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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
July 13, 2007
John Hennessy
DENR - Division of Water Quality
1650 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699 -1621
Dear John Hennessy:
SUBJECT: TIP Project B-4614 - Replacement of Bridge No. 41 on NC 73 over Naked
Creek in Richmond County.
The Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is completing the project
development, environmental and engineering studies for the replacement of this structure. This project is
included in the North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and is scheduled construction in
fiscal year 2011.
The alternatives under consideration at this time for this bridge replacement project are:
1. A replace in-place road closure that uses an offsite detour to maintain traffic during construction.
2. A replace in-place that uses a temporary detour structure to the north.
3. A replace in-place that uses a temporary detour structure to the south.
We have provided a copy of the Executive Summary of the Natural Resources Technical Report
(NRTR) for your use. We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in
evaluating potential environmental impacts of the project. Your comments will be used in the
preparation of a federally funded Categorical Exclusion. This document will be prepared in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that your agency respond by September 14,
2007 so that your comments can be used in the preparation of this document.
If you have any questions concerning any of these projects, please contact Tracy A. Walter at
[phone]. Please include the TIP Project Number in all correspondence and comments.
Sincerely,
Tracy A. Walter
Bridge Project Planning Engineer
Enclosure
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
BRIDGE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT UNIT
1551 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1551
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBSITE. WWW.NCDOT.ORG
LOCATION:
PARKER LINCOLN BLDG
2728 CAPITOL BLVD - SUITE 168
RALEIGH NC 27604

NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT
REPLACEMENT OF BRIDGE NO. 41
ON NC 73 OVER NAKED CREEK
RICHMOND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
T.I.P. No B-4614
State Project No. 8.1581401
Federal Aid Project No. BRSTP-73(10)
WBS No. 33797.1.1
Prepared for:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation
Division of Highways Planning and Environment
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Natural Environment Unit
Raleigh, North Carolina
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June 2007
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
B-4614
Richmond County
Proposed replacement of Bridge No. 41 on NC 73 over Naked Creek, Richmond County, North
Carolina; TIP No. B-4614.
INTRODUCTION
The project study area is located approximately 1.4 miles southwest of the junction of Derby
Road (SR 1003) and NC 73 in Richmond County, North Carolina (Figure 1). The project study
area is approximately 16.07 acres in areal extent, generally centered along NC 73. The project
study area comprises an area approximately 1,450 feet (ft) in length and 500 ft in width.
Elevations within the project study area range from approximately 410 ft above mean sea level
(MSL) to 450 ft above MSL. There is one hydric soil mapping unit [Johnston mucky loam
(Cumulic Humaquepts)] and two non-hydric soil mapping units [Ailey loamy sand (Arenic
Kanhapludults)] that may contain hydric inclusions (Figure 2).
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Water Resources
The project study area is located within sub-basin 03-07-50 of the Lumber River Basin and is part
of USGS hydrologic unit 03040203. There are three jurisdictional streams within the project
study area, Naked Creek (S1) and two unnamed tributaries (UT) to S1 (S2 and S3). S1 has been
assigned SIN 14-2-6 and a current BUC of WS-II ORW from the source to the Drowning Creek.
The stream segments within the project study area or within 1.0 mile of the project study area
have not been listed as impaired waters according to the N.C. Division of Water Quality (DWQ)
Clean Water Act Section 303(d) Final Assessment and Impaired list. However, all waters within
subbasin 03-07-50 are considered impaired on an evaluated basis due to fish consumption
advisories.
Biotic Resources
Four natural communities were identified within the project study area: Dry Mesic Oak Hickory
Forest, Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp, pine woodland, and successional pine/hardwood
forest. In addition to these plant communities, there are also areas of maintained/disturbed land.
Dry Mesic Oak Hickory Forest - This community is found on dry mesic upland areas (Schafale
and Weakley 1990). The Dry Mesic Oak Hickory Forest is located on the slopes northeast of S1
within the project study area.
1
Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp - This community occurs on small stream floodplains
without well developed alluvial landforms and can be flooded seasonally, temporarily, or
intermittently (Schafale and Weakley 1990). The Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp is
associated with the S 1 stream system.
Pine Woodland - This community is characterized by a predominance (greater than 80 percent
cover) of pines in the canopy. This community does not match any NCNHP natural community
types due to previous land disturbance, conversion to pine plantation, and alteration.
Successional Pine/Hardwood Forest - This community is characterized by a co-dominance of
relatively young pines and hardwoods. The pine/hardwood ratios vary considerably throughout
this area depending on the age of the community and previous land management practices making
it difficult to assign any specific NCNHP community type. The mixed pine/hardwood forest
occupies several areas in the southwestern quadrant of the project study area in close proximity to
the residential portions of the site.
Maintained/Disturbed Land - The maintained/disturbed land within the project study area
includes maintained roadsides and landscaped areas associated with residential land uses.
