DECISION MEMO. USDA Forest Service Southern Region Nantahala National Forest Swain County, North Carolina

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1 DECISION MEMO Replacement of Bridge No. 3 Project by the North Carolina Department of Transportation Compartments 18 and 107 USDA Forest Service Southern Region Nantahala National Forest Swain County, North Carolina I. PROPOSED ACTION The USDA Forest Service proposes to grant an easement and a temporary construction easement to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) along US 19/74 and approve the plans they presented to the Forest Service to replace Bridge No. 3 across the Nantahala River through Forest Service property. The project covers approximately 0.23 miles of Forest Service land. The project is located on Forest Service tract N-577 on the Nantahala National Forest. A map is included as Appendix A showing the location of the proposed project. The replacement bridge will be place in the same location as the existing bridge. A temporary bridge and roadway will be constructed northwest of the existing bridge and roadway. The following proposed activities are located in Swain County in Compartments 18 and 107: 1. Grant an easement to the NCDOT along a 60-foot right-of-way (30 feet either side of the centerline) excluding cuts and fills from stations to Grant a temporary construction easement to the NCDOT across three areas totaling approximately 4 acres as shown on the detailed map in Appendix B. The temporary construction easement is delineated on the map in yellow. A narrative description of the temporary construction easement is given in Appendix C. 3. Replace Bridge No. 3 across the Nantahala River with a new two lane bridge approximately 160 feet long. These actions are being proposed to achieve the goals, objectives, and desired future condition identified in the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests issued in April 1987 and as amended (Forest Plan). The purpose for this proposal is to provide for public safety by replacing the bridge to meet current safety standards. US 19/74 is a major highway in the region and is used to access both private and public property. In addition, US 19/74 is a major truck route. I have decided to implement the project as proposed and with inclusion of the mitigation measures listed below.

2 II. PROJECT SCOPING The project has appeared in the National Forests in North Carolina Schedule of Proposed Actions which is published quarterly since January of No comments were received on the project. In addition, the following persons were consulted: 1) Jason Farmer, Fisheries Biologist - Nantahala National Forest 2) Wilson Rankin, Botanist - Nantahala National Forest 3) Doreen Miller, Wildlife Biologist Nantahala National Forest 4) Rodney Snedeker, Archeologist - National Forests in North Carolina A Biological Evaluation (BE) was prepared for this project and is included as Appendix D. The BE determined that the project would have no effect upon any species that is federally endangered or threatened or proposed for listing because none are located in the activity area. This project will have no affect on the Noonday globe or the Indiana bat. This project will have no effect on any other federally proposed or listed species. The project may impact individuals of Viola appalachiensis, Trillium simile, the northern bush katydid (Scudderia septentrionalis), the rock-loving grasshopper (Trimerotropis saxatilis), the Diana fritillary butterfly (Speyeria diana), the southern Appalachian salamander (Plethodon teyahalee), the Little Tennessee crayfish, the mountain river cruiser, and the pygmy snaketail, but will not impact their viability across the national forest, if the mitigation measures listed for protection of wildlife and aquatic resources are implemented. The project will have no impact on any other sensitive species. No cumulative effects on species viability across the forest would result. Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is not required. No mitigation is required for the protection of Viola appalachiensis because the temporary bridge and road are being placed on the opposite side of the road from the known plant population. The following mitigation measure will be required for protection of wildlife resources: 1. For protection of the Indiana bat, No standing snags or potential roost trees will be cut between April 15 and October 15. The following mitigation measures will be required for protection of aquatic resources: 1. Erosion control structures will be installed between the river and the project area prior to soil disturbance and maintained until plant growth is established and stable enough to control runoff and erosion. Additional erosion control methods are required, if sediment loading is observed. The project area will be seeded and mulched as soon as possible as an immediate site rehabilitation measure to improve water quality conditions for aquatic life. 2. In-stream construction activities will not occur during the trout spawning period of October 15 to April A dry work area will be maintained to prevent contact between curing concrete and water. This may require a temporary stream diversion structure. The stream channel will not be disturbed in any way as a means of water diversion. If stream diversion occurs, the NCDOT will be responsible for contacting the US Army Corps of Engineers for permit procedures. 2

