19930668 Ver 1_Complete File_19930823

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGIN
P.O. BOX 1890
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890
August 16, 1993
IN REPLY REFEH TO
Regulatory Branch
I12? ?IJI ??S III \??, .
n? u7 ' 1993
Action ID No. 199303655 and Nationwide Permit No. 23 (Approved Categorical
Exclusions)
Mr. B.J. O'Quinn, P.E.
Assistant Branch Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
State of North Carolina
Department of Transportation
Post Office Box 25201
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-5201
Dear Mr. Q'Quinn:
Reference your application of August 4, 1993, for Department of the Army
(DA) authorization to replace Bridge No. 17 over Mott Creek on SR 1100 in New
Hanover County, North Carolina (Federal Aid Project BRZ-1100(3), State Project
No. 8.2250301, T.I.P. No. B-25961. State Road 1100 will be closed during
construction and traffic re-routed on existing area roads.
For the purposes of the Corps of Engineers' Regulatory Program, Title 33,
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 330.6, published in the Federal
Register on November 22, 1991, lists nationwide permits. Authorization,
pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404
of the Clean Water Act, was provided for activities undertaken, assisted,
authorized, regulated, funded or financed, in whole or in part, by another
Federal agency or department where that agency or department has determined,
pursuant to the CEQ Regulation for the Implementing the Procedural Provisions
of the National Environmental Policy Act, that the activity, work or discharge
is categorically excluded from environmental documentation because it is
included within a category of actions which neither individually nor
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment, and the
Office of the Chief of Engineers has been furnished notice of the agency's or
department's application for the categorical exclusion and concurs with that
determination.
Your work is authorized by this nationwide permit provided it is
accomplished in strict accordance with the enclosed conditions and provided
you receive a Section 401 water quality certification from the North Carolina
Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM). You should contact Mr. John
Dorney, telephone [phone], regarding water quality certification. In
the coastal area, a consistency determination must be obtained from the North
Carolina Division of Coastal Management. Mr. Steve Benton, telephone (919)
733-2293, should be contacted regarding this determination. This nationwide
permit does not relieve you of the responsibility to obtain other required
State or local approval.
This verification will be valid for two years from the date of this
letter unless the nationwide authorization is modified, reissued or revoked.
Also, this verification will remain valid for the two years if, during that
period, the nationwide permit authorization is reissued without modification
or the activity complies with any subsequent modification of the nationwide
permit authorization. If during the two years, the nationwide permit
. r
-2-
authorization expires or is suspended or revoked, or is modified, such that
the activity would no longer comply with the terms and conditions of the
nationwide permit, activities which have commenced (i.e., are under
construction) or are under contract to commence in reliance upon the
nationwide permit will remain authorized provided the activity is completed
within twelve months of the date of the nationwide permit's expiration,
modification or revocation, unless discretionary authority has been exercised
on a case-by-case basis to modify, suspend or revoke the authorization.
Questions or comments may be addressed to Mr. Jeffrey Richter, Wilmington
Area Field Office, Regulatory Branch, telephone [phone].
Sincerely,
G. Wayne Wright
Chief, Regulatory Branch
Enclosure
Copies Furnished (without enclosure):
.?f. John Dorney
Water Quality Section
Division of Environmental Management
North Carolina Department of
Environment, Health and
Natural Resources
Post Office Box 29535
Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535
Mr. Steve Benton
North Carolina Department of
Environment, Health and
Natural Resources
Post Office Box 27687
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-7687
North Carolina Division of
Coastal Management
Mr. C. Robert Stroud
Wilmington Regional office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
Mr. Jim Gregson
North Carolina Division of
Environmental Management
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington, North Carolina 28405
w Nf-C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
-- "I
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
hn
? NOTE AND FILE
? NOTE AND RETURN TO ME
? RETURN WITH MORE DETAILS
? NOTE AND SEE ME ABOUT THIS
? PLEASE ANSWER
? PREPARE REPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE
? TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
DATE
Kf- NO., 11 RQOM. al co.
NO. OR ROOM. SLDG.
