20151065 Ver 2_HE-0005_MCDC (1)_20220830

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
NCDOT MINIMUM CRITERIA DETERMINATION CHECKLIST
STIP Project No.: HE-0005
State Project No.: 50338.1.1
Project Location: The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to
construct two new roadway sections, north and south of I-73 between SR 2133 (Pleasant
Ridge Road) and SR 4156 (N. Regional Road) at the Piedmont Triad International (PTI)
Airport in Greensboro, Guildford County (Figure 1). The proposed project would also include
a roadway bridge over I-73.
Project Description: The NCDOT proposes to construct new location roadways north of I-73
between SR 2133 (Pleasant Ridge Road) and the I-73 taxiway and south of I-73 between
SR 4156 (N. Regional Road) and the SR 2137 (Old Oak Ridge Road)/I-73 interchange. The
proposed project would also include a roadway bridge over I-73. The proposed project is
included in the 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as HE-0005.
Purpose and Need: The purpose of the proposed project is to provide access and connectivity
to PTI property to accommodate the employees and materials delivery to the proposed
aviation -related development on the airport property. Boom Supersonic selected Greensboro
for the first supersonic airliner manufacturing facility.
Anticipated Permit or Consultation Requirements: A Clean Water Act Section 404
Nationwide Permit (NWP) is not anticipated for this project. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has the final discretion as to what permit will be required to authorize project
construction. A Jordan Lake Buffer Authorization will be required for this project.
Special Project Information:
Concept Discussion: The No -Build Concept was considered but was eliminated because it
offers no improvements to the project area. This concept will not improve access and
connectivity in the area as aviation -related development continues to increase at PTI.
One build concept to provide access and connectivity to PTI property was studied (Figure 2).
Two proposed typical cross sections are being considered for the new roadway sections:
a two-lane cross section and a three -lane cross section.
Typical Cross Sections
This cross section is proposed for the access roads
north and south of I-73 and generally includes two
18-foot travel lanes, one in each direction; curb and
gutter along the outside travel lanes; and an 8-foot
grass berm on either side of the roadway.
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 1 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
This cross section is proposed at the intersections
with the new roadway bridge over I-73 and
generally includes two 12-foot travel lanes, one in
each direction; one 12-foot two-way left turn lane;
curb and gutter along the outside travel lanes; and
an 8-foot grass berm on either side of the roadway.
5' 2'
SIDEWALK
1
12'
y
12'
1
12'
2
5'
IDEWAL
7
12•
12.
12'
2
a'
The proposed bridge over I-73 includes two
12-foot travel lanes, one in each direction, with a
12-foot two-way left turn lane; and 2-foot paved
shoulders with curb and gutter, 5-foot sidewalks,
and two -bar metal rail along both sides of the
bridge. A chain link fence will be included on both
sides of the bridge.
A bridge is proposed over Brush Creek Tributary,
south of I-73, and generally includes two 18-foot
travel lanes, one in each direction; and 2-foot
paved shoulders with curb and gutter, 5-foot
sidewalks, and two -bar metal rail along both sides
of the bridge.
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5' 2'
SIDEWALK
1
18'
1
18'
Additional right-of-way and temporary easements may be required for construction.
