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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20120240 Ver 6_NOV-2015-PC-0309_20151207.�`,,� ;�:� Water Resources ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITY December 7, 2015 CERTIFIED MAIL #70133020000076320260 RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr. Richard W. Hancock, P.E., Manager Project Development and Environmental Analysis North Carolina Department of Transportation 1598 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1598 Subject: NOTICE OF VIOLATION NOV-2015-PC-0309 tiorth �arolina �epartment of Transpoi•tatian Ni:�VI-'R Projzct No. "ZU12.0240 TIP ivo. R-2303 Sampson County Dear Mr. Hancock: PAT MCCRORY c;��,��Y,���r DONALD R. VAN DER VAART .ti�«���Ur�, S. JAY Z[MMERMAN %)IYeCl01' On November 24, 2015, Mason Herndon of the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) Transportation Permitting Unit in the Fayetteville/Wilmington Regional Areas conducted an on-site inspection of project TIP R-2303D, proposed improvements to NC 24 from SR 1853 (John Nunnery Rd.) in Cumberland County to US 421-701/SR 1296 (Sunset Avenue) in Sampson County. In addition to NCDWR staff, NCDOT Division 3 Resident Engineers Office, Division 3 Environmental Unit and US Army Corps of Engineers were also present during the inspection and their time and assistance is greatly appreciated. Observations of concern made during the inspection are summarized below: Feature Affected Area Nature ofthe 06servation T /Name �ation �a roxmate Sediment approximately 4 inches in depth was observed in Stream (LTT to the stream beyond the outlet of a culvert that was recently Great Coharie Site 13 (Sta. 1278+68 ��0 linear feet installed. Creek) to 1281+53) State of North Carolina �Environmental Quality � Water Resources 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 Phone:919-807-6300 Discussions with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) revealed that the violation occurred as a result of the contractor (Fred Smith Company), not installing BMP's in accordance with the erosion control plan prior to construction of the site. The erosion control plans called for a stilling basin to be installed at the inlet of the culvert (Sta. 1278+68 LT) which was the location of the sediment source. This project has had other compliance issues recently as well. A Notice of Deficiency was issued on this project on October 12, 2015 for turbidity in excess of state water quality standards and sedimentation resulting from the use of inadequate and inappropriate best management practices. Furthermore, on November 9, 2015, NCDOT reported that the contractor (Fred Smith Company) attempted to install a slope drain at 1200+SO,RT to remove ponded water on the fill section. When the contractor opened up the berm to install the slope, turbid water and sediment overwhelmed the erosion control devices at the toe of slope which created a discharge into the adjacent wetlands. This area was restored at the time of our inspection on November 24, 2015 and NCDOT is also seeking disciplinary action against the Erosion Control Supervisor for Fred Smith Company who initiated this incident per a memo received on November 12, 2015. The actions described above regarding the observations noted during the inspection on November 24, 2015 led to the violation(s) of the following North Carolina Administrative Code(s) governing streams: The removal of the best usage in UT to Great Coharie Creek, which is jurisdictional waters of the State and has a classification of C;Sw is a violation of Title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 02B .0211 (2), which states: "The waters shall be suitable for aquatic life propagation and maintenance of biological integrity, wildlife, secondary recreation, and agriculture; sources of water pollution which preclude any of these uses on either a short-term or long-term basis shall be considered to be violating a �ti�ater quality stE r.darci." The discharge of other wastes and/or sediment into UT to Great Coharie Creek, a jurisdictional water of the State, is a violation of Title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 02B .0211 (3)f, which states: "Oils; deleterious substances; colored or other wastes: only such amounts as shall not render the waters injurious to public health, secondary recreation or to aquatic life and wildlife or adversely affect the palatability of fish, aesthetic quality or impair the waters for any designated uses." 401 WQC conditions violation: Our records indicate that the NCDOT submitted a Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) on August 2, 2012. The impacts were requested under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Individual Permit and Individual Water Quality Certifications. The NCDWR issued an approval letter allowing the impacts on September 24, 2012 with subsequent modifications issued on February 25, 2013; March 18, 2013 and September 25, 2014, NCDWR Project Number 20120240; Individual Certification number 003942. The approval letter specifies that the activities must adhere to the conditions listed in the General Water Quality Certifications, as well as additional conditions listed in the letter. Condition(s) 23 and 32 of the approval letter states the following: The permittee and its authorized agents shall conduct its activities in a manner consistent with 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 NCDWQ 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, NCDWQ may reevaluate and modify this certification. 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 �vaters standards. Accordingly, you are directed to respond to this letter in writing within 30 calendar davs of receipt of this notice. Your response shall include the following: Actions that will be taken to prevent further sediment releases into jurisdictional waters of state. Actions that will be taken to ensure that erosion control measures are installed in accordance with the approved erosion control plan in a timely and appropriate manner.. Your response should be sent to this office: NCDENR, Division of Water Resources c/o Ms. Amy Chapman 1617 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Pursuant to G.S. 143-215.6A, this violation and any future violation(s) are subject to a civil penalty assessment of up to a maximum of $25,000.00 per day for each violation. Your above-mentioned response to this correspondence, the degree and extent of harm to the environment and the duration and gravity of ihe violatian(s) will be co�isi�ei•ed in any civil penalty asszssmeni process that may occui•. Shoald yo�a ;�ave any q�.�estio�is � egar�ina tii�se mat�ers, psease co��tact N[asan Herncion aT (9 i 0) 30�-40� 1 or mason.hernclon@ncdenr.gov or myseif at (919) 707-8784 or Amy.Chapman@ncdenr.gov. Sincerely, Amy Chapman, Supervisor Transportation Permitting Unit Electronic Copies Only: Brad Shaver, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District Office Karen Collette, NCDOT, Division 3 Engineer Stoney Mathis, NCDOT, Division 3 Environmental Officer Jerry Yarborough, NCDOT Roadside Environmental Engineer Eben Miller, Fred Smith Company, 6105 Chapel Hill Rd, Raleigh, NC. 27607 File Copy