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Home My WebLink About20120285_001_TOC_DEISGaston_TOC_TableOfContents_20101222 APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS i TABLE OF CONTENTS Note: This Draft EIS has been published in two volumes: VOLUME 1 – Table of Contents and Text and Figures VOLUME 2 – Table of Contents and Appendices PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................i LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................x LIST OF EXHIBITS.......................................................................................xii LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................xii APPENDICES..............................................................................................xiv P PREFACE.........................................................................................P-1 P.1 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT.............................................P-1 P.1.1 REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE .....................................................................P-1 P.1.2 DOCUMENTATION ....................................................................................P-2 P.2 HOW THIS DRAFT EIS WILL BE USED..................................................P-2 P.3 ORGANIZATION OF THIS DRAFT EIS...................................................P-3 P.4 ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY...........................P-3 PC SPECIAL PROJECT COMMITMENTS................................................PC-1 S SUMMARY.......................................................................................S-1 S.1 FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION.................................................S-1 S.2 LEAD AGENCIES, COOPERATING AGENCIES, AND PARTICIPATING AGENCIES.......................................................................................S-1 S.3 PROPOSED ACTION...........................................................................S-2 S.4 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR PROJECT.....................................................S-2 S.5 OTHER MAJOR ACTIONS IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA..........................S-3 S.6 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED.............................................................S-4 S.6.1 ALTERNATIVES SCREENING PROCESS .............................................................S-4 S.6.2 DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................S-4 S.7 RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE............................................................S-6 S.8 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.............................................S-8 S.8.1 NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE ...........................................................................S-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS ii S.8.2 IMPACTS TO THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT ..........................................................S-8 S.8.2.1 Land Use and Planning S-8 S.8.2.2 Relocations S-9 S.8.2.3 Neighborhoods S-9 S.8.2.4 Environmental Justice S-9 S.8.2.5 Community Resources and Services S-9 S.8.3 IMPACTS TO THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT .....................................................S-10 S.8.3.1 Traffic Noise S-10 S.8.3.2 Air Quality S-11 S.8.3.3 Farmland S-11 S.8.3.4 Utilities S-12 S.8.3.5 Visual Resources S-12 S.8.3.6 Hazardous Materials S-12 S.8.3.7 Floodplains/Floodways S-12 S.8.4 IMPACTS TO CULTURAL RESOURCES ............................................................S-13 S.8.4.1 Historic Architectural Resources S-13 S.8.4.2 Archaeological Resources S-13 S.8.4.3 Section 4(f) and 6(f) Resources S-13 S.8.5 IMPACTS TO NATURAL RESOURCES ..............................................................S-14 S.8.5.1 Soil and Geology S-14 S.8.5.2 Water Resources S-14 S.8.5.3 Natural Communities and Wildlife S-15 S.8.5.4 Jurisdictional Resources S-15 S.8.5.5 Protected Species S-16 S.9 UNRESOLVED ISSUES AND AREAS OF CONTROVERSY..........................S-16 S.10 OTHER GOVERNMENT ACTIONS REQUIRED........................................S-17 S.10.1 PERMITS REQUIRED ...............................................................................S-17 S.10.2 SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS ...........................................................................S-19 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION...................................................1-1 1.1 PROPOSED ACTION...........................................................................1-1 1.2 NEED FOR PROJECT..........................................................................1-1 1.3 PROJECT PURPOSE............................................................................1-3 1.4 BACKGROUND INFORMATION.............................................................1-3 1.4.1 PROJECT SETTING ...................................................................................1-3 1.4.2 HISTORY OF PROJECT ...............................................................................1-4 1.4.2.1 Local Project Planning Efforts 1-4 1.4.2.2 Planning by NCDOT and NCTA 1-5 1.4.2.3 Public and Agency Involvement in Development of the Purpose and Need 1-6 1.4.2.4 Traffic Forecasting for the Purpose and Need 1-6 1.5 EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.................................................1-7 1.5.1 EXISTING ROAD NETWORK .........................................................................1-7 1.5.1.1 Major Roadways and their Characteristics 1-7 1.5.1.2 Types of Travel on Existing Roadways 1-8 1.5.1.3 Roadway Connections between Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties 1-9 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS iii 1.5.2 OTHER TRANSPORTATION MODES ...............................................................1-10 1.5.2.1 Railways 1-10 1.5.2.2 Airports 1-10 1.5.2.3 Mass Transit 1-11 1.6 PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING ROADWAY SYSTEM..........................1-11 1.6.1 MOBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY ISSUES ..........................................................1-11 1.6.2 TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND OPERATIONS ON EXISTING ROADWAYS ............................1-13 1.6.2.1 Travel Demand Modeling 1-13 1.6.2.2 Traffic Operations Analysis Methodology 1-13 1.6.2.3 Traffic Volumes and Operations on I-85 1-14 1.6.2.4 Traffic Volumes and Operations on US 29-74 1-15 1.6.2.5 Traffic Volumes and Operations on US 321 1-16 1.6.2.6 Traffic Volumes and Operations on I-485 1-17 1.7 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS...............................................1-17 1.7.1 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................1-17 1.7.2 ECONOMIC DATA ..................................................................................1-18 1.7.3 MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN SOUTHERN GASTON COUNTY .......................................1-19 1.7.3.1 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden 1-19 1.7.3.2 Crowders Mountain State Park 1-19 1.8 TRANSPORTATION PLANS AND LAND USE PLANS................................1-20 1.8.1 STATE TRANSPORTATION PLANS .................................................................1-20 1.8.1.1 NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program 1-20 1.8.1.2 NCDOT Strategic Highway Corridors Initiative 1-20 1.8.1.3 North Carolina Intrastate System 1-21 1.8.2 LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PLANS .................................................................1-21 1.8.2.1 Gaston Urban Area Thoroughfare Plan 1-21 1.8.2.2 Gaston Urban Area MPO 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan 1-22 1.8.2.3 Mecklenburg-Union Thoroughfare Plan 1-22 1.8.2.4 Mecklenburg-Union MPO 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan 1-23 1.8.3 LOCAL LAND USE PLANS ..........................................................................1-23 1.8.3.1 Gaston County Comprehensive Plan 1-23 1.8.3.2 Mecklenburg County Southwest District Future Land Use Map 1-23 1.8.3.3 Mecklenburg County Dixie-Berryhill Strategic Plan 1-23 2 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED..........................................................2-1 2.1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................2-1 2.1.1 OVERVIEW OF THE ALTERNATIVES SCREENING PROCESS ......................................2-1 2.1.2 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION RELATED TO THE ALTERNATIVES SCREENING PROCESS ...............................................................................2-3 2.2 FIRST SCREENING - PROJECT CONCEPTS .............................................2-4 2.2.1 FIRST SCREENING METHODOLOGY ................................................................2-4 2.2.2 NO-BUILD ALTERNATIVE ...........................................................................2-5 2.2.3 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE .......................................2-6 2.2.4 TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE.......................................2-7 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS iv 2.2.5 MASS TRANSIT AND MULTIMODAL ALTERNATIVES...............................................2-8 2.2.5.1 Mass Transit Alternative 2-8 2.2.5.2 Multimodal Alternative 2-10 2.2.6 IMPROVE EXISTING ROADWAYS ALTERNATIVES ...............................................2-11 2.2.6.1 Alternative Description 2-11 2.2.6.2 Improve Existing Roadways Alternatives – Toll Options 2-12 2.2.6.3 Traffic Operations – Improve Existing Roadways Alternatives 2-15 2.2.6.4 Impact Evaluation – Improve Existing Roadways Alternatives 2-16 2.2.6.5 Decision to Eliminate the Improve Existing Roadways Alternatives Scenarios 4 and 8 from Detailed Study 2-18 2.2.7 NEW LOCATION ALTERNATIVE ...................................................................2-21 2.2.7.1 