20120762 Ver 0_Scoping Comments_20110913

ACDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
September 13, 2011
MEMORANDUM
To: Tim Powers, NCDOT Division 7 Bridge Engineer
From: Amy Euliss, NC.Division of Water Quality, Office
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Subject: Scoping comments on proposed replacement of Bridge nos. 47 (SR 1520) and 135 (SR 1516) in
Orange County, Bridge nos. 37 (SR 1611) and 280 (SR 1134) in Alamance County, and Bridge
nos. 411 (SR 2509), 260 (SR 3360), and 38 (NC 61) in Guilford County
Reference your correspondence dated August 4, 2011 in which you requested comments for the
referenced projects. The NCDWQ offers the following comments.
Project Specific Comments:
Bridge No 47 (SR 1520) over North Fork Little River in Orange County
*Potential impacts to North Fork Little River.
1. North Fork Little River are WSII; 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 North Fork Little River. 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 NCD WQ's
Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as WSII; High Quality Waters
of the State in the project study area. This is one of the highest classifications for water quality.
Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H. 1006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NCDOT will be required to obtain a
State Stormwater Permit prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal counties.
3. 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.
Bridge No 135 (SR 1516) over North Fork Little River in Orange County
*Potential impacts to North Fork Little River and an Unnamed Tributary to North Fork Little River.
1. North Fork Little River are WSII; 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 North Fork Little River. 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. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as WSII; High Quality Waters
of the State in the project study area. This is one of the highest classifications for water quality.
Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H.] 006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NCDOT will be required to obtain a
State Stormwater Permit prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal counties.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality, WinstonSelem Regional Office.
Loce.tion: 585 Waughtom SL Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27107
Phone: [phone] \ FAX: [phone] Customer SeR^.ce: 1-877-623-6748
Internet: ww .rimaterquality.orp
NorthCaroiina
Naturallb,
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer
3. 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. Please note that both
North Fork Little River and the Unnamed Tributary to North Fork Little River are on the Soil Survey
map and thus subject to the Neuse River Buffer rules.
Bridge No. 37 (SR 1611) over Stoney Creek (Lake Burlington) in Alamance Counri
*Potential impacts to Stoney Creek and adjacent wetlands wetlands
1. Stoney Creek (Lake Burlington) are WSII; 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 Stoney Creek (Lake Burlington). 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 NCD WQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as WSII; High Quality Waters
of the State in the project study area. This is one of the highest classifications for water quality.
Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H. 1006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NCDOT will be required to obtain a
State Stormwater Permit prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal counties.
3. This project is within the Jordan River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B .0267.
Bridge No. 280 (SR 1134) over Beaver Creek in Alamance Countv
*Potential impacts to Beaver Creek
1. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as Water Supply Critical
Area in the project study area. Given the potential for impacts to these resources during the project
implementation, NCDWQ requests that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations
entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124) throughout design
and construction of the project. This would apply for any area that drains to streams having WS
CA (Water Supply Critical Area) classifications.
2. Should the bridge project be located within the Critical Area of a Water Supply, NCDOT may be
required to design, construct, and maintain hazardous spill catch basins in the project area. The
number of catch basins installed shall be determined by the design of the bridge, so that runoff
would enter said basin(s) rather than flowing directly into the stream, and in consultation with
NCDWQ.
3. This project is within the Jordan River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B .0267.
4. Beaver Creek are class WSIV; 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 Beaver 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.
Bridge No. 411 (SR 2509) over UT to Brooks Creek in Guilford Coin
*Potential impacts to UT to Brooks Creek
I. This project is within the Jordan River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B .0267.
2. Brooks Creek and its unnamed tributaries are 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 Brooks Creek and its unnamed tributaries. 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.
A
Bridge No 260 (SR 3360) over North Prong Stinking Quarter Creek in Guilford County
*Potential impacts to North Prong Stinking Quarter Creek and adjacent wetlands
1. This project is within the Jordan River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B .0267.
Bridge No 38 (NC 61) over Beaver Creek in Guilford County
*Potential impacts to Beaver Creek
1. If an on-site detour is required, the bridge replacement is not considered a low impact bridge.
2. This project is within the Jordan River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B .0267.
3. Beaver Creek are class WSIV; 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 Beaver
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 Project Comments:
1. Proposed impacts suggest that these projects 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.
2. DWQ understands that these bridges will be replaced using an off-site detour, if at any time these
plans change, DWQ shall be contacted to determine if this project shall remain in the Low-Impact
Bridge Replacement process.
3. DWQ understands that these bridges will be replaced with bridges. If this is not the case, please
contact DWQ to discuss the projects further.
4. 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 of NCD WQ Stormwater Best Management Practices, such as grassed swales,
buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc.
5. 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 {I 5A 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Whenever possible, NCDWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream or grubbing of the ?treambanks and do not require stream channel
realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow ibr 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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
Activities.
13. 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.
14. 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 should be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
15. Sediment and erosion control measures shall. not be placed in wetlands and streams.
16. Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in
borrow/waste areas could precipitate compensatory mitigation.
17. 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.
18. 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].
a
cc: Andy Williams, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office, e-copy only
Jerry Parker, Division 7 Environmental Officer
i
Wetlands/401 T?an?sportation Permitting Unrt j
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