Agenda - 02-16-1988 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHFARE PLAN Several of the roads included in the Recommended Plan pass through areas which are environmentally sensitive. Care has been taken to minimize the impacts and to avoid areas of a particularly delicate nature. The Inventory of the Natural Areas and Rare Species of Durham County gives a description of the location and significance of sites which deserve and require protection. This inventory served as a guide in the development of alignments for the Thoroughfare Plan, and will be used extensively in the development of functional designs for routes. A detailed environmental assessment will be undertaken when the roads in the plan are designed. The eastern side of the Durham Outer Loop passes through the water critical area of the Falls Lake Reservoir. The alignment of this road has been kept as far to the west as possible without passing through heavily developed residential areas. North of NC 98, the proposed freeway passes through Little Lick Creek bottom- lands. North of I-85, this freeway passes near a diabase upland site, the habitat of Prairie Dock, a rare wild flower. The freeway then crosses the Eno River near the Red Mill Road bridge, and passes across wetland mitigation areas. Through the Treyburn development, the Outer Loop will pass south of the water critical area of the Little River Reservoir. The Penny's Bend section of the Eno River is the site of two rare species of wild flower, Wild Blue Indigo and Hoary Puccoon. Old Oxford Highway will need to be widened in this area, but the route will be carefully designed to avoid disturbing this habitat. These rare species are also found at Catsburg, the intersection of Old Oxford and Hamlin Road. Alston Avenue Extension will tie into Old Oxford here, so care must be taken in designing the new facility. The land along the Eno River is unique in pristine quality and variety of plant species. All routes which cross or pass near the river will be designed to minimize disruption of natural areas and control run-off. For instance, the alignment of Eno Drive near Sparger Road as shown on the 1980 Thoroughfare Plan was revised to stay as far from the river as possible to avoid adverse impacts. Between the City of Durham and the Town of Chapel Hill is New Hope Creek. There has been considerable concern over the impacts of new development on the creek. In southwest Durham County, the creek empties into Jordan Lake, a recent impoundment for flood control and a likely future water supply. The Lake is a popular recreation area and is the home of several rare bird species, including the bald eagle. No new thoroughfares are recommended which cross New Hope Creek or Jordan Lake, although some widening of existing crossings is recom- mended. It is anticipated that traffic between the cities will continue to increase, putting greater demands on the existing roads. 4.8