N.J. Admin. Code § 7:22-10.11

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 7:22-10.11 - Design requirements

(a) The project sponsor shall prepare design plans and specifications which conform to the project alternative selected and approved in planning pursuant to the provisions of N.J.A.C. 7:22-10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 and which include mitigating measures developed during planning and incorporated in the approved planning documentation. In addition, the design plans and specifications shall conform to the minimum standards for each area of concern which is applicable to the proposed project as set forth below. All activities which are a part of the comprehensive environmental infrastructure project(s) for the planning area must conform to the requirements of this section, regardless of the eligibility of individual components of the project.

1. Any design revisions of the project which differ from the project as approved during planning shall be specifically identified.

2. Where any on-going environmental protection measures will be the responsibility of the project sponsor, the project sponsor shall submit a letter prior to loan award specifying that it will adhere to the scope of work approved by the Department.

(b) The contract documents shall be prepared to clearly identify environmental and cultural resources protection measures and shall conform to the following:

1. The format of the contract documents shall consolidate environmental and cultural resource protection/restoration measures in a single section of the design specifications as well as on appropriate sheets of the design plans. The specifications which spell out the environmental and cultural resource protection/restoration measures shall be identified in the specifications as having precedence over other potentially contradictory language contained elsewhere in the design contract documents. The specifications shall clearly state that, in instances where the provisions of a Department-issued permit contradict a provision of the specifications (including those identified in this subchapter), the environmental resources protection and/or restoration and cultural resource mitigation measures identified in the Department-issued permit shall govern.

2. Environmental resources protection and/or restoration measures, and cultural resource mitigation measures should generally include the following subject areas:

i. General;

ii. Clearing;

iii. Erosion and sedimentation control;

iv. Protection of environmentally critical areas;

v. Stockpiling and waste disposal;

vi. Prohibited construction procedures;

vii. Dust control;

viii. Noise control;

ix. Cultural resources;

x. Dewatering;

xi.Restoration;

xii. Environmental maintenance bond; and

xiii.Inspection.

3. The method of payment for environmental and cultural resource protection/restoration measures shall be specified in the applicable section of the contract documents. Where restoration and maintenance of environmental quality are necessary outside of the designated construction area or when measures for maintenance of environmental quality are required after the date of completion and acceptance of the environmental infrastructure facilities, the project sponsor shall clearly state the contractor's responsibilities in the specifications. The Department may require the project sponsor to include separate unit bid items for environmental and cultural resource restoration and/or mitigation.

4. Where construction will occur within or adjacent to environmentally critical areas, as approved by the Department, those areas shall be identified on design plans.

(c) Every effort shall be made to prevent and correct problems associated with erosion and sedimentation which could occur during and after project construction. At a minimum, design specifications shall incorporate the following erosion and sedimentation control measures:

1. All erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be in place prior to any grading operations or construction of proposed facilities and shall be maintained until construction is complete and the construction area is stabilized. After restoration is complete, temporary control measures shall be removed and disposed of properly.

2. All erosion and sedimentation control measures shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the "Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey," prepared by the New Jersey State Soil Conservation Committee, 1999, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented. Copies of the "Standards for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control in New Jersey" are available for a fee from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Committee, or from the office of any of the 16 local conservation districts.

3. Disturbed areas that will be exposed in excess of 10 days shall be temporarily seeded and/or mulched until proper weather conditions exist for establishment of a permanent vegetative cover.

(d) Site and access clearing must be confined to approved construction areas. Protection of existing vegetation must be practiced wherever possible. At a minimum, the project sponsor shall include provisions in the contract documents which conform to the following:

1. Temporary and permanent easement widths must be reduced to the minimum feasible for the proposed construction. Unless specifically approved by the Department, permanent access roads must not be more than eight feet wide and there shall be no permanent access roads in environmentally critical areas. Access roads may be paved only where absolutely necessary, as determined by the Department.

2. Only those portions of the site which are absolutely necessary and essential for construction shall be cleared. Whenever possible, excavation shall include the removal and storage of topsoil from the site for future use. The length of time of ground disturbance shall be reduced to the minimum practicable, especially in environmentally critical areas. Ground disturbance shall be avoided until immediately preceding construction to minimize exposure of soils.

