Env ironmenta l Handbook for Transportat ion Operat ions

A Summary o f the Env ironmenta l Requ irements forMainta in ing Highways and Transporta t ion Sys tems

New York Sta te Department o f Transporta t ion

"Prov id ing New York S ta te w i th Safe , Ef f i c i en t , Ba lanced , andEnvironmenta l ly Sound Transpor ta t ion Sys tems"

M a r c h 2 0 0 1

PMaintenance cleaning & washing of bridgesPCulvert cleaningPScour protectionPRemoving in-stream bars, islands and dead

treesPMachinery in streamPStream bank (riparian) vegetationPStream restorationPFish passage

Work Affecting Streams

PBridges with a paint rating 3 or lower that span wetlands orwaterbodies will not be washed.

PFlaking of paint will not be removed from bridges prior towashing.

PSteel portions of bridge surfaces with flaking paint will not bewashed.

PWater for pressure washing will be clean fresh water.

PDetergents or other agents shall not be used.

Maintenance Cleaning and Washing of Bridges

General Guidelines:

PBridges over streams classified as "trout spawning" (A(TS)through C(TS)) must be washed before July 1. Bridges atDEC trout stocking sites C(T) should not be washed duringApril.

PSand, dirt, cinders and similar material that is less than onecubic meter can be disposed of on site or off-site.

PNests on bridges that are occupied by any bird species(including eggs and chicks) should not be disturbed orremoved.

Maintenance Cleaning and Washing of Bridges

Environmental Concerns

Pall work is limited to within 15 meter (50 feet) in any directionfrom the structure

Pexcavation is limited to returning the stream dimensions tooriginal width, depth and alignment

Psediment removed from the stream is not pushed-up ontobanks or side-cast into adjacent floodplains or wetlands

Pwork is accomplished, to the extent practicable, during lowflow conditions

Culvert cleaning

Culvert cleaning

In streams where fisheries habitat is aconcern, leave some accumulated naturalstream bed material inside culverts to allowfish to swim through the culvert during highand low water flow periods. Some culvertinverts are designed to be recessed 18inches to provide natural stream bottomhabitat.

PReplacement of stone scour protection and bank stabilizationis covered under USACOE Nationwide Permit #3. Placementof new or additional stone requires pre-constructionnotification to the USACOE.

PAt culvert outlets, stones placed for scour protection in thestream bed below the mean high water line should be limitedto within 10 feet of the culvert's outlet.

PScour protection should be placed so that it does not impedefish movement, stream flows or cause sediments toaccumulate.

PSediment must be removed from any water pumped frombehind a cofferdam before the water is returned to the stream.

Scour protection

PRemoving in-stream bars, islands, and dead trees shouldonly be done immediately upstream and downstream frombridges and culverts (no more than 15 meters (50 ft.).

PRemoving islands with established woody vegetation or inexcess of 15 meters (50 ft.) will require an individual permitfrom the USACOE and approvals from the NYSDEC and ifwithin the Adirondack Park, APA.

Removing in-stream bars, islands, and dead trees

PDo not use any machinery in the stream channel unlessabsolutely necessary -the NYSDEC and USACOE mustapprove use of any machinery in stream channels.

PIf machinery must be operated in the stream, install temporaryaccess pads composed of clean, washed stone fill, that arefitted with turbidity curtains and remove after the work iscompleted.

PIf use of machinery in streams is necessary conduct the workduring low flow periods.

PIf use of machinery in streams is necessary, avoid pushinggravel, soil or other debris within the stream as to causeunnecessary turbidity or down stream sedimentation.

Machinery in streams

PDo not remove vegetation from the stream bank unless it isabsolutely necessary.

PEspecially avoid removing large trees and undercut banks.

PReseed and mulch all disturbed areas and implementerosion and sediment control BMPs to protect the streambank.

PConsult with Environmental Staff to incorporate soilbioengineering practices to stabilize streambanks.

PConsult with Environmental Staff to incorporate FluvialGeomorphic principles and stabilization techniques.

Stream bank (riparian) vegetation

PSolutions must be linked with an integration of the existingupstream and downstream watershed conditions, valleymorphology, valley slope and related physiographic andhydraulic variables.

Stream Restoration

It is a folly to undertake a streamrestoration project without firstunderstanding the forces and scientificprinciples at work.

PLive StakesPLive Fascines (wattles)PBrush Layering & MattressPJoint PlantingPCoir Rolls

Stream Restoration

Soil Bioengineering: is the use of plant partsthemselves (roots and stems) as the mainstructural and mechanical elements in slopeprotection.

PVegetated GeogridsPVegetated (Live) Crib WallsPLive Slope Gratings

Stream Restoration

Biotechnical Engineering: utilizesmechanical elements (structures) incombination with biological (plants) to arrestand prevent slope failures and erosion.

Fish Passage

Fish Passage

Fish Passage

USDA Forest Servicecall (909) 599-1267ask for: Fish Crossing CD

I love streamrestoration work!