HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEGI Hilton Bluffs COD Findings
5315 South College Road, Suite E
Wilmington, North Carolina 28412
910.452.2711∙ office@segi.us ∙ www.segi.us
January 14, 2026
Mr. Wade Miller
Copper Builders
5555 Fairview Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28209
wade@copperbuilders.com
RE: Hilton Bluffs – Conservation Overlay District (COD) Evaluation
Castle Hayne, New Hanover Co., NC
Dear Mr. Miller,
Our firm was tasked with providing New Hanover Co. Planning with descriptions of the wetland areas
adjacent to your proposed Phase 1 development, based on the County’s publication “New Hanover County
Conservation Resources, September 1984”. Wetlands, meeting the criteria detailed in this publication, are
subject to setback restrictions outlined in the County’s UDO, and are referred to as the COD. We also
utilized the GIS data layer which the County produced, and details all COD areas across the county, to
assist in our determination. We also referred to The Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Office of Conservation and Community Affairs North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP)
publication “Natural Heritage Inventory of New Hanover County”, 2003, to determine which natural areas
were estimated to be in the vicinity of the subject site.
Referencing our sketch “Hilton Tract NHC Wetland Types Exhibit 011426”, we have shown two separate
wetland types, based on the COD guidelines. The boundaries are based on our field delineation of federally
regulated Section 404 wetlands. From the COD GIS data layer, these wetlands are classified as Swamp
Forest, and Freshwater Marsh. We incorporated the limits of the “Tidal Cypress-Gum Swamp”, acquired
from the NCNHP GIS element occurrence 2022 dataset, into the sketch, specifically utilizing our own
approved wetland delineation along the upland/wetland transition against the “Tidal Cypress-Gum Swamp”
area. There is a distinct transition from sandy uplands to mucky, tidal swamp forest along this line.
According to the County’s publication, Swamp Forest (WSF) occurs along all major and many minor
freshwater rivers and streams of the county. This classification is the dominant wetland type within the
subject site. These areas are subject to a 25’ COD buffer. The soils are largely organic, and the canopy
species consists of cypress (Taxodium distichum), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), red maple (Acer
rubrum), swamp black gum (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora). Associated tree species in the most permanently
flooded swamp forests are water hickory (Carya aquatica) and water ash (Fraxinus caroliniana). In less
frequently flooded portions of the swamp forest, swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), sweetgum
(Liquidambar styraciflua) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) occur. Three shrubs characteristically are found
in such-situations, Virginia willow (Itea virginica), swamp rose (Rosa palustris) and maleberry (Lyonia
ligustrina) along with woody vines such as poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), swamp jessamine
(Gelsemium rankii) and climbing hydrangea (Decumaria barbara).
Freshwater marsh (WFM) occurs along the Northeast Cape Fear River and some of its tributaries upstream
of any periodic salt or brackish water intrusion. Common plants in fresh marsh along the Northeast Cape
Fear River and its tributaries are pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), cattail (Typha latifolia), arrowhead
(Sagittaria latifolia), ludwigia (Ludwigia uruguayensis), alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides),
water willow (Decodon verticillatus), and arrow-arum (Peltandra virginica). Clumps of woody species
such as alder (Alnus serrulata) and black willow (Salix nigra) are frequently scattered where soils are
firmer. The area we deem fresh marsh on the sketch, is classified by the county data layer as Impoundments
and lagoons (AIL), which is not subject to buffer restrictions. However, as the area exists, it is subject to a
50’ COD buffer. There is a road with a control structure culvert at this feature, that keep the area inundated.
It has established itself to more closely resemble fresh marsh. If the road and control structure were
removed, this area would revert to its previous wetland type, Swamp Forest.
From the Natural Heritage Inventory of New Hanover County publication, Tidal Cypress-Gum Swamp are
described as areas that occur on inundated to saturated mucks in floodplain areas that are regularly to
intermittently flooded by tidal freshwater. Swamp tupelo is dominant, with green ash (Fraxinus
pennsylvanica) subdominant, and pond-cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and swamp red maple (Acer rubrum
var. trilobum) prominent. Canopy trees are moderately large, commonly averaging 12-18 inches in
diameter, with cypress trees reaching diameters greater than three feet. The moderate to moderately dense
understory is variously dominated by green ash, Carolina ash (F. caroliniana), and swamp red maple. The
dense to open shrub layer is variously dominated by titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), wax-myrtle (Morella
cerifera), and cane (Arundinaria tecta). Dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) is a patch-dominant, while sarvis
holly (Ilex amelanchier) and Carolina ash are locally prominent. Common brome sedge (Carex bromoides
ssp. bromoides) is a patch dominant in the open to patchy ground layer.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call me at (910) 452-2711.
Sincerely,
Southern Environmental Group, Inc.
David Scibetta
Senior Consultant
Attachment: Hilton Tract NHC Wetland Types Exhibit 011426