20120285_FEIS Table of Contents_20120517

TABLE OF CONTENTS � �-io
Note: This Final EIS has been published in two volumes:
VOLUME 1 - Table of Contents and Text and Figures
VOLUME 2 - Table of Contents and Appendices
PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................... ............................... i
LIST OF TABLES .................................................... ............................... v
LIST OF EXHIBITS ................................................ ............................... vi
LIST OF FIGURES ................................................. ............................... vi
APPENDICES ....................................................... ............................... vii
P PREFACE ................................................. ............................... P -1
P.1 LEAD AGENCIES, COOPERATING AGENCIES, AND PARTICIPATING
AGENCIES.......................................................... ............................... P -1
P.2 HOW THIS FINAL EIS WILL BE USED ..................... ............................... P -2
P.3 ORGANIZATION OF THIS FINAL EIS ...................... ............................... P -2
P.4 HISTORY OF THE PROJECT ................................... ............................... P -4
P.5 ACTIVITIES SINCE THE DRAFT EIS ........................ ............................... P -4
PC SPECIAL PROJECT COMMITMENTS ........ ............................... PC -1
1 DRAFT EIS SUMMARY AND UPDATES ...... ............................... 1 -1
1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION .......................... ...............................
1 -1
1.1.1
PROPOSED ACTION ...................................................... ............................1
-1
1.1.2
SUMMARY OF NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION ...................... ...............................
1 -2
1.1.3
PROJECT PURPOSE .................................................... ...............................
1 -3
1.1.4
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ........................................... ............................1
-3
1.1.5
EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM .............................. ...............................
1 -4
1.1.6
PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING ROADWAY SYSTEM ............ ...............................
1 -5
1.1.7
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ............................. ...............................
1 -5
1.1.8
TRANSPORTATION PLANS AND LAND USE PLANS .................... ............................1
-6
1.2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ................................. ............................... 1 -6
1.2.1
ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT AND SCREENING .................. ...............................
1 -6
1.2.2
FIRST SCREENING — PROJECT CONCEPTS ......................... ...............................
1 -8
1.2.3
SECOND SCREENING — PROJECT CORRIDORS .................. ...............................
1 -11
1.2.4
DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVES ................................. ...............................
1 -13
1.2.5
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE ..................................... ...............................
1 -13
1.3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES..........
1 -16
1.3.1
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT ............................................. ...............................
1 -16
1.3.1.1 Land Use and Planning
1 -16
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1.3.1.2 Existing Social and Economic Resources and Community Characteristics1 -17
1.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION ............................
1.3.1.3
Relocations and Displacements
1 -19
1.4.1.1 Citizens Informational Workshops
1.3.1.4
Impacts to Neighborhoods
1 -20
1.4.1.3 Small Group Meetings
1.3.1.5
Environmental Justice
1 -20
1.4.2 AGENCY COORDINATION ........................................... ...............................
1.3.1.6
Impacts to Community Resources and Services
1 -21
1.4.2.2 Notice of Intent
1.3.1.7
Community Safety
1 -24
1.3.2
PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT .......................................... ...............................
1 -24
1.3.2.1
Noise
1 -24
1.3.2.2
Air Quality
1 -25
1.3.2.3
Farmland
1 -29
1.3.2.4
Utilities and Infrastructure
1 -32
1.3.2.5
Visual Resources
1 -33
1.3.2.6
Hazardous Materials
1 -34
1.3.2.7
Floodplains and Floodways
1 -34
1.3.3
CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................ ...............................
1 -36
1.3.3.1
Historic Architectural Resources
1 -36
1.3.3.2
Archaeological Resources
1 -36
1.3.3.3
Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) Resources
1 -37
1.3.4
NATURAL RESOURCES .............................................. ...............................
1 -38
1.3.4.1
Geology, Mineral Resources, and Soils
1 -38
1.3.4.2
Water Resources
1 -39
1.3.4.3
Natural Communities and Wildlife
1 -42
1.3.4.4
Jurisdictional Issues
1 -43
1.3.4.5
Protected Species
1 -45
1.3.5
INDIRECT
AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ............................ ...............................
