19940723 Ver 1_Complete File_19940803

72

401 ISSUED
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT, JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS R. SAMUEL HUNT III
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 SECRETARY
August 2, 1994
District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
P. O. Box 109"
Wilmington, Nortl? Carolina 28402
ATTENTION: Regulatory Branch
Dear Sir.
N?_t:??be 736:107; T. ??v ? L??t?r It f y
3mhjec Un -icn Coup-y - LAS 74 ..'D,
Line to the ANson Cour:ty
AUG 3 1994
ttWI E'
u l-e , ecklenburg county
L i n?7- , State Pro j ect
No. w-31CJ
Attached' =oa your --information is a copy of the pro j ec
planning report for the subject project. The project is
be_ne pr oces-ced the Federal HiahiNay Administration as a
"Categorical Exclusion" In accordance with 23 CFR 771.115(x).
Therefore, we do not anticipate requesting an Individual
Permit uut propose to proceed !trader a Nationwide Permit iii
accordance with 31J CFR 330 Appendix A (B-23) issued November.
22, 1991, b,- the Corps of Engineers. 7-1?e provisions of
SeCtiol? 3_30.4 and Appendix P.- (C) of these regulations will be
followed, in --he construction of the project.
We anticipate that 01 Genera! Certification No. 2745
(Categorical Exclusion) will apply to this project, and are
providing one copy of the CE document to the Norti? Carolina
Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources,
Division of Environmental Management, for their review.
If you have any questions or need additional
information, please call Cyndi Bell at (919) 7_13-3141.
Sincerely,

B. J. O'Quinn, P.E.
Assistant Manager,
Planning and Environmental Branch
IA

BJO/clh
Attachment
cc: COE, Asheville Field Office
John Dorney, DEHNR, DEM
John Parker, DEHNR, DCM/Permit Coordinator
Kelly Barger, P.E., Program Development Branch
Don Morton, P.E., Highway Design
A.L. Hankins, P.E., Hydraulics
John L. Smith, Jr., P.E., Structure. Design
Torn Shearin, P.E., Roadway Design
D.B 'Waters, P.E., Division 9 Engineer
Missy Dickens, Planning & Environmental
Davis Moore, Planning & Environmental

Date: 1/93
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION ACTION CLASSIFICATION FORM
TIP Project No. W-3103
State Project No. 8.7369007
Federal-Aid Project No. HES-STPNHS-74(12)
A. Project Description: US 74, From the Mecklenburg County
Line to the Anson County Line, Union County, 23 miles.
Safety improvements, see Section D.
NOTE: Refer to Section D, "Special Project Information,"
for list of ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS.
B. Purpose and Need: To improve safety and traffic flow
along the subject section of roadway.
C. Proposed Improvements:
Circle one or more of the following improvements which
apply to the project:
Type I Improvements
1. Non-construction activities (program activities)
2. Approval of utility installations along or across a
transportation facility
3. Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes,
paths, and facilities
4. Activities included in the State's "highway safety
plan" under 23 USC 402 (programs administered by
the Division of Motor Vehicles)
5. Transfer of Federal lands pursuant to 23 USC 317
when the subsequent action is not an FHWA action
6. The installation of noise barriers or alterations
to existing publicly owned buildings to provide for
noise reduction
7. Landscaping
Installation of fencing, signs, pavement markings,
small passenger shelters, traffic signals, and
railroad warning devices
9. Emergency repairs under 23 USC 125 (Governor
Declared Emergency)
10. Acquisition of scenic easements
11. Determination of payback under 23 CFR Part 480 for
property previously acquired with Federal-aid
participation
12. Improvements to existing rest areas and truck weigh
stations
13. Ridesharing activities
14. Bus and rail car rehabilitation
15. Alterations to facilities or vehicles in order to
make them accessible for elderly and handicapped
persons
1
Date: 1/93
16. Program administration, technical assistance
activities, and operating assistance to transit
authorities to continue existing service or
increase service to meet changes in routine demand
17. The purchase of vehicles by the applicant where the
use of these vehicles can be accommodated by.
existing facilities or by new facilities which
themselves are within a CE
18. Track and railbed maintenance and improvements when
carried out within the existing right of way
19. Purchase and installation of operating or
maintenance equipment to be located within the
transit facility and with no significant impacts
off the site
20. Promulgation of rules, regulations, and directives.
Type II Improvements
1. Modernization of a highway by resurfacing,
restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adding
shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (e.g.,
parking, weaving, turning, climbing).
a. Restoring, Resurfacing, Rehabilitating, and
Reconstructing pavement (3R and 4R
improvements)
b. Widening roadway and shoulders without adding
through lanes
c. Modernizing gore treatments
Q
UJ Constructing lane improvements (merge,
- auxiliary, and turn lanes)
e. Adding shoulder drains
f. Replacing and rehabilitating culverts, inlets,
and drainage pipes, including safety
treatments
g. Providing driveway pipes
h. Performing minor bridge widening (less than
one through lane)
2. Highway safety or traffic operations improvement
projects including the installation of ramp
metering control devices and lighting.
a. Installing ramp metering devices
b. Installing lights
c. Adding or upgrading guardrail
d. Installing safety barriers including Jersey
type barriers and pier protection
e. Installing or replacing impact attenuators
f. Upgrading medians including adding or
upgrading median barriers
g. Improving intersections including relocation
and/or realignment

