20081143 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20101104

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
November 4, 2010
DWQ# 08-1143
Alamance County
M. Randall Turner
Restoration Systems LLC
1101 Haynes St.
Raleigh, NC 27604
APPROVAL of 401 Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions
Dear Mr. Turner,
You have our approval to conduct stream restoration and enhancement activities, in accordance with the attached
conditions, along a total of approximately 3687 existing linear feet of Cripple Creek and multiple unnamed tributaries to
Cripple Creek located in the Burlington area in Alamance County, as described in your application for the Cripple
Creek Mitigation Bank received by the Division of Water Quality on September20, 2010 and additional information
received October 25, 2010. After reviewing your application, we have determined that this activity is covered by
General Water Quality Certification Number 3689, which can be viewed on our web site at
http://www.ncwaterquality.org/wetlands.html. This Certification allows you to use Nationwide Permit Number 27
when it is issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, you should secure any other applicable federal,
state or local permits before you proceed with your project, including (but not limited to) those required by Sediment
and Erosion Control, Non -Discharge, and Water Supply Watershed regulations. Also, this approval will expire when
the accompanying 404 permit expires unless otherwise specified in the General Certification.
This approval is valid only for the purpose and design that you have described in your application. If you change your
project, you must notify us in writing, and you may be required to send us a new application for a new certification. If
the property is sold, the new owner must be given a copy of the Certification and approval letter and is thereby
responsible for complying with all conditions. For this approval to be valid, you must follow the conditions listed in
the attached certification, as well as the additional conditions listed below:
The following impacts are hereby approved as long as all other specific and general conditions of this
Certification are met. No other impacts, including incidental impacts, are approved:
Location Identifier
Amount Approved
Type of Impact
Trib 1, Trib 2, Trib 3,
3687 linear feet
Restoration and Enhancement, see design
Trib 4 and Main
Channel
Wetlands
8.8 acres
Restoration and Enhancement, see design
2. The Permittee shall ensure that the "Marsh Treatment Area" (BMP) is contained within the conservation easement
and shall indicate such on the As -Built drawings submitted to the Division.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Winston-Salem Regional Office
Location: 585 Waughtown St. Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27107 One
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 NorthCarolina
Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org ;Va ` lyra jt//'ff
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer `

Cripple Creek Mitigation Bank
DWQ# 08-1143
November 4, 2010
Page 2 of 3
3. Natural fiber matting is recommended for streambank stabilization over plastic matting that can entrap small
animals.
4. Water shall not be released into the new channel until the stream and banks are stabilized with vegetation, or
sufficient natural matting.
5. You have our approval for your proposed final stream enhancement/restoration plan. The stream
restoration/enhancement must be constructed, maintained, and monitored according to the plans approved by this
Office. Any repairs or adjustments to the site must be made according to the approved plans or must receive
written approval from this Office to make the repairs or adjustments.
6. Approval of the restoration plan and issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification means that DWQ has
determined that the proposed activity will not remove or degrade significant existing uses of the surface water
(15A NCAC 2H .0506(a)). The issuance does not represent an approval of credit yield for the project.
7. Upon finishing the project, the Applicant shall fill out and return the enclosed "Certificate of Completion"
to notify NCDWQ when all work included in the §401 Certification has been completed. This certificate
should be returned to the Winston-Salem Regional Office of the NC Division of Water Quality at the
address listed on the form. Along with the Certificate of Completion, please send photographs showing the
restored stream reach.
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 which conforms to
Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6714. 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 telephone Sue Homewood in the DWQ Winston-Salem Regional Office at 336-771-4964.
Sincerely,
rJ Coleen H. Sullins, Director
f Division of Water Quality
Attachments
cc: Andy Williams, Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Regulatory Field Office (via email)
DWQ Winston-Salem Regional Office
DWQ Wetlands/401

Cripple Creek Mitigation Bank
DWQ# 08-1143
November 4, 2010
Page 3 of 3
DWQ Project No.:
County:
Applicant:
Project Name:
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./Wetlands Unit, North Carolina
Division of Water Quality, 1621 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1621. This form may be returned to DWQ 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: Date:
Agent's Certification
1, , 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:
Engineer's Certification
Partial Final
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 preject,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 Registration No.
