20070046 Ver 3_Approval Letter_20080715

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Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coleen H. Sullins, Director
Division of Water Quality
July 15, 2008
DWQ Project # 07-0046v3
Brunswick County
Jon T. Vincent
MJ Property Development, LLC
1508 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 302
Wilmington, NC 28403
Subject Property: Stonebridge on Sunset - Phase II
Approval of 401 Water Quality Certification and Isolated Wetland General Permit with Additional Conditions
Dear Mr. Vincent:
You have our approval, in accordance with the attached conditions and those listed below, to place fill within or
otherwise impact 0.139 acres of 404 wetlands as described in your application dated June 9, 2008, and received by
the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) on June 12, 2008 to construct the proposed residential subdivision. After
reviewing your application, we have decided that the impacts are covered by General Water Quality Certification
Number(s) 3705 (GC3705). The Certification(s) allows you to use Nationwide Permit(s) NW29 when issued by the
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Also, we have determined that this Isolated Wetland fill (0.352 acres of
Isolated Wetland) is covered by the State General Permit for Impacts to Isolated Wetlands and Isolated Waters
(IWGP100000). In addition, you should obtain or otherwise comply with any other required federal, state or local
permits before you go ahead with your project including (but not limited to) Erosion and Sediment Control, and
Non-discharge regulations. Also, 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 or CAMA Permit, and the
authorization to proceed with your proposed impacts to Isolated Wetlands as depicted in your application
and as authorized by this Permit, shall expire upon expiration of IWGP100000 (September 30, 2008) or
unless otherwise rescinded by the Director of the Division of Water Quality.
This approval is for the purpose and design that you described in your application. If you change your project, you
must notify us and you may be required to send us a new application. If the property is sold, the new owner must be
given a copy of this Certification and approval letter and is thereby responsible for complying with all conditions. If
total fills for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre of wetland or 150 linear feet of stream,
compensatory mitigation may be required as described in 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h). This approval requires you to
follow the conditions listed in the attached certification and any additional conditions listed below.
The Additional Conditions of the Certification are:
1. Impacts Approved
The following impacts are hereby approved as long as all of the other specific and general conditions of
this Certification (or Isolated Wetland Permit) are met. No other impacts are approved including incidental
impacts:
Type of Impact Amount Approved Units Plan Location or Reference
404/Wetland 0.139 acres PCN page 4 of 11
Isolated Wetland 0.352 (acres) PCN page 4 of 11
2. No Waste, Spoil, Solids, or Fill of Any Kind
No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands, waters, or riparian areas beyond the
footprint of the impacts depicted in the Pre-Construction Notification. All construction activities, including
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 127 Cardinal Drive Extension Phone [phone] Customer Servicel-877-623-6748
Wilmington Regional Office Wilmington, NC 28405-3845 FAX [phone] Internet: h2o.enr.state.nc.us One
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper NorlhCarolina
Natural&
Stonebridge on Sunset - Phase II
Page 2 of 4
2007-00460
the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of sediment and erosion control Best Management
Practices, shall be performed so that no violations of state water quality standards, statutes, or rules occur.
3. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing the proper
design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in order to protect
surface waters standards:
a. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated, and
maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion
Control Planning and Design Manual.
b. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures
must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the most recent version of the
North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all
construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor-owned or leased
borrow pits associated with the project.
c. Sufficient materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures and
stormwater routing and treatment shall be on site at all times.
4. Protective Fencing
The outside wetland or water boundary and along the construction corridor within these boundaries approved
under this authorization shall be clearly marked with orange warning fencing (or similar high visibility
material) for the areas that have been approved to infringe within the wetland or water prior to any land
disturbing activities to ensure compliance with 15A NCAC 2B .0233 and GC3705;
5. Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification or applicable Buffer Rules,
and any.subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return the attached certificate of completion to
the 401 Oversight/Express Review Permitting Unit, North Carolina Division of Water Quality, 1650 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650.
6. Sewer Systems
The project shall comply with 15A NCAC 2H .0219(i)(2)(G) and all other State, Federal and local sewer
system regulations.
7. Construction Stormwater Permit NCG010000
Upon the approval of an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan issued by the Division of Land Resources
(DLR) or a DLR delegated local erosion and sedimentation control program, an NPDES General stormwater
permit (NCG010000) administered by DWQ is automatically issued to the project. This General Permit
allows stormwater to be discharged during land disturbing construction activities as stipulated by conditions
in the permit. If your project is covered by this permit [applicable to construction projects that disturb one
(1) or more acres], full compliance with permit conditions including the sedimentation control plan, self-
monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements are required. A copy of this permit and monitoring
report forms may be found at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.uslsulForms Documents htm.
Violations of any condition herein set forth may result in revocation of this Certification and may result in criminal
and/or civil penalties. The authorization to proceed with your proposed impacts or to conduct impacts to waters as
depicted in your application and as authorized by this Certification, shall expire upon expiration of the 404 or
CAMA Permit.
If you do not accept any of the conditions of this Certification (associated with the approved wetland or stream
impacts), you may ask for an adjudicatory hearing. You must act within 60 days of the date that you receive this
letter. To ask for a hearing, send a written petition, which conforms to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General
Stonebridge on Sunset - Phase 11
Page 3 of 4
2007-00460
Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-6714. This
certification and its conditions are final and binding unless you ask for a hearing.
This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and the
Isolated Wetland Rules (IWGP 100000). If you have any questions, please telephone Cyndi Karoly or Ian McMillan
at 919-733-1786.
