SR 2755 (3)

Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
MEMORANDUM
To
From
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North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quahty
Coleen H Sullins
Director
December 19 2011
Melba McGee NCDENR Environmental Coordinator
Amy Euliss NC Div�sion of Water Qual�ty Wmston Salem Regional Office
Sub�ect Scopmg comments on proposed Grade Separation between McLeansville Road (SR 2918) and
North Carolina Railroad m Gu�lford County State Pro�ect No 52400 1 STR02T2 TIP P 5204
State Clearmghouse Pro�ect No 2012 0145
Reference your correspondence dated November 30 2011 m which you requested comments far the
referenced pro�ect Prelimmary analys�s of the proJect reveals the potent�al for mult�ple impacts to
}��streams and Jurisd�ctional wetlands m the proJect area More specifically impacts to
Stream Name River Basm Stream Stream Index 303(d) Listmg
Classitication s Number
South Buffalo Creek Cape Fear C NSW 16 11 14 2 Ammon�a Copper Zinc
and unnamed Impaired ecological and
tnbutaries b�olo �cal mte r�
L�ttle Alamance Cape Fear WSIV NSW 16 19 3(0 5) Not listed
Creek and unnamed
tributaries
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Further mvestigations at a h�gher resolut�on should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams
and/or�urisdictional wetlands m the area In the event that any�unsdict�onal areas are identified the
D�v�s�on of Water Qual�ty requests that NCDOT cons�der the followmg envtronmental �ssues for the
proposed pro�ect
Pro�ect Spec�fic Comments
1 Please verify if the Carmen Road pro�ect (Y 4800) has been completely replaced by this pro�ect
Your explanahon in paragraph 4 is not clear If Y 4800 is not bemg completely replaced by P
5204 why are they not bemg considered as a smgle and complete proJect�
2 South Buffalo Creek and Ltttle Alamance Creek are class C NSW waters of the State NCDWQ
is very concerned w�th sediment and erosion �mpacts that could result from th�s pro�ect
NCDWQ recommends that h�ghly protechve sed�ment and eros�on control BMPs be implemented
to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to South Buffalo Creek NCDWQ requests that road design
plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as deta�led
�n the most recent version of NCDWQ s Stormwater Best Management Practrces
North Carolina Division of Water Quality Winston Salem Regionai Office
Location 585 Waughtown St Winston Salem North Carolina 27107
Phone [phone] FAX [phone] Customer Sernce 1 877-623 6748
Internet www ncwaterquality org
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Empioyer
NonrthCarolina
�aturallr�

3 South Buffalo Creek are class C 303(d) waters of the State South Buffalo Creek is on the 303(d)
list for impa�red use for aquatic life due to ammonia copper zmc and impaired b�ological
intergnty fsh community NCDWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the
storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed m the most recent version of
NCDWQ s Stormwater Best Management Practrces
4 Th�s pro�ect ts withm the Jordan Lake Basm Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and
mm�m�zed to the greatest extent poss�ble pursuant to l5A NCAC 2B 0267
General Pro�ect Comments
1 The environmental document shall provide a deta�led and itemized presentat�on of the proposed
impacts to wetlands and streams with correspondmg mapping If mrtigation is necessary as required
by 15A NCAC 2H 0506(h) rt is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigat�on plan
wrth the environmental documentat�on Appropr�ate mrtigat�on plans will be requ�red prior to
issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification
2 Environmental assessment alternat�ves shall consider des�gn criteria that reduce the �mpacts to
streams and wetlands from storm water runoff These alternatives shall mclude road des�gns that
allow for treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as deta�led m the
most recent vers�on of NCDWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices such as grassed swales
buffer areas preformed scour holes retention basms etc
After the select�on of the preferred alternative and prtor to an issuance of the 401 Water Qual�ty
Certificahon NCDOT is respectfully remmded that they will need to demonstrate the avotdance and
mmimizatton of impacts to wetlands (and streams) to the maximum extent pract�cal In accordance
wrth the Env�ronmental Management Comm�sston s Rules { 15A NCAC 2H 0506(h)} mrtigatton will
be requ�red for �mpacts of greater than 1 acre to wetlands In the event that mrtigat�on is required the
mrtigation plan shall be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values The NC Ecosystem
Enhancement Program may be ava�lable for use as wetland mrtigation
4 In accordance with the Environmental Management Comm�ssion s Rules { 15A NCAC 2H 0506(h)}
I mitigahon will be required for �mpacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any single ��-stream
In the event that mrtigahon is requ�red the mrtigation plan shall be designed to replace appropriate
lost functions and values The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be ava�lable for use as
stream mrt�gatton
5 NCDWQ is very concerned w�th sed�ment and erosion �mpacts that could result from this pro�ect
NCDOT shall address these concerns by describmg the potent�al impacts that may occur to the
aquatic environments and any mrt�gatmg factors that would reduce the �mpacts
6 If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another br�dge NCDWQ
believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required Please contact the US Army Corp of
Engmeers to determine the required permit(s)
7 If the old bridge �s removed no d�scharge of bridge material mto surface waters �s allowed unless
otherw�se authorized by the US ACOE Strict adherence to the Corps of Engmeers guidelmes for
bridge demolrtion will be a condition of the 401 Water Qualtty Certification
8 Whenever possible NCDWQ prefers spannmg structures Spannmg structures usually do not require
work w�thm the stream or grubbmg of the streambanks and do not reyuire stream channel
realignment The horizontal and vert�cal clearances prov�ded by bridges shall allow for human and

