HomeMy WebLinkAbout20141169 All Versions_Comments on Wildife Movement_20071015The Nature ? ${a The uurrCon.,rvtno tel [19140;8558
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SAVING THE LAST GREAT PLACES ON EARTH SUItL 290
DuilvinT NC 2277/07
October 15, 2007
Mr Mark Pierce
Project Planning Engineer
NC Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
."VED
Re Construction of an underpass for wildlife movement on US Highway 17 (R-2514)
Dear Mr Pierce
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), as a member of the Onslow Bight Conservation
Forum, formally requests the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to
construct an ecologically functional wildlife underpass along the section of US Highway
17 between Maysville and Pollocksville in Jones County as part of the planned highway
improvement project (TIP No R-2514) This letter describes this underpass and the need
for it
Importance of Underpasses to Wildlife Movement
The construction of highway underpasses is a relatively new and evolving activity
being undertaken by transportation departments in several states and nations Driven by a
growing awareness of how multi-lane highways serve as barriers, these efforts are
attempting to maintain wildlife permeability across a wide variety of landscapes Research
is fine-tuning underpass design to better maintain the ecological function of existing,
important wildlife corridors Numerous factors play into the design process, usually
determined by the species being targeted
The site and situation in Jones County is similar to the sites along US Highway 64
in Washington County where NCDOT constructed three wildlife underpasses designed to
accommodate the natural movements of black bear and other large and medium-sized
mammals The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is spearheading the monitoring
program for these underpasses, an effort that will end in 2009 Preliminary data analysis
(see attached report) indicates that an abundance of wildlife is using them, including deer
and black bear Presumably this usage corresponds with fewer encounters and collisions
with wildlife by drivers on US Highway 64
Need for a Wildlife Underpass on US 17 between Pollocksville and Maysville
The Onslow Bight Conservation Forum (OBCF) is a 13-member partnership which
includes the NC Department of Transportation Mr Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of
Transportation, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of NCDOT on July 1,
2003 The mission of the OBCF is contained within the founding Memorandum of
Understanding (enclosed) which is
To provide for open discussion among the participants concerning the long-
term conservation and enhancement of biological diversity and ecosystem
sustainability throughout the Onslow Bight Landscape compatible with the
land use, conservation and management objectives of the participating,
organizations and agencies
This MOU sets forth seven goals including promoting "the establishment of landscape
corridors and buffers, between and adjacent to existing public and private conservation
lands to enhance long-term wildlife population viability and genetic exchange and to
ensure land management flexibility, respectively " The partnership later developed and
adopted a conservation design plan which delineated potential conservation corridors
linking large, mostly public conservation areas (see enclosed map of the Onslow Bight
Landscape) Each corridor study area was examined to determine what animals or animal
groups would benefit from connectivity between blocks of habitat The goal expressed in
the conservation design plan for the corridor containing the proposed underpass is to
"ensure the safe, long-term movement of large, wide-ranging animals through the corridor
and across Highway 17 "
It is our fear that increasing residential and commercial development and highway
expansion projects will effectively isolate wildlife in Croatan National Forest from those in
other conservation areas Critical for the long-term viability of the black bear population
and some other wide-ranging mammals is the maintenance of a safe linkage between
Croatan and Hofinann Forest The enclosed map shows how roads threaten to sever the
Croatan National Forest from nearby conservation lands and the limited routes for wildlife
movement With more of the highways nnging the Croatan being improved, the
opportunities for safe wildlife movements decrease and the likelihood of highway
collisions with wildlife increases
There are presently two reasonably safe corridors for large mammals to move
between the Croatan and Hofmann Forest - by the White Oak River near Haywood
Landing and at the proposed Jones County site While river floodplains are suitable
