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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20161268_Alternatives Report_20120517 (2)LEAST ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSED SR 1 409 (MILITARY CUTOFF ROAD) EXTENSION AND PROPOSED US 1 7 HAMPSTEAD BYPASS NEW HANOVER AND PENDER COUNTIES STATE PROJECT 401 9 1 1 2 NCDOT TIP PROJECTS U 4751 AND R 3300 CORPS ACTION ID 2007 1 386 a MAY 17, 2012 AT 9 00 A M NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURES CONFERENCE ROOM, NCDOT CENTURY CENTER BUILDING A 1 000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE, RALEIGH, NC 27510 Piepared Bj 'Mulkey Engineers and Consultants 6750 l r} on Road Car} NC 27D18 919 8-)11912 TABLE OF CONTENTS Meeting Agenda 10 Introduction and Project Description 1 1 1 Puipose of Todai s Meeting 1 12 Project Descripuon 1 13 Puipose of the Proposed Action 1 14 Project Stitus 1 2 0 Detailed Study Alternatives 2 21 Hampstead 13 } pass Alternati-, es 2 52 2 1 1 AltetnatiN e L H 2 8 2 1 2 Alternative O 3 Gamelands and Presen anon Areas 2 1 3 Alteinati-, e R 3 54 2 1 4 Alternati-, e U 4 22 Mrhtar3 Cutoff Road Extension Alternati-, es 5 Water Supply Wells 2 2 1 Altern iti-, e M1 5 222 AlternatiN e 1\42 5 3 0 Hy draulic Recommendations 6 4 0 Corridor Public Hearings & Agenc3 Comments on the DEIS 6 41 Public Hearings 6 42 Agency Comments on the DEIS 7 50 Environmental Evaluation 8 51 Streams Ponds and Wetlands 8 52 Historic Atchitectural Resources 8 53 Gamelands and Presen anon Areas 9 54 Federa115 Protected Species 10 55 Water Supply Wells 11 6 0 NCDOT Preferred Alternative 13 Table 1 Total Stream Impacts 8 Table 2 Historic Architectural Resource Effects 9 Table 3 Gamelands and Preser-, ation Area Impacts 9 1 able 4 1 edera115 Protected Species Effects 10 Table 5 Summer} of CFPUA Wells in the Vicmit5 of Mihtar} Cutoff Road Extension 12 1 able 6 Summary of Current Detailed Stud) Alternate es Impacts 14 Appendix A — Figures Appendix B — Tables from the DEIS Appendix C — Agenc) Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement Appendix D — Evaluation of Impacts to Public Water Supply Groundwater Wells & Addendum 1 NEPA /Section 404 Merger Meeting Concurrence Point 3 Proposed SR 1409 (Military Cutoff Road) Extension and Proposed US 17 Hampstead Bypass New Hanover and Pender Counties NCDOT TIP Projects U 4751 and R 3300 1 � State Project 4019112 US Army Corps Corps Action ID 2007 1386 of Engineers W Imington Dismct May 17 2012 Meeting Agenda 1 Introductions and Sign in 2 Purpose of Meeting 3 Project Review Ox eix iew & Pi oject Status Purpose and Need (Concurrence Point 1) Detailed Stud) AlternatiN es (Concurrence Point 2) Hydiauhc Recommendations (Concurrence Point 2a) Public In-, ol-, ement Summary Comments on the DEIS EnN ironmental Impacts E-, aluanon of Detailed Stud) Alteinatix es 4 LEDPA Discussion (Concurrence Point 3) 5 Concurrence on LEDPA 6 Completion of Concurrence Point 3 Signature Form 11 10 INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION 11 Purpose of Today's Meeting fhe purpose of toda) s meeting is to reach concurrence on the Least En-, ironmentall) Damaging Piacticable Alternate-, e (LEDPA) (Concurrence Point 3) Formal concurrence on the LEDPA will be requested during this meeting 12 Project Description State 1 ranspoitation Impio-, ement Progiam (STIP) projects U 4751 and R 3300 in-, ol-, e the construction of Mihtary Cutoff Road Extension in New HanoN ei Count) and the US 17 I lampstead Bypass in New Hano-, er and Pender Counties respectively These projects arc included in the 2012 2018 STIP Foi project U 4751 the North Caiohna Department of 1 ransportation (NCDO 1) proposes to extend Mihtar) Cutoff Road as a six lane diN ided roadway on new location fiom its current teimmus at US 17 (Market Street) in Wilmington north to an inteichange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass (John Ja) Burney Ir Fieewa)) Linuted and full control of access is proposed For project R 3300 NCDOT proposes to construct the US 17 Hampstead Bypass as a fteewa) on new location The US 17 Hampstead Bypass may connect to the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension at the esistung US 17 Wilmington Bypass and extend to existing US 17 north of Hampstead Full contiol of access is proposed for the US 17 Hampstead B) pass The project aiea is shown in Figure 1 in Appendix A Project U 4751 is programmed for right of way acquisition in State Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 with construction in FY 2017 Project R 3300 is programmed for right of way acquisition in 2017 a Construction of R 3300 is not currently funded Current anticipated costs vary by alternati-, e and range from $356 2 million to $404 8 million 13 Purpose of the Proposed Action The purpose of the US 17 Corridor Study project is to impro-, e the traffic carry ing capacity and safety of the US 17 and Market Street corridor m the project area 14 Project Status The Section 404 /NEPA Merger Team for the US 17 Corridor Stud) agreed on the purpose of and need for the project at then September 21 2006 meeting The NEPA /Section 404 Merger 1 cam rei sewed project alternatives at three meetings between February 2007 and August 2007 During these meetings the merger team dropped alternati-\ es from fuither consideration added alternatix es for eN aluation and combined some alternam es 1 he merger team concurred on alternatives to be studied in detail at their August 23 2007 meeting 1 he current detailed stud) alternati-, es are reviewed in Section 2 0 I he NEPA /Section 404 Mciget I eam reached concurrence on Bridging and Alignment Re-\ ie-\-V (CP 2a) on May 27 2010 A summ u) of H) drauhc Recommendations for the proposed project is ' included in Scction 3 0 fhe US 17 Corridor Stud) Draft Ln -\ nonmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was signed on Jul) 28 2011 Comments recer-, ed on the DEIS and during the public hearing comment period arc summanred in Section 4 0 I he NEPA /Section 404 Merger 1 cam met on December 15 2011 to rev iew the project status discuss comments on the DEIS and to identif) an) additional information needed poor to the selection of the LEDPA 20 DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVES There are four new location build alternate-\ es for the I Iannpstead Bypass (R 3300) and two nevi location build altetnati-, es for Military Cutoff Road Extension (U 4751) still under consideration 1 he current detailed study alternatiN es for Hampstead B) pass include E H O R and U (sec Section 2 1) 1 he current detailed stud) alteinati-, es for Mihtar} Cutoff Road Extension include M1 and M2 (see Section 2 2) The current detailed stud) alternatiN es are shown in DEIS Figure 9 and Figures 10A through 10K included i1 Appendix A 1 vpical sections are shown in DEIS Figures 11 and 12 in Appendix A As i result of comments ieceiN ed during the public hearing process modifications to the northernmost Hampstead B) pass interchange design ate being eN aluated and ma) be inplcmented during final design It is expected that an) changes would take place within the existing corridor alternatives Re-N isions to the northernmost Hampstead B) pass interchange would be applicable for all alternati\ es Therefore increases or decreases in impacts to the human and natural en-, ironments would be the same for each of the detailed stud) alternati-N es As a result of comments recei-, ed during the DEIS re-, eew Mihtan Cutoff Road Extension Alternati-, es M2 and 1\42 were shifted within the project stud) corridors to a-, old impacts to Cape Fear Public Utility Authority wells 21 Hampstead Bypass Alternatives 2 1 1 ALTERNATIVE E H Alternative E H begins in New Hanover County at a proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass approximately mid-,x a) between I 40 and Market Street 1 he alternate\ e extends northN ;est past Srdbur- Road into Pender Count} Land use between the bypass and Sidbury Road is mostly unde-, eloped property Alternate-, e E H turns to the northeast and continues to a proposed interchange with NC 210 east of Island Creek Road From its interchange it NC 210 Alternate-\ e E H extends northeast across seN oral minor roads that include hghtl) de` eloped residential areas and through unde-\ eloped forested areas Alternate-\ e E H crosses Hoo` er Road north of South 1 opsail Elementary School and continues northeast through unde-, eloped piopert) to a proposed interchange with realigned US 17 approximatel) 0 7 mile west of Grandview Dri-\ e Alternati-, e E H continues north belund the 1 opsail School L] complex and then turns east to tic into existing US 17 neat Leeward Lane Alteinati-, e E H ' continues north on costing US 17 to Sloop Point Loop Road 2 1 2 ALTERNATIVE O Alternative O begins in New Hanover County at a proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass approximately one mile west of the Market Street interchange It extends north from the bypass through undeN eloped land and ciosses Sidbur� Road at the New Hano-N er County /Ponder Count} line 1 he alter natiN e continues north through predommand) undeN eloped land to a proposed interchange at NC 210 From its interchange at NC 210 Alternati-, e O extends northeast across se-, oral mmnot toad~ that include lightly de-, eloped residential areas and through unde-, eloped forested areas It continues through farmland crosses HOOK er Road north of South Topsail Elementar} School and continues northeast though undeveloped property to a proposed interchange with realigned US 17 appioxnnately 0 7 mile west of Grandview Dri-, e Alternati-, e O continues north behind the Topsail School complex and then turns cast to tie into existing US 17 near Leeward Lane Alteinati-, e O continues north on existing US 17 to Sloop Point Loop Road 2 1 3 ALTERNATIVE R Alternative R begins in New Hano-, er County at an interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass approximatel) midway between 140 and Market Street Alternati-, e R extends northeast from the bypass across undeveloped land and crosses Sidbur- Road at the New Hano-, er County / Pender County line `I he alteinati-, e continues north through predominantly unde-, eloped land to an interchange at NC 210 From its interchange at NC 210 Alternati-, e R crosses Hoox er Road north of South 1 opsail Elementary School and continues northeast through undeveloped property to a proposed interchange with realigned US 17 approximately 0 7 rile west of GrandN new Dri-, e Alternative R continues north behind the Topsail School complex and then turns east to tie into existing US 17 near Leeward Lane Alternatix e R continues north on existing US 17 to Sloop Point Loop Road Typical Sections Alternatives E H, O and R Fi om the j» opo roe! zntei chap ,ge rat the US 17 l Ylilming>on Bypaj i to the pi opo +ed inlet change at NC 210 Six 12 foot lanes (three m each direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot paved) A 46 foot median is proposed From thepiopored interchange rat NC 210 to eamiting US 17 Foul 12 foot lanes (two in each direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot pa-, ed) A 46 foot median is proposed Access and Right of Way Alternatives E -H, O and R Full control of access is proposed for Hampstead Bypass For Alternati-, es E H O and R access is proposed at interchanges with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass NC 210 and existing US 17 approximately 0 7 mile west of Grandx iew Drive Interchange locations are shown on Figure 9 A variable right of way width of 200 feet to 350 feet is proposed for Hampstead Bypass Alternatives EH OandR 2 1 4 ALTERNATIVE U Altcinativc U begins in New l lano-N ei Count} at i proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilnngton Bypass 1 he mteichinge location will -, ity depending on the selected preferred Mihtar} Cutoff Road Extension iltein itt-, e (N11 of 1\42) Alternati,, e U follows the Wilmington B) pass through the existing inteich Inge at Market Street The alteinati-, e rums along existing US 17 to i proposed interchange with ieahgned Sidbut� Road Alteinati-, e U continues north on existmg US 17 for approxmiatel) two mules to where it transitions to new location at i proposed interchange with existing US 17 Alternntix e U conttnucs north on new location to intersect with NC 210 at a proposed interchange approximately 0 5 mile west of existing US 17 Mom its interchange at NC 210 Alternate-, e U continues north parallel to existing US 17 and crosses Hoo-N er Road south of South 1 opsail Elementary School 1 he niteinatiN e continues northeast through undo eloped property to a proposed rntetchange with reahgned US 17 appioxrimatel) 0 5 mile west of Grand-, lew Din e Alteinatt-, e U continues north behind the 1 opsail School complex and then turns east to tie into existing US 17 near Leeward Lane Alternati-, e U continues north on existing US 17 to Sloop Point Loop Road Typical Sections Alternatives U 1-1om t {)c propo,ed antetchaj�ge at the US 17 lViInlinstol� Byj�gr� to the proposed a��terc %ai�ge ivzth ctiartznd US 17 south of Hanipitead Ten 12 foot lanes (fi-, e to each direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot paN ed) A 22 foot median with ten foot inside shoulders and a two foot concrete banter is proposed Se-, eral considerations factored unto the proposed t) pic it section for this segment of Altetrnati-, e U • Year 2035 traffic projections for Alternate-, e U in this area are comparable to traffic found on the busiest roads in the most populated areas in North Carohna including Charlotte and Raleigh • Traffic anal) ses show that the number of lanes required between the proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilmington B) pass and the proposed interchange at NC 210 are higher for Alternatix e U than for Alternatives E H O and R between the same points This is because Alternati-, es E H O and R provide northbound traN elers the option of either using the proposed Hampstead Bypass or existing US 17 while all traffic is directed along one route with Alternate-, e U More lanes ate required to process this increased traffic on Alternati-, e U US 17 Wilmington B) pass and existing US 17 each with four lanes and poor traffic sere ice come together along this section of Alternati-, e U With their combined traffic and an additional 70 000 cars ten lanes are needed to accommodate projected 2035 traffic olumes • NCDOT proposes a freeway facility with full control of access for the Hampstead B) pass because in addition to i ncreasmg safety it would pro-, ide greater benefit in terms of traffic sern ice than the partial or open control of access options An expressway or non freeway option with direct access from the bypass to adjacent properties would require 14 tra-, el lanes to pro-, ide adequate traffic carrying capacity The signals required for an expiessw i) 4 seduce the capacity fiom approxinnatel) 2 200 passenger cats pet hour for a freeway lane to apptoximat4 450 N chicles pet hour for an expressNxa) lane In addition there «ould be dri-, et expectancy and safety concerns associated with the Hampstead B) pass making the transition from a freeway to a 14 lane elpressw i} with signah7ation and turning movements and back to a freewa) Where Altcrnati-, e U tra-, els along existing US 17 a frontage road system is needed in addition to the main tra-, el lanes to pro-, ide access to adjacent properties Senn ice roads would pro-, ide access to businesses residences and community facihties along existing US 17 between the existing interchange with US 17 Wilmington B) pass and the proposed interchange with existing US 17 where Hampstead Bypass transitions to new location Utlh7rng sen ice loads mrnimi7es unpacts by reducing relocations and right of way costs From the proposed anleichanac mlh etitrttltg US 17 Ioulh of Hampilead to lbeplopoled mteichaii atNC 210 Si-, 12 foot lanes (three in each direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot paN cd) A 46 foot median is proposed From the piopocerl anleichai�ge al NC 210 »oilh to e%icltng US 17 Four 12 foot lanes (two ill each direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot pa-, ed) in each direction and a 46 foot median Access and Right of Way Alternative U For Alternati-, e U access is proposed at interchanges with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass the emsti ng US 17 Wilmington By pass interchange at Market Street Sidbur} Road the proposed interchange with emsting US 17 where Hampstead B) pass transitions to new location south of Hampstead NC 210 and existing US 17 approximatel) 0 5 mile west of Grand-, sew Dri-, e I o pro\ ide access to adjacent properties ser-\ ice roads are proposed for the sections of Alternati-, e U that travel along existing US 17 from Market Street to where Hampstead Bypass transitions to new location A -\ amiable right of wa) width of 200 feet to 520 feet is proposed for Alternative U 1 22 Military Cutoff Road Extension Alternatives Military Cutoff Road Extension Alternate-, es M1 and M2 are new location alternati-, es extending Mihtary Cutoff Road from Market Street to the US 17 Wilmington Bypass 22 1 ALTERNATIVE M 1 Alternative 1\41 begins at a proposed interchange at Mihtar) Cutoff Road and Market Street 1 he alternative extends north through N acant County property between the two sections of Ogden Park and residential areas Alternati-, e M1 turns northwest and ends near Plantation Road and Crooked Prne Road at a proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass approximately midwa) between I 40 and Market Street 2 2 2 ALTERNATIVE M2 Alternati-, e M2 begins at a proposed interchange at Military Cutoff Road and Market Street Alternati-, e M2 follows the Alternative M1 alignment for approximately two miles Alternatix e M2 then turns northeast and extends through mostly unde-, eloped property to a proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilmington By pass approxirnatel) one mile west of Market Stiect Typical Sections Alternatives M1 and M2 Fioiv the piopoied w1mbanac al Maikel Slicel to appio%imalely 0,9 vole lioilh of I oichivood Botdevmd Six lanes (three in etch dnection) with 1 30 foot median and curb Ind gutter Txxo 12 foot inside lanes and one 14 foot outside lane (to accommodate bic) Iles) with to o foot curb and gutter and a ten foot berm ale proposed in each dnection I,iom appio %inialcly 0 9 nnle iioilh of Toidwood Bonlcvald to the popoted airlcichalige al the US 17 Iilillvillgloii Bypaij Six 12 foot lanes (three in etch direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot par ed) A 46 foot median is proposed The Wilmington Metlopohtan Phnni ig Organization (MPO) has requested a multi use path be constructed along proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension the multi use path would tie into 1n existing multi use path along Mrhtar) Cutoff Road The construction of a multi use pith as part of the proposed project will be dependent upon i cost shlring and maintenance agreement between the NCDOT and the Wilmington MPO 1 he NCDO 1 will continue to coordinate with the Wilmington 1\IP0 on the inclusion of the multi use path along Mihtlr) Cutoff Road Lxtension Access and Right of Way Alternatives M1 and M2 Mihtary Cutoff Road Extension is proposed as a full/himted control of access facility Access to Military Cutoff Road Extension is proposed at interchanges at Market Street and Mlhtar5 Cutoff Road and the US 17 Wilmington Bypass Additional access along Mlhtar5 Cutoff Road Extension is proposed at directional crosso-, eis with Putnam Drr-, e Lendlre Ro1d and Torch,,-, ood Boule-, and Onl) right turns will be permitted onto Mrhtar� Cutoff Road Extension from these roads U turn lanes will be proN rded to accommodate left turns A X ariable right of wa3 width of 150 feet to 350 feet is proposed for Military Cutoff Road Extension 30 HYDRAULIC RECOMMENDATIONS Table 2 5 from the DEIS in Appendix B lists the proposed major hydrauhc structures for the current detailed stud) alternatiN es The NEPA /Section 404 merger team concurred on the size Ind location of the structures on Ma} 26 and 27 2010 1 he locations of the structures are shown on DEIS Figure 10A 111 Appendix A 40 CORRIDOR PUBLIC HEARINGS & AGENCY COMMENTS ON THE DEIS 41 Public Hearings Two Corridor Public Hearings were held for the project • Monday October 17 2011 at Noble Middle School in Wilmington 118 citizens registered their attendance at the meeting • Tuesday October 18 2011 at l opsail High School in Hampstead 266 citizens registered then attendance at this meeting Fifteen individuals proN rded verbal comments after the formal presentations As of No-, ember 28 2011 1 total of 92 written comments h1N e been recen ed Tv, ent) tN-vo of the written comments ' subnntted included concerns rented to Mihtar� Cutoff Road E\tension I he remainder of the written comments pertained to Hampstead Bypass Most of those comments «ere iellted to the location of the northernmost interchange for the Hampstead Bypass Most commented that the ' lack of direct access to existing US 17 from Hampstead Bypass at the northern end of the project is unacceptable ' 1 he public hearing comment form pioN ided the oppoitumt} for commenters to rank the oidei of their corridor piefeience(s) from among the fi-, e Current Detailed Study Alternati-N es Se-, oral respondents stated then preferred alteinati-, e(s) within their written comments instead of numbering the alternati-, es on the comment form Preference by alternative as indicated by commenters is shown below Alternative 1 ` Choice 2 d Choice 3 d Choice 4`h Choice 5`h Choice M1 +E H 15 1 2 1 M2 +0 15 3 4 M1 +R 11 4 1 1 M1 +U 5 2 3 M2 +U 10 3 2 42 Agency Comments on the DEIS Comments on the DEIS from federal and state agencies are included in Appendix C Information pertaining to these comments was discussed at the December 15 2011 US 17 Corridor Study CP3 informational meeting In their comments on the DEIS EPA requested that se-, oral of their concerns be addressed prior to the selection of the Least En-, tronmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative A copy of NCDOT s responses to EPA s comments on the DEIS was distributed to the merger team on March 1 2012 (see Appendix C) e At the December 15 2011 CP3 informational meeting the merger team requested additional information on potential public water suppl) impacts prior to LEDPA concuirence In response to the request supplemental information was provided to the merger team on February 9 2012 in a report titled E-, aluation of Impacts to Public Watei Suppl) Gioundwater Wells US 17 Corridor Stud) NCDOT Projects U 4751 cX R 3300 (E-, aluation) EPA pro-, ided comments on the EN aluation on Februar) 28 2012 A cop) of the EN aluation and EPA s comments are included in Appendix D An addendum to the EN aluation addressing EPA s comments is also included in Appendix D At the December 15`h meeting the merger team requested additional information on stormwater pond pernnts and stream quality information DEIS 1 ables 4 11 and 4 13 haN e been updated to include this information (see Appendix B) 7 50 ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION DEIS Figures 10A through 10h in appendix A show enN ironmentll features in the project area A summary of potentiil enN rtonmental impacts is pto-, idcd in 11ble 6 on page 14 Details of impacts to Jurisdictional tesources historic irclutectuial resources gameland and preseix ation areas federlll) protected species and xx iter suppl) wells are described below Rn et Batim boundaries the Cape Fear Public Utiht� Authortn s (CFPUA) Wcllheid Protection Area Ind CFPUA water supply well locations in the project arei MN e been added to Figure 10 51 Streams, Ponds and Wetlands Watet resources in the study atci arc part of the Cipe Fear Ind Onslow Bad River Basins (U S Geological Sun e) [USGS] Hydrologic UrAts 03030007 qnd 03020302) A total of 58 jurisdictional streams 17 ponds Ind 107 jurisdictionil wetlands are located within the current detiilcd stud} alternati-, es stud) corridors Impacts to Waters of the U S would occur at -, arious locations throughout the length of the project at stream crossings wetland areas Ind ponds Anticipited impacts by type of strcim are presented for the detailed study ilternati-N es in Table 1 1 otil stream wetland and pond impacts for each alterngti-N e are shown in Table 6 on page 14 anticipated impacts for each stream pond and wetland are presented for the detailed study alternatix es in DEIS 1 ables 4 11 4 13 and 4 15 located in Appendtn B Table 1 Total Stream Impacts Delineated Stream Impacts (linear feet) Alternative M1 +EH M2 +0 M1 +R M1 +U M2 +U Petenmal 17 227 10 776 17 874 10 995 6 977 Intermittent 3 487 1 346 2 553 997 486 Other' 2 784 737 3 111 2 425 340 Total 23,498 12,859 23,538 14,417 7,803 ' Tributail waters determined to be junsdicuonal based on the presence of an ordinary lugh water mark (01-IWNI) These waters ire classified as Waters of the US (impacts calculated in sq ft) and Nx ill not require compensator} mitigation ZG 7 �i 2 2_ [� J to yl7 / Z oz-2— 7!G 3 i 52 Historic Architectural Resources There is one property within the Area of Potential Effect listed on the National Register of Historic Places and four properties eligible for listing The potential effect of the proposed project on historic architectural resources is summarized by alternatiN e in 1 able 2 1 he State Historic Presen ation Office concurred with effect determinations at a meeting held on March 8 2011 A-, oidance and mtnimtrltion measures have been incorporated into the design at Poplar Gro-, e Mount Ararat AME Church Wesle) an Chapel United Methodist Church and Scotts Hill Rosenwald School 1 he State Historic Presen ation Office rex sewed the a-, oidance and rninimiz,mon measuies on Decembei 13 2011 and rex ised the effects deteinunation at Scotts Hill ' Rosenwald School fiom AdN erse Effect to No AdN erse Effect fable 2 Historic Aiclritectural Resource Lffects 53 Gamelands and Preservation Areas All of the detailed study alternati-, es will impact preservation areas as shown in 1 able 3 below Table 3 Gamelands and Presen ation Area Impacts Gamelands and Preservation Area Impacts (acres)' Alternative M1 +EH M2 +0 M1 +R M1 +U M2 +U Historic Property 058 No No No Adi eise Ads ei_sc Poplar Gro-, e Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect 030 Ad-, erse Ad-, else AdN else AdN erse Ad-, else Mount Ararat AME Church Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect Wes1c) an Chapel United Methodist No No No Ad-\ erse Ad-, else Church Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect No No No No No Ad-, erse Ad-, erse Scotts Hill Rosenwald School Effect Effect Effect Effect Effect No No No No No Topsail Consolidated School Effect I Effect I Effect Effect Effect 53 Gamelands and Preservation Areas All of the detailed study alternati-, es will impact preservation areas as shown in 1 able 3 below Table 3 Gamelands and Presen ation Area Impacts Gamelands and Preservation Area Impacts (acres)' Alternative M1 +EH M2 +0 M1 +R M1 +U M2 +U Corbett Tract Mitigation Site 058 000 058 008 000 Corbett tract Residual Strip 355 027 355 285 000 Plantation Road Site 030 1328 030 031 2203 34 Acre Residual Site 000 2881 000 000 1237 Blake Sa-, annah 000 058 058 000 000 TOTAL 443 4294 501 324 3440 I The project does not affect Holl) Shelter Game Land or the 22 acre Residual Site in the N icuut} of the US 17 Wilmington B) pass 'p,re. 9 54 Federally Protected Species As of Septembci 22 2010 the U S Nish Ind Wildlife Sct\ ice (USI,WS) lists 11 federally protected species for Ncw H inoN ei Comm) Ind 12 federally protected Species for Pender Count) I able 4 summaries the federally protected species hstcd for Ncw I lano-, ei and Pender Counties Ind the biological conclusion for this projects likely effect on each species 1 able 4 Fedeiall� Protected Specics Lffects Scientific Common Federal Biological Name Name Status Count} Conclusion Alternatives Allzgatoi Anetican I (SSA) New Hanoi et Not Requited nnsslwpplelw alhgator Pender Chelo ua mydas Green sea T New j Hano-, et No Effect turtle I ender Caretta caretta Loggerh ead T NeR I Ianox et No Effect sea turtle Pender Chaiadnui Piping ploy el T Ne�, I I ino-, et No Effect meloduJ Pender Puoider borealis Red cockaded E New Hanoi et May affect Likel) E H O R U woodpecker Pender to Adversel Affect Acapenrer Shortnose New Hanover E No Effect breivroitrum sturgeon Pender Trnhechus West Indian New Hano -, ei E No Effect inanatus manatee Pendet Schwalbea American E Pendet No Effect amen6ana ch iffseed* Thalutium Coole) s New Hanoi er Ma) Affect Likel) cooleya meadowrue 1 Pendet to Ad,, ersel Affect O R Cam, lutea Golden sedge E, New Hanover" Ma) Affect Likel) O It Pendet to Ad-, ersely Affect I yiamachia Rough lea-, ed E New HanoN ei Ma) Affect Libel) E H O R U ar en1laefolia loosestrife Pender to AdN eisel Affect M1 M2 Amaianthui Senbeach New HanoN et iimdus amaranth I Pender No Effect I- — Endangered T — Threatened 1(S/ A) Threatened due to Siniilant) of -Appearance Historic record (the species was last obsein ed in the count) more than 50 ) cars ago) r -' Listed as Probable /potential Protected species sun eys will be updated in the spiing of 2012 1 he USFWS has indicated the biological conclusion for golden sedge remains to be determined If additional and appropilately timed sun e) s do not reN eal an) specimens of golden sedge the USFWS has noted they would concur with a "no effect" conclusion for this species NCDOT will continue to coordinate with the US Fish and Wildlife Sen ice on red cockaded woodpecker Coole) s meadowrue golden sedge and rough leax ed loosestrife Me handouts from the December 15 2011 CP3 informational meeting showing the location of knoxx n occurrences of Cooley s meadowrue and iough lea-, ed loosestrife are included in Appendix A 10 55 Water Supply Wells The Cape Fear Public Utrht) Authority (CFPUA) has se-, eral etiistuig Ind proposed well site,, associated with their groundwater nanofiltratton water treatment plant (W I P) The WTI' rs located adjacent to proposed Milrtar) Cutoff Road Extension Alternate es 1\41 and M2 where they share an alignment Just north of 1 orchwood BouleN aid At the tirne of completion of the DEIS for the project it was expected that Alternati-, e M1 would cross two CFPUA xx ell sites and Alternate e M2 would cross four existing well sites and a proposed well site The alignments of both Alternate es M1 and 1\42 hay e been modified since completion of the DEIS Neither alteinatt-, e will cross anj existing or future CFPUA well sites Both Mihvut Cutoff Road Extension alternate es would cross potable and taw water lutes Any impacted water lines would be relocated as part of the project and returned to sen ice NCDO will coordinate with CFPUA on uttht) impacts resulting from the proposed project Re-, isrons to the Mrhtar) Cutoff Road Extension design to a-, old the wells reduced the project s wetland and stream impacts I hrce additional residential displacements and an additional three acres of forested area impacts will result from the design shift for both Alternate-, es M1 and M2 A Design Norse Report noting an) changes in proposed noise wall locations will be prepared for the selected alternate-, e A detailed e-, aluation of impacts to the public water supply wells is included in Appendix D Regulations for public water supply wells stipulate that the area within 100 feet of a well be owned or controlled b) the person suppl) ing the water (15A NCAC 18C 0203) Mihtar) Cutoff Road Extension will be located a minimum of 100 feet away from existing wellheads and in most cases much greater distances (see Table 5) 1 he CFPUA de-, eloped a Wellhead Protection Plan (WI IPP) in coordination with the NC Department of En-, ironment and Natural Resources Public Water Suppl) (PWS) Section The CFPUA s WHPP is non regulatory and identifies strategies to manage the wellhead protection area for their northern water system Existing state rules and regulations are relied on to manage risks associated with transportation infrastructure located within wellhead protection areas managed through the non regulatory approach I he proposed project is not expected to result in impacts to CFPUA s groundwater water suppl) wells Impacts to the a-, ailabiht) of the water suppl) are not anticipated as a result of the proposed project the project is not expected to decrease the capacet) of the existing and planned water supply infrastructure or the source aquifers The NCDENR PWS Section has etpressed the opinion and the CFPUA has agreed there are no design elements such as hazardous spill catch basins that need to be added to the project 1 he PWS Section recommended that NCDOT assist with proN iding training to first responders in dealing with hazardous materials spills in the wellhead protection area Prior to the completion of the final en-, ironmental document for the project NCDOT will meet with the CFPUA local fire departments and other appropriate agencies to discuss additional protection measures for the wellhead protection area Measures requiring NCDOT participation will be identified in the project commitments 11 I able 5 Suminl of CFPUA Wells in the Vicini of Mihtli Cutoff Road Extension 1 � � 7 12 Distance from Distance from Well WHPP Closest Well Well Yield Wellhead to Wellhead to Depth Aquifer Radius MCRE Site ID (gpm) MCRE Slope MCRE Right of (ft) (ft) Alternative Stake Limits (ft) Way Limits (ft) P 8 160 Peedee 2000 600 M1 1\12 807 776 Q 16 175 Peedee 3 000 X00 M1 N12 1 936 1958 B 22 170 Peedee 3 000 900 M1 M2 126 118 A 23 170 Peedee 3 000 1 000 1\11 1\42 1 762 1 749 M 28 17D Peedee 2000 750 M1 M2 568 524 N 29 175 Peedee 2000 7D0 M1 1\42 797 764 O 30 175 Peedee 2000 570 M1 M2 1 006 974 Castle A A CI I 9D 9-965 600 M1 M2 1 6D4 1 641 Hayne Castle B B CH 80 3 097 640 M1 M2 134 123 HaN ne Castle C C CH 105 2 406 600 M2 1 402 1 333 Has nc C C PD 168 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 1 379 1 309 Castle F h CH 10:) -2 273 600 1\42 764 727 H1} ne F F PD 170 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 770 744 Castle G G CH 90 2 440 500 M2 523 471 H-i) ne G G PD 173 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 546 494 Castle H H CH 100 2- 471 600 M2 184 152 Ha) ne H H PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 160 128 Castle I I CH 95 2 206 400 M2 2 109 2 09:) H15 ne I I PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 2081 2067 Castle J J CH 100 2 493 600 M2 546 521 Ha} ne J J PD 175 Peedee 3 000 X70 M2 573 548 Castle • K CH 100 2 713 200 M1 M2 1 334 1 304 Hai ne • K PD 17D Peedee 3 000 600 M1 M2 1 272 1 241 Castle L L CH 8D 3 054 500 M2 805 784 Hayne L L PD 170 Peedee 3 000 640 M2 789 763 12 fhc NCDENR PWS Section has indicated it would be beneficial to include signage to make the ' public aware they are traN eliing through a water supply aica NCDO I will coordinate with the Cape I-ear Public Utiht) Authorm on the potential inclusion of a sign on Mihtary Cutoff Road Extension I he Emeigenc} Management Coordinator for CFPUA indicated that if these is a spill ' or potential contarrnnation incident in the protected area the appropriate response is to call 911 or the 24 hour CFPUA emergent} number ' Well locations Ind a 100 foot buffer ground the wells will be depicted on final constructions plans for Military Cutoff Road Extension I he Special ProN isions within the final design plans will include a requirement for the contractor s to educate their employees that project construction is ' occurring within a wellhead protection area 60 NCDOT PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NCDOT recommends Alternative M1 +I-- H for the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension (U 4751) and Hampstead B) pass (R 3300) project NCDO f has selected Alternate e M1 +E H as the prcferred alternate e for the following reasons • Alternate-, e 1\11 +E H is expected to have the fewest impacts to federall) protected species Coole} s meadowrue stems were found in -, cry close proxinnt) to the right of way for Alternati-, es M2 +0 and 1\11 +R A number of rough lea-, ed loosestrife stems were found within the right of wa) for Mihtar) Cutoff Road Lxtension Alternati-\ e M2 which would affect AlternateN es M2 +0 and M2 +U • Alternate e M1 +E H would ha-, e fewer impacts to presen ation areas than Alternati-, es M2 +0 M2 +U and M1 +R • Alternati-, es 1\41 +U and M2 +U are not recommended because the) have more residential and business relocations greater noise impacts greater iinpacts to cultural resources more impacts to High Quaht} Waters and greater total costs than Alternati-, es M1 +E H M2 +0 and Ml +R • Alternate e M2 +0 is not recommended because it has more impacts to federally protected species proposed future CFPUA water supply infrastructure wetlands ponds and presen ation areas • Alternati-, e M1 +E H has fewer wetland pond and stream impacts than Alternati-, e M1 +R • Alternate e 1\41 +E H impro-, es the traffic carrying capacity and safety of the US 17 and Market Street corridor in the project area In addition to the dctailed impacts presented in Tables 1 through 4 and in the tables included in Appendix B a summary of Current Detailed Stud) AlternateN es impacts is presented in Table 6 13 I able 6 Summate of Cuiient Detailed Stud} - lternat N es Impacts Current Detailed Stud) Alternatives Alteinatn e M1 +E H M1 +R M1 +U M2 +U Mihtar} Cutoff Road Lit Segment Segment Rest of NC 210 � �4- -� Segment List of NC 210 FEATURE Length miles 17 5 166 171 180 168 Delineated Wetland Impacts (acres) 24458 38326 29588 21688 28266 Delineated Stream Impacts (linear feet) 23 498 12 859 23 538 14 417 7 803 Delineated Pond Impacts (acres) 38 42 41 36 36 Displacements Residential Business Non profit 64 76 5 63 76 5 62 76 5 96 91 11 98 91 11 Red cockaded Woodpecker Future Potentially Suitable / Potentially Suitable Habitat acres 867/ 739 867/ 739 867/ 739 867/ 739 867/ 739 Other Surveyed Federal / State Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Present 1 es Yes Yes Yes Yes Natural Heritage Program SNHA, Managed Areas and Wetland Mitigations Sites acres 443 4294 01 324 3440 Prime Farmlands/ Farmlands of Statewide Importance acres 68 58 58 50 50 Forest (acres) 51297 50723 46697 40697 45623 100 Year Floodplain and Floodway Impacts(acres) 1173 88 88 30 30 Historic Properties no 1 1 1 3 3 Noise Receptor Impacts 257 236 248 310 304 Recorded Archaeological Sites (no 0 0 0 1 1 Wildlife Refuge/Game Lands acres 0 0 0 0 0 Recreational Areas /Parks no 0 0 0 0 0 High Qualit) Waters (HQW, ORW, WS Protected or Critical Areas ) ((acres) 19 919 919 1199 1199 Public Water Suppl Wells 100' Buffer 0 0 0 0 0 Cemeteries no 2 2 2 5 5 Potential UST / Hazmat Sites no 4 4 4 4 4 Total Cost (in millions) $3620 1 $3593 1 $3562 1 $4048 1 $3984 Notes 'Impact c ilculations lie based on prelnninir) design slope stale limits plus an additional 25 feet 1 14 Appendix A Figures ter! wel.rA � n � ,' e�ae•l n � P 11 E N $` r E R �% „ 1. ID -Cl-I RdL\ Figure 1 PROJECT VICINITY US 17 Corridor Study NCDOT TIP Nos. U -4751 and R -3300 New Hanover and Pender Counties O NOR71{ F c F• O y `v AInr+k r'�rnlinn Department of Transportation P ��OF iRPN'� Holly Shelter Gamelands 1, 91 t - NCZIO e CI �y \a mpstead 17 - �- Hd �Sk1336) 4� "STUDY CORRIDORS SidWr'1 C �2 Wilmington B Scotts Hill is V c Pic a�5 1`zS 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 Miles N Wilmington -j 11 / no 133 C ! N.R.PSreae [� L fit HAS/0 .. „• PROJECT °0 VICINITY 5 W I ,C K 171 CaI01YRa Beath t:WD 21, � 8% I Y Island w`e NuN Figure 1 PROJECT VICINITY US 17 Corridor Study NCDOT TIP Nos. U -4751 and R -3300 New Hanover and Pender Counties O NOR71{ F c F• O y `v AInr+k r'�rnlinn Department of Transportation P ��OF iRPN'� Holly Shelter Gamelands 1, 91 t - NCZIO e CI �y \a mpstead 17 - �- Hd �Sk1336) 4� "STUDY CORRIDORS SidWr'1 C �2 Wilmington B Scotts Hill is V c Pic a�5 1`zS 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 Miles N Wilmington -j is U. . 181 . .. ui r� ��i � { r > a f, 1 ! / � /' � *� T / � — / � � � � �� ��, /� v. � � � r � �� �� � / / i � �� t .• � � .! .,\\ � ` ` �L �� • • � f � / ' � �. �� y ,� . r �� ��� �� � � � � `` , ` * i �� ♦ � -� ♦ � '� � ,� T � J r y, / R Y „� •� '� ,� � � ,r �� � � � O ti •. d'� ` � � � � { % �.. ` .� ` � j/ � � j �/ • � � � ` j � � fi �' `/ � A y '�t.. _ A ��.. � .w. M , __ �` 4. m m r m O CL m �q 2 O L CL m ►E" c Cl i r Q m CL `V E V Q V s Z 0 6 Z a C N m`m m'6 coo m m m m m m t xa x.i ?? a, a v _ N tin U e �C >A LL Wiz° 5w�c8xhit af I� 11 m d _2 Q Cc y N m Q R p c a N 2 ?; y ° a i in J w x v m F,C15 w a Q m .^_. - - - E E m ° m m m a 8, d 00 N a N E c c C d al v= a- W Q¢ Q o y o 000 1 � m s� O fCC � y n 0 (D Eon Eck CJ co ° aa) &p ]. N N Y a# y O se ¢> O LO > > U O ps =' m i a c c °a z c cW CD z ui m O O 0 O O (a 0 w \WN / O M M }+ I �U C-6 Z L _ :D O U CD a`) Cl) E a) Ud Z 06 �> � D a- 0 d= 3 = O z d o L () Z U .• o �- � w Q Y J L 7 m a� C13 o- m a w m == m= i m m m= m i = m m m m m m r m m m m m a vY J� I. 0 c 0 c� ca LAIN rr� vJ ^N W i Q M co III- R 0, N Vj o 1 m � M L - m Q) N z > � J �Y�_ « O Cl) °' U c E m x p = U :a U o > O a m Cl) c LL i Oz � U o U z � a rr� vJ ^N W i Q M co III- R 0, N Q � � w C) z zi Q 1 m d h m z > � J �Y�_ « U a C W «.e � cm N W W WZ$ W. W W W m L xa 2,Sq x a 3 r LL m c Of W 0 Q) o d Q) m •a: cco�'m Q m Z > > > all n d G m a o d E a o c c c @$ nE Lm d o h d inQ i U= a m W `y d _m �°aa .0,00�: Q Q Q N tz S o m 8 co U = b3 2 0 m 'D N O L ya > > 0 6 E = � E C O W O YY ye d v a � 3 a in x x 4 x Q � � w C) z zi Q F1 VI jo� deIN IN Map 10D SE i 49+0 0 Wo ass S3-. r, . f , Wk IMI CL vp WEN t\ ��. A *\ \ \V\ \\ \�A..�,. �\ > �� \\ \1 \ \\ \ \ \ \. CL AL L) L) I Al INRUS M, (M 0 4? CD \ \ \\\\: z T, �b (D < M CL E :3 E ICU 125 0 LL g t E CD L) x (L Ln +0•14 M Lo c 0 w a) C\I E w Q cc 4? 