20011102 Ver 1_Meeting Agenda_20120410

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
Agenda
CONCURRENCE POINT 3 REVISITED
SECTION 404 /NEPA INTERAGENCY MERGER PROCESS TEAM MEETING
APRIL 10 2012
PAGE 1 OF 10
1 Meeting Purpose and Agenda
2 Project Information
3 Merger Process History
4 Reinitiate Merger Process
5 Updated Technical reports & Environmental Documents
6 Comments on Draft EIS
7 Comments from Corridor Public Hearing
8 Evaluation of Corridors and Impact Matrices
9 Corridor Selection Discussion
10 Next Steps
11 Summary & Action Items
Exhibits & Attachments
Exhibit 1 Map Index
Exhibit 2a d Alternatives & Environmental Features
Attachments NCDOT Letter (Bypass Closure for Prescribed Burning)
Table of Bridge Lengths (Hydraulic Requirement CP 2A CP 4B DEIS)
Merger Process
A timeline of mayor project milestones and previous agency and merger team meetings is listed
below
May 14 1993
1 S Steering Committee Meeting (project
approach & sco in
October 19 1994
2nd Steering Committee Meeting
(Improve Exist Alt 1 Alt 2
December 19 1995
teering Committee Meeting
added Alt 3
February 14 1996
4 �Steer�inq Committee Meeting (Drop
Imp Exist retain Alts 1 3
December 18 1996
5th Steering Committee Meeting
LEDPA —Alt 3
December 16 1999
Merger Team Meeting (preliminary
alignment approval)
A ril 20 2000
Merger Team Field Meeting (bridging
decisions
January 18 2001
Merger Team Meeting CP 4 avoidance & minimization
June 20 2002
Merger Team Meeting CP 4B 30% hydraulic plans)
Substantive Comments relative to LEDPA Discussion with Responses
Summary of Agency Comments on DEIS
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement was approved by FHWA on September 6 2011 and
distributed for agency review The comment period on the DEIS concluded on November 21
2011 Paraphrased summaries of the agency comments on the DEIS that are specifically
relevant to the selection of LEDPA or those that are relevant for general updates on the project
are listed below

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 2 OF 10
US Environmental Protection Agency
1 Traffic analysis traffic information is confusing and seems to indicate that traffic on
existing US 70 with the Havelock Bypass completed is approximately the same in the
2035 design year than without the proposed project It seems to contradict Table ,
2 5 which is titled Proposed Havelock Bypass Freeway LOS 2035 Build Traffic This
information should be clarified at the next Merger concurrence meeting and in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
/U,0pD -3�ooh VA,defd, -, 4-eP I� J-,3S�
Response — The 2008 traffic analysis will be reviewed and updated as necessary
US Dept of Intenor — US Fish & Wildlife Service
1 Agreement with Alt 3 as LEDPA According to the DEIS there are currently three
Bypass alternatives still under consideration with Alternative 3 being the preferred
alternative of the North Carolina Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) All three
alternatives would impact portions of the Croatan National Forest (CNF) as well as
habitat within the foraging partitions of up to six red cockaded woodpecker (RCW
Picoides borealis) clusters (currently 3 active 1 inactive 2 recruitment) Based on
current information coordination and agreements with NCDOT and the U S Forest
Service (USFS) the Department does not oppose Alternative 3 as the preferred
alternative e G d/, / w->e� 14-
Response — Comment noted
2 Prescribed burning An April 25 2011 memo from NCDOT provides the minutes from
the March 17 2011 meeting and unequivocally states NCDOT has agreed to close
the proposed Havelock Bypass to facilitate prescribed burning in accordance with the
measures discussed during this meeting Based on this agreement the USFWS
stated that it would concur with a may affect not likely to adversely affect biological
conclusion for the RCW The April 25 2011 memo documents the USFWS position
As such no formal Section 7 consultation would be needed unless new information
arises
Response — Comment noted See attached NCDOT letter
US Dept of Acinculture — Forest Service
1 Information required for LEDPA selection The DEIS fails to adequately disclose the
effects on the red cockaded woodpecker PETS species Essential Fish Habitat the
Craven County Waste Transfer Facility and the old landfill site The Forest Service will
be unable to concur with any Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative
( LEDPA) selection until effects to all resources have been adequately disclosed
a RCW The DEIS states on p 4 74 A plan is being developed in a point effort
between the CNF to close the proposed Bypass to allow for prescribed burning
along the highway As previously discussed finalization of a plan to allow
prescribed burning along the highway is a requirement to avoid a Jeopardy opinion
on the RCW by the USFWS All USFS comments on this DEIS are based on the
commitments in the Apr1125 2011 memorandum to allow for the periodic closing of
the proposed highway for the purpose of prescribed burning

