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HomeMy WebLinkAboutU-5975_NCDWR Scoping Comment;`�< R;ia ROY COOPER Covernor MICHAEL S. REGAN Secretcary Environmental LINDA CULPEPPER Quallty Lilerrn7 Drrector June 1, 2018 MEMORANDUM To: From: Ray Magsanoc, STEWART April Norton, NC Division Water Resources, Transportation Permitting Unit Subject: Scoping Comments for Improvements to US 1-15-501 from White Hill Road to South Tramway Road (NC 78), Lee County; TIP Project No. U-5975. A request for comments dated and received May 22, 2018 for the subject property. Preliminary analysis of the project reveals that the project may be within the vicinity of the below waterbodies: Stream Name River Basin & Stream Stream Index Number 303(d) Listing? Sub Basin Classifications Sugar Creek Cape Fear; CPF11 C 17-37-1 No Upper Little Cape Fear; CPF13 B 18-20-(1) No River Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams and/or jurisdictional wetlands in the area. If any jurisdictional areas are identified, the Division of Water Resources requests that the following environmental issues for the proposed project are considered: General Project Comments: The environmental document should 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 impact statement alternatives shall consider design criteria that reduce the impacts to streams and wetlands from stormwater runoff. These alternatives shall include road designs that allow for treatment of the stormwater runoff through stormwater control measures (SCM, previously referred to as best management practices) as detailed in the most recent version of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Stormwater Best Management Practices Tool box manual, such as grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scour holes, retention basins, etc. 3. After the selection of the preferred alternative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification, avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetlands, buffers, and streams must be demonstrated 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 one acre to wetlands. If 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 far assistance with wetland mitigation. `''T�1n11�in� C�t�rt3�f.�rc� - , State of North Carolina I Environmental Quality 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 4. In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (15A NCAC 2H.0506[h]), mitigation will be required for impacts of greater than 300 linear feet to any perennial stream. If mitigation is required, the mitigarion 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 Certiiication 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 project. These concerns shall be addressed 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 project is required. The type and detail of analysis shall conform to the NC Division of Water Resource Policy on the assessment of secondary and cumularive impacts dated April 10, 2004. 8. All impacts, including but not limited to, bridging, iill, excavation and clearing, and rip rap to jurisdictional wetlands, streams, and riparian buffers need to be included in the final impact calcularions. These impacts, in addition to any construction impacts, temporary or otherwise, also need to be included as part 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 areas where high quality wetlands or streams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, bridge bents should not be installed within the creek, to the maximum extent pracricable. 10. 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 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. 11. 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 recent version of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Stormwater Best Management Practices Toolbox manual for approved measures. 12. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams. 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 Cerrification and could precipitate compensatory 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 directly into streams, buffers, or surface waters. 15. 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. 16. 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. 17. 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 permit modification will be required. 18. If multiple pipes or barrels are required, they shall be designed to mimic natural stream cross secrion as closely as possible including pipes or barrels at flood plain elevarion, 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. 19. If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under Genera1401 Certification Number 4132/Nationwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activities. 20. 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. 21. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved SCMs from the most current version of the NCDOT Construcrion and Maintenance Acrivities manual such as sandbags, rock berms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water. 22. While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) 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 perfarm onsite wetland delineations prior to permit approval. 23. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in stream channels in order to minimize sedimentarion and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into streams. This equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contaminarion of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials. 24. Riprap shall not be placed in the acrive thalweg channel ar placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes aquaric life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures should be properly designed, sized and installed. 25. 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. The 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 April Norton at april.narton(a�ncdenr.gov. Electronic copy only distribution: Andy Williams, US Ariny Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office File Copy Sincerely, DocuSigned by: �4p,,_,�;C nl'e.,��, 03BAC6376A6340D_.