? PER OUR CONVERSATION
? PER YOUR REQUEST
? FOR YOUR APPROVAL
? FOR YOUR INFORMATION
? FOR YOUR COMMENTS
? SIGNATURE
? INVESTIGATE AND REPORT
COMMENTS:
M.n
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT. JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS SAM HUNT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH. N.C. 27611-5201
July 30, 1993
District Engineer
Army Corps of Engineers
P. O. Box 1890
Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
ATTENTION: Regulatory Branch
Dear Sir:
Subject: New Hanover County,
over Mott Creek on
BRZ-1100(3), State
B-2596.

Replacement of Bridge No. 17
SR 1100, Federal Aid Project
Project No. 8.2250301, TIP No.
Attached for your information are three copies of the
project planning report for the subject project. The project
is being processed by the Federal Highway Administration as a
"Categorical Exclusion" in accordance with 23 CFR 771.115(b).
Therefore, we do not anticipate requesting an individual
permit but propose to proceed under a Nationwide Permit in
accordance with 33 CFR 330 Appendix A (B-23) issued November
22, 1991, by the Corps of Engineers. The provisions of
Section 330.4 and Appendix A (C) of these regulations will be
followed in the construction of the project.
-we -ant 3--3=atc that A-0 C-enera -C£r-t--Jf1-cat3-9n. NP, i234L
(Categorical Exclusion) will apply to this project, and are
providing one copy of the CE document to the North Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources,
Division of Environmental Management, for their review.
We anticipate that a permit will be required from the
North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural
Resources, Division of Coastal Management, for this project.
DOT will apply directly to DEHNR for that permit when plans
have been developed.
4
j 4

If you have any questions or need additional
information, please call Mr. Doug Huggett at 733-9770.
Sincerely,
. 0 Quinn, PE
Assistant Branch Manager
Planning and Environmental Branch
BJO/dvh
cc: w/attachment
Mr. Ernie Jahnke, COE-Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, NCDEHNR, DEM
Mr. John Parker, NCDEHNR, DCM
w/out attachment
Mr. Kelly Barger, PE, Program Development Branch
Mr. Don Morton, PE, Highway Design Branch
Mr. A.L. Hankins, PE, Hydraulics Unit
Mr. John L. Smith Jr., PE, Structure Design Unit
Mr. Tom Shearin, PE, Roadway Design Unit
Mr. D.J. Bowers, PE, Division 3 Engineer
Mr. Joe Foutz, Planning and Environmental Branch
Mr. Davis Moore, Planning and Environmental Branch

Ilk
I
New Hanover County, SR 1100
Bridge No. 17
over Mott Creek
Federal-Aid Project BRZ-1100(3)
State Project No. 8.2250301
T.I.P. No. B-2596
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
AND
APPROVED:
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
Date ' L. J. Ward, P. E.
Manager of Planning and Environmental
D Ge f0tt icho
Divisi
N. C. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Branch, NCDOT
L. brat, N. L.
Administrator, FHWA
I 4
14
New Hanover County, SR 1100
Bridge No. 17
over Mott Creek
Federal-Aid Project BRZ-1100(3)
State Project No. 8.2250301
T.I.P. No. B-2596
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
April, 1993
Documentation Prepared in Planning and Environmental Branch By:
J ep E. Foutz, P. E.
Project Planning Engineer
Nqx.'?C_ zr//;,;?
Wayne Elliott
Bridge Project Planning Engineer, Unit Head
C A.R0
? ? a ••p 04 c S 5 /U' . ?'• '•
Lubin V. Prevatt, P.E. SE.?J_ _
Assistant Manager of Planning and Environmental - 6976 =
New Hanover County, SR 1100
Bridge No. 17
over Mott Creek
Federal-Aid Project BRZ-1100(3)
State Project No. 8.2250301
T.I.P. No. B-2596
Bridge No. 17 has been included in the Federal-Aid Bridge Replacement
Program. The location is shown in Figure 1. No substantial environmental
impacts are anticipated. The project has been classified as a Federal
"categorical exclusion".
I. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS
All standard procedures and measures will be implemented to avoid or
minimize environmental impacts. Approximately 0.4 acres of wetlands will
be disrupted by the project. The project is likely to fall under
provisions of Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5(A)23. A 401 Water Quality
Certification administered through the N. C. Department of Environmental
Health and Natural Resources will also be required.
Mott Creek is a designated Primary Nursery Area. It is imperative
that stringent best management practices for High Quality Waters be
utilized in the construction of this project as well as prohibiting
construction in the water during the months of March, April, May, and
June.