Date
Water Quality Certification No. 3689
GENERAL CERTIFICATION FOR STREAM RESTORATION, ENHANCEMENT AND
STABILIZATION PROJECTS AND WETLAND AND RIPARIAN RESTORATION AND
CREATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR U.S. ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS NATIONWIDE PERMIT NUMBERS 13 (BANK STABILIZATION) AND
27 (WETLAND AND RIPARIAN RESTORATION AND CREATION),
AND REGIONAL PERMIT 197800080 (BULKHEADS AND RIPRAP)
AND RIPARIAN AREA PROTECTION RULES (BUFFER RULES)
Water Quality Certification Number 3689 is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section
401, Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina
Division of Water Quality Regulations in 15A NCAC 2H .0500 and 15A NCAC 2B .0200 for the
discharge of fill material to waters as described in 33 CFR 330 Appendix A (B) (13) and (27) of
the Corps of Engineers regulations (i.e., Nationwide Permit Numbers 13 and 27) and Regional
Permit 197800080. The category of activities shall include stream bank stabilization or stream
restoration activity as long as impacts to waters or significant wetlands are minimized; wetland
and riparian restoration or creation; and the construction and maintenance of bulkheads on non-
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) lakes.
The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category of activity will not violate
applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217
if conducted in accordance with the conditions set forth.
All proposed fill or modification of wetlands and/or waters, including streams and streambanks,
under this General Certification requires application to, and written approval from the Division of
Water Quality (the "Division"), regardless of the purpose of the restoration, enhancement,
stabilization, or creation activity.
Bank Stabilization projects qualifying for Nationwide Permit 13 for erosion protection of up to 500
feet of stream banks to protect property are exempt from the requirement for written approval.
Any impacts to riparian buffers associated with this work in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Randleman
and Catawba River Basins (or any other basins with Riparian Area Protection Rules [Buffer
Rules] in effect at the time of application [in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0200]) will require
written approval, unless the activities are listed as "EXEMPT" from these Rules.
In accordance with North Carolina General Statute Section 143-215.3D(e), written approval for a
401 Water Quality General Certification must include the appropriate fee. If a project also
requires a CAMA Permit, then one payment to both agencies shall be submitted and will be the
higher of the two fees.
Conditions of Certification:
1. Activities shall meet the definitions, design, and monitoring protocols specified within the US
Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL02-02) and
the Stream Mitigation Guidelines (April 2003) or any subsequent updates to these
documents.
2. No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands, waters, or riparian areas
beyond the footprint of the impacts depicted in the Pre-construction Notification and/or those
authorized by this Certification, including incidental impacts. All construction activities,
including the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of sediment and erosion control
Water Quality Certification No. 3689
Water Quality Certification No. 3689
Best Management Practices, shall be performed so that no violations of state water quality
standards, statutes, or rules occur.
3. Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Practices
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:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. Reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the requirements of the
Sedimentation Pollution Control Act and the Mining Act of 1971.
d. Sufficient materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures
and stormwater routing and treatment shall be on site at all times, except for publicly
funded linear transportation projects when materials can be accessed offsite in a timely
manner..
e. If the project occurs in waters or watersheds classified as Primary Nursery Areas
(PNA's), Trout (Tr), SA, WS-I, WS-11, High Quality (HQW), or Outstanding Resource
(ORW) waters, then the sediment and erosion control requirements contained within
Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B .0124) supercede all other
sediment and erosion control requirements.
4. No Sediment and Erosion Control Measures in Wetlands or Waters
Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or waters outside
of the permitted impact areas without prior approval by the Division. If placement of sediment
and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable, design and placement of
temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in
dis-equilibrium of wetlands or stream beds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down
stream of the above structures. All sediment and erosion control devices shall be removed
and the natural grade restored within two (2) months of the date that the Division of Land
Resources or locally delegated program has released the project.
5. Construction Stormwater Permit NCG010000
Upon the approval of an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan issued by the Division of
Land Resources (DLR) or a DLR delegated local erosion and sedimentation control program,
an NPDES General stormwater permit (NCG010000) administered by the Division is
automatically issued to the project. This General Permit allows stormwater to be discharged
during land disturbing construction activities as stipulated by conditions in the permit. If your
project is covered by this permit [applicable to construction projects that disturb one (1) or
more acres], full compliance with permit conditions including the sedimentation control plan,
self-monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements are required. A copy of this
permit and monitoring report forms may be found at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/su/Forms Documents.htm.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) shall be required to be in full
compliance with the conditions related to construction activities within the most recent version
of their individual NPDES (NCS000250) stormwater permit.
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Water Quality Certification No. 3689
6. Construction Moratoriums and Coordination
If activities must occur during periods of high biological activity (i.e. sea turtle or bird nesting)
then biological monitoring may be required at the request of other state or federal agencies
and coordinated with these activities. This condition can be waived through written
concurrence on a case by case basis upon reasonable justification.
All moratoriums on construction activities established by the NC Wildlife Resources
Commission (WRC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NC Division of Marine Fisheries
(DMF), or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to lessen impacts on trout, anadromous
fish, larval/post-larval fishes and crustaceans, or other aquatic species of concern shall be
implemented. This condition can be waived through written concurrence on a case by case
basis upon reasonable justification.
Work within the twenty-five (25) designated trout counties or identified state or federal
endangered or threatened species habitat shall be coordinated with the appropriate W RC
USFWS, NMFS, and/or DMF personnel.