t
Date: 1/93
h. Making minor roadway realignment
i. Channelizing traffic
j. Performing-clear zone safety improvements
.including removing hazards and flattening
slopes
LD Implementing traffic aid systems, signals, and
motorist aid
1. Installing bridge safety hardware including
bridge rail retrofit
3. Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or
replacement or the construction of grade separation
to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings.
a. Rehabilitating, reconstructing, or replacing
bridge approach slabs
b. Rehabilitating or replacing bridge decks
c. Rehabilitating bridges including painting (no
red lead paint), scour repair, fender systems,
and minor structural improvements
d. Replacing a bridge (structure and/or fill)
4._ Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.
5. Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest
areas.
6. Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or
for joint or limited use of right-of-way, where the
proposed use does not have significant adverse
impacts.
7. Approvals for changes in access control.
8. Construction of new bus storage and maintenance
facilities in areas used predominantly for
industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing
zoning and located on or near a street with
adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and
support vehicle traffic.
9. Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail
and bus buildings and ancillary facilities where
only minor amounts of additional land are required
and there is not a substantial increase in the
number of users.
10. construction of bus transfer facilities (an open
area consisting of passenger shelters, boarding
areas, kiosks and related street improvements) when
located in a commercial area or other high activity
center in which there is adequate street capacity
for projected bus traffic.
3
a
Date: 1/93
11. Construction of rail storage and maintenance
facilities in areas used predominantly for
industrial or transportation purposes where such
construction is not inconsistent with existing
zoning and where there is no significant noise
impact on the surrounding community.
12. Acquisition of land for hardship or protective
purposes, advance land acquisition loans under
section 3(b) of the UMT Act. Hardship and
protective buying will be permitted only for a
particular parcel or a limited number of parcels.
These types of land acquisition qualify for a CE
only where the acquisition will not limit the
evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in
alignment for planned construction projects, which
may be required in the NEPA process. No project
development on such land may proceed until the NEPA
process has been completed.
D. Special Project Information: (include ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMITMENTS)
Proposed improvements for
include constructing left turn
median, closing median crossov
revising 8 signals, installing
installing one new signal, and
acceleration lane.
the subject project
lanes within the existing
ars at selected locations,
3 closed loop systems,
constructing one
4
Date: 1/93
E. Threshold Criteria
If any Type II actions are involved in the project, the
following evaluation must be completed. If the project
consists only of Type I improvements, the following checklist
does not need to be completed.
ECOLOGICAL
(1) Will the project
on any unique or
(2) Does the project
federally listed
species may occu:
YES NO
have a substantial impact ?
important natural resource?
involve habitat where
endangered or threatened ?X
r?
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish?
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the
amount of permanent and/or temporary
wetland taking less than one-third
(1/3) of an acre AND have all practicable
measures to avoid and minimize wetland
takings been evaluated?
(5) Will the project require the use of
U. S. Forest Service lands?
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water
resources be adversely impacted by
proposed construction activities?
X
?x
x F-1
?x
F7 x
(7) Does the project involve waters classified
as Outstanding Water Resources (OWR) and/or ? X
High Quality Waters (HQW)?
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of
the United States in any of the designated ? X
mountain trout counties?
(9) Does the project involve any known
underground storage tanks (UST's) or ? X
hazardous materials sites?
5
Date: 1/93
PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
(10) If the project is locate d within a LAMA
county, will the project significantly %
affect the coastal zone and/or any "Area
of Environmental Concern " (AEC)?
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier ? X
Resources Act resources?
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be ? X
required?
(13) Will the project result in the modification ? X
of any existing regulatory floodway?
(14) Will the project require any stream ? X
relocations or channel changes?
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts ? X
to planned growth or land use for the area?
(16) Will the project require the relocation of
any family or business?
(17) If the project involves the acquisition of
right of way, is the amount of right of way
acquisition considered minor?
(18) Will the project involve any changes in
access control?
(19) Will the project substantially alter the
usefulness and/or land use of adjacent
