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DRAFT
lh.Q ,d DRAFT
09/23/08
Section 6002 Coordination Plan for the Gaston E -W Connector Protect
STIP Project U -3321
COORDINATION PLAN
Purpose of Plan
1 1 Section 6002 Compliance This plan is intended to satisfy the requirement for a
Coordination Plan under Section 6002 of SAFETEA LU,(23 U S §39) for the
Gaston E W Connector project (STIP No U -3321)
12 Section 404/NEPA Merger 01 Process Information This study to the extent possible
will follow a process consistent with the requirements for Projects on New Location as
described in the Section 404/NEPA Merger 01 Process Information with the following
modifications tL-1.
• Agency Meetings Turnpike En'
will be held monthly at NCTA
meetings under Merger 01 but
Agency Coordination (TEAC) meetings
the purpose of' merger
• Study Initiation The Notice of Intent -(lOI) for this study was issued in April 2006
after the project had transitioned to NCTt The NOI described this project as a
candidate toll project A revised NOI is not needed nor is a letter of project initiation
• Agency.Roles Participating and cooperating agencies have been identified and
engaged m the study through the monthly TEAC meetings Agency roles and primary
, contacts are listed in Table 2 Since agency roles are resolved invitation letters are not
• Opportunity for Involvement in Purpose and Need, Range of Alternatives The
purpose and need and range of alternatives were initially developed by NCDOT,
before Section 6002 came into effect and before the project transitioned to NCTA
The NCTV hasiipdated the Purpose and Need with more current data and has prepared
an Addendum to the Alternatives Screening Report to address tolling and other issues
NCTA has made the updated Purpose and Need and Alternatives Screening Report
available for review and comment by agencies and the public
Concurrence on Purpose and Need, Range of Alternatives NCTA intends to seek
concurrence from the TEAC agencies consistent with Merger 01 procedures on the
updated Purpose and Need (CP 1) and the range of alternatives carried forward for
detailed study (CP2) These concurrence points will be combined Bridging
DRAFT — 9/23/08
decisions (CP 2A) will also be addressed at this combined CPI /CP2 concurrence
point
13 Integration of NEPA and Section 404 Requirements The process established in this
Coordination Plan is intended to ensure that the requirements of NEPA and Section 404
of the Clean Water Act can be satisfied as part of a single process Specifically, this plan
is intended ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable
• there is regular communication and collaborative discussion among all agencies
that have information experience and/or expertise relevant to issues considered
in Section 404 permitting
• NCDENR can issue Section 401 Riparian Buffer Authorizations Isolated
Wetland Permits, and State Stormwater Permits based on information developed
as part of the NEPA process and
• the USACE can issue a Section 4040permit for the project promptly following the
end of the NEPA process, without the need for s "elemental NEPA studies and
• any other required permits or approvals can'be obtained without unexpected
issues or delays
14 Agency Communication This plan establishes a framework for regular communication
among all of the agencies involved in the environmental review process This
communication will include regular agency coordination meetings These meetings will
provide a forum for open discussion and dialogue among agencies Meetings with one
or more individual agencies also may occur as part of this process When possible, all
Participating Agencies will be informed of a smaller meeting to ensure all appropriate
parties are included and willt updated after the meeting
2 Project Schedule
2 1 Schedule The NCTA will prepare a project schedule showing projected dates for
completing all environmentahstudies and permitting The schedule will conform to
SAFETEA LU time frames for comment periods and the FHWA Vital Few Goal of
achieving a median time frame of three years for completing an EIS A draft schedule