NC Wildlife Resources Commission will not object to construction of Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) 'urgent and compelling' sites during the spawning period
provided these projects are, to the extent appropriate and practical, constructed by:
a. Using flow diversion structures such as sandbags;
b. Placing large-size rock toes and filter cloth backing for stabilization sites before
backfilling; and
c. Excavating new channel alignments in dry areas.
Construction at non-'urgent and compelling' sites shall not occur during the spawning period
to minimize the potential adverse effects of multiple construction activities on trout or
anadromous fish resources in this stream.
7. Work in the Dry
All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved
best management practices from the most current version of the NC Sediment and Erosion
Control Manual, or the NC DOT Construction and Maintenance Activities Manual, such as
sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams, and other diversion structures shall be used to minimize
excavation in flowing water. Exceptions to this condition require submittal to, and approval
by, the Division.
8. Riparian Area Protection (Buffer) Rules
Activities located in the protected 50-foot wide riparian areas (whether jurisdictional wetlands
or not) within the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Randleman, Catawba (or any other basin with buffer
rules), shall be limited to "uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with 15A
NCAC 2B .0233, .0259, .0250 and .0243, and shall be located, designed, constructed, and
maintained to have minimal disturbance to protect water quality to the maximum extent
practicable through the use of best management practices. All buffer rule requirements,
including diffuse flow requirements, must be met.
9. Water Supply Watershed Buffers
The 100-foot wide (high-density development) or the 30-foot wide vegetative buffer (all other
development) must be maintained adjacent to all perennial waters except for allowances as
Water Quality Certification No. 3689
Water Quality Certification No. 3689
provided in the Water Supply Watershed Protection Rules [15A NCAC 2B .0212 through
.0215].
10. If concrete is used during the construction, then 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/fish kills.
11. Any rip-rap shall be of such a size and density so as not to be able to be carried off by wave
or current action and consist of clean rock or masonry material free of debris or toxic
pollutants. Rip-rap shall not be installed in the streambed except in specific areas required for
velocity control and to ensure structural integrity of bank stabilization measures. If rip-rap is
to be installed within the streambed, the amount and location must be approved in writing by
the Division of Land Resources and Division of Water Quality. However, rock vanes, wing
deflectors, and similar structures for grade control and bank protection are acceptable.
12. If an environmental document is required under NEPA or SEPA, then this General
Certification is not valid until a Finding of No Significant Impact or Record of Decision is
issued by the State Clearinghouse.
13. Additional site-specific conditions maybe added to the written approval attached to this
Certification in order to ensure compliance with all applicable water quality and effluent
standards.
14.This Certification shall expire three (3) years from the date of the approval letter from DWQ or
on the same day as the corresponding Nationwide Permit. In accordance with General
Statute 136-44.713, certifications issued to the NCDOT shall expire only upon expiration of the
federal 404 Permit. The conditions in effect on the date of issuance of Certification for a
specific project shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the expiration
date of this Certification. If the construction process for approved activities will overlap the
expiration and renewal date of the corresponding 404 Permit and the Corps allows for
continued use of the 404 Permit, then the General Certification shall also remain in effect
without requiring re-application and re-approval to use this Certification for the specific
impacts already approved.
15. The applicant/permittee and their authorized agents shall conduct all 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 Division determines that such standards or laws are not being
met, including 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, then the
Division may reevaluate and modify this General Water Quality Certification.
16. Certificate of Completion
When written authorization is required for use of this certification, upon completion of all
permitted impacts included within the approval and any subsequent modifications, the
applicant shall be required to return the certificate of completion attached to the approval.
One copy of the certificate shall be sent to the DWQ Central Office in Raleigh at 1650 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650.
Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set forth by a specific project shall result
in revocation of this Certification for the project and may also result in criminal and/or civil
penalties.
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The Director of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality may require submission of a formal
application for Individual Certification for any project in this category of activity if it is determined
that the project is likely to have a significant adverse effect upon water quality including state or
federally listed endangered or threatened aquatic species or degrade the waters so that existing
uses of the wetland or downstream waters are precluded.
Public hearings may be held for specific applications or group of applications prior to a
Certification decision if deemed in the public's best interest by the Director of the North Carolina
Division of Water Quality.
Effective date: November 1, 2007
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
By
Coleen H. Sullins
Director
History Note: Water Quality Certification Number 3689 replaces Water Quality Certification
(WQC) Number 3399 issued March 2003, Water Quality Certification (WQC) Number 3495
issued December 31, 2004, and Water Quality Certification (WQC) Number 3626 issued March
2007. This WQC is rescinded when the Corps of Engineers reauthorizes Nationwide Permits 13
or 27 or Regional Permit 197800080 or when deemed appropriate by the Director of the Division
of Water Quality.
Water Quality Certification No. 3689