20141169 All Versions_Environmental Assessment_20150504

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United States Department of Agriculture " r
Forest Service
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US` 17 IMPROVEMENTS
Environmental Assessment
Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Jones County, North Carolina
April 2015
For More Information Contact:
Karen Compton
National Forests in North Carolina
160 Zillicoa St, Suite A
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: [phone]

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��°��wN ^�� Contents
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Summary............................................................................................................................. l
Introduction........................................................................................................................ 2
Proposed Project Location.................................... ......................................................... Z
Need for the Proposal....--.--........—.--....~.........^..^.^...--___,,,.___.. 3
|� Public Involvement............................................................................................................. 3
Proposed Action and Alternatives—.----...--..----...-------.....-----. 3
ProposedAction.............................................................................................................. 4
No-Build Alternative............................................. ......................................................... 5
Alternative 3 'Tbe Proposed Actioo.--...—.------------- 5
AJternative23........................................................................................... 7
Alternatives Eliminated from Detailed Study................................................................. N
Alternative 2 (Segment 7)............................................................................................... 8
Alternative2B (R 7) ............................................................................................ 8
Proposed Action Mitigation Measures......................... .................................................. 8
Comparison of Alternatives.......................................................................................... l2
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action and Alternatives.................................... l3
WildlifeResources........................................................................................................ l3
BotanicalResources...................................................................................................... 17
AquaticResources ........................................................................................................ 25
Threatened, Endangered, Q000itb/s and Locally Rare Species------------ 27
Management Indicator Species—..—..--..--....---....—..—.....-------.. 34
AirQuality ................................................................................................................... 34
VisualResources........................................................................................................... 4l
HumanHealth and Safety.............................................................................................4]
Maintaining Access toNF8 Lands................................................................................44
References............................... .........................................................................................4h
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="�^ m�° Tables
Table l. Comparison of Alternatives —...............................------.... 12
Table 2. NYqISIdentified in the Evaluation Area.............................................................. 22
Table 3. Threatened (T), Endangered (E), Proposed Threatened (P)° and Sensitive Species
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Table 4. MIS aDd l�t��r��I�4��at f�r1he{�Y��..................^.......-------. 34
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Figurel. Vicinity Map........................................................................................................ Z
Figure2. Alternatives Map ................................................................................................. 4
Figure 3. 9run0Ded Action (Alternative 2/Altcrotivc 3) MOp.....................----.. h
Figure 4. Location nf Wildlife Crossing Map................................................................... l5

Page Intentionally Left Blank
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
SUMMARY
The National Forests in North Carolina proposes to grant the North Carolina Department
of Transportation (NCDOT) an easement across National Forest System (NFS) lands on
the Croatan National Forest for road improvements to US 17 in Jones County between
Pollocksville and Maysville and approve associated activities. The easement would cover
j approximately 2.1 miles and up to 35 acres of NFS lands. The road project would involve
widening existing US 17 from two lanes to four lanes including a 46 foot median.
Project design features include a wildlife underpass to provide for the safety of motorists
and wildlife by providing for animal passage beneath the road. Associated activities
include 1) closing the current access to Forest Service Road 204 off of US 17; 2)
providing new access to the NFS lands in the project area by upgrading the old railroad
bed that is located on the NFS tract where the project is located (5.1 acres); 3) controlling
non-native invasive species (NNIS) on areas covered by this proposal with a combination
of manual, mechanical, cultural, and chemical methods; and 4) approving movement of
any utilities located on NFS lands that would need to be relocated as a direct result of the
road improvements.
These actions are needed to: 1) Improve the traffic capacity of US 17 in order to meet its
mandated objectives as part of the Intrastate System, the North Carolina Strategic
Highway Corridors System, and the Federal Strategic Highway Corridor Network;
2) Improve traffic flow along the US 17 corridor in the project study area; and 3) Relieve
congestion on US 17 in Jones County, thereby improving safety and reducing the number
of crashes.
The NCDOT issued a State Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS) for "US 17
Improvements From SR 1330/SR 1349 south of Belgrade to the New Bern Bypass at the
Jones/Craven County Line" in June of 2011 and a State Record of Decision (SROD) for
the project on June 20, 2012. Those documents disclosed impacts to both private and
NFS lands across the entire 16-mile project area. Since those documents were issued
additional studies and analyses have been completed that cover NFS lands specifically,
This Environmental Assessment was prepared to address the impacts on the portion of the
project located on Forest Service property and tiers to the SFEIS, SROD, and the `Biological
Evaluation for the US 17 (R-2514)".
1

US 17 Improvements
Introduction
The Forest Service prepared this environmental assessment (EA) to determine whether
implementation of highway improvements to US 17 including widening from two lanes
to four lanes, relocating access to National Forests System lands in the project area, and
treating non-native invasive species within the project area may significantly affect the
quality of the human environment and thereby require the preparation of an
environmental impact statement. By preparing this EA, we are fulfilling agency policy
and direction to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For more
details of the proposed action, see the Proposed Action and Alternatives section of this
document.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has proposed making
improvements to US 17 including widen from two lanes to four lanes on 35.1 acres of
NFS lands, These actions are proposed to be implemented on the Croatan National
Forest. Associated activities on NFS lands cover an additional 6.1 acres.
Proposed Project Location
The project area is located adjacent to existing US 17 on the Croatan National Forest in
Jones County, North Carolina between the cities of Maysville and Pollocksville. The
proposed activity area on NFS land is approximately 41 acres.
Figure 1. Vicinity Map for the entire US 17 Project Area, Including Private and Public Lands
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
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Need for the Proposal
This proposal is needed because 1) Operational and safety deficiencies related to the
existing roadway geometry, projected traffic, and projected land use conditions along
existing US 17 between Belgrade and New Bern diminish this segment's ability to
function as a North Carolina Intrastate Corridor, a North Carolina Strategic Highway
Corridor, and a Federal Strategic Highway Corridor Network;, and 2) Projected increases
in traffic volumes along existing US 17 will result in travel delays, increase the potential
for crashes, and contribute to the inefficient operation of motor vehicles; and 3) Crash
rates along the existing segment of US 17 between Belgrade and New Bern exceed the
statewide crash rates in the categories for fatal, non-fatal injury, and nighttime crashes
and exceed the critical crash rates in the fatal and night categories.
Public Involvement
The NCDOT had engaged in an extensive public involvement process for this project
dating back to 1995 when the project was initially proposed. The NCDOT consulted with
the U.S. Department of Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of the Interior,
Fish and Wildlife Service; N.C. Department of Cultural Resources; N.C. Department of
Environment and Natural Resources; N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission; Down East
Rural Planning Organization; Town of Pollocksville; Town of Maysville; the Goshen
Community; the Onslow County Manager; the Jones County Manager; and various
interested local organizations and individuals. Public involvement consisted of
establishing a toll-free phone line for questions and answers, publishing newsletters,
issuing press releases, and holding Public Hearings, Citizen Informational Workshops,
and small group meetings within communities. A complete description of agency
coordination and public involvement conducted by the NCDOT for this project can be
found in Chapter 8 of the SFEIS and in the SROD (pp.15-17).
The Forest Service fully participated in the project planning along with NCDOT, state
and federal agencies, and local entities listed above. The Forest Service sent a scoping
letter on October 27, 2014 to individuals, agencies, and organizations who have
expressed interest in projects located on the Croatan National Forest.
Proposed Action and Alternatives
The original proposal by NCDOT for improvements to US 17 included 5 road segments.
There are no NFS lands in Segments 1, 4, and 5. Early in the planning process it was
decided that Segment 1, which began at the end of the four-lane divided section of US 17
north of Jacksonville, NC and ended just south of the community of Belgrade, NC, would
be studied independently. An EA was approved for Segment 1 on August 31, 1999 and a
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was approved on August 25, 2000.
Construction of Segment 1 began in October of 2004 and was completed in November of
2007. In 1997, Segment 5 was modified and combined with Segment 4 after local citizens
expressed concerns over the impacts to residences and business that would result from
improving Segment 5 on existing location.
3

US 17 Improvements
The Forest Service only has property in Segments 2 and 3; therefore, this document will
only discuss Segments 2 and 3. The majority of NFS lands in the proposed project area
are located in Segment 3 (32.4 acres) with a small portion of NFS lands located in
Segment 2 (2.7 acres). The alternatives consist of different combinations of Segments 2
and 3. There were four different alignments proposed for Segment 2 known as
Alternatives 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C and one alignment proposed for Segment 3 known as
Alternative 3. The Alternatives described below include descriptions of the alternatives
including all landownership to allow consideration of the alternative in its entirety. The
acreage of NFS lands that would be impacted by each alternative is identified.
See the SFEIS pages 2-8 through 2-17 for additional information regarding the
development and refinement of the alternatives.
Figure 2. Alternatives Map for portion of project on NFS Lands (Segments 2 and 3)
Croatan National Forest property shown in brown
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Proposed Action
NCDOT proposes to improve US 17 from the Deppe Loop road (SR 1330)/Springhill
Road (SR 1349) intersection south of Belgrade in rural Onslow County to approximately
0.61 mile south of Lee's Chapel Road (SR 1114). Associated activities include
improvements to an existing railroad bed to maintaining access to Forest Service property
adjacent to US 17; use manual, mechanical, cultural, and chemical control to control non-
native invasive plant species (NNIS) within the highway corridor, and relocation of any
utilities located on NFS lands that must be relocated as a result of the highway project.
NCDOT proposes to let a contract for highway construction in the summer of 2015.
Highway construction is expected to take two to three years. NCDOT, in coordination
with United States Forest Service (USFS), would implement the NNIS treatment on NFS
lands. The USFS would be responsible for implementing the improvements to the
railroad bed with funds provided by NCDOT.
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Croatan Ranger District,Croatan National Forest
No-Build Alternative
The No-Build Alternative would make no improvements to US 17 from south of
Belgrade to south of New Bern through year 2035, with the exception of regular
maintenance such as patching, resurfacing, regrading shoulders, and maintaining ditches.
None of the associated activities would be implemented.
The No-Build Alternative would not incur any construction costs. There would be no
short-term disruptions of traffic service or inconvenience to travelers along the existing
roadway due to construction. There would be no impacts to rare plants, wetlands, visual
resources, or air quality.
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 - The Proposed Action
Make improvements to US 17 as described below and shown in Figure 3:
• Alternative 2A (Segment 2) begins as a four-lane divided roadway with a 46-foot
median at the intersection with Deppe Loop Road (SR 1330)/Springbill Road (SR
1349) and follows existing US 17 North for approximately 0.5 mile. The
alternative then diverges from existing US 17 and continues north on new location
west of Belgrade and Maysville. Detailed Study Alternative 2A crosses White
Oak River Road (SR 1331) approximately 0.7 mile west of US 17 and crosses
Fourth Street (SR 1116) approximately 0.5 mile west of US 17. Detailed Study
Alternative 2A rejoins existing US 17 at the terminus of Segment 2 approximately
one mile north of Fourth Street. This alternative would impact approximately 2.7
acres of NFS lands in Segment 2.
• Alternative 3 (Segment 3) follows the existing US 17 alignment, beginning as a
four-lane divided roadway with a 46-foot median approximately one mile north of
Fourth Street (SR 1116) and following existing US 17 to approximately 0.61 mile
south of Lee's Chapel Road (SR 1114). The widening would take place on the cast
side of existing US 17. This alternative would impact approximately 32.4 acres of
NFS lands in Segment 3.
• Construct a wildlife underpass consisting of dual bridges 120 feet long and 38 feet
wide with a 10-foot vertical clearance. Ten foot high wildlife fencing would also
be installed for approximately 0.5 mile on each side of the bridge parallel to US
17 to help guide animals to the underpass.
Associated Activities:
• Issue an easement to NCDOT for up to 35.1 acres for road improvements to US
17. The final acreage in the easement will be determined upon calculation of the
acreage in the easement currently held by NCDOT for existing US Highway 17.
• Closing approximately 0.4 mile of Forest Service Road 204 in the project area due
to loss of access on US 17. This would impact about 1.0 acre of NFS lands.
5

