Environmental Assessment Chippewa Valley Technical College West Campus Land Acquisition Lyden Avenue Parcels Eau Claire, Wisconsin
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Environmental Assessment Chippewa Valley Technical College West Campus Land Acquisition Lyden Avenue Parcels Eau Claire, Wisconsin Prepared for: Wisconsin Technical College System Board Chippewa Valley Technical College October 2020 Contents Page No. Introduction 1 Description of Proposed Action and Site Location 1 Schedule of Proposed Action and Funding 2 Purpose and Need 2 Description of Factors Affected in Human Environment 2 Primary and Secondary Environmental Effects 3 Vegetation 3 Fish and Wildlife 3 Threatened and Endangered Resources 3 Surface Water, Wetlands and Storm Water 3 Topography 3 Soils 3 Groundwater 4 Air Pollutant and Visible Emissions 4 Utilities 4 Hazardous Materials 4 Alternatives to Proposed Action 4 Alternative 1—Purchase property at alternate location 4 Alternative 2—No Action 4 List of Agencies Notified 4 Evaluation Section 5 Irreversible Environmental Effects 5 Stimulation of Secondary (Indirect) Effects 5 Creation of New Environmental Effects 5 Impacts on Geographically Scarce Environmental Features 5 Precedent-Setting Nature of the Action 5 Significant Controversy 5 Conflicts with Official Agency Plans or Policy (Local, Regional, State, or National) 5 Cumulative Impacts of Repeated Actions of this Type 5 Irrevocable Foreclosure of Future Options 5 Recommendation 5 Public Comment Period 5 Attachments Figure 1 Regional Site Location Map Figure 2 Campus Location Map Figure 3 Certified Survey Map Appendix A Wisconsin Administrative Code TCS 12 Appendix B Site Photographs Appendix C Endangered Resource Preliminary Assessment Appendix D Phase 1 Executive Summary Appendix E Agency Notifications Appendix F Preliminary Determination Letter Appendix G Public Comment Notification Introduction The Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, proposes to purchase 9.2 acres of property located adjacent to and north of its West Campus located near 4000 Campus Road in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Board, based in Madison, Wisconsin, is responsible for issuing final approval to CVTC for this proposed action. This action requires a Type II Action Environmental Assessment (EA) that follows the Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter TCS 12, Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act procedures. Following a public comment period, the WTCS Board will use the results of the EA to determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for this project, or if the project can proceed without further environmental assessment. See Appendix A Description of Proposed Action and Site Location Location The property is located adjacent to the CVTC Eau Claire West Campus located north and west of the downtown area of the City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The West Campus is located southwest of the intersection of State Highway 312 (North Crossing) and US Highway 12 (Clairemont Avenue). The campus is bounded to the south by private property including residential and commercial properties, to the west by the Wild Ridge and Mill Run Golf Course, to the north by State Highway 312, and to the east by US Highway 12 and other commercial structures. See Figures 1, 2, 3 for mapped locations. See Appendix B for site photos. Figure 1: Regional Site Location Map Figure 2: Campus Location Map Figure 3: Certified Survey Map The proposed property is adjacent to CVTC’s Energy Education Center and the planned Transportation Education Center. CVTC’s West Campus includes the Energy Education Center, Emergency Service Education Center, Fire Safety Center, Fire Training Tower and Burn Building, Truck Driver Training ranges, greenhouses, a wind turbine, training props and several paved areas used for staging and parking for students and staff. A City of Eau Claire fire station is located adjacent to the Emergency Services Education Center. 1 Schedule of Proposed Action and Funding The proposed schedule for this project is as follows: Task Completion Date Phase 1 Study September 2020 Appraisal September 2020 Environmental Assessment October 2020 CVTC Board Resolution December 2020 WTCS Approval January 2021 Closing February 2021 Purchase will be funded by a referendum which was approved by voters on April 7, 2020. Purpose and Need The purpose of this proposal is to acquire 9.2 acres of property adjacent to CVTC’s West Campus. CVTC currently owns approximately 158 acres directly south of this property. These parcels are located along Highway 312. This property will be developed into a defined front entrance to CVTC’s West Campus, creating a college identity on the west side of Eau Claire. Aesthetic improvements will include signage and landscaping. A new Transportation Education