20161096 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20120817

Beverly Eaves Perdue
Governor
�'�,�
NCDEI�IR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Charles Wakild, P.E.
Director
August 17, 2012
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jami Guynn, Division 11 Bridge Manager
FROM: Michael R. Parker, NCDWQ, Asheville Regional Office V' ��
SUBJECT: Avery County Bridge Replacement
Scoping Review Comments
In reply to your request, the NCDWQ offers the following comments for the projects listed below:
Project Specific Comments
B-5380: Bridge No. 141 over Fall Branch, NCSR 1114, Avery County
Dee Freeman
Secretary
1. Fall Branch is class WS-V waters which flows a short distance to Plumtree Creek which is class WS-
V;Trout. Due to.the steep slopes and short distanee.to Plumtree Creek NCDWQ recommends that the
most protective sed,iment and erosion.control BMP's.be implemented,to reduce the, risk qf 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 A124] throughout design and
construction of the project.
3. Remove invasive Japanese Knott Weed.
B-5383: Bridge No. 143 over Linville River, NCSR 1536, Avery County
The Linville River is class B-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.
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 NCAC04B .0124];throughout design and
construction of the project: , � � � � . - �. . , ,
There are several acres of wetlands located in three of the four quadrants adjacent to the bridge
adjacent to the Linville River. Impacts to this area should be avoided. ,.
SURFACE WATER PROTECTION SECTION-Asheville Regional O�ce
2090 U.S. Highway 70; Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778-8211
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-623-6748
Intemet: www.ncwaterqualiry.org
An Equal Opportunity'� A�rmative Action Employer
NorthCarolina
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General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
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.
If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document Geotechnical work is
approved under General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey
Activities.
Any 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 c!earances 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 pi?es (hammer 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, temparary 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.
11. 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.
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.

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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 inechanized
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 e�cisting 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 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
re,quire additional information, please contact Mike Parker at.828-296-4500.,, . �
cc: Monte Matthews, USACE, Raleigh Field Office
Heath Slaughter, NCDOT, Division 11 Environmental Officer
Marla Chambers, NCWRC
Transportation Permitting Unit
Avery Counry Bridge Replacement Program Scoping Comments Division 11