GC_DisposalofDredgedMaterial

GENERAL CERTIFICATION
FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS DREDGING ACTIVITIES INVOLVING CONTROL OF
EFFLUENT DISPOSAL OF DREDGED MATERIAL IN EXISTING DREDGE MAINTENANCE
SITES WITHIN NORTH CAROLINA
This General Certification is issued in conformity with the
requirements of Section 401, Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the
United States and subject to the North Carolina Division of Water
Quality Regulations in 15 NCAC 2H, Section .0500 and 15 NCAC 2B .0200
for the discharge of fill material to waters and wetland areas which
are waters of the United States as described in 33 CFR 325 Appendix A
of the Corps of Engineers regulations. This,Certification is issued
for existing dredge sites at Manteo (Shallowbag Bay), Wilmington
Harbor (bird islands) and Wainwright Slough. This WQC is rescinded
when deemed appropriate by the Director of the Division of Water
Quality.
The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category
of activity will not violate applicable portions of Sections 301, 302,
303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 if conducted in
accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth.
Conditions of Certification:
1. Proposed fill or substantial modification of waters or
wetlands for this General Certification requires
written concurrence from the Division of Water Quality;
2. Appropriate sediment and erosion control practices which
equal or exceed those outlined in the most recent version of
the "North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual" or
the "North Carolina Surface Mining Manual" (available from
the Division of Land Resources at the DEHNR Regional or
Central Office) shall be utilized to prevent exceedances of
the appropriate turbidity water quality standard (25 NTUs in
all saltwater classes};
3. All sediment and erosion control measures placed in wetlands
or waters shall be removed and the natural grade restored
after the Division of Land Resources has released the
project;
4. If an environmental document is required, this Certification
is not valid until a FONSI or ROD is issued by the State
Clearinghouse;
5. The terminal end of the pipeline from the dredge shall be
positioned at the highest point possible on the dredge
disposal site to allow maximum distance for settling of
suspended solids;
6. The flow of discharge shall be directed away from any
emergent vegetation along the shoreline unless it can be
clearly shown by the applicant that a different design will
result in less environmental impact (i.e. berm at Wainwright
Slough disposal site};
7. If such activities should take place during periods of high
biological activity (i.e. bird nesting), biological
monitoring may be required at the request of other state or
federal agencies and coordinated with these dredging
activities;
8. Written concurrence for use of this certification for a
particular project shall expire three years after issuance.

Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set
forth by a specific fill project shall result in revocation of this
Certification for the project and may result in criminal and/or civil
penalties.
The Director of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality may
require submission of a formal application for individual
certification for any project in this category of activity, if it is
determined that the project is likely to have a significant adverse
effect upon water quality or degrade the waters so that existing uses
of the wetland or downstream waters are precluded.
Public hearings may be held for specific applications or group of
applications prior to a certification decision if deemed in the
public's best interest by the Director of the North Carolina Division
of Water Quality.
Effective date: 11 February 1997.
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
By
A. Preston Howard, r., P.E.
Director
Gencert.eff
WQC# 3122