wildlife corridors, the White Oak becomes constricted and impassable at Maysville The
enclosed map shows the White Oak at this town and all the mining and other human
activity down to the river banks Black bear may cross the river south of Maysville and
maneuver through Onslow County to the southern tip of Hofinann Forest Two activities
though are making this route more dangerous to animals, increasing development in
eastern Onslow County and the soon to be completed widening of US 17 which will limit
movement north into the heart of the Hofmann Forest
The proposed site of the wildlife underpass between Pollocksville and Maysville
lies within the OBCF delineated conservation corridor linking Croatan to Hofmann Forest
This corridor was delineated by analyzing present land use It is comprised on natural or
managed forest land sandwiched between existing farmland and human communities
While no study of wildlife movement has occurred at this site, it is the expert opinion of
the numerous wildlife biologists assisting in the Onslow Bight conservation planning
process that this location is actively used and is critical to the long-term health of the black
bear population in the central Coastal Plain of North Carolina
The wildlife underpass will be a minimization and avoidance measure designed to
prevent further fragmentation of the natural landscape around Croatan National Forest
Without this underpass a four-lane US Highway 17 would limit animal movement and
make animal highway crossings hazardous to dnvers The wildlife underpass would direct
black bear movement away from people's homes in the Chadwick community as well as
homes south of the site The site proposed for this wildlife underpass is the optimal
location for this structure'
Proposed Wildlife Undemass Desi.= and Sitm
The Nature Conservancy proposes the construction of a single wildlife underpass
involving both north and southbound lanes that allow 120 feet of passage width for
animals and at least ten feet of vertical clearance In addition, along the fill grade there
should be a senes of bottomless or back-filled culverts ranging between 18 and 60 inches
diameter designed for reptiles and amphibians The type of substrate will be worked out
later Appropnate fencing will be required for approximately one half mile to either side
of the underpass
The location of the wildlife underpass is shown on the enclosed map Croatan
National Forest borders the site to the east while a large tract owned by Weyerhaeuser Co
is to the west At this location a permanently protected wildlife comdor will be secured
with the protection of only a single additional tract of land, that one owned by
Weyerhaeuser tract The underpass at this location will direct wildlife away from
populated communities immediately north and south of the site, thereby minimizing
nuisance interactions between people and problem animals
We acknowledge the uncertainty associated with this project centered on securing
funding and with the permanent protection of the Weyerhaeuser tract The Nature
Conservancy proposes to assist NC DOT by
1 Seeking matching Federal funds for construction of the underpass through the
Transportation, System and Community Preservation Program
2 Secunng funding for and the permanent protection of the Weyerhaeuser tract TNC
has begun discussions with Weyerhaeuser which is willing to sell interest in their
2,400-plus acre tract of land Numerous scenanos have been discussed and
ultimately an agreement must meet the financial needs of the company At a
minimum TNC believes it must and can secure development and limited mineral
rights to the property and appropriate "safety zones" alongside the underpass where
hunting would not be allowed
3 Seeking along with other partner agencies an agreement with NCDOT for the long-
term monitoring and maintenance of the fencing at the location
This proposal for a wildlife underpass on US Highway 17 between Pollocksville
and Maysville is deemed critical to the goals of the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum to
which the NC Department of Transportation is a signatory I trust this proposal will be
given utmost consideration and will be incorporated in the implementation plans for this
highway
Res ectf lly,
Kathenne D Skinner
Vice-President
The Nature Conservancy
Cc Mr William Ross, NC DENR
Mr Fred Hams, NC WRC
Ms Lauren Hillman, Croatan National Forest
Mr Pete Benjamin, US FWS
Enclosures
Preliminary Project Summary - Wildlife Use of Three Wildlife Underpasses along US
Highway 64
NC Onslow Bight Conservation Forum - MOU
Map - Onslow Bight Landscape
Map - Croatan National Forest
Map - White Oak River at Maysville
Map - Wildlife underpass location site and Weyerhaeuser tract
