Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout19970932 Ver 1_Complete File_19971029State of North Carolina Department of Environment, J"W Health and Natural Resources • Division of Water Quality ova James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Wayne McDevitt, Secretary ID E H N FE A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director November 4, 1997 Pin County WQC 401 Project #970932 TIP # R-2251 APPROVAL of 401 Water Quality Certification Mr. Frank Vick NC DOT Post Office Box 25201 Raleigh, NC 27611-5201 Dear W. Vick: You have our approval, in accordance with the attached conditions, to fill, excavate and mechanically clear in 0.272 acres of wetlands or waters for the purpose of road widening at Greenville, as you described in your application dated October 17, 1997. After reviewing your application, we have decided that this fill is covered by General Water Quality Certification Number 3103. This Certification allows you to use Nationwide Permit Number 14 when it is issued by the Corps of Engineers. In addition, you should get any other federal, state or local permits before you go ahead with your project including (but not limited to) Sediment and Erosion Control, Coastal Stormwater, Non-Discharge and Water Supply Watershed regulations. Also this approval will expire when the accompanying 404 or CAMA permit expires unless otherwise specified in the General Certification. This approval is only valid for the purpose and design that you described in your application. If you change your project, you must notify us and you may be required to send us a new application. If total wetland fills for this project (now or in the future) exceed one acre, compensatory mitigation may be required as described in 15A NCAC 2H .0506 (h). For this approval to be valid, you must follow the conditions listed in the attached certification. If you do not accept any of the conditions of this certification, you may ask for an adjudicatory hearing. You must act within 60 days of the date that you receive this letter. To ask for a hearing, send a written petition which conforms to Chapter 150B of the North Carolina General Statutes to the Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 27447, Raleigh, N.C. 27611-7447. This certification and its conditions are final and binding unless you ask for a hearing. This letter completes the review of the Division of Water Quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. If you have any questions, please telephone John Dorney at 919-733-1786. in ly, ton Howar Jr. P.E. Attachment cc: Wilmington District Corps of Engineers Corps of Engineers Washington Field Office Washington DWQ Regional Office Mr. John Domey Central Files 9709321tr Division of Water Quality - Non-Discharge Branch ,4401 Reedy Creek Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607 Telephone 919-733-1786 FAX # 733-9959 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer - 50% recydedI100/6 post consumer paper ,asTnTEa 1 <?,•@? ?• 401 1SSGZ Q?G STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JAMES B. HUNT JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 October 17, 1997 US Army Corps of Engineers Raleigh Field Office 6508 Falls of the Neuse Road, Suite 120 Raleigh, North Carolina 27615 ATTENTION: Mr. Michael D. Smith, P.W.S. Chief, North Section Dear Sir: GARLAND B. GARRETT J R. SECRETARY Kc? .9? Subject: Pitt County, Widening of NC 33 from River Bluff Road to Black Jack- Simpson Road (SR 1755) in Greenville, Federal Aid Project STP-33(1); State Project No. 8.122130 1, TIP No. R-2251. The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes to widen NC 33 from River Bluff Road to Black Jack-Simpson Road (SR 1755) in Greenville from a two lane shoulder section to a five lane curb and gutter facility. The project is approximately 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) in length. Construction of the proposed project will result in 0.109 acres of fill in wetlands, 0.037 acres of excavation in wetlands and 0.126 acres of impact due to mechanized clearing and grubbing. In addition, there will be 0.06 acres of fill in surface waters. Due to Hardee Creek's function as an anadromous fish spawning and nursery area, a time-of-year restriction of in-stream construction activities will be observed from February through March. We have determined that this activity will be authorized under Nationwide Permit 14. A Federal Highway Administrative Action, Environmental Assessment was submitted by the USDOT-FHWA and the NCDOT and approved on April 19, 1995. The EA explains the purpose and need for the project; provides a description of the project and the alternatives considered; and characterizes the social, economic, and environmental effects of the project. After the EA was approved and circulated, a Public Hearing was held on September 18, 1995. On November 12, 1996 the FONSI was approved for R-2251. Copies of the EA and FONSI have been provided to regulatory review agencies involved in the approval process. Additional copies will be provided upon request. RIO J 2 Enclosed please find the project site map, the preconstruction notification form, and drawings for the above referenced project. We anticipate a 401 General Certification will apply to this project, and are providing one copy of these documents to the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, for their review. If you have any questions or need additional information please call Ms. Alice N. Gordon at 733-7844 Ext. 307. Sincerely, H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch HFV/plr cc: w/attachment Mr. David Lekson, Corps of Engineers, Washington Field Office Mr. John Dorney, NCDEHNR, Division of Water Quality Mr. Kelly Barger, P.E. Program Development Branch Mr. R. L. Hill, P.E., Highway Design Branch Mr. A. L. Hankins, P.E., Hydraulics Unit Mr. William J. Rogers, P.E., Structure Design Unit Mr. Tom Shearin, P.E., Roadway Design Unit Mr. C. E. Lassiter, P.E., Division 2 Engineer Ms. Teresa A. Hart, P & E Project Planning Unit Head IL DEM ID: CORPS ACTION ID: T.I.P. No. R-2551 NATIONWIDE PERMIT REQUESTED (PROVIDE NATIONWIDE PERMIT #): NWP 14 PRE-CONSTRUCTION NOTIFICATION APPLICATION FOR NATIONWIDE PERMITS THAT REQUIRE: 1) NOTIFICATION TO THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS 2) APPLICATION FOR SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION 3) COORDINATION WITH THE NC DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT SEND THE ORIGINAL AND (1) COPY OF THIS COMPLETED FORM TO THE APPROPRIATE FIELD OFFICE OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS (SEE AGENCY ADDRESSES SHEET). SEVEN (7) COPIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE N.C. DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (SEE AGENCY ADDRESSES SHEET). PLEASE PRINT. 1. OWNERS NAME: NC Dept. of Transportation; Planning & Environmental Branch 2. MAILING ADDRESS: Post Office Box 25201 SUBDIVISION NAME: CITY: Raleigh STATE: NC ZIP CODE: 27611 PROJECT LOCATION ADDRESS, INCLUDING SUBDIVISION NAME (IF DIFFERENT FROM MAILING ADDRESS ABOVE): 3. TELEPHONE NUMBER (HOME): (WORK): (919) 733-3141 4. IF APPLICABLE: AGENT'S NAME OR RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE OFFICIAL, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER: H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager 5. LOCATION OF WORK (PROVIDE A MAP, PREFERABLY A COPY OF USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OR AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH SCALE): COUNTY: Pitt NEAREST TOWN OR CITY: Greenville 1 SPECIFIC LOCATION (INCLUDE ROAD NUMBERS, LANDMARKS, ETC.): NC 33 from River Bluff Road to Black Jack- Simpson Road (SR 1755) in Greenville 6. IMPACTED OR NEAREST STREAM/RIVER: Hardee Creek RIVER BASIN: Tar/Pamlico 7a. IS PROJECT LOCATED NEAR WATER CLASSIFIED AS TROUT, HIGH QUALITY WATERS (HQW), OUTSTANDING RESOURCE WATERS (WS-I OR WS-II) ? YES [ ] NO [x] IF YES, EXPLAIN: _ TIDAL SALTWATER (SA), (ORW), WATER SUPPLY 7b. IS THE PROJECT LOCATED WITHIN A NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT AREA OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN (AEC)? YES [ ] NO [x] 7c. IF THE PROJECT IS LOCATED WITHIN A COASTAL COUNTY (SEE PAGE 7 FOR LIST OF COASTAL COUNTIES), WHAT IS THE LAND USE PLAN (LUP) DESIGNATION? 8a. HAVE ANY SECTION 404 PERMITS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED FOR USE ON THIS PROPERTY? YES [ ] NO [x] IF YES, PROVIDE ACTION I.D. NUMBER OF PREVIOUS PERMIT AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (INCLUDE PHOTOCOPY OF 401 CERTIFICATION): 8b. ARE ADDITIONAL PERMIT REQUESTS EXPECTED FOR THIS PROPERTY IN THE FUTURE? YES [ ] NO [x] IF YES, DESCRIBE ANTICIPATED WORK: 2 9a. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES IN TRACT OF LAND: 9b. ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLANDS LOCATED ON PROJECT SITE: approximately 0.28 acre 10a. NUMBER OF ACRES OF WETLANDS IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT BY: FILLING: 0.109 acre EXCAVATION: 0.037 acre FLOODING: DRAINAGE: OTHER: 0.126 acre clearing TOTAL ACRES TO BE IMPACTED: 0.272 acre 10b. (1) STREAM CHANNEL TO BE IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT (IF RELOCATED, PROVIDE DISTANCE BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER RELOCATION): LENGTH BEFORE: FT AFTER: FT WIDTH BEFORE (based on normal high water contours): FT WIDTH AFTER: FT AVERAGE DEPTH BEFORE: FT AFTER: FT (2) STREAM.CHANNEL IMPACTS WILL RESULT FROM: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) OPEN CHANNEL RELOCATION: PLACEMENT OF PIPE IN CHANNEL: x CHANNEL EXCAVATION: CONSTRUCTION OF A DAM/FLOODING: OTHER: 11. IF CONSTRUCTION OF A POND IS PROPOSED, WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE WATERSHED DRAINING TO THE POND? WHAT IS THE EXPECTED POND SURFACE AREA? 12. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORK INCLUDING DISCUSSION OF TYPE OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TO BE USED (ATTACH PLANS: 8 1/2" X 11" DRAWINGS ONLY): Extension of culvert and pipe. Incidental fill in wetland from widening road. 13. PURPOSE OF PROPOSED WORK: Widen NC 33 from River Bluff Road to SR 1755 in Greenville 3 a 14. STATE REASONS WHY IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS ACTIVITY MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN WETLANDS. (INCLUDE ANY MEASURES TAKEN TO MINIMIZE WETLAND IMPACTS): Widen existing roadway. 15. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) AND/OR NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) (SEE AGENCY ADDRESSES SHEET) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF ANY FEDERALLY LISTED OR PROPOSED FOR LISTING ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES OR CRITICAL HABITAT IN THE PERMIT AREA THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT. DATE CONTACTED: See EA & FONSI. (ATTACH RESPONSES FROM THESE AGENCIES.) 16. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER (SHPO) (SEE AGENCY ADDRESSES SHEET) REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES IN THE PERMIT AREA WHICH MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT. DATE CONTACTED: See EA and FONSI 17. DOES THE PROJECT INVOLVE AN EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS OR THE USE OF PUBLIC (STATE) LAND? YES [x] NO H (IF NO, GO TO 18) a. IF YES, DOES THE PROJECT REQUIRE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT? YES [x] NO [ b. IF YES, HAS THE DOCUMENT BEEN REVIEWED THROUGH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION STATE CLEARINGHOUSE? YES [x] NO [ IF ANSWER TO 17b IS YES, THEN SUBMIT APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION FROM THE STATE CLEARINGHOUSE TO DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT. See EA and FONSI QUESTIONS REGARDING THE STATE CLEARINGHOUSE REVIEW PROCESS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MS. CHRYS BAGGETT, DIRECTOR STATE CLEARINGHOUSE, NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, 116 WEST JONES STREET, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27603-8003, TELEPHONE (919) 733-6369. 4 18. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH THIS APPLICATION IF PROPOSED ACTIVITY INVOLVES THE DISCHARGE OF EXCAVATED OR FILL MATERIAL INTO WETLANDS: a. WETLAND DELINEATION MAP SHOWING ALL WETLANDS, STREAMS, LAKES AND PONDS ON THE PROPERTY (FOR NATIONWIDE PERMIT NUMBERS 14, 18, 21, 26, 29, AND 38). ALL STREAMS (INTERMITTENT AND PERMANENT) ON THE PROPERTY MUST BE SHOWN ON THE MAP. MAP SCALES SHOULD BE 1 INCH EQUALS 50 FEET OR 1 INCH EQUALS 100 FEET OR THEIR EQUIVALENT. b. IF AVAILABLE, REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPH OF WETLANDS TO BE IMPACTED BY PROJECT. C. IF DELINEATION WAS PERFORMED BY A CONSULTANT, INCLUDE ALL DATA SHEETS RELEVANT TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE DELINEATION LINE. d. ATTACH A COPY OF THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN IF REQUIRED. e. WHAT IS LAND USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTY? Low density residential f. IF APPLICABLE, WHAT IS PROPOSED METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL? N/A g. SIGNED AND DATED AGENT AUTHORIZATION LETTER, IF APPLICABLE. NOTE: WETLANDS OR WATERS OF THE U.S. MAY NOT BE IMPACTED PRIOR TO: 1) ISSUANCE OF A SECTION 404 CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMIT, 2) EITHER THE ISSUANCE OR WAIVER OF A 401 DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (WATER QUALITY) CERTIFICATION, AND 3) (IN THE TWENTY COASTAL COUNTIES ONLY), A LETTER FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF COASTAL MANAGEMENT STATING THE PROPOSED ACTIVITY IS CONSISTENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. 40ER';S//AGENT'S SIGNATURE f z,: 9 ATE (AGENT'S SIGNATURE VALID ONLY IF AUTHORIZATION LETTER FROM THE OWNER IS PROVIDED (18g.)) i' u ?' r BEC lP ECT - GRE ILLE s w PO > j j \ 0 C4 a ? 2 41 ork' 4 17-32 73 tT 0 ? - e i 3 1 34 . END PROJECT S ETCH MAP SH ING LOCATION F STATE PRO ECT 81221301 ?5x o° Bethel t s 13 v I 8 S kes ?Falklan ? 11 ? I a 1 v 7 7 7 Fountain Bruce 3 o Se Toddy lit 4 /3 I 9 Pactolus 6 30 VICINITY MAP 2 8, 264 5 *t ^i• ell Art ur t .? 0 I pson n stand 3 r I G Ne FAA P I„ I T T 4 r Wmtervnlle tt Chocowinity ountree 81ack lack / Ayden It Shelmerdine ?e 1 7 to e 7 Calico Grifton - N. C. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS PITT COUNTY PROJECT: 8.1221301 (R-2251) NC 33 from US 264 Bypass to SR 1755 SHEET I OF 5 1? O o Q; O LO CO CO ±.r .J 14 Ev) N •l+ ern ..?, w w iZ9 ?Z i?• 0 r ? W I I I r r " A• "? r • W I I I W I ? N N r • I : r ? i ?l?J I W I i Lo I I I I I 7 J L 2 I o 0 s F I J d PD 75 I I ' I ` 00 \ a I m ?Qtd I ° I ? ° ILL- I + I W I I O to r- I + i I I o? I ?"" I I I dd ti F- vx- k' C\1 0 ' I N bo _ J z \ to CL v z 0 N . £ ? mZ U V 0 091 3bd o I ? N N 0i ^i 'f 1 I t? I tj z z ® c w ® O M a ® ?" ra U ? M A ? 9 z Q G r? J Z U ?I Lncl, o ,n + N, i i ??~ I 821 N O + ?A R-- ---- + /r A z o .a a E~ Uk' w z @ z w z ? cL w a W z A E- a z W z A W °z A (Wj a ? W r? U Wo U 00 Ws•1 X Wr•? z 0 1..1 z x z o M ,. ® 0 ` E-4 00 w o o z E- M 0 - ? ? ?- W > ® z H ° z "C•1Z d (,Ir9•Zy) £Tt c rss+ o _ ?,, ., ,J ? '1S3 z L '1S3 ? SYlD _ -9 L1- 005'OL+ z z z ? w 01HOI?dS '4 HdTSOf ' W 8113 9) L' ZO L C1N`d'iJ3M z a 00 8'891 W LZ _ w F w w v -l- 000'x£+ 1,96'£9) u'S'bl °a ° ° z z a cr) co -l- 000'4Z+ a z a c Cil 01>0 L 04£ g? 71- 000'tr 1 8nlda : 61/ 11IVN ON ooZiSllbM ONIM/M DEMI _ - _ 1ONOO b'Z 1 H ONOO O'Lg:) 09 z (,£lZ'6V) U19L ?,$t -l- 009'LV+ (,09'S9) w0Z -`I -I- 005'L''+ SaOOM W W O t o I- Cd? Ln Temp impacts Fill in Excavation in Fill in due to Mechanized Site Station Structure Wetlands Wetlands Surface Waters Clearing 1 26+20 to 2@ 2.4m x 0.017 ha 0.00 ha 0.013 ha 0.018 ha 27+10-L- 3.7m RCBC 2 27+60-L- N/A 0.004 ha 0.00 ha 0.00 ha 0.005 ha 3 65+60 to 2.4m x 1.8m 0.023ha 0.015ha 0.013 ha 0.028 ha 66+50-L- Totals 0.044ha 0.015ha 0.026 ha 0.051ha Note: Method of Clearing III to be used on project (3 meters beyond construction limits). State of North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality JamesB. Hunt, Jr., Govemor Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director fflX.;WAIT ?EHNR January 15, 1997 MEMORANDUM To: Melba McGee Through: John Dorn From: Eric Galamb Subject: FONSI for NC 33 Widening Pitt County State Project DOT No. 8.1221301, TIP # R-2251 EHNR # 97-0387, DWQ # 11453 The subject document has been reviewed by this office. The Division of Water Quality (DWQ is responsible for the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities which impact waters of the state including wetlands. The subject project may impact 0.15 hectares of waters including wetlands. The following comments are based on the review of the document: A) DOT may be required to provide stream mitigation if significant stream loss or degradation occurs. B) DWQ has reread the EA and we cannot locate an alternative that presents the impacts to wetlands or waters from asymmetrical widening. DWQ noted this problem to DOT in our comments on the EA. The FONSI still does not present this information.. C) DWQ stated in the scoping meeting that a shoulder section should be studied in order to minimize stormwater impacts to the receiving streams. DOT states in the document that curb and gutter was selected at the city's request. The memo from Mr. Ulma from the City of Greenville to Mr. Robinson does not support curb and gutter for the entire length of the road. Due to the above concerns, DWQ does not concur with the FONSI. DOT is reminded that endorsement of a FONSI by DWQ would not preclude the denial of a 401 Certification upon application if wetland and water impacts have not been avoided and minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Questions regarding the 401 Certification should be directed to Eric Galamb or Cyndi Bell in DWQ's Environmental Sciences Branch at 733-1786. cc: Washington COE Bob Booker, P&E Michelle Suverkrubbe nc33pit.fon P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 FAXED JAN _x:5199] Telephone 919-733-9960 FAX # 733-9919 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/10% post consumer paper NC 33, Greenville From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration And N. C. Department of Transportation Division of Highways Submitted pursuant to 42 U. S. C. 4332(2)(C) APPROVED: Dat ,tNicholas L. Graf, P. E. Division Administrator, FHWA Planning and Environmental Branch, NCDOT NC 33, Greenville From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT November 1996 Documentation Prepared in Planning and Research Branch By: ':: ?? a Robert James Booker, III Project Planning Engineer a'. 1 Teresa A. Hart Project Planning Unit Head F ?-1.0 - Z' L SE AL I l ti - Richard Davis, P. E., Assistant Manager ;..? 6944 0 -P Planning and Environmental Branch ••?.GIN'L .-* J?C-:) r q p ?. NC 33, Greenville From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 160 Summary of Environmental Commitments This document calls for the following environmental commitments. All standard procedures and measures, including Best Management Practices will be implemented to avoid or minimize environmental impacts. Due to Hardee Creek's function as an anadromous fish spawning and nursery area, a time-of-year restriction on in-stream construction activities will be observed from February through May. NC 33, Greenville From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT RVIPACT Prepared by the Planning and Environmental Branch Division of Highways North Carolina Department of Transportation in consultation with the Federal Highway Administration 1. TYPE OF ACTION This is a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administrative action, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FHWA has determined this project will not have any significant impact on the human environment. This FONSI is based on the Environmental Assessment which has been independently evaluated by the FHWA and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the environmental issues and impacts of the proposed project. The Environmental Assessment provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. The FHWA takes full responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and content of the Environmental Assessment. 11. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), proposes to widen NC 33 near Greenville from River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road). The proposed improvement will widen the existing two lane shoulder section to a five lane, 19.2 meters (64-foot), curb and gutter facility. The total project length is 4.7 kilometer (2.9) miles. The current estimated cost of this improvement is $9,034,000 including $4,450,000 in right of way and $4,450,000 in construction. The estimated project cost in the 1997-2003 TIP is $7,759,000. This project is included in the 1997-2003 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) with right-of-way acquisition scheduled to begin in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 1997, and construction scheduled to begin in Federal Fiscal Year 1999.'. 2 III. RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE A five-lane, 19.2 meter (64-foot), curb and gutter facility is recommended for NC 33. This cross section will provide two through lanes 7.3 m (24 feet) in each direction, and a 3.7 m (twelve-foot) continuous center left turn lane. This cross section is compatible with the adjoining five lanes at the beginning of the project. IV. PERMITS REQUIRED According to the Corps of Engineers (COE), the total impact 0.15 ha (0.37 acre) of wetlands for the project is considered minimal and no requirement for compensatory mitigation is anticipated at this time. In accordance with provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344), a permit is required from the COE to discharge and place fill materials into any wetlands affected by construction. Nationwide Permit [33 CFR 330.5(a)(14)) authorizes fills for roads crossing water of the U. S. here the fill placed in waters is no more than 0.37 acres. Five wetland sites were identified and delineated within the project corridor. Total wetland impacts were approximately 0.15 ha (0.37 ac) with Site A being the largest at 0.8 ha (0.19 ac). A 401 Water Quality Certification from the Water Quality Section of the Division of Environmental Management in NDEHNR will be required for fill activity in wetlands and surface waters where a federal permit is required. V. CIRCULATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ASSESSMENT The Environmental Assessment was approved by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, on April 18, 1995 and by the Federal Highway Administration on April 19, 1995. The approved Environmental Assessment was circulated to the following federal, state, and local agencies for review and comments. An asterisk (*) indicates a response was received from that agency. Copies of the correspondences received are included in the Appendix of this document. *U. S. Army Corps of Engineers - Wilmington District U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service U. S. Geological Survey - Raleigh U. S. Department of Commerce - National Marine Fisheries Service N. C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources *Wildlife Resources Commission *Division of Environmental Management City of Greenville The Environmental Assessment was also made available to the public. IV. COMMENTS RECEIVED ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Written comments on the Environmental Assessment were received from five agencies and many interested citizens and property owners. The following are excerpts of the substantive comments with responses, where appropriate: (A) U S Department of the Army - Wilmington District Corps of Engineers (1) Comment: The portion of roadway proposed for improvement is located in the jurisdiction of two National Flood Insurance Program participating communities, which are the city of Greenville and Pitt County. From a review of the September 1,990 Pitt County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the road is not located in an -identified flood hazard area. This is confirmed by a review of the April 1986 Greenville FIRM, the road crosses Hardee Creek, a detail study stream with 100-year flood elevations determined and a floodway defined. We suggest that you coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency relative to the need for a no-rise certification and with the city for compliance with their flood plain ordinance. Response: NCDOT's standard policy requires the construction of highways and structures within flood plains, to keep upstream surcharge below 0.3 m (1.0 foot). NCDOT's Hydraulics Unit will complete all necessary analysis and will prepare plans, forwarding the latter to local agencies. After approval by these agencies, the plans will be forwarded to the Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA) for review. (2) Comment: We also concur that no mitigation will be required in the stream crossings that impact less than one acre of wetlands and/or waters of the United States. If the proposed project would impact more than one acre of waters of the United States, we believe bridging the wetlands could be cost effective after consideration is given to the cost of borrow material (including purchase of borrow site, cost of excavation and delivery, etc.), and the cost of mitigation to offset the impacts of the approach. 4 Impacts to waters of the United States, including wetlands, should be identified for proposed borrow and waste areas. Response: Bottomland hardwood forest wetlands associated with Hardee Creek will be impacted by the proposed project. Based upon a review of USGS topographic maps of the project area, it appears these wetlands would not be considered above- the-headwaters wetlands. Approximately 0.15 hectares (0.39 acres) of unavoidable wetland impacts will occur due to the widening of NC 33. Wetland sites will be avoided as much as possible in the selection of borrow/waste sites. Prior to approving any waste/borrow sites, NCDOT will make sure that the contractor has carried out any required additional coordination. Approximately 0.01 hectares (0.03 acres) of surface water impacts will occur due to the widening of NC 33. (3) Comment: , We do not concur with some aspects of the Environmental Assessment. The concerns coincide with DEM in their letter dated June 1, 1995, to DOT. Response: See Section VI Response for B 1. (B) N.C. Department of Environmental Health and Natural Resources (1) Comment: DEM participated in a Scoping meeting on July 14, 1994. DEM informed DOT that the NWI maps show a large wetland system on the north side of the existing road and west of the trailer park. The technical memorandum does not address whether this is a jurisdictional wetland or not. Response: The wetland area in question was determined to be beyond the study area. (2) Comment: During that same scoping meeting, DEM requested that a 5 lane shoulder section be studied east of SR 1807. This alternative was not presented in the document. 5 Response: The 5 lane curb and gutter section was selected at the city's request and for economic reasons. The C&G section was significantly less costly than the shoulder section by approximately 2 million dollars and involved six less residential relocatees and eight less business relocatees. (3) Comment: DOT did not investigate asymmetrical widening to minimize wetland impacts. Response: NCDOT did investigate asymmetrical widening, a shift to the right or left would cause greater property and wetland damage, the recommended alternate was the most economical and preferred by the city. C. Mid East Commission (1) Comment: Several combinations for the amount of curb and gutter (e.g., to Oxford Road, to Port Terminal Road, to Portertown Road) were discussed. Of concern was the potential environmental effect on the Tar River of Stormwater run-off from extensive use of curb and gutter. Preliminary cost figures for the alternatives showed little difference in construction and right-of-way acquisition for the options; more accurate figures will be developed by NCDOT. The consensus was that curb and gutter should be considered to Portertown Road, with an open ditch section for the remainder. Response: See Responses (B-2) and (B-3). (2) Comment: Bicycle, pedestrian, and landscaping aspects. Response: See comment (D-1), (D-2) and (D-3). 