HomeMy WebLinkAbout20240120 Ver 1_Approval Letter_20240411DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
ROY COOPER
Governor
ELIZABETH S. BISER
Secretary
RICHARD E. ROGERS, JR.
Director
NORTH CAROLINA
Environmental Quality
April 11, 2024
DWR # 20240120
Orange County
Orange Water and Sewer Authority
Attn: Todd Taylor
400 Jones Ferry Road
Carrboro, NC 27510
Delivered via email to: ttaylor@owasa.org
Subject: Approval of Individual 401 Water Quality Certification
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
USACE Action ID. No. SAW-2024-00129
Dear Todd Taylor:
Attached hereto is a copy of Certification No. WQC006716 issued to Todd Taylor and Orange Water
and Sewer Authority, dated April 11, 2024. This approval is for the purpose and design described in
your application. The plans and specifications for this project are incorporated by reference as part
of this Water Quality Certification. If you change your project, you must notify the Division and you
may be required to submit a new application package with the appropriate fee. If the property is
sold, the new owner must be given a copy of this Certification and is responsible for complying with
all conditions. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(d)(2)].
This Water Quality Certification does not relieve the permittee of the responsibility to obtain all other
required Federal, State, or Local approvals before proceeding with the project, including those required
by, but not limited to, Sediment and Erosion Control, Non -Discharge, Water Supply Watershed, and
Trout Buffer regulations.
This Water Quality Certification neither grants nor affirms any property right, license, or privilege in any
lands or waters, or any right of use in any waters. This Water Quality Certification does not authorize
any person to interfere with the riparian rights, littoral rights, or water use rights of any other person
and does not create any prescriptive right or any right of priority regarding any usage of water. This
Water Quality Certification shall not be interposed as a defense in any action respecting the
determination of riparian or littoral rights or other rights to water use. No consumptive user is deemed
by virtue of this Water Quality Certification to possess any prescriptive or other right of priority with
respect to any other consumptive user.
Upon the presentation of proper credentials, the Division may inspect the property.
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Rater Resources
Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
r 919.79 L4200
Pepanment poi Enrltonmental quali\ /'�
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 2 of 9
This Water Quality Certification shall expire on the same day as the expiration date of the corresponding
Section 404 Permit. The conditions shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the
expiration date of this Water Quality Certification.
Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set forth may result in revocation of this
Water Quality Certification for the project and may also result in criminal and/or civil penalties.
If you are unable to comply with any of the conditions of this Water Quality Certification you must notify
the Raleigh Regional Office within 24 hours (or the next business day if a weekend or holiday) from the
time the permittee becomes aware of the circumstances.
The permittee shall report to the Raleigh Regional Office any noncompliance with, and/or any violation
of, stream or wetland standards [15A NCAC 02B .0200] including but not limited to sediment impacts to
streams or wetlands. Information shall be provided orally within 24 hours (or the next business day if a
weekend or holiday) from the time the permittee became aware of the non-compliance circumstances.
This approval and its conditions are final and binding unless contested [G.S. 143-215.5].
This Certification can be contested as provided in Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes by
filing a Petition for a Contested Case Hearing (Petition) with the North Carolina Office of Administrative
Hearings (OAH) within sixty (60) calendar days. Requirements for filing a Petition are set forth in Chapter
150B of the North Carolina General Statutes and Title 26 of the North Carolina Administrative Code.
Additional information regarding requirements for filing a Petition and Petition forms may be accessed at
http://www.ncoah.com/ or by calling the OAH Clerk's Office at (919) 431-3000.
A party filing a Petition must serve a copy of the Petition on:
William F. Lane, General Counsel
Department of Environmental Quality
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
If the party filing the Petition is not the permittee, then the party must also serve the recipient of the
Certification in accordance with N.C.G.S 150B-23(a).
This letter completes the Division's review under section 401 of the Clean Water Act and 15A NCAC 02H
.0500. Please contact Joe Myers at 919-791-4256 or ioseph.myers@deg.nc.gov if you have any
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
IA
tl'(6d RA
DocuSigned by:
372DCBCB61 EE4A8...