3. Trees and shrubs within construction easements, which are not required to be removed to permit construction, shall be protected to the drip line with appropriate protection measures such as snow fencing or batter boards. Trees and shrubs whose removal is necessary to facilitate construction shall either be replanted at the same location or replaced with nursery stock of the same kind. Trees of greater than 12 inches in diameter should be preserved whenever possible by implementing slight shifts in alignment or tunneling under tree roots. Specimen trees, as identified in "New Jersey's Big Trees" (1998) published by the Department's Division of Parks and Forestry listing specimen trees in the State, shall be preserved.

4. Except in heavily wooded areas, the plans shall designate trees and shrubs which are to be protected as well as trees and shrubs which are to be removed. In addition, plans shall provide details which depict methods of protection to the drip line.

5. In heavily wooded areas, every effort shall be made to avoid the destruction of common native trees and shrubs so as not to unduly disturb the ecological balance or environmental quality of the area. Trees of 12 inch diameter or greater should be preserved whenever possible and protected to the drip line. Where practical, common native trees and shrubs, of one through three inch caliper, which must be cleared from the construction area shall be stockpiled for use in restoration. Straggling roots shall be pruned. Trees which must be pruned to facilitate construction shall be cut cleanly and painted with tree paint. If a tree not intended to be removed is damaged, the wood shall be repaired according to common nursery practice and painted with tree paint.

(e) Restoration measures to be identified and designated on the environmental plans and specifications include the following: ground preparation, topsoiling, fertilizing, liming, reseeding, and replanting/replacement of trees and shrubs with native species. The aim of restoration is to restore the disturbed area to a condition as nearly equal to pre-disturbance condition as possible. The environmental specifications shall set forth the procedure for accomplishing these restoration measures. The plans shall include the location of various types of restoration and shall include details depicting typical methods to accomplish restoration. The provisions shall include the following when applicable:

1. Final restoration shall be undertaken as soon as an area is no longer needed for construction, stockpiling or access. Excavated material unsuitable for backfill as set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:14-2.13 and considered to be solid waste pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-1.6 shall be removed from the construction site and disposed of at a sanitary landfill approved and licensed by the Department. Excess excavated material which is not considered to be solid waste pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-1.6 shall be graded or removed in accordance with (1)3 below. When access roads are no longer needed, road fill shall be removed and the access area shall be restored to pre-disturbance conditions. Care should be taken to avoid damage to adjacent vegetation and to prevent the formation of depressions that would serve as mosquito pools.

2. Topsoil shall be replaced with adequate amounts of topsoil material to restore the disturbed area to its original, pre-disturbance grade and depth of topsoil.

3. Rates and types of fertilization, liming, and seeding shall be as recommended by the local Soil Conservation District based on soil tests and local conditions. Seed mixtures shall be selected that are best suited for the particular site conditions. Seed selection shall provide for a quickly germinating initial growth, to prevent erosion, and for a secondary growth that will survive without continuing maintenance. Mulching shall occur immediately after seeding, and in no case shall more than five days elapse between seeding and mulching.

4. In wooded areas, for a 50-foot wide construction easement, generally 10 trees should be planted for every 100 feet of length of the easement. More trees would be required in wider easements or densely wooded areas. Plans shall include a restoration schedule specifying the quantity, common and botanic names, sizes, and spacing of trees to be planted and the type of seed mixtures to be used from station to station. Trees to be replaced should be trees native to New Jersey suitable for the particular site and generally should conform to the list of trees found in the "Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey," prepared by the New Jersey State Soil Conservation Committee, 1999, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented.

5. In landscaped areas, environmental features shall be replaced or restored to pre-disturbance condition or better. This includes sodding, replacement of trees and shrubs, fences, drives, and other landscape features in kind.

