DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CRABTREE CREEK, WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
EPA PROJECT C370344
JANUARY 1975
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
EPA 904/9-75-001
REGION IV
1421 PEACHTREEST, N. E.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309
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DRAFT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CRABTREE CREEK, WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
EPA PROJECT C3703U4
Prepared By
Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
In Cooperation With
The State of North Carolina
Department of Natural and Economic Resources
Approved by
January 10, 1975
istrator Date
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I, General Descriptive Information 1
A. Project History • 2
B. Project Description-"-— 4
1, Proposed Project Facilities 7
a. Oak Park to Richland Creek • 7
b. Richland Creek ——— g
c. Force Main and Pumping Station 3
d. I-*»0 to Gary Wastewater Treatment Plant 9
2. Service Areas — 9
a, Richland Creek Interceptor—• 12
b. Mobile City Interceptor — — 15
c. Morrisville Interceptor —• 15
d. Coles Branch Interceptor • ig
e. Future service Areas 17
C. Description of Project Area 21
1. Natural Resources • 21
a. Surface Water — —— — 21
b. Geology « 24
c. Soils 25
d. Groundwater — 28
e. Climate 28
f. Vegetation and Wildlife 29
g. Air Quality 34
2. Community Resources 38
a. Wastewater Systems • — 33
b. Water Supply > »- 40
3. Population Projections 44
II. Interrelationship With Other Projects, Programs
or Efforts 51
A. Federal 51
1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 51
2. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) 53
3. Corps of Engineers (COE) 58
B. State . 60
C. Region J Research Triangle Planning
Commission , , 63
D. Wake County -_. 63
E. Cities „ 65
1, Raleigh . . 65
2. Gary — . 67
F. Public . 69
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III. Alternatives 71
A. No Action 71
B. ' Alternative Routing 75
1. Walnut Creek 75
2. Pump to New Hope Basin 79
IV. Impact of the Proposed Project 82
A. Primary Impacts 82
1. Beneficial Impacts 82
2. Adverse Impacts 84
a. Wastewater and Sludge Disposal 84
b. Erosion and Sedimentation 85
c. Construction Inconveniences and Annoyances 86
d. Aesthetics 87
e» Disruption of Natural Drainage Patterns - 89
f. Archeological, Historical and Cultural — 90
g. SCS Flood Control Structures 91
3. Alterations of Ecosystems . 92
H. Growth and Development Impacts 98
B. Secondary Impacts • 100
1. Stream Flow 101
2. Erosion and Sedimentation 106
3. Water Quality 109
4. Community Services and Utilities 112
5. Air Quality Assessment 118
V. Adverse Impacts Which Cannot Be Avoided and
Mitigative Measures 122
A. Adverse Impacts That Cannot Be Avoided 122
1. Primary Impacts 122
2. Secondary Impacts —-— — 123
B. Mitigative Measures to Adverse Primary impacts — 123
1. Wastewater and Sludge Disposal 123
2. Erosion and Sedimentation 124
3. Archeological Impacts 128
H, SCS Flood control Structures 129
5. Aesthetic Losses > 129
6. Alterations of Ecosystems 129
C. Mitigative Measures to Secondary Impacts 135
1. Flooding 135
a. SCS Flood Control Project 136
b. Floodplain and Floodway Ordinances 133
c. Stormwater Runoff Ordinances 144
d. Channel Improvements 146
2. Erosion and Sedimentation 147
3. Water Quality 149
ii
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Page
VT. Relationship Between Local Short-term Uses of
Man's Environment and the Maintenance and 153
Enhancement of Long-term Productivity
VII. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of
Resources •—• 159
References 162
111
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List of Figures
No.. Title Page
Fig. 1 Crabtree Creek Interceptor Sewer 5
Fig. 2 Existing Land Uses 10
Fig. 3 Proposed Open Space - Adopted Thorough-
fare Plans 11
Fig. 4 Upper Crabree Creek Basin Present and
Ultimate Sewage Loading 13
Fig. 5 Wastewater Collection System, Gary, N.C. 18
Fig. 6 Bedrock Geology 23
Fig. 7 Soils 26
Fig. 8 Wake Wastewater Facilities Plan, Wake 39
County, North Carolina
Fig. 9 Wake Water Facilities Plan, Wake County, 41
North Carolina
Fig. 10 Project Total Water Use for Wake County 42
and Raleigh
Fig. 11 Future Projected Areas Served by
Municipal Water Systems - Wake County, 43
North Carolina
Fig. 12 Wake County Population Projections,
1970-2000 45
Fig. 13 Town of Gary Population Projections,
1970-2000 46
Fig. 14 Town of Morrisville Population
Projections, 1970-2000 47
Fig. 15 SCS Flood Control Project Map, Crabtree
Creek Watershed 57
Fig. 16 Flood Stage Profiles 59
Fig. 17 Crabtree Creek Interceptor Sewer,
Perimeter Service Areas gg
Fig. 18 Effects of Urban Development on Flood
Hydrographs 103
Fig. 19 Effect of UrbaniEation on Mean Annual
Flood 104
Fig. 20 Thoroughfare Plan, Wake County
IV
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List of Tables
No.. Title
Table 1 Project Costs
Table 2 Population and Wastewater Usage
Projections
Table 3 Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
Table H National Primary and Secondary Ambient
Air Quality Standards
Table 5 Crabtree Creek Watershed Projections
Table 6 SCS Flood Control Structure Data
Table 7 2020 Capacity - Walnut Creek
Interceptor
Table 8 1970 Capacity - Crabtree Creek
Intercepting Sewer
Table 9 Requests for Point Source Discharge
Table 10 Average Annual Flood Damages
Table 11 Service Area Property Owners
4
14
32
37
48
56
77
78
83
107
154
Appendices
No.
1 Initial Public Correspondence
2 Notice of Intent
3 Inspection Reports and Data on Existing
Wastewater Treatment Plants
4 Woody Vegetation Inventory
5 Region J Concurrence
6 Handout Distributed at the Corps of
Engineers' November 28, 1973
Public Meeting on the
Crabtree Creek Study
7 Wake County Plan of Action
8 Raleigh Resolution to Establish a Policy
for the Extension OF City Facilities
9 Project Flood Control Petition
10 Request for Archeological Study
11 Acknowledgments
168
173
176
185
189
191
199
221
223
225
229
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SUMMARY SHEET FOR ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT
CRABTREE CREEK, WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Draft (X)
Final ( )
Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
1421 Peachtree Street, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
1. Administrative Action (X)
Legislative Action ( )
2. The subject action of this Environmental
Impact Statement is the awarding of grant funds for the
construction of an interceptor sewer line in Wake
County, North Carolina to service the upper drainage
basin of Crabtree Creek, The present EPA grant offer
is $2,445,750 of a total estimated project cost of
$5,300,000 for approximately 92,000 linear feet of pipe
sized from 48" to 12", 12,600 linear feet of 20" force
main, and one pumping station.
3. The major impacts of the project are divided
into the following: a) beneficial, b) growth and
development, c) primary adverse and d) secondary
adverse impacts. The main beneficial impact of the
VI
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-h
WAKE WASTEWATER FACILITIES PLAN
EXISTING
PHASE I - CONST BY I9T5
PHASE (I - CONST BY 980
PHASE III - CONST BT 1990
PHASE IV - CONST BY 2000
PUMPING STATION
WASTEWATEfl TREATMENT PLANT
WAKE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
FIGURE 8
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WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
EXISTING SEWER LINES_ a
EXISTING FORCE MAIN
EXISTING PUMPING STATIONS
EXISTING WASTE TREATMENT PLANT
APPROXIMATE SERVICE ARC
OF COLEt IKAHCH S.T.P.
TOWN OF
GARY
WAKE COUNTY. N.C.
FIGURE
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project is the establishment of a regional wastewater
collection system providing for (1) the elimination of
present and possible future wastewater discharges to
Crabtree Creek and its tributaries, (2) discontinuance
of use of septic tanks in the unsuitable soils in the
Upper Crabtree Basin, and (3) factors other than
wastewater disposal to be the developmental constraints
in this basin.
The major growth and development impact will be the
stimulation of the rate of development and the
allowance of increased densities in the project service
area.
The major primary and secondary adverse impacts are
listed below followed by mitigative factors and
recommended control measures.
A. Primary
a. construction Erosion and Sedimentation
Sewer line construction adjacent to a waterway
presents a potential for significant amounts of soil
erosion from excavation and surface traffic. In order
to lessen this potential impact. Wake County shall
provide to EPA and the North Carolina Sedimentation
Control Commission for approval an erosion and
VI1
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sedimentation control plan which indicates those
specifications to be included in the construction
contract for the proposed project. As a minimum,
control measures shall comply with the North Carolina
and Wake County erosion and sedimentation control
requirements and whenever possible provide a 10 meter
(33 feet) buffer between the creek bank and the edge of
the construction right-of-way.
b. Archeological and Historical
No adverse impacts are anticipated on
archeological, historical or cultural resources;
however, a preliminary survey of the construction
right-of-way shall be made before construction begins
to determine if any unique sites would be damaged by
the proposed construction. If any areas are
identified, measures will be taken to avoid irreparable
damages.
c. Odors
Since the proposed project is approximately 10
miles long and ties in with an interceptor that is
also about 10 miles long, there is a possibility that
the wastewater may become anaerobic and produce
offensive odors. To alleviate this potential impact,
the design of the lift station will include facilities
for aeration of the wastewater.
viii
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d. Alteration of Ecosystems
The proposed project will clear a 12.5 meter (40
ft.) right-of-way. Preservation of certain unique
vegetative communities is desirable for use in the
proposed greenway system and for other recreational and
aesthetic uses. Therefore, a 20 meter (61 ft.) wide
vegetative survey will be made to determine unique
areas. Route realignment will be considered in those
areas identified.
B. Secondary
a. Flooding
Development of the Upper Crabtree Creek Basin
associated with the proposed project will increase the
probability of damages from flooding in downstream
areas. The completion of the SCS flood control project
is one method of mitigating this adverse impact. Grant
funds shall be withheld from the proposed project until
all land rights have been acquired for Soil
Conservation Service Control Structures located within
each proposed service area, or until other measures are
taken, including but not limited to channelization,
IX
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urban runoff controls, developmental restrictions, and
other land use modifications which will insure adequate
flood control as determined by the State of North
Carolina, the SCS, the COEr and the EPA. Grant funds
shall be withdrawn January 1, 1976, from the proposed
project if land rights are not acquired for the SCS
structures or agreement on other measures to insure
adequate flood protection is not reached.
b. Developmental Erosion and Sedimentation
Development of the Upper Crabtree Basin will
significantly increase the amount of sediment reaching
Crabtree Creek. Wake County has enacted the Wake
County Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance in
order to reduce this potential impact.
c. Demand for Community Services
The project will allow an increase in the rate and
density of growth in the service area. Associated with
this growth is the need for water supply,
transportation, power, schools, open space and
recreational facilities, shopping areas, fire and
police protection, health facilities, and garbage
pickup. In order to adequately supply these services a
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comprehensive program of land use and community
services planning should be initiated.
4. The alternatives considered were the "no
action" alternative and possible alternative routing
systems to satisfy the wastewater collection needs of
the upper Crabtree Creek basin. A routing along Walnut
Creek to the Neuse River Sewage Treatment Plant and a
system discharging to the New Hope Basin are evaluated.
The proposed project is considered the most
appropriate course of action following provisions of
flood protection.
For purposes of this EIS, EPA, Region IV, Atlanta,
Georgia is the "responsible Federal agency" as required
by NEPA.
The following Federal, State, and local agencies
and interested groups were invited to comment on the
draft impact statement.
XI
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FEDERAL AGENCIES
Department of Housing and Federal Power Commission
Urban Development Department of the Interior
Dept. of Health, Education U.S. Coast Guard
& Welfare Corps of Engineers
Economic Development Dept. of Transportation
Administration Dept. of Commerce
Soil Conservation Service Federal Highway
Forest Service Administration
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Sam J. Ervin, Jr. Jesse A. Helms
U.S. Senate U.S. Senate
Ike Andrews
U.S. House of Representatives
STATE
Governor of North Carolina Water Quality Division
Clearinghouse and Informa- Office of Air and Water
tion Center Resources
LOCAL
Wake County Manager Wake County Planning Dept.
Wake County Board of Agricultural Extension
Commissioners Service
Wake Soil and Water Conserva- Region J - Research
tion District Triangle Regional
Mayor, Raleigh Planning Commission
City Planning Department City Manager
Department of Parks and Mayor, Gary
Recreation
INTERESTED GROUPS
Oak Park-Glen Forest-Deblyn Sierra Club
xn
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Park Civic Association League of Women Voters
Raleigh EGOS Crabtree Creek Improvement
Laurel Hills Homeowners Corporation
Association Jaycees
Citizens Land Use Planning Wake Engineering Study
Council, Inc. Group
Chamber of commerce
Crabtree Creek Citizens
Advisory Committee
The draft statement was made available to the
Council on Environmental Quality and the public on
January 31, 1975.
Xlll
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DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
CRABTREE CREEK, WAKE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
EPA PROJECT C370344
I. GENERAL DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency through Title II of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (PL 92-500) is authorized to make grants to
any State, municipality or intermunicipal or interstate
agency for the construction of publicly owned treatment
works. The Federal Share of construction costs shall
be 75 percent of the total eligible costs. Each
applicant for a grant shall submit plans,
specifications, and cost estimates for approval; and
must show that such works are in conformance with
applicable areawide or State plans. Further, the
proposed works must be certified by the appropriate
State water pollution control agency as entitled to
priority over other works in the State, and that the
size and capacity of such works, relate directly to the
needs to be served by such works including sufficient
reserve capacity.
Wake county, in response to present and future
anticipated water quality problems, has requested funds
for the construction of an interceptor sewer line to
service the Upper Crabtree Watershed area. At present.
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nine existing wastewater treatment plants discharge to
Crabtree Creek or its tributaries; the Brier Creek
Plant, Mobile City Plant, Gary's Coles Branch Plant,
three plants in the little Brier Creek Basin, two
plants on Sycamore Creek, and one facility serving a
quarry on Crabtree Creek. Septic tank malfunctions and
applications for site approvals for additional
treatment facilities in this basin further indicate the
need for a comprehensive program for wastewater
transmission and treatment.
A. Project History
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received
an application on June 30, 1971 for grant funds for the
construction of an interceptor sewer to serve
Morrisville, a mobile home park, a portion of Gary, and
future service areas west of Raleigh, North Carolina.
An environmental impact appraisal was made from
information supplied by the applicant. Wake County,
North Carolina, and a negative declaration was
published on December 12, 1972. On December 29, 1972
EPA offered Wake County $2,UU5,750, which was 75
percent of the total eligible project costs. This
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grant offer was formally accepted by the Wake County
Commis sloners.
Following the grant announcement, concerned persons
contacted EPA, the Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ), and the North Carolina Department of Natural and
Economic Resources. Ms. Anne Taylor, Conservation
Chairman of the Research Triangle Group, Sierra Club,
and Mr. Floyd Hedgepeth and Mr. Robert E. Giles,
representing the Oak Park-Glen Forest-Deblyn Park Civic
Association, expressed concern about flooding, sediment
control, floodplain regulation, and area planning
(Chapter II.E and Appendix 1). The CEQ also forwarded
additional information that had been brought to its
attention by the League of Women Voters, Wake
Environment, and the Sierra Club.
After review of the new information and
consultation with the State of North Carolina
Department of Natural and Economic Resources, agreement
was made to prepare a joint Federal-State environmental
impact statement, and a notice of intent was released
on September 2, 1973. (Appendix 2)
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B. Project Description
The EPA project 370344, Crabtree Creek, Wake
County, North Carolina, includes interceptor sewer
lines, a force main, and a pumping station. (Figure
1) . Table 1 gives projected costs, available funds and
desired additional funds.
Table 1
Project Costs Table (August 24, 1973)
Project Summary
Land & Rights-of-way $ 300,000
Construction 4,195,386
A/E Services 300,000
Legal fi Fiscal 76,000
Administrative 10,000
Project Contingency
TOTAL PROJECT COST $5,300,000
Available Funds
EPA Grant Offer* (75%) $2,445,750
State Supplemental Grant* (12.5%) 407,625
Acreage Fees (Advance) 450,000
Additional To Be Requested (EPA) 1,203,140
Additional To Be Requested (N.C.) 192,375
County of Wake 320,000
Town of Gary 180,000
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS $5,300,000
* EPA ruled $3,261,000 as eligible costs in their grant
offer of 12-29-72.
NOTE: Revised cost estimates by Wake Engineering Study
Group
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The effluent from this project will be routed to
the existing interceptor at the old non-operating Oak
Park Wastewater Treatment Plant on Crabtree Creek.
This 30-inch interceptor is expected to be adequate
until 1985 or 1990, at which time a parallel 42-inch
interceptor is planned. Parallelling of this
interceptor is required regardless of the contribution
from the proposed project due to increased flows from
existing service areas. The wastewater from the
Crabtree Creek project will be conveyed via the
existing and future interceptors to the new Neuse River
Wastewater Treatment Plant now under construction. The
initial plant capacity will be 30 million gallons per
day (mgd) with secondary extended aeration biological
treatment followed by sand filtration. Average
biological oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids
(SS) removal are anticipated to be 97-98 percent,
giving an effluent containing approximately 6 parts per
million (ppm) BOD and 5 ppm SS. Ultimate capacity is
expected to be 100 mgd by incremental increases in
plant size. The impacts associated with this plant are
not within the scope of this EIS.
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CRABTREE CREEK INTERCEPTOR
SEWER
PERIMETER SERVICE AREAS
GARY
I. .'..I RALEIGH
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1. Proposed Project Facilities
For discussion, the proposed project facilities are
separated into four segments; Oak Park to Richland
Creek, Richland Creek, force main and pumping station,
and 1-40 to Gary's wastewater treatment plant (See
Figure 1).
a. Oak Park to Richland Creek
The proposed H8-inch interceptor sewer ties in with
the existing system at the old Oak Park Wastewater
Treatment Plant located off Oak Park Road on the north
edge of Crabtree Creek. The line then follows a
westerly course through the backyards of property
owners on a 40-foot right-of-way. The interceptor is
to be placed at an average depth of ten feet except at
station 10+00, where drainage for an existing ditch
must be provided. The interceptor crosses Crabtree
Creek at station 25+38.65, approximately 850 feet south
of Duraleigh Road, and then passes under the Duraleigh
Road bridge.
The interceptor must then pass the Nello Teer Rock
Quarry, near two settling ponds situated close to the
creek.
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The interceptor crosses Crabtree Creek at station
15+57 and back at 52+82. It then proceeds upstream to
where it follows Richland Creek.
b. Richland Creek
From the confluence with Crabtree Creek a U2-inch
interceptor crosses under Richland Creek and follows
the west bank. It crosses Ebenezer Church Road and
Reedy Creek Road. In these areas occasional steep
slopes may necessitate placement close to the bank. On
the southwest side of Reedy Creek Road the interceptor
splits to a 36-inch main and a 21-inch main. The 36-
inch main connects to the 20-inch force main around
Umstead State Park, and the 21-inch main serves the
Upper Richland Creek Basin.
c. Force Main and Pumping Station
The 20-inch force main connects to the 36-inch
interceptor line at Trenton Road and roughly follows
Interstate 40 northwest to the pumping station located
slightly northeast of I-UO on Crabtree Creek. This
pumping station will have three pumps initially with
future plans for a fourth. Two 750 gallons per minute
(gpm) and one 2000 gpm pumps are planned, operating on
power supplied by three 150 horsepower (hp) electric
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motors with a standby generator. Initial capacity
would be 2000 gpm (2.88 mgd). Ultimate capacity is
projected to be 12,000 gpm (17.3 mgd).
d. I-HO to Gary Wastewater Treatment Plant
The 42-inch influent line to the pumping station
passes under 1-40 adjacent to the south bank of
Crabtree Creek. The sewer then follows the southern
edge of the proposed Soil Conservation Service's (SCS)
flood control structure No. 23 and passes under the
flood pool on Reedy Creek, At station 178+66.21 the
15-inch Mobile City interceptor ties in, and passes
under the flood pool and up a small tributary of
Crabtree Creek. The trunk interceptor then passes
under Highway 51 and the Southern Railroad tracks near
Morrisville. It follows Crabtree Creek, then up coles
Branch, skirts around the SCS control structure No, 18
and ties in with the Gary treatment plant influent
line,
2. Service Areas
Figure 2 gives existing land uses and Figure 3
presents the proposed open space and the adopted
thoroughfare plans for the project service area as
established by the Region J Research Triangle Planning
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RESIDENTIAL. MOLT I-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL, ISOLATED MOBILE HOMES
RESIDENTIAL. MOBILE HOMC COURTS
• • . RESIDENTIAL. ISOLATED BUILDIN4S
[RESIDENTIAL. SINGLE FAMILY BUILT-UP
BB AREAS
[COMMERCIAL
__„,,, INDUSTRY (INCLUOIN**RESEARCM TRIAN4LE
•Hill PARK. MININ4 AND QUARRIES)
MB UNIVERSITY LAND ..--
MB UMSTEAD STATE PARK
RALEIGH - DURHAM AIRPORT
•• OTHER STATE LAND /
IP 80LF COURSES
CHURCHES <
Q SCHOOLS
t- AIRPORTS
OTHER PUBLIC USES
— OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES
--- PIPE LINES
X CONDEMNED OR ABANDONED STRUCTURES
(» /'"ml ~JW />
DETERMINED BY REGION J,
BESEARCH TRIANGLE PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL 1969 - i .mim
•I «-z>^J S
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F"*«i
LEGEND
ADOPTED THOMOUOHFAM PLAN* imTM
MAJOT THOKXNHnm
"WOO TNOKOIMHFDW
EXISTING OPEN SPACE
PUBLIC AND DMTITUTIOHM.' I
OPEN SPACE PMPWAL*
COXfS OF IMM»m MMUVOm
ST«Tt
CKumf owiTiMTtMHic
HOmiAl »0«C FLOOO ITMMf MI*
•ami
H.UH on Exromvi nc*tnm°*ii>!!Lt
M OTHUI KVtl.«M|«
DEVELOPED BY KEGION J,
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PLANNING COMMISSION
APRIL
V
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Commission. As may be seen from Fig. 2, existing land
use in the project service area is predominantly rural
with the major development located along arterial
roadways in Cary, in Morrisville and east of Umstead
State Park. Following placement of the proposed
interceptor, additional development is anticipated.
The following sections discuss the design flow and
approximate densities of the project service areas
divided by secondary interceptor tie-ins and their sub-
basins as shown on Figure U.
a. Richland Creek Interceptor
The proposed Richland creek interceptor will serve
various State-owned properties, including the State
Fairgrounds, Carter Stadium, and the National Guard
Headquarters. Further, residential, commercial, and
industrial needs in this basin will be satisfied.
The area is presently served by the 8-inch House
Creek, the 12-inch Rocky Branch, and the 2t-inch Walnut
Creek interceptors. These lines are presently at or
approaching capacity and future development and
expansion of facilities suggest a need for additional
capacity. The present peak flow from the Richland
Creek Basin is estimated to be 1.9 mgd. Table 2
12
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outlines population and wastewater usage projections
for this basin as determined by the Wake Engineering
Study Group.
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Table 2
Population and Wastewater
STATE OWNED (50%)
N.C.S.U. (35%)
N.C. National Guard (5%)
Umstead State Park (5%)
State Fairgrounds (5%)
POPULATION TOTALS
*These are temporary crowds
Waste Flow generated 8 10 gpd
SPeak Rate
PRIVATELY OWNED
Usage Projections
POPULATION*
PRESENT FUTURE
48,000±
500
120,000
168,500
only
80rOOO±
1,000
200.000
281,000
1,685,000gpd 2,810,000
Residential (30%)
Commercial (9%)
Industrial
700±
200±
POPULATION TOTALS
Waste Flow generated 8 250 gpd
a Peak Rate
PUBLICLY OWNED (10%)
Schools (less than 156)
R/W, Etc. , (Approximately 7%)
Other Public Owned (256)
POPULATION TOTALS
Waste Flow generated S 20 gpd
a Peak Rate
TOTAL FLOW GENERATED
950±
14,000
1,400
350
15,750
237,500 gpd 3.937,000 gpd
100
240
4,500 gpd
800
800
1600±
32,000 gpd
1,927,000 gpd 6,779,000 gpd
** For design purposes, an ultimate peak flow of 5,000,000
gallons per day is used. The reasons for this are as
follows: the complexity of usage of the area, the time of
peak crowds at sporting events and the State Fair, and the
large percentage of this area is state ownership.
14
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b. Mobile City Interceptor
This interceptor will serve the Mobile City Mobile
Home Park located northeast of Morrisville. The line
will eliminate the Mobile City 21,000 gpd extended
aeration treatment plant discharging into an unnamed
tributary of Crabtree Creek. This tributary has an
average discharge of 0.8 cubic feet per second (cfs)
and a 7-day, 10-year minimum flow of 0 cfs. At certain
times the flow from the wastewater treatment plant is
the entire flow of this tributary.
The plant is presently discharging an effluent with
a 5-day BOD of 10 milligrams per liter (mg/1) and a
suspended solids concentration of 9 mg/1. The average
flow is estimated to be 16,000 gpd, serving
approximately 100 trailers. Inspections on August 16
and 29, 1972 by the State Office of Water and Air
Resources show DO in the stream to be less than 4 ppm
(Appendix 3), This water quality violation can be
directly related to the Mobile City treatment plant.
The owner of Mobile City has applied for a permit
to construct additions to this plant raising its
15
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capacity to 0.5 mgd. Future peak loading on the
proposed interceptor is projected to be 1.8 mgd (Figure
<*)-
c. Morrisville Interceptor
Approximately 200 residents of the city of Morrisville
are served by septic tanks and drainfields. Due to the
low permeability of the soils in the area, several
drainfields have failed. Large lots are required by
the County Public Health Department to help minimize
unsanitary conditions. The interceptor would allow an
elimination of the health hazards attributable to
septic tank failure in this area.
Projections of growth for Morrisville (Figure 14)
show a greatly increasing population. Waste disposal
is and would be a limiting factor for this growth.
Present and future peak flows expected in this
interceptor are 0.1 mgd and 0.8 mgd respectively
(Figure H).
d. Coles Branch Interceptor
The proposed interceptor would eliminate the Gary
wastewater treatment plant located on Coles Branch
northwest of Gary. The plant has a capacity of 100,000
gallons per day with a present average flow estimated
16
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to be 60,000 gpd. It is a trickling filter type plant
with effluent grab samples showing a 5-day BOD of 22
mg/1, fecal coliform values of 1000/100 ml and
suspended solids of 44 mg/1 (Appendix 3). During dry
r
periods the effluent comprises the entire flow of Coles
Branch. This plant is causing water quality violations
of both dissolved oxygen and fecal coliforms. Coles
Branch is a Class C water with DO and fecal coliform
limits of 4.0 mg/1 and 1000/100 ml respectively. Water
quality data show a DO of 1.4 and fecal coliform
concentration of 6100/100 ml. (See Appendix 3.)
This treatment plant serves a small portion (about
500) of Gary's approximately 10,000 persons. The
remainder of Gary's residents are served by pumping to
the Walnut Creek interceptor (See Figure 5) .
e. Future Service Areas
The proposed Crabtree Creek interceptor sewer is
designed to satisfy existing and future demands for
sewerage in the project area. Figure 4 summarizes
present and projected ultimate flows in each segment of
the project interceptor. The area adjacent to and east
of Morrisville is expected to experience pronounced
residential growth. Mr. E. N. Richards proposes to
17
-------
develop the land south of Crabtree Creek when sewerage
facilities are provided. This area is expected to be
developed as mixed residential, with both single family
and multi-family dwellings. Figure 4 gives projected
ultimate flows from this area (PT. "I" and PT. "K") as
5.1 mgd (25,000 persons at 200 gpcd peak flow). This
flow would accomodate a gross density of approximately
7 persons per acre.
Mr. J. T. Hobby has submitted an application for
additions to the existing Mobile City Wastewater
Treatment Plant (Table 8). The proposed interceptor
would allow expansion of the mobile park and
residential growth in the adjacent properties without
additional wastewater discharges to the Crabtree Creek
Basin.
The wake County Planning Department proposes the
land northeast of Morrisville be developed as light
industrial. Presently the area is rural with
approximately one-third of the non-residential land in
crops and pasture. Grains, corn and tobacco are the
major crops. A few industries operate in this area (A.
R. Gray Steel Fabricating Company, Tar Heel Wood
Treating Company, Truss Builders, and Koppers Company),
19
-------
and additional industries are expected to locate in the
area following the availability of adequate sewerage.
There are three wastewater treatment plant discharges
in the Little Brier Creek Basin serving
industries(Appendix 3). Sycamore Creek, in a basin
adjacent to the Brier Creek Basin, is classified "B" by
the State for recreational purposes in Umstead Park.
It receives the discharge from two inadequate
industrial sewage treatment facilities. An interceptor
force main and pumping system to tie in with the
Crabtree Creek interceptor is proposed to eliminate the
wastewater discharges in these basins and to satisfy
future wastewater disposal needs. The projected flow
(Figure 4) from this area is 13.3 mgd, which is
sufficient to serve the Brier Creek and Stirrup Creek
basins at a gross density of 7 persons per acre.
A 635-acre industrial park is planned by Mr. J. W.
