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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20061798 Ver 6_Notice of Violation_20110307r=?-'`lq8 v? ?dB Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor Coleen H. Sullins Director Dee Freeman Secretary March 7, 2011 Summerwind Plantation, LLC Attn: Mr. Ronald J. Mikesh 1402 Chester Road Raleigh, NC 27608 Ms. Catherine Cralle Jones Law Offices of F. Bryan Brice, Jr. 5 W Hargett St., Suite 200 Raleigh, NC 27601 Subject: DWQ Response to Summerwind Response to Notice of Continuing Violation and Recommendation for Enforcement (NOV-2011-PC-0051) Summerwind Plantation Phases IA & 1B and Lots DWQ Project# 06-1798 Ver. 6 Johnston County Dear Mr. Mikesh and Attorney Jones: On January 20, 2011, the Raleigh Regional Office of the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) received a restoration plan via email from Ron Mikesh for Summerwind Plantation, LLC. Natalie Landry (DWQ) and Ron Mikesh corresponded back and forth about the Plan via email several times between January 20th and February 2, 2011. On January 24, 2011, DWQ issued Notice of Continuing Violation and Recommendation for Enforcement (NOCV) to Summerwind Plantation based on a December 21, 2010 site inspection. On February 16, 2011, DWQ received a response to the NOCV via email from Catherine Cralle Jones (Law Office of F. Bryan Brice, Jr.) on behalf of Summerwind Plantation, LLC. A hardcopy arrive at the Raleigh Regional Office on February 18, 2011. The Response to the NOCV incorporated much of the Restoration Plan that Mr. Mikesh and I had discussed, with additional details. I will use the NOCV Response Exhibit #1 Streams & Buffers format in this response in the hope that it is makes sense to all readers. The organization of this response uses "Impact Areas" originally assigned in the wetland application process (Pre- Construction Notification-PCN) and used by Ms. Cralle Jones in Exhibit #1. There is one exception to this organization and that is Impact Area #1. The original Impact Area #1 referred to the proposed pier on the existing pond and the associated buffer impacts but in the case of Exhibit #1, Impact Area #1 refers to off-site sedimentation impacts on the northwestern edge of the property. North Carolina Division of Water Quality Raleigh Regional Office Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org 1628 Mail Service Center NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Surface Water Protection Raleigh, NC 27699-1628 NorthCarolina Nattrra!!'y Phone (919) 791-4200 Customer Service FAX (919) 788-7159 877-623-6748 An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper Summerwind Plantation, LLC March 7, 2011 Page 2 Impact Area #1: Exhibit #1 (dated 2/10/11) refers to loss of sediment outside limits of disturbance from a basin in this area of the subdivision. The Exhibit #1 text states that the basin will be converted to a permanent wetland detention basin once approval for conversion is given by DLR. DWQ response: In addition to sediment loss outside the limits of disturbance from this basin, there was sediment loss from other basins in this vicinity and from failed silt fence as documented in the initial NOV. During the 8/14/09 site visit with Carolina Ecosystems, sediment deposition was not observed; however, sediment disposition has been observed below the silt fence and basins on another subsequent occasion (9/21/10). Summerwind should refer to the self-reporting NPDES BMP monitoring records to identify any areas where sediment has been lost outside erosion and sedimentation controls that are monitored on a weekly basis and ensure that sediment is cleaned up appropriately. Photo 1: sediment deposition and washed stone below a Impact Area #2: Bridge and riser basin. sediment basin at Summerwind. Exhibit #1 (dated 2/10/11 and hardcopy received by DWQ 2/18/11) proposes to lay back approximately 120 linear feet of stream bank slope (both sides) to at least 1.5:1 slope and overlay with geo-tech fabric and then install 12-18 inches of riprap armoring. The text states that the stream bed is stable and is not planned to be entered during the work. The NOCV Response included Exhibit 3(a) Bridge. The drawing shows an extension of the existing riprap over new areas depicted on the drawing using 12-18" thickness over filter fabric. The riprap will not be placed in the stream (as depicted). DWQ response: Summerwind Plantation, LLC will need to monitor this restoration annually for a 3-year period. The monitoring should consist of visual observations of the length of the stabilized stream banks for signs of stream bed degradation and stream bank erosion. If the banks begin to fail or fail, they must be immediately repaired. If the stream bed within this remediated reach begins to degrade or incise, Summerwind must submit a stabilization plan, including mitigation, to DWQ. (Refer to the Monitoring information below for more details.) Impact Area #3: North of Colonial Pipeline Exhibit #1 text describes the loss of sediment from basins in 2008 and subsequent stabilization of slopes. The proposed action for this area by Summerwind is to overseed and fertilize upslope areas once the daily temperature averages 50 degrees. DWQ response: Agreed Summerwind Plantation, LLC March 7, 2011 Page 3 Impact Area #4: North of Impact Area #3 Exhibit #1 text describes loss of sediment from basins in 2008 and states that slopes were stabilized and a larger basin was designed and installed. DWQ response: During the 12/21/10 inspection by DWQ, Traps 9 and 9A (in the vicinity of Impact Area #4) as depicted on the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan were not being maintained properly and concentrated flow below these traps was occurring in the riparian buffer zone. These traps must be maintained and monitored regularly as part of the required NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit Conditions and the trap outlets must be fixed to provide diffuse flow into the Neuse Riparian Buffer. Impact Area #5: Downstream of #3 and #4 and the location of retaining wall road crossing. Exhibit #1 text describes that sediment basin #11 which is situated NW of the road crossing was undersized, although approved, and overflowed in rain events during road crossing construction and sediment migrated into buffer and stream and deposited behind the temporary check dam. Summerwind proposes to install a silt fence downstream of the temporary check dam at the retaining wall corrugated metal pipe (CMP). And, a temporary check dam will be installed upstream of sediment and a 4" gravity pipe will be installed and accompany hose will be run through the silt fence and into the retaining wall CMP. The gravity hose connection will serve to de-water the sediment to be removed. Care will be taken to not affect the existing stream bed and no additional impacts to the buffer will occur. No mechanical equipment will be used in the stream although an excavator bucket will be utilized on a 25-foot arm and a spotter will be in- stream to guide sediment removal. Work along the stream bank and in the buffer will be done by hand. Sediment will be removed from the buffer area and laid out in lifts in the area under construction along Marsh Creek Drive and then seeded and stabilized. At the completion of the clean-up, temporary construction check dams upstream and downstream will be removed. The buffer and banks will be reseeded and mulched and silt fences will be reinstalled along the retaining slopes. Exhibit 3A Road Crossing shows the locations of the check dams and provides the detail for the check dam. Exhibits 3A Road Crossing A & B provide the sequencing for the upstream work and downstream work for the sediment removal at Impact Area #5. DWQ response: All mechanical equipment must remain outside of jurisdictional areas, unless areas were previously authorized for impacts. Use a silt bag, or similar BMP, to filter any water pumped from the work area before discharging it back to the stream. This device must be placed outside the Buffer and in a location where it can be retrieved after use. After sediment is removed from the stream and wetland areas at Impact Area #5, install coir matting and live stakes into any stream bank areas, apply a wetland seed mix to any wetland areas and plant native trees and/or shrubs appropriate for the site in any buffer areas that were impacted by sediment deposition. Some suggested shrubs include sweet fern, silky dogwood, witch hazel, winterberry and spicebush. The drawing below shows the locations of jurisdictional streams, buffers and wetlands in the area of Impact Area #5. Impact Area #4: concentrated flow in the protected buffer. Surn merwind Plantation, LLC March 7, 2011 Page 4 In addition, sediment outside the limits of disturbance must be reported and removed in accordance with the NCGO10000 General Permit conditions. This includes sediment deposition off-site, in addition to impacts to surface waters downstream of the site. If sediment deposition removal will be phased, please indicate this in an addendum restoration plan and additional construction sequence. If you need to know the locations of sediment deposition, please contact DWQ. ---------------- ------------ - -------------------- n Impact Area: between #5 and #6 The NOCV Response stated that based on physical inspection of the stream bed downstream and between Area #5 and Area #6, sedimentation identification from upstream impacts is not evident nor would be possible due to the underlying soil substrate matching the existing bank and stream conditions throughout the watershed. Furthermore, natural ongoing stream bank erosion is actively generated sedimentation into streams. If DWQ insists that current sedimentation removal is required then Summerwind will conduct an inspection with DWQ personnel to determine specific areas that DWQ contends are the result of Summerwind construction activity. Summerwind continues in the Scheduling section of the NOCV Response that scheduling of any in-stream remediation between Area #5 and Area 46 will be based on the outcome of any joint inspection with Summerwind and DWQ. If such remediation is required, it will begin after the road crossing remediation is completed and should be completed within 30 calendar days of written approval, plus days documented that weather conditions prevented site work, plus any days of work stoppage by DWQ for change, inspection or review. DWQ response: DWQ agrees that a joint inspection of the stream between Impact Areas #5 and #6 should occur following the completion of sediment removal activities at Impact Area #5. DWQ will inform Summerwind in writing after the joint inspection if sediment removal in this stream segment is necessary. Summerwind Plantation, LLC March 7, 2011 Page 5 Impact Area #6: Aerial Crossing Exhibit #1 states that erosion control devices were repaired on the western side of stream and the eastern side is in the oxbow which will