20201515_Start of Study - 12-0015-DEIS-R-2561_20181102

Carpenter, Kristi
From: Wilson, Travis W.
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2018 10:27 AM
To: Koch, Paul; Steenhuis, Joanne; [e-mail]; [e-mail];
[e-mail]; Weychert, Curtis R; [e-mail];
[e-mail]; Gledhill-earley, Renee; [e-mail];
[e-mail]; Kendall, Steve D; Rerko, James J; Burns, Gregory W;
Pridgen, Glendel S; Lovering, Gary R; Hackler, Nicole M; Gillespie, Allyn K
Cc: Woldemariam, Hanna
Subject: RE: [External] Start of Study - NC 87 Improvements (TIP No. R-2561) Bladen &
Columbus Counties
Attachments: 12-0015-DEIS-R-2561.pdf
WRC comments from 2011 are attached. Additionally the stream crossings of Weyman creek and Livingston Creek are
designated Anadromous Fish Spawning Areas therefore WRC request an in water work moratorium of Feb 15 to June 30
for those systems.
Travis W. Wilson
Eastern Region Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
NC Wildlife Resources Commission
1718 Hwy 56 West
Creedmoor, NC 27522
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Travis.Wilsona-ncwildlife. org
ncwildlife.org
From: Koch, Paul <[e-mail]>
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2018 1:51 PM
To: Steenhuis, Joanne <[e-mail]>; Wilson, Travis W. <[e-mail]>;
[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; Weychert, Curtis R
<[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; Gledhill-earley, Renee <renee.gledhill-
[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; Kendall, Steve D <[e-mail]>;
Rerko, James J <[e-mail]>; Burns, Gregory W <[e-mail]>; Pridgen, Glendel S
<gspridge [e-mail]>; Lovering, Gary R <[e-mail]>; Hackler, Nicole M <[e-mail]>;
Gillespie, Allyn K <[e-mail]>
Cc: Woldemariam, Hanna <[e-mail]>
Subject: [External] Start of Study - NC 87 Improvements (TIP No. R-2561) Bladen & Columbus Counties

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) — Division 6 is beginning the project development, planning,
and engineering studies for State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Project Number R-2561; proposed NC 87
improvements from the Elizabethtown Bypass to US 74-76 in Bladen and Columbus Counties.
Attached are the Start of Study letter and vicinity map for the proposed project. We respectfully request any comments
you may have on the subject project be sent in reply to this email or [e-mail] by Tuesday October 30,
2018.
If you have any questions regarding the project please contact Paul Koch by email [e-mail] or phone,
[phone]. Thank you for your time and assistance in this project.
Thank you.
Paul Koch PE, AICP
Vice President
Direct: 919 865-7394
Mobile: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
Stantec
801 Jones Franklin Road Suite 300
Raleigh NC 27606-3394 US
4141414141
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Melba McGee
Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, DENR
FROM: Travis Wilson, Highway Project Coordinator
Habitat Conservation Program
DATE: September 8, 2011
SUBJECT: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) State Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed improvements to NC 87
in Columbus and Bladen Counties, North Carolina. TIP No. R-2561 SCH Project
No. 12-0015
Staff biologists with the N. C. Wildlife Resources Commission have reviewed the subject
DEIS and are familiar with habitat values in the project area. The purpose of this review was to
assess project impacts to fish and wildlife resources. Our comments are provided in accordance
with certain provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c)) and the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661-667d).
The NCDOT is proposing to widen NC 87 from US 74/76 in Columbus County to the
Elizabethtown bypass in Bladen County. Prior coordination has occurred during the planning of
this project. WRC does not object to the alternatives presented in the document; however we
have recommended longer bridge lengths for the crossings of Hammond Creek and Livingston
Creek. The existing structures at these locations are designed with the toe of slope located at the
top of the stream bank; therefore restricting wildlife movement through the riparian corridor.
The widening of this facility will further increase the barrier affect this facility will have on
wildlife mobility in this area. To facilitate ecological connectivity in this area WRC as well as
other resource agencies have requested NCDOT to increase the bridge lengths at these two
crossings to provide a minimum of 30 feet of unobstructed clearance from top of bank to toe of
slope. At this time NCDOT has not committed to providing the requested clearance.

The DEIS does reflect NCWRC comments from prior meetings and coordination, and
NCDOT has committed to continue consideration of our recommendation. This project will
continue to go through the Section 404/NEPA Merger process, and additional agency
coordination will occur through the remaining concurrence points. Thank you for the
opportunity to comment. If we can be of further assistance please call me at [phone]
cc: Gary Jordan, USFWS
Mason Herndon, DWQ
Ronnie Smith, USACE
Chris Militscher, EPA