BR-0090_and_B-5947_Prefilingcomments

ROY COOPER. 5 o.
Governor
DIONNE DELLI-GATTI `'` ,a f% 4/
`Secretory r`4'QuA�^'n0`P,-_-
S.DANIEL SMITH NORTH CAROL!NA
Director Environmental Quality
May 20,2021
MEMORANDUM
TO:Jason Dilday,NCDOT Environmental Analysis Unit
FROM: Rob Ridings,NC Division of Water Resources,Transportation Permitting Branch
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects:B-4957,Nash County;
and BR-0090,Halifax/Nash County Line.(NCDOT Division 4.)
In reply to your pre-filing submittal dated May 17,2021 for the above referenced projects,the NC Division of Water
Resources offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments
B-4957,Bridge No.91 on NC 581 over Tar River,Nash County
1. Tar River is class WS-V;NSW waters of the State. NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion
impacts that could result from this project. NCDWR recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion
control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Tar River. Post-construction sormwater
BMPs should,to the MEP,be selected and designed to reduce nutrients.
2. To meet the requirements of NCDOT's NPDES permit NCS000250,the road design plans shall provide
treatment of the sormwater runoff through BMPs as detailed in the most recent version of the North Carolina
Department of Transportation Stormwater Best Management Practices Toolbox manual. The BMPs should,to
the MEP,be selected and designed to reduce impacts of the target pollutants of concern(POCs)for the
receiving waters.
3. This project is within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to
the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0259. 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.02B.0295. 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 North
Carolina Division of Mitigation Services,must be provided to the NCDWR 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,coordinated with the North Carolina Division of Mitigation
Services,must be provided to the NCDWR prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification.
BR-0090,Bridge 36 on NC 561 over Fishing Creek,Halifax&Nash Counties
1. Fishing Creek is class WS-V;NSW waters of the State. NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion
impacts that could result from this project. NCDWR recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion
D_E North
512 Carolina Department1 of1617 EnMavironments[il Center Quality RaleighDivision of WaterNorth Resou27rces
North Salisbury Street Service , Carolina 699-1617
NORTH CAFIOUNA
Department of EnvIron iouaitY 919.707.9000

control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Tar River. Post-construction stormwater
BMPs should,to the MEP,be selected and designed to reduce nutrients.
2. To meet the requirements of NCDOT's NPDES permit NCS000250,the road design plans shall provide
treatment of the stormwater runoff through BMPs as detailed in the most recent version of the North Carolina
Department of Transportation Stormwater Best Management Practices Toolbox manual. The BMPs should,to
the MEP,be selected and designed to reduce impacts of the target pollutants of concern(POCs)for the
receiving waters.
3. This project is within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin.Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to
the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0259. 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.02B.0295. 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 North
Carolina Division of Mitigation Services,must be provided to the NCDWR 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,coordinated with the North Carolina Division of Mitigation
Services,must be provided to the NCDWR prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
• The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NC
DOT 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.
• If foundation test borings are necessary;it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved
under General 401 Certification Number 3883/Nationwide Permit No.6 for Survey Activities.
• If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge,the NCDWR believes
the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required.Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine
the required permit(s).
• 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.
• Whenever possible,the NCDWR prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream or grubbing of the stream 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 boaters.
• 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 NCDWR Stormwater
Best Management Practices.
• 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.
Concrete shall be handled in accordance with the NPDES Construction General Permit NCG010000.
• Bridge supports(bents)shall not be placed in the stream when possible.
D_E C j North lnp of iromt Quality 1 W Ru
512 NorthCaro Salisbury iaDe Streetartment 11617Env Mail n Service enal Center Division Raleigh,Northofater Carolinaeso 2769rces 9-1617
NORTH CAROUNA
Department of Emlmemema1 Waal 919.707.9000

• 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.
• 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.
• All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise approved
by the NCDWR. 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.
• 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.
• In most cases,the NCDWR 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 elevation. The area shall be
stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall fescue shall not be used in riparian areas.
• Placement of culverts and other structures in waters, streams,and wetlands shall be 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 downstream of the above structures.The applicant is required to
provide evidence that the equilibrium is being maintained if requested in writing by the NCDWR. If this
condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction,
please contact the NCDWR for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit
modification will be required.
• 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 and/or sills where appropriate.
Widening the stream channel shall 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.
• 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 shall be properly designed, sized and
installed.
• Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in
the Categorical Exclusion(CE)document. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time
the CE is developed. However,the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to
culvert installation.
D_E - j North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality i Division of Water Resources
512 North Salisbury Street 11617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1617
NORTHCMCUSA
Deparbnantnranm^mo.!Dually 919.707.900D

• 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 time the CE is developed. However,
the CE should discuss the potential for dewatering and access measures necessary due to bridge
construction.
Thank you for requesting our input 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 questions or require additional information,please contact
at( ) - or at @NCDENR.gov.
-41 D North
512 Carolina Department1 of1617 EnMavironments[il Center Quality RaleighDivision of WaterNorth Resou27rces
North Salisbury Street Service , Carolina 699-1617
NORTH CAROUM1FA
Department of Enmmnmami Outdid 919.707.9000