providing:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>An executed deed conveying title of the selected site to the permittee;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>An executed conservation easement agreement;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>Written evidence of the landowner's consent for use of the selected site;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>A fully executed option agreement, long-term lease agreement, sales contract for the selected site; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="E">
        <text>Other written evidence of a possessor ownership interest in the selected site.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The Department may waive all or part of the requirements of a Phase II Mitigation Plan.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>The Department may not release a bond or terminate monitoring without receipt of a legally binding deed, long-term lease, or conservation easement on those lands where mitigation will occur.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>The Department shall render a decision concerning the acceptability of the Phase II Mitigation Plan within 45 days of receipt of a completed plan, unless a final permit decision has not been made. If the Department fails to notify the applicant within the 45 day period, the plan shall be considered acceptable unless a final permit decision has not been made.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>Mitigation Plan Modification.</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The Department may require, and a permittee may request, modifications to an approved mitigation plan or component during construction to ensure compliance with this Ordinance. Modification, substitution, or other deviations from an approved mitigation plan or component may not be made without approval under this Section.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A modification request may be made orally and followed up in writing.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A written request shall contain the following information:</text>
      <level label="A">
        <text>The name of the permittee;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="B">
        <text>Location of the mitigation project;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="C">
        <text>A description of proposed modification; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="D">
        <text>A justification for the modification.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The Department's decision may be given orally or in writing. The Department shall notify a permittee of its decision within ten (10) days of a written request. If an oral decision is made, the Department shall confirm its decision, in writing, within ten (10) days. The Department's decision, whether oral or written, is binding on the permittee.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