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPAI404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 3 OF 10
Response — NCDOT has committed to closure of the proposed bypass for
prescribed burns in accordance with a March 17 2011 meeting between USFS
and NCDOT and subsequent correspondence
b PETS The USFS acknowledges the reevaluation of PETS species as the species
list changes from year to year We look forward to the additional technical reports
and complete reevaluation of PETS species determined to have suitable
habitat in the project study area prior to the completion of the Final Environmental
Impact Statement Please forward these reports to the USFS for our review when
they become available
Response — Updated technical reports for PETS surveys were completed and
distributed on November 2011 Updated surveys will be conducted in 2012
c Essential Fish Habitat When is the determination of effect going to be made on
Essential Fish Habitat (EFH)? This information needs to be disclosed for all
alternatives in order to have the information necessary to select a LEDPA
Response — NOAA Fisheries has stated that there are no streams or wetlands
within the project study area that are tidal in nature or have been identified as a
waterbody containing EFH
d Craven Waste Transfer Facility There are potential contamination issues at the
Craven County Transfer Facility located on NFS lands In 2010 the operator of
the facility at the direction of the USFS cleaned up surface oil spills in the oil
recycling area and installed secondary containment systems for all containers
intended for liquid or hazardous waste However the paved surface contains oil
and other potentially hazardous chemicals that have penetrated into it over the
years of using the facility Impacts to the environment from both disturbance of the
old landfill and relocation of the Transfer Facility must be disclosed prior to the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
Response — Discussion of potential impacts associated with relocation of the
transfer facility will be included in the FEIS The relocation is required by all
alternatives and therefore the anticipated impacts for this item are anticipated to
be equal for all three alternatives
e Old Landfill Adequate analysis of the potential impacts to the old landfill must be
conducted in the DEIS in order to properly evaluate the impacts It is not
acceptable to the Forest Service to withhold this analysis until after the FEIS has
been signed and the final right of way limits are established Due to the potential
of serious impacts resulting from disturbance of an old landfill impacts must be
disclosed prior to the FEIS These potential impacts must be discussed with the
USFS as the property owner and Craven County who maintains liability for any
environmental problems resulting from the landfill under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Response — Discussion of potential impacts associated with disturbance of the old
landfill will be coordinated with the Forest Service prior to completion of the FEIS
Disturbance of the old landfill is required by all alternatives and therefore the

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 4 OF 10
anticipated Impacts for this item are anticipated to be equal for all three
alternatives
US Army Corps of Engineers
Status of Jurisdictional Determination To assist NCDOT in avoiding unnecessary
expenditures associated with providing the documentation to re verify all three
alternatives the Corps will provide a preliminary JD based on the May 10 2006
verification After the selection of the Least Environmentally Damaging Alternative
( LEDPA) the Corps will request a complete JD package for the alternative selected and
provide a final JD verification
Response — Comment noted
2 Stream and wetland mitigation The DEIS provides no proposal for mitigation of potential
stream Impacts associated with the project A complete wetland and stream mitigation
proposal should be Included in the FEIS
Response — Proposed wetland and stream mitigation will be presented In the FEIS
3 Proposed bridge lengths Proposed bridge lengths noted in Table 4 6 {DEIS}
Alternative 3 over the Southwest Prong and East Prongs of Slocum Creek are in direct
conflict with the lengths agreed upon In the Concurrence Point 4B meeting held June 20
2002 Should Alternative 3 be re affirmed as the LEDPA then a return to CP 4A and
4B would be necessary This conflict needs to be resolved and the Corps recommends
that NCDOT clarify its expectations to the Merger Team prior to and following the re
affirmation of the LEDPA
Response — NCDOT and USACE have discussed conflicting information in the project
history regarding proposed bridge lengths It has been proposed that a field meeting to
discuss and confirm proposed bridge lengths be conducted with the Merger Team prior to
Concurrence Point 4A (See attached Bridging Decisions Table)
NCDENR — Natural Hentage Program
1 Oppose Alternative 3 NHP s first preference Is to improve the existing US 70 corridor
over the three alternatives for the US 70 Bypass in order to avoid impacts to rare species
and Significant Natural Heritage Areas Failing that option we strongly oppose
Alternative 3 preferred by NCDOT and would like the least damaging alternative be
selected
Alternative 3 passes through the most significant natural area within the project study
area the Southwest Prong Flatwoods Significant Natural Heritage Area (SNHA) This site
has one of the best examples of Mesic Pine Flatwoods (Coastal Plain Subtype) in the
state The Longleaf Pine communities at this site occur on various soil types including
ones that today only rarely support longleaf mainly because they have elsewhere been
converted to agriculture or silviculture Southwest Prong Flatwoods SNHA also has state
significant populations of Spring flowering Goldenrod (Solidago verna) a federal species
of concern and NC endangered Mudbank Crown Grass (Paspalum dissectum) Other
rare species that would be impacted by Alternative 3 include