Estimated Cost (based on 2022 prices):
Construction Cost: $27,700,000
Utility Cost: $119,213
Estimated Traffic (Year 2032):
Scenario
Location
Vehicles per
Day (vpd)
North Access Scenario
Between Pleasant Ridge Rd and
I-73 Taxiway
15,500 vpd
South Access Scenario
Between N. Regional Rd and Old
Oak Ridge Rd/ I-73 Interchange
12,100 vpd
Note: Traffic volume estimates assume PTI property north and south of I-73 is built out
Source: Mott MacDonald Draft Traffic Analysis, June 2022
2' 5'
IDEWALK
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 2 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
Hazardous Materials: A field investigation to identify geoenvironmental sites of concern
(underground storage tank [UST] sites and industrial sites) was conducted and identified two
sites of concern within the study area:
Facility ID
Property Name
Property Address
Anticipated
Impact
0-034293
Bel -Aire Golf Club Driving Range
1517/1518 Pleasant Ridge Rd
Low
0-025533
Airport Express
520 N. Regional Rd
Low
Source: NCDOT GeoEnvironmental Phase I Report, April 2022
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations: The Greensboro Urban Area Comprehensive
Transportation Plan (CTP) Pedestrian Map (2010) identifies sidewalks along SR 2133
(Pleasant Ridge Road) and SR 4156 (N. Regional Road) in the study area as needing
improvement. Since completion of the CTP, the roadway configuration in this area was
modified when I-73 was constructed. Presently, SR 4156 (N. Regional Road) terminates just
south of I-73 and no longer intersects SR 2133 (Pleasant Ridge Road). The CTP Bicycle Map
(2010) identifies on -road bicycle facilities along SR 2133 (Pleasant Ridge Road) in the project
area as needing improvement. The proposed project includes providing new roadway sections
north and south of I-73, including proposed connections to SR 2133 (Pleasant Ridge Road)
and SR 4156 (N. Regional Road); however, improvements along these roadways are not
proposed as part of the proposed project.
The Airport Master Plan Update and Strategic Long -Range Visioning Plan (2010) identifies
the project area as a future development area, an area that could be potentially developed for
aviation -related land uses. The Plan notes that aviation related land use assumes users would
require direct and unimpeded access to the airfield's system of runways and supporting
taxiways.
Design Information: The design speed for the new location roadways north and south of1-73
is 40 miles per hour (mph). There are no design exceptions required for this project.
Environmental Considerations: The stream and wetland impacts associated with the
proposed project are presented below. Water resources in the study area are part of the Cape
Fear River Basin [U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hydrologic Unit 03030002] and are
subject to the Jordan Lake watershed riparian buffer rules. Twelve jurisdictional streams,
fourteen jurisdictional wetlands, and sixteen non jurisdictional open waters/stormwater or
sediment basins were identified in the study area (Figures 3A and 3B).
Brush Creek carries a best usage classification of WS-III; NSW (Nutrient Sensitive Waters)
by the N.C. Division of Water Resources. The North Carolina 2020 Final 303(d) list of
impaired waters identifies Brush Creek as impaired due to poor Benthos (NAR, AL, FW)
within one mile downstream of the study area.
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 3 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
Jordan Lake Riparian Buffer Impacts
Site
Zone 1 (ft2)
Zone 2 (ft2)
Road Crossing
2,301
3,186
TOTAL:
5,487 ft2
The proposed project is not expected to impact streams or wetlands. The amount of water
resource impacts within the study area, described above, represents the maximum extent of
potential fill in Waters of the United States.
Agency, Tribal and Local Coordination: NCDOT sought input from the Catawba Indian
Nation.
The USEPA recommends that any contractor working on -site should use best management
practices and should address any potential impacts to off -site streams and waterways. The
EPA also recommends that site grading, excavation, and construction plans should include
implementable measures to prevent erosion and sediment runoff from the project site during
and after construction. The EPA comments that a stormwater prevention plan for the project
area should be included in the future environmental impact analysis.
The N.C. Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) notes that Brush Creek is on the 303(d) list
for fair, poor, or severe bio-classification. The NCDWR is very concerned with sediment and
erosion impacts that could result from this project and recommends that the most protective
sediment and erosion control BMPs be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in
Sensitive Watersheds or comparable BMPs to reduce the risk of further impairment to Brush
Creek. Post -construction stormwater BMPs should be selected and designed to the maximum
extent practicable, to reduce target pollutants of concern (POCs) in the 303(d) list for the
receiving waters. The NCDWR adds that projects within the Jordan Lake watershed must
implement NCDOT's GREEN Program.
The NCDWR comments that during the public involvement process for an adjacent project,
there has been, and continues to be significant public concern regarding water quality and
water quantity impacts to the Brush Creek watershed and recommends that a careful
evaluation of potential impacts that may cause or contribute to downstream water quality
degradation be conducted and all possible measures to incorporate the highest level of
protection to downstream waters be taken.