be permanently matted. The outside is currently covered in a geo-tech fabric that will remain in place and will be armored to prevent future erosion of the aerial footing. This work is being managed by Johnston County, as the property is a permanent Johnston County Utility Easement. DWQ response: DWQ maintains that Summerwind is responsible for the bank stabilization at the aerial crossing based on the approved PCN submitted by Summerwind in February 2008. Summerwind agreed to stabilize the banks once the aerial crossing construction was completed. On January 31, 2011, DWQ approved a Buffer Authorization request submitted by Johnston County (DWQ Project #2011-0032) for the purpose of installing riprap for stream bank stabilization; however, this request only included the stream bank that is eroding near the sanitary sewer line footing and support column. Ms. Cralle Jones provided an Affidavit signed by Mr. Jamie Guerrero that stated that Johnston County will be submitting a permit request to restore and stabilize the bank on the eastern side of the stream within the bounds of the utility easement. As of March 1, 2011, DWQ has not received a Buffer Authorization request for this specific activity from the County. NOCV Request #2 Response: Summerwind included a paragraph in the NOCV Response (Page 2, paragraph 5) that described DWQ future actions. It stated, "Summerwind will provide DWQ written certification of completion of each location of restoration work. Within five (5) business days of receipt of notice of certification of completion, DWQ shall provide written confirmation of completion or direction for additional work. Failure by DWQ to provide written response to the certification of completion within five (5) business days of receipt of notice shall be deemed approval of and agreement with the certification. DWQ Response: DWQ does not agree to these terms. Summerwind will provide DWQ a written report, detailing the results of the restoration and how each of the jurisdictional areas were addressed, within thirty (30) days of the completion of all activities in the restoration plan. NOCV Request #5 Detailed Schedule: Summerwind provided a narrative schedule in the N(-)C'V recnnnca Activi Start Finish pact Area #2 Bridge Begin within 10 days of approval Complete within 30 calendar r da s* pact Area #5 Upstream Road At the completion of the bridge work Complete within 30 calendar ossin Sediment Removal da s* Impact Area #5 Downstream At the completion of the bridge work Complete within 30 calendar Road Crossing Sediment days* Removal Stream between Impact Areas At the completion of the sediment removal Complete within 30 calendar #5 & #6 Sediment Removal work at Impact Area #5 based on the days* outcome of a joint DWQ/Summerwind site inspection *plus any days documented that weather conditions prevent site work, plus any days of work stoppage by DWQ for change, inspection or review. Summerwind Plantation, LLC March 7, 2011 Page 6 DWQ Response: The schedule should also include the following items. 1. Within 30 days of completion of restoration activities, Summerwind will submit a written report to DWQ, detailing the results of the restoration, including photos and text, of how each of the jurisdictional areas were addressed (streams, wetlands, buffers). 2. Monitoring reports will be submitted annually, by June 1 of each year, to the DWQ RRO. The monitoring reports will include the following items: a. A monitoring timeline that begins upon the completion of the restoration plan and continues for a minimum of three (3) years. b. Contains a map that shows established monitoring stations on all restored stream features. c. Written documentation of routine field inspections of the streams to determine if restoration efforts have been successful or unsuccessful and recommendations for stabilization measures, if necessary. d. Quarterly (March, June, September and December) inspection and review of the restored streams. e. The reports must describe each quarterly inspection result, include digital photographs of each station, include the date of each inspection and describe any repairs or corrections including dates of completion. Activity Start Finish Impact Area #3 seed and As daily temperatures permit fertilize as appropriate Impact Area #4 repair outlets to Begin within 10 days of approval Complete within 30 calendar traps to ensure diffuse flow days* through buffer Impact Area #6 Provide DWQ Immediately with Buffer Authorization application from County for eastern bank. Submit a Plan for removal of Immediately Off-site sedimentation impacts *plus any days documented that weather conditions prevent site work, plus any days of work stoppage by DWQ for change, inspection or review. Thank you for your response to the NOCV and for working with DWQ toward a restoration plan. Please proceed with the restoration plan as described above, including responses by DWQ. Feel free to contact me or Natalie Landry at 919-791-4200 if you have questions or concerns. Oan ly, j/4???/? Smi Raleigh Regional Supervisor Surface Water Protection Section Summerwind Plantation, LLC March 7, 2011 Page 7 cc: DWQ RRO-file copy Thad Valentine - DLR PRO Thomas Brown, Raleigh Regulatory Office, USACE fan McMillan, WBSCP, DWQ, 1650 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699 Niki Maher, WBSCP, DWQ, 1617 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699 Jamie Guerrero, Johnston County Public Utilities, P.O. Box 2263, Smithfield, NC 27577