1 -46
1.3.5.1
Analysis Methodology
1 -46
1.3.5.2
Study Areas
1 -47
1.3.5.3
Study Area Directions and Goals and Notable Features
1 -48
1.3.5.4
Summary of Findings
1 -48
1.3.6
OTHER IMPACTS
.................................................... ...............................
1 -51
1.3.6.1
Irretrievable and Irreversible Commitment of Resources
1 -51
1.3.6.2
Relationship between Short -Term Impacts and Long -Term Impacts
1 -51
1.4 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION ............................
1 -52
1.4.1 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT .............................................. ...............................
1 -52
1.4.1.1 Citizens Informational Workshops
1 -52
1.4.1.2 Local Officials Meetings
1 -52
1.4.1.3 Small Group Meetings
1 -53
1.4.1.4 Other Outreach Efforts
1 -53
1.4.2 AGENCY COORDINATION ........................................... ...............................
1 -53
1.4.2.1 Scoping Letter
1 -53
1.4.2.2 Notice of Intent
1 -53
1.4.2.3 Section 6002 Project Coordination Plan
1 -54
1.4.2.4 Agency Coordination Meetings
1 -54
1.5 UNRESOLVED ISSUES AND ISSUES RESOLVED SINCE DRAFT EIS.......... 1 -54
2 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ..................... ............................... 2 -1
2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ..... ............................... 2 -1
2.1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ................................................. ............................2 -1
2.1.2 DESIGN CRITERIA ....................................................... ............................2 -1
2.1.3 TOLLING INFORMATION .............................................. ............................... 2 -2
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2.2 REASONS FOR SELECTING DSA 9 AS THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ........ 2 -3
2.3 DESIGN
REFINEMENTS TO THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ........................ 2 -7
2.3.1
DESIGN REFINEMENTS ............................................... ...............................
2 -7
2.3.1.1
Reduce Median by 20 Feet and Revise Typical Section
2 -8
2.3.1.2
Modify Access to Matthews Acres Subdivision
2 -8
2.3.1.3
Retain the US 29 -74 Interchange
2 -9
2.3.1.4
Modify the Forbes Road Grade Separation
2 -9
2.3.1.5
Compress the Robinson Road Interchange
2 -10
2.3.1.6
Eliminate the Bud Wilson Road Interchange
2 -10
2.3.1.7
Compress the US 274 (Union Road) Interchange
2 -11
2.3.1.8
Relocate Tucker Road Connection to Canal Road
2 -12
2.3.1.9
Realign Mainline to Avoid Recreation Fields and Provide Access Road to
NC 273 (Southpoint Road)
2 -12
2.3.1.10
Reconfigure the NC 273 (Southpoint Road) Interchange to Avoid Historic
Boundary of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery
2 -13
2.3.1.11
Relocate Boat Club Road Connection North of Mainline to NC 273
(Southpoint Road)
2 -13
2.3.1.12
Reconfigure the I -485 and Dixie River Road Interchanges
2 -14
2.3.2
SERVICE ROADS .................................................... ...............................
2 -15
2.3.2.1
Service Road Evaluation Methodology and Design Assumptions
2 -15
2.3.2.2
Proposed Service Roads
2 -16
2.3.3
AVOIDANCE
AND MINIMIZATION OF IMPACTS TO WATERS OF THE US .....................
2 -16
2.3.4
COST ESTIMATES
FOR THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ......... ...............................
2 -17
2.3.5
UPDATED TRAFFIC FORECASTS AND OPERATIONS ANALYSIS . ...............................
2 -18
2.3.5.1
Year 2035 Traffic Forecasts
2 -18
2.3.5.2
Traffic Operations
2 -19
2.4 ADDITIONAL STUDIES
OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE .....................
2 -20
2.5 IMPACTS OF THE PREFFERED ALTERNATIVE ......... ...............................
2 -21
2.5.1
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT
............................................. ...............................
