TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY

3.8 TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY

3.8.1 Environmental Setting

1) Master Plan and Urban Renewal Plan

A. Terrestrial Resources The Master Plan and Urban Renewal Plan project area is predominantly comprised of urban land consisting of developed land or vacant urban lots that are located in a metropolitan setting. The following presents a general overview of the terrestrial (animal and plant) resources within the project area.

B. Animal and Plant Species The developed and urban nature of the project area has resulted in the elimination of most of the natural vegetation and wildlife within the project area. The remaining vegetation consists primarily of mowed lawns, a mixture of ornamental and native flowers, shrubs, and trees used for landscaping, cultivated open space areas such as Grant Park, Smith Park, and Doyle Park, and limited urban pioneering species that have cropped up on vacant parcels throughout the project area. However, within the Project Area one significant area of natural open space exists just south of Ashburton Avenue along and south of the Old Trailway. This area consists of dense woodland and native shrubs and grasses.

The Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway is a 26-mile trail that runs along the west side of Westchester County, and is in many areas a linear park used for walking, cycling, photography, birdwatching, and other recreation. The trail lies atop a masonry tunnel that once brought drinking water to City from upstate communities. In Yonkers, the OCA trail can be found in Lenoir Park, Untermyer Park, Park, and close to the Museum and the 300- year old Philipse Manor Hall. It traverses the southern edge of the Ashburton Avenue project area. Here, most of the trail lies below view and is in disrepair.

The following native or introduced plant species are expected to occur within the project area based on their tolerance to urban conditions: red maple (Acer rubrum); Norway maple (Acer platanoides); white ash (Fraxinus americana); white oak (Quercus alba); pin oak (Quercus palustris); American elm (Ulmus americana); apple (Malus sp.); white birch (Betula papyrifera); tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima); black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia); white pine (Pinus strobus); eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis); blue spruce (Picea pungens); juniper (Juniperus communis); yew (Taxus canadensis); rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.); flowering dogwood (Cornus florida); silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) rose (Rosa sp.); and rose-of-sharon (Hibiscus syriacus).

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As presented above a number of native and introduced plant species exist within the project area. These plant communities exist within urbanized developed areas (lawns, parks, vacant lots), as well as within the limited natural areas present within the site accommodating a variety of wildlife species. Wildlife using the project area can be classified into two categories: year round residents and occasional or potential users. Residents include small mammals, common birds and a limited number of reptiles and amphibians. Occasional or potential users consist primarily of transient birds which use the site as a stopping point along their migration corridor.

Specifically, wildlife species found or expected to occur within the project area include those typically associated with an urban environment. The following is a partial list of typical wildlife species expected to occur within the project area: 1. Mammals - raccoon (Procyon lotor); opossum (Didelphis virginiana); eastern chipmunk (Eutamias sp.); Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis); striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis); house mouse (Mus musculus); meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicum); Star-nosed mole (Codylura cristata); eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus); and woodchuck (Marmota monax).

2. Reptiles - garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis); and brown snake (Storeria dekayi).

3. Amphibians - American toad (Bufo americanus).

4. Birds - downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens); Robin (Turdus migratorius); mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos); Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos); Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata); cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis); (Zenaida macroura), chickadee (Parus spp.); and nuthatch (Sitta spp.).

C. Threatened & Endangered Species According to correspondence received from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Natural Heritage Program, dated July 19, 2005, there are no known occurrences of rare or protected animals, plants, significant natural communities, or significant habitat on or in the immediate vicinity of the project area. A copy of the DEC correspondence is included as Appendix F.

In addition, the project area is not located within any designated critical environmental areas (CEAs); there are no CEAs located within the City of Yonkers. As defined by New York State, a CEA is any geographical area of exceptional or unique environmental characteristics that make it an important area to the local community. Specifically, to be designated as a CEA, an area must have an exceptional or unique character with respect to one or more of the following:

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• a benefit or threat to human health; • a natural setting (e.g., fish and wildlife habitat, forest and vegetation, open space and areas of important aesthetic or scenic quality); • agricultural, social, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, or educational values; or • an inherent ecological, geological or hydrological sensitivity to change that may be adversely affected by any change. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website, 2005)

The designation of an area as a CEA is not intended to preclude development, but rather is intended to ensure that a proposed action is fully evaluated for potential impacts and that referrals to all regulatory agencies are made.

2) Mulford Gardens Hope VI Plan

A. Mulford Gardens HOPE VI Sections A, B, C

1. Animal and Plant Species The HOPE VI Sections consist of previously developed areas and vacant urban lots that are located in a metropolitan setting. Existing or past development activities eliminated most of the natural vegetation and wildlife within these areas. The remaining vegetation consists primarily of small patches of mowed lawn, a mixture of ornamental and native flowers, shrubs, and trees used for landscaping, and adventitious urban pioneering species that have partially colonized available barren ground within the Sections.