for the Gaston E W Connector project is shown in Table 1
Table 1 Draft Protect Schedule
Notice of Intent
April 2006
Identify Detailed Study Alternatives
September 2005
DEIS
January 2009
Identify Preferred Alternative
June 2009
FEIS
April 2010
DRAFT — 9/23/08 2
ROD
October 2010
Permit Application(s)
November 2010
Let Contract/Begin Construction
December 2010
22 Agency Consultation The schedule will be shared with the agencies and discussed at a
TEAC meeting Agency comments will be considered and the schedule may be revised
as appropriate
23 Updating Schedules The project schedule may be revised from time to time by the lead
agencies during the environmental review process Schedule,,ehanges will be
communicated to all participating agencies and the public Under the statute the
schedule may be extended by the lead agencies for goodcause and may be shortened
only with the consent of Cooperating Agencies
3 Agency Roles
3 1 Lead Federal Agency FHWA will be the lead Federal agency As lead Federal agency
in the Section 6002 process FHWA is responsible for making certain decisions as
specified in Section 6002 In addition, FHWA has an overall responsibility for
facilitating the expeditious completion of the - environmental review process
32 Joint Lead Agencies NCTA will be �X,��oint']Mead g ency, and thus will share with FHWA
the responsibilities of the lead agencyunder the p>ocess defined in Section 6002
NCDOT also will have the status of ajoort lead agency however NCDOT will
primarily have a review /support role in the process consistent with the Preconstruction
Guidelines adopted by NCDOT and NCTAmJuly 2006
3 3 Participator /WCooperatmg Agencies The agencies listed in Table 2 will be participating
and/or coop re sting agencies in the environmental review process Primary contacts have
been identified by each agency as shown in the table
Table 2 Agency Roles and Primary Agency Contacts
Agencyll
Role
Primary Contact
Federal Highway Admmistration
low
Joint Lead Agency
George Hoops
NC Department of Transi 9o�rtation
Joint Lead Agency
Dwayne Sykes
NC Turnpike Authority
Joint Lead Agency
Jennifer Harris
US Army Corps of Engineers
Participating/Cooperating
Steve Lund
US Environmental Protection Agency
Participating
Chris Mihtscher
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Participating
Marella Buncick
NC Department of Cultural Resources — Historic
Preservation Office
Participating
Renee Gledhill
Earley
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Participating
Polly Lespmasse
DRAFT — 9/23/08 3
Exhibit 2
2008 CALENDAR
CONCURRENCE, INTERAGENCY AND NCTA MEETINGS
S M T W Th F Sa
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24 €25 26 27 28 29
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25 M 27 28 29130 31
S M T W Th F Sa
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■State and Federal Holidays Interagency Meetings
Eastern Concurrence Meetings Western concurrence Meetings
Eastern Hydraulics Meetings Western Hydraulics Meetings
Board of Transportation Meetings NC Turnpike Authority Meetings
DRAFT - 9/23/08
MEMORANDUM
To Jeff Dayton, PE
HNTB (NC Turnpike Authority GEC)
From Jill Gurak, PE AICP
Date August 12 2008
Re Gaston East West Connector — TIP Project U 3321
Potential Mill Site
At the recent Citizens Informational Workshops for the subject project I received
comments from Jon and Becky Babmgton regarding a potential old mill site on their
property
The Babmgtons attended the workshop at Southpomt High School on August 7 2008 and
discussed their property with me The preliminary engineering design right of way in
Corridor Segment K3A directly impacts their property See map below
They also attended the workshop at the Gastonia Adult Recreation Center held
August 11 where they provided me with a folder of information which is attached to this
memorandum
Gaston East West Connector
August 12 2008
Memo Regarding Potential Mill Site on the Babingion Property
The Babingtons state that the remains of the Stowesville Cotton Mill (also known as the
Gaither Mill) are located on their property and they think the site is historic and should be
