20051764 Ver 1_Application_20030429

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MICHAEL F. EASLEY 1548 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, N.C. 27699-1548 LYNDO TIPPETT
GOVERNOR SECRETARY
Apri125, 2003
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Field Office
Post Office Box 1000
Washington, NC 27889-1000

ATTN: Mr. Eric Alsmeyer
~.~
NCDOT Coordinator
Dear Sir:
VIIETlAND514Q1 ~~OU
APR `L 9 2003
. Q~1TER QUALITY SECTION
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SUBJECT: Section 404 Merger Permit Application. Wilson County, SR 1158 (Airport
Boulevard) Improvements, Federal Aid No. STP-1158(2), State Project No.
8.2341801, T.I.P. No U-3823.
As you are aware, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is proposing to
improve Airport Boulevard (SR 1158) in Wilson County, North Carolina. The project, TIP
Project U-3823 includes a highway improvement project from NC 42 West to US 264. The
length of the project is approximately two miles. This document is a merger application for an
individual permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the construction of the subject
project. Please be advised that this is not a Section 401 application. The Section 401 application
will be submitted to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality after the Least
Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative (LEDPA) has been chosen and final design
plans are available
Purpose and Need
Detailed discussions of the existing and projected conditions and the needs for the project are
presented in the Draft Environmental Assessment in Chapter 3, Sections A-Q. The primary
purpose of the proposed action is to improve capacity and improve safety along this section of
SR 1158 (Airport Boulevard).
MAILING ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: [phone] LOCATION:
NC DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FAX: [phone] TRANSPORTATION BUILDING
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 1 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET
1546 MAIL SERVICE CENTER WEBSITE: ~INWV.NCDOT.ORG RALEIGH NC
RALEIGH NC 27699-1548

Alternatives
In the Draft Environmental Assessment, a no- build alternative, a mass transportation alternative
and six build alternatives were established for development and consideration. A detailed
discussion of the Alternatives is located in Chapter 4 of the Draft Environmental Assessment.
The Draft Environmental Assessment presents a summary of the analysis and decision-making
processes associated with the preliminary environmental screening. This discussion is grouped
generally by geographic location within the study .area.
No Build Alternative
The "no-build" alternative consists of doing nothing to the existing facility. This alternative
would not improve capacity or safety along SR 1158 (Airport Boulevard) within the project area
which is the stated purpose and need of the project. Therefore, the "no-build" alternative has
been dropped from further consideration.
Mass Transportation Alternative
The mass transportation alternative includes the expansion of bus and/or introduction of rail
service in place of increasing the capacity of the roadway. Expansion of bus and introduction of
rail service is not expected to reduce traffic volumes sufficiently to eliminate this project's need.
The mass transportation alternative, without increasing the roadway capacity of SR 1158
(Airport Boulevard), does not meet the purpose and need of this project and was therefore
eliminated from further study.
Build Alternatives
Six highway construction alternatives are being studied. There are three different proposals
being studied for extending/replacing the existing structure over Bloomery Swamp. Each of
these proposals will also look at using shoulder or curb and gutter along SR 1158 (Airport
Boulevard), for a total of six highway construction alternatives.
Each of the alternatives proposes to widen the existing roadway from north of NC 42 to US 264
to a five-lane facility, a distance of approximately two miles. The recommended pavement
marking for this section in each direction calls for two 12-foot travel lanes with a 12-foot center-
hirn lane. The horizontal cross-section would be reduced to four lanes in the vicinity of
Bloomery Swamp to minimize impacts to wetlands. A "sealed crossing" will be installed at the
railroad crossing near Bloomery Swamp including gates, signal flashers, and a monolithic
concrete barrier installed in the median leading up to the crossing. As part of the widening,
several turn lanes are proposed for addition to the road system.
The existing right-of--way widths of 60-100 feet along SR 1158 (Airport Boulevard) are not
expected to contain any of the six highway construction alternatives. A continuous right-of--way
width of 110 to 122 feet will be necessary (depending on the alternative selected), thus new
right-of--way will be required. Drainage easements outside of this right-of--way width may also
be necessary in certain areas of the project. These six alternatives are summarized below:
Alternative 1 proposes a shoulder section. This alternative includes the extension of the existing
five-barrel 12-ft. x 7-ft. reinforced concrete box culvert at Bloomery Swamp. Five equalizer
pipes would be added to expand the reach of floodwaters throughout the wetland system.
Alternative 2 is the same as Alternative 1 except that curb and gutter would be used.