.t Mir" 1 a?f?io/?9/c•y xi _z5 /4
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
October 16, 2007
Mark Pierce, PE
Project Development and Environmental Analysts
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
Dear Mr Pierce
As you are aware, the U S Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is a participating member of the
Merger 01 Process Team for the proposed improvements to US 17 in Jones and Onslow Counties
(TIP No R-2514) For some time now, the Service, along with the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission (NCWRC), has been requesting that the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) construct an ecologically functional wildlife underpass along a section
of US 17 between Maysville and Pollocksville in Jones County This letter summarizes the need
and justification for the underpass
The Service participates in a 13-member partnership known as the Onslow Bight Conservation
Forum (OBCF) The NCDOT is also a participating member of the OBCF Mr Lyndo Tippett,
Secretary of Transportation, signed the partnership's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
behalf of the NCDOT on July 1, 2003 Goal 5 of the MOU is
To promote the establishment of landscape corridors and buffers, between and adjacent
to existing public and private conservation lands to enhance long-term wildlife
population viability and genetic exchange and to ensure land management flexibility,
respect1Lely,
The Croatan National Forest (CNF) abuts the existing US 17 on the east side, while Hofinann
State Forest (HSF) and other conservation lands exist to the west of US 17, though not
immediately adjacent to the road The OBCF has identified the area between CNF and HSF as a
potential conservation corridor in which to link the two public conservation lands Without this
connection, we fear that the proposed multi-lane facility and future development will isolate the
wildlife in the CNF This isolation will likely, among other things, lead to genetic homogeneity
in black bears and many other wide-ranging wildlife species Genetic homogeneity due to
habitat fragmentation has been documented to preclude long-term viability of many wildlife
species
As you know, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been negotiating with Weyerhaeuser to
purchase an interest in an approximately 2,400 acre parcel between the CNF and HSF, which
would essentially connect the two public conservation lands However, without a wildlife
crossing under US 17, the connection would be effectively severed The Service believes this to
be the last/best chance to fulfill the OBCF's goal 5 at this location
On August 28, 2007, staff from the Service, NCWRC, TNC, NCDOT and the North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources met to discuss a preliminary design of a
single wildlife underpass developed by NCDOT The design is modeled after the three
successful wildlife underpasses constructed on US 64 in Washington County Preliminary
monitoring data demonstrate substantial use of the US 64 crossings by several species of
wildlife
This design involves an elevated bridge on both the northbound and southbound lanes of the
proposed US 17 The two bridges would allow 120 feet of opening at the base and a minimum
of 10 feet of vertical clearance The precise location of the crossing is restricted to an
approximately one-mile stretch of US 17 where the CNF abuts the road Ten-foot high chain-
link fencing will need to be erected for approximately one-half mile in both directions of the
crossing along both sides of the road to "funnel" wildlife through the crossing In addition, a
series of small culverts would also be placed along the approach fill to allow passage of smaller
animals
The Service believes that in addition to providing an ecological corridor between two public
conservation lands, the wildlife crossing will provide significant benefits to the traveling public
There are over 500,000 documented deer-vehicle collisions a year in the US, plus an unknown
number of undocumented collisions In addition, a large source of black bear mortality is
attributed to vehicle collisions A black bear was recently killed on the road very near the
proposed location for the wildlife passage The Service believes that the wildlife crossing with
the associated fencing will greatly diminish the potential for wildlife-vehicle collisions in this
area, thus reducing human fatalities and injuries
The Service understands that the wildlife underpass has a significant cost However, as a
member of the Merger Team for this project, the Service has previously agreed to environmental
compromises which have reduced bridge lengths and bridging costs for the entire project In