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 5 OF 10
• Red cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) US Endangered NC Endangered
• Bachman s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) US Federal Species of Concern NC
Special Concern
• Little Metalmark (Co /ephelis virginiensis) NC Significantly Rare
• Leconte s Thistle (Cirsium lecontei) NC Special Concern Vulnerable
• Short bristled Beaksedge (Rhynchospora breviseta) NC Significantly Rare
• Showy Orchid (Pfatanthera niveo) NC Threatened
Alternative 3 would not only destroy significant natural communities and many rare
species populations and their habitat but would also cause fragmentation on the
landscape The Bypass would bisect the National Forest lands making management and
prescribed fire very difficult given the strict DOT smoke regulations
Response — Improve Existing alternatives providing the function and addressing the need
consistent with the Strategic Highway Corridor plan were evaluated and eliminated in
earlier phases of the study due to the anticipated impacts along existing US 70 through
Havelock NCDOT has committed to closure of the proposed bypass for prescribed
burns based on the comparison of RCW impacts versus the other study alternatives and
the Merger Process Team s concurrence on Alternative 3 in 1996 as a compromise
between Alternatives 1 and 2
2 Alternative 2 causes least fragmentation Alternative 2 the easternmost route would
cause heavy direct impacts the Havelock Station Flatwoods and Powerline Corridor
SNHA and part of the Southwest Prong Flatwoods SNHA The Havelock Station
Flatwoods is significant for the large number of rare plant species that occur there
Although this route would cause significant direct impacts to many rare plant and animal
species and a colonial wading bird colony it causes the least amount of fragmentation of
the natural communities and species habitat as a whole
Response — Alternative 2 is not recommended by NCDOT as LEDPA due to high
relocation impacts
3 Alternative 1 has least impact to rare species and natural communities Alternative 1 the
westernmost route imposes the least amount of direct impacts to rare species and natural
communities There would still be significant impacts to rare species to the south where
the Bypass is proposed to diverge from the existing US 70 and impact the Havelock
Station Flatwoods and Powerline Corridor To the north this route extends through
private land between the Croatan National Forest avoiding rare species However if
Alternative 1 is chosen there may be serious indirect impacts by fragmentation of the
Longleaf Pine communities and species habitat to the east This option could create
significant challenges for managing and burning National Forest land to the east NHP is
concerned that if management becomes extremely difficult rare species and natural
communities east of the Bypass could be lost over time due to secondary impacts
Response — Alternative 1 is not recommended as LEDPA by the U S Forest Service and
other resource agencies because it will cause the largest amount of fragmentation to the
Croatan National Forest

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015 APRIL 2012
PAGE 6 OF 10
Summary of Written Comments from Corridor Public Hearing
total of 37 comment sheets were received either at the hearing or by email mail or telephone in
,1� 1 G the days following the hearing A summary of the comments follows As stated previously some
i� comments stated a primary position as well as a secondary position on the build alternatives
These secondary positions are identified under their respective primary comments below with the
phrase If then
• Oppose bypass project — 11 (30 %)
• Comments stating secondary position m support of Alt 3 — 1
• Comments stating secondary position in support of Alt and opposing Alt 2 — 2
• Comments stating secondary position m support of Alt 1 — 1
• Oppose bypass and requesting improvements to existing US 70 — 9 (24%)
• Comments stating secondary position in support of Alt 1 or 3 but opposing Alt 2 — 1
• Comments stating secondary position In support of Alt 1 — 1
• Favor Alternative 1 —
1 (2 6%)
• Favor Alternative 1 or 3 —
1 (2 6 %)
• Favor Alternative 3 —
5 (14 %)
• Oppose Alternative 2 —
1 (2 6%)
• Miscellaneous comments /questions —
9 (24%)
The No Build Alternative and Improve Existing Alternative received the most public preference
(54 %) Of the comments in favor of the project Alternative 3 was most favored no support of
Alternative 2 was expressed by hearing attendees
Summary of Verbal Comments Received Dunnq Corridor Public Hearing
A total of 21 verbal comments were made at the hearing and recorded in the transcript A
summary of the comments received follows
• Oppose bypass project —
7(3351,)
• Oppose bypass and requesting improvements to existing US 70 —
4 (19%)
• Prefer Alternative 1 —
2 (105,.)
• Oppose Alternative 2 —
3 (14%)
• Miscellaneous comments /questions —
5 (24%)
The No Build Alternative and Improve Existing Alternative received the most public preference
(52 %) Of the comments in favor of the project two expressed support for Alternative 1 No
support was expressed for Alternative 2 or 3
Summary of Comments from Local Government or Local Organizations
The following comments were received from local chambers of commerce and the council of
government at the hearing