Michael Hall
Regional Supervisor
Division of Water Resources, Raleigh Regional Office
Department of Environmental Quality
tt North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D Q�� Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
N!lR`4i CA�o,.i NA 919.791.4200
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DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 3 of 9
Electronic cc: Keven Duerr, Hazen and Sawyer
Julia Tillery, USACE Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
Gabriela Garrison, NCWRC
DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting Branch Electronic file
Filename: 20240120_Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project_IP03_Orange.docx
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 4 of 9
NORTH CAROLINA 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION
CERTIFICATION #WQC006716 is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section 401, Public Laws
92-500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to North Carolina's Regulations in 15 NCAC 02H .0500
and 15A NCAC 02B .0200, to Todd Taylor and Orange Water and Sewer Authority, who have authorization
for the impacts listed below, as described within your application received by the N.C. Division of Water
Resources (Division) on January 17, 2024, subsequent information on April 2, 2024, and by Public Notice
issued by the Division on January 23, 2024, and within the Reasonable Period of Time pursuant to 40 CFR
Part 121.6.
The State of North Carolina certifies that this activity will comply with water quality requirements and
the applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and PL 95-217 if
conducted in accordance with the application, the supporting documentation, and conditions
hereinafter set forth.
The following impacts are hereby approved. No other impacts are approved, including incidental
impacts. [15A NCAC 02H .0506(b)]
Type of Impact
Amount Approved
Permanent
Amount Approved
Temporary
Mitigation Amount
Required
Riparian Wetlands
W1 — Dredging - WA
0.028 acres
0 acres
0 credits
W2 —Access Ramp (Fill) - WA
0.003 acres
0 acres
0 credits
Totals:
0.031 acres
0 acres
0 credits
Open Waters
01: Sediment Removal - SA
0.018 acres
0 acres
0 credits
02: Dewatering - SA
0 acres
0.001 acres
0 credits
Totals:
0.018 acres
0.001 acres
0 credits
This approval requires you to follow the conditions listed in the certification below.
CONDITIONS OF CERTIFICATION [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)]:
The permittee shall report to the DWR Raleigh Regional Office any noncompliance with, and/or
any violation of, stream or wetland standards [15A NCAC 02B .0200], including but not limited to
sediment impacts to streams or wetlands. Information shall be provided orally within 24 hours (or
the next business day if a weekend or holiday) from the time the permittee became aware of the
non-compliance circumstances.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
2. No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands or waters beyond the footprint
of the approved impacts (including temporary impacts).
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506; 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
3. All activities shall be in compliance with any applicable State Regulated Riparian Buffer Rules in
Chapter 2B of Title 15A in the North Carolina Administrative Code.
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North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 5 of 9
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
4. When applicable, all construction activities shall be performed and maintained in full
compliance with G.S. Chapter 113A Article 4 (Sediment and Pollution Control Act of 1973).
Regardless of applicability of the Sediment and Pollution Control Act, all projects shall
incorporate appropriate Best Management Practices for the control of sediment and erosion so
that no violations of state water quality standards, statutes, or rules occur.
Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of all sediment and erosion control measures
shall be equal to or exceed the requirements specified in the most recent version of the North
Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual, or for linear transportation projects, the North
Caroline Department of Transportation Sediment and Erosion Control Manual.
All devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) sites,
including contractor -owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project. Sufficient
materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures and stormwater
routing and treatment shall be on site at all times.
For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures shall be designed, installed,
operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina
Surface Mining Manual. Reclamation measures and implementation shall comply with the
reclamation in accordance with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act
and the Mining Act of 1971.
