U-4709 Rockfish and Golfview Rd SOS-001

>
s K;
s's; .
ROY COOPL;R
Gnvei'nor
MICHAF:L S. REGAN
Secrelurr
Environmentul l.1NDA CULPEYPER
Qunlity lnlerim Directur
March 16, 2018
MEMO12ANllUM
I'o:
F'rom:
Susan Westbeny, SEPI Engineering
Joaime Steenhuis, NC Division of Water Resources, Wilmington Regional Office`�i I-�
Subject Scoping co�runents on proposed widening [o mul[i-lanes of SR I I 12 (Rockfisli Road) from SR 1 I 15
(Golfview Road) to NC 59 (Main SU'eeQ and wide��ing to multi-lanes of SR I I 15 (Golfview Road) fi�om
SK I 112 (Rocklish Road) [o NC 59 (Main Stree[) ui Cumberland County, S[ate Project No. WBS:
39073. L l, STIP U-4709.
Reference your correspondence dated February 26, 2018 in which you requested comments for the referenced
project. Preliminary analysis of fhe project reveals the pofen[ial for nud[iple impacts [o streams and jurisdictional
wetlands in [he project area. More specifically, impacts to:
Stream Name R1ve1 Stream Classification(s) Stream Index 303(d) Listing
Basin Number
Rockfish Creek Ca e Fear B I8-31- 18 N/A
Little Kockfish Creek Ca e A'ear C IS-31-24- 7 N/A
Further investigations a[ a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presance of other s[reams and/or
jurisdiction�l wetlands in the area. In the event that anyjurisdictional areas are identified, [he Division of Water
Resources requests Uiat SEPI Lngineering & Construction co��sider lhe following environmental issues for the
proposed project:
General Pruject Comments:
The environmental document should provide a detailed and itemized presentation ofthe proposed impac[s to
wetlands and streams with corresponding mappiug. If mi[igation is necessary as required by I SA NCAC
211.0506(h), it is preferable to present a concep[ual (if no[ finalized) mi[iga[ion plan witli the environmental
documen[a[ion. Appropria[e mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality
Certifica[ion.
2. L:nvironmental impacl statement alternatives shall consider design criteria [hat reduce the impacts lo streams
and wetlands frotn storm wa[er runoff. These alterna[ives shall include road designs that allow for treatment
of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in [he most recenl version of tlie
Na�d� Curolinn Depm•nrten� qJ�Trn�vsporin[ion Sloruiwnler 6es! hl�nageme��[ Prac(ices l'oo! box manual,
such as grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, reten[ion basins, e[c.
3. ARer lhe selection of the preferred alternative and prior tu an issuance of [he 40l Wa[er Qualify CeiYifica[ion,
fhe NCDO'C is respec[fiilly reminded Iha[ [hey will need lo demonshate the avoidance and minimization of
imprc[s to wetlands (and sfreams) to the maximum extenl practical. In accordance with [he EuvironmenCal
Management Commission's Rules (I SA NCAC 2H.0506�hJ), mi[igatio�� will be required for impacts of
-" Nnlluni.�� nin�a�ir�.
S�ntrol'NmihCnrolmu 1lncimnmeniel(luaht�
IeI� M:nl tieicme Crmri . Ralueh_ Nunh Carolin.i'7n�1v-IG17

greater than I acre ro wetlands. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed
to replace appropriate lost functions and values. North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services may be
available for assistance with wetland mitigation.
4. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (15A 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 Quality Certification Application, shall continue to include an
itemized listing of the proposed wetland and sheam impacts with corresponding mapping.
6. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The
NCDOT 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.
7. An analysis of cumulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this projec[ is required. The type
and detail of analysis shall conform to the NC Division of Water Resource Policy on the assessment of
secondary and cumulative impacts dated April 10, 2004.
8. 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 conshvction impacts, temporary or otherwise,
also need to be included as par[ of the 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 azeas where high
quality weHands or sheams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, the NCDOT
should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the masimum extent practicable.
l0. Whenever possible, the NCDWR prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require
work within the stream or grubbing of the streambanks and do not require sheam 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-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers, etc.)
before entering the sheam. To meet the requ'vements of NCDOT's NPDES permit NCS0000250, please refer
to the most recen[ version of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Stormwater Best Management
Practices Toolbox manual for approved measures.
12. Sediment and erosion conhol measures should not be placed in wetlands or sheams.
13. 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
compeusatory mitigation.
14. 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 direcUy into
streams or surface waters.
15. Based on the information presented in the document, the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and streams may
require an Individual Permit (IP) or Nationwide (NW) Permit application to the Corps of Engineers and

corresponding 401 Water Qualiry Certificatioa 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 sheam uses aze lost. Final permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal application by the
NCDOT and writte� concurrence from the NCDWR. Please be aware that any approval will be contingent on
appropriate avoidance and minimization of wetland and skeam 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 azea 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 aze 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 pla�ted. When using temporary structures the area shall be cleazed 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 distwbance.
l8. 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 tha[ the equilibrium is being maintained ifrequested in writing by the NCDWR.
If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock or other limiting features encountered during conskuction,
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 structures typically decreases water velocity causing sediment deposition that requires
increased maintenance and disrupts aquatic life passage.
20. If foundation test borings aze necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved
under General 401 Certification Number 41323/Nationwide 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 sheam waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP measures
from the most current version of the NCDOT Conshuc[ion and Maintenance Activities manual such as
sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion s[ructures shall be used to prevent excavation in
flowing water.
23. While the use of National Wetland Inventory (N Wl) 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. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in sheam 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 sheambed 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 oFa 40l Water Quality
Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted [o ensure that water quality standards are met and
designated uses are not degraded or los[. If you have any ques[ions or require additional information, please contac[
Joanne Steenhuis at [phone] or [e-mail].
Elechonic copy only dishibution:
Jim Rerko, NC DOT Division 3 DEO
Liz Hair, US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmingron Field Office
Kristi Lynn Carpenter, NCDWR
File Copy