20080305 Ver 1_Application_20080304

THE LOUIS BERGER GROUP, INC.
1001 Wade Ave, Suite 400, Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-3323
Tel [phone] Fax [phone] www.louisberger.com
March 3, 2008
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality, 401/Wetlands Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Subject: Revised PCN Application
Old North Road Bridge Replacement
Bridge No.61 over Blair Fork Creek
City of Lenoir, North Carolina
Dear NCDENR DWQ Representative:
0~~3~~
Enclosed please find the revised bridge design, PCN Application and approved North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Programmatic Categorical Exclusion for proposed Bridge No.
61 over Blairs Fork Creek in Caldwell County.
The design change and subsequent submittal of enclosed information is a result of a request by NCDOT
to modify the bridge design through the placement of parallel bents for the proposed box beams in lieu of
a previously recommended trapezoidal bent design. This modification will require the use of additional
stabilization material (rip rap) within the project limits. This new design is not anticipated to increase
stream impacts from 90 feet cumulatively as reported on the PCN Application that was previously sent to
your agency. All other aspects of project design and environmental review remain unchanged from the
previous PCN Application submittal, dated January 8, 2008.
The City of Lenoir in Caldwell County is requesting a Section 401 Water Quality Certification for the
proposed replacement of Caldwell County Bridge No. 61, located on Old North Road over Blairs Fork
Creek. This project is funded jointly by FHWA\NCDOT and the City of Lenoir.
Thank you for considering of the revised PCN application and please do not hesitate to contact me at 919-
866-4415 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
. ~ ~~~ ~~
Julie Flesch-Pate
Principal Environmental Scientist
The Louis Berger Group, Inc.
Enclosures
MAR 4 2008
DEt~ - yrATEFt QUAUTV
y,~~s pN0 STORMWA~BR~
cC: Mr. Charles K. Beck, Public Works and Engineering Director, City of Lenoir

~~.
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION ACTION CLASSIFICATION FORM
TIl' Project No. B-5012
Federal Project No. BRZ-1115(15)
A. Prod ect Description:
The purpose of this project is to replace Caldwell County Bridge No. 61 located
on Old North Road over Blair's Fork Creek. The North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) removed Bridge No. 61 in 2004 due to severe flood
damage. The previous stream crossing was a triple 13 foot-6 inch x 8 foot steel
plate arch pipe culvert built in 1987.
Tlie proposed bridge for this site is approximately 60 feet in length and 39 feet in
width. The proposed structure will be able to accommodate two 11 foot lanes, and
2 foot offsets to the sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the bridge. The
sidewalks will be 5 foot-1 and 1/2 inches in width, using 3-bar metal rail. The 2
foot offsets on the bridge is the minimum, once hydraulics is completed for this
project additional offsets-maybe required for the hydraulic spread. The length of
Bridge No. 61 is based on preliminary design information and is set by hydraulic
requirements. The roadway grade of the new bridge will be approximately the
same as the former roadway grade with a minimum 0.3 percent grade.
The proposed approach to the bridge will match the existing approach and will
extend approximately 30 feet from the west end of the bridge and 60 feet from the
east end of the bridge. The approaches will include a 22-foot pavement width,
providing two 11-foot lanes with 2 foot-6 inch curb and gutter sections, matching
the existing approaches. A 5 foot sidewalk will be included on the north and south
sides of the bridge. The roadway will be designed as an urban collector using 3R
guidelines with a 25 mile per hour design speed. The bridge site is not currently
posted, but the City of Lenoir has a city wide posting of 35 miles per hour unless
otherwise posted.
Traffic information derived from the NCDOT Bridge Inspection Report
completed in 2004 indicated that the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) on the bridge
was 1000 vehicles. Future ADT for year 2025 is expected to be approximately
3000 vehicles.
B. Purpose and Need:
The former bridge over Blair's Fork Creek was removed in 2004 due to severe
flood damage. Currently, commerce and emergency service vehicles must utilize
an off-site detour to cross Blair's Fork Creek that requires the use of the
southeastern portion of Old North Road and portions of North Main Street. The
southeastern portion of Old North Road has substandard geometrics, including
travel lanes that are too narrow to safely accommodate commerce or to allow
expedient, safe passage by emergency service vehicles. Construction of the
proposed project will correct this deficiency by restoring the former, more direct
route over Blair's Fork Creek on Old North Road and by providing a roadway
system that will meet current design standards.

