R-2822 B

PAT MCCRORY
GOVERNOR
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTN�NT OF TRANSPORTATION
October 8, 2013
Memorandum to: Meeting Attendees
From: Wilson Stroud, Project Development Engineer
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Un'
ANTHONY 1. TATA
SECRETARY
Subject: NC 143, from West Buffalo Creek to NC 143 Business West of
Robbinsville, Graham County, WBS Element 34508.1.1, STIP Project
R-2822 B
A CP2A Merger meeting was held for STIP Project R-2822 B on May 8, 2013 in the NCDOT
Structure Design Conference Room. The meeting began at 2:00 p.m. and ended at
approximately 3:45 p.m. Representatives of the following agencies were present (the sign-
in sheet is attached):
• NCDOT- PDEA, Transportation Planning Branch, Roadway Design Unit, Traffic Safety
Unit, Hydraulics Unit, Structures Management Unit, and Division 14
• FH WA
• USEPA
• USFS
• USACE
• USFWS
• NCWRC
• NCDWQ
• Southwestern RPO
• Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydroelectric Project
• EA Engineering, Science, and Technology
Below is a summary of the items discussed:
• Highway Safety Analysis is underway - anticipated completion in October 2013;
results will be presented in EA
• Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydroelectric Project - further coordination with
Brookfield required for FERC license modification
• Protected species - consultation with USFWS and USFS for Indiana bat and bald
eagle will be performed after CP 3
• One National Register-eligible archaeological site (31GH227), located on adjacent
USFS and EBCI lands; further consultation with SHPO, THPO, and USFS will be
performed after CP3
• Design speed is now 45 mph rather than 35 mph
• Sulfide-bearing rock is not present in Alternative 1 or Alternative 4 alignments based
upon 2001 NCDOT tests
• Sulfide-bearing rock is not anticipated in the Alternative 2 alignment
MAILING ADDRESS: Te�epHONe: 919-707-6000 LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] CENTURY CENTER, BUILDINGA
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS WEBSITE: 1000 BIRCH RIDGE DRIVE
1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER HTTPS://CONNECT.NCDOT.GOV/RESOURCES/ENV/RON RALEIGH NC 27610
R.4�eiGH NC 27699-1548 MENTAUPAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX

• Requested that NCDOT differentiate between car and motorcycle crash rates in the
EA; see additional information below:
0 44 of the 59 crashes reported from 6-1-09 to 5-31-12 involved motorcycles
(75%)
0 46 of the 76 vehicles involved in reported crashes were motorcycles (61%)
• USFWS and NCWRC expressed concern that the project could result in an increase in
vehicle speeds and an increase in the number of accidents along NC 143
• USFS impacts will be in separate section of EA
• EBCI resources - will consult FHWA with regard to the documentation of impacts
• Verify Indiana bat survey dates
• Southwestern RPO - Graham County Commissioners have adopted two resolutions
against Alternative 2; EA should address impacts to the human environment
resulting from Alternative 2
• Impacts of section of NC 143 bypassed by Alternative 2- if improved - should be
included in the EA; this segment of NC 143 will not be improved as part of the
project
• Concern for water quality with respect to potential impacts to sulfide-bearing rock is
a huge issue with EPA right now; concern that 10-year old data from sampling may
not be sufficient; depth of cut will be a factor; EPA has done research on this subject
and will provide that information to NCDOT; requested that information about
potential impacts to sulfide-bearing rock be included in the EA; provide information
about contingency plans if sulfide-bearing rock is encountered during construction.
• Share EPA's forthcoming information with the Merger team regarding sulfide-bearing
rock, provide more information about the 2001 sampling conducted along existing
NC 143, and provide information on why no additional testing will be performed for
Alternative 2
• USFS does not allow placement of excavated material on USFS property unless there
are extenuating circumstances
• Hooper Branch Crossing:
o USFWS requested consideration of a bottomless culvert; questioned size of
proposed culvert given narrow channel width
o NCDWQ requested that benching be investigated
o USACE noted that flow rate information is helpful during permit review; asked
for preconstruction versus post-construction flow rates
o NCWRC requested that continued fish passage be provided
o NCDOT/Hydraulics noted that no bedrock was observed; suggested that the
CP2A form be revised to remove proposed culvert details
POST-MEETING:
USEPA provided information pertaining to pyritic rock (05/28/13) - attached
NCDWQ expressed concern with the potential for pyritic rock in the project area
(06/17/13); requested a copy of the Geotechnical Report (2001 testing) and justification
for not performing testing for pyritic rock on Alternative 2
07/18/13 letter (attached)- NCDOT provided results of hot rock testing performed in
2001 to NCDWQ (the 23 samples taken produced results that were not hot); stated
there is low potential for hot rock on Alternative 2; stated hot rock does not present
itself as a vital factor that favor the selection of one alternative over another; noted
additional testing for acidic rock will be performed for the new location segment of
Alternative 2 if selected as LEDPA
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CP2A Concurrence - Concurrence was reached on the proposed drainage structures as
presented in Table 5 of Merger Package. The CP2A form was revised removing details for
the proposed box culvert at Hooper Branch.
The CP2A form was sent to the team members for their signatures on 05/09/13.
Concurrence received from all team members except USFWS and THPO. The CP2A form and
USFS concurrence letter are attached.
JWS
Attachments: Sign-in sheet
Resolution #2 from Graham County Commissioners (5-1-13)
Pyritic rock information provided by USEPA
DWQ letter (6-17-13)
NCDOT response to DWQ with attachments (7-18-13)
Revised CP2A concurrence form
USFS CP2A concurrence letter (5-9-13)
Figure 7 (April 2013)
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