Sin rely,
4)-Y- Coleen H. Sullins, Director
Enclosures: GC3705
IWGP 100000
Certificate of Completion
cc: Kim Garvey - USACE Wilmington Field Office
Ian McMillan - DWQ 401 Oversight and Express Unit
Troy Beasley - Withers & Ravenel - 7040 Wrightsville Avenue, Suite 101, Wilmington, NC 28403
Central Files
W iRO
Restrictive Covenant Language
"The areas shown on the Stonebridge on Sunset - Phase II Conservation Area
Exhibit as conservation areas shall be maintained in perpetuity in their natural or
mitigated condition. No person or entity shall perform any of the following
activities on such conservation area:
a. fill, grade, excavate or perform any other land disturbing activities
b. cut, mow, bum, remove, or harm any vegetation
c. construct or place any roads, trails, walkways, buildings, mobile homes,
signs, utility poles or towers, or any other permanent or temporary
structures
d. drain or otherwise disrupt or alter the hydrology or drainage ways of the
conservation area
e. dump or store soil, trash, or other waste
f. graze or water animals, or use for any agricultural or horticultural
purpose
This covenant is intended to ensure continued compliance with the mitigation
condition of a Clean Water Act authorization issued by the United States of
America, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Action ID, and
therefore may be enforced by the United States of America. This covenant is to
run with the land, and shall be binding on the Owner, and all parties claiming
under it."
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
Water Quality Certification Number 3705 is issued in conformity with the requirements of Section
401, Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217 of the United States and subject to the North Carolina
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Regulations in 15A NCAC 2H, Section .0500 and 15A NCAC 2B
.0200 for the discharge of fill material to waters and adjacent wetland areas or to wetland areas
that are not a part of the surface tributary system to interstate waters or navigable waters of the
United States () as described in 33 CFR 330 Appendix A (B) (18, 29, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 46)
of the Corps of Engineers regulations (i.e., Nationwide Permit No. 39) and for the Riparian Area
Protection Rules (Buffer Rules) in 15A NCAC 2B.0200.
The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category of activity will not violate
applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws 92-500 and 95-217
if conducted in accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth.
Activities meeting any one (1) of the following criteria require written approval from the
Division of Water Quality (the "Division"):
Stream and/or buffer impacts:
a. Any impacts to perennial waters (as depicted on the most recent USGS 1:24000
topographic map or as otherwise determined by the local government,) and their
associated riparian buffers in Water Supply (WS), High Quality Water (HQW), or
Outstanding Resource Water (ORW) watersheds. Only water-dependent activities, public
projects, and structures with diminimus increases in impervious surfaces will be allowed as
outlined in those rules [15A NCAC 2B .0212 through .0215]. All other activities require a
variance from the delegated local government and/or the NC Environmental Management
Commission before the application for the 401 Water Quality Certification can be
processed.
b. Any impacts to streams and buffers in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Randleman and Catawba
River Basins (or any other basins with Riparian Area Protection Rules [Buffer Rules] in
effect at the time of application [in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0200]), unless the
activities are listed as "EXEMPT" from these Rules..
c. Any impacts to streams involving excavation or dredging.
d. Total stream impacts equal to or greater than 150 linear feet of intermittent and/or perennial
stream to be filled, culverted, rip rapped, or relocated, including temporary and/or
permanent impacts.
II. Impacts (temporary and/or permanent) to waters:
a. Equal to or greater than one-third (1/3) of an acre East of Interstate 95 (1-95).
b. Equal to or greater than one-tenth (1/10) acre West of Interstate 95 (1-95).
III. Wetland impacts (temporary and/or permanent):
a. Equal to or greater than one-third (1/3) acre East of Interstate-95.
b. Equal to or greater than one-tenth (1/10) acre West of Interstate-95.
c. Any impacts to wetlands adjacent to waters designated as: ORW, SA, WS-I, WS-II, or
Trout, or wetlands contiguous to waters designated as a North Carolina or National Wild
and Scenic River.
d. Any impacts to coastal wetlands [15A NCAC 7H .0205)], or Unique Wetlands (UWL) [15A
NCAC 2H.0506].
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
44 (MINING ACTIVITIES), AND 46 (DISCHARGES IN DITCHES),
AND RIPARIAN AREA PROTECTION RULES (BUFFER RULES)
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
IV. If the activity is associated with or in response to a Notice of Violation or an enforcement
action initiated by the Division and/or the Division of Land Resources.
In accordance with North Carolina General Statute Section 143-215.3D(e), written approval for a
401 Water Quality General Certification must include the appropriate fee. If a project also
requires a CAMA Permit, then one payment to both agencies shall be submitted and will be the
higher of the two fees.
Activities that are below the thresholds, or otherwise do not meet the criteria listed above
in this General Certification do not require written approval from the Division of Water
Quality as long as they comply with the Conditions of Certification listed below, including
the Stormwater Management Plan condition. If the project requires a Stormwater
Management Plan, but is otherwise below the written approval thresholds, the applicant
may provide a courtesy copy of the Pre-Construction Notification along with a copy of the
Stormwater Management Plan (and approval letter from the appropriate locally delegated
state program where applicable). If any of these Conditions cannot be met, then written
approval from the Division is required.
Conditions of Certification:
1. No Impacts Beyond those Authorized in the Written Approval or Beyond the Threshold of Use
of this Certification
No waste, spoil, solids, or fill of any kind shall occur in wetlands, waters, or riparian areas
beyond the footprint of the impacts depicted in the Pre-Construction Notification and
authorized in the written approval from the Division, including incidental impacts. All
construction activities, including the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of
sediment and erosion control Best Management Practices, shall be performed so that no
violations of state water quality standards, statutes, or rules occur.
