20090372 Ver 1_Public Notice_20090616

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US Army Corps PUBLIC NOTICE
Of Engineers
Wilmington District
Issue Date: June 16, 2009
Comment Deadline: July 15, 2009
Corps Action ID 4:2008-01507
TIP Project No. U-4444
The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application from the
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) seeking Department of the
Army authorization to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United
States associated with widening construction of NC 210 (Murchison Road) from the
Proposed Fayetteville Outer Loop to NC 24/87/210 (Bragg Boulevard), Cumberland
County, North Carolina.
Specific plans and location information are described below and shown on the attached
plans. This Public Notice and all attached plans are also available on the Wilmington
District Web Site at www.saw.usace.army.mil/wetlands
Applicant: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
c/o Dr. Gregory J. Thorpe, PhD, Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27699-1598
Authority
The Corps will evaluate this application to compare alternatives that have been carried
forward for study pursuant to applicable procedures under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
Location
The proposed 5.5 mile NC 210 highway improvement project (Figure 1) begins at the
proposed intersection location of the Fayetteville Outer Loop and extends along the
existing facility to the NC 24/87 (Bragg Boulevard) intersection in Spring Lake,
Cumberland County, North Carolina. The proposed project is located in adjacent wetlands
and tributaries that are hydrologically connected to the Cape Fear River. The project is
more specifically located starting at Latitude 35.1305 N, Longitude 78.9467 W and ending
at Latitude 35.1627, Longitude 78.9720.
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Existing Site Conditions
The project is located within the Inner Coastal Plain Physiographic Province in the Cape
Fear River subbasin 03-06-15, USGS 8-digit hydrological unit 03030004. The project area
encompasses approximately 2.1 square miles. The Biotic resources surrounding the project
area are indicative of the Fort Bragg reservation, which includes urban type areas and
forestlands accounting for the majority of land uses. Topography is characterized as gently
sloping hills, interrupted by floodplains with gentle to steep areas occurring along drainage
ways. Elevations range from approximately 200 to 340 feet above mean sea level (msl).
Jurisdictional waterways within the project area include Cross Creek, Little Cross Creek,
and tributaries to these waterways. The jurisdictional wetlands that may be impacted by the
proposed project are palustrine, forested broad-leaved, deciduous wetlands which include
bottomland hardwood, headwater and seep type wetlands.
Applicant's Stated Purpose
The purpose of the proposed highway is to increase the traffic carrying capacity of NC 210
(Murchison Road) between the proposed Fayetteville Outer Loop and NC 24/87 (Bragg
Boulevard) so that the roadway can accommodate traffic currently using NC 24/87 (Bragg
Boulevard) through Fort Bragg, which will be closed to traffic on Fort Bragg for security
reasons.
Project Description
The following description of the work is taken from data provided by the applicant.
The project (Figure 2) involves widening Murchison Road to six lanes with a 22-foot
median and providing interchanges at Honeycutt Road and Randolph Street. At Honeycutt
Road, a tight diamond interchange will be provided, with Murchison Road carried over
Honeycutt Road. The interchange has a tight diamond configuration west of Murchison
Road and minimizes impacts to the adjacent CSX Railroad, parallel to Murchison Road. A
loop and ramp in the southeast quadrant minimize the impacts to the wetland system
located in the northeast quadrant of the interchange. Murchison Road will be shifted to the
east in order to facilitate the construction while traffic is maintained on existing location.
Figure 2. Interchange configuration
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At Randolph Street, a semi-directional interchange with a loop ramp located in the
northeast quadrant will be provided. Randolph Street will be carried over Murchison Road.
This interchange incorporates free flowing ramps in the northwest and southwest
quadrants, a free-flowing loop onto Randolph from northbound Murchison and a
free-flowing low speed ramp onto Murchison from Randolph.
All access to Butner Road from Murchison Road will be eliminated. Butner Road traffic
would utilize existing Bragg Boulevard to Randolph Street, and then utilize the Randolph
Street Interchange with Murchison Road. This alternative requires Bragg Boulevard to
remain open between Randolph Street and Butner Road. In addition, access to the State
Veterans Cemetery would be granted from Bragg Boulevard.
