20011102 Ver 1_Public Notice_20120301

The Wilmington District Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application from the North
Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regarding a potential future requirement for
Department of the Army (DA) authorization to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of
the United States associated with construction of a bypass on new location on the southwest side
of Havelock and U S 70 The proposed bypass begins near US 70 and Hickman Hill Loop Road
(SRI 760) north of the Havelock city limits and extends southeast of the intersection of US 70 and
McCotter Boulevard (SRI 824) near the Craven Carteret County line
Specific alignment alternatives and location information are described below and shown on the
attached plans This Public Notice and all attached plans are also available on the Wilmington
District Web Site at
httR///www saw usace army mil/Wetlands/Notices /Current notices html
Applicant North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Attn Dr Gregory J Thorpe Manager
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699 1548
Authority
The Corps will evaluate this application to compare alternatives that have been carried forward
for detailed study pursuant to applicable procedures of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U S C 1344)
In order to more fully integrate Section 10 and Section 404 permit requirements with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and to give careful consideration to our required public
interest review and 404(b)(1) compliance determination the Corps is soliciting public comment
on the merits of this proposal and on the alternatives evaluated in the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) of September 26 2011
At the close of this comment period the District Commander will evaluate and consider the
comments received as well as the expected adverse and beneficial effects of the proposed road
construction to select the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative (LEDPA) The
District Commander is not authorizini; construction of the proposed project at this time A final
DA permit may be issued only after our review process is complete impacts to the aquatic
environment have been minimized to the maximum extent practicable and a compensatory
mitigation plan for unavoidable impacts has been approved

Location
The proposed bypass begins near US 70 and Hickman Hill Loop Road (SR1760) north of the
Havelock city limits and extends southeast of the intersection of US 70 and McCotter Boulevard
(SRI 824) near the Craven Carteret County line (see Exhibit 1)
The proposed project area is located south of and parallel to the existing US 70 highway corridor
from northwest of the city of Havelock running approximately 10 miles to the southeast near the
Craven Carteret County line The project area includes areas of the Croatan National Forest No
portion of the project area is located within the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (MCAS)
boundaries The midpoint of the project is located at Latitude 34 879955 N Longitude
76 939166 W
Existing Site Conditions
The project area is located in the central portion of the Coastal Plain region of North Carolina and
is predominately characterized by areas of pine flatwoods and nonriverine swamps Elevations
average between 30 feet above mean sea level (MSL) in uplands to approximately 5 feet MSL in
marshes and floodplains along streams Existing land uses in the project area are primarily a
combination of residential light industrial and retail along the existing US 70 corridor adjacent to
the City of Havelock and MCAS Cherry Point Parts of the project area pass through portions of
the Croatan National Forest located to the south and west of the City of Havelock Water
resources within the project area are part of the Neuse River Basin (Hydrologic Unit 03020204)
Named streams within the project area include East Prong Slocum Creek Southwest Prong
Slocum Creek Black Swamp and Tucker Creek Aquatic communities identified in the project
area include a total of 25 streams and unnamed tributaries considered to be jurisdictional surface
waters as well as 91 jurisdictional wetlands
Applicant's Stated Purpose
The applicants stated purpose for the proposed project is to improve the traffic operations for
regional and statewide traffic along the US 70 corridors and to enhance the ability of US 70 to
serve the regional transportation function in accordance with the Strategic Highway Corridors
Plan
Project Description
The project is identified as NCDOT TIP # R 1015 and the following description of work is taken
from data provided by the applicant NCDOT proposes to construct a bypass of US 70 in
Havelock Craven County from approximately one mile west of the existing US 70 /SR 1760
(Hickman Hill Loop Road) intersection to southeast of the US 70 /SR 1824 (McCotter Boulevard)
intersection The bypass is proposed to the west of existing US 70 The proposed US 70 Bypass
is approximately 9 9 to 10 9 miles in length (depending upon alternative) The bypass is
proposed as a four lane median divided full control of access facility on new location The
proposed right of way is a minimum 250 feet for all Build Alternatives The proposed facility
has a design speed of 70 miles per hour (see Exhibit 2)
Detailed Study Alternatives
Four alternatives have been evaluated in detail by the applicant and are named as follows
Detailed Study Alternatives 1 2 and 3 plus the No Build Alternative (see Exhibits 3a 3d)
2

