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Home My WebLink AboutU-5802 - 6-15-16 ESM Summary_Final 8-10-16.pdf_�� C.A L'�'�� EI�(GIfVEERS + �p��ULTANTS MEETING NOTES To: From cc: Date: Re: 6750 Tryon Road Cary, NC 27518 P: 919.836.4800 F: 919.851.1918 CALYXengineers.com Kim Gillespie, NCDOT PDEA Bobby Norburn Meeting Attendees August 10, 2016 Scoping Meeting for Proposed Spring Lake Bypass, from NC 210 (Murchison Road) to NC 24-87 (Bragg Boulevard) in Spring Lake, Cumberland County, STIP Project U-5802. The Scoping Meeting for the proposed Spring Lake Bypass (STIP Project. U-5802) was held on June 15, 2016 at the NCDOT Century Center in Raleigh. The purpose of the meeting was to begin early coordination through the discussion of known information about the project and project area, to obtain information that would be helpful in evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the project, and to strategize solutions and next steps in the project development process. Meeting attendees are listed below. A summary of the meeting follows. Meeting Participants Brook Anderson Joe Bailey Jerry Bradley Greg Burns Amy Chapman Cheryl Collins Hardee Cox Jim Dunlop Thomas Faucette Tris Ford Kim Gillespie Ray Goff Liz Hair Larry James Gary Jordan Jay Mclnnis Eric Midkiff Emily Murray Bobby Norburn NCDOT — Hydraulics NCDOT — Division b NCDOT — Division 6 NCDOT — Division b NCDEQ NCDOT — Rail Division (by phone) NCDOT — STIP Unit NCDOT — Congestion Management Fort Bragg — Department of Public Works (DPV� RK&K (NCDOT — PDEA HES) NCDOT — PDEA Fort Bragg — Traffic US Army Corps of Engineers (by phone) NCDOT — Utilities Unit USFWS NCDOT — PDEA CALYX NCDOT — Structures Management Unit CALYX Jim Rerko Hemal Shah James Speer Mark Staley Joel Strickland Tyler Stanton Cynthia van der Wiele Braden Walker Travis Wilson Randy Wise NCDOT Division 6 (by phone) NCDOT — Transportation Planning NCDOT — Roadway Design NCDOT — Roadside Environmental Fayetteville Area MPO (FAMPO) NCDOT — PDEA NES USEPA (by phone) NCDOT — PDEA NCWRC (by phone) NCDOT — Division b Branch Unit Meeting Summary Kim Gillespie opened the meeting with introductions. Bobby Norburn went through the presentation. The following items were discussed: Red-Cockaded Woodpecker • Gary Jordan noted there are more than six red-cockaded woodpecker (RCV� clusters within the proposed study area, as shown on the environmental features map. He explained some of the key terminology the team needs to understand with respect to analyzing the potential impacts to RCW. Clusters are aggregates of cavity trees used by a group of RCW as nesting habitat. The cluster can be one or several cavity trees. Partitions are areas of foraging habitat used by the RCW. The partitions consist of the area within an approximately one-half mile radius of the center of a cluster. Fort Bragg has a certain number of potential RCW breeding groups they must maintain and they consult with USFWS for their projects on the base. • Jay Mclnnis noted potential impacts to RCW are a big issue of concern for this project. He stated the feasibility study went into additional detail in studying this issue, including performing a foraging habitat analysis. • Mr. Jordan indicated a formal Section 7 consultation will be necessary, with the USACE as the lead federal agency. The proposed project area is particularly sensitive because of the primary core recovery RCW population in the area. The proposed project area is located within a gap between the Overhills and Northeast RCW habitat areas which USFWS hopes will be filled-in by the recovery population. He added specific RCW habitat management goals are defined in Fort Bragg's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. The possibility exists the project may impact Fort Bragg's ability to manage the RCW population according to the management plan, which is a concern. The potential loss of any recovery groups could be difFicult to overcome. He added John Hammond will be the USFWS contact for RCW related issues for the proposed project. • Mr. Jordan said the feasibility study's foraging habitat analysis indicated the feasibility study alignment would impact six RCW habitat partitions within Fort Bragg. This would result in two incidental takes because the partitions post-project would be below the minimum pine basal area and/or acreage required by the RCW Recovery Plan's Standard for Managed Stability (SMS) Guidelines. He said the revised alignment proposed by Fort Bragg appears to be an improvement but could still have an impact on RCW. Additionally, an alignment should be developed which would not result in impacts to RCW for comparison to other alternatives that may have impacts. 2 Mer�er Team Process • Liz Hair said an individual Section 404 permit would likely be needed for the proposed project. The group agreed the complete merger process should be followed due to the likely need for an individual permit, the amount of the project possibly on new location, and potential RCW issues. • Meeting attendees agreed Fort Bragg representatives should participate on the Merger Team as non-signatory members. Mr. Jordan stated environmental specialists in particular from Fort Bragg should be involved in the project development and merger team processes. Ray GofF said Fort Bragg representatives would like to be involved in the project and suggested there should probably be several different participants representing different disciplines, including the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), Security and Environmental. He also mentioned Glenn Prillaman (Fort Bragg DPW — Master Planning Division) will be retiring this fall, so another representative for the Master Planning Division, possibly Lori Locklear, should also participate. Project Desi�n and Other Hi�hway Projects in the Area • Mr. Mclnnis pointed out the new location sections of the project are proposed to have limited control of access. � Joel Strickland noted there are other FAMPO projects in close proximity to the proposed Bypass and asked how all of the projects in the area are going to be managed and coordinated. Mr. Mclnnis responded the trafFic forecast for the Bypass project would take into account all of the area STIP projects. He also said the Odell Road project was being managed within his group, and he will assure the projects are properly coordinated. He noted the Bragg Boulevard/Manchester Road interchange project is not in the STIP yet. • Jim Dunlop said an interchange will likely be needed at the Bragg Boulevard/Manchester Road intersection at some point. He also stated the alternative selected for the Odell Road project will influence the traffic forecast for the Bypass project. He asked if an expressway was being considered for the Bypass, with grade separations at appropriate locations. Mr. Mclnnis responded a boulevard design with limited control of access is currently being considered. • Mr. Mclnnis said a comprehensive traffic analysis for the Odell Road and Bypass projects may be needed. He noted since Patriot Engineering is the traffic subconsultant for both projects, this should be possible. Mr. Goff noted development growth patterns on both NC 210 (Lillington Highway) and NC 24-87 (Bragg Boulevard) should be considered in the traffic analysis. • Tris Ford said the Bypass project has the potential to change land use in the project area, and the Odell Road project further adds to that possibility. CORRECTIONS & OMISSIONS: This summary is the writer's interpretation of the events, discussions, and transactions that took place during the meeting. If there are any additions and/or corrections, please inform Kim Gillespie at klailles�ie@ncdot.gov or the author in writing within seven (7) days. cc: Meeting attendees File 2014062.09