20091138 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20060523

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MEMORANDUM
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
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TO: William T. Goodwin, Jr., P.E., NCDOT
FROM: Polly Lespinasse, NC Division of Water Quality, Mooresville Regional Office
May 23, 2006
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects: B-4456 (Catawba County),
B-4468 (Cleveland County), B-4517 and B-4519 (Gaston County), and B-4553 (Iredell County)
In reply to your correspondence dated May 5, 2006 (received May 8, 2006) in which you requested comments for the
above referenced projects, the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) offers the following comments:
Project Specific Comments
B-4456, Bridge No. 49 Over Interstate 40, Catawba County
Based on a review of topographical maps and the limited information provided, it appears that no jurisdictional streams
and/or wetlands exist within the project area. If the project limits change or jurisdictional streams and/or wetlands are
identified within the project limits, further evaluation may be required.
B-4468, Bridge No. 144 Over Sandy Run Creek, Cleveland County
Sandy Run Creek is Class C Waters of the State.
B4517, Bridge No. 49 Over Crowder's Creek, Gaston County
Crowder's Creek is Class C; 303(d) Waters of the State. Crowder's Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for
aquatic life due to impaired biological integrity. 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 Crowder's 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 Storm Water
Best Management Practices.
B-4519, Bridge No. 155 Over Little Long Creek, Gaston County
Little Long Creek is Class C; 303(d) Waters of the State. Little Long Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for
aquatic life due to urban runoff (historical listing). 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 Long 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 Storm Water
Best Management Practices.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Internet: ww?c,nconternunlitv.or Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone[phone]
FAX [phone]
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
Np rthCarolina
Natttrally
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B-4553, Bridge No. 312 Over Fourth Creek, Iredell County
Fourth Creek is Class C; 303(d) Waters of the State. Fourth Long Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for aquatic .
life due to impaired biological integrity, turbidity and fecal coliform. 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 Fourth 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
Storm Water Best Management Practices.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
1. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDOT should
address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any
mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
2. If foundation test borings are necessary, it should be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under
General 401 Certification Number 3494/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 should not discharge directly into the stream. Storm water should be directed across the bridge
and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.)
before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of NC DWQ Storm Water Best Management
Practices.
7. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area should be maintained to prevent direct contact between
curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete should not be discharged to
surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills.
8. Bridge supports (bents) should 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 should be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and appropriate native woody species
should be planted. When using temporary structures the area should 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.
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11. All work in or adjacent to stream waters should 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 should be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water.
12. Heavy equipment should 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 should 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 should 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 should be removed and the approach fills removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills should be
removed and restored to the natural ground elevation. The area should be stabilized with grass and planted with
native tree species. Tall fescue should not be used in riparian areas.
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
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 should be designed to mimic the 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 should be avoided. Stream channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases
water velocity causing sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
Riprap should 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 should be properly designed, sized and installed.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The NCDOT 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 Polly Lespinasse
at(704)663-1699.
cc: Steve Lund, US Army Corps of Engineers, Asheville Field Office
Ron Lucas, Federal Highway Administration
Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency
Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Marella Buncick, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Sonia Gregory, Central Office Wetlands Unit