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HomeMy WebLinkAbout19940431 Ver 1_Complete File_19940512101 r ww.® STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA JAMES B. HUNT, JR. GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 May 9, 1994 District Engineer Army Corps of Engineers P. O. Box 1890 Wilmington, North Carolina 28402 ATTENTION: Regulatory Branch Dear Sir: MAY 11994 C SSET R. SAMUEL HUNT II I SECRETARY Subject: Hertford County, Replacement of Bridge No. 23 on NC 45 over the Wiccacon River,'Federal Aid Project No. BRS-5053(2), State Project No. 8.1070401, TIP No. B-1231. Attached for your information are three copies of the project planning report for the subject project. The 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 Nat' Permit in accordance with 33 CFR 330 Appendix (B-23) issued November 22, 1991, by the Corps of Engiinee The provisions of Section 330.4 and Appendix A (C) of these regulations will be followed in the construction of the project. We anticipate that 401 General Certification No. 2745 (Categorical Exclusion) will apply to this project, and are providing one copy of the CE document to the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Management, for their review. We anticipate that a permit will be required from the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Management, for this r• project. DOT will apply directly to DEHNR for that permit when plans have been developed. If you have any questions or need additional information, please call Mr. Doug Huggett of NCDOT's Environmental Unit at 733-3141. Sincerely, B. Qui , PE Assistant Branch Manager Planning and Environmental Branch BJO/dvh cc: w/attachment Mr. David Lekson, COE-Washington Mr. John Dorney, NCDEHNR, DEM Mr. John Parker, NCDEHNR, DCM w/out attachment Mr. Kelly Barger, PE, Program Development Branch Mr. Don Morton, PE, Highway Design Branch Mr. A.L. Hankins, PE, Hydraulics Unit Mr. John L. Smith Jr., PE, Structure Design Unit Mr. Tom Shearin, PE, Roadway Design Unit Mr. Jimmy Lee, PE, Bridge Maintenance Unit Mr. D.R. Conner, PE, Division 1 Engineer Ms. Michele James, Planning and Environmental Branch Mr. Davis Moore, Planning and Environmental Branch NC 45, Bridge No. 23 over Wiccacon River, Hertford County Federal-Aid Project BRS-5053(2) State Project 8.1070401 B-1231 Y REVISED CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION l AND N. C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS APPROVED: Date H. F. Vick, P.E., Manager °r Planning and Environmental Branch, NCDOT Date Nicholas L. Graf, P.E. `Division Administrator, FHWA ar NC 45, Bridge No. 23 over Wiccacon River, Hertford County Federal-Aid Project BRS-5053(2) State Project 8.1070401 B-1231 REVISED CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION April, 1994 Documentation Prepared in Planning and Environmental Branch By: Mich le L. James Project Planning Engineer `e?o?e?etea??aP,a9 `oao??H C APO ?°`ssr [.e(e?. ego as? \ J Oef: \ L L / O e`e h e- i .v Q Lr ? d CAF`' M!'r i a e Wayne Elliott ; $ E A L Bridge Project Planning Engineer, Unit Head 's 6976 = v • ? Lubin V. Prevatt, P.E. '?''?•?s u„prit??'? Assistant Manager, Planning and Environmental Branch NC 45, Bridge No. 23 over Wiccacon River, Hertford County Federal-Aid Project BRS-5053(2) State Project 8.1070401 B-1231 I. BACKGROUND A Project Planning Report (categorical exclusion) for the subject project was approved by FHWA on June 9, 1986. The recommended alternate was to replace Bridge No. 23 with a new bridge at the existing location over the Wiccacon River (see Figure 1). Y Traffic was to be maintained during construction by providing an on-site temporary detour. Subsequent to that time, additional preliminary design studies have identified a more feasible alternative. Therefore, the project is being reevaluated. II. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS Bridge No. 23 should be replaced on new location approximately 50 feet northeast of the existing bridge as shown by Alternate 3 in Figure 2. The new bridge will be approximately 340 feet-long with a clear deck width of 30 feet. The structure will provide a 24-foot travelway with a 3-foot offset on each side. The vertical clearance beneath the bridge will be approximately 15 feet. The recommended roadway approach is a 24-foot wide pavement with 8-foot graded shoulders. Approximately 1400 feet of new roadway will be required. The estimated cost of the recommended Alternate 3 is $1,366,000. III. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS This project will require a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Major Development permit, a U.S. Coast Guard permit, and a Nationwide 23 permit. A 401 Water Quality Certification will also be required. A representative of the Division of Marine Fisheries recommends an in the water construction moratorium during the months of February through May to allow postlarval development to occur. Y Best Management Practices will be implemented to avoid or minimize environmental impacts. Archaeological data recovery excavations will be completed prior to any construction activity. The data recovery plan will be prepared in consultation with representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The existing structure and roadway embankments will be removed to natural ground. 