Winter 2003, Volume 9, No. 1

• ICOET Call for Abstracts Generates Nearly 140 Responses
• Context Sensitive Solutions Training
• AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence Expert (ACEEE) Program
• TRB Environmental Committees Re-Structure and Re-Focus
• AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Program 2003
• Web Site Features Results of European Scan Tour on Wildlife Habitat Connectivity
• CONVERGE Project Posts Calendar of Events
• North Carolina Air Quality Roundtable NADO Award
• New Literature Survey Posted
• CTE/NCDOT Environmental Research Profiles
• Mark Your Calendar

ICOET Call for Abstracts Generates Nearly 140 Reponses

The planning committee for the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET) received nearly 140 abstracts from 11 countries in response to the Call for Abstracts issued last October. The abstracts are currently under review, and the titles may be viewed on the conference Web site. The planning committee was pleased with the number and quality of submissions received and extends its appreciation to everyone who responded to the call. Notifications to authors will be made by March 10, 2003.

ICOET is scheduled for August 24 – 29, 2003, in Lake Placid, New York. The biennial event is the only inter-agency conference in the U.S. that addresses the broad range of ecological issues related to transportation planning and project development. The conference will feature technical sessions and poster displays on various aspects of ecosystems and landscape-level planning, wildlife and fisheries, aquatic restoration and water quality, context-sensitive solutions, and innovative partnerships. The conference also publishes a complete proceedings of the technical papers and posters featured at the conference.

ICOET 2003 is being co-sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration, Center for Transportation and the Environment, and New York State Department of Transportation. NYSDOT is also serving as the host agency. Opportunities for corporate sponsorships and exhibits are also available.

For more information, please visit the conference Web site or contact Katie McDermott, CTE technology transfer director, (919) 515-8034 or kpm@unity.ncsu.edu.

Context Sensitive Solutions Training

The Center for Transportation and the Environment recently began conducting Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) training courses for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The courses will initially be offered only to NCDOT employees but by October 2003, NCDOT intends to make the course available to employees of other agencies and consultant groups as well. Context Sensitive Solutions is a nationwide movement with objectives rooted in safety, mobility, environment, and community. The premise behind this training is to recognize that transportation projects are the responsibility and concern of not only transportation agencies, but also of local community interest groups, landowners, general public, and other stakeholders. CSS training encourages the use of excellence in facility design, improved environmental results, fulfillment of commitments made to communities, and reduced conflicts as measures of a successful transportation project.

Context Sensitive Solutions has been piloted in Connecticut, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and Utah. The NCDOT curriculum will explore a number of topics, including:

• Transportation Decision-making
• Working in Teams
• Public/Stakeholder Participation
• Communications and Collaborative Decision-making
• Defining Context
• Environmental Considerations
• Environmental and Aesthetic Elements of Design
• Engineering Considerations and Design Options
• Construction, Operations and Maintenance Considerations
• Developing and Assessing Alternatives

AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence Experts (ACEEE) Program

The AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence is forming a national cadre of on-call experts. These experts will be highly qualified individuals on-call to serve the environmental needs of the transportation agencies and environmental agencies. They will provide technical assistance, along with strategic planning and guidance on the most challenging issues facing transportation and environmental regulatory agencies. The AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence will match requests for assistance with a team best qualified to provide that assistance. The teams will be responsive and provide assistance that otherwise would not be available expeditiously through normal contracting procedures.

The AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence is accepting applications to become an ACEEE in the following topic areas:

• Environmental Management Systems
• Context-sensitive Design or Solutions
• Secondary and Cumulative Impacts
• Endangered Species
• Transportation and Land Use Planning
• Transportation Project Planning, Development and Design
• Wetlands and Water Quality
• Impact Assessment
• Air Quality
• Environmental and Related Document Preparation
• Public Involvement
• Agency Involvement
• Environmental Information Systems
• Waste Management and Pollution Prevention
• Section 4(f) Evaluation (Parks and Rec.)
• Culture Resource Management
• Environmental Justice
• Impact Mitigation Planning, Design and Construction

To speak with a program coordinator, contact Kris Hoellen, AASHTO, (202) 624-3649 and khoellen@aashto.org or James Martin, The Center for Transportation and Environment, (919) 515-8620 and jbm@unity.ncsu.edu.