1) M — oil E two a cc M M z E E E M ---------- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - 0 CZ 23 L) = m m m m m m m = m = m m m = = = m m m m = m = r m = m m m m m m m = m = = = m = m = r = m = m r = == m= m= m m m= m= m = = m = = m = = = = m = = = = = m m m 6 z Q a� r � 0) r O O N U z o O m a) 0) o r vv^ J (6 C) N ` SO C m 00 V L U z ' 0 a c ca CM o pp NH Q MMme, U r 3 W L ��/� VJ 0 _0 _ 0- N E Q m r 3 X (6 = CO a ^ w O a) m o o (n N N N o E z -a L a- m o = m Ri _0 a) r - N m o s r m (/i p } m p N Q U O co CO Z U s O O LL 06 z O LO a, n V -a v c o O c Ui u) U C ~ d m L L L O Q) 4) N Q D L� < " a) v O a m _ � 0- L (0 O C/) L C D m o N O U U s N O (~i O O (� C ` M y > I a- ``i _ m r m z - a O C) M d o N E O O 'c 0 M CO Q U- (D z y CO CO N ' r•+ C14 -0 -0 N m m CL E E c O = CN a� Q) o O o C/) N O L Q 0 3 += r a- a_ n E 0 o O L O LL L cr- j a 2 Q) W Q Q) M i Q) Q } W Y J � o m a� c� a a c� m m n ®■ g■ r mr 3 a N r 'C o r N � CN W m U ` m Q Q m F `6 U- O _ N r Q m J m � Z m L� O U V } 0 c o UI m 0' � A 2 ell NI R, IL, c c c NI > !, N m r � N 2 r � .0 > L N r m r 3 d n 0 c� r a) a) 'L VJ N ca a� c L U C CD m c 0 O C C co Z) cm c x w 0 m Q m 0 c ti D t c m U N C O Q- 0 ^L LL E O LL J Q) i a� Q c VJ c _L x W m O c m U L N c co Q 0. 70 W U) O Q- 0 O 0 a� U) CD N Y 5 m c c� U L N C ca m c 0 >E r— r ' v J CD C x W 0 L LL Q) ca ZI- ai 0 z m (D L t O N_ vJ � N O � w � w a O Z ii M O (n O O co Z 0� U 06 Z O LO U) 4-0 V -0 70 W .Q O d Z CO N m O Z � p � Z ca 2 } W Y J a � o a� m m cu a a m m i�i7 m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m m a r .a a c O r � 3 > E N O N m O r 0 L U H N O r Q 3 0 z N r LL. O o _ >. CC M a X w O I o O CL Q Q Q O M a O a) L N (n O W L Y (N r M r � > 0- N N r c0 r N GO a� o a) r 3 Q r N r N r N r N r CN r 0 s it � N N 0 3 a 0 M r Cn D O > m O m C O O U o o z O m I E j O Q ss Q O L U- I N a c n3 m i Q) Q 6 z m N a� 0 N N •/J N O m w n N Z � rn N r O O p z co O C� U Drs z La "a V O 'a Cl) U) c) a E a� O O �a y U z 06 r O > x U) O LV d O I— H z O O 0 U z U W Y �r � O (6 C6 a a m a� d d c E N N r N r N r N r CN r 0 s it � N N 0 3 a 0 M r Cn D O > m O m C O O U o o z O m I E j O Q ss Q O L U- I N a c n3 m i Q) Q 6 z m N a� 0 N N •/J N O m w n N Z � rn N r O O p z co O C� U Drs z La "a V O 'a Cl) U) c) a E a� O O �a y U z 06 r O > x U) O LV d O I— H z O O 0 U z U W Y �r � O (6 C6 a a m a� d d Appendix B Reference Tables from the DEIS L_ I able 2 5 Pioposed H) di luhc Sty uctures Site Wetland Corridor Existing Recommended No' Stream ID ID Alternative Structure Structure M U at 1 1@12 x8 Ret-im and Extend 1 ZSB L Wh U at M2 RCBC Existing Cul-, ert U at M1 2 KWD 1 @9 x8 RCBC U at M2 3 BSP BWI M1 M2 2@7 7 x12 RCBC 4 DWC M2 1 a 9x8 RCBC 5 GWA O R 3 @12 x7 RCBC 6 ISA ISB IWN O R Dual 100 Long Bud es 7 ISD IWF O R 3 @11 x8 RCBC 8 LSC LSCC LWD L H O R 3 @483 CM 2 @6 x5 RCBC4 LSCF P E H O R 1@72 RCP Retain existing and 10 CSA FSA 5 add two 1@ 72 U at M1 RCP` 11 FSI E H R 1@12x9 RCBC HBSF Dual 230 Long 15 IIBWK E H HBSH Bridges 16 HBSD(2) HBWD E H Dual 200 Long Bridges 17 HSZ HWB E H 3 @10x9 RCBC 21 FSA FWB E H R 2 @11 x9 RCBC 22 FSL FWC E H R 2 @12 x7 RCBC 23 LSD LWI E H O R 2 @9 x7 RCBC 25 HBSC HBWI, EH 1 @9 x8 RCBC B1 0 r U ZZ cS ct U D 'L3 t~ N cC H w OU -f n N M O 00 M M N O 00 N M v') r N Ln -t Lr) V) QY v y3w Ln r `n Ln nl �n r 'r' n n n n "' N N f l M M �1 N N 1 hl M 1 N A n N ..d C U � U U rrr^.+ V / A o 0 o i'. � ♦ ♦���^ � O O O O 4i U U U ai U C% U ai U U U U U u Z Z Z 1� ✓y U Cl 00 u Ar G1 �n V 00 �--� r O .-� 00 G1 G1 N 6. + W 00 00 O V V V G7 H „ r cn M N M N N U > v onz O o c o 0 0 D o c o 0 0 o O .-C -4 -4 U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U U v W S4 l4 Y4 7.4 - ti Z V U O O O O O O O O O O O O H `--4 �D �D �D �D LL r � i i i 0 u U K E a� rr�^ vJ .ti 71 H W U '" �t P r � r �-• -I- r V � V -t V oo L c� M � nl Ln c� M o0 �t w O Ln OM n M n n M Ln rn Lr) p nl 00 hl �t A M (n --t m �y��y � � C C U J--� K C U L � ��I � c�r��1 rcr�-�� Q U L c� � cG K " ' •I �i C � � it it ti Li w~+ � iy 7�r E U U U G U U U u U N Y4 O V ^� V) U V) U V) U U U U U O U U U U U U V UN U U E v* N 00 Ln � Lf) Ln 00 LO n \C I.D o r) 1 C\l U-) Lr) 00 O r M G1 00 r N M V It N M o; x x x x x x x x 79 x x x x x x o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.W bAz o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cl 0 0 ° o p 0 U Q C s~ C U C C C O C O C O U U Z v v v v n v r4 w '� 7-i v �� i.1 v �-4 N v c� i4 U K U 11-� i-I K U i-I C V, c� U ��-�--1I U µl i t K U �I U Fir 3-I K U U i-1 K U �I U FLI 14 v L: O K U �-I U 14 K U .-1 U K U �-�-1 U 14 K U U 14 K U A Un w S Q p �; cUni a Ln p 0 f V m N c� O b c5 Ic -n U o a 0 ' U °+~' N M N N M M U U r r l b ,O cc a 44 r n N Ln ,n A Q Ci) nl N ry N N M 00 — C w tr P/ y --6. bA r O u bA w U J+ S L w U O U to �f U U y O � C � 70 U U U CJ Q ~ u 'b y O o O � O � r O " o rip � on O>~ r i ct bi Sp O bn `'7 LL C O" o C O 14 �; U a e� v per_, L't v 'O v N c '0 U w 2 0 7C u u u Y ce v IU4 U i Er- •i r• I t 0 U �^, M r O I'D M 00 r 00 N r M N 4. � � v 00 w � o � x N N N Gy! (D u z o Cl O O O w U G r y lu U �4 H H H A Q z z cn ^ -n U o a 0 ' y � Q N ww U U r r l b ,O cc U iU C w r O P/ y --6. bA r O u bA w U w U O U to U U y O � C � 70 ~ u 'b y O o O � O � r O " o rip � on r i ct bi Sp O bn `'7 LL C O" o C O 14 �; U a per_, L't v 'O C:: N c '0 U w 2 0 7C u u u Y ' IU4 U i Er- •i r• I t i L L E 'C C C K 'U C M a� 75 H a U i+ N j u '0 .a G � o �r v � Y r � v � U � O � y � r W U O U % v a r, u O�P� � O U � bq 0 0 -sui r a; r• U y C v Q u v � Q j u r .ti u z I ��- u v � � �"' U N ✓ 'O v n U � � � O G r c) r �O v00 r \ �°o �b3 o 00 (:,��� C 7 \ \\\rQr\ 7 cn �0 7 O O C p N w O✓ '0 p N G� Q\� L. �. }, r u U C.+ U f1+ U G. u c, 00 i N O~ O p u cow a00 9 O Q O O r ✓ C C) Z �" Ch V O 00 V Ln M V fUC O o p Ln C N O O O W W Q C .ti A. O O z O O = O = C7 O 4= O O � � ✓� >> �� cn C C C Y C C \ C C C o o a o 0 0 � V U U �w z z z z z z z z '.Q r^ (� r r—I (al P� r rL, ul is s4 31 4-4 1-4 O �ll rr u t L L L L Jam-` L J:t 5 � ✓ ✓ � � ✓ cz ✓ � cz i i U � U � � N � r ri ct cz ��'' i.I 3-I i-I w Y.1 i-I iy w 64 3-� 1--i w 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o V U O q o cn n v� cn n cn CA i� D c o o O W O O W W O O W W W W W bAz O O O O O O O O O p O O O O O O O oA a Pa = a U i+ N j u '0 .a G � o �r v � Y r � v � U � O � y � r W U O U % v a r, u O�P� � O U � bq 0 0 -sui r a; r• U y C v Q u v � Q j u r .ti u z I ��- Table 4 15 Indi-, idual Wetland Impacts C. ' DWQ Wetland Wetland Figure Corridor Cowardin Hydrologic Wetland Impacts ID No Alternative(s)* Classification' Classification Rating (acres) BWB 10 C M1 1\42 PF04B Non riparian 27 023 BWC 10 C All 1\42 Pro Non ri aiian 25 018 BWD 10C All 1\42 PFO Non riparian 34 171 All 0 89 BWl 10 C 1\41 1\42 P17O1/3/413 Non riparian 34 M2144 M1 6 51 CWA 10C M 1 M2 PF03/4A Non riparian 34 M2 496 EH R111 CWB M1 l R PSS3 /4B Non riparian 36 M1 12 52 10 D U1 U1 106 EH R 7 51 CWD 10D E H R U1 PSS3 /413d Non riparian 36 U 1 9 82 CWE 10D Ell R U1 PFO3 /4Bg Non riparian 36 E H 36 83 R 36 83 Riparian U1 23 89 EH R 2152 O CWF 10 C C EH O R U1 P1703/413 Non riparian 36 211 10 U2 U1 7 23 U2105 EH R013 10C 09269 DWC 10D EH M2 O PSS3 /413 Non riparian 36 U1 0 12 10E R U1 U2 M2 92 54 U2 77 40 EWF 10E U1 U2 PFO Riparian 14 037 EWH 10 G U1 U2 PFO Non riparian 20 118 EWH1 10 G U1 U2 PFO Riparian 20 123 EWI 10 G U1 U2 PFO Riparian 37 053 EWK 10 G U1 U2 PSS1C Non riparian 25 006 EWM 10 G U1 U2 PF01C Riparian 19 526 0067 FWA O U1 U2 PFO Non riparian 30 U1 0 45 10 D U2 048 C. Table 4 15 Indi -, ideal Wetland Impacts Continued Wetland ID Figure No Corridor Alternative(s)* Cowardin Classification' Hydrologic Classification DWQ Wetland Rating Wetland Impacts (acres) FWB 10D E H R Pro RiplLian 20 501 FWC 10D 10 r 1:11 R Pro Non ri aitan 48 E H 146 R 824 Rip man FWD 10 F R PSS313 Non ii arian 28 736 FWF 10 F E H Pro Non riparian 37 689 Riparian FWHB 10 F E H Pro Non riparian 24 004 rWI 10 F E H Pro Non ii arias 17 038 FWL 10 F E H Pro Non ri aiian 19 003 FWY 10D E H R Pro Non ri aiiln 20 018 GWA 10 r O R PEM /PSS Riparian 61 O 605 R 794 GWC 10C 10D 10E O U1 U2 Pro Non riparian 32 07581 U1 0 68 U2 27 17 GWD 10E 10 F O Pro Non riparian 32 453 Riparian HBAA 10 F E H PSS /PFO Riparian 32 006 HBAB 10 F E H PSS /PFO Non riparian 27 109 HBWD 10 F E H PSS /PFO Riparian 83 114 HBWF 1017 E l l PEM /PSS Riparian 32 076 HBWK4 10 F E H PFO /PSS Riparian 83 147 HBW I 10 F E H PSS Non riparian 14 039 HWB 10H E H PFO Riparian 50 236 HWD 10H E H Pro Non riparian 21 035 HWGS 10H E H PFO /PSS Riparian 15 088 Non riparian HWH 10H E H PFO Non riparian 26 015 HWH1 10H E H Pro Non riparian 26 009 HWH2 10H E H Pro Non riparian 26 003 HWH3 10H E H PFO Non riparian 26 007 HWH4 10H E H PFO Non riparian 26 002 HWH5 10H E H PFO Non riparian 26 023 HWY 10H E H PI O Non riparian 26 023 HWAA` 10 F E H Pro Non ri aiian 40 1540 Riparian HWEE 10 F E H Pro Riparian 25 015 HWHH 10 F EH PFO Non riparian 34 024 B9 Table 4 15 IndiN idual Wethnd Impacts Continued Wetland ID Figure No Corridor Alternative(s) Cowardin Classification' Hydrologic Classification DWQ Wetland Rating Wetland Impacts (acres) HWMZ 10 H E I I Pro Non riparian 40 005 IWA 10H E H O R Pro Riparian 80 003 IWA_MM 10H O R Pro Non riparian 39 481 IWB 10H L H O R Pro Riparian 25 009 IWC 10H E H O R Pro Riparian 20 013 IWD 10H E H O R Pro Non n ariln 31 OR 17 43 E H 18 64 Riparian IWE 10H I: H O R Pro Non ii aiian 13 016 IWF7 10H O R Pro Rt aiian 69 761 Non riparian IWHs 10H O R Pro Non iiparian 53 767 Rt aiian IWK 10 F O R Pro Riparian 77 730 Non riparian IWN 10 F O R Pro Riparian 79 489 IWQ 10 F O R PFO Non riparian 7 048 IWT' 10 F O R Pro Non riparian 41 1457 Riparian IWU 10 F O R PFO Non riparian 13 029 IWV 10 F O R PFO Non a atian 42 481 IWW 10 F O R Pro Non riparian 45 1038 KWA 101 U1 U2 PFO3 /413 Non riparian 30 227 KWC 101 U1 U2 PF01 /2C Non riparian 17 447 KWD 10 G 0 I U1 U2 PFO4A Non riparian 26 473 KWF 101 U1 U2 PFO /PSS Non riparian 45 601 KWG 101 EH O R U1 U2 PF01 /2G Non riparian 43 EHOR 0 57 U1 U2 288 KWH'° 101 U1 U2 PFO1 /2C Non riparian 42 570 KWI 10G U1 U2 PFO1 /3/413 Non riparian 49 3218 KWN 10G U1 U2 PFO4B Non riparian 46 2401 KWO 10G U1 U2 PFO4B Non riparian 37 1802 KWS 101 U1 U2 PFO1 /413 Non riparian 33 U1 U2 0 52 LWA 10H E H O R PFO Riparian 70 013 LWB 10H E H O R PFO Riparian 72 781 LWD 10H E H O R Pro Riparian 83 586 LWD1 10H E H O R PFO Riparian 48 008 LWE 10H L H O R Pro Non riparian 29 822 LWG 10H E H O R Pro Non riparian 46 017 LWH 10H EH O R Pro Non riparian 23 020 B10 1 able 4 15 Indn idual Wethnd Impacts Continued B 11 DWQ Wetland Wetland Figure Corridor Cowardin Hydrologic ID No Alternative(s) Classification' Classification Wetland Impacts Rating (acres) 11 LWI III E H O R r Pro Riparian 80 250 LWJ 101 E H O R Pro Non riparian 40 526 MWM(2) 10H E H O R PTO Riparian 68 270 Non riparian NWB 10 K E H O R U1 PEM /Pr'O Non riparian 13 002 NWE 10K E H O R U1 PEM /PF O Non riparian 12 003 NWF 10K E H O R U1 PEM /PSS Non tiparian 12 004 EH O R U1 EHOR NWJ 10K PSS /PFO Non riparian 12 0 02 U1 U2 U2 002 NWK 10 K U1 U2 PSS Non a arian 12 002 EH O R U1 EHOR NWM 10K PFO Non riparian 22 0 68 U1 U2 U2 068 NWO 101 EHOR PFO4 Non riparian 17 311 EH O R U1 EHOR NWP 101 PSS Non riparian 17 29 13 U2 U1U21138 ZWJ IO E U1 U2 PFO Non riparian 26 1 37 ZWK 10 E U1 U2 PEM Non ii arian 16 008 ZWL 10 G U1 U2 PFO Non riparian 20 024 ZWM 10 G U1 U2 PFO Non riparian 20 004 ZWCC 10K E H O R U1 PFO Riparian 28 003 ZWDD 10D Ell R Pro Non riparian 26 116 Riparian PD 01" 10 C M1 M2 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 007 PD 03 10C M1 M2 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 721 PD 04 10 C M1 M2 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 576 PD 15 101 E H O R U1 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 048 PD 16 101 E H O R U1 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 058 EH O R U1 EHOR PD 29 101 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 8 58 U1 U2 U2 856 PD 31 101 E H O R U1 PFO /PSS Non riparian N/A 291 B 11 Table 4 15 Indi-, idual Wetland Impacts Continued Cowaidm classifications lie based on characteristics of each «etland at the specific time and location of obsery ation Wetlands ha\ mg No ID a eie not charactenzed due to unpacted appearance at the tune of observation 2 Includes wetland Fh\V Includes wetland IWG 3 Includes wetland HB AC s Includes wetland I\\/I 4 Includes wetland HB \\T Includes wetlands IWR Includes wetlands H\ \I-i\I I-TVN HWO 10 Includes wetlands KA/j K\UK and KWL, Includes wetlands H\VBI3 HWII I IWLL Delineation data picviouslj -, erified no D\ \/Q wetland rating forms completed for these xi etlands U1 is Hampstead Bi pass Alternati -, e U starting at an interchange �,x ith US 17 Wilmington Bypass at \Irhtar} Cutoff Road Extension -\lternati,, e \I1 U2 is Hampstead Bj pass Alteinati-, e U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington Bj pass at Aatar} Cutoff Road Extension Ailternattr-, e 1\12 Impacts are for all alternatives unless otherwise noted Individual impacts calculated for \hhtar} Cutoff Road Extension -Uternati,, es All and \L utilize the corresponding Hampstead Bj pass \lternatn e U interchange configuration B12 DWQ Wetland Wetland Figure Corridor Cowardin Hydrologic Wetland Impacts ID No Alternative(s) Classification' Classification Rating (acres) PD 33 101 E H O R U1 PhO /PSS Non riparian N/A 082 Ripzrtan PD 34 101 E H O R U1 PFOIPSS Non upartan N/A 108 PD 35 101 E H O R U1 P1 -O /PSS on itparian N/A 308 Cowaidm classifications lie based on characteristics of each «etland at the specific time and location of obsery ation Wetlands ha\ mg No ID a eie not charactenzed due to unpacted appearance at the tune of observation 2 Includes wetland Fh\V Includes wetland IWG 3 Includes wetland HB AC s Includes wetland I\\/I 4 Includes wetland HB \\T Includes wetlands IWR Includes wetlands H\ \I-i\I I-TVN HWO 10 Includes wetlands KA/j K\UK and KWL, Includes wetlands H\VBI3 HWII I IWLL Delineation data picviouslj -, erified no D\ \/Q wetland rating forms completed for these xi etlands U1 is Hampstead Bi pass Alternati -, e U starting at an interchange �,x ith US 17 Wilmington Bypass at \Irhtar} Cutoff Road Extension -\lternati,, e \I1 U2 is Hampstead Bj pass Alteinati-, e U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington Bj pass at Aatar} Cutoff Road Extension Ailternattr-, e 1\12 Impacts are for all alternatives unless otherwise noted Individual impacts calculated for \hhtar} Cutoff Road Extension -Uternati,, es All and \L utilize the corresponding Hampstead Bj pass \lternatn e U interchange configuration B12 i Supplemental Stream Quality Summary Tables 1 Table 1 Linear Feet of Stream Impacts b5 Alteinati-, e for USACE Score Gioupings USACE Linear Feet of Stream Impacts by Alternative Score M1 M2 E H O R U1 U2 70 79 0 0 0 1 144 1 144 979 979 60 69 281 253 2 500 2 478 2 559 386 386 50 59 0 0 1938 874 903 0 0 4049 5 402 2 976 6 288 1 244 5 474 2 870 444 30 39 5 261 2 285 4207 770 4207 1 773 442 20 29 37 37 300 543 589 142 142 Table 2 Summary Stream Data by Alternative Stream Table Footnotes Individual impacts calculated for AUtar} Cutoff Road Extension Alternatives -T\I1 and M2 utilize the corresponding Hampstead B5 pass Altcmati-, e U interchange configuration U1 is Hampstead B) pass -llternati-% e U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmnngton Bi pass at '\Utah Cutoff Road Extension Alternate-, e i\I1 U2 is Hampstead B} pass -UternanN e U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington B5 pass at Mihtar5 Cutoff Road Extension Alternative 1\12 'Jurisdictional ditches without scores are included in the Total Number of Streams and the Total Linear Feet of Streams Impacted in Table 2 but the} are not included in the A -, erage USACE Score per Linear Foot (IDitchl Hampstead B) pass AlternatiN es O and R BDITCHI -T\hhtan Cutoff Road Extension AlternariN es M1 and M2 CSC and CSE Mihtar} Cutoff Road Extension Alternatn e M1) Jurisdictional ditches without scores are not included in Stream Table 1 B13 Alternative Stream Data M1 I M2 I E -H O R U1 U2 Total No Streams 21 11 29 21 28 11 7 Impacted Total Linear Feet of 12 504 5 892 15 232 7 450 15 273 6 151 2 393 Streams Impacted Average USACE Score Per Linear Foot' 41 63 4253 4647 5616 4817 4853 5782 Stream Table Footnotes Individual impacts calculated for AUtar} Cutoff Road Extension Alternatives -T\I1 and M2 utilize the corresponding Hampstead B5 pass Altcmati-, e U interchange configuration U1 is Hampstead B) pass -llternati-% e U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmnngton Bi pass at '\Utah Cutoff Road Extension Alternate-, e i\I1 U2 is Hampstead B} pass -UternanN e U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington B5 pass at Mihtar5 Cutoff Road Extension Alternative 1\12 'Jurisdictional ditches without scores are included in the Total Number of Streams and the Total Linear Feet of Streams Impacted in Table 2 but the} are not included in the A -, erage USACE Score per Linear Foot (IDitchl Hampstead B) pass AlternatiN es O and R BDITCHI -T\hhtan Cutoff Road Extension AlternariN es M1 and M2 CSC and CSE Mihtar} Cutoff Road Extension Alternatn e M1) Jurisdictional ditches without scores are not included in Stream Table 1 B13 Supplemental Wetland Quahty Summary Tables Table 1 Acres of Wetland Impacts by Alteinatt-, e fot NCDWQ Rating Groupings NCDWQ Acres of Wetland Impacts by Alternative Rating M1 M2 E H O R U1 U2 80 89 0 0 11 839 839 0 0 70 79 0 0 794 2013 2013 0 0 60 69 0 0 27 1636 1825 0 0 50 59 0 0 236 767 767 0 0 40 49 0 0 2299 3584 4408 7078 7078 30 39 21 63 10065 9369 19805 8934 6459 12744 20 29 041 041 1815 935 2306 956 956 10 19 0 0 3419 328 328 21 69 21 69 0 10 0 0 0 048 048 0 0 Table 2 Summar} Wetland Data by Alternati-, e Wetland Table Footnotes Indi -, idual impacts calculated for 1\hhtan Cutoff Road Extension -1lternatives All and M2 utilize the corresponding Hampstead B) pass Alternati-N e U interchange configuration U1 is Hampstead B) pass Alternative U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington B) pass at 1\hhtan Cutoff Road Extension Alternati-, e M1 U2 is Hampstead B) pass Mternative U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington B) pass at Military Cutoff Road Extension - lternatn e M2 1Se-\ en wetlands impacted b) Hampstead BN pass -1lternati-, es E H O R U1 and U2 were preN iousl) -N enfied (PD 1 PD 16 PD 29 PD 31 PD 33 PD 34 and PD 35) Three wetlands were preN iousl) -, enfied for 1\lihtar) Cutoff Road Extension - Uternatives Ml and 1\12 (PD 01 PD 03 and PD 04) DWQ wetland rating forms were not completed for these wetlands as part of this project These wetlands are not factored into the \-, erage DWQ Score per Acre but tlne� are counted in the Total No of Wetlands Impacted and Total Acres of Wetlands Impacted These wetlands are not included in Wetland Table 1 B14 Alternative Wetland Data M1 M2 I E H O R U1 U2 Total No of Wetlands 9 9 64 47 52 42 39 Impacted Total Acres of Wetlands 3508 11410 210 55 346 60 261 73 18415 247 Impacted A-, erage DWQ Score per Acre' 3499 358 3644 3878 4104 3748 3661 Wetland Table Footnotes Indi -, idual impacts calculated for 1\hhtan Cutoff Road Extension -1lternatives All and M2 utilize the corresponding Hampstead B) pass Alternati-N e U interchange configuration U1 is Hampstead B) pass Alternative U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington B) pass at 1\hhtan Cutoff Road Extension Alternati-, e M1 U2 is Hampstead B) pass Mternative U starting at an interchange with US 17 Wilmington B) pass at Military Cutoff Road Extension - lternatn e M2 1Se-\ en wetlands impacted b) Hampstead BN pass -1lternati-, es E H O R U1 and U2 were preN iousl) -N enfied (PD 1 PD 16 PD 29 PD 31 PD 33 PD 34 and PD 35) Three wetlands were preN iousl) -, enfied for 1\lihtar) Cutoff Road Extension - Uternatives Ml and 1\12 (PD 01 PD 03 and PD 04) DWQ wetland rating forms were not completed for these wetlands as part of this project These wetlands are not factored into the \-, erage DWQ Score per Acre but tlne� are counted in the Total No of Wetlands Impacted and Total Acres of Wetlands Impacted These wetlands are not included in Wetland Table 1 B14 E I 1 Appendix C 1 Agency Comments on the Draft EIS 1 BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE• GOVERNOR STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION March 1 2012 Heinz J Mueller Chief NEPA Program Office Region 4 United States Environmental Protection Agency 61 Forsyth Street Atlanta Georgia 30303 8960 I Dear Mr Mueller EUGI NE A CONI I JR SECRLTARN SUBJECT NCDOT Response to EPA Comments on the DEIS for Proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension /US 17 Hampstead Bypass New Hanover and Pender Counties TIP Projects U 4751 and R 3300 Thank you for your November 15 2011 letter providing comments on the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for Projects U 4751 and R 3300 We have reviewed your agency s comments and offer the following responses Comment It should be noted that EPA and the U S Fish and Wildlife Service are listed on the DEIS cover as Cooperating Agencies Section 1501 6 of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations should be further explored by the USACE and NCDOT for specific requirements of Cooperating Agencies Response The FEIS will note the DEIS cover incorrectly Included the EPA and USFWS as Cooperating Agencies Comment EPA has rated the DEIS alternatives E H +MI O +M2 R +MI U +MI and U +M2 as Environmental Objections (EO 2) EPA has rated detailed study alternative (DSA) U as 'Environmental Concerns (EC 2) Those DSAs rated as EO 2 are those alternatives where there is a potential for significant environmental impacts to water supply wells and high quality waters of the U S that cannot be addressed without significant project modification or the development of other feasible alternatives The DEIS fails to address the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act with respect to current and future water supplies and the Military Cutoff Road extension impacts (i e DSA MI and M2) The DEIS fails to identify avoidance and MAILING ADDRESS NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER RALEIGH NC 27699 1548 TELEPHONE 919 707$000 FAX 919 250 -4224 WEBSITE WWW NCDOT ORG/DOH/PRECONSTRUCT /PE/ LOCATION CENTURYCENTER BUILDINGA 1000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE RALEIGH NC 27610 U 4751/R 3300 March 1 2012 Letter to Heinz Mueller Page 2 of 3 minimization measures and compensatory mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for significant impacts to high quality waters of the U S Response EPA s above comments were further expanded upon in Attachment A to the letter NCDOT s response is included with those additional comments Comment "The rating of 2 indicates that DEiS information and environmental analysis is not sufficient and that additional information is required EPA has substantial environmental concerns with respect to wetland and stream impacts and appropriate avoidance and minimization measures and compensatory mitigation In addition EPA also has environmental concerns for potential impacts to wetland mitigation and preservation sites prime farmland impacts impacts to threatened and endangered species wildlife habitat fragmentation and human environment impacts EPA recommends that all of the technical comments in the attachment be addressed prior to the issuance of a Final EIS (FEIS) Furthermore all relevant environment impacts that have not been disclosed in this document should be addressed in additional documentation prior to the next Merger decision point Response EPA s comments will be addressed prior to the issuance of the FEiS Additional information requested by EPA prior to Concurrence Point 3 will be addressed with the merger team prior to the selection of the LEDPA Comment "EPA has rated DSA U as having environmental concerns (EC 2) because it has significant environmental impacts to human and natural resources that have not been fully or accurately addressed in the DEiS and additional information is required EPA believes that strictly combined with other transportation alternatives such a Transportation System Management (TSM) and Travel Demand Management (TDM) DSA U can possibly help meet the purpose and need However additional avoidance and minimization measures would be needed for DSA U to prevent degradation to protected and jurisdictional resources EPA is requesting a conceptual mitigation plan prior to the selection of the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) EPA will not be able to concur on the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) until the significant environmental issues identified in the attachment are satisfactorily resolved U 4751/R 3300 March 1 2012 Letter to Heinz Mueller Page 3 of 3 Response EPA s above comments were further expanded upon in Attachment A to the letter NCDOT s response is included with those additional comments I hope the information presented here and in Attachment A is useful If you have additional questions regarding these projects please feel free to contact Jay McInnis Project Engineer at (919) 707 6029 or by e mail at lmcinnis@ncdot gov Sincerely, Grego J horpe, PhD Manager Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit cc Scott McLendon, USACE Brad Shaver USACE NEPA/404 Merger Team Members J U 4751/R 3 -M Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 1 of 18 AttaehmPnt A Purpose and Need for the Proposed Project Comment The DEIS includes an elaboration on the purpose and need on Pages 1 3 and 1 4 The discussion concerning safety is not fully examined EPA believes that the severity of accidents and potential fatalities within the project study area may increase with a new location highway [sic] speed freeway While overall minor traffic accidents may be expected to decrease along US 17 /Market Street with a new multi lane bypass facility FHWA and National Safety Council studies have shown that new location high speed freeways in rural areas can potentially increase the severity of accidents NCDOT safety studies also indicate that the total crash rate for US 17 between US 17 Wilmington Bypass (1 140) and Sloop Point Loop Road is below the 2005 2007 statewide crash rate for rural U S routes Most of the proposed Hampstead Bypass is located substantially north of where the traffic and accident problems are located along existing US 17 /Market Street Response Statewide crash rates do not support EPA s belief that the severity of accidents and potential fatalities will increase with a new location freeway NCDOT requests copies of the FHWA and National Safety Council studies EPA is citing While future crash rates for a specific facility cannot be predicted a comparison of statewide crash rates shows that rural freeways (such as the proposed Hampstead Bypass) have lower fatal and injury crash rates than urban facilities with no control of access (such as portions of existing Market Street /existing US 17) The 2007 2009 statewide fatal crash rate for rural US route freeways is almost half the fatal crash rate for urban five lane US routes with no control of access The injury crash rate for rural US route freeways is over five times lower than the injury crash rate for urban five lane US routes Comment This section of the DEIS includes an additional need concerning transportation demand The DEiS states that with the population increase there is a corresponding growth in tourism and supporting services that resulted in a mixed purpose traffic on US 17 This section of the DEIS does not specifically identify the correlation between population growth and the growth in tourism and supporting services The population growth trends presented in Table 1 4 by decade for the periods of 2010 2020 and 2020 2030 are not reflective of more recent socio economic trends The large number of annual visitors for tourism does not specifically translate into increased population growth for the project study area Considering the extensive wetland systems present in the project study area and that most upland areas have already been developed for retirement and seasonal second homes future trends in permanent population growth are believed to be overestimated to justify new location facilities Response The DEiS does not assert there is a correlation between population increase and growth in tourism Rather these are two distinct variables which are both causing increased demand on area roadways The population growth trends were taken from data compiled by the North Carolina Office of Budget and Management (OBM) This data will be updated in the FEIS using the most current statistics available from the OBM U 4751/R 3300— Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 2 of 18 Additional data sources were consulted to support the projections obtained from the OBM The Cape Fear Commutes 2035 Transportation Plan prepared by the Wilmington Urban Area MPO (December 2010) projects that by 2035, the population for Pender County will more than triple (from its 2008 level) and the population for New Hanover County will grow by approximately 67 percent for the same period The MPO data will be included in the FEIS and the text will be revised for clarity Comment Figure 2 of the DEiS includes the 2008 Levels of Service (LOS) along some of the mayor routes in the project study area This figure is confusing as it only provides LOS from A to C and then breaks out LOS D E and F Response Figure 3 not Figure 2 presents 2008 level of service for existing conditions The designation of levels of service A through C as a single color is intended to simplify the figure as these levels of service are considered acceptable Comment Twenty four (24) intersections are also provided with a LOS EPA notes that a majority of existing Military Cutoff Road within the project study area shown is LOS A C Additionally EPA estimates that based upon peak hour NCDOT traffic 1 estimates approximately 66 500 feet of 123 375 total feet of existing roadways operate at a satisfactory LOS of A C Mayor sections of the existing multi lane US 17 highway in Pender County and 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass show no current traffic capacity issues Eight (8) of the 24 intersections also operate at LOS A C Response The project is intended to address capacity issues on Market Street and the US 17 corridor not existing Military Cutoff Road It should be noted that the existing Military Cutoff Road /Market Street intersection operated at level of service F in 2008 Also existing (2008) conditions show that most of Market Street and two thirds of all intersections analyzed either approach or exceed an acceptable level of service Figure 5 presents 2035 no build levels of service Virtually all of Market Street and existing US 17 within the project limits will be operating at level of service F in the year 2035 without the proposed projects Comment "From Figure 2 it can be seen that while the i 140 /Wilmington Bypass operates at an acceptable LOS US 17 from College Road to Futch Creek Road (approximately 7 miles) operates at LOS F Apparently 1 140/ Wilmington Bypass is not drawing sufficient through traffic from downtown Wilmington roadways The interchange of I 140 /Wilmington Bypass and US 17 north of Porters Neck Road is rated with a LOS A C Similarly the traffic problems (LOS F) south of the proposed extension of Military Cutoff Road would not expect to be improved with a new location 6 lane freeway connecting to 1 140 with a new interchange EPA is uncertain how the new location US 17 /Hampstead Bypass of approximately 12 to 15 miles will improve traffic carrying capacity south of the proposed connections and new interchange with 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass Except for one small area south of Scotts Hill Loop Road and a similarly small U 4751/R ).)00 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 3 of 18 area by Topsail High School US 17 between the I 140 interchange to the northern terminus operates at LOS D or better Response It should be noted that EPA is citing 2008 levels of service from Figure 3 of the DEIS Figure 5 of the DEIS presents 2035 no build levels of service for the project area while Figures 14A through 14D present 2035 levels of service for the project area with construction of the projects Comparison of these figures shows that the proposed Hampstead Bypass will improve the level of service of portions of existing US 17 Much of existing Market Street will operate at level of service F even with proposed Military Cutoff Extension However Table 2 7 of the DEIS shows that with the proposed projects average intersection delay will decrease at almost all of the intersections in the project area At many intersections the intersection delay will be less than half of what it would have been without the projects Comment Figure 5 includes the projected 2035 LOS No build' Nearly all multi lane roadways and intersections operate at LOS F based upon projected growth The DEIS does not include the 2035 LOS in the project study area with the proposed new facilities (Build Scenario) Response 2035 level of service in the project study area for the build alternatives is depicted on Figures 14A through 14D and discussed in Section 2 5 3 of the DEIS In addition Table 2 7 of the DEIS presents average intersection delay and level of service along existing Market Street and US 17 for the no build and the detailed study alternatives Comment The project need appears to be based solely upon past population growth numbers in the two counties from 1990 to 2000 and 2000 to 2010 Response The needs to be addressed by the proposed project are detailed in Section 1 3 1 of the DEIS These include traffic carrying capacity safety and transportation demand EPA concurred with the project purpose and need at a NEPA /404 merger team meeting held on September 21 2006 Traffic forecasts for the base year (2008) and horizon year (2035) were prepared for the project in June 2008 using output from the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization s Travel Demand Model The Travel Demand Model uses various socioeconomic data to forecast growth in order to predict demands on a transportation network Regional growth expectations help to determine projected traffic in a horizon year Assumptions about future development activity and changes in distribution of population and employment in the forecast study area are implicit in the model It is anticipated there will be periods where housing and employment market trends will fluctuate up and down through the horizon year U 4751/R 3300— Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 4 of 18 Comment The DEiS does not separate seasonal peak traffic numbers from the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) Response Traffic analysis for this project was based on peak hour analysis as a percentage of the average annual daily traffic Seasonal peak traffic numbers would likely be higher than the average annual daily traffic numbers presented in the DEIS Comment "The DEIS does not provide a break down by year of population growth rates within the demographic area EPA would not anticipate that population growth rates from 2008 to present are at the same substantial percentage levels as was seen earlier in the decade These 2035 population projections do not appear to take into account the project setting and the availability of other necessary infrastructure Response September 2011 annual population projections for New Hanover and Pender Counties obtained from the NC Office of State Budget and Management show fluctuating growth rates between 1990 and 2030 The annual rates vary between one percent and five percent from 1990 to 2000 between one percent and four percent for the period 2000 2010 and between one percent and two percent for 2010 2030 Ten year trends and projections through the horizon year show growth rates for both counties that are consistently above the state rate even though the rates have declined or are projected to decline for each decade since 1990 2000 The overall growth rate for the period 1990 2030 is approximately 108 percent for New Hanover County and 128 percent for Pender County In addition the Pender County Water Master Plan (McKim and Creed July 2006) which takes into account available infrastructure such as water and sewer projects a growth rate for Pender County of 153 percent between 2000 and 2030 For those projections a moderate growth model developed in consultation with Pender County was used Comment Overall the information contained in the DEIS does not adequately support the purpose and need for multi lane (6 lanes for Military Cutoff Road Extension and 4 lanes for the Hampstead Bypass) new location roadways including a 12 to 15 mile freeway and a 3 5 mile 6 lane boulevard Other transportation initiatives such as widening existing roadways providing interchanges and improved intersection movements adding turn lanes providing traffic calming measures and other Transportation Systems Management and Travel Demand Management measures could meet current and possible future traffic problems Regional traffic plans do not fully address the existing traffic conditions of the 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass and why the northern terminus was selected at its current location if it was not expected to draw regional and seasonal traffic from more congested local routes Based upon NCDOT studies 1 140 / Wilmington Bypass and its interchanges operate successfully at LOS A C Response NCDOT disagrees with EPA s assertion that the DEIS does not adequately support the purpose and need Much of the information presented in the DEIS is updated information to what was presented at the 2006 NEPA /404 merger team meeting to discuss purpose and need EPA concurred along with the rest of the NEPA /404 merger team on the project purpose and need in September 2006 U 4751/R 3300 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 5 of 18 Figure 5 presents the 2035 levels of service in the project area for the no build scenario As Figure 5 shows the entire length of Market Street and existing US 17 will operate at level of service F in the design year Traffic volumes along Market Street and existing US 17 far exceed the existing roadway s capacity With the exception of " idening the existing roadways the other transportation initiatives EPA lists in their comment would not appreciably increase the traffic capacity of the existing facility Traffic calming measures would degrade the capacity of the facility Widening the existing facility (Alternative Z) was studied in detail for this project EPA concurred along with the rest of the NEPA /404 merger team to drop Alternative Z from consideration at a merger team meeting held in April 2010 Based on 2008 traffic volumes the existing Wilmington Bypass does operate at an acceptable level of service as shown on Figure 3 of the DEiS However by the year 2035 the Wilmington Bypass will operate at level of service F as shown on Figure 5 of the DEIS Comment Recent purpose and need guidance by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicates that safety issues on existing facilities cannot always be addressed by the construction of new location facilities Safety improvements along existing US 17 could be accomplished through a multiple [sic] of enhancements including the addition of auxiliary turn lanes restricting driveway access improved signal timing reducing the posted speed limit increased signage etc Considering the rural and suburban nature of a majority of the project study area new location and multi lane facilities combined with existing safety concerns along US 17 will potentially increase the number and severity of accidents Response The addition of turn lanes improving access control etc would likely improve safety along the existing roadway However these improvements would not address the capacity issues along the existing roadway as well as the proposed alternatives As discussed previously statewide crash rates do not support EPA s contention that new location roadways will potentially increase the number and severity of accidents Statewide total fatal and injury crash rates for rural freeways are much lower than the crash rates for urban and rural facilities with no control of access or partial control of access Prelimmary and Detailed Study Alternatives Comment The DEIS includes discussions in Section 2 2 regarding Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative Travel Demand Management (TDM) Alternative and Mass Transit Alternatives These transportation alternatives were not given full consideration and were eliminated from detailed study because they did not meet the purpose and need for the proposed new location projects These alternatives were given only cursory consideration as individual alternatives and were never U 4751/R 3300 — Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 6 of 18 considered in combination along with other select improvements to existing roadways and intersections ' Under the Mass Transit Alternative EPA notes that NCDOT has concluded that there is a potential lack of demand EPA requests a copy of the public survey and other traffic studies that support this conclusion The DEIS also cites a diversity of trip origins and destinations EPA requests a copy of the origin /destination (O /D) study that was prepared to support this position Response TSM TDM and Mass Transit Alternatives were considered to the extent necessary to determine whether or not they would meet the project purpose and need None of these alternatives would meet the project purpose and need even if combined Traffic volumes along existing Market Street and existing US 17 greatly exceed the capacity of the facilities The conclusion that there is a potential lack of demand for mass transit is based on observation of the project area As discussed in the DEIS there are a number of origins and destinations in the area However if one was to assume that there is sufficient demand for transit such that increased transit would reduce traffic volumes along Market Street and existing US 17 by 20 percent eight lanes would still be required along portions of existing US 17 it would require approximately 479 buses to carry enough passengers to reduce traffic on the highest volume sections of the existing facility by 20 percent Increased transit will not meet the purpose and need of the project Comment The DEIS discusses the N C Strategic Highway Corridor (SHC) vision plan adopted by the N C Board of Transportation in 2004 as part of the purpose and need for the project The SHC was not included in the purpose and need that Merger team representatives concurred on in September of 2006 The extension of Military Cutoff Road is designated as a boulevard in the SHC plan The Hampstead Bypass is depicted in the 2004 SHC vision plan as a new location freeway that follows the most westerly routes of some of the Detailed Study Alternatives (DSAs) Without fully examining other transportation alternatives or knowing the full extent of traffic problems on US 17 /Market Street it was determined in 2004 that new multi lane routes would be the vision for the corridor Response Section 1 3 5 of the DEIS recognizes the proposed project has been designated by NCDOT as a Strategic Highway Corridor The DEIS does not include the language related to the SHC Vision in the purpose statement or in the summary of need for the proposed action However NCDOT recognizes the location of this discussion could be confusing and will move this discussion to Section 3 2 (Land Use and Transportation Planning) in the FEIS Comment The DEIS does not explain the correlation between the traffic problems on existing US 17 /Market Street and the need for additional traffic carrying capacity new U 4751/R 3300 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 7 of 18 multi lane routes of travel that are at a substantial distance from the poor LOS areas and intersections and areas with higher accident rates shown on Page 2 2 Response Section 1 2 of the DEIS explains the purpose and need of the project and lists several benefits of the project The purpose and need of the project is to improve the traffic carrying capacity and safety of the US 17 and Market Street corridor in the study area The projects will reduce congestion and increase safety on existing Market Street by reducing traffic volumes on portions of that roadway The proposed Hampstead Bypass will provide a freeway with much greater traffic carrying capacity for the US 17 corridor than the existing roadway Comment EPA does not believe that other non new location transportation alternatives either singly or in combination were given full consideration in the DEiS Response NCDOT gave consideration to all non new location alternatives identified in the DEIS in particular their ability to meet the proposed project s purpose and need As discussed previously the improve existing alternative (Alternative Z) was eliminated from further study at the April 20 2010 NEPA /Section 404 meeting EPA concurred with the decision to eliminate Alternative Z Comment The DEIS includes a comparison of 23 preliminary corridor alternatives (Alternatives A through W and Z) for the Hampstead Bypass and 2 preliminary corridor alternatives (Alternatives M 1 and M2) for the Military Cutoff Road Extension Many of these preliminary study corridors were apparently identified by NCDOT to strictly avoid residential relocations within the proposed 300 foot corridor without any context sensitive regard to natural system impacts (e g Alternative W 501 5 acres of wetland impacts and 63 residential relocations) Response During the development of the preliminary study alternatives efforts were made to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands and streams wherever practicable Preliminary build alternatives (Section 2 2 4 of the DEIS) were established through an evaluation of suitability mapping based on available socioeconomic cultural and environmental resource data Potential corridor alternatives were screened for suitability based on several criteria including meeting the purpose and need for the proposed project minimizing impacts to natural resources and consideration of community features Roadway alignments which meet design criteria were developed and placed within the 000 foot corridors to minimize impacts to resources Alternative W is one of the few preliminary alternatives developed outside of this process The Alternative W alignment was prepared in response to a request from the merger team at the May 9 2007 alternative screening meeting Comment The DEIS design for DSA U indicates a 250 to 350 [foot] right of way required for this DSA The DEIS does not provide a specific justification for this proposed width compared to the other alternatives under consideration This right of way U 4751/R 3.)00 — Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 8 of 18 I width is also contradictory to the environmental commitment included on page 1 of 2 of the Green Sheets I Response There is a typographical error in Section 2 4 2 3 and on Figures 1 I and I I of the DEIS A variable right of way width of 200 to 350 feet is proposed for Alternatives E H O and R not 250 to 350 feet as stated in the DEIS A variable right of way width of 200 to 520 feet is proposed for Alternative U not 250 to 520 feet as stated in the DEIS NCDOT is committed to maintaining a maximum right of way width of 200 feet in the vicinity of Holly Shelter Game Land as noted in the DEIS in the Project Commitments section and page 4 37 The FEIS will update the right of way width noted for Hampstead Bypass alternatives in the text and on the typical section figure Wider right of way is proposed for Alternative U because ten lanes and service roads are required along the portion of Alternative U which follows existing US 17 north of the Wilmington bypass Alternative U typical sections are presented in Section 2 4 2 2 1 of the DEIS This section includes a discussion of other typical sections which were considered for this portion of Alternative U Comment The 5 DSAs under consideration in the DEIS do not necessarily meet the requirements under 40 CFR Part 1502 14 Response The NCDOT believes the DEIS meets the requirements under 40 CFR Part 1502 14 Chapter 2 of the DEIS presents the environmental impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form All reasonable alternatives are explored and evaluated Reasons leading to the elimination of alternatives from detailed study are discussed Each alternative considered in detail is fully described so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits Reasonable alternatives are discussed The No Build or No Action alternative is included NCDOT did not elect to identify a preferred alternative prior to receiving additional public and agency input therefore no preferred alternative was identified Discussion of measures taken to minimize impacts to the red i cockaded woodpecker is presented Additional discussion regarding mitigation is included in other sections of the DEIS After a LEDPA is identified a mitigation plan will be developed Comment Traffic carrying capacity and accident issues are located south of the I 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass interchange along US 17 These issues were discussed during previous Merger team meetings and agencies were informed that the NCDOT would evaluate a full range of alternatives that would singly or in combination meet the purpose and need The initially proposed project study area was expanded at the request of the USACE and other agency representatives to insure that a full suite of reasonable alternatives would be explored during the NEPA process Response Over the course of four meetings alternatives were discussed with the merger team Detailed study alternatives were selected and concurred on by the merger team including EPA based on their ability to meet purpose and need and minimize impacts U 4751/R 3300 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 9 of 18 The detailed study alternatives address traffic carrying capacity and safety issues on Market Street and US 17 in the project study area Human Environment Impacts Relocations Comment The DEIS included non profit organizations in the business relocation totals This is not a common NCDOT practice nor consistent with current NEPA /Section 404 Merger guidance Response NCDOT does not have a standard way of presenting non profit organization relocation information in impact tables It varies as to whether non profit organizations are listed separately or included in the business totals Merger meeting information guidance does not address listing non profit organization relocatees on impact tables The FEiS will update Table 4 1 of the DEIS to include a separate line item for non profit relocations Comment In addition NCDOT also included a church cemetery graves and a 0 employee daycare in the Appendix C business relocations for U 4751 Alternatives M I and M2 Appendix C appears to double count certain business relocations For DSA U the report includes the relocation of 9 non profit organizations including 7 churches This report identified a cell tower will be isolated by this alternative as well as water tanks for the Belvedere Plantation subdivision However this relocation report does not identify at least two existing water supply wells operated by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority that will be impacted by both DSA M I and M2 (Page 4 22 of the DEIS) EPA requests that a consistent and accurate analysis of residential and business relocations be provided to EPA and other Merger team agencies prior to the CP3 LEDPA meeting and included in the FEIS Response The relocation reports for Alternatives M I and M2 incorrectly included Enoch Chapel Enoch Chapel Graveyard and Ogden Volunteer Rescue in the business relocation totals Enoch Chapel and Ogden Volunteer Rescue were also listed under non profit organizations The DEIS listed 65 business relocations (including non profit organizations) for Alternatives M 1 and M2 The correct number is 62 (including non profit organizations) Relocation reports for the project will be updated for the FEIS As stated previously non profit organizations will be listed separately on impact tables in the FEIS The information regarding cell tower and water tanks in the relocation reports were included as notes to the project engineers of items the right of way agent observed during the field review The relocation report is not intended to present utility impacts of the project I U 4751/R 3-)00— Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 10 of 18 Community Resources Comment Access to Prospect Cemetery is expected to be eliminated by either DSA MI or M2 Page 4 2 of the DEIS states that access to Prospect Cemetery will be evaluated during final roadway design EPA believes that this is a known impact resulting from the Military Cutoff Road Extension and access road options and associated impacts should have been identified in the DEiS including potential impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and streams Response Access to Prospect Cemetery has been provided in the preliminary design for the project by a break in the proposed control of access at the existing driveway for the cemetery No wetland or stream impacts are associated with the provision of this access Comment The DEIS identifies an impact under DSA M 1 and M2 to a driving range (golf) under community facilities and services This is a commercial business ( #57 under Business Relocations) and not a public or non profit community facility The DEIS does identify that Holly Shelter Game Land is located in the project study area However unlike the driving range it is a public and community facility as well as a gameland and preservation area It is used extensively by the public EPA requests that inaccuracies contained in the DEIS be addressed in the FEIS Response The driving range will be removed from the list of community facilities and Holly Shelter Game Land will be added to the list of community facilities in the FEIS Comment Mount Ararat AME Church a historic property is also expected to be impacted by DSA M1 or M2 In addition the DEIS also indicates that grave sites in this cemetery could also be impacted but does not quantify the potential number of grave sites I' In the Appendix C relocation report it is provided that DSA U will reportedly impact 647 + / grave sites Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (395 +/ graves) McClammy and King Family Cemetery (17 +/ graves) and Pollock's Cemetery (235 +/ graves) The number of grave sites in the relocation report for DSA M1 and M2 under TIP project number U 4751 is not provided Potential cemetery impacts for DSAs E H O and R are not identified in the report I' Response The FEIS will note that no graves are expected to be relocated for the portion of the detailed study alternatives that include Hampstead Bypass Alternatives E H O and R The number of grave sites that may be impacted by the portion of the detailed study ' alternatives that include Military Cutoff Road Extension will be included in the FEIS The number of affected grave sites affected by Military Cutoff Road Extension (M 1 and M2) will be added to the total number of grave sites associated with the Hampstead Bypass (� alternatives (E H O R and U) and summarized by detailed study alternative ' Comment Ogden Park is described on Page 4 2 of the DEiS and discusses the park boundary that was designed to accommodate a future transportation corridor through the U 4751/R 3300 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page I 1 of 18 middle of the county park In addition Pedestrian access to existing multi use path facilities and Ogden Park would be improved if pedestrian facilities are constructed There is no identification of any proposed pedestrian facilities between the two sections of the park Response This statement was made in reference to the Wilmington MPO s request for the inclusion of a multi use path along the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension As noted in the Project Commitments section and in Sections 2 4 2 2 2 4 2 2 3 and 5 3 13 of the DEiS the multi use path would tie into an existing multi use path along Military Cutoff Road NCDOT will continue to coordinate with the Wilmington MPO on the inclusion of a multi use path along Military Cutoff Road Extension Farmland Impacts Comment Prune farmland impacts are quantified for each DSA in Table 4 5 Section 4 3 3 does not reference the required AD 1006 forms EPA is unable to locate the forms in the DEIS appendices EPA requests how these very exact impact numbers were calculated and if the Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) completed AD 1006 forms for the DSAs The DEIS does not provide any further information concerning potential N C Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) or what measures to minimize farming impacts might be appropriate (e g Equipment access across dissected fields) According to the N C Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pender County in 2008 was working towards establishing VADs Sections 3 3 3 and 4 3 3 of the DEIS fails to provide the relative importance of farming and other forest products for the Pender County economy and its employment contribution Prior to the issuance of a FEIS EPA recommends that supplemental information and analysis be provided regarding prime farmland and other agricultural land impacts resulting from the proposed project Response Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) CPA 106 forms were completed for this project The forms are located in Appendix B of the DEIS A reference to these forms will be added to the farmland impacts discussion in the FEIS Prime and other important farmland soils were identified for New Hanover and Pender Counties Impacts presented in Table 4 5 were calculated by overlaying the detailed study alternative s impact boundary on the soil information The FEIS will round the impacts The FEIS will note there are no Voluntary Agricultural Districts in the project area As noted in the DEIS the NRCS has indicated the detailed study alternatives in New Hanover County and portions of the study area in Pender County are exempt from evaluation of prime farmland impacts The relocation reports provided in Appendix C of the DEIS note that the proposed project will not result in the relocation of any farms Section 3 3 3 of the DEiS will be updated for the FEIS to describe the agricultural economy of Pender County Section 4 3 3 of the DEIS will be updated for the FEIS to note the proposed interchange at US 17 where Alternatives Mi +U and Alternative M2 +U would go on new location is zoned as Agriculture However this area is classified as an Urban Growth Area in the Pender County CAMA Land Use Plan and Mixed Use in the Coastal Pender Small Area Plan U 4751/R 3300— Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 12 of 18 Noise Receptor Impacts Comment Total noise receptor impacts are shown in Table 4 4 However design year 2035 traffic noise levels that are expected to approach or exceed the NAC are different than from the table Response The text preceding Table 4 4 presents the number of receptors impacted due to traffic noise levels either approaching or exceeding the NAC while Table 4 4 includes both receptors impacted due to noise levels approaching or exceeding the NAC and receptors impacted due to a substantial increase in exterior noise levels The FEIS will simplify the wording of this section for clarity ° Historic Properties and Archaeological Sites Comment Thus all of the DSAs have at least one adverse effect on a historic property There is no identified avoidance alternative The impacts to historic properties from DSA U are based upon using a'freeway' design along portions of existing US 17 and including parallel service roads Some of the impacts to historic properties may be avoided or minimized if other reasonable designs are pursued during final design Response Two of the historic properties along Alternative U Poplar Grove and Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church are directly across from each other on existing US 17 Any widening of the existing road would affect at least one of these properties Section 2 4 2 2 1 provides an extensive discussion regarding the proposed typical section for Alternative U and presents alternative typical sections that were examined NCDOT has coordinated with the State Historic Preservation Office on effects to historic architectural resources Additional minimization efforts have resulted in eliminating adverse effects to the Scott s Hill Rosenwald School by Alternative U After selection of the LEDPA NCDOT will evaluate additional avoidance and minimization efforts within the corridor of the selected alternative Hazardous Materials ' Comment Section 3 3 5 on hazardous materials is not accurate and should be corrected in the FEIS Hazardous materials are regulated by the U S Department of Transportation (USDOT) under 49 CFR Parts 100 185 This section of the DEIS does not conform to other NEPA documents prepared by the NCDOT and reviewed by the EPA Hazardous materials are identified in the Impacts to the Physical Environment' section and not in the Human Environment Impact' section ' Some of the identified geoenvironmental sites described in this section may meet the cleanup requirements of more than one Federal statute Only 5 of the 28 sites referenced in Section 3 3 5 are described in Section 4 3 5 These 5 sites are associated with DSA M 1 ' and M2 There is no qualifying description of the phrase "low geoenvironmental impacts" Details concerning the other 23 hazardous material sites is not provided in the U 4751/R 3300 Response to EPA DEiS Comments Page 13 of 18 DEiS Supplemental information and analysis should be provided to EPA prior to the issuance of the FEIS This future geotechnical investigation and evaluation should include the potential for existing hazardous material sites and underground storage tanks to contaminate shallow groundwater resources Response The wording of Section 3 3 5 will be modified in the FEIS for clarity The DEIS includes the discussion of hazardous materials in the Physical Environment Characteristics and Impacts to the Physical Environment sections in accordance with NCDOT EIS guidance The 28 sites referenced in Section 3 3 5 and shown on Figures I OA l OK will be described in table format in the FEIS Section 4 3 5 of the DEIS includes information related to those sites that may be impacted by the project Site assessments to identify the nature and extent of any contamination will be performed on these sites after the selection of the LEDPA and before right of way acquisition The FEIS will clarify the term low geoenvironmental impacts to indicate the anticipated impacts severity of potentially contaminated sites on the detailed study alternatives is low and little to no impacts to cost or schedule are anticipated Natural Resources Impacts Groundwater Impacts and Water Supply Wells Comment The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority ( CFPUA) is reported to have several existing and proposed well sites associated with the Nano Water Treatment Plant (NWTP) Section 4 5 3 1 1 identifies that DSA M 1 and M2 cross two existing well sites operated by the CFPUA Additionally DSA M2 would also impact two additional existing CFPUA well sites (to total 4) and a proposed well site DSA M2 is anticipated to impact a raw water line and concentrate discharge line that provides a connection to several anticipated well sites The DEiS states that estimates provided by CFPUA include the loss of up to 6 million gallons per day (mgd) of anticipated future water supplies for the project study area The DEIS lacks any specificity as to what the loss of the existing water supplies might be what the potential to feasibly relocate the wells might be or what the costs might be should either DSA Ml or M2 be selected Response Since completion of the DEIS the preliminary designs of both Alternatives Ml and M2 have been modified to avoid existing and proposed well sites Neither alternative will require the relocation of a public water supply well Any water lines crossed by the project will be relocated Comment DSA U is also expected to impact 3 existing 'transient' non community water supply wells in the vicinity of the proposed US 17 interchange at Sidbury Road and Scott Hill Loop Road Transient non community wells are described as being ones that serve 25 or more people at least 60 days out of the year at facilities such as restaurants and churches The DEIS does not provide any additional information regarding these impacts including current withdrawal rates the availability of alternative drinking water supplies the costs to owners to relocate wells etc U 4751/R 3300 — Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 14 of 18 Response The FEiS will note that now only two non community water supply wells are being impacted by Alternative U due to minimization measures incorporated into the Alternative U interchange at Sidbury Road The FEIS will also explain that during the right of way process NCDOT will compensate property owners for the expense of drilling a new well or connecting to a public water system If an alternate water supply is not available for a property NCDOT will purchase the property and provide relocation assistance Comment The DEIS does not address what the potential for contamination to existing well fields will be The depth and distance of CFPUA well sites is not provided with respect to the alternatives under consideration The potential threat from hazardous material accidents to other existing wellheads is not evaluated in the DEIS The full impacts to water supplies are not detailed in the DEIS EPA believes that the construction of either DSA MI or M2 will potentially violate this Clean Water Act requirement NCDOT should also refer to the Safe Drinking Water Act for additional requirements The DEIS fails to provide any potential avoidance or minimization measures or mitigation to address the loss of current and future water supplies in the project study area Response The FEIS will address the potential for contamination to existing wells and identify the distance of the wells from the detailed study alternatives in proximity to the wells NCDOT will request well depth information from the CFPUA The FEIS will discuss measures that were and /or could be taken to avoid minimize or mitigate impacts to the CFPUA water supply wells A qualitative assessment of the project impacts to public water supply wells was provided to the EPA and merger team by e mail on February 9 2012 Jurisdictional Streams and Wetlands Comment NCDOT provided the DWQ Wetland rating for each of the 286 wetland ' systems The DEIS did not provide wetlands ratings using the multi agency accepted North Carolina Wetlands Assessment Methodology ( NCWAM) Response NCDOT is not yet rating wetlands using NCWAM Comment Section 4 5 4 1 contains a discussion on avoidance and minimization of impacts to jurisdictional resources Seventeen (17) mayor hydraulic crossings were identified during the CP 2A field meeting Thirteen (13) structures are various sized reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBC) and one existing RCBC is proposed to be extended The DEIS does not identify any additional avoidance and minimization measures to reduce impacts to jurisdictional streams and wetlands such as reduced median widths increased side slopes the use of single bridges and tapered medians retaining walls reduced paved shoulders etc U 4751/R 3300 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 15 of 18 Response After selection of the LEDPA NCDOT will evaluate additional avoidance and minimization efforts within the corridor of the preferred alternative Additional measures to reduce impacts will be reviewed at NEPA /Section 404 Merger Concurrence Points 4A 4B and 4C Comment Considering the magnitude and severity of the impacts to high quality streams and wetlands EPA requests a conceptual mitigation plan prior to the selection of a LEDPA and the issuance of a FEIS There are no details as to what mitigation opportunities are available on site and what credits or mitigation assets are available through the EEP Considering the location of the proposed project and the presence of high quality waters of the U S the conceptual mitigation plan should be sufficiently detailed and provide for full compensation for lost functions and values to high quality resources Response NCDOT does not typically extensively investigate on site mitigation opportunities until the LEDPA has been chosen NCDOT s memorandum of agreement with the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program limits on site mitigation to sites adjacent and contiguous with the roadway corridor Therefore NCDOT can only pursue sites adjacent to the LEDPA corridor and not on any of the others Comment During the Merger process EPA also learned that several NCDOT mitigation sites associated with the 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass might be impacted from [sic] the proposed project including the 'Plantation Road Site From Figure l OC of the DEIS it appears that the 34 acre Residual Site might also be impacted from several of the DSAs From Figure l OD it appears that the Corbett Strip Residual Site is probably going to be impacted from several of the DSAs Discussions in the DEIS regarding the potential impacts to these NCDOT mitigation sites is included in Section 3 3 8 3 Impacts to these sites are not specifically identified in the summary table S 1 but are addressed Table 4 3 8 3 Additional information including credit /debit ledgers restrictive covenants and easements and other property records is being requested by EPA prior to the selection of a LEDPA and the issuance of a FEIS NCDOT should avoid impacting approved mitigation sites that were required for compensation for previous highway project impacts (i e 1 140 /US 17 Wilmington Bypass) Response At a merger team meeting held on December 15 2011 additional details were provided regarding these mitigation properties This information will be included in the FEIS Terrestrial Forest Impacts Comment Terrestrial forest impacts include[d in] Table S 1 summary of impacts for the DSAs are as follows DSA E H +M 1 518 acres DSA O +M2 512 acres DSA R +M 1 472 acres DSA U +MI 406 acres and DSA U +M2 455 acres These impact numbers do not match the terrestrial community impacts shown in Table 4 9 Eliminating the impact estimates to mamtam[ed] and disturbed communities still does not provide for an accurate estimate of terrestrial forest impacts The FEiS should identify how the terrestrial U 4751/R 3300 — Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 16 of 18 forest impacts were calculated for each DSA and what natural communities were included in the estimates Response An error exists in the forest impacts shown on Tables S 1 2 3 and 4 10 of the DEIS These tables will be corrected in the FEIS Comment EPA notes the comment concerning Executive Order 13112 on Invasive species and NCDOT s Best Management Practices (BMPs) EPA acknowledges the NCDOT invasive plant species list in Section 3 5 2 1 2 of the DEIS The FEIS should identify specific BMPs to be followed to minimize the spread of invasive plant species following construction and provide detailed environmental commitments on how these BMPs are to be implemented It would be useful to the public and decision makers if NCDOT could provide previous project examples where these invasive species BMPs have cost effectively resulted in the long tenm elimination or reduction in invasive plant species following roadway construction activities There are numerous Significant Natural Heritage Areas that are present in the project study area and the proposed new location alternatives represent a significant long term threat to these unique habitats resulting from the introduction of aggressive and persistent roadside invasive plant species Response Additional discussion on best management practices to be followed regarding invasive species will be included in the FEIS Threatened and Endangered Species Comment Sections 3 5 4 3 and 4 5 4 3 address protected species including Federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Considering the potential impacts to NCWRC s managed Holly Shelter Game Land the DEIS should have also identified any State listed species under their jurisdictional and within the project study area Response NCDOT does not survey for state listed species as the state law does not apply to NCDOT activities As noted in Table 4 7 of the DEIS the proposed project will not have any direct impacts to Holly Shelter Game Land Comment "Generally EPA has significant environmental concerns regarding wildlife habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from most of the DSAs including E H O and R Potential animal /vehicle collisions involving new location multi lane high speed facilities in rural areas in close proximity to game lands and other preservation areas need to be analyzed and studied prior to the issuance of a FEIS Response The potential for crashes involving animals along the proposed project will be discussed in the FEIS U 4751/R -1300 Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 17 of 18 Other Environmental Issues Comment Regarding socio economic issues EPA acknowledges the following DEIS comment It is anticipated that the proposed project will enhance long term access and connectivity opportunities in New Hanover and Pender County and will support local regional and statewide commitments to transportation improvement and economic viabilii)� Enhanced long term access and connectivity are not part of the purpose and need for the proposed project that EPA and other Merger Team agencies agreed with in 2006 Response This statement is included in DEIS Section 4 9 Relationship Between Long Term & Short Term Uses /Benefits This information is being presented as a project benefit not as a part of the purpose and need It is not included in the Purpose and Need chapter Comment Impacts to Holly Shelter Game Land and the 22 Acre Residual Site should be removed from the table as all of the impacts are 'zero' to these two areas The total impacts for the DSAs are as follows DSA E H +M1 4 43 acres DSA O +M2 42 94 acres DSA R +MI 5 01 acres DSA U +Mi 3 24 acres and DSA U +M2 34 40 acres Most of the impacts are associated with DSA M2 and are to the Plantation Road and 34 Acre Residual mitigation sites These significant impacts should be included in Table S 1 and future impact tables Response We do not agree with EPA s comment to remove Holly Shelter Game Land and the 22 Acre Residual Site from Table 4 7 as it is important for the reader to know that none of the alternatives will affect these sites As noted in EPA s comment this table provides details associated with the detailed study alternative s impacts to game lands and preservation areas similar to the way Table 4 11 details individual stream impacts or Table 4 17 details federally protected species impacts The impacts to the mitigation sites are currently summarized in Table S 1 of the DEIS Table S 1 in the FEIS will also provide a summary of this information Indirect and Cumulative Effects Comment EPA does not agree with the assumptions and conclusions in the indirect and cumulative effects section of the DEIS The analysis cites travel time benefits without providing the specific travel time savings or other traffic analyses required to make such a claim The analysis ignores a critical component water supply within the project study area and the importance it may have on current and future development and land uses Furthermore the qualitative ranking in Tables 4 18 and 4 19 are not supported by actual data or facts These ranking appear to be very subjective and based upon past trends and not upon more recent socio economic factors The relationship of the information contained in Table 4 20 compared to the proposed project is not made clear in Section 4 6 Considering the significant impact predicted for the project study area watersheds EPA is U 4751/R 3-100— Response to EPA DEIS Comments Page 18 of 18 requesting a review copy of the indirect and cumulative quantitative water quality impacts analysis that was requested by the NCDWQ and prior to the issuance of a FEIS Response Section 4 6 1 of the DEIS states the Hampstead Bypass will result in more than ten minutes in travel time savings The DEIS further explains that this time savings is because the proposed bypass will not have the traffic signals and congestion of the existing facilities The ICE screening matrices used in the DEIS are not the most current quasi quantitative matrices used in ICE analysis The Relative Rating of Indirect and Cumulative Effects matrices (Tables 4 18 and 4 19 of the DEIS) are the version that was in effect at the time the combined Community Impact Assessment and Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment was prepared Since that time the screening matrix has been updated to include additional categories and a quantitative component A revised Indirect and Cumulative Effects analysis including an updated ICE Screening report and an ICE Land Use Scenario Assessment will be prepared for incorporation into the FEIS The new ICES will include mfonnation about water and sewer In addition the cumulative effects summary in the ICE will be expanded to more fully document past present and future actions by all parties Table 4 20 presents baseline wetland and stream data for the project area Changes to the wording of this section will be considered for the FEIS to make this clearer EPA will be provided a copy of the quantitative indirect and cumulative impacts analysis which is not prepared until after the FEIS is complete n ' J�`ZEO ST�r�S Ary Y, F law, W 0 O < Z; O? �ilq( PROSeGt UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4 ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 61 FORSYTH STREET ATLANTA GEORGIA 30303 8960 November 15 2011 Dr Gregory J Thorpe, PhD Manager Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch North Carolina Department of Transportation 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1548 SUBJECT Federal Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the US 17 Hampstead Bypass and Military Cutoff Road Extension New Hanover and Pender Counties North Carolina, CEQ No 20110322, TIP Project Nos R 3300 and U 4751 Dear Dr Thorpe The U S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 has reviewed the subject document and is commenting in accordance with Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) The U S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the North Carolina Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) are proposing to extend Military Cutoff Road on new location for several miles (approximately 3 5 miles) as a 6 lane median divided facility and connect to a 12 to 15 mile new location multi lane median divided bypass facility of US 17 Highway in New Hanover and Pender Counties North Carolina Both multi lane facilities are expected to tie in with I 140 Wilmington Bypass (Also known as US 17 John Jay Burney Jr Freeway) 1 140 currently connects to US 17 (Market Street) with an interchange at Futch Creek Road EPA has been participating in the proposed project under the NEPA/Section 404 Merger process since 2005 and before the NCDOT proposed to combine the two facilities into one proposed project According to EPA s records the Purpose and Need (Concurrence Point CP 1) for the combined roadway facilities was concurred on September 21 2006 On August 23 2007 EPA concurred on the Detailed Study Alternatives to be carried forward (Concurrence Point 2) Another CP 2 meeting was held on April 20 2010, that further narrowed down the Detailed Study Alternatives EPA concurred on CP 2A, Bridging and Alignment Review on May 27, 2010 EPA s technical review comments on the DEIS are attached to this letter (See Attachment A) Internet Address (URL) http / /www ape gov Recycled/Recyclable Pnnled with Vegetable 00 Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 309' Postconsumer) It should be noted that EPA and the U S Fish and Wildlife Service are listed on the DEIS cover as Cooperating Agencies Section 15016 of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations should be further explored by the USACE and NCDOT for specific requirements of Cooperating Agencies EPA has rated the DEIS alternatives E H +M1 O +M2 R +M1 U +M1 and U +M2 as Environmental Objections (EO 2) EPA has rated detailed study alternative (DSA) U as Environmental Concerns (EC 2) Those DSAs rated as EO 2 are those alternatives where there is a potential for significant environmental impacts to water supply wells and high quality waters of the U S that cannot be addressed without significant project modification or the development of other feasible alternatives The DEIS fails to address the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act with respect to current and future water supplies and the Military Cutoff Road extension impacts (i e DSA M1 and M2) The DEIS fads to identify avoidance and minimization measures and compensatory mitigation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for significant impacts to high quality waters of the U S The rating of 2 indicates that DEIS information and environmental analysis is not sufficient and that additional information is required EPA has substantial environmental concerns with respect to wetland and stream impacts and appropriate avoidance and minimization measures and compensatory mitigation In addition, EPA also has environmental concerns for potential impacts to wetland mitigation and preservation sites prime farmland impacts impacts to threatened and endangered species wildlife habitat fragmentation and human environment impacts EPA recommends that all of the technical comments in the attachment be addressed prior to the issuance of a Final EIS (FEIS) Furthermore all relevant environment impacts that have not been disclosed in this document should be addressed in additional documentation prior to the next Merger decision point EPA has rated DSA U as having environmental concerns (EC 2) because it has significant environmental impacts to human and natural resources that have not been fully or accurately addressed in the DEIS and additional information is required EPA believes that strictly combined with other transportation alternatives such a Transportation System Management (TSM) and Travel Demand Management (TDM) DSA U can possibly help meet the purpose and need However additional avoidance and minimization measures would be needed for DSA U to prevent degradation to protected and jurisdictional resources EPA is requesting a conceptual mitigation plan prior to the selection of the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) EPA will not be able to concur on the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) until the significant environmental issues identified in the attachment are satisfactorily resolved Mr Christopher Militscher of my staff will continue to work with you as part of the NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team process EPA will continue to work with your staff and other Merger Team agencies on modifications to the DSAs and developing alternatives that can potentially meet the stated purpose and need for the project study area Should you have any questions concerning these comments please feel free to contact him at Militscher chnsOepa goy or (919) 856 4206 or (404) 562 9512 Thank you Sinceiely IV Heinz J Mueller Chief NEPA Program Office Cc S McClendon USACE B Shaver USACE P Benjamin, USFWS B Wrenn NCDWQ D Wainwright, NCDWQ M Herndon NCDWQ D Cox NCWRC S Sollod NCDCM ATTACHMENT A Draft Environmental Impact Statement US 17 Hampstead Bypass and Military Cutoff Road Extension New Hanover and Pender Counties TIP Project Nos R -3300 and U -4751 Detailed Technical Comments Purpose and Need for the Proposed Project The NEPA/Section 404 Merger Concurrence Point (CP) 1 Purpose and Need statement is included in Appendix B of the DEIS The stated purpose and