20191173 Ver 1_BR 192 R.120 MCDC 082219_20190904

DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
MINIMUM CRITERIA DETERMINATION CHECKLIST
WBS No.: 17.BP.10.R.120
Project Location: Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big Bear
Creek in Stanly County
Project Description: The North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division
10, plans to replace Bridge No. 192 carrying SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over
Big Bear Creek in Stanly County, North Carolina. The existing bridge consists of
one 14-foot travel lane and is an approximately 58 feet long and 15 feet wide
timber deck on I-beam bridge. The existing right of way along SR 1238 (Flint
Ridge Road) is approximately 50 feet. The existing bridge was constructed in
1967. There are no sidewalks or bicycle facilities located along the roadway.
The proposed project is state funded and would replace the existing bridge
structure in -place on the existing roadway alignment. The replacement structure
would be 30 feet wide and 93 feet long, including two 10-foot travel lanes. The
proposed right of way varies from 20 feet to 70 feet. The approach roadway
would extend approximately 660 feet from the southern end and approximately
310 feet from the northern end of the new bridge. The approaches would include
two 10-foot wide travel lanes with approximately 4-foot paved shoulders. Some
minor right of way acquisition is anticipated, however residential and business
relocations are not anticipated. The project is scheduled for right-of-way in June
2019 and project letting in October 2019.
Bridge No. 192 currently carries approximately 280 vehicles per day (2013) with
560 vehicles per day projected for the future (year 2040). SR 1238 (Flint Ridge
Road) is classified as a local road or secondary route with a posted 45-mile per
hour speed limit. An approximate 3-mile off -site detour would be required for the
full duration of construction. The detour route will take motorists onto Biles Road,
Canton Road, then Millingport Road/Five Point Road or in reverse order
depending on direction traveling.
Purpose and Need: NCDOT Bridge Management Unit records indicate that
Bridge No. 192 has a sufficiency rating of 69.12 out of a possible 100. The
bridge's status is identified as `Functionally Obsolete' in the Structure Safety
Report published by Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on 05/11/2016.
The purpose of the project is to replace the functionally obsolete bridge.
Anticipated Permit or Consultation Requirements: A Nationwide Permit
(NWP) No(s). 3 and/or 14 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are
anticipated to complete the work. It is estimated that there will be 108 linear feet
of stream impacts. Stream relocations and/or channel modifications are not
anticipated. The USACE holds the final discretion as to what permit will be
required to authorize project construction. If a Section 404 NWP No. 14 is

DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County; WBS 17BP.10.R.120
required, then a Section 401 Water Quality General Certification No. 4135 from
the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) would also be
required. In the event that project impacts to waters of the U.S. exceed 300 linear
feet, or 1/2 acre in area, then a Section 404 Regional General Permit No.
198200031 may be required which will allow for 500 linear feet of stream impacts
and up to 1 acre of impacts to waters of the U.S. If the project impacts can't be
reduced below the permitting thresholds, then a Section 404 Individual Permit
may be required. If mitigation is required, then it is anticipated that the
Department of Mitigation Services (DMS) will be used. Stanly County is not one
of the twenty counties under the jurisdiction of the Costal Area Management Act
(CAMA). A CAMA permit from the North Carolina Division of Coastal
Management (NCDCM) will not be required.
The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) GIS Database indicates that the bridge and associated
study area are not located within a FERC Site Boundary. Therfore, a FERC
permit is not required.
Floodplain: This project involves construction activities on or adjacent to a
FEMA-regulated stream, Big Bear Creek, which is classified as an AE floodplain
and is at high risk of flooding under the National Flood Insurance Program. Due
to this, the Hydraulics Unit will coordinate with the NC Floodplain Mapping
Program (FMP), to determine the project status regarding applicability of
NCDOT'S Memorandum of Agreement, or approval of a Conditional Letter of
Map Revision (CLOMR) and subsequent final Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
Cultural Resources: NCDOT Cultural Resources staff reviewed the project for
Historic Architectural and Archeological Resources. A `Historic Architecture and
Landscapes No Survey Required Form' was completed by the NCDOT
Architectural Historian on 11/2/2018. A `No National Register or Archaeological
Sites Present Form' was completed by the NCDOT Archaeologist on 5/7/2019.
Special Project Information:
Environmental Commitments: Greensheet Commitments are located at the
end of the checklist.
