HomeMy WebLinkAbout20091109 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20100204FCDE?R
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
February 4, 2010
Wake County
NCDWQ Project No. 20091109
Northside Loop & Juniper Road
Town of Wake Forest
Dee Freeman
Secretary
APPROVAL of 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION and NEUSE BUFFER AUTHORIZATION with
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Eric Keravuori, Director of Engineering
Town of Wake Forest
4011 Elm Avenue
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Dear Mr. Keravuori:
You have our approval, in accordance with the conditions listed below, for the following impacts for the purpose of
constructing the Northside Loop and realignment of Juniper Road in Wake Forest, Wake County:
Ctream rmnnets in the Neuse River Basin
Site Permanent Fill in Intermittent Stream
linear ft Permanent Fill in Perennial
Stream linear ft Total Stream Impact
linear ft
1 17 0 17
2 0 121 121
3 38 0 38
4 0 12 12
5 0 138 138
Total 55 271 326
Total Stream Impact for Project: 326 linear feet.
Wetland Impacts in the Neuse River Basin
Site Permanent Fill ac Total Wetland Impact ac
1 <0.01 <0.0I
Total <0.01 <0.01
Total Wetland Impact for Project: <0.01 acres.
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: 919-733-1786 1 FAX: 919-733-6893
Internet: http:llh2o.enr.state.nc.uslncwetlandsl
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An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
Neuse Riparian Buffer Impacts
Site Zone 1 minus = Zone I Zone 1 Buffer Zone 2 minus = Zone 2 Zone 2 Buffer
Impact Wetlands Buffers (not Mitigation Impact Wetlands Buffers Mitigation
(sq ft) in Zone I wetlands) Required (sq ft) in Zone 2 (not Required (using
(sq ft) (sq ft) (using 3:1 ratio) (sq ft) wetlands) 1.5:1 ratio)
s fit)
2 4590 0 4590 N/A 1809 0 1809 N/A
3 1454 0 1454 N/A 920 0 920 N/A
4 683 0 683 N/A 487 0 487 N/A
5 6850 0 6850 N/A 3881 0 3881 N/A
LS F 362 0 362 N/A 273 0 273 N/A
LS E 550 0 550 N/A 354 0 354 N/A
LS D 0 0 0 N/A 230 0 230 N/A
LS B 416 0 416 N/A 364 0 364 N/A
LS H 526 0 526 N/A 788 0 788 N/A
Totals 15,431 0 15,431 0 9,106 0 9,106 0
* n/a = Total for Site is less than 1 /3 acre and 150 linear feet of impact, no mitigation required
Total Buffer Impact for Project: 24,537 square feet.
The project shall be constructed in accordance with your application dated received October 15, 2009 and additional
information received November 17, 2009 and January 19, 2010. After reviewing your application, we have decided
that these impacts are covered by General Water Quality Certification Number 3704. This certification corresponds
to the Nationwide Permit 14 issued by the Corps of Engineers. This approval is also valid for the Neuse Riparian
Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 2B.0233). 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, State Stormwater, 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 NCDWQ 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 150 linear feet, compensatory mitigation may be required as
described in I5A NCAC 2H .0506 (h) (6) and (7). Additional buffer impacts may require compensatory mitigation
as described in 15A NCAC 02B.0242. For this approval to remain valid, you must adhere to the conditions listed in
the attached certification and any additional conditions listed below.
Conditions of Certification:
1. For areas draining to waters classified by the NC Environmental Management Commission as WS-II, HQW (Smith
Creek and its tributaries), stormwater shall be directed to vegetated buffer areas, grass-lined ditches or other means
appropriate to the site for the purpose of pre-treating storm water runoff prior to discharging directly into streams.
Mowing of existing vegetated buffers is strongly discouraged.
2. In areas draining to waters classified as WS-II, HOW, tall fescue shall not be used in the establishment of
temporary or permanent groundcover within riparian meas. For the establislunent of permanent herbaceous cover,
erosion control matting shall be used in conjunction with appropriate seeding on disturbed soils within the riparian
area and on disturbed steep slopes with the following exception. Erosion control matting is not necessary if the area
is contained by perimeter erosion control devices such as silt fence, temporary sediment ditches, basins, etc.