A summary of plant community areas is presented in the following table and in Figure 4
Table 1. Coverage of Terrestrial Communities Present in the Project Study Area.
Plant Community Area (acres) % of Project Study Area
Dry Mesic Oak Hickory Forest 3.23 20.1
Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp 5.05 31.4
Pine Woodland 3.31 20.6
Successional Pine/Hardwood Forest 1.81 11.3
Maintained/Disturbed 1.89 11.8
Total: 15.29 95.2
a Project Study Area includes impervious road surfaces (0.78 acres) (4.8 percent) that are not included in this plant
community assessment.
JURISDICTIONAL TOPICS
Surface Waters and Wetlands
Naked Creek (S1), and two unnamed tributaries to Naked Creek (S2 and S3) are considered to be
jurisdictional surface waters under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Based on field
investigations, the project study area also contains jurisdictional wetlands. Areas of these
systems within the project study area are summarized in the following table and are depicted in
Figure 3.
2
Table 2. Summary of Jurisdictional Areas Present in the Project Study Area.
WETLANDS
Feature Number Characteristics' Area (acres) DWQ Wetland
Ratingb
W 1 a/W l b PFO 1 C (Riverine) 1.08 73
W 1 c/W l d PFO 1 C (Riverine) 1.67 73
W l e PFO I A (Riverine) 0.54 64
W2 PFOIA (Riverine) 0.07 64
W3 PFOIA (Riverine) 0.13 21
TOTAL: 3.49
SURFACE WATERS
STREAMS
Feature Characteristics` Length (linear ft)
Naked Creek (S1) Lower perennial (R2)/Important 560
UT to Naked Creek (S2) Intermittent (R4)/Important 30
UT to Naked Creek (S3) Perennial (R2)/Important 173
TOTAL: 763
° Wetland Type: Pr'UTA palustrme, torested, broad-leaved deciduous, temporarily flooded, Riverine; PFO1C palustrine, forested,
broad-leaved deciduous, seasonally flooded, Riverine. Riverine wetlands receive overbank flooding compared to Non-Riverine
wetlands which do not receive overbank flooding.
b DWQ Wetland Rating Scores from Wetland Rating Worksheet for each wetland (Appendix B)
` Stream Type: R2 lower perennial. R4 intermittent
Potential impacts to jurisdictional wetlands located in the project study area have been analyzed
based on vegetation type (Cowardin Classification) and source of dominant hydrologic influence
(riparian or non-riparian). The palustrine, forested wetlands within the project study area account
for 3.49 acres of the 16.07-acre project study area.
Potential impacts to S1, S2, and S3 located in the project study area have been analyzed based on
two general characteristics: flow characteristics (perennial or intermittent) and stream importance.
These characteristics can be used to determine the alternative that best avoids and minimizes
impacts to jurisdictional streams. S1, S2, and S3 may be considered Important stream channels
by the USACE and impacts to these streams will likely require mitigation. S I occupies
approximately 560 linear ft and 0.76 acre of the project study area, S2 occupies approximately 30
linear ft of the project study area, and S3 occupies approximately 173 linear ft and 0.03 acre of
the project study area. According to the DWQ Stream Identification Form; Version 3.1
completed during the initial field investigation, S1 is perennial with a score of 49.5, S2 is
intermittent with a score of 21, and S3 is perennial with a score of 35.5 (Appendix B).
Jurisdictional areas within the project study area have been reviewed and approved by the
USACE. A formal Jurisdictional Determination should be forthcoming pending recent guidance
on the Rapanos v. United States decision.
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Permits
It is anticipated that this bridge project will qualify for Nationwide Permit (NWT) #23,
authorizing approved Categorical Exclusions (CEs) under Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) guidelines. NWP #23 [33 CFR 330.5(a)(23)] has been issued by the US Army Corps of
Engineers (USAGE) for CEs due to expected minimal impact. NWP #33 may be necessary if
temporary construction is required for this project that is not described in the CE including
temporary structures, work, and discharges including cofferdams.
Protected Species
Species with the federal classification of Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or officially Proposed
(P) for such listing, are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (16 USC
1531 et seq.). Table 3 presents the federal protected species listed for Richmond County (10 May
2007 USFWS list).
Table 3. Federally Listed Species for Richmond County, NC (10 May 2007 USFWS list).
Common Name Scientific Name Federal Habitat Biological
Status Present Conclusion
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus T No No Effect
Red cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis E Yes Unresolved
Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum E No No Effect
Carolina heelsplitte? Lasmigona decorata E No No Effect
Michaux's sumac Rhus michauxii E Yes No Effect
Rouen-leaved loosestrife Lvsimachia asnerulaefolia E No No Effect
T - Threatened, E - Endangered.
b Historic Record - the species was last observed in the county more than 50 years ago.
Bald Eagle - Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
According to NCNHP records, there is no documentation of bald eagle within 1.0 mile of the
project study area (NCNHP 2007). No large bodies of water are present in the project study area.
