Categorical_Exclusion_Form_(NEPA).pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

FEDERAL EXPRESS

LTJG Kelly Hoeksema US Public Health Service National Park Service Virgin Islands National Park 1300 Cruz Bay Creek St. John, VI 00830

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

21400 Ridgetop Circle Sterling, VA 20166-6511

JAN -6 2015 In Reply Refer to: HFPP-15

Subject: PRA-VIIS 20(1), North Shore Road Repairs Virgin Islands National Park Request for Signature of CE

Dear Ms. Hoeksema:

The Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is in the process of preparing plans to rehabilitate two sites along North Shore Road in order to improve rideability and safety by restoring the roadway surface and stabilizing deteriorated roadside embankments. The Categorical Exclusion (CE) associated with this project has been drafted and is enclosed. The FHW A respectfully requests your review of the CE. If you find the

CE acceptable, please forward the CE for signature by the Superintendent and return an electronic or hard copy of the signed document to me. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Lisa Landers, Environmental Protection Specialist, at

Lisa.Landers@dot.gov or (571) 434-1592.

Sincerely, Kevin S. Rose Environmental Compliance Specialist

Enclosure

Categorical Exclusion Form Virgin Islands National Park

St. John Island, U.S. Virgin Islands

Project: PRA-VIIS 20(1) Date: December 29, 2014

Project description, including location:

The Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), is preparing plans to rehabilitate two sites along North Shore Road in Virgin Islands National Park in St. John Island, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The work associated with this project will include clearing and grubbing, construction of gabion walls, asphalt pavement reconstruction, asphalt mill and overlay, and other miscellaneous work.

The purpose of this project is to improve ridability and safety by restoring the roadway surface and stabilizing the deteriorated roadside embankments.

The first site (Site 1) is located between MP 2.3 and MP 2.4 along North Shore Road. The northbound travel lane consists of a cantilever concrete slab with an asphalt pavement overlay.

A portion of the embankment material underneath the concrete slab has been washed out. This has caused the pavement at the approaches to exhibit signs of distress likely due to the movement of sub grade material into voids under the concrete slab. These voids will be packed with backfill and gabion walls will be constructed to protect the embankment adjacent to the cantilever slab.

The distressed pavement at the approaches will be reconstructed and the remaining roadway surface, between the previously mentioned mileposts, will receive an asphalt mill and overlay.

The second site (Site 2) is located between MP 2.8 and 2.9. At this location, there are two existing gabion walls separated by approximately 39 feet. The shoulder on the roadway embankment side is less than a foot at locations with no gabion walls. In order to prevent future damage to the roadway, a gabion wall connecting the two existing walls will be constructed.

Additionally, backfill material will be placed behind the new wall in order to stabilize the embankment. The asphalt pavement will be reconstructed on the eastbound portion of the roadway that is parallel to the proposed gabion wall and milled and overlaid on the westbound lane in the same area.

Describe the category used to exclude the action from further NEP A analysis and indicate the number of the category:

Director's Order 12, Section 3-4, C. 9 Repair, resurfacing, striping, installation oftraffic control devices, repair/replacement of guardrails, etc., on existing roads.

23 CFR 771.117( c)(26) Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (including parking, weaving, turning, and climbing lanes), if the action meets the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

23 CFR 771.117(e) Actions described in (c)(26), (c)(27), and (c)(28) of this section may not be processed as CEs under paragraph (c) if they involve:

(1) An acquisition of more than a minor amount of I No right-of-way acquisitions are required right-of-way or that would result in any residential for this project.

or non-residential displacements;

(2) An action that needs a bridge permit from the No pennits are needed from the U.S.

U.S. Coast Guard, or an action that does not meet Coast Guard or U.S. Army Corps of the terms and conditions of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineers nationwide or general permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899;

(3) A finding of "adverse effect" to historic In a letter dated November 26, 2014, the properties under the National Historic Preservation USFWS concurred with the FHW A Act, the use of a resource protected under 23 U.S.C. finding that the proposed project may 138 or 49 U.S.C. 303 (section 4(f)) except for affect, but was not likely to adversely actions resulting in de minimis impacts, or a finding affect any federally listed species or of"may affect, likely to adversely affect" species of special concern. In a letter threatened or endangered species or critical habitat dated December 24, 2014, the Virgin under the Endangered Species Act; Islands SHPO concurred with the FHW A finding that the proposed project would have no adverse effects on cultural resources.

