Environmental Issues

Methodology

Desktop analysis, agency coordination, and field reconnaissance were used to identify environmental features and resources within the study area and to provide key findings in the following categories:

  • Archeology
  • Historic Architectural Review
  • Water Resources
  • Threatened & Endangered Species (TES)
  • Air Quality & Noise
  • UST/HAZMAT Sites 

A summary of the “red flag” environmental features and resources was prepared for each of the three potential interchange locations.

Archaeology

There are six previously recorded archaeological sites within the study area. The lack of urban, suburban, and commercial development may have preserved many prehistoric sites that would be near ground surface.  

The study area is considered to have a moderate to high probability for prehistoric sites. Specifically, in areas situated on landforms along or adjacent to drainages and streams with areas adjacent to roadways having the highest probability as indicated on historic mapping. 

All archaeologically sensitive information including known site locations has been redacted from public mapping. Coordination with the Kentucky Heritage Council will be required along with potential archaeological field surveys if a build alternative is selected for the project.

Archaeological Potential of the Interchange Locations

• All three proposed interchange sites are typical of the area dominated by mix of agricultural and residential use.The area is considered to have a moderate to high probability for prehistoric sites. 

• Minimal development and low-density occupation within the immediate area, as shown in historic mapping and aerials, suggests a high probability that many prehistoric sites would remain relatively undisturbed and near the ground surface.  

• The areas of highest probability for historic period archaeological resources would be located adjacent to roadways as suggested in historical maps of the area. 

• Only one archaeological survey (SHPO ID 114-101) conducted adjacent to H Murray Road, Matlock Pike, Woodburn Allen Springs Road, and I-65 in 2007 for a 3 acre borrow area.

Historic Architectural Overview 

The historic architectural overview identified historic-age (50 years) above-ground properties (buildings, structures, districts, and objects) that may be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) through a review of the literature, records request and archival research. Click here to read the full Historical Architecture Report.

219 Previously Identified Properties 

  • These include: one Previously Identified NRHP-Eligible Property, four Previously Identified NRHP-Listed Properties, and 44 Previously Identified Demolished Properties.
  • Based on aerial photographs, it is likely that the William P. Neale House has been demolished. This assumption should be confirmed in the field.
  • There are 28 Previously Identified Modern Properties. It is possible the original surveyors documented resources despite their age, the historic-age building was demolished and replaced with a new building, or the construction date on the PVA assessment is wrong and the building is, in fact, historic age. The previously identified above-ground properties were constructed between 1830 and 2016 with the majority being constructed between 1870 and 1920. Please refer to Tables 1, 2, 5, and 6 in the full Historic Architectural Overview. 

Cemeteries: 10 Previously Identified 14 Newly Identified  

  • Ten cemeteries were identified within the previous survey results, several of which are associated with nearby churches, some are family plots on private properties, and at least one has been relocated. All of the new cemetery locations should be field checked to confirm their existence. Newly identified cemeteries were not assigned dates. Please refer to Tables 4 in the full Historic Architectural Overview

224 Newly Identified

  • These properties are primarily residential (72%) and those zoned as “Farms” (18%). Two new religious properties (churches) were identified. The majority of the newly identified buildings were constructed in the Mid-Century period.  

21 Properties that Warrant Additional Research 

  • Intensive-level surveys are recommended for the following resources: the 4 previously National Register listed properties, the one that is National Register eligible, the twenty-four cemeteries, any potential historic bridges (one bridge has been identified within the study area thus far), the twenty-one potentially eligible under Criterion C, a potential historic district within the Woodburn community, and any historic-age above-ground properties that have not been previously photographed and documented need to be photographed.

Within the Potential Interchange Locations

  • There are 5 previously identified historic resources, 3 newly identified historic-age resources, and 1 cemetery near potential interchange locations. The newly identified cemetery should be surveyed prior to any construction activities. Of the previously identified resources, 2 are demolished, 1 is recommended for no further study, and 2 warrant additional study (5037 Richpond Road and WA 107, the Jesse R. Kirby House).

