20061616 Ver 1_Complete File_20070814 (2)

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
December 20, 2006
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Field Office
Post Office Box 1000
Washington, NC 27889-1000
ATTENTION: Mr. Bill Biddlecome
NCDOT Coordinator
Dear Sir:
Subject: Revision to the Nationwide 23 and 33 Permit Application and Neuse Riparian
Buffer Authorization Request for the Replacement of Bridge No. 415 over Buffalo
Creek on SR 1718; Johnston County; TIP Project B-3672; Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-
1718(4); State Project No.8.2312401; WBS 33216.1.1. USA[D 2006-41547-151.
Please find enclosed the revised wetland permit summary for B-3672. The summary sheet in the original
application package showed mechanized clearing. This revision shows hand clearing as stated in the
narrative and PCN.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Chris Underwood at (919) 715-
1451.
Sincerely,
f . , /,I
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Environmental Management Director
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
W/attachment:
Mr. John Hennessy, NCDWQ (5 copies)
Mr. Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Mr. Gary Jordan, USFWS
Mr. Ron Sechler, NMFS
Mr. Michael Street, NCDMF
Dr. David Chang, P.E., Hydraulics
Mr. Greg Perfetti, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Mark Staley, Roadside Environmental
Mr. Richard E. Greene, P.E., Division 4
Engineer
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
Mr. Jamie Guerrero, Division 4 Environmental
Officer
W/o attachment
Mr. Scott McLendon, USAGE, Wilmington
Mr. Jay Bennett, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. Majed Alghandour, P. E., Programming and
TIP
Mr. Art McMillan, P.E., Highway Design
Ms. Marie Sutton, Planning Engineer
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WWW.NCDOT.ORG
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC

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IN REPLY REFER TO
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Washington Regulatory Field Office
P.O. BOX 1000
Washington, North Carolina 27889-1000
November 28, 2006

CLO
Regulatory Division
Subject: Action ID No. SAW 2006-41547-151 and Nationwide Permit No. 23 (Approved
Categorical Exclusions)
Dr. Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Environmental Management Director, PDEA
N.C. Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
Reference your Categorical Exclusion Document, approved on April 4, 2005, and your
subsequent correspondence dated October 12, 2006, for the replacement of Bridge No. 415 on
NCSR 1718 over Buffalo Creek, Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-1718 (4), State Project No.
8.2312401, T.I.P. No. B-3672, Johnston County, North Carolina. The project involves an off site
detour and will replace the existing structure in the same location with a 120-foot bridge utilizing
top-down construction adversely impacting 0.018 acres of riverine wetlands and 0.02 acres of
open waters adjacent to Buffalo Creek.
For the purposes of the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program, Title 33, Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 330.6, published in the Federal Register on November 22, 1991,
lists nationwide permits. Authorization pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, was provided for 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, pursuant to the CEQ Regulation for
the Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, 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 the Office of the Chief of Engineers has been
furnished notice of the agency's or department's application for the categorical exclusion and
concurs with that determination.
Review of this project indicates that the construction of the new bridge will adversely
impact 0.018 acres of riverine wetlands consisting of 0.001 acres of permanent fill, 0.003 acres of
excavation, and 0.014 acres of temporary impacts from hand-clearing activities in wetlands.
. . V
There will also be temporary
a temporary work pad.
to 0.02 acres of surface waters for the installation of
Your work is authorized unde Nationwide Permit 23, Categorical Exclusion, and .
Nationwide Permit 33Temporary C struction, Access and Dewatering,-provided it is
accomplished in strict accordance wit the enclosed Nationwide Permit Conditions and the
following special conditions:
a. All measures will be taken t avoid any temporary fill from entering into Buffalo Creek
from bridge demolition. Bridge deco lition shall follow NCDOT best management practices for
construction and maintenance activiti s dated August 2003 and incorporate NCDOT policy
entitled "Bridge Demolition and Rem val in Waters of the United States" dated September 20,
1999.
b. No bridge demolition deb
any wetlands or surrounding waters,
work plans.
c. All excavated materials
regularly or irregularly flooded wetly
spillover of solids into any wetlands
d. Except as authorized by
permit, no excavation, fill, or mechar.
the construction or maintenance of th
cause the degradation of waters or we
modification to this permit. This pern
handling of excavated or fill material
There shall be no excavation from, w.
wetlands associated with this permit i
appropriate compensatory mitigation.
connected with this project.
e. To ensure that all borrow a
in the degradation of adjacent wetlani
permittee shall require its contractors
material, or to dispose of dredged, fil:
or excavated or fill material will be placed at any time, in
tside of the alignment of the fill area indicated on the
be confined above normal high water and landward of
is behind adequate dikes or retaining structures to prevent
surrounding waters.
s permit or any USACE approved modification to this
zed land-clearing activities shall take place at any time in
> project, within waters or wetlands, or any activities that
lands, except as authorized by this permit, or any
it does not authorize temporary placement or double
vithin waters or wetlands outside the permitted area.
ste disposal into, or degradation of, jurisdictional waters or
ithout appropriate modification of this permit, including
This prohibition applies to all borrow and fill activities
d waste activities occur on high ground and do not result
o and streams, except as authorized by this permit, the
nd/or agents to identify all areas to be used to borrow
or waste material. The permittee shall provide the
2

USACE with appropriate maps indicating the locations of proposed borrow or waste sites as
soon as the permittee has that information. The permittee will coordinate with the USACE
before approving any borrow or waste sites that are within 400 feet of any streams or wetlands.
The permittee shall ensure that all such areas comply with condition (d) of this permit, and shall
require and maintain documentation of-the location and characteristics of all-borrow and-disposal
sites associated with this project. This information will include data regarding soils, vegetation
and hydrology sufficient to clearly demonstrate compliance with the preceding condition (d). All
information will be available to the USACE upon request. NCDOT shall require its contractors
to complete and execute reclamation plans for each waste and borrow site and provide written
documentation. that the reclamation plans have been implemented and all work is completed.
This documentation will be provided to the Corps of Engineers within 30 days of the completion
of the reclamation work.
f. The permittee shall require its contractors and/or agents to comply with the terms and
conditions of this permit in the construction and maintenance of this project, and shall provide
each of its. contractors and/or agents associated with the construction or maintenance of this
project with a copy of this permit. A copy of this permit, including all conditions and any Corps
approved modifications shall be available. at the project site during construction and maintenance
of this project.
g. Any violation of these conditions or violations of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act must be reported in writing to the Wilmington
District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, within 24 hours of the violation.
h. All temporary fill (rip-rap work pad) shall be removed in its entirety upon completion
of the construction at the site.
h. Failure to institute and carry out the details of special conditions a. - h., above, may
result in a directive to cease all ongoing and permitted work within waters and/or wetlands
associated with TIP No. B-3672, or such other remedy as the District Engineer or his authorized
representatives may seek.
This nationwide permit does not relieve you of the responsibility to obtain any required
State or local approval. This permit is valid until the NWP is modified, reissued, or revoked. All
of the existing NWPs are scheduled to be modified, reissued, or revoked prior to March 18, 2007.
It is incumbent upon you to remain informed of changes to the NWPs. We will issue a public
notice when the NWPs are reissued. Furthermore, if you commence or are under contract to
W.
commence this activity before the dat
revoked, you will have twelve (12) in
NWP to complete the activity under tl
If, prior to the expiration date of Marc
and/or modified, this verification will
with all new and/or modified terms ar
exercise his discretionary authority to
authorization under any NWP.
Thank you for your time and cc
William Wescott at the Washington I
North Carolina, 27889, or telephone
that the relevant nationwide permit is modified or
iths from the date of the modification or revocation of the
present terms and conditions of this nationwide permit.
18, 2007, the nationwide permit authorization is reissued
-main valid until March 18, 2007, provided it complies
conditions. The District Engineer may, at any time,
codify, suspend, or revoke a case specific activity's
n. If you have any questions, you may contact Mr.
y Field Office, Post Office Box 1000, Washington,
1616, extension 31.
Sincerely,
/vim. 4W
William Biddlecome
Project Manager
Enclosures
Copies Furnished (without
Mr. Rob Ridings
Water Quality Section
North Carolina Division of Environrr
and Natural Resources
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Mr. Travis Wilson
Eastern Region Highway Project C
Habitat Conservation Program
1142 I-85 Service Road
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522