6 D. City of Greenville (1) Comment: It is recommended that widened outside lanes to accommodate bicycle traffic be included with this project. Bicycle usage in Greenville continues to increase making it imperative that we construct thoroughfares with widened outside lanes within the Greenville Urban Area. A 68F /F cross section was discussed at the public officials meeting on this project. This would allow for an additional 2-feet of width in each outside travel lane. Response: This section of roadway did not correspond to a bicycle TIP request at the time when the scoping review for the subject project was initiated; nor was it a designated bicycle route. The City of Greenville had given no indication of unusual number of bicyclists on this roadway.' For these reasons NCDOT did not have sufficient justification for recommending additional width in the proposed roadway cross section for bicycle safety. The existing 5-lane portion of NC 33 west of US 264A has a 19.2 m 64-f6ot), face-to-face cross section. Since the proposed improvement of the subject section of NC 33 is a 5-lane curb and gutter roadway, it is reasonable to design the improvement for a 19.2 m (64-foot) typical section which will match the existing 19.2 m (64-foot) roadway west of the subject project. In order to provide an AASHTO standard bicycle safety accommodation as a part of the improvement of the subject roadway, we recommend striping the outside lanes for a 3.9 m (13-foot) width and reducing the inside lane width to 3.3 m (11-feet). As additional bicycle safety considerations, we recommend that bicycle-safe drainage grates and Share-the- Road signs be included as elements of the upgrading of this section of NC 33. (2) Comment: Inclusion of a sidewalk from the beginning of the project to SR 1533 (Port Terminal Road) is recommended. This will provide pedestrian access from the t commercial development along the western portion of the project to the residential developments to the east. The draft 1996-2002 State Transportation Improvement • Program includes sidewalks as an incidental project. Response: NCDOT has investigated the need for pedestrian facilities along this project. The construction of sidewalks can be included with this project on a cost sharing basis with the City of Greenville. 7 (3) Comment: . Landscaping to include canopy trees is requested along the corridor to enhance the appearance of NC 33 as a major entrance to Greenville. Response: Landscaping will be provided up to 3/4 of one percent of the total construction project. Additional landscaping should be requested through the NCDOT Division office. (4) Comment: Consider underground placement of all utilities along project to improve appearance and facilitate landscaping. This is recommended since most utilities will have to be relocated to accommodate the additional street width and right of way. Response: Utilities will be moved by the utility companies. Underground placement of utilities will be decided by the utility company. E. Eight (8) written letters and comments from the public were received and were personally answered or noted during the official commenting period following the hearing. A principal topic of concern was traffic noise and air quality. (1) Traffic Noise and Air Quality Several neighborhoods and communities along NC 33 expressed concern over increased noise levels and degraded air quality that would result from the construction of this project. Many residential areas requested walls or berms be placed to protect their homes from intrusive traffic noise. NCDOT's Noise Abatement Guidelines, approved on June 13, 1990, states unless special conditions exist and effective abatement can be provided, it is not considered reasonable to provide noise abatement on non-controlled or partial access controlled facilities (Section II.B.7). For a noise barrier to provide sufficient noise reduction it must be high enough, continuous enough, and long enough to shield the receptor (dwelling, structure, -etc.) from significant sections of the highway. Openings for access such as driveways and crossing streets severely reduces the amount of noise level reduction provided and makes the barrier cost unreasonable compared to the 8 benefits gained. In addition, to provide a sufficient reduction, a barriers length would normally be eight (8) times the distance from the barrier to the receptor. For example, a receptor located 15 m (50 feet) from the barrier would normally require a barrier 122 m (400 feet) long. An access opening of 12.2 m (40 feet) (10 percent of the area) would limit its noise reduction to approximately 4 dBA. NCDOT Noise Abatement Policy stipulates that after the "Date of Public Knowledge", the federal/state governments are no longer responsible for providing noise abatement for new development for which building permits are issued within the noise impact area of the proposed highway project. The "Date of Public Knowledge" of the location of a proposed project will be the approval date of the CE, FONSI, or the Design Public Hearing, whichever comes later. One design criterion is that it will not be reasonable to provide abatement unless the receptor is located a distance of four times the height of the wall or more from the proposed wall. Furthermore, safety at openings in the barrier, because of restricted sight distance, is also a concern. For these reasons, noise walls are not reasonable or feasible for all development abutting NC 33. VII. PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT Following circulation of the Environmental Assessment, a public hearing was held at E. B:'Aycock Middle School on September 18, 1995. Over 100 citizens attended the public hearing. The questions and concerns dealt with individual property concerns, as well as questions about the typical cross section, noise abatement, right of way, relocation assistance, and the project schedule. All of the questions and comments were sufficiently answered at the hearing. A transcript of the hearing is on file with the N. C. Division of Highways. VIII. REVISION TO THE EA An exclusive right turn lane will be constructed as part of this project at the intersection of NC 33 at US 264 Bypass. No additional right of way will be required for this improvement. However, the new cross section of NC 33 at this intersection will be 22 m (72-feet) face to face of curbs. The addition of the turn lane has been evaluated and no environmental impacts were found. The construction cost for this turn lane is estimated at $50,000. IX. BASIS FOR FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Based upon environmental studies and comments received from Federal, State, and local agencies, it has been concluded that the proposed action will have no significant adverse affect upon the quality of the environment. The following is the basis for this conclusion: 9 (a) While the project has received moderate input from the public, it is not considered controversial on environmental grounds. (b) No significant adverse impacts on natural, ecological, cultural, or scenic resources of national, state, or local significance are expected. (c) The project is anticipated to displace two single family homes and will not disrupt community cohesion. (d) No significant detrimental impact on air quality, water quality, or by increased noise levels is anticipated in the project area. In view of the above, it has been determined that a Finding of No Significant Impact is applicable to this project. RJB/plr APPENDIX 13 30 ` + stokes y Pountafn 9ruce Dose Today lil +3 •sr„. 9Pfctaua : t - teenville + u Gr esland ':. P', I T T , a Chow wmtetvJle It Black ounvae .y AyCen it Snelmefay e 1 a calico ® ^ GrHton - ?s;y?4i> rata .1,. 541 ' ?' uQ $ tab Ilk His PROJECT LIMITS ,„: PAS _ sort. `'If >m NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMEN' TRANSPORTATION - '• ?.•= ;; LAKE " Ulu GLENWOOD DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS War ,, "4 - ,?„ '• PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT. y :?. p! }__ M se % a " BRANCH Y`e Da uQ. E nut NC 33 a . ::; y` laa< t`- ""` „Q ?. US 254 BYPASS RIVER BLUFF ROAD TO SR 1755 PITT COUNTY R -2251 1192 sea ,? a llN rp s.x +? 0 mile 1 /2 :. ?? inz s t I FIG wo .: VR W O p 61 1, w Z ', ro y r 1 e - a .5 as. ate: .. * . 7t 14ij :4TIT r ?? t- tul t ?. ,? ?? DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS `i'nn + P.O. BOX 1890 ?, ?O• c _ WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28402-1890 -- REPLY TO ATTENTION OF June 16, 1995 Special Studies and Flood Plain Services Section JUN 2 3 1995 Mr. H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager ?2 v Planning and Environmental Branch DIVISION OF North Carolina Division of Highways ;:IGHWAYS Post Office Box 25201 ONt? Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-5201 Dear Mr. Vick: This is in response to your letter of April 21, 1995, requesting our comments on the "Federal Environmental Assessment for NC 33, From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road), Pitt County, State Project No. 8.1221301, Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1), T.I.P. Project No. R-2251" (Regulatory Branch Action I.D. No. 199502847). Our comments involve impacts to flood plains and jurisdictional resources, including waters, wetlands, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. The proposed roadway does not cross any Corps-constructed flood control or navigation project. Enclosed are our comments on the other issues. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this project. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us. Sincerely, William R. Dawson, P.E. Chief, Engineering and Planning Division Enclosure Pnnteo on 0 RerycW Paper June 16, 1995 Page l.of 1 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILMINGTON DISTRICT COMMENTS ON: "Federal Environmental Assessment for NC 33, From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road), Pitt County, State Project No. 8.1221301, Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1), T.I.P. Project No. R-2251" (Regulatory Branch Action I.D. No. 199502847) 1. FLOOD PLAINS: POC - Bobby L Willis, Special Studies and Flood Plain Services Section, at (910) 251-4728 The portion of roadway proposed for improvement is located in the jurisdiction of two National Flood Insurance Program participating communities, which are the city of Greenville and Pitt County. From a review of the September 1990 Pitt County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the road is not located in an identified flood hazard area. This is confirmed by a review of the pertinent United States Geological Survey topo map of the area. Based on a review of the April 1986 Greenville FIRM, the road crosses Hardee Creek, a detail study stream with 100-year flood elevations determined and a floodway defined. We suggest that you coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency relative to the need for a no-rise certification and with the city for compliance with their flood plain ordinance. 2. WATERS AND WETLANDS: POC - Mike Bell, Washington Field Office, Regulatory Branch, at (919) 975-3025 a. Based upon review of the comparison of alternatives contained in the Environmental Assessment for the subject project, it appears that the selected alternative is the least environmentally damaging of the "build" alternatives. We concur that Nationwide Permits will be required from the Corps of Engineers for the proposed stream crossings. b. We also concur that no mitigation will be required in the stream crossings that impact less than one acre of wetlands and/or waters of the United States. If the proposed project would impact more than one acre of waters of the United States, we believe bridging the wetlands could be cost effective after consideration is given to the cost of borrow material (including purchase of borrow site, cost of excavation and delivery, etc.), and the cost of mitigation to offset the impacts of the approach fills. c. Impacts to waters of the United States, including wetlands, should be identified for pro posed borrow and waste areas. We do not d concur with some aspects of the Environmental Assessment. The . concerns coincide with DEM in their letter dated June 1, 1995, to DOT e. Questions or comments pertaining to permits may be directed to Mr. Bell. State of North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources 1 • Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary Henry M. Lancaster It, Director C) F` F;Z June 12, 1995 MEMORANDUM TO: Chrys Baggett FROM: Melba McGee rv% SUBJECT: State Clearinghouse Project No. 95-0807, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Environmental Assessment (EA) for NC 33 improvements, from River Bluff Rd. to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Rd.), Pitt.County, North Carolina, T2 f R-2251 The Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources (DEHNR) has reviewed the subject document. We appreciate the efforts made by NCDOT to minimize environmental impacts by widening on existing alignment for this project While DEHNR does not anticipate any significant environmental impacts from this project, there are several questions that have been raised by the Division of Environmental Management that should be addressed in the FONSI. Timely response to these questions will help avoid needless delays in any required permits. Thank you for the opportunity to be involved with this project, and for your timely attention to the completion of the requested information for the Division of Environmental Management. RECEIVED . JUN 12 1993 N.C. STATE CLEARINGHOUSE P.o. Box 27687. Rcteigh: North Ccrolina 2761 1-7687 Teleohone 919-733-4984 recyciedJ IC % post-consumer pc;.et An Ecuo? Cpr-orruruty AtSrmotive Ac`ion Employer '011 State of North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources / Y15WA • Division of Environmental Management James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary C)F " N A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director June 1, 1995 MEMORANDUM To: Melba McGee Through: John Dornew From: Eric Galamb Subject: EA for NC 33 Widening Pitt County State Project DOT No. 8.1221301, TIP # R-2251 EHNR # 95-0807, DEM # 10947 The subject document has been reviewed by this office. The Division of Environmental Management is responsible for the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities which impact waters of the state including wetlands. The subject project may impact 0.31 hectares of waters including wetlands. The following comments are based on the review of the document: A) DEM participated in a Scoping meeting on July 14, 1994. DEM informed DOT that the NWI maps show a large wetland system on the north side of the existing road and west of the trailer park. The technical memorandum does not address whether this is a jurisdictional wetland or not. Repeated telephone calls to the project planning engineer to resolve this question were not answered. B) During that same scoping meeting, DEM requested that a 5 lane shoulder section be studied east of SR 1807. This alternative was not presented in the document. C) DOT did not investigate asymmetrical widening to minimize wetland impacts. Due to the above concerns, DEM does not concur with the EA. DOT should address these concerns to the satisfaction of DEM in the FONSI. DOT is reminded that endorsement of an EA or FONSI by DEM would not preclude the denial of a 401 Certification upon application if wetland and water impacts have not been avoided and minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Questions regarding the 401 Certification should be directed to Eric Galamb in DEM's Environmental Sciences Branch at 733-1786. cc: Washington COE Bob Booker, P&E Monica Swihart nc33pit.ea P.O. Box 29535. Raleigh, North Carolina 27626.0535 Telephone 919-733-7015 FAX 919-733-2496 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper RE North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1188, 919-733-3391 Charles R. Fullwood, Executive Director MI MMORANDUM TO: Melba Mcgee office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs FROM: • David Cox, Highway Project Coordinator Habitat Conservation Program ?? DATE: May 24, 1995 SUBJECT: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Environmental Assessment (EA) for NC 33 improvements, from River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road), Pitt County, North Carolina. TIP No. R-2251, SCH Project No. 95-0807. Staff biologists with the NC. Wildlife Resources Commission have reviewed the subject EA and are familiar with habitat values in the project area. The purpose of this review was to assess project impacts to fish and wildlife resources. Our comments are provided in accordance with certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 661-667d). NCDOT proposes to widen existing NC 33 to five-lanes from US 264 to SR 1755. The project length is approximately 2.9 miles. Estimated wetland impacts total approximately 0.79 acres. We support NCDOT in the decision to improve existing facilities rather that to construct new roadways. Improving existing roadways avoids new stream and wetland crossings, does not further fragment wildlife habitat, and does not promote secondary development. We feel the EA adequately addresses impacts to wildlife and fisheries resources. Weiland impacts will likely be authorized under a nationwide "404" permit. Memorandum 2 5/24/95 Due to the limited scope of the project and the environmental commitments outlined in the document, we concur with this EA and anticipate concurrence with the upcoming Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). We request that NCDOT continue efforts to minimise wetland impacts, enforce NCDOT Best Management Practices and observe the construction moratorium to protect anadromous fish. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this EA. If we can be of any further assistance please call me at (919) 528-9886. cc: Brad Hammers, District 2 Fisheries Biologist Bobby Maddrey, District 2 Wildlife Biologist Randy Wilson, NG/ES Program Manager Howard Hall, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh 1 MID-EAST COMMISSION N.C. STATE CLEARINGHOUSE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL- REVIEW The enclosed information is being sent to you because the named project(s) are located federal or have some impact on your locality. This information is either a Notification of intent to Apply fo program funds or as Regional Coordinator of this process, he Mid-East Commission passes through information to revie ai you for your r review and comment. location, etc., please knowledge of inaccuracies in the this opportunity to respond in writing. You may con ct regarding the need, design, he applicant directly with specific questions. Negative comments are shared Hof ctohtnments isarequir deice manner to resolve the issues prior to application to the funding agency. A copy the application package sent to the funder. While these review items only represent ehe number aces can keep you abreast of the your area (and not the number which are ultimately funded), the review p percieved needs and potential efforts in your locality. Feel free to distribute this information to the appropriate agency within your organization, but return comments-by tha date shown below. State Number. 41 .5 - r - Return this form by: Me- ? .? Local Government: ?L11- t r t n s i (.? The City/County named above supports this project. () The City/County named above objects to this project. Commentees Name: Address and phone i Date: / 5 ! !-1 Comments: _ l Atuch additional pages as needed. Return comments to: Jane Daughtridge Regional Clearinghouse Coordinator Mid-East Commission P.O. Box 1797 Washington. Nc 27339. l___ ; P.O. Drawer 1787 Washington, North Carolina 27889 (919)946-8043 FAX (919)946-5489 MEMORANDUM TO: Tom Robinson, County Manager FROM: Jeffery G. Ulma, Planning Director RE: Public Officials Meeting - NC 33 Widening Project DATE: Commissioner Bright and I attended today's public officials meeting concerning the NC 33 widening project from the Greenville city limits east toward Simpson. Discussion and input provided to NCDOT project coordinators dealt with the following: 1. Several combinations for the amount of curb and gutter (e.g., to Oxford Road, to Port Terminal Road, to Portertown Road) were discussed. Of concern was the potential environmental erect on the Tar River of stormwater run-off from extensive use of curb and gutter. Preliminary cost figures for the alternatives showed little difference in construction and right-of-way acquisition for the options; more accurate figures will be developed by NCDOT. The consensus the that c rb and gutter should be considered to Porter-town Road, with an open ditch section for 3. Bicycle, pedestrian, and landscaping aspects. 3. A traffic signal at Oxford Road, the northern entrance into Brook Valley. 4. The project schedule was reviewed, with construction anticipated in 1998. A public workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 27 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at E.B Aycock Middle School. Planning staff will keep you informed of this project's progress. Let me know if you need any additional information. cc: Commissioner Ed Bright /GR•"?c, P.O. EOX ,207 CITY OF G REENV I LLE J (-?'c NORTH CAROLINA 27835-7207 N. C ' November 22, 1995 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Mr. Bob Booker Planning and Environmental Branch NC Department of Transportation PO Box 25201 Raleigh, NC 27611-5201 .?T.. rrrv tJ? Re: R 11511-Sidewalk Issues Dear Mr. Booker: relati . • As a follow up to our previous letter dated mNovember 3the location of sidewalk we wormation ould like to sertas part of t construction in Greenville and enclosed p clarifying . the referenced project. Relative to your inquiry about what requirements the City of Greenville has concerning sidewalk, we have sidewal enclosed an excerpt from the Subdivision Regulations t (da 9-5-123) which Detail?from the Manual ° f installation in new subdivisions. Also enclosed is a copy of sidewalk installation. Standazd.Designs and Details showing a typical Further, funds have been set aside in this year's Capital Improvement Program for what N e hope will be an ongoing Sidewalk Construction Program. Enclosed are copies of the Summary of Capital Improvement Requests by Service Area and the Sidewalk Construction Program project description for your information- 'beginning is requested that you plan for sidewalk along Highway 3at the shopping centers near Greenville the City limits. It is further requested that •. .. Boulevard and extending to Port Terminal Road as if this area is ? le. W realize that not all of the Highway you inform us of the potential cost for which the City may be resp ::. 33 right of way within this area is currently in the City limits. However, we fully expect, the area to be annexed as development continues and prior to the Widening of NC-33. If necessary, we will pursue annexation of the right of way that has not been annexed If you have any further questions, please feel free to call me at (919) 830-4520. Sincerely, T. N. Tysinger, Jr., E, Public Works Director 1 1 r%%, Enclosure cc: Ronald R. Kimble, City Manager Glen E. Whisler, PE, City Engineer G. R. Shirley, PE, NCDOT H:WCvQ`11PR0XC 1NC33WMZBOOKFt=.D13 NC-33 WIDENING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (From River Bluff Road to SR 1755) State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-330) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 CITY OF GREENVILLE REVIEW COMMENTS May 1995 i) BICYCLES ?•. It is recommended that widened outside lanes to accommodate bicycle traffic be included with this protect Bicycle usage in Greenville continues to increase making it imperative that we construct thoroughfares with widened - • outside lanes within the Greenville Urban Area. A 68' F/F cross section was discussed at the public officials meeting on this project. This would allow for an additional 2-feet of width in each outside travel lane. Widened outside lanes are included in the draft 1996-2002 State Transportation Improvement Program as an incidental project. This has been a repeated request to NCDOT. 2) SIDEWALK 11 Inclusion of sidewalk from beginning of the project to SR 1533 (Port Terminal Road) is recommended. This wt provide pedestrian access from the commercial development alone western portion of the projecclO? residential developments to the east. The draft 1996-200.. State Transportation Improvement Program sidewalks as an incidental project. 3) LANDSCAPING Landscaping to include canopy trees is requested along the corridor to enhance the appearance of NC-33 as a major entrance to Greenville. 4) SIGNALIZATION Consider installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Oord Road and NC-33. In response to earner requests for signalization, NCDOT responded that this will be included in the widening project Oxford Road section is a major enhanceto Brook Vallev subdivision from NC-33. Currently, delays as ienco at this nternues to during the morning and afternoon peak periods. These delays will only get worse occur on NC=33. It is our belief that signalization of this intersection will become more critical with the widening of NC-33. 5) HISTORIC SITE was located on a site north of NC-33 and west of O?ord Road adjacent to a new The old Pitt County Courthouse tion single family subdivision (Courthouse Square) currently under construc The structure no longer remains; however, Dr. Phelps of ECU has conducted studies of this area and can be contacted for further information- 6) DRAINAGE The drainage structure for Hardee Creek adjacent to Oxford Road needs to be designed and constructed to such a way as to not increase upstream flood elevations. Hardee Creek is a regulated stream and was recently re- evaluated by the Corps of Engineers. The structure should be designed in accordance with the City of Greenville's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and the recent study by the Corps of Engineers. 