20070047 Ver 1_WRC Comments_20070802

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® North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Richard B. Hamilton, Executive Director
MEMORANDUM
TO: Melba McGee
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, DENR
FROM: Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator~_~_ ~~~
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: August 1, 2007
SUBJECT: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Environmental
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the
replacement of seven bridge structures on NC 121ocated on Ocracoke Island,
Hyde County, North Carolina. SCH Project No. 07-0403.
Staff biologists with the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission have reviewed the subject
EA/FONSI and are familiar with habitat values 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. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C.
661-667d).
NCDOT is proposing to replace seven bridge structures located on NC 12 on Ocracoke
Island simultaneously between January 2 and March 15, 2008. All structures will be replaced in
place while utilizing a 3.2 mile detour route along the beach. The project area contains habitat
for multiple priority species associated with beach and dune habitats, as identified in the North
Carolina Wildlife Action Plan (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 2005. North
Carolina Wildlife Action Plan. Raleigh, NC).

Memo
2 August 1, 2007
We have reviewed the information contained in the EA/FONSI. NCDOT has committed to
a January 2 to March 15 road closure time frame. This commitment will insure the use of the 3.2
mile beach detour will conclude prior to nesting season for colonial water birds and sea turtles.
Furthermore, ruts left on the beach due to detour traffic will be leveled to reduce the potential for
hatchling sea turtle entrapment. We request that NCDOT use Best Management Practices and
adhere to the environmental commitments included in the document. In the event the
aforementioned project commitments are modified we request to be notified of the revision. If
we can be of any further assistance please call me at [phone].
cc: Bill Biddlecome, USACE,
David Wainwright, DWQ, Raleigh
Gary Jordan, USFWS
Cathy Brittingham, DCM