4

Mr. Gary Jordan
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North. Carolina 27636-3726
Mr. Ron Sechler
National Marine Fisheries Service
101 Pivers Island
Beaufort, North Carolina 28516
Mr. Chris Militscher
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
C/O FHWA, Raleigh Office
310 New Bern Avenue, Room 206
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
Ms. Kathy Matthews
USEPA-Region 4 Wetlands Section
109 T.W. Alexander Drive
Durham, North Carolina 27771
Mail Code:E143-04
Mr. William D. Gilmore, P.E.
EEP Director
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program
1652 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1652
Mr. Garcy Ward
NCDWQ Washington Regional Office
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, North Carolina 27889
5
The Service appreciates the opportunity to review this project. If you have any questions
regarding our response, please contact Mr. Gary Jordan at [phone] (Ext. 32).
Sincerely,
John Hammond
Acting Ecological Services Supervisor
cc: Mike.Bell, USACE, Washington, NC
Nicole Thomson, NCDWQ, Raleigh, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC
Chris Militscher, USEPA, Raleigh, NC
Aovi „ r rRr
> -i
4 'C
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
October 20, 2006
Johnston County
DWQ Project No. 20061616
Bridge 415 on SR 1718
TIP# B-3672
APPROVAL of 401 WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION, and NEUSE BUFFER AUTHORIZATION, with
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Dr. Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director
NCDOT, Project Development and Environmental Analysis
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
You have our approval, in accordance with the conditions listed below, for the following impacts for the purpose of
replacing Bridge 415 in Johnston County:
Wetland Impacts in the Neuse River Basin
Site Fill
ac Excavation
ac Hand Clearing
ac Total Wetland Impact (ac)
1 0.001 0.003 0.014 0.018
Total 0.001 0.003 0.014 0.018
Total Wetland Impact for Project: 0.018 acres.
Open Water Stream Impacts in the Neuse River Basin
Site Permanent Fill in
Open Waters ac Temporary Fill in
Open Waters ac Total Fill in Open
Waters ac
1 0 0.02 0.02
Total 0 0.02 0.02
Total Open Water Impact for Project: 0.02 acres.
Neuse Riparian Buffer Impacts
Site Zone 1 minus = Zone 1 Zone 1 Buffer Zone 2 minus = Zone 2 Zone 2 Buffer
Impact Wetlands Buffers (not Mitigation Impact Wetlands Buffers Mitigation
(sq ft) in Zone 1 wetlands) Required (sq ft) in Zone 2 (not Required (using
(sq ft) (sq ft) (using 3:1 ratio) (sq ft) wetlands) 1.5:1 ratio)
s ft
1 3,417 650 2,767 N/A 2,895 0 2,895 N/A
Totals 3,417 650 2,767 0 2,895 0 2,895 0
* n/a = Total for Site is less than 1/3 acre and 150 linear feet of impact, no mitigation required
Total Buffer Impact for Project: 5,662 square feet.
Pi&Carolina
Transportation Permitting Unit VA (Maly
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650 .
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX [phone] / Internet: htto:/lh2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetiands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
`J Q William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
\Q G North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Division of Water Quality
The project shall be constructed in accordance with your application dated received October 17, 2006. After
reviewing your application, we have decided that these impacts are covered by General Water Quality Certification
Number 3366 and 3403. This certification corresponds to the Nationwide Permit 33 and Nationwide Permit 23
issued by the Corps of Engineers. This approval is also valid for the Neuse Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC
213.0233). In addition, you should acquire any other federal, state or local permits before you proceed with your
project including (but not limited to) Sediment and Erosion Control, Non-Discharge and Water Supply Watershed
regulations. This approval will expire with the accompanying 404 permit.
This approval is valid solely for the purpose and design described in your application (unless modified below).
Should your project change, you must notify the DWQ and submit a new application. If the property is sold, the
new owner must be given a copy of this Certification and approval letter, and is thereby responsible for complying
with all the conditions. If total wetland fills for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre, or of total
impacts to streams (now or in the future) exceed 150 linear feet, compensatory mitigation may be required as
described in 15A NCAC 2H.0506 (h) (6) and (7). For this approval to remain valid, you must adhere to the
conditions listed in the attached certification as well as those listed below.
Conditions of Certification:
1. Riprap should not be placed in the active thalweg channel or placed in the streambed in a manner that precludes
aquatic life passage. Bioengineering boulders or structures should be properly designed, sized and installed.
2. For any streams being impacted due to site dewatering activties, the site shall be graded to its preconstruction
contours and revegetated with appropriate native species.
3. The post-construction removal of any temporary bridge structures must return the project site to its
preconstruction contours and elevations. The impacted areas shall be revegetated with appropriate native species.
4. Strict adherence to the most recent version of NCDOT's Best Management Practices For Bridge Demolition and
Removal approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers is a condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification.
5. Bridge deck drains should not discharge directly into the stream Stormwater should be directed across the
bridge and pre-treated through site-appropriate means (grassed swales, pre-formed scour holes, vegetated buffers,
etc.) before entering the stream. Please refer to the most current version of Stormwater Best Management Practices.
6. All stormwater runoff shall be directed as sheetflow through stream buffers at nonerosive velocities, unless
otherwise approved by this certification.
7. All riparian buffers impacted by the placement of temporary fill or clearing activities shall be restored to the
preconstruction contours and revegated. Maintained buffers shall be permanently revegetated with non-woody
species by the end of the growing season following completion of construction. For the purpose of this condition,
maintained buffer areas are defined as areas within the transportation corridor that will be subject to regular DOT
maintenance activities including mowing. The area with non-maintained buffers shall be permanently revegetated,
with native woody species before the next growing season following completion of construction.
8. Pursuant to NCACI5A 2B.0233(6), sediment and erosion control devices shall not be placed in Zone 1 of any
Neuse Buffer without prior approval by the NCDWQ. At this time, the NCDWQ has approved no sediment and
erosion control devices in Zone 1, outside of the approved project impacts, anywhere on this project. Moreover,
sediment and erosion control devices shall be allowed in Zone 2 of the buffers provided that Zone I is not
compromised and that discharge is released as diffuse flow.
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] /FAX [phone] / Internet http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetiands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
for
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
?O G North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Y Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
_{ Division of Water Quality
9. If concrete is used during construction, a dry work area should be maintained to prevent direct contact between
curing concrete and stream water. Water that inadvertently contacts uncured concrete should not be discharged to
surface waters due to the potential for elevated pH and possible aquatic life and fish kills.
10. During the construction of the project, no staging of equipment of any kind is permitted in waters of the U.S., or
protected riparian buffers.
11. The dimension, pattern and profile of the stream above and below the crossing should not be modified.
Disturbed floodplains and streams should be restored to natural geomorphic conditions.
12. Any rip-rap placed for stream stabilization shall be placed in stream channels in such -a manner that it does not
impede aquatic life passage.
13. All work in or adjacent to stream waters shall be conducted in a dry work area. Approved BMP measures from
the most current version of NCDOT Construction and Maintenance Activities manual such as sandbags, rock berms,
cofferdams and other diversion structures shall be used to prevent excavation in flowing water.
14. Heavy equipment shall be operated from the banks rather than in the stream channel in order to minimize
sedimentation and reduce the introduction of other pollutants into the stream.
15. All mechanized equipment operated near surface waters must be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent
contamination of stream waters from fuels, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, or other toxic materials.
16. No rock, sand or other materials shall be dredged from the stream channel except where authorized by this
certification.
17. Discharging hydroseed mixtures and washing out hydroseeders and other equipment in or adjacent to surface
waters is prohibited.
18. The permittee and its authorized agents shall conduct its activities in a manner consistent with State water
quality standards (including any requirements resulting from compliance with §303(d) of the Clean Water Act) and
any other appropriate requirements of State and Federal law. If DWQ determines that such standards or laws are not
being met (including the failure to sustain a designated or achieved use) or that State or federal law is being violated,
or that further conditions are necessary to assure compliance, DWQ may reevaluate and modify this certification.
19. All fill slopes located in jurisdictional wetlands shall be placed at slopes no flatter than 3:1, unless otherwise
authorized by this certification..
20. A copy of this Water Quality Certification shall be posted on the construction site at all times. In addition, the
Water Quality Certification and all subsequent modifications, if any, shall be maintained with the Division Engineer
and the on-site project manager.
21. The outside buffer, wetland or water boundary located within the construction corridor approved by this
authorization shall be clearly marked by highly visible fencing prior to any land disturbing activities. Impacts to
areas within the fencing are prohibited unless otherwise authorized by this certification.
22. Upon completion of the project, the NCDOT Division Engineer (or whomever is the authorized agent if a non-
DOT project) shall complete and return the enclosed "Certification of Completion Form" to notify DWQ when all
work included in the 401 Certification has been completed.
NoofthCarolina
Transportation Permitting Unit ll?llCll??lf
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] /FAX [phone] / Internet http://h2o,enr.state.nc.us/newetlands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
WV1 A F'? Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
r Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
=1 Division of Water Quality
D ?
23. Native riparian vegetation must be reestablished within the construction limits of the project by the end of the
growing season following completion of construction.
24. There shall be no excavation from, or waste disposal into, jurisdictional wetlands or waters associated with this
permit without appropriate modification. Should waste or borrow sites be located in wetlands or streams,
compensatory mitigation will be required since that is a direct impact from road construction activities.
25. Erosion and sediment control practices must be in full compliance with all specifications governing
the proper design, installation and operation and maintenance of such Best Management Practices in
order to protect surface waters standards:
a. The erosion and sediment control measures for the project must be designed, installed, operated, and
maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Sediment and Erosion
Control Planning and Design Manual.
b. The design, installation, operation, and maintenance of the sediment and erosion control measures
must be such that they equal, or exceed, the requirements specified in the most recent version of the
North Carolina Sediment and Erosion Control Manual. The devices shall be maintained on all
construction sites, borrow sites, and waste pile (spoil) projects, including contractor-owned or leased
borrow pits associated with the project.
c. For borrow pit sites, the erosion and sediment control measures must be designed, installed, operated,
and maintained in accordance with the most recent version of the North Carolina Surface Mining
Manual.
d. The reclamation measures and implementation must comply with the reclamation in accordance with
the requirements of the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act.
26. Sediment and erosion control measures shall not be placed in wetlands or waters unless otherwise approved by
this Certification. If placement of sediment and erosion control devices in wetlands and waters is unavoidable, they
shall be removed and the natural grade restored upon completion of the project.
If you do not accept any of the conditions of this certification, you may ask for an adjudicatory hearing. You must
act within 60 days of the date that you receive this letter. To ask for a hearing, send a written petition that conforms
to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 6714 Mail Service
Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699. This certification and its conditions are final and binding unless you ask for a hearing.
This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If you
have any questions, please contact Rob Ridings at [phone].
$incer ly,
Alan W. Klimek, P.E.
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] / FAX [phone] / Internet: httl)://h2o.enr.state.nc.usfncwetlands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
?OY vv n r 4 9Q Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
Gv North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
j Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
Q Division of Water Quality
Attachments (General Certifications and Certificate of Completion form)
cc: Jamie Guerrero, Division 4 Environmental Officer
William Wescott, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington Field Office
Travis Wilson, NC Wildlife Resources Commission
DWQ Raleigh Regional Office
File Copy
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
2321 Crabtree Boulevard, Suite 250, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] / FAX [phone] / Internet: http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/newetlands
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer- 50% Recycled/10% Post Consumer Paper
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Field Office
Post Office Box 1000
Washington, NC 27889-1000
ATTENTION: Mr. William Wescott
NCDOT Coordinator
Dear Sir:
Al/? r/?Va
LYNDOfP :TI
SECRETARY
061616
Subject: Nationwide 23 and 33 Permit Application and Neuse Riparian Buffer Authorization
Request for the Replacement of Bridge No. 415 over Buffalo Creek on SR 1718;
Johnston County; TIP Project B-3672; Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-1718(4); State
Project No.82312401; WBS 33216.1.1.
Please find enclosed the Preconstruction Notification (PCN), permit drawings, half-size plans, Natural
Resources Technical Report (NRTR) and the Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE) for the above-
mentioned project. The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to replace existing Bridge
No. 415 over Buffalo Creek on SR 1718 in Johnston County. The project involves replacement of the
existing bridge and related approaches with a new bridge and new approaches. The new bridge will
feature two 11-foot lanes with 4-foot shoulders. The project schedule calls for a March 20, 2007 let with
a review date of January 30, 2007. Proposed permanent impacts include 0.004 acre of wetland impacts.
Proposed temporary impacts to surface water will be 0.02 acre and 0.014 acre of hand clearing in
wetlands.
Impacts to Water of the United States
General Description: Buffalo Creek is located in the 03020201 CU of the Neuse River Basin. The
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has assigned Buffalo Creek a Stream Index Number of 27-57-16-(3).
DWQ has assigned a best usage classification of C NSW.
Buffalo Creek is not designated as a North Carolina Natural or Scenic River, or as a National Wild and
Scenic River, nor is it listed as a 303(d) stream. No designated Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW),
High Quality Waters (HQW), Water Supply I (WS-1), or Water Supply 11 (WS-II) waters occur within 3.0
miles of the project study area.
Permanent Impacts: As stated above, permanent impacts total 0.018 acre of wetland impacts. The impacts
are as follows: 0.001 acre for drilled shafts and 0.003 acre for excavation and 0.014 acre for hand
clearing.
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
October 12, 2006
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE: WWW.1VCD0T.0RG
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
•
TeMorary Impacts: Temporary impacts are ).02 acre to surface waters foi i workpad and 0.014 acre for
hand clearing.
Utility Impacts: There will be no impacts to jurisdictional resources due to utilities.
Neuse Buffer Rules: This project lies within the Neuse River Basin; therefore, the regulations pertaining
to the Neuse River Buffer Rules will apply. There are 3,417 square feet of impacts to Zone 1 and 2,895
square feet of impacts to Zone 2. Of these impacts, 3,651 square feet are considered allowable and 2,661
square feet are allowable with mitigation.
Bridge Demolition
The superstructure for Bridge No. 415 will allow removal without dropping components into the water.
Likewise, it should be possible to remove the timber piles without dropping them into the water. The
concrete piers may result in as much as 10 cubic yards of fill depending on the method of removal to be
determined after a . contractor is selected. Best Management Practices for Bridge Demolition and
Removal will be implemented. Any component of the bridge dropped into the water shall be immediately
removed.
Avoidance and Minimization
To avoid impacts, NCDOT is replacing Bridge No. 415 in place and utilizing an off-site detour.
NCDOT is also minimizing impacts to surface waters by utilizing longer spans with fewer bents than the
existing bridge.
Mitigation
Compensatory mitigation is not proposed for this project. Permanent impacts are 0.004 acre to wetlands
and the temporary impacts to surface waters are due to the workpad and bridge demolition.
Compensatory mitigation is not proposed for riparian buffer impacts because the threshold has not been
exceeded that requires mitigation.
Federally Protected Species
As of April 27, 2006, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists five federally protected species
for Johnston County. The following table lists these species.
Common Name Scientific Name Status Habitat Conclusion
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis E N No Effect
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucoce halus T N No Effect
Dwarf wedge mussel Alasmidonta heterodon E Y MANLTAA
Tars in ussel Elli do steinstansana E N No Effect
Michaux's sumac Rhus michauxii E Y No Effect
Note: E - endangered; T - threatened; MANLTAA - may affect, not likely to adversely affect
Please refer to the US Fish and Wildlife Service concurrence letter for Dwarf wedge mussel included
with this application.
2
Regulatory Approvals
Section 404 Pen-nit: This project is being processed by the Federal Highway Administration as a
"Categorical Exclusion" in accordance with 23 CFR 771.115(b). Therefore, we do not anticipate
requesting an individual permit but propose to proceed under a Nationwide 23 and 33 as authorized by
Nationwide Permits 23 and 33 (67 FR 2020; January 15, 2002).
Section 401 Permit: We anticipate 401 General Certification numbers 3403 and 3366 will apply to this
project. In accordance with 15A NCAC 2H, Section .0500(a) we are providing five copies of this
application to the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Division of
Water Quality, for their review.
Neuse River Riparian Buffer Authorization: This project lies within the Neuse River Basin; therefore, the
regulations pertaining to the Neuse River Buffer Rules will apply. However, all improvements associated
with B-3672 will remain inside the limits of the existing transportation facility and, therefore, this project
is considered exempt from the buffer rules.
A copy of this permit application will be posted on the NCDOT website at:
http://www.ncdot.or /g doh/preconstruct/pe/neu/pemiit.html.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Chris Underwood at (919) 715-
1451.
Sincerely,
V Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Environmental Management Director
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
W/attachment:
Mr. John Hennessy, NCDWQ (5 copies)
Mr. Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Mr. Gary Jordan, USFWS
Mr. Ron Sechler, NMFS
Mr. Michael Street, NCDMF
Dr. David Chang, P.E., Hydraulics
Mr. Greg Perfetti, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Mark Staley, Roadside Environmental
Mr. Richard E. Greene, P.E., Division 4 Engineer
Mr. Jamie Guerrero, Division 4 Environmental Officer
W/o attachment
Mr. Scott McLendon, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. Jay Bennett, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. Majed Alghandour, P. E., Programming and TIP
Mr. Art McMillan, P.E., Highway Design
Ms. Marie Sutton, Planning Engineer
Office Use Only: Form Version March 05
2 0 0 6 1 6 1 6
USACE Action ID No. DWQ No.
(If any particular item is not applicable to this project, please enter "Not Applicable" or "N/A".)
1. Processing
1. Check all of the approval(s) requested for this project:
® Section 404 Permit ® Riparian or Watershed Buffer Rules
? Section 10 Permit ? Isolated Wetland Permit from DWQ
® 401 Water Quality Certification ? Express 401 Water Quality Certification
2. Nationwide, Regional or General Permit Number(s) Requested: NW 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 Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is proposed
for mitigation of impacts, attach the acceptance letter from NCEEP, complete section VIII,
and check here: ?
5. If your project is located in any of North Carolina's twenty coastal counties (listed on page
4), and the project is within a North Carolina Division of Coastal Management Area of
Environmental Concern (see the top of page 2 for further details), check here: ?
II. Applicant Information
1. Owner/Applicant Information
Name: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Environmental Management Director
Mailing Address: 1598 Mail Service Center
Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]
E-mail Address:
2. Agent/Consultant 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: Fax Number:
E-mail Address:
Page 1 of 8
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: Replacement of Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718 over Buffalo Creek
2. T.I.P. Project Number or State Project Number (NCDOT Only): B-3672
3. Property Identification Number (Tax PIN): N/A
4. Location
County: Johnston Nearest Town: Wendell
Subdivision name (include phase/lot number): N/A
Directions to site (include road numbers/names, landmarks, etc.): Take NC 231 south out of
Wendell to SR 1701 in Johnston County: Take SR 1718 west to Buffalo Creek Crossing
5. Site coordinates (For linear projects, such as a road or utility line, attach a sheet that
separately lists the coordinates for each crossing of a distinct waterbody.)
Decimal Degrees (6 digits minimum): 35°45.02 ON 78°21.62 °W
6. Property size (acres): N/A
7. Name of nearest receiving body of water: Little River
8. River Basin: Neuse
(Note - this must be one of North Carolina's seventeen designated major river basins. The
River Basin map is available at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/admin/maps/.)
9. Describe the existing conditions on the site and general land use in the vicinity of the project
at the time of this application: Residential & Forest
10. Describe the overall project in detail, including the type of equipment to be used: Replacing
a structurally deficient bridge using top-down construction. Standard road building
equipment will be used.
Page 2 of 8