property?
(20) Will the project have an adverse effect on
permanent local traffic patterns or
community cohesiveness?
?x
X F-1
F-1 X
?x
F-1 X
t
a
6
I
Date: 1/93
YES NO
(21) Is.the project included in an approved ?
thoroughfare plan and/or Transportation X
Improvement Program (and is, therefore, in
conformance with the clean Air Act of
1990)?
(22) Is the project anticipated to cause an ? X
increase traffic volumes?
(23) Will traffic be maintained during
construction using existing roads, staged X ?
construction, or on-site detours?
(24) Is there substantial controversy on social,
economic, or environmental grounds ? X
concerning the project?
(25) Is the project consistent with all Federal,
State, and local laws relating to the X ?
environmental aspects of the action?
CULTURAL RESOURCES
(26) Will the project have an "effect" on
properties eligible for or listed on the ? X
National Register of Historic Places?
(27) Will the project require the use of
Section 4(f) resources (public parks,
recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl a X
refuges, historic sites, or historic
bridges, as defined in Section 4(f) of the
U. S. Department of Transportation Act of
1966)?
(28) Will the project involve construction in,
across, or adjacent to a river designated ? X
as a component of or proposed for inclusion
in the Natural System of wild and scenic
Rivers?
7
Date: 1/93
F.
Additional Documentation Required for Unfavorable
Responses in Part E
REGARDING ITEM (2): Habitat for Schweinitz's
sunflower (Helianthus schweinitzii), a species listed by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Endangered, is
found in the project area. However, a survey was
conducted by NCDOT biological staff, and it was
determined that no populations of Schweinitz's sunflower
occur in the study area (see attached memorandum from
Phillip Todd, Environmental Biologist).
8
1
G. CE Approval
Date: 1/93
TIP Project No. W-3103
State Project No. 8.7369007
Federal-Aid Project No. HES-STPNHS-74(12)
Project Description:
US 74, From the Mecklenburg County Line to the Anson
County Line, Union County, 23 miles. Safety
improvements, see section D.
NOTE: Refer to Section D, "Special Project Information,"
for list of ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS.
Categorical Exclusion Action Classification: (Check one)
TYPE I
TYPE II(A)
X TYPE II(B)
Approved:
-30
Date I Manager
'Planning & Environmental Branch
6- 2 6- 674- Gam, .?
Date P oje t Planning Unit Head
Date Proj ct Planning Engineer
For Type II(B) projects only:
(3-2 1 /
Date Division Administrator
1Federal Highway Administration
9
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? S7AR o?
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT. JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS R. SAMUEL HUNT III
GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C 27611-5201 SECRETARY
?0 `1av 1994
MEMORANDUM TO: Wilson Stroud. Unit Head
Project Planning Unit
I X
FROM: Phillip Todd. Environmental Biologist v
Environmental Unit
SUBJECT: Natural Resources IYventorN for proposed
safety- imnrovements"to US ?4 from Mecklenbur_^
County iine to Anson CourN line. Union
CouniV: IP No. :C-310;: State Project No.
S.-369007: Federal Aid No. HES-STP-NHS-
4(12).
ATTENTION: ,1s? D-i-ckens. Project tanager
The following memorandum is submitted to assist in
preparation of a Programmatic Categorical E:?clusion (PCE) for
the proposed project. Habitat for Schweinitz.s sunfiower
(Helianthus schtieinitzii) exists disturbed areas such as in
the median and alon_^_^_ road shoulders. Schweinitz's sunflower
is an Endangered species: a species that is threatened with
extinction throu^_hout all or a significant portion of its
range. A brief description of characteristics and habitat
for Schweinitz's sunflower follows.
Helianthus schweinitzii (Schweinitz's sunflower) E
Schweinitz's sunflower is a rhizomatous perennial herb
that grows 1-2 m tail from a cluster of carrot-like tubrous
roots. The stems are deep red. solitary and only branch
above mid-stem. The leaves are rough feeling above and
resin-dotted and loosely soft-white=hairy beneath. Leaves of
the sunflower are opposite on the lower part of the stem and
usually become alternate on the upper stem. The broad
flowers are borne from September until frost. These flowers
are yellow in color and arranged in an open system of
upwardly arching heads. The fruit is a smooth, gray-black
achene.
Schweinitz's sunflower is endemic to North and South
Carolina. These sunflowers grow best in full sunlight or
0
3
light shade in clearings and along the edges of open stands
of oak-pine-hickory upland w.0ods. Common soils that this
species is found in are moist to dryish clays, clay-loams. or
sandy clay-loams, often with a high gravel content and always
moderately podzolized. Natural fires and large herbivores
are considered to be historically important in maintaining
open habitat for-these sunflowers.
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT
Plant-by-plant surveys were conducted on 18 May 1994.
Walking and windshield surveys were administered in areas
where the proposed project inolves constructing turn lanes
and acceleration lanes. No populations of Schweinitz's
sunflower occur in the study area; no impact to Schweinitz's
sunflower will result from project construction.
c: V. Charles Bruton. Ph.D.
M. Randall Turner. Environmental Supervisor
File: W-3103
` ?\

