PUBLIC NOTICE
Issue Date: January 15, 2013
Comment Deadline: February 14, 2013
Corps Action ID #: SAW-2012-00882
TIP Project No. R-2915
The Wilmington District, Corps of Engineers (Corps) has received an application from
the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regarding a potential future
requirement for Department of the Army (DA) authorization to discharge dredged or fill
material into waters of the United States associated with the proposed improvements and
widening of US 221 to a multi-lane facility from US 421 near Deep Gap, Watauga
County, North Carolina to NC 88/US 221Business in Jefferson, Ashe County, North
Carolina.
Specific alignment alternatives and location information are described below and shown
on the attached plans. This Public Notice and all attached plans are also available on the
Wilmington District Web Site at:
http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Missions/RegulatoryPermitProgram.aspx
Applicant: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch
Attn: Dr. Gregory J. Thorpe, Manager
1548 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
Authority
The Corps will evaluate this application to compare alternatives that have been carried
forward for detailed study pursuant to applicable procedures of Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
In order to more fully integrate Section 404 permit requirements with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and to give careful consideration to our required
public interest review and 404(b)(1) compliance determination, the Corps is soliciting
public comment on the merits of this proposal and on the alternatives evaluated in the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Environmental Assessment (EA) of 18
October 2012. At the close of this comment period, the District Commander will
evaluate and consider the comments received as well as the expected adverse and
beneficial effects of the proposed road construction to select the least environmentally
damaging practicable alternative (LEDPA). The District Commander is not authorizing
construction of the proposed project at this time. A final DA permit may be issued only
US Army Corps
Of Engineers
Wilmington District after our review process is complete, impacts to the aquatic environment have been
minimized to the maximum extent practicable and a compensatory mitigation plan for
unavoidable impacts has been approved.
Location
The proposed project area stretches along existing US 221 from the intersection with US
421 near Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina to NC 88/US 221Business in
Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina. The total distance for this project is 16.1 miles.
Water resources within the project area are part of the New River Basin (Hydrologic Unit
05050001). Named streams within the project area include Gap Creek, Little Gap Creek,
South Fork New River, Old Field Creek, Beaver Creek, Naked Creek, and Little Buffalo
Creek. The approximate midpoint of the project is located at Latitude 36.3201 N,
Longitude -81.5156 W.
Existing Site Conditions
The study area is located in the Mountain physiographic province of North Carolina with
topography characterized as gently sloping in the stream valleys along the existing US
221, with steeper areas along the ridge tops. Elevations range from approximately 2,800
to 3,440 feet above mean sea level. Existing land use in the project area is primarily
farming, with scattered residential neighborhoods (some large) and several businesses.
The land use near the Towns of West Jefferson and Jefferson is more urban than the
remainder of the project. The existing roadway generally consists of a two lane, 20- to
24- foot-wide roadway with usable shoulders that range in width from 5 to 12 feet. In
some locations, the shoulders are partially paved, with pavement that varies from 2 to 4
feet in width.
The project area is located within the New River Basin (Hydrologic Unit 05050001).
Named streams within the study area include Gap Creek, Little Gap Creek, South Fork
New River, Old Field Creek, Beaver Creek, Naked Creek, and Little Buffalo Creek. A
total of 193 jurisdictional streams were identified within the study area as well as
approximately 145 jurisdictional wetlands adjacent to these streams.
Applicant’s Stated Purpose
The purpose of the project is to upgrade the existing roadway to a multi-lane facility to
increase capacity, alleviate congestion, improve traffic operations, and reduce the rate of
traffic crashes.
Project Description
The NCDOT proposes to widen existing US 221 from the intersection with US 421 near
Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina to NC 88/US 221Business in Jefferson,
Ashe County, North Carolina. The total distance for this project is 16.1 miles. The
proposed improvements include three typical sections that were evaluated; a 4-lane
facility with a 23-foot wide raised grassed median with curb and gutter and 8-foot
shoulders, a 4-lane facility with a 36-foot wide depressed grassed median and 8-foot
shoulders, and a 4-lane facility with a variable 17.5-foot wide raised grassed median and
8-foot shoulders. In addition, a new interchange with US 421 at Deep Gap is proposed.