11. Explain the purpose of the proposed work: To replace a structurally deficient bridge.
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. N/A
V. Future Project Plans
Are any future permit requests anticipated for this project? If so, describe the anticipated work,
and provide justification for the exclusion of this work from the current application.
No.
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. Each impact must be
listed separately in the tables below (e.g., culvert installation should be listed separately from
riprap dissipater pads). Be sure to indicate if an impact is temporary. All proposed impacts,
permanent and temporary, must be listed, and must be labeled and clearly identifiable on an
accompanying site plan. All wetlands and waters, and all streams (intermittent and perennial)
should 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.
1. Provide a written description of the proposed impacts: 0.018 acre of wetland impacts
and 0.02 acre of temporary fill in surface waters.
2. Individually list wetland impacts. Types of 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.
Page 3 of 8
Wetland Impact
Site Number
(indicate on map)
Type of Impact Type of Wetland
(e.g., forested, marsh,
herbaceous, bog, etc.) Located within
I00-year
Floodplain
es/no Distance to
Nearest
Stream
linear feet Area of
Impact
(acres)
1 Fill Riverine Yes 0 0.001
1 Excavation Riverine Yes 0 0.003
1 Hand clearing Riverine Yes 0 0.014

Total Wetland Impact (acres) 0.018
3. List the total acreage (estimated) of all existing wetlands on the property: -1
4. Individually list all intermittent and perennial stream impacts. Be sure to identify temporary
impacts. Stream impacts include, but are not limited to placement of fill or culverts, dam
construction, flooding, relocation, stabilization activities (e.g., cement walls, rip-rap, crib
walls, 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. To calculate acreage, multiply length X width. then divide by 43.560_
Stream Impact
Number
(indicate on ma
Stream Name
Type of Impact Perennial or
Intermittent? Average
Stream Width
Before Impact Impact
Length
(linear feet Area of
Impact
(acres)
N/A

Total Stream Impact (by length and acreage)
5. Individually list all open water impacts (including lakes, ponds, estuaries, sounds, Atlantic
Ocean and any other water of the U.S.). Open water impacts include, but are not limited to
fill, excavation, dredging. flooding. drainage. bulkheads- etc.
Open Water Impact
Site Number
indicate on ma Name of Waterbody
(if applicable)
Type of Impact Type of Waterbody
(lake, pond, estuary, sound, bay,
ocean, etc. Area of
Impact
acres
Buffalo Creek temporary fill second order stream 0.02

Total Open Water Impact (acres) 0.02
Page 4 of 8
6. List the cumulative impact to all Waters of the U.S. resulting from the project:
Stream Impact (acres): N/A
Wetland Impact (acres): 0.018
Open Water Impact (acres): 0.02
Total Impact to Waters of the U.S. (acres) 0.038
Total Stream Impact (linear feet): N/A
7. Isolated Waters
Do any isolated waters exist on the property? ? Yes ® No
Describe all impacts to isolated waters, and include the type of water (wetland or stream) and
the size of the proposed impact (acres or linear feet). Please note that this section only
applies to waters that have specifically been determined to be isolated by the USACE.
N/A
8. 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.): N/A
Current land use in the vicinity of the pond: N/A
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. Off-site detour, bridge was
lengthened, and minimum widths were used for structures and approaches.
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.
Page 5 of 8
USACE - In accordance with the Final Notice of Issuance and Modification of Nationwide
Permits, published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2002, 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 NCEEP 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/strrngide.html.
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.
Due to the minimal impacts, the lengthening of the bridge and causeway removal,
NCDOT is not proposing any mitigation.
2. Mitigation may also be made by payment into the North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement
Program (NCEEP). Please note it is the applicant's responsibility to contact the NCEEP at
[phone] to determine availability, and written approval from the NCEEP indicating
that they are will to accept payment for the mitigation must be attached to this form. For
additional information regarding the application process for the NCEEP, check the NCEEP
website at http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/wrp/index.htm. If use of the NCEEP is proposed, please
check the appropriate box on page five and provide the following information:
Amount of stream mitigation requested (linear feet): N/A
Amount of buffer mitigation requested (square feet): N/A
Amount of Riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Amount of Non-riparian wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Amount of Coastal wetland mitigation requested (acres): N/A
Page 6 of 8
f
IX. Environmental Documentation (required by DWQ)
1. Does the project involve an expenditure of public (federal/state/local) funds or the use of
public (federal/state) land? Yes ® No ?
2. 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 ?
3. 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 (required by DWQ)
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.
1. Will the project impact protected riparian buffers identified within 15A NCAC 2B .0233
(Meuse), 15A NCAC 2B .0259 (Tar-Pamlico), 15A NCAC 02B .0243 (Catawba) 15A NCAC
2B .0250 (Randleman Rules and Water Supply Buffer Requirements), or other (please
identify. )? Yes ® No ?
2. If "yes", 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.
* I Impact I I Required
Zone Multiplier
1 3,417 3 (2 for Catawba) None
2 2,895 1.5 None
Total I 6,312 1 I None
* Zone 1 extends out 30 feet perpendicular from the top of the near bank of channel; Zone 2 extends an
additional 20 feet from the edge of Zone 1.
3. If buffer mitigation is required, please discuss what type of mitigation is proposed (i.e.,
Donation of Property, Riparian Buffer Restoration / Enhancement, or Payment into the
Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund). Please attach all appropriate information as identified
within 15A NCAC 2B .0242 or .0244, or .0260. Buffer mitigation is not required for these
allowable impacts.
Page 7 of 8
r
XI. Stormwater (required by DWQ)
Describe impervious acreage (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. If percent impervious surface exceeds 20%, please provide calculations
demonstrating total proposed impervious level. Impervious acreage will not appreciably increase
as a result of the bridge construction.
XII. Sewage Disposal (required by DWQ)
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.
No wastewater will be generated from the implementation of the proposed project.
XIII. Violations (required by DWQ)
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? Yes ? No
XIV. Cumulative Impacts (required by DWQ)
Will this project (based on past and reasonably anticipated future impacts) result in additional
development, which could impact nearby downstream water quality? Yes ? No
If yes, please submit a qualitative or quantitative cumulative impact analysis in accordance with
the most recent North Carolina Division of Water Quality policy posted on our website at
http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands. If no, please provide a short narrative description:
XV. 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).
f.
ApplicaWAgent's Signature Date
(Agent's signature is valid only.if an authorization letter from the applicant is provided.)
iv • a-a
Page 8 of 8
s
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
October 8, 2004
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1598
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
RECEIVED
OCT 12 2004
D1Y IONOFWMAYS
PMA.WUOF$ATMOMRM
This letter is in response to your letter of September 27, 2004 which provided the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) with the biological determination of the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) that the replacement of Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718 over Buffalo
Creek in Johnston County (TIP No. B-3672) may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the
federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon). These comments are
provided in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).
According to the information you submitted, a mussel survey was conducted at the project site
on August 12, 2004. The survey extended 100 meters upstream and 100 meters downstream of
the crossing. The survey deviated from the usual 400 meters downstream after it was determined
that no habitat was present for the dwarf wedgemussel. This portion of the stream is slack water
which flows into Wendell Lake, less than one mile downstream. No mussels of any species were
observed during the survey. However, the dwarf wedgemussel has been observed in Buffalo
Creek several miles downstream of the project area.
Based on the information provided and oth cr inl-
atiorl available, file Se vice coricurs with
ri-al
your determination that the proposed bridge replacement may affect, but is not likely to
adversely affect the dwarf wedgemussel. We believe that the requirements of section 7(a)(2) of
the ESA have been satisfied for this species. We remind you that obligations under section 7
consultation must be reconsidered i£ (1) new information reveals impacts of this identified
action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner not previously considered in
this review; (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that was not considered in this
review; or (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat determined that may be affected by this
identified action.
I-
The Service appreciates the opportunity to review this project. If you have any questions
regarding our response, please contact Mr. Gary Jordan at [phone] (Ext. 32).
Sincerely,
John Hammond
Acting Ecological Services Supervisor
cc: Mike Bell, USACE, Washington, NC
Nicole Thomson, NCDWQ, Raleigh, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC
Chris Militscher, USEPA, Raleigh, NC