2. Standard Erosion and Sediment Control Practices
Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications
governing the proper design, installation and operation and
maintenance of such Best Management Practices:
a. Design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control
measures must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the
most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The
devices shall be maintained on all construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil)
projects, including contractor-owned or leased borrow pits associated with the project.
b. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed,
installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the
North Carolina Surface Mining Manual.
c. Reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in
accordance with the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act and the
Mining Act of 1971.
d. Sufficient materials required for stabilization and/or repair of erosion control measures
and stormwater routing and treatment shall be on site at all times.
e. If the project occurs in waters or watersheds classified as Primary Nursery Areas (PNAs),
Trout (Tr), SA, WS-l, WS-II, High Quality (HQW), or Outstanding Resource (ORW)
waters, then the sediment and erosion control requirements contained within Design
Standards in Sensitive Watersheds (15A NCAC 046 .0124) supercede all other sediment
and erosion control requirements.
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
3. No Sediment and Erosion Control Measures in Wetlands or Waters
Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or waters without
prior approval by the Division. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in
wetlands and waters is unavoidable, then design and placement of temporary erosion control
measures shall not be conducted in a manner that may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or
stream beds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and down stream of the above structures. All
sediment and erosion control devices shall be removed and the natural grade restored within
two (2) months of the date that the Division of Land Resources or locally delegated program
has released the project.
4. Construction Stormwater Permit NCG010000
Upon the approval of an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan issued by the Division of
Land Resources (DLR) or a DLR delegated local erosion and sedimentation control program,
an NPDES General stormwater permit (NCG010000) administered by the Division is
automatically issued to the project. This General Permit allows stormwater to be discharged
during land disturbing construction activities as stipulated by conditions in the permit. If your
project is covered by this permit [applicable to construction projects that disturb one (1) or
more acres), full compliance with permit conditions including the sedimentation control plan,
self-monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements are required. A copy of this
permit and monitoring report forms may be found at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.uslsu/Forms Documents.htm.
5. Construction Moratoriums and Coordination
If activities must occur during periods of high biological activity (i.e. sea turtle or bird nesting),
then biological monitoring may be required at the request of other state or federal agencies
and coordinated with these activities. This condition can be waived through written
concurrence on a case by case basis upon reasonable justification.
All moratoriums on construction activities established by the NC Wildlife Resources
Commission (WRC), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NC Division of Marine Fisheries
(DMF), or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to lessen impacts on trout, anadromous
fish, larval/post-larval fishes and crustaceans, or other aquatic species of concern shall be
implemented. This condition can be waived through written concurrence on a case by case
basis upon reasonable justification.
Work within the twenty-five (25) designated trout counties or identified state or federal
endangered or threatened species habitat shall be coordinated with the appropriate WRC,
USFWS, NMFS, and/or DMF personnel.
6. Work in the Dry
All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved
best management practices from the most current version of the NC Sediment and Erosion
Control Manual, or the NC DOT Construction and Maintenance Activities Manual, such as
sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams, and other diversion structures shall be used to minimize
excavation in flowing water. Exceptions to this condition require submittal to, and approval
by, the Division of Water Quality.
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
7. Riparian Area Protection (Buffer) Rules
Activities located in the protected 50-foot wide riparian areas (whether jurisdictional wetlands
or not), within the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Catawba, or Randleman (or any other basin with
buffer rules), shall be limited to "uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with
15A NCAC 2B .0233, .0259, .0250 and .0243, and shall be located, designed, constructed,
and maintained to have minimal disturbance to protect water quality to the maximum extent
practicable through the use of best management practices. All buffer rule requirements,
including diffuse flow requirements, must be met.
8. Water Supply Watershed Buffers
The 30-foot wide vegetative buffer (low-density development) or the 100-foot wide vegetative
buffer (high-density development) shall be maintained adjacent to all perennial waters except
for allowances as provided in the Water Supply Watershed Protection Rules [15A NCAC 2B
.0212 through .0215].
9. If concrete is used during the construction, then a dry work area should be maintained to
prevent direct contact between curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently
contacts uncured concrete should not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for
elevated pH and possible aquatic life/fish kills.
10. Compensatory Mitigation
In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h), compensatory mitigation may be required for
losses of 150 linear feet or more of streams and/or one (1) acre or more of wetlands. For
linear, public transportation projects, impacts equal to or exceeding 150 linear feet per stream
shall require mitigation.
Compensatory stream mitigation shall be required at a 1:1 ratio for all perennial and
intermittent stream impacts in watersheds classified as ORW, HQW, Trout, WS-1 and WS-11.
Buffer mitigation may be required for any project with Buffer Rules in effect at the time of
application for buffer impacts resulting from activities classified as "Allowable with Mitigation"
within the "Table of Uses" section of the Buffer Rules or require a variance under the Buffer
Rules.
A determination of buffer, wetland and stream mitigation requirements shall be made for any
General Water Quality Certification for this Nationwide Permit. Design and monitoring
protocols shall follow the US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District Stream Mitigation
Guidelines (April 2003), or its subsequent updates. Compensatory mitigation plans shall be
submitted for written Division approval as required in those protocols. Alternatively, the
Division will accept payment into an in-lieu fee program or credit purchase from a mitigation
bank.
Finally, the mitigation plan must be implemented and/or constructed before any permanent
building or structure on site is occupied. In the case of public road projects, the mitigation
plan must be implemented before the road is opened to the public. Proof of payment to an
in-lieu fee program or mitigation bank must be provided to the Division to satisfy this
requirement.
