20120652 Ver 0_Scoping Comments_20090423

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
April 23, 2009
MEMORANDUM
TO: Christy Wright. Huff, NCDOT
FROM: -,Amy Euliss, NCDWQ, Winston Salem Regional Office
SUBJECT: Scoping Review of NCDOT's Proposed Bridge Replacement Projects: B-4400, B-4401,
B-4953; B-4803, B-48+ and B-4621 (Alamance and Rockingham Counties),
In reply to your correspondence dated April 6, 2009 (received April 8, 2009) in which you requested
comments for the above referenced projects, the NCDWQ offers the following comments:
Project-Specific Comments
Dee Freeman
Secretary
B-4400, Bridge No. 160 Over Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek, Alamance County
I. Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State. NCDWQ is very
concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDWQ
recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce
the risk of nutrient runoff to Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek. NCDWQ requests that road design
plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed
in the most recent version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
B-4401, Bridge No. 161 Over North Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek, Alamance County
I. North Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State: NCDWQ is very
concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDWQ
recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce
the risk of nutrient runoff to Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek. NCDWQ requests that road design
plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed
in the most recent version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
B-4953, Bridge No. 64 Over Quaker Creek, Alamance County
1. Quaker Creek are class C; NSW waters of the State. NCDWQ is very concemed with sediment
and erosion impacts that could result from this project. NCDWQ recommends that highly
protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient
runoff to Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek. NCDWQ requests that road design plans provide
treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most
recent version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as Water Supply Critical
Area in the project study area. Given the potential for impacts to these resources during the
project implementation, the NCDWQ requests that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina
regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124)
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NWh Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
Internet: http:llh2o.encstate.nc.uslnme0ands)
NorthCarolina
Nat,101Y
An Equal opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer
throughout design and construction of the project. This would apply for any area that drains to
streams having WS CA(Water Supply Critical Area) classifications.
3. Should the bridge project be located within the Critical Area of a Water Supply NCDOT may be
required to design, construct, and maintain hazardous spill catch basins in the project area. The
number of catch basins installed shall be determined by the design of the bridge, so that runoff
would enter said basin(s) rather than flowing directly into the stream, and in consultation with the
DWQ.
4. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as WS II; High Quality
Waters of the State in the project study area. This is one of the highest classifications for water
quality. Pursuant to 15A NCAC 2H.1006 and 15A NCAC 213.0224, NCDOT will be required to
obtain a State Stormwater Permit prior to construction except in North Carolina's twenty coastal
counties.
B-480, Bridge No. 3 Over UT connecting Hester Lake to UT to Troublesome Creek
1. UT connecting Hester Lake to UT to Troublesome Creek are class III; NSW waters of the State.
NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
NCDWQ recommends that highly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented
to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Prong of Stinking Quarter Creek. NCDWQ requests that
road design plans provide treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices
as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
2. Review of the project reveals the presence of surface waters classified as Water Supply Critical
Area in the project study area. Given the potential for impacts to these resources during the
project implementation, the NCDWQ requests that NCDOT strictly adhere to North Carolina
regulations entitled "Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds" (15A NCAC 04B .0124)
throughout design and construction of the project. This would apply for any area that drains to
streams having WS CA(Water Supply Critical Area) classifications.
3. Should the bridge project be located within the Critical Area of a Water Supply NCDOT may be
required to design, construct, and maintain hazardous spill catch basins in the project area. The
number of catch basins installed shall be determined by the design of the bridge, so that runoff
would enter said basin(s) rather than flowing directly into the stream, and in consultation with the
DWQ.
B-4803, Bridge No. 97 Over Wolf Island Creek, Rockingham County
*no project specific conditions
B-4621, Bridge 150 On US220 over US220 Business with potential impacts to UTs to Mayo River
*no project specific conditions
General Comments Regarding All of the Above Bridge Replacement Projects
1. Any anticipated bank stabilization associated with culvert installations or extensions
should be addressed in the Categorical Exclusion (CE) document. 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.
2. 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.
3. NCDWQ is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project.
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.
4. 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.
5. If a bridge is being replaced with a hydrauli
believes the use of a Nationwide Permit may
Engineers to determine the required permit(s).
conveyance other than another bridge, NCDWQ
be required. Please contact the US Army Corp of
6. 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.
7. Whenever possible, NCDWQ 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.
8. 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 NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area unless otherwise
approved by NCDWQ. 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.
13. 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.
14. In most cases, the NCDWQ 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.
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 now
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 NCDWQ. If this condition is unable to be met due to bedrock
or other limiting features encountered during construction, please contact the NCDWQ 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, floodplain benches and/or
sills may be required 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.
Thank you for requesting our input at this time. 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 Amy Euliss at [phone].
cc: Andy Williams, US Army Corps of Engineers, Raleigh Field Office
Federal Highway Administration
Jerry Parker, Division 7 Environmental Officer
Kathy Matthews, Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only)
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Wetlands/401 Transportation Permitting Unit
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