Detailed Study Alternatives 1 2 and 3 are each new location corridors providing a controlled
access four lane divided freeway Along each of the alternatives bridges are proposed to cross
over the Southwest Prong of Slocum Creek and the East Prong of Slocum Creek A reinforced
concrete box culvert is proposed at the crossing of a tributary of Tucker Creek The Detailed
Study Alternatives are described below
Detailed Study Alternative 1 shares a common corridor with Alternatives 2 and 3 at both ends of
the project At the southeastern terminus of the project all alternatives interchange with existing
US 70 southeast of SR 1824 (McCotter Boulevard) This location allows the bypass to extend
beyond the developed areas of Havelock and to shadow an existing cleared power transmission
line easement near existing US 70 It also avoids a large natural wetland area in the Croatan
National Forest to the south At the northwestern terminus of the project the alternatives
interchange with existing US 70 dust west of SR 1760 (Hickman Hill Loop Road) This location
allows this end of the bypass to extend beyond the developed areas of Havelock with sufficient
distance between the proposed interchange with existing US 70 and the North Carolina Railroad
so the bypass can be elevated to cross over the railroad The proposed bypass crosses the upper
reaches of Tucker Creek approximately 4 400 feet south of the North Carolina Railroad Here
the common corridor shared by Alternatives 1 2 and 3 turns east and continues approximately
6 000 feet to a Croatan National Forest (CNF) access road
At the CNF access road Alternative 1 turns to the southwest Alternative 1 continues southward
along the western side of the CNF access road approximately 7 500 feet before turning southeast
and crossing the Southwest Prong of Slocum Creek approximately 1 400 feet south of the
southern end of SR 1791 (Pulley Road) After crossing the Southwest Prong of Slocum Creek
Alternative 1 continues approximately 5 000 feet southeastward to the interchange with SR 1756
(Lake Road)
Alternative 1 includes a proposed interchange with SR 1756 (Lake Road) which is located
approximately 5 900 feet southwest of the Lake Road grade crossing of the North Carolina
Railroad From the proposed Lake Road interchange Alternative 1 continues southeastward over
a grade separation at the Camp Lejeune Railroad and along the south side of a cleared power
transmission line easement before crossing over the East Prong of Slocum Creek Approximately
3 000 feet east of the East Prong of Slocum Creek Alternative 1 turns further eastward to cross
over the North Carolina Railroad and the power transmission line easement
Detailed Study Alternative 2 shares common alignment at the north end with Alternatives 1 and
3 Heading south Alternative 2 departs to its individual alignment near the CNF access road and
continues southeastward approximately 8 600 feet before crossing SR 1747 (Sunset Drive) at a
proposed grade separation Alternative 2 continues approximately 2 100 feet southeastward
crossing the Southwest Prong of Slocum Creek before crossing SR 1746 (Gray Road) at another
proposed grade separation Approximately 2 000 feet southeast of Gray Road Alternative 2
crosses SR 1756 (Lake Road) at a proposed interchange The proposed Alternative 2 interchange
at Lake Road is located approximately 2 000 feet southwest of the Lake Road grade crossing of
the North Carolina Railroad After crossing SR 1756 (Lake Road) Alternative 2 parallels the
southern side of a cleared power transmission line easement for approximately 7 000 feet before
crossing the East Prong of Slocum Creek East of the creek crossing Alternative 2 rejoins
Alternatives 1 and 3 to continue southeastward to existing US 70
Detailed Study Alternative 3 turns southwest from Alternative 2 approximately 2 600 feet
southeast of the CNF access road crossing Alternative 3 continues along the eastern side of a
cleared power transmission line easement to a grade separation at SR 1747 (Sunset Drive)
3