need that Merger team representatives agreed to is as follows The purpose of the project is to improve the traffic carrying capacity and safety of the US 17 and Market Street corridor in the project study area The DEIS includes an elaboration on the purpose and need on Pages 1 3 and 1 4 The discussion concerning safety is not fully examined EPA believes that the severity of accidents and potential fatalities within the project study area may increase with a new location highway speed freeway While overall minor traffic accidents may be expected to decrease along US 17 /Market Street with a new multi lane bypass facility FHWA and National Safety Council studies have shown that new location high speed freeways in rural areas can potentially increase the severity of accidents NCDOT safety studies also indicate that the total crash rate for US 17 between US 17 Wilmington Bypass (I 140) and Sloop Point Loop Road is below the 2005 2007 statewide crash rate for rural U S routes Most of the proposed Hampstead Bypass is located substantially north of where the traffic and accident problems are located along existing US 17 /Market Street This section of the DEIS includes an additional need concerning transportation demand U S Census Bureau population data for New Hanover County and Pender County is provided The DEIS states that with the population increase there is a corresponding growth in tourism and supporting services that resulted in a mixed purpose traffic on US 17 This section of the DEIS does not specifically identify the correlation between population growth and the growth in tourism and supporting services The population growth trends presented in Table 1 4 by decade for the periods of 2010 2020 and 2020 2030 are not reflective of more recent socio economic trends The large number of annual visitors for tourism does not specifically translate into increased population growth for the protect study area Considenng the extensive wetland systems present in the project study area and that most upland areas have already been developed for retirement and seasonal second homes future trends in permanent population growth are believed to be over estimated to justify new location facilities Figure 2 of the DEIS includes the 2008 Levels of Service (LOS) along some of the mayor routes in the project study area, including 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass US 17/Market Street and US 17 to Sloop Point Loop Road at the northern project tenninus This figure is confusing as it only provides LOS from A to C and then breaks out LOS D E and F Twenty four (24) intersections are also provided with a LOS EPA notes that a majority of existing Military Cutoff Road within the project study area shown is LOS A C Additionally EPA estimates that based upon peak hour NCDOT traffic estimates approximately 66 500 feet of 123,375 total feet of existing roadways operate at a satisfactory LOS of A -C Mayor sections of the existing multi lane US 17 highway in Pender County and I 140/Wilmington Bypass show no current traffic capacity issues Eight (8) of the 24 intersections also operate at LOS A C EPA also notes the issue of local traffic versus regional through traffic From Figure 2 it can be seen that while the 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass operates at an acceptable LOS US 17 from College Road to Futch Creek Road (approximately 7 miles) operates at LOS F Apparently 1 140 /Wilmington Bypass is not diawing sufficient through traffic from downtown Wilmington roadways The interchange of I 140 /Wilmington Bypass and US 17 north of Porters Neck Road is rated with a LOS A C Similarly the traffic problems (LOS F) south of the proposed extension of Military Cutoff Road would not expect to be improved with a new location 6 lane freeway connecting to I 140 with a new interchange EPA is uncertain how the new location US 17 /Hampstead Bypass of approximately 12 to 15 miles will improve traffic carrying capacity south of the proposed connections and new interchange with I 140 /Wilmington Bypass Except for one small area south of Scotts Hill Loop Road and a similarly small area by Topsail High School US 17 between the I 140 interchange to the northern terminus operates at LOS D or better Figure 5 includes the projected 2035 LOS No build Nearly all multi lane roadways and intersections operate at LOS F based upon projected growth The DEIS does not include the 2035 LOS in the project study area with the proposed new facilities (Build Scenario) This information is necessary to determine if after the 16 to 18 miles of new facilities are constructed that there will be any observable improvements to the existing facilities in the future The project need appears to be based solely upon past population growth numbers in the two counties from 1990 to 2000 and 2000 to 2010 Section 3 Table 3 1 of the DEIS provides Population Characteristics for North Carolina New Hanover County Pender County Wilmington and Demographic Area The DEIS defines the demographic area as the area in and around the study area The DEIS does not separate seasonal peak traffic numbers from the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) The DEIS does not provide a break down by year of population growth rates within the demographic area EPA would not anticipate that population growth rates from 2008 to present are at the same substantial percentage levels as was seen earlier in the decade These 2035 population projections do not appear to take into account the project setting and the availability of other necessary infrastructure Overall, the information contained in the DEIS does not adequately support the purpose and need for multi lane (6 lanes for Military Cutoff Road Extension and 4 lanes for the Hampstead Bypass) new location roadways including a 12 to 15 mile freeway and a 3 5 mile 6 lane boulevard Other transportation initiatives such as widening existing roadways providing interchanges and improved intersection movements adding turn lanes providing traffic calming measures and other Transportation Systems Management and Travel Demand Management measures could meet current and possible future traffic problems Regional traffic plans do not fully address the existing traffic conditions of the I 140 /Wilmington Bypass and why the northern terminus was selected at its current location if it was not expected to draw regional and seasonal traffic from more congested local routes Based upon NCDOT studies I 140 /Wilmington Bypass and its interchanges operate successfully at LOS A C Recent purpose and need guidance by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicates that safety issues on existing facilities cannot always be addressed by the construction of new location facilities Safety improvements along existing US 17 could be accomplished through a multiple of enhancements including the addition of auxiliary turn lanes restricting driveway access improved signal timing reducing the posted speed limit increased signage etc Consideiing the rural and suburban nature of a majority of the protect study area new location and multi lane facilities combined with existing safety concerns along US 17 will potentially increase the number and severity of accidents Preliminary and Detailed Study Alternatives The DEIS includes discussions in Section 2 2 regarding Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative Travel Demand Management (TDM) Alternative and Mass Transit Alternatives These transportation alternatives were not given frill consideration and were eliminated from detailed study because they did not meet the purpose and need for the proposed new location projects These alternatives were given only cursory consideration as individual alternatives and were never considered in combination along with other select improvements to existing roadways and intersections Under the Mass Transit Alternative EPA notes that NCDOT has concluded that there is a potential lack of demand EPA requests a copy of the public survey and other traffic studies that support this conclusion The DEIS also cites a diversity of trip origins and destinations EPA requests a copy of the origin/destination (O /D) study that was prepared to support this position The DEIS discusses the N C Strategic Highway Corridor (SHC) vision plan adopted by the N C Board of Transportation in 2004 as part of the purpose and need for the project The SHC was not included in the purpose and need that Merger team representatives concurred on in September of 2006 The extension of Military Cutoff Road is designated as a boulevard in the SHC plan The Hampstead Bypass is depicted in the 2004 SHC vision plan as a new location freeway that follows the most westerly routes of some of the Detailed Study Alternatives (DSAs) Without frilly examining other transportation alternatives or knowing the full extent of traffic problems on US 17/Market Street it was determined in 2004 that new multi lane routes would be the vision for the corridor The DEIS does not explain the correlation between the traffic problems on existing US 17 /Market Street and the need for additional traffic carrying capacity new multi lane routes of travel that are at a substantial distance from the poor LOS areas and intersections, and areas with higher accident rates shown on Page 2 2 EPA does not believe that other non new location transportation alternatives either singly or in combination were given full consideration in the DEIS The DEIS includes a comparison of 23 preliminary corridor alternatives (Alternatives A through W and Z) for the Hampstead Bypass and 2 preliminary corridor alternatives (Alternatives M1 and M2) for the Military Cutoff Road Extension Many of these preliminary study corridors were apparently identified by NCDOT to strictly avoid residential relocations within the proposed 300 foot corridor without any context sensitive regard to natural system impacts (e g Alternative W 501 5 acres of wetland impacts and 63 residential relocations) The original list of preliminary study alternatives were narrowed down to 13 DSAs on August 23, 2007, at a Concurrence Point (CP) 2 Merger meeting The list of 13 DSAs was further narrowed down on April 20 2010 to 6 DSAs at a second CP 2 meeting The current list of DSAs includes Alternatives E H O R U and M1 and M2 Alternatives E H O R and U all share the same northern terminus by Sloop Point Loop Road and US 17 Alternatives M1 and M2 share a common southern terminus at the intersection of Military Cutoff Road and US 17 Combining the freeway alternatives and Military Cutoff Road extension alternatives represents 5 DSAs Alternatives E H O and R are located more than a mile to the west of the existing multi lane US 17 facility for a majority of their length Alternative E H appears at its most westerly point to be located more than 3 miles from the existing US 17 corridor Alternative U is considered to be a shallow bypass and utilizes the existing corridor for approximately half of its length Alternative U does not require a new location interchange along I 140 /Wilmington Bypass The DEIS design for DSA U indicates a 250 to 350 right of way required for this DSA The DEIS does not provide a specific justification for this proposed width compared to the other alternatives under consideration This right of way width is also contradictory to the environmental commitment included on page 1 of 2 of the Green Sheets Alternatives M I and M2 follow the same alignment for more than half of its length and then tie in two future I- 140 /Wilmington Bypass interchanges that are approximately one mile apart The current DSAs combinations are included in the summary comparison in Table S 1 The 5 DSAs under consideration in the DEIS do not necessarily meet the requirements under 40 CFR Part 1502 14 Traffic carrying capacity and accident issues are located south of the I 140 /Wilmington Bypass interchange along US 17 These issues were discussed during previous Merger team meetings and agencies were informed that the NCDOT would evaluate a full range of alternatives that would singly or in combination meet the purpose and need The initially proposed project study area was expanded at the request of the USACE and other agency representatives to insure that a full suite of reasonable alternatives would be explored during the NEPA process Human Environment Impacts Relocations Residential and business relocations for the DSA E H +M1 O +M2 R +M1, U +MI and U +M2 are shown in Table S 1 and are as follows 61/84, 60/84 59/84 93/106 and 95/106 The business relocations include non profit displacements (i a Relocations) There are no large business employers identified within the demographic area (Pages 3 2 and 3 3 of the DEIS) EPA compared residential and business relocations for the DSAs to similar multi lane facilities identified and analyzed under the 2010 Merger Performance Measures Environmental Quality Indicators (Baseline and 2009 data) For residential relocations impacts per mile for the five DSAs were comparable in range to the Baseline and 2009 impact numbers (2 0 to 4 2 residential relocations per mile for Eastern new location projects respectively) Business relocations are higher for all 5 DSAs compared to the Baseline and 2009 impact numbers The DEIS included non profit organizations in the business relocation totals This is not a common NCDOT practice nor consistent with current NEPA/Section 404 Merger guidance In addition NCDOT also included a church cemetery graves and a 0 employee daycare in the Appendix C business relocations for U 4751 Alternatives M 1 and M2 According to this report 63 business relocations will result from either DSA M1 or M2 Appendix C appears to double count certain business relocations For DSA U the report includes the relocation of 9 non profit organizations including 7 churches Another 32 displaced businesses are identified for DSA U Also included in the list of 32 business relocations for DSA U is a seasonal produce stand a small business with name unknown and a new business under construction (no name) This report identified a cell tower will be isolated by this alternative as well as water tanks for the Belvedere Plantation subdivision However this relocation report does not identify at least two existing water supply wells operated by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority that will be impacted by both DSA M1 and M2 (Page 4 22 of the DEIS) EPA requests that a consistent and accurate analysis of residential and business relocations be provided to EPA and other Merger team agencies prior to the CP 3 LEDPA meeting and included in the FEIS Minority and Low Income Populations Environmental Justice Table 4 l identifies minority owned residential and business relocations including the following DSA EH +M1 13 out of 61 residential and 11 out of 84 businesses DSA O +M2 11 out of 60 residential and 11 out of 84 businesses, DSA R +Ml 13 out of 59 residential and 11 out of 84 businesses DSA U +M1 36 out of 93 residential and 22 out of 106 businesses DSA U +M2 36 out of 95 residential and 22 out of 106 businesses The Environmental Justice impacts based upon 2000 Census data are described on Pages 4 4 to 4 6 of the DEIS The DEIS concludes that the proposed project is not expected to have disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on low income or minority populations Community Resources Access to Prospect Cemetery is expected to be eliminated by either DSA MI or M2 Page 4 2 of the DEIS states that access to Prospect Cemetery will be evaluated during final roadway design EPA believes that this is a known impact resulting from the Military Cutoff Road Extension and access road options and associated impacts should have been identified in the DEIS including potential impacts to Jurisdictional wetlands and streams The DEIS identifies an impact under DSA M1 and M2 to a driving range (golf) under community facilities and services This is a commercial business ( #57 under Business Relocations) and not a public or non profit community facility The DEIS does identify that Holly Shelter Game Land is located in the project study area However unlike the driving range it is a public and community facility as well as a gameland and preservation area It is used extensively by the public EPA requests that inaccuracies contained in the DEIS be addressed in the FEIS Mount Ararat AME Church a historic property, is also expected to be impacted by DSA Ml or M2 In addition the DEIS also indicates that grave sites in this cemetery could also be impacted but does not quantify the potential number of grave sites In the Appendix C relocation report it is provided that DSA U will reportedly impact 647 + / grave sites Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church (395 +/ graves) McClammy and King Family Cemetery (17 +/ graves) and Pollock s Cemetery (235 +/ graves) The number of grave sites in the relocation report for DSA M1 and M2 under TIP project number U 4751 is not provided Potential cemetery impacts for DSAs E H, O and R are not identified in the report Ogden Park is described on Page 4 2 of the DEIS and discusses the park boundary that was designed to accommodate a future transportation corridor through the middle of the county park In addition Pedestrian access to existing multi -use path facilities and Ogden Park would be improved if pedestrian facilities are constructed There is no identification of any proposed pedestrian facilities between the two sections of the park Additional details concerning non profit relocations are provided in Section 4 1 2 of the DEIS DSA E H O and R will impact 3 churches including St John the Apostle Catholic Church Angel Food Ministries and Topsail Baptist Church Hampstead is an unincorporated community in Pender County and is an area characterized as a home to four golf courses that are centered in large residential developments The northern area of the project study area is characterized as being rural with natural areas preserved for recreation and education The N C Wildlife Resources Commission manages Holly Shelter Game Land and North Carolina State University manages its blueberry research station There are numerous other public and private mitigation sites and preserved lands in the project study area Notably there are several NCDOT mitigation sites (associated with the I 140/US 17 /Wilmington Bypass project) including but not limited to the Plantation Road Site Corbett Strip Residual Site and the Corbett Tract Mitigation Site Farmland Impacts Impacts to prime farmlands are described in Section 4 3 on the impacts to the physical environment Farming and agricultural practices area human activity and represent businesses In addition to N C Executive Order 96 on the Conservation of Prime Agricultural and Forest Lands the Lead Federal Agency (i e USACE) is required to comply with the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) of 1981 for those NEPA actions impacting prime farmland as defined under 7 CFR Part 658 Please see http / /www nres usda gov for more information Prime farmland impacts are quantified for each DSA in Table 4 5 Impacts are very specifically quantified as follows DSA E H +M1 67 48 acres DSA O +M2 58 10 acres DSA R +M1 58 12 acres DSA U +M1 49 88 acres and DSA U +M2 49 88 acres Section 4 3 3 does not reference the required AD 1006 forms EPA is unable to locate the forms in the DEIS appendices EPA requests how these very exact impact numbers were calculated and if the Natural Resource Conservation Service (MRCS) completed AD 1006 forms for the DSAs The DEIS does not provide any further information concerning potential N C Voluntary Agricultural Districts (VADs) or what measures to minimize farming impacts might be appropriate (e g , Equipment access across dissected fields) According to the N C Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pender County in 2008 was working towards establishing VADs Sections 3 3 3 and 4 3 3 of the DEIS fails to provide the relative importance of farming and other forest products for the Pender County economy and its employment contribution Prior to the issuance of a FEIS EPA recommends that supplemental information and analysis be provided regarding prime farmland and other agricultural land impacts resulting from the proposed project Noise Receptor Impacts Impacts to noise receptors are described in Section 4 3 on the impacts to the physical environment Human environment impacts are described in Section 4 1 Noise impacts are based upon receptor criteria to the human environment Total noise receptor impacts are shown in Table 4 4 However design year 2035 traffic noise levels that are expected to approach or exceed the NAC are different than from the table Table S 1 includes the actual noise receptor impacts for each DSA DSA E H +M 1 257 receptors DSA O +M2 236 receptors DSA R +M1 248 receptors DSA U +M1 310 receptors and DSA U +M2 304 receptors Based upon the NCDOT Traffic Noise Abatement Policy potentially 9 noise wall barriers are expected to meet the NCDOT s current feasibility and reasonableness criteria as identified on Page 4 11 The decision on the construction of the cost effective noise barriers to provided needed noise abatement is being deferred by NCDOT until final design more in depth' Traffic Noise Modeling (TNM) and additional public involvement Historic Properties and Archaeological Sites DSA U has 4 historic property adverse effects including Poplar Grove Scott s Hill Rosenwald School and Wesleyan Chapel united Methodist Church and Mount Ararat AME Church The Mount Ararat AME Church impact (adverse effect) is associated with DSA M 1 or M2 Thus all of the DSAs have at least one adverse effect on a historic property There is no identified avoidance alternative The impacts to historic properties from DSA U are based upon using a freeway design along portions of existing US 17 and including parallel service roads Some of the impacts to historic properties may be avoided or minimized if other reasonable designs are pursued during final design Archaeological surveys have not been conducted for the DSAs and they are not proposed to be conducted until after the selection of the preferred alternative Hazardous Materials Section 3 3 5 on hazardous materials is not accurate and should be corrected in the FEIS Hazardous materials are regulated by the U S Department of Transportation (USDOT) under 49 CFR Parts 100 185 This section of the DEIS does not conform to other NEPA documents prepared by the NCDOT and reviewed by the EPA Hazardous materials are identified in the Impacts to the Physical Environment section and not in the Human Environment Impact section Hazardous wastes are regulated under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 as amended Hazardous substances are regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 as amended The NEPA/Section 404 Merger Guidance provides additional details concerning these laws and requirements Some of the identified geoenvironmental sites described in this section may meet the cleanup requirements of more than one Federal statute Only 5 of the 28 sites referenced in Section 3 3 5 are described in Section 4 3 5 These 5 sites are associated with DSA MI and M2 There is no qualifying description of the phrase low geoenvironniental unpacts Details concerning the other 23 hazardous material sites is not provided in the DEIS Supplemental information and analysis should be provided to EPA prior to the issuance of the FEIS This future geotechnical investigation and evaluation should include the potential for existing hazardous material sites and underground storage tanks to contaminate shallow groundwater resources Natural Resources Impacts Groundwater Impacts and Water Supply Wells Sections 3 5 3 and 4 5 3 of the DEIS discuss impacts to the project area water supply Groundwater aquifers are generally described in Section 3 5 3 1 The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority ( CFPUA) is reported to have several existing and proposed well sites associated with the Nano Water Treatment Plant (NWTP) Section 4 5 3 1 1 identifies that DSA Ml and M2 cross two existing well sites operated by the CFPUA Additionally DSA M2 would also impact two additional existing CFPUA well sites (to total 4) and a proposed well site DSA M2 is anticipated to impact a raw water line and concentrate discharge line that provides a connection to several anticipated well sites The DEIS states that estimates provided by CFPUA include the loss of up to 6 million gallons per day (mgd) of anticipated future water supplies for the project study area The DEIS lacks any specificity as to what the loss of the existing water supplies might be what the potential to feasibly relocate the wells might be or what the costs might be should either DSA M1 or M2 be selected DSA U is also expected to impact 3 existing transient non community water supply wells in the vicinity of the proposed US 17 interchange at Sidbury Road and Scott Hill Loop Road Transient non community wells are described as being ones that serve 25 or more people at least 60 days out of the year at facilities such as restaurants and churches The DEIS does not provide any additional information regarding these impacts including current withdrawal rates the availability of alternative drinking water supplies the costs to owners to relocate wells etc The DEIS does not address what the potential for contamination to existing well fields will be The depth and distance of CFPUA well sites is not provided with respect to the alternatives under consideration The potential threat from hazardous material accidents to other existing wellheads is not evaluated in the DEIS Section 5 3 1 4 identifies 33 CFR 320 4(m) with respect to water supply impacts EPA has provided the following specific USACE citation Water is an essential resource basic to human survival economic growth and the natural environment Water conservation requires the efficient use of water resources in all actions which involve the significant use of water or that significantly affect the availability of water for alternative uses including opportunities to reduce demand and improve efficiency in order to minimize new supply requirements Actions affecting water quantities are subject to Congressional policy as stated in section 101(g) of the Clean Water Act which provides that the authority of states to allocate water quantities shall not be superseded abrogated or otherwise impaired The full impacts to water supplies are not detailed in the DEIS EPA believes that the constriction of either DSA M1 or M2 will potentially violate this Clean Water Act requirement NCDOT should also refer to the Safe Drinking Water Act for additional requirements The DEIS fails to provide any potential avoidance or minimization measures or mitigation to address the loss of current and future water supplies in the protect study area Jurisdictional Streams and Wetlands Surface water impacts are included in Sections 3 5 3 2 and 4 5 3 2 of the DEIS A total of 134 streams were identified in the project study area Four (4) streams within one mile downstream of the project study area have been designated as High Quality Waters (HQW) and one stream within one mile downstream has been designated Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW) These five streams are Futch Creek Old Topsail Creek Pages Creek an unnamed tributary to the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway (AIWW) and Howe Creek respectively There are no Section 303(d) listed impaired waters in the project study area The physical characteristics of all of the streams in the project study area are provided in Table 3 7 Jurisdictional stream impacts for the DSAs are as follows DSA E H +M 1 24 531 linear feet or 4 6 miles DSA O +M2 13 842 linear feet or 2 6 miles DSA R +M1 24 571 linear feet or 4 6 miles DSA U +M1 15 450 linear feet or 2 9 miles and DSA U +M2 8 786 linear feet or 1 7 miles EPA compared stream impacts for the DSAs to similar multi lane facilities identified and analyzed under the 2011 Merger Performance Measures Environmental Quality Indicators (Baseline and 2010 data) Stream impacts per mile for four of the DSAs were a magnitude or more above the 2004 2009 Baseline of 410 linear feet /mile and the 2010 Eastern new location value of 200 linear feet/mile Except for DSA U +M2 of 523 linear feet/mile the other 4 DSAs had impacts per mile as follows 1 402 linear feet/mile (Greater than 3 times the Baseline) 834 linear feet/mile (Greater than 2 times the Baseline) 1 437 linear feet/mile (Greater than 3 times the Baseline) and 858 linear feet /mile (Greater than 2 times the Baseline) EPA does not believe that impacts to jurisdictional streams will be substantially reduced from these DEIS values following the selection of a LEDPA due to constructability issues within the project study area A total of 85 ponds and 286 jurisdictional wetland systems were identified in the project study area The physical characteristics of these surface waters are detailed in Tables 3 8 and 3 9 of the DEIS By EPA s estimate as many as 43 of the 85 ponds are classified as stormwater ponds NCDOT provided the DWQ Wetland rating for each of the 286 wetland systems The DEIS did not provide wetlands ratings using the multi agency accepted North Carolina Wetlands Assessment Methodology (NCWAM) Jurisdictional wetland impacts for the DSAs are as follows DSA E H +M 1 246 1 acres DSA O +M2 384 4 acres DSA R +M1 297 4 acres DSA U +MI 218 4 acres and DSA U +M2 283 8 acres Impact calculations were based on preliminary design slope stake limits plus an additional 25 feet EPA does not anticipate that final impact numbers to jurisdictional wetlands will be reduced from these specific impact estimates Conversely recent highway projects in the Coastal Plain of N C have shown an increase in wetland impacts following the selection of the LEDPA due to constructability issues brought forward by NCDOT (e g R 3620 Poorly drained soils requiring that the road bed be raised by 4 to 6 feet above natural ground elevation) EPA compared wetland impacts for the DSAs to similar multi lane facilities identified and analyzed under the 2011 Merger Performance Measures Environmental Quality Indicators (Baseline and 2010 data) Similar to the stream impact comparisons wetland impacts per mile for each DSA greatly exceeded the Baseline and 2010 Eastern new location project values of 2 1 acres /mile and 1 5 acres /mile, respectively EPA estimates the following DSA E H +M1 14 1 acres /mile DSA O +M2 23 2 acres /mile DSA R +M1 17 4 acres /mile DSA U +M1 12 1 acres /mile and DSA U +M2 16 9 acres /mile These wetland impacts per mile range from 6 to 10 times the 2004 2009 Baseline for an Eastern new location project EPA does not believe that impacts to jurisdictional wetlands will be substantially reduced from these DEIS values following the selection of a LEDPA due to possible constructability issues and potential NCDOT safety concerns regarding 3 1 side slopes and the use of guardrails along a future high speed facility Section 4 5 4 1 contains a discussion on avoidance and minimization of impacts to jurisdictional resources Minimum hydraulic bridges are recommended at Site 46 UT to Island Creek (Wetlands ISA and ISB) and Site #15 and Island Creek and UT to Island Creek (Wetlands HBSF and HBSH) Dual 200 -foot bridges are recommended at Site #16 UT to Island Creek (Wetland HBSD2) Seventeen (17) major hydraulic crossings were identified during the CP 2A field meeting Thirteen (13) structures are various sized reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBC) and one existing RCBC is proposed to be extended The DEIS does not identify any additional avoidance and minimization measures to reduce impacts to jurisdictional streams and wetlands such as reduced median widths, increased side slopes the use of single bridges and tapered medians retaining walls reduced paved shoulders etc Compensatory mitigation for unavoidable impacts to jurisdictional resources is very generally discussed in Section 4 5 4 12 of the DEIS NCDOT proposes to seek on site mitigation opportunities and utilize the N C Ecosystem Enhancement Program (EEP) for off site mitigation needs Considering the magnitude and severity of the impacts to high quality streams and wetlands EPA requests a conceptual mitigation plan prior to the selection of a LEDPA and the issuance of a FEIS There are no details as to what mitigation opportunities are available on site and what credits or mitigation assets are available through the EEP Considering the location of the proposed project and the presence of high quality waters of the U S the conceptual mitigation plan should be sufficiently detailed and provide for full compensation for lost functions and values to high quality resources During the Merger process EPA also learned that several NCDOT mitigation sites associated with the I 140 /Wilmington Bypass might be impacted from the proposed project including the Plantation Road Site From Figure IOC of the DEIS it appears that the 34 acre Residual Site might also be impacted from several of the DSAs From Figure l OD it appears that the Corbett Strip Residual Site is probably going to be impacted from several of the DSAs Discussions in the DEIS regarding the potential impacts to these NCDOT mitigation sites is included in Section 3 3 8 3 Impacts to these sites are not specifically identified in the summary table S 1 but are addressed Table 4 3 8 3 Additional information including credit/debit ledgers restrictive covenants and easements and other property records is being requested by EPA prior to the selection of a LEDPA and the issuance of a FEIS NCDOT should avoid impacting approved mitigation sites that were required for compensation for previous highway project impacts (i e I- 140/US 17 Wilmington Bypass) Terrestrial Forest Impacts Terrestrial forest impacts include Table S 1 summary of impacts for the DSAs are as follows DSA E H +M1 518 acres DSA O +M2 512 acres, DSA R +M1 472 acres DSA U +M1 406 acres and DSA U +M2 455 acres These impact numbers do not match the terrestrial community impacts shown in Table 4 9 Eliminating the impact estimates to maintain and disturbed communities still does not provide for an accurate estimate of terrestrial forest impacts The FEIS should identify how the terrestrial forest impacts ,Acre calculated for each DSA and what natural communities were included in the estimates EPA notes the comment concerning Executive Order 13112 on Invasive species and NCDOT s Best Management Practices (BMPs) EPA acknowledges the NCDOT invasive plant species list in Section 3 5 2 12 of the DEIS The FEIS should identify specific BMPs to be followed to minimize the spread of invasive plant species following construction and provide detailed environmental commitments on how these BMPs are to be implemented It would be useful to the public and decision makers if NCDOT could provide previous project examples where these invasive species BMPs have cost effectively resulted to the long term elimination or reduction in invasive plant species following roadway construction activities There are numerous Significant Natural Heritage Areas that are present to the project study area and the proposed new location alternatives represent a significant long term threat to these unique habitats resulting from the introduction of aggressive and persistent roadside invasive plant species Threatened and Endangered Species Sections 3 5 4 3 and 4 5 4 3 address protected species including Federally listed species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) Considering the potential impacts to NCWRC s managed Holly Shelter Game Land the DEIS should have also identified any State listed species under their jurisdictional and within the project study area Twelve (12) Federally listed threatened or endangered species are shown on Table 3 10 According to a copy of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service ( USFWS) letter dated October 5 2011 there are numerous unresolved issues concerning threatened and endangered species including Red cockaded woodpecker (RCW) and issues associated with the endangered plants and NCDOT mitigation sites that will be impacted from DSAs E H O, and R EPA s defers to the NCWRC and USFWS concerning specific requirements involving Section 7 of the ESA and other wildlife issues Generally EPA has significant environmentally concerns regarding wildlife habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from most of the DSAs including E H O and R Potential animal /vehicle collisions involving new location multi lane high speed facilities in rural areas in close proximity to game lands and other preservation areas need to be analyzed and studied prior to the issuance of a FEIS Other Environmental Issues EPA notes the other DEIS comments and issues concerning Air Quality including transportation conformity Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSATs) FEMA floodplain impacts socio economic issues land use plans, pedestrian and bake path issues gameland and preservation area direct impacts and indirect and cumulative effects (ICE) resulting from the proposed project Regarding socio economic issues, EPA acknowledges the following DEIS comment It is anticipated that the proposed project will enhance longterm access and connectivity opportunities in New Hanover and Pender County and will support local regional and statewide commitments to transportation improvement and economic viability Enhanced long term access and connectivity are not part of the purpose and need for the proposed project that EPA and other Merger Team agencies agreed with in 2006 Impacts to Holly Shelter Game Land Corbett Tract Mitigation Site Corbett Tract Residual Strip Plantation Road Site 34 Acre Residual Site 22 Acre Residual Site and Blake Savannah are detailed for the different DSAs in Table 4 7 Impacts to Holly Shelter Game Land and the 22 Acre Residual Site should be removed from the table as all of the impacts are zero to these two areas The total impacts for the DSAs are as follows DSA E -H +M1 4 43 acres DSA O +M2 42 94 acres DSA R +M1 5 01 acres DSA U +M 1 3 24 acres and DSA U +M2 34 40 acres Most of the impacts are associated with DSA M2 and are to the Plantation Road and 34 Acre Residual mitigation sites These significant impacts should be included in Table S 1 and future impact tables EPA does not agree with the assumptions and conclusions in the indirect and cumulative effects section of the DEIS The analysis cites travel time benefits without providing the specific travel time savings or other traffic analyses required to make such a claim The analysis ignores a critical component water supply within the project study area and the importance it may have on current and future development and land uses Furthermore the qualitative ranking in Tables 4 18 and 4 19 are not supported by actual data or facts These ranking appear to be very subjective and based upon past trends and not upon more recent socio economic factors The relationship of the information contained in Table 4 20 compared to the proposed project is not made clear in Section 4 6 Considering the significant impact predicted for the project study area watersheds EPA is requesting a review copy of the indirect and cumulative quantitative water quality impacts analysis that was requested by the NCDWQ and prior to the issuance of a FEIS United States Department of the Interior �Z o I'ISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE � b Raleigh Field Office Post Office Box 33726 M4 CH 33 yea Raleigh North Carolina 27636 3726 October 5 2011 Gregory J Thorpe, PhD Project Development and Environmental Analysis North Carolina Department of Transportation 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699 1548 Dear Dr Thorpe RECEIVED Division of Highways OCT 0 7 2011 Preconstructior, Project Oeveloprne1 a Environmental Analysis eiranCh This letter is in response to your August 29, 2011 letter which requested comments from the U S Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed SR 1409 (Military Cutoff Road) Extension and proposed US 17 Hampstead Bypass New Hanover and Pender Counties, North Carolina (TIP No U 4751 and R 3300) These comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U S C 4332(2)(c)) and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 as amended (16 US C 1531 1543) For U 4751 the North Carolina Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) proposes to extend Military Cutoff Road as a six lane divided roadway on new location from its current terminus at US 17 (Market Street) in Wilmington north to an interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass For R -3300 NCDOT proposes to construct the US 17 Hampstead Bypass as a freeway on new location The US 17 Hampstead Bypass may connect to the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension at the existing US 17 Wilmington Bypass and extend to existing US 17 north of Hampstead There are currently five remaining alternatives under consideration The Service has been actively involved for several years in early coordination on this project through the combined NEPA/404 Meiger Process and many of our previous comments and recommendations are reflected in the DEIS The Service has helped narrow the range of reasonable alternatives and assisted in refining remaining alternatives The cover page of the DEIS incorrectly states that the Service is a Cooperating Agency Although the Service has participated in early coordination through the Merger Process for years the Service was not formally requested to be a Cooperating Agency (as per 40 CFR Section 1501 6) nor has the Service participated in the preparation of the DEIS Page 2 29 states that a total right of way width of 250 to 350 feet is proposed for Hampstead Bypass Alternatives E H O and R, and that a total right of way width of 250 to 520 feet is proposed for Alternative U This statement appears inconsistent with the `Green Sheet' project commitment Roadway