C. Proposed Improvements:
Circle one or more of the. following Type II improvements which apply to the
project:
Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding offsets, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking,
weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and Reconstructing
pavement (3R and 4R improvements)
b. Widening roadway and offsets without adding through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
d. Constructing lane improvements (merge, auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
£ Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets, and drainage pipes,
including safety treatments
g. Providing driveway pipes
h. Performing minor budge widening (less than one through lane)
i. Slide Stabilization
i. Structural BMP's for water quality nnprovement
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects including the
installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey type barriers and pier
protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
£ Upgrading medians including adding or upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation and/or realignment
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing clear zone safety improvements including removing
hazards and flattening slopes
k. Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including bridge rail retrofit
3. Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of
grade separation to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting (no red lead paint), scour
repair, fender systems, and minor structural improvements
O Replacing a bridge (structure and/or fill)
4. Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
5. Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.
2

6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of--way or for joint or limited use of
right-of--way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse
impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
8 Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
. predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing zonmg and located on or near
a street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support
vehicle traffic.
9 Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and
. ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are
required and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.
10. Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of
passenger shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements)
when located in a commercial area or other high activity center m which
there is adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.
11 Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
. predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing zonmg and where there is no
significant noise impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes, advance land
acquisition loans under section 3 (b) of the UMT Act. Hardship and
protective buying would be permitted only for a particular parcel or a
limited number of parcels. These types of land acquisition qualify for a CE
only where the acquisition would not limit the evaluation of alternatives,
including shifts in alignment for planned construction prof ects, which may
be required in the NEPA process. No project development on such land
may proceed until the NEPA process has been completed.
13. Acquisition and construction of wetland, stream and endangered species
mitigation sites.
14. Remedial activities involving the removal, treatment or monitoring of soil
or groundwater contamination pursuant to state or federal remediation
guidelines.
D. Special Proiect Information:
The estimated costs, based on 2007 prices, are as follows:
Structure $ 275,000
Roadway Approaches $122,000
Misc. & Mob. $ 96,000
Eng. & Contingencies $ 77,000
Total Construction Cost $ 570,000

Right of way, waterline construction or construction easement may be required
and will be the responsibility of the City of Lenoir.
Estimated Traffic (data obtained from NC DOT Bridge Inspection Report):
Year 1995 ADT - 1000
Year 2025 ADT - 3000
Accidents: Bridge at the project site was removed by NCDOT in 2004 due to
extensive flood damage. Accident data is not available.
Design Exceptions: There are no anticipated design exceptions for this project.
Alternatives Discussion:
No Build -The no build alternative would result in a permanent off-site
detour which is unacceptable given that the off-site detour has portions of
roadway with substandard geometrics, including lanes that are too narrow
to allow for the safe passage of commerce and emergency service vehicles.
Since there is no traffic on Old North Road at Blair's Fork Creek,
considerations for a rehabilitation, offsite detour, onsite detour, staged
construction or new alignment alternatives were not needed.
Other Agency Comments:
Input was sought from the following agencies as part of the project development:
^ US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE),
^ NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ),
^ City of Lenoir,
^ US Fish and Wildlife (USFW),
^ North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC),
^ Caldwell County, and
^ NC State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
The City of Lenoir, USAGE, DWQ, USFW, WRC, Caldwell County and SHPO
responded with no special concerns for this project.
Publac Involvement:
Federal, state and local early coordination, consisting of a scoping letter notifying
recipient of the project and a vicinity map, was completed for this proposed
project in May of 2007.
The City of Lenoir held a public meeting March 14, 2007 on the proposed project.
The City of Lenoir plans to provide door hangers with project information to
residences and businesses located in the vicinity of the project site
The City of Lenoir has a municipal agreement with NCDOT for the
reconstruction of the Old North Road Bridge. City representatives including City
4

Manager Lane Bailey and Public Works Director Charles Beck have been very
involved with the planning of this project.
An on-site interview was held in June of 2007 with Mr. Robert Hodges, pastor of
the First Advent Christian Church located next to the project site. Mr. Hodges
indicated that the church, located adjacent the stream, has been flooded two or
three times in his lifetime. The road elevation at the stream is approximately the
top of bank for the stream, therefore when floodwater tops the stream banks into
the floodplaln it would also overtop the structure.
E. Threshold Criteria
The following evaluation of threshold criteria must be completed for Type II
actions
ECOLOGICAL YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any ^
X
unique or unportant natural resource?
(2) Does the project involve habitat where federally ^
X
listed endangered or threatened species may occur?

