20140145_Scoping Comments_20111110

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H Sullins
Governor Director
November 10 2011
MEMORANDUM
TO Pamela Williams Bridge Project Planning Engineer NCDOT
FROM Michael R Parker NCDWQ Asheville Regional Office P(�
SUBJECT Division 11 2011 Design Build Bridge Replacement Program
Scopmg Review Comments
In reply to your request the NCDWQ offers the following comments for the projects listed below
Project Specific Comments
050010 Bridge No 10 over White Pine Creek, NCSR 1150, Avery County
Dee Freeman
Secretary
1 White Pine Creek is class C trout waters NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment
and erosion control BMP s be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters
In addition all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC
Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
2 Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission ( NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC recommended moratoria for trout In
additions NCDWQ will require 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
050029 Bridge No 29 over Curtis Creek, NCSR 1324, Avery County
1 Curtis Creek is class C trout waters NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and
erosion control BMP s be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters In
addition all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC Division
of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
2 Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission ( NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC recommended moratoria for trout In
additions NCDWQ will require 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
SURFACE WATER PROTECTION SECTION Asheville Regional Office
2090 U S Highway 70 Swannanoa North Carolina 28778 8211
Phone [phone] FAX [phone]
Customer Service 1877-623 6748
Internet www ncwaterquality org
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarohna
;Vaturallry

050096 Bridge No 96 over BirchCeld Creek, NCSR 1137, Avery County
1 Birchfield Creek is class WS V trout waters NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMP s be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout
waters In addition all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the
NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
2 Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC recommended moratoria for trout In
additions NCDWQ will require 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
050097 Bridge No 97 over an unnamed tributary to Shawneehaw Creek, NCSR 1333, Avery
County
The unnamed tributary to Shawneehaw Creek is classified C trout waters NCDWQ recommends that
the most protective sediment and erosion control BMP s be implemented to reduce the risk of
turbidity violations in trout waters In addition all disturbances within trout buffers shall be
conducted in accordance with the NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources
Commission
Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC recommended moratoria for trout In
additions NCDWQ will require 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
050099 Bridge No 99 over Trivett Branch (Dark Ridge Branch), NCSR 1310, Avery County
1 Trivett Branch (Dark Horse Branch) is class C waters
2 NCDWQ has no specific comments for this bridge project
050100 Bridge No 100 over Little Horse Creek, NCSR 1167, Avery County
1 Little Horse Creek is class WS V trout waters NCDWQ recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMP s be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout
waters In addition all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the
NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
2 Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC recommended moratoria for trout In
additions NCDWQ will require 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
130237 Bridge No 237 over Anthony Creek, NCSR 1362, Caldwell County
1 Anthony Creek is classified C trout waters NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment
and erosion control BMP s be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters
In addition all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC
Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission
(2)

Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission ( NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC recommended moratoria for trout In
additions NCDWQ will require 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
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Protects
1 NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects
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
3 Any Low Impact Bridge Projects must fall under Nationwide Permit No 3 to qualify for Low Impact
otherwise standard permitting procedures will be required Example (Regional General Permit No
31 Nationwide Permit No 23 Nationwide Permit No 13 etc )
4 Whenever possible NCDWQ prefers spanning structures Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream or grubbing of the stream banks 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 b locked ri ge suppor=ts (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible
5 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
6 Strict adherence to the most recent version of NCDOT s Best Management Practices For Bridge
Demolition and Removal approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers is a condition of the 401 Water
Quality Certification
7 Bridge piles and bents shall be constructed using driven piles (hammer or vibratory) or drilled shaft
construction methods More specifically betting or other methods of pile driving are prohibited without
prior written approval from NCDWQ first
8 No drill slurry or water that has been in contact with uncured concrete shall be allowed to enter surface
waters This water shall be captured treated and disposed of properly
9 All pile driving or drilling activities shall be enclosed in turbidity curtains unless otherwise approved by
NCDWQ in this certification
10 All bridge construction shall be performed from the existing bridge temporary work bridges
temporary causeways or floating or sunken barges If work conditions require barges they shall be
floated into position and then sunk The barges shall not be sunk and then dragged into positron Under
no circumstances should barges be dragged along the bottom of the surface water
(3)

11 All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area 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 shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water
12 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
13 Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream This equipment
shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels
lubricants hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials
14 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
15 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 themost recent version of NCS000250
16 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
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments 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 Mike Parker at 828 296 4500
cc Lori Beckwith USACE Asheville Field Office
Jami Guynn NCDOT Division 11 Bridge Manager
Heath Slaughter NCDOT Division 11 Environmental Officer
Marla Chambers NCWRC
Dave McHenry NCWRC
Transportation Permitting Unit
NCDOT 2011 Bridge Replacement Program Scopmg Comments Division 11
(4)