Bridge No. 172

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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
August 10, 2010
MEMORANDUM
TO: Pamela R. Williams, NCDOT
FROM: Belinda Henson, NCDWQ, Fayetteville Regional Officet? rte J
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects: BD- 5106
(Bladen, Columbus and Robeson Counties),
In reply to your correspondence dated June 28, 2010 (received June 29, 2010) in which you requested
comments for the above referenced projects, the NCDWQ offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments
Bridge No. 172 Over Carver's Creek, Bladen County
Carver's Creekis class WS 1V 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 Carver'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.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
Bridge No. 320 over Little Marsh Swamp, Robeson County
Bridge No. 275 over Ten Mile Swamp, Robeson County
Bridge No. 062 over White Creek, Bladen County
Bridge No. 172 over Carver's Creek, Bladen County
Bridge No. 207 over Pine Log Swamp, Columbus County
Bridge No. 123 over Beaverdam Swamp, Columbus County
Bridge No. 038 over Branch Monte Swamp, Columbus County
Bridge No. 046 over Sand Pit Branch, Columbus County
Bridge No. 161 over Gapway Swamp, Columbus County
Bridge No. 301 over Branch of Tom's Creek, Columbus County
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.
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.
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http:llh2o.enr.state.nc.uslnavetlands/
NorthCarolina
Natumlly
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
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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.
6. 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 Stornmoater Best Management Practices. -
7. 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 BMP measures from the most current version ofNCDOT
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 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.
13. Any impacts to waters of the state resulting from utility relocations associated with these
bridge replacement projects must be noted in the project document. Utility relocations are
authorized in accordance with the conditions of General 401 Certification Number
3819/Nationwide Permit No. 12 for Utility Line Activities.
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 Mason Herndon at [phone].
cc: Mr. Ronnie Smith, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office
Mr. Clarence Coleman, Federal Highway Administration
Mr. Greg Burns, PE, Division 6 Engineer
Mr. Jim Rerko. Division 6 Environmental Officer
Mr. Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only)
Mr. Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Ms. Sonia Carrillo, NCDWQ Central Office
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