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Home My WebLink About19970093 Ver 1_Meeting Minutes_20080815 (83) J Axiom Environmental, Inc. 6317 Bayswater Trail Raleigh, North Carolina 27604cy 919-270-9306 MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. David Wainwright N.C. Division of Water Quality Transportation Permitting Unit 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27604-2260 FROM: Sandy Smith, Axiom Environmental, Inc.( DATE: August 14, 2008 - 1 RE: N.C. Global TransPark Rail Access (TIP No. U-2928) Kinston, Lenoir County Project Kick-off Meeting An informational kick-off meeting for the North Carolina Global TransPark (NCGTP) was held at the NCGTP on July 31, 2008. The purpose of this meeting was for the N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division (Rail Division) to describe the general characteristics of the project, the tasks required to bring it to construction, and the associated schedule. For your information, please find attached to this memo the following items (some or all of which you may already have). • a copy of a kick-off meeting notice • a copy of the start of study letter • a print out of the slide show presented to kick-off meeting attendees Subsequent to the kick-off meeting, the Rail Division has been coordinating among the NCGTP Authority, NCGTP tenants, the Highway Division, North Carolina Railroad, Norfolk Southern Rail, the City of Kinston, various utilities, their consultants, and others as part of project planning. The Rail Division has generated and is currently refining project alternatives. Detailed environmental investigations (including delineations of jurisdictional streams and wetlands, riparian buffers, and protected species issues) are ongoing, and the results of these investigations will be incorporated into project planning. It is the intention of the Rail Division to keep natural resources agencies apprised and involved with planning aspects of this project. The Rail Division appreciates your input. For comments and/or questions, please contact Mr. Marc Hamel through the following means. For those who have already provided them, thank you for your comments. N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division 1553 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1553 919-733-7245, extension 270 Cc: Tracey Wheeler, USACE David Lekson, USACE William Wescott, USACE Scott McLendon, USACE Chris Militscher, USEPA Gary Jordan, USFWS David Wainwright, NCDWQ Travis Wilson, NCWRC Renee Gledhill-Earley, NCDCR Marc Hamel, NCDOT Rail Division STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPEn- GOVERNOR SECRETARY July 22, 2008 Addressee SUBJECT: Informational Kick-Off Meeting for the Global TransPark Rail Access in Kinston, Lenoir County. TIP No. U-2928, State WBS No. 41739. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division is in the initial stages of developing the environmental and design studies for a proposed rail connection from the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern (NS) main-line near US 70 in Kinston to the Global TransPark (GTP). This letter serves as an invitation to a Kick-Off meeting that will describe the general characteristics of the project, the tasks required to bring it to construction, and the associated schedule. The Kick-Off meeting for the GTP Rail Access project is scheduled for iSda~Juh.31; aJ. The meeting will be held in the Global TransPark GTP-2 conference room. GTP-2 is located on John Mewborne road in Kinston, across from the New Breed Facility (it is a fire station with offices) and next to the GTP-4 hangar (smaller of the two hangars adjacent to the runway). The accelerated schedule for this project is the reason for the relatively short lead time in setting this meeting. The accelerated schedule is due to the recent announcement that Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. will be constructing a new facility within the GTP. This new facility is expected to provide economic and security benefits at the local, regional, and national levels. The following paragraphs provide a brief description of the project, the purpose and need for the project, plus the general characteristics and natural resources of the project study area. Project Description The proposed project is located near US 70 in Kinston and would provide a new single-track railroad access from the NCRR/NS main-line, north across Hull Road, Dobbs Farm Road, and C.F. Harvey Parkway to terminate within the GTP. This rail access is proposed to carry large aircraft components, at a relatively low frequency, to and from the Spirit AeroSystems site. The approximate length of the project is 4.5 miles. Exhibit 1 (attached) shows the project study area. MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: 919-733-4713 LOCATION: NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: 919-715-6580 TRANSPORTATION BUILDING RAIL DIVISION 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET 1553 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.BYTRAIN.ORG RALEIGH NC RALEIGH NC 27699-1553 Global TransPark Rail Access, Kinston, Lenoir County Kick-Off Meeting Page 2 of 2 Purpose and Need The proposed project would create a rail access into the GTP. Currently rail access to the GTP, which is necessary for the proposed operations of the Spirit AeroSystems facility, does not exist. Tasks Underway The following are the major tasks to be completed prior to constructing the proposed rail access. Due to the fast track schedule, many elements of these tasks will be developed concurrently. Discussion of the elements of these tasks will be a subject of the Kick-Off Meeting. Environmental Assessment (EA) - Prior to acquiring right-of-way and obtaining permits for construction, an EA will be conducted for this project. The EA addresses the effects of the proposed action on both the human and natural environments. This evaluation requires many studies and processes including: public involvement; stream and wetland delineation; evaluation of historic and archaeological resources evaluation; air quality and noise effects studies; etc. The EA will document the analysis of design alternatives and their associated benefits and impacts. Once the EA is compete it is anticipated that it will be followed up with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Once this document is signed by the appropriate federal authority, final design and subsequently right-of-way acquisition can begin. Rail Design - Conceptual design is currently underway on multiple alternatives to meet the project purpose and need. As the feasibility of these concepts is studied, the preliminary alternatives will be defined and their potential benefits and effects will be evaluated. Through comparison of impacts, and in consideration of how the alternatives satisfy the purpose and need, a recommended alternative will be developed. The analysis and recommendations will be documented in the EA. As soon as a recommended alternative is selected, development of construction plans will begin. As mentioned previously, many of the tasks involved in the environmental and design studies will be over-lapping in order to accelerate the project schedule. Discussion of these tasks will be part of the agenda at the Kick-Off Meeting. If there are any questions prior to the meeting, please contact Marc Hamel at 733-7245, extension 270. Marc Hamel Rail Environmental Planning Engineer Rail Division, Environmental and Planning Branch MH/prk Attachment cc: File F STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDo TIPPEri, GOVERNOR SECRETARY July 22, 2008 Addressee SUBJECT: Start of Study Letter for the Global TransPark Rail Access in Kinston, Lenoir County. TIP No. U-2928, State WBS No. 41739. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division has retained the firm of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed rail connection from the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)/Norfolk Southern (NS) main-line near US 70 in Kinston to the Global TransPark (GTP). The purpose of this letter is to provide notification of the start of study and to solicit comments regarding potential concerns or data within the project study area. Please submit written comments to Mr. Marc Hamel at the address below by August 31, 2008. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Hamel, at 733-7245, extension 270. The following paragraphs provide a description of the project, the purpose and need for the project, plus the general characteristics and natural resources of the project study area. Project Description The proposed project is located near US 70 in Kinston and would provide a new single-track railroad access from the NCRRJNS main-line, north across Hull Road, Dobbs Farm Road, and C.F. Harvey Parkway to terminate within the GTP. This rail access is proposed to carry large aircraft components, at a relatively low frequency, to and from the Spirit AeroSystems site. The approximate length of the project is 4.5 miles. Exhibit 1 (attached) shows the project study area. Purpose and Need The State of North Carolina has recently announced that Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. will be constructing a new facility within the GTP. This new facility is expected to provide economic and security benefits at the local, regional, and national levels. The purpose of this project is to create a rail access into the GTP. Currently rail access to the GTP, which is necessary for the proposed operations of the Spirit AeroSystems facility, does not exist. 1 MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE'. 919-733-4713 LOCATION: FAX: 919-715.6580 TRANSPORTATION BUILDING NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET RAIL DIVISION WEBSITE: WWW.BYTRAIN.ORG RALEIGH NC 1553 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699-1553 Global TransPark Rail Access, Kinston, Lenoir County Start of Study Page 2 of 3 General Characteristics of the Project Study Area Exhibit l (attached) shows the project study area, which is located just north of US 70 in Kinston, NC. Land Use - The project study area can be characterized primarily as a mixture of moderate- density residential development, with some commercial and institutional development along the major roadways. There are large farming and undeveloped tracts in the middle portion of the area. Natural Resources - Surface waters in the project study area lie within Subbasin 03-04-05 of the Neuse River Basin and include portions of Stonyton Creek, Briery Run, and unnamed tributaries of Stonyton Creek, Briery Run and the Neuse River. Within the project study area, Stonyton Creek, Briery Run and the Neuse River are classified by the NC Department of Natural Resources (NCDENR) as a Class C: NSW waterbodies. Class C waters are classified for secondary recreation, fishing, wildlife, fish, and aquatic life propagation and survival, and agriculture. NSW waters are those in need of additional nutrient management due to their being subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation. In general, management strategies for point and nonpoint source pollution control require no increase in nutrients over background levels. Stonyton Creek and Briery Run are also classified as swamp waters (Sw), which is a supplemental classification intended to recognize waters with naturally occurring low velocities, low pH, and low dissolved oxygen. An initial field screening survey identifies the potential for relatively large wetland areas throughout the study area. Formal wetland delineations are currently underway with a jurisdictional determination anticipated within the next month. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) maintain a list of threatened and endangered species for Lenoir County. In accordance with provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the project study area will be evaluated for protected species habitat. The table below presents the federal and state listed threatened and endangered plant and animal species potentially occurring in Lenoir County: SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATUS STATESTATUS PLANTS Aeschynomene virginica Sensitive Jointvetch T E An:orpha georgiana Georgia Indigo-bush FSC* E Dionaea muscipula Venus Flytrap FSC* SR-L, SC Helenium brevifolium Littleleaf Sneezeweed E* BIRDS Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle T Picoides borealis Red-cockaded Woodpecker E* E FISH Noturus furiosus Carolina Madtom FSC SC (PT) ? I Global TransPark Rail Access, Kinston, Lenoir County Start of Study Page 3 of 3 NOTES: "FSC" denotes Federal "Species of Concern" (also called "Species at Risk" - formerly defined as a species under consideration for which there is insufficient information to support listing). "E" denotes Endangered (any native or once-native species of wild animal whose continued existence as a viable component of the State's fauna is determined by the WRC to be in jeopardy) or (any species or higher taxon of plant whose continued existence as a viable component of the State's flora is determined to be in jeopardy). "T" denotes Threatened (any native or once-native species of wild animal that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion or its range). "SC" denotes Special Concern. "SR" denotes Significantly Rare. denotes limited to North Carolina and adjacent states. denotes historic record - the element was last observed in the county more than 20 years ago. Archeological and Historic Architectural Properties - The need for an archeology survey and a historic architecture survey will be evaluated during the course of the study. Thanks you, in advance for your timely attention to this request for information. If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Marc Hamel at 733-7245, extension 270. Sincerely, y l Marc Hamel Rail Environmental Planning Engineer Rail Division, Environmental and Planning Branch MH/prk Attachment cc: File Global TransPark Rail Access M c Kick-Off Meeting July 31, 2008 w., w w s LmiEL w a