FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
FOR

ROUTE McIntire Road Extension
FEDERAL PROJECT M-5104(108)
STATE PROJECT U000-104-V02, PE101
0631-002-128, C502
FROM: Route 250 Bypass/McIntire Road Intersection
TO: 0.09 Mile North CSXT Railroad Crossing (RT. 631)

The FHWA has determined that this project will not have any significant impact on the environment. This finding of no significant impact is based on the attached environmental assessment (EA) which has been independently evaluated by the FHWA and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the significant environmental comments received as a result of the early coordination process, the public hearings, and the public and clearinghouse notification process have been considered. This EA provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining that an environmental impact statement is not required. The FHWA takes full responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and content of the attached environmental assessment.

April, 13, 1995
Date		 Signed: Bruce Turner
Responsible Official		 Transportation Planner
Title

Note: This is a reconstructed FHWA Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) prepared by Bruce Turner of the FHWA Virginia Division on April 13, 1995. The Minute Memo below was an attachment along with the Fianl Environmental Assessment for the McIntire Road Extension dated April 7, 1995

Form FHWA-201
(Rev. 11-67)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
MINUTE - MEMO
SUBJECT
M-5104(108)
McIntire Road Extension - City of Charlottesville/Albemarle County
Finding of No Significant Impact
TO
MESSAGE/COMMENT
FROM
Project File

Thru:

J. B. Turner

 I have reviewed VDOT's April 6, 1995, request that we make a FONSI determination for the subject project. My review of the Final Environmental Assessment indicates that NEPA and all other applicable Federal environmental requirements have been met. The project as proposed will have no historic or archeological resources impacts, no Section 4(f) impacts, no wetland impacts, no threatened or endangered plant and animal species impacts, and require no displacements of any families, businesses, or non-profit organizations. The roadway impacts to Mcintire Park are not considered Section 4(f) impacts because the park development plan with the road extension incorporated into it was adopted by the City of Charlottesville in 1975 which predates the development of the original EIS for this project. Also, the roadway impacts to the temporary ballfield are not considered Section 4(f) impacts because the City Manager has indicated that the temporary ballfield is not significant for meeting the City's recreational needs.

This project was initially assessed with an environmental impact statement. A DEIS was approved by our office for public availability on December 20, 1985, and the location public hearing was held on March 25, 1986. Shortly after the public hearing, the project was "shelved" due to concerns of the City management and pending resolution of the Route 29 Bypass alignment. After an alignment for the Route 29 Bypass was chosen, the McIntire Road extension project was resurrected. An internal re-evaluation of the DEIS was approved by our office on February 1, 1994. The re-evaluation concluded that a SEIS was not warranted. Consequently, another location hearing was held on April 26, 1994. The alternatives presented at the public hearing had a southern terminus at the Route 250 Bypass, thereby avoiding impacts to the downtown area. The Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the location of Alternative A on September 15, 1994. Based on discussions with VDOT and recognizing that the project would not have any significant impacts, this office made the decision to downgrade the FEIS to an EA/FONSI. On March 14, 1995, a cancellation of the Notice of an intent to prepare an EIS for this project was published in the Federal Register. At the same time, VDOT published a similar notice in a Charlottesville paper.

The following commitments are contained in the Final Environmental Assessment:

  • An 8-foot bicycle lane will be included in the right-of-way throughout the corridor.
  • Landscaping options will be explored and developed during design and incorporataed into the plans.
  • Best Management Practices for minimizing erosion and siltation will be incorporated during construction to reduce stream impacts.
  • A noise barrier for site 13 will receive additional consideration after completion of the final project design and the public involvement process.
  • Temporary air quality impacts associated with construction will be controlled in accordance with Section 107.12(b)2 of VDOT's "Road and Bridge Specifications."
  • Per the attached noise study, construction noise will be controlled in accordance with Section 107.14(b)3 of VDOT's "Road and Bridge Specifications."
  • Hydraulic structures will be sized so as not to raise the floodplain level more than one foot..

Because of a couple of stream crossings and the necessity for two channel changes totaling 600', the following permits will be required and obtained during final design:

1. General Permit - Virginia Marine Resources Commission
2. Virginia Water Protection Permit - Department of Environmental Quality
3. Section 404 Permit - Army Corps of Engineers
4. Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit - Department of Environmental Quality

Signature: Edward Sundra
E. S. Sundra
Environmental Specialist

CC: C. Wamsley, VDOT-Central Office
S. Bywaters, VDOT-Culpeper District

 E. S. Sundra
4/13/95
Note: This is a reconstructed FHWA Minute-Memo prepared by Edward Sundra of the FHWA Virginia Division Office dated April 13, 1995. This memo was attached to the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) prepared by Bruce Turner of the FHWA Virginia Division on April 13, 1995.