NEPA_Report_(Categorical_Exclusion_Form).pdf

Letter of Compliance Completion - Pavement Preservation for Newfound Gap Road, NC Side (MP 14.75 to

31.96) - PEPC ID: 75676

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Date: 11/06/2017

Letter of Compliance Completion

Memorandum

To: Imelda Wegwerth

From: Mark Collins

Subject: NEPA and NHPA Clearance: Pavement Preservation for Newfound Gap Road, NC Side (MP

14.75 to 31.96) (75676)

The Interdisciplinary Team has reviewed the proposed project/action and completed its environmental assessment documentation, and we have determined that there:

• Will not be any effect on threatened, endangered, or rare species and/or their critical habitat.

• Will not be any effect on historical, cultural, or archeological resources.

• Will not be serious or long-term undesirable environmental or visual effects.

The subject proposed project/action(s), therefore, is/are now cleared for all NEPA and NHPA compliance requirements as presented above. Project plans and specifications are approved and construction and/or project implementation can commence.

For the proposed project actions to be within compliance requirements during construction and/or project implementation, the following mitigations must be adhered to:

• Park Archeologist will review new disturbance(s) related to gate installation at Smokemont and BLRI, once the area is known.

• In the event of the discovery of unanticipated cultural resources, work will halt and the archeologist will be contacted. Work will not resume until archeologist gives approval to resume.

• Monitor revegetation success for up to 3 years following projects, implementing remedial and control measures as needed. Remedial actions could include installation of erosion control structures, reseeding, and/or replanting the area, and controlling non-native plant species.

• Construction sites will abide by best management practices regarding avoidance of tree damage. Trees will have fencing established to prevent vehicle damage to main stem, root pruning will be used to trim roots within below grade work zones, care will be given to avoid compaction of soils over root systems.

• Do not place straw on disturbed lands. Reseed with park approved seed mix only.

• Imported materials shall be specified clean and weed free and the materials source identified to the park project manager.

• A public information program to warn of temporary closures, delays, and road hazards during construction shall be implemented.This program would help convey appropriate messages to the public and aid in mitigating potential impacts on visitors' expectations and experiences

Letter of Compliance Completion - Pavement Preservation for Newfound Gap Road, NC Side (MP 14.75 to

31.96) - PEPC ID: 75676

• Erosion control methods shall be used to prevent silt-laden water from entering the stream. These may include, but are not limited to, silt fencing, filter fabric, excelsior or fumigated straw filter logs, temporary sediment ponds, check dams of pea gravel-filled burlap bags or other material, and/or immediate mulching of exposed areas. In order to prevent import of non-native plants, straw bales or non-fumigated products shall not be permitted. This measure is designed to keep fine and coarse sediments from reaching flowing waters where they can be transported downstream and may affect spawning gravels, substrate embeddedness, pool frequency/quality and the development of large pools. Silt protection structures should be inspected and cleaned out periodically.

• Notify cultural resource staff in advance of any changes to the work plan that would alter the footprint of this road resource.

• All project planning shall include field surveys for wetlands. Survey findings shall be reviewed by the NPS's Water Quality Division.

Recommendations for Conditions or Stipulations:

In the event of the discovery of unanticipated cultural resources, work will halt and the archeologist will be contacted. Work will not resume until archeologist gives approval to resume. Park Archeologist will review new disturbance(s) related to gate installation at Smokemont and BLRI, once the area is known.

For complete compliance information see PEPC Project 75676.

If you have any questions, please let me know.