20051516 Ver 1_Complete File_20050811

0515.16
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY P. 0. Box 25201, Raleigh, NC 2761 1-5202 LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR PHONE: [phone] SECRETARY
August 4, 2005
Mr. John "Thomas
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
6508 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 120
Raleigh, NC 27615
Subject: Nationwide Permit #3 & #33
US 321 pipe replacement
Watauga County, North Carolina
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Project Number: 11.109511 (No DWQ Permit Fee Required)
Dear Mr. Thomas:
The NC Department of Transportation is scheduled to replace a 24" pipe on US 321 in Watauga
County. The existing 24" CMP has caved in at one of the joints under the roadway. Water can
still pass through the pipe at normal flows but it does not effectively drain away high flows and
stormwater runoff. When a heavy rain event occurs, deep pools result at the inlet of the pipe. If a
car were to run off the road at this location (no guardrail is present), drowning would be a
possibility. We are proposing to install a new pipe of the same length. A stainless steel sleeve
will be inserted inside of the existing pipe (bored and jacked) and will therefore be of slightly
smaller diameter. All appropriate BMPs will be used during construction. Rip rap impacts will
total 10 feet. Please note: this work is currently being completed because it is a safety issue.
Temporary dewatering will be necessary at this location for the boring and jacking operation. An
impervious sandbag dike will be constructed at the inlet of the existing structure to create a small
pool. Clean water will temporarily be diverted from this pool into an adjacent stormwater pipe.
The dewatered area at this location will total 0.003 acre. Once the new structure is in place, the
impervious dike will be removed and preconstruction streambed elevation will be restored.
Construction of this project will require impacts to waters of the United States in the New River
Basin. This pipe carries an unnamed tributary to the Middle Fork of the South Fork New River
(Class: WS-IV:+). Historic compliance work will be scheduled and concurrence with the State
Historic Preservation Office will be obtained if required. The proposed project should not remove
P. O. Box 250, N. WILKESDORO, NC 28659
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
Mr. John Thomas
US 321, Watauga pipe failure
Page 2
August 4, 2005
or degrade existing water quality uses. The pipe size used will be the minimum necessary to
create a safe roadway.
Attached is a Preconstruction Notification Form, a marked county map, a marked topography
map and photographs.
By copy of this letter, it is requested that Mr. Ron Linville, Mountain Region Coordinator, with
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission comment directly to you concerning the 404
Nationwide Permit application with a copy sent to me.
If further information is required, please let me know. Your early review and consideration will
be appreciated.
Sincerely,
Staci Hining
Division Environmental Specialist
Enclosures
cc: John Thomas, US Army Corps of Engineers (1 additional copy)
Ron Linville, Western Piedmont Region Coordinator, NCWRC
John Hennessy, Division of Water Quality (2 copies)
Mike Pettyjohn, PE, Division Engineer
Kipp Turner, PE, District Engineer
Kevin Whittington, County Maintenance Engineer
Heath Slaughter, Division Environmental Officer
Neil Trivette, Roadside Environmental Field Operations Engineer
Office Use Only: Form Version April 2001
USACE Action ID No. DWQ No. 20 0 5 1 5 1 8
If any particular item is not applicable to this project, please enter "Not Applicable" or "N/A" rather than
leaving the space blank.
I. Processing
I . Check all of the approval(s) requested for this project:
® Section 404 Permit
? Section 10 Permit
? 401 Water Quality Certification
? Riparian or Watershed Buffer Rules
2. Nationwide, Regional or General Permit Number(s) Requested: NW #3 &_#33
3. If this notification is solely a courtesy copy because written approval for the 401 Certification
is not required, check here: x
4. If payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) is proposed for
mitigation of impacts (see section VIII - Mitigation), check here: ?
II. Applicant Information
1. Owner/Applicant Information
Name: North Carolina Department of Transportation
Mailing Address: P. O Box 250, North Wilkesboro NC 28659
Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
2. Agent Information (A signed and dated copy of the Agent Authorization letter must be
attached if the Agent has signatory authority for the owner/applicant.)
Name: Staci Hinine. Division Environmental Snecialist
Company Affiliation: North Carolina Department of Transportation
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 250, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]
E-mail Address: sshining@,dot.state.nc.us
Page 3 of I I
III. Project Information
Attach a vicinity map clearly showing the location of the property with respect to local
landmarks such as towns, rivers, and roads. Also provide a detailed site plan showing property
boundaries and development plans in relation to surrounding properties. Both the vicinity map
and site plan must include a scale and north arrow. The specific footprints of all buildings,
impervious surfaces, or other facilities must be included. If possible, the maps and plans should
include the appropriate USGS Topographic Quad Map and NRCS Soil Survey with the property
boundaries outlined. Plan drawings, or other maps may be included at the applicant's discretion,
so long as the property is clearly defined. For administrative and distribution purposes, the
USACE requires information to be submitted on sheets no larger than l l by 17-inch format;
however, DWQ may accept paperwork of any size. DWQ prefers full-size construction
drawings rather than a sequential sheet version of the full-size plans. If full-size plans are
reduced to a small scale such that the final version is illegible, the applicant will be informed that
the project has been placed on hold until decipherable maps are provided.