2 -21
2.5.1.1
Land Use and Transportation Planning
2 -21
2.5.1.2
Right -of -Way Acquisition and Relocations
2 -22
2.5.1.3
Neighborhoods
2 -23
2.5.1.4
Environmental Justice
2 -25
2.5.1.5
Community Resources and Services
2 -25
2.5.1.6
Community Safety
2 -28
2.5.2
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................... ...............................
2 -29
2.5.2.1
Noise
2 -29
2.5.2.2
Air Quality
2 -33
2.5.2.3
Farmland
2 -36
2.5.2.4
Utilities and Infrastructure
2 -37
2.5.2.5
Visual Resources
2 -39
2.5.2.6
Hazardous Materials
2 -40
2.5.2.7
Floodplains and Floodways
2 -43
2.5.3
CULTURAL
RESOURCES AND SECTION 4(F) AND SECTION 6(F) RESOURCES ..............
2 -45
2.5.3.1
Historic Architectural Resources
2 -45
2.5.3.2
Archaeological Resources
2 -47
2.5.3.3
Section 4(f) and Section 6(f) Resources
2 -49
2.5.4
NATURAL RESOURCES .............................................. ...............................
2 -50
2.5.4.1
Soils and Mineral Resources
2 -50
2.5.4.2
Water Resources
2 -51
2.5.4.3
Natural Communities and Wildlife
2 -52
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
2.5.4.4
Water Resources in Federal Jurisdiction
2 -54
2.5.4.5
Protected Species
2 -57
2.5.5 INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ............................ ...............................
2 -59
2.5.5.1
Introduction and Background
2 -59
2.5.5.2
Study Area and Analysis Year
2 -61
2.5.5.3
Future No -Build Scenario Projects
2 -62
2.5.5.4
Land Use Forecasting Methodology
2 -63
2.5.5.5
Methods for Assessing Notable Features /Resources
2 -66
2.5.5.6
Potential Indirect and Cumulative Effects to Land Use
2 -68
2.5.5.7
Potential Indirect and Cumulative Effects to Water Resources
2 -72
2.5.5.8
Potential Indirect and Cumulative Effects to Wildlife Habitat
2 -75
2.5.5.9
Mitigation
2 -77
2.5.5.10
Conclusion
2 -78
3 COMMENTS AND COORDINATION AFTER THE DRAFT EIS ...... 3 -1
3.1 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ......................................... ............................... 3 -1
3.1.1
AVAILABILITY OF DRAFT EIS FOR REVIEW ........................... ............................3
-1
3.1.2
PRE - HEARING OPEN HOUSES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS .............. ............................3
-1
3.1.2.1 Advertisement of Pre - Hearing Open Houses and Public Hearings
3 -1
3.1.2.2 Pre - Hearing Open Houses and Local Officials Meeting
3 -1
3.1.2.3 Public Hearings
3 -2
3.1.2.4 Public Comment Period
3 -3
3.1.3
SMALL GROUP MEETINGS .............................................. ............................3
-3
3.2 AGENCY
COORDINATION ..................................... ...............................
3 -5
3.2.1
TEAC MEETINGS ........................................................ ............................3
-5
3.2.2
OTHER AGENCY MEETINGS ............................................. ............................3
-6
3.2.3
SELECTION OF DSA 9 AS THE LEDPA ............................... ............................3
-6
3.3 SUBSTANTIVE
COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT EIS AND RESPONSES .............
3 -7
3.3.1
SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC ............. ............................3
-7
3.3.2
RESPONSES TO GENERALIZED COMMENTS ...................... ...............................
3 -10
3.3.2.1 Responses to Generalized Comments on Purpose and Need
3 -10
3.3.2.2 Responses to Generalized Comments on Traffic and Travel Times
3 -12
3.3.2.3 Responses to Generalized Comments on Range of Alternatives
3 -16
3.3.2.4 Responses to Generalized Comments on Air Quality
3 -19
3.3.2.5 Responses to Generalized Comments on Water Quality and Jurisdictional
Resources
3 -21
3.3.2.6 Responses to Generalized Comments on Indirect and Cumulative Effects
and Wildlife
3 -22
3.3.2.7 Responses to Generalized Comments on Cultural Resources, Community
Characteristics, and Farmland
3 -24
4 LIST OF PREPARERS ............................... ............................... 4 -1
4.1 FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION .................. ............................... 4 -1
4.2 NORTH CAROLINA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY (A DIVISION OF THE NORTH
CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION) ..... ............................... 4 -1
4.3 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION .......................... 4 -1
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4.4 PRIVATE CONSULTING FIRMS .................................. ............................4 -2
5
LIST OF AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PERSONS TO
-9
1 -2
Twelve Final Detailed Study Alternatives ......................... ...............................