7) UTILITIES appearance and facilitate landscaping. Consider underground placement of all utilities along project improve aPPS This is recommended since most utilities will have to be relocated to accommodate the additional street width and right of way. Department of Environment; Health, and Natural Resources ? Project located in 7th floor library Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Project Review Form Project Number. County: Date: Date Response Due (firm deadline): _P1+4 -3 J"This oroiect is being reviewed as indicated below: Regional Office/Phone Regional Office Area In-House Review ? Asheville ? All R/O Areas ? Soil and Water ? Marine Fisheries E) Air [I Coastal Management ? Water Planning ? Fayetteville ? Water Water Resources. ? Environmental Health ? El Mooresville ? Groundwater ? ,/ bd'Wildiife ? Solid Waste Management 0 Raleigh ? Land Quality Engineer ? Forest Resources ? Radiation Protection C Washington ? Recreational Consultant ? Land Resources ? David Foster ` ? Coastal Management Consultant ? Parks and Recreation ? Other (specify) ? Wilmington ? Others >k?nvironmental Management 01 Winston-Salem PWS Monica Swihart Manager Sign-OfflRegion: Date: In-House Reviewer/Agency: Response (check all applicable) Regional Office response to be compiled and completed by Regional Manager C No objection to project as proposed ? No Comment ? Insufficient information to complete review 0 Approve ? Permit(s) needed (permit files have been checked) ? Recommended for further development with recommendations for strengthening (comments attached) ? Recommended for further development if specific & substantive changes incorporated by funding agency (comments attached/authority(ies) cited) In-House Reviewer complete individual response. Not recommended for further development for reasons stated in attached comments (authority(ies) cited) ? Applicant has been contacted ? Applicant has not been contacted rEl Project Controversial (comments attached) rut Consistency Statement needed (comments attached) El Consistency Statement not needed ? Full EIS must be required under the provisions of NEPA and SEPA ? Other (specify and attach comments) RETURN TO: Melba McGee Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs PS 10, tJW0 &'('M 6 r.. V United States Department of the Interior F FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Raleigh Feld Office Post Office Box 83726 Raleigh, North Carolina 27636.3726 December 6, 1996 Mr. H. Franklin Vick Manager, Planning and Environmental Branch boy I ?? Division of Highways ?2? OI O 11 N. C. Department of Transportation Post Office Box 25201 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611-5201 m Dear Mr. Vick: This responds to your letter of November 25, 1996, requesting comments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), dated November 1996, for the Widening of NC 33, Pitt County, North Carolina (TIP No. R-2251) This report is provided in accordance with provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-667d) and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543). According to the FONSI, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) proposes to widen NC 33 near Greenville from River Bluff Road to Black Jack-Simpson Road (SR 1755). The proposed project would change the existing two-lane shoulder section to a five-lane, curb and gutter facility. The total length of the project would be approximately 4.7 miles. Alternatives Analysis The Service is pleased that transportation improvements can be made by upgrading the existing road rather than construction on new location. We consider the analysis of alternatives to be adequate. Design Features and Construction Techniques The FONSI notes that there will a moratorium on in-stream construction from February through May. This would reduce impacts on fish which may use Hardee Creek for spawning and as a nursery area. The Service supports this measure. Wetlands The FONSI indicates (p. 2) that the proposed project would impact five wetland sites with a total loss of 0.37 acres of wetlands. Based on data in the FONSI, the Service believes that the NCDOT has endeavored to avoid and minimize wetland impacts associated with this project. r Federally Protected Species Pitt County is known to contain four species protected by the ESA. These are the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), and the Tar spinymussel (Elliptio steinstansana). The Service's primary concern is that project construction does not. increase sediment loads in Hardee Creek which flows into the Tar River. The FONSI states that all standard procedures and measures, including Best Management Practices, will be used to avoid or minimize environmental impacts. The Service trusts that stringent water quality and erosion control procedures will be employed during construction. Based on the information supplied by the NCDOT, the Service concurs that this project is not likely to adversely affect any Federally- listed endangered and threatened species, their formally designated critical habitat, or species currently proposed for Federal listing under the ESA, as amended. We believe that the requirements of Section 7 of the ESA have been satisfied. We remind you that obligations under Section 7 consultation must be reconsidered if: (1) new information reveals impacts of this identified action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner not previously considered; (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that was not considered in this review; and/or, (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat determined that may be affected by the identified action. Summary The Service believes that the Environmental Assessment and FONSI adequately describe the purpose and need for the project, the alternatives considered, and the environmental impacts of the project. At this time, the conclusion of the NCDOT that the proposed project will have no significant adverse affect upon the quality of the environment appears appropriate. The Service appreciates the opportunity to comment on this project. Please continue to advise us of the progress made in the planning process, including your official determination of the impacts of this project. If our office can supply any additional information or clarification, please contact Howard Hall at (919)-856-4520 (ext. 27). Sincerely, Tom Augspu er Acting Supervisor FWS/R4:HHall:12/6/96:WP:A:pitr2251.d96 NC 33 From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration and N. C. Department of Transportation Division of Highways Submitted pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c) APPROVED: ? Da a H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch, NCDOT Date Nic as L. Graf, P. E. F ? ivision Administrator, FHWA NC 33 From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT April, 1995 Documentation Prepared in Planning and Research Branch By: ?T? W C/ L?- Ro ert James Booker, III Project Planning Engineer ?)?. a. Teresa A. Hart Project Planning Unit Head •01"Is"v„ .• CAS P? ,,• O ?•HU.-.;? ?'.••?FESS/dIN • SEAL r' ze?a2. Richard Davis, P. E., Assistant a a' r 6944 Planning and Environmental Branch TAGLE OF CONTENTS Page Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 II. NEED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Thoroughfare Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 B. System Linkage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 C. Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 D. Traffic Volumes and Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 III. EXISTING ROADWAY INVENTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A. Existing Cross Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 B. Existing Right-of-Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 C. Speed Limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 D. Access Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 E. Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 F. Existing Alignment . 3 G. Intersections and Type of Control 3 H. Railroad Crossing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 I. Bicycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 J. School Bus Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 K. Sidewalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 L. Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 M. Terminals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 IV. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT 4 A. Project Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 B. Project Termini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 C. Cross Section Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 D. Design Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 E. Right-of-Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 F. Access Control . . . * * 4 G. Type W Control Intersection Treatment and 4 H. Sidewalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 I. Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 4 J. Bicycles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 K. Bridge Work Required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 L. Special Permits Required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 M. Speed Limit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 P. Cost Estimate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 V. ALTE RNATIVES CONSIDERED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A. Alternate 1 5 B. Reduced Faci 1 i ty 5 C. Public Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 D. No-Build Alternative . . . . . . . . . . . 6 TABLE OB.CONT'rNTS (continued), VI. LAND USE PLANNING A. Status of Local Planning Activities . . . . . . . . . B. Existing Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Future Land Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Farmland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 6 6 7 7 VII. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE PROBABLE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 A. Social and Economic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 B. Cultural Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 C. Air Quality Analysis . . . . 11 D. Highway Traffic Noise/Construction Noise Analysis . . 14 E. Ecological Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 1. Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 2. Biotic Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 3. Water Resources . . . . . . . . 23 4. Jurisdictional Wetlands. . . . . . . . 24 5. Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 6. Mitigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 7. Rare and Protected Species . . . . . . . . . . . 25 8. Federally-Protected Species. . . . . . . . . . . 25 F. Construction Impacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 G. Hazardous Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 VIII. BASIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 APPEN DIX Envivanment'al Commitments ' This document calls for the following environmental commitments. All standard procedures an measures, including ent Prrrill be_ implemented to avoid or minimize environmental impacts. NCDOT will apply to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for a Nationwide Permit 33 CFR 330.5(a) =)?Pfor this project. Due to Hardee Creek's function as an anadromous fish spawning and nursery area, a time-of-year restriction on in-stream construction activities should be observed from February through May. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Prepared by the Planning and Environmental Branch of the Division of Highways North Carolina Department of Transportation in Consultation with the Federal Highway Administration SUMMARY 1. Description of Action - The North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, proposes to widen NC 33 in Pitt County from US 264 to SR 1755 (See Appendix, Figure 1). The 4.7 i c osets',-?,to w ,den the existi-rig two kilometer To e ray to a five lane'°curb a utter. fl The proposed cross section will consist of a 3.6 meter (12-foot) center left turn lane and two 3.6 meter (12-foot) travel lanes in each direction. The total estimated cost is $9,034,000. The estimated cost in the 1995-2001 TIP is $6,700,000. 2. Summary of Environmental Impacts - The proposed project will have a positive overall impact on the area by improving the safety and traffic handling capacity of this major thoroughfare. There may be some erosion and siltation during the construction; but, strict adherence to Best Management practices will minimize damage. No significant impacts to plant or animal life are expected and no recreational facilities or historic sites will be involved. A small amount of wetlands (less than 1.0 acre) will be impacted by the project. One family and one business will be displaced by the proposed improvements. Future noise labels are not expected to exceed acceptable limits. Two businesses and 37 residential receptors are anticipated to be impacted by highway traffic noise in the Design Year of 2019 with exterior noise level increases in the range of +6 to +9 dBA. 3. Alternatives Considered - Due to the nature of this project, the widening of an existing facility, no alternative corridor alignments were considered; however, in addition to the recommended five lane cross section, a reduced facility alternative and a public transportation alternative were considered, but eliminated. The "Do Nothing" Alternative was also considered, but rejected because of the need to increase the traffic carrying capacity along this section of NC 33. The five lane cross section is recommended because it provides adequate capacity to accommodate anticipated future traffic volumes, and anticipated future development, and provides increased safety benefits due to the separation of traffic movement with a center turn lane. 4. Coordination - Several Federal, State, and local agencies were consulted during the preparation of this environmental assessment. Comments from the following were received during the preparation of this assessment: N. C. State Clearinghouse N. C. Department of Cultural Resources N. C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources City of Greenville 5. Actions Required by Other Agencies - Nationwide permits from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will be required for this project under the provisions of Section"404 of the Clean Water Act. 6. Additional Information Additional information concerning the proposal and assessment can be obtained by contacting either of the following: Nicholas L. Graf, P. E. Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration 310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 410 Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 Telephone 919-856-4346 H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch N. C. Department of Transportation Post Office Box 25201 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 Telephone 919-733-3141 Greenville, NC 33 From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road) Pitt County State Project No. 8.1221301 Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1) T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, proposes to widen NC 33 near Greenville from River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road). The proposed improvement will widen the existing two lane shoulder section to a five lane, 19.2 meters (64-foot), curb and gutter facility. The total project length is 4.7 kilometer (2.9) miles. The current estimated cost of this improvement is $9,034,0.00. The estimated project cost in the 1995-2001 TIP is $6,700,000. This project is included in the 1995-2001 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) with right-of-way acquisition scheduled to begin in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 1996, and construction scheduled to begin in Federal Fiscal Year 1999. II. NEED FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT A. Thoroughfare Plan NC 33 is designated as an urban major thoroughfare in the 1990 mutually adopted Greenville Thoroughfare Plan. This facility is also classified as an Urban Minor Arterial on the Functional Classification System. - Since, the proposed improvement of NC 33 is in concurrence with this thoroughfare plan, the construction of this project will be a step toward the implementation of this plan. B. System Linkage The proposed widening of NC 33 will serve as a vital link in the major transportation system for the City of Greenville. NC 33 will function as an east-west cross town facility in the eastern portion of Greenville. It will reduce travel time, increase capacity and safety, and Y provide access from points east and anticipated development along this corridor. C. Economic Development Much of the future development is anticipated to occur in northeast Greenville. Increased development in an area creates an increased transportation demand. The proposed project will aid in the economic development of the area by improving the accessibility to.east Greenville. The improved access to the area, savings in operating costs, reduced 2 accident potential, reduced travel time`, and-the general improvement in... the ease and convenience of travel will benefit the local community, as well as the State. D. Traffic Volumes and Capacity The estimated 1993 and projected 2019 traffic volumes are shown in the Appendix. Estimated traffic volumes for the year 1994 range from a low of 9800 vehicles per day (vpd) to a high of 18,000 vpd. Projected average daily traffic (ADT) estimates for the year 2019 range from a low of 24,000 vpd to a high of 39,000 vpd. These estimates include 2% dual tired vehicles, and 1% truck-tractor semi-trailers. Presently, NC 33 is operating at a level of service C. As traffic volumes continue to increase the traffic service will deteriorate. By the year 2019 NC 33 will operate at Level of Service F if no improvements are made. The capacity of an arterial is generally controlled by the capacity of its signalized intersections described by levels of service (LOS) which range from A through F. Level of service A, the highest level of service, is characterized by very low delay in which most vehicles do not stop at all. Typically, drivers are unrestricted and turns are freely made. IN level of service B. traffic operation is stable but more vehicles are stopping and causing higher degrees of delay. Level of service C is characterized by stable operation with drivers occasionally having to wait through more than one red indication. Most drivers feel somewhat restricted in these circumstances. At level of service D, the influence of congestion becomes more noticeable. Delay to approaching vehicles may be substantial during short period of the peak hour. Level of service E is considered to be the limit of acceptable delay and represents the theoretical capacity of the facility. Level of service F represents over saturated or jammed conditions which are.considered unacceptable to most drivers. In the design year the level of service at all intersections are expected to approach LOS "F". The proposed project should operate at a level of service of C or better when constructed, and based on traffic projections should continue to operate at level of service of C through the design year (2019). III. EXISTING ROADWAY INVENTORY A. Existing Cross Section The existing cross section on NC 33 consists of a two lane, 6.6 meters (22-foot) roadway, with .6 meter (2-foot) paved shoulders. B. Existing Right-of-Way The existing right-of-way width along the project is 19 meters (60 feet). The right-of-way is symmetrical about the existing centerline. C. Speed Limit The posted speed limit along the project is 73 kph (45 mph). 3 D. Access Control There is no control of access along the project. E. Structures There is one major stream crossing on NC 33 at Oxford Road consisting of two 2.4 x 3.9 meters (8 x 12 foot) culverts, which will have to be extended during construction phase of the project. F. Existing Alignment The existing horizontal and vertical alignment is good. G. Intersections and Type of Control All intersections within the project limits are at grade and stop sign controlled, except at the NC 33 and SR 1726 intersections. Additionally SR 1726 is a loop facility intersecting NC 33 twice. These intersections are signalized. H. Railroad Crossings No Railroads are involved with the project. I. Bicycles No provisions for bicycles will be included in the project. J. School Bus Data Six school busses travel NC 33 within the project area daily. These buses travel NC 33 both in the morning and afternoons. K. Sidewalks No sidewalks exist along the project. L. Utilities Utility conflicts along this project are considered to be medium. Existing utilities within the project corridor include overhead power, telephone lines, and a sanitary sewer line. M. Project Terminals The east end of the project begins at River Bluff Road with an unsignalized channelized intersection. At this location NC 33 is a 2 lane facility. At the west end of the project, NC 33 is a two-lane facility. The existing cross section is a five lane roadway with outside curbing. This 19.2 meters (64-foot) curb and gutter section will start to taper to the existing 6.6 meters (22-foot) shoulder section at SR 1755. 4 IV. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE RECOMMENDED ALIGNMENT A. Project Length The proposed project is approximately 4.7 kilometers (2.90 miles) long. B. Project Termini The proposed project begins at US 264 and terminates at SR 1755. An upgraded signal system at the intersection of River Bluff Road and NC 33 is proposed. C. Cross Section Description A five lane, 64-foot, curb and gutter facility is recommended for NC 33. This cross section will provide two through lanes (24 feet) in each direction, and a twelve-foot continuous center left turn lane. This cross section is compatible with the adjoining five lane at the beginning of the project. D. Design Speed The design speed will be in conformance with the existing roadway development and a minimum of 81 kph (50 mph). Design speed is a correlation of the physical features of a highway which influence vehicle operation and reflects the degree of safety and mobility desired along a highway. Design speed is not to be interpreted as a recommended posted speed limit. E. Right-of-Way It is recommended that the proposed improvement be constructed on a 31 meters (100-foot) right-of-way. F. Access Control No control of access is proposed for the project. G. Intersection Treatment and Type of Control All intersections on the proposed project are at grade. At present, there is a traffic signal located at SR 1726 (Portertown Road). This signal will need to be upgraded in conjunction with this project. H. Sidewalks Sidewalks are not proposed as part of this project. I. Parking Parking will not be provided for or permitted along the project. 5. J. Bicycles Special accommodations for bicycles are not recommended for the proposed project. K. Bridge Work Required One double barrel 2.4 x 3.9 (8 x 12 foot) culvert exists at Oxford Road. L. Special Permits Required Nationwide permits from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers will be needed for this project. M. Speed Limit The existing speed limit along the project is 73 kph (45 mph). The speed limit is expected to remain the same after completion of the project. N. Cost Estimate Construction $4,450,000* Right of Way $4,584,000** Total $990349000 Includes 10% for engineering and contingencies. ** Includes relocation, acquisition and utility costs. V. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED A. Alternate 1 (Recommended) This alternate widens NC 33 to a five lane, 19. meters (64-foot), curb and gutter section. The proposed widening is hroughout the project and provides for two 3.6 meters (12-foot) travel lanes in each direction, and a 3.6 meters (12-foot) center lane for left turns. B. Reduced Facility This four lane alternative is. somewhat less expensive than the recommended five lane cross section; however, it is not considered to be a viable alternative. Left turning traffic generated by the anticipated development will clog the center lanes of a four lane roadway reducing the effective capacity to two lanes. For this reason, this alternate is therefore rejected. C. Public Transportation The City of Greenville has a public transportation system at the present time. However, it does not serve NC 33 outside the city limits. The privately owned automobile is the major form of transportation for the 6 residents. The development 6f a public transportation system is not considered to be a prudent alternative to the construction of a facility that will provide a direct East/West route to the east side of Greenville. D. No-Build Alternative If the "No-Build" alternative were chosen, it would avoid the adverse effects arising from the project. However, it would have a definite negative impact on transportation in the proposed corridor since the project will provide.a safe, more efficient route in the area. Not constructing the proposed project will hamper commercial and residential growth in the area. As traffic increases, safety for both motorists and pedestrians will decrease. Without the proposed facility, it will require a longer travel time and increased road-user costs for cross town travel. Since the advantages of the project outweigh the disadvantages of not constructing it, the No-Build alternative was rejected. VI. LAND USE PLANNING A. STATUS OF LOCAL PLANNING ACTIVITIES The proposed improvement is located within the planning and zoning jurisdictions of both the City of Greenville and Pitt County. The City adopted its comprehensive plan, Horizons: Greenville's Community Plan in 1992. It also enforces a zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. Pitt County adopted its Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 1990. Although the Plan recommends adoption of a county-wide zoning ordinance, no ordinance has been approved to date. The County does enforce a number of other ordinances which affect land use, including subdivision regulations, a mobile home ordinance, and others. B. EXISTING LAND USE The project area supports recent suburban development which is most dense at its western end. Some commercial development is scattered throughout the length of the project. Two cemeteries, Homestead Memorial Gardens and Pinewood Cemetery are located near the center of the project. Most land fronting the roadway is occupied with residential land uses. Some agricultural uses remain along the roadway, although new residential development is encroaching on that formerly dominant land use. Subdivisions accessed from NC 33 throughout the length of the project include Courthouse Square, Farmington, Eastpoint, Edwards Acres, River Hills, Brook Valley, Lake Glenwood, and Valley Landing. The City of Greenville's zoning ordinance indicates that low density residential development is currently permitted throughout most of the project area within the city's jurisdiction, which ends just west of SR 1723. Commercial districts are located at the intersections of NC 33 with SR 15339 SR 15939 SR 1726, and US 264. 7 C. FUTURE LAND USE The City of Greenville's Horizons Plan divides the city into several "focus areas," and provides a set of land use objectives specific to each sector. The NC 33 project is located within "Focus Area C." Actions identified for managing growth in this focus area include limiting strip commercial development and maintaining the trend toward medium density residential development along NC 33. Development activity in Pitt County over the last twenty years has been strongest immediately east of Greenville, which includes the project area. Other portions of the county experiencing a high rate of growth includes the areas immediately to the west of Greenville, and to a lesser extent, south of Greenville. The majority of new development in the county is comprised of single family residences and mobile homes. The Pitt County Comprehensive Plan indicates that the NC 33 project area remains desirable for additional urban development. Strip commercial development will be discouraged in the area. D. FARMLAND The Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981 requires all federal agencies to consider the impact of land acquisition and construction projects on prime and important farmland soils. Land which has been previously developed or is committed to urban development by the local governing body is exempt from the requirements of the Act. The project area supports suburban residential development. Although some agricultural uses remain in the area, conversion to suburban development is planned by both Pitt County and the City of Greenville. Therefore, no further consideration of potential farmland impacts is required.. V. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE PROBABLE IMPACT OF THE PROJECT In the vicinity of River Bluff Road, the existing highway facility NC 33 tapers down from a multi-lane facility to a two-lane facility. The proposed widening will begin in this section. On the north side of the existing highway facility are located Greenville Mobile Homes Supply and St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church. The church appears to be located in what used to be a farm field. The further east one travels along NC 33 in this vicinity the less dense the population becomes. There is scattered development at various intervals. Residential homes and new subdivisions are scattered at various intervals along the proposed project site. A. Social and Economic North Carolina preliminary civilian labor force estimates for August 1994 indicated that Pitt County had a total labor force of 58,970. Out of this total 55,670 persons were gainfully employed. This left an unemployment total of 3,300 or 5.6 percent. There are several public facilities located at various intervals along the proposed project: St. Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church is located near the beginning of the proposed action on the north side of existing highway NC 33 and just inside the Greenville city limits. East 8 of SR 1533 or Port Terminal on the south side of existing NC 33 is Oakhurst Medical Park. East of SR 1593 on the north side of NC 33 is a day care facility delineated as Kids Kountry. Directly across from Kid Kountry on the south side of NC 33 is the Pineland Memorial Park Cemetery. Diagonally across from Pineland and Memorial Park Cemetery on the north side of NC 33 and due east of SR 1593 or River Hills Drive is Homestead Memorial Garden's Cemetery. East of Homestead Memorial Gardens on the north side of existing NC 33 and in close proximity to it is a Jewish Synagogue designated as Congregation Bayt Shalom. The widening of the proposed project will include relocating one business and one residence. B. Relocation of Residences and Businesses "One of the unfortunate, but unavoidable, consequences of a modern highway program... is the necessary displacement of a comparatively small percentage of the population for the greater good of the whole". "It is the policy of the NCDOT to ensure that comparable housing will be available prior to construction of state and federally assisted projects. furthermore, the North Carolina Board of Transportation has the following three programs to minimize the inconvenience of relocation: It is the policy of the NCDOT to ensure that comparable replacement housing will be available prior to construction of state and federally-assisted projects. Furthermore, the North Carolina Board of Transportation has the following three programs to minimize the inconvenience of relocation: *Relocation assistance, *Relocation moving payments, and *Relocation replacement housing payments or rent supplement". With the Relocation Assistance Program, experienced NCDOT staff will be available to assist displacees with information such as availability and prices of homes, apartments, or businesses for sale or rent and financing or other housing. programs. The Relocation Moving Payments Program, in general, provides for payment of actual moving expenses encountered in relocation. Where displacement will force an owner or tenant to purchase or rent property of higher cost or to lose a favorable financing arrangement (in cases of ownership), the Relocation Replacement Housing Payments or Rent Supplement Program will compensate up to $22,500 to owners who are eligible and qualify and up to $5,250 to tenants who are eligible and qualify. The relocation program for the proposed action will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-646), and/or the North Carolina Relocation Assistance Act (GS-133-5 through 133-18). The program is designed to provide assistance to displaced persons in reloca- ting to a replacement site in which to live or do business. At least one relocation officer is assigned to each highway project for this purpose. 9 The relocation officer will determine the needs of displaced families, individuals, businesses,. non-profit organizations, and farm operations for relocation assistance advisory services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The NCDOT will schedule its work to allow ample time, prior to displacement, for negotiations and possession of replacement housing which meets decent, safe, and sanitary standards. The displacees are given at least a 90-day written notice after NCDOT purchases the property. Relocation of displaced persons will be offered in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and commercial facilities. Rent and sale prices of replacement property will be within the financial means of the families and individ- uals displaced and will be reasonably accessible to their places of employment. The relocation officer will also assist owners of displaced businesses, non-profit organizations, and farm operations in searching for and moving to replacement property. All tenant and owner residential occupants who may be displaced will receive an explanation regarding all available options, such as (1) . purchase of replacement housing, (2) rental of replacement housing, either private or public, or (3) moving existing owner-occupant housing to another site (if possible). The relocation officer will also supply information concerning other state or federal programs offering assistance to displaced persons and will provide other advisory services as needed in order to minimize hardships to displaced persons in adjusting to a new location. The Moving Expense Payments Program is designed to compensate the displacee for the costs of moving personal property from homes, . businesses, non-profit organizations, and farm operations acquired for a highway project. Under the Replacement Program for Owners, NCDOT will participate in reasonable incidental purchase payments for replacement dwellings such as attorney's fees, surveys, appraisals, and other closing costs and, if applicable, make a payment for any increased interest expenses for replacement dwellings. Reimbursement to owner-occupants for replacement housing payments, increased interest payments, and incidental purchase expenses may not exceed $22,500 (combined total), except under the Last Resort Housing provision. . . A displaced tenant may be eligible to receive a payment, not to exceed $5,250, to rent a replacement dwelling or to make a down payment, including incidental expenses, on the purchase of a replacement dwelling. The down payment is based upon what the state determines is required when the rent supplement exceeds $5250. It is a policy of the state that no person will be displaced by the NCDOT's state or federally-assisted construction projects unless and until comparable replacement housing has been offered or provided for each displacee within a reasonable period of time prior to displacement. No relocation payment received will be considered as income for the purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or for the purposes of determining eligibility or the extent of eligibility of any person for assistance under the Social Security Act or any other federal law. 10 Last Resort Housing is a program used when comparable replacement housing is not available, or when it is unavailable within the displacee's financial means, and the replacement payment exceeds the federal/state legal limitation. The purpose of the program is to allow broad latitudes in methods of implementation by the state so that decent, safe, and sanitary replacement housing can be provided. It is not felt that this program will be necessary on the project, since there appear to be adequate opportunities for relocation within the area. B. Cultural Resources This project is subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, implemented by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance with Section 106, codified at 36 CFR Part 800. It is also subject to compliance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, as amended. As part of the environmental studies conducted by NCDOT, the historic architectural resources present in the area of potential effect (APE) of the undertaking must be identified and evaluated with reference to the National Register of Historic Places criteria for evaluation. If any properties in the APE are determined to be included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register, then additional compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is required. Section 106 of the National historic Preservation act of 1966, as amended, requires Federal agencies to take into account the effect of their undertakings on properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and to afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation a reasonable opportunity to comment on such undertakings. 1. Architectural Resources As part of the process .for identifying significant historic architectural resources located in .the APE, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) was consulted. On October 5, 1994,-the SHPO replied with the information that there are no properties either included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register located in the general area of the project. As a result of this determination, the SHPO recommended no historic architectural survey be conducted for the project (See letter in the Appendix). 3. Archaeological Resources The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine whether any archaeological resources that could potentially qualify for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places would be affected by the proposed widening project. These objectives were fulfilled through a combination of archival research and archaeological field investigations. 11 This project is being coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in accordance with. the Federal Highway Administration's procedures for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Federal-Aid Highway Acts (Department of Transportation Act as amended). Systematic archaeological field investigations conducted within the 4.6 km (2.9 mi) study area failed to locate any significant prehistoric or historic archaeological resources. Therefore, no further archaeological investigations of the study area are warranted or recommended (see SHPO letter, Appendix). This finding that there are no properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register located in the APE of the undertaking concludes compliance with all relevant laws and regulations addressing historic architectural and archaeological resources for the project. C. Air Oualitv Analvsis Air pollution originates from various sources. Emissions from industrial and internal combustion engines are the-most prevalent sources. Other origins of common outdoor air pollution are solid waste disposal and any form of fire. The impact resulting from highway construction ranges from intensifying existing air pollution problems to improving the ambient air conditions. The traffic is the center of concern when determining the impact of a new highway facility or the improvement of an old highway facility. Motor vehicles emit carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO), hydrocarbons (HC), particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (S02), and lead (Pb) (listed in order of decreasing emission rate). Automobiles are considered to be the major source of CO in the project area. For this reason, most of the analysis presented is concerned with determining expected carbon monoxide levels in the vicinity of the project due to traffic flow. In order to determine the ambient CO concentration for the receptor closest to the highway project, two concentration components must be used: local and background. The local concentration is defined as the CO emissions from cars operating on highways in the near vicinity (i.e., distances within 100 meters) of the receptor location. The background concentration is defined by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources as "the concentration of a pollutant at a point that is the result of emissions outside the local vicinity; that is, the concentration at the upwind edge of the local sources." In this study, the local concentration was determined by the NCDOT Traffic Noise/Air Quality Staff using line source computer modeling. and the background concentration was obtained from the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources (NCDEHNR). Once the two concentration components were resolved, they were added together to determine the ambient CO concentration for the receptor in question and to compare to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards,(NAAQS). 12 Automobiles are regarded as sources of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides emitted from cars are carried into the atmosphere where they react with sunlight to form ozone and nitrogen dioxide. Area-wide automotive emissions of HC and NO are expected to decrease in the future due to the continued installation and maintenance of pollution control devices on new cars. Hence, the ambient ozone and nitrogen dioxide levels in the atmosphere should continue to decrease as a result of the improvements on automobile emissions. The photochemical reactions that form ozone and nitrogen dioxide require several hours to occur. For this reason, the peak levels of ozone generally occur 10 to 20 kilometers downwind of the source of hydrocarbon emissions. Urban areas as a whole are regarded as sources of hydrocarbons, not individual streets and highways. The emissions of all sources in an urban area mix together in the atmosphere, and in the presence of sunlight, the mixture reacts to form ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and other photochemical oxidants. The best example of this type of air pollution is the smog which forms in Los Angeles, California. Automobiles are not regarded as significant sources of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. Nationwide, highway sources account for less than 7 percent of particulate matter emissions and. less than 2 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions. Particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions are predominantly the result of non-highway sources (e.g., industrial, commercial, and agricultural). Because emissions of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide from automobiles are very low, there is no reason to suspect that traffic on the project will cause air quality standards for particulate matter and sulfur dioxide to be exceeded. Automobiles without catalytic converters can burn regular gasoline. The burning of regular gasoline emits lead as a result of regular gasoline containing tetraethyl lead which is added by refineries to increase the octane rating of the fuel. Newer cars with.catalytic converters burn unleaded gasoline eliminating lead emissions.. Also, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has required the reduction in the lead content of leaded gasolines. The overall average lead content of gasoline in 1974 was 2 grams per gallon. By 1989, this composite average had dropped to 0.01 grams per gallon. In the future, lead emissions are expected to decrease as more cars use unleaded fuels and as the lead content of leaded gasoline is reduced. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 make the sale, supply, or transport of leaded gasoline or lead additives unlawful after December 31, 1995. Because of these reasons, it is not expected that traffic on the proposed project will cause the NAAQS for lead to be exceeded. A microscale air quality analysis was performed to determine future CO concentrations resulting from the proposed highway improvements. "CAL3QHC - A Modeling Methodology For Predicting Pollutant Concentrations Near Roadway Intersections" was used to predict the CO concentration at the nearest sensitive receptor to the project. Inputs into the mathematical model to estimate hourly CO concentrations consisted of a level roadway under normal conditions with predicted traffic volumes, vehicle emission factors, and worst-case 13 meteorological parameters. The traffic volumes are based on the annual average daily traffic projections. The traffic volume used for the CAUQHC model was the highest volume within the project limits. Carbon monoxide vehicle emission factors were calculated for the year of 1999 and the design year of 2019 using the EPA publication "Mobile Source Emission Factors" and the MOBILE5A mobile source emissions computer model. The background CO concentration for the project area was estimated to be 1.9 parts per million (ppm). Consultation with the Air Quality Section, Division of Environmental Management, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources indicated that an ambient CO concentration of 1.9 ppm is suitable for most suburban/rural areas. The worst-case air quality receptor was determined to be receptor #7 at a distance of 22 m from the proposed centerline of the roadway and 22 m from the existing centerline. The "build" and "no-build" one-hour CO concentrations for the nearest sensitive receptor for the years of 1999 and 2019 are shown in the following table. One Hour CO Concentrations (PPM) Nearest siti Se Build No-Build n ve Receptor - 1999 2019 1999 2019 I R-7 3.1 3.3 3.6 7.0 Comparison of the predicted CO concentrations with the NAAQS (maximum permitted for 1-hour averaging period = 35 ppm; 8-hour averaging period = 9 ppm) indicates no violation of these standards. Since the results of the worst-case 1-hour CO analysis is less than 9 ppm, it can be concluded that the 8-hour CO level does not exceed the standard. See Tables Al through A4 for input data and output. The project is located within the jurisdiction of the Washington Regional Office of the N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and.Natural Resources. The ambient air quality for Pitt County has been determined to be in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. This project is not anticipated to create any adverse effect on the air quality of this attainment area. During construction of the proposed project, all materials resulting from clearing and grubbing, demolition or other operations will be removed from the project, burned or otherwise disposed of by the contractor. Any burning will be done in accordance with applicable local laws and ordinances and regulations of the North Carolina SIP for air quality in compliance with 15 NCAC 2D.0520. Care will be taken to insure that burning will be done at the greatest practical distance from dwellings and not when atmospheric conditions are such as to create a hazard to the public. Burning will only be utilized under constant surveillance. Also during construction, measures will be taken to reduce the dust generated by construction when the control of dust is necessary for the protection 14 and comfort of motorists or area residents. This evaluation completes the assessment requirements for air quality of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and the NEPA process, and no additional reports are necessary. D. Highway Traffic Noise/Construction Noise Analysis This analysis was performed to determine the effect of the proposed widening of NC 33 in Pitt County on noise levels in the immediate project area (Figure N1). This investigation includes an inventory of existing noise sensitive land uses and a field survey of ambient (existing) noise levels in the study area. It also includes a comparison of the predicted noise levels and the ambient noise levels to determine if traffic noise impacts can be expected resulting from the proposed project. Traffic noise impacts are determined from the current procedures for the abatement of highway traffic noise and construction noise, appearing as Part 772 of Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If traffic noise impacts are predicted, examination and evaluation of alternative noise abatement measures for reducing or eliminating the noise impacts must be considered. Noise is basically defined as unwanted sound. It is emitted from many sources including airplanes, factories, .railroads, power generation plants, and highway vehicles. Highway noise, or traffic noise, is usually a composite of noises from engine exhaust, drive train, and tire-roadway interaction. The magnitude of noise is usually described by its sound pressure. Since the range of sound pressure varies greatly, a logarithmic scale is used to relate sound pressures to some common reference level, usually the decibel (dB). Sound pressures described in decibels are called sound pressure levels and are often defined in terms of frequency weighted scales (A, B, C, or D). The weighted-A decibel scale is used almost exclusively in vehicle noise measurements because it places the most emphasis on the frequency range to which the human ear is most sensitive (1,000-6,000 Hertz). Sound levels measured using a weighted-A decibel scale are often expressed as dBA. Throughout this report, all noise levels will be expressed in dBA's. Several examples of noise pressure levels in dBA are listed in Table N1. Review of Table N1 indicates that most individuals in urbanized areas are exposed to fairly high noise levels from many sources as they go about their daily activities. The degree of disturbance or annoyance of unwanted sound depends essentially on three things: 1) The amount and nature of the intruding noise. 2) The relationship between the background noise and the intruding noise. 3) The type of activity occurring where the noise is heard. In considering the first of these three factors, it is important to note- that individuals have different sensitivity to noise. Loud noises bother some more than others and some individuals become irate if an 15 unwanted noise persists.. The time patterns of noise also enter into an individual's judgement of whether or not a noise is offensive. For example, noises occurring during sleeping hours are usually considered to be more offensive than the same noises in the daytime. With regard to the second factor, individuals tend to judge the annoyance of an unwanted noise in terms of its relationship to noise from other sources (background noise). The blowing of a car horn at night when background noise levels are approximately 45 dBA would generally be more objectionable than the blowing of a car horn in the afternoon when background noises might be 55 dBA. The third factor is related to the interference of noise with activities of individuals. In a 60 dBA environment, normal conversation would be possible while sleep might be difficult. Work activities requiring high levels of concentration may be interrupted by loud noises, while activities requiring manual effort may not be interrupted to the same degree. Over time, particularly if the noises occur at predicted intervals and are expected, individuals tend to accept the noises which intrude into their lives. Attempts have been made to regulate many of these types of noises including airplane noise, factory noise, railroad noise, and highway traffic noise. In relation to highway traffic noise, methods of analysis and control have developed rapidly over the past few years. NOISE ABATEMENT CRITERIA In order to determine whether highway noise levels are or are not compatible with various land uses, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed noise abatement criteria (NAC) and procedures to be used in the planning and design of highways. These abatement criteria and procedures are set forth in the.aforementioned Federal reference (Title 23 CFR Part 772). A summary of the noise abatement criteria for various land uses is presented in Table N2. The Leq, or equivalent sound level, is the level of constant sound which, in a given situation and time period, has the same energy as does time varying sound. In other words, the fluctuating sound levels of traffic noise are represented in terms of a steady noise level with the same energy content. AMBIENT NOISE LEVELS Ambient noise measurements were taken in the vicinity of the project to determine the existing background noise levels. The purpose of this noise level information was to quantify the existing acoustic environment and to provide a base for assessing.the impact of noise level increases. The existing Leq noise level along NC 33 as measured at 15 meters from the roadway ranged from 65.9 to 67.0 dBA. The ambient measurement sites are presented in Figure N1. The existing roadway and traffic conditions were used with the most current traffic noise prediction model in order to calculate existing noise levels for comparison with noise levels actually measured. The calculated existing noise levels were within 1.5 dBA of the measured noise 16 levels for the two locations where noise measurements were obtained. Differences in dBA levels can be attributed to "bunching" of vehicles, low traffic volumes, and actual vehicle speeds versus the computer's "evenly-spaced" vehicles and single vehicular speed. PROCEDURE FOR PREDICTING FUTURE NOISE LEVELS In general, the traffic situation is composed of a large number of variables which describe different cars driving at different speeds through a continual changing highway configuration and surrounding terrain. Due to the complexity of the problem, certain assumptions and simplifications must be made to predict highway traffic noise. The procedure used to predict future noise levels in this study was the Noise Barrier Cost Reduction Procedure, STAMINA 2.0 and OPTIMA (revised March, 1983). The BCR (Barrier Cost Reduction) procedure is based upon the FHWA Highway Traffic Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108). The BCR traffic noise prediction model uses the number and type of vehicles on the planned roadway, their speeds, the physical characteristics of the road (curves, hills, depressed, elevated, etc.), receptor location and height, and, if applicable, barrier type, barrier ground elevation, and barrier top elevation. In this regard, it is to be noted that only preliminary alignment was available for use in this noise analysis. The project proposes to widen the existing two-lane highway to a five lane facility from River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755). Only those existing natural or man-made barriers were included in setting up the model. The roadway sections and proposed intersections were assumed to be flat and at-grade. Thus, this analysis represents the "worst-case" topographical conditions. The noise predictions made in this report are highway-related noise predictions for the traffic conditions during the year being analyzed. Peak hour design and level-of-service (LOS) C volumes were compared, and the volumes resulting in the noisiest conditions were used with the proposed posted speed limits. Hence, during all other time periods, the noise levels will be no greater than those indicated in this report. The STAMINA 2.0 computer model was utilized in order to determine the number of land uses (by type) which would be impacted during the peak hour of the design year 2019. A land use is considered to be impacted when exposed to noise levels approaching or exceeding the FHWA noise abatement criteria and/or predicted to sustain a substantial noise increase. The basic approach was to select receptor locations such as 7.5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 meters from the center of the near traffic lane (adaptable to both sides of the roadway). The locations of these receptors were determined by the changes in projected traffic volumes and/or the posted speed limits along the proposed project. The result of this procedure was a grid of receptor points along the project. Using this grid, noise levels were calculated for each identified receptor. 17 The Leq traffic noise exposures associated with this project are listed in Table N3. Information included in these tables consists of listings of all receptors in close proximity to the project, their ambient and predicted noise levels, and the estimated noise level increase for each. The maximum number of receptors in each activity category that are predicted to become impacted by future traffic noise is.shown in Table N4. These are noted in terms of those receptors expected to experience traffic noise impacts by approaching or exceeding the FHWA NAC or by a substantial increase in exterior noise levels. The noise analysis performed indicates that 2 businesses and 37 residential receptors were determined to be impacted by highway traffic noise. Other information included in Table N4 is the maximum extent of the 72 and 67 dBA noise level contours. This information should assist local authorities in exercising land use control over the remaining undeveloped lands adjacent to the roadway within local jurisdiction. For example, with the proper information on noise, the local authorities can prevent further development of incompatible activities and land uses with the predicted noise levels of an adjacent highway. Table N5 indicates the exterior traffic noise level increases for the identified receptors in each roadway section. Predicted noise. level increases for this project range from +6 to +9 dBA. When real-life noises are heard, it is possible to barely detect noise level changes of 2-3 dBA. A 5 dBA change is more readily noticeable. A 10 dBA change is judged by most people as a doubling or a halving of the loudness of the sound. TRAFFIC NOISE IMPACT ANALYSIS Traffic noise impacts.occur when the predicted traffic noise levels either: [a] approach or exceed the FHWA noise abatement criteria (with "approach" meaning within 1 dBA of the Table N2 value),., or [b] substantially exceed the existing noise levels. The NCDOT definition of substantial increase is shown in the lower portion of Table N2. Consideration for noise abatement measures must be given to receptors which fall in either category. There are 39 impacted receptors in the project area. Highway Alignment Highway alignment selection involves the horizontal or vertical orientation of the proposed improvements in such a way as to minimize impacts and costs. The selection of alternative alignments for noise abatement purposes must consider the balance between noise impacts and other engineering and environmental parameters. For noise abatement, horizontal alignment selection is primarily a matter of siting the roadway at a sufficient distance from noise sensitive areas. Changing the highway alignment is not a viable alternative for noise abatement. 