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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190170 Ver 1_EB-5707-scoping - NC Div Water Resources_20190205;`�< R;ia ROY COOPER Co vevn o r� MICHAEL S. REGAN Secr-elary Environmental LINDA CULPEPPER Quallty hlterini Director November 6, 2017 MEMORANDUM To: From: Bobby Croom, PE, Traffic Fngineer, City of Goldsboro Rob Ridings,NC Division ofWaterResources,TransportationPermitting Branch Subject: Scoping comments on proposed Stoney Creek G�eenway in Wayne County, TIP No. EB-5707 Reference your correspondence received November 2, 2017 in which you requested comments for the referenced project. Preliminary analysis of the project reveals the potential for irnpacts to streams, riparian buffers, and jurisdictional wetlands in the project area. More specifically, irnpacts to: Stream Name ��r Basin & Stream Classifications Stream Index 303(c� Listing? S ubbas in Number Stone Creek NEU OS C; NSW 27-62 No Further investigations at a higher resolution should be undertaken to verify the presence of other streams and/or jurisdictional wetlands in the area. In the eventthat any jurisdictional areas are identified, the Division of Water Resources requests thatthecity considerthe following environmental issues forthe proposedproject: Project Specific Comments: 1. Stoney Creek is class C; NSW waters of the State. The NCDWR is very concernedwith sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project. The NCDWR recommends thathighly protective sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff to Stoney Creek. 2. This project is within the NeuseBasin. Riparian buffer impacts shall be avoidedand minimized to the greatest ea�tent possiblepursuantto 15A NCAC 2B.0233. New development activities located in theprotected50-foot wide riparian areas within the basin shall be limited to "uses" identified within andconstructedin accordance with 15A NCAC .02B .0295. Buffer mitigation may be required for buffer irnpacts resulting from activities classified as "allowable with mitigation" within the "Table of Uses" section ofthe Buffer Rules orrequire a variance underthe Buffer Rules. A buffer mitigation plan must be providedto the NCDWR prior to approval of the Water Quality Certification. General Project Comments: The environmental document and permit application shouldprovide a detailed and itemized presentation of the proposed iinpacts 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 WaterQuality Certification. `'�Nta11�i;=�; C:t�r�•.��f�rc�� State ofNorth Carolina I Environmental Quality 1617 Mail Service Center I Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1617 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 storm water runoff through bestmanagement practices as detailed in the most recent version of the North Carolina Department of Transportation StormwaterBest ManagementPractices Tool box manual, suchas grassed swales, buffer areas, preformed scourholes, retentionbasins, etc. After the selection of the preferred alternative and prior to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification, the applicant is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetlands (and streams) to themaximum e�dent practical. In accordance with theEnvironmental Management Commission's Rules (15A NCAC 2H.0506[h]), mitigation will berequired for impacts of greater than 1 acre to wetlands. In the event that mitigation is required, the mitigation p lan shall be designed to replace appropriate lostfunctions and values. North Carolina Division ofMitigation Services may be available for assistancewith wetland mitigation. 4. In accordance with the Fnvironmental 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 the401 Water Quality Certification Application, shall continueto include an itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream irnpacts with corresponding mapping. 6. The NCDWR is very concernedwith sediment and erosion impacts thatcould result from this project. The applicant shall address these concerns by describing the potential irnpacts that may occur to the aquatic environments and any mitigating factors thatwould reduce the irnpacts. 7. An analysis of cumulative and secondary impacts anticipated as a result of this project is required. The type and detail ofanalysis shall conform to the NC Division of Water Resource Policy on the assessmentof secondary and cumulative irnpacts dated April 10, 2004. 8. The applicant is respectfully reminded that all impacts, including but not lirnited 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. Theseimpacts, in addition to any constructionimpacts, temporary or otherwise, also needto be included as part ofthe 401 Water Quality Certification Application. 9. Where streams must be crossed, the NCDWR prefers bridges be used in lieu of culverts. However, we realize thateconomic considerations oftenrequire theuse ofculverts. Please be advisedthatculverts shouldbe countersunkto 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, the applicant should not install the bridge bents in the creek, to the maximum eatent practicable 10. Wheneverpossible, the NCDWR prefers spanning structures. Spanning structures usually do not require work within the streamorgrubbing ofthe streambanks anddo notrequire streamchannelrealignment. 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 notbe placed in the stream when possible. ll. Sediment and erosion control measures should not be placed in wetlands or streams. 12. Borrow/waste areas should avoid wetlands to the maximum e�ent practical. Impacts to wetlands in borrow/waste areas will need to be presented in the 401 Water Quality Certification and could precipitate compensatory mitigation. 13. The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address theproposedmethods for stormwater tnanagement. More specifically, stormwater shall notbe permitted to discharge directly into streams or surface waters. 14. Based on the information presented in the document, themagnitude of irnpacts to wetlands and streams may require a Nationwide Pernrit application to the Corps of Faigineers and corresponding 401 Water Quality Certification. Please be advisedthata401 WaterQuality Certif'ication requires satisfactoryprotectionof water quality to ensure that water quality standards are met and no wetland or stream uses are lost. Final permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal application by the applicant and written concurrence from the NCDW R. Please be aware that any approval will be contingent on appropriate avoidance and miniinization of wetland and stream impacts to the maximum e�tent practical, the development of an acceptable stormwater management plan, and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate. 15. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area shall be maintained to prevent direct contactbetween curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete shall not be discharged to surface waters due to the potential for elevatedpH and possible aquatic life and fish ldlls. 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, orother mechanized equipment and leaving the stumps and root mat intact allows the area to re-vegetate naturally andrninimizes soil disturbance. 17. Unless otherwise authorized, placement of culverts and otherstructures 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 ofwater and aquatic life. Design andplacement 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 section as closely as possibleincluding pipes arbarrels at floodplain elevation, floodplain benches,and/orsills may be required where appropriate. Widening the stream channel shouldbe avoided. Stream channel widening at the inlet or outlet end of structures typically decreases water velocity causing sediment deposition thatrequires increased maintenance and disrupts aquaticlife passage. 19. If foundation testborings are necessary; it shallbe noted in the document. Geotechnical work is approved under General 401 Certification Number 3883/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 Fxosion Control Planning andDesign Manual and the most recent version ofNCS000250. 21. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shallbe conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP measures from the most current vers ion of the NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags,rockberms, cofferdams and other diversion structures shallbe usedto prevent e�avation in flowing water. 22. While the use ofNational Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, NC Coastal Region Evaluation of Wetland Significance (NGCREWS) maps andsoil survey maps are usefultools,their inherent inaccuracies require thatqualified personnelperform onsitewetland delineations prior to permit approval. 23. Heavy equipment should be operated from the bankrather than in stream channels in order to minirnize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing otherpollutants into streams. This equipment shall be inspected daily and maintained to prevent contamination of surface waters from leaking fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, orothertoxic materials. 24. Riprap shall not beplaced in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures shouldbe properly designed, sized and installed. 25. Riparian vegetation(native trees and shrubs)shallbe preservedto themaximum ea�tent possible. Riparian vegetation must be reestablishedwithin the construction limits of theproject by the end of the growing season following completion of construction. Thank you for requesting our input at this time. The applicant is reminded that issuance of a 401 W ater Quality Certification requires that appropriate measures be instituted to ensure that water quality standards are met and designatedusesarenotdegradedorlost. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorrequire additionalinformation, pleasecontact Rob Ridings at 919-707-8786.