HomeMy WebLinkAboutU-5515 (2)Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Project Review Form
Project Number: 14 -0298 County: wake L Date Received: 01/14/2014
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Due Date: 2/10/2014
Project Description: Scoping - Proposed project is for the Stadium Drive Complete Streets
Improvements. Improvments include widening Stadium Dr. to a three lane curb
and gutter section, sidewalk, multi -use path, bicycle facilities and transit
amenities along corridor. NCDOT TIP U -5515
This Project is being reviewed as indicated below:
Regional Office
Regional Office Area
In -House Review
Asheville
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Air
Air Quality
Coastal Management
Fayetteville
DWR- Surface Water
�/ Parks & Recreation
DCM- Marine Fisheries
Mooresville
,/
DWR- Aquifer
Waste Mgmt
Military Affairs
Raleigh
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DEMLR (LQ & SW)
Water Resources M mt
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DMF- Shellfish Sanitation
Washington
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UST
✓ DWR- Public Water
Wildlife
Wilmington
✓
DWR- Public Water
DWR -Water Quality Program
_ ✓ Wildlife —DOT T. Wilson
Winston -Salem
DWR- Transportation Unit
Manager Sign- Off/Region:
In -House Reviewer /Agency:
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Response (check all applicable) Y
No objection to project as proposed. No Comment
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Insufficient information to complete review �_ Other (specify or attach comments) �61,��
If you have any questions, please contact: �y
Lyn Hardison at lyn.hardison(d�ncdenr.gov or (252) 948 -3842
943 Washington Square Mall Washington NC 27889
Courier No. 16 -04 -01
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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and
Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Programs
Pat McCrory Thomas A. Reeder
Governor Director
February 10, 2014
Natural Resources
MEMORANDUM
To: Lyn Hardison, Environmental Review Coordinator A
4'T
From: David Wainwright, NC Division of Water Resources, Central Office
John E. Skvarla, III
Secretary
Subject: Scoping comments on proposed improvements to Stadium Drive in Wake County, TIP U -5515
State Clearinghouse Project No. 14 -0298.
Reference your correspondence dated January 13, 2014 in which you requested comments for the
referenced project. Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for multiple impacts to
streams and jurisdictional wetlands in the project area. More specifically, impacts to:
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 Resources requests that the Town of Wake Forest consider the following
environmental issues for the proposed project:
Project Specific Comments:
Richland Creek is class WS -IV; NSW waters of the State. The NCDWR is very concerned with
sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The NCDWR recommends that
highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient
runoff to Richland Creek. The NCDWR requests that road design plans provide treatment of the
storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of
NCDWR's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
This project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts should be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 213 .0233 for Neuse. New
development activities located in the protected 50 -foot wide riparian areas within the basin should be
limited to "uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0233. 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 NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program,
must be provided to the NCDWR prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification. Buffer
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1650
Location: 512 N Salisbury St. Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: 919 -807 -63001 FAX 919 - 733 -1290
Internet. www.nmaterguality.org
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarolina.
;Vatumlly
Stream
Stream Index
Stream Name
River Basin
303(d) Listing
Classifications
Number
Richland Creek
Neuse
WS -IV; NSW
27- 27 -(1.5)
None
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 Resources requests that the Town of Wake Forest consider the following
environmental issues for the proposed project:
Project Specific Comments:
Richland Creek is class WS -IV; NSW waters of the State. The NCDWR is very concerned with
sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The NCDWR recommends that
highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient
runoff to Richland Creek. The NCDWR requests that road design plans provide treatment of the
storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of
NCDWR's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
This project is within the Neuse River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts should be avoided and
minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 213 .0233 for Neuse. New
development activities located in the protected 50 -foot wide riparian areas within the basin should be
limited to "uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0233. 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 NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program,
must be provided to the NCDWR prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification. Buffer
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1650
Location: 512 N Salisbury St. Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: 919 -807 -63001 FAX 919 - 733 -1290
Internet. www.nmaterguality.org
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
NorthCarolina.
;Vatumlly
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 NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program,
must be provided to the NCDWR prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification.