Alternative Description 2-21 2.2.7.2 Traffic Operations – New Location Alternative 2-21 2.2.7.3 Decision to Retain the New Location Alternative Toll Scenario for Detailed Study and Eliminate the New Location Alternative Non-Toll Scenario 2-22 2.2.8 SUMMARY OF FIRST SCREENING RESULTS .....................................................2-23 2.3 SECOND SCREENING – PROJECT CORRIDORS.....................................2-25 2.3.1 METHODOLOGY FOR SECOND SCREENING ......................................................2-25 2.3.1.1 Introduction 2-25 2.3.1.2 Evaluation Process 2-25 2.3.1.3 Design Criteria 2-27 2.3.1.4 Evaluation Criteria 2-27 2.3.2 DEVELOPING THE PRELIMINARY CORRIDORS ...................................................2-30 2.3.2.1 Land Suitability Mapping 2-30 2.3.2.2 Preliminary Corridor Segments 2-31 2.3.3 STEP 1: ANALYZING THE PRELIMINARY CORRIDOR SEGMENTS TO IDENTIFY THE FUNCTIONAL DESIGN CORRIDORS...............................................................2-35 2.3.3.1 Screening Methodology 2-35 2.3.3.2 Screening Results 2-36 2.3.3.3 Functional Roadway Designs 2-37 2.3.3.4 Traffic Analysis of Functional Roadway Designs 2-37 2.3.4 STEP 2: ANALYZING FUNCTIONAL DESIGN CORRIDORS TO IDENTIFY THE DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVES ............................................................................2-38 2.3.4.1 Impact Estimate Methodology 2-38 2.3.4.2 Evaluation Results 2-38 2.3.4.3 Twelve Final Detailed Study Alternatives 2-41 2.4 PRELIMINARY DESIGNS FOR THE DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVES.......2-42 2.4.1 DESIGN CRITERIA FOR THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING DESIGNS .........................2-42 2.4.2 DEVELOPING THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING DESIGNS .....................................2-42 2.4.3 CONSIDERING TOLLING IN THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING DESIGNS .....................2-44 2.4.4 TRAFFIC FORECASTS AND OPERATIONS ALONG THE DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVES ...2-45 2.4.4.1 Travel Demand Modeling 2-45 2.4.4.2 Traffic Operations along the Detailed Study Alternatives 2-47 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS v 2.4.5 DETAILED STUDY ALTERNATIVE DESCRIPTIONS AND COST ESTIMATES ....................2-48 2.4.5.1 Descriptions of the Detailed Study Alternatives 2-48 2.4.5.2 Cost Estimates for the Detailed Study Alternatives 2-50 2.5 RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE..........................................................2-51 3 HUMAN ENVIRONMENT...................................................................3-1 3.1 LAND USE AND PLANNING.................................................................3-1 3.1.1 EXISTING LAND USE ................................................................................3-1 3.1.2 LAND USE TRENDS ..................................................................................3-2 3.1.3 CONSISTENCY WITH LAND USE AND TRANSPORTATION PLANS ................................3-3 3.1.4 LAND USE IMPACTS .................................................................................3-4 3.2 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES..................................................3-5 3.2.1 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS ...................................................................3-5 3.2.2 COMMUNITY CHARACTERISTICS....................................................................3-9 3.2.2.1 Named Neighborhoods 3-9 3.2.2.2 Other Communities 3-9 3.2.2.3 Community Resources and Services 3-10 3.2.3 RELOCATIONS AND DISPLACEMENTS ............................................................3-14 3.2.3.1 Residential and Business Relocations by Detailed Study Alternative 3-14 3.2.3.2 Relocation Assistance 3-16 3.2.4 IMPACTS TO NEIGHBORHOODS...................................................................3-17 3.2.4.1 Neighborhood and Community-Level Project Effects 3-17 3.2.4.2 Summary of Neighborhood/Community Impacts 3-23 3.2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ........................................................................3-24 3.2.5.1 Environmental Justice Regulations 3-24 3.2.5.2 Environmental Justice Discussion 3-25 3.2.6 IMPACTS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES ........................................3-28 3.2.6.1 Project Effects on Community Resources and Services 3-28 3.2.6.2 Community Safety 3-34 3.2.6.3 Summary of Impacts to Community Resources 3-35 4 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT...............................................................4-1 4.1 NOISE.............................................................................................4-1 4.1.1 CHARACTERISTICS OF NOISE ......................................................................4-1 4.1.2 NOISE ABATEMENT CRITERIA ......................................................................4-1 4.1.3 EXISTING NOISE ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................4-2 4.1.4 NOISE IMPACT ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY ........................................................4-3 4.1.5 TRAFFIC NOISE IMPACTS ...........................................................................4-3 4.1.5.1 Noise Contours 4-3 4.1.5.2 Potential Noise Impacts to Churches, Schools and Other Special Uses 4-5 4.1.5.3 Construction Noise 4-8 4.1.6 NOISE ABATEMENT MEASURES ....................................................................4-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS vi 4.2 AIR QUALITY..................................................................................4-13 4.2.1 NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS ................................................4-13 4.2.2 TRANSPORTATION CONFORMITY .................................................................4-16 4.2.3 MOBILE SOURCE AIR TOXICS ....................................................................4-19 4.2.4 LOCAL ORDINANCES...............................................................................4-21 4.2.5 AIR QUALITY IMPACTS ............................................................................4-21 4.2.5.1 Criteria Pollutants and Transportation Conformity 4-21 4.2.5.2 Mobile Source Air Toxics Impact Analysis 4-24 4.2.5.3 Construction Air Quality 4-24 4.2.6 ROAD AND BRIDGE ICING POTENTIAL FROM ALLEN STEAM STATION AIR POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITY................................................................................4-25 4.3 FARMLAND....................................................................................4-26 4.3.1 FARMLAND PROTECTION POLICY ACT ...........................................................4-26 4.3.2 PRIME AND IMPORTANT FARMLAND SOILS ......................................................4-26 4.3.3 EXISTING AGRICULTURE ..........................................................................4-27 4.3.3.1 Census Information 4-27 4.3.3.2 Agricultural Uses in the Detailed Study Alternatives 4-27 4.3.3.3 Local Farmland Programs 4-28 4.3.4 FARMLAND IMPACTS ...............................................................................4-28 4.3.4.1 Prime and Important Farmland Soils 4-28 4.3.4.2 Farmland Conversion Impact Ratings 4-29 4.3.4.3 Local Agricultural Programs and Farm Relocations 4-29 4.4 UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.....................................................4-31 4.4.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...........................................................................4-31 4.4.1.1 Electric Power 4-31 4.4.1.2 Natural Gas 4-32 4.4.1.3 Telecommunications 4-32 4.4.1.4 Water and Sewer Facilities 4-32 4.4.1.5 Railroads 4-33 4.4.2 IMPACTS TO UTILITIES ............................................................................4-33 4.5 VISUAL RESOURCES.......................................................................4-36 4.5.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................4-36 4.5.2 LOCAL ZONING DISTRICTS AND OVERLAY DISTRICTS ........................................4-36 4.5.3 VISUAL IMPACTS ...................................................................................4-37 4.6 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.................................................................4-38 4.6.1 EXISTING CONDITIONS ...........................................................................4-38 4.6.2 IMPACTS FROM HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/WASTE SITES ......................................4-40 4.6.3 MITIGATION FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/WASTE SITES ...................................4-43 4.7 FLOODPLAINS AND FLOODWAYS.......................................................4-43 4.7.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION .....................................................................4-43 4.7.2 FLOODPLAINS AND FLOODWAYS IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA ..............................4-43 4.7.3 FLOODWAY/FLOODPLAIN IMPACTS AND MAJOR DRAINAGE STRUCTURES ..................4-44 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS vii 5 CULTURAL RESOURCES....................................................................5-1 5.1 SECTION 106 OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT.............5-1 5.2 HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES..............................................5-2 5.2.1 HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA ......................5-2 5.2.1.1 Historic Architectural Survey Methodology 5-2 5.2.1.2 Historic Architectural Survey Findings 5-3 5.2.2 IMPACTS TO HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL RESOURCES ...........................................5-8 5.3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES........................................................5-10 5.3.