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N. C. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
JOHNSTON COUNTY
PROJECT: 3321611 (B-3672)
BRIDGE NO 415
OVER BUFFALO CREEK
ON SR 1718
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PROPERTY OWNERS
NAMES AND ADDRESSES
PARCEL NO. NAMES ADDRESSES
O ANTHONY L. WHITLEY & 331 STOTTS MILL ROAD
KATHY S. WHITLEY WENDEL, NC 27591
O JACK W. LILES &
EVA F. LILES
208 N. CHURCH STREET
ZEBULON, NC 27597
. NCI)®T
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
JOHNSTON COUNTY
PROJECT: W216.U 8-3672)
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ON SR 1718
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DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
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PROJECT: 33216.1.1 (E-3672)
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DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
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KATHY S. WHITLEY WENDEL, NC 27591
O JACK W. LILES & 208 N. CHURCH STREET
EVA F. LILES ZEBULON, NC 27597
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY 1501 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, N.C. 27699-1501
GOVERNOR
March 28, 2001
MEMORANDUM TO: Dennis Pipkin, Bridge Replacement Unit
Project Planning Unit
FROM: Lynn Smith, Natural Systems Specialist
Natural Systems Unit
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Technical Report for the Proposed
Replacement of Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718 over Buffalo
Creek, Johnston County, TIP No. B-3672; State Project No.
8.2312401; Federal Aid No. BRZ-1718(4)
The attached Natural Resources Technical Report provides inventories and
descriptions of natural resources within the project area, and estimations of impacts likely
to occur to these resources as a result of project construction. Pertinent information on
Waters of the United States and federally-protected species is also provided.
I would appreciate the opportunity to review the draft Categorical Exclusion for
this project. Please contact me if you have any questions, or need this report copied onto
disk format (ext. 286).
cc: Randy Turner, Natural Systems Unit Head
. File: B-3672
V
Replacement of Bridge No. 415
On SR 1718 over Buffalo Creek
Johnston County
TIP No. B-3672
Federal Aid Project No. BRZ-1718(4)
State Project No. 8.2312401
Natural Resources Technical Report
B-3672
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
NATURAL SYSTEMS UNIT
a
A. Lynn Smith, Naturat Systems Specialist
March 28, 2001
r
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... . 2
1.1 Project Description .......................................................................................................... . 2
1.2 Bridge Demolition ........................................................................................................... .2
1.3 Environmental Commitments ......................................................................................... . 2
1.4 Purpose ............................................................................................................................ . 2
1.5 Methodology ................................................................................................................... . 2
1.6 Qualifications of Investigators ........................................................................................ . 3
1.7 Definitions ....................................................................................................................... .3
2.0 PHYSICAL RESOURCES .................................................:.................................................... . 6
2.1 Soils ................................................................................................................................. .6
2.2 Water Resources ............................................................................................................. . 7
2.2.1 Waters Impacted and Characteristics ...................................................................... . 7
2.2.2 Best Usage Classification ........................................................................................ . 7
2.2.3 Water Quality ........................................................................................................... . 7
2.2.4 Summary of Anticipated Impacts ............................................................................ . 8
3.0 BIOTIC RESOURCES ............................................................................................................ . 9
3.1 Terrestrial Communities ................................................................................................. . 9
3.1.1 Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp (Brownwater Subtype) ................................ . 9
3.1.2 Mixed Pine Hardwood Forest .............................................................................. 10
3.1.3 Maintained/Disturbed Community ...................................................................... 10
3.1.4 Wildlife ................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 Aquatic Communities .................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Summary of Anticipated Impacts .................................................................................. 11
4.0 JURISDICTIONAL TOPICS ................................................................................................. 13
4.1 Waters of the United States ............................................................................................ 13
4. 1.1 Characteristics of Wetlands and Surface Waters .................................................... 13
4.1.2 Summary of Anticipated Impacts ........................................................................... 13
4.1.3 Permits .................................................................................................................... 13
4.1.3.1 Neuse River Buffers ........................................................................................ 14
4.1.4 Mitigation ............................................................................................................... 14
4.1.4.1 Avoidance ........................................................................................................ 15
4.1.4.2 Minimization ................................................................................................... 15
4.1.4.3 Compensatory Mitigation ............................................. :.................................. 15
4.2 Rare and Protected Species ............................................................................................ 15
4.2.1 Federally-Protected Species ................................................................................... 16
4.2.2 Federal Species of Concern and State Listed Species ............................................ 19
5.0 REFERENCES .......................................................:............................................................... 20
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Soils within the Project Study Area ..................................................................................6
Table 2. Anticipated Impacts to Biotic Communities ....................................:.............................12
Table 3. Federally-Protected Species for Johnston County ...:......................................................16
Table 4. Federal Species of Concern for Johnston County ..........................................................20
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Vicinity Map .............................................................................
Figure 2. Bridge No. 415 Project Area Map .............................................
.................................... 4
.................................... 5
Jr
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The following Natural Resources Technical Report is submitted to assist in the
preparation of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) for the proposed project. The project is
located in northern Johnston County (Figure 1).
1.1 Project Description
The proposed project calls for the replacement of Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718,
over Buffalo Creek (Figure 2). The existing right-of-way (ROW) and proposed ROW are
60.0 ft (18.3 m) wide. The existing and proposed cross-sections are two-lane shoulder
sections. Project length is approximately 300.0 ft (91.4 m). The project consists of
replacing the existing structure with a new bridge on existing location. Traffic will be
detoured onto other local roads during construction.
1.2 Bridge Demolition
Bridge No. 415 is comprised of asphalt and timber. Therefore, no components of
the bridge will be dropped into Waters of the U.S. Bridge removal for this project is
classified as `Case 3'. Case 3 projects do not have special restrictions beyond those
outlined in Best Management Practices for Protection of Surface Waters and the
supplements added by the Bridge Demolition document. Restrictions outlined in the Best
Management Practices for Bridge Demolition and Removal will be adhered to by
NCDOT.
1.3 Environmental Commitments
There are not any site specific environmental commitments at this time. All
standard guidelines apply.
1.4 Purpose
The purpose of this technical report is to inventory, catalog and describe the
various natural resources likely to be impacted by the proposed action. This report also
attempts to identify and estimate the probable consequences of the anticipated impacts to
these resources. Recommendations are made for measures which will minimize resource
impacts. These descriptions and estimates are relevant only in the context of existing
preliminary design concepts. If design parameters and criteria change, additional
field investigations will need to be conducted.
1.5 Methodology
Research was conducted prior to field investigations. Information sources used in
this pre-field investigation of the study area include: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
quadrangle maps for Johnston and Wake Counties (Flowers & Zebulon), Geographical
Information Systems (NC Center for Geographical Information & Analysis), National
Wetland Inventory Maps (Flowers & Zebulon), Natural Resources Conservation Service
(MRCS, formerly the Soil Conservation Service) soil maps, and NCDOT aerial
photographs of project area (1:1200). Water resource information was obtained from
publications of the Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources (DEHNR,
1992 and 1993) and DENR Internet Page 2001 and from the NC Center for Geographic
-2-

Information and Analysis (Environmental Sensitivity Base Map of Johnston County,
1995). Information concerning the occurrence of federal and state protected species in
the study area was gathered from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of
protected species and species of concern, and the NC Natural Heritage Program
(NCNHP) database of rare species and unique habitats.
General field surveys were conducted along the proposed alignment by NCDOT
biologists Bradley E. Suther and Sue Brady on 30 March 2000. Additional field surveys
were conducted on 26 September 2000 by NCDOT biologists Lynn Smith, Chris
Rivenbark and Jill Holmes. 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). Jurisdictional wetland determinations were performed utilizing delineation
criteria prescribed in the "Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual"
(Environmental Laboratory, 1987). Jurisdictional surface water determinations were
performed using guidance provided by N.C. Division of Water Quality [(DWQ), formerly
known as the Division of Environmental Management (DEM)],"Field Location of
Streams, Ditches, and Ponding" (NCDENR-DWQ, 1997).
1.6 Qualifications of Investigators
1) Investigator: Bradley E. Suther, Natural Systems Specialist, NCDOT
.Education: B.S. Natural Resources, NC State University, 2000
Experience: NC Department of Transportation/ Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Branch, June 1999 - June 2000
Expertise: Soil classification, wetland delineation, natural history
2) Investigator: Susan G. Brady, Natural Systems Specialist, NCDOT
Education: B.S. Environmental Studies, University of Maine at Machias, 1993
M.S. Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington,
1995
Experience: NC Department of Transportation/ Project Development and
Environmental Analysis Branch, Oct. 1998-Feb. 2001
Contract Biologist, NC Wildlife Resources Commission/ Nongame
and Endangered Species Division, May 1998-Sept. 1998
Research Technician, UNC-Wilmington, Jan. 1995- Dec. 1995
Expertise: Field ecology, natural history, mollusk surveys, wetland
delineation
1.7 Definitions
Definitions for areal descriptions used in this report are as follows: Project
Study Area denotes the area bounded by proposed construction limits; Project Vicinity
describes an area extending 0.5 mi (0.8 km) on all sides of the project study area; and
Project Region is equivalent to an area represented by a 7.5 minute USGS quadrangle
map with the project occupying the central position.
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North Carolina Dept of Transportation
Division of Highways
Project Development &
c Environmental Analysis Branch
a
Johnston County
Replace Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718
Over Buffalo Creek
B-3672
SUM 1 in = 1 mi Figure 1
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2.0 PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Soil and water resources, which occur in the study area, are discussed below.
Soils and availability of water directly influence composition and distribution of flora and
fauna in any biotic community.
The project study area lies within the Southern piedmont physiographic region in
the central part of North Carolina. The topography in this section of Johnston County is
characterized by gently rolling hills. Project elevation is approximately 240.0 ft (73.2 m)
above mean sea level (msl).
2.1 Soils
Three soil map units occur within project vicinity: Wehadkee loam (Wt),
Wedowee sandy loam (WoD) and Gilead sandy loam (GeB). Table 1 lists study area soils
and their characteristics.
Table 1. Soils within the Proiect Studv Area
Map ;
Unit Soil Percent
Slope Drainage
Class Hydric
Classification
Wt Wehadkee loam 0-2 Poorly Hydric
WoD Wedowee sandy loam 8-15 Well Non-hydric
GeB Gilead sandy loam 2-8 Moderately well Non-hydric
Wehadkee loam is a nearly level and poorly drained soil generally located along
streams. The seasonal high water table is at the surface or within a depth of 1.0 ft
(0.3 m). Surface runoff is slow and permeability is moderate. This soil is well suited for
woodlands but poorly suited for urban and recreational uses. Main limitations are
flooding and wetness. Wehadkee loam is listed as a hydric soil.
Wedowee sandy loam is a well drained soil on side slopes of uplands on the
Piedmont. Surface runoff is rapid and permeability is moderate. This soil is best used as
woodland and pasture. It is suited for most urban and recreational uses; however,
moderate permeability is a limitation. Main limitations include the slope and erosion.
Wedowee sandy loam is a non-hydric soil.
Gilead sandy loam is a moderately well drained soil found in the uplands on the
Coastal Plain. Surface runoff is medium and permeability is moderately slow or slow. A
perched water table is at a depth of 1.5 - 2.5 ft (0.5 - 0.8 m) during the spring. This soil
is used as pasture, woodland or cropland. Main limitations include the slope, surface
runoff and the clayey subsoil. The hazard of erosion is moderate. The soil is suited to
most urban and recreational uses; however, wetness and slow permeability are
limitations. Gilead sandy loam is a non-hydric soil.
-6-