Approximately 740 feet southeast of SR 1747 the corridor crosses over the Southwest Prong of
Slocum Creek Approximately 3 000 feet past the crossing of the Southwest Prong of Slocum
Creek Alternative 3 turns back to the southeast before rejoining Alternative 1 at the interchange
with SR 1756 (Lake Road)
No Build Alternative Several intersections along existing US 70 through Havelock currently
operate at an undesirable level of service The No Build Alternative would allow traffic
congestion to increase leading to a greater breakdown of traffic service along this section of US
70 In addition the goals of the project which include improving the level of service for local
regional and statewide traffic along the US 70 corridor and enhancing the ability of US 70 to
serve the regional transportation function in accordance with the Strategic Highway Corridors
Plan would not be realized A No Build Alternative is not consistent with adopted local regional
and State transportation plans
Cost Estimates and Schedule
Preliminary cost estimates for the Detailed Study Alternatives are presented in Table 1 below
Table 1
Preliminary Cost Estimates
The project is scheduled for right of way to begin in fiscal year 2013 and construction to begin in
fiscal year 2015
Waters of the United States
The three project study corridors contain 25 streams and unnamed tributaries considered to be
jurisdictional surface waters under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act The majority of streams
delineated in the field are subject to Neuse River Basin Buffer Rules Based on field
investigations the project study corridors also contain 91 jurisdictional wetlands Tables 2 and 3
summarize areas of jurisdictional streams and wetlands located within each of the three bypass
alternatives The impacts are based on the 1 000 foot study corridor width for each alternative
Areas for National Forest System lands are presented separately Because the impacts shown
correspond to corridor widths actual impacts once final design is completed should be
considerably less
El
Study Corridor
� ;Alt 3
Length (miles)
1085
991
1031
Construction
$156 400 000
$138 800,000
$149 600 000
Utility Relocation
$1 600 000
$2 800 000
$2 800 000
Right of Way
$9 800 000
$29 000 000
$1060000
Total
$167,800,000
$170,600,000
$163,000,000
The project is scheduled for right of way to begin in fiscal year 2013 and construction to begin in
fiscal year 2015
Waters of the United States
The three project study corridors contain 25 streams and unnamed tributaries considered to be
jurisdictional surface waters under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act The majority of streams
delineated in the field are subject to Neuse River Basin Buffer Rules Based on field
investigations the project study corridors also contain 91 jurisdictional wetlands Tables 2 and 3
summarize areas of jurisdictional streams and wetlands located within each of the three bypass
alternatives The impacts are based on the 1 000 foot study corridor width for each alternative
Areas for National Forest System lands are presented separately Because the impacts shown
correspond to corridor widths actual impacts once final design is completed should be
considerably less
El

Table 2
Jurisdictional Impacts (Total within Project Study Area)
Table 3
Jurisdictional Impacts (National Forest System Lands only)
Streams
In comparing potential stream impacts for the Detailed Study Alternative corridors (1 000 foot
width) Alternative 1 has an estimated 12 764 linear feet of estimated potential stream impacts
Alternative 2 has an estimated 16 822 linear feet of estimated potential stream impacts and
Alternative 3 has an estimated 10 271 linear feet of estimated potential stream impacts
On NFS lands the Alternative 1 corridor has potential stream impacts of 5 906 linear feet
Alternative 2 has potential stream impacts of 10 897 linear feet and Alternative 3 has potential
stream impacts of 5 714 linear feet
Wetlands
Table 2 indicates potential wetland impacts for the Detailed Study Alternative corridors (1 000
foot width) In comparing potential impacts for the study corridor of each alternative Alternative
1 has 633 9 acres of potential wetland impact Alternative 2 has 473 5 acres of potential wetland
G
3
J,ursdtetronal
X Stu4ptorrlr"
A
viw,yAreas
A lt 1
Alt 2
Roil-
��ilt 33 ,
Wetlands
(acres)
463 3 ac
396 1 ac
507 1 ac
Streams
0 8 ac
1 3 ac
0 7 ac
(in acres)
Streams
(linear feet)
5 9061f
10 8971f
5 714 if
Streams
In comparing potential stream impacts for the Detailed Study Alternative corridors (1 000 foot
width) Alternative 1 has an estimated 12 764 linear feet of estimated potential stream impacts
Alternative 2 has an estimated 16 822 linear feet of estimated potential stream impacts and
Alternative 3 has an estimated 10 271 linear feet of estimated potential stream impacts
On NFS lands the Alternative 1 corridor has potential stream impacts of 5 906 linear feet
Alternative 2 has potential stream impacts of 10 897 linear feet and Alternative 3 has potential
stream impacts of 5 714 linear feet
Wetlands
Table 2 indicates potential wetland impacts for the Detailed Study Alternative corridors (1 000
foot width) In comparing potential impacts for the study corridor of each alternative Alternative
1 has 633 9 acres of potential wetland impact Alternative 2 has 473 5 acres of potential wetland
G

