20140762 All Versions_Complete File_20060522

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
BVEDWIR I '
APR 12 2006
pENR-WATER nuwmr
WM AND STORMWATER BRANCH
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
April 7, 2006
MEMORANDUM TO
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Mr. John Hennessy
Division of Water Quality/Wetlands
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D., Director
Project Development and Environmental
LYNDO TIPPETT
SECRETARY
Start of study, initial 5copmg meets and xequest for input
Improvements to US 221 between US 421 and NC 88 in Jefferson
TIP Number R-2915, Ashe and Watauga Counties
Federal Aid Project STP-0221(13), WBS Number 34518. 1.1
This is to inform you that the Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch is
starting the project development, environmental and engineering studies for the proposed widening of
US 221 from US 421 to NC 88 in Jefferson. The project is included in the 2006-2012 North Carolina
Transportation Improvement Program and is scheduled for right of way in fiscal year 2010 and
construction in fiscal year 2011.
Attached for your review and comments are the scoping information sheets for the proposed project.
We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential
environmental impacts of the project. If applicable, please identify any permits or approvals that may be
required by your agency. A scoping meeting will, be scheduled with NCDOT staff to discuss the proposed
project in more detail. In order to include your comments in our materials for this meeting, we would
appreciate your response by May 22, 2006. If you would like to attend the scoping meeting, please notify
the project engineer.
It is anticipated that a federally funded Environmental Assessment will be prepared for this
project. This document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Joseph S. Qubain, Project
Development Engineer, of this Branch at [phone], Ext. 209. Please include the TIP Project
Number in all correspondence and comments.
GJT/plr
Attachment
MAILING ADDRESS:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
1548MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548
TELEPHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
WEBS/TE: WWW.NCDOT.ORG
LOCATION:
TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
RALEIGH NC
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Scoping Information Sheet
TIP No.: R-2915
WBS No.: 34518. 1.1
Federal Aid No: STP-0221(13)
Division: 11
Sent Date: April 7, 2006
Revision Date:
Meeting Date: June 15, 2006
COIM . Watauga an
Ashe
Project Description:

