20011394 Ver 1_Complete File_20010920

d d $UTF u?jj ?
ISSUES ral ??1 2 8 `
S'TA'TE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVPRNOR SECRETARY
November 13, 2001
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office FILE COPY
6508 balls of Neuse Road, Suite 12
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Attention: Ms. Jean Manuele
NCDOT Project Coordinator
?1139y
Subject: Watauga County; Proposed Replacement of Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on
SR 1547, Federal Project BRZ-1547 (2); State Project 8.2750601; TIP No.
B-2658
Dear Ms. Manuele:
As you are aware, the North Carolina Department of "Transportation (NCDOT) has
requested authorization from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under a Section 404
Nationwide Permit (NWP) 23 on September 10, 2001 to replace Bridge No. 10 over Boone
Creek on SR 1547, with a culvert. The purpose of this letter is to request authorization under a
Section 404 NWP 33 to place impervious dikes in the stream in order to dewater the site and
divert the flow around the site during construction of the culvert. The project has a let date of
Apri12002.
Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547 will be replaced with a 70.1 foot (ft) long
2@ 12 ft by 8 ft reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) at approximately the existing location
and elevation. Approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the existing roadway to
24 ft with concrete and gutter and 5 ft sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. During
construction, traffic will be maintained using surrounding roads as an off-site detour.
The superstructure of Bridge No. 10 is constructed mainly of timber and steel, therefore,
all components of the bridge superstructure will be removed without dropping them into the
stream. The bridge substructure is composed of timber piles on concrete sills. There is a
potential for components of the concrete sills to be dropped into waters of the United States
during construction. The resulting temporary fill associated with the concrete sills could
potentially be 10 yd3. This material will be removed in its entirety.
Replacing the bridge with a culvert will result in temporary and permanent impacts to
waters of the United States. There will be 0.03 ac of permanent fill due to the construction of the
culvert. Approximately 108 ft of the existing channel will be impacted, however only 65 ft will
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.DOH.DOT.STATE.NC.US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
have permanent impacts due to the culvert. The temporary fill in surface waters is due to the
placement of impervious dikes in the stream in order to dewater the site and divert flow around
the site during construction of the culvert. This will result in 0.01 ac of temporary fill placed in
Boone Creek and impact 43 ft of channel. Sandbags are the recommended temporary till to be
used as impervious dikes. Approximately 26 yd3 of fill will be temporarily placed in waters of
the United States. The fill will be in place for approximately 3 to 4 months and will probably be
removed by hand and disposed of in an upland area as directed by NCDOT. The original
contours and elevation of the stream will be restored immediately after the purpose of the
impervious dikes has been served. Standard erosion control procedures will be used to prevent
erosion. Permit drawings illustrating the impacts are attached to this letter. Note that the area
shown for the temporary fill will not completely block off the channel at any one time.
Watauga County is among the 25 mountain counties designated as having trout waters.
Boone Creek is not designated by the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as a
Public Mountain Trout Water. NCWRC has stated in preliminary comments regarding the
subject project that Boone Creek does not support trout.
Written concurrence for 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the N. C. Division
of Water Quality (NCDWQ) is not required for the Section 404 NWP 33, however, NCDOT will
adhere to all conditions of the general certification for Section 404 NWP 23 and 33. The
NCDWQ is provided written notification of the proposed action by copy of this Section 404
NWP 33 application.
In summary, the NCDOT has requested authorization from USACE, under a Section 404
NWP 23, to replace Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547 with a culvert. NCDOT now
also requests authorization under a Section 404 NWP 33 to place impervious dikes in the stream
in order to dewater the site and divert the flow around the site during construction of the culvert.
If you have any questions or need any additional information concerning this project,
please contact Ms. Jill Holmes of my staff at [phone], extension 332.
Sincerely,
W. D. Gilmore, 1'. E., Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
WDG/jjh
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, NCDWQ, Raleigh
Ms. Marella Buncick, USFWS, Asheville
Ms. Mary Ellen Haggard, NCWRC
Mr. Tim Rountree, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Calvin Leggett, P.E., Program Development
Ms. Debbie Barbour, P.E., Highway Design
Mr. Dave Henderson, P.E., Hydraulics Unit
Mr. John Alford, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. Ken Pace, P.E., Roadside Environmental
Mr. Carl McCann, P.E., Division 11 Engineer

N F-
m m
U
l? JQIyJ?? ?Z O
F
O -

(\ _ z '
o w

` (n cr
co ,

LL)
Z
°? 1SV
00
/
/ J
2
+
Q
w
,
W ? N
N co
Q L1. /W
o N
I
co
U
M, p9
f
i
N
w
sng
e s,
z
o

o x Z
.4
z x 0 ? °W

H o y zca,
o o H ?w
' C) z
r.
ri)

a ? A 0
c > a
A
U
z
,3)
w
0
d
7 Q +q,
<c ???bS
r
+ L? \
i
341 `'?y
w _ +
U Fx
LL
W
W N N
J cv CO
°
J
Q
Z
o
° m
.gi ®O

v C l)
z

o m O
=
w
?
N t f
?
Q } w
U Q U Cif

V
C m
°

.-

°
(L w
Z
O
c
CL Z

N LL
N N
v E- LL Z) CV m
0O co
f
.
u w x
LL ZU "w

o
is 00 Q o >
CL o
.

O
?? O
°
LL
.3,U o a- »
wpQ I?;t
t
w E cQ Q CD? ??
Q Z m o

3 ° ° ? N
W
Q
c U U
-wi W
S 00 Q
v O w
N ii
-
-
-
-
-
- a W

W m o
o - - - - - - - °
°
c Q
Z
LL -
I o
N rn
c 'c o U
Q
?i m
U
?

a? ° O
m ?
C
U 6 N Q
y N ?)
(n
~ C
O
c °

Q a
? p v
;pU
d
z M
- - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
CL c
al
> U
a it U

N i
c
c d
IN) U o -o ,
LL 3a

v
oo 0
t -?
N ?( ? S

(V
?-!^ t4.
Ci 3--
0
g
$ $
W
LL (h

d
!n Z J
Q
F-
O
Z
O
F-
Office Use Only: Form Version April 2001
USACE Action ID No. DWQ No.
If any particular item is not applicable to this project, please enter "Not Applicable" or "N/A" rather than
leaving the space blank.
I. Processing
Check all of the approval(s) requested for this project:
® Section 404 Permit
? Section 10 Permit
401 Water Quality Certification
Riparian or Watershed Buffer Rules
2. Nationwide, Regional or General Permit Number(s) Requested: 23.33
3. If this notification is solely a courtesy copy because written approval for the 401 Certification
is not required, check here:
4. If payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) is proposed for
mitigation of impacts (see section VIII - Mitigation), check here: n
II. Applicant Information
Owner/Applicant Information
Name: North Carolina Department of Transportation
Mailing Address: Project Development and Environmental Analysis
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1548
Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]
E-mail Address:
2. Agent Information (A signed and dated copy of the Agent Authorization letter must be
attached if the Agent has signatory authority for the owner/applicant.)
Name:
Company Affiliation:
Mailing Address:_
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Fax Number:
Page 3 of 12
III. Project Information
Attach a vicinity map clearly showing the location of the property with respect to local
landmarks such as towns, rivers, and roads. Also provide a detailed site plan showing property
boundaries and development plans in relation to surrounding properties. Both the vicinity map
and site plan must include a scale and north arrow. The specific footprints of all buildings,
impervious surfaces, or other facilities must be included. If possible, the maps and plans should
include the appropriate USGS Topographic Quad Map and NRCS Soil Survey with the property
boundaries outlined. Plan drawings. or other maps may be included at the applicant's discretion,
so long as the property is clearly defined. For administrative and distribution purposes, the
USACF, requires information to be submitted on sheets no larger than I I by 17-inch format;
however, DWQ may accept paperwork of any size. DWQ prefers full-size construction
drawings rather than a sequential sheet version of the full-size plans. If full-size plans are
reduced to a small scale such that the final version is illegible, the applicant will be informed that
the project has been placed on hold until decipherable maps are provided.
1. Name of project:
2. T.I.P. Project Number (NCDOT Only): B-2658
3. Property Identification Number (Tax PIN):
4. Location
County: Watauga Nearest Town: Boone, NC
Subdivision name (include phase/lot number):
Directions to site (include road numbers, landmarks, etc.): Heading north on US 321 \US
221 from Caldwell County towards Boone in Boone turn south (left) onto SR 1547. Bridge
No 10 is located over Boone Creek just before Winkler Cemetary.
5. Site coordinates, if available (UfM or Lat/Long): N36° 12.266' W81° 40.147'
(Note - If project is linear, such as a road or utility line, attach a sheet that separately lists the
coordinates for each crossing of a distinct waterbody.)
6. Describe the existing land use or condition of the site at the time of this application:
residential and commercial area with maintained lawns.
7. Property size (acres): approximately 0.85 ac in the project area
8. Nearest body of water (stream/river/sound/ocean/lake): Boone Creek
9. River Basin: New River Basin
(Note - this must be one of North Carolina's seventeen designated major river basins. The
River Basin map is available at littp://li2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/neaps/.)
Page 4 of 12
10. Describe the purpose of the proposed work: Bridge replacement (public transportation
project)
11. List the type of equipment to be used to construct the project: construction equipment to
replace bridge
12. Describe the land use in the vicinity of this project: residential maintained yard
IV. Prior Project History
If jurisdictional determinations and/or permits have been requested and/or obtained for this
project (including all prior phases of the same subdivision) in the past, please explain. Include
the USACE Action ID Number, DWQ Project Number, application date, and date permits and
certifications were issued or withdrawn. Provide photocopies of previously issued permits,
certifications or other useful information. Describe previously approved wetland, stream and
buffer impacts, along with associated mitigation (where applicable). If this is a NCDOT project,
list and describe permits issued for prior segments of the same T.I.P. project, along with
construction schedules.
V. Future Project Plans
Are any additional permit requests anticipated for this project in the future? If so, describe the
anticipated work, and provide justification for the exclusion of this work from the current
apmlication:
N/A
VI. Proposed Impacts to Waters of the United States/Waters of the State
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
wetlands, open water, and stream channels associated with the project. The applicant must also
provide justification for these impacts in Section VII below. All proposed impacts, permanent
and temporary, must be listed herein, and must be clearly identifiable on an accompanying site
plan. All wetlands and waters, and all streams (intermittent and perennial) must be shown on a
delineation map, whether or not impacts are proposed to these systems. Wetland and stream
evaluation and delineation forms should be included as appropriate. Photographs may be
included at the applicant's discretion. If this proposed impact is strictly for wetland or stream
mitigation, list and describe the impact in Section VIII below. If additional space is needed for
listing or description, please attach a separate sheet.
Page 5 of 12
1. Wetland Impacts
Wetland Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Area of
Impact
(acres) Located within
100-year Floodplain**
(yes/no) Distance to
Nearest Stream
(linear feet)
Type of Wetland***
N/A

* List each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: mechanized clearing, grading, iw,
excavation, flooding, ditching/drainage, etc. For dams, separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding.
** 100-Year floodplains are identified through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FF.MA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRM), or FF.MA-approved local floodplain maps. Maps are available through the FEMA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616, or
online at hup:l/vN yN % fcma.,-ov.
*** List a wetland type that best describes wetland to be impacted (e.g., freshwater/saltwater marsh, forested wetland, beaver pond,
Carolina Bay, bog, etc.)
List the total acreage (estimated) of existing wetlands on the property: N/A
Total area of wetland impact proposed:
2. Stream Impacts, including all intermittent and perennial streams
Stream Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Length of
Impact
(linear feet)
Stream Name** Average Width
of Stream
Before Impact Perennial or
Intermittent?
(please specify)
Site 1 Fill 108 Boone Creek 16-20ft perennial

* List each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts mciude, nut are not united to: culverts and associaied rip-rap,
dams (separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding), relocation (include linear feet before and after, and net loss/gain),
stabilization activities (cement wall, rip-rap, crib wall, gabions, etc.), excavation, ditching/straightening, etc. If stream relocation is
proposed, plans and profiles showing the linear footprint for both the original and relocated streams must be included.
** Stream names can be found on USGS topographic maps. If a stream has no name, list as UT (unnamed tributary) to the nearest
downstream named stream into which it flows. USGS maps are available through the USGS at 1-800-358-9616, or online at
w\v%?.usgS.kov. Several internet sites also allow direct download and printing of USGS maps (e.g., w\?w.topozone.com.
\v\vw.mapquest. com, etc.).
Cumulative impacts (linear distance in feet) to all streams on site: 108
(43 ft will be relocated)
Page 6 of 12
3. Open Water Impacts, including Lakes, Ponds, Estuaries, Sounds, Atlantic Ocean and any
other Water of the U.S.
Open Water Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Area of
Impact
(acres) Name of Waterbody
(if applicable) Type of Waterbody
(lake, pond, estuary, sound,
bay, ocean, etc.)
Site I Permanent fill assoc. 0.03 Boone Creek stream
with culvert
Site 1 Temporary fill assoc. 0.01 Boone Creek stream
with impervious dikes

