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HomeMy WebLinkAboutScoping Meeting Summaryi� nr� i� � �r� � h��Ih�F�R� '' �' `i�C��V�,9�'S � ,////�r�'°%r,+�,,,,, . . Meeting Summary December 6, 2018 SUBJECT: R-2615 Internal/External Scoping Meeting and Pre-Merger TIME / DATE: 10:00 a.m. / Thursday, November 29, 2018 LOCATION: Structure Design Conference Room, Century Center Building A, Raleigh, NC SUMMARY BY: Johnna Kashmer, Simpson Engineers & Associates ATTENDANCE: Beverly Robinson NCDOT, PMU Bill Zerman NCDOT, PMU Caleb Smith NCDOT, Archaeology Craig Lee NCDOT, Hydraulics Marla Chambers North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) Claire Ellwanger US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Marella Buncick US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Douglas Kretchman NCDOT, Roadway Mike Pekarek Mott MacDonald John Jamison NCDOT, EPU Harrison Marshall NCDOT, Public Involvement & Community Studies Lane Sauls Ecological Engineering Michael Turchy NCDOT, EAU Steve Kichefski* US Army Corps of Engineers Dave Wanucha* NCDEQ— Division of Water Resources Amanetta Somerville* US Environmental Protection Agency Ramie Shaw* NCDOT, Division 11 Joe Furstenberg* NCDOT, Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Mike Reese* NCDOT, Congestion Management Don Early* NCDOT, Photogrammetry David Graham High Country RPO Martha Register Simpson Engineers & Associates Leza Wright Mundt Simpson Engineers & Associates Bill Leslie Simpson Engineers & Associates Johnna Kashmer Simpson Engineers & Associates *participated via call-in MEETING SUMMARY: The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate with internal units and external resource and regulatory agencies to gain insight on project information and identify any issues. Additionally, a Pre-Merger Screening discussion was held. The meeting began with introductions before R-2615, US 321/US 421 Improvements November 29, 2018 Internal/External Scoping and Pre-Merger Meeting Martha Register presented an overview of data collected to-date. Following the presentation, the floor was opened for comments, summarized below. Community Studies: If there is a choice between relocating a house versus a business, take the house, as there appears to be ample sites for relocation of residences. Natural Resources: There are lots of unnamed channels and tributaries, which will make avoiding impacts to streams difficult from a design standpoint, however little wetland impacts are expected. Archaeolo�y: Archaeological survey needed. There are six previously recorded sites, not assessed, two cemeteries, maybe one more, and fourteen areas that have potential for resources. USFWS: Mostly concerned about the Virginia Big-Eared Bats, there are forage areas near Grandfather and Beech Mountain. Check for roosts in culverts. NCWRC: Wants to know the details of animal crashes along the corridor; a wider road will increase potential for more animal crashes. Consider wildlife crossings. Brushy Fork Creek is not presumed to be a designated trout stream, Marla will double check. Emphasis on strong erosion and sediment control and low-impact development for sidewalks and bike paths. RPO: There is an Appalcart route along the corridor, as well as a park and ride lot suggested in the CTP at the US 321/421 split in Vilas. Locals call SR 1107 the NC 105 Bypass (not proposed). This project is needed, there are no shoulders, and the road is dangerous. Excited the project is progressing. DWR: Brushy Fork Creek is classified as Class C and could have hundreds of feet of impacts. Maintain water quality standards and employ the highest engineered erosion control measures. USACE: Minimize stream impacts as much as possible. Archeology needs to coordinate with the USACE. EPA: Reiterates the importance of minimization and storm water management. Photo�rammetry: Mapping requests should have been sent in October. Bike Ped: Four-foot shoulders are preferred to accommodate bikes along the corridor. Con�estion Mana�ement: A four-lane divided facility is good from a congestion standpoint. Division 11: No comments. Utilities: No comments. R-2615, US 321/US 421 Improvements November 29, 2018 Internal/External Scoping and Pre-Merger Meeting Con�estion Mana�ement: No concerns. Hydraulics: Brushy Fork Creek is in a FEMA detailed study. Avoid and/or minimize impacts to the floodplain. A CLOMR is likely to be needed. Following scoping comments, the meeting switched to a Pre-Merger Screening discussion. The project will be tracked in merger with the possibility to exit later if no longer necessary. There are competing resources, primarily human versus streams and the potential for an Individual Permit. The US Army Corps of Engineers will be the lead federal agency because the project is state-funded. Widening projects that go through merger typically require a General Permit 31.