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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20150191 Ver 1_Scoping Comments_20120802Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality Charles Waklld P E Director August 2 2012 lu 11:140-113 XI 7L11111"V TO Pamela Williams NCDOT Priority Projects Office FROM Rob Ridings NC Division of Water Quality Transportation Permitting Unit a SUBJECT Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Protect in Division 4 Dee Freeman Secretary The following are comments for the August 2012 Division 4 Bridge Replacement Projects in Nash Halifax Wilson and Wayne Counties Bridge Number Stream Name River Basin & Subbasm Stream Classifications Stream Index Number 303(d) Listing 630091 Tar River TAR 02 WS IV NSW 28 (34 5) No 630097 Toisnot Swamp NEU 07 WS III NSW 28 86 11-(1) No 630076 Sandy Creek TAR 02 C ORW NSW 28 78 1 (19) No 630132 UT Pi basket Creek TAR 02 C NSW 28 68 3 (2) No 630135 Pigbasket Creek TAR 02 C NSW 28 68 3 (2) No 630136 Pi basket Creek TAR 02 C NSW 28 68 3 (2) No 630125 Back Swamp TAR 02 C NSW 28 68 1 4 No 630028 Big Peachtree Creek TAR 02 C NSW 28 68 1 No 630083 Little Peachtree Creek TAR 02 C NSW 28 68 1 5 No 410030 Rocky Swamp TAR 04 WS IV NSW 28 79 28 (0 7) No 970028 Contentnea Creek NEU 07 WS V NSW 27 86 (1) No 970081 Millstone Creek NEU 07 C NSW 27 86 6 1 No 970094 Town Creek TAR 03 C NSW 28 83 Yes 970093 Town Creek TAR 03 C NSW 28 83 Yes 970055 Toisnot Swamp NEU 07 C NSW Sw 27 86 11 (5) No 970136 UT Toisnot Swamp NEU 07 C NSW Sw 27 86 11 (5) No 950014 Bear Creek NEU 05 C NSW Sw 27 75 (0 1) Yes 950131 Yellow Marsh Branch NEU 12 WS IV B NSW 27 54 5 3 (1) No I I� Transportation and Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1617 Location 512 N Salisbury St Raleigh North Carolina 27604 Phone 919- 807 -63001 FAX 919. 807 -64921 Customer Service 1- 877 -623 6748 Internet www rimaterouality org I An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer NorthCarolina Naturally, Proiect- Specific Comments 1 Bridge 630076 Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as ORW Outstanding Resource Waters of the State in the project study area The water quality classification of ORW is one of the highest classifications in the State DWQ is extremely concerned with any impacts that may occur to streams with this classification It is preferred that these resources be avoided if at all possible If it is not possible to avoid these resources the impacts shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible Given the potent for impacts to these resources during the project implementation the DWQ requests that DOT strictly adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B 0124) throughout design and construction of the project Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H 1006 and 15A NCAC 2B 0224 NC DOT will be required to obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to construction 2 Bridges 970094, 970093, & 950014 These streams are listed as 303(d) impaired waters of the State DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects DWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to these waters DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices 3 All Bridges These projects all contain NSW (Nutrient Sensitive) waters of the State DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects DWQ recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to these waters DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices 4 These projects are within the Neuse and Tar Pamlico River Basins Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B 0233 and 15A NCAC 2B 0259 General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project NC DOT 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 General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No 6 for Survey Activities If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge DWQ believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may be required Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine the required permit(s) 4 If the old bridge is removed no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless otherwise authorized by the US ACOE Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification Whenever possible the DWQ 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 allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure do not block fish passage and do not block navigation by canoeists and boaters 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 NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices 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 Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible 9 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 10 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 11 All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise approved by NC DWQ Approved BMP measures from the most current version ofNCDOT 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 Heavy equipment shall be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams This equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels lubricants hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials 13 In most cases the DWQ 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 14 Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in the Categorical Exclusion (CE) document It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed However the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due to culvert installation 15 Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be addressed in the CE It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed However the CE should discuss the potential for dewatermg and access measures necessary due to bridge construction General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert 1 Placement of culverts and other structures in waters streams and wetlands shall be below the elevation of the streambed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches and 20 percent of the culvert diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches to allow low flow passage of water and aquatic life Design and placement of culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a p manner that may result in dis equilibrium of wetlands or streambeds or banks adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the above structures The applicant is required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being I! maintained if requested in writing by DWQ If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting p features encountered during construction please contact the NC DWQ for guidance on how to proceed and to �i determine whether or not a permit modification will be required �I I� I' I� 2 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 and /or sills where appropriate Widening the stream channel shall 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 Riprap shall not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes aquatic life passage Bioengineering boulders or structures shall be properly designed sized and installed Thank you for requesting our input at this time The DOT 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 Rob Ridings at 919 807 6403 cc Tom Steffens US Army Corps of Engineers Washington Field Office (via email) Chad Coggms NCDOT Division 4 Environmental Officer (via email) File Copy