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 7 OF 10
Carteret County Chamber of Commerce (Mike Wagoner, President)
We commend the NCDOT for designating Alternative 3 as the Least Environmentally Damaging
Practicable Alternative ( LEDPA) and endorse this alternative as the best choice that effectively
addresses the Purpose and Need of this project
Response — Comment noted
Havelock Chamber of Commerce (Stephanie Duncan, Executive Director)
It is recommended by the Havelock Chamber of Commerce that the NCDOT look to no cost or
low cost alternatives for the proposed bypass Some examples of the alternatives are Port traffic
(to and from) should be scheduled at night when there is less traffic on US Highway 70
coordinate the traffic lights through Havelock so vehicles are able to travel through the City of
Havelock at the posted speed limit with fewer stops
Response — Improve existing alternatives providing the function and addressing the need
consistent with the Strategic Highway Corridor Plan were evaluated and eliminated in earlier
phases of the study due to the anticipated impacts along existing US 70 through Havelock
East Carolina Council of Government (Alex Rickard)
I would like to request that NCDOT consider the Havelock Bypass as a potential alternative
corridor for the Mountains to Sea Trail Please consider a 10 foot natural hiking trail during your
right of way acquisition Please ensure that all interchanges and overpasses for this bypass will
accommodate future bicycle and pedestrian facilities This is an important corridor for the
Mountains to Sea Trail and also the East Coast Greenway Coastal Route
Response — The Trail Committee met on March 20 2012 and reached a decision on the
proposed location of the trail They selected Option 1 which does not have a direct relation to the
Havelock Bypass project and traverses through the Croatan National Forest
Summary of Comments from Environmental Organizations
The following comments relevant to the selection of LEDPA were received from the Sierra Club
and the Southern Environmental Law Center either following the corridor public hearing or as
comments on the DEIS
NC Sierra Club — Cypress Group
1 Detail and currency of DEIS data used for alternatives analysis we do not believe that
the current DEIS offers information detailed enough to justify proceeding with any one of
the three bypass alternatives discussed as the least environmentally damaging
practicable alternative We continue to assert that all reasonable alternatives have not
been adequately discussed i e we feel that other alternatives although mentioned have
been prematurely dismissed Because some of the data collected in support of the
Alternatives 1 2 and 3 as well as data used to justify the disregard of other alternatives is
often several years old we feel it may no longer accurately reflect the current
social /economic reality of the area It must be updated before improvements to the current
highway are dismissed as a possible practicable alternative
Response — Older data will be updated for preparation of the FEIS This includes updated
stream wetland and species surveys land use updates and evaluation of the anticipated
effects of bypasses on existing businesses

