20211041 Ver 1_Cherokee Nation Ashe #273 notification_20210804

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ROY COOPER J. ERIC BOYETTE
GOVERNOR SECRETARY

Mailing Address:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION 11
801 STATESVILLE HWY
NORTH WILKESBORO, NC 28659
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Customer Service: 1-877-368-4968

Website: www.ncdot.gov

January 5th, 2021

Elizabeth Toombs
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Cherokee Nation
PO BOX 948
Tahlequah OK, 74465

Dear Elizabeth,

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is starting the project development,
environmental, and engineering studies for the replacement of bridge #273 over Big Horse Creek
on SR 1347 (Teaberry Road) in Ashe County, North Carolina. The US Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) is the lead federal agency for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and a Permit is
anticipated under the Section 404 Process with the USACE. The coordinates of this project are
approximately 36.496565, -81.509105. A project vicinity map is attached, as well as results from an
archaeology survey completed in February of 2017.

We would appreciate any information you might have that would be helpful in evaluating potential
environmental impacts of the project including recommendation of alternates to be studied. Your
comments may be used in the preparation of a NEPA/ State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
Environmental Document.

In accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA, we also request that you inform us of any historic
properties of traditional religious or cultural importance that you are aware of that may be affected
by the proposed project. Be assured that, in accordance with confidentiality and disclosure
stipulations in Section 304 of the NHPA, we will maintain strict confidentiality about certain types
of information regarding historic properties.

Please respond by February 15th so that your comments can be used in the scoping of this project.
If you have any questions concerning this project, or would like any additional information, please
contact me at [e-mail] or 828-386-7202.

Thank you,

Kevin Hining
Division Environmental Officer- NCDOT, Highway Division 11

Cc: Matt Wilkerson, NCDOT Archaeology Team Lead
Cc: Lori Beckwith, USACE Regulatory Project Manager