2 IV. EXISTING CONDITIONS The existing Bridge No. 23 over Wiccacon River was built in 1940. The superstructure consists of a reinforced concrete slab on steel I-beams. The substructure is constructed of creosoted timber caps and piles for twelve interior bents and reinforced concrete caps on timber piles for two other interior bents. The bridge length is 379 feet. The main span of the bridge is 69 feet and contains a timber fender system that provides navigational clearances of 58 feet horizontally and 25 feet vertically. Clear roadway width is 25 feet 10 inches. The posted weight limit at the bridge is 24 tons for a single vehicle and 27 tons for truck-tractor semi-trailer (TTST). The sufficiency rating of Bridge No. 23 is 25.0. NC 45 is classified as a major collector by the Statewide Functional Classification System. It serves as a rural connector from Plymouth and other towns west of the Albemarle Sound to major routes north of the bridge leading to Virginia. Ahoskie is also located approximately 10 miles southwest of the bridge location. The speed limit is 55 MPH. The current traffic volume of 1400 VPD is expected to increase to 2600 VPD by the year 2016. The projected volume includes 9% TTST and o dual-tire trucks. The heavy truck traffic is due to paper mills located in Plymouth and Franklin, Virginia as well as a Georgia Pacific plant located 10 miles west of Harrellsville outside of Ahoskie. Existing school bus traffic on the bridge consists of 5 buses making a total of 10 crossings each school day. The typical roadway cross section consists of a 22-foot asphalt pavement with 8-foot grassed shoulders. The vertical and horizontal alignments are good. The bridge is located in a crest vertical curve within a tangent alignment. A 3 degree horizontal curve is located approximately 300 feet south of the bridge. SR 1443 is located approximately 800 feet north of the bridge. Two accidents have been reported in the vicinity of the bridge for the period of May, 1990 through June, 1993. Neither the condition of the bridge nor the alignment of the roadway contributed to these accidents. The topography in the area is relatively flat. Land use adjacent to the bridge is primarily wooded. A hog farming operation is located approximately 0.3 mile southeast of the bridge. The hogs forage through the wooded area within 200 feet of the southeast corner of the bridge. A residential structure is located approximately 150 feet northwest of the bridge. Cultivated fields lie 600 feet south and 900 feet north of the structure. Overhead power and telephone lines parallel the bridge 45 feet to the west. Two overhead telephone cables parallel the bridge 45 feet to the east and traverse underground on the east side of NC 45. Due to degraded water quality and abandoned barge transporting operations by the logging industry, the water traffic on the Wiccacon River in the vicinity of the project has been reduced to only occasional usage, mostly pleasure craft. Bass boats and fishing boats 18-22 feet long that do not exceed 8 feet in height are examples of these crafts. The timber fender system present at the bridge appears to be abandoned and no longer serviceable. 3 V. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ALTERNATE 1 - Replace bridge at present location with off-site detour. The replacement structure would be replaced at the present bridge site. The horizontal alignment would remain the same; however, the vertical clearance beneath the structure would be reduced from 25 feet to 15 feet. The new structure would be 340 feet in length with a clear deck width of 30 feet. A design speed of approximately 60 MPH would result. During an estimated one year construction period, traffic would be detoured locally via Secondary Roads 1427, 1432, and NC Route 561 (See Figure 1). This detour would create an additional 3.1 miles of out-of-direction through travel, and as much as 10 miles for local traffic. This would result in road user costs of approximately $460,000. Secondary Roads 1427 and 1432 would need to be strengthened for the heavier truck traffic. In addition, a sharp curve south of Bridge No. 40 on SR 1427 would not be suitable for the truck traffic anticipated for this detour. This curve is in excess of 20 degrees, resulting in a design speed of approximately 30 MPH. Estimated costs for Alternate 1 are as follows: Roadway Approaches $ 116,000 Replacement Structure $ 510,000 Existing Structure Removal $ 49,000 *Detour Improvements $ 507,000 Engineering, Contingencies, Miscellaneous, and Mobilization $ 468,000 Right-of-Way $ 13,000 TOTAL $1,663,000 *The $507,000 cost for the detour is for roadway improvements on SR 1427 and SR 1432. ALTERNATE 2 - Replace bridge at present location with on-site detour. This alternate was recommended in the June, 1986 planning document. Bridge No. 23 would be replaced at the present bridge site. The horizontal alignment would remain the same; however, the vertical clearance beneath the structure would be reduced from 25 feet to 15 feet. The new structure would be 340 feet with a clear deck width of 30 feet. During construction, traffic would be maintained via a temporary on-site detour on the northeast side (see Figure 2). The east side was chosen in lieu of the southwest side because fewer utility lines would need to be relocated and the woodlands on the southwest quadrant are of better quality than the other quadrants around the bridge. Two telephone poles will require relocation as well as an underground telephone cable. 