20190593_WRC Comments_20090910

® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Melba McGee
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, DENR /.
FROM: Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: March 20, 2009
SUBJECT: Response to the start of study notification from the N. C. Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) regarding fish and wildlife concerns for the
proposed improvements to 11 miles of I-40 in Wake and Johnston
Counties, North Carolina. TIP No. I-51111 SCH Project No. 09-0238
This memorandum responds to a request from Gregory J. Thorpe of the NCDOT
for our concerns regarding impacts on fish and wildlife resources resulting from the
subject project. Biologists on the staff of the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission
(NCWRC) have reviewed the proposed improvements. Our comments are provided in
accordance with certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16
U.S.C. 661-667d).
The scope of this project includes a crossing of Swift Creek. Our records indicate
multiple state and federal listed mussel species at this location. Those species include:
Alasmidonta heterodon (dwarfwedgemussel) State Endangered, Federal Endangered
Alasmidonta undulate (Triangle floater) State Threatened
Elliptio lanceolata (Yellow Lance) State Endangered, Federal Species of Concern
Elliptio roanokensis (Roanoke slabshell) State Threatened
Fusconaia masoni (Atlantic Pigtoe) State Endangered, Federal Species of Concern
Lampsillis radiate (Eastern lampmussel) State Threatened, Federal Species of Concern
Strophitus undulates (Creeper) State Threatened
NCDOT should coordinate closely with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and
NCWRC during the planning and design of this project to avoid and minimize impacts to
this species and their habitats. To further help facilitate document preparation and the
review process, our general informational needs are outlined below:
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

Memo
March 20, 2009
1. Description of fishery and wildlife resources within the project area,
including a listing of federally or state designated threatened, endangered,
or special concern species. Potential borrow areas to be used for project
construction should be included in the inventories. A listing of designated
plant species can be developed through consultation with:
NC Natural Heritage Program
Dept. of Environment & Natural Resources
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1601.
WWW.ncnhp.org
and,
NCDA Plant Conservation Program
P. O. Box 27647
Raleigh, N. C. 27611
[phone]
2. Description of any streams or wetlands affected by the project. The need for
channelizing or relocating portions of streams crossed and the extent of
such activities.
Cover type maps showing wetland acreages impacted by the project.
Wetland acreages should include all project-related areas that may undergo
hydrologic change as a result of ditching, other drainage, or filling for
project construction. Wetland identification may be accomplished through
coordination with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). If the COE
is not consulted, the person delineating wetlands should be identified and
criteria listed.
4. Cover type maps showing acreages of upland wildlife habitat impacted by the
proposed project. Potential borrow sites should be included.
5. The extent to which the project will result in loss, degradation, or
fragmentation of wildlife habitat (wetlands or uplands).
6. Mitigation for avoiding, minimizing or compensating for direct and indirect
degradation in habitat quality as well as quantitative losses.
7. A cumulative impact assessment section which analyzes the environmental
effects of highway construction and quantifies the contribution of this
individual project to environmental degradation.
8. A discussion of the probable impacts on natural resources which will result
from secondary development facilitated by the improved road access.
9. If construction of this facility is to be coordinated with other state, municipal,
or private development projects, a description of these projects should be
included in the environmental document, and all project sponsors should
be identified.

Memo
Page 3 March 20, 2009
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input in the early planning stages for this
project. If we can further assist your office, please contact me at [phone].
Cc: Gary Jordan, USFWS
Rob Ridings, NCDWQ
Eric Alsmeyer, USACE
Chris Militscher, EPA