18 Traffic Svstem Management Measures Traffic management measures which limit vehicle type, speed, volume and time of operations are often effective noise abatement measures. For this project, traffic management measures are not considered appropriate for noise abatement due to their effect on the capacity and level-of-service on the proposed roadway. Noise Barriers Physical measures to abate anticipated traffic noise levels can often be applied with a measurable degree of success by the application of solid mass, attenuable measures to effectively diffract, absorb, and reflect highway traffic noise emissions. Solid mass, attenuable measures may include earth berms or artificial abatement walls. The project will maintain only limited control of access, meaning most commercial establishments and residences will have direct access connections to the proposed roadway, and all intersections will adjoin the project at grade. For a noise barrier to provide sufficient noise reduction it must be high enough and long enough to shield the receptor from significant sections of the highway. Access openings in the barrier severely reduce the noise reduction provided by the barrier. It then becomes economically unreasonable to construct a barrier for a small noise reduction. Safety at access openings (driveways, crossing streets, etc.) due to restricted sight distance is also a concern. Furthermore, to provide a sufficient reduction, a barrier's length would normally be 8 times the distance from the barrier to the receptor. For example, a receptor located 15 meters (50 feet) from the barrier would normally require a barrier 120 meters (400 feet) long. An access opening of 12 meters (40 feet) (10 percent of the area) would limit its noise reduction to approximately 4 dBA (FUNDAMENTAL AND ABATEMENT OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC NOISE, Report No. FHWA-HHI-HEV-73-7976-1, USDOT, chapter 5, section 3.2, page 5-27). In addition, businesses, churches, and other related establishments located along a particular highway normally require accessibility and high visibility. Solid mass, attenuable measures for traffic noise abatement would tend to disallow these two qualities, and thus, would not be acceptable abatement measures in this case. "DO NOTHING" ALTERNATIVE The traffic noise impacts for the "do nothing" or "no-build" alternative were also considered. If the proposed widening did not occur, 20 residences and businesses would experience traffic noise impacts by approaching or exceeding the FHWA's NAC. Also, the receptors could anticipate experiencing an increase in exterior noise levels in the range of +3 to +5 dBA. As previously noted, it is barely possible to detect noise level changes of 2-3 dBA. A 5 dBA change in noise levels is more readily noticed. 19 CONSTRUCTION NOISE The major construction elements of this project are expected to be earth removal, hauling, grading, and paving. General construction noise impacts, such as temporary speech interference for passers-by and those individuals living or working near the project, can be expected particularly from paving operations and from the earth moving equipment during grading operations. However, considering the relatively short-term nature of construction noise and the limitation of construction to daytime hours, these impacts are not expected to be substantial. The transmission loss characteristics of nearby natural elements and man-made structures are believed to be sufficient to moderate the effects of intrusive construction noise. SUMMARY Based on these preliminary studies, traffic noise abatement is not recommended, and no noise abatement measures are proposed. This' evaluation completes the highway traffic noise requirements of Title 23 CFR Part 772, and unless a major project change develops, no additional noise reports will be submitted for this project. E. Ecological Analysis 1. Soils The topography of the project area is characterized as being gently sloping to nearly level. io 1-W-d er- fiaif -Hardee -Just below its confluence with Meeting -House, Brant- =Creek.. _w-as observed along the. .:project This portion of Pitt County contains soils from the Norfolk-Exum-Goldsboro soil association, which are characterized as being moderately well to well drained soils that have a subsoil of dominantly friable sandy clay loam or clay loam on uplands. The area adjacent to Hardee Creek contains soils from the Bibb-Portsmouth association, which are characterized as being poorly drained and very poorly drained soils that are underlain by very friable fine sandy loam, or that have a subsoil of friable sandy loam and sandy clay loam on floodplains and stream terraces. Elevations within the project corridor range from approximately 1.8 meters (6.0 feet) near the project's beginning at US 264 Bypass to approximately 4.4 meters (14.0 feet) near the project's terminus at SR 1755. The project area is located on a low terrace above the Tar River to the north. The project study area has experienced mostly agricultural and low-density single family residences with some undeveloped land uses. 2. Biotic Resources Living systems described in the following sections include communities of associated plants and animals. These descriptions refer to the dominant flora and fauna in each community and the relationship of these biotic components. Scientific nomenclature and common names (when applicable) are used for the plant and animal species described. Subsequent references to the same species include the common name only. 20 Terrestrial Communities Man-dominated and Mixed Hardwood Forest are the two terrestrial communities found in the project study area. Dominant faunal components associated with these terrestrial areas will be discussed in each community description. Many species are adapted to the entire range of habitats found along the project alignment, but may not be mentioned separately in each community description. Man-Dominated Community This highly disturbed community includes road shoulders, utility line easements, residential lawn habitats and agricultural fields. Many plant species are adapted to these disturbed and regularly maintained areas. Regularly maintained areas are dominated by fescue Festuca sp.), ryegrass (Lolium sp.), white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), plantain (Plantago rugelii), wild onion (Allium sp.) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Irregularly maintained areas are dominated by those species previously listed as well as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), common morning glory..(Ipomoea purpurea), dog fennel (Anthemis sp.), lespedeza (Lespedeza sp.), and wild blackberry (Rubus sp.). Agricultural plant species within the project corridor include corn (Zea mays) and soybeans (Glycine max). The animal species present in these habitats are opportunistic and capable of surviving on a variety of resources, ranging from vegetation (flowers, leaves, fruits, and seeds) to both living and dead faunal components. Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), red-wing blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna), bluebird (Sialia sialis), starlings (Sturnidae), vultures (Cathartidae), and red-tail hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are often attracted to roadside and agricultural habitats. Many faunal species, such as the Virginia opossum, which migrate across heavily traveled roadways become vehicular fatalities and forage items for other animals, such as the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). Mixed Hardwood Forest Community This forested community occurs in small fragmented areas along the project corridor. Gently sloping to nearly flat topography in these areas supports a variety of mixed hardwoods including white oak (Quercus alba), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). The herbaceous layer includes such species as Japanese honeysuckle, wild blackberry, greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), bedstraw (Galium sp.), beauty berry (Callicarpa americana), and muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia). Animals previously listed may also be found in this community. 21 Small mammals such (Sylvilagus floridanus), and field mice may take offered in this habitat. Aquatic Communities as the gray squirrel, Eastern cottontail Virginia opossum, raccoon (Procyon lotor) advantage of food and protective resources ???fty ?ofTtfien:,a?quat?i>c comrnunity in the stogy area, f uri,stdictaonal ?bottomland hardwood forest Wet Tai fs;°ez.ists w' Winrdee-Creek just downstream of its merger with Meeting House, reek.a Hardee Creek is a perennial tributary of the Tar River, which is located approximately 0.80 km (0.5 miles) downstream of the project crossing of Hardee Creek. In addition, two steeply sloped man-made drainage ditches begin on the north side of NC 33 within the project area and are directed downgradient toward the Tar River. MA19 -of `Hardee'Creek are gently sloped and vegetated with Eastern sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and sweet gum (Liquidamber styraciflua),in the upland, d?10a d-cypress.!(Taxodium distichum) and bl%MWMM7 (Sal i x ni gra) taWard` -and °wi thi.n . the wate r,Aquati c vegetation along and within the stream itself includes jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and duck potato (Sagittaria latifolia). Animals such as the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), spring peeper (Hyla crucifer), black swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea), and salamanders likely reside along the water's edge. ,M 1 Cre ktis moderately flowing sandyottomed, blackwater am A variety of macroinvertebrates occur on and within the substrate as well as on the aquatic vegetation within the stream bed. The dominant macroinvertebrates observed within the stream include caddisfly larvae (Hydropsyche sp. and Chematopsyche sp.), oligochaetes, freshwater limpets (Ferrissia sp.), freshwater clams (Corbicula sp.), and amphipods (Gammarus sp.). It is likely that dragonfly, mayfly and chironomid larvae are also present in the macroinvertebrate community. Fish species expected to inhabit Hardee Creek include sculpin (Cottus spp.), shiner (Notropus spp.), bream (Lepomis spp.), darters (Etheostoma spp.), mosquitofish (Gambusia spp.) and american eel (Anguilla rostrata). Anticipated Impacts to Biotic Communities Biotic community impacts resulting from project construction are addressed separately as terrestrial impacts and aquatic impacts. However, impacts to terrestrial communities, particularly in locations exhibiting gentle slopes, can result in the aquatic community receiving heavy sediment loads as a consequence of erosion. It is important to understand that construction impacts may not be restricted to the communities in which the construction activity occurs. Efforts should be made to ensure that no sediment leaves the construction site. 22 Terrestrial Communities Natural communities occur within the project area, and those communities have been fragmented and reduced due to past and present agricultural activity. The man-dominated community will receive the greatest impact from project construction, resulting in the loss of existing habitats and displacement and mortality of faunal species in residence. Table 1 details the anticipated impacts to terrestrial and aquatic communities by habitat type. TABLE 1 ANTICIPATED IMPACTS TO TERRESTRIAL and AQUATIC COMMUNITIES NC 33 Man Mixed Aquatic Combined Widening Dominated Hardwood Community Total Community Community (including wetlands) Impacts 7.71 (19.05) 0.58 (1.43) 0.32 (10, 8.61 (21.27) NOTES: * Impacts are based on 36.58 meters (120 feet) of Right-of-Way limits. * Actual construction impacts may be less than those indicated above. * Values given are in hectares (acres). Aquatic Communities The aquatic community in the study area, including bottomland hardwood forested wetlands, exists within and adjacent to Hardee Creek and two man-made ditches. The replacement or extension of the existing culverts conveying these waterbodies under NC 33 will result in 0.32 hectares (0.79 acres) of impact to aquatic communities. Of this 0.32 hectares (0.79 acres), 0.31 hectares (0.76 acres) of bottomland hardwood forested wetlands will be impacted and 0.01 hectares (0.03 acres) of natural stream bottom will be impacted. However, a natural substrate will accumulate in the culvert bottoms with time. Construction of the project is likely to temporarily increase sediment loads to Hardee Creek. Construction-related sedimentation can be harmful to local populations of invertebrates which are important parts of the aquatic food chain. Less mobile organisms such as many of the filter feeders may be covered by this sedimentation, preventing their feeding. Increased sediment loads and suspended particulates can lead to the smothering of fish eggs, reduced depth of light penetration in the water column, reduction of dissolved oxygen, and alterations in water temperature. However, 23 potential adverse effects can be minimized through the utilization of erosion and sediment control measures as specified in the State-approved Erosion and Sediment Control Program. 3. Water Resources This section describes each water resource and its relationship to major water systems. The proposed project lies along a low terrace above the Tar River to the north. Water Resource Characteristics Water resource discussions include waterbody classification, location of high quality waters, and licensed dischargers. Hardee Creek flows northward through the project area to its confluence with the Tar River approximately 0.80 km (0.5 miles) downstream. The creek has a variable width of approximately 7.62 meters (25 feet) to 9.14 meters '(30 feet), with a depth ranging from 0.30 meters (1 foot) just above its crossing under NC 33 to 1.22 meters (4 feet,) just downstream of the crossing. Stream bank vegetation includes sycamore, bald cypress,'sweet gum, black willow, jewelweed, and various grasses. Vegetation within the stream channel itself includes duck potato and water milfoil. Hardee Creek has a Class C Nutrient Sensitive Waters rating from the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), indicating that the creek is suitable for fishing, fish propagation, boating, wading or other uses requiring waters of lower quality, and that the creek contains nutrient sensitive waters which require limitations on nutrient inputs. The NC Benthic Macroinvertebrate Ambient Network (BMAN) does not have a sampling station located on Hardee Creek. However, according to information supplied by the NC Division of Environmental Management Water Quality Section, similar creeks in Pitt County contain a variety of trichopteran, odonate, ephermeropteran, and chironomid larvae as well as a variety of molluscan fauna. Cursory sampling done at the time of the site visit revealed fauna indicative of good water quality conditions, including Hydropsyche sp. and Chematopsyche sp. (caddisfly larvae), Ferrissia sp. freshwater limpet), and Corbicula sp. (freshwater clam). The NC DEM Water Quality Division does not maintain a fish sampling station on Hardee Creek at NC 33. However, they did collect fisheries data at the mouth of Hardee Creek and the Tar River in September 1987, and found American eel (Anguilla rostra), bream (Lepomis macrochirus), carp (Cyprinus carpio), chain pickerel (Esox nigra), bowfin (Amia calva), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has 1968 survey information on Hardee Creek. They indicate that the creek is a good fishing area and have documented occurrences of catfish (Ictalurus sp.), bream (Lepomis macrochirus), redfin pickerel (Esox americanus americanus), and warmouth (Lepomis gulosus). According to the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF), Hardee Creek near its entry into the Tar River serves as an anadromous spawning and nursery area for river herring. 24 No waters classified as High Quality Waters (HQW), Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), or waters designated as WS-I or WS-II are located within 1.6 km (1 mile) of the project area. According to the NCWRC, no Proposed Critical Areas exist within the project corridor. No permanent impacts to sensitive water resources of any kind will take place as a result of the project construction. Anticipated Impacts to Water Resources Temporary impacts to water resources in the project area will result from sedimentation and turbidity associated with project construction. Permanent impacts to the streambed will result at the crossing of Hardee Creek and the two man-made ditches under NC 33 due to the replacement or extension of the existing culverts. Sedimentation and erosion control measures (Best Management Practices and Sediment Control Guidelines) should be strictly enforced during n? the construction stage of this project. along tion areas help decrease erosion and.. allow potentially°`toxic G - : ees such as engine_ fluids and "parti cu"l ate -rubber--to- be -" absorbed, into the soil beore these substances reach, waterways-. Poorly managed application of sedimentation control policies will result in serious damage to the aquatic environment. Due to Hardee Creek's function as an anadromous fish spawning and nursery area, a time-of-year restriction on in-stream construction activities should be observed from February through May. 4. Jurisdictional Wetlands Wetlands and surface waters fall under the broad category of "Waters of the United States" as defined in 33 CFR 328.3 and in accordance with provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and are regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Impacts to Wetlands and Surface Waters Bottomland hardwood forest wetlands associated with Hardee Creek ' will be impacted by the proposed project. `B;a, d?XW a review; of M -topographic maps of the project, area, .it._appears _ that, these we . PPxt lands y would not be"considered above-the-headwaters wetlands. A imatel 0.31 hectares (0.76 acres) of unavoidable wetland impacts will occur due to the widening of NC 33. Investigation into wetland occurrence in the project impact area was conducted using methods of the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual. Anticipated surface water impacts fall under the jurisdiction of',, \ the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and project construction cannot be accomplished without infringing on jurisdictional surface waters. Approximately 0.01 hectares (0.03 acres) of surface water impacts will occur due to the widening of NC 33. c, 25 5. Permits Construction is likely to be authorized by provisions of General Permit No. 198200031 and/or Nationwide Permit Nos. 14 and/or 33, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Also, Section 401 of the CWA requires that the state issue or deny water quality certification for any federally permitted or licensed activity that may result in a discharge to the waters of the United States prior to issuance of COE permits. General Permit No. 198200031 and Nationwide Permit Nos. 14 and 33 require a Pre-Discharge Notification (PDN) to the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management before certification can be issued. Additionally, if actual construction impacts to waters of the United States, including jurisdictional bottomland hardwood forested wetlands, exceeds 0.13 hectares (0.33 acres), Nationwide Permit No. 14 will not apply to the project. 6. Mitigation Mitigation for wetland impacts may be necessary if the project is authorized under a general permit or if wetland impacts exceed the impact criteria for the nationwide permits. Mitigation for impacts to surface waters is generally not required by the COE. A final determination regarding mitigation requirements rests with the COE. 7. Rare and Protected Species Some populations of plants and animals have been in or are in the process of decline either due to natural forces or due to their inability to coexist with man. Rare and protected species listed for Pitt County, and any likely impacts to these species as a result of the proposed project construction, are discussed in the following sections. 8. Federally Protected Species Plants and animals with federal classification of Endangered (E), Threatened (T), Proposed Endangered (PE) and Proposed Threatened (PT) are protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists two federally protected species for Pitt County as of September 15, 1994. These species are listed in Table 2. TABLE 2 FEDERALLY-PROTECTED SPECIES . FOR PITT COUNTY Scientific Name Common Name Status Picoides borealis red-cockaded woodpecker E Elliptio steinstansana tar spinymussel , E* 26 NOTES: "E" denotes Endangered (a species that is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range). No specimen of this species has been found in Pitt County in at least twenty years. Picoides borealis .(red-cockaded woodpecker) E Animal Family: Picidae Federally Listed: 10/13/70 Distribution in N.C.: Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Duplin, Forsyth, Gates, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Wake, Wayne, Wilson. The red-cockaded woodpecker has a black and white cross-barred back, black head and neck, and white cheeks. The small red cockade on each side of the head are present in males but absent in females. The overall length of the red-cockaded woodpecker is 220 millimeters (9 inches) on average and wing span approximately 122 millimeters (5 inches). The white eggs are laid from mid-April to early-June, in a clutch of two to five, and are incubated for approximately 10 days by both the male and female. The red-cockaded woodpecker is found in open stands of mature long-leaf pine (Pinus palustris), slash pine (Pinus elliotii), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) or shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) with sparse hardwood subcanopies. Most red-cockaded woodpeckers maintain year-round territories near their nesting trees. The woodpeckers drill small holes in the bark of the pine tree's trunk, and the exuding resin is believed to repel predators. BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT No habitat exists in the project study area for the red-cockaded woodpecker as the project area does not contain mature stands of the previously listed pine species. It can be concluded that the subject project will not impact this Endangered species. Elliptio steinstansana (tar spinymussel) E Animal Family: Unionidae Federally Listed: Distribution in N.C.: Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Nash, Pitt, Warren. 27 One of several freshwater bivalved mollusks, often called naiads, the tar spinymussel contains two valves (or shells) joined together at the dorsal surface by a hinge ligament with two strong internal muscles. Two sets of hinge teeth on the inner dorsal surface keep the valves in juxtaposition. Adults are characterized by a dark brown epidermis with prominent growth rings and beaks typically eroded. Morphologically similar to marine mussels and clams, reproduction in naiads is quite different, Naiad females exude eggs through the oviducts then move them to the water tubes of the gills, which become modified as gill pouches or marsupia. Sperm shed by the males are drawn into the marsupia by ciliary action, and the fertilized eggs develop into a unique larval form, called glochidia. The larvae is then discharged into the water with a mucous secretion. The tar spinymussel is a lotic species that occurs in runs with moderate current and sand, gravel, and cobble substrates. The presence of the Asian clam ( Corbicula sp. ) in native mussel habitats is being studied as a possible factor in the reduction of native mussels, including the tar spinymussel. BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT No habitat exists in the project study area for the tar spinymussel as the stream in the project area contains a silty sand bottom with low to moderate current and a competitor species, the Asian clam (Corbicula sp.), was observed in Hardee Creek. It can be concluded that the subject project will not impact this Endangered species. Federal Candidate and State Listed Species Federal Candidate species are not legally protected under the Endangered Species Act and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7, until they are formally proposed or listed as Threatened or Endangered. Table 3 includes 3 federal candidate species listed for Pitt County and their state classifications. Candidate 2 (C2) species are defined as taxa for which there is some evidence of vulnerability, but for which there are insufficient data to warrant a listing of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed Endangered, or Proposed Threatened at this time. Organisms which are listed as Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or Candidate (C) by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program list of Rare Plant and Animal species are afforded state protection under the State Endangered Species Act and the North Carolina Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1979. 28 TABLE FEDERAL CANDIDATE SPECIES AND THEIR STATE STATUS PITT COUNTY Scientific Name Status Habitat (Common Name) Federal-State Present Ammodramus henslowii C2/SR No (Henslow's sparrow) Fusconaia masoni C2/T No (atlantic pigtoe mussel) Procambarus medialis C2/UNK No (Albemarle crayfish) NOTES: by state laws. * SR denotes Significantly Rare species, which are not afforded protection by state laws. * UNK denotes a species status is Undetermined. * Species presented in bold are afforded state protection. * Species notated with "*" indicate no specimen from Pitt County has been found in at least 20 years. * T denotes Threatened species, which are afforded protection Summary of Anticipated Impacts No habitat exists in the project area for any candidate species known to occur in Pitt County. Also, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database was reviewed, and no records exist for rare species or habitats in the Dro_iect area. F. Construction Impacts There are a number of short term environmental impacts normally associated with the construction of highways that will be experienced with the construction of this project. Measures will be taken to mitigate these effects to the extent possible. All possible measures will be taken to insure that.the public's health and safety will not be compromised during the movement. of any materials to and from construction sites along the project and that any inconveniences imposed on the public will be kept to a minimum. Solid wastes will be disposed of in stric of Highways "Standard Specifications for Roac contractor shall be required to observe and ordinances, regulations, orders and decreases solid waste. Solid waste will not be placed disposal site which is in violation of state ri adherence to the Division s and Structures". The comply with all laws, regarding the disposal of into any existing land les and regulations. 29 Waste and debris shall be disposed of in areas that are outside of the right-of-way and provided by the contractor, unless otherwise required by the plans or special provisions or unless disposal within the right of way is permitted by the Engineer. Vegetation from land clearing, and other demolition, construction, and land clearing materials will be disposed of in accordance with applicable air pollution and solid waste regulations. Before construction is started, a preconstruction conference involving the contractor, pertinent local officials, and the Divisions. of Highways will be held to discuss various construction procedures, including a discussion of precautionary steps to be taken during the time of construction that will minimize damage or rupture to the water lines and interruption of water service. Erosion and sedimentation will occur during the construction of this project. For this reason an erosion control schedule will be devised by the contractor before work is started. The schedule will show the time relationship between phases of work which must be coordinated to reduce erosion and shall describe construction practices and temporary erosion control measures which will be used to minimize erosion. In conjunction with the erosion control schedule the contractor will be required to follow those provisions of the plans and specifications which pertain to erosion and siltation. Temporary erosion control measures such as the use of berms, dikes, dams, silt basins, etc. will be used as needed. The general requirements concerning erosion and siltation are covered in Article 107-13 of the Standard Specifications which is entitled "Control of Erosion, Siltation and Pollution". The N. C. Division of Highways has also developed an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Program which has been approved by the N. C. Sedimentation Control Commission. This program consists of the rigorous requirements to minimize erosion and sedimentation contained in the "Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures". Prior to the approval of any borrow source developed for use on this project, the contractor shall obtain a certification from the State Historic Preservation Officer of the State Department of Cultural Resources certifying that the removal of material from the borrow source will have'no effect on any known district, site, building, structure, or object that is included in the National Register of Historic Places. A copy of this certification shall be furnished to the Engineer prior to performing any work on the proposed borrow source. Borrow pits and all ditches will be drained insofar as possible to alleviate breeding areas for mosquitoes. G. Hazardous Waste Based on records maintained at the Solid Waste Management Branch no potential hazardous waste sites are known to be in the project area. Land uses observed reveal it is primarily agricultural and a low risk for hazardous waste. There was no evidence of any underground storage tanks regulated under 40 CFR 280 along the project corridor. . 