General Project Comments:
1. The environmental document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed
impacts to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. If mitigation is necessary as
required by 15A NCAC 2H.0506(h), it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized)
mitigation plan with the environmental documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be
required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification.
2. Environmental impact statement alternatives should consider design criteria that reduce the impacts
to streams and wetlands from storm water runoff. These alternatives should include road designs
that allow for treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in
the most recent version of NCDWR's Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, July 2007,
such as grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc.
After the selection of the preferred alternative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality
Certification, the applicant is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the
avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetlands (and streams) to the maximum extent practical.
In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (15A NCAC 2H.0506[h]),
mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 1 acre to wetlands or 150 linear feet to any
single stream. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan should be designed to
replace appropriate lost functions and values. The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be
available for use as wetland and /or stream mitigation.
Future documentation, including the 401 Water Quality Certification Application, should continue
to include an itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponding
mapping.
The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this
project. The applicant should address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may
occur to the aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
6. The NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, fill,
excavation and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, streams, and riparian buffers need to
be included in the final impact calculations. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts,
temporary or otherwise, also need to be included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification
Application.
7. Where streams must be crossed, the NCDWR prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts. However,
we realize that economic considerations often require the use of culverts. Please be advised that
culverts should be countersunk to allow unimpeded passage by fish and other aquatic organisms.
Moreover, in areas where high quality wetlands or streams are impacted, a bridge may prove
preferable. When applicable, the NCDOT should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the
maximum extent practicable.
8. Whenever possible, the NCDWR prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not
require work within the stream or grubbing of the streambanks and do not require stream channel
realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges should allow for human
and wildlife passage beneath the structure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters
should not be blocked. Bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible.
Bridge deck drains should not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater should 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's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
10. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams.
11. Borrow /waste areas should avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in
borrow /waste areas will need to be presented in the 401 Water Quality Certification and could
precipitate compensatory mitigation.
12. The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed
methods for Stormwater management. More specifically, stormwater should not be permitted to
discharge directly into streams or surface waters.
13. Based on the information presented in the document, the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and
streams may require a Nationwide (NW) application to the Corps of Engineers and corresponding
401 Water Quality Certification. Please be advised that a 401 Water Quality Certification requires
satisfactory protection of water quality to ensure that water quality standards are met and no
wetland or stream uses are lost. Final permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal
application by the NCDOT and written concurrence from the NCDWR. Please be aware that any
approval will be contingent on appropriate avoidance and minimization of wetland and stream
impacts to the maximum extent practical, the development of an acceptable stormwater
management plan, and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate.
14. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area should be maintained to prevent direct
contact between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured
concrete should not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and
possible aquatic life and fish kills.
15. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site should be graded to its preconstruction
contours and elevations. Disturbed areas should be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and
appropriate native woody species should be planted. When using temporary structures the area
should 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.
16. Unless otherwise authorized, placement of culverts and other structures in waters and streams
should be placed 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 should 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.
17. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they should be designed to mimic natural stream cross
section as closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation, floodplain benches,
and /or sills may be required where appropriate. Widening the stream channel should 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.
18. If foundation test borings are necessary; it should be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is
approved under General 401 Certification Number 3883/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
Activities.
19. 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.
20. All work in or adjacent to stream waters should be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP
measures from the most current version of the NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities
manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures should be used to
prevent excavation in flowing water.
21. While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of
Wetland Significance (NC- CREWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools, their inherent
inaccuracies require that qualified personnel perform onsite wetland delineations prior to permit
approval.
22. Heavy equipment should 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 should be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters
from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
23. Riprap should 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 should be properly
designed, sized and installed.
24. Riparian vegetation (native trees and shrubs) should be preserved to the maximum extent possible.
Riparian vegetation must be reestablished within the construction limits of the project by the end of
the growing season following completion of construction.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The NCDOT 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 Rob Ridings at (919)707 -8786 or Rob.Ridings @ncdenr.gov.
cc: Candace Davis, Town of Wake Forest, 301 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office (electronic copy only)
Chris Militscher, Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only)
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission (electronic copy only)
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