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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110984 Ver 1_Memorandum of Understanding_20101103r r? 99_p?q ?t,_ HV S?EINR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Governor Director November 3, 2010 NIENIORANDUNI Dee Freeman Secretary To: Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs From: Mason 1 lerndon, Division of Water Quality, Fayetteville Regional Office A// Subject: Comments on the Finding of No Significant Impact related to proposed replacements of 12, 18 and 24, Bladen County, Federal Aid Project No. 131;tS"l-p-0011 (9), State Project No. 8.1421401, TIP B-4028, State Clearinghouse Project No. 11-0096. This office has reviewed the referenced document dated September 23, 2010. The NC Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) is responsible for the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities that impact Waters of the U.S., including wetlands. It is our understanding that the project as presented will result in impacts tojurisdictional wetlands, streams, and other surface waters. NCDWQ offers the following comments based on review of the aforementioned document: Project Specific Comments: Although this project is not being proposed to be placed in the 404/NEPA Merger Process. Given the complexity of this project and the potentially substantial impacts tojurisdictional resources associated with the project; NCDWQ would like the opportunity to review and comment on the project's preliminary plans typically provided at the 413 and 4C stage of the Merger Process. General Comments: 2. The environmental document shall provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. If mitigation is necessary as required by 15A NCAC 2H.0506(11),.it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification. 3. Environmental assessment alternatives shall consider design criteria that reduce the impacts to streams and wetlands from storm water runoff. These alternatives shall include road designs that allow for treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of Stormwater Best Management Practices, such as grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc. Transportation Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center. Raleigh. North Carolina 27699-1650 Location. 2321 Crabtree Blvd.. Raleigh, North Cooing 27604 Phone: 919-733-1786 1 FAX: 919-733-6893 Internet'. mtp91h2o.enr.state.m; uslncv+eltands) Ch1e Nc)rthG.lhOLn;) ??; ?? ?`crtnlltf An Equal Oplemunay 1 Allirmxive Ataon Employer 1 v' 4. After the selection of the preferred alternative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification, the NCDOT is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetlands (and streams) to the maximum extent practical. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules {l 5A NCAC 21-1.0506(h)), mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than I acre to wetlands. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values. The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be available for use as wetland mitigation. 5. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules { 15A NCAC 2H.0506(11)1, mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any single stream. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values. The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be available for use as stream mitigation. 6. Future documentation, including the 401 Water Quality Certification Application, shall continue to include an itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponding mapping. 7. NCDN'Q is very concerned with-sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NC DOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts. 8. An analysis of cumulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this project is required. The type and detail of analysis shall conform to the NC Division of Water Quality Policy on the assessment of secondary and cumulative impacts dated April 10, 2004. 9. NC DOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, fill, excavation and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, streams, and riparian buffers need to be included in the final impact calculations. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts, temporary or otherwise, also need to be included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification Application. 10. Where streams must be crossed, NCD)AIQ prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts. However, we realize that economic considerations often require the use of culverts. Please be advised that culverts shall be countersunk to allow unimpeded passage by fish and other aquatic organisms. Moreover, in areas where high quality wetlands or streams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, DOI' should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the maximum extent practicable. 11. Whenever possible, NCDWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within the stream or grubbing of the streambanks and do not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall not be blocked. Bridge supports (buts) shall not be placed in the stream when possible. 12. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall 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 the most current version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices. \ l 13. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or streams. 14. Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in borrow/waste areas will need to be presented in the 401 Water Quality Certification and could precipitate compensatory mitigation. 15. The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed methods for stormwater management. More specifically, stormwater shall not be permitted to discharge directly into streams or surface waters. 16. Based on the information presented in the document, the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and streams may require an Individual Permit (IP) application to the Corps of Engineers and corresponding 401 Water Quality Certification. Please be advised that a 401 Water Quality Certification requires satisfactory protection of water quality to ensure that water quality standards are met and no wetland or stream uses are lost. Final permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal application by the NCDOT and written concurrence from the NCDWQ. Please be aware that any approval will be contingent on appropriate avoidance and minimization of wetland and stream impacts to the maximum extent practical, the development of an acceptable stormwater management plan, and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate. 17. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be. maintained to prevent direct contact between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured coma etc shall not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills. 18. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its pi econstruction contours and elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and appropriate native woody species shall be planted. When using temporary structures the area shall be cleared but not grubbed. Clearing the area with chain saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or other mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re-vegetate naturally and minimizes soil disturbance. 19. Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands 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. 20. 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, fioodplain benches, and/or sills may be required 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. 21. If foundation test borings are necessary: it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities. 22. Sediment and erosion control measures sufficient to protect water resources must be implemented and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250. . 23. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry, work area. Approved BMP nteasm es fi om 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. 24. While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of Wetland Significance (NC-CREWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools, their inherent inaccuracies require that qualified personnel perform onsite wetland delineations prior to permit approval. 25. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams. This equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. 26. 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 shall be properly designed, sized and installed. 27. Riparian vegetation (native trees and shrubs) shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. Riparian vegetation must be reestablished within the construction limits of the project by the end of the growing season following completion of construction. The NCDWQ appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on your project. Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact Mason Herndon at (910) 308-4021. cc: Ronnie Smith, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office Clarence Coleman, Federal Highway Administration Jim Rerko, Division 6 Environmental Officer Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only) Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission Sonia Carrillo, NCDWQ Central Office File Copy