20091221 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20060328

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
March 20, 2006
Mr. John Hennessey
DENR - Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 -1621
Dear Mr. Hennessey,
SUBJECT: Bridge Group No. 57
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
F9@WW9
MAR 2 8 2006
DENR - WATER QUALRY
WEMOSAND STORMWAIERVAM
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is starting the project
development, environmental and engineering studies for the following projects:
B-3488, B-4445, B-4467, B-4574, and B-4633. The projects are included in the 2006 - 2012
North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and are scheduled for construction in fiscal
year(s) 2009-2011 (respectively).
The alternatives under consideration at this time for each of these bridge replacement
projects are as follows:
B-3488 - Madison County Ci 6. 10?
Alternate 1: Replace Bridge downstream away from existing structure and utilize existing bridge
to maintain traffic
Alternate 2: Replace Bridge downstream near existing structure, remove portion of existing
bridge, and utilize remaining lane of existing bridge to maintain one-lane, two-way traffic during
construction
B-4445-Buncombe County (a- -74
Alternate 1: Replace Bridge in place and utilize off-site detour during construction
B-4467 - Clay County WS- IV )-yv
Alternate 1: Replace Bridge 60'-200' downstream and utilize existing bridge to maintain traffic
Alternate 2: Replace Bridge in place and utilize off-site detour during construction
B-4574-Macon County U)S I r1 CA WV7ty, Z-z1-(3•E?)
Alternate 1: Replace Bridge in place and utilize off-site detour during construction
r,
B-4633 - Rutherford County (,,)S-V-? I - 22 ?I
Alternate 1: Replace Bridge in place and utilize off-site detour during construction
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1546 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.DOH.DOLSTATE.NC.US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548

When available, we will provide you a copy of the Executive Summary of the Natural
Resources Technical Report (NRTR). At that time, we will solicit information about these
projects to be used in the preparation of a federally funded Categorical Exclusion. If your agency
has critical information that can be furnished at this time, please feel free to do so.
If you have any questions concerning any of these projects, please contact Mr. Tracy
Walter at [phone]. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and
comments.
Sincerely,
Gregory J. Thorpe, PhD.,
Environmental Management Director
Project Development and Environmental
Analysis Branch
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
USGS Quadrangle Map
Aerial Photograph with each structure numbered

MATE Michael F. Easley, Governor
\O?? ROG William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(7 7 Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
y Division of Water Quality
P <
April 7, 2006
MEMORANDUM
To: Gregory J. Thorpe, Environmental Management Director, Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Branch, NC DOT
From: Brian L. Wrenn, Transportation Permitting Unit, NCDWQ I4"
Subject: Request for Scoping Comments for the Proposed Replacements for Bridge Group No. 57
in Madison, Buncombe, Clay, Macon, and Rutherford Counties
This office has reviewed the referenced document. The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) is responsible
for the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities that impact Waters of the
U.S., including wetlands. Based on a preliminary review of the project study area, tributaries, wetlands
and riparian buffers associated with the following named streams could be impacted by the proposed
project:
TIP Project No. Stream/Surface
Water River Basin Classification Stream Index
No.
B-3488 Big Pine Creek French Broad C 6-108
B-4445 Hominy Creek French Broad C 6-76
B4467 Brasstown Creek Hiawasse WS-IV 1-42
B4574 Cullasaja River Little Tennessee WS-III;Tr;CA 2-21-(3.5)
B-4633 Webbs Creek Broad WS-V 9-41-22-(1)
DWQ has the following comments:
Project Specific Comments:
1. B-3488 Bridge No. 142 over Big Pine Creek in Madison County
Big Pine Creek is class C waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this project.
2. B-4445 Bridge No. 256 over Hominy Creek in Buncombe County
Hominy Creek is class C waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this project.
3. B-4467 Bridge No 3 over Brasstown Creek in Clay County
Brasstown Creek is class WS-IV waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this
project.
4. B4574, Bridge No. 58 over Cullasaja River in Macon County
Cullasaja River is class WS-III;Tr;CA waters of the State. Given the potential for impacts to these
resources during the project implementation, the DWQ requests that DOT strictly adhere to North
Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124)
throughout design and construction of the project. This would apply for any area that drains to streams
having WS CA (Water Supply Critical Area) classifications. In addition, all disturbances within trout
buffers should be conducted in accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife
Resources Commission requirements.
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] / FAX [phone]/ Internet: hftp://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nowetlands
April 7, 2006
Page 3
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 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:
1. Placement of culvert s 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 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.
3. 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.

North Carolina
?l Department of Transportation
° Pro'ect Develo mant & Environmental Analysis
Clay County
Bridge No. 3 on SR 1111 (West Road)
Over Brasstown Creek
8-4467
Figure 1
April 7, 2006
Page 2
Because the bridge project would be located within a Critical Area, the NCDOT will be required to
design, construct, and maintain hazardous spill catch basins in the project area. The number of catch
basins installed should be determined by the design of the bridge, so that runoff would enter
hazardous spill basins rather than flowing directly into the stream.
5. B-4633 Bridge No 32 over Webbs Creek in Rutherford County
Webbs Creek is class WS-V waters of the State. DWQ has no specific comments regarding this
project.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects:
1. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NC
DOT 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 ACE. 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.. Stormwater 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 Stormwater 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

April 7, 2006
Page 4
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 Brian Wrenn 919-733-5715.
pc: Steve Lund, USACE Asheville Field Office
Mike Parker, NCDWQ, Asheville Regional Office
Chris Militscher, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
Marella Buncick, USFWS
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