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA ...............................5-11 5.3.1.1 Archaeological Assessment Methodology 5-11 5.3.1.2 Archaeological Assessment Findings 5-11 5.3.2 POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES......................................5-14 5.3.3 MITIGATION FOR POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES .................5-14 5.4 SECTION 4(F) AND SECTION 6(F) RESOURCES...................................5-15 5.4.1 REGULATIONS ......................................................................................5-15 5.4.2 RESOURCES IN THE PROJECT STUDY AREA .....................................................5-16 5.4.3 IMPACTS TO SECTION 4(F) AND SECTION 6(F) RESOURCES ................................5-16 5.4.3.1 Section 4(f) Resources 5-16 5.4.3.2 Section 6(f) Resources 5-18 6 NATURAL RESOURCES.....................................................................6-1 6.1 GEOLOGY, MINERAL RESOURCES, AND SOILS......................................6-1 6.1.1 GEOLOGY .............................................................................................6-1 6.1.2 MINERAL RESOURCES ...............................................................................6-1 6.1.3 SOILS .................................................................................................6-1 6.1.4 IMPACTS TO SOILS AND MINERAL RESOURCES ..................................................6-2 6.2 WATER RESOURCES..........................................................................6-3 6.2.1 WATER RESOURCE DESCRIPTIONS ................................................................6-3 6.2.1.1 River Basins, Named Streams, and Lakes 6-3 6.2.1.2 Water Supply Resources 6-4 6.2.1.3 Wild and Scenic Rivers 6-5 6.2.2 WATER QUALITY .....................................................................................6-5 6.2.2.1 Best Usage Classifications 6-5 6.2.2.2 Impaired Waters 6-6 6.2.2.3 Point Source Discharges 6-7 6.2.2.4 Non-Point Source Discharges 6-7 6.2.2.5 Water Quality Monitoring and Basin-Wide Assessments 6-7 6.2.3 IMPACTS TO WATER RESOURCES ..................................................................6-8 6.2.4 MITIGATION OF IMPACTS .........................................................................6-10 6.3 NATURAL COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE............................................6-11 6.3.1 TERRESTRIAL COMMUNITIES .....................................................................6-11 6.3.2 TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE...........................................................................6-12 6.3.3 AQUATIC COMMUNITIES AND SPECIES ..........................................................6-13 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS viii 6.3.4 IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS .....................................................................6-14 6.3.5 INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES ........................................................................6-15 6.3.5.1 Background 6-15 6.3.5.2 Invasive Plant Species in the Project Study Area 6-15 6.3.6 SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED IMPACTS............................................................6-16 6.3.6.1 Terrestrial Communities 6-16 6.3.6.2 Terrestrial Wildlife 6-17 6.3.6.3 Aquatic Communities and Wildlife 6-18 6.3.6.4 Important Natural Areas 6-19 6.3.6.5 Invasive Plant Species 6-19 6.4 JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES................................................................6-19 6.4.1 WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES ................................................................6-20 6.4.2 CATAWBA RIVER RIPARIAN BUFFER RULES.....................................................6-21 6.4.3 EXISTING JURISDICTIONAL RESOURCES ........................................................6-22 6.4.3.1 Surveys for Jurisdictional Resources 6-22 6.4.3.2 Characteristics of Wetlands and Surface Waters 6-22 6.4.4 SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED IMPACTS............................................................6-24 6.4.4.1 Impacts to Ponds, Wetlands, and Streams 6-24 6.4.4.2 Impacts to Catawba River Buffers 6-25 6.4.5 PERMITTING AND MITIGATION ...................................................................6-27 6.4.5.1 Section 404/401 Permit Issues 6-27 6.4.5.2 Mitigation Issues 6-28 6.4.5.3 Avoidance and Minimization 6-28 6.4.5.4 Compensatory Mitigation 6-29 6.5 PROTECTED SPECIES......................................................................6-30 6.5.1 BACKGROUND ......................................................................................6-31 6.5.1.1 Federal Regulations 6-31 6.5.1.2 State Regulations 6-32 6.5.2 PROTECTED SPECIES LISTED FOR GASTON AND MECKLENBURG COUNTIES ................6-32 6.5.2.1 Federally Protected Species 6-32 6.5.2.2 Federal Species of Concern and Candidate Species 6-35 6.5.3 SURVEYS FOR PROTECTED SPECIES .............................................................6-36 6.5.4 SURVEY FINDINGS AND IMPACTS TO PROTECTED SPECIES ...................................6-37 6.5.4.1 Federally Protected Species 6-37 6.5.4.2 Federal