20111075 Ver 1_R-2583 (4)_20080808

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 4 RALEIGH OFFICE
TERRY SANFROD FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
310 NEW BERN AVENUE
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27601

Date: August 8, 2008

Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
Environmental Management Director
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
North Carolina Department of Transportation
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548

Subject: State Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
US 158 Widening, Hertford County
TIP No.: R-2583

Dear Dr. Thorpe:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 has reviewed the
subject document and is providing comments consistent with Section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 309 of the Clean Air Act
(CAA). The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is proposing to
widen US 158 to multiple lanes between the Murfreesboro Bypass and US 13 west of
Winton in Hertford County. The proposed project is approximately 8.1miles with a 1.3
mile new location bypass south of the Mount Tabor Baptist Church and Cemetery.

This project has been in the NEPA/Section 404 Merger process and EPA has been
actively involved during project planning. EPA concurred on the Concurrence Point 1
(CP), Purpose and Need for this project on January 15, 2003. EPA concurred on CP 2,
Detailed Study Alternatives to be Carried Forward on May 19, 2005, and CP 2A, CP3
and CP 4A on January 17, 2008. EPA provided written review comments on the May of
2006 Environmental Assessment (EA) and NCDOT has addressed these comments in the
FONSI on pages 5-7.

The FONSI includes a comprehensive summary table of impacts for the proposed
project. Table 1 highlights the key environmental indicators including residential
relocations (19), business relocations (2), archaeological sites (1), wetlands (4.8 acres),
streams (1,890 linear feet), terrestrial forests (26 acres) and prime, unique and important
farmlands (145 acres). The FONSI has identified project environmental commitments
(i.e., `Green Sheets) including an in-stream work fish moratorium, potential on-site
wetlands mitigation by the removal of the existing Potecasi Creek Bridge, removal of the

existing culvert on US 158 east of Mapleton, 3:1 side slopes in wetland areas,
archeological data recovery for Site 31HF268, and a new survey for Red-cockaded
woodpeckers.

In summary, EPA's environmental concerns have largely been addressed by
NCDOT and through the Merger 01 process. EPA plans to continue its Merger process
involvement in this proposed project through the hydraulic and permit review stages,
including the detailed avoidance and minimization efforts for streams and wetlands,
investigations into on-site mitigation opportunities and the use of Best Management
Practices (BMPs), where appropriate. Please include Ms. Kathy Matthews of EPA's
Wetlands Section on any future meeting notices. Should you have any questions, please
feel free to contact me at [phone] or by e-mail at: [e-mail].

Sincerely,

Christopher A. Militscher, REM, CHMM
USEPA Raleigh Office

For: Heinz J. Mueller
Chief, NEPA Program Office
Office of Policy and Management

Cc: W. Biddlecome, USACE
G. Jordan, USFWS-Raleigh
D. Wainwright, NCDENR-DWQ

State FONSI,for R-2583, US 158 Hertford County

Subject: State FONSI for R-2583, US 158 Hertford County
From: [e-mail]
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2008 09:23:36 -0400
To: [e-mail]
CC: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

Charles: Attached is EPA's comment letter on the above referenced FONSI. Thank you for
the opportunity to comment. A signed copy of the letter for your files will be placed in
FHWA/NCDOT inter-office mail today.

Christopher A. Militscher, REM, CHMM
USEPA Raleigh Office
919-856-4206

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