The NCDWR notes that deep channel incision was observed on several stream features
located within the project limits and requests additional measures be taken to minimize
off -site sedimentation and erosion to these jurisdictional stream features.
The NCDWR comments that since this project is within the Jordan Lake Basin, riparian buffer
impacts shall be avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible and new development
activities located in the protected 50-foot-wide riparian areas within the basin shall be limited to
"uses" identified within and constructed in accordance with 15A NCAC .02B .0295.
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 4 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
A letter provided by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) (formerly
NCDENR) in July 2015 to Cooke & Cooke, LLP regarding Water Supply Watershed
Management and Protection Rules of the PTAA, referenced Session Law 2013-395 and 15A
NCAC 2B.0267 stating that to the extent the PTAA is subject to the riparian buffer protections
of the Jordan Lake Watershed Rules, a project permitted under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act would be allowable upon authorization from NCDWR and would not require mitigation
under the buffer rule. It was also previously recommended that PTAA amend its Watershed
Ordinance to conform to the Jordan Lake requirements as appropriate.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization requested information to get a better idea of the
proposed project to help them prepare and plan for future land uses and transportation
infrastructure in the airport area.
Public Involvement: Project information and maps were provided to the public in a virtual
format on the project website. A project newsletter was mailed to approximately 770 residents
and business owners in the project study area to encourage them to view the project
information and maps online and provide input. Seven comments were received regarding the
proposed project during the comment period. Responses to the verbal comments received
were provided with a return phone call and responses to written comments received were
provided via the project website.
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 5 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
PART A: MINIMUM CRITERIA
YES NO
1. Is the proposed project listed as a type and class of activity allowed under
the Minimum Criteria Rule in which environmental documentation is not
required?
If "yes", under which category?
Category #26 - Implementation of any project which qualifies as a "categorical exclusion" under the
National Environmental Policy Act by one of the Agencies of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
PART B: MINIMUM CRITERIA EXCEPTIONS
Items 2-4 to be completed by the Engineer YES NO
2. Could the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse air quality
impacts?
3. Will the proposed activity have secondary impacts or cumulative
impacts that may result in a significant adverse impact to human health
or the environment?
4. Is the proposed activity of such an unusual nature or does the proposed
activity have such widespread implications, that an uncommon concern
for its environmental effects has been expressed to the Department?
Items 5-8 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer
5. Does the proposed activity have a significant adverse effect on wetlands;
surface waters such as rivers, streams, and estuaries; parklands; prime or
unique agricultural lands; or areas of recognized scenic, recreational,
archaeological, or historical value?
6. Will the proposed activity endanger the existence of a species on the
Department of Interior's threatened and endangered species list?
7. Could the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse water quality or
groundwater impacts?
8. Is the proposed activity expected to have a significant adverse effect on
long-term recreational benefits of shellfish, finfish, wildlife, or their
natural habitats?
El Z
El Z
If any questions 2 through 8 are answered "yes," the proposed project may not qualify as a Minimum
Criteria project. A state Environmental Assessment (EA) may be required. For assistance, contact the
Environmental Policy Unit at [phone] or [e-mail].
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 6 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
PART C: COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Items 9-12 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer YES NO
9. Is a federally protected threatened or endangered species, or its habitat,
likely to be impacted by the proposed action?
10. Does the action require the placement of temporary or permanent fill in
waters of the United States?
11. Does the project require the placement of a significant amount of fill in
high quality or relatively rare wetland ecosystems, such as mountain bogs
or pine savannahs?
12. Is the proposed action located in an Area of Environmental Concern, as
defined in the Coastal Area Management Act?
Items 13-15 to be completed by the Engineer
13. Does the project require stream relocation or channel changes?
Cultural Resources
14. Will the project have an "effect" on a property or site listed on the
National Register of Historic Places?
