20130614 Ver 1_More Info Requested_20130726

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Pat McCrory Thomas A. Reeder John E. Skvarla, III
Governor Acting Director Secretary
July 25, 2013
CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
7012 2210 0002 4887 0888
Mr. Kevin Rose
Federal Highway Administration
21400 Ridgetop Circle
Sterling, VA 20166
Subject: Bridge repair and culvert replacements in the Croatan National Forest; NC ERFO FSR 2011 -1(1); DWQ project
number 13 -0614
Dear Mr. Rose:
The Division of Water Quality has reviewed your submittal for a 401 Water Quality Certification for the aforementioned
project. Review of your application revealed it lacking necessary information required for making an informed permit
decision. The permit application was deficient in the following areas:
1. Site Numbers. The assigned site numbers listed in the project narrative and Categorical Exclusion Form do not match
the site numbers listed in the PCN form and the Delineation Draft Report. Please confirm which are the correct site
numbers to use for reference.
2. River Basins and Riparian Buffer Rules. All sites are listed in the PCN as being in the White Oak River Basin. The
three Craven County sites (Middle Little Rd., MP 3.953; Middle Little Rd., MP 3.517; and Brown Rd., MP 0.100) are
actually in the Neuse River Basin. The features at these sites are shown on the USGS quadrangle topographic maps
and/or the NRCS soil survey maps as streams. These streams are therefore subject to the Neuse Riparian Buffer Rules
(15A NCAC 02B.0233), and any impacts to riparian buffers at these sites may require a Buffer Authorization
Certificate. Exemptions to the rule include man-made ditches and ephemeral streams. If you believe this to be the
case with any of these three features, you can request an on -site stream determination.
3. Stream, buffer and open water impacts. There are no stream, buffer or open water impacts listed for the proposed
activities. It is suggested you contact this office and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Washington, NC to
determine whether these types of impacts will result from the proposed activities.
4. Wetland impacts. The wetland impacts are not shown on the plan sheets. Please provide plan sheets that depict the
area of wetlands being impacted. Cross hatching is often used to show the impact areas. Also please include any
temporary impacts that may result from the diversion channels and the installation of sediment and erosion control
measures in the wetland impact totals.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
Phone: 252 - 9464811 FAX: [phone]
Internet www.ncwaterouality.org
NorthCarolina
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5. Rip -rap. The culvert replacement sites all show a rip -rap apron at the outlet end. DWQ prefers that rip -rap not be
placed in the channel where possible and that any rip -rap used for stream stabilization be placed in stream channels in
such a manner that is does not impede aquatic life passage. Please reduce the amount of rip -rip used for outlet
protection to the maximum extent possible and provide justification as to why it is needed.
Therefore, pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H .0507(a)(5), we will have to place the permit application on hold until we are
supplied the necessary information. You have 21 days to respond in writing with the requested information or notification
to this office that the information is forthcoming. If, at the end of the 21 days, this office has not received this information
in writing, we will assume you are withdrawing your application and it will be returned. Furthermore, until the
information is received by the NC Division of Water Quality, we request (by copy of this letter) that the US Army Corps
of Engineers place the permit application on hold.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Garcy Ward at (252) 948 -3922 or
[e-mail].
Sincerely,
for Thomas A. Reeder
Acting Director
cc: Tom Steffens, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Field Office (electronic copy only)
Sonia Carrillo, DWQ, TPU
File Copy