3 4. If blasting is incorporated into the project, debris will be kept out of the river. The following mitigation measures will be required for protection of visual resources: 1. To blend the bridge in with the neighboring Ferebee Memorial Picnic Area, a product similar to the form products of Custom Rock International in the pattern of #1302 Sequoia Granite shall be used to cover the new bridge structure. In addition, the coloring agent used shall include a range of grays, browns, buff, white, and black present in the existing stone located on the buildings in the Ferebee Picnic Area. A color sample shall be presented to the Forest Service for their approval prior to painting the rock forms. Deviations from the above recommendations shall be approved by the Forest Service in writing. 2. The bridge railing and the new guardrails shall be colored to blend with the existing guardrail along US 19/74. A color sample shall be presented to the Forest Service for their approval prior to coloring the guardrails. The bridge railing will be 54 inches high and constructed to bicycle traffic standards. Final approval of the placement of guardrails along the new road shall be coordinated with the Forest Service so that management of Forest Service lands is not impacted. 3. The existing wooden fence along US 19 will be replaced once construction has been completed. The following mitigation measures will be required for protection of recreation resources: 1. Upon completion of the new bridge the temporary road and bridge will be removed and all areas of disturbance on National Forest System lands shall be restored to their original condition or better. Trees and landscaping will be planted in the Ferebee Picnic Area to replace trees that were cut to construct the temporary road along the edge of the recreation facility at a ratio of 1:1 or greater. Replacement trees shall be of a size large enough to reestablish the character of the area prior to disturbance. 2. The Forest Service portal sign will be removed to a safe area and replaced after construction of the new bridge and closure of the temporary road. The sign must be returned and replaced to the condition and materials equal to or better than when it was removed. Any changes and final sign placement shall be approved by the Nantahala District Ranger. 3. If construction of the temporary road affects the underground powerline, power must be maintained during the timeframe of the project. The Forest Service must approve any plans to move the powerline either temporarily or permanently. III. REASONS FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION OF PROJECT This project is categorically excluded under Section 31.2 (3) of the Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook, FSH , for actions where a Decision Memo and project file are required. There are no other extraordinary circumstances that exist which might cause the action to have significant effects. 3

4 IV. FINDINGS 1. The actions of this project are consistent with the Forest wide direction given in the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests (Forest Plan). 2. The actions of this project are consistent with the Forest Plan because mitigation measures for impacts have been fully applied in the planned actions. The project is feasible and reasonable, and will result in applying management practices that meet the Forest Plan s overall direction of protecting the environment while producing goods and services. 3. The actions of this project have met all requirements of the Endangered Species Act and all agreements with the State Natural Heritage Program, in that there are no impacts expected on Proposed, Endangered, or Threatened, species or critical habitat for these species. The project may impact individuals of Viola appalachiensis, Trillium simile, the northern bush katydid (Scudderia septentrionalis), the rock-loving grasshopper (Trimerotropis saxatilis), the Diana fritillary butterfly (Speyeria diana), the southern Appalachian salamander (Plethodon teyahalee), the Little Tennessee crayfish, the mountain river cruiser, and the pygmy snaketail, but will not impact their viability across the national forest, if the mitigation measures listed for protection of wildlife and aquatic resources are implemented. There are no impacts expected on any other sensitive species or communities. 4. There are no known or expected heritage or cultural resources expected to be impacted in the project area. 5. There are no irreversible or irretrievable resource commitments. V. IMPLEMENTATION AND APPEAL This decision is not appealable pursuant to 36 CFR (f). This decision may be implemented immediately upon signature by the deciding officer. For additional information concerning this decision, contact Karen Compton, Lands and Special Uses Environmental Coordinator, at (828) /s/marisue Hilliard Marisue Hilliard Forest Supervisor 6/7/10 Date 4

5 APPENDIX A Replacement of Bridge No. 3 NCDOT PROJECT Map of Project Area

6 APPENDIX B Replacement of Bridge No. 3 NCDOT PROJECT Map of Temporary Construction Easement Area

7 APPENDIX C Replacement of Bridge No. 3 NCDOT PROJECT Description of the Temporary Construction Easement

8 APPENDIX D Replacement of Bridge No. 3 NCDOT PROJECT Biological Evaluation (BE)