20141169 All Versions_Information Letter_20110818

US 17
SECTION 4041 NEPA MERGER PROCESS CONCURRENCE AGREEMENT
CONCURRENCE POINT 4A: AVOIDANCE & MINIMIZATION
NORTH OF MAYSVILLE TO SOUTH OF POLLOCKSVILLE (SECTION C)
US 17, NCDOT Divisions 2 & 3, Onslow & Jones Counties
TIP Project No. R-2514BCD
TIP Description : The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes a combination of
widening, bypasses of Belgrade, Maysville, and Pollocksville on new location, and other improvements to
the existing US 17 roadway from multilanes north of Jacksonville (R-2514A) to multilanes south of New
Bern (R-2301, the New Bern Bypass) to create a four-lane divided facility.
Avoidance & Minimization : The jurisdictional impacts for Section C have been avoided and
minimized to the maximum extent practicable based on preliminary design plans dated July 6, 2011 that
were presented during the August 18, 2011 CP4A Concurrence Meeting by utilizing vertical adjustments,
3-to-I slopes in wetlands, and locating service roads and turnarounds in non-jurisdictional areas. We will
review the location of the turnaround in the vicinity of Wetland 93 and will continue discussions at the
CP4B Hydraulic Design Review Meeting. The impacts presented during this meeting were based upon
final surveys, which generated a refinement in the vertical alignment and the construction footprint. The
impact footprint includes the slope stake lines plus 25 feet.
The relocations and impacts to the Community of Chadwick have been minimized by widening on the
east side of US 17. Although widening on the east side generated additional impacts to the Croatan
National Forest and the J. Nathan Foscue Farm, it generated approximately 80% fewer relocations than
widening on the west side.
NCDOT will construct a Wildlife Underpass on US 17 between Maysville and Chadwick, which will
provide a physical connection and accommodate the natural movements of black bear and other large and
medium-sized mammals between the Hofmann Forest and the Croatan National Forest. Biologists and
wildlife experts believe that this location is critical to the long-term health of the black bear population in
the central Coastal Plain. The underpass should decrease vehicle-animal collisions and improve traffic
safety for the public. NCDOT and the stakeholders met and determined that dual bridges with a span
length of 120 feet would be constructed with a 60-foot minimum bottom width and a minimum vertical
clearance of 10 feet.
The Merger Process Team met on August 18, 2011 and concurs with the avoidance and
minimization measures for the proposed improvements to Section C of this project.
USACE
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USEP.
Christopher Militscher Date
NOAA
Ron Sechler Date
NCWRCI._L_?.S/ eit
Travis Wilson Date
NCDMF
Jessi Baker Date
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USFWS J' / 2ct1
Gary 1 rdan Dale
USFS
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NCDWQ David Wainwright Dee
NCDCM C? if/I d111
Sieve Sollod Date
NCDCR
Renee Gledhill-Earley Date
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Mark Pierce, P.E. Date