20091204 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20090723

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
Mr. Brian Wrenn
Department of Environment & Natural Resources
Department of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
July 16, 2004
Dear Mr. Wrenn:
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
WETLANDS/ 401 GROUp
JUL 2 3 2004
WATER QUALITY SECTION
SUBJECT: Notification of Start of Study and Request for Environmental Input
NCDOT Bridge Replacement Group #48
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch (PDEA) of the North
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), has begun studying alternatives for the
proposed replacements of the three bridges listed below. These projects are included in the 2004
- 2010 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and are scheduled for right of
way acquisition to begin in Federal Fiscal Year 2005 (FFY05) and construction to begin in
Federal Fiscal Year 2006 (FFY06). Site location maps and other project information are attached
for your review.
TIP No. Federal Aid No. State NCDOT County Project Description
Project Division
No.
B-4048 BRZ-1121(8) 8.2663801 10 Cabarrus Replace Bridge No. 145 on SR 1121
(Cabarrus Station Road) over Clear
Creek
B4049 BRZ-1138(12) 8.2663901 10 Cabanvs Replace Bridge No. 165 on SR 1138
(Hickory Ridge Road) over Black
Creek
B4050 BRSTP-1778(1) 8.2664001 10 Cabarrus Replace Bridge No. 30 on SR 1778
(Orphanage Road) over Irish Buffalo
Creek
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating
the potential social, economic, and/or environmental impacts of these projects. If applicable,
please identify any permits or approvals that may be required by your agency. Your comments
will be used in the preparation of a federally funded Categorical Exclusion (CE) document for
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WWWNCOOTORG
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
C
G
C
each project. These documents will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental
Policy Act. It is desired that your agency respond by August 20, 2004 so that your comments can
be used in the preparation of this document. Please note that there will be no formal interagency
scoping meetings for these projects.
If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Mr. John Conforti,
Project Development Engineer, of this Branch at [phone], Extension 208.
Sincerely,
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
GJT/plr

A47PA
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross, Jr., Secretary
Alan W. Klimek, P.E., Director
August 9, 2004
MEMORANDUM
TO: John Conforti, NCDOT Project Development Engineer
FROM: Brian L. Wrenn, NC Division of Water Quality 9k)
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's proposed bridge replacement projects: B4048, B4049,
and B-4050
In reply to your correspondence dated July 16, 2004 (received July 23, 2004) in which you requested
comments for the referenced projects, the NC Division of Water Quality has the following comments:
L Proiect-Specific Comments
B-4048 Bridge No. 145 over Clear Creek, Cabarrus Co.
DWQ has no specific concerns regarding this bridge replacement.
B-4049 Bridge No. 165 over Black Creek, Cabarrus Co.
DWQ has no specific concerns regarding this bridge replacement.
B-4050 Bridge No. 30 over Irish Buffalo Creek, Cabarrus Co.
DWQ has no specific concerns regarding this bridge replacement.
II. General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Proiects
1. If corrugated metal pipe arches, reinforced concrete pipes, or concrete box culverts are used to replace
the bridge, then DWQ recommends the use of Nationwide Permit No. 14 rather than Nationwide
Permit 23.
2. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is preferred. Strict
adherence the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401
Water Quality Certification.
3. DWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within the stream
and do not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by
bridges allows for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure, does not block fish passage, and
does not block navigation by canoeists and boaters.
4. 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 NCDOT Best Management
Practices for the Protection of Surface Waters
401 Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699.1650 One
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604 NorthCarolina
Phone: [phone] FAX [phone] / Internet: httl)://h2o.enr.slale.nc.us/ncwetlands Natunal/m

3. Culverts or pipes should be situated along the existing channel alignment whenever possible to avoid
channel realignment. 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.
4. 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 professionally
designed, sized, and installed.
In most cases, we prefer 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 down 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. If the area that is reclaimed was previously wetlands, NCDOT should restore the area to
wetlands. If successful, the site may be used as wetland mitigation for the subject project or other
projects in the watershed.
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
Chris Militscher, USEPA
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
File Copy
1132
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BRIDGE NO. 145
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i NORTH CAROLNA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
s:J? lri PROJECT DEVELOPMENT &
CABARRUS COUNTY
BRIDGE NO. 145 ON SR U21 OVER
CLEAR CREEK
TIP NO. B-4048
LOCATION MAP
FIGURE 1