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US 221 from US 421 in Watauga County to US 221 Business-NC 88 in Jefferson
Widen to four lanes divided
Projected. traffic congestion and existing accident rates create a need for improved
highway capacity and safety enhancements.
Although that is not the primary purpose or need of the project, the project may also
contribute to economic development in the area.
Metropolitan / Rural Planning Organization Area: High Country RPO
NEPA/404 Merger Candidate?: Yes No Not sure
Feasibili y Study Com lep ted?: X? Yes No October 6, 1993 Date
Type of Environmental Documents to be Prepared / Project Schedule:
Type:
Environmental Document: EA
FONSI
Right of Way:
Let:
Dates:
August 2008
November 2009
2010
2011
Air Quality Status: Non-attainment Maintenance Attainment
SHEET 1
Design Criteria:
Length of Project Limits: 16.1 miles
Type of Access Control:
(Existing / Proposed)
Structure Inventory:
Existing access control - partial
Proposed access control - partial or limited
Bridge Number 4
US 221 over the South Fork of the New River approximately 3.0
miles north of the Ashe / Watauga County line
Bridge Number 10
US 221 over the South Fork of the New River approximately 4.3
miles north of the US 221 / NC 194 intersection.
Functional Classification: Major Collector
Strategic Corridor Information: Designated a Strategic Highway Corridor (Boulevard)
CTP/Thoroughfare Plan Designation CTP to be developed.
(Facility !Mel.
Roadway Typical Section:
(Existing / Proposed)
Existing: Two-lane, 20 to 24 foot wide roadway
Proposed: Four-lane median divided roadway
Typical Section in Compliance with Conformity Determination:
Yes No
Right of Way.
(Existing / Proposed)
Existing: 100 to 350 feet
Proposed: 350 feet
Existing Posted Speed: 55 mph Proposed Design Speed: 55 mph
Traffic (AADT): % TTST: 3
Current Year: E(2025) 2002) 6,400 -13,200 % Dual: 7
Design Year: 16,600 - 28,200 % DHV: 12
Design Standards Applicable: AASHTO 3R
Railroad Involvement:
none
Cost Estimate:
TIP Estimate:
Current Estimate:
Construction: Right of Way: Total Cost:
$70,900,000 $10,000,000 $80,900,000
$88,000,000 $10,000,000 $98,000,000
SHEET 2
SHEET 3
VICINITY MAP IS ATTACHED AT END OF SHEET 4
SHEET 4
NATURAL \ HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION
The US 221 study area is located in the northwestern portion of North Carolina. The
proposed improvements include approximately 16.1 miles of existing US 221, with the
majority of the roadway being in Ashe County and a little more than a mile being in
Watauga County. There are two municipalities that border the project area: West
Jefferson and Jefferson. The small communities of Deep Gap, Fleetwood, Baldwin and
Beaver Creek are located along existing US 221. The study area is approximately 10
miles northeast of the cities of Boone and Blowing Rock.
The project area is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains and only a short distance
from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The terrain is mostly mountainous with some relatively
flat sections near each of the project termini. The area is mostly rural and agricultural
with scattered low-density residential and small business land uses.
OVERVIEW OF AREA NATURAL RESOURCES
The study area, which is located in the New River Basin, contains a number of
waterways, including the South Fork of the New River, Naked Creek, Deep Gap Creek,
Little Gap Creek, Call Creek, Old Fields Creek, Beaver Creek, South Beaver Creek, and
Little Buffalo Creek. The table below summarizes these streams and their current
classifications. In addition, there are numerous smaller DWQ designated Trout Waters
within the area, several of which parallel existing US 221 to either the east or west.
Stream Name Count Classification Stream Index Number
South Fork New River Ashe C• HOW 10-1-(14.5)
WS-V; HOW 10-1-(20.5)
Naked Creek Ashe C: + 10-1-32
Dee Gap Creek Ashe, Watauga Q Tr: + 10-1-23
Little Gap Creek Ashe Q Tr: + 10-1-23-1
Call Creek Ashe C; Tr; ORW 10-1-22-1
Old Fields Creek Ashe C; Tr; ORW 10-1-22-(0.7)
Beaver Creek Ashe Q Tr: + 10-1-25
South Beaver Creek Ashe Q Tr: + 10-1-25-2
Tr = Trout Stream; ORW = Outstanding Resource Waters; HQW = High Quality Waters
+ Identifies waters that are subject to a special management strategy specified in 15A NCAC 213.0225
the Outstanding Resource Waters rule, in order to protect downstream waters designated as ORW.
Based on National Wetlands Inventory mapping, wetlands within the study area
appear to be very limited in both size and number of sites.
The Natural Heritage Program has identified a number of Natural Heritage Element
Occurrence Sites (NHEOS) within the study area and environs. These are shown on
the attached map.
The following protected species are located in the study area:
Species Scientific Name Status County
Bo turtle Clemm s muhlenber 'i T S A A, W
Carolina northern flying squirrel Glaucom s sabrinus coloratus E W
Spruce-fir moss spider Microhexura montiva a E W
Heller's blazing star Liatris helleri T &W
Spreading avens Geum radiatum E A, W
Roan Mountain bluet Houstonia montana (=Hedyotis
u urea var. montana E A, W
Swam ink Helonias bullata T A
Virginia s iraea S iraea vir iniana T A
Rock gnome lichen G mnoderma lineare E A
A = Ashe County; W = Watauga County
Not enough information is available at this time to assess the likelihood of any of these
species being present along the project.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITES
Hazardous materials sites have not yet been identified for this project.
OVERVIEW OF AREA SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
The project study area is not heavily populated, and relocations are not anticipated to
be extensive. However, due to the terrain and the presence of certain natural
constraints (e.g., trout streams parallel to the highway in some areas), it is likely that
some relocations will be difficult to avoid.
There are several community facilities directly within or adjacent to the study area.
Fleetwood includes an elementary school and a fire and rescue station (shown on the
attached map). Westwood Elementary School is located further to the north, near West
Jefferson.
Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, located near the northern portion of the study
area, is a National Natural Landmark designated by the National Park Service in 1974.
There are also several smaller parks in/near the study area, primarily in the vicinity of
Jefferson and West Jefferson (shown on the attached map).
There is one National Register of Historic Places site, near the northern terminus of
the project. The Ashe County Courthouse is located on Main Street in Jefferson (see
attached map)
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OR Water Treatment Plants ---? Gamelands, Wildlife Resources Commission Important Water Quality Resources
Sewer Treatment Plants Designated Trout Waters, DWQ CLASS
Sewer Discharges (treated) Significant Aquatic Endang Species Habitats High Quality Water Zone
Nat Pollutant Disc Elimin Sys Sites Land Trust Priority Areas High Quality Water / Water Supply Watershed
® Air Quality Pollution Discharge Points ? ':1 Lands Managed for Conservation & Open Space Outstandin
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Conservation Tax Credit Properties g
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Public Schools Land & Water Conservation Fund Water Supply Watershed
Land Trust Conservation Properties Wild Trout Waters
National Wetlands Inventory Areas

Project Locatio?
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Environmental Study
US 221 - NCDOT Project# R-2915
Ashe and Watauga Counties, NC
June 2004
1 0 1 2
Miles