Biological assessment

INTRODUCTION

The project will impact the California Creek/Ivy Creek, Cane River, South Toe River, and North Toe River watersheds of the French Broad River Basin. The Cane River, North Toe River, and South Toe River collectively comprise the Nolichucky River, a major tributary of the French Broad River. The federally endangered Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana), protected under the ESA, is documented to occur within the Nolichucky River Subbasin, including the North Toe, South Toe, and Cane Rivers. Critical Habitat has been designated for this species in approximately 112.1 km (69.4 miles) of the Nolichucky River Basin.

The Appalachian elktoe has been found within the vicinity of proposed project crossings of the Cane River and South Toe River. The project crossing of the South Toe River occurs within designated Critical Habitat for this species. The entire area within R-2518B, R-2519A, and R-2519B, and a small portion at the eastern terminus of R-2518A eventually drain into occupied Critical Habitat for the Appalachian elktoe within the Cane River, the South Toe River, or the North Toe River. If built, the project will require permits from the COE and the TVA. In coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the COE and the TVA, NCDOT has decided to evaluate the combined effects of these two projects on the Appalachian elktoe and its designated Critical Habitat.

2. DESCRIPTION OF ACTION AREA

1. R-2518 and R-2519 Project Description

Figure 1. Project Vicinity Map

(R-2518 and R-2519) is 29.3 miles. This project is part of the North Carolina Strategic Highway Corridors Initiative. The Strategic Highway Corridors (SHC) initiative represents an effort to preserve and maximize the mobility and connectivity on a core set of highway corridors to maximize the use of existing facilities and foster economic prosperity through the quick and efficient movement of people and goods. The purpose and need of this project are adding capacity to the existing facility to provide system linkage and providing increased safety within the region through the widening of existing US 19 and US 19E.

2. Construction areas

The preferred design uses a combination of symmetric and asymmetric widening. The typical section consists of a four-lane divided shoulder section with a 17.5-foot (5.25 meter) raised median on R-2518A, and R-2519A and a 20 foot -6 meters) raised median on the remaining non-urban areas. The urban sections of the road will have a right-of-way width of between 200 and 400 feet (61 and 122 meters) depending on terrain. The right-of-way through the town of Burnsville will be 150 feet (46 meters) to 230 feet (70 meters) wide and will consist of a curb and gutter section from station 252+00 –L- to station 299+76 –L-.

The roadway improvements also include two new location sections in Madison County to improve horizontal and vertical alignments. A 3,020-foot (920 meters) long section of highway would be relocated just east of the future I-26 intersection. A second section of highway, measuring approximately 5,740 feet (1750 meters) long, would be relocated at Ivy Gap.

A total of 169 stream crossings were identified in the impact summary sheets for projects R-2518A, R-2518B (preliminary), R-2519A (preliminary) and R-2519B (preliminary design). These streams are listed in Tables 13-16 of this report. Major water resources within the project area are Middle Fork Creek, Bald Creek, Price Creek, the Cane River, Pine Swamp Branch, Little Crabtree Creek and Big Crabtree Creek (see Exhibits 9 and 10 in the referenced EA for the location of rivers and streams). Middle Fork Creek flows to the south from Bethel to the French Broad River. Bald Creek flows to the north from the top of Ivy Gap to the Cane River. Price Creek flows north from Chestnut Mountain to the Cane River. The Cane River flows north from the Pisgah National Forest converging with the Toe River (North Toe River) to form the Nolichucky River. Pine Swamp Branch flows to the west from Burnsville and is a tributary to the Cane River. Little Crabtree Creek flows to the east from Burnsville and is a tributary to the South Toe River. Big Crabtree Creek flows north along the Yancey/Mitchell County line into the North Toe River. Brushy Creek is a tributary to Big Crabtree Creek.

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