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Home My WebLink About20191729 Ver 1_MCDC FINAL (signed)_20191217Page 1 of 12 6/25/19 MINIMUM CRITERIA DETERMINATION CHECKLIST The following questions provide direction in determining when the Department is required to prepare environmental documents for state-funded construction and maintenance activities. Answer questions for Parts A through C by checking either “Yes” or “No”. Complete Part D of the checklist when Minimum Criteria Rule categories #8, 12(i) or #15 are used. TIP Project No.: NA State Project No.: 17BP.10.R.110 Project Location: Bridge No. 120105 on SR 2450 (Gold Hill Road) over Branch of Big Bear Creek in Cabarrus County. Project Description: The proposed project involves replacing Bridge No. 120105 on SR 2450 (Gold Hill Road) over Branch of Big Bear Creek in Cabarrus County. Bridge No. 120105 will be replaced on the existing alignment. The replacement structure will be approximately 72.6 feet long with a minimum clear roadway width of 27’ 10’’. The bridge will include two eleven-foot lanes. The bridge length is based on preliminary design information and is set by hydraulic requirements. The roadway grade of the new structure will be approximately 1.5 feet above the existing structure. The approach roadway will extend approximately 294’ from the south end of the proposed bridge and 174’ from the north end of the proposed bridge. The approach roadway will consist of two 11-foot lanes. The existing right-of-way is 60 feet. Due to low traffic volumes and available nearby alternative routes, traffic will be detoured off-site during the construction period (see Vicinity Map). The detour route includes SR 2663 (Lowder Road) and NC 49. There are no residential or business accesses in the immediate project area. Local access to active farming in the immediate vicinity of the bridge replacement can be maintained during the construction. The current estimated costs of the project are: Right of Way Acquisition & Utilities = $123,000 Construction (Roadway & Structure) = $1,228,900 Total Project Cost = $ 1,351,900 Anticipated Permit or Consultation Requirements: Two jurisdictional streams and a jurisdictional wetland occur in the project area. A Nationwide Permit (NWP) 23 will likely be applicable. An NWP No. 33 may also apply for temporary construction activities such as stream dewatering, work bridges, or temporary causeways that are often used during bridge construction or rehabilitation. The USACE holds the final discretion as to what permit will be required to authorize project construction. If a Section 404 DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 2 of 12 6/25/19 permit is required, then a Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the NCDWR will be needed. Additional coordination with USFWS may be required following the completion of habitat assessment and surveys for Carolina heelsplitter. Special Project Information: Environmental Commitments: The list of project commitments (green-sheet) is located at the end of the checklist. Estimated Traffic: ADT (2017): 320 vpd Crash Rates: No crashes were reported in the vicinity of this bridge for the ten-year period from November 1, 2006 to October 31, 2016. Cultural Resources: This project was reviewed by NCDOT’s cultural resources staff under a programmatic agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office. No potential historic architectural resources were identified, and no detailed survey was required. An archaeological survey was conducted; no archaeological sites were found. Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations: There is no presence of bicycle, pedestrian, greenway, or transit facilities, therefore, no bicycle or pedestrian accommodations are proposed for the project. Bridge Demolition: The existing bridge is constructed of timber deck on steel I-Beams. The replacement and demolition of this type of structure is likely to result in debris in the water based on standard demolition practices. NCDOT will ensure that the demolition process complies with environmental permit requirements. Design Exceptions: No design exception is anticipated for this project. Alternatives Considered: No Build – The no build alternative would result in eventually closing the road, which is anticipated to cause considerable disruption to local and regional transportation users. Rehabilitation – The superstructure of the bridge is timber deck on steel I-Beams. The bridge was built in 1952. The timber and steel joists within the bridges are reaching the end of their useful life. Rehabilitation would require replacing the joists which would constitute effectively replacing the bridge. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 3 of 12 6/25/19 Off-site Detour - An off-site detour was evaluated due to low traffic volumes served by SR 2450 (Gold Hill Road) and available nearby routes. The off-site detour route includes SR 2663 (Lowder Road) and NC 49. A map of the detour route is attached. On-site Detour – An on-site detour was not evaluated due to low traffic volumes served by SR 2450 (Gold Hill Road) and the availability of an acceptable off-site detour. Staged Construction – Staged construction was not considered because of the availability of an acceptable off-site detour. New Alignment – Given that the alignment for SR 2450 (Gold Hill Road) is acceptable, a new alignment was not considered as an alternative. Public Involvement: A landowner notification letter was sent to all property owners affected directly by this project, and property owners were invited to comment. No comments have been received to date. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 4 of 12 6/25/19 PART A: MINIMUM CRITERIA Item 1 to be completed by the Engineer. 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 the answer to number 1 is “no”, then the project does not qualify as a minimum criteria project. A state environmental assessment is required. If yes, under which category? 9 If either category #8, #12(i) or #15 is used complete Part D of this checklist. 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? ☐ ☒ Item 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 ground water impacts? ☐ ☒ DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 5 of 12 6/25/19 YES NO 8. Is the proposed activity expected to have a significant adverse effect on longterm recreational benefits or shellfish, finfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats ☐ ☒ 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: Manager, Environmental Analysis Unit 1598 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1598 (919) 707 – 6000 Fax: (919) 212-5785 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 Engineer 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. Question 9: As of June 27, 2018 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists three federally protected species for Cabarrus County. The Biological Conclusion was rendered based on survey results in the study area. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 6 of 12 6/25/19 Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status Habitat Present Biological Conclusion Myotis septentrionalis Northern long- eared bat T Unknown MA-NLAA Lasmigona decorata Carolina heelsplitter E Unknown Unresolved Helianthus schweinitzii Schweinitz’s sunflower E Yes NE E - Endangered T - Threatened MA-NLAA - May Affect Not Likely to Adversely Affect NE - No Effect Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB) Construction activities for this project will not take place until Endangered Species Act compliance is satisfied for NLEB. NCDOT Division 10 Environmental Staff will be responsible for habitat assessment for the NLEB. The criteria for the 4(d) rule has been met. Carolina Heelsplitter Construction activities for this project will not place until Endangered Species Act compliance is satisfied for the Carolina heelsplitter. NCDOT Division 10 Environmental Staff will be responsible for habitat assessment and surveys for the Carolina heelsplitter. Question 10: It is anticipated that temporary or permanent fill will be needed to construct the bridge. A Nationwide Permit (NWP) 23 will likely be applicable. An NWP No. 33 may also apply for temporary construction activities such as stream dewatering, work bridges, or temporary causeways that are often used during bridge construction or rehabilitation. The USACE holds the final discretion as to what permit will be required to authorize project construction. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 7 of 12 6/25/19 PART D:( To be completed when either category #8, 12(i) or #15 of the rules are used.) Items 16- 22 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer. 16. Project length: 17. Right of Way width: 18. Project completion date: 19. Total acres of newly disturbed ground surface: 20. Total acres of wetland impacts: 21. Total linear feet of stream impacts: 22. Project purpose: If Part D of the checklist is completed, send a copy of the entire checklist document to: David B. Harris, PE State Roadside Environmental Engineer Mail Service Center 1557 Raleigh, NC 27699-1557 (919) 707-2925 Fax (919) 715-2554 Email: davidharris@ncdot.gov DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 8 of 12 6/25/19 Prepared by: Date: Ronald (Ron) D. Allen, PE, CPM Roadway Project Manager KCI Associates of NC Reviewed by: Date: For J. Scott Cole, PE Division Engineer Date: Larry Thompson, P.W.S., L.S.S Division Environmental Officer DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 6/26/2019 6/26/2019 6/27/2019 Page 9 of 12 6/25/19 PROJECT COMMITMENTS Cabarrus County Bridge No. 120105 on SR 2450 (Gold Hill Road) over Branch of Big Bear Creek W.B.S. No. 17BP.10.R.110 TIP No. NA Hydraulics Unit The Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping Program (FMP), to determine the status of the project with regard to the 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). Division 10 According to Cabarrus County Public Schools Director of Transportation, school buses make only 4 trips per day through the entire corridor. Consequently, any roadway closure or detours related to this project will have a low impact on the county school system. Cabarrus County Emergency service Director also indicated that the project will have a low impact on EMS response time as there are suitable routes available with minimal impact on EMS response. However, the County planner indicated that there are agricultural lands in the vicinity of the project. It is recommended that the project team coordinate with NCDOT Engineers prior to the construction for rerouting of EMS services and school buses during the construction and also minimizing impacts on active farming in the vicinity of the project. Division 10 NCDOT Division 10 Environmental Staff will be responsible for habitat assessment for the NLEB and for habitat assessment and surveys for the Carolina heelsplitter. DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 10 of 12 6/25/19 Vicinity Map DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 11 of 12 6/25/19 Detour Map DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8 Page 12 of 12 6/25/19 Jurisdictional Features Map DocuSign Envelope ID: 1F5035B3-E26B-438F-AE5B-5D70091CC1C8