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
11. For all activities requiring re-alignment of streams, a stream relocation plan must be included
for written Division approval. Relocated stream designs should include the same dimensions,
patterns and profiles as the existing channel (or a stable reference reach if the existing
channel is unstable), to the maximum extent practical. The new channel should be
constructed in the dry and water shall not be turned into the new channel until the banks are
stabilized. Vegetation used for bank stabilization shall be limited to native woody species,
and should include establishment of a 30-foot wide wooded and an adjacent 20-foot wide
vegetated buffer on both sides of the relocated channel to the maximum extent practical. A
transitional phase incorporating appropriate erosion control matting materials and seedling
establishment is allowable. Rip-rap, A-Jacks, concrete, gabions or other hard structures may
be allowed if it is necessary to maintain the physical integrity of the stream; however, the
applicant must provide written justification and any calculations used to determine the extent
of rip-rap coverage. Please note that if the stream relocation is conducted as a stream
restoration as defined in the US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District,. April 2003
Stream Mitigation Guidelines (or its subsequent updates), the restored length can be used as
compensatory mitigation for the impacts resulting from the relocation.
12. Stormwater Management Plan Requirements
A. For applicants other than the North Carolina Department of Transportation, a Stormwater
Management Plan in accordance with the version of Stormwater Management Plan (SMP)
Requirements for Applicants other than the North Carolina Department of Transportation
posted on the Division web site at the time of application shall be provided for any project that
meets both of the following two criteria:
i. Requires a 404 Permit or Isolated Wetlands Permit (regardless of
whether written authorization is required by the Division), AND
ii. Contains one or more drainage areas that are anticipated to have
impervious surface cover of equal to or greater than 24 percent. When
drainage areas are difficult to delineate or when a pocket of high density
exists within a drainage area, the Division shall use best professional
judgment to apply the SMP requirement as appropriate.
B. For the North Carolina Department of Transportation, compliance with NCDOT's Individual
NPDES permit NCS000250 shall serve to satisfy this condition.
13. Placement of Culverts and Other Structures in Waters and Wetlands
Culverts required for this project 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.
Existing stream dimensions (including the cross section dimensions, pattern, and longitudinal
profile) must be maintained above and below locations of each culvert. Placement of culverts
and other structures in waters and streams must 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 or equal to 48 inches, to allow
low flow passage of water and aquatic life.
Installation of culverts in wetlands must ensure continuity of water movement and be
designed to adequately accommodate high water or flood conditions. Additionally, when
roadways, causeways or other fill projects are constructed across FEMA-designated
floodways or wetlands, openings such as culverts or bridges must 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.
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
If site-specific topographic constraints preclude the ability to bury the culverts as described
above and/or the applicant can demonstrate that burying the culvert would result in
destabilization of the channel and head-cutting upstream, the Division will consider
alternative design proposals.
Any riprap required for normal pipe burial and stabilization shall be buried such that the
original stream elevation is restored and maintained.
The establishment of native, woody vegetation and other soft stream bank stabilization
techniques must be used where practicable instead of riprap or other bank hardening
methods.
14. Additional site-specific conditions may be added to the written approval letter for projects
proposed under this Water Quality Certification in order to ensure compliance with all
applicable water quality and effluent standards.
15. If an environmental document is required under the National or State Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA or SEPA), then this General Certification is not valid until a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD) is issued by the State
Clearinghouse.
16. If this Water Quality Certification is used to access building sites, then all lots owned by the
applicant must be buildable without additional impacts to streams or wetlands. The applicant
is required to provide evidence that the lots are buildable without requiring additional impacts
to wetlands, waters or buffers if required to do so in writing by the Division. For road
construction purposes, this Certification shall only be utilized from natural high ground to
natural high ground.
17. Deed notifications or similar mechanisms shall be placed on all retained jurisdictional
wetlands, waters and protective buffers in order to assure compliance for future wetland,
water and buffer impact. These mechanisms shall be put in place at the time of recording of
the property, or of individual lots, whichever is appropriate. A sample deed notification can
be downloaded from the 401/Wetlands Unit web site at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands.
The text of the sample deed notification may be modified as appropriate to suit to a specific
project.
18. When written authorization is required for use of this certification, upon completion of all
permitted impacts included within the approval and any subsequent modifications, the
applicant shall be required to return the certificate of completion attached to the approval.
One copy of the certificate shall be sent to the DWQ Central Office in Raleigh at 1650 Mail
Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650.
19. This General Certification shall expire three (3) years from,the date of issuance of the written
letter from the Division or on the same day as the expiration date of the corresponding
Nationwide Permit The conditions in effect on the date of issuance of Certification for a
specific project shall remain in effect for the life of the project, regardless of the expiration
date of this Certification. If the construction process for approved activities will overlap the
expiration and renewal date of the corresponding 404 Permit and the Corps allows for
continued use of the 404 Permit, then the General Certification shall also remain in effect
without requiring re-application and re-approval to use this Certification for the specific
impacts already approved.
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
20. The applicant/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. If the Division determines that such standards or laws are not being
met, including failure to sustain a designated or achieved use, or that State or Federal law is
being violated, or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, then the
Division may reevaluate and modify this General Water Quality Certification.
Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set forth by a specific fill project may
result in revocation of this General Certification for the project and may also result in criminal
and/or civil penalties.
The Director of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality may require submission of a formal
application for Individual Certification for any project in this category of activity, if it is determined
that the project is likely to have a significant adverse effect upon water quality including state or
federally listed endangered or threatened aquatic species or degrade the waters so that existing
uses of the wetland or downstream waters are precluded.
Public hearings may be held for specific applications or group of applications prior to a
Certification decision if deemed in the public's best interest by the Director of the North Carolina
Division of Water Quality.
Effective date: November 1, 2007
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
By
Coleen H. Sullins
Director
History Note: Water Quality Certification Number 3705 replaces Water Quality Certification
Numbers 3106 and 3108 issued on February 11, 1997, Water Quality Certification Number 3287
issued on June 1, 2000, Water Quality Certification Number 3362 issued March 18, 2002, Water
Quality Certification Number 3402 issued March, 2003, and Water Quality Certification Number
3631 issued March 19, 2007. This Water Quality Certification is rescinded when the Corps of
Engineers re-authorizes Nationwide Permits 18, 29, 39, 41, 42, 43 or 44 or when deemed
appropriate by the Director of the Division of Water Quality.
Water Quality Certification No. 3705
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
STATE GENERAL PERMIT FOR IMPACTS TO ISOLATED
WETLANDS AND ISOLATED WATERS
PERMIT NUMBER: IWGP100000
FOR PROJECTS IMPACTING LESS THAN ONE (1) ACRE OF ISOLATED
WETLANDS, LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED, FIFTY FEET (250) OF ISOLATED
STREAMS AND/OR LESS THAN ONE-THIRD ACRE (1/3) OF OTHER
ISOLATED SURFACE WATERS
In accordance with the provision of Article 21 of Chapter 143, General Statutes of
North Carolina as amended and other lawful standards and regulations, including
15A NCAC 2H .1300 and 15A NCAC 213 .0200, promulgated and adopted by the
North Carolina Environmental Management Commission.
Permission is hereby granted to all owners or operators of activities which impact
isolated wetlands, isolated streams or other isolated waters in accordance with
the conditions set forth in Parts I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of this General Permit
Number One.
This General Permit shall become effective on September 10, 2003.
This General Permit shall expire at midnight on September 30, 2008 or unless
otherwise rescinded by the Director of the NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ).
Alan W. Kimek, Director
Division of Water Quality
By the Authority of the
NC Environmental Management Commission
This General Permit is issued in conformity with the requirements of North
Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Regulations in 15A NCAC 2H, Section .1300
for the discharge of fill material to isolated wetlands and isolated waters of the State of
North Carolina. This Permit may be rescinded when deemed appropriate by the Director
of DWQ after appropriate public notice.
The State of North Carolina certifies that the specified category of activity will not
violate applicable portions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306 and 307 of the Public Laws
92-500 and 95-217 if conducted in accordance with the conditions hereinafter set forth.
Conditions of Permit:
Totaling Impacts and Application Requirements:
A. Application Thresholds - Impacts to isolated, classified streams, wetlands and
water that exceed any of the thresholds below require a complete application and written
concurrence which may include site-specific conditions in order to use this Permit. These
thresholds apply for the entire project regardless of the number of Nationwide or
Individual Permits (if any) applicable to the project that are issued by the US Army Corps
of Engineers for the project:
1. Impacts to isolated streams of greater or equal to 150 cumulative feet of stream
length for the entire project require written notification to and approval by the
Division of Water Quality, and/or
2. Impacts to isolated lakes and ponds of equal to or greater than 1/3 of an acre
require written notification to and approval by the Division of Water Quality,
and/or
3. Impacts to isolated wetlands of greater or equal to 1/3 of an acre east of 1-95 and
1/10 of an acre west of 1-95 require written notification to and approval by the
Division of Water Quality;
4. Proposed fill or substantial modification of any amount of isolated wetlands
classified in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0101(e)(7) as Unique Wetlands
(UWL) shall require written concurrence from the Division of Water Quality;
B. Activities which are Deemed Permitted: Impacts to less than i) 150 linear feet of
isolated stream, ii) 1/3 acre of isolated surface waters, iii) 1/3 acre of isolated
wetlands east of Interstate-95 or iv) 1/10 acre of isolated wetland west of Interstate-
95 are deemed permitted in accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .1305 (b) and do not
require application to or written approval from DWQ as long as all the conditions of
15A NCAC 2H .1305 (b) are followed;
C. Totalinq and Reporting of Impacts:
1. Isolated Streams - Impacts to isolated streams as determined by the Division of
Water Quality shall be measured as the length of the centerline of the normal
flow channel. Permanent and/or temporary stream impacts shall be enumerated
on the entire project for all impacts regardless of which 404 Nationwide Permits
are used (if any). Stream relocations and streambed and/or bank hardening are
considered to be permanent stream impacts. Any activity that results in a loss of
use of stream functions including but not limited to filling, relocating, flooding,
excavation, dredging and complete shading shall be considered stream impacts.
Impacts to streams shall include streams enclosed by bottomless culverts,
bottomless arches or other spanning structures unless the entire structure
(including construction impacts) spans the entire bed and both banks of the
stream, is only used for a road, driveway or path crossing, and is not mitered to
follow the stream pattern. Impacts for dam footprints and flooding will count
toward the threshold for stream impacts, but flooding upstream of the dam will
not count towards mitigation requirements as long as no filling, excavation,
relocation or other modification of the existing stream dimension, pattern or
profile occurs. Any filling, excavation, relocation or other modification of the
existing stream (other than flooding) must re-establish the same dimensions,
patterns and profiles of the existing channel (or those of a stable reference reach
if the existing channel is unstable)
2. Isolated Lakes and Ponds - Impacts to isolated waters other than streams and
wetlands as determined by the Division of Water Quality shall be measured as
area. Permanent and/or temporary water impacts shall be enumerated on the
entire project for all impacts proposed regardless of which 404 Nationwide
Permits are used (if any). Any activity that results in a loss of use of aquatic
functions including but not limited to filling, draining, and dredging shall be
considered waters impacts.