US 17 Improvements
• Improve approximately 2.1 miles of an old railroad bed to retain Forest Service
access to NFS lands adjacent to US 17. This would impact about 5.1 acres of NFS
lands.
• Treat 35.1 acres of NNIS infestations on NFS lands within the existing US 17
Right of Way and the additional US 17 Right-of-Way to be granted using an
integrated combination of manual, mechanical, cultural, and chemical control
methods. The initial treatment, conducted by NCDOT, would begin prior to
highway construction, and would consist of clearing and grubbing of NNIS along
the US 17 easement. Post-construction, NCDOT would undertake treatments
along the US 17 easement as needed in coordination with USFS staff. See the
"Herbicide Evaluation Report For The US 17" pages 2-4 for specifics on the
manual and mechanical treatment methods, the chemical treatment methods, and
the herbicides that potentially could be used. Only herbicides approved for use on
NFS lands are proposed for control of NNIS.
• Approve movement of any utilities located on NFS lands that would need to be
relocated as a direct result of the road improvements.
Figure 3. Proposed Action: Alternative 2A/Alternative 3
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? Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
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Alternative 2C/Alternative 3
Make improvements to US 17 as described below:
• Alternative 2C (Segment 2) begins as a four-lane divided roadway with a 46-Foot
median at the Deppe Loop Road (SR1330)/Springhill Road (1439) intersection
and follows existing US 17 to approximately 0.59 mile north of the White Oak
River Road (SR 1331) intersection in Belgrade. Detailed Study Alternative 2C
then turns west onto new location and uses the same corridor as Detailed
Alternative 2A moving north from approximately 0.4 mile south of Fourth
Street/White Oak River Road (SR 1116) in Maysville. The alternative crosses
Fourth Street/White Oak River Road approximately 0.5 mile west of US 17 and
rejoins existing US 17 just north of the Maysville town limits, approximately 300
feet from the terminus of Segment 2. This alternative would impact approximately
2.7 acres of NFS lands in Segment 2.
• Alternative 3 (Segment 3) follows the existing US 17 alignment, beginning as a
four-lane divided roadway with a 46-foot median approximately one mile north of
Fourth Street (SR 1116) and following existing US 17 to approximately 0.61 mile
south of Lee's Chapel Road (SR 1114). The widening would take place on the east
side of existing US 17. This alternative would impact approximately 32.4 acres of
NFS lands in Segment 3.
• Construct a wildlife underpass consisting of dual bridges 120 feet long and 38 feet
wide with a 10-foot vertical clearance. Ten foot high wildlife fencing would also
be installed for approximately 0.5 mile on each side of the bridge parallel to US
17 to help guide animals to the underpass.
Associated activities under Alternative 2C/Alternative 3 are the same as listed under the
Proposed Alternative(Alternative 2A/Alternative 3).
Note that while Alternative 2A and 2C for Segment 2 are different alternatives with
different routes for the entire section including both private and NFS land; Alternatives
2A and 2C are in almost identical locations for the portion of those segments that cross
NFS lands. Therefore, impacts to Alternatives 2A/Alternative 3 and Alternative
2C/Alternative 3 will be identical on NFS lands. Due to these alternatives having
identical impacts on NFS lands, only Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 will be discussed in
the Environmental Impacts section of this EA.
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US 17 Improvements
Alternatives Eliminated from Detailed Study
Alternative 2 (Segment 2)
• Begins as a four-lane divided roadway with a 46-foot median at the Deppe Loop
Road (SR1330)/Springhill Road (1439) intersection south of Belgrade and
follows existing US 17 to the White Oak River Road (SR 1441)/Belgrade
Extension Road (SR 1440) intersection at Belgrade. Study Alternative 2 then
transitions to a five-lane curb and gutter section and continues along existing US
17 to the northern town limits of Maysville. At that point, Study Alternative 2
transitions back into a four-lane roadway with a 46-foot median for approximately
0.34 mile to the terminus of Segment 2 at approximately one mile north of Fourth
Street (SR 1116). Alternative 2 was dismissed from further consideration because
of the impacts to businesses and historic properties in the communities of
Maysville and Belgrade. This alternative would impact approximately 5.5 acres of
NFS lands in Segment 2.
Alternative 215 (Segment 2)
• Begins as a four-lane divided roadway with a 46-foot median at the Deppe Loop
Road (SR1330)/Springhill Road (1439) intersection and follows existing US 17 to
approximately 0.25 mile north of the White Oak River Road (SR 1331)
intersection through Belgrade. Study Alternative 213 then turns east onto new
location crossing the White Oak River south of Maysville and NC 58
approximately 0.4 mile east of existing US 17. Study Alternative 2B crosses a
small corner of the Croatan National Forest before rejoining existing US 17 just
north of the Maysville town limits. Alternative 2B was dismissed from further
consideration because of the community impacts resulting from the high number
of residential and business relocations that would be required in Belgrade and due
to the impacts on wetlands. This alternative would impact approximately 10.9
acres of NFS lands in Segment 2.
Proposed Action Mitigation Measures
The proposed actions would adhere to management direction in the Croatan National
Forest Land and Resource Management Plan approved in December 2002, established
mitigation and best management practices, herbicide labels, and assigned monitoring. In
response to issues identified, the following mitigations measures were developed between
NCDOT and the USFS to reduce potential impacts associated with the US 17 highway
project and associated activities. The mitigation measures may be applied to any of the
proposed actions (or portions of the proposed actions) as decided by the responsible
official.
Mitigation for the spring-flowering goldenrod will be accomplished with the collection of
seed and establishment of new populations in suitable areas as described below:
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Croatan Ranger District,Croatan National Forest
• As mitigation to offset direct impacts for spring-flowering goldenrod, NCDOT
has agreed to collect seeds from the impact areas for establishing new populations
on NFS lands in areas identified as potentially suitable based on favorable soil
and hydrology conditions. Seed collection was initiated in the evaluation area for
spring-flowering goldenrod in 2010 and has continued annually through 2014.
• Several areas have been identified as potentially suitable for establishment of new
spring-flowering goldenrod sites. For sites ultimately selected for sowing seeds
for establishing rare plant populations, the preference is to utilize sites with
sparser understory under a regular burning regime that are appropriate to the
species as to habitat and soils. Periodic burning would be the preferable
maintenance tool. If initial site preparation or manipulation is required, such as
clearing or scarifying the soil initially to enhance seed germination, the site would
be surveyed to ensure that no existing rare plant populations would be impacted
by these actions. Prior to site construction, NCDOT will arrange for test
germination of samples of the collected seeds for each species to check viability.
See Attachment 3 "Summary of Mitigation Options for US 17 Spring-flowering
Goldenrod (Solidago verna)" of the `Biological Evaluation Report for the US 17"
dated April 15, 2015 for additional information on mitigation for the spring-
flowering goldenrod.
In coordination with the USFS, NCDOT has developed the following mitigation
measures to minimize the spread of NNIS plant species on NFS lands within the CNF
associated with the construction and maintenance of US 17:
• All guidelines and mitigation measures presented in Forest Service Manual 2150,
Pesticide-Use Management and Coordination, and Forest Service Handbook
2109.14, Pesticide Use Management and Coordination Handbook, would be
followed.
• Equipment would be cleaned thoroughly before moving from treatment sites to
ensure that seeds or other propagules are not transported to other sites.
• Fueling or oiling of mechanical equipment would occur away from aquatic
habitats.
• Along edges and banks applicators will use guards on the end of herbicide wands
with a wide-angle cone tip nozzle. All herbicides will be sprayed away from any
water in ephemeral and perennial streams, vernal pools, or lakes. Aquatic labeled
herbicides will be used when within 150 feet of any live water. Only
surfactants/adjuvants with low toxicity to aquatic species, such as Agri-dex, will
be used with these herbicides in these areas.
• When conducting mechanical control by hand, NNIS parts capable of starting new
plants (seeds, rhizomes, etc.) need proper disposal. Plants will be bagged and
moved off site. Bagged plants will receive standard garbage disposal. For large
woody bushes that would be difficult to move, treatments will be scheduled prior
to seed set as practical.
9

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US 17 Improvements
• When conducting chemical control of all targeted NNIS within 10 feet of any
known USFS rare (T&E, sensitive, or locally rare) plant species occurrences the
following guidelines apply:
• All the rare plant species occurrences would be flagged or marked prior to
treatment to avoid any off-target effects. For larger woody stems,
diameters l inch or greater, apply herbicide to cut stem surfaces with a
small wick applicator if possible or with a small spray bottle to minimize
drift. For smaller woody NNIS stems, if broadcast treatment is the only
feasible treatment, cut the stems and only treat after re-sprouting from 6
inches to I foot in height. While spraying the re-sprouting foliage, place a
barrier (such as an appropriately sized cardboard sheet) next to the rare
plant species or cover the rare plant species with an appropriate container.
For vining species, pull the vines within 1 foot of adjacent rare plants. No
chemical treatment will occur within 1 foot of the rare plant. Prior to
applying herbicide within 1-10 feet of these plants, cover the rare plants or
place an appropriate barrier adjacent to them. NCDOT will post "No
treatment"signs at rare plants sites along the highway.
• Use of mowing as a NNIS control method should be timed to avoid spreading
seeds(e.g. before seed set) to the extent possible.
• Prior to any treatments, actions covered by this document would be reviewed by
forest resource specialists in the areas of wildlife biology, botany, aquatics, soils,
recreation, and heritage resources.
• Exposed soils would be promptly revegetated to avoid re-colonization by NNIS or
potential soil erosion. Only approved seed mixtures and weed seed-free mulch or
roiled matting would be used.
• Prior to construction, NCDOT will coordinate with the USFS to identify rare
plant species on NFS lands occurring near the project's construction limits and put
up protective orange fencing to be removed after completion of construction.
• To prevent the spread of NNIS on NFS lands, NCDOT will require contractors to
pressure wash all off-road equipment, including cranes, graders, pans, excavators,
and loaders, prior to being brought into the CNF construction areas.
• To control the spread of NNIS on NFS lands, NCDOT, in coordination with the
USFS, will locate and flag areas of non-native invasive plant species. If any of
these areas are within areas of proposed fill, those areas will be cleared and
grubbed, and the material disposed of outside the limits of the CNF. If NNIS are
located in areas of proposed cuts, then the material and actual thickness of root
mat or other defined amount will be disposed of outside the limits of the CNF.
• Retain native vegetation and limit soil disturbance as much as possible. In
consultation with the USFS, NCDOT will use seed mixes of native grasses and
forbs or other non-aggressive, non-natives on NFS lands for erosion control and
revegetation. If erosion becomes problematic in any area post-construction,
turfgrass may have to be used selectively to limit soil disturbance.
10

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Croatan Ranger District,Croatan National Forest
• NCDOT will contact the USFS for non-routine maintenance and use of herbicides
on NFS lands.
• NCDOT will work on adjacent NCDOT ROW to prevent the encroachment of
NNIS on to CNF.
For protection of the Endangered red-cockaded woodpecker(RCW):
• NCDOT will communicate with the USFS prior to the start of any activities on
NFS lands within RCW territory #134 to ensure that the area has not become an
active RCW territory.
For continued access to the area adjacent to the US 17 project area for various
management activities:
• NCDOT will purchase and maintain the graveled drive located just northeast of
Maysville that extends from existing US 17 to the abandoned railroad property on
NFS lands.
• NCDOT will provide funds to the USFS to convert the abandoned railroad bed
located on NFS lands within the project area to use for access into the area
adjacent to US 17 due to the required closure of FS road 204.
Compensatory mitigation will be required for unavoidable wetland impacts.
Opportunities are limited for wetland mitigation on NFS lands within the project area.
The Croatan Wetland Mitigation Bank (CWMB) is available for off-site mitigation of
wetland impacts. In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE), NCDOT, and the USFS the long-term
management of the CWMB will include land uses and practices that are consistent with
the mitigation objectives of wetland restoration, enhancement, and preservation
incorporating the restoration of natural vegetation community structure. Any wetlands
mitigation not covered on-site or by the CWMB will be accomplished through
coordination with the Ecosystems Enhancement Program.
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US 17 Improvements
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Comparison of Alternatives
Table 1: Comparison of Alternatives
No Build Alternative Alternative 2A/3 Alternative 203
NFS land Impacted 0 35.1 35.1
(Acres)
NFS lands Treated
for NNIS 0 35.1 35.1
(Acres)
Easement Issued 0 Up to 35.1+ Up to 35.1+
(Acres)
Wetlands Impacted 0 17.8* 17.8*
(Acres)
Segment of FS Road
204 Closed 0 0.4 0.4
(Miles)
Improved Railroad
Bed to Provide Access 0 2,1 2.1
(Miles)
+ The final acreage in the easement will be determined upon calculation of the acreage in
the easement currently held by NCDOT for existing US Highway 17.
* Approximately 63% (11.3 acres) of the wetlands impacted are located on currently disturbed
land within the existing right-of-way for US Highway 17
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed
Action and Alternatives
This section summarizes the potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives for
I each impacted resource. This EA will only summarize the potential impacts of the
proposed action and alternatives on NFS lands. Resources that were not impacted and
therefore not further analyzed include:
Cultural Resources: The US 17 Improvement Project has no potential for effect,
adverse or beneficial, on NFS lands to a Historic Property or unevaluated cultural
resource, and therefore is an Exempt Undertaking. No further Section 106 compliance
documentation is required. For additional information on potential impacts to cultural
resources on NFS lands, see "Recommendation For Exempt Undertaking Status:
Proposed US 17 Improvements, Croatan National Forest; Jones County, North Carolina;
R-251413, C, and D" dated February 2010 and prepared by Paul J. Mohler, NCDOT
Archeologist and "National Forests in North Carolina Cultural Resources Exempt
Undertaking Form" for Highway 17: R2514 B, C, and D NC DOT signed by Rodney
Snedeker, Forest Archeologist on February 22, 2010.
Wildlife Resources
Existing Condition
Most of the project area is rural in nature and provides a mosaic of plant communities
that provide suitable habitat for a diversity of animals. These forested areas provide
habitat for large forest interior species.
Most of the mammals documented within the project area are large and medium-sized
species that have wide habitat tolerances. These species include gray squirrel (Sciurus
carolinensis), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and
white-tailed deer (©docoileus virginianus). Black bear (Ursus americanus) are reported
by local residents (personal communications) to occur occasionally within the project
area. Other medium-sized mammals with wide habitat tolerances expected to occur
within the project area include eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), gray fox
(Uroeyon einereoargenteus), and bobcat (Fells rufus).
No quantitative surveys were conducted to document the small mammal populations
within the project area. The forested communities in the project area are expected to
provide habitat for small mammals including insectivores such as southeastern shrew
(Sorex longirostris) and northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevideauda), and rodents
such as cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus) and golden mouse (4chrotomys nuttalli).
Early successional habitats, fallow agricultural fields, and weedy disturbed areas are
expected to provide habitat for different insectivores, such as least shrew (Cryptotis
parva) and eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus), and rodents such as hispid cotton rat
(Sigmodon hispidus) and eastern harvest mouse(Reithrodontomys humulis).
13