TRB Environmental Committees Re-Structure and Re-Focus

The Transportation Research Board is reorganizing to better reflect the intermodalism inherent in the TRB committee structure. The Environmental Analysis in Transportation Committee (A1F02), for example, as well as other committees attached to the Section on Environmental Concerns, will be placed under a new grouping called "Planning and Environment." The reorganization is expected to be complete by April 2003.

The A1F02 Committee is undergoing changes as well. Carol Cutshall of Wisconsin DOT, who has provided strong leadership for the committee for the last three years, is stepping down. Mark Kross of Missouri DOT, formerly the committee newsletter editor, assumes responsibility of the committee chair effective February 1, 2003. In addition, the Subcommittee on Environmental Stewardship and Natural Resources, led by Andy Fekete of the RBA Group, is re-evaluating its mission in light of the proposed formation of a new task force on ecology and transportation, which the subcommittee and parent committee support. The task force, led by Tom Linkous of Ohio DOT, will work closely with the International Conference on Ecology and Transportation as well as with the Subcommittee on Animals and Vehicles, led by Alex Levy of the FHWA Southern Resource Center.

For more information on these committees and related activities, please visit the A1F02 Committee Web site.

AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Demonstration Program 2003

The AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Demonstration Program kicked-off 2003 with the distribution of a new environmental stewardship guide and a Web site re-design. Following the success of the 2002 program, which included 22 states registering 39 projects, AASHTO is now soliciting new projects for the 2003 program year. The revamped Web site showcases projects from last year’s program as well as newly registered projects. The site also offers highlights of various state stewardship projects/programs and links to useful stewardship events and information. The accompanying demonstration program guide offers information on how to participate in the 2003 program, Transportation Environmental Stewardship FAQs, a look at the Three Approaches Framework and 2002 Program Highlights and Successes.

For a copy of the new brochure, please email your name and address to Lisa Terwilliger at lmterwil@unity.ncsu.edu.

For additional information about the AASHTO Environmental Stewardship Demonstration Program, please contact Janet Myers at (919) 515-8041 or jlmyers@unity.ncsu.edu.

CTE Web Site Features Results of European Scan Tour on Wildlife Habitat Connectivity

CTE’s Wildlife, Fisheries, and Transportation (WFT) Web Gateway contains the results of the Federal Highway Administration’s recent European scan tour on wildlife habitat connectivity. The purpose of the scan was to improve the dissemination of research and best practices between Europe and the U.S. in order to help reduce barriers to addressing wildlife-related issues. CTE’s WFT Gateway includes links to the final report, video, and bibliography of publications collected by the scan tour team. The scan tour results are posted at CTE's kpm@unity.ncsu.edu.

CONVERGE Project Posts Calendar of Events

The national education Web site, CONVERGE: Where Transportation and the Environment Meet, recently posted the 2003 calendar of transportation and environmental events scheduled throughout the U.S. and internationally. To view the calendar, go to the CONVERGE Web site.

For more information on the CONVERGE project, or to request items to be added to the calendar, please contact Katie McDermott, CTE technology transfer director, (919) 515-8034 or kpm@unity.ncsu.edu.

North Carolina Air Quality Roundtable NADO Award

Members of the North Carolina Air Quality Roundtable gather to display the “2002 Innovations Award” presented by the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation. NADO recognizes organizations that demonstrate innovative approches to economic and community development. Pictured from left to right are: Beau Mills (NC Metropolitan Coalition), Brock Nicholson (NC DENR), Kay Prince (EPA), Linda Rimer (EPA), John Spurrell (North Carolina League of Municipalities), Sheila Holman (NC DENR), David Hyder (NCDOT), Eddie Dancausse (NC FHWA Division Office), Scott Lane (Capital Area MPO), and Janet Myers (CTE). More information can be found at the NC Air Quality Roundtable Web site.

