Surface Water Discipline Report Benton County, Washington
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Duportail Street Bridge Project Richland, Washington Surface Water Discipline Report Benton County, Washington Prepared by: Federal Highway Administration 711 South Capitol Way, Suite 501 Olympia, WA 98501 Washington State Department of Transportation P.O. Box 12560 Yakima, WA 98909 October 2011 Review copy for WSDOT This page left blank intentionally for printing purposes. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms............................................................................................................................................................... 5 Glossary of Technical Terms .................................................................................................................................. 6 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1 Introduction and Summary of Conclusions ...................................................................................... 11 What is the final use of the surface water discipline study? ........................................................................... 11 Why are surface waters considered in an environmental assessment? .......................................................... 11 What is water quality? ..................................................................................................................................... 11 What is surface water? .................................................................................................................................... 12 Why do we need to protect surface waters? ................................................................................................... 12 Where is the project located? ......................................................................................................................... 12 What is the scope of the project? .................................................................................................................... 12 How will the project impact water quality? .................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2 Purpose and Need for the Action ....................................................................................................... 15 Existing Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Purpose........................................................................................................................................................... 17 Need ............................................................................................................................................................... 17 Background Information ................................................................................................................................ 19 Chapter 3 Description of Alternatives ................................................................................................................. 21 What are the alternatives? ............................................................................................................................... 21 No-Build Alternative ....................................................................................................................................... 24 Chapter 4 Studies, Coordination, Methods, and Regulations ............................................................................ 26 How was the surface water information obtained? ........................................................................................ 26 What water resources are in the project area? ............................................................................................... 27 What stormwater regulation will the project follow? ..................................................................................... 27 How do land use regulations affect the project? ............................................................................................ 27 What is the Watershed Planning Act? .............................................................................................................. 28 What local basin plans or watershed protection plans are in place? .............................................................. 29 Are there any Critical Area Ordinances that the project needs to adhere to? ....................................................................................................................................................... 29 What is an aquifer? .......................................................................................................................................... 30 What is a well? ................................................................................................................................................ 30 What is a well head protection area? .............................................................................................................. 31 Are there any well head or aquifer protections plans? ................................................................................... 31 Duportail Street Bridge Project 1 Surface Water Discipline Report – Review Copy to WSDOT 10 February 2011 Are there any combined sewer outfall reduction plans? ................................................................................ 31 What is the Clean Water Act and how does it affect surface waters? .............................................................. 31 Are the water resources in the area on a 303(d) list? ..................................................................................... 32 Are there any Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for surface waters in the area? ..................................................................................................................................................... 32 How does Washington State classify the water quality of water bodies? ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 Are there any habitat conservations plans, 4D rules, or biological assessments for the project? ........................................................................................................................... 33 Are there any local shoreline plans or ordinances? ........................................................................................ 34 Are there any shellfish closure response plans? ............................................................................................. 34 Permits Required for the Duportail Street Bridge Project .............................................................................. 35 Chapter 5 Project Area Then and Now ............................................................................................................... 38 Topography, Geology, and Soils ..................................................................................................................... 38 Climate ........................................................................................................................................................... 38 Surface Water Resources ................................................................................................................................. 38 Drainage Areas in Project Vicinity ................................................................................................................... 39 Existing Drainage Patterns .............................................................................................................................. 41 What WRIA is the project in? .......................................................................................................................... 42 Where is the Yakima River? ............................................................................................................................. 42 Are there any 303(d) listed waters on or near the project? ............................................................................ 43 Does the Lower Yakima River have a TMDL? .................................................................................................. 45 Historical Surface Water Quality Problems for the Yakima River .................................................................... 45 Physical Features of the Yakima River Channel .............................................................................................. 45 What is the flow in the Yakima River? ............................................................................................................. 46 Marine Waters ................................................................................................................................................. 46 Hazardous Materials ....................................................................................................................................... 46 Wetlands ......................................................................................................................................................... 46 High Groundwater ......................................................................................................................................... 46 Floodplains ....................................................................................................................................................