20100747 Ver 1_Other Agency Comments_20070808

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 4 RALEIGH OFFICE;
TERRY SANFROD FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
310 NEW BERN AVENUE
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27601
Date: August 8, 2007
Dr. Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Manager, Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
SUBJECT: EPA Review Comments of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
for U-3326, US 29 Business (Freeway Drive) from SR 2670 to NC. 14,
Reidsville, Rockingham County, North Carolina
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 (EPA) has reviewed the
subject document and is commenting in accordance with Section 309 of the Clean Air
Act and Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDO"i) and the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) propose to widen US 29 Business (Freeway Drive) from SR
2670 (South Scales Street) to NC 14 in Reidsville, Rockingham County for an
approximate distance of 6.7 miles. The proposed project incorporates two typical
sections including a four-lane curb and gutter median section with 8-foot shoulders for U-
3326A (4 feet to accommodate bicycles) and a four-lane raised median section for U-
332613 with a curb and glitter section and a sidewalk on one side. The median width for
both sections is 17.5 feet.
The proposed project has been in the NEPA/Section 404 Merger process since
May of 2002. According to EPA tracking records, C011CUrrence Points I and 2 were
signed on May 8, 2002, Concurrence Point 2A was signed on May 21, 2005. and
Concurrence Points 3 and 4A were signed on March 15, 2007. EPA provided e-mail
review comments on June 23, 2006, for the Environmental Assessment (EA). Due to
continued involvement in the Merger process and NCDOT's efforts to minimize project
impacts, EPA had few substantial environmental concerns fi-on1 our review of the EA.
Project Innpacts
EPA notes the following project impacts to key environmental indicators from the
modifications made to the preferred Alternative 5-Best lit alignment:
Residential/Business Relocations: 7/17
Hazardous Material Sites: 14
Sections 106/4(t) Properties: 0/0
Churches/Schools: 0/0
Wetlands: 0.023
Streams: 3.074 linear feet
Riparian buffers: 0
Terrestrial forests: 41.0 acres
Prime farmlands: 0
Noise receptors: 2
EJ Communities: 0
Endangered species: 0
Archaeological sites: 0
Air quality: 0 (Ozone)
EPA notes that stream impacts for all of the alternatives increased by
approximately 350 linear feet due to the inclusion of Streams 17 and 18 that were not
included in the original Natural Resource Technical Report (NRTR). EPA and other
agencies requested that NCDOT evaluate the use of a retaining wall at Little Troublesome
Creek to minimize impacts from a design of a paved pedestrian walkway at this location.
Impacts at this location have potentially increased due to the construction of this
walkway. Little Troublesome Creek is classified as Class C, NSW and is a 303(d) listed
stream (impaired due to impervious surface runoff). Additional avoidance and
minimization measures for impacts from roadway runoff need to be fully considered
during the hydraulic design phase for the project.
Summary
EPA does not have any environmental objections to the preferred alternative and
we acknowledge that some efforts were made to avoid and minimize impacts to
residences and businesses and waters of the U.S. However, we also note that stream
impacts increased from the issuance of the EA due to a technical oversight and that
certain design changes for local interests have potentially increased impacts to Little
Troublesome Creek. EPA requests that NCDOT give full consideration to the
construction of a retaining wall during hydraulic review and final design in order to
minimize direct and indirect impacts to this impaired system. EPA also acknowledges the
guidance information in Appendix 5 of the FONSI regarding Mobile Source Air Toxics
(MSATs). Should your staff have any questions, please have them call me at 919-856-
4206. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Christopher A. Militscher, REM, CHMM
Merger Team Representative
NEPA Program Office
For: Heinz J. Mueller, Chief
EPA Region 4 NEPA Program Office
cc: Eric Alsmeyer, USAGE
Clarence Coleman, FHWA
John Hennessy, NCDWQ