York, immediately north and west of the confluence of
Coles Branch and Crabtree Creek and adjacent to the SCS
flood control structure No. 18. This development is
also awaiting the provision of wastewater collection
and treatment. Interceptor Pt. "C", the tie in point
to the trunk interceptor, is anticipated to have a
20
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wastewater flow of 3.4 mgd which is sufficient capacity
for greater than 9 persons per acre.
The proposed Crabtree Creek interceptor, excluding
the Richland Creek portion, is projected to service a
combined present population of approximately 1000,
Future flows in the interceptor are designed for a
population in excess of 80,000 (20 mgd).
C. Description of Project Area
1. Natural Resources
a. Surface Water
The Crabtree Creek Watershed encompasses 90,750
acres in Wake and Durham Counties (See Figure 15). The
headwaters begin on the east side of a ridge extending
roughly from Research Triangle Park southward to the
city of Apex. The watershed extends north above
William B. Omstead State Park and the Raleigh city
limits. The southern boundary runs through the Raleigh
city limits separating the Crabtree Creek and Walnut
Creek watersheds. Crabtree Creek discharges to the
Neuse River southeast of Raleigh, approximately 20
miles from its origin.
The project area topography shows a relief rarely
exceeding 180 feet. The stream gradient of Crabtree
21
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Creek west of the Jonesboro fault (Figure 6) averages
approximately 10.5 feet per mile and east of the fault
approximately 2.8 feet per mile. The Richland Creek
gradient is approximately 37 feet per mile.
Stream flow data for Crabtree creek shows great
variation. At Crabtree Creek just west of I-40, the 7-
day 10-year low flow is 0,3 cfs (USGS). At US 70 the
7-day 10-year low flow is 2.2 cfs (USGS) Conversely, on
February 2, 1973 and June 29, 1973, stream flows were
estimated by the USGS to be 10,400 and 12,500 cfs at
Highway 70. These flows were the highest on record and
constituted an estimated 20-year flood (a flood which
has a probability of occurring once every 20 years).
The water quality of Crabtree Creek is generally
good. Data supplied by the North Carolina Department
of Natural and Economic Resources, Office of Water and
Air Resources, show that from the confluence of coles
Branch to the abandoned wastewater treatment plant in
Oak Park, DO is 6.0 mg/1 and above throughout. Fecal
coliform values range considerably, from less than ten
to above 10,000 per 100 ml sample. From this data it
appears that either the chlorination of wastewater
discharges is inadequate or septic tank drainfields are
22
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CRABTREE CREEK INTERCEf
SEWER
T^LIASSIC CONGLOMERATES. SILTSTONI
[| | | | PHYLLITES & CREEXSTCrE SCHIST
GRANITE
HORNBLENDE GNEISS
'-""LSIC GNEISS
t
INTERCEPTOR
SCS FLOOD
CONTROL PROJECTS
SEDIMENT POOL
-------
short-circuiting directly to surface waters. As
described previously, the water quality of Coles
Branch, Brier Creek, and an unnamed tributary (Mobile
City Discharge) are in various degrees of degradation.
b. Geology
The discussion of geological features, soils, and
groundwater has been excerpted from a Statement of
Impact, Proposed crabtree Creek Sewer Outfall, as
prepared by Geological Resources, Inc. for J. W. York
and Company, Realtors.
Bedrock Geology
The area of the proposed sewer outfall is
divided into eastern and western portions by the
Jonesboro fault (Figure 6), a regional fault
which extends in a northeasterly direction from
Chesterfield County, South Carolina into Granville
County, North Carolina. The fault dips approxi-
mately 65 degrees west-northwest....
The Jonesboro fault has been inactive
since the late Triassic or early Jurassic period
(approximately 180 million years ago) and poses
no threat of earthquake to the area. The fault
now serves only as a boundary between the Triassic
sedimentary rocks of the basin to the west and the
pre-Triassic igneous and metamorphic rocks to the
east.
Field inspection of the area reveals that
the outcropping Triassic sedimentary rocks are
poorly consolidated siltstones, sandstones, and
conglomerates.
Triassic rocks are usually encountered be-
tween 35 and 100 inches below the surface (Soil
24
-------
Survey of Wake County, North Carolina, U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Soil conservation Service,
1970, pp. 21 and 61) and are difficult to dig or
blast. These rocks are indurated well enough
to refuse light digging equipment, and because
of their clay content they tend to absorb the
shock from blasting, producing large boulders
rather than shattering into small pieces.
East of the Jonesboro fault, the rocks are
igneous and metamorphic in origin, with moderate
to well-developed jointing and fracturing. Folia-
tion in the metamorphic rocks strikes northeast
and dips steeply to the northwest in the area
between Raleigh and the fault.
Along Coles Branch between Gary and the
Jonesboro fault, the rock types are phyllite
and greenstone schist (Figure 6). Along Inter-
state Highway 40 between Raleigh and the fault,
the rock types are hornblende gneiss and felsic
gneiss interrupted by a granite body in the
William B« Omstead State Park area.
c. Soils
Soils west of the Jonesboro fault, in the
Crabtree Creek area, are within the Creedmoor-
White Store association (Figure 7). These soils
have a reddish brown to yellowish brown sandy
loam topsoil with a red to brownish red clayey
subsoil. The subsoil has a low permeability pro-
ducing a very shallow perched water table during
the wet seasons (Soil Survey of Wake County,
pp. 20, 60, 61, and 123). Montmorillonite, the
dominant clay mineral in Triassic soils, expands
when wet and creates a relatively impermeable
soil. When over six percent of a soil is
montmorillonite, expansion problems may result
(personal communication, Mr. Robert Kirby, Soil
Conservationist, Wake County Planning Department,
1974)- Montmorillonitic soils also have the
property of thixotrophism, a property which
causes undisturbed stable loam soils to become
somewhat liquid upon being disturbed.
25
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RABTREE CREEK INTERCEPTO
SEWER
-------
Because of slow permeability of Triassic
subsoils and underlying rocks, a relatively
smaller amount of rainfall is absorbed into
the ground west of the Jonesboro fault compared
to the area east of the fault. Thus, for a
given amount of rainfall, surface runoff will
naturally be greater for areas west of the fault
than for areas east of the fault.
Natural fertility of both Triassic soils
and soils formed from crystalline rocks is low,
and both require proper application of lime and
fertilizer for good crop growth. Both soil
types become cloddy and form a crust at the sur-
face if worked when either too wet or too dry.
Because of the more impermeable nature of Triassic
soils, which retain a very shallow water table
for a longer period of time compared to soils
east of the Jonesboro fault, it is difficult to
obtain a uniform stand of crops because of cloddy
soils (Soil Survey of Wake county, pp. 63-68).
The alluvial soils making up the flood
plain along Crabtree Creek are mostly soils of
the Chewacle Series and congaree Series. These
fine, sandy loam soils have good infiltration
capabilities, but because of high water table
(season high depth to water table in soils of
Chewacle Series is approximately 1.5 feet;
season high depth to water table in soils of
the Congaree Series is approximately 2.5 feet—
Soil Survey of Wake County, pp. 18-19) these
soils have a limited capacity to absorb
additional water.
Soils in the area derived from igneous and
metamorphic rocks are divided into the Cecil-
Appling, Herndon-Georgeville, and Cecil associa-
tions (Figure 7). All of these soils have moderate
permeability and shrink-swell potential and are
typically in areas characterized by a gently
sloping to moderately steep, well-drained
topography.
27
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d. Groundwater
Groundwater in the area to be served by
the Crabtree Creek sewer outfall is generally
of good quality. Ground water yields in the
crystalline rocks east of the Jonesboro fault
average 10 to 20 gallons per minute (10 to 15
gallons per minute in saprolite); groundwater
yields in the Triassic rocks west of the Jones-
boro fault average approximately 5 gallons per
minute (3 to S gallons per minute in overlying
soils) (Ground Water Bulletin Number 15,
pp. 100-101).
Due to compaction, cementation, and intimate
mixing of sand and clay, the Triassic sedimentary
rocks are practically impermeable, and very
limited percolation occurs along joint and frac-
ture planes. However, joints and fractures
permit moderate water percolation in the granite
gneisses and schists east of the fault.
e. climate
The Raleigh-Durham area lies between the mountains
on the west and the Atlantic coast on the south and
east. The mountains form a partial barrier to cold air
masses moving eastward from the interior. As a result,
this area enjoys a favorable climate where only a few
days in the mid-winter have a temperature below 20°F.
The average length of frost-free growing season is
about 210 days.
Summer climate is influenced by the ocean, bringing
warm temperatures and high humidities to the area.
kf';exnoon temperatures reach 90°F or higher an average
28
-------
of every third day in mid-summer but rarely exceed
1000.
The 43.6 inch yearly average rainfall is well
distributed throughout the year with the heaviest in
July and the lightest in November. Summer rainfall is
generally produced by thundershowers and is
occasionally accompanied by strong winds and intense
rains.
f. Vegetation and Wildlife
The proposed project area lies within the eastern
United States geographical and climatological region.
Plentiful rainfall, combined with a long growing
season, relatively mild winters, and the absence of any
unusual limiting factors, allowed the development here
of a well diversified mesophytic deciduous forest. A
few limited modifications of the natural forest were
made by the aboriginal population in the last few
thousand years, but its almost total alteration was
accomplished within the last 300 years by European
settlers. As the climax vegetation was removed, biotic
communities representing earlier successional stages
become more prevalent. In many cases and at various
times, these communities were, in turn, cut over. In
29
-------
some places, land whose natural cover was removed for
use in row-cropping has been allowed to recover much of
its original species diversity.
These man-induced changes, which took place
irregularly and sporadically both in space and time,
have left the project area a patchwork of agricultural
lands, open fields and pastures, pure pine stands,
unclassified previously logged areas, hardwood groves,
roads, rights-of-way, narrow strips of bottom land
vegetation along major and minor watercourses, and
suburban and urban development. As a result, there is
a great variety of trees, shrubs and associated flora.
Appendix H lists some of the more common and
interesting species.
Since much of the proposed sewer line right-of-way
for this project lies adjacent to streams, tree species
commonly found in floodplain areas will be most
frequently encountered, including American beech, tulip
tree, ironwood, river birch, black gum, red maple,
sweetgum, American sycamore, and several species of
oaks. Since streamside areas offer limited
opportunities for intensive farming or for building
permanent structures due to the obvious flooding
30
-------
hazards, many stretches of the creeks and streams have
remained undisturbed. As a consequence, species
diversity is high, vegetative structure and biomass are
great, many ecological niches are present, and physical
factors such as wind, temperature, and humidity are
well damped within the sub-crown forest ecosphere.
Such a community has high aesthetic appeal and
represents an advanced stage of ecological succession.
Intimately associated with this diverse vegetative
cover are a great many species of vertebrate and
invertebrate animals. Table 3, prepared by the Soil
Conservation Service, gives an overview of population
and habitat trends for the most common game and trapped
species within Wake County. The principal game species
found in the central and western portions of the
project area include white-tailed deer, turkey, bob
white quail, mourning dove, gray squirrel, eastern
cottontail rabbit, woodcock and wood duck. Mr. P. S.
Morgan of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife service noted
that the deer and turkey populations are generally
confined to the lands adjacent to the Raleigh-Durham
Airport and the William B. Omstead State Park.
31
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Table 3 •
WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
SPECIES
Deer, whitetailed
Rabbits, cottontail
Rabbits, marsh
Squirrels, grey
Bob white
Dove, Mourning
Ducks
Geese
Turkey j
Furbearers:
Mink, Muskrat
Raccoon
Fisheries
Warm-water
Population
Rating
Good
X
X
X
X
X
X
•air
X
Poor
X
X
X
X
X .
Existing
Habitat
Good!
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fair
X
Poor
X
X
X
X
X
Habitat
Trend
Up
X
X
Down
X
X
X
Same
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Habitat J
Potential
Good
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fair
X
X
X
..
Poor
X
X
No. Acres
Potential
habitat
275,000
375,000
50,000
300,000
375,000
75,000
20,000
unknown
175,000
50,000
100,000
20,000
Comments
One flock in county
Over 3,000 ponds in
Wake County.
N>
-------
J. D, Bayless and W. B. Smith of the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission reported species from the
following orders of insects commonly found on stream
bottoms; Diptera (mosquitoes), Trichoptera (caddis
flies), Coleoptera (beetles), Ephemeroptera (mayflies),
and Odonata (dragonflies). Oligochaeta (aquatic worms)
and Gastropoda (snails) were also found. Many of these
animals are food for the largemouth bass, redfin
pickerel, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, crappie, channel
catfish, yellow bullhead and a variety of shiners and
darters present in portions of Crabtree Creek, local
farm ponds, or the 100-acre Umstead Lake. No
anadromous fish runs have been reported in the streams
in the proposed service area.
The project area supports many more mammalian and
avian species as well as various reptiles and
amphibians. The numerous terrestrial invertebrates
are an important link in the area's food chains, and
the resident bacteria, fungi, and other micro-organisms
are necessary components of the nutrient recycling
processes.
33
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g. Background and Present Air Quality
Under the Clean Air Act of 1970 EPA was required to
set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) that
affect public health and welfare,. To implement these
standards EPA in conjunction with each state Air
Pollution Control Agency developed a State
Implementation Plan (SIP). Each State was divided into
sub-districts known as Air Quality Control Regions
(AQCRs). These regions were then classified on a
V
priority basis for each of 5 pollutants. The priority
classification ranged from priority I thru III, three
being the lowest. These classifications were based
upon either measured ambient air quality data where
such data was available or estimated ambient air
quality where data did not exist. These AQCR
classifications were then published in the SIP. Wake
County is part of what is known as the Eastern Piedmont
AQCR. The Eastern Piedmont is classified as follows:
34
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Pollutant
Priority Classification
Sulfur Dioxide (S02)
Participates, (Part)
Oxidants (Ox)
Carbon Monoxide (C)
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
III
I
III
III
III
A priority I means that the AQCR presently violates
the NAAQS, and priority III means that they do not
violate the standards.
The present existing ambient air quality for 1973
is as follows:
Pollutant Location County
Part. Raleigh Wake
Part.
SO2
SO2
Raleigh Wake
Raleigh Wake
Raleigh Wake
Site Averaging
Address concentration Time
121 Sea- 75 ug/m3
board Ave.
121 Sea- 157 ug/m3
board Ave.
a465 Six- 21 ug/m3
Forks Rd.
4465 Six- 108 ug/m3
Forks Rd.
AGM
Max 24-hc
AAM
Max 24-he
35
-------
There is no measured air quality data for the
Raleigh area for CO2, Ox, and NO2. The area is
classified priority III for the above pollutants.
As mentioned earlier, the Federal Government sets
minimum air quality standards for certain pollutants,
although the States may set more stringent standards if
they wish. National primary ambient air quality
standards are set to protect the public health and
secondary standards are set to protect the public
welfare. Such primary and secondary standards have
been set for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen
dioxide, photochemical oxidants, particulate matter,
and sulfur dioxide (Table 4) . Each standard specifies
an averaging time, frequency, and concentration. The
averaging times are 1, 3, 8, and 24 hours, and. 1 year.
The frequency parameter column of Table 2 specifies
either annual maximum concentrations for averaging
times of 24 hours or less, or an arithmetic or
geometric mean for a 1-year period. The standards
specify that the maximum concentrations are not to be
exceeded more than once per year.
36
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-------
DURHAM AND WAKE
NORTH CAROLINA
-------
Table 4 NATIONAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
Pollutant
Carbon
monoxide
Nitrogen
dioxide
Photochemical
oxidants
Particulate
matter
Sulfur
dioxide
Type of
standard
Averaging Frequency
time parameter
Primary and 1 hr Annual maximum3
secondary 8 hr Annual maximum
Primary and
secondary
Primary and
secondary
Primary
Secondary
Primary
Secondary
1 yr Arithmetic mean
1 hr Annual maximum
Concentratior
pg/m3
40,000
10,000
100
160
ppm
35
9
0.05
0.08
24 hr Annual maximum 260
24 hr Annual geometric mean 75
24 hr Annual maximum
24 hr Annual maximum
1 yr Arithmetic mean
3 hr Annual maximum
150
365
80
1,300
—
0.14
0.03
0.5
aNot to be exceeded more than once per year.
37
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2, Community Resources
a. Wastewater Systems
The present and proposed collection systems for the
Raleigh-Wake county project areas are shown in Figure
8. The project area is served by ten wastewater
treatment facilities - the Walnut Creek Plant and the
previously identified Coles Branch (IB2d), Mobile City
(IB2b), the Brier Creek Plant (IB2e), three plants in
the Little Brier Creek Basin, two plants on Sycamore
Creek, and one facility serving a quarry on Crabtree
Creek. The old Walnut Creek plant serves all of
Raleigh, Richland Creek, and most of Gary. This
trickling filter plant was built in 195U and is now
overloaded and causing considerable water quality
degradation in Walnut Creek. The new Neuse River
Wastewater Treatment Plant (IB) will eliminate all of
these plants, providing the proposed interceptors are
built. The Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant will
be a regional facility designed to provide adequate
service to the county area through 2020.
38
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b. Water Supply
Present and proposed water supply systems to
satisfy demands in Raleigh and Wake County are
presented in Figure 9. The Neuse River and Lake
Raleigh are the present raw water sources. Present
capacity of the Northside water treatment facilities is
25 mgd from the Neuse River, and the capacity of the
Southside plant is 12 mgd from Lake Raleigh. (Figure 9)
According to the Wake County Water Use Study (1970)
surface waters are expected to remain the major source
of water supplies in Wake County. Dp to 300 million
gallons of water per day may eventually be obtained
from the proposed Falls of the Neuse Reservoir and the
New Hope Reservoir, a supply that should be adequate
for 50 years. Lake Raleigh and the Southside Water
Treatment Plant are projected as standby supplies to be
used during periods of peak demand. The same report
gives projected water use for wet and dry years (Figure
10).
Fig. 11 shows future water supply service areas.
Note that the project area is not proposed to be served
until sometime after 1980. Provision of adequate water
supplies for the city of Raleigh assumes construction
40
-------
BILLION GALLONS
vo
en
o
vo
»j
o
oo
o
<£>
vo
o
N>
o
o
o
to
o
to
O
to
o
M
O
O
G
2
M H
O
O (-3
O J> *d
^H t"' ?o
S O
^3 S! Q
K > M
H O
2 JJd M
O D
G
> W
f
M
H
O
ffi
-------
WAKE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
WAKE COUNTY WATER USE STUDY
DEPT. WATER & AIR RESOURCES, NORTH CAROLINA
JUNE 1970
43
FUTURE PROJECTED ARE
SERVED BY MUNICIPAI
WATER SYSTEMS
1980
2020 " "~"
FIGURE 1]
-------
of the controversial Falls of the Neuse Reservoir. In
the interim. Wake County is proposing to provide a raw
water supply from Beaverdam Creek to alleviate the
immediate needs. (See Appendix 7,)
The Gary area is in need of additional water
supplies. Distribution and storage systems are
inadequate. In order to satisfy future demand from
development in the project area, additional water
supplies and storage capacity will be needed.
3. Population Projections
The following figures and tables give projected
populations for Wake county, Raleigh, Morrisville, and
the Upper Crabtree service area.
44
-------
600
WAKE COUNTY
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
J970 thru 2000
N.C. SOCIAL SCIENCE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE
REGIONAL PLANMNS
COMMISSION (I96S)
WAKE ENOINEERINS
STUDY GROUP
-------
POPULATION IN THOUSANDS
ro
o
-------
TOWN OF MORRISVILLE
POPULATION PROJECTIONS
1970 thru 2000
RESEARCH TRIANGLE
REGIONAL PLANNING
COMMISSION (I960)
WAKE ENGINEERING
STUDY GROUP
FIGURE 14
1940
-------
Table 5
Crabtree Creek Watershed Projections
1970 1980 1990
Area (census) tEst.) (Est.)
Raleigh urbanized area 152,289 210,000 275,000
(Bureau of Census definition)
Town of Gary 7,389 30,000 (2) NA
Wake County 228,453 288,910 342,277
Crabtree Creek_Watershed (1)
Wake County part 15,449 23,204 29,515
Durham County part T 928 1,392 1,768
Both 16,377 24,596 31,283
(1) Upstream from intersection of Crabtree Creek and U.S.
Highway 70
(2) Town of Cary located on drainage divide; southern
half drains into Walnut Creek basin; northern into
Crabtree Creek. Present estimate for 1980 being
revised downward by Cary Planning Department.
Wake county Planning Department, 1974.
The Wake County Planning Department projections
(Table 5) indicate a population increase in the Upper
Crabtree Basin of approximately 8000 in 1980 and 14,000
by 1990. These projections appear small when compared
with the project design flow. Construction of the
project may greatly increase the population growth in
this area. Since the projections were made on the
assumption that the watershed population would continue
to increase at about the same rate as previous growth
48
-------
rates Of townships within the watershed, a higher
growth' rate might be expected with the provision of
sewer and water utilities in the project service area.
From the Wastewater Treatment and collection Master
Plan (1971), the predicted population for the upper and
lower Crabtree creek Basin is as follows:
1973 107,9
-------
transportation corridors suggest the desirability and
inevitability of future growth and development.
50
-------
II. INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER PROJECTS, PROGRAMS
OR EFFORTS
A. Federal
1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA through the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act Amendments of 1972 has authority to improve water
quality by administering a program of grants for
research, planning, engineering, and construction of
wastewater treatment facilities and their
appurtenances. The Amendments also authorize EPA to
establish the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System, under which EPA establishes a permit system for
the discharge of any pollutant into the waters of the
United States.
Section 208 of the Amendments provides for the
development of an areawide multifacet wastewater
management plan in areas with complex point and non-
point source wastewater problems. The 208 plan will
include controls for municipal and industrial point
source wastes systems, for pollution emanating from
diffuse sources, for protection of the groundwater and,
for disposal of residual wastes. This program also
includes the use of non-structural techniques,
51
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including the control of the use of land for water
quality management. The program provides for a one-
year period, following designation of a 208 planning
agency, to set up a continuing planning process and two
years thereafter to submit the initial plan to the
Administrator. The Raleigh area has been designated
the first 208 planning area in the 0. S. The effective
date of designation was April 10, 1974, and Region J
Research Triangle Planning Commission is the designated
planning agency.
The EPAr through the mandate of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, is co-author
of this environmental impact statement. NEPA provides
that a detailed statement by the responsible official,
on recommendations or reports on proposals for
legislation and other major Federal actions
significantly affecting the quality of the human
environment, be prepared. In the present context, the
issuance of grant funds for construction of the
proposed project is considered a significant Federal
action.
52
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2. Soil Conservation Service (SCS)
The development of the Crabtree Watershed
associated with the proposed project will increase the
probability of flood damages in the downstream areas
(See IVBl.) The SCS has an ongoing flood control
project in the Crabtree Creek basin. In March 1964 the
SCS released the Crabtree Creek Watershed Work Flan.
The objectives of the plan were to reduce floodwater
and sediment damage on agricultural floodplains and to
provide 100-year storm frequency protection for the
urban and industrial-zoned floodplain in and adjacent
to the city of Raleigh by utilizing structural works of
improvement, supported by land treatment.
This study was initiated as a result of a flood
which occurred in May 1957, which hydrologic
determinations indicated the storm to be of 6.7-year
frequency. The storm flooded 50 homes, the Farmers
Market, and other properties, causing damages estimated
to be in excess of $100,000. Projections indicated a
once-in-a^century storm would have damaged 189 homes
and endangered numerous lives.
Following the flood, several committees were formed
to study the problem and to recommend action. Wake
County, the city of Raleigh, and the Neuse River Soil
53
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Conservation District (later replaced by the Wake and
Durham County Soil and Water Conservation Districts)
then jointly sponsored an application for funds under
the Watershed Protection and Flood Protection Act,
Public Law 566. Planning assistance was authorized by
the SCS on April 15, 1958, and the State then passed
legislation enabling the establishment of either a
watershed improvement district or a countywide program.
The result was the formation of an improvement district
which became the sponsor of the project in October
1960. The Crabtree Creek Watershed Work Plan was then
prepared by the SCS, and Administrator Donald A.
Williams authorized operations on September 25, 1964.
On November 2, 1965 a referendum was passed by the
county voters to establish a countywide watershed
improvement organization with the power to levy taxes.
In May 1968 Wake voters approved a million dollar bond
referendum to support the project.
The original plan called for 15 flood control
structures and channel improvements. Since that time,
structures No. 7, 15, 16, and 21 have been eliminated,
and the proposed channel improvement program below
structure No. 25 has been taken over by the Corps of
54
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Engineers. Table 6 shows the design data for the
remaining structures.
To implement the plan, the Wake Soil and Water
Conservation District was formed. Its function was to
obtain land, easements, and rights-of-way and a limited
power of eminent domain was initially provided (when
75 percent of the total easements in a construction
unit has been obtained). Since that time, comprehensive
power of eminent domain has been provided. Monies for
property must be raised locally, while monies for
construction of the control structures are provided by
the SCS through P.L. 566 funds. It was expected that
most of the land would be donated by developers, but
this has not been the case.
Completion of the project has been very slow.
Three structures, Nos. 2, 3, and 18, have been
completed, and No. 22 is under construction, and
construction of No. 1 is to begin soon. (See Figure
15). There are not sufficient funds available for
outright acquisition of the remaining lands, nor a
reasonable expectation that they will be donated.
Speculation has occurred and has greatly increased land
prices.
55
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Table 6 ~ Structure Data
STRUCTURES WITH PLANNED STORAGE CAPACITY
CRABTREE CREEK WATERSHED, NORTH CAROLINA
ITEM
Class of Structure
Drainage Area
Controlled
Curve No. (l-day)(AMC II)
Elevation Top of Dam
Elevation Crest Emergency Spillway
Elevation Crest High Stage Inlet
Elevation Crest Low Stage Inlet
Maximum Height of Dam
Volume of Fill
Total Capacity!/
Sediment Submerged
Sediment Aerated
Retarding
Between High and Low Stage
Surface Area
Sediment Fool
Retarding Fool
_ Principal Spillway Design
j£ Rainfall Volume (areal)Q day)
Rainfall Volume (areal)UO day)
Runoff Volume (10 day)
Capacity of Low Stage (Max.)
Capacity of High Stage (Max.)
Freq. operation - finer. Spillway
Dimensions of Conduit
Emergency Spillway Design
Rainfall Volume (ESH) (areal)
Runoff Volume (ESH)
Storm Duration
Type
Bottom Width
Velocity of Flow (V4)
Slope of exit channel
Max. reservoir water surface elev.
Freeboard Design
Rainfall Volume(FH)(areal)(-hrs.)
Runoff Volume (FH)
Storm Duration
Max. reservoir uwater surface elev.
Capacity Equivalents
Sediment Volume
Retarding Volume
STRUCTURE NUMBERS
UNIT 1 1 2 | _3 1 SA 1 11 1 13
A A A B B c
Sq.Mi. 2.06 1.43 2.33 8.85 4.57 8.15
Sq.Mi.
81 81 81 80 76 79
Ft. 321.5 341.5 358.5 329.4 343.5 285.0
Ft. 316.0 335.5 352.5 323.0 336.0 275.0
Ft. 333.0 349.5
Ft. 305.0 326.0 342.5 306.5 Dry Pool 252.0
Ft. 32.5 34.0 35.0 42.5 48.0 51.0
Cu. Yds. 67, 474 53,469 97,272 (29,600) 106,200 177,944
Ac.Ft. 668 476 785 2,890 1,339 2,640
Ac.Ft. 167 114 199 315 - 356
Ac.Ft. 22 16 25 415 217 89
Ac.Ft. 480 346 561 2,160 1,122 2,195
Ac.Ft. - 223 349 2,160
Acres 28.6 26.7 45.0 62.0 - 53.0
Acres 64.2 57.0 80.0 280.0 85.0 143.0
In. 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.0 8.0
In. 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.7
In. 9.01 9.01 9.01 8.85 8,03 8.69
cfs 106 20.5 34 410 120 175
cfs - 99 155 - - -
% Chance 1111 11
Ft. or In. 30" 30" 36" 3-10' x 10' 30" 36"
In. 10.28 10.28 10.28 8.9 9 56 12 10
In. 7.92 7.92 7.92 6;47 6 59 9.41
Hrs. 6666 66
Veg. Veg. Veg. Concrete Drop Veg. Veg.
Ft. 250 130 300 . 260 328
Ft/Sec. 5.44 6.16 6.23 . 6.0 8.8
Ft /Ft. .035 .035 .033 - .040 'o25
Ft. 317.8 337.3 354.2 324.7 338.1 278.9
In. 25.08 25.08 25.08 15.40 23.30 29.50
In. 22.47 22.47 22.47 12.77 19.88 26.53
Hrs. 6 66 6 6 6
Ft. 321.5 335.5 358.5 329.4 343.5 285.0
/
In. 1.71 1.70 1.79 1.55 .89 1.02
In. 4.37 4.54 4.52 4.58 4."60 5.05
18 20
ft 22B
A C B
2.51 10
79 80
334.0
329.0
-
316.0
34.0
99,837
714
91 940
12 123
611
22.0
77.0
8.0 7
13.7 13
8.69 8
106
1 1
30"
10.28 11
7.66 9
6 6
Veg.
