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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170239 Ver 1_U-3109A NOV Response_20210825 a STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Roy COOPER J.ERIC BOYETTE GOVERNOR SECRETARY 2 June 2021 North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300 Winston Salem, NC 27105 Attn: Tamera Eplin,PE,Regional Engineer Land Quality Section RE: Project Name: TIP U-3109A NC 119 Bypass Project ID: Not Assigned County: Alamance Ms. Eplin: This is in response to the Notice of Violation received by North Carolina Department of Transportation on 24 May 2021 pertaining to project U-3109A NC 119 Bypass in Alamance County. NCDOT takes very seriously the importance of erosion control on all construction projects and is diligent to inspect,document,report and address all potential issues that may occur during the project duration. A Notice of Violation that is received is of utmost concern and an urgent response is required by the Project Staff and the Contractor to take any corrective actions. An inspection was made by Ms. Kimberly Turney on 22 April 2021 who was notified by the current property owner of turbidity in the pond on the subject property. NCDOT staff present with Ms. Tumey during the inspection included the Resident Engineer,John Howell,Division Environmental Officer, Jerry Parker, and Area Roadside Environmental Engineer,Aaron Harper, PE. There were other NCDOT project staff on site during the inspection as well. Following that inspection,Ms. Turney met with the Project Staff back in the Contractor's field office and noted general maintenance concerns and requested were the NPDES documents and Erosion Control plans for the project. Those documents were provided and are attached to this response as well. Maintenance items noted on 22 April 2021 were addressed, corrected, or repaired immediately the date of the inspection and completed the following day on 23 April 2021 by the Contractor staff. The Project Staff verified that these were completed in a satisfactory manner and have made additional inspections to ensure that the erosion control measures are in place and maintained as the approved Erosion Control plans depict in the days following. Attached also are photos that confirm the status of the project measures after those items were completed for your information. Mailing Address: Telephone:336-487-0000 Location: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax:336-334-3637 1584 YANCEYVILLE STKEET DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 GREENSBORO, NC 27415 P.O.BOX 14996 GREENSBORO, NC 27405 Website:ncdotgov Notice of Violations TIP U-3109A 2 June 2021 Page 2 The NOV noted that NCDOT was found to be in violation of Storm Water Pollution Control Act, G.S. 113A-50 to 66,Title 15A,North Carolina Administrative Code(NCAC), Chapter 4 in the following areas: 1. Failure to conduct a land-disturbing activity in accordance with the approved erosion and sedimentation control plan. G.S. 113A-57(5). Construction has occurred in a manner leading to the loss of sediment off site into a private pond and waters identified as Watershed Supply II,High Quality Waters(HQW), and Critical Areas. Response: Erosion Control Measures were installed as indicated in the approved plans. As an important factor in the Property Owner's concern with the pond,at the time of Right of Way acquisition,the settlement was made with the property owner of record. NCDOT Right of Way compensated the original property owner for the pond and the surrounding area. This pond is currently and was included in the construction limits of the project. Attached is the taking map that indicates the taking of the pond. Additionally,there are no records of off-site sediment into the pond as shown in the attached NPDES records,but compensation was made to the property owner for any impacts that may occur to the pond. 2. Failure,when a land-disturbing activity that will disturb more than one acre is undertaken on a tract,to install sedimentation and erosion control devices sufficient to retain the sediment generated by the land-disturbing activity within the boundaries of the tract during construction upon and development of the tract. G.S. I I3A-57(3). Sediment has migrated off site into a private pond and beyond the limits of disturbance in the jurisdictional stream between HBl and basin 15.4,and behind SSCF outlets along Y16RPA, between basin 27.3 and the-L-intersection. Response: As noted above,this pond is located within the project construction limits and there was not known off-site losses and no records of off-site sediment in this nor into the pond as shown in the attached NPDES records. 3. Failure to take measures to protect all public and private property from sedimentation and erosion damage caused by the land-disturbing activities. 