impact and Alternative 3 has 613 7 acres of potential wetland impact On NFS lands Alternative
1 has 463 3 acres of potential wetland impacts Alternative 2 has 396 1 acres of potential wetland
impacts and Alternative 3 has 507 1 acres of potential wetland impacts
Floodplams
Encroachment on the 100 year floodplains of Tucker Creek the Southwest Prong of Slocum
Creek and the East Prong of Slocum Creek is required by each of the proposed bypass
alternatives Table 4 indicates the approximate area of 100 year floodplain encroachment at each
crossing based on a preliminary design right of way width The table also indicates the reduction
to anticipated floodplain impacts due to the bridges proposed at the Southwest Prong of Slocum
Creek and the East Prong of Slocum Creek
Table 4 (Right of Way Width)
Estimated 100 Year Floodplain Encroachments (Acres)
Alt
Tucker Cr
ACross><n
VHSCI Prong
ossi n
E Prong
Crossm
-F � , �
ftT Less Br> ges�
Rol'
k, To l
1
12 (0 5)*
4 8 (3 9)*
4 1 (3 3)*
88
1 3
2
12 (0 5)*
32(32 )*
45(17)*
75
14
3
1 12 (0 5)*
1 5 0 (5 0)*
4 1 (3 3)*
86
16
* (Acres within Croatan National Forest)
The NCDOT Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the N C Floodplam Mapping Program (FMP)
to determine the status of the project with regard to applicability of NCDOT s Memorandum of
Agreement or approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent final
Letter of Map Revision (LOMB)
Essential Fish Habitat
This notice initiates the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation requirements of the Magnuson
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act The Corps initial determination is that the
proposed project will not adversely impact EFH or associated fisheries managed by the South
Atlantic or Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Councils or the National Marine Fisheries Service
Cultural Resources
The potential of the Havelock Bypass to impact cultural resources was evaluated in accordance
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended Potential effects
were determined using Criteria for Effect and Adverse Effect (36 CFR 800 9) developed by the
Advisory Council on Historic preservation
Historic Architecture Resources
The State Historic Preservation Office has concurred in a letter dated August 31 1994 that the
Needham B White House is the only property in the project study area listed in or eligible for
listing in the National Register of Historic Places This property located along existing US 70 in
Havelock is not within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of any of the bypass alternatives
0