(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish? ^ X
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the amount of
permanent and/or temporary wetland taking less than
one-tenth (1/10) of an acre and have all practicable measures ^
to avoid and minimize wetland takings been evaluated? ~
(5) Will the project require the use of U. S. Forest Service lands? ^ X
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water resources be adversely ^
impacted by proposed construction activities? ~
(7) Does the project involve waters classified as Outstanding Water ^
X
Resources (OWR) and/or High Quality Waters (HQW)?
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of the United States ^
~
in any of the designated mountain trout counties?

(9) Does the project involve any known underground storage ^
X
tanks (UST's) or hazardous materials sites?

PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA county, will the
project significantly affect the coastal zone and/or any
" ^
X
(AEC)?
"Area of Environmental Concern
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act ^ X
resources?
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guaxd permit be required? ^ X
(13) Will the project result in the modification of any existing ^
regulatory floodway?
(14) Will the project require any stream relocations or channel ^

es?
h X
ang
c
SOCIAL ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES YES NO

(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts to planned ^
X
growth or land use for the area?
(16) Will the project require the relocation of any family or ^ X
business?
(17) Will the project have a disproportionately high and adverse
i
ty or
human health and environmental effect on any minor ^ ~
low-income population?
(18) If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the ^
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor? X

(19) Will the project involve any changes in access control? ^ X

(20) Will the project substantially alter the usefulness ^
and/or land use of adjacent property? X
(21) Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent ^
X
local traffic patterns or community cohesiveness?
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
and/or Transportation Improvement Program (and is, ^
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)? 1C
(23) Is the project anticipated to cause an increase in traffic ^

volumes? X
(24) Will traffic be maintained during construction using existing ^
roads, staged construction, or on-site detours? X
6

_ ~~
(25) If the project is a bridge replacement project, will the bridge
be replaced at its existing location (along the existing facility)
and will all construction proposed in association with the ^
bridge replacement prof ect be contained on the existing facility? X
(26) Is there substantial controversy on social, economic, or ^
environmental grounds concerning the project? X
(27) Is the project consistent with all Federal, State, and local laws ^
relating to the environmental aspects of the project? X
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on structures/properties
X
eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
(29) Will the project affect any archaeological remains which are ^
X
important to history or pre-history?
(30) Will the project require the use of Section 4(f) resources
(public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges,
historic sites, or historic bridges, as defined in Section 4(f) ^
X
of the U. S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966)?
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as defined
by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act ^
of 1965, as amended? X
(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent
to a river designated as a component of or proposed for
X
inclusion in the National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers?
F. Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
Response to Question #13: A Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) will be
obtained for the revised regulated stream crossing from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).