The following native or introduced species are expected to occur within the Sections based on their tolerance to urban conditions: red maple (Acer rubrum); Norway maple (Acer platanoides); white ash (Fraxinus americana); white oak (Quercus alba); pin oak (Quercus palustris); American elm (Ulmus americana); apple (Malus sp.); white birch (Betula papyrifera); tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima); black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia); white pine (Pinus strobus); eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis); blue spruce (Picea pungens); juniper (Juniperus communis); yew (Taxus canadensis); rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.); flowering dogwood (Cornus florida); silky dogwood (Cornus amomum) rose (Rosa sp.); and rose-of-sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). A more complete list is provided in Table 3.8-1.

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Table 3.8-1 Known and Potential Vegetation Species Common Name Scientific Name Silver Maple Acer sacharinum Red Maple Acer rubrum Ailanthus Ailanthus altisima Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans Common reed Phragmites australis Silky Dogwood Cornus amomum Weeping Willow Salix babylonica Black Willow Salix nigra Mulberry Morus sp. Spicebush Lindera benzoin Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia Fox Grape Vitis labrusca Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Red Maple Acer rubrum Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera Cottonwood Populus deltoides Black Cherry Prunus serotina Red Oak Quercus rubra Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis

Wildlife species found or expected within the boundaries of the HOPE VI Sections include those typically associated with an urban environment. These species are listed in Table 3.8-2.

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Table 3.8-2 Known and Potential Wildlife Species Mammals raccoon Procyon lotor opossum Didelphis virginiana eastern chipmunk Eutamias sp. Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis striped skunk Mephitis mephitis White-footed mouse Peromyscus leucopus house mouse Mus musculus meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicum Star-nosed mole Codylura cristata eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus woodchuck Marmota monax short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicanda common shrew Sorex cinereus Little brown bat Myotis lucifugus red bat Lasiurus borealis

Reptiles garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis brown snake Storeria dekayi

Amphibians American toad Bufo americanus

Birds Hairy woodpecker Picoides villosus downy woodpecker Picoides pubescens yellow shafted flicker Colaptes auratus Robin Turdus migratorius catbird Dumetella carolinensis mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Crow Corvus brachyrhynchos Blue jay Cyanocitta cristata cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis chipping sparrow Spizella passerina towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus junco Junco hyemalis mourning dove Zenaida macroura chickadee Parus spp. nuthatch Sitta spp. herring gull Larus argentatus

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2. Threatened & Endangered Species Correspondence from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Natural Heritage Program, dated July 19, 2005, indicates that there are no known occurrences of rare or protected animals, plants, significant natural communities, or significant habitat on or in the immediate vicinity of the proposed Urban Renewal Area or HOPE VI Sections. A copy of this letter is provided in Appendix F. On-site observations are consistent with this assessment.

The HOPE VI Sections and adjacent properties are not located within any designated critical environmental areas (CEAs). As defined by New York State, a CEA is any geographical area of exceptional or unique environmental characteristics that make it an important area to the local community. The designation of an area as a CEA is not intended to preclude development, but rather is intended to ensure that a proposed action is fully evaluated for potential impacts and that referrals to all regulatory agencies are made.

Section A Section A consists of 0.76 acres of vacant land on the south side of Ashburton Avenue that is partially re-vegetated. This parcel is lightly wooded in its rear (southern) portion and contains the remains of a stone foundation and concrete wall. A grassy area is located on the front part of the property closest to Ashburton Avenue. There is garbage and debris present on the site near its southern boundary, which is partly lined with a stone retaining wall that extends onto the property on its western end. Tree species include black locust, Norway maple and black cherry. With the exception of typically urban bird species, no wildlife was directly observed on the property during a site walk in August 2005.

Abutting Section A to the west is vacant land and an asphalt parking area that comprises the western assemblage of land in the Mulford Gardens HOPE VI Plan Section F project site. To the south is vacant land that slopes steeply downward to the south where the Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway runs in an east-west direction. The parcels that make up Section A do form a green connection to this trailway. This unpaved linear trailway is publicly accessible. Being unpaved, the trail becomes muddy after heavy rains.

The Old Croton Aqueduct is a designated historic landmark that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park was created in 1968 and encompasses the northernmost 26 miles of the Aqueduct and its right-of-way, from Croton Gorge County Park to the Yonkers- line, lying wholly within Westchester County. Today called the Old Croton State Historic Park (the park was named the Old Croton Trailway State Park until 1999), it follows the Aqueduct’s route and offers a level walk from Croton Gorge County Park at the New Croton Dam in northern Westchester to on the New York

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City line. It is New York’s longest and most narrow park (average width being only 60 feet). It is within the jurisdiction of the Taconic Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is administratively affiliated with Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Further south of the Old Croton Aqueduct is densely wooded land separating the Aqueduct from high-rise housing, with War Memorial Park beyond.