widening improvements associated with Hampstead Bypass along existing US 17 in this area [in the vicinity of Holly Shelter Game Land] will not exceed a width of 200 feet in order to maintain connectivity between red - cockaded woodpecker foraging habitat partitions This commitment also appears on page 4 37 For red cockaded woodpecker (RCW Picoides borealis) habitat east of US 17 to be counted towards the total habitat acreage within foraging partitions EC and 17 it is imperative that the total cleared area not exceed 200 feet Page 3 49 incorrectly states that green sea turtles (Chelonra mydas) do not nest in North Carolina Green sea turtles do sporadically nest in North Carolina in small numbers Page 3 49 also states Loggerheads occasionally nest on North Carolina beaches Actually loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) consistently nest in North Carolina Table 4 7 on page 4 17 displays the impacts to certain preservation areas Especially problematic are the impacts to the Plantation Road Site This site contains several stems of the federally endangered rough leaved loosestrife (Lysimachca asperulaefolia) Page 3 16 correctly states that the Plantation Road Site was, as per the conservation measures in the January 2002 NCDOT Biological Assessment (BA) and May 22, 2002 Service Biological Opinion (BO) for the 140 Connector (R 2405A), to be maintained as a preservation area for rough leaved loosestrife Alternatives M2 +0 and M2 +U would impact a large portion of the preservation site as well as a significant number of rough leaved loosestrife stems The Service opposes these two alternatives Although the other alternatives would have much smaller impacts to this preservation area and may not directly impact rough - leaved loosestrife stems, the designs should be modified to further avoid or minimize impacts The Corbett Tract Mitigation Site, as per the aforementioned BA and BO, was, in addition to providing wetland mitigation to also serve as a preservation site for rough leaved loosestrife At the time of the 2002 Section 7 consultation for the 140 Connector this site had over 100 stems of rough leaved loosestrife Although the M1 alternatives would only have small impacts to this site (0 08 — 0 58 acre) the Service strongly recommends refining the designs to further avoid or mimm»e these impacts Four of the five remaining alternatives would impact the Corbett Tract Residual Strip to some degree (0 27 — 3 55 acres) As per the conservation measures in the aforementioned BA and BO, this area was to be utilized as a buffer between the 140 Connector and adjacent rough leaved loosestrife clusters Although rough leaved loosestrife is not known to occur within this area impacts should be avoided or minimized in accordance with the intent of the conservation measures within the BA and BO Table 4 17 on page 4 35 lists federally protected species by county Golden sedge (Carex lutea) is now listed in New Hanover County with a record status of probable /potential American chaffseed (Schwalbea ansericana) is incorrectly listed in New Hanover County It is actually only listed in Pender County as a historic occurrence Page 4 37 states It is anticipated that the USACE will request of the USFWS that formal consultation for red cockaded woodpecker be initiated after the least environmentally friendly damaging practicable alternative for the proposed protect has been identified The Service believes it would be prudent to delay formal Section 7 consultation until at least after Concurrence Point 4A (CP4A) in the Merger Process when more refined design information is available If consultation were to begin prior to CP4A it is likely that the RCW foraging habitat removal locations and extent would need to be repeatedly revised, thus necessitating re initiation of Section 7 consultation Due to encroaching private development the habitat for RCWs in the project area and the status of the RCW groups have changed significantly in the last few years and will likely continue to change As such, the Service strongly recommends that the timing of formal Section 7 consultation be carefully planned so as to avoid multiple re initiations It is very possible that biological conclusions may change within the next few years Page 4 39 and Table 4 17 state that the biological conclusion for golden sedge (Carex lutea) is `May Affect Likely to Adversely Affect" The Service believes that this remains to be determined As stated in the DEIS, no specimens of golden sedge have been observed within the project area Although habitat is present, and the closely associated Cooley s meadowrue (Thalcctrum cooleyi) is present, the Service believes that more surveys are warranted If additional and appropriately timed surveys do not reveal any specimens of golden sedge, the Service would concur with a no effect conclusion for this species Pages 4 38 through 4 41 address the effects to Cooley's meadowrue (Thalcctrum cooleyc) and rough leaved loosestrife (Lyscmachca asperulaefolca) Given the disparate degree of effects to these species depending upon the alternative selected graphics depicting the location of the known locations of these species in relation to the different alternatives would be helpful The Service would like to emphasize the serious and complex issues regarding the effects of this project to RCWs As the DEIS points out the RCWs located in the adjacent Holly Shelter Game Land are part of the Coastal North Carolina Primary Core Recovery Population within the Mid Atlantic Coastal Plain Recovery Unit The Service has diligently worked with NCDOT to refine the alternative designs to minimize the level of take on RCWs We acknowledge the efforts put forth by NCDOT to reduce the level of take on this species Based on current information it appears that the project will still result in a take of at least one active RCW group Given the fact that the Coastal Noi th Carolina Primary Core Population is still far from achieving its minimum size required for delisting (350 potential breeding groups) the loss of even one potential breeding group is significant Additional coordination is needed to resolve this issue The Service appreciates the opportunity to review this project If you have any questions regarding our response please contact Mr Gary Jordan at (919) 856 4520, ext 32 Sincerely Pete Benjamin Field Supervisor Electronic copy Chris Militscher USEPA, Raleigh, NC Travis Wilson NCWRC, Creedmoor NC SENT OF United States Department of the Interior TAKE PRIDE 3'9,� OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY '^'AMERICA Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance Richard B Russell Federal Building 75 Spring Street S W Atlanta Georgia 30303 ER 11/881 9043 1 November 22 2011 Mr Brad Shaver U S Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington Regulatory Office 69 Darlington Avenue Wilmington NC 28403 1343 Re Comments and Recommendations for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) ' for Improvements to U S 17 Hampstead Bypass New Hanover and Pender Counties NC Dear Mr Shaver The U S Department of Interior (Department) has reviewed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed SR 1409 (Military Cutoff Road) Extension and proposed US 17 Hampstead Bypass located in New Hanover and Pender Counties North Carolina (TIP No U 4751 and R 3300) These comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U S C 4332(2)(c)) and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 as amended (16 U S C 1531 1543) For U 4751 the North Carolina Department of Transportation ( NCDOT) proposes to extend Military Cutoff Road as a six lane divided roadway on new location from its current terminus at US 17 (Market Street) in Wilmington north to an interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass For R 3300 NCDOT proposes to construct the US 17 Hampstead Bypass as a freeway on new location The US 17 Hampstead Bypass may connect to the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension at the existing US 17 Wilmington Bypass and extend to existing US 17 north of Hampstead There are currently five remaining alternatives under consideration The Department has been actively involved for several years in early coordination on this project through the combined NEPA /404 Merger Process and many of our previous comments and recommendations are reflected in the DEIS The Department has helped narrow the range of reasonable alternatives and assisted in refining remaining alternatives The cover page of the DEIS incorrectly states that the Service is a Cooperating Agency Although the Service has participated in early coordination through the Merger Process for years US 17 Hampstead Bypass Project the Service was not formally requested to be a Cooperating Agency (as per 40 CFR Section 1501 6) nor has the Service participated in the preparation of the DEIS Page 2 29 states that a total right of way width of 250 to 350 feet is proposed for Hampstead Bypass Alternatives E H O and R and that a total right of way width of 250 to 520 feet is proposed for Alternative U This statement appears inconsistent with the Green Sheet project commitment Roadway widening improvements associated with Hampstead Bypass along existing US 17 in this area [in the vicinity of Holly Shelter Game Land] will not exceed a width of 200 feet in order to maintain connectivity between red cockaded woodpecker foraging habitat partitions This commitment also appears on page 4 37 For red cockaded woodpecker (RCW 1 Picoides boi eahs) habitat east of US 17 to be counted towards the total habitat acreage within foraging partitions EC and 17 it is imperative that the total cleared area not exceed 200 feet Page 3 49 incorrectly states that green sea turtles (Cheloma mydas) do not nest in North Carolina Green sea turtles do sporadically nest in North Carolina in small numbers Page 3 49 also states Loggerheads occasionally nest on North Carolina beaches Actually loggerhead sea turtles (Cai etta caretta) consistently nest in North Carolina Table 4 7 on page 4 17 displays the impacts to certain preservation areas Especially problematic are the impacts to the Plantation Road Site This site contains several stems of the federally endangered rough leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulaefolia) Page 3 16 correctly states that the Plantation Road Site was as per the conservation measures in the January 2002 NCDOT Biological Assessment (BA) and May 22 2002 Service Biological Opinion (BO) for the 140 Connector (R 2405A) to be maintained as a preservation area for rough leaved loosestrife Alternatives M2 +0 and M2 +U would impact a large portion of the preservation site as well as a significant number of rough leaved loosestrife stems The Department opposes these two alternatives Although the other alternatives would have much smaller impacts to this preservation area and may not directly impact rough leaved loosestrife stems the designs should be modified to further avoid or minimize impacts The Corbett Tract Mitigation Site as per the aforementioned BA and BO was in addition to providing wetland mitigation to also serve as a preservation site for rough leaved loosestrife At the time of the 2002 Section 7 consultation for the 140 Connector this site had over 100 stems of rough leaved loosestrife Although the M 1 alternatives would only have small impacts to this site (0 08 — 0 58 acre) the Department strongly recommends refining the designs to further avoid or minimize these impacts Four of the five remaining alternatives would impact the Corbett Tract Residual Strip to some degree (0 27 — 3 55 acres) As per the conservation measures in the aforementioned BA and BO this area was to be utilized as a buffer between the 140 Connector and adjacent rough leaved loosestrife clusters Although rough leaved loosestrife is not known to occur within this area impacts should be avoided or minimized in accordance with the intent of the conservation measures within the BA and BO Table 4 17 on page 4 35 lists federally protected species by county Golden sedge (Carex lutea) is now listed in New Hanover County with a record status of probable /potential American 2 US 17 Hampstead Bypass Project chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) is incorrectly listed in New Hanover County It is actually only listed in Pender County as a historic occurrence Page 4 37 states It is anticipated that the USACE will request of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that formal consultation for red cockaded woodpecker be initiated after the least environmentally friendly damaging practicable alternative for the proposed project has been identified The Department believes it would be prudent to delay formal Section 7 consultation until at least after Concurrence Point 4A (CP4A) in the Merger Process when more refined design information is available If consultation were to begin prior to CP4A it is likely that the RCW foraging habitat removal locations and extent would need to be repeatedly revised thus necessitating re initiation of Section 7 consultation Due to encroaching private development the habitat for RCWs in the project area and the status of the RCW groups have changed significantly in the last few years and will likely continue to change As such the Service strongly recommends that the timing of formal Section 7 consultation be carefully planned so as to avoid multiple re initiations It is very possible that biological conclusions may change within the next few years Page 4 39 and Table 4 17 state that the biological conclusion for golden sedge (Cal ea lutea) is May Affect Likely to Adversely Affect The Department believes that this remains to be determined As stated in the DEIS no specimens of golden sedge have been observed within the project area Although habitat is present and the closely associated Cooley s meadowrue (Thalictruin cooleyi) is present the Department believes that more surveys are warranted If additional and appropriately timed surveys do not reveal any specimens of golden sedge the Department would concur with a no effect conclusion for this species Pages 4 38 through 4 41 address the effects to Cooley s meadowrue (Thahctrum cooleyi) and rough leaved loosestrife (Lysnnachia aspei ulaefolia) Given the disparate degree of effects to these species depending upon the alternative selected graphics depicting the location of the known locations of these species in relation to the different alternatives would be helpful We would like to emphasize the serious and complex issues regarding the effects of this project to RCWs As the DEIS points out the RCWs located in the adjacent Holly Shelter Game Land are part of the Coastal North Carolina Primary Core Recovery Population within the Mid Atlantic Coastal Plain Recovery Unit The Department has diligently worked with NCDOT to refine the alternative designs to minimize the level of take on RCWs We acknowledge the efforts put forth by NCDOT to reduce the level of take on this species Based on current information it appears that the project will still result in a take of at least one active RCW group Given the fact that the Coastal North Carolina Primary Core Population is still far from achieving its minimum size required for delisting (350 potential breeding groups) the loss of even one potential breeding group is significant Additional coordination is needed to resolve this issue We appreciate the opportunity to review this project If you have any questions regarding our response I can be reached on (404) 331 4524 or via email at aoyice stanley(a)ios doi gov US 17 Hampstead Bypass Project cc Jerry Ziewrtz — FWS Gary Jordan FWS Brenda Johnson USGS David Vela — NPS Tommy Broussard — BOEM OEPC — WASH Sincerely Joyce Stanley MPA Regional Environmental Protection Assistant for Gregory Hogue Regional Environmental Officer Ll North Carolina Department of Administration Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor November 15 2011 Ms Olivia Fan- N C Department of Transportation Transportation Building 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC Dear Ms Farr Moses Carey Jr Secretary Re SCH File # 12- E4220 -0061, DEIS, Military cutoff extension from US 17 (Market Street) to the proposed I -140 in New Hanover County & US 17 bypass of Hampstead in New Hanover & Pender counties The above referenced environmental impact information has been submitted to the State CIeannghouse under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act According to G S 113A -10 when a state agency is required to prepare an environmental document under the provisions of federal law the em ironmental document meets the provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act Attached to this Ietter for your consideration are additional comments made by agencies in the course of this review If any further environmental review documents are prepared for this project, they should be forwarded to this office for intergovernmental review Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call �Sincerely William E H Creech Attachments cc Region O Mailing Address Telephone (919)807 2425 1301 Mail Service Center Fax (919)733 9571 Raleigh NC 27699 1301 State Courier #51 -01-00 e mail state clearinghouse @doa nc goti An Equal Opporlunity/Afrmatrve Action Employer Location Address 116 West Jones Street Raleigh North Carolina NORTH CAROLINA STATE CLEARINGHOUSE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION INTERGOVEP14MENTAL REVIEW COUNTY NEW HANOVER F02 HIGHWAYS AND ROADS STATE NUMBER 12 -E- 9220 -0061 PENDER DAVE RECEIVED 09/07/2011 AGENCY RESPONSE 10/25/2011 REVIEW CLOSED 10/30/2011 MS SUSAN DECATSYE CLEARINGHOUSE COORDINATOR DEPT OF AGRICULTURE 1001 MSC - AGRICULTURE BLDG RALEIGH NC REVIEW DISTRIBUTION CAPE FEAR COG CC &PS - DIV OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DENR - COASTAL MGT DENR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DEPT OF AGRICULTURE DEPT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT INFORMATION APPLICANT N C Department of Transportation TYPE National Environmental Policy Act Draft Environmental Impact Statement DESC Military cutoff extension from US 17 (Market Street) to the proposed I -140 in New Hanover County & US 17 bypass of Hampstead in New Hanover & Pender counties CROSS- REFERENCE NUMBER 06 -E- 4220 -0107 The attached pr03ect has been submitted to the N C State Clearinghouse for intergovernmental review Please review and submit your response by the above indicated date to 1301 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699 -1301 If additional review time is needed please contact this office at (919)807 -2425 AS A RESULT OF T IS REVIEW THE FOLLOWING IS SUBMITTED ❑ NO COMMENT SIGNED BY DAT ❑ COMMENTS ATTACHED E �/ J �� �- -. Nov r C, Et �UL'ry� t k Steven W Troxier North Carolina Department of Agriculture Vernon Cox Commissioner and Consumer Services Enwonmental Programs Agricultural Services Specialist Ms Sheila Green October 31 2011 State Clearinghouse N C Department of Administration 1301 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1301 State # 12- E-4220 -0061 RE Proposed extension from US 17 to the proposed 1 140 in New Hanover County and US 17 bypass of Hampstead in New Hanover and Pender Counties Dear Ms Green Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed extension from US 17 to the proposed 1 140 in New Hanover County and US 17 bypass of Hampstead In New Hanover and Pender Counties The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA &CS) Is concerned about the conversion of North Carolinas farm and forest lands to other uses Due to the importance of agricultural activities In the area as well as the economy of the entire state NCDA &CS strongly encourages the project planners to avoid conversion of agricultural land to other uses whenever possible When avoidance is not possible all reasonable efforts to minimize impacts to farming operations and agricultural land should be implemented e ectfully Vernon Cox Environmental Programs Specialist l t E-mail n cox@ncagr gov 1001 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carol Carolina 276999 001 (919) 707 3070 • Fax (919) 716 -0105 TTY 1 800 -735 2962 Voice 1 877 735 -8200 An Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer 1 4 VO-R North Carolina Department of Administration Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor November 7, 2011 Ms Olivia Farr N C Department of Transportation Transportation Building 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC Dear Ms Farr Moses Carey Jr Secretary Re SCH File # 12 E -4220 -0061, DEIS, Military cutoff extension from US 17 (Market Street) to the proposed I -140 in New Hanover County & US 17 bypass of Hampstead in New Hanover & Pender counties The above referenced environmental impact information has been submitted to the State Clearinghouse under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act According to G S 113A 10 when a state agency is required to prepare an environmental document under the provisions of federal law the environmental document meets the provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act Attached to this letter for your consideration are the comments made by agencies in the course of this review If any further environmental review documents are prepared for this project they should be forwarded to this office for intergovernmental review Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call Attachments cc Region O a Mailing Address 1301 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699 1301 Sincerely William E H Creech Telephone (919)807 2425 rax (919)733 9571 State Couner M51 01-00 e marl state cleartnghouse@doa nc gov An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Location Address 116 West Jones Street Raleigh North Carolina A�IA7 ;Z;,!4j'WL) HCDEHR North Carol in i DL I) irtnlcnr of Lnx Il()n III L[It Ind \acuial RCSOLI ILLS Bt.%uh I tw, Kiduc i)cc TiLeman ( ONLrnor ticertt.r% I1::r'0R -i" DU? 1 -T O Zefe Cicech State Clearinghouse �r FROM Melba MCGf -e Pio3ect Pe�,iew Coordinator DE 12 0)Ci DEIS - Pronosed Si 1309 Ertens_cr and US 17 Imp -o ements _r le tune ,,ez -ind Pendet Counties DATE octozei 20 20il The Deoartment of :In,, ironment and Nitutal qesotrces his iet ie jed the proposed pro)ect The department. asks that the Depart.merit of Transportation continue to ,cork directly kith our commenting agencies during the NEPA Merger Process ana take all practicable measures to minimize environmental impacts This %ill help aro_d Jel-i s at the perm_t ohise Th-nk cL fo the onvort ---t to comment on -I,_s o-o3ec, Attachments 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1601 One N ort hCarolina Phone 919 707 8600 \ Internet http !/portal ncdenr org . n £aunt opporunry \ Affirm r e Ar-*n Employe] - 0 Recycad AW=1111 1 10/19/2011 16 51 9195289839 PAGE 03 1 1 9 North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commssion Gordon Myers, Executive Director MEMORANDUM TO Melba McGee Office of Legislative and Intergovemineuntal Affairs, DENR FROM Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator Habitat Conservation Program DATE October 19, 2011 SUBJECT North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) far the proposed SR 1409 extension. and the proposed improvements to US 17 to New Hanover and Pander Counties North Carolina TIP Nos U-4751 and R-3300 SCH Project No 12 -0061 Staff biologists with the N C Wildlife Resources Commission have reviewed the subject DEIS and are familiar with habitat valves 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 40I, as amended, 16 U S C 661 -667d) Two projects have been combined and are included in the DEIS For project U-4751 the NCDOT is proposing to extend Military Cutoff Road from Market Street to the US 17 Bypass, and R -3300 consist of improvements to US 17 from the exist US 17 Bypass north to include a bypass of Hampstead. The projects are being planned under the NEPA/Section 404 Merger 01 process WRC is represented in this process and comments provided in conjunction with this process have bean documented. However the impacts associated with the reniammg alternatives are substantial and continued efforts to avoid and minimize impacts are necessary Specific impacts of concern are e Impacts to the Corbett and Plantation Road mitigation sites, these sites sad associate tracts provide compensatory mitigation as well as serve as conservation areas for sensitive plants species Not only are direct impacts to these sites a concern, but also indirect impacts resulting from road and development proximity that may further limit the IMAng Address Division of Inland Fisheries 1721 Mail Service Center - Raleigh, NC 27699 -1721 Telephone (919) 707 -0220 - Fax (919) 707 -0028 10/19/2011 16 51 9195289839 U-4751 aad R 3300 Pagc 2 October 19 2011 ability to manage these sites Impacts to the areas should be avoided or Rusher minimized. PAGE ea ' o Direct impacts to Holly Shelter Game land have been avoided, however indirect impacts as a result of constmcbng these improvements in close proximity to Holly Shelter may itstnct the ability for WRC to manage portions of this area with prescribed burning, this issue is not meimoned m the indirect and cumulative effects section of the document. o Impacts to the Red cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) continue to be assessed, continued coordmatiou should result in the butler reduction of impacts to RCW habitat. ® Stream and wetland impacts with all remaining alternatives are significant, however we anticipate further avoidance and minimization of these resources This pigect will continue to go through the NEPA/Section 404Merger process, and additional agency coordination will occur through the remaining concurrence points Thank you for the opportunity to comment if we can be of further assistance please call me at (919) 528- 9886 cc Crary Jordan, USFWS David Wainwright, DWQ Brad Shaver, USACE Chris Militscher, EPA gin NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources D+vts<41 01 b .#atilt Maki e= a l% : avas F=rdu2 Cotaw H S.Ahns Dee Fraeman Govemor Direclot Secrets i 0LIobL1 13 2011 MI MORANDUM lu %IL1bi %1L( ILL I it %ironnlLill it ( oordinuor Off ILL Ill l L`isI IIINL Ind lntLrL0%Lrnnt1.1l111 \ff tir, From Dix Id iinvNri-lit Dix isxm of Wat1.r Qualit\ Central OffLL� � I� SubjLLt COMMI.ntti On IIIL Draft I n%ironnu.nt'll Imp u t 5llttmuit r,-) itLd to proposed SR 1.109 (Milit In ( tltof) Road) Lxttn,ion and OIL propO,Ld I lanlpstl id I3\p is, (US 17) Ne\\ HIIIO\Lr Ind PLndLrCount ILS tiI'11L Project No 4091 1 2 1 II's R 3 00 Ind tl 47-)1 St IIL C leirinAiousl ProjLlt No 12 0061 This office has rL%Il%% .d the rtftrenitd doltimult d tied Juh 301 1 1 hL NC DR 1,1011 of %V3tLr Qtiallt\ (NCDWQ) is rLsponsihlL for thL IssuanLe of the Section 401 11' ItLr OuilaN C ertific ition for iLti\, itiLs th it impact W ittrs of ihL U 5 nu.lttdmL M.Lilands It is our undLrst Inding, Ili-it till proltlt 3s presented .\ III rL,uit In uttpaLls to jurisdlLtlon 11 wLtlznds ,trL taus Ind othtr surf ILL %\ater, \'CD1'I Q oMrs thL folio%%InL Lomnlcnts h ►uLd on rL\ itt% of thL iforLIM-11tutned doLUmLnt 1PrOJLet Specific Comments 1 7 his project 1, beinz pl inntd as p in of OIL 404 /NEPA NiLr!,Lr PrOLL,S As I p MlLipatnu tL tilt member NCDWQ a ill continue- to \\ore. Nutlt IItL le- till 2 RL11e%\ of thL proJLLt rL%C 115 thL prLSUICC of stlrfaLL M. ItLr, LlassifiLd 1 5A Ht_h Qualm W Iter, of the StatL in the proJLLt stud\ irL I I Ills IS onL of the ht,hLSt L taslIIL It 1011', For %% alt. r qu IN\ Purse tilt to 13A NC AC 211 1006 Ind laA NC AC 2B 0224 NO,- DOT 111 K rlquirLd to obt tin a St-Ite Storm" Ittr PLrtnit prior to Lonstructton L\LLpt In North C irohni , t„Lnt, Loistal LountILS RLN IM of thL proJLLt rl%eils thL prLsL1ICL of surl ILL \\ -IILr, Llis,ihld 9s S > Otitstandinr RLsource W-ItLrs of ihL St ItL In tlIL propel studN arLa I he X\atLr qu Iht\ LI IsSII lLation of SA ORW IS 0111. of OIL lltI`hLSt classiftL-111011S In till Ylie! I he NCDWQ IS L\trLmLI% concerned %x till ails impaus 1,11-It 111.1, OLCur to strL lilts \%ith till, C11„ihlltion 11 is prLllrred th it IlILsL msourLe, bL a%oidtd if it all po,siblL 11 It I, not possiblL to void thLse rLSourLC., 1111. Intp'ILI, should bl ntlnun17ed to the Lrl7tLst L\ILnt po,siblL Cti\ Ln OIL pot1.ntial 101 lnlp ILi, to thL,L rLsourte, furini.. III,. proJLLt 111PILnunt icon CD`1'Ol rt qul,ts ii it NCD()T aril \ ttlhtrL t t North Cirohna rLoulatit ns LntitlLd ULsle I Stand irds Iii Scn itl\L 11 slushed, (I.-) A, U(. 1C 011' 012.1) throu-1hout desian Ind Lonsh ILUOI1 of the- pI01c t Pursu mt to I -, a NCAC 211 1 00+1 Ind ].)A NCAC ;13 022.1 rranspctia m PermfMM Uir 16A Matt Service Centel Rategh Norm Carolina MD9 1650 Liss. 532 U Sa aWT Slte4 R.Lmh 11 ih Cato:= 27x04 Phone 9lM0T•Ei3aFAY Q39M7-6494 In Pat& h pllpoAWLr=anLwUN W -q tut Equu3 OPpn tulul I hflimiadve Acton Fmpla er No e hQuohna Aawally 4 It is stated that there are no waters in the project area that are listed on the 303(d) list However it is not stated from which 303(d) lest this information was derived This should be based on the most recent list which would be from 2010 The 2010 303(d) list has all waters in the state listed as impaired based on a statewide fish consumption advisory due to elevated mercury levels if the 2010 list was not used there may be other listings that are not included in the document this information should be venfred 5 Section 3 1 (Human Environment) makes reference to a Qualitative Indirect and Cumulative Effects Assessment dated June 2009 The NCDWQ has not had a chance to review this information and requests a copy of the Assessment 6 The NCDWQ encourages the NCDOT to investigate any potential for onsite mitigation to offset the impacts of the project 7 The "Travel Demand Management (TDM) section concludes b) stating that "TDM improvements would not add new lanes or provide alternative routes or means of travel to existing roadways The Purpose Statement for the project does not specifically state that adding new lanes providing altemative routes, or adding means of travel within the project area are the purpose of the project With respect to TDM the focus would be reducing traffic especially during weekday peak travel times With a reduction in traffic the safety should increase on Market Street and the reduction in traffic would also reduce the need to increase the carrying capacity of the street However TDM is based on enough employers allowing such flexibility in work schedule combined with enough employees partaking of the flexibility It is doubtful that the combination of the two would reduce traffic enough such that a noticeable decrease in crashes and traffic would occur General Comments 8 Appropriate mitigation plans will be required prior to issuance of a 401 Water Quality Certification 9 Environmental impact statement alternatives should consider design cntena that reduce the impacts to streams and wetlands from storm water runoff These alternatives should include road designs that allow for treatment of the storm water runoff through best management practices as detailed in the most recent version of NCDWQ's Stormwater Best Management Practices Manua! July 2007 such as grassed swales buffer areas preformed scour holes retention basins etc 10 After the selection of the preferred alternative and pnor to an issuance of the 401 Water Quality Certification the NCDOT is respectfully reminded that they will need to demonstrate the avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetlands and streams to the maximum extent practical In accordance with the Environmental Management Commission's Rules (15A NCAC 2H 0506[h]), mitigation will be required for impacts greater than l acre of wetlands or impacts to more than 150 feet of any single jurisdictional stream In the event that mitigation is required the mitigation plan should be designed to replace appropriate lost functions and values The NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program may be available for use as wetland mitigation 1 l Future documentation, including the 401 Water Quality Certification Application should continue to include an itemized listing of the proposed wetland and stream impacts with corresponding mapping 12 The NCDWQ is %cry concerned with sediment and erosion impacts that could result from this project The NCDOT should a ldress these concrms by descnbing the potential impat is that may occur to the quaff c cnvironme its at d any mitigu ing i ictors that %% ►uld educe the in► pact 13 The NCDOT is respectfully reminded that all impacts including but not limited to bridging, fill excavation and clearing, and rip rap to junsdictional wetlands streams and npa ian buffers need to be included in the final impact calculations These impacts in addition to any construction impacts temporary or otherwise also need to be included as part of the 401 Water Quality Certification Application 14 The 401 Water Quality Certification application will need to specifically address the proposed methods for stormwater management More specifically stormwater should not be permitted to discharge directly into streams or surface waters 15 Based on the information presented in the document, the magnitude of impacts to wetlands and streams may require an Individual Permit (IP) application to the Corps of Engineers and corresponding 401 Water Quality Certification Please be advised that a 401 Water Quality Certification requires satisfactory protection of water quality to ensure that water quality standards are met and no wetland or stream uses are lost. Final permit authorization will require the submittal of a formal application by the NCDOT and written concurrence from NCDWQ, Please be aware that any approval will be contingent on appropriate avoidance and minimization of wetland and stream impacts to the maximum extent practical the development of an acceptable stormwater management plan and the inclusion of appropriate mitigation plans where appropriate NCDWQ appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on your project Should you have any questions or require any additional information please contact David Wainwright at (919) 807 6405 cc Brad Shaver US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington Field Office Chris Mditscher Environmental Protection Agency (electronic copy only) Travis Wilson NC Wildlife Resources Commission (electronic copy only) Steve Sollod Division of Coastal Management Mason Herndon NCDWQ Fayetteville Regional Office File Copy n���R North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Coastal Management Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor MEMORANDUM TO Melba McGee, Environmental Coordinator NCDENR Office of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs FROM Steve Sollod DCM Transportation Project Coordinator *' CC Doug Huggett, DCM Brad Shaver, USACE Gregory J Thorpe, NCDOT DATE October 19. 2011 SUBJECT State Clearinghouse Review Dee Freeman Secretary Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comments Proposed SR 1409 (Military Cutoff Road) Extension and Proposed US 17 Hampstead Bypass, New Hanover and Pender Counties TIP Projects U4751 and R 3300 Project Review No 12-M 1 The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has reviewed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the above referenced project, which was submitted to the NC State Clearinghouse for intergovernmental review Comments on this environmental document were also requested by the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) DCM is responding to the NCDOT and USACE by copy of this memorandum We appreciate the opportunity to review this document and provide comments relative to the NC Coastal Management Program Upon review of the document we offer the following comments -7 Action Required br Otber State and Federal Asencles DCM has concluded that the proposed project will not impact a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) as defined by the rules of the NC Coastal Resources Commission Therefore the proposed project will not require a CAMA Permit It is correctly stated that the project will require a Federal Consistency Determination As a point of clarification, the applicant (NCDOT) is required to evaluate the proposed project and certify to DCM and USACE that the project is consistent with the NC Coastal Management Program This Consistency Certification includes a review of the state's coastal program (including the applicable CAMA Land Use Plans) and contains an analysis describing how the proposed project would be consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with the state's enforceable coastal policies as mandated by the requirements of Federal Consistency (15 CFR 930) No federal license or permit shall be issued by a federal agency until the requirements of Federal Consistency have been satisfied DCM will issue a public notice and circulate U-4751 and R 3300 2 Draft EIS Comments the Consistency Certification with its accompanying supporting documentation to state agencies with potential interest in the project Upon an internal review of NCDOT s written analysis of how the project is consistent with the NC Coastal Management Program and the comments received, DCM will either concur with NCDOT s Consistency Determination or find that the project is not consistent The Final EIS should include an analysis of the project under Federal Consistency (15 CFR 930) 4 5.311 Wells Alternative M2 would impact an additional two existing Cape Fear Public Utility Authority well sites than alternative M1 M2 would also impact several anticipated future Cape Fear Public Utility Authority well sites The future well sites were selected based upon aquifer access anticipated yields, and areas which protect well heads from contamination R is estimated that up to six million gallons per day of future New Hanover County water capacity could be lost if alternative M2 is selected Perhaps Table 2 3, Comparison of Current Detailed Study Alternatives should include the Public Water Supply Wells feature to reflect the difference in alternatives M i and M2 M 2 4 2.21 Ham2stead Bvaass IMical SecUons DCM is concerned with the large amount of wetland impacts of the project The proposed alternatives E H, O, and R, from the US 17 Wilmington Bypass to NC 210, are configured with six 12 -foot lanes Based upon NCDOT's traffic projections, six lanes are required to accommodate future traffic volume in this section. There is no indication whether these projections accounted for seasonal fluctuation due to beach traffic Only four lanes are proposed for the section from NC 210 to the existing US 17, in order to minimize RCW habitat impacts Both of these sections are proposed with a 46 -foot median and 14 foot outside shoulders The proposed design includes 14 -foot inside shoulders for alternatives E-H, O and R, from the US 17 Wilmington Bypass to NC 210 If six lanes cannot be reduced to fair lanes to reduce wetland impacts, perhaps the medium and/or shoulder widths could be reduced According to NCDOT's Roadway Design Manual, it appears that the use of a 22' width median with concrete barrier on new location or widening projects may be used for those freeway projects that have significant environmental constraints that prohibit or restrict the use of the 46' or wider median NCDOT's Roadway Design Manual also appears to indicate that freeways may use 10 -foot shoulders or 12 -foot shoulders when truck DHV exceeds 500 Perhaps the shoulder widths could be reduced The reduction i in median and/or shoulder widths can go a long way to reduce wetland impacts 4 6.2 Evaluation of Cumulative Effects Reference is made that the use of Best Management Practices will minimize adverse effects in areas of environmental concern Rather than the term "areas of environmental concern , the term "surface waters" or "water bodies" should be used as a more accurate term as areas of environmental concern ' is terminology used by DCM as specially designated areas not occurring in this project s study area 1638 Md Soft Center R NC 276991638 N � Caiollna Phone 919433-22931 FAX 919.733 1495 h m J wwwJ cooastahM3gementnd ���� 1/� An Equal Oyppig tXAftndwAdN bap GM U 4751 and R 3300 3 Draft EIS Comments 512 Other A nc Coordination A list of federal state and local agencies indicates with an asterisk ( *) which agencies provided comments to the project scoptng letter DCM is not indicated as having provided scoptng comments It should be noted that DCM provided scoptng comments in response to the request for comments from the NC State Clearinghouse for Intergovernmental Review Those comments are attached to this document and should be included in the Final EIS We hope that you fmd these comments helpful If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at (919) 733 2293 x 230 or via a marl at steve sollodC nodenr BKOX Thank you for your consideration of the North Carolina Coastal Management Program 1638 Me8 Sm= Center Reldgh NC 276941638 Phot 919.MZM %FAX giV33 -1495 tntemot www noaoe Wmagemertre1 An W %A9MVbW Add STOW wet Caro ula )WAM h' NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Coastal Management M dtraet F Easley Govemor Charles S Jones, Director aVilrram G Ross Jr Secretary MEMORANDUM TO Melba McGee, NCDENR FROM Steve Sollod, DCM DATE October 18, 2005 SUBJECT Military Cutoff Road Extension from US 17 (Market Street) to the Proposed 1 -140 in New Hanover County and the US 17 Bypass of Hampstead in New Hanover and Pender Counties WBS Element 401911 1 and 40237, TIP Projects U-4751 and R -3300, Project Review No 06 -0107 The North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) has reviewed the scopirig letter of the above referenced project, which was submitted to the NC State Clearinghouse for intergovernmental review We offer the following comments, which should be considered in preparation of an environmental document 1 A determination of consistency with the North Carolina Coastal Management Program may be required for this project Because North Carolina's Coastal Management Program is Federally approved, a number of activities are required to comply with the program's a enforceable policies even if those activities do not require Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) permits under State law This "Federal Consistency" authority exists under the federal Coastal pone Management Act It applies to any activity that is in the coastal zone, or affects any had use, water use or any natural resource within the coastal zone (even if the activity occurs outside of the coastal zone), if the activity is a Federal activity, requires a Federal license or permit, receives Federal money, or is a plan for exploration, development or production from any area leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Such projects must comply with the key elements of North Carolina's Coastal Management Program Federal Consistency requires that the applicant certify to the federal agency and DCM that the proposed activity will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the State s coastal management program This consistency certification includes a review of the State s coastal program and contains an analysis describing how the proposed project would be consistent, to the maximum extent feasible, with the State's enforceable coastal policies as mandated by the requirements of Federal Consistency (15 CPR 930) and North Carolina Executive Order #15 Information pertaining to the consistency determination should be included in the environmental document 400 Commerce Avenue, Morehead City, North Carolma 26557 -3421 Phone 252- 806 -28081 FAX 252 - 247 -33301 Intemet www necoastalmana0ement.net An tquai oppart rdty 1 Af ffnab* Arum Employer— 50% Pacy*d 110% host consumer Paoer Page 2 2 All applicable CAMA Land Use Plans should be reviewed and the project evaluated against the enforceable policies of these plans This evaluation is a part of the Federal Consistency requirements and this information should be included in the environmental document 3 The proposed project may impact CAMA Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) in the project study area In this case a CAMA Major Development and/or Dredge do Fill Permit may be required for the project A formal DCM review of the project to determine consistency with the States Coastal Management Program wilt not occur until a CAMA Major Development Permit application is received At that time the CAMA Major Development Permit application will be circulated to the State agencies with an interest in the proposed project for review and comment. The consideration and incorporation by NCDOT of the comments received during the NEPA/404 Merger Process into the final project design should help to expedite the CAMA Major Development Permit application review process 4 DCM s GIS based wetland inventory and mapping program provides wetland data that can be used to improve wetland avoidance, nummicat ion, alternatives analysts, impact assessment, and mitigation site searches DCM's GIS based wetland maps and data may be included by DOT within the environmental document for this project. The GIS based wetland maps and data are available through DOT s Geographic Information Systems Unit located at the Century Center on Birch Ridge Road in Raleigh DCM s GIS based wetland inventory and mapping program includes three wetland inventory and assessment tools available for the coastal area a Wetland tyM data This data can be used early in the planning process to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands and specific wetland types to estimate project impacts and to estimate mitigation needs b VAWand Functional Sigatfiearim data (NC CREWS) This data can be used to refine the road alignment to avoid the most ecologically significant wetlands that contribute most to their watershed s health c Potential wetland restoration and enhancement §ite data This data can be used to locate mitigation sites We hope that you find these comments helpful and that they will be addressed during planning and preparation of the environmental document for this project. During future interagency project coordination and review DCM may have additional comments on the project, and may place conditions on the consistency determination or CAMA permit to minimize any impacts to coastal resources The uformation provided in this letter *..all not preclude DCM from requesting additional information throughout the interagency project coordination and review process, and following normal consistency review procedures If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at (919) 733 -2293 x 230 or via e-mail at stevesollod @ncmail net Thank you for your consideration of the North Carolina Coastal Management Program NORTH CAROLINA STATE CLEARINGHOUSE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW COUNTY NEW HANOVER F02 HIGHWAYS AND ROADS PENDER MS RENEE GLEDHILL - EARLEY ti X41 3 1 ' CLEARINGHOUSE COORDINATOR DEPT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES � *n,.