f
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US 17 Improvements
The birds found in the study area are typical of rural Coastal Plain areas of North
Carolina. Bird sightings within the area include a combination of permanent residents,
summer breeders or visitors, winter visitors and migratory transients. Some birds are
habitat-specific, whereas others have more general habitat requirements.
Common resident bird species observed year-round throughout the project area include
species commonly occurring throughout eastern North Carolina. Commonly-encountered
birds include species such as mourning dove (Zenaida maeroura), northern cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis), northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), American robin
(Turdus migratorius), Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus), Carolina chickadee
(Parus earolinensis), and blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata). Pine warbler (Dendroica pines)
is a common resident within the extensive pine woodlands of the project area. Resident
raptors documented within the project area include great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
and red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus),
Summer resident bird species documented within the project area include many
migratory species that winter in the Neotropics. Many of these Neotropical migrants are
area-sensitive species requiring mature forest interiors for breeding. Bottomland forests
along the nearby White Oak and Trent Rivers and larger tributaries provide suitable
habitat for area-sensitive species including Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens),
yellow-throated vireo (V reo flavifrons), prothonotary warbler (lilsonia citrina), northern
parula (Parula americana), and wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). Red-eyed vireo
(Vireo olivaceus) is a common summer resident documented in a variety of forested
communities. White-eyed vireo (Trreo griseus), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), and
indigo bunting (Passerine cyanea) are common summer residents found in shrubby
successional habitats and along woodland edges.
Common winter resident bird species documented within the project area include several
species of sparrows and finches (Fringillidae spp.), kinglets (Regulus spp.), and yellow-
rumped warblers (Dendroica coronata). Wintering sparrows are especially common in
agricultural fields, fallow fields, and other early successional habitats.
Common reptiles documented within the project area include green anole (Anolis
carolinensis) and eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina), which are species occupying a
range of habitats. Relatively few reptiles were documented during field work; however,
undocumented species expected to be common in the project area include black racer
(Coluber constrictor) and rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta). Commonly encountered terrestrial
or arboreal amphibians include southern toad (Bufo terrestris), green tree frog (Hyla
cinerea), and spring peeper(Pseudacris crucifer).
Direct and Indirect Effects
No-Build Alternative
There would be no direct effects to wildlife under the No Build Alternative because no
actions would occur. There would be no additional disturbance of wildlife habitat and no
fragmentation of the existing habitat by widening the road from two lanes to four lanes.
Large and small mammals will continue to be at high risk of mortality while attempting
to cross existing US Highway 17.
14

Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Alternative 2A./Alternative 3 - Proposed Action
Loss of forested habitat will have an impact to terrestrial wildlife, including the loss of
potential nesting and foraging areas and displacement of wildlife populations. Forested
areas generally represent the most valuable areas in terms of wildlife habitat. However,
the amount of forested habitat lost is very minimal compared to the remaining forested
land.
Alteration of Highway 17 to four lanes along the western boundary of the Croatan
National Forest (CNF) will create a discrete barrier to wildlife movements and plant and
animal dispersal to the west, based on many years of research on disturbances and
fragmentation effects on wildlife and natural communities. To promote the establishment
of landscape corridors and buffers, between and adjacent to existing public and private
conservation lands to enhance long-term wildlife population viability and genetic
exchange and to ensure land management flexibility, NCDOT has committed to construct
a wildlife underpass in Alternative 3. The wildlife underpass would provide wildlife
passage under US 17 from the Croatan National Forest to other forests lands on the west
side of US 17. The location of the wildlife crossing is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Location of Wildlife Crossing
Rp,
ULIA.Ve To We'JOIASKIR,BEAN
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15

i
US 17 Improvements
The wildlife underpass consisting of dual bridges is designed to be 120 feet long and 38
feet wide with a 10-foot vertical clearance. Fencing would also be installed for
approximately 0.5 mile along each side of the bridge and parallel to US 17 to help guide
animals to the underpass. The fencing associated with the underpass will include a wire
mesh at the bottom of the fence to prevent smaller species from passing through the chain
link fencing and gaining access to the highway. In addition to the wildlife underpass,
various design features have been used in some of the culverts that facilitate the crossing
of small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The construction of the wildlife underpass
and associated fencing will reduce the number of wildlife/vehicle collisions and decrease
wildlife mortality along that section of the road.
Impacts to Wildlife from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
It is unlikely there will be any direct effects to wildlife species from the treatment of
NNIS since they are highly mobile. These species would most likely leave or avoid the
treatment area for the short-term while the applicators are applying herbicides, cutting or
pulling vegetation, or spot burning NNIS infestations. When an animal returns to a
treated site, the herbicide should have dried on the vegetation, reducing the likelihood of
dermal exposure when brushing by vegetation or during grooming activities.
Birds might temporarily leave the immediate vicinity and leave their nests when
treatments are occurring. However, the human disruption would be temporary in duration
and only result in minimal effects. The treatment of various NNIS with abundant fruit
(such as multiflora rose) may reduce the local quantities of soft mast available for birds.
However, over time native vegetation should re-establish, providing increased quantities
of soft mass as well as improving habitat for diverse prey, such as insects. It is possible
that individual birds may ingest herbicide contaminated insects resulting in a negative
indirect effect.The possibility of contaminating insects would be minimal and short term.
All of the herbicides proposed for use have a low toxicity to birds.
Most insects have the opportunity to temporarily leave a treated area. Honey bees
generally are used as the standard representative test organism for invertebrates on
herbicide bioassays. The results for the selected herbicides to be used in treatments
indicate a low toxicity to honey bees. The treatments would favor native species
ultimately increasing native species richness and abundance which should increase the
diversity of potential host plants for insects present within treatment areas.
Any direct adverse impacts caused by treatment activities in habitats would be relatively
small and temporary. hollow up treatments may be necessary in certain areas; however,
the time between treatments will be at least three months so there should not be any
permanent avoidance by mammals in these areas.
By removing the NNIS, the associated native vegetation could become reestablished and
the associated native plant community restored. A restored native plant community would
provide a higher diversity habitat and food source for animals in the treated areas. These
indirect effects of the treatments are expected to provide long-term benefits to native
wildlife populations, but based on the limited area of treatment within maintained right-
of-way, the overall effects would be negligible.
16

�i Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
I
I
Cumulative Effects
There are no past present or future management activities known within the project area
that would impact wildlife habitat in the area. Therefore, there will be no cumulative
impacts to wildlife habitat within the activity area.
Botanical Resources
Existing Condition
Eight generalized habitats were defined for the purpose of this study. These habitats and
their major soils and hydrological characteristics are discussed in detail below in
conjunction with other habitat factors which may have a bearing on the occurrences of
rare species. The eight habitats are based on a best estimate of the diversity of definable
vegetation units within the framework of the GIS (Geographic Information System)
resources made available. Common and scientific names of vascular plants follow those
used in Kartesz (1999). Scientific names of bryophytes follow those in Crum and
Anderson (1981) and Hicks (1992). Each of the communities is described below. In
addition, a discussion on non-native invasive species (NNIS) is included due to the
impact they have on native botanical species and plant communities.
Distribution and composition of plant communities throughout the project area reflect
variations in topography, soils, hydrology, and past or present land use practices. Natural
land disturbances such as fire, hurricanes, or tornadoes result in uneven-aged stands or a
patchy mosaic within even-aged communities. Logging, farming, selective cutting, and
natural succession after farming have resulted in the present landscape.
Mesic Pine Flatwoods
Mesic pine flatwoods were noted only in the northern-most block of habitat. Here the
forest soils are sandier at the surface with loamy sand horizons and more loamy or sandy
loam or clay loam subsurface horizons. Some upper B-horizons are relatively bright
indicating shorter hydroperiods through the growing season. One small soil inclusion just
north of the center of the block showed a surprisingly light sandy loam profile into the
subsurface soil and supported a considerably different hardwood-dominated stand.
The forest canopy in this stand of mesic pine flatwoods is dominated by loblolly pine
(Pinus taeda) while pond pine (Pinus serotina) is widely scattered. Signs of fire are not
very current, so understory vegetation is relatively dense and diverse. Species commonly
occurring in the subcanopy include water oak (Quercus nigra), swamp bay (Persea
palustris), blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), sweet-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua),
southern red oak (Quercus falcata), and red maple (Ater rubrum). Black tupelo (Nyssa
sylvatica) is scattered. Pines stems range from 12 to 20 inches in diameter with most
around 14-18 inches. Canopy cover is sparse, as is the case in most mature pine forests.
The shrub layer is dense and generally provides shade that effectively precludes diverse
herbaceous vegetation except at irregularly scattered locations. Shrub species in this
habitat include abundant inkberry (Ilex glabra), southern bayberry (Morella cerifera),
black blueberry (Vaceinium fuseatum), and coastal sweet-pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia).
Evening trumpet-flower (Gelsemium sempervirens), a common species of woody vine,
17