(f) A listing of prohibited construction procedures shall be incorporated into the specifications. These procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Dumping of spoil material into any stream corridor, any wetlands, any vernal habitats, any surface waters, any sites listed or eligible for listing on the New Jersey or National Registers of Historic Places, or at unspecified locations;

2. Indiscriminate, arbitrary or capricious operation of equipment in any stream corridors, wetlands, vernal habitats, or surface waters;

3. Pumping of silt-laden water from trenches or other excavations into any surface waters, stream corridors, wetlands or vernal habitats;

4. Damaging vegetation adjacent to or outside of the access road or the right-of-way;

5. Disposal of trees, brush and other debris in any stream corridors, wetlands, vernal habitats, surface waters or at unspecified locations;

6. Permanent or unspecified alteration of the flow line of any stream;

7. Open burning of project debris;

8. Use of calcium chloride, petroleum products, or other chemicals for dust control;

9. Use of asphaltic mulch binder; and

10. Any unpermitted discharge of sewage.

(g) Construction in wetlands shall conform to the requirements of the New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act, N.J.S.A 13:9B-1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 7:7A.

(h) Stream crossings shall conform to the requirements of the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:16A-50 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 7:13.

(i) Slopes exceeding 15 percent require special treatment. Specifications shall call for measures such as water diversion berms, sodding, or the use of jute or excelsior blankets. Hay bales shall be placed at the base of the slope prior to ground disturbance. Steep slopes that have been disturbed, if not sodded, shall be seeded and mulched immediately after construction is complete. Slope boards or other measures necessary to prevent slumping of the disturbed slope shall be incorporated, where appropriate.

(j) If there is the possibility of encountering acid-producing deposits in the course of construction, as identified during the planning process, special requirements and conditions will apply and shall be incorporated in the specifications as follows:

1. In vegetated areas, the top two feet of soil shall be stripped and stockpiled separately from the material to be excavated. A soils specialist, to be provided by the project sponsor, shall monitor the stripping operation. If any acid-producing deposits are identified, this material and any contaminated soil shall be disposed of on the same day. The presence of acid-producing deposits is detected by the use of the following tests:

i. Determining the pH of the soil when suspended in 0.5 Molar calcium chloride solution (of neutral pH). A pH value below 3.0 indicates presence of ferrous sulfate and presence of acid-producing deposits is strongly suspected.

ii. Test for sulfate by adding a drop of 10 percent barium chloride solution to a water extract of the material. If voluminous flocks of barium sulfate form immediately the presence of acid-producing deposits is strongly suspected.

2. The disposal site shall be approved by the Department. Any soil of this type disposed of shall be covered with a minimum of two feet of cover to prevent rapid oxidation and subsequent acid formation.

3. In both vegetated and paved areas, when acid-producing deposits are encountered, as determined by the soil specialist, excavated trench material shall be returned to the trench as follows:

i. Lower material first, followed by upper material.

ii. The top one to two inches of soil on which the deeper soil was stockpiled shall be scraped and placed below a depth of two feet.

iii. For pipeline construction, the quantity of material to be displaced by bedding and pipe, as well as soil scraped from the stockpile area, shall be subtracted from the deeper, excavated material and this quantity of deeper material removed to an approved disposal site and covered as described (e)3 above.

iv. After backfilling the deeper soil, one ton of limestone per 2,000 square feet shall be spread over the deeper soil in the trench. This liming requirement is applicable in areas of well drained, nonsaturated soils, as determined by the soil specialist.

v. In vegetated areas, the top two feet of soil, stockpiled for this purpose, shall then be replaced. If the top two feet of soil was also contaminated, clean backfill material similar to the native topsoil shall be used in place of the contaminated material.

4. The excavated acid-producing deposits shall not be exposed for a period longer than eight hours. When acid-producing deposits are encountered, the trench opened in any construction day shall be backfilled and the areas cleaned up by the close of the day. Where this is impracticable, such as in the construction of pumping stations and treatment plants, exposed acid-producing deposits shall be covered with limestone screenings at a rate of 100 tons per acre and then covered with six inches of compacted soil within one week of exposure or before the exposed soil drops to pH 3, whichever occurs first. The pH shall be monitored daily under this procedure.

5. Temporary restoration of vegetated areas shall consist of mulching and shall be put in place at the end of each day's construction. Permanent restoration of the area shall begin as soon as construction is complete and after the results of incubation tests, where necessary, are available.