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 8 OF 10
2 Prescribed burning It Is imperative that a formal Interagency agreement be reached
between the DOT and the FS addressing the subject of prescribed burning before an EIS
Is approved
Response — NCDOT has committed to closure of the proposed bypass for prescribed
burns on National Forest System lands
3 Mitigation plans and biological assessments Detailed wetland mitigation plans and
biological assessments for each alternative must be completed before a decision Is made
as to which is the least damaging alternative We question whether the Croatan Wetland
Mitigation Bank (CWMB) will adequately replace the functional values of wetlands lost in
any of the project alternatives and we are particularly skeptical that the CWMB will ever
provide adequate compensation for the various types of rare pine savanna habitats and
rare pine savanna species that will be Impacted by the project
Response — Detailed mitigation plans and biological assessments were prepared for each
alternative
4 Oppose Alternative 3 as LEDPA In terms of DIRECT Impacts It Is obvious that
Alternative 3 (DOT s preferred alternative) should NOT be considered the least
environmentally damaging alternative particularly In regard to longleaf pine significant
natural communities rare plant and animal species and Forest Service land
Response — Alternative 3 was previously selected as the LEDPA by the Interagency
Merger Process Team as a compromise between Alternatives 1 and 2 Alternative 1 is
not recommended as LEDPA because it will cause the largest amount of fragmentation to
the Croatan National Forest Alternative 2 is not recommended as LEDPA due to high
relocation impacts
5 Support Alternative 1 as LEDPA In terms of DIRECT impacts it is obvious that
Alternative 1 (outermost alternative) should be considered the least environmentally
damaging alternative particularly in regard to longleaf pine significant natural
communities rare plant and animal species and Forest Service land
The DEIS mentions the possibility of Invasive species being Introduced Into the project
area by the Introduction of a bypass However It does not present any information that
would enable one to decide which of the alternatives might be worst In terms to their
promotion of this problem It would seem that Alternative 1 would be least likely to cause
the Introduction of Invasive species Into sites having rare plants In the project area
Response — NCDOT and USFS have coordinated and will continue to coordinate on the
control of Invasive species
6 Support Improve Existing Alternative I would opt to order the engineers and other
responsible folks at NCDOT to develop another Upgrade US 70 Freeway alternative that
minimizes damage to the town yet creates Improved (speedier) flow of traffic through the
town of Havelock This should be done In recognition of the fact that the alternative
created would NOT meet NCDOT s normal /standard criteria for a bypass design but that
It Is acceptable In order to meet the objective of protecting certain natural resource values
in the Croatan National Forest

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPA/404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 9 OF 10
Response — Improve existing alternatives providing the function and addressing the need
consistent with the Strategic Highway Corridor plan were evaluated and eliminated in
earlier phases of the study due to the anticipated impacts along existing US 70 through
Havelock
Southern Environmental Law Center
The DEIS excludes analysis regarding wetland and stream impacts that is necessary to
evaluating the project under the Clean Water Act The DEIS must but fails to provide an
analysis of the value of streams and wetlands that would be affected the potential
impacts of degradation of those streams and wetlands and the efforts that have been
made to avoid and minimize those adverse impacts That information is required before
the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative can be selected Based on
the scant evidence in the DEIS Alternative 3 cannot be selected as the LEDPA
Response — Stream and wetland characteristics and associated impacts were calculated
based on preliminary design and detailed stream and wetland delineations and were
included in the DEIS Due to the time elapsed an updated jurisdictional determination will
be prepared prior to completion of the FEIS Impact calculations will also be updated and
included in the FEIS
2 The DEIS fails to adequately consider a reasonable cumulative upgrade alternative
NEPA requires but the DEIS does not provide detailed analysis of a reasonable range of
alternatives Rather than conducting detailed study on only new location bypass
alternatives the Agencies should have given greater consideration to upgrading the
existing corridor including but not limited to a combination of NCDOT s own US 70
Access Management Study and a superstreet alternative
Response — The Upgrade Existing Alternative was studied in detail along with all of the
other alternatives and presented in the Environmental Assessment (1/27/1998) An
excerpted discussion was also summarized in the Draft EIS (9/16/2011)
Summary of USACE Public Notice Comments
USACE will provide either during or after this meeting