Alternative 3 proposes a shoulder section. This alternative also replaces the existing box culvert
at Bloomery Swamp with a bridge 200 feet in length.
Alternative 4 is the same as Alternative 3 except that curb and gutter would be used.
Alternative 5 proposes a shoulder section. This alternative also replaces the box culvert at
Bloomery Swamp with a bridge 475 feet in length.
Alternative 6 is the same as Alternative 5 except that curb and gutter would be used.
Waters of the United States- Impacts and Miti ag tion
Floodplains: The location and conceptual design of the build alternatives in the floodplain and
floodway were planned to mitigate increases in flooding risk and substantial environmental
impacts. A floodplain evaluation was conducted for the project in accordance with Executive
Order 11988 "Floodplain Management" and 23 CFR 650, Subpart A "Location and Hydraulic
Design of Encroachments on Floodplains." The floodplains in the study area were identified.
The detailed study corridors cross the 100-year floodplain of Bloomery Swamp. At the SR 1158
crossing over Bloomery Swamp, the 100-year floodplain is approximately 304 m (1000 ft) wide.
Potential impacts to the floodplain from erosion will be mitigated through strict adherence to the
NCDOT's "Best Management Practices for Protection of Surface Waters, March 1997."
Streams: Total stream impacts would range from 123 feet to 87 feet to both Bloomery Swamp
and its unnamed tributary. The number and length of impacted stream channels for each
Detailed Study Corridor are presented in Table 8 of the EA. The impacts listed in the table are
based on proposed right of way.
The information in Tables 8-10 of the EA are based on the delineations of streams and
jurisdictional wetlands within the Detailed Study Corridors. NCDOT's Best Mancr~eme~t
Practices fo~^ the Prrotection ofSz~~face Waters will be implemented, as applicable ,and a~•e
expected to minimize short-term water quality impacts. In addition, the NCDOT is conullitted to
following the natural channel design method of stream restoration and the principles of applied
fluvial geomorphology relative to hydraulic crossings.
The project is located in the Neuse River Basin. None of the alternatives would directly affect
streams designated as Water Supply I (WS-I), Water Supply II (WS-II), High Quality Waters
(HQW), or Outstanding Resource Waters (ORW).
Wetlands: Executive Order 1 1990, "Protection of Wetlands" required new construction in
wetlands to be avoided to the fullest extent possible. If avoidance is not possible, then all.
feasible measures must be taken to minimize impacts to the wetland system. As part of the early
coordination with the USFWS, DENR's Divison of Soil and Water Conservation, and the
USACE, we attempted to avoid and minimize wetland impacts. Wetland impacts are detailed in
the below Table 9 by alternative. The predominant wetland type to be impacted is bottomland
hardwood forest.
The six Build Alternatives would infringe upon existing jurisdictional areas (open waters and
vegetated wetlands). Total jurisdictional areas within each of the five alternative corridors are
tabulated in Tables 8 and 9 of the EA and shown below. Alternatives 5 and 6 would have the

