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Home My WebLink AboutR-2301ATIP R-2301A, Craven County 4ow = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 natural beauty, historic charm, and convenient location. The town was settled in 1710, and its picturesque downtown waterfront district is still home to many of the attractive historic buildings, shops, and homes of that era. New Bern is synonymous with the Tryon Palace and the New Bern Historic District. Close in proximity are the Croatan National Forest, Cherry Point Marine Base in Havelock, and Camp Lejeune Marine Base in Jacksonville. Although all of the proposed TIP R-2301A alignment is within Craven County, a portion of the Growth Impact Study Area for the project is within Jones County immediately south of Craven County. Growth Trends Most of the population growth over the last decade within Craven County has occurred along the US 70 corridor east of New Bern, as well as within the newly incorporated communities of Trent Woods and River Bend. Commercial growth is continuing along the NC 55 and NC 43 corridors northwest of New Bern, where the Craven County Industrial Park is located, as well as major manufacturers such as Weyerhaeuser Co., Moen, Inc., and Hatteras Yachts. The largest Craven County employer is the Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point Marine Base, which employed a total of 3,700 personnel at the end of 2002. Table 1 indicates population growth trends for the Demographic Area, New Bern, Craven County, and North Carolina. Population in the Demographic Area grew by only 3.1 % between 1990 and 2000, much less than any of the other three geographic areas. This low growth rate seems to be due to the loss of population in downtown New Bern, which is included in the Demographic Area. Most of the population growth in New Bern appears to be due to annexation practices along the periphery of the city (and outside of the Demographic Area), particularly along US 70 southeast of the city. Table 1. Population Growth, 1990-2000 Po ul ation. - Growth, 90-60 Area 1990 2000 41 °lo Demographic Area 21,865 22,553 688 3.1% New Bern 17,363 23,128 5,765 33.2% Craven County 81,613 91,436 9,823 12.0% North Carolina 6,628,637 8,049,313 1,420,676 21.4% Source: US Census Bureau According to data from the North Carolina Employment Security Commission, employment in Craven County increased by 25.0% (7,655 jobs) between 1990 and 2003 (see Table 2). The Government sector led the way with an increase of 2,135 employees during the 13-year period. Also growing rapidly within the County was the Health Care and Social Assistance sector and Administrative and Waste Services sector. Combined, these sectors added about 2,600 jobs, or 34% of the total growth. Unlike most North Carolina counties, Craven County added over 500 manufacturing jobs. The following tables indicate employment growth for Craven County, Jones County, and the State. 4 If TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 Table 2. Employment By Sector Growth, Craven County Sector _Emplo%rnent 1990 2003^ _Change, '90-'03 # Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 355 427 72 20.3% Mining 68 * N/A N/A Utilities 94 74 -20 -21.3% Construction 1,564 2,092 528 33.8% Manufacturing 3,608 4,224 616 17.1% Wholesale Trade 907 885 -22 -2.4% Retail Trade 3,906 3,945 39 1.0% Transportation and Warehousing 504 1,042 538 106.7% Information 635 647 12 1.9% Finance and Insurance 673 721 48 7.1% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 224 298 74 33.0% Professional and Technical Services 1,095 1,651 556 50.8% Management of Companies and Enterprises * 70 N/A N/A Administrative and Waste Services 670 1,643 973 145.2% Educational Services 47 123 76 161.7% Health Care and Social Assistance 1,732 3,619 1,887 108.9% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 695 339 -356 -51.2% Accommodation and Food Services 1,999 3,108 1,109 55.5% Other Services, Ex. Public Administration 833 1,003 170 20.4% Unclassified * 77 N/A N/A Government 11,026 13,165 2,139 19.4% 'Dotal*` 30,635 39,006 8,371 27.3% Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission (NCESC) * - Indicates disclosure suppression ^ - 2003 total does not include data for those sectors in which 1990 data was not disclosed N/A - Not Applicable ** - 1990 total does not include data for * sectors = TIP R-2301A, Craven County Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 Table 3. Employment By Sector Growth, Jones County F?nployment Change, '90-'03 Sector 1990 2003^ # Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 113 165 52 46.0% Mining N/A N/A N/A N/A Utilities N/A N/A N/A N/A Construction 62 145 83 133.9% Manufacturing 261 58 -203 -77.8% Wholesale Trade 80 77 -3 -3.8% Retail Trade 214 137 -77 -36.0% Transportation and Warehousing 28 85 57 203.6% Information * * N/A N/A Finance and Insurance 20 17 -3 -15.0% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing * * N/A N/A Professional and Technical Services 17 * N/A N/A Management of Companies and Enterprises N/A N/A N/A N/A Administrative and Waste Services * 18 N/A N/A Educational Services N/A N/A N/A N/A Health Care and Social Assistance * 294 N/A N/A Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation * * N/A N/A Accommodation and Food Services * 15 N/A N/A Other Services, Ex. Public Administration 33 32 -1 -3.0% Unclassified N/A * N/A N/A Government 442 557 115 26.0% -Total** 1,467 1,663 196 13.40/o Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission (NCESC) * - Indicates disclosure suppression ^ - 2003 total does not include data for those sectors in which 1990 data was not disclosed N/A - Not Applicable ** - 1990 total does not include data for * sectors 6 TIP R-2301A, Craven County t = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 Table 4. Employment By Sector Growth, North Carolina Sector - -Eni ) ovment 1990 2003 ^ Change, '90-'03 # ?- - ° Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 21,827 30,422 8,595 39.4% Mining 3,993 3,976 -17 -0.4% Utilities 26,626 14,112 -12,514 -47.0% Construction 166,733 211,121 44,388 26.6% Manufacturing 820,239 602,017 -218,222 -26.6% Wholesale Trade 139,697 162,750 23,053 16.5% Retail Trade 377,026 431,925 54,899 14.6% Transportation and Warehousing 82,772 108,410 25,638 31.0% Information 57,615 75,357 17,742 30.8% Finance and Insurance 102,412 137,797 35,385 34.6% Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 32,488 47,143 14,655 45.1% Professional and Technical Services 89,618 145,953 56,335 62.9% Management of Companies and Enterprises 35,104 61,193 26,089 74.3% Administrative and Waste Services 108,590 211,244 102,654 94.5% Educational Services 22,091 46,339 24,248 109.8% Health Care and Social Assistance 203,641 363,400 159,759 78.5% Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 27,952 45,594 17,642 63.1% Accommodation and Food Services 205,943 291,530 85,587 41.6% Other Services, Ex. Public Administration 77,172 96,446 19,274 25.0% Unclassified * 7,943 N/A N/A Government 476,906 625,966 149,060 31.3% TotaY-` 3,079,017 3,712,69- 633,678 20.6% Source: North Carolina Employment Security Commission (NCESC) * - Indicates disclosure suppression ^ - 2003 total does not include data for those sectors in which 1990 data was not disclosed N/A - Not Applicable ** - 1990 total does include data for * sectors TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 A total of only 1,663 jobs existed in Jones County in 2003, 13% more than the total in 1990 (see Table 3 above). The lack of a growing urban center, a limited transportation network, and a relatively small supply of developable land has limited the growth opportunities in Jones County. The Government sector had the largest employment total in 2003 with 557 jobs, followed by the Health Care and Social Assistance sector with 294 employees. Many of the employment sectors suppressed data or simply did not have any employment to report. According to Table 4 above, North Carolina employment grew by 20.6% between 1990 and 2003 from nearly 3.1 million to over 3.7 million jobs. A total of slightly over 25% of that growth occurred in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, while the Manufacturing sector lost 26.6% of its employment (218,222). Existing Land Use Land use within the GISA of TIP R-2301A is predominantly forested, with some scattered agricultural and single-family residential uses, particularly along existing US 17 and NC 55 (see Figure 3). Land surrounding the proposed interchange with existing US 17 (near SR 1224) includes an Amoco gas station, some large lot single-family residences, and agricultural uses along the east side of US 17. Land near the proposed interchange with US 70 is more commercial in nature, with the Craven County Industrial Park (highlighted in blue and brown in Figure 3) located just south of the intersection of SR 1225 (Clarks Road) and US 70. Industrial uses are also prevalent immediately north of the proposed US 70 interchange near the intersection of Clarks Road and SR 1005, including the Martin- Marietta Corporation Rock Quarry (highlighted in brown on Figure 3). Land use data within the Jones County portion of the GISA was unavailable at the time of th' nt iS assessme . However, based upon a site visit, the area along the US 17 corridor in Jones County is predominantly agricultural with scattered single-family development. Land Use Plans The 2000 New Bern Regional Land Use Plan identifies planning needs and objectives for New Bern, Trent Woods, and River Bend. The majority of TIP R-2301A's GISA is 8 .r TIP R-2301A, Craven County Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 located in unincorporated Craven County, but all of River Bend and a portion of New Bern and Trent Woods are located within the GISA as well. The southern portion of the GISA extends into Jones County, which currently does not have a land use plan for its unincorporated areas. New Bern's plan identifies several land use issues or objectives for the region including, but not limited to: • conservation of wetlands • surface and ground water quality • preservation of agricultural and commercial forest areas • determining land use and transportation impacts on resources • provision of municipal sewer service to future residential development The plan indicates that the largest undeveloped tracts within the New Bern region are located in the western portion of New Bern's extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and in the northwest quadrant of River Bend, both of which are included in TIP R-2301A's GISA (see Figure 1). However, the plan also denotes that there are severe soil limitations for building site development along the project corridor, including the proposed interchange with US 70. Soil conditions are considered severe if soil properties are so unfavorable or difficult to overcome that special design, significant increases in construction costs, and possibly increased maintenance are required. Craven County completed an addendum to their 1996 Land Use Plan in 1998. All of the proposed TIP R-2301A alignment is within the jurisdiction of this plan, but the southern portion of the GISA is not (in Jones County). According to the plan, 55.5% of the county's land is considered forested. Key land use issues highlighted in the Craven County Land Use Plan relevant to TIP R-2301A include: • designation and protection of wetland areas • expansion of central water and sewer areas • increasing traffic congestion, particularly along the US 70 corridor • continued support of economic development The plan identifies fragile areas which could be easily damaged or destroyed by inappropriate, unplanned, or