320
5.2
.035
330.6
25.08 29
22.15 26
6 6
334.0
.77 1
4.56
.92 3.73
79
354.0
349.0
-
335.0
39.0
- 69,410
1,117
180
18
919
36.0
99.0
.8 8.0
•7 13J7
.85 8.69
118
1
-I 30"
.98 8.80
.49 6.26
6
Veg.
160
5.53
.033
350.8
50 15.40
70 12.61
6
354.0
83 .99
4.61
23
C
51.84
28.10
80
298.0
284.9
-
276.0
42.0
(64,400)
9,298
1,850
148
7,300
511.0
1,096.0
7.7
13.5
8.67
1,205
1
2-5.5' x 5.5-
10.28
7.79
6.2
Veg.2/
400 U
7.6
.027
288.1
25.08
22.31
6.2
298.0
1.58
5.77
25
C
81.86
56.92
73
274.1
258.5
-
Dry Pool
„
_
4,569
969
3,600
_
392.0
7.7
13.5
7.19
3,350
1
2-7' x 9 '
10.72
7.28
8.82
Veg.
400
10.2
.025
263.0
26.36
22.39
8.82
274.1
.71
2.65
\J Crest of Emergency Spillway
2_/ Dependent on Obtaining Adequate Bulk Length
Date: August 1973
-------
Should the SCS project be completed, flood
protection from the 100-year storm will be provided for
the city of Raleigh, and the severity of flooding in
the upper watershed will be reduced. Figure 16 gives
the projected flood stages for combinations of
development or no development and structures or no
structures. Sediment delivered to the mouth of
Crabtree Creek will be reduced from 176,100 tons to
47,100 tons annually (as estimated in the 1964 plan).
The plan calculates a primary benefit cost ratio of 2.5
to 1.
3. Corps of Engineers (COE)
The Wilmington District of the Corps of Engineers
is studying Crabtree Creek from Umstead State Park to
the*Neuse River in an effort to control flooding,
improve water quality, and upgrade environmental
quality. The proposed project interceptor and the
associated development will greatly affect this COE
project by increasing the flows and stages that must be
accommodated. The study allows for considerable
citizen participation through public meetings. A list
of problems, needs, and solutions has been prepared as
a result of these meetings in collaboration with the
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Crabtree Creek Citizens Assistance Committee formed in
conjunction with this study. (See Appendix 6.)
Future meetings will discuss alternatives for the
watercourse, and from this input a recommendation as to
the most reasonable course of action will be made. The
Corps of Engineers contact for the project is Mr. James
Waller, P.O. Box 1890; Wilmington, North Carolina
28401.
B. State
The State of North Carolina Department of Natural
and Economic Resources has primary responsibility for
permitting point source discharges and sewer line
construction, administering the State Clean Water
Grants program for wastewater treatment works projects,
and developing and administering a sedimentation
control program.
Permit program regulations provide that a permit
shall be required to: 1) make any outlets into the
waters of the State; 2) construct or operate any sewer
system, treatment works or disposal system within the
State; 3) alter, extend, or change the construction or
t
method of operation of any sewer system, treatment
works, or disposal system within the State; or 4) enter
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into a contract for the construction and installation
of any outlet, sewer system, treatment works,
pretreatment facility or disposal system or for the
alteration or extension of any such facilities.
The Clean Water Bond Act of 1971 authorized $50
million from the Pollution Control Account for use in
making state grants of up to 25 percent for the
construction of wastewater treatment works projects
approved for Federal grants. A resolution establishing
a policy setting limitations on State Clean Water
grants for wastewater treatment works projects accepted
for Federal construction grants was certified January
18, 1973. This resolution limits the amount of funds
available to 25 percent of the total cost or 50 percent
of the non-federal share of the eligible project cost,
whichever is less. In the case of Crabtree creek, the
Federal government (EPA) is proposing to supply 75
percent of the eligible project costs, with the state
share being 12.5 percent. (See Table 1.)
The State of North Carolina is in the process of
establishing a program for sedimentation control. The
1973 session of the General Assembly ratified the
Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 on May 9,
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1973 to establish a program for the control of
pollution from sedimentation. The stated purpose of
this act is to provide for the creation,
administration, enforcement of a program and for the
adoption of minimal mandatory standards which will
serve to permit development of the State to continue
with the least detrimental effects from pollution by
sedimentation. This act provides for the creation of
the North Carolina Sedimentation control commission
under the Department of Natural and Economic Resources,
charged with developing and adopting rules and
regulations for the control of erosion and
sedimentation.
The State of North Carolina enacted an
environmental policy act in 1971. This act, very
similar to the National Environmental Policy Act,
provides for the preparation of a detailed statement by
the responsible official generally paralleling the
Federal requirements. The Crabtree Creek project has
been determined to require a state environmental impact
statement. This document is being prepared as
fulfillment of both Federal and state requirements.
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C. Region J Research Triangle Planning Commission
Region J is the regional planning authority for the
project area. This commission has approved the
proposed project as consistent with regional planning
objectives. (Appendix 5). Further, as presented in II
A. 1., Region J has been designated the planning agency
for the 208 areawide wastewater management plan.
D, Wake^County
wake County is the applicant for the proposed
project, and in this role assumes primary
responsibility for satisfaction of application and EPA
grant conditions. Further, the county assumes
responsibility for mitigating potential adverse
environmental impacts of the project. The County
Commission, in response to this requisite, has passed a
resolution presenting a plan of action to provide
reasonable assurance that there will be no increase in
the probability of flood damages and no increase in the
extent of sedimentation resulting from development
prompted by sewer line construction. The resolution
may be found in Appendix 7.
The resolution recognizes that extension of water
and sewer utilities into the Upper Crabtree Creek
Watershed will encourage and facilitate development of
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land. It also recognizes that completion of a major
sewer outfall prior to completion of flood control
programs may cause an increase in flood and erosion
intensity as a consequence of development.
The plan commits the Wake County Planning
Department to completing a geophysical study to
determine what changes in land use regulations will be
necessary to prevent an increase in the probability of
flood damage or sedimentation. These land use
restrictions are to be included in the county
comprehensive plan and land use code system, which is
anticipated to be adopted in 1975. Floodplain and
erosion control ordinances were adopted on June 3,
1974, and the county is committed to a program for
accelerating completion of the flood control program.
Recognition of these problems and the commitment to
their solution is a major step in preventing
environmental degradation from future development of
the Upper Crabtree Watershed.
The Wake County Department of Public Health has
authority for permitting septic tank installation. The
department requires residences in the Upper Crabtree
Watershed utilizing septic tanks to have large lots (40
64
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- 60,000 square feet). Minimum allowable lot sizes are
30,000 square feet without public water supply and
20,000 square feet with a public water supply.
E. Cities
1. Raleigh
The city of Raleigh has a significant interest in
the proposed project since the wastewater collected by
this interceptor will be transported through its
Crabtree Creek trunk sewer and treated at the new
Neuse River treatment plant (Chap. I.E.)- The city
exercises primary responsibility for extensions of
sewer and water service and maintenance in the Raleigh
"perimeter area." This perimeter area is shown on
Figure 17.
The city reserves the right to approve the plans
and specifications of other interceptors outside its
perimeter area tying in to the city system. In order
to protect itself from possible increased flood damage,
the city passed a resolution (Appendix 8) to establish
a policy regarding the expansion of city facilities.
The resolution resolves that
...the city of Raleigh joins the County of Wake
in taking a position of not encouraging develop-
ment of land which will necessarily result in
65
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greater liquid runoff, soil erosion and sedimenta-
tion until adequatje devices have been installed
to reduce those adverse effects of land development
,..the City of Raleigh, to that end, hereby states
a policy of not extending water and sewer service
facilities — or a^ny other facilities under its
control — into arjeas of Wake County outside
the City Limits, e'xcept in unusual circumstances,
unless and until a|reas into which such services
are extended and the area within the City Limits
of the City of Raleigh are adequately protected,
through the installation of related flood control
and other such devices, and unless and until adequate
facilities are available for the supply of water
and the treatment of sewage.
The city has also passed floodway and sedimentation
ordinances to help solve the flooding and siltation
caused by further development within the city limits.
There is still considerable undeveloped property within
the city. Coordination or a combination of programs
between the city and county could minimize costs and
increase efficiency.
2. Gary
The northern portion of the city of Gary lies in
the Upper Crabtree Creek Watershed. Should the
proposed project be constructed, growth to the north
and west of Gary will be accelerated. Careful
coordination of control programs between the city of
Gary, city of Raleigh and Wake County in the areas of
67
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utilities hookup, erosion and sedimentation, design
densities, and land uses is necessary to ensure
adequate and uniformly enforceable programs. Gary also
has contractual agreement with Wake County delineating
a perimeter service area (Figure 17). Gary assumes
responsibility for water and sewer hookup and
maintenance in this perimeter area.
Since Gary has the ability to annex portions of the
Crabtree Creek Basin outside its present incorporated
limits, it must coordinate extensions with Wake County
to assure that the percentage of impervious surfaces
above any one flood control structure does not allow a
hydrologic overload to occur. Guidelines now being
prepared by the Wake County Planning Department will
provide the necessary data. The Region J 208 planning
process may also provide future guidance.
Cary has indicated it intends to pass a
sedimentation and erosion control ordinance similar to
the Raleigh and Wake County ordinances. Should
annexation become a reality, the city must take a
responsible position in this regard and in following
land use restraints and impervious surface limitations
in the watershed.
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F. Public
Various groups and citizens in the Wake County area
have been active in environmentally sensitive matters.
The citizens to Save Umstead State Park had a profound
influence on the area surrounding and in this park.
The Raleigh-Durham Airport expansion plans were altered
to eliminate the use of park lands and to reorient the
proposed runway so the flight path would not be
directly over the park. This citizen's group was also
instrumental in assuring that the SCS flood control
structure in the park would be a dry dam.
Additionally, the relocation of the project interceptor
around the park is attributable largely to the efforts
of this group.
Another citizen's effort in the Wake County area is
Project Flood Control. A petition circulated and
signed by 6,000 residents of Wake County called for
floodplain ordinances, soil erosion and sedimentation
ordinances, controls for public works projects, and
completion of the SCS flood control structures
(Appendix 9). This endeavor has contributed
substantially toward educating the public about these
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major current, environmental issues and influenced
passage of these ordinances.
Various other groups have likewise contributed
substantially to identifying the environmental problem
areas within Wake County. The Oak Park-Glen Forest-
Deblyn Park Civic Association, the Sierra Club and the
Crabtree Creek Citizens Assistance Committee (CCCAC)
have been especially active. The CCCAC was formed as a
result of the public participation program initiated by
the corps of Engineers on their study of alternatives
for the Crabtree Creek channel between Umstead Park and
the Neuse River.
70
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III. ALTERNATIVES
Alternative routings of interceptors capable of
satisfying the wastewater collection and disposal needs
of this basin plus the "no action" alternative are
discussed in this chapter.
A. No Action
The alternative of "no action" represents the
withdrawal of EPA grant funds from the Crabtree Creek
interceptor project. Should no action be taken, the
adverse primary and secondary impacts attributable to
its placement would not occur, and the benefits of
adequate regional wastewater treatment would not be
realized. Further, other adverse and beneficial
impacts would occur.
Development of the upper basin would still occur,
although at a different pace and in a different
pattern. Due to the large lot size required for septic
tanks, many areas would develop at a lower density. In
other areas, developers may attempt to install their
own package plants which would result in higher density
development. For a package plant, siting approval
would be required from the State office of Water and
Air Resources and the discharge would require a
71
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National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit
from the EPA. Although a very high degree of treatment
would be required, a plant failure above Omstead state
Park would be undesirable since Crabtree Creek in the
Park is designated a Class B water (water contact
recreation area). Due to low flow conditions in this
basin immediately above the Park (0.3 cfs, 7-day,10-
year) , a relatively small amount of dilution water is
available to serve as a safety buffer for Park users.
For example, a typical package treatment plant serving
3,000 persons at peak discharge during low flow
conditions would only provide a three parts sewage to
one part natural flow dilution (assuming 200 gallons
sewage per capita per day peak discharge).
The above limitations on discharges to Crabtree
Creek could be expected to stimulate the use of septic
tanks for development. However, this area is not very
suitable for septic tanks since it has soil
permeability limitations. Large lots would be required
to ensure maintenance of health standards.
Nevertheless, malfunctions could still be expected to
occur.
72
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In addition to the threat to water quality and
sanitary conditions in the Upper Crabtree Creek Basin,
to a lesser extent the same secondary impacts of
development would occur under this alternative. There
would be an increase in runoff due to an increase in
impervious surfaces, an increase in sedimentation, an
increase in urban runoff pollution, and an increased
demand for community services. Since development would
be expected to proceed at a slower rate and to be at a
lower density, these impacts would be less immediate
and less pronounced without the interceptor.
Should this "no action" alternative be opted, some
other action would be necessary to improve the water
quality of Coles Branch. This could be accomplished by
upgrading the existing Gary plant to provide advanced
waste treatment (since Coles Branch has a 7-day, 10-
year low flow of 0.0 cfs), by pumping the wastewater
from this plant to the existing Walnut Creek
interceptor, or by using an alternative disposal
method. Spray irrigation is possible if a proper area
with adequate soil drainage could be found, but in this
area this seems unlikely. Pumping to the Walnut creek
interceptor is also feasible and would involve the
73
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construction of a small pumping station and
approximately one mile of force main.
"No action" may also be expected to have an impact
on land use planning for the Crabtree Basin. The rate
of development might be slowed and allow the
preparation of the county land use plan and the
regional 208 planning program to occur before
irrevocable land use commitments are made.
Unfortunately, deleterious developments could
nevertheless occur. Clustering of high density
developments around package plants in close proximity
to watercourses presents a situation that could result
in deleterious impacts. Alterations to natural
drainage and potential erosion and sedimentation
problems would be greatest in these areas.
The Wake County Planning Department, in the Flan of
Action (Appendix 7), has given assurances that the
present zoning of the Upper Crabtree Basin for septic
tanks will be maintained unless the petitioner can
present evidence demonstrating that existing zoning was
applied in error or that circumstances have so changed
since existing zoning was applied that the ordinance
must be changed in the public interest, strict
74
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adherence to this policy will provide a check against
poorly planned and environmentally undesirable projects
on a case by case basis.
The alternative of "no action" must be considered
as a desirable alternative should efforts fail to
provide adequate flood and sedimentation control. EPA
does not desire to aggravate existing adverse
conditions, still, the more appropriate course of
action would allow completion of the regional
wastewater collection system following provisions for
flood and sedimentation protection to downstream areas.
Preventive action now would allow maintenance of
environmental -quality where future remedial action
would probably be more difficult and more costly.
B. Alternative Routing
1. Walnut Creek
The proximity of the existing Walnut Creek
interceptor which serves Gary suggests consideration of
its use for transporting the wastewater generated in
the Upper Crabtree Basin. The proposed interceptor
includes a pumping station to be built west of Umstead
State Park. By expanding the lift capability of this
station, the wastewater from the upper basin could be
75
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pumped along Reedy Creek Road to the Walnut Creek
interceptor and thence to the new Neuse River
wastewater treatment plant. This would eliminate the
force main around the Park, while the Richland Creek
and Turkey creek areas would continue to go to the
existing Crabtree Creek interceptor.
There are several problems with this approach. The
Walnut Creek interceptor is presently considered
adequate to the year 2020 (See Table 7). should the
Upper Crabtree Basin wastes be added, a parallel
interceptor would be required by 1995. Further, the
proposed paralleling of Crabtree Creek would still be
necessary without the contribution from the Upper
Crabtree area. As may be seen from Table 8, sections
of the Crabtree trunk sewer are already at capacity.
With continued expansion of existing service areas
paralleling will be required within ten years.
This alternative, therefore, is considered
unreasonable since it 1) would necessitate additional
expenditures of funds for pumping and paralleling the
existing Walnut Creek interceptor, 2) would not avoid
paralleling the existing Crabtree Creek interceptor, 3)
would not avoid any adverse primary or secondary
76
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TABLE 7
2020 CAPACITY - WALNUT CREEK INTERCEPTING SEWER
Location
From
Gary
Macednia
Road
Lake
Raleigh
Lake
Wheeler
Road
Highway
#70
Cloverdale
Road
Cloverdale
Creek
Area
Served Sewer
To (Acres) Size
Macedonia
Road 3, 770 25"
Lake
Raleigh 6, 980 30"
Lake Wheeler
Road 9,130 30"
Highw ay
#70 11,050 30"
Cloverdale
Road 14, 730 42"
Cloverdale
Creek 17,990 42"
Existing
STP 19,160 42"
Required
Capacity
frngd)
3.77
6.98
9.13
11.05
14.73
17.99
19.16
Existing
Sewer Capacity
(mgd)
6.50
14.00
15.00
13.00
20.00
20.00
20.00
77
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TABLE 8
1970 CAPACITY - CRABTREE CREEK INTERCEPTING SEWER
Area
Location Served
From
House
Creek
Mine
Creek
Beaver
Dam
Creek
Big
Branch
Pigeon
House
Creek
Marsh
Creek
To Acres
Mine
Creek 3,340
Beaver Dam
Creek 10,540
BiS 13,660
Branch
Pigeon House
r* « A ' ' J u
Creek
Marsh
Creek 23,890
Pumping
Station 30, 140
Sewer
Size
30"
36"
36"
24"
36"
30"
42"
42"
Existing
Capacity Sewer
Required Capacity
mgd rngd
2.30 7.50
7.25 12.00
9.40 14-°°
4.50
13.40 13-°°
8.00
16.40 17.50
20.70 17.50
The above analysis is based on a maximum flow of 250 gallons
per capita per day and the present population density of 2, 75 people
per acre.
78
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impacts due to the proposed project, and 4) would cost
more than the proposed projects.
2. Pump to the New Hope Basin
This alternative was recommended in the Research
Triangle Planning Commission's Development Guide based
on information available in 1969, which projects 12 mgd
of the Upper Crabtree Watershed wastes will be pumped
to the New Hope River Basin via a pump located just
west of 1-10 on Crabtree Creek. This alternative would
eliminate the force main around the Park but would
still require the Turkey Creek and Richland Creek
interceptors.
The commission supported this proposal due to the
following two factors:
• an effort to keep as much waste as possible
out of the Neuse River, the Neuse being a
major water supply source for the Raleigh
portion of the Region and for downstream
uses, with the Neuse being a water supply
stream, it was logical to use the Cape Fear
basin for as much thoroughly treated
effluent as possible. (It is noted that
North Carolina water law does not prohibit
inter-basin transfer between the Neuse and
the Cape Fear Basins.)
• an effort to eliminate the temptation of
running a major outfall through Umstead
State Park.
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Both the Neuse Basin and the Cape Fear Basin in the
Research Triangle Region contain the sites for major
Corps of Engineer reservoir projects, the Falls of the
Neuse and the Wilson Mills Reservoir in the Neuse Basin
and the New Hope Reservoir in the Cape Fear Basin.
The Environmental Protection Agency, since the
preparation of the Development Guide, has established
equal water quality standards for reservoirs in both
basins. Therefore, there is no longer merit in
endeavoring to make the wastewater treatment process
easier in the Neuse Basin by pumping some of the burden
into the Cape Fear Basin. Such an effort would merely
intensify the difficulty in the Cape Fear Basin.
The pumping and piping costs associated with this
alternative would be significantly higher than those of
the proposed project. Further, it has no particular
environmental advantages, wastewater from the Richland
and Turkey Creek Basin would still necessitate
construction of the Oak Park section and Richland Creek
section of the project. Also, the proposed project
avoids the deleterious impacts of a major outfall in
Umstead State Park since the effluent will be pumped
around the area. Additionally, equivalent adverse
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primary and secondary impacts would occur by pumping to
the cape Fear basin. For these reasons, this
alternative was discarded.
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. IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
The proposed project will have both beneficial and
adverse impacts on the human environment. These
impacts may be subdivided further into primary and
secondary effects. The following chapter is a
discussion of these impacts.
A. Primary Impacts
Primary impacts may be classified as those effects
which are a direct result of the project. In the case
of the Crabtree Creek interceptor sewer these include:
improvement of water quality in the Upper Crabtree
Basin, stimulation of development, alteration of
ecological communities, erosion of soil from the
construction areas and loss of certain aesthetic
values. These and other primary impacts are directly
attributable to the proposed project.
1. Beneficial Impacts
The major beneficial impacts afforded by the
project are the elimination of present and possible
future wastewater discharges to Crabtree* Creek and its
tributaries, and the provision for regional wastewater
treatment. The Coles Branch, Mobile City and, in the
future. Brier Creek plants, which now contribute to the
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pollutant loading on Crabtree Creek, will be
eliminated. Future discharges, the possibility of
which may be evidenced by the presently unapproved
requests for point source discharges received by the
North Carolina Office of Water and Air Resources since
1970 (Table 9), will be precluded. Further, present
and future septic tank operation in the unsuitable
areas of the Upper Crabtree Basin may be avoided.
Table 9
Requests for Point Source Discharge
Persons Requesting
Site Approval/Purpose
Wester Lloyd
Mobile Home Park
Taylor Realty Company
Industrial Park
Castleberry Edgerton Co.
Mobile Home Park
Adams Realty Co.
Industrial Park
J. W. York
Subdivision
The Ervin company
Subdivision
Mobile Townes Corp.
Mobile Home Park
Ogburn Realty Company
Industrial Park
Wastewater Discharge
Date Volume Requested
8-1970 50,000 gpd
5-1970 2,500 gpd
7-1972 25,000 gpd
8-1970 90,000 gpd
(5,000 gpd approved)
5-1971 500,000 gpd
5-1971 500,000 gpd
6-1970 80,000 gpd (est.)
12-1970 10,000 gpd (est.)
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The placement of the proposed interceptor will also
facilitate implementation of good planning and land use
objectives. Areawide wastewater collection will allow
other environmental considerations to be foremost among
development priorities. Instead of development being
located convenient to waste treatment facilities with
spotty uncoordinated growth, considerations such as
slope, transportation, vegetation, soils, water supply,
and aesthetic values can have a greater bearing on the
location and type of development.
2. Adverse Impacts
a. Wastewater and Sludge Disposal
The project will initially transport a peak of 2.3
mgd of wastewater to the Neuse River Wastewater
Treatment Plant with ultimate peak flow projected at 20
mgd. This project further commits the city of Raleigh
to its program of incremental increases in the size of
the new Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The
impacts associated with this plant are beyond the scope
of this environmental impact statement. (I.B.)
Following treatment, the effluent will be
discharged to the Neuse River containing 6 ppm BOD and
5 ppm suspended solids attaining 97-98 percent
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removal. Due to the low flow characteristics of the
Neuse River, a high removal percentage is required to
meet water quality standards.
The sludge generated at the Neuse plant will be
disposed by landfilling adjacent to the treatment
facilities. A research grant to recycle this sludge on
North Carolina State farm lands and to study the
effects has been proposed. This project is in the
planning stage.
b. Erosion and Sedimentation
Underground sewer line construction requires
excavation for pipe installation. Erosion of the
exposed soils with the resultant sedimentation may be
the result. Exposure of unprotected soil to the
erosive energy of falling rain and overland flow, plus
the action of men and machines at construction sites,
can cause significantly increased soil loss and
siltation. This loss of top soil not only is a waste
of a valuable natural resource, but often creates
undesirable sediment deposition in downstream areas.
Continuation of this deposition can significantly
affect the water-carrying capacity of a stream channel
and increase flood stages. Further, increased
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turbidity may inhibit aquatic flora and fauna and
significantly change the established predator-prey
relationships. Photosynthetic activity of rooted
aquatic plants may be impaired. Sediment contribution
may also adversely affect water temperature, especially
during the summer months.
In the case of this project, the situation is
compounded since construction will occur adjacent to a
stream course. This poses the possibility of
disturbing the creek bank or adjacent rooted vegetation
and could cause significant erosion from soil transport
by the natural stream flows.
c. Construction Inconveniences and Annoyances
There will be minor inconveniences to traffic
during crossing of roadways. Three paved roads,
Ebenezer Church Road, Old Trinity Road, and the Youth
Center Drive, must be disrupted. Two unpaved roads,
Reedy Creek Road east of 1-40 and Trenton Road, will be
affected. Trenton Road may be closed during
construction since the interceptor is projected to run
400 feet down its center line. N. C. 54 and 1-40 at
Richland Creek will be traversed by boring or tunneling
and no disruption of traffic is expected. The
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remaining roadways, Duraleigh Road, Reedy Creek Road
west of 1-40 and 1-40 at Crabtree Creek, will be
crossed by passing underneath existing bridges. The
impact on traffic from these crossings, excepting
Trenton Road, is anticipated to be slight and of short
duration.
Dust could present problems should dry conditions
prevail. Standard methods for dust control will be
utilized, including watering, and no significant
impacts are anticipated.
Noise may be a substantial annoyance to residents
living in close proximity to the construction.
Equipment will be operated only during daylight hours,
and the contractor should be directed to keep muffler
systems functioning on all machinery. This impact will
be of limited duration.
d. Aesthetics
Tree loss along Crabtree Creek will be a major
aesthetic loss. As proposed, the project will cut a 13
meter (40-foot) right-of-way, resulting in a tree loss
swath of at least 13 meters and possibly 16 or more
meters (50 feet) due to root damages. Many trees,
notably the beech, tulip tree, and loblolly pine, will
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not survive damage or disturbances to their root
systems. Deposition of sediment, changes in water
table, or damage to the roots will result in a high
death rate. Special care should be given in developed
areas where private yards are to be traversed if
unnecessary tree loss is to be avoided. Reductions in
the width of right-of-way should be made wherever
possible in these areas. A width of 10 meters (33
feet) or less is possible and should be attempted in
existing residental and other particularly aesthetic
areas.
Regrowth of vegetation will not be allowed since
access to the interceptor must be provided and damage
to the pipe must be avoided. Maintenance of the
interceptor right-of-way is to be provided by the city,
although property owners may wish to give greater care
to maintaining this area.
The original proposal for high manholes has been
changed to provide sealed, bolted down covers. Plans
call for a vent which would be above the 100-year flood
level. This vent would be a visual distraction.
Since right-of-way clearing provides easy access
from existing roadways, hikers, bicyclists, and
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motorcyclists may attempt to utilize this scenic route.
Following revegetation, management and surveillance of
the right-of-way may be desirable. The proposed
greenway system provides a means for this kind of
management.
Odors may be a substantial annoyance to persons
subjected to them. Whenever wastewaters are allowed to
become anaerobic, that is, without oxygen, malodorous
gases may escape and become a nuisance to nearby
residences. In the case of the Crabtree Creek project,
there is a possibility that due to the length of the
interceptor, flow time may sufficiently long to allow
the oxygen in the wastewater to be expended. Should
this condition occur, odors would be produced.
e. Disruption of Natural Drainage Patterns
In some areas the interceptor will cross ditches
and other small surface water channels. This could
result in disruption of the natural drainage patterns
of some areas, creating ponds or wet areas. Due to the
depth of the interceptor these instances are expected
to be rare, and measures to preclude this occurrence
have been provided in the engineering plans and
specifications. Inspections should be made during and
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following placement of the interceptor to ensure that
all areas have been adequately identified and
protected, especially in existing residential areas
(i.e.. Oak Park). In those areas where problems occur,
French drains or other relief methods must be utilized
to provide adequate drainage before final grant
payments will be made.
f. Archeological, Historical and Cultural
Two residences are listed in the Wake County
Historic Inventory, the Trinity Road Cottage and the
Nancy Jones House. Neither are located along the
alignment of the interceptor sewer and no impact is
anticipated. Mr. Thornton Mitchell, Acting State
Historic Preservation Officer, states that care should
be taken during sewer construction to protect the
integrity of the Nancy Jones House; however, the
restoration of the Trinity Road Cottage has lessened
the importance of the building historically by gutting
the interior and covering the original brick exterior
with stucco.
Crabtree Creek itself is of considerable historical
importance to Wake County as one of the earliest
settlement areas. The 1775 Mouzon map (London) is one
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of the first showing the existence of the creek, which
was named while the area was still part of Johnson
County.
The State Department of Art, Culture, and History
indicates that little is known of the archeological
significance of the area. However, at least two early
mill sites are known to exist in the area and there may
possibly be more. Also, it is likely that a number of
aboriginal sites exist within the project area as the
creek and its tributaries would have provided favorable
living conditions. The North Carolina Department of
Art, Culture, and History recommends that a survey be
taken along Crabtree Creek before the sewer lines are
laid (Appendix 10). In this way, significant
archeological artifacts would not be destroyed.
g. SCS Flood Control Structures
The laying of the project pipe may affect the
future construction of the SCS control structures.
Structures 11, 25, 23, and 18 all lie adjacent to the
proposed project. The interceptor is planned to skirt
around Structure 25 on the south side and to have
sealed bolted man-hole covers where the cover is below
the 100-year flood level. The interceptor is also
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routed to avoid Structure 18 on Coles Branch by passing
on the north side above the 100-year flood level.
3. Alteration of Ecosystems
Laying the large sewer lines involved in this
project will involve the use of mechanized equipment.
As a consequence, a right-of-way approximately 13
meters (40 feet) in width will have to be cleared of
all impeding vegetation. A trench about three meters
(nine feet) wide will be excavated, with the removed
dirt temporarily piled adjacent to the cut. Wheeled
and tracked vehicles will ply the right-of-way,
compressing the upper soil layers of areas not trenched
or covered with removed soil. The branches of trees
and shrubs that extend into the working space of the
entrenchment machines will be removed. In general, the
natural communities located in the path of the line
will be severely traumatized. Most subterranean and
surface forms of insects and other invertebrates will
be killed when the soil horizons are mixed, covered, or
crushed by heavy equipment. The population dynamics of
the soil micro-flora and fauna will also be
significantly altered.