Jurisdictional Streams
The project study area is located within sub-basin 03-06-15 of the Cape Fear River Basin,
and is part of the USGS hydrologic unit for the Cape Fear River. Eleven jurisdictional
streams or stream segments are located within the project study area. The physical
characteristics of each of these streams are shown below in Table 2.
The NCDWQ classified all streams in the project study area with a Best Usage
Classification of Water Supply (WS) - IV. A Best Usage Classification of WS-IV indicates
waters used as sources of potable water where a WS-1, 11, or III classification is not
feasible. WS-IV waters are generally in moderately to highly developed watersheds or
Protected Areas, and involve no categorical restrictions on discharges.
TATH.F 1. Jurisdictional Streams
- °- - - - USACE
NCDWQ NCDWQ
Stream Stream Stream Impact
Stream ID Stream
Classification Quality
Determination
(It)
Identification Score Assessment
Score
IER Little Cross ** 51 Perennial 0
Creek
2ER UT Little Cross ** 58 Perennial 0
Creek
2 (3ER) UT Cross 60 Perennial 310
Creek
4ER UT Cross 26.5 57 Perennial 0
Creek
(6TB) Cross Creek 22.5 42 Intermittent
109
4
(7TB) UT Cross 19 28 Intermittent
Creek
(6ER) Cross Creek ** 70 Perennial
(8ER) UT Cross 25.75 53 Intermittent
Creek 681
3
(9ER) UT Cross 29.75 65 . Perennial
Creek
(I OER) UT Cross 25.5 49 Intermittent
Creek
I IER UT Cross 22.25 53 Intermittent 0
Creek

TOTAL 1100
UT = Unnamed tributary
** NCDWQ Stream Classification Form was not completed due to strong evidence
indicating these streams are perennial.
Wetlands
Wetlands in the project study area were field delineated using the current Corps of
Engineers methodology. Seven areas meeting the criteria for jurisdictional wetlands were
located within the project study area. The locations of the impacted wetlands are shown on
Figures 3 & Sheet #1 of the attached plans. Table 2 lists information about the
jurisdictional wetlands within the project corridor.
Table I Jnrisdietional Wetlands
Wetland ID
(original) Cowardin
Classification* NCDWQ
Wetland Rating Riverine or
Non-Riverine
Impacts
1 (AER) PFO1C 29 Non-Riverine 0.01
(BER) PFO1B/C 44 Riverine 108
2
(CER)
PFO1B/C
48
Riverine
3 (EER) PFO1B/C 82 Riverine 5.99
4(FTB) PEMIH/PFO1H 28 Non-Riverine 0.26
(GTB) PEM1H/PFO1H 45 Non-Riverine 0
5 (HER) PEM1G 24 Non-Riverine 0.05
TOTAL 7.39
* Cowardin et al. 1979
PFO (Palustrine forested) - forested wetlands.
PSS (Palustrine scrub-shrub) - dominated by woody vegetation less than 20 feet tall.
PEM (Palustrine emergent) - dominated by herbaceous and hydrophytic
plants.
Cultural Resources
The Spring Lake Elementary School (a.k.a. Lillian Black Elementary School) in Spring
Lake is the only property within the project area eligible for listing on the National Register
of Historic Places. The project as currently designed will not impact this eligible site. In a
6
Memorandum dated August 28, 2008, the State Historic Preservation Officer concurred
with the findings of the NCDOT. The Corps has consulted the latest published version of
the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and is not aware of any additional
registered properties, or properties listed as being eligible for inclusion therein are located
within the project area or will be affected by the proposed work.
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Endangered Species
The Corps has reviewed the project area, examined all information provided by the
applicant and consulted the latest North Carolina Natural Heritage Database. Seven
federally protected species are listed as occurring within Cumberland County. These
species are listed in Table 3 below.