t
G. CE ABproval
TIP Project No. B-5012
Federal Project No. BRZ-1115(15)
Project Description:
The purpose of this project is to replace Caldwell County Bridge No. 61 located on Old
North Road over Blair's Fork Creek. The North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) removed Bridge No. 61 in 2004 due to severe flood damage. The previous
stream crossing was a triple 13 foot-6 inch x 8 foot steel plate arch pipe culvert built in
1987.
The proposed bridge for this site is approximately 60 feet in length and 39 feet in width.
The proposed structure will be able to accommodate two 11 foot lanes, and 2 foot
offsets to the sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the bridge. The sidewalks
will be 5 foot-1 and'/z inches in width, using 3-bar metal rail. The 2 foot offsets on the
bridge is the minimum, once hydraulics is completed for this project additional offsets
inay be required for the hydraulic spread. The length of Bridge No. 61 is based on
preliminary design information and is set by hydraulic requirements. The roadway grade
of the new bridge will be approximately the same as the former roadway grade with a
minimum 0.3 percent grade.
The proposed approach to the bridge will match the existing approach and will extend
approximately 30 feet from the west end of the bridge and 60 feet from the east end of
the bridge. The approaches will include a 22-foot pavement width, providing two 11-
foot lanes with 2 foot-6 inch curb and gutter sections, matching the existing approaches.
A 5 foot sidewallc will be included on the north and south sides of the bridge. The
roadway will be designed as an urban collector using 3R guidelines with a 25 mile per
hour design speed. The bridge site is not currently posted, but the City of Lenoir has a
city wide posting of 35 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.
Traffic information derived from the NCDOT Bridge Inspection Report completed in
2004 indicated that the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) on the bridge was 1000 vehicles.
Future ADT for year 2025 is expected to be approximately 3000 vehicles.
Categorical Exclusion Action Classification:
TYPE II(A)
X TYPE II(B) ,.. ~ / ~ ,,
Approved:
p ~-~ °- d
Date
/-~~ _d~
Date
`~ Q
Dae
Project Development & Environmental P,iialysis t~rancn
For Type II (B) projects only:
ate John F. Sullivan, III, PE, Divi
Federal Highway Administration
Bridge Project Development Engineer

PROJECT COMMITMENTS:
Caldwell County
Bridge No. 61 on Old North Road
Over Blair's Fork Creek
Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-1115(15)
T.I.P. No. B-5012
Roadway Design/Program Development Branch -Sidewalks
The sidewalks on the proposed bridge will be 5 foot-1 and 1/2 inches in width.
5 foot sidewalks will be included on the north and south sides of the bridge.
Categorical Exclusion
Green Sheet
January 2008
Page 1 of 1

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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTOAENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
ONISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
CALD1iVELL COUNTY
OLD NORTH ROAD OVER
BLAIR'S FORK CREEK
B-5012
FIGURE 1
BRIDGE N0.61

a
USE TYPICAL SECTION NO.1 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
-L- STA. 10 + 75.00 TO -L- STA. 11 + 05.00
-L- STA. 11 +65.00 TO -L- STA. 12 +25.00
-L'
39'

36'

i
G.P.
p2 FTifT p.02 FTiFf

TYPICAL SECTION No. 2
(-L- ON STRUCTURE)
USE TYPICAL SECTION N0.2 FOR ThIE FOLLOWING:
-L- STA. 11 + 05.00 TO -L- STA. 11 + 65.00
TYPICAL SECTION N®. 1
(-L- OLD NORTH ROAD)

°~
Michael F. Easley, Govemox
LisUedi C. Evans, Secretary
Jeffrey J. Crow, Deputy Secretary
June 6, 2007
~.~,v. SCA'1p q.
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*~ 4unn+ ~
l~®>rt~ C~.~®~~~. D~~~.~t~a~~t ®~ ~u~t~>r~,~ ~~~®~.~c~~
State ~3[istoric 'reservation ®ffice
Peter B. SandUedc, Administrator
Office of fv chives and History
Division of Historical Resources
David Broolc, Director
Julie Flesch-Pate
Tile Louis Berger Group
1513 Walnut Street, Suite 250
Cary, NC 27511
Re: Replacement of Bridge 61 on Old North Road over Blair's Fork Creek, B-5012, Lenoir,
Caldwell County, ER 07-1041
Dear Ms. Flesch-Pate:
Thank you for your letter of May 14, 2007, concerning tl`~e above project.
We have conducted a review of the proposed undertaking and are aware of no historic resources that `vould be
affected by dze project. Therefore, we have no comment on the undertaking as proposed.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36 CFR
Part 800.
Thanl~ you for yow: cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above colntnelit,
contact Renee Gledlvll-Earley, environlziental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763, ext. 246. In all future
corrunurlication concerning tilts project, please cite the above referenced tracking nur`nber.
Sit7cerely,
m . ~~
~~- ~ ~d~1
Peter Sandbeck
Ma;t; n~ Address Telephone/Fax
Location 919 733-4763/733-5653
ADMINISTRATION 507 N. Blount Street, Raleigh NC 4617 Mail Service Center,1L11eigh NC 27699-4617 ~ )
919 733-6547/715-4501
RESTORATION 515 N. Blount Street, IL2leigh NC 4617 Mail Service Center, ILtileigh NC 27699~G17 ~ )
919 733-6545/715-4501
SURVEY & PLANNING 515 N. Blount Sweet, Raleigh, NC 4617 Nlvl Service Center, R~leigl~ NC 27 6 9 9-46 17 ~ )