addition, the Service has agreed to eliminate alternatives that had fewer environmental impacts
(e g wetland impacts) In a presentation to NCDOT management on July 30, 2007, the Service
and NCWRC gave specific examples of compromises we made with regards to our trust
resources which included cost savings that were more than enough money to pay for the wildlife
underpass The Service and the NCWRC did this with the intention to focus on our most
important environmental issue - the wildlife underpass which would make the ecological
corridor between CNF and HSF viable
Again, the Service requests that NCDOT construct the aforementioned wildlife underpass on US
17 While the OBCF MOU does not legally obligate NCDOT to any specific action, we stress
that goal 5 will never be recognized at this location without the wildlife underpass We believe
that the NCDOT, in concert with TNC, has a wonderful opportunity to create an ecological
benefit which will enhance wildlife populations at the landscape scale, serve to minimize the
wildlife habitat fragmentation effects of the transportation corridor, and to make US 17 a safer
road to travel on
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Mr Gary Jordan at (919) 856-
4520, ext 32
Sincere y,
I
f
t ? \
Pete B in
Field Supervisor
cc Chris Milrtscher, USEPA, Raleigh, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC
David Wainwright, NCDWQ, Raleigh, NC
William Wescott, USACE, Raleigh, NC
?t ?f' •.. •v/3./off
USDA United states Forest National Forests in North Carolina 141 East Fisher Avenue
Department of Service Croatan National Forest New Bern, NC 28560-8468
Agriculture Croatan Ranger District 252-638-5628
File Code 1900/2600/2700
Date. October 26, 2007
Mr Mark Pierce
Project Planning Engineer
NC Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
Dear Mr Pierce,
Thank you for your interest and cooperative working relationship with the USDA Forest Service,
Croatan National Forest (Croatan) This letter confirms the discussion with North Carolina
Department of Transportation (DOT) and collaborative State and federal agencies and non-
governmental conservation organizations on August 28, 2007
Principal laws pertaining to National Forest System (NFS) lands are many The ones most
pertinent to our discussion include but are not limited to the Endangered Species Act, National
Environmental Policy Act and National Forest Management Act
In summary, these laws and their associated regulations require that avoidance or minimization,
as well as mitigation, are required for adverse impacts to rare species, natural communities and
the suite of species with large home ranges, particularly black bear
Alteration of Highway 17 to 4 lanes along the western boundary of the Croatan will create a
discrete barrier to wildlife movements and plant and animal dispersal to the west, based upon
many years of research on disturbance and fragmentation effects on wildlife and natural
communities The Croatan has only two areas with linkages to the west The Haywood
Landing/Long Point area and the proposed Highway 17 corridor that may abut or occur on NFS
lands The Haywood Landing/Long Point area is of limited value due to increasing development
on the west side of the river
One centralized underpass for large mammals and smaller culverts (60" and smaller) along the
fill slope to accommodate species with reduced home ranges such as small mammals and herps
will minimize or in some cases avoid adverse impacts of a mayor highway
The Croatan National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) serves as the legal
document directing management of the Croatan The Plan was prepared and signed under the
National Forest Management Act of 1976 on December 20, 2002 The Plan incorporates the
requirements of the laws noted above, as well as others
A primary issue addressed in the Plan, as identified by formally cooperating agencies including
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the U S Fish and Wildlife Service,
non-governmental agencies, and the public is biodiversity Several elements are addressed
within the issue, including rare species and natural communities and the requirement for linkage
ups Lo
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
Mark Pierce
Page 2
of areas of suitable habitat for black bear and the associated suite of plant and animal species A
minimum of one vertebrate animal and two vascular plant species are North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program element occurrences within the potential project area Black bear and other
wide-ranging species also actively use the area
Plan responses to these issues are
1) Rare species and natural communities - " provide management direction to
maintain habitat conditions for species that are now locally rare or extirpated "
