US 33 (7)

0 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission n
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Melba McGee
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, DENR
FROM: Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: November 8, 2010
SUBJECT: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the proposed NC 33 improvements from south of Tarboro to
Greenville, Edgecombe and Pitt Counties, North Carolina. TIP No. R-3407, SCH
Project No. 11-0108.
Staff biologists with the N. C. 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 is proposing to improve portions of existing NC 33. Current alternatives under
consideration include both widening the existing roadway as well as constructing portions on new
location. This project is being review through the NEPA/404 Merger 01 process. Prior comments and
coordination are reflected in the document, with one exception. Conetoe Creek is designated as an
Anadromous Fish Spawning Area, therefore an in water work moratorium of February 15 to June 15 is
recommend.. We will continue to assess the impacts associated with the remaining alternatives in
preparation for the selection of the LEDPA and for further avoidance and minimization measures. Thank
you for the opportunity to comment on this EA. If we can be of any further assistance please call me at
[phone].
cc: Gary Jordan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Raleigh
David Wainwright, DWQ, Raleigh
Tom Steffens, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington
Chris Militscher, EPA
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries • 1721 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1721
Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]