3. Isolated Wetlands - Impacts to isolated wetlands as determined by the Division of
Water Quality shall be measured as area. Permanent and/or temporary wetland
impacts shall be enumerated on the entire project for all impacts regardless of
which 404 Nationwide Permits are used (if any). Any activity that results in a loss
of use of wetland functions including but not limited to filling, excavating, draining,
and flooding shall be considered wetland impacts. Impacts to wetlands shall
include activities that change the hydrology of a wetland.
D. Public Notice requirement - A separate Public Notice and Individual Permit will be
required for all projects which propose to impact more than 250 linear feet of isolated
streams or more than one (1) acre of isolated wetlands or other waters in accordance
with 15A NCAC 2H .1303. For impacts less than these thresholds, this General
Permit is applicable without additional Public Notice.
E. In accordance with North Carolina General Statute Section 143-215.3D(e), any
application for an Isolated Wetland General or Individual Permit must include the
appropriate fee. If a project also requires a CAMA Permit, one payment to both
agencies shall be submitted. This payment shall be the higher of the two fees;
F. Impacts to any stream length for streams regulated by the respective riparian buffer
rules in the Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, Catawba or Randleman River Basins (or any other
major river basins with Riparian Area Protection Rules [Buffer Rules] in effect at the
time of application) also requires written concurrence for this Permit from DWQ in
accordance with 15A NCAC 28.0200 except for "exempt activities" as noted below.
Activities listed as "exempt" from these rules do not need to apply for written
concurrence under this Permit as long as they meet the impact thresholds provided in
the rules. New development activities located in the protected riparian areas
(whether jurisdictional streams, wetlands, waters or not) within river basins with
riparian buffer protection rules shall be limited to "uses" identified within and
constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC 2B .0200.
All new development shall be located, designed, constructed, and maintained to
have minimal disturbance to protect water quality to the maximum extent practicable
through the use of best management practices;
G. Irrespective of other application thresholds in this General Permit, all impacts to
perennial waters and their associated buffers in water supply watersheds require
written approval from DWQ since such impacts are allowable as provided in 15A
NCAC 2B. 0212 (WS-1), 2B.0213 (WS-11), 213.0214 (WS-III) and 213.0215 (WS-
IV). Only water dependent activities, public projects and structures with
diminimus increases in impervious surfaces will be allowed as outlined in those
rules. All other activities require a variance from the delegated local government
and/or the NC Environmental Management Commission before the Isolated
Wetland General Permit can be processed. In addition, a 30 foot wide vegetative
buffer for low density development or a 100 foot wide vegetative buffer for high
density development must be maintained adjacent to all perennial waters in
water supply watersheds except for allowances as provided under the Water
Supply Watershed Protection Rules. For the purposes of this condition,
perennial waters are defined as those shown as perennial waters on the most
recent USGS 1:24,000 topographic map or as otherwise determined by local
government studies;
II. On-Site Stormwater Management:
A. Additional site-specific stormwater management requirements may be added to
this Permit at DWQ's discretion on a case by case basis for projects that have or
are anticipated to have impervious cover of greater than 30 percent for either the
entire site or portions of the site that exceed 30% imperviousness. Site-specific
stormwater management shall be designed to remove at least 85% TSS
according to the latest version of DWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices
manual at a minimum. Other stormwater management requirements (such as
[but not limited to] providing diffuse flow through protected buffers) may also be
added on a case-by-case basis.
Additionally, in watersheds within one mile and draining to 303(d) listed
waters, as well as watersheds that are classified as nutrient sensitive waters
(NSW), water supply waters (WS), trout waters Jr), high quality waters (HQW),
and outstanding resource waters (ORW), the Division shall require that extended
detention wetlands, bio-retention areas, and ponds followed by forested filter
strips (designed according to latest version of the NC DENR Stormwater Best
Management Practices Manual) be constructed as part of the stormwater
management plan when a site-specific stormwater management plan is required.
For streams classified as Water Supply, High Quality Waters and Outstanding
Resource Waters, post-construction, on-site stormwater management shall be
required as appropriate and as outlined in 15A NCAC 2B .0104(m) and 2H .1000
to .1007, respectively, in addition to that required in this General Permit.
Alternative designs may be requested by the applicant and will be
reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Division of Water Quality.
Approval of stormwater management plans by the Division of Water
Quality's other existing state stormwater programs including appropriate local
programs are sufficient to satisfy this Condition as long as the stormwater
management plans meet or exceed the design requirements specified in this
condition. This condition applies unless more stringent requirements are in effect
from other state water quality programs.
1. Unless specified otherwise in the approval letter, the final, written stormwater
management plan shall be approved in writing by the Division of Water Quality's
Wetlands Unit before the impacts specified in this Permit occur.
2. The facilities must be designed to treat the runoff from the entire project, unless
otherwise explicitly approved by the Division of Water Quality.
3. Also, before any permanent building or other structure is occupied at the subject
site, the facilities (as approved by the Wetlands Unit) shall be constructed and
operational, and the stormwater management plan (as approved by the
Wetlands Unit) shall be implemented.
4. All structural stormwater practices as approved by the Wetlands Unit as well as
drainage patterns must be maintained in perpetuity.