4 A total of 1400 feet of approach roadway would be required. A design speed of approximately 60 MPH would result for the permanent improvement. The detour structure would have a length of 340 feet and a width of 26 feet. Estimated costs for Alternate 2 are as follows: Roadway Approaches $ 116,000 Replacement Structure $ 510,000 Existing Structure Removal $ 49,000 Temporary Detour $ 654,000 Engineering, Contingencies, $ 471,000 Miscellaneous, and Mobilization $ Right of Way $ 14,000 TOTAL $1,814,000 ALTERNATE 3 - Currently recommended - Permanent re-alignment with a new structure northeast of the existing bridge This alternate will utilize the present roadway and structure as a detour while the new structure and approaches are being constructed. The new structure will provide a vertical clearance of 15 feet. The approach roadway length to the new structure will be about 700 feet on each end. A design speed of approximately 60 MPH will result. The new structure length will be approximately 340 feet with a clear width of 30 feet. A roadway width of 24 feet with 8-foot grassed shoulders will be typical for the new roadway alignment. This alternative will acquire approximately 3 acres of right of way. The existing structure will be removed and the abandoned approaches restored to natural ground elevations. Estimated costs for Alternate 3 are as follows: Roadway Approaches $ 403,400 Structure $ 510,000 Structure Removal $ 49,000 Temporary Detour $ --- Engineering, Contingencies, Miscellaneous, and Mobilization $ 387,600 Right of Way $ 16,000 TOTAL $1,366,000 The "do-nothing" alternative would eventually necessitate closure of the bridge. This is not desirable due to the traffic service provided by NC 45. Rehabilitation of the old bridge is not feasible due to its age and deteriorated condition. 5 VI. DISCUSSION OF RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE Replacement of the bridge is recommended on new location along the alignment shown by Alternate 3 in Figure 2. The selection of Alternate 3 is based primarily upon its being the least costly of the alternatives considered. VII. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS The project is expected to have an overall positive impact. Replacement of an inadequate bridge will result in safer traffic operations. y The project is considered to be a Federal "categorical exclusion" due to its limited scope and insignificant environmental consequences. With the use of current NCDOT standards and specifications, the bridge replacement will not have a significant adverse effect on the quality of the human or natural environment. The project is not in conflict with any plan, existing land use, or zoning regulation. No change in land use is expected to result from construction of the project. No adverse impact on families or communities is anticipated. Right-of-way acquisition will be limited. No adverse effect on public facilities or services is expected. The project is not expected to affect social, economic, or religious opportunities in the area. Archaeology The bridge replacement project was originally planned by the NCDOT in 1984-1985 and the project area was archaeologically surveyed in 1985 (Lautzenheiser, 1985). The survey resulted in the discovery of archaeological site 31HF99, a significant prehistoric site that was to be disturbed by the bridge replacement as it was designed at that time. Archaeological data recovery excavations were recommended for 31HF99 as a result of that survey. Project planning engineers requested that the potential effects of the project on archaeological resources be re-evaluated in light of the current project plans. An archaeological survey and re-evaluation of the bridge replacement project area were conducted on March 3, 1993 by NCDOT staff archaeologists. The new evaluation finds that Alternate 1 will not disturb significant archaeological remains. Alternates 2 and 3, however, will disturb a part of site 31HF99 that contains significant archaeological resources. The site has yielded prehistoric Middle Woodland period 6 artifacts (Mt. Pleasant phase) and early historic period materials that probably date from the 18th century. The site has potential to yield' important archaeological data and it is potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. An archaeological data recovery investigation will be conducted within the part of the site that is to be disturbed. This will serve to mitigate the