19960341 Ver 1_Complete File_19960312

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF VANS
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 2,
GOVERNOR
May 28, 1999
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 143
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
ATTN: Mr. Steve Lund
NCDOT Coordinator
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ORRIS TOLSON
' ?. SECRETARY

SUBJECT: Buncombe and Henderson Counties, Improvements to US 25 from Sk
1361 to US 25A/NC 280, TIP No. R-2213, State project No. 8.0841902,
Federal Aid Project No. STPNHF-25(1), COE Action ID No. 199830288.
Dear Sir:
Information regarding the project description has changed since the distribution of
the programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CE) in a letter dated March 08, 1996. US 25
will be widened to five lanes to improve traffic flow and improve safety. The project
begins at the intersection of US 25 and SR 1361 in the township of Fletcher in Henderson
County and ends at the intersection of US 25 and US 25A/NC 280 south of Asheville in
Buncombe County. The project as stated above remains basically the same. However,
because of a grade difference between the proposed US 25 alignment and the existing
Hillcrest Road alignment, a temporary detour is necessary for construction purposes. The
area for this detour previously contained habitat for a federally protected species, the
small-whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides). A description and biological conclusion for
this species is provided below. No jurisdictional waters of the United States will be
impacted by the proposed detour.
Isotria medeoloides (small-whorled pogonia) Endangered
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Federally Listed: September 10, 1982
Flowers Present: mid May-mid June
Small-whorled pogonia is a perennial orchid having long pubescent roots and a
hollow stem. Stems terminate in a whorl of five or six light green, elliptical leaves that are
somewhat pointed. One or two light green flowers are produced at the end of the stem.
Flowers of small-whorled pogonia have short sepals.
G)
The small-whorled pogonia grows in "second growth deciduous" or
deciduous-coniferous forests, with an open canopy, open shrub layer, and sparse herb
layer. It prefers acidic soils. Flowering is inhibited in areas where there is relatively high
shrub coverage or high sapling density.
Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
The area of the proposed detour was investigated by NCDOT biologists on May
14, 1999. The investigation found that the area previously containing habitat had been
cleared of all vegetation by a private landowner. Therefore, the temporary detour will not
impact the small-whorled pogonia.
The NCDOT previously received authorization to construct this project on July
28, 1998. However, the project was delayed once the potential for impacting a protected
species was recognized. In light of the recent surveys of the project area and the
biological conclusion of No Effect, the NCDOT now proposes to proceed with the project
under the current authorization.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Mr.
Lindsey Riddick at [phone], extension 315.
Sincerely,

William D. Gilmore, P.E., Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, Division of Water Quality
Mr. William Rogers, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Whit Webb, PE., Program Development
Mr. R. L. Hill, P.E., State Highway Engineer - Design
Mr. A. L. Hankins, P.E., Hydraulics Unit
Mr. Tom Shearin, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. W. D. Smart, P. E., Division 13 Engineer
Mr. F. D. Martin, P. E., Division 14 Engineer
Mr. Mark Davis, NCWRC, Western Mountain Coordinator
Mr. David Cox, NCWRC

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAMES B. HUNT JR. P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 E. MORRIS TOLSON
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
May 28, 1999
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Room 143
Asheville, NC 28801-5006
ATTN: Mr. Steve Lund
NCDOT Coordinator
SUBJECT: Buncombe and Henderson Counties, Improvements to US 25 from SR
1361 to US 25A/NC 280, TIP No. R-2213, State project No. 8.0841902,
Federal Aid Project No. STPNHF-25(1), COE Action ID No. 199830288.
Dear Sir:
Information regarding the project description has changed since the distribution of
the programmatic Categorical Exclusion (CE) in a letter dated March 08, 1996. US 25
will be widened to five lanes to improve traffic flow and improve safety. The project
begins at the intersection of US 25 and SR 1361 in the township of Fletcher in Henderson
County and ends at the intersection of US 25 and US 25A/NC 280 south of Asheville in
Buncombe County. The project as stated above remains basically the same. However,
because of a grade difference between the proposed US 25 alignment and the existing
Hillcrest Road alignment, a temporary detour is necessary for construction purposes. The
area for this detour previously contained habitat for a federally protected species, the
small-whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides). A description and biological conclusion for
this species is provided below. No jurisdictional waters of the United States will be
impacted by the proposed detour.
Isotria medeoloides (small-whorled pogonia) Endangered
Plant Family: Orchidaceae
Federally Listed: September 10, 1982
Flowers Present: mid May-mid June
Small-whorled pogonia is a perennial orchid having long pubescent roots and a
hollow stem. Stems terminate in a whorl of five or six light green, elliptical leaves that are
somewhat pointed. One or two light green flowers are produced at the end of the stem.
Flowers of small-whorled pogonia have short sepals.
0
The small-whorled pogonia grows in "second growth deciduous" or
deciduous-coniferous forests, with an open canopy, open shrub layer, and sparse herb
layer. It prefers acidic soils. Flowering is inhibited in areas where there is relatively high
shrub coverage or high sapling density.
Biological Conclusion: NO EFFECT
The area of the proposed detour was investigated by NCDOT biologists on May
14, 1999. The investigation found that the area previously containing habitat had been
cleared of all vegetation by a private landowner. Therefore, the temporary detour will not
impact the small-whorled pogonia.
The NCDOT previously received authorization to construct this project on July
28, 1998. However, the project was delayed once the potential for impacting a protected
species was recognized. In light of the recent surveys of the project area and the
biological conclusion of No Effect, the NCDOT now proposes to proceed with the project
under the current authorization.
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact 1\6-.
Lindsey Riddick at [phone], extension 315.
Sincerely,

William D. Gilmore, P.E., Manager
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
cc: Mr. David Franklin, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, Division of Water Quality
Mr. William Rogers, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Whit Webb, P.E., Program Development
Mr. R. L. Hill, P.E., State Highway Engineer - Design
Mr. A. L. Hankins, P.E., Hydraulics Unit
Mr. Tom Shearin, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. W. D. Smart, P. E., Division 13 Engineer
W. F. D. Martin, P. E., Division 14 Engineer
Mr. Mark Davis, NCWRC, Western Mountain Coordinator
Mr. David Cox, NCWRC