5. No changes to the structural stormwater practices shall be made without written
authorization from the Division of Water Quality.
III. Compensatory Mitigation:
A. Compensatory stream mitigation shall be required at a 1:1 ratio for not only perennial
but also intermittent stream impacts that require application to DWQ in watersheds ith
streams classified as ORW, HQW, Tr, WS-I and WS-II unless the project is a linear,
publicly-funded transportation project, which has a 150-foot per-stream impact
allowance;
B. In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .1300, compensatory mitigation may be
required for impacts to 150 linear feet or more of streams and/or one acre or more of
wetlands for an entire project. For linear public transportation projects, impacts equal
to or exceeding 150 feet per stream may require mitigation. In addition, buffer
mitigation may be required for any project with Riparian Area Protection Rules (Buffer
Rules) in effect at the time of application for buffer impacts resulting from activities
classified as "allowable with mitigation" within the "Table of Uses" section of the Buffer
Rules or require a variance under the Buffer Rules. A determination of buffer, wetland
and stream mitigation requirements shall be made for any use of this General Permit.
The most current design and monitoring protocols from DWQ shall be followed and
written plans submitted for DWQ approval as required in those protocols.
When compensatory mitigation is required for a project, the mitigation plans must
be approved by DWQ in writing before the impacts approved by the Permit occur,
unless otherwise specified in the approval letter. The mitigation plan must be
implemented and/or constructed before any permanent building or structure on site is
occupied. In the case of public road projects, the mitigation plan must be
implemented before the road is opened to the travelling public. Please note that if a
stream relocation is conducted as a stream restoration as defined in The Internal
Technical Guide for Stream Work in North Carolina (April 2001 or its successor), the
restored length can be used as compensatory mitigation for the impacts resulting from
the relocation;
C. For any project involving re-alignment of streams, a stream relocation plan must be
included with the General Permit application for written DWQ approval. Relocated
stream designs should include the same dimensions, patterns and profiles as the
existing channel (or a stable reference reach if the existing channel is unstable), The
new channel should be constructed in the dry and water shall not be turned into the
new channel until the banks are stabilized. Vegetation used for bank stabilization
shall be limited to native woody species, and should include establishment of a 30
foot wide wooded and an adjacent 20 foot wide vegetated buffer on both sides of the
relocated channel. A smaller buffer may be allowed on a site-specific basis by DWQ.
A transitional phase incorporating coir fiber and seedling establishment is allowable.
Also, rip-rap, A-Jacks, concrete, gabions or other hard structures may be allowed if it
is necessary to maintain the physical integrity of the stream, but the applicant must
provide written justification and any hydraulic calculations used to determine the
extent of rip-rap coverage requested. If suitable stream mitigation is not practical on-
site, then stream impact will need to be mitigated elsewhere. If stream relocation is
conducted as a stream restoration as defined in The Internal Technical Guide for
Stream Work in North Carolina , (April 2001 or its successor), 2001, the restored
length can be used as compensatory mitigation for the impacts resulting from the
relocation;
D. Culverts and other structures installed in waters, streams, and wetlands must be
placed below the elevation of the streambed to allow low flow passage of water and
aquatic life unless it can be shown to DWQ that providing passage would be
impractical. Design and placement of culverts including open bottom or bottomless
arch culverts and other structures including temporary erosion control measures shall
not be conducted in a manner that may result in aggradation, degradation or
significant changes in hydrology of wetlands or stream beds or banks,. adjacent to or
upstream and down stream of the above structures. The applicant is required to
provide written evidence that the equilibrium shall be maintained if requested to do so
in writing by DWQ. Additionally, when roadways, causeways or other fill projects are
constructed across FEMA-designated floodways or wetlands, openings such as
culverts or bridges must be provided to maintain the natural hydrology of the system
as well as prevent constriction of the floodway that may result in aggradation,
degradation or significant changes in hydrology of streams or wetlands;
IV. Sedimentation and Erosion Control:
A. All erosion and sediment control practices (for land uses that include
construction/development, mining, agricultural and forestry practices) must be in full
compliance with all specifications governing the proper design, installation, operation
and maintenance of such Best Management Practices (BMPs).
1. For construction/development and land disturbance activities, erosion and
sediment control measures and maintenance must be installed and equal or
exceed the proper design, installation, operation and maintenance outlined in the
most recent version of the "North Carolina Sediment And Erosion Control
Planning and Design Manual". If land disturbance amounts are below the
thresholds where a Division of Land Resource (DLR) or a DLR delegated
program require a Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan, then measures and
control practices must be installed such that sedimentation to waters is
prevented.
2. For mining activities, erosion and sediment control measures and maintenance
must be installed and equal or exceed the proper design, installation, operation
and maintenance outlined in the most recent version of the "North Carolina
Surface Mining Manual".
3. For projects located on agricultural sites, Best Management measures must be
installed and equal or exceed the proper design, installation, operations and
maintenance outlined in Section 4 of the Natural Resources Conservation
Services (NRCS) Technical Guide. If erosion and sediment control measures
are not specifically addressed by NRCS Technical Guide for an activity being
conducted, then sediment control measures, control practices, and maintenance
must be installed and implemented such that sedimentation to waters is
prevented.
4. For project located on forestry sites, Best Management Practices must be
installed that equal or exceed the proper design, installation, operation and
maintenance as outlined in the most recent version of the 'Best Management
Practice Manual' developed by the North Carolina Division of Forest
Management. If the Best Management Practices, developed by the Division of
Forest Resources, do not specifically address the activity being conducted, then
measures, control practices, and maintenance must be installed and
implemented such that sedimentation to waters is prevented.