protected
Mr Babmgton stated that he built a metal shed dust above the foundation remains that
protects the remains from further erosion He also stated that he often finds artifacts such
as chains and equipment buried around the site
I reviewed the Archaeological Assessment prepared for the project by Coastal Carolina
Research (April 2007) (approved by the SHPO) to see if this site was discussed or shown
in maps The following relevant excerpts are from the Assessment
From Page 46
As Gaston County -%N as being formed, the county eras also making strides in its
industrial development The count-v s numerous ,,L-ater%ays ensured the a.ailabilim of
pow er sources for industrial sites The county s prosperous future in the production of
textiles began in the 15 N ears prior to the Civil VVar (Brengle 1982) The first m-o textile
mills in Gaston County began operation at about the same time These uere'Woodlat n
Mill and Sto,.,.-e s Factory w hich both began operating in 1 848 Both of these mills e% ere
located along the South Fort. Catat{ ba Rn er with Va oodlavn Mill located about 1 D miles
from Loin elL and Stou e s Factory located in the South Point area A third mill, the
Mountain Island Mill, began operation in 1849 after equipment brought from another mill
in Greensboro n as moved in the building (Puett 1939) Other accounts state that
Mountain Island Mail began operating in the county first (Griffin 1994) Despite
differing dates the sources agree that these -vA ere the first three textile mills to begin
operating in the county, Another textile mill vi as not built in the counts until the 1870s
-,-.hen the textile industry really began to flourish in the coup 4 (Griffin 1994)
From Page 68
Postcontact sites are numerous and include a i ane13 of components with dates
ranging from the eighteenth century to the m entieth centur3 Most are located in upland
settings Mneteenth to twentieth- centur3 gold mines represent a special tvp° of
postcontact site that is fairly common in the stud} area_ Sex eral have been recorded as
archaeological sites Knovm but unrecorded gold mines are also present in the studs area
and - within the DSAs Other tz-pes of industrial sites such as textile mills hay a not been
recorded .vitl= the studs area_ Although iron furnaces are common in the N- icinitS of the
Kings Mountain Belt and Bessemer Citv oniN m o are histoncall-v known in the stud
area and these are located outside the DSAs
I did not find a definitive statement regarding whether the mills specifically mentioned on
Page 46 were within the DSAs or not except for the statement on Page 68
2
Gaston E-W Connector
Agenda
September 23, 2008
30OPM to500PM
Purpose Discuss agency comments on the Draft Updated Purpose and Need Statement and
Draft Addendum to the Final Alternatives Development and Analysis Report review public
comments received at August Citizens Informational Workshops discuss agency comments
on the Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment and discuss 6002 /Merger 01 Process
Previous Action Items Get feedback on Draft Updated Purpose and Need Statement Draft
Addendum to the Final Alternatives Development and Analysis Report Indirect and
Cumulative Effects Assessment and Section 6002 /Merger 01 Process
New Action Items Obtain concurrence for Concurrence Points 1 2 and 2a
Agency Comments on Draft Updated Purpose and Need Statement
and Draft Addendum to the Final Alternatives Development and
Analysis Report (distributed August 11, 2008)
Present Summary of Citizens Informational Workshop Series #3
Summary (see handout)
Discuss Agency Comments on Indirect and Cumulative Effects
Assessment (distributed September 2, 2008)
Section 6002 /Merger 01 Process
Wrap Up / Next Steps
October TEAC Meeting — Snapshot Update
Compete discussions on Draft Updated Purpose and Need Statement,
Draft Addendum to the Final Alternatives Development and Analysis
Report, and Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment
Obtain Concurrence for Points 1, 2, 2a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement — January 2009
>: NORTH ! ,►
Turnpike AuI-'Lhori-&.