* List each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not nmued to: nu, excavation, ?reugmg,
flooding, drainage, bulkheads, etc.
4. Pond Creation
If construction of a pond is proposed, associated wetland and stream impacts should be
included above in the wetland and stream impact sections. Also, the proposed pond should
be described here and illustrated on any maps included with this application.
Pond to be created in (check all that apply): ? uplands ? stream ? wetlands
Describe the method of construction (e.g., dam/embankment, excavation, installation of
draw-down valve or spillway, etc.): N/A
Proposed use or purpose of pond (e.g., livestock watering, irrigation, aesthetic, trout pond,
local stormwater requirement, etc.):
Size of watershed draining to pond: Expected pond surface area:
VII. Impact Justification (Avoidance and Minimization)
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid the proposed impacts. It may be useful to provide
information related to site constraints such as topography, building ordinances, accessibility, and
financial viability of the project. The applicant may attach drawings of alternative, lower-impact
site layouts, and explain why these design options were not feasible. Also discuss how impacts
were minimized once the desired site plan was developed. If applicable, discuss construction
techniques to be followed during construction to reduce impacts.
The bridge is being replaced in the same location and will have an off site detour, using
surrounding roads during construction
Page 7 of 12
VIII. Mitigation
DWQ - In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H .0500, mitigation may be required by the NC
Division of Water Quality for projects involving greater than or equal to one acre of impacts to
freshwater wetlands or greater than or equal to 150 linear feet of total impacts to perennial
streams.
USAGE - In accordance with the final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide
Permits, published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000, mitigation will be required when
necessary to ensure that adverse effects to the aquatic environment are minimal. Factors
including size and type of' proposed impact and function and relative value of the impacted
aquatic resource will be considered in determining acceptability of appropriate and practicable
mitigation as proposed. Examples of mitigation that may be appropriate and practicable include,
but are not limited to: reducing the size of the project; establishing and maintaining wetland
and/or upland vegetated buffers to protect open waters such as streams; and replacing losses of
aquatic resource functions and values by creating, restoring, enhancing, or preserving similar
functions and values, preferable in the same watershed.
If mitigation is required for this project, a copy of the mitigation plan must be attached in order
for USACE or DWQ to consider the application complete for processing. Any application
lacking a required mitigation plan or NCWRP concurrence shall be placed on hold as
incomplete. An applicant may also choose to review the current guidelines for stream restoration
in DWQ's Draft Technical Guide for Stream Work in North Carolina, available at
http•//h2o enr state.nc.us/ncwetlands/strm?,,ide.litml.
1. Provide a brief description of the proposed mitigation plan. The description should provide
as much information as possible, including, but not limited to: site location (attach directions
and/or map, if offsite), affected stream and river basin, type and amount (acreage/linear feet)
of mitigation proposed (restoration, enhancement, creation, or preservation), a plan view,
preservation mechanism (e.g., deed restrictions, conservation easement, etc.), and a
description of the current site conditions and proposed method of construction. Please attach
a separate sheet if more space is needed.
N/A
Page 8 of 12
2. Mitigation may also be made by payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration
Program (NCWRP) with the NCWRP's written agreement. Check the box indicating that
you would like to pay into the NCWRP. Please note that payment into the NCWRP must be
reviewed and approved before it can be used to satisfy mitigation requirements. Applicants
will be notified early in the review process by the 401/Wetlands Unit if payment into the
NCWRP is available as an option. For additional information regarding the application
process for the NCWRP, check the NCWRP website at littp:/'112o.enr.state.nc.tis/wrp/index.htm. If
use of the NCWRP is proposed, please check the appropriate box on page three and provide
the following information:
Amount of stream mitigation requested (linear feet): N/A
Amount of buffer mitigation requested (square feet):
Amount of Riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres):
Amount of Non-riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres):
Amount of Coastal wetland mitigation requested (acres):
IX. Environmental Documentation (DWQ Only)
Does the project involve an expenditure of public funds or the use of public (federal/state/local)
land?
Yes ® No ?
If yes, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the
requirements of the National or North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)?
Note: If you are not sure whether a NEPA/SEPA document is required, call the SEPA
coordinator at [phone] to review current thresholds for environmental documentation.
Yes ® No
If yes, has the document review been finalized by the State Clearinghouse? If so, please attach a
copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter.
Yes ® No
X. Proposed Impacts on Riparian and Watershed Buffers (DWQ Only)
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
required state and local buffers associated with the project. The applicant must also provide
justification for these impacts in Section VII above. All proposed impacts must be listed herein,
and must be clearly identifiable on the accompanying site plan. All buffers must be shown on a
map, whether or not impacts are proposed to the buffers. Correspondence from the DWQ
Regional Office may be included as appropriate. Photographs may also be included at the
applicant's discretion.
Will the project impact protected riparian buffers identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0233
(Meuse), 15A NCAC 2B .0259 (Tar-Pamlico), 15A NCAC 2B .0250 (Randleman Rules and
Water Supply Buffer Requirements), or other (please identify )?
Page 9 of 12
Yes [:] No ® If you answered "yes", provide the following information:
Identify the square feet and acreage of impact to each zone of the riparian buffers. If buffer
mitigation is required calculate the required amount of mitigation by applying the buffer
multipliers.
Zone* Impact
(square feet)
- Multiplier Required
Mitigation
-- 1 3
2 1.5
Total
* /one I extends out 311 feet pcrpendicufar from near M111K of Cm1111e]. L.uue .. c,ucnw a.1
additional 20 feet from the edge of Zone I.
If buffer mitigation is required, please discuss what type of mitigation is proposed (i.e., Donation
of Property, Conservation Easement, Riparian Buffer Restoration / Enhancement, Preservation or
Payment into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund). Please attach all appropriate information as
identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0242 or .0260.
N/A
X1. Stormwater (DWQ Only)
Describe impervious acreage (both existing and proposed) versus total acreage on the site.
Discuss stormwater controls proposed in order to protect surface waters and wetlands
downstream from the property.
Impervious area will be slightly increased due to the widening of the approaches. NCDOT's
BMPs for the Protection of Surface Waters will be followed throughout project construction.
X11. Sewage Disposal (DWQ Only)
Clearly detail the ultimate treatment methods and disposition (non-discharge or discharge) of
wastewater generated from the proposed project, or available capacity of the subject facility.
N/A
XII1. Violations (DWQ Only)
Is this site in violation of DWQ Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 2H .0500) or any Buffer Rules?
Yes [:] No
Is this an after-the-fact permit application?
Page 10 of 12
Yes E] No
XIV. Other Circumstances (Optional):
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the application sufficiently in advance of desired
construction dates to allow processing time for these permits. However, an applicant may
choose to list constraints associated with construction or sequencing that may impose limits on
work schedules (e.g., draw-down schedules for lakes, dates associated with Endangered and
Threatened Species, accessibility problems, or other issues outside of the applicant's control).
Applicant/Agent's Signature Date
(Agent's signature is valid only if an authorization letter from the applicant is provided.)
US Army Corps Of Engineers Field Offices and County Coverage
Asheville Regulatory Field Office Alexander Cherokee Iredell Mitchell
US Army Corps of Engineers Avery Clay Jackson Polk
151 Patton Avenue Buncombe Cleveland Lincoln Rowan
Room 208 Burke Gaston Macon Rutherford
Asheville, NC 28801-5006 Cabarrus Graham Madison Stanley
Telephone: [phone] Caldwell Haywood McDowell Swain
Fax: [phone] Catawba Henderson Mecklenburg Transylvania
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office Alamance Durham Johnston Rockingham
US Army Corps Of Engineers Alleghany Edgecombe Lee Stokes
6508 Falls of the Neuse Road Ashe Franklin Nash Surry
Suite 120 Caswell Forsyth Northampton Vance
Raleigh, NC 27615 Chatham Granville Orange Wake
Telephone: [phone] Davidson Guilford Person Warren
Fax: [phone] Davie Halifax Randolph Wilkes
Washington Regulatory Field Office Beaufort Currituck Jones
US Army Corps Of Engineers Bertie Dare Lenoir
Post Office Box 1000 Camden Gates Martin
Washington, NC 27889-1000 Carteret* Green Pamlico
Telephone: [phone] Chowan Hertford Pasquotank
Fax: [phone] Craven Hyde Perquimans
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office
US Army Corps Of Engineers
Post Office Box 1890
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890
Anson Duplin Onslow
Bladen Harnett Pender
Brunswick Hoke Richmond
Carteret Montgomery Robeson
Pitt
Tyrrell
Washington
Wayne
Union
Watauga
Yancey
Wilson
Yadkin
*Croatan National Forest Only
Page I 1 of 12
Telephone: [phone] Columbus Moore Sampson
Fax: [phone] Cumberland New Hanover Scotland
US Fish and Wildlife Service / National Marine Fisheries Service
US Fish and Wildlife Service US Fish and Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries Service
Raleigh Field Office Asheville Field Office Habitat Conservation Division
Post Office Box 33726 160lillicoa Street Pivers Island
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Asheville, NC 28801 Beaufort, NC 28516
Telephone: [phone] Telephone: [phone] Telephone: [phone]
North Carolina State Agencies
Division of Water Quality
401 Wetlands Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Division of Water Quality
Wetlands Restoration Program
1619 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1619
't'elephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
State Historic Preservation Office
Department Of Cultural Resources
4617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4617
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
CAMA and NC Coastal Counties
Division of Coastal Management Beaufort Chowan Hertford Pasquotank
1638 Mail Service Center Bertie Craven Hyde Pender
Raleigh, NC 27699-1638 Brunswick Currituck New Hanover Perquimans
Telephone: [phone] Camden Dare Onslow Tyrrell
Fax: [phone] Carteret Gates Pamlico Washington
NCWRC and NC Trout Counties
Western Piedmont Region Coordinator Alleghany Caldwell Watauga
3855 Idlewild Road Ashe Mitchell Wilkes
Kernersville, NC 27284-9180 Avery Stokes
"telephone: [phone] Burke Surry
Mountain Region Coordinator Buncombe Henderson Polk
20830 Great Smoky Mtn. Expressway Cherokee Jackson Rutherford
Waynesville, NC 28786 Clay Macon Swain
Telephone: [phone] Graham Madison Transylvania
Fax: [phone] Haywood McDowell Yancey
Page 12 of 12
FILE COPY
TO: Jean Manuele, USACOE
Raleigh Field Office
FROM: Maryellen Haggard, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: November 27, 2001
SUBJECT: NCDOT bridge replacement of No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek, Watauga
County, Federal Project BRZ- 1547(2), State Project 8.2750601, TIP No. B-2658
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is requesting a concurrence
letter from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) to obtain a 404 permit
from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Biologists on staff with the NCWRC have reviewed
the proposed improvements and are familiar with habitat values of the project area. These
comments are provided in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and the Clean Water Act of 1977 (33 U.S.C.
466 et seq.).
NCDOT will replace the existing bridge over Boone Creek with a 70.1-foot long 2@ 12
ft. by 8-ft. reinforced concrete box culvert. NCDOT proposes to place impervious sandbag dikes
in Boone Creek in order to dewater the site and divert flow around the site during the
construction of the new culvert. We will not object to the project as proposed provided that only
clean, tear-free sandbags should be used as temporary fill, and should be removed without
excessive disturbance of the natural stream bottom when construction is completed.
The streambed should be returned to pre-construction conditions upon removal of the sandbags.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on this project. If you have any
questions regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone].
cc: Jill Holmes, NCDOT
n "` STAR °?
01 1394
STATE, OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL. F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
September 10, 2001
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Asheville Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Ave. Rm 208
Asheville, North Carolina 28801-5006
Attention
Subject
Dear Mr. Lund:
Mr. Steve Lund
NCDOT Project Coordinator
LYNDo TIPPETT
SECRELIRY
4'
i; -
Watauga County; Proposed Replacement of Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on
SR 1547, Federal Project BRZ-1547 (2); State Project 8.2750601; TIP No.
B-2658
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) requests authorization from
the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under a Section 404 Nationwide Permit (NWP) 23
to replace Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547. The project has a let date of April
2002.
Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547 will be replaced with a 70.1 foot (ft) long
2@ 12 ft by 8 ft reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) at approximately the existing location
and elevation. Approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the existing roadway to
24 ft with concrete and gutter and 5 ft sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. During
construction, traffic will be maintained using surrounding roads as an off-site detour.
The superstructure of Bridge No. 10 is constructed mainly of timber and steel, therefore,
all components of the bridge superstructure will be removed without dropping them into the
stream. The bridge substructure is composed of timber piles on concrete sills. There is a
potential for components of the concrete sills to be dropped into waters of the United States
during construction. The resulting temporary fill associated with the concrete sills could
potentially be 10 yd3.
The project has been described in a Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE) Action
Classification Form signed by the Federal Highway Administration (FFIWA) on April 13, 1998.
The project is being processed by the FHWA as a PCE in accordance with 23 CFR 771.115(6).
Therefore, the NCDOT does not anticipate requesting a Section 404 Individual Permit but
proposes to proceed under a Section 404 NWP 23 in accordance with 61 Federal Register 65874,
65916, issued December 13, 1996.
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.DOH. DOT. STATE. NC. US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699.1548
There has been one change in the proposed project since the PCE was completed. The
PCE states that the bridge will be replaced with a 2@ 11 ft by 6 ft RCBC, however, NCDOT
now proposes to replace the bridge with a 2@ 12 ft by 8 ft RCBC. As described in the PCE,
there will be no wetlands impacted by the proposed project.
Replacing the bridge with a culvert will result in temporary and permanent impacts to
waters of the United States. There will be 0.03 ac of permanent fill and 0.01 ac of temporary fill
placed in Boone Creek as a result of the culvert. Upon completion of construction, the
temporary fill will be removed. Approximately 108 ft of the existing channel will be impacted,
however 43 ft of the channel will be relocated. Permit drawings illustrating impacts are attached
to this letter.
Watauga County is among the 25 mountain counties designated as having trout waters.
Boone Creek is not designated by the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as a
Public Mountain Trout Water. NCWRC has stated in preliminary comments regarding the
subject project that Boone Creek does not support trout.
Written concurrence for 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the N. C. Division
of Water Quality (NCDWQ) is not required for the Section 404 NWP 23. The NCDWQ is
provided written notification of the proposed action by a copy of this Section 404 NWP 23
application. The NCDOT will adhere to all conditions of the general certification for Section
404 NWP 23 and 33 thereby not necessitating a written concurrence from the NCDWQ.
In summary, the NCDOT requests authorization from USACE, under a Section 404
NWP 23, to replace Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547. The NCDOT will adhere to
the general conditions of the 401 WQC associated with this Section 404 NWP, thereby not
requiring written concurrence from the NCDWQ.
If you have any questions or need any additional information concerning this project,
please contact Ms. Jill Holmes of my staff at [phone], extension 332.
Sincerely,
?%j
'Eo
W. D. Gilmore, P. E., Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
WDG/jjh
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, NCDWQ, Raleigh
Ms. Marella Buncick, USFWS, Asheville
Ms. Mary Ellen Haggard, NCWRC
Mr. Tim Rountree, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Calvin Leggett, P.E., Program Development
Ms. Debbie Barbour, P.E., Highway Design
Mr. Dave Henderson, P.E., Hydraulics Unit
Mr. John Alford, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. Ken Pace, P.E., Roadside Environmental
Mr. Carl McCann, P.E., Division I I Engineer
b
cr-
`2?- m m
N JHp 1? z O
i
/ \ O 00 W
(n Y
v m ;Z
CL V)
LLI
Q
z
\ZT' ?J' \ d ?i dJ
G

Ar? -104

/
z f

LLJ
°
z

W N

?
/
m
/ .
to
LL.
O V)

-i
W
sag ?? ?
e s,
z
o

a
`?
t7 O
U O
4
b
H O zU
U
o z H ?w' wz
? o 3 a goo
c ? a as ?
A
U
z
t
?I
w
O
F
w
w
i
ri
0
? Q tios?
1
+301 .?`J•ay?
C ?P
N
J _ +
U
LL
W
W V1 v>
:3
-J N 00
°
J
Q
z ---
0
° m
.8( O®

I

v

m H z
O

y C Y

Q U w
U
0

rn -y
N m
w
° Lu
(1) Z
?0
Q=Z
U)
1- a
• X L E
Lu U - c
LL N m
F- 0 0 m
Q U
O O
r>
O
LL p ° a » o_
w E
?Q
(7
Q _
CD U ? W m
3 z
o °
W
W
Q U c U
Q 1-
O w
c d
LZ v a a
y
i

a m
o cn
°
°
i f0
c
?.Q °
.
m
Z

N O
C C o U
Q
U m
(D U

w o 0
c v
c c
m
.C !k
d
y c
?- Q a °

Q a 00 c
>
m U
M
> Q
>
C
c z
Q x
J ° o
N _
to ,.
3 D
0
c "o

° Q T
c?
Q

m
LL
_a

G
d v

(Q

N
O a
O

1
cr)
p
LL f7
r
r

y

Q
V

O
'?.
U) Z F-
0

' 011394
TIP Project No. B-2658
State Project No. 8.2750601
---------------- --
Federal-Aid Project No. BRZ-1547(2)
A. Proiect Description:

The project will consist of replacing Bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek in Watauga County. The existing structure will be replaced with a
2 @ 3.4 meter by 1.8 meter (11 foot by 6 foot) reinforced concrete box culvert
(RCBC) at approximately the same location and roadway elevation as the existing
bridge. Per a proposed municipal agreement between the Town of Boone and
NCDOT, approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the roadway to
7.2 meters (24 feet) with concrete curb and gutter, and with 1.5 meter (5 foot)
sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway. The project length will be
approximately 146 meters (480 feet). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding
roads during construction.
B. Purpose and Need:
Bridge No. 10 has a sufficiency rating of 46.2 out of 100. The structure is a two
lane bridge with 6.7 meters (22 feet) of bridge roadway width. The bridge is posted
with a weight restriction of 9 tons for single vehicles and 15 tons for TTST's. The
"Do-nothing" alternate is not practical, requiring the eventual closing of the road as
the existing bridge completely deteriorates. Rehabilitation of the existing
deteriorating bridge is neither practical nor economical. For these reasons, Bridge
No. 10 needs to be replaced.
C: Proposed Improvements:
The improvements which apply to the project are circled:
Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking
weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and Reconstructing pavement
(3R and 4R improvements)
b. Widening roadway and shoulders without adding through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
d. Constructing lane improvements (merge, auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
f. Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets, and drainage pipes,
including safety treatments
g. Providing driveways pipes
h. Performing minor bridge widening ( less than one through lane)
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects including the
installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey type barriers and pier
protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
f. Upgrading medians including adding or upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation and/ or realignment
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing clear zone safety improvements including removing hazards
and flattening slopes
k. Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including bridge rail retrofit
O Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of
grade separation replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting ( no red lead paint), scour
repair, fender systems, and minor structural improvements
O Replacing a bridge (structure and/ or fill)
4. Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.
6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of
right-of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse
impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is consistent with existing zoning and located on or near a
2
street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support vehicle
traffic.
9. Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and
ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required
and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.
10. Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger
shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements ) when
located in a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is
adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.
11. Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is consistent with existing zoning and where there is no
significant noise impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes, advance land
acquisition loans under section 3 (b) of the UNIT Act. Hardship and
protective buying will be permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited
number of parcels. These types of land acquisition will not limit the
evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in alignment for planned
construction projects, which may be required in the NEPA process. No
project development on such land may proceed until the NEPA process has
been completed.
D. Special PrQiect Information
Environmental Commitments:
All standard procedures and measures will be implemented to avoid or
minimize environmental impacts. All practical Best Management Practices (BMP's)
will be included and properly maintained during project construction.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(33 U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be required from the Corps of Engineers for the
discharge of dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States."
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Section 401 Water Quality
General Certification will be obtained prior to issue of the Army Corps of Engineers
Nationwide Permit # 23.
The Town of Boone has requested that 1.5 meter (5 foot) sidewalks be
constructed along each side of the roadway on the proposed project. The Town of
Boone will participate in the cost of the sidewalks per NCDOT policy. A municipal
I
agreement will be prepared regarding provision of sidewalks prior to construction of
the project.
The following recommendations made by the North Carolina Wildlife
Resource Commission will be followed:
1) Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the
stream channel in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the
likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the stream.
2) Work should be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact
stream water. This will lessen the chance of altering the stream's water
chemistry and causing a fish kill.
3) Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all
bare soil within 15 days of ground disturbing activities to provide long term
erosion control.
Estimated Costs:
Construction $ 400,000
Right of Way $ 390,000
Total $ 790,000
Estimated Traffic:
Current - 3,800 VPD
Year 2018 - 13,000 VPD
TTST - 3%
DUAL - 2%
Proposed Typical Roadway Section:
Travelway - 7.2 meters (24 feet) wide
Shoulders - concrete curb and gutter with 1.5 meter (5 foot) sidewalks on
both sides of the roadway
Design Speed:
60 km/h (35 mph)
Functional Classification:
Urban Local Route
4
I
Division Office Comments:
The Division 11 Engineer concurs with the recommendation of replacing the
bridge in place and detouring traffic along surrounding roads during
construction.
E. Threshold Criteria
If any Type II actions are involved in the project, the following evaluation must
be completed. If the project consists gn1X of Type I improvements, the
following checklist does not need to be Completed.
ECOLOGICAL YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any
unique on any unique or important natural resource? X
(2) Does the project involve any habitat where federally ---
listed endangered or threatened species may occur? X
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish? X
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the amount of --
permanent and/or temporary wetland taking less than x
one-third (1/3) acre and have all practicable measures
wetland to avoid and minimize takings been evaluated?
(5) Will the project require use of U. S. Forest Service lands? X
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water resources be adversely
impacted by proposed construction activities? X
(7) Does the project involve waters classified as Outstanding
Water Resources (OWR) and/or High Quality Waters X
(HQW)?
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of the United States in any of the designated mountain trout counties? X
5
i
(9) Does the project involve any known underground storage
tanks (UST's) or hazardous materials sites? X
PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA county, will the
project significantly affect the coastal zone and/or any N/A
"Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC)?
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act ---
resources? X
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be required? X
(13) Will the project result in the modification of any existing ---
regulatory floodway? X
(14) Will the project require any stream relocations or channel
changes? X
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC YES NO
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts to planned -- --
growth or land use for the area? X
(16) Will the project require the relocation of any family or
business? X
(17) Will the project have a disproportionately high and adverse --
human health and environmental effect on any minority or X
low-income population?
(18) If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor? X
6
(19) Will the project involve any changes in access control? X
(20) Will the project substantially alter the usefulness and/ or land
use of any adjacent property? X
(21) Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent local -
traffic patterns or community cohesiveness? X
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
and/ or Transportation Improvement Program (and is, X
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)? - -
(23) Is the project anticipated to cause an increase in traffic
volumes? X
(24) Will traffic be maintained during construction using existing -
roads, staged construction, or on-site detours? X
(25) If the project is a bridge replacement project, will the bridge
be replaced at its existing location (along the existing facility) X
and will all construction proposed in association with the
bridge replacement project be contained on the existing facility?
(26) Is there substantial controversy on social, economic, or
environmental grounds concerning the project? X
(27) Is the project consistent with all Federal, State, and local - -
laws, relating to the environmental aspects of the action. X
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on properties eligible for
or listed on the National Register of Historic Places? X
7
i
(29) Will the project affect any archaeological remains which are --
important to history or pre-history? X
(30) Will the project require the use of Section 4(f) resources ---
(public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl x
refuges, historic sites or historic bridges, as defined in
Section 4(f) of the U. S. Department of Transportation
Act of 1966)?
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as defined x
by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act
of 1965, as amended?
(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent
to a river designated as a component of or proposed for _ X
inclusion in the natural Wild and Scenic Rivers?
F. Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
Question 8:
Construction of the culvert will require fill in waters of the United States in Watauga
County, which is a designated mountain trout county. Biological staff of the North Carolina
Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) have indicated that Boone Creek does not support
trout. A letter from the WRC regarding this project is attached at the end of this document.
Questions 16 and 20:
Construction of the new culvert and approaches cannot be accomplished without
encroaching on the parking lot of the apartment building just northeast of the bridge. With
no alternative parking available nearby, residents of the four unit apartment building will
need to be relocated. A relocation report is attached at the end of this document.
8
G. CE Approval
TIP Project No. B-2658
State Project No. 8.2750601 -
Federal-Aid Project No. BRZ-1547(2) -
A. Project Description:
The project will consist of replacing Bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek in Watauga County. The existing structure will be replaced with a
2 @ 3.4 meter by 1.8 meter (11 foot by 6 foot) reinforced concrete box culvert
(RCBC) at approximately the same location and roadway elevation as the existing
bridge. Per a proposed municipal agreement between the Town of Boone and
NCDOT, approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the roadway to
7.2 meters (24 feet) with concrete curb and gutter, and with 1.5 meter (5 foot)
sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway. The project length will be
approximately 146 meters (480 feet). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding
roads during construction.
(See the attached location map.)
_ TYPE II (A)
X TYPE II (B)
4-9-79 -Ie? D
_
Date Assistant Manager
Planning & Environmental Branch
'? V ?/ ire &7Z J 7 -
Date Projedt Planning Unit Head
Date Pr ' 1 in6En eer
if -/3- q 8 OLAL_' -- - -
Date iAdministr tor
Federal Highway Administration
9
I

?u
1Z ????nt Rocw ???
ti
000
• 0#0
North Carolina
Department Of Transportation
Planning & Environmental Branch
WATAUGA COUNTY
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 10 ON SR 1547
OVER BOONE CREEK
B-2658
0 kilometers 0.4 kilometers 0.8
Figure 1
0 miles .25 miles 0.5
® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission®
312 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188, 919-733-3391
Charles R. Fullwccd. Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jeff Ingham
North Carolina Department of Transportation
FROM: Stephanie E. Goudreau, Eastern Mt. Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: April 22, 1997
SUBJECT: Preliminary comments for the replacement of Bridge #10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek,
Watauga County, TIP #B-2658
This correspondence responds to a request by you for our preliminary comments regarding the
subject project.
Biological staff of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with Boone
Creek, which flows through an urban area. Our comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during
the 404 permit process will reflect that this stream does not support trout. We have not identified any
other special concerns regarding this project.
We have the following general recommendations regarding this project:
1) Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the stream.
2) If concrete will be used, work shouldG be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact
stream water. This will lessen the chance of altering the stream's water chemistry and causing a
fish kill.
3) Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil within 15 days
of ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment during the early stages of this project. If
you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 704/652-4257.
!. S:T t,
., r..'

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hunt Jr., Governor Division of Archives and History
Betty Ray McCain, Secretary Jeffrey J. Crow, Director
March 20, 1997
Nicholas L. Graf
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442
Re: Bridge 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek,
Watauga County, B-2658, Federal Aid Project
BRZ-1547(2), State Project 8.2750601, ER 97-
8340
Dear Mr. Graf:
On March 18, 1997, Debbie Bevin of our staff met with North Carolina Department
of Transportation (NCDOT) staff for a meeting of the minds concerning the above
project. We reported our available information on historic architectural and
archaeological surveys and resources along with our recommendations. NCDOT
provided project area photographs and aerial photographs at the meeting.
Based upon our review of the photographs and the information discussed at the
meeting, we offer our preliminary comments regarding this project.
In terms of historic architectural resources, we are aware of no historic structures
located within the area of potential effect. We recommend that no historic
architectural survey be conducted for this project.
There are no known archaeological sites within the proposed project area. Based
on our present knowledge of the area, it is unlikely that any archaeological
resources which may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places will be affected by the project construction. We, therefore, recommend that
no archaeological investigation be conducted in connection with this project.
Having provided this information, we look forward to receipt of either a Categorical
Exclusion or Environmental Assessment which indicates how NCDOT addressed our
comments.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.
109 East Jones Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27601.2507 ???
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, environmental
review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
Sirtc rely,
? V
David Brook
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
DB:slw
cc: <F. Vick
B. Church
T. Padgett
RELOCATION REPORT
North Carolin.1 Department of Transportotion
AREA RELOCATION OFFICE
EKI E.I.S. [:] CORRIDOR F-] DESIGN
PROJECT: 8.2750601 COUNTY WATAUGA I Alternate 1 of 1 Alternate
I D NO. E3 F A. PROJECT I BRZ-1547 (2) -
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT. Replacement of bridge No 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek
ESTIMATED DISPLACEES INCOME LEVEL
Type of
Displacees Owners Tenants
I I
Total
Minoritie
s
0-1 EM j 15-25M 25-35M I _' -50h1 5n tJF
I
kPSiriential 0 5 5 0 4 1 1 0 1 0 0
Businesses 1 01 0 0 0 VALUE OF DWELLING DSS DWELLING AVAILABLE
Farms 0 I 0 0 0 Owners Tenants For S:IIe For Rent
Non-Profit 0 0 _
0 _
0 _
0-20m p _
50 p
-3-0--1- 0-20M n 1 5 0-150 0
ANSWER ALL CUESTIONS 2o-tmA 0 150-'S; c 7o-tn1A -^
r es Nc Explain all "YES" answers. 40-7ora
0 ?
250-400 5 1
40-70M p 250500 ? 12
1 X 1 VVlll special relocation services he necessary? 70.100M p 400-000 i p 70-1noM p ton non 0
X 2. VVIII schools or churches be affect by 100 up j p 600 UP p 100 up j 0 I 600 up 0
rilsplacemenr TOTAL 1 0 5 0 12
X i 3. Will business services still be available after REMARKS (ReSZc.nd by A1U"^ ? .';
project?
i X 4. Will any business be displaced? If so, NEGATIVE RESIDENTIAL STUDY
indicate size, type. estimated number of
employees, minnrifies, etc
3. NO BUSINESS AFFECTED
X 5. Will relocation cause a housing shortage?
6. Source for available housing (list) 6. NEWSPAPER. APARTMENT GUIDE
X 7. Will additional housing programs be needed?
X I 8. Should Last Resort Housing be considered? 8 WILL BE IMPLEMENTED A q
r!F ErG+' P'?
X 9 Are there farce. disaoied, elderly, etc
families? 11. LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
I X 10 Will public housing be needed for project? 12, YES. AS INDICATED BY THE AVAILASL F Art RT%1F!,IT I !ST
X 1 11 Is public housing available?
X
- 12. Is it felt there will be adequate DSS housing
housing availablo rli:rma relornti-n nnrinrl^ 14 NO BUSINESS ARF AFFFCTFr"
X

X 1
_ 13 V!II there be a problem of housing within
financial means?
14 Are suitable business sites available (list

source)
15 NumhPr months estimated to complete _
RELOCATION? 112 MO. - COMMENTS THE APARTMENT DWFLLER" Itl T! I'S
ARE 90% STUDENTS IT IS FEI_T THAT PFI nrATlnr•I gI-401 11 F)
OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER MOPJTHS TO AVOID
UNNECESSARY RELOCAT!nrlS AND INCnr•IVFNIFr-I(-F M
cT1???AITQ
r
T P'FPIr MELTON ?-
Hoocation Aaent Date I ADDroved by Late
mti 1!: 4 Re•.ised 02195 d GrigmRl 1 (. Ypv -)a- Reioc 01,41 i`.C°nt
r. r nom:.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPAPUMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. RO. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201
GOVERNOR
February 27, 1998
E. NORRIS TOLSON
SECRETARY
MEMORANDUM TO: Wayne Elliot, Unit Head
Bridge Unit
FROM: Marc Recktenwald, Environmental Biologist
Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Technical Report for the proposed
replacement of bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek, Watauga County. TIP No. B-2658, State
project No. 8.2750601, Federal aid project
No. BRZ-1547(2).
ATTENTION: Jeff Ingham, Project Engineer
Bridge Unit
The following report is submitted to assist in the preparation of a
Programmatic Categorical Exclusion for the proposed project. This report
contains information concerning water resources, biotic resources, Waters of the
United States, permit requirements and federally protected species within the
project area. The information contained in this report is relevant only in the
context of existing preliminary design concepts. If design parameters and criteria
change, additional field investigations may need to be conducted.
The proposed project involves replacing the existing bridge on existing
location. Alternative 1 proposes to replace the bridge with two 3.4 m (11 ft) by
1.8 m (6 ft) reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBC) while repaving SR 1547 and
adding a shoulder section. Alternative 2 proposes to replace the existing bridge
with two 3.4 m (11 ft) by 1.8 m (6 ft) RCBC while repaving SR1547 and adding
curb and gutter with a sidewalk. The total project length for each alternative is
approximately 137 m (450 ft). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding roads
during construction with either alternative.
.r.
Nzi
METHODOLOGY
Field investigations were conducted on 22 August 1997 by NCDOT
biologists Dale Suiter, Chris Rivenbark and Marc Recktenwald to assess natural
resources at the project site. Plant communities and their associated wildlife
were identified and recorded. Wildlife identification involved using one or more of
the following observation techniques: active searching and capture, visual
observations (binoculars), and identifying characteristic signs of wildlife (sounds,
scat, tracks and burrows). Faunal species observed during the site visit are
denoted with an asterisk (*). Terrestrial community classifications generally follow
Schafale and Weakley (1990) where possible, and plant taxonomy follows
Radford, et al. (1968). Animal taxonomy follows Martof, et al. (1980),
Menhenick (1991), Potter, et al. (1980), and Webster, et al. (1985).
Predictions regarding wildlife community composition involved general
qualitative habitat assessment based on existing vegetative communities.
Jurisdictional wetland determinations were performed using delineation criteria
prescribed in the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual
(Environmental Laboratory, 1987). Wetland classifications follow Cowardin et.
al. (1979). Information concerning federal and state protected species in the
study area was gathered from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
(NCNHP) database of rare species and unique habitats along with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) list of protected species and species of concern.
WATER RESOURCES
One water resource occurs in the project area, Boone Creek. Boone
Creek is a perennial mountain stream. It lies in the New River drainage basin.
During the site visit, Boone Creek was observed to be approximately 5-6 m (16-
20 ft) wide and 10-15 cm (4-6 in) deep. Its substrate is comprised of sand, rock
of various sizes, and cobble. At the time of the site visit Boone Creek had a swift
flow and its water clarity was excellent. At the construction area Boone Creek is_ .
highly channellized and has vegetated stream banks.
Streams have been assigned a best usage classification by the Division
of Water Quality (DWQ), formerly the Division of Environmental Management.
The best usage classification for Boone Creek (DWQ Index No. 28-78-1-8) is C
Tr+. Boone Creek has its confluence with Winkler Creek [DWQ Index No. 10-1-
4-(3.5)] approximately 0.6 km (0.4 mi) downstream of the project site. Winkler
Creek has been assigned a best usage classification of C Tr+. Winkler Creek
has its confluence with Middle Fork South Fork New River [DWQ Index No. 10-1-
2-(15)] approximately 1.6 km (1.0 mi) downstream of the Boone Creek/Winkler
Creek confluence. Middle Fork South Fork New River has been assigned a best
usage classification of WS-IV CA+.

Class C refers to waters suitable for aquatic life propagation and survival,
fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture. Tr (Trout water) is a
supplemental water classification including waters suitable for natural trout
propagation and maintenance of stocked trout. WS IV (Water Supplies IV) refers
to those waters protected as water supplies which are generally in moderately to
highly developed watersheds; suitable for all Class C uses. The
subclassification of CA (Critical Area) refers to those waters located in a water
intake area. A water intake is located 0.05 km (0.03 mi) upstream of the Winkler
Creek/Middle Fork South Fork New River confluence. The notation (+) identifies
waters that are subject to a special management strategy specified in 15A NCAC
2B. 02 the Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) rule, in order to protect
downstream waters designated an ORW.
NCDOT's Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface
Waters should be strictly enforced during the construction phase of the project.
This would include but is not limited to:
1) installation of temporary silt fences to control runoff during construction;
2) placement of temporary ground cover or re-seeding of disturbed sites
to reduce runoff and decrease sediment loading;
3) reduction of clearing along streams.
Since this project crosses trout waters NCDOT's guidelines for
Construction of Highway Improvements Adjacent to or Crossing Trout Waters in
North Carolina must be followed. Additionally, DWQ request that DOT strictly
adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B.0024) throughout design and construction for this
project in the area that drains to streams having WS (Water Supply), ORW
(Outstanding Resource Water), HQW (High Quality Water), B (Body Contact),
SA (Shellfish Water) or Tr (Trout Water) classifications to protect existing uses.
Terrestrial Communities
There is one type of terrestrial community, maintained/disturbed, in the
project area.
Maintained/Disturbed
The maintained/disturbed community consist of residential and
commercial lawns that are maintained in an early successional stage through the
use of herbicides and regular mowing. The common flora species found in this
community includes fescue (Festuca spp.), buttercup (Ranunculus spp.), curly-
3
doc (Rumex crispus), forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), heal-all (Prunella vulgaris),
goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), white clover
(Trifolium repens), yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta), dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale).
The streambank vegetation is also highly maintained and includes the
above mentioned species along with golden bell (Forsythia spp.), black cherry
(Prunus serotina), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), green ash (Fraxinus
pennsylvanica), black willow (Salix nigra), chickory (Cichorium intybus), eastern
cottonwood (Populus deltoides), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), tearthumb
(Polygonum sagittatum), and hedge bindweed (Convolvulus sepium).
Wildlife resources in this community are limited by the high degree of
maintenance that occurs on residential and commercially developed land.
Having been subjected to some type and degree of disturbance in the past,
many species found in this type of habitat are highly adaptive and have the
ability to repopulate an area quickly after disturbance. Species found in these
areas generally use the area for foraging and are highly adaptive species that
adjust well to human development. Wildlife species that are common to such
areas include Virginia oppossum (Didelphis virginiana), eastern harvest mouse
(Reithrodontomys humulis), and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Avian
species include Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinensis), mourning dove
(Zenaida macroura), common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), and European
starling*(Stumus vulgaris), and common crow* (Corvus caurinus). Additionally,
evidence of muskrat* (Ondatra zibethicus) activity was identified along the
streambank.
Terrestrial Community Impacts
Impacts to terrestrial communities will result from project construction due
to the clearing and paving of portions of the project area, and thus the loss of
community area. Calculated impacts to terrestrial communities reflect the
relative abundance of each community present in the study area. Estimated
impacts are derived based on the project length 137 m (450 ft), and the entire
proposed right-of-way width of 18 m (60 ft). Based on this method the total
impact to the maintained/disturbed community is 0.25 hectare (0.62 acres) for
each alternative. However, project construction often does not require the entire
right-of-way; therefore, actual impacts may be considerably less.
Aquatic Communities
Community composition of the aquatic communities is reflective of the
physical characteristics of the water body and the condition of the water
resource. Terrestrial communities adjacent to water resources also greatly
influence aquatic community composition and structure.
t
Based on the size, characteristics and geographical location of the water
resources that are located in the project site the following aquatic species are
likely to occur. Fish species include gizzard shad (Dorsoma cepedianum),
central stoneroller (Compostoma anomalum), whitetail shiner (Cyprinella
galactura), river chub (Nocomis micropogan), silver shiner (Notropis photogenis),
longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), creek chub (Semotilus atromuculatus),
white sucker (Catostomus commerson?), mottled sculpin (Cottus bailey),
greenside darter (Etheostoma blennioides), and banded darter (Etheostoma
zona/e). Aquatic invertebrates may include mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera),
stonefies (Order Plecoptera) and caddisflies (Family Trichoptera). Other
Macroirive rtebrates such as crayfish (Cambarus spp., and Procambarus spp.)
are typically found in these types of mountain streams.
JURISDICTIONAL TOPICS
This section provides descriptions, inventories and impact analysis
pertinent to two important issues-- Waters of the United States, and rare and
protected species.
Waters of the United States
Impacts to jurisdictional surface waters are anticipated. Jurisdictional
surface waters are present in the form of Boone Creek, a mountain perennial
stream. Impacts can be minimized with NCDOT Best Management Practices for
the Protection of Surface Waters, NCDOT's "Guidelines for Construction of
Highway Improvements Adjacent to or Crossing Trout Waters in North Carolina"
and Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds.
Boone Creek has deep, well defined channels at the project area. No
jurisdictional wetlands are associated with Boone Creek in the project area.
In accordance with provisions of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be required from the COE for the discharge of
dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States."
Permits
A Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5(a) (23) is likely to be applicable
for all impacts to Waters of the United States resulting from the proposed project.
This permit authorizes activities undertaken, assisted, authorized, regulated,
funded or financed in whole, or part, by another Federal agency or department
where that agency or department has determined the pursuant to the council on

environmental quality regulation for implementing the procedural provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act:
(1) that the activity, work, or discharge is categorically excluded from
environmental documentation because it is included within a category of actions
which neither individually nor cumulatively have a significant effect on the human
environment, and;
(2) that the office of the Chief of Engineers has been furnished notice of the
agency' or department's application for the categorical exclusion and concurs
with that determination.
In addition, a North Carolina Division of water Quality (DWQ) Section 401
Water Quality General Certification is also required. Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act requires that the state issue or deny water certification for any
federally permitted or licensed activity that may result in a discharge into waters
of the United States. The issuance of a 401 permit from DWQ is a prerequisite
to issuance of a Section 404 Permit.
Additionally, since the proposed project is located in one of the twenty-five
mountain counties designated as having trout waters, the approval of a
nationwide permit by the COE is conditioned upon the concurrence of the N.C.
Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC).
Rare and Protected Species
Some populations of fauna and flora have been in, or are in, the process
of decline either due to natural forces or their inability to coexist with human
activities. Federal law (under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended) requires that any action, likely to adversely affect a species
classified as federally-protected, be subject to review by the Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS). Other species may receive additional protection under separate
state laws. -
Federally-Protected Species
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered (E),
Threatened (T), Proposed Endangered (PE) and Proposed Threatened (PT) are
protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended. As of 04 November 1997, the FWS lists four
federally-protected species for Watauga County (Table 1). A complete
description along with a biological conclusion for each species follows Table 1.
F

i aoie i. reaerany-protectea species Tor vvatauga county.
Common Name Scientific Name Status
bog turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii T(S/A)
Carolina northern flying Glaucomys sabrinus Endangered
squirrel coloratus
spreading avens Geum radiatum Endangered
Heller's blazing star Liatris helleri Threatened
Roan Mountain bluet
Houstonia montana Endangered
(=Hedyotis purpurea var.
montana)
Note: T(S/A) refers to a species that is threatened due to similarity of
appearance with other rare species and is listed for its protection.
Clemmys muhlenbergii (bog turtle) Threatened (S/A)
Family Emydidae
Date Listed: 01 May 1997
The bog turtle is North Carolina's smallest turtle, measuring 7 to 10 cm (3
to 4 in) in length. It has a dark brown carapace and a black plastron. The bright
orange or yellow blotch on each side of the head and neck is a readily
identifiable characteristic. The bog turtle inhabits damp grassy fields, bogs and
marshes in the mountains and western Piedmont.
The bog turtle is shy and secretive, and will burrow rapidly in mud or
debris when disturbed. The bog turtle forages on insects, worms, snails,
amphibians and seeds. In June or July, three to five eggs are laid in a shallow
nest of moss or loose soil. The incubation period last fifty-five days.
The bog turtle is listed as Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance and
therefore is not subject to Section 7 consultation and a biological conclusion for
this species is not required.
Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus (northern flying squirrel) Endangered
Family: Sciurdiae
Date Listed: 1 July 1985
The northern flying squirrel is widely distributed in northern North America
and was not known to exist on the east coast south of New York until well into
the 20th century. There are several isolated populations of the northern flying

squirrel in the western part of North Carolina, along the Tennessee border.
These populations are in Yancey and Haywood counties and in the vicinity of Mt.
Mitchell.
The northern flying squirrel is a small gliding rodent, that measures 26-31
cm in total length and 95-140 gm in weight. This squirrel has a large well furred
flap of skin along either side of its body, this flap of skin is connected at the wrist
in the front and at the ankle in the rear. The skin flaps and its broad flattened tail
allow the northern flying squirrel to glide from tree to tree. It is a solely nocturnal
animal with large dark eyes. Juvenile squirrels have a uniform dark grey back
and an off-white underside. Adult squirrels are characteristically grey with a
brownish, tan, or reddish wash on the back, and a grayish-white to bully white
underside.
This squirrel is found above 1517 m (5000 ft) in the vegetation transition
zone between hardwood and coniferous forests. Both forest types are used to
search for food and the hardwood forest is used for nesting sites. Northern flying
squirrels feed on lichens, fungi, seeds, buds, fruit, staminate cones, insects, and
animal flesh. The northern flying squirrel occupies tree cavities, woodpecker
holes and less often leaf nests in the winter. Leaf nests are most often occupied
in the summer. The inside of their nests is lined with lichens, moss, or finely
chewed bark. A West Virginia study has preliminary results that show the use of
burrows by northern flying squirrels.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
The proposed project is located in highly developed area of Boone, NC.
Suitable habitat in the form of vegetated zones between hardwood and
coniferous forests above 1517 meters (5000 ft) does not exist in the project area.
The project elevation is approximately 975 m (3200 ft). Additionally, the NCNHP
database for rare species and unique habitats was searched on 19 August 1997.
The search identified no records of the northern flying squirrel in the project are&_
Therefore, the proposed project will not effect the northern flying squirrel.
Geum radiatum (spreading avens) Endangered
Family: Rosaceae
Federally Listed: 5 April 1990
Flowers Present: June - early July
This species is found only in the North Carolina and Tennessee sections
of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Known populations in Burke County
have been extirpated and populations in any other counties have shown a
serious decline.
Q