15A NCAC 4B .0105. Efforts have not been made to remove sediment that migrated beyond the limits of disturbance since the 1/8-inch rainfall that occurred 8 days prior to our inspection. Response: Please see attached photo that indicates that this material was determined to be a fine skim and removal could potentially cause more harm to the native vegetation and material. If losses are determined necessary to be removed, removal would occur as recommended by the Division of Water Quality in coordination with the Division 7 Environmental Officer. Mailing Address.' Telephone:336-487-0000 Location: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax:336-334-3637 1584 YANCEYVILLE S"rREET DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Customer Service: 1-877-3684968 GREENSBORO, NC 27415 P.O.BOX 14996 GREENSBORO, NC 27405 Website:ncdot.gov Notice of Violations TIP U-3109A 2 June 2021 Page 3 4. Failure to retain a buffer zone or sufficient width along a lake,trout water or natural watercourse in which to confine visible siltation by natural or artificial means within the 25 percent of that portion of the buffer zone nearest the land-disturbing activity. G.S. 113A- 57(1). Construction activities and/or sediment were observed along and in the jurisdictional stream leading to and including the private pond located below approximate Station 163+00. Response: Erosion control devices were installed as shown in the Erosion Control plans as required. These devices are designed to maintain storm water runoff for the land-disturbance. In addition,the turbidity curtain installed in the pond is functioning properly as indicated by the contained area of the curtain. Photos are attached depict the turbidity curtain and the pond water condition. 5. Failure to install and maintain all temporary and permanent erosion and sedimentation control measures as required by the approved plan or any provision of the Act, and rules adopted thereunder,during or after the development of a site. 15A NCAC 4B .0113. Maintenance on sediment basins (15.5, 15.4,HB 1, 27.4,27.3), silt fence,and special sediment control fence(SSCF) outlets is needed.The diversion that was designed to lead to HB 1 was bypassing the basin. Response: These corrective maintenance measures were taken immediately the day of the inspection and completed the following day 23 April 2021. Necessary maintenance of the silt fence and special sediment control fence was performed immediately and completed the following day. See attached photos and documentation. 6. Failure to provide sedimentation control measures, structures,and devices within HQW zones that are designed and constructed to provide protection from the runoff of the 25-year storm which produces the maximum peak rate of runoff. 15A NCAC 413 .0124(b). The measures and maintenance of measures on site have resulted in sediment loss off site and into a private pond and waters identified as Watershed Supply II,HQW,and Critical Areas. Response: There are no records of or known off-site sediment into the pond as shown in the attached NPDES records. All erosion control devices have been inspected and maintenance recommendations provided were completed immediately following the inspection by Ms. Turney. Additionally,the pond is within the project construction limits. Additionally,the NOV indicated measures must be taken to correct the above violations by the following actions: 1. Maintain all basins examined during the inspection(ID 15.5,the breached pond, 15.4,HB 1, 27.4, and 27.3; may not be all inclusive). For all affected basins,the front bays should be mucked out,baffles installed,re-installed, or replaced. The skimmers shall be checked for function or sizing as none appeared to be dewatering.The surrounding slopes shall be stabilized,weir and spillway fabric secured, and dissipation pads installed per plan. Response: These corrective maintenance measures were taken immediately and completed the following day of the inspection, 23 April 2021. See attached photos and documentation. Mailing Address: Telephone.:336-487-0000 Location: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax:336-334-3637 1584 YANCEYVILLE STREET DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 GREENSBORO, NC27415 P.O.BOX 14996 GREENSBORO, NC 27405 Websoe:ncdot.gov Notice of Violations TIP U-3109A 2 June 2021 Page 4 The basin bays were inspected,cleaned if necessary,baffles were inspected and if needed re- installed or replaced. Skimmers were checked to ensure functionality and dewatering was occurring. The slopes were stabilized, and spillway fabric secured. Dissipater pads that were indicated on the EC plans have been installed and inspected. 2. Ensure that all temporary diversions flow into retention devices. Construction storrnwater is bypassing HB 1 (currently being used as a sediment basin). Response: Inspection of the temporary diversions was performed to ensure that flow was being directed into the retention devices. 