Regulatory Division
Action ID~No.: ~. SAW-20Q7-.Q1$61
Ms. Julie Flesch-Pate
Senior Environmental Plaimer
The Louis Berger Group
1513 Wahlut Street, Suite 250
Cary, N:e;. 27511
Dear Ms. Flesch-Pate:
Reference your letter of May 14, 2007, requesting our scoping coiniuents on TIP
Project.No. B-5012, bridge replaceiraent on Old North Road at Bridge #61 over Blail's
Fork Cseelt in Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina.
Based on fhe lunited amount of u~foinlation provided Ln t11e referenced letter, it.
a ears the proposed bridge replacement iuay impact jurisdictional waters of Bi q ~~ ~f t11e
pp A erniif authorization, pursuant t.o Sectio
Creek. Department of the Army (D ) p
Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended, will be required for the discharge of excavated or_
fill material il~ waters of the Uiuted States or any adjacent wetlands in conjw~ction with
this project, including disposal of construction debris. Specific permit requirements will
depend on design of the projects, extent of fill work within the waters of the Uiuted States,
includng wetlands, constl~.1ction methods, an anther fac S°1should be ilzcluded in the project
temporary construction, access, and dewateim~ active ,
plal-v1ll1g. The following items need to be addressed ill the proj ect plarwuig report:
a. The report should contain the amount of permanent and temporary impacts to
waters and wetlands as well as a description of the type of habitat that will be affected by
the proposed project.
b. Off-site detours are always pr flee aeconu~ended act o ~ justificat o 1 should bes
and/or wetlands. If an on-site detour is
provided t11at demonstrates that alternatives with lower aquatic impacts are not
practicable. On-site detours, Lu~less constllicted on a spamung structure or on a previous
detour that was used in a past construction activity, can cause permanent aquatic unpacts
due to sediment consolidation resulting fiom the on-site detoLU itself and associated
heavy equipment. Substantial sediment consolidation in aquatic systems may in turn

~~
cause fragmentation of the feature and inpav nstructed in aquatic features euan result m
streams and wetlands. Thus, on-site, detours co
more than minima]. wetland impacts. These types of impacts inay be considered as
permanent wetland impacts. Please note that an onsite detour constructed on a spanning
structure can potentially avoid permanent impacts and should be conside~ adtxuwcture is not
on-site detour is the recommended action. For projects where a spanninb
feasible, the NCDCT should investigate the existence of previous onsite detours at the
site that were used ill previous construction activities. These areas should be utilized for
onsite detours whenever possible to nnininnize aquatic impacts.
For proposed projects and associated on-site detours that cause minimal losses of
streams and wetlands; a1n approved restoration and monitoring plan will be required prior
to issuance of a DA nationwide or Regional ae~ stre pam~asitd/o°~ tl n°d to sesj ans ~d
associated on-site detours that cause signnific
individual IAA permit and a compensatory mitigation proposal for the wsavoidable
wetland impacts may be required.
c. Project commitments should include the removal of all temporary fills from
waters and wetlands and "tune-of-yeax" restrictions on in-stream work if recorninended
by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. d be stock 1 led oncan uplandnsite andd latoer
temporary detours, the undercut material sho p
used to restore the site.
d. All restored areas should be planted with endemic vegetation including trees, if
appropriate. For projects proposing a temporary onsite detour in jurisdictional features,
the entire detour area, uncluding any previous detour from past construction activities,
should be removed u1 its entirety.
e. The report should provide an estinnate of the linear feet of new impacts to
streams rest~ltuzg from construction of the project.
f. If a bridge is proposed to be replaced with a culvert, NCl~®T must demonstrate
that the work will not result in more than nlununal impacts on the aquatic environment,
specifically addressiig the passage of aquatic life including anadromous fish. The work
must also. not alter the stream hydraulics and create flooding of adjacent properties or
result in Lunstable strewn banks. Iu addition, the. report should address the impacts that the
culvert would have on recreational navigation.
g. The report should discuss and reconnnend bridge demolition methods and shall
include the impacts of bridge demolition and debris removal un addition to the unnpacts of
constructing the bridge. The report should also incorporate the bridge demolition-policy