damage to the site. The data recovery plan will be prepared in consultation with representatives from the State Historic Preservation Office. Documentation supporting the finding of No Adverse Effect will be submitted to SHPO and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The data recovery excavations will be completed prior to any construction activity. See letter from SHPO in the Appendix (A-1). Farmland Protection Policy Act The Farmland Protection Policy Act requires all federal agencies or their representatives to consider the impact of land acquisition and construction projects on prime and important farmland soils. These soils are designated by the US Soil Conservation Service (SCS), based on potential crop yield and other factors. The SCS was asked to determine whether the proposed improvement will impact prime or important farmland soils. The SCS responded that the project will affect 1.57 acres of prime farmland soils. The relative value of the affected soils was rated by the SCS at 39.7 on a land evaluation scale of 0 to 100 points. Completion of the site assessment portion of the Farmland Conversion Impact Rating form (AD-1006) shows that the project impacts do not meet the minimum threshold at which alternatives which lessen farmland impacts should be considered. Therefore, further consideration under of farmland impacts is not required. The completed form is included in the Appendix (A-2). Historic Architectural Resources ti This project is subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, implemented by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800. Section 106 requires that if a federally funded, licensed, or permitted project has an effect on a property listed on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation be given an opportunity to comment. The area of potential effect (APE) of the project was reviewed in the field. The only property over fifty years old within the APE is the bridge itself, built in 1940. The bridge is one of approximately 249 state maintained bridges of the same type, steel stringer/multi-beam or girder. As such, it is not considered eligible for the National Register. V 7 Since there are no properties within the project's APE that are either listed in or eligible for the National Register, no further compliance with Section 106 is required. Natural Resources The Wiccacon River is a tributary of the Chowan River. In the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wetlands and Deepwater Habitat Classification system (Cowardin et al. 1979), the part of the Wiccacon to be impacted by this project is a Lower Perennial Riverine system, bordered by forested palustrine habitats and a narrow band of emergent wetlands. Vegetation differs on either side of the river mainly due to differences in hydrologic regime. The Chowan and tributaries in its watershed have been identified as highly nutrient-sensitive. Algae blooms, a persistent problem in these waters, are attributed to sewage pollution (from community systems or septic tanks) and agricultural runoff along tributaries upstream. At the same time, vascular plant growth is also stimulated. Scattered patches of duckweed were observed on September 5, 1985 and were reported to have been massive earlier in the summer. Water in the Wiccacon is classified Category C, suitable for fishing and fish propagation but not for bathing or human consumption. Sport and commercial fishing in the Wiccacon was historically excellent but has declined due to increasing pollution of the river. The area northwest of the existing bridge was developed as a fishing camp when the bridge was constructed, but the camp was abandoned and the land purchased for use as a private residence approximately 21 years ago. The bridge occurs in the middle of a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Wiccacon River, and this location strongly influences and changes the topography on opposite sides of the river. The river currently tends toward the outside of the bend, naturally eroding the land and gradually shifting the course of the river by increasing the size and curvature of the bend. This process also creates a relatively steep riverbank on the outside of the bend. Conversely, minimal current occurs along the inside of the bend, and this slow current deposits sediment and builds a very gradually sloping river bank with a wide floodplain as the course of the river shifts to the outside. These topographic differences strongly affect the hydrocycle and vegetation on opposite sides of the river. The land along the outside of the riverbend (northeast of the bridge) floods rarely for brief periods, and species competitive on moist, but moderately well-drained soil occur. The upper tree canopy contains predominately sweetgum, yellow-poplar, red maple, and loblolly pine. The largest trees vary between 12 and 16 inches and are of good quality. Associated species in this layer include water elm, white oak, and blackgum. A lower tree canopy contains suppressed hornbeam, flowering arrowood, and American hazel. Along the forest edge, where more light occurs, sparse ground layer contains yellow jessamine, goldenrod, shield fern, poison-ivy, ebony spleenwort, muscadine, and particularly Japanese honeysuckle. 