"Goal 2 13 a Maintain viable populations of endangered, threatened, sensitive, and
locally rare species on the CNF "
Forestwide Standard 4 2 0 4 - "Retain at least 1 /3 of ecologically suitable landtypes
in old growth Southern Wet Pine Forests, Woodlands and Savannas (10,000 of the
30,000 acres), Cypress-Tupelo Swamp (2,300 acres of the 7,000 acres) and Upland
Mesic hardwood (300 acres of the 1,000 acres) "
2) Black bear and associated species -" Minimize human disturbance and
modification of black bear habitat Provide landscape linkages to potential foraging
areas on public and private land through a system of hardwood cypress wetland
corridors "
"Goal 2 1 5 b Provide landscape linkages to other bear habitat and potential foraging
areas on public and private land through the spatial arrangement of management areas
with low motorized use, and a system of hardwood cypress wetland comdors
Minimize human disturbance and modification of black bear habitat " Objective
2 1 5 3 Reduce disturbance from motor vehicles in the bear habitat management
prescription One effective method is to reduce the miles of open road "
Forestwide Standard 4 2 0 15 - "Mitigate activities or developments that would
substantially alter natural movement patterns of black bear Ensure there are no net
losses of black bear habitat Future acquisitions for bear habitat shall be contiguous
with key bear habitat "
Mitigation for the movement of wildlife, including rare species, is legally required when a
discrete bamer such as a four-lane highway is introduced into or adjacent to the Croatan, based
upon the legally required issue responses, goals, and forestwide standards noted above
If I can be of further assistance, or if there are questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
Mark Pierce
Sincerely, t
/s/ Lauren L Hillman
LAUREN L HILLMAN
District Ranger, Croatan Ranger District
cc Karen Compton - Special Uses
Mary Noel - Staff Officer
Planning and Lands
Dennis Danner - Coastal Zone Wildlife Biologist
Hervey McIver
The Nature Conservancy
NC Chapter
Gary Jordan
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Travis Wilson
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Scott Pohlman
NC Million Acre Initiative
Mark Jones
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
Page 3
V E0 • ft Sr ' it /T?eT
?? R-25x4
NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Michael F Easley, Governor William G Ross Jr, Secretary
November 2, 2007
Mr Mark Pierce, Project Planning Engineer
NC Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
Re: Construction of an underpass for wildlife movement on US Highway 17 (R-2514)
Dear Mr Pierce
The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as a member of the Onslow
Bight Conservation Forum (OBCF), joins its partner members in requesting the North Carolina
Department of Transportation to construct an ecologically functional wildlife underpass along the section
of US Highway 17 between Maysville and Pollocksville in Jones County as part of the planned highway
improvement project (TIP No R-2514)
Fragmentation is degrading wildlife habitat statewide. To help reduce the impact of fragmentation in our
focus area landscape, the OBCF followed a process of mapping important habitats -- especially protected
habitats -- and identifying important ecological connectors between those habitats.
The area between Maysville and Pollocksville is within one of the identified corridor study areas The
design proposal would allow a wide diversity of animals, species both large and small, to safely cross US
Highway 17 As noted in previous wildlife studies, including those undertaken as part of the US 64
wildlife underpasses, road design that accounts for wildlife movement can keep a significant number of
larger animals off the road, reducing animal/vehicle collisions The proposed wildlife underpass will
be a minimization and avoidance measure designed to prevent further fragmentation of the natural
landscape around Croatan National Forest Without this underpass a four-lane US Highway 17
would limit ammal movement and make animal highway crossings hazardous to dnvers
As a next step, the OBCF intends to approach landowners in identified corridors to discuss options for
voluntary conservation of these corridors. In this particular corridor, most of the land (e g , Croatan
National Forest) is already protected If the road design does not accommodate wildlife movement, the
widened highway facility - with its increased traffic and higher speeds - has the potential to act as a
barrier to the movement of wildlife and as well as creating a population "sink" as development outside of
the protected lands funnels animals through this the newly widened road
