20201516 Ver 1_R-5797 Old Boardman Rd Macedonia Church Rd_20170912

ROY COOPL'R
Gur��n,m�
MfCI IAGL S. RCGAN
.1'ecreo-mr
Environmentul S. JAY ZIMMBRMAN
Quality u�,����,,,
September 12, 2017
Mr.MnRANDUM
To: Scou Pridgen, NCDOT Division 6 Division Prqject Man�ger �% �
Prom: Joanne Steenhuis, NC Division oF Water Resom'ces, Wihnington OFficc�"V ��—
Subject: Scoping comments on pro��osed improvemen[s to US 74 �nd SR 1506 (Old Boardm�n Road!Macedonia
Chm�ch Rozd) Upgrade Tt grade in[ersection to an interch�nge in Columbus County, State Project No.
Wf35 No. d4997.1.1, TIP R-5797.
Reterence your correspondence da[ed August 29, 2017 in which you requested comments for the referenced project.
Preliminary nnelysis of lhc projec[ reveals the poten[ial for multiplc impac[s to streams zndjtu'isdictiou�l weNands
in Ihc project area. More speciticnlly, impach to:
Sh�eam Name River Basin Sh�eam Classification(s) Stream Intles 303(d) Listing
Numbcr
Lumber River Lumber C;Sw 14-(13) N/A
Pinther invesligalions a[ a higher resolution should be undcrtakcn [o verify the prescnce of ofher stre�ms and/or
jurisdiclional wetlauds in tlie area. In the event thal any jurisdictional arens are identificd, lhe Division of Water
Resources reyues[s thnt NCDOT considcr the following environmen[TI issues for [he proposed projecl:
Ceneral Project Comments:
The envirunmental documcnl should provide � deltiiled ancl ilemized presen[ation of lhe proposed impacts to
wetlands and streains wilh corresponding mapping. If mifigation is necessary rs requirecl by l5A NCAC
2H.0506Qi), i� is prefcrablc lo present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan wiYh the environmeu[al
documemation. Appropriate mitigation plans �vill bc required prior to issuance of a 401 W�ter Qutrlity
Ccrtification.
2. linvironmentnl imp2ct st��tement nllemalives shall cousider design criteria ihat reduce [he impacts lo sireams
and wetlands from storm wtifer runofl'. Thcse �Iternatives shall include ro�d designs that allow lor trellment
of the storm water runoff [hrough best manlgemen[ practices .��s detailed in the mosl recent version of the
Na��h Cm�olinr� Depnr��n�erv� njTrnnsportolion Smi�nn��a(er I3es! Nlunagemeir! Prnc(ices Too( box manual,
such as grassed swalcs, bufler areas, preformed scour lioles, retention basins, etc.
3. After the sclection oF lhe preferred alternTtive znd prior to an issu�nce of lhe 401 Water Quality Certit7cation,
the NCDOT is respeclfully reminded that they will need lo demonstrate the �rvoidance and minimization of
impacts to wetlands (�nd slreTms) tn Ihe in�xinuun eslent pr2ctical. In nccordance wi[h Ihe I?nvironmental
Mana�ement Commission's Rules ( I SA NC�C 211.0506[h]), mitiga[ion will bc reyuired for impacts of
grealer thau I acre ro weUands. In the event �h�it mitigation is required, the mitigalion plan shall be clesig�ieci
to replace appropriate lost tunctions �nd values. Norlh Carolina Divisim� of Mitigation Services may be
av�ilable Por assista��ce wilh wetland mitigaCion.
"Nothing Compares'=.
Slalc of North Cumlina � Gmironmcnfal Quality
1617 Mail Service Center � Raleigh, Notlh Carolina 276'79-IGI7

4. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules Q SA NCAC 2H.0506[h]),
mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 150 linear feet to any perennial 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 for assistance with stream
mitigation.
5. Future documentation, including the 401 Water Qualiry Certification Application, shall continue to include an
itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponding mapping.
6. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this projecL The
NCDOT shall address these concerns by describing the potential impacts that may occur to the aquatic
environments and any mitigating facrors that would reduce the impacts.
7. An analysis of wmulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this project is required. The type
and detail of anatysis shall conform to the NC Division of Wa[er Resource Policy on the assessment oF
secondary and cumulative impacts dated April l0, 2004.
8. The NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging fill, excavation
and clearing, and rip rap tojurisdictional wetlands, sheams, and riparian buffers need to be included in the
final impact calculations. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts, temporary or otherwise,
also need to be included as part oFthe 401 Water Quality Certification Application.
9. Where streams must be crossed, the NCDWR prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts. However, we realize
that 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 streams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, the NCDOT
should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the maximum extent practicable.
10. Whenever possible, the NCDWR prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the sheam 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 passage and navigation by canoeists and boaters shall not be blocked. Bridge supports (bents)
should not be placed in the stream when possible.
l 1. Bridge deck drains shall not discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across the bridge
and pre-heated 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 NCS000025Q please refer
to the most recent version of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Stormwater Best Management
Practrces Toolbox manual for 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 401 Water Quality Certification and could precipitate
compensatory mitigation.
l4. The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed methods for
stormwater management. More specifically, stormwater shall not be permitted to discharge directly into
streams or surface waters.
l5. Based on the information presented in the document, the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and streams may
require a Nationwide (NW) permit application to the Corps of Engineers and corresponding 401 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 stream uses are lost. Final
permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal application by the NCDOT and written concurcence
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 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.
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 structures in waters and sheams 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 wlverts 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 downstream of the above structures. The applicant is
required to provide evidence that the equilibrium is being maintained if requested 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 shuctures typically decreases water velocity causing 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 3883Mationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities.
2 L 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 ofNational 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. Heary 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.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The NCDOT is reminded that issuance of a 40l 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
Joanne Steenhuis at [phone] [e-mail].
Electronic capy only dishibution:
Liz Hair, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington Field Office
Kristi Lynn Carpenter, NCDWR
File Copy

Carpenter,Kristi
From:Steenhuis, Joanne
Sent:Tuesday, September 12, 2017 11:00 AM
To:Hair, Sarah E SAW ([e-mail]);
Rerko, James J; Pridgen, Glendel S; Carpenter,Kristi
Subject:R-5797 Old Boardman Rd/Macedonia Church Rd
Attachments:R-5797 Old Boardman Rd Macedonia Church rd
columbus.pdf
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
Flag Status:Flagged
FYI

Joanne Steenhuis
Environmental Senior Specialist
Transportation Permitting Branch
Department of Environmental Quality

[phone] (office)
[phone] (mobile)
[e-mail]

Wilmington Regional Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, NC 28405

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

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