US 70 HAVELOCK BYPASS
CRAVEN COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA
TIP PROJECT NO R 1015
Alternatives Comparison of Impacts
CONCURRENCE POINTS 3
NEPAl404 MERGER TEAM MEETING
APRIL 2012
PAGE 10 OF 10
Updated Comparison of Bypass Alternatives from DEIS (2011)
133 (18)
16 (0)
Alternate 1
Alternate 2
Alternate 3
Length (miles)
1085
991
1031
Costs (year dollars)
15
137
Construction (08)
$156 400 000
$138 800 000
$149 600 000
Utility Relocation (07)
1 600 000
2 800 000
2 800 000
Right of Way (09)
9,800,000
29,000,000
10,600,000
TOTAL $167 800 000
$170 600 000
$163 000 000
Relocations (2009)
Residences (minorities)
Churches (members)
Businesses (employees)
Non profit
TOTAL
Physical Environment (Based on ROW)
Croatan National Forest (acres)
Potentially Contaminated Sites
Mayor Stream Crossings
Natural Resources (Acres)
Prime Farmland by Soils in R/W
13 (0)
133 (18)
16 (0)
0
0
0
1 (2)
3 (9)
1 (2)
1 (3)
15
137
18
189
225
240
1
1
1
3
3
3
..
112
Jurisdictional Areas (Based on Slope Stakes +25 feet on each side)
Wetlands (acres) 109 78
Streams (lin ft ) 2 581 3 094
Neuse River Riparian Buffers (sq ft ) 69-5 142 025
71
115
05
106 647
Jurisdictional Areas on National Forest System Lands (Based on Slope Stakes +25 feet on each side)
Wetlands (acres) 81 67 88
Streams (lin ft) 1 012 1 764 1 387
RCW (USFS Field Survey Fall 2011)
Active clusters (58 & 902) 2 2 2
Inactive clusters 2N 2R 1 N 2 R* 2 N 2 R*
N= Natural R= Recruitment

f
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE
GOVERNOR
January 9 2012
Ms Marisue Hilliard
Forest Supervisor
National Forests in North Carolina
U S Forest Service
160 Zillicoa Street Suite A
Asheville North Carolina 28801 1082
RE Closure of Proposed Bypass for Prescribed Burning Project R 1015
US 70 Havelock Bypass Craven County
Dear Ms Hilliard
F}p�����••--� i 9 `' rte � v
,,"Ff �. MI 4I t9 �!�1 1
r Msf�M�� a ij6i 3/202
1e-!O /5
EUGENE A CONTI JR
SECRETARY
I am writing as a follow up to the March 17 2011 meeting between staff from the U S Forest Service
(USFS) and NCDOT regarding coordination of prescribed burning on National Forest System lands
between existing US 70 and the proposed US 70 Havelock Bypass
It is my understanding that the USFS conducts prescribed burning to maintain the Red cockaded
Woodpecker habitat and other types of habitat on National Forest System lands USFS and the U S Fish
and Wildlife Service agree that although other habitat maintenance techniques exist no other methods of
habitat maintenance achieve the same level of effectiveness as burning
Your staff has indicated that USFS typically conducts summer burns from late June through the noddle
of July and tiles to avoid Fridays Saturdays and Sundays It is also our understanding that USFS will
avoid burn events on holiday weekends including Memorial Day July 4th and Thanksgiving In addition
I am requesting that other days with anticipated higher traffic volumes be avoided They estimated that
they will need about 3 days to burn each block and typically start burning between 10 00 and 11 00 a in
and end by about 3 00 p in Therefore the proposed Havelock Bypass may need to be closed for about
five hours on each of the three days during a burn event for each block and may require on average about
five to six days per year It is my understanding that the USFS will also notify the Department of these
prescribed burn events as far ahead of the event as possible
Under these general conditions and as documented in the attached minutes from the March 17 2011
meeting the Department agrees to close the proposed Havelock Bypass for prescribed burning of
National Forest System lands located between existing US 70 and the proposed Havelock Bypass when
necessary
MAILING ADDRESS TELEPHONE [phone] LOCATION
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1536 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE WWW DOH DOT STATE NC US RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699 1536

Ms Marisue Hilliard
Page 2
January 9 2012
We appreciate the coordination between your staff and NCDOT Should you want to further discuss this
issue please contact me at [phone] or at tgibsonLa]nc,dot gm,
Sincerely
Terry R Gibson P E
State Highway Adnnmstrator
TRG /mp
cc w /attachment Jim Trogdon PE Chief Operating Officer
Debbie Barbour PE Director of Preconstruction
Neil Lassiter PE Division Engineer
Greg Thorpe Ph D Project Development & Environmental Analysis
,,Mark Pierce PE Project Planning Engineer
John Smith Croatan District Ranger

