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United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
March 21, 2006
Mike Summers
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Bridge Maintenance Unit
1565 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1565
Dear Mr. Summers:
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This letter is in response to your request for comments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) on the potential environmental effects of the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 143
on SR 1146 over Ashpole Swamp, Robeson County, North Carolina (TIP No. B-4249). These
comments provide scoping information in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543).
For bridge replacement projects, the Service recommends the following general conservation
measures to avoid or minimize environmental impacts to fish and wildlife resources:
Wetland and forest impacts should be avoided and minimized to the maximum extent
practical;
2. If unavoidable wetland or stream impacts are proposed, a plan for compensatory
mitigation to offset unavoidable impacts should be provided early in the planning
process. Opportunities to protect mitigation areas in perpetuity via conservation
easements, land trusts or by other means should be explored at the outset;
3. Off-site detours should be used rather than construction of temporary, on-site bridges.
For projects requiring an on-site detour in wetlands or open water, such detours should be
aligned along the side of the existing structure which has the least and/or least quality of
fish and wildlife habitat. At the completion of construction, the detour area should be
entirely removed and the impacted areas be planted with appropriate vegetation,
including trees if necessary;
4. Wherever appropriate, construction in sensitive areas should occur outside fish spawning
and migratory bird nesting seasons. In waterways that may serve as travel corridors for
fish, in-water work should be avoided during moratorium periods associated with
migration, spawning and sensitive pre-adult life stages. The general moratorium period
for anadromous fish is February 15 -June 30;
5. New bridges should be long enough to allow for sufficient wildlife passage along stream
corridors;
6. Best Management Practices (BMP) for Construction and Maintenance Activities should
be implemented;
7. Bridge designs should include provisions for roadbed and deck drainage to flow through
a vegetated buffer prior to reaching the affected stream. This buffer should be large
enough to alleviate any potential effects from run-off of storm water and pollutants;
8. The bridge designs should not alter the natural stream and stream-bank morphology or
impede fish passage. To the extent possible, piers and bents should be placed outside the
bank-full width of the stream; and
9. Bridges and approaches should be designed to avoid any fill that will result in damming
or constriction of the channel or flood plain. If spanning the flood plain is not feasible,
culverts should be installed in the flood plain portion of the approach to restore some of
the hydrological functions of the flood plain and reduce high velocities of flood waters
within the affected area.
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act requires that all federal action agencies (or their
designated non-federal representatives), in consultation with the Service, insure that any action
federally authorized, funded, or carried out by such agencies is not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of any federally-listed threatened or endangered species. A biological
assessment/evaluation may be prepared to fulfill the section 7(a)(2) requirement and will
expedite the consultation process. To assist you, a county-by-county list of federally protected
species known to occur in North Carolina and information on their life histories and habitats can
be found on our web page at http://ne-es.fws.gov/es/countyfr.html .
Although the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NC-HP) database does not indicate any
known occurrences of listed species near the project vicinity, use of the NCNHP data should not
be substituted for actual field surveys if suitable habitat occurs near the project site. The
NCNHP database only indicates the presence of known occurrences of listed species and does
not necessarily mean that such species are not present. It may simply mean that the area has not
been surveyed. If suitable habitat occurs within the project vicinity for any listed species,
surveys should be conducted to determine presence or absence of the species.
If you determine that the proposed action may affect (i.e., likely to adversely affect or not likely
to adversely affect) a listed species, you should notify this office with your determination, the
results of your surveys, survey methodologies, and an analysis of the effects of the action on
listed species, including consideration of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects, before
conducting any activities that might affect the species. If you determine that the proposed action
will have no effect (i.e., no beneficial or adverse, direct or indirect effect) on listed species, then
you are not required to contact our office for concurrence.