Because the subject project falls within tidal marsh areas meeting
the requirements of coastal wetlands, estuarine waters and/or public trust
waters ("areas of environmental concern"), a CAMA Major Development Permit
is likely to be required. Per an agreement between the Division of
Coastal Management (DCM) and the Army Corps of Engineers (COE), DCM is the
lead agency in granting permits in "areas of environmental concern".
II. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Bridge No. 17 should be replaced at the existing location with a
reinforced concrete box culvert as shown by Alternate 1 in Figure 2.
Preliminary hydrographic studies indicate that a double 10'x 7' box
culvert should be provided. The length of the culvert should be adequate
to accommodate a 24-foot pavement plus 6-foot graded shoulders (9 feet
with guardrail).
Traffic will be detoured along existing roads during the construction
period.
Estimated cost, based on current prices, is $ 177,000.
The estimated cost of the project, as shown in the 1993-1999
Transportation Improvement Program, is $ 391,000.
2
III. EXISTING CONDITIONS
SR 1100 is classified as an urban minor collector in the Statewide
Functional Classification System and is part of the Federal Aid Urban
System (FAU-5857).
In the vicinity of the bridge, SR 1100 has a 19-foot pavement plus
4-foot shoulders (see Figure 2). Vertical alignment is flat. Horizontal
alignment is tangent, except for a slight curve on the north side. The
roadway on Bridge No. 17 is situated 10 feet above the creek bed. Land
use in the project area is primarily woodland.
The current traffic volume of 800 VPD is expected to increase to
approximately 1500 VPD by the year 2015. The projected volume includes 1
truck-tractor semi-trailer (TTST) and 3 % dual-tired vehicles (DT).
The existing bridge (see Figure 3) was constructed in 1950. The
superstructure consists of a reinforced concrete floor on I-beams. The
substructure is composed of timber and reinforced concrete.
Overall length is 36 feet. Bridge roadway width is 24 feet. The
posted weight limit is 27 tons for single vehicles and 34 tons for trucks
with trailers.
Bridge No. 17 has a sufficiency rating of 43.5 compared to a rating
of 100 for a new structure.
Two accidents have been reported on Bridge No. 17 during the period
from February, 1989 to February, 1992.
Two school bus trips are made across the studied bridge daily.
IV. ALTERNATIVES
Two methods of replacing Bridge No. 17 were studied as follows:
Alternative 1 (recommended) - Replacement at the existing location
with road closure.
Alternative 2 - Replacement at existing location with temporary
detour structure immediately east of existing bridge.
Alternative 1 (recommended) consists of replacing the bridge along
the existing roadway alignment with double 10'X 7' reinforced concrete box
culvert (Figure 2). Traffic will be maintained on existing secondary
roads as shown in Figure IA. This alternate will retain the present
roadway alignment.
Alternative 2 is identical to Alternate 1 except traffic would be
maintained on-site with a temporary detour structure located approximately
50 feet east of the existing bridge (see Figure 2). This alternate would
retain the present roadway alignment.

3
The "do-nothing" alternative would eventually necessitate closure of
the bridge. This is not prudent due to the traffic service provided by
SR 1100.
"Rehabilitation" of the old bridge is not feasible due to its age and
deteriorated condition.
V. TRAFFIC DETOUR
The Division Engineer concurs that traffic can be detoured during
construction as shown in Figure 1A. Approximately 1 mile of additional
travel will be necessary for the average vehicle affected by road closure.
A road-user analysis, based on a 6-month construction period,
indicates the cost of additional travel would be approximately $44,000.
The estimated cost of providing an on-site detour is $ 112,000, resulting
in a benefit-cost ratio of 0.4.
Provision of an on-site detour is not justifiable due to the
availability of a suitable detour route. Detour roadways and bridges are
adequate to accommodate affected traffic during the construction period.
The New Hanover County School Transportation Director has no
objections if Bridge No. 17 is closed to traffic for construction.