w-
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF' TRANSPORTATION
BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE EUGENE A CONTI, JR
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
April 25 2011
(Monday)
MEMORANDUM TO Meehng Attendees
FROM Mark Pierce P E Project Planning Engineer Eastern Project Development Unit
SUBJECT Minutes from March 17 2011 Prescribed Burning Meeting
R 1015 US 70 — Havelock Bypass — Craven County
Representatives from the U S Forest Service the U S Fish and Wildlife Service and NCDOT conducted a
meeting from 10 00 to 11 05 a in on Thursday March 17 2011 to coordinate prescribed burning on National
Forest System lands between the existing US Highway 70 and the proposed US 70 Havelock Bypass The
following individuals attended the meeting
1 James Cherry (U S Forest Service)
2 Aaron Everett ( NCDOT — Division 2)
3 Mary Frazer ( NCDOT — Natural Environment Umt)
4 Robert Hanson ( NCDOT — Eastern Project Development Unit)
5 Gary Jordan (U S Fish and Wildlife Service)
6 Neil Lassiter ( NCDOT — Division 2)
7 Mark Pierce ( NCDOT— Eastern Project Development Unit)
8 Lee Thornhill (U S Forest Service)
9 Ted Walls ( NCDOT — Roadway Design Unit)
10 Brian Yamamoto ( NCDOT — Eastern Project Development Unit)
Purpose of this Meeting
The purpose of this meeting was to continue our discussions on coordination of prescribed burning on National
Forest System lands between the existing US Highway 70 and the proposed US 70 Havelock Bypass
Purpose & Value of Prescribed Burning
USFS conducts prescribed burning to maintain the Red cockaded Woodpecker habitat and other types of habitat
on National Forest System lands USFS and USFWS agree that although other habitat maintenance techniques
exist no other methods of habitat maintenance achieve the same level of effectiveness as burning
MAILING ADDRESS TELEPHONE [phone] LOCATION
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX [phone]
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & CENTURY CENTER BLDG A
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS BRANCH WES$17L� 1000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27610
RALEIGH NC 27699 1548 www ncdot org/doh/preconstruct/pe/

Aluiutes from March 17 2011Preseribed Burning Meeting
M1015 US 70 —Havelock Bypass —Craven County
4pri125 2011
Page 2
Scheduled Burns & Exceptions to the Burn Calendar
USFS conducts prescribed burn events during the growing season and during the dormant season USFS
typically conducts summer burns from late June through the middle of July and Ines to avoid Fndays Saturdays
and Sundays Typically USFS will try to avoid burn events on Fridays but reserves the option of conducting
winter burns on Fridays and Saturdays USFS will avoid prescribed burning on holiday weekends including
Memorial Day July 4`s and Thanksgiving
Burn Rotations
USFS has established a block system to coordinate burns on their various parcels All of their blocks are on
different rotations and each block is not necessarily burned each year
USFS intends to burn two blocks in succession for each bum event For example USFS will burn the block
associated with Red cockaded Woodpecker Clusters 12 44R and 58 during the same event and Cluster 901
during a different event
USFS has established a three year rotation on burn events but sometimes bums each block every two years
Duration, Starting Times, & Ending Times for Prescribed Burruna
USFS estimates that they will need about 3 days to bum each block USFS typically starts burning between
10 00 and 11 00 a m and ends by about 3 00p ni
hlitiation of Prescribed Burns
A helicopter flies along designated lines and drops rune to ten fire balls per acre The fire balls are about the
size of a golf ball and serve as the mixing and delivery vessel for a reaction of potassium pernuinganate and
ethylene glycol
Smoke Management
USFS conducts prescribed burns and manages smoke migration for sensitive areas such as the U S Manne Corps
Air Station — Cherry Point existing US 70 and the adjacent neighborhoods USFS desires winds from the south
or southeast during burn events to avoid or rruninuze smoke migration to those receptors
Closure of the Proposed Havelock Bypass
fhe proposed Havelock Bypass would need to be closed for about five hours on each of the three days during a
burn event for each block
NCDOT has agreed to close the proposed Havelock Bypass to facilitate prescribed burning of National Forest
System lands located between existing US 70 and the pioposed Havelock Bypass USFS anticipates that road
closures are possible every year and will require about five to six days per year