Species of Concern and Candidate Species 6-39 6.5.5 SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ON PROTECTED SPECIES AND MITIGATION MEASURES ............6-39 7 INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS...............................................7-1 7.1 DEFINITIONS AND ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY.......................................7-1 7.1.1 DEFINITIONS .........................................................................................7-1 7.1.2 ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................7-2 7.2 STUDY AREAS FOR INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS (STEP 1).........7-2 7.3 DIRECTIONS AND GOALS FOR STUDY AREAS FOR INDIRECT AND CUMLATIVE EFFECTS (STEP 2)............................................................7-3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS ix 7.4 INVENTORY OF NOTABLE FEATURES (STEP 3).......................................7-6 7.4.1 GROWTH AND LAND USE ...........................................................................7-7 7.4.2 WILDLIFE HABITAT ..................................................................................7-9 7.4.3 WATER RESOURCES .................................................................................7-9 7.5 IDENTIFY IMPACT-CAUSING ACTIVITIES AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS FOR ANALYSIS (STEPS 4 AND 5).7-10 7.5.1 POTENTIAL INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS IN GASTON COUNTY .....................7-12 7.5.2 POTENTIAL INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY .............7-16 7.5.3 POTENTIAL INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS IN CLEVELAND COUNTY .................7-17 7.5.4 POTENTIAL INDIRECT AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS IN YORK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA .7-18 7.5.5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS...........................................................................7-19 8 OTHER IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS.....................................................8-1 8.1 IRRETRIEVABLE AND IRREVERSIBLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES.........8-1 8.2 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHORT-TERM IMPACTS AND LONG-TERM BENEFITS........................................................................................8-1 9 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND AGENCY COORDINATION........................9-1 9.1 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.......................................................................9-1 9.1.1 CITIZENS INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOPS .........................................................9-1 9.1.1.1 Citizens Informational Workshop Series #1 9-1 9.1.1.2 Citizens Informational Workshop Series #2 9-3 9.1.1.3 Citizens Informational Workshop Series #3 9-4 9.1.2 LOCAL OFFICIALS MEETINGS .......................................................................9-5 9.1.3 SMALL GROUP MEETINGS...........................................................................9-6 9.1.4 OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS........................................................................9-7 9.1.4.1 Brochures and Postcards 9-7 9.1.4.2 Project Web Site and E-mail 9-8 9.1.4.3 Project Toll-Free Telephone Number 9-8 9.2 AGENCY COORDINATION...................................................................9-8 9.2.1 SCOPING LETTER ....................................................................................9-8 9.2.2 NOTICE OF INTENT ................................................................................9-10 9.2.3 AGENCY COORDINATION ..........................................................................9-10 9.2.3.1 Background Information 9-10 9.2.3.2 Section 6002 Project Coordination Plan 9-11 9.2.3.3 Agency Coordination Meetings 9-12 10 LIST OF PREPARERS...........................................................................9-1 10.1 FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION...............................................10-1 10.2 NORTH CAROLINA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY..........................................10-1 10.3 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION........................10-1 10.4 PRIVATE CONSULTING FIRMS...........................................................10-2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS x 11 LIST OF AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PERSONS TO WHOM COPIES OF THIS STATEMENT ARE SENT...........................................11-1 11.1 FEDERAL AGENCIES........................................................................11-1 11.2 REGIONAL OFFICES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.......................................11-1 11.3 STATE AGENCIES...........................................................................11-1 11.4 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES..............................................11-2 