30 VIII. BASIS.FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT On the basis of planning and environmental studies conducted for this project, it is determined the proposed project will not have significant adverse effects upon the human or natural environmental. Therefore, an Environmental Assessment is applicable-for this project. I :<- PROD ?^yM 33 410b l.Lr ?p ti ,.at: r"`zi .a. 1 \ A, ?? d1 +ab ?+ d niwr not 1,.. _ Lau izu v -11 .H >z¢ 11 ! - ?-- Mit lat, . GLEWOOD ll a 13 30 t ,1\ ? a Stales ?Fa1M1aa +2 1 ? 1 v ) y 2, Fountain Bruce auae 30 Toddy = 43 .p 1 a Pactolus 5 2 .C. II?fle? • µa (?yr a IT 13 P', •' 1 T f T wintemn• +i Black Jf tree lY Ayden 11 sa.lm•ray ,e 1 ? a 1 V Calico Griltan ? ` • 1,?gR R eP? PROJE7-"-- u `.. f WL „ Jolt ..,, a w, os .? •- ? sates g itlr lax 4 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OE m TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Ne7 PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH eau NC 33 US264 BYPASS (RIVER BLUFF ROAD) TO SR 1755 PITT COUNTY R - 2251 0 mile 1/2 + + + FIG.I ?? ?Y t O w J?? re a AK?l *vv AN` ,d f1 3 ?,?; -- m .a t s ? m z m W 1 37!"WZ wD n WI- C!1_c a 05 -m ?A r N*m"m , >'71 w<>41, u'OAO Z7gN? Q _ T m -4 wW? TABLE Al CAL3QBC: LINE SOURCE DISPERSION MMn - MUM 1990 VERSIM JOB: WC 33, R 2251, Pitt County RUN: BUILD, 5-LN/12•LNS, YR-1999, 45-MPB DATE: 08/29/1994 TIM: 12:49:26.46 SITE i METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES VS • .0 CM/S U - 1.0 M/S LINK VARIABLES LINK DESCRIPTION VD . .0 CM/S ZO - 108. CM CLAS - 5 (E) ATLM - 60. MINUTES MD03 - 400. M AMB - 1.9 PPM LINK COORDINATES (M) LENGTH BRG TYPE VPH EF B W V/C QUEUE X1 Y1 X2 Y2 (M) - (DEC) (G/MI) (M) (M) (VEB. 1. Far Lane Link 11.0 -804.7 11.0 804.7 I 1609. 360. AG 1075. 14.7 .0 13.4 2. Near Lane yank .0 804.7 .0 -804.7 1609. 180. AG 1075. 14.7 .0 13.4 RECEPTOR LOCATIONS COORDINATES (M) RECEPTOR X Y Z 1. R-7, 22m L CL, BUS -16.5 .0 1.8 JOB: NC 33, R 2251, Pitt County MODEL RESULTS REMARKS In search of the angle corresponding to the maximum concentration, only.the first angle, of the angles with same maximum concentrations, is indicated as maximum. WIND ANGLE RANGE: 0.- 20. WIND CONCENTRATION ANGLE (PPM) (DEGR) REM MAX 3.1 DEGR. 8 RUN: BUILD, 5-LN/121LNS, YR-1999, 45-MPH TABLE AZ CAL3QBr: LISE SOURCE DISPERSION MODEL - HAM, 1990 VERSION JOB: NC 33, R 2251, Pitt County RUM: BUILD, 5-Iii/1211NS, YR-2019, 45-M DATE: 08/29/1994 TIME: 12:49:51.73 SITE i METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES VS . .0 CM/S VD .0 CM/S ZO - 108. CM U - 1.0 M/S CLAS : 5 (E) ATIM - 60. MINUTES MI)W ' 400. M AMB 1.9 PPM LINK VARIABLES LINK DESCRIPTION LINK COORDINATES (M) LENGTH BRG TYPE VPB EF 9 W V/C QUEUE I X1 Y1 X2 Y2 (M) (DEC) (G/MI) (M) (M) (VEH 1. Far Lane Link 11.0 -604.7 11.0 804.7 2. Near Lane Link .0 804.7 .0 -804.7 RECEPTOR LOCATIONS COORDINATES (M) RECEPTOR X Y Z 1. R-7, 22s L CL, BUS -16.5 .0 1.8 JOB: MC 33, R 2251, Pitt County MODEL RESULTS REMARKS : In search of the angle corresponding to the asxiaus concentration, only the first angle, of the angles with sass Maximus concentrations, is indicated as saxia - WIND AMOLE RANGE: 0.- 20. W13NID CONCENTRATION ANGLE (PPM) (DEGR) MCI MAX 3.3 DEGR. 8 1609. 360. AG 1830. 10.6 .0 13.4 1609. 180. AG 1830. 10.6 .0 13.4 RUN: BUILD, 5-LN112'LMS, YR-2019, 45-MPH TABLE A3 CAL3QBC:.LrNZ SOURCE DISPERSION MODEL - MARCH, 1990 VERSION JOB: PC 33, R 2251, Pitt County RUN: NO Build 2-1211ns , YR-1999, 25-M DATE: 08/29/1994. TIME: 12:50:33.58 SITE i METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES VS - .0 CM/S VD - .0 CM/S ZO - I08. CM U - 1.0 M/S CLAS - 5 (E) ATIM - 60. MINUTES MIXE - 400. M AMB - 1.9 PPM - LINK VARIABLES LINK DESCRIPTION LINK COORDINATES (M) LENGTH ERG TYPE VPH EF H W V/C QUEUE X1 Yl X2 Y2 (M) (DEG) (G/MI) (M) (M) (VEH) 1. Far Lane Link 3.7 -804.7 3.7 804.7 1609. 360. AG 1075. 25.8 .0 9.8 2. Near Lane Link .0 804.7 .0 -804.7 1609. 180. AG 1075. 25.8 .0 9.8 RECEPTOR LOCATIONS COORDINATES (M) RECEPTOR X Y Z 1. R-7, 22m L CL, BUS -20.1 .0 1.8 JOB: NC 33, R 2251, Pitt County RUN: NO Build 2-1211ns , YR-1999, 25-MPH MODEL RESULTS FdMhRKS In search of the angle corresponding to the maximas concentration, only the first angle, of the angles with same maximum concentrations, is indicated as maximum. WIND ANGLE RANGE: 0.- 20. WIND CONCENTRATION ANGLE (PPM) (DEGR) REC1 MAX 3.6 DEGR. 5 TABLE 714 CAL3QHC: LINE SOURCE DISPERSION MODEL - MARCH, 1990 VERSION JOB: NC 33, R 2251, Pitt County RUN: NO Build 2-1211ns , YR-2019, 10-MPH DATE: 08/29/1994 TIME: 12:50:56.54 SITE & METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES VS - .0 CM/S U - 1.0 M/S LINK VARIABLES LINK DESCRIPTION VD - .0 C14/8 ZO - 108. CM CLAS - 5 (E) AM - 60. MINUTES MIXH - 400. M AMID - 1.9 PPM LINK COORDINATES (M) LENGTH BRG TYPE VPH EF H w WC QUEUE X1 Y1 X2 Y2 (M) (DEC) (G/MI) (M) (M) (VEH) 1. Far Lane Link 3.7 -804.7 3.7 804.7 2. Near Lane Link .0 804.7 .0 -.804.7 RECEPTOR LOCATIONS COORDINATES (M) RBCEPSOR X Y Z 1. R-7, 22m L CL, BUS -20.1 .0 1.8 JOH: RC 33, R 2251, Pitt County MODEL RESULTS REMARKS In search of the angle corresponding to the maximum concentration, only the first angle, of the angles with same maximum concentrations, is indicated as maximum. WM ANGLE RANGE: 0.- 20. WIND CONCENTRATION ANGLE (PPM) (DEGR) REC1 MAX 7.0 DEGR. 7 1609. 360. AG 1830. 44.3 .0 9.8 1609. 180. AG 1830. 44.3 .0 9.8 RUN: NO Build 2-1211ns , YR-2019, 10-MPH TABLE lti HE6R NC: SOUng BOlMMING US DAILY 140 Shotgun blast, jet 100 ft away at takeoff PAIN Motor test chamber HUMAN EAR PAIN THRESHOLD 130 Firecrackers 120 Severe thunder, pneumatic jackhammer Hockey crowd Amplified rock music UNCOMFORTABLY LOUD 110 Textile loom 100 Subway train, elevated train, farm tractor Power lawn mower, newspaper press Heavy city traffic, noisy factory LOUD 90 D Diesel truck 40 mph 50 ft. away E so Crowded restaurant, garbage disposal C Average factory, vacuum cleaner I Passenger car 50 mph 50 ft. away MODERATELY LOUD B 70 E Quiet typewriter L 60 Singing birds, window air-conditioner S Quiet automobile Normal conversation, average office QUA 50 Household refrigerator Quiet office VERY QUIET 40 Average home 30 Dripping faucet whisper 5 feet away 20 Light rainfall, rustle of leaves AVERAGE PERSON'S THRESHOLD OF HEARING whisper JUST AUDIBLE 10 0 THRESHOLD FOR ACUTE HEARING Sources: World Book, Rand McNally Atlas of the Human Body. Encyclopedia Americana, "Industrial Noise and Hearing Conversation" by J. B. Olishifski and E. R. Barford (Researched by N. Jane Bunt and published in the Chicago Tribune in an illustrated graphic by Tom Heinz.) TABLE N2 NOISE AHASzMM CRrZMTA Hourly A-VOighted Sound Level - decibels (dBA) Activity Category Leq(h) Description of Activity Category • A 57 Lands on which serenity and quiet are of extraordinary significance and serve an important public (Exterior) need and where the preservation of those qualities is essential if the area is to continue to serve its intended purpose. ` 67 Picnic areas, recreation areas, playgrounds, active sports areas, parks, residences, motels, H (Exterior) hotels, schools, churches, libraries, and hospitals. C 72 Developed lands, properties, or activities not included in Categories A or B above. (Exterior) D -- Undeveloped lands E 52 Residences, motels, hotels, public meeting rooms, schools, churches, libraries, hospitals, and (Interior) auditoriums. Source: Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CPR) Part 772, U. S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration DEFINITION OF SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE Hourly A-Weighted Sound Level - decibels (M) Existing Noise Level Increase in dBA from Existing Noise in Leq(h) Levels to Future Noise Levels <50 _15 > 50 110 Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation Noise Abatement Guidelines. TABLE N3 1/4 Leq TRAFFIC NOISE ZK OSURES NC 33 From River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755) Pitt County TIP/ R-2251 State Project# 8.1221301 AMBIENT NEAREST NOISE RECEPTOR INFORMATION NEAREST ROAD WAY NOISE PROPOSED ROADWAY PREDICTED NOISE LEVELS LEVEL ID f LAND USE CATEGORY =eo=====.e.=.====ss NAME DISTANCE (M) ..soeoaa...=o LEVEL oo= NAME ....= DISTANCE (M) oo.==...._: -L- -Y- MAXIMUM _..------ --v o= INCREASE =a°o= From Beginning of Project to River Bluff Road 1 Business C NC 33 35.0 R 61 NC 33 35.0 R - - 68 + 7 2 Business C " 37.0 R 61 •' 37.0 R - - 68 + 7 3 Business C •' 37.0 L 61 ^ 37.0, L - - 68 + 7 4 Business C ^ 95.0 L 52 " 95.0 L - - 58 + 6 5 Business C " 35.0 L 61 ^ 35.0 L - - 68 + 7 6 Business C ^ 55.0 L 57 It 55.0 L - - 64 + 7 7 Business C It 22.0 L 65 ^ 22.0 L - - ' 72 + 7 8 Business C It 17.0 L 66 ^ 17.0 L ------------ ------- R1W -------------- 9 Business C " 60.0 L 57 It 60.0 L - - 63 + 6 10 Business C ^ 32.0 L 62 ^. 32.0 L - - 69 + 7 11 Business C •' 30.0 R 63 ^ 30.0 R - - 70 + 7 12 Business C " 30.0 R 63 •' 30.0 R - - 70 + 7 13 Business C " 35.0 R 61 " 35.0 R - - 68 + 7 14 Residence B •' 55.0 R 57 It 55.0 R - - 64 + 7 15 Church E •' 32.0 L 62/00 ^ 32.0 L - - 69/44 + 7/+4 16 Residence B ^ 22.0 L 65 ^ 22.0 L - - • 72 + 7 From River Bluff Road to SR 1726 (Portertown Road) 17 Residence B XC 33 55.0 R 56 NC 33 55.0 R - - 64 + 6 16 Residence B If 57.0 R 56 ^ 57.0 R - - 64 + 8 19 Residence 8 It 62.0 R 55 It 62.0 R - - 63 + 8 20 Residence B if 55.0 R 56 It 55.0 R - - 64 + 8 21 Residence B It 60.0 R 56 ^ 60.0 R - - 63 + 7 22 Residence a It 35.0 L 60 ^ 35.0 L - - * 68 + 8 23 Residence a It 65.0 L 55 •' 65.0 L - - 63 + 6 24 Residence B to 30.0 R 61 It 30.0 R - - * 70 + 9 25 Residence B It 20.0 R 64 It 20.0 R - - * 73 + 9 26 Residence B ^ 65.0 R 55 It 65.0 R - - 63 + 8 27 Business C It 32.0 R 61 It 32.0 R - - 69 + 8 28 Residence B It 27.0 L 62 ^ 27.0 L - - ' 70 + 8 29 Residence B ^ 52.0 L 57 It 52.0 L - - 65 + 8 NOTE: Distances are from center of the existing or proposed roadways. -L-=> Proposed roadway's noise level contribution. All noise levels are hourly A-weighted noise levels. -Y-=> Noise level from other contributing roadways. Category E noise levels shown as exterior/interior (58/48). ' ?> Traffic noise impact (per 23 CPR Part 772). TABLE N3 Leq TRAPPIC 10018E ZXPOBURES NC 33 Prom River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755) Pitt County TIP# R-2251 State Project# 8.1221301 AMBIENT NEAREST RECEPTOR INFORMATION NEAREST ROADWAY NOISE PROPOSED ROADWAY ID # LAND USE CATEGORY NAME DISTANCE (M) LEVEL NAME DISTANCE (M) --a saaa-sa-s eas a?aoasaaa a--s seas -aaaa a- Prom River Bluff Road to SR 1726 (Portertown Road) (COnt.d) 30 Residence B NC 33 65.0 L 55 NC 33 65.0 L 31 Residence B " 35.0 L 60 to 35.0 L 32 Business C " 40.0 L S9 It 40.0 L 33 Business C to 22.0 L 64 of 22.0 L 34 Residence S it 38.0 L 60 of 38.0 L 35 Residence B •' 30.0 L 61 " 30.0 L 36 Residence B " 25.0 L 63 " 25.0 L 37 Residence B " 62.0 L 55 of 62.0 L 38 Residence S " 60.0 L 56 it 60.0 L 39 Residence B " 55.0" L 56 to 55.0 L 40 Residence B " 45.0 L 58 It 45.0 L 41 Residence B to 67.0 L 55 of 67.0 L 42 Residence B It 52.0 L 57 of 52.0 L 43 Residence B to 42.0 R 59 It 42.0 R 44 Residence B " 32.0 L 61 '. 32.0 L 45 Residence B to 35.0 L 60 of 35.0 L 46 Business C of 38.0 L 60 " 38.0 L 46A Cemetery S " 125.0 R 48 to .125.0 R 46B Cemetery B ° 47.0 L 58 IS 47.0 L From SR 1726 (Portertown Road) to End of Project 47 Business C NC 33 15.0 R 66 NC 33 15.0 R 48 Church E " 45.0 L 58/<40 " 45.0 L 49 Residence B " 22.0 R 64 " 22.0 R 50 Residence B' " 20.0 R 64 " 20.0 R 51 Residence B " 60.0 L 56 " 60.0 L 52 Residence B " 35.0 R 60 of 35.0 R 53 Residence B to 32.0 R 61 It 32.0 R 54 Residence B " 62.0 R 55 It 62.0 R 55 Residence a It 57.0 R 56 " 57.0 R PREDICTED NOISE LEVELS -L- -Y- MAXIMUM s-sasss-aaaaaaas :2/4 NOISE LEVEL INCREASE -aaa- _ _ 63 + 8 - - * 68 + 8 _ - 67 + 8 _ - * 72 + 8 - - * 68 + 8 - - * 70 + 9 - - * 71 + 8 - - 63 + 8 - - 63 + 7 - - 64 + 8 - - * 66 + 8 - - 62 + 7 - - 65 + 8 - - * 67 + 8 - - * 69 + 8 - - * 68 + 8 - - 68 + 8 - - 55 + 7 - - * 66 + 8 -------------------R/W-------------- - - 65/40 + 7/+0 - - * 71 + 7 It 71 + 7 - - 62 + 6 - - •. 67 + 7 - - * 68 + 7 - - 62 + 7 - - 63 + 7 NOTE: Distances are from center of the existing or proposed roadways. -L--> Proposed roadway's noise level contribution. All noise levels are hourly A-weighted noise levels. -Y--> Noise level from other contributing roadways. Category E noise levels shown as exterior/interior (58/48). * -> Traffic noise impact (per 23 CFR Part 772). TABLE N3 3/4 Leq TRAFFIC NOISE ZXPOSURES NC 33 From River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755) Pitt County TIP# R-2251 State Project# 8.1221301 + AMBIENT NEAREST NOISE RECEPTOR INFORMATION NEAREST ROADWAY NOISE PROPOSED ROADWAY PREDICTED NOISE LEVELS LEVEL ID # LAND USE CATEGORY NAME DISTANCE (M) LEVEL NAME DISTANCE (M) -L- -Y- MAXIMUM INCREASE sssaas sas:aaaaaaaas aassaaaaaa aas saaaasaaas sassaaaaaaaaas From SR 1726 (Portertown Road) to End of Project (Copt-d) 56 Residence B NC 33 35.0 R 60 NC 33 35.0 R - - * 67 + 7 57 Business C of 45.0 L 58 " 45.0 L - - 65 + 7 58 Residence H of 55.0 L 56 it 55.0 L! - - 63 + 7 59 Residence H of 50.0 L 57 to 50.0 L - - 64 + 7 60 Residence B to 58.0 R 56 to 58.0 R - - 63 + 7 61 Residence B to 60.0 R 56 " 60.0 R - - 62 + 6 62 Residence B to 35.0 L 60 " 35.0 L - - * 67 + 7 63 Residence H to 50.0 L 57 " 50.0 L - - 64 + 7 64 Residence B 1. 35.0 L 60 to 35.0 L - - * 67 + 7 65 Residence H to 25.0 R 63 " 25.0 R - - ' 70 + 7 66 Business C N 60.0 R 56 to 60.0 R - - 62 + 6 67 Business C of 70.0 R 54 to 70.0 R - - 61 + 7 68 Residence B to 40.0 R 59 It 40.0 R - - It 66 + 7 69 Residence B it 55.0 R 56 '. 55.0 R - - 63 + 7 70 Business C it 60.0 L 56 of 60.0 L - - 62 + 6 71 Residence B „ 30.0 R 61 to 30.0 R - - It 68 + 7 72 Residence H to 45.0 R 58 " 45.0 R - - 65 + 7 73 Residence 8 of 25.0 R 63 It 25.0 R - - * 70 + 7 74 Residence B 01 , 27.0 R 62 to 27.0 R - - * 69 + 7 75 Residence B to 25.0 R 63 M 25.0 R - - * 70 + 7 76 Residence B to 30.0 R 61 " 30.0 R - - * 68 + 7 77 Residence B to 40.0 R 59 of 40.0 R - - * 66 + 7 78 Residence 8 of 40.0 R 59 to 40.0 R - - * 66 + 7 79 Residence H of 45.0 R 58 n 45.0 R - - 65 + 7 80 Residence B to 50.0 L 57 It 50.0 L - - 64 + 7 81 Residence B « 25.0 R 63 It 25.0 R - - It 70 + 7 82 Residence 8 to 25.0 R 63 It 25.0 R - - *.70 + 7 83 Residence B to 28.0 R 62 N 28.0 R - - * 69 + 7 ' 84 Residence B to 30.0 R 61 to 30.0 R - - * 68 + 7 B „ 35.0 R 60 to 35.0 R - - * 67 + 7 85 Residence - At 67 + 7 86 Residence B „ 34.0 R 60 " 34.0 R - H of 30.0 L 61 n 30.0 L - - to 68 + 7 87 Residence Distances are from center of the existing or proposed roadways- -L--> Propo NOTE sed roadway's noise level contribution. : vels are hourly A-weighted noise levels- l i -Y--> Noise level from other contributing roadways. se An no e i vels shown as exterior/interior (58/46). l to -> Traffic noise impact (par 23 CFR Part 772). Category se z no e TABLE N4 FM NOISE ABATEMENT CRITERIA SU*WY NC 33 From River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755) Pitt County TIP# R-2251 State Project# 8.1221301 Maximum Predicted Contour Leq Noise Levels Distances dBA (Maximum) Description 15m 30m 60m 72 dBA 67 dBA 1. NC 33; From Beginning of Project to 72 68 62 24m 44m River Bluff Road 2. NC 33; From River Bluff Road to SR 1726 71 67 61 20m 39m Approximate Number of Impacted Receptors According to Title 23 CFR Part 772 A B C D E 0 1 1 0 0 0 36 1 0 0 TOTALS 0 37 2 0 0 NOTES - 1. 15m, 30m, and 60m distances are measured from center of nearest travel lane. 2. 72 dBA and 67 dBA contour distances are measured from center of proposed roadway. TABLE N5 TRRFFIC NOISE LEVEL INCREASE SUlKVff NC 33 From River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755) Pitt County TIP# R-2251 State Project# 8.1221301 RECEPTOR EXTERIOR NOISE LEVEL INCREASES Substantial Impacts Due Noise Level to Both Section <.0 1-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 >. 25 Increases(1) Criteria(2) 1. Beginning to River Bluff Rd. 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 2. River Bluff Rd. to SR .1726 0 0 74 0 0 0 0 0 0 70TAW 0 0 69 0 0 0 0 0 0 TA,_ k 1 NC ZZ from US 264A to SR 1755? P=tt County Project R-2251 AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC SUMMARY SHEET East Fort Rd. 2 2 6 1 2 ± 0 60 SR i $ : 10 •2 20 2 10 60 SR 2112 8 10 lb 1 2 =0 60 E -cehrook Rd. 2 2 6 1 2 10 boy SR 1735 '-2 40 72 bG ti;r ZZ • N C 66 90 176 1 10 - - 60 - ROUTE NAME ADT VOLUME IN 100'S % i. i f ri 1993 1999 2019 TTS T DUAL DHV D_R NC ZZNUS 264A 214 258 464 3 .4 10 60 Tenth Street 198 240 4;,2 " T• 10 bu ..US 264A S. of 260 314 .566 2 Z. 10 60 NC ?v River S1u-rf Rd. 12 20 =ti^' 2 10 60 Owforr Rd. 14 16 32 1 1c; 60 Hawthorne Rd. 2 6 1 2 10 60 t .Foxtiaven Rte. 4 4 E 1 ? 10 S`' SR 15z;zl '0 12 20 1 ? 11 60 SR 1593 10 14 26 1 10 60 Sit 171-6 66 78 1-3.2' 2 3 1= j 60 SR 172? 10 12 2n 1 _ 2 _0 60 SR, 1-877 4 4 10 1 2 10• 60 \S+ !. N ?fl t? r_ IL W Ct- fZr z 0 = O N Ow O Q= com r U. O co) w co) G0 MZ F- 5 U) O III tL_ R. t Q _ ?3Nil H-"V" Va o bc:. ?'a A? 1-Q ?? ? b o ? s ? a? c9 b C) m _ a ? s w a ?o 9 '` m N A! N?a 4 Vi ?v ?? 9N A v A t- N IA z N ? ? a T N O = w z t= -o C N 2 ?I 9 P. A ?` c A ? a-- O O r I c s ? X01 C ? 4 e cl I ? c 4b as . ? N ? ^ m N ? ? ? Q CA O ?? { Ci ? ? `?1 ly?b •? a7 ?,? T 0 fz Cu ?A- ib ei C V Z • l C.% 7_7 O w m W J U O 0 r r O Z tl z i t Q a SY 0 z ZW4 } q . ? a II ? ? a 4? N A 'O- o :b 4Q .. o --e O N a LL: 0 V ap N o- C LA = I- C¢ i 9 eb t z w i 7 .. co m 0 t? 9?i gm -o c ? ?- IA N 0 !p j m ?o (n C M 00 C! Q o 1 1O m m Q Iii LU V) a P to O L ? I r. cn * L LU a ` L LU 4i cu Sr i cli . • o m? ? ? eo t o • . `•\ s ! ? ? N ?'- ; as 92 -o c z• • ? ? ? s a te?go- ?- M-6 ^.Vrv C , W N IM O ?- b > N a w O x a O N -d a 4- a O Q o arc w 1a z O a- A ? w O m -1 O A en 00 -v a m z (, a w V N ¢. 43 W N ab 4 w z 0 ? N a? ?' CJ C 9 r S P m r N 4? A Q- A US i s r a ? w N N A N a iA W rc 4 r r- N „ N Q m ?O w W ? 70)4 i V W V? i `v r a yy W? i v i N? 4N can V ?~ Q Y W -o ' .TT . N A ?{ + ? O w i w m O CJ p Q Q a i CAW m co re ? i a w iv w ? W i _ (J J 4 w? ro14 0 i D - MATCH UNE - D -n rn Oca Z? n W M W Q Z1 N 31 0 i co cD ?v N l11 ?Z W ?v im vim, v as ca 'Q A 09 -? ti Co• C V 4? N CD ? C mm 0 ? W -4 -4 Vm Q Z W z O -4 T v N C z o O ?- J O O A A r m co A ?m Q- N m ? V V N UAri;W i.;yo m 1?d d V1 ?i to V11? r CA i r W W N W W q r ?W N N W er- i N W N N . r W ? N ca i d W N ' d A N 1 N ? J ° m? ? 4 N? r m N N m r r m to 62 11i? W O O? 44 v A - of as -df-- ° OI V V v 0 W m O ? O W a A C mM O? M_ Z? n? wm wa S] O O-. ?D C CA Q N fA T Q ^j VA Z my m ?v 'Q A o :p C N3 Z? ? J { M w U . +yH r North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources James B. Hunt Jr., Governor Betty Ray mecam Secretary October 5, 1994 MEMORANDUM TO: H. Franklin Vick, P.E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch Division of Highways . Department of Transportl3tion FROM: David Brook Deputy State ?AJtoric Preservation Officer SUBJECT: Widening NC 33 from US 264 Bypass to SR 1755, Pitt County, R-2251, 8.1221301, STP-330 ), 95-E- 4220-0139 Division of Archives and History William S. Price, Jr., Director We have received information concerning the above project from the State Clearinghouse. Scott Power conducted a comprehensive survey of historic architectural resources in Pitt County in 1989. We have conducted a search of our maps and files and have located the following structures of historical or architectural importance within the general area of the project: John Moore House (PT 330). North side of NC 33, 0.05 mile west of junction with SR 1726. John Chapman Boyd House (PT 332). West side of NC 33, 0.4 mile southeast of junction with SR 1533. House. South side of NC 33, 0.05 mile east of junction with NC 264. x We have reviewed our survey site files for these properties and believe none of the three are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Also, no properties listed in the National Register or on the state study list are located in the area of potential effect. We recommend that no historic architectural survey be conducted for the project. There are no known recorded archaeological sites within the project boundaries. However, the project area has never been systematically surveyed to determine the location of significance of archaeological resources. 109 East Jones Street • Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2807 H. F. Vick. October 5, 1994, Page 2 We recommend that a comprehensive survey be conducted by an experienced archaeologist to identify the presence and significance of archaeological remains that may be damaged or destroyed by the proposed project. Potential effects on unknown resources should be assessed prior to the initiation of construction activities. 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. 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. DB:siw cc: State Clearinghouse N,.6raf &-ff. Church T. Padgett • rANi.. North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources James B. Hunt, Jr.. Governor -Betty Ray McCain. Secretary March 7, 1995 Nicholas L. Graf Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration Department of Transportation 310 New Bern Avenue Raleigh, N.C. 27601-1442 Re: NC 33 from US 264 Bypass to SR 1755; Pitt County, R-2251, Federal-aid Project STP-33(1), State 8.1221301, ER 95-8435 Dear Mr. Graf: Division of Archives and History William S. Price. Jr., Director Thank you for your letter of February 16, 1995, transmitting the archaeological survey report by John, Mintz concerning the above project. We have reviewed the report and find that it meets our guidelines and those of the Secretary of the Interior. As no archaeological sites were located, no further work is needed as long as the project proceeds as planned. 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. 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, ?6a_vid Brook Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer DB:slw cc: H. F. Vick 1,1r'. Padgett i 1 r ?QQ 109 East Jones Street - Raleigh, North Carolina '27601-2807 ?P R E V I S E D RELOCATION REPORT North Carolina Department of Transportation X E.I.S. CORRIDOR _ DESIGN RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROJECT: 8.1221301 COUNTY- PITT SECTION: I 100' R/W °I.D.- N0.: R-2251 F.A. -PROJECT: N/A DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: (RIVER BLUFF ROAD) TO SR 1755 WIDEN ROADWAY TO 5 LANES E EST IMATED DISPLACEES INUX%-- LtvtL p?splaaces Owners Tenants Total Minor- ittes 0-15M 15-25M 25-35M 35-50M 50 UP Individuals Families Businesses VALE OF DWELLING DSS DWELLIN GS AVAILABLE Farms Owners Tenant s For Sale For Rent Non-Profit 0-20M $ 0-150 0-20M $ 0-150 150-250 ANSWER A LL QUEST IONS 20-40M 150-250 20-40M YES NO EXPLAIN ALL "YES" ANSWERS 40-70M 250-400 40-70M 250-400 1. Will special relocation 70-100 400-600 70-100 400-600 services be necessary 2. Will schools or churches be 100 UP. ' 600 UP 100 UP 600 UP affected by displacement 3. Will business services still TOTAL be available after project 4. Will any business be dis- placed. If so, indicate size type, estimated number of etc. minorities ees lo em REMARKS (Respond by Number) THERE IS NO RELOCATION ON THIS SECTION. , , y p 5. Will relocation cause a housing shortage 6. Source for available hous- (list) in g 7. Will additional housing ' rams be needed ro - p g 8. Should Last Resort Housing be considered ^?;= ??rr • r T.? ?? t y1! ? ' ?? - S. Are there large, disabled, families etc elderly ,_ • A S '+ ? L. ? ' . , ANSWER THESE ALSO FOR DESIGN 9 10. Will public housing be 0 needed for project 11. Is public housing avail- able DRZr',DDtI 12. Is it felt there will be ad- equate DDS housing available during relocation period 13. Will there be a problem of housing within financial means 14. Are suitable business sites available (list source) 15. Number months estimated to AompjebeAELOCATION i 3-5;- 2x Michael L. n ' 03/pate5 Approved Date Re ovation Ag Form 15.4 Revised Original & 1 Copy: State Relocation Ager 2 Copy:.Area Relocation File R E V I S E D RELOCATION REPORT North Carolina Department of Transportation X E.I.S. CORRIDOR DESIGN RELOCATION ASSISTANCE _ PROJECT: 8.1221301 COUKTY• PITT SECTION- II 100' R /W I.D.-NO.: R-2251 F.A. PROJECT: N/A DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: (RIVER BLUFF ROAD) TO SR 1755 WIDEN RO"AY TO 5 LANES t Michael L. 03/06/95 Re ovation a Date Form 15.4 Revised 5y ESTIMATED DISPLACEES INCOME LEVEL Type Displaces Owners Tenants Total 11 Miint?es 0-15M 15-25M 25-35M 35-`- 50 Up Individuals Families Businesses VALLIE OF DWELLING DES DWELLIN GS AVAILABtF Farms Owners Tenant s For Sa le For Rent Non-Profit 0-20M $ 0-150 0-20M $ 0-150 ANSWER A LL QUEST IONS 20-40M 150-250 20-40M 150-250 YES NO EXPLAIN ALL "YES" ANS1NERS 40-70M 250-400 40-70M 250-400 1. Will special relocation 70-100 400-600 70-100 400-600 services be necessary 2. Will schools or churches be 100 UP 600 UP 100 UP 600 UP affected by displacement 3. Will business services still TOTAL be available after project 4. Will any business be dis- REMARKS (Respond by Number) placed. If so, indicate size type, estimated number of THERE IS NO RELOCATION ON THIS SECTION. etc. minorities ees lo em , , y p 5. Will relocation cause a housing shortage 6. Source for available hous- (list) in g 7. Will additional housing rams be needed ro p g S. Should Last Resort Housing be considered 9. Are there large, disabled, families etc elderly . , ANSW R THESE ALSO FOR DESIGN 10. Will public housing be needed for project 11. Is public housing avail- able 12. Is it felt there will be ad- equate DDS housing available during relocation period 13. Will there be a problem of housing within financial means 14. Are suitable business sites available (list source) 15. Number months estimated to ? pl eke R?C©CATION original & 1 Copy: State Relocation Ager Approve Date 2 Copy: Area Relocation File REVISED f '. Michael L.??? :. Rei ocat i on Ac en Form 15.4 Revised 90 RELOCATION REPORT North Carolina Department of Transportation X E.I.S. CORRIDOR DESIGN RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROJECT: 8.1221301 COUNTY: PITT SECTIONIIT'100' R/W I.Di. NO.: R-2251 F.A. PROJECT: N/A DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: (RIVER BLUFF ROAD) TO SR 1755 WIDEN ROADWAY TO 5 LADS EST IMATED DISPIACEES INCOME LEVEL Disploacee Owners Tenants Total Mtieess O-15M 15-25M 25-35M 35-50M 50 UP Individuals Families 2 - 2 - 1 1 Businesses VALUE OF DWELLING DSS DWELLIN GS AVAILABLE Farms Owners Tenant s For Sale For Rent Non-Profit 0-20M 1 $ 0-150 0-2014 - $ 0-150 - ANSWER AL L QUEST IONS 20-40M - 150-250 20-40M 78 150-250 2 YES NO EXPLAIN ALL "YES" ANSWERS 40-70M 1 250-400 40-70M 223 250-400 22 X 1. Will special relocation 70-100 - 400-600 70-100 114 400-600 16 X services be necessary 2. Will schools or churches be 100 UP - 600 UP 100 UP 223 600 UP 7 x affected by displacement 3. Will business services still TOTAL 2 0 638 47 X be available after project 4. Will any business be dis- placed. If so, indicate size REMARKS (Respond by Number) All residential displacees counted as families. type, estimated number of etc minorities l No businesses being displaced 3 . , oyees, emp . . X 5. Will relocation cause a e shorta in h Newspaper Ads. Multiple Listing Service Realtors 6 g g ous , , . X 6. Source for available hous- (list) i As mandated by State Law. S ng . X g 7. Will additional housing ams be needed Newspaper Ads. Multiple Listing Service Realtors 14 progr , , . X S. Should Last Resort Housing nsidered b X e co 9. Are there large, disabled, families rl etc ld NOTE: The owner in range 0-20K involves a single wide There are ample mobile homes and mobile home e y, . e ANSWER THESE ALSO FOR DESIGN . mobile home lots available for sale in the 10. Will public housing be surrounding area. roject ded for p nee 11. Is public housing avail- able 12. Is it felt there will be ad- equate DDS housing available relocation period durin g 13. Will there be a problem of housing within financial means x 14. Are suitable business sites vailable (list source) a 15. Number months estimated to 1 e'te pECOCATION 03/06/95 Z) -? ?