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After the sewer pipe is in place, the ground
surface above it will be seeded with quick-growing
grasses to control erosion. The right-of-way will be
kept permanently clear of any vegetation that might
hinder periodic maintenance and inspection. This means
that no significant woody vegetation will be allowed to
encroach. Normal plant succession on disturbed land in
the Crabtree Creek area leads to a forest cover as the
climax type, thus continuous effort and energy will
have to be expended to maintain the right-of-way.
The degree of permanent change made in the biotic
community located on the right-of-way site depends
naturally upon the original type of community. Areas
that have been cleared within the last two years and
areas used as pasturage will experience little change.
Within two to five years, surface indications of the
presence of the line on these sites will be very small.
Areas thickly covered with large deciduous trees and
their associated understory vegetation will suffer the
greatest temporary and permanent alterations.
In most cases, species diversity will be reduced
along the right-of-way whenever it passes through a
natural community, although in some special cases, such
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as routing through a dense eight to fifteen year old
pure pine stand, overall diversity will be increased.
The greatest expected changes will occur to the
streamside ecotone dominated by gums, beech, river
birch, sycamore, tulip tree, and several species of
oaks, where natural succession has been left
undisturbed by man for a few decades.
When deciduous trees with trunks and foliage
extending over a few meters in height are removed from
the right-of-way, suitable habitat for several species
of warblers and woodpeckers who feed largely within the
middle and upper story forest layers will be reduced.
Birds who originally feed within the cleared area will
be forced to move their feeding areas to adjacent
suitable territory or to remain and utilize the food
associated with low-growing shrubs and grasses. While
attempting to move their feeding areas, these birds
will be forced into competition with nearby established
members of the same species occupying and feeding in
the same ecological niche. If they attempt to keep the
same geographical location for their feeding area, they
will have to compete with other species of birds who
will move in and who are already fully adapted to
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utilizing the food produced by a low-growing shrub and
grass community. In either case the displaced bird is
at a great disadvantage.
It is commonly believed that destruction of an
area's wildlife habitat will result in a movement of
the displaced animals into suitable surrounding areas
not directly affected by the given project. This is a
partially true but grossly misleading belief. If an
adjacent similar habitat is acceptable, it usually is
already saturated to its carrying capacity with a
population of the same or closely competing species.
When this is the case, ingress of additional
individuals will result in a population size and
resultant density above the supporting capabilities of
the remaining habitat. The net result will be the
death of the excess population least able to obtain
food and shelter, almost all of whom will be those
animals who have been displaced from their home range.
Conversely, those species, such as sparrows,
mourning doves and the like, who are adapted to making
maximum utilization of food produced by annuals,
grasses, and low shrubs will benefit from an opening up
of the forest canopy.
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On the ground, population shifts in the small
mammals will occur as species of insectivores (shrews,
moles), mice, rats and voles, adapted for life on the
forest floor, are replaced by species adapted for life
in a more open environment. These changes will also
influence the local population of raptorial birds
(hawks and owls) who prey on these animals. The
primary food supply for the gray squirrel will also be
removed when the trees are cut, although it probably
will be a visitor to the area after the ground cover
has regrown.
Larger and wider-roaming mammals, such as the
raccoon and opossum, will be less affected by the
right-of-way clearing due to their adaptability and
omnivorous feeding habits. One large mammal, the
beaver, which occurs in the area, is adapted to making
a home in the nearby stream and feeding upon the
succulent portions of streamside woody and semi-woody
vegetation. They, and other semi-aquatic mammals, such
as the otter and mink, usually move away from sites
extensively visited by humans. Their continuing
presence will depend upon the relative increase in
human use of the cleared right-of-way.
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The aquatic communities in Crabtree Creek may be
altered as well. If additional clay, silt and sand
enter Crabtree Creek as a result of streamside
construction, the primary productivity of the green
plants in the stream will be reduced to the extent they
are excessively shaded from the sun by the suspended
and deposited particules. Of course, where
construction is so close to the stream that a portion
of the tree canopy formerly shading the stream is
removed, available sunlight at the water's surface
would go up, counterbalancing to some extent the former
effect. If the vegetative canopy along the creekbank
is cut away, increased diurnal variations in water
temperatures will also result. During the day, due to
increased direct solar radiation, temperatures will
increase; in the evening, decreased vegetative
insulation will allow greater heat loss and an
associated lowering of temperature. These temperature
alterations may affect spawning and fry survival.
The texture of a stream bottom influences the
species mix of benthos living on and in it. A rocky
bottom will support one set of species on it while
pebblely, sandy, silty, and clay bottoms will have
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different faunal associations. An increased layering
of the smaller particules likely to wash off
construction sites onto the larger rocks and pebbles
usually found in undisturbed Piedmont streams will
cause a loss of available habitat for some life forms
such as caddis flies and an increase in suitable
substrata for forms such as aquatic worms. This will
affect the species diversity and population of game
and other fish which feed on these types of organisms.
4, Growth and Development Impacts
There will be major impacts from the proposed
project on land use and development. Adequate sewerage
will allow development to occur faster than might
otherwise be expected. The proposed interceptor is
designed to serve a population of at least 80,000
persons, 70,000 of which may be expected to reside west
of a north-south line through Umstead State Park.
Proposed densities vary from five to greater than nine
persons per gross acre (gross meaning total land
area,ineluding residential dwellings, streets,
commercial enterprises, schools, floodplains, open
space, etc.). The net densities of some areas may be
somewhat higher.
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Densities without the interceptor could be expected
to be lower. Should package plants discharging to
Crabtree Creek be built, localized growth around these
plants could be expected, but a limited number of
persons could be served. The Wake County Plan of
Action Resolution states maximum capacity of Crabtree
creek and its tributaries to be the wastewater
generated from 3,000 persons. This quantity would
still, under low flow conditions, provide only one part
natural flow to three parts treated sewage flow. The
use of septic tanks might therefore be expected. Lot
sizes of 40,000-60,000 square feet have been required
by the Public Health Department in this area which
would cut maximum gross densities to between three to
five persons per acre. Minimum allowable lot sizes
have been set at 30,000 square feet where a public
water supply source is not available and 20,000 square
feet where water is supplied. Even at this lower
figure, maximum net densities would be approximately
seven persons per acre.
Presently, there is no comprehensive land use plan
for the Upper Crabtree Basin; however, the Wake County
Planning Department is working on such a plan. It is
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therefore impossible to compare the design flows of the
various segments of the interceptor with approved
county plans. The rate and density of residential
developments may be set by individual zoning requests.
The rate of development, type of land use, and
population density all have significant impacts on both
local watercourses and their surrounding areas. The
higher the density, the greater the amounts of
impervious surfaces and runoff, and the more
significant the impact on streams. The higher the
density, the greater the impact on transportation,
community services, recreational facilities, commercial
establishments, and practically all other urban
activities. These impacts are discussed in the
following section. Secondary Impacts.
B. Secondary Impacts
Secondary impacts are those changes resulting from
a direct or primary impact of a project. Often,
secondary impacts are impacts that are already
occurring or may occur with or without the project
interceptor. EPA participation in funding the Crabtree
Creek interceptor sewer will result in increased
severity of certain environmental problems. This
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interceptor will increase the amount and speed of
urbanization in the Upper Crabtree Watershed and will
cause aggravation of certain impacts of development.
1. stream Flow
Development of a rural watershed has been
repeatedly shown to have significant effects on stream
flow characteristics. Urbanization can double or
triple flood magnitudes in the Piedmont North Carolina
area (Putnam, 1972). This increase can be attributed
to (i) increases in impervious surfaces causing a
decrease in infiltration and, therefore, an increase in
the volume of runoff, and (2) hydraulic changes of the
basin decreasing the time necessary for the rainfall to
reach the watercourse.
The volume of runoff is governed primarily by
infiltration characteristics and is related to the
percentage of impervious surfaces, slope, soil type and
vegetative cover. Urbanization includes the
construction of roofs, parking lots, and streets which
significantly increases the impervious surfaces and
decreases the surface available for infiltration to
groundwater. Typical urbanization of a rural area may
increase the percentage of impervious surfaces from
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practically zero to 30 percent or more,. The associated
loss of vegetative cover decreases the rainfall
intercepted and retained on foliage. The net result is
a significant increase in the volume of runoff.
Urbanization likewise reduces lag time, the average
time necessary to move storm water across land surfaces
to the stream channel (Figure 18). Sewers,, gutters,
and paved surfaces allow storm waters to flow unimpeded
and reduce the lag time. This reduction can greatly
increase the flood stage in a receiving stream. When a
particular volume of water falls on an area, if the
time for this water to reach the stream channel
decreases, the rate of discharge in the stream must
increase. This increase in discharge results in a
higher stage and increased flooding.
The combination of increased volume and decreased
lag time can have drastic effects on downstream areas.
Figure 19 shows some typical ratios for storm water
discharges after urbanization vs. discharges before
urbanization. For example, if an area becomes
urbanized such that 20 percent of the area is
impervious and only 10 percent is sewered by storm
sewers, the peak discharge will be twice as much after
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Hydroulicolly improved bosin hoving
associated impervious surface
Hydrauli colly improved bosin hoving
natural basin surface
Natural channels and
natural bosin surface
TIME
Figure J18—Schematic drawing illustrating the effects of urban development on
flood hydrographs. Hydrographs are not to scale. T , T and T , lag times;
n s j u
P , P , and P flood peaks of the hydrographs for the three basin types shown
XI S XJL
Robert Coughlin and Thomas Hammer, "Stream Quality Preservation Through
Planned Urban Development," EPA, May 1973
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100
01
W)
CO
S-l
01
CO
o
4-1
CO
0)
>
S-i
0)
CO
CO
0)
S-j
M-l
O
4J
C
01
o
u
0)
0
20 40 60 80
Percent of Area Impervious
100
Figure 19
EFFECT OF URBANIZATION ON MEAN ANNUAL FLOOD
FOR A 1-SQUARE-MILE DRAINAGE AREA
Source: Leopold, "Hydrology for Urban Land Planning," U.S.
Geological Survey Circular 554, Washingtion, 1968;
p. 5.
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..j.. i- .r,.i :r B^ r i ~
LEGEND
807° DEVELOPMENT LEVET. WITHOUT SCS DAMS \ '
,j1^ EXISTING DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT SCS DAMS
80°/°DrVELOPMENT LEVEL WITH II SCS DAMS
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT WITH II SCS DAMS
_ TOP OF LOW BANK
L "'• ' STREAM BED
-------
NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWA
US HWY I (NORTH BLVD)
SEABOARD COASTLINE RAILROAD
LASSITER MILL RD_
YADKIN DRIVE -pir;
US HWY I BYPASS (BELTLINE) EAST
US HWY I BYPASS (BELTLINE) WESTp
^~m
US HWY 70 EAST
SHOPPING CENTER ENTRANCE / BLUE RIDSE R
SHOPPING CENTER ENTRANCE-EDWARDS MILL T "
TiLi'\i-'T. f ••
-------
urbanization as before. Th graph is not specific for
Crabtree Creek, but it illustrates similar greatly
increaed stream flows in other areas which may be
expected in this basin. As may be readily seen,
increased impervious surfaces and increased storm
sewerage can greatly affect stream flows.
Another effect of urbanization, somewhat less
known, is the change in low flow characteristics.
Since the low flow is basically groundwater seepage
into the stream, an increase in the percentage of
rainfall that runs off due to increased impervious
surfaces represents a similar decrease in rainfall that
percolates into groundwater storage. The net result is
often decreased flow available from groundwater. In
areas which commonly have zero or very low flows, an
increase in the frequency of these conditions may be
expected.
The impacts of urbanization on stream flows
described above will occur to varying degrees in the
Upper Crabtree Creek Basin. The Corps of Engineers,
Wilmington District, has computed dollar damages per
year from flooding for conditions with and without
development and with and without the SCS control
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structures (Table 10). As may be seen from this table,
80 percent development of the watershed would raise
annual damages from $3.7 million to $5.7 million if the
SCS structures were not built,. If the structures are
built, then even with 80 percent development, flood
damages are estimated at $1-9 million or about half the
damages under existing conditions. The flood stages
associated with the varying conditions are given in
Figure 16. This figure shows flood stages for a 100-
year storm of approximately two and one-half feet
greater than present stages due to 80 percent
urbanization of the Crabtree Basin without the SCS
structures. Flood stages with 80 percent development
of the Upper Crabtree Basin with the structures are
shown to be three to four feet lower than present.
The actual damages incurred and other adverse
impacts will depend on the measures taken to mitigate
these impacts. Chapter IV presents a discussion of
available mitigative measures.
2. Erosion and Sedimentation
Development of a watershed can increase the amount
of erosion and the resultant sedimentation in two ways.
First, runoff from construction sites that have been
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TABLE 10
Average Annual Flood Damages
Wake Forest Rd.-
Farmers Market Area
Crabtree Valley
Mall Area
Existing Development
Without SCS Structures
$3,100,000 (84%)
$400.000 (11%)
Average Annual
Damages
$3.700.000
Existing Development
With SCS Structures
1.300.000 (95%)
23,000 (2%)
1,400,000
80% Development
Without SCS Structures
4,500.000 (79%)
900,000 (16%)
5,700,000
80% Development
With SCS Structures
1.800,000 (95%)
42.000 (2%) J
1.900.000
Corps of Engineers Letter
January 29, 1974
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stripped of vegetation carry large quantities of silt
into the waterways. Secondly, an increase in runoff
causes increased erosion of the channel banks. These
two sources can greatly increase the total sediment
loading on a receiving stream.
Piedmont lands have been estimated by Wolman (1964)
to produce sediment yields of 500 tons per square mile
per year. Sediment yields from urbanizing areas have
ranged from 1,000 to more than 100,000 tons/square
mile/year. Other researchers (Guy and Ferguson, 1962;
Keller, 1962; wark and Keller, 1963) have estimated
that urbanization increased sediment yields from four
to 250 times that of rural areas. Additionally, the
increase in sediment production through erosion of
channel banks due to increased peak flows has been
estimated as high as five times the usual production
from a non-urban area.
Uncontrolled development of the Upper Crabtree
Creek Basin can be expected to significantly increase
the production of sediment as described. The highly
erodable Creedmore-white Store, Cecil-Appling and Cecil
association soils, which predominate in the upper
basin, make the erosion potential more serious. The
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adverse impacts associated with erosion and
sedimentation that are described in the primary impacts
section will also occur from this secondary source.
Aquatic fauna and flora growth will be inhibited, and
flood stages may rise due to deposition of sediment in
the stream bed.
3. Water Quality
There can be little doubt that as a watershed
becomes urbanizedf the quality of its surface water
decreases. As discussed previously, the sediment
loading increases due to construction runoff and stream
bank erosion. Following construction, materials found
on street surfaces wash into adjacent surface waters,
causing urban runoff in many respects to be similar to
sanitary sewage.
Street surface contaminants are comprised primarily
of particulate matter but also include soluble and
suspended matter. These constituents come from the
degradation of asphaltic and concrete pavements,
various contributions from motor vehicles (e.g.,
leakage of fuel, lubricants and fluids; particulates
from tires, clutches and brakes; dirt and rust; and
components from wrecked vehicles), fallout from the
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atmosphere, vegetation (e.g., leaves, branches),
litter, spills, and other sources, in some areas lawn
fertilization may also become significant contributors
to ur&an runoff pollution. Particular land uses
dictate which of the above sources are significant in
any individual urban area.
Constituents of urban runoff may lower the
dissolved oxygen content of receiving waters by adding
oxygen-demanding materials to the stream, A low oxygen
content can result in oxygen starvation for fish and,
in extreme cases, production of noxious odors. One
measurement of the ability of a waste to deplete waters
of oxygen is the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The
BOD is measured by determining the amount of oxygen
necessary for the biological degradation of a waste for
a specified length of time, usually five days.
The BOD contribution has been evaluated by various
researchers in terms of pounds per curb mile (Ibs/curb
mile) found on street surfaces. Values for BOD
contributed to watercourses per storm have been
reported as low as 0.8 Ibs/curb mile (Water Pollution
Aspects of Urban Runoff, 1969). Following dry periods
with continued buildup of pollutants, values as high as
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50 Ibs/curb mile (Water Pollution Aspects of Street
Surface Contaminants, 1972) have been reported. BOD
values between five and 20 Ibs/curb mile are typical in
urban residential areas. During the first minutes of
rainfall, the discharge of these pollutants occurs
rapidly,, and concentrations of oxygen-demanding
material can reach significant proportions. In cases
of low stream flow with a light rainfall, very high
concentrations of oxygen demanding materials (BOD) in
the receiving waters may occur. Should this low flow
conditions persist, continued oxygen utilization may
result in low or zero dissolved oxygen concentrations,
killing aquatic aerobic organisms.
Other pollutants which can cause adverse impacts
are nutrients (phosphates, nitrates, and ammonium
nitrogen), heavy metals (zinc, copper, lead, nickel,
mercury, chromium, etc.) and various pesticides. An
abundant supply of the nutrients necessary for growth
can result in algal blooms. During daylight hours,
photosynthesis by these algal organisms may raise
dissolved oxygen concentrations above the saturation
level. But during the nightime hours, algal
respiration can reduce oxygen concentrations to very
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4. Community Services and Utilities
With increased development comes the necessity of
providing community services such as water supply,
transportation, power, recreation, schools, health
facilities, fire and police protection and garbage
pickup. Each of these services is provided to the
general public through taxation, special assessments,
or service charges, since each involves an expenditure
of natural and economic resources, impacts are
involved.
Most of the water supply needs of the city of
Raleigh and the surrounding area are presently
satisfied with water originating from the Neuse River.
Future plans project raw water supplies from the
proposed Falls of the Neuse Reservoir. As yet, there
is no final decision on building this reservoir.
Construction of the proposed interceptor sewer commits
the raw water resources of the Neuse to satisfying the
water supply needs of approximately 80,000 persons (10
mgd at 125 gpcd) .
Similarly, land and economic resources must be
committed toward supplying the projected population
with roadways and/or mass transit facilities. Present
plans provide for a system of arterial roadways
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low levels. Death and settling of these organisms can
contribute significantly to the benthic (bottom) oxygen
demand of the water. Unsightly conditions, odors, and
fish kills may be the ultimate result of this over-
enrichment.
Heavy metals and pesticides concentrations may also
affect the ecological balance. With high levels, they
can become toxic to certain aquatic organisms, changing
or destroying the naturally occurring trophic (feeding)
structures. For example, a certain fish may be able to
survive a certain concentration of a toxicant, but the
organisms that the fish uses as a food source may not
be able to survive. Species diversification is often
reduced, with only a few tolerant species flourishing.
Lower levels of these toxicants can cause chronic
effects on organisms; changes in activity levels,
reproduction rates, etc.
Following urbanization of the Upper Crabtree Creek
Watershed, storm water runoff will contribute to the
pollutant loadings, and the water quality of Crabtree
Creek may be expected to deteriorate. Control
measures exist and are discussed in Chapter V.
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connecting the project area to State Highway 54, 1-40,
Duraleigh Road (1664) and Highway 70. (See Figure 20.)
Urbanization of the Upper Crabtree Creek Basin may be
expected to significantly increase the volume of
traffic using these corridors.
The possibility of mass transit for the Triangle
area has not been intensively researched, existing rail
lines from Raleigh to most major populated areas
(Durham, Research Triangle, Gary, Wake Forest, Wendell,
Zebulon, Garner, and Fuquay-Varina) suggests the
possibility of such a system. The incorporation of
plans for mass transit facilities into the Wake County
Master Transportation Plan needs to be given future
consideration to assure this option remains open should
population densities increase sufficiently to make
these facilities cost effective and environmentally
desirable.
Population growth also increases the generation of
solid wastes. Land use plans being developed by the
Wake County Planning Department should consider and
specify the appropriate ultimate fate of solid waste
generated by the proposed population. Planned land
filling prior to development can often provide much
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needed land for recreational purposes or open space.
By planning the location of a landfill area, the
potential for reuse may be more fully utilized.
In addition to these required services, the
increased power demands necessary to satisfy a
population of 80,000 will need to be supplied.
Assuming approximately 27,000 residences, approximately
135 MVA of electric power will be required. Utilities
such as water and sewage and commercial establishments
within the area would require another 135 MVA giving a
total estimated demand for the area of 270 MVA. At the
present time, the following distribution substations
serve the area of the Crabtree Creek Basin: 1) Prison
Farm substation located to the north of the Raleigh
beltline and east of Interstate 40, 2) the Gary
Substation located in Gary, 3) the Raleigh-Durham
Airport Substation located just north of S.R, 1002 and
northeast of the airport, 4) the Leesville Substation
located to the east of Highway 70, and 5) the Oak Park
subdivision substation. Each of these substations has
a present capacity or can be expanded to 100 MVA,
Future plans call for the establishment of stations in
Gary, Morrisville and to the west of the present
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Crabtree Valley Shopping Center, each of which will
have an ultimate capacity of 100 MVA. In addition,
there are plans to install a 500/230 KV bulk power
substation to the north of the Raleigh-Durham Airport,
This power demand may initially require additional
burning of fossil fuels. The Shearon Harris Nuclear
facility, when completed, will provide further
generation capacity (Correspondence, Earl F.
Stephenson, Carolina Power and Light, April 12, 197U).
Schools and recreational areas also will be needed.
The usage of Umstead State Park may be expected to rise
considerably due to the increased proximity of
residential areas. Additional facilities will be
required to accomodate this use, i.e., parking, trails,
picnic areas, etc. Plans are being developed by the
State Parks Department to provide the additional
facilities and allow for usage and preservation of the
ecological integrity of this park area.
The need for comprehensive planning in this
watershed is great. Haphazard growth, indifferent to
areawide planning objectives, stimulated by available
utilities, could have a marked impact on the future
quality of life for persons in this watershed area and
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on existing usage of downstream areas. The 208
Facilities Plan, Wake County Land Use Plan, and a
coordinated effort between Raleigh, Gary, Morrisville,
and Wake County offer great possibilities to avoid
foreseeable developmental problems.
5. Air Quality Assessment
Wake County which is part of the Eastern Piedmont
AQCR is classified as follows:
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Pollutant Priority Classification
S02 III
Part I
Ox III
CO III
NO2 III
Since a priority classification of III indicates
pollutant concentrations below the natural Ambient Air
Quality Standards, particulates become the major
concern. Particulates which have a significant effect
on air quality come from large point sources greater
than 100 tons per year. Because necessary dust control
measures will be used, the construction of the
interceptor sewer would be considered a very small
overall source of particulate air pollution.
Electrical power for this project will come from an
existent coal fired plant for the interim. The coal
fired plant is presently being controlled by State
regulations.
When housing projects begin to develop in and
around the interceptor sewer, electrical power is to be
furnished by a new nuclear power plant. Nuclear power
does not emit significant amounts of particulates. The
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small amount emitted would come from emergency diesel
generators which have no significant impact upon air
quality. There will only be slight emissions of sulfur
dioxides from the emergency diesel generators and none
from the nuclear power station. Therefore, there are
no significant impacts expected by the construction of
this project on air quality.
Pollutants emitted from automobiles are classified
priority III and do not violate the ambient standards,
although automotive traffic contributes to increasing
the amount of particulates in the air by stirring up
materials located on roadways.
To assure that the ambient air quality standards
are not violated at some future date, EPA has developed
Indirect Source Regulations. The regulations require
that an assessment be made of the effect of a project
classified as an indirect source. An indirect source
is one that does not emit pollutants itself, but one
which would create an air pollution problem by inducing
mobile source activity such as with parking facilities,
shopping centers and housing developments. Each State
was given the option to develop their own Indirect
Source Regulations. North Carolina is one State that
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did. These regulations have also been approved by EPA.
During the development of these regulations, certain
size cut-offs were set for various types of projects.
Projects which are above these sizes would be required
to obtain a permit to construct. These cut-off sizes
were set very conservatively to protect air quality.
After comparing the size of this project with the
criteria, we conclude that it does not qualify as an
Indirect Source under state regulations.
The regulation adopted by the State of North
Carolina and approved by EPA applicable to this project
are Regulation No. 9-1(b). This section deals with
population densities and requires an air quality
assessment if the population density is greater than or
equal to 12 persons per acre. Since the projected
density for this project is 7.4 persons per acre, no
assessment is necessary. This project should not cause
a violation of the NAAQS nor should its potential
growth.
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V. ADVERSE IMPACTS WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED AND MITIGATIVE
MEASURES
In all construction projects, certain impacts are
unavoidable and represent an irreparable loss of a
resource. However, with many of these impacts, actions
can be taken to reduce considerably the severity of the
adverse effects. This section lists those adverse
impacts that cannot be avoided and discusses the
measures that may be taken to mitigate them. In many
cases, the measures necessary to alleviate a problem
are not within the jurisdiction of the Environmental
Protection Agency or the North Carolina Department of
Natural and Economic Resources.
A. Adverse Impacts Which Cannot Be Avoided
Adverse impacts that cannot be avoided are listed
below. These impacts were discussed in Chapter IV.
1. Primary Impacts
a. Wastewater and sludge disposal
b. Erosion and sedimentation from the inter-
ceptor construction
c. Archeological, historical, and cultural
impacts
d. SCS flood control structures
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e. Aesthetic losses
f. Disruption of ecological systems
2. Secondary Impacts
a. Changes to flood stages and low flows
b. Erosion and sedimentation from develop-
mental activity
c. Changes in water quality
d. Demand for community services and resources
B. Mitiaative Measures to Adverse Primary Impacts
Although the preceeding impacts cannot be totally
avoided, there are measures that can be taken to reduce
the adverse effects. These measures are discussed in
the following sections.
1. Wastewater and Sludge Disposal
Discharge of the treated wastewater from the Neuse
River Sewage Treatment Plant generated in the Upper
Crabtree Basin will contribute to the pollutant loading
on the Neuse River below Raleigh. As discussed
previously, the Neuse River Sewage Treatment Plant is
designed to reduce BOD and SS concentrations in the
effluent to 6 mg/1 and 6 ppm, respectively. At
ultimate design flow, 100 mgd, this plant will allow
maintenance of fish and wildlife water quality
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standards. The proposed Falls of the Neuse Reservoir
would allow an even greater dilution capacity by low
flow augmentation.
Sludge disposal will be accomplished by landfill
adjacent to the sewage treatment facility. A program
has been proposed to study the effects of recycling
this sludge on North Carolina State University farm
lands. Results from this study may indicate a means
for recycling this potential resource.
2. Erosion and Sedimentation
Erosion and sedimentation can be controlled in
practically all instances of sewer line construction.
Lack of adequate precautions has caused the adverse
impacts of the past. By providing a sufficient
vegetative buffer between the edge of the right-of-way
and the stream bank, the major effects may be
mitigated. Special erosion control efforts must be
taken for stream crossings, steep banks, and other
cases which require the disturbance of the natural
stream bank. Timely efforts of revegetation and proper
construction techniques can assure maximum protection.
The natural bank of a creek is held in place by the
root systems of the vegetation. The ground foliage
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filters sediment from overland flow and protects the
soil from the erosive energy of rain. Whenever this
vegetation is appreciably disturbed, high stream flows,
overland flows, and rainfall can erode the unprotected
soil. To avoid this condition a minimum natural buffer
of at least 10 meters (33 feet) between the edge of the
construction right-of-way and the stream bank should be
provided to protect the vegetation on the creek edges.
A 10 meter (33 foot) buffer will ensure that the roots
of the large trees on the bank will not be appreciably
disturbed. Many mature species of trees have a root
spread of up to 10 meters in radius. Also, trees on
creek banks often extend root systems appreciably
further upland for support. Root damage from
construction vehicles may damage or kill some
particularly sensitive species of trees in the buffer
zone, e.g., beech, tulipwood, loblolly pine, but major
vegetative losses will be avoided.
In those areas where this setback cannot be
provided, special erosion control techniques should be
used. Riprap can be used to protect exposed banks with
steep slopes or temporary measures, such as chemical
soil binders or nettings, may be used until a
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vegetative cover is provided. Techniques and available
materials are presented in the Environmental Technology
Series publication "Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment
Control Planning and Implementation" and the Office of
Water Programs Operations publication "Comparative
Costs of Erosion and Sediment Control, Construction
Activities."
By utilizing proper construction techniques and
prompt revegetation, the remaining dangers of erosion
may be avoided. The stockpile of excavated soil,
construction equipment, and heavy traffic should be
kept on the upland side (away from the creek) of the
ditch to avoid disturbances to the root systems of
trees in the buffer zone. This will also minimize
disturbed soil available for possible erosion on the
creek side of the construction trench. Unnecessary
clearing should be avoided, and damage to remaining
vegetation should be kept at a minimum. In areas where
the property owners do not wish to retain their lumber,
all wood should be chipped and placed on the exposed
soil immediately following compaction. The chips will
provide protection from sheet erosion and will help
dissipate the energy of rain.
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Revegetation should follow placement as soon as
practicable, but in no case should soil remain exposed
longer than 30 days following construction activities
on that area. Continuous revegatation presents the
most desirable condition, although practicality
limitations may dictate revegetation in segments.