1
�! US 17 Improvements
occurs throughout and scrambles and twines about the older woody stems. Sawbrier
(Smilax glauea) laces together many of the small stems. Laurel-leaf greenbrier (Smilax
laurifolia), a much thicker thorny brier, occurs in wetter soils. Young American holly
(Ilex opaca) and horsesugar (Symplocos tinctoria), functioning in shrub layer with
younger stems of the subcanopy species, have not reached their usual stature because of
fire disturbance. Northern bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum var pseudocaudatum) is the
most abundant herb readily visible during the winter season. Creeping blueberry
(Yaccinium crassifolium) is scattered where sufficient light impinges on the forest floor.
An atypical, somewhat circular stand of hardwood just north of the center of this segment
of the project study area occupies the high-value loamy soils mentioned above. Soils in
this stand do not appear to be wetter than those of the surrounding mesic pine flatwoods,
nor does the stand seem to occur in any sort of topographic depression. Sweet-gum, black
tupelo and water oak are the primary canopy constituents with horsesugar, swamp bay,
and southern bayberry in the shrub layer.
Scattered through this block were small areas (one or two hundred square feet) where the
surface soils had been removed during timber harvest operations. These areas may
support winter-only standing water, but many support mats of sphagnum (Sphagnum
affane or S. palustre) as a result of seasonally collected moisture from precipitation
perched over the exposed clay loam subsoils. Other herbaceous species occurring in or
along the margins of these depressions noted were cottongrass bulrush (Scirpus
cyperinus), southern waxy sedge (Carex glaueeseens), cinnamon fern (Ostnunda
cinnamomea), and slender wood-oats (Chasmanthium laxum), particularly if sufficient
soil materials and litter have washed into the depressions.
Bryophytes are restricted to the trunks of largely hardwood tree species in this habitat
type. Live pines do not usually support more than a minimum of the most common
bryophyte species. Rotting logs on the ground may support several species where
moisture regimes allow. Live hardwood stems in this habitat support several common
eortieolous species at their bases where moisture is more readily available.
Hydric Hardwood Forest
Much of the forest within the project study area is subject to standing or saturated soils
for extended periods of the average growing season. Exposed roots, water marks at the
bases of tree stems and indications of movement and deposition of water-barn forest
debris seem to be evidence of free surface water throughout much of this habitat. Soils
found under these circumstances were largely sandy foams or loamy sands having low
chromas and low values on standard soil color charts. Umbric epipedons were often
associated with loamy soils, indicating likely presence of Umbric Paleaquults. During the
period of the survey standing water was largely lacking, but soil coring usually revealed
the presence of water just below the surface of the soil.
Hydric hardwood forest extends eastward to a transition with swamp-based organic soils,
well east of the project study area. To the west it generally extends to near existing US
17 and often inter-mixes with pines to form hydric mixed pine-hardwood forest or drier
pine forest. On the wetter side, hydric hardwood forest forms a transition with cypress-
gum swamp, Dominant canopy stems are 12-14 inches in diameter, but some leave trees
from the last timber harvest are considerably larger. Canopy and subcanopy cover provide
60 to 70 percent shading during full leaf.
18

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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Tree species occurring in the canopy of hydric hardwood forest consist of red maple,
laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), black tupelo, sweet-gum, and water oak. These species
characterize loamy soils while swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) and tulip tree
(Liriodendron tulipifera) are more common on sandier, slightly better drained soils. A
common subcanopy species associated with this forest is American holly which grows to
its usual size as a small tree that functions below the forest canopy. Other subcanopy
constituents are younger individuals of canopy species. A low canopy species usually
present in abundance is swamp bay, not frequently encountered as a canopy species in
most forests. Stems of loblolly-bay (Gordonia lasianthus), along with pond pine and
loblolly pine, are scattered to locally abundant.
Shrubs observed to be common in this habitat are southern blueberry (Vaccinium
formosum) and black blueberry along with younger specimens of canopy and subcanopy
species. Underneath tulip tree and often swamp chestnut oak the most common shrub
found was coastal doghobble (Leucothoe axillaris). One other shrub species of
importance in this forest type was shinyleaf (Lyonia lucida). Swamp bay and other
canopy and subcanopy species are also present in the shrub layer. Horsebrier (Smilax
rotundifolia), laurel-leaf greenbrier, and muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) are prominent
woody vines observed. Cinnamon fern and occasionally Virginia chain fern (Ifoodwardia
virginica) are the most commonly encountered herbaceous species. Netted chain fern
(WVoodwardia areolata) is present as well.
Moisture regimes are optimum and substrate availabilities are conducive for a wide
variety of bryophyte habitats in hydric hardwood forest. Fallen logs, particularly pine
stems that have lost their bark, provide suitable surfaces. Bases and upper stems of
hardwood trees subject to stem flow during periods of precipitation offer a gradient of
moisture regimes. Soil surfaces offer habitat for several species sphagnum and liverworts
if flooding is relatively infrequent.
Hydric Pine Forest
Hydric pine forests are supported on sandy soils with moderately well-developed black
organic 0-horizons and black, sandy A-horizons as well as dark gray, sandy E-horizons.
Subsurface horizons are generally loamy, but may contain substantial sand. These
habitats usually show indications of fire. Fire in some areas has been responsible for
limiting the diversity of shrub and other understory species. Most areas of hydric pine
forest appear to be located in areas slightly higher in elevation than the surrounding areas.
The dominant canopy species in hydric pine forest is loblolly pine. Pond pine is scattered.
An understory of thick shrubby vegetation is typical and usually dominated by swamp
bay, shinyleaf, and coastal doghobble. Some of the hydric pine forests have stems that
range from 14 to 18 inches in diameter. Stems in others may reach 25 inches in diameter.
Thick, mature pine forest may provide 20 percent cover, with the subcanopy adding little
where fires have been common. In such situations, shrub cover may be 60 to 80 percent.
Woody vines mentioned in hydric hardwood forest as well as evening trumpet flower add
to the overall density of the shrub layer.
The thick shrub layer characteristic of most of the hydric pine forest precludes a dense or
diverse herbaceous cover. Cinnamon fern, particularly in slight depressions or old
windfall depressions, and occasionally northern bracken fern were the most common
herbs noted. Habitat for bryophytes is scarce largely as a result of the extremes in
19

US 17 Improvements
insolation conditions and general lack of suitable substrate. A few mats of sphagnum are
scattered.
Mixed Hydric Pine-Hardwood Forest
The greatest area of the project study area supports a poorly defined mix of the above two
forest types, hydric hardwood and hydric pine forests. The mixed situation has come
about as a result of the development of mature and post mature pine forest under a variety
of hydrological regimes. In the wetter areas development of hardwood forest may be the
ultimate in climax vegetation. Pines may have gotten a start on tree bases, stumps, and
rotting nurse logs. In other areas, disturbance of pine forest by selective cutting during
past timbering may have both created habitat for young, light-loving pine and promoted
dominance of hardwood species, depending on the area.
Soils in these stands vary widely, matching the variations seen above between hydric
hardwood and hydric pine forest soils. Loamy subsoils seem to be a constant, while
surface horizons may be either sandy or loamy. Soils in some areas of this habitat closely
resemble those of cypress-gum swamp. The lowest example of hydric mixed pine-
hardwood forest occurs just south of the pine plantation near the north end of the project
study area. The water regime of this stand is accentuated since it receives storm runoff
via a ditch from existing US 17.
Some of the largest pine stems seen were associated with wetter portions of mixed pine-
hardwood forest. These trees approached or surpassed 30 inches in diameter in one area
just south of the pine plantation near the northern part of the project study area. In most
areas pines 16-25 inches in diameter were not uncommon. Hardwood stems were
generally smaller. Species characteristic of this generalized forest type constituted a
variable mix of all those noted for the more clearly defined types noted above. Habitats
for other species, both vascular plants and bryophytes are abundant, considering the
variations of dominant species from place to place as well as the variations of soils and
hydrology.
Cypress-Gum Swamp
Cypress-gum swamp has formed in seasonally flooded depressions now partially filled by
organic soil somewhat similar to the Croatan muck soil mapping unit. There are two such
depressions and these occur in the southern half of the project study area. Both currently
receive storm runoff via ditches paralleling existing US 17 and appear to occur at the
heads of broad ephemeral channels or sheet flow areas that carry water to the east
through hydric hardwood forest toward the abandoned railroad grade. These features may
once have been continuous across the area currently occupied by the US 17 right-of-way
prior to its construction.
Definitive soils material was difficult to obtain since the soil was saturated. At the
southern depression, soil obtained from near the surface was a black fluid muck with
occasional sand. Below the fluid material was a brown, pasty sapric material to a depth of
roughly 35 inches. Free water was noted at a depth of about 2-3 inches below the surface.
The soil in the northern depression was also a histosol.
Canopy coverage during the growing season may approach 40-50 percent. Trees 12-16
inches in diameter were common. The understory layers were very sparsely vegetated and
20

Croatan Ranger District, Croalan National Forest
i
the shrub cover would have been very low during the growing season, perhaps less than 5
percent. Herbaceous cover was relatively abundant and may have constituted up to 60
percent over most areas.
Sweet-gum is the most abundant tree in the depressional area located at the northern end
and while pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) is most abundant in the swamp located at
the southern end. Both species occur regularly in both areas. Other canopy species
included red maple, laurel oak, swamp tupelo (Nyssa biflora), and scattered loblolly pine
along firmer edges. Shrub vegetation scattered along the edges of the depressions is
limited to individuals of shinyleaf and swamp bay. Virginia chain fern is the most
abundant herb noted.
Borrow Area
Two borrow areas, used at one time as a place to obtain soil materials, occur along the
project study area. One is in mixed pine-hardwood forest south of the pine plantation.
The other is nearer the southern end of the project study area between two cypress-gum
stands. Both borrow areas currently receive storm runoff from US 17. Borrow areas are
easily recognized by the presence of an exposed B-horizon at the surface of the soil
(since other horizons have been removed) and the presence of young arborescent
vegetation. Seasonal standing water is a regular feature of both occurrences of these
habitats. Water depths ranged from a wet surface to several inches perched over clay or
sandy loam. Both borrow areas contained populations of tadpoles and indications of
crayfish activity and due to seasonal changes in water levels provide breeding
opportunities for a variety of amphibians, including Carolina gopher frog if the species
still occurs in the vicinity.
The assemblages of plants recruited in borrow areas often depend on water depths and
species availability, or nearest seed or propagule sources. Early plant invaders are often
annuals which may remain, given maintenance of optimum conditions, for an extended
period of time. Pond cypress, sweet-gum, and young loblolly pine near drier edges, all of
small stature, are common. Shrubs other than swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) are
essentially absent. Herbaceous species are abundant and provide most cover in all areas.
Representatives of genera or species noted during the survey are spreading bulrush
(Scirpus divaricatus), lesser creeping rush (Juncus repens), marsh mermaidweed
(Proserpinaca palustris), hairy primrose-willow (Ludwigia pilosa), narrow-leaf primrose-
willow (Ludwigia linearis), beak sedge (Rhynchospora spp.), whitetop broom-sedge
(Andropogon virginicus), yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris sp.), and bladderwort (Utricularia
sp.).
Pine Plantation
One loblolly pine plantation bisected by Forest Service road (FSR) 204 occurs near the
northern end of the project study area. The plantation is dense and likely not over 5-8
years old. Co-dominant weedy species competing for light in the disturbed loamy soil
include saw-tooth blackberry (Rubus argutus), whiplash dewberry (Rubus flagellaris),
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), coastal bluestem (Andropogon glaucopsis),
bushy bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), horsebrier, broom-sedge (Andropogon
virginicus), and southern bayberry. Sweet-gum occurs sporadically.
21

US 17 Improvements
Highway Ditch Shoulder
Within the right-of-way of existing US 17 the roadside shoulder drops to a drainage ditch
which is bounded to the east by a maintained shoulder. The shoulder width varies from 5
to perhaps 15 feet along most portions of the highway. Soils and habitat vary depending
on past disturbance and moisture. Textures seem generally to be a mix of sandy and
loamy inclusions characteristic of somewhat disturbed soils. The shoulder is bordered by
a drainage ditch to the west and woodlands to the east. It is interrupted intermittently by
branches of the ditch system that turn eastward into the adjacent wetland habitats
discussed above. One ecological characteristic that influences the entire length of this
long, linear strip is regular maintenance mowing.
Of the many species present along this right-of-way, those casually noted during the
course of the survey were broom-sedge, yellow thistle (Cirsium horridulum), evening
trumpet-flower, leathery rush (Juncus coriaceus), Atlantic goldenrod (Solidago arguta),
spring-flowering goldenrod (Solidago verna), little-brown-jug (Hexastylis arifolia),
narrow-leaf silk-grass (Pityopsis graminifolia var. tenuifolia), common leopardbane
(Arnica acaulis), creeping blueberry, broad-leaf cat-tail (Typha latifolia), bushy bluestem,
common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), and Small's groundsel (Packera anonyma).
Non-Native Invasive Species
Surveys for non-native invasive species (NNIS) were undertaken in July 2014 for the 26
NNIS species that are listed as high and medium priorities for treatment on the CNF.
Eight species considered to be invasive by the USFS and characterized as high priority
for treatment were found to occur on NFS lands on the CNF within the evaluation area
(Figure 5). Table 2 lists NNIS infestations identified within the evaluation area.
Table 2. NNIS Identified in the Evaluation Area.
Scientific Name Common Name
Lespedeza cuneata Sericea Lespedeza
Albizia julibrissin Mimosa
Ligustrum sinense Chinese Privet
Rosa multiflora Multiflora Rose
Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle
Sorghum hale ense Johnson Grass
Wisteria sinensis Chinese Wisteria
Verbena brasiliensis Brazilian Vervain
22

Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
I,!
Figure 5. Evaluation Area for NNIS
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Nwvn native"Iva sive plant Species(MS1 tntestatY+ans
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For the purposes of this analysis potential treatment areas (PTAs) are those areas that are
known to have NNIS infestations or are likely to be affected by NNIS. These areas
include roads and disturbed habitats adjacent to roads. While dense NNIS infestations can
occur anywhere in the evaluation area, the highest densities of infestations often occur in
recently disturbed areas and travel corridors such as roadsides.
All eight of these NNIS were observed primarily in existing disturbed habitats on NFS
lands along woodland borders adjacent to roads and bordering NFS lands boundaries
adjacent to disturbed habitats. However, several species were found to have spread into
adjacent habitats, most notably Chinese privet, multiforal rose, and Chinese wisteria, and
to a lesser extent sericea lespedeza, mimosa, and Japanese honeysuckle.
23

i
US 17 Improvements
Direct and Indirect Effects
No-Build Alternative
The No-Build Alternative would result in no direct effects to individual plants and plant
communities within the botanical analysis area. NNIS may continue to spread within the
analysis area especially in areas that are disturbed by activities such as ditch and right-of-
way maintenance.
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3— Proposed Action
The clearing of the road right-of-way will have direct and indirect impacts on individual
plants located within road right-of-way and the old railroad grade. Vegetation will be
removed from the road right-of-way and the old railroad grade. The narrow width of the
clearing limits will not eliminate any plant communities in the project area. All of the
plant communities present in the project area will continue to be present in the
surrounding landscapes and across the CNF. Impacts to Threatened, Endangered,
Sensitive, and Locally Rare species will be discussed in a separate section of this
document.
Impacts to Botanical Resources from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
The highway construction activities and upgrading of the old railroad bed have the
potential to spread NNIS within the project area. However, treating these areas by
clearing and grubbing of NNIS prior to construction combined with post-construction
treatment will reduce NNIS in the project area. The reduction in NNIS would benefit
associated native plants. This alternative would help to restore native plant communities
to their natural associated species assemblage and control spread of NNIS into new areas
post-construction. Where rare species populations are prioritized for NNIS treatment, the
benefits would ensure continued viability of these rare species across the CNF.
Herbicide treatments may result in effects to non-target vegetation. However these effects
would be minimal since all treatments will be applied with either hand-held or backpack
spray equipment.Any adverse direct affects to non-targeted plants would be localized and
temporary. Most of the herbicides that are proposed for use have short half-lives, are
readily bound to soil particles, and are relatively target specific. For these reasons, effects
to nearby native plant species would be minimal.
Cumulative Effects
Past and present timber harvest, prescribed burning, and right-of-way maintenance
activities in the evaluation area have affected the invasion and spread of NNIS. These
activities will continue in portions of the evaluation area in the future and could result in
the continued spread of uncontrolled NNIS infestations. Without specific operational
mitigation measures, current and future timber management activities could result in the
spread of existing NNIS infestations.
Control of NNIS in the evaluation area will continue to be affected by NNIS infestations
on adjacent private and public lands. The longer the time between implementation of
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control efforts on the forests and implementation of similar measures on adjacent lands,
the less likely is the success of the proposed action. On private lands, control efforts tend
to be isolated and across small tracts of land.
i
There are no other know past, present, or future management actions that would impact
botanical resources within the proposed project area.
Aquatic Resources
Existing Condition
Jurisdictional wetlands in the study area were initially identified based on aerial
photography. A preliminary determination of the jurisdictional status of vegetated areas
was completed to aid in alternatives planning. Wetlands and surface waters within the
entire study area were then field delineated in 2000. The jurisdictional delineation was
reviewed and approved by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) during
on-site visits in May and August 2000. Wetland values and functions for 70
representative areas were evaluated; wetlands were also classified based on the source of
their dominant hydrologic influence and were characterized as either riverine or
nonriverine.
The USACE requested that jurisdictional delineations for the entire project be
redelineated and reverified with the USACE in March of 2007. During the summer of
2007, field work and documentation were completed for features falling within the
proposed right-of-way limits for Alternatives 2A, 2C, and 3. The information was
submitted to the USACE and the Division of Water Quality(DWQ). The USACE issued
a Notice of Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination in November 2009. Nine wetlands
totaling 17.8 acres were identified on NFS lands within the project area. Approximately
11.3 acres of the wetlands impacts on NFS lands are on currently disturbed lands within
the existing right-of-way for US 17. There are no perennial or intermittent streams
located within the proposed activity area on NFS lands.
Water occurring in habitats within the project study area comes from storm water diverted
by ditches along and around existing US 17 and from precipitation. Storm runoff appears
to accentuate the hydrology of many of the lower habitats in the project study area,
particularly those south of the pine plantation, and may be responsible for some
characteristics of habitat development and/or degradation in the depressions.
Most surface water is bounded by hardwood forest and eventually moves to the east via
broad, shallow channels and sheet flow. Presence of a now abandoned railroad grade
approximately 1150-1500 feet east of the project study area may promote a degree of
impoundment of runoff bound for topographically lower wetlands to the east.
Considering the low topographic relief of this area, standing water in the project study
area may, at times, be influenced by this damming effect.
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Direct and Indirect Effects
No-Build Alternative
There would be no effect/impact to aquatic resources under the No-Build alternative as
no actions are proposed and current conditions would be maintained.
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3
Impacts to wetland areas as a result of this project will be unavoidable during
construction and improvement operations. Avoidance and minimization of impacts to
wetlands and surface other waters was an iterative process. A series of meetings with the
Merger Process Team between 2006 through 2010 resulted in design revisions and
reductions in wetlands takings for all of the detailed study alternatives.
In addition to the direct impacts within the construction limits, other adverse impacts to
wetlands and aquatic sites associated with project construction could include direct or
indirect hydrologic impacts resulting from the alteration of drainage patterns. The
concentration of overland flow into pipes and the potential increases in stormwater runoff
could lead to downstream channel incision and consequent wetland hydrology alterations.
In addition to permanent alterations, temporary adverse impacts also may occur, such as
temporary clearing and filling associated with underground utility relocation and
construction access.
There will be no direct or indirect impacts to perennial or intermittent streams as none are
present on NFS lands within the project area.
Mitigation measures will be implemented to compensate for unavoidable impacts to
wetlands on NFS lands within the project area. The impacted wetlands will be replaced
on a 1:1 basis with compensatory wetland acres. See the Proposed Action Mitigation
Measures section of this document for additional information on wetlands mitigation.
Impacts to Aquatic Resources from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
All treatments undertaken would conform to policy, laws, and regulations, including the
NC Forest Practice Guidelines Related to Water Quality and the NC Best Management
Practices for Forestry in the Wetlands of NC. Mitigation measures listed in Proposed
Action Mitigation Measures section of this document would also minimize soil and water
contamination by herbicides.
Direct effects to soil and water resources may include some limited drift from fine mists
during application. Once in the soils, herbicides can migrate via gravity, leaching, and
surface runoff to other soils, groundwater, or surface water. However, many of the
herbicide treatments would be applied directly to targeted species and relatively little
herbicide would make contact with the soil. Due to the limited acreage and dispersed
extent of the areas, and the short half-lives of the chemicals proposed for use, the effects
would be temporary and minor.
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Indirect effects for the chemical treatments are typically some loss in ground cover as the
treated vegetation dies and decomposes. Because herbicides kill but do not physically
remove plants and their root systems, herbicide use would not increase the potential for
soil erosion. The dead plants would be expected to provide short-term soil stabilization
until native plants revegetate the area.
Implementation of the proposed action could result in minor, temporary effects, but
would not have long-term negative effects on aquatic resources.
Cumulative Effects
With required mitigation measures and application rates and methods, no herbicide is
expected to leave the evaluation area boundaries, and none is expected to enter the
evaluation area from other projects. Any effects of past herbicide use on other lands will
likely have dissipated.
The impacts from the proposed treatment activities are negligible and would contribute
little or no incremental effect when combined with impacts of other past, present, or
future activities. Consequently, they are not expected to contribute to any measurable
increase in cumulative degradation to soil or hydrological resources.
There are no other known past, present or management actions that would impact aquatic
resources on NFS lands in the activity area. Therefore, there are no expected cumulative
impacts to aquatic resources on NFS lands in the activity area.
Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive, and Locally Rare
Species
This section summarizes the effects that the proposed activities may have on threatened
and endangered (T&E); Regional Forester's Sensitive (S); and Locally Rare (LR) plant
and animal species.
Existing Condition
Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species
There are two federally threatened, endangered, or proposed threatened or endangered
species and nine sensitive species that have potentially suitable habitat within the
proposed activity area and were analyzed for potential effects. Only one of these eleven
species, spring-flowering goldenrod, is known to occur in the activity area. Table 3 lists
the eleven species that have potential habitat or are known to exist in the activity area.
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Table 3. Threatened (T), Endangered (E),Proposed Threatened (P), and Sensitive
(S) Species that are known within the activity area or have potential habitat within
the activity area
Scientific Name Type Common Name Presence
Federally Proposed,Threatened or Endangered Species
Picoides borealis-E Bird Red-cockaded Woodpecker Not know to occur
in activity area
Myotis septentrionalis-P Mammal Northern Long-eared Bat Not know to occur
in activity area
Region 8 Regional Forester's Sensitive Species
Cleistesiopsis oricamporum Plant Small Coastal Spreading Not know to occur
Pogonia in activity area
Fissidens hallo Plant Hall's Pocket Moss Not know to occur
in activity area
Frullania donnellii Plant A Liverwort Not know to occur
in activity area
Lobelia boykinii Plant Boykin's Lobelia Not know to occur
in activity area
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa Plant Raven's Seedbox Not know to occur
in activity area
Lysimaehia loomisii Plant Loomis's Loosestrife Not know to occur
in activity area