8 Forest conditions exist throughout the northeastern side of the river with the following exception: immediately adjacent to the river a narrow band, generally less than 50 feet wide of frequently-flooded forest occurs. Important plants in this band are swamp blackgum, water tupelo, and smooth alder. Little or no understory occurs, owing to frequent flooding. East of highway NC 45, hogs have been allowed to forage through the woods, a practice severely reducing the abundance of the understory. The vegetation on the inside of the horseshoe bend (southeast of the bridge) contrasts strongly with that on the outside. Here, the river's meandering has developed a relatively large area with low relief that floods frequently for long periods. During the field investigation in late summer--typically a time of low water--water stood in many places. The vegetation reflects the long hydrocycle; the overstory contains a thick growth of predominately swamp blackgum, associated with water tupelo, baldcypress, and red maple. Occasional individuals of green ash and laurel oak occur. Several large snags of swamp blackgum occur with broken tops, probable veterans from the previous logging operation. Otherwise, the trees range from 6 to 10 inches dbh, and although smaller-sized, they are much better quality. The shrub layer consists of southern arrowwood, Virginia willow, pepperbush, titi and bayberry. Climbing hydrangia occurs, climbing the trunks of larger trees. Frequent flooding eliminates most herbaceous plants, although the following species occur, growing on fallen logs and at tree bases: royal fern, sedges, giant cane, knotweed, and moss. These conditions prevail on both the east and west sides of highway NC 45, except that hogs are allowed to forage the woods on the east side, a practice which lowers the density of all plant layers, when compared with the west side. In addition, a very narrow band (about 10 feet wide) of aquatic vegetation occurs immediately adjacent the river bank. This band contains buttonbush, cattail, pickerelweed, water pepper, spatterdock, and duckweed. The wide, gradually-sloping floodplain on the inside of the bend necessitated building a long causeway for the road when the bridge was originally constructed. This causeway, being elevated and better-drained, naturally revegetated with trees typical of moderately to well-drained sites, especially yellow-poplar sycamore, sassafras, black cherry, flowering dogwood, ash, sweetgum, sourwood, water oak, red maple, American holly, American elm, boxelder, and willow. These trees, often with multiple stems, occur at low density owing to periodic vegetation control by the Department of Transportation. A powerline runs along the base of the causeway on the west side of NC 45 and the vegetation below it is also periodically controlled. Growing between the trees in a weedy tangle are Japanese honeysuckle, winged, sumac, muscadine, southern arrowwood, smoother alder, giant cane, trumpet creeper, wingstem, common morning glory, foxtail grass, greenbriar, redtop, broomsedge, and paspalum. During the. field investigation no threatened or endangered plants were observed, but the moderately large stand of swamp blackgum provides somewhat unique conditions, since such large stands are becoming increasingly uncommon. 9 Terrestrial animal and avian wildlife species in this area likely represent the typical hardwood bottomland group, although no evidence of mammalian species was found during the site visit. We should expect to find the prothonotary warbler and associated bird species that limit their choice of breeding habitats to swamps, river bottoms, and other low-lying, frequently flooded areas. All of the prothonotary warbler's life requisites (running or standing water; sparse shrub layer in intermediate to mature forest successional stages; and cavities in snags, stumps, and decayed cypress knees) can be found here. Hogs foraging in the woods on either side of the river along the east side of NC 45 have degraded wildlife habitat. On the southeast quadrant beyond a wire fence only American holly exists below about 3 feet. Severe compaction due to trampling and disturbance from rooting are occurring around the bases of the trees composing the canopy. The northeast quadrant shows evidence of past hog foraging, although to some extent sprouts have returned following grazing interruption. Human habitation of the northwest quadrant -- with cleared area (about 300 feet by 200 feet) now in lawn, garden, and buildings -- limits suitability for most wildlife except for those in transit to other areas or for songbirds and small mammals adopted to human environments. Thus, the southwest quadrant provides terrestrial wildlife with the best habitat. Impacts on natural communities are reflective of the relative abundance of each system present in the project area. Table 1 summarizes potential losses which could result from project construction. Calculations are based on a right-of-way width of 130 feet. Table 1. BIOTIC COMMUNITY IMPACTS ha (ac) ESTIMATED IMPACTS Recommended COMMUNITY TYPE Alternate 1 Alternate 2 Alternate 3 Bottomland Hardwood 0.1 (0.3) 0.5 (1.3) 0.5 (1.3) Coastal Plain Swamp 0.4 (1.1) 0.4 (1.2) 0.6 (1.4) Total 0.5 (1.4) 0.9 (2.5) 1.1 (2.7) Impacts resulting from the bridge replacement, particularly new location or a temporary detour, will involve filling a portion of wetland areas. Although the temporary fill will eventually be removed, soil compaction and the modification of existing habitat can be considered permanent impacts. Fill material will result in the addition of sediment to the aquatic system being crossed. 