The State of North Carolina, in the Sedimentation
Pollution Control Act of 1973 has presented mandatory
standards for land disturbing activity which are
similar to the above recommendations. These standards
are listed below:
(a) No land disturbing activity shall be per-
mitted in proximity to a lake or natural
watercourse unless a buffer zone is pro-
vided along the margin of the watercourse
of sufficient width to confine visible
siltation within the twenty-five percent
(25%) of the buffer zone nearer the land
disturbing activity, provided, that this
subsection (a) shall not apply to a land
disturbing activity in connection with the
construction of facilities to be located
on, over, or under a lake or natural
watercourse.
(b) No slope may be graded to an angle greater
than the angle of repose for saturated
soil conditions applicable for the type
of soil involved; unless the soil on such
slope is retained by some adequate erosion
controlling structure or device. In any
event, soil left exposed will, within 30
working days of completion of any phase
of grading, be planted or otherwise pro-
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vided with a ground-cover sufficient to
restrain erosion.
(c) Whenever land disturbing activity is under-
taken on a tract comprising more than one
acre, if more than one contiguous acre is
uncovered, a ground-cover sufficient to
restrain erosion must be planted or other-
wise provided within 30 working days on
that portion of the tract upon which
further active construction is not being
undertaken, provided, that this subsection
(c) shall not apply to cleared land form-
ing the basin of a reservoir later to be
inundated.
To insure implementation of the above
recommendations, an erosion control plan should be
prepared for the project and submitted to North
Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission and to EPA
for approval before construction begins.
3. Archeological Impacts
At present there are no known significant
archeological sites endangered by the proposed Crabtree
Creek interceptor sewer. In order to ensure that no
historically valuable sites are destroyed, a
preliminary survey of the interceptor right-of-way
should be made, and potentially significant locations
identified. Prior to construction in those identified
areas, their archeological worth should be determined.
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Possible rerouting to avoid the site or removal of
artifacts should be investigated in those areas deemed
historically significant or particularly unusual.
4. SCS Flood Control Structures
The proposed interceptor on Richland Creek shall be
designed so that construction of the SCS structure 11
is not impaired. This may be accomplished by
realignment of the interceptor and/or provision of
sealed, bolted down covers, vented above the 100 year
flood level. Further, the interceptor should not be
aligned where it would be adversely affected by the
location or construction of structure 25 on crabtree
Creek below the confluence of Richland Creek.
5. Aesthetic Losses
Odors will be controlled by providing aeration of
the wastewater at the proposed pumping station. This
will be accomplished by locating an aerator in the wet
well or by other appropriate methods. Plans and
specifications shall include the facilities prior to
final approval.
6. Alterations of Ecosystems
Four criteria for preserving the vegetation in any
given area are:
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(1) It is aesthetically pleasing and has
recreational potential,
(2) It is a rare biotic association, either
considered on a local or regional basis.
(3) Its existence is the result of a long
successional process and would take a considerable
amount of time to become reestablished.
(4) Its preservation will ensure direct economic
benefits.
The ecotonal vegetation occupying the streamside
water-land interface on much of the project area meets
all of the above criteria. A walk through the pathways
under a canopy of trees by Crabtree Creek is certainly
pleasing. The proposal to extend the Capital City
Greenway system along Crabtree Creek and to develop the
land around the SCS structure 23 into a recreational
area demonstrates its potential.
Stream beds and the narrow strips of associated
vegetation occupy only a fraction of one percent of the
project area. These bottomland sites in the Piedmont
area are continually being impacted by adjacent
development or are succombing to development themselves
as local suburban building sites run out. Therefore,
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these areas are becoming increasingly rare over a wide
area as urbanization proceeds.
The presence of large - over 1/2 meter dbh
(diameter breast height) - beech trees along the
proposed sites in association with other vegetative
members of a climax community indicates a long passage
of time since early successional stages. As beech
trees are relatively intolerant to the widely
fluctuating humidities and temperatures found in early
serai stages, their recolonization will be postponed.
Once beech seedlings have started, several decades are
required before trees of the 1/2 meter dbh class are
regrown.
Many of the streambanks juxtuposed to the proposed
sewer line rights-of-way are vertical in aspect for one
to three meters (three to ten feet) immediately
adjacent to the flowing water. As the soil itself in
these areas does not have a particularly steep angle of
repose, it is clear that these vertical banks are being
supported by the vegetation clinging to them. Their
cover ranges from small liverworts and mosses to over
1/2 meter (18 inches) diameter river birches. The
small plants hold the soil grains in place from gravity
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and the larger tree roots provide protection from
erosion by swiftly moving water during periodic floods.
Without this root matrix to hold these banks in place,
serious slumping into the creek would take place. On
Crabtree Creek just below Oak Park a collapse of the
creek banks was noticed only six weeks after vegetation
was disturbed. A previously emplaced large interceptor
sewer line was put in danger of being undermined.
Corrective action utilizing backfill and rip rap is
expensive, time consuming and wasteful of resources.
Because of its value in reducing the initial
construction cost, and in reducing the cost of
maintenance through erosion control along these
bottomland sewer rights-of-way as discussed in Section
V.B.2, a minimum of a 10 meter (33 foot) undisturbed
buffer should be left: between the right-of-way and the
stream*s vertical banks whenever practical.
To reduce adverse impacts on Crabtree Creek itself
and on the valuable streamside community, line
placement will be made at a distance greater than 10
meters whenever a less complex vegetative association
such as pasture, open field or a young pine stand is
adjacent and its location doesn't pose exceptional
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slope or grade problems. These type communities
represent an earlier stage of ecological succession and
their disruption would represent a smaller loss of
biotic information and structure.
In order to ascertain the types of cover growing on
the proposed sewer rights-of-way and therefore whether
the line routing should be changed, a vegetative
survey will be made to determine the frequency of
occurence and basal area of certain species of trees
along the proposed right-of-way. This survey should
utilize standard statistical biological field sampling
methods, such as quadrats, random pairs, line
intercept, transects, or a variable-radius plotless
method, and describe in general the types of natural
communities growing within the proposed right-of-way
boundaries. A primary vegatative survey will be made
of 100 meter (328 feet) sections along the right-of-
way, only trees over six inches dbh will be sampled.
The area included in each primary 100-meter section
will be that area within 10 meters (33 feet) on either
side of the proposed right-of-way centerline unless the
centerline is closer than 10 meters from the edge of
the vertical creek banks in which case the section
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width will run 20 meters (66 feet) from the edge of the
vertical banks.
Whenever it is determined that 60 percent of the
trees sampled in any 100 meter long section of right-
of-way are either beeches, sweetgums, black gums,
sycamores, ironwood, or 1/2 meter (18-inch) dbh and
larger oaks, an additional secondary vegetative survey
will be required.
This secondary survey will run parallel to, and
share a common boundary with, the primary 20-meter-wide
survey. It will extend 60 meters (200 feet) in depth
perpendicular to the primary survey boundary away from
the creek bank.
The secondary survey will be divided into three
parallel strips 20 meters wide and 100 meters long.
The three parts will be called Secondary A (closest to
the primary survey), Secondary B (next furtherest
away), and Secondary C (furtherest from the primary
survey)• Sampling will proceed on the Secondary A, B,
and C strips as it was carried out on the primary
survey.
If this secondary survey discloses an airea where
there are no trees over 1/6 meter (six inches) dbh, or
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where more than 60 percent of the individuals sampled
are species other than those listed above, the survey
site will be marked on a map as an area of potential
alternative routing.
Engineering cost estimates will then be made
regarding the placement of the sewer line on said
alternative route. If these estimates are no larger
than 125 percent of the original proposed routing, then
a change in line routing to the secondary surveyed site
will be made. If any areas are found where an
exceptionally unique ecotonal community exists, EPA
reserves the option of relocating the interceptor
regardless of the cost estimates.
C. Mitigative Measures to Adverse Secondary
Impacts
1. Flooding
As discussed in Chapter IV, Impact of the Proposed
Project, there is a great potential for increased
flooding due to development of the Upper Crabtree
Watershed. The use or non-use of measures to lessen
the impact will determine the actual effects on
downstream properties. The following are some measures
which would mitigate these impacts.
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a. Soil Conservation Service Flood Control
Project
The SCS has an ongoing program to construct flood
control structures in the Upper Crabtree Basin (Chapter
II.A.2). Various difficulties have been encountered,
with the result that only three of 11 structures have
been built, although a fourth is under construction.
Of the remaining seven, two are to be let for contract
soon and the remaining five are stalled, awaiting land
acquisition. Two of the these five are considered the
major flood control structures of the plan.
The Corps of Engineers flood damage data (Table 9)
shows the amount of protection that may be afforded by
the construction of these dams. A saving of $2.3
million per year would result with existing land use,
and $3.8 million per year would be saved with 80
percent development. Completion of these dams would
mitigate the impact of developing the upper watershed
since 80 percent development, without the dams, would
increase damages by $2.0 million/year above present
annual losses, while 80 percent development, with the
structures, would have $1.8 million less than present
annual losses. Adherence to land use and impervious
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surface limitations developed by the Wake County
Planning Department will be necessary to assure that
the design hydrologic capacities of the proposed
control structure will not be surpassed. Coordination
of sewer hookups, land use planning, and zoning between
Wake County, Gary and Raleigh will be necessary.
Completion of this flood control project is one
method whereby the threat of increased flooding may be
eliminated. Grant funds shall be withheld from the
proposed project until land rights have been acquired
for the Soil Conservation Service control Structures
located downstream of each respective proposed service
area, or until other measures are taken, including but
not limited to channelization, urban runoff controls,
developmental restrictions, and other land use
modifications which will insure adequate flood control
as determined by the State of North Carolina, SCS, the
COE, and the EPA. Grant funds shall be withdrawn
January 1, 1976, from the proposed project if land
rights are not acquired for the SCS structures or
agreement on other measures to insure adequate flood
protection is not reached.
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Should the rights to the property for structure 11
(Richland Creek) and structure 25 (the Umstead Park Dry
Dam) be acquired, construction of this segment shall
proceed to provide service to the State facilities
presently at capacity. If the remaining property
rights are not obtained and other measures are not
agreed upon, the project scope shall be reduced to
include only this construction.
b. Floodplain and Floodway Ordinances
For the protection of persons who, knowingly or
unknowingly, desire to reside in or utilize floodplain
areas, many localities have adopted ordinances to help
protect persons and properties from undue damage or
injury. The city of Raleigh and Make County have
passed such a floodplain and floodway ordinance. These
ordinances also provide protection for properties above
and below developments from becoming flooded by
limiting changes in upstream or downstream channels.
The major requirements of the Raleigh ordinance are
as follows:
(A) Building Permits shall be required for all
proposed new construction and for all major
repairs to existing construction within the
floodplain area.
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(B) Before a building permit shall be issued
for any new construction or substantial
improvements within the floodway fringe
area, the plans for the proposed construc-
tion (including prefabricated and mobile
homes) shall indicate that said construc-
tion:
(1) will be protected against flood damage,
(2) is designed or will be modified and
anchored to prevent the flotation col-
lapse or lateral movement of the
structure,
(3) will involve the use of materials and
utility equipment which are resistent
to flood damage,
(H) will involve the use of construction
methods and practices which will mini-
mize flood damage.
(C) Before a building permit shall be issued for
any major repairs within the floodway fringe
area, the plans for the proposed repairs
shall demonstrate that said repairs:
(1) will involve the use of construction
materials and utility equipment which
are resistant to flood damage,
(2) will involve the use of construction
methods and practices that will minimize
flood damage.
(D) Any and all new construction or substantial
improvements of residential structures with-
in the floodway fringe area shall have the
lowest floor (included basement) elevated
to or above the level of the 100-year flood.
(E) Any and all new construction or substantial
improvements of nonresidential structures
within the flood plain area shall have the
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lowest floor (including basement) elevated
to or above the level of the 100-year flood;
or together with attendant utility and sani-
tary facilities shall be floodproofed up to
the level of the 100-year flood.
The ordinance passed on June 3, 1974 by the Wake
County Commissioners is similar to the Raleigh
ordinance* Its purpose and intent is as follows:
".-.to declare that certain areas of the
County shall be designated as floodways
and floodway fringes; and to help control
and minimize the extent of floods by pre-
venting obstructions which inhibit water
flow and increase flood height and damage,
and thereby to prevent or minimize loss
of life, injuries, property damage, and
other losses, both public and private, in
flood hazard areas, and to promote the
public health, safety, and welfare of the
citizens."
Generally, any use having low flow obstructing
characteristics shall be permitted within floodway
areas provided the one-hundred year flood level is not
increased, and that no equipment or material shall be
stored which may be flammable, explosive, toxic or
which could otherwise be injurious to human, animal or
plant life.
The following requirements must be met to obtain
approval of plans and building permits to construct,
add to or alter in the floodway fringe areas.
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(1) Application for a building permit,
accompanied by plans for the proposed
development shall be presented to the
Board of Adjustment for review and
approval, approval with modification, or
rejection.
(2) The plans shall consist of but not be
limited to the following:
(a) a general site plan showing the
location and type of buildings and
structures to be erected, areas to
be filled, and the boundaries of the
floodway fringe;
(b) cross sections at intervals not
exceeding fifty (50) feet, prepared
by a registered engineer, landscape
architect, or architect showing the
regulatory flood protection eleva-
tion, boundaries of the floodway and
floodway fringe, existing and proposed
contours, floor elevations, and a
profile of the associated streams; and
(c) such hydrologic calculations as
needed and necessary, as well as
applicable structural and nonstruc-
tural flood proofing measures and
soil erosion and sedimentation
control plans.
(3) In considering such permit and plans
the Board of Adjustment shall consult with
the Wake soil and Water Conservation Dis-
trict, who after receipt and review of the
appropriate data related to the request,
shall make a recommendation to the Board.
(4) No permit shall be granted:
(a) for a development on one side of
a stream which would raise the regula-
tory flood protection elevation more
141
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than one-half (1/2) foot, or for a
development on both sides of a stream
which would raise the regulatory flood
protection elevation more than one (1)
foot;
(b) for a development which does not
meet the standards of the code, or
meet or exceed the technical standards
and specifications of the soil conserva-
tion Service, as adopted by the Wake
Soil and Water Conservation District;
or
(c) for a development which may result
in the pollution of, or injury or dry-
ing up of any stream or creek, or other-
wise endanger the public health, safety,
or general welfare.
(5) A certificate of compliance must be
issued by the zoning enforcement officer
prior to the utilization of any structure
approved as a special use of a floodway
fringe area.
The ordinance also affects the placement of water
and sewer systems in floodway fringe areas. These
systems are to be designed to minimize and eliminate
infiltration of floodwaters. This interceptor is
designed to minimize this possibility.
There is an interesting relationship between flood
plain usage and sewer line construction with regard to
the proposed greenway system, since the proposed
interceptor is adjacent to streams in floodplain
areas, a multipurpose right-of-way could be utilized to
142
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provide many uses for floodplain land while reducing
overall individual costs,.
Since sewer line right-of-way will require
continued maintenance, the greenway system management
process could be available to provide this service.
Access and usage of the right-of way could be
controlled most effectively by patrolling and providing
public facilities. Aesthetic values for the right-of-
way area may be significantly increased by park
landscaping and management. The expected advent of
floodplain zoning suggests a public usage of these
areas. Utility placement and recreation are two uses
that are particularly suited for this purpose.
Implementation of the above Floodplain and Floodway
ordinances will mitigate the effects of flooding under
existing conditions in Raleigh and Wake County.
Outright purchase of projected downstream flood hazard
areas is a possible mitigative measure to increased
flood stages.
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c. stormwater Runoff Ordinances
Since urbanization is shown to increase storm water
runoff, development plans should include provisions for
controlling increases in runoff.
The city of Raleigh has taken such action through
their Erosion and Sedimentation control Ordinance. The
city's ordinance provides that:
After the completion of construction on each
land-disturbing site to which this ordinance
applies, provisions shall be made, on or off
the site, for the impoundment of enough of the
natural liquid runoff from the site for a long
enough period of time to limit the rate of
such runoff leaving the site to that which
would result from a two (2) year frequency
storm if the site were developed in single
family homes at a density of four (4) familes
per acre or less and if impoundment were not
provided; provided, no impoundment shall be
required of runoff from sites developed
for residential purposes at a density of
four (4) familes per acre or less; pro-
vided further, part of the space, including
parking areas, otherwise required by law
to be left open, may be jointly used to
satisfy the impounding requirements herein;
provided still further, this standard shall
not apply to sites of two (2) acres or
less in size unless such site is part of
a larger subdivision or other project
area which, when fully developed, will
generate a more significant amount: of
runoff.
calculations and plans for impoundment
structures and areas must receive the approval
of the Chief Engineer of the City before any
building permit may be issued*
144
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Wake County also recently passed such an ordinance
which will mitigate the increase in runoff attributable
to urbanization„ The major provisions of the County
Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance regarding
urban runoff provide that
after the completion of construction on
each land-disturbing site to which this
ordinance applies, provisions shall be
made, on or off the site, for the impound-
ment t during storms, of that quantity of the
natural liquid runoff from the site which
is equal to the calculated difference
between the amount of runoff which would
result from a two (2) year frequency storm
on that land if it were zoned and developec
for residential purposes at a density no
greater than four (4) families per acre and
that which would result from a storm of the
same frequency on the same land if developed
to the degree for which it is actually zoned;
provided, no impoundment shall be required
of runoff from sites developed for residen-
tial purposes at a density of four (
-------
As with the erosion control program, coordination
between city and county could simplify operation and
provide uniform control management.
The combination of urban runoff controls with
construction of the SCS flood control structures
represents the best solution for mitigating the impact
of development in the Upper Crabtree Watershed on
flooding. Since an urban runoff ordinance has been
passed, some of the increased damages predicted by the
Corps of Engineers due to development with the
structures as compared to no development with the
structures will be avoided.
d. Channel Improvements
The Corps of Engineers (COE) is investigating
alternatives for flood control for the Crabtree Creek
channel from Umstead State Park to the Neuse River
(Chapter II). This study will provide the necessary
information on the benefits attributable to various
channel alterations and the environmental consequences
resulting from each. From this analysis a decision as
to best usage of the channel will be determined and
further flooding protection may be afforded (Appendix
6).
146
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2. Erosion and Sedimentation
Chapter IV discusses the impact of construction of
a sewer interceptor in an undeveloped area on erosion
and sedimentation. Without the provision of control
measures, there would be greatly increased top soil
loss from developmental construction sites and
deposition in downstream waterways. Various structural
and vegetative measures exist to control sediment
production, and enactment of an erosion and
sedimentation control ordinance is a means for assuring
uniform control standards and adequate protection for
downstream areas.
The State of North Carolina has initiated a program
for erosion and sedimentation control (Chapter II and
IV). In this endeavor, the State is to provide rules
and regulations for preventing excessive sedimentation
by March 1975. The proposed regulations are similar to
those enacted by the city of Raleigh (Chapter II). The
State plan will require individual governmental bodies,
i.e., region, county, or city, to enforce uniform
sedimentation ordinances. Erosion control plans must
be prepared for developments over a specified size and
approved by local and state agencies.
147
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The Wake County government has passed an erosion
and sedimentation bill, which provides that it is
unlawful to conduct any land disturbing activity
without first obtaining a permit from the county.
Agricultural activity, forest production and
harvesting, mining activities and any land disturbing
activities at any one time, on any one tract, by any
person that do not not exceed one acre in surface area
are excluded from this requirement. In order to obtain
a permit, a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan
must be submitted to and approved by the county.
Further, before approval of an application for building
construction, a certificate of preliminary erosion
control compliance indicating that initial soil erosion
and sedimentation controls as specified on the approved
plan have been installed must have been given by the
county. Implementation of this control program before
construction in the Upper Crabtree Watershed begins is
considered imperative to avoid unnecessary soil erosion
and deposition.
Some sedimentation control benefits will also be
realized by the construction of the SCS flood control
structures. These structures are designed to include a
148
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total of 6,266 acre-feet for sediment, A reduction in
sediment production reaching the sediment ponds by on-
site control will allow retention of the aesthetic
qualities of a permanent pool behind these structures.
Proposed recreational uses of the control structures
will be greatly enhanced by reduced sedimentation,
3. Water Quality
Urbanization of a watershed often signals an
increase in the contribution of pollutants to
watercourses from runoff. This byproduct of
development has just recently been generally recognized
as a significant contributor to pollutant loadings.
Chapter IV discusses sources of pollutants and general
impacts. Fortunately, methods are available to lessen
the impact of this non-point source of contaminants
The completion of the SCS control structures will
have a marked beneficial effect on the downstream water
quality. Particulate material suspended in solution
will settle out in the sediment ponds behind these
structures. Since approximately 75 percent of the BOD
in an urban runoff sample has been shown (Water
Pollution Aspects of Street Surface Contaminants, 1972)
to be associated with particles larger than 43 u
149
-------
(microns), most of the biological oxygen demanding
material would be deposited in the sediment pools, or
in the upstream channels.
Nutrients, heavy metals, and pesticides are, to a
lesser extent, also removed by settling, A large
portion of these pollutants are adsorbed, adhering to,
or complexed with particulate matter. The extent of
their disolution from the sediments back into the water
is not well defined, and future benthic demands
associated with the deposition of these particulates
are likewise unknown. Onsite urban runoff control
measures, as discussed in the chapter under stormwater
runoff ordinances (Chapter I.C), would reduce the
contributions of pollutants to the SCS sediment ponds.
The capture of the first flush of urban runoff from a
rainfall event can significantly reduce the benthic
pollution contribution to the SCS sediment ponds. The
Wake County Soil and Erosion Control Ordinance provides
that after completion of construction on each land
disturbing site of five acres or larger, to which this
ordinance applies, provisions shall be made on or off
the site, for the impoundment, during storms, of that
quantity of the natural liquid runoff from the site
150
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which is equal to the calculated difference between the
runoff which would result from a two year frequency
storm on that land if it were zoned and developed for
residential purposes at a density no greater than four
familes per acre. Runoff may be captured in many ways,
but by designing control structures to retain the
initial flush for sufficient time to allow for
sedimentation of the larger particulates, a significant
amount of the pollutants contributed to watercourses by
urban runoff may be contained on the sites where they
are generated.
An additional or alternative measure may be taken.
Provision for sheet flow of the initial flush of runoff
across a vegetated area would allow for deposition of
particulates and percolation of the most concentrated
polluted runoff waters. In this manner the ion
exchange and filtering capacity of the soil may be
utilized.
This may be accomplished partially by not
installing curbs and storm sewers unless hydraulicly
necessary. In this manner, as mentioned above the
runoff generated on these surfaces will experience
overland flow and major pollutant reductions may be
151
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accomplished through vegetative filtration and
percolation through soil to the groundwater. In many
sections of proposed service areas, curb and guttering
may be required because of the topography of the land,
since erosion of road shoulders or ponding on private
property must be avoided.
The SCS control structures, the implementation of
the sedimentation control ordinance and limited use of
storm sewering and curbed streets would appreciably
mitigate the impact of urbanization on water quality in
downstream channels and future sediment lakes. The
above combination of measures provides maximum water
quality protection by utilizing the most practicable
control methods.
152
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VI. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT-TERM USES OF MAN'S
ENVIRONMENT AND THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF
LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY
Approval of the proposed project, has been
conditioned on prior assurance of adequate flood
control measures. The completion of the Soil
Conservation Service's flood control structures as
planned will provide this protection. Development of
the upper watershed must not be allowed at the expense
of further endangering property and lives in downstream
areas.
Some owners will gain considerable increases in
property values following placement of this
interceptor. Persons and companies holding greater
than 100 acres in the upper watershed are listed in
Table 11.
These persons will realize an increase in property
values and a potential decrease in development costs.
The benefits may or may not be reflected in the
ultimate cost to the buyers. Nevertheless, the
ultimate cost to the human environment will be reduced
by assuring a maintenance of water quality standards.
153
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TABLE 11
TAX MAP PARCEL PROPERTY OWNERS ACREAGE
256
275
276
277
278
295
298
317
318
319
320
321
344
371
372
376
400
427
8
21
24
25
12
9
16
6
3
7
4
6
10
7
15
6
9
10
13
25
15
3
27
16
17
19
1
7
41
1
9
10
Wi 1 1 i am J . Marti n
Earl T« Jones
Ideal Development Corp.
// n n
Truman W« Mill er
n a
Joyce Heinyen & Alice Eve
Ze 1 ma K i ng
E, G » Sp i kes
W. V. Roberts
R. A. Isley
Ethel Sorrel 1 B 1 ackman
S. B. Jones
J . B« Wi 1 k i nson
Junius Sanders
// n
Airpark Industrial Center
n n n
a a n
a n n
Charles Wray
R. E. Shuffler
C i ty of Raleigh
V ac i 1 i os Chi otak i s
Jesse Marcom
Contiental Can Co. Inc.
Raleigh Memorial Park
James Poyner
// //
Ste 1 la Watkins
Dav id Wi 1 1 i ams
Routh D i xon
361
179
76
104
118
31
142
342
104
106
106
247
104
172
189
114
13
61
21
57
127
105
120
121
102
100
135
81
29
173
210
1 1 1
154
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Page 2
428 I Bobby Murray 127
3 WiIbur L. Combs |65
429 4 E. N. Richards 47
5 " " " 48
6 " " " 58
7 " " " 399
430 19 J. DeWhitte Davis 163
455 10 J. J. & Hazel R. Williams 126
21 Omer G. & Betty J. Ferrell 4
22 " " " 52
23 " " " 48
24 WiI I is Smith, Jr. 176
456 20 J. W. York & Westhall Inc. 203
458 I John D. & Thelma Lynch, et-al 150
2 E. N. Richards, & R. A.Bryan 301
4 John D. & Thelma Lynch, et-al 133
460 I Joe W. Barber & Reid S. Towler |6|
485 2 Willie Lee Edwards 101
5 W. L. Edwards, Heirs 201
486 7 Charles B. Upchurch 100
8 " " " 40
9 " " " 88
5 Southern Pine Mgmt. Co. 104
487 I J. W. York & Westhall Inc. 422
490 130 Jerry J. Nowell 170
514 I Cleo S. Baucom I 17
2 William B. Upchurch 100
3 " " " 87
4 Randolph D. Mi I Is 200
515 I- Wachovia Bank & Trust 250
6 John W. & Maggie B. Sears 100
12 Sidney W. Stone 122
155
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Page 3
516 1 T. V. Martin 105
2 Wachovia Bank & Trust 316
520 7 Windsor Park Inc. 130
543 3 Margaret S.Pointer 120
5 " " 137
8 R. S. Barker 147
544 7 Jack-Hoi Ii Inc. 122
12 Wachovia Bank & Trust 308
570 i Thurman J. & Lucille W. Howe I I 100
571 3 W. J. Booth 195
9B " " .93
14 Five Inc. 286
82 " " 103
156
-------
The construction of the proposed interceptor has
the potential for enhancing of the human environment
through provision for a maintenance of long-term
environmental quality. The provision of regional
wastewater collection will allow other environmental
factors to be the developmental constraints; e.g.,
soils, slope, transportation; water supply, etc.
Alternatively, development dependent on other
wastewater disposal methods such as package treatment
plants would provide situations for spotty
uncoordinated growth.
The project area is located centrally to Raleigh,
Durham, and Chapel Hill. Research Triangle Park and
the Raleigh-Durham Airport are nereby. Inevitably,
human use of this area will increase. This use must be
designed to provide maximum long-term desirability by
orderly planned development. Provision of recreational
facilities, open space, transportation corridors,
educational facilities, and commercial centers must be
coordinated into a functional community.
Wake County, Gary, and Raleigh, through land
zoning, control of water and sewer hookups, and various
ordinances, have the necessary tools to coordinate
157
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development. Construction of the proposed interceptor
stimulates the need for utilizing these managing
mechanisms.
158
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VTI. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS
OF RESOURCES
The proposed project, causes irreversible and
irretrievable expenditure of certain labor, material,
land and community resources. The construction process
will utilize considerable manpower and will commit
approximately 105,000 linear feet of concrete pipe and
right-of-way. Development induced by these available
utilities will commit service area land resources by
systematically reducing the number of alternative uses
available. Evolving land use patterns and economic
restraints will gradually narrow the options. Further,
community resources must be committed to provide the
services necessary for establishing and maintaining a
functional community.
The design capacities of the interceptor segments
allow for densities of seven to nine persons per acre.
Even though the placement of this interceptor does not
set the future usage, it supports development up to
this ultimate capacity. As development proceeds,
certain alternative uses of land may be lost. Existing
farm, pasture, and open land will experience increasing
developmental pressure. Higher land values caused by
159
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the availability of utilities will exert great pressure
on land owners to either commit their land to usages
yielding greater monetary benefits or to sell their
property to others who wish to exploit this natural
resource. The potential for public acquisition or low
density usage will be greatly reduced following
placement.
The project commits the local governmental bodies
to provide considerable community services, including
transportation corridors, water supply, schools, fire
and health protection facilities, and recreational and
open space. Plans for providing these resources must
be devised to ensure availability of these support
services in a timely and cost effective manner.
The proposed project right-of-way presents an
opportunity to commit land resources for multiple uses.
The Capitol City Greenway concept provides a system
whereby a utility corridor may serve as an open and
recreational space, a floodplain area, and as a
transportation corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians.
In order to fully realize the potential of the multiple
use, plans for incorporating this system must be made
now to ensure minimum costs while maximizing benefits.