If the project occurs in waters or watersheds classified as Primary Nursery Areas (PNAs), SA, WS-
I, WS-II, High Quality Waters (HQW), or Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), then the
sedimentation and erosion control designs shall comply with the requirements set forth in 15A
NCAC 04B .0124, Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCACO28 .0200; 15A NCAC 02B
.0231
Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be installed in wetland or waters except within
the footprint of temporary or permanent impacts otherwise authorized by this Certification. If
placed within authorized impact areas, then placement of such measures shall not be conducted
in a manner that results in dis-equilibrium of any wetlands, streambeds, or streambanks. Any
silt fence installed within wetlands shall be removed from wetlands and the natural grade
restored within two (2) months of the date that DEMLR or locally delegated program has
released the specific area within the project to ensure wetland standards are maintained upon
completion of the project.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 028 .0200; 15A NCAC 02B
.0231
6. Erosion control matting that incorporates plastic mesh and/or plastic twine shall not be used
along streambanks or within wetlands.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
tt North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D Q�Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
N!lR`4i cA�o,.i Na P_/ 919.791.4200
oewmme�<m e�m.��memai u�ei\ r
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 6 of 9
7. If the project is covered by NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit Number NCGO10000 or
NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit Number NCG250000, full compliance with permit
conditions including the erosion & sedimentation control plan, inspections and maintenance,
self -monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements is required.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 028 .0200; 15A NCAC 02B
.0231
All work in or adjacent to streams shall be conducted so that the flowing stream does not come
in contact with the disturbed area. Approved best management practices from the most current
version of the NC Sediment and Erosion Control Manual, or the NC Department of
Transportation Construction and Maintenance Activities Manual, such as sandbags, rock berms,
cofferdams, and other diversion structures shall be used to minimize excavation in flowing
water.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 028 .0200
9. In -stream structures installed to mimic natural channel geomorphology such as cross -vanes,
sills, step -pool structures, etc. shall be designed and installed in such a manner that allow for
continued aquatic life movement.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
10. Culverts shall be designed and installed in such a manner that the original stream profiles are
not altered and allow for aquatic life movement during low flows. The dimension, pattern, and
profile of the stream above and below a pipe or culvert shall not be modified by widening the
stream channel or by reducing the depth of the stream in connection with the construction
activity. The width, height, and gradient of a proposed culvert shall be such as to pass the
average historical low flow and spring flow without adversely altering flow velocity. If the width
of the culvert is wider than the stream channel, the culvert shall include multiple boxes/pipes,
baffles, benches and/or sills to maintain the natural width of the stream channel. If multiple
culverts/pipes/barrels are used, low flows shall be accommodated in one culvert/pipe and
additional culverts/pipes shall be installed such that they receive only flows above bankfull.
Placement of culverts and other structures in streams shall be below the elevation of the
streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and 20% of the
culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than or equal to 48 inches, to allow low flow
passage of water and aquatic life. If the culvert outlet is submerged within a pool or scour hole
and designed to provide for aquatic passage, then culvert burial into the streambed is not
required.
For structures less than 72" in diameter/width, and topographic constraints indicate culvert
slopes of greater than 2.5% culvert burial is not required, provided that all alternative options
for flattening the slope have been investigated and aquatic life movement/connectivity has
been provided when possible (e.g. rock ladders, cross -vanes, sills, baffles etc.). Notification,
including supporting documentation to include a location map of the culvert, culvert profile
drawings, and slope calculations, shall be provided to DWR 30 calendar days prior to the
installation of the culvert.
tt North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D Q�� Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
N!lR`4i cA�o,.i Na 919.791.4200
oewmme�<m e�m.��memai u�ei\ r
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 7 of 9
When bedrock is present in culvert locations, culvert burial is not required, provided that there
is sufficient documentation of the presence of bedrock. Notification, including supporting
documentation such as a location map of the culvert, geotechnical reports, photographs, etc.
shall be provided to DWR a minimum of 30 calendar days prior to the installation of the culvert.
If bedrock is discovered during construction, then DWR shall be notified by phone or email
within 24 hours of discovery.
Installation of culverts in wetlands shall ensure continuity of water movement and be designed
to adequately accommodate high water or flood conditions. When roadways, causeways, or
other fill projects are constructed across FEMA-designated floodways or wetlands, openings
such as culverts or bridges shall be provided to maintain the natural hydrology of the system as
well as prevent constriction of the floodway that may result in destabilization of streams or
wetlands.
The establishment of native woody vegetation and other soft stream bank stabilization
techniques shall be used where practicable instead of rip -rap or other bank hardening methods.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
11. Application of fertilizer to establish planted/seeded vegetation within disturbed riparian areas
and/or wetlands shall be conducted at agronomic rates and shall comply with all other Federal,
State and Local regulations. Fertilizer application shall be accomplished in a manner that
minimizes the risk of contact between the fertilizer and surface waters.
Citation: 15A 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 02B .0200, 15A NCAC 02B .0231
12. If concrete is used during construction, then all necessary measures shall be taken to prevent
direct contact between uncured or curing concrete and waters of the state. Water that
inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to waters of the state.
