20150194 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20120802

Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Charles Waklld P E
Director
August 2 2012
lu 11:140-113 XI 7L11111"V
TO Pamela Williams NCDOT Priority Projects Office
FROM Rob Ridings NC Division of Water Quality Transportation Permitting Unit a
SUBJECT Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Protect in Division 4
Dee Freeman
Secretary
The following are comments for the August 2012 Division 4 Bridge Replacement Projects in Nash Halifax Wilson and
Wayne Counties
Bridge
Number
Stream Name
River Basin
& Subbasm
Stream
Classifications
Stream Index
Number
303(d) Listing
630091
Tar River
TAR 02
WS IV NSW
28 (34 5)
No
630097
Toisnot Swamp
NEU 07
WS III NSW
28 86 11-(1)
No
630076
Sandy Creek
TAR 02
C ORW NSW
28 78 1 (19)
No
630132
UT Pi basket Creek
TAR 02
C NSW
28 68 3 (2)
No
630135
Pigbasket Creek
TAR 02
C NSW
28 68 3 (2)
No
630136
Pi basket Creek
TAR 02
C NSW
28 68 3 (2)
No
630125
Back Swamp
TAR 02
C NSW
28 68 1 4
No
630028
Big Peachtree Creek
TAR 02
C NSW
28 68 1
No
630083
Little Peachtree Creek
TAR 02
C NSW
28 68 1 5
No
410030
Rocky Swamp
TAR 04
WS IV NSW
28 79 28 (0 7)
No
970028
Contentnea Creek
NEU 07
WS V NSW
27 86 (1)
No
970081
Millstone Creek
NEU 07
C NSW
27 86 6 1
No
970094
Town Creek
TAR 03
C NSW
28 83
Yes
970093
Town Creek
TAR 03
C NSW
28 83
Yes
970055
Toisnot Swamp
NEU 07
C NSW Sw
27 86 11 (5)
No
970136
UT Toisnot Swamp
NEU 07
C NSW Sw
27 86 11 (5)
No
950014
Bear Creek
NEU 05
C NSW Sw
27 75 (0 1)
Yes
950131
Yellow Marsh Branch
NEU 12
WS IV B NSW
27 54 5 3 (1)
No
I
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Proiect- Specific Comments
1 Bridge 630076 Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as ORW Outstanding
Resource Waters of the State in the project study area The water quality classification of ORW is one of the highest
classifications in the State DWQ is extremely concerned with any impacts that may occur to streams with this
classification It is preferred that these resources be avoided if at all possible If it is not possible to avoid these resources
the impacts shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible Given the potent for impacts to these resources during the
project implementation the DWQ requests that DOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled Design
Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B 0124) throughout design and construction of the project Pursuant
to 15A NCAC 2H 1006 and 15A NCAC 2B 0224 NC DOT will be required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to
construction
2 Bridges 970094, 970093, & 950014 These streams are listed as 303(d) impaired waters of the State DWQ is very
concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects DWQ recommends that the most
protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to these waters DWQ
requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed
in the most recent version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices
3 All Bridges These projects all contain NSW (Nutrient Sensitive) waters of the State DWQ is very concerned with
sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects DWQ recommends that highly protective sediment
and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to these waters DWQ requests that road
design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent
version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices
4 These projects are within the Neuse and Tar Pamlico River Basins Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B 0233 and 15A NCAC 2B 0259
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NC DOT shall
address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any
mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts
2 If foundation test borings are necessary it shall be noted in the document Geotechnical work is approved under
General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No 6 for Survey Activities
If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge DWQ believes the use of a
Nationwide Permit may be required Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine the required
permit(s)
4 If the old bridge is removed no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless otherwise
authorized by the US ACOE Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a
condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification
Whenever possible the DWQ prefers spanning structures Spanning structures usually do not require work within
the stream or grubbing of the stream banks and do not require stream channel realignment The horizontal and
vertical clearances provided by bridges allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure do not block fish
passage and do not block navigation by canoeists and boaters
Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream Stormwater shall be directed across the bridge and
pre treated through site appropriate means (grassed swales pre formed scour holes vegetated buffers etc ) before
entering the stream Please refer to the most current version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices

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
Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible
9 If temporary access roads or detours are constructed the site shall be graded to its preconstruction contours and
elevations Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and appropriate native woody species
shall be planted When using temporary structures the area shall be cleared but not grubbed Clearing the area with
chain saws mowers bush hogs or other mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows
the area to re vegetate naturally and minimizes soil disturbance
10 Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented and maintained in
accordance with the most recent version of North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design
Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250
11 All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise approved by NC
DWQ 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
12 Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to minimize sedimentation
and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams This equipment shall be inspected daily and
maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels lubricants hydraulic fluids or other toxic
materials
13 In most cases the DWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location with road closure If
road closure is not feasible a temporary detour shall be designed and located to avoid wetland impacts minimize
the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks If the structure will be on a new alignment the old
structure shall be removed and the approach fills removed from the 100 year floodplain Approach fills shall be
removed and restored to the natural ground elevation The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native
tree species Tall fescue shall not be used in riparian areas
14 Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in the
Categorical Exclusion (CE) document It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is
developed However the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to culvert installation
15 Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be addressed in the
CE It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed However the CE should
discuss the potential for dewatermg and access measures necessary due to bridge construction
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
1 Placement of culverts and other structures in waters streams and wetlands shall be 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
p manner that may result in dis equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks adjacent to or upstream and down
stream of the above structures The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being
I! maintained if requested in writing by DWQ If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting
p features encountered during construction please contact the NC DWQ for guidance on how to proceed and to
�i determine whether or not a permit modification will be required
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2 If multiple pipes or barrels are required they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section as closely as
possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation and /or sills where appropriate Widening the stream
channel shall be avoided Stream channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water
velocity causing sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage
Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes
aquatic life passage Bioengineering boulders or structures shall be properly designed sized and installed
Thank you for requesting our input at this time The DOT is reminded that issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification
requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality standards are met and designated uses are not
degraded or lost If you have any questions or require additional information please contact Rob Ridings at 919 807
6403
cc Tom Steffens US Army Corps of Engineers Washington Field Office (via email)
Chad Coggms NCDOT Division 4 Environmental Officer (via email)
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