ULP
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NORTH CAROLINA I /
o Turnpike Authority
I
Gaston East -West Connector
Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties
STIP No U -3321
Citizens Informational Workshop Series #3 Summary
The CIW #3 series was held in August 2008 on the following dates
• 08/06/08 - Local Officials Meeting Gaston County Police Department
• 08/06/08 - Citizens Informational Workshop Olympic High School
• 08/07/08 - Citizens Informational Workshop South Point High School
• 08/11/08 - Citizens Informational Workshop Gastonia Adult Recreation Center
Attendance
Thirty two (32) local officials attended the Local Officials Meeting A total of 1 026 citizens
signed in at the Citizens Information Workshops Approximately sixty one percent of the
attendees heard about the workshops through the postcards The individual sign in count is as
follows
• 08/06/08 - Olympic High School 113
• 08/07/08 - South Point High School 465
• 08/11/08 - Gastonia Adult Recreation Center 448
Comment Summary
A total of one hundred seventy (170) comment sheets were received during the workshops
Thirty five (35) comments were received through US mail via e mail (some through the project
website) and fax before and after the workshops This totals two hundred five (205) written
comment sheets A summary of the comments received is listed in the table below
TEAC Meeting - 9/23/08
Summary of All Written Comments
Citizens Informational Workshop Series #3
Total
Numbers of
Comments
1 Purpose and Need
Need to alleviate truck traffic through historic district
1
Relieve traffic on US 321
1
Don t see need for project
28
Widen 185 instead/improve existing roads
11
Support light rail
9
We need this road
15
Don t need western portion of project
2
2 DSA Comments
Connect 185 to US 321 on west end first
1
Agree with eliminating Segment K I D
5
Concerns about Pisgah Church property (Segment H2C)
6
Don t want Segment H 1 C
6
Don t want Segment K4A
15
Protect Crowders Mountain/ refer DSA 4/Elimmate Segment H1A
15
Avoid Fallscrest/Cha el Grove Community (don t use Segment H2C or HX2)
7
Keep K 1 D — don t give preferential treatment to Duke Energy
8
Eliminate Linwood Road exit (Segments HIA 112C and 113)
5
Prefer J21)
I
Prefer southern route
5
Avoid Segment KX1 — historic African American cemetery at Mount Pleasant
Baptist Church
3
Avoid Segment H3 (elementary schools wildlife)
7
Prefer Segment K4A across Catawba River
8
Protect Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
8
Prefer northern route
2
Prefer Segment K3A
I
Prefer Segment K2A
2
Avoid Segment K3C
4
3 Toll Comments
Supports tolls
22
Tolls create congestion
2
Don t agree with tolls
48
Question about tolls and speeding tickets being computer generated and
charged to auto owner even if they are not driving car
I
$2 $4 for toll is too much
11
Should charge more for trucks and less for cars
1
Tolls will never be removed
9
How long will it take for the road to pay for itself?
1
Tolls for construction costs only
2
Discount for residents
2
TEAC Meeting - 9/23/08
Summary of All Written Comments
Citizens Informational Workshop Series #3
Total
Numbers of
Comments
4 US 29 74 Interchange Comments
No need for interchange
23
Wetlands should be priority
10
Interchange needed
25
What about wetlands in other alternatives?
4
5 General Comments
Keep road away from Carolina Speedway (Do not use Segment JIf)
1
Concerns about ending first phase of project at US 321 resulting in increased
traffic on US 321 especially through the historic neighborhood
22
SC Route 5 from 185 to 177 through York SC already provides a free east
west route
2
Don t want project at all
20
In 2006 we were told a route would be selected in 2008 /want to know final
route
5
Wont get fair value for home/home is retirement investment
8
Good presentation/knowledgeable staff
2
Splitting up families /family land/farms
7
Need for detailed meeting just for affected property owners
3
Inadequate parking at workshop
1
Look closely at Robinson Road at US 321 under the railroad tracks
2
Don t name Garden Parkway
2