Soil core samples taken throughput the project area revealed soils with a sandy
clay texture. The soils did exhibit hydri,c conditions, such as low chroma colors, in areas
adjacent to Buffalo Creek. Therefore, hydric soil indicators, as defined in the "Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual", 1987, were observed within the project study
area.
2.2 Water Resources
This section contains informatio
impacted by the project. Water resource
resource, its relationship to major water
of the resources. Probable impacts to tr
to minimize impacts.
concerning those water resources likely to be
information encompasses physical aspects of the
ystems, Best Usage Standards and water quality
se water bodies are. also discussed, as are means
2.2.1 Waters Impacted and Characteristics
Buffalo Creek will be the only s rface water resource directly impacted by the
proposed project (Figure 2). Buffalo Creek is located in sub-basin 03-04-06 of the Neuse
River Basin.
At Bridge No. 415, the channel o Buffalo Creek is approximately 45.0 ft
(13.7 m) wide and has an average depth of 5.0 ft (1.5 m). The substrate is composed of
sand, silt, clay and organic muck.
2.2.2 Best Usage Classification
Streams are assigned a best usage
of Buffalo Creek [Index no. 27-57-16-(3
propagation and survival, fishing, wildli
supplemental classification of NSW den
limitations on nutrient inputs.
classification by the DWQ. The classification
I is C NSW. Class C uses include aquatic life
secondary recreation and agriculture. The
tes Nutrient Sensitive Waters which require
Neither High Quality Waters ( QW), Water Supplies (WS-I: undeveloped
watersheds or WS-II: predominately u developed watersheds) nor Outstanding
Resource Waters (ORW) occur within .0 mile (1.6 km) of project study area.
2.2.3 Water Quality
The DWQ has initiated a whole basin approach to water quality management for
the 17 river basins within the state. The asinwide approach allows for more intensive
sampling of biological, chemical and physical data that can be used in basinwide
assessment and planning. Benthic macro invertebrates are intensively sampled for
specific river basins. Benthic macroinve ebrates have proven to be a good indicator of
water quality because they are sensitive to subtle changes in water quality, have a
relatively long life cycle, are nonmobile Compared to fish) and are extremely diverse.
The overall species richness and presence of indicator organisms help to assess the health
of streams and rivers. All basins are reassessed every five years to detect changes in
water quality and to facilitate National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
a
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f
permit review. There are not any biological sampling sites located within 1.0 mi (1.6
km) of Bridge No. 415.
Point source dischargers located throughout North Carolina are permitted through
the NPDES Program. Any discharger is required to register for a permit. One permitted
discharger is located approximately 1.6 mi (2.5 km) upstream of Bridge No. 415.
The Wendell WWTP discharges directly into Buffalo Creek with a permitted flow of 0.70
MGD.
Nonpoint source discharge refers to runoff that enters surface waters through
stormwater or snowmelt. Agricultural activities may serve as a source for various forms
of nonpoint source pollutants. Land clearing and plowing disturb soils to a degree where
they are susceptible to erosion, which can lead to sedimentation in streams. Sediment is
the most widespread cause of nonpoint source pollution in North Carolina. Pesticides,
chemical fertilizers, and land application of animal wastes can be transported via runoff
to receiving streams and potentially elevate concentrations of toxic compounds and
nutrients. Animal wastes can also be a source of bacterial contamination and elevate
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Drainage ditches on poorly drained soils enhances
the transportation of stormwater into surface waters (NCDEHNR-DEM, 1993).
2.2.4 Summary of Anticipated Impacts
Replacing an existing structure in the same location without constructing a detour
bridge during construction is almost always preferred. It poses the least risk to aquatic
organisms and other natural resources. Utilizing the full ROW width of 60.0 ft (18.3 m),
anticipated impacts to Buffalo Creek will be 60.0 ft (18.3 m). No other alternates are
being studied at this time. Usually, project construction does not require the entire ROW;
therefore, actual impacts may be considerably less.
Project construction may result in the following impacts to surface waters:
I . Increased sedimentation and siltation from construction and/or erosion.
2. Changes in light incidence and water clarity due to increased sedimentation and
vegetation removal.
3. Alteration of water levels and flows due to interruptions and/or additions to surface
and ground water flow from construction.
4. Changes in water temperature due to streamside vegetation removal.
5. Increased nutrient loading during construction via runoff from exposed areas.
6. Increased concentration of toxic compounds from highway runoff, construction and
toxic spills.
Precautions must be taken to minimize impacts to water resources in the
study area, NCDOT's Best Management Practices (BMP) for the Protection of
Surface Waters must be strictly enforced during the construction stage of the
project. Guidelines for these BMPs include, but are not limited to: minimizing built
upon area and diversion of stormwater away from surface waters as much as
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possible. Provisions to preclude c
construction interval must also be
3.0 BIOTIC RESOURCES
Biotic resources include aquatic
those ecosystems encountered in the sb
fauna and flora within these ecosystem
communities throughout the project arc
influences and past and present land us
systems are presented in the context of
descriptions presented by Schafale and
and fauna observed, or likely to occur,
Scientific nomenclature and con
each animal and plant species described
al. (1968). Animal taxonomy follows 1\
al. (1980), and Webster, et al. (1985).
include the common name only. Fauna
asterisk (*). Published range distributic
fauna expected to be present within the
3.1 Terrestrial Communities
Three distinct terrestrial commur
Plain Small Stream Swamp (brownwatei
maintained/disturbed. Community boun
defined without a significant transition z
occur within the study area may exploit
opportunities, or as movement corridors.
3.1.1 Coastal Plain Small Stream Sv
The Coastal Plain Small Stream
continues away from the creek as the cre,
This wetland serves to aid with flood cor
and wildlife habitat. The canopy is prim;
maple (Ater rubrum), river birch (Betula
The shrub layer consists of saplings of ca
caroliniana). The herbaceous layer cons.
(Juncus sp.), sedge (Carex sp.), jewel-we
curly dock (Rumex sp.), mayapple (Podoj
blackberry (Rubus sp.), goldenrod (Solids
ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and cross i
layer.
ation by toxic substances during.the
enforced.
and terrestrial ecosystems. This section describes
dy area, as well as, the relationships between
. Composition and distribution of biotic
t are reflective of topography, hydrologic
s in the study area. Descriptions of the terrestrial
slant community classifications and follow
1Veakley (1990) where possible. Dominant flora
i each community are described and discussed.
ion names (when applicable) are provided for
Plant taxonomy generally follows Radford, et
rtof, et al. (1980), Menhinick (1991), Potter, et
bsequent references to the same organism will
3served during the site visit are denoted with an
> and habitat analysis are used in estimating
oiect area.
ities are present in the project study area: Coastal
subtype), mixed pine hardwood forest and
3aries within the study area are generally well
one between them. Many faunal species likely to
11 communities for shelter and foraging
mp (Brownwater Subtype)
vamp is located adjacent to Buffalo Creek and
extends north and south of the existing bridge.
01, retain and filter pollution and provide plant
ly composed of tupelo gum (Nyssa biflora), red
igra) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum).
>py trees and musclewood (Carpinus
s of giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea), rush
l (Impatiens capensis), violets (Viola spp.),
yllum peltatum), knotweed (Polygonum sp.),
o sp.) and arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.). Poison
ie (Anisostichus capreolata) comprise the vine
-9-
it.
3.1.2 Mixed Pine Hardwood Forest
The mixed pine hardwood forest is adjacent to the maintained roadside
community and grades into Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp approximately 75.0 ft
(22.9 m) from the centerline of the existing road. Dominant canopy trees include
American beech (Fagus grandifolia), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and sweetgum
(Liquidambar styracijlua). The shrub layer consists primarily of flowering dogwood
(Corpus f orida) and American holly (Ilex opaca). Herbaceous species include multiflora
rose (Rosa multiflora), chickweed (Stellaria sp.), bitter cress (Cardamine sp.) and St.
John's wort (Hypericum spp.). Greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), muskadine grape (Vitis
rotundifolia) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) comprise the vine layer.
3.1.3 Maintained/Disturbed Community
The maintained/disturbed community includes highly maintained road shoulders
along SR 1718 that are present along the entire length of the project and less intensively
managed areas that grade into the surrounding natural communities. Significant soil
disturbance and compaction, along with frequent mowing or herbicide application, keep
this community in an early successional state.
Road shoulders act as buffers between the roadway and surrounding communities
by filtering stormwater runoff and reducing runoff velocities. The width of the road
shoulder is approximately 8.0 ft (2.4 m). Vegetation occurring along the road shoulder
include low growing species such as: fescue grass (Festuca sp.), lanced-leaf plantain
(Plantago lanceolata), vetch (Vicia spp.), chickweed, Carolina geranium (Geranium
carolinense), and henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). The less maintained areas contained
pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), elderberry
(Sambucus canadensis), Japanese honeysuckle and blackberry.
3.1.4 Wildlife
Wildlife associated with the communities present within the project vicinity
include: white-tailed deer* (Odocoileus virginianus), eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus),
opossum (Didelphis virginiana), meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), muskrat
(Ondatra zibethicus), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), beaver* (Castor canadensis)
and raccoon* (Procyon lotor). White-tailed deer will use these communities for cover
and will forage on twigs and leaves as well as mast.
The wetter areas such as the Coastal Plain small stream swamp may be inhabited
by reptiles and amphibians such as green tree frog* (Rana clamitans), eastern box turtle
(Terrapene c. carolina), ground skink (Sincella lateralis), Eastern garter snake
(Thamnophis sirtalis), spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) and spring peeper
(Hyla crucifer).
Avian species utilizing the project vicinity include: American crow* (Corvus
brachyrhynchos), white-eyed vireo* (Vireo griseus), kingfisher* (Megaceryle alcyon),
Canada geese* (Branta canadensis), yellow romped warblers* (Dendroica coronata),
-10-
Y
juncos* (Junco hyemalis), American
(Molothrus ater).
The maintained habitat within 1
areas and represents only a minor cons
project vicinity. Therefore, faunal spec
largely those species inhabiting the adj
3.2 Aquatic Communities
One aquatic community, Buffa
Physical characteristics of the water be
faunal composition of aquatic commw
resource also greatly influence aquatic
Fauna associated with these aq
and vertebrate species. Fish species lil
fish (Gambusia holbrooki), sunfish (LE
Invertebrates that would be present inc
(Aquarius sp.), whirligig beetles (Gyrii
Mollusks identified in Buffalo Creek ii
including shells of (Utterbackia imbec
(Elliptio sp.) and a snail* (Campeloma
3.3 Summary of Anticipated Impacts
Construction of the subject proje
resources described. Any construction r
the potential to impact biological functic
to the natural resources in terms of area
and permanent impacts are considered h
Calculated impacts to terrestrial
community present within the study are
degradation of portions of these comml
losses to these biotic communities, resu
impacts are derived using the entire pro
roadway width of 20.0 ft (6.1 m) has be
Usually, project construction does not n
may be considerably less.
* (Carduelis tristis) and brown cowbird*
project area is surrounded by extensive forested
ent of a larger community structure within the
frequenting the maintained community will be
nt communities.
Creek, will be impacted by the proposed project.
and condition of the water resource influence
es. Terrestrial communities adjacent to a water
communities includes various invertebrate
to occur in Buffalo Creek include: mosquito
its sp.) and bluegill sunfish (L. macrochirus).
crayfish* (Decapoda), water striders*
-), and dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata).
ies three species of freshwater mussels*
and green lance (Elliptio viridulis) and a live
isum).
will have various impacts on the biotic
ited activities in or near these resources have
;. This section quantifies and qualifies impacts
pacted and ecosystems affected. Temporary
as well.
:sources reflect the relative abundance of each
Project construction will result in clearing and
ties. Table 2 summarizes potential quantitative
ng from project construction. Estimated
used ROW width of 60.0 ft (18.3 m). The paved
excluded from the impact calculations.
uire the entire ROW, therefore, actual impacts
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4
Table 2. Anticipated Impacts to Biotic Communities
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
Mixed Pine Hardwood 0.070 (0.028)
Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp 0.012 (0.005)
Maintained/Disturbed 0.152 (0.062)
TOTAL: 0.234 (0.095)
iwte: values citea are in acres (nectares).
Plant communities found within the proposed project area serve as nesting and
sheltering habitat for various wildlife. Replacing Bridge No. 415 and its associated
improvements will reduce habitat for faunal species, thereby diminishing faunal numbers.
However, due to the size and scope of this project, it is anticipated that impacts to fauna
will be minimal.
Areas modified by construction (but not paved) will become road shoulders and
early successional habitat. Reduced habitat will displace some wildlife further from the
roadway while attracting other wildlife by the creation of more early successional habitat.
Animals temporarily displaced by construction activities will repopulate areas suitable for
the species.
Aquatic communities are sensitive to even small changes in their environment.
Stream channelization, scouring, siltation, sedimentation and erosion from construction-
related work will effect water quality and biological constituents. Although direct
impacts may be temporary, environmental impacts from these construction processes may
result in long term or irreversible effects.
Impacts often associated with in-stream construction include increased
channelization and scouring of the streambed. In-stream construction alters the stream
substrate and may remove streamside vegetation at the site. Disturbances to the substrate
will produce siltation, which clogs the gills and/or feeding mechanisms of benthic
organisms (sessile filter-feeders and deposit-feeders), fish and amphibian species.
Benthic organisms can also be covered by excessive amounts of sediment. These
organisms are slow to recover or repopulate a stream.
The removal of streamside vegetation and placement of fill material at the
construction site alters the terrain. Alterations of the streambank enhances the likelihood
of erosion and sedimentation. Revegetation stabilizes and holds the soil thus mitigating
these processes. Erosion and sedimentation carry soils, toxic compounds and other
materials into aquatic communities at the construction site. These processes magnify
turbidity and can cause the formation of sandbars at the site and downstream, thereby
altering water flow and the growth of vegetation. Streamside alterations also lead to
more direct sunlight penetration and to elevations of water temperatures which may
impact many species.
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4.0 JURISDICTIONAL TOPICS
This section provides descri
two important issues--Waters of the U
inventories and impact analysis pertinent to
l States and rare and protected species.
4.1 Waters of the United States
Surface waters and wetlands
United States," as defined in Section
under the broad category of "Waters of the
of the Code of Federal Register (CFR) Part
328.3. Wetlands, defined in 33 CFR 32I3, are those areas that are inundated or saturated
by surface or ground water at a frequen y and duration sufficient to support, and under
normal circumstances do support, a pre alence of vegetation typically adapted to life in
saturated conditions. Any action that p oposes to place fill into these areas falls under the
jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of ngineers (USCOE) under Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
4.1.1 Characteristics of Wetlands and Surface Waters
Potential wetland communities were investigated pursuant to the 1987 "Corps of
Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual' The three parameter approach is used where
hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation an prescribed hydrologic characteristics must all be
present for an area to be considered a w tland.
Wetlands are present within the project area, and are associated with Buffalo
Creek (Figure 2). The wetlands can be ?escribed as Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp
(Schafale and Weakley, 1990). Soils wi in the wetlands have a sandy clay texture and a
Munsell color notation of 2.5 Y 5/2. M ttles found in the soils have a Munsell color
notation of 10 YR 5/8. Hydrological in icators include saturated soils, water in the pit at
2.0 inches, water stained leaves and wra k lines. Vegetation within the wetland includes:
river birch, red maple, bald cypress, tup to gum, musclewood, rush, sedge, giant cane,
jewel-weed, violets, curly dock, mayapp e, arrowhead, knotweed, goldenrod, blackberry,
poison ivy and cross vine.
Buffalo Creek is a jurisdictional
Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344). Discussio
aspects of Buffalo Creek are presented i
4.1.2 Summary of Anticipated Impa
Anticipated impacts to wetland
ROW width of 60.0 ft (18.3 m). As a i
determined to be 0.012 ac (0.005 ha).
be 60.0 linear feet (18.3 m). Usually,1
ROW, therefore, actual wetlands and s
arface water under Section 404 of the Clean
of the biological, physical and water quality
previous sections of this report.
are determined by using the entire project
of total impacts to wetlands have been
.ts to Buffalo Creek have been determined to
t construction does not require the entire
water impacts may be considerably less.
4.1.3 Permits
Impacts to jurisdictional surface v
provisions of section 404 of the Clean W
rs are anticipated. In accordance with
Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), a permit will be
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required from the COE for the discharge of dredged or fill material into "Waters of the
United States."
A Section 404 Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5(a) (23) is likely to be applicable
for all impacts to Waters of the United States 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 that 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.
A North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ) Section 401 Water Quality
General Certification is required prior to the issuance of the Section 404 Nationwide
Permit No. 23. Section 401 Certification allows surface waters to be temporarily
impacted for the duration of the construction or other land manipulations.
4.1.3.1 Neuse River Buffers
As the project is located in the Neuse River Basin, Riparian Area Rules for
Nutrient Sensitive Waters apply. The rules state that roads, bridges, stormwater
management facilities, ponds and utilities may be allowed where no practical alternative
exists. They also state that these structures shall be located, designed, constructed, and
maintained to have minimal disturbance, to provide maximum erosion protection, to have
the least adverse effects on aquatic life and habitat, and to protect water quality to the
maximum extent practical through the use of best management practices. Every
reasonable effort will be made to avoid and minimize riparian buffer impacts.
Estimated impacts to the riparian buffers are 0.09 ac (0.04 ha). Natural
communities impacted include the Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp and maintained/
disturbed habitats. It is possible the water resource listed below may be exempted when
an on-site determination by the Division of Water Quality is conducted. Therefore
impacts may be considerably less.
4.1.4 Mitigation
The USCOE has adopted, through the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ),
a wetland mitigation policy which embraces the concept of "no net loss of wetlands" and
sequencing. The purpose of this policy is to restore and maintain the chemical, biological
and physical integrity of Waters of the United States, specifically wetlands. Mitigation of
-14-