(4) Construction of temporary access, or the closure No major traffic disruptions would result of existing road, bridge, or ramps, that would result from the project. Construction activities in major traffic disruptions; would result in the closure of a single lane.

(5) Changes in access control; Access control would not change as a result of the project.

( 6) A floodplain encroachment other than The project is not located in a floodplain.

functionally dependent uses (e.g., bridges, The project would not impact a river wetlands) or actions that facilitate open space use component designated or proposed for (e.g., recreational trails, bicycle and pedestrian inclusion in the National System of Wild paths); or construction activities in, across or and Scenic Rivers.

adjacent to a river component designated or proposed for inclusion in the National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Describe any public or agency involvement effort conducted:

Consultation was completed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). In a letter dated November 26, 2014, the USFWS concurred with the FHWA finding that the proposed project may affect, but was not likely to adversely affect any federally listed species or species of special concern. In a letter dated December 24, 2014, the Virgin Islands SHPO concurred with the FHWA finding that the proposed project would have no adverse effects on cultural resources.

Check the appropriate box if the project would:

YES NO

A. Have significant adverse effects on public health or safety. X

B. Have adverse effects on such unique characteristics as historical or cultural resources, park, recreation or refuge lands, wilderness areas, wild or scenic rivers, sole or principal drinking water aquifers, prime farmlands, wetlands, X floodplains, or ecological significant or critical areas, including those listed on the National Register ofNational Landmarks.

C. Have highly controversial environmental effects. X

D. Have highly uncertain and potentially significant environmental effects or X involve unique or unknown environmental risks.

E. Establish a precedent for future action or represent a decision in principle X about future actions with potentially significant environmental effects.

F. Be directly related to other actions with individually insignificant, but X cumulatively significant environmental effects.

G. Have adverse effects on properties listed or eligible for listing on the X National Register of Historic Places.

H. Have adverse effects on species listed or proposed to be listed on the List of Endangered or Threatened Species, or have adverse effects on designated X Critical Habitat for these Species.

I. Require compliance with Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11900 (Protection ofWetlands), or the Fish X and Wildlife Coordination Act.

J. Threaten to violate a federal, state, local, or tribal law or requirement X imposed for the protection of the environment.

K. Require a permit from a federal, state, or local agency to proceed, unless X the agency from whom the permit is required agrees a CE is appropriate.

L. Have the potential for significant impact as indicated by a federal, state, or X local agency or Indian Tribe.

M. Have the potential to be controversial regardless of its impact. X

If any box is checked yes, the action may not be categorically excluded and an EA or EIS must be prepared. If none are checked yes, attach Environmental Screening Form, notes from consultation with agencies and/or the public, notes of site visits and any other material related to the environmental impact of the proposal. This becomes the NEP A piece of the statutory compliance file.

On the basis of the environmental impact infonnation in the statutory compliance file, with which I am familiar, I believe the project should be categorically excluded from further NEP A analysis.

Prepared by:

Aaron Hernandez Environmental Protection Specialist Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

Date

On the basis of the environmental impact information in the statutory compliance file, with which I am familiar, I am categorically excluding the described project from further NEP A analysis. No exceptional circumstances (i.e., all boxes in the ESF are marked "no") or conditions apply and the action is fully described in Director's Order 12, Section 3-4, C. 9 and 23 CFR

771.117 (c)(26).

evm ose Environmental Compliance Specialist Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

