PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPENS FOR PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO NC 12 ON BODIE ISLAND

Date: January 30, 2009
Contact: NPS Outer Banks Group Headquarters, 252-473-2111

Superintendent Mike Murray announced today the National Park Service (NPS), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, is seeking public comment on the proposed highway improvements on 5.28 miles of NC 12 on Bodie Island, from Whalebone Junction to the Bodie Island District Ranger Station at Coquina Beach Access Road.  The proposed highway improvements would include rehabilitation of the roadway, replacement of existing culverts, and expansion of the existing 2-foot paved shoulder to a paved 5-foot shoulder.  The proposed improvements are needed to improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians using NC 12.

The public comment period will open on February 3, 2009 and close on March 4, 2009.  During the 30‑day public scoping period, all interested persons will be given the opportunity to review and provide comments on the proposed highway improvements.  Public scoping is part of the process to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.  

Written comments may be submitted by mail and by submission through the park’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/caha.  Click on the “NC 12 Improvements” link to view the project scoping documents.  Comments can also be mailed to:  Superintendent, Outer Banks Group, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954.  To ensure that your comments are included in the process, they must be entered or post‑marked by March 4, 2009.

For more information, please contact Lisa Landers, Federal Highway Administration Environmental Protection Specialist, at [phone], or Meghan Carfioli, NPS Natural Resource Manager, at [phone] x135.