20171369 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20120114

North Ca rolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Pat McCrory Charles Wakild, P. E. John E. Skvarla, III
Governor Director Secretary

225 Green St., Suite 714, Fayetteville, NC 28301 -5043
Phone: [phone] \ FAX: [phone]
Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org

An Equal Opportunity \ Affirmative Action Employer – 50% Recycled \ 10% Post Consumer Paper

January 14 , 2013

MEMORANDUM

TO: Natalie Lockhart , NCDOT Bridge Project Planning Engineer

FROM: Mason Herndon , NC Division of Water Quality, Fayetteville Regional Office

SUBJECT: Start of Study Review of NCDOT ’s Proposed Bridge Replacement Pro jects: B -4620 ,
B -5333, B -5695, 5334 and B -5696 in Robeson County.

In reply to your correspondence dated and received by e -mail on December 2 1 , 20 12 , in which you
requested comments for the above referenced projects, the NC Division of Water Quality offers the
following comments:

Project -Specific Comments

Project Bridge
No. Route Stream Name
River
Basin
Stream
Classification(s)
Stream Index
Number
303(d)
Listing
B -4620 121/123 SR 2455 Ashpole Swamp Lumber C ;Sw 14 -30a Y (1)
B -5333 173 SR 1550 Lumber Rive r Lumber WS IV, B;Sw, HQW 14 -(7) Y (1)
B -5695 174 SR 1550 Lumber River Lumber WS IV, B;Sw, HQW 14 -(7) Y (1)
B -5334 78 SR 2220 Ten Mile Branch Lumber C;Sw 14 -18 -2 N
B -5696 65 NC 130 Old Field Swamp Lumber C;Sw 14 -30 -7 -4 N
(1) Listed under category 1 – Lis ted as Category 1 for aquatic life – moderate bioclassification, and
Category 4t (impaired) water column Mercury - standard violati on. N o special design standards are
required .

B -5333 , Bridge No. 173 on SR 1550 o ver Lumber River , Robeson County
B -569 5, Bridge No. 174 on SR 1550 over Lumber River, Robeson County

1. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as WS IV, B;Sw, HQW ;
High Quality Waters of the State in the project study area. This is one of the highest classifica tions
for water quality. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H .1006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NC DOT will be
required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to construction.

General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects

2. DWQ cannot comment on permit requi rements with the limited information provided. Detailed
field delineation is required to determine the presence or absence of jurisdictional resources within
the project limits. In addition, NCDOT must provide an estimate of impacts to any resources
loca ted within the construction limits of the project before we can specifically comment on DWQ
permit eligibility .

3. Whenever possible, the DWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not
require work within the stream or grubbing of the s tream 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 boater s.

4. 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 floodplain. Approach fills shall be removed and restored to the natural
ground elev ation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall
fescue shall not be used in riparian areas.

5. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NC
DOT shall address thes e concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic
environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts .

6. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is
approved under General 401 Certification Number 3 883 /Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
Activities.

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 C orps of Engineers guidelines for
bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.

8. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across
the bridge and pre -treated through site -ap propriate 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 .

9. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work are a 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.

10. Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible.

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 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 le aving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re -vegetate
naturally and minimizes soil disturbance.

12. 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.

13. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NC DWQ. Approved BM P 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.

14. Heavy equipment shall be operate d 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 fro m
leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.

15. Any anticipated dewatering 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 ti me the CE is
developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for dewatering and access measures
necessary due to bridge construction.

16. Any impacts to waters of the state resulting from utility relocations associated with these bridge
replacement p rojects must be noted in the project document. Utility relocations are generally
authorized in accordance with the conditions of General 401 Certification Number 38 84 /Nationwide
Permit No. 12 for Utility Line Activities.

Thank you for requesting our in put 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 questio ns or require
additional information, please contact me at (910 ) 308 -4021 or [e-mail] .

ec: Ronnie Smith, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office
Jim Rerko , Division 6 Environmental Officer
Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency
Gary Jordan, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Belinda Henson, NCDWQ, Fayetteville Regional Office
Sonia Carrillo, NCDWQ Central Office
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