We reserve the right to review any federal permits that may be required for this project, at the
public notice stage. Therefore, it is important that resource agency coordination occur early in
the planning process in order to resolve any conflicts that may arise and minimize delays in

project implementation. In addition to the above guidance, we recommend that the
environmental documentation for this project include the following in sufficient detail to
facilitate a thorough review of the action:
1. A clearly defined and detailed purpose and need for the proposed project;
2. A'description of the proposed action with an analysis of all alternatives being considered,
including the "no action" alternative;
3. A description of the fish and wildlife resources, and their habitats, within the project
impact area that may be directly or indirectly affected;
4. The extent and acreage of waters of the U.S., including wetlands, that are to be impacted
by filling, dredging, clearing, ditching, or draining. Acres of wetland impact should be
differentiated by habitat type based on the wetland classification scheme of the National
Wetlands Inventory (NWI). Wetland boundaries should be determined by using the 1987
Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and verified by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers;
5. The anticipated environmental impacts, both temporary and permanent, that would be
likely to occur as a direct result of the proposed project. The assessment should also
include the extent to which the proposed project would result in secondary impacts to
natural resources, and how this and similar projects contribute to cumulative adverse
effects;
6. Design features and construction techniques which would be employed to avoid or
minimize impacts to fish and wildlife resources, both direct and indirect, and including
fragmentation and direct loss of habitat;
7. If unavoidable wetland or stream impacts are proposed, project planning should include a
compensatory mitigation plan for offsetting the unavoidable impacts.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to comment on this project. Please continue to advise us
during the progression of the planning process, including your official determination of the
impacts of this project. If you have any questions regarding our response, please contact Mr.
Gary Jordan at [phone], ext. 32.
Sincerely,
Pete Benjamin '
Ecological Services Supervisor
cc: Dave Timpy, USACE, Wilmington, NC
Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ, Raleigh, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC
Chris Militscher, USEPA, Raleigh, NC
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N. C DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TRANSMITTAL SLIP DATE
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ACTION
- ? - NOTE AND FILE ? PER OUR CONVERSATION
? NOTE AND RETURN TO ME ? PER YOUR REQUEST
? RETURN WITH MORE DETAILS ?. FOR YOUR APPROVAL
? NOTE AND SEE ME ABOUT THIS ? FOR YOUR INFORMATION
? - PLEASE ANSWER ? FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
? PRI&ARE REPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE ? SIGNATURE
&*" TTAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ? INVESTIGATE AND REPORT
COMMENTS:
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WETWIDS 1401 GROUP
MAY 1 7` 2004
WATER QUALITY SECTO

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NOTICE OF A SECOND INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP FOR PROPOSED
IMPROVEMENTS TO WRIGHTSVILLE AVE. FROM WILTSHIRE BLVD. TO
FOREST HILLS DRIVE
WBS No. 36306.1.1 U-4733 New Hanover County
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold the
above Citizens Informational Workshop on Tuesday June 8, 2004 between the
hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria of Forest Hills Elementary
School, 602 Colonial Drive, Wilmington, NC.
The purpose of this workshop is for NCDOT representatives to
provide information, answer questions, and accept written comments regarding
this project. NCDOT proposes improvements to construct an additional
westbound lane to Wrightsville Avenue from Wiltshire Boulevard to Forest Hills
Drive.
Anyone desiring additional information may contact Stephen Greene,
1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1548, or by phone at
[phone] ext. 327, fax at [phone], or E-mail at
step heng reene@d ot.state. nc. us
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services for disabled persons who
wish to participate in this workshop, to comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. To request special assistance, please contact Mr. Greene as
early as possible so that arrangements can be made.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
P. O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
IN REPLY REFER TO July 14, 2006
Regulatory Division
SUBJECT: Action ID SAW-2006-32885-065; TIP Project No. U-4718, US 76/NC 132
Intersection Improvements.
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Environmental Management Director, PDEA
N.C. Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1548
Dear Dr. Thorpe:
Reference your April 25, 2006 letter requesting our scoping comments on the proposed
project, TIP Project No. U-4718 located in New Hanover County, North Carolina.
. Based on, information provided in the referenced letter and a review of the soil survey for
New Hanover County by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the proposed project may
impact jurisdictional waters and wetlands of the United States. More information is needed on
the extent, location, and community type of all the impacted wetlands and streams before an
environmental assessment can be made.
Department of the Army (DA) permit authorization, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act of 1977, as amended, will be required for the discharge of dredged or fill material in
waters of the United States or any adjacent wetlands in conjunction with this project, including
disposal of construction debris.' Pursuant to our mitigation policy, impacts to wetlands should
first be avoided or minimized. We will then consider compensatory mitigation for unavoidable
impacts. When final plans are completed, including the extent and location of any work in
wetlands, our regulatory division would appreciate the opportunity to review these plans for
project-specific determinations of DA permit requirements.
Should you have any questions please contact the undersigned in the Wilmington Field Office
at [phone].
