Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20150623 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20090818mm r NC®ENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman Governor Director Secretary August 27, 2009 MEMORANDUM TO: Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator, NCDENR a FROM: Rob Ridings, NC Division of Water Quality, Transportation Permitting Unit SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Project: B-4490 (Cumberland County) In reply to your correspondence dated received August 21, 2009 in which you requested comments for the above referenced project, the NC Division of Water Quality offers the following comments: Project-Specific Comments Little Cross Creek is class C; waters of the State. Little Cross Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use, for aquatic life. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Little Cross Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices. 2. Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with the bridge replacement and/or culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in the Categorical Exclusion (CE) document. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to culvert installation. An adequate bank stabilization amount should also be applied for in the permit application, to prevent the need of a later permit modification. Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be addressed in the CE. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for dewatering and access measures necessary due to bridge construction. Also, An adequate amount of bank stabilization should also be applied for in the permit application, to prevent the need of a future permit modification. General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NC DOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts. Transportation and Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 Phone: 919-733-17861 FAX: 919-733-6893 Internet: hdp:/Ih2o.encstate.nc.us/ncwetlands/ NorthCarohna Naturally An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer 2. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities. 3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, DWQ believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine the required permit(s). 4. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless otherwise authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification. 5. Whenever possible, the DWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within the stream or grubbing of the stream banks and do not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure, do not block fish passage and do not block navigation by canoeists and boaters. 6. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across the bri dge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices. 7. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills. 8. Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible. 9. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction contours and elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and appropriate native woody species shall be planted. When using temporary structures the area shall be cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re-vegetate naturally and minimizes soil disturbance. 10. Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250. 11. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise approved by NC DWQ Approved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water. 12. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams. This equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. 13. In most cases, the DWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location with road closure. If road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour shall be designed and located to avoid wetland impacts, minimize the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks. If the structure will be on a new alignment, the old structure shall be removed and the approach fills removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills shall be removed and restored to the natural ground elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall fescue shall not be used in riparian areas. General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert 1. Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands shall be below the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20 percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches, to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the above structures. The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being maintained if requested in writing by DWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NC DWQ for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required. 2. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section as closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation and/or sills where appropriate. Widening the stream channel shall be avoided. Stream channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage. 3. Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures shall be properly designed, sized and installed. Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The DOT is reminded that issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality standards are met and designated uses are not degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Rob Ridings at 919-733- 9817. cc: Richard Spencer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office Jim Rerko, Division 6 Environmental Officer Ken Averitte, DWQ Fayetteville Regional Office Greg Thorpe, NCDOT PDEA Jameelah El-Amin, NCDOT PDEA File Copy Department of Environment and Natural Resources Project Review Form Project Number: 10-0070 County: Cumberland Date Received: 08/18/2009 Due Date: 10/5/2009 Project Description: Scoping - Bridge No. 116 replacement, TIP No. B-4490 his Project is emg reviewed as indicated below: Regional Office Regional Office Area In-House Review _ Asheville ? Air _ Soil & Water _ Marine Fisheries ? Fayetteville ? Water - Coastal Management Water Resources _ Mooresville ? Aquifer Protection _ Wildlife ? Environmental Health _ Raleigh / Land Quality Engineer v/ Wildlife - DOT _ Solid Waste Mgmt _ Washington _ Forest Resources _ Radiation Protection _ Wilmington _ Land Resources _ Other ? Parks & Recreation Winston-Salem Water Quality ?E ?Wate%QUaalityc:DQT: Air Quality Manager Sign-Off/Region: (Date: Iln-House Reviewer/Agency: Response (check all applicable) No objection to project as proposed. - No Comment Insufficient information to complete review _ Other (specify or attach comments) If you have any questions, please contact Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator at melba.mcgee@ncmail.net e4 ?, v HUB Z " /? 1 li bR'4'19 1700 4 4- S I ?I ? otc??r Bq?; ;•y .I<F- STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA G? R- 9 ?GU9 ft$171ERQj4G DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION W BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE EUGENE A. CONTI, JR. GOVERNOR SECRETARY August 14, 2009 MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Rob Ridings Division of Water Quality/Wetlands Central Office n FROM: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Manager Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch SUBJECT: Start of Study for Proposed Bridge No. 116 replacement, Cumberland County, Federal-Aid Project No. BRNHS-0024(24), WBS Element 33727.1.1, TIP Project No. B-4490 The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is starting the project development, environmental and engineering studies for the proposed Bridge No. 116 located over CSX Railroad, Norfolk-Southem Railroad and Hillsboro Street. The project involves replacing Bridge No. 116 and making improvements to the intersections of Rowan Street with Bragg Boulevard and Murchison Road. The project is included in the 2009-2015 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and is scheduled for right of way in fiscal year 2012 and construction in fiscal year 2014. We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project. If applicable, please identify any permits or approvals that may be required by your agency. A scoping meeting with NCDOT staff to discuss the proposed project was held on June 26, 2009. In order to include your comments in our materials, we would appreciate your response by October 14, 2009. It is anticipated that a federally funded Environmental Assessment will be prepared for this project. This document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Jameelah EI-Amin, Project Planning Engineer, of this Branch at (919) 733-7844, Ext. 362 or email jelamin@ncdot.gov. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments. GJT/plr Attachment MAILING ADDRESS: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699-1548 TELEPHONE: 919-733-3141 FAX: 919-733-9794 WEBSITE: WWWNCDOTORG LOCATION: TRANSPORTATION BUILDING 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET RALEIGH NC _ ........................ .._- .. ..-....... _..._.......... ...... NTy 4 Lake a em a\ / w 3td2 A a. ` \ I P° 01 ` 9 s j ` of 8 i 0' i ? w,.w ?... J v.v,? a cru a S 02 a.em o tt ., cwmn R' SS p R < s?o.m n i cww. g Sub a g arM;, pp ! 3827 k y L2 .\ st ? F Y ? Ea. s. '? ? +4 6 ? 3 / u. k 020 0 '/4 MILES ? p P. st ' 2311 4 I STUDY AREA I 2311 a I ? i A% n $ F 2299 s ? sue. ' NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS '.. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH CUMBERLAND COUNTY BRIDGE NO 116 ON NC 24210 OVER CSX RR AND NS RR TIP PROJECT B-4490 FIGURE 1 .............. ...... _....... -.._.L; Ic_C. SS C <rE.._.............. 18-2-7-y-(2--) -r-703 ??...Zsf ......._._... c- CrF 1s