20141169 All Versions_Environmental Assessment Comments_20110810

Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Project Review Form
Project Number 12-0017
County Craven, Jones and Date Received 07/20/2011
Onslow
Due Date 8/24/2011
Project Description Final Environmental Impact Statement - Proposed project is improvement of
US17 from SR1330/SR1439 south of Belgrade to Jones/Craven County Line
south of New Bern In Jones and Onslow Counties, TIP-R2514 B,CAD
1 his Project is being reviewed as indicated below
Regional Offce
Regional Office Area
In House Review
Soil & Water ✓ Marine Fisheries
Asheville
Air
V Coastal Management Water Resoar..es
04 Water
--.._ Aqur er Protection
Land Quality Engineer
Fayetteville
_
Wildlife ✓ Environmental Health
Mooresville
✓ Wildlife DOT Solid Waste Mgmt
Raleigh
_
✓ Forest Resources Radiation Protect on
Washington
—
Land Resources Other
Wilmington
T
✓ Parks & Recreation
Winston Salem
Water Quality
_
- ✓ Water Quality DOT
Air Quality
Manager Sign Off/Region
Date
OA,/
In House Reviewer/Agency
/ (iirnv>1W D1 /r!t
Response (check all applicable)
No objection to project as proposed Comment
�No
Insufficient information to complete review v' Uther (specify or attach commej1'@r
If you have any questions please
Melba McGee, Envnonmerj�,���p�r',.It
contact
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North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Duality
Beverly Eaves Perdue - Coleen H. Sullins ~ Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
August 9, 2011
MEMORANDUM
To: Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental
Affairs
From: David Wainwright, Division of Water Quality, Central Office
Subject: Comments on the Final Environmental Impact Statement related to proposed US 37
improvements from existing SR 1330/SR 1439 south of Belgrade to the New Bern
Bypass at the JonesiCraven County lines, Onslow and Jones Counties, T1P R-25 i 4 B, C,
and D.
State Clearinghouse Project No. 12-0017.
This office has reviewed the referenced document dated .June 201 I . The NC Division of Water Quality
(NCDWQ) is responsible for the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities that
impact 147aters of the U.S., including wetlands. It is our understanding that ±he project as presented ~.vi!!
result in impacts tojurisdictional wetlands, streams, and other surface waters. NCDWQ offers the
following comments based on review of the aforementioned document:
Project Specific Comments:
This project is being planned as part of the 404/NEPA Merger Process. As a participating team
member, NCDWQ will continue to work with the team.
2. A portion of this project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall lie avoided
and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 1 SA NCAC 2B.0233. New development
activities located in the protected 50-foot wide riparian areas within the basin shall be limited to
"uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 28.0233. Buffer
mitigation may be required for buffer impacts resulting from activities classified as "allowable with
mitigation" within the "Table of Uses" section of the Buffer Rules or require a variance under the
Buffer Rules. A buffer mitigation plan, including use of the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program,
must be provided to NCDWQ prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification. Buffer
mitigation may be required for buffer impacts resulting from activities classified as "allowable with
mitigation" within the "Table of Uses" section of the Buffer Rules or require a variance under the
Buffer Rules. A buffer mitigation plan, including,use of the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program,
must be provided to NCDWQ prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification.
Transportation Permitting Unil
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone]\ FAX: 919-807£494
Internet hY~pa/portal.ncdencorghrveblwq
NorthCarolina
~atura!!y
An Equat Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer

General Comments:
After the selection of the preferred alternative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality
Certification, the NCDOT is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the avoidance
and minimization of impacts to wetlands (and streams) to the maximum extent practical. In
accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (15A NCAC 2H.0506[h~),
mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 1 acre to wetlands. [n 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 wetland mitigation.
4. Future documentation, including the 401 Water Quality Certification Application, should continue
to include an itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with con•esponding
mapping.
5. NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, fill,
excavation and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, streams, and ripariar. buffers need to
be included in the final impact calculations. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts,
temporary or otherwise, also need to he included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification
Application.
6. The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed
methods for stonnwater management. More specifically, stormwater shall not be permitted to
discharge directly into streams or surface waters.
NCDWQ appreciates the opperturity to provide comments on your project. Should you have any questions
or require any additional information, please contact David Wainwright at [phone].
cc: Tom Steffens, US Army Ccrps of Engineers, Washington Field Office
Chris Militscher, Enviromnental Protection Agency (electronic copy only)
Travis Wilson, NC P/ildlife Resources Commission (electt•onic copy only)
Steve Sollod, Division of Coastal Management
Garcy Wazd, NCDWQ Washington Regional Office
File Copy