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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180272 Ver 1_Courtesy Copy NW3_20180226DIVISION 5 PIPE REPLACEMENT - PERMITS Coun Granville Road Number (Name) SR 1329 (Raymond Royster Road) Location �T 36.46713 LONG 78.78935 Basin Roanoke Stream Name UT to Aarons Creek Classi£cation C Index Number 22-59 Material RCP Existing Structure Size 24" Len th 60' Material same as existin Proposed Structure Size same as existin Len th same as existin Cultural Resources N/A bald eagle: No dwarf wedgemussel: No Habitat Harperella: No smooth coneflower: No northem long-eared bat: No bald eagle: No dwarfwedgemussel: No T&E Species PreseM Harperella: No smooth coneflower: No northem long-eared bat: No ba�d eagle: No Effect dwarf wedgemussel: No Effect Biological Conclusion Harperella: No Effect smooth coneflower: No Effect northem long-eared 6at: No ENect USACE PERMIT non-re ortin NWP 3 Permits NCDEQ-DWR PERMIT non-re ortin WQC 4132 BUFFER AUTHORI7ATION er endicular crossin <40LF of new im acts = EXEMPT Field Notes: / � � dL �(�„ �nn� � �lawPrcb� � — — oH-�oowu- s�iaJfaw bt�/6ai•.F ��; s 6�,�..� '�'�` > > > sl;g�.i- �.,'�.�1. u,.b � < < < � o F+ s l..o..lda.�s ho��f,W;r� 3F� WLS i'tn ' .�' PnnSL� wls SK ��' �j � jQ2 r2 M �'I i a,� Completed by: Heather W. Montague Division 5 Environmental Specialist: (252)598-5106 ROAD MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 2/19/2018 .���,�,,.. �-w.-..�s.�:.�`.';.;, �, �' « , , f�ti�'�a ~ •��.�����;' � ,��-� �R� �� • � � � "� - ' � �y s>�� �1.��i';'�, /� j► J � r •�sL��,�:7 . ,f�a. � . _.�� ._ _.�I�7qiY.� .�rk � � � ��" I � }' ° � u• ��� � e`'ii� ��;�j� r� � -v � r � F 5 ''.� i �. t _. _ ''�i' a'.',,' �}i'r..£"�r • �7 .-.� F ��� I k {` '� / 1 i � � � , rC l 1 ✓�, § � � � ,IZ � 6 •}4 \ " t���; �g�, ro +'b'�.+: � l � � ; T����. � � . '_�i';+ .,` � . +� � �� F a �'�����+ ..',Y `� g�4 k�`+�. �.. s'� � i` �r - n.lu+ R' �"' �` ;;- _ Ma sM k � �' � 4 .' . Vh` �S: `� -` T } `� x , I '�+�; `'s4�'�Ye � �: _� +; � L �� J�� �� � �. .� :tii�� �i,+�,�'�l ��� - � i4 � 1 �"jah �-,q,s t,qiF�". �iq�i .v� i:t . " . r LP:.i � -�'� -rc�`��I, �r a8'�n6��' ��� ':;'� `k'. ' 1 �.� '�� ♦ f�%ar-. '�1 �; �f-S`�.a L ��7�� . 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J...� � �h � ' 5� ���� � _ � _ "���� `k4 '�� h��� �t �.' {�+i ��C`a" R }" �' ` �`�: ` p. ,� �" r�,� � �.- , � � e � °°: ��.. +P���;' c p � _,�,_ � .�N� :. t_� r r�.�'�-=�'� ,�:_.�,�, � . �, � .. ��'� SR 1329 (Raymond Royster Road) in Granville County SR 1329 Raymond Royster Rd Granville County � I� � USGS topo - Triple Springs f ;,� j' jJl � r I ' % �'= "�^" - �'+ ' 1 Figure i J r� � � � � � ; `� C � � � � � ��� � � � , , r� l� '"� � `� ' =�V�� f� ��l � r. �� � �_ %� / � 7�� � �'.i ���. ,;,'f;�, .�� .f�1�' :`�',� �2:( f a' � , � �� °f �;% � ��� s _ ���,� ��- ;: � � ,� ' ��, � �� ' ��` —�''�'t � �° ' �: � C' i< C-� ' i 1 . j � � _ '�j / I � ` � � � -, r' � ` ..l� I � �� � 4 i � < < ! , �o� '. —�.`'� � �{` .� f\ , ��� ` i � � � _�.!��� �' � `�� � o ' � r � �' %JI �I' �.� r _�� `� ; �� � � � ,� � �_ �, i . .�,_ _ ,; -`-'� � ; , %�i F' i� ''ttr�� ` � � �;n �»�.. ��� • � � �/ � �+ �� % ��� t r���� ,.. " � l � � I 1 � � f �/ ���% ��=' �,'', �� '� S. ��� ��`�� ` �'� { 1 , � •��L �+-� � -�—rL -��, ' f �� t ' .• � i ,� `� �'�; (� ��a��d � ,� � %�i��� �tii/, f,_ �� ,. . �-� �-� r � l `.: �\ i ..� ��- ���� r..���}'e Jr� .`...��:� � +�,P �°ec�%_`i ��e. ri� � � E �i + � . r \ ���/� • � °��� �,���'�� - -,' M � �r ! y' a,� : i �� ���'� � �`'� u�fll�z��� � p �,� , � ��� �� '�r;��,�;� ��-� ;�r}� �,r��l ��.4��� � ;,� � , ,,, �°�/J�e,,,, � �� � � :�� � � �� ��� � �� ��, �� r �'� ^� `�` ' � lf� �` ��' � � , � a � ��,�r �- � , � r�"�—�_ ,`� �(l'�' � , - , �� �� ° r �'' 'i IA �j.� �. � ��� ' 9 t� I-.,I i�.1 SR 7329 Raymond Royster Rd Granville CounTy Soil Survey Figure 2 EDGE OF PA` PIPE/CULVERT OPTION 1 SEQUENCE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR TYPICAL WORK AREA: OPTION 2 (WHERE ROADSIDE DITCHES ARE PRESENT) 'EMPORARY ROCK SILT CHECK TY �ND/OR WATTLE MAY BE USED � � �„�,� � � �� ���TURBANCE 1. INSTALL SPECIAL STILLING BASIN. 2. INSTALL UPSTREAM PUMP, TEMPORARY FLEXIBLE HOSE, AND STABILIZED DISCHARGE PAD. 3. PLACE UPSTREAM IMPERVIOUS DIKE AND BEGIN PUMPING OPERATIONS FOR STREAM DIVERSION DISCHARGING ONTO STABILIZED OUTLET PAD. 4. PLACE DOWNSTREAM IMPERVIOUS DIKE AND PUMPING APPARATUS. DEWATER WORK BE DEWATERED SHALL BE EQUAL TO ONE DAY'S WORK. 5. INSTALL PIPE(S), STREAM BED STABILIZATION, AND SLOPE STABILIZATION AS DIRECTED. 6. EXCAVATE ANY ACCUMULATED SILT AND DEWATER BEFORE REMOVAL OF IMPERVIOUS IMPERVIOUS DIKES, PUMPS, TEMPORARY FLEXIBLE HOSE, AND STABILIZED DISCHARGE PAD. (DOWNSTREAM IMPERVIOUS DIKES FIRST). 7. REMOVE SPECIAL STILLING BASIN AND RESTORE AREA TO ORIGINAL CONDITIONS. ZONE. AREA TO DIKES. REMOVE 8. STABILIZE ALL DISTURBED AREAS THROUGHOUT PROJECT WITH SEED AND MATTING FOR EROSION CONTROL. NOTES: PIPE/CULVERT INSTALL EROSION CONTROL MEASURES PRIOR TO ANY EARTH DISTURBING ACTIVITIES. INSTALL SPECIAL SEDIMENT CONTROL FENCE BREAKS OR TEMPORARY ROCK SILT CHECKS. TYPE-A AT LOW POINTS IN SILT FENCE. FOR OPTION 1 INSTALL SILT FENCE SUCH THAT ALL EARTH DISTURBANCE IS CONTAINED. FOR CULVERT CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCING SEE THE PUMP �AROUND DETAIL OR CONSULT �� BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES . ALL EXCAVATION IN JURISDICTIONAL STREAMS SHALL BE PERFORMED IN ONLY DRY OR ISOLATED SECTIONS OF THE WORK ZONE. IMPERVIOUS DIKES ARE TO BE USED TO ISOLATE WORK FROM STREAM FLOW WHEN NECESSARY. MAINTENANCE OF STREAM FLOW OPERATIONS SHALL BE INCIDENTAL TO THE WORK. THIS INCLUDES THE DISCHARGE PAD, DIVERSION PIPES, PUMPS, AND HOSES. PUMPS AND HOSES SHALL BE OF SUFFICIENT SIZE TO MAINTAIN STREAM FLOW AND TO DEWATER THE WO RK AREA. INSTALL SPECIAL STILLING BASIN IN VEGETATED AREA WITHIN RIGHT OF WAY. DISCHARGE SHOULD BE DIRECTED THROUGH VEGETATED BUFFER AWAY FROM WORK SITE. INSTALL SILT FENCE AS DIRECTED TO CONTAIN DISTURBED AREAS AND/OR EXCAVATED STOCKPILES. BORROW MATERIAL FROM OR DISPOSAL OF MATERIAL TO ANY UNPERMITTED SITE WILL REQUIRE A REC LAMATI O N PLAN . INSTALL PIPE(S) IN JURISDICTIONAL AREAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH NCDOT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES MANUAL. EDGE OF PAVEMENT FLOW • � w LIMITS � � w 'REAM OF DISTURBANCE � � W �������� �����������°�� ����° ������°���� �� �°������������� ������t�� �� ����vy��� RALEIGH, N.C. 6���� ���1V ���� ���'L.�ll' �`1.����1�I � �IgAWINGS N�T �Il$1�WN 7l°� SC�L]E LEGEND: �� � IMPERVIOUS DIKE PUMP SPECIAL STILLING BASIN STABILIZED DISCHARGE PAD (GEOTEXTILE) EDGE OF PAVEMENT EXISTING TRANSPORTATION FACILITY (ROW) TEMPORARY ROCK SILT CHECK TYPE-A AND/OR WATTLE TEMPORARY SILT FENCE � w � � � � w � � w w w FLOW � I•' �i� �•I •' - �� '� ��> �i� .�� I1� ��> I'' I I'� .� � � (�� �� (�� I•� .� �.� '� I '' I . •� � � ��I I .�� " I � �� , � � I'� � I1� � � I � (�� . � �� I . � . . I'� I . �� � I � I . I'� (�> � C�� . � � (�� . � � I � I'� (�> I . I I> . " I � �� I . NATIONWIDE PERMIT 3 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS FINAL NOTICE OF ISSUANCE AND MODIFICATION OF NATIONWIDE PERMITS FEDERAL REGISTER AUTHORIZED MARCH 19, 2012 Maintenance. (a) The repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of any previously authorized, currently serviceable structure, or fill, or of any currently serviceable structure or fill authorized by 33 CFR 330.3, provided that the structure or fill is not to be put to uses differing from those uses specified or contemplated for it in the ariginal permit or the most recently authorized modification. Minor deviations in the structure's configuration or filled area, including those due to changes in materials, construction techniques, requirements of other regulatory agencies, or current construction codes or safety standards that are necessary to make the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement are authorized. Any stream channel modification is limited to the minimum necessary for the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of the structure or fill; such modifications, including the removal of material from the stream channel, must be immediately adjacent to the project or within the boundaries of the structure or fill. This NWP also authorizes the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of those structures or fills destroyed or damaged by storms, floods, fire or other discrete events, provided the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement is commenced, or is under contract to commence, within two years of the date of their destruction or damage. In cases of catastrophic events, such as hurricanes or tornadoes, this two-year limit may be waived by the district engineer, provided the permittee can demonstrate funding, contract, or other similar delays. (b) This NWP also authorizes the removal of accumulated sediments and debris in the vicinity of existing structures (e.g., bridges, culverted road crossings, water intake structures, etc.) and/or the placement of new or additional riprap to protect the structure. The removal of sediment is limited to the minimum necessary to restore the waterway in the vicinity of the structure to the approximate dimensions that existed when the structure was built, but cannot extend farther than 200 feet in any direction from the structure. This 200 foot limit does not apply to maintenance dredging to remove accumulated sediments blocking or restricting outfall and intake structures or to maintenance dredging to remove accumulated sediments from canals associated with outfall and intake structures. All dredged or excavated materials must be deposited and retained in an area that has no waters of the United States unless otherwise specifically approved by the district engineer under separate authorization. The placement of new or additional riprap must be the minimum necessary to protect the structure or to ensure the safety of the structure. Any bank stabilization measures not directly associated with the structure will require a separate authorization from the district engineer. (c) This NWP also authorizes temporary structures, fills, and work necessary to conduct the maintenance activity. Appropriate measures must be taken to maintain normal downstream flows and minimize flooding to the maximum extent practicable, when temporary structures, work, and discharges, including cofferdams, are necessary for construction activities, access fills, or dewatering of construction sites. Temporary fills must consist of materials, and be placed in a manner, that will not be eroded by expected high flows. Temporary fills must be removed in 1 their entirety and the affected areas returned to pre-construction elevations. The areas affected by temporary fills must be revegetated, as appropriate. (d) This NWP does not authorize maintenance dredging for the primary purpose of navigation. This NWP does not authorize beach restoration. This NWP does not authorize new stream channelization or stream relocation projects. Notification: For activities authorized by paragraph (b) of this NWP, the permittee must submit a pre-construction notification to the district engineer prior to commencing the activity (see general condition 31). The pre-construction noti�cation must include information regarding the original design capacities and configurations of the outfalls, intakes, small impoundments, and canals. (Sections 10 and 404) Note: This NWP authorizes the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of any previously authorized structure or fill that does not qualify for the Clean Water Act Section 404( fl exemption for maintenance. 2 NATIONWIDE PERMIT CONDITIONS The following General Conditions must be followed in order for any authorization by a NWP to be valid: 1. Navi�ation. (a) No activity may cause more than a minimal adverse effect on navigation. (b) Any safety lights and signals prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard, through regulations or otherwise, must be installed and maintained at the permittee's expense on authorized facilities in navigable waters of the United States. (c) The permittee understands and agrees that, if future operations by the United States require the removal, relocation, or other alteration, of the structure or work herein authorized, or if, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Army or his authorized representative, said structure or work shall cause unreasonable obstruction to the free navigation of the navigable waters, the permittee will be required, upon due notice from the Corps of Engineers, to remove, relocate, or alter the structural work or obstructions caused thereby, without expense to the United States. No claim shall be made against the United States on account of any such removal or alteration. 2. Aquatic Life Movements. No activity may substantially disrupt the necessary life cycle movements of those species of aquatic life indigenous to the waterbody, including those species that normally migrate through the area, unless the activity's primary purpose is to impound water. All permanent and temporary crossings of waterbodies shall be suitably culverted, bridged, or otherwise designed and constructed to maintain low flows to sustain the movement of those aquatic species. 3. �awnin� Areas. Activities in spawning areas during spawning seasons must be avoided to the maximum extent practicable. Activities that result in the physical destruction (e.g., through excavation, fill, or downstream smothering by substantial turbidity) of an important spawning area are not authorized. 4. Mi rg atorv Bird Breeding Areas. Activities in waters of the United States that serve as breeding areas for migratory birds must be avoided to the maximum extent practicable. 5. Shellfish Beds. No activity may occur in areas of concentrated shellfish populations, unless the activity is directly related to a shellfish harvesting activity authorized by NWPs 4 and 48, or is a shellfish seeding or habitat restoration activity authorized by NWP 27. 6. Suitable Material. No activity may use unsuitable material (e.g., trash, debris, car bodies, asphalt, etc.). Material used for construction or discharged must be free from toxic pollutants in toxic amounts (see Section 307 of the Clean Water Act). 