poorly planned development. These areas include both Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC's), as defined by the Division of Coastal Management, and other natural resource fragile areas. According to the map included in the plan, there are no AEC's or other fragile areas within the Craven County portion of the LISA. Also, TIP R-2301A is the first project listed under Craven County TIP Improvements. In addition to the Land Use Plan, Craven County recently adopted a document entitled Craven County 2006: Strategically Planning for the New Millennium, in which recommendations and action steps are outlined in the areas of Education, Economic Development, and Environment. The Environment chapter focuses on water quality and includes recommendations for the adoption of a Uniform Growth Management Plan, the TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 development of a comprehensive approach to wastewater treatment and disposal, and a regional approach to reducing urban and residential stormwater impacts. Zoning There is no zoning within the unincorporated portions of Craven County or Jones County. Zoning within the New Bern portion of the GISA is mixed, with commercial, residential, office, light industrial, and institutional all included. Zoning within the Town of River Bend is predominantly single-family residential. Environmental Regulations (Water Resources) According to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality, site disturbances of less than one acre require the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs), but a site plan is not required. BMPs include activities, practices, and procedures undertaken to prevent or reduce water pollution, such as: on-site detention areas, vegetative buffers, culverts, and erosion control. Site disturbances greater than one acre require both the application of BMPs as well as a site plan. These regulations should provide adequate water resource protection for any project-related land clearing activity (including induced development) that may occur as a result of TIP R-2301A. The TIP R-2301A portion of the US 17 Bypass is located within the Neuse River basin. According to the July 2002 Neuse River Basinwide Plan, the project is partially located within two of the subbasins in the overall Neuse River basin. Subbasin 03-04-08 encompasses most of northwestern Craven County, including the Neuse River, the US 70 corridor west of New Bern, and the US 55 corridor west of New Bern. The plan indicates that within this subbasin, there are no impaired water bodies within the GISA of TIP R- 2301A. Subbasin 03-04-11 encompasses almost all of Jones County, as well as a small portion of extreme southern Craven County, including the US 17 corridor south of New Bern. The Neuse River Basinwide Plan indicates that this subbasin also does not have impaired water bodies within the GISA of TIP R-2301A. Furthermore, no Outstanding Resource Waters or High Quality Waters were identified within either of these subbasins. Craven County is also considered a Coastal Area Management Act (LAMA) county. The Division of Coastal Management enforces this adopted policy, which was enacted in order to protect, conserve and manage North Carolina's coastal resources through an integrated program of planning, permitting, education and research. Any development that is to take place within CAMA's designated Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC), as they define them, would require a CAMA permit (see www.nccoastalmanaaement.net). There is no mention of any AECs within the 2001 Environmental Impact Statement for TIP R-2301 A. According to'the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, the agency under which CAMA is located, there are a substantial amount of wetlands located within the GISA of TIP R-2301A (see Figure 4). Because of the environmental sensitivity associated with these wetlands, they could potentially restrict where growth related to the 10 TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 project could take place. Although a few are located in existing floodplain/floodway area, which in and of itself restricts development opportunities, all wetlands are protected by the provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. As part of this Act, a permit will be required from the Army Corps of Engineers for any potential discharge of dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States" (which includes wetlands). In addition, BMPs would be required for any new development resulting from TIP R-2301A that could potentially have wetland impacts. The Craven County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance stipulates that new construction or substantial improvement of any structure within flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the base flood elevation. Within floodways, which are extremely hazardous areas due to the velocity of floodwaters that carry debris and have erosion potential, no encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other developments shall be permitted unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided that stipulates no increase in flood levels during occurrence of the base flood discharge is anticipated. Transportation Plans The US 17 Bypass, of which TIP R-2301A is a portion, is listed in the transportation section of the 2002-2003 New Bern Comprehensive Plan as a project that will relieve congested local corridors and allow regional traffic to bypass local municipalities. It is also designated as a proposed freeway/expressway within the 1993 Thoroughfare Plan. This 1993 New Bern-Bridgeton-Trent Woods-River Bend Thoroughfare Plan forms the basis of New Bern's transportation system planning, along with the State TIP. There are currently no plans to update this Thoroughfare Plan. This plan