6. Prior to restoring vegetated areas, the soil specialist shall perform pH tests on the in-situ soil after the construction is completed. If the pH is below 4, intensive liming shall be required in order to make the soil suitable for plant survival.

7. Lime requirement tests shall be performed by the soil specialist to determine the lime application rates. This will require an incubation test in which the sample is oxidized for a period of six weeks, as follows:

i. The sample shall be air dried and ground so that the whole sample passes a 0.5 millimeter sieve.

ii. The lime requirement to reach pH 6.5 shall be determined initially, and again at two week intervals for six weeks, using standard soil testing techniques.

iii. The total lime requirement determined by this method can be extrapolated to the area under consideration.

8. A minimum of 30 tons of limestone per acre or the amount of lime required according to the incubation test result shall be applied prior to seeding and planting where the pH is less than 4. Where the pH is greater than 4, liming and fertilizing requirements set out in the planting and environmental specifications shall apply.

9. The spreading and mixing of the subsoil and any topsoil contaminated with acid-producing deposits around the site and beyond the site is prohibited. Areas used for stockpiling acid-producing deposits shall be minimized. Equipment used for excavation and backfilling shall be cleaned, to the extent practicable, at the end of each day's operation and the soil removed shall be placed in the trench below a depth of two feet. No construction shall take place during significant rainstorms or while the area is saturated to avoid smearing or spreading of the acid-producing deposits over the area.

(k) When dewatering will occur and a dewatering permit is not required, the contractor shall monitor for adverse effects to structures or wells due to dewatering and shall be responsible to remedy same to the satisfaction of the Department. Discharges from dewatering activities which contain silt are subject to the following controls:

1. All discharges from dewatering activities to surface waters, wetlands, vernal habitats, or storm sewers shall be free of sediment. Care shall be taken not to damage or kill vegetation by excessive watering or by damaging silt accumulation in the discharge area. If discharges are sediment laden, techniques shall be employed to remove sediment prior to discharge. A sedimentation basin shall be constructed and used as specified, where necessary, to protect vegetation and to achieve environmental objectives.

2. Sewer inlets within construction areas shall be provided with perimeter hay bales or other appropriate siltation control measures.

(l) Contract requirements with regard to the location and control of stockpile, storage and disposal areas whether provided by the project sponsor or the contractor, must conform to the following:

1. Only environmentally suitable stockpile sites may be used for the purposes of staging or storing materials, equipment and suitable trench backfill material. Environmentally suitable sites must be level, and devoid of mature stands of natural vegetation. Drainage facilities and features, wetlands, vernal habitats, and stream corridors are not environmentally suitable sites.

2. The boundary of the stockpile area shall be clearly marked by hay bales, silt fencing or another appropriate method. Where fill is to be stored in excess of 10 days, a suitable means of protecting excavated material from wind and water erosion shall be employed. Erosion control methods may include one or more of the following: mulching, sprinkling, silt fencing, haybaling and stone covering.

3. Excess excavated material which is not considered to be solid waste pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-1.6 shall be graded on-site only to the extent needed to achieve preconstruction grade, unless otherwise specifically approved by the Department. The project sponsor shall ensure that the contractor removes the remainder from the site and disposes of it at a site approved by the project sponsor in accordance with the following:

i. Disposal sites selected by the contractor shall be evaluated and approved by the project sponsor prior to their use. Disposal sites may also be selected by the project sponsor. The project sponsor shall conduct periodic inspection of disposal sites to ensure compliance with the requirements of this subsection during the off-site disposal operation.

ii. The disposal of excess excavated material in wetlands, vernal habitats, stream corridors and floodplains is strictly prohibited, even if the permission of the property owner is obtained. The contractor shall be responsible to remove any fill improperly placed by the contractor at the contractor's expense and restore the area impacted.

iii. If excess excavated material is placed on private property, a hold harmless release in favor of the project sponsor and the Department shall be obtained from the property owner; and

iv. Prior to approval of a site for excess excavated material disposal, where the site exceeds 5,000 square feet, the project sponsor shall obtain, or shall ensure that the contractor or property owner has obtained, the appropriate certification of the soil erosion and sediment control plan in accordance with the State's standards for soil conservation (N.J.S.A. 4:24-1 et seq., also referred to as Chapter 251). Where the site is less than 5,000 square feet, the project sponsor shall advise the property owner of the need for erosion and sediment control and obtain a statement that the property owner accepts complete responsibility for implementation of appropriate methods to prevent erosion and sedimentation.