- 3 -.5; - 5 S Date Approved Date Original & 1 Copy: State Relocation Ageni 2 Copy: Area Relocation File 37 c? m x d __ I, ? .. X ` ,.? c .. ,/ u \ ? 1. '; .. ?? •? 1, •/?r?` ?? ' _ .. (•F .• ? '? --?`-?-- =?° ?, - ,'- r ??„,:,?' 1,?? 41- p ?.?/? Sri-°? ? °?i J //'/ ?i , ?i ?/ r . ? ..._ ? ? ?? ?` of ? ? r,.o.. `??II ?: ?._,-^.?. •+?i ? "/ f i•:. •? ? • rr' ??? ,:Y ° .: .i ?t=!„? ?..-':.. ?../JYr E.r:., ?A?`? _ ,., nr.. ?`?? ? r h... 1 T-? r ??J frr 17 ?.. ?? -78 ? !o ?? . l ?:T JI T _.r ?°'? \• ? may,/ ?I ° 02'? •.hLt i ? 'J x t ? `..`" •b ?. li xm s "n w . C I .. ' ? II .il •? QVAW ?s STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JAMES B. HUNT JR. GOVERNOR DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 April 21, 1995 Mr. Eric Galamb DEHNR - Div. of Environmental Management 512 North Salisbury Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-1148 Dear Mr. Galamb: R. SAMUEL HUNT III SECRETARY RECEIVED MAY 0 1 1995 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES aRn?Mu SUBJECT: Federal Environmental Assessment for NC 33, From River Bluff Road to SR 1755 (Black Jack-Simpson Road), Pitt County, State Project No. 8.1221301, Federal Aid Project No. STP-33(1), T.I.P. Project No. R-2251 Attached is a copy of the Environmental Assessment and a copy of the Natural Resources Technical Report for the subject proposed highway improvement. It is anticipated this project will be processed with a "Finding of No Significant Impact"; however, should comments received on the Environmental Assessment or at the public hearing demonstrate a need for pre- paring a Draft Environmental Impact Statement you will be contacted as part of our scoping process. Copies of this Assessment are being submitted to the State Clearinghouse, areawide planning agencies, and the counties, towns, and cities involved. Permit review agencies should note it is anticipated Federal Permits will be required as discussed in the report. Any comment you have concerning the Environmental Assessment should be forwarded to: Mr. H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch N. C. Division of Highways P. 0. Box 25201 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 Your comments should be received by June 1, 1995. If no comments are received by that date we will assume you have none. If you desire a copy of the "Finding of No Significant Impact," please so indicate. Sincerely H. Frank n' ' k, ., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch HFV/plr State of North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources 4 LT.WA ? Division of Environmental Management James B. Hunt, ,Secreta ? C" Jonathan B. Howes, Secretary C A. Preston Howard, Jr., P.E., Director June 1, 1995 MEMORANDUM To: Melba McGee Through: John Dornew From: Eric Galamb? Subject: EA for NC 33 Widening Pitt County State Project DOT No. 8.1221301, TIP # R-2251 EHNR # 95-0807, DEM # 10947 The subject document has been reviewed by this office. The Division of Environmental Management is responsible for the issuance of the Section 401 Water Quality Certification for activities which impact waters of the state including wetlands. The subject project may impact 0.31 hectares of waters including wetlands. The following comments are based on the review of the document: A) DEM participated in a Scoping meeting on July 14, 1994. DEM informed DOT that the NWI maps show a large wetland system on the north side of the existing road and west of the trailer park. The technical memorandum does not address whether this is a jurisdictional wetland or not. Repeated telephone calls to the project planning engineer to resolve this question were not answered. B) During that same scoping meeting, DEM requested that a 5 lane shoulder section be studied east of SR 1807. This alternative was not presented in the document. C) DOT did not investigate asymmetrical widening to minimize wetland impacts. Due to the above concerns, DEM does not concur with the EA. DOT should address these concerns to the satisfaction of DEM in the FONSI. DOT is reminded that endorsement of an EA or FONSI by DEM would not preclude the denial of a 401 Certification upon application if wetland and water impacts have not been avoided and minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Questions regarding the 401 Certification should be directed to Eric Galamb in DEM's Environmental Sciences Branch at 733-1786. cc: Washington COE Bob Booker, P&E Monica Swihart nc33pit.ea P.O. Box 29535, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0535 Telephone 919-733-7015 FAX 919-733-2496 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 50% recycled/ 10% post-consumer paper • Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources ? Project located in 7th floor library Office of Legislative and Intergovernm4nf r. irs Project Review Form l y¢? Project Number: County: Date: Date Response Due (firm deadline): .oa This project is being reviewed as indicated below: Regional Office/Phone Regional Office Area In-House Review ? Asheville ? All R/O Areas ? Soil and Water ? Marine Fisheries ? Fayetteville it ?Coastal Management ?Water Planning Water ? Water Resources pEnvironmental Health El Mooresville Groundwater 41Wildlife ? Solid Waste Management ? Raleigh and Quality Engineer 'Forest Resources ? Radiation Protection Washington Recreational Consultant , and Resources El David Foster ? Coastal Management Consultant Parks and Recreation ? Other (specify) Wilmington ? Others (environmental Management RFGE/? ? Winston-Salem PWS Monica Swihart M4 Fib,/RON 08,?SI1 ?FNrA4sc/?Nc F L Manager Sign-Off/Region: Date: In-House Reviewer/Agency: Response (check all applicable) Regional Office response to be compiled and completed by Regional Manager. ? No objection to project as proposed 10 No Comment ? Insufficient information to complete review 10 Approve ? Permit(s) needed (permit files have been checked) ? Recommended for further development with recommendations for strengthening (comments attached) ? Recommended for further development if specific & substantive changes incorporated by funding agency (comments attached/authority(ies) cited) In-House Reviewer complete individual response. ? Not recommended for further development for reasons stated in attached comments (authority(ies) cited) ?Applicant has been contacted ? Applicant has not been contacted ? Project Controversial (comments attached) ? Consistency Statement needed (comments attached) ? Consistency Statement not needed ? Full EIS must be required under the provisions of NEPA and SEPA ? Other (specify and attach comments) RETURN TO: Melba McGee Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs M104 N. ?t?,'. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DATE TRANSMITTAL SLIP TO: REF. NO. OR ROOM, BLDG. F. 62 /olilr,i ? )on- E111/2 : FROM: R EFF..NO.. OR ROOM, BLDG. -P& ACTION ? NOTE AND FILE ? PER OUR CONVERSATION ?. NOTE AND RETURN TO ME ? PER YOUR REQUEST RETURN WITH MORE DETAILS ? FOR YOUR APPROVAL ? NOTE AND SEE ME ABOUT THIS [!t?10R YOUR INFORMATION '?. PLEASE ANSWER ?FOR YOUR COMMENTS ?. PR?EPAREREPLY FOR MY SIGNATURE. / ? SIGNATURE Li_{ TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ? INVESTIGATE AND REPORT COMMENTS: Yp JUN 1 6 I W4 !AAA 1c0?GE'?? ?f I y??o paw STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION JAMES B. HUNT, JR. DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS GOVERNOR P.O. BOX 25201, RALEIGH, N.C. 27611-5201 June 15, 1994 MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Eric Galamb DEM - DEHNR, 6th Floor R. SAMUEL HUNT III SECRETARY FROM: H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch ,21. SUBJECT: Review of Scoping Sheets Road to Black Jack Road T.I.P. No. R-2251, State No. STP-33(1) ?f L for NC 33, from River Bluff (SR 1755), Pitt County, Project #8.1121301, F. A. Attached for your review and comments are the scoping sheets for the subject project (See attached map for project location). The purpose of these sheets and the related review procedure is to have an early "meeting of the minds" as to the scope of work that should be performed and thereby enable us to better implement the project. A scoping meeting for this project is scheduled for July 14, 1994 at 9:00 A. M. in the Planning and Environmental Branch Conference Room (Room 470). You may provide us with your comments at the meeting or mail them to us prior to that date. Thank you for your assistance in this part of our planning process. If there are any questions about the meeting or the scoping sheets, please call 1751W`a?? r, Project Planning Engineer, at 733-7842. JK/pl r l I ' Attach ent f "l 3 - - ?r ) S 'J C A`a C111 S 9A t,? ? Se ia?? (c?14kY?d) -h ??st?f r/y? FT1GYft .C'l'ef ?N PROJECT SCOPING SHEET Date 6/14/94 Revision Date Project Development Stage Programming Planning 1993 Design 1995 TIP # R-2251 Project # 8.1221301 F.A. Project # STP-33(1) Division 2 County Pitt Route NC 33 Functional Classification Minor Arterial Collector Length 3.1 Miles / 5.0 KM Purpose of Project: Widen the existing two-lane highway to a five-lane facility to increase traffic carrying capacity and enhance safety conditions. Description of project (including specific limits) and major elements of work: Widen NC 33 from River Bluff Road to Black Jack Road (SR 1755), Pitt County Type of environmental document to be prepared: An EA is proposed for this project followed by a FONSI. Environmental study schedule: The EA is due for completion in March of 1995. The FONSI is due to begin May 1995 and scheduled for completion in September 1995. Type of funding: This project is federaly funded. Will there be special funding participation by municipality, developers, or other? Yes No X If yes, by whom and amount: ($) How and when will this be paid? or (%) Page 1 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET Type of Facility: Existing: A two-lane shoulder section with two foot paved shoulders. Type of Access Control: Full Partial None X Type of Roadway: NC Route Interchanges: Grade Separations: none Stream Crossings: 2 Typical Section of Roadway: 22-foot shoulder sectioq,with 4foot S-1 paved shoulders. 1k SS foe( Traffic: Current Traffic: 6600 ADT Design Year: 17600 ADT Zp(? % Trucks: 3 Design Standards Applicable: AASHTO X 3R Design Speed: 55 MPH Preliminary Resurfacing Design: Preliminary Pavement Design: Current Cost Estimate: (Five-Lane Shoulder Section) Construction Cost (including engineering and contingencies) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,550,000 Right of Way Cost (including rel., util., and acquisition) . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Force Account Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Preliminary Engineering. . . . . . . . . . $ Total Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3.500.000 TIP Cost Estimate: \C Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,400,000 Right of Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,000,000 Total Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6,400,000 Page 2 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET List any special features, such as railroad involvement, which could affect cost or schedule of project: ITEMS REQUIRED ( X ) COMMENTS - COST 5-lane shoulder section with 4-foot paved shoulders. X Estimated Costs of Improvements: X Pavement X Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ _ 1,157,100 Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Milling & Recycling . . . . . . . . . . $ Turnouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Shoulders: Paved. . . . . . . . . . . . $ Earth. . . . . . . . . . . . $ X Earthwork . . . . . . . . . . $ 280,350 Subsurface Items: . . . . . . . . $ X Subgrade and Stabilization. . . ... . . . . $ 216.300 X Drainage (List any special items) . . . . . $. _620,000 Sub-Drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Structures: Width x Length Bridge Rehabilitation x S New Bridge x $ Widen Bridge x $ Remove Bridge x $ New Culverts: Size Length Fill Ht. X Culvert Extension . . . . . $ 83.000 Retaining Walls: Type Ave. Ht. Skew Noise Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Any other misc. Structures. . . . . . . . $ Concrete Curb & Gutter. . . . . . . . . .$ Concrete Sidewalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Guardrail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Fencing: W.W. and/or C.L. $ X Erosion control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 54,000 Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ X Traffic Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 62,000 Signing: New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Upgrading . . . . . . . . . . . $ Traffic Signals: New . . . . . . . . . $ Revised . . . . . $ RR signals: New . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Revised . . . . . . . . . . $ With or Without Arms. . . . $ If 3R: Drainage Safety Enhancement. . . $ Roadside Safety Enhancement. . . $ Realignment for Safety Upgrade $ X Pavement Markings: Paint Thermo X $ 55,800 Markers Page 3 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET Delineators . . $ X Other Clearing & Grubbing & Mobilization . $ 640,450 CONTRACT COST (Subtotal): $ 3,169,000 Contingencies & Engineering . . . . . . . . . . $ 481,000 PE Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ force Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Subtotal: 3,550,000_ X Right of Way: Will Contain within Exist Right of Way: Yes No X X Existing Right of Way Width: 60 feet New Right of Way Needed: Width Est. Cost $ Easements: Type Width Est. Cost $ Utilities: w Right of Way Subtotal: $ Total Estimated Cost (Includes R/W) Prepared By: Julius Kachmer O" 3 ?, Date: 6/14/1994 The above scoping has been reviewed and approved* by: Highway Design Roadway Structure Design Services Geotechnical Hydraulics Loc. & Surveys Photogrammetry Prel. Est. Engr. Planning & Environ. Right of Way R/W Utilities Traffic Engineering Project Management County Manager City/Municipality Others INIT. DATE INIT. DATE Board of Tran. Member Mgr. Program & Policy Chief Engineer-Precons Chief Engineer-Oper Secondary Roads Off. Construction Branch Roadside Environmental Maintenance Branch Bridge Maintenance Statewide Planning Division Engineer Bicycle Coordinator Program Development SHWA Dept. of Cult. Res. Dept. of EH & NR Scope Sheet for local officials will be sent to Division Engineer for handling. Comments or Remarks: *If you are not in agreement with proposed project or scoping, note your proposed revisions in Comments or Remarks Section and initial and date after comments. Page 4 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET List any special features, such as railroad involvement, which could affect cost or schedule of project: ITEMS REQUIRED ( X ) , COMMENTS COST Five-lane, 64-foot face to face curb & gutter section. Estimated Costs of Improvements: X Pavement X Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ _938 , 100 Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Milling & Recycling . . . . . . . . . . $ Turnouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Shoulders: Paved. . . . . . . . . . . . $ Earth. . . . . . . . . . . . $ X Earthwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 254,450 Subsurface Items: . . . . . . . . . . . $ X Subgrade and Stabilization. . . . . . . . $ 216,300 X Drainage (List any special items) .. . . . . $ 620,000 Sub-Drainage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Structures: Width x Length Bridge Rehabilitation X $ New Bridge x Widen Bridge x Remove Bridge x $ New Culverts: Size Length Fill Ht. X Culvert Extension . . . . . $ _83,000 Retaining Walls: Type Ave. Ht. $ Skew Noise Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Any Other Misc. Structures. . . . . . . . $ X Concrete Curb & Gutter. . . . . . . . . . . $ 294.624 Concrete Sidewalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Guardrail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Fencing: W.W. and/or C.L. 8 X Erosion Control . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 54,000 Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ X Traffic control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 62,000 Signing: New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Upgrading . . . . . . . . . . . $ Traffic Signals: New . . . . . . . . . $ Revised . . . . . . . $ RR Signals: New . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Revised . . . . . . . . . . $ With or Without Arms. . . . $ If 3R: Drainage Safety Enhancement. . . $ Roadside Safety Enhancement. . . $ Realignment for Safety Upgrade $ X Pavement Markings: Paint Thermo X $ 55.800 Markers Page 5 PROJECT SCOPING SHEET Delineators . . $ X Other Clearing & Grubbing & Mobilization $ 650,726 CONTRACT COST (Subtotal): $ 3,229,000 Contingencies & Engineering . . . . . . . . . . $ 471,000 PE Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ force Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Subtotal: $ 3.700.000 Right of Way: Will Contain within Exist Right of Way: Yes No X X Existing Right of Way Width: 60 feet New Right of Way Needed: Width Est. Cost $ Easements: Type Width Est. Cost $ Utilities: $ Right of Way Subtotal: $ Total Estimated Cost $ (Includes R/W) Prepared By: Julius Kachmer Date: 6/14/1994 The above scoping has been reviewed and approved* by: INIT. DATE INIT. DATE Highway Design Board of Tran. Member Roadway Mgr. Program & Policy Structure Chief Engineer-Precons Design Services Chief Engineer-Oper Geotechnical Secondary Roads off. Hydraulics Construction Branch Loc. & Surveys Roadside Environmental Photogrammetry Maintenance Branch Prel. Est. Engr. Bridge Maintenance Planning & Environ. Statewide Planning Right of Way Division Engineer R/W Utilities Bicycle Coordinator Traffic Engineering Program Development Project Management FHWA County Manager Dept. of Cult. Res.. City/Municipality Dept. of EH & NR Others Scope Sheet for local officials will be sent to Division Engineer for handling. Comments or Remarks: *If you are not in agreement with proposed project or scoping, note your proposed revisions in Comments or Remarks section and initial and date after comments. Page 6 ..4?, go. ?n Ijy Bethel 1 8 13 30 s 8 ' 7? 8 Stokes ?Falklan 2 E 7 7 3 7 r ` Fountain Bruce 8 Ouse ' Soddy 121 43 b 1 Pactolus Z 8 d F. c. u nv + 1 • ell A fiur im n N - Gr esland - 13 P'7 1 T T II Choca ountree t Winterville Black Jr ? IO Ayden II Shelmerdti e 1 H 10 8 7 Calico Griffon 0`l PROJECT LIMITS f .N FIS ra / 1733 s7 sAS y nsi NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH NC 33 US 264 BYPASS (RIVER BLUFF ROAD) TO SR 1755 PITT COUNTY R-2251 t 0 mile 1/2 6 I I Flr I 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 22, 1994 AM 2 41994 MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Eric Galamb DEM - DEHNR 6th Floor WETLANDS GROUP ' WATER UALITY SEC ION FROM: H. Franklin Vick, P. E., Manager Planning and Environmental Branch SUBJECT: Pitt County, NC 33, From US 264 Bypass to SR 1755. Widen existing facility to a multi-lane road near Greenville, State Project No. 8.1221301, Federal-Aid No. STP-33(1), T.I.P. No. R-2251 The Planning and Environmental Branch of the Division of Highways has begun studying the proposed improvements to NC 33. The project is included in the 1995-2001 North Carolina Transportation Improvement Program and is scheduled for right of way in fiscal year 1996 and construction in fiscal year 1999. The proposed improvement will widen NC 33 to a five lane curb and gutter section from US 264 Bypass to Oxford Road. From Oxford Road to SR 1755, a five lane shoulder section is recommended. 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 which may be required by your agency. Your comments will be used in the preparation of a federally funded Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact. This document will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. It is desirable that your agency respond by October 10, 1994 so that your comments can be used in the preparation of this document. If you have any questions concerning the project, please contact Bob Booker, Project Planning Engineer, of this Branch at (919) 733-7842. HFV/plr Attachment NO) mw? NORTH CAROLINA PITT COUNTY armel, :j' Bethel'; 1 >. a 30 9 4 Stokes I/Fa Iklan ?1 11 h l- ? 3 ? 7 ? t Bruce §FOUnta?n 3 ouse •2tl Toddy 121 435 9Pactolus 2 4 '?l ?^.'3+ rlrlnur 1f + w '(P 3 I T , o s W'Inizrville I1 oun ee 10 ? Ayden I Sh, 7 Calico 1 V _ 2 ?Grifton '. ?.t? .:_t....?r?ru`- ' r S:.d:3>^'3`+aSs •"?._ .?,..c..t ` "?.'? _ .,a .>,a ........,..:...W .,..._... m.m....a..'v3+e );:?€?_ ' t PROJECT LIMIT /sift PROJECT LIMIT 01, NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF'/'j _ TRANSPORTATION u a DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Y +?? PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL BRANC11 NC 33 US 264 BYPASS (RIVER BLUFF ROAD) TO SR 1755 PITT COUNTY R - 2251 0 feet 3700 FIG. 1 t? ''Peaejjj? September 27, 1994 1994 NZKQBAN= TO: Melba McGee, Legislative Affairs FROM: Monica Swiha42 Water Quality Planning SUBJECT: Project Review #95-0139; Scoping Comments - NC DOT Proposed Improvements to NC 33, TIP R-2251 The Water Quality Section of the Division of Environmental Management requests that the following topics be discussed in the environmental documents prepared on the subject project: A. Identify the streams potentially impacted by the project. The stream classifications should be current. B. Identify the linear feet of stream channelizations/ relocations. If the original stream banks were vegetated, it is requested that the channelized/relocated stream banks be revegetated. C. Number of stream crossings. D. Will permanent spill catch basins be utilized? DEM requests that these catch basins be placed at all water supply stream crossings. Identify the responsible party for maintenance. E. Identify the stormwater controls (permanent and temporary) to be employed. F. Please ensure that sediment and erosion and control measures are not placed in wetlands. G. Wetland Impacts 1) Identify the federal manual used for identifying and delineating jurisdictional wetlands. 2) Have wetlands been avoided as much as possible? 3) Have wetland impacts been minimized? 4) Discuss wetland impacts by plant communities affected. 5) Discuss the quality of wetlands impacted. 6) Summarize the total wetland impacts. 7) List the 401 General Certification numbers requested from DEM. Melba McGee September 27, 1994 Page 2 H. Will borrow locations be in wetlands? Borrow/waste areas should avoid wetlands to the maximum extent practicable. Prior to approval of any borrow/waste site in a wetland, the contractor shall obtain a 401 Certification from DEM. I. Did NCDOT utilize the existing road alignments as much as possible? Why not (if applicable)? J. To what extent can traffic congestion management techniques alleviate the traffic problems in the study area? K. Please provide a conceptual mitigation plan to help the environmental review. The mitigation plan may state the following: 1. Compensatory mitigation will be considered only after wetland impacts have been avoided and minimized to the maximum extent possible. 2. On-site, in-kind mitigation is the preferred method of mitigation. In-kind mitigation within the same watershed is preferred over out-of-kind mitigation. 3. Mitigation should be in the following order: restoration, creation, enhancement, and lastly banking. Please note that a 401 Water Quality Certification cannot be issued until the conditions of NCAC 15A: 01C.0402 (Limitations on Actions During NCEPA Process) are met. This regulation prevents DEM from issuing the 401 Certification until a FONSI or Record of Decision (ROD) has been issued by the Department requiring the document. If the 401 Certification application is submitted for review prior to issuance of the FONSI or ROD, it is recommended that the applicant state that the 401 will not be issued until the applicant informs DEM that the FONSI or ROD has been signed by the Department. Written concurrence of 401 Water Quality Certification may be required for this project. Applications requesting coverage under our General Certification 14 or General Permit 31 will require written concurrence. Please be aware that 401 Certification may be denied if wetland impacts have not been avoided and minimized to the maximum extent practicable. 10728er.mem cc: Eric Galamb A77 Proposed Widening of NC 33 from 304.8 Meters East of US 264 Bypass (River Bluff Road) to SR 1755 (Black Jack Road) Pitt County TIP No. R-2251 State Project No. 8.1221301 FAP No. STP 33 (1) NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICAL REPORT PREPARED FOR: NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL BRANCH ENVIRONMENTAL UNIT BY: Resource Southeast, Ltd. 4915 Waters Edge Drive, Suite 140 Raleigh, NC 27606 November 8, 1994 .G TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................1 1.1 Project Description .............................. 1 1.2 Purpose .......................................1 13 Study Area ....................................1 1.4 Methodology ................................... 2 1.5 Topography and Soils ............................ 2 2.0 BIOTIC RESOURCES ................................ 3 2.1 Terrestrial Communities .......................... 3 2.1.1 Man-Dominated Community .................. 3 2.1.2 Mixed Hardwood Forest Community ............ 4 2.2 Aquatic Communities ............................ 4 23 Anticipated Impacts to Biotic Communities ............ 4 23.1 Terrestrial Communities ..................... 4 232 Aquatic Communities ....................... 5 3.0 WATER RESOURCES ................................ 6 3.1 Water Resource Characteristics ..................... 6 3.2 Anticipated Impacts to Water Resources .............. 6 4.0 SPECIAL TOPICS ................................... 7 4.1 Waters of the United States: Jurisdictional Issues ........ 7 4.1.1 Impacts to Wetlands and Surface Waters ......... 7 4.2 Permits ....................................... 7 43 Mitigation ..................................... 7 4.4 Rare and Protected Species ........................ 7 4.4.1 Federally Protected Species ................... 7 4.4.2 Federal Candidate and State Listed Species ....... 8 4.43 Summary of Anticipated Impacts ............... 8 5.0 REFERENCES ...................................... 9 TABLES Table 1 - Anticipated Impacts to Terrestrial & Aquatic Communities ... 5 Table 2 - Federally Protected Species for. Pitt County .............. 10 Table 3 - Federal Candidate Species and Their State Status ......... 13 FIGURES Figure 1 - Site Location Map ................................ 11 Figure 2A - NC 33 Widening ................................ 12 Figure 2B - NC 33 Widenin¢ ................................ 13 APPENDIX A - Photographic Record 1.0 INTRODUCTION The following report is submitted for use as a supplement to assist in preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) document. 1.1 Project Description posed project involves the, widening of NC 33 from a two lane undivided facility to a five lane undivided facility with curb and gutter sections,; or a five lane shoulder section. The 5.0 kilometer (3.1 mile) project begins approximately 304.8 meters (1000.0 feet) east of US 264 Bypass (River Bluff Road) and ends at SR 1755 (Black Jack Road). NC 33 is proposed to be widened symmetrically from 5.49 meters (18 feet) of pavement with 030-0.91 meter (13 foot) shoulders to 1951 meters (64.0 feet) face-to-face of pavement for curb and gutter sections, or 1951 meters (64.0 feet) of pavement with 1.82-2.44 meters (6-8 feet) of grassed shoulders. The existing 18.29 meters (60 feet) of right-of-way will be expanded to 3658 meters (120.0 feet). 1.2 Purpose The purpose of this technical report is to inventory, catalog and describe the various natural resources likely to be impacted by the proposed action. The report also attempts to identify and estimate the likely consequences of the anticipated impacts to these resources. These descriptions and estimates are relevant only in the context of existing preliminary design concepts. It may become necessary to conduct additional field investigations should design parameters and criteria change. 