On December 5 2006 the NCDOT the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the
SHPO met for a consultation concerning the project bypass alternatives There were no properties
over fifty years old within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) considered eligible for the National
Register Furthermore there are no properties within the APE which are considered to have
achieved historic significance within the past 50 years
Archaeological Resources
The archaeological background study and field reconnaissance of the bypass alternatives entitled
Archaeological Background Report US 70 Havelock Bypass Craven County North Carolina
(Greg C Smith 1997) indicates there were no known archaeological sites in the vicinity of the
bypass alternatives listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) The study indicated seven previously recorded archaeological sites within Alternatives
1 2 and 3 Two of these sites (31 CV 164* * and 31 CV 170* *) located on National Forest System
lands at the edge of Alternative 3 (the Preferred Alternative) were recommended for further
testing to determine if they are eligible for listing
In 1999 an intensive terrestrial archaeological survey of the high probability soil within the
Alternative 3 (the Preferred Alternative) Area of Potential Effect (APE = 327 acres) was
conducted (Smith et al 2000) The two previously recorded archaeological sites (Sites
31 CV 164 ** and 31CV170 * *) recommended for further testing were found and evaluated during
the course of the intensive survey Site 31CV164 ** was investigated and recommended as not
eligible for the NRHP Site 31CV170 ** was not fully assessed because its location was
considered outside the project limits however it was recommended as eligible for the NRHP per
Criterion A according to its archaeological site form on file at the Office of State Archaeology
As a result of the terrestrial survey 15 previously unrecorded archaeological sites were
discovered Subsurface testing demonstrated that 14 of the sites do not exhibit characteristics that
would make them eligible for listing in the NRHP However Site 31CV302 (located on National
Forest System lands) was found to contain intact subsurface deposits that have the potential to
contribute new information regarding regional prehistory therefore Site 31CV302 is
recommended as eligible for the NRHP per Criterion D Ina letter dated December 22 2004 the
SHPO concurred with these findings
Based on current design plans Site 31CV170 ** and Site 31CV302 will be avoided however if
design plans change and avoidance is not possible then mitigation efforts will be conducted prior
to construction activities If data recovery investigations are needed at least nine months will be
needed for these investigations prior to construction
Two cemeteries (Rowe Family Cemetery [31CV300 * *] and Wynne Family Cemetery
[31CV301 * *] neither located on National Forest System lands) have been recorded within the
project vicinity Based on current design plans neither cemetery is located within the Area of
Potential Effect therefore there will be no impacts to either cemetery However if design plans
change prior to construction and avoidance is no longer possible then relocation in accordance
with existing State statutes is appropriate
7

Endangered Species
Federal Threatened and Endangered species with the federal classification of Endangered
(E) Threatened (T) or officially Proposed (P) for such listing are protected under
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (16 U S C 1531 1543)
The following table shows federal protected species that are listed for the project study
area for Craven County as of September 22 2010 and Carteret County as of March 21
2011 (USFWS list) Species are listed with their status and biological conclusion
Federally Protected Species in Craven and Carteret Counties
(USFWS County List Updates Craven — 22 September 2010 Carteret — 21 March 2011)
Common Name
ScientifiName
1'lei, , A
Federal
5tatus�
County b
Present s
Biological Conclusion
Shortnose sturgeon
Act enser brevirostrum
E
Ca
No Effect
American alligator
Alligator mississi iensts
T(S /A)
Cr Ca
Not Required
Loggerhead sea turtle
Caretta caretta
T
Ca
No Effect
Green sea turtle
Chelonia mydas
T
Ca
No Effect
Leatherback sea turtle
Dermochel s coriacea
E
Cr Ca
No Effect
Hawksbill sea turtle
Eretmochel s imbricata
E
Ca
No Effect
Kemp s ridley sea turtle
Le idochel s kem u
E
Ca
No Effect
Piping plover
Charadrius melodus
T
Ca
No Effect
Red cockaded woodpecker
Picoides borealis
E
Cr Ca
Unresolved
Roseate tern
Sterna dou allu dou allu
T
Ca
No Effect
West Indian manatee
Trichechus manatus
E
Cr Ca
No Effect
Sensitivejomtvetch
nomene vtr ica
Aeschy m
T
Cr
No Effect
Seabeach amaranth
Amaranthus pumdus
T
Ca
No Effect
Rough leaved loosestrife
Lysimachia asperulaefolia
E
Cr Ca
Not Likely to Adversely
Affect
E Endangered T Threatened T(S /A) Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance
" Cr Craven County Ca Carteret County
Surveys for federally listed species will be updated as needed as the project progresses A
biological conclusion for red cockaded woodpeckers will be rendered once a preferred alternative
has been selected
Proposed Endangered Threatened and Sensitive (PETS) Species
In addition to plant and animal species receiving protection under the Endangered Species Act
the U S Forest Service (USFS) maintains their own list of Proposed Endangered Threatened
and Sensitive (PETS) species for the Croatan National Forest (CNF) and considers these species
when determining impacts to National Forest System (NFS) lands Since all of the study
alternatives cross NFS lands a special use permit from the USFS will be required to provide the
lands for the proposed project Prior to approving a special use permit for the project the USFS
requires that the project study area be evaluated for PETS species Surveys for PETS will be
updated as the project progresses )An update of the PETS species analysis was conducted to
address the latest (October 2010) USFS PETS species list Results of the analysis included