recommendations pursuant to the NCI~OT policy entitled "Bridge Demolition and
Removal in Waters of the United States" dated September 20, 1999.
h. Lengtherlu~.g existing bridges can often benefit the ecological and hydrological
functions of the associated wetlands and streams. ~°a btr1eamsapReplacillg thesem1ected
to earthen causeways that were built over wetlands
causeways with longer bridges would allow previously impacted wetlands to be restored.
In an effort to encourage this type of worlc, mitigation credit for wetland restoration
activities can be provided to offset the added costs of lengthenhig an existing bridge.
Should you have any questions please call me at the Raleigh Field Office at
919-876-8441.
Sincerely,
~ ~~ ~ W~
Monte Matthews
Project Manager, Raleigh
Regulatory Field Office

Michael F. Easley, Governor
WATT ~ William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
~~, y ~ North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural esource
~~'• '~ G Coleen H. Sullins, Director
' `~f`.,~ ~y y Division of Water Quality
.~~ ,~~
P ' -,, , ~
Jtuze:25 x.2007
li~l~][~1E~1~I7[DN~
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To: Julie Flesch-Pate, The Louis Berger Group, Iizc.
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Front: Michael R. Parker, NC Division of Water Quality, Asheville Regional Office
Subject: Scoping conu11ents on proposed improvements to Bridge No. 61, Old North Road, City of
Lenoir i11 Caldwell County, TIP No. B-5012.
Reference your coi"respondence dated Nlay i4, 2007 in wl~ n~ al fore~ult ~a ,ins acts to perennial streams
project. Preliminary analyses of the proj ect reveals the po
and jurisdictional wetlands in the project area. More specifically, impacts to:
Sib e~.~ Na»~ )E~avc~ ~asnn
Blair Forlcs Catawba
UT's to Blau Fork Catawba
Str e~ S~re~ffi ][nc~e~
CllassnfIlea~n®n(s) l~naffi~er
C 11-39-3-1
C 11-39-3-1
Fw'ther investigationsat a higherresolution should be undertakent-tiodictionallareas are-ederit fied,sdze .ms
and/or jLU7sdictional wetlands in the. area...hz:the: event that any J ~~ the City. of Lenoir andlor NCDOT
Division of Water Quality requests that The Louis B.erger:Group,_
consider the following envirom7~ental issues for the proposed project:
~r®~ect Sg~ec~IlC C®~en~s:
Blair Forlc is Class C waters of the State. Blair Fork is a tr~butRaLU off/Ston r Sewersel{DWQ islvery
the 303 (d) list for impaired use for aquatic life due to Urban
concenzed with sediment and erosioe sedimentha d eorosdion oontrol B1MPs beimpleDil e~ ed to
reconn71ends that the most protectiv ie nests that road design plans provide
reduce the risk of sediment nuzoff to Blair Foric. DWQ " q
treatll~ent of the stone water runoff tluough best management practices as detailed in die most
recent version of NC DWQ Stogy°in~n~ate~° Best Ma~tia~e~~tient Practices.
~o>morafl ]Pn ®y~e~ Co~en~s:
1. The envirom7zental document shall provide a detailed and itemizBed pteSatioa7 islnecel saip-y Sosed
iiiipacts to wetlands:aiid streams with.:conespond>1rg 111apPing• g
required bylSAN.CAC:2H.0506(h);itis>prefeeabation:~~ppropnatecnu~gatio?~lanlswillbe~'"
mitigation plan with the envir.omnental docun
.,
N orthCarolina
- required' prior to issuance. of a 401 'Water-Quality.Certi: ica ion. - - ~1~~rttlr~rll~
f Water Quality 2090 U.S. Highway 70" Swannanoa, NC 28778 Phone [phone]
North Carolina Drvis~on o FAX [phone]
Customer Service 1-877-623-6748 Internet: http:llh20.enrstate.nc.uslncwetlands
An Equal OpportunitylAffirmative Action Employer