Provide for Carolina Thread Trail to go from Gaston County to York County
I
Include pedestrian crossing on bridge across Catawba
I
This project wills lit neighborhoods
5
Provide sound walls
2
Numerous comments were made regarding toll roads and the cost and operation of toll roads
Forty eight citizens did not agree with the use of tolls roads while twenty two comments were
made in support of toll roads A large number of comments were submitted regarding the need
for the US 29 74 interchange Comments were split between those for and against it, with
twenty three comments for the interchange and twenty five comments opposed to it Human
environment concerns included neighborhood and community impacts Specifically many
citizens were concerned with the traffic and historic neighborhood impacts if the project ended
at US 321 Natural environment impacts of concern included wetlands and the protection of
Crowders Mountain State Park
TEAC Meeting — 9/23/08 3
ti
Verbal comments provided by attendees during conversations with staff were recorded by staff
using What I Heard forms The following notable verbal comments were recorded by staff at
the three workshops
• The K3C Bridge will not take properties but will ruin views The former governor has
the bridge advertised on his property website
• The Fly Ash Basin often generates dust that blows across the river causing a lack of
visibility
• A 155 acre parcel south of Lakefront Drive (KID /K1C) has been sold and is currently
being subdivided
• There is a concern that neighborhoods will experience increased crime rates due to
access provided by the road
• A strip of land south of Tuffy Lane (K4A) is owned by the City of Charlotte as a future
site of a water treatment plant
• There is a potential historic mill site at the end of Tucker Lane on the east bank of the
South Fork Catawba River
• Many citizens voiced concerns regarding businesses and historic areas on US 321
TEAC Meeting — 9/23/08 4
i
II
NORTH CAROLINA
Turnpike t orgy
Gaston East West Connector Garden Parkway
Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties
(STIP Project No U 3321)
Contact Information [ Please Print ]
Name
E Mail Address
Homeowners Association or other civic grou
Address
Your input is important to us' Please use the space below and on back to include your comments or questions You can
place this form in the COMMENT DROP BOX Or you can send written comments to Jennifer Harris PE NC Turnpike
Authority 5400 Glenwood Avenue Suite 400 27612 You can also fax comments to 919 571 3015 or send via a mad to
gaston@ncturnplke org
1 Do you have any questions or comments on the project s purpose and need
2 Do you have any questions or comments on any of the Detailed Study Alternatives, or the decision to
eliminate the corridor segment through the Allen Steam Station s fly ash basin (Corridor Segment K1 D)l
3 Do you have any questions or comments regarding charging tolls to help fund the road s construction
and to pay for ongoing operations and upkeep of the road9
4 The NC Turnpike Authority (NCTA) is considering not including a project interchange at US 29 74 due to the
presence of wetlands and floodplains and the proximity to 1 85 Do you think this interchange is important
to keep as part of the project?
Please use the back for additional comments
Citizens Informational Workshops —
F-1 August 6 2008 Olympic HS F� August 7 2008 South Point HS ❑ August 11 2008 Adult Rec Center
m
Section 404/NEPA Merizer Protect Team Meeting Agreement
Concurrence Point 1— Purpose and Need
Concurrence Point 2 — Detailed Study Alternatives
Concurrence Point 2a — Bridging and Alignment Decisions
Project No /TIP No /Name/Description
Federal Project Number STP 1213(6) State Project Number 8 2812501
TIP Number U 3321
Description Gaston East West Connector in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties
CP #1 Purpose and Need
The purpose of the proposed action is to improve east west transportation mobility In the area
around the City of Gastonia, between Gastonia and the Charlotte metropolitan area, and
particularly to establish direct access between the rapidly growing area of southeast Gaston
