North Carolina Department of Transportation; PB World Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: CZR has been involved in natural resource work associated with replacement of Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet in Dare County since 1990. CZR has worked on multiple task orders to assist with preparation of two EISs, natural resource reports, biological assessments (BA), essential fish habitat analysis, literature reviews, agency meetings, and Section 404 jurisdictional delineations. Natural resources were evaluated and addressed for over 3,400 acres and wetlands were flagged for over 2,500 acres of this area. A variety of alternatives and project areas were evaluated, including an approximate 17-mile bridge with a southern terminus in Rodanthe, NC
Field work performed by CZR for the project included mapping biotic and wetland communities, conducting piping plover studies in support of a Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, delineation/flagging of wetlands using sub-meter accurate GPS equipment, evaluating habitats for all protected species, evaluation of potential mitigation sites, and documenting terrestrial and aquatic biotic of the study areas.
Extensive literature searches of natural resource data relative to the area have been performed and summarized. A detailed Biological Assessment was also prepared to address project impacts. Major topics of the project addressed by CZR include:
Physical Characteristics - topography, elevation, current land use, descriptions of soil associations and specific soil series to be affected; and preparing a description of water resources in the area.
Biotic Resources - natural and disturbed communities likely to be affected within the natural resources study area, including thorough descriptions of terrestrial and aquatic biotic resources.
Protected Species - identification of potential habitat and potential project impacts resulting in preparation of formal BA and Biological Opinion in coordination with the USFWS.
Jurisdictional Surface Water and Wetland Determinations - jurisdictional surface waters were identified, described and mapped.