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2. Enviromzental assessn7ent alternatives shall consider desigiz criteria that reduce the impacts to
streams and wetlands from storn~ water 1-unoff. These alternatives shall include road designs that
allow for treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in
the most recent version of NC DWQ Sto~~lnwatei~ Best Marza,geTne~tit P~°actices, such as grassed
swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc.
3. After the selection of the preferred alterative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality
Certification, the City. of Lenoir and/or NCDOT is respectfully reminded that they will need to
demonstrate the avoidance and 1-~-liniization of impacts to streams (and wetlands) to the
maximum extent practical. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's
Rules {15A NCAC 2H.0506(h)},mitigation will be req ti eation llla a 17a11 be desigl ed to replace
wetlands. hi the event that mitigation is required, the ml g P
appropriate lost fiu7ctions and values. The NC Ecosystem En17aa7cement Program maybe
available for use as wetland mitigation.
4. hz accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules {15A NCAC
2H.0506(h)}, nutigation will be required for impacts of greater than 1501inear feet to_any single
perennial stream. In the event that d values? 1The NC Ecosyst m E Zliancement Program gray be
replace appropriate lost flu~ctions an
available for use as stream mitigation.
5. DWQ is very concerned with sedunent and erosion impacts that could resti~lt from this project.
The City of Lenoir and/or NCDOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential
impacts that may occur to the aquatic envirom7~ents and any mitigating factors that would reduce
the impacts.
6. 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 Arn1y Corp of
Engineers to detennuze the required permit(s).
7. If the old budge is removed, no discharge of budge material iCoi s s of Enwneers quid li d f ess
otherwise authonzed by the USACE. Strict adherence to the ~ g
bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
,. Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible.
). Whenever possible, the DWQ prefers spaiu1ing strlictiues. Spamzing strtiictures usually do not
require work within the stream or b ~ubbing of the str eambanlc and do not require stream cham~el
realib uz1ent. The horizontal and ~e eicdo not block fish pas age and do i olt block navigation by
wildlife passage beneath the stns ,
canoeists a~1d boaters.
10. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed
across the bridge andpre-treated tlubeforelente inglthe stLleaia11SPgr sseedfe to the mostlcutzent
scour holes, vegetated buffets, etc.)
version of NC DWQ Sto~~»~water Best Man.agemerit Practices.

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11. If concrete is used dwzng constl-uctidostreadilnywater aWater that il~advert ntd toop tacts un c gyred
contact between curing concrete an
concrete shall not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and
possible aquatic life and fish bills.
12. If temporary access roads or detours are conatr be sdeeded mulch ed o saabilo e tl el so 1 and ction
contours and elevations. Disturbed areas sh
appropriate native woody species should be planted. When using temporary sb l~hogsl1or other
shall be cleared but not grubbed. Cleaz-ing the area with chain saws, mowers,
mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re-vegetate
nat~.lrally and minimizes soil distiubance.
13. Placement of culverts and other structuror all culverts with a diameter greater7th ~ 48einc eseand
elevation of the stleambed by one foo
20 percent of the culvert diameter for cul esr s 1 a°a ~acdelalent of cult' ~s and othe Sstl~zct~u Slow
flow passage of water and aquatic hfe. D gn P
including temporary erosion control measures°s baanlcota ~a oeia to oa upstreaii land down stream
in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or stieambeds
of the above struct~.ires. The applicant is requ If tdbtis condidtiou isa uZable to be met dtbe to bed ockg
maintained if requested i17 un-itu7g by DWQ for
or other lunitil~g features encountered diu-ing constr~.tction, please contact the NC DWQ
guidance on how to proceed and to deternune whether or not a peri~ut modification will be
required.
14. If multiple pipes or barrels eil-licludin ti7 es or balZels at flood plail~ levat on a ~o ?s lls where
section as closely as possibl b P P
appropriate. Widening the stream chalu7el Sawa er velocity catr sing sedimerit ddepos uon tl~atinlet
or outlet end of structures typically decreas
requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
15. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shNiidberi3494/N tionw de Pe ziut7Noe6 fofor Siu-vey
is approved wader General 401 Cei~tificatron
Activities.
16. Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient ~ Prsion of North Carolina Sed izentpand1ented
and mail~tamed m accordance with the most lecen
Erosion Control P1amling az-id Design Manual and the most recent version of NC5000250.
17. All work in or adjacent to stream waters su erasures fiomttla iinosdtrcuwei~t ve sionlofNCDOTSe
approved by NC DWQ. Approved BMP
Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and
other diversion stl-uctures should be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
18. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed ilz wetlands and streams.
19. Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximuiri extent practical. Impacts to wetlands
in borrow/waste areas could precipitate compensatory nutigation.