10 The Alternate 1 proposal impacts the least amount of wetlands. The Cypress/gum swamp is a relatively mature system and appears to be of high quality. Alternate 2 is preferable over Alternate 3 from a wetland standpoint. Fill material would eventually be removed, partially restoring the site to preconstruction condition. The recommended alternate, Alternate 3, is the least desirable from a wetland standpoint. Permanent relocation of the alignment will impact the largest amount of the wetlands. Construction in wetland systems will primarily affect aquatic organisms. Dredging, filling, pile-driving operations, slope stabilization and land clearing are construction activities which can result in the direct loss of benthic organisms due to an increase in silt load. The removal of benthic organisms reduces the potential food supply Y for fish and other vertebrates. Siltation has many adverse impacts on fish and benthos: decreases the depth of light penetration; inhibiting plant and algal growth, which is a food source; clogs the filtration apparatus of filter-feeding benthos and the gills of fish; buries benthic organisms cutting them off from a food source; adversely effects preferred benthic substrate and spoils downstream spawning beds for fish. The Chowan River and its tributaries were surveyed for anadromous fish by the Division of Marine Fisheries in 1979. Data collected, indicate that blueback herring and alewife spawn in the Wiccacon River from March to May. Blueback herring and alewife are considered collectively as river herring. Most river herring spawning occurred in flooded low-lying areas adjacent to the main section of the river. River herring are the most abundant, anadromous fishes, and are widely distributed along the mid-Atlantic coast in major and minor tributaries. Blue-back herring, in particular, favor relatively deep, slow-flowing, black waters that drain hardwood swamps. Pete Kornegay, NC Wildlife Resources Commision Fisheries Biologist reports that common non-game fish inhabitants are the bowfin, carp and darters. Game fish include yellow bullhead, brown bullhead, white catfish, channel catfish, gizzard shad, longnose gar, Pumpkinseed, warmouth, bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, and fliers. All of these fish utilize the Wiccacon River for spawning and as a nursery area. The Wiccacon River is a spawning and nursery area for the anadromous blueback herring, and alewife. Eggs, larvae and juveniles are particularly susceptible to the effects of sedimentation. It is w imperative that stringent best management practices be utilized during the construction of this project as well as enforcement of an in the water construction moratorium during the months of February, March, April,.and May, in order to allow postlarval development to occur (pers. comm. Sara E. Winslow, Division of Marine Fisheries). Wetlands fall under the broad category of "Waters of the United States" as defined in 33 CFR 328.3. The US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) takes jurisdiction over the discharge of dredged or fill material into these wetlands as authorized by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. 11 Jurisdictional wetlands in the study area are categorized as Palustrine, forested, deciduous, semipermanently flooded (PF06F), as defined by Cowardin et al. (1979). This wetland community was identified in the project corridor on the basis of low soil chroma values, hydrophytic vegetation and the presence of hydrology or hydrological indicators. Table 2 summarizes wetland impacts based on a right-of-way width of 130 feet, plus construction limits where applicable. Table 2. WETLAND COMMUNITY IMPACTS BY ALTERNATE ha (ac) ESTIMATED IMPACTS PLANT COMMUNITY semipermanently flooded Recommended Alternate 1 Alternate 2 Alternate 3 0.4 (1.1) 0.4 (1.2) 0.6 (1.4) The project is located within Hertford County and is covered by the Coastal Area Management Act. The Coastal Area Management Act requires a permit if the project is in or affects an Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) as designated by the Coastal Resources Commission. Since this project falls within Public Trust waters, an AEC, a CAMA Major Development Permit is likely to be required. The Wiccacon River is classified as an AEC in the category of Public Trust Waters because it is a navigable water. Per an agreement between