7. Water Su�lv Intakes. No activity may occur in the proximity of a public water supply intake, except where the activity is for the repair or improvement of public water supply intake structures or adjacent bank stabilization. 8. Adverse Effects From Impoundments. If the activity creates an impoundment of water, adverse effects to the aquatic system due to accelerating the passage of water, and/or restricting its flow must be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. 9. Mana�ement of Water Flows. To the maximum extent practicable, the pre-construction course, condition, capacity, and location of open waters must be maintained for each activity, including stream channelization and storm water management activities, except as provided below. The activity must be constructed to withstand expected high flows. The activity must not restrict or impede the passage of normal or high flows, unless the primary purpose of the activity is to impound water or manage high flows. The activity may alter the pre-construction course, condition, capacity, and location of open waters if it benefits the aquatic environment (e.g., stream restoration or relocation activities). 10. Fills Within 100-Year Floodplains. The activity must comply with applicable FEMA- approved state or local floodplain management requirements. 11. Equipment. Heavy equipment working in wetlands or mudflats must be placed on mats, or other measures must be taken to minimize soil disturbance. 12. Soil Erosion and Sediment Controls. Appropriate soil erosion and sediment controls must be used and maintained in effective operating condition during construction, and all exposed soil and other fills, as well as any work below the ordinary high water mark or high tide line, must be permanently stabilized at the earliest practicable date. Permittees are encouraged to perform work within waters of the United States during periods of low-flow or no-flow. 13. Removal of Tempora .r�. Temporary fills must be removed in their entirety and the affected areas returned to pre-construction elevations. The affected areas must be revegetated, as appropriate. 14. Proper Maintenance. Any authorized structure or fill shall be properly maintained, including maintenance to ensure public safety and compliance with applicable NWP general conditions, as well as any activity-specific conditions added by the district engineer to an NWP authorization. 15. Single and Complete Project. The activity must be a single and complete project. The same NWP cannot be used more than once for the same single and complete project. 16. Wild and Scenic Rivers. No activity may occur in a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System, or in a river officially designated by Congress as a"study river" for possible inclusion in the system while the river is in an official study status, unless the appropriate Federal agency with direct management responsibility for such river, has determined in writing that the proposed activity will not adversely affect the Wild and Scenic River designation or study status. Information on Wild and Scenic Rivers may be obtained from the appropriate Federal land management agency responsible for the designated Wild and Scenic River or study river (e.g., National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). � 17. Tribal Ri _�. No activity or its operation may impair reserved tribal rights, including, but not limited to, reserved water rights and treaty fishing and hunting rights. 18. Endan _er�pecies. (a) No activity is authorized under any NWP which is likely to directly or indirectly jeopardize the continued existence of a threatened or endangered species or a species proposed for such designation, as identified under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), or which will directly or indirectly destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat of such species. No activity is authorized under any NWP which "may affect" a listed species ar critical habitat, unless Section 7 consultation addressing the effects of the proposed activity has been completed. (b) Federal agencies should follow their own procedures for complying with the requirements of the ESA. Federal permittees must provide the district engineer with the appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance with those requirements. The district engineer will review the documentation and determine whether it is sufficient to address ESA compliance for the NWP activity, or whether additional ESA consultation is necessary. (c) Non-federal permittees must submit a pre-construction notification to the district engineer if any listed species or designated critical habitat might be affected or is in the vicinity of the project, or if the project is located in designated critical habitat, and shall not begin work on the activity until notified by the district engineer that the requirements of the ESA have been satisfied and that the activity is autharized. For activities that might affect Federally-listed endangered or threatened species or designated critical habitat, the pre-construction notification must include the name(s) of the endangered or threatened species that might be affected by the proposed work or that utilize the designated critical habitat that might be affected by the proposed work. The district engineer will determine whether the proposed activity "may affect" or will have "no effect" to listed species and designated critical habitat and will notify the non- Federal applicant of the Corps' determination within 45 days of receipt of a complete pre- construction notification. In cases where the non-Federal applicant has identified listed species or critical habitat that might be affected or is in the vicinity of the project, and has so notified the Corps, the applicant shall not begin work until the Corps has provided notification the proposed activities will have "no effect" on listed species or critical habitat, or until Section 7 consultation has been completed. If the non-Federal applicant has not heard back from the Corps within 45 days, the applicant must still wait for notification from the Corps. (d) As a result of formal or informal consultation with the FWS or NMFS the district engineer may add species-specific regional endangered species conditions to the NWPs. (e) Authorization of an activity by a NWP does not authorize the "take" of a threatened or endangered species as defined under the ESA. In the absence of separate authorization (e.g., an ESA Section 10 Permit, a Biological Opinion with "incidental take" provisions, etc.) from the U.S. FWS or the NMFS, The Endangered Species Act prohibits any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take a listed species, where "take" means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. The word "harm" in the definition of "take" means an act which actually kills or injures wildlife. Such an act may include significant habitat modification or degradation where it actually kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering. 5 (� Information on the location of threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat can be obtained directly from the offices of the U.S. FWS and NMFS or their world wide web pages at http://www.fws.gov/ or http://www.fws.gov/ipac and http://www.noaa.�ov/fisheries.html respectively. 19. Migratorv Birds and Bald and Golden Ea�les. The permittee is responsible for obtaining any "take" permits required under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's regulations governing compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The permittee should contact the appropriate local office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine if such "take" permits are required for a particular activity. 20. Historic Properties. (a) In cases where the district engineer determines that the activity may affect properties listed, or eligible for listing, in the National Register of Historic Places, the activity is not authorized, until the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) have been satisfied. (b) Federal permittees should follow their own procedures for complying with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Federal permittees must provide the district engineer with the appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance with those requirements. The district engineer will review the documentation and determine whether it is sufficient to address section 106 compliance for the NWP activity, or whether additional section 106 consultation is necessary. (c) Non-federal permittees must submit a pre-construction notification to the district engineer if the authorized activity may have the potential to cause effects to any historic properties listed on, determined to be eligible for listing on, or potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, including previously unidentified properties. For such activities, the pre-construction notification must state which historic properties may be affected by the proposed work or include a vicinity map indicating the location of the historic properties or the potential for the presence of historic properties. Assistance regarding information on the location of or potential for the presence of historic resources can be sought from the State Historic Preservation Officer or Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, as appropriate, and the National Register of Historic Places (see 33 CFR 330.4(g)). When reviewing pre-construction notifications, district engineers will comply with the current procedures for addressing the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The district engineer shall make a reasonable and good faith effort to carry out appropriate identification efforts, which may include background research, consultation, oral history interviews, sample field investigation, and field survey. Based on the information submitted and these efforts, the district engineer shall determine whether the proposed activity has the potential to cause an effect on the historic properties. Where the non-Federal applicant has identified historic properties on which the activity may have the potential to cause effects and so notified the Corps, the non-Federal applicant shall not begin the activity until notified by the district engineer either that the activity has no potential to cause effects or that consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA has been completed. (d) The district engineer will notify the prospective permittee within 45 days of receipt of a complete pre-construction notification whether NHPA Section 106 consultation is required. Section 106 consultation is not required when the Corps determines that the activity does not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties (see 36 CFR §800.3(a)). If NHPA 0 section 106 consultation is required and will occur, the district engineer will notify the non- Federal applicant that he or she cannot begin work until Section 106 consultation is completed. If the non-Federal applicant has not heard back from the Corps within 45 days, the applicant must still wait for notification from the Corps. (e) Prospective permittees should be aware that section 110k of the NHPA (16 U.S.C. 470h-2(k)) prevents the Corps from granting a permit or other assistance to an applicant who, with intent to avoid the requirements of Section 106 of the NHPA, has intentionally significantly adversely affected a historic property to which the permit would relate, or having legal power to prevent it, allowed such significant adverse effect to occur, unless the Corps, after consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), determines that circumstances justify granting such assistance despite the adverse effect created or permitted by the applicant. If circumstances justify granting the assistance, the Corps is required to notify the ACHP and provide documentation specifying the circumstances, the degree of damage to the integrity of any historic properties affected, and proposed mitigation. This documentation must include any views obtained from the applicant, SHPO/THPO, appropriate Indian tribes if the undertaking occurs on or affects historic properties on tribal lands or affects properties of interest to those tribes, and other parties known to have a legitimate interest in the impacts to the permitted activity on historic properties. 21. Discoverv of Previously Unknown Remains and Artifacts. If you discover any previously unknown historic, cultural or archeological remains and artifacts while accomplishing the activity authorized by this permit, you must immediately notify the district engineer of what you have found, and to the maximum extent practicable, avoid construction activities that may affect the remains and artifacts until the required coordination has been completed. The district engineer will initiate the Federal, Tribal and state coordination required to determine if the items or remains warrant a recovery effort or if the site is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. 22. Designated Critical Resource Waters. Critical resource waters include, NOAA- managed marine sanctuaries and marine monuments, and National Estuarine Research Reserves. The district engineer may designate, after notice and opportunity for public comment, additional waters officially designated by a state as having particular environmental or ecological significance, such as outstanding national resource waters or state natural heritage sites. The district engineer may also designate additional critical resource waters after notice and opportunity for public comment. (a) Discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States are not authorized by NWPs 7, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 29, 31, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 49, 50, 51, and 52 for any activity within, or directly affecting, critical resource waters, including wetlands adjacent to such waters. (b) For NWPs 3, 8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, and 38, notification is required in accordance with general condition 31, for any activity proposed in the designated critical resource waters including wetlands adjacent to those waters. The district engineer may authorize activities under these NWPs only after it is determined that the impacts to the critical resource waters will be no more than minimal. 