20080355 Ver 1_Restoration Plan Review_20080312

O?O? W A T F9QG

Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coleen H Sullins, Director
Division of Water Quality
March 12, 2008
Mr. Salam Murtada
N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program.
1619 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1619
Re: Little Alamance Creek Stream Restoration Proje 24) Brown Branch Stream Restoration Project (DW #08-Alamance County
Dear. Mr. Murtada:
The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) 401 Oversight and Express Review Permitting Unit has reviewed
the above-referenced applications and restoration plans. Both streams appear to be excellent candidates
for restoration. Urban stream restoration projects are very challenging undertakings, but also represent
excellent opportunities to improve water quality, both within the restoration reach and for downstream
receiving waters. In addition, we encourage and support projects that incorporate stormwater Best
Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutant inputs from stormwater and improve water quality
downstream.
However, our stormwater engineer, Annette Lucas, had some concerns regarding the level spreaders
proposed for use in these two projects. It was not clear that the level spreaders were of sufficient length
to discharge to the forested filter strip. Normally for such projects, a Level Supplement Sheet is
submitted in the application package for each proposed level spreader that will be used on the site
(including both worksheets, Design Summary and Required Items Checklist), as well as all of the
required items. The BMP Supplement Forms are available on the DWQ web site at:
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/su/bmp forms.htm.
In addition, our engineer was concerned that based on the plans, the areas downstream from the level
spreaders may be too steep to allow for diffuse flow. One option would be to relocate the level
spreaders to a location where the filter strip (wooded riparian zone) slopes are appropriate for level
spreaders to discharge in a diffuse manner.
Other options would be to utilize an alternative BMP or series of BMPs that are more suitable for the
site. If alternative BMPs are selected, please provide a completed BMP Supplement Form, with all the
required items to allow for a thorough review. The BMP Supplement Forms are available at:
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/su/bmp forms.htm. Please include both the Design Summary and the Required
Items Checklist along with all the required items listed therein.
_ AnehCarolina
NAatura!!y
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone [phone] / Fax [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr. state. nc. us/ncwetlands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
Mr. Murtada
N.C. Ecosystem Enhancement Program
Little Alamance Creek and Brown Branch Stream Restoration Projects
Page 2 of 2
Please note that our main concern is the success of these projects. Successful design and
implementation of urban projects such as these can be used as models on which to base other urban
restoration projects. Annette Lucas has extensive experience in the design and implementation of
stormwater BMPs, and was integral in the revision of the DWQ Stormwater BMP Manual. Our concern
is that the use of inadequately-sized level spreaders, or the use of level spreaders in inappropriate
locations, could result in failure of the level spreaders and erosive flows through the riparian zone,
necessitating costly repairs.
Again, please note that DWQ considers this project to be an excellent candidate for restoration. The
recommendations/concerns as noted above are put forward in order to achieve restoration project
success and to derive the maximum water quality benefits from the implementation of these projects, as
well as future projects of this type.
We look forward to your response to the comments listed above. Please feel free to contact Eric Kulz or
Annette Lucas at [phone] if you have any questions regarding this project or our comments.
Sincerely,
Cyndi B. Karoly, Program Manager
401 Oversight and Express Review Program
cc: File Copy (Eric Kulz)
Central Files
Sue Homewood - DWQ WSRO
Andrew Williams - USACE Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
No e hCarolina
aturally
401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone [phone] / Fax [phone]
Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper