Neversink, NY - The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is considering whether to fund the following Proposed Action under its Timber for Transit program. NBRC has prepared an 8-Step Decision-Making Process review in compliance with Executive Order (EO) 11988 (Floodplain Management), which ensures that federally funded projects consider floodplain impacts and avoid unnecessary risks.
Additionally, NBRC follows Executive Order (EO) 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), which aims to avoid, to the extent possible, the long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification of wetlands and to prevent the direct or indirect support of new construction in wetlands where practicable alternatives exist.
Proposed Action:
Sullivan County is seeking funding of $524,800 (80%) from the Northern Border Regional Commission toward the $656,000 cost to replace Bridge 368 on Flugertown Road in the Town of Neversink, New York. The Proposed Action would replace the existing bridge with a new bridge providing a single bidirectional traffic lane for vehicles and pedestrians crossing Willowemoc Creek. The work would include construction of new abutments, a new bridge superstructure utilizing glue-laminated timber, new wing walls, and a new railing system. The new bridge span would increase from 22.9 feet to 29.3 feet, and the riding surface would be raised approximately 0.5 feet higher above the creek bed. The proposed project would result in a footprint increase of approximately 159 square feet, approximately 46% of which would remain within the existing roadway. Construction is anticipated to begin in May 2026 and be completed by the end of August 2026.
NBRC has determined that the proposed action’s footprint exists within both a floodplain and a wetland and warrants an analysis under the 8-Step Decision-Making Process.
Alternatives Considered:
- No Action Alternative: Would leave the deteriorated bridge in place, leading to eventual closure, increased safety risks, and failure to support public access, recreation, and tourism.
- Alternative Site: Constructing a bridge at a different location would still require impacts to the floodplain and wetland, cause more tree clearing in the Wild Forest Preserve, and increase project costs by approximately 50%.
- Alternate Route Establishment: Redirecting traffic via alternate roads was considered but dismissed due to a closed upstream bridge and poor road conditions.
- On-Site Detour Bridge: Also dismissed because it would cause additional disturbance to the forest and increase environmental impacts.
Mitigation measures and Best Management Practices
To minimize impacts on property and the local economy, the project will utilize prefabricated bridge and substructure components to shorten the construction period and reduce disruption to recreational users. Public outreach, including announcements through newspapers, radio, and online postings, will inform the public that the Willowemoc Wild Forest area will remain open during construction. Coordination with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) will allow dispersed camping permits to be issued for campers displaced from two temporarily inaccessible campsites.
To minimize the risk of loss and protect public safety, the new bridge will be designed to accommodate all legal-weight vehicles, eliminating the existing 5-ton load restriction. The bridge will also include wider shoulders to provide safer pedestrian passage. Increasing the waterway opening beneath the bridge and raising the bridge deck height will reduce the risk of localized flooding. During construction, detour signage and traffic flagging will ensure continued access to nearby hunting camps and recreational areas.
To protect floodplain and wetland resources, construction activities will maintain natural stream flows and avoid placing construction materials within the waterway. Erosion and sediment control measures, including the use of sheet piles and cofferdams, will prevent sediment from entering Willowemoc Creek. In addition, no in-stream work will occur between September 15 and May 15 to protect trout spawning habitat.
Finally, ecological impacts will be minimized by reducing the overall duration of construction activities through the use of prefabricated materials and efficient construction sequencing, thereby limiting construction noise and disturbance to the surrounding environment.
It is NBRC’s determination that, due to 1) the identification of sufficient mitigation measures, 2) the lack of practicable alternatives, and 3) the importance of the proposed action to address the needs of the Town of Neversink; the importance of the proposed action in the floodplain and wetland outweighs the requirements of EO 11988 for floodplains and EO 11990 for wetlands to avoid direct or indirect support of floodplain and wetland development and reduce the risk of flood plain and wetland degradation.
Files that document compliance with Steps 1 through 6 of Executive Orders EO 11988 and EO 11990 are available for public inspection upon request. Please send an email request to nepa@nbrc.gov. The 8-Step Decision-Making Process materials will be provided in electronic format unless a hard copy is specifically requested.
This notice provides people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain and wetlands, and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment with an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information. NBRC is accepting comments on this notice for seven days from April 30th through the end of the day May 7th 2025.
