20070806 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20070516

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Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
May 16, 2007
DWQ# 07-0806
Gaston County
Mr. Mike Holder, P.E.
NCDOT Division 12
P.O. Box 47
Shelby, NC 28151
APPROVAL of 401 Water Quality Certification with Additional Conditions
Dear Mr. Holder:
You have our approval, in accordance with the attached conditions and those listed below, to permanently
impact a total of 38 linear feet and temporarily impact a total of 140 linear feet of streams as listed in the
table below:
Permit Site No. Stream Name Len th of Stream Im act T pe of Im act
Site #1 1St Unnamed tributary to 12 linear feet Permanent impact for culvert
Blackwood Creek extension
Site #1 1St Unnamed tributary to 5 linear feet Permanent impact for rock
Blackwood Creek ladder construction
Site #1 1St Unnamed tributary to 80 linear feet Temporary impacts for
Blackwood Creek cofferdams
Site #2 2nd Unnamed tributary to 11 linear feet Permanent impact for culvert
Blackwood Creek extension and fill
Site #2 2nd Unnamed tributary to 10 linear feet Permanent impact for rock
Blackwood Creek ladder construction
Site #2 2nd Unnamed tributary to 60 linear feet Temporary impacts for
Blackwood Creek cofferdams
The impacts will be for the purpose of replacing failing culverts as described in your application received by th~~
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on May 10, 2007. The location of the project is State Road (SR) 1136
(Stagecoach Road) in Gaston County. After reviewing your application, we have determined that this project is
covered by Water Quality General Certification Number 3627. Please note that you should get any other
federal, state or local permits before proceeding with your project, including those required by (but not limited
to) Sediment and Erosion Control, Non-Discharge, and Water Supply Watershed regulations. This approval
will expire with the associated 404 permit unless otherwise specified in the Water Quality Certification.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
NorthCaroli~
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Mr. Mike Holder
Page Two
This approval is valid solely for the purpose and design that you described in your application (unless modified
below). Should your project change, you must notify the DWQ in writing and you may be required to submit a
new application. If the property is sold, the new owner must be given a copy of this Certification and approval
letter and is thereby responsible for complying with all conditions. If total wetland fills for this project (now or in
the future) exceed one acre, or if total impacts to streams (now or in the future) exceed 150 linear feet,
compensatory mitigation may be required as described in 15A NCAC 2H.0506 (h)(6) and (7). For this approval
to remain valid, you must adhere to the conditions listed in the attached certification and those listed below:
1. Due to the steep slope at both permit sites, DWQ will not require the burial of the culverts in these locations.
The rock ladders shall be installed in such a manner that the original stream profiles are not altered (i.e., the
depth of the channel must not be reduced by a widening of the streambed). A representative from the
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) environmental staff shall be present on site
during the construction of the rock ladders to provide guidance to the NCDOT Maintenance
Personnel and/or selected contractor. Existing stream dimensions (including pattern and profile) are to be
maintained above and below the locations of each culvert. The applicant may be required to provide
evidence that the equilibrium has been maintained, if requested in writing by the DWQ.
2. The use of riprap above the normal high water mark shall be minimized. Any riprap placed for stream
stabilization shall be placed in stream channels in such a manner that it does not impede aquatic life
passage.
3. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order minimize
sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream.
4. No rock, sand or other materials shall be dredged from the stream channel except where authorized by this
certification.
5. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP measures
from the current version of the 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.
6. Temporary dewatering sites must be restored to pre-existing conditions unless more natural geomorphic
conditions can be provided.
7. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area should be maintained to prevent direct contact
between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete should not
be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills.
8. 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 the 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.
9. The dimension, pattern and profile of the stream above and below the crossing should not be modified.
Disturbed floodplains and streams should be restored to natural geomorphic conditions.
10. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters must be regularly inspected and maintained to
prevent contamination of stream waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
11. All fill slopes located in jurisdictional wetlands shall be placed at slopes no flatter than 3:1, unless otherwise
authorized by this certification.

Mr. Mike Holder
Page Three
12. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment in or adjacent to
surface waters is prohibited.
13. A copy of this Water Quality Certification shall be posted on the construction site at all times. In addition, the
Water Quality Certification and all subsequent modifications, if any, shall be maintained with the Division
Engineer and the on-site project manager.
14. Native riparian vegetation must be re-established within the construction limits of the project by the end of the
growing season following completion of construction.
15. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters to the maximum extent
practicable. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable,
they shall be removed and the natural grade restored within 30 days after the Division of Land Resources has
released the project.
16. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing the proper
design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in order to protect
surface waters standards:
a. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated,
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and
Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual.
b. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures
must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the most recent version of
the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all
construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor-owned or
leased borrow pits associated with the project.
c. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed, installed,
operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface
Mining Manual.
d. The reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in accordance
with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act.
17. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and its contractors and/or agents shall not
excavate, fill or perform mechanized land clearing at any time in the construction or maintenance of this
project within waters and/or wetlands, except as authorized by this Certification, or any modification to this
Certification (e.g., no work shall occur outside of the footprint of the plans provided). In addition, there shall
be no excavation from or waste disposal into jurisdictional wetlands or waters associated with this
Certification without appropriate modification. If this occurs, compensatory mitigation may be required since it
is a direct impact from road construction activities.
18. Upon completion of the project, the NCDOT Division Engineer shall complete and return the enclosed
"Certificate of Completion" form to notify DWQ when all work included in the 401 Certification has been
completed. Please include photographs upstream and downstream of the structure to document correct
installation.
19. Continuing Compliance. NCDOT shall conduct its activities in a manner so as not to contravene any state
water quality standard [including any requirements for compliance with section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act]
and any other appropriate requirements of state and federal law. If DWQ determines that such standards or
laws are not being met (including the failure to sustain a designated or achieved use) or that state or federal
law is being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, DWQ may reevaluate
and modify this certification to include conditions appropriate to assure compliance with such standards and
requirements in accordance with 15 A NCAC 2H.0507(d).

Mr. Mike Holder
Page Four
Before codifying the certification, DWQ shall notify NCDOT and the USACE, provide public notice in
accordance with 15A NCAC 2H.0503, and provide opportunity for public hearing in accordance with 15A
NCAC 2H.0504. Any new or revised conditions shall be provided to NCDOT in writing, shall be provided to
the USACE for reference in any permit issued pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and shall also
become conditions of the 404 Permit for the project.
If you do not accept any of the conditions of this Certification, you may ask for an adjudicatory hearing. You
must act within 60 days of the date that you receive this letter. To ask for a hearing, send a written petition that
conforms to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714
Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6714. This Certification and its conditions are final and binding unless
you ask for a hearing.
This letter completes the review by the Division of Water Quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If
you have any questions, please telephone Polly Lespinasse in the Mooresville Regional Office at 704-663-
1699.
Sincerely,
t
forAlan W. Klimek, P.E.
Attachments
cc: Steve Lund; USACE Asheville Field Office
Sonia Gregory, DWQ Wetlands Unit
File Copy