identifies US 17 as the only designated highway route east of I-95 that extends from South Carolina to Virginia. According to the Thoroughfare Plan, the US 17 Bypass will allow regional traffic on US 17 to bypass the local municipalities thus relieving congested local corridors and improving local traffic flow. The 2004-2010 Transportation Improvement Program also identifies the US 17 Bypass as a priority project. Other NCDOT TIP projects in the area include (see Figure 1): • R-2301B: Continuation of the US 17 Bypass on new location north of US 70 to existing US 17 near Vanceboro; construction to start Post Years • R-2514: Widening of NC 17 to multi-lanes from Craven/Jones County border south to the northern city limits of Jacksonville in Onslow County; construction to start FY 2009 • R-4463: NC 43 Connector on new location in Craven County from existing NC 43/NC 55 to US 17 with an interchange at US 70; construction to start FY 2006 • R-3403: Widening of US 17 to a four-lane, median-divided facility from Bridgeton to NC 43 in Craven County; construction to start FY 2005 11 TIP R-2301A, Craven County -' = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 V. INVENTORY OF NOTABLE FEATURES Inventory of Notable Features In order to help determine the potential of TIP R-2301A to indirectly affect environmentally notable features within the GISA, an inventory of notable features was assembled. Tables indicating the name, status, and location of these notable features are located in the Appendix. Endangered species and natural communities which may be found within the GISA are listed by the USGS Quad within which they are located. Figure 5 indicates the boundaries of these USGS Quads. All other notable features that were inventoried were either located within the GISA or Craven County. The following are the highlights of the data included in the Appendix tables (refer to Figure 5 for some of the locations): • Five (5) federally-protected species: Red-cockaded woodpecker, West-Indian Manatee, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Bald Eagle and Sensitive Joint-Vetch • More than twenty (20) natural communities and one special habitat • One National Register Structure and no National Register Districts in the GISA • Nine (9) potential underground storage tanks in the GISA (per EIS) • No solid waste facilities in Jones County. • Approximately nineteen (19) potential solid waste or hazardous material facilities in Craven County/GISA • GIS search revealed one hazardous waste site (superfund) in the GISA. • GIS search and web-based search revealed one 303(d) water (Trent River) in the GISA. According to DENR, it is impaired as a result of low dissolved oxygen; potential sources include agriculture or intensive animal feeding operations • GIS search revealed no Wild and Scenic Rivers, HQWs or ORWs. None found in the EIS or web-based search either. In addition, according to the 2001 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the Tuscarora Game Lands are located along the proposed TIP R-2301A alignment, and the extreme northern portion of the Croatan National Forest is located in the southern portion of the GISA. In addition, the EIS identifies three archaeological sites that appear to be located within the GISA and are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. One is near Round Tree Branch, one near the Neuse River, and one approximately 1/4- mile northeast of Swift Creek. VI. ACTIVITIES THAT CAUSE EFFECTS Previous Report Conclusions 2001 Environmental Impact Statement 12 TIP R-2301A, Craven County - = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 In terms of potential indirect and cumulative effects, the TIP R-2301 Environmental Impact Statement includes an "Indirect Impacts" section as well as a "Cumulative Impacts" section. Conclusions related to indirect effects within this document include the following: • No impact is expected on the available deer hunting sites within the Tuscarora Game Lands • No impacts anticipated for designated recreational sites • No effects for National Register properties • No effect on Federally Endangered and/or Protected species • Changes in patterns of development and/or land use (particularly commercial and industrial) as a result of the project is expected to occur mainly at interchange locations due to the interaction of local businesses with nonresidential through traffic • Pressure for commercial or industrial development at the proposed US 17/US 17 Bypass interchange is minimal • Because of its proximity to the US 70/Clarks Road interchange and Craven Industrial Park, the potential for development at the proposed US 70/US 17 Bypass interchange is high • Development at the proposed US 70/US 17 Bypass interchange could impact the nearby Clarks District, a property eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places • Since the interchange locations of TIP R-2301A are located on the outskirts of New Bern, their completion could accelerate development and the extension of urban services to those areas Recent Development Activity Much of the new growth within Craven County is occurring along US 70 south of downtown New Bern within newly annexed portions of New Bern. Proximity to Cherry Point Marine Base and the coast make that portion of the US 70 corridor attractive for both residential and commercial development. Development activity within the GISA, particularly industrial, has been primarily limited to the area north of US 70, and within industrial areas along NC 55 and the Atlantic & East Coast Railroad. Also, the River Bend residential community located to the west of New Bern along US 17 has experienced recent residential growth. VII. POTENTIAL INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS FOR ANALYSIS The North Carolina DOT, in their April 2001 handbook titled "Guidance