dropping 28 PETS plant species and 57 PETS animal species from consideration because no
suitable habitat (sandhills marl outcrops ocean beach tidal swamps and marshes maritime
forest etc ) is present within or in close proximity to any of the study alternatives No
documented occurrences of these species are present within or in close proximity to any of the
study alternatives The following tables list the 70 PETS plant species and the 34 PETS animal
species that have documented occurrences or for which potential habitat are present in at least one
of the alternatives These tables also list if potential direct and /or indirect impacts are anticipated
PETS Plant Species for which Potential Habitat is Present
Common Name
y
ca v
° d
d .a
Z —`
w
w Z
w tC
d 2
U
V) v
c
Potential Effects
Documented on NFS
Lands within Project
Alternative n
Documented on NFS
Lands between
Project Alternative
m US 70 n
M
a
U
Ca
a
n
E
_
E
c
>
aEi
>
ayEi
>
aEi
>
arEi
>
ayEi
d
>
ayEi
Q
Rough leaved loosestnfe
E
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Many flower grass pink
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Savanna campylopus
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Small spreading pogoma
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Venus flytrap
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Hall s pocket moss
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
I No
No
No
No
Pondspice
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Boykin s lobeha
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Raven s seedbox
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Loomis s loosestnfe
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Birds in a nest (Carolina bogmmt)
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Narrowleafcowlily
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Piedmont cowbane
S
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
I Yes
No I
Yes
Carolina grass of parnassus
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Pmeland plantain
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yellow fringeless orchid
S
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Hooker s milkwort
S
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Short bristled beaksedge
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Southern white beaksedge
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Thorne s beaksedge
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Grassleafarrowhead
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Carolina goldenrod
S
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Spring flowering goldenrod
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fitzgerald s peatmoss
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Florida peatmoss
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Giant spiral orchid
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Piedmont meadowrue
S
I Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Carolina asphodel
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Branched gerardia
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Tall bentgrass
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Bog bluestem
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Chapman s three awn
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Savanna milkweed
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Stalked milkweed
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
White Doll s lily
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
0

Common Name
Y
6�L
V)
ro v
a
Z w
w Z
E
2
d T N
C U
7 d S
O
Potential Effects
Documented on NFS
Lands within Project
Alternative n
Documented on NFS
Lands between
Project Alternative
and Existing US 70 n
n
8
Q
N
U
is
N
>
N
>
N
>
N
>
E
>
E
>
N
Widow sedge
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Emmon s sedge
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Hop like sedge
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Leconte s thistle
LR
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Spring coral root
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Beadle s coreopsis
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Carolina sunrose
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Fernald s tick trefoil
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Hidden flowered witch grass
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Eaton s witch grass
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Comfortroot
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Catchfly cutgrass
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Le/eunea bermudiana (a liverwort)
LR
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Florida adder s mouth
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Shortleaf basket grass
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Mudbank crown grass
LR
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Spoonflower
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Hairy smartweed
LIZ
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Small butterwort
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Plagiochila ludoviaciana (a liverwort)
LR
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Plagiochila miradorensis var miradorensis (a
liverwort
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Snowy orchid
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Shadow witch
LR
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dwarf live oak
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Canby s bulrush
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Drooping bulrush
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Baldwin s nutrush
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
One flower hardscale
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Leavenworth s goldenrod
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Twisted leaf goldenrod
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Giant peatmoss
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Eaton s ladies tresses
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Dwarf bladderwort
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Florida yellow eyed grass
LR
Yes
I No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
A yellow eyed grass
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Total Species
9
11
9
161'5
16
12
18
USFS Status E — Endangered LR — Locally Rare S — Sensitive T — Threatened T S/A — Ihreatened due to Similarity of
Appearance
n Documentation based on data provided by USFS NCNHP and occurrences documented during field surveys
10