Center is planned for current CVTC property located directly south of this property and west of the Energy Education Center. Description of Factors Affected in Human Environment There are currently no plans to construct new structures on this property so no physical impact is anticipated to any of the following human environmental factors with the exception of improvements to landscaping, minimal grading, plantings and signage. • Greenspace • Program and Equipment Relocation • Adjacent Properties • Traffic and Parking 2 Primary and Secondary Environmental Effects There are currently no plans to construct new structures on this property so no significant physical impact is anticipated to any of the following human environmental factors with the exception of improvements to landscape related to development of a main campus entry and signage. Vegetation Landscaping improvements will impact current vegetation. Although designs are not currently developed, the intent would be to remain consistent with plantings and designs similar to the Energy Education Center site. Vegetation may include native plants, shrubs, trees, natural, ornamental and mowed grasses. Fish and Wildlife The wildlife present in the area consists of Passeriformes (perching birds), birds of prey, white tail deer (Odocoileus virginians), and small rodents. No fishery resources are on, or immediately adjacent to, the property. The nearest fishery resource is the Chippewa River, located approximately 2.0 miles east of the property. The Chippewa River is a warm-water fishery consisting of several species of game fish and rough fish. The river is also used by some nesting birds. The nearest surface water feature is Sherman Creek, located approximately 2,000 feet southwest of the property. Sherman Creek joins the Chippewa River approximately 3 miles south of the property. Threatened and Endangered Species An Endangered Resource Preliminary Assessment was completed on June 1, 2020 The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) stated that erosion and runoff prevention measures must be implemented during the course of any construction to avoid impact on the listed aquatic species.. The WDNR made additional voluntary recommendations to protect areas of high-quality habitat within the project site. A copy of the WDNR response is located in Appendix C. Surface Water, Wetlands and Storm Water There are no wetlands or surface water on these properties. Future landscaping activities will follow best management practices to control erosion. Erosion and sedimentation control will be implemented and controlled through adherence to WDNR technical standards. Long term erosion control will be achieved through seeding and erosion mat of slopes and channels. Seeding and mulching will be used to cover other exposed areas. Plans and specifications will outline erosion control measures to be in place during construction. Waterways and wetland areas will be protected from runoff from the project site by silt fence placed along the boundary of the wetland and slope intercepts. Topography Minor grading may be necessary, dependent upon future landscape design, but not anticipated to be significant. Soils Current soils may be disturbed, dependent upon future landscape design, but not anticipated to be significant. 3 Groundwater Preliminary investigations have indicated some groundwater at 10-13 feet below below ground surface with general flow to the southwest towards Sherman Creek. Any regrading or trenching depths are not expected to extend beyond five feet below ground surface; therefore, no impacts to groundwater are expected. Air Pollutant and Visible Emissions Long-term air quality will not be affected by acquisition of this property. Activities at the site are not expected to threaten air quality. Utilities The West Campus is served by the City of Eau Claire municipal sewer and water systems. Xcel Energy provides electricity and natural gas services to the campus. No effects to existing utilities are expected from this project. Power is already available on these properties and currently utilized for existing signage. Hazardous Materials Historically, this site has been used for agricultural farmstead and rural residential purposes. There is no evidence of hazardous, toxic, or radioactive substances having been used on this property prior to development of the campus. Ayres Associates conducted a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment of these properties on September 1, 2020. The conclusion of the study revealed no evidence of recognized environmental conditions in connection with the subject properties and no additional investigation was deemed necessary. The Executive Summary from the Phase 1 study is included in Appendix D. Alternatives to Proposed Action There are no alternatives to the purchase of this property. Purchase in another location would not