Stems of this perennial herb grow from horizontal rhizomes and obtain a
height of 2-5 decimeters. The stems are topped with an indefinite cyme of bright
yellow radially symmetrical flowers. Basal leaves are odd-pinnately compound,
terminal leaflets are kidney shaped and much larger than the lateral leaflets,
which are reduced or absent. Leaflets have lobed or uneven margins and are
serrate, with long petioles. Stem leaves are smaller than the basal, rounded to
obovate, with irregularly cut margins. Fruits are hemispheric aggregates of hairy
achenes that are 7-9 mm in diameter.
Spreading avens occurs on scarps, bluffs, cliffs and escarpments on
mountains, hills, and ridges. Known populations of this plant have been found to
occur at elevations of 1535-1541 meters (5060-5080 feet), 1723-1747 meters
(5680-5760 feet) and 1759 meters (5800 feet). Other habitat requirements for
this species include full sunlight and shallow acidic soils. The spreading avens is
found in soils composed of sand, pebbles, humus, sandy loam, clay loam, and
humus. Most populations are pioneers on rocky outcrops.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
No suitable habitat in the form of scarps, bluffs, cliffs and escarpments on
mountain, hills and ridges is present at the project area. The project elevation is
approximately 975 m (3200 ft) which is considered too low for spreading avens.
Additionally, the NCNHP database for rare species and unique habitats was
reviewed on 19 August 1997. The review revealed no documented observations
of spreading avens in the project area. Therefore, the spreading avens will not
be impacted by the project construction.
Liatris helleri (Heller's blazing star) Threatened
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Federally Listed: 19 November 1987
Flowers Present: late June - August
This plant is endemic to high elevation ledges of rock outcrops of the
northern Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Of nine historic populations
only seven remain in existence.
Heller's blazing star is a short stocky plant that has one or more erect
stems that arise from a tuft of narrow, pale green basal leaves. Leaves are
accuminate and diminish in size and breadth upward on the stem. Stems are 4
dm tall and are topped with a raceme of small (7-20 cm) lavender flowers. Fruits
are present from September to November.
This plant is a high altitude early pioneer species and can be found
growing on high elevation ledges of rock outcrops in grassy areas where it is
9
exposed to full sunlight. It prefers shallow acid soils associated with granite
rocks.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
No suitable habitat in the form of high elevation ledges of rock outcrops in
grassy areas exist in the proposed project area. Furthermore, NCNHP database
of rare species and unique habitats was reviewed on 19 August 1997. There
were no documented reports of Heller's blazing star within the project area.
Therefore, the proposed project will not effect Heller's blazing star.
Hedyotis purpurea var. montana
(mountain purple or Roan Mountain bluet) Endangered
Plant Family: Rubiaceae
Federally Listed: April 5, 1990
Flowers Present: June - July (best time is mid June)
Roan Mountain bluet is a perennial species with roots and grows in low
tufts. Roan Mountain bluet has several bright purple flowers arranged in a
terminal cyme.
This plant can be found on cliffs, outcrops, steep slopes, and in the
gravelly talus associated with cliffs. Known populations of Roan Mountain bluet
occur at elevations of 1400-1900 meters (4600-6200 ft). It grows best in areas
where it is exposed to full sunlight and in shallow acidic soils composed of
various igneous, metamorphic, and metasedimentary rocks.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
Habitat in the form of cliffs, outcrops, steep slopes, and in the gravely
talus associated with cliffs does not exist in the project area. The project
elevation is approximately 975 m (3200 ft) which is considered too low for the _
Roan Mountain bluet. Additionally, the NCNHP database for rare species and
unique habitats was reviewed on 19 August 1997. The review revealed no
documented observation of Roan Mountain bluet in the project area. Therefore,
the Roan Mountain bluet will not be impacted by the project construction.
cc: V. Charles Bruton, Ph.D., Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit Head
Hal C. Bain, Natural Resources Supervisor
File: B-2658
10
q.N
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPET-i-
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
November 13, 2001
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office 404 i GUEL)
6508 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 12
Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Attention: Ms. Jean Manuele
NCDOT Project Coordinator
0113f741
Subject: Watauga County; Proposed Replacement of Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on
SR 1547, Federal Project BRZ-1547 (2); State Project 8.2750601; TIP No.
B-2658
Dear Ms. Manuele:
As you are aware, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has
requested authorization from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) under a Section 404
Nationwide Permit (NWP) 23 on September 10, 2001 to replace Bridge No. 10 over Boone
Creek on SR 1547, with a culvert. The purpose of this letter is to request authorization under a
Section 404 NWP 33 to place impervious dikes in the stream in order to dewater the site and
divert the flow around the site during constriction of the culvert. The project has a let date of
April 2002.
Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547 will be replaced with a 70.1 foot (ft) long
2@ 12 ft by 8 ft reinforced concrete box culvert (RCBC) at approximately the existing location
and elevation. Approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the existing roadway to
24 ft with concrete and gutter and 5 ft sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. During
construction, traffic will be maintained using surrounding roads as an off-site detour.
The superstructure of Bridge No. 10 is constructed mainly of timber and steel, therefore,
all components of the bridge superstructure will be removed without dropping them into the
stream. The bridge substructure is composed of timber piles on concrete sills. There is a
potential for components of the concrete sills to be dropped into waters of the United States
during construction. The resulting temporary fill associated with the concrete sills could
potentially be 10 yd3. This material will be removed in its entirety.
Replacing the bridge with a culvert will result in temporary and permanent impacts to
waters of the United States. There will be 0.03 ac of permanent fill due to the construction of the
culvert. Approximately 108 ft of the existing channel will be impacted, however only 65 ft will
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: WWW.DOH.DOT.STATE.NC. US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
have permanent impacts due to the culvert. The temporary fill in surface waters is due to the
placement of impervious dikes in the stream in order to dewater the site and divert flow around
the site during construction of the culvert. This will result in 0.01 ae of temporary fill placed in
Boone Creek and impact 43 ft of channel. Sandbags are the recommended temporary fill to be
used as impervious dikes. Approximately 26 yd3 of fill will be temporarily placed in waters of
the United States. The fill will be in place for approximately 3 to 4 months and will probably be
removed by hand and disposed of in an upland area as directed by NCDOT. The original
contours and elevation of the stream will be restored immediately after the purpose of the
impervious dikes has been served. Standard erosion control procedures will be used to prevent
erosion. Permit drawings illustrating the impacts are attached to this letter. Note that the area
shown for the temporary fill will not completely block off the channel at any one time.
Watauga County is among the 25 mountain counties designated as having trout waters.
Boone Creek is not designated by the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) as a
Public Mountain Trout Water. NCWRC has stated in preliminary comments regarding the
subject project that Boone Creek does not support trout.
Written concurrence for 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) from the N. C. Division
of Water Quality (NCDWQ) is not required for the Section 404 NWP 33, however, NCDOT will
adhere to all conditions of the general certification for Section 404 NWP 23 and 33. The
NCDWQ is provided written notification of the proposed action by copy of this Section 404
NWP 33 application.
In summary, the NCDOT has requested authorization from USAGE, under a Section 404
NWP 23, to replace Bridge No. 10 over Boone Creek on SR 1547 with a culvert. NCDOT now
also requests authorization under a Section 404 NWP 33 to place impervious dikes in the stream
in order to dewater the site and divert the flow around the site during construction of the culvert.
If you have any questions or need any additional information concerning this project,
please contact Ms. Jill Holmes of my staff at [phone], extension 332.
Sincerely,
W. D. Gilmore, P. E., Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
WDG/jjh
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USAGE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, NCDWQ, Raleigh
Ms. Marella Buncick, USFWS, Asheville
Ms. Mary Ellen Haggard, NCWRC
Mr. Tim Rountree, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Calvin Leggett, P.E., Program Development
Ms. Debbie Barbour, P.E., Highway Design
Mr. Dave Henderson, P.E., Hydraulics Unit
Mr. John Alford, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. Ken Pace, P.E., Roadside Environmental
Mr. Carl McCann, P.E., Division I 1 Engineer
' m u
(.?11J ? U
??z o
z '
(n
\ N
w /
ZO co
?v N m rr
/r
CL V)
ri
LLJ
1 D ,
Lr \? N
Z
z
o
F ?
N
can C?x7 U ? 0
Q4
°
H o w
x zU

o
o
H
W
UwZ ?

w
F;
?
w
a o A
?0
y a --
A
U ?
z

0 m
1 b
Go ?
? a .,,/ Q do
/
/
r/
J
610
?aa ? a
see x a
ip!^
1
Z +
_ L
°? k i
r
?l
Li ?
N co
Q LL ,W
O V)
~
N
' ??' SH?p~6S
So co
3p +
?\
N Q
N Of
J +
U
U W
W N V)
-J N CO
J
Q
Z
o
0 V)
?© m
.8i Q

a co
C
f)

z
?
F-
m O
F-
O N W
>- LLJ
U Q
U
OD 0 3:

co 00
O
O

z
0 Z
0-0 0
Vl co o. LL

t
W LL. N m
u U- LL ZD [Ow

Q
o 00 Q o >
a o

o

sO
U
F-O

a V) Q o a>D LD
O N
W C O
Q co 1?
Q F- b
m o
- - - - - - - - Z
- - - - - -
W
U
Q

c U U

W F
U. C a° Q O W
EL _
M
N LL a <n

U m
C?
o m
°
°
c ? Q
Z

c o

U ?

c O °
c C
C
m
mU
N Q
?
?
-
C
- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

O
'' Q C O
n ? c
U
> ?
CC
L yy
X
a
>

M
5
` Z Ul C M T

W Vl
c O
?? K
LL
U u U
Q
E
N d
~ c
-
-
-
--- f ?
-
o - - - - - - p -a
(
N
C U 8
O rYY
b

F
A
-
.
m
U -h° +
N_ x ? S

N

p ? cn

LL 1V
?L
+

O
Q O
(n Z F- Z
O
?-
Office Use Only: Form Version April 2001
USACE Action ID No. DWQ No.
If any particular item is not applicable to this project, please enter "Not Applicable" or "N/A" rather than
leaving the space blank.
1. Processing
Check all of the approval(s) requested for this project:
® Section 404 Permit
Section 10 Permit
401 Water Quality Certification
Riparian or Watershed Buffer Rules
2. Nationwide, Regional or General Permit Number(s) Requested: 23,33
3. If this notification is solely a courtesy copy because written approval for the 401 Certification
is not required, check here:
4. If payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program (NCWRP) is proposed for
mitigation of impacts (see section VIII - Mitigation), check here:
II. Applicant Information
1. Owner/Applicant Information
Name: North Carolina Department of Transportation
Mailing Address: Project Development and Environmental Analysis
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1548
Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]
E-mail Address:
2. Agent Information (A signed and dated copy of the Agent Authorization letter must be
attached if the Agent has signatory authority for the owner/applicant.)
Name:
Company Affiliation:
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:
Fax Number:
Page 3 of 12
F
III. Project Information
Attach a vicinity map clearly showing the location of the property with respect to local
landmarks such as towns, rivers, and roads. Also provide a detailed site plan showing property
boundaries and development plans in relation to surrounding properties. Both the vicinity map
and site plan must include a scale and north arrow. The specific footprints of all buildings,
impervious surfaces, or other facilities must be included. If possible, the maps and plans should
include the appropriate USGS Topographic Quad Map and NRCS Soil Survey with the property
boundaries outlined. Plan drawings, or other maps may be included at the applicant's discretion,
so long as the property is clearly defined. For administrative and distribution purposes, the
USACE requires information to be submitted on sheets no larger than 11 by 17-inch format;
however. DWQ may accept paperwork of any size. DWQ prefers full-size construction
drawings rather than a sequential sheet version of the full-size plans. If full-size plans are
reduced to a small scale such that the final version is illegible, the applicant will be informed that
the project has been placed on hold until decipherable maps are provided.
1. Name of project:
2. T.I.P. Project Number (NCDOT Only): B-2658
3. Property Identification Number (Tax PIN):
4. Location
County: Watauga Nearest Town: Boone NC
Subdivision name (include phase/lot number):
Directions to site (include road numbers, landmarks, etc.): Heading north on US 321\US
221 from Caldwell County towards Boone in Boone turn south (left) onto SR 1547. Bridge
No 10 is located over Boone Creek just before Winkler Cemetary.
5. Site coordinates, if available (UTM or Lat/Long): N360 12.266' W810 40.147'
(Note - If project is linear, such as a road or utility line, attach a sheet that separately lists the
coordinates for each crossing of a distinct waterbody.)
6. Describe the existing land use or condition of the site at the time of this application:
residential and commercial area with maintained lawns.
7. Property size (acres): approximately 0.85 ac in the project area
8. Nearest body of water (stream/river/sound/ocean/lake): Boone Creek
9. River Basin: New River Basin
(Note - this must be one of North Carolina's seventeen designated major river basins. The
River Basin map is available at littp://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admire/naps/.)
Page 4 of 12
I
1 0. Describe the purpose of the proposed work: Bridge replacement (public transportation
nroiect)
11. List the type of equipment to be used to construct the project: construction equipment to
replace bridge
12. Describe the land use in the vicinity of this project: residential maintained yard
IV. Prior Project History
If jurisdictional determinations and/or permits have been requested and/or obtained for this
project (including all prior phases of the same subdivision) in the past, please explain. Include
the USACE Action ID Number, DWQ Project Number, application date, and date permits and
certifications were issued or withdrawn. Provide photocopies of previously issued permits,
certifications or other useful information. Describe previously approved wetland, stream and
buffer impacts, along with associated mitigation (where applicable). If this is a NCDOT project,
list and describe permits issued for prior segments of the same T.I.P. project, along with
construction schedules.
V. Future Project Plans
Are any additional permit requests anticipated for this project in the future? If so, describe the
anticipated work, and provide justification for the exclusion of this work from the current
application:
VI. Proposed Impacts to Waters of the United States/Waters of the State
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
wetlands, open water, and stream channels associated with the project. The applicant must also
provide justification for these impacts in Section VII below. All proposed impacts, permanent
and temporary, must be listed herein, and must be clearly identifiable on an accompanying site
plan. All wetlands and waters, and all streams (intermittent and perennial) must be shown on a
delineation map, whether or not impacts are proposed to these systems. Wetland and stream
evaluation and delineation forms should be included as appropriate. Photographs may be
included at the applicant's discretion. If this proposed impact is strictly for wetland or stream
mitigation, list and describe the impact in Section VIII below. If additional space is needed for
listing or description, please attach a separate sheet.
Page 5 of 12
1. Wetland Impacts
Wetland Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Area of
Impact
(acres) Located within
100-year Floodplain**
(yes/no) Distance to
Nearest Stream
(linear feet)
Type of Wetland***
N/A

* list each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: mechanized clearing, grading, fill,
excavation, flooding, ditching/drainage, etc. For dams, separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding.
** 100-Year floodplains are identified through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRM), or FEMA-approved local floodplain maps. Maps are available through the FEMA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616, or
online at hup://www.fcnta.gm,.
*** List a wetland type that best describes wetland to be impacted (e.g., freshwater/saltwater marsh, forested wetland, beaver pond,
Carolina Bay, bog, etc.)
List the total acreage (estimated) of existing wetlands on the property: N/A
Total area of wetland impact proposed:
2. Stream Impacts, including all intermittent and perennial streams
Stream Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Length of
Impact
(linear feet)
Stream Name** Average Width
of Stream
Before Impact Perennial or
Intermittent?
(please specify)
Site 1 Fill 108 Boone Creek 16-20ft perennial

* List each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: culverts and associated rip-rap,
dams (separately list impacts due to both structure and flooding), relocation (include linear feet before and after, and net loss/gain),
stabilization activities (cement wall, rip-rap, crib wall, gabions, etc.), excavation, ditching/straightening, etc. If stream relocation is
proposed, plans and profiles showing the linear footprint for both the original and relocated streams must be included.
** Stream names can be found on USGS topographic maps. If a stream has no name, list as UT (unnamed tributary) to the nearest
downstream named stream into which it flows. USGS maps are available through the USES at 1-800-358-9616, or online at
www.ust!s.9M. Several internet sites also allow direct download and printing of USGS maps (e.g., www.topozone.com.
wwvy.mapgucst.com, etc.).
Cumulative impacts (linear distance in feet) to all streams on site: 108
(43 ft will be relocated)
Page 6 of 12
3. Open Water Impacts, including Lakes, Ponds, Estuaries, Sounds, Atlantic Ocean and any
other Water of the U.S.
Open Water Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact* Area of
Impact
(acres) Name of Waterbody
(if applicable) Type of Waterbody
(lake, pond, estuary, sound,
bay, ocean, etc.)
Site I Permanent fill assoc. 0.03 Boone Creek stream
with culvert
Site 1 Temporary fill assoc. 0.01 Boone Creek stream
with impervious dikes

