Bridge No. 128

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
December 14, 2010
MEMORANDUM
TO: Joshua B. Deyton, Division 14 Bridge Manager, NCDOT
FROM: Michael R. Parker, NCDWQ, Asheville Regional Office M
SUBJECT: Division 14 Low Impact Bridge Scoping Review Comments
BD-5114E Bridge No. 7, Clay County
BD-5114C Bridge No. 23, Graham County
BD-5114B Bridge No. 128, Henderson County
BD-5114D Bridge No. 52, Macon County
BD-5114A Bridge No. 72, Transylvania County
NCDWQ offers the following scoping comments for the above referenced projects:
Project Specific Comments
BD-5114E Bridge No. 7 over Fires Creek, Clay County
1. Fires Creek is class WS-rV-Trout-ORW waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most
protective sediment and erosion control BMP's be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity
violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in
accordance with the NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC -recommended moratoria for trout. In
additions, NCDWQ will require that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled
"Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" [15A NCAC 413 .0124] throughout design and
construction of the project.
3. NCDOT may be required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit for this project in accordance with 15A
NCAC 2H.1000. This will depend on the impervious surface of the new bridge.
BD-5114C Bridge No. 23 over Sweetwater Creek, Graham County
1. Sweetwater Creek is class WS-III Trout waters.
2. The unnamed tributary to Sweetwater Creek which parallels NCSR 1212 on the northeast side of the
road may also be impacted.
3. NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC -recommended moratoria for trout. NCWRC may
request "Design Standards for Sensitive Watersheds" [15A NCAC 4B .0124] because of the trout
waters.
SURFACE WATER PROTECTION SECTION-Asheville Regional Office One
2090 U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778-8211. NOrthCarolina
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748
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Internet: www.rumaterquality.org
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Empbyer

BD-5114B, Bridge 128 over the Hungry River, Henderson County
The Hungry River is class WS-III-Trout waters.
The unnamed tributary to Sweetwater Creek which parallels NCSR 1212 on the northeast side of the
road may also be impacted.
NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC -recommended moratoria for trout. NCWRC may
request "Design Standards for Sensitive Watersheds" (I 5A NCAC 413 .0124] because of the trout
waters.
BD-5114D, Bridge No. 52 over Cowetta Creek, Macon County
1. Cowetta Creek is class B Trout waters.
2. NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC -recommended moratoria for trout. NCWRC may
request "Design Standards for Sensitive Watersheds" [15A NCAC 4B .0124] because of the trout
waters.
BD-5114A, Bridge No. 72 over Frozen Creek, Transylvania County
1. Frozen Creek is class C Trout waters.
2. NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC -recommended moratoria for trout. NCWRC may
request "Design Standards for Sensitive Watersheds" [15A NCAC 4B .0124] because of the trout
waters.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
1. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects.
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.
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. These Low Impact Bridge Projects must fall under Nationwide Permit No. 3 to qualify for Low
Impact; otherwise, standard permitting procedures will be required. Example (Regional General
Permit No. 31, Nationwide Permit No. 23, Nationwide Permit No. 13, etc.)
4. Whenever possible, NCDWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream or grubbing of the stream banks and do not require stream channel
realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for human arrd
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.
5. 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.

6. Strict adherence to the most recent version of NCDOT's Best Management Practices For Bridge
Demolition and Removal approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers is a condition of the 401 Water
Quality Certification.
7. Bridge piles and bents shall be constructed using driven piles (hammer or vibratory) or drilled shaft
construction methods. More specifically, jetting or other methods of pile driving are prohibited without
prior written approval from NCDWQ first.
8. No drill slurry or water that has been in contact with uncured concrete shall be allowed to enter surface
waters. This water shall be captured, treated, and disposed of properly.
9. All pile driving or drilling activities shall be enclosed in turbidity curtains unless otherwise approved by
NCDWQ in this certification.
10. All bridge construction shall be performed from the existing bridge, temporary work bridges,
temporary causeways, or floating or sunken barges. If work conditions require barges, they shall be
floated into position and then sunk. The barges shall not be sunk and then dragged into position. Under
no circumstances should barges be dragged along the bottom of the surface water.
11. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. 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 shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water.
12. 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.
13. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream. This equipment
shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels,
lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
14. 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.
15. 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
16. In most cases, the NCDWQ prefers the replacement 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.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments 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 Mike Parker at 828-296-4500.
cc: Lori Beckwith, USACE, Asheville Field Office
Chris Lee, NCDOT, Division 14 Bridge Maintenance Engineer
Mark Davis, NCDOT, Division 14 Environmental Officer
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
_Transportation Permitting Unit
NCDOT Low Impact Bridge Seeping Comments Division 14