Sincerely,
David L. Timpy
NCDOT Project Manager

Copies Furnished:
Ms. Cyndi Karoly
NCDENR-DWQ
Wetlands Section
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Mr. Gary Jordan
United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Enhancement
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
Christopher Militcher
USEPA Raleigh Office
Office of Environmental Assessment
310 New Bern Avenue, Room 206
Raleigh, NC 27601
Mr. Travis Wilson
Highway Coordinator
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1142 I-85 Service Road
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522
Mr. Doug Huggett
Division of Coastal Management
1638 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-163
Mr. Allen Pope, PE
Division Engineer
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Division 3
124 Division Drive
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TI?
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
April 25, 2006
MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Brian Wrenn
Division of Water Quality/Wetlands
FROM: Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director ????(
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
SUBJECT: Start of Study for Intersection Improvements at US 76 (Oleander Drive)
and NC 132 (College Road), New Hanover County, Federal Aid Project
No. STPNHS-76(6), WBS No. 36413.1.1, TIP No. U-4718
This is to inform you that the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is
starting the project development, environmental and engineering studies for the proposed U-4718. The
project is included in the 2006-2012 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and is
scheduled for right of way in fiscal year 2009 and construction in fiscal year 2011.
Attached for your review and comments are the scoping information sheets for the proposed project.
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential
environmental impacts of the project. If applicable, please identify any permits or approvals that may be
required by your agency. A scoping meeting will be scheduled with NCDOT staff to discuss the proposed
project in more detail. In order to include your comments in our materials for this meeting, we would
appreciate your response by June 2, 2006. If you would like to attend the scoping meeting, please notify the
project engineer.
It is anticipated that a federally funded Categorical Exclusion will be prepared for this project.
This document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Matthew Potter, Project
Development Engineer, of this Branch at [phone], Ext. 227. Please include the TIP Project
Number in all correspondence and comments.
GJT/plr
Attachment
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE: WWW.NCDOT.ORG
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
PDEA Scoping Procedures
Rev 4/10/06
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Scoping Information Sheet
TIP No.: U-4718
WBS No.: 36413.1.1
Federal Aid No: STPNHS-76 6
Division: 3
Sent Date: 05/10/06
Revision Date:
Meetinq Date: TBD
Coun : New Hanover
Project Descri tion:
Intersection improvements at intersection of US 76 (Oleander Dr) and NC 132 (College
Rd)
To relieve congestion at the intersection of US 76 (Oleander Dr) and NC 132 (College Rd)
as well as provide adequate mobility and safe travel to the communities and businesses
served by these corridors.
Metropolitan / Rural Planning Organization Wilmington MPO
Area:,
NEPA/404 Merg er Candidate?: ? Yes ® No ? Not sure
Feasibility Stud y Completed?: ® Yes ? No 10/31/05 Date
Type of Environmental Documents to be Prepared / Proiect Schedule:
Dates: Type of Document:
Environmental Document:
Right of Way:
Let:
1/09
1/11
CE
Air Quality Status: ? Non-attainment ? Maintenance ® Attainment
PAGE 1 OF 6
PDEA Scoping Procedures
Design Criteria:
Length of Project Limits: NA
Type of Access Control:
(Existing / Proposed)
Structure Inventory:
Functional
Classification:
Rev 4/10/06
No control
None
Minor Urban Arterials
Strategic Highway Corridor
Information:
CTP/Thoroughfare Plan
Designation (Facility Type):
Roadway Typical
Section:
(Existing / Proposed)
Typical Section in Compliance with Conformity Determination:
® Yes ? No
Right of Way:
(Existing / Proposed)
Existing Posted
Speed:
NA
Major Thoroughfares
Intersection Improvements
Varies between 90 and 100 feet
Proposed Design
40 and 45 Speed: 45 and 50
Traffic (AADT): % TTST:
Current Year: (2003) 48000 % Dual:
Design Year: % DHV:
Design Standards Applicable: ?X AASHTO 3R
Railroad Involvement:
N/A
Cost Estimate:
TIP Estimate:
Current Estimate:
Construction: Right of Wav: Total Cost:
5,050,000 3,000,000 8,050,000
5,650,000 8,750,000 14,400,000
PAGE 2OF6
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TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH
INTERSECTION OF US 76 (OLEANDER DR)
& NC 132 (COLLEGE ROAD), WILMINGTON
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
TIP PROJECT U-4718
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