least amount of jurisdictional impacts, if the area underneath the bridges where fill would be
removed are considered to be "restored wetlands."
Table 8. Estimated Impacts to Surface Waters
Surface Water Alternatives 1&2 Alternatives 3&4 Alternatives 5&6
Bloomery Swamp 36 feet 0 feet 0 feet
Unnamed Tributary 87 feet 87 feet 87 feet
Total 123 feet 87 feet 87 feet
Table 9. Estimated Impacts to Wetlands
Wetland Alternatives 1&2 Alternatives 3&4 Alternatives 5&6
Bloomery Swamp 0.730 acres 0.660* acres 0.000** acres
Wetland along UT 0.004 acres 0.004 acres 0.004 acres
Total 0.734 acres 0.664 acres 0.004 acres
°ivore- u.nbu acres mciuoes u.~uu acres of wetlands impacted minus 0.140 acres of possible restored wetlands from
fill removal
**Note- 0.000 acres includes 0.500 acres of wetlands impacted minus 0.500 acres of possible restored wetlands
from fill removal
Table 10. Estimated Impacts to Riparian Buffers
Water Biotic Alternatives 1&2 Alternatives 3&4 Alternatives i&6
Resource Community
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone l Zone 2
Bloomery Bottomland
Swamp hardwood 924 ft.' X33 ft.' 1105 ft.' 730 ft.Z 1 105 ft.' 730 ft.'
Unnamed Bottomland
Tributary hardwood, 779 ft.' 104 ft.~ 779 ft.' 104 ft.` 779 ft.~ 104 ft.'
agricultural
Total 1703 ft.' 637 ft.~ 1884 ft.~ 834 ft.~ 1884 ft.' 834 ft.'
Mitigation: We are committed to incorporating all reasonable and practicable design features to
avoid and minimize wetland impacts and to provide full compensatory mitigation of remaining
jurisdictional impacts.
Avoidance: All alternatives would contain jurisdictional areas, so complete avoidance is not
possible by selection of one alternative over another. Bridging jurisdictional systems was
proposed in the preliminary designs for the larger stream systems in concurrence with the
appropriate agencies. Wetlands were avoided to the extent practicable, however, the alignment
is not able to avoid wetlands in the Bloomery Swamp area. Avoidance of the wetlands near the
unnamed tributary was not possible due to other factors in that area such as home and gravesite
locations. Not placing staging areas in lowland sites, careful containment of toxic or hazardous
materials near creeks and tributaries, and employment of strict erosion and sediment control
procedures are practices that would be employed to avoid impacts to wetlands adjacent to the
project during construction.
Minimization: Minimization includes the examination of appropriate and practicable steps to
reduce the adverse impacts to Waters of the United States. These steps will be implemented
during detailed project design. Minimization typically focuses on decreasing the footprint of the
proposed project through the reduction of median widths, ROW widths, fill slopes, and/or road

shoulder widths. Hazardous spill control basins will also be installed near Bloomery Swamp. In
selecting the recommended alternative, minimization of wetland impacts will be considered
along with cost and other factors.
Compensation: No specific compensatory mitigation (if required) has been identified for this
project.
Threatened or Endangered Species
The project area does not contain appropriate habitat for any Federally listed Endangered or
Threatened species for Wilson County.
Wild and Scenic Rivers
The project will not impact any Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers or any rivers included in the
list of study rivers (Public Law 90-542, as amended)
Cultural Resources
Historic Architectural and archaeological resources were identified and evaluated in accordance
with the requirements of 36 CFR 800.4 for this project.
Historic Resources
The North Carolina Historic Preservation Office (NCSHPO), in a concurrence form dated
November 2, 2000, agreed that no historic structures eligible for the National Register are
located within the Area of Potential lmpacts.
Archaeological Resources
Five archaeological sites were identified in a Phase I survey. The NCSHPO, in a memo dated
August 27, 2001, concurred that the five sites included in the archaeological survey are not
eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic places.
Hazardous Material Sites and Under~rowld Storace Tanks
Based on coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a11d the North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, it was determined that no hazardous
materials sites exist in the corridors of the five Build Alternatives and no underground stora~~e
tank sites were identified.
Costs
Detailed cost information can be found in Chapter 5 of the Environmental Assessment. A brief
breakdown of costs is provided below.
Right of Way $ 1,200,000
Construction (Range)__$_ 5,700,000- 8,000,000
Total Cost $ 6,900,000- 9,200,000
Enclosed you will find a completed ENG form 4345 as well as the appropriate figures and
mailing labels. This submittal is in accordance with step four of the guidelines for integrating
project review under the National Environmental Policy Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act. This letter, along with the previously distributed Environmental Assessment, should