County and west Mecklenburg County This project purpose is based on the following
• Need to improve mobility access and connectivity within southern Gaston County and
between southern Gaston County and Mecklenburg County
Need to improve traffic flow on the sections of 185 US 29 74 and US 321 in the project
study area and improve high speed safe reliable regional travel service along the 1 85
corridor
CP #2 Detailed Study Alternatives (DSAs)
Twelve Final Detailed Study Alternatives
Detailed Study
Alternative #
West Area —
Generally west of US
321
Central Area —
Generally east of US 321 and west
of NC 279 or the South Fork
Catawba River
East Area —
Generally east of
NC 279 or the South
Fork Catawba River
H Segments
J Segments
K Segments
4
H2A H3
J4a J4b J2c J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K3B K3C
5
H2A H3
14a J2b J2c J2d JX4 Jle -Jlf
K1A K1B -K1C K4A
9
H2A H3
14a J2b J2c J2d 1X4 Jle -Jlf
K1A K3A K3B K3C
22
H2A H26 H2C
J3 J2c J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K36 K3C
23
H2A H2B H2C
J3 12c J2d JX4 Ile Jlf
K1A K1B K1C K4A
27
H2A H2B H2C
J3 J2c J2d JX4 Ile Jlf
K1A K3A K36 K3C
58
H1A H1B H1C
Ila JXl J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K313 K3C
64
H1A H1B H1C
Ila Jlb Jlc J1d Ile Jlf
K1A K1B K1C K4A
68
H1A H16 H1C
Ila Jlb Jlc Jld Ile 11f
K1A K3A K3B K3C
76
H1A HX2
12a J2b J2c J2d J5a J5b
K2A KXl K3B K3C
77
H1A HX2
J2a J2b J2c J2d JX4 Ile 11f
K1A K1B K1C K4A
81
H1A HX2
J2a J2b J2c J2d 1X4 Jle -11f
K1A K3A K3B K3C
Gaston East West Connector (STIP U 3321)
Concurrence Form — CP 91 CP 92 CP #2a
October 7 2008
CP 42a Bridging and Alignment Decisions
Wildlife Passage Structures Wildlife passage structures will be studied at the following
crossings of Stream S156 during final design The crossing location depends on DSA
• Crossing JD6 — crossing of Stream S 156 on Detailed Study Alternative (DSA) Segment
Jlc (west of Robinson Road) (DSAs 64 68 and 76)
• Crossing JD19 — crossing of Stream S156 on DSA Segment JX1 (DSA 58)
• Crossing JD31 — crossing of Stream S 156 on DSA Segment J2c (DSAs 4 5 9 22 23
27 77 and 81)
Bndgmg Beyond What is Required for Hydraulic Conveyance Bridges will be provided at the
following locations depending on DSA
• Crossing HD27 — DSA Segment H2A over Bessemer Branch (Stream S25) Change
from triple box culvert to a bridge (DSAs 4 5 9 22 23 and 27)
• Crossing HD32 — DSA Segment H2C over Stream S70 adjacent to Chapel Grove Road
Extend mainline bridges over Chapel Grove Road to span Stream S70 (DSAs 22 23
and 27)
• Crossing HD 17 — DSA Segment HX2 over Stream S79 adjacent to Camp Rotary Road
Extend mainline bridges over Camp Rotary Road to span Stream S79 (DSAs 76 77 and
81)
• Crossing HD48 —DSA Segment H3 over Stream S135 (Blackwood Creek) Change from
a triple box culvert to a bridge (DSAs 4 5 and 9)
• Crossing JB2 — DSA Segment J3 and DSA Segment J2a over Crowders Creek Extend
mainline bridges over Crowders Creek to span Wetland 103 (DSAs 22 23 27 76 77
and 81)
• Crossing JD9 —DSA Segment J1 c over Stream S178 Change from a triple box culvert
to a bridge (DSAs 58 and 68)
• Crossing KD3 — DSA Segment K3A over Stream 5259 (Catawba Creek) Extend
mainline bridges over Catawba Creek to span main body of Wetland W248 (DSAs 9
27 68 and 81)
• Crossing KD17 — DSA Segment K1B over Stream S259 (Catawba Creek) Extend
mainline bridges over Catawba Creek to span mam body of Wetland W248 (DSAs 5
23 64 and 77)
Alignments of Preliminary Enaineenng Designs within the DSAs The alignments of the
preliminary engineering designs dated January 2008 for the DSAs were reviewed and accepted by
the NEPA/404 Merger Team at the April 8 2008 Turnpike Environmental Agency Coordination
(TEAL) meeting
2
Gaston East Nest Connector (STIP U 3321)
Concurrence Form — CP #1 CP #2 CP #2a
October 7 2008
The Project Team concurred on this date of ID q Dg with CP 41 — Purpose and Need
CP #2 — Detailed Study Alternatives and CP2a — Bridging and Alignment Decisions
USACE ye4�C —.,, IJ
USFWS
NCTA
NCDV
NCDCR
1' •
FHWA z
r
USEPA
NCDOT
NC WRC 41A 64,, 6,6�
X111:1all•7