For more information on the CONVERGE project, or to request items to be added to the calendar, please contact Katie McDermott, CTE technology transfer director, (919) 515-8034 or kpm@unity.ncsu.edu.

New Literature Survey Posted

CTE has completed a December 2002 update to its literature survey on "Impacts of Culverts on Anadromous and Non-Anadromous Fish Passage." The survey is located under the "Fisheries" section of CTE's Wildlife Gateway.

CTE/NCDOT Environmental Research Profiles

Assessment of the Groundwater Flows at Juniper Bay and their Impact on the Surrounding Area

Performing Organization:
North Carolina State University

Project Period:
May 1, 2002 – April 30, 2005

Project Team:
Rodney Huffman
NCSU Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Michael Vepraskas
NCSU Department of Soil Science

Project Objectives:
This project is a supplement to Vepraskas’ study of restoration success in Juniper Bay, a converted Carolina bay depressional wetland in Robeson County, NC. The focus of this project is the groundwater flows at Juniper Bay and their impact on the surrounding area. With solid data describing the flows at the perimeter of the site, it will be possible to predict how the changes to the bay’s drainage system will impact the surrounding areas. In addition, with a clear picture of the hydrologic function of the perimeter ditch, it will be possible to make a sound recommendation regarding its management. These analyses will also provide guidance for evaluation of the likelihood of successful wetland conversion with respect to subsurface flows, and avoidance of hydraulic trespass at other sites.

Progress this Quarter:
Collecting transect cores: Coring has been the primary focus and time-consumer of the project during the second quarter. (It takes two days to collect a core to approximately 40 feet and install a piezometer in the borehole.) Nine of twenty cores have been collected.

Laboratory evaluation of saturated hydraulic conductivity of sediments: Days of inclement weather have been used to advance the Ksat work in the lab. Since the lead field technician is also the person characterizing the coring and documenting the stratigraphy, the process in the lab has been limited. Lab conductivity tests have been run on four of the nine cores collected thus far.

For more information about this project, visit CTE’s Research Web site or contact the principal investigator, Dr. Rod Huffman, at rod_huffman@ncsu.edu or 919-515-6740.

Distribution of Freshwater Mussel Populations in Relationship to Crossing Structures

Performing Organizations:
North Carolina State University
NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Project Period:
July 1, 2000 – December 31, 2002

Project Team:
Jay F. Levine
NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Art Bogan
NCMNS Curator of Aquatic Invertebrates

Project Objectives:
The primary objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of crossing structures on freshwater mussel populations, as field observations by NCDOT and NC Wildlife Commission biologists have suggested that crossing structures may have a negative impact on the species composition, distribution, or abundance of freshwater mussel populations. In order to form a clear understanding of the actual impact of highway crossings on mussel populations, these researchers measured the differences in freshwater mussel presence, distribution, and relative abundance above and below bridge crossings in second and third order streams in the Piedmont of North Carolina. They also identified attributes about road crossing structures, adjacent land-use, and bridges that may be altering the species composition, distribution, and/or abundance of freshwater mussels. This study should provide the information needed to determine if additional steps should be taken in the construction and maintenance of crossing structures to minimize their impact on mussel populations.

Progress this Quarter:
Mussel surveys, GIS database development, and data collection: These tasks were completed in September 2002.

Data analysis: This aspect of the research was completed in December 2002.

Final report: This report is in progress. The expected completion date is February 2003. The report should be available for distribution in summer of 2003.

For more information about this project, visit CTE’s Research Web site or contact the principal investigator, Dr. Jay Levine, at jay_levine@ncsu.edu or 919-513-6397.

