20050649 Ver 1_Information Letter_20020906

O~ ~ArF~ Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
\OC~ QG North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
pj ~ Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
~ ~ Division of Water Quality
4 `~
September 6, 2002
Memorandum
To: Mike Penney, NCDOT, Project Development & Environmental Analysis
From: John Hennessy ~ ` ~~
Subject: Scoping comments on the proposed bridge replacement of Bridge Number 19 on NC 210 over Stones
Creek in Onslow County, TIP B-4215.
Reference your correspondence dated May 10, 2002 in which you requested comments for TIP project B-4215.
Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for impacts to an unnamed tributary to Stones Creek (DWQ
Index No. 19-30-3, SA, HQW) in the White Oak River Basin and potential associated wetlands. Further
investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams and/or
jurisdictional wetlands in the area. In the event that any jurisdictional areas are identified, the Division of Water
Quality (DWQ) requests that NCDOT consider the following environmental issues for the proposed project:
A. DWQ would prefer the new bridge design to minimize the number of bridge deck drains that discharge
directly into surface waters. Please consider a stormwater collection that drains all stormwater to a
stormwater treatment device. If such a design is not practical, then a design that minimizes direct discharge
to surface waters through collection of some of the stormwater and discharging into a stormwater treatment
device is preferred.
B. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is preferred. Strict
adherence the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water
Quality Certification.
C. The number of bridge bents placed in surface waters should be minimized.
D. Use of jetting to install bridge bents is not preferred. Use of jetting for installation will need to be authorized
in the 401 Water Quality Certification.
E. The post-construction removal of any temporary bridge structures will need to return the project site to its
preconstruction contours and elevations. The revegetation of the impacted areas with appropriate native
species may also be necessary.
F. The NCDOT will need to adhere to all appropriate in-water work moratoriums (including the use of pile
driving or vibration techniques) prescribed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service.
G. Any onsite detour will need to be constructed with a temporary bridge that spans all wetlands and surface
waters. No fill into the adjacent surface waters or wetlands is preferred for the referenced project. Issuance
of the 401 Water Quality Certification will likely be contingent on that condition being met.
H. The NCDOT shall strictly adhere to sediment and erosion control Best Management Practices as described
for High Quality Waters entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0024)
throughout design and construction of the project.

N. C. Division of Water Quality 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1650 [phone]
Customer Service: 1 800 623-7748

Michael F. Easiey, Governor
Q~ W A rF/~ William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
`O~ QG North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
~ ~ Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
~ .=f
fl ~
I. The project may require a State Stormwater permit issued by the NC Division of Water Quality. Please
contact the appropriate regional office to ascertain its potential applicability.
New Stormwater draining from the proposed project cannot be discharged directly into SA waters. Rather, an
infiltration basin designed according to the NC Division of Water Quality Stormwater requirements may be
required.
K. The document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed impacts to wetlands and
streams with corresponding mapping.
L. There should be a discussion on mitigation plans for unavoidable impacts. If mitigation is required, it is
preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental documentation.
While the NCDWQ realizes that this may not always be practical, it should be noted that for projects
requiring mitigation, appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality
Certification.
M. Review of the project reveals that no hazardous spill catch basins will likely be required for this project.
N. Wetland and stream impacts should be avoided (including sediment and erosion control structureslmeasures)
to the maximum extent practical. If this is not possible, alternatives that minimize wetland impacts should be
chosen. Mitigation for unavoidable impacts will be required by DWQ for impacts to wetlands in excess of
one acre and/or to streams in excess of 1501inear feet.
O. Borrow/waste areas should not be located in wetlands. It is likely that compensatory mitigation will be
required if wetlands are impacted by waste or borrow.
P. If foundation test borings are necessary; it should be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved
under General 401 Certification Number 3027/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities.
Q: In accordance with the NCDWQ Wetlands Rules { 15A NCAC 2H.0506(b)(6)}, mitigation will be required
for impacts of greater than 1501inear feet to any single perennial stream. In the event that mitigation
becomes required, the mitigation plan should be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values. In
accordance with the NCDWQ Wetlands Rules { 15A NCAC 2H.0506 (h)(3)}, the Wetland Restoration
Program may be available for use as stream mitigation.
R. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands.
While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, soil surveys, and other landscape scale analysis
techniques are useful office tools, their inherent inaccuracies require that qualified personnel perform onsite
wetland delineations prior to permit approval.
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
John Hennessy at [phone].
cc: US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington Field Office
Howard Hal}, USFWS
David Cox, NCWRC
Cathy Brittingham, NC Division of Coastal Management
Personal Files
File Copy
C:\ncdot\TIP B-4031\comments\B-4031 scoping comments.doc
N. C. Division of Water Quality 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1650 [phone]
Customer Service: 1 800 623-7748