for Assessing Indirect and Cumulative Impacts of Transportation Projects in North Carolina," outlines a set of factors that need to be evaluated to determine whether or not amore detailed indirect and cumulative impact analysis (ICI) maybe necessary for specific projects.. The following is an assessment of those factors as they relate to TIP R-2301A. 13 JR TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 Conflict with local plan: The US 17 Bypass in its entirety is identified in the transportation section of the New Bern 2002-2003 Comprehensive Plan, as well as the Craven County 2006: Strategically Planning for the New Millennium Plan, in which recommendations and action steps are outlined in the areas of Education, Economic Development, and Environment. Furthermore, it is listed as a needed improvement within the transportation section of the 1998 Craven County Land Use Plan Addendum. The project is mentioned as a needed major improvement in this document. Lastly, the March 2000 New Bern Regional Land Use Plan suggests that the US 17 Bypass should help to minimize congestion on local roadways within New Bern. The project should not conflict with any adopted land use plans. Explicit economic development purpose: The stated purpose of the project is to alleviate vehicular congestion and improve the level of service (LOS) along US 17, while at the same time providing through traffic with unimpeded travel. The US 17 Bypass should also allow improved mobilization whenever hurricane evacuations are ordered in nearby coastal regions. According to local planners, there is no explicit economic development purpose. Planned to serve specific development: There is minimal development located along the TIP R-2301A portion of the US 17 Bypass. The project does provide for an interchange at US 70 in close proximity to the Craven County Industrial Park, which should generate industrial development opportunities. However, this appears to be an indirect benefit and not the driving force behind the project. Likely to stimulate land development having complementary (to highway-related travel) functions: The assessment of this factor partially involves an evaluation of a subset of factors commonly used to determine the potential for growth resulting from transportation projects surrounding rural interchanges including: • distance to a major urban center • traffic volumes on intersecting roadways • presence of frontage roads • availability of water/sewer The TIP R-2301A portion of the US 17 Bypass is predominantly located within a suburbanizing area of Craven County, an estimated 10-minute drive to downtown New Bern. Portions of New Bern as well as its ETJ boundary are located within the GISA of the project. Vehicles per day (VPD) along intersecting roadways (see Figure 1) is as follows: 2002 • US 17 (between River Bend and New Bern): 18,000 • US 70 (just east of Clarks Road' interchange): 14,000 14 TIP R-2301A, Craven County s = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 • SR 1224: 2,600 • SR 1225: 2,100 The traffic volume data unsurprisingly indicates that most of the current traffic surrounding the project is located along US 17 and US 70. Thus, the likelihood of TIP R- 2301A stimulating land development having complementary functions near the proposed interchanges with these two federal highways is higher than that of other nearby roadways, such as SR 1224 and SR 1225. No frontage/service roads are proposed as part of TIP R-2301A. Existing public water lines are located parallel to the Atlantic & East Coast Railroad to the north of US 70 and along US 17 (with smaller service lines extending north) from New Bern to the Jones County border (see Figure 5). In addition to these areas, the extreme eastern portion of the GISA is adequately served by both water and sewer utilities. The future expansion of New Bern into their ETJ area west of the existing town limits should provide for additional public utilities for much of the eastern half of the GISA. Likely to influence intraregional land development location decisions: Typically, if the conditions are favorable for development and/or a region is currently undergoing urbanization, a modification to the transportation infrastructure is likely to influence where development will occur. Other than the area surrounding both proposed interchanges (termini) of TIP R-2301A, conditions within the majority of the GISA are unfavorable for development. A number of wetlands within the GISA should hinder land development activity resulting from the project in many locations, as should the lack of adequate water and sewer services within the majority of the GISA. Notable feature present in GISA: Section V of this report indicates there are a number of notable features located and potentially located within the GISA of TIP R-2301 A, including state and federal protected species, natural communities, solid waste facilities, hazardous substance sites, and underground storage tanks. In addition, the 303(d) impaired Trent River is a major body of water located within the extreme southern portion of the GISA, as is a portion of the Croatan National Forest. According to the 2001 Environmental Impact Statement, there is also a North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) Gamelands area along the project alignment within the GISA. Notable feature impacted: Indirect impacts to any notable features would come in the form of land use change (conversion from undisturbed land to developed land) as a result of the project. The protection of any notable features within these potential areas would be the responsibility of the local jurisdiction, including coordination with state agencies. Based on the known locations of notable features within the GISA, as well as professional judgment regarding where potential growth resulting from the project could be located, there appears to be a low likelihood of notable features being affected. 