wetland impacts has been defined by the CEQ to include: avoiding impacts (to wetlands),
minimizing impacts, rectifying impacts reducing impacts over time and compensating
for impacts (40 CFR 1508.20). Each ofl these three aspects (avoidance, minimization and
compensatory mitigation) must be
sequentially.
4.1.4.1 Avoidance
Avoidance mitigation examines
averting impacts to Waters of the Unite
Agreement (MOA) between the Enviro:
in determining "appropriate and practic
such measures should be appropriate to
practicable in terms of cost, existing tec
11 appropriate and practicable possibilities of
States. According to a 1990 Memorandum of
nental Protection Agency (EPA) and the COE,
le" measures to offset unavoidable impacts,
ie scope and degree of those impacts and
iology and logistics in light of overall project
purposes.
4.1.4.2 Minimization
Minimization includes the
reduce the adverse impacts to Waters of
will be required through project modific
typically focuses on decreasing the footl
reduction of median widths, ROW widt]
practical mechanisms to minimize impai
proposed project include: strict enforcen
protection of surface waters during the e
grubbing activity; reduction/elimination
runoff velocity; re-establishment of vege
herbicide usage; minimization of "in-stri
keeping construction within the propose
existing roads, the NCDOT will minimi:
the U.S.
4.1.4.3 Compensatory Mitigation
Compensatory mitigation is not n
Waters of the United States have been av
possible. It is recognized that "no net los
achieved in each and every permit action
mitigation is required for unavoidable ad
and practicable minimization has been re
restoration, creation and enhancement of
be undertaken in areas adjacent to or cone
mitigation is not usually necessary with a
decision lies with the USCOE.
4.2 Rare and Protected Species
Some populations of fauna and
either due to natural forces or their inal
ition of appropriate and practicable steps to
e United States. Implementation of these steps
eons and permit conditions. Minimization
nt of the proposed project through the
fill slopes and/or road shoulder widths. Other
to Waters of the United States crossed by the
nt of sedimentation control BMP's for the
ire life of the project; reduction of clearing and
direct discharge into streams; reduction of
tion on exposed areas, judicious pesticide and
if activity; and litter/debris control. By
right-of-way and detouring traffic along
to the extent possible, all impacts to Waters of
considered until anticipated impacts to
Aded and minimized to the maximum extent
of wetlands" functions and values may not be
Appropriate and practicable compensatory
,erse impacts which remain after all appropriate
luired. Compensatory actions often include
Waters of the United States. Such actions should
iguous to the discharge site. Compensatory
Nationwide Permit No. 23, however the final
have been in, or are in, the process of decline
to coexist with human activities. Federal law
-15-
(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 USFWS. Other species may receive additional protection under separate
state laws.
4.2.1 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
26 February 2001, the USFWS lists the following federally-protected species for
Johnston County (Table 3). A brief description of each species' characteristics and
habitat follows.
Table 3. Federally-Protected Species for Johnston County
Scientific Name Common Name Status
Picoides borealis Red-cockaded woodpecker Endangered
Alasmidonta heterodon Dwarf wedge mussel Endangered
Elliptio steinstansana Tar spinymussel Endangered
Rhus michauxii Michaux's sumac Endangered*
Endangered - A taxon "which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range"
(Endangered Species Act, Section 3).
Indicates the species was last observed in the county more than 50 years ago.
Picoides borealis (red-cockaded woodpecker) Endangered
Animal Family: Picidae
Date Listed: 13 October 1970
The adult red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) has a plumage that is entirely black
and white except for small red streaks on the sides of the nape in the male. The back of
the RCW is black and white with horizontal stripes. The breast and underside of this
woodpecker are white with streaked flanks. The RCW has a large white cheek patch
surrounded by the black cap, nape, and throat.
The RCW uses open old growth stands of southern pines, particularly longleaf
pine (Pinus palustris), for foraging and nesting habitat. A forested usually contains at
least 50% pine, lack a thick understory, and be contiguous with other stands to be
appropriate habitat for the RCW. These birds nest particularly in trees that are >60 years
old and are contiguous with pine stands at least 30 years of age. The foraging range of the
RCW is up to 500.0 ac (200.0 ha). This acreage must be contiguous with suitable nesting
sites.
These woodpeckers nest exclusively in living pine trees and usually in trees that
are infected with the fungus that causes red-heart disease. Cavities are located in colonies
from 12.0-100.0 ft (3.6-30.3 m) above the ground and average 30.0-50.0 ft (9.1- 15.7 m)
high. They can be identified by a large incrustation of running sap that surrounds the
-16-

