20201514_Scoping Comments_20160503

Water Resources
ENVIRONMENTAL G1U^,LITY
PAT MCCRORY
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DONALD R. VAN DER VAART
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S. JAY ZIMMERMAN
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May 3, 20l 6
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To: April Annis, NCDOT Project Development Engineer.
From: Mason Herndon, NC Division of Water Resources, Transportation Permitting Unit, -�.;� ;
Fayetteville/Wilmington Region. � � �
Subject: Scoping comments on proposed improvements to the following I-95 interchange projects:
I-5877 — Exit 70, SR 18ll (Bud Hawkins Rd.) and E�t 71, SR 1002 (Long Branch Rd.), Harnett County,
WBS 53077.1.1
I-5878 —Exit 73 SR 1793 (Spring Branch Rd./Pope Rd.) and Exit 72, US 421, Harnett County, WBS
53078.1.1
I-5883 — Exit 75, SR 1808 (Jonesboro Rd.) and E�t 77, SR 1709 (Hodges Chapel Rd) Harnett County,
WBS 53083.1.1
I-5879 — Exit 19, SR 1528 (Carthage Rd.), Robeson County, WBS 53079.1.1
Reference your correspondence dated April 22, 2016 in which you requested cominents far the referenced project.
Preliminary analysis of ihe project reveals the potential for inultiple iinpacts to streams and jurisdictional wetlands
in the project area. Mare specifically, impacts to:
Project Stream Name River Basin Stream Stream Index 303(d)
Classi6cation s Number Listin
I-5877 UT's to Black Rivera Ca e Fear C;Sw l 8-68-] 2-1 No
UT's to Mingo Swam Ca e Fear C;Sw 18-68-12-2 No
I-5878 UT's to Mingo Swamp Ca e Fear C;Sw 18-68-12-2 No
UT's to Ston Rune Ca e Fear C;Sw 18-68-12-2-2 No
I-5883 UT's to Min o Swam Ca e Fear C;Sw ] 8-68-] 2-2 No
UT's to Ston Runb Ca e Fear C;Sw 18-68-12-2-2 No
I-5879 Lumber River & UT's Lumber C;Sw ]4-(13) No
Lumber River & UT's Lumber B;Sw,HQW 14-(l l) No
Saddletree Swamp & UT's Lumber C;Sw 14-12 No
°(Little Black River), Popes Lake, Rhodes Pond
b (Hannas Pond)
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify tbe presence of other streams and/or
jurisdictional wetlands in the area. In the event that any jurisdictional areas are identified, the Division of Water
Resources requests that NCDOT consider the following environmental issues far the proposed project:
Project Specif►c Comments:
1. DWR cannot comment on permit requirements with the limited information provided and wide range of
estimated impacts within the proposed alternative corridors. A verified field delineation is required to
determine the presence or absence of jurisdictional resources within the project limits. In addition, NCDOT
State of No�th Carolina IEnvironmental Quality I Water Resources
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Phone:[phone]

must provide an estimate of impacts to any resources located within the construction limits of the project
befare we can specifically comment on NCDWR permit eligibility.
Please be advised that a 401 Water Quality Certification requires satisfactory protection of water quality to
ensure that water quality standards are met and no wetland or stream uses are lost. Final permit authorization
will require the submittal of a formal application by the NCDOT and written concurrence from NCDWR.
Please be aware that any approval will be contingent on appropriate avoidance and minimization of wetland
and stream impacts to the maximum extent practical, the development of an acceptable stormwater
management plan, and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate.
Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as B;Sw, High Quality Waters of the
State in the project study area. This is one of the liighest classifications for water quality. Provided the project
meets the requirements of NCDOT NPDES permit NCS000250, no application for individual State
Stormwater permit will be required (Streamlining State Stonnwater Permitting for NCDOT Projects letter,
July 26, 2013).
General Project Comments:
The environmental document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed impacts to
wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. If mitigation is necessary as required by l SA NCAC
2H.0506(h), it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental
documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 40l Water Quality
Certifi cati on.
Environmental impact statement 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 tt-eatment
of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of
NCDWR's Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual, July 2007, such as grassed swales, buffer areas,
preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc.
After the selection of the preferred alternative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification,
the NCDOT is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the avoidance and minimization of
impacts to wetlands (and streams) to the maximum extent practical. In accordance with the Environmental
Mana�ement Commission's Rules (l SA NCAC 2H.0506[h]), mitigation will be required for impacts of
�reater than 1 acre to wetlands. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed
to replace appropriate lost functions and values. North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services may be
available for assistance with wetland mitigation.
7. An analysis of cumulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this project may be required if an
alternative on new location is proposed. Tt�e type and detail of analysis shall conform to the NC Division of
Water Resource Policy on the assessment of secondary and cumulative impacts dated April l0, 2004.
8. In accardance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (l SA NCAC 2H.0506[h]),
mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any perennial stream. In the event
that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and
values. The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services may be available far assistance with stt-eam
mitigation.
9. Future documentation, including the 40l Water Quality Certification Application, shall continue to include an
itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponding mapping.
10. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result fi-om this project. The
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.

11. The NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, fill, excavation
and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, streams, and riparian buffers need to be included in the
final impact calculations. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts, temporary or otherwise,
also need to be included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification Application.
� 2. Where streams must be crossed, the NCDWR prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts. However, we realize
that economic considerations often require the use of culverts. Please be advised that culverts should be
countersunk to allow unimpeded passage by fish and other aquatic organisms. Mareover, in areas where high
quality wetlands or streams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, the NCDOT
should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the maximum extent practicable.
13. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross section as
closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevation, floodplain benches, and/or sills may be
required where appropriate. Widening the stream channel should be avoided. Stream channel widening at the
inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing sediment deposition that requires
increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
l4. The 40l Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed methods for
stormwater management. More specifically, stormwater shall not be permitted to discharge directly into
streams or surface waters.
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
Plannin� and Design Manual and the most recent version of NCS000250.
l6. Riparian vegetation (native trees and shrubs) shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. Riparian
vegetation must be reestablished within the construction limits of the project by the end of the growing season
following completion of construction
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The 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
Mason Herndon at (9] 0) 308-4021 ar [e-mail].
Electronic copy only distribution:
Liz Hair, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office
Jim Rerko, Division 6 Environmental Unit
Kristi Lynn Carpenter, NCDWR
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