(m) In order to control dust, as often as required during each working day, and particularly prior to the conclusion of each working day, areas under immediate construction (including access roads and other areas affected thereby) shall be swept and wet down with water sufficiently to lay dust. In addition, these areas shall be wet down during non-working hours (including weekends) as often as required to keep the dust under control. The use of calcium chloride or petroleum products or other chemicals for dust control is prohibited.

(n) In order to limit noise impacts in the vicinity of sensitive receptors, construction operations and activities shall be limited as follows: Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. unless variances to these times are granted in times of emergency. No driving, pulling, or other operations entailing the use of vibratory hammers or compactors shall be permitted, other than between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. The number of machines in operation at a given time shall be limited to the minimum practicable. All engine generators or pumps must have mufflers and be enclosed within a temporary structure.

(o) Provisions regarding the contractor's responsibility for cultural resource protection shall be included in contract documents that provide for the following:

1. If a cultural resource is encountered during the course of construction, the contractor is directed to halt all construction activities in that area. The contractor shall immediately contact the project sponsor who shall contact the Department. The Department will determine and require initiation of the appropriate actions in conformance with N.J.A.C. 7:22-10.8.

2. The contractor shall not dispose of excess excavated material at, stockpile construction materials at, or obtain borrow material from, properties which are listed or eligible for listing on the New Jersey or National Registers of Historic Places.

(p) The project sponsor shall require that the contractor supply an environmental maintenance bond in the amount of $25,000 or 50 percent of the price bid for the materials needed to fulfill the environmental specifications, whichever is greater. The environmental maintenance bond shall provide that the contractor shall remedy, without cost, any defects which result from faulty workmanship or from failure to comply with the specifications and which develop during the period of one year from the expiration of the performance bond required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-22.

(q) The project sponsor shall obtain photographs of existing conditions prior to the start of site and access clearing and construction. At a minimum, one eight inch by 10 inch color glossy print photograph shall be obtained for each 100 feet of the construction area. Special attention shall be given to environmentally critical areas and areas outside of the public right-of-way. Photographs shall be labeled by station so that upon completion of the construction, or during construction if necessary, subsequent photographs can be taken from the same control points. The project sponsor shall file copies of the above photographs with the Department. As a supplement to the required photographs, video documentation may be submitted to the Department, and is encouraged as a way of documenting site conditions.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:22-10.11

Amended by R.1992 d.42, effective 1/21/1992.
See: 23 New Jersey Register 3282(a), 24 New Jersey Register 246(a).
Clarification was added regarding access roads, acid producing deposits, dewatering, stockpiling, and noise control to clarify intent and reflect practical experience.
Amended by R.1993 d.242, effective 6/7/1993.
See: 24 New Jersey Register 4310(b), 25 New Jersey Register 2271(a).
Modified to clarify the scope of the applicability of the environmental review of the design documents to all components related construction project, consistent with amendment to N.J.A.C. 7:22-10.3.
Amended by R.1995 d.494, effective 9/5/1995.
See: 27 New Jersey Register 1536(a), 27 New Jersey Register 3403(a).
Amended by R.1998 d.407, effective 8/3/1998.
See: 30 New Jersey Register 1144(a), 30 New Jersey Register 2863(a).
Substituted "environmental infrastructure" for "wastewater treatment" and "project sponsor" for "local government unit" throughout; and in (j)3, substituted "pipeline" for "interceptor" in the third sentence.
Amended by R.2000 d.284, effective 7/3/2000.
See: 32 New Jersey Register 363(a), 32 New Jersey Register 2426(b).
In (d)3, rewrote the last sentence.
Amended by R.2006 d.22, effective 1/3/2006.
See: 37 New Jersey Register 2645(a), 38 New Jersey Register 139(a).
Rewrote the section.