After completing the Charlotte to Raleigh engineering evaluation by JBM, NCDOT studied the possible environmental effects of the high speed rail improvements. Carter & Burgess Engineering, Inc. was selected to perform an environmental screening. A "screening" consists of collecting data to determine where there are potential environmental effects from the proposed improvements along the SEHSR from Charlotte to Raleigh. ¹⁴

8.1 EVALUATION METHOD

The screening examined the 64 sections identified in the JBM engineering report where track realignment or other major improvements were suggested. It also examined the five by-pass alternates suggested by NCDOT. The environmental screening assessed by section:

The purpose of the environmental screening was to identify potential environmental impacts the proposed action may involve and to categorize the type of action necessary to advance the project to more detailed planning and construction. Carter & Burgess used a "Minimum Criteria Determination Checklist for State Funded Highway Projects" developed by NCDOT in 1993. State funded projects which meet the minimum criteria for "Non-Major Actions" and do not fall within the minimum criteria exceptions are classified as Non-Major Actions and do not require the preparation of an environmental document. Federally funded projects must be evaluated against similar criteria. However, one can conclude that projects classified as State Non-Major Actions will in all probability require only the preparation of a Categorical Exclusion document. (The Categorical Exclusion is a document that simply identifies those Federally funded projects that have little or no environmental impact. For projects meeting the criteria of a Major Action, an Environmental Assessment must be pursued at both the State and Federal levels.)

The 64 sections and five bypass alternates identified in the JBM Engineering evaluation were evaluated against the minimum criteria. The sections and bypasses were grouped according to type of action recommended by the screening.

8.2 EVALUATION FINDINGS

Of the 173 mile corridor from Charlotte to Raleigh, 48.6 miles were identified as Non-Major Actions.

Each bypass, and each section that included a bypass (i.e., requires new track to go outside of the existing RR right-of-way) must be considered a major action due to the changes in land use.

No significant environment impacts that cannot be avoided were found. An Environmental Assessment will be required, however, to determine all possible impacts and mitigation strategies.

For improvements considered major actions, the following state and federal review may be required:

• Section 401 Water Certification (state permit) -- applies to impacts on water quality
• Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (federal permit) -- applies to fill or excavation in waters of wetlands
• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 -- applies to impacts on historic properties from Federally funded licensed or permitted projects only
• Coordination with Municipal and County governments -- state and local governments must coordinate wherever appropriate, especially regarding street closing and realignments and with public meetings
• Section 6(f) of the Water Conservation Act Fund -- applies to lands acquired or improved with LWCF funds
• Section 4(f) -- applies to impacts on historic sites, public parks, recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges from Federally funded projects only
• US Fish & Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries -- applies to impacts from Federally funded projects that may jeopardize the existence of any federally listed threatened, endangered or protected species

8.3 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT STEPS

NCDOT has begun an environmental impact study for the entire Charlotte to Washington, DC corridor. This will allow early coordination with local, state and federal agencies to provide the most detailed mapping and information available for their evaluation and input. After all environmental concerns for the entire corridor have been addressed, the corridor's improvements can be broken into multiple sections for implementation.