/·/0/s- Date

Environmental Screening Form

Project: PRA-VIIS 20(1) Date: December 29, 2014

Yes No Don't Know

1. Described fully in one of the list of categorically excluded X actions?

2. Consultation with any affected agencies or tribes complete? X

3. Site visit completed? X

4. Are any significant impacts possible on the following physical, natural, or cultural resources?*

A. Geological resources - soils, bedrock, streambeds, etc. X

B. From geohazards? X

C. Air Quality, Traffic, or from Noise X

D. Water Quality or Quantity X

X

E. Streamflow characteristics

F. Marine or Estuarine Resources X

G. Land Use, including agricultural lands X

H. Rare or unusual vegetation-old growth timber, riparian, alpine, X etc.

I. Species of special concern (plant or animal; state or federal X listed or proposed for listing) or their habitat

J. Unique ecosystems, biosphere reserves, World Heritage sites X

K. Unique or important wildlife or wildlife habitat X

L. Unique or important fish or fish habitat X

Yes No Don't Know

M. Introduce or promote non-native species (plant or animal) X

N. Recreation resources X

0. Visitor experience, aesthetic resources X

P. Cultural resources, cultural landscape, etc. X

Q. Minority and Low Income Populations X

R. Socioeconomics X

S. Energy Resources X

T. Other agency or tribal land use plans or policies X

U. Resource, including energy, conservation potential X

V. Urban quality, gateway communities, etc. X

W. Long term management of resources or land/resource X productivity

* Insert the word "none" in the "no column" if the reason that a resource is not impacted is because the resource is not found in the project area.

This form is meant to be annotated with relevant information, such as notes of site visit, personnel conducting the site visit, agency officials contacted and their responses, etc.

If the answers to questions 1-3 are yes, and all answers to number 4 are "no", complete the categorical exclusion checklist. If any of the answers to question 4 are "don't know," complete an EA. If any are answered "yes," either a mitigated EA or EIS is required.

Federal Highway Administration

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

21400 Ridgetop Circle Sterling, VA 20166-6511

NOV 1 S 2014 In Reply Refer to: HFPP-15

FEDERAL EXPRESS

Mr. Edwin Muniz Field Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ATTN: Mare lisa Rivera Carr. 301, Km 5.1 Boqueron, PR 00622

Subject: PRA-VIIS 20(1), North Shore Road Rehabilitation Virgin Islands National Park Section 7 Consultation

Dear Mr. Muniz:

The Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, of the Federal Highway Administration (FHW A), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), is preparing plans to rehabilitate two sites along North Shore Road in Virgin Islands National Park. The work associated with this project would include clearing and grubbing, construction of gabion walls, asphalt pavement reconstruction, asphalt mill and overlay, and other miscellaneous work. The purpose of this project is to improve rideability and safety by restoring the roadway surface and stabilizing the deteriorated roadway embankments.

The first site (Site 1) is located between MP 2.3 and MP 2.4 along North Shore Road. The northbound travel lane consists of a cantilever concrete slab with an asphalt pavement overlay.

A portion of the embankment material underneath the concrete slab has been washed out. This has caused the pavement at the approaches to exhibit signs of distress likely due to the movement of subgrade material into voids under the concrete slab. These voids would be packed with backfill and gabion walls and would be constructed to protect the embankment adjacent to the cantilever slab. The distressed pavement at the approaches would be reconstructed and the remaining roadway surface, between the previously mentioned mileposts, would receive an asphalt mill and overlay.

The second site (Site 2) is located between MP 2.8 and 2.9. At this location, there are two existing gabion walls separated by approximately 39 feet. The shoulder on the roadway embankment side is less than a foot at locations with no gabion walls. In order to prevent future damage to the roadway, a gabion wall connecting the two existing walls would be constructed.

Additionally, backfill material would be placed behind the new wall in order to stabilize the embankment. The asphalt pavement would be reconstructed on the eastbound portion of the roadway that is parallel to the proposed gabion wall and milled and overlaid on the westbound lane in the same area.

The FHWA obtained a list of threatened and endangered species for the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands. This list includes the following species:

• Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

• Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

• St. Thomas Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum thomasianum)

• Thomas' Lidflower (Calyptranthes thomasiana)

The proposed roadway repairs would occur within the footprint of the existing roadway and the construction of gabion walls would occur on an embankment immediately adjacent to the roadway. Coordination with Virgin Islands National Park staff indicates that there are no records of federally-listed endangered species occurring in the project area. Therefore, the FHW A has determined that the project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, any federally-listed species or their critical habitats.

The FHWA respectfully requests your review of the proposed project and concurrence with our determination within 30 days of receipt ofthis letter. Enclosed you will find the preliminary project plans, a topographic project map, and photographs of the project area. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Lisa Landers, Environmental Protection Specialist, at Lisa.Landers@dot.gov or (571) 434-1592.

