20200290 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20200325

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4D027D04-8058-4E8C-A7E1 -82618CF1 E39D
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Ertlri'ronmenfrrl �rtarrty
March 25, 2020
Beaufort County
NCDWR Project No. 20200290
APPROVAL of 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION and TAR-PAMLICO BUFFER
AUTHORIZATION with ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Mr. Jay Johnson
NCDOT, Division 2
1037 W.H. Smith Blvd.
Greenville, NC 27835
Dear Mr. Johnson:
You have our approval, in accordance with the conditions listed below, for the following impacts for the purpose of
realigning a portion of Maple Branch that has meandered to the road shoulder and is causing erosion issues along the
Highway 17 on -ramp near the junction with Highway 33 in Beaufort County:
Wetland, Stream and Buffer and Impacts in the Tar -Pamlico River Basin
Wetland
Stream
Buffer Zone 1
Buffer Zone 2
Site
Excavation
Permanent
(sq ft)
(sq ft)
ac
1
Hwy 17 on -ramp
0.012
110
894
The project shall be constructed in accordance with your application dated received February 24, 2020. After
reviewing your application, we have decided that these impacts are covered by General Water Quality Certification
Number 4132. This certification corresponds to the Nationwide Permit 3 issued by the Corps of Engineers. This
approval is also valid for the Tar -Pamlico Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 213.0259). In addition, you should
acquire any other federal, state or local permits before you proceed with your project including (but not limited to)
Sediment and Erosion Control, Non -Discharge and Water Supply Watershed regulations. This approval will expire
with the accompanying 404 permit.
This approval is valid solely for the purpose and design described in your application (unless modified below).
Should your project change, you must notify the NCDWR and submit a new application. If the property is sold, the
new owner must be given a copy of this Certification and approval letter,and is thereby responsible for complying
with all the conditions. If total wetland fills for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre, or of total
impacts to streams (now or in the future) exceed 300 linear feet, compensatory mitigation may be required as
described in 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h) (6) and (7). Additional buffer impacts may require compensatory mitigation
as described in 15A NCAC 213.0259. For this approval to remain valid, you must adhere to the conditions listed in
the attached certification(s) and any additional conditions listed below.
Condition(s) of Certification:
1. The issuance of this certification does not exempt the Permittee from complying with any and all statutes, rules,
regulations, or ordinances that may be imposed by other government agencies (i.e. local, state, and federal) having
jurisdiction, including but not limited to applicable buffer rules, stormwater management rules, soil erosion and
sedimentation control requirements, etc.
D_ E North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
�L-10. 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4D027D04-8058-4E8C-A7E1 -82618CF1 E39D
Channel relocations shall be completed and stabilized, and approved on site by NCDWR staff, prior to diverting
water into the new channel. Stream banks shall be matted with coir-fiber matting. Vegetation used for bank
stabilization shall be limited to native riparian vegetation, and should include establishment of a vegetated buffer
on both sides of the relocated channel to the maximum extent practical. Also, rip -rap may be allowed if it is
necessary to maintain the physical integrity of the stream, but the applicant must provide written justification and
any calculations used to determine the extent of rip -rap coverage requested. Once the stream has been turned into
the new channel, it may be necessary to relocate stranded fish to the new channel to prevent fish kills. [15A
NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)
3. The Permittee shall ensure that the final design drawings adhere to the permit and to the permit drawings submitted
for approval. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c) and 15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(2) and (c)(2)]
4. The outside buffer, wetland or water boundary located within the construction corridor approved by this
authorization shall be clearly marked by highly visible fencing prior to any land disturbing activities. Impacts to
areas within the fencing are prohibited unless otherwise authorized by this certification. [15A NCAC 02H.0501
and .0502]
5. During the construction of the project, no staging of equipment of any kind is permitted in waters of the U.S.,
or protected riparian buffers. [I 5A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
6. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters must be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent
contamination of stream waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. [15A NCAC
02H.0506(b)(3)]
7. No rock, sand or other materials shall be dredged from the stream channel except where authorized by this
certification. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)]
8. When applicable, all construction activities shall be performed and maintained in full compliance with G.S.
Chapter 113A Article 4 (Sediment and Pollution Control Act of 1973). Regardless of applicability of the
Sediment and Pollution Control Act, all projects shall incorporate appropriate Best Management Practices for
the control of sediment and erosion so that no violations of state water quality standards, statutes, or rules
occur. [ 15A NCAC 02H .0506 {b)(3) and (c)(3) and 15A NCAC 02B .0200]
a. Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of all sediment and erosion control measures shall be
equal to or exceed the requirements specified in the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment
and Erosion Control Manual, or for linear transportation projects, the NCDOT Sediment and Erosion
Control Manual.
b. All devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) sites,
including contractor -owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project. Sufficient materials
required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures and stormwater routing and
treatment shall be on site at all times.
c. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures shall be designed, installed, operated,
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface Mining
Manual. Reclamation measures and implementation shall comply with the reclamation in accordance
with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act and the Mining Act of 1971.
d. If the project occurs in waters or watersheds classified as Primary Nursery Areas (PNAs), SA, WS-1,
WS-11, High Quality Waters (HQW), or Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), then the sedimentation
and erosion control designs shall comply with the requirements set forth in 15A NCAC 04B .0124,
Design Standards in Sensitive Watershed. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3); GC 4135]
9. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or surface waters or within 5 feet of the
top of bank without prior approval from DWR. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
10. Erosion control matting in riparian areas shall not contain a plastic or nylon mesh grid which can impinge and
entrap small animals. Matting should be secured in place by staples, stakes, or wherever possible live stakes of
native trees. Riparian areas are defined as a distance 25 feet from top of stream bank. [ 15A NCAC 02B.0201 ]
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
an— a L " �� 919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4D027D04-8058-4E8C-A7E1-82618CF1E39D
11. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable, then design and
placement of temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-
equilibrium of wetlands, stream beds, or banks, adjacent to or upstream and downstream of the above
structures. All sediment and erosion control devices shall be removed from wetlands and waters and the
natural grade restored within two (2) months of the date that the Division of Energy, Mining and Land
Resources (DEMLR) or locally delegated program has released the specific area within the project. [15A
NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3) and (c)(3)]
12. The use of rip -rap above the Normal High Water Mark shall be minimized. Any rip -rap placed for stream
stabilization shall be placed in stream channels in such a manner that it does not impede aquatic life passage.
[I5A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2)]
13. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0259(6), sediment and erosion control devices shall not be placed in Zone 1 of any
Tar -Pamlico Buffer without prior approval by the NCDWR. At this time, the NCDWR has approved no
sediment and erosion control devices in Zone 1, outside of the approved project impacts, anywhere on this
project. Moreover, sediment and erosion control devices shall be allowed in Zone 2 of the buffers provided
that Zone 1 is not compromised and that discharge is released as diffuse flow.
14. All riparian buffers impacted by the placement of temporary fill or clearing activities shall be restored to the
preconstruction contours and revegetated. Maintained buffers shall be permanently revegetated with non -
woody species by the end of the growing season following completion of construction. For the purpose of this
condition, maintained buffer areas are defined as areas within the transportation corridor that will be subject to
regular NCDOT maintenance activities including mowing. The area with non -maintained buffers shall be
permanently revegetated with native woody species before the next growing season following completion of
construction. (15A NCAC 213.0259)
15. All stormwater runoff shall be directed as sheetflow through stream buffers at non -erosive velocities, unless
otherwise approved by this certification. (15A NCAC 213.0259)
16. NCDOT shall be in compliance with the NCS00250 issued to the NCDOT, including the applicable requirements
of the NCGO 1000.