Rhynchospora galeana Plant Short-bristled Beaksedge Not know to occur
in activity area
Solidago verna Plant Spring-flowering Goldenrod Known to occur in
the activity area
Rana capito Amphibian Carolina Gopher Frog Not know to occur
in activity area
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) - Endangered
Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is a federally endangered species with known
occurrences on the CNF. Suitable foraging and nesting habitat are present within the
evaluation area. In addition, the proposed US 17 project would pass through Cluster
#134, an approximately 370-acre future recruitment area, resulting in a loss of potential
habitat within the recruitment area. Cluster #134 has been identified for future habitat
management. There are no natural RCW cavities or artificial RCW nest cavities at this
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location (Gary Kauffman, personal communication). No RCW cavity trees have been
identified within the evaluation area or within 0.5 mile of the evaluation area.
Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis)—Proposed Threatened
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed listing the northern long-
' eared bat (NLEB) as an endangered species in October 2013. Since the proposal for
listing the USFWS has determined the northern long-eared bat meets the Endangered
Species Act's definition of threatened. Under the Act, a threatened species is likely to
become endangered in the foreseeable future, while an endangered species is currently in
danger of becoming extinct. The listing of the NLEB as a threatened species becomes
effect May 2, 2015.
The nearest verified records of NLEB are from New Hanover, Washington, and Wake
Counties (NCNHP 2014). USFWS also has acoustic evidence for NLEB from Jones
County (USFWS 2014). Since the full extent of the NLEB range in eastern North
Carolina is currently unknown, the USFWS considers all eastern counties as potentially
within the species' range. NCDOT will continue to work closely with the USFWS and
USFS to determine how this forthcoming listing may impact this project and if additional
documentation is needed.
NLEB surveys were conducted in July 2014 on the west side of the CNF in conjunction
with the proposed widening of US 17. The acoustic survey results (from 38 acoustic
monitoring nights) were analyzed by two software programs. A total of nine calls were
identified as NLEBs from both automated identification programs, BCID and EchoClass.
Multiple calls were also identified as Indiana bats and gray bats by BCID and EchoClass,
although neither species' range extends into central or eastern North Carolina; the results
are presumed to be false positives.
Manual analysis was conducted to select calls with the most NLEB characteristics. This
subset of calls was sent to two acoustic experts (Chris Corben, Titley Scientific, and Dr.
Joy O'Keefe, Indiana State University) for further analysis. Most of the calls were
determined to be Southeastern bats (Myotis austroriparius). According to the experts, six
calls had potential to be from NLEBs, but neither expert saw conclusive evidence that
NLEB were present.
As a follow-up to the acoustic surveys, 14 nights of mist-netting were conducted in July
and August 2014 for the US 17 project, but no NLEBs were captured. In addition to the
negative mist-netting results for US 17, the following negative surveys results were also
obtained in and adjacent to CNF:
• Six nights of mist-netting in CNF along the proposed Havelock bypass corridor in
2005 (NCDOT).
• Five nights of mist-netting adjacent to CNF at the Croatan Wetland Mitigation
Bank(CWMB) from 2007-2010 (NCDOT).
• One night of mist-netting in Carteret County at the southern edge of CNF in 2009
(NCDOT).
• Acoustic driving transects conducted on CNF in 2010 by USFS staff and analyzed
by University of North Carolina-Greensboro staff(Pittaway and Kalcounis-
Rueppell,2014 report to NC Wildlife Resources Commission).
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US 17 Improvements
Based on the extensive surveys, acoustical analysis, and negative results of the mist-
netting conducted within the project area and surrounding areas there is limited evidence
to suggest that NLEBs are present within the study area.
Spring-flowering Golden Rod (Solidago verna)-Sensitive
Spring-flowering goldenrod is found in moist pine savanna habitats as well as Iower
slopes in sandhills and roadsides in pineland habitats. Potentially suitable habitat was
identified in the evaluation area and surveys confirmed this species is present in the
evaluation area. One occurrence of this species is present in the evaluation area. This
occurrence is approximately 9.33 acres in extent and includes areas on NFS lands,
NCDOT Right-of-Way, and private property.
Surveys were conducted for T&E, Proposed T&E, and S species that are known to occur
or with potential habitat within the proposed activity area. Surveys in combination with
records available from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) and the
USFS concluded no other T&E, Proposed T&E, or S species are known to occur within
the activity area. For additional information and analysis on all T&E, Proposed T&E, and
S species known to occur or with potential habitat with the activity area see the
"Biological Evaluation Report for the US 17 (R-2514)" dated April 15, 2415.
Locally Rare Species
There are 18 locally rare plant and 15 locally rare animal species known to occur or with
potential habitat within the activity area. Surveys were conducted in combination with
records available from the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NCNHP) and the
USFS for LR species that were known to occur or with potential habitat within the
proposed activity area. None of the 18 locally rare plant species were located within or
are known to occur within the activity area. There is one known occurrence of
southeastern mytosis (Mytosis austrorparius) within 0,5 mile of US 17 along the
abandoned railroad bed that runs through the CNF. One occurrence of eastern
diamondback rattlesnake (C'rotalus adamanteus) is potentially located in the activity area.
None of the other 13 locally rare animal species have been document in or are known to
occur within the activity area. For additional information on all locally rare species
known to occur or with potential habitat with the activity area see the document
"Biological Evaluation Report for the US 17 (R-2514)" dated April 15, 2015.
Direct and Indirect Effects
No-Build Alternative
There would be no direct or indirect effects to any threatened, endangered, proposed
threatened or endangered, sensitive, or locally rare species under the No-Build alternative
as no actions are proposed and current conditions would be maintained.
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
I Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 - Proposed Action
Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species
Rcd-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) - Endangered
Project-related impacts will result in the loss of 12.9 acres of forested land associated
j with RCW recruitment Cluster #134. The impacts to Cluster #134 will be limited to the
western boundary of the proposed foraging area for the future recruitment cluster, and
this area is on the western boundary of the CNF with little opportunity for future
management on private lands further to the west. Based on the limited impact to potential
foraging and nesting habitat and the lack of nesting cavities within 0.5 mile of the
evaluation area there will be no project related impacts that would threaten the viability
of RCW on the CNF.
Northern Long-eared Bat(Myotis septentrionalis)—Proposed Threatened
Based on limited evidence to suggest that NLEBs are present within the study area,
NLEBs will not be affected by the proposed project. NCDOT will continue to coordinate
with USFWS and USFS to determine if this project will incur potential effects to the
northern long-eared bat, and how to address these potential effects, if necessary. For
additional information on the analysis of NLEB see `Biological Evaluation Report for the
US 17 (R-2514) April 15, 2015, Attachment 4: Protected Species Survey Report
December 2014".
Spring-flowering Golden Rod (Solidago verna) - Sensitive
One Sensitive species, spring-flowering goldenrod, is known to occur within the
proposed activity area. Alternative 2A1Altemative 3 directly affects 6.51 acres of
occupied habitat on NFS lands and additional areas occupied by spring-flowering
goldenrod may be subject to indirect impacts. The remaining 2.82 acres of occupied
habitat associated with this occurrence are located adjacent to the existing US 17
roadway and will be subject to potential indirect effects. The direct impacts for the
proposed alternative are not likely to result in a loss of viability on NFS lands within the
CNF.
With implementation of mitigation measures agreed to between NCDOT and USFS, it
was determined the project is not likely to result in viability concerns for this species
across the CNF. These mitigation measures (see Proposed Action and Alternative Section,
Proposed Action Mitigation Measures) include measures proposed for controlling the
spread of NNIS plant species on NFS lands; in addition, seed collection is being
undertaken for spring-flowering goldenrod for use in establishing new sites at suitable
locations on the CNF. The proposed project will not impact any other Sensitive plant or
animal species.
Locally Rare Species
The proposed project will not impact any Locally Rare plant species. Four CNF Locally
Rare animal species have recently or previously been located within the proposed activity
area, or are presumed present. The project may impact individuals of southeastern myotis,
black-throated green warbler, glossy crayfish snake, and black swamp snake, but with
implementation of mitigation measures agreed to between NCDOT and USFS, it was
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determined the project is not likely to result in viability concerns for any of these species
across the CNF. For species requiring open habitats or habitats free of NNIS shrub
encroachment, implementation of habitat conservation measures previously proposed by
NCDOT, including implementation of measures proposed for controlling the spread of
NNIS plant species on NFS lands would provide appropriate mitigation to maintain the
quality of adjacent habitats for these species.
Impacts to TES and Locally Rare Species from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
Pre-construction herbicide applications are planned for the majority of the treatment sites
in close proximity to rare plant species. The intended purpose of herbicide application is
to kill target vegetation. Some proposed herbicides are somewhat selective and can be
more efficaceous at eradicating targeted woody plant species, broad leaf species,
members of the legume family, or primarily cool season grasses. The potentially affected
USFS rare plant species, spring-flowering goldenrod, is herbaceous. Additional periodic
treatments are anticipated post-construction for areas adjacent to the new roadway.
Spring-flowering goldenrod is proposed to be re-established through re-seeding of the
newly established maintained areas adjacent to the new roadway and would benefit from
NNIS control.
If possible, treatments in known herbaceous rare plant sites will utililize triclopyr. In
general this herbicide is most effective against woody plants although specific impacts to
rare herbaceous species are not known.
In order to reduce non-target herbicide impacts to rare plant populations, a qualified
botanist would visit the site with applicators prior to any treatment. The goal is to train
the applicators on identification of the rare plant species as well as provide any site-
specific application techniques. Treatment areas would be surveyed by a qualified
botanist prior to any implementation and as a part of the specialist checklist procedure.
The following mitigation measures would be followed at sites with USFS rare plant
species present to reduce any non-target herbicide drift onto federally listed species;
1) All NNIS within 10 feet of any USFS rare species will be cut back to within 6
inches of the ground for woody stems and to expose the root crown for vining
stems.
2) A barrier (such as an appropriately sized cardboard sheet) will be placed between
the targeted NNIS and the USFS rare species.
3) Herbicide applications will be applied to cut stems with a small wick applicator if
possible or with a small spray bottle that minimizes non-target herbicide drift.
These control measures would greatly reduce the risk of impacts to any of the rare plant
species pre-construction, and would reduce the risk to re-established populations post-
construction.
Direct and indirect effects from the application of herbicides to TES and locally rare
terrestrial animal species would be similar to those disclosed for wildlife resources.
32

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�. Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Manual treatment methods would not result in any adverse impacts to known rare plant or
animal populations.
Cumulative Effects
Cumulative impacts associated with US 70 Havelock Bypass (R-1015) will directly
impact another large population of spring-flowering goldenrod on NFS lands. The two
largest Spring-flowering goldenrod populations within the CNF may be potentially
impacted by the two major highway projects. Cumulative impacts associated with the
DEP overhead ground wire replacement project may impact individuals of this species,
but the project was determined to not likely result in viability concerns across the CNF.
The direct impacts for Alternative 2AIAltemative 3 are not likely to result in a loss of
viability on NFS lands within the CNF, but with the inclusion of indirect and cumulative
impacts, construction of Alternative 3 would contribute to an impact to a significant
portion of the overall population on the CNF, particularly for the population within the
evaluation area, that may result in viability concern on NFS lands within the CNF.
The proposed project will impact spring-flowering goldenrod; however, with
implementation of the required mitigation measures agreed to between NCDOT and
USFS, it is determined that the proposed project is not likely to cause a loss of viability
for spring-flowering goldenrod on NFS lands in the CNF. Conservation measures agreed
to between NCDOT and USFS include implementation of measures for controlling the
spread of NNIS plant species on NFS lands. In addition, NCDOT has also agreed to
collect seeds from spring-flowering goldenrod from the impact areas for establishing new
populations on NFS lands in areas identified as potentially suitable based on favorable
soil and hydrology conditions. Seed collection was initiated for spring-flowering
goldenrod from the evaluation area in 2010 and has been conducted annually through
2014.
Contingent upon USFS granting an easement for the US 70 Havelock Bypass (R-1015),
transfer of the CWMB tract to the USFS from NCDOT would add occurrences of two bat
species (southeastern myotis and Rafinesque's big-eared bat) and one warbler species
(black-throated green warbler) to NFS lands on the CNF and would help ensure these
species are viable on the CNF. In addition, CWMB will contribute potentially suitable
habitat for glossy crayfish snake and black swamp snake.
There are no known past, present or future management activities in the project area that
would have cumulative impacts to any other T&E, Proposed T&E, S, or LR plant or
animal species.
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US 17 Improvements
Management Indicator Species
Existing Condition
Management Indicator Species (MIS) on the CNF were selected by the U.S. Forest
Service (USFS) to provide insight into the forest trends, species diversity, and habitat
changes resulting from proposed forest management alternatives. The MIS species for the
CNF and habitats utilized are listed below in Table 4.
Table 4. MIS and Utilized Habitats for the CNF.
Management Indicator Species Habitats Utilized
Eastern Black Bear Pocosin I
(Ursus americanus) Oak-Gum-Cypress Oak-Beech-Hickory
Pond Pine Woodlands
Red-cockaded Woodpecker Pine Savanna 1
(Picoides borealis) Pine Flatwoods
Wild Turkey Maritime Forest
(Meleagris gallapavo) Mature Pine/Hardwood Forests Oak-Gum-
Cypress
Oak-Beech-Hickory 1
Longleaf Pine Dry Sandhills
(Pines palustris) Pine Savanna
Mesic and Wet Pine Flatwoods
Wiregrass Dry Sandhills
(Aristida stricta) Pine Savanna
Mesic and Wet Pine Flatwoods
Favored Habitat (USFS 2002)
Eastern Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
The estimated population trend for the eastern black bear in the Coastal Plain of North
Carolina is projected to increase slightly(North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
(NCWRC) 2012). Over the last 40 years the population of eastern black bears in the
Coastal Plain and its range has steadily increased through management activities, the
establishment of eastern black bear sanctuaries, consistent food sources, and contiguous
habitat and travel corridors. Eastern black bears prefer large, contiguous Pocosin
ecosystems, where there is little human disturbance and a good source of food from
hardwood mast species or adjacent agricultural crops. The eastern black bear trend on the
CNF likely mimics the trends of the Coastal Plain of North Carolina since it is actively
managed by the USFS and contains one of the largest core habitats for the eastern black
bear in the state (USFS 2002). Big game hunting for eastern black bear is a significant
recreational activity on the CNF and aids in the management of the species (USFS 2002).
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Croatan Ranger District,Croatan National Forest
Long-term trends are impacted by the fragmentation of existing habitats and travel
corridors and the ability of the CNF to effectively utilize tools such as prescribed
burning. Increased road densities may cause the eastern black bear to shift their home
range to avoid the disturbance. With an ever-growing human population in North
Carolina, it will be important to maintain the existing eastern black bear habitats and
sanctuaries in the state. The eastern black bear population on the CNF should have an
upward trend over the next decade. This is due in part to the large quantity of preferred
habitat (pocosin) on the CNF and the continued management of its resources by the
USFS.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker(Picoides borealis)
The statewide population trend for the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) stabilized
during the 1990s following the implementation of better management strategies for the
species (NCWRC 2014a). The species prefers mature to over mature, fire-maintained
pine forests in the southeastern US such as pine flatwoods and pine dominated savannas
(NCDOT 2011). In 1992, the Croatan National Forest RCW Management Plan was
developed to link the fragmented RCW populations (NCDOT 2011). The RCW and many
other species have ultimately benefited from the management and restoration of longleaf
pinelwiregrass communities on the CNF. The on-going conversion of stands from
loblolly to longleaf pine coupled with the use of prescribed burning for controlling the
understory has continually improved the RCW foraging habitat. Longer rotation periods
for longleaf and other pine stands being implemented on the CNF will further increase
the suitable habitat for the species (USFS 2002). Currently, active clusters are relatively
stable on the CNF as a result of forest management activities (Kauffinan 2014). Due to
the CNF management activities for RCW and longleaf pine and the time required to
restore or to create optimal RCW habitat, the projected population trend is likely to
remain stable or slightly increase.
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapavo)
The statewide population of the wild turkey has steadily increased over the last four
decades from just 2,000 birds in 1970 to over 150,000 in 2009 (NCWRC 2014b). This
tremendous increase is due primarily to better hunting regulations, increased habitat
management, and a successful release program (NCWRC 2014b). Wild turkeys need a
mixture of open land and forested habitats to meet their cover, foraging, and roosting
requirements (NCWRC, 2014b). A wild turkey requires good site visibility when
selecting a habitat to utilize (NCWRC, 2010). Mature pine and hardwood forests with
mast-producing species and an open midstory are one of the preferred habitats for the
wild turkey (NCWRC 2010; Peoples 2014). Wild turkeys also prefer areas adjacent to
streams and rivers such as bottomland hardwood stands for their mast producing
hardwood species and for use as travel corridors (USFS 2002). Wild turkeys also utilize
areas such as agricultural fields, grasslands, and open woods while roosting and foraging
(NCWRC 2010).
The CNF has also seen an increase in the number of wild turkeys across its acreage since
1970 (USFS 2002). This increase on the CNF is likely due to the sheer size of the CNF
and its current management objectives. The CNF utilizes prescribed fire, long rotation
periods, and thinning throughout the forest, which helps to improve the wild turkey
habitat by providing mature, open forest stands. The long-term population trend for the
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US 17 Improvements
wild turkey will likely remain stable to slightly increasing on the CNF with the current
management objectives.
Longleaf Pine(Pinus patustris)
The current trend for longleaf pine is stable to slightly increasing across its original range
in North Carolina. This is due to a renewed public interest in the species over the last
two decades (NCDOT 2014). With the management of longleaf pine being directly linked
to other species such as RCW and wiregrass, its role in the ecosystem has returned to the
forefront. Longleaf pine stands exist on dry sandhills to mesic pine flatwoods. This slow
growing species is adapted to a range of habitats and its existence is linked to fire.
Wiregrass (Aristida strieta)
Recent management trends in the CNF indicate that wiregrass is currently stable to
slightly decreasing within the CNF due to a reduction in prescribed burning (Kauffman
2014). Increases in development throughout its range and its sensitivity to physical
disturbance (i.e. compaction, plowing, grading, clearing, scraping, etc.) have led to a
reduction in its total acreage. The species can be found in a range of habitats from moist
flatwoods and savannas to dry sandhills. The species is shallow rooted, slow to spread,
shade intolerant, and its seeds have difficulty germinating without optimal conditions.
Established wiregrass communities are maintained through early summer prescribed
burns and management prescriptions focused on reducing the hardwood shrub layer. Due
to the difficulties in growing wiregrass, the CNF has management objectives that are
focused on creating optimal conditions for its establishment. Since it is being actively
managed together with longleaf pine and the RCW, its chances for increase are much
greater on the CNF than other areas such as private lands. Therefore, the long-term trend
for wiregrass on the CNF is projected to be stable to slightly increasing.
Direct and Indirect Effects
No-Build Alternative
There would be no direct effects to any MIS under the No Build Alternative because no
actions would occur. Black bear and wild turkey will continue to be at high risk of
mortality while attempting to cross existing US Highway 17. There are no indirect
impacts expected on RCW, longleaf pine, or wiregrass.
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 — Proposed Action
Eastern Black Bear(Ursus anterieanus)
The proposed action primarily affects maintained/disturbed habitats and generally limits
impacts to natural habitats to the western edge of the CNF adjacent to the existing US 17
roadway thus minimizing habitat loss. In addition, the proposed action includes the
construction of a wildlife crossing that will provide a linkage between NFS lands on the
Croatan and non-NFS lands on Hofmann Forest to the west of US 17 and facilitate a safer
crossing of the highway corridor for bears. The proposed action will not decrease the
amount of available suitable habitat for the eastern black bear on the CNF, nor will the
proposed action directly impact the core black bear habitat on the CNF.
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Pic©ides borealis)
The proposed action will impact RCW habitat on the CNF. The proposed action crosses
the western edge of pine stands designated as foraging habitat for a future recruitment
area for RCW (Cluster#134)resulting in a loss of potential habitat within the recruitment
area. Cluster#134 is a future recruitment area that is approximately 370 acres in size and
was identified for future habitat management. No natural RCW cavities exist and no
artificial RCW nest cavities are in place in Cluster#134 (Kauffman 2014).
Project-related impacts will result in the loss of 129 acres of pine-dominated forest
habitat associated with Cluster #134. The impacts to Cluster #134 will be limited to the
western boundary of the proposed foraging area for the future recruitment cluster, and
this area is on the western boundary of the CNF adjacent to the existing US 17 roadway
with little opportunity for future management on private lands further to the west. The
loss of 129 acres of pine habitat will not substantially diminish the availability of pine
habitat within the vicinity of future recruitment Cluster #134 or prevent the remaining
pine habitat from supporting a RCW cluster in the future. In addition, the loss of pine
habitat along the edge of the Cluster #134 should not have any negative affect on the
ability to manage lands within cluster #134 to improve RCW habitat. Therefore, the
implementation of the proposed action should not have an adverse impact on the stable to
slightly increasing population trend for the RCW across the CNF.
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapav©)
The proposed action primarily affects maintained/disturbed habitats and generally limits
impacts to natural habitats to the western edge of the CNF adjacent to the existing US 17
roadway thus minimizing habitat loss. In addition, the proposed action includes the
construction of a wildlife crossing that will provide a linkage between NFS lands on the
Croatan and non-NFS lands on Hofinann Forest to the west of US 17 and facilitate a safer
crossing of the highway corridor for wild turkey. The proposed action will not decrease
the amount of available suitable habitat for the wild turkey on the CNF.
Longleaf Pine (Pines palustris)
The proposed action primarily affects maintained/disturbed habitats and generally limits
impacts to natural habitats to the western edge of the CNF adjacent to the existing US 17
roadway thus minimizing habitat loss. These natural habitats do not include longleaf pine
as a component. A few isolated seedlings of longleaf pine were observed within the
maintained/disturbed habitat but it is unlikely that these individuals will reach maturity
due to the frequent management that this habitat experiences.
The proposed action will result in the loss of approximately 12.9 acres of forested habitat
from a RCW future recruitment cluster. This area is currently composed of loblolly pine
but through future management for RCW could include longleaf pine as a component.
The existing longleaf pine loss associated with construction will be minor and the loss of
potential longleaf pine habitat will be slightly greater but will not result in any significant
change in the trend for longleaf pine on the CNF.
The proposed action will not significantly affect longleaf pine or the amount of suitable
habitat for longleaf pine forest-wide. Therefore, the upward population trend for longleaf
pine on the CNF will not change as a result of the implementation of the proposed action.
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Wiregrass (Aristida stricta)
The proposed action primarily affects maintained/disturbed habitats and generally limits
impacts to natural habitats to the western edge of the CNF adjacent to the existing US 17
roadway thus minimizing habitat loss. These natural habitats do not include wiregrass as
a component. A few isolated clumps of wiregrass were observed within the
maintained/disturbed habitat where regular mowing occurs.
The proposed action will not significantly affect wiregrass or the area of suitable habitat
for wiregrass forest-wide. Therefore, the current population trend of stable to decreasing
for wiregrass on the CNF, with a potential future trend of stable to slightly increasing,
will not change as a result of the implementation of the proposed action.
Impacts to MIS from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
Because the proposed herbicide treatments would be performed manually by technicians
and contractors targeting specific NNIS, direct effects to wildlife MIS are highly unlikely.
With manual or mechanical treatments, direct effects to wildlife MIS are extremely
unlikely because the MIS will likely leave the immediate vicinity of the treatment area
upon initial observance of the field crews.
The longleaf pine-wiregrass community is not present within the proposed action area. A
few individuals of longleaf pine and scattered bunches of wiregrass are present in the
maintained/disturbed community adjacent to the existing US 17 roadway. Therefore, the
longleaf pine-wiregrass community will not be negatively impacted by treatment of
NNIS.
Cumulative Effects
Eastern Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
The proposed transfer of the 4,035-acre CWMB from NCDOT to USFS, including over
2,000 acres of suitable bear habitat (Cypress-Gum Swamp and Pocosin), would provide a
significant increase in the eastern black bear habitat on NFS lands in the CNF. Eastern
black bear has been documented on the CWMB site(NCDOT 2002).
The suitable habitat additions from the CWMB would allow greater connectivity
throughout NFS lands of the CNF for the eastern black bear and facilitate the overall
management of the species. Because the core habitat for the eastern black bear will not be
impacted and additional acreage of suitable habitat for black bear would be added to the
CNF with transfer of the CWMB property, neither the proposed action nor the additional
alternatives considered will change the upward trend for the eastern black bear
populations on the CNF.
Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Because there are no expected project related impacts to the viability of RCW on the
CNF there are no cumulative impacts to the viability of RCW expected.
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Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest
Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallapavo)
The CWMB includes a wide range of pine and hardwood stands that will likely provide
additional areas of suitable habitat for wild turkey, which has been documented on the
CWMB property (NCDOT 2002). The suitable habitat additions from the CWMB will
allow greater connectivity throughout the CNF for wild turkey and facilitate the overall
management of the species. Since the suitable habitat for the wild turkey will not be
impacted and additional acreage of suitable habitat for wild turkey is expected to be
added to the CNF in the future, neither the proposed action nor the additional alternatives
considered will change the upward trend for the wild turkey populations on the CNF.
Longleaf Pine (Pines palustris)
The CNF management objectives are focused on restoring longleaf pine through species
conversion from loblolly pine, on sites that have suitable moisture and soil conditions.
Once longleaf pine has been established on the converted site, the stands are then
maintained through the use of prescribed burning and long rotation periods. The long-
term trend for longleaf pine on the CNF will continue upward with the current