WHOM COPIES OF THE STATEMENT ARE SENT ......................
5 -1
5.1
FEDERAL AGENCIES AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS ... ...............................
5
-1
5.2
REGIONAL OFFICES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES .......... ...............................
5
-1
5.3
STATE AGENCIES ................................................ ...............................
5
-1
5.4
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES .................. ...............................
5
-2
5.5
PUBLIC REVIEW LOCATIONS ................................ ...............................
5
-2
6 REFERENCES .............................................. ............................6 -1
6.1 REFERENCES ...................................................... ............................... 6 -1
6.2 SUPPORTING PROJECT DOCUMENTATION .............. ............................... 6 -4
6.2.1 SUPPORTING PROJECT DOCUMENTATION PRIOR TO PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT EIS .....6 -4
6.2.2 SUPPORTING PROJECT DOCUMENTATION AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT EIS ......... 6 -6
6.3 ACRONYMS USED IN THE FINAL EIS ...................... ............................... 6 -7
LIST OF TABLES
Special Project Commitments
PC -1 Special Commitments ................................................... ............................... PC -1
Chapter 1
1 -1
Summary of Results for First Screening - Project Concepts .... ............................1
-9
1 -2
Twelve Final Detailed Study Alternatives ......................... ...............................
1 -13
1 -3
Summary of Impacts to Named Neighborhoods and Rural Communities............
1 -20
1 -4
Prime and Important Farmland Soils in the Detailed Study Alternative Corridors
1 -30
1 -5
Impacts to Prime and Important Farmland Soils .............. ...............................
1 -31
1 -6
Ranking of DSAs by Potential to Impact Archaeological Resources ....................
1 -37
1 -7
Summary of Effects on Federally Protected Species .......... ...............................
1 -46
1 -8
Summary of Potential for Indirect and Cumulative Effects by County .................
1 -49
Chapter 2
2 -1
Recommended Preliminary Service Roads ........................... ...........................2
-16
2 -2
Summary of Changes in Jurisdictional Resource Impacts Due to Design
Refinements and Service Roads for Preferred Alternative .. ...............................
2 -17
2 -3
Cost Estimates for the Preferred Alternative .................... ...............................
2 -18
2 -4
Year 2035 Traffic Volumes Along the Preferred Alternative ...............................
2 -19
2 -5
Potential Neighborhood Impacts ......................................... ...........................2
-24
2 -6
Church and Cemetery Impacts from Preferred Alternative . ...............................
2 -26
2 -7
2035 Noise Contours and Impact Summary - Preferred Alternative ...................
2 -30
2 -8
Preliminary Feasible and Reasonable Noise Barriers for the Preferred Alternative
2 -32
2 -9
Impacts to Prime and Important Farmland Soils ............... ...............................
2 -36
2 -10
Hazardous Materials Sites in the Preferred Alternative Corridor .........................2
-41
2 -11
Effects to Historic Architectural Resources from Preferred Alternative ................