Thank you for your consideration of this proposal Please let me know if you have questions or need
additional information
Srr?c
W /Clow -
William G Ross
1601 Mad Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1601 NoOne
rthCaroltna
Phone 919-733-4984 • FAX 919-715-3060 • Internet www enr state nc us A1/1f..N/T //•/
r
?1S/-' ' ? F?(2?107
? ?rLS r4
Project Developir _ A and
Environmental Analttis Brand
® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Compi ssion
November 6, 2007
RECEIVEC,
Division of Hf(-hmrc
NOV 13 2007
A BRA CI-I
i n?1
Mr Gregory J Thorpe, NCDOT
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch rni;
1548 Mail Service Center (MAIL)
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
Subject US 17 Wildlife Underpass, Jones County, North Carolina TIP No R-2514 If
Dear Mr Thorpe, r - `"', ?•,
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (Commission) in cooperation with t 1-I e'LJ-S Fps{a-and _, __
Wildlife Service (USFWS), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), U S Forest Service (USFS), and North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) are requesting the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
to construct a wildlife underpass on US 17 in conjunction with the US 17 widening project between MaysN ille
and Pollocksville in Jones County
The Commission as well as NCDOT is a participating member of the Onslow Bight Conservation Forum
(OBCF) As signatories to the MOU our agencies identified multiple goals, one of which was `to promote the
establishment of landscape corridors and buffers, between and adjacent to existing public and private
conservation lands to enhance long-term wildlife population viability and genetic exchange and to ensure land
management flexibility, respectively" As part of this goal the OBCF has identified a corridor linking two large
parcels of conservation lands, Hofmann Forest and The Croatan National Forest (CNF) CNF is located east of
US 17 while Hofmann Forest and other adjacent conservation lands are located west of US 17 and currently lack
a preserved connective corridor, however TNC is currently pursuing the development rights to 2,400 acres of
Weyerhaeuser property that would provide a perpetual conservation corridor between these two tracts
Presently, US 17 a two lane highway facility currently bisects this corridor However upgrading US 17 to a four
lane highway without providing a wildlife corridor will almost certainly sever CNF from the existing
conservation lands to the west
Wildlife underpasses have been proven to minimize the effects of highway induced habitat fragmentation when
appropriately designed The Commission is requesting the design of this structure to mirror those NCDOT
placed on US 64 in Washington County The ongoing evaluation of the US 64 crossings has confirmed their
effectiveness in a similar landscape and habitat Much like the US 64 underpasses our goal is to provide a
crossing structure that will function for a broad range of wildlife species including large mammals such as Black
bear and White-tailed deer CNF and Hofmann forest are considered core areas for Black bears, consequently it
is important to reduce the potential for genetic isolation of either of these areas Furthermore, the US 64
Mailing Address. Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: (919) 707-0220 • Fax: (919) 707-0028
Page 2
November 6, 2007
US 17 Wildlife Underpass
crossings have recorded over 3,000 white-tailed deer crossings therefore demonstrating the effectiveness these
structures have in reducing potential animal vehicle collisions
The proposed crossing consists of an elevated bridge on both the northbound and southbound lanes of US 17
The bridge design would allow 120 feet of opening at the base and a minimum of 10 feet of vertical clearance
The precise location of the crossing is restricted to an approximate one mile stretch of US 17 where the CNF
abuts the road The crossing will also require the installation of chain-link fencing, ten feet in height, extending
approximately one-half mile in each direction from the crossing on both sides of the road In addition, a series
of small culverts would be placed along the approach fill to accommodate species with smaller home ranges,
such as amphibians, reptiles and small mammals
The Commission requests the cooperation of NCDOT in this matter As a signatory to the OBCF and through a
continuing commitment by NCDOT to provide a safe and efficient transportation network while minimizing
harm to the natural environment, this project will be another example of NCDOT working with the greater
conservation community to provide an important wildlife corridor
Thank you for your consideration of this matter If you have any questions please call Travis Wilson,