Minutesfrorn March 17 2011Prescribed Burning Meeting
R 1015 US 70 — Havelock Bypass — Craven County
April 25 2011
Page 3
NCDOT is considering various methods to prevent drivers from using the proposed Havelock Bypass during
prescribed bum events and will continue discussions with the USFS to determine appropriate road closure
methods
Pubhc Notification of Prescribed Bum Events
USFS notifies the N C Division of Forestry Craven County the Havelock Fire Chief and local media of
prescribed burning USFS also places notices on the doors of the affected homes and businesses
USFS will provide NCDOT with a one day notice of a prescribed burn event and will notify NCDOT the
morning of the burn if weather conditions change NCDOT anticipates using lughway message boards to notify
drivers of the prescribed burn events and closure of the proposed bypass
NCDOT will need to notify Spirit Aerosystems of the prescribed burn events with respect to their overland traffic
on existing US 70 and the proposed Havelock Bypass
Coordination of Traffic Signals on Existing US 70 during Closure of the Havelock Bypass
NCDOT will coordinate the traffic signals on existing US 70 during closure of the I Iavelock Bypass during
prescribed burn events
Preferred Alternative
NCDOT updated all of the human and natural environment studies within the past couple of years Based upon
the findings from those studies NCDOT is still recommending Alternate 3 as the Preferred Alternative
Section 7 Consultation with USFWS
NCDOT has agreed to close the proposed Havelock Bypass to facilitate prescribed burning in accordance with
the measures discussed during this meeting
With implementation of prescribed burning of the Red cockaded Woodpecker habitat and pending the biological
assessment for the Endangered Species Act Section 7 analysis USFWS anticipates a finding that the proposed
Havelock Bypass may affect but is not likely to adversely affect the species Without prescribed burning to
maintain the RCW habitat USFWS anticipates aleopardy call for the species
Other Issues
USFS requested that Hibbs Road between US 70 and NC 24 near Newport be closed periodically for prescribed
burning USFS and NCDOT will continue to coordinate on prescribed burning for that facility

Minutes from March 17 2011Prescrnbed Burning Meeting
K 1015 US 70 — Havelock Bypass — Craven County
April 25 2011
Page 4
Summary
USFS maintains the Red cockaded Woodpecker habitat by prescribed burning on a three year rotation during
the growing season and during the dormant season USFS tees to avoid Pridays Saturdays and Sundays
for the summer burn events and will avoid burn events on holiday weekends including Memonal Day July
4's and Thanksgiving
NCDOT has agreed to close the proposed Havelock Bypass to facilitate prescribed burning of National
Forest System lands located between existing US 70 and the proposed Havelock Bypass USFS anticipates
that road closures are possible every year and will require about five to six days per year The proposed
Havelock Bypass will need to be closed for about five hours on each of the three days during a burn event for
each block
With implementation of prescribed burning of the Red cockaded Woodpecker habitat USFWS anticipates a
finding that the proposed Havelock Bypass may affect but is not likcly to adversely affect the species
Action Items
1 USFS and NCDOT will coordinate to notify the public of burn events and closure of the proposed
Havelock Bypass
2 NCDOT will develop measures to prevent traffic from entering the Havelock Bypass during bum events
3 NCDOT will coordinate the traffic signals on existing US 70 during closure of the Havelock Bypass for
prescribed burning
4 USFS requested that Hibbs Road between US 70 and NC 24 near Newport be closed periodically for
prescribed burning USFS and NCDOT will continue to coordinate on closure of Hibbs Road for
prescribed burning
5 Mr Terry Gibson the State Highway Administrator will need to review and approve these commitments
for prescribed burning and closure of the proposed Havelock Bypass Mr Neil Lassiter will meet with
Mr Gibson to discuss this issue
Acknowledgements
Please review these rrunutes and piovide me with your corrections additions or approval Should you have
comments or questions during your review or want to further discuss any of these issues please contact me at
[phone] or mspierce @nedot goy I appreciate your time and look forward to your response

R -1015 Bridging of Mayor Crossings
Crossing
Crossing
Hydraulic
CP2A
CP413
DEIS
Number
Location
Requirement
Length
Length
Length
(4/21/2000)
6/20/2002)
9/6/2011)
Tributary
2 @
2 @
2 @
2 @
1
Of Tucker
9 x 7 x 384
9 x7 x384
9 x7 x384
9 x7 x384
Creek
Southwest
164 -foot
755 -foot
899 -foot
925 -foot
2
Prong of
Slocum Creek
Dual bridges
Dual bridges
Dual bridges
Dual bridges
3
East Prong of
131 -foot
1476 foot
1618 -foot
1470 -foot
Slocum Creek
Dual brad es
Dual bnd es
Dual bridges
Dual bridges

Exhibit 3d
Exhibit 3c
� RO,
Exhibit 38
US 70, Havelock Bypass
1 1. �} '''\ I Map Index
.4461 TIP No. R-1015 Not to Scale
Craven County, North Carolina Exhibit I
Exhibit 3b
Exhibit 38
US 70, Havelock Bypass
1 1. �} '''\ I Map Index
.4461 TIP No. R-1015 Not to Scale
Craven County, North Carolina Exhibit I

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