Matting should be secured in place with staples, stakes, or wherever possible, live stakes of native trees. Erosion
control matting placed in riparian areas shall not contain a nylon mesh grid, which can impinge and entrap small
animals. For the establishment of temporary groundcover within riparian areas, hydroseeding along with wood or
cellulose based hydro mulch applied from a fertilizer- and limestone-free tank is allowable at the appropriate rate in
conjunction with the erosion control measures. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and wood or cellulose mulch into
surface waters in prohibited. Riparian areas are defined as a distance 25 feet landward from top of stream bank.
3. The permittee shall use Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds [15A NCAC 4B.0124(a)-(e)] in areas draining
to WS-II, HQW waters. Temporary cover (wheat, millet, or similar annual grain) or permanent herbaceous cover
shall be planted on all bare soil within 15 business days of ground disturbing activities to provide erosion control.
4. All stormwater runoff shall be directed as sheetflow through stream buffers at nonerosive velocities, unless
otherwise approved by this certification.
5. 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
transportation 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.
6. Pursuant to NCACI5A 2B.0233(6), sediment and erosion control devices shall not be placed in Zone l of any
Neuse Buffer without prior approval by NCDWQ. At this time, NCDWQ has approved no sediment and erosion
control devices in Zone I, 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 I is not compromised and that
discharge is released as diffuse flow.
7. Unless otherwise approved in this certification, placement of culverts and other structures in open waters and
streams shall be placed 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 NCDWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due
to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact NCDWQ for guidance on how to
proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required.
8. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall 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.
9. Riprap shall 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.
10. For all streams being impacted due to site dewatering activities, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction
contours and revegetated with appropriate native species.
11. The stream channel shall be excavated no deeper than the natural bed material of the stream, to the maximum
extent practicable. Efforts must be made to minimize impacts to the stream banks, as well as to vegetation responsible
for maintaining the stream bank stability. Any applicable riparian buffer impact for access to stream channel shall be
temporary and be revegetated with native riparian species.
12. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact between
caring concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be dischareed to
sw face waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and Fish kills.
13. 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.
14. The dimension, pattern and profile of the stream above and below the crossing shall not be modified.
Disturbed floodplains and streams shall be restored to natural geomorphic conditions.
15. 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.
16. The Permittee shall ensure that the final design drawings adhere to the permit and to the permit drawings
submitted for approval.
17. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. 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 shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
18. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to minimize
sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream.
19. 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.
20. No rock, sand or other materials shall be dredged from the stream channel except where authorized by this
certification.
21. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment in or adjacent to surface
waters is prohibited.
22. 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 NCDWQ 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, NCDWQ may reevaluate and modify this certification.
23. Due to increased impervious surface in an HOW watershed, this project may require a State Stormwater Permit
from the DWQ Raleigh Regional Office (PRO). If the RRO determines that a State Stormwater Permit is required, no
construction on this project may begin until such permit is applied for, and issued.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. The Permittee shall report any violations of this certification to the Division of Water Quality within 24 hours of
discovery.
28. Upon completion of the project (including any impacts at associated borrow or waste sites), the project manager
shall complete and return the enclosed "Certification of Completion Form" to notify NCDWQ when all work included
in the 401 Certification has been completed.
29. Native woody riparian vegetation (i.e., trees and shrubs native to your geographic region) must be reestablished
within the construction limits of the project by the end of the growing season following completion of construction.
30. There shall be no excavation from, or waste disposal into, jurisdictional wetlands or waters associated with this
permit without appropriate modification. Should waste or borrow sites, or access roads to waste or borrow sites, be
located in wetlands or streams, compensatory mitigation will be required since that is a direct impact from road
construction activities.
31. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters unless otherwise approved by
this Certification.
32. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing the proper
design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in order to protect surface
waters standards:
a. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated, and
maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion
Control Planning and Design Manual.
b. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures
must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the most recent version of the
North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all
construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor-owned or leased
borrow pits associated with the project.
c. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed, installed, operated,
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface Mining
Manual.
d. The reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in accordance with
the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act.
If you do not accept any of the conditions of this certification, you may ask for an adjudicatory, hearing. You must act
within 60 days of the date that you receive this letter. To ask for a hearing, send a written petition that conforms to
Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699. This certification and its conditions are final and binding unless you ask for a hearing.
This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If you
have any questions, please contact Rob Ridings at 919-733-9817.
Sincerely,
olee H. Sullins
Director
Cc: US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Bob Zarzecki, Soil & Environmental Consultants
NCDWQ Raleigh Regional Office
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