Eastern NCDOT Coordinator, at (919) 528-9886
Sincerely,
4e.01.-00-0 Q. '
P
Fred Hari is, Interim Director
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Cc
William Wescott, USACE
Chris Militscher, USEPA
Gary Jordan, USFWS
David Wainwright, DWQ
Hervey McIver, TNC
Lauren Hillman, Croatan National Forest
Jt ?l
s P -/I0/g3
STATE OF NORTH CAROLIINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F EASLEY
Go\ERNOR
Ms Katherine Skinner
Vice President
The Nature Conservancy
North Carolina Chapter
4705 University Diive, Suite 290
141 East Fisher Avenue
Durham, NC 27707
Mr William Ross
Secretary
N C Department of
Environment and
Natural Resources
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Dear Ms Skinner, Mr Benjamin, Ms Hillman, Secretary Ross, and Mr Hams
RE Wildlife Underpass, Project R-2514
US 17 Widening Project from Belgrade to New Bern in Onslow & Jones Counties
This is in response to the October 15, 2007 letter from The Nature Conservancy, the October 16, 2007 letter
from the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, the October 26, 2007 letter from the U S Forest Service, the
November 2, 2007 letter from the N C Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the
November 6, 2007 letter from the N C Wildlife Resouices Commission regarding your requests for a
wildlife underpass between Maysville and the community of Chadwick on US 17 in Jones County
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
February 15, 2008
Mr Pete Benjarmn
Field Supervisor
U S Department
of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
P O Box 33726
Raleigh, NC 27636
Ms Lauren Hillman
District Ranger
Croatan Ranger District
U S Department
of Agriculture
Forest Service
New Bern, NC 28560
Mr Fred Harris
Interim Director
North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission
Division of Inland Fishei ies
1721 Mail Service Centei
Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Our project team has reviewed your proposals including ecological and biological data We have also
considered information that you or your representatives provided at the January 11, 2007 meeting facilitated
by Mr Hervey McIver (The Nature Conservancy) and Mr Scott Pohlman (N C Department of Environment
and Natural Resources - Natural Heritage Program), the July 30, 2007 meeting facilitated by Mr Gary
Jordan (U S Fish and Wildlife Service), Mr Travis Wilson (N C Department of Environment and Natural
Resources - Wildlife Resouices Commission), and Mr Mark Jones (N C Department of Environment and
Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Commission), and the August 28, 2007 meeting that was an open
discussion with all parties involved
MAILING ADDRESS
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
TELEPHONE 919 733 3141
FAX 919-733 9794
WEBSITE
LOCATION
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC 27601
Ms Skinner, Mr Benjamin, Ms Hillman, Secretary Ross, and Mr Harris
R-2514 Wildlife Underpass
rebi uary 15, 2008
Page 2
NCDOT concuss that a wildlife underpass on US 17 in the approximate location shown on the attached
aerial photograph would provide a physical connection and accommodate the natural movements of black
bear and other large and medium-sized marriinals between the Hoffman Forest and the Croatan National
Forest It is our understanding that you and other biologists and wildlife experts believe that this location is
critical to the long-term health of the black bear population in the central Coastal Plain Your data also
indicate that the underpass would decrease vehicle-arumal collisions and improve traffic safety for the
public
NCDOT participated in a partnership to develop the North Carolina Onslow Bight Conservation Forum
Memorandum of Understanding We acknowledge that one of the goals of the MOU is "to promote the
establishment of landscape corridors and buffers between and adjacent to existing public and private
conservation lands to enhance long-term wildlife population viability and genetic exchange and to ensure
land management flexibility, respectively " We also acknowledge that construction of a wildlife underpass
at this location would contribute towaid the achievement of that goal
For these reasons, NCDOT agrees to fund and construct a single wildlife underpass as part of our
US 17 highway improvements pioject subject to the following design criteria and provisions
Dual bridges (northbound and southbound lanes)
> 100-foot underpass opening (fence-to-fence)
10-foot vertical clearance
Install a series of culverts ranging from 18 to 60 inches in diameter for passage of reptiles,
amphibians, and small mammals
> Underpass to be fenced and to extend 1/2 mile to the north and %2 mile to the south of the underpass