the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS), DCM is the lead agency in granting permits in "areas of environmental concern". The Wiccacon River is a navigable water likely to require a US Coast Guard permit. A US Coast Guard permit will be required when a bridge crosses waters which are (1) tidal and used by recreational boating, fishing, and other small vessels 21 feet or greater in length or (2) used or susceptible to use in their natural condition or by reasonable improvement as a means to transport interstate or foreign commerce. The project is classified as a Categorical Exclusion and is likely to come under Provisions of Nationwide Permit 23 CFR 330.5 (A) 23. This permit authorizes any activities, work and discharges undertaken, assisted, authorized, regulated, funded or financed, in whole or in part, by another federal agency and that the activity is "categorically excluded" from environmental documentation because it is included within a category of actions which neither individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment. If a temporary detour were to be utilized to maintain traffic during construction, Provisions of Nationwide Permit 23 CFR 330.5 (A) 23 would also apply. This permit authorizes temporary structures and discharges, including cofferdams, necessary for construction activities or access fills or dewatering of construction sites; provided, the associated permanent activity was previously authorized by the Corps of Engineers or the U.S Coast Guard, or for bridge construction activities not subject to 12 federal regulation. Appropriate measures must be taken to maintain near normal downstream flows and to minimize flooding. Temporary fill must be entirely removed to upland areas following completion of the construction activity and the affected areas restored to the pre-project conditions. However, final permit decisions are left to the discretionary authority of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). For any topsoil or material removed from the wetlands prior to .constructing the new embankments, NCDOT will consider stockpiling the material, using the material to backfill, and the creation of a seedbed suitable for wetland creation, after the existing approaches are removed. A 401 Water Quality Certification administered through the N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources will be required. This certificate is issued for any activity which may result in a discharge into waters for which a federal permit is required. Federal law requires that any action, which has the potential to have a detrimental impact to the survival and well being of any species classified as federally protected, is subject to review by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. In North Carolina, protection of plant and animal species falls under N.C. General Statutes (G.S.) 106-202.12 to 106-202.19 of 1979. These species may or may not be federally protected. 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. Effective December 20, 1993, the FWS lists the federally Endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) for Hertford County. RCW's use open old growth stands of southern pines, particularly longleaf pine, for foraging and nesting habitat. These woodpeckers nest exclusively in living pine trees and usually in trees that are infected with the fungus that causes red-heart disease. A forested stand must contain at least 509.- pine, and be contiguous with other stands to be appropriate habitat for the RCW. These birds nest exclusively 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 from 100 to 200 acres, this acreage must be contiguous with suitable nesting sites. No pine dominated stands are present in the project area. Construction of this project will not effect the RCW. A review of the NC Natural Heritage Program files, indicate no occurrences of state protected species in the project area. 13 Air Quality and Traffic Noise Analysis The project is located within the Northern Coastal Plain Air Quality Control Region. The ambient air quality for Hertford County has been determined to be in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. It is noted the impact on air quality will be insignificant. If vegetation is disposed of by burning, all burning shall be done in accordance with applicable local laws-and regulations of the North Carolina SIP for air quality in compliance with 15 NCAC 2D.0520. This evaluation completes the assessment requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments and NEPA, and no additional reports are required. The project will not substantially increase traffic volumes. Therefore, its impact on noise levels will be insignificant. Noise levels could increase during construction but will be temporary. This evaluation completes the assessment requirements of FHPM 7-7-3 (highway traffic noise and no additional reports are required). MJ/wp HERTFORD COUNTY t NORTH CAROLINA AT .. Iwis rn4 COUNT 14000 yFRtF'- ?AD CO V 14 csx )FIFtn 3 .eo ( lat. IIq im 1.21 latlJahatn STUDIED DETOUR ?? ROUTE ?? CAAOUMA ) 9••, coo 258 rM Ta° F p 4s alnt Jot. FsycA 6 oski 561 >arrells 1. OS 7 7 - - _ / .are .? tu1 PoY OR? k•. J 1 LLSVI 151 J t.4o 3 ra y I ? 