VI. ESTIMATED COST
Estimated costs of the studied alternatives are as follows:
(Recommended)
Alternative 1 Alternative 2
Structure $ 72,000 $ 72,000
Roadway Approaches 59,000 59,000
Detour Structure & - 93,000
Approaches
Structure Removal 6,000 6,000
Engineering & 20,000 35,000
Contingencies
Right-of-Way, 20,000 24,000
Utilities
Total $ 177,000 $ 289,000
4
VII. RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS
Bridge No. 17 should be replaced at existing location. According to a
preliminary hydrographic study, a double 10'X 7' reinforced concrete box
culvert will accommodate the flow of Mott Creek at this point.
The elevation of the new crossing is expected to be approximately the
same as the elevation of the existing bridge. The structure dimensions
may be increased or decreased as necessary to accommodate peak flows as
determined by further hydrologic studies.
The recommended improvement will include about 400 feet of improved
roadway approaches. A 24-foot pavement plus 6-foot graded shoulders (9
feet with guardrail) should be provided on the approaches.
Since the project is located in a CAMA County, early coordination was
conducted with the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) to determine the
type of replacement structure required to obtain a CAMA permit. The
Division of Coastal Management was unable to make an official decision at
this early planning stage. Therefore, the NCDOT Hydraulic Unit's
recommendation for the replacement structure to be a culvert will be
followed. However, the Division of Coastal Management will have the final
ruling before a CAMA permit is issued.
VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
The project is expected to have an overall positive impact.
Replacement of an inadequate bridge will result in safer traffic
operations.
The project is considered to be a Federal "categorical exclusion" due
to its limited scope and insignificant environmental consequences.
The bridge replacement will not
of the human or natural environment
standards and specifications.
have a adverse effect on the quality
with the use of current NCDOT
The project is not in conflict with any plan, existing land use, or
zoning regulation. No significant change in land use is expected to
result from construction of the project.
No adverse impact on families or communities is anticipated.
Right-of-way acquisition will be limited.
No adverse effect on public facilities or services is expected. The
project will not adversely affect social, economic, or religious
opportunities in the area.
The project is to be replaced at existing location. Therefore, is
exempt from the Farmland Protection Policy Act.
5
There appear to be no properties in the vicinity of the project that
are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
The structure itself is not historically significant. There are no known
archaeological sites within the proposed project area. An archaeological
survey is not recommended. The State Historic Preservation Officer
concurs with these findings (Appendix A-1).
The project does not involve any Section 4(f) properties. There are
no publicly-owned parks, historic sites, recreational facilities, or
wildlife and waterfowl refuges of national, state, or local significance
in the vicinity of the project.
The subject project lies to the immediate south of Wilmington, North
Carolina in a rural, undeveloped section of New Hanover County. Located
in the southeastern Coastal Plain, the project area is characterized by
sandy soils and a relatively flat terrain.
This project lies within the Coastal Plain Soil Region, specifically
within the Lower Coastal Plain-Wicomico and Talbot System. The sediments
are primarily Pleistocene (less than 2.8 million years old) and are
estuary deposits with some fluvial elements. Topography of the region is
characterized by broad, gently undulating, to nearly flat plains. The
smooth plains have low local relief and in some areas there is less than
1.5 m elevation difference in 3 or 4 km.
Two hydric soil mapping units, Tidal Marsh and Dorovan, comprise the
project area. Tidal Marsh is found on nearly level flats bordering Mott
Creek and is flooded daily by tides. The water table is at or above the
surface most of the time. Typically, the surface layer is black clay loam
about 9 cm thick. The organic-matter content is very high.
Dorovan soils are very poorly drained and occur in long broad areas
of tidal flood plains. The seasonal high water table is at or near the
surface. The surface layer is black muck reaching depths of approximately
1.5 m. These soils are frequently flooded for long periods and contain
very high amounts of organic-matter.
The project crosses Mott Creek, a direct tributary of the Cape Fear
River, located within the Cape Fear River drainage system. The Cape Fear
River is formed by the convergence of the Deep and Haw rivers at the
Chatham-Lee County line. The river flows approximately 274 km in a
south-southeasterly direction to the City of Wilmington and from there 40
km south to the Atlantic Ocean. Associated tributaries which feed the
Cape Fear River are dark, acid, swamp-drainage streams.
Mott Creek has a stream channel width of approximately 6 meters with
a black muck substrate. Flow-rate was slow. Water depth varies from 0.5
to 1.5 meters and is highly colored by tannins. A tidal freshwater marsh
borders both sides of the creek channel.
