20150053 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20150316

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
March 16, 2015
Mr. Richard W. Hancock, P.E., Manager
Project Developmen[ and Environmental Analysis
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-I598
Donald R. van der Vaart
Secretary
Subject: 401 Water Quality Ce�Yification Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water with ADDITIONAL
CONDITIONS for Proposed improvemen[s to US 64 in Transylvania Counly, Federal Aid Project No.
HPP-0064 (1 IS), TIP R-2409C.
NC D W R Proj ect N o. 20I 5-0053
Dear Mr. Hancock;
Attached hereto is a copy of Certification No. WQC004013 issued to The Na-th Carolina Department of
Transpo�tation (NCDOT) dated February March 16, 2015.
If we can be of fwther assistance, do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
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S. JayZimmermari, Director
Division of Water Resources
Attachments
Electronic copy only distribution:
Lori Beckwith US Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Field Office
Mark Davis, Division 14 Environmental Officer
Anita Goetz, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Beth Hannon, Ecosystem Enhancement Program
Kevin Barnett, NC Division of Water Resources Asheville Regional Office
File Copy
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, Nodh Carolina 27699-1617
Phone:[phone]ntemet www.ncdenr.gov
An Equal Opportunity 1 ARumalive Aclion Employer

401 Water Quality Certification Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act with ADDITIONAL
CONDITIONS
THIS 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 Resources (NCDWR) Regulations
in 15 NCAC 2H .0500. This certification authorizes the NCDOT to impact 1,070 linear feet ofjurisdictional streams
in Transylvania County. The project shall be constructed pursoant to the application dated January 14, 2015. The
authorized impacts are as described below:
Stream Im acts in the Savanah River Basin
Site Permanent Fill in Stream Bank Temporary Stream
(linear ft) Stabilization Fill in Stream Impacts
(linear ft) (linear ft) Requiring
Mitigation
(linear ft)
1 42 10 73
2 37 15 23
3 265 10 28 275
4 76 11 29
5 0 10 15
6A 96 20
66 263 10 84 273
7 32 11 26
8 172 10 26 182
983 87 324 730
Totnl
Total Stream Impact for Project: 1,394 linear feet
The application provides adequate assurance that the discharge of fill material into the waters of the Savanah River
Basin or wetlands (pick one) in conjunction with the proposed development will not result in a violation of
applicable Water Quality Standards and discharge guidelines. Therefore, the State ofNorth Carolina certifies that
this activity will not violate the applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, 307 of PL 92-500 and PL 95-217
if conducted in accordance with the application and conditions hereinafter set forth.
This approval is only valid for the purpose and design that you submitted in your application dated January 14,
2015. Should your project change, you are required to notify the NCD WR and submit a new application. If the
property is sold, the new owner must be given a copy of [his Certification and approval letter, and is thereby
responsible for complying with all the conditions. If any additional wetland impacts, or stream impacts, for this
project (now or in the fuwre) exceed one acre or 150 linear feet, respectively, additional compensatory mitigation
may be required as described in I SA NCAC 2H .0506 (h) (6) and (7). For this approval to remain valid, you are
required to comply with all the conditions listed below. In addition, you should obtain all other federal, state or
local permits before proceeding with your project including (but not limited to) Sediment and Erosion control,
Coastal Stormwater, Non-discharge and Water Supply watershed regulations. This Certification shall expire on the
same day as the expiration date of the corresponding Corps of Engineers Perinit.

Condition(s) of Certification:
Unless otherwise approved in this certification, placement of culverts and other structures in open waters
and streams shall be placed below the elevation of the s[reambed by one foot for all culverts with a
diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the wlvert diameter for culverts having a diameter
less than 48 inches, to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of
culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a
manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream
and downstream of the above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the
equilibrium is being maintained if requested in writing by NCDWR. If this condition is unable to be met
due to bedrock or other limiting feawres encountered during construction, please contact NCDWR for
guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required.
[ 15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
2. [f concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact
between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall
not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and
fish kills [ISA NCAC 02B.0200]
3. During the construction of the project, no staging of equipment of any kind is permitted in waters of
the U.S., or protected riparian buffers. [ 1 SA NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
4. The dimension, pattern and profile of the stream above and below the crossing shall not be modified.
Disturbed floodplains and streams shall be restored to natural geomorphic conditions. [15A NCAC
02H.0506(b)(2)]
5. The use of rip-rap above the Normal High Water Mark shall be minimized. Any rip-rap placed for
stream stabilization shall be placed in stream channels in such a manner that it does not impede
aquatic life passage. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
6. The Permittee shall ensure that the final design drawings adhere to the permit and to the permit
drawings submitted for approval. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c) and 15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(2) and
(�)(z)]
7. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP
measures from the most current version ofNCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual
such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water. [ISA NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
8. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream. [I SA NCAC
02H.0506(b)(3)]
9. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters must be regularly inspected and maintained to
prevent contamination of stream waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
[15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)]
10. No rock, sand or other materials shall be dredged from the stream channel except where authorized by
this certification. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)]
11. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment in or adjacent to
surface waters is prohibited. [ I SA NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)]
12. The permittee and its authorized agents shall conduct its activities in a manner consistent with State
water qualiry standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with §303(d) of the
Clean Water Act) and any other appropriate requirements of State and Federal law. If the NCDWR
determines that such standards or laws are not being met (including the failure to sustain a designated or
achieved use) or that State or federal law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to
assure compliance, the NCDWR may reevaluate and modify this certification. [15A NCAC 02B.0200]

