20110172 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20100224

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NC®ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
March 12, 2010
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mike Summers, NCDOT Bridge Management Unit
Dee Freeman
Secretary
FROM: Rob Ridings, NCDWQ Transportation Permitting Unit {(11
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Project: B- 5218 (Franklin County)
In reply to your correspondence dated received February 24, 2010 in which you requested comments for the above
referenced project, the NC Division of Water Quality offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments
1. Sandy Creek is class C; NSW; +, waters of the State. (The "plus" designation refers to waters.directly upstream
of Outstanding Resource Waters, or ORW.) DWQ is extremely concerned with any impacts that may occur to .
streams with this classification. It is preferred that the impacts shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible.
Given the potent for impacts to these resources during the project implementation, the DWQ requests that DOT
strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B
.0124) throughout design and construction of the project.
2. This project is within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to
the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 213 .0259.
3. Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in the.
Categorical Exclusion (CE) document. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is
developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to culvert installation.
An adequate bank stabilization amount should also be applied for in the permit application, to prevent the need of a
later permit modification.
4. Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be addressed in the
CE. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should
discuss the potential for dewatering and access measures necessary due to bridge construction.
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Ralegh, North Carolina 276991650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Ralegh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: 919-73%893
Internet: hrin t h2o.encstate.nc.uslncwetlandsi
NortfiCarolina
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General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
1. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NC DOT shall
address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any
mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
2. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under
General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities.
3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, DWQ believes the use of a
Nationwide Permit may be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine the required
permit(s).
4. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless otherwise
authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a
condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
5. Whenever possible, the DWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within
the stream or grubbing of the stream banks and do not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and
vertical clearances provided by bridges allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure, do not block fish
passage and do not block navigation by canoeists and boaters.
6. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across the bridge and
pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.) before
entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices.
7. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact between curing
concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to surface
waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills.
8. Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible.
9. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction contours and
elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and appropriate native woody species.
shall be planted. When using temporary structures the area shall be cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with
chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows
the area to re-vegetate naturally and minimizes soil disturbance.
10. Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented and maintained in
accordance with the most reccnl version of North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design
Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250.
11. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise approved by NC
DWQ. Approved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT Construction and Maintenance
Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water.
12. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to minimize sedimentation
and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams. This equipment shall be inspected daily and
maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic
materials.
13. In most cases, the DWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location with road closure. If
road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour shall be designed and located to avoid wetland impacts, minimize
the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks. If the structure will be on a new alignment, the old
structure shall be removed and the approach fills removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills shall be
removed and restored to the natural ground elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native
tree species. Tall fescue shall not be used in riparian areas.
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands shall be below the elevation of the
streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the culvert diameter
for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches, to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. Design and
placement of culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a
manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down
stream of the above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being
maintained if requested in writing by DWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting
features encountered during construction, please contact the NC DWQ for guidance on how to proceed and to
determine whether or not a permit modification will be required.
2. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section as closely as
possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation and/or sills where appropriate. Widening the stream
channel shall be avoided. Stream channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water
velocity causing sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage..
Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes
aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures shall be properly designed, sized and installed.. ..
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The DOT is reminded that issuance of a 401-Water Quality Certification
requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality standards are met and designated uses,are not
degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Rob Ridings at 919-733-
9817. .
cc: Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Chris Murray, Division 5 Environmental Officer
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
File Copy

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
February 23, 2010
Mr. Rob Ridings
Division of Water Quality
NCDENR
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Dear Mr. Ridings,
SUBJECT: B-5218 - Replace Bridge No. 61 on SR 1451 over Sandy Creek
EUGENE A. CONTI,
The Bridge Management Unit is starting the project development, environmental and engineering
studies for B-5218. The project is included in the North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program
and is scheduled for construction in fiscal year 2011.
The alternatives under consideration at this time for this bridge replacement project are as follows:
B-5218- Replace Bridge No. 61 on SR 1451 (Leonard Rd.) over Sandy Creek. The alternates to study
are 1) Replace in place on existing alignment with an offsite detour. The offsite detour would consist of
NC 561 and is approximately 3.52 mi. in length.
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating
potential environmental impacts of this project. Your comments will be used in the preparation of a
federally funded Categorical Exclusion. This document will be prepared in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that your agency respond by March 25, 2010 so that your
comments can be used in the preparation of this document.
If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Mike Summers at 835-8277. Please
include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments.
Sinc
rely
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Mike Summers
Project Manager
Bridge Management Unit
1AILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
C DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] BEM ROAD
'RIDGE MANAGEA£NT RALEIGH NC
565 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEB3ITE: www.NCDOTORG
;ALEIGH NC 27699-1565
SECRETARY
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LEGEND
-®-?-?- Offsite Detour
Route
FRANKLIN COUNTY
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B-5218
BRIDGE #6I OVER SANDY CREEK
ON SR 1451 (LEONARD RD.)
NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
VICINITY MAP
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