Mott Creek has a "best usage" classification of C SW, as designated
by NC-DEHNR. Class C designates waters suitable for secondary recreation,
aquatic life propagation and survival, fishing, wildlife and agriculture.
6
The supplemental classification of SW (swamp waters) designates waters of
low velocity and other natural characteristics which differ from adjacent
streams, such as low ph, low dissolved oxygen and a high organic matter
content.
The Benthic Macroinvertebrate Ambient Network (BMAN) addresses long
term trends in water quality at fixed monitoring sites by the sampling for
selected benthic macroinvertebrates. No specific information is available
for Mott Creek.
No waters classified as WS-I, WS-II or Outstanding Resource Waters
will be impacted by the proposed project, nor are any of these resources
located within 2 km of the project area. No National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination Systems (NPDES) permits have been issued within the project
area.
Loss of soil resources during
proper installation and maintenance
soil conservation practices such as
vegetative cover on exposed soils.
construction will be minimized by
of erosion control devices and other
phased clearing and re-establishing
Impacts to water resources can have far reaching effects, both
spatially (distance from the initial disturbance) and temporally (up the
food chain). Impacts to water resources include the following:
Increased sedimentation from construction and/or erosion.
Changes in light incidence due to shading.
Alterations of water level due to interruptions or additions to
surficial and/or groundwater flow.
Sedimentation and erosion control measures should be strictly
enforced due to the sensitive nature of this water supply segment.
Consideration will be given to the use of sediment control devices such as
vegetated berms, or filter basins to lessen the impacts from non-point
dischargers.
Two plant communities were identified in the project area: Tidal
Freshwater Marsh (oligohaline variant) and Riparian Fringe Loblolly Pine
Forest.
The Tidal Freshwater Marsh community is found bordering both sides of
Mott Creek and is regularly or irregularly flooded with freshwater lunar
or wind tides. Little or no salinity is present in the water (0.5 ppt or
less), though this system appears to be occasionally intruded by salt
water as evidenced by numerous bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) snags
present. Dense stands of herbaceous vegetation are dominated by saw grass
(Cladium mariscus ssp.jamaicense) and salt reed-grass (S artina
cynosuroides with (Solidago sempervirens), aster (Aster sp. and ipomoea
(I omoea ur urea) present at the waters edge. Thi cs ommunity grades
shoreward to Riverine Fringe Loblolly Pine Forest.
Along the shoreward sides of the tidal freshwater marsh, lies
Riverine Fringe Loblolly Pine Forest. This is a palustrine system that is
permanently saturated or near permanently saturated and may be rarely
flooded. The canopy is comprised of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), laurel
oak ( uercus laurifolia) and red maple (Acer rubrum). A dense shrub layer
supports red maple saplings, wax myrtle (MMric?a cerifera), gallberry (Ilex
coriacea), red bay (Persea palustris), sweet bay (Magno is virginiana) and
tag alder (Alnus serrulata). Vines, particularly greenbrier (Smilax sp.)
are dense. The herb layer is sparse, containing cinnamon fern (Osmunda
cinnamomea) and southern lady fern (Athyrium aspleniodes).
Plant communities in the project area provide particularly excellent
habitat for birds. Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), snowy egret
(E retta thula), Great egret (Casmerodius albus), osprey (Pandion
haliaetus), northern harrier (Circus c aneus), and green-backed heron
(Butorides striatus) are but a few of the representative birds observed
forag ni g iin the tidal marsh. Riparian fringe loblolly forest provides
refuge for warbler species such as the prothonotary (Protonotaria citrea),
yellow rumped (Dendroica coronata), and hooded (Wilsonia citrina).
The most likely mammals to be found in this wet to frequently flooded
environment, include the raccoon (Procyon lotor), river otter (Lutra
canadensis), and mink (Mustela vison). These animals are dependent upon
t e?i wide range of invertebrate species present, for food.
Amphibians, in particular, are highly water-dependent for completion
of larval stages in their life cycle. Some species are totally aquatic.
Representative, are the spring peeper (Hyla crucifer), bullfrog (Rana
catesbeiana), pickerel frog (R. palustris), slimy salamander (Plethodon
glutinosus), eastern newt (Noto hthalmus viridescens), mud salamander
(Pseudotriton montanus), and tiger salamander (Ambi ystoma tigrinum).