11.5 PUBLIC REVIEW LOCATIONS............................................................11-2 12 REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION..........................12-1 12.1 REFERENCES..................................................................................12-1 12.2 SUPPORTING PROJECT DOCUMENTATION.........................................12-11 LIST OF TABLES Summary S-1 Twelve Detailed Study Alternatives..................................................................S-4 S-2 Summary of Environmental Impacts..............................................................S-21 Special Project Commitments PC-1 Special Commitments and Coordination Required after the DEIS.......................PC-1 Chapter 1 1-1 Commuting Patterns in Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area based on 2000 Census Data.........................................................................................1-9 1-2 I-85 - Existing and Projected Traffic Volumes and Levels of Service....................1-14 1-3 US 29-74 – Existing and Projected Traffic Volumes and Levels of Service............1-15 1-4 US 321 - Existing and Projected Traffic Volumes and Levels of Service...............1-16 1-5 I-485 - Existing and Projected Traffic Volumes and Levels of Service..................1-17 Chapter 2 2-1 Summary of Results for First Screening – Project Concepts...............................2-23 2-2 Second Screening Evaluation Factors.............................................................2-28 2-3 Sixteen Original Detailed Study Alternatives....................................................2-39 2-4 Twelve Final Detailed Study Alternatives.........................................................2-41 2-5 Year 2030 Traffic Volumes Along the Detailed Study Alternatives.......................2-46 2-6 Cost Estimates for the Detailed Study Alternatives...........................................2-48 2-7 Estimated Impact Reductions Without the US 29-74 Interchange.......................2-50 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS xi Chapter 3 3-1 Annual Employment Distribution – 1990 and 2006 .............................................3-8 3-2 Residential and Business Relocations by Detailed Study Alternative....................3-14 3-3 Income Levels of Relocated Households by Detailed Study Alternative................3-15 3-4 Values of Relocated Homes by Detailed Study Alternative.................................3-15 3-5 Impacts to Named Neighborhoods.................................................................3-17 3-6 Impacts to Rural Communities (Unnamed Neighborhoods)................................3-20 3-7 General Environmental Justice Evaluation for Toll Facility..................................3-25 3-8 Church and Cemetery Impacts......................................................................3-28 3-9 Parks and Recreational Facilities Impacts........................................................3-33 3-10 Summary of Impacts to Community Resources................................................3-35 Chapter 4 4-1 Federal Highway Administration Noise Abatement Criteria..................................4-2 4-2 NCDOT Definition of Substantial Increase in Noise Levels....................................4-2 4-3 2030 Noise Contours.....................................................................................4-4 4-4 Impacted Receptors by Detailed Study Alternative Based on 2030 Traffic Noise Contours ......................................................................................................4-5 4-5 Preliminary Feasible and Reasonable Noise Barriers .........................................4-10 4-6 Summary of Noise Barriers by Detailed Study Alternative.................................4-13 4-7 National Ambient Air Quality Standards..........................................................4-14 4-8 Prime and Important Farmland Soils in the Detailed Study Alternatives..............4-26 4-9 Impacts to Prime and Important Farmland Soils..............................................4-28 4-10 Farmland Impact Ratings by Detailed Study Alternative....................................4-29 4-11 Impacts to Voluntary Agricultural District Properties.........................................4-30 4-12 Major Utility Impacts...................................................................................4-34 4-13 Impact on Potentially Contaminated Sites by Detailed Study Alternative.............4-40 4-14 Summary of Major Drainage Structures and Floodway and Floodplain Crossings..4-45 Chapter 5 5-1 Historic Architectural Resources in the Area of Potential Effects...........................5-3 5-2 Effects to Historic Architectural Resources........................................................5-8 5-3 Previously Recorded Archaeological Sites Where Further Work was Recommended5-12 5-4 Ranking of DSAs by Overall Potential to Impact Archaeological Resources......... 