20190593_US Dept of Interior Comments_20090422

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United States Department of the Interior
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FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Raleigh Field Office y?
Post Office Box 33726
Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726
April 20, 2009
Gregory J. Thorpe, Ph.D.
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Project Development and Environmental Analysis
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1548
Dear Dr. Thorpe
This letter is in response to your request for comments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
on the potential environmental effects of the proposed improvements to I-40 from I-440 (Exit 301) to US
70 (Clayton Bypass) in Wake and Johnston Counties, North Carolina (TIP No. I-5111). These comments
provide information in accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4332(2)(c)) and section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-
1543).
According to your letter, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) would add a yet-to-
be-determined number of additional lanes to a portion of I40. Although your letter states that the
project's southern terminus is US 70 (Clayton Bypass), a subsequent conversation between Service
biologist Gary Jordan and NCDOT engineer Robert Deaton revealed that the project will likely extend
southward to NC 42. Therefore, the project footprint will encompass'Swift Creek.
Swift Creek contains a known population of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta
heterodon). The Service is concerned that any impacts to Swift Creek, to its water quality, or to the
watershed has to the potential to adversely affect the dwarf wedgemussel. These potential impacts could
stem from direct water quality effects during construction (e.g. erosion and siltation from construction
area) or indirect effects from increased impervious surface, the resultant increased storm water runoff and
subsequent water quality degradation. We recommend that NCDOT begin to address these potential
effects and develop ways to avoid and minimize them.
The Service appreciates the opportunity to comment on this project. If you have any questions regarding
our response, please contact Mr. Gary Jordan at [phone], ext. 32.
Sin?cerellyy,
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Pete Benja n
Field Supervisor
cc: Eric Alsmeyer, USACE, Raleigh, NC
Rob Ridings, NCDWQ, Raleigh, NC
Travis Wilson, NCWRC, Creedmoor, NC
Chris Militscher, USEPA, Raleigh, NC
John Sullivan, FHWA, Raleigh, NC