20170929_Scoping Review Comments_20130201

Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
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North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Charles Wakild, P.E. .
Director
February 1, 2013
MEMORANDUM
TO: James F. Bridges, P.E., Bridge Project Planning Engineer, NCDOT
FROM: Michael R. Parker, NCDWQ, Asheville Regional.Office �
SUBJECT: Bridge Scoping Review Comments
B-4492, Bridge No.
B-5405, Bridge No.
B-5406, Bridge No.
B-5410,.Bridge No.
B-5905, Bridge No.
B-5910, Bridge No.
148, NCSR 1127, Cherokee County
139, NCSR 1139, Transylvania County
67, NCSR 1513; Macon County
221, NCSR 1367, Jackson County
27, US 23 Business, Jackson County
32, NC 116, Jackson County
Dee Freeman
5ecretary
Tn reply to your letters dated January 2, 2013 in which you requested information for the above referenced
projects, the NCDWQ offers the following:
Project Specific Comments
B-4492, Bridge No.148 over Persimmon Creek, Cherokee County 2���1 I'a �-�
1. Persimmon Creek is class C waters of the State.
2. There is an unnamed tributary to Persimmon Creek located just upstream of the bridge where
NCDWQ will claim jurisdiction.
3. NCDWQ has no specific comments for this bridge project..
B-5405, Bridge No. 139 over Toxaway Creek, Transylvania County
1. Toxaway Creek i's class C-trout waters. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and
erosion control BMP's be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In
addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC Division
of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources "Commission.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC —recommended moratoria for trout. In
additions, NCDWQ will require 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.
3. There is an unnamed tributary to Toxaway Creek located just downstream of the bridge where
NCDWQ will claim jurisdiction.
SURFACEWATERPR�TECTIONSECTION-AshevilleRegionalOffice ����IIe �;k::�`-.��.":,;�u��'�;�.:,��„��
209Q U.S. Highway 70, Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778-8211 Nort�iCarolina
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone] f/
Intemet: www.ncwaterquality.org �tu��`l`/ ;+?'
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B-5406, Bridge 67 over Rabbitt Creek, Macon County
l. Rabbitt Creek is class C-trout waters. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and
erosion control BMP's be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In
addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC Division
of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC —recommended moratoria for trout. In
additions, NCDWQ will require 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.
B-5410, Bridge No. 221 over Little Savannah Creek, Jackson County
L Little Savannah Creek is class C waters; however, the NCWRC recently found that this stream
contains rainbow trout. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control
BMP's be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In addition, all
disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC Division of Land
Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC —recommended maratoria for trout. In
additions, NCDWQ will require 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.
3. There may be wetlands located downstream of the bridge within the study area.
B-5905, Bridge No. 27 over Scott Creek, Jackson County
1. Scott Creek is class C-trout waters. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and
erosion control BMI''s be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In
addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC Division
of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC —recommended moratoria for trout. In
additions, NCDWQ will require 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.
B-5910, Bridge No. 32 over Savannah Creek, Jackson County
1. Savannah Creek is class C-trout waters. NCDWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and
erosion control BMP's be implemented to reduce the risk of turbidity violations in trout waters. In
addition, all disturbances within trout buffers shall be conducted in accordance with the NC Division
of Land Resources and NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
2. Should NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) identify these waters as naturally reproducing
trout waters, NCDOT will be required to observe the NCWRC —recommended moratoria for trout. In
additions, NCDWQ will require 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.
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General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
1. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects.
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.
2. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document Geotechnical work is
approved under Genera1401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
Activities.
Low Impact Bridge Projects must fall under Nationwide Permit No. 3 to qualify for Low Impact;
otherwise, standard permitting procedures will be required. Example (Regional General Permit No.
31, Nationwide Permit No. 23, Nationwide Permit No. 13, etc.)
4. Whenever possible, NCDWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream or grubbing of the stream banks and do not require stream channel
realignment. The horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for human and
wildlife passage beneath the structure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall not
be blocked. Bridge supports (bents) should not be placed in the stream when possible.
5. 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.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of
NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
6. Strict adherence to the most recent version of NCDOT's Best Management Practices For Bridge
Demolition and Removal approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers is a condition of the 401 Water
Quality Certification.
7. Bridge piles and bents shall be constructed using driven piles (hamrner or vibratory) or drilled shaft
construction methods. More specifically, jetting or other methods of pile driving are prohibited without
prior written approval from NCDWQ first.
8. No drill slurry or water that has been in contact with uncured concrete shall be allowed to enter surface
waters. This water shall be captured, treated, and disposed of properly.
9. All pile driving or drilling activities shall be enclosed in turbidity curtains unless otherwise approved by
NCDWQ in this certification.
10. All bridge construction shall be performed from the existing bridge, temporary work bridges, '
temporary causeways, or floating or sunken barges. If work conditions require barges, they shall be
floated into position and then sunk. The barges shall not be sunk and then dragged into position. Under
no circumstances should barges be dragged along the bottom of the surface water.
ll. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. 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 shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water.
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12. 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 aquatic life and
fish kills.
13. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream. This equipment
shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels,
lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
14. 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 shall 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.
15. 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.
16. In most cases, the NCDWQ prefers the replacement of the existing structure at the same location with
road closure. If road closure is not feasible, a temporary detour �shall be designed and located to avoid
wetland impacts, minimize the need for clearing and to avoid destabilizing stream banks. If the
structure will be on a new alignment, the old structure shall be removed and the approach fills removed
from the 100-year floodplain. Approach fills shall be removed and restored to the natural ground
elevation. The area shall be stabilized with grass and planted with native tree species. Tall fescue shall
not be used in riparian areas.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments at this time. NCDOT is reminded that issuance of a
401 Water Quality Certi�cation 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 Mike Parker at 828-296-4500.
cc: Lori Beckwith, USACE, Asheville Field Office
Mark Davis, NCDOT, Division 14 Environmental Officer
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
� Transportation Permitting Unit
NCDOT Bridge Scoping (Bridges) January 2013
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