Section B Section B consists of 0.61 paved and un-landscaped acres located on the east side of Vineyard Avenue, north of Ashburton Avenue and generally south of Whelan Place. Section B is comprised of the Vineyard Parking Facility municipal parking lot, which is owned by the City of Yonkers and operated by the Yonkers Parking Authority.

Section C Section C is comprised of 1.01 acres of previously cleared and vacant land that is owned by the City of Yonkers Community Development Agency. It is used as a community garden. A concrete and stone bulkhead along the form the site’s eastern boundary. Construction debris (e.g., bricks, concrete) is used to create walkways and trails in this seasonal community garden. The site slopes downward on its eastern side and contains concrete debris and trees on its Nepperhan Avenue frontage. Other portions of the site on its northern and eastern side are lightly wooded with black locust and Norway maple and contain rocks and the remains of a stone wall.

Adjacent to the south is the City of Yonkers’ Stefanik Park. Stefanik Park is a passive recreational facility with asphalt paths and sitting areas, with an elevated viaduct supporting the Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway located to its south. The Trailway overlooks the park and Section C.

The eastern boundary of Section C is comprised of a four-foot concrete wall abutting the Saw Mill River. There is a 10-to-25-foot wide permanent easement on the site abutting the Saw Mill River. This easement has been granted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the acquisition of property for the Yonkers Flood Protection Project II.

Sections D and E Sections D and E are comprised of the 12.08-acre site of the existing Mulford Gardens complex. Vegetative cover is dominated by maintained lawn areas and landscaping between buildings and along access roads. The existing trees are generally healthy and growing vigorously.

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Section F Section F includes two parcels on either side of Section A, with a parking garage located on the eastern parcel. Encompassing 2.2 acres in total, both of these sites provide access to the green space provided by the Old Croton Aqueduct. The eastern parcel is more densely wooded with trees getting thicker closer to the southern property line. The western parcel is open with maintained grasses.

Section G Section G is currently an area containing mixed-use development with limited areas of green space and existing vegetation. A narrow line of trees does exist within the western part of Section G, and may provide some habitat for bird species and eastern gray squirrel.

Section H Section H is a less densely developed portion of the redevelopment area, and as such has a greater variety of existing trees and vegetation. Below the existing tree level it is common to observe landscape plantings of non-native shrubs and grasses. The existing trees are of some value to canopy dwelling species, such as birds and squirrels, but the high intensity use of the surrounding area is likely to preclude significant use by ground-dwelling species. Some adaptable species, as listed in Table 2 above, are likely to occasionally utilize this area.

Section I Section I is a densely developed area of approximately 2 acres with some trees growing behind existing one- to-three family houses. Vegetative cover is minimal.

Section J Section J consists of two parcels containing primarily residential uses and vacant land. Section J (Section J East and Section J West) abuts the Old Croton Aqueduct. These parcels are generally vegetated with trees and shrubs located outside of the areas of residential use providing a buffer to the Old Croton Aqueduct trail.

The Old Croton Aqueduct The Old Croton Aqueduct is an important linear open space corridor through this section of Yonkers, serving as greenspace and providing recreational hiking opportunities, as well as a corridor for birds and small mammals species that may reside in this area. The Sections A, F and J abut this trailway, and provide access and additional vegetated area for wildlife use.

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3.8.2 Potential Impacts

1) Master Plan and Urban Renewal Plan

A. Proposed Plan and Projects The Ashburton Avenue Master Plan and its associated implementation document, the Urban Renewal Plan, recommend a number of potential future actions that could be undertaken along the Ashburton Avenue corridor. These potential future actions include the widening of Ashburton Avenue and other circulation improvements; on-street and off-street parking plans; the revitalization of Mulford Gardens and other possible HOPE VI development sites (discussed in detail below); the development of Father Pat Carroll Green (previously approved); improvements to public, semi-public, and community facilities; opportunities for residential development/redevelopment; and a retail development plan. As discussed above, the project area is located in an urbanized area predominantly consisting of developed or previously developed areas. The developed and urban nature of the project area has resulted in the elimination of most of the natural vegetation and wildlife within the project area. In addition, according to the New York State DEC there are no rare or protected plant and/or wildlife species within the project area.

