20080595 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20050207

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February 7, 2005
MEMORANDUM
TO: Karen Capps, NCDOT Project Development Engineer
FROM: Nicole Thomson, NC Division of Water Quality, Transportation Permitting U 't
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's proposed bridge replacement projects: B-4648, B-4423, B-
4424, B-4664, B-4665, B-4548, B-4549, B-4578, B-4567, B-4454, B-4520, B-4538, and
B-4540
In reply to your correspondence dated Apri129, 2004 (received May 6, 2004) in which you requested
comments for the referenced projects, the NC Division of Water Quality has the following comments:
I. Proiect-Specific Comments
B-4648 Brui;~e No. 17 over Riders Creek, Tyrell Co.
Scott Creek are class C; Sw waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding-this project.
B-4423 Brume No. 67 over Horse Branch Creek, Beaufort Co:
Horse Branch Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sedimentation
and erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly protective
sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Horse
Branch Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through
best management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface
Waters. Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4424 Bride No. 68 over Branch of Chocowinity Creek, Beaufort Co.
Chocowinity Creek are class C; Sw; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with
sedimentation and erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly
protective sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff
to Chocowinity Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff
through best management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of
Surface Waters. Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4664 Bride No. 25 over Smith Creek, Warren Co.
Smith Creek are class C waters of the State. Smith Creek is an impaired stream on the 303(d) list for low
dissolved oxygen levels and impaired biological integrity due to erosion and sedimentation sources.
DWQ is very concerned with sedimentation and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
DWQ recommends that highly protective sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to
reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Smith Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment
of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices
for the Protection of Surface Waters. Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4665 Bride No. 36 over Hawtree Creek, Warren Co.
Hawtree Creek are class C waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this project.
Nose Carolina
Transportation Permitting Unit d -'utuCQ~~t/
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] l FAX [phone] /Internet: http:/lh2o.enr.state.nc, us/ncwetlands
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality

B-4548 Bride No. 2 over Liverman Creek, Hertford Co.
Liverman Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sedimentation and
erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly protective
sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Liverman
Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best
management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters.
Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4549 Bride No. 42 over Taylor Pond, Hertford Co.
Taylor Pond are class C; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sedimentation and
erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly protective
sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Taylor
Pond. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best
management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters.
Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4578 Bride No. 8 over Conoho Creek, Martin Co.
Conoho .Creek are class C waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this project.
B-4567 Bride No. 69 over Fork of Bear Creek, Lenoir Co,
Fork of Bear Creek are class C; Sw; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with
sedimentation and erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly
protective sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff
to Fork of Bear Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff
through best management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of
Surface Waters. Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4520 Bride No. 32 over Trotman Creek, Gates Co.
Trotman Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sedimentation and
erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly protective
sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Trotman
Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best
management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters.
Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.
B-4538 Bridge No. 25 over Conoconnara Swamp, Halifax Co.
Conoconnara Swamp are class C waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this
project.
B-4540 Bride No. 142 over Little fishing Creek, Halifax Co.
Little Fishing Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sedimentation
and erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly protective
sedimentation and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Little
Fishing Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through
best management practices as detailed in Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface
Waters. Refer to 15A NCAC 2B .0224(2) and 15A NCAC 2H .1006.

II General Comments Re~ardin~ Brial~e Replacement Proiects
1. 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.
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 steam 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.

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 Nicole Thomson 919-715-3415.
pc: Mike Bell and Bill Biddlecome, USACE Washington Field Office
Eroc Alsmeyer, USACE Raleigh Field Office
Chris Militscher, USEPA
Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Gary Jordan, USFWS
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