7 23. Miti ag tion. The district engineer will consider the following factors when determining appropriate and practicable mitigation necessary to ensure that adverse effects on the aquatic environment are minimal: (a) The activity must be designed and constructed to avoid and minimize adverse effects, both temporary and permanent, to waters of the United States to the maximum extent practicable at the project site (i.e., on site). (b) Mitigation in all its forms (avoiding, minimizing, rectifying, reducing, or compensating for resource losses) will be required to the extent necessary to ensure that the adverse effects to the aquatic environment are minimal. (c) Compensatory mitigation at a minimum one-for-one ratio will be required for all wetland losses that exceed 1/10-acre and require pre-construction notification, unless the district engineer determines in writing that either some other form of mitigation would be more environmentally appropriate or the adverse effects of the proposed activity are minimal, and provides a project-specific waiver of this requirement. For wetland losses of 1/10-acre or less that require pre-construction notification, the district engineer may determine on a case-by-case basis that compensatory mitigation is required to ensure that the activity results in minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment. Compensatory mitigation projects provided to offset losses of aquatic resources must comply with the applicable provisions of 33 CFR part 332. (1) The prospective permittee is responsible for proposing an appropriate compensatory mitigation option if compensatory mitigation is necessary to ensure that the activity results in minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment. (2) Since the likelihood of success is greater and the impacts to potentially valuable uplands are reduced, wetland restoration should be the first compensatory mitigation option considered. (3) If permittee-responsible mitigation is the proposed option, the prospective permittee is responsible for submitting a mitigation plan. A conceptual or detailed mitigation plan may be used by the district engineer to make the decision on the NWP verification request, but a final mitigation plan that addresses the applicable requirements of 33 CFR 332.4(c)(2) —(14) must be approved by the district engineer before the permittee begins work in waters of the United States, unless the district engineer determines that prior approval of the final mitigation plan is not practicable or not necessary to ensure timely completion of the required compensatory mitigation (see 33 CFR 332.3(k)(3)). (4) If mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program credits are the proposed option, the mitigation plan only needs to address the baseline conditions at the impact site and the number of credits to be provided. (5) Compensatory mitigation requirements (e.g., resource type and amount to be provided as compensatory mitigation, site protection, ecological performance standards, monitoring requirements) may be addressed through conditions added to the NWP authorization, instead of components of a compensatory mitigation plan. (d) For losses of streams or other open waters that require pre-construction notification, the district engineer may require compensatory mitigation, such as stream rehabilitation, enhancement, or preservation, to ensure that the activity results in minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment. (e) Compensatory mitigation will not be used to increase the acreage losses allowed by the acreage limits of the NWPs. For example, if an NWP has an acreage limit of 1/2-acre, it cannot be used to authorize any project resulting in the loss of greater than 1/2-acre of waters of : the United States, even if compensatory mitigation is provided that replaces or restores some of the lost waters. However, compensatory mitigation can and should be used, as necessary, to ensure that a project already meeting the established acreage limits also satisfies the minimal impact requirement associated with the NWPs. (� Compensatory mitigation plans for projects in or near streams or other open waters will normally include a requirement for the restoration or establishment, maintenance, and legal protection (e.g., conservation easements) of riparian areas next to open waters. In some cases, riparian areas may be the only compensatory mitigation required. Riparian areas should consist of native species. The width of the required riparian area will address documented water quality or aquatic habitat loss concerns. Normally, the riparian area will be 25 to 50 feet wide on each side of the stream, but the district engineer may require slightly wider riparian areas to address documented water quality or habitat loss concerns. If it is not possible to establish a riparian area on both sides of a stream, or if the waterbody is a lake or coastal waters, then restoring or establishing a riparian area along a single bank or shoreline may be sufficient. Where both wetlands and open waters exist on the project site, the district engineer will determine the appropriate compensatory mitigation (e.g., riparian areas and/or wetlands compensation) based on what is best for the aquatic environment on a watershed basis. In cases where riparian areas are determined to be the most appropriate form of compensatory mitigation, the district engineer may waive or reduce the requirement to provide wetland compensatory mitigation for wetland losses. (g) Permittees may propose the use of mitigation banks, in-lieu fee programs, or separate permittee-responsible mitigation. For activities resulting in the loss of marine or estuarine resources, permittee-responsible compensatory mitigation may be environmentally preferable if there are no mitigation banks or in-lieu fee programs in the area that have marine or estuarine credits available for sale or transfer to the permittee. For permittee-responsible mitigation, the special conditions of the NWP verification must clearly indicate the parry or parties responsible for the implementation and performance of the compensatory mitigation project, and, if required, its long-term management. (h) Where certain functions and services of waters of the United States are permanently adversely affected, such as the conversion of a forested or scrub-shrub wetland to a herbaceous wetland in a permanently maintained utility line right-of-way, mitigation may be required to reduce the adverse effects of the project to the minimal level. 24. Safe ,t�poundment Structures. To ensure that all impoundment structures are safely designed, the district engineer may require non-Federal applicants to demonstrate that the structures comply with established state dam safety criteria or have been designed by qualified persons. The district engineer may also require documentation that the design has been independently reviewed by similarly qualified persons, and appropriate modifications made to ensure safety. 25. Water Quality. Where States and authorized Tribes, or EPA where applicable, have not previously certified compliance of an NWP with CWA Section 401, individua1401 Water Quality Certification must be obtained or waived (see 33 CFR 330.4(c)). The district engineer or State or Tribe may require additional water quality management measures to ensure that the authorized activity does not result in more than minimal degradation of water quality. 0 26. Coastal Zone Mana_e�. In coastal states where an NWP has not previously received a state coastal zone management consistency concurrence, an individual state coastal zone management consistency concurrence must be obtained, or a presumption of concurrence must occur (see 33 CFR 330.4(d)). The district engineer or a State may require additional measures to ensure that the authorized activity is consistent with state coastal zone management requirements. 27. Regional and Case-By-Case Conditions. The activity must comply with any regional conditions that may have been added by the Division Engineer (see 33 CFR 330.4(e)) and with any case specific conditions added by the Corps or by the state, Indian Tribe, or U.S. EPA in its section 401 Water Quality Certification, or by the state in its Coastal Zone Management Act consistency determination. 28. Use of Multiple Nationwide Permits. The use of more than one NWP for a single and complete proj ect is prohibited, except when the acreage loss of waters of the United States authorized by the NWPs does not exceed the acreage limit of the NWP with the highest speci�ed acreage limit. For example, if a road crossing over tidal waters is constructed under NWP 14, with associated bank stabilization authorized by NWP 13, the maximum acreage loss of waters of the United States for the total project cannot exceed 1/3-acre. 29. Transfer of Nationwide Permit Verifications. If the permittee sells the property associated with a nationwide permit verification, the permittee may transfer the nationwide permit verification to the new owner by submitting a letter to the appropriate Corps district office to validate the transfer. A copy of the nationwide permit verification must be attached to the letter, and the letter must contain the following statement and signature: "When the structures or work authorized by this nationwide permit are still in existence at the time the property is transferred, the terms and conditions of this nationwide permit, including any special conditions, will continue to be binding on the new owner(s) of the property. To validate the transfer of this nationwide permit and the associated liabilities associated with compliance with its terms and conditions, have the transferee sign and date below." (Transferee) (Date) 30. Compliance Certification. Each permittee who receives an NWP verification letter from the Corps must provide a signed certification documenting completion of the authorized activity and any required compensatory mitigation. The success of any required permittee- responsible mitigation, including the achievement of ecological performance standards, will be addressed separately by the district engineer. The Corps will provide the permittee the certification document with the NWP verification letter. The certification document will include: 10 (a) A statement that the authorized work was done in accordance with the NWP authorization, including any general, regional, or activity-specific conditions; (b) A statement that the implementation of any required compensatory mitigation was completed in accordance with the permit conditions. If credits from a mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program are used to satisfy the compensatory mitigation requirements, the certification must include the documentation required by 33 CFR 332.3(1)(3) to confirm that the permittee secured the appropriate number and resource type of credits; and (c) The signature of the permittee certifying the completion of the work and mitigation. 31. Pre-Construction Notification. (a) Timin�. Where required by the terms of the NWP, the prospective permittee must notify the district engineer by submitting a pre-construction notification (PCN) as early as possible. The district engineer must determine if the PCN is complete within 30 calendar days of the date of receipt and, if the PCN is determined to be incomplete, notify the prospective permittee within that 30 day period to request the additional information necessary to make the PCN complete. The request must specify the information needed to make the PCN complete. As a general rule, district engineers will request additional information necessary to make the PCN complete only once. However, if the prospective permittee does not provide all of the requested information, then the district engineer will notify the prospective permittee that the PCN is still incomplete and the PCN review process will not commence until all of the requested information has been received by the district engineer. The prospective permittee shall not begin the activity until either: (1) He or she is notified in writing by the district engineer that the activity may proceed under the NWP with any special conditions imposed by the district or division engineer; or (2) 45 calendar days have passed from the district engineer's receipt of the complete PCN and the prospective permittee has not received written notice from the district or division engineer. However, if the permittee was required to notify the Corps pursuant to general condition 18 that listed species or critical habitat might be affected or in the vicinity of the project, or to notify the Corps pursuant to general condition 20 that the activity may have the potential to cause effects to historic properties, the permittee cannot begin the activity until receiving written notification from the Corps that there is "no effect" on listed species or "no potential to cause effects" on historic properties, or that any consultation required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (see 33 CFR 330.4(�) and/or Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation (see 33 CFR 330.4(g)) has been completed. Also, work cannot begin under NWPs 21, 49, or 50 until the permittee has received written approval from the Corps. If the proposed activity requires a written waiver to exceed specified limits of an NWP, the permittee may not begin the activity until the district engineer issues the waiver. If the district or division engineer notifies the permittee in writing that an individual permit is required within 45 calendar days of receipt of a complete PCN, the permittee cannot begin the activity until an individual permit has been obtained. Subsequently, the permittee's right to proceed under the NWP may be modified, suspended, or revoked only in accordance with the procedure set forth in 33 CFR 330.5(d)(2). (b) Contents of Pre-Construction Notiiication: The PCN must be in writing and include the following information: (1) Name, address and telephone numbers of the prospective permittee; (2) Location of the proposed project; 11 (3) A description of the proposed project; the project's purpose; direct and indirect adverse environmental effects the project would cause, including the anticipated amount of loss of water of the United States expected to result from the NWP activity, in acres, linear feet, or other appropriate unit of ineasure; any other NWP(s), regional