15. Will the proposed action require acquisition of additional right of way
from publicly owned parkland or recreational areas?
Questions in Part "C" are designed to assist the Project Manager and the Division
Environmental Officer in determining whether a permit or consultation with a state or federal
resource agency may be required. If any questions in Part "C" are answered "yes," follow the
appropriate permitting procedures prior to beginning project construction.
Response to Question 9: Suitable habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower is present within the study
area in the form of roadsides, woodland edges, and utility rights -of -way. A review of the April
2022 North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) dataset identified no known
occurrences of Schweinitz's sunflower within one mile of the study area. Therefore, prior to any
land disturbance in suitable habitat areas in the study area, a plant -by -plant survey will be
completed during the survey window.
The USFWS has revised the previous programmatic biological opinion (PBO) in conjunction
with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), USACE, and NCDOT for the northern
long-eared bat (NLEB) (Myotis septentrionalis) in eastern North Carolina. The PBO covers the
entire NCDOT program in Divisions 1-8, including all NCDOT projects and activities. Although
this programmatic opinion covers Divisions 1-8, NLEBs are currently only known in 22
counties, but may potentially occur in eight additional counties within Divisions 1-8. NCDOT,
FHWA, and USACE have agreed to two conservation measures which will avoid/minimize
mortality of NLEBs. These conservation measures only apply to the 30 current known/potential
counties shown in the PBO at this time. Guilford County is not included in this list of 30 counties.
The programmatic determination for NLEB for the NCDOT program is "May Affect, Likely to
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 7 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
Adversely Affect." The PBO will ensure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species
Act for ten years (effective through December 31, 2030) for all NCDOT projects with a federal
nexus in Divisions 1-8, which includes Guilford County, where HE-0005 is located.
Prepared By:
Approved By:
Aileen S. Mayhew, P.E.
Mott MacDonald
Brian Ketner, P.E.
NCDOT Division 7 Project Manager
Jerry Parker
NCDOT Division 7 Environmental Officer
Date: 7/22/2022
Date:
7/22/2022
Date: 7/25/2022
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 8 of 8
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
Project Commitments
STIP HE-0005
Guilford County
Proposed Roadway Access and Connectivity Project at PTI Airport
WBS No. 50338.1.1
Hydraulics Unit/ Environmental Analysis Unit - Buffer Rules
The Jordan Lake Buffer Rules apply to this project.
Division 7 Project Manager/ Environmental Analysis Unit - Protected Species Survey
Based on field surveys, suitable habitat for the Schweinitz's sunflower is present within
the study area. Therefore, prior to any land disturbance in suitable habitat areas in the study
area, a plant -by -plant survey will be completed during the survey window.
Division 7 Construction / Environmental Analysis Unit / Roadside Environmental
Unit - Nutrient Sensitive Waters
Brush Creek is classified as a WS III, NSW; 303(d) Waters of the State. NCDWR
recommends that the most protective sediment and erosion control best management
practices be implemented in accordance with Design Standards in Sensitive Watersheds to
reduce the risk of further impairment to Brush Creek. Post -construction stormwater best
management practices should be selected and designed to the maximum extent practicable
to reduce target pollutants of concern in the 303(d) list for the receiving waters. The
NCDWR adds that projects within the Jordan Lake watershed must implement NCDOT's
GREEN Program.
Hydraulics Unit - FEMA Coordination
The NCDOT Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the N.C. Floodplain Mapping Program
(FMP) to determine the status of the project with regard to applicability of NCDOT's
Memorandum of Agreement, or approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision
(CLOMR) and subsequent final Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
Hydraulics Unit / Division 7 Construction - FEMA - As -Built Construction Plans
This project involves construction on or adjacent to a FEMA-regulated stream. To meet
FEMA compliance, certified As -Built plans must be submitted to FEMA within six months
of structure completion. Therefore, the Division Resident Engineer shall submit sealed
as -built construction plans to the Hydraulics Unit upon completion of project construction.