3. Remove all sediment lost off site and/or to jurisdictional waters. A few areas of sediment loss were observed,most notably in the jurisdictional stream between HB 1 and basin 15.4, and behind SSCF outlets along Y16RPA,between basin 27.3 and the-L-intersection. These also lead to the jurisdictional stream. Any areas of loss occurring behind silt fence, SSCF outlets, or outside LODs in general need to be removed immediately.Any areas previously matted or seeded/strawed that contain lost sediment need to have lost sediment removed, and the areas re-stabilized. Removed sediment should be stockpiled or graded onto areas at least 50 feet from surface waters and stabilized. Response: This material was determined to be a fine residual skim and removal could potentially cause more harm to the native vegetation and material. If losses are determined necessary to be removed by coordination with the Division of Water Quality and Division Environmental Officer,a recommended action plan for that removal would be implemented. 4. Review and evaluate the turbidity curtain installed in the private pond. A qualified individual should evaluate and ensure the type,proper installation,and maintenance of the turbidity curtain for the private pond. Response: The turbidity curtain was inspected by the Contractor by utilizing a boat and was found to be secure. This curtain will be routinely inspected until removal of the curtain can be completed. 5. Remove the sediment discharges to the private pond. Permission from the landowner must be obtained prior to initiating cleanup activities. Additional restoration activities may be required to restore the pond to a natural stable condition when sediment removal activities have been completed. Approval of clean up and restoration activities in the pond must also be obtained from DWR. Response: Coordination with the Division of Water Quality to determine the course of action if needed will be on-going. As noted above,this pond is located within the project construction limits and there are no records of or known off-site sediment into the pond as shown in the attached NPDES records. The pond will continue to be inspected and monitored along with maintenance of the erosion control measures in the area of the pond to ensure that no off-site sediment occurs into the pond. 6. Provide assurances that erosion control measures are/were based on Design Standards for Sensitive Watersheds where required throughout the project as this site is in High Quality Waters. Mailing Address: Telephone.:336-487-0000 Location: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax 336-334-3637 1584 YANCEYV ILLE STREET DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968 GREENSBORO, NC27415 P.O.BOX 14996 GREENSBORO, NC 27405 lPebsite:ncdotgov Notice of Violations TIP U-3109A 2 June 2021 Page 5 Response: The Engineer of Record for the design of the Erosion Control Plans and NCDOT Roadside Environmental Design staff have ensured that the design standards for Sensitive Watersheds and High-Quality Waters are met.NCDOT roadway construction plans are required to meet all NCDOT Standard and Specifications along with all Federal Highway Administration requirements and the NC General Statues for Storm Water Pollution Control. Thalle Construction Contractors has completed all of the recommended measures above and were completed the following day on 23 April 2021. The Resident Engineer, the Division Environmental Office and Area Roadside Environmental Engineer inspected and confirmed that the work was completed satisfactorily and in compliance with the approved Erosion Control Plans. Additional inspections have insured that the erosion control devices are being maintained as required. This issue is taken very seriously by NCDOT and Erosion Control requirements and compliance are stressed at all times to the Contractor and NCDOT Project Staff. Any sediment loss that occurs on the U-3109A project is reported to the required Agencies within the 24-hour required time frame. Documentation and pictures are provided with the reports and if necessary,an on- site meeting with those Agencies is scheduled to inspect and recommend actions to be taken. Additionally,the Roadside Environmental Engineer and the Contractor's staff have taken turbidity readings along the streams and storm water sites throughout this area. The readings indicate that water entering into the project,prior to construction had higher turbidity readings than the water exiting the project site in this area. Those readings and mapping to indicate the locations of the samples are attached to this document. Please do not hesitate if further information is needed or you have additional questions. You may contact me,W. R. Archer III,PE, at 336-487-000. Thank you for help and consideration in resolving this issue. Sincerely, 1W - _P, - A I-),,/FP6 W.R. Archer III, PE Division 7 Engineer \ppe cc: Daniel H. Johnson,General Counsel Ronnie Keeter,Jr.,PE, Chief Engineer David B. Harris,PE, State Roadside Environmental Engineer Philip S. Harris III,PE,CPM,Environmental Analysis Mailing Address.' Telephone:336-487-0000 Location: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Fax:336-334-3637 1584 YANCEYVILLE STREET DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Customer Service: 1-877-3684968 GREENSBORO, NC27415 P.O.BOX 14996 GREENSBORO, NC 27405 Website:ncdot.gov