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TlZANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT, JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS R. SAMUEL HUNT I II
. GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201. RALEIGH. N.C 27611-5201 SECRETARY
2 v `%Ia` 19, 9 4
MEMORANDUM TO: Wilson Stroud. Unit Head
Project Planning Unit p
?v
FROM: Phillip Todd. Environmental Biologist v
Environmental Unit
SUBJECT: Natural Resources I;rrentory for proposed
safety improvements to Us "4 from M-c'.lenbur^
Count- line to Anson County line. Union
Count`-: TIP No. ;':-3103. State Project No.
5.-36900-. !=ederal Aid No. HES-STP-NHS-
74(1 2l.
ATTENTION: :,Ii:ssv Dickens. Project Nlanacer
The following memorandum is submitted to assist in
preparation of a Programmatic Categorical E:tclusion (PCE) for
the proposed project. Habitat for Schweinitz's sunflower
(Helianrhus schrt.einirzii) exists disturbed areas such as in
the median and aloe= road shoulders. Schweinitz's sunflower
is an Endangered species: a species that is threatened with
extinction throughout all or a si`nificant portion of its
range. A brief description of characteristics and habitat
for Schweinitz's sunflower follows.
Helianrhus schweinirzii (Schweinitz's sunflower) E
Schweinitz's sunflower is a rhizomatous perennial herb
that grows 1-2 m tall from a cluster of carrot-like tubrous
roots. The stems are deep red. solitary and only branch
above mid-stem. The leaves are rough feeling above and
resin-dotted and loosely soft-white=hairy beneath. Lea?'es of
the sunflower are opposite on the lower part of the stem and
usually become alternate on the upper stem. The broad
flowers are borne from September until frost. These flowers
are yellow in color and arranged in an open system of
upwardly arching heads. The fruit is a smooth, gray-black
achene.
Schweinitz's sunflower is endemic to North and South
Carolina. These sunflowers grow best in full sunlight or