wildl�fe passage beneath the structure Fish passage and navigation by canoe�sts and boaters shall not
be blocked Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed m the stream when poss�ble
9 Bridge deck drams shall not d�scharge directly into the stream Stormwater shall be d�rected across
the bridge and pre treated through site appropriate means (grassed swales pre formed scour holes
vegetated buffers etc ) before entermg the stream Please refer to the most current vers�on of
NCDWQ s Stormwater Best Management Practices
10 If concrete is used durmg construction a dry work area shall be mamtained to prevent direct contact
between curmg concrete and stream water Water that madvertently contacts uncured concrete shall
not be discharged to surface waters due to the potent�al for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and
fish k�lls
11 If temporary access roads or detours are constructed the site shall be graded to �ts preconstruct�on
contours and elevations Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and
appropnate native woody species should be planted When usmg temporary structures the area shall
be cleared but not grubbed Clearmg the area with cham saws mowers bush hogs or other
mechanized equ�pment and leaving the stumps and root mat mtact allows the area to re vegetate
naturally and mmimizes soil disturbance
12 Placement of culverts and other structures m waters streams and wetlands shall be below the
elevat�on of the streambed by one foot for all culverts wrth a diameter greater than 48 mches and 20
percent of the culvert d�ameter for culverts havmg a dtameter less than 48 inches to allow low flow
passage of water and aquatic ltfe Destgn and placement of culverts and other structures mcludmg
temporary eroston control measures shall not be conducted m a manner that may result m dis
equil�bnum of wetlands or streambeds or banks ad�acent to or upstream and down stream of the
above structures The applicant �s required to prov�de evidence that the equtlibrium is bemg
maintained if requested m wr�tmg by NCDWQ If th�s cond�t�on is unable to be met due to bedrock
or other I�mrtmg features encountered dur�ng construct�on please contact NCDWQ for guidance on
how to proceed and to determme whether or not a permrt mod�ficat�on will be requ�red
13 If multiple pipes or barrels are required they shall be destgned to mimic natural stream cross sect�on
as closely as possible mcludmg pipes or barrels at flood plam elevation floodplam benches and/or
sills may be required where appropr�ate W�denmg the stream channel shall be avo�ded Stream
channel w�dening at the mlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causmg
sediment deposit�on that requtres mcreased ma�ntenance and disrupts aquatic life passage
14 If foundation test bormgs are necessary rt should be noted m the document Geotechnical work �s
approved under Genera1401 Certificat►on Number 3624/Nat�onwide Permit No 6 for Survey
Activrt�es
] 5 Sed�ment and erosion control measures suffiaent to protect water resources must be implemented and
mamta�ned in accordance wrth the most recent vers�on of North Carolina Sediment and Eros�on
Control Plannmg and Des�gn Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250
16 All work �n or ad�acent to stream waters shall be conducted m a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NCDWQ Approved BMP measures from the most current version of NCDOT
Construction and Mamtenance Activrties manual such as sandbags rock berms cofferdams and other
d�version structures should be used to prevent excavation m flowing water

17 Sed�ment and erosion control measures shall not be placed m wetlands and streams
18 Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical Impacts to wetlands m
borrow/waste areas could preciprtate compensatory mrt�gat�on
19 While the use ofNational Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps NC Coastal Reg�on Evaluat�on of Wetland
Significance (NC CREWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools their mherent maccuracies
requ�re that qualified personnel perform onsite wetland delineations prtor to permit approval
20 Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than m stream channels m order to minim�ze
sedimentat�on and reduce the likel�hood of mtroducmg other pollutants mto streams Th�s equtpment
shall be inspected daily and mamtained to prevent contarnmation of surface waters from leak�ng fuels
lubr�cants hydraulic fluids or other tox�c mater�als
2] In most cases NCDWQ prefers the replacement of the exishng structure at the same locahon wrth
road closure If road closure is not feasible a temporary detour should be designed and located to
avo�d wetland �mpacts mmimize the need for clear�ng and to avoid destab�lizmg stream banks If the
structure will be on a new al�gnment the old structure shall be removed and the approach fills
removed from the 100 year floodplain Approach fills should be removed and restored to the natural
ground elevation The area shall be stabilized wrth grass and planted wrth nat�ve tree spec�es Tall
fescue shall not be used m riparian areas
22 R�prap shall not be placed m the active thalweg channel or placed m the streambed in a manner that
precludes aquatic life passage Bioengineenng boulders or structures should be properly des�gned
sized and mstalled
Thank you for request�ng our mput at this time NCDOT is remmded that issuance of a 401 Water
Qual�ty Certification requires that appropnate measures be mstrtuted to ensure that water quality
standards are met and designated uses are not degraded or lost If you have any questions or requ�re
addrt�onal mformation please contact Amy Euliss at [phone]
cc Andy Willtams US Army Corps of Eng�neers Raleigh Field Office
Chr�s Milrtscher Environmental Protechon Agency (electronic copy only)
Trav�s Wilson NC Wildlife Resources Commission (electrontc copy only)
Wetlands/401 Transportat�on Permittmg Unrt
File Copy