20161154 Ver 1_AttachmentJ_20170414

Attachment J: Standard Recommendations of
Small Bridge Replacements in Trout Waters
1. Brook AND OR Brown Trout (naturally reproducinq) - Instream work and land
disturbance within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are prohibited during the trout
spawning seasons of October 15 through April 15 to protect the egg and fry
stages of trout.
2. Rainbow Trout (naturally reproducing� - Instream work and land disturbance
within the 25-foot wide buffer zone are prohibited during the rainbow trout
spawning season of January 1 through April 15 to protect the egg and fry
stages of trout.
3. Concrete - If concrete will be used during construction, work must be
accomplished so that wet (uncured) concrete does not contact surface
waters. This will lessen the chance of altering the water chemistry and
causing a fish kill.
4. S&EC - Sediment and erosion control measures shall adhere to the design
standards in sensitive watersheds (15A NCAC 4B .0124) and be maintained
throughout construction.
5. Permanent and Temporary Veaetation Stabilization — A specified appropriate
mix of herbaceous vegetation shall be planted on all bare soil as soon as
possible following the completion of permanent or temporary ground
disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control. Supplemental
seeding may be needed to assure a satisfactory vegetative establishment.
Tall fescue shall not be used in the establishment of temporary or permanent
groundcover within riparian areas. For the establishment of permanent
herbaceous cover, erosion control matting shall be used in conjunction with
appropriate seeding on disturbed soils within the riparian area and on
disturbed steep slopes with the following exception: Erosion control matting is
not necessary if the area is contained by perimeter erosion control devices,
such as silt fence, temporary sediment ditches, basins, etc. Matting should
be secured in place with staples, stakes, or, wherever possible, live stakes of
native trees. Erosion control matting placed in riparian buffer areas shall not
contain a nylon mesh grid, which can impinge and entrap small animals. For
the establishment of temporary groundcover within riparian areas, hydro
seeding, along with wood or cellulose based hydro mulch applied from a
fertilizer and limestone free tank, is allowable at the appropriate rate in
conjunction with the erosion control measures. Discharging hydro seed
mixtures and wood or cellulose mulch into surface waters is prohibited.
Riparian areas are defined as a distance 25 feet landward from top of stream
bank.

5. Restore Natural Channel Dimensions — Where necessary, within the NCDOT
ROW, natural channel dimensions should be restored using natural channel
(bioengineering) techniques. At minimum, a natural thalweg channel should
be provided for bridge approaches, the bridge and just downstream if altered
by previous construction. Sandbagging or using rock to form stream edges
(base flow channel width) seems to work well as bed load materials
accumulate to form floodplain benches during high flows and riparian
vegetation will establish on the sediment.
6. Failina Banks - Repairs to eroded banks should be conducted in a dry work
area where possible. Sandbags or other clean diversion structures should be
used where possible to minimize excavation in flowing water. Channel
realignments and rock debris removals should be constructed by excavating
from downstream to upstream before reconnecting to stream flow at the
upper end of the site. Riprap placed for bank stabilization should be limited to
the banks below the high water mark, and vegetation should be used for
stabilization above the high water elevation.
7. Heavy Equipment - Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank
whenever possible. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters
should be inspected and maintained regularly to prevent contamination of
stream waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids or other toxic materials.
Equipment used in stream channels must be clean and in good working
order. Adequate petroleum spill containment should be readily available on
the construction site.