20040933 Ver 1_Memorandum of Understanding_19970226

State of North Carolina
Department of Environment,
Health and Natural Resources / • •
Division of Water Quality
Ja mes B. Hunt, Jr., G ove rnor
Jonathan & Howes Secretary p EH N ~
A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director
February 26, 1997
MEMORANDUM
To: Ms. Cindy Sharer, P.E., NCDOT, Planning & Environmental
From: Cyndi Bell, NC Division of Water Quality G ~,1 '
Subject: Water Quality Checklist for Bridge Replacement Projects
Reference your correspondence dated February 10, 1997, in which you requested preliminary comments
concerning nine bridge replacement projects. The Division of Water Quality requests that NCDOT
consider the following generic environmental commitments for design and construction of bridge
replacements:
A. DWQ requests that DOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled "Design Standards
in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0024) throughout design and construction for this
project in the area that drains to streams having WS (Water Supply), ORW (Outstanding
Resource Water), HQW (High Quality Water), B (Body Contact), SA (Shellfish Water) or Tr
(Trout Water) classifications to protect existing uses.
B. DWQ requests that bridges be replaced on existing location with road closure, when practical. If
an on-site detour is necessary, remediation measures in accordance with DWQ requirements for
Genera1401 Certification 2726/Nationwide Permit No. 33 (Temporary Construction, Access and
Dewatering) must be followed.
C. DWQ requests that hazardous spill catch basins be installed at any bridge crossing a stream
classified as HQW or WS (Water Supply). The number of catch basins installed should be
determined by the design of the bridge, so that runoff would enter said basin(s) rather than
directly flowing into the stream.
D. To the maximum extent practicable, DOT should not install the bridge bents in the creek.
E. Wetland impacts should be avoided (including sediment and erosion control
structures/measures) to the maximum extent practical. If this is not possible, alternatives that
minimize wetland impacts should be chosen. Mitigation for unavoidable impacts will be
required by DWQ if impacts exceed one acre. Smaller impacts may require mitigation by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
F. Borrow/waste areas should not be located in wetlands. It is likely that compensatory mitigation
will be required if wetlands are impacted by waste or borrow.
G. DWQ prefers replacement of bridges with bridges. If the new structure is to be a culvert, it
should be countersunk to allow unimpeded fish passage through the crossing.
P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone [phone] FAX # [phone]
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Ms. Cindy Sharer Memo
February 26, 1997
Page 2
H. If foundation test borings will be required, this should be noted in the document. Geotechnical
work is approved under Genera1401 Certification Number 3027/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for
Survey Activities. Written concurrence from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required in designated mountain trout counties.
If this project is processed as a Categorical Exclusion, NCDOT is reminded that mitigation will
be required if wetland impacts exceed one acre, in accordance with DWQ Wetland Rules { 15A
NCAC 2H.0506 (h)(2)}.
The attached table has been prepared by DWQ for your assistance in studying the systems involved in
these bridge replacements. This information includes the DWQ Index Number, DWQ Stream
Classification, river basin, and preliminary comments for each crossing. Please note that National
Wetland Inventory (NWI) map references are not to be replaced by onsite wetland determinations by
qualified biologists.
Thank you for your request for DWQ input. DOT is reminded that issuance of a 401 Water Quality
Certification requires satisfaction of water quality concerns, to ensure that water quality standards are met
and designated uses are not lost or degraded. Questions regarding the 401 Certification or other water
quality issues should be directed to Cyndi Bell at [phone] in DWQ's Water Quality Environmental
Sciences Branch.
cc: Michelle Suverkrubbe
Melba McGee
B2150.DOC

DEHNR Page 1 2/26/97
T.I.P. No. Bridge Location Project Stream Name County DWQ Stream DWQ Stream River Basin Comments
No. Description Index No. Classification
B-2150 32 NC 212 Replace Shelton Laurel Creek Mac~son I = 6-112-26 C Tr French Broad NWI maps show no
wetlands in project area.
Mitchell and NWI maps show no
B-2848 143 SR 1304 Replace North Toe River I = 7-2-71 C Tr French Broad wetlands within project
Yancey
area.
B-2927 123 US 19/23/74 Replace Southern Railroad Buncombe N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mill Creek and Southern NWI maps show no
B-3000 304 SR 1407 Replace Railroad McDowell I = 11-7 C Tr Catawba wetlands within project
area.
B-3118 164 SR 1674 Replace Beaver Dam Creek Buncombe I = 6-82 C French Broad NWI map show no
wetlands in project area.
B-3121 52 US 70 Business Replace Hunting Creek Burke I = 11-36-(0.7) WS-IV Catawba NWI maps show wetland
pockets in project area.
B-3189 272 SR 1643 Replace Southern Railroad Haywood N/A N/A N/A N/A