U-4421

United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
September 4, 2001
Mr. William D. Gilmore, P.E., Manager
NCDOT
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
Dear Mr. Gilmore:
Thank you for your letter of July 25, 2001 requesting information from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) for the purpose of evaluating the potential environmental impacts of
the proposed widening of SR 1141 (Cumberland Road) from SR 1133 (George Owen Road) to
NC 59 (Hope Mills Road), Cumberland County, North Carolina (TIP No. U-4421). This report
provides scoping information and is provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and
Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) (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). This report also serves as
initial scoping comments to federal and state resource agencies for use in their permitting and/or
certification processes for this project.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to widen SR 1141 to a
four-lane, 16-foot raised median divided facility with curb and gutter. The project is
approximately 0.45 mile in length.
Generally, the Service recommends that wetland impacts be avoided and minimized to the
maximum extent practical as outlined in Section 404 (b)(1) of the Clean Water Act
Amendments of 1977. In regard to avoidance and minimization of impacts, we recommend that
proposed highway projects be aligned along or adjacent to existing roadways, utility corridors,
or previously developed areas in order to minimize habitat fragmentation and encroachment.
Areas exhibiting high biodiversity or ecological value important to the watershed and region
should be avoided. Crossings of streams and associated wetland systems should use existing
crossings and/or occur on a structure wherever feasible. Where bridging is not feasible, culvert
structures that maintain natural water flows and hydraulic regimes without scouring, or
impeding fish and wildlife passage, should be employed. Highway shoulder and median widths
should be reduced through wetland areas. Roadway embankments and fill areas should be
stabilized by using appropriate erosion control devices and techniques. Wherever appropriate,
construction in sensitive areas should occur outside fish spawning and migratory bird nesting
seasons.
The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) map of the Fayetteville 7.5 Minute Quadrangle does
not show wetland or stream resources in the specific work area. However, while the NWI maps
are useful for providing an overview of a given area, they should not be relied upon in lieu of a
detailed wetland delineation by trained personnel using an acceptable wetland classification
methodology.
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, supported by
tabular data, if available, and including a discussion of the project's independent utility;
2. A description of the proposed action with an analysis of all alternatives being
considered, including the upgrading of existing roads and a "no action" alternative;
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 (Corps);
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 the fragmentation or direct loss of wildlife habitat value;
7. Design features, construction techniques, or any other mitigation measures which would
be employed at wetland crossings and stream channel relocations to avoid or
minimize impacts to waters of the United States; and,
8. If unavoidable wetland impacts are proposed, we recommend that every effort be made
to identify compensatory mitigation sites in advance. Project planning should include a
detailed compensatory mitigation plan for offsetting unavoidable wetland impacts.
Opportunities to protect mitigation areas in perpetuity, preferably via conservation
easement, should be explored at the outset.
The enclosed list identifies the federally-listed endangered and threatened species, and Federal
Species of Concern (FSC) that are known to occur in Cumberland County. The Service
recommends that habitat requirements for these federally-listed species be compared with the
available habitat at the project site. If suitable habitat is present within the action area of the
project, biological surveys for the listed species should be conducted. Environmental
documentation should include survey methodologies and results.
FSC's are those plant and animal species for which the Service remains concerned, but further
biological research and field study are needed to resolve the conservation status of these taxa.
Although FSC's receive no statutory protection under the ESA, we would encourage the
NCDOT to be alert to their potential presence, and to make every reasonable effort to conserve
them if found. The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program should be contacted for
information on species under state protection.
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 these comments, please contact
Tom McCartney at 919-856-4520, Ext. 32.
Sincerely,
Dr. Garland B. Pardue
Ecological Services Supervisor
Enclosure
cc: COE, Wilmington, NC (David Timpy)
NCDWQ, Raleigh, NC (John Hennessy)
NCDNR, Creedmoor, NC (David Cox)
EPA, Atlanta, GA (Ted Bisterfeld)
FWS/R4:TMcCartney:TM:09/04/01:919/856-4520 extension 32:\U-4421.tip
N. C. DEPARTMtNT OP TRANSPORTATION
DATE
TRANSMITTAL SLIP '
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TO: REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.

FROM: REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG.
ACTION
? NOTE AND FILE ? PER OUR CONVERSATION
? NOTE AND RETURN TO ME ? PER YOUR REQUEST
? RETURNWITH MORE DETAILS ? FOR YOUR APPROVAL

? NOTE AND SEE ME ABOUT THIS x FOR YOUR INFORMATION
? PLEASE ANSWER ? FOR YOUR COMMENTS
? PREPARE REPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE ? SIGNATURE
? TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ? INVESTIGATES AND REPORT
COMMENTS:
L

.At 2 4 2002

NOTICE OF A CITIZENS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP
FOR CUMBERLAND ROAD (SR 1141) FROM GEORGE OWEN ROAD
(SR 1133) TO HOPE MILLS ROAD (NC 59)
AND
ELK ROAD (SR 1363) FROM LEGION ROAD (SR 1132)
TO 1-95 BUSINESS/US 301
Project 8.2443801 U-4421 Cumberland County
Project 8.2443601 U-3849 Cumberland County
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold the above
Citizens Informational Workshop on Tuesday, February 5, 2002 between the
hours of 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM in the Commissioners Hearing Room of the Hope
Mills Town Hall at 5770 Rockfish Road, Hope Mills.
Interested individuals may attend this informal workshop at their
convenience during the above stated hours. Department of Transportation
representatives will. be present to answer questions and receive comments
relative to the proposed project.
The purpose of this workshop is to present information, answer questions,
and receive comments regarding these projects. TIP Project U-4421 proposes to
make improvements which involve the widening of Cumberland Road to a four-
lane median divided section or a five-lane section with curb and gutter. TIP
Project U-3849 proposes to make improvements which involve widening Elk
Road to a four lane median divided facility with curb and gutter and extending Elk
Road to 1-95 Business/US 301.
Anyone desiring additional information may contact Ms. Beverly Robinson,
by mail at 1548 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1548, phone (919) 733-
7844 ext. 254 or e-mail at brobinson(dot.state.mus.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services for disabled persons who
wish to participate in this workshop to comply with the American Disabilities Act.
To receive special services, please contact Ms. Robinson at the above address,
phone number or fax [phone] as early as possible so that arrangements
can be made.