Common reptiles are the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), mud snake
(Farancia abacura), redbelly water snake (Nerodia er_ythrogaster), spotted
turtle (Clemmys uttata), stinkpot turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), and
snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina).
Mott Creek is a designated Primary Nursery Area (NC Marine Fisheries
Commission). Primary Nursery Areas are those areas in the estuarine
system where initial post-larval development takes place. It hosts a
myriad of aquatic species, many of them likely to be anadromous fish
species. Blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), alewife (A. pseudoharengus),
American shad (A. sapidissima), and hickory shad (A. mediocris) are
representative of this group that may occur in Mott Creek. Other species
likely to occur in Mott Creek are spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), Atlantic
croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), summer ounder (Paralichthys
dentatus), winter flounder (Pseudopleuonectes americanus), Atlantic
menhaden (Brevoortia t rannus), blue crab (Calinectes sapidus), silver
perch (Bairdie a char sou?ra , white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), pink
shrimp (P. duorarum), and brown shrimp (P. aztecus).
8
Construction in wetland systems will primarily affect aquatic
organisms. Dredging, filling, slope stabilization and land clearing are
construction activities, which can result in the direct loss of benthic
organisms due to an increase in silt load. The removal of benthic
organisms reduces the potential food supply for fish and other
vertebrates.
Siltation has many adverse impacts on fish and benthos: decreases the
depth of light penetration; inhibiting plant and algal growth, which is a
food source; clogs the filtration apparatus of filter-feeding benthos and
the gills of fish; buries benthic organisms on the bottom, cutting them
off from a food source; adversely effects preferred benthic substrate; and
spoils downstream spawning beds for fish. Best management practices will
minimize these impacts.
Mott Creek is a designated Primary Nursery Area. Eggs, larvae and
juveniles are particularly susceptible to the effects of sedimentation.
Best management practices for High Quality Waters will be utilized in the
construction of this project as well as prohibiting construction in the
creek during the months of March, April, May, and June in order to allow
postlarval development to occur (pers. comm. Dr. Fred Rhode, Division of
Marine Fisheries).
Wetlands fall under the broad category of "Waters of the United
States" as defined in 33 CFR 328.3. The US Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
takes jurisdiction over the discharge of dredged or fill material into
these wetlands as authorized by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
Jurisdictional wetlands in the study area are categorized as
Palustrine, forested, deciduous, semipermanently flooded, (PF06F) as
defined by Cowardin et al. (1979). This wetland community was identified
in the project corridor on the basis of low soil chroma values, hydrophtic
vegetation and the presence of hydrology or hydrological indicators.
IMPACTS BY ALTERNATIVE
ESTIMATED IMPACTS
Alt. 1 Alt. 2
(Recommended)
Tidal Freshwater Marsh 0.1 0.3
Riverine Fringe Lolblolly Pine Forest 0.1 0.1
Wetlands 0.2 0.4
Total Acres 0.4 0.8
A total of 0.2 acres of wetlands will be impacted.
In accordance with provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(33 U.S.C 1344), a permit will be required from the COE for the discharge
of dredged or fill material into "Waters of the United States".
9
This project falls within one of the twenty counties under the
jurisdiction of the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA); a
state management plan for our coastal resources. The North Carolina
Division of Coastal Management identifies "areas of environmental concern"
over which CAMA has jurisdiction. Because subject project falls within
tidal marsh areas meeting the requirements of coastal wetlands, estuarine
waters and/or public trust waters ("areas of environmental concern"), a
CAMA Major Development Permit is likely to be required. Per an agreement
between the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the Army Corps of
Engineers (COE), DCM is the lead agency in granting permits in "areas of
environmental concern".
The subject project is also classified as a Categorical Exclusion and
likely to come under Provisions of Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5 (A) 23.
This permit authorizes any activities, work and discharges undertaken,
assisted, authorized, regulated, funded or financed, in whole or in part,
by another federal agency and that the activity is "categorically
excluded" from environmental documentation because it is included within a
category of actions which neither individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the environment. However, final permit decisions
are left to the discretionary authority of the United States Army Corps of
Engineers (COE).