general permit(s), or individual permit(s) used or intended to be used to authorize any part of the proposed project or any related activity. The description should be sufficiently detailed to allow the district engineer to determine that the adverse effects of the project will be minimal and to determine the need for compensatory mitigation. Sketches should be provided when necessary to show that the activity complies with the terms of the NWP. (Sketches usually clarify the project and when provided results in a quicker decision. Sketches should contain sufficient detail to provide an illustrative description of the proposed activity (e.g., a conceptual plan), but do not need to be detailed engineering plans); (4) The PCN must include a delineation of wetlands, other special aquatic sites, and other waters, such as lakes and ponds, and perennial, intermittent, and ephemeral streams, on the project site. Wetland delineations must be prepared in accordance with the current method required by the Corps. The permittee may ask the Corps to delineate the special aquatic sites and other waters on the project site, but there may be a delay if the Corps does the delineation, especially if the project site is large or contains many waters of the United States. Furthermore, the 45 day period will not start until the delineation has been submitted to or completed by the Corps, as appropriate; (5) If the proposed activity will result in the loss of greater than 1/10-acre of wetlands and a PCN is required, the prospective permittee must submit a statement describing how the mitigation requirement will be satisfied, or explaining why the adverse effects are minimal and why compensatory mitigation should not be required. As an alternative, the prospective permittee may submit a conceptual or detailed mitigation plan. (6) If any listed species or designated critical habitat might be affected or is in the vicinity of the project, or if the project is located in designated critical habitat, for non-Federal applicants the PCN must include the name(s) of those endangered or threatened species that might be affected by the proposed work or utilize the designated critical habitat that may be affected by the proposed work. Federal applicants must provide documentation demonstrating compliance with the Endangered Species Act; and (7) For an activity that may affect a historic property listed on, determined to be eligible for listing on, or potentially eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places, for non-Federal applicants the PCN must state which historic property may be affected by the proposed work or include a vicinity map indicating the location of the historic property. Federal applicants must provide documentation demonstrating compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. (c) Form of Pre-Construction Notification: The standard individual permit application form (Form ENG 4345) may be used, but the completed application form must clearly indicate that it is a PCN and must include all of the information required in paragraphs (b)(1) through (7) of this general condition. A letter containing the required information may also be used. (d) A�ency Coordination: (1) The district engineer will consider any comments from Federal and state agencies concerning the proposed activity's compliance with the terms and conditions of the NWPs and the need for mitigation to reduce the project's adverse environmental effects to a minimal level. 12 (2) For all NWP activities that require pre-construction notification and result in the loss of greater than 1/2-acre of waters of the United States, for NWP 21, 29, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51, and 52 activities that require pre-construction notification and will result in the loss of greater than 3001inear feet of intermittent and ephemeral stream bed, and for all NWP 48 activities that require pre-construction notification, the district engineer will immediately provide (e.g., via e- mail, facsimile transmission, overnight mail, or other expeditious manner) a copy of the complete PCN to the appropriate Federal or state offices (U.S. FWS, state natural resource or water quality agency, EPA, State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) or Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO), and, if appropriate, the NMFS). With the exception of NWP 37, these agencies will have 10 calendar days from the date the material is transmitted to telephone or fax the district engineer notice that they intend to provide substantive, site-specific comments. The comments must explain why the agency believes the adverse effects will be more than minimal. If so contacted by an agency, the district engineer will wait an additional 15 calendar days before making a decision on the pre-construction noti�cation. The district engineer will fully consider agency comments received within the specified time frame concerning the proposed activity's compliance with the terms and conditions of the NWPs, including the need for mitigation to ensure the net adverse environmental effects to the aquatic environment of the proposed activity are minimal. The district engineer will provide no response to the resource agency, except as provided below. The district engineer will indicate in the administrative record associated with each pre-construction notification that the resource agencies' concerns were considered. For NWP 37, the emergency watershed protection and rehabilitation activity may proceed immediately in cases where there is an unacceptable hazard to life or a significant loss of property or economic hardship will occur. The district engineer will consider any comments received to decide whether the NWP 37 authorization should be modi�ed, suspended, or revoked in accordance with the procedures at 33 CFR 330.5. (3) In cases of where the prospective permittee is not a Federal agency, the district engineer will provide a response to NMFS within 30 calendar days of receipt of any Essential Fish Habitat conservation recommendations, as required by Section 305(b)(4)(B) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. (4) Applicants are encouraged to provide the Corps with either electronic files or multiple copies of pre-construction notifications to expedite agency coordination. D. District Engineer's Decision 1. In reviewing the PCN for the proposed activity, the district engineer will determine whether the activity authorized by the NWP will result in more than minimal individual or cumulative adverse environmental effects or may be contrary to the public interest. For a linear project, this determination will include an evaluation of the individual crossings to determine whether they individually satisfy the terms and conditions of the NWP(s), as well as the cumulative effects caused by all of the crossings authorized by NWP. If an applicant requests a waiver of the 3001inear foot limit on impacts to intermittent or ephemeral streams or of an otherwise applicable limit, as provided for in NWPs 13, 21, 29, 36, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 50, 51 or 52, the district engineer will only grant the waiver upon a written determination that the NWP activity will result in minimal adverse effects. When making minimal effects determinations the district engineer will consider the direct and indirect effects caused by the NWP activity. The district engineer will also consider site specific factors, such as the environmental setting in the 13 vicinity of the NWP activity, the type of resource that will be affected by the NWP activity, the functions provided by the aquatic resources that will be affected by the NWP activity, the degree or magnitude to which the aquatic resources perform those functions, the extent that aquatic resource functions will be lost as a result of the NWP activity (e.g., partial or complete loss), the duration of the adverse effects (temporary or permanent), the importance of the aquatic resource functions to the region (e.g., watershed or ecoregion), and mitigation required by the district engineer. If an appropriate functional assessment method is available and practicable to use, that assessment method may be used by the district engineer to assist in the minimal adverse effects determination. The district engineer may add case-specific special conditions to the NWP authorization to address site-specific environmental concerns. 2. If the proposed activity requires a PCN and will result in a loss of greater than 1/10- acre of wetlands, the prospective permittee should submit a mitigation proposal with the PCN. Applicants may also propose compensatory mitigation for projects with smaller impacts. The district engineer will consider any proposed compensatory mitigation the applicant has included in the proposal in determining whether the net adverse environmental effects to the aquatic environment of the proposed activity are minimal. The compensatory mitigation proposal may be either conceptual or detailed. If the district engineer determines that the activity complies with the terms and conditions of the NWP and that the adverse effects on the aquatic environment are minimal, after considering mitigation, the district engineer will notify the permittee and include any activity-specific conditions in the NWP verification the district engineer deems necessary. Conditions for compensatory mitigation requirements must comply with the appropriate provisions at 33 CFR 332.3(k). The district engineer must approve the final mitigation plan before the permittee commences work in waters of the United States, unless the district engineer determines that prior approval of the final mitigation plan is not practicable or not necessary to ensure timely completion of the required compensatory mitigation. If the prospective permittee elects to submit a compensatory mitigation plan with the PCN, the district engineer will expeditiously review the proposed compensatory mitigation plan. The district engineer must review the proposed compensatory mitigation plan within 45 calendar days of receiving a complete PCN and determine whether the proposed mitigation would ensure no more than minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment. If the net adverse effects of the project on the aquatic environment (after consideration of the compensatory mitigation proposal) are determined by the district engineer to be minimal, the district engineer will provide a timely written response to the applicant. The response will state that the project can proceed under the terms and conditions of the NWP, including any activity-specific conditions added to the NWP authorization by the district engineer. 3. If the district engineer determines that the adverse effects of the proposed work are more than minimal, then the district engineer will notify the applicant either: (a) That the project does not qualify for authorization under the NWP and instruct the applicant on the procedures to seek authorization under an individual permit; (b) that the project is authorized under the NWP subject to the applicant's submission of a mitigation plan that would reduce the adverse effects on the aquatic environment to the minimal level; or (c) that the project is authorized under the NWP with specific modifications or conditions. Where the district engineer determines that mitigation is required to ensure no more than minimal adverse effects occur to the aquatic environment, the activity will be authorized within the 45-day PCN period, with activity-specific 14 conditions that state the mitigation requirements. The authorization will include the necessary conceptual or detailed mitigation or a requirement that the applicant submit a mitigation plan that would reduce the adverse effects on the aquatic environment to the minimal level. When mitigation is required, no work in waters of the United States may occur until the district engineer has approved a specific mitigation plan or has determined that prior approval of a final mitigation plan is not practicable or not necessary to ensure timely completion of the required compensatory mitigation. FURTHER INFORMATION 1. District Engineers have authority to determine if an activity complies with the terms and conditions of an NWP. 2. NWPs do not obviate the need to obtain other federal, state, or local permits, approvals, or authorizations required by law. 3. NWPs do not grant any property rights or exclusive privileges. 4. NWPs do not authorize any injury to the property or rights of others. 