Enfield Road

1
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSEMENT FOR THE ENFIELD ROAD/WINDSOR PARK CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
'September 13, 2002
Project Applicant: City of Charlotte Storm Water Services
Project Number: DWQ # 13120
Responsible Agency: NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality, Water Quality Section
Pursuant to the requirements of the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act (N.C.G.S. § 113A-1, et
seq.), an environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared for stormwater conveyance improvements
involving streambank stabilization to address stream channel erosion and flooding in the City of
Charlotte. The proposed improvements are within the Briar Creek watershed, encompassing the Enfield
Road/Windsor Park neighborhood. The project includes streambank stabilization at various locations
along approximately 2,653 bank feet (bf) of the approximately 3,350 linear feet (If) of stream channels,
new stormwater pipe placement within 601 if of stream, and minor maintenance activities along 2,405 if
of stream.
Stormwater conveyance improvements are proposed for an unnamed tributary to Briar Creek and several
unnamed stream channels. Several alternatives and the no-action alternative were considered for the
proposed project. Three primary alternatives included (1) a partial repair involving only replacement of
undersized culverts, (2) an upstream detention facility, and (3) streambank stabilization and new storm
pipe placement. Upstream detention is not feasible due to a lack of suitable detention sites within this
fully developed urban area. Alternative (3) is the preferred alternative because it would address
continuing flooding problems and stream channel erosion in the project area. Under alternative (3),
various methods of streambank stabilization were considered including Priority I-IV (Rosgen) restoration.
Priority IV restoration using bioengineering, gabions, and rock toe protection was chosen and is often
implemented where urban constraints limit alternatives. Soil bioengineering will consist of live staking
and fascine installation using native species to reestablish natural streambank protection that has been
damaged or lost. In areas of high shear stress, rock toe protection will be used in combination with soil
bioengineering measures. For the new pipe placement, channel modification was also considered and
determined to be unfeasible due to the close proximity to private residences and engineering constraints.
The proposed project area is located north of Central Avenue between Briar Creek and Sharon Amity
Road in Charlotte. The limits of the project, encompassing the Windsor Park neighborhood, extend from
north of Central Avenue northward to Sudbury Road and northwest to Eastway Drive. Located in the
lower Catawba River Basin in Mecklenburg County, the watershed contributing to the unnamed tributary
to Briar Creek is approximately 378 acres. Land use is predominately single-family residential and zoned
to allow four units per acre.
The length of stream to be impacted by channel stabilization with rock toe protection totals 2,181 bf.
Minimal, temporary impacts to aquatic habitat are expected to occur, however, the project is expected to
have a net benefit on aquatic resources and habitat over the long term. Minor maintenance activities
including culvert replacements will have minimal impacts.
Enfield Road CIP
Page 2
Gabion stream stabilization will impact 40 bf of stream. There will be 601 if of piping impacts. As a
condition of the 401 Water Quality Certification for this project, it is anticipated that compensatory
mitigation will be required to offset permanent losses of perennial stream channel for impacts associated
with the placement of pipe (491 If) and gabions (40 bf). The applicants propose to use mitigation credits
from the Hope Park Branch Stream Restoration Project.
Potential impacts to streams will be minimized through implementation and maintenance of a State-
approved erosion and sedimentation control plan and adherence to conditions of the 401 Water Quality
Certification. Any buffer areas disturbed as a result of the proposed project will be stabilized and
reseeded with emphasis on reforesting stream banks. Long-term water quality is expected to improve
through a reduction in streambank erosion and sedimentation.
Land use changes are not anticipated to result from the project. The project area is a fully developed,
urban neighborhood. Changes to drainage patterns are not anticipated and no wetlands have been
identified within the proposed project limits.
Many of the proposed stabilization reaches are currently protected from development by Mecklenburg
County's Surface Water and Management riparian buffer ordinance. Naturally vegetated buffers, ranging
in width from 35 feet to 100 feet depending on the size of the drainage basin, are protected. These buffers
will help protect the proposed stream stabilization project and stream channels from stormwater impacts.
The Division of Water Quality has concluded that the proposed project will not result in significant
impacts to the environment. This decision is based upon information provided in the EA and review by
governmental agencies. This EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are prerequisites for the
issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification by the Division of Water Quality. An environmental
impact statement will not be prepared for this project. This FONSI completes the environmental review
record, which is available for inspection at the State Clearinghouse.
North Carolina Division of Water Quality
September 13, 2002
F W A TF Michael F. Easley, Governor
`OHO RQG William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Alan W. Klimek, P.E. Director
> =1 Division of Water Quality
October 24, 2002
Ms. Mary C. Murray
Charlotte Storm Water Services
600 E. Fourth St.
Charlotte, NC 28202-2844
Subject: Enfield Road/Windsor Park Capital Improvements Project
DWQ# 13120
Dear Ms. Murray:
.e
uG C ' Z'
The NC Environmental Policy Act review for the subject project is complete. Refer to the attached letter
from the Department of Administration. No comments were received during the course of the State
Clearinghouse review.
Charlotte Storm Water Services may now proceed with permit applications covering activities associated
with this project. The applications should be consistent with the Finding of No Significant Impact issued
by the Division of Water Quality on September 13, 2002 (attached).
If there is anything I can assist you with, please give me a call at 919.733.5083 ext. 555.
Sincerely,
J. Todd Kennedy
NC Environmental Policy Act Coordinator
DWQ Water Quality Section
t
Attachments
cc: John Dorney
Steve Zoufaly
Rex Gleason
Reader File
ltilt.?{.?Lik ?:
N. C. Division of Water Quality 1617 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1617 [phone] Customer Service
1 800 623-7748
STATE
d?
ww
North Carolina
Department of Administration
Michael F. Easley, Governor Gwynn T. Swinson, Secretary
October 22, 2002

Mr. Todd Kennedy
NC DEHNR, Div. of Water Quality
Parker-Lincoln Building
1617 MSC
Raleigh, NC
Dear Mr. Kennedy:
Re: SCH File # 03-E-4300-0085; Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact;
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities - Proposed Improvements to the Enfield Road/Windsor Park
neighborhood in the Briar Creek watershed; streambank stabilzation and new stormwater pipes
The above referenced environmental impact information has been reviewed through the State
Clearinghouse under the provisions of the North Carolina Environmental Policy Act.
No comments were made by any state/local agencies in the course of this review. Therefore, no further
environmental review action on your part is required for the compliance with the Act.
Best regards.
Sincerely,
al-
Ms. Chrys Baggett
Environmental Policy Act Coordinator
cc: Region F

Mailing Address:
1302 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1302
Telephone: [phone]
Fax [phone]
State Courier #51-01-00
e-mail Chrys.Baggettancmail.net
Location Address:
116 West Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer