20071307 Ver 1_Information Letter_20050819

x'1.1 ~ Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
~~North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
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Mr. Ken Burleson, PE
TGS Engineers
975 Walnut Street, Suite 141
Cary, NC 27511
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
August 19, 2005
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement
Bridge No. 75 on Broadway Street in the City of Lenoir, Caldwell County
TIP No. B-3933
In reply to your correspondence dated June 16, 2005 in which you requested comments for the above referenced project,
the NC Division of Water Quality offers the following comments:
I. Project-Specific Comments
Spainhour Creek is a Class C Waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this project.
II. General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
If corrugated metal pipe arches, reinforced concrete pipes, or concrete box culverts are used to replace the
bridge, then DWQ recommends the use of Nationwide Permit No. 14 rather than Nationwide Permit 23.
2. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is preferred. Strict adherence
the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality
Certification.
3. DWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within the stream and do
not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges allows for
human and wildlife passage beneath the structure, does not block fish passage, and does not block navigation by
canoeists and boaters.
4. Bridge deck drains should not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater should 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 NCDOT Best Management Practices for the Protection
of Surface Waters
5. Live concrete should not be allowed to contact the water in or entering into the stream. Concrete is mostly
made up of lime (calcium carbonate) and when in a dry or wet state (not hardened) calcium carbonate is very
soluble in water and has a pH of approximately 12. In an unhardened state concrete or cement will change the
pH of fresh water to very basic and will cause fish and other macroinvertebrate kills.
6. If possible, bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream. ne
No Carolina
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North Carolina Division of Water Quality 585 Waughtown Street Phone [phone] Customer Service
Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us Winston-Salem, NC 27107 FAX [phone]
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TGS Engineers
TIP No. B-3933
7. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, they should be removed back to original ground elevations
immediately upon the completion of the project. Disturbed areas should be seeded or mulched to stabilize the
soil and native tree species should be planted with a spacing of not more than 10'x10'. If possible, when using
temporary structures the area should 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 disturbed soil.
8. A clear bank (rip rap-free) area of at least 10 feet should remain on each side of the stream underneath the
bridge.
9. Sedimentation and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented prior to
any ground disturbing activities. Structures should be maintained regularly, especially following rainfall
events.
10. Bare soil should be stabilized through vegetation or other means as quickly as feasible to prevent sedimentation
of water resources.
11. All work in or adjacent to stream waters should be conducted in a dry work area. Sandbags, rock berms,
cofferdams, or other diversion structures should be used where possible to prevent excavation in flowing water.
12. Heavy equipment should 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 should be
inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants,
hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
In most cases, we prefer the replacement of the existing structure at the same location with road closure. If road closure is
not feasible, a temporary detour should 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 should be removed
and the approach fills removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills should be removed down to the natural
ground elevation. The area should be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall fescue should not be
used in riparian areas. If the area that is reclaimed was previously wetlands, NCDOT should restore the area to wetlands.
If successful, the site maybe used as wetland mitigation for the subject project or other projects in the watershed.
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 me at 336-771-4600
extension 287.
Sincerely,
Sue Homewood
cc: John Thomas, USACE Raleigh Field Office
NCDOT -Project Development and Environmental Analysis
DWQ Wetlands Transportation Unit File Copy
DWQ Winston-Salem Regional Office File Copy