• Cultural Resources Project Information Package
• Level 2 Ecological Survey
• Environmental Site Assessment Screening
• Asbestos Inspection
• Section 404 Permit Application
• Memorandum of Agreement
• Documentation for Consultation
• HAER Documentation
• 4(f) Evaluation
• Categorical Exclusion Document

ASC Group, Inc., under contract with Jacobs Engineering Group conducted cultural resources, ecological, and environmental surveys, and NEPA documentation for the HAM-Cleves Warsaw Road bridge replacement project in Hamilton County, Ohio. The project included replacement of the 1923 Camelback through truss bridge over Muddy Creek. The new bridge is a three-span structure in place of the present one-span bridge and will require piers and new abutments.

The cultural resources literature review indicated that the Cleves Warsaw Road Bridge is inventoried in the Ohio Historic inventory as HAM-3852-54, and ODOT’s historic bridge inventory as SFN3132021. It is listed in ODOT’s historic bridge inventory as a Reserve Pool structure, meaning that it requires National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) evaluation if part of a federal undertaking.

The OHPO concurred with ODOT’s opinion that the bridge was eligible for the NRHP and bridge replacement would constitute an adverse effect. The subsequent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) stipulated measures to mitigate the adverse effect including a measure to document the bridge to the equivalent of Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) standards Level II, including large format (4 in x 5 in) black-and-white photographs and archival research to document the bridge’s historic
context.

A Level 2 Ecological survey was completed to document resources. Hamilton County is included in the range of several federally endangered and protected species. None of these species nor habitat were noted during the field survey. Muddy Creek and an unnamed tributary were evaluated and impacts determined. Impacts included stabilizing the southern bank of Muddy Creek and required completion of a Section 404 permit application. Coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers allowed the project to be authorized under NWPs 3 (Maintenance) and 13 (Bank stabilization).

An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Screening was also conducted to document historic and current land-use information. It included review of regulatory databases and a visual site inspection. The ESA Screening did not identify parcels of concern and additional assessment was not recommended.

ASC Group also performed asbestos inspection services at the historic bridge. The visual survey of the structure determined that no suspect asbestos-containing materials were present. Submittals included a letter report, photographs, and an EPA 10-day notification form required for demolition of a structure.

A Level 2 Categorical Exclusion Document was prepared. It documented the engineering and design details of the project, evaluated environmental impacts, and developed environmental commitments. The document was reviewed and approved by the ODOT District Environmental Coordinator.