1. Name of project: US 321 pipe failure, Blowing Rock
2. T.I.P. Project Number (NCDOT Only): 11.109511
3. Property Identification Number (Tax PIN): N/A
4. Location
County: Watauga Nearest Town: Blowing, Rock
Subdivision name (include phase/lot number): N/A
Directions to site (include road numbers, landmarks, etc.): See attached SR M.
5. Site coordinates, if available (UTM or Lat/Long): DD: 36.31371° N, 81.6705° W
(Note - If project is linear, such as a road or utility line, attach a sheet that separately lists the
coordinates for each crossing of a distinct waterbody.)
6. Describe the existing land use or condition of the site at the time of this application:
Forest/town
7. Property size (acres): Approximately 0.006 acres.
8. Nearest body of water (stream/river/sound/ocean/lake): UT to Middle Fork of the South
Fork New River (Class: WS-IV:+).
9. River Basin:
(Note - this must be one of North Carolina's seventeen designated major river basins. The
River Basin map is available at htt?p://h2oen-r.state. nC us/admin/maces/.)
10. Describe the purpose of the proposed work: Repair failed pipe under US 321
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11. List the type of equipment to be used to construct the project: Trackhoe/backhoe, bore and
jack equipment.
12. Describe the land use in the vicinity of this project: Forest/town
IV. Prior Project History
If jurisdictional determinations and/or permits have been requested and/or obtained for this
project (including all prior phases of the same subdivision) in the past, please explain. Include
the USACE Action ID Number, DWQ Project Number, application date, and date permits and
certifications were issued or withdrawn. Provide photocopies of previously issued permits,
certifications or other useful information. Describe previously approved wetland, stream and
buffer impacts, along with associated mitigation (where applicable). If this is a NCDOT project,
list and describe permits issued for prior segments of the same T.I.P. project, along with
construction schedules.
V. Future Project Plans
Are any additional permit requests anticipated for this project in the future? If so, describe the
anticipated work, and provide justification for the exclusion of this work from the current
application: N/A
VI. Proposed Impacts to Waters of the United States/Waters of the State
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
wetlands, open water, and stream channels associated with the project. The applicant must also
provide justification for these impacts in Section VII below. All proposed impacts, permanent
and temporary, must be listed herein, and must be clearly identifiable on an accompanying site
plan. All wetlands and waters, and all streams (intermittent and perennial) must be shown on a
delineation map, whether or not impacts are proposed to these systems. Wetland and stream
evaluation and delineation forms should be included as appropriate. Photographs may be
included at the applicant's discretion. If this proposed impact is strictly for wetland or stream
mitigation, list and describe the impact in Section VIII below. If additional space is needed for
listing or description, please attach a separate sheet.
1. Wetland Impacts
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Wetland Impact
Site Number
indicate on ma
Type of Impact* Area of
Impact
acres Located within
100-year Floodplain**
es/no Distance to
Nearest Stream
linear feet
Type of Wetland***
N/A

List each impact separately and identity temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: mechanized clearing, grading, fill,
excavation, flooding, ditching/drainage, etc. For dams, separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding.
** 100-Year floodplains arc identified through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRM), or FEMA-approved local floodplain maps. Maps are available through the FF,MA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616, or
online at kitty./AN_\N\%A'enia.coc.
*** List a wetland type that best describes wetland to be impacted (e.g., freshwater/saltwater marsh, forested wctland, beaver pond,
Carolina Bay, bog, etc.)
List the total acreage (estimated) of existing wetlands on the property:
Total area of wetland impact proposed:
2. Stream Impacts, including all intermittent and perennial streams
Stream Impact Length of Average
Width of
Perennial or
Site Number Type of Impact* Impact Stream Name" Stream Before Intermittent?
(indicate on map) (linear feet) Impact (Please specify)

" list each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: culverts and associated rip-rap,
dams (separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding), relocation (include linear feet before and after, and net loss/gain),
stabilization activities (cement wall, rip-rap, crib wall, gabions, etc.), excavation, ditching/straightening, etc. If stream relocation is
proposed, plans and profiles stowing the linear footprint for both the original and relocated streams must be included.
** Stream names can be found on USGS topographic maps. If a stream has no name, list as UT (unnamed tributary) to the nearest
downstream named stream into which it flows. USGS maps are available through the USGS at 1-800-358-9616, or online at
\\\r.uses.90v. Several Internet sites also allow direct download and printing of USGS maps (e.g., x\\\Avtoho/.onc.com,
+\\??nr?xlucsl cont. etc.).
Cumulative impacts (linear distance in feet) to all streams on site: 0 In. ft. of new permanent impacts.
