20110219 Ver 1_Finding of No Significant Impact_20110602

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS
69 DARLINGTON AVENUE
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA 28403-1343
REPLYO
T
ATTENTION OF:
Environmental Resources Section
Dear Sir or Madam:
I1- 06L 101
4�
MAY 242011
Enclosed is a copy of the signed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Albemarle to
NC Highway 200, Water Transmission Main, dated May 2011. The Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) has been prepared in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' regulations for implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (33 CFR 230), as amended.
Based on information contained in the Environmental Assessment and comments received
during the 30 -day review period, we have determined the proposed Federal action will not
significantly affect the quality of the human environment and an Environmental Impact
Statement will not be prepared.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the FONSI, please contact Ms. Teresa
Russell, Environmental Resources Section, at the address above; telephone [phone]; or
email: Teresa.E.Russell(@usace.army.mil.
Sincerely,
Py.lerson M. Rys� , genel, U.S. Army
District Commander
Enclosure
�Qr�kL;�goeffl N
JUN 2 2011

US Army Corps
of Engineers
Wilmington District
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
ALBEMARLE TO NC HIGHWAY 200
WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN
MAY 2011

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
ALBEMARLE TO NC HIGHWAY 200
WATER TRANSMISSION MAIN
MAY 2011
Table of Contents
Subject
Page
1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................1
2.0 Proposed Action............................................................................................1
3.0 Purpose and Need........................................................................................5
4.0 Alternatives Considered................................................................................5
5.0 Public and Agency Coordination...................................................................5
6.0 Impacts of the Proposed Actions...................................................................6
7.0 Finding of No Significant Impact..................................................................10
List of Figures
Figure Title Page
1 Stanly County Vicinity......................................................................2
2 Albemarle Project Area Vicinity Map...............................................3
3 Proposed Project Route..................................................................4
List of Tables
Table Title Page
1 Potential Impact to Resources Per Alternative................................7
List of Appendices
Appendix A — Comments Received and Responses.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, requires
consideration of the environmental impacts for major federal actions. The proposed
action and the environmental impacts of the proposed action were addressed in the
Environmental Assessment (EA), Albemarle to NC Highway 200 Water Transmission
Main, dated February 2011.
As a result of coordination of the EA with various regulatory agencies and the
public, comment letters were received. These comments are provided with this Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The purpose of this FONSI is to ensure the
environmental consequences of the proposed plan are considered and that
environmental and project information are available to the public.
This FONSI has been prepared pursuant to the NEPA in accordance with the
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations as contained in 40 CFR Parts 1500
to 1508, which directs federal agencies on how to implement the provisions of the
NEPA.
2.0 PROPOSED ACTION
The proposed action consists of construction of a water booster pumping station
and water distribution lines south and west of the City of Albemarle (figures 1-3). The
western water distribution main (Line Segment 1) involves a 12 -inch waterline totaling
approximately 8,300 linear feet along Bost Road to Canton Road from NC Highway
24/27, and approximately 11,250 linear feet along Canton Road from Bost Road to
Austin Road. The southern water distribution main (Line Segment 2) will involve
approximately 36,900 linear feet of 12 -inch waterline along Austin Road from Ridgecrest
Road (SR 1227) to N.C. Highway 73. Line Segment 2 will connect to existing waterlines
at each end and to Line Segment 1. Line Segment 1 will connect with Line Segment 2
approximately 16,650 linear feet south of N.C. Highway 73, at the intersection of Canton
Road and Austin Road.
Primarily, the project is within the North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT) right-of-way along Ridgecrest Road, Austin Road, Canton Road and Bost
Road. The exception is at some stream crossings, intersections, and the water booster
pump location. Stanly County will secure an encroachment agreement with the NCDOT
for installing the water distribution lines within the NCDOT right-of-way. Stanly County
would obtain permanent and temporary utility easements to install the water distribution
lines that are outside of the NCDOT right-of-way along the proposed project route.
Stanly County would acquire the property for the pump station.

