Ecological Restoration Case Studies

Scuppernong Mitigation

The Scuppernong River Corridor Mitigation Project was the first private wetland mitigation bank in North Carolina. It was established as a Wetland Mitigation Project for offsetting unavoidable impacts to wet flat hardwood (WFH) and swamp hardwood (SH) wetland communities. The Scuppernong River Corridor tract is located in Tyrrell Co., NC one-half mile south of Columbia, NC on Highway 94.

The Scuppernong River Corridor Mitigation Project is composed of a 19 acre, restored prior converted (PC) field (Photo 1 and 2) and 19 acres of natural, wet flat hardwoods (WFH), and swamp hardwoods (SH) (Photo 3). Vegetation was established during 1993 and 1994. Tree and shrub mixtures were matched to specific hydrologic zones within the field area. Species mixtures followed subtle elevational differences to simulate natural distribution in variable wetland conditions. Lateral ditches draining the site were plugged in order to meet required hydrologic criteria.

The US Army Corps of Engineers and all other Federal and State regulatory and resource agencies judged this project successful. The North Carolina Department of Transportation contracted and purchased all of the credits for use as compensatory mitigation for highway projects within the Bank Service Area. The property has been donated to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for inclusion into the Pocosin Lakes national Wildlife Refuge. A conservation easement on the land will restrict its use to research, education and demonstration.

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