13. All fill slopes located in jurisdictional wetlands shall be placed at slopes no flatter than 3:1, unless
otherwise authorized by this certification. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
14. A copy of this Water Quality Certification shall be maintained on the construction site at all times. In
addition, the Water Quality CeRification and all subsequent modifications, if any, shall be maintained
with the Division Engineer and the on-site project manager. [ISA NCAC 02H .0507(c) and 15A NCAC
02H .0506 (b)(2) and (c)(2)]
15. The outside buffer, wetland or water boundary Iocated within the construction corridor approved by this
authoriza[ion shall be clearly marked by highly visible fencing prior to any land disturbing activities.
Impacts to areas within the fencing are prohibited unless otherwise authorized by this certification. [15A
NCAC 02H.0501 and .0502]
16. The issuance of this certification does not exempt the Permittee from complying with any and all
statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by other government agencies (i.e. bcal,
state, and federal) having jurisdiction, including but not limited to applicable buffer rules, stormwater
management rules, soil erosion and sedimentation control requirements, etc.
17. The Permittee shall report any violations of this certification to the Division of Water Resources within
24 hours of discovery. [ISA NCAC 02B.0506(b)(2)]
18. Upon comple[ion of the project (including any impacts at associated borrow or waste sites), the NCDOT
Division Engineer shall complete and return the enclosed "Certification of Completion Form" to notify
the NCDWR when alI work included in the 401 Certification has been completed. [15A NCAC
02H.0502(�]
19. Native riparian vegetation) must be reestablished in the riparian areas within the construction limits of
the project by the end of the growing season following completion of construction.[15A NCAC
02B.0506(b)(2)]
20. There shall be no excavation from, or waste disposal into, jurisdictional wetlands or waters associated
with this permit without appropriate modification. Should waste or borrow si[es, or access roads to
waste or borrow sites, be located in wetlands or streams, compensatory mitigation will be required since
thaY is a direct impact from road construction activities.[ISA NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
21. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications goveming the
proper design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in order to
protect surface waters standards [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3]):
a. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated,
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and
Erosron Conlro[ Plannrng and Design Manual.
b. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures
must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the most recent version of
the North Carolina Sedrment and Erosion Control ManuaL The devices shall be maintained on all
construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor-owned or
leased borrow pits associated with the project.
c. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed, installed,
operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina
Surface Minrng Manua[.
d. The reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in accordance
with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Conhol Act.
22. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters unless otherwise
approved by this Certification. [ISA NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
Violations of any condition herein set forth may result in revocation of this Certification and may result in criminal
and/or civil penalties. This Certification shall become null and void unless the above conditions are made

conditions of the Federal 404 and/or Coastal Area Management Act PermiL This Cer[ification shall expire upon the
expiration of the 404 or CAMA permit.
If you wish to contest any statemen[ in the at[ached Certification you must file a petition for an administrative
hearing. You may obtain Uie petition form from the office of Administrative hearings. You mus[ file the petition
with the office of Administrative Hearings within sixty (60) days of receipt of this notice. A petition is considered
filed when it is received in [he office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of
Administrative Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between [he hours of 8:OOam and S:OOpm, excep[
for official state holidays. The original and one (l) copy ofthe petition must be filed with the Office of
Administrative Hearings.
The peti[ion may be faxed-provided the original and one copy of the document is received by the Office of
Administrative Hearings within five (5) bosiness days following the faxed transmission.
The mailing address for the Office of Administrative Hearings is:
Office of Administrative Hearings
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6714
Telephone: [phone]Q Facsimile: (919)-431-3100
A copy of the petition must also be served on DENR as follows:
Mr. Sam M Hayes, General Counsel
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
1601 Mail Service Center
This the 16th day of March, 2015
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES
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S. Jay Zimmerman, Director
Division of Water Resources
WQC No. 004013

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
NCDWR Project No.:
Applicant:
Project Name:
Date of Issuance of 401 Water Quality Certification:
County:
Donald R. van der Vaart
Secretary
Certificate of Completion
Upon comple[ion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Ce�tification or applicable Buffer Rules, and
any subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return this certificate to [he 401 TransportaCion Pennitting
Unit, No�1h Carolina Division of Water Resow•ces, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1617. This form
may be returned to NCDWR by the applicant, [he applicant's au[horized agent, or [he project engineer. 1[ is no[
necessary to send certificates from all of these.
ApplirnnYs Cerlrfrrntioir
I, , hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence
was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and
specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature: Date:
Agen!'s CerlificMiox
I, , hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence
was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and
specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signa[w�e:
Engriieer's Certificnlion
Partial Final
I, , as a duly regis[ered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, having been authorized to obseive (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the project,for the
Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the
conshvction such that the construction was obse�ved to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the 401
Water Quality Cer[ification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature
Registration No. Date
1617 Mail Service Center, Raieigh, Nodh Carolina 27699-1617
Phone:[phone] InterneC www.ncdenr.gov
An Equal Oppotluniry 1 AKrmative Aclion Employer