14 TIP R-2301A, Craven County Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 VIII. INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS Potential For Land Use Change To further evaluate whether indirect and cumulative effects would likely result from TIP R-2301A, an analysis of a set of quantitative factors was completed. This analysis helps to determine the potential for land use change as a result of the project. Table 5 on the following page indicates the results of this rating analysis. Table 5. Potential For Land Use Change. 2000-2020 Land Change Supply - in vs. Water/ Change in Property Forecasted Land Surer 1llail etfbr - Public =_ Rating '- -Accessibility Values Growth Demand Availability Devela nient,< <'--=Polic ; ?: - > 50% increase > 3% < 10- Less > 10 min. in annual year Existing Development stringent; no travel time property pop. supply service activity growth Strong savings values growth of land available abundant management n X X " X X X X X „ No 0-1% > 20- No service More < 2 min. property annual year available Development stringent; travel time value pop. supply now or in activity growth Weak savings increase growth of land future lacking management TIP R-2301A by itself should not create substantial travel time savings since it is merely a segment of the proposed US 17 Bypass around New Bern. It only provides a new route between US 17 south of New Bern to US 70 west of New Bern. It would still require a through traveler to take indirect routes from US 70 north to US 17 near Vanceboro to complete the bypass. Furthermore, NC 58 and NC 43 already provide a direct connection between US 17 and US 70 further south and west. Because of improved access, property values for land near the proposed interchanges should slightly escalate, potentially causing the conversion of existing and planned single-family and agricultural uses to commercial uses, particularly along US 17. Property values along the actual project alignment may actually decrease because of increased noise and the negative impact on the visual environment. According to the North Carolina State Demographics (www.demog.state.ne.us) website, forecasted population growth between 2000 and 2020 within Craven County is 0.5% annually. Land within the GISA of TIP R-2301A is fairly undeveloped, with only pockets of commercial activity at both termini and scattered agricultural and single- family residential development along most of the project alignment. There are some 15 TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 environmental limitations due to wetlands and floodplain area; however, there is still an abundance of land available for any type of future growth. As mentioned previously, current water and sewer service is mainly limited to incorporated areas within Craven County, and is unavailable throughout most of the GISA. In terms of the market for development within the GISA, there is minimal development activity taking place and the area is not considered a current growth region for Craven County. The development of the US 17 Bypass as well as the NC 43 Connector (TIP R-4463) should change that to some degree. Growth management strategies are in place as part of local planning policies. On the whole, economic development and new growth activity is encouraged in most areas of Craven County where soils and topography are suitable and where basic infrastructure (transportation, water/sewer, etc.) is provided. IX. ANALYSIS RESULTS Indirect Effects TIP R-2301A is anticipated to generate moderate indirect effects. Full control of access is proposed along the 5.1-mile alignment, including at interchange with US 70. Land along the project is heavily forested and vacant, with little growth momentum or current development activity. Any induced commercial development from TIP R-2301A would more than likely be located along SR 1225 (Clarks Road) near its US 70 interchange (including within existing Craven County Industrial Park and industrial parks along Old US 70) and along US 17 near its proposed interchange with TIP R-2301A. Induced residential development would likely occur along SR 1224 (Tuscarora-Rhems Road) and along US 17 (including areas within and adjacent to the River Bend community). Any indirect growth would be limited by the wetlands within the GISA of TIP R-2301A, as well as the Tuscarora Gamelands, immediately located along the alignment. Although there are a few federally endangered and threatened species (including the red cockaded woodpecker, the leatherback sea turtle, the sensitive joint vetch, and the bald eagle) within the USGS quads that encompass the GISA, the 2001 Environmental Impact Statement indicates that the US Fish and Wildlife Service found there would be no effect upon them as a result of TIP R-2301. In addition, with the amount of available land within the GISA, any induced growth resulting from the project should be able to avoid disrupting any habitats for the species mentioned above. Cumulative Effects TIP R-2301A is located in the immediate vicinity of a growing urban area between two major federal highways (US 17 and US 70) in North Carolina, one traveling north to south, and the other traveling east to west. Additionally, the project is located near a heavily utilized railroad and has great access to major ports along the East Coast. Furthermore, Section B of this project would complete a bypass around New Bern, allowing for more efficient travel for through traffic as well as reduced congestion for 16 TIP R-2301A, Craven County Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 local traffic within New Bern. When considered cumulatively, it would seem that all of these conditions would contribute to a high growth potential for the