1 C trench a 73 3,3 M1 1439 Cr NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH NC 45 BRIDGE NO. 23 OVER WICCACON RIVER HERTFORD COUNTY B-1231 0 mile 2 FIG.1 LOOKING NORTH LOOKING SOUTH ?t 7Lwf?? ° ,f F +:f f .,.,.y W, ., f ?j ,VL fY !: VIEW OF EAST SIDE :a a NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL 1113RANCH HERTFORD COUNTY BRIDGE NO. 23 ON N. C. 45 OVER WICCACON RIVER FIG. 3 Cem" r5? ? It i. -+'?:o ' s ~("' .t ;"`? ` '•` : \\ Yom ' ? \ ? ?r ?.'? jov . e e / (1 1 \\ 1 n 1 8 ;` I!:.. 1 I 6 -6 4. 1 der B -123 BRIDGE N o 23 -` \ . v - - . . 1, 11 111 r A, ..?r r? l1 ?,. ; it • '?.... •''??_? •4y 1,I , \ ? ''^-???Cd?? ? "`,?1?'a: l? 'H' .,?. • - ? \ -- .v I .?' V _ 1' t / *••... ?a4 ? / ?,>ui?,„„ '1 a ?' d' ? ???Ld?? } e'er ?k?.w ?e?.- i_,? k?'M .w,??l ' Lbw '^c• 4 ? ? ` * ?" ": r' r > I i ` ! ? ``?? .. {1 . ,i„ ? .-.... -' .. + - ^l 11 ' ?`dV\ c. y a .%.= 4 ?! l fa tom` I?l I o- iy'i?W? a i? ?i«+? `1'?,?? "2 ??.'' ?? "W.'S 4.J •' Y' - e..? ?' ( •1 ` \•J ? I ;?. $ ' l.r 5 t N . =-? - -?? / s zkt , ' ??'?` •?`_ ? i/? ?? i ? r ?t¢? '?°F ??+. ` s"1"i„'F?- .."5" 11 d; ii •? 1 - ?; ? % `'. y l ?. 1 11. to . 4 Sa dp e. CSeh y ?a5 t . _. to r \ ? ? - _ • Chi ,•„ -'?-• _?.4)? ? _ ..q.. ( .fib r r-? _r--," 56l 'ta NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT ?• OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS PLANNING AND RESEARCH BRANCH HERTFORD COUNTY BRIDGE No.23' ON N.C. 45 OVER WICCACON RIVER B- 1231 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN 12/85 FIGURE 4 Aliff North Carolina Department of Cultural James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Betty Ray McCain, Secretary October 15, 1993 Nicholas L. Graf Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration Department of Transportation 310 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442 Re: Replace Bridge #23 on NC 45 over Wiccacon River, Hertford County, B-1231, BRS-50.53(2), State No. 8.1070401, ER 94-7386 Dear Mr. Graf: Thank you for your letter of August 31, 1993, transmitting the archaeological survey report by Kenneth W. Robinson concerning the above project. We concur with Mr. Robinson's conclusions and recommendations regarding archaeological site 31 HF99. As long as the site can be avoided by all construction activities, no further archaeological investigations are warranted at this time. If the site cannot be avoided by all construction activities, an impact mitigation plan should be developed and implemented for the site in coordination with this office. The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions concerning the above comment, please contact Renee. Gledhill-Earley, environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763. Sincerely, Davi Brook Deputy State Historic DB:slw/F. cc: H. Vick K. Robinson Preservation Officer A-1 109 East Jones Sweet - Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2807 z Oct 19 ?? ?iipy p'V OF ? . C L???'Cn?q 0Q'P? Division of Archives and History William S. Price, Jr., Director 1O07N - Aa03 U.S. Department of Agriculture FARMLAND CONVERSION IMPACT RATING dace at Lana Evaluation Aocudst PART I fro be carrtareted by Federal Agency) I Federal Age Involved ;q RW A Name o t Project V'S ! `.•b\ J I Cauncv And sate a I • N • L Proodseo land Use ?A?,?1t.?•?? O Bate Request Reesned ev scs PART I I (To be carne/e"d by SCSI Acres Irrigatad ANrage Firm Slue r Qom' Does the site contain prime, unique, statewide or local important farmland? Y_es Q ` (If no, the FPPA does nor apply - do nor complere addidarral parts of this farm). Amount Of Farmtana As Defined in FPPA Major Croats) Farmwie Lana In Govt. Jurisdtetian Acres: -7?7? y GO Ades: Date Lana Eve/vsoon Returned By SCS Ai...,. nt t-0eai Site Assenment $vstam - „-*- / GUf •r`.1 PART 111 (To be completed by Federal agent/) A. Total Acres To Be Converted Directly B. Total Acres To Be Converted indirectly r• Tnrai Acres In Site PART IV fTo be completed by SCSI Land Evaluation Information A. Total Acres Prime And Unique Farmland a T.,ral Acres statewide And Local Important Farmland C. Percentage Of Farmland In County Or Local Govt. Unit To Be G0nV4fWG n- Pereentaoe Of Farmiand In Govt. Jurisdiction With Same Or Nigher Relative Value PART V (To be camp/ered by -'?wf Latta ?Va?ua....•• Relative Value Of Farmland To Be Converted (Sra/e Of0ro 100Poirm) PART VI (To be completed by Federal Agency) ` Maximum Points Site Assessment Criteria (These critstris are err Wned in 7 CFR 658.51bJ 1. Area In Nonurban Use Perimeter In Nonurban Use 3_ Percent Of Site Being Farmed By .State And Local GOvemment 7 rom Urban Buiitup Area 'n Urban SUCCOR $arViC= 7. Size Of Present Farm Unit Compared To a r'_rwffinn M On TOTAL SITE ASSESSMENT POINTS •r PART VII (To be completed by Federal Agency! Relative Value Of Farmland (From Parr V) Ora Tr%rnt oneNTS f'reral of above 2lines) Date Of Selection 160 O 100 160 y 260 I Was A LO"t Site Assmmtm Used? t Yes ? No Q Ste Selected: Reeson For Selection: A-2 I 3,?