160
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Increased land prices and potential conflicting
developments may preclude implementation of this plan
at a later date.
161
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REFERENCES
American Public Works Association; "Water Pollution
Aspects of Urban Runoff," Water Pollution Control
Research Series, 11012-01/69, January 1969.
"An Appeal" (Petition); Project Flood Control, July
1973.
Armstrong, T. F., Department of Natural and Economic
Resources; Written Communication, November 23, 1973.
Becker, Burton C. , et al; "Guidelines for Erosion and
Sediment Control Planning and Implementation,"
Environmental Protection Technology Series, EPA-R2-72-
015, August 1972.
Bosch, L.; Written Communication, October 1, 1973.
Caddell, W. F., Jr., State of North Carolina Department
of Transportation and Highway Safety; Written
Communication, December 20, 1973.
Gary City Council and Wake County Board of
Commissioners; "Town and County Water and Sewer Main
Agreement," May 10, 1973.
Consoer, Townsend and Associates and Peirson and
Whitman, Inc.; "Master Plan, Wastewater Treatment and
Collection, Raleigh Metropolitan Area," May 1971.
Corps of Engineers; "Neuse River Basin, North
Carolina," December 31, 1963.
Coughlin, Robert E. and Thomas R. Hammer; "Stream
Quality Preservation Through Planned Urban
Development," Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
Series, EPA-R5-73-019, May 1973.
"Crabtree Creek Watershed Fact Sheet," February 1973.
162
-------
Economic Systems Corporation; "Storm Water Pollution
From Urban Land Activity," Water Pollution Control
Research Series, 11034 FKL 07/70, July 1970.
Ellwood, Eric L., North Carolina State University;
Written Communication, January 23, 1974.
Engineer Agency for Resources Inventories;
"Environmental Reconnaissance Inventory of the State of
North Carolina," December 1973.
Environmental Impact Appraisal
Environmental Protection Agency; "The Control of
Pollution From Hydrographic Modifications," 1973.
Flournoy, W. L., Jr.; "A Report to the City Council on
the Benefits, Potential, and Methodology of
Establishing a Greenway System in Raleigh."
Flournoy, W. L., Jr., Wake County Planning Department;
Written communication.
Geological Resources, Inc.; "Statement of Impact of
Proposed Crabtree Creek Sewer Outfall," February 1974.
Giles, Robert; Oral Statement for Hearing, August 9,
1973.
Giles, Robert; Written Communication, April 25, 1973.
Giles, Robert; Written Communication, October 26, 1973.
Gluckman, Stephen J., State of North Carolina
Department of Cultural Resources; Written
Communication, January 29, 1974.
Hardee, Joseph; "Revised Cost Estimates by Wake
Engineering Study Group," August 24, 1973. Harland,
Bartholomew and Associates; "Long Range Thoroughfare
Plan, Raleigh Urban Area," 1967.
Harton, Thomas G., Department of Natural and Economic
Resources; "The state of Water Resource Management in
North Carolina."
163
-------
Hazel, Robert B., State of North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission; Written Communication, December
11, 1973.
Hedgepeth letter
Health, Education and Welfare; "Water resource Study,
Neuse River Basin, North Carolina,11 May 1964.
Howells, David H., UNC Water Resources Research
Institute; Written Communication, December 18, 1973.
Kaiser, Edward J., et al; "Promoting Environmental
Quality Through Urban Planning and Controls,"
Socioeconomic Environmental Studies Series, EPA-600/5-
73-015, February 1974.
Langston, Vann; Oral Statement for Hearing, September
4, 1973.
Leopold, Luna B.; "Hydrology for Urban Land Planning -
A Guidebook on the Hydrologic Effects of Urban Land
Use," Geological Survey Circular 554, 1972.
Matuszeski letter
Mitchell, Thornton W., State of North Carolina
Department of Art, Culture and History; Written
Communication, April 18, 1974.
Moore, Gardner, and Associates, Inc.; "Crabtree Creek
Watershed Water and Sewer Needs 1970-2000," January
1970.
Morgan, Phillip S., Fish and Wildlife Service; Written
Communication.
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration,
Department of Commerce; "Local Climatological Data,
Raleigh, North Carolina," 1972.
North Carolina Board of Health; "Regulations Governing
Sewage Disposal in Wake County," October 8, 1973.
164
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North Carolina Board of Water and Air Resources;
"Regulations Governing the Filing of Applications and
Issuance of Permits for Discharges to the Surface
Waters," November 15, 1973.
North Carolina Board of Water and Air Resources;
"Resolution of the North Carolina Board of Water and
Air Resources Establishing a Policy Setting Limitations
on State Clean Water Grants for Wastewater Treatment
Works Projects Approved for Federal Construction
Grants," January 18, 1973.
North Carolina Board of Water and Air Resources; "North
Carolina Water Plan Progress Report, Chapter 25, The
Concept of Basin and Region Reports in the North
Carolina Water Plan" (Draft), May 1971.
North Carolina Environmental Policy Act, July 21, 1971.
North Carolina State Highway Commission; "Thoroughfare
Plan, Wake County, North Carolina," December 1972.
Office of Water and Air Resources; "Interim Water
Quality Management Plan for Sub-Basin 09-02 (Wake
County Area)," September 1972.
Palisoul, Alan, Department of Natural and Economic
Resources; Written Communication, February 4, 1974.
Putnam, Arthur L., U.S. Geological Survey; "Effect of
Urban Development on Floods in the Piedmont Province of
North Carolina," 1972.
Raleigh City Council; "City of Raleigh Flood Plain
Ordinance."
Raleigh City Council; "City of Raleigh Soil Erosion
Ordinance," July 11, 1973.
Raleigh City Council and Wake County Board of
Commissioners; "City and County Water and Sewer Main
Agreement," August 7, 1972.
165
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"Report of Proceedings at Special Meeting of the North
Carolina State Stream Sanitation Committee," October
18, 1960.
Research Triangle Regional Planning Commission; "A
General Plan for the Development of the Research
Triangle Region as Affected by Waste Disposal and Water
Resources," June 1962.
Research Triangle Regional Planning Commission;
"Research Triangle Region Development Guide," April
1969.
Sartor, James D and Gail B. Boyd; "Water Pollution
Aspects of Street Surface Contaminants," Environmental
Protection Technology Series, EPA-R2-72-081, November
1972.
Scott, John, Wake County Planning Department; Written
Communication, February 24, 1974.
Scott, John, Wake County Planning Department; Written
Communication, July 11, 1974.
"Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973," May 9,
1973.
Smith, Ann Webster, Advisory council on Historic
Preservation; Written Communication, January 8, 1974-
Soil Conservation Service; "An Appraisal of Potentials
for Outdoor Recreational Development, Wake County,
North Carolina," August 1973.
Soil Conservation Service; "Crabtree Creek Watershed
Work Plan," March 1964.
Soil Conservation Service; "Guide for Sediment control
on Construction Sites, North Carolina," March 1973.
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North Carolina," November 1970.
Stem, George L., Soil Conservation Service; Written
Communication, October 24, 1973,
166
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Stephenson, Earl F., Carolina Power and Light, Written
Communication, April 12, 1974.
Stewart, Pearson H., Research Triangle Regional
Planning Commission; Request for Certification of
Functional Water/Sewer Planning and Programming,
December 20, 1971.
Thronson, Robert E., Environmental Protection Agency;
"Comparative Costs of Erosion and Sediment Control
Construction Activities," EPA-430/9-73-016, July 1973.
University of Cincinnati, Division of Water Resources;
"Urban Runoff Characteristics," Water Pollution control
Research Series, 11024 DQU 10/70, October 1970.
Wake county Board of Commissioners, "Resolution to
Amend the Wake County Zoning Ordinances," June 3, 1974.
Wake County Board of Commissioners, "Wake County Plan
of Action," June 3, 1974.
Wake Engineering Study Group; "Report on Wake County
Water and Wastewater Engineering study," Vol. 1 and 2.
Wake Engineering Study Group; "Upper Crabtree Creek
Area Wastewater Needs, Wake County, North Carolina,"
June 1971.
Waller, James O., Corps of Engineers; Written
Communication, May 15, 1973.
Waller, James O., Corps of Engineers; Written
Communication, January 29, 1974.
Water and Air Quality Control Committee; "Proposals
Relative to the Upgrading of classification and Water
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"Wake County Water Use Study," June 1970.
167
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APPENDIX 1
Initial Public Correspondence
168
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OAK PARK - GLEN FOREST - DEBLYNPARK
Civic Association
Raleigh, N.C. 27612
P. 0. Box 303S7
April 25, 1973
Mr. Jack Ravan, Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
li|21 Peachtree Street, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Reference'. EPA Project C3703UU
Wake County, N. C.
Dear Mr. Ravan:
The Environmental Protection Agency proposes to make a grant of Federal funds
for the construction of waste treatment facilities in Wake County, including
a large sewer outfall line along Crabtree Creek west of the City of Raleigh.
You have already heard from other citizen groups in Wake County who have ex-
pressed serious environmental concerns about this project as presently proposed.
This Association expresses, on behalf of its members, these same concerns and
joins with others in strongly urging that you take prompt action to ensure the
preparation of an Impact Statement with respect to this EPA grant project, in
accord with the National Environmental Policy Act,
This Association shares with your agency, with County officials and with others
the desire to see adequate provision for waste treatment facilities throughout
Wake County, to eliminate the continuing and worsening pollution of our streams.
But the very laudable objective of purer and cleaner streams should be achieved
by means which are entirely compatible with other equally vital environmental
interests.
Your prompt action in requiring the Impact Statement in accord with applicable
Federal laws and regulations will be greatly appreciated.
We shall look forward to hearing from 3»-ou in the near future.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Giles
President
cc: Mr. Waverly Akins, Chairman
Wake County Board of Commissioners
Mr. Joseph Sanders
County Coordinator
Mr. John Scott, Director
County Planning Department
Members, County Planning Board
169
-------
^•312 Oak Park Road
Raleigh, N. C. 2?6l2
April 21, 1973
Mr. Jack Ravan, Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1421 Peachtree Street, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309 (J
Reference; EPA Project
Wake County, N. C.
Dear Mr. Ravan ;
By letter dated December 29, 1972, to Mr. Garland H. Jones, County Manager,
Mr. James R, Westlake of your office extended to Wake County an offer of a
Federal grant of $2, W-5 , 750 for the construction of proposed waste treatment
facilities. This offer was subsequently accepted by the County.
This project includes what has come to be called the Crabtree Creek sewer
outfall line. Property owners residing in Oak Park whose land would be
traversed by the proposed outfall line became aware of the project in
February of this year when an engineering firm, retained by the County,
conducted surveys across our property,
Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated February 23, 1973, signed by twelve
property owners in Oak Park, addressed to Mr. Joseph Sanders of the Wake
County government. This letter sets forth the concerns which we have
expressed to the County regarding this proposed project.
We now restate these same concerns to the Environmental Protection Agency,
Furthermore , we feel that these additional points must be stated :
The proposed sewer outfall will open an additional 29,000 acres of land
for development. This additional 29,000 acres in the Crabtree watershed
lies "upstream" of Oak Park, which is in turn "upstream" from the City
of Raleigh. Development of this additional 29,000 acres, and the
associated increase in runoff and sediment buildup, will greatly
increase the flood potential of Crabtree Creek. It should be noted
that on February 2, 1973, a 3.5 inch rain caused considerable flooding
and extensive damage along the Crabtree throughout the City of Raleigh.
The February, 1973, flood was considered to be a once in two to five year
frequency flood. Development of the upper Crabtree watershed, which will
follow the proposed sewer outfall, can only create more flooding for land
which is already flood-prone and will undoubtedly create a much greater
flood plain. That is, land which is not now considered to be in the flood
plain will eventually flood with every heavy rain unless proper planning
and timing are exercised .
It is true that flood control dams are being built along the Crabtree.
However, the program to build the dams was initiated as the result of
a flood which occured in Kay, 1957. There were originally 15 dams planned
along the creek, but due to a number of problems that number has been
reduced to 11. Of the 11, only two dams have been completed with a third
structure to be completed this year. It is evident that at this rate, the
171
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To Mr. Jack Ravan
- - Page 2
completion of these 11 dams lies well in the future and it can
reasonably be pondered if all 11 will ever be completed. It appears
quite evident on the other hand that the proposed Crabtree Creek sewer
outfall would be completed in a much shorter time. The subsequent
development of the upper Grabtree watershed would then precede the
flood control measures. Furthermore, the limits of the flood plain for
a once in 100 year frequency flood should be calculated taking into
account the increased runoff resulting from the development of the
upper Crabtree watershed. This additional development will undoubtedly
require more stringent flood control measures than are currently proposed
for the 11 dams. It appears quite obvious that the impact of the proposed
Crabtree sewer outfall has yet to be brought into focus.
I am writing to you as the Chairman of -^c\e Oak Park property owners group,
to submit our formal, official request that the Environmental Protection
Agency, in conformance with the National Environmental Policy Act, ^4-2 United
States Code, Sections 'i-321 et.seq, and in conformance with Executive Order
No. 1151^, 35 F.R. ^24-7, March 5, 19?0 take prompt action to ensure the
preparation of an Impact Statement with respect to this EPA grant project.
It appears to us that award of this grant is indeed an action on the part of
the Environmental Protection Agency "Significantly affecting the quality of
the human environment;" and therefore, the provisions of the Federal statutes
and of Executive Order No. 1151^ pertaining to an Impact Statement are
clearly applicable.
County officials have been most courteous and helpful to us in furnishing
information on the status of the project. However, it seems to us that
fundamental issues of marked environmental concern have not been given full
and adequate consideration—in a coordinated manner—by such agencies as the
Soil Conservation Service, the Corps of Engineers, and the City of Raleigh,
particularly with respect to flood control implications. In order for the
environmental issues to be fully resolved, we feel that an Impact Statement is
in order.
Your prompt consideration of this request will be greatly appreciated, and
we shall look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
Co; Mr. Waverly Akins, Chairman
Wake Co. Board of Commissioners
Mr. Garland H. Jones
County Manager
Lloyd M. Hedgepeth
Mr, Joseph Sanders
County Coordinator
Mr. John Scott, Director
County Planning Department
-------
SIERRA CLUB £S Joseph LeConte Chapter
... To explore, enjoy and preserve the nation's forests, waters, wildlife and -wilderness . . ,
March 25 * 1973
Mr. Jack Ravan, Regional Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
1^21 Peachtree Street, N. E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
RE: PROJECT EPA C 370 344-
CRABTREE GREEK SEWER OUTFALL
Dear Mr. Ravam
As Mr. Matuszeski suggested in his letter of March 16, 1973,
I am providing a brief analysis of the issues we believe need
to be given special consideration.
Of great concern to us is the capability of Crabtree Creek to
carry the quantity and quality of increased runoff from
development which will result from the installation of this
line. The eleven dams planned by the Soil Conservation Service
will perhaps alleviate the 'existing flooding when they are
completed. There are presently tw© dams completed with a third
under construction. Land acquisition is held up in court pro-
ceedings. The Corps of Engineers is studying the flooding
along the creek wilh input from the Crabtree Creek Citizens
Advisory Committee as a result of public outcry when SCS
first published its watershed program of extensive channelization.
We know that heavy development, which this major outfall is
designed to accommodate, will greatly increase the amount--arnd
rate of runoff in the watershed above the City of Raleigh and
although the line does circumvent Umstead Park, we believe
the valued laurel and rhododendron in the Park will suffer or
be lost as Crabtree Creek adjusts itself to the increased
flow and sediment over a long term period.
Sediment control, floodplain regulation and area planning,
though all are imminent, are not yet applied to Wake County.
There are differences of opinion as to whether sediment control
measures could adequately control upstream developm»nt.
It may bo that the proposed Wake County Development Guide's
relation to development in the upper watershed will be useful.
This is being prepared in Mr. John Scott *s office, Wake County
Planning Department.
-------
Mr. Jack Ravan -2- March 25. 1973
We might also mention a decisi©n by a private developer and
the City ©f Raleigh t© install a smaller sewer line through
unique vegetation ©n the s@uth "bank ®f Grabtree Creek directly
paralleling the route ©f the subject sewer ©utfaLl causing
d@ubl@ destruction in that particular area. The City has chasen
net to provide an envirsnmenta.l impact study for that develop-
ment or that sewer line, although residents of the area requeued
it.
Flooding of Crabtree Creek is a majer problem for which we
believe there is, under existing conditions, an environmentally
s®und remedy. We believe the environmental impact of thio
praject as planned will be quite extensive and we will appreciate
the opportunity t© be of assistance as you study the matter.
With kind regards, I am
Yours very truly,
Anne Taylor, /Conservation Chairman
Research Triangle Gr©up
421? Laurel Ridge
Raleigh, N. C. 2?6.12
CC» '<• Council on Environmental Quality
-------
APPENDIX 2
Notice of Intent
173
-------
NOTICE OF INTENT
The Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, and the State
jof North Carolina will prepare an environmental impact statement on
EPA Wastewater Treatment Project C-370344, the Crabtree Creek inter-
ceptor sewer system.
EPA proposes to contribute $2,445,070 toward a total cost of
$3,561,000 for the project. The balance will be paid by Wake County,
the applicant, and the State of North Carolina.
The facilities are to be located in Wake County, west of Raleigh,
North Carolina and include interceptor lines, a force main, and a
pumping station.
Major issues to be addressed in this'statement include
• Flood frequency and magnitude
• Water quality and secondary effects
• Sedimentation
• Wildlife and vegetation
• Aesthetics.
Comments are invited and should be sent to
David R. Hopkins
Chief, EIS Branch
Environmental Protection Agency
1421 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
A public hearing will be held following publication of the draft
environmental impact statement.
Jack E. Ravan
Regional Administrator
175
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APPENDIX 3
Inspection Reports and Data on Existing
Wastewater Treatment Plants
176
-------
INSPECTION REPORT
MOBILE CITY MOBILE HOME PARK
WASTEWATEP TREATMENT
WAKE COUNTY
Randall Kornegay, Analytical Chemist
Central Regional Office
Office of Water and Air Resources
October 16, 1972
177
-------
The wastewaLer treatment facilities serving Mobile City Mobile Home
Park near Morrisville (SR 1613) were inspected on September 6, 1972.
The treatment facilities consist of a 2J,000 GPD extended aeration
type, chlorination, and the discharge of the treated effluent into an
unnamed tributary to Crabtree Creek, in the Neuse River Basin.
PERSONNEL
Mr. J. T. Hobby, Jr., President
Mr. Cecil Sears, Manager (WTPO I - Grandfather Clause)
OPERATOR CLASSIFICATION FOR TREATMENT FACILITIES
WTPO I
PERMIT
Number 561
Expiration Date: June 30, 1969
RECEIVING STREAM
The effluent discharges into an unnamed tributary to Crabtree Creek.
The average discharge of the receiving stream is 0.8 cfs and the 7-day
10-year minimum discharge is 0 cfs.
The following data was obtained from the. Stream Monitoring Section
of the Office of Water and Air Resources:
Upstream
Dissolved
Date Oxygen Temperature
8-16-72 8.0 mg/1 20°C
8-23-72 7.2 mg/1 24°C
8-29-72 6.',1 rag/1 25°C
9-6-72 8.7 mg/1 19°C
9-13-72 7.0 mfi/1 19°C
178
-------
Downstream
Date
8-16-72
8-23-72
8-29-72
9-6-72
9-13-72
Dissolved
Oxyjjen
3.0 mg/1
5.2 mg/1
3.6 rng/1
8.0 mg/1
5.2 mg/1
Temperature_ pH
22°C 6.4
22°C 7.1
23°C 6.5
19°C 5.1
19°C 6.5
The stream was noted to be turbid and to have a slight sulfide odor
at times, downstream from the treatment facilities.
LABORATORY AND FIELD TESTS
Effluent
B.O.D. - 5 day, mg/1 - 10
Residue: Suspended, mg/1 - 9
Volatile, mg/1 - S
Fixed, mg/1 -- 1
Dissolved Oxygen, mg/1 - 0.0 *
Temperature, °C - 23
Chlorine. Residual, mg/1. - 1.5
Flow Rate at 11:30 a.n, , GFD - 185,000
* Note: Test was made before ch]orinaticn.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
1. Aeration basin has a sufficient amount of air induced, light brown
color, and a musty odor.
2. Floating solids were present in the settling basin indicating a
poor return of solids to the aeration basin.
3. In general, the proper maintenance and operational procedures are
followed in a satisfactory manner..
179
-------
LABORATORY FACILITIES (Reports and Records)
Facilities are not available to perform the necessary wastewater
analysis. Records are not kept and reports are not prepared.
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE
The treatment facilities are expected to effect overall reductions
in pollution as follows:
B.O.D. - 92%
Total Solids - 85%
Suspended Solids - 90%
Colifo:-m Bacteria - 98"
Flow - 21,000 GPD
PERFORMANCE
The treatment facilities are effecting overall reductions in
pollution as follows:
Using the data obtained from the laboratory section of the Office
of Water and Air Resources and the standard data of raw wastewater (B.O.D.
and Suspended Solids - 250 ing/1) .
B.O.D. - 96%
Suspended Solids - 96%
Flow (estimated) - 36,000 GPD (serving 100 trailers)
Conclusions
The treatment facilities were performing in accordance with the
conditions of the permit and protecting, water quality standards at the
time .of the inspection. However, due to the poor return of solids'from
the settling basin to the aeration basin, water quality standards in the
receiving stream could be violated at times.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1.,Explore the possibility of constructing a fine solids settling
pond for the effluent.
180
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C. Office of Water and Air Resources
Inspection Report oir
Wastcwater Treatment Facilities
Date of Inspection
9/27/73
County
Wake
A. GENERAL INFORMATION'
1. PLANT
(a) NAME
(b.) OV.'NL'R
Gary Wastewater Treatment Plant Town of Gary
(c). LOCATION
Gary
2. Description of__T_rc_atTrent Fad1 it i es (include Design Flow)
The treatment facilities (secondary type) providing a capacity of 100,000 GPD,
consist of primary and secondary settling, low rate filtration with recirculation,
sludge drying beds, and the discharge of the treated effluent into Coles Branch, a
tributary to Crabtree Creek, in the Neuse River Basin.
Location of Discharge:
Adjacent to Treatment Facilities.
3. Personnel
Mr. Harry Conte - Town Manager
Mr. Norman Padget - Director of Public Works
Mr. John Smith - Operator
* Mr, Carltou Ruth - Operator
* Present during inspection
4. Tr ea tmcn t Fa c 11 i tie s C! 1 a s s i fj c a i i on
WTPO I
Permit Stratus
Number: T-563.
Expiration Date:
4-30-76
5. Rec e iv ing Stream S t a t i;; t i c :;
Name of Stream:
River Basin:
Stream Classification:
OWAR Sub Baii in No. :
EPA Sub Has in No.:
Coles Branch
Neuse River
"D"
09-02
03-04-02
County: Wake
I'.S'.cf.S. No.:
Location:
7-LViy, 10-Year Min. Dis:
Estimated Avi'7'age Discharge: Q cfs
Drainage Area:
Page 1
181
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- VI SUM. OBSERVATION - UNIT PROCESS
RATING COOKS: S S.ili-.f.i. UM\ , \\ \\n ..iti-
C ONUI ! ION OH Ar 't 'i ••• 'M '!
o no UN tv.
HUIL 1>!NC. b
PO 'I A HL. r W A i [ i J _.U ) > I > i ' I M ,
s -\ h n Y i r \ i ..lit r •a
o > r> A 'j5 ( s
STORM WAi L^!- OVt 'U i ("MN".
'
M A! N T LN AN ^ " O I" C O 1 . L ! . i.U' N
if
H
S —
k--Periodic- break-downs-has-oecurred-at Greenwood
- Forest and -Stoney Brook-Pump -Stat-i-ons—— —
DlSPO 5 AL O I" SC n I I Ml N C,S
C O M M I N U T O R
l "T C M AM H ["
DISPOSAL OF- GUI "1
S E T T L_ 1 N C, T A N K 5
SCUMHFMOVAl
NeecLto ..waste .sludge-.
oi G n o i i- 1
G ALJ P HO LiiJ C ! I (i N
HEATING !~ Ql 11 :-".![
SI- UDU I". l'UM"i
D R Y I N G T3 L C '
:j -.11 NT
i
"~ '
VACUUM '"I L T •: K
INC IN T..H A 1 I On
DISPOSAL OF SLUOGl
S
s
LAD CON
or /
UJ ••
\- a
| — Iriekling Filter -
- ... Sec&adary Clarlf ier
U
U
U
No flow measurements made.
No records kept
No lab controls made
Some leakage from seal.
LFI'UU U'N I
ITKFKC 1 I Vi:
CONT AC I TIMt
CON T AC 1 TAr. K.
"Page 2
182
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Plant Performance
-From; (Month _XearJ - Jlll^C'lonlh Ycvir)
Mix. Flow .Month Hiu. Flow Mor
Average Annual _ No data available
Average Max.
Flow Month
__
QjJji.'-J.PJL .. "IJI0"'"^! Inllut-nt Kt" 1'luent Removal
Average Min.
11 ow Month
Design
Fqu i pmpjj_t_Prc)J^ram
Routine Maintenance x
_M c qua t e 3 n a d c qu a to ______ Comment s
Records X . No records kept
Spare Parts Inventory x
Laboratory Tests (Performed by Water & Air)
jnfluent (Grab Sample) Effluent
B.O.D., 5-day, mg/1 130 22
Residue: Suspended, mg/1 108 ^4
Volatile, mg/1 52 22
Fixed, mg/1 56 22
PH 7.1 7.1
Estimated Flow - 60,000 GPD
Design Flow - 100,000 GPD
Comments:
The treatment facilities in general are operated and maintained in a satisfactory
manner. The system is in need of sludge removal and effluent chlorination. Chlorination
of the effluent is needed due to the low flow of the receiving stream in a congested area-;
Periodic break-downs have occurred at the Greenwood Forest and Stoney Brook pump stations
due to mechanical failure. These two pump stations will be replaced by December 31, 1973
by the new Southeastern Regional Pump Station. The operator of the facilities is not certi-
fied. The treatment.facilities will be abandoned when Raleigh's new treatment plant is
placed into operation.
Recommendations?
1. Remove sludge.
2. Install- chlorination unit and maintain residual of 1.0 mg/1.
3. File request for operator's certification.
Inspection Performed by: 'Randall Kornegay,'Analytical Chemist
183
Jage 3
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River Basin
DATA SUMMARY
OFFICE OF WATER AND AIR RESOURCES
River Miles Stream Classification
Station Number
NeimP
Station
Name: Coles Branch near
D
Carv. N
.C.
31C
Station Location: Located on Coles Branch. 0.3 mi. below point of effluent discharge from
Tjaj£n of Ca^y 99W385 treatment
Date Col ected
Day
Time
Kscharge
Temp. °C
n n MR/1
D-°' % Sat.
pH
AIL T It-u t0 8*3
AlkuiiuiLy to 4;5
to 4 . 5 Mg
Mgjl
Ms/1
/I
AcidlL* to 8.3 Mg/1
30 min. Settlable
Arsenic Mg/1
c nnn at 20° C
j Day DOD —£$,-(,
Cadmium Mg/1
Solids
Mg7l
Ibs/day
T i ,1 ru,l ,, 0rPanlc MS/1
Inorganic Mg/1
COD Mg7l
Chlorides Mg/l
„, . Hexavalent Mg/1
Total Mg/1
Cobalt Mg/1
Color units
Copper Mg'/l
Cyanide Mg/1
, per/100 MF
•H e
rH H
3 £ MPN/lOOml
Flouride Mg/1
Formaldehyde M_g_/l
Grease Mg/1
Fecal
Total
Fecal
Total
Hardness as CaCO-j Mg/1
Iron Mg/1
Lead Mg/1
Mercury ug/1.
Nickel Mg/1
Ammonia
Nitrogen Total Ki
Nitrate
Phenols Mg/1
Phophorous Mg / 1
Total
MB,/!.
cldahl Mg/1
^Nitrite Mg/1
Residue :r~ v ' •,'
. Suspended
B' Dissolved
Resin Acid Soap M«/l
Sulfate Mg/1
Sulf ide M^/l
Synthetic Detergent ME/!
Turbidity units
Zinc MR/1
8-29-73
T
1035
24/75
1.4
16
7.4
0
150
18
6100
1
lant.
t
—
184
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APPENDIX 4
Woody Vegetation Inventory
185
-------
Woody Vegetation of the Umstead Park-Research Triangle Area
Scientific Name
Common Name
Acer negundo L.
Acer rubrum L.
Acer saccharum ssp. floridanum (Chap.) Desm.
Aesculus sylvatica Bartr.
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Albizia julibrissin Durazz.
Alnus serrulata (Ait.) Willd
Amelanchier arborea (Michx.f.) Fern.
Aralia spinosa L.
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal
Bacharis halimifolia
Betula nigra L.
Campsis radicans (L.) Seemann
Carpinus caroliniana Walt.
Carya carolinae septentrionalis
Carya cordiformis (Wang.) K. Koch
Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet
Carya ovalis (Wang.) Sarg.
Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch
Carya tomentosa Nutt.
Castanea pumila Mill.
Catalpa bignonioides Walt.
Ceanothus americanus L.
Celtis laevigata Willd.
Cephalanthus occidentalis L.
Cercis canadensis L.
Chionanthus virginicus L.
