Rowan Long Range Transp Plans

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OF W ATF9 Er, ??
/ Michael F Easley, Governor
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William G Ross Jr, Secretary
orth Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
V0'4V,0 Tp?R ?Uq?/ Coleen H Sullins, Director
Y?j0 n' Division of Water Quality
70&August 12, 2008

MEMORANDUM
To Phil Conrad, Cabarrus-Rowan MPO
From Amy Euliss, NC Division of Water Quality, Winston-Salem Regional Office
Subject Comments on 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan in Rowan County
Reference your correspondence dated June 26, 2008 in which you requested comments for the referenced
Long Range Transportation plan Preliminary analysis of the LRTP area reveals the potential for multiple
impacts to multiple perennial streams and jurisdictional wetlands in the Yadkin River Basin Sensitive
resources in the plan area include but are not limited to Water Supply Watersheds, including the Critical
Area, proposed High Rock Lake Buffer, and High Quality and/or Outstanding Resource Waters Any
roads being constructed on new location could have significant cumulative and secondary environmental
impacts as a result of economic development along the new highway corridor These impacts can be
considered when permitting the projects
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams
and/orj unsdictional wetlands in the area In the event that any jurisdictional areas are identified, the
Division of Water Quality requests that NCDOT consider the following environmental issues for the
proposed project
General Project Comments.
1 The environmental document shall 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 environmental documentation Appropriate mitigation plans will be
required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification
2 Environmental assessment 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 treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in
the most recent version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices, 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 and or the Rowan-Cabarrus MPO 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 { 15A NCAC 2H 0506(h)), mitigation will be required for impacts of greater
than 1 acre to wetlands In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation elan shall he
Mailing Address Phone [phone] Location one
1617 Mail Service Center Fax [phone] NorthCarohna
(919) 512 N Salisbury St Naturally
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 Raleigh, NC 27604
Internet www ncwaterouality ore Customer Service 1-877-623-6748
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values The NC Ecosystem Enhancement
Program may be available for use as wetland mitigation
4 In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules 115A NCAC
2H 0506(h)), mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any single
perennial stream In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed to
replace appropriate lost functions and values The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be
available for use as stream mitigation
5 DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these 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
6 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
7 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 should 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
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 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
maintained if requested in writing by DWQ If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock
or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NC DWQ for
guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permit modification will be
required
9 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
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 of NCDOT
Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and
other diversion structures should be used to prevent excavation in flowing water
12 Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands and streams
13 Borrow/waste areas shall avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practical Impacts to wetlands
in borrow/waste areas could precipitate compensatory mitigation
14 While the use of National Wetland Inventory (WI) maps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of
Wetland Significance (NC-CREWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools, their inherent
inaccuracies require that qualified personnel perform onsite wetland delineations prior to permit
approval
15 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
16 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 should 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 floodplam Approach fills should 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
17 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
While this is not a complete list of environmental impacts associated with the 2035 LRTP plan for Rowan
County, it should give you an understanding of environmental resources in your area as they relate to
water quality As individual projects develop, we will be happy to comment further Thank you for
requesting our input at this time The Cabarrus-Rowan MPO 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 Amy Euliss at [phone]
cc DWQ 401/Wetlands Transportation Group
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