U-5101 SOS August 2018.pdf

NUR I H CA(2ULINA
ROY COOPER E'nvlronmenrol Qualtty
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MICI 1AEL S. kFiGAN
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LINDA CUI.PEPPF.R
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August 22, 2018
MCMORANDUM
To: Nicole M. Hackler, NCDOT Division 6, Senior project Mxnager
['rom: Joanne Steenhuis, NC Uivision oF Water Resources, Wilming[on Regional Oflice ��
Subject Scoping comments on proposed improvements for SR 1437 (Shaw Road)/ SR 1614 (Shaw Mill Road)/ SR
1615 (Rosehill Road)/ SR I615 Stacey Weaver Road) fi�om NC 24 (Bragg Boulevard) to US 401 (Ramsey
Street) in Cumbedand County, S'flY No. U-S 101, WBS No. 418993.1
Reference your correspondence dated July l3, 2018 in which you requested comments for the referenced project.
Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for mul[iple impacts to streams and jurisdictional wetlands
in the project area. More specifically, impacts to:
Strcam Name River Basin S[ream Stream Index 303(d) Listing
Classification s Number
Little Cross Creek Ca e Fear WS-N 18-27-4- 1 N/A
Q�oss Creek Ca e Fear W S-N 18-27- ( N/A
Unnamed tributa near Rosehill Rd Ca e Fear WS-IV,B I 5-27-2- I N/A
Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undettaken to verify the presence of other streams and/or
jurisdictional weHands in die area. ln the event that anyjurisdiclional areas are identified, the Division of Waler
Resources requests that NCDOT consider the following enviromnental issues for the proposed project:
Project Specific Comments:
L To nteet lhe requirements of NCDO"I"s NPDES penni[ NC5000250, Ihe road design plans shall provide
treatment of the stonnwater runoff through BMPs as detailed in the most recent version of the Nordv Caroli�a�
Deycu�mren! ofTi�nnsporlalion Sta�unnnter Bes� Mn�tngement Prncticcs %'oo/bar manual. "fhe BMPs should, to
the MEP, be selected and designed [o reduce impac[s of [he target pollutants of concern (POCs) for the
receiviug waters.
2. The project will need [o meet lhe reyuiremen[s as described ISA NCAC 02B.0216 for [he WS-IV classified
streams.
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Nurlh Cnmlina Departinent of 6wi�onmentel Quahty � Drvisiun ol W�ter Resomces
512 Noi1h Sahsbmy Street I 1617 Mail Service Cen[er � Raieigh, Nuith Carolina 27699161/
919.707 9000

General Project Conunents:
'I'he environmental document should provide a de[ailed and itemized presentalion of !he proposed impac[s to
wedands and slreams with co�responding mapping. lf mitigation is necessary as required by I SA NCAC
2H.0506(h), it is preferat�le to present� n conceptunl (iPnot fnalized) mitigation �lan with the enviroumental
documentation. Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior �o issuance of a 401 Water Qualiry
Cer[ificalion.
4 Lnvironmental impact sla[emen[ al[ernatives shall consider dasign criteria tha[ reduce [he impacts [o streams
and weNands from s[onn waler runoff. 1�hese alterna[ives shall include road designs lhal allow for heatmen[ of
the storm water rwioff fhrough 6MI�s as detailed in the most recent version of the Norrh Carolina Deymt�nent
o/'Tran,spo��talinn Storinwnter Best Mnnage�nen� Y�•ac�rces Too! box manual, such as grassed swales, buffer
areas, prefomied scour holes, retention basins, etc.
After dte selection of the preferred al[ernative and prior fo an issuance of the 401 Waler Quality Certification,
Ihe NCDO'I' is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the avoidance and minimization of
impacts to wetlands (and streams) ro die maximum exten[ practical. In accordance with the E�vironmental
Management Commission's 2ules (I SA NCAC 2H.0506[h]), mitigation will be required for impacts of
greater than I acre to wetlands. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation plan shall be designed
to replace appropriate lost functions and values. Nor[h Carolina Division of Mitigation Services may be
available for assistance with wetland mitigation.