Cornus amomum Miller
Cornus florida L.
Corylus americana Walter
Corylus cornuta Marsh.
Crataegus sp.
Diospyros virginiana L.
Euonymus americanus L.
boxelder
red maple
Florida maple
painted buckeye
ailanthus
mimos a
hazel alder
downy serviceberry
Devils-walkingstick
pawpaw
groundsel tree
river birch
trumpet vine
ironwood or American hornbeam
southern shagbark hickory
bitternut hickory
pignut hickory
red hickory
shagbark hickory
mockernut hickory
Allegheny chinkapin
southern catalpa
New Jersey tea
sugarberry
common buttonbush
eastern redbud
fringetree
silky dogwood
flowering dogwood
American hazel
beaked hazel.
hawthorn
common persimmon
strawberry bush
186
-------
Scientific Name
Common Name
Fagus grandifolia Dherh.
Fraxinus americana L.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.
Gleditsia triacanthos L.
Hamamelis virginiana L.
Hydrangea arborescens L.
Ilex decidua Walt.
Ilex opaca Ait.
Juglans nigra L.
Juniperus virginiana L.
Kalmia latifolia L.
Ligustrum sp.
Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume
Liquidambar styraciflua L.
Liriodendron tulipifera L.
Lonicera japonica Thunberg
Lonicera sempervirens L.
Magnolia tripetala L.
Malus pumila Mill.
Melia azedarach L.
Morus rubra L.
Myrica cerifera
Nyssa sylvatica Marsh.
Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch
Oxydendrum arbo"reum (L.) DC
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Sieb. & Zucc.
Plnus echinata Mill.
Pinus serotina Michx.
Pinus taeda L.
Pinus virginiana Mill.
Platanus occidentalis L.
Prunus angustifolia Marsh.
Prunus serotina Ehrh.
Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi
American beech
white ash
green ash
honeylocust
witch-hazel
wild hydrangea
possumhaw
American holly
black walnut
eastern redcedar
mountain-laurel
privet
spicebush
sweetgum
tulip tree or yellow-poplar
Japanese honeysuckle
trumpet honeysuckle
umbrella magnolia
apple
chinaberry
red mulberry
wax myrtle
black gum or black tupelo
eastern hophornbeam
sourwood
Virginia creeper
royal paulownia
shortleaf pine
pond pine
loblolly pine
Virginia pine
American sycamore
Chickasaw plum
black cherry
Kudzu
187
-------
Scientific Name
Common Name
Quercus alba L.
Quercus coccinea Muenchh.
Quercus falcata Michx.
Quercus marilandica Muenchh.
Quercus michauKii Nutt.
Quercus nigra L.
Quercus phellos L.
Quercus prinus L.
Quercus rubra L.
Quercus stellata Wangenh.
Quercus velutina Lam.
Rhododendron sp.
Rhus copallina L.
Rhus glabra L.
Rhus radicans L.
Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Rosa sp.
Rubus sp.
Salix nigra Marsh.
Sambucus canadensis L.
Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees
Smilax sp.
Sorbus arbutifolia (L.) Heynhold
Staphylea trifolia L.
Styrax grandifolia Ait
Symplocps tinctoria (L.) L'Her.
Tilia heterophylla Vent.
Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.
Ulmus alata_ Michx.
Ulmus americana L.
Ulmus rubra Muehl.
Vaccinium arboreum Marsh.
Vaccinium sp.
Vibrunum acerifolium L.
Viburnum dentatum L.
Viburnum prunifolium L.
Viburnum rufidulum Raf.
VItig sp.
white oak
scarlet oak
southern red oak
blackjack oak
swamp chestnut oak
water oak
willow oak
chestnut oak
northern red oak
post oak
black oak
azalea
shining sumac
smooth sumac
poison ivy
black locust
wild rose
blackberry
black willow
American elder
sassafras
greenbriar
red chokeberry
American bladdernut
bigleaf snowbell
common sweetleaf
white basswood
eastern hemlock
winged elm
American elm
slippery elm
tree sparkleberry
blueberry
maple-leaved viburnum
southern arrow-wood
blackhaw
rusty blackhaw
grape
188
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APPENDIX 5
Region J Concurrence
189
-------
THE RESE/°CH TRIANGLE REGIONAL BANNING COMMI55I
CLARENCE D. JONES, Chairman
E. K. POWE, First Vice-Chairman
JAMES R. HINKLE, Second Vice-Chairman
HARVEY D. BENNETT, Secretary-Treasurer
ROBERT M. HANES MEMORIAL BUILDING
P. 0. SOX 122S5
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA
(Area Code 319) 543-8302
PEARSON H. STEWART, Executive Director
CHAPEL HILL • ORANGE COUNTY • DURHAM «,DURHAM COUNTY . RALEIGH . WAKE COU
October 31, 1972
Mr. Waverly Akins, Chairman
Wake County Commissioners
P. 0. Box 266
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
Dear Waverly:
J U
DEC 2 01972
RE: A-95 Regional Review
Interceptor Outfalls to serve
the Upper Crabtree Creek Basin,
Wake County (Clearinghouse No.
72-0020)
At its regular meeting on October 2^, 1972, the Research Triangle
Regional Planning Commission voted unanimously to comment as
follows concerning the.above referenced project.
The sewer interceptor outfall proposed to serve the Upper
Crabtree Creek will follow the Crabtree upstream to its
confluence with Richland Creek, up Richland Creek to the
vicinity of 1-kO, then generally westerly to the near
vicinity of the Crabtree. Thereafter, the interceptor will
follow the Crabtree to a point just south and west of the
Town of Cary. This route goes around, rather than through,
Umstead State Park.
The area to be served is one that holds promise of
considerable development in the next several decades,
development of various sorts including residential development
at urban densities. The area, centered among Raleigh, Cary
and the Research Triangle Park will come under the urbanizing
influence of the places named. Soils in the Crabtree Basin
are not suitable to development based both on septic tanks and
on site water supply. Consequently, adequate wastewater collection
and transmission lines and, eventually, an adequate water distribution
system must .be provided.
CHAPEL HILL
ORANGE COUNTY
HOWARD N. LEE
Mayor
JAMES C. WALLACE
HARVEY D. BENNETT
County Board Chairman
CLARENCE D. JONES
OSCAR R. EVVING
DURHAM
DURHAM COUNTY
JAMES R. HAWKINS
Mayor
E, K. POWE
OEWEY S. s'CARBOfJO
County Board Chairman
W. W. EDWARDS
RALPH P. ROGERS, JR.
RALEIGH
WAKE COUNTY
THOMAS ORADSHAW
Mayor
JAMES D. RAY
GEORGE R. GOOQWI1
County Board Men-
JAMES R, HINKLE
WILLIAM McLAURIN
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-2-
The provision of treated water.o.-J th<5 collection, treatment
and disposal of wastewater in this area must involve the use
of Raleigh's water supply and sewerage sys.tems. Both Raleigh
and Wake County are to be commended for their foresight that
will enable the City and County to grow together.
The benefits and advantages of a' regional utility system are
difficult to over-emphasize. This proposed interceptor is
•adjudged a most acceptable addition to a Raleigh area regional
uti1i ty system.
Cordially,
-^
-A. t ,, __—v
Pearson H.' Stewart
PHS:ns
cc: Joseph Sanders
Wi11iam Carper
Mayor Thomas Bradshaw, Jr.
Benjamin Seymour
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APPENDIX 6
Handout Distributed at the Corps of Engineers
November 28, 1973 Public Meeting on the
Crabtree Creek Study
191
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Reference Section
This reference section is provided to furnish you with more
information on the (1) problems and needs, (2) things which can
be done, (3) study history, and (4) governing directives.
The explanations of the problems and needs and the things
which can be done are listed by number and color-coded to correspond
with the listings on pages 3 to 5. You, the public, are urged to
review these lists and make further suggestions on the problems and
needs and the things which can be done to solve them.
Explanations of Problems and Needs
Flood Damage
1. Determine fextent of flooding; Where will flooding occur? How
serious can it be?Will future development affect flooding? How
much effect will the 11 Soil Conservation Service (SCS) structures
have? How much flood control is desirable? (See the flood-plain
maps included in this packet.)
2. Establish flood-plain regulations: Such Regulations will facilitate
future planning by delineating flood-prone areas. Upcoming decisions
by the Raleigh City Council on flood regulations will affect this stui
3. Promote 11 SCS structures; There is lack of public support for
these dams which will reduce flooding throughout the study area.
While 11 dams are proposed and funded, three have been completed,
and there has been some difficulty in acquiring easements to build
the rest.
4. Remove old dam ruins (Anderson Drive): These old ruins cause
increased flooding just upstream.Adjacent owners support removal.
5. Clean up stream: There is a need for removal of minor obstructions
to flow.Civic groups might take this on as a project.
Water Quality
6. Improve water quality: Should Crabtree Creek be used for swimming?
What is involved to upgrade classification? A class "B" stream is
suitable for swimming. Major improvements would be necessary to
upgrade the stream from its present "C" classification to a "B"
classification.
7. Control Irosion; New construction sites and other disturbed areas
are sources of sediment entering the stream. What is the extent
of this problem, and what can be done?
193
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Open Space And Environment
8, Retain Lassiter's Mill dam: The dam has aesthetic, recreational,
and historic value.There 1s strong citizen support for its
retention.
9. Establish greenway system; There 1s citizen support for a
connected park and trail system along the stream. There 1s also
some landowner opposition. The city 1s now developing a plan.
10. Reclaim Nello Teer rock quarry: State law now requires a
reclamation plan, and one exists. There are questions about the
life of the quarry and whether 1t could and should be Included 1n
future plans for the stream.
11. Reclaim cutoffs left by channel changes; Where the channel has
been straightened, there are old channel sections which are cutoff•
They hold stagnant water and breed mosqultos.
12. Provide additional recreation areas; Should the full range of
recreational activities be considered as possibilities for the area?
13» Preserve natural areas; Undeveloped areas, containing unusual or
scarce plant or animal life should be preserved.
14. Protect environment during project implementation: During
possible construction phases, measures should be undertaken
to protect, all aspects of the environment.
15, Protect f 1 s h and wi 1 dl 1fe: Insure that fish and wildlife species
are protected and that their future is secure.
General Considerations
16. Rights of landowners: The property rights of landowners are
essential considerations in any plan.
17< Land use; Land use planning for the stream area should reflect
consideration for plans in the general area.
18. Plans for the stream area will be evaluated for their economic,
environmental, and social effects.
194
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Explanations Of Things Which Can Be Done About Flooding
Non-Structural Measures
1. Establish flood-plain regulations and flood-Insurance program;
Flood-plain regulations prohibit building In the floodway and
they permit building elsewhere only If the structures are
elevated above the flood level (see No. 5). Communities which
Intend to establish flood-plain regulations become eligible to
participate 1n the subsidized National Flood Insurance Program,
which makes flood Insurance available to existing property
located 1n the flood plain where 1t was not previously.
2. Move out flood-threatened bulldings; Remove from the flood plain
any building which is likely to incur major damage from flooding,
or act as a dam if left standing.
3. Re-develop threatened areas; Re-plan and re-build neighborhood
and commercial districts so they will no longer be vulnerable to
flooding. This can mean to build them higher, or to move them.
4. Build above the flood level; Build on "stilts", or fill the land
to a safe level.
5, Establish an early-warning plan for floods; Provide for notlfi-
cation of each occupant of the flood plain when flooding is
expected.
6. Establish an emergency evacuation plan; Provide for temporary
evacuation of each f1ood-plai n occupant, and perhaps some
valuables, when flooding is expected.
7, Manage land to slow down surface flow; Promote gradual runoff of
stormwater by techniques such as contour plowing and surface drainage
in wide vegetated channels.
8. Clean up the stream; Remove debris, snags and other minor obstructions
which cause water to back up in the stream channel.
9. Do nothing; Leave things as they are.
Structural Measures Outside The Study Area
10. Provide more temporary stormwater storage; Build more ponds or
lakes which can hold back some of the floodwater for release later
when the stream can take it without flooding. The 11 SCS structures
are examples of this*
195
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Explanations Of Things Which Can Be Done About Flooding (cont.)
11, Build small flood-retarding devices throughout watershed: Use
suitable street crossings, park bridges, parking lots, and similar
structures, as locations for small stormwater storage devices.
12. Do nothing; Do no structural work outside study area.
Structural Measures Within The Study Area
13. Floodproof bui1dings: Close all openings, temporarily or permanently,
where floodwater can enter, treat walls to prevent seepage, provide
valves on drains and sewer pipes, and use waterproof electrical
wiring.
14. Modify bridges: Make bridges higher or longer so that floodwaters
will not back up behind them,
15. Modify the channel: Straighten, widen, and/or smooth out critical
segments of the channel in various combinations of ways so more
water can be carried within the channel.
16. Divert main channel flood flow; Build an auxiliary floodway channel,
one that is dry except at flood time, to carry floodwaters around
critical stream segments.
17. Divert storm drainage: Intercept all or some of the storm drainage
entering upstream from critical segments of the stream, and by-pass
it downstream.
18. Build levees: Build grassy banks along the stream to contain a
large flood within safe limits.
19. Build floodwalls: Build a narrow concrete wall along the stream
to contain a large flood within safe limits.
20. Use Lasslter's Mill dam for flood control; Re-build flood gates in
dam to lower flood elevation behind dam, or increase temporary
storage capacity of lake behind dam.
21. Remove Lassiter's Mill dam: Remove the obstruction to flow in order
to lower the flood level upstream.
22. Remove minor obstructions to flow: For example, remove old dam
ruins near Anderson Drive.
23. Modify obstructing pipe lines: Relocate pipes and elevated manholes
which exist above ground in the floodway where they collect debris
and obstruct flow.
24. Remove channel fediment; Remove sandbars and other deposits where
excess sediment deposits have reduced natural flow capacity.
25. Do nothing; Do no structural work within the study area.
196
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Explanations Of Things Which Can Be Done About Water Quality
26. Build sediment traps: Construct basins, or small ponds, in
which sediment will accumulate for periodic economical removal
so that deposition in the stream will be reduced.
27. Stabi1ize streambanks: Make streambanks resistant to erosion
and undercutting to cut off that source of sediment.
28. Remove channel sediment: Remove contaminated channel deposits.
29. Ma i n ta1n mln1mum f 1ow: Maintaih sufficient flow during dry
periods for the preservation of stream life and for the dilution
of contaminants.
30. Manage land to release minimum pollutants; Control the release
of pesticides, fertilizers, and other contaminants from land areas
within the watershed.
31. Raise oxygen content of streams; Increase the amount of dissolved
oxygen available to fish and other stream!ife by installing
artificial rapids, or by mechanically bubbling air through the
water.
32. Upgrade stream classification: A higher stream classification will
limit stream uses which degrade water quality.
33. Establish sediment, control ordinance: By limiting the quantity of
sediment released from land under construction, the quantity of
sediment which reaches the stream is correspondingly reduced.
34. Stop untreated waste discharge: Insure that no inadequately treated
municipal, commercial, or industrial wastes are released to the
stream system.
35. Route urban runoff through vegetated strip; Create vegetated areas
near the stream across which storm drainage can flow in thin sheets.
Natural filtering action will improve water quality.
36. Collect worst urban runoff and by-pass downstream: By routing
particularly poor-quality surface runoff downstream, some segments
of the stream can enjoy higher quality.
37. Collect worst urban runoff and treat it in a plant: Transfer poor-
quality surface runoff to a treatment plant, either a conventional
sewage plant or a special one for stormwater.
38. Collect worst urban runoff and treat it in the interceptor lines:
Install treatment devices in the collecting lines to improve water
quality before release.
197
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Explanations Of Things Which Can Be Done About Water Quality (cont.)
39. Install treatment ponds for urban runoff; Build treatment ponds to
allow contaminants to settle or be consumed before reaching the
stream.
40, Do nothing: Take no action regarding water quality.
Explanations Of Things Which Can Be Done About Open Space And Environment
41. Retain Lassiter's Mill dam: Preserve the dam, but do not re-build
the mill.
42, Establish greenway trail system; Provide a system of parks, nature
walks, bike trails, and other trails along the stream.
43. Provide additional recreation activity: Develop a variety of
facilities in or near the flood plain for recreation.
44. Preserve natural areas: Select representative or unusual
natural areas for preservation in their natural state.
45 Beautify the landscape; Execute a program of regrading, planting,
and otherwise enhancing the general view along the stream.
46. Operate fish and wildlife programs; Establish, stock, and maintain
habitats for fish, birds, and animals along the stream.
47. Protect environment during project implementation; Reserve and protect
resources which are part of final plan.Manage any construction
with minimum environmental effect.
48. Clean the entire stream area: Remove refuse and debris from the
entire stream area.
49. Beautify man-made structures: Modify or hide distractive
structures in the stream area such as sewer lines, manholes, and
bridges.
50. Promote beautification program by landowners: Provide free
education, coordination, and advice to landowners as to how to
improve their streamsfde property.
51. Re-claim abandoned facilities; Re-claim mined-out quarries.
Restore or modify cut off stream meanders. Include otherwise
unusable properties.
52. Do nothing; Take no action regarding open space and environmental
needs.
198
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APPENDIX 7
Wake County Plan of Action
199
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RESOLUTION
TO ADOPT A PLAN OF ACTION TO MANAGE- LAND USES AND PUBLIC
FACILITIES WITHIN THE UPPER CRABTREE CREEK WATERSHED"FOR
THE PURPOSE OF MINIMIZING INCREASES (.N FLOOD DAMAGES AND
SEDIMENTATION
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the County of Wake is
cognizant of the fact that recent floods - - of a magnitude which
occur about once every fifteen years - - did cause extensive damage
to properties located along Crabtree Creek downstream from Umstead
State Park; and
WHEREAS, the Board is aware that conversion of land from rural
to urban-type uses, hereafter referred to as development, causes
increases in the volume and velocity of surface runoff of rainwater,
because impervious materials such as roofs and pavement reduce
absorption of water into the ground; and
WHEREAS, the Board is likewise aware that extension of water
and sewerage systems into the upper Crabtree Creek watershed will
encourage and facilitate development of land, especially in view
of the proximity of the watershed to the Research Triangle Park,
the Raleigh-Durham Airport, aesthetic attractiveness of the landscape,
and U, S« Highway 1-40; and
WHEREAS, the Board has officially adopted the Wake County Water
and Wastewater Facilities Plan which proposes extension of utilities
into the upper watershed as an immediate need; and
WHEREAS, of the nine impoundments proposed as flood control
structures in the upper Crabtree Creek watershed, as parts of the
Crab'tree Creek flood control project, only three have been completed,
and unless significant changes are initiated, the remaining structures
may require up to eight and a half years to build; and
WHEREAS, the Board realizes that completion of major sewer
outfalls prior to completion of flood control programs may cause
an increase in flood and erosion intensity as a consequence of
deveIopment,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners resolves, That a plan
of action is necessary to coordinate public works and private devel-
opment within the upper Crabtree Creek watershed to provide reasonable
assurance that there will be no increase in the probability of flood
damages or in the extent of sedimentation as a result of development
prompted by sewer-line construction.
"Upper Crabtrce Creek watershed is here defined as that portion of
the watershed upstream of Crabtree Valley Mall
201
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Resolution
Page 2
FURTHER, the Board of Commissioners resolve that the plan
of action shall include the following elements:
I. Complete the geophysical study of soils, topography, etc.
started in September, 1973 by the Wake County Planning
Department to determine:
A. Existing drainage characteristics of the land;
B. Effects of future development related to increase in
surface runoff, flood elevations, and sedimentation . . .
1. with existing flood .retention structures,
2. with existing land use regulations,
3. with additional flood retention structures in place;
C. Maximum amount of impervious surfaces within the water-
shed under various conditions-, such as listed under B.
above;
D. What changes in land use regulations will be necessary
to pre/ent increase in probability of flood damage or
sedimentation.
II. Expedite initiation of flood plain and erosion control
regulations in coordination with the work of the Raleigh-
Wake County Land Use Code Committee and the U. S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency's proposed "208 planning program,
in the event the latter goes into effect.
III. Explore possibilities of new appi'oaches to reduce the time
required to complete the system of dams and flood control
impoundments in the Crabtree Creek Watershed Project from
seven and a half years to a shorter period.
In any event, expedite completion of the Project as
soon as possible.
IV, Apply existing County land use regulations and health regu-
lations to help minimize development impact, to the extent
possible, and to encourage developers to employ, voluntarily,
runoff and sediment control techniques.
V. Coordination of sewer extension timing with: (1) Progress
on the Crabtree Creek Watershed Project; (2) cor.Dletion
of the study described in element I, above; (3) and enact-
202
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Page 3
ment of new land-use regulations, as required, in such manner
that extension of sewers will not initiate, encourage, or
facilitate untimely, large-scale development which would
increase the probability of flood damage or degree of
sedimentation.
In adoption of this policy the Wake County Board of Commiss-
ioners take note of and call attention to the fact that its
plan of action cannot, alone, accomplish all desired public
purposes. Intergovenmental cooperation and coordination will
also be required.
For example, the role of the County in extension of a
major sewer interceptor into the upper Crabtree Creek basin
is chiefly that of funding. The Count}' of Wake has entered into
contractual agreements with the City of Raleigh and the Town
of Gary whereby, x\'ithin established geographic bounds, known
as "perimeter areas," those municipali'ties will assume respon-
sibility for installation, maintenance and management of water
and wastewater utility systems. The County may or may not provide
financial assistance in providing major lines and treatment
facilities, and to that extent the County may play a part in
the timing of capital improvement programs.
Further, the Commissioners are aware that whereas extension
of a major sewer interceptor into the upper basin of Crabtree
Creek will induce development, it is not likely that s.uch deve-
lopment will begin on a significant scale until contracts for
the project have been awarded and construction i-s under way.
It is reasonable to anticipate that developers may begin grading
and land preparation activities at approximately the same time
work begins on the interceptor. Erosion, sedimentation and
flooding problems customarily accompany such activities. However,
the Commissioners intend to have an erosion control ordinance
203
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RcsoIut ion
Page 4
in effect by that time,
Completion of the entire interceptor, however, wiii require
up to four and a half years which corresponds to the most optimistic
estimate of the length of time required for completion of the nine
•flood control impoundments upstream of State Road (649 (Ebenezer Road).
Four major activities will be carried on simultaneously within
the upper basin:
I. Construction of the Crabtree Creek interceptor;
2. Construction of flood control impoundents;
3» Private land development dependent upon public sewerage
facilities (the interceptor);
4« Private land development dependent upon private sewage
treatment facilities.
Elements of the plan of action out-lined above, must be applied
with proper timing in order to be most effective. The Commissioners
estimate the foI lowing sequence of activities and events governmental
and private, which may affect flood damage probability; the kind of
problems that may result; and the action to be taken by the Com-
missioners to minimize undesirable consequences.
YEAR 1974
Governmental activities and events;
I. County: Completion, Element I - - geophysical study of
upper Crabtree Creek watershed - - including
amendment of Zoning Ordinance to reguI ate.surface
coverage of land by impervious materials.
2, County: Preparation of flood plain and erosion control
ordinances for adoption either as separate
ordinances or for incorporation into the Zoning
Ordinance. (Element !I) (adoption of erosion
control ordinance might be delayed by changes
made in State law and policies during the current
session of the General Assembly.')
3« County; (a) Acceleration of land acquisition for proposed
i mpoundments.
(b) Expedite progress on two impoundments (sites I
and I3)/ one under construction and one for
which funds are now available.
(c) Revise Crabtree Creek Watershed Project in attempt
to fund and schedule simultaneous construction
of a I I impoundments - - a crash program - - to
effect completion of the project at least by
the middle of 1978 and sooner if-possible.
4« Preparation of comprehensive plan and completely revised
land use code system for County.
5. City of Ralojgh;
(a) Construction of new sewage treatment" pI ant by
C.ity of Raleigh.
(b) Construction by City of main interceptor from
new treatment plant, up Neuse River and Crabtree
Creek, to existing pump i 119 station on Crubtroo
Creek where existing outf.ill along the trc-.ek
now terminates.
204
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Resolution
Page 5
Completion of these two elements is necessary before 'the. prpposed •
upper basin interceptor (E.P.A. Project C370344) can serve the area.
"Completion is scheduled for February, 1976.
&• City of Raleigh and Town of Gary; Start: o,f l construct ion
of Cary water storage tank ( I or 2 mi I I i on. .-gal. Ions) an.d:I ,,
£a>y;j~;r;: l,i to 2 yea,rs
4rv4*pper Crabtree basin depends upon pubsU-G water
*j*^0*»hdwater resources generally very po.ojS,
7% Fecter-a-l , r Environmental Protection Agency^ ^opefu II y,^ aw.ar,d
of $2.6 million grant, E.P.A. Project C37t)"344 for Crabtree
Creek Sewer Interceptor.
Private Activities;
I. Sporadic development within upper basin mostly single-family
dwelling units; limited by groundwater resources;
guhfcatfi I ity of soi Is for • septic tanks; -capab Hi ty of -streams
to receive effluent from private treatment plants (package
plants) .
2, Submission of petitions by property owners, to amend zoning
map to permit developments anticipating availability of
public water and sewer facilities.
3. Some unauthorized land-disturbing activities - - grading,
road building - - in preparation for development.
Potential problems accruing from private action;
In reference to numbers immediately above . • -.
(I) Some increase in surface runoff, erosion, and sedimentation
but probably not significant amount in I974.
(2) Arbitrary rezoning may make water and land management much. -
more difficult later;
(3) Land disturbance without proper authorization may not only
aggravate water management problems but" a I so tends to
commit developers to projects they may not be able to
complete under existing or proposed land use regulations;
vested rights may not accrue from their actions.
County action to minimize undesirable consequences;
In reference to numbers above ...
(I) (a) Strict enforcement of land use regulations.
(b) Encourage County and State public health agencies
to do likewise with pub I i c. heal th regulations.
(c) Encourage strict policy in reference to j.ssuance of
permits for private treatment plants (Presently, Crabtree
Creek and its tributaries hcve a capacity to receive
treated effluent from a maximum population of 3,000 at
3/4 dilution ratio.) This is a function of the N. C.
Office of Water & Air Resources.
(2) App.l i cat ion. of policy which would maintain existing zoning
unless petitioner can present evidence which demonstrates
that existing zoning was applied in error or that circumstances
have so changed since existing zoning was applied that the
Ordinance must be changed in the public interest. Further,
that evidence submitted in support of petition must be more
than fairly debatable in order to overcome presumption of
validity of existing zoning. Such policy is in keeping with
basic legal principles protecting the public and private
interests against arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory,
conf i scatory, legislative and discretionary abuse •
205
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Resolution
Page 6
(3) Enforcement of existing ordinance requiring permit
prior to land disturbing activities.
YEAR 1975.
Governmental activities and events;
County* (I) LsiWid us^^rega-itiEfti^nfeicirPteffect governing .rat io of,>
tmpenv-K0u=s -mate-ri^a t-s ai^e'a- to gross acjresage.vofT.il-aml
wjth.in the watershed. These regu lat iari^I.wi I I i.be , ,
txased upon quantitative data deterroi nfeds.io the
geophysical study ; Element I above. Regulation of
the amount of impervious materials used in development
can- control surface runoff to the extent that, when
ail proposed flood control structures of the watershed
project are in place, flooding from a 100-year storm
would be less than would occur in runoff from the same
in its natural condition during a -100-year storm.
•Without the-complete sys-tem of. dams in'-place, -increase in
runoff resulting from development may ;b'e controlled by;
(a) regulation of amount of impervious land cover;
(b) requiring private, on-site retention structures
and landscaping designed to retard runoff; and
(c) enforcement of flood plain and erosion control
ordi nances.
(2) County; Accelerated work on construction of impoundments.
\3) G i ty-County; Land acquisition and 'construction of
inceptor into upper^ Crabtree Creek basin.
(4) Raleigh;
(a) Completion of sewer interceptor from Crabtree Creek
pumping station to -treatment plant site.
(b) Construction of sewage treatment plant.
(5) Gary-Raleigh; Construction of water main from Raleigh
to Cary and elevated tank in Cary.
(6) County-Raleigh; Completion of comprehensive plans and
revised land use code — new planning
system.
(7) Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority; Construction of new
10,000 runway. (Erosi on and flood retention controls are
integral parts of the airport expansion plans.) FAA
approval of environmental impact statement pending.
Private activities;
(I) When the upper Crabtree Creek basin interceptor becomes a
definite, firm project, considerable development activity
will probably start, including several projects invo 1 v i ng
100 acres or more.
(2) Numerous, petitions to change zoning within the Crabtree
Creek headwaters area will probably be filed.
County action to minimize undesirable consequences;
• In reference to numbers above:
(I) (a) Land use controls will be in effect, ^s outlined
above, to control development characteristic^.
Enforcement will be accomplished by means of a
land use code that Integrates and coordinates
zoning,; subdivision regulations, use of flood
plains, erosion and sedimentation regulation,
and change in ratio of permeable area to i mpcrtiu'-nb I e
ground cover-
206
-------
Resoluti on
Page 7
(b) Implementation of land use policies, to the extent
possible in keeping with the rights of property
owners, to preclude extensive surface- runoff in
any.subbasin prior 'to completion of-adequate public
or private' flood retention structures downstream.