tree. The RCW lays its eggs in April,
days later.
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION
Suitable nesting habitat in the form of
within the project vicinity. The mixed
comprised of hardwoods and has a den
of rare species and unique habitats, on
of red-cockaded woodpecker within th
will not affect the red-cockaded woodr
Alasmidonta heterodon (dwarf wedge
Animal Family: Unionidae
Date Listed: 14 March 1990
, and June; the eggs hatch approximately 38
NO EFFECT
urge pine trees with little understory is not present
pine hardwood forest present is primarily
understory. A review of the NCNHP database
0 November 2000, has no record for the presence
project vicinity. Therefore, project construction
) Endangered
The dwarf wedge mussel is a s all mussel ranging in size from 2.5 cm to 3.8 cm
in length. It has a distinguishable shell oted by two lateral teeth on the right half and
one on the left half. The periostracum ( uter shell) is olive green to dark brown in color
and the nacre (inner shell) is bluish to si very white.
Successful reproduction is depe
fish. It is not known what the host fish
anadromous or catadromous species. E
North Carolina are found in Middle Cr(
and in the upper Tar River and Cedar, (
system. This mussel is sensitive to agri
requires a stable silt free streambed wit
dent on the attachment of larval mussels to a host
3 but evidence suggests that it is either an
sown populations of the dwarf wedge mussel in
k and the Little River of the Neuse River Basin
•ooked, and Stony Creeks of the Tar River
ultural, domestic, and industrial pollutants and
well oxygenated water to survive.
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION
NCDOT biologists have not ade(
study area. Suitable habitat for dwarf wi
Buffalo Creek; therefore a scuba survey
soon as possible. A review of the NCNI
there are no known occurrences of dwari
However, the effect this project will have
determined until an additional survey ha
Unresolved, pending further
survey
uately surveyed Buffalo Creek within the project
dge mussel is present within this portion of
s necessary. The survey will be conducted as
P database on 30 November 2000 indicated that
wedge mussel within the project study area.
on the dwarf wedge mussel can not be
been conducted.
-17-
V
Elliptio steinstansana (Tar spinymussel) Endangered
Animal Family: Unionidae
Date Listed: 29 July 1985
The Tar River spinymussel is endemic to the Tar River drainage basin, from
Falkland in Pitt County to Spring Hope in Nash County. Populations of the Tar River
spinymussel can be found in streams of the Tar River Drainage Basin and of the Swift
Creek Drainage Sub-Basin.
This mussel requires a stream with fast flowing, well oxygenated, circumneutral
pH water. The bottom is composed of uncompacted gravel and coarse sand. The water
needs to be relatively silt-free. It is known to rely on a species of freshwater fish to act as
an intermediate host for its larvae.
The Tar River spinymussel is a very small mussel. This mussel is named for its
spines which project perpendicularly from the surface and curve slightly ventrally. As
many as 12 spines can be found on the shell which is generally smooth in texture. The
nacre is pinkish (anterior) and bluish-white (posterior).
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION NO EFFECT
NCDOT biologists Logan Williams, Sue Brady and Jeffrey Burleson surveyed
Buffalo Creek within the project study area. Suitable habitat for tar spinymussel is not
present within this portion of Buffalo Creek nor were any mussels found during the
survy. The survey was conducted by wading through the stream and utilizing visual and
tactile survey techniques. A review of the NCNHP database on 30 November 2000
indicated that there are no known occurrences of tar spinymussel within the project study
area. Therefore, this project will not affect tar spinymussel.
Rhus michauxii (Michaux's sumac) Endangered
Family: Cashew (Anacardiaceae)
Federally Listed: September 28, 1989
Best Search Time: During the growing season (June - September)
Michaux's sumac is a dioecious shrub growing to a height of 1.0-2.0-ft
(0.3-0.6 m). Plants flower in June, producing a terminal, erect, dense cluster of 4-5
parted greenish-yellow to white flowers. Fruits, produced from August through
September, are red, densely short-pubescent drupes, 0.25 in (5-6 mm) across. Most
populations, however, are single sexed and reproduce only by rhizomes. The entire plant
is densely pubescent. The deciduous leaves are composed of 9-13 sessile, oblong leaflets
on a narrowly winged or wingless rachis. The acute to acuminate leaflets have rounded
bases and are 1.5-3.5 in (4-9 cm) long and 1.0-2.0 in (2-5 cm) wide. They are simply or
doubly serrate. Distinctive characteristics include short stature, densely pubescent
throughout, evenly serrate leaflets.
-18-
,.
r 4W
This species prefers sandy, rocl
dependent on disturbance (mowing, cl(
found with other members of its genus
radicans). There is no longer believed
specific soil types.
Michaux's sumac is endemic to
physiographic provinces of Virginia, N
populations occur in North Carolina. T
its discovery, 50 percent of Michaux's
silvicultural and agricultural purposes a
drift have also negatively impacted this
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION
Potential habitat for Michaux's
of the project area. A plant by plant su;
potential habitat, was conducted by NC
2000. No Michaux's sumac was obser
NCNHP database of rare species and ui
there are no known occurrences of Mic]
Therefore, project construction will not
4.2.2 Federal Species of Concern and
There are nine Federal Species of
Federal Species of Concern are not afforc
subject to any of its provisions, including
listed as Threatened or Endangered. Fed(
species which may or may not be listed it
candidate species, or species under consic
insufficient information to support a listir
Endangered and Proposed Threatened. O
Threatened (T), Significantly Rare (SR) o
Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) list c
state protection under the State Endanger(
Protection and Conservation Act of 1979.
Table 4 lists Federal Candidate au
and the existence of suitable habitat for c
provided for information purposes as the
future.
, open woods and roadsides. Its survival is
ring, fire) to maintain an open habitat. It is often
> well as with poison ivy (Toxicodendron
) be an association between this species and
e inner Coastal Plain and Piedmont
th Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Most
s species is threatened by loss of habitat. Since
nac habitat has been lost due to its conversion to
t development. Fire suppression and herbicide
NO EFFECT
mac is present within the road shoulder portions
`Y for Michaux's sumac, within areas of
)T biologists on 30 March and 26 September
l during these surveys. A review of the
ue habitats on 30 November 2000 indicated that
ix's sumac within the project study area.
fect Michaux's sumac.
tate Listed Species
Concern (FSC) listed for Johnston County.
ed federal protection under the ESA and are not
Section 7, until they are formally proposed or
ral Species of Concern are defined as those
the future. These species were formally
eration for listing for which there was
g of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed
-ganisms which are listed as Endangered (E),
r Special Concern (SC) by the North Carolina
f rare plant and animal species are afforded
d Species Act and the North Carolina Plant
State listed species, the species state status
h species in the study area. This species list is
itus of these species may be upgraded in the
19-
t
Table 4. Federal Species of Concern for Johnston County
Scientific Name Common Name State Status Habitat
Lythrurus matutinus Pinewoods shiner SR Yes
Elliptio lanceolata Yellow lance T (PE) Yes
Fusconaia masoni Atlantic pigtoe T (PE) Yes
Lampsilis carioca Yellow lampmussel T (PE) Yes
Lasmigona subviridus Green floater E Yes
Procambarus medialis Tar River crayfish W3 Yes
Solidago verna Spring-flowering goldenrod T No
Tofieldia glabra Carolina asphodel C* No
Trillium pusillum var. Carolina least trillium E No
usill um
"*" Historic record (Last observed in Johnston County more than twenty years ago.)
"E"-----"Any native or once-native species of wild animal whose continued existence as a viable
component of the State's fauna is determined by the WRC to be in jeopardy or any species of wild animal
determined to be an `endangered species' pursuant to the Endangered Species Act." (Article 25 of Chapter
113 of the General Statutes; 1987). "Any species or higher taxon of plant whose continued existence as a
viable component of the State's flora is determined to be in jeopardy" (GS 19B 106; 202.12). _
"T"----- A Threatened species is one which is likely to become an endangered species within the
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
"C"----- A Candidate species is one which is very rare in North Carolina, generally with 1-20 populations
in the state, generally substantially reduced in numbers by habitat destruction, direct exploitation or
disease. The species is also either rare throughout its range or disjunct in North Carolina from a main
range in a different part of the country or the world.
"SR"---- A Significantly Rare species is one which has not been listed by the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission as'an Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern species, but which exists in the state in
small numbers and has been determined by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program to need monitoring.
Species which are very rare in N.C., generally with 1-20 populations in the state, generally substantially
reduced in numbers by habitat destruction (and sometimes also by direct exploitation or disease.
"(PE)"-Species has been proposed by a Scientific Council as a status that is different from the current
status, but the status has not yet completed the legally mandated listing process.
"W3" A Watch Category 3 includes species that are poorly known in N.C., but are not necessarily
considered to be declining or otherwise in trouble.
A review of the NCNHP database of rare species and unique habitats on 30
November 2000 revealed no records of North Carolina rare and/or protected species in or
near the project study area. Surveys for these species were not conducted during the site
visit, nor were any of these species observed.
5.0 REFERENCES
Amoroso, Jame L. 1999. "Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare Plant Species of
North Carolina". Raleigh: North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Cowardin, Lewis M., Virginia Carter, Francis C. Golet, and Edward T. LaRoe. 1979.
"Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
-20-
r ?r
Environmental Laboratory. 1987. `Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual,"
Technical Report Y-87-1, U.S. Arm, Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,
Vicksburg, Miss.
Godfrey, Michael A., 1997. Field G ide to the Piedmont. Chapel Hill, The University of
North Carolina Press.
LeGrand, Jr., H.E., and S. P. Hall. 1999. "Natural Heritage Program List of the Rare
Animal Species of North Carolina". Raleigh: North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.
Martof, B.S., W.M. Palmer, J.R. Bailey and J.R. Harrison 111. 1980. Amphibians and
Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina
Press.
Menhinick, E.F. 1991. The Freshw ter Fishes of North Carolina. N.C. WRC., Raleigh.
NCDEHNR-DEM. 1992. Basinwid Assessment Report: Neuse River Basin. Raleigh,
Department of Environment, Health ?Id Natural Resources.
NCDEHNR-DEM. 1993. "Class
Carolina River Basins." Raleigh,
Resources.
and Water Quality Standards for North
nt of Environment, Health and Natural
NCDENR-DWQ. 1997. "Field
(Environmental Lab). Raleigh,
of Streams, Ditches, and Ponding"
mt of Environment and Natural Resources.
NCDENR-DWQ. 2001. Internet Web Page:
http://esb.ehnr.state.nc.us/BAUwww/t?enthosdata.pdf
Patrick, T.S., J.R. Allison, and G.A. Iakow. 1995, Protected Plants of Georgia.
Georgia Department of Natural Reso ces.
Potter, E.F., J.F. Parnell and R.P. Teu it
The University of North Carolina Pre s.
1980. Birds of the Carolinas. Chapel Hill,
Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles and G.R.
Carolinas. Chapel Hill, The Univer
1. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the
of North Carolina Press.
Schafale, M.P. and A.S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of The Natural Communities of
North Carolina. Third Approximatio ?. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program,
Division of Parks and Recreation, NCEHNR.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1994 Soil Survey of Johnston County, Soil
Conservation Service. North Carolina Agriculture Experiment Station.
-21-
it «
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Michaux's Sumac Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Atlanta, GA.
Webster, W.D., J.F. Parnell and W.C. Biggs. 1985. Mammals of the Carolinas, Virginia
and Maryland. Chapel Hill, The University of North Carolina Press.
-22-
A

d„aSWFa
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
April 5, 2005
MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Omar Sultan
Program Development Branch
FROM: Gregory J. Thorpe, PhD
Environmental Management Director,
RECEIVED
APR 6 2005
OIYISIORtOMMYS
POEA IN CEOF NAIUAAIENIfMitl ?
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
SUBJECT: Programmatic Categorical Exclusion Approval for Federal Aid Project
BRZ-1718 (4), Replacement of Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718 over Buffalo
Creek, Johnston County, WBS 33216.1.1, State Project 8.2312401,
TIP No. B-3672
Attached are four copies of the subject report, including 2 copies for your files and 1 copy for
distribution to FHWA. No significant adverse environmental effects are expected as a result of the
project; therefore, no other. distribution of the report is necessary.
GJT/cdb
Attachment
cc/atta: Mrs. Deborah M. Barbour
Mr. Art McMillan
Mr. Jay Bennett (2 copies)
Mr. Greg Perfetti (2 copies)
Mr. Victor Barbour
Mr. D. R. Henderson
Mr. N. W. Wainaina (2 copies)
Mr. Charles W. Brown (3 copies)
Mr. C. B. Goode, Jr. (3 copies)
Mr. Phillip S. Harris, III
Mr. S. D. DeWitt
Mr. Don G. Lee
Mr. J. Kevin Lacy (3 copies)
Mr. J. B. Williamson, Jr.
Mr. Mike Bruff
Mr. William H. Williams, Jr.
Mr. Tom Norman
Mr. Jim Trogdon (3 copies)
Mr. Ron Lucas, FHWA
Mr. John Emerson., Attn. Mike Summers
Mr. Doug Lane
Mr. Mike Bell, US Army Corps of Engineers Rep
N. C. State Publications Clearinghouse (10 copies)
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENTAND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1548 MAILSERVICE CENTER WEBSITE. WWWNCOOT.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
a A.
40
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION ACTION CLASSIFICATION FORM
TIP Project No.
State Project No.
W.B.S. No.
Federal Project No.
A. Project Description:
B-3672
8.2312404
33216.1.1
BRZ-1718(4)
The purpose of this project is to replace Johnston County Bridge No. 415 on
SR 1718 over Buffalo Creek. The replacement structure will be a bridge 120 feet
long with 30 feet clear deck width. The cross section will include two 11-foot
lanes and 4-foot offsets. The roadway grade of the new structure will be raised
approximately six feet.
The approach roadway will extend 393 feet from the northwest end of the new
bridge and 262 feet from the southeast end of the new bridge. The approaches
will be widened to include a 22-foot pavement width providing two 11-foot lanes.
Six-foot grass shoulders will be provided on each side (9-foot shoulders where
guardrail is included). The roadway will be designed as a Rural Local Route with
a 60 mile per hour design speed.
Traffic will be detoured off-site during construction (see Figure 1).
B. Purpose and Need:
Bridge No. 415 includes a six-span superstructure composed of a timber deck on
timber joists. The substructure includes timber caps on timber piles.
Bridge Maintenance Unit records indicate the bridge has a sufficiency rating of
27.7 out of a possible 100 for a new structure. The bridge is considered
structurally deficient due to a structural appraisal of 2 out of 9 and functionally
obsolete due to a deck geometry appraisal of 2 out of 9 according to Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) standards and is therefore eligible for FHWA's
Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program.
Timber sub-structures typically do not last beyond 30 to 40 years of age due to the
natural deterioration rates of wood. Rehabilitation of timber structure is generally
practical only when a few members are damaged or prematurely deteriorated.
However, past a certain degree of deterioration, timber structures become
impractical to maintain and upon eligibility are programmed for replacement.
Bridge 415 is approaching the end of its useful life.
C. Proposed Improvements:
Circle one or more of the following Type II improvements which apply to the
project:
1. Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g., parking,
weaving, turning, climbing).
it
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 driveway pipes
h. Performing minor bridge widening (less than one through lane)
i. Slide Stabilization
j. Structural BMP's for water quality improvement
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
3. Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of
grade separation to 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
O repair, fender systems, and minor structural improvements
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.
2
w
8. Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used
predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and located on or near
a 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 not inconsistent 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 qualify for a CE only
where the 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.
13. Acquisition and construction of wetland, stream and endangered species
mitigation sites.
14. Remedial activities involving the removal, treatment or monitoring of soil
or groundwater contamination pursuant to state or federal remediation
guidelines.
Special Project Information:
D.
Estimated Costs:
Total Construction
Right of Way
Total
Estimated Traffic:
Year 1999 - 400 vpd
TTST - 1%
$ 575,000
$ 16,000
$ 591,000
Year 2025 - 700 vpd
Dual - 3%
Design Exceptions: There are design exceptions for horizontal curve radius and
sag vertical curves. A 45mph speed limit is required for the vertical alignment.
s R
Bridge Demolition: Most timber and steel structures (as is Bridge No. 415) can
be removed using standard practices without any resulting fill in the stream.
Mite Detour: N
tcepiacement rrojects considers multiple project variables beginning with the
additional time traveled by the average road user resulting from the offsite detour.
The offsite detour for this project would include SR 1701, SR 1716, and SR 1003.
The detour for the average road user would result in 7.0 minutes additional travel
time (2.4 miles additional travel). Up to a seven-month duration of construction is
expected on this project. According to the guidelines, a project with an offsite
detour route requiring five to ten minutes travel time and at least six months of
closure must be evaluated to determine if an onsite detour is.appropriate. In this
particular case, maintaining traffic onsite would result in higher costs. Johnston
County Emergency Services has indicated that an offsite detour is acceptable and
that services can be adequately re-routed during construction. The Division
concurs in this recommendation. Johnston County School Transportation has
indicated that rerouting buses around this project will be a problem due to a lack
of a good turn around. NCDOT will coordinate a turn around for the school
buses on this project for safety of the students. Coordination with Johnston
County Schools will be done prior to bridge closure. In view of the cost savings
and no major opposition, an offsite detour is recommended.
E. Threshold Criteria
The following evaluation of threshold criteria must be completed for Type II
actions
ECOLOGICAL YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact on any"
Unique or important natural resource? ? X
(2) Does the project involve habitat where federally
Listed endangered or threatened species may occur?
(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
one-tenth (1/10) of an acre and have all practicable measures
to avoid and minimize wetland takings been evaluated? X
(5) Will the project require the 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 (HQW)? ? X
4
i