on both sides of US 17, Fencing will be provided at the outside limits of standard NCDOT right of
way
On or before February 2009, The Natui e Conservancy must provide NCDOT with a copy of an
executed agreement demonstrating that The Nature Conservancy has control (development and
mining rights, etc ) via an easement on the Weyerhaeuser Tract and the "conservation lands" for
protection in perpetuity for wildlife passage across those properties, thereby connecting the
Hoffman Forest to the "conservation lands" to the proposed US 17 wildlife underpass to the Croatan
National Forest If the agreement is not executed by that date, NCDOT will not provide the funding
or construct the underpass as part of the US 17 improvements This date corresponds to our design
schedule and will ensure the project can proceed on schedule NCDOT requests that The Nature
Conservancy allow NCDOT to review the contract/agreement before it is signed
The current location of the wildlife underpass is based upon preliminary plans After receipt of final
surveys, NCDOT will coordinate with The Nature Conservancy to determine the exact location of
the underpass and the corresponding easement across the Weyerhaeuser Tract and the "conservation
lands "
NCDOT will maintain the bridges, roadway, and fill slopes as it does all facilities within
the state highway system NCDOT will maintain fencing within NCDOT right of way
Ms Skinner, Mr Benjamin, Ms Hdlman, Secretary Ross, and Mr Harris
R-2514 Wildlife Underpass
r February 15, 2008
Page 3
Except foi fencing, The Nature Conservancy and their partners will maintain related components of
the wildlife underpass on public and private pioperties, and the vegetation within the wildlife paths
and approaches, beneath the bridges, and on the fencing The Nature Conservancy and their
partners will enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with NCDOT to allow third-party access to
and maintenance of vegetation within the public right of way
NCDOT is providing funding for and construction of the wildlife underpass at the request of The
Nature Conservancy, the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, the U S Forest Service, the N C
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the N C Wildlife Resources Commission
We all agree that this work would be an avoidance and minimization measure to prevent further
fragmentation of the natural landscape of the Croatan National Forest Theiefore, we request that
the partnering agencies acknowledge our cooperation and agree to consider NCDOT's contiibution
of this wildlife underpass as a beneficial avoidance and minimization measure for this US 17 pioject
and also for the Havelock Bypass Project (TIP Project No R-1015)
We appreciate your time and consideration in the preparation of your proposals and presentations for this
wildlife underpass, and look forward to continuing our cooperation on these projects Should you have
comments or questions regarding our response or wish to further discuss this issue, please contact me at
(919) 733-3141
Sincerely,
Ph
Proj eVt Dyelopment & En,. ironmental Analysis Branch
GJT/mp
cc w/ attachments Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of Transportation
Marvin Blount, Member, Board of Transportation
Cameron McRae, Member, Board of Transportation
Deborah Barbour, P E , Director of Preconstruction
bcc w/ attachments Ms Karen Compton (USDA -Forest Service)
Ms Skinner, Mr Benjamin, Ms Hillman, Secretary Ross, and Mr Harris
R-2514 Wildlife Underpass
February 15, 2008
Page 4
bcc w/ attachments Ms Karen Compton (USDA - Forest Service)
Mr Dennis Danner (USDA - Forest Service)
Ms Renee Gledhill-Earley (NCDCR - Historic Preservation Office)
Mr Robert Hanson, P E (NCDOT - Project Development)
Mr Phil Hams (NCDOT - Natural Environment)
Mr Mark Jones (NCDENR - Wildlife Resources Commission)
Mr Gary Jordan (USDOI - Fish and Wildlife Service)
Mr Neil Lassiter, P E (Division Engineer, Division 2)
Mr Hervey McIver (The Nature Conservancy)
Mr Chris Militscher (U S Environmental Protection Agency)
Ms Trish Murphey (NCDENR - Division of Marine Fisheries)
Ms Mary Noel (USDA - Forest Service)
Mr Mark Pierce, P E (NCDOT - Project Development)
Mr Scott Pohlman (NCDENR - Natural Heritage Program)
Mr Ron Sechler (NOAA - Marine Fisheries Service)
Mr Steve Sollod (INTCDENR - Division of Coastal Management)
Mr Jim Speer, P E (NCDOT - Roadway Design)
Mr Wes Stafford, P E, AICP (Wilbur Smith Associates)
Mr Daniel Van Liere (Down East Rural Planning Organization)
Mr David Wainwright (NCDENR - Division of Water Quality)
Mr William Wescott, P W S (U S Army Corps of Engineers)
Mr Travis Wilson (NCDENR - Wildlife Resources Commission)
Mr Brian Yamamoto, P E (NCDOT -Project Development)