6 In acwrdance wi[h the Enviromnental Management Conunission's Kules (ISA NCAC 2H.0506[h]),
mitigation will be required for impacts of grea[er [han 300 linear feet to any perennial stream. In [he event
[ha[ 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.
7 Fu[ure docwnenta[ion, including Ihe 401 Water Quality Certifica[ion Application, shall continue to include an
itemized listing of Ihe proposed wetland and s[ream impac[s with corresponding mapping.
S The NCDW R is very concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The
NCDOT shall address these concerns by describing the potenfial impacls that may occur [o [he aquatic
environments and any mi[igating factors that would reduce the impacts.
9 An analysis of cumulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this project is reyuired. The type
and detail of analysis shall cmifonn to the NC Division of Water Resource Policy on the assessment of
secondary and cumulative impac[s dated April 10, 2004.
l0 The NCDOT is respectfidly reminded [hal all impac[s, incWding bu[ no[ limited to, bridging, fill, excavation
and cleari��g, and rip rap tojw�isdictional we[lands, s[reams, and riparian buffers need to be included in the
6nal impac[ calcula[ions. These impacts, in addition to any const�vction impac[s, [emporary or olherwise,
also need [o be included as part uf [he 401 Water Quality Certifica[ion Application.
i i Where streams must be crossed, the NCDW R 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
countcrsunk fo allow unimpeded passage by fish and other ayuatic organisms. Moreover, in areas where high
quality wetlands or streams are impacted, a bridge may prove preferable. When applicable, the NCDO'1'
should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the maximum exlent practicable
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North C[�rohna Depa�tmenl of Ernironmenlal QuaGty I Diwsipn of Watei Resources
512 North Salisbury St�eet I 1617 Mail Service Cente� I Fialeigh, North L'arohnx� 27699 1617
919 707 9W0

12 Whenever possible, tlie NCDWR prefers spam�ing struclures. Spanning slructures usually do not reyuire
work within the stream or grubbing of the streambanks and do nol require stream channel realignment. The
horizonlal and vertical clearances provided by bridges shall �Ilow for hmnan and wildlife passage beneath the
slructure. Fish passage and navigation by canoeists Tnd boaters shall no[ be blocked. Bridge suppo�ts (bents)
should uot be placed in the streain when possible.
13 Bridge deck draii�s shall uot discharge directly into the stream. Stormwater shall be directed across [hc bridge
and pre-treated [hrough site-appropria[e means (grassed swales, pre-fonned scour Itoles, vegetated buffers, eta)
6efore en[ering [he s[ream. To meet Ihe requiremen[s of NCDOT's NPDES permi[ NCS000250, please refer
to the most recent version of tl�e North Cnro(inn Depnr(nrent ojTransportntion Sla•nnvnler 6est Manugeiuen�
Prnc�ices Toolbox manual for approved measures.
14 Seditnent and erosion control measures should not be placed in wedands m streams.
IS Bon�ow/waste areas should avoid wetlands to [he maximum extent praclical. Impacts to wetlai�ds in
borrow/waste areas will need to be presented in the 401 Water Quality Certification and could precipitate
compensatory mitigation.
16 The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed methods for
stormwater management. More specifically, stormwater shall no[ be pemiitted to discharge directly into
streams or surface wa[ers. 'fo mee[ [he requirements of NCllOT's NPDES pennit NCS000250, please refer
[o the most recent version of the North Cnrolina Depnrh»en� qfTrnnsportutiat Sfa•nrwnler Bes( Munagcmenl
P�•rrctices Toolbox manual for approved measures.
l7 The DWR cannot commen[ on pennit requu�eme�[s with Ihe limited information provided. De[ailed field
delineation is required to de[e�mine Ihe presence or absence ofjurisdictional resources within [he project
limits. In addition, NCUO'C must provide an estimate to a�ry resources bcated within the construction limits
of the projec[ area before we can specifically comment on NCDWH permi[ eligibility.
18 If concrete is used during conshuction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent d'u�ec[ conlact between
curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncw�ed concrete shall no[ be discharged
to surface wa[ers due [o the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills. Concrete shall
be handled in accordance with [he NPDCS Construc[ioii General Perniit NCGOI OOUO.