PETS Animal Species for which Potential Habitat is Present
Common Name
V1
o
-�
z Z
w
E z
2
C T N
S
E
Potential Effects
Documented on NFS
ands within Pro Jec
Alternative n
Documented on NFS
ands between Project
Alternative and Existing
S 70 b
Q
n
2
C
y
O
>
R
aYEi
>
cd
�
>
A
�
>
i6
v
>
ttl
a�i
>
i0
Mammals
afinesque s big eared bat
S
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
es
Yes
Yes
Southeastern myotis
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
es
No
Yes
Eastern woodrat (coastal plain population)
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Birds
Red cockaded woodpecker
E
IYes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
es
Bald eagle
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
0
No
No
Bachman s sparrow
LR
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Eastern Henslow s sparrow
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
0
No
No
No
Black throated green warbler (coastal plain
population)
LR
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Black necked stilt
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Reptiles and Amphibians
American alligator
T S/A
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Mimic glass lizard
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Carolina gopher frog
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Southern hognose snake
LR
Yes
Yes
lYes
Yes
lVes
Yes
Yes
IYes
Yes
Glossy crayfish snake
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
0
No
Black swamp snake
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Insects
rogos skipper
S
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
NO
Duke s skipper
S
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
o
Venus flytrap cutworm moth
S
es
o
0
0
0
0
o
o
Carter s noctuid moth
S
o
0
0
0
0
0
o
VNoNo
o
Little metalmark
LR
es
o
es
o
es
es
es
Yes
Cypress daggermoth
R
o
0
0
0
0
0
o
o
cronzcta smescrtpta (a dagger moth)
R
o
0
0
0
0
0
0
grows carohna (a dart moth)
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
NO
0
No
Dusky roadside skipper
LR
Yes
No
lNo
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
pantensts sp I nr carlotta (a tiger moth)
LR
lYes
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
JNo
lepttna sangamonta (a noctuid moth)
LR
No
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
No
Frosted elfin
LR
No
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
No
Dismal swamp stink bug
LR
Yes
No
0
No
No
No
No
No
No
Berry s skipper
LR
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
IYes
No
Yes
Two dotted skipper
LR
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
o
Anointed sallow moth
LR
es
No
No
No
No
No
No
ro
No
Freshwater Fish Mollusks & Crustaceans
Graceful clam shrimp
LR
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
0
No
Bridle shiner
LR
Yes
o
ro
No
No
0
No
0
No
otal Species
16
5
P
8
9
9
USFS Status E — Endangered LR — Locally Rare S — Sensitive T — Threatened T S/A — threatened due to Similarity of
Appearance
b Documentation based on data provided by USFS NCNHP and occurrences documented during field surveys
Occurrence on NFS lands based on NCNHP record for an unspecified observation in Craven County
d Potential direct effects for red cockaded woodpecker only to foraging habitat, no cavity trees affected
r
11