5. NWPs do not authorize interference with any existing or proposed Federal project. DEFINITIONS Best mana eg ment practices BMPs�: Policies, practices, procedures, or structures implemented to mitigate the adverse environmental effects on surface water quality resulting from development. BMPs are categorized as structural or non-structural. Compensatorv mitigation: The restoration (re-establishment or rehabilitation), establishment (creation), enhancement, and/or in certain circumstances preservation of aquatic resources for the purposes of offsetting unavoidable adverse impacts which remain after all appropriate and practicable avoidance and minimization has been achieved. Currently serviceable: Useable as is or with some maintenance, but not so degraded as to essentially require reconstruction. Direct effects: Effects that are caused by the activity and occur at the same time and place. Dischar�e: The term "discharge" means any discharge of dredged or fill material. Enhancement: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of an aquatic resource to heighten, intensify, or improve a speciiic aquatic resource function(s). Enhancement results in the gain of selected aquatic resource function(s), but may also lead to a decline in other aquatic resource function(s). Enhancement does not result in a gain in aquatic resource area. Ephemeral stream: An ephemeral stream has flowing water only during, and for a short duration after, precipitation events in a typical year. Ephemeral stream beds are located above the water table year-round. Groundwater is not a source of water for the stream. Runoff from rainfall is the primary source of water for stream flow. Establishment (creation�: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics present to develop an aquatic resource that did not previously exist at an upland site. Establishment results in a gain in aquatic resource area. Hi�h Tide Line: The line of intersection of the land with the water's surface at the maximum height reached by a rising tide. The high tide line may be determined, in the absence 15 of actual data, by a line of oil or scum along shore objects, a more or less continuous deposit of fine shell or debris on the foreshore or berm, other physical markings or characteristics, vegetation lines, tidal gages, or other suitable means that delineate the general height reached by a rising tide. The line encompasses spring high tides and other high tides that occur with periodic frequency but does not include storm surges in which there is a departure from the normal or predicted reach of the tide due to the piling up of water against a coast by strong winds such as those accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm. Historic Property: Any prehistoric or historic district, site (including archaeological site), building, structure, or other object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places maintained by the Secretary of the Interior. This term includes artifacts, records, and remains that are related to and located within such properties. The term includes properties of traditional religious and cultural importance to an Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization and that meet the National Register criteria (36 CFR part 60). Independent utility: A test to determine what constitutes a single and complete non-linear project in the Corps regulatory program. A project is considered to have independent utility if it would be constructed absent the construction of other projects in the project area. Portions of a multi-phase project that depend upon other phases of the project do not have independent utility. Phases of a project that would be constructed even if the other phases were not built can be considered as separate single and complete projects with independent utility. Indirect effects: Effects that are caused by the activity and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Intermittent stream: An intermittent stream has flowing water during certain times of the year, when groundwater provides water for stream flow. During dry periods, intermittent streams may not have flowing water. Runoff from rainfall is a supplemental source of water for stream flow. Loss of waters of the United States: Waters of the United States that are permanently adversely affected by filling, flooding, excavation, or drainage because of the regulated activity. Permanent adverse effects include permanent discharges of dredged or fill material that change an aquatic area to dry land, increase the bottom elevation of a waterbody, or change the use of a waterbody. The acreage of loss of waters of the United States is a threshold measurement of the impact to jurisdictional waters for determining whether a project may qualify for an NWP; it is not a net threshold that is calculated after considering compensatory mitigation that may be used to offset losses of aquatic functions and services. The loss of stream bed includes the linear feet of stream bed that is filled or excavated. Waters of the United States temporarily iilled, flooded, excavated, or drained, but restored to pre-construction contours and elevations after construction, are not included in the measurement of loss of waters of the United States. Impacts resulting from activities eligible for exemptions under Section 404(� of the Clean Water Act are not considered when calculating the loss of waters of the United States. Non-tidal wetland: A non-tidal wetland is a wetland that is not subject to the ebb and flow of tidal waters. The definition of a wetland can be found at 33 CFR 328.3(b). Non-tidal wetlands contiguous to tidal waters are located landward of the high tide line (i.e., spring high tide line). Open water: For purposes of the NWPs, an open water is any area that in a year with normal patterns of precipitation has water flowing or standing above ground to the extent that an ordinary high water mark can be determined. Aquatic vegetation within the area of standing or 16 flowing water is either non-emergent, sparse, or absent. Vegetated shallows are considered to be open waters. Examples of "open waters" include rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Ordinary Hi�h Water Mark: An ordinary high water mark is a line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics, or by other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas (see 33 CFR 328.3(e)). Perennial stream: A perennial stream has flowing water year-round during a typical year. The water table is located above the stream bed for most of the year. Groundwater is the primary source of water for stream flow. Runoff from rainfall is a supplemental source of water for stream flow. Practicable: Available and capable of being done after taking into consideration cost, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes. Pre-construction notification: A request submitted by the project proponent to the Corps for confirmation that a particular activity is authorized by nationwide permit. The request may be a permit application, letter, or similar document that includes information about the proposed work and its anticipated environmental effects. Pre-construction notification may be required by the terms and conditions of a nationwide permit, or by regional conditions. A pre-construction notification may be voluntarily submitted in cases where pre-construction notification is not required and the project proponent wants confirmation that the activity is authorized by nationwide permit. Preservation: The removal of a threat to, or preventing the decline of, aquatic resources by an action in or near those aquatic resources. This term includes activities commonly associated with the protection and maintenance of aquatic resources through the implementation of appropriate legal and physical mechanisms. Preservation does not result in a gain of aquatic resource area or functions. Re-establishment: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural/historic functions to a former aquatic resource. Re-establishment results in rebuilding a former aquatic resource and results in a gain in aquatic resource area and functions. Rehabilitation: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of repairing natural/historic functions to a degraded aquatic resource. Rehabilitation results in a gain in aquatic resource function, but does not result in a gain in aquatic resource area. Restoration: The manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a site with the goal of returning natural/historic functions to a former or degraded aquatic resource. For the purpose of tracking net gains in aquatic resource area, restoration is divided into two categories: re-establishment and rehabilitation. Riffle and pool complex: Riffle and pool complexes are special aquatic sites under the 404(b)(1) Guidelines. Riffle and pool complexes sometimes characterize steep gradient sections of streams. Such stream sections are recognizable by their hydraulic characteristics. The rapid movement of water over a course substrate in riffles results in a rough flow, a turbulent surface, and high dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Pools are deeper areas associated with riffles. A slower stream velocity, a streaming flow, a smooth surface, and a finer substrate characterize pools. Riparian areas: Riparian areas are lands adjacent to streams, lakes, and estuarine-marine shorelines. Riparian areas are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, through 17 which surface and subsurface hydrology connects riverine, lacustrine, estuarine, and marine waters with their adjacent wetlands, non-wetland waters, or uplands. Riparian areas provide a variety of ecological functions and services and help improve or maintain local water quality. (See general condition 23.) Shellfish seedin�: The placement of shellfish seed and/or suitable substrate to increase shellfish production. Shellfish seed consists of immature individual shellfish or individual shellfish attached to shells or shell fragments (i.e., spat on shell). Suitable substrate may consist of shellfish shells, shell fragments, or other appropriate materials placed into waters for shellfish habitat. Sin�le and complete linear project: A linear project is a project constructed for the purpose of getting people, goods, or services from a point of origin to a terminal point, which often involves multiple crossings of one or more waterbodies at separate and distant locations. The term "single and complete project" is defined as that portion of the total linear project proposed or accomplished by one owner/developer or partnership or other association of owners/developers that includes all crossings of a single water of the United States (i.e., a single waterbody) at a specific location. For linear projects crossing a single or multiple waterbodies several times at separate and distant locations, each crossing is considered a single and complete project for purposes of NWP authorization. However, individual channels in a braided stream or river, ar individual arms of a large, irregularly shaped wetland or lake, etc., are not separate waterbodies, and crossings of such features cannot be considered separately. Single and complete non-linear project: For non-linear projects, the term "single and complete project" is defined at 33 CFR 330.2(i) as the total project proposed or accomplished by one owner/developer or partnership or other association of owners/developers. A single and complete non-linear project must have independent utility (see definition of "independent utility"). Single and complete non-linear projects may not be "piecemealed" to avoid the limits in an NWP authorization. Stormwater mana eg ment: Stormwater management is the mechanism for controlling stormwater runoff for the purposes of reducing downstream erosion, water quality degradation, and flooding and mitigating the adverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment. Stormwater management facilities: Stormwater management facilities are those facilities, including but not limited to, stormwater retention and detention ponds and best management practices, which retain water for a period of time to control runoff and/or improve the quality (i.e., by reducing the concentration of nutrients, sediments, hazardous substances and other pollutants) of stormwater runoff. Stream bed: The substrate of the stream channel between the ordinary high water marks. The substrate may be bedrock or inorganic particles that range in size from clay to boulders. Wetlands contiguous to the stream bed, but outside of the ordinary high water marks, are not considered part of the stream bed. Stream channelization: The manipulation of a stream's course, condition, capacity, or location that causes more than minimal interruption of normal stream processes. A channelized stream remains a water of the United States. Structure: An object that is arranged in a definite pattern of organization. Examples of structures include, without limitation, any pier, boat dock, boat ramp, wharf, dolphin, weir, boom, breakwater, bulkhead, revetment, riprap, jetty, artificial island, artificial reef, permanent : mooring structure, power transmission line, permanently moored floating vessel, piling, aid to navigation, or any other manmade obstacle or obstruction. Tidal wetland: A tidal wetland is a wetland (i.e., water of the United States) that is inundated by tidal waters. The definitions of a wetland and tidal waters can be found at 33 CFR 328.3(b) and 33 CFR 328.3(�, respectively. Tidal waters rise and fall in a predictable and measurable rhythm or cycle due to the gravitational pulls of the moon and sun. Tidal waters end where the rise and fall of the water surface can no longer be practically measured in a predictable rhythm due to masking by other waters, wind, or other effects. Tidal wetlands are located channelward of the high tide line, which is defined at 33 CFR 328.3(d). Vegetated shallows: Vegetated shallows are special aquatic sites under the 404(b)(1) Guidelines. They are areas that are permanently inundated and under normal circumstances have rooted aquatic vegetation, such as seagrasses in marine and estuarine systems and a variety of vascular rooted plants in freshwater systems. Waterbodv: For purposes of the NWPs, a waterbody is a jurisdictional water of the United States. If a jurisdictional wetland is adjacent — meaning bordering, contiguous, or neighboring — to a waterbody determined to be a water of the United States under 33 CFR 328.3(a)(1)-(6), that waterbody and its adjacent wetlands are considered together as a single aquatic unit (see 33 CFR 328.4(c)(2)). Examples of "waterbodies" include streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. 19 Final Regional Conditions 2012 NOTICE ABOUT WEB LINKS IN THIS DOCUMENT: The web links (both internal to our District and any external links to collaborating agencies) in this document are valid at the time of publication. However, the Wilmington District Regulatory Program web page addresses, as with other agency web sites, may change over the timeframe of the five year Nationwide Permit renewal cycle, in response to policy mandates or technology advances. While we will make every effort to check on the integrity of our web links and provide re-direct pages whenever possible, we ask that you report any broken links to us so we can keep the page information current and usable. We apologize in advanced for any broken links that you may encounter, and we ask that you navigate from the regulatory home page (wetlands and stream permits) of the Wilmington District Corps of Engineers, to the "Permits " section of our web site to find links for pages that cannot be found by clicking directly on the listed web link in this document. Fina12012 Regional Conditions for Nationwide Permits (NWP) in the Wilmington District 1.0 Excluded Waters The Corps has identified waters that will be excluded from the use of all NWP's during certain timeframes. These waters are: 1.1 Anadromous Fish Spawning Areas Waters of the United States identified by either the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) or the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as anadromous fish spawning areas are excluded during the period between February 15 and June 30, without prior written approval from NCDMF or NCWRC and the Corps. 