3. Open Water Impacts, including Lakes, Ponds, Estuaries, Sounds, Atlantic Ocean and any
other Water of the U.S.
Open Water Impact Area of
Name of Wat Type of Waterbody
Site Number Type of Impact* Impact (if applicable)
(lake, pond, estuary, sound,
indicate on ma acres bay, ocean, etc.
Pipe replacement Temporary dewatering 0.003 UT to Middle Fork South Stream
Fork New River

Pipe replacement Miscellaneous rip-rap
placement for
0.001 UT to Middle Fork South
Stream
stabilization Fork New River
List each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: fill, excavation, dredging,
flooding, drainage, bulkheads, etc.
4. Pond Creation
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If construction of a pond is proposed, associated wetland and stream impacts should be
included above in the wetland and stream impact sections. Also, the proposed pond should
be described here and illustrated on any maps included with this application.
Pond to be created in (check all that apply): ? uplands ? stream ? wetlands
Describe the method of construction (e.g., dam/embankment, excavation, installation of
draw-down valve or spillway, etc.): N/A
Proposed use or purpose of pond (e.g., livestock watering, irrigation, aesthetic, trout pond,
local stormwater requirement, etc.):
Size of watershed draining to pond: Expected pond surface area:
VII. Impact Justification (Avoidance and Minimization)
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid the proposed impacts. It may be useful to provide
information related to site constraints such as topography, building ordinances, accessibility, and
financial viability of the project. The applicant may attach drawings of alternative, lower-impact
site layouts, and explain why these design options were not feasible. Also discuss how impacts
were minimized once the desired site plan was developed. If applicable, discuss construction
techniques to be followed during construction to reduce impacts.
Since this area is a safety concern, this impact is unavoidable The pipe length will not increase
and only minimal dewatering will be necessary The proposed improvements will ensure a safer
roadway through this section of US 321 All appropriate BMPs will be used during construction
VIII. Mitigation
DWQ - In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0500, mitigation may be required by the NC
Division of Water Quality for projects involving greater than or equal to one acre of impacts to
freshwater wetlands or greater than or equal to 150 linear feet of total impacts to perennial
streams.
USACE - In accordance with the Final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide
Permits, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000, mitigation will be required when
necessary to ensure that adverse effects to the aquatic environment are minimal. Factors
including size and type of proposed impact and function and relative value of the impacted
aquatic resource will be considered in determining acceptability of appropriate and practicable
mitigation as proposed. Examples of mitigation that may be appropriate and practicable include,
but are not limited to: reducing the size of the project; establishing and maintaining wetland
and/or upland vegetated buffers to protect open waters such as streams; and replacing losses of
aquatic resource functions and values by creating, restoring, enhancing, or preserving similar
functions and values, preferable in the same watershed.
If mitigation is required for this project, a copy of the mitigation plan must be attached in order
for USACE or DWQ to consider the application complete for processing. Any application
lacking a required mitigation plan or NCWRP concurrence shall be placed on hold as
incomplete. An applicant may also choose to review the current guidelines for stream restoration
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in DWQ's Draft Technical Guide for Stream Work in North Carolina, available at
Mt 1/h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands/strtngicle.1 n
1. Provide a brief description of the proposed mitigation plan. The description should provide
as much information as possible, including, but not limited to: site location (attach directions
and/or map, if offsite), affected stream and river basin, type and amount (acreage/linear feet)
of mitigation proposed (restoration, enhancement, creation, or preservation), a plan view,
preservation mechanism (e.g., deed restrictions, conservation easement, etc.), and a
description of the current site conditions and proposed method of construction. Please attach
a separate sheet if more space is needed.
N/A
2. Mitigation may also be made by payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration
Program (NCWRP) with the NCWRP's written agreement. Check the box indicating that
you would like to pay into the NCWRP. Please note that payment into the NCWRP must be
reviewed and approved before it can be used to satisfy mitigation requirements. Applicants
will be notified early in the review process by the 401 /Wetlands Unit if payment into the
NCWRP is available as an option. For additional information regarding the application
process for the NCWRP, check the NCWRP website at Itttl)://li2o.cnr.st itc.irc_usN%m/indcx.litm. If
use of the NCWRP is proposed, please check the appropriate box on page three and provide
the following information:
Amount of stream mitigation requested (linear feet): To be determined by the COE
Amount of buffer mitigation requested (square feet): N/A
Amount of Riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Amount of Non-riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Amount of Coastal wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
IX. Environmental Documentation (DWQ Only)
Does the project involve an expenditure of public funds or the use of public (federaVstate/local)
land?
Yes ® No ?
If yes, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the
requirements of the National or North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)?
Note: If you are not sure whether a NEPA/SEPA document is required, call the SEPA
coordinator at [phone] to review current thresholds for environmental documentation.
Yes ? No
If yes, has the document review been finalized by the State Clearinghouse? If so, please attach a
copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter.
Yes ? No ?
X. Proposed Impacts on Riparian and Watershed Buffers (DWQ Only)
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