* List each impact separately and identify temporary impacts. Impacts include, but are not limited to: fill, excavation, dredging,
flooding, drainage, bulkheads, etc.
4. Pond Creation
If construction of a pond is proposed, associated wetland and stream impacts should be
included above in the wetland and stream impact sections. Also, the proposed pond should
be described here and illustrated on any maps included with this application.
Pond to be created in (check all that apply): F-1 uplands F-] stream ? wetlands
Describe the method of construction (e.g., dam/embankment, excavation, installation of
draw-down valve or spillway, etc.): N/A
Proposed use or purpose of pond (e.g., livestock watering, irrigation, aesthetic, trout pond,
local stormwater requirement, etc.):
Size of watershed draining to pond: Expected pond surface area:
VII. Impact Justification (Avoidance and Minimization)
Specifically describe measures taken to avoid the proposed impacts. It may be useful to provide
information related to site constraints such as topography, building ordinances, accessibility, and
financial viability of the project. The applicant may attach drawings of alternative, lower-impact
site layouts, and explain why these design options were not feasible. Also discuss how impacts
were minimized once the desired site plan was developed. If applicable, discuss construction
techniques to be followed during construction to reduce impacts.
The bridge is being replaced in the same location and will have an off-site detour, usiny,
surrounding roads during construction
Page 7 of 12
VIII. Mitigation
DWQ - In accordance with 15A NCAC 211 .0500, mitigation may be required by the NC
Division of Water Quality for projects involving greater than or equal to one acre of impacts to
freshwater wetlands or greater than or equal to 150 linear feet of total impacts to perennial
streams.
USAGE - In accordance with the Final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide
Permits. published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2000, mitigation will be required when
necessary to ensure that adverse effects to the aquatic environment are minimal. Factors
including size and type of proposed impact and function and relative value of the impacted
aquatic resource will be considered in determining acceptability of appropriate and practicable
mitigation as proposed. Examples of mitigation that may be appropriate and practicable include,
but are not limited to: reducing the size of the project; establishing and maintaining wetland
and/or upland vegetated buffers to protect open waters such as streams; and replacing losses of
aquatic resource functions and values by creating, restoring, enhancing, or preserving similar
functions and values, preferable in the same watershed.
If mitigation is required for this project, a copy of the mitigation plan must be attached in order
for USACE or DWQ to consider the application complete for processing. Any application
lacking a required mitigation plan or NCWRP concurrence shall be placed on hold as
incomplete. An applicant may also choose to review the current guidelines for stream restoration
in DWQ's Draft Technical Guide for Stream Work in North Carolina, available at
littp://112o.cnr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands/strnigide.litml.
Provide a brief description of the proposed mitigation plan. The description should provide
as much information as possible, including, but not limited to: site location (attach directions
and/or map, if offsite), affected stream and river basin, type and amount (acreage/linear feet)
of mitigation proposed (restoration, enhancement, creation, or preservation), a plan view,
preservation mechanism (e.g., deed restrictions, conservation easement, etc.), and a
description of the current site conditions and proposed method of construction. Please attach
a separate sheet if more space is needed.
Page 8 of 12
2. Mitigation may also be made by payment into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration
Program (NCWRP) with the NCWRP's written agreement. Check the box indicating that
you would like to pay into the NCWRP. Please note that payment into the NCWRP must be
reviewed and approved before it can be used to satisfy mitigation requirements. Applicants
will be notified early in the review process by the 401/Wetlands Unit if payment into the
NCWRP is available as an option. For additional information regarding the application
process for the NCWRP, check the NCWRP website at hup://112o.enr.state.nc.Lis/wrp/indcx.htr». If
use of the NCWRP is proposed, please check the appropriate box on page three and provide
the following information:
Amount of stream mitigation requested (linear feet): N/A
Amount of buffer mitigation requested (square feet):
Amount of Riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres):
Amount of Non-riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres):
Amount of Coastal wetland mitigation requested (acres):
IX.
Environmental Documentation (DWQ Only)
Does the project involve an expenditure of public funds or the use of public (federal/state/local)
land?
Yes ® No ?
X.
If yes, does the project require preparation of an environmental document pursuant to the
requirements of the National or North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA)?
Note: if you are not sure whether a NEPA/SEPA document is required, call the SEPA
coordinator at [phone] to review current thresholds for environmental documentation.
Yes ® No
If yes, has the document review been finalized by the State Clearinghouse? If so, please attach a
copy of the NEPA or SEPA final approval letter.
Yes ® No R
Proposed Impacts on Riparian and Watershed Buffers (DWQ Only)
It is the applicant's (or agent's) responsibility to determine, delineate and map all impacts to
required state and local buffers associated with the project. The applicant must also provide
justification for these impacts in Section VII above. All proposed impacts must be listed herein,
and must be clearly identifiable on the accompanying site plan. All buffers must be shown on a
map, whether or not impacts are proposed to the buffers. Correspondence from the DWQ
Regional Office may be included as appropriate. Photographs may also be included at the
applicant's discretion.
Will the project impact protected riparian buffers identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0233
(Neuse), 15A NCAC 2B .0259 (Tar-Pamlico), 15A NCAC 2B .0250 (Randleman Rules and
Water Supply Buffer Requirements), or other (please identify )?
Page 9 of 12
Yes ? No ® If you answered "yes", provide the following information:
Identify the square feet and acreage of impact to each zone of the riparian buffers. If buffer
mitigation is required calculate the required amount of mitigation by applying the buffer
multipliers.
Zone* Impact
(square feet) Multiplier Required
Mitigation
- - 3
2 I . _5
Total
Zone I extends out iU feet perpendicular trom near bank 01 cnauurei: i one -, emcnus an
additional 20 feet from the edge of Zone I.
If buffer mitigation is required, please discuss what type of mitigation is proposed (i.e., Donation
of Property, Conservation Easement, Riparian Buffer Restoration / Enhancement, Preservation or
Payment into the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund). Please attach all appropriate information as
identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0242 or .0260.
XI. Stormwater (DWQ Only)
Describe impervious acreage (both existing and proposed) versus total acreage on the site.
Discuss stormwater controls proposed in order to protect surface waters and wetlands
downstream from the property.
Impervious area will be slightly increased due to the widening of the approaches. NCDOT's
BMPs for the Protection of Surface Waters will be followed throughout project construction.
XII. Sewage Disposal (DWQ Only)
Clearly detail the ultimate treatment methods and disposition (non-discharge or discharge) of
wastewater generated from the proposed project, or available capacity of the subject facility.
N/A
XIII. Violations (DWQ Only)
Is this site in violation of DWQ Wetland Rules (15A NCAC 2H .0500) or any Buffer Rules?
Yes E] No
Is this an after-the-fact permit application?
Page 10 of 12
Yes ? No
XIV. Other Circumstances (Optional):
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit the application sufficiently in advance of desired
construction dates to allow processing time for these permits. However, an applicant may
choose to list constraints associated with construction or sequencing that may impose limits on
work schedules (e.g., draw-down schedules for lakes, dates associated with Endangered and
"Threatened Species, accessibility problems, or other issues outside of the applicant's control).
pplicant/Agent's Signature Date
(Agent's signature is valid only if an authorization letter from the applicant is provided.)
US Army Corps Of Engineers Field Offices and County Coverage
Asheville Regulatory Field Office Alexander Cherokee Iredell Mitchell
US Army Corps of Engineers Avery Clay Jackson Polk
151 Patton Avenue Buncombe Cleveland Lincoln Rowan
Room 208 Burke Gaston Macon Rutherford
Asheville, NC 28801-5006 Cabarrus Graham Madison Stanley
Telephone: [phone] Caldwell Haywood McDowell Swain
Fax: [phone] Catawba Henderson Mecklenburg Transylvania
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office Alamance Durham Johnston Rockingham
US Army Corps Of Engineers Alleghany Edgecombe Lee Stokes
6508 Falls of the Neuse Road Ashe Franklin Nash Surry
Suite 120 Caswell Forsyth Northampton Vance
Raleigh, NC 27615 Chatham Granville Orange Wake
Telephone: [phone] Davidson Guilford Person Warren
Fax: [phone] Davie Halifax Randolph Wilkes
Washington Regulatory Field Office Beaufort Currituck Jones
US Army Corps Of Engineers Bertie Dare Lenoir
Post Office Box 1000 Camden Gates Martin
Washington, NC 27889-1000 Carteret* Green Pamlico
Telephone: [phone] Chowan Hertford Pasquotank
Fax: [phone] Craven Hyde Perquimans
Wilmington Regulatory Field Office Anson Duplin Onslow
US Army Corps Of Engineers Bladen Harnett Pender
Post Office Box 1890 Brunswick Hoke Richmond
Wilmington, NC 28402-1890 Carteret Montgomery Robeson
Pitt
Tyrrell
Washington
Wayne
Union
Watauga
Yancey
Wilson
Yadkin
*Croatan National Forest Only
Page 11 of 12
Telephone: [phone] Columbus Moore Sampson
Fax: [phone] Cumberland New Hanover Scotland
US Fish and Wildlife Service / National Marine Fisheries Service
US Fish and Wildlife Service US Fish and Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries Service
Raleigh Field Office Asheville Field Office Habitat Conservation Division
Post Office Box 33726 160 Zillicoa Street Pivers Island
Raleigh, NC 27636-3726 Asheville, NC 28801 Beaufort, NC 28516
Telephone: [phone] Telephone: [phone] Telephone: [phone]
North Carolina State Agencies
Division of Water Quality
401 Wetlands Unit
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1650
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Division of Water Quality
Wetlands Restoration Program
1619 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1619
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
State Historic Preservation Office
Department Of Cultural Resources
4617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4617
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Division of Coastal Management
1638 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1638
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Western Piedmont Region Coordinator
3855 Idlewild Road
Kernersville, NC 27284-9180
Telephone: [phone]
Mountain Region Coordinator
20830 Great Smoky Mtn. Expressway
Waynesville, NC 28786
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
CAMA and NC Coastal Counties
Beaufort Chowan
Bertie Craven
Brunswick Currituck
Camden Dare
Carteret Gates
Hertford Pasquotank
Hyde Pender
New Hanover Perquimans
Onslow Tyrrell
Pamlico Washington
NCWRC and NC Trout Counties
Alleghany Caldwell Watauga
Ashe Mitchell Wilkes
Avery Stokes
Burke Surry
Buncombe Henderson Polk
Cherokee Jackson Rutherford
Clay Macon Swain
Graham Madison Transylvania
Haywood McDowell Yancey
Page 12 of 12
401 ISSUED
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION ACTION CLASSIFICATION FORM
TIP Project No. _ B_-2658
State Project No. 8.2750601 _ /
Federal-Aid Project No. BRZ-1547(2) // 3fy
A. Proiect Description:
The project will consist of replacing Bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek in Watauga County. The existing structure will be replaced with a
2 @ 3.4 meter by 1.8 meter (11 foot by 6 foot) reinforced concrete box culvert
(RCBC) at approximately the same location and roadway elevation as the existing
bridge. Per a proposed municipal agreement between the Town of Boone and
NCDOT, approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the roadway to
7.2 meters (24 feet) with concrete curb and gutter, and with 1.5 meter (5 foot)
sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway. The project length will be
approximately 146 meters (480 feet). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding
roads during construction.
B. Pose and Need:
Bridge No. 10 has a sufficiency rating of 46.2 out of 100. The structure is a two
lane bridge with 6.7 meters (22 feet) of bridge roadway width. The bridge is posted
with a weight restriction of 9 tons for single vehicles and 15 tons for TTST's. The
"Do-nothing" alternate is not practical, requiring the eventual closing of the road as
the existing bridge completely deteriorates. Rehabilitation of the existing
deteriorating bridge is neither practical nor economical. For these reasons, Bridge
No. 10 needs to be replaced.
C: Proposed Improvements:
The improvements which apply to the project are circled:
Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking
weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and Reconstructing pavement
(3R and 4R improvements)
b. Widening roadway and shoulders without adding through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
d. Constructing lane improvements (merge, auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
i
f. Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets, and drainage pipes,
including safety treatments
g. Providing driveways pipes
h. Performing minor bridge widening ( less than one through lane)
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects including the
installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey type barriers and pier
protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
f. Upgrading medians including adding or upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation and/ or realignment
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing clear zone safety improvements including removing hazards
and flattening slopes
k. Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including bridge rail retrofit
O Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of
grade separation replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting ( no red lead paint), scour
repair, fender systems, and minor structural improvements
O Replacing a bridge (structure and/ or fill)
4. Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
5. Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.
6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of
right-of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse
impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
8. Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is consistent with existing zoning and located on or near a
2
i
street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support vehicle
traffic.
9. Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and
ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required
and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.
10. Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger
shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements ) when
located in a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is
adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.
11. Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is consistent with existing zoning and where there is no
significant noise impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes, advance land
acquisition loans under section 3 (b) of the UNIT Act. Hardship and
protective buying will be permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited
number of parcels. These types of land acquisition will not limit the
evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in alignment for planned
construction projects, which may be required in the NEPA process. No
project development on such land may proceed until the NEPA process has
been completed.
D. Special PrQject Information
Environmental Commitments:
All standard procedures and measures will be implemented to avoid or
minimize environmental impacts. All practical Best Management Practices (BMP's)
will be included and properly maintained during project construction.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(33 U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be required from the Corps of Engineers for the
discharge of dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States."
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Section 401 Water Quality
General Certification will be obtained prior to issue of the Army Corps of Engineers
Nationwide Permit # 23.
The Town of Boone has requested that 1.5 meter (5 foot) sidewalks be
constructed along each side of the roadway on the proposed project. The Town of
Boone will participate in the cost of the sidewalks per NCDOT policy. A municipal
i
agreement will be prepared regarding provision of sidewalks prior to construction of
the project.
The following recommendations made by the North Carolina Wildlife
Resource Commission will be followed:
1) Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the
stream channel in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the
likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the stream.
2) Work should be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact
stream water. This will lessen the chance of altering the stream's water
chemistry and causing a fish kill.
3) Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all
bare soil within 15 days of ground disturbing activities to provide long term
erosion control.
Estimated Costs:
Construction $ 400,000
Right of Way $ 390,000
Total $ 790,000
Estimated Traffic:
Current - 3,800 VPD
Year 2018 - 13,000 VPD
TTST - 3%
DUAL - 2%
Proposed Typical Roadway Section:
Travelway - 7.2 meters (24 feet) wide
Shoulders - concrete curb and gutter with 1.5 meter (5 foot) sidewalks on
both sides of the roadway
Design Speed:
60 km/h (35 mph)
Functional Classification:
Urban Local Route
4

Division Office Comments:
The Division 11 Engineer concurs with the recommendation of replacing the
bridge in place and detouring traffic along surrounding roads during
construction.
E. Threshold Criteria
If any Type II actions are involved in the project, the following evaluation must
be completed. If the project consists Qnly of Type I improvements, the
following checklist does not need to be Completed.
ECOLOGICAL YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any --
unique on any unique or important natural resource? X
(2) Does the project involve any habitat where federally
listed endangered or threatened species may occur? X
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish? X
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the amount of
permanent and/or temporary wetland taking less than x
one-third (1/3) acre and have all practicable measures -
wetland to avoid and minimize takings been evaluated?
(5) Will the project require use of U. S. Forest Service lands? X
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water resources be adversely --
impacted by proposed construction activities? X
(7) Does the project involve waters classified as Outstanding --
Water Resources (OWR) and/or High Quality Waters X
(HQW)? -- ---
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of the United States -
in any of the designated mountain trout counties? X
5
(9) Does the project involve any known underground storage
tanks (UST's) or hazardous materials sites? X
PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA county, will the -
project significantly affect the coastal zone and/or any N/A
"Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC)?
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act
resources? X
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be required?
(13) Will the project result in the modification of any existing
regulatory floodway?
(14) Will the project require any stream relocations or channel
changes?
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts to planned
growth or land use for the area?
(16) Will the project require the relocation of any family or
business?
(17) Will the project have a disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental effect on any minority or
low-income population?
(18) If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor?
X
X
X
YES NO
X
X
X
X
6
i
(19) Will the project involve any changes in access control?
(20) Will the project substantially alter the usefulness and/or land
use of any adjacent property? X
X
(21) Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent local -----
traffic patterns or community cohesiveness? X
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
and/ or Transportation Improvement Program (and is, X
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)?
(23) Is the project anticipated to cause an increase in traffic
volumes? X
(24) Will traffic be maintained during construction using existing --
roads, staged construction, or on-site detours? X
(25) If the project is a bridge replacement project, will the bridge
be replaced at its existing location (along the existing facility) X
and will all construction proposed in association with the ---
bridge replacement project be contained on the existing facility?
(26) Is there substantial controversy on social, economic, or
environmental grounds concerning the project?
(27) Is the project consistent with all Federal, State, and local
laws, relating to the environmental aspects of the action.
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on properties eligible for
or listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
X
X
X
7
r.
(29) Will the project affect any archaeological remains which are --
important to history or pre-history? X
(30) Will the project require the use of Section 4(f) resources -
(public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl x
refuges, historic sites or historic bridges, as defined in
Section 4(f) of the U. S. Department of Transportation
Act of 1966)?
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as defined x
by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act
of 1965, as amended?
(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent
to a river designated as a component of or proposed for X
inclusion in the natural Wild and Scenic Rivers?
F. Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
Question 8:
Construction of the culvert will require fill in waters of the United States in Watauga
County, which is a designated mountain trout county. Biological staff of the North Carolina
Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) have indicated that Boone Creek does not support
trout. A letter from the WRC regarding this project is attached at the end of this document.
Questions 16 and 20:
Construction of the new culvert and approaches cannot be accomplished without
encroaching on the parking lot of the apartment building just northeast of the bridge. With
no alternative parking available nearby, residents of the four unit apartment building will
need to be relocated. A relocation report is attached at the end of this document.
8
G. CE Approval
TIP Project No. B-2658
State Project No. 8.2750601
Federal-Aid Project No. BRZ-1547(2)
A. Project Description:
The project will consist of replacing Bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek in Watauga County. The existing structure will be replaced with a
2 @ 3.4 meter by 1.8 meter (11 foot by 6 foot) reinforced concrete box culvert
(RCBC) at approximately the same location and roadway elevation as the existing
bridge. Per a proposed municipal agreement between the Town of Boone and
NCDOT, approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the roadway to
7.2 meters (24 feet) with concrete curb and gutter, and with 1.5 meter (5 foot)
sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway. The project length will be
approximately 146 meters (480 feet). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding
roads during construction.
(See the attached location map.)
TYPE II (A)
X TYPE II (B)
Date Assistant Manager
Planning & Environmental Branch
Date Project Planning Unit Head
Date Pr ' 1 ing En ' eer
- -- - --
JOA ivision Administr for
Date
Federal Highway Administration
9
N

321
4,4,0
421
f?
F4P a na
.31
321
\ plU
1143 a

.
I?
l
'j,
3
li 221
. '?S 105 6'- . <
'J 1625 /
x
nVille
W AT UG
e henrood 1 Tor I-`
r Grove M
J
I ,.each les e^.,k .-?.y0 ?DeaD.
e e
I ?Uin Crucis ` f/`t..: ?µrcW?Y
M M m J W
even p_,? r 1
e efUinls
8having Rock
e 00,
I 000 •
•
4000
r,
17
.66
s North Carolina
z Department Of Transportation
4n Planning & Environmental Branch
WATAUGA COUNTY
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 10 ON SR 1547
OVER BOONE CREEK
B-2658
0 kilometers 0.4 kilometers 0.8
IN a --4 Figure 1
0 miles .25 miles 0.5
® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission®
312 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188,919-733-3391
Charles R. Fullwcod. Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jeff Ingham
North Carolina Department of Transportation
FROM: Stephanie E. Goudreau, Eastern Mt. Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
'.
DATE: April 22, 1997
SUBJECT: Preliminary comments for the replacement of Bridge #10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek,
Watauga County, TIP #13-2658
This correspondence responds to a request by you for our preliminary comments regarding the
subject project.
Biological staff of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with Boone
Creek, which flows through an urban area. Our comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during
the 404 permit process will reflect that this stream does not support trout. We have not identified any
other special concerns regarding this project.
We have the following general recommendations regarding this project:
1) Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other poiiutants into the stream.
2) If concrete will be used, work shouldG be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact
stream water. This will lessen the chance of altering the stream's water chemistry and causing a
fish kill.
3) Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil within 15 days
of ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment during the early stages of this project. If
you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 704/652-4257.