Estimated Costs (FY 2018):
Utility: $ 0
R/W: $ 26,000
Construction: $ 1,440,000
Total: $ 1,466,000
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County; WBS 17BP.10.R.120
Traffic Information:
Current (2015) 310 vpd
Year (2040) 620 vpd
TTST N/A
Duals N/A
(Source: M. Pate Butler, Bridge and Approach Investigation 17BP. 10. R. 120, June 23, 2017.)
Design Exceptions: There are no anticipated design exceptions for this project.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations: There are no pedestrian or bicycle
accommodations for this project. SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) is not an NCDOT
bike route and there are no existing sidewalks. Evidence of bicycle or pedestrian
activity was not observed during the site reviews.
Alternatives Discussion:
No Build — A No Build alternative would not replace the functionally
obsolete bridge and thus is not considered to be a viable option.
Rehabilitation — Rehabilitation would only provide a temporary solution to
the structural deficiency of the bridge.
Onsite Detour — An onsite detour was not evaluated due to the presence
of an acceptable offsite detour.
New Alignment — Due to the location and extent of jurisdictional waters
and geometric challenges, a new bridge alignment was not considered as
an alternative.
Replace on Existing Alignment with Offsite Detour — Replacing the
bridge on the existing alignment is the preferred alternative which would
require an approximate 3-mile offsite detour for the full duration of
construction. The detour route will take motorists onto Biles Road, Canton
Road, then Millingport Road/Five Point Road or in reverse order
depending on direction traveling.
Agency Comments:
Input Forms containing questions related to potential project impacts were sent to
the Stanly County Director of Planning and Zoning, Stanly County Schools
Director of Transportation, and Stanly County Manager of Emergency Medical
Services (EMS) in an effort to obtain comments and concerns on the project.
The Planner Input Form was sent to the Director of Planning and Zoning on
04/09/2019 and 05/03/2019, and comments were received on 05/03/2019. A
summary of the comments follows: 1) The area is popular with recreational road
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County; WBS 17BP. 10. R. 120
bicyclists, especially on weekends and holidays and 2) Several large crop fields
(wheat/grain and cotton), including Furr Farms, are in the area.
Response: Comment noted.
The EMS Input Form was sent to the EMS Manager on 04/09/2019, and
comments expressing no concern with the project were received on 04/15/2019.
The EMS Manager noted that the Millingport Volunteer Fire Department and
Emergency Management should also be notified regarding the project.
Response: Contacted Millingport Volunteer Fire Department and Stanly County
Emergency Management, no responses received.
The Schools Input Form was sent on 04/09/2019 and 05/03/2019. No comments
were received.
Public Involvement:
Public involvement was not required for this project.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County, WBS I 7BP. 10. R. 120
PART A: MINIMUM CRITERIA
[Item I to be completed by the Engineer. YES
1. Is the proposed project listed as a type and class of activity allowed under
the Minimum Criteria Rule in which environmental documentation is not
required?
If the answer to number 1 is "no", then the project does not qualify as a
minimum criteria project. A state environmental assessment is required.
If yes, under which category? #9 (Reconstruction of existing crossroad
or railroad separation and existing
stream crossings, including, but not
limited to, pipes, culverts, and bridges.
If either category #8, #12(i) or #15 is used complete Part D of this checklist.
PART B: MINIMUM CRITERIA EXCEPTIONS
Items 2 — 4 to be completed by the Engineer,E
YES
2. Could the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse air quality
impacts?
3. Will the proposed activity have secondary impacts or cumulative
impacts that may result in a significant adverse impact -to human health
or the environment?
4. Is the proposed activity of such an unusual nature or does the proposed
activity have such widespread implications, that an uncommon concern
for its environmental effects has been expressed to the Department?
Item 5-8 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer
5. Does the proposed activity have a significant adverse effect on wetlands;
surface waters such as rivers, streams, and estuaries; parklands; prime or
unique agricultural lands; or areas of recognized scenic, recreational,
archaeological, or historical value?
6. Will the proposed activity endanger the existence of a species on the ❑
Department of Interior's threatened and endangered species list?
7. Could the proposed activity cause significant changes in land use ❑
concentrations that would be expected to create adverse water quality or
ground water impacts?
1
/1
/1
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County; WBS 17BP. 10. R. 120
YES NO
8. Is the proposed activity expected to have a significant adverse effect on ❑
long-term recreational benefits or shellfish, finfish, wildlife, or their
natural habitats
If any questions 2 through 8 are answered "yes", the proposed project may not qualify as
a Minimum Criteria project. A state environmental assessment (EA) may be required.