� nyl ICE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVAPION OFFICLo4rh -- w-°—~~ MSC 4617 - ARCHIVES BUILDING RALEIGH NC REVIEW DISTRIBUTION CAPE FEAR COG CC &PS - DIV OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DENR - COASTAL MGT DENR LFGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DEPT OF AGRICULTURE DEPT OF CULTURAL RESOURCES DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT INFORMATION APPLICANT N C Department of Transportation TYPE National Environmental Policy Act Draft Environmental Impact Statement 1� STATE NUMBER DATE RECEIVED AGENCY RESPONSE REVIEW CLOSED 12 -E- 4220 -0061 09/07/2011 10/25/2011 10/30/2011 �ta-3 -- Sc")&/ty ; DESC Military cutoff extension from US 17 (Market Street) to the proposed I -140 in New Hanover County & US 17 bypass of Hampstead in New Hanover & Pender counties CROSS- REFERENCE NUMBER 06 -E -4220 -0107 The attached project has been submitted to the N C State Clearinghouse for intergovernmental review Please review and submit your response by the above indicated date to 1301 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699 -1301 If additional review time is needed, please contact this offs ce at (919)807 -2425 AS A RESULT 0 = EVIEW THE FOLLOWING IS SUBMITTED A SIGNED BY 2 3 ,` .rte OCT 2011 DOA �> 1 NO COMMENT [] COMMENTS ATTACHED _ 4t4l"' DATE 2�� Z SEP 12 2011 NCDEHR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office of Conservation, Planning, & Community Affairs Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor Linda Pearsall, Director Dee Freeman Secretary ChtohLl 19 2011 MUNIOR VSDUNI 10 MLIh ► MtAsLi. 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Ioo,L,trik (I I %tnrathra a\pt►rrhlulut) Ind ( oolt , tilt. ulo\+rut. (Tlurlrt r►rmI (owl( Ii) IN 1nd1L IlLd In 111L DI lti PIL ISL do not hLS11 Ito to Lontl1-1 ntL it 919 71 '� 8097 if you hw. quLslion, or IILL(I furtIILr Inform ►tton Fritloum, 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1601 One Carolina Phone 919 715 -4195 \ FAX 919 715 3060 Internet www oneNCNaturally org aturallt� An cq 1a1 Opportunity t Affirmahve Action 2mployer -oil° Recycled 1 tt) Past Consumer Paoer No will Rena, ces hanung a-d (owrrmvi 1 Jl y �e t tk VO 4'" y u + '4 4" �jj d FtT `�Y` t � x P tc % ��• Wre� llew �y� � q� � iiow ti " q`t�`���ae �l—ytX�+�� y� K -✓ FiTk 'UFe`t,5" a 3 P i v lJ '� `- �.�n' Y ��i� Z '�' � �.3i'i� "``�i S � ` �' "r z' � � .•T,,��i sr .c �� � � ✓"� eta Pl i$4* ✓ ' ! r O �S,� I m l x r� �v4.+ r '"°. M Y �' t4 # ,.� 1`z,, a b r'n� * "� b s F s"� '`.,�t�v Ot• 'h T� 14 4z 3 ,� � G j""", `�iu` �t��° 'x "' \' 3 '� cr :� _��''' Sr u'cI I„t ,c3, It Cf 11 1, 71 3W t- 4 4-- a3 4 CA LL -vim C71 LIV CD It L e ,it 1-41 pie A'A tv" Yl; Ap MR a 7 I& �l i DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND Protect Number NATURAL RESOURCES X12 DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES bounty my New Hanover PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SECTION Pender Inter Agency Protect Review Response Protect Name L'S %rmt ( ores of Ln4_in Type of Protect Drift Fr— %ironmint J %Ydnunt,ton Qititritt Inspect Stitcment Propmed SR 1409 0fitit trN Cnlofi' Rd) Comments provided by r%tenston and proposed LS 17 H imp~,tc id t3Npis5 Regional Program Person �lt�1t_ t�G�N�C +�� ❑Q Regional Supervisor for Public Water Supply Section H i L Central Office program person Name Dtbr i BLilO� —NN Ilnun; ton RO Date 0910912010 Telephone number 611n) 10b. :7at Program within Division of Water Resources * Public Water Supply ❑ Other Name of Program Response (check all applicable) ❑ No objection to project as proposed ❑ No comment ❑ Insufficient information to complete review ❑ Comments attached See comments below LkJCL tU +0 I JOL V C- 4 XAJ tjl- ... Ixt_r f1LJ � Cfy-)�Se CJ. I i,--C s'o uf�� . t,�>Q�C� lj F>✓, Lf-f',0/Ni4C- LLCLt-0-l5(1-- IL'ru -�t L�- Li c A C c.,,t -; tLkAs )C t� �4; S � tots C 11� 1Ct �t mil_ -C l l �i C `sC C�{ :�4eev'o-it1 ti's +L C CLc+JLC -0 tCCr . 71t,t(S)LC 41' I- 00.C)k 1�iiC. LC, LtLl- su+�tl ( �` kt tic : ���rit(� c���LAILM u +t, s rs Ititlt t t• `(�,V -� l� l �.� t ClC t � � � � � L � r� � '1 Ct�II�IU ttSC� Ci .C1 (Y� !St IiY�t %Ae n Ctr C » 4C)-(k�., ,t_k- �ICC( t_ly,c) c t lL c F U( S tJrA odtt,we-iA �c- �llartSc t. +t7 %G,�t"rt� try rv4 kttili7Gif ,►C�vtCt rcl.ot.� Ilir r Sc SL�CS, `Ctt). Ck f P L 41 ecs - 514ltjk,�-k.+t'k, rt.,ct,d QiICL r1--t!bc iylt r (k r � J 31 J+ t,ll!tQ)�A�be i�Ccr�C�s ♦ Ck td C, � k C,J C tl.� t-f t `.. *-Lfo I L" pt. -A"t � "t r(LFL�Yt�t .�tcv� t[MI A rf -A OCY( CL 12' r» ,r ndc r' 4VtLAA fin, -L S. %i ...�I Crvtx n . LICIA mt_rlt, gAld A ? nor R 1 r iL( cf It,Cixk6\ Pvorti J- t Return to Public Water Supply Section Environmental Review Coordinator for the Division of Water Resources II �iJ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND Project Number NATURAL RESOURCES 120061 DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES 1 County PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SECTION New Hanover, -� Pender Inter Agency Project Review Response Project Name t S %rmn (orm of I n n [l,_«r` Type of Project Dr ift I n%ironmcntnl imp ►ct NVilttungton Di%tri(t St itcmtnt Propuud SRM LION (Nliht tr% Cutoff ltd) r- tcrostan tnd propowd US 1717 If tinn'tceaa Rwass ❑ The applicant should be advised that plans and specifications for all water system improvements must be appro%ed by the Division of Water Resources /Public Water Supply Section prior to the award of a contract or the initiation of construction (as required by 15A NCAC 18C 0300et seq ) For information contact the Public Water Supply Section (9 19) 733 2321 ❑ This project will be classified as a non community public water supply and must comply with state and federal drinking water monitoring requirements For more information the applicant should contact the Public Water Supply Section (919) 733 2321 [ If existing water lines will be relocated during the construction plans for the water line j relocation must be submitted to the Division of Water Resources Public Water Supply Section Technical Services Branch 1634 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1634 (919) 733 2321 ❑x For Regional and Central Office comments see the reverse side of this form Jim McRlght Review Coordinator PWSS Section /Branch 09/09/2011 Date Appendix D Evaluation of Impacts to Public Water Supply Groundwater Wells Evaluation of Impacts to Public Water Supply Groundwater Wells US 17 Corridor Study, NCDOT TIP Project U -4751 & R -3300 New Hanover and Pender Counties February 8, 2012 Introduction State Transportation Impto-, ement Progtam (STIP) projects U 4751 and R 3300 in-N olx e the construction of Military Cutoff Road Extension in New Hanover County and the US 17 Hampstead Byp,iss in New HanoN er and Pender Counties Because the projects may share a common terminus they are being eN aluated together in a single en-, ironmental document A Draft En-, ironmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project was signed by the North Carohna Department of I ransportation (NCDO l) and the US Army Corps of Engineers on July 28 2011 In their No-, ember 15 2011 reN iew of the DEIS and at NCDOT s December 15 2011 agency coordination meeting (Concurrence Point 3 informational merger meeting) EPA expressed concerns and indicated further reN new of the potential effects of the project on the local public water supply is warranted 1 o further e-, aluate potential impacts to groundwater from the proposed project the following analysis incorporated a re-, iew of existing literature and communications with representatives from the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and the Public Water Supply Section of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources The intent of the review is to determine if the proposed project is likely to result in impacts to the quantity or quahty of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority s groundwater public water supply sy stem Project Description For project U 4751 NCDOT proposes to extend Mihtary Cutoff Road as a six lane di-, ided roadway on new location from its current terminus at US 17 (Market Street) in Wilmington north to an interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass Qohn Jay Burney Jr Freeway) Limited and full control of access is proposed For project R 3300 NCDOT proposes to construct the US 17 Hampstead Bypass as a freeway on new location The US 17 Hampstead By pass may connect to the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension at the existing US 17 Wiliington Bypass and extend to existing US 17 north of Hampstead Full control of access is proposed for the US 17 Hampstead Bypass The project area is shown in Figure 1 The current detailcd study alternate-, es arc shown in Figure 2 The purpose of the US 17 Corridor Study project is to improN e the traffic carrying capacity and safety of the US 17 and Market Street corridor in the project area Because of its location within a wellhead protection area the Mihtary Cutoff Road Extension project is the focus of this re-, iew Military Cutoff Road Extension Alternat N es M1 and M2 are new location alternatin es extending Military Cutoff Road from Market Street to the US 17 Wilmington Bypass The City of Wiltington adopted an official transportation corridor map for the proposed e \tension of Mihtan Cutoff Road on August 8 2005 Alternati-, e M1 follows the adopted corridor map alignment Alternative M1 begins it a proposed interchange at Mihtar� Cutoff Road and Market Street The alternate-, e extends north through -\ acant Count} property between the two sections of Ogden Park and residential areas Alternate-, e 1\11 turns northwest Ind ends near Plantation Road and Crooked Pine Road at a proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilinington B) pass approximately midway between I 40 and Market Street Alternati-, e 1\42 begins at a proposed interchange it Mihtar5 Cutoff Road and Market Street Alternati-, e M2 follows the Alternate-\ e 1\41 alignment for approximatel) two miles Alternati-\ e M2 then turns northeast and extends through mostly undeN eloped property to a proposed interchange with the US 17 Wilmington Bypass approximately one mile west of Market Street Mihtar� Cutoff Road Extension incorporates two t}pical sections From the proposed inlelcl)ailge at Maikct Sticet to approximately 0 9 mile uortb of 7 onhavood Boulevard Six lanes (three in each dnection) with a 30 foot median and curb and gutter Two 12 foot inside lanes and one 14 foot outside lane (to accommodate bic) cles) with two foot curb and gutter and a ten foot berm are proposed in each direction From approximately 0 9 mile north of Torchavood Boulevard to the proposed alatenhange at the US 17 lllilmaugtou Bypass Six 12 foot lanes (three in each direction) with 14 foot outside shoulders (12 foot pa-, ed) A 46 foot median is proposed A -, ariable right of way width of 150 feet to 350 feet is proposed for Military Cutoff Road Extension Pubhc Water Supply The Cape Year Public Utiht} Authority (CFPUA) provides water for New Hanover Count} from se-, eral sources including surface water groundwater and purchases from other systems Their 2010 Integrated Water Resources Master Plan indicates that total demand represented 28 percent of the total a-, ailable water supply (all sources) in 2010 Future demand including the sale of water to other s) stems is projected to represent 25 percent of the available supply in 2030 and 39 percent of the aN ailable supply in 2060 1 he CFPUA has se-, eral existing and proposed well sites associated with their groundwater nanofiltration water treatment plant (WTP) which was brought on line in 2009 and distributes water to portions of northern New Hanover County The WTP is located adjacent to proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension Alternatives M1 and M2 where they share an alignment just north of Torchwood Boulevard The alignment shown on the official transportation corridor map for the proposed extension of Military Cutoff Road adopted in 2005 was a factor in the selection of the CFPUA well sites (personal communication Gars McSnuth CFPUA) Roads are commonly found within wellhead protection areas across the state Existing state rules and regulations are relied on to manage risks associated with transportation infrastructure located within wellhead protection areas managed through the non regulatory approach (personal communication Gale Johnson NCDENR PWS) 2 According to the U S Geologic Sun e) the principal groundwater supply aquifers in New Hano-, el County — the suificial Castle Hai ne and Peedee — were formed from the late Cretaceous to Quarternar5 aged geologic formations Approximate13 30 percent of all freshwater used in New HanoN er County in 2005 was supplied from these three aquifers I he ChPUA groundwater nanofiltration WTP wells draw from the Castle Hayne and Peedee aquifers The NC DiN ision of Water Resources website states that aquifer s) stems are h5 diauhcall) connected materials (sands limestone and fractured rock) that pro-, ide water through a properlj constructed well open to those materials In the coastal plain an aquifer is typicall) composed of one to seN eral la) ers of eastward thickening permeable sands or limestone split by discontinuous clay rich materials Confining units consisting of clay rich sediments exist aboN e and below an aquifer These confining units are more continuous cla) layers and separate the aquifers 1 he surficial or unconfined aquifer oN erhes all the confined aquifers in the coastal plain 1 he Peedee and Castle Ha) ne aquifeis form regional aquifers 1 Peedee Aquifer The Castle Hayne aquifer is widely used in the eastern portions of the coastal plain at elevations of 65 to 1 103 feet aN eraging 144 feet The Castle Hayne aquifer ranges from 6 to 1 105 feet thick and averages 164 feet thick The aquifer is composed of limestone sandy limestone and sand and is considered a semi confined aquifer It is the most products-, e aquifer in North Carolina Wells typically yield 200 500 gallons per minute but can exceed 2 000 gallons per minute In addition to supplying some industrial and agricultural usages a number of municipal well fields are supplied by the Castle Hayne aquifer 1 hese municipal areas include the City of Wilmington New Hanover beach towns the New Hano-, er County water system Topsail Island and Surf City M 1 he Peedee aquifer is present in the central to southeastern portion of the coastal plain at eleN ations of 114 to 1 849 feet a-, eiagmg 164 feet The Peedee aquifer ranges from 2 to 1 001 feet thick and averages 141 feet thick The aquifer is composed of fine to medium sand and is considered a confined aquifer Wells typically yield up to 200 gallons per minute The pink area shown in the figure to the left shows the salts extent of the Peedee aquifer The green area shows the fresh extent and the 3 ellow area is the transitional area between the salty and fresh water s �! Castle Hayne Aquifer t jr Wellhead Protection Area The proposed MilitailT Cutoff Road Extension project is located within the wellhead protection area estabhshed for the public water suppl) Nx ells operated by the CFPUA The NC Wellhead Protection Guidebook states that a wellhead protection area is the part of the landscape both abo-, e and below ground which contributes water that will e-, entually reach the well B) identifying the contributing area for the well strategies can be established to manage certain acts-, ities to sigmficantl) reduce the chance the «ell might be contaminated CFPUA s wellhead protection area was established during the prepaiation of their Wellhead Protection Plan Each well was assigned an individual wellhead protection radius to identify the area to be managed to reduce the likelihood of contamination of the well Methods to determine radu for wells withdrawing from the semi confined Castle Ha) ne aquifer and the confined Peedee aquifer differed based on information proN ided by the North Carolina s approved Wellhead Protection Program Because there was considerable o-\ erlap when the wellhead protection areas were identified the outer boundary of the areas were smoothed and enlarged to encompass an area approxunatel) equal to the combined areas of each indiN idual wellhead protection area (see Figure 3) Figure 4 shows the location of the proposed project in relation to CFPUA s Wellhead Protection Area 1 and existing CFPUA well sites With the exception of a portion of the proposed interchange at Market Street for both alternate-, es and the northern quadrants of the Alternati-, e M1 interchange at the US 17 Wilmington Bypass both Military Cutoff Road Extension AlternatiN es are located within the wellhead protection area A portion of Hampstead B) pass Alternative U where it travels along the existuig US 17 Wilmington Bypass is also located in the wellhead protection area Wellhead Protection Area 1 1s approximatel) 7 712 acres m s17e The well sites shown in Figure 4 are depicted with a 100 foot buffer around the wellhead Regulations for public water supply wells stipulate that the area within 100 feet of a well be owned or controlled by the person supplying the water (15A NCAC 18C 0203) The buffer allows the water supplier to protect the well lot from potential sources of pollution and construct landscape features for drainage and dix ersion of pollution Table 1 lists the existing CFPUA wells in the project area The table identifies the aquifer each well draws from and the distance from the wellhead to the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension slope stake boundary The wellheads located closest to Military Cutoff Road Extension at Site B (Well IDs 22 and B CH) are positioned at a higher ele-, atlon than the proposed roadway grade In addition to the existing wells CFPUA has plans to expand its infrastructure and add new wells in the future These future well sites are depicted by an Z on Figure 5 Military Cutoff Road Extension Alternanx e M2 would cross existing and proposed water lines associated with the proposed expansion area The CFPUA indicates that future well sites were selected based on aquifer access anticipated ) gelds and because the area is undeveloped which protects the well heads from contamination 2 I 1 able 1 Summaij of CFPUA Wells in the Vicimt� of NUtary Cutoff Road Extension (MCRL) Well Site Well ID Well Depth ft () Aquifer WHPP Radius (ft) Yield (gPn') Closest MCRE Alternative Distance from Well head to MCRE Slope Stake Limits ft P 8 160 Peedee 2000 600 M1 M2 807 Q 16 175 Peedee 3 000 500 M1 M2 1 85D B 22 170 Peedee 3 000 640 M1 M2 126 A 23 170 Peedee 3 000 600 M1 M2 1 490 M 28 175 Peedee 2000 750 M1 M2 544 N 29 175 Peedee 2000 750 M1 M2 781 O 30 175 Peedee 2000 570 M1 M2 1 006 A A CH 95 Castle Hai ne 2 965 600 M1 M2 1 490 B B CH 80 Castle Hayne 3 097 640 M1 M2 126 C C CH 105 Castle Has ne 2 406 600 M2 1 402 C C PD 168 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 1 379 F F CH 105 Castle Has ne 2 273 600 1\42 764 F F PD 170 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 770 G j G CH 90 Castle Has ne 2 440 500 M2 523 G G PD 173 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 546 • H CH 100 Castle Ha) ne 2 471 600 M2 184 • H PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 159 I I CH 95 Castle Hayne 2206 400 M2 2 109 I I PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 2081 J J CH 100 Castle Ha} ne 2 493 600 M2 546 J J PD 175 Peedee 3 000 X70 M2 573 K K CH 100 Castle Ha) ne 2 713 200 M1 M2 1 187 K K PD 175 Peedee 3 000 600 M1 M2 1 141 L L CH 85 Castle Hayne 3 054 500 M2 810 L L PD 170 Peedee 3 000 640 M2 790 Wellhead Protection Plan e The CFPUA de-, eloped a Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) in coordination with the NC Department of En-, ironment and Natural Resources Public Water Supp15 Section The CFPUA finalized its plan in December 2009 The purpose of the WHPP is to manage the land areas surrounding the wells in order to prevent contamination of the public water supply The CFPUA s WHPP is non regulatory and identifies strategies to manage the wellhead protection area for their northern water system In addition to delineating the wellhead protection area the WHPP identifies potential contamination sources establishes wellhead protection area management actions describes an emergency contingency plan for alternative water supply sources describes an emergency response plan for incidents that may impact water quality and outlines a public education program 5 A potential cont immant source (PCS) is an) substance or acti-, it) that could ad-, ersely affect the quality of the drinking water suppl) The PCS in-, enton is a complete listing including mapped locations of past and piesent land use acts-, ities within the wellhead protection ilea that threaten groundwater quaht) The CFPUA identified potential cont- immant souices using guidance pro-, ided in the NC Wellhead Protection Guidebook Ranking criteria were applied to each potential contaminant source to identify o-, erall risk to wells A risk ranking of lower moderate or higher was established for potential contaminant sources b) tot ihng points assigned under seN eral criteria including proxinuty qu,intit) relative tolicity and likelihood of occurrence (see Table 2) Potential contaminant sources with a combined ranking between 0 and 7 were considered a lower risk whsle those with a combined ranking of 10 or higher were considered a higher risk Table 2 Cape Fear Public Utility Authorit) Risk Criteria Risk Proximity to Quantity Relative Likelihood of Well Toxicity Occurrence Lower (1 pt) > 1 X00 feet < 100 gal Grease Car Wash < 100 lbs Chloride Cemetery Funeral home Mini storage Substation Moderate (2 pts) 7D0 1 X00 ft 100 2 000 gal Pertoleum AST 100 — 2 000 lbs Fertilizers Auto Repair Sewage Lift Station Bacteria Pesticide/ herbicide/ fertilizer appl / stoiage UST (gas station Higher (3 pts) < 750 feet > 2 000 gal Pesticides Chemical Storage > 2 000 lbs Herbicides Cleaners Metals Industi) Sol-, ents Major Road Railroad Major roads are included under the likelihood of occurrence category as a higher risk No existing or proposed roads were included in the list of identified potential contaminant sources in the WHPP The NC Wellhead Protection Guidebook includes freeways /state highways as a moderate risk The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority 2011 Annual Report includes information on their Emergency Management Plan The Cape Fear Public Utiht) Authority abides by state and federal emergency management regulations for all hazards mitigation preparedness response and reco-, ery The program coordinator deN elops maintains and trains Authority employees on the Emergency Response Plan and its associated Incident Action Plans Proactively working to meet EPA s seventeen National Incident Management S) stem C: (NIMS) compliance objecti-, es foi the water sector staff continues to refuse emergency preparedness bi plarmiig and implementing standardized response and industrS best practice measure as recommended by EPA FETvfr\ and North Carohna regutitor} agencies I The Authority also participates on the New HanoN ei County Local Emergency Plammng Committee which plans for hazardous materials iesponse incidents within the community We have also been acts-, e in planning and participating in community wide drills and exercises with our state county and cit} emergency response partners ,o Evaluation of Potential Impacts Potential impacts to the CFPUA public water supply could occur through actions that would hnmt the ax ailabihty of the water the s) stem provides or actions that compromise the safety of the w iter supply through contamination Impacts to the supply of water could result from direct impacts to system infrastructure or through actions that limit groundwater recharge Impervious surfaces such as roads increase the amount of runoff during rainfall e-, ents and could both reduce groundwater recharge and increase pollutant loadings Other potential impacts to groundwater quality are accidental spills and wrecks on the proposed roadway If a contaminant reaches groundwater within the well system s contribution area the contaminant can move with the groundwater into the well If the contributing area for the well is identified and management strategies are set in place to manage certain acts-, sties the possibility that the well might become contaminated can be substantially reduced As pre-, iously noted the CFPUA has delineated a wellhead protection area for their northern water supply and deN eloped management strategies in a wellhead protection plan Because the Peedee aquifer is semi confined and Castle Hayne aquifer is confined they are less likely to elperience water quahtj impacts than surface waters or surficial aquifers (personal communication Gale Johnson NCDENR PWS) Water Supply At the time of completion of the DEIS for the project it was expected that Altern iti-, e 1\41 would cross two CFPUA well sites Ind Alternati-, e M2 would cross four existing well sites and a proposed well site CFPUA estimated that a loss of access to the future sites could result in a reduction of up to six million gallons per day of anticipated future water supply The alignments of both AlternatiN es M1 and M2 ha-, e been modified since completion of the DEIS Neither alternati-, e will cross an) existing or future CFPUA well sites Although both Military Cutoff Road Extension alternatives would cross potable and raw water lines any impacted water lines would be relocated as part of the project and returned to service The project will not decrease the capacity of the existing and planned water supply infrastructure The NC Division of Water Resources water budget for the NC Coastal Plain indicates a N ery small percentage of rainfall infiltrates into the confined aquifer system Most rainfall is lost to e-, apo transpiration runoff or infiltrates into the shallow ground watei s3 stem that then discharges to local rig ers and stieams Using the impact boundary (slope stake + 25 feet) Mihtar� Cutoff Road Extension Alternati-, e M1 would encompass approximately 286 acres and Alternative M2 would encompass appioxirriatel) 303 acres Based on the size and confined natures of the Castle Ha) ne and Peedee aquifers and CFPUA data on aN allable water suppl) N ersus demand the proposed project is not expected to affect the recharge of the aquifers or the amount of water a-, ailable for withdrawals from existing public water supply system wells Water Quabty Accidental Spills Accidental spills due to traffic accidents or other causes probabl) represent the greatest potential impact of the proposed project on the water supply wells The potential for an accidental spill in the Well Head Protection Area is probably not greater with construction of the project as se-, eial major roadways including the US 17 Wilmington Bypass and Market Street alread) exist in the Well Head Protection Area The concern with this project is that a major roadway will now be closer to some wellheads than current conditions E-, en though the project is constructing a major roadwa) close to wells contaminants from a spill likely could be contained and removed before reaching the aquifers the wells are drawing from due to the semi confined and confined natures of the aquifers The Contingency Plan component of the WHPP identifies emergent) agencies to be contacted in the event of a major oil or chemical spill It includes both short term (less than 48 hours) and long term plans to determine if contamination has occurred and identifies alternate water sources to be used until it has been determined the system is free of contamination and in compliance with standards go-, ermng public water supplies Stormwater Runoff As noted preN iousl) there are two typical sections associated with the proposed Mihtar) Cutoff Road Extension project The first typical section includes curb and gutter and as such would incorporate a stormwater con-, eyance system The second typical section includes a shoulder section which would incorporate -, egetated ditches to convey runoff The NC Wellhead Protection Guidebook ranks stormwater discharges as a higher risk potential contaminant source Literature indicates that highway stormwater does occasionall) contaminate groundwater with minor amounts of metals and petroleum compounds These chemicals are typically present at extremely low concentrations and tend to be localized around the right of way In addition the application of road salt and de icing chemicals can be a concern to groundwater quality particularly in areas that have appreciable snowfall or use surficial aquifers as a water supply source The NC Wellhead Protection Guidebook ranks road salt storage areas as a higher risk but does not address the application of road salts during waiter weather The NCDO I Division 3 Maintenance Engineer indicates road salt applications occur infrequend) in the project area The average annual snowfall (including pellets and ice) in Wihnmgton over the last 50 ) ears is two inches The Division plans for one application of road salt to major arterials used for commerce at approximately 250 pounds per lane mile per year 93 Stormwater ponds included in the CFPUA WHPP are assessed as lower risk potential contaminant sources Mihtar) Cutoff Road Extension Alternatives M1 and M2 ma) affect four ponds judged to ha-, e the appearance of stormwater ponds during surface water delineations for the project Two of those ponds BPE and BPF are located in the CFPUA s wellhead protection area "1 he proposed project is expected to impact 0 75 acre of pond BPE Pond BPE is a stormwater pond perntted by the NC Di-, ision of Water Quality ( NCDWQ) in Febivar) 2007 Pond BPE is associated with a high density subdi-, ision de-, elopment West Bay Phase V The WHPP does not include a data sheet for the West Bay Phase V stormwater pond likely because it was not constructed at the time of the potential contaminant source re-, new A data sheet is included in the WHPP for a West Bay Phase IV stormwater pond which is not impacted by the project Estimated impacts to pond BPF are 0 41 acre The pond was e-, aluated during the re-, iew of potential contaminant sources for the CFPUA WHPP and is listed on the data sheet as a stormwater pond for Courtney Pines Phase III The NCDWQ issued a stormwater permit for a low densit) development with a curb outlet system for the Courtney Pines Phase III development in July 2004 The permit does not cite requirements for the construction or maintenance of a stormwater pond for the low density dex elopment NCDOT will likely be required to replace any stormwater storage capacity lost due to project impacts to permitted ponds It is not expected that project effects to these ponds will adN ersely affect the water supply Due to the semi confined and confined natures of the aquifers in this area N er) little of the runoff from the proposed roadway would reach the aquifers Avoidance and Minimization of Potential Impacts The CFPUA has identified their wellhead protection area and adopted a wellhead protection plan The wellhead protection plan includes an emergent) contingent) plan addressing the steps to be taken should a major oil or chemical spill occur For soil or groundwater contamination incidents occurring within the wellhead protection area CFPUA will contact State agencies responsible for oversight to track compliance with the activities and the schedule of remediation efforts 0 NCDOT will coordinate with the Cape Fear Public Utihty Authority on the potential inclusion of a sign on Military Cutoff Road Extension notifying drivers they are tra-, ellung through a water supply area If CFPUA is in favor of erecting such a sign it could include the instruction "Spill Response Dial 911" in case of accidental highway oil or chemical spills I i 9 a The Milit ir} Cutoff Road Lxtension design has been ieviscd so that a ininimum distance of 100 feet is maintained between the slope stake limits and existing -, ellheads No wells would be isolated or relocated 1s a result of the project Any impacted water lines would be relocated -is part of the project Appropriate measures will be taken to a-, old spillage of construction materials and control runoff Such measures will include an erosion and sedimentation control plan prox isions for disposal and handling of waste materials and storage stormwater management measures and appropriate road maintenance measures NCDOT s Berl Managcmenl J)taduee for Pioteaion of SuiJace 1Vaters (BMP PSW) and Sedimentation Contiol guidelines will be enforced during the construction stages of the project Summary and Conclusion It is not uncommon to find loads within wellhead protection areas The proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension project is located within the wellhead protection area established for the public water supply wells operated by the Cape Tear Public Utility Authority Military Cutoff Road Extension -,vill be located a muumum of 100 feet awl) from Busting wellheads and in most cases much greater distances The CFPUA was awarc of the proposed project during the construction of the nanofiltration groundwater water treatment plant and located wells with the Mrhtai� Cutoff Road Extension official transportation corridor map alignment in mind Groundwater supplying the CFPUA wells originates from both the confined Peedee aquifer and the semi confined Castle Hayne aquifer The geologic nature of these aquifers affords a level of protection not associated with surficial aquifers or surface water supply sources Impacts to the a-, ailability of the water supply are not anticipated as a result of the proposed project The project is not expected to decrease the capacity of the existing and planned water suppl infrastructure or the source aquifers The CFPUA maintains a Wellhead Protection Plan to manage the land areas surrounding their wells in order to preN ent contamination of the public water supply The plan includes emergency response and contringenc5 plans for incidents that ma) impact water quaht5 Stormwater runoff associated with the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension will be directed to grassed swales or a stormwater con-, e) ance s� stem and awaj from wellheads The proposed project is not expected to result in impacts to the quanta} or quaht� of the CFPUA s groundwater water supply wells 10 Literature Review and References Cape Fear Public Utihty Authorit) Wilmington NC • Wellhead Protection Plan for Cape Fear Public Utility Authoiit) PWS ID # 04 65 232 December 2009 • Final Well Head Protection Plan Indi-, idual Well Head Radn Location Map (Prehmi nar) Drawings) August 2009 • Proposed Well Head Protection Plan Individual Well Head Radii Location Map (Preliminary Drawings) June 2009 • Figure 1 Raw Waterhnes and Well Sites ( Preliminary Drawing) Cape real Public Utility Authority website (w-,vw cfpua org) * 2010 Water Quality Report * 2011 Annual Report * Capacity Management Program Johnson Gale NCDENR Public Water Suppl) Personal communication January 23 2012 McCormick Rankin Corporation Highwaj 69 Route Planning Stud) rebivary 2008 ( -,vwty highway69 ca /highway69 /northto522) McSmith Gar) Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Personal communication January 23 2012 NC Department of EnN ironment and Natural Resources Division of Water Resources (*-ww ncwater org /Education_ and _I echnical _ Assistance/ Ground_Water) • Basic H) drogeology Ground Water Aquifers & Confining Beds • North Carolina Aquifers Castle Hayne and PeeDee Aquifer Maps * Local Water Supply Plans S) stem Information CFPUA — Wilmington (xvw-,v ncwater org/ Water— Supply_ Planning /Local_W ater_Supply_Plan /) NCDENR Public Water Suppl) Section (PWS) Source Water Assessment Piogram (SWAP) (www ncwater org /pws /swap /) * Appro-, ed Local Wellhead Protection Plans (10/25/2011) in North Carolina * Learn about Your Drinking Water Source * NC Wellhead Protection Guidebook * Source Water Assessment and Protection in North Carolina * Sources of Potential Groundwater Contamination * Source Water Assessment Program * NC SWAPi nfo Viewer (swap deh enr state nc us /swap_app /-, newer htm) Noith Carolina General Assembl) Statues (www ncga state nc us) * NC General Statutes Article 10 Chapter 130A North Carolina Drinking Water Act * NC General Statutes Article 21 Chapter 143 Water and Air Resources NC High Country Council of Gox ernments Final High Country Water Resource Plan 2010 (www regiond org / planning /rINAL_WA'I ER—RESOURCE—PLAN pdf) 11 National Gioundwater Association Numerical In-, estigation of Road Salt Impact on an Urban Well M L Bester E O Frind J W 1\Iolson and D L Rudolph 2005 (info ngwa org /gwol/ pdf/061681221 pdf) NOAA National Climate D1ta Center (1 «f ncdc noaa go-, /oa /chmate /onlune /ccd /snowfall htinl) State of California Public Utilities Commission Memorandum Potential Groundwater Impacts from Proposed Southern Cahfoima Edison Jul) 2009 (Nv,.vw cpuc ca gov /Em ironment/ info /esa /s)x-, 1 /0_comments /018 pdf) SRF Consulting Gioup Inc April 2004 Stud) Report for Anal) sis of Highwa) Stoim Water Runoff Impacts to Potable Groundwater Aquifers St Croix River Crossing (w.,vw dot state mn us/ metro /projects /stcroix /pd fs /sdeis /Tech %20Memos / Groundwater/ Groundwater pdf) Surface Transportation Board Port MacKen71e Rail Extension Final En-, ironmental Impact Statement March 2011 (www stbportmacraileis coin /pdf /final /mdividual_chapters/ 4-3—Groundwater pdf) US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration En-, ironmental Assessment Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility Jul} 2010 Administrative Action Finding of No Significant Impact Norfolk Southern Railway Company Memphis Regional Intermodal Facility US Geological Survey Scientific In-, estigations Reports Effects of I Iighway Deicing Chemicals on Shallow Unconsolidated Aquifers in Ohio — Final Report August 2004 (pubs usgs gox /sir /2004/ 5150/pdf/SIR2004_5150 pdf) US Geological Sur-, e) NC Water Science Center Distribution of Transmissivity and Yield of the Surficial Castle Ha) ne and Peedee Aquifers in Northern New Hano-, er Count) NC (pubs usgs gov/of/2011/1205/) U S Department of Agriculture Forest Seri ice Technology & Development Program Measuring Effects of Roads on Groundwater Five Case Studies January 1999 (www stream fs fed us /water road /w r pdf /groudwatercases pdf) US Government Printing Office 42 USC 300g 1 National Drinking Water Regulations (w-,vw gpo go-, /fdsys /pkg /USCODE 2010 tide42 /pdf /USCODE 2010 tide42 chap6A subchapZII partB sec300g 1 pdf) US Em ironmental Protection Agency (w-,vw epa go-N) Safe Drinking Water Act (xv-,vw epa gov /lawsregs /laws /sdwa html) Safe Drinking Water Act Enforcement (www epa go-, / compliance/ civil/ sdwa /) 33 U S C 1251 et seq Federal Water Pollution Control Act (epw senate go-, /water pdf) World Bank Technical Paper No 376 Edited b) Koji Tsunokawa and Christopher Hoban Roads and the Environment. A 14 andbook (siteresources worldbank org /IN I"TRANSPORI / Resources /336291 1107880869673/covertoc pdf) 12 1 o S 41 T `=T�Yw� �i��T — — — — C —h ' 53 � »s it 4 1 w 50 R / P 11 w W 7 M i I P 11 E N o D E R �, Q 3 no ' I d EFL ff u 9 � f � Rocky I R% 421 177 H q 50 10, uti qN I Be C 7 77 _ T F I t kd*,kl do m s "ayE HA OV e'r r / IL S Milli in an/ t 5 / H B t Ij i� ro, r PROJECT c W , 0"8 O VICINITY 1 177 S W, I C, nK� f.. 421 C. It o a y 1 B1 rs se Brc m f t d0 a r l 6alOhRa Beach y �7 B e A Bill r E - -- — — 59 1FL753.7 ` / Ift Bi "sw: JII ' ' m H Eo' 177 1 11 TTL '��" soutxo°r V C rncokc 1 I , udl 40 Oak Island, � :M G M U � Figure 1 PROJECT VICINITY US 17 Corridor Study NCDOT TIP Nos U -4751 and R -3300 New Hanover and Pender Counties P N RTH q_ Np� w00 North Carolina Department of Transportation Y nP 9A�� OF TRPN�'PO H llySh I G m I d r N 7 L 71 ,- �• � A ASR 0� � 1 1 STUDY CORRIDORS i c W l � , t i \ S H 1`� f 1 S ac O ac P ��F31•F 0 05 1 2 3 4 Mlles N� 7 A UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ~W REGION 4 o IT ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER y ;F 0 61 FORSYTH STREET �r "< PR01t�l ATLANTA GEORGIA 30303 8960 Date February 28, 2012 Dr Gregory J Thorpe, PhD , Manager Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch North Carolina Department of Transportation 1548 Mail Service Center Raleigh North Carolina 27699 1548 SUBJECT Supplemental DEIS Report Information Evaluation of Impacts to Public Water Supply Groundwater Wells, US 17 Hampstead Bypass /Military Cut -off Road Extension, Pender and New Hanover Counties, North Carolina, CEQ No 20110322, TIP Project Nos R 3300 and U -4751 Dear Dr Thorpe The U S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Office has received and reviewed the subject document and is commenting in accordance with Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) This supplemental report was prepared to address EPA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) comments dated November 15, 2011, regarding potential impacts to public water supplies EPA has attached specific NEPA/Section 404 Merger technical assistance comments for consideration by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the U S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) the N C Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) and other Merger team agencies (See Attachment A) 1 EPA recognizes the post -DEIS efforts to try to avoid direct impacts to public water supply wellheads involving the M1 and M2 Alternatives by moving the roadway alignment Nevertheless, EPA continues to have substantial environmental concerns regarding the potential groundwater impacts resulting from Alternatives M1 and M2 In addition, EPA is also requesting additional information regarding the 100 -foot buffers and the distance to the proposed NCDOT's right of way and other data that the report did not fully address By shifting the alignment for Alternatives M1 and M2, natural and human resource impacts may have also changed from the DEIS This additional requested information for EPA's review would be Internet Address (URL) http Ilwww spa gov Recycled/Recyclable Printed with Vegetable 04 Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 30% Poslconsrme* helpful prior to the next scheduled Merger team meeting Mr Christopher Militscher of my staff ' will continue to work with you as part of the NEPA/Section 404 Merger Team process Should you have any questions concerning these comments, please feel free to contact him at ' Militscher chns a,epa gov or (919) 856 -4206 or (404) 562 9512 Thank you Sincerely Heinz J Mueller Chief NEPA Program Office w /Attachment Cc S McClendon, USACE B Wrenn, NCDWQ ATTACHMENT A Supplemental Report dated 2/8/12 on Public Water Supply Impacts US 17 Hampstead Bypass/Mthtary Cut -off Road Extension Pender and New Hanover Counties, N C TIP Protect Nos R -3300 and U4751 Merger Technical Assistance Comments Introduction 1 EPA acknowledges the further evaluation of potential impacts to groundwater and public water supply wells that were conducted by NCDOT, USACE and NCDWQ following the December 15, 2011, Merger team informational meeting Project Description 2 EPA notes the project description provided in the report 3 EPA notes the two proposed typical sections for Military Cut -off Road Extension (MCRE) The 0 9 mile, 6 -lane section is proposed as curb and gutter with a 30 -foot median and a wider i� outside lane (14 -foot) to accommodate bicycles The second section from north of Torchwood Boulevard is 6lanes with 14 -foot shoulder section and 46 -foot median 4 EPA notes that the right of way width is variable from 150 feet to 350 feet EPA requests that the variable right of way width be depicted on preliminary designs for MCRE's M 1 and M2 Alternatives at the next Merger meeting Public Water Supply 5 EPA notes that the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority ( CFPUA) provides drinking water for New Hanover County (Page 2 " total demand represented 28 percent of the total available water supply (all sources) in 2010 ') The 2009 nanofiltrahon Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is t located adjacent to the proposed MCRE Alternatives M1 and M2 CPFUA anticipates additional public water supply needs in the future from this wellhead protection area 6 The following statement is noted "Roads are commonly [Emphasis added] found within wellhead protection areas across the [S] state EPA requests that recent examples of major roadways that are found within wellhead protection areas be provided to support this vague claim Wellhead protection areas generally tend to be located in undeveloped areas and not in areas with existing `higher risks" (See discussion below) 7 The background geological information and detailed aquifer and well water yield information concerning the Castle Hayne and Peedee Aquifers is noted The CFPUA withdraws groundwater from both aquifers The Peedee is considered to be a confined aquifer and the Castle Hayne is considered to be a semi confined aquifer According to EPA sources, neither the Peedee or Castle Hayne aquifers are designated nor protected by EPA as a `sole source aquifer' (i e , I Section 1424(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974) Both aquifers show an existing issue of inland salt water intrusion from the figures provided on Page 3 Wellhead Protection Area 8 Ml and M2 Alternatives are located within the wellhead protection area established for the public water supply wells operated by CFPUA (Page 4) A portion of the Hampstead Bypass Alternative U is also located in the wellhead protection area The 100 -foot buffer requirement around each well is noted (15A NCAC 18C 0203) The 100 -foot buffer around the wellhead is required to be owned or controlled by the person [entity] supplying the water 9 Table 1 provides the CFPUA wells in the vicinity of MCRE and relevant data (Well Site /IS #, Aquifer, WHPP radius, yield, MCRE Alternative distance from wellhead to MCRE slope stakes, etc ) Well Site B (Wells ID's 22 and B -CH) are estimated to be both located 126 feet from slope stakes Slope stakes are construction limits for the proposed multi -lane MCRE The NCDOT right of way would potentially be closer to the wellheads Slope stakes information would not appear to meet the criteria required to determine the 100 -foot buffer per State regulations 10 Well ID #22 is 170 feet deep to the Peedee aquifer Well ID #B -CH is 80 feet deep to the Castle Hayne aquifer EPA also requests information of the distance of the right of way with Well Site H (Well ID s H -CH and H -PD) Both wellheads are identified as being less than 200 feet from the slope stakes 11 The comments regarding the future well sites depicted by an "X" on Figure 5 are noted MCRE Alternative M2 would cross existing and proposed water lines associated with the proposed expansion area CFPUA future wellhead site criteria are provided including the criterion "because the area is undeveloped, which protects the wellheads from contamination" Wellhead Protection Plan 12 The information regarding the Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP) is noted and that the CFPUA plan was finalized in December of 2009 13 The CFPUA Risk Criteria lists `Mayor Road in the higher risk category under likelihood of occurrence The sources of pesticides, herbicides, metals and solvents of sufficient quantity that are less than 750 feet from a well are considered higher risk with the Major Road Considering industries and regional commerce in the project study area and that US 17 and MCRE are proposed for regional through traffic, EPA would expect a great percentage of truck traffic and hazardous materials through the Wellhead Protection Area (WPAI = 7,712 acres) 14 The following statement is confusing "No existing or proposed roads were included to the list of identified potential contaminant sources in the WHPP " CFPUA may have been unaware of the scope, location and timing of the proposed MCRE as some concept of this proposed project has been around since a NCDOT feasibility study from the early 1990's NCDOT did not identify the potentially impacted wellhead sites for MCRE alternatives M 1 and M2 earlier in the NEPA/Section 404 Merger team process during the development of reasonable corridors 15 The NCDOT did not identify existing truck traffic percentages in this report or the potential number of hazardous materials shipments that currently utilize US 17 Wilmington Bypass or other project study area roadways that are less than 750 feet from the existing wellheads Based upon a general knowledge of the industries in the region, including the Port of Wilmington, the current WPAI is probably already at a higher risk of contamination from spills Pulp and paper mills, chemical plants, nuclear fuel rod assembly, oil and gasoline distribution facilities marine construction and repair, etc, are current industries all located in the region that utilize the US 17 corridor Water soluble chemicals could reach the water supply aquifer in a relatively short time Precipitation events could greatly acerbate spill cleanup efforts and allow contaminants to spread at a significant distance from the source Evaluation of Potential Impacts ' 16 Without the additional infonnation from NCDOT concerning truck traffic percentages, potential volumes of hazardous materials, and the types of hazardous materials currently utilizing US 17 Wilmington Bypass, Market Street/US 17 Corridor, the evaluation of potential impacts is not believed to be an accurate characterization of the nsk to public water supplies in the project study area 17 EPA understands the general assessment concerning impervious surfaces However, the long term increase in pollutant loadings from mayor roads is a significant threat to public water supply recharge areas Toxic heavy metals (e g, Lead, cadmium, etc) and other pollutants accumulate near the ground surface but can eventually migrate over time through the soil and geological strata into deeper aquifers Depending upon rainfall, pH and other environmental factors (e g, Bioaccumulation from woody plant species), the soil types, etc, this leaching can be a source of groundwater contamination The wells at the greatest risk based upon proximity are also relatively shallow (e g , Well B -CH is 80 -feet deep and that is not generally considered to be a deep well') 18 The comment, "Other potential impacts to groundwater quality are accidental spills and wrecks on the proposed roadway [multi -lane expressway]" One of the project purposes as stated on Page 1 of the report is to improve safety The NCDOT and USACE are promoting multi- lane, high speed freeway and expressway facilities in the project study area that still maintains significant rural and suburban land uses FHWA has conducted numerous safety studies concerning high -speed facilities and these studies should be evaluated with respect to the increased risks associated with new multi -lane facilities in a WPA The proposed interchange along US 17 Wilmington Bypass /I -140 connects the proposed US 17/Hampstead Bypass freeway with the MCRE 6 -lane expressway Truck drivers, including those hauling hazardous materials, are under time pressure to make deliveries Providing multi- lane, high speed facilities does not potentially reduce the number of accidents but does potentially increase the seventy and environmental consequences from accidents 19 The statement is noted "If the contributing area for the well is identified and management strategies are set in place to manage certain activities the possibility that the well might become contaminated can be substantially reduced" Please identify these specific management strategies that will be set in place to manage `certain activities' that will substantially reduce the well from being contaminated that is located 126 feet from the slope stakes of the new MCRE expressway CFPUA has developed management strategies in a WHPP NCDOT needs to identify how the higher risk to the WPA will be minimized as the CFPUA did not identify an existing `Mayor' roadway in their finalized WHPP NCDOT should identify what spill response capabilities that the CPFUA possess, including the equipment, personal protective gear, monitoring and sampling instrumentation, etc NCDOT should identify if there will be access issues for CFPUA personnel and equipment in the NCDOT's right of way in order to clean up a chemical spill that is threatening one of the adjacent wellheads It should be noted that hazardous material transporters do not always have local spill cleanup contractors available and that it typically takes hours (and even days) for cleanup personnel and equipment to arrive on- scene 20 The statement on Page 7 concerning the Peedee and Castle Hayne aquifers is contradictory to the characterization on Page 3 Water Smly 21 EPA notes that the alignments for Alternatives M1 and M2 have been shifted since issuance of the DEIS to avoid existing and future wellhead sites (2 and 4 +1, respectively) Both M1 and M2 impact existing potable and raw water lines and would be relocated as part of the proposed project and returned to service Please provide additional details on these temporary impacts 22 EPA can only locate the two wellhead buffers on the figures and maps (Preliminary designs "before" and after ") provided in the report that was avoided from the alignment shift for M1 and M2 EPA requests copies each of the preliminary designs in a readable scale for M 1 and M2 and the original locations of the impacted existing wellheads and the future wellhead sites 23 From the preliminary designs "before' and "after depicting two 100 -foot wellhead buffer circles, the alignment was shifted into a neighborhood Please quantify all changed human and natural environmental impacts from what was presented in the DEIS for Alternative M 1 and M2 A noise wall was also proposed along the subdivision that was previously not being directly impacted From the alignment shift to avoid the wellheads and 100 -foot buffers, please identify the new location of the noise wall that was determined to be needed for noise abatement adjacent to the subdivision 24 Comments concerning aquifer recharge on Pages 7 and 8 are noted Water Quality 25 Regarding the section on Accidental Spills, EPA does not concur with the assessment provided The assessment is not supported by any actual data or analysis and includes the following phrases probably represents ", "is probably not greater" and "likely could be contained and removed before reaching the aquifers the wells are drawing from" EPA requests a copy of the WHPP Contingency Plan for review as the NCDOT is relying on the CFPUA's contingency planning efforts to address the higher risk of contamination created by the revised alignment location for the M 1 and M2 Alternatives 26 Regarding the section on Stormwater Runoff, the comment concerning the higher -risk potential as a contaminant source from stormwater discharges is noted "Literature indicates that highway stormwater does occasionally contaminate groundwater with minor amounts ( ?) of metals and petroleum compound These chemicals are typically present at extremely low concentrations and tend to be localized around the right of way" Please identify the literature sources and how these minor amounts' relate to North Carolina's potable water standards Reference studies should include `fate and transport' models conducted for similar soils and geology, pH regimes, contaminants, depth to aquifer and other relevant factors to support this postulated assessment on risk 27 Comments concerning road salt applications noted 28 EPA does not concur with the assessment concerning the impacts to existing, permitted stormwater basins located within CFPUA's WPA NCDOT estimates 0 75 acres of permitted Pond BPE is expected to be impacted NCDOT estimates 0 41 acres of permitted Pond BPF is expected to be impacted Both of these permitted stormwater ponds were required so as to help to reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants from residential developments " NCDOT will likely be required to replace any stormwater storage capacity lost due to project impacts to permitted ponds" EPA concurs with this `likely environmental commitment 29 EPA is unable to concur with the last sentence of this section on Page 9 NCDOT has not conducted an aquifer recharge assessment based upon runoff in the project study area or the WPA Avoidance and Minimization of Potential Impacts 30 The Merger team has not yet evaluated the impacts and concurred on a Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA — Concurrence Point 3) for R- 3300/U -4751 Avoidance and minimization measures (CP 4A) have not been performed for impacts from other Detailed Study Alternatives currently under consideration 31 NCDOT is essentially requiring CFPUA to perform avoidance and minimization measures to protect the WPA using the emergency contingency plan NCDOT is not proposing any hazardous spill catch basins in vulnerable areas of the WPA to potentially catch contaminated stormwater or accidental chemical spills NCDOT is not proposing any special storm water basins for collecting typical roadway runoff and pollutants 32 EPA does not support a ` NCDOT Spill Response Dial 911' sign To report chemical spills, hazardous materials transporters and other responders are required to call the 24 -hour National Response Center at 1 800 - 424 -8802 for reportable spills NCDENR also maintains a spill reporting number at 919 733 -4984 33 Appropriate measures' to avoid spillage of construction materials and control runoff on Page 10 are not identified The `appropriate measures' cited in the following sentence is required on every NCDOT construction project Very specific contract/contractor requirements regarding re- fueling equipment (e g, Diesel and gasoline powered equipment) in the WPA during construction is one possible measure that should be considered The location or siting of re- fueling saddle tanks and trucks is another possible measure Please note the following estimation It is generally accepted that one gallon of motor oil pollutes 1,000 000 gallons of water One source of this info is the North Carolina Clean Water Education Partnership See http / /www nccwep ora /help /did You know php for the citation Summary and Conclusion 34 The Summary and Conclusion comments on Page 10 are noted EPA does not concur that the 100 -foot buffer requirement between wellheads and the proposed right of way limits is being met and that construction slope stake distances are instead being proposed Future lanes are essentially being planned using the proposed 30 -foot and 46 -foot median widths which will increase the impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff in a WPA There will be potentially less stormwater treatment using median depression and shoulder stormwater treatment designs once new lanes are added in the future EPA does not believe that the current plans as proposed in this report address the long term water quality concerns for the CFPUA's WPA There appears to be complete reliance on the CPFUA's Contingency Plan for any chemical spills or pollutant runoff from the new, multi -lane, high -speed expressway and the details of that contingency plan are not provided in this report Impacts to existing permitted stormwater ponds will also reduce the capacity to capture and treat stormwater runoff before it permeates into the groundwater table and ultimately the shallow semi- confined Castle Hayne aquifer Replacing existing capacity is not believed to be adequate `mitigation' for the increases in pollutant loadings that will result from the proposed multi -lane, highway project CFPUA's WPA and associated infrastructure currently supplies approximately one third of the Wilmington and surrounding area public water needs CFPUA has indicated that this WPA will be used to meet increased future demand for the public water supply needs 41-MULKEY ENGINEERS & CONSULTANTS I MEMORANDUM To U 4751 & R 3300 Merger 1 earn Membeis FROM Liz Ko-, asckitz Mulke) Engineers and Consultants DATE Ma) 1 2012 SUBJECT Addendum and Rc-, isions to the February 8 2012 Evaluation of Impact, to Pub& Water Sz pply Gi oundwalo Wells US 17 Coi ndor Study N CD 0 7 7 I P Pi olettj U 4 731 e R 3300 Pendei and Ntw Hanover Counties At the December 15 2011 Concurrence Point 31nformational meeting the merger team requested additional information on potential public water supply impacts prior to LEDPA concuiience In response to the request supplemental information was pro-, ided to the meager team on February 9 2012 in a report titled Evaluation of Impacts to Public Water Supply Groundwater Wells US 17 Corridor Stud) NCDOT Projects U 4751 & R 3300 (Ek aluation) EPA pro-, ided comments on the Evaluation on February 28 2012 A cop) of the E-, aluation EPA s February 28' comments and this memorandum are included in Appendix D of the May 17 2012 Concurrence Point 3 merger meeting packet The following supplemental mfoimation and revisions are pro-N ided in response to EPA s February 28`" comments on the E-, aluation and serve as an addendum to the original E-, aluation document Project Description Comment EPA notes that the right of way width is variable from 150 feet to 350 feet EPA requests that the x ariable right of way width be depicted on preliminary designs for MCRE's Ml and M2 Alternatives at the next Merger meeting Response Military Cutoff Road Extension design displays will be pro-, ided at the CP3 merger meeting Pubhc Water Supply Comment The following statement is noted "Roads are tommonly (Emphasis added) found within wellhead protethon areas atrosi the [S] state " EPA requests that recent examples of major roadways that are found within wellhead protection areas be provided to support this -, ague claim Wellhead protection areas generally tend to be located in undeveloped areas and not in areas with existing I "higher risks" Response GIS data indicate that 110 of the 130 wellhead protection areas in North Carolina are intersected by a major roadway (NC US or Interstate Route) Of those 110 wellhead protection areas approximately 61 percent are traversed by t%vo or more major roads approxunatel) 35 I 1 Mu IN 6750 T ON ROAD C NC 27518 PO 80 33127 RA E GH NC 27636 PH 9 9 851 1912 FA 919 851 191B www Nu N OM percent are crossed by three or inore major roads and about 12 percent Ire crossed by four or more major toads There are 226 wells located within 750 feet or less of a major road within the 130 wellhead protection areas Of those 73 wells ate located within 200 feet or less of a major road and 22 wells are located -within 125 feet or less of a major road Wellhead Protection Area Comment Table 1 pro-, ides the CFPUA wells in the viciiuty of MCRE and relevant data (Well Site /IS# Aquifer WHPP radius yield MCRE AlternatiN e distance from wellhead to MCRE slope stakes etc) Well Site B (Wells ID's 22 and B CH) are estimated to be both located 126 feet from slope stakes Slope stakes ate construction limits for the proposed multi lane MCRE The NCDOT right of wad would potentially be closer to the wellheads Slope stakes information would not appear to meet the criteria required to determine the 100 foot buffer per State regulations Response A column showing the distance fiom the right of waj to wellheads was added to the table Refinements to the design ha-, e resulted in an increase in the distance to slope stake limits than what was previously included in the table iii the Evaluation document with the exception of Well Site L Well yields were corrected for Well no s 22 and 23 Comment Well ID #22 is 170 feet deep to the Peedee aquifer Well ID #B CH is 80 feet deep to the Castle Hayne aquifer EPA also requests information of the distance of the right of way with Well Site H (Well ID's H CH and H PD) Both wellheads are identified as being less than 200 feet from the slope stakes Response See previous response 2 Table 1 Summai) of Cl PUA Wells in the Vicinity of l\Ithtan Cutoff Road Extension 91 Distance from Distance from Well Well Well WHPP Yield Closest Wellhead to Wellhead to Site ID Depth Aquifer Radius (gpm) MCRE MCRE Slope MCRE Right of (ft) (ft ) Alternative Stake Limits (ft) Way Limits (ft ) P 8 160 Peedee 2000 600 M1 M2 807 776 Q 16 175 Peedee 3 000 500 M1 M2 1936 1958 B 22 170 Peedee 3 000 900 M1 M2 126 118 A 23 170 Peedee 3 000 1 000 M1 M2 1 762 1 749 M 28 175 Peedee 2000 750 M1 M2 568 X24 N 29 175 Peedee 2000 750 M1 M2 797 764 O 30 175 Peedee 2000 570 M1 M2 1 006 974 Castle A A CH 95 2 965 600 M1 M2 1 654 1 641 Ha) ne Castle B B CH 80 3 097 640 M1 M2 134 123 Ha} ne Castle C C CH 105 2 406 600 M2 1 402 1 333 Ha} ne C C PD 168 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 1 379 1 309 Castle F F CH 105 2 273 600 M2 764 727 Has ne F F PD 170 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 770 744 Castle G G CH 90 2 440 500 M2 523 471 Has ne G G PD 173 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 546 494 Castle H H CH 100 2 471 600 M2 184 152 Hayne H H PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 160 128 Castle I I CH 95 2 206 400 M2 2 109 2095 Has ne I I PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 2081 2067 Castle J J CH 100 2 493 600 M2 546 521 Has ne J J PD 175 Peedee 3 000 570 M2 573 548 Castle K K CH 100 2 713 200 M1 M2 1 334 1 304 Has ne K K PD 175 Peedee 3 000 600 M1 M2 1 272 1 241 Castle L L CH 85 3 054 500 M2 805 784 Hayne L L PD 170 Peedee 1 3 000 1 640 1 M2 1 789 1 763 91 Wellhead Protection Plan Comment The CFPUA Risk Cirteita lists 'Major Road' in the higher risk category under likelihood of occurrence The sources of pesticides heibicides metals and sol-, ents of sufficient quantity that are less than 750 feet f om a well are considered higher risk with the Major Road Considering industries and regional commerce in the project study area and that US 17 and MCRE are proposed for regional through traffic EPA would expect a great percentage of truck traffic and hazardous materials through the Wellhead Protection Area (WPA1 = 7 712 acres) Response See response to the first cornment under E-% aluation of Potential Impacts below Comment The following statement is confusing "No emsling orproposed toads here included in the list of ident feed potential tonlamznant jounes in the 1VNPP " CFPUA ma) have been unaware of the scope location and timing of the proposed MCRE as some concept of this proposed project has been around since a NCDOT feasibiht5 study from the early 1990's NCDOT did not identify the potentially impacted wellhead sites for MCRE alteinatr-, es Ml and M2 earlier in the NEPA /Section 404 Merger telm process during the deN elopment of reasonable corridors Response The statement was noting the WHPP did not list specific roads as potential contaminant sources CFPUA was aware of the proposed road Comment The NCDOT did not identify existing truck traffic percentages in this report or the potential number of hazardous materials shipments that currentlj utilize US 17 Wilmington B5 pass or other project study area roadways that are less than 750 feet from the existing wellheads Based upon a general knowledge of the industries in the region including the Port of Wilmington the current WPA1 is piobabl) already at a higher risk of contamiiation from spills Pulp and paper mills chemical plants nuclear fuel rod assembly oil and gasoh ne distribution facilities marine construction and repair etc are current industries all located in the region that utilize the US 17 corridor Water soluble chemicals could reach the water supply aquifer in a relatively short time Precipitation events could greatly acerbate spill cleanup efforts and allow contaminants to spread at a significant distance from the source Response See response to the first comment under Evaluation of Potential Impacts below Evaluation of Potential Impacts Comment Without the additional information from NCDOT conceimng truck traffic percentages potential volumes of hazardous materials and the types of hazardous materials currently utilizing US 17 WAniington Bypass Market Street /US 17 Corridor the e-, aluation of potential impacts is not believed to be an accurate characterization of the risk to public water supplies in the project study area Response A total of 41 roads are located within 750 feet of existing wellheads in the CFPUA WHPA Many are pri-, ate or residential roads Truck traffic data for roads e-, aluated in the traffic forecast which are located within 750 feet of ezistmg wellheads is shown in the table below A N ery small section of the southeast quadrant of the Hampstead Bypass AlternatiN e O interchange is within 750 feet of existing wells but was not included in the analysis Although the) are not within 750 feet of existing wells data for US 17 /US 17 Business (Market Street) between Gordon Road and Futch Creek Road and for US 17 Wilmington B) pass are included for comparison 4 I Using traffic -, olumes and truck percentages from the 2035 forecast the total number of trucks (duals and TTSTs) was calculated According to the FHWA publication FHWA HOP 08 058 TraKu InczdentManagelvenl in Ha:�,-aidous Alatenals Spills in Incadenl Clearance 2009 the US DO f estimates that se,, en percent of all trucks are carrying hazardous material This percentage was ' applied to the total number of trucks forecasted for each roadway to estimate the total number of trucks carrying hazardous materials on the selected roads in 2035 for both Alternatives M1 and 1\12 Table 2 Forecasted Truck Traffic (2035) for Mihtar� Cutoff Rd Extension and Area Roadway s 'Numbers presented are from the Traffic rorecast for A21 +hH /M1 +K NNumbers presented are from the Traffic Forecast for 1\12 +0 3FHN A s PE7RA Pro Reference Manual the classification duals includes buses camp and recreation vehicles and motor homes 5 2035 Estimated Number of Trucks Roadways Total Forecasted 2035 Truck AADT Cara mg Hazardous Materials Within 750 % Duals, % TTST) Traffic (7% of Total Number of Trucks Feet of Existing Mil M22 Mil M22 Wellhead Mil M22 Duals TTST Duals TTST Duals3 TTST Duals3 TTST 5200 5200 Plantation 1:)6 156 8 400 9 400 52 84 52 94 11 18 4 6 1120 47 Road 252 282 31 31 5 000 5 000 Putnam 5200 5200 100 50 52 100 50 52 7 4 7 4 Dri-, e 104 104 21 21 3 800 3 800 1 oichwood 76 76 5 800 5 800 38 58 38 58 8 3 4 5 8 3 4 Blvd 116 116 21 21 Mihtar5 44000— 45000— 1 760 1 320 1 800 1 350 123 126 Cutoff Road 53 400 54 000 92 112 95 113 2 136 1 602 2 160 1 620 150 151 Extension 4 3 4 3 Othec Area Roadwa s US 17 Bus (from 35 600 34 600 Gordan Rd 63 800 66 000 1 424 712 1 384 692 100 50 89 97 185 48 92 2 552 1 276 2 640 1 320 179 to Futch (4 2) (4 2) Creek Rd US 17 41 600 40 600 1 248 832 1 218 812 Wilmington 90 000 86 000 87 189 58 126 85 181 57 120 2 700 1 800 2 580 1 720 B ass (3 2) 3 2 'Numbers presented are from the Traffic rorecast for A21 +hH /M1 +K NNumbers presented are from the Traffic Forecast for 1\12 +0 3FHN A s PE7RA Pro Reference Manual the classification duals includes buses camp and recreation vehicles and motor homes 5 The US Department of 1 ransportation Pipeline and Hazardous Mateiills Safety Adnuiustration (w-,v-,v phmsa dot goN /hazmat /hbrar- /data stats /incidents) Ten Yeti Incident Summary Reports for Accident/ Derailment Incidents show there were 95 reported incidents in North Caiohna between 2002 and 2011 Ninety of the incidents occurred while in transit Of these only two (2 2 %) occurred in or aiound Wilmington Both incidents occuried on 3 a Street near downtown Wilmington A review of the Geotechnical Report (NCDO1 2009) and \ arious databases including y ellowpages com and manta com (an online business directors) indicates the follo"a i ng t) pes of businesses that could be transpoiting hazardous materials in the Wilmington area gas stations Hazardous Waste Transporters [estirnated from H izaidous Waste Generators/ Transporters — as defined b) the Resource Conseix ation Reco\ ers Act (RCRA) Di-, ision of Waste Management Hazardous Waste Section October 2008] a nucle -ir rod assembl) plant oil and gasoline distribution facilities paper mills /manufacturers chemical plants and numerous marine construction and repair businesses The following obser\ ations are made based on the location of the businesses their proximity to major roadways and the likelihood they would utilize roads within 750 feet of the CFPUA wellheads (see Figure 1) • Se-, eral gas stations ale located on Market Street howeN er none ale located on roads within 750 feet of the wellheads Since most of these roadways are residential streets it seems unlikely that trucks deh-, erung g- isohne would use them It is possible that trucks deli-, ering fuel to the gas stations would use Military Cutoff Road Extension • Of the eight (estimated) hazardous waste transporters none are located on any of the roadway s within the 750 feet of the wells Half are located on N College Road It seems likely that vehicles from these facilities would use I 40 /College Road for east west tra-, el or US 17 for north /south tra-, el The NCNG (NC National Guaid) Wilmington Operations Center is located on Military Cutoff Road so it is possible that trucks from that faciht) would tra-, el on Mihtar) Cutoff Road Extension • The nuclear rod assembly plant (GE Hitachi Nuclear Energ) Inc) is located west of I 40 on Castle Hayne Road near the I 140 interchange Because of the facility s proximit) to I 140 I 40 and US 117 it seems unlikely that its trucks would use Mihtary Cutoff Road Extension or other roads within 750 feet of the CFPUA wells • Oil and gas distributors are located throughout Wilmington It is possible that some of the distributors could make fuel deh-, eries to homes using roadwa) s within 750 feet of existing wellheads including Military Cutoff Road Extension • A paper manufacturer Gennex Inc is located near US 17 and Gordon Road This faciht) appears to be a fairly small operation from aerial mapping A Georgia Pacific faciht) is located west of US 117/US 74 on Randall Parkway near Kerr Avenue Based on their relative proxinuties to US 17 it seems likely that both facilities would use this roadwa) for tra-, el However based solely on their locations it seems that the one located near US 17 and Gordon Road would be more likely to use Military Cutoff Road Extension than the other facility which is well south of the project 6 Figure 1 Hazardous Mlterials transporters iii the Pio)ect Vicinity PotentiiNy Utih7mg Roads withul 750 Feet of CFPUA Wells Ne ii Milttar) Cutoff Road Fltension Legend Co my Boundary • Ch rru I Pla t Roads . Gas St t Q t ransporter N cle Well Head • N clew R d Ass mby Pla t OWell Head 750 Buff • M Const chon and Rape 1 y� _ • Od a d Gas Dist b t F Id C�l Well Head Pot ct Ar O P Ip d P pe --t �— ARemadves West/East, NC 210 WW/East olNC210 \ �Afle native M1 � Allernati e E H � Alternative M2 — Aftemah e R � AHemot e O ARe not e U e U X/C, - - x 7 r • Sc-, oral chemical plants arc located in the Wilmington area Ill neat major routes such as I 40 US 17 Wilmington Bypass US 17 Business US 117 US 74 /US 76 of US 421 Three facilities are located in proximity to the Military Cutoff Road Extension or Hampstead B) pass and it is possible the) would utihzc Mihtan Cutoff Road Extension to transport materials to and from their facilities Additional detail for these three facilities is pio-, ided bolo -,t o Southeastern Chemical located at 2936 Orville Wiight Way is approximately fi-, e mules northwest of the Gordon Road /Mihtar) Cutoff Road intersection Nearb) major roads include US 17 Wilmington Bypass I 40 and US 117 o Coastal Chemical and Paper (2045 Corpoiate Din e) is located appiozirnatelj foul miles northwest of the Mthtar) Cutoff Road /Gordon Road intersection so it is possible that trucks from this facihty would use Military Cutoff Road Extension Nearby major roads include I 40 and the US 17 Wilmington B) pass o Elementis Chionuum located at 5408 I Iolly Shelter Road is located approximately one mile from I 40 It is possible that trucks fiom this faciht) would use MihtarN Cutoff Road Extension to go south on Market Street HoweN er it seems more hkel) trucks «ould remain on I 40 • Numerous marme construction and repair facilities are located throughout the project area A cursory re-, new of their addresses indicates it is possible that shipments to and from approximatel six facilities would hkel) use Mihtary Cutoff Road Extension The Hazardous Materials Uniform Transportation Safet) Act (H1\4UTSA) of 1994 sets forth a number of requirements for the transport of hazardous materials According to 1 ransportation Research Board Publication Crzteiza for Hzgbzvay Rorftailg o/ HaZardoitj Materals (TRB 1998) one requirement is that shippers must use routes designated for such transport Depending upon the state various criteria are considered when designating a route for hazardous materials transport In addition to such criteria as population density roadway t) pe traffic -, olumes and accident statistics location of sensiti-, e en-, ironments is also considered in the designation of these routes Other considerations must be given when making such a decision including the effect on commerce cost to transporters consistency of routes and the effect on other regional and local roadways Comment EPA understands the general assessment concerning impervious surfaces Howe-, er the long term increase in pollutant loadings from major roads is a significant threat to public water supply recharge areas Toxic heavy metals (e g Lead cadmium etc) and other pollutants accumulate near the ground surface but can ev entuall) nugrate o-, er time through the soil and geological strata into deeper aquifers Depending upon rainfall pH and other enN ironmental factors (e g Bioaccumulation from woody plant species) the soil types etc this leachirig can be a source of groundwater contamination The wells at the greatest risk based upon proximity are also relati-, ely shallow (e g Well B CH is 80 feet deep and that is not generally considered to be a 'deep well') Response NCDOT has coordinated with Mr Gale Johnson of the NCDENR Public Water Suppl) (PWS) Section regarding the NC Wellhead Protection Program standard practices and potential nutigation measures for roads within wellhead protection areas In addition to email and phone contact a meeting was held on April 3 2012 to discuss the proposed project in relation to the CFPUA WHPA In addition to Mi Johnson from PWS meeting paiticipants included the USACE and NCDOT representati-, es from PDEA Roadway Design H) draulics and Roadside En-, ironmental During the meeting Mr Johnson noted North Carolina has an EPA approved N oluntarl Wellhead Protection Program administered b) the PWS Section for the protection of public drinking water supplies relying on ground water Local jurisdictions adopting a Wellhead Protection Plan can choose a regulatory approach such as Toning or a non regulatory approach that relies on existing State programs ahea& in place Mr Johnson noted that most local public water supply s5 stems rel3 heavily on existing rules and regulations that