.ST,,Ry J
;tJ, 3 _
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hunt Jr., Governor Division of Archives and History
Betty Ray McCain, Secretary Jeffrey J. Crow, Director
March 20, 1997
Nicholas L. Graf
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442
Re: Bridge 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek,
Watauga County, B-2658, Federal Aid Project
BRZ-1547(2), State Project 8.2750601, ER 97-
8340
Dear Mr. Graf:
On March 18, 1997, Debbie Bevin of our staff met with North Carolina Department
of Transportation (NCDOT) staff for a meeting of the minds concerning the above
project. We reported our available information on historic architectural and
archaeological surveys and resources along with our recommendations. NCDOT
provided project area photographs and aerial photographs at the meeting.
Based upon our review of the photographs and the information discussed at the
meeting, we offer our preliminary comments regarding this project.
In terms of historic architectural resources, we are aware of no historic structures
located within the area of potential effect. We recommend that no historic
architectural survey be conducted for this project.
There are no known archaeological sites within the proposed project area. Based
on our present knowledge of the area, it is unlikely that any archaeological
resources which may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places will be affected by the project construction. We, therefore, recommend that
no archaeological investigation be conducted in connection with this project.
Having provided this information, we look forward to receipt of either a Categorical
Exclusion or Environmental Assessment which indicates how NCDOT addressed our
comments.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.
109 East Jones Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2507 ???
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, environmental
review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
Sirsc rely,
l
David Brook
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
DB:slw
cc: H. F. Vick
B. Church
T. Padgett
RELOCATION REPORT
,
North Carolina Department of Transportation
AREA RELOCATION OFFICE
E.I.S. CORRIDOR F-] DESIGN
PROJECT: _ 8.2750601 COUNTY WATAUGA Alternate 1 of 1 Alternate
I D NO.. B- F A. PROJECT BRZ-1547 (2)
?jc?n I
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: Replacement of bridge No 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek

ESTIMATED DISPLACEES INCOME LEVEL
Typa of
Displacees Owners Tenants Total Minoritie 0-15M j 15-25M 25-351'A i _'7-50h1 50 Lip
I s I I i
PPSiriPntial i 0 5 5 0 4 1 1 0 1 0 i 0
Businesses 0 0 0 0 VALUE OF DWELLING DSS DWELLING AVAILABLE
Farms
Non
Pr
fit 4-0 0 0 Owners Tenants For Sale
u
-
o 0 0 0 0-20
0 S 0-150 p 0-20M j s 0-150
--
p

ANSWER ALL CUESTIONS -
20-urA 0 150-'S? o ;0_10#A •
`?
I es No Explain all "YES" answers. 40-70M 0 i 250400 5 40.70M 0 250-100 1 2
X 1 Will special relocation services be necessary? 70-100M 0 400-000 0 70.11710M 0
4on ann 0
X 2. Will schools or churches be affect by f
101 uP j p 600 up 0 100 UP j 0 I 600 up p
dispracement'1 TOTAL I 0 5 p 12
X i 3. Will business services still be available after REMARKS (Re';pcnd by Numt5 ;
project'
i X 4. Will any business be displaced? If so, NEGATIVE RESIDENTIAL STUDY
indicate size. type. estimated number of
employees. minorities. etc 3. NO BUSINESS AFFECTED
X 5 Will relocation cause a housing shortage?
6 Source for available housing (list) 6. NEWSPAPER. APARTMENT GUIDE
X 7. Will additional housing programs be needed?
X I 8. Should Last Resort Housing be considered? 8 WILL BE IMPL EMFNTFn AS r-IF''E'SSAPv
X 9 Are there large. disaoled, elderly. etc
families"' 11. LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
I X 10 Will public housing be needed for project? 12 YES. AS INDICATED BY THE AVAILABL F APP PTPAFNT I !ST
X ! 11 Is public housing available?
X 12. Is it felt there will be adequate DSS housing 14 NO BUSINESS ARF AFFFCTF^
housirr avnilahh r1, •rn0 relor,"-ti porinrt^
X 13 V't11 there be a problem of housing within COMMENTS THE APARTMENT DWFLLER" Irl TI115 CC'.'r.' 'i, j
financial means? ARE 901/ STUDENTS IT IS FELT THAT PFt ^r-ATlr-)M c1401 11 n
x 14 Are suitable business sites available (list OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER MOUTHS TO AVOID
_. I. _ UNNECESSARY RELOCATIOtIS Akin INcnr•IVFNIFr%i(-F Tn
source) STUC-NT9
15 NumhPr months estimated to complete
RELOCA'nON7 112 MO.
I
r vFr,jr rAFI Tnrl '
rceioL anon rgeni ume I Approve-1 by Pate j
OI III P4 Re•.ised 02195 d i,riginai I c..?ry Do- RNioc.-Ii,"i ?`.C=ni
,•; rsun.•?b
?? ? ;r s9
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201
February 27, 1998
MEMORANDUM TO
FROM:
Wayne Elliot, Unit Head
Bridge Unit
E. NoRRIs TOLSON
SECRETARY
Marc Recktenwald, Environmental Biologist
Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Technical Report for the proposed
replacement of bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek, Watauga County. TIP No. B-2658, State
project No. 8.2750601, Federal aid project
No. BRZ-1547(2).
ATTENTION: Jeff Ingham, Project Engineer
Bridge Unit
The following report is submitted to assist in the preparation of a
Programmatic Categorical Exclusion for the proposed project. This report
contains information concerning water resources, biotic resources, Waters of the
United States, permit requirements and federally protected species within the
project area. The information contained in this report is relevant only in the
context of existing preliminary design concepts. If design parameters and criteria
change, additional field investigations may need to be conducted.
The proposed project involves replacing the existing bridge on existing
location. Alternative 1 proposes to replace the bridge with two 3.4 m (11 ft) by
1.8 m (6 ft) reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBC) while repaving SR 1547 and
adding a shoulder section. Alternative 2 proposes to replace the existing bridge
with two 3.4 m (11 ft) by 1.8 m (6 ft) RCBC while repaving SRI 547 and adding
curb and gutter with a sidewalk. The total project length for each alternative is
approximately 137 m (450 ft). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding roads
during construction with either alternative.
,.ft--
NX/
METHODOLOGY
Field investigations were conducted on 22 August 1997 by NCDOT
biologists Dale Suiter, Chris Rivenbark and Marc Recktenwald to assess natural
resources at the project site. Plant communities and their associated wildlife
were identified and recorded. Wildlife identification involved using one or more of
the following observation techniques: active searching and capture, visual
observations (binoculars), and identifying characteristic signs of wildlife (sounds,
scat, tracks and burrows). Faunal species observed during the site visit are
denoted with an asterisk (*). Terrestrial community classifications generally follow
Schafale and Weakley (1990) where possible, and plant taxonomy follows
Radford, et al. (1968). Animal taxonomy follows Martof, et al. (1980),
Menhenick (1991), Potter, et al. (1980), and Webster, et al. (1985).
Predictions regarding wildlife community composition involved general
qualitative habitat assessment based on existing vegetative communities.
Jurisdictional wetland determinations were performed using delineation criteria
prescribed in the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual
(Environmental Laboratory, 1987). Wetland classifications follow Cowardin et.
al. (1979). Information concerning federal and state protected species in the
study area was gathered from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
(NCNHP) database of rare species and unique habitats along with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) list of protected species and species of concern.
WATER RESOURCES
One water resource occurs in the project area, Boone Creek. Boone
Creek is a perennial mountain stream. It lies in the New River drainage basin.
During the site visit, Boone Creek was observed to be approximately 5-6 m (16-
20 ft) wide and 10-15 cm (4-6 in) deep. Its substrate is comprised of sand, rock
of various sizes, and cobble. At the time of the site visit Boone Creek had a swift
flow and its water clarity was excellent. At the construction area Boone Creek is_ .
highly channellized and has vegetated stream banks.
Streams have been assigned a best usage classification by the Division
of Water Quality (DWQ), formerly the Division of Environmental Management.
The best usage classification for Boone Creek (DWQ Index No. 28-78-1-8) is C
Tr+. Boone Creek has its confluence with Winkler Creek [DWQ Index No. 10-1-
4-(3.5)] approximately 0.6 km (0.4 mi) downstream of the project site. Winkler
Creek has been assigned a best usage classification of C Tr+. Winkler Creek
has its confluence with Middle Fork South Fork New River [DWQ Index No. 10-1-
2-(15)] approximately 1.6 km (1.0 mi) downstream of the Boone Creek/ Winkler
Creek confluence. Middle Fork South Fork New River has been assigned a best
usage classification of WS-IV CA+.

Class C refers to waters suitable for aquatic life propagation and survival,
fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture. Tr (Trout water) is a
supplemental water classification including waters suitable for natural trout
propagation and maintenance of stocked trout. WS IV (Water Supplies IV) refers
to those waters protected as water supplies which are generally in moderately to
highly developed watersheds; suitable for all Class C uses. The
subclassification of CA (Critical Area) refers to those waters located in a water
intake area. A water intake is located 0.05 km (0.03 mi) upstream of the Winkler
Creek/Middle Fork South Fork New River confluence. The notation (+) identifies
waters that are subject to a special management strategy specified in 15A NCAC
2B. 02 the Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) rule, in order to protect
downstream waters designated an ORW.
NCDOT's Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface
Waters should be strictly enforced during the construction phase of the project.
This would include but is not limited to:
1) installation of temporary silt fences to control runoff during construction;
2) placement of temporary ground cover or re-seeding of disturbed sites
to reduce runoff and decrease sediment loading;
3) reduction of clearing along streams.
Since this project crosses trout waters NCDOT's guidelines for
Construction of Highway Improvements Adjacent to or Crossing Trout Waters in
North Carolina must be followed. Additionally, DWQ request that DOT strictly
adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds (15A NCAC 04B.0024) throughout design and construction for this
project in the area that drains to streams having WS (Water Supply), ORW
(Outstanding Resource Water), HQW (High Quality Water), B (Body Contact),
SA (Shellfish Water) or Tr (Trout Water) classifications to protect existing uses.
Terrestrial Communities
There is one type of terrestrial community, maintained/disturbed, in the
project area.
Maintained/Disturbed
The maintained/disturbed community consist of residential and
commercial lawns that are maintained in an early successional stage through the
use of herbicides and regular mowing. The common flora species found in this
community includes fescue (Festuca spp.), buttercup (Ranunculus spp.), curly-
3
doc (Rumex crispus), forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), heal-all (Prunella vulgaris),
goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), white clover
(Trifolium repens), yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta), dandelion (Taraxacum
ofttcinale).
The streambank vegetation is also highly maintained and includes the
above mentioned species along with golden bell (Forsythia spp.), black cherry
(Prunus serotina), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), green ash (Fraxinus
pennsy/vanica), black willow (Salix nigra), chickory (Cichorium intybus), eastern
cottonwood (Populus deltoides), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), tearthumb
(Polygonum sagittatum), and hedge bindweed (Convolvulus sepium).
Wildlife resources in this community are limited by the high degree of
maintenance that occurs on residential and commercially developed land.
Having been subjected to some type and degree of disturbance in the past,
many species found in this type of habitat are highly adaptive and have the
ability to repopulate an area quickly after disturbance. Species found in these
areas generally use the area for foraging and are highly adaptive species that
adjust well to human development. Wildlife species that are common to such
areas include Virginia oppossum (Didelphis virginiana), eastern harvest mouse
(Reithrodontomys humulis), and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Avian
species include Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinensis), mourning dove
(Zenaida macroura), common grackle (Quisca/us quiscula), and European
starling*(Stumus vulgaris), and common crow* (Corvus caurinus). Additionally,
evidence of muskrat* (Ondatra zibethicus) activity was identified along the
streambank.
Terrestrial Community Impacts
Impacts to terrestrial communities will result from project construction due
to the clearing and paving of portions of the project area, and thus the loss of
community area. Calculated impacts to terrestrial communities reflect the
relative abundance of each community present in the study area. Estimated _
impacts are derived based on the project length 137 m (450 ft), and the entire
proposed right-of-way width of 18 m (60 ft). Based on this method the total
impact to the maintained/disturbed community is 0.25 hectare (0.62 acres) for
each alternative. However, project construction often does not require the entire
right-of-way; therefore, actual impacts may be considerably less.
Aquatic Communities
Community composition of the aquatic communities is reflective of the
physical characteristics of the water body and the condition of the water
resource. Terrestrial communities adjacent to water resources also greatly
influence aquatic community composition and structure.
t
Based on the size, characteristics and geographical location of the water
resources that are located in the project site the following aquatic species are
likely to occur. Fish species include gizzard shad (Dorsoma cepedianum),
central stoneroller (Compostoma anomalum), whitetail shiner (Cyprinella
galactura), river chub (Nocomis micropogan), silver shiner (Notropis photogenis),
longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), creek chub (Semotilus atromuculatus),
white sucker (Catostomus commersont), mottled sculpin (Cottus bailey),
greenside darter (Etheostoma blennioides), and banded darter (Etheostoma
zonate). Aquatic invertebrates may include mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera),
stonefies (Order Plecoptera) and caddisflies (Family Trichoptera). Other
Macroinvertebrates such as crayfish (Cambarus spp., and Procambarus spp.)
are typically found in these types of mountain streams.
JURISDICTIONAL TOPICS
This section provides descriptions, inventories and impact analysis
pertinent to two important issues-- Waters of the United States, and rare and
protected species.
Waters of the United States
Impacts to jurisdictional surface waters are anticipated. Jurisdictional
surface waters are present in the form of Boone Creek, a mountain perennial
stream. Impacts can be minimized with NCDOT Best Management Practices for
the Protection of Surface Waters, NCDOT's "Guidelines for Construction of
Highway Improvements Adjacent to or Crossing Trout Waters in North Carolina"
and Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds.
Boone Creek has deep, well defined channels at the project area. No
jurisdictional wetlands are associated with Boone Creek in the project area.
In accordance with provisions of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be required from the COE for the discharge of
dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States."
Permits
A Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5(a) (23) is likely to be applicable
for all impacts to Waters of the United States resulting from the proposed project.
This permit authorizes activities undertaken, assisted, authorized, regulated,
funded or financed in whole, or part, by another Federal agency or department
where that agency or department has determined the pursuant to the council on
environmental quality regulation for implementing the procedural provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act:
(1) that the activity, work, or discharge is categorically excluded from
environmental documentation because it is included within a category of actions
which neither individually nor cumulatively have a significant effect on the human
environment, and;
(2) that the office of the Chief of Engineers has been furnished notice of the
agency' or department's application for the categorical exclusion and concurs
with that determination.
In addition, a North Carolina Division of water Quality (DWQ) Section 401
Water Quality General Certification is also required. Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act requires that the state issue or deny water certification for any
federally permitted or licensed activity that may result in a discharge into waters
of the United States. The issuance of a 401 permit from DWQ is a prerequisite
to issuance of a Section 404 Permit.
Additionally, since the proposed project is located in one of the twenty-five
mountain counties designated as having trout waters, the approval of a
nationwide permit by the COE is conditioned upon the concurrence of the N.C.
Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC).
Rare and Protected Species
Some populations of fauna and flora have been in, or are in, the process
of decline either due to natural forces or their inability to coexist with human
activities. Federal law (under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended) requires that any action, likely to adversely affect a species
classified as federally-protected, be subject to review by the Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS). Other species may receive additional protection under separate
state laws.
Federally-Protected Species
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered (E),
Threatened (T), Proposed Endangered (PE) and Proposed Threatened (PT) are
protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended. As of 04 November 1997, the FWS lists four
federally-protected species for Watauga County (Table 1). A complete
description along with a biological conclusion for each species follows Table 1.
? able 1. F-edera??y-protected species for vvatauga county.
Common Name Scientific Name Status
bog turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii T(S/A)
Carolina northern flying Glaucomys sabrinus Endangered
squirrel coloratus
spreading avens Geum radiatum Endangered
Heller's blazing star Liatris helleri Threatened
Roan Mountain bluet Houstonia montana Endangered
(=Hedyotis pu?purea var.
montana)
Note: T(S/A) refers to a species that is threatened due to similarity of
appearance with other rare species and is listed for its protection.
Clemmys muhlenbergii (bog turtle) Threatened (S/A)
Family Emydidae
Date Listed: 01 May 1997
The bog turtle is North Carolina's smallest turtle, measuring 7 to 10 cm (3
to 4 in) in length. It has a dark brown carapace and a black plastron. The bright
orange or yellow blotch on each side of the head and neck is a readily
identifiable characteristic . The bog turtle inhabits damp grassy fields, bogs and
marshes in the mountains and western Piedmont.
The bog turtle is shy and secretive, and will burrow rapidly in mud or
debris when disturbed. The bog turtle forages on insects, worms, snails,
amphibians and seeds. In June or July, three to five eggs are laid in a shallow
nest of moss or loose soil. The incubation period last fifty-five days.
The bog turtle is listed as Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance and
therefore is not subject to Section 7 consultation and a biological conclusion for
this species is not required.
Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus (northern flying squirrel) Endangered
Family: Sciurdiae
Date Listed: 1 July 1985
The northern flying squirrel is widely distributed in northern North America
and was not known to exist on the east coast south of New York until well into
the 20th century. There are several isolated populations of the northern flying
squirrel in the western part of North Carolina, along the Tennessee border.
These populations are in Yancey and Haywood counties and in the vicinity of Mt.
Mitchell.
The northern flying squirrel is a small gliding rodent, that measures 26-31
cm in total length and 95-140 gm in weight. This squirrel has a large well furred
flap of skin along either side of its body, this flap of skin is connected at the wrist
in the front and at the ankle in the rear. The skin flaps and its broad flattened tail
allow the northern flying squirrel to glide from tree to tree. It is a solely nocturnal
animal with large dark eyes. Juvenile squirrels have a uniform dark grey back
and an off-white underside. Adult squirrels are characteristically grey with a
brownish, tan, or reddish wash on the back, and a grayish-white to buffy white
underside.
This squirrel is found above 1517 m (5000 ft) in the vegetation transition
zone between hardwood and coniferous forests. Both forest types are used to
search for food and the hardwood forest is used for nesting sites. Northern flying
squirrels feed on lichens, fungi, seeds, buds, fruit, staminate cones, insects, and
animal flesh. The northern flying squirrel occupies tree cavities, woodpecker
holes and less often leaf nests in the winter. Leaf nests are most often occupied
in the summer. The inside of their nests is lined with lichens, moss, or finely
chewed bark. A West Virginia study has preliminary results that show the use of
burrows by northern flying squirrels.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
The proposed project is located in highly developed area of Boone, NC.
Suitable habitat in the form of vegetated zones between hardwood and
coniferous forests above 1517 meters (5000 ft) does not exist in the project area.
The project elevation is approximately 975 m (3200 ft). Additionally, the NCNHP
database for rare species and unique habitats was searched on 19 August 1997.
The search identified no records of the northern flying squirrel in the project area..
Therefore, the proposed project will not effect the northern flying squirrel.
Geum radiatum (spreading avens) Endangered
Family: Rosaceae
Federally Listed: 5 April 1990
Flowers Present: June - early July
This species is found only in the North Carolina and Tennessee sections
of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Known populations in Burke County
have been extirpated and populations in any other counties have shown a
serious decline.
Q

