20181416_Environmental Assessment Comments_20120327

or Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
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: March 27, 2012
SUBJECT: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the proposed widening of NC 24/27 in Montgomery and
Stanly Counties, North Carolina. TIP Nos. R-253013, B-4974, and R-2527 SCH
Project No. 12-0224
Staff biologists with the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) 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 widen a 14.6 mile section of NC 24/27 from west of NC 740 in
Stanly County to the proposed Troy bypass in Montgomery County, including the replacement of
bridge #51 over the Pee Dee River, WRC is a participating agency in the coordination and
planning of this project and various comments provided in conjunction with the NEPA/404
Merger process have been documented. However, the following comments identify specific
items of concern:
NCDOT currently shows an estimated impact of 120 acres to the Uwharrie National
Forest. 'This acreage appears excessive for the amount of widening occurring within US
Forest Service lands. Also the figures illustrating Uwharrie National Forest depict an
area much larger than the existing lands that comprise the forest. NCDOT should
coordinate with the USFS to confirm the accuracy of mapping and impacts to this area.
Mailing Address: Division of Inland Fisheries --1721 Mail Service Center - Raleig h , NC 27699-1 111 721
Telephone: [phone] - Fax: [phone]

R-2530B B-4974 R-2527 Page 2 March 27, 2012
None-the-less, as a public resource including being managed as a Game Land impacts to
this area should be minimized, and NCDOT should coordinate with the USFS to identify
potential mitigation options for unavoidable impacts.
There are two �C facilities within the project study area, the Swift Island public
boating access area and the Troy Depot, Impacts to these facilities should be minimized
to the greatest extent practicable. Minimization efforts during design and further
coordination with WRC personnel prior to construction will be necessary to allow
continued access to these sites through project completion.
This project is being review through the NEPA/404 Merger 01 process. 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, USFWS
Polly Lespinasse, DWQ
Ronnie Smith, USACE
Chris Militscher, USEPA
Karen Compton, USFS