The project is located within the Southern Coastal Plain Air Quality
Control Region. The ambient air quality for New Hanover County has been
determined to be in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards. Since this project is located in an area where the State
Implementation Plan (SIP) does not contain any transportation control
measures, the conformity procedures of 23 CFR 770 do not apply to this
project.
A 401 Water Quality Certification administered through the N.C.
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources will be required.
This certificate is issued for any activity which may result in a
discharge into waters for which a federal permit is required.
Erosion and sedimentation control measures for High Quality Waters is
to be strictly enforced during construction activities to minimize
unnecssary impacts to stream/wetland ecosystems.
Plants and animals with federal classifications of Endangered (E),
Threatened (T), Proposed Endangered (PE) and Proposed Threatende (PT) are
protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended.
10
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reports the following
federally protected species for New Hanover County as of October 27, 1992:
Scientific Name
Picoides borealis
Charadrius melodus
Dermochelys coriacea
Lepidochelys Kempi
Caretta caretta
Chelonia mydras
Acipenser brevirostrum
Amaranthus pumilus
Cnmmnn Nama
Red-cockaded woodpecker
Piping Plover
Leatherback sea turtle
Kemp's Ridley
Loggerhead turtle
Green sea turtle
Shortnose sturgeon
Seabeach amaranth
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (E)
Picoides borealis
The red-cockaded woodpecker has specific nesting and foraging habitat
requirements. No nesting or foraging habitat is present in the project
area. Subject project will not impact the species.
Piping Plover (T)
Charadrius melodus
This bird requires open, sandy habitat, particularly those undergoing
early succession, such as fresh spoil islands. They are known to nest
sporadically on NC beaches. No suitable habitat for this organism is found
in the vicinity of the proposed action.
Leatherback Sea Turtle (E)
Dermochelys coriacea
Leatherbacks nest only on
ashore in areas where shoreline
for this species in the project
open beaches and are not likely to come
sediments are muddy. No habitat exists
area.
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (E)
Lepidochelys kem ii
The range of adults is restricted to the Gulf of Mexico, but immature
specimens have been found in waters off North Carolina and its estuaries.
No habitat is present in the project area for this species.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (T)
Caretta caretta
The Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests only on open beaches and is not
likely to come ashore in areas where shoreline sediments are muddy. No
suitable habitat is present in the project area, thus subject project will
not impact the species.
Green Sea Turtle (T)
Chelonia mydas
No suitable habitat is present in the project area. No suitable
habitat is present in the project area. Subject project will not impact
the species.
11

Shortnose Sturgeon (E)
Acipenser brevirostrum
This is primarily a deep channel species. Waters are relatively
shallow in the project area, not providing suitable habitat. Subject
project will not impact the species.
Seabeach Amaranth (PT)
Amaranthus umilus
No suitable habitat is found in the project area. Subject project
will not impact the species.
Plants or animals with state designations of Endangered (E),
Threatened (T) or Special Concern (SC) are granted protection by the State
Endangered Species Act and the NC Plant Protection and Conservation Act of
1979, administered and enforced by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission and the NC Department of Agriculture.
The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program files were consulted to
determine if any protected flora or fauna exists in the project area. No
records occur of state protected species in the project area.
The project will not substantially increase traffic volumes.
Therefore, its impact on noise levels and air quality will be
insignificant. Noise levels could increase during construction but will
be temporary. If vegetation is disposed of by burning, all burning shall
be done in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations of the
North Carolina SIP for air quality in compliance with 15 NCAC 2D.0520.
This evaluation completes the assessment requirements of FHPM 7-7-3
(highway traffic noise) and FHPM 7-7-9 (air quality) and no additional
reports are required.
New Hanover County is a participant in the National Flood Insurance
Regular Program. The approximate 100 year floodplain in the project area
is shown in Figure 4. The amount of floodplain area to be effected is not
considered to be significant.
There are no practical alternatives to crossing the floodplain area.
Any shift in alignment would result in a crossing of about the same
magnitude. The alignment of the project is perpendicular to the
floodplain area. All reasonable measures will be taken to minimize any
possible harm.
On the basis of the above discussion, it is concluded that no adverse
environmental effects will result from implementation of the project.
JF/pl

I
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
PLANNING AND ENVIRONNIBNTAL
BRANCH
BRIDGE NO. 17
ON SR 1100 OVER MOTT CREEK
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
B - 2596
0 miles 1/4
FIG. 1
Z
Q
W'
Q '
34°10' nw
7G Rq C/ ?
