Bridge 89 on SR 1151

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water 0uality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
January 24, 2011
MEMORANDUM
To: Ivan Dishman, NCDOT Division Bridge Program Manager
From: Amy Euliss, NC Division of Water Quality, Office
Subject: Scoping comments on proposed replacement of Bridge nos. 222 (SR 2149), 86 (SR 1150), and
89 (SR 1151) in Wilkes County, TIP nos. BD-5111 D, E, and F; Bridge no 45 (SR 1722) in
Caldwell County, TIP no BD-5111 G; Bridge nos. 132 (SR 1306) and 142 (SR 1359) in
Watauga County, TIP nos. BD-5111 H and 1; and Bridge nos. 110 (SR 1503) and 149 (1368) in
Yadkin County, TIP nos. BD-5111 J and K.
Reference your correspondence dated December 7, 2010 in which you requested comments for the
referenced projects. The NCDWQ offers the following comments.
Project Specific Comments:
BD-5111 D, Bridge No. 222 over Big Bugaboo Creek (Class C), Wilkes County
*No project specific comments.
BD-51 I 1 E, Bridge No. 86 over Naked Creek (Class WSM, Wilkes County
*No project specific comments.
BD-51 I I F, Bridge No. 89 over UT to Naked Creek (Class C), Wilkes County
*Noted bank scour and mid channel bars immediately downstream of bridge. Banks in project footprint
should be stabilized, and mid channel bars formed as a result of the existing bridge should be removed
during construction.
BD-51 IG, Bridge No. 45 over Mountain Run Creek (Class C), Caldwell County
*No project specific comments.
BD-51 l l H, Bridge No. 132 over Cove Creek (Class C), Watauga County
*Noted a UT to Cove Creek (Class C) that runs parallel to SR 1306.
BD-51 I 11, Bridge No. 142 over Meadow Creek (Class'C f), Watauga County
*Noted a UT to Meadow Creek in the project study area.
BD-51 I I J, Bridge No. 110 over UT to North Deep Creek (Class C), Yadkin County
,*Noted bank scour in the vicinity of the bridge. Banks in project footprint should be stabilized during
construction.
BD-51 I I K, Bridge No. 149 over North Deep Creek (Class C), Yadkin County
*No project specific comments.
North Carolina Division of Water QualityWinston-Salem. Regional Office Locati on: 585 Waughtown St. Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27107 ,Onea rthCarOla
Phone: [phone] \ FAX: 336-771 A630 \ Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet: www.ncwateryuality.org tlrrall?
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer

General Project Comments: .
1. Proposed impacts suggest that this project will be permitted using a Nationwide 3 from the US Army
Corps of Engineers. NCDWQ would like to respectively remind NCDOT that WQC 3687, or its
most recent equivalent, will also be required. NCDOT shall be in compliance with all of its
--._....._--_.--._-applicable conditions. Y-_-.. _-_-.._-..-_-_ -_____ --.-._.- ...
2. DWQ understands that these bridges will be replaced using an off-site detour, if at anytime these
plans change, DWQ shall be contacted to determine if this project shall remain in the Low-Impact
Bridge Replacement process.
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 ofNCDWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices, such as grassed swales,
buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc.
4. Currently proposed impacts will not exceed 150 linear feet of impacts to any single stream. However,
if at any point in the future the impact totals change, then in accordance with the Environmental
Management Commission's Rules ( 15A NCAC 2H.0506(h)), 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.
5. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
NCDOT 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.
- 6. 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.
7. 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) shall not be placed in the stream when possible.
8. 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.
9. 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 disclfa:rged'to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and
fish kills.
10. 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 should 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.
11. If foundation test borings are necessary; it should be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is
approved under General 401 Certification Number 3624/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
12. 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.
13. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NCD WQ. 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 should be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
14. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands and streams.
15. Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in
borrow/waste areas could precipitate compensatory mitigation.
16. 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.
17. 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.
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 Amy Euliss at [phone].
cc: Monte Matthews, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office, e-copy only
Heath Slaughter, Division 11 Environmental Officer, e-copy only
Marla Chambers, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, e-copy only
Wetlands/401 Transportation Permitting Unit
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