GISA. However, limited water/sewer services, a substantial amount of wetlands, a lack of past and current development activity, and the full access control and minimal travel time savings associated with R-2301A should counteract these conditions somewhat. There are a number of other transportation projects along the US 17 corridor from South Carolina to Virginia that should improve traffic flow and accessibility for the only major coastal route through the Carolinas. In addition to R-2301B, which is the northern leg of the US 17 Bypass, US 17 is also being widened to four lanes as part of TIP R-2514 beginning at the Craven/Jones County border and extending south to the northern town limits of Jacksonville in Onslow County. Cumulatively, these projects should enhance economic development opportunities, particularly in the vicinity of North Carolina coastal ports such as New Bern, Wilmington, Jacksonville, Washington, and Elizabeth City. Precautions need to be taken, however, to protect the environment of the coastal regions, as induced growth resulting from the combination of all these US 17 projects have the potential to impact future water quality and other natural resources. 17 JO-41 04 TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 APPENDIX State and Federally-Protected Species Common Name Scientific Name I Federal Status State Status I SGS Quad :Map Amphibian: Neuse River Askin, Jasper, Waterdo Necturus lewisi N/A Special Concern Pollocksville Bird: * tBachman's Aimophila Sparrow aestivalis Species of Concern Special Concern New Bern Threatened Haliaeetus (Proposed * tBald Eagle leucoce halus Delisted Threatened New Bern * tRed-cockaded New Bern, Woodpecker Picoides borealis Endangered Endangered Pollocksville Least Tern Sterna antillarum N/A Special Concern New Bern Fish: Special Concern (Proposed Carolina Madtom Noturus furiosus N/A Threatened) Askin Special Concern Notropis (Proposed Bridal Shiner bi enatus N/A Endangered) Jasper Procambarus *Croatan Crayfish lumimanus Species of Concern N/A N/A Mammal: * tWest Indian Trichechus Manatee manatus Endangered Endangered New Bern Mollusk: Elliptio Cape Fear Spike marsupiobesa N/A Special Concern Jasper Elliptio Roanoke Slabshell roanokensis N/A Threatened Jasper Eastern Lamsilis radiate Lam mussel radiata N/A Threatened Pollocksville Moss: Hall's Pocket Significantly Rare Moss Fissidens hallii N/A - Throughout Pollocksville Moth: *Ceromatic Noctuid Moth = Anointed Sallow Pyreferra Moth ceromatica Species of Concern N/A N/A Reptile: Threatened * tAmerican Alligator (Similarity of Alligator mississi iensis Appearance) Threatened New Bern Deirochelys Chicken Turtle reticularia N/A Significantly Rare New Bern * tLeatherback Sea Dermochelys Turtle coriacea Endangered Endangered New Bern * tSouthern Hognose Snake Heterodon simus Species of Concern Special Concern New Bern Vascular Plant: 18 TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects 4W December 10, 2004 Significantly Rare * ?Ponds ice Litsea aestivalis Species of Concern - Throughout Askin Significantly Rare Raven's Seedbox Ludwi is ravenii N/A - Throughout Askin Sagittaria Grassleaf graminea var Significantly Rare Arrowhead weatherbiana N/A - Throughout Askin, Jasper * 1Spring- flowering Significantly Rare Goldenrod Solidago verna Species of Concern - Limited Askin, New Bern * tCarolina Asplenium Jasper, New Bern, S leenwort heteroresiliens Species of Concern Endangered Pollocksville Long Beach Significantly Rare Seedbox Ludwi is brevi es N/A - Throughout Jasper * ?Sensitive Aeschynomene Jointvetch vir inica Threatened Endangered New Bem Crowned Beggar- Significantly Rare ticks Bidens coronata N/A - Peripheral New Bern Riverbank Significantly Rare Quillwort Isoetes ri aria N/A - Peripheral New Bern * tGodfrey's New Bern, Sandwort Minuartia odfreyi Species of Concern Endangered Pollocksville Ponthieva Significantly Rare New Bern, Shadow-witch racemosa N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Long-beak Rhynchospora Significantly Rare Baldsed a scir oides N/A - Other New Bern Sagittaria Significantly Rare Water Arrowhead sta norum N/A - Peripheral New Bern Significantly Rare Hop-like Sedge Carex lu uliformis N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Southern Willdenow's Carex willdenosii Significantly Rare Sedge var me arrh ncha N/A - Throughout Pollocksville * ?Tennessee Cystopteris Endangered - Bladder-fern tennesseensis N/A Special Concern Pollocksville Hexalectris Significantly Rare Crested Coralroot s icata N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Florida Adder's Significantly Rare Mouth Melaxis s icata N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Significantly Rare Bluff Oak Quercus austrina N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Significantly Rare Drooping Bulrush Scir us lineatus N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Twisted-leaf Significantly Rare Goldenrod Solida o torti olia N/A - Peripheral Pollocksville Laterallus *Black Rail 'amaicensis Species of Concern N/A N/A *Cha man's Sedge Carex cha manii Species of Concern N/A N/A *Loose Myriophyllum Watermilfoil laxum Species of Concern Threatened N/A *Savanna Cowbane Oxpolis ternata Species of Concern N/A N/A 19 TIP R-2301A, Craven County Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 *Smooth Bog- Asphodel Tofieldia glabra Species of Concern N/A N/A *White Wicky Kalmia cuneata Species of Concern N/A N/A Dionaea *Venus Flytrap musci ula Species of Concern N/A N/A *Yellow Platanthera Fringeless Orchid integra N/A Threatened N/A *Snowy Orchid Platanthera nivea N/A Threatened N/A *Carolina Goldenrod Solida o Pulchra N/A Endangered N/A *Dwarf Utricularia Bladderwort olivacea N/A Threatened N/A * Listed only in the 2001 EIS * t Listed in NC National Heritage Program and EIS Source: North Carolina National