Detailed Study Alternatives
The range of alternatives that have been considered include the No-Build Alternative, a
Public Transportation Alternative, a Transportation Systems Management (TSM)
Alternative, and Improvements to the Existing Facility. Improving the Existing Facility
includes an assessment of 1) Widening to the East; 2) Widening to the West; 3)
Symmetrical Widening; and 4) Best-Fit Widening. After a preliminary evaluation, it was
determined that the Best-Fit Widening alternative should be carried forward for detailed
study due to its ability to meet the stated Purpose and Need, and reflect less
environmental impact.
Cultural Resources
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the lead federal agency for cultural
resources coordination on this project, has determined that two (2) registered properties,
or properties listed as being eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic
Places (NRHP) are located within the project area. These properties are identified as the
Baldwin Bethany Cemetery and the Barnett Idol House. An evaluation with the State
Historic Preservation Office found that the Best-Fit Widening alternative would have no
effect on these properties because there will be no construction within the historic
boundary and no changes to elements that make them eligible. Surveys conducted by the
applicant indicate that there would be no effect on any archaeological resources eligible
for the NRHP.
Endangered Species
There are 11 federally protected species of plants and animals that have ranges extending
into Watauga and Ashe Counties: bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii), Carolina northern
flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus), Virginia big-eared bat (
Corynorhinus
townsendii virginianus), spruce-fir moss spider (Microhexura montivaga), Blue Ridge
goldenrod (Solidago spithamaea), Heller’s blazing star (Liatris helleri), Roan mountain
bluet (Hedyotis purpurea var. montana), spreading avens (Geum radiatum), swamp pink
(Helonias bullata), Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana), and rock gnome lichen
(Gymnoderma lineare). The FHWA, the lead federal agency for coordination of
endangered species issues on this project pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(ESA), has determined that the proposed project may have an effect on one federally
listed endangered or threatened species or its formally designated critical habitat.
Virginia spiraea has been documented within one mile of the project area with suitable
habitat found along the streams in the study area. However, field surveys of the suitable
habitat have identified no individual plants. As a result, the FHWA has concluded that
the proposed project may affect but is not likely to adversely affect this species. The
proposed project is expected to have no effect on the remaining species listed above.
Evaluation
The decision whether to issue a permit will be based on an evaluation of the probable
impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the proposed activity on the public interest.
That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of
important resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from the
proposal must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors
which may be relevant to the proposal will be considered including the cumulative effects
thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental
concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, flood plain
values (in accordance with Executive Order 11988), land use, navigation, shoreline
erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy
needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property
ownership, and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. For activities involving
the discharge of dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States, the evaluation of
the impact of the activity on the public interest will include application of the
Environmental Protection Agency’s 404(b)(1) guidelines.
Compensatory Mitigation
The purpose of compensatory mitigation is to replace the lost functions from a project’s
impacts to Waters of the United States, including wetlands. Appropriate and practicable
compensatory mitigation will be required for unavoidable impacts from this proposal.
The applicant will make every effort to provide on-site mitigation where possible. Any
mitigation requirements not provided on-site will be met off-site through utilization of the
North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program.
Commenting Information
The Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments from the public; Federal, State and local
agencies and officials, including any consolidate State Viewpoint or written position of
the Governor; Indian Tribes and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate
the impacts of this proposed activity. Any comments received will be considered by the
Corps of Engineers to select the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative
(LEDPA) for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts
on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects
and the other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation
of a Corps of Engineers Environmental Assessment (EA) and/or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the
overall public interest of the proposed activity.
Written comments pertinent to the proposed work, as outlined above, will be received
by the Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, until 5pm, February 14, 2013.
Comments should be submitted to Mr. Monte Matthews, US Army Corps of Engineers,
Raleigh Regulatory Field Office, 3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105, Wake Forest, NC
27587, telephone 919-554-4884 x30.