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COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FHWA Project Number: VIIS 413(1) Virgin Islands National Park, Lyne House Access Road Repairs In accordance with Sections 307 of the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Act of 1978, the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that the proposed repairs on Lyne House Access Road in Virgin Islands National Park is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the U.S. Virgin Islands federally approved Coastal Zone Management Program. Project Scope: The FHWA, in cooperation with the National Park Service (NPS), is proposing to repair storm damage along Lyne House Access Road in Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS). Lyne House Access Road is a one-lane, two-way road which provides access to two NPS housing units within Virgin Islands National Park. The road is unpaved, except for a short section of asphalt pavement at the beginning of the road, and 200 feet of Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement near Lyne House. The proposed project will repair two embankment failures along the roadway and improve drainage at the gravel loop to Lyne House. Embankment repairs will occur at approximately Latitude: 18.3418, Longitude: -64.7874, and Latitude: 18.3395, Longitude: -64.7925. Work at both sites will consist of the installation of a mechanically-stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall, grading, aggregate surface course, paving, and other miscellaneous work along 250 feet of roadway at each site. Proposed work at the loop near Lyne House will consist of replacing the gravel loop with a cellular confinement system filled with aggregate, re-establishing the existing ditch along the hillside, installation of a new culvert with concrete headwall, and other miscellaneous road work. Drainage improvements at the gravel loop will include construction of a level spreader on the ocean side of the loop to promote infiltration and dissipate stormwater runoff from the adjacent hillside and roadway. The level spreader will be constructed using a 12-inch thick layer of class 3 riprap on 8 inches of aggregate bedding. It will be approximately 12 feet wide by 16 feet long with a 1-foot- deep pool. Construction of the level spreader will result in approximately 350 square feet of new ground disturbance. Relevant Enforceable Policies: FHWA has reviewed Virgin Islands (VI) Code, Title 12 Conservation, Chapter 21, Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management (VICZM) Section § 903 (b) Findings and Goals, and Section § 906 (a) 1-10, (b) 1-10, (c) 1-7 Specific Policies Applicable, and has found that the proposed road repairs along Lyne House Access Road conforms with the following relevant findings, goals, and policies of the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Act of 1978, specifically: Section 903, Findings and Goals 1. Finding 903(a)(5): “…to promote the public safety, health and welfare, and to protect public and private property, wildlife, ocean resources and the natural environment, it is necessary to preserve the ecological balance of the coastal zone, and to prevent its deterioration and destruction…” Comment: The proposed project will promote public safety, health and welfare by repairing storm damage on Lyne House Access Road. The repairs will ensure safe access is maintained to users of the roadway. Additionally, construction of the level spreader at the Lyne House loop will promote infiltration of stormwater runoff at Lyne House and the adjacent hillside, reducing stormwater impacts to the coral reef. 2. Goal 903(b)(1): “…to protect, maintain, preserve and, where feasible, enhance and restore, the overall quality of the environment in the coastal zone, and the natural and man-made resources therein, and the scenic and historic resources of the coastal zone for the benefit of residents of and visitors of the Virgin Islands…” Comment: The area disturbed in order to perform the repairs to the damaged sections of roadway would be minimized to the extent practicable to maintain the overall quality of the environment in the coastal zone, as well as the VIIS Cultural Landscape. The proposed roadway repairs would occur within the footprint of the existing roadway. Construction of the MSE wall and level spreader would take place on an embankment immediately adjacent to the existing roadway. The NPS determined that the proposed project, as shown in the 70% intermediate design plans, conforms to the NPS Management Policies and Cultural Resource Management Guideline and would have no adverse effect to historic properties. Refer to the enclosed National Historic Preservation Act documentation for details. 3. Goal 903(b)(6): “…to preserve what has been a tradition and protect what has become a right of the public by insuring that the public, individually and collectively, has and shall continue to have the right to use and enjoy the shorelines…” Comment: This project will maintain access to Virgin Islands National Park and existing NPS housing within the park. 4. Goal 903(b)(9): “maintain or increase coastal water quality through control of erosion, sedimentation, run-off, siltation, and sewage disposal…” Comment: Appropriate erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices would be implemented during project construction to avoid or minimize construction stormwater runoff from entering the Bay. Construction of the level spreader at the Lyne House loop will help dissipate stormwater runoff from the adjacent hillside and roadway. The level spreader will serve as an energy dissipator that promotes infiltration and reduces erosion, which will reduce sedimentation impacts on the coral reef. Section 906, Specific Policies Applicable to the First Tier of the Coastal Zone 1. Amenity Policy 906(c)(1): “… to protect, and where feasible or appropriate, enhance and increase public coastal recreational uses, areas and facilities…” Comment: Although Lyne House Access Road is primarily utilized by NPS staff accessing NPS living quarters, these living quarters are essential to the NPS staff that maintain public facilities within Virgin Islands National Park. Coastal Zone Consistency Certification __________________________ ___________________ Kevin S. Rose Date Environmental Team Leader Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division KEVIN S ROSE Digitally signed by KEVIN S ROSE Date: 2023.02.08 15:07:25 -05'00'