Heritage Program, Askin, Jasper, New Bern and Pollocksville USGS topographic quadrangles (June 2004), http:Uils.unc.edu/parkproject;nhp Natural Communities Yame USGS Quad M:ip Bay Forest Askin Coastal Fringe Sandhill Askin Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment Askin Dry Oak - Hickory Forest Askin, Pollocksville Nonriverine Swam Forest Askin Pine/Scrub Oak Sandhill Askin Pond Pine Woodland Askin, New Bern Small Depression Pocosin Askin Small Depression Pond Askin Tidal Cypress - Gum Swam Askin Wet Pine Flatwoods Askin Xeric Sandhill Scrub Askin Coastal Plain Levee Forest (Brownwater Subtype) Jasper Coastal Plain Marl Outcrop Jasper, New Bern, Pollocksville Cypress - Gum Swam (Brownwater Subtype) Jasper * (Tidal Freshwater Marsh New Bern ^Gull - Tern - Skimmer Colony (Colonial Waterbirds Nesting Site) New Bern Basic Mesic Forest (Coastal Plain Subtype) Pollocksville Coastal Plain Small Stream Swam Blackwater Subtype) Pollocksville *Lon Leaf Pine-Turkey Oak Forest N/A *Upland Pine-Hardwood Forest N/A *Mixed Pine Forest N/A *Mixed Hardwood Forest N/A *Dee Gully Creek and Mature Mixed Hardwood Forest N/A *Neuse River Flood lain and Bluff System N/A *Cool Springs Sand Ridge and Swam N/A *Forested Wet Hardwood Flat N/A *Tupelo Gum/Bald Cypress Swamp N/A *Wet Hardwood Flats and Bottoms N/A *Non-Forested Palustrine N/A * Listed only in the 2001 EIS * t Listed in NC National Heritage Program and EIS * Special Habitat Source: North Carolina National Heritage Program, Askin, Jasper, New Bern and Pollocksville USGS topographic quadrangles (June 2004), http:%iils.unc.edu/parkprojectinhp 20 TIP R-2301A, Craven County 01 = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 Architectural Features and Historic Sites Growth Impact Study Area Naive Address Status US 17 near Ten Mile Fork Road (Jones Foscue Plantation House County) National Register Ipcock-Lancaster- Near intersection of NC 55 and SR Beaman Farm 1005 Historic Study List Near intersection of US 17 and Rocky Elijah Farrow Farm Run Road Historic Study List Near intersection of Clarks Road and Clarks Historic District SR 1005 Historic Stud List Beech Grove United Near intersection of Washington Post Methodist Church Road and Stevenson Road Historic Study List *Trent Brick Road US 17 near Shoreline Drive Eligible for National Register *Caswell Bridge and Neuse Brick Road Near Old US 70 and NC 55 Eligible for National Register * Listed only in the 2001 EIS Source: NCDOT Transportation Planning Division GIS (June 2003) Underground Storage Tank (UST) Locations Growth Impact Study Area UST Name Location Abandoned Service Station Near Rhems at Craven/Jones County line Riggs Grocery Union 76 Near Rhems at Craven/Jones County line B&T Grocery Amoco Near US 17 and Tuscarora Rhems Road Moen Incorporated Near US 70 and Clarks Road Service Station Near NC 55 and Old Clark Road Service Station Near NC 55 and Old Clark Road Beech Grove Fuel Market Chevron NC 43 near Stevenson Road Dillahunt's Grocery NC 55 near NC 43 Amital S inning Co /TEXFI NC 55 near NC 43 Source: 2001 EIS Solid Waste Facilities Craven County Permit Name Type Location Contact - CRSWMA Allen Hardison Composting 7400 Old Hwy 70 West P.O. Box 128 2511 Facility Compost New Bern, NC Cove City, NC 28523 Danny Meadows New Bern Yard Country Club Road P.O. Box 1129 2506 Waste Facility Compost New Bem, NC New Bern, NC 28560 Dave Gardner SR 1400 P.O. Box 1391 2502 Weyerhaeuser Indus New Bern, NC New Bern, NC 28560 Leslie E. Parson Leslie E. Parson Hwy 17 P.O. Box 1065 25-H LCIDLF LCID New Bern, NC Bridgeton, NC 28519 CRSWMA - Allen Hardison Interim Regional SR 1005/US 70 P.O. Box 128 2504 LF MSWLF New Bern, NC Cove City, NC 28523 CRSWMA - SR 10051US 70 Allen Hardison 2509 Interim Regional MSWLF New Bern, NC' P.O. Box 128 21 TIP R-2301A, Craven County = Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects December 10, 2004 Landfill Cove City, NC 28523 Source: North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Craven County (June 2004), http:,,'/wastenot.enr.state.nc.us.,'dbases.htni Hazardous Waste Sites & Superfund Sites Growth Impact Study Area 1 ame Location *Illegal Solid Waste Dump Near Hayward Creek, south of US 17 *Illegal Solid Waste Dump Approximately 0.3 mile east of Rocky Run Road and Staten Road *Active Septic Disposal Site Approximately 0.5 mile,north of Rocky Run Road and Staten Road *Stanadyne Moen Incorporated Craven Industrial Park near Clarks Road and US 70 *Mack Trucks Incorporated Craven Industrial Park near Clarks Road and US 70 *Industrial Park Waste Water Spray Field South of US 70 near Clarks Road *Active Se tage Disposal Field Immediately west of Sanders Lane *Martin Marietta's Clarks Quarry North of US 70 and south of NC 55 *Inactive Solid Waste Dump NC 43 near NC 55 *Robert Bosch Power Tool Corp. Near Bosch Boulevard south of NC 55 *Amital Spinning Corp./TEXFI Near Bosch Boulevard south of NC 55 *Tredegar Film Products Near Railroad south of Bosch Boulevard TEXFI (Su erfund) Bosch Boulevard near NC 55 * Listed only in the 2001 EIS Source: NCDOT Transportation Planning Division GIS (June 2003) 22 .-m m<Ay izO. O u ¦ U ¦ 0 E 0 Gl m T u u ;o VI < m N p c w iv Iv z z -? m m z z m O= D O (n M C ;7 D w °w ° M ? X ?' X = ° D m -? N z o z z 0 D W m v "sp mJ m C- 0 o C/) o m m 71? o m cn D _ N Z A C/) X O ?W / ` N cn no z ch D ti j r .T S Z ' A A N T i 6 O A.' ,J n n O 0 a _. Y N m t rte- Core C.... ry ? ? yc ` pp ? < c v 0. V N 6 C, ? V U3 x '-° - i Wilson Creek Racetraok Rd. l c ay . fir, ct t a ? V O i i N / l z 3 "I T A R N 2 C;pp ? ??? ? i? I ?ar?"„??.11 I I I I ¦ ¦ ,1C 110 Dr z zN N Nm U, n n n n n n a _ ) ¦ ? -'D A N m W rn M rn rn D M r O p _ = / / V D T V m cn 00 0) ° ? ? A ° n C cf) D ?7 w N ° ^ " W -< w O y ?A W G) G) G) G) G) O G) m p D m n rn cn rv m M yz r ? 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