Lumber_River_B5985_section7_letter

Interior Region 2 • South Atlantic−Gulf
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands

4.B.1. (SERO-NR)

Colin Mellor
Eastern Regional Team Lead (Div. 1 - 6, & 8)
Environmental Policy Unit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1000 Birch Ridge Drive
Raleigh, NC, 27610

Dear Mr. Mellor:

Thank you for consulting with the National Park Service concerning the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Section
7(a) Determination for the Lumber River, Robeson County Bridge Replacement Project (B-5985). As you
know, the Lumber is designated as a “state-administered” National Wild and Scenic River pursuant to
Section 2(a)(ii) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Act). Although the river is administered by the State of
North Carolina, the Secretary of the Interior, via authority delegated to the NPS, is obligated to ensure the
river is protected from adverse effects associated with federally assisted water resource projects in
accordance with Section 7 of the Act. As such, we have carefully reviewed all materials provided by your
office and we have coordinated extensively with North Carolina State Parks, the state administrator of the
river.

Based on our review of these materials, numerous video conferences between NPS and NCDOT during the
planning and design phase, as well as a site visit, we have concluded that the B5985 bridge replacement
project is not likely to result in direct and adverse effects to the river’s free flow, water quality or
outstandingly remarkable values as defined by the Act. Further, given removal of existing support piers
from the main channel and minimization of new piers and various other onsite improvements, we believe
that the project meets the “protect and enhance” clause of Section 10 of the Act.

Again, we thank you for your cooperation in addressing our concerns and for your shared interested in
protecting this nationally-significant river. Should you have any questions or require further consultation
with respect to the Lumber River or other Wild and Scenic Rivers, please contact Jeff Duncan at (423)987-
6127 or [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Mark A. Foust
Regional Director

cc: NC State Parks

United States Department of the Interior
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Atlanta Federal Center
1924 Building
100 Alabama Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
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