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Home My WebLink About20231089 Ver 1_HB-0007_CE_20230801DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 Type I or II Categorical Exclusion Action Classification Form TIP No.: HB-0007 WBS No.: 50347.1.1 Federal Aid No.: 1529(007) A. Project Description: The proposed project involves replacing Bridge No. 299 and Bridge No. 300 over Saddletree Swamp on SR 1529 (Mount Olive Church Road) in Robeson County near Lumberton City limits. The replacement structures will be 21-inch cored slab bridges approximately 55-feet long, providing a minimum 30-foot 10-inch clear roadway width. The proposed bridges will be replaced on existing alignment and include two 11-foot lanes with 4-foot 5-inch offsets. The bridge lengths are based on preliminary design information. The roadway grade of the new structures will be approximately the same grade as the existing structures. The approach roadway for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 300 will extend approximately 155-feet from the west end of the new bridge. The approach roadway for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 299 will extend approximately 141-feet from the east end of the new bridge. There is approximately 315-feet between Bridge No. 299 and Bridge No. 300. The approaches will be widened to include two 11-foot travel lanes and 6-foot shoulders (9-feet with guardrail). SR 1529 (Mount Olive Church Road) has a Local Rural functional classification and will utilize Sub -Regional Tier Standards with a 60 mile per hour design speed. Traffic will be maintained off -site during construction utilizing SR 1531 (Saddletree Road), SR 1766 (Hammonds Road), and SR 1752 (Rennert Road). The project is shown in Figure 1. B. Description of Need and Purpose: The superstructure and substructure of Bridge Nos. 299 and 300 have timber elements that are 55 years old. Timber components have a typical life expectancy between 40 to 50 years due to the natural deterioration rate of wood. Timber components of Bridge Nos. 299 and 300 are experiencing an increasing degree of deterioration that can no longer be addressed by reasonable maintenance activities; therefore, the bridges are approaching the end of their useful life. The posted weight limits on Bridge No. 299 and Bridge No. 300 are 18 tons for SV and 26 tons for TTST. Replacement of these bridges will result in safer traffic operations. C. Categorical Exclusion Action Classification: Type I(A) - Ground Disturbing Action D. Proposed Improvements: 23 CFR 771.117 (c) 26. Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (including parking, weaving, turning, and climbing lanes), if the action meets the constraints listed in 23 CFR 771.117 (e)(1-6). v2019.1 HB-0007 Type I(A) CE Page 1 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 E. Special Project Information: Design: SR 1529 (Mount Olive church Road) • Functional classification: Local • Sub -Regional Tier Guidelines • Design Speed: 60-mph • Posted Speed: 55-mph, statutory • Design Exception: Not Required Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations: There are no existing bicycle -specific facilities within 3-miles and there are no pedestrian specific facilities within '/2-mile of the proposed project. There are no planned pedestrian or shared -use facilities near the proposed project. The Sandhills Regional Bike Plan and the Robeson County CTP do not recommend multimodal accommodations at this location. Tribal Coordination: There are two recognized tribes with interests in Robeson County (Lumbee Tribe of NC and the Catawba Indian Nation). The tribes will be notified of the project and any concerns raised by them will be provided during the 404 permit process. Protected Species: A review of the USFWS IPaC data and the USFWS online protected species by county on October 6, 2022, identifies five federally endangered and threatened species that could occur within the project study area. American Alligator — Suitable habitat exists for this species within the project study area and a review of North Carolina Natural Heritage Program (NHP) records, updated in April 2022, indicated no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the study area. However, the American alligator is listed as Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance and is not afforded protection under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and does not require Section 7 consultation with the USFWS. The American alligator listed as threatened due to similarity of appearance does not require Section 7 consultation with the USFWS. Wood Stork — Suitable nesting habitat exists for this species in the project study area in the form of tall trees. However, there are no cypress trees present. There is foraging habitat present within the project study area. No individuals were observed during the field survey conducted on June 23, 2022. A review of NHP records, updated in April 2022, indicated no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the study area. A biological conclusion of May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect was rendered for this species. Red -cockaded Woodpecker - Suitable nesting and foraging habitat is not present for this species in the form of 30-60 year old loblolly or longleaf pines in project study area. A review of NHP records, updated in April 2022, indicated no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the study area. Due to the lack of habitat within the project area and no known occurrences, a biological conclusion of No Effect was rendered for this species. Michaux's Sumac - Marginal habitat