TABLE 3. Federally Protected Species in Cumberland County
Federal Biological
Common Name Scientific Name
Status*
Conclusion
Vertebrates
American alligator Alligator mississippiensis T(S/A) Not Applicable
Red-cockaded
Picoides borealis
E May affect, not
woodpecker . likely to adversely
Invertebrates
Saint Francis' satyr Neonympha mitchelli E No Effect
francisci
Vascular Plants
Pondberry Lindera melissifolia E No Effect
Rough-leaved Lysimachia asperulaefolia E No Effect
loosestrife
Michaux's sumac Rhus michauxii E No Effect
American chaffseed Schwalbea americans E No Effect
* E - Endangered; T - Threatened; T(S/A) - Threatened due to similarity of appearance
General field surveys were conducted along the proposed project between January and May
2005. No suitable habitat was found for rough-leaved loosestrife or American chaffseed.
Therefore, it is anticipated the project will have "no effect" on these species. No biological
conclusion is required for the American Alligator as it is listed as threatened due to
similarity of appearance with the federally-listed American crocodile. Suitable habitat for
red cockaded woodpecker, pondberry, and Michaux's sumac exists in the project study
area. Additional surveys were conducted in November 2005 and low quality habitat for
Saint Francis' satyr was found in the study area.
Plant-by-plant surveys for pondberry were conducted in March 2005. Pondberry was not
observed in any of the wetland areas surveyed. No occurrences of pondberry within one
mile of the project area are recorded in the NC Natural Heritage Program database. .
Surveys for Michaux's sumac were conducted in May 2005. Other species of sumac, such
as smooth sumac and winged sumac were observed, but no Michaux's sumac was found.
No occurrences of Michaux's sumac within one mile of the project area are recorded in the
NC Natural Heritage Program database.
Surveys for Saint Francis' satyr were conducted in May and July of 2006 during the first
and second flight periods for the species: No Saint Francis' satyrs were observed. No
occurrences of Saint Francis' satyr within one mile of the project area are recorded in the
NC Natural Heritage Program database.
Red-cockaded woodpeckers are present in the project area. The project is located within
two of Fort Bragg's habitat management units (HMU) for the red-cockaded woodpecker,
the Fort Bragg Green Belt and the Northeast Area HMU. Eight foraging partitions exist in
the project area or within one-half mile of the project.
Cursory field surveys for red-cockaded woodpecker roosting and foraging habitat were
performed from January to May of 2005. A survey for cavity trees within a.one-half mile
radius of the project was conducted in November 2005. A foraging analysis was conducted
in early 2008. A biological assessment (BA) providing biological conclusions for the red-
cockaded woodpecker was submitted to the USFWS in December 2008 with a
determination that the project "may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the red-
cockaded woodpecker. The USFWS responded with a concurrence letter on January 5,
2009.
Compensatory Mitigation
Compensatory mitigation will be required for project impacts to wetlands and streams. The
applicant will make every effort to provide on-site mitigation as much as possible. The
applicant has offered that any mitigation requirements not provided on-site will be met
utilizing the Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP).
Evaluation
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable
impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the proposed activity on the public interest. That
decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important
resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal
must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be
relevant to the proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects thereof, among
those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands,
historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain values (in
accordance with Executive Order 11988), land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and
accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety,
food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property ownership, and, in
general, the needs and welfare of the people. For activities involving the discharge of
dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States, the evaluation of the impact of the
activity on the public interest will include application of the Environmental Protection
Agency's 404(b)(1) guidelines.
Commenting Information
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State and local
agencies and officials, including any consolidate State Viewpoint or written position of the
Governor; Indian Tribes and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the
impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps
of Engineers to determine whether to issue, modify, condition or deny a permit for this
proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered
species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects and the other
public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an
Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant
to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments are also used to determine
the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed
activity.
Any person may request, in writing, within the comment period specified in this notice, that
a public hearing be held to consider the application. Requests for public hearings shall
state, with particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing. Requests for a public
hearing shall be granted, unless the District Engineer determines that the issues raised are
insubstantial or there is otherwise no valid interest to be served by a hearing.
Written comments pertinent to the proposed work, as outlined above, will be received
by the Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, until 5pm, July 15, 2009. Comments
should be submitted to Mr. Richard K. Spencer, Wilmington Regulatory Field Office,
69 Darlington Avenue, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-1343.

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