For assistance, contact:
Manager, Environmental Analysis Unit
1598 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1598
(919) 707 — 6000
Fax: [phone]
PART C: COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS
Items 9-12 to be completed by Division Environmental Officer.
YES NO
9.
Is a federally protected threatened or endangered species, or its
® ❑
habitat, likely to be impacted by the proposed action?
10.
Does the action require the placement of temporary or permanent
❑ ❑
fill in waters of the United States?
11.
Does the project require the placement of a significant amount of
❑
fill in high quality or relatively rare wetland ecosystems, such as
mountain bogs or pine savannahs?
12.
Is the proposed action located in an Area of Environmental
❑
Concern, as defined in the coastal Area Management Act?
Items
13 — 15 to be completed by the Engineer.
13.
Does the project require stream relocation or channel changes?
❑ ❑
Cultural Resources
14.
Will the project have an "effect" on a property or site listed on the
❑
National Register of Historic Places?
15.
Will the proposed action require acquisition of additional right of
❑
way from publicly owned parkland or recreational areas?
Response to Question 9.
Three federally protected species, including northern long-eared bat (Myotis
septentrionalis), Schweinitz's sunflower (Helianthis schweinitzii), and bald eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus), are designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
as occurring or having the potential to occur in Stanly County. Potential habitat
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County; WBS 17BP. 10.R. 120
for northern long-eared bat (NLEB) and Schweinitz's sunflower is present in the
study area. No evidence of Schweinitz's sunflower habitat was observed in the
study area during field reviews conducted on March 8, 2018 and September 27,
2018 during the Schweinitz's sunflower flowering season. Based on the literature
and field reviews, it has been determined that the project would have no effect on
Schweinitz's sunflower and bald eagle.
NLEB habitat in the study area includes potential roosting trees and foraging
habitat. The USACE has developed a Standard Local Operations Procedure for
Endangered Species (SLOPES) to address NLEB when they are the lead
agency, which NCDOT will follow for this project. This procedure applies to
projects in NCDOT Divisions 9-14. The requirements of the SLOPES for the
NLEB will be completed prior to Let and will be submitted to the USACE. A
Biological Conclusion is not required. Since this is a "state funded" project and no
Section 404/401 Permits are involved, concurrence from the US Fish and Wildlife
Service is not required.
Response to Question 10:
Project impacts to jurisdictional waters of the U.S. will be avoided or minimized to
the maximum extent practicable. Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
(CWA), a Nationwide Permit (NWP) No. 3 Maintenance from the USACE is
anticipated to be required for the discharge of fill material into waters of the U.S.
associated with the project. Based on preliminary project design and impact
calculations, the project would result in impacts to approximately 108 linear feet
of streams or surface waters including Big Bear Creek. Minor temporary impacts
to Big Bear Creek may also result from the demolition of the existing bridge. No
stream relocations and/or channel modifications are anticipated. There will be
approximately 0.01 acre of hand clearing for utilities. Should a Section 404 NWP
No. 3 be required, a corresponding State Water Quality Certification (No. 4132)
pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA from the NCDWR would also be required.
Questions in Part "C" are designed to assist the Engineer and the Division
Environmental Officer in determining whether a permit or consultation with a
state or federal resource agency may be required. If any questions in Part "C"
are answered "yes", follow the appropriate permitting procedures prior to
beginning project construction.
PART D:( To be completed when either category #8, 12(i) or #15 of the
rules are used.)
Items 16- 22 to be completed by Division Environmental
Officer.
16. Project length:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: AF1AB1E7-B294-42C1-9B67-7D44CD9DEEDF
Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist Bridge No. 192 on SR 1238 (Flint Ridge Road) over Big
Bear Creek
Stanly County; WBS 17BP. 10. R. 120
17. Right of Way width:
18. Project completion date:
19. Total acres of newly disturbed ground
surface:
20. Total acres of wetland impacts:
21. Total linear feet of stream impacts:
22. Project purpose:
If Part D of the checklist is completed, send a copy of the entire checklist
document to:
Don G. Lee
State Roadside Environmental Engineer
Mail Service Center 1557
Raleigh, NC 27699-1557
[phone]
Fax [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
DocuSigned by:
Prepared by: Date:8/23/2019
f U&61K&heimer
STV Engineers, Inc. Environmental Scientist
Reviewed DocuSigned by:
by: ; I6vtArs6v,
aarf-fTlpson, PWS, LSS
Division PDEA Engineer
DocuSigned by:
i' fbaa
Taand, PE
Division Project Development Engineer
Date:
8/23/2019
Date: 8/26/2019
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