management objectives and so many other species' objectives being linked to its
sustained management.
Wiregrass (Aristida stricta)
Because roadsides will continue to be mowed, the reduction in NNIS would have a
beneficial effect on Wiregrass by reducing competition from NNIS species, but would not
affect longleaf pine that may attempt to colonize similar maintained/disturbed community
type post-project. However,because the area to be treated is within a maintained right-of-
way adjacent to the existing US 17 roadway, and would be in a similar setting post-
construction, the overall effects to MIS would be negligible. Active management of the
longleaf pinelwiregrass ecosystem on the CNF including species conversion from
loblolly pine to longleaf pine and maintenance through the use of prescribed burning will
continue the long-term upward trend for wiregrass.
Air Quality
Existing Condition
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the North Carolina Department
of the Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) share responsibility for protecting
air quality in the state. Air quality is defined according to criteria established by the
USEPA in the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA), these criteria, designated as the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), were established for six air pollutants: carbon
monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate
matter (PM10), and ozone (03). The NAAQS has set levels of air pollutants and
exposure periods that pose no significant threat to human health or welfare. North
Carolina has adopted these air quality standards.
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All areas within North Carolina are designated as either attainment, non-attainment, or
unclassifiable with respect to each of the six pollutants under the NAAQS. Areas that
have pollutant concentrations below the NAAQS are designated as attainment.
Conversely, areas where the NAAQS are exceeded are designated as non-attainment. In
non-attainment areas, a State Implementation Plan (SIP) is developed to bring the area
into compliance with the NAAQS. Areas where available data is insufficient for
classification are designated as unclassifiable. The project is located in Jones County,
which has been determined to comply with the NAAQS. The proposed project is located
in an attainment area.
Direct and Indirect Effect
No-Build Alternative
There would be no direct or indirect effects to air quality under the No Build Alternative
because no actions would occur. The air quality would continue to meet NAAQS and the
project area would continue as an attainment area under state standards.
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 --Proposed Action
Temporary degradation of the air quality in the project area would result from the
construction activities. Initial clearing and grubbing would produce dust and exhaust
emissions. Exhaust from diesel-powered equipment, increased congestion on roadway
segments under construction, and dust from clearing and grading operations also
contribute to local air quality levels during construction. The contractor would be
responsible for controlling dust at the project site and at areas affected by the
construction, including unpaved secondary roads, haul roads, access roads, disposal sites,
and production sites. Dust control measures may include the following activities:
➢ Minimizing exposed earth surface
➢ Temporary and permanent seeding and mulching
➢ Watering work and haul areas during dry periods
➢ Covering, shielding,or stabilizing material stockpiles
➢ Using covered haul trucks
Air quality impacts will be temporary and dispersed over a relatively large area. Best
Management Practices and standard specifications established by NCDOT provide
compliance requirements to limit impacts.
Cumulative Effects
Prescribed burning on public or private land near the project area may contribute to
cumulative impacts to air quality along with construction activities. Effects to air quality
from prescribed burning are short-term and typically last less than 24 hours. Because the
impacts to air quality from prescribed burning are short-term and the impacts to air
quality from construction activities are temporary and controllable by the dust control
measures listed above, no long-term adverse cumulative impacts to air quality are
expected from construction activities on US Highway 17.
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Visual Resources
Existing Condition
The portion of the project area located on NFS lands is forested. The land across US 17
from NFS lands is privately owned and is mostly rural with scattered residences,
businesses, forests, and cultivated land. The landscape's visual character is shaped by
manmade and natural features including rural residences and wooded forests (both
managed and unmanaged) and agricultural lands. The outer limits of the community of
Maysville are also part of the landscape.
Many of the NNIS targeted for treatment in this proposal were introduced as ornamental
species for their aesthetic qualities. These trees, shrubs and vines that are known for their
attractive flowers and/or ability to form hedges or ground covers include mimosa,
Chinese privet, honeysuckle, and multiforal rose. Since their introduction to the United
States, these species have become a noticeable component of the forest landscape. The
spread of many of these species is accelerated along roads where people and vehicles act
as dispersers of seeds.
Direct and Indirect Effect
No-Build Alternative
There would be no direct or indirect effects to visual resources under the No Build
Alternative because no actions would occur on NFS lands. The landscapes visual
character on NFS lands would remain the same.
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 —Proposed Action
The visual experience of any corridor depends a great deal on the observer. It is a
combination of the resources actually seen and the viewer's response. A variety of
physical conditions can affect the viewer's perception, going beyond merely seeing an
object. For example, as the distance between an object and the observer increases, the
ability to see details of that object decreases.
To help describe the perceived views of the new facility, viewer groups can be divided
into categories by their location, their awareness of their surroundings, and their
expectations.
• The location of the viewer has a great effect on the perception. At the most basic
level, two distinct groups observe the highway: motorists using the facility and
viewers in other locations looking towards the road.
• The awareness of the viewer (i.e. how receptive someone is to the visual
experience) is influenced by a variety of factors. Sensitivity and personal
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preferences impact awareness. Activities influence how receptive a viewer is; for
instance, someone driving in heavy traffic or through a construction zone will pay
less attention to visual elements of the surroundings than a driver touring the area
to observe scenery. Dramatic changes can increase awareness, such as entering a
city, cresting a hill, or the sudden appearance of a large feature.
Drivers generally have a narrowed field of visual perception as they concentrate on
driving tasks. All individual views from the roadway are relatively short duration due to
the movement of the viewer. As speed increases, the breadth of lateral vision decreases
and the observer tends to focus more directly before them, along the line of travel.
Principal groups that have views from US 17 are local residents, commuter traffic, and
tourists. Tourists and vehicle passengers have the highest viewer sensitivity (i.e., they are
more attuned to their visual surroundings) but low view frequency. Local traffic is
considered moderately sensitive because they view the area more frequently and they are
more sensitive to changes. Commuters view the surroundings frequently, making them
generally indifferent to the view after so many repetitions. For this reason, commuter
traffic is considered to have a low sensitivity to the visual experience.
Widening along the existing alignment in Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 will not have a
major impact on the viewshed from the route. The width of right-of-way and scale of
paved areas will be noticeably increased, changing the appearance of the corridor for
residents viewing the highway.
Measures incorporated into the project that minimize visual impacts include minimizing
cut and fill slopes by following existing ground lines where possible, and implementing a
landscaping plan for areas within the roadway right of way. The landscaping plan would
be designed to integrate landscaping into the project design to promote visual continuity
and to blend it into the natural landscape as much as possible. It is the policy of NCDOT
to incorporate aesthetic features into the roadway design. The NCDOT will attempt to
minimize vegetation losses throughout the roadway design process to create an
aesthetically pleasing and functional roadway that minimizes visual impacts.
Short-term visual impacts during construction are likely to occur, more noticeably for
segments along the existing US 17 route. Visual impacts during construction would affect
a greater number of people for a longer period of time under Alternative 2A/Altemative
3. Construction would take longer because traffic flow would still need to be maintained
along the existing roadway. The construction activities would be visible to more people
for a longer period of time as they travel US 17.
Impacts to Visual Resources from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
There would be a short term visual impact of seeing dead vegetation that has been treated
with herbicides. These effects would be short term as the target vegetation would quickly
deteriorate and the native vegetation would revegetate the treatment area.
Long term visual effects of herbicide application would be positive since areas targeted
for treatment would become reestablished with native vegetation. Native plant diversity
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would increase once the NNIS vegetation is eliminated and native vegetation reoccupies
the available growing space. In addition, the physical impediment posed by some of these
invasive plants would be eliminated allowing easier access.
Forest standards require the public be informed of treatments in specific areas to reduce
impacts and to avoid contact with recently treated areas (Forest Service Handbook
7109.11). These actions would minimize adverse effects to the recreating public from
herbicide application and exposures.
Some manual and mechanical treatments may interfere with dispersed recreation for a
short period of time. Activities such as mowing could temporarily alter the physical
appearance of treated areas. However, any such activities would be limited to areas of
prior physical disturbance such as roadsides and overall effects would be negligible.
Cumulative Effects
There are no known past, present, or actions that would impact visual resources on NFS
lands within the project area; therefore, there are no expected cumulative impacts to
visual resources. However, future development of private land across US 17 from NFS
lands could change the view of the landscape from NFS lands.
Human Health and Safety
Existing Condition
The activities with the greatest impact to human health and safety within the existing
project area are associated with existing US Highway 17. Crash rates along US 17 are
higher than the state average for similar facilities in fatal, non-fatal injury, and night
accidents. Traffic crashes are often the visible result of deficiencies in the capacity and
safety characteristics of a transportation facility. Accident data from 2006-2009 include
but are not limited to collisions with other vehicles, animals including wildlife,
pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Direct and Indirect Effect
No-Build Alternative
The No-Build Alternative would not improve traffic flow or congestion along US
Highway 17. Projected future increases in traffic volume along US 17 will result in an
increased potential for all types of crashes if no improvements are made to the existing
facility.
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Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 —Proposed Action
The construction of the proposed action would substantially reduce the amount of traffic
on existing US 17 by bypassing population centers and minimize the number of
potentially dangerous conflicts between high-speed through-traffic and slower-moving
traffic accessing local destinations. In turn, this would reduce the total number of
accidents occurring on both the developed and rural sections of the existing roadway.
Safety features on the new US Highway 17 would help limit the severity of high speed
crashes. The new roadway would be a four-lane, divided facility designed to
accommodate high-speed traffic. Conflicts between high-speed vehicles traveling in
opposite directions would be minimized by a 46-foot divided median. The median acts as
a positive division, providing a safer facility through the physical separation of opposing
traffic.
The construction of a wildlife underpass and the associated 1.0 mile of fencing to direct
wildlife under the new road will reduce the number of wildlife/vehicle collisions along
that section of the highway.
Impacts to Human Health and Safety from Proposed Treatment of NNIS
Manual and mechanical treatment methods would pose relatively little safety risk to
workers or the public. The public would be excluded from all treatment areas while work
is in progress. Many of the commonly used herbicides for control of invasive plants are
applied at rates below the maximum label rate. Application of herbicides at these lower
rates further reduces the potential human and environmental effects.
Cumulative Effects
There are no known past, present,or future actions in the project area that impact human
health and safety. Therefore, there would be no cumulative effects from any of the
proposed alternatives on human health and safety.
Maintaining Access to NFS Lands
Existing Condition
The Forest Service currently accesses NFS lands within and adjacent to the project area
using Forest Service Road (FSR) 204 off of US Highway 17. This access is needed for
forest management activities including but not limited to timber management and
prescribed burning. This access is also used by the public for recreational activities on
CNF such as hunting.
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Direct and Indirect Effect
No-Build Alternative
The Forest Service and public access to NFS lands within and adjacent to the project area
will continue to be from FSR 204 off of US Highway 17. The ability to access this
portion of the CNF for resource management activities would not change under the No-
Build Alternative,
Alternative 2A/Alternative 3 --Proposed Action
The Forest Service and public access to NFS lands within and adjacent to the project area
from US Highway 17 using FSR 204 would be closed under the proposed action. The 0.4
mile portion of FSR 204 between existing US 17 and the abandon railroad bed would be
closed to provide effective wildlife fencing to direct wildlife to the wildlife underpass. In
order to maintain access to this part of the CNF for public recreation and resource
management activities including prescribed burning, timber management, and access for
controlling wildfires, NCDOT will purchase and maintain the graveled drive located just
northeast of Maysville that extends from existing US 17 to the abandoned railroad property on
NFS lands. In addition, NCDOT will provide funds to the USFS to convert the 2.1 mile
abandoned railroad bed located on NFS lands to a Forest Service system road to be used to
provide access into the area adjacent to US 17.
Cumulative Effects
There are no known past, present, or future actions that would impact access to NFS land
within and adjacent to the project area. Therefore, there are no expected cumulative
effects on access to NFS lands.
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References
Ecological Engineering. 2014. Protected Species Survey Report, US 17 Improvements
from SR 1330/SR 1349 south of Belgrade to the New Bern Bypass; Craven,
Onslow, and Jones Counties,North Carolina;TIP No. R-2514 B, C, & D
Environmental Services Inc (ESI). 2008. Preliminary Habitat and PETS Species
Evaluation for the Croatan Wetland Mitigation Bank (CWMB), Craven County,
North Carolina; State Project No. 8.T170701,T.I.P. No. R-1015, Federal Aid
Project No. R-56-4(34)
Environmental Services Inc(ESI). 2009. US 17 Improvements, PETS Species
Evaluation, Croatan National Forest, Jones County, North Carolina; T.I.P. No. R-
1015, State Project No. 8.T170701
Environmental Services Inc (ESI). 2013. Memorandum RE: US 17 Improvements (R-
2514 B, C, D);Address USFS Comments on DEIS and PETS Analysis; Summary
of Mitigation Options for US 17 for Spring-flowering Goldenrod (Solidago verna)
Environmental Services Inc(ESI). 2015. Memorandum RE: US 17 (R-2514); USFS
Migratory Bird Evaluation
Environmental Services Inc(ESI). 2015. Memorandum RE: US 17 (R-2514); USFS
Management Indicator Species Evaluation
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). 2010. Recommendation for
Exempt Undertaking Status: Proposed US 17 Improvements; Croatan National
Forest; Jones County,North Carolina; R-2514 B, C, and D
North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Highways (NCDOT). 2011.
Administrative Action, State Final Environmental Impact Statement; US 17
Improvements, From SR 1330/SR 1349 south of Belgrade to the New Bern
Bypass at the Jones/Craven County line; Onslow and Jones Counties; Project
34442,T.I.P. No. R-2514 B, C &D
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). 2012. Administrative Action,
State Record of Decision; US 17 Improvements,From SR 1330/SR 1349 south of
Belgrade to the New Bern Bypass at the Jones/Craven County line; Onslow and
Jones Counties; Project 34442,T.I.P. No. R-2514 B, C &D
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). 201 S. Biological Evaluation for
the US 17 (R-2514)From Multilanes North of Jacksonville to New Bern Bypass;
Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest; Jones County,North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Transportation(NCDOT). 2015. Herbicide Evaluation
Report for the US 17 (R-2514) From Multilanes North of Jacksonville to New
Bern Bypass; Croatan Ranger District, Croatan National Forest; Jones County,
North Carolina
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United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region (USDA, FS).
2002. Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Croatan National
Forest; Carteret, Craven, and Jones Counties of North Carolina
United States Forest Service (USFS). 2010. Exempt Undertaking Form; National Forests
in North Carolina; Project Name: Highway 17: R-2514 B, C, &D, NC DOT,
Ranger District/USGS Quad: Croatan/Pollocksville, Maysville, Stella
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