HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190188_W-5600_20121217Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
AL
NC®ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Charles Wakild, P E
Director
December 17, 2012
MEMORANDUM
To Kim Gillespie, NCDOT PDEA
From Rob Ridings, NC Division of Water Quality, Transportation Permitting Unit
1A4
Subject Scoping comments on proposed improvements to US 70 in Johnston County, Federal Aid
Project No HSIP- 0070(163), State Project No 50056 1 1, TIP No W -5600
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Reference your correspondence received November 26, 2012 in which you requested comments for the
referenced project Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for impacts to streams and/or
jurisdictional wetlands in the project area More specifically, impacts to
Stream Name
River Basin &
Subbasin
Stream
Classifications
Stream Index
Number
303(d) Listin 9
(� g
Reedy Branch
NEU 02
C, NSW
27 -43 -14
No
Poplar Creek
NEU 02
WS -IV, NSW
27 -41
No
UT Neuse River
NEU 02
WS -IV, NSW
27-(397)
No
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
Protect Specific Comments
1 These streams are NSW waters of the State NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion
imacts that could result from this project NCDWQ recommends that highly protective sediment and
erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff 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's Stormwater Best Management Practices
2 This project is within the Neuse 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
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail 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 org
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarohna
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
General Protect Comments
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 { 15A 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
5 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 An analysis of cumulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this project is required
The type and detail of analysis shall conform to the NC Division of Water Quality Policy on the
assessment of secondary and cumulative impacts dated April 10, 2004
8 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
9 Where streams must be crossed, NCDWQ prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts However, we
realize that economic considerations often require the use of culverts Please be advised that
culverts should be countersunk to allow unimpeded passage by fish and other aquatic organisms
Moreover, in areas where high quality wetlands or streams are impacted, a bridge may prove
preferable When applicable, NCDOT should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the
maximum extent practicable
10 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 human and
wildlife passage beneath the structure Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall
not be blocked Bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible
11 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
12 Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams
13 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
14 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
15 Based on the information presented in the document, the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and
streams may require an 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
16 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
17 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
18 Unless otherwise authorized, placement of culverts and other structures in waters and streamsshall
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
19 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
20 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
21 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
22 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
23 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
24 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
25 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
26 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 919 -791 -8716
cc Tom Steffens, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Field Office
Chad Coggins, Division 4 Environmental Officer
File Copy
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,,
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE EUGENE A CON 1, JR
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
November 16, 2012
Mr Rob Ridings
NC DENR — Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 -1650
Dear Mr Ridings,
SUBJECT Start of Study for Improvements to US 70 from west of SR 2566 (Sadisco
Road) to west of SR 1915 (Turnage Road), Johnston County, NCDOT
Division 4, Federal -Aid Project HSIP- 0070(163),
WBS Element 50056 1 1, TIP Project W -5600
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit has begun studying the
proposed improvements to the subject project The project is included in the Draft 2013-
2023 North Carolina Department of Transportation Program and Resource Plan Both
right of way and construction are unfunded in this Plan
This project involves the construction of interchanges at the existing intersections
of SR 1643 (Swift Creek Road) and SR 1913 (Wilson's Mills Road) at US 70 and making
other access changes along US 70 within the project limits
Federal, state and local agencies are being contacted for their comments regarding
this project If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Kim
Gillespie, Project Planning Engineer, at (919) 707 -6023 or by email at
klgillespie @ncdot gov
incerely,
41"
i7o,, r gory J Thorpe, Ph D , Manager
roject Development and Environmental Analysis
Unit
GJT/kbc
Attachment
MAILING ADDRESS TELEPHONE 919 707 -6000 LOCATION
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX 919 250 -4224 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
4
Begin Project
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End Project
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SMI-THFIELD 301
101 "O"'"`+ NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
• DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
OF TN ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
P �
VICINITY MAP
US 70 IMPROVEMENTS
° • US 70 From West of SR 2565 to
West of SR 1915
0 6,000 JOHNSTON COUNTY
Feet
1341 TIP PROJECT W -5600
MAY 2012 FIGURE 1
B:ITORTORELLA