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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140039 Ver 1_Other Documents_20120423Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor ,MEMORANDUM � _ ,���� NCDE R North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Charles Wakild, P.E Director Apri123, 2012 To: �Jami Guynn, NCDOT Division 11 Bridge Program Manager, e-copy only From: Amy Euliss, NC Division of Water Quality, Winston Salem Regional Office Subject: Scoping comments on proposed replacement of bridges in Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties Reference your correspondence dated March 21, 2012 in which you requested comments for the referenced projects. The NCDWQ offers the following comments. Project Specific Comments: Bridge No 61 (SR 1525) over Camp Creek in Averv Countv *Potential impacts to Camp Creek (Class GCatawba River Basin). Brid�e No 244 (SR 1809) over SR 1856 in Surry Countv *There are no impacts to surface waters associated with this project. Its in the Toms Creek watershed ^ which is Class C(Yadkin River Basin). Dee Freeman Secretary Brid�e No 2(SR 1716) over Turner Creek in Yadkin Countv " * Potential impacts to Turner Creek (WSIV; Yadkin River Basin), adjacent wetlands, and an intermittent stream. The stream and wetlands are in the NW bridge quadrant. There is also a large mid-channel bar on the upstream side of the bridge. This should be removed and placed on the right bank to create a floodplain bench. Brid�e No 95 (SR 1742) over Champ Creek in Surrv Countv a� ���a3� *Potential impacts to Champ Creek (Class C; Yadkin River Basin). Bridge No 193 (SR 2324) over Brier Creek in Wilkes Countv �o ����3°l *Potential impacts to Brier Creek (Class C; Yadkin River Basin). There were 2 ephemeral non- jurisdictional channels in the project area. Brid�e No 2(SR 1106) over Old Field Creek in Ashe Countv *Potential impacts to Old Field Creek (Class C; Tr; ORW; New River Basin). Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as C; Tr; Outstanding Resource Waters of the State in the project study area. The water quality classifcation of Class C; Tr; ORW is one of the highest classifications in the State. NCDWQ is extremely concerned with any impacts that may occur to streams with this classification. It is preferred that these resources be avoided if at all possible. If it is not possible to avoid these resources, the impacts should be minimized to the greatest extent possible. Given the potential for impacts to these resources during the project implementation, North Carolina Division of Water Quality, Winston-Salem Regional Office Location: 585 Waughtown St. Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27107 Phone: 336-771-5000 \ FAX: 336-771-46301 Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748 Internet: www.ncwaterquality.org An Equal Opportunity 1 A�rmative Action Employer ,� ' NorthCarolina �atllt'���1� J NCDWQ requests that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124) throughout design and construction of the project. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H .1006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NCDOT will be required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal counties. 2. Old Fields Creek are class C; Tr; ORW waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers should be conducted in accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements. Bridge No 38 (SR 1337) over Meat Camp Creek in Watau�a Countv *Potential impacts to Meat Camp Creek (Class C; Tr; +; New River Basin). 1. Meat Camp Creek are class C; Tr;-+ waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers should be conducted in accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements. Brid�e No 98 (SR 1546) over Hall Creek in Yadkin CountY *Potential impacts to Hall Creek (Class WSN; Yadkin River Basin) and an adjacent wetland. There are concerns with multiple plant and animal species. Please coordinate these issues with WRC and Pilot Mountain State Park so you can avoid impacts if practicable. � Bridge No 41 (SR 2488) over Moravian Creek in Wilkes County *Potential impacts to Moravian Creek (Class C; Yadkin River Basin) Brid�e No. 506 (SR 1372) over Helton Creek in Ashe Countv *Potential impacts to Helton Creek (Class C; Tr; ORW; New River Basin) l. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as C; Tr; Outstanding Resource Waters of the State in the project study area. The water quality classification of Class C; Tr; ORW is one of the highest classifications in the State. NCDWQ is extremely concerned with any impacts that may occur to streams with this classification. It is preferred that these resources be avoided if at all possible. If it is not possible to avoid these resources, the impacts should be minimized to the greatest extent possible. Given the potential for impacts to these resources during the project implementation, NCDWQ requests that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124) throughout design and construction of the project. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H .1006 and 15A NCAC 2B .0224, NCDOT will be required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal counties. � 2. Helton Geek are class C; Tr; ORW waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers should be conducted in accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements. Brid�e No 95 (SR 1715) over Brushy Fork in Caldwell Countv *Potential impacts to Brushy Fork Creek (Class C; Catawba River Basin) Bridge No 289 (SR 1223) over Little Beaverdam Creek in Watau�a Countv *Potential impacts to Little Beaverdam Creek (Class C; Tr; Watauga River Basin). There's also a perennial tributary in the NW bridge quadrant. 1. Little Beaverdam Creek are class C; Tr; waters of the State. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In addition, all disturbances within trout buffers should be conducted in accordance with NC Division of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission requirements. General Project Comments: 1. If concrete bents are on the stream bank or located in stream, DWQ prefers that you cut them off flush with the existing bed or ground elevation, instead of disturbing it to remove them. 2. For projects that will be handled through the Low Impact Bridge program, proposed impacts suggest that these projects will be permitted using a Nationwide 3 from the US Army Corps of Engineers. NCDWQ would like to respectively remind NCDOT that WQC 3883, or its most recent equivalent, will also be required. NCDOT shall be in compliance with all of its applicable conditions. 3. For projects that will be handled through the Low Impact Bridge program, DWQ understands that these bridges will be replaced using an off-site detour, if at any time these plans change, DWQ shall be contacted to d'etermine if this project shall remain in the Low-Impact Bridge Replacement process. 4. If any of the bridges are replaced with aluminum box culverts, the stream width must be maintained immediately upstream and downstream of the pipe inlet. Please consider the use of baffles, floodplain benches, and other potential techniques to maintain the stream width. 5. Environmental assessment alternatives shall consider design criteria that reduce the impacts to streams and wetlands from storm water runoff. These alternatives shall include road designs that allow for treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices, such as grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc. Currently proposed impacts will not exceed 150 linear feet of impacts to any single stream. However, if at any point in the future the impact totals change, then in accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules { 15A NCAC 2H.0506(h)}, mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any single stream. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values. The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be available for use as stream mitigation. 7. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any mitigating factors that would reduce the impacts. 8. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless otherwise authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certifcation. 9. Whenever possible, NCDWQ 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 shall allow for wildlife passage beneath the structure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall not be blocked. Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible. 10. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across the bridge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.) befare entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices. 11,. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contact between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible ayuatic life and fish kilis. 12. If temporary access roads or detours are constructed, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction contours and elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stabilize the soil and appropriate native woody species should be planted. When using temporary structures the area shall 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. 13. If foundation test borings are necessary; it should be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under General 401 Certification Number 3624/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities. 14. 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. 15. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise approved by NCDWQ. Approved BMP measures from the most current version of 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. 16. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands and streams. 17. Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in borrow/waste areas could precipitate compensatory mitigation. 18. Heavy equipment shall 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 shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. 19. Riprap shall 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. Thank you for requesting our input at this time. 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 Amy Euliss at (336)�771-4959. ' cc: Monte Matthews, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office, e-copy only Marla Chambers, WRC, e-copy only Heath Slaughter, Division 11 Environmental Officer, e-copy only Wetlands/401 Transportation Permitting Unit, e-copy only File Copy