13 Study Area The proposed project study area lies in Pitt County (Figure 1) in a low-density agricultural and residential area. The project area has experienced some urban development near the US 264 Bypass. The remaining portion of the project includes low-density single family residences, agricultural and undeveloped land uses. The project site lies within the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province. Pitt County's major economic resource is agriculture and industry. 1 1.4 Methodology Information sources used to prepare this report include: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle maps (Greenville Southeast); NCDOT aerial photographs of the project area (1:2500); Soil Conservation Service (SCS) soil maps; United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of protected and candidate species; N.C. Natural Heritage Program's (NC-NHPs) database of uncommon species and unique habitats; and data from the N.C. Division of Environmental Management Water Quality Section, N.C Wildlife Resources Commission, and N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. Research using these resources was conducted prior to the field investigation- A general field survey was conducted along the proposed project route by Resource Southeast biologists on September 28-29, 1994. Plant communities and their associated wildlife were identified using a variety of observation techniques, including active searching, visual observations with binoculars, and identifying characteristic signs of wildlife (sounds, tracks, scats, and burrows). 1.5 Topography and Soils The topography of the project area is characterized as being gently sloping to nearly level. One surface water feature, Hardee Creek just below its confluence with Meeting House Branch Creek was observed along the project corridor. This portion of Pitt County contains soils from the Norfolk-Exum-Goldsboro soil association, which are characterized as being moderately well to well drained soils that have a. subsoil of dominantly friable sandy clay loam or clay loam on uplands. The area adjacent to Hardee Creek contains soils from the Bibb Portsmouth association, which are characterized as being poorly drained and very poorly drained soils that are underlain by very friable fine sandy loam, or that have a subsoil of friable sandy loam and sandy clay loam on floodplains and stream terraces. Elevations within the project corridor range from approximately meters (6.0 feet) near the project's beginning at US 264 Bypass to approximately meters (14.0 feet) near the project's terminus at SR 1755. The project area is located on a low terrace above the Tar River to the north. The project study area has experienced mostly agricultural and low-density single family residences with some undeveloped land uses. 2 2.0 BIOTIC RESOURCES Living systems described in the following sections include communities of associated plants and animals. These descriptions refer-to the dominant flora and fauna in each community and the relationship of these biotic components. Scientific nomenclature and common names (when applicable) are used for the plant and animal species described. Subsequent references to the same species include the common name only. 2.1 Terrestrial Communities Man-dominated and Mixed Hardwood Forest are the two terrestrial communities found in the project study area. Dominant faunal components associated with these terrestrial areas will be discussed in each community description. Many species are adapted to the entire range of habitats found along the project alignment, but may not be mentioned separately in each community description. 2AA Man-Dominated Community This highly disturbed community includes road shoulders, utility line easements, residential lawn habitats and agricultural fields. Many plant species are adapted to these disturbed and regularly maintained areas. Regularly maintained areas are dominated by fescue (Festuca sp), ryegrass (Lolium sp), white clover (Tnfolium repens), red clover (TnfoUum pratense), plantain (Plantago rugelii), wild onion (AUium sp) and dandelion (Tarazacum officinale). Irregularly maintained areas are dominated by those species previously listed as well as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), common morning glory (Jpomoea purpuma), dog fennel (Anthemis sp), lespedeza (Lespedeza sp), and wild blackberry (Rubes sp). Agricultural plant species within the project corridor include corn (Zea mays) and soybeans (%vine maz). The animal species present in these habitats are opportunistic and capable of surviving on a variety of resources, ranging from vegetation (flowers, leaves, fruits, and seeds) to both living and dead faunal components. Virginia opossum (Didelphis vaginiana), gray squirrel (Schow cwvUnensis), red-wing blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Eastern meadowlark (SturneUa magna), bluebird (Skdia slabs), starlings (Stumidae), vultures (Cathartidae), and red-tail hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) are often attracted to roadside and agricultural habitats. Many faunal species, such as the Virginia opossum, which migrate across heavily traveled roadways become vehicular fatalities and forage items for other animals, such as the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). 3 2.12 Mixed Hardwood Forest Community This forested community occurs in small fragmented areas along the project corridor. Gently sloping to nearly flat topography in these areas supports a variety of mixed hardwoods including white oak (Quemus alba), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), red maple (Ater mbrum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and Eastern red cedar (Juniperus iftiniana). The herbaceous layer includes such species as Japanese honeysuckle, wild blackberry, greenbrier (Smilax rotundifoUd), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), poison ivy (Tadcodendron radicans), bedstraw (Galium sp ), beauty berry (CaUkarpa americans), and muscadine grape (Vids rotundifolia). Animals previously listed may also be found in this community. Small mammals such as the gray squirrel, Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), Virginia opossum, raccoon (Procyon lotorj and field mice may take advantage of food and protective resources offered in this habitat. 22 Aquatic Communities The majority of the aquatic community in the study area, including jurisdictional bottomland hardwood forest wetlands, exists within Hardee Creek just downstream of its merger with Meeting House Branch Creek. Hardee Creek is a perennial tributary of the Tar River, which is located approximately 0.80 km (0S miles) downstream of the project crossing of Hardee Creek. In addition, two steeply sloped man-made drainage ditches begin on the north side of NC 33 within the project area and are directed downgradient toward the Tar River. The banks of Hardee Creek are gently sloped and vegetated with Eastern sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) and sweet gum (Liquidamber styraciflua) in the upland, and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and black willow (Salix nigra) toward and within the water. Aquatic vegetation along and within the stream itself includes jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), water milfoil (MyriophyUum sp) and duck potato (Sagittaria kuVolia). Animals such as the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), spring peeper (Hyla cruciferj, black swamp snake (Semina&& pygaea), and salamanders likely reside along the water's edge. Hardee Creek is a moderately flowing sandy?bottomed blackwater stream. A variety of macroinvertebrates occur on and within the substrate as well as on the aquatic vegetation within the stream bed. The dominant macroinvertebrates observed within the stream include caddisfly larvae (Hydropsyche sp. and Chematopsyche sp.), oligochaetes, freshwater limpets (Ferrissra sp ), freshwater clams (Corbicula sp.), and 4 amphipods (Gammarus sp ). It is likely that dragonfly, mayfly and chironomid larvae are also present in the macroinvertebrate community. Fish species expected to inhabit Hardee Creek include sculpin (Cottus spp), shiner (Notropus spp), bream (Lepomis spp), darters (Etheostomd spp), mosquitofish (Gambusia spp) and american eel (Anguilla rostrata). 23 Anticipated Impacts to Biotic Communities Biotic community impacts resulting from project construction are addressed separately as terrestrial impacts and aquatic impacts. However, impacts to terrestrial communities, particularly in locations exhibiting gentle slopes, can result in the aquatic community receiving heavy sediment loads as a consequence of erosion. It is important to understand that construction impacts may not be restricted to the communities in which the construction activity occurs. Efforts should be made to ensure that no sediment leaves the construction site. 23.1 Terrestrial Communities Natural communities occur within the project area, and those communities have been fragmented and reduced due to past and present agricultural activity. The man-dominated community will receive the greatest impact from project construction, resulting in the loss of existing habitats and displacement and mortality of faunal species in residence. Table 1 details the anticipated impacts to terrestrial and aquatic communities by habitat type. TABLE 1 ANTICIPATED IMPACTS TO TERRESTRIAL and AQUATIC COMMUNITIES NC 33 Man- Mixed Aquatic Combined Widening Dominated Hardwood Community Total Community Community (including wetlands) Impacts 7.71 (19.05) 0.58(l.43) 032 (0.79) 8.61 (21-27)JI NOTES: * Impacts are based on 36.58 meters (120 feet) of Right-of- Way limits. * Actual construction impacts may be less than those indicated above. * Values given are in hectares (acres). E 232 Aquatic Communities The aquatic community in the study area, including bottomland hardwood forested wetlands, exists within and adjacent to Hardee Creek and two man-made ditches. The replacement or extension of the existing culverts conveying these waterbodies under NC 33 will result in 032 hectares (0.79 acres) of impact to aquatic communities. Of this 032 hectares (0.79 acres), 031 hectares (0.76 acres) of bottomland hardwood forested wetlands will be impacted and 0.01 hectares (0.03 acres) of natural stream bottom will be impacted However, a natural substrate will accumulate in the culvert bottoms with time. Construction of the project is likely to temporarily increase sediment loads to Hardee Creek. Construction-related sedimentation can be harmful to local populations of invertebrates which are important parts of the aquatic food chain. Less mobile organisms such as many of the filter feeders may be covered by this sedimentation, preventing their feeding. Increased sediment loads and suspended particulates can lead to the smothering of fish eggs, reduced depth of light penetration in the water column, reduction of dissolved oxygen, and alterations in water temperature. However, potential adverse effects can be minimized through the utilization of erosion and sediment control measures as specified in the State-approved Erosion and Sediment Control Program. 6 3.0 WATER RESOURCES This section describes each water resource and its relationship to major water systems. The proposed project lies along a low terrace above the Tar River to the north. 3.1 Water Resource Characteristics Water resource discussions include waterbody classification, location of high quality waters, and licensed dischargers. Hardee Creek flows northward through the project area to its confluence with the Tar River approximately 0.80 km (0.5 miles) downstream. The creek has a variable width of approximately 7.62 meters (25 feet) to 9.14 meters (30 feet), with a depth ranging from 030 meters (1 foot) just above its crossing under NC 33 to 1.22 meters (4 feet) just downstream of the crossing. Stream bank vegetation includes sycamore, bald cypress, sweet gum, black willow, jewelweed, and various grasses. Vegetation within the stream channel itself includes duck potato and water milfoil. Hardee Creek has a Class C Nutrient Sensitive Waters rating from the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management (NCDEM), indicating that the creek is suitable for fishing, fish propagation, boating, wading or other uses requiring waters of lower quality, and that the creek contains nutrient sensitive waters which require limitations on nutrient inputs. The NC Benthic Macroinvertebrate Ambient Network (BMAN) does not have a sampling station located on Hardee Creek. However, according to information supplied by the NC Division of Environmental Management Water Quality Section, similar creeks in Pitt County contain a variety of trichopteran, odonate, ephermeropteran, and chironomid larvae as well as a variety of molluscan fauna. Cursory sampling done at the time of the site visit revealed fauna indicative of good water quality conditions, including Hydropsyche sp. and Chematopsyche sp. (caddisfly larvae), Ferrissia sp. (freshwater limpet), and Corbicula sp. (freshwater clam). The NC DEM Water Quality Division does not maintain a fish sampling station on Hardee Creek at NC 33. However, they did collect fisheries data at the mouth of Hardee Creek and the Tar River in September 1987, and found American eel (Anguilla rostra), bream (Lepomis macrochirus), carp (Cyprinus carpio), chain pickerel (Esox nigra), bowfin (Amia calva), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has 1968 survey information on Hardee Creek. They indicate that the creek is a good fishing area and have documented occurrences of catfish (ktalurus sp), bream (Lepomis macrochirus), redfin 7 pickerel (Esox amencanus americanus), and warmouth (Lepomis gulosus). According to the NC Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF), Hardee Creek near its entry into the Tar River serves as an anadromous spawning and nursery area for river herring. No waters classified as High Quality Waters (HQW), Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW), or waters designated as WS-1 or WS-11 are located within 1.6 km (1 mile) of the project area According to the NCWRC, no Proposed Critical Areas exist within the project corridor. No permanent impacts to sensitive water resources of any kind will take place as a result of the project construction. 32 Anticipated Impacts to Water Resources Temporary impacts to water resources in the project area will result from sedimentation and turbidity associated with project construction. Permanent impacts to the streambed will result at the crossing of Hardee Creek and the two man-made ditches under NC 33 due to the replacement or extension of the existing culverts. Sedimentation and erosion control measures (Best Management Practices and Sediment Control Guidelines) should be strictly enforced during the construction stage of this project. Grass berms along construction areas help decrease erosion and allow potentially toxic substances such as engine fluids and particulate rubber to be absorbed into the soil before these substances reach waterways. Poorly managed application of sedimentation control policies will result in serious damage to the aquatic environment. Due to Hardee Creek's function as an anadromous fish spawning and nursery area, a time-of-year restriction on in-stream construction activities should be observed from February through May. 8 4.0 SPECIAL TOPICS 4.1 Watt, of the United States: Jurisdictional Issues Wetlands and surface waters fall under the broad category of "Waters of the United States" as defined in 33 CFR 3283 and in accordance with provisions of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and are regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). 4.1.1 Impacts to Wetlands and Surface Waters Bottomland hardwood forest wetlands associated with Hardee Creek will be impacted by the proposed project. Based upon a review of USGS topographic maps of the project area, it appears that these wetlands would not be considered above-the-headwaters wetlands. Approximately 031 hectares (0.76 acres) of unavoidable wetland impacts will occur due to the widening of NC 33. Investigation into wetland occurrence in the project impact area was conducted using methods of the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual. Anticipated surface water impacts fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and project construction cannot be accomplished without infringing on jurisdictional surface waters. Approximately 0.01 hectares (0.03 acres) of surface water impacts will occur due to the widening of NC 33. 4.2 Permits Construction is likely to be authorized by provisions of General Permit No. 198200031 and/or Nationwide Permit Nos. 14 and/or 33, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Also, Section 401 of the CWA requires that the state issue or deny water quality certification for any federally permitted or licensed activity that may result in a discharge to the waters of the United States prior to issuance of COE permits. General Permit No. 198200031 and Nationwide Permit Nos. 14 and 33 require a Pre-Discharge Notification (PDN) to the North Carolina Division of Environmental Management before certification can be issued. Additionally, if actual construction impacts to waters of the United States, including jurisdictional bottomland hardwood forested wetlands, exceeds 0.13 hectares (033 acres), Nationwide Permit No. 14 will not apply to the project. 9 43 Mitigation Mitigation for wetland impacts may be necessary if the project is authorized under a general permit or if wetland impacts exceed the impact criteria for the nationwide permits. Mitigation for impacts to surface waters is generally not required by the COE. A final determination regarding mitigation requirements rests with the COE. 4A Rare and Protected Species Some populations of plants and animals have been in or are in the process of decline either due to natural forces or due to their inability to coexist with man. Rare and protected species listed for Pitt County, and any likely impacts to these species as a result of the proposed project construction, are discussed in the following sections. 4.4.1 Federally Protected Species Plants and animals with federal classification of Endangered (E), Threatened (T), Proposed Endangered (PE) and Proposed Threatened (PT) are protected under provisions of Section 7 and Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists two federally protected species for Pitt County as of September 15, 1994. These species are listed in Table 2. TABLE 2 FEDERALLY-PROTECTED SPECIES FOR PITT COUNTY Scientific Name Common Name Status Picoides borealis red-cockaded woodpecker E Elliptio steinstansana tar spinymussel E? NOTES: "E" denotes Endangered (a species that is threatened with extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range). No specimen of this species has been found in Pitt County in at least twenty years. 10 Picoides borealis (red-cockaded woodpecker) E Animal Family: Picidae Federally Listed: 10/13/70 Distribution in N.C.: Anson, Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chatham, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Dare, Duplin, Forsyth, Gates, Halifax, Harnet, Hertford, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northhampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Tyrrell, Wake, Wayne, Wilson. The red-cockaded woodpecker has a black and white cross-barred back, black head and neck, and white cheeks. The small red cockades on each side of the head are present in males but absent in females. The overall length of the red-cockaded woodpecker is 220 millimeters (9 inches) on average and wing span approximately 122 millimeters (5 inches). The white eggs are laid from mid-April to early-June, in a clutch of two to five, and are incubated for approximately 10 days by both the male and female. The red-cockaded woodpecker is found in open stands of mature long-leaf pine (Pinus pahatris), slash pine (Pinus elliotu), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) or shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) with sparse hardwood subcanopies. Most red-cockaded woodpeckers maintain year-round territories near their nesting trees. The woodpeckers drill small holes in the bark of the pine tree's trunk, and the exuding resin is believed to repel predators. BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT No habitat exists in the project study area for the red-cockaded woodpecker as the project area does not contain mature stands of the previously listed pine species. It can be concluded that the subject project will not impact this Endangered species. Elliptto steinstansana (tar spinymussel) . E Animal Family: Unionidae Federally Listed: Distribution in N.C.: Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Nash, Pitt, Warren. 11 One of several freshwater bivalved mollusks, often called naiads, the tar spinymussel contains two valves (or shells) joined together at the dorsal surface by a hinge ligament with two strong internal muscles. Two sets of hinge teeth on the inner dorsal surface keep the valves in juxtaposition. Adults are characterized by a dark brown epidermis with prominent growth rings and beaks typically eroded. Morphologically similar to marine mussels and clams, reproduction in naiads is quite different, Naiad females exude eggs through the oviducts then move them to the water tubes of the gills, which become modified as gill pouches or marsupia. Sperm shed by the males are drawn into the marsupia by ciliary action, and the fertilized eggs develop into a unique larval form, called glochidia. The larvae is then discharged into the water with a mucous secretion. The tar spinymussel is a lotic species that occurs in runs with moderate current and sand, gravel, and cobble substrates. The presence of the Asian clam (Corbicula sp) in native mussel habitats is being studied as a possible factor in the reduction of native mussels, including the tar spinymussel. BIOLOGICAL CONCLUSION: NO EFFECT No habitat exists in the project study area for the tar spinymussel as the stream in the project area contains a silty sand bottom with low to moderate current and a competitor species, the Asian clam (Corbkwk sp ), was observed in Hardee Creek. It can be concluded that the subject project will not impact this Endangered species. 4A.2 Federal Candidate and State Listed Species Federal Candidate species are not legally protected under the Endangered Species Act and are not subject to any of its provisions, including Section 7, until they are formally proposed or listed as Threatened or Endangered. Table 3 includes 3 federal candidate species listed for Pitt County and their state classifications. Candidate 2 (C2) species are defined as taxa for which there is some evidence of vulnerability, but for which there are insufficient data to warrant a listing of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed Endangered, or Proposed Threatened at this time. Organisms which are listed as Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or Candidate (C) by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program list of Rare Plant and Animal species are afforded state protection under the State Endangered Species Act and the North Carolina Plant Protection and Conservation Act of 1979. 12 TABLE 3 FEDERAL CANDIDATE SPECIES AND THEIR STATE STATUS PITT COUNTY Scientific Name Status Habitat (Common Name) Federal/State Present Ammodmnw henslowii C2/SR No (Henslow's sparrow) Fusconaia nUMM' C2/T No (atlantic pigtoe mussel) Procambarus medialis C2/UNK No (Albemarle crayfish) NOTES: * Species presented in bold are afforded state protection. * Species notated with "*" indicate no specimen from Pitt County has been found in at least 20 years. * T denotes Threatened species, which are afforded protection by state laws. * SR denotes Significantly Rare species, which are not afforded protection by state laws. * UNK denotes a species status is Undetermined. 4.43 Summary of Anticipated Impacts No habitat exists in the project area for any candidate species known to occur in Pitt County. Also, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program database was reviewed, and no records exist for rare species or habitats in the project area. 13 5.0 REFERENCES Burt, W.H. and R.P. Grossenheider. 1952. A Field Guide to Mammals. Houghton Mifflin Publishing, Boston, Massachusetts. Conant, R., and J.T. Collins. 1958. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America.. Houghton Mifflin Publishing, Boston, Massachusetts. Delorit, R.J. 1970. An Illustrated Taxonomy Manual of Weed Seeds. Agronomy Publications, River Falls, Wisconsin. Environmental Laboratory. 1987. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual, Technical Report Y-87-1. U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Mississippi. Farrand, J., Jr. 1993. Audubon Society Guide to Animal Tracks of North America. Chanticleer Press, New York, New York. LeGrand, H.E., Jr. 1993 (July 1994 update). Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Animal Species of North Carolina. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, North Carolina. Newcomb, L. 1977. Newcomb's Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles and G.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. The University of North, Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Robbins, CS., B. Bruun and H.S. Zim. 1966. A Guide to Field Identification of Birds of North America. Western Publishing, Racine, Wisconsin. State of North Carolina, Department of Environmental Health and Natural Resources. 1993. Classification and Water Quality Standard. NCAC:I5A NCAC2B.0306. Sutton, A. and M. Sutton. 1985. Eastern Forests. Alfred Knopf Publishing, New York, New York. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1974. General Soils Map of Pitt County, North Carolina. North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina. 14 United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book). Southeast Region, Atlanta, Georgia. Weakley, A.S. 1993 (September 1994 update). Natural Heritage Program List of Rare Plant Species of North Carolina. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, North Carolina. Whitaker, J.O., Jr. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. Alfred Knopf Publishing, New York, New York. 15 FIGURES IRES0URCE Q- INTERNATIONAL. LTD. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS & DESIGNERS ? ?s c? nxrvL? o P. o. soz ereo a vr, zaoee t 904) 660-9200 0 £AZ /B04) 66?y?p PROJECT LIMITS Y'A D III mow' C i Ub •.p?•' d iI.N .. "'' PROJECT UhiITS N y ..s 41 .4 Ifs .16 ML u` k = LAKE :'Y? sTsa w uu GLENWOOD o Iii .:??!! .I• J p) .7f m o. = ??? ' d 1ruZ o? uQ.3 \ r lm 1... Mal ®R I..s .i. a Ism . I.w ^ !1 y_ . -- oa is ,o°i ,mod' a As i % o, v ,' •ea ai ••, of 4' = d 11.11. W! oy b li>!L - !>t r+:. o UKLN! sg III i o .17 , NCDOT HIGHWAY NAP SCALE: 1' = 2640' APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PITT COUNTY NOTE: ALL LOCATIONS ARE APPROXIMATE. FIGURE 1 ' RmoOURCE SITE LOCATION MAP TIP #R-2251 INTERNATIONAL, LTD. NC 33 ROAD WIDENING ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS & DESIGNERS US 264 BYPASS TO SR 1755 pa WX MW o MU tears csas =V 0 ASM&M VA 23008 (804) 330-Q= 0 ?Ar (804) W-8238 PITT COUNTY, N.C. r.N.Vg4JZ .UJ H:\94028.05\9402805.PRO D -n I v 0 x ? H D m m c? Sn-u xmm m U) -AMomxx Z C7 7]O--qHH 0 D mvr- cncn r Don-i-4 m 3SnzHH mOzz O LO G7 G7 M) 0 Z] 0 0 n mn 0 m 0 ih. r O D H O r z H m G7 z m m z r r s 1 11L rJ MATCHLINE VA 0-0- \ SEE FIGURE 2B) Z -o C7 b H -? w M mQ H 71 O o m 0 0 C T) D 0 C :D a e l y I lJ 0 H 1 V M z tj r? z t? S? ? ? `i33NS SI ? ?3 3NI?H? 1?lW US 264A Z w w ?r ?---=? asp Ir) w co m H z m O C- m n od e x? S LIWI OXFORD ROAO (SR 1807) 0 ?o 00 nI- C: m r- < Q7 mx :v i. -+ o NA TCHIL INE ? (5Ec THIS SHEEr) v??1 m-\QdnaR_ns\9dn?Ro5_PRn H D O X H 3 D --I m U) n D r m n O O I m G) ?3mm m a)>XX Z 0ZHH 0 u I cn(n O m -+ --I U)DHH mOzz 0MG)G) 310--AS) 0"1]0 D -imD o c)m0 = r- D H r z m G) z 3 m z I (BILL 8S) 0108 '33081" AORTAArOly (SH I)26J gpg0 9 ?SFF?l ?cy?l cG ti F 9F ?qJ z n w z w O m O H C7 -?.., d ? op0M0NLN8d ? 0 z ? n b H H 71 o 00 z zT3 0? ?R):Ern Z r pi Hpi 0 0 O CA m Z z MATCHLINE f / VA VA (SEE THIS SHEET) APPENDIX A PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS RESOURCE INTERNATIONAL. LTD. IMMONW NTAL CONSULTAM & DESIGNERS M" m ?? . Aft = ? • 1dM B aeaoe (wo gyros . mr (goy err PLATE 2 - FACING SOUTHWEST; APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PROJECT TERMINUS. PLATE I - FACING WEST; APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF PROJECT BEGINNING. PLATE 3 - FACING NORTH; BOX CULVERT CONVEYING HARDEE CREEK UNDER NC33. PLATE 4 - FACING SOUTH; OVERVIEW OF BOTTOM LAND HARDWOOD FORESTED WETLANDS.