Categorical Exclusion Form

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division
NEPA Categorical Exclusion Form

Project Number:

MS NP NATR 3F26

Project Name:

Natchez Trace Parkway Mainline Overlay from
MP 226.55 to MP 239.23

Location:

National Park Service, Natchez Trace Parkway
Chickasaw County, Mississippi

CE Category

23 CFR 771.117(c)(26): Modernization of a

highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding
auxiliary lanes (including parking, weaving,
turning, and climbing lanes), if the action meets
the constraints in paragraph (e)[..]

Date: 4/24/2026

See 23 CFR 771.117 for full description of CE categories, including additional requirements when applying (c)26-28.

Project Description
This project consists of resurfacing the Parkway, including ramps, bridges, intersections and parking/pull-off areas. The work includes milling, asphalt overlay, shoulder widening, spot reconstruction, pavement markings, raised profile striping at bridge approaches, and other miscellaneous work.
Environmental Commitments and Mitigation Measures
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Rare, Threatened & Endangered Species:
o Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB) and Tri-colored Bat:
 Tree removal will occur between August 1 to December 14 or February 16 to May 14.  Bridge and culvert work, including roadway paving above culverts and riprap placement at inlets/outlets, will occur between August 1 to December 14 or February 16 to May 14.  If bridge or culvert work, including paving above culverts, needs to occur between December 15 and February 15 or May 15 to July 31, a qualified biologist will inspect structures for evidence of bat use prior to construction. • Inspections will follow Appendix K, Assessing and Surveying Bridges and Culverts for Bat Use in the most recent version of the Range-wide Indiana Bat & Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines (https://www.fws.gov/media/rangewide-indiana-bat-and-northern-long-eared-bat-survey-guidelines). The guidance will be provided to the qualified biologist preforming inspections. • Inspections will occur within two years of construction activities beginning at a structure.
• The Bridge/Culvert Assessment Form from Appendix K will be used to

EFLHD NEPA Categorical Exclusion Form

MS NP NATR 3F26

EFL-TM-ENV-03(04)

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division
NEPA Categorical Exclusion Form

•

•

document inspections. https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/202504/bridge-and-culvert-bat-assessment-form-1.pdf • All culverts 24-inches or greater and 23 feet or greater in length, will be