ale in place to protect the water supply and chose to take anon regulatory approach Local jurisdictions develop their voluntary plans to proN ide additional measures be) and the regulator} tequrrements He noted there are other water sj stems with completely unconfined wells with nearby roads Mr Johnson stated that the 100 foot buffer regulation is a non negotiable requirement No new sources of potential contamiination can be located within the 100 foot buffer and the area within the buffer must be owned and controlled by the local operators Based on the discussion at the Apti13 2012 meeting it was determined that there are no design elements such as hazardous spill catch basins that need to be added to the project Minimization for the proposed project would potentially be signing and additional education regarding the water supply area for emergency responders In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink EPA prescribes regulations which hunt the amount of substances in water pro-, ided by public water supply systems CFPUA conducts regular monitoring of over 150 substances in accordance with federal and state laws Comment The comment "Other potential impactr togroundwater gualzty are accidental spolr and av�c4 � on the proposed roadway [multi lane expressway] ' One of the project purposes as stated on Page 1 of athe report is to improi e safety 1 he NCDOT and USACE are promoting multi lane high speed freeway and expressway facilities in the project study area that still maintains significant rural and suburban land uses FHWA has conducted numerous safety studies concerning high speed facilities and these studies should be e-, aluated with respect to the increased risks associated with new multi lane facilities in a WPA The proposed interchange along US 17 Wilnnungton Bypass /I 140 connects the proposed US 17/ Hampstead Bypass freeway with the MCRE 6 lane expressway Truck dri-, ers including those hauling hazardous materials are under time pressure to make deliveries Providing multi lane high speed facilities does not potentially reduce the number of accidents but does potentiall) increase the seN erit� and en-, ironmental consequences ftom accidents Response While future crash rates for a specific facility cannot be predicted a comparison of statewide total crash rates show that urban multi lane divided facilities with partial control of access (such as the proposed Mihtar) Cutoff Road Extension) ha-, e lower total crash rates than urban facilities with no control of access (such as portions of existing Market Street /existing US 17) 1 he 2008 2012 statewide total truck crash rate for urban multi lane di-, rded facilities with partial control of access is also less than the statewide total truck crash rate for urban facilities with no control of access 1 The proposed posted speed limit for Nfthtai} Cutoff Road Extension is 45 mph The posted speed limit for existing Market Street/ existing US 17 N arses from 45 mph to 55 mph While accidents can happen dri-, er training requirements and regulations specific to the transport of hazardous materials arc included among the Fedetal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations intended to ensure the safet) of truck transportation (49 CFR Parts 130 171 173 177 381 384 390 399 etc) Comment The statement is noted 'If the contributing area for the well is identified and management strategies are set in place to manage certain activities the possibihty that the well might become contaiminated can be substantially seduced' Please identify these specific management strategies that will be set in place to manage ' ceitain acti-, ities' that will substantiall) reduce the well from being contaminated that is located 126 feet fiom the slope stakes of the new MCRE expressway CFPUA has dcN eloped management strategies in a WI IPP NCDOT needs to identify how the higher risk to the WPA «ill be nnnirrn7ed as the CFPUA did not identif} an existing 'Major' roadway in their finalized WHPP NCDOT should identify what spill response capabilities that the CPFUA possess including the equipment personal protecti-, e gear monitoring and sampling instrumentation etc NCDOT should identify if there will be access issues for CFPUA personnel and equipment in the NCDOT's right of wa) in order to clean up a chemical spill that is threatening one of the adjacent wellheads It should be noted that hazardous material transporters do not alwa) s ha-, e local spill cleanup contiactors a-, atlable and that it typically takes hours (and e-, en days) for cleanup personnel and equipment to arri-, e on scene Response The CFPUA s contingency and emergency management plans arc examples of management strategies identified in the Wellhead Protection Plan Regulatory setback requirements and education / outreach are others 1 he deN elopment of a contingency plan is a requirement of the public water supply program An emergency management plan is required for appro-, al of the public water supply system Mr Johnson with the NCDENR PWS Section has indicated the CFPUA should include the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension in their next Wellhead Protection Plan update Mr Johnson noted changes would be programmatic rather than design related the update could include mitigation and points of contact for spill response The CFPUA Emergency Management Plan also may need to be updated to recognize Military Cutoff Road Extension Mr Johnson stated an example of a possible update to the CFPUA s Emergency Management Plan and /or Wellhead Protection Plan would be the inclusion of a strateg3 to educate the local fire department about the location of the proposed Military Cutoff Road Extension within the wellhead protection area and the importance of response tunes for potential hazardous spill accidents Mr Johnson said the primary goal would be to keep an) materials from entering the distribution system and a way to isolate the potentialll affected well As noted above education and a contiingenc) plan that detailed safeguarding the s) stem through well isolation are components of the CFPUA s Wellhead Protection Plan A copy of the Plan will be electronically distributed to merger team members As noted m their 2011 Annual Report CFPUA abides b) state and federal cmergenc} management regulations for all hazards mitigation preparedness response and reco-, ery The report notes ProactiN ely working to meet the EPA s seN enteen National Incident Management S) stem (NIMS) compliance objecti-, es for the water sector staff continues to refine emergency preparedness by 10 planning and implementing standardized response and industry best practice measures as recommended b) LPA I,EMA and North C irohn i regul itor) agencies Eric T Hatchei Emergenc) Management Coordinator for CFPUA pro-, ided additional information regarding their Emergenc) Management Plan • CFPUA has multiple inventory lists of their critical equipment If there was an eN ent the scope of which exceeded their normal equipment resources they ha\ e contractors and local and state wide emergenc) aid agreements in place CFPUA h1s categorized their Emergency Response Teams per NIMS /AWWA standards • CFPUA has an internal notification list that consists of their emergency response partners stakeholders and regulators agencies they would notify depending on the situation (NCDENR PWSS media EPA DHS NCWaterWARN) Many of the numbers are non public numbers personal home and cell numbers etc 1 he) also ha-, e a Critical Customer List hospitals doctor s offices large industrial users The fact that control of access is proposed for Military Cutoff Road Extension should not present any issues for spill response Comment The statement on Page 7 concerning the Peedee and Castle Has ne aquifers is contradictory to the characterization on Page 3 Response Page 7 Evaluation of Potential Impacts section third paragraph is corrected to note the Peedee aquifer is confined and the Castle Hayne aquifer is semi confined Water Supply Comment EPA notes that the alignments for Alternatives M1 and M2 have been shifted since issuance of the DEIS to a-, old existing and future wellhead sites (2 and 4 +1 respectt-, ely) Both M1 and M2 impact existing potable and raw water lines and would be relocated as part of the proposed project and returned to service Please pro-, ide additional details on these temporary impacts Response NCDOT coordinate with CFPUA on utiht5 impacts resulting from the proposed project Both Military Cutoff Road Extension alternate-, es would cross potable and raw water lines associated with the CFPUA s nanofiltvition water processing plant Any required relocation of water lines and associated infrastructure would be completed as part of the project Disruptions to service can t) pically be avoided or hmited to a few hours when the final connection from the old line to the new line is made There ma) be a period of low pressure in the new line until pressure can build back up Final construction plans include utility construction plans for water and sewer infrastructure operated by public utilities CFPUA has indicated they can work with planned outages Comment EPA can onl) locate the two wellhead buffers on the figures and maps (Preliminary designs "before" and "after ") provided in the report that was avoided from the alignment shift for M1and M2 EPA requests copies each of the prehminary designs in a readable scale for M1 and M2 and the original locations of the impacted existing wellheads and the future wellhead sites 11 Response A cop) of the I\hhtar) Cutoff Road Extension preliminary design with the location of existing CFPUA wells will be brought to the CP 3 meeting A Display map showing potential future «ell site locations will also be pro-, ided Comment From the preliminary designs "before' and 'after' depicting two 100 foot wellhead buffer circles the alignment was shifted into a neighborhood Please quantify all changed human and natural environmental impacts from what was presented in the DEIS for Alternative M1 and M2 A noise wall was also proposed along the subdi-, ision that was pre-, iousl) not being directl) impacted From the alignment shift to a-, old the wellheads and 100 foot buffers please identify the new location of the noise wall that was determined to be needed for noise abatement adjacent to the subdivision Response Where the Mrhtar� Cutoff Road Extension design was slvfted to a-, old the wells the following changes in impacts resulted wetland impacts were reduced b� 65 acres for M1 and 26 acres for M2 stream impacts were reduced b} 677 feet for M1 and 627 feet for M2 there were three additional residential displacements for both M1 and M2 impacts to forested areas increased by three acres for both M1 and M2 and iinpacts to the 100 foot well buffer were ehrmnated A Design Noise Report will be prepared for the selected alternatiN e Water Qq "i Comment Regarding the section on Accidental Spills EPA does not concur with the assessment provided The assessment is not supported by any actual data or analysis and includes the following phrases 'probably iepiesents' isprobably notgreatei" and "likely could be contained and removed before reaching the aquifers the welly are draivingjiom" EPA requests a copy of the WHPP Contingency Plan for re-, Few as the NCDOT is re15 ing on the CFPUA s contingency planning efforts to address the higher risk of contamination created by the rex ised alignment location for the M1 and M2 Alternati-, es Response The assessment included qualitative conclusions based on available information A COP) of the CFPUA WHPP «hick includes short term and long term contingency plans will be emailed to the merger team The Incident Action Plans (IAPs) provided by CFPUA are attached to this memo It should be noted that the wells closest to the proposed Mrhtary Cutoff Road Extension are on the Nano Water treatment Plant property CFPUA personnel would therefore be able to react within minutes of a spill Comment Regarding the section on Stormwater Runoff the comment concerning the higher risk potential as a contaminant source from stormwater discharges is noted "Literature indicates that highway stormwater does occajionally contaminate groundwater with minor amounts (2) of metals and petroleum compound These chemicals are typically prevent at eAtremely low concentration) and tend to be locah.�_ed around Me right of way" Please rdentif , the literature sources and how these 'minor amounts' relate to North Carolina's potable water standards Reference studies should include 'fate and transport' models conducted for similar soils and geolop pH regimes contaminants depth to aquifer and other rele-, ant factors to support this postulated assessment on risk Response Reference studies with the identified specific parameters were not found The quoted statement is attributed to an April 2004 report titled Analysis of Highway Storm Water Runoff Impacts to Potable Groundwater Aquifers prepared b� the SRF Consulting Group Inc for the 12 St Croix RN er Crossing Stakeholder Water Resources Stud) Group This article used data from Wisconsin and Minnesota 1 he report can be found at http / /w,,vxv dot state mn us/ metro /projects /stcioix /pdfs /sdeis / Tech% 20Memos /Groundwa ter/ Groundwater pdf Another 2004 report titled Highwa) Runoff in Areas of Karst 1 opography by Budget Donaldson for the Virginia Tiansportation Research Council can be found at http / /,,v-,v\v N ngimadot org /-, trc /mlin/ online reports /12df /04 r13 12d The Ground Water section in the 2011 CFPUA Annual Repoit indicates there ha-, e been no Notices of Violation and CFPUA has been compliant with all required testing Avoidance and Minimization of Potential Impacts Comment NCDOT is essentiall) requiring CFPUA to perform a-, oidance and minimization measures to protect the WPA using the emergency contingenc) plan NCDOT is not proposing any hazardous spill catch basuis in vulnerable areas of the WPA to potentially catch contaminated stormwater or accidental chenical spills NCDOT is not proposing any special storm water basins for collecting t) pical roadway runoff and pollutants Response The NCDENR PWS Section has expressed the opinion and the CFPUA has agreed that specific design elements such as hazardous spill catch basins would not be an appropriate minimization measure for the wellhead protection area The recommendation of the PWS Section is that NCDOT assist with pro-, iding training to first responders in dealing with hazardous materials spills in the wellhead protection area Prior to the completion of the final ens ironmental document for the project NCDO f will meet with the CFPUA local fire departments and other appropriate agencies to discuss additional protection measures for the WPA Measures requiring NCDOI participation will be identified in the project comnutments Comment EPA does not support a ' NCDOT Spill Response Dial 911' sign To report chemical spills hazardous materials transporters and other responders are required to call the 24 hour National Response Center at 1 800 424 8802 for reportable spills NCDENR also maintains a spill reporting number at 919 733 4984 Response Mr Eric T Hatcher Emergency Management Coordinator for CFPUA in a phone con-, ersation made the following statement If there is a spill or potential contamination incident in the protected area the best thing is for folks to call 911 or the 24 hour CFPUA emergency number In New Hano-, er County 911 is the central dispatch for all law enforcement fire EMS agencies We work closel) with them and the) would notify us The NCDENR PWS Section has also indicated it would be beneficial to include signage to make the public aware the) are traN eking through a water supply area Hazardous materials transporters and first responders will know who to contact in response to 911 calls Comment Appropriate measures' to a,, old spillage of construction materials and control runoff on Page 10 are not identified The 'appropriate measures' cited in the following sentence is required on ever) NCDOT construction project Very specific contract/ contractor requirements regarding re fueling equipment (e g Diesel and gasoline powered equipment) in the WPA during construction is one possible measure that should be considered The location or siting of 1 13 re fueling addle tanks and trucks is another possible measure Please note the folloxxin ' g P g estimation , " It is gencrally accepted that one gallon of motor oil pollutes 1 000 000 gallons of water One source of this info is the North Caiohna Clean Water Education Par tneishnp See http / /ww-,v nccwep org /help /did 3 on know php for the citltion ' Response NCDO1 has Slandaid Spec fcalzmv that require the proper handling and use of construction material Well locations and a 100 foot buffer around the wells will be depicted on ' fuial constructions plans for Mihtar� Cutoff Road Lxtension The Special Pro-, isions within the final design plans will include a requirement for the contractor s to educate their emplo) ees that project construction is occurring within a wellhead protection area ' 14 IAP C 1 A - Threat of or Actual Contamination to Water System POSSIBLE STAGE IAP Summary This Incident Action Plan applies to the intentional introduction of a contaminant into the water system The contaminant could be introduced at any point within the system including raw water treatment facilities distribution system including distribution pipes finished water storage or pump stations The adversary may or may not give notice of the contaminant or provide the location Contamination may have actually occurred or it may be a hoax Initiation and Notification 1 Initiate this IAP if any of the following has occurred Security Breach (including for example) • Unsecured Doors • Open Hatches • Unlocked /Forced Gates • Alarm Triggered Witness Account (including for example) • Suspicious Activity • Trespassing • Breaking and Entering • Tampering with Equipment or Property Direct Notification by Perpetrator (including for example) • Verbal Threat • Threat in Writing Notification by Law Enforcement (including for example) • Suspicious Activity • Threat made to Water System Notification by News Media (including for example) • Threat Delivered to News Media • Media Discovers Threat Unusual Water Quality Parameters (including for example) • Changes in pH chlorine residual or turbidity • Unexpected monitoring or sampling results • Strange odor color or appearance Customer Complaints (including for example unexplained or unusually high complaints of) • Odor Color or Appearance • Taste Public Health Notification (including for example) • Victims in Emergency Rooms and /or Clinics • High Incidence of Similar Health Complaints in one Local Area Use thin IAP ifyou receive any incident warning) indicating possible contamination ofyour water system If you have evidence that con oborates the war nmg or if collective mfoi matron indicates that contamination is likely GO TO IAP IB — CREDIBLE STAGE If there is confirmed evidence and /or definitive information that the water system has been contaminated GO TO IAP IC— CONFIRMED STAGE IAP C 1 A - Threat of or Actual Contamination to Water System POSSIBLE STAGE Initiation and Notification 2 Notify ORC or [ESMD] immediately upon discovery of any of the above Threat Warnings The individual who fast notices of i eceives the thi eat war ning should contact the ORC immediately by whatever means of communication may be available Equipment Identified Equipment Location This equipment is available to assist in the execution of this AP Specific Activities I Assess the Problem A Complete the following Threat Warning Report Forms according to the type of Threat Warning received (Section VIII of ERP) • Security Incident Report Form • Witness Account Report Form • Phone Threat Report Form (to be filled out dunng actual phone call) • Written Threat Report Form • Water Quality / Consumer Complaint Report Form • Public Health Information Report Form B Complete Threat Evaluation Worksheet (Section VIII of ERP) C Evaluate Threat Evaluation Worksheet and determine if threat is Possible If YES perform Response Steps 1 — 8 below If NO return to normal operations Threat Warning Report For ms help document of gam-e and summarize infoi mation about a secu ity incident The individual who discovers the incident x ai ning the ORC of another designated individual may complete the form Onlv the foi in that core esponds to the type of threat warning needs to be completed Completion of the form should not disti act emergency responders from more urgent matters Thi eat Evaluation Worksheets help organize information about a thi eat wai ning that H ill be used during the Threat Evaluation Process The individual i esponsible for conducting the Threat Evaluation (e g the ORC) should complete this worksheet IAP C 1A - Threat of or Actual Contamination to Water System POSSIBLE STAGE II Isolate and Fix the Problem 1 Notify local law enforcement 2 Notify State Drinking Water Agency 3 Do not disturb site if location could be possible crime scene Consult Maintaining Crime Scene Integrity Form in Section VIII 4 Alert staff and emergency response personnel about threat 5 Consider containment / isolation elevating chlorination and /or discharge of suspect water 6 Evaluate spread of suspect water and potential impact on public health Notification phone numbers can be obtained fi oni the Organization Contact List in the Appendices as well as fi om Section III Dof the ERP The immediate opei ational i esponse actions an e pt imai i1v intended to limit exposer e of customers to potentiall} contaminated x atei See EPA Toolbox Module 2 Section 3 3 2 for guidance on containing contammants and evaluating moi enrent ofpotentially contaminated water through disti ibution systems III Monitoring 7 Initiate Site Characterization Activities • Define the investigation site • Designate site characterization team members • Conduct preliminary assessment of potential site hazards • Approach site and conduct field safety screening to detect any hazards to the characterization team • Search for physical evidence (discarded containers etc ) • Investigate records from CCTV cameras • Look for environmental indicators (dead animals or fish dead vegetation unusual odors or residues) • Perform rapid field testing of the water • Collect water samples according to sampling plan Site Chat actei ization is intended to gather critical infor matron to support the ci edible stage of threat evaluation If signs of a hazai d at e evident dm ing the site apps oath the team should halt then apps oath and inimediatelj inform the ORC of their findings The site may then be tun ned over to the HAZMAT Team The ORC may deter mine the threat is ci edible based prelimmary information before the site character ization has been completed IV Recovery and Return to Safety 8 Determine if threat is credible If YES initiate AP 1 B If NO • Return to normal operations • Store water samples for (enter predetermined time period here) You should deter mine whether or not the thr eat is ci edible within 2 to 8 hours (preferably within 2 hours) from the time the threat is deemed possible depending on the effectiveness of the containment sti ategy If the threat is not deemed credible the samples obtained during site char actei ization should be stoi ed in case the situation changes and analysis is determined to be necessary IAP C 1A - Threat of or Actual Contamination to Water System POSSIBLE STAGE V Report of Findings 9 File incident reports The Utrht) [Secuv ity Director] should file an intef nal i epot t for the Utility s files and also pros ide infoi, matron as i equested to Local Law Enfoi cement VI AP -1A Revision Dates IAP C 1 B - Threat of or Actual Contamination to Water System CREDIBLE STAGE IAP Summary This Action Plan applies to the intentional introduction of a contaminant into the water system The contaminant could be introduced at any point within the system including raw water treatment facilities distribution system including distribution pipes finished water storage or pump stations The adversary may or may not give notice identify the contaminant or provide the location Contamination may have actually occurred or it may be a hoax Initiation and Notification A Initiate this AP if there is credible evidence that the water system has been contaminated • Additional information collected during the investigation corroborates the threat warning • Collective information indicates that contamination is likely • Signs of contamination are observed during site characterization • Additional water quality data shows unusual trends that are consistent with the initial data and corroborate the threat A pattern of customer complaints emerges Previous threats and incidents corroborate the current threat B Notify ORC or [ESMD] immediately upon discovery of credible evidence of threat (if not already notified) C Initiate ERP D Initiate partial or full activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Perform internal and external notifications according to ERP If there is confirmed evidence and /oi definitive information that the water system has been contaminated GO TO AP IC— CONFIRMED STAGE The individual who first notices of i eceives the ci edible evidence should contact the ORC umnediately by whatever means of communication may be available The ORC will decide whether to initiate the ERP on a par tial or full basis The ORC will also decide when and to what extent to activate the EOC Notification phone number s can be obtained from the Organization Contact List in the Appendices as x ell as fi oin Section IIIDof the ERP The [Information Officei] [IO] is the only one authorized to make notifications to outside agencies Equipment Identified Equipment Location This equipment is available to assist in the execution of this AP Specific Activities I Assess the Problem 1 Assess results of previous sample analysis 2 Perform additional site characterization at primary sites as needed Perform site characterization at any new investigation sites IAP C 1 B - Threat of or Actual Contamination to Water System CREDIBLE STAGE II Isolate and Fix the Problem 3 Perform actions to estimate the contaminated area and predict movement of contamination 4 Take actions to isolate portions of system containing suspect water See ERP Section VIII for System Shut Down Plan 5 Issue Boil Water Do not Drink or Do not Use orders and Press Releases as appropriate See Section VIII A 1 of ERP for Press Release Forms 6 Initiate Alternate Water Supply Plan (ERP Section III G) to provide alternate water supply for customers and fire protection as necessary The contaminated at ea can be estimated using hvdraulic models consumct complaints public health agency i epos is water quality data of other available infoi matron The estimate ma} define additional locations whet e site char acterization should be per foi coed III Monitoring 7 Continue to monitor water quality in suspect parts of system by manual sampling rapid field testing or automated means IV Recovery and Return to Safety 8 Determine if threat is Confirmed If YES Initiate AP 1 C If NO • Verify that water is safe • Notify public that water is safe • Notify outside agencies that water is safe • Return to normal operations • Store water samples for (enter predetermined time penod here) It may take several days to collect sufficient evidence to confirm a contamination incident depending on the type of infoi matron used for confer matron (Some nnci obiologual analytical pi ocedut es may take several da} s ) If the the eat is not deemed confirmed the samples obtained dui ing site character ization should be stoi ed in case the situation changes and an analysis is dctcrnnned to be necessary V Report of Findings E File incident reports The Utility [Security Directoi] should file an inlet nal i epoi t foi the Utility s files and also provide infoi matron as i equested to Local Law Enfoi cement and other outside agencies VI IAP -113 Revision Dates IAP C 1 C - Contamination to Water System CONFIRMED STAGE IAP Summary This Action Plan applies to the intentional introduction of a contaminant into the water system The contaminant could be introduced at any point within the system including raw water treatment facilities distribution system including distribution pipes finished water storage or pump stations The adversary may or may not give notice identify the contaminant or provide the location Contamination may have actually occurred or it may be a hoax Initiation and Notification A Initiate this IAP if there is confirmed evidence that the water system has been contaminated 1 There is analytical confirmation of the presence of one or more contaminants in the water system 2 The preponderance of the evidence confirms that a contamination incident has occurred • There is a security breach with obvious signs of contamination along with unusual water quality and consumer complaints in the vicinity of the security breach • Additional findings (laboratory analysis field observations) of continued site characterization activities add to other credible evidence of contamination • There is information from public health officials area hospitals or 911 call centers indicating a problem with the water supply • Law enforcement agencies have discovered crucial evidence or apprehended a suspect that helps confirm that the water has been contaminated • Specific information on a number of potential contaminants can be used in conjunction with other available information to narrow down the number of contaminant candidates If thei e is no confn coed evidence and no definitive mfof mathon that the water system has been thi eatened of contaminated GO TO IAP C IB — CREDIBLE STAGE It may take several days to collect sufficient evidence to confirm a contamination incident and the required time will depend on the type of mfoi matron used for confirmation (some mzci obial analytical pi ocedun es may take sever al days) IAP C 1C - Contamination to Water System CONFIRMED STAGE Initiation and Notification B Notify ORC or [ESMD] immediately upon discovery of confirmed evidence of contamination (if not already notified) C Initiate full ERP activation D Initiate full activation of Emergency Operations Center (EOC) E Engage other organization as needed (drinking water primacy agency public health agency response agencies law enforcement) F Perform internal and external notifications according to ERP The individual x ho fast becomes aware of the confii razed evidence shoiild contact the ORC unmediately by it hatevei means of communication may be available The ORC iA ill decide whether to initiate the ERP on a par nal of full basis The ORC will also decide xhen and to what extent to activate the EOC Notification phone numbei s can be obtained fi om the Orgain -ation Contact List in the Appendices as well as fm om Section III D of the ERP The [Information Offcei] [PIO] should make the notifications to the outside agencies Equipment Identified Equipment Location This equipment is available to assist in the execution of this IAP Specific Activities I Assess the Problem Assess results of previous sample analysis and attempt to identify the contaminant 1 Confirm the identity of the contaminant Effective implementation of; esponse actions depends on positive identification of the contaminant and knowledge of contaminant properties including public health protection su ategies and selection of treatment technologies 2 Perform a full characterization of the contaminated area including contaminant properties contaminant concentration profiles and characteristics of the impacted area 3 Evaluate the likely direction and extent of future movement of the contaminant within the distribution system 4 Evaluate all available information about the contamination incident If information from site chaiacteri -ation activities indicates that the contaminant impacts watei qualitj in a eeitam niannet (i e conswnes free chloi me of niipam is a cei tam odot to the water) the contaminant specific information may facilitate tentative ident fcation ofa contaminant and determine the analytical approach that should be used to positively identify the specific contammant Soum ees of contammant infoi matron include http 11",w bt cdc goy /a ent/agenthstchem asp http / /www cdc gov/atsdr/mdex html hyp / /www watet isac orQ/ EPA Water Contaminant Infoi matron Tool (WCIT) IAP C 1 C - Contamination to Water System CONFIRMED STAGE II Isolate and Fix the Problem 5 Take actions to isolate portions of system containing suspect water See ERP Section VIII for System Shut Down Plan 6 Shut down system if obvious or confirmed contamination warrants 7 Issue Boil Water Do not Drink or Do not Use orders and Press Releases as appropriate 8 Initiate Alternate Water Supply Plan (ERP Section 3) to provide alternate water supply for customers and fire protection as necessary 9 Revise public health response measures and public notifications as necessary The contaminated area can be estimated using hydi, aulic modes consumer complaints public health agency r epos is water quality data or other available mfot matron The estimate may define additional locations when e site chat actei ization should be petfoi coed III Monitoring 10 Continue sampling and analysis to monitor the status and extent of the contamination and to verify that containment strategies are working IV Recovery and Return to Safety 11 Consult with appropriate officials to develop a Remediation and Recovery Plan a Evaluate options for treating contaminated water and rehabilitating system components b Select treatment and rehabilitation technology /approach c Develop strategy for disposal of contaminated residuals d Develop sampling and analysis plan to verify remediation e Develop communications and public relations plan 12 Implement Remediation and Recovery Plan a Verify that water is safe by performing additional sampling and analysis to confirm the progress of system treatment and remediation b Notify public that water is safe c Notify outside agencies that water is safe d Return to normal operations e Store water samples for (enter predetermined time period here) Remedtation and recovery activities will likely be planned and implemented by a number of agencies The first step of the pt ocess is to establish the roles and i esponsibiltties of each organization The samples obtained dui rng site char actei lzation and momtoi rng should be stoi ed in case the situation changes and fur ther analysis is deter mined to be necessary IAP C 1C - Contamination to Water System CONFIRMED STAGE V Report of Findings G File incident reports with internal and external agencies as required The Utiln) [Secui iry Du ector] should file an internal i epoi t for the Utility s files and also pros ide unfof matron as i eyuested to outside agencies VI AP -1C Revision Dates C 21 IAP Significant Event in Drainage Area IAP This Incident Action Plan applies to a known or suspected incident in which harmful Summary contaminants will or may end up in the sewers stem Initiation 1 Initiate this IAP if it is known or suspected that a This Incident Action Plan is and harmful substance may be introduced or end up in the par titular Iv applicable to wastewater s}stenis with Notification sewer system through an incident in the drainage area combined sanitary and Report of a potential or real incident may originate from storin sewers but • Discovery of a harmful substance by a worker who hazardous materials could observes contamination or smells strong odors enter the CFPUA collection system via open • A report from a customer who has had an manholes accidental discharge If this is a small incident • A report from the law enforcement or the fire that can be contained of department notifying the wastewater system that do ei ted actii ate there is a real or potential discharge into the open ational r esponse procedrn es such as shut system doii it oi isolation of • Awareness of an incident such as a tanker truck affected sys ten i spill in which a potential discharge into the components drainage system is suspected If this is a large scale • Detection of a harmful substance in the system via incident in which the population is at iisk to monitoring equipment and /or alarms explosion or frtefrom the 2 Notify the ESMD Director and /or the Emergency sewer system contact the Response Coordinator local emergent} response author rues to coot dinate 3 Make other internal notifications as necessary response containment and evacuation other 4 Consider activation of the ERP and EOC population protection 5 Direct the Public Information Officer to make external operations Activate the notifications as necessary agency Eineigenc} Operations Center and be 6 If the substance is known immediately refer to the prepared to assist the MSDS to determine safety precautions and emergency responders flammability If the idcntitj of the 7 Call 9 1 1 if the harmful substance has the potential substance is known check for fire and /or explosion with the manufacturci or on line i esources such as www chemtrec com www msdsonline com If an evacuation is of det ed b) public safett officials coordinate all opei ations x ith the Incident Commandei to ensure the safety of the public and response worker s Equipment Equipment Location This equipment is available Identified to assist m the execution o f this AP Self Contained Breathing C 21 IAP Significant Event in Drainage Area Apparatus SCBA Personal Protective Equipment PPE Sampling Equipment Specific Activities I Assess 1 Identify the harmful substance(s) and assess the potential Determine who the overall the Problem for contamination and damage Incident Commander for the incident is Follow the a If the substance presents a risk to workers check commands and do ection of with safety professionals and /or MSDSs to the Incident Commander to determine health risks and appropriate safety protect iaoikers and the precautions for responders public b Determine if the substance is flammable Obtain expel t consultation explosive corrosive or radioactive If yes then fi om public and private respond with the highest level of protection for i esoui ces as needed to fully workers and the public Avoid any source of assess the impacts of ignition for flammable and explosive Avoid incident if contamination contact for corrosive and radioactive does occur 2 Assess the quantity of substance that has or may be introduced into the system 3 In conjunction with local emergency responders determine the level of emergency and immediate actions necessary to protect workers the public and the system 4 Provide updated status reports to the Incident Commander 5 If this is an accidental discharge from a known customer or entity and NOT AN INTENTIONAL INCIDENT coordinate protection and response actions with the source entity II Isolate 6 Immediately prevent further introduction of harmful Utility woikets should only and Fix the substances at the source If it is not possible for become involved in Problem wastewater personnel to stop the source request response activities for assistance from local state or federal emergency which they ar e propel ly trained response agencies 7 If the substance has entered the system determine the Notift other response agencies such as HAZMAT likely pathway and if possible isolate the substance or Teams and City or County divert it from critical and sensitive facilities such as Emeigency Response treatment plants and settling ponds Teams if wastewater 8 If unable to divert the contaminated wastewater system personnel ate not able to contain the hazard determine if dilution or chemical treatment or safely operate the countermeasures are possible and if so treat or dilute system the substance C 21 IAP Significant Event in Drainage Area 9 If unable to divert treat or dilute a Take all possible measures to protect the public and the wastewater system b Notify treatment plant operators that the substance may be present in the plant influent c Notify the appropriate regulatory agencies if there is a chance that permit violations may occur d Shut down part or all of the wastewater system if necessary III 10 Monitor wastewater quality in suspect parts of system by The contaminated ai ea can be estimated using Monitoring manual sampling lin or automated means if available p 9 hydi antic models 11 Instruct plant operators to increase monitoring /sampling wasrewatei quahty data o, at the head works and throughout the plant other available infoimation The estimate may define 12 Provide monitoring /sampling results to the [Incident additional locations ivheie Commander] for evaluation sampling should be perfoi med If thei e is a i isk of explosions in the sewer system the local HAZMAT team may conduct monitoring and sam lm IV 13 Obtain professional expert support regarding Reniediation and recovery activities x ill likel} be Recovery decontamination and system restoration planned and implemented and Return to Safety 14 Decontaminate system per instructions from fire and by a nuinbei of agencies health officials and /or decontamination experts The first step of the process is to establish the roles and 15 Develop strategy for disposal of contaminated liquid and responsibilities of each solids streams orgam ation 16 Restore operations according to system specifications and start up 17 Assess workers for residual health impacts 18 Assess the situation for the possibility of repeat occurrences and increase security system integrity or controls at the source 19 Cooperate with investigators if this was an intentional action V Report 20 File incident reports with internal and external agencies The ESMD Directoi should file an internal i eport for of Findings as required the Utility s files and also provide information as requested to outside agencies VI AP- C 21 IAP Significant Event in Drainage Area WW-7 Revision Dates = = = m m m m m = m = m m m m = m m m D 4 - O D D D D I t«i D D D D ° D _ + ❑ O x* D.�mc�LL m R DES[n�A'➢. 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