US 158 and NC 12

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NC®ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Charles Wakild P E
Governor Director
January 17 2012
MEMORANDUM
To Gregory Thorpe Ph D Manager PDEA Unit NCDOT
From David Wainwright NC Division of Water Quality Central Office~
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Subject Scopmg comments on proposed improvements to the U S 158 and N C 12 Intersection at
Southern Shores in Dare County Federal Aid Project No NHS 0158(52) TIP R 4457
Reference your correspondence dated January 4 2012 in which you requested comments for the
referenced project Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for multiple impacts to
perennial streams and jurisdictional wetlands in the project area More specifically impacts to
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams
and /or jurisdictional wetlands in the area In the event that any jurisdictional areas are identified the
Division of Water Quality requests that NCDOT consider the following environmental issues for the
proposed project
General Protect Comments
I The environmental document shall provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed
impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping If mitigation is necessary as
required by 15A NCAC 2H 0506(h) it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized)
mitigation plan with the environmental documentation Appropriate mitigation plans will be
required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification
2 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 NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices such as grassed
swales buffer areas preformed scour holes retention basins etc
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1650
Location 512 N Salisbury St Raleigh North Carolina 27604
Phone [phone] \FAX 919 - 807 6492
Internet www ncwaterguality org
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarohna
Stream
Stream
Stream index
303(d)
Stream Name
River Basin
Number
listing(s)
UT to Kitty Hawk Bay
Pasquotank
SC
30 19
None
UT to Jean Gurte Creek
Pasquotank
SC
30 1 17
None
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams
and /or jurisdictional wetlands in the area In the event that any jurisdictional areas are identified the
Division of Water Quality requests that NCDOT consider the following environmental issues for the
proposed project
General Protect Comments
I The environmental document shall provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed
impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping If mitigation is necessary as
required by 15A NCAC 2H 0506(h) it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized)
mitigation plan with the environmental documentation Appropriate mitigation plans will be
required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification
2 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 NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices such as grassed
swales buffer areas preformed scour holes retention basins etc
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1650
Location 512 N Salisbury St Raleigh North Carolina 27604
Phone [phone] \FAX 919 - 807 6492
Internet www ncwaterguality org
An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarohna

J
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 Commissions Rules (I �A NCAC
2H 0506[h]) mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 1 acre to wetlands or 150
linear feet to any single perennial or intermittent 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 wetland mitigation
4 DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project
NC DOT 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
5 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
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
Placement of culverts and other structures in waters streams and wetlands shall be below the
elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches and
20 percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches to allow low
flow passage of water and aquatic life Design and placement of culverts and other structures
including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result
in dis equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks adjacent to or upstream and down stream
of the above structures The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being
maintained if requested in writing by DWQ If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock
or other limiting features encountered during construction please contact the NC DWQ for
guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be
required
8 If multiple pipes or barrels are required they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross
section as closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation and /or sills where
appropriate Widening the stream channel shall be avoided Stream channel widening at the inlet
or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing sediment deposition that
requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage
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
'A A

10 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
11 All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NC DWQ 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 should be used to prevent excavation in flowing water
12 Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands and streams
13 Borrow /waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical Impacts to wetlands
in borrow /waste areas could precipitate compensatory mitigation
14 While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps NC Coastal Region Evaluation of
Wetland Significance (NC CREWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools their inherent
inaccuracies require that qualified personnel perform onsite wetland delineations prior to permit
approval
15 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
16 In most cases the DWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location
with road closure If road closure is not feasible a temporary detour should 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 floodpla►n Approach fills should 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
17 Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner
that precludes aquatic life passage Bioeng►neermg boulders or structures should be properly
designed sized and installed
Thank you for requesting our input at this time The DOT 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 David Wainwright at [phone]
cc Bill Biddlecome US Army Corps of Engineers Washington Field Office
Clarence Coleman Federal Highway Administration
Chris Militscher Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only)
Travis Wilson NC Wildlife Resources Commission (electronic copy only)
Cathy Brittmgham Division of Coastal Management
Garcy Ward DWQ Washington Regional Office
File Copy

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE EUGENE A CONTI JR
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
January 4 2012
David Wainwright
DENR
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699 1650
Dear Mr Wainwright
SUBJECT US 158 and NC 12 Intersection at Southern Shores Dare County NCDOT
Division 1 Federal Aid Project NHS 0158(52), WBS Element 35730 12 TIP
Project R 4457
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit has begun studying the
proposed improvements to the US 158 and NC 12 intersection in Dare County The
project is included in the 2012 2018 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program
and is scheduled for right of way in fiscal year 2016 and construction in fiscal year 2018
Attached for your review and comments are the scopmg information sheets for the
proposed project We would appreciate any information you might have that would be
helpful in evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project If applicable, please
identify any permits or approvals which may be required by your agency Your comments
will be used in the preparation of a federally funded Environmental Assessment This
document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act It
is desirable that your agency respond by February 15 2012 so that your comments can be
used in the preparation of this document
If you have any questions concerning the project or would like to attend the
scopmg meeting, please contact Joseph Miller Project Planning Engineer of this Unit at
[phone] or by e mail at j osephmiller@ncdot gov Please include the TIP Project
Number in all correspondence and comments
S ncere�
r gory J Thorpe, Ph D Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit
GJT /ohm
Attachments
MAILING ADDRESS TELEPHONE [phone] LOCATION
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX [phone] CENTURY CENTER BLDG A
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 020 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
1598 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE WWW NCDOT ORG/DOFUPRECONSTRUCT /PE/ RALEIGH NC 27699
RALEIGH NC 27699 1598

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SCALE 1 Inch = 0.125 Mile
0 0.125 0.25
North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Division of Highways
Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Unit
Proposed US 158 -NC 12 Interchange
At Southern Shores
Dare County
TIP Project R -4457