20141169 All Versions_Other Agency Comments_20111108

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WILMINGTON DISTRICT CORPS OF ENGINEERS �v�
Washington Regulatory Field Office 11`p4441' OFy�y ZQ
Post Office Box 1000 „^ lk
Washington North Carolina 27889 1000 AN��r�QQV
IN REPLY REFER TO °�M0 F e
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October 31, 2011
Gregory J Thorpe PhD
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 -1548
Action ID SAW 1998 03519 / SAW 2008 00528
Dear Dr Thorpe
Reference your request for comments on the State Final Environmental Impact Statement
(SFEIS) for the proposed US 17 improvements from existing SR 1330 (Deppe Loop Road) to
SR 1439 (Springhill Road) , beginning south of Belgrade in Onslow County passing north
through Jones County to the New Bern Bypass at the Jones and Craven County line (TIP No R
2514 Sections B, C, D)
The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) has reviewed the subject document and is providing
comments in accordance with Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) The Corps is responsible for the
issuance of any permits required under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act where impacts to
jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the United States may occur
Review of the submitted document indicates that jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the US
will be impacted by the proposed improvements of US 17 As such the Corps submits the
following comments for your review
1 This project is planned and currently in the 404/NEPA Merger Process The USACE is a
participant in the Process and will continue to work as a member of the team j
2 The US 17 improvement project corridor was delineated and reviewed for the presence of
jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the US A preliminary jurisdictional determination
(JD) was issued by the Corps in January 2009 With the selection of Alternate 2A in
Section B as the LEDPA, some areas of wetlands were not entirely covered by the
preliminary JD and require further analysis and possibly re- calculation of impacts
3 A Merger Team meeting (CP4a) was held on April 12, 201 Ito discuss the avoidance and
minimization measures for Section B, Alternative 2A (Maysville Bypass) Conditional
concurrence was reached by the team for Alternative 2A, pending analysis of areas near
the southern terminus for further opportunities for avoidance and minimization This

work is still in progress, and any changes in the calculations of impacts should be noted in
the Record of Decision if available
4 The SFEIS impact summary table (Table S 2) does not reflect the most recent Section
404 final avoidance and minimization measures for two of the three preferred
alternatives Specifically data in Table S 2, Alternatives 2A and 3, Streams and
`jurisdictional wetlands' has changed since the SFEIS was submitted for review The
Corps requests that the Record of Decision accurately reflect the final avoidance and
minimization calculations and commitments agreed by the Merger Team
The US Army Corps of Engineers appreciates the opportunity to review this document If you
have any questions concerning these comments please call Tom Steffens at 910 251 4615 The
Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public To help
us ensure we continue to do so, please complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at
http / /per2 nwp usace army mil /survey html <http / /per2 nwp usace army mil /surve html> to
complete the survey online
Cc
Chris Milrtscher USEPA Region 4
John Sullivan FHWA
Clarence Coleman FHWA
Rob Ridings NCDWQ
David Wainwright NCDWQ
Travis Wilson NCWRC
Gary Jordan USFWS