Stems of this perennial herb grow from horizontal rhizomes and obtain a
height of 2-5 decimeters. The stems are topped with an indefinite cyme of bright
yellow radially symmetrical flowers. Basal leaves are odd-pinnately compound,
terminal leaflets are kidney shaped and much larger than the lateral leaflets,
which are reduced or absent. Leaflets have lobed or uneven margins and are
serrate, with long petioles. Stem leaves are smaller than the basal, rounded to
obovate, with irregularly cut margins. Fruits are hemispheric aggregates of hairy
achenes that are 7-9 mm in diameter.
Spreading avens occurs on scarps, bluffs, cliffs and escarpments on
mountains, hills, and ridges. Known populations of this plant have been found to
occur at elevations of 1535-1541 meters (5060-5080 feet), 1723-1747 meters
(5680-5760 feet) and 1759 meters (5800 feet). Other habitat requirements for
this species include full sunlight and shallow acidic soils. The spreading avens is
found in soils composed of sand, pebbles, humus, sandy loam, clay loam, and
humus. Most populations are pioneers on rocky outcrops.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
No suitable habitat in the form of scarps, bluffs, cliffs and escarpments on
mountain, hills and ridges is present at the project area. The project elevation is
approximately 975 m (3200 ft) which is considered too low for spreading avens.
Additionally, the NCNHP database for rare species and unique habitats was
reviewed on 19 August 1997. The review revealed no documented observations
of spreading avens in the project area. Therefore, the spreading avens will not
be impacted by the project construction.
Liatris helleri (Heller's blazing star) Threatened
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Federally Listed: 19 November 1987
Flowers Present: late June - August
This plant is endemic to high elevation ledges of rock outcrops of the
northern Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Of nine historic populations
only seven remain in existence.
Heller's blazing star is a short stocky plant that has one or more erect
stems that arise from a tuft of narrow, pale green basal leaves. Leaves are
accuminate and diminish in size and breadth upward on the stem. Stems are 4
dm tall and are topped with a raceme of small (7-20 cm) lavender flowers. Fruits
are present from September to November.
This plant is a high altitude early pioneer species and can be found
growing on high elevation ledges of rock outcrops in grassy areas where it is
9
exposed to full sunlight. It prefers shallow acid soils associated with granite
rocks.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
No suitable habitat in the form of high elevation ledges of rock outcrops in
grassy areas exist in the proposed project area. Furthermore, NCNHP database
of rare species and unique habitats was reviewed on 19 August 1997. There
were no documented reports of Heller's blazing star within the project area.
Therefore, the proposed project will not effect Heller's blazing star.
Hedyotis purpurea var. montana
(mountain purple or Roan Mountain bluet) Endangered
Plant Family: Rubiaceae
Federally Listed: April 5, 1990
Flowers Present: June - July (best time is mid June)
Roan Mountain bluet is a perennial species with roots and grows in low
tufts. Roan Mountain bluet has several bright purple flowers arranged in a
terminal cyme.
This plant can be found on cliffs, outcrops, steep slopes, and in the
gravelly talus associated with cliffs. Known populations of Roan Mountain bluet
occur at elevations of 1400-1900 meters (4600-6200 ft). It grows best in areas
where it is exposed to full sunlight and in shallow acidic soils composed of
various igneous, metamorphic, and metasedimentary rocks.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
Habitat in the form of cliffs, outcrops, steep slopes, and in the gravely
talus associated with cliffs does not exist in the project area. The project
elevation is approximately 975 m (3200 ft) which is considered too low for the
Roan Mountain bluet. Additionally, the NCNHP database for rare species and
unique habitats was reviewed on 19 August 1997. The review revealed no
documented observation of Roan Mountain bluet in the project area. Therefore,
the Roan Mountain bluet will not be impacted by the project construction.
cc: V. Charles Bruton, Ph.D., Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit Head
Hal C. Bain, Natural Resources Supervisor
File: B-2658
10

TIP Project No. B-2658
State Project No. 8.2750601
Federal-Aid Project No. _ BRZ-1547(2)
A. Project Description: ` l
The project will consist of replacing Bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek in Watauga County. The existing structure will be replaced with a
2 @ 3.4 meter by 1.8 meter (11 foot by 6 foot) reinforced concrete box culvert
(RCBC) at approximately the same location and roadway elevation as the existing
bridge. Per a proposed municipal agreement between the Town of Boone and
NCDOT, approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the roadway to
7.2 meters (24 feet) with concrete curb and gutter, and with 1.5 meter (5 foot)
sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway. The project length will be
approximately 146 meters (480 feet). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding
roads during construction.
B. Purpose and Need:
Bridge No. 10 has a sufficiency rating of 46.2 out of 100. The structure is a two
lane bridge with 6.7 meters (22 feet) of bridge roadway width. The bridge is posted
with a weight restriction of 9 tons for single vehicles and 15 tons for TTST's. The
"Do-nothing" alternate is not practical, requiring the eventual closing of the road as
the existing bridge completely deteriorates. Rehabilitation of the existing
deteriorating bridge is neither practical nor economical. For these reasons, Bridge
No. 10 needs to be replaced.
C: Proposed Improvements:
The improvements which apply to the project are circled:
Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking
weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and Reconstructing pavement
(3R and 4R improvements)
b. Widening roadway and shoulders without adding through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
d. Constructing lane improvements (merge, auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
f. Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets, and drainage pipes,
including safety treatments
g. Providing driveways pipes
h. Performing minor bridge widening ( less than one through lane)
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects including the
installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey type barriers and pier
protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
f. Upgrading medians including adding or upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation and/ or realignment
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing clear zone safety improvements including removing hazards
and flattening slopes
k. Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including bridge rail retrofit
O Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of
grade separation replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting ( no red lead paint), scour
repair, fender systems, and minor structural improvements
O Replacing a bridge (structure and/ or fill)
4. Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
5. Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.
6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of
right-of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse
impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
8. Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is consistent with existing zoning and located on or near a
2
i
street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support vehicle
traffic.
9. Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and
ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required
and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.
10. Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger
shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements ) when
located in a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is
adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.
11. Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is consistent with existing zoning and where there is no
significant noise impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes, advance land
acquisition loans under section 3 (b) of the UMT Act. Hardship and
protective buying will be permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited
number of parcels. These types of land acquisition will not limit the
evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in alignment for planned
construction projects, which may be required in the NEPA process. No
project development on such land may proceed until the NEPA process has
been completed.
D. Special Project Information
Environmental Commitments:
All standard procedures and measures will be implemented to avoid or
minimize environmental impacts. All practical Best Management Practices (BMP's)
will be included and properly maintained during project construction.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(33 U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be required from the Corps of Engineers for the
discharge of dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States."
North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Section 401 Water Quality
General Certification will be obtained prior to issue of the Army Corps of Engineers
Nationwide Permit # 23.
The Town of Boone has requested that 1.5 meter (5 foot) sidewalks be
constructed along each side of the roadway on the proposed project. The Town of
Boone will participate in the cost of the sidewalks per NCDOT policy. A municipal
1
agreement will be prepared regarding provision of sidewalks prior to construction of
the project.
The following recommendations made by the North Carolina Wildlife
Resource Commission will be followed:
1) Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the
stream channel in order to minimize sedimentation and reduce the
likelihood of introducing other pollutants into the stream.
2) Work should be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact
stream water. This will lessen the chance of altering the stream's water
chemistry and causing a fish kill.
3) Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all
bare soil within 15 days of ground disturbing activities to provide long term
erosion control.
Estimated Costs:
Construction $ 400,000
Right of Way $ 390,000
Total $ 790,000
Estimated Traffic:
Current - 3,800 VPD
Year 2018 - 13,000 VPD
TTST - 3%
DUAL - 2%
Proposed Typical Roadway Section:
Travelway - 7.2 meters (24 feet) wide
Shoulders - concrete curb and gutter with 1.5 meter (5 foot) sidewalks on
both sides of the roadway
Design Speed:
60 km/h (35 mph)
Functional Classification:
Urban Local Route
4

Division Office Comments:
The Division 11 Engineer concurs with the recommendation of replacing the
bridge in place and detouring traffic along surrounding roads during
construction.
E. Threshold Criteria
If any Type 11 actions are involved in the project, the following evaluation must
be completed. If the project consists 2& of Type I improvements, the
following checklist does not need to be Completed.
ECOLOGICAL YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any --
unique on any unique or important natural resource? X
(2) Does the project involve any habitat where federally --
listed endangered or threatened species may occur? X
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish?
X
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the amount of
permanent and/or temporary wetland taking less than x
one-third (1/3) acre and have all practicable measures
wetland to avoid and minimize takings been evaluated?
(5) Will the project require use of U. S. Forest Service lands? X
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water resources be adversely -
impacted by proposed construction activities? X
(7) Does the project involve waters classified as Outstanding
Water Resources (OWR) and/or High Quality Waters X
(HQW)?
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of the United States ---
in any of the designated mountain trout counties? X -
5
(9) Does the project involve any known underground storage - -
tanks (UST's) or hazardous materials sites? X
PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA county, will the --
project significantly affect the coastal zone and/or any N/A
"Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC)?
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act
resources? X
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be required? X
(13) Will the project result in the modification of any existing
regulatory floodway? X
(14) Will the project require any stream relocations or channel
changes? X
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC YES NO
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts to planned -
growth or land use for the area? X
(16) Will the project require the relocation of any family or
business? X
(17) Will the project have a disproportionately high and adverse -
human health and environmental effect on any minority or X
low-income population?
(18) If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor? X
6
i
(19) Will the project involve any changes in access control? X
(20) Will the project substantially alter the usefulness and/ or land ---
use of any adjacent property? X
(21) Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent local --
traffic patterns or community cohesiveness? X
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
and/ or Transportation Improvement Program (and is, X
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)?
(23) Is the project anticipated to cause an increase in traffic
volumes? X
(24) Will traffic be maintained during construction using existing --
roads, staged construction, or on-site detours? X
(25) If the project is a bridge replacement project, will the bridge
be replaced at its existing location (along the existing facility) X
and will all construction proposed in association with the - - --
bridge replacement project be contained on the existing facility?
(26) Is there substantial controversy on social, economic, or
environmental grounds concerning the project?
(27) Is the project consistent with all Federal, State, and local
laws, relating to the environmental aspects of the action.
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on properties eligible for
or listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
X
X
X
7
i
(29) Will the project affect any archaeological remains which are -
important to history or pre-history? X
(30) Will the project require the use of Section 4(f) resources --
(public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl x
refuges, historic sites or historic bridges, as defined in
Section 4(f) of the U. S. Department of Transportation
Act of 1966)?
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as defined X
by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act - -
of 1965, as amended?
(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent -
to a river designated as a component of or proposed for X
inclusion in the natural Wild and Scenic Rivers?
F. Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
Question 8:
Construction of the culvert will require fill in waters of the United States in Watauga
County, which is a designated mountain trout county. Biological staff of the North Carolina
Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC) have indicated that Boone Creek does not support
trout. A letter from the WRC regarding this project is attached at the end of this document.
Questions 16 and 20:
Construction of the new culvert and approaches cannot be accomplished without
encroaching on the parking lot of the apartment building just northeast of the bridge. With
no alternative parking available nearby, residents of the four unit apartment building will
need to be relocated. A relocation report is attached at the end of this document.
8
G. CE Approval
TIP Project No.
State Project No.
Federal-Aid Project No.
B-2658
8.2750601
BRZ-1547(2)
A. Project Descri tp ion
The project will consist of replacing Bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek in Watauga County. The existing structure will be replaced with a
2 @ 3.4 meter by 1.8 meter (11 foot by 6 foot) reinforced concrete box culvert
(RCBC) at approximately the same location and roadway elevation as the existing
bridge. Per a proposed municipal agreement between the Town of Boone and
NCDOT, approach work will consist of resurfacing and widening the roadway to
7.2 meters (24 feet) with concrete curb and gutter, and with 1.5 meter (5 foot)
sidewalks installed on both sides of the roadway. The project length will be
approximately 146 meters (480 feet). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding
roads during construction.
(See the attached location map.)
_ TYPE II (A)
X TYPE II (B)
4-8- 9? C'?.` D
Date Assistant Manager
Planning & Environmental Branch
yp9k U/4 e &7/"v? _
Date Proje t Planning Unit Head
Date Pr ' 1 ing En ' eer
Date 4iFederal Highway Administration
9

,q 321
421
FAP
V
`I . 31
1321
•`
1010
s' •` \ `3
1143
\ X

• 5S FaP

- - ' F?.I
7 i•?•
N
I•
u
13
li 221
r
'0
9? • ?' ?Nike.
• - -
/ o
/ 7
1625 / /' _ FKER( " f .? S
•

WA JU G /
T0d'F-`
t / herwooG ? ?/ 4
' of Grove
lets E,* to ?DeIN
'each ? ?...????
t
w M T _J ?
t e?evlfls
I ?u ?r
t ' ?21 Brewing Rock -1?
I 0#0
.
i
1 00, '

L7
.66
North Carolina
Department Of Transportation
Planning & Environmental Branch
WATAUGA COUNTY
REPLACE BRIDGE NO. 10 ON SR 1547
OVER BOONE CREEK
B-2658
0 kilometers 0.4 kilometers 0.8
2 11 --4 Figure I
0 miles .25 miles 0.5
0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
312 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188, 919-733-3391
Charles R. Fullwcod. Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Jeff Ingham
North Carolina Department of Transportation
FROM: Stephanie E. Goudreau, Eastern Mt. Region Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
4
.i c;?- 2C? C Lt Wit' C___
DATE: April 22, 19974 L, 14i
^
SUBJECT: Preliminary comments for the replacement of Bridge #10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek,
Watauga County, TIP #13-2658
This correspondence responds to a request by you for our preliminary comments regarding the
subject project.
Biological staff of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are familiar with Boone
Creek, which flows through an urban area. Our comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during
the 404 permit process will reflect that this stream does not support trout. We have not identified any
other special concerns regarding this project.
We have the following general recommendations regarding this project:
1) Heavy equipment should be operated from the bank rather than in the stream channel in order to
minimize sedimentation and reduce the likelihood of introducing other poiiutants into the stream.
2) If concrete will be used, work shouldG be accomplished so that wet concrete does not contact
stream water. This will lessen the chance of altering the stream's water chemistry and causing a
fish kill.
3) Temporary or permanent herbaceous vegetation should be planted on all bare soil within 15 days
of ground disturbing activities to provide long-term erosion control.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment during the early stages of this project. If
you have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at 704/652-4257.
,/? .
?r'p

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James B. Hunt Jr., Governor Division of Archives and History
Betty Ray McCain, Secretary Jeffrey J. Crow, Director
March 20, 1997
Nicholas L. Graf
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442
Re: Bridge 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek,
Watauga County, B-2658, Federal Aid Project
BRZ-1547(2), State Project 8.2750601, ER 97-
8340
Dear Mr. Graf:
On March 18, 1997, Debbie Bevin of our staff met with North Carolina Department
of Transportation (NCDOT) staff for a meeting of the minds concerning the above
project. We reported our available information on historic architectural and
archaeological surveys and resources along with our recommendations. NCDOT
provided project area photographs and aerial photographs at the meeting.
Based upon our review of the photographs and the information discussed at the
meeting, we offer our preliminary comments regarding this project.
In terms of historic architectural resources, we are aware of no historic structures
located within the area of potential effect. We recommend that no historic
architectural survey be conducted for this project.
There are no known archaeological sites within the proposed project area. Based
on our present knowledge of the area, it is unlikely that any archaeological
resources which may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places will be affected by the project construction. We, therefore, recommend that
no archaeological investigation be conducted in connection with this project.
Having provided this information, we look forward to receipt of either a Categorical
Exclusion or Environmental Assessment which indicates how NCDOT addressed our
comments.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800.
109 East Junes Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2807 ???
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, environmental
review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
Sirsc rely,
1
David Brook
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
DB:slw
cc: H. F. Vick
B. Church
T. Padgett
RELOCATION REPORT
North Carolina Departmnnt of Transportation
AREA RELOCATION OFFICE
E.1.5. ? CORRIDOR ? DESIGN
PROJECT:
I D NO.' 8.2750601
B9` COUNTY
F.A. PROJECT I WATAUGA 1 Alternate 1 Of 1 Alternate
I BRZ-1547 (2)
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT. Replacement of bridge No 10 on SR 1547 over Boone Creek

ESTIMATED DISPLACEES INCOME LEVEL
Type of
Displacees Owners I Tenants
Total
Minoritie
s
0-1E1lm 15-25M 25-35M i '?-SQh1 50 tip
I I
PPSrriential j 0 5 5 0 4 1 1 0 I 0 i 0
T-
Businesses
0 0 0 0 VALUE OF DWELLING DSS DWELLING AVAILABLE
Farms 0 I 0 0 0 Owners Tenants For Sale For Rent
_
Non-Profit 0 0 0 0 0-20M 0 S 0-150 ? 0 0-20M n j 5 0-150 p
ANSWER ALL CUESTIONS 20-411ra 0 150-750 f7, 70-tnPA 1
r es ric Explain all "YES" answers. 40-70ra 0 250-BOO i 5 4n-70M p t 250-1nn 12
X 1 Wit special relocation services be necessary? 00-100M 0 400-60--0 1 0 70.160m p
ann. Fnn 0
X 2. Will schools or churches be affect by 100 u0- j 0 600 up I 0 f
100 up j p 1 600 up I p

displacement? TOTAL I 0 5 0 12
X i 3. Will business services 5511 be available after REMARKS (ReS77Cnd by Numt

project?
i X 4. Will any business be displaced? If so, NEGATIVE RESIDENTIAL STUDY
indicate size. type. estimated number of
employees. minnrities, etc
3. NO BUSINESS AFFECTED
X 5 Will relocation cause a housing shortage?
6 Source for available housing (list) 6 NEWSPAPER, APARTMENT GUIDE
X 7. Will additional housing programs be needed?
X I 8. Should Last Resort Housing be considered? 8 WILL BE IMPL EMENTFp AS rIF' 17735i',PY
X^ 9 Are there farce, disaolea. eiderty• etc.
families? 11. LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
X 10 Will public housing be needed for project? 12. YES. AS INDICATED BY THE AVAILABL E AFr.RTpAF-r1T I!ST
X 11 Is public housing available?
X - 12 Is it felt there wilt be adequate DSS housing
housinc avnilahlo d,.-rnc ralor-m-n porind' 14 NO BUSINESS ARF AFFECTF^
X 13 V1I11 there be a problem of housing within
financial means? COMMENTS THE APARTMENT DWFLLERr? RI Ti'1S
ARE 901% STUDENTS IT IS FELT THAT REt ^rATlnr,i ct101 11 n
X !
?. _ 14 Are suitable business sites available (list

sorlrce)
15 Numher months esti mated to complete
RELOCATION? I 12 Mo. --.{- - OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER MOUTHS TO AVOID
UNNECESSARY RELOCAnnNS AND Ir1CnrIVFNIFrIr`F Tn
STIJC'NTc

T V'FH r rF
? t TC)t I 01-12-9R
nmui,c oun r+gerii unie I Approved by LIBte I
onnr P4 Re,rscd 02195 d ' ,ngina I (• py a Frioc 01"11
r
F
aw 3
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
February 27, 1998
MEMORANDUM TO:
FROM:
P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201
Wayne Elliot, Unit Head
Bridge Unit
E. NORRIS TOLSON
SECRETARY
Marc Recktenwald, Environmental Biologist
Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Technical Report for the proposed
replacement of bridge No. 10 on SR 1547 over Boone
Creek, Watauga County. TIP No. B-2658, State
project No. 8.2750601, Federal aid project
No. BRZ-1547(2).
ATTENTION: Jeff Ingham, Project Engineer
Bridge Unit
The following report is submitted to assist in the preparation of a
Programmatic Categorical Exclusion for the proposed project. This report
contains information concerning water resources, biotic resources, Waters of the
United States, permit requirements and federally protected species within the
project area. The information contained in this report is relevant only in the
context of existing preliminary design concepts. If design parameters and criteria
change, additional field investigations may need to be conducted.
The proposed project involves replacing the existing bridge on existing
location. Alternative 1 proposes to replace the bridge with two 3.4 m (11 ft) by
1.8 m (6 ft) reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBC) while repaving SR 1547 and
adding a shoulder section. Alternative 2 proposes to replace the existing bridge
with two 3.4 m (11 ft) by 1.8 m (6 ft) RCBC while repaving SR1547 and adding
curb and gutter with a sidewalk. The total project length for each alternative is
approximately 137 m (450 ft). Traffic will be detoured along surrounding roads
during construction with either alternative.