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Implementation of the proposed action would require a Section 401 Water
Quality Certification and an approved soil erosion and sedimentation control plan.
Approval of the water system improvements will be sought from the North Carolina
Division of Environmental Health. These authorizations would be secured prior to
commencement of project construction.
3.0 PURPOSE AND NEED
The purpose of the proposed action is to improve the reliability of water supply to
the south and western portions of Stanly County by providing a water system that
minimizes impacts to the environment and does not impact existing water pressures in
the area. Currently, water is supplied to the southern and western portion of Stanly
County from an elevated tank at the intersection of West Oakland Avenue and Monroe
Street in the City of Albemarle, that feeds two booster pumping stations. From each
booster pumping station, a waterline at each site conveys water to a 200,000 -gallon
elevated storage tank, one west of Albemarle and one southwest of Albemarle. These
elevated storage tanks provide drinking water and fire protection to their respective
service areas and to the public schools in the area. These pump stations are the only
source of water to these storage tanks. If one station were to fail, no reliable backup is
available to supply these areas. The proposed waterlines and booster pumping station
will be sized to provide a reliable water supply that meets the required 750 gallons per
minute.
4.0 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The alternatives investigated in the EA were:
• Water Booster Pump Station and Water Distribution
• No Action
5.0 PUBLIC AND AGENCY COORDINATION
On February 28, 2011, the Environmental Assessment. Albemarle to NC
Highway 200 Water Transmission Main, was mailed to federal and state agencies and
the interested public for a 30 -day review and comment period. Comments on the EA
were received from the following:
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Asheville Field Office
• North Carolina Department of Transportation, Transportation Planning Branch
• North Carolina Department of Administration, State Clearinghouse
(Note: This agency is responsible for coordinating North Carolina's review of
Federal environmental document and responding to appropriate Federal
officials on behalf of North Carolina)
5

None of the comments received identified any reasonable alternatives or major
substantive issues that are not already addressed in the EA.
6.0 IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS
The proposed action (Water Booster Pump Station and Water Distribution) is
expected to improve the reliability of water supply to the south and western portions of
Stanly County.
The No Action Alternative would not provide for a reliable water source to the
southern and western sections of Stanly County.
Table 1 summarizes the potential impacts to resources due to the proposed
action (Water Booster Pump Station and Water Distribution).
C�

Table 1. Potential Imaact to Resources ner Alternativp
Alternatives
Resource
Water Booster Pump Station and
No Action
Water Distribution
Water Supply
Meets demands and improves water
p
Does not provide a reliable
supply reliability.
water source.
Land disturbing operations such as
grading and clearing may increase the
No impact on soils, no
Soils
likelihood of erosion and siltation. These
construction would occur, and
potential impacts would be minimized or
the topography would not be
avoided by use of Best Management
altered.
Practices (BMPs).
No Impacts to the floodplains. No culverts
Floodplains
or fill material would be placed in any
No impacts to floodplains
waters or wetlands.
Best Management Practices will be
Water Qualityemployed
throughout project construction;
No construction would occur,
and the water quality would not
no impacts to water quality are expected
as a result of this project.
be altered
No other impacts to air quality are
Under this alternative, no
Air Quality
expected; therefore, the project is not
construction would occur, and
anticipated have any adverse effects on
the air quality would not be
the air quality of the area.
altered.
All noise increases resulting from the
project construction would be temporary
Under this alternative, no
Noise
and of relatively short duration. No long-
construction would occur, and
term adverse noise impacts are
the noise in the stud y area
d
anticipated as a result of the proposed
would remain as it under the
project.
existing conditions.
No construction would occur,
Cultural Resources
No Impacts Expected
and there would be no impact
on an cultural resources.
The proposed action may encounter
contaminated soils in the two noted
Hazardous Waste Sites
areas. If contaminated soil is
No impacts to hazardous
encountered, Best Management Practices
materials.
will be implemented to remediate soil
within the project construction limits.
All disturbed areas would be seeded and
grassed with native species in
Vegetation
accordance with an approved
No Impacts
sedimentation and erosion control plan
including the appropriate BMPs.
Fish and Wildlife
Temporary disturbance during
No Impacts
construction.
Federally Protected Species
No Impact
No Impact
Wetlands
No fill will be placed in wetlands,
No Impact
The area would remain in its
Construction of the proposed action will
existing condition, including an
Socioeconomic
not directly alter the current land uses
unreliable water supply to the
within the project area.
south and western portions of
Stanly County.
Traffic
Minor short-term traffic disruption.
No Impact
The proposed action will have temporary
visual impacts. All disturbed areas would
be graded back to pre -construction
Visual Impacts
contours and revegetated with native
No Impact
vegetation. Best Management Practices
will be used throughout project
construction.

