P3800

? North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 9
TO: Marc Hamel, Rail Environmental Planning Engineer
Rail Division - Environmental & Planning Branch, NCDO?TyI
FROM: Marla Chambers, Western NCDOT Permit Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program, NCWRC
DATE: July 30, 2009
SUBJECT: Scoping review of NCDOT's proposed Norfolk Southern Mainline Track
Improvements Project (North End and South End), Mecklenburg County. TIP
No. P-3800.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is requesting comments from the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) regarding impacts to fish and wildlife
resources resulting from the subject project. Staff biologists have reviewed the information
provided and have the following preliminary comments. These comments are provided in
accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c))
and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Star. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The NCDOT proposes track improvements along Norfolk Southern (NS) railroad from NS's
Charlotte Junction (west of Morris Field Drive) to Eastway Drive, as part of the Charlotte
Railroad Improvement and Safety Program (CRISP). The cover letter indicated the
improvements are necessary to return passenger rail service to Charlotte Center City and to
introduce high speed passenger rail service to Charlotte. The project appears to cross Little
Sugar Creek and Irwin Creek, both of which are on the 303(d) list of impaired waters. We
recommend enhanced sediment and erosion control measures to minimize further degradation of
the waterways. In addition, to help facilitate document preparation and the review process, our
general information needs are outlined below:
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 the
following programs:
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
P-3800, NS Mainline Track Improvements
Irwin & Little Sugar Creeks, Mecklenburg Co. -2- July 30, 2009
The Natural Heritage Program
http://www.ncnhp.org
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N. C. 27699-1601
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. If applicable, include the
linear feet of stream that will be channelized or relocated.
3. Cover type maps showing wetland acreage impacted by the project. Wetland acreage
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
(USACE). If the USACE is not consulted, the person delineating wetlands should be
identified and criteria listed.
4. Cover type maps showing acreage of upland wildlife habitat impacted by the proposed
project. Potential borrow sites and waste areas should be included.
Show the extent to which the project will result in loss, degradation, or fragmentation of
wildlife habitat (wetlands or uplands).
6. Include the mitigation plan for avoiding, minimizing or compensating for direct and
indirect degradation in habitat quality as well as quantitative losses.
Address the overall environmental effects of the project construction and quantify the
contribution of this individual project to environmental degradation.
8. Provide 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.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input in the early planning stages of this project. If you
have any questions regarding these comments, please contact me at [phone].
cc: Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ
Polly Lespinasse, NCDWQ