20201509 Ver 1_Information Letter_20110106

STATE OF NORTH CAROL] Wq ???1
DEPARTMENT OF TRANS PORTAT`,'grypw'^
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE EuME A. CONTI, JR.
GOVERNOR
December 22, 2010
Brian Wrenn
Transportation Permitting Unit, NCDWQ
2321 Crabtree Blvd, St. 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
Dear Mr. Wrenn:
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: STIP Project No. B53 k- Replacement of Bridge No. 126 on SR 2044
over Smith's Creek in Wake County
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is in the process of project
development, environmental and engineering studies for the replacement of Bridge
No. 126 in Wake County. This project is included in the North Carolina State
Transportation Improvement Program.
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating
potential environmental impacts of the project including recommendation of alternates to
be studied. Your comments will be used in the preparation of a federally funded
Categorical Exclusion, prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy
Act. It is desirable that your agency respond by March 22, 2011 so that your comments
can be used in the selection of alternatives to be studied for this project.
If you have any questions concerning this project, please contact Brenna Poole at (919)
431-1625. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments.
Sincerely,
MAILING ADDRESS:
INC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
BRIDGE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT UNIT
1598 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1598
Brenna Poole
Bridge Project Planning Engineer
Project Development and Environmental
Analysis Branch
TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
FAX: [phone] PDEA ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER
4701 ATLANTIC AVENUE -SUITE 116
WEBSITE: WNW NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH INC 27604

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WAKE COUNTY
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 126 ON SR 2044
OVER SMITHS CREEK
B-5318

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Sevedy Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
January 10, 2011
MEMORANDUM
TO: Brenna Poole, NCDOT Bridge Project Development Unit
FROM: Rob Ridings, NCDWQ Transportation Permitting Unit R
Dee Freeman
Secretary
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects: B-5237 & B-5318
in Wake County
In reply to your correspondence dated received January 6, 2011 in which you requested comments for the
above referenced projects, the NCDWQ offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments:
B-5237, Bridge No. 248 over Mahler's Creek, Wake County
1. Mahler's Creek is class C; NSW waters of the State. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and
erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDWQ recommends that highly protective sediment
and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Mahler's Creek.
NCDWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best
management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management
Practices.
2. This project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized
to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0233.
B-5318, Bridge 126 over Smith's Creek, Wake County
1. Smith's Creek is class C; NSW; 303(d) waters of the State. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment
and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Smith's Creek..NCDWQ requests that road design _
plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the .:
most recent version of NCDWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. This project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer irppacts shall be avoided and minimized
to the'greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0233.
Transportation Permitting Unit t?rOne t
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 276991650 1? orthCaroitlld
Phone 919-8h2oen1FAx:[phone]
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Internet. httpa/h2,encstate.ncdsl ... - ... _ . _ . - ..., ?- -
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An Equal Opportunity l Affirmative Acdon Employer r
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
1. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
NCDOT shall address these concems by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the
aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
2. 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.
3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, NCDWQ
believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of
Engineers to determine the required permit(s).
4. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless
otherwise authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for
bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
5. 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 (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible.
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
NC D W Q's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
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 concrete shall
not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and
fish kills.
8. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction
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.
9. 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.
10. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NCDWQ. Approved BMQ 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.
11. 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.
12. In most cases, the NCDWQ prefers the replacemgnt of the existing structure at the same location .
with road closure. If road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour shall be designed and located
to avoid wetland impacts, minimize the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks.
If the structure will be on a new alignment, the old structure shall be removed and the approach fills
removed from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills shall be removed and restored to the natural
ground elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall
fescue shall not be used in riparian areas.
13. Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be
addressed in the CE. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is
developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for dewatering.and access measures
necessary due to bridge construction.
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams, and wetlands shall be 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 the NCDWQ for guidance
on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be required.
2. 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, floodplain benches and/or
sills may be required where appropriate. Widening the stream channel shall 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.
3. . 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. ,
3. Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be
addressed in the Categorical Exclusion (CE) document. It is understood that final designs are not
determined at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for bank
stabilization necessary due to culvert installation.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. NCDOT is reminded that issuance of a 401 Water
Quality Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality
standards are met and,designated uses are not degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require
additional information, please contact Rob Ridings at 919-807-6403 ,
cc: Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Chris Murray, Division 5 Environmental Officer
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
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