provide sufficient information for the issuance of a Public Notice for the project. A set of
functional design plans and a copy of the corridor public hearing transcript are being sent under
separate cover.
If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Mr. Douglas Jeremiah.
at [phone] extension 207 or Mr. Michael Turchy at [phone].
Sincerely,
~~
~`
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Environmental Management Director
Project Development &Environmental Analysis
Cc:
Mr. David Franklin, USACE, Wilmington
Mr. John Dorney, NCDWQ
Mr. Travis Wilson, NCWRC
Ms. Kathy Matthews, USEPA
Mr. Gary Jordan, USFWS
Mr. Ron Sechler, NMFS
Mr. Michael Street, NCDMF
Mr. Donald J. Voelker, FHWA (con't)
Mr. Jay Bennett, P.E., Roadway Design
Mr. Omar Sultan, Programming and TIP
Ms. Debbie Barbour, P.E., Highway Design
Mr. David Chang, P.E., Hydraulics
Mr. Greg Perfetti, P.E., Structure Design
Mr. Mark Staley, Roadside Environmental
Mr. J. H. Trogdon, P.E., Division Engineer
Mr. Jamie Shern , DEO

APPLICATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT I OMB APPROVAL N0.0710-003
(33 CFR 325) Expires December 31, 2004
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 hours per response, although the majority of applications should
require 5 hours or less. This includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed,
and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Service Directorate of Information
Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202.4302; and to the Office of Management and Budget,
Paperwork Reduction Project (0710-0003), Washington, DC 20503. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
Please DO NOT RETURN your form to either of those addresses. Completed applications must be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction
over the location of the proposed activity.
PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
Authority: Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 10, 33 USC 403: Clean Water Act, Section 404, 33 USC 1344; Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries
Act, 33 USC 1413, Section 103. Principal Purpose: Information provided on this form will be used in evaluating the application fora a permit. Routine
Uses: This information may be shared with the Department of Justice and other federal, state, and local government agencies:. Submission of
requested information is voluntary, however, if information is not provided the permit application cannot be evaluated nor can a permit be issued.
One set of original drawings or good reproducible copies which show the location and character of the proposed activity must be attached to this
application (see sample drawings and instructions) and be submitted to the District Engineer having jurisdiction over the locatior of the proposed
activity. An application that is not completed in full will be returned.
~ (ITEMS 1 THRU 4 TO BE f{ILLED BY THE CORPS) ~
1. APPLICATION NO. 2. FIELD OFFICE CODE 3. DATE RECEIVED 4. DATE APPLICATION COMPLETED
(ITEMS BELOW TO BE F LED BYAPPLICAN77
5. APPLICANTS NAME 8. AUTHORIZED AGENTS NAME AND TITLE (an agent is not required)
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Project Development & Environmental Analysis
6. APPLICANTS ADDRESS 9. AGENTS ADDRESS
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1598
7. APPLICANTS PHONE NOs. W/AREA CODE 10. AGENTS PHONE NOs. W/AREA CODE
a. Residence a. Residence
b. Business [phone] b. Business
11. STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION
I hereby authorize, to act in my behalf as my agent in the processing of this application and to furnish, upon
request, supplemental information in support of this permit application.
APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE DATE
NAME, LOCATION, AND DESCRIPTION OR PROJECT OR ACTIVITY
12. PROJECT NAME OR TITLE (see instructions)
U-3823, Airport Boulevard Improvements
13. NAME OF WATERBODY, IF KNOWN (if applicable) 14. PROJECT STREET ADDRESS (if applicable)
Neuse River Basin
15. LOCATION OF PROJECT
Wilson County NC
COUNTY STATE
16. OTHER LOCATION DESCRIPTIONS, IF KNOWN (see instructions) Section, Township, Range, LauLon, and/or Accessors's Parcel Number, for example.
17. DIRECTIONS TO THE SITE
Please see attached vicinity map.
ENG FORM 4345, Jul 97 EDITION OF FEB 94 IS OBSOLETE (Proponent: CECW-OR)