(Ur
F _
+ `.'.. Y
MATCH
MASO B O,
(UNIN?.)
PI' UNINC.jEY1 ti Y POP 881 Masonbor
POP_ 3,43 1492
?•:• >:? t
421
U -
/ r?(l ??• V x.1.3 2
_ Cr. - l W
? SILVER LAKE 9A / ?`r / ,l
/ (UNINC.)
W ' POP. 3,678
Myrtle Grov
`-`(lam ru, ; ,
YRTLE GR VE
O J? /
gp (UNINC.
U - )J Y i OP. 2,552 i O
0 1492
BRIDGE NO. 17
y
V)
7
Pilots Ridge
Airport >? u
GO
I 1100 u
u ,34°0.
a
/
421
NORTH CAROLINA DI:I'ARTMENT OR
TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
LEGEND
NON-SYSTEM ROAD
STUDIED DETOUR ROUTE
PLANNING AND ENVIRONIVIENIAL
BRANCH
R
BRIDGE NO. 17
ON SR 1100 OVER MOTT CREEK
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
B - 2596
r
r1 0 miles 1 FIG 1 a

f
it y •?? y 3 ??••. ?, a ±?-
1. U
v
o" X
ko?
- 79
IV'
w •? r
f `
Myry Tr a> jr,
4.fx R /?/` Ip' x? - rY
Ira
1 4` t1 t0ra!%rI
io,
CID
J. t u , ?°"4,f \111', I I I I \I,1 ILI\ \ I11 I' \k I .111 11.
1 i
y
` , ?•' ? B 'I IiANSl'UI11 A'I?II Iti
UI\'ItilONe)I'I11(4IWe11'S
' .??? ,•-? t (TANNING ANI) VNVIkONNIENfAI,
?... t1 V(.?l,0 BRAN(
'II
r BRIDGE NO, 17
ON SR 1100 OVER MOLT CREEK
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
>* B - 2596
0 feet 00
"r FIG. 2

BRIDGE NO. 17
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
B-2596
SOUTH APPROACH
NORTH
. 4k
Iola

t
•,
it

i
QP
O
i-4
5
W aw
s 4 '.w
LORRAINE DRIVE
i
4
LORRAINE CIRCLE
SARDOODRIVE
? I
i
pM
'•?l t

100 - YEAR
BRIDGE NO. 17
Q
P

North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
James G. Martin, Governor
Patric Dorsey, Secretary
Division of Archives and History
William S. Price, Jr., Director
April 24, 1992
Nicholas L. Graf
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Department of Transportation
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442
Re: Replace Bridge No. 17 on SR 1 100 over Mott Creek,
New Hanover County, B-2596, 8.2250301, BRZ-1 100(3),
GS 92-0088
Dear Mr. Graf:
On April 21, 1992, Robin Stancil of our staff met with North Carolina
Department of Transportation (NCDOT) staff for a meeting of the minds
concerning the above project. We reported our available information on
historic architectural and archaeological surveys and resources along with
our recommendations. NCDOT provided project area photographs and aerial
photographs at the meeting and for our use afterwards.
Based upon our review of the photographs and the information discussed at
the meeting, we offer our preliminary comments regarding this project.
In terms of historic architectural resources, we are aware of no historic
structures located within, the area of potential effect. We recommend that
no historic architectural survey be conducted for this project.
There are no known archaeological sites within the proposed project area.
Based on our present knowledge of the area, it is unlikely that any
archaeological resources which may be eligible for inclusion in the National
Register of Historic Places will be affected by the project construction. We,
therefore, recommend that no archaeological investigation be conducted in
connection with this project.
Having provided this information, we look forward to receipt of either a
Categorical Exclusion or Environmental Assessment which indicates how
NCDOT addressed our concerns.
The above comments are made pursuant to Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36
CFR Part 800.
109 East lone: Srree; • Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2307
A-1
Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. If you have questions '
concerning the above comment, please contact Renee Gledhill-Earley,
environmental review coordinator, at 919/733-4763.
Sincerely,
GD a ?id?
Brook

Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
DB:tmm
cc: vl? J. Ward
B. Church
T. Padgett
A-2