in the form of maintained areas exists for this species in the project study area. A review of NHP records, updated in April 2022, indicated no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the study area. No individuals were observed during the field survey conducted on June 23, 2022. Due to the lack of known occurrences and no species observed during the field survey, a biological conclusion of No Effect was rendered for this species. v2019.1 HB-0007 Type I(A) CE Page 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB) —The USFWS has developed a programmatic biological opinion (PBO) in conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration, US Army Corps of Engineers, and NCDOT for the NLEB in eastern North Carolina. The PBO covers the entire NCDOT program in Divisions 1-8, including all NCDOT projects and activities. The programmatic determination for NLEB for the NCDOT program is May Affect, Likely to Adversely Affect. The PBO provides incidental take coverage for NLEB and will ensure compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for all NCDOT projects in Division 1-8, which includes Robeson County, where this project is located. This level of incidental take is authorized from the effective date of a final listing determination through December 31, 2023. NCNHP records, updated October 2021, indicates no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the project study area. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGPA) — No individuals or nests were observed during the desktop-GIS assessment of the project study area, as well as the area within a 1.0 mile radius of the project limits, was performed on April 22, 2022, using 2022 color aerials. No water bodies large enough or sufficiently open to be considered potential feeding sources were identified. Therefore, a survey of the project study area and the area within 660-feet of the project limits was not conducted. A review of the NHP database on April 22, 2022, reveal no known occurrences of this species within 1.0 mile of the project study area. Due to the lack of habitat, known occurrences, and minimal impact anticipated impacts, it has been determined that this project will not affect this species. Prior to removing the existing bridge, NCDOT staff will have additional opportunities to survey for these species. If any of these species are observed, appropriate action will be taken. F. Project Impact Criteria Checklists: Ground Disturbing Actions — Type I (Appendix A) & Type II (Appendix B) Proposed improvement(s) that fit Type I Actions (NCDOT-FHWA CE Programmatic Agreement, Appendix A) including 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, 18, 21, 22 (ground disturbing), 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, &/or 30; &/or Type II Actions (NCDOT-FHWA CE Programmatic Agreement, Appendix B) answer the project impact threshold questions (below) and questions 8 — 31. • If any question 1-7 is checked "Yes" then NCDOT certification for FHWA approval is required. • If any question 8-31 is checked "Yes" then additional information will be required for those questions in Section G. PROJECT IMPACT THRESHOLDS Yes No (FHWA signature required if any of the questions 1-7 are marked "Yes".) 1 Does the project require formal consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ❑ 2 (USFWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)? 2 Does the project result in impacts subject to the conditions of the Bald and Golden El R1 Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)? 3 Does the project generate substantial controversy or public opposition, for any El R1 reason, following appropriate public involvement? 4 Does the project cause disproportionately high and adverse impacts relative to low- El R1 income and/or minority populations? v2019.1 HB-0007 Type I(A) CE Page 3 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 5 Does the project involve a residential or commercial displacement, or a substantial ❑ 2 amount of right of way acquisition? 6 Does the project require an Individual Section 4(f) approval? ❑ 2 Does the project include adverse effects that cannot be resolved with a 7 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under Section 106 of the National Historic ❑ 2 Preservation Act (NHPA) or have an adverse effect on a National Historic Landmark (NHL)? If any question 8-31 is checked "Yes" then additional information will be required for those questions in Section G. Other Considerations Yes No 8 Is an Endangered Species Act (ESA) determination unresolved or is the project ❑ 2 covered by a Programmatic Agreement under Section 7? 9 Is the project located in anadromous fish spawning waters? ❑ 2 Does the project impact waters classified as Outstanding Resource Water (ORW), 10 High Quality Water (HQW), Water Supply Watershed Critical Areas, 303(d) listed ❑ 2 impaired water bodies, buffer rules, or Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)? 11 Does the project impact Waters of the United States in any of the designated ❑ R1 mountain trout streams? 12 Does the project require a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Individual ❑ R1 Section 404 Permit? 13 Will the project require an easement from a Federal Energy Regulatory ❑ R1 Commission FERC licensed facility? Does the project include a Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 14 (NHPA) effects determination other than a No Effect, including archaeological ❑ [1 remains? 