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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20151285 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20130913G NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources Water Quality Programs Pat McCrory Thomas A. Reeder John E. Skvarla, III Governor Director Secretary September 12, 2013 MEMORANDUM TO: Mark W. Craig, PE, NCDOT Division 5 Bridge Program Manager FROM: Rob Ridings, NC Division of Water Resources, Transportation Permitting Unit ell SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects In reply to your correspondence received July 9, 2013 in which you requested comments for the above referenced projects, the NC Division of Water Resources offers the following comments: Project - Specific Comments Bride No. 910027 Over UT Falls Lake, Wake County 1. UT Falls Lake is class WS -IV, NSW; 303(d) impaired waters of the State. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The NCDWR recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Falls Lake. The NCDWR requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWR Stormwater Best Management Practices. 2. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as Water Supply Critical Area in the project study area. Given the potential for impacts to these resources during the project implementation, the NCDWR 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. This would apply for any area that drains to streams having WS CA (Water Supply Critical Area) classifications. Should the bridge project be located within the Critical Area of a Water Supply the NCDOT will be required to design, construct, and maintain hazardous spill catch basins in the project area. The number of catch basins installed shall be determined by the design of the bridge, so that runoff would enter said basin(s) rather than flowing directly into the stream, and in consultation with the NCDWR. 3. This project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0233. Transportation and Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center, Ralegh, North Carolina 27699 -1650 Location: 512 N. Salisbury St Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919 - 807 -63001 FAX: 919 -807 -64921 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet: www.ncwaterouality.ora An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer One. NorthCarohna ;Vaturall# Bridge No. 720045 Over South Hyco Creek, Person County 1. South Hyco Creek is class WS -II, HQW waters of the State. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The NCDWR recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to South Hyco Creek. The NCDWR requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWR Stormwater Best Management Practices. Stormwater shall be directed to vegetated buffer areas, grass -lined ditches or other means appropriate to the site for the purpose of pre - treating storm water runoff prior to discharging directly into streams. Mowing of existing vegetated buffers is strongly discouraged. 2. The permittee shall use Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds [15A NCAC 4B.0 I 24(a)-(e)] in areas draining to WS -II HQW waters. However, due to the size of the project, NC DOT shall not be required to meet 15A NCAC 4B .0124(a) regarding the maximum amount of uncovered acres. Temporary cover (wheat, millet, or similar annual grain) or permanent herbaceous cover shall be planted on all bare soil within 15 business days of ground disturbing activities to provide erosion control. Bridge No. 380062 Over Knapp of Reeds Creek, Granville Connty Bridge No. 920003 Over Fishing Creek, Warren County Bridge No. 340026 Over Crooked Creek, Franklin County 1. Knapp, of Reeds Creek is class WS -IV, NSW, 303(d) impaired waters of the state. Fishing Creek and Crooked Creek are class C, NSW, 303(d) impaired waters of the State. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects. The NCDWR recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to these waters. The NCDWR requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWR Stormwater Best Management Practices. 2. Bridge 380062 is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC.2B.0233. Bridges 920003 and 340026 are within the Tar - Pamlico River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B .0259. Bridge No. 720014 Over Bvrd's Creek, Person County Bridge No. 380025 Over Smith Creek, Granville County Bridge No. 380148 Over Gibbs Creek, Granville County Bridge No. 380093 Over Owen Creek, Granville County Bridge No. 920089 Over Little Fishing Creek, Warren County Bridge No. 340071 Over Cypress Creek, Franklin County Bridge No. 310117 Over Mud Creek, Durham County Bridge No. 720142 Over Mayo Creek, Person County 1. NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects. NCDWR recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to surface waters. NCDWR requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWR's Stormwater Best Management Practices. 2. Bridges 720014 and 380025 are within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0233. Bridges 380148, 380093, 920089 and 340071 are within the Tar - Pamlico River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0259. Bridge 310117 is within the Jordan Lake Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0267. General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Proiects The NCDWR 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 3883/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities. 3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, the NCDWR 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. 5. Whenever possible, the NCDWR 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. 6. 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 NCDWR Stormwater Best Management Practices. 7. 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 the NCDWR. 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. 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 NCDWR 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 dewatering and access measures necessary due to bridge construction. General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert 16. 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 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 the NCDWR. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NCDWR for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required. 17. 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. 18. 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: Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office Chris Murray, Division 5 Environmental Officer File Copy