A
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of the United States
in any of the designated mountain trout counties? X
(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
"Area of Environmental Concern" (AEC)? X
(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, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 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
low-income population? X
(18) If the project involves the acquisition of right of way, is the ?
amount of right of way acquisition considered minor? X
(19) Will the project involve any changes in access control? ?
X
(20) Will the project substantially alter the usefulness
and/or land use of adjacent property? X
(21) Will the project have an adverse effect on permanent
local traffic patterns or community cohesiveness? X
5
« °?
and/or Transportation Improvement Program (and is,
therefore, in conformance with the Clean Air Act of 1990)? X
(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)
and will all construction proposed in association with the

bridge replacement project be contained on the existing facility? a
X
(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 project? X
(28) Will the project have an "effect" on structures/properties
eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places? X
(22) Is the project included in an approved thoroughfare plan
(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 refuges,
historic sites, or historic bridges, as defined in Section 4(f)
of the U. S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966)? X
(31) Will the project result in any conversion of assisted public
recreation sites or facilities to non-recreation uses, as defined
by Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act
of 1965, as amended? X
(32) Will the project involve construction in, across, or adjacent
to a river designated as a component of or proposed for
inclusion in the National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers? X
F. Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable Responses in Part E
Response to Question 2: Habitat exists for the Dwarf wedgemussel. A survey in August
2004 indicates no species found near the bridge. However, the species is present
downstream. US Fish and Wildlife Service has concurred in the biological conclusion of
May Effect, Not Likely to Adversely Effect for the Dwarf wedgemussel. The USFWS
concurrence letter is located in the appendix.
6
s
? 9
G. CE Approval
TIP Project No.
State Project No.
W.B.S. No.
Federal Project No.
Project Description:
B-3672
8.2312401
33216.1.1
BRZ-1718(4)
The purpose of this project is to replace Johnston County Bridge No. 415 on
SR 1718 over Buffalo Creek. The replacement structure will be a bridge 120 feet
long with 30 feet clear deck width. The cross section will include two 11-foot
lanes and 4-foot offsets. The roadway grade of the new structure will be raised
approximately six feet.
The approach roadway will extend 393 feet from the northwest end of the new
bridge and 262 feet from the southeast end of the new bridge. The approaches
will be widened to include a 22-foot pavement width providing two 11-foot lanes.
Six-foot grass shoulders will be provided on each side (9-foot shoulders where
guardrail is included). The roadway will be designed as a Rural Local Route with
a 60 mile per hour design speed.
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
Traffic will be detoured off-site during construction (see Figure 1).
Categorical Exclusion Action Classification: (Check one)
TYPE II(A)
X TYPE II(B)
A;v p 7rov
o.
y
D e Assistant Manager
3 2 `
Date
3 a o5
Date roj ect Planning En ' er
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
For Type II(B) projects only:
Date j!?.John F. Sullivan, III, Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Project Development & Environmental Analysis Branch
t --
PROJECT COMMITMENTS:
Johnston County
Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718
Over Buffalo Creek
Federal Aid Project No. BRZ -1718 (4)
State Project No. 8.2312401
W.B.S. No. 33216.1.1
T.I.P. No. B-3672
Division Construction Engineer
NCDOT will coordinate a turn around for the school buses near the bridge.
Office of Natural Environment/Hydraulic Design Unit
This project is subject to the Neuse River Riparian Buffer Rules.
Programmatic Categorical Exclusion
Green Sheet
March 2005
Page 1 of 1

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tour Route
North Carolina Dept. of Transportation
Division of Highways
l? Project Development &
" Environmental Analysis Branch
Johnston County
Replace Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718
Over Buffalo Creek
B-3672
SCALE: 1 in = 1 n i Figure 1

United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND 1ArILDLIIE SERVICE
R216gh Feld Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh. North Carolina 27636-372
October i, 2004
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Norib Carolina Department of Transportation
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
15,98 :Mail Service Center
Raleigh, Forth Carolina 27699-1595
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
RECEIVED
OCT 12 2114
W40OFI MAYS
MOMOMMKIRM
This `letter is in response to your letter,of September 27, 20,04 which provided the U:S. Fish and
Wildlife= Service-(Service) with the biological determination ofthe North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) that the replacement of:Bridge No. 415 on. SR 1718 over Buffalo
Creek in.Johnston County (7`I.P No. B-3672) may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the
federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (.41crvrnidorrra heter odon). These comments are
provided in accordance with secti-nr ? ofthe..Endangered Species. Act (ES.4) of 1973, as
amended (t6 U S.C. 1531-1543).
According_tolhe information; you submitted, a mussel survey-was conducted at the prmj.ect site
on August 12, 20:04. The survey extended 100 metrse upstream and 1,00 meters downstream of
the crossing.. The survey deviated from the usual. 400 meters downstream after it was determined
that. no habitat was present for the dwarf wedgernussel. This portion of 'the : stream is slack water
which_Aows into Wendell Lake, less than one mile downstream. No, mussels of any species were
observed. during the survey. However, the dwarfwedgemussel has been,observed in Buffalo
Creek several miles downstream of the project area.
Based on thre information provided and other information available, the Service concurs Mai
your deterMination that the proposed bridge replacement may affect, but is not likely to,
adversely affect the-dwarf wedgetnussel. We. believe that the requirements of section 7(a)(2) of
the ESA 'have been satisfied for this species. We remind you that obligations under section 7
consultation must be reconsidered. if. ((1) new information reveals impacts of this identified
action that may :afk.ct listed species or critical habitat in a manner not previously considered in
this reviews (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that was not considered in this
review; or. (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat determined that may be affected by this
identified action:

The Service appreciates the opportunity to review this project.. Ifyou have any questions
regarding-our response, please contact Mr. Gary Jordan at [phone] (Ext. 32.),
Sincerely,
John lIammond
Acting Ecoi'ogical Services Supervisor
cc: Mike Bell, USACE, Washington, NC
Nicole Thomson, NCDWQ, Raleigh,.NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC
Chris Militscher, USEPA, Raleigh., NC
1
0.
W ?.
Federal Aid #BRZ-1718(4) TIP 913-3672 County: Johnston
CONCURRENCE FORM FOR PROPERTIES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE NATIONAL
REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Project Description: Replace Bridge No. 415 on SR 1718 over Buffalo Creek
On November 2, 2000, representatives of the
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
? Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
?? Of North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Reviewed the subject project at
? a scoping meeting
photograph review session/consultation
other
? ,

All parties present agreed
? there are no properties over fifty years old within the project's area of potential effect.
there are no properties less than fifty years old which are considered to meet Criterion
Consideration G within the project's area of potential effect.
Q there are properties over fifty years old (list attached) within the project's area of potential effect,
but based on the historical information available and the photographs of each property, properties
identified as are considered not eligible for the National
Register and no further evaluation of them is necessary.
Q there are no National Register-listed properties located within the project's area of potential effect.
Signed:
i _
Representative, 14CDOT'
FHWA, for the Division Administrator, or other Federal Agency

State Historic Preservation Officer

Date
/ %
Date
/l ` !EC)
Date
pU
Date
If a survey report is prepared, a final copy of this form and the attached list will be included.
dN M ?.c
e??o
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
State Historic Preservation Office
David L. S. Brook, Administrator
Michael F. Easley, Governor Division of Archives and History
Lisbeth C. Evans, Secretary Jeffrey J. Crow, Director
]March 30, 2001
MEMORANDUM
To: William D. Gilmore, P.E.. %4ana__er
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
From: David Brook Dep
uty State Histor' P set` a i f ice
AS??
Re: Replacement of Bridge No. 41 on SR 1718 over Buffalo Creek.
TIP No. B-3672, Johnston County, ER 00-7677
On November 3, 2000. April Montgomery of our staff met with North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) staff for a meeting of "t_- minds concernin the
above project. We reported our available information on historic architectural and
archaeological surveys and resources alon_ 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 meetin Ly.
we offer our preliminary comments regardin, this project.
In terms of historic architectural resources «e are aware of no historic structures located
within the area of potential effect. However. we recommend that an historic architectural
survey be conducted for this project.
To date, we have received the results of the archaeological survey and determined that
there are no historic properties within the project's area of potential effect.
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 b\
the project construction. We, therefore, recommend that no archaeological investigation
be conducted in connection with this project.
Location Mailing Address Telephone/Fax
ADMINISTRATION 507 N. Blount St., Raleigh NC 4617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-46 1 7 (919) 7334763 • 733-865-1
RESTORATION 515 N. Blount St.. Raleigh NC 4613 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 276994613 [phone] . 7154801
SURVEY & PLANNING 515 N. Blount SL, Raleigh NC 4618 Mail Service Center. Raleigh NC 2 7699-46 1 8 [phone] • 715-4801
• `?r tw.
Page Two
William D. Gilmore
March 30, 2001
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for
Compliance with Section 106 codified at 36 CFR Part 300.
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have any questions concerning
the above comment, contact Renee Gledhill-Earley, Environmental Review Coordinator,
at 919 733-4763.
CC: Mary Pope Furr
Tom Padgett