The following paragraphs provide an explanation of why the selected action will have no
significant adverse effects on the quality of the human environment.
Water Supply: The proposed action would provide water infrastructure
improvements alleviating the unreliable backup to supply water in the southern and
western portions of Stanly County.
Soils: Adverse impacts to soils would be avoided by developing and
implementing a Sedimentation and Erosion Control Plan that incorporates the
appropriate Best Management Practices. Following construction, all areas of ground
disturbance would be re -vegetated with native species and returned to pre -construction
contours. Driveway crossings will be returned to pre -construction condition.
Floodplains: The floodplain and stream beds disturbed due to the open cut to
install the waterline will be returned to pre -condition elevations; therefore, no impacts to
floodplains are expected as a result of this project. The proposed action involves
installation of the waterline completely underground. No exposure to the surface would
occur, and no damage from flood flows is anticipated. No culverts or fill material would
be placed in any waters or wetlands.
Surface Hydrology/Water Quality: All construction within the project area
would include the appropriate, approved sedimentation and erosion control plans.
Disturbed areas would be re -vegetated with native species or resurfaced upon
completion of construction. These measures, along with other Best Management
Practices, would minimize the potential impacts of construction. No permanent impacts
to surface hydrology are expected because the following actions will be implemented:
no fill material would be placed in any waters; Best Management Practices will be
implemented during construction of the proposed action; and, the stream bed would be
returned to pre -construction elevations after construction of the proposed action.
Air Quality: Stanly County is located within an attainment area. As necessary,
dust emission would be minimized by spraying water. No other impacts to air quality
are expected; therefore, the project is not anticipated have any adverse effects on the
air quality of the area.
Noise: All noise increases resulting from the project construction would be
temporary and of relatively short duration. No long-term adverse noise impacts are
anticipated as a result of the proposed project.
Cultural Resources: The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has
reviewed this project per provisions of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act. The SHPO noted that they are aware of no historic resources which would be
affected by the project. Therefore, SHPO have no comment on the project as
proposed.

Hazardous Waste Sites: The proposed action may encounter contaminated
soils in the two noted areas. If contaminated soil is encountered, Best Management
Practices will be implemented to remediate soil within the project construction limits.
Any excavated area that includes contaminated soil will be backfilled with `clean'
material to pre -construction ground elevations. The Corps will properly handle and
dispose of any contaminated soil that is encountered during project construction.
Vegetation: All disturbed areas would be seeded and grassed with native
species in accordance with an approved sedimentation and erosion control plan
including the appropriate Best Management Practices. There will be no adverse effects
to vegetation.
Fish and Wildlife: No negative impacts to the aquatic community are expected
to occur from the proposed action. As previously stated, all stream beds disturbed due
to the open cut to install the waterline will be returned to pre -condition. During
construction increased noise may disturb wildlife in the local area. Construction -related
noise would be temporary and negligible. Existing sound conditions would resume
following the completion of construction activities.
Federally Protected Species: No natural heritage resources have been
documented in the project impact area. The proposed action is not expected to impact
any state or federally listed threatened or endangered federal species of concern or
candidate species. No impacts to protected species would result from implementation
of the proposed action.
Wetlands: With the proposed action, there will be no impacts to the delineated
wetland. No fill would be placed in wetlands.
Socioeconomic: The proposed action would not adversely affect man-made
resources, community cohesion, public facilities and services, employment, tax value,
property value, community growth, regional growth, or displacement of people, and
businesses or farms. The proposed action would provide betterment to the community
by: providing public facilities and services to the area (reliable water source); providing
employment opportunities in areas related to project construction; and increasing
property values with the access to water and with a reliable water source in the area.
The proposed action has the potential to contribute to community growth.
Traffic: Construction of the proposed action would affect traffic. A Traffic
Control Plan, developed by the construction contractor, will comply with NCDOT
requirements. This plan would be used, as necessary, during the approximated one-
year construction period. Impacts would be temporary, and traffic patterns would return
to normal following project construction.
Visual Impacts: The proposed action will have temporary visual impacts, but
there will be no long-term visual impacts. All disturbed areas would be graded back to
pre -construction contours and revegetated with native vegetation following construction
0

of. the water main. Best Management Practices will be used throughout project
construction to limit any impacts to the viewshed.
Environmental Justice: The proposed action alternative would not result in any
disproportionate placement of high and adverse environmental or health effects on
minority or low-income populations.
Cumulative Impacts: Installation of the water distribution lines will make future
growth and development in the area more likely. There are no reasonable, foreseeable
future actions within the project study area at this time. The effects of the proposed
action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions
should be negligible.
7.0 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
I have read the Environmental Assessment Albemarle to NC Highway 200 Water
Transmission Main, the information provided by interested parties, and the information
contained in this Finding of No Significant Impact, and I find the proposed Albemarle to
NC Highway 200 Water Transmission Main will not significantly affect the quality of the
human environment. Therefore, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
pursuant to Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended, is not required.
DATE:q � /!
?Jeerson M. Rysca age
Colonel, U.S. Army
District Commander
10