17. Native riparian vegetation must be reestablished in the riparian areas within the construction limits of the project
by the end of the growing season following completion of construction. [ 15A NCAC 02B.0506(b)(2)]
18. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment in or adjacent to surface waters
is prohibited. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(3)]
19. The permittee and its authorized agents shall conduct its activities in a manner consistent with State water quality
standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with §303(d) of the Clean Water Act) and any
other appropriate requirements of State and Federal law. If the NCDWR determines that such standards or laws
are not being met (including the failure to sustain a designated or achieved use) or that State or federal law is being
violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, the NCDWR may reevaluate and modify
this certification. [ 15A NCAC 02B.0200]
20. The Permittee shall report any violations of this certification to the Division of Water Resources within 24 hours
of discovery. [I 5A NCAC 02B.0506(b)(2)]
21. The NCDOT will conduct a pre -construction meeting with all appropriate staff to ensure that the project supervisor
and essential staff understand the permit conditions and any potential issues at the permitted site. NCDWR staff
shall be invited to the pre -construction meeting. [15A NCAC 02H.0506(b)(2) and (b)(3)]
22. Upon completion of the project (including any impacts at associated borrow or waste sites), the NCDOT Division
Engineer shall complete the "Certification of Completion Form" to notify the NCDWR when all work included in
the 401 Certification has been completed. [1 5A NCAC 02H.0502(f)]
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
an— a L " �� 919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4D027D04-8058-4E8C-A7E1 -82618CF1 E39D
23. A copy of this Water Quality Certification shall be maintained on the construction site at all times. In addition, the
Water Quality Certification and all subsequent modifications, if any, shall be maintained with the Division Engineer
and the on -site project manager. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c) and 15A NCAC 02H .0506 (b)(2) and (c)(2)]
If you wish to contest any statement in the attached Certification you must file a petition for an administrative
hearing. You may obtain the petition form from the office of Administrative hearings. You must file the petition
with the office of Administrative Hearings within sixty (60) days of receipt of this notice. A petition is considered
filed when it is received in the office of Administrative Hearings during normal office hours. The Office of
Administrative Hearings accepts filings Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, except
for official state holidays. The original and one (1) copy of the petition must be filed with the Office of
Administrative Hearings.
The petition may be faxed -provided the original and one copy of the document is received by the Office of
Administrative Hearings within five (5) business days following the faxed transmission.
The mailing address for the Office of Administrative Hearings is:
Office of Administrative Hearings
6714 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6714
Telephone: [phone], Facsimile: [phone]
A copy of the petition must also be served on DEQ as follows:
Mr. Bill F. Lane, General Counsel
Department of Environmental Quality
1601 Mail Service Center
This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Resources under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If you
have any questions, please contact Garcy Ward at [phone] or [e-mail].
Sincerely,
DOCUSigned by:
4&PK&n,
9C9886312DCD474...
S. Daniel Smith, Director
Division of Water Resources
Electronic copy only distribution:
Tom Steffens, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Field Office
Garcy Ward, NC Division of Water Resources Washington Regional Office
File Copy
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
an— a L " �� 919.707.9000

DocuSign Envelope ID: 4D027D04-8058-4E8C-A7E1 -82618CF1 E39D ..
ROY COOPER
Governor
MICHAEL S. REGAN
Secretary
S. DANIEL SMITH
Director
J }a
NORTH CAROLINA
Enleoronmertfrrt Quality
NCDWR Project No.:
Applicant:
Project Name:
County:
Date of Issuance of 401 Water Quality Certification:
Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules, and
any subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return this certificate to the 401 Transportation Permitting
Unit, North Carolina Division of Water Resources, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1617. This form
may be returned to NCDWR by the applicant, the applicant's authorized agent, or the project engineer. It is not
necessary to send certificates from all of these.
Applicant's Certification
I, , hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence
was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and
specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature:
Agent's Certification
Date:
I, , hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence
was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
compliance and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and
specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature:
Engineer's Certification
Partial Final
Date:
I, , as a duly registered Professional Engineer in the State of North
Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically, weekly, full time) the construction of the project for the
Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was used in the observation of the
construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial compliance and intent of the 401
Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications, and other supporting materials.
Signature
Date
Registration No.
D— E North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
�L-10. 512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
919.707.9000