DWR Comments_R-5831

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ROY COOPER
Gorernur
MICHAEL S. REGAN
.Sr � �rz�ru»�
Environmental LINDA CULPEPPER
QL�Clllt�/ lttlerim Director
February 15, 2018
MEMORANDUM
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From
Ray Magsanoc, STEWART
D�ve Wanueha, NC Division of Water Resotu-ces, Winston Salem Regional Office���z,s�,s
Subject: Scoping comments for R-5831; NC 67 and US 601 intersection upgrades; Yadkin County
Reference your correspondence dated February 9, 2018 in which you req�iested comments f�r tl�e referenced pr�ject.
Preliminary analysis of the projects reveals the poteuCial for multiple impacts to streams and jurisdictional weClands
in the� project area. More specifically, impacts to streams in Table ] below.
Table 1. Streams otenti�
Stream Name
UT to North Deep Creek
Tanyard Creelc
(Buck Creek)
River Basin Stream
Classificatic
Yadkin River C
Headwaters
Yadkin Pee Dee C
Stream Index Number
7 2-84-1(0.5) ut 14
12-64
303(d) Listing
No
No
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of othet• streams andlor
jurisdictional wetlands in the area. In the event that any jurisdictional areas are identified, the Division of Water
Resources requesCs that NCDOT consider the following environmental issues far Che proposed project:
General Project Comments:
1. Futin-e environmental documents should provide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed impacts
to wetlands and streams with corresponding mapping. Tf mitigation is necessaiy as required by I SA NCAC
2H.0_506(h), it is preferable ro present a conceptual (if not finalized) mitigation plan with the environmental
documeutation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance o�' a 401 Water Quality
Certification.
2. Environmental impact statement alternatives shall consider design criCeria that re�duce Cl1e impacts to sn�eams
and wetlands from ytarm water runoff. These aiCernatives shall include road designs that allow for h�eatment
of the storm waCer runoff through best management practices as detailed in U�e most recent versiou of che
North Carolinct Depcu��trrT�erit of'Trnrisportutioia Storrnwat�r- Best Mcrrutgen�ent Practices T�ol box manual,
such as grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc.
3. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (i 5A NCAC 2H.0506[h]),
mitigation will be required fior impacts ofi �reater than 300 linear feet to any perennial stream and for impacts
Qreater than 1.0 acre ofi wetlands. 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 Mitigatioi� Services
may be available for assistance with stream mitigation.
4. F��ture docuinentation, including the 401 Water Qualiry CertiFication Application, shall continue to include an
itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponclii�g mapping.
5. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediinent and erosion impacts that could res�ilt �fi•om this project. The
NCDOT shall address tl�ese concerns by describing the potential impacts Yhat may occur to the aquatic
envu�onments and any initigating factors that would reduce the impacts.
`''1�I�t},ia�a� iCntri73���e�; - -
Siate of North Carolina I F.nvironmental Qualiiy
1617 Mail Seivice� Center I R�leigh, Na�th Carolina 27699-1617

6. The NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, fill, excavation
and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, streams, 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 of the 401 Water Qualiry Certification Application.
7. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams.
8. Borrow/waste areas should avoid wetlands to the ma;cimum extent practical. Impacts to wetlands in
borrow/waste areas will need to be presented in the 401 Water Qualiry Certification and could precipitate
compensatory mitigation.
9. 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.
10. 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 Qualiry 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 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 maYimum extent practical, the development of an
acceptable stormwater management plan, and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate.
11. 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 lalls.
12. 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.
13. Unless otherwise authorized, placement of culverts and other structures 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 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 pernut
modification will be required.
14. 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 velociry causing sediment deposition that requires
increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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 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
Dave Wanucha at [phone] ar [e-mail].
Electronic copy only distribution:
Monte Matthews, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
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