1.2 Trout Waters Moratorium Waters of the United States in the twenty-five designated trout counties of North Carolina are excluded during the period between October 15 and April 15 without prior written approval from the NCWRC. (See Section 2.7 for a list of the twenty-five trout counties). 1.3 Sturgeon Spawning Areas as Designated by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Waters of the United States designated as sturgeon spawning areas are excluded during the period between February 1 and June 30, without prior written approval from the NMFS. 20 2.0 Waters Requiring Additional Notification The Corps has identified waters that will be subject to additional notification requirements for activities authorized by all NWP's. These waters are: 2.1 Western NC Counties that Drain to Designated Critical Habitat For proposed activities within Waters of the U.S. that require a Pre-Construction Noti�cation pursuant to General Condition 31 (PCN) and are located in the sixteen counties listed below, applicants must provide a copy of the PCN to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 160 Zillicoa Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801. This PCN must be sent concurrently to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Corps Asheville Regulatory Field Office. Please see General Condition 18 for specific notification requirements related to Federally Endangered Species and the following website for information on the location of designated critical habitat. Counties with tributaries that drain to designated critical habitat that require notification to the Asheville US Fish and Wildlife Service: Avery, Cherokee, Forsyth, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union and Yancey. Website and office addresses far Endangered Species Act Information: The Wilmington District has developed the following website for applicants which provides guidelines on how to review linked websites and maps in order to fulfill NWP general condition 18 requirements: http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/wetlands/ESA Applicants who do not have internet access may contact the appropriate US Fish and Wildlife Service offices listed below or the US Army Corps of Engineers at (910) 251- 4633: US Fish and Wildlife Service Asheville Field Office 160 Zillicoa Street Asheville, NC 28801 Telephone: (828) 258-3939 Asheville US Fish and Wildlife Service Office counties: All counties west of and including Anson, Stanly, Davidson, Forsyth and Stokes Counties US Fish and Wildlife Service Raleigh Field Office Post Office Box 33726 Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Telephone: (919) 856-4520 Raleigh US Fish and Wildlife Service Office counties: all counties east of and including Richmond, Montgomery, Randolph, Guilford, and Rockingham Counties. 21 2.2 Special Designation Waters Prior to the use of any NWP in any of the following identifed waters and contiguous wetlands in North Carolina, applicants must comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 31 (PCN). The North Carolina waters and contiguous wetlands that require additional notification requirements are: "Outstanding Resource Waters" (ORW) or "High Quality Waters" (HQW) as designated by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission; "Inland Primary Nursery Areas" (IPNA) as designated by the NCWRC; "Contiguous Wetlands" as defined by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission; or "Primary Nursery Areas" (PNA) as designated by the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission. 2.3 Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Areas of Environmental Concern Non-federal applicants for any NWP in a designated "Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC) in the twenty (20) counties of Eastern North Carolina covered by the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) must also obtain the required CAMA permit. Development activities for non-federal projects may not commence until a copy of the approved CAMA permit is furnished to the appropriate Wilmington District Regulatory Field Office (Wilmington Field Office — 69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403 or Washington Field Office — 2407 West Sth Street, Washington, NC 27889). 2.4 Barrier Islands Prior to the use of any NWP on a barrier island of North Carolina, applicants must comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 31 (PCN). 2.5 Mountain or Piedmont Bogs Prior to the use of any NWP in a Bog classified by the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Methodology (NCWAM), applicants shall comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 31 (PCN). The latest version of NCWAM is located on the NC DWQ web site at: http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/wq/swp/ws/pdu/ncwam . 2.6 Animal Waste Facilities Prior to use of any NWP for construction of animal waste facilities in waters of the US, including wetlands, applicants shall comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 31 (PCN). 2.7 Trout Waters Prior to any discharge of dredge or fill material into streams or waterbodies within the twenty- five (25) designated trout counties of North Carolina, the applicant shall comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 31 (PCN). The applicant shall also provide a copy of the notification to the appropriate NCWRC office to facilitate the determination of any potential 22 impacts to designated Trout Waters. Notification to the Corps of Engineers will include a statement with the name of the NCWRC biologist contacted, the date of the notification, the location of work, a delineation of wetlands, a discussion of alternatives to working in the mountain trout waters, why alternatives were not selected, and a plan to provide compensatory mitigation for all unavoidable adverse impacts to mountain trout waters. NCWRC and NC Trout Counties Western Piedmont Region Alleghany Caldwell Watauga Coordinator 20830 Great Smoky Mtn. Ashe Mitchell Wilkes Ex resswa Wa nesville, NC 28786 Ave Stokes Tele hone: (828) 452-2546 Burke Su Mountain Re ion Coordinator Buncombe Henderson Polk 20830 Great Smoky Mtn. Cherokee Jackson Rutherford Ex resswa Wa nesville, NC 28786 Cla Macon Swain Tele hone: 828 452-2546 Graham Madison Trans lvania Fax: (828) 452-7772 Ha ood McDowell Yance 3.0 List of Corps Regional Conditions for All Nationwide Permits The following conditions apply to all Nationwide Permits in the Wilmington District: 3.1 Limitation of Loss of Perennial Stream Bed NWPs may not be used for activities that may result in the loss or degradation of greater than 300 total linear feet of perennial, intermittent or ephemeral stream, unless the District Commander has waived the 3001inear foot limit for ephemeral and intermittent streams on a case-by-case basis and he determines that the proposed activity will result in minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts to the aquatic environment. Loss of stream includes the linear feet of stream bed that is filled, excavated, or flooded by the proposed activity. Waivers for the loss of ephemeral and intermittent streams must be in writing and documented by appropriate/accepted stream quality assessments*. This waiver only applies to the 3001inear feet threshold for NWPs. *NOTE: Applicants should utilize the most current methodology prescribed by Wilmington District to assess stream function and quality. Information can be found at: http://www.saw.usace.armv.mil/wetlands/permits/nwp/nwp2012 (see "Quick Links") 23 3.2 Mitigation for Loss of Stream Bed For any NWP that results in a loss of more than 1501inear feet of perennial and/or ephemeral/intermittent stream, the applicant shall provide a mitigation proposal to compensate for more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse impacts to the aquatic environment. For stream losses less than 1501inear feet, that require a PCN, the District Commander may determine, on a case-by-case basis that compensatory mitigation is required to ensure that the activity results in minimal adverse effect on the aquatic environment. 3.3 Pre-construction Notification for Loss of Streambed Exceeding 150 Feet. Prior to use of any NWP for any activity which impacts more than 150 total linear feet of perennial stream or ephemeral/ intermittent stream, the applicant must comply with Nationwide Permit General Condition 31 (PCN). This applies to NWPs that do not have specific notification requirements. If a NWP has specific notification requirements, the requirements of the NWP should be followed. 3.4 Restriction on Use of Live Concrete For all NWPs which allow the use of concrete as a building material, live or fresh concrete, including bags of uncured concrete, may not come into contact with the water in or entering into waters of the US. Water inside coffer dams or casings that has been in contact with wet concrete shall only be returned to waters of the US when it is no longer poses a threat to aquatic orgamsms. 3.5 Requirements for Using Riprap for Bank Stabilization For all NWPs that allow for the use of riprap material for bank stabilization, the following measures shall be applied: 3.5.1. Filter cloth must be placed underneath the riprap as an additional requirement of its use in North Carolina waters. 3.5.2. The placement of riprap shall be limited to the areas depicted on submitted work plan drawings. 3.5.3. The riprap material shall be clean and free from loose dirt or any pollutant except in trace quantities that would not have an adverse environmental effect. 3.5.4. It shall be of a size sufficient to prevent its movement from the authorized alignment by natural forces under normal conditions. 3.5.5. The riprap material shall consist of clean rock or masonry material such as, but not limited to, granite, marl, or broken concrete. 24 3.5.6. A waiver from the specifications in this Regional Condition inay be requested in writing. The waiver will only be issued if it can be demonstrated that the impacts of complying with this Regional condition would result in greater adverse impacts to the aquatic environment. 3.6 Safe Passage Requirements for Culvert Placement For all NWPs that involve the construction/installation of culverts, measures will be included in the construction/installation that will promote the safe passage of fish and other aquatic organisms. The dimension, pattern, and profile of the stream above and below a pipe or culvert should not be modified by widening the stream channel or by reducing the depth of the stream in connection with the construction activity. The width, height, and gradient of a proposed culvert should be such as to pass the average historical low flow and spring flow without adversely altering flow velocity. Spring flow should be detennined from gage data, if available. In the absence of such data, bankfull flow can be used as a comparable level. In the twenty (20) counties of North Carolina designated as coastal counties by the Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA): All pipes/culverts must be sufficiently sized to allow for the burial of the bottom of the pipe/culvert at least one foot below normal bed elevation when they are placed within the Public Trust Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) and/or the Estuarine Waters AEC as designated by CAMA, and/or all streams appearing as blue lines on United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute quadrangle maps. � i�rc�u �a � ................................................. ��I+verk I�g�e �treart�b+�d� �Di�met�er� 12 Inches r I nrre rk In all other counties: Culverts greater than 48 inches in diameter will be buried at least one foot below the bed of the stream. Culverts 48 inches in diameter or less shall be buried or placed on the stream bed as practicable and appropriate to maintain aquatic passage, and every effort shall be made to maintain the existing channel slope. The bottom of the culvert must be placed at a 25 depth below the natural stream bottom to provide for passage during drought or low flow conditions. Culverts are to be designed and constructed in a manner that minimizes destabilization and head cutting. Destabilizing the channel and head cutting upstream should be considered and appropriate actions incorporated in the design and placement of the culvert. A waiver from the depth speci�cations in this condition may be requested in writing. The waiver will be issued if it can be demonstrated that the proposal would result in the least impacts to the aquatic environment. All counties: Culverts placed within riparian and/or riverine wetlands must be installed in a manner that does not restrict the flow and circulation patterns of waters of the United States. Culverts placed across wetland fills purely for the purposes of equalizing surface water do not have to be buried. 3.7 Notification to NCDENR Shellfish Sanitation Section Applicants shall notify the NCDENR Shellfish Sanitation Section prior to dredging in or removing sediment from an area closed to shell fishing where the effluent may be released to an area open for shell fishing or swimming in order to avoid contamination from the disposal area and cause a temporary shellfish closure to be made. Such notification shall also be provided to the appropriate Corps of Engineers Regulatory Field Office. Any disposal of sand to the ocean beach should occur between November 1 and Apri130 when recreational usage is low. Only clean sand should be used and no dredged sand from closed shell fishing areas may be used. If beach disposal were to occur at times other than stated above or if sand from a closed shell fishing area is to be used, a swimming advisory shall be posted, and a press release shall be issued by the permittee. 3.8 Preservation of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Adverse impacts to Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) are not authorized by any NWP within any of the twenty coastal counties defined by North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA). 3.9 Sedimentation and Erosion Control Structures and Measures 3.9.1. All PCNs will identify and describe sedimentation and erosion control structures and measures proposed for placement in waters of the US. The structures and measures should be depicted on maps, surveys or drawings showing location and impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and streams. 