The only area within the project boundary containing any significant amount of natural vegetation is the area adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct. The proposed Master Plan and Urban Renewal Plan recommend that the city work with the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct in order to establish a plan for renovation of the trail, which includes the following elements: • More points to entrance onto the trail within the project area and elsewhere in the city. • Improvements to embankments and retaining walls where erosion has occurred. • Grading and clearance to re-establish a well-defined bike/ pedestrian path. • Installation of historic markers and other furniture to help identify the trail and to emphasize its historic importance. • Placement of a gateway kiosk or special signage in the vicinity of Palisade Avenue where the trail meets Ashburton Avenue. • Creation of a promenade behind the new buildings in HOPE VI Sites A and F to provide enjoyment of the trail, and eyes on the trail for improved security. This plan recommendation aims to refurbish/improve the area adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct as a linear park making it accessible for recreational use by the

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public. The plans aim to enhance the existing natural area and improve (i.e. garage removal, erosion control, re-grading of the existing pathway, etc.) the overall quality of the Trailway. Given that there are no known rare or protected species in this area and that the goal of this plan recommendation is to improve the overall quality of the Trailway no significant adverse impact is expected to occur.

In addition, the remaining plan recommendations consist of potential actions that occur in areas that are urbanized and consist of developed land or previously developed vacant parcels where terrestrial resources are limited. As a result none of these listed possible future projects would have significant adverse impacts on rare or protected wildlife and/or plant species.

2) Mulford Gardens Hope VI Plan

A. Mulford Gardens HOPE VI Sections A, B, C

1. Section A Redevelopment of Section A would introduce proposed new construction and landscaping in an area that is now vacant but revegetated. If tree cutting and clearing are kept to a minimum along the southern property line, no significant adverse effects on the adjacent character of the Old Croton Aqueduct Trailway would be expected as a result of the project. Revegetation of the area below the proposed retaining wall should be completed to enhance this buffer and provide additional cover for wildlife species.

2. Section B No adverse impacts to wildlife or vegetation are expected as a result of development of Section B. Redevelopment of this parcel will provide some opportunity for tree plantings and landscaping that will enhance this area.

3. Section C Redevelopment of Section C would introduce proposed new construction and a row of landscaping along Nepperhan Avenue in an area that is now vacant land that is used as a community garden.

Since the redevelopment area is located in an urban setting, existing vegetation and wildlife habitat are extremely limited. As stated previously, the NYSDEC has identified no threatened or endangered species, or significant habitat, within the redevelopment area or adjacent to it. As vegetation within the redevelopment area is sparse and there are no natural or significant wildlife habitat areas, the proposed project is not expected to result in

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B. Sections D and E Considering the densely developed nature of this area and the lack of significant habitat, it is unlikely that there will be any impact to vegetation or wildlife resources as a result of future additional development.

C. Section F No specific plans for development of these parcels is available at this time, but generally any redevelopment between Ashburton Avenue and the Old Croton Aqueduct will consider preservation of trees to the extent practicable and provision of a vegetated buffer to the Aqueduct Trail.

D. Section G Considering the densely developed nature of this Section and the lack of significant habitat, it is unlikely that there will be any impact to vegetation or wildlife resources as a result of future HOPE VI development.

E. Section H Redevelopment of the neighborhood area associated with Section H will consider the preservation of large trees to the extent practicable, and the use of native landscaping trees and shrubs to enhance the vegetation and wildlife potential for these areas.

F. Section I Considering the densely developed nature of this area and the lack of significant habitat, it is unlikely that there will be any impact to vegetation or wildlife resources as a result of future HOPE VI development.

G. Section J No specific plans for development of these parcels is available at this time, but generally any redevelopment adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct will consider preservation of trees to the extent practicable and provision of a vegetated buffer to the Aqueduct Trail.

As described in Chapter 3.6, Water Resources and Wetlands, the proposed stormwater management system is not expected to result in any adverse impacts to the Saw Mill or Hudson Rivers. By utilizing methods that conform to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) standards,

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stormwater quality would be expected to improve following construction of the proposed project and its stormwater treatment structures. Limited quantities of stormwater, such as that collected as runoff from Section B, will be conveyed to the municipal sewer system for further treatment prior to discharge to the Hudson River. Overall it is possible that stormwater quality to the receiving waters will improve following redevelopment by incorporating best management practices and stormwater detention where possible.

The project will include the establishment of landscape plantings in various locations. Although the primary purpose of the proposed landscaping is aesthetic enhancement, this plant material will provide limited food and habitat for various wildlife species including birds and squirrels.

3.8.3 Mitigation Measures

1) Master Plan and Urban Renewal Plan As no significant impacts to terrestrial ecology are anticipated due to the minimal availability of these resources, no ecology-related mitigation measures are proposed.

2) Mulford Gardens Hope VI Plan As no significant impacts to terrestrial ecology are anticipated due to the minimal availability of these resources, no ecology-related mitigation measures are proposed. Preservation of existing re-vegetated portions of some of the Sections will maintain the natural or ecological functions which those limited areas now support. Use of native trees and shrubs for landscaping will enhance the vegetative diversity and wildlife benefits to some extent, and redevelopment of areas that are currently asphalt may result in a net gain of green space and vegetation.

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