The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) will hold two public hearings in early September to gather input on the water quality impacts of a proposed pipeline expansion by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, known as the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project.
The first hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on September 2 at the Rockingham Community College Advanced Technologies Building Auditorium in Wentworth. Registration to speak begins at 5:30 p.m. The second hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on September 4 at the Kernersville Municipal Council Chambers, with registration also starting at 5:30 p.m.
Transco has applied to DWR for an individual Section 401 Water Quality Certification under the Clean Water Act, as well as buffer authorizations for Jordan Lake and Randleman Lake, in connection with its proposed project.
The project involves expanding an existing natural gas transmission pipeline. In North Carolina, this includes constructing about 4.4 miles of new 42-inch diameter pipe in Rockingham County—referred to as the Eden loop—and approximately 24.1 miles of similar pipe through Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson counties—the Salem loop. Modifications are also planned for compressor stations and other facilities in Davidson, Cleveland, Iredell, Lincoln, and Gaston counties; according to the application, these changes would not affect state-regulated waters or riparian zones.
According to project documents available online (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting/public-notices/20240801), construction activities would temporarily impact about 8,100 linear feet (1.5 miles) of jurisdictional streams and roughly 11.2 acres of wetlands subject to federal regulation.
The proposal includes installing two major stream crossings and one open-water crossing beneath surface waters using horizontal directional drilling or conventional boring methods. Two smaller streams adjacent to road crossings would be avoided by using similar installation techniques designed to prevent impacts on surface waters.
Transco states that after construction is complete, all disturbed land surfaces—including streams and wetlands—would be restored as closely as possible to their pre-construction condition.
Projects requiring a federal Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must also obtain a state-issued Section 401 water quality certification before receiving federal approval.
State law requires that projects meet several criteria for certification: minimizing adverse effects on surface waters and wetlands by considering topography, vegetation, aquatic resources, and hydrological conditions; preventing degradation of groundwater or surface water; avoiding secondary or indirect impacts that could violate downstream water quality standards; and providing mitigation for any permanent impacts.
Buffer authorizations are necessary because the proposed pipeline would affect streams within the Jordan Lake and Randleman Lake watersheds. North Carolina regulations require vegetated buffers along waterways feeding these lakes to protect them as sources of drinking water.
In addition to participating in person at either public hearing, residents may submit written comments by mail or electronically until October 6 at 5 p.m., referencing project number 20240801 via this public comment link (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting/public-notices/20240801). Comments can also be mailed to Samantha Wooten at the address provided in official notices or left by voicemail at (919) 707-8495.
All comments received will be considered during review of the permit application under timelines set forth by Session Law 2023-137.
“Los comentarios recibidos sobre el permiso serán considerados como parte de la decisión sobre la solicitud de acuerdo con los plazos establecidos en la Ley de Sesiones 2023-137.”
Project documents and related materials are available online (https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/401-buffer-permitting/public-notices/20240801).
