The University of Delaware Lewes Campus Onsite Wind Energy Project
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DOE/EA-1782 Final Environmental Assessment OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE LEWES CAMPUS ONSITE WIND ENERGY PROJECT U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy DECEMBER 2010 DOE/EA-1782 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE LEWES CAMPUS ONSITE WIND ENERGY PROJECT U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy DECEMBER 2010 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ABPP Avian and Bat Protection Plan CFR Code of Federal Regulations BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Act dBA A-weighted decibel dB decibel DNREC (Delaware) Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control DOE U.S. Department of Energy (also called the Department) DOI U.S. Department of the Interior EA environmental assessment FAA Federal Aviation Administration FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FIRM flood insurance rate map FR Federal Register L10 10-percent sound level L90 90-percent sound level Leq equivalent sound pressure level NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended SHPO State Historic Preservation Office(r) Stat. United States Statutes at Large U.S.C. United States Code USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Note: Numbers in this EA generally have been rounded to two or three significant figures. Therefore, some total values might not equal the actual sums of the values. COVER SHEET RESPONSIBLE AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) TITLE: Final Environmental Assessment of the University of Delaware Lewes Campus Onsite Wind Energy Project (DOE/EA-1782) CONTACT: For additional copies or more information concerning this environmental assessment (EA), please contact: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20585 ATTN: Dr. Jane Summerson Telephone: (202) 340-9629 Fax: (202) 586-8177 ABSTRACT: The University of Delaware has constructed a wind turbine adjacent to its College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment campus in Lewes, Delaware. DOE proposes to provide the University a $1.43 million grant for this Wind Energy Project from funding provided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-8) and an additional $1 million provided in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2010. Thus, the total amount DOE is considering providing to the University of Delaware Project is $2.43 million. This EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the University of Delaware’s Wind Energy Project at its Lewes campus and, for purposes of comparison, an alternative that assumes the wind turbine had not been constructed. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: A Notice of Availability for the Draft EA was placed in The News Journal on June 18, 19, and 20, 2010, and in the Cape Gazette on June 16, 2010. A notice announcing a 30-day extension to the public comment period was placed in The News Journal on July 16, 17, and 18, 2010, and in the Cape Gazette on July 20, 2010. The Draft EA was made available for public review from June 18, 2010, through August 17, 2010, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Avenue, Lewes, Delaware, and was mailed to individuals and agencies listed in Appendix A. The Draft EA was also available from the following web site: http://www.nepa.energy.gov. This Final EA is available on the same DOE web site. DOE invited interested parties to comment on the Draft EA during a 60-day public comment period that began on June 18, 2010, and ended August 17, 2010. The public was encouraged to submit comments to Dr. Jane Summerson via email at [email protected] or by letter or fax at the address or telephone number identified above. Comments received are summarized in the EA and, as appropriate, DOE responses are provided or modifications to EA text were made. Contents CONTENTS Section Page SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................... S-1 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 National Environmental Policy Act and Related Procedures ...................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need ........................................................................................................................ 1-3 1.2.1 DOE’s Purpose and Need ....................................................................................................... 1-3 1.2.2 University of Delaware’s Purpose and Need .......................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Public and Agency Involvement ................................................................................................. 1-3 1.3.1 University of Delaware Actions ............................................................................................. 1-3 1.3.2 Department of Energy Actions ............................................................................................... 1-6 1.3.2.1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service .......................................................................................... 1-7 1.3.2.2 State Historic Preservation Officer .................................................................................... 1-8 1.3.2.3 Tribal Governments ........................................................................................................... 1-8 1.3.2.4 Delaware Coastal Zone Management Program ................................................................. 1-9 1.3.2.5 Identification of Interested Parties ................................................................................... 1-10 1.3.2.6 Release of Draft EA for Public Review and Comment ................................................... 1-10 1.4 Draft EA Comments and Responses ......................................................................................... 1-10 1.5 Considerations Not Carried Forward for Further Analysis ....................................................... 1-16 2. PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 DOE’s Proposed Action .............................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 University of Delaware’s Proposed Project ................................................................................ 2-1 2.2.1 Wind Turbine ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.2 Associated Land Disturbance ................................................................................................. 2-7 2.2.3 Permits and Approvals ........................................................................................................... 2-8 2.2.4 University of Delaware social and environmental research ................................................. 2-10 2.2.5 University Committed Measures .......................................................................................... 2-10 2.3 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................... 2-11 2.3.1 DOE Alternatives ................................................................................................................. 2-11 2.3.2 No-Action Alternative .......................................................................................................... 2-11 2.3.3 Alternatives Considered by the University of Delaware ...................................................... 2-11 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ............................. 3-14 3.1 Water Resources – Surface Water ............................................................................................. 3-14 3.1.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-14 3.1.2 Environmental consequences ............................................................................................... 3-19 3.1.2.1 Proposed Project .............................................................................................................. 3-19 3.1.2.2 No-Action Alternative ..................................................................................................... 3-21 3.1.2.3 Alternatives to Action in a Floodplain ............................................................................ 3-21 3.2 Biological Resources ................................................................................................................. 3-21 3.2.1 Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-21 3.2.1.1 Avian Species .................................................................................................................. 3-22 3.2.1.2 Bat Species ...................................................................................................................... 3-23 3.2.1.3 Federally Listed Species .................................................................................................. 3-23 3.2.1.4 Delaware Endangered Species ........................................................................................ 3-24 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences .............................................................................................. 3-25 3.2.2.1 Proposed Project