20181192_USEPA Comments_20120912

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September 5 2012
Mr Eric Midkiff, P E
Assistant Manager PDEA
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh N C 27699 1548
SUBJECT FHWA Project Advancement Plan/Potential Purpose and Need Refinement/Potential
Additional New Location Corridors Triangle Expressway Southeast Extension (Raleigh Southern Outer
Loop) Wake and Johnston Counties TIP Nos R- 2721/R- 2828/R 2829
Dear Mr Midkiff
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have requested comments
on the above subject reports (Project handouts #9 10 and 11) in consideration of the Turnpike
Environmental Agency Coordination (TEAL) process The U S Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is providing technical assistance comments as requested under the Section 6002 Coordination
Plan and consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 309 of the Clean
Air Act (CAA)
I, EPA understands that efforts have been underway through the Regional Transportation Alliance
to move the proposed project forward in the NEPA process Mr Christopher Militscher of my staff
participated in the August 22 2012 TEAC meeting where these reports and associated issues were
discussed with the various resources and permitting agencies Based on our review EPA has not at this
time identified any environmental issues that prohibit the transportation agencies from moving the
proposed project forward through the NEPA process
To move the process forward EPA requests that the transportation agencies formally respond to
the issues identified to the letter dated February 16 2012 concerning the FHWA/NCTA Draft
Alternatives Development and Analysis Report
Mr Militscher will continue to participate on the TEAC Interagency team If you have any
further questions or concerns you may contact Chris Militscher or me at [phone]
Sincerely
JQ1
Heinz J Mueller Chief
NEPA Program Office
Intemet Address (URL) http Hwww epa gov
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cc J Sullivan FHWA
S McClendon USACE
E Alsmeyer USACE
G Hoops FHWA
R Ridings NCDWQ
G Jordan USFWS
T Wilson NCWRC