20070221 Ver 1_Information Letter_20070905

Dr. Gregory J. Thorpe, Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
September 5, 2007
SUBJECT: Indirect and Cumulative Effects (ICE) Assessment Addendum for TIP U-2510A, Dated May 2007, NC 16
(Providence Road) from SR 2948 (Rea Road Extension) to South of Interstate 485 (Charlotte Outer Loop),
Union and Mecklenburg Counties, Federal Aid Project No. STP-16(20), State Project No. 8.1672807,
DWQ Certification No. 3613
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) applied for an Individual Water Quality Certification for the
above referenced project in February 2007. On June 13, 2007, the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) issued Certification No.
3613 for the project with the condition that no impacts to jurisdictional waters could occur until the addendum to the Indirect
and Cumulative Effects (ICE) Assessment were received and approved byDWQ.
The original ICE Assessment was completed in September 2005 and indicated habitat existed within Sixmile Creek for the
federally endangered Carolina Heelsplitter mussel. Sixmile Creek is a 303(d) listed stream (impaired for biological
integrity). No individuals were identified during this survey. An additional freshwater mussel survey was conducted in
Sixmile Creek in February 2007. This survey identified Carolina Heelsplitter individuals in Sixmile Creek, downstream of
the project. Based on this survey, an addendum to the ICE assessment was completed to specifically assess changes in
current and future land use, planning and environmental regulations, indirect and cumulative effects associated with the,
project and to extend the study area to include the Sixmile Creek basin east of the 2005 ICE study area.
The ICE Assessment Addendum was received July 31, 2007, and reviewed by DWQ. DWQ concurs with the conclusions
outlined in the addendum and thereby is providing this written authorization for jurisdictional impacts to occur as part of the
above referenced Water Quality Certification.
Please be advised, however, that if new information becomes available which indicates that water quality standards and/or the
protection of aquatic resources may be comprised, DWQ will required a modification to this Water Quality Certification.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact either myself or Polly Lespinasse in the Mooresville
Regional Office at [phone].
Sincer
ohn Hennessy
Supervisor, Transportation Permitting Unit
Cc: Polly Lespinasse, Mooresville Regional Office
Je `Hemphill, NCDOT PDEA
Noe Carolina
?tura!!y
North Carolina Division of Water Quality 1650 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1650 Phone [phone] Customer Service
Internet: wwwmcwateroualitv.orQ Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd. Raleigh, NC 27604 Fax [phone]
Michael F. Easley, Governor
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Coleen H. Sullins, Director
Division of Water Quality
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