Sincerely, Kevin S. Rose Environmental Compliance Specialist

Enclosures cc:

Ms. Kelly Hoeksema,_ Regional Project Manager, National Park Service

United States Department of the Interior

In Reply Refer To:

FWS/R4/CFSF0/78020-033

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Caribbean Ecological Services

Field Office P.O. Box 491

Boqueron, PR 00622

NOV 2 6 2014

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Kevin S. Rose U.S. Deprutment ofTransportation Federal Highway Administration 21400 Ridgetop Circle Sterling, VA 20166-6511

Dear Mr. Rose:

Re: PRA-VIIS 20(1 ). N01th Shore Road Rehabilitation, Virgin Islands National Park

-o

CJ1

Thank you for your letter dated November 18. 2014 requesting our concurrence with your effect detetmination for the proposed actions for the North Shore Road Rehabilitation at the Virgin Islands National Park. Our comments arc issued in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1531 el seq.).

The proposed action consists of road rehabilitation in two sites along North Shore Road. The first site (Site 1) is located between MP 2.3 and MP 2.4. The work at the first site will include: the reconstruction of gabion walls to protect the embankment adjacent to the cantilever slab and surfacing of remaining roadway surface. The second site (Site 2) is located between MP 2.8 and MP 2.9. The work at the second site will include: the construction of gabion wall and placement of backfill material behind the new wall in order to stabilize the embankment.

The proposed roadway repairs will occur within the footprint of existing roadway and the construction of gabion walls will occur on an embankment immediately adjacent to the roadway.

Virgin Island National Park Staff has indicated that there are no records of federally-listed endangered species within the project area.

Based on a review of the information provided and that is available in our office, the proposed project lies within the range of these federally listed species;

• Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys inmbricata)

• Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

• St. Thomas Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum thomasianwn)

• Calyptranthes thomasiana

Based on the information currently available to us, no individuals have been observed along the

' i i'v'fr. Rost' project sites. Therefore, we concur w·ith your determination that the proposed action may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect any federally-listed species or their critical habitats. No further consultation is required. Nevertheless, if the project is moditied or if information on impacts to listed species becomes available; this office should be contacted concerning the need for the initiation of consultation under section 7 of the Act.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this project. We appreciate your effort to protect endangered species and their habitat. It is the Service' s mission to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benetit of our people. Please do not hesitate to contact Mare lisa Rivera at 787-851-7297, extension 206, should you have any questions concerning our comments.

Sincerely yours, ~vi~~ Field Supervisor ages

Virgin Island National Park Staff

Federal Highway Administration

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

21400 Ridgetop Circle Sterling, VA 20166-6511

OCT 14 20MJ In Reply Refer to: HFPP-15

FEDERAL EXPRESS

Mr. Sean L. Krigger Director State Historic Preservation Office 1640 Dronningens Gade 71 & 72A, Kongens Quarter Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI 00802

Subject: PRA-VIIS 20(1 ), North Shore Road Rehabilitation Virgin Islands National Park Section 106 Consultation

Dear Mr. Krigger:

The Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division, ofthe Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), is preparing plans to rehabilitate two sites along North Shore Road in Virgin Islands National Park. The work associated with this project would include clearing and grubbing, construction of gabion walls, asphalt pavement reconstruction, asphalt mill and overlay, and other miscellaneous work. The purpose of this project is to improve rideability and safety by restoring the roadway surface and stabilizing the deteriorated roadway embankments.

The first site (Site 1) is located between MP 2.3 and MP 2.4 along North Shore Road. The northbound travel lane consists of a cantilever concrete slab with an asphalt pavement overlay.

A stone masonry guardwall runs on top along the length of the cantilever slab. A portion of the embankment material underneath the concrete slab has been washed out. This has caused the pavement at the approaches to exhibit signs of distress likely due to the movement of sub grade material into voids under the concrete slab. These voids would be packed with backfill and gabion walls would be constructed to protect the embankment adjacent to the cantilever slab.

The distressed pavement at the approaches would be reconstructed and the remaining roadway surface, between the previously mentioned mileposts, would receive an asphalt mill and overlay.

