Categorical Exclusion Reevaluation

A Categorical Exclusion Reevaluation documents how a project would affect the surrounding community's quality of life, including health, safety, cultural resources and more.

Through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process, the I-80 Canoe Creek Bridges Project was approved as a Categorical Exclusion (CE) in April 2020, and the project team was permitted to move forward with final design and right-of-way acquisition. In February 2021, the project was selected as a candidate for bridge tolling under the Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership (MBP3) and an Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to study the potential impacts related to tolling and toll diversion in accordance with NEPA. The EA was made available for public comment on April 19, 2022, and a public hearing was held on May 4, 2022. In July 2022, the General Assembly amended the state's P3 law to remove tolling as a means of funding the MBP3. As a result, PennDOT is moving the I-80 Canoe Creek Bridges project forward, but without tolling.

A CE Reevaluation is being completed for the I-80 Canoe Creek Bridges Project to evaluate and document the effects of the build alternative with tolling removed. Since tolling will not be initiated, diversion of traffic onto local roads to avoid the tolls will not occur. Therefore, the proposed improvements along the diversion routes will no longer be included in the project. Approval of the CE Reevaluation is anticipated this fall (2022).

Section 106 (Cultural Resources)

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is applicable to federal agencies and requires identification of, and assessment of effects on, historic properties and archaeological sites listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Consultation with persons interested in the historic and archaeological properties/sites is integral to the Section 106 process and the public's involvement in the project. The Section 106 process includes identifying an area of potential effect (APE) for the project, and inviting property owners within that APE, as well as historical societies and others, to participate in the Section 106 process as "Consulting Parties." Separate APEs are established for the archaeological investigations and for above-ground historical properties.

One recorded historic industrial site, 36CL0198 Tippecanoe Furnace was re-identified via a pedestrian survey. The 36CL0198 Tippecanoe Furnace site is located almost entirely within existing PennDOT right of way; however, during construction the furnace remains will be fenced off and avoided. Any intact soils at the site or in the immediate vicinity would either be fenced off and avoided or protected using geotextile material and the appropriate amount of fill.

Of the areas with intact soils in the APE, there are two locations, designated Area A and Area B, that are going to be impacted and were deemed to contain intact soils with archaeological potential. A Phase I survey consisting of sub-surface excavation was conducted within these areas. One unrecorded site with pre-contact and historic components, 36CL0211 Edenburg Well site was identified. However, the portion of the site within the APE does not contribute to the site's overall eligibility. During construction, to prevent inadvertent disturbance, the portion of the site beyond the APE would be fenced off and avoided.

Wetland and Waterways Impacts

Wetland and waterway impacts were studied as a part of the NEPA process. The following impacts were identified.

Canoe Creek and 19 of its unnamed tributaries were identified in the immediate project area. These streams were identified by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards as High Quality Cold Water Fishes streams. About 1,954 linear feet of streams would be impacted due to the permanent widening of the bridge and culvert extensions.

There would also be 2,182 linear feet of temporary stream impacts during construction. Due to the unavoidable permanent impacts to the jurisdictional streams associated with the I-80 Canoe Creek Project, there is a total loss of 95 linear feet that would be mitigated off-site.

Canoe Creek is designated as both a Stocked Trout Water and a Wild Trout Water stream. As a result, no work will be permitted in Canoe Creek and its unnamed tributaries from February 15 to June 1 (for stocked trout) and October 1 to December 31 (for wild trout).

Field investigations identified and delineated 18 wetlands within the project study area. There would be permanent impacts to five wetland areas as a result of the project. The total acreage of these impacts is 0.085 acres.

Wetland impacts would be mitigated through PennDOT's Clarion County Wetland Bank. Remaining acreage within the bank is 1.997 acres. Stream impacts would be mitigated through use of Resource Environmental Solutions off-site mitigation bank and on-site mitigation. Wetlands within the project study area that are not impacted by the project would be delineated with protective orange construction fencing.

Threatened & Endangered Plants & Animals

A review determined there are no known impacts anticipated to threatened and endangered plants and animals within the project area.

Environmental Justice

Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations (February 11, 1994), directs federal agencies to identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of programs, policies and activities on minority and low-income populations.

• Low-income is defined as a person whose median household income is at or below the Department of Health and Human Services federal poverty guidelines ($26,500 for a household of four).
• Minority is a person who is: (1) Black (2) Hispanic or Latino (3) Asian American (4) American Indian and Alaskan Native, or (5) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

While there may be low income and minority populations living in the general project area, the project involves replacing an existing bridge and improvements to the existing roadway. The end result will be an improved roadway for all to use. There will be no disproportionately high and adverse effects on low income and minority populations.

Socioeconomic Areas

Public Facilities & Services: Access for public facilities and services would be improved due to design improvements resulting from the project.

Right of Way Acquisitions: No relocation of people, businesses or farms; all acquisition conducted in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions Policies Act of 1970, as amended; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code of 1964.

No effects on regional and community growth, community cohesion or aesthetics.