20200355_Environmental Assessment Comments_20150716

Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Project Review Form
Project N�mber: 15-0678 County: Columbus
Due Date: 7/27/2015
Date Received: 06/30/2015
Project Description: Environmental Assessment - Proposed project is for the improvements to US
701 Bypass from south of SR 1166-Pleasant Plains Road to north of the US 74-76
Bypass in Whiteville. TIP R-5020
�reviously viewed as 12-0291
This Project is being revie��ed as indicated belo��:
Regional Office
Asheville
_ Fayetteville
_ Mooresville
_ Raleigh
_ Washington
✓ Wilmington
Winston-Salem
Manager Sign-Off/Region:
Regional Oftice Area
✓ Air
_ DWR-Surface VWater
D W R-Aqui fer
✓ DEMLR (LQ & SW)
✓ UST
✓ DWR-Public �ater
Response (check all applicable)
No objection to project as proposed.
Insutticient information to complete re� ie��
In-House Review
.Air Quality
✓ Parks & Recreation
✓ Waste Mgmt
_ Water Resources Mgmt
(Public Water. Planning & Water
Quality Program)
�/ DN R-Transportation Unit
Vtason Herndon
Coastal Management
DCM-Marine Fisheries
Militarv Affairs
DMF-Shellfish Sanitation
_ Wildlife
✓ Wildlife — DOT Travis Wilson
Date: In-House Revie��er/Agency:
^I - 16 - ZO iS f�E..�.•.. /OtJ2 TPV
_ No Comment
� Other Ispecifi� or attach comments)
If you have any questions. please contact:
Lyn Hardison at lvn.hardison(a�ncdenr.�ov or [phone]
943 Washington Square Mall VVashington NC 27889
Courier No. 16-04-01

���
���
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Pat McCrory
Governor
July 16, 2015
MEMORANDUM
Donald R, van der Vaart
Secretary
To: Lyn Hardison, Environmental Coordinator, Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
From: Mason Herndon, Division of Water Resources, Fayetteville/Wilmington Regional Area ��
Transportation Permitting Unit
Subject: Comments on the Final Environmental Assessment, related to proposed widening of the US 710
Bypass from South of SR 1166 (Pleasant Plains Road) to North of US 74-76 Bypass In Whiteville,
Columbus County, Federal Aid Project No. NHS-701(15) State Project No. 41499.1.1, TIP R-
5020, State Clearinghouse Project No. 15-0678.
This office has reviewed tl�e referenced document dated May, 2015. The NC Division of Water Resources
(NCDWR) is responsible far the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities that impact
Waters of the U.S., including wetlands. It is our understanding that the project as presented will result in impacts to
jurisdictional wetlands, stt-eams, and other surface waters. The NCDWR offers tl�e following comments based on
review of the aforementioned document:
Project Specific Comments:
This project is being planned as part of the 404/NEPA Merger Process. As a participating team member, the
NCDWR will continue to work with the team.
General Comments:
2. The environmenta] 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 15A NCAC
2H.0506(h), it is preferable to present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmenta]
documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required priar to issuance of a 40] Water Quality
Certification.
Environmental impact statement alternatives shall consider design criteria that reduce the impacts to streams
and wetlands from storm water runoff. To meet the requirements of NCDOT's NPDES permit NCS0000250,
these alternatives should include road designs that allow for treatment of the storm water runofFthrough best
management practices as detailed in the most recent version of the North Carolina Department of
Transportation Stormwater Best Management Practices Toolbox manual, which includes BMPs such as
grassed swales, buffer areas, prefarmed 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
Management Commission's Rules (] SA NCAC 2H.0506[h]), mitigation will be required for impacts of
greater than ] acre to wetlands. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed
1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617
Phone: [phone] Internet: www.ncdenr.gov
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer

to replace appropriate lost functions and values. The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services may be
available to assist with wetland mirigation.
5. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (15A NCAC 2H.0506[h]),
mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any single 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 to assist with stream mitigation.
6. Future documentation, including the 401 Water Quality Certification Application, shall continue to include an
itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with carresponding mapping.
7. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from 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.
8. The NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, fill, excavation
and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, stt-eams, and riparian buffers need to be inchided in the
final impact calculations. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts, temporaty or otherwise,
also need to be included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification Application.
9. Where streams must be crossed, the NCDWR prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts. However, we realize
tl�at 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. Moreover, in areas where high
quality wetlands or stt-eams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, the NCDOT
should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to tl�e maximum extent practicable.
10. Whenever possible, the NCDWR prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stt-eam or grubbing of the streambanks and do not require stream channel realignment. The
horizontal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the
structure. Fish passa�e and navi�ation by canoeists and boaters shall not be blocked. Bridge supports (bents)
should not be placed in the stream when possible.
11. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Starmwater 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. To meet the requirements of NCDOT's NPDES permit NCS0000250, please
refer to tl�e most recent version of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Stormwater Best
Management Practices Toolbox manual far approved measures.
l2. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams.
l3. Borrow/waste areas should avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in
borrow/waste areas will need to be presented in the 40] Water Quality Certification and could precipitate
compensatoty mitigation.
l4. The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed methods for
stormwater management. Mare specifically, stormwater shall not be permitted to discharge directly into
streams or surface waters.
15. Based on the information presented in the document, the ma�nitude of impacts to wetlands and stt-eams may
require an Individual Permit application to the Corps of Engineers and corresponding 40l Water Quality
Certification. 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 stt-eam uses are lost. Final
permit autharization will require the submittal of a formal application by the NCDOT and written concurrence
from the 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.

16. If concrete is used during construction, a dry wark 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.
17. 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.
18. Unless otherwise authorized, placement of culverts and other stt-uctures in waters and streams shall be placed
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 includin� temporary
erosion control measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands ar
streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and downstream of the above structures. The applicant is
required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being maintained ifrequested in writing by the NCDWR.
If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during construction,
please contact the NCDWR for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit
modification will be required.
19. 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 causin� sediment deposition that requires
increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
20. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved
under General 401 Certification Number 3883/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities.
2l . 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.
22. 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 the 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.
23. While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of Wetland
Significance (NGCREWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools, their inherent inaccuracies require
that qualified personnel perform onsite wetland delineations prior to permit approval.
24. Heavy equipment should 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.
25. 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 should be properly designed, sized and installed.
26. 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.

The NCDWR appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on your project. Should you have any questions or
require any additional information, please contact Mason Herndon at [phone] or [e-mail].
Electronic copy only distribution:
Liz Hair, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office
Dr. Cynthia Van Der Wiele, US Environmental Protection Agency
NC Division of Water Resources Raleigh Central Office
File Copy