2 -46
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2 -12 Impacts to Terrestrial Communities .................................... ...........................2 -52
2 -13 Impacts to Waters of the US .......................................... ............................... 2 -54
2 -14 Transportation Projects Included in the No -Build Scenario . ............................... 2 -63
2 -15 Gravity Model Estimated Change in Households and Employment by Watershed -
No -Build Scenario and Build Scenario ............................. ............................... 2 -69
2 -16 Estimated Land Conversion by Watershed - No -Build Scenario and Build
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Chapter 1
1 -1 National MSAT Emission Trends 1999 - 2050 For Vehicles Operating On Roadways
Using USEPA MOBILE6.2 Model ...................................... ............................... 1 -28
LIST OF FIGURES (Figures located at the end of each chapter)
Chapter 1
1 -1 Project Location in Region
1 -2 2035 Long Range Transportation Plans
1 -3 Mecklenburg County Southwest District Future Land Use Map
1 -4 (a -b) Detailed Study Alternatives
1 -5 (a -b) Neighborhoods and Communities
1 -6 (a -b) Draft EIS Noise Impact Assessment Information
Chapter 2
2 -1 Preferred Alternative DSA 9
2 -2 Preferred Alternative Typical Section
2 -3 (a -r) Preferred Alternative Refined Design
2 -4 (a -b) Preferred Alternative Noise Impact Assessment
2 -5 Hazardous Materials Sites
2 -6 Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative ICE Study Areas
2 -7 No Build Transportation Projects
2 -8 Absolute Change in Households 2005 -2035 No Build Comparison
2 -9 Absolute Change in Employment 2005 -2035 No Build Comparison
2 -10 Absolute Change in Households 2005 -2035 Build Comparison
2 -11 Absolute Change in Employment 2005 -2035 Build Comparison
2 -12 Absolute Change in Households 2035 No Build to Build
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Scenario..................................................................... ...............................
2 -70
2 -17
Estimated Change in Impervious Cover by Watershed ....... ...............................
2 -73
2 -18
Forest Interior Habitat Patches in ICE Study Area ............. ...............................
2 -75
2 -19
Estimated Change in Forest Cover by Watershed .............. ...............................
2 -76
2 -20
Summary of Estimated Indirect and Cumulative Effects in the ICE Study Area ....
2 -78
Chapter 3
3 -1
Small Group Meeting Summaries ........................................ ............................3
-3
3 -2
TEAC Meeting Summaries .................................................. ............................3
-5
Chapter 6
6 -1
Acronyms Used in the Final EIS ........................................... ............................6
-7
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Chapter 1
1 -1 National MSAT Emission Trends 1999 - 2050 For Vehicles Operating On Roadways
Using USEPA MOBILE6.2 Model ...................................... ............................... 1 -28
LIST OF FIGURES (Figures located at the end of each chapter)
Chapter 1
1 -1 Project Location in Region
1 -2 2035 Long Range Transportation Plans
1 -3 Mecklenburg County Southwest District Future Land Use Map
1 -4 (a -b) Detailed Study Alternatives
1 -5 (a -b) Neighborhoods and Communities
1 -6 (a -b) Draft EIS Noise Impact Assessment Information
Chapter 2
2 -1 Preferred Alternative DSA 9
2 -2 Preferred Alternative Typical Section
2 -3 (a -r) Preferred Alternative Refined Design
2 -4 (a -b) Preferred Alternative Noise Impact Assessment
2 -5 Hazardous Materials Sites
2 -6 Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative ICE Study Areas
2 -7 No Build Transportation Projects
2 -8 Absolute Change in Households 2005 -2035 No Build Comparison
2 -9 Absolute Change in Employment 2005 -2035 No Build Comparison
2 -10 Absolute Change in Households 2005 -2035 Build Comparison
2 -11 Absolute Change in Employment 2005 -2035 Build Comparison
2 -12 Absolute Change in Households 2035 No Build to Build
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 -13 Absolute Change in Employment 2035 No Build to Build
2 -14 Tree Cover and Forest Interior Habitat Patches
APPENDICES
A. Draft EIS Errata
B. Responses to Comments on the Draft EIS
131. Agency Comment Letters
132. Local Government Comment Letters
133. Interest Group Letters and Letters Responding to the USACE
Public Notice
134. Public Comment Letters
135. E- Mailed Public Comments
136. Public Comment Forms
137. Public Hearing Transcripts
C. Draft EIS Impact Summary Table
D. Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) Discussion of Impacts
E. Soils Information
F. NPDES Dischargers
G. Concurrence Forms
H. Preliminary Design Refinements for the Preferred Alternative
I. Jurisdictional Resources Information
J. 2035 Noise Contour Maps
K. Intensive Archaeological Survey Information and Agency Correspondence
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