20130935 Ver 0_Scoping Comments_20090505

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NC®ENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
May 5, 2009
MEMORANDUM
TO: Gregory Blakeney, NCDOT PDEA Bridge Project Development Unit
FROM: Rob Ridings, NC DWQ Transportation Permitting Unit /?Z
Dee Freeman
Secretary
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Division 5 Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects: B-4666, B-4667
(Warren County), B-4827 (Vance County) and B-5151 (Granville County).
In reply to your correspondence dated April 30, 2009 in which you requested comments for the above referenced projects,
the NC Division of Water Quality offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments
B-4667, Bridge 74 over Long Branch [28-79-16], Warren County
1. Long Branch is class C; NSW waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts
that could result from this project. DWQ recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be
implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Smith Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide
treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NC
DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. Long Branch is within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to
the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 2B.0259.
B-4827, Bridge 53 over Sandy Creek [28-78-1-(8)], Vance County
1. Sandy Creek is class B; NSW +, 303(d) waters of the State. Sandy Creek is on the 303(d) list for impaired use for
impaired biological integrity. DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from
this project. DWQ recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to
reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Sandy Creek. DWQ requests that road design plans provide treatment of the
storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NC DWQ
Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. Sandy Creek's designation as (+) indicates the presence of Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) downstream of
the project areas. Pursuit to 15A NCAC 213.0225 (e)(10), this stream shall be protected as an ORW. ORW is one
of the highest classifications in the State. DWQ is extremely concerned with any impacts that may occur to streams
with this classification. It is preferred that these resources be avoided if at all possible. If it is not possible to avoid
Transportation and Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: hhp:/ih2o.enr.state.nc.ustnmellandst
NorthCarolina
Naturally
An Equal Opponunily 1 Affirmative Action Employer
these resources, the impacts shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible. Given the potent for impacts to these
resources during the project implementation, the DWQ requests that DOT strictly adhere to North Carolina
regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124) throughout design and
construction of the project. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H.1006 and 15A NCAC 213.0224, NC DOT will be required
to obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to construction.
3. Sandy Creek is within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoided and minimized to
the greatest extent possible pursuant to 15A NCAC 213.0259.
B-5151, Bridge 215 over Little Grassy Creek ]23-2-4], Granville County
B-4666, Bridge 80 over Hawtree Creek [23-11-(1)], Warren County
1. Little Grassy Creek and Hawtree Creek are class C waters of the State. DWQ is very concerned with sediment
and erosion impacts that could result from these projects. DWQ recommends that protective sediment and erosion
control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to these waters.
General Comments Regarding Bridge Replacement Projects
DWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from these projects. 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.
2. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under
General 401 Certification Number 3687/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities.
3. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydraulic conveyance other than another bridge, DWQ believes the use of a
Nationwide Permit may be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of Engineers to determine the required
permit(s).
4. If the old bridge is removed, no discharge of bridge material into surface waters is allowed unless otherwise
authorized by the US ACOE. Strict adherence to the Corps of Engineers guidelines for bridge demolition will be a
condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
5. Whenever possible, the DWQ prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within
the stream or grubbing of the stream banks and do not require stream channel realignment. The horizontal and
vertical clearances provided by bridges allow for human and wildlife passage beneath the structure, do not block fish
passage and do not block navigation by canoeists and boaters.
6. 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 stream. Please refer to the most current version of NC DWQ Stormwater Best Management Practices.
7. 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.
8. Bridge supports (bents) shall not be placed in the stream when possible.
9. 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.
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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 shall be used to prevent
excavation in flowing water.
12. 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.
13. 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 shall 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 floodplain. Approach fills shall 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.
14. Any anticipated dewatering or access structures necessary for construction of bridges should be addressed in the
CE. It is understood that final designs are not determined at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should
discuss the potential for dewatering and access measures necessary due to bridge construction.
General Comments if Replacing the Bridge with a Culvert
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.
2. 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.
3. 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 shall be properly designed, sized and installed.
4. Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions should be addressed in the
Categorical Exclusion (CE) document and permit applications. It is understood that final designs are not determined
at the time the CE is developed. However, the CE should discuss the potential for bank stabilization necessary due
to culvert installation. An adequate bank stabilization amount should also be applied for in the permit application, to
prevent the need of a later permit modification.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The DOT 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 Rob Ridings at 919-733-
WIT
cc: Eric Alsmeyer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Chris Murray, Division 5 Environmental Officer
File Copy

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
FROM: Gregory M. Blakeney
Bridge Project Development Unit
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Replacement of bridges in Granville, Vance, and Warren Counties
Division 5 for the Field Scoping Meetings 2009
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is in the process of
project development, environmental and engineering studies for the following projects:
B-5151, B-4827; B-4666, and B-4667. The projects are included in the North
Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and are scheduled construction in fiscal
years 2013 and 2014.
B-5151: Replace Bridge No.215 on SR 1432 over Little Grassy Creek in Granville Co.
B-4827: Replace Bridge No.53 on SR 1523 over Sandy Creek in Vance Co.
B-4666: Replace Bridge No. 80 on SR 1314 over Hawtree Creek in Warren Co.
B-4667: Replace Bridge No.74 on SR 1641 over Long Branch in Warren Co.
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in
evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project. Your comments will be used in
the preparation of a federally funded Categorical Exclusion. This document will be
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that
your agency respond by May 26, 2009 so that your comments can be used in the
preparation of this document.
April 30, 2009
EUGENE A. CONTI, JR.
SECRETARY
If you have any questions concerning any of these projects, please contact Greg
Blakeney at [phone]. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence
and comments.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
BRIDGE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT UNIT
1598 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1598
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WWW.N000T.ORG
LOCATION:
PDEA ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER
4701 ATLANTIC AVENUE - SUITE 116
RALEIGH NC 27604
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Figure 1
VANCE COUNTY
REPLACE BRIDGE No. 53 ON SR 1523
OVER SANDY CREEK
B-4827
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