HomeMy WebLinkAboutUSEPA Merger Comments
Wanucha, Dave
From:Van Der Wiele, Cynthia <VanDerWiele.Cynthia@epa.gov>
Sent:Friday, February 17, 2017 2:29 PM
To:Bailey, David E CIV USARMY CESAW (US)
Cc:Bereis, Kimberly D; Davila, Felix (FHWA); Wanucha, Dave; Williams, John L; MARK MCDONALD; GREG
VENABLE; Jordan, Gary; Wilson, Travis W.; Gledhill-earley, Renee
Subject:Re: STIP Project No. U-4758 (Johnson Street/Sandy Ridge Road Widening) in High Point, Guilford County
**Request for Removal from NEPA/Section 404 Merger Process**
Agreed.
Cynthia
Cynthia F. Van Der Wiele, Ph.D.
USEPA R4 NEPA Program Office
c/o USEPA-RTP
109 T.W. Alexander Drive
Mail Code: E143-08
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Phone: 919.450.6811
On Feb 16, 2017, at 4:29 PM, Bailey, David E CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <David.E.Bailey2@usace.army.mil>
wrote:
Kim,
Thank you for the updated information regarding the above-referenced project; SAW-2013-01044.
Based on the information provided, including estimated project impacts to aquatic resources of only a
temporary nature (i.e. no permanent stream or wetland impacts), it is highly likely that this project could
be authorized under a (CWA Sec. 404) Nationwide or General Permit. As such, the Corps agrees
(pending concurrence of the remainder of the Merger Team members) that it is appropriate to remove
the project from the Merger Process. As suggested, completing a pre-application meeting with relevant
resource agencies (e.g. CP 4B/4C) is recommended for permitting efficiency. Please let me know if
there are any questions of concerns.
Sincerely,
Dave Bailey
---
David E. Bailey, PWS
Regulatory Project Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers
CE-SAW-RG-R
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587
Phone: (919) 554-4884, Ext. 30.
Fax: (919) 562-0421
Email: David.E.Bailey2@usace.army.mil
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-----Original Message-----
From: Bereis, Kimberly D \[mailto:Kimberly.Bereis@atkinsglobal.com\]
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 4:54 PM
To: Bailey, David E CIV USARMY CESAW (US) <David.E.Bailey2@usace.army.mil>;
brian.wrenn@ncdenr.gov; Davila, Felix (FHWA) <Felix.Davila@dot.gov>
Cc: Williams, John L <jlwilliams@ncdot.gov>; MARK MCDONALD
<mark.mcdonald@highpointnc.gov>; GREG VENABLE <greg.venable@highpointnc.gov>
Subject: \[EXTERNAL\] STIP Project No. U-4758 (Johnson Street/Sandy Ridge Road Widening) in High
Point, Guilford County **Request for Removal from NEPA/Section 404 Merger Process**
**This email is being sent on behalf of John Williams, NCDOT Project Planning Engineer**
David/Brian/Felix,
Project development activities have been underway for the Johnson Street/Sandy Ridge Road widening
project (STIP Project No. U-4758) since 2012. This project involves widening of existing Johnson
Street/Sandy Ridge Road in High Point, Guilford County from two lanes to four lanes with a median
(4.4 miles). The purpose of this email is to: 1) Provide an update on this project since the CP 1 and CP
2 meeting (combined) held in November 2014 and 2) Request this project be removed from the merger
process (based on latest information regarding jurisdictional impacts).
Project Status Update
CP 2 - At the CP 1 and 2 Meeting (November 14, 2014), the merger team concurred on the following
alternatives: No-Build and Alternative 1. Alternative 1 consists of widening Johnson Street/Sandy
Ridge Road on existing alignment with minor realignments of a few cross streets to correct geometric
deficiencies. The typical section shown at the CP 1 and 2 meeting has been slightly modified to include
a wider median (23 feet instead of 17.5 feet), but narrower bike lanes (4 feet instead of 5 feet). This
minor footprint modification would not result in substantial changes to estimated impacts.
Project Administration - STIP Project No. U-4758 will no longer be a locally-administered project
(LAP), and the project is being transitioned to NCDOT (John Williams is the NCDOT Project Planner
Engineer).
Section 4(f) and 6(f) - Johnson Street Sports Complex - At the CP 1 and 2 meeting, we noted that we
anticipated request for a Section 4(f) de minimis impact from FHWA for the Johnson Street Sports
Complex. Since that meeting, the alignment has been completely shifted away from this resource. The
property was later determined to be a replacement property for a prior Land and Water Conversation
Fund (LWCF) conversion at Oak Hollow Lake Park, so it is part of the Section 6(f) boundaries for Oak
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Hollow Lake Park.
Bridge Replacement - over West Fork Deep River - At the CP 1 and 2 meeting, we noted that we
anticipated retaining the existing bridge and building a new structure with additional lanes east of
existing structure. However, hydraulic and structure recommendation since the meeting is to remove
and replace the existing bridge. To avoid impacts to the Johnson Street Sports Complex (located about
150 feet from the bridge), and to limit impacts across the West Fork Deep River, the design involves a
single bridge with a compressed median. Replacing the existing bridge addresses hydraulic conveyance
problems, avoids the Johnson Street Sports Complex, and could accommodate a future greenway that is
in High Point's Greenway Plan. A potential construction phasing plan was developed as well as a
profile sketch showing potential greenway accommodations adjacent to the stream under the
bridge. The New Single Bridge with Compressed Median design and profile sketch are attached for
your information. With this design, there is zero permanent stream/wetland impact, and the piers would
not be located in the stream bed.
Wetland and Stream Impacts - At the CP 1 and 2 meeting, estimates included .02 acres wetland impacts
and 85 linear feet of stream impact for the crossing just north of Skeet Club Road (southern project
terminus). However, a review of the U-3615 (Skeet Club Road Widening) sealed plan sheet shows the
culvert/pipe replacement and stream impacts were involved with that adjacent project.
Project Funding/Schedule - When the project began in 2012, the project was unfunded (with
planning/environmental studies underway in anticipation of future funding). As this is a priority project
for High Point and Division 7, the proposed project is now scheduled for Right of Way in 2019 and
Construction in 2021.
Merger Process Recommendation
Based on the current design, there will be no permanent jurisdictional impacts (zero permanent wetland
impacts and zero permanent stream impacts). Therefore, NCDOT recommends that the project be
removed from the merger process. Design details can be reviewed with the merger team during a
Concurrence Point 4B meeting once designs progress to that level of detail.
If any future changes are made to the project that cause greater impacts, this will be communicated to
the merger team. Please advise if you have any questions. Thank you and we look forward to your
response to this request.
Kim Bereis, AICP
Senior Planner/Project Manager, Transportation NEPA
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