Assessment of the Impact of Highway Runoff on the Health of Freshwater Mussels in North Carolina Streams

Performing Organization:
North Carolina State University

Project Period:
July 1, 2000 – March 15, 2003

Project Team:
Jay F. Levine
NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine

W. Gregory Cope
NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Project Objectives:
The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of highway runoff on freshwater mussel populations, with the ultimate goal being to identify strategies that support the conservation of freshwater mussels and mussel habitat without impeding local economic development. To do so, the researchers identified the contaminants in road runoff that were entering NC streams, developed nonlethal field sampling techniques for assessing the health of freshwater mussel populations, and measured the potential impact of contaminants in road runoff on mussel health. The nonlethal sampling techniques utilized in this study have the potential to provide powerful new tools for DOT and NC Wildlife Commission biologists in their efforts to assess the health of freshwater mussel populations. Once these techniques are refined, their methodology could potentially be adopted for use in assessing the health and reproductive status of other endangered or threatened animal populations.

Progress this Quarter:
Mussel surveys and animal sample collection: These tasks were completed in August 2002.

Water, sediment, and PSD collection: These tasks were completed in December 2002.

Data entry and analysis: This portion of the study is almost complete, with the anticipated completion date of March 2003. Final report preparation: Work on the final report was continued during this quarter, with the anticipated completion date of March 2003. The report should be available for distribution in fall of 2003.

For more information about this project, visit CTE’s Research Web site or contact the principal investigator, Dr. Jay Levine, at jay_levine@ncsu.edu or 919-513-6397.

Develop a Methodology to Estimate Non-Point Source Pollutant Loadings from North Carolina Highways

Performing Organization:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Project Period:
July 1, 2002 – December 31, 2003

Project Team:
Craig Allan
UNCC Department of Geography and Earth Sciences

Jy Wu
UNCC Department of Civil Engineering

Project Objectives:
The primary objective of this study is the development of a GIS-based model to predict non-point Source (NPS) stormwater runoff pollutant loadings from North Carolina’s highways. The GIS NPS system will provide NCDOT managers and researchers with a scientifically based, automated methodology that could be used in three ways: (1) to calculate basin-wide pollutant loadings from roadway corridors within a watershed, (2) to prioritize outfall sensitive water quality sites within the various transportation districts for the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to treat highway runoff, and (3) to develop alternate roadway-specific NPS pollutant loading estimates that could be compared to pollutant loading methodologies that were not specifically calibrated from NC highway runoff data.

Progress this Quarter:
Literature review: The review of the major engineering, transportation, and scientific bibliographic databases has been completed in the following topic areas: water quality associated with highway stormwater runoff, calculation of pollutant loading for highway and urban runoff, highway stormwater best management practices, and GIS applications for Modeling non-point source runoff.

Analysis of NC Highway Runoff Data: Data—i.e., water quality, runoff, meteorologic, and traffic data—from the researchers’ recently completed stormwater runoff study has been compiled into spreadsheets for statistical analysis. This analysis will be ongoing and compared to literature-derived pollutant loading relationships.

GIS Model Development: The statewide digital topographic data that was available from NCDOT has been assembled. Researchers continue to refine and work on ways to combine the roadway crossing/hydrographic GIS database with the present highway loading project.

For more information about this project, visit CTE’s Research Web site or contact the principal investigator, Dr. Craig Allan, at cjallan@email.uncc.edu or 704-687-3377.

Richard McLaughlin’s final report titled "Measures to Reduce Erosion and Turbidity in Construction Site Runoff" is now available for viewing in PDF format.

Mark Your Calendar

March 18 – 20, 2003
Building Sustainable Communities: Living with Wildlife
(Alberta, Canada)
Contact Mr. Greg Belland at greg.belland@pc.gc.ca for more information

March 31 – April 3, 2003
AASHTO SCOE Meeting
(Tacoma, WA)

April 6 – 10, 2003
9th TRB Conference on the Application of Transportation Planning Methods
(Baton Rouge, LA)

April 23 – 25, 2003
6th Annual Mitigation Banking Conference
(San Diego, CA)

May 19 – 23, 2003
AASHTO Spring Meeting
(Lexington, KY)

July 14 – 17, 2003
TRB Summer Workshop
A1F02 Environmental Analysis in Transportation
A2A05 Landscape and Environmental Design
(Wilmington, NC)

For more information, please visit CTE's CONVERGE Web site.

For more information about CTE News and Notes, contact Katie McDermott, Editor

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