15 Does the project involve GeoEnvironmental Sites of Concerns such as gas ❑ R1 stations, dry cleaners, landfills, etc.? Does the project require work encroaching and adversely affecting a regulatory 16 floodway or work affecting the base floodplain (100-year flood) elevations of a ❑ R1 water course or lake, pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 23 CFR 650 subpart A? 17 Is the project in a Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) county and substantially ❑ R1 affects the coastal zone and/or any Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)? 18 Does the project require a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) permit? ❑ [1 19 Does the project involve construction activities in, across, or adjacent to a ❑ R1 designated Wild and Scenic River present within the project area? 20 Does the project involve Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) resources? ❑ [1 21 Does the project impact federal lands (e.g., U.S. Forest Service (USFS), USFWS, ❑ R1 etc.) or Tribal Lands? 22 Does the project involve any changes in access control or the modification or ❑ R1 construction of an interchange on an interstate? 23 Does the project have a permanent adverse effect on local traffic patterns or ❑ R1 community cohesiveness? 24 Will maintenance of traffic cause substantial disruption? ❑ [1 25 Is the project inconsistent with the STIP, and where applicable, the Metropolitan ❑ R1 Planning Or anization's MPO's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)? v2019.1 HB-0007 Type I(A) CE Page 4 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 Does the project require the acquisition of lands under the protection of Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Act, the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act, 26 the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ❑ R1 Tribal Lands, or other unique areas or special lands that were acquired in fee or easement with public -use money and have deed restrictions or covenants on the property? 27 Does the project involve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) buyout ❑ R1 properties under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)? 28 Does the project include a de minimis or programmatic Section 4(f)? ❑ [1 29 Is the project considered a Type I under the NCDOT Noise Policy? ❑ [1 30 Is there prime or important farmland soil impacted by this project as defined by the ❑ R1 Farmland Protection Policy Act FPPA ? 31 Are there other issues that arose during the project development process that ❑ affected the project decision? v2019.1 HB-0007 Type I(A) CE Page 5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 G. Project Commitments' NCDOT PROJECT COMMITMENTS TIP Project No. HB-0007 Replace Bridge Nos. 299 and 300 over Saddletree Swamp on SR 1529 (Mount Olive Church Road) WBS No. 50347.1.1 Federal Aid No. 1529(007) NCDOT Hydraulic Design Unit - FEMA Coordination The Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping Program (FMP), to determine status of project with regard to applicability of NCDOT'S Memorandum of Agreement, or approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent final Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). NCDOT Division 6 Construction - FEMA This project involves construction activities on or adjacent to FEMA-regulated stream(s). Therefore, the Division shall submit sealed as -built construction plans to the Hydraulics Unit upon completion of project construction, certifying that the drainage structure(s) and roadway embankment that are located within the 100-year floodplain were built as shown in the construction plans, both horizontally and vertically. * NCDOT Division 6 Construction — Northern long-eared bat Robeson County is one of the 30 counties within the known/potential range of NLEB. Therefore, if a total of 1.0 acre or more of tree clearing will occur, no tree clearing will occur during the portion of the day that the air temperature is <40 degrees Fahrenheit in order to protect NLEBs that may be in torpor. f 0 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 HB-0007 CE Type 1A October 2022 H. Categorical Exclusion Approval: TIP Project No: WBS No: Federal Aid No: Prepared By: 10/10/2022 H B-0007 50347.1.1 1529(007) —DocuSigned by: �� 46. D6e1Ca�oan E3EB-7-1-�J fro. Stacy erhausen, PE, CPM TGS Engineers Reviewed By: DocuSigned by: 10/11/2022 Ltivj Prl-u_ 2-E�44E... Date Gregory Price, Division Environmental Program Supervisor NCDOT, Division 6 • If NO grey boxes are checked in Section F (pages 2 and 3), [1 Approved NCDOT approves the Type I or Type II Categorical Exclusion. • If ANY grey boxes are checked in Section F (pages 2 and Green Sheet Bridges 770299 & 770300 ❑ Certified 3), NCDOT certifies the Type I or Type II Categorical Exclusion for FHWA approval. • If classified as Type III Categorical Exclusion. DocuSigned by: 10/10/2022 aJolm bviff Date Adamritt E, Division Bridge Program Manager NCDOT, Division 6 FHWA Approved: For Projects Certified by NCDOT (above), FHWA signature required. N/A Date for John F. Sullivan, III, PE, Division Administrator Federal Highway Administration v2019.1 HB-0007 Type I(A) CE Page 7 DocuSign Envelope ID: 475D870B-0587-4C37-8FF9-C6BAB4ADEEF9 IN 0 L ocklc.7r �d 0 0.25 0.5 Legend • Project Bridges Detour Route i--J County Boundary City Boundary u' # 770300 1.2 mi � 'Grp0.6mi m dti k r s 1 i Miles 1.3 mi # 770299 0.6 mi PROJECT *41o"16 Thor SITE t"l � � J 1�1 Ll ESRI World Street Basemap l j 1 / i 7/11k 4\ �\ L ems NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT VICINITY MAP Date: 10-5-2022 OF TRANSPORTATION Bridge No. 770299 and Bridge No. 770300 over :<eDIVISION OF HIGHWAYS Saddletree Swamp on SR 1529 (Mt Olive Church Rd) Robeson Co. Figure 1 DIVISION 6 WBS No. 50347.1.1 g TIP: HB-0007