18. Nature Of ACtlVlty (Description of project, include all features)
Improvements to Airport Boulevard (SR 1158) in Wilson County, from NC 42 West to US 264. The length of the
project is 2 miles.
1 g. ProJecf Purpose (Describe the reason or purpose of the project, see instructions)
Improve capacity and improve safety along this section of Airport Boulevard (SRl 158).
USE BLOCKS 20-22 IF DREDGED AND/OR FILL MATERIAL IS TO BE DISCHARGED
20. Reason(s) for Discharge
Construction of Highway.
21. Type(s) of Material Being Discharged and the Amount of Each Type in Cubic Yards
Information to be developed when alternative is chosen.
22. Surface Area in Acres of Wetlands or Other Waters Filled (see instructions)
Altematives 1 &2 = 0.734 acres
Alternatives 3&4 = 0.664 acres
Alternatives 5&6 = 0.004 acres
23. Is Any Portion of the Work Already Complete? Yes No X IF YES, DESCRIBE THE COMPLETED WORK
24. Addresses of Adjoining Property Owners, Lessees, Etc., Whose Property AdjOInS the Waterbody (If more than can be entered here, please attach a supplemental list).
Information to be developed when altemative is chosen.
25. List of Other Certifications or Approvals/Denials Received from other Federal, State, or Local Agencies for Work Described in This Application.
AGENCY TYPE APPROVAL' IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DATE APPLIED DATE APPROVED DATE DENIED
There are no additional Certifications that have been applied for at this time.
Would include but is not restricted to zoning, building, and flood plain permits
26. Application is hereby made for a permit or permits to authorize the work described in this application. I certify that the information in this application is
complete and accurate. I further certify that I possess the authority to undertake the work described herein oram acting as the duly authorized agent
of the applica
SIGNATUR F PPLICA ~ SIGNATURE OF AGENT DATE
The application must be signed by the person who desires to undertake the proposed activity (applicant) or it may be signed by a duly authorized
agent if the statement in block 11 has been filled out and signed.
18 U.S.C. Section 1001 provides that Whoever, in any manner within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and
willfully falsifies, conceals, or covers up any trick, scheme, or disguises a material fact or makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or
representations or makes or uses any false writing or document knowing same to contain any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or entry, shall
be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years or both.
ENG FORM 4345, Jul 97 EDITION OF FEB 94 IS OBSOLETE (Proponent: CECW-OR)

FIGURES
Project Vicinity Map
Project Area on USGS Quadrangle
Project Alternatives

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FIGURE 2: T}P U-382.3 on US-G.S ~u~d Map ~~:
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PROPOSED PAVEMENT
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
DIVISION FOUR DDC
SR 1158 (AIRPORT BLVD.)
FROM NC 42 WEST TO US 264
WILSON COUNTY
TIP PROJECT U-3823
FIGURE 3 ALTERNATIVES 1 & 2

TO NC 42
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G~xtc scAtES PROPOSED PAVEMENT
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PLANS [~ 200' BRIDGE
® WETLANDS IMPACTED
® WETLANDS RESTORED
~] WETLANDS
200' BRIDGE AT BLOOMERY SWAMP
.dam '~ NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
,/~ ! DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
DIVISION FOUR DDC
SR 1158 (AIRPORT BLVD.)
FROM NC 42 WEST TO US 264
WILSON COUNTY
TIP PROJECT U-3823
FIGURE 4' ALTERNATIVES 3 & 4

GRAPHIC SCALES
100 50 0 100 200
PLANS
PROPOSED PAVEMENT
- PROPOSED RIGHT OF WAY
-~
Q 475' BRIDGE
~ WETLANDS IMPACTED
® WETLANDS RESTORED
WETLANDS
475' BRIDGE AT BLOOMERY SWAMP
~F`i~ NORTH cAROUNA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
!~~~ DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS
DIVISION FOUR DDC
SR 1158 (AIRPORT BLVD.)
FROM NC 42 WEST TO US 264
WILSON COUNTY
TAP PROJECT 0-3823
FIGURE 5 ALTERNATIVES 5 & 6