The stone masonry guardwall would not be impacted by the repairs.

The second site (Site 2) is located between MP 2.8 and 2.9. At this location, there are two existing gabion walls separated by approximately 39 feet. The shoulder on the roadway embankment side is less than a foot at locations with no gabion walls. In order to prevent future damage to the roadway, a gabion wall connecting the two existing walls would be constructed.

Additionally, backtill material would be placed behind the new wall in order to stabilize the embankment. The asphalt pavement would be reconstructed on the eastbound portion of the roadway that is parallel to the proposed gabion wall and milled and overlaid on the westbound lane in the same area.

The roadway repairs would be completed within the previously disturbed roadway prism;

therefore, the FHWA has determined that there would be no adverse effects to cultural resources as a result of the proposed action.

The FHWA respectfully requests your review of the proposed project and concurrence with our determination within 30 days of receipt of this letter. Enclosed you will find a topographic project map and pictures ofthe sites to assist with your review. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Mr. Aaron Hemandez, Envirom11ental Protection Specialist, at Aaron.Hernandez@dot.gov or (703) 404-6283.

Sincerely, Environmental Compliance Specialist

Enclosures

Ms. Kelly Hoeksema, Regional Project Manager, National Park Service

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office

Telephone: (340) 719-7089

December 24, 2014

Strand Street 198, Fort Frederik Museum Frederiksted

St. Croix, Virgin Islands 00840

Mr. Kevin S. Rose, Environmental Compliance Specialist Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division 21400 Ridgetop Circle Sterling, VA 20166-6511

Facsimile: (340) 719-8343

Ref: VISHPO Section 106 Review of PRA-VIIS 20(1), North Shore Road Rehabilitation

Dear Mr. Rose:

The Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office (VISHPO) has reviewed the Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division's request for Section 106 concurrence for no adverse effects to cultural resources the above referenced National Highway construction project. VISHPO review was initiated on behalf of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). The NHPA requires all federally funded undertakings must include consideration for the potential impact to cultural resources prior to the distribution of funds.

As per VISHPO's review of the North Shore Road Rehabilitation scope of work, there are no concerns from a historic/cultural and/or archaeological perspective. Therefore the VISHPO concurs with .Federal Highway Administration's finding no adverse effects to cultural resources for the North Shore Road (Route 20) Rehabilitation Project through the Virgin Islands National 'Park. However, should any historic and/or archaeological resources be disturbed or discovered in the course of onsite excavation, the applicant is instructed to immediately halt all digging in the vicinity of the find -iind to contact the VISHPO for consultation. Failure to do so will be a violation ofboth federal and territorial laws.

Thank you for consulting with the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office regarding compliance for this project. Please contact our office, ifthere are any questions or concems.

Sincerely, ~;6:/fu:!- And Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer cc: Kelly Hoeksema, Regional Project Manager, National Park Service Norman Williams, Acting Director, CZM Virgin Islands

Section 106 Review Process Certificate of Approval

For Project Compliance

Department of Planning and Natural Resources V.I. State Historic Preservation Office

Dronningens Gade 71&72A, Kongens Quarter Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands 00802 Tel. (340) 776-8605/ Fax (340) 776-7236

This is to certify tbat tbe Federal Undertaking listed below bas successfully completed tbe Section 106 Review Process with the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office and presents no adverse effects to historic or other cultural resources listed on, determined to be eligible, or considered eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places.

Project Title: North Shore Road Rehabilitation

VISHPO Project No.: VISHPO STJ-01-15 Alternate Project No.: PRA-VIIS 20{1)

Federal / State Agency: Federal Highway Administration

Applicant: National Park Service

Project Coordinator: Aaron Hernandez, Environmental Protection Specialist

Applicant Telephone: (703) 404-6283 Fax or Email: Aaron.Hemandez@dot.gov

Location of Project: Virgin Islands National Park along North Shore Road (Route 20)

Island: St. John Quarter: Cruz Bay ~··

CIJ Approved, No Adverse Effects D Approved, *With Conditions:

*Conditions: None.

ActingDirectorffieputySHPO, L L~ Date: /JeWHJwc ;w, :lt:J/'1 Sean L. Kdgg 1