GC 2668

GENERAL CERTIFICATION FOR PROJECTS ELIGIBLE
FOR CORPS OF ENGINEERS NATIONWIDE PERMIT NUMBER 16 (RETURN
WATER FROM UPLAND CONTAINED DISPOSAL AREAS)
This General Certification is issued in conformity with the
requirements of Section 401, Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the
United States and subject to the North Carolina Division of Envi-
ronmental Management Regulations in 15A NCAC 2H, Section .0500 and
15A NCAC 2B .0109 and .0201 for the discharge of fill material to
waters and wetlands as described in 33 CFR 330 Appendix A ~B)
(16) of the Corps of Engineers regulations (i.e., Nationwide Per-
mit No. 16).The category of activities shall include the dis-
charge of return water from an upland, contained dredge disposal
area. This certification replaces Water Quality Certification
Number 1273 issued in November 10, 1978.
The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified
category of activity will not violate Sections 301, 302, 303, 306
and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 if conducted in
accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth.
Conditions of Certification:
1. Proposed fill or substantial modification of water or
wetlands for this General Certification requires written
concurrence from the Division of Environmental Manage-
ment.
2. That the discharge will be free from toxic pollutants in
other than trace quantities;
3. That the terminal end of the pipe line from the dredge
into the retention area be positioned at a maximum dis-
tance from spillways to allow adequate settling of sus-
pended solids and a sufficient distance from any part of
the dike so as to preclude dike erosion by the pipeline
discharge;
4. That a water control structure be installed at the intake
end of the effluent leading from the retention area in
order to insure maximum settling of suspended solids and
control of discharge volumes;
5. That the flow from the diked retention area be contained
by pipe, metal or wooden trough, or similar device to
a point waterward of any emergent vegetation along the
shoreline unless it can be clearly shown by the applicant
the a different design will result in less environmental
impact;
6. That sufficient freeboard be maintained within the diked
disposal area during the dredging operation to assure the
integrity of the dike structure and the containment of
the dredged material;
7. That the concentration of settleable solids in the efflu-
ent being discharged from the diked disposal area be no
greater than 0.1 ml/1;
8. The appropriate turbidity water quality standard shall
not be exceeded or be above ambient background levels
(which ever is more stringent) beyond an appropriate mix-

ing zone if one is established for a project by DEM (50
NTUs in streams and rivers not designated as trout waters
by DEM; 25 NTUs in~all saltwater classes, and all lake s
and reservoirs; and 10 NTUs in trout waters);
8. That the disposal area dikes be stabilized with vegeta-
tive cover as soon as possible after construction to min-
imize erosion;
9. That additional site-specific conditions may be added to
projects proposed under this Certification in order to
ensure compliance with all applicable water quality and
effluent standards;
10. Concurrence from DEM that this Certification applies to
any individual project shall expire three years from the
date of the cover letter from DEM.
Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set
forth by a specific fill project shall result in revocation of
this Certification for the project.
The Director of the North Carolina Division of Environmental
Management may require submission of a formal application for
individual certification for any project in this category of
activity, if it is determined that the project is likely to have
a significant adverse effect upon water quality or degrade the
waters so that existing uses of the wetland or downstream waters
are precluded.
Public hearings may be held for specific applications or
group of applications prior to a Certification decision if deemed
in the public's best interest by the Director of the North Caro-
lina Division of Environmental Management.
This is the 21st day of January, 1992
DIVISION F NVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
r'~'1
By ~
Geo ge T, Brett, Director
gencert.l6
jrd/gc
w~C# 2668