ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, PROBLEMS, AND SOLUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF US 23 (FUTURE I-26), UNICOI COUNTY, TN

The construction of US 23 (Future I-26) in Unicoi County, Tennessee was one of the largest and most environmentally sensitive projects ever undertaken by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Located in eastern Tennessee, this road was a major upgrade of the highway system between Johnson City, Tennessee and Asheville, North Carolina. The very steep mountainous terrain coupled with the presence of trout streams, black bear refuge areas, and pyritic rock formations presented some formidable challenges to the construction of a four lane highway. The objective of this study was to review the environmental history of the construction of US 23 and to evaluate the environmental protection and monitoring from planning through construction. The study reviewed all environmental documents which included DEIS, EIS, 404 permits, 401 permits, construction and erosion designs, field reports from TDOT engineers, NOVs and NOCs from other agencies, lawsuits, results of biological and water quality monitoring, pyritic rock encapsulation reports, bear migration studies, stream restoration efforts, erosion control and mitigation efforts. This project was the first to institute environmental monitoring for impacts to the entire watershed. Only minor problems resulting from the construction were found. Biological and water quality monitoring showed few impacts during construction and no long term impacts. Recommendations from both the resource agencies and the environmental consultants indicated a need for baseline monitoring at least one full year prior to construction in order to establish a data base of existing conditions and seasonal variability. The parameters for required monitoring need to be set prior to commencement of construction. This would include permanent sampling stations, sampling protocols, and frequency. Planning and design greatly underestimated the magnitude of the precipitation and the velocity of runoff encountered in the steep mountainous terrain of the Appalachians. All agencies, including TDOT, recommended better planning and design for future projects. One of the most significant changes to come out of the US 23 project was the decision to fund four regional environmental coordinator positions. A number of innovative techniques and procedures were used to address environmental problems that arose during the road construction.

• Corporate Authors:

  Fish and Wildlife Associates, Incorporated

  P.O. Box 241
  Whittier, NC  United States  28789

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk State Office Building, 505 Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Boaze, P M
  • Wiggins, B
• Publication Date: 2001-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 119 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental impact analysis; Environmental impact statements; Environmental impacts; Environmental protection; Erosion control; Future; History; Innovation; Monitoring; Mountains; Permits; Problem solving; Rainfall; Recommendations; Restoration ecology; Road construction; Runoff; Water quality; Watersheds
• Geographic Terms: Appalachian Mountains; Unicoi County (Tennessee)
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Environment; Highways; History; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Research; I50: Construction and Supervision of Construction;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00812575
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TNSPR-RES1146,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: CUT 192
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 28 2001 12:00AM