Water Resources

  • The Study Area is intensely karst, characterized by numerous sinkholes and caves.
  • Kentucky Speleological Survey (KSS) data and other documentation identified 14 known caves, 1,033 mapped sinkholes, and ten mapped springs scattered throughout the Study Area.  
  • Surface streams are limited because much of the drainage is subsurface.
  • West Fork Drakes Creek and two (2) unnamed tributaries are in the southeast corner of the Study Area.
  • The Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) listed West Fork Drakes Creek as a 303(d) / 305(b) impaired water within the Study Area, due primarily to PCB contamination from industrial sources, pH from upstream sources, and excessive temperature from loss of riparian habitat. 
  • Six unnamed tributaries are located in the central and northeast sections of the Study Area that are not connected with other surface streams due to karst drainage. 
  • The proposed interchange areas at KY 242 and KY 240 each contain one unmapped tributary that is not connected with other surface waters.
  • There are no streams in the Carter Sims Road area.
  • National Wetland Inventory (NWI) mapping identified numerous features, including 418 ponds, 45 vegetated emergent wetlands, 12 shrub-scrub wetlands, and 33 forested wetlands, with larger wetlands mainly in the south central and northeast parts of the Study Area.
  • The proposed KY 240 interchange area has one unmapped wetland and two ponds. 
  • There is 100-year floodplain along West Fork Drakes Creek and within low elevations associated with sinkholes. None of the three locations contain 100-year floodplain.

Threatened & Endangered (T&E) Species Habitat

  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists 14 T&E species that should be considered as part of the effect analysis for the project including three species of bats, Kentucky cave shrimp, Price’s potato bean, and nine mussel species.
  • Critical habitat for the Indiana bat is present within the study area. Additionally, scattered forested tracts, mostly in the eastern half of the Study Area, provide suitable summer habitat for the Indiana bat and roost habitat for the northern long-eared bat. Field reconnaissance verified the presence of suitable forested and foraging bat habitat (i.e. forests and/or water sources) and Price’s Potato-bean (forest edges) within all proposed interchange locations. 
  • Approximately two acres of forested habitat for the Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat is in the proposed KY 240 interchange area. The Carter Sims Road and KY 242 areas contain individual trees and narrow forested fence lines that provide bat habitat.

    • KY 242

    • Kentucky Speleological Society records identified Carter Cave as being located in the Carter Sims Road area. However, at the reported cave location our field reconnaissance identified a large sinkhole filled with debris. The property owner advised that the sinkhole formerly had an underground passage before it was filled with debris. 
    • The Carter Sims Road area also has four mapped sinkholes, but none were within the KY 242 or KY 240 proposed interchange locations.
    • The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) advised that watersheds along the southern end of the Study Area in the vicinity of West Fork Drakes Creek are designated as conservation areas for mussel species, aquatic species, and crayfish species.
    • Field reconnaissance identified no habitat for the listed mussels within the proposed interchange areas.
    • Any underground streams at the proposed interchange locations could represent habitat for Kentucky cave shrimp.

Air Quality and Noise

  • Warren County is in the South-Central Kentucky Intrastate Air Quality Control Region
  • The region is in attainment for all six pollutants included in the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. 
  • Numerous Activity Category B, C, D, and E sensitive noise receptors as defined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) were identified within the Study Area. However, no such sensitive noise receptors are located within the target interchange areas.

UST/HAZMAT

  • Oil and gas wells are scattered throughout the Study Area with none were identified within the target interchange areas. 
  • Sixty-seven UST/Hazmat records were identified within, or in proximity to, the Study Area. 
  • Most are industrial and/or commercial facilities located along existing roadways. 
  • It is recommended that the identified records within the proposed interchange location target areas be further investigated during preliminary design.

Environmental "Red Flags"

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