DWQ Comment Response

September 1, 2023

Mr. Joey Winston
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

Subject: Comment- Response Letter
Second Request for Additional Information
Bethel Park Stream Restoration Project, Burke County (DWR #20230566)

Dear Mr. Winston:
The following narrative speaks to each comment you provided in your email dated August 29, 2023.
Comment 1. The PCN identifies 0.013 acres of wetland impacts, but wetland impacts are not identified
on the plans. From looking at the PJD, it seems like the wetland impact would be to Wetland B since it’s
0.013 acres in size. Wetland B is not identified on the plans either, only Wetland A marked as “Protect
Existing Wetlands”. Please confirm whether wetland impacts are still proposed. If so, please include
them on the project plans. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(4); 15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(9)]
Response: Sheet 3.2 of the attached plan sheets illustrates the location of Wetland B (0.013 acres).
This existing wetland is primarily the result of the dam effect of the existing trail at this location.
A floodplain bench is being constructed along Fiddlers Run which will require the existing trail
elevation to be lowered to the new floodplain bench elevation. It is anticipated that these
grading activities will result in the loss of existing hydrology within Wetland B. Additional
wetlands are anticipated to develop over time at the site in areas of the floodplain bench.
Comment 2 - The Division requires that all work in or adjacent to streams be conducted so that the
flowing stream does not come in contact with the disturbed area. The PCN indicates that most of the
work will be conducted off-line before streamflow is diverted into the new channels. What are the plans
for any in-channel work to prevent streamflow from reaching disturbed areas (such as a pump around
system or other diversion structure)? Please include any details and notes in the plans, as
necessary. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(4); 15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(9); 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)(2)]
Response: A pump around system will be utilized to facilitate constructing the new stream channels
in the dry for both East Prong Hunting Creek and Fiddlers Run and prevent flow from contacting
active work areas. See General Note #7 on Sheet 0.3. The pump around detail is presented on Sheet
7.5 of the plans.
Comment 3 - The PCN says “redesigning an existing culvert” is part of the project and the plans show
“Proposed Bridge and Culvert Crossing” on sheets 1.1.3 and 1.2.3. Will culverts be installed as part of the
project or will existing structures be replaced with bridges? If culverts are proposed for the project, then
please indicate the size of the impact, and include a detail for the culverts. The Division requires that
culverts be buried to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life. The culvert should be buried by
20% of the pipe’s diameter for culverts 48 inches or less and by one foot for culverts greater than 48
inches. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(4); 15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(9)]
Response: East Prong Hunting Creek will be spanned with a bridge structure that will support
baseflow passage of aquatic organism passage through the restored channel. Culverts will be
utilized within the floodplain portion of the crossing to convey high water flows while allowing safe
crossing of pedestrians and/or emergency vehicles during high flow events. Sheet 2.1.3 illustrates
the location of the crossing on East Prong Hunting Creek. A pedestrian boardwalk/bridge will be
established over Fiddlers Run to provide access to the interior of the park from the existing parking
lot. See Sheet 2.2.3 for the location of the pedestrian bridge and Sheet 7.6 for the boardwalk detail.
To facilitate construction sequencing and to prevent regular crossings of construction equipment
through the flowing channels, temporary culvert crossings and timber mat crossings will be utilized
during the construction period. All temporary crossings will be removed concurrent with the filling of
the old channels. See Sheet 7.4 for details on the temporary crossings.
Comment 4 - The PCN and PJD identify impacts to two jurisdictional ditches and one jurisdictional swale,
but these features or impacts are not shown on the plans. Please confirm whether impacts are still
proposed and include these features on plans. [15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(4); 15A NCAC 02H .0502(a)(9)]
Response: Sheets 3.2 and 3.3 of the attached plan sheets illustrate the impacts to the two
jurisdictional ditches and the one swale. The existing ditches are being impacted as a result of the
stream restoration activities and the associated floodplain bench. Additional wetlands are
anticipated to develop over time at the site in areas of the floodplain bench. Grading activities at
Ditch 1 will be conducted to ensure maintenance of hydrology within the existing Wetland C.
Grading activities within the park will impact the existing swale feature. Additional bioswales and
bioretention features will be installed within the park to support infiltration and provide a water
quality benefit to the adjacent streams.