20150921 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20150917

Pat McCrory
Governor
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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Donald R. van der Vaart
Secretary
September 17, 2015
Ashe County
NCDWR Project No. 20150921
Bridge 263 on SR 1317
WBS Element No. 17BP.1 1.R.67
APPROVAL of 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION, with ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Mr. Heath Slaughter, Division Environmental Officer
NCDOT, Division I 1
801 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Dear Mr. Slaughter:
You have our approval, in accordance with the conditions listed below, for the following impacts for the purpose of
replacing Bridge 263 over Rich Hill Creek (Stream Index 10-2-15) in Ashe County with an aluminum box culvert
(ABC):
atream srn�acts �n tne i�ew r�ver tsas�n
Permanent Fill in Strea.n
Perennial Stream Temporary Fill in
linear ft Perennial Stream Total Stream Impact �mpacts
Site � (linear ft) (linear ft) Requiring
Culvert Riprap Dewatering Mitigation
(linear ft)
1 88 35 49 172 0
Total 88 35 49 172 0
Total Stream Impact for Project: 172 linear feet.
The project shall be constructed in accordance with your application dated September 4, 2015. After reviewing your
application, we have decided that these impacts are covered by General Water Quality Certification Number 3886
which correspond to the Nationwide/General Permits l4 issued by the Corps of Engineers. In addition, you should
acquire any other federal, state or local perinits before you proceed with your project including (but not limited to)
Sediment and Erosion Control, Non-Discharge and Water Supply Watershed regulations. This approval will expire
with the accompanying 404 permit.
This approval is valid solely for the purpose and design described in your application (unless modified below).
Should your project change, you must notify the NCDWR and submit a new application. If the property is sold, the
r.e�� owner must �e given a �opy of th:s Certification and approval letter, and is th�: eby respor.sible far compl_ying
with all the conditions. If total wetland fills for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre, or of total
impacts to streams (now or in the future) exceed 150 linear feet, compensatory mitigation may be required as
described in 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h) (6) and (7). For this approval to remain valid, you must adhere to the
conditions listed in the attached certification(s) and any additional conditions listed below.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Phone: [phone] Internet: www.ncdenr.gov
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer

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Condition(s) of Certification:
Project Specific Conditions
1. As a condition of this 401 Water Quality Certification, the bridge demolition and construction must be
accomplished in strict compliance with the most recent version of NCDOT's Best Management Practices
for Construction and Maintenance Activities. [ 1�A NCAC 02H .0507(d)(2) and 15A NCAC 02H
.0506(b)(5)]
2. NCDOT shall be in compliance with the NCS000250 issued to the NCDOT, including the applicable
requirements of the NCGO10000. Please note the extra protections for the sensitive watersheds as Rich
Hill Creek is classified as Trout and Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW). [15A NCAC 4B.0124(a)-(e)]
3. This project has the potential to impact trout waters or other aquatic species of concern. No construction
activities shall begin until the NCWRC makes a determination regarding moratoria. Should the NCWRC
determine that a moratorium is applicable then the requirements of any moratorium(s) shall be a condition
of this 401 Certification. If the NCDOT does not wish to honor the moratorium, then a written
modification shall be submitted.
4. For the 49 linear feet of streams being impacted due to site dewatering activities, the site shall be graded to
its preconstruction contours and revegetated with appropriate native species. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
5. The ABC shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section as closely as possible including flood the
plain elevation as described in the application with the use of baffles/sills where appropriate. Widening
the stream channel should be avoided. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
6. ThP stream channel shall �e ex�avzted no deeper than the natural bed material of thP ctream, to thP
maximum extent practicable. Efforts must be made to minimize impacts to the stream banks, as well as to
vegetation responsible for maintaining the stream bank stability. Any applicable riparian buffer impact for
access to stream channel shall be temporary and be revegetated with native riparian species. [15A NCAC
02H.0506(b)(2)]
General Conditions
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 streambed by one foot for all culverts with a
diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the culvert 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 features 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)]
If 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. �15A 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. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]

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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 Permirtee 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 I SA NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(2) and
(�)(2)�
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 of NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual
such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water. [15A 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. [ 1 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 materiais.
[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. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)]
12. The pe!-mittee and its authorized agents shal! conduct its activities in a manner consistent w:th State
water quality 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 Certification and all subsequent modifications, if any, shall be maintained
with the Division Engineer and the on-site project manager. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c) and 15A NCAC
02H .0506 (b)(2) and (c)(2)]
15. The outside buffer, wetland or water boundary located within the construction corridor approved by this
authorization shall be clearly marked by highly visible fencing prior to any land disturbing
activities. [mpacts 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. local,
state, and federal) having jurisdiction, including but not limited to applicable buffer rules, stormwater
management rules, soil erosion and seciimentation control requirements, etc.
17. The Permittee shall report any violations of this certification to the Division of Water Resources within
24 hours of discovery. [ 15A NCAC 02B.0506(b)(2)]

18. Upon completion of the project (including any impacts at associated borrow or waste sites), the NCDOT
Division Engineer or appointee shall complete and return the enclosed "Certification of Completion
Form° to notify the NCDWR when all work included in the 401 Certification has been completed. [15A
NCAC 02H.0502(fl]
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 oi construction.[15A NCAC
02H.0506(b)(3)]
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 sites, or access roads to
waste or borrow sites, be located in wetlands or streams, compensatory mitigation will be required since
that is a direct impact from road construction activities.[15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
21. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing 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
Erosion Control Planning 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 Sediment 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 Min�ng Manual.
d. Tre reclamation meas+ares �nd implementation muct comply with the reclamation in accordTnce
with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act.
22. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters unless otherwise
approved by this Certification. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
If you wish to contest any statement in the attached Certification you must file a petition for an administrative
hearing. You may obtain the petition form from the office of Administrative hearings. You must 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 the office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of
Administrative Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:OOam and S:OOpm, except
for official state holidays. The original and one ( I) copy of the petition must be filed with the Office of
Administrative Hearings.
The petition may be faxed-provided the original and one copy of the document is received by the Office of
Administrative Hearings within five (5) business 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], Facsimile: (919)-431-3 l00
A copy of the petition must also be served on DENI� as follows:
Mr. Sam M. Hayes, General Counsel
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
1601 Mail Service Center

This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Resources under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If you
have any questions, please contact Dave Wanucha at [phone] or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
S_ �����
�1'� S. Jay Zimmerman, P.G.
Director, Division of Water Resources
Electronic copy only distribution:
Steve Kichefski, US Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Field Office
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT Division 11
Marella Buncick, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Dave Wanucha, NC Division of Water Resources Winston Salem Regional Office
File Copy

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
IYCDWR Project No.:
Applicant:
Project Name:
Date of Issuance of 401 Water Quality Certification:
County:
Donald R. van der Vaart
Secretary
Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules, and
any subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return this certificate to the 401 Transportation Permitting
Unit, North Carolina Division of Water Resources, 1617 Mail'Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1617. This form
may be returned to NCDWR by the applicant, the applicant's authorized agent, or the project engineer. It is not
necessary to send certificates from all of these.
Applicant's Ce�tification
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 PJater Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and
specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature: Date:
Agent's Certification
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:
Engineer's Certification
Partial Final
Date:
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, having been authorized to observe (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
construction such that the consh-uction 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
Registration No.
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Phone: [phone] Internet: www.ncdenr.gov
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affrmative Action Employer