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7_0, While the use of National Wetland I~ZVentory (NWI)117aps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of
Wetland Significance (NC-CREWS) maps and soil sLU~vey maps are useful tools, their inherent
inaccuracies require that qualified persom~el perform onsite wetland delineations prior to pen~ut
approval.
21. Heavy equipment shall be operated from 1{el hood of introducing other polluta ztslinto streams.
nuninmze sedimentation and reduce the h
This equipment shall be inspected daily and lic fluads, or otpl1er too n aterialsion of surface
waters fiom leaking fuels, lubricants, hydr
22. hz 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 tempo leai`met ~ a t oavo dedestab lia gd
located to avoid wetland impacts, n~1inuze the need foi g
stream banks. If the str~.lcture will be on a new aligmnent, the aach f lls should be removed and
the approach fills removed fiom the 100-year floodplaiu. App'
restored to the natural groLUid elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with
native tree species. Tall fescue shall i~ot be used in riparia11 areas.
7 3 . Riprap shall not be placed i11 the active thalweg chalbouldersl or sttrti ctures sl oluld be p op a lYer
that precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengmeenng
designed, sized and il~stalled. - -
'T'hank you for requesting our input at this time. Th es ~ aria Leanate~oeaNulDO e instituted to e sure
issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification iequu PP
that water quality standards are met and do 1 lease o1 tact Mike parladed (g7g~ X96-4500ave any
questions or requil e additional mfonmatio , p
cc: Monte Matthews, US A~~my Coils of Engil1eers, Raleigh Field Office
Jake Risggsbee, Federal Highway Administration
Heath Slaughter, Division 11 Envirommental Officer
Clu-is Miltcher, Environmental Protection Agency
Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Convmission
Marella BLmciclc, US Fish and Wildlife Service
1~ti~TQ 401 Transportat-icn PelznitLn~g Unit
File Copy -

s
~,
ns, .Chairman
Jice Chairman
Greene
W. Thuss
,y 22, 2007
Julie Flesch-Pate
The Louis verger group
1513 ~Ialtlut Street, Suite 250
Cry, NC 27511
Ref
C®~~ty ®ff C~-a~~vedll
PO Box 2200
Lenoir, NC 28645
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Old North Road, fridge 61 Replacement over flair's Fork Creek, City of Lenotr.
Dear 1Vdrs. Flesch-Pate:
cement of this bridge will in no way binder the operations of the Caldwell County ®ffice of
The repla
c Services. TLe area tbis bridge serves is accessible by another roadway that will in no way extend
Ernergen y
or }under our response. Further, I do not see any environmental impacts associated with this project.
5Lncerely(~;
/;~ fig Yl~,~~ y ~~
]E~ober-t Reid
Asst. F,M Coordinator
CALDWELL C®U1~TTY ®FFI ~~$~ ~ ~ ~~® T~TC~' SEI~~~7IC~5
T®~~y Ea C® 9

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CURVE DATA FOR -L- _/~ INC®MPLETE PLANS
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~'°' ~ Advent Christian Church
~, F ~ '~, END PROJECT j
® THE LOUIS BERGER GROUP, Inc.
-L- STA.12+25.00 ~ I 1513 Walnut Street, Suite 250
'' a Cary, North Carolina 27511
i
~ Z CALDWELL COUNTY
3 OLD NORTH ROAD OVER
~ BLAIR'S FORK CREEK
3~
~~` oW 8-5012
e°'` o~
~~~ ° FIGURE 2 SITE PLAN
BRIDGE N0.61