20131248 Ver 0_Scoping Comments_20120731

A �®
NC®ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Charles Waklld P E
Governor Director
July 31 2012
MEMORANDUM
To Michael Penney NCDOT PDEA
From Rob Ridings NC DWQ Transportation Permitting Unit l-1
Subject Scoping comments on proposed improvements to 140 in Wake County TIP No 15338
Reference your correspondence received July 11 2012 in which you requested comments for the
referenced project Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for multiple impacts to
streams buffers and jurisdictional wetlands in the project area
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 (or the consultant(s) that requested the comments)
consider the following environmental issues for the proposed project
Project Specific Comments
Dee Freeman
Secretary
1 Walnut Creek and its tributaries are class C NSW 303(d) impaired waters of the State Tributaries of
Lake Johnson are class B NSW 303(d) impaired waters of the State 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 (15A NCAC 04B 0124) to reduce the risk of further impairment to these waters
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 Stormwater Best Management
Prctices
2 This project is within the Neuse River Basin Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized
to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B 0233 New development activities located in
the protected 50 foot wide riparian areas within the basin shall be limited to uses identified within and
constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B 0233 Buffer mitigation may be required for buffer
impacts resulting from activities classified as allowable with mitigation within the Table of Uses
section of the Buffer Rules or require a variance under the Buffer Rules A buffer mitigation plan
including use of the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program must be provided to NCDWQ prior to
approval of the Water Quality Certification Buffer mitigation may be required for buffer impacts
resulting from activities classified as allowable with mitigation within the Table of Uses section of
the Buffer Rules or require a variance under the Buffer Rules A buffer mitigation plan including use of
the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program must be provided to NCDWQ prior to approval of the Water
Quality Certification
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mad Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1617
Location 512 N Salisbury St Raleigh North Carolina 27604
Phone 919 - 807 -63001 FAX 919 - 807 6492
Internet www ncwaterouality orq
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarolina
Ja

General Protect Comments
1 The environmental document should 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 impact statement 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 s Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual July 2007 such
as grassed swales buffer areas preformed scour holes retention basins etc
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 Commission s Rules {I 5A NCAC 2H 0506(h))
mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 1 acre to wetlands 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 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
Future documentation including the 401 Water Quality Certification Application shall continue to
include an itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponding
mapping
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 NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts including but not limited to bridging fill
excavation and clearing and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands streams and riparian buffers need to
be included in the final impact calculations These impacts in addition to any construction impacts
temporary or otherwise also need to be included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification
Application
8 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
9 Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams

10 Borrow /waste areas should avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical Impacts to wetlands in
borrow /waste areas will need to be presented in the 401 Water Quality Certification and could
precipitate compensatory mitigation
11 The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed
methods for stormwater management More specifically stormwater shall not be permitted to
discharge directly into streams or surface waters
12 Based on the information presented in the document the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and
streams may require a Nationwide Permit application to the Corps of Engineers and corresponding
401 Water Quality Certification Please be advised that a 401 Water Quality Certification requires
satisfactory protection of water quality to ensure that water quality standards are met and no
wetland or stream uses are lost Final permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal
application by the NCDOT and written concurrence from NCDWQ Please be aware that any
approval will be contingent on appropriate avoidance and minimization of wetland and stream
impacts to the maximum extent practical the development of an acceptable stormwater
management plan and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate
13 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
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 Unless otherwise authorized placement of culverts and other structures in waters and streams shall
be placed 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 NCDWQ If this condition is unable to
be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction please contact
NCDWQ for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification
will be required
16 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 floodplain benches and/or
sills may be required where appropriate Widening the stream channel should 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
17 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

18 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
19 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
20 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
21 Heavy equipment should 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
22 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
23 Riparian vegetation (native trees and shrubs) shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible
Riparian vegetation must be reestablished within the construction limits of the project by the end of
the growing season following completion of construction
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 Rob Ridings at [phone]
cc Eric Alsmeyer US Army Corps of Engineers Raleigh Field Office
Chris Murray Division 5 Environmental Officer
File Copy

BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
0 4%1 ,r J"
1 Zp1 C�
Z
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Re'?AVti
July 3 2012
Mr Rob Ridings
NC Division of Water Quality
Raleigh Regional Office
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1650
Dear Mr Ridings
EUGENE A CONTI JR
SECRETARY
SUBJECT Start of Study Letter for 15 3 3 8 —1 40/US 64 Improvements From west of
SR 1319 (Jones Franklin Road) Overpass to east of Exit 301 (I 40/US 64/1
440 Interchange), Wake County
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit is studying the
proposed improvements to the subject project The project is included in the North
Carolina Department of Transportation s 2012 2020 State Transportation Improvement
Program no Right of Way is anticipated for the project with construction in fiscal year
2013 as a Design Build project
An Internal Scopmg Meeting was held on April 8 2011 with a Re scoping
Meeting on July 13 2011 The proposed project involves pavement rehabilitation (full
depth replacement) of travel lanes, shoulders and ramps on I 40/US 64 from west of the
SR 1319 (Jones Franklin Road) Overpass to east of Exit 301 (I 40 /1440 /US 64
Interchange) within existing Right of Way see the attached existing and proposed
description of typical section(s) Full control of access will be maintained The project
length is approximately 8 7 miles long The location of the project is shown on Figure 1
Though several Federal and State Resource Agencies both formally and
informally have been contacted regarding this 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 for the project Your comments will be used in the preparation
MAILING ADDRESS TELEPHONE [phone] LOCATION
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX [phone] CENTURY CENTER BUILDING A
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE WWW NCDOT ORG/DOH/PRECONSTRUCT /PE/ RALEIGH NC 27610
RALEIGH NC 27699 1548

r
t�
T

i
!�
Start of Study Letter for 15338
July 3, 2012
Page 2 of 2
of a Federal funded Categorical Exclusion This document will be prepared in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act It is desirable that your agency respond by
August 24 2012 so that your comments can be used in the preparation of this document
If you have any questions concerning the project please contact Michael Penney,
PE, Project Development Engineer at [phone] or by email at
mpenney @ncdot gov Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and
comments
GJT /mp
Attachments
MAILING ADDRESS
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699 1548
Sincerely
Gregory T ZrpePh Manager
Project Deve oent and Environmental Analysis Unit
TELEPHONE 919 707$000
FAX [phone]
WEBSITE WWW NCDOT ORG/DOH/PRECONSTRUCT /PE/
LOCATION
CENTURY CENTER BUILDING A
1000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
RALEIGH NC 27610

ti
k

I 40/US 64 Improvements
From west of SR 1319 (Jones Franklin Road) Overpass
to east of Exit 301 (I -40 /US 64/1440 Interchange)
Wake County
Federal Aid No IMS 040 4(147)298
WBS No 46157 1 1
TIP Project No 15338
EXISTING TYPICAL SECTION Variable
The current lane configuration of 140 from west of the Jones Franklin Road Overpass to Exit 301 (I 40 /
1440 / US 64 Interchange) is as follows
• West of the SR 1319 (Jones Franklin Road) Overpass [Mile Marker 293 1 ] to east of Exit 297
(Lake Wheeler Road Interchange) [Mile Marker 297 6] three (3) lanes in both east and west
bound directions
• East of Exit 297 (Lake Wheeler Road Interchange) [Mile Marker 297 6] to east of Exit 299
(Hammond Road Interchange) [Mile Marker 299 71 four (4) lanes in both east and west bound
directions and
• East of Exit 299 (Hammond Road Interchange) [Mile Marker 299 7] to Exit 301 (I 40 / I -440 /
US 64 Interchange) [Mile Marker 3016 (at sign denoting the End of I 440)] four (4) lanes east
bound and five (5) lanes west bound
EXISTING CONTROL OF ACCESS Full Control
PROPOSED TYPICAL SECTION Variable
The proposed lane configuration of I -40 from west of the Jones Franklin Road Overpass to Exit 301 (I
40 / 1440 / US 64 Interchange) is as follows
• Section A West of the SR 1319 (Jones Franklin Road) Overpass to Exit 297 (Lake Wheeler
Road Interchange) three (3) through lanes with one (1) auxiliary lane between interchanges in
both east and west bound directions
• Section B East of Exit 297 (Lake Wheeler Road Interchange) to East of Exit 299 (Hammond
Road Interchange) four (4) lanes in both east and west bound directions
• Section C East of Exit 299 (Hammond Road Interchange) to Exit 300 (Rock Quarry Road
Interchange) four (4) lanes east bound and five (5) lanes west bound, and,
• Section D Exit 300 (Rock Quarry Road Interchange) to Exit 301 (I 40 /1440 / US 64
Interchange) four (4) through lanes east bound and five (5) through lanes with one (1) auxiliary
lane west bound
PROPOSED CONTROL OF ACCESS Full Control

�ja
i

40
40