Citation: 15A 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 02B .0200; 15A NCAC 02B .0231
13. All proposed and approved temporary fill and culverts shall be removed and the impacted area
shall be returned to natural conditions within 60 calendar days after the temporary impact is no
longer necessary. The impacted areas shall be restored to original grade, including each
stream's original cross -sectional dimensions, planform pattern, and longitudinal bed profile. All
temporarily impacted sites shall be restored and stabilized with native vegetation.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H.0506(b), 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
14. All proposed and approved temporary pipes/culverts/rip-rap pads etc. in streams or wetlands
shall be installed as outlined in the most recent edition of the North Carolina Sediment and
Erosion Control Planning and Design Manual or the North Carolina Surface Mining Manual or
the North Carolina Department of Transportation Best Management Practices for Construction
and Maintenance Activities so as not to restrict stream flow or cause dis-equilibrium during use
of this Certification.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
15. Any rip -rap required for proper culvert placement, stream stabilization, or restoration of
temporarily disturbed areas shall be restricted to the area directly impacted by the approved
tt North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D Q�Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
N!lR`4i cA�o,.i Na P_/ 919.791.4200
oewmme�<m e�m.��memai u�ei\ r
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 8 of 9
construction activity. All rip -rap shall be placed such that the original streambed elevation and
streambank contours are restored and maintained and shall consist of clean rock or masonry
material free of debris or toxic pollutants. Placement of rip -rap or other approved materials
shall not result in de -stabilization of the stream bed or banks upstream or downstream of the
area or be installed in a manner that precludes aquatic life passage.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
16. Any rip -rap used for stream or shoreline stabilization shall be of a size and density to prevent
movement by wave, current action, or stream flows, and shall consist of clean rock or masonry
material free of debris or toxic pollutants. Rip -rap shall not be installed in the streambed except
in specific areas required for velocity control and to ensure structural integrity of bank
stabilization measures.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b), 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 028 .0201
17. Rip -rap groins proposed in accordance with 15A NCAC 07H .1401 (NC Division of Coastal
Management General Permit for construction of Wooden and Rip -rap Groins in Estuarine and
Public Trust Waters) shall meet all the specific conditions for design and construction specified
in 15A NCAC 07H .1405.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 07H .1400 et seq.
18. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters shall be inspected and maintained
regularly to prevent contamination of surface waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or
other toxic materials. Construction shall be staged in order to minimize the exposure of
equipment to surface waters to the maximum extent practicable. Fueling, lubrication, and
general equipment maintenance shall be performed in a manner to prevent, to the maximum
extent practicable, contamination of surface waters by fuels and oils.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 028 .0200, 15A NCAC 028
.0231
Heavy equipment working in wetlands shall be placed on mats or other measures shall be taken
to minimize soil disturbance and compaction.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); 15A NCAC 028 .0231
19. In accordance with 143-215.85(b), the permittee shall report any petroleum spill of 25 gallons or
more; any spill regardless of amount that causes a sheen on surface waters; any petroleum spill
regardless of amount occurring within 100 feet of surface waters; and any petroleum spill less
than 25 gallons that cannot be cleaned up within 24 hours.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c); N.C.G.S 143-215.85(b)
20. The permittee and their authorized agents shall conduct all activities in a manner consistent
with State water quality standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with
§303(d) of the Clean Water Act), and any other appropriate requirements of State and Federal
Law.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b); 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
tt North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
D Q�� Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
N!lR`4i cA�o,.i Na 919.791.4200
oewmme�<m e�m.��memai u�ei\ r
DocuSign Envelope ID: F76EFCC5-793C-44D3-8502-B4CE83F044F9
Cane Creek Dam Channel Improvements Project
DWR# 20240120
Individual Certification #WQC006716
Page 9 of 9
21. The permittee shall require its contractors and/or agents to comply with the terms and
conditions of this certification in the construction and maintenance of this project, and shall
provide each of its contractors and/or agents associated with the construction or maintenance
of this project with a copy of this Water Quality Certification. A copy of this Water Quality
Certification shall be available at the project site during the construction and maintenance of
this project.
Citation: 15A NCAC 02H .0506(b), 15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)
This approval to proceed with your proposed impacts or to conduct impacts to waters as depicted in
your application shall expire upon expiration of the 404 Permit. The conditions in effect on the date of
issuance shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the expiration date of this
Certification. [15A NCAC 02H .0507(c)]
NC1H'r� Gk�O,.IN D � ��iY
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This, the 11th day of April 2024
EDocuSigned by:
372DCBCB61 EE4A8...
Michael Hall
Regional Supervisor
Division of Water Resources, Raleigh Regional Office
Department of Environmental Quality
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resources
Raleigh Regional Office I 3800 Barrett Drive I Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
919.791.4200