HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190214 Ver 3_Lumber River I-6064 State Parks Response-12152020_20201214 \iosRzr=_TA/
Division of Parks and Recreation
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Governor Roy Cooper Secretary Susi H. Hamilton
Brian Yamamoto, PE,NV5
3300 Regency Parkway, Suite 100
Cary,NC 27518
RE: NCDOT Project I-6064 - Lumber River crossing
December 15, 2020
The Lumber River is a state-managed, federally designated National Wild& Scenic River. It
is also a NC Natural & Scenic River and was designated in 1989. As a NC Natural & Scenic River,
it is part of Lumber River State Park and classified as a State Trail within the NC State Parks
System. The Lumber River State Park Master Plan ensures State and local protection of the River's
outstanding resource values and was utilized by the National Park Service in 1998 to prove the
River met the four criteria necessary for a state-managed river designation under Section 2(a)(ii) of
the National Wild& Scenic Rivers Act.
In accordance with Section 2(a)(ii) of the Federal Wild& Scenic Rivers Act,NC State Parks is the
state-level managing authority tasked with protecting the free-flowing conditions and outstanding
resource values of the river.North Carolina's Natural & Scenic Rivers Act of 1971 0 143B-135-
172) protects the natural and scenic conditions of the River and requires evaluation by the General
Assembly for any water resources project that may have a"direct and adverse effect" on a state-
listed Natural & Scenic River.
Per the State and Federal Acts noted above,NCDOT is the state agency responsible for ensuring
compliance with the conditions documented in each Act. One of these conditions includes
coordination with the NPS and State Parks to obtain a Section 7 determination for the project.
Under the Wild& Scenic Rivers Act regulations, the Section 7 determination is required before the
USACE will issue the necessary permits for the project.
As the state-level managing agency, State Parks will coordinate with NPS as well, and with any
necessary agencies to assist with natural resource concerns that may arise.
Sincerely,
Christine Gears
Environmental Review Coordinator
NC Division of Parks and Recreation
Phone: (919) 707-8188
John Fullwood,Interim Director
NC Division of Parks and Recreation NORTH CAROLIINA'WonSTATEP�b'`"'A�R�KKS
1615 MSC-Raleigh,NC 27699-1615 Natze, Np a'""
919.707.9300/ncparks.gov
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Division of Parks and Recreation
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Governor Roy Cooper Secretary Susi H. Hamilton
CC:
Liz Hair sarah.e.hair@usace.army.mil
Joanne Steenhuis joanne.steenhuis@ncdenr.gov
Shannon Deaton shannon.deaton@ncwildlife.org
Jeff Duncan jeff duncan@nps.gov
John Fullwood,Interim Director
NC Division of Parks and Recreation NORTH CARO,LIINA'STATE�PARKS
1615 MSC-Raleigh,NC 27699-1615 Natut Np Wond""b'`"'
919.707.9300/ncparks.gov