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35 <br /> additional development or enhanced development potential along <br /> roadways. DOT barely acknowledges that the existence of large <br /> areas of paved roadway surface increases the quantity of surface <br /> runoff which in turn may increase erosion, flooding and <br /> transmission of pollutants; that increased traffic capacity may <br /> generate additional traffic which generates increased pollutants <br /> resulting from wear on automobile engine, brake and other <br /> mechanical parts and from the combustion of hydrocarbon based <br /> fuels; or that roadways and roadway expansion may have many other <br /> indirect or hidden impacts on the environment . To be fair, <br /> however, it must be stated that NCDOT' s primary function is to <br /> provide the highest level of service ( fastest and safest flow of <br /> traffic) at the least cost for the anticipated or projected <br /> traffic volume on any designated route. The rules for <br /> environmental protection are formulated and enforced by others and <br /> the rules are followed to the letter, if not the spirit , by DOT. <br /> DOT has fulfilled its statutory requirements to address potential <br /> environmental impacts with the original and the updated FONSI 's. <br /> It may be possible to work out some concessions by DOT in regard <br /> to watershed protection for the Seven Mile Creek basin, but it may <br /> also be necessary to get the watershed classified as a higher <br /> quality water supply. As the situation presently exists, it will <br /> be difficult to invoke any regulatory requirement for NCDOT to <br /> provide any additional environmental study or impact mitigation. <br />