20040847 Ver 1_COMPLETE FILE_20040604

?PSNC ENERG Y
A SCANA COMPANY
June 1, 2004
Mr. Ken Schuster

Regional Supervisor
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Raleigh Regional Office - Water Quality Section
3800 Barrett Drive
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUP
JUN 1 Z 2004
WATER QUALITY SECTION
IS
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RE: Proposed Stream Crossing for Natural Gas Pipeline in Chatham County
PSNC Energy
Dear Mr. Schuster:
PSNC Energy, a natural gas utility based in Gastonia, NC with operations in the Triangle
Area of NC, is constructing a natural gas pipeline along US 151501 in Chatham County.
As part of this construction, a stream crossing of Pokeberry Creek at a location
approximately 7 miles south of Chapel Hill and along US 151501 will be necessary. As
you may know, Pokeberry Creek is a small tributary of the Haw River (part of the Cape
Fear River Basin) that eventually flows into Jordan Lake.
In lieu of performing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for this stream crossing,
PSNC is proposing to use "open cut trenching" technology for this stream crossing.
After observing the project area in question, this section of Pokeberry Creek is
approximately 5 to 6 feet wide and at normal flow conditions the depth of the water at the
proposed crossing site is approximately 6 to 8 inches. There is a Department of
Transportation (DOT) culvert located immediately west and adjacent to the proposed
stream crossing location. The stream location and the pipeline construction will be
within the DOT-maintained right of way corridor. The actual trenching length of the
crossing will be less than 10 feet. The actual length of the trenching to connect the
pipeline, including the stream crossing and away from each side of the stream bank, will
be less than 100 feet and the actual width of the trench will be approximately 1 foot.
Therefore, the total land disturbance area, especially the actual stream area, will be far
less than 1/10 of one acre.
It is my understanding of the NCDENR Water Quality Regulations, including the
401/404 regulations, that no permitting is required for this type of stream crossing and
that no official notification or Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) Form submittal is
required due to the size of the project (i.e., <1/10 acre). Also, the proposed project is not
located within a Riparian Buffer Area (i.e., Cape Fear River Basin) nor is Pokeberry
Creek listed as a High Quality Water (HQW). There are no environmentally sensitive
areas located immediately within the proposed project area. While the Cape Fear Shiner
is endangered and found in the Cape Fear River Area, based on information provided by
the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and Region IV of the US Fish and Wildlife
Service, the project area is not located within a critical habitat area. Also, the NC
Wildlife Resources Commission does not list Pokeberry Creek as a Trout Water and
Hatchery Stream. However, PSNC is submitting this letter as information and requests
"concurrence" from your agency that this proposed stream crossing does not require
additional permitting or other requirements. This letter is also being submitted to the
Corps of Engineers Field Office in Raleigh, NC as well.
PSNC will adhere to the requirements outlined in the Nationwide 12 Permit issued and
regulated by the Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District as well as the conditions
outlined in WQC #3374 as issued by NCDENR. PSNC has a strict management policy
with regard to erosion control measures and procedures. While this proposed stream
crossing does not require a specific Erosion and Sedimentation Control (E&SC) Plan
from NCDENR's Land Quality section, PSNC will follow all applicable erosion and
sedimentation control measures and install appropriate erosion control measures (i.e., hay
bales, silt fences, etc.) to minimize sedimentation impacts to the area.
As part of this proposed project, PSNC plans to use hay bales or silt fences across the
downstream side of the project site to control silt and sediment during the trenching
process. After the pipeline is placed in the stream bed trench, the trench will be
backfilled with either #57 washed stone or small riprap so as to completely cover the pipe
and fill-in the trench to a level equal/even to the stream bed and not at such a height to
cause a damming-effect or alter the flow of the water in the stream. Riprap will be placed
on each side of the stream on the stream bank so as to stabilize the stream banks. Only
after the crossing is complete and the placement of the stone/riprap has been completed
will the downstream hay bales and/or silt fences be removed.
Should you have any questions or require additional information regarding this proposed
stream crossing or submittal, please feel to contact me at [phone] or you can also
contact me by e-mail at [e-mail] Thank you for your assistance with these
matters.
Sincerely,
Ken ohnson
Manager - Environmental Compliance
cc. Ken Griffin
Bill Rayner
PSNC Energy 800 Gaston Road • Post Office Box 1398 • Gastonia, North Carolina • 28053-1398 ..?-
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PSNC ENERIY
A SCANA COMPANY
Mr. Ken Schuster
Regional Supervisor
NC Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources
Raleigh Regional Office - Water Quality
Section
3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27611
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