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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20150690_Scoping Comments_20111102A ",= NC®ENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H Sullins Governor Director November 2 2011 MEMORANDUM To Pamela Williams NCDOT Transportation Program Management 1595 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699 1595 From Amy Euliss NC Division of Water Quality Winston Salem Regional Office Dee Freeman Secretary Subject Scoping comments on proposed replacement of bridges in Davidson Forsyth Rowan and Stokes Counties Reference your correspondence dated October 19 2011 in which you requested comments for the referenced projects The NCDWQ offers the following comments Project Specific Comments Bridge No 69 SR 1502) over Reedy Creek in Davidson County *Potential impacts to Reedy Creek and an unnamed tributary (Class C) The UT runs parallel to the roadway and has failing banks on the road shoulder There is also a small linear wetland perpendicular to the UT Bridge No 235 (SR 2255) over Four Mile Branch in Davidson County *Potential impacts to Four Mile Branch and an unnamed tributary (Class C) No project specific comments Bridge No 303 (SR 1790) over Rich Fork in Davidson County *Potential impacts to Rich Fork and an unnamed tributary (Class C 303d) There is also a large wetland adjacent to Rich Fork and a waterline running parallel to the road and the wetland If the road is widened we would prefer you to shift away from the large wetland and waterline In addition there is a small wetland in the agricultural field adjacent to the UT , 1 Rich Fork Creek are class C 303(d) waters of the State Rich Fork is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for aquatic life due to impaired ecological and biological integrity as well as fecal coliform NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Rich Fork 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 424 (SR 1243) over NC 8 in Davidson County *Potential impacts to an unnamed tributary to Abbotts Creek (Class C 303d) The UT to Abbotts creek runs adjacent to NC 8 and is not expected to be impacted from the bridge replacement 1 Abbotts Creek and its unnamed tributaries are class C 303(d) waters of the State Abbotts Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for aquatic life due to impaired ecological and biological North Carolina Division of Water Quality Winston Salem Regional Office Location 585 Waughtown St Winston Salem North Carolina 27107 Phone 336 7715000 1 FAX 336 771 -06301 Customer Service 1877-623 6748 Internet www ncwaterquality org An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer NorthCarollna Aaturallry integrity as well as copper and turbidity NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Abbotts 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 Bridge No 431 (SR 2205) over Abbotts Creek in Davidson County *Potential impacts to Abbotts Creek (Class C 303d) 1 Abbotts Creek are class C 303(d) waters of the State Abbotts Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for aquatic life due to impaired ecological and biological integrity as well as copper and turbidity NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Abbotts 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 469 (SR 2183) over North Hamby Creek in Davidson County *Potential impacts to North Hamby Creek (Class C 303d) 1 North Hamby Creek are class C 303(d) waters of the State North Hamby Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for aquatic life due to impaired ecological and biological integrity as well as copper and turbidity NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to North Hamby 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 81 (SR 2705) over Fiddlers Creek in Forsyth County *Potential impacts to Fiddlers Creek and an unnamed tributary (Class C) No project specific comments Bridge No 22(SR 2200) over Grants Creek in Rowan County *Potential impacts to Grants Creek (Class C) No project specific conditions Bridge No 76 (SR 1985) over Fourth Creek in Rowan County *Potential impacts to Fourth Creek (Class C 303d) 1 Fourth Creek are class C 303(d) waters of the State Fourth Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for aquatic life due to impaired ecological and biological integrity NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Fourth 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 171 (SR 1006) over Crane Creek in Rowan County *Potential impacts to Crane Creek and two parallel unnamed tributaries (Class C) No project specific comments Bridge No 115 (SR 1908) over the Dan River in Stokes County *Potential impacts to the Dan River (WSIV) I Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream Stormwater should 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 to the maximum extent practicable General Protect Comments 1 For projects that will be handled through the Low Impact Bridge program 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 For projects that will be handled through the Low Impact Bridge program 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 If any of the bridges are replaced with aluminum box culverts the stream width must be maintained immediately upstream and downstream of the pipe inlet Please consider the use of baffles floodplain benches and other potential techniques to maintain the stream width 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 NCDWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices such as grassed swales buffer areas preformed scour holes retention basins etc 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 { 15A 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 streambanks and do not require stream channel realignment The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for 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 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 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 (336) 771 4959 cc Matthew Jones NCDOT Division 9 Bridge Program Manager John Thomas US Army Corps of Engineers Raleigh Field Office e copy only Stephanie Braquet Division 9 Environmental Specialist Wetlands /401 Transportation,Permittmg Unit File Copy