20140762 Ver 4_RE_ sediment loss on R-2915 C_20200414

Wanucha, Dave
From:Hining, Kevin J
Sent:Tuesday, April 14, 2020 10:25 AM
To:Wanucha, Dave
Subject:RE: sediment loss on R-2915 C
Sounds good – I’m going to have an additional sediment loss report sometime today to you for HWY 268 in Wilkes
County. I’m waiting to hear back from them on the quantity. They sent me a report late afternoon yesterday, but I had
a couple questions for them and haven’t heard back. We also had a couple pipe failures in Ashe that were reported
yesterday afternoon, so I’m waiting to hear back about them. They may have some sediment losses associated with
them as well.

We had a couple small slides on 221 C, but looks like the sediment was contained before reaching Old Field
Creek. Sadly, a house served as a EC device for one of the slides (near the 84” pipe with welded baffles), leaving mud on
their driveway and deck. Hopefully nothing got in the house. All that said, it does look like the majority of rain fell along
the South Fork New, around Lemly Hill, so my guess is that’s why the crews didn’t report additional losses on other parts
of the project. The spots I toured looked better than I thought they would. I’m just hoping things can dry up a little
before the next storm. Now that the trout moratorium is almost over, we hope to knock several items out.

I’m definitely keeping my distance from others for site visits, and actually trying to do them when others aren’t around if
I can. Hopefully things will improve before to long!

Kevin

From: Wanucha, Dave <[e-mail]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 10:04 AM
To: Hining, Kevin J <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: sediment loss on R-2915 C

Thanks for the update. A huge storm event for sure. I’m surprised that the Lemly Rd area was the only area
that lost sediment along the project, although storm events can be spotty. I have seen Lemly Rd area in the
past and the koi ponds with expensive fish I understand. Make sure the crews remove all the sediment
possible and restore EC measures where needed, and be sure that NPDES records are up to date and accurate
noting the sediment losses/cleanup/repairs. I’ll place these emails in the project file for future reference.

I need to review the project again soon but waiting to see how all the mitigation efforts lessen flu impacts
before venturing out too much. I’ll let you know.

Stay safe.

Dave W.

Division of Water Resources
401 & Buffer Transportation Permitting
NC Department of Envirionmental Quality

1

336-776-9703 office
336-403-5655 mobile
[e-mail]

NC DEQ Winston Salem Regional Office
450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Winston Salem, NC 27106

Based on the current guidance to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Environmental Quality has
adjusted operations to protect the health and safety of the staff and public. Many employees are working remotely or
are on staggered shifts. To accommodate these staffing changes, all DEQ office locations are limiting public access to
appointments only. Please check with the appropriate staff before visiting our offices, as we may be able to handle your
requests by phone or email. We appreciate your patience as we continue to serve the public during this challenging
time.

From: Hining, Kevin J <[e-mail]>
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2020 5:40 PM
To: Wanucha, Dave <[e-mail]>
Subject: sediment loss on R-2915 C

Hey Dave,

Hope all is well!

We ended up with 5-6 inches of rain in Ashe County last night, and while the R-2915 A and B sections held up well, we
lost sediment on the C section. Specifically, to a tributary of the South Fork New River, and two adjacent ditches that
feed the South Fork New. All three sites are close to each other – nr the beginning of the C section, just north of the
South Fork New River. I attached a map of the area and the three sediment loss sites, as well as photos.

The contractor was on site first thing this morning cleaning up. While I’m sure some of the sediment entered the South
Fork New River, and was lost to the river, they were able to capture approximately 10 cubic yards from the UT and
adjoining floodplain/yards on Lemly Road (I’m guessing you have visited the site before). The site is residential, so along
with sediment from R-2915 C there was also quite a bit of gravel from the private road/driveway and there were three
settling ponds that also washed away that the landowner had built in the stream to help filter sediment from a koi pond
that they have. That’s all to say, while it was a lot of material, not all of the material we collected came from the R-2915
C project. I attached a photo of the UT, as well as a photo of the private road.

Also, there are two adjacent ditches (labeled east side and west side ditch in photos) at the beginning of the C section
that flow into the South Fork New. Both ditches were full of sediment today and will need to be cleaned out. I’m sure
some sediment from both ditches entered the South Fork New, but not sure how much. The whole floodplain was
under water before I arrived, so its hard to say how much washed into the river, but I would estimate and hope that any
loss to the river was minimal.

Thanks and let me know if you need any additional information.

Kevin

Kevin Hining
Division 11 Environmental Officer
North Carolina Department of Transportation

336 903 9129 office
2

828-386-7202 cell
[e-mail]

801 Statesville Rd.
PO Box 250
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
_____________________________________________________________

Email correspondence to and from this sender is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
3