?. ?'*•'?'Z- -?--ice'-°-?i ?.T -_ . -_ y-? - -'Y ?9:..?.._... _ .?-x. _ - _ --
light shade in clearings and along the edges of open stands
of oak-pine-hickory upland :roods. Common soils that this
species is found in are moist to dryish clays. clay-loams. or
sandy clay-loams, often with a high gray*el content and always
moderately podzolized. Natural fires and large herbivores
are considered to be historically important in maintaining
open habitat for these sunflowers.
BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT
Plant-by-plant surveys were conducted on 18 May 1994.
Walking and windshield surveys were administered in areas
where the proposed project inolves constructing turn lanes
and acceleration lanes. No populations of Schweinitz's
sunflower occur in the study area; no impact to Schweinitz's
sunflower will result from project construction.
C: V. Charles Bruton.
1q, Randall Turner.
Ph.D.
Environmental Supervisor
h

Date: 1/93
following evaluation must be completed. If the project
consists only of Type I improvements, the following checklist
does not need to be completed.
ECOLOGICAL
YES NO
(1) Will the project have a substantial impact ?
on any unique or important natural resource.
(2) Does the project involve habitat where
federally listed endangered or threatened
species may occur?
(3) Will the project affect anadromous fish? ?
(4) If the project involves wetlands, is the
amount of permanent and/or temporary

wetland taking less than one-third
X ?
(1/3) of an acre AND have all practicable
measures to avoid and minimize wetland
takings been evaluated?
(5) Will the project require the use of a
U. S. Forest service lands?
(6) Will the quality of adjacent water

resources be adversely impacted by ?
proposed construction activities?
(7) Does the project involve waters classified

as outstanding Water Resources (OWR) and/or ?
High Quality Waters (HQW)?
(8) Will the project require fill in waters of
the United States in any of the designated ?
mountain trout counties?
(9) Does the project involve any known
underground storage tanks (UST's) or
?
hazardous materials sites?
PERMITS AND COORDINATION YES NO
5
r
p-w
off
Date.- _1`93,
(10) If the project is located within a CAMA ?
county, will the project significantly
affect the coastal zone and/or any "Area
of Environmental Concern" (AEC)?
(11) Does the project involve Coastal Barrier
Resources Act resources?
(12) Will a U. S. Coast Guard permit be
required? 17
(13) Will the project result in the modification ?
of any existing regulatory floodway?
(14) Will the project require any.6tream
relocations or channel changes?
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
(15) Will the project induce substantial impacts
to planned growth or land use for the area?
(16) Will the project require the relocation of 17
any family or business?
(17) If the project involves the acquisition of ?
right of way, is the amount of right of way
acquisition considered minor?
(18) Will the project involve any changes in ?
access control?
(19) Will the project substantially alter the
usefulness and/or land use of adjacent ?
property?
(20) will the project have an adverse effect on
permanent local traffic patterns or ?
community cohesiveness?
YES NO
(21) Is the project included in an approved r-?
6
?„ - ::Date-:
(Discussion regarding all unfavorable responses in Part E
should be provided below. Additional supporting
documentation may be attached, as necessary.)
? Ki ? nrR Krs
Y v ??-, Cpl-'`t;V C--?t tv ? `• ? S' ?i N ?'?Gx;V ?? 4,t-tw ? s• ? -C`Z? ?

i
G. CE Approval
8