Therefore, potentially suitable nesting and foraging habitat for the bald eagle is not present within
the project study area or within 1.0 mile of the project study area and the proposed project will
have no effect on this species.
Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) - Biological Conclusion: UNRESOLVED
According to NCNHP records, there is no documentation of RCW within 1.0 mile of the project
study area (NCNHP 2007). The northeast and southeast quadrants of the project study area
contains open pine/mixed hardwood stands, with pines comprising over 60 percent of the canopy.
Therefore, potential foraging habitat for RCW may be present in the project study area. The
project vicinity should be surveyed for the presence/absence of RCW, however a project vicinity
4
survey is not within ESI's scope of services or contract for this project. The project's effect on
this species is unresolved.
Shortnose sturgeon - Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
According to NCNHP records, there is no documentation of shortnose sturgeon within 1.0 mile of
the project study area (NCNHP 2007). Naked Creek, within the project study area, is a small,
shallow stream with a slow moving current and sandy substrate. Therefore, no potentially
suitable habitat for this species is present within the project study area. This project will have no
effect on this species.
Carolina heelsplitter - Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
According to NCNHP records, there is no documentation of Carolina heelsplitter within 1.0 mile
of the project study area (NCNHP 2007). Naked Creek, within the project study area, is a small,
shallow stream with a slow moving current and sandy substrate. No potentially suitable habitat
for Carolina heelsplitter is present within the project study area. This project will have no effect
on this species.
Michaux's sumac - Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
According to NCNHP records, there is no documentation of Michaux's sumac within 1.0 mile of
the project study area (NCNHP 2007). The maintained roadsides of NC 73 and SR 1461 may
provide potentially suitable habitat, however a survey for Michaux's sumac within the project
study area was conducted on 3 May 2007 and no individuals were observed. This project will
have no effect on this species.
Rough-leaved loosestrife- Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
According to NCNHP records, there is no documentation of rough leaved loosestrife within 1.0
mile of the project study area (NCNHP 2007). The project study area does not have the wet,
peaty, poorly drained soils of pond pine pocosins, nor the fire maintained ecotone adjacent to
longleaf pine uplands required by the rough leaved loosestrife. No potentially suitable habitat for
this species is present within the project study area. This project will have no effect on this
species.
CONCLUSIONS
The project study area contains 3.49 acres of jurisdictional palustrine wetland areas that could
potentially be affected by the proposed project. S1 occupies approximately 560 linear ft and 0.76
acres of the project study area. S2 occupies approximately 30 linear ft of the project study area.
S3 occupies approximately 173 linear ft and 0.03 acres of the project study area. Permits likely to
be required for this project are a Section 404 NWP # 23 along with the corresponding Section 401
Water Quality Certification.
Potential foraging habitat for RCW is present within the project study area. The biological
conclusion for this species is Unresolved pending future surveys. The proposed project will not
5
affect bald eagle, shortnose sturgeon, rough leaved loosestrife, Michaux's sumac, or Carolina
heelsplitter populations. According to NCNHP records, no FSC species or state listed species are
documented to occur within 1.0 mile of the project study area.
This natural resource technical report is based on the overall project study area and does not take
into account final design or limits of construction, which were undefined at the time of this report.
Construction of a replacement bridge within the footprint of the existing Bridge No. 41 is
recommended to minimize impacts to wetlands and vegetative communities. Designing
alternatives that avoid expanding the existing bridge footprint and right-of-way downstream of
the existing bridge will minimize impacts to wetlands and streams.
6
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Sd2
O Project Boundary*
*Location and extent is approximate.
0 1000 2000
Feet
1 inch equals 500 feet.
Source: USGS Digital Raster Graphics,
Norman, NC Quadrangles, 1950;
Project boundary approximated by ESI.
Disclaimer. The information depicted on this figure is for
informational purposes only and was not prepared for,
and Is not suitable for legal or engineering purposes.
Location
°c

Project Location
Replacement of Bridge No. 41
Richmond County, North Carolina
T.I.P. No. 8-4614
Project: ER06090.00
Date: Jun 2007
Drwn/Chkd: AJS/GT
Figure: 1
AcE
Feet
1 inch equals 2,000 feet.
Yti
Source: NRCS Soil Survey to Richmond
County, 1999; Project boundary X - I
Ad f
approximated by ESI. ?-
Disclaimer The information depicted on this figure is for
informational purposes only and was not prepared for, __.,y ...
antl is not suitable for legal or engineering purposes. -
Project Soils Project: ER06090.00
t Replacement of Bridge No. 41 Date: Jun 2007
Richmond County, North Carolina Drwn/Chkd: AJS/GT
T.I.P. No. B-4614 Figure: 2
PiGeoGra\Projects\2006\090\84614\Corel\B4614 soils.cdr, 04/24/07, 1 30 PM