Minimization of Effects to Protected Species
NCDOT has been working with USFS to minimize effects to federally listed species and PETS
species Minimization measures include temporary closure of the bypass to allow for prescribed
burns on NFS lands avoiding the use of invasive non native species for erosion control and
limiting the use of herbicides where the proposed bypass occurs on NFS lands
Compensatory Mitigation
The purpose of compensatory mitigation is to replace the lost functions from a project s impacts
to Waters of the United States including wetlands The applicant will make all efforts to avoid
and minimize impacts to the aquatic environment where possible Appropriate and practicable
compensatory mitigation will be required for unavoidable impacts from the proposed Havelock
Bypass
Avoidance and Minimization
The preliminary design of each Detailed Study Alternative was developed to avoid wetland
impacts to the maximum extent practicable At locations where wetland impacts are likely the
preliminary design of each Detailed Study Alternative was developed to preserve the largest
amount of contiguous wetland area Bridges are proposed at the crossings of the Southwest Prong
of Slocum Creek and the East Prong of Slocum Creek for all Detailed Study Alternatives
Other Avoidance and Minimization Measures
Other avoidance and minimization measures will be discussed in detail during design of the
Preferred Alternative in consultation with the US Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE) and other
members of the interagency Merger Process Team The results of this discussion will be
documented in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and as a condition of the
Section 404 Individual Permit
Compensatory Mitigation
The North Carolina Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) has purchased a 4 035 acre tract of
land approximately 3 6 miles northwest of Havelock in Craven County for the purpose of
developing a mitigation bank for unavoidable impacts to wetlands and other environmental
impacts as a result of the proposed US 70 Havelock Bypass and other projects in the vicinity The
parcel is known as the Croatan Wetland Mitigation Bank (CWMB) and is contiguous to land
currently owned by the National Forest System
USACE NCDOT and the U S Forest Service have been planning the development use and
management of the CWMB This planning is directed toward conveyance of the CWMB property
to the U S Forest Service from NCDOT for inclusion in the Croatan National Forest According
to the Memorandum of Understanding between the U S Army Corps of Engineers the State of
North Carolina Department of Transportation and the United States Forest Service the long term
management of the CWMB will include land uses and practices that are consistent with the
mitigation objectives of wetland restoration enhancement and preservation incorporating the
restoration of natural vegetation community structure This includes restoring hydrologic function
and sustaining aquatic systems restoration enhancement and providing red cockaded
12

woodpecker habitat linkage enhancing black bear habitat providing un fragmented hardwood
wetlands for interior neo tropical migratory bird habitat and restoring hardwoods on selected
sites The CWMB represents a large in holding of non NFS land within the Croatan National
Forest Transfer of the CWMB property would help consolidate NFS land boundaries and would
serve to mitigate for fragmentation caused by the proposed bypass
Therefore the CWMB will provide project mitigation for jurisdictional wetland impacts and
mitigation for the use of and fragmentation of CNF lands Active red cockaded woodpecker
(RCW) groups occur on NFS lands nearby so habitat management on appropriate sites within the
CWMB may serve to strengthen an RCW dispersal corridor and eventually provide some habitat
for foraging and roosting With the cooperation of the USFS NCDOT has developed mitigation
plans for wetlands and Proposed Endangered Threatened or Sensitive species
The CWMB consists predominantly of interstream flats with a gradual down gradient slope from
Long Lake at approximately 38 feet elevation to East Prong Brice Creek at approximately 20 feet
elevation Soils mapping and on site investigations indicate that up to 98 percent of the CWMB
historically may have been wetland
It is anticipated that sufficient mitigation is available in the CWMB to provide compensation for
the wetland and stream impacts associated with the proposed Havelock Bypass
Evaluation
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts
including cumulative impacts of the proposed activity on the public interest That decision will
reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources The benefit
which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the proposal must be balanced against its
reasonably foreseeable detriments All factors which may be relevant to the proposal will be
considered including the cumulative effects thereof among those are conservation economics
aesthetics general environmental concerns wetlands historic properties fish and wildlife values
flood hazards flood plain values (in accordance with Executive Order 11988) land use
navigation shoreline erosion and accretion recreation water supply and conservation water
quality energy needs safety food and fiber production mineral needs considerations of property
ownership and in general the needs and welfare of the people For activities involving the
discharge of dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States the evaluation of the impact
of the activity on the public interest will include application of the Environmental Protection
Agency s 404(b)(1) guidelines
Commenting Information
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public Federal State and local agencies
and officials including any consolidate State Viewpoint or written position of the Governor
Indian Tribes and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this
proposed activity Any comments received will be considered by the Corps of Engineers to select
the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative (LEDPA) for this proposal To make
this decision comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species historic properties
water quality general environmental effects and the other public interest factors listed above
Comments are used in the preparation of a Corps of Engineers Environmental Assessment (EA)
and /or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to
determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity
13

_J
Written comments pertinent to the proposed work as outlined above will be received by the
Corps of Engineers Wilmington District until 5pm March 31 2012 Comments should be
submitted to Tom Steffens US Army Corps of Engineers Washington Regulatory Field Office
2407 West 5t' Street Washington North Carolina 27889
14

15