Electronic submittal is preferred and may be sent to the following email address:
NCDOT _Hydraulics _As -Built [e-mail].
GeoEnvironmental Section - Impacts to Underground Storage Tanks (UST's)
If further design indicates potential impact to UST's, preliminary site assessments for soil
and groundwater contamination will be performed prior to right-of-way purchase.
HE-0005 Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist 1 of 1
July 2022

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
FIGURES

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
Piedmont Triad
International Airport
STOKES I ROCKINGHAM
FORSYTH GUILFORD
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Division of Highways
HE-0005
Proposed Roadway Improvements to
Provide Access and Connectivity to PTI Property
Greensboro, Guilford County
-Sum erfield
0.325 0.65 1.3
Miles
Project Location
Figure 1

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
. ...... . ...........................
73
r-,
PRELIMINARY PLANS
ENCOMPLETh PLANS
50'
(GRAPHIC SCALE)
IANEMIGNSECTON
LEGEND
BUILDINGS
= PROPOSED RIGHT OF WAY AND EASEMENT
22M3 EXISTING ROADWAY TO REMOVED
=IMI EXISTING ROADWAY TO BE RESURFACED
= PROPOSED ROADWAY
PROPOSED STRUCTURES AND CURB E. GUTTER
EXISTING STRUCTURES TO BE RETAINED
LAKES, RIVER, STREAMS AND PONDS
=2 EXISTING RIGHT OF WAY
LANETNICALSECISON
FIUME. TRIAD CHM. AUTHORGY
CONCEPTUAL MAP
GUILFORD COUNTY
PROPOSED ROADWAY ACCESS AND
CONNECTIVITY PROJECT AT PIEDMONT
TRIAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MAY 2022
ROLL 1 OF 1
penuolot TROD M.O. AUSIBIOHTS
rostrwr
JITII ITV INFORMATION
TO PROVIDE GREATER VISUAL CLARITY, EXISTING AND PROPOSED
UTILITIES ARE NOT SHOWN ON THIS MAP OR ON OTHER
DISPLAYS. THE UTILIIY INFORMATION SHOWN ON THIS MAP IS
UNITED TO LOCATIONS OF MMOR EXISTING AND POTENTIAL
UTILITY EASEMENTS. THE DESIGNS SHOWN ON THIS MAP,
INCLUDING UTILITY EASEMENTS, ARE PREDMINARY AND ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
4-2
PEPERDINE RD
LEGEND
BUILDINGS
PROPOSE° RIGHT OF WAY .D EASEMENT
NM EXISTING ROADWAY To BE REMOVED
EXISTING ROADWAY To BF RESURFACED
= PROPOSED ROADWAY
11 PROPOSED STRUCTURES AND CURB B GUTTER
Q2M EXISTING STRUCTURES TO SE RETAINED
LAKES, RIVER, STREAMS go. PONDS
=21 EXISTING RIGHT OF war
•e•i• CITY LIMOS BOUNDARY
100' 0' 100. ROO'
Figure 2

DocuSign Envelope ID: EC9921B8-B334-47BF-A173-BCE36586D3B1
Study Area
kATFINIMI N rP11F. r F {max &_.rr 41.
Legend
Potential Nonwetland WOUS (Stream) Potential Nonwetland WOUS (Surface Waters) Potential Wetland WOUS
Culvert
Intermittent
Perennial
Sediment Basin Disturbed
Stormwater Basin
Undisturbed
Prepared For:
BOOM
Roadway
Access
and
Connectivity
Project
Jurisdictional
Features
Map
Guilford County
North Carolina
Date:
June 2022
Scale: 0
250 500 Ft
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1 I
Job No.:
22-107
Drawn By:
Checked By:
NDH
JSM
Figure 3A

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Roadway
Access
and
Connectivity
Project
Jurisdictional
Features
Map
Guilford County
North Carolina
Date:
June 2022
Scale: 0
120 240 Ft
I
1 1
Job No.:
22-107
Drawn By:
Checked By:
NDH
JSM
Figure 36