20131017 Ver 0_Scoping Comments_20120112

January 12 2012
MEMORANDUM
TO Natalie Lockhart Bridge Project Planning Engineer NCDOT
FROM Mason Herndon NC Division of Water Quality Fayetteville Regional Office A//
Dee Freeman
Secretary
SUBJECT Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects B 4969, B -5360, B 4608 and
B 5546 (Randolph County),
In reply to your correspondence dated and received by a mail on December 13 2012 in which you requested comments
for the above referenced projects the NC Division of Water Quality offers the following comments
Project Specific Comments
TIP
Bridge
No
County
Stream Name
River
Basin
Stream
Classification(s)
Stream Index
Number
303(d)
Listing
B 4969
]--)4
Randolph
Boodom Creek
Cape Fear
WS III
17 16 25
N
B 5360
374
Randolph
I Sandy Creek
Cape Fear
WS III
17 16 (1)a
Yt
B 4608
208
Randolph
Fork Creek
Cape Fear
C
17 25
Y
B 5546
307
Randolph
Mount Pleasant Creek
Cape Fear
WS III
17 16 3
Y"'
Y")— Aquatic Life
B 5360, Bridge No 374 Over Sandy Creek, Randolph County
Sandy Creek are class WS III 303(d) waters of the State Sandy Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for
aquatic life due to runoff and habitat degradation DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that
could result from this project DWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be
implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Sandy Creek DWQ requests that road design plans provide
treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NC
DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosio n
address these concerns by describing the potential
mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts
225 Gieen St Suite 714 Fayetteville NC 28301 5043
Phone [phone], FAX [phone]
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impacts that could result from this project NC DOT shall
impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any
NorthCarolina
attaully

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 If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge DWQ believes the use of a
Nationwide Permit may be required Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine the required
permit(s)
4 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
5 Whenever possible the DWQ 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 allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure do not block fish
passage and do not block navigation by canoeists and boaters
6 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 NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices
7 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
8 Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible
9 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 ai ea 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
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 shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water
12 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
13 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 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 floodplam 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

14 Any anticipated dewatermg or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be addressed in the
CE It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed However the CE should
discuss the potential for dewatermg and access measures necessary due to bridge construction
15 Any impacts to waters of the state resulting from utility relocations associated with these bridge replacement
projects must be noted in the project document Utility relocations are generally authorized in accordance with the
conditions of General 401 Certification Number 3819/Nationwide Permit No 12 for Utility Line Activities
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
16 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
17 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 of outlet end of structures typically decreases water
velocity causing sediment deposition that requires increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage
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 shall be properly designed sized and installed
19 Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in the
Categorical Exclusion (CE) document It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is
developed However the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to culvert installation
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 me at [phone]
cc Clarence Coleman Federal Highway Administration
Tim Johnson PE Division 8 Engineer
ec Ronnie Smith US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington Field Office
Art King Division 6 Environmental Officer
Mr Chris Militscher Environmental Protection Agency
Mr Travis Wilson NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Belinda Henson NCDWQ Fayetteville Regional Office
Ms Sonia Carrillo NCDWQ Central Office
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