B. All sediment and erosion control measures placed in wetlands and waters shall be
removed and the original grade restored within two months after the Division of Land
Resources or DLR delegated program has released the project;
V. Compliance with Water Quality Standards:
A. Additional site-specific conditions may be added to projects proposed under this Permit
in order to ensure compliance with all applicable water quality and effluent standards;
B. Measures shall be taken to prevent live or fresh concrete from coming into contact
with waters of the state until the concrete has hardened;
C. If this Permit is used to access building sites, all lots owned by the applicant must be
buildable without additional fill beyond that explicitly allowed under other General or
Individual 401 Water Quality Certifications. The applicant is required to provide evidence
that the lots are buildable without requiring additional impacts to wetlands, waters or
buffers if required to do so in writing by DWQ. For road construction purposes, this Permit
shall only be utilized from natural high ground to natural high ground;
V. Possible requirement for an Individual Permit and Public Meetings
A. The Director of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality may require submission of a
formal application for Individual Permit for any project in this category of activity that
requires written concurrence under this Permit, if it is determined that the project is likely
to 1) have a significant adverse effect upon water quality, 2) impact state or federally
listed threatened or endangered species, or 3) degrade the waters so that existing uses
of the wetland or downstream waters are precluded.
B. Public meetings may be held for specific applications or group of applications prior to a
Permit decision if deemed in the public's best interest by the Director of the North
Carolina Division of Water Quality.
VI. Compliance and Reporting:
A. If an environmental document is required, this Permit is not valid until a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) or Record of Decision (ROD) is issued by the State
Clearinghouse;
B. Deed notifications or similar mechanisms shall be placed on all lots with remaining
wetlands and waters or on areas within 50 feet of all streams and ponds if riparian buffer
protection rules are applicable. These mechanisms shall be put in place within 30 days
of the date of issuance of the General Permit letter or the issuance of the 404 Permit
(whichever is later). A sample deed notification format can be downloaded from the
401/Wetlands Unit web site at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands . DWQ shall be sent
copies of all deed restrictions applied to these lots;
C. When written concurrence is required, the applicant is required to use the most recent
version of the Certificate of Completion to inform DWQ that work authorized by this
General Permit has been completed;
D. Concurrence from DWQ that this Permit applies to an individual project shall expire five
years from the date of the cover letter from DWQ or on the same day as the expiration
date of the corresponding US Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit (if any), whichever is
sooner unless otherwise explicitly allowed in the approval letter from DWQ.
E. Non-compliance with or violation of the conditions herein set forth by a specific fill project
may result in revocation of this Permit for the project and may also result in criminal
and/or civil penalties.
F. Failure to abide by the conditions and limitations contained in this permit may subject the
Permittee to an enforcement action by the Division of Water Quality in accordance with
143-215.6A to 143-215.6C.
G. This permit may be modified, revoked and reissued or terminated for cause. The filing of
a request for a permit modification, revocation and reissuance, or termination does not
stay any permit condition.
H. The issuance of this Permit does not prohibit the Director from reopening and modifying
the Permit, revoking and reissuing the Permit, or terminating the Permit as allowed by the
laws, rules, and regulations contained in Title 15A of the North Carolina Administrative
Code 3, Subchapter 02H. 1300, and North Carolina General Statute 143-215.1 et. al.
1. The Permit is not transferable to any person or entity except after notice to and written
approval by the Director. The Director may require modification or revocation and
reissuance of the Permit to change the name and incorporate such other requirements as
may be necessary. A formal permit request must be submitted to the Division of Water
Quality accompanied by the appropriate fee, documentation from both parties involved,
and other supporting materials as may be appropriate. The approval of this request will
be considered on its merits, and may or may not be approved.
J. The issuance of this Permit does not preclude the Permittee from complying with any and
all statutes, rules, regulations, or ordinances which may be imposed by other
governments agencies (local, state, and federal) which have jurisdiction. If any of those
permits results in revisions to the plans, a permit modification must be submitted.
K. The permittee grants permission to DENR Staff to enter the property during business
hours for the purposes of inspections and compliance review.
L. The permittee shall notify the Division of Water Quality of any mailing address changes
within 30 days.
Certification of Completion
DWQ Project No.:
Applicant:
Project Name:
Date of Issuance of Wetland Permit:
, hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was
construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications,
Upon completion of all work approved within the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, and any
subsequent modifications, the applicant is required to return this certificate to the 401 Oversight/Express Permitting Unit,
North Carolina Division of Water Quality, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1650. This form may be
returned to DWQ by the applicant, the applicant's authorized agent, or the project engineer. It is not necessary to send
certificates from all of these.
Applicant's Certification
I,
used in the observation of the
compliance and intent of the 401
and other supporting materials.
Signature:
Agent's Certification
I,
used in the observation of the
compliance and intent of the 401
and other supporting materials.
Signature:
Date:
If this project was designed by a Certified Professional
I, , as a duly registered Professional (i.e., Engineer,
Landscape Architect, Surveyor, etc.) in the State of North Carolina, having been authorized to observe (periodically,
weekly, full time) the construction of the project, for the Permittee hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care
and diligence was used in the observation of the construction such that the construction was observed to be built within
substantial compliance.and intent of the 401 Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and
specifications, and other supporting materials.
County:
Certificate of Completion
Date:
, hereby state that, to the best of my abilities, due care and diligence was
construction such that the construction was observed to be built within substantial
Water Quality Certification and Buffer Rules, the approved plans and specifications,
Signature: Registration No. Date