26 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES WATER QUALITY GENERAL CERTIFICATION NO. 4132 GENERAL CERTIFICATION FOR PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 3 (MAINTENANCE), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 4(FISH AND WILDLIFE HARVESTING, ENHANCEMENT, AND AITRACTION DEVICES AND ACTIVITIES), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 5(SCIENTIFIC MEASUREMENT DEVICES), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 6 (SURVEY ACTIVITIES�, • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 7(OUTFALL STRUCTURES AND ASSOCIATED INTAKE STRUCTURES), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 19 (MINOR DREDGING), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 20 (RESPONSE OPERATIONS FOR OIL OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 22 (REMOVAL OF VESSELS), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 25 (STRUCTURAL DISCHARGES), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 30 (MOIST SOIL MANAGEMENT FOR WILDLIFE), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 32 (COMPLETED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS), • NATIONWIDE PERMIT 36 (BOAT RAMPS), • REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT 197800056 (PIERS, DOCKS AND BOATHOUSES), AND • REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT 197800125 (BOAT RAMPS) Water Quality Certification Number 4132 is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section 401, Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina Regulations in 15A NCAC 02H .0500 and 15A NCAC 02B .0200 for the discharge of fill material to surface waters and wetland areas as described in 33 CFR 330 Appendix A(B) (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 22, 25, 30, 32, and 36) of the US Army Corps of Engineers regulations and Regional General Permits 197800056 and 197800125. The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category of activity will not violate applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95- 217 if conducted in accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth. Effective date: December 1, 2017 Signed this day: December 1, 2017 By for Linda Culpepper Interim Director GC4132 Activities meeting any one (1) of the following thresholds or circumstances require written approval for a 401 Water Quality Certification from the Division of Water Resources (DWR): a) If any of the conditions of this Certification (listed below) cannot be met; or b) Total additional permanent impacts to streams (including stream relocations or restorations) greater than 40 linear feet at an existing stream impact location; or c) Total temporary and permanent impacts to wetlands or open waters equal to or greater than one-tenth (1/10) of an acre; or d) Complete dewatering and drawdowns to a sediment layer related to pond/dam maintenance or removal; or e) Any impacts to streams from excavation or dredging other than excavation that is conducted as preparation for installing permanent fill or structures or projects qualifying for a Nationwide Permit 19; or f) Except for projects qualifying for a Nationwide permit 3, any permanent impacts to waters, or to wetlands adjacent to waters, designated as: ORW (including SAV), HQW (including PNA), SA, WS-I, WS-II, Trout, or North Carolina or National Wild and Scenic River; or g) Any high-density project, as defined in 15A NCAC 02H .1003(2)(a) and by the density thresholds specified in 15A NCAC 02H .1017, which: i. Disturbs one acre or more of land (including a project that disturbs less than one acre of land that is part of a larger common plan of development or sale); and ii. Has permanent wetland, stream or open water impacts; and iii. Is proposing new built-upon area; and iv. Does not have a stormwater management plan reviewed and approved under a state stormwater programl or a state-approved local government stormwater program2. Projects that have vested rights, exemptions, or grandfathering from state or locally- . implemented stormwater programs and projects that satisfy state or locally- implemented stormwater programs through use of community in-lieu programs require written approval; or h) Any permanent impacts to coastal wetlands [15A NCAC 07H .0205], or Unique Wetlands (UWL); or i) Any impact associated with a Notice of Violation or an enforcement action for violation(s) of NC Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .0500), NC Isolated Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 02H .1300), NC Surface Water or Wetland Standards (15A NCAC 02B .0200), or State Regulated Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 026 .0200); or j) Any impacts to subject water bodies and/or state regulated riparian buffers along subject water bodies in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, or Catawba River Basins or in the Randleman Lake, Jordan Lake or Goose Creek Watersheds (or any other basin or watershed with State Regulated Riparian Area Protection Rules [Buffer Rules] in effect at the time of application) unless: � 1 e.g. Coastal Counties, HQW, ORW, or state-implemented Phase II NPDES 2 e.g. Delegated Phase II NPDES, Water Supply Watershed, Nutrient-Sensitive Waters, or Universal Stormwater Management Program Page 2 of 10 GC4132 i. The activities are listed as "EXEMPT" from these rules; or ii. A Buffer Authorization Certificate is issued by the NC Division of Coastal Management (DCM); or iii. A Buffer Authorization Certificate or a Minor Variance is issued by a delegated or designated local government implementing a state riparian buffer program pursuant to 143-215.23. Activities included in this General Certification that do not meet one of the thresholds listed above do not require written approval. I. ACTIVITY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS: 1. For all dam removal projects meeting the definition under G.S. 143-215.25 and requirements under G.S. 143-215.27 of a professionally supervised dam removal, the applicant shall provide documentation that any sediment that may be released has similar or lower level of contamination than sediment sampled from downstream of the dam in accordance with Session Law 2017-145. 2. For the North Carolina Department of Transportation, compliance with the NCDOT's individual NPDES permit NC5000250 shall serve to satisfy this condition. All other high- density projects that trigger threshold item (g) above shall comply with one of the following requirements: [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(5) and (c)(5)] a. Provide a completed Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) for review and approval, including all appropriate stormwater control measure (SCM) supplemental forms and associated items, that complies with the high-density development requirements of 15A NCAC 02H .1003. Stormwater management shall be provided throughout the entire project area in accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .1003. For the purposes of 15A NCAC 02H .1003(2)(a), density thresholds shall be determined in accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .1017. b. Provide documentation (including calculations, photos, etc.) that the project will not cause degradation of downstream surface waters. Documentation shall include a detailed analysis of the hydrological impacts from stormwater runoff when considering the volume and velocity of stormwater runoff from the project built upon area and the size and existing condition of the receiving stream(s). Exceptions to this condition require application to and written approval from DWR. II. GENERAL CONDITIONS: 1. When written authorization is required, the plans and specifications for the project are incorporated into the authorization by reference and are an enforceable part of the Certification. Any modifications to the project require notification to DWR and may require an application submittal to DWR with the appropriate fee. [15A NCAC 02H .0501 and .0502] Page 3 of 10 GC4132 2. No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands or waters beyond the footprint of the impacts (including temporary impacts) as authorized in the written approval from DWR; or beyond the thresholds established for use of this Certification without written authorization. [15A NCAC 02H .0501 and .0502] No removal of vegetation or other impacts of any kind shall occur to state regulated riparian buffers beyond the footprint of impacts approved in a Buffer Authorization or Variance or as listed as an exempt activity in the applicable riparian buffer rules. [15A NCAC 02B .0200] 3. In accordance with 15A NCAC 02H .0506(h) and Session Law 2017-10, compensatory mitigation may be required for losses of greater than 300 linear feet of perennial streams and/or greater than one (1) acre of wetlands. Impacts associated with the removal of a dam shall not require mitigation when the removal complies with the requirements of Part 3 of Article 21 in Chapter 143 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Impacts to isolated and other non-404 jurisdictional wetlands shall not be combined with 404 jurisdictional wetlands for the purpose of determining when impact thresholds trigger a mitigation requirement. For linear publicly owned and maintained transportation projects that are not determined to be part of a larger common plan of development by the US Army Corps of Engineers, compensatory mitigation may be required for losses of greater than 300 linear feet per perennial stream. Compensatory stream and/or wetland mitigation shall be proposed and completed in compliance with G.S. 143-214.11. For applicants proposing to conduct mitigation within a project site, a complete mitigation proposal developed in accordance with the most recent guidance issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District shall be submitted for review and approval with the application for impacts. 4. All activities shall be in compliance with any applicable State Regulated Riparian Buffer Rules in Chapter 2 of Title 15A. 5. When applicable, all construction activities shall be performed and maintained in full compliance with G.S. Chapter 113A Article 4(Sediment and Pollution Control Act of 1973). Regardless of applicability of the Sediment and Pollution Control Act, all projects shall incorporate appropriate Best Management Practices for the control of sediment and erosion so that no violations of state water quality standards, statutes, or rules occur. [15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(3) and (c)(3) and 15A NCAC 02B .0200] Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of all sediment and erosion control measures shall be equal to or exceed the requirements specified in the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual, or for linear transportation projects, the NCDOT Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. All devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) sites, including contractor-owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project. Sufficient materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures and stormwater routing and treatment shall be on site at all times. Page 4 of 10 GC4132 For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures shall be designed, installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface Mininq Manual. Reclamation measures and implementation shall comply with the reclamation in accordance with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act and the Mining Act of 1971. If the project occurs in waters or watersheds classified as Primary Nursery Areas (PNAs), SA, WS-I, WS-II, High Quality Waters (HQW), or Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), then the sedimentation and erosion control designs shall comply with the requirements set forth in 15A NCAC 04B .0124, Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds. 6. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters except within the footprint of temporary or permanent impacts authorized under this Certification. Exceptions to this condition require application to and written approval from DWR. [15A NCAC 02H .0501 and .0502] 7. Erosion control matting that incorporates plastic mesh and/or plastic twine shall not be used along streambanks or within wetlands. Exceptions to this condition require application to and written approval from DWR. [15A NCAC 026 .0201] 8. An NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit (NCG010000) is required for construction projects that disturb one (1) or more acres of land. The NCG010000 Permit allows stormwater to be discharged during land disturbing construction activities as stipulated in the conditions of the permit. If the project is covered by this permit, full compliance with permit conditions including the erosion & sedimentation control plan, inspections and maintenance, self-monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements is required. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(5) and (c)(5)] The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) shall be required to be in full compliance with the conditions related to construction activities within the most recent version of their individual NPDES (NCS000250) stormwater permit. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(5) and (c)(5)] 9. All work in or adjacent to streams shall be conducted so that the flowing stream does not come in contact with the disturbed area. Approved best management practices from the most current version of the NC Sediment and Erosion Control Manual, or the NC DOT Construction and Maintenance Activities Manual, such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams, and other diversion structures shall be used to minimize excavation in flowing water. Exceptions to this condition require application to and written approval from DWR. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)] 10. If activities must occur during periods of high biological activity (e.g. sea turtle nesting, fish spawning, or bird nesting), then biological monitoring may be required at the request of other state or federal agencies and coordinated with these activities. [15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(2) and 15A NCAC 046 .0125] Page 5 of 10 GC4132 All moratoriums on construction activities established by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NC Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) shall be implemented. Exceptions to this condition require written approval by the resource agency responsible for the given moratorium. A copy of the approval from the resource agency shall be forwarded to DWR. Work within a designated trout watershed of North Carolina (as identified by the Wilmington District of the US Army Corps of Engineers), or identified state or federal endangered or threatened species habitat, shall be coordinated with the appropriate WRC, USFWS, NMFS, and/or DMF personnel. 11. Culverts shall be designed and installed in such a manner that the original stream profiles are not altered and allow for aquatic life movement during low flows. The dimension, pattern, and profile of the stream above and below a pipe or culvert shall not be modified by widening the stream channel or by reducing the depth of the stream in connection with the construction activity. The width, height, and gradient of a proposed culvert shall be such as to pass the average historical low flow and spring flow without adversely altering flow velocity. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2) and (c)(2)] Placement of culverts and other structures in streams shall be below the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20% of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than or equal to 48 inches, to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic the existing 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. When topographic constraints indicate culvert slopes of greater than 5%, culvert burial is not required, provided that all alternative options for flattening the slope have been investigated and aquatic life movement/connectivity has been provided when possible (e.g. rock ladders, cross vanes, etc.). Notification, including supporting documentation to include a location map of the culvert, culvert profile drawings, and slope calculations, shall be provided to DWR 60 calendar days prior to the installation of the culvert. When bedrock is present in culvert locations, culvert burial is not required provided that there is sufficient documentation of the presence of bedrock. Notification, including supporting documentation such as a location map of the culvert, geotechnical reports, photographs, etc. shall be provided to DWR a minimum of 60 calendar days prior to the installation of the culvert. If bedrock is discovered during construction, then DWR shall be notified by phone or email within 24 hours of discovery. If other site-specific topographic constraints preclude the ability to bury the culverts as described above and/or it can be demonstrated that burying the culvert would result in destabilization of the channel, then exceptions to this condition require application to and written approval from DWR. Page 6 of 10 GC4132 Installation of culverts in wetlands shall ensure continuity of water movement and be designed to adequately accommodate high water or flood conditions. When roadways, causeways, or other fill projects are constructed across FEMA-designated floodways or wetlands, openings such as culverts or bridges shall be provided to maintain the natural hydrology of the system as well as prevent constriction of the floodway that may result in destabilization of streams or wetlands. The establishment of native woody vegetation and other soft stream bank stabilization techniques shall be used where practicable instead of rip-rap or other bank hardening methods. 12. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across the bridge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means to the maximum extent practicable (e.g. grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.) before entering the stream. Exceptions to this condition require application to and written approval from DWR. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(5)] 13. Application of fertilizer to establish planted/seeded vegetation within disturbed riparian areas and/or wetlands shall be conducted at agronomic rates and shall comply with all other Federal, State and Local regulations. Fertilizer application shall be accomplished in a manner that minimizes the risk of contact between the fertilizer and surface waters. [15A NCAC 02B .0200 and 15A NCAC 02B .0231] 14. If concrete is used during construction, then all necessary measures shall be taken to prevent direct contact between uncured or curing concrete and waters of the state. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to waters of the state. [15A NCAC 026 .0200] 15. All proposed and approved temporary fill and culverts shall be removed and the impacted area shall be returned to natural conditions within 60 calendar days after the temporary impact is no longer necessary. The impacted areas shall be restored to original grade, including each stream's original cross sectional dimensions, planform pattern, and longitudinal bed profile. For projects that receive written approval, no temporary impacts are allowed beyond those included in the application and authorization. All temporarily impacted sites shall be restored and stabilized with native vegetation. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2) and (c)(2)] 16. All proposed and approved temporary pipes/culverts/rip-rap pads etc. in streams shall be installed as outlined in the most recent edition of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual or the North Carolina Surface Mining Manual or the North Carolina Department of Transportation Best Management Practices for Construction and Maintenance Activities so as not to restrict stream flow or cause dis-equilibrium during use of this Certi�cation. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2) and (c)(2)] Page 7 of 10 GC4132 17. Any rip-rap required for proper culvert placement, stream stabilization, or restoration of temporarily disturbed areas shall be restricted to the area directly impacted by the approved construction activity. All rip-rap shall be placed such that the original stream elevation and streambank contours are restored and maintained. Placement of rip-rap or other approved materials shall not result in de-stabilization of the stream bed or banks upstream or downstream of the area or in a manner that precludes aquatic life passage. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2)] 18. Any rip-rap used for stream or shoreline stabilization shall be of a size and density to prevent movement by wave, current action, or stream flows and shall consist of clean rock or masonry material free of debris or toxic pollutants. Rip-rap shall not be installed in the streambed except in specific areas required for velocity control and to ensure structural integrity of bank stabilization measures. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2)] 19. Applications for rip-rap groins proposed in accordance with 15A NCAC 07H .1401 (NC Division of Coastal Management General Permit for construction of Wooden and Rip-rap Groins in Estuarine and Public Trust Waters) shall meet all the specific conditions for design and construction specified in 15A NCAC 07H .1405. 20. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of surface waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. Construction shall be staged in order to minimize the exposure of equipment to surface waters to the maximum extent practicable. Fueling, lubrication and general equipment maintenance shall be performed in a manner to prevent, to the maximum extent practicable, contamination of surface waters by fuels and oils. [15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(3) and (c)(3) and 15A NCAC 02B .0211 (12)] 21. Heavy equipment working in wetlands shall be placed on mats or other measures shall be taken to minimize soil disturbance. [15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(3) and (c)(3)] 22. In accordance with 143-215.85(b), the applicant shall report any petroleum spill of 25 gallons or more; any spill regardless of amount that causes a sheen on surface waters; any petroleum spill regardless of amount occurring within 100 feet of surface waters; and any petroleum spill less than 25 gallons that cannot be cleaned up within 24 hours. 23. If an environmental document is required under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), then this General Certification is not valid until a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD) is issued by the State Clearinghouse. If an environmental document is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), then this General Certification is not valid until a Categorical Exclusion, the Final Environmental Assessment, or Final Environmental Impact Statement is published by the lead agency. [15A NCAC 01C .0107(a)] 24. This General Certification does not relieve the applicant of the responsibility to obtain all other required Federal, State, or Local approvals before proceeding with the project, including those required by, but not limited to, Sediment and Erosion Control, Non- Discharge, Water Supply Watershed, and Trout Buffer regulations. Page 8 of 10 GC4132 25. The applicant and their authorized agents shall conduct all 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 DWR determines that such standards or laws are not being met, including 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, then DWR may revoke or modify a written authorization associated with this General Water Quality Certification. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(d)] 26. The permittee shall require its contractors and/or agents to comply with the terms and conditions of this permit in the construction and maintenance of this project, and shall provide each of its contractors and/or agents associated with the construction or maintenance of this project with a copy of this Certification. A copy of this Certification, including all conditions shall be available at the project site during the construction and maintenance of this project. [15A NCAC 02H .0507 (c) and 15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(2) and ��)�2)� 27. When written authorization is required for use of this Certification, upon completion of all permitted impacts included within the approval and any subsequent modifications, the applicant shall be required to return a certificate of completion (available on the DWR website https://edocs.deq.nc.�ov/Forms/Certificate-of-Completion). [15A NCAC 02H .0502(f)] 28. Additional site-specific conditions, including monitoring and/or modeling requirements, may be added to the written approval letter for projects proposed under this Water Quality Certification in order to ensure compliance with all applicable water quality and effluent standards. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)] 29. If the property or project is sold or transferred, the new permittee shall be given a copy of this Certification (and written authorization if applicable) and is responsible for complying with all conditions. [15A NCAC 02H .0501 and .0502] III. GENERAL CERTIFICATION ADMINISTRATION: 1. In accordance with North Carolina General Statute 143-215.3D(e), written approval for a 401 Water Quality General Certification must include the appropriate fee. An applicant for a CAMA permit under Article 7 of Chapter 113A of the General Statutes for which a Water Quality Certification is required shall only make one payment to satisfy both agencies; the fee shall be as established by the Secretary in accordance with 143-215.3D(e)(7). 2. This Certification neither grants nor affirms any property right, license, or privilege in any waters, or any right of use in any waters. This Certification does not authorize any person to interfere with the riparian rights, littoral rights, or water use rights of any other person and this Certification does not create any p�escriptive right or any right of priority regarding any usage of water. This Certification shall not be interposed as a defense in any action respecting the determination of riparian or littoral rights or other rights to water use. No consumptive user is deemed by virtue of this Certification to possess any prescriptive or Page 9 of 10 GC4132 other right of priority with respect to any other consumptive user regardless of the quantity of the withdrawal or the date on which the withdrawal was initiated or expanded. 3. This Certification grants permission to the Director, an authorized representative of the Director, or DWR staff, upon the presentation of proper credentials, to enter the property during normal business hours. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(e)] 4. This General Certification shall expire on the same day as the expiration date of the corresponding Nationwide Permit and/or Regional General Permit. The conditions in effect on the date of issuance of Certification for a specific project shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the expiration date of this Certification. This General Certification is rescinded when the US Army Corps of Engineers reauthorizes any of the corresponding Nationwide Permits and/or Regional General Permits or when deemed appropriate by the Director of the Division of Water Resources. 5. Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set forth by a specific project may result in revocation of this General Certification for the project and may also result in criminal and/or civil penalties. 6. The Director of the North Carolina Division of Water Resources may require submission of a formal application for Individual Certification for any project in this category of activity if it is deemed in the public's best interest or determined that the project is likely to have a significant adverse efFect upon water quality, including state or federally listed endangered or threatened aquatic species, or degrade the waters so that existing uses of the waters or downstream waters are precluded. History Note: Water Quality Certification (WQC) Number 4132 issued December 1, 2017 replaces WCQ 4085 issued March 3, 2017; WQC 3883 issued March 19, 2012; WQC Number 3687 issued November 1, 2007; WQC Number 3624 issued March 19, 2007; WQC Number 3494 issued December 31, 2004; and WQC Number 3376 issued March 18, 2002. Page 10 of 10