19 If temporary access roads or detours are consVuc[ed, [he site shall be graded to ifs preconstruction contours
and elevations. Disturbed areas shall be seeded or mulched to stahilize the soil and appropriate native woody
species shall be plan[ed. When usiiig [emporary struc[ures the area shall be cleared but no[ grubbed. Clearing
[he area wi[h chaiu saws, mowers, bush-hogs, or o[her mecltanized equipment and leaving tlie stumps and root
mat intict allows the area [o re-vegetate naturally and minimizes soil disturbance.
20 Unless otherwise authm ized, placement of culverts and otlier structures in wa[ers and streams shall be placed
below the elevation of the sneaiubed by one foot for all culverts with a diameter greater than 48 inches, and20
percen[ of the culve�t diameter for culverts having a diameter less than 48 inches, to allow low flow passage
of water and aquatic life. Design and placement of culve�ts and odier s[ructures including temporaiy erosion
control measures shall not be conducted in a manner Iha[ may result in dis-equilibrium of wetlands or
streambeds or banks, adjacent to or upstream and downstream of tlie above structures. The applicant is
required [o provide evidence tliat [he equilibrium is being mainlained if requested in wriling by [he NCDWR.
If this condi[ion is unable to be met due to bedrock or odier limiting featares encounfered during wnstruc[ion,
please contact the NCDW R for guidance on how to proceed and to determine whether or not a permil
moditication will be required.
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Noilh Caioline Depaitnient ul Environmentel Qualify I Ihvlslon o( Water ftesources
512 North S�lisbury Street I 1617 Mail Service Centei I Raieigh, North Carolina 27699 1617
979707 90UU

21 If mul[iple pipes or barcels nre reyuired, 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. W idening Hie stream chaiuiel should be avoided. Stream chaiuiel widening at Ihe
inlet or outlet eud of s[ruc[ures typically decreases water velocity causuig sediment deposi[ion [hat requires
increased maintenance and disrupts aqua[ic life passage.
22 If foundation test borings are necessary; it shall be noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved
w�der General 401 Certification Number 4085/Nalionwide Permit No. 6 for Survey Activi[ies.
23 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 Sedimen[ and Crosion Control
Ylanning and Uesign Manual and Ihe most recent version of NCS000250.
24 All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP measwes
finm the most current version of tlie NCDOT Construc[ion and Main[enance Activities manual such as
sandbags, rock bem�s, wfferdams and other diversion struc[w'es shall be used to prevent excavation in
tlowing water.
25 While the use of National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of Wetland
Significance (NC-CRLWS) maps and soil survey maps are useful tools, Iheir inheren[ inaceuracies require
that qualified personnel perform onsi[e wedand delineations prior to pernii[ approval.
26 Heavy equipme��t should be opera[ed from the bank rather than in stream charmels in order ro minimize
sedimenta[ion and reduce [he likelihood of introducing o[her pollu[ants inro sveams. This equipment shall be
inspected daily a��d maintained to prevent contamina[ion of surface waters &om leaking fuels, lubricants,
hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
27 Riprzp shall no[ be placed in the aclive thalweg channel or placed in fhe streambed in a manner that precludes
aquatic life passage. 6ioengineering boulders or struc[ures should be properly designed, sized and installed.
28 Riparian vegeta[ion (native trees and shrubs) shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible. Riparian
vegetation mus[ be reestablished within Ihe construction limits of [he projec[ by the end of the growing season
following completion of consVuction.
I'hank you for requesting our input at this time. The NCDOT is reminded [ha[ issuance of a 401 Water Quality
Certification requires Ihat appropriate measures be instituted [o ensure Ihat water quality standards are met and
designated uses are not degraded or lost. If you have any questions or require additional infonnation, please contact
Joanne Steenhuis at [phone] orjoa�me.steenhuis@ncdem�.gov.
Glectronic copy only disfribution:
Liz Hair, US Army Corps of Engiiieers, Wilming[on Field Office
Kristi Lynn Carpenter, NCDWR
File Copy
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No�lh Carolina Departrnent of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Resowces
b12 North Salisbury Street I 1617 Matl Service Center � kaleigh, North C�rolina 27699 161!
919]07 9000