20030909 Ver 2-_More Info Letter_20040505

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Mr. Chris Kirkman, P.E.
Resident Engineer, Division of Highways
NC Department of Transportation
PO Box 14996
Greensboro NC 27415-4996
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WATEFZ (~UALI7Y SE~:TION
Subject: Greensboro Western Urban Loop
State Project No: 8.U482101
TIP No: U-2524 AB/AC
DWQ No: 030909
Dear Mr. Kirkman:
On Wednesday, Apri121, 2004, Mr. Jerry Parker, Division Environmental Officer for NCDOT Division 7,
contacted Sue Homewood, Division of Water Quality (Division) regional staff, to report unauthorized
construction activities at the Greensboro Western Urban Loop stream relocation -Site 28. Mr. Parker reported
that approximately 12001inear feet of buffer adjacent to an unnamed tributary to Hickory Creek in the
Randleman Watershed had been cleared and grubbed without prior approval under DWQ Project No. 030909.
On Apri121, 2004, Sue Homewood visually inspected the site with yourself, Jerry Parker, and other NCDOT
and contractor representatives. Discussions took place on site indicating that the contractor misunderstood the
permits and contract specifications that had been issued authorizing stream relocation at the site. By direction
of NCDOT, the contractor had begun immediate corrective actions including; removing debris from the buffer,
installing a silt fence as close as feasible to the stream, seeding and mulching above the silt fence, seeding and
placing coir fiber matting below the silt fence to the stream water level, and placing orange fencing at the top of
the buffer to indicate areas that should not be impacted without approval.
On April 23, 2004, Sue Homewood returned to the site to document the corrective actions that had been taken.
At that time corrective actions were almost complete and the site was stabilized as best as possible. It was
noted that staff from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) had inspected the site on April 22, 2004 and
indicated stabilization efforts were progressing sufficiently and that the pipes under the three (3) allowable
stream crossing may not be sufficient. NCDOT indicated they would review the pipe sizes and modify the
stream crossings if necessary.
In a meeting on April 26, 2004 between NCDOT, the Division, and representatives of the contractors and sub-
contractors, it was discussed that the plans approved with the Water Quality 401 Certification (DWQ No.
030909) did not appear to be feasible from a construction standpoint. Possible options were discussed and
NCDOT indicated that documentation would be submitted to both the Division and USAGE to request possible
modifications to the approved plans in order to complete construction of the stream relocation at Site 28.
N. C. Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 [phone]
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
May 5, 2004 WETLANDS / 401 GROUP
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Customer Service
1 800 623-7748

Mr. Chris Kirkman, P.E., NCDOT
May 5, 2004
DWQ Project No: 030909
On Apri127, 2004, Sue Homewood again visually inspected the stream to determine its stability after a
precipitation event during the afternoon of April 26, 2004. At the time of the inspection the site appeazed
stable. Some debris had gathered at the inlets of the stream crossing pipes that would need to be removed. It
appeazed that stream flow had risen during the precipitation event, however there were no areas of significant
erosion or sediment deposits. The stream condition appeared similaz to upstream conditions with the exception
of the cleared buffer area.
Please note that actions taken at Site 28 by Archer Western Contractors to cleaz and grub the buffer azea of Site
28, an unnamed tributary to Hickory Creek, were not in accordance with the Water Quality 401 Certification
(DWQ No. 030909) issued to NCDOT on October 24, 2003. Should NCDOT believe that modifications to the
approved plans or certification language is necessary to complete the stream relocation or any other portion of
this project, you must first request and receive approval from the Division. Please be sure to educate all
contractors and subcontractors through appropriate training and/or pre-construction meetings and regulaz
inspection meetings. Division staff will be happy to assist with meetings and training in any way possible.
The Division appreciates the open communication that occurred during this situation. We look forwazd to
continued communication and assistance on this, and future projects. If you have any questions or comments,
please do not hesitate to contact Sue Homewood at 336-771-4600 extension 252 or at
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
c~~
Steve W. Tedder
Water Quality Regional Supervisor
CC: Jerry Parker, NCDOT, Division 7 DEO
DWQ, Winston-Salem Regional Office
Water Quality Central Files