APPENDIX A
Comments Received and Responses

Comments Received on Environmental Assessment, Albemarle to NC
Highway 200 Water Transmission Main, dated February 2011
A.1 Federal Agencies
United States Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service,
Asheville Field Office
Comment: We concur with the survey results and we agree that no listed
species or their habitats occur on the site. The requirements under section 7 of
the Act are fulfilled.
Response: Comment noted.
A.2 State Agencies
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Comment 1: The directional bore stream crossing method should be used
wherever practicable, and the open cut stream crossing method should be used
only when water level is low and stream flow is minimal.
Response: The directional bore stream crossing method will be used at Big
Bear Creek crossing. All other crossing will involve an open cut of the stream
channel with temporary dewatering to install the water line.
Comment 2: Pesticides (including insecticides and herbicides) should not be
used for maintenance of rights-of-way within 100 feet of perennial streams and
50 feet of intermittent streams, or within floodplains and wetlands associated with
these streams.
Response: Comment noted.
Comment 3: Sediment and erosion control measures should be installed prior to
any land clearing or construction. These measures should be routinely inspected
and properly maintained. Excessive silt and sediment loads can have numerous
detrimental effects on aquatic resources including destruction of spawning
habitat, suffocation of eggs, and clogging of gills of aquatic species.
Response: Appropriate best management practices for sedimentation and
erosion control will be implemented prior land clearing per the approved
sedimentation and erosion control plan which will be implemented as part of
project construction. Additionally, all conditions for the Section 404 Nationwide
Permit 12 and corresponding 401 Water Quality Certification will be

implemented. By properly adhering to these conditions, any impacts to streams
will be short-term and minimal in nature.
Comment 4: The applicant indicates the primary purpose of the project is to
improve water supply reliability in this section of the county; however, installation
of the water distribution lines will allow for some future growth and development.
Therefore, this project has the potential to result in secondary and cumulative
impacts. We encourage Stanly County to consider integrating measures to
address issues of development and its impact on water quality and aquatic and
terrestrial wildlife habitat before degradation of area streams occurs. Adopting
ordinances that protect wide forested riparian corridors and the 100 -year
floodplain and that adequately treat storm water in development areas in and
outside of water supply areas are essential to protect water quality and aquatic
habitat in developing landscapes. Measures to address the issues of
development can be found in NCWRC's Guidance Memorandum to Address and
Mitigate Secondary and Cumulative Impacts to Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife
Resources and Water Quality (August 2002; http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg07
Wild lifeSpeciesCon/pg7c3 impacts.pdf) The NCWRC's Green Growth Toolbox
(http://www.ncwildlife.org/Green Growth/index.htm) provides information on
nature -friendly planning.
Response: The EA meets the requirements of NEPA related to the analysis of
cumulative impacts due to the implementation of the proposed project.
Construction of the proposed action is not expected to directly alter the current
land uses within the project area. Growth in any community is highly influenced
by the availability of infrastructure ranging from water and sewer lines to roads
and electrical power. Currently, development in the project area relies upon
wells for water and a septic system for sewage treatment. Although water will be
more readily available to the area, treatment of sewage would continue to limit
any development in the area since there is no sewer system in the area, and an
appropriate septic system will be required. If any development were to occur in
the area, it is expected that the action would be a low level impact with residential
development of 0.5 to 1 acre in size or greater, and dependent upon installation
of an approved septic system. Installation of the water distribution lines may
make future growth and development in the area more likely - if other
infrastructure factors also contribute to growth.
Stanly County has an existing LAND USE PLAN and WATERSHED
PROTECTION ORDINANCE. Stanly County is an attractive and livable place to
live, work, and play. The Land Use Plan is intended to identify a vision for the
county that protects its resources—both natural and man-made—while managing
long-range growth and development. The Land Use Plan will consider the long-
range needs of Stanly County's municipalities to ensure coordinated
development in urban and rural areas.

Stanly County' Watershed protection ordinance requires a vegetative buffer for
development activities along all perennial waters indicated on the most recent
versions of U.S.G.S. 1:24,000 (7.5 minute) scale topographic maps or as
determined by local government studies. The ordinance also addresses Erosion
and Sedimentation Control. An approved Sedimentation and Erosion Control
Plan is required for development activities. The plan must incorporate Best
Management Practices (BMP) to reduce nonpoint source inputs to receiving
waters in order to achieve water quality protection goals. The plan must be
approved by the local agency administering a Sedimentation and Erosion Control
Ordinance or by the N.C. Division of Land Quality.
North Carolina Division of Air Quality
Comment: No permit required. Observe NC open burning land clearing
regulation.
Response: This regulation will be implemented.
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Comment: Please refer to the 2003 Stanley County Thoroughfare Plan for any
recommendations that may be considered for any of these locations.
Response: The 2003 Stanley County Thoroughfare Plan was reviewed during
the planning process. There are transportation improvements proposed along
Ridgecress (SR 1227) and NC 73. These roads were identified as part of the
Stanly County's Thoroughfare Plan study that have substandard widths and,
based on the volume of traffic on the road, are recommended to be widened to
12 -foot lanes. These improvements have been considered in the project design.
There are no improvements anticipated along Austin Road (SR 1214), Canton
Road (SR 1249) or Bost Road (SR 1257). This project is not anticipated to have
any impacts on this project.