5-14 Chapter 6 6-1 Named Streams Within the Detailed Study Alternatives......................................6-3 6-2 Bioclassification of Sampled Waterbodies Near the Detailed Study Alternatives......6-8 6-3 Invasive Plant Species in Project Study Area...................................................6-16 6-4 Impacts to Terrestrial Communities...............................................................6-17 6-5 Impacts to Waters of the United States..........................................................6-24 6-6 Impacts to Catawba River Buffers..................................................................6-26 6-7 Federally Protected Species in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties......................6-32 6-8 Candidate and Federal Species of Concern in Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties..6-36 6-9 Summary of Effects on Federally Protected Species..........................................6-40 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS xii Chapter 7 7-1 Population of Counties Included in ICE Study Areas...........................................7-7 7-2 Summary of Potential for Indirect and Cumulative Effects by County..................7-20 Chapter 9 9-1 Scoping Comments........................................................................................9-8 9-2 Agency Roles..............................................................................................9-12 9-3 Summary of Agency Coordination Meetings....................................................9-13 LIST OF EXHIBITS Chapter 2 2-1 Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Site Plan.............................................2-35 2-2 Preliminary Toll Collection Locations...............................................................2-45 Chapter 4 4-1 Vehicle Miles Traveled vs. Mobile Source Air Toxics Emissions, 2000-2020..........4-20 LIST OF FIGURES (Figures located at the end of each chapter) Chapter S S-1 (a-b) Detailed Study Alternatives Chapter 1 1-1 Project Location In Region 1-2 GUAMPO Garden Parkway Corridor 1-3 Existing Facility Characteristics 1-4 2006 Traffic Volumes and Levels of Service 1-5 2030 Traffic Volumes and Levels of Service (No-Build Alternative) 1-6 Population Growth Between 1990 and 2000 for Gaston County 1-7 STIP Projects in Gaston County and Mecklenburg County 1-8 Strategic Highway Corridors Vision Plan 1-9 Thoroughfare Plans 1-10 Long Range Transportation Plans 1-11 Gaston County Future Land Use Map 1-12 Mecklenburg County Southwest District Future Land Use Map 1-13 Mecklenburg County Dixie-Berryhill Area Small Area Plan Chapter 2 2-1 Improve Existing Roadways Alternative Scenario 4 2-2 Improve Existing Roadways Alternative Scenario 8 2-3 New Location Alternative Typical Cross Section 2-4 Refined Study Area for New Location Alternatives TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS xiii 2-5 (a-b) Preliminary Corridor Segments 2-6 (a-b) Preliminary Corridor Segments Retained for Functional Design 2-7 Functional Design Corridors 2-8 (a-b) Detailed Study Alternatives 2-9 (a-ii) Detailed Study Alternatives Preliminary Designs Chapter 3 3-1 Demographic Area 3-2 Population Change 1990 to 2000 3-3 African-American Population in the Demographic Area 3-4 Hispanic Population in the Demographic Area 3-5 Percentage Below Poverty Level in the Demographic Area 3-6 (a-b) Neighborhoods and Communities 3-7 (a-b) Community Resources 3-8 (a-b) Planned Greenways Chapter 4 4-1 (a-b) Noise Impact Assessment Information 4-2 Farmland Soils 4-3 Voluntary Agricultural District Properties 4-4 Power Transmission Lines and Water and Sewer Service Areas 4-5 Gaston County Zoning Map Scenic View Overlay Zone 4-6 Hazardous Materials Sites 4-7 Water Resources 4-8 Major Drainage Structures Chapter 5 5-1 Historic Architectural Resources and Old Gold Mines Chapter 6 6-1 Natural Communities Chapter 7 7-1 (a-b) Study Areas for Indirect and Cumulative Effects 7-2 Average Travel Time Changes (2030) with the Gaston East-West Connector TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE APRIL 2009 GASTON EAST-WEST CONNECTOR DEIS xiv APPENDICES A. Notice of Intent and Agency Correspondence A-1. NEPA/404 Merger Process Concurrence Forms A-2. Correspondence with the State Historic Preservation Office A-3. Scoping Letter and Responses A-4. Notice of Intent A-5. Other Agency Correspondence A-6. Local Government Resolutions A-7 . Section 6002 Project Coordination Plan A-8. Correspondence Related to Air Quality Conformity B. GUAMPO Population Projections C. Supporting Traffic Information for Chapter 2 - Alternatives Considered D. Design Criteria for the Preliminary Engineering Designs E. Year 2030 Toll-Scenario Traffic Forecasts for the Detailed Study Alternatives F. Relocation Reports G. Existing Noise Measurements and 2030 Noise Contour Maps H. Mobile Source Air Toxics (MSAT) – Discussion of Impacts I. Farmland Conversion Impact Ratings Forms J. Hazardous Materials Sites K. Major Drainage Structures L. Section 4(f) Resources M. Soils Information N. Jurisdictional Stream and Wetland Information O. NPDES Dischargers P. Matrix of Indirect and Cumulative Effects by DSA