proposal

NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins
Governor Director
February 13, 2009
MEMORANDUM
To: Greg Thorpe, PDEA, NCDOT
Debbie Barbour, NCDOT
Jim Gregson, NCDCM
Scott McLendon, Army Corps of Engineers
Clarence Coleman, FHWA
Matt Matthews, NCDWQ!? I I- 1
From: Brian Wrenn, NCDWQ ga
Dee Freeman
Secretary
Subject: Proposal for Use of Geospatial Database for Prediction of Stream Locations in the Carolina Slatebelt
Please find enclosed a proposal to utilize a geospatial database to predict stream locations in the
Carolina Slatebelt for a project in the Merger '01 Process for selecting the Least Environmentally Damaging Practical
Alternative (LEDPA). The referenced geospatial database has demonstrated strong success in the Carolina Slatebelt (see
attached map). NCDWQ would like to further calibrate the database by comparing the predicted streams from the model
to field-verified streams determined in previously constructed projects in this area. Based on the results, DWQ would
then like to implement the tool in the Merger '01 Process for a project that is in the alternatives development stage. This
would be similar to what is currently being conducted for three projects in the GIS Pilot Project. If you would like further
information on the model or have any questions regarding the proposal, please contact me at 919-733-5715. Thank you.
Transportation Permitting Unit
1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1650
Location: 2321 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Phone: [phone] FAX, 919-733-6893
Internet: http:11h2o,encstale.nc.uslnmetlandsl
NorthCarolina
Naturally
An Equal Opportunity 1 Afrumahve Action Employer
Testing Time and Cost Effectiveness Of the
DWQ Spatial Headwater Stream Model in The Carolina Slatebelt Ecoregion
The DWQ/DOT pilot study for development and validation ofa headwater stream model was
completed in January 2008
(http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands/documents/fhwa report WBS 36486 4 2.final ian2008
22.ndf & http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/ncwetlands/documents/Addendum 06 2008.pdD. As a result
of the project, a Carolina Slatebelt ecoregion model was produced and successfully validated.
Based on the positive results of the pilot study, DWQ would like to continue testing and apply
the headwater stream model to an authentic DOT project. Testing will be conducted in two
phases to be completed within eight months. The testing plan and time table is described below.
Phase 1: Apply Carolina Slatebelt headwater stream model to two or three DOT projects that
have already been completed and compare model stream results to DOT project stream data.
Projects will be selected by DOT with DWQ and CGIA input.
The most time consuming aspect of application of the spatial model is creating the GIS data
needed to run the model. Basic data needs include DOT Project GIS layers, e.g., field-identified
streams, project boundary, bare earth LiDAR data acquired from NC Floodplain Mapping
Program (NCFMP) and soil property data extracted from Natural Resource Conservation Service
digital maps. From these data, additional data will be processed within GIS for use in spatial
application of the Slatebelt model. To meet the time goal for testing, 40-60 hours/month for
about 7 months (depending on the project areas) of DOT GIS staff time is needed to help with
GIS work (Table 2).
The results and analysis of the model application will provide stream information to compare
against field collected data.
A table will be produced illustrating each alternative and corresponding modeled, field and
USGS streams (Table 1) for comparison.
Table 1: Examale Table for Stream Impact Comparison
Alternative Field Streams (ft) Modeled Streams (ft) USGS Streams
ft)
A
B
C
D
E
Phase 11: Apply Carolina Slatebelt headwater stream model to a new location road project in the
Carolina Slatebelt as selected by DOT. Alternatives analysis and LEDPA selection will be based
on GIS layers and modeled results for streams. Once the LEDPA is chosen, field determinations
and verifications will be conducted for the LEDPA corridor. Cost and time savings can then be
generated based on the results of using the Carolina Slatebelt model.
Test Model Proposal 1 Last update 2/13/2009
Once again, DOT GIS staff time is needed to help with GIS work (Table 2, Phase II).
Agreement from appropriate regulatory and resource agencies will be necessary to include a new
project in the GIS Pilot Project currently under way.
Table 2: Proposed Time Table
Month Task Partici ants Detail
February Plan project DWQ, DOT, CGIA Plan project
Meet to select best areas for
Phase I
Acquire GIS data for projects
Download bare earth LiDAR data
February/ Select project areas, DW Generate digital elevation (DEM)
March acquire preliminary data DOT--GIS assistance grids
and begin analysis Extract terrain derivatives from
DEM
Extract soil property data from
NRCS digital maps
April Continue Analysis DWQ 'Apply model to project areas
Run comparison analysis
May Report on Phase I work DWQ Write report and distribute
Begin Phase II - Meet with
regulatory staff to gain DWQ, DOT, Meet with regulatory staff to gain
May concurrence on adding USACE, concurrence on adding another
another project to the GIS EPA,WRC,USFWS project to the GIS Pilot Study
Pilot Study
Acquire GIS data for projects
Download bare earth LiDAR data
Generate digital elevation (DEM)

June/July
Analysis DWQ DOT-GIS grids
Extract terrain derivatives from
assistance DEM
Extract soil property data from
NRCS digital maps
July Continue Analysis DWQ Apply model to project areas
Run com arison analysis
Report on Phase II
DWQ
Write report and distribute
August To regulatory staff
September Select LEDPA from results DOT and regulatory Select LEDPA
agencies
Test Model Proposal 2 Last update 2/13/2009
O
O
A
O
0
N
O
uE;
CD
N
I?11 DO?I?Ji?[J?l•
CZb 75Z GM om =0 on on on
_
m m 0 0 7 i m 0 O 0 0 06
0 O .ia Q? 44 3 O. .S!
I O SL7 4] T o ?.
8 m^, m N
N 0 0 o Q M
m 3 0 ° rn
zi w w m m' rn
C:L zi Q 5'
r- CL 0
0 rn 0 n
Q
0 C
0 O
CCD
r N
v N w
w
a
ooaoolo?ol?oao
N N cn z z
O O O O O O ill 96 O O
Q ? 3 3
co) a (D ( o 3 _
M m O> 3>>> 0 v o
QJ m Um) O am Z 1 m 0 O o
7 ? N ? ? r? T O L11 ff1
f?? f0 ?s ? O O ()• ? 'O ?
ID Q (D 7 O m f4 O.
to CL
chi 3 rn 0 o
a
N m
m ?a Q rn rn 3
W La
LM Ln
n y s o m Q
co i K 0
a CD.
o
ll ? F
rryy? ? r? / ?'
0 J +
_ CD
QI V B
w
Q rF
cr.
f
L
V,,U _ k?A
n
i
o,
rn
1-7
v, m
,?? a rnl5
Sl.-...I
M
x n,

A

Lri
l a - D
U
u,
T ?
?m
r ?
(ll
om
1 -'
ON .
7 O -n-
rn
o `
T
?D-
,.5 O
m ep
V
n?
L*
(ID
3 a
? a
Y!
Cl? ?
r-F
`' s