(c) Assignment of construction priorities.to,impoundments
dowhst^eain^f aHeas«. !|'?'|£&1 y to develop first. For
example', ass-u-mibg: th;at- the interceptor f.rpm .the
vicinity, of Oak Park subdivision, up Richland Creek
to -I nterstate-40 highway, will be completed first, it
becomes imperative that flood retention structure
number eleven on Richland Creek be completed .as
soon as.possible. Similarly, during 1975 priorities
should be assigned to impoundments downstream of
tracts of land known to be "ripe" for major development,
YEAR 1976
Gp^er'nm'enta I activities and events;
I. County; All land-use controls described above will be in
effect,
2. County; Construction of sewer interceptor system proceeding.
3« County; Construction of impoundments in Crabtree Creek
Watershed Project proceeding, either simultaneously
or on priority basis in coordination with completion
of segments of the interceptor.
4« Raleigh: New sewage treatment plant completed. Sewage, from
connections in the Crabtree Creek- basin may then
proceed by gravity flow to the new treatment plant.
5. Cary-Raleigh; .Completion o*" water main from Raleigh'to Cary
and completion of Gary's elevated storage tank.
6. Raleigh-Durham A irport Authority: Construction of 10,000 runway.
7« .TV* i ang-ie-J Counci I of Governments; Probable completion of
of Areawide Waste Treatment Management Planning
Process plan, E.P.A. "208" project.
Private Activities;
I. Probable acceleration of development anticipating public
water supply from Cary and eventual availability of public
sewerage faci!ities.
Governmental action to minimize undersirable consequences;
In reference to numbers above:
(l) Application of policies and land use reguI ations_ out Iined
above, all ordinances strictly enforced, and coordination
of public and private activities to effect water management
through the mechan i sm'.of a comprehensive planning program
and day-to-day operational decisions.
\
Municipal activities to minimize undesirable consequences;
WHEREAS; the County Commissioners can not speak for the City of
Raleigh or Town of Cary, it is appropriate in this plan of action to
mention that, both municipalities may play a leading role by using
sewer and water extension policies to holp guide development into
the proper places at the proper time. Officials are aware of the need,
Intergovernmental coordination is expected.
207
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jReso lut ion
Page 8*
YEARS 1977 through 1978
Governmental activities and events;
I, County; Construction of sewer • interceptor and flood retention
structure systems will proceed simultaneously.
Both, according to, opt imistic estimates, may be
completed during 1978.
2. Ra I e igh-Durham A^r-typ'r^t" Au'-tfobyfcj'ty> Extensive .'construction
act i vi ty> rlQted'itoi~A-i rport expansion program,
i nvo 1 v "fwig^Ve"Ty. I a'rge'-sea le earthrrioving. (The
Authority has' recog-ni-zed, in advance, potential
runoff and sedimentation problems and have included
on-site- control and abatement techniques in engineer-
ing plans.)
3« Imp lementat iorv_" of- t*evi-sed rcomprehensi ve plans and regulations
steming from the work- -of -the- Raleigh-Wake County Land Us-e
Code Committee. The problem of possible increase in flooding
resulting from sewer- induced development will likely be reduced
"through the application of a comprehensive plan-based system
of land use regulations as part of a code that also includes
articles of procedure designed to provide maximum resistance
to attempts to change plans or amend regulations in an arbitrary,
capricious, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful manner.
Private activities
Development of land within the watershed will likely proceed
apace. Completion of major development such as industrial parks,
planned communities, shopping centers, etc. will coincide
approximately with completion of the interceptor and impoundment
systems.
Governmental activities to minimize tinders irab I e consequence^:
I, Continued application of policies -and regulations outlined
above.
SUMMARY
WHEREAS, this plan of action acknowledges that private development
of the upper Crabtree Creek watershed will be stimulated by the prospect
of public sewage facilities, and that such development would, if un-
controlled/increase the amount of flood damage both within the headwaters
and downstream, the Commissioners feel reasonably assured that such a
threat to the public health, -safety, and general welfare need not,
and probably will not, mater i a I ize '• ffth is plan of action is consci-
entiously carried out,
THEREFORE, the Board of Commissioners of Wake County do hereby
declare by resolution its intent to administer this plan of action
to the best of its ability.
The date of effect of this resolution shall be from and after
its passage.
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ElSOJr. MI1.O
t:-.c Wake Cc'.:r.ty Board cf Ccrr/i ! r,<: : cr.ers recognises a
greet need to control soil erosion ana sedimentation and those
activities which result in erosion and sedimentation within Wake
County; and
WHEREAS, the Wake County Board of Coitrn i ss i oners recognizes tht-
need to establish a county-wide erosion and sediment control program;
and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly through Chapter 392
of the Session La"s of North Carolina, 1973, and other laws, has
delegated to locV governments the power to control such erosion ard
sedimentation; ai.cl
WHEREAS, the WaKe County Board of Commissioners desires to exercise
such power.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE WAKE COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS, that the following ordinance be adopted:
AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE CONTROL OF SOIL EROSION
AND SEDIMENTATION
ARTICLE I
Section I. TITLE
This ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the Erosion
and Sedimentation Control Ordinance of V'ake County.
Section 2. JURISDICTION-
(l) This ordinance is hereby adopted by the Wake County Board
of Commissioners to apply to all of Wake County outside of the in-
corporated areas and their extraterritorial jurisdiction. However,
this ordinance may apply within the incorporated areas or the extra-
territorial jurisdictionaI areas of municipal ities upon proper re-
solution by the governing bodies of the respective municipalities and
agreement by the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. N3A-56(4) and
Article II, Section 3(2)(d) of this ordinance, the Wake County Board
of Commissioners hereby declares the intent that all the departments
and agencies of the County and its contractors and subcontractors shall
comply with the regulations of this ordinance where they are more
restrictive than similar regulations of the North Carolina Sediment
Control Commission.
(3) The Wake County Department of Natural Resources shall provide
assistance to the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District to review
and comment on sediment control plans.
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(4) The W?kij County Department of Natural I Resources shal I be
responsible for approval, issuance of permits related to, and enforce-
ment of sediment control plans.
(5) The Director of the Wake County Department of Natural Resources
shall annually furnish the Wake County Boarc' of Commissioners personnel,
equipment, space, ;.nd budget needs to implement this program.
ARTICLE II
Section I. PURPOSES
This ordinance is adopted for the purposes of:
(I) reguI atitg land-disturbing activn ies to prevent unnecessary
soil erosion and sedimentation in order that water pollution
from sedimentation may be control'ed, that the obstruction
of natural and artificial drainage ways may be prevented,
and that flooding may be inhibited.
(2) establishing procedures through which these purposes can be
fulfiI led.
Section 2. DEFINITIONS
As used in this ordinance, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise, the following definitions apply:
(I) Active Construction - means activities which contribute
d i rectIy to the completion of facilities contempIated or
shown on the construction plans.
(2) Adequate Erosion Control Measure, Structure, or Device - means
one which controls the soil material within the land area under
responsible control of the person conducting the land-disturbing
act i v ity.
(3) Buffer Zone - means the strip of land adjacent to a lake or
natural watercourse, the width of which is measured from the
edge of the water to the nearest edge of the disturbed area,
with the twenty-five percent (25%) of the strip nearer the
land-disturbing activity containing natural or artificial means
of confining visible siltation.
(4) D i st r i ct - means the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District
created pursuant to Chapter 139, North Carolina General Statutes.
(5) Eros i on - means the wearing away of land surface by the action
of wind, water, gravity, or any combination thereof.
(6) Ground Cover - means any natural vegetative growth or other
material which renders the soil surface stable against acccIei
ated erosion.
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•3-
(/) .k'?JiP_ J^J\ _ jja1?-u-r-.a i Wi.tercou r sc - means any stream, rivet-, brook,
swamp, so ind, boy, creek, run, breach, canal, waterway, estuary,
and any reservoir, lake or pond, natural or impounded, in which
sediment may be moved or carried in suspension, and which could
be damaged by accumulation of sediment.
(8) Land-distjrbing Activity - means any use of the land by an/
person ii. residential, industrial, educational, institutio la I,
or commeicial development, highway and road construction and
maintenance that results in a change in the natural cover or
topograpl y and that may cause or contribute to sedimentati )n.
(9) Person Engaged in or Conducting Land-disturbing Activity - means
the individual, partnership, firm, association, joint ventjre,
public or private corporation, trust, estate, commission, board,
public or private institution, utility, cooperative, interstate
body, or other legal entity, financially responsible for the
land-disturbing activity.
(10) PI an - means erosion and sedimentation control plan.
(II) Protective Cover - means natural or artificial ground cover
of grass, trees, shrubs, or mulch sufficient to reduce erosion
potential to within allowable limits.
(12) Sed iment - means solid particulate matter, both mineral and
organic, that has been or is being transported by water, air,
gravity, or ice from^its site of origin.
(13) Si 11 at i on - means sediment resulting from accelerated erosion
which is settleable or removable by properly designed, con-
structed, and maintained control measures; and which has
been transported from its point of origin within the site
of a land-disturbing activity; and which has been deposited,
or is in suspension in water.
(14) Tract - means all contiguous land and bodies of water in
one ownership, or contiguous land and bodies of water in
diverse ownership being developed as a unit, although not
necessarily all at one time.
(15) Uncovered - means the removal of ground cover from, on, or
above the soiI surface.
(16) Undertaken - means the initiating of any activity, or phase
of activity, which results or wi I I result in a change in
the ground cover or topography of a tract of I and.
(17) Work i ng Days - means days exclusive of Saturday or Sunday
during which weather conditions permit land-disturbing
activity to be undertaken.
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-Bi-
section 3, .SCOPE. _AND_jEXjC_LLl_Sj.p_N_S
(!) This ordinance sh<=>tl apply to I e»nH-d i sturb i ng activities
undertaken by any person, with the Following exclusions:
(a) Land-disturbing activities undertaken on agricultural
land for the production oF p ants and animals useful to
man but not limited to: forjge and sod crops, grain
and feed crops, tobacco, cotton, and peanuts; dairy
anirials and dairy products; poultry and poultry products;
livestock, including the bre3ding and grazing of any
or nlI such animals; bees anJ apiary products; and fur animals.
(b) Land-disturbing activities undertaken on forest land
for the production and harvesting of timber and timber
products.
(c) Land-disturbing activities undertaken by persons who
are otherwise regulated by the provisions of G.S. 74-46
through G.S. 74-68, the Mining Act of 1971.
(2) This ordinance shall not apply to the following land-disturbing
activities, as such activities are subject to the control of the North
Carolina Sediment Control Commission.
(a) Land-disturbing activities conducted by the State.
(b) Land-disturbing activities conducted by the United States'.
(c) Land-disturbing activities conducted by persons hevir.g
the power of eminent domain.
(d) Land-disturbing activities conducted by iocal governments.
(e) Land-disturbing activities licensed by the State or the
United States.
(f) Land-disturbing activities funded in whole or in part
by the State or the United States.
Section 4. PERMITS
Except as provided in Section 3 herein, it shall be unlawful to
conduct any-land-disturbing activity without first obtaining a permit
from the County. Permits may be obtained upon submitting a soil erosion
and sedimentation control plan and the application, fees and security
deposit prescribed by the County and by obtaining approval of the
proposed project. No permit shall be issued until such time as the
County is assured that the proposed land-disturbing activity will be
carried out in accordance with the proposed soil and sedimentation
control plan. A certificate of preliminary erosion control compliance
shall be issued, indicating that initial soil erosion and sedimentation
controls have been installed. This certificate shall be issued prior
to the approval by the County of an application for building construction
in the County, in any of the incorporated areas of the County, or extra-
territorial jurisdictionaI areas of the municipalities oF the County
subject to this ordinance.
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Ko ,-iormit shall be reC|Uired for i lu: Co li ow i r,(j land-disturbing
act i\ i fc i cs«
(I) Those done for the purpose of fig it ing fires,
(2) The stockpiling of raw or processed sand, stone, or gravel
in concrete, asphalt, and material processing plants and
storage yards, provided that sedi-'nerit control measures hav«
been utiI ized to protect against off-site damages.
(3) Land-disturbing activities at any one time, on any one trf.ct,
by any person or persons that do not exceed one acre in
surface area.
Section 5. APPROVAL OF P_LAN_S
(I) A copy of each final soil erosion and sedimentation control
plan shall be submitted to the Wake Soil and Water
Conservation District at the same time a copy thereof is
submitted to the Wake County Department of Natural Resources
for approval. The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District,
within 20 days after receipt of the proposed plan, or within
such additional times as may be prescribed by the Board of
County Commissioners, shall review the soil erosion and
sedimentation control plan and submit its comments and
recommendations to the Wake County Department of Natural
Resources. Failure of the Soil and Water Conservation
District to submit its comments and recommendations within
20 days or within the prescribed additional time shall not
delay final action on the proposed plan by the Wake County
Department of Natural Resources,
(2) The Wake County Department of Natural Resources, within 30
days of receipt of each soil erosion and sedimentation control
plan submitted to it, shall notify the person submitting the
plan that it has been approved, approved with modifications,
op disapproved. No plan shall be approved unless and until
it complies w i th all appI i cab Ie State and County reguI at i ons
for soil erosion and sediment control.
(3) AppIication for amendment of an erosion control plan in
written and/or graphic form may be made at any time under the
same conditions as the original application. Until such time
as said amendment is approved by the Wake County Department
of Natural Resources, the land-disturbing activities shall not
procf.ed except in accordance with the erosion control plan as
originally approved.
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6, :N3PECTiONS
Agents and officials oP the County may inspect the sites
of land-disturbing activities for which permits have been
issued ai reasonable times to determine whether the
activities are being conducted in accordance with the
plan anc to determine whether the measures required in
the plan are effective in control!ing erosion and sediment
resulting from land-disturbing activities. Notice of the
County's- right to make such inspections shall be included
in the certificate of the plan's approval.
(2) If, through inspection, it is determined that a person
engaged in land-disturbing activities has failed to
comply with the approved plan, a notice to comply shalI
be served upon that person by registered mail. The notice
shalI set forth the measures necessary to achieve compl iance
with the plan and shall state the time within which such
measures must be completed. If the person engaged in the
land-disturbing activities fails to comply within the time
specified, he shall be deemed in violation of this ordinance.
Section 7« FEES
The fees charged by the County for the administration and en-
forcement of this ordinance sKall be prescribed by the Wake County
Board of Commissioners.
Section 8. APPEALS,
(I) The disapproval or modification of any proposed erosion
control plan by the County shall entitle the person submitting
the plan to a public hearing before the Director of the Wake
County Department of Natural Resources if such person submits
written demand for a hearing within 15 days after receipt of
written notice of the disapproval or modification.
(2) Hearings held pursuant to this Section 8(1) above shall be
conducted within 30 days after receipt of the request and
notice of such hearing shall be published at least once,
in a local newspaper not less than seven (7) days before the
date of the hearing,
(3) The Director shall make his recommendation to the Commissicners
of Wake County within five days after the date of the hearing.
(4) The Wake County Commissioners shall render its decision on any
erosion control plan for which a hearing is requested at one
of its next two regular meetings.
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~7 -
All unco/erec! areas existing on the effective date of this
ordinance shall be provided with protective cover within
90 days after the effective date >f this ordinance unless
an extension of time is granted.
(2) All areas uncovered subsequent t... the effective date of
this ordinance shall be provided with protective cover
within 60 days after commencement of land-disturbing
activities, unless a longer or shorter time is specified
in the permit or unless an extension of time is granted,
provided that in no instance shu!1 the establishment of
protective cover be delayed more than 30 working days/
after the completion of any disturbance of land upon which
further active construction is not being undertaken.
(3) Upon the identification and illustration by the County
Commissioners of those portions of each property adjoining
or tangent to a natural watercourse or to a publ ic water
impoundment area, upon which building is proposed, required
by G.S. II3A-57(I) to remain as buffer zones, such buffers
shalI be provided of such length, width, and design to
control, detain, or confine sedimentation consistent wiih
the provisions of this ordinance. This standard shall not
be construed to require the dedication of such buffer zones
to public use, without due process of law, including just
compensat i on.
(4) After the completion of construction on each land-disturbing
site to which this ordinance applies, provisions shall be
made, on or off the site, for the impoundment, during storms,
of that quantity of the natural liquid runoff from the site
which is equal to the calculated difference between the
amount of runoff which would result from a two (2) year
frequency storm on that land if it were zoned and developed
for residential .purposes at a density no greater than four
(4) families per acre and that which would result from a
storm of the same frequency on the same land, if developed
to the degree for which it is actually zoned; provided, no
impoundment shalI be required of runoff from sites developed
for residential purposes at a density of four (4) families
per acre or less; provided further, part of the space,
including parking areas, otherwise required by law to be
left open, may be jointly used to satisfy the impounding
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rcqu i rc'iiionts herein; pro\ idcu still furtlicr, this stcr.uorc!
shalI not apply to sites oi five (5) dcres or less in s i-o
unless such site is part of a larger subdivision or other
project area which, when fuI ly de/eloped, wi I I generate a
more significant amount of runoff. All calculations and
plans for impoundment structures and areas must receive
the approval of the Wake County Department of Natural
Resources before any building permit may be issued.
(5) During construction, the planned soil erosion and sedi-
mentation control practices and devices shalI be employed
to restrict sedimentation soil losses from each land-
disturbing site in accordance with plans approved by the
Wake County Department of Natural Resources. Such erosio'i
and sedimentation control measures, structures, and devices
shall be so planned, designed, and constructed as to provide
control from the calculated peak rates of runoff from a
ten-year frequency storm. Runoff rates shall be calculated
using the procedures in the USDA, Soil Conservation Service's
"National Engineering Field Manual for Conservation
Practices", or other acceptable calculation procedures.
Runoff computations shall be based on rainfall data published
by the National Weather Service for the area.
(6) FoI lowing the completion of construction, provisions shall
be made to limit calculated, anticipated annual soil losses
from unpaved areas of developed sites to two (2) tons per
acre or less per year and not to exceed four (4) tons per
acre from any unpaved sloping area following the completion
of construction using the Universal Soil Loss Prediction
Equation with the adopted standard factors as a guide.
(7) All soil erosion and sedimentation control plans and
measures shall conform to the minimum applicable standards
specified in the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District's
Standards and Specifications for Soil Erosion and Sediment
Control in Urbanizing Areas as adopted by the Wake County
Board of Commissioners and amended and supplemented from
time to time. A copy of the current Standards and Speci-
fications shall remain, at all times, on file in the office
of the Director of the Wake County Department of Natural
Resources.
(8) The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than
the angle which can be retained by vegetative cover or
other adequate erosion control devices or structures. in
any event, slopes left exposed will, within 30 working days
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of co'np I ei. i on o1 ony phase of grading, be planted or otliurw i r-e
provided with ground cover, devices, or structures sufficient
to restrain erosion.
Section 10. f EN_A_LT j_E_S
A, Civil Pena11 i es
(I) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
ordinance, or rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to
this ord:nance, or who initiates or continues a land-
disturbing activity for which an erosion control plan is
required except in accordance with the terms, conditions,
and provisions of an approved plan, shalI be subject to
a civii penalty of not more than $100. No penalty shall
be assessed until the person alleged to be in viol at ion
has been notified of the violation. Each day of a con-
tinuing violation shall constitute a separate violation,
(2) The Wake County Board of Commissioners shalI determine the
amount of the civil penalty to be assessed under this
subsection and shalI make written demand for payment upon
the person in violation, and shall set forth in detail a
description of the violation for which the penalty has
been imposed. In determining the amount of the penalty
the Commissioners shall consider the degree and extent of
harm caused by the violation and the cost of rectifying
the damage. If the payment is not received or equitable
settlement reached within 60 days after demand for payment
is made, the matter shal1 be referred to the County Attorney
for institution of a civil action in the name of the County,
in the appropriate division of the General Court of Justice
for recovery of the penalty. Any sums recovered shall be
used to carry out the purposes and requirements of this
ord i nance.
B. Criminal Penalties
Any person who knowingly or willfully viol ates any provision
of this ordinance, or rule or order adopted or issued
pursuant to th i s ord i nance, or who know i ngIy or willfuI Iy
initiates or continues a land-disturbing activity for
which an erosion control plan is required except in accordance
with the terms, conditions, and provisions of an approved
plan, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by
impr isonment not to exceed 90 days, or by a fine not to
exceed :iO,000, or by both, in tne discretion of the court.
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Sec I i <,r, I I .
(l) Whenever the Commi ^sioners of Wake County have cciuse ro
believe that any person is violetint; or threaten i ny to
violate this ordinance or any rule or ord'-M- adopted or
issued pursuant to this ordinance, or any term, condition,
or provision of an approved erosion control plan, they may,
either before or after the institution of any other action
or proceeding authorized by this ordinance, institute a
civil acbion in the name of the County for injunctive
relief to restrain the violation or threatened violation.
The action shalI be brought in the Superior Court of
Wake County.
(2) Upon determination by a court that an alleged violation
is occurring or is threatened, it shall enter such orders
or judgments as are necessary to abate the violation or
to prevent the threatened violation. The institution of
an action for injunctive relief under this section shall
not relieve any party to such proceeding from any civil
or criminal penalty prescribed for violations of this
ord i nance.
Section 12. CIVIL RELIEF
(I) Any person injured by a violation of this ordinance, or
of any rule, regulation, or order duly adopted by the
Commissioners of Wake County, or by the initiation or
continuation of a land-disturbing activity for which an
erosion control plan is required other than in accordance
with the terms, conditions,•and provisions of an approved
plan, may bring a civil action against the person alleged
to be in violation. The action may seek:
a. Injunctive re I ief;
b. An order enforcing the ordinance or rule,
regulation, order, or erosion control plan
v i oIated; or
c. Damages caused by the violation; or
d. Both damages and injunctive relief; or
e. Both damages and an enforcement order.
If the amount of actual damages as found by tne court or
jury in suits brought under this Section 12 is five hundred
dollars ($500) or less, the plaintiff shall be awarded
double the amount of actual damages. If the amount of
actual damages as found by the court or jury is greater
than fiv~ hundred dollars ($5C'?)f the ^ I a i. .tiff shall
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pocL'i\i: deiiuKjcs in t!u>. di.icunt .so IOUP.CI.
(2) Civil action under til i s Section 12 shall be brought in
the Superior Court of Wake County, The court, in issuing
any fincjl order in any action brought pursuant to this
Sect i on , I 2 may award costs of I i t i gat i on ( i nc I ud i ng
reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any party,
whenever it determines that such an award is appropriate.
The court may, if a temporary restraining order or
preI i m i nary i njunct ion is sought, require the filing oF
a bond or equivalent security, t'r e amount of such bond
or security to be determined by the court.
(3) Nothing in this Section 12 shall restrict any right which
any person (or class of persons) fnay have under any statuie
or common law to seek injunctive or other relief,
ARTICLE I I 1
Sect i on I. Noth i ng i n th i s ord i nance shaI I restr i ct any r i ght
which any person or class of persons may have under any statute or
common law to seek injunctive or other rel ief.
Section 2. If any provision of this ordinance or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance is declared to be inval id, such
invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the
ordinance which can be given effect without the inval id provision or
appIication, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are
declared to be severable.
Section 3. This ordinance shalI become effective on and after
12:01 A.M., October I, 1974.
Adopted th i s_3rd___day of June , 1974.
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APPENDIX 8
Raleigh Resolution to Establish a Policy
for the Extension of City Facilities
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A PETITION FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES IMPOSED UPON THE CITIZENS OF WAKE COUNTY.
Many homeowners and many small business establishments have suffered crushing damage from the
flooding of Crabtree Creek and other streams in this county. This has been due, in large measure, to
the pell-mell, haphazard land development which has been permitted in this county.
We, the undersigned, do now call upon each and every member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners
and we do now call upon each and every member of the Raleigh City Council to heed the injuries visited
upon the persons and the property of countless citizens; and we do petition these elected public officials to
do the following:
(5) Stop projects for extending sewer lines west of
Raleigh which will permit further land develop-
ment until effective flood control measures in
the Crabtree Creek basin has been completed.
(1)
Take appropriate action to condition the issu-
ance and continuing validity of any building
permit for any structure in the county upon a
showing that the structure will not contribute
to the flooding of other property and a show-
ing that the builder is adequately providing for
surface water runoff and protecting against soil
erosion, to the end that the property of others
is not damaged1
(2) Enact effective ordinances for floodplain con-
trol to the end that citizens throughout the
county will qualify for flood damage insurance
under Federal programs,
(3) Take effective action to assure that no public
works construction, whether buildings or sewer
lines or streets or highways, will contribute to
flooding or damage to other property.
(4) Get underway promptly effective action to
complete adequate flood control dams in the
Crabtree Creek basin.
Signature
(6) Get underway promptly effective action to
clear the Crabtree and other waterways of
debris and obstructions and provide for appro-
priate dredging, consistent with other environ-
mental impact concerns, of those shallow por-
tions of the waterway channels.
(7) Institute a system of early warning of possible
flooding to reach ALL citizens in the flood
susceptible areas.
(8) Provide for emergency post-flood public services
for flood victims, trash and damaged property
removal, street and road washing to clean away
silt and mud. and appropriate health protection
measures to guard against insect breeding.
Address
Mail To: PROJECT FLOOD CONTROL, P. 0. BOX F26374, RALEIGH, N. C. 27611 or 2719 ROTHGEB DRIVE, Raleigh, N. C. 27609
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APPENDIX 9
Project Flood Control Petition
223
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RESOLUTION NO. (1974) J^-2
A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY FOR THE EXTENSION OF CITY FACILITIES
WHEREAS, the City of Raleigh has recently suffered extensive flood
damage; and
WHEREAS, the City of Raleigh, through its policy of extending
City facilities, has the power to encourage development of various
areas of Wake County in and around Raleigh; and
WHEREAS, the County of Wake is aware of the need to protect its
county seat, Raleigh, from flood damage; and
WHEREAS, the County of Wake has recently assumed a more active
role in providing flood protection devices for the benefit of citizens
of Raleigh and the remainder of Wake County; and
WHEREAS, the County of Wake is in a position to expedite the
development of flood control devices still further.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OP THE CITY OF
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA:
Section 1. The County of Wake is hereby commended for its efforts
to provide flood protection for its citizens, in Raleigh and elsewhere.
Section 2. That the City of Raleigh joins the County of Wake in
taking a position of not encouraging development of land which will,
necessarily, result in greater liquid runoff, soil erosion and
sedimentation until adequate devices have been installed to reduce
those adverse effects of land development.
Section 3. That the City of Raleigh, to that end, hereby states
a policy of not extending water and server service facilities — or any
other facilities under its control -- into areas of Wake County outside
the City Limits, except in unusual circumstances, unless and until
areas into which such services are extended and the area within the
City Limits of the City of Raleigh are adequately protected, through
the installation of related flood control and other such devices, and
unless and until adequate facilities are available for the supply of
water and the treatment of sewage.
Section 4. All resolutions, policies and other such actions of
the Raleigh City Council in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of said conflict.
Section 5. That this resolution shall be effective immediately
upon its adoption.
Adopted: 2/7/74
Effective: 2/7/"
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APPENDIX 10
Request for Archeological Study
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Department of Cultural Resources
Raleigh 27611
James E. Holshouser, Jr. Division of Archives and History
Governor H. G. Jones, Director
Grace J. Rohrer 16 January 1974
Secretary
Ms. Jenny Munro, Project Assistant
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
1421 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Dear Ms. Munro:
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on historical and cultural
resources near the proposed Crabtree Creek Interceptor Sewer, Wake County.
We have consulted the National Register of Historic Places and can report
that no National Register properties or properties under consideration
for nomination lie in the project area.
It should be noted, however, that Crabtree Creek is itself a natural
feature of considerable historical significance as one of Wake County's
earliest landmarks and focuses for settlement. The Mouzon map (London,
1775) shows the existence of Crabtree Creek—so named when the area was
still part of Johnston County. The historical importance of the creek
requires that two steps be taken: the investigation of potential archae-
ological sites and the protection of its natural condition.
Since the creek and its tributaries provided a favorable living area
for aboriginal settlement, it is likely that a number of aboriginal archae-
ological sites exist within the project area. In addition, at least two
early mill sites are known to exist, and there may be more. Little or no
archaeological survey work has been done; we would like the opportunity
to perform such a survey. For further information, please contact Dr.
Stephen J. Gluckman, Chief, Archaeology Section, of this Division.
Despite rapid development which has altered the natural growth along
some sections of the creek, much of the creek remains in its natural con-
dition and is recognized by environmentalists as being an important eco-
logical and recreational resource. Given the significance of the creek
to the history of Wake County, any further development along its banks
should be done in a manner to protect the natural growth along its banks.
227
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Ms. Jenny Munro, 16 January 1974, Page 2
Thus we would urge that any sewer installation follow the guidelines for
erosion and sediment control in the publication EPA-R-2-72-015. As you
know, it has been suggested that the sewer line installation, if done
according to these guidelines, could become part of the proposed greenway
system. Such a project would enhance the historical and cultural sig-
nificance of the creek to Wake County.
Please let us know if we can provide any additional information or
assistance.
Sincerely yours,
ones
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APPENDIX 11
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
229
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
Project Officer - Robert B. Howard
Project Assistants - Jenny Munro
and
Hannah Reid
State of North Carolina
Department of Natural and
Economic Resources
Project Officer - Fred Armstrong
231
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CRABTREE CREEK INTERCEPTOR
SEWER
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UPPER CRABTREE CREEK BASIN
a ULTIMATE" SCWAGF LOADfNG
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