METHODOLOGY
Field investigations were conducted on 22 August 1997 by NCDOT
biologists Dale Suiter, Chris Rivenbark and Marc Recktenwald to assess natural
resources at the project site. Plant communities and their associated wildlife
were identified and recorded. Wildlife identification involved using one or more of
the following observation techniques: active searching and capture, visual
observations (binoculars), and identifying characteristic signs of wildlife (sounds,
scat, tracks and burrows). Faunal species observed during the site visit are
denoted with an asterisk (*). Terrestrial community classifications generally follow
Schafale and Weakley (1990) where possible, and plant taxonomy follows
Radford, et al. (1968). Animal taxonomy follows Martof, et al. (1980),
Menhenick (1991), Potter, et al. (1980), and Webster, et al. (1985).
Predictions regarding wildlife community composition involved general
qualitative habitat assessment based on existing vegetative communities.
Jurisdictional wetland determinations were performed using delineation criteria
prescribed in the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual
(Environmental Laboratory, 1987). Wetland classifications follow Cowardin et.
al. (1979). Information concerning federal and state protected species in the
study area was gathered from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program
(NCNHP) database of rare species and unique habitats along with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (FWS) list of protected species and species of concern.
WATER RESOURCES
One water resource occurs in the project area, Boone Creek. Boone
Creek is a perennial mountain stream. It lies in the New River drainage basin.
During the site visit, Boone Creek was observed to be approximately 5-6 m (16-
20 ft) wide and 10-15 cm (4-6 in) deep. Its substrate is comprised of sand, rock
of various sizes, and cobble. At the time of the site visit Boone Creek had a swift
flow and its water clarity was excellent. At the construction area Boone Creek is_ .
highly channellized and has vegetated stream banks.
Streams have been assigned a best usage classification by the Division
of Water Quality (DWQ), formerly the Division of Environmental Management.
The best usage classification for Boone Creek (DWQ Index No. 28-78-1-8) is C
Tr+. Boone Creek has its confluence with Winkler Creek [DWQ Index No. 10-1-
4-(3.5)] approximately 0.6 km (0.4 mi) downstream of the project site. Winkler
Creek has been assigned a best usage classification of C Tr+. Winkler Creek
has its confluence with Middle Fork South Fork New River [DWQ Index No. 10-1-
2-(15)] approximately 1.6 km (1.0 mi) downstream of the Boone Creek/Winkler
Creek confluence. Middle Fork South Fork New River has been assigned a best
usage classification of WS-IV CA+.

Class C refers to waters suitable for aquatic life propagation and survival,
fishing, wildlife, secondary recreation and agriculture. Tr (Trout water) is a
supplemental water classification including waters suitable for natural trout
propagation and maintenance of stocked trout. WS IV (Water Supplies IV) refers
to those waters protected as water supplies which are generally in moderately to
highly developed watersheds; suitable for all Class C uses. The
subclassification of CA (Critical Area) refers to those waters located in a water
intake area. A water intake is located 0.05 km (0.03 mi) upstream of the Winkler
Creek/Middle Fork South Fork New River confluence. The notation (+) identifies
waters that are subject to a special management strategy specified in 15A NCAC
2B. 02 the Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) rule, in order to protect
downstream waters designated an ORW.
NCDOT's Best Management Practices for the Protection of Surface
Waters should be strictly enforced during the construction phase of the project.
This would include but is not limited to:
1) installation of temporary silt fences to control runoff during construction;
2) placement of temporary ground cover or re-seeding of disturbed sites
to reduce runoff and decrease sediment loading;
3) reduction of clearing along streams.
Since this project crosses trout waters NCDOT's guidelines for
Construction of Highway Improvements Adjacent to or Crossing Trout Waters in
North Carolina must be followed. Additionally, DWQ request that DOT strictly
adhere to North Carolina regulations entitled Design Standards in Sensitive
Watersheds (15A NCAC 048.0024) throughout design and construction for this
project in the area that drains to streams having WS (Water Supply), ORW
(Outstanding Resource Water), HQW (High Quality Water), B (Body Contact),
SA (Shellfish Water) or Tr (Trout Water) classifications to protect existing uses.
Terrestrial Communities
There is one type of terrestrial community, maintained/disturbed, in the
project area.
Maintained/Disturbed
The maintained/disturbed community consist of residential and
commercial lawns that are maintained in an early successional stage through the
use of herbicides and regular mowing. The common flora species found in this
community includes fescue (Festuca spp.), buttercup (Ranunculus spp.), curly-
3
doc'(Rumex crispus), forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), heal-all (Prunella vulgaris),
goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), white clover
(Trifolium repens), yellow wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta), dandelion (Taraxacum
officinale).
The streambank vegetation is also highly maintained and includes the
above mentioned species along with golden bell (Forsythia spp.), black cherry
(Prunus serotina), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), green ash (Fraxinus
pennsylvanica), black willow (Salix nigra), chickory (Cichorium intybus), eastern
cottonwood (Populus deltoides), jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), tearthumb
(Polygonum sagittatum), and hedge bindweed (Convolvulus sepium).
Wildlife resources in this community are limited by the high degree of
maintenance that occurs on residential and commercially developed land.
Having been subjected to some type and degree of disturbance in the past,
many species found in this type of habitat are highly adaptive and have the
ability to repopulate an area quickly after disturbance. Species found in these
areas generally use the area for foraging and are highly adaptive species that
adjust well to human development. Wildlife species that are common to such
areas include Virginia oppossum (Didelphis virginiana), eastern harvest mouse
(Reithrodontomys humulis), and hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Avian
species include Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinensis), mourning dove
(Zenaida macroura), common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), and European
starling*(Stumus vulgaris), and common crow* (Corvus caurinus). Additionally,
evidence of muskrat* (Ondatra zibethicus) activity was identified along the
streambank.
Terrestrial Community Impacts
Impacts to terrestrial communities will result from project construction due
to the clearing and paving of portions of the project area, and thus the loss of
community area. Calculated impacts to terrestrial communities reflect the
relative abundance of each community present in the study area. Estimated
impacts are derived based on the project length 137 m (450 ft), and the entire
proposed right-of-way width of 18 m (60 ft). Based on this method the total
impact to the maintained/disturbed community is 0.25 hectare (0.62 acres) for
each alternative. However, project construction often does not require the entire
right-of-way; therefore, actual impacts may be considerably less.
Aquatic Communities
Community composition of the aquatic communities is reflective of the
physical characteristics of the water body and the condition of the water
resource. Terrestrial communities adjacent to water resources also greatly
influence aquatic community composition and structure.
1
Based on the size, characteristics and geographical location of the water
resources that are located in the project site the following aquatic species are
likely to occur. Fish species include gizzard shad (Dorsoma cepedianum),
central stoneroller (Compostoma anomalum), whitetail shiner (Cyprinella
galactura), river chub (Nocomis micropogan), silver shiner (Notropis photogenis),
longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), creek chub (Semotilus atromuculatus),
white sucker (Catostomus commersont), mottled sculpin (Cottus bailey),
greenside darter (Etheostoma blennioides), and banded darter (Etheostoma
zonate). Aquatic invertebrates may include mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera),
stonefies (Order Plecoptera) and caddisflies (Family Trichoptera). Other
M acroi nverte b rates such as crayfish (Cambarus spp., and Procambarus spp.)
are typically found in these types of mountain streams.
JURISDICTIONAL TOPICS
This section provides descriptions, inventories and impact analysis
pertinent to two important issues-- Waters of the United States, and rare and
protected species.
Waters of the United States
Impacts to jurisdictional surface waters are anticipated. Jurisdictional
surface waters are present in the form of Boone Creek, a mountain perennial
stream. Impacts can be minimized with NCDOT Best Management Practices for
the Protection of Surface Waters, NCDOT's "Guidelines for Construction of
Highway Improvements Adjacent to or Crossing Trout Waters in North Carolina"
and Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds.
Boone Creek has deep, well defined channels at the project area. No
jurisdictional wetlands are associated with Boone Creek in the project area.
In accordance with provisions of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be required from the COE for the discharge of
dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States."
Permits
A Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5(a) (23) is likely to be applicable
for all impacts to Waters of the United States resulting from the proposed project.
This permit authorizes activities undertaken, assisted, authorized, regulated,
funded or financed in whole, or part, by another Federal agency or department
where that agency or department has determined the pursuant to the council on
environmental quality regulation for implementing the procedural provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act:
(1) that the activity, work, or discharge is categorically excluded from
environmental documentation because it is included within a category of actions
which neither individually nor cumulatively have a significant effect on the human
environment, and;
(2) that the office of the Chief of Engineers has been furnished notice of the
agency' or department's application for the categorical exclusion and concurs
with that determination.
In addition, a North Carolina Division of water Quality (DWQ) Section 401
Water Quality General Certification is also required. Section 401 of the Clean
Water Act requires that the state issue or deny water certification for any
federally permitted or licensed activity that may result in a discharge into waters
of the United States. The issuance of a 401 permit from DWQ is a prerequisite
to issuance of a Section 404 Permit.
Additionally, since the proposed project is located in one of the twenty-five
mountain counties designated as having trout waters, the approval of a
nationwide permit by the COE is conditioned upon the concurrence of the N.C.
Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC).
Rare and Protected Species
Some populations of fauna and flora have been in, or are in, the process
of decline either due to natural forces or their inability to coexist with human
activities. Federal law (under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended) requires that any action, likely to adversely affect a species
classified as federally-protected, be subject to review by the Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS). Other species may receive additional protection under separate
state laws. -
Federally-Protected Species
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered (E),
Threatened (T), Proposed Endangered (PE) and Proposed Threatened (PT) are
protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended. As of 04 November 1997, the FWS lists four
federally-protected species for Watauga County (Table 1). A complete
description along with a biological conclusion for each species follows Table 1.
h
i aDie -i. reaerany-proieciea species Tor vvatauga uounry.
Common Name Scientific Name Status
bog turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii T(S/A)
Carolina northern flying Glaucomys sabrinus Endangered
squirrel coloratus
spreading avens
Geum radiatum
Endangered
Heller's blazing star
Roan Mountain bluet
Liatris helleri
Houstonia montana
(=Hedyotis purpurea var.
montana)
Threatened
Endangered
Note: T(S/A) refers to a species that is threatened due to similarity of
appearance with other rare species and is listed for its protection.
Clemmys muhlenbergii (bog turtle) Threatened (S/A)
Family Emydidae
Date Listed: 01 May 1997
The bog turtle is North Carolina's smallest turtle, measuring 7 to 10 cm (3
to 4 in) in length. It has a dark brown carapace and a black plastron. The bright
orange or yellow blotch on each side of the head and neck is a readily
identifiable characteristic . The bog turtle inhabits damp grassy fields, bogs and
marshes in the mountains and western Piedmont.
The bog turtle is shy and secretive, and will burrow rapidly in mud or
debris when disturbed. The bog turtle forages on insects, worms, snails,
amphibians and seeds. In June or July, three to five eggs are laid in a shallow
nest of moss or loose soil. The incubation period last fifty-five days.
The bog turtle is listed as Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance and
therefore is not subject to Section 7 consultation and a biological conclusion for
this species is not required.
Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus (northern flying squirrel) Endangered
Family: Sciurdiae
Date Listed: 1 July 1985
The northern flying squirrel is widely distributed in northern North America
and was not known to exist on the east coast south of New York until well into
the 20th century. There are several isolated populations of the northern flying
squirrel in the western part of North Carolina, along the Tennessee border.
These populations are in Yancey and Haywood counties and in the vicinity of Mt.
Mitchell.
The northern flying squirrel is a small gliding rodent, that measures 26-31
cm in total length and 95-140 gm in weight. This squirrel has a large well furred
flap of skin along either side of its body, this flap of skin is connected at the wrist
in the front and at the ankle in the rear. The skin flaps and its broad flattened tail
allow the northern flying squirrel to glide from tree to tree. It is a solely nocturnal
animal with large dark eyes. Juvenile squirrels have a uniform dark grey back
and an off-white underside. Adult squirrels are characteristically grey with a
brownish, tan, or reddish wash on the back, and a grayish-white to buffy white
underside.
This squirrel is found above 1517 m (5000 ft) in the vegetation transition
zone between hardwood and coniferous forests. Both forest types are used to
search for food and the hardwood forest is used for nesting sites. Northern flying
squirrels feed on lichens, fungi, seeds, buds, fruit, staminate cones, insects, and
animal flesh. The northern flying squirrel occupies tree cavities, woodpecker
holes and less often leaf nests in the winter. Leaf nests are most often occupied
in the summer. The inside of their nests is lined with lichens, moss, or finely
chewed bark. A West Virginia study has preliminary results that show the use of
burrows by northern flying squirrels.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
The proposed project is located in highly developed area of Boone, NC.
Suitable habitat in the form of vegetated zones between hardwood and
coniferous forests above 1517 meters (5000 ft) does not exist in the project area.
The project elevation is approximately 975 m (3200 ft). Additionally, the NCNHP
database for rare species and unique habitats was searched on 19 August 1997.
The search identified no records of the northern flying squirrel in the project area-_
Therefore, the proposed project will not effect the northern flying squirrel.
Geum radiatum (spreading avens) Endangered
Family: Rosaceae
Federally Listed: 5 April 1990
Flowers Present: June - early July
This species is found only in the North Carolina and Tennessee sections
of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Known populations in Burke County
have been extirpated and populations in any other counties have shown a
serious decline.
Q
Stems of this perennial herb grow from horizontal rhizomes and obtain a
height of 2-5 decimeters. The stems are topped with an indefinite cyme of bright
yellow radially symmetrical flowers. Basal leaves are odd-pinnately compound,
terminal leaflets are kidney shaped and much larger than the lateral leaflets,
which are reduced or absent. Leaflets have lobed or uneven margins and are
serrate, with long petioles. Stem leaves are smaller than the basal, rounded to
obovate, with irregularly cut margins. Fruits are hemispheric aggregates of hairy
achenes that are 7-9 mm in diameter.
Spreading avens occurs on scarps, bluffs, cliffs and escarpments on
mountains, hills, and ridges. Known populations of this plant have been found to
occur at elevations of 1535-1541 meters (5060-5080 feet), 1723-1747 meters
(5680-5760 feet) and 1759 meters (5800 feet). Other habitat requirements for
this species include full sunlight and shallow acidic soils. The spreading avens is
found in soils composed of sand, pebbles, humus, sandy loam, clay loam, and
humus. Most populations are pioneers on rocky outcrops.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
No suitable habitat in the form of scarps, bluffs, cliffs and escarpments on
mountain, hills and ridges is present at the project area. The project elevation is
approximately 975 m (3200 ft) which is considered too low for spreading avens.
Additionally, the NCNHP database for rare species and unique habitats was
reviewed on 19 August 1997. The review revealed no documented observations
of spreading avens in the project area. Therefore, the spreading avens will not
be impacted by the project construction.
Liatris helleri (Heller's blazing star) Threatened
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Federally Listed: 19 November 1987
Flowers Present: late June - August
This plant is endemic to high elevation ledges of rock outcrops of the _
northern Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Of nine historic populations
only seven remain in existence.
Heller's blazing star is a short stocky plant that has one or more erect
stems that arise from a tuft of narrow, pale green basal leaves. Leaves are
accuminate and diminish in size and breadth upward on the stem. Stems are 4
dm tall and are topped with a raceme of small (7-20 cm) lavender flowers. Fruits
are present from September to November.
This plant is a high altitude early pioneer species and can be found
growing on high elevation ledges of rock outcrops in grassy areas where it is
9
exposed to full sunlight. It prefers shallow acid soils associated with granite
rocks.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
No suitable habitat in the form of high elevation ledges of rock outcrops in
grassy areas exist in the proposed project area. Furthermore, NCNHP database
of rare species and unique habitats was reviewed on 19 August 1997. There
were no documented reports of Heller's blazing star within the project area.
Therefore, the proposed project will not effect Heller's blazing star.
Hedyotis purpurea var. montana
(mountain purple or Roan Mountain bluet) Endangered
Plant Family: Rubiaceae
Federally Listed: April 5, 1990
Flowers Present: June - July (best time is mid June)
Roan Mountain bluet is a perennial species with roots and grows in low
tufts. Roan Mountain bluet has several bright purple flowers arranged in a
terminal cyme.
This plant can be found on cliffs, outcrops, steep slopes, and in the
gravelly talus associated with cliffs. Known populations of Roan Mountain bluet
occur at elevations of 1400-1900 meters (4600-6200 ft). It grows best in areas
where it is exposed to full sunlight and in shallow acidic soils composed of
various igneous, metamorphic, and metasedimentary rocks.
Biological Conclusion No Effect
Habitat in the form of cliffs, outcrops, steep slopes, and in the gravely
talus associated with cliffs does not exist in the project area. The project
elevation is approximately 975 m (3200 ft) which is considered too low for the
Roan Mountain bluet. Additionally, the NCNHP database for rare species and
unique habitats was reviewed on 19 August 1997. The review revealed no
documented observation of Roan Mountain bluet in the project area. Therefore,
the Roan Mountain bluet will not be impacted by the project construction.
cc: V. Charles Bruton, Ph.D., Permits, Mitigation, and Natural Resources Unit Head
Hal C. Bain, Natural Resources Supervisor
File: B-2658
10