CENAO-WRR-N
NAO-2020-02065
FEDERAL PUBLIC NOTICE
The District Commander received a joint application for Federal and State permits as described below:
APPLICANT
Belmont-Rte. 7, LLC
c/o Charles S. Kuhn
44112 Mercure Circle
Sterling, Virginia 20166
WATERWAY AND LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED WORK: The project is located approximately 1500 feet southeast of the Belmont Ridge Road (SR 659) and Harry Byrd Highway (SR 7) intersections, where Belmont Ridge Road connects to Freedom Trail Road in Loudoun County, Virginia.
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE: 39.075519 -77.496021
PROPOSED PROJECT: Construction of a roadway extension that will result in permanent impacts to 0.03 acre of palustrine forested wetlands (PFO), 0.09 acre of palustrine emergent wetland (PEM), 888 linear feet (0.25 acre) of perennial stream channel (R3), and 1,281 linear feet (0.23 acre) of intermittent stream channel (R4). Additionally, 0.01 acre of PFO wetland impact is proposed to be permanently converted to PEM. Temporary impacts consist of 464 linear feet (0.04 acre) of perennial stream channel and 0.01 acre of PEM wetland.
PROJECT PURPOSE AND NEED: The purpose of the proposed project is to construct a four-lane median divided roadway extension of Russell Branch Parkway off Clairborne Parkway (south of Harry Byrd Highway) to connect to the east side of existing Belmont Ridge Road.
AUTHORITY: Permits for the work in waters, including wetlands, are required pursuant to Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act (Public Law 95-217). The Corps must comply with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (54 U.S.C. § 306108), 36 CFR Part 800, regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA and 33 CFR Part 325, Appendix C, Processing of Department of the Army Permits.
PURPOSE OF PUBLIC NOTICE: In compliance with regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA, the Corps is soliciting comments on the proposed project from the public; federal, state, and local agencies and officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties. This public notice provides an opportunity for members of the public to express their views on the undertaking’s effects on historic properties and resolution of adverse effects. The Corps is requesting comments to assist in evaluation of the effects of the project on historic properties and evaluation of alternatives or modifications which could avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties.
HISTORIC PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION: The Corps identified historic properties within the Corps permit area. Cultural resources surveys were conducted on the project site and reports titled “Northstar Square, Loudoun County, Virginia Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation” and “Site 44LD0581, Loudoun County, Virginia Phase II Archaeological Evaluation” both prepared by Thunderbird Archaeology (Thunderbird), were provided to the Corps and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) for review. The cultural resources survey and report are a reasonable and good faith effort to identify historic properties. Based on the results of the survey and in coordination with DHR, the Corps has determined that one archaeological resource (DHR ID #44LD0581) within the project site is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. A portion of the proposed road, including a portion of the Corps’ permit area, is located within the boundaries of Belmont Manor (DHR ID #053-0106), which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
ADVERSE EFFECT DETERMINATION: In consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office, and in consideration of views concerning effects provided by consulting parties, the Corps applied the criteria of adverse effect to historic properties within the permit area. The Corps determined that the proposed federal action would result in an adverse effect on the two known resources mentioned above. The Corps is consulting further to develop and evaluate alternatives or modifications to the undertaking that could avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects on historic properties. The Corps, the DHR, the permittee, and other consulting parties are proposing to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) under Section 106 of the NHPA.
COMMENT PERIOD: Comments on this project should be in writing and can be sent by either email to keith.r.goodwin@usace.army.mil, or by regular mail, addressed to the Norfolk District, Corps of Engineers (ATTN: CENAO-WRR), 803 Front Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1011, and should be received by the close of business on November 11, 2024
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY: Comments and information, including the identity of the submitter, submitted in response to this Public Notice may be disclosed, reproduced, and distributed at the discretion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Information that is submitted in connection with this Public Notice cannot be maintained as confidential by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Submissions should not